Bake Farm Environmental Statement
Chapter 6 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL
INTRODUCTION
The Commission 6.1. CEC were commissioned in September 2013 by Coombe Bissett PV Park Limited (the client) to prepare a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) to accompany a planning application for a Solar PV Array (the proposed development) at Bake Farm, Coombe Bissett, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 4JT (the application site) to form part of the Environmental Statement. Previous work was carried out informing feasibility and layout considerations in 2012, which fed into this LVIA report. Proposals 6.2. Proposals are for a ground mounted 16.07 MW solar PV farm (also known as an array). The solar panels would be mounted on a framework which would be arranged in rows facing south to maximise sunlight exposure. The panels would be inclined to 25 degrees with the lowest part of the table approximately 0.8 metres above ground and the highest point up to 2.608 metres above ground. The proposal will be fenced with deer fencing, and include inverter stations and switchgear. A full description of the proposals can be found in chapter three. 6.3. The proposed scheme includes inherent mitigation, in that the proposed site layout ensures that the solar array would be set back from the existing hedgerows. Existing hedges and field patterns will therefore be retained, and proposals will use the existing landform. In addition, this assessment has concluded that further landscape mitigation measures should be provided, and these details are set out in the later sections of this chapter. Scope of the Assessment 6.4. The project is subject to Environmental Impact Assessment and the structure and detail of the LVIA has been prepared to address this. The LVIA report covers: • Evaluation of the existing landscape character, designations and visual baseline and based on this, identification of potential landscape and visual receptors within the study area; • Evaluation of the sensitivity of potential landscape and visual receptors based on value and susceptibility; • Evaluation of the magnitude, degree of effect and significance of effects resulting from the proposals, for construction and operation; • Discussion of mitigation; and, • Evaluation of residual effects and their significance.
6.5. This LVIA uses a landscape character based assessment approach, evaluating the landscape as a whole, based on a review of the individual elements and how they interact within a given landscape context. Designated assets and visual amenity were evaluated in this context. A study area of a 5km radius around the site was evaluated. 6.6. Drawings, photographs and photomontages have been prepared to support the LVIA,
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and are included in Appendices 6.3 and 6.4. 6.7. Where individual historic Scheduled Monuments are indicated as having potential inter- visibility with the proposed solar array, impacts on their contemporary users and contemporary landscape setting will also be considered. This appraisal is concerned only with the contemporary landscape or visual aspects of heritage landscapes and contemporary setting of historic features and is not intended to form, or replace the need for, a full heritage assessment. 6.8. This LVIA does not consider cumulative impacts, as no additional solar PV schemes were identified within the defined study area radius. 6.9. All distances given are approximate. Sources of Information 6.10. Landscape and visual receptors were identified by searching online information including: • www.magic.gov.uk – national landscape designations and character areas; • http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningpolicy - Wiltshire Council – local landscape designations, character areas and Salisbury District Council Local Plan (saved policies); and, • http://www.ccwwdaonb.org.uk/– Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB – Landscape Sensitivity Study 2007.
6.11. The ZTV models and OS base mapping were analysed to identify visual receptors such as local residents, users of public rights of way and visitors to open spaces and areas of countryside. This report contains standard landscape and visual impact assessment tables outlining the likely sensitivity of certain receptors to development; this is intended to assist in interpretation of the findings by others. 6.12. References to specific documents are included via end notes at the end of this chapter, before the appendices. Consultation 6.13. Consultation letters were sent to Wiltshire Council and the AONB Board to agree approach, study area and viewpoints. No reply was received from Wiltshire Council. Comments relevant to the detail of this LVIA received from the AONB Board were: • They would like to see security fencing, observation towers, and similar matters that can have significant impacts on the character of a locality included in the assessment; • The distance zones (i.e. close distance, mid distance and long distance) used in the LVIA should be reviewed; • Further viewpoints from AONB areas should be included; and, • Visualisations should take account of current guidance.
6.14. Other comments included the proximity to the byway connecting to the racecourse and associated potential security issues and the potential effects on heritage and archaeological features. Those issues are addressed elsewhere in the ES and do not form part of the LVIA. 6.15. As a result of the comments, the distance zones were reviewed and further views in
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the AONB photographed to show the limited extent of actual visibility, due to extensive screening. The fencing and ancillary structures are considered as part of the impact assessment, and the visualisation display takes on board current guidance recommendations. 6.16. Coombe Bissett Parish Council commented on potential effects from the village hall and Nature Reserve. As a result, viewpoint 11 was added to the viewpoint selection showing the view from the village hall, and specific assessment text is provided within the visual impact assessment tables at appendix 6.2 in regard to the village hall and nature reserve. 6.17. The Scoping Opinion received for the proposal did not raise any further issues.
ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
Overview 6.18. The LVIA methodology is based on the principles outlined in the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA)i which are widely accepted as the industry standard, together with the Landscape Character Assessment Guidance prepared by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)ii. Essentially it is a two stage process consisting of firstly a baseline desk study to identify key landscape and visual receptors within the study area combined with fieldwork. This is in order to clarify and ratify the desk study findings and eliminate receptors unlikely to experience effects. Secondly, an objective evaluation of the likely effects of the proposals on the remaining receptors is carried out and thirdly significance of those effects determined before and after mitigation. Study area and ZTV extents 6.19. The third edition GLVIA clarifies how study areas should be determined on a project specific basis. The study area extent should be “based on the extent of Landscape Character Areas likely to be significantly affected either directly or indirectly. However, it may also be based on the extent of the area from which the development is potentially visible, defined as the Zone of Theoretical Visibility, or a combination of the two” (highlight in bold by CEC Ltd). CEC uses an approach of combination of both for most projects to identify the key receptors and radius of study area, depicted by a circular shape as this reflects the degree of diminishing visibility, which is closely interlinked with the potential degree of effect. 6.20. Key local Landscape Character Areas, as defined within the Salisbury District Landscape Character Assessment 2008 document, within the study area are B2, C2, D7 and D8. B2 and D7 are indicated to have the highest potential levels of inter- visibility, up to a radius of 4km, with some areas extending up to 5km and beyond. Site work showed that beyond 4km, visual effects diminish rapidly so that significant effects subject to EIA Regulations are not anticipated beyond this distance. A 5km study area was therefore set, enabling all landscape and visual receptors that may experience significant effects as a result of the development to be considered, without resulting in excessive levels of detail that detract from the key points. 6.21. A Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) was modelled to show the theoretical visual envelope of the site over the 5km study area. The methodology for production of the ZTV is outlined in Appendix 6.5. The ZTV was used as a tool to identify potential
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viewpoints and to direct field studies, based on ZTV comparison with landscape character resources and designated assets. The desk study and ZTV were clarified and ratified through field observations. 6.22. Within the 5km study area centred approximately at grid reference SU111278, all national and local landscape designations and landscape character areas were reviewed. Footpaths and roads were identified to a distance of 5km, but users were only assessed as visual receptors if they were likely to experience views towards the site. Individual residential properties and farms that may experience views have been identified within a 1km radius only. Elsewhere properties will be assessed in groups or by area as appropriate. 6.23. The 5km study area extends from the chalk ridgelines to the south, incorporating Salisbury to the north east and extending along the River Ebble Valley to the west. Receptors to the north of Old Shaftsbury Drove, such as Salisbury Racecourse, have been scoped out of further assessment due to the wooded corridor and ridge along Old Shaftsbury Drove which prevents inter-visibility with the site. Specific individual receptors within 1km of the site are for example Bake Farm House, Bake Farm bungalows, other properties associated with Bake Farm, the PRoW (Public Right of Way) to the east of the boundary, Old Shaftsbury Drove and Salisbury Road (A354). There is also the potential for some limited and localised views from properties on the fringes of Coombe Bissett. Full lists of landscape and visual receptors in the study area can be found in Tables 6.2 and 6.3, presented at Appendices 6.1 and 6.2.
Assessment Process 6.24. The assessment process follows the guidelines set out in GLVIA 3, summarised as follows, and detailed further (including criteria and processes) in Appendix 6.5: • determine value, susceptibility and sensitivity for landscape and visual receptors; • examine magnitude of change based on duration and severity of the effect, • combine sensitivity and magnitude into degree of effect, using a matrix and professional judgement; • determine significance using a matrix and professional judgement; • examine mitigation proposals and evaluate their contribution to reducing effects; and, • evaluate residual effects and their significance.
6.25. Levels for sensitivity range from very low to very high, and magnitude ranges from no change to high, including a negligible category. This can result in a range of effects from no effect to substantial. 6.26. Substantial effects are most likely to be significant; moderate and moderate / substantial effects may be significant; and other effects are unlikely to be significant. There may however be instances, where a large number of slight or slight / moderate effects could also be considered significant overall. Significance has to be judged by the assessor based on experience and transparent reasoning, using a matrix as a tool to aid transparency (see Appendix 6.5).
BASELINE CONDITIONS
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Landscape and Visual Baseline Conditions 6.27. This section outlines the baseline of existing landscape and visual conditions on site and in the study area. Landscape designations have been considered if directly relevant to the appraisal of landscape character or visual amenity.
Overview Description of the Site and Study Area The Site 6.28. The development site covers approximately 36ha of arable land centred approximately at OS grid reference SU111278. The application boundary is located approximately 3km south west of Salisbury city centre and approximately 0.7km to the north east of the village centre of Coombe Bissett. The area surrounding the site contains a number of other manmade features and properties in particular Salisbury Racecourse to the north and Old Shaftsbury Drove on the northern site boundary; Bake Farmhouse and adjacent properties to the east of the site boundary; Salisbury Road on the southern site boundary and the south western districts of Salisbury at 1.6km to the east. Elsewhere the study area is rural in character and comprises of pasture, arable fields, woodland belts, occasional agricultural buildings and dwellings. Other nearby settlements include Odstock at 3km to the south east, Stratford Tony at 2km to the west and Homington at 1.5km to the south in the river Ebble valley. 6.29. The development site is located below a ridgeline with a mostly southerly, but in places slight westerly (western fields) and slight easterly aspect (northern end of site) (between 80-115 metres (m) AOD approximately) in a predominately rural location. Land use in the immediate areas surrounding the development consists of large to medium scale pasture and arable fields, woodland blocks and belts, some soft fruit production, scattered farms and isolated properties. Current access to the site is from a farm access track and PRoW at approximately 400m from the eastern boundary which is accessed from Salisbury Road (A354 located on the southern site boundary). There is also a field access point from Salisbury Road to the south west corner of the site and access from Drove Lane, near the northwest corner of the site. 6.30. The application area comprises of two linear shaped fields bounded to the east and west by hedges with occasional trees. Hedges within the application area also divide the fields. The application fields have been historically maintained as grazing and arable land and have recently grown wheat. In places hedges have been poorly maintained and have become gappy. Locally, field patterns off site range from medium to large in scale, with some localised hedge removal or degeneration, particularly when associated with arable production. 6.31. The southern site boundary comprises of a mature beech tree belt to Salisbury Road. This tree belt screens views from many locations to the south but allows glimpsed / filtered views through understorey from close distance. The northern site boundary comprises of a dense woodland corridor screening views from the north. This woodland also encloses Old Shaftsbury Drove Public Right of Way (PRoW). The north western boundary of the application is located approximately 30m from Drove Lane. Elsewhere the western boundary is set back (up to 400m) from the lane with smaller scale intervening fields with relatively intact hedgerows with occasional trees. 6.32. Photographs looking into the site from the site boundaries can be found in Appendix
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6.4, illustrating site character. A site appraisal plan (Figure 6.5 CEC2085 - 05) is included in Appendix 6.3 showing the site and immediate context.
Surrounding Landscape 6.33. To the south, the land falls towards a shallow valley before rising to Homington Down (99m Above Ordnance Datum {AOD}) at 800m from the site boundary. The land beyond falls again to the River Ebble valley and then rises to the distinctive chalk ridgelines (up to approx. 130m AOD) south of Homington village, at approximately 2km to the south. The village settlements to the south of the site are located within the River Ebble valley. 6.34. To the southwest the topography also falls down to the Ebble Valley at Coombe Bissett (55m AOD). The river valley is enclosed by ridgelines rising to the open chalk escarpments to the southwest (up to 150m AOD) with more gently undulating ridgelines to the west rising to Old Shaftsbury Drove (135m AOD). 6.35. To the east the landscape is relatively flat and open before rising to the western districts of Salisbury (100m AOD at 1.5km to the east). Bake Farm is located approximately 300m from the eastern site boundary and consists of a small group of residential properties and agricultural buildings. The settlement includes Bake Farmhouse, Bake Farm bungalows, a converted barn and two additional semi- detached properties and a PRoW set adjacent to and within agricultural barns and other ancillary structures. 6.36. Beyond Old Shaftsbury Drove, running along the northern site boundary, the topography falls northwards to the River Nadder valley at 2.5km (50m AOD). The settlements of Netherhampton, Wilton and the western districts of Salisbury are located within the valley. There are no views to the development site from these areas. 6.37. The context to the site is illustrated on Figure 6.6 CEC2085 – 06 Wider Area Appraisal at Appendix 6.3, and shown on the character and additional view photo sheets in Appendix 6.4. Soils and Geology 6.38. The British Geological Society dataiii states that the site overlies the Seaford Chalk Formation which is sedimentary cretaceous bedrock. There are no superficial deposits identified within the data. However, the site is identified in the Wiltshire Landscape Character Assessment as being in an area that is distinguished from open downland by drift geology of flints and clay. This has given rise to loamy brown soils, often associated with woodlands in contrast to the open downlands. This accords with conditions experienced on site. The site is also classified as grade 3 agricultural land. Historic Landscape 6.39. The site comprises of 19th century fields enclosed on formerly open downland. There are a number of historical features on and adjacent to the site including a Roman road running at approximately 150m from the north western boundary. There is significant evidence of prehistoric, Romano-British and medieval land use. There are also medieval drove roads close to the western boundary and on the northern site boundary. There is other evidence of medieval and post-medieval boundaries in and adjacent to the site, in particular parish boundaries along the site’s boundary hedgerows. There are also a number of ring ditches and round barrows within or
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directly adjacent to the site. A Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) is also located approximately 150m from the north western corner of the site. For further details please refer to chapter eight of this ES, cultural heritage.
