Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment of Proposed Residential Development on Land to the North & East of Cypress Gardens, Newton, Porthcawl, , CF36 5BZ

Text, Plans, Photographs & Appendices

Prepared for C H Knight & Partners

February 2020

TDA/2536/LC&VIA/RhC/02.20 CONTENTS

Text

Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Qualifications & Experience Section 3 Newton: Planning Context & Landscape Character Section 4 Visual Appraisal & Landscape Character Assessment Section 5 Summary & Conclusion

Plans

TDA/2536/01 Location of Photo Viewpoints

Photo Viewpoints & Visualisations

Photo Viewpoint 1 Mid-range view looking east from Beach Road

Photo Viewpoint 2 Short-range view looking south from the junction of Walk and Rowan Drive

Photo Viewpoint 3 Short-range view looking east from a public footpath off the Burrows

Photo Viewpoint 4 Short-range view looking west from the Newton to Candleston Walk

Photo Viewpoint 5 Short-range view looking south west from the Newton to Candleston Walk

Photo Viewpoint 6 Short-range view looking north west from the Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve

Photo Viewpoint 7 Short-range view looking north west from the Coast Path

Photo Viewpoint 8 Mid-range view looking north west from the Wales Coast Path

Appendices

Appendix 1 LANDMAP Data

Appendix 2 Extract from Landscape Character Assessment for (2013)

Appendix 3 Significance Criteria for Visual Impact. Extract of ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment produced by The Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment.

Section 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Tirlun Design Associates (TDA) have been instructed by C H Knight & Partners to undertake a landscape character and visual impact assessment of land north & east of Cypress Gardens, Newton ('The Site') and assess the general visual and landscape character impacts a proposed residential development will have upon the surrounding landscape.

1.2 Desktop research and site surveys were carried out in February 2020 and their findings are contained herein.

1.3 The following document should be read in conjunction with the other technical documentation that supports the proposals.

1.4 The primary question asked within this document is:

'Can the site at Newton accommodate a new residential development without unacceptable impacts upon the visual amenity of its surroundings, the landscape character of its immediate setting, the Merthyr Mawr Warren Special Landscape Area and Merthyr Mawr, Kenfig & Margam Burrows Registered Historic Landscape?’

1.5 The document has been set out as follows:

• Section 2 - Qualifications & Experience introduces the member of staff dealing with this assessment on behalf of TDA and highlights their qualifications and experience relevant to this study.

• Section 3 – Newton: Planning Context & Landscape Character introduces the site, its planning context and landscape character.

• Section 4 - Visual Appraisal & Landscape Character Assessment is a visual appraisal and landscape character assessment of the proposed development.

• Section 5 - Summary & Conclusion provides a summary of the study and presents a conclusion to the question raised within paragraph 1.4.

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Section 2 QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

2.1 This assessment has been carried out on behalf of TDA by Rhodri Garth Crandon. His qualifications include an honours degree in Landscape Architecture gained from Cheltenham & Gloucester College of Higher Education (CGHE) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture also from CGHE.

2.2 Rhodri is the director of TDA, a landscape consultancy practice based in South Wales, and has over 15 years professional practice experience within the field of landscape architecture. Over this period, he has undertaken many projects relevant to this study which have dealt with issues relating to landscape design, landscape planning and landscape & visual assessment.

2.3 In addition, Rhodri has worked as an expert witness in relation to landscape character and visual issues on many relevant projects both in the private and public sector, including Monmouthshire County Council during their Unitary Development Plan Inquiry in 2004.

2.4 More specifically and in relation to residential development sites, Rhodri has worked on numerous projects at planning application and appeal level, dealing with the landscape character and visual impacts of such developments on the landscape in general and in some cases National Parks, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Green Belts and Special Landscape Areas.

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Section 3 NEWTON: PLANNING CONTEXT & LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

The Site

3.1 The site is located on the eastern fringe of Newton between Cypress Gardens to the south and Lime Tree Way to the north.

3.2 It is defined to the north, west and south by existing residential properties. The eastern boundary is defined by the dunes and associated vegetation of the Merthyr Mawr Warren Special Landscape Area.

3.3 TDA drawing no. TDA/2536/01 – Location of Photo Viewpoints (refer to Plans section of this document) clearly illustrates the site and its context.

Planning & Landscape Context

3.4 The site is located within the Merthyr Mawr Warren Special Landscape Area.

3.5 The site is located adjacent to the western edge of the Merthyr Mawr, Kenfig & Margam Burrows Registered Historic Landscape.

3.6 A public footpath passes the site’s northern boundary and links with the wider footpath network that crosses the adjacent sand dune network. The Wales Coast Path passes the site approximately 350 metres to the south (refer to TDA drawing no. TDA/2536/01 – Site Location & Photo Viewpoints).

3.7 Based upon the study of up to date mapping provided by SUSTRANS, there are no national or local cycle routes adjacent to or near the site.

3.8 The site does not contain any trees subject to tree preservation orders, listed buildings or scheduled ancient monuments.

Planning Policies

3.9 Due to the sites location within the Merthyr Mawr Warren Special Landscape Area, the proposed residential development needs to take account of Policy ENV3 (Special Landscape Areas) of the Existing Bridgend Local Plan (2013). Policy ENV3 states that:

“Development in Special Landscape Areas (SLAs) will only be permitted where:

1) It retains or enhances the character and distinctiveness of the SLA;

2)The design of the development reflects the building traditions of the locality in its form, materials and details, and/or assimilates itself into the wider landscape; and

3) The proposed development is accompanied by a landscape assessment which takes into account the impact of the development and sets out proposals to mitigate any adverse effects

In this respect, the following areas have been designated as Special Landscape Areas:

ENV3(1) Foel y Dyffryn ENV3(2) Northern Uplands ENV3(3) Western Uplands ENV3(4) Bryngarw Country Park ENV3(5) Mynydd y Gaer ENV3(6) Kenfig Burrows ENV3(7) Laleston 3

ENV3(8) Porthcawl Coast ENV3(9) Merthyr Mawr Warren

The settings of SLAs will be protected with consideration of the views from those areas to the settlements of the County Borough. New development within settlements should be designed to provide an attractive transition between the urban area and the countryside”.

3.10 Policy ENV3 goes on to state that:

“Development within these SLAs will not be favoured unless adequate measures can be taken to reduce any adverse effects and/or visual intrusion posed by the proposals to minimum acceptable levels in planning terms”.

3.11 It is clear that the policy described above is designed to control the quality of development within the Special Landscape Area and is not intended to stop it.

