Appendix 11.1 Summary of LANDMAP Aspect Data Abergelli PEIR 2018 – APPENDIX 11.1

Appendix 11.1: Summary of LANDMAP Aspect Data

This Appendix should be read in conjunction with Figures 11.2 to 11.6.

Table 1: Summary of LANDMAP Aspect Data within the Project Site ID Aspect Area LANDMAP Evaluation Criteria: LANDMAP Guidelines (referenced Area Name LANDMAP Summary Description Code Overall Evaluation on Figures) Visual and Sensory Aspect Areas (Figure 11.2) Rolling farmland mosaic on land ranging between 60m and 200m AOD, with slight upland character at these higher elevations generated by the adjacent uplands. Essentially rural landscape, although criss-crossed by network of minor Medium Term: roads and greater detractor of overhead power wires on steel pylons. The southern area is also influenced by road noise Moderate (rolling farmland typical of Restrict overhead pylons, especially 17 Rhyd-y-pandy SWNSVS738 from the busy M4. Three separate parts to this aspect area. area) steel/lattice support. Sensitive management of Change detection 2014: adjacent settlements have expanded urban edge and business park to reduce into this area in three places - Morrison Hospital, intrusion. Pontarddulais and Pontlliw. Plus new business park developing on former works site, adjacent to J46 of M4, general erosion of rural character. Medium Term: Moderate Penllergaer Improve diversity by planting broadleaf trees 19 SWNSVS811 Rolling farmland dominated by conifer plantation. (No distinguishing higher/lower Forest along edges / stream course. Restrict criteria evaluation) overhead pylons. Landscape Habitats Aspect Areas (Figure 11.3) Moderate Generally Low value improved grassland habitat but there are small North of Largely improved grassland (95%) with walls and hedgerows areas of semi-improved grassland, Medium Term: 4 Gorseinon SWNSLH349 as significant features of biodiversity. Bat species will be marshy grassland and semi-natural Try to implement Tir Gofal scheme throughout and Swansea present within the area. broadleaved woodland as well as farms small streams present throughout the area along with hedgerows which add ecological value Area includes Improved Grassland (32%), Semi-Improved High Neutral Grassland (22%), Marshy Grassland (16%) with an Immediate: East of SSSI (Penplas Grasslands).BAP habitats of A number of priority habitats are Preserve Marsh Fritillary habitat 6 SWNSLH406 present and area supports Marsh Penllergaer Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland, Purple Moor Grass and Long Term: Fritillary and is likely to support a Rush Pastures, Fens. Important species include Marsh number of other key species Try to enhance value of grassland Fritillary, Linnet, Skylark and Reed Bunting.

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Marshy Grassland (45%), Semi-improved Neutral Grassland (35%) and Wet Heath (5%) include internationally important High No guidelines but recommendation to monitor Waun Y Garn Purple moor-grass meadows. BAP habitats of Purple Moor 20 SWNSLH943 grazing levels in fields to improve ecological Wen Grass and Rush Pastures, Lowland Heath and Fens. Some important habitat with the value Protected sites (pSNCI’s 105, 315, 316, and 318) cover 71- potential for key species 80% of the Aspect Area. Skylark may be present. Historic Landscape Aspect Areas (Figure 11.4) An area of fieldscape not based on the open-field system, but evolving as a result of gradual enclosure of the uplands and their foothills. There is some evidence for enclosure in the Outstanding H27 Gower pre-Norman period, and the process continued into the 6 Supraboscus SWNSHL398 second half of the 19th century. Some unenclosed land and Outstanding integrity, survival, rarity None Agricultural woodland remains. Limited industrial activity, mainly mining and potential, with high condition took place in the 19th century. The settlement pattern is rating basically dispersed, but ribbon developments occurred in areas of industrial activity. Geological Landscape Aspect Areas (Figure 11.5) Broad low level plateau of E-W low ridges (dip and scarp Immediate: topography) in gently S dipping SW Pennant Formation Ensure that SSSI is maintained in favourable (Grovesend Beds, Upper Carboniferous) sandstones condition by implementation of management Outstanding and thin coals, dissected by meandering, N- S upper Llan plan. Includes Penllergaer railway cutting 4 Penllergaer SWNSGL033 valley. Extensive cover of boulder clay draping topography. Long Term: SSSI for Upper Carboniferous, Broad areas of glacial sand and gravel, alluvium and some Grovesend Formation stratigraphy. Ensure that no further key features of peat through NW-SE broad upper Llan valley and plateau. geological or geomorphological significance NE-SW to N-S faults cutting topography. Tirdonkin Fault are lost/damaged due to development, controlling upper Llan valley. Many disused coal mines. forestry, etc. Cultural Landscape Aspect Areas (Figure 11.6) Significant landscape character influences are: Agricultural, Rural Settlement and Other infrastructure (The Lliw Valley High 14 The Mawr SWNSCL029 Reservoirs 015). Area includes Post1950, Inter War, Victorian An area of multi-period historic and None & Edwardian, Late Medieval and Medieval chronological evolved cultural significance periods.