Other features 6.40. An overhead power line runs in a south westerly direction through the northern section of the application area. There are no other obvious or notable landscape features within or adjacent to the application.
Landscape Character 6.41. Landscape character is illustrated on Figure 6.3 CEC2085 – 03 at Appendix 6.3, as well as on the photosheets at Appendix 6.4. 6.42. Current LVIA best practice encourages assessments to be based on landscape character. In the Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland, Landscape character is defined as “a distinct and recognisable pattern of elements that occur consistently in a particular type of landscape. Particular combinations of geology, landform, soils, vegetation, land use, field patterns and human settlement create character. Character makes each part of the landscape distinct, and gives each its particular sense of place. …Exploring and understanding the landscape character of any area requires systematic investigation of the many different factors that have helped to create and influence that location. They include geology and landform, the natural attributes of soils and the vegetation associated with them, and both the historical and current influences of human land use and settlement. The interactions between all these factors create the character of the landscape”. 6.43. The sections below outline the information available on landscape character in the study area for key areas, and supplements this with site observations as appropriate to convey an understanding of the study area to the reader that is based on landscape character. National Character Areas (NCA)iv 6.44. Natural England has published a series of National Character Areas that divide England into 159 broad countrywide based character areas. These areas are defined by a unique combination of intrinsic unifying landscape characters such as: geology, soils, topography, vegetation, agriculture, ecology and human settlement. 6.45. All legacy descriptions, key data fact sheets and new area profiles, where available, can be found on the Natural England websitev. For NCA134, a new Profile was published on 21 October 2013. 6.46. The proposals are located at the far northeastern end of NCA 134 ‘Dorset Downs & Cranborne Chase’, covering the Ebble Valley and associated slopes within the study area, as well as some of the Chalk Downland either side. NCA134 is large and stretches from the Dorset coast in the southwest to the area around the site in the northeast. ‘NCA 132 Salisbury Plain & West Wiltshire Downs’ is located in the northern section of the study area, covering the Natter and Avon valleys, and separated from the site and study area by the Fovant Greensand Terrace and extending Chalk Downland ridge as well as the large urban area of Salisbury. The
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site’s setting and character is considered to be defined solely by the landscape within NCA 134, although at the area’s eastern end, due to the physical and visual separation from NCA 132. Only NCA 134 will be considered in more detail below. 6.47. The key characteristics of NCA 134 include: • A rolling, chalk landscape with dramatic scarps and steep-sided, sheltered valleys. • Scarp slopes with species-rich grassland, complex combes and valleys, spectacular views, prominent hillforts and other prehistoric features. • Open, mainly arable, downland on the dip slope with isolated farmsteads and few trees. • Very varied valleys with woodlands, hedged fields, flood meadows and villages in flint and thatch. • Distinctive woodlands and deer parks of Cranborne Chase. • Semi-natural ancient woodlands, with large groups of hazel coppice, and the deer parks of Cranborne Chase, clothe the undulations of the dip slope. Prominent planted shelterbelts and hill-top clumps of beech, oak and ash emphasise and reinforce the simple but expansive geometry of the high downland. • Highly legible and coherent history of early human occupation, including a particularly well-preserved network of imposing hill forts, clusters of barrows, field systems, earthworks, ancient lanes and other prehistoric features, often delineating ritual landscapes. • Very large fields, resulting from the enclosure of downland for sheep and corn that took place between the 16th and 19th centuries. Changes during the 20th century have resulted in an intensively arable agricultural landscape. • An intimate and older (often medieval in origin) enclosed, mixed-farming landscape of smaller, often hedgerow-bounded fields is found in the valleys and combes, and around the formally landscaped estate parklands.
6.48. The legacy descriptions included some comment on the northeastern landscapes and overall characteristics as follows: “On the northern edge, there are scarps above the Nadder and Ebble valleys which, towards Salisbury, have been sculpted into a series of north-facing bowls. On the dip slope, there are generally few trees but woodland becomes increasingly important to the east of the Stour valley where there are remnants of the ancient hunting ground of Cranborne Chase. Locally, natural regeneration and hill top planting has created distinct landmarks, while to the south the occurrence of yews just off the low ridges is evident from names like ‘Great Yews’ and ‘Nine Yews Farm’. … Perhaps the strongest characteristic of the Dorset Downs are the numerous focal points within the broad pattern of slopes and valleys. There are vast hillforts, like Maiden Castle and Hambledon Hill, particularly dramatic where their thick ramparts are emphasised by low winter or summer evening lights, there are barrows on hill and ridge tops and there are the grand houses of Cranborne Chase framed by ancient limes and chestnuts”. 6.49. The site is in the periphery of the Cranborne Chase ancient hunting grounds, but is not in the Stour valley. In that sense many of the aims, objectives and characteristics associated with the wider NCA are not fully apparent or applicable to the site and study area. Some of the legacy details were found to be more relevant to the specifics of the study area, including future inspirations which include: • “The Chalk landscape has been strongly influenced by the drive for efficient arable
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farming. Subject to economic feasibility and grant regimes, there is potential for conversion of arable fields back to chalk grassland. This could re-create something of the character of pre 1940s downland. A range of agri-environmental schemes represent an important opportunity to restore the historic open, rolling grasslands for which the chalklands have traditionally been known. Ideally, the new downland landscapes should create unified and large scale chalkland scenery, rather than small-scale patchworks. • There is scope to conserve the usually small and geometrically shaped woodlands to form new outlines, reflecting the flowing contours and composed on a grand scale. The existing woods tend to be on hillside slopes and there is potential to create new woods, and occasional carefully placed clumps on ridgetops and summits to enliven the horizon and create landmarks along ridgetop roads. These would need to be carefully planned to take account of local character, landform and existing features, including maintaining the integrity of planned landscapes. • Hedgerows and hedgerow trees are locally important. Replacement trees should not disrupt important open vistas and areas of distinctive sweeping landform”.
6.50. The Environmental Opportunities for the wider NCA are as follows: • SEO 1: Plan for and manage changes in the agricultural landscape by encouraging and supporting business choices that balance food production with protecting soils and water, enhancing ecosystems (particularly those associated with semi-natural grasslands) and restoring ecosystem services. • SEO 2: Manage and enhance the historic character of the NCA, including the rich assemblage of settlement and field patterns, heritage features (including prehistoric assets), and the patterns of woodland, vegetation and geodiversity that give the NCA its sense of place. • SEO 3: Manage and enhance the recreational and educational potential of the NCA in a way that clearly shows the links between people and the landscape, and between geodiversity, ecosystems and the services they provide. Aim to heighten people’s enjoyment, appreciation and understanding of the NCA, as well as their ability to take positive, informed action to enjoy and conserve their surroundings.
6.51. The summary on tranquillity states that there is generally a high level of tranquillity in the NCA, but that this is eroded near the two main settlements and along the trunk roads. This correlates with the findings during site work confirming that the site is considered to be located in an area of slightly reduced tranquillity due to the proximity to Salisbury, the presence of the A354 Blandford Road and the major overhead powerlines crossing the site and area. Areas of least intrusion and highest tranquillity are in the heart of Cranborne Chase away from the A340 and to the north west of the A340 between Dorchester and Blandford Forum. The average tranquillity rating for the NCA is 7 and the large increase in intrusion between 1960 and 2007 is noted. 6.52. Considering the large expanse of the NCA, the peripheral location of the site within it away from the most sensitive and tranquil areas and the reduced level of tranquillity in the study area, it is considered that character changes impacting on the wider quality and integrity of this NCA are unlikely, and that any character changes are better discussed at local level. The NCA is not discussed further in the impact assessment. Local Landscape Character Areas (LCA) 6.53. The ‘Wiltshire Landscape Character Assessment 2005’vi is a county wide landscape
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character study with the main purpose of assessing the current status of the Wiltshire landscape and providing an objective basis for developing policies, enhancement and restoration projects. 6.54. Based on the County-wide assessment, a further district wide Landscape Character Assessment was prepared by Chris Blandford Associates on behalf of Salisbury District Council, dated February 2008vii. The district-level landscape assessment provides detailed strategies together with an assessment of the landscape and visual sensitivity in and around the development area. It is more recent than the County-wide assessment, builds on the approach set out in it and was specifically developed to inform the South Wiltshire Core Strategy. The assessment contains further detailed information broadly in line with the character areas and conclusions in the County-wide assessment. Therefore the district-wide assessment only will be considered in this report as the more current and more appropriate assessment, although the information provided in the County-wide assessment has also been reviewed. 6.55. In addition, the AONB area within the study area is covered by a separate Landscape Character Assessmentviii dated 2003. The AONB LCA is still referred to in the AONB Management Plan, but is older than the County-wide and the District-level LCAs. It has been reviewed as part of the baseline study, and the character areas broadly correspond to those of the newer assessments. Therefore, it will not be discussed in detail separately, but reference will be made as appropriate when discussing the AONB in the impact assessment. 6.56. The following Salisbury District Landscape Character Areas are located within the study area and are the principal areas defining the character, with references to the approximate areas of the other LCAs in brackets as appropriate: • LCA B2 – ‘Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Slopes’ – The development site is located within this area. The area also covers the chalk slopes to the south of the development site. (WLCA area 2F and small parts of 2D in Type 2 Wooded Downland, AONB area 5B Ebble Chalk River Valley). • LCA D7 – Cranborne Chase Chalk Downland located along the southern edge of the study area. (WLCA area 2D in Type 2 Wooded Downland, AONB area 2B Southern Downland Belt Open Chalk Downland). Those LCAs are in proximity to the development. • LCA C2 – ‘Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Floor’ located along the Ebble River valley to the south of the development site. (WLCA area 5F in Type 5 Chalk River Valleys, AONB area 5B Ebble Chalk River Valley). • LCA D8 -‘Netherhampton Chalk Downland’ located to the north and east of the development site. (WLCA mix of areas 5B, 2E and 2F with some 3A mainly in Types 2 Wooded Downland and 5 Chalk River Valleys, not covered by AONB areas).
6.57. During desk study and field observations it was determined that LCA B2 Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Slopes and LCA D7 Cranborne Chase Chalk Downland are most relevant to this report and the proposals; those are discussed in more detail below. Whilst LCA C2 is in close proximity, it represents the valley floor with no visual connection to the site and a different character, and although forming a unit with LCA B2, is unlikely to be affected by the development due to the visual separation and difference. LCA D8 is mostly physically separated from the site and areas with intervisibility could not be found, except in areas near Salisbury to the east / northeast,
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which due to the orientation and distance are considered unlikely to experience any character or setting effects. 6.58. The study area also includes small sections of other character areas within the Narrow Chalk River Valley, Broad Chalk River Valley, Chalk Downland, Chalk Escarpment and Greensand Terrace character areas. However, these LCAs are located around the outer regions of the study area and were found not to have intervisibility with the site as they are largely physically and visually separated from the remainder of the study area through landform. There is no direct impact and negligible or no intervisibility, with a resulting unlikely potential impact. These outlying character areas will therefore not be discussed further in this report. 6.59. The following relevant key characteristics, condition, sensitivity and management guidelines have been extracted and summarised from Salisbury District Councils Landscape Character Assessment for areas B2 and D7. LCA B2 Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Slopes 6.60. The development site lays within the eastern sections of LCA B2 and with LCA C2 forms the valley of River Ebble. The horizon of southern views is (where not blocked by vegetation) defined by the gentle ridges associated with LCA D7. The extracts below are quotes from the character area descriptions, followed by a discussion of site observations and site and study area specific issues. 6.61. Relevant key landscape characteristics are as follows: 1. “Broad river valley chalk slopes, which have been deeply eroded by a series of re- entrant tributary valleys which are now dry; and coombes; 2. The opposing valley slopes are quite close to each other, resulting from the narrowness of the valley floor, creating a sense of enclosure; 3. Small areas of unimproved chalk grassland and rough pasture on steeper slopes; 4. Valley slopes are dominated by intensive arable production, contained within a system of extensive field units which were enlarged during the 20th century; 5. Many tumuli, a hillfort at Chiselbury and Ackling Dyke Roman Road between Old Sarum and Badbury Rings contribute to visible archaeology; 6. Downland character typical on many of the Valley Slopes.”
6.62. The visual character is summarised as follows: “The broad, shallow slopes of the Ebble River Valley are cut by a series of dry tributary valleys, which create a gently undulating topography. Picturesque villages and hamlets are often located at the foot of the valley slopes. The visual connectivity to the landscapes of chalk downland is emphasised by the predominant arable land use contained within fields that are extensive in size, the previous pastoral land use having given way to arable crop production. Pasture is largely defined by improved ley and is intensively grazed. Some areas of rough pasture also survive but are largely limited to small grazing pockets on the floodplain or steepest valley sides. The Valley Slopes have a generally simple landscape pattern and there is generally a strong sense of openness throughout. Sense of tranquillity is also strong throughout much of the area.” 6.63. The current condition is described as follows: “The natural landform of this landscape has retained its distinctive form and strong sense of intactness and continuity – the open, flat floodplain gives way to the gently
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sloping valley sides with its dry tributary valleys. Numerous tumuli, ancient earthworks as well as a section of a Roman road are surviving elements of the physical landscape. Due to the extent of arable farmland, much of the landscape is actively managed and in good condition. Signs of decline are evident at settlement edges due to poor maintenance of some farm outbuildings that evoke an untidy approach to settlements. Overall landscape condition is generally good.”