3.12 Consequently, provided the proposed development retains or enhances the character and distinctiveness of the SLA, is designed to reflect the building traditions of the locality in its form, materials and details, and/or assimilates itself into the wider landscape and includes adequate measures to reduce any adverse effects and/or visual intrusion posed by the proposals to minimum acceptable levels in planning terms, then it is consistent with Planning Policy ENV3 of the Bridgend Local Development Plan (2013).

Landscape Character

3.13 The Countryside Council for Wales, now Natural Resources Wales, has undertaken an extensive landscape character assessment of Wales using the LANDMAP information system (refer to appendix 1).

3.14 LANDMAP is a GIS (Geographical Information System) based landscape resource where landscape characteristics, qualities and influences on the landscape are recorded and evaluated into a nationally consistent data set.

3.15 Specialists collect LANDMAP Information in a structured and rigorous way that is defined by five methodological chapters, the Geological Landscape, Landscape Habitats, Visual & Sensory, Historic Landscape and Cultural Landscape. Each of these elements and how they assess the site and its surroundings are further explored below:

Geological Landscape

3.16 With regards to its Geological Landscape, LANDMAP has located the site within the ‘Merthyr Mawr’ aspect area. It states that the area, which is classified as being of outstanding value, consists of coastal sand dunes with limited intervention.

3.17 The principal management recommendation and long-term guidelines for this area is to ensure that no features of geological or geomorphological significance are lost or damaged due to development.

Landscape Habitats

3.18 With regards to Landscape Habitats, LANDMAP has located the site within the ‘CYNONLH041’ aspect area. It states that the area is of moderate value, consisting mostly of fragmented broadleaved woodland, following the ridgeline from Porthcawl to Cornelly, with some scrub & semi-improved grassland.

3.19 The principal management recommendations and guidelines for his area are to preserve areas of woodland and scrub.

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Historic Landscape

3.20 The Historic Landscape element of the LANDMAP assessment locates the site within the ‘Merthyr Mawr Warren’ aspect area. This area has been classified as outstanding value and comprises a remarkably rich multi-period landscape containing significant and potentially very well-preserved evidence of buried funerary activity and settlement dating back to the Mesolithic period.

3.21 The principal management recommendations and guidelines for this area are to implement safeguards to manage erosion.

Cultural Landscape

3.22 The Cultural Landscape element of the LANDMAP assessment locates the site within the ‘Merthyr Mawr’ aspect area. This area has been classified as outstanding value and includes evolved gentry land holdings and defensive developments in the Vale of Glamorgan's prosperous agricultural belt, while the Warren contains buried remains of immense archaeological, historical and environmental importance.

3.23 Principal management recommendations are to maintain the current regime.

Visual & Sensory

3.24 Finally, the visual and sensory element of the LANDMAP assessment locates the site within the ‘Merthyr Mawr Warren’ aspect area. This area has been classified as outstanding value and consists of an unspoilt, unique area of sand dunes with attractive views and a strong sense of place.

3.25 There are no management guidelines or recommendations.

3.26 In addition to the above it should be noted that Bridgend County Borough Council commissioned a landscape character assessment in July 2013 as part of their Green Infrastructure, and Landscape Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG).

3.27 This assessment, entitled ‘Landscape Character Assessment for Bridgend County Borough’ (refer to appendix 2), is an extensive assessment of the peninsula based on the LANDMAP information system. As can be seen from this assessment, the development site is located within Landscape Character Area LCA11 – Merthyr Mawr Farmland, Warren and Coastline which is described as follows:

“Located to the south west of Bridgend Town, this LCA comprises the distinctive sand dunes and coastline of Merthyr Mawr Warren (within the Glamorgan Heritage Coast), along with farmland of an estate character around Merthyr Mawr village. The Warren is classified as ‘Coastal’ in LANDMAP’s Visual & Sensory aspect (Level 2) and the inland farmland as ‘Lowland’… A peaceful and strongly rural landscape on the doorsteps of Bridgend and Porthcawl, with important visual connections with the surrounding coast and seascapes”.

3.28 Management Guidance for the LCA is listed as follows:

• Protect the landscape’s relative sense of remoteness and wild character, maintaining visual connections and uninterrupted long views along the coastline and adjacent seascapes (including across the Bristol Channel to the North Somerset coast).

• Protect the nationally important archaeological and cultural heritage of the landscape as an integral part of the wider Landscape of Outstanding Historic Importance, including prehistoric and medieval remains, the dunes’ ancient buried archaeology and the Grade II* Merthyr 5

Mawr Estate.

• Protect the character and the wooded estate setting of the Merthyr Mawr Conservation Area, with its strong local vernacular of clustered historic stone buildings with thatched or slate roofs. Reflect the local vernacular and building styles of the area in any new buildings or related features, including boundary walls

• Manage the internationally important habitats on Merthyr Mawr Warren (sand dunes, dune slacks, saltmarsh, limestone grasslands and swamp) through a combination of scrub control, livestock grazing and the removal of litter (including that carried in by the sea).

• Manage and enhance the inland landscape’s strongly wooded character, promoting coppice management and sensitive livestock grazing to promote a diverse understorey and ground flora. Strengthen links between areas of woodland and hedgerows to form an intact ecological network and strengthen landscape character.

• Manage the inland landscape’s hedgerow, estate railing and stone wall field boundaries, replanting lost or gappy particularly along slopes to minimise soil erosion and run-off

3.29 Following a more detailed site-specific visual appraisal and landscape assessment carried out in February 2020 (refer to Section 4) it can be confirmed that the summaries made by LANDMAP and the Landscape Character Assessment for Bridgend County Borough are a broadly accurate description of the landscape which lies to the east of the site.

3.30 It is important to note that the LANDMAP data and landscape character assessment above focus primarily on the Merthyr Mawr sand dune network and special landscape area to the east. The site itself is surrounded by existing residential development on three sides and should be considered part of the urban fringe of Porthcawl in both location and character.

3.31 Due to a combination of the natural topography of the surrounding area and the surrounding, existing, residential development, the site’s visual envelope and influence is generally restricted.

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Section 4 VISUAL APPRAISAL & LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT

Assessment Methodology

4.1 The following section has been produced in accordance with the ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (3rd Edition)’ produced by The Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (2013) and The Landscape Institute’s Advice Note 01/11 ‘Photography and photomontage in landscape and visual impact assessment’.

Desktop Assessment

4.2 In addition to the research undertaken to establish the site’s landscape context and character described in Section 3, a desktop assessment of the site was undertaken to identify local, publicly accessible, visual receptors.

4.3 TDA drawing no. TDA/2536/01 – Site Location & Photo Viewpoints (refer to Plans section of this document) clearly identifies local, publicly accessible, visual receptors.

Visual Appraisal

4.4 As a consequence of the assessment described above, photo viewpoints were carefully selected to review the development’s possible impacts upon visual receptors throughout the surrounding area.

