Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) has become an increasingly important part of the planning process in Ireland, particularly as the country accelerates its delivery of renewable energy and large-scale infrastructure. As the volume and complexity of these projects grow, so too does the demand for practitioners with specialist skills in assessing how development affects the landscape and the views that people value
Four members of the our Landscape and Visual team have recently completed what is understood to be Europe’s first accredited micro-credential in LVIA. The programme was developed by the School of Geography at the University of Limerick, in collaboration with Green Tech Skillnet and a range of leading practitioners in the Irish landscape planning field, and was created to address the growing need for specialist landscape and visual assessment skills across the planning and renewable energy sectors.
Despite being delivered on a part-time basis, the micro-credential demanded a substantial commitment. It combined online learning and discussion with two site visits and a series of assessments, requiring significant time and effort alongside the team’s ongoing project work. As an accredited qualification, it also provides formal recognition of the specialist knowledge that underpins high-quality assessment.
A key highlight for our team was the opportunity to learn alongside landscape architects, landscape planners and other LVIA professionals from across the sector, sharing different perspectives and approaches to assessment. Drawing on several years of hands-on LVIA experience, the team was able to contribute actively to discussions on current best practice, guidance and methodology. Its experience in the assessment of wind energy developments proved a particularly valuable addition to these conversations, as renewables assessment was a relatively new area for many in the cohort.
The programme reflects how LVIA has developed into a distinct and increasingly formalised specialism. Robust landscape and visual assessment draws on expertise across landscape architecture, geography, environmental science and planning, and the introduction of an accredited micro-credential provides recognised standing for the skills and knowledge behind sound assessment.
Completion of this micro-credential strengthens the depth of specialist knowledge within our Landscape and Visual team and supports the continued delivery of robust, evidence-based landscape and visual assessments for clients across the planning and renewable energy sectors.
To find out more about our Landscape and Visual services, contact Jack Workman (jworkman@mkoireland.ie)
