CA21: Fowey Valley
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CA21: Fowey Valley Key Landscape Characteristics1 • Series of steep river valleys flowing south into the River Fowey, terminating at the Fowey deep water ria system. • Tidal river and associated creeks and streams, small areas of intertidal Mudflats, Coastal Saltmarsh, neutral grassland and Wet Woodland on the upper reaches. • Dominant oak woodland on steep slopes down to river's edge, interspersed with small pastoral fields on less steep slopes. • Estate parkland and ornamental planting including Lanhydrock (NT) and Glynn with extensive woodland plantation and parkland trees. • Strong influence of road and rail transportation along the river valley. • Large sheltered active deep-water harbour with much water-based recreational activity and commercial shipping. • Larger settlements expanded by their function as a port. • Smaller nucleated hamlets along the banks of the river and at the heads of creeks, medieval in origin, some with medieval churches. • Extensive conifer plantations at the upper end of valley. 1 Taken from Cornwall Council (2007) Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Landscape Character Study [http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=20139 accessed January 2011] Land Use Consultants CA21: Fowey Valley Landscape Sensitivity Assessment for Wind Turbines Criteria Lower sensitivity Higher sensitivity A major river valley system flowing westwards, gathering a number of tributaries that Landform and flow southwards off Bodmin Moor (CA32). Close to Lanhydrock, the valley opens scale out to include some adjacent hills, before it turns south to the coast developing into a large-scale ria system. The valleys of both the main river and its tributaries are steep sided, producing a dramatic landform - and varying between intimate and larger scales. The farmland comprises small medieval fields defined by sinuous Cornish hedges with hedgerows. Some larger scale, more recent fields are found in places, as well as Land cover pattern post-medieval rectilinear fields on the fringes of Bodmin Moor. In the valleys and presence of woodland, coastal saltmarsh and wetland habitats contribute to the complexity of human scale landcover. features Human scale features include Cornish hedges, frequent trees, farms, isolated dwellings, bridges and quays. The landscape’s extensive tree cover emphasises the tight enclosure of the valleys, resulting in a small, human-scale feel to the landscape overall. Tracks/transport Despite the presence of the A38 which runs along the upper part of the river (Glynn pattern Valley), elsewhere there are few lanes and those that exist are narrow lanes bounded by Cornish hedges – typically small lanes plunge perpendicularly down the slopes. Although the LCA description does not refer specifically to skylines, it notes the Roman military fort near Restormel Castle, overlooking the highest navigable point Skylines of the Fowey, Restormel Castle itself, the remains of a motte and bailey castle at Old Cardinham, St Catherine's Castle in Fowey, and fine medieval churches at Cardinham, St Neot, St Winnow and St Sampson – it is likely that these are important skyline features. Perceptual The twisting creeks of the ria with the trees down to the water’s edge appears both qualities tranquil and mysterious in complete contrast to the busy harbour area at Fowey. Parts have a busy character, particularly in the summer months. Overall though, much of this landscape has a tranquil and rural character. Cornwall Council’s HLC Sensitivity Mapping for wind turbines assesses the HLC types of ‘Medieval Farmland’ and ‘Ancient Woodland’, which make up a significant proportion of the LCA, as of moderate-high vulnerability to wind turbines. Areas of ‘Ornamental’ ground associated with the LCA’s parkland estates is assessed as of ‘high’ vulnerability to wind turbines, as are the patches of ‘Upland Rough Ground’ Historic landscape found on upper valley slopes. Significant areas of ‘Post-medieval Enclosed Land character (Intakes)’, particularly in the middle section of the LCA are assessed as of ‘moderate’ vulnerability to wind turbines. Smaller areas of ‘Modern’ enclosures (Amalgamation of AEL) are assessed as of ‘low-moderate’ vulnerability, whilst the landscape’s ‘Plantations and Scrub’, found along some valley sides, as well as the modern development related to the main settlements in the landscape, are assessed as of ‘low’ vulnerability. The LCA’s areas of ‘Intertidal and Inshore Water’ were not assessed as part of this study. Distinctive landscape features The LCA describes Restormel Castle; Golitha Falls; Cardinham Woods and Glynn Valley; the wide stretch of open water with trees down to waters edge; prominent Land Use Consultants CA21: Fowey Valley Criteria Lower