4.5 For document clarity and ease of interpretation, views are categorised according to their distance from the site as follows:

Short-range – 0-0.5 kilometres from the nearest site periphery. Mid-range – 0.5-1.0 kilometres from the nearest site periphery. Long-range – 1.0+ kilometres from the nearest site periphery.

4.6 The significance of the proposed development’s impact upon existing views from areas accessible to the general public has been reviewed and assessed using the significance criteria for visual impact included in Appendix 3. The likely visual impact of the proposed development upon each photo viewpoint is described in bold italics below.

4.7 Due to the natural topography of the area combined with intervening residential development, the visual envelope of the site is generally restricted and the proposed development would be well screened from the majority of surrounding public viewpoints. This is clearly illustrated by the photographs taken from publicly accessible areas adjacent to and surrounding the site which are further described below.

Photo Viewpoints

4.8 Photo viewpoints 1-8 below can be found in the Photographs section of this document. Their locations and view angles are illustrated by TDA drawing no. TDA/2536/01 – Location of Photo Viewpoints, located in the Plans section of this document.

4.9 Photo Viewpoint 1 is a mid-range view looking east from Beach Road. The site is screened by intervening topography and residential properties. Developments visual impact: no change.

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4.10 Photo Viewpoint 2 is a short-range view looking south from the junction of Birch Walk and Rowan Drive. The site is screened by intervening residential properties and the liner woodland group that follows the northern boundary of the site Developments visual impact: no change.

4.11 Photo Viewpoint 3 is a short-range view looking east from a public footpath off the Burrows. The site is predominantly screened by existing residential properties. Small glimpses of the site may be possible from this viewpoint. Developments visual impact: slight adverse impact / no change

4.12 Photo Viewpoint 4 is a short-range view looking west from the Newton to Candleston Walk. The site is predominantly screened by intervening vegetation. Small glimpses of the site will be possible from this viewpoint. Developments visual impact: slight adverse impact

4.13 Photo Viewpoint 5 is a short-range view looking south west from the Newton to Candleston Walk. The site is screened by intervening vegetation. Developments visual impact: no change

4.14 Photo Viewpoint 6 is a short-range view looking north west from the Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve. The site is screened by intervening topography and residential properties on Cypress Gardens. Developments visual impact: no change

4.15 Photo Viewpoint 7 is a short-range view looking north west from the Wales Coast Path. The site is screened by intervening topography, trees and vegetation. Developments visual impact: no change

4.16 Photo Viewpoint 8 is a mid-range view looking north west from the Wales Coast Path. The site is screened by intervening topography. Developments visual impact: no change

Visual Impact Assessment

4.17 The visual appraisal has established that, with the exception of Photo Viewpoints 3 and 4, views of the site from the surrounding area and locations accessible to the general public are screened by a combination of the natural topography of the area, existing residential properties and existing trees & vegetation.

4.18 However, with regards to viewpoints 3 and 4 it should be noted that the viewpoints are immediately adjacent to the site boundaries, as such any visual impact is highly localised.

4.19 Furthermore, as the surrounding residential properties are already clearly visible, glimpses of additional dwellings will not be out of context and the development will not be visually incongruous.

Landscape Character Assessment

4.20 It is clear from the above assessment that a future development would be viewed in the context of the existing properties that envelope the site. Whilst any proposed residential development would change the character of the site itself, the site would represent a logical rounding off of development and would therefore be in keeping with the wider landscape character of Newton.

4.21 Consequently, based on the established landscape character of Newton, the screening provided by a combination of the natural topography of the area, the surrounding residential properties & trees, it is considered that the site could accommodate a new residential development without unacceptable landscape character or visual amenity impacts upon its immediate setting or the wider landscape.

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Section 5 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION

Summary

5.1 In assessing whether the site at Newton can accommodate a new residential development without unacceptably impacting upon the landscape character or visual amenity of its immediate setting or the wider landscape this study has:

• Undertaken a desktop assessment of the site’s landscape character;

• Undertaken an on-site visual appraisal and landscape assessment.

5.2 Section 1 of this document identified a key question in relation to the site, this being:

'Can the site at Newton accommodate a new residential development without unacceptable impacts upon the visual amenity of its surroundings, the landscape character of its immediate setting, the Merthyr Mawr Warren Special Landscape Area and Merthyr Mawr, Kenfig & Margam Burrows Registered Historic Landscape?’

5.3 This section of the document will summarise the study’s findings in helping to answer the question.

5.4 Firstly, Section 3 – Newton: Site/Landscape Context and Landscape Character established that, Due to the natural topography of the area combined with intervening residential development, the visual envelope of the site is generally restricted and the proposed development would be well screened from the majority of surrounding public viewpoints.

5.5 Secondly, Section 4 – Visual Appraisal & Landscape Assessment established that, with the exception of Photo Viewpoints 3 and 4, views of the site from the surrounding area and locations accessible to the general public are screened by a combination of the natural topography of the area, existing residential properties and existing trees & vegetation.

5.6 However, with regards to viewpoints 3 and 4 it was noted that the viewpoints are immediately adjacent to the site boundaries, as such any visual impact is highly localised.

5.7 Furthermore, it was established that as the surrounding residential properties are already clearly visible, glimpses of additional dwellings will not be out of context and the development will not be visually incongruous.

5.8 Also, with regards to landscape character, it was noted that a future development would be viewed in the context of the existing properties at Newton. Whilst any proposed residential development would change the character of the site itself, the development would represent a logical rounding off of development and would therefore be in keeping with the wider landscape character of Newton.

5.9 Finally, Section 5 – Landscape Mitigation & Enhancement described how biodiversity and screening of the site will be enhanced through a carefully designed landscape strategy.

Conclusion

5.10 Overall it is therefore considered that the site can accommodate a new residential development without unacceptable landscape character or visual amenity impacts upon its immediate setting or the wider landscape.