6.64. Landscape and Visual Sensitivity is summarised as follows: “Overall, this Landscape Character Area is considered to have moderate landscape character sensitivity. This results from the generally diluted distinction between the former pastoral character of the valley floodplain and the arable character of the valley slopes, resulting in moderate overall strength of character. …The shallow slopes and contrasting deep chalk coombes are particularly sensitive to landscape change since their relatively open character and simple landscape pattern would be easily disrupted by inappropriate development or changing land uses and because the entire landscape is highly visible in views from the adjacent enclosing ridgetops. Overall visual sensitivity is therefore considered to be moderate to high.” 6.65. The management strategy and special management objectives are set out as follows: “The overall management strategy for the Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Slopes Landscape Character Area should be to conserve the remaining patches of semi- natural grassland and site and setting of archaeological monuments. • Encourage areas of fallow arable land within the arable matrix and conserve farmland features such as hedgerows, ponds and field margins to encourage arable weeds and farmland birds; • Resist further dilution of traditional settlement character through establishment and use of building design guidance; • Consider providing guidelines on characteristic planting on the edge of settlements to prevent harsh boundaries between rural and urban areas; • Reinforce landscape features such as the beech avenue which rises from Broad Chalk to Knowlton Hill; • Consider opportunities for reinstatement of chalk grassland, particularly on sites that lie adjacent to existing chalk grassland sites and ensure grazing pressure is managed to maintain a mosaic of grass and scrub habitats; • Promote sustainable management of recreation.”
6.66. Being located towards the eastern end of the River Ebble valley, the land opens out, so that the more narrow and enclosed characteristics and smaller field systems present in the valley are not as apparent. The landscape is broader, with medium and large fields and less steep slopes. It is considered that key characteristics 1 to 3 are not readily applicable to the site and surroundings, whilst 4 to 6 are more so apparent. 6.67. The development site is located towards the eastern sections of this character area in a more open rolling arable landscape with limited visual relationship with areas to the west due to hedges, vegetation and subtle landform variations. Whilst the site has larger fields and appears open in the locality, wider area views are strongly limited in this area due to the woodland corridors associated with the Old Shaftsbury Drove and Salisbury Road, in combination with sometimes treed hedges in a relatively shallow
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topography. However, there is some limited intervisibility with areas along the chalk escarpment to the south and southwest, where it interlinks with D7. 6.68. As discussed previously, the sense of tranquillity is reduced on site and in the surrounding area. The development is influenced by the outskirts of Salisbury with views to suburban edges on ridgelines, lighting and the busy road corridors such as the A345 to the south of the site. A major powerline crosses the area. The diluted distinction between the arable land and valley floor areas is apparent in the study area. For all those reasons, the local character and visual sensitivity is considered to be at the lower moderate end of the scale for the site and study area. The site does not feature semi-natural grassland and there are no major SAMs on it or around it, those in the vicinity will be discussed as previously outlined. 6.69. Overall, it can be concluded that the site reflects some of the key characteristics, but is located in a less visible area compared to other locations and its tranquillity and condition is reduced in some aspects. The conservation and restoration of hedgerows and settlement edge planting could have particular relevance to potential mitigation for the development. LCA D7 - ‘Cranborne Chase Chalk Downland’ 6.70. This Landscape Character Area is situated to the south of LCAs B2 and C2 with some finger-like extension to approximately 1.7km from the proposals, but the majority of the area being beyond 3km from the site. It also falls within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB. To the west and south it is a continuation of the Chalk Downland. This LCA is being considered further as a landscape receptor in conjunction with the AONB to discuss setting changes in relation to the AONB areas, which are covered by this LCA. The northern fringes of this LCA form the horizon line along the southern edge of the study area. 6.71. Relevant key landscape characteristics are as follows: 1. “An elevated downland, deeply eroded to create a dramatic series of coombe valleys and ridges; 2. Dominated by an Upper Chalk surface geology with drift clay with flints capping on higher ground; 3. A mosaic of both pastoral and arable land uses with arable dominating to the south and east; 4. Medieval Royal hunting grounds, defined by surviving parks, with large areas of surviving managed woodland; 5. Shelterbelts, copses, clumps and parkland trees, contribute to distinct estate and Parkland character, particularly around the Rushmore Estate; 6. Beech avenues and beech hedgerows provide dramatic seasonal colour change; 7. Chalk grassland and ancient woodland provide important nature conservation habitats; 8. Neolithic long barrows and numerous Bronze Age round barrows, particularly concentrated around Tollard Royal; 9. Surviving earthworks indicating late prehistoric to Romano-British settlements and field systems, cross-ridge dykes and linear earthworks, such as Grim’s Ditch
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and Bokerley Dyke; 10. Low density settlement pattern with few villages and dispersed farmsteads, with 19th century enclosure; 11. Panoramic views from Win Green over adjacent escarpment and low-lying terrace and valley landscapes.” 6.72. The visual character is summarised as follows: “Cranborne Chase Chalk Downland is a diverse landscape, comprising a mixture of dramatic chalk valleys, ridges and plateaux, diverse woodland, copses, shelterbelts and parkland trees, in addition to small-scale villages which are scattered across the area. It is a landscape, which shows strong human influences, not only in the archaeological remains, but in the managed forests, woodlands, copses and avenues along with the parklands and gardens. Together these create a classical English landscape.” 6.73. The current condition is described as follows: “Overall the landscape is well managed with much of the area forming part of the Rushmore Estate. It has a visual integrity and the condition of ecological habitats (woodland, chalk grassland and scrub) is generally good, although some ancient woodland sites have been affected by re-planting. The built environment is generally in a good state of repair and as the Chase remained free from modern agricultural practices until the middle of the 19th century many historic features have remained intact. Overall, the current condition of the landscape is good.” 6.74. Landscape and Visual Sensitivity is summarised as follows: “The overall impression is one of well-balanced, harmonious rural scenery, where views are unpredictable and constantly changing; panoramas from high points, such as Win Green are particularly important in understanding the overall setting and form of the area in relation to its surroundings. …It all adds to the intrigue, mystery and rich variety of local interest, which characterise this landscape. On this basis, this area is considered to have high landscape character sensitivity. … The northern extent of the character area comprises elevated downland, deeply eroded to create a series of coombe valley and ridges with a distinctive ‘upland’ character. … However, despite the local variations in openness or enclosure, it is the overriding strength of visual character, principally derived from the area’s unique combination of dramatic landform and the survival of the Chase Woods, coupled with the good condition of its attributes, which make this landscape highly sensitive.” 6.75. The management strategy is set out as follows: “The overall management objective should be to conserve the distinctive classical English landscape created by the dramatic chalk valleys, ridges and plateaux, diverse woodland, copses, shelterbelts, avenues and parkland trees. In particular there is a need to re-invigorate woodland management within this area.” 6.76. The detailed management objectives are not considered relevant to the site as the development is located in a different LCA. 6.77. The wider panoramic views to the north and over LCA B2 are possible from the northern eastern perimeters of this character area to the south of Coombe Bissett and Homington. Although views to the development area only affect a relatively small area
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of LCA D7 and the AONB, landscape changes within LCAs B2, D8 and C2 that could be overlooked from D7 have the potential to form recognisable new features due to the elevated nature of the D7 landscape. However this will be perceived within the context of the wider landscape taking in the views towards Salisbury and surrounding settlements and wooded ridgelines and more distant views northwards, and actual views out are limited due to local hedges and vegetation. These panoramic views and tranquility however are an intrinsic part of the character and strength of the area. They are important in understanding the setting of the LCA D7 and relationship with the adjacent contrasting lowland to the north. The sensitivity of the overall setting of character area is considered to be medium when set within the context of the existing more intensively developed and managed landscape of the character areas to the north.
Landscape Designations 6.78. Designated areas and features present in the 5km study area are illustrated on Figure 6.4 CEC2085 - 04 Landscape Designations at Appendix 6.3 and are described in more detail below. On-site Designations 6.79. The site lies within the following designated landscape policy area which also surrounds the city of Salisbury and covers a large percentage of the District: Policy C6 Special Landscape Area “Within the Special Landscape Area, proposals for development in the countryside will be considered having particular regard to the high quality of the landscape. Where proposals which would not have an adverse effect on the quality on the landscape are acceptable, they will be subject to the following criteria:
(i) the siting and scale of development to be sympathetic with the landscape; and (ii) high standards of landscaping and design, using materials which are appropriate to the locality and reflect the character of the area. Salisbury and Wilton have particularly fine landscape settings, being contained in a bowl shaped formation within the chalk downlands. The high quality of the surrounding landscape is a constraint on the development of any land on the edge of, or close to, the urban areas, especially where it forms the skyline. Built development or changes of use of land will therefore only be permissible where, in addition to being fully in accordance with other relevant policies of this Local Plan, it can be demonstrated that the quality of the landscape will not be impaired. More formal proposals, such as golf courses, will be permitted only where there will be no adverse impact on the landscape. The Local Planning Authority considers the landscapes which surround and flow through Salisbury and Wilton to be intrinsic to their character. The Landscape Settings of these settlements incorporate the main contributory features and the boundaries are, of necessity, tightly drawn around each settlement. The downlands which surround Salisbury conceal the extent of the city in approaches to it. They afford comprehensive views across Salisbury, highlighting its situation at the confluence of the five rivers which converge in and flow through the city. These river
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valleys, and their associated flood meadows, provide extensive views towards the city and the Cathedral. They also avoid the coalescence of Salisbury with surrounding settlements, and the centre with outlying parts of the city, which have managed to retain their own identity. The Landscape Setting of Salisbury encompasses the setting of the Old Sarum Ancient Monument, which was the site of the original settlement of Salisbury. Views towards the monument are available over a wide area, and the prevailing character of the surrounding area, when viewed from the monument, is one of an agricultural landscape.” 6.80. The sensitivity and high quality of the landscape outlined in this policy is of relevance to this scale and type of development. Therefore the ‘Special Landscape Area’ will be taken forward as a landscape receptor to consider the potential effects on the quality of the landscape in which the proposals are located. This will be discussed in conjunction with parts of the Special Landscape Area providing the setting for the AONB fringes. 6.81. Policy PS8 dealing with renewable energy does not refer to the Special Landscape Area, see paragraph 6.1022 for policy text and content. Off-site Designations 6.82. The following off-site designations are located within the 5km study area and are discussed further below: • Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) • Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) • Conservation Areas • Listed Buildings and Structures
Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Polices C4 & C5) 6.83. The AONB covers approximately 1010 sq.km. Approximately 50 sq.km is located across most of the south and west of the 5km study area. The AONB boundary runs along Drove Lane to the west of the site and close to the north western site boundary. The open chalk ridgelines and escarpment to the south are also within the AONB and have localised and elevated views to the site. The site is located in the Special Landscape Area, which forms the setting of the AONB along the edges, and it has to be explored further in this report, whether the site could be considered to be part of this setting, and whether any setting changes to the AONB may occur as a result of the proposals. The presence of some limited intervisibility with the open north facing escarpments of the AONB to the south and south west, and the western boundary being in close proximity (although with very limited intervisibility), suggesting that potential impact on its setting in these areas should be explored further. Users will be evaluated as visual receptors separately as appropriate. 6.84. Planning and policy information has been reviewed and summarised below that may help to inform this discussion in the impact assessment, focused on landscape character and quality. 6.85. The AONB Management Planix details the purpose, objectives and aims pursued by the AONB Partnership. It describes the significance of the AONB as follows: “Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs was designated as an Area of
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Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1981, under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Following the introduction of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, the government confirmed that the landscape qualities of National Parks and AONBs are equivalent. The protection given to both types of area by the land use planning system should therefore be equivalent. The AONB landscape is also of international importance, recognised as a Category V Protected Landscape by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is an evolved cultural landscape, managed and nurtured by people over millennia. Those who manage the land are central to the future of this landscape. It is inevitable and appropriate that this cultural landscape will continue to develop but this needs to be in ways that conserve and enhance its special qualities.” 6.86. The primary purpose of the AONB designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area. It is explained that “This Management Plan does not form part of the statutory Development Plan for any part of the AONB but, as a statutory document in its own right, should be a material consideration in the planning process and an instrument for securing consistency across the AONB in planning matters.” 6.87. Those sections with most relevance to the proposals are Theme 2 Distinctive Local Landscapes and Theme 3 Planning and Transportation, both of which include various references to setting and renewable energy projects. Relevant objectives and policies are reproduced below to inform the discussion on the setting issue in the impact assessment and allow for conclusions in regard to the compliance of the proposals with planning policy and the AONB purpose and Management Plan. 6.88. In Theme 2 Distinctive Local Landscapes, Objectives C and F should be considered. Objective C requires that “The landscape character, tranquillity and special qualities of the AONB and its settings are conserved and enhanced.” 6.89. The policies associated with this objective deal with research into ‘Forces for Change’, a Climate Change Action Plan and policy and grant aid packages for sustainable development and erosion of landscape character and tranquillity, but none is directed at the AONB setting itself. However, the policies dealing with erosion of landscape character and tranquillity could be argued to be relevant to discussions in this report, as the overall objective does refer to the setting. Policies C4 and C5 are therefore listed below: “C4 Identify areas and/or features where landscape character or quality has been or is being lost and encourage enhancement measures. C5 Encourage the identification of factors that contribute to, or detract from, tranquillity in order to effectively conserve and enhance high levels of tranquillity.” 6.90. A subsection in Theme 2 deals with natural resources and includes references to Renewable Energy. Renewable energy is listed as a key issue stating that “There is an increased demand for renewable energy. Developments must harmonise with the character of the area and inappropriate developments, such as visually intrusive wind turbines, should not be sited within the AONB boundary, its setting or impair significant views from it. Options for the AONB to help meet local energy needs on a scale that can be accommodated within the landscape include: • wood-fuelled heating and hot water systems, • micro-hydro electricity generation, • on-farm bio-digestion,
