North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

May 2009

This report takes into account the particular instructions and requirements of our client. It is not intended for and should not be relied upon by any third party and no responsibility is undertaken to any third Ove Arup & Partners Ltd party Central Square, Forth Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3PL

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Contents

Page 1 Introduction 3 1.1 Overview/report structure 3 1.2 Client Brief 3 2 Understanding of Policy 6 2.1 Planning Context 6 3 Proposed Study Methodology 12 3.1 Overview 12 3.2 Study Approach 12 3.3 Technical and Environmental Constraints/Study Area 12 4 Landscape Analysis 20 4.1 Introduction 20 4.2 Overview 20 4.3 Landscape Desk study 22 4.4 Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity 33 4.5 Summary of Landscape Effects 50 5 Visual Sensitivity Analysis 51 5.1 Introduction 51 5.2 Visual Sensitivity: Overview of data generated 51 5.3 Calibration of likely visual effects 53 5.4 Description of Visual Effects 60 5.5 Summary of Visual effects 62 6 Capacity of Zones for further wind farm / wind farm development 64 6.1 Introduction 64 6.2 Suitability Assessment 64 7 Cumulative Development Issues 75 7.1 Introduction 75 7.2 Northern Area 75 7.3 Southern Area 77 8 Conclusions and Recommendations 79 8.1 Study Findings 79 8.2 Use of the study 79

Appendices Appendix A Landscape Sensitivity Worksheets – Northern Study Area

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Appendix B Landscape Sensitivity Worksheets – Southern Study Area Appendix C Wind Farm Micro-Siting Guidelines

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

1 Introduction

1.1 Overview/report structure

Arup were appointed in December 2008 by the North East Assembly, Durham County, Durham City, Derwentside District, Wear Valley District, and Teesdale District Councils to undertake a ‘wind farm development and landscape capacity study’ to assess the potential of the North and South Durham Coalfield wind resource areas to accommodate this type of development. It should be noted that Durham City, Derwentside District, Wear Valley District, Teesdale District, Sedgefield Borough, Chester-le-Street District and District of Easington Councils have been abolished as of 1st April 2009 and a new unitary Durham County Council has taken over their previous roles. It should also be noted that as of the 1st April 2009 the North East Assembly closed and the staff transferred over to the Association of North East Councils. This report covers variously:

• A summary of the client brief;

• A review of the appropriate energy and planning policy;

• The proposed methodology for the project;

• Landscape appraisal;

• Visual appraisal;

• Cumulative impact assessment scenarios;

• Conclusions and recommendations Arup were been assisted on this study by White Consultants who provided landscape and visual assessment support for the report. The study has lasted approximately 5 months. Outputs from the study are anticipated to assist in:

• better understanding the potential for wind energy generation in terms of landscape character and cumulative impact;

• determining/commenting on current planning applications for wind farms in the North and South Durham Coalfield Wind Resource areas; and

• informing forthcoming updates to the energy policies within Durham County Council’s Local Development Framework. The study is an objective technical assessment of capacity of an area to accommodate wind farm development in the context of the current policy framework. It has not been influenced by any current developer scoping proposals, although consented applications have been considered.

1.2 Client Brief

The client brief is set out below. The key concern of the North East Assembly and the relevant local authorities in commissioning Landscape capacity Studies are to ensure that:

• Wind farm development in the broad areas identified in Draft RSS Policy 42 is consistent with the criteria in Policy 41 (c) and (j) concerning acceptable visual impact.

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• A consistent approach is taken to the assessment of multiple planning applications for wind farm developments within a given broad area This project is to comprise a further level of work which fits between the RRES strategic level Landscape Study1 and developer’s project specific studies. This work is intended to provide the relevant councils with a tool they can use to assess planning applications, gain greater “control” of the process and to help inform the development of their Local Development Framework (LDF). In summary, the “levels” of work relevant to assessing the impact of wind development on landscape can be described as follows:

• Overall regional assessment of sensitivity to wind development leading to the identification of broad areas. This work is complete (the GO-NE study2).

