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20th September 2017 Land at Hayfield Road and High Hill Road, New Mills Landscape and Visual Appraisal Report Number: 10758_R01a_AL_JW Author: Annabelle Langhorn BA (Hons), BLA, CMLI Checked: Clare Brockhurst Bsc (Hons), Dip LA, FLI Birmingham ・ Cotswolds ・ Exeter ・ London ・ Manchester Contents Section 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 Section 2: Planning Policy Context ................................................................................................... 5 Section 3: Baseline Situation ........................................................................................................... 12 Section 4: Landscape Opportunities & Constraints ...................................................................... 17 Section 5: Analysis of Proposals against Local Planning Policy ................................................. 19 Section 6: Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 22 Appendices Appendix 1: Proposed Site Layout (produced by Baldwin Design Consultancy Ltd Dwg Ref: WH/HRNM/SL/02) Appendix 2: Extract from High Peak Borough Council Landscape Character March 2006 ‘Settled Valley Pastures’ Plans & Photoviewpoints Plan 1: Landscape Planning Policy Context with Public Rights of Way (10758_P03_February 2017_LM/AL) Plan 2: Topography (10758_P02_February 2017_LM/AL) Plan 3: Zone of Theoretical Visibility (10758_P01_February 2017_LM/AL) Plan 4: Photoviewpoint Locations and Field Verified Visual Envelope (10758_P05_February 2017_LM/AL) Plan 5: Strategic Landscape Masterplan (10758_P06b_September 2017_LM/AL) Plan 6: Landscape Character Areas (10758_P04_February 2017_LM/AL) Plan 7: Landscape Opportunities & Constraints (10758_P07a_September 2017_LM/AL) Photosheets for Photoviewpoints 1 to 14 (10758_P08_February 2017_LM/AL) This report, all plans, illustrations and other associated material remains the property of Tyler Grange LLP until paid for in full. Copyright and intellectual property rights remain with Tyler Grange LLP. The contents of this report are valid at the time of writing. Tyler Grange shall not be liable for any use of this report other than for the purposes for which it was produced. Owing to the dynamic nature of ecological, landscape, and arboricultural resources, if more than twelve months have elapsed since the date of this report, further advice must be taken before you rely on the contents of this report. Notwithstanding any provision of the Tyler Grange LLP Terms & Conditions, Tyler Grange LLP shall not be liable for any losses (howsoever incurred) arising incurred as a result of reliance by the client or any third party on this report more than twelve months after the date of this report. Land at Hayfield Road and High Hill Road, New Mills Landscape and Visual Appraisal 10758_R01a_20 September 2017_AL_JW Section 1: Introduction Introduction & Site Context 1.1. Tyler Grange LLP (TG) have been appointed by Wainhomes North West Ltd to provide a landscape and visual appraisal of the proposed residential development of Land at Hayfield Road and High Hill Road, New Mills (hereafter referred to as the site). 1.2. The detailed application relates to the proposed development of up 97 residential dwellings. 1.3. The site is located on the north-eastern periphery of New Mills (see Plan 1 at the rear of this report) approximately 12.4km (7.7 miles) south-east of Stockport; 13.8km (8.6miles) and north-east of Buxton. The site is centred on OS grid reference SK 01058 86511. 1.4. The site currently consists of pastoral grassland with an internal boundary parallel to the eastern edge of the site formed of post and wire fencing. The residential edge of New Mills is to the south- west of the site and the northern edge of the site forms part of the North West Derbyshire Green Belt boundary. 1.5. Topography across the site ranges from approximately 160m AOD in the western corner to 175m AOD in the north-eastern edge. 1.6. The site boundaries and immediate surroundings comprise: • To the north-east – the site is defined by a drystone wall with scattered small trees, beyond which lies pastoral fields on ground sloping down towards the Sett Valley Trail; • To the east – the site is defined by a post and wire fence beyond which lies a drystone wall and buildings associated with High Hill Farm; • To the south-east – the site is bounded by a grassed embankment, drystone wall and Hayfield Road (A6015) Great Lane which links New Mills with Birch Vale; • To the south-west – the site boundary is formed by a low drystone wall adjacent to a bridleway to the rear of residential dwellings at the current settlement edge of New Mills, with part of the settlement edge also formed by an area of open grassed land; and • To the north-west – the edge of the site is defined by a post and wire fence and High Hill Road. 1.7. This report sets out the baseline landscape and visual context of the site in order to inform the emerging residential masterplan, followed by a Landscape and Visual Appraisal of the fixed development parameters. This report does not constitute a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) of a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Undertaking the Landscape & Visual Appraisal 1.8. To assist the reader in understanding the purpose for undertaking landscape appraisal work, the definition of ‘landscape’ as defined by the European Landscape Convention (ELC 2000) is set out below. “’Landscape’ means an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of nature and / or human factors.” 1.9. In the context of this definition the appraisal process seeks to consider the effects in an objective and systematic manner whilst recognising the perceptual and therefore subjective response to the Land at Hayfield Road and High Hill Road, New Mills Landscape and Visual Appraisal 10758_R01a_20 September 2017_AL_JW Page 1 landscape. Whilst subjectivity can never be removed from the appraisal process, by following a systematic and structured framework of appraisal, a more robust appraisal can be performed and more rational and transparent conclusion drawn. 1.10. Furthermore, the Landscape and Visual Impact Appraisal (LVA) process deals with the separate but interlinked issues of: • Landscape Character: The effect of the proposed development upon discrete character areas and / or character types comprising features possessing a particular quality or merit; and • Visual Context: The assessment of the proposed development on views from visual receptors, and upon the amenity value of the views. 1.11. Landscape character is defined in the Landscape Institute’s guidance (‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment’, Landscape Institute (LI) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) 2013) as: “A distinct, recognisable and consistent pattern of elements in the landscape that makes on landscape different from another, rather than better or worse.” 1.12. Changes to the landscape character can arise as a result of: • Changes to the fabric of the landscape including either the loss of key elements or introduction of new features which alter the distinct character of the landscape; and • Changes which alter the way in which the landscape is perceived or appreciated. 1.13. Changes to views will occur where there is alteration of the view in terms of elements present and their distribution or dominance. Such changes may or may not have a significant effect on the visual amenity of identified visual receptors. 1.14. This report has been prepared as a standalone appraisal to assist the Council in the decision-making process as part of the planning application. Within the GLVIA (table 3.1, page 28) it sets out the components appropriate to a Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment when used in EIA and in landscape appraisal. Scoping has confirmed that this is not an EIA project and therefore does not give rise to likely significant effects by definition, and therefore in respect of ‘Assessing the Significance of Effects’ this stage is ‘not required’. This approach is underpinned by the need for the assessment to be appropriate and proportional (GLVIA – page 9, paragraph 1.17). LVA Methodology 1.15. The methodology and guidelines used in the preparation of this appraisal have been developed from the following: • An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment, Natural England 2014; • Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA), Third Edition, Landscape Institute and IEMA, 2013; and • Landscape Character Assessment – Guidance for England and Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Agency, 2002. 1.16. The appraisal process is set out in further detail below. Land at Hayfield Road and High Hill Road, New Mills Landscape and Visual Appraisal 10758_R01a_20 September 2017_AL_JW Page 2 Baseline Appraisal 1.17. The baseline appraisal is a crucial part of any assessment and includes; • An overview of statutory plans and other data regarding relevant designations and landscape and visual related planning policies for the area; • An assessment of the landscape character of the site and surroundings with reference to published works and checked and verified through fieldwork. This includes the classification of the landscape into units of distinct and recognisable character and land use at a site-specific level; • Field work to determine the extent to which