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• active solar and • photovoltaics …”
6.91. In response to this identified key issue, Policy F3 aims to “Support renewable energy generation by technologies that integrate with the landscape character, that are neither visually intrusive nor harmful to wildlife, and are of an appropriate scale to their location and siting.” 6.92. A further subsection of Theme 2 deals with Historic and Cultural Heritage, with some reference to setting, but this is not considered further in this report – refer to the Heritage Assessment submitted with the application instead. 6.93. Theme 3 Planning and Transportation contains a number of important references to AONB setting and how the AONB expects to be involved in the decision making process. The explanatory text to Theme 3 states that: “The responsibility for planning policy, transport policy and development control lies with the local authorities. The AONB Partnership has an important role to play in providing guidance, ensuring consistency in the application of planning policy across the AONB, and acting as a consultee on all development and land use change proposals that may have a significant impact and/or effect on the characteristics, special qualities or setting of the AONB. The constituent local planning authorities have all adopted the AONB Planning Protocol (Appendix 6) that sets out procedures for AONB input to policy establishment and those applications on which the AONB would expect to offer comment. The protocol is reviewed annually and has been seen to work well during the last three years. … Where visible from the AONB, the surrounding landscape, which is often of significant landscape value, is an important element of the AONB’s natural beauty. Relevant local planning authorities must have regard for the landscape and visual impact of development adjacent to or within close proximity of the AONB’s boundary.” 6.94. The impact on the setting of the AONB is an important consideration for developments in surrounding areas as reflected in the policies to Objectives K and L associated with Theme 3, as follows: “Objective K. Policy K2. Encourage coherent and consistent formulation and implementation of planning policies that take full account of the local distinctiveness, character and quality of the AONB and its setting.” “Objective L. Coherent and consistent formulation and implementation of planning policies across the AONB takes full account of the purposes of designation and the character and quality of the area and its setting. Policy L1. Continue the use of the AONB planning protocol by local planning authorities to ensure that the AONB Partnership is consulted on all development and land use change proposals that meet the criteria or may have a significant impact and/or effect on the characteristics, special qualities, or setting of the AONB. Policy L3. Ensure that where new development is permitted it complements the special qualities of the AONB and takes full account of the area’s setting and context through the consideration of appropriate Landscape Character Assessments and sensitivity and design studies.” 6.95. Finally the Management Plan references Position Statement 3, which is briefly discussed below (Position Statement Number 3 The Relevance of the Setting of the
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AONB). 6.96. The Position Paper sets out the aspirations of the AONB in regard to proposals that may affect its setting. The paper discusses that the concept of setting has been derived from the legislation relating to Listed Buildings, and states that: “A similar situation exists on the edge of an AONB, especially where the landscapes and landforms link and, visually or functionally, join the surroundings to the AONB. Proposals for change in the setting should, therefore, have regard to the inter- relationship with the AONB and the landscape character and qualities.” 6.97. The paper goes on to discuss related planning policy as well as citing two inspector decisions relating to AONB setting, confirming that the setting of the AONB is a material consideration in the planning process. It draws the attention of “…all relevant authorities, land managers, developers, and their agents and consultants to the importance of the setting of the AONB and urges them to … acknowledge and accept the concept of the setting of the AONB”. Local Planning Policy 6.98. The application site is located in the administrative area of Wiltshire Council, a unitary authority created in 2009 incorporating Salisbury District Council. For the purposes of section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the statutory development plan currently comprises: · The South Wiltshire Core Strategy (adopted February 2012); · Policies ‘saved’ from the Salisbury District Local Plan 2003. 6.99. The South Wiltshire Core Strategy (SWCS) was adopted in February 2012 and primarily deals with housing and employment. However there are a number of policy provisions in the SWCS relevant to applications for renewable energy and landscape matters. 6.100. The 2003 Salisbury District Local Plan (SDLP) remains part of the statutory Development Plan by virtue of some policies having been ‘saved’ by ministerial Direction. Whilst parts of it have since been superseded by the South Wiltshire Core Strategy, the SDLP continues to play a role in determining planning applications, particularly in relation to detailed technical issues. 6.101. The saved policies in the Salisbury Local Plan 2011 include those relating to the AONB (Policies C4 and C5), but do not refer to its setting (setting is not mentioned in their explanatory text either) and are therefore not directly relevant to the site and proposals. 6.102. A further key policy is PS8 which relates to Renewable Energy. This states as follows: Proposals for renewable energy projects will be permitted provided that; (i) within the New Forest, the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other designated areas of nature conservation or archaeological importance, such development will only be permitted where there will be no unacceptable adverse impact on these designated areas; (ii) the development will not result in an unacceptable intrusion on the landscape; and (iii) there is no unacceptable adverse effect on the amenities of local residents from noise, electrical disturbance or other environmental effects arising from the
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development. 6.103. It is notable that whilst this policy refers to the AONB as being a relevant consideration for renewable energy development, there is no such reference to the Special Landscape Area designated under Policy C6. AONB Sensitivity 6.104. The Landscape Practice (TLP) produced a landscape sensitivity study for the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB Partnershipx. The study did not identify the sensitivity to any particular type of development but identifies broad issues and pressures for change within the AONB, and how these might have an impact on the landscape character areas. The report has divided the AONB into a number of distinctive character areas and assessed the sensitivity of each. Although the proposed development is located outside the AONB, the study has drawn general conclusions about the landscape sensitivity, robustness and overall capacity to absorb change based on character areas: • The areas to the west of the site fall within the AONB character area 5b Ebble Valley. This has been assessed as having an overall moderate-high sensitivity. • The areas to the south of the site, along the ridgeline, fall within the AONB character area 2B Southern Downland and have been assessed as having an overall high sensitivity.
6.105. This should be considered when discussing setting effects on the AONB, in conjunction with the more detailed information contained in the study for each area, although it is evaluated in this instance that the sensitivity outside the AONB would be lower than that found to exist in the AONB, particularly when considering the increased influence of intrusive elements on and near the site. Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM) 6.106. There are only three SAMS within the study area on which the proposals have the potential to affect the contemporary setting of the monuments (for a detailed discussion of archaeological and heritage impacts on those and any other assets refer to chapter 8 of this ES, Cultural Heritage. This LVIA report deals with contemporary setting and user issues on the main assets only (i.e. those in close proximity to the site or publicly accessible tourist attractions or hill forts with intervisibility or views to other assets that include the site). The SAMs and their users to be considered further in this LVIA are: • A bowl barrow on the edge of a woodland block at 150m west of the development boundary (SU103281) (430m North West of Northdown Barn. Monument ID 26835). • The western sections of the Little Woodbury Hill settlement, to the north west of Salisbury District Hospital, at 2.4km east of the site (SU149278) (Woodbury ancient villages. Monument ID WI298). • Bowl Barrow on Homington Down, 725m south of Tottens Farm 1.8km south of site
Listed Buildings & Structures 6.107. A number of listed buildings have been identified at close distance to the site boundary, in particular within the settlements of Coombe Bissett and Homington. For more details on heritage impacts refer to chapter 8 of this ES, Cultural Heritage. There are some listed features / buildings discussed further in the LVIA in terms of
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contemporary setting effects due to their proximity to the site and the potential for landscape character changes in this area: • Milestone about 150m east of the entrance to Bake Farm Grade II on Salisbury Road, appr. 500m east of the site, Listed Building ID 319407; • Manor Farmhouse Grade II on Stratford Tony Road, appr. 400m southwest of the site; and • Homington House Grade II on Salisbury Road, appr. 500m south of the site.
6.108. Salisbury Cathedral is located approx. 3.3km north-east to the site and whilst the spire is visible in some views across the study area, the cathedral site and Salisbury as such are separated from the site and proposals by landform and development, there are no ground level views of the site from the cathedral, the tower is not accessible to the top and the cathedral is located in a completely different landscape character area at long distance. For those reasons, whilst it has a presence in the wider landscape by virtue of its spire, the site is not considered to be within the setting of this asset and it is not discussed further as a landscape receptor. Users of the landscape, the cathedral and views across the landscape including the spire will be considered further as part of the visual assessment, discussing the relationship between the tower, the site and users as appropriate.
Visual Amenity and Views 6.109. This section examines the influence of the landscape on the visual amenity in the area, focusing on landform, vegetation and visual key features and characteristics, linked back to the previous landscape character descriptions as appropriate. This is followed by a description of the Zone of Theoretical Visibility of the proposals and the key views photographed for the assessment. 6.110. Existing visibility of the site is illustrated on Figure 6.8 CEC2085 - 08 ‘Zone of Theoretical Visibility’ at Appendix 6.3. Key viewpoints selected for the LVIA are included on photo sheets at Appendix 6.4. Landform 6.111. The proposals are located below a gently undulating ridgeline with a southerly aspect and slight westerly slope (between 80-115m AOD approximately) in a predominately rural location. Landform is not steep; falls are very gentle, which increases the screening effects of local vegetation. Long views east to west across the site are restricted by the undulating landform in the study area, created by finger-like extensions from the two main east west ridges. More elevated long distance views to the site are possible from some locations on ridgelines, particularly to the south and partially screened by boundary hedgerows to the east. Views from the east are also limited by the fact that land on site has a slight westerly and southerly fall, i.e. away from the viewer, and that the eastern site boundary (which is the highest land on site) is formed by hedges with some tall shrubs and trees, that prevent views of the site area directly. Middle distance views to the development site tend to be screened by a combination of vegetation and intervening landform. 6.112. Beyond the site to the south, the land falls towards a shallow valley before rising to Homington Down (99m AOD) at 800m from the site boundary. The land beyond falls again to the River Ebble valley and then rises to the distinctive AONB chalk ridgelines
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(up to approx. 130m AOD) south of Homington (LCA B2 on the slopes and LCA D7 on the top), at approximately 2km (note that this is also labelled Homington Down on OS mapping). The A345 runs through a steep sided coombe (valley) prior to climbing the chalk escarpment near Coombe Bissett Down (3.5km) to the south west. Panoramic views across the landscape to the north towards the application area are possible here, but only from a small number of locations, where vegetation or hedges do not block views. Any views occurring from the road towards the site are transient, and vegetation largely blocks views from the Droves and paths. The more open AONB areas are further south, separated visually and physically from the site. 6.113. To the southwest the topography falls to the River Ebble Valley at Coombe Bissett (55m AOD). The river valley is enclosed by ridgelines rising to the open chalk escarpments to the south (up to 150m AOD) with more gently undulating ridgelines to the north rising to Old Shaftsbury Drove (135m AOD). Intervening ridgelines screen potential views to the site from many areas. 6.114. To the east the landscape is relatively flat and open before rising to the western districts of Salisbury located on a shallow ridgeline (100m AOD at 1.5km to the east). Localised and elevated views are possible to the eastern boundary of the site delineated by a hedge, but the fields are not visible. 6.115. Old Shaftsbury Drove runs along the ridgeline (100-115m AOD) on the northern site boundary, mostly in a wooded corridor forming a distinct feature in the wider area due to its ridgeline position and linear character. The land then falls northwards to the River Nadder valley at 2.5km (50m AOD). The settlements of Netherhampton, Wilton and the western districts of Salisbury are located within the valley, physically and visually separated from the site. All middle and long distance views to the north are screened by the Old Shaftsbury Drove ridgeline with vegetation.
Vegetation & Land Use Within 1km of the site: 6.116. Land use in the immediate areas surrounding the site consists of large to medium scale arable fields, woodland blocks and belts, some soft fruit production, scattered farms and isolated properties. The development area comprises of two linear shaped fields that have historically been managed for grazing and arable production and are currently used for growing wheat. These fields are bounded by hedges to the west and east which also contain occasional trees. The southern site boundary comprises of a mature tree avenue along the B354 (Salisbury Road) and the northern site boundary comprises of a dense wooded corridor associated with Old Shaftsbury Drove. The northwest boundary of the application area is set back from Drove Lane by approximately 30m and screened by boundary hedgerows. In places, internal and boundary hedges have been poorly maintained and have become gappy. The woodland belt on the northern site boundary screens views from the north, in conjunction with the ridge. The southern boundary tree avenue screens views from many valley locations but allows glimpsed filtered views through understorey to the site from close distance views along the A354 (Salisbury Road), with the potential for slightly less filtered views during winter months from areas to the south. Locally, field patterns range from medium to large scale, with some localised hedge removal or degeneration, particularly when associated with arable production.