• Consideration of the capacity of the broad areas to accommodate wind development. This work has not been undertaken, and represents a gap which will make it difficult for local planning authorities to assess multiple applications in some of the resource areas.

• Project specific assessments. These are being prepared by developers at the present time and cumulative impact assessments will be required once multiple planning applications have been made. There is currently a mismatch between the scale of developer interest and that proposed in the RSS in some areas, the most urgent areas requiring examination were the Knowesgate and Harwood Forest wind resource areas3 in Northumberland (as identified in the RSS and supporting documentation). Work on these areas is now complete and published4 and has acted as a pilot exercise prior to commencing activity in other resource areas. This study should build on the outputs of the Strategic Landscape Sensitivity Study already completed as part of the preparation of the Regional Renewable Energy Strategy (RRES), and go on to consider the capacity of the landscape in the area or areas specified to accommodate specific types and scales of development. This analysis should include:

• defining typologies for development;

• selecting sample/test wind farm locations;

• running ZVIs and combined ZVIs;

• analysing impact on landscapes of different sensitivities;

• analysing impact on population;

• analysing different scenarios for cumulative effects; and

• taking account of biodiversity issues.

The findings and recommendations of the proposed Capacity Studies should:

• define and set landscape objectives in respect of wind energy developments;

• set thresholds for acceptable change;

1 Government office for the North East ( GO-NE )- Landscape Appraisal for onshore wind development – Report NEREG/2002/004 Final Report July 2003 2 Government office for the North East - Landscape Appraisal for onshore wind development – Report NEREG/2002/004 Final Report July 2003 3 The wind resource areas in the Submission Draft RSS were identified as a result of the North East Regional Renewable Energy Strategy March 2005. This represented the on shore medium wind resource areas on a map with a ‘W’ symbol 4 See http://www.northeastassembly.gov.uk/voice/view.cfm?vc=289. Wind farm Development and Landscape Capacity studies: Knowesgate and Harwood Forest. \\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- Ove Arup & Partners Ltd REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM COALFIELD REPORTWITH Issue 14 May 2009 APPENDICIES.DOC

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• set guidelines for scale and size of potential developments;

• identify preferred areas for development

The proposed Landscape Capacity Studies should progress through a series of stages including:

• identifying the extent of the study area;

• explanation of the methodology;

• establishment of baselines;

• analysis, on the lines above;

• modelling; and

• development and analysis of scenarios.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

2 Understanding of Policy

2.1 Planning Context

2.1.1 National Planning and Energy Policy English Planning Policy for the planning for renewable energy is established in Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1) – Delivering Sustainable Development and Planning Policy Statement 22 (PPS22) – Renewable Energy. These documents set out a very positive approach to planning for renewable energy development. PPS1 sets out the Government’s vision for planning and the key policies and principles for delivering sustainable development. Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1, published December 2007, supplements PPS1 by setting out how planning should contribute to reducing emissions and stabilising climate change and take into account the unavoidable consequences of climate change. PPS 22 requires Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) to include targets, criteria policies and identify broad areas where the development of renewables may be considered appropriate. PPS 22 has recently been strengthened by a ‘Renewables Statement of Need’, published in July 2006 as Annex D of the Energy Review 20065. It indicates that: … there will be certain areas with more readily available access to renewable resources that will be more attractive for developers, for example where windspeeds are greatest. As such, as we increase the level of renewables, in line with our energy policy goals, there will be occasions when proposals are received for renewables projects that are located closely enough together potentially to have cumulative impacts. Decision makers will have to work closely together with statutory advisers, such as English Nature, to consider the handling of assessments of the cumulative impact of such proposed developments. Cumulative effects, like the impacts of individual projects, will not however necessarily be unacceptable or incapable of reduction through mitigation measures. This study forms part of the process of considering the cumulative impact of proposed developments.