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PLANS

TDA/2536/01 Location of Photo Viewpoints

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5 4 500m 1km 1 3

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7 8

Key Client C H Knight & Partners

Site Location Project Land North & East of Cypress Gardens, Newton

Drawing Title Location of Photo Viewpoints 3 Photo Viewpoints & Approximate View Angles Drawing No. TDA/2536/01 The Granary NOTE: Scale Not to Scale Newland Fawr Farm, Llangan, CF35 5DN Tel: 01446 7789367. [email protected] General visual receptors such as public rights of way, other routes of public Date February 2020 access and roads / paths represented by standard symbols

PHOTO VIEWPOINTS

Photo Viewpoint 1 Mid-range view looking east from Beach Road

Photo Viewpoint 2 Short-range view looking south from the junction of Birch Walk and Rowan Drive

Photo Viewpoint 3 Short-range view looking east from a public footpath off the Burrows

Photo Viewpoint 4 Short-range view looking west from the Newton to Candleston Walk

Photo Viewpoint 5 Short-range view looking south west from the Newton to Candleston Walk

Photo Viewpoint 6 Short-range view looking north west from the Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve

Photo Viewpoint 7 Short-range view looking north west from the Wales Coast Path

Photo Viewpoint 8 Mid-range view looking north west from the Wales Coast Path

St John the Baptist Church Approximate location Beach Road of site (screened)

Photo Viewpoint 1: Mid-range view looking east from Beach Road

The site (screened) Residential properties on Lime Tree Way

Photo Viewpoint 2: Short-range view looking south from the junction of Birch Walk and Rowan Drive Residential property on The Burrows The site (predominantly screened)

Photo Viewpoint 3: Short-range view looking east from a public footpath off the Burrows

The site (predominantly screened) Newton to Candleston Circular Walk

Photo Viewpoint 4: Short-range view looking west from the Newton to Candleston Walk The site (screened)

Photo Viewpoint 5: Short-range view looking south west from the Newton to Candleston Walk

Residential property The site (screened) on Cypress Gardens

Photo Viewpoint 6: Short-range view looking north west from the Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve Wales Coast Path Approximate location Newton of site (screened)

Photo Viewpoint 7: Short-range view looking north west from the Wales Coast Path

Wales Coast Path Approximate location Newton of site (screened)

Photo Viewpoint 8: Mid-range view looking north west from the Wales Coast Path

APPENDIX 1

LANDMAP Data

Search Results https://landmap-maps.naturalresources.wales/PrintExtendedResults.aspx?filter=CL|CYNONCL006...

Cultural Landscape

Aspect Area Name Merthyr Mawr

Aspect Area Associations/Notional Expressions/Institutions/Other Institutions (specify) Classification (Level 4)

Aspect Area Code CYNONCL006

Date Of Survey : 18/05/2005

© Natural Resources for Wales . All rights reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019741. Crown Copyright and Database Right (2015)

Description

The classification at level 3 describes the dominant cultural context, but Institutions which other contexts are important to the cultural landscape of this area? Agricultural Rural Settlement Which level 4 classes are particularly significant to the cultural landscape Other Rural (specify) (''Other rural'' is chosen because the area contains a manor house, estate village and the remains of two character of this area - Influences? mediaeval castles or fortified manor houses, and typifies in microcosm the landscape of the Vale of Glamorgan. Such classification is reinforced by large parts of the Aspect Area being included in the Register of Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Interest) To what extent do the context and level 4 details selected contribute to the Strong (Level 4 detaills place the Aspect Area within its general context as a rural area containing a manor house, castles and cultural identity, local distinctiveness or sense of place of the area? estate village within a protected landscape in the historically rich Vale of Glamorgan) Regionally (The estate village and house are principally known to those who travel to the seaside at Southerndown and To what extent is the cultural information widely recognised or appreciated? Ogmore, and to environmental and historian specialists) Are there any artistic expressions that are particularly famous or associated No with the Aspect Area? Are there any people / movements / institutions that are particularly famous No or associated with the Aspect Area? Is there any folklore or are there legends that are particularly famous or No associated with the Aspect Area? Are there any events/traditions that are particularly famous or associated No with the Aspect Area? Are there any technical / scientific discoveries that are particularly famous or No associated with the Aspect Area? What are the attributes of the cultural elements in the Aspect Area? Mixed Victorian & Edwardian Georgian Late Medieval What chronological periods are culturally dominant in the area? Medieval Early Christian Pre-Roman Are there certain place-names in the area that are particularly significant? No Merthyr Mawr House and the estate village are located in the lee of the littoral, wind-blown sand dunes of Merthyr Mawr Warrne. Because of their topographical similarity Newton Burrows are included in the Aspect Area. The castles of Ogmore and Summary Description: (no more than 150 words) Candleston, the manor house and estate village typify evolved gentry land holdings and defensive developments in the Vale of Glamorgan''s prosperous agricultural belt, while the Warren contains buried remains of immense archaeological, historical and environmental importance. Tolerance To Change

Are there any significant threats to the current integrity and condition of the No Cultural Landscape features of the area? Description

If yes, give examples of the place-names and their significance n/a Aspect Area Boundary

To what level was this information site-surveyed? Level 4 Most (Boundaries lack precision at a scale of 1:25000 when they are drawn around an extended area encompassing elements At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise? that combine to contribute to the cultural essence) What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary OS Raster mapping? If OS Data was used, what was the scale? 1:25,000 What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries? Braodly drawn to encompass the perceived cultural essence of a microcosm of Vale of Glamorgan landscape and society Bibliography

List the key sources used for this assessment Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales, Cadw, 1998 Assessment

Additional Assessments none Additional Comments none Evaluation Matrix

Outstanding (Outstanding both as an evolved manor house and estate since the mediaeval period, and containing late 20th Evaluation C riteria: Overall Evaluation century environemntal designations in recognition of the value of preserving rare habitats and significant built environments) Justification of overall evaluation see Q40 Description

The classification at level 3 describes the dominant cultural context, but Rural which other contexts are important to the cultural landscape of this area? Monitoring

Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area? Yes (Kenfig and Margam Burrows (CynonCL005); Vale of Glamorgan Rural Landscape (CynonCL021)) Has the information ever been verified in the field? Yes (Field visit and 1:25000)

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Evaluation Matrix

Evaluation C riteria: Recognition/transparency Local recognition (Known principally to local people, and specialist environmentalists and historians) Evaluation C riteria: Period Very apparent (High for both its buried archaeology and for it being an example of an evolved estate holding) Evaluation Criteria: Rarity (Culture) Rare (The integrity of this estate is not commonplace elsewhere in Wales) Evaluation C riteria: Documentation Unassessed Evaluation C riteria: Group Value Substantial (The elements of the Aspect Area combine to give a high valuation for a preserved evolved landscape) Evaluation C riteria: Survival N/A (The estate has evolved and survived virtually intact, though the Warren is subject to elemental change) Evaluation C riteria: Vulnerability Unassessed Evaluation C riteria: Diversity Complex (The Aspect Area contains richly diverse attributes) Evaluation C riteria: Potential (C ulture) Unassessed Description

Which level 4 classes are particularly significant to the cultural landscape Land Holdings character of this area - Associations? Evaluation

Condition: Good (The owners of Merthyr Mawr House are good stewards of the land) Value: Outstanding (Outstanding as a microcosm of evolved land use and social order) Trend: Constant (So long as the family retains an interest in its holdings) Recommendations

Existing management: Generally Appropriate Existing management remarks: Well stewarded landscapes Principal management recommendations Maintain present regime Guideline Description