sensitivity Higher sensitivity streams and wooded valleys; Clay wharves at Golant; busy harbour at Fowey; Polruan passenger ferry and Bodinnick vehicle ferry across mouth of river; Porphyry Hall; parkland around Lanhydrock (NT) and Glynn House as distinctive features of the landscape. The woods are particularly extensive in this LCA. The southern part of the Fowey Ria falls within the ‘South Coast Eastern’ section of the Cornwall AONB (the coastal margins also defined as Heritage Coast). Qualities that may particularly be affected by wind energy development are the spectacular promontory of Gribben Head with its prominent beacon, and the panoramic views along the coast and across the Fowey Estuary. The fringes of the northern valleys on the edge of Bodmin Moor fall within the Scenic quality ‘Bodmin Moor’ section of the Cornwall AONB. Approximately 23% of the LCA is AONB. The central part of the Fowey valley falls within the Boconnoc AGLV (valued for the prominence of Restormel Castle and the ornamental parkland character of the Boconnoc Estate) and the westward course of the Fowey, and its tributaries on the fringes of Bodmin Moor, fall within the Mid Fowey AGLV (valued for the enclosed and wooded character of the Fowey Valley, the water meadows on the valley floor, the designed landscapes of Glynn House and Lanhydrock). Although the large hills around Lanhydrock, the presence of larger scale, more recent fields in places and presence of the A38 may indicate lower levels of sensitivity Overall sensitivity to wind energy developments, the dramatic landform of the majority of the valley assessment system, the complexity of landcover, human scale of the valleys, skyline features overlooking the valley, tranquil character and high scenic quality heighten levels of sensitivity to the extent that overall this LCA is considered to have a moderate- high sensitivity to wind energy development. Areas of ancient woodland would be particularly sensitive. Sensitivities to different turbine The scale of the valley system varies along its length – with smaller scale and steeper heights sections to the north and south, and a more open larger scale area in the middle. Although this middle section is of a larger scale than the other parts, it would still be Very small: 18-25m particularly sensitive to large scale wind turbines. The rest of the valley system would Small: 26-60m be particularly sensitive to ‘medium’ and ‘large’ scale wind turbines. Medium: 61-99m Large: 100-150m Sensitivities to different cluster sizes and distribution The size and scale of this valley system means that it would be particularly sensitive Single turbine to anything other than single turbines of small clusters (where space allows). Small (<5 turbines) Medium (6-10) Large (11-25) Very large (>25) Landscape strategy and Guidance for Wind Turbines The landscape strategy is for a landscape with occasional single turbines, or small clusters, comprising turbines up to and including medium scale in the middle Landscape section of the LCA, and with occasional small turbines in the remainder of the strategy valley system outside the AONB (turbine size and cluster size should relate to landscape scale which varies within the LCA). Within the AONB a landscape Land Use Consultants CA21: Fowey Valley without wind energy development (except for occasional very small scale single turbines linked to existing buildings eg farm buildings).. There may be more than one wind energy development in the LCA, but these should be clearly separated so that, although each wind energy development influences the perception of the landscape at close proximity, collectively they do not have a defining influence on the overall experience of the landscape. See Annex 2 of the Technical Report for generic siting and design guidance. In addition, the following guidance should apply to any wind energy developments within this LCA: • Avoid locating turbines in the most remote and tranquil locations of the landscape, particularly within the steep sided, largely undeveloped tributary valleys and ria creeks. • Avoid siting turbines at the ria mouth (e.g. on the headland above St Catherine’s Point). • Avoid damage and alterations to the network of small scale and steep rural lanes. • Ensure wind energy development does not dominate, or prevent the understanding and appreciation of, skyline features, including the Roman military fort and castle of Restormel, St Catherine’s Castle at the mouth of the ria, the remains of a motte and bailey castle at Old Cardinham, or the medieval church towers at Cardinham, St Neot, St Winnow and St Sampson. • Avoid siting turbines within the HLC Types of ‘Upland Rough Ground’, ‘Ornamental’ and ‘Ancient Woodland’ – assessed by Cornwall Council as being particularly vulnerable to wind energy development. Siting Guidance