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This Appendix should be read in conjunction with Figure 11.2 and 11.9.*

Table 2: Summary of LANDMAP Visual and Sensory Aspect Areas within 5 km of the Project Site Inclusion in ID Aspect Area LANDMAP Evaluation LANDMAP Extent of Theoretical the (referenced Area Name LANDMAP Summary Description Code Criteria: Overall Evaluation Guidelines Visibility Assessment on Figures) (Yes/No) Very small pocket of No theoretical visibility within south west corner of the MISSING FROM NRW WEBSITE – EMAIL SENT 1 East of Glais SWNSVS1000 aspect area. As a result it TO REQUEST DATA is not considered to result in potential significant effect on the aspect area. Area has distinct field system that clearly defines it There is an area of Yes from adjacent open upland areas of Mynyddd theoretical visibililty within Gellionnen to the east. The area is dominated by the central upland part of Moderate (Upland area with Medium Term North of farming with individual settlements scattered this aspect area. 2 SWNSVS146 some attractive views to (Maintain/repair Clydach throughout. The area is bordered by the larger uplands.) of hedgebanks) settlement of Clydach to the south and the wooded valley of Cwm Clydach to the west. Change detection 2014: poor boundary with Clydach rectified

Rolling farmland on relatively low lying land, with Medium Term Two very small, peripheral No mosaic pattern derived from hedges and some (Limit urban pockets of theoretical; scattered woodland, mainly broadleaf, also more visibility, however, distance Mynydd Carn spread into area) open area of Mynydd Carn Goch. Urban influence Moderate (Overall balance of and intervening vegetation, 3 Coch & SWNSVS153 is strong to the north and west) Penllergaer and criteria is moderate) Medium Term landform and built fabric surrounds Gorseinon) where the area is encircled by the urban (Maintain and would preclude potential edge. Change detection 2014: Gowerton expanded strengthen hedge significant effects. into this area. boundaries.) Glais village with mix of traditional buildings, No theoretical visibility. No primarily in central areas with predominantly modern housing surrounding. Essentially a nucleated 4 Glais SWNSVS203 settlement centred on the B4291, situated on the Low (no qualities) Not assessed valley sides of the River Tawe. Noise and movement from traffic on B4291 and A4067 detractor. Limited theoretical visibility No The M4 which is a large road corridor with along sections of this associated signage, lighting, embankments, cuttings aspect area which are not 5 M4 SWNSVS204 Low (no qualities of worth) Not assessed and overbridges. Noise and movement major considered to be sufficient detractors. to give rise to potentially significant effects.

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Medium Term Small pockets of No (Woodland theoretical visibility within management) peripheral parts of this Medium Term aspect area. Intervening (Continuing vegetation and localised Valley dominated by woodland but with a mosaic of restoration and landform would preclude Penbwl, Valley, open fields present as well, the areas borders the management of potential significant effects High (Wooded valley adjacent Graig- M4 to the north and the outskirts of Swansea to the Penllergaer on this aspect area. 6 SWNSVS226 to urban area with special neddfwch south. Change detection 2014: Valley dominated by historic designed historic and scenic value) Woods Penllergaer designed landscape being restored, with landscape) encroachment of housing from west – Gowerton. Medium Term (No further encroachment of urban edge adjacent to Penllergaer) Valley floor surrounding the Afon Lliw that is No theoretical visibility. No bisected by M4 corridor, almost, completely Low (Agricultural Low (Agricultural character Afon Lliw and enclosed by built form on both valley sides, some character 7 SWNSVS321 compromised by urban surrounds hedgerow field boundaries... Distinct urban edge compromised by influence) character. Change detection 2014: poorly drawn urban influence) boundaries with Pontlliw rectified

Low Very limited theoretical No Upper part of Afon Lliw less detraction from M4 Medium Term: visibility which would not Upper Lliw (Agricultural character 8 SWNSVS322 corridor, some hedgerow field boundaries, urban Prevent urban give rise to potentially Valley compromised by urban edge character still apparent. spread. significant effects on this influence) aspect area. Theoretical visibility limited No to the south eastern part of Valley floor on north side of M4 corridor and by this aspect area. Distance overhead power lines on pylons, and completely combined with intervening enclosed by built form on both valley sides. Some Moderate (Although vegetation, built form and Medium Term hedgerow field boundaries. Distinct urban edge compromised by adjacent localised landform would 9 Afon tawe SWNSVS361 (restrict urban character. Change detection 2014: south of M4 land uses inherent character substantially limit the spread) omitted from this area as it becomes more built-up remains) visibility and as such SWNSVS001. Large estate of new housing north of potentially significant M4. effects on this aspect area are not considered to result. Area has distinct field system that clearly defines it No theoretical visibility. No from adjacent open upland areas of Mynydd Y Gwair Medium Term East of Banc Moderate (Good views but all 10 SWNSVS415 to the west the landform with the Clydach Valley to (maintain/repair Maestir Mawr other criteria moderate.) the east. There are views to the uplands and down of hedge banks) the Clydach Valley.

