Our Historic Environment team undertook scoping and consultation with statutory bodies, producing a technical report appended to the Cultural Heritage Environmental Statement and the Environmental Statement chapter. This established the baseline historic environment, identifying potential constraints relating to both below-ground archaeology and above-ground heritage assets.
The team also managed a staged archaeological evaluation, with our Heritage Manager coordinating all works and providing regular updates. The surveys identified several sites of archaeological interest, including two of potential regional significance.
In parallel, our Environmental Planning team produced the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) for the Environmental Statement. The assessment considered the scheme’s effects on landscape character and key landscape features, including the Lincoln Cliff escarpment, which is designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value. The visual assessment examined views from local Public Rights of Way, including the Viking Way long-distance footpath, as well as nearby roads and residential properties, supported by the preparation of photomontages.
Working closely with our in-house landscape design team, the landscape planners helped shape a landscape strategy that responds to the surrounding character while supporting biodiversity net gain. The proposals incorporate swale drainage, structural and screen planting, and the re-routing of part of the Viking Way.
Our combined heritage and landscape assessments informed mitigation measures to minimise impacts on archaeological remains and the wider landscape, including adjustments to the road alignment, footpaths, embankments, and attenuation ponds. Where impacts could not be avoided, we recommended pre-construction archaeological works and prepared a Written Scheme of Investigation to secure them through planning conditions.
Full planning approval has since been granted, with heritage, landscape and environmental considerations fully integrated into the scheme, helping balance infrastructure delivery with the protection of Lincolnshire’s historic and landscape character.