2.1.2 Regional Planning and Energy Policy To inform the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the North East of England a Regional Renewable Energy Strategy (RRES) was prepared. The Draft RRES was issued in July 2003, the Final version was issued in March 2005 and a review of the Final document was undertaken in November 2005. The Draft RSS was submitted to the First Secretary of State in June 2005 and was the subject of an Examination in Public (EiP) in March 2006. As indicated in the Client’s brief, the Draft RSS identified a number of ‘broad areas of least constraint for wind farm development’; these were listed in Policy 42 and identified with a “W” symbol on maps contained within the Draft RSS. The Panel report on the EiP was received on the 4th August 20066. The EiP Panel considered whether there was a need for greater clarity in Policy 42 and supporting text concerning the use of the term `medium scale wind energy development’. Policy 42 b) confirms that the areas identified in the Policy have ‘potential for medium scale development’. It emerged from the debate at the EiP that the interpretation that should be put upon the potential of these areas is that they are suitable for small to medium scale wind energy development, and that this description was intended to distinguish these areas from the potential for large scale wind energy development in the Kielder Forest. It was pointed out that some renewable energy companies believed that this policy implied that the designated areas could accommodate a number of ‘medium scale’ developments. It was

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established from the North East Assembly in reply that the definition of medium scale set out in paragraph 3.141 (20 - 25 turbines) and carried forward into Policy 42 related to the total capacity of an area and should not be regarded as an appropriate scale for individual proposals. It was also confirmed that work is on-going using landscape capacity techniques to better inform the carrying capacity of the designated areas. The Panel noted that this work will be of particular assistance in making judgements on cumulative impact. In light of the above information the EiP panel were of the opinion that paragraph 3.141 should be extended to confirm that the scale indications relate to the overall area and not to individual proposals. Likewise it concluded that this extension of the text should be complemented by a modification of Policy 42 b) to clarify that the potential of the identified areas is for small to medium scale development. It also concluded that it would be useful to include a reference to the future contribution of the landscape capacity analysis in terms of cumulative impact. The EiP Panel Report recommended that the Draft RSS text be modified as follows: • Amend Paragraph 3.141 to provide an adequate explanation of the scale/capacity issue, and to include reference to the future contribution the landscape capacity analysis study will make to assessing cumulative impact. • Modify Policy 42 b) as follows - b) the following areas have potential for small to medium scale development: Following the publication of the EiP Panel report the Government then prepared a Proposed Changes to the draft RSS document, taking into account the recommendations made by the Panel. The Proposed Changes document was published in May 2007 and a first stage of public consultation on these proposed changes was held between May and August 2007. The comments received during that consultation were taken into account in the preparation of the Further Proposed Changes document, published February 2008 which was subject to a second stage of public consultation between February and April 2008. The Further Proposed Changes document: • retained reference to the definition of medium scale wind energy development as “broadly up to 20-25 turbines” (paragraph 3.166) • highlighted in paragraph 3.167 that the “broad areas of least constraint could sustainably accommodate more than 1 wind energy development subject to the requirements of Policy 41” • included reference within Policy 42b) to the East Durham Limestone Area which was missing from the Draft RSS and omitted reference to the Tees Estuary The final version of the revised RSS, The North East of England Plan, was published on 15 July 2008. Within the RSS Policy 41 (formally Policy 42): Onshore Wind Energy Development states that “Strategies, plans and programmes should provide a positive policy framework to facilitate onshore wind energy development within the following broad areas of least constraint for wind energy developments: a. Kielder Forest has the potential to become a Strategic Renewables Resource Area, including large scale wind energy development; b. The following areas have potential for medium scale development:

• South and West Berwick upon Tweed

• North/ South Charlton

• Knowesgate Area

• Harwood Forest

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• Northern Coalfield south of Druridge Bay

• Kiln Pit Hill Area

• North Durham Upland Coalfield

• South Durham Upland Coalfield

• East Durham Limestone Area

• Tees Plain

• Teesside c. Small wind farms in urban areas and on the urban rural fringe should also be supported, particularly within the following areas:

• Sunderland;

• South Tyneside; and

• Tees Valley. The broad locations of these areas should be identified within Local Development Frameworks using Policy 40 [formally Policy 41]. Their identification does not preclude proposals being considered in other areas in terms of Policy 40. Throughout the evolving RSS a number of ‘broad areas of least constraint for wind farm development’ were identified with a “W” symbol on maps contained within the various versions of the RSS. The current maps outlining the location of the “W’s” contained within Further Proposed Changes document are provided below, Environment Maps 1, 2 and 3.