If Classification is "Other", specify here

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Geological Landscape

Aspect Area Name Merthyr Mawr

Aspect Area Classification Coastal/Depositional coastline/Sand dune (Level 3)

Aspect Area Code CYNONGL046

Date Of Survey : 24/04/2000

© Natural Resources for Wales . All rights reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019741. Crown Copyright and Database Right (2015)

Description

Superficial deposits (Blown sand, boulder clay) Which of the following is a significant contributor to the geological character Active processes (Coastal) of the area? Past processes (Glacial) Rock cliff and shore What additional subsidiary Level 3 components are notable? Soft-sediment cliff and shore Sand / shingle foreshore Active sand dune Stabilised sand dune What Level 4 components are notable in this area? Wave-cut platform Dune slack Sand beach Urban / industrial development What active geological and geomorphological processes are significant in this Coastal area? Are there components of significant hydrological importance? Yes (Ogwr valley, the saa...) Are there any pedological processes that are significant in the area or have Yes (High permeability soils (sand)) had a landscape forming effect? Is there current mineral extraction? No Has there been mineral extraction in the past? Not known Are there SSSI/GCR sites here? Yes (Merthyr Mawr SSSI, Newton Point & Black Rocks SSSI) Are there geological SINC, 2nd tier, or RIGS sites in the area? No Evaluation

Outstanding (Area of coastal sand dunes with limited intervention, also foreshore exposures of important marginal Triassic Value rocks unconformably overlying Carboniferous... Includes Merthyr Mawr SSSI and Newton Point & Black Rocks SSSI...) Condition Good (Area of coastal sand dunes with limited intervention, also foreshore exposures...) Trend Constant (Area of coastal sand dunes with limited intervention, also foreshore exposures protected within SSSIs...) Recommendations

Existing management Generally Appropriate Ensure that no significant features of geological or geomorphological significance are lost/damaged due to development, coastal Principal management recommendations defence, etc... and that geological or geomorphological features within SSSIs are maintained in favourable condition by implementing management plans... Long Term (Ensure that no significant features of geological or geomorphological significance are lost/damaged due to Guideline development, coastal defence, etc... and that geological or geomorphological features within SSSIs are maintained in favourable condition by implementing management plans...) Tolerance To Change

Are there any significant threats to the current integrity and condition of the Yes (Ensure that no significant features of geological or geomorphological significance are lost/damaged due to development, Earth Heritage features of the area? coastal defence, etc...... No net loss of key geological/geomorphological features should be considered acceptable.) Aspect Area Boundary

To what level was this information site-surveyed? Level 3 At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise? None (Aspect Area boundaries plotted at 1:25,000...) What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary Other (1:50 000 BGS Geological map sheet; 1:25 000 OS Explorer map sheet; Digital Terrain Model compiled from OS mapping? panorama digital terrain data (50m resolution); Aeriel photographs used for resurvey (2012-2013).) If OS Data was used, what was the scale? 1:25,000 AA corresponds to extent of sand dune systems and excludes developed areas and areas stabilised/levelled by agricultural What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries? activities. Description

Which of the following is a significant contributor to the geological character Stratigraphic formation(s) (Carboniferous limestone, Triassic Mercia Mudstone Group mariginal facies) of the area? What is the characteristic Level 3 component of the area? Sand dune Area of high coastal sand dunes (Merthyr Mawr SSSI) overlying Dinantian limestones (Lower Carboniferous) exposed in small What is the geographical and topographical character of this area? outcrops, with unconformable cover of marginal Triassic deposits (exposed at Newton Point & Black Rocks)... Evaluation Matrix

Outstanding (Area of coastal sand dunes with limited intervention, also foreshore exposures of important marginal Triassic Evaluation C riteria: Research Value rocks unconformably overlying Carboniferous... Includes Merthyr Mawr SSSI and Newton Point & Black Rocks SSSI...) Outstanding (Area of coastal sand dunes with limited intervention, also foreshore exposures of important marginal Triassic Evaluation C riteria: Educational Value rocks unconformably overlying Carboniferous... Includes Merthyr Mawr SSSI and Newton Point & Black Rocks SSSI...) High (Area of coastal sand dunes with limited intervention, also foreshore exposures of important marginal Triassic rocks Evaluation C riteria: Historical Value unconformably overlying Carboniferous... Includes Merthyr Mawr SSSI and Newton Point & Black Rocks SSSI...) High (Area of coastal sand dunes with limited intervention, also foreshore exposures of important marginal Triassic rocks Evaluation C riteria: Rarity / Uniqueness unconformably overlying Carboniferous... Includes Merthyr Mawr SSSI and Newton Point & Black Rocks SSSI...) High (Area of coastal sand dunes with limited intervention, also foreshore exposures of important marginal Triassic rocks Evaluation C riteria: C lassic Example unconformably overlying Carboniferous... Includes Merthyr Mawr SSSI and Newton Point & Black Rocks SSSI...) Outstanding (Area of coastal sand dunes with limited intervention, also foreshore exposures of important marginal Triassic Evaluation C riteria: Overall Evaluation rocks unconformably overlying Carboniferous... Includes Merthyr Mawr SSSI and Newton Point & Black Rocks SSSI...)

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Area of coastal sand dunes with limited intervention, also foreshore exposures of important marginal Triassic rocks Justification of overall evaluation unconformably overlying Carboniferous... Includes Merthyr Mawr SSSI and Newton Point & Black Rocks SSSI... Bibliography

1:50 000 BGS Geological Map Sheet E261, and parts of 262 Bridgend (S&D) 1990; 1:25 000 Explorer Map Sheet 151Cardiff & Bridgend, 1998; Digital Terrain Model compiled from OS panorama digital terrain data (50m resolution 1:100 000 Groundwater Vulnerability Map, Environment Agency... Sheet 35 West Glamorgan, 1990; 1:625 000 Geological Map of the UK: Quaternary List the key sources used for this assessment Geology, S sheet, 1977; Wilson, D..., Davies, J...R..., Fletcher, C...J...N..., and Smith, M..., 1990... Geology of the South Wales Coalfield, Part 6, the country around Bridgend... Memoir of the British Geological Survey, Sheet 261 and 262, (England and Wales), HMSO, London, 1990, 62pp... Assessment

Additional Assessments South Wales RIGS survey (2013); LANDMAP monitoring project (2012-2013). Additional Comments Monitoring

Has the information ever been verified in the field? Yes (Area viewed during site visits 23/2/2012.) Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area? No Description

If Classification is "Other", specify here N/A Recommendations

Area of coastal sand dunes and foreshore exposures protected within Merthyr Mawr SSSI and Newton Point & Black Rocks Existing management remarks: SSSI... Description

Where drift dominated, what is the dominant drift deposit? Coastal Where drift dominated, what is the major sediment that characterises the Sand and gravel area? Monitoring

Date of monitoring? 2012-03-01 K.N. Page (Geodiversity and Landscape Specialist) in conjunction with L.Cherns (University of Cardiff) at the change detection Monitoring undertaken by stage of the monitoring process and with input from the local planning authority (2012-2013). Has this record been updated following monitoring work? This record has been updated following monitoring work, there was a real change in the aspect area OS Data, Aerial Photographs (Recommendations of LANDMAP monitoring project (2012-2013).) Change indicated by Policies, plans & information resources (Recommendations of LANDMAP monitoring project (2012-2013).) Fieldwork What has changed?