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From 1 to 5km of the site: 6.117. The site is visible from some elevated locations to the south and east of the site, where vegetation and landform permits. The chalk escarpment running from east west along the southern part of the study area and encroaching into the northern part at the western end is an open landscape of large-scale chalk down arable and pasture fields and occasional woodland blocks. Short dry valleys (coombes) are cut into the chalk ridgeline. Some of the medieval drove roads tend to be located in the coombes which are often lined with dense vegetation which screen views to the development from many areas, particularly at lower levels. The farmland surrounding the site tends to comprise of large to medium scale fields with woodland blocks, which are often located on the higher ridgelines. The river Ebble valley to the south is associated with traditional linear settlements and their associated mosaic of woodland blocks, small scale fields and dense vegetation screening, creating a small-scale enclosed landscape. Therefore potential views to the site from these areas do not normally occur or are very limited. Settlements and other built form 6.118. This section describes the settlement pattern and outlines the presence of visual receptors associated with properties and other forms of development (such as employment areas or leisure developments), and represents the baseline analysis of residential and development related visual receptors in the area. Properties or structures up to 1km from the site: 6.119. The village of Coombe Bissett, a number of isolated settlements, farmsteads and other man made features are located within 1km of the study area. The village of Coombe Bissett including its Conservation Area is located in a river valley and generally does not have views to the site (but see discussion below in the section dealing with receptors in the 1 to 5km radius about southern properties in Coombe Bissett on the slopes outside the Conservation Area). Other properties and buildings beyond the settlements tend to be sparsely located and often associated with farmsteads. Therefore potential close distance receptors are limited to the locations outlined below. 6.120. Bake Farm Bungalows, semi-detached properties and converted barn: This group of isolated properties is associated with Bake Farm. They are located adjacent to the PRoW (370m from the eastern site boundary) and have potential close distance views to the eastern application boundary. A converted barn to the east of the settlement group is screened by vegetation and agricultural structures associated with Bake Farm. The semi-detached properties face northwards with the gable end facing the site. The two bungalows are located to the west of the PRoW with the rear gardens facing towards the site. The site boundary hedge screens low level views to the development area. 6.121. Bake Farmhouse: The farmhouse is located to the south of the property group above, at approximately 340m from the site boundary. There is also a farm shop associated with ‘pick your own’ fruit growing at approximately 20m south of the farm. Views are generally open onto the eastern site boundary formed by a hedge with some trees, and with some screening in between associated with domestic planting and remnant hedgerows. The site boundary hedge screens direct views to the development area. 6.122. Properties on Old Shaftsbury Drove: Little Acre, Bramar and an additional property are located to the north of Old Shaftsbury Drove and accessed from the east. Mature
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hedgerows along the drove and other domestic vegetation provide substantial screening. Bake Farm is between the properties and the site. No views could be identified during the site survey from publicly accessible places. 6.123. Old Foundry Cottages at Coombe Bissett: To the south west of the application site, the separation distance from the red line to the nearest elevation of Old Foundry Cottages has been measured as approximately 100 metres. There are potential views from areas to the rear of the properties, although the views are likely to be screened by intervening boundary hedges, tree belts and vegetation in rear gardens and the main direction of view is to the northwest, whilst the site is to the northeast. 6.124. Cawdon, Coombe Rise and adjacent properties along Salisbury Road (A354): Located 130m and beyond west of Old Foundry Cottages with mature trees, hedges and rising ground between the properties and the site. Cawdon and Coombe Rise would in addition block views from properties behind. Nearest distance to site boundary is appr. 260m. Cawdon and Coombe Rise will be discussed, although actual views could not be confirmed. Properties behind considered unlikely to have any views to the site due to screening, orientation and rising ground. 6.125. Manor Farm, Drove House, Kenora and Drove Close are located along Drove Lane north of Coombe Bissett and outside the Conservation Area: Manor Farmhouse is a Listed Building. None of the properties have direct views to the site as far as could be judged from nearby publicly accessible areas with mature trees, hedges and rising ground separating them from the site. There may be glimpsed angled views in direction of the site from upper floors from Manor Farmhouse. 6.126. Stratford Tony Road and Coombe Farm to the west of the site: No actual intervisibility could be established from this area during the site visit due to intervening vegetation and ridgelines, and theoretical intervisibility was not indicated. Therefore these potential visual receptors have been scoped out from further discussion in this report. 6.127. Homington House Listed Building to the south: This property is separated from the site by a number of mature treebelts, with its main focus on the immediately surrounding area and overlooking Coombe Bissett and the valley to the south and west. Views to the site are unlikely. 6.128. Elsewhere no other potential views could be identified from northern and central areas in Coombe Bissett as the village is located at a lower elevation, in a valley and screened by intervening ridge lines and mature vegetation. Properties or structures from 1 to 5km from the site: 6.129. The study area contains a number of hamlets and villages located along the River Ebble valley to the south of the site. The settlements comprise of Cranborne Chase, Stratford Tony, southern higher parts of Coombe Bissett outside the Conservation Area, Homington (including the Conservation Area) and Odstock. There is very limited intervisibility with the site from those areas due to the valley setting, intervening topography and vegetation, with the settlements of Cranborne Chase, Stratford Tony and Homington not having any views to the site. Isolated locations where potential receptors have been identified are listed below. 6.130. Properties & buildings to southern perimeters of Coombe Bissett on higher ground: At approximately 1.1km to the south west of the site. The potential views are limited to properties with a northerly aspect located on the valley flanks and at the
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Bake Farm Environmental Statement
bottom of the chalk escarpments. Filtered views of parts of the site are possible from higher elevations to the perimeters of the village, such as from the village hall, and the fields appear close by due to the location on the opposite slopes. There are also potential views from properties to the north of Cranborne Farm, adjacent to Old Blandford Road, although no specific locations that are publicly accessible could be identified during the site visit. 6.131. Properties on the chalk ridgelines to the south: Areas with open views from the chalk ridgelines to the south contain little or no development with the exception of isolated farmsteads such as Southdown Farm close to the junction of the A354 and Rockborne Road (SU102239). Other farmsteads tend to be set back from the ridgeline and therefore views are generally screened by the ridgeline. No potential views directly from settlements / hamlets / farmsteads could be identified during the site visit. However, properties were not visited and a worst case scenario of some views has been assumed. 6.132. The Zone of Theoretical Visibility indicates some areas of potential higher visibility to the east of the site around the southern fringes of Salisbury and the Hospital, this is discussed further below. All views from those eastern areas to the site would look at the eastern site boundary featuring a mostly tall hedge with some trees, and with the land on site falling away from the viewer. There are no views of the fields on site from those areas, only the eastern boundary can be seen. 6.133. Properties to the western perimeters of Salisbury: There are potential views from Harnwood Road and Thompson Close together with potential views from the new housing development at Linden, on the junction of Coombe Road and Salisbury Road. Views from Harnwood Road tend to be largely filtered by vegetation associated with rear gardens. Views from Thompson Close are limited to upper rear window views of properties immediately adjacent to the city’s urban boundary and low level views tend to be partially screened by the eastern boundary hedge. Elsewhere within Salisbury views are screened by intervening properties. There was no intervisibility identified with isolated farmsteads at lower levels to the south of A354. 6.134. Glimpsed long distance views to elevated locations were indicated on the ZTV to occur in areas to the north and east of Salisbury, including Old Sarum (also see discussion of SAMs previously). Those would be very long distance views, again looking at the eastern and northern site boundaries only, and actual views could not be confirmed during site work. Visual receptors in areas to the north and east of Salisbury are therefore scoped out from further assessment. Open Access Land 6.135. Open Access Land areas on and around the slopes and chalk escarpment to the south of Coombe Bissett and Homington have potential intervisibility with the site. 6.136. Areas within Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve are largely screened due to lower elevation and vegetation, with views towards the site occurring from the more elevated southern section of the reserve around Tottens Down Barn, on the northern slopes of the escarpment from within the AONB. There is some screening of the lower levels of the site by the mature tree belt along the A354. The majority of paths and areas accessed by residents are in the lower parts of the reserve with no views. Infrastructure Elements 6.137. A high voltage overhead electrical transmission line runs through the northern sections
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of the application area. A supporting tall pylon is located within the site and two further pylons are located on and adjacent to the site boundaries, crossing the site roughly centrally. 6.138. The A345 (Salisbury Road) runs along the southern edge of the site boundary through the study area. This is a busy route connecting Salisbury to southwestern areas. Some close distance views are possible into the site below the canopies of the mature trees on the site boundary. Only some areas of the lower levels can be seen here. There are long distance views onto the eastern boundary of the site (screened by hedge with trees, with site fields not actually visible) from elevated sections along the road close to the western edge of Salisbury. There are some long distance elevated views from the south where the road passes over the chalk ridgeline at the junction with Rockbourne Road. Users of other roads will be considered in the visual assessment section of this report as appropriate. 6.139. Users of roads on the Chalk Escarpment to the south may experience potential elevated and open views from localised areas. Roadside hedgerows and vegetation generally screen potential views particularly at lower levels. Limited views are only possible from the higher elevation on the tops of the escarpment and set within the context of the wider landscape. Public Rights of Way (PRoW) 6.140. There are a limited small number of footpaths with the potential to have intervisibility which have been identified to the south and south west of Coombe Bissett. These are from the Old Blandford Road, with some elevated views to the site and from footpaths adjacent to and close to Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve as well as from the southern more elevated areas of the reserve, which appear to have some public access, where views are possible over adjacent hedgerows and tree belts. 6.141. There are potential views through and over boundary hedges from the PRoW at Bake Farm and very limited, generally screened and heavily filtered views from Old Shaftsbury Drove on the northern site boundary, looking at the northern boundary of the proposal (i.e. no large site areas are visible). Views over the western landscapes are also possible from PRoW to the western perimeters of Salisbury and close to Little Woodbury SAM from localised and elevated areas, although those are onto the eastern and northern boundaries, with no field areas directly visible. Other Users 6.142. The racecourse and golf course are located to the northwest of the site, to the north of Old Shaftesbury Drove. Vegetation and landform separate users in those two areas from the site and no views occur. Key Visual Features and Characteristics 6.143. The following key features are considered important for the understanding of the visual amenity baseline conditions in the study area: • Rolling chalk landform with gently domed hill tops, dry valleys and dramatic north facing scarps to the south of the study area with elevated panoramic views over the study area from localised areas. • Contrasts between the open views across larger scale landscapes on the slopes with dispersed farmsteads and urban edges and enclosed views through small scale landscapes with linear settlements in the Ebble river valleys.
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• Containment by strong woodland belts adjacent to the site linked and unified by the network of hedgerows and hedgerow trees. The low and negligible intervisibility with areas to the north and west of the site due to ridges and hedges / vegetation. • Frequent Bronze Age and Iron Age monuments such as hill forts and barrows situated on scarps and hill tops. • The influence of the urban edges of Salisbury to the east.
The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) 6.144. The ZTV (Figure 6.8 CEC2085 – 08 at appendix 6.3) shows theoretical visibility of the site and proposals and is described further below. A separate ZTV for the existing site for comparison against the proposals was not generated due to the low nature of the proposed solar array, i.e. the site and proposal visibility are comparable. Not all properties, roads, footpaths, etc., indicated to have theoretical visibility on the ZTV will automatically have actual views of the proposals, as hedgerows and local vegetation other than main woodland blocks and structures have not been included in the computer model due to data limitations. Equally, there may be some areas shown as having no visibility in the ZTV where locally glimpsed or partial views can be found due to tree belts and hedges modelled as visual barriers having some localised gaps or reduced screening effect. The ZTV is an approximation and a tool to explain visual impacts in comparison to the visual baseline situation and to narrow down the area included in a more detailed analysis. The visual computer analysis has been conducted according to the methodology contained in Appendix 6.5. 6.145. Based on ZTV results in combination with field observations, the distance boundaries for the assessment have been set at: • Up to 500m - Very Close Distance – solar PV array and associated infrastructure are likely to be prominent and potentially dominant new elements in views; • 500m to 1.5km - Close Distance – solar PV array and associated infrastructure are likely to be clearly recognisable and potentially prominent new elements in views; • 1.5km to 3.5km - Middle Distance – solar PV array and associated infrastructure likely to be a recognisable but not normally prominent new element in views as it would form part of a wider scene; • 3.5km to 5km - Long Distance – may be noticed in clear conditions but without perception of detail and likely to merge with surrounding landscape; and, • Over 5km - Very Long Distance – solar PV array and associated infrastructure unlikely to be readily perceptible – outside the study area.
Brief Description of Viewpoints 6.146. Views toward the proposal site were explored across the whole study area based on the desktop study work. Those views which were thought to illustrate worst case scenarios in the study area are described below. From many locations throughout the study area, views would be far less direct than those illustrated in the viewpoints and often partial and glimpsed, and the term ‘worst case views’ is used to reflect this. 6.147. Viewpoints have been selected to provide a range of receptors, distance and directions of view in which the site and / or the proposals are visible, taking into consideration the influence of landform, vegetation, built form and public accessibility within the study area and are listed in Table 6.8.
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6.148. Those visited but omitted as worst case views included views from: • View from the eastern boundary PRoW (view 2 provides a similar view). • From the road entrance to Bake Farm (view 3 provides a similar view). • From Drove Lane at the northwest corner of the site (view 4 provides a similar view). • From the road north of Stratford Tony (no actual views). • From western perimeters of Salisbury (view 9 included instead). • From Old Blandford Road (PRoW) south of Cranborne Farm (view 5 included instead). • From the school at Coombe Bissett (glimpsed view only, with no other places in the actual central parts of the village identified as having views. View 11 is from the village hall further up the slope showing the influence of local vegetation on the extent of views from this area.). • Public Open Access Land on the chalk escarpment to the southeast (view 7 provides a similar view).