Upland grazing imparts upland context. Area is Moderate Long term: Theoretical visibility across Yes Mynydd open and distinct from the surrounding areas which Ensure grazing the western half of this 11 SWNSVS469 Gelliwastad have a distinct field system. Has views out to (Relatively unspoilt area with levels are aspect area. Clydach to the east. some attractive upland views) appropriate

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Theoretical visibility across No the northern, central and eastern parts of this aspect Medium Term: area. However, the Rolling farmland on relatively low lying land, with Maintain and combination of distance, mosaic pattern derived from hedges and some Moderate strengthen hedge intervening vegetation and scattered woodland, mainly broadleaf, urban localised landform and 12 West of Clase SWNSVS505 boundaries. influence is strong in the southern and western Overall balance of criteria is settlement would sides, where the area is encircled by the urban moderate. Long Term: considerably limit the edge. The northern edge borders the M4 motorway. Limit urban visibility and influence of spread into area. the development within this aspect area, such that potentially significant effects would not result. Area has distinct field system that clearly defines it No theoretical visibility. No Medium Term from adjacent open upland areas. The area Moderate 13 Cwmcerdinen SWNSVS580 (maintain/repair surrounds the valley of Cwm Cerdinen and has (majority=moderate) of hedgebanks) views down into this valley. An area of upland on valley sides. The area has No theoretical visibility. No distinct field system that clearly defines it from the adjacent more open upland areas The Aspect Area Long Term Surrounding largely follows the path of watercourses and there Moderate (All criteria (Maintain/enhanc 14 SWNSVS585 Cwm Dulais are noticeable areas of woodland along the moderate.) e boundary watercourses. There are views out to the uplands features.) as well as views to Pontarddulais with which this area shares a boundary on its southern edge. A small pocket of No theoretical visibility lies Urban area that encompasses the settlements of within the eastern corner of Gorseinon, Gowerton and Grovesend. The area is this aspect area which is largely residential with some retail and small areas largely defined by of industry. Views out are largely on to farmland settlement. The built fabric 15 Gorseinon SWNSVS726 with some views to the south east edge out on to Low (n/a) Not assessed of this aspect area would saltmarsh and Loughor estuary. North east part of substantially limit the this aspect area includes much open country. potential for intervisibility. Change detection 2014: expansion of Swansea in Potentially significant the east, and of Grovesend in north. effects on this aspect area would not result. Strongly rolling hills of between 250m and 400m Pockets of theoretical Yes AOD. Land cover is predominantly rough visibility exist along the grazing/moorland with distinct upland feel generated Medium Term southern sections of this 16 Pentwyn mawr SWNSVS735 by exposure, elevated views and lack of human High (majority = high) (restrict conifer aspect area. presence/detractors. Attractive long views of Gower plantation) add to sense of place. Change detection 2014: windfarm to north (Carmarthenshire) is prominent

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Rolling farmland mosaic on land ranging between The Project Site lies within Yes 60m and 200m AOD, with slight a upland character this aspect area and as at these higher elevations generated by the adjacent Medium Term: such theoretical visibility is uplands. Essentially rural landscape, although criss Restrict overhead extensive. However, in crossed by network of minor roads and greater pylons, especially reality localised landform detractor of overhead power wires on steel pylons. steel/lattice and intervening vegetation The southern area is also influenced by road noise Moderate (rolling farmland substantially limits the 17 Rhyd-y-pandy SWNSVS738 support. from the busy M4. Three separate parts to this typical of area) Sensitive extent of visibility. aspect area. Change detection 2014: adjacent management of settlements have expanded into this area in three urban edge and places - Morrison Hospital, Pontarddulais and business park to Pontlliw. Plus new business park developing on reduce intrusion. former works site, adjacent to J46 of M4, general erosion of rural character. The majority of this aspect No area experiences no Medium Term: theoretical visibility save Hedgerow for a very small pocket in Visually contained valley with strong wooded Moderate 18 Cwm clydach SWNSVS797 maintenance/ the south west. This is not character. (All criteria moderate) replant gaps as considered to be sufficient required to result in potentially significant effects on this aspect area. The access road and Yes Medium Term: electrical connection fall Rolling farmland dominated by conifer plantation. within the eastern section Improve diversity Change detection 2014: New business park at J46 Moderate of this aspect area. of M4 excluded from this area. Conspicuous pylons by planting Theoretical visibility covers Penllergaer 19 SWNSVS811 and o/h lines to Swansea North sub-station. Poorly (No distinguishing broadleaf trees large parts of this aspect forest drawn boundary with Pontlliw rectified. Some conifer higher/lower criteria along edges / area, however, extensive conversion to broadleaf woodland in the northern evaluation) stream course. tracks of woodland and part of the area. Restrict overhead conifer plantation pylons. substantially limit the extent of visibility. 20 Clydach SWNSVS920 Urban area in valley Low (n/a) Not assessed. No theoretical visibility. No Village in wider gently undulating rural landscape No theoretical visibility. No 21 Pontlliw SWNSVS982 with slight urban fringe character. Change detection Low (n/a) Not assessed. 2014: poorly drawn boundary rectified *Note: Only Visual and Sensory Aspect Areas have been considered within 5 km of the Project Site as it is considered that the other Aspect Areas are less likely to be significantly affected by issues of setting and indirect effects.

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