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Historic Landscape

Aspect Area Name H30 Merthyr Mawr Warren

Aspect Area Rural environment/Non agricultural/Marginal Land/Dune/Foreshore Classification (Level 4)

Aspect Area Code CYNONHL685

Date Of Survey : 04/12/2003

© Natural Resources for Wales . All rights reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019741. Crown Copyright and Database Right (2015)

Monitoring

Has the information ever been verified in the field? Yes (1:25,000) Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area? No Description

Ridge and Furrow Systems Natural Lakes & Watercourses If working at level 4 ,which other 'details' are also significant to the historic Non-planned Settlement - Medieval character of this area? (Please tick all that apply) Other Extractive (specify) (Sand and gravel) Dune/Foreshore Other Marginal Land (specify) (Sand dune formation) Which traditional boundary types prevail in the area? (Tick all that apply) Post & Wire Fence Buried-dry What is the nature of any significant archaeological interest in the area? Relict-Earthworks (Tick all that apply) Buildings & Structures Relict-Stone Monuments Which chronological period is dominant in the area? Prehistoric Yes (Characterisation carried out in 2003 by Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT report 2003/081) Merthyr Mawr, Has a Historic Landscape Characterisation been undertaken here? Kenfig and Margam HLCA 013) Are there SMR sites here? Yes Are there SAMs here? Yes Are there Listed Buildings here? No Are there Registered Historic Parks and Gardens here? No Are there Conservation Areas here? No Are there World Heritage Sites here? No Is the area within a Registered Landscape of Historic Interest? Yes Aspect Area Boundary

To what level was this information site-surveyed? Level 4 At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise? Most What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary OS Landline mapping? If OS Data was used, what was the scale? 1:10,000 This area is the same as Merthyr Mawr, Kenfig and Margam Burrows HLCA 013... Because of the unusual nature of the ground What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries? and the size of the area involved, it was considered inappropriate to attach it to any Level 3 area... The recommendations are based on the assumption that the current management plans for the control of visitor erosion will be implemented... Bibliography

Evans, E M and Locock, M, 2001, Evaluation of archaeological potential: Merthyr Mawr Warren... GGAT unpublished report 2001/052 Higgins, L S, 1933, An investigation into the problem of the sand dune areas of the South Wales coast, Archaeol Cambrensis 88, 26-67 Roberts, R 2003a, Historic landscape characterisation: Twyni Merthyr Mawr, Cynffig a Margam/Merthyr List the key sources used for this assessment Mawr, Kenfig and Margam Burrows... Part 1and 2: landscape characterisation and management... GGAT unpublished report GGAT 2003/081, 49 Savory, H N, 1953, An ancient settlement on Merthyr Mawr Warren, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 81, 42-3 Assessment

Additional Assessments Additional Comments Evaluation Matrix

Evaluation C riteria: Overall Evaluation Outstanding This extensive besanded area represents a remarkably rich multi-period landscape containing significant and potentially very Justification of overall evaluation well-preserved evidence of buried funerary activity and settlement dating back to the Mesolithic period. Its outstanding value overall is further attested by its blanket designation as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Evaluation

Condition: Fair (Some problem with erosion) Outstanding (This extensive besanded area represents a remarkably rich multi-period landscape containing significant and Value: potentially very well-preserved evidence of buried funerary activity and settlement dating back to the Mesolithic period. Its outstanding value overall is further attested by its blanket designation as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.) Trend: Constant Recommendations

Existing management Generally Appropriate Area is under active management by CCW, one of whose aims is to maintain the integrity of the buried historical and Existing management remarks: archaeological landscape... CCW is actively looking at measures to control visitor erosion, which is the main problem... The area of the greatest density of known archaeological sites is further protected by its status as a SAM... Principal management recommendations Generally keep as present, with additional safeguards to manage erosion Guideline Description

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Merthyr Mawr Warren consists of an extensive dune formation on the western side of the mouth of the River Ogmore, extending along the coast nearly as far as Porthcawl, filling the valley at the mouth of the river and extending to the top of the escarpment which forms its northern side. Its principal historic landscape interest lies in the landscapes buried by successive phases of besandment. The earliest land use is represented by scatters of flint implements of Neolithic date lying on the original ground surface. By the Bronze Age, besandment had already begun, as is clear from the composition of the barrows which were constructed in this area (Higgins 1933, 38-40), but it would appear that the surfaces stabilised, as not only were the barrows constructed, but also there is Iron Age activity, including a settlement near Burrows Well, which was occupied in the Roman period and also in the earlier part of the Middle Ages (Savory 1953). Besandment again became a serious problem Summary Description / Key Patterns and Elements in the later Middle Ages and Tudor period, when the sands advanced not only over the lower ground, but also over the edge of the escarpment, causing the abandonment of the settlement and associated fields in the vicinity of the now obliterated windmill and cross at Candleston (Higgins 1933, 43-6; RCAHMW 1982, 310). In the Post-medieval period, the land was used for a rabbit warren and for poor-quality rough grazing. It was also utilised by the Glamorgan militia for gunnery practice; the rifle ranges which still exist on Newton Burrows attest to the latter activity, and there are also slight remains of an earlier range further east. A further episode of sand mobility started in the early 19th century (Higgins 1933, 51-2), and continued up to the 1950s, when myxomatosis decimated the rabbit population, allowing the dunes to stabilise in their present form (D Ludlow pers comm) particularly now that sand and gravel extraction that took place in the middle part of the 20th century has ceased. If Classification is "Other", specify here Evaluation Matrix

