CEMEX UK Cement Ltd Southam Quarry ROMP Environmental Statement 11 Landscape and Visual Impact 11.1 Introduction This chapter of the report describes the potential effects of the proposed development on the landscape and visual resource. The content and scope of this assessment has been agreed through the scoping process with Warwickshire County Council. The Scoping Report was submitted on the 9th December 2013 and comments were received on 4th February 2014. The approach was considered to be generally acceptable and additional or reinforced requirements in relation to the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) are outlined below: • The Grand Union Canal should be identified as a visual receptor. • Refer to relevant National Character Areas. • A full assessment of the potential impacts of the development on local landscape character. • Undertake a cumulative impact assessment of other proposals currently at Scoping stage. 11.2 Methodology The methodology for this assessment follows best practice guidance set out in: • Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA), Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment, Third Edition 2013. • Landscape Character Assessment – Guidance for England and Scotland, The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage 2002. The LVIA is founded on the GLVIA approach that: • Systematically identifies the main predicted landscape impacts on the landscape resources of the application site, and the character of its context, both adverse and beneficial. • Systematically identifies the main predicted visual impacts of the proposal, both adverse and beneficial, on defined categories of visual receptors. • Estimates the magnitude and significance of these impacts. • Describes the process of enhancement and mitigation of the predicted temporary and permanent impacts. 11.3 Site Context An aerial photograph of the site is shown on Figure 11.01 and features are identified and mapped on Phase 1 Habitat Survey plan Figure 10.2. A detailed study area for the LVIA, extending to approximately 2km radius from the proposal boundary, has been assumed appropriate for the scale and nature of SOU VOL 2 | Issue | 28 March 2014 Page 65 \\GLOBAL\EUROPE\LEEDS\JOBS\230000\232347-00\0 ARUP\0-03 GROUND ENGINEERING\0-03-08 REPORTS\SOU VOL 2 SOUTHAM ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT.DOCX CEMEX UK Cement Ltd Southam Quarry ROMP Environmental Statement the proposed development. The extent of our proposed study area is shown on Figure 11.02. 11.4 Project Description A Review of Mineral Planning Permissions (ROMP) under the provisions of the Environment Act 1995 is required to provide a modern set of working conditions for the whole of permitted area (S965/97CM028) which covers Southam Old Quarry and Griffins Farm. The ROMP boundary is shown on Figure 11.01. The working scheme (detailed within Key GeoSolutions report 12-076-R-002, March 2013) indicates that for Year 1 to 7 there will be an overlap between the two excavation areas, Griffins Farm and Spiers Farm, until Unit C is available within Griffins Farm. It is estimated that approximately 769,000m³ of soil and overburden will require removal from Griffins Farm site, which, during Years 1 to 5, will be placed directly into a perimeter screening bund that will contribute to landscape and visual mitigation of the quarry development. The design of the bund will assist in screening negative impacts from key viewpoints. After Year 5, there is potential for overburden to be stored in a temporary tip to the southwest of the extraction area. From Year 10 onwards it will be possible for overburden and soils to be placed directly into restoration. 11.5 Assumptions We have made the following assumptions in undertaking the LVIA: • The LVIA will be undertaken using the existing quarry as the baseline condition. • The LVIA will be based on a worst case winter scenario. • Viewpoints and surveys will only been undertaken from publicly accessible locations. • For this assessment, significant effects will be those judged to be Moderate or Large Adverse or Beneficial. • There are no other large scale quarries or industrial sites within the study area. Therefore, we have not carried out a cumulative assessment. • Accurate visualisations, photomontages and computer generated ZTV are not required. It is judged that photographs of the existing quarry site and plans of proposed future workings will be sufficient for the reader to fully understand the landscape and visual impact of the scheme, and that this approach is proportionate to the development type proposed. SOU VOL 2 | Issue | 28 March 2014 Page 66 \\GLOBAL\EUROPE\LEEDS\JOBS\230000\232347-00\0 ARUP\0-03 GROUND ENGINEERING\0-03-08 REPORTS\SOU VOL 2 SOUTHAM ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT.DOCX CEMEX UK Cement Ltd Southam Quarry ROMP Environmental Statement 11.6 Landscape Baseline 11.6.1 Landscape Policy Landscape related planning policies and studies relevant to the development site are described below. European Landscape Convention (ELC): The ELC defines landscape as “an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”. National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF): The NPPF states that design policies should avoid unnecessary prescription or detail and should concentrate on guiding the overall scale, density, massing, height, landscape, layout, materials and access of new development in relation to neighbouring buildings and the local area more generally. The planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: • Protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, geological conservation interests and soils. • Recognising the wider benefits of ecosystem services. • Minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible, contributing to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity, including the establishment of coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures. • Preventing both new and existing development from contributing to or being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability. • Remediating and mitigating despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land, where appropriate. The NPPF also states that local authorities should ensure that high quality restoration and aftercare of mineral sites takes place, including for agriculture (safeguarding the long term potential of best and most versatile agricultural land and conserving soil resources), geodiversity, biodiversity, native woodland, the historic environment and recreation. Warwickshire Structure Plan 1996-2011 The Warwickshire Structure Plan policies were formally revoked by Statutory Order SI 2013/933 on 20th May 2013 and the saved Warwickshire Structure Plan policies no longer form part of the statutory development plan for Warwickshire. Warwickshire Minerals Local Plan 1995 Policy M9 is a saved policy that states that restoration of workings will be “to a high standard and beneficial after use will be required in accordance with the Development Plan. Satisfactory arrangements for aftercare will also be sought”. Appendix 2 states that “full details of all outstanding landscape issues, including protection of existing trees and hedges, species mix, spacing, densities, and SOU VOL 2 | Issue | 28 March 2014 Page 67 \\GLOBAL\EUROPE\LEEDS\JOBS\230000\232347-00\0 ARUP\0-03 GROUND ENGINEERING\0-03-08 REPORTS\SOU VOL 2 SOUTHAM ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT.DOCX CEMEX UK Cement Ltd Southam Quarry ROMP Environmental Statement measures for the protection and maintenance of proposed tree and hedge planting, will have to be submitted and approved before any development takes place”. Stratford-on-Avon Local Development Framework Draft Core Strategy 2012 This document has not yet been formally adopted, however it sets out the District’s priorities. Landscape matters are covered by Strategic Objective 2 – Planning to protect the character of settlements and the countryside and Strategic Objective 3 – Planning to protect the district’s heritage and distinctiveness. Section 8 also identifies the District’s assets of landscape, natural features, heritage assets, green infrastructure, and design and distinctiveness. Policy CS10 – Landscape is directly relevant to the development proposals at Southam Quarry, and states: A: Landscape Character and Enhancement Development should have regard to the local distinctiveness of the historic character of the district’s different landscapes. Development should protect landscape character and avoid detrimental effects on patterns and features which make a significant contribution to the character, history and setting of the settlement or area. Wherever possible, measures should be incorporated into development schemes to enhance the landscape character of the locality. B: Visual Impacts Proposals for development should include an assessment of the likely visual impacts of the development on the local landscape or townscape, and the site’s immediate setting. Applications for major developments should be accompanied by a full landscape and visual impact assessment. Where visual impacts are predicted, new landscaping should be incorporated to reduce the impact and enhance the existing landscape. C: Trees, woodland and hedges Due to the quality of ancient semi-natural woodland and veteran trees in the former Forest of Arden, and their relative