6.149. These have been omitted as, though indicated as having theoretical visibility, field observations indicated no or limited views from publicly accessible locations or the views selected provide a better overall representation of publicly accessible views in the study area. Where useful in illustrating the overall character of the area these have been included in the Character and Supplementary View Photosheets in Appendix 6.4. 6.150. Viewpoints and photomontages are also illustrated in Appendix 6.4, and are described briefly below, with photomontage locations highlighted in bold.
Table 6.1 Viewpoints
Easting, Key View Northings Description
1- E411352 Very close distance view looking south (90m from site boundary) From Old N128076 at 104m AOD. Shaftsbury Dense woodland belts enclose the drove road therefore views to Drove (PRoW) the site are few and glimpsed in localised areas. Winter views are on the northern likely to be slightly more prevalent. site boundary Selected to demonstrate screening by vegetation along the northern boundary. 2- E411937 Very close distance view looking west (380m from site boundary) From the N127463 at 88m AOD. PRoW to the Views across open fields onto the eastern development boundary eastern site hedgerow. Possible occasional views to the development through boundary or over gappy hedgerows. The low ridgeline across the site screens views to the far western development area. Selected to represent views from the PRoW and Bake Farmhouse. 3- E411494 Very close distance view looking north east on the A354 (50m From the A345 N127172 from the site boundary) at 80m AOD. east of Coombe Filtered views to the site through understorey below the canopies Bissett of the tree belts running along the southern site boundary. Selected to represent typical views experienced by road users.
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Table 6.1 Viewpoints
Easting, Key View Northings Description
4- E410761 Very close distance view looking east (460m from the site From Drove N127458 boundary) at 98m AOD. Lane close to Occasional views through roadside hedges towards the site the western boundary. The site is screened by vegetation in intervening development hedgerows and boundary hedges. boundary Selected to represent the boundary screening from Drove Lane and the AONB eastern boundary. 5- E410386 Mid distance (on threshold to close distance) elevated view From Old N126120 looking north east (1.7km to the site boundary) at 107m AOD. Blanford Rd Elevated and partially screened views to large sections of the (PRoW) on the application area from south of Cranborne Farm. ridgeline to the Selected to represent elevated views on the perimeters of south west of Coombe Bissett and from PRoW. Coombe Bissett 6- E410201 Mid distance (on threshold to long distance) open and elevated From the N123997 view to the site. Viewing north (3.4km to the site boundary) at junction of the 145m AOD. A345 & Localised view from the AONB chalk ridgeline to the south of the Rockbourne site. The views are possible from higher open elevated sections of Road. the ridgelines only. Lower sections on the southern application areas are screened by the boundary tree belt on the A345. Selected to represent localised elevated views from the primary road to the south west of the site. 7- E412336 Mid distance, open and elevated view looking north (2.3km to the From the drove N125105 site boundary) at 132m AOD. road south of Localised views from the AONB ridgeline to central and northern Homington sections of the application area. Other areas of the site screened by the boundary tree belt on the A345. Selected to represent typical views from the ridgeline to the south of the site from roads, open access land and PRoW. 8- E415453 Mid distance view looking north west (3.3km to the site boundary) From Odstock N125764 at 89m AOD. Rd adjacent to Elevated views from south of Salisbury. Elevated views partially Salisbury District screened by boundary hedgerows on the application boundary. Hospital Selected to represent occasional or sought views from roads to the south east of the site. Other views in the area are generally screened by roadside hedges. 9- E413781 Mid distance, elevated view looking west (2.4km to the site From the PRoW N128135 boundary) at 96m AOD. to the west of Elevated views to the eastern sections of the application area from Thompsons the developed ridgeline on the western perimeters of Salisbury. Close, on the Selected to represent views from the ridgelines to the south west urban edge of of Salisbury and potential views from properties. Salisbury
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Table 6.1 Viewpoints
Easting, Key View Northings Description
10- E407331 Long distance elevated view (3.9km from site boundary) at 165m From a PRoW to N407331 AOD. the south of Very localised view towards sections of the southern site Bishops Down boundary. Elsewhere views are screened by intervening ridgelines wood and vegetation. Selected to represent the limited intervisibility within the AONB and from PRoWs and roads to the west of the site. 11- E411006 Close distance lower slopes view (1.2km from the site) over Ebble From village hall N126026 valley onto opposite slopes at approximately 85m AOD. external area The view is defined by the fore and mid ground including near the large foreground vegetation, overall a wooded appearance in the valley, windows with the ridges forming the horizon of the view. The church of Coombe Bissett is to the left of the viewer, with open views to the ridges beyond, whilst the site is to the right of the viewer, where the views are foreshortened by vegetation. Part of the site clearly visible between trees at close distance. Selected to represent views from the village hall as popular place for local people.
Potential Landscape and Visual Receptors 6.151. Based on review of the ZTV model for the proposed PV solar array, combined with field observations and professional judgement landscape and visual receptors summarised below are considered to be important for the understanding of the site and study area. Other receptors considered unlikely to experience effects due to their location in areas without visibility of the proposed site or at such a distance that either it would not be perceived as a distinct element in the view or there were other elements such as hedges, trees or buildings screening the view are scoped out of further assessment as detailed in Appendix 6.1 (Table 6.2) and Appendix 6.2 (Table 6.3). 6.152. Some individual properties and paths may not be included if key receptors have been discussed that are similar or more representative to views from those receptors. Key receptors include properties within 1km radius and local PRoW around the site, settlements, main roads, trails and users of designated assets. The aim is to present a thorough and reasoned evaluation of the whole study area whilst keeping the amount of information at a reasonable and accessible level. Key Landscape Receptors • LCA B2 - Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Slopes • LCA D7 - Cranborne Chase Chalk Downland • Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (The Chalk Downlands & Escarpments to the south) • Special Landscape Area (SLA) • Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings (as discussed, contemporary setting)
Key Visual Receptors
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• Users of the AONB (The Chalk Downlands & Escarpments to the south) • Users of Special Landscape Area • Users of SM – Bowl Barrow on Homington Down, 725m south of Tottens Farm • Users of Listed Building Manor Farmhouse • Residents of Bake Farm • Residents of Bake Farm bungalows • Residents of semi-detached property north of Bake Farm • Residents of Old Foundry Cottages • Residents of Cawdon, Coombe Rise and Drove House • Residents of Coombe Bissett along southern rising ground outside the Conservation Area • Users of Coombe Bissett village hall • Users of Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve • Residents of properties on the chalk escarpment • Residents on the edge of Salisbury • Users of PRoW Old Blandford Road • Users of ProW at Bake Farm • Users PRoW Old Shaftsbury Drove • Users of PRoWs and Open Access Land on the southern and southwestern slopes and chalk escarpment
POTENTIAL EFFECTS
6.153. This section identifies effects potentially arising from the proposals assessed in this report on landscape and visual receptors identified in the baseline study. The assessment is conducted in accordance with the definitions / criteria described in the methodology in Appendix 6.5. 6.154. The overall effects of the proposals on the landscape and key views in the study area are discussed below, detailed impact assessment tables can be found in Appendices 6.1 and 6.2 (Tables 6.2 and 6.3). The focus of the discussion below is on moderate or greater effects, the tables in the appendices should be referred to for all effects. Effects described below are assumed to be adverse unless stated otherwise. 6.155. This section details effects in year 1. Mitigation measures that have been incorporated into the layout and design of the proposal as described in the section on Mitigation and Enhancement are taken account of in the assessment below in a year 1 scenario. It is considered that the key mitigation benefits of this scheme will arise from maturing vegetation, hence the residual effects are presented as the remaining effects at year 10. It should be noted however that effects overall have already been reduced from a worst case scenario as part of the layout development by keeping field boundaries and allowing space for additional planting, as well as reducing the site area following assessment by omitting the southwestern field from the scheme (see Chapter 3: Scheme Description, para 3.58). 6.156. The purpose of the impact assessment is to determine what level of changes would be caused by implementation of the proposals during construction and operational phases to provide the local authority with professionally produced and evaluated information to enable an informed decision on the acceptability of the proposals in the given site and
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landscape context as described in this report.
Value, Susceptibility and Sensitivity of the Site and Study Area 6.157. In line with the GLVIA third edition, sensitivity assessment should be undertaken as part of the impact assessment section of an LVIA, discussing value and susceptibility to arrive at a given sensitivity. 6.158. Value and susceptibility have been evaluated for each receptor listed in Tables 6.2 and 6.3, in line with the guidance criteria provided in the methodology section of the report (Appendix 6.5) and professional judgement as appropriate. This was then combined into a sensitivity rating for each receptor in the tables. In this section, a summary discussion of susceptibility and sensitivity considerations for the site and study area is provided. 6.159. The study area value varies from medium to high, with the high value areas associated with the AONB to the south and west of the study area, and the medium value landscapes more readily found in the central, northern and eastern areas, characterised by a greater influence of modern development such as urban areas and infrastructure. The site is considered of medium value, making some contribution to the local character, but also being affected by some degradation due to hedge loss and a large electricity transmission line crossing it. The Ebble valley areas to the south could be considered to be of medium to high value, being in a transitional area between the medium and high value landscapes. 6.160. Susceptibility to solar PV development in the study area varies from low to high. The proposals are a low height development that can be relatively easily integrated into medium and large field systems, provided that it does not unduly interfere with wider area landscape character and key views throughout. Low susceptibility receptors and areas are those with very little exposure to the development, due to screening, location or orientation. This includes some residents, as well as road users. Landscapes as such were considered of medium to high susceptibility, due to the potential for interference with character and views with the site being located on a gentle slope partially overlooked from some high sensitivity locations. High susceptibility receptors would be those most exposed to the development, such as residents with views of the site, or AONB areas with views over the site. 6.161. With a range of value and susceptibility ratings, the majority of landscapes and receptors outside the AONB would be assigned a medium or medium to high sensitivity (valley locations and designated assets), and those within the AONB mostly being of high sensitivity. The site is considered to have medium sensitivity to this type of development, and has capacity to accommodate such development subject to retention of hedges and landscape features (which is the case in the layout evaluated in this LVIA).
Glare and Glint 6.162. For a discussion of glare refer to Appendix 6.5. In summary, glare is unlikely to be an issue as solar panels are designed to maximise absorption of light and have a surface that is anti-reflective and diffusing. As a result, there may be some localised glare in
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very close proximity to the panels, but not from any distance. At distance on the chalk escarpment, the glare will simply be perceived as a lighter area in the landscape. To the east, at close distance and towards Salisbury, glare is less of an issue as the viewer would look at the side of the panels. 6.163. Glint would only be perceived at very specific times of year and day in a limited area defined generally by a narrow segment to the east and west coinciding with sunrise and sunset or evening sun times, normally during spring and autumn / winter. A viewer would have to be looking into the sun opposite him to experience glint. Whilst this still may be an issue in very specific circumstances, such as busy roads or airports, it is unlikely to be an issue for this site as to the west / southwest there are very limited visual receptors and most views are more or less screened. To the east / southeast, land falls away and the viewers are lower than the array, making the occurrence of glint less likely.
Construction Effects 6.164. Construction effects are discussed in Tables 6.2 and 6.3 (at Appendix 6.1 and Appendix 6.2) for individual receptors. Tree and hedge protection measures would have to be installed and adhered to in order to minimise construction effects. Such measures would be included within a Construction Management Plan as a matter of good practice. 6.165. Principal construction effects on the landscape resource in the area would include: • Increased activity on site and the access track on the eastern boundary for a period of approximately 16 weeks with taller machinery present at times; • Potential to impact on hedges and trees along site and field boundaries if no suitable temporary protection is put in place; • Exposure of bare soil in localised areas due to construction activity; and, • Gradual change from rural fields to technical installation on site.
6.166. Preparation and installation works is likely to cover a span of 3 months, followed by one month of testing and commissioning prior to completion and project handover. 6.167. The increase in activity for a short period of time is not considered an issue in the wider context of the character area, and there is already some movement in the landscape associated with roads and farming activity. Users of the A345 and the PRoW and properties on the eastern site boundary may be affected locally during weekly working hours. It is not intended to undertake construction work over night or at weekends. Therefore the effect on the road users is unlikely to be more than slight for a limited period of time, whilst PRoW users and residents may experience up to moderate / substantial short term effects. Management of the PRoW may be required if used for construction access. 6.168. Impacts on hedges will be avoided by using the existing field access points and observing protection zones to all vegetation boundaries inside and on the site boundaries. Hedges will be delineated with temporary protective fencing to ensure no construction machinery enters those areas. With the exception of a single 2 metre section of an internal hedge that would be removed to facilitate cable installation and then reinstated with new hedgerow planting, no actual impacts on those elements are
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envisaged and effects have been determined assuming full retention of all hedges and trees. 6.169. The presence of areas of bare soil during construction is unlikely to lead to any perceived change of the character as large areas of the site are currently arable which changes in character seasonally with planting and harvesting cycles. 6.170. The gradual change in site character is likely to be more perceptible than the final operational proposal after a period of time, as the installation will lead to an on-going change during construction. Once installed, the proposal is likely to become part of the wider landscape experience, without further change, thereby allowing users to assimilate this experience into their perceptions over time, particularly once vegetation matures / increases in height.
Operational Effects 6.171. Principal operational effects on the landscape resource in the area would include: • Introduction of large new technical infrastructure installation on agricultural land, although this is a second layer installed over the agricultural use, which will be maintained; • Change to grazing use and buffer strips managed for biodiversity benefits; • Alteration of local landscape character; and, • Alteration of visual amenity locally and in localised areas to the south.
