A photomontage showing two images of the visual impact of a reservoir on the landscape at 4 and 15 years.

Mott MacDonald's Visual Impact Analysis (VIA) work provides a creative approach to information regarding the possible visual impact of any proposed development on the surrounding landscape (natural and built environments).

Visual impacts relate to changes in available views of the landscape, and the effects of those changes on people. Such changes can be positive as well as negative. We make out assessment of the significance of the effects of development on the landscape and visual resource based upon the prediction of the potential impact in relation to the baseline conditions.

Our VIA services

• Environmental impact assessment
• Landscape character assessment
• Scenic quality assessments
• Sunlight/daylight/shadow assessment
• GIS, 2 and 3 D modelling
• Visualisation tools / Photomontage

Environmental impact assessment (EIA): We undertake Visual impact assessment (VIA) as part of a study preliminary to an Environmental Impact Statement, which identifies environmental impacts of a land development action.

Landscape quality assessment: We undertake landscape assessment as a sub-section of an EIA, this is concerned with quality assessment of the landscape. We carry out these assessments either as part of a strategic planning process or in connection with a specific development which will have an impact on the landscape. Such assessments are intended to help with the conservation and enhancement of the environment, therefore it is usually necessary to have a fully geographical landscape assessment as a stage in the process of EIA and landscape planning.

Visual disturbance: We carry out work to identify visual disturbance of a development and any development alternatives.

Identify mitigations / modifications to design developments: By looking at development options, we can identify modifications needed to achieve positive impacts.

Visual envelopes: Using 3D topographic models (GIS), we are able to carry out rapid assessment of visual impacts, from potential developments and measures that may alleviate any visual impact.