Information on Loughborough

Capturing Charnwoods Character

Posted on 10/03/2009

CREATIVE residents could find their work being printed in a new document which aims to capture Charnwoods character.

Charnwood BoroughCouncils Development officers are working on a Landscape Character Assessment to highlight the different beauties of six areas - Charnwood Forest, Soar Valley, Wreake Valley, High Leicestershire, The Wolds and Langley Lowlands.

It aims to show what is valued about the areas and provide guidance so that new developments fit in and reflect the best of the surrounding countryside.

To ensure the Character Assessment records the beauty of the Borough, residents are being encouraged to send in photographs, artwork and historical quotes to help illustrate it.

Cllr Hilary Fryer, Charnwood Borough Councils Cabinet member for Development and Planning, said:"What springs to your mind when someone mentions the Charnwood Forest, the Wolds or the Soar Valley?

"Do you picture woods, rolling fields and riversides? What do the different countryside scenes mean to you and how can we help keep what is distinctive and good?

"We would like you to take a look at our Charnwood countryside and record with your sketchpads and cameras what you think is special.

"The Landscape Character Assessment is an important document that will highlight the distinctiveness of this wonderful area.

"We would love to receive photographs, artwork, short poems, famous writings or old paintings of Charnwood scenes or history that illustrate the wide variety of countryside in our Borough.

"Its important that we know about the areas that are valued by the people who live and work here.

"Unfortunately we may not be able to use everything that is sent to us but we would be delighted to see what you think makes Charnwood special.

The Assessment will complement the new planning document, the Local Development Framework, and a consultation will be held later this year before it is published in the Summer of 2010.

People of any age can contribute photographs or pictures and youngsters are also being encouraged to send in their artwork showing picturesque Charnwood scenes.

Anyone interested in contributing a photo, scanned artwork (no originals) or quote for possible publication in the Landscape Character Assessment should email them to landscape.art@charnwood.gov.uk before September 30th, 2009.

Please state where and when your photos were taken and if you would like your name to be featured in the Landscape Character Assessment alongside your work.