Headline Indicator 1998-2003
The assessment has shown that between 1999 and 2003:
- Existing landscape character was maintained in 51% of England’s landscapes and enhanced in a further 10%
- Loss or neglect of character was shown in 20% of our landscapes, given the loss of character observed in the 1990-1998 assessment
- New characteristics are emerging in 19% of our landscapes
Comparison between the first and second rounds of assessment (1990-1998 and 1999-2003) shows a good level of consistency. For example: of the 56 Character Areas that were assessed as showing “change consistent with character” in the first assessment, 54 have been classified as “enhancing” or “maintained” for 1999-2003. Similarly, of the 100 Character Areas that showed “marked or some change inconsistent with character” between 1990 and 1998, 42 showed some slowing or reversal of this trend between 1999 and 2003. The remaining 58 Character Areas that experienced “marked or some change inconsistent with character” up to 1998 continued this trend through to 2003.
The themes woodland and trees, semi-natural habitats and river and coastal features were generally stable across the majority of Character Areas. By contrast, boundaries and historic features generally showed signs of being neglected, whereas settlement pattern appeared to be diverging in most Character Areas.