Outstanding (The dominant landscape pattern in this area, represented by an extensive system of sand dunes which have Evaluation C riteria: Integrity concealed (and at times, exposed through coastal erosion) significant and potentially very well-preserved evidence of buried funerary and settlement landscapes dating back to the Mesolithic period, is extremely well defined and coherent in visual terms) Outstanding (The buried, multi-period landscapes within this area offer significant potential for further investigation, if Evaluation C riteria: Potential circumstances should permit. The amenity value of this landscape is considerable.) Evaluation C riteria: Rarity High (One of two besanded landscapes within the Bridgend UA area, the other being Kenfig Burrows (Cynon HL413).) Outstanding (Survival is difficult to assess since previous exposures of historic elements when the dunes were more mobile have resulted in their destruction though natural erosion. However based on the archaeological record to date, it is clear that the landscape still has enormous potential for the survival of funerary and occupation sites dating from the Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age (represented by cist graves) and Iron Age periods; it is likely that extensive buried remains also survive relating to the medieval settlements of Candleston (GGAT PRN 00256m) and Pwll-y-defaid (GGAT PRN -00297m) evidenced by pottery Evaluation C riteria: Survival finds, remains of walling, shell middens, cultivation ridges etc. The condition of these surviving buried components is also difficult to gauge, it is possible that 20th century sand extraction activity may have disturbed some remains to a certain extent and coastal erosion has certainly caused damage to some sites previously exposed through movement of the sand dunes, nevertheless, based on records of previous finds and features, these buried landscapes may have survived in a very well- preserved state in some cases.) Evaluation C riteria: C ondition High Monitoring

Date of monitoring? 2017-03-15 Historic Landscape change detection work completed by the relevant Welsh Archaeological Trust for this area, the planning Monitoring undertaken by authority have been included. Quality Assurance of change detection work was completed by Trysor. Has this record been updated following monitoring work?

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Landscape Habitats

Aspect Area Name

Aspect Area Classification Dry (Relatively) Terrestrial Habitats/Mosaic/Mosaic (Level 3)

Aspect Area Code CYNONLH041

Date Of Survey : 02/08/2000

© Natural Resources for Wales . All rights reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019741. Crown Copyright and Database Right (2015)

Monitoring

Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area? No What is the total land area within the boundary (in hectares)? 127...5 Hectares Description

Semi-natural Broadleaved Woodland (24%) What Phase 1 habitat types are present? Only select the five most dominant Dense Scrub (9%) types and, for each of these, specify below what percentage of the Aspect Improved Grassland (31%) Area is made up of these. (25%) Buildings (7%) Does the area contain habitats of international importance? No Does the area contain BAP habitats? Yes Does the area contain protected sites? Yes (NNR(16.46ha) SAC(31.06ha) SSSI(34.9ha) Local Wildlife Site(59.24ha)) NNR SAC If yes, which ones? SSSI Local wildlife site Approximately what proportion of the Aspect Area is within the protected 51-60% (58.17%) site? Does the area support important species? Yes Are there any significant threat species present in abundance? (Field visit Not known required) Are any of these features in a very good condition? (Field visit required) Are any of these features in a poor condition? (Field visit required) What are the main land management activities taking place in the area? Stock grazing (Field visit required) Do any of the above appear to have an appreciable positive impact on None biodiversity? (Field visit required) Do any of the above appear to have an appreciable negative impact on Some (Stock grazing will prevent the grassland from reaching higher levels of ecological value...) biodiversity? (Field visit required) Is the biodiversity in the area in any way threatened? No Are there clear opportunities to improve the biodiversity aspect of this area? No Belt of broadleaved woodland and bracken following a ridgeline from Porthcawl to Cornelly...Some scrub and semi -improved Summarise the key features that define this area's biodiversity character neutral grassland as well as improved grassland... Evaluation

Moderate (Moderate - Broadleaved woodland is a valuable habitat it is however fragmented and in relatively small areas other Value less valuable habitats are also present...) Condition Unassessed Trend Constant Description

If yes, which BAP habitats? Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland Recommendations

Existing management Unassessed Principal management recommendations Guideline Long Term (Preserve areas of Woodland and scrub...) Monitoring

Has the information ever been verified in the field? Yes Aspect Area Boundary

To what level was this information site-surveyed? Level 3 At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise? All What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary Other (OS raster, OS landline, Phase 1 habitat...) mapping? If OS Data was used, what was the scale? 1:10,000 What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries? Aspect boundaries follow areas of Bracken and broadleaved woodland along a ridgeline... Bibliography

Relevant LBAP... Wildlife Site/SINC data used within this project were collated by Local Environmental Records Centres Wales on List the key sources used for this assessment behalf of the various Local Authorities and Wildlife Trusts involved in the site designation process. Assessment

The Aspect area has SAC, SSSI, NNR and pSINC designations... It should be stressed that on small parts are SAC, SSSI and Additional Assessments NNR and the majority of the designation relating to this aspect area is pSINC... Additional Comments N/A

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Evaluation Matrix

Evaluation C riteria: Priority Habitats Moderate (Some relatively small areas of Lowland mixed deciduous woodland...) Moderate (Improved grassland is of low significance other habitats such as the broadleaved woodland are of more significance Evaluation C riteria: Significance as they are scarcer and of more ecological value...) Evaluation Criteria: Opportunity Low Evaluation C riteria: Expansion rates Moderate (Broadleaved woodland has declined greatly historically but much less so recently...) Moderate (Small areas of habitat such as scrub and semi-improved grassland can easily be swallowed up into improved Evaluation C riteria: Sensitivity grassland habitat...) Evaluation C riteria: C onnectivity/C ohesion Low (Areas of Broadleaved woodland are fragmented into small remnant pockets...) Moderate (Broadleaved woodland is of high ecological value but areas present are small and fragmented, improved grassland is Evaluation C riteria: Habitat Evaluation of relatively low value...) Evaluation C riteria: Importance for key species Moderate (No records but may support species such as Bats...) Evaluation C riteria: Overall Evaluation Habitat and Species Moderate (Some valuable habitat and some low value habitat, no records of key species but some potential...) Description

Species found in this aspect include (Rhinanthus minor) Yellow-rattle, (Trifolium striatum) Knotted Clover, (Anthocharis If yes, which species? (for each of the species, also note the source of cardamines) Orange Tip, (Viola hirta) Hairy Violet, (Plantago media) Hoary Plantain, (Koeleria macrantha) Crested Hair-grass, information) (Primula veris) Cowslip, (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa) Mole Cricket Evaluation Matrix

Area has valuable habitat but its value is diminished by fragmentation by low value improved grassland... Small part of area is Justification of overall evaluation within SAC but most of area is pSINC... Recommendations

Existing management remarks: Ensure appropriate management of habitat Monitoring

Date of monitoring? 2012-07-01 Monitoring undertaken by Environment Systems Limited Has this record been updated following monitoring work? This record has been updated following monitoring work as more up to date information is available Change indicated by Phase 1 Habitat Survey & Seasonal Change Maps What has changed?

