Cannock Chase AONB Peace and Tranquillity Study

Cannock Chase AONB

Cannock Chase AONB - Photo Cannock Chase AONB

Client

Cannock Chase AONB Partnership

Task

To develop a methodology for assessing tranquillity in the Cannock Chase AONB and to conduct the first peace and tranquillity study.  We worked with the Countryside Training Partnership and ELP on this contract.

Download  Cannock Chase AONB Peace and Tranquillity report

Process

We assessed existing methodologies for tranquillity studies and developed a scheme that involved local people giving their perceptions of tranquillity.  The scheme could be repeated easily as part of condition monitoring for the AONB.  Volunteers from the AONB Unit collected data from local people and visitors which was then expressed through a simple GIS mapping analysis.  The contract included undertaking the first study – subsequent studies will be conducted to coincide with management plan reviews.

Benefits

  • A simple methodology was developed that the AONB Unit can repeat easily as part of AONB condition monitoring
  • The study was expressed visually allowing it to be easily understood by users
  • The report is a baseline for subsequent assessments that will coincide with reviews of the management plan