Effects on the Site’s Landscape Features 6.172. The access track just to the south of Bake Farmhouse and the Farm Shop will be used during installation and for any maintenance purposes; no additional access will be required during operation. 6.173. The track follows an existing field boundary, with the first part of the route currently grassed over, whilst the second part traverses a field. The access point into the solar array utilises an existing hedge break. The type 1 internal tracks for construction will remain for maintenance access during operation but overtime grass will grow over the top reducing any potential visual impact. A single 2 metre section of an internal hedge would be removed to facilitate cable installation between fields, before being fully reinstated through new hedgerow planting. There will be no other effects on any of the site’s landscape features such as internal and boundary hedgerows and trees as they will be retained and enhanced as part of the proposals. 6.174. The preservation of all hedges and the existing field pattern, the establishment of buffers to features to be retained and the new planting as designed in mitigation has been considered to be of an overall low beneficial magnitude of change in year 1.
Effects on Landscape Character 6.175. Landscape character effects are concentrated within LCA B2 and D7, with some negligible to slight effects also arising on LCAs C2 and B8, and NCA 134. The key
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effects on LCAs B2 and D7 are discussed in more detail below, for other effects and those areas not experiencing any effects refer to Appendix 6.1. LCA B2- Ebble Broad Chalk Valley Slopes 6.176. The site is located within and surrounded by this character area and therefore direct character changes are possible. There is substantial existing containment by boundary vegetation. The area contains some existing intrusion, namely the large electricity pylons and A354 corridor introducing traffic noise and movement, and the urban edges of Salisbury add to the influence of modern elements on the landscape character in the study area. The landscape character area is large in relation to the development and the physical character including the characteristic linear hedgerows, tree belts and woodlands are retained with substantial standoffs managed for wildlife benefit on the site boundaries. The development adds effectively an overlay onto the existing use, with continued agricultural grazing use possible under the installation. Landscape character effects in the LCA therefore result from changes to the perception of the area and further modernisation, all of which can be fully reversed, but not from physical changes. This is reflected in the relatively minimal extent of landscape effects, with the majority of significant effects arising being of a visual nature, see visual impact assessment section. 6.177. There are also potential impacts on the setting of the slopes and chalk escarpment to the south where there is intervisibility with elevated and localised areas and the landscape is perceived as the Ebble valley, overlooking the river valley towards the opposite slopes containing the proposal. Here, the perceptual change and tranquillity are altered, although ridge lines are not broken, landform is not changed and the valley and slopes will still define the character of the landscape in those views. The development would only be visible from localised areas. 6.178. Landscape character effects on LCA B2 were evaluated to be of medium magnitude during construction in the local area, and low magnitude in year 1 operation and during construction in the wider area. Overall this results in up to moderate character effects during construction and in year 1, which is not significant. The overall character, integrity and quality of LCA B2 would not be affected.
LCA D7 – Cranborne Chase Chalk Downlands 6.179. This area is mostly separated from the site and its importance in the study area lies in the definition of the southern extent of it, with northern fringe areas intertwining with the slopes of LCA B2 (which experiences the greater visual exposure as it is more sloping, compared to the more plateau like higher ground areas of LCA D7). Key characteristics of LCA D7 include the classical English landscape, chalk downlands, dramatic landform and its unique combination to form coombe valleys and scarp slopes and the survival of Chase Woods, and panoramic views. Due to separation and distance, none of those characteristics and qualities would be particularly affected by the proposals; the main areas would be completely unaffected. With only some minor northern fringe setting impacts occurring, landscape character effects on this LCA are limited to some alteration of perception and reduction of tranquillity in its setting, perceived from peripheral areas bordering LCA B2. Overall, setting effects on this character area were evaluated to be moderate during construction and slight during operation, which is not significant. The overall character, integrity and quality of LCA D7 would not be affected.
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Effects on Landscape Designations 6.180. The site is covered by the Special Landscape Area and the AONB Chalk Downlands and Escarpments covers the south and west of the study area. Other assets include Listed Buildings and Scheduled Monuments, were the contemporary setting could be altered, all as discussed in Appendix 6.1., with the Bowl Barrow on Homington Down, 725m south of Tottens Farm of slightly greater exposure to the proposals. Those assets are discussed further below. 6.181. The Conservation Areas of Coombe Bissett, Homington and Salisbury and the Registered Parks and Gardens in the study area are all sufficiently visually and physically separated from the site as not to experience any landscape effects, or no more than low setting effects in the case of Coombe Bissett CA (despite the close proximity, it is felt that due to the visual separation and the definition of the village setting by the valley landscape the character of the village and CA will be preserved. Key views through the CA will be preserved. Note that the CA does not cover the southern slopes, and the site is not seen in close association with the church tower of CA when looking over it from the south due to valley location and vegetation screening). Special Landscape Area 6.182. There is likely to be an up to moderate localised (around 500m of the application area), not significant and reversible effect on the area covered by SLA, comparable to and of similar nature as the local landscape character effects. The sensitivity of the SLA was considered medium as it is outside the AONB, this correlates with the outside AONB landscape character sensitivity. For the majority of the SPA there will be no effects caused by the proposed development. The Special Landscape Area policy aims to protect the high quality of the landscape surrounding Salisbury from inappropriate development and retain the rural landscape character & the setting of Salisbury. Although Salisbury is visible in the wider area and has an influence on the study area, the site is not in its immediate setting, and the site area is not visible from Salisbury, only its eastern boundary. Therefore, the perception of the rural area as seen from Salisbury would not be altered. Views back to Salisbury that also include the site occur mainly from the AONB, not from within the SLA. It is considered that the proposal would not affect the setting of Salisbury and its cathedral. In addition, the Special Landscape Area is not mentioned in the Renewable Energy Policy PS8. AONB – Chalk Downlands and Escarpment to the South / Southwest of the Site 6.183. This area of the AONB is located in the south / southwest of the study area on the slopes, chalk escarpment and downlands beyond. The argumentation is similar to that for LCAs B2 and D7 discussed above, which together cover the AONB areas. The proposals would be set within the context of other development to the edges of Salisbury, ribbon settlements along the valleys and modern infrastructure, intensively farmed landscape and distant northern views featuring larger areas of development which have diluted the tranquillity in the northern and eastern setting. The proposal would respect the field patterns and landform and is accommodated in relatively regular fields, would not breach ridgelines, not alter dramatic landform nor interfere with key views across or between assets, would not result in loss of landscape features and would enhance some of the hedges, including new linear tree planting prevalent in the vicinity of the site. As such, the proposal would not alter the wider character of the
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setting, with the overall appearance of the landscape and its structure maintained, although would introduce an element that has the potential to be visually intrusive in views from some AONB fringe locations (see separate discussion of visual effects on AONB users). The setting effects are associated with partial reduction of tranquillity and localised visual intrusion. The setting change during construction and in year 1 is assessed to be of low magnitude, resulting in moderate localised and not significant setting effects. AONB – Chalk Downlands and Escarpment to the West of the Site 6.184. The AONB in this area has been assessed as having medium to high sensitivity to change in the TLP sensitivity study due to the effects of modern development on the integrity of the area. There is the potential for the development to have an indirect effect on its setting due to the scale and close distance. Despite the proximity, it was concluded that the development was likely to result in only a low magnitude of change during construction and possibly in year 1 due to the limited character and visual relationship with the development area and intervening hedge screening and landform. The low magnitude changes would result in slight to moderate localised and not significant effects. Scheduled Monument - Bowl Barrow on Homington Down, 725m south of Tottens Farm 6.185. No more than moderate and not significant effects will occur upon SM – Bowl Barrow on Homington Down, 725m south of Tottens Farm. Setting effects would relate to the introduction of a modern technical element on the opposite slope, see landscape character discussions for LCA B2, but not all of the site area is visible and the understanding of the Scheduled Monument in its contemporary landscape setting is not considered to be unduly diluted, and features modern elements already.
Visual Effects on Users of Designated Assets 6.186. Visual effects are more extensive than the landscape effects due to the large scale of the installation and its resulting prominence in some views. However, the overall number of visual receptors is relatively limited, particularly in relation to residents and AONB users, considering the overall AONB area. The locations from where actual views can be obtained are also limited, so that the proposal is not considered to have an overall defining influence on the visual amenity of the study area landscape. There are no views from Registered Parks and Gardens. Key visual effects are summarised below, for full details refer to Appendix 6.2. Key photomontages are provided at appendix 6.4. Users of the AONB – The Chalk Downlands & Escarpments 6.187. Localised wide panoramic views towards the north / northeast occur from a relatively small area of the overall AONB within its eastern perimeters, southwest of Salisbury. These views are restricted to the slopes along the edges of the chalk escarpment with a northerly aspect, although they could be considered an intrinsic part of the character and strength of the AONB in this area. 6.188. Proposals would introduce a new modern element into those views, of technical nature detracting from the rural character. However, the installation does respect the field patterns, does not breach ridgelines and follows the landform, is in an area with increased intrusion levels and does not interfere with views to key assets from the
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escarpment, such as hillforts and the cathedral (the spire may be seen in the same wider panorama, but separate from the site, so that it retains its prominence). 6.189. Note that the ZTV indicates more widespread views in theory, those could not be confirmed in reality due to vegetation and hedges, in combination with subtle landform variations. Overall, the actual visibility is significantly less than suggested by the ZTV, restricted to occasional points rather than areas; see more detailed discussion below and refer to viewpoints as well as character photos for a better understanding of actual views from the AONB areas.
Overall evaluation: 6.190. The north facing escarpment only covers a small area of the AONB and is along its periphery. New development within the lowlands nevertheless has the potential to form a recognisable new feature due to the elevated and open nature of some northern and northeastern views from the escarpment slopes. Changes would however be perceived within the context of the wider landscape and existing intrusion including Salisbury, surrounding settlements, modern infrastructure, wooded ridgelines, valleys and more distant views northwards. With views being localised and occurring from peripheral AONB areas, into a landscape that already contains modern development, it is considered that there is scope to accommodate some visual amenity change at localised significant levels in the AONB setting, without compromising the purpose of the AONB, its integrity or management objectives. The majority of AONB users and those in the core, most tranquil areas including the chalk plateaus would be unaffected. It was evaluated that the overall visual effect on AONB users as a whole is negligible, with the escarpment slopes users overall moderately affected (which is overall not significant), although some localised significant visual effects are predicted to occur as discussed below.
Users of AONB of south-eastern areas around Odstock and south of Nunton: 6.191. The ZTV indicates intervisibility from areas around Odstock and south of Nunton which could not be confirmed during site work due to landform and vegetation screening. Therefore users will not experience changes from those areas. Refer to character views A and B. There will be no change for users in this area.
Users of AONB of southern and south-eastern areas around Homington Down: 6.192. The visual effects are evaluated to be localised moderate / substantial and significant during construction and operation in year 1. Views are often screened by vegetation, are partial and localised. Refer to VP 7 and character views C, D and E. 6.193. Views within those areas are often enclosed and short-distance. Vegetation screens long views out or only allows partial views of the development area. During construction and operation in year 1 partial views of the development are likely to be obtained.
Users of the AONB in south-south-western areas between Stratford Toney (but excluding the village which has no views) and A354 including along Old Blandford
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Road from localised elevated areas with open views where there is no vegetation screening: 6.194. The visual effects are evaluated to be localised moderate / substantial to substantial and significant during construction and operation in year 1. Views of the development would be of much of the site area from limited locations, with users seeing the panel surfaces and some sides, as well as the associated infrastructure. The development would be seen in context with urban development at and near Salisbury in the background, forming a significant and immediately apparent part of the view. 6.195. Please refer to Viewpoint Record sheets for levels of actual intervisibility. VP 5 and VP 6 represent worst case viewpoints with nearly full intervisibility with the development. However, VP G and H of similar direction and distance to VP5 and VP6 and in a similar area show the localised nature of this increased level of intervisibility, with many other areas substantially more screened by vegetation. From VP G partial views of the development can be obtained, which would be reduced through the implementation of the mitigation strategy.
Users of the AONB around Bishopstone (southwest of the site): 6.196. The visual effects are evaluated to be slight to moderate localised and not significant during construction and operation in year 1. There are localised partial views anticipated from limited areas, most views are screened by vegetation and landform.
Users of the AONB – Adjacent to the north western site boundary and west: 6.197. There is no or very low intervisibility with the development site from this part of the AONB. The character of the AONB locally relates to the River Ebble Valley and escarpments to the south and has a more enclosed intimate nature than more open elevated AONB areas to the south. Hedges assocated with the western boundaries generally screen views from close distance on Drove Lane. Elsewhere potential views are very localised and glimpsed which will be minimised through the implementation of mitigation planting by strengthening the boundary hedgerows. It is therefore considered that slight to moderate localised and not significant visual effects would occur in areas within 500m of the site during construction and operation in year 1 (resulting from low magnitude change on high sensitivity receptors). Users of Special Landscape Area 6.198. The highest potential perceived visual change in character will be from the east, and within very close distance views from the east. Views of the proposals are possible from localised open and elevated areas adjacent to Salisbury and set within a wider panoramic and rural landscape. Often views are screened at low level by the boundary hedgerows and only available to the eastern and northwestern sections of the site. Up to moderate / substantial localised and significant visual effects are considered to occur during construction and operation in year 1 perceived from within 500m of the site. Slight visual effects are likely to occur on users beyond 500m. Users of SM – Bowl Barrow on Homington Down, 725m south of Tottens Farm
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6.199. Moderate to moderate/ substantial significant visual effects may occur on users of SM during construction and operation in year 1. This is a worst case scenario, as there is no public access to the SM the assessor could not visit asset and there would not be any actual users able to access the SM at this point in time. Users of SM – Hill Settlement 6.200. There is potential intervisibility to the western perimeters of the monument which is located on an open elevated ridgeline. The SM user looking towards the proposals would see other modern infrastructure development such as high voltage powerlines and buildings in the foreground with the development in the background and only seeing the eastern edge, not the site area as such. The visual effects are considered to be moderate and not significant during construction and potentially operation in year 1, resulting from low magnitude change on high sensitivity receptors. Users of Listed Building Manor Farmhouse 6.201. Intervisibility is unlikely due to intervening landform and vegetation, although there may be some views due to potential gaps in the hedgerows. The visual effects are considered to be slight to moderate and not significant during construction and operation in year 1. Users of Conservation Areas 6.202. Slight to moderate and not significant visual effects (arising from low magnitude change) may be experienced by users of Coombe Bissett Conservation Area and Users of Homington Conservation Area, reflecting very limited, partial views potentially occurring from upper floor windows and particularly of taller construction machinery. No actual ground level views from the Conservation Areas could be identified. There are no views from Salisbury Conservation Area. For more details refer to Appendix 6.2 Predicted Visual Effects.