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Visual and Sensory

Aspect Area Name merthyr mawr warren

Aspect Area Classification Lowland/Coastal/Dunes & Dune Slack (Level 3)

Aspect Area Code CYNONVS987

Date Of Survey : 29/01/2004

© Natural Resources for Wales . All rights reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019741. Crown Copyright and Database Right (2015)

Description

Physical Form And Elements: Topographic Form? Levels Physical Form And Elements: Landcover Pattern? Open Land Aesthetic Qualities: Scale? Medium Aesthetic Qualities: Sense of Enclosure? Open Aesthetic Qualities: Diversity? Simple Aesthetic Qualities: Texture? Coarse Aesthetic Qualities: Lines? Curved Aesthetic Qualities: C olour? Moderate Contrasts Aesthetic Qualities: Balance? Harmonious Aesthetic Qualities: Unity? Unity Aesthetic Qualities: Pattern? Random Aesthetic Qualities: Seasonal Interest? None Other Factors: Level of Human Access? Infrequent Other Factors: Night Time Light Pollution? Negligible (n/a) Other Factors: Use of Construction Materials? Generally Appropriate What materials? Give Details: n/a There are attractive views...... both in and out (dunes, coast) There are detractive views...... out (urban edge) Perceptual and Other Sensory Qualities Smell (sea air) What is the sense of place/local distinctiveness Strong (coast significant contributor to sop, otherwise marginal) Evaluation

Outstanding (There are attractive views both in and out of the area especially out to sea and to and downs to the south... The area is unspoilt in itself and covers a large area with consistent character although there is classic dune Value: progression... It has a very strong sense of place with large scale dunes gaining height on underlying rising ground with trees as a backcloth... Dunes of this extent and on rising underlying ground are very rare ...) Condition: Unassessed Trend: Declining Recommendations

Define the key qualities that should be conserved: n/a Define the key qualities that should be enhanced: n/a Define the key qualities that should be changed: n/a Define the key elements that should be conserved: n/a Define the key elements that should be enhanced: n/a Define the key elements that should be changed: n/a Principal management recommendation: n/a Tolerance To Change

Are there any significant threats to the current integrity and condition of the Not known visual & sensory features of the area? Aspect Area Boundary

To what level was this information site-surveyed? Level 4 At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise? All What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary OS Raster mapping? If OS Data was used, what was the scale? 1:25,000 extent of dunes, urban edge to west, study boundary to south/east. West boundary altered at change detection monitoring to What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries? exclude small area of housing. Bibliography

List the key sources used for this assessment os data Assessment

Additional Assessments n/a Additional Comments n/a Evaluation Matrix

Outstanding (There are attractive views both in and out of the area especially out to sea and to Ogmore valley and downs to the south... The area is unspoilt in itself and covers a large area with consistent character although there is classic dune Evaluation C riteria: Overall Evaluation progression... It has a very strong sense of place with large scale dunes gaining height on underlying rising ground with trees as a backcloth... Dunes of this extent and on rising underlying ground are very rare ...) Justification of overall evaluation three outstanding and 1 high= outstanding

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High (there are attractive views both in and out of the area especially out to sea and to Ogmore valley and downs to the Evaluation C riteria: Scenic quality south) Outstanding (the area is unspoilt in itself and covers a large area with consistent character although there is classic dune Evaluation C riteria: Integrity progression) Outstanding (the area has a very strong sense of place with large scale dunes gaining height on underlying rising ground with Evaluation Criteria: Character trees as a backcloth) Evaluation C riteria: Rarity Outstanding (dunes of this extent and on rising underlying ground are very rare) Description

a unique landscape of sand dunes bordered to the east by a wooded valley...... small groups of trees within the dunes themselves together with sea buckthorn create numerous intimate spaces...... broad views out to the wider landscape Summary Description including coastal reaches, urban edge of Porthcawl and rural hinterland...... Recent housing on western edge has reduced aspect area at change detection. Physical form and elements: Settlement pattern No settlements Physical form and elements: Boundary type None Recommendations

Guideline Existing management Unassessed Existing management remarks: n/a Monitoring

Has the information ever been verified in the field? Yes (1:25000) Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area? Yes (strong coastal association) During which season(s) was fieldwork carried out? Winter Date of monitoring? 2013-01-01 Bronwen Thomas Landscape Architect, plus White Consultants at initial change detection stage, in consultation with LPA. Monitoring undertaken by Based on 2011/12 change detection. Has this record been updated following monitoring work? This record has been updated following monitoring work, there was a real change in the aspect area Change indicated by OS Data, Aerial Photographs Description What has changed? Boundaries LMP 14 & 09

LANDMAP derived landscape types (LMP14) Coastal edge, cliffs and islands LANDMAP derived landscape types (LMP09)

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APPENDIX 2

Extract from Landscape Character Assessment for Bridgend County Borough (2013) Bridgend Landscape Character Area Study

Figure 2.4

Landscape Character Areas 7

3 Bridgend County Borough 6 Boundary 11 Llangynwyd Rolling Uplands and Maesteg Forestry 2 Llynfi Valley Floor and Lower Slopes 8 5 3 Llynfi & Garw Uplands and Forestry 4 Bettws Settled Farmland 5 Garw Valley Floor and Lower 1 Slopes 6 Mynydd Llangeinwyr Uplands 7 Ogmore Valley Floor & Lower 4 Slopes 2 8 Ogmore Forest and Surrounding Uplands 9 Hirwaun Common and Surrounding Ridges 10 Coity Rural Hinterland 11 Merthyr Mawr Farmland, Warren and Coastline 12 Newton Down Limestone Plateau 9 13 Porthcawl Coastline and Settled Farmland 14 Kenfig Dunes and Coastline 15 Cefn Cribwr Ridge and Settled Farmland 15 Urban Area Pyle

14 Pencoed 10

Bridgend

12 13

Porthcawl 11

13 Map Scale @ A3:1:80,000

² 0 1.25 2.5 km Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data © Crown copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Licence numbers 100047514, 0100031673. LUC LDN 5627-01_002_LUC_LCAs_Rev1 15/07/2013 Source:

APPENDIX 3

Significance Criteria for Visual Impact.

Extract of ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment produced by The Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment.

SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA FOR VISUAL IMPACT

Substantial adverse impact.

Where the scheme would cause a significant deterioration in the existing view.

Moderate adverse impact

Where the scheme would cause a noticeable deterioration in the existing view.

Slight adverse impact

Where the scheme would cause a barely perceptible deterioration in the existing view.

Slight beneficial impact

Where the scheme would cause a barely perceptible improvement in the existing view.

Moderate beneficial impact

Where the scheme would cause a noticeable improvement in the existing view.

Substantial beneficial impact

Where the scheme would cause a significant improvement in the existing view.

No change

No discernable deterioration or improvement in the existing view.