The Character Assessment aims to help identify and protect the identity of the borough through a comprehensive assessment of urban and landscape character areas. Guidance is set out regarding the capacity of areas to accommodate new development and their unique sensitivity to change.
The Character Assessment was adopted in November 2003 after a study undertaken by consultants on behalf of Christchurch Borough Council. Specific objectives of the study included the need to:
- Obtain a comprehensive understanding of the quality, diversity and sensitivity of the environmental character by reference to 'Character Areas'
- Identify the most important borough-wide characteristics that contribute to the borough's unique and distinctive character, sense of place and identity
- Set down guidance on the capacity of each area to accommodate new development or other forms of environmental change, along with advice on the characteristics that new development would need to successfully integrate with its location