Visual Effects on Users of Properties and Settlements 6.203. The following residential visual receptors have been identified in the LVIA to experience moderate or greater visual effects; refer to Appendix 6.2 for full details of all residential users and lesser effects. 6.204. Properties experiencing up to substantial and significant visual effects: • Residents of Bake Farm during construction • Residents of Bake Farm bungalows during construction
6.205. Properties experiencing up to moderate/ substantial and significant visual effects: • Residents of Bake Farm during operation year 1 • Residents of Bake Farm bungalows during operation year 1 • Semi-detached property north of Bake Farm during construction • Old Foundry Cottages during construction • Properties on the chalk escarpment and associated slopes during construction and operation year 1
6.206. Properties experiencing up to moderate and not significant visual effects:
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• Residents of Coombe Rise, Cawdon and Drove House during construction • Residents of Semi-detached property north of Bake Farm during operation year 1 • Residents of Old Foundry Cottages during operation year 1
Visual Effects on Recreational Users 6.207. The following recreational / landscape user visual receptors have been identified in the LVIA to experience moderate or greater visual effects; refer to Appendix 6.2 for full details of all recreational / landscape users. 6.208. Recreational users experiencing up to moderate/ substantial and significant visual effects: • PRoW users at Bake Farm during construction • PRoW users of Old Blandford Road during construction and operation year 1 • Users of southern elevated slopes of Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve (lower valley areas including most footpath routes would not experience a change)
6.209. Recreational users experiencing up to moderate and not significant visual effects: • Users of Coombe Bissett Village Hall during construction and operation year 1 • PRoW users at Bake Farm during operation year 1 • PRoW users on the chalk escarpment during construction and operation year 1 • Users of Open Access Land on Chalk escarpment during construction and operation year 1
Visual Effects on Road and Rail Users 6.210. Road users within the area may experience up to slight and not significant visual effects. Summary of Significant Effects during Construction and Operation Year 1 6.211. The LVIA did not identify any significant landscape character or setting effects. Significant visual effects identified to arise during construction and in year 1 of operation can be summarised as follows: • Localised visual changes for Users of AONB – The Chalk Downlands & Escarpments to the south / southwest from localised areas. The overall effects on AONB users are not significant. • Visual changes for PRoW users of Old Blandford Road located in the AONB area mentioned above. • Visual changes for Users of Special Landscape Area within 500m of site • Visual changes for Users of SM – Bowl Barrow on Homington Down, 725m south of Tottens Farm • Visual changes for users of southern elevated slopes of Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve • Visual changes for Residents of Bake Farm • Visual changes for Residents of Bake Farm bungalows
6.212. Significant visual effects only caused during the construction occur on:
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• Residents of semi-detached property north of Bake Farm • Residents of Old Foundry Cottages • PRoW users at Bake Farm
MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT
Mitigation Strategy 6.213. A landscape mitigation strategy for this proposal has been developed to strengthen the key landscape characteristics of hedgerows with trees, within and on the site boundaries. This will contribute to reduce significant landscape and visual effects to an acceptable level in time. Additional native planting has been strategically located to mitigate against adverse significant landscape and visual effects where possible. 6.214. It should be noted that it will not be possible to completely mitigate against elevated mid and long distance visual impacts in all areas, but adverse effects on views can be significantly reduced when filtered or partially screened. Effects on the PRoW, properties to the eastern boundary, western AONB areas, eastern landscapes and southern lower slopes are more readily mitigated against. Low level and close distance views have the potential to be screened more easily by new low level planting and improved hedge management. 6.215. In mid and long distance views, strategically placed mitigation planting will help to break up the mass of development and strengthen the landscape framework in the area, which will reduce landscape character as well as visual impacts. New planting and strengthening of existing hedgerows will have some beneficial effects. 6.216. The landscape mitigation strategy for this proposal is illustrated at appendix 6.3 on Figure 6.9 CEC2085-09 Mitigation Strategy and below is a description of mitigation measures incorporated into the proposals. Layout Considerations 6.217. Mitigation measures were highlighted at an early stage of the assessment and discussed with the client. These have been incorporated in the final proposals and are therefore ‘inherent’ mitigation. These include: • Retaining as far as possible a regular geometric layout to the rows of panels and associated infrastructure so that the solar farm has a striking and legible layout. With a regular design, the array will work more closely with the structure of the landscape, for example reflecting subtle changes in terrain, slope and aspect. • Using the existing field boundaries to give structure to the proposal and retaining all hedgerows and trees enhancing them through management to gain height and structure throughout the lifespan of the array. This will have long-term landscape as well as biodiversity benefits if implemented correctly and using native species. • Incorporating buffer zones around all hedges and manage for wildlife benefit. The buffer zones ensure there is no impact on hedgerows at any stage of the development and the fields do not appear overly crammed.
6.218. In addition, the LVIA revealed increased landscape and visual effects associated with the original layout proposal incorporating a larger area than assessed in this report
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(also see Chapter 3: Scheme Description, para 3.58). As a response to those findings and feedback from public consultation, the development area was reduced by omitting the southwestern field from the site area. This field was more exposed than others in views from high sensitivity AONB areas, and was also more irregular and on steeper ground. Omitting this field has resulted in landscape character, setting and visual effects being reduced for a number of receptors, with only very few significant visual effects remaining.
Enhancement and New Planting 6.219. The following additional mitigation measures are proposed. 6.220. Where the existing hedgerows are weak in structure, gappy or absent, additional native hedgerow whip planting should be undertaken on the site boundaries to strengthen the landscape structure of the surrounding and internal field patterns. Over time improved management should allow for slightly taller, wider and denser growth to completely screen low level close distance views from the east and from properties to the north east of Coombe Bissett. Views from the wider eastern and western landscape areas are anticipated to be almost completely obscured by improvements to the boundary hedges. Longer distance elevated views to the south and southwest will be partially screened predominantly as a result of the proposed internal tree belt, see below. A stronger internal landscape structure will break up the mass of the PV arrays when viewed from these elevated locations. The planting should be focused on the internal hedgerows and the eastern and western boundary hedgerows. 6.221. To further break up and filter distant elevated views, a new native hedge and tree belt is proposed running along an existing hedge line along the western site boundary, substantially increasing its width and density. The trees should be carefully located and selected to minimise shading to the arrays but be of a sufficient density and number to substantially filter and break up the southern and southwestern mid and long distance elevated views, as well as eliminating local area effects on southern and western areas. This mitigation is shown in Figure 6.9 CEC2085-09 Mitigation Strategy at Appendix 6.3. 6.222. The mitigation methods outlined above will not only substantially reduce potentially significant visual effects but will have the additional benefit of repairing and enhancing the current landscape structure which is degraded in places, which could in the long- term add to the quality and character of the Special Landscape Area and constitute a beneficial effect. Together with the management of the buffer strips for wildlife benefit, the stronger hedgerow structure will increase the habitats on site and provide wildlife corridor linking to off-site areas.
RESIDUAL EFFECTS AND SIGNIFICANCE
6.223. A year 10 residual effects assessment has been included in the tables in Appendices 6.1 and 6.2. Key photomontages are provided at appendix 6.4. 6.224. If the proposed mitigation outlined above is adopted, landscape effects will be mitigated over time with only minimal adverse effects remaining, none of which are significant. With the improved hedge and tree management, together with the establishment of new tree and hedge planting developing over time, the proposals will
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begin to integrate within the local landscape and views to the site from key areas will be screened and filtered. This is illustrated in the year 10 photomontages provided at appendix 6.4. From year 1 to year 10, a gradual reduction in landscape and visual effects will occur. 6.225. It is not possible to completely mitigate all elevated mid and long distance visual effects; however the improved boundary management, hedge structure and tree planting will become established to provide additional and substantial landscape structure and screening. Close distance effects can be reduced to overall non- significant levels through increase in hedge height and density. 6.226. The existing tree belts and mature hedgerows form prominent and positive landscape features. The proposed mitigation will over time link to boundary tree blocks and hedgerows as tree and hedge planting establishes to contribute to the local landscape character. 6.227. Key residual effects in year 10, after mitigation has fully established, can be summarised as follows: • LCA B2 Ebble Broad Chalk Valley Slopes and LCA D7 Cranborne Chase Chalk Downland were evaluated to experience up to moderate effects; those would reduce to negligible and slight effects, and some areas to no change. This is a result of the improvement of hedgerows and management of hedges, through better integration into the overall landscape by breaking up the bulk of the development through planting. The Special Landscape Area and local landscape character within 500m are of a lower sensitivity than the sloping AONB areas, and would greatly benefit from the proposed mitigation, so that no significant local area effects remain. The proposed mitigation is considered to result in moderate / substantial benefits in year 10 in terms of landscape improvement and structure, which should be weighed against any residual adverse local area character effects, and could be considered significant beneficial. • Landscape effects on the AONB – The Chalk Downlands & Escarpments were evaluated to be negligible overall, moderate considering the slope and escarpment areas within the study area. With mitigation established in year 10, this setting effect would reduce to slight due to the breaking up of the mass of development with the tree belt along the western hedge, screening much of the proposals and creating landscape and ecology benefits. • Visual Effects on users of the AONB – The Chalk Downlands & Escarpments and associated PRoW, residents and other users to the south and southwest from localised areas were evaluated to experience moderate / substantial and significant visual effects in year 1. With mitigation the effects largely would reduce to slight or moderate and not significant, including in the area south and southwest of Coombe Bissett associated with the PRoW Old Blandford Road (VP 05 and associated photo montage). • Users of SM – Bowl Barrow on Homington Down, 725m south of Tottens Farm were evaluated to experience up to moderate / substantial and significant visual effects in a worst case scenario, however, at this point in time the SM is not publicly accessible, and this should be taken on board when considering the overall acceptability of the proposals. The implementation of the native woodland belt following the north south western site boundary hedge will assist in breaking up the mass of the development in those views and therefore residual effects would be moderate and not significant in year 10.
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• Users of Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve were evaluated to experience up to moderate / substantial and significant visual effects during construction and in year 1, limited to the southern elevated areas, with the majority of the reserve not having intervisibility with the site. In year 10, those effects are considered to reduce to moderate and not significant, although some prominent proposal visibility is likely to remain. • Residents of Bake Farm and Residents of Bake Farm bungalows were evaluated to experience up to moderate / substantial effects in year 1 and substantial effects during construction. By increasing the eastern boundary hedge to 5m through management and gapping up the hedgerow with native trees, views to the development will be mostly screened (with potential filtered winter views) and therefore residual effects will be slight to moderate and not significant.
6.228. In summary, whilst the proposal would result in a number of localised significant visual effects before mitigation (no significant landscape character or setting effects were identified), it is considered that the mitigation strategy will result in elimination of those significant effects. In year 10, there will not be any remaining significant visual effects, although there are some moderate effects remaining in some southern and southwestern views. The proposal is fully reversible and results in some potentially significant beneficial landscape effects due to strengthening of the existing landscape framework and new planting contributing to long-term landscape enhancement at the end of the lifespan of the development in combination with the reduction of intensive agricultural use allowing for increase in biodiversity. 6.229. It is concluded that the landscape in the study area should be able to accommodate this development without causing unacceptable harm to landscape and visual resources.
i Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. Third Edition. Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment. Routledge. April 2013. ii Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland. Prepared on behalf of The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage by Carys Swanwick, Department of Landscape University of Sheffield and Land Use Consultants. 2002. iiihttp://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer_google/googleviewer.html accessed on 20th Aug 2012 iv http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/publications/nca/southwest.aspx v http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/publications/nca/default.aspx - National Character Areas – defining England’s natural boundaries viWiltshire Landscape Character Assessment. Final Report. Prepared for Wiltshire County Council by Land Use Consultants. December 2005. Available at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningpolicy/landscapeconservation/ wiltshirelcafinalreport.htm vii Salisbury District Landscape Character Assessment. Chris Blandford Associates. February 2008. viii Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB Integrated Landscape Character
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Assessment. Prepared for the Countryside Agency by Land Use Consultants. June 2003. ix Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB Management Plan 2009-2014. CCWWD AONB Partnership. 2009. Available from the AONB web site at http://www.ccwwdaonb.org.uk/projects/manplan.htm x Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY STUDY (Final Report). The Landscape Practice. May 2007. Available online at http://www.ccwwdaonb.org.uk/projects/pub_other.htm
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