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Environment Map 1 – Key Diagram from The North East of England Plan (July 2008)

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Environment Map 2 – Inset (N) Diagram from The North East of England Plan (July 2008)

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Environment Map 3 – Inset (S) Diagram from The North East of England Plan (July 2008)

The larger “Ws” within the above maps represent areas with potential for the development of “medium scale” wind farms, which as explained in the revised RSS paragraph 3.192, are indicatively considered to represent up to 20 – 25 turbines. At present, much of the of wind developer activity is focused on the above broad areas, indicating that the strategic planning framework is providing a level of effective spatial guidance. However the scale of development emerging in some of these areas exceeds the guideline of 20 – 25 turbines. The November 2005 review of the Regional Renewable Energy Strategy indicates (paragraph 3.1.1) that, as of September 2005, over 61MW of onshore development was either operational or had gained planning permission with another 104MW at the pre- planning/scoping/planning stage in County Durham. Approximately 55MW of grid connected wind energy development has currently been constructed within the area broadly indicated by North Durham Upland Coalfield wind resource area alone. In summary therefore, current national and regional planning policy provides a positive environment for wind energy development in County Durham. (Adopted District level policies are generally out of date with the current spatial regional planning policies for renewable energy, given the rapid advances in this technology over the last few years). The policy environment provides policy guidelines and criteria to assess appropriate levels of developments; however frequent references are made to: • ‘medium scale’ development • cumulative impact; and • the need to respond to the local landscape. These are issues that this study sets out to examine in greater detail.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

3 Proposed Study Methodology

3.1 Overview

The study methodology is essentially unique to the current series of ongoing projects in the North East of England7; as far as the study team are aware this sort of exercise has not been attempted to quite this extent to date in the UK, particularly the use of visual data and the preparation of development scenarios. Moves have been made to direct wind farm development through the planning system (e.g. in Cumbria and Yorkshire) using landscape data but these have had only limited success and have not been tested against the level of developer activity and interest present in County Durham. The study team has been involved in broadly similar regional wind work in Wales, implementing Technical Advice Note 8: Planning for renewable energy. The approach advocated in TAN 8 differs from that in PPS 22 since the Welsh regional onshore wind targets are established through a national policy document and are thus less flexible than the renewable energy aspirations in the North East RSS.

3.2 Study Approach

Broadly this study methodology comprised two stages: a. Technical and environmental constraints review. This aims to reduce the scope of the area to be subject to landscape/visual analysis, largely to maximise available resources. It comprises a standard constraint sieving exercise using a Geographic Information System (GIS), similar to that undertaken by all wind farm developers when selecting sites. This identifies the “least constrained” 8 land with respect to range of parameters which can then be tested for its suitability in landscape and visual terms.

b. Landscape, visual and cumulative analysis. This is the bulk of the effort of the study and aims to determine the relative landscape and visual performance of parts of the study area. It also attempts to examine the potential for cumulative landscape and visual impact and thus will consider thresholds for acceptable change. This chapter now considers both stages in turn.

3.3 Technical and Environmental Constraints/Study Area

The technical and environmental constraints review builds directly on work undertaken to underpin the North East RRES; a regional Geographic Information System was used for this work.9 For this study, using broadly the same constraint datasets an indication of the “unconstrained” or “least-constrained” land in the study area was defined. There are subtle differences between the method used for GIS analysis in this Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Study and previous work for the RRES and these are: • Use of an OS Address Point dataset. This contains a point feature for each UK property with a valid postal address.

7 The first study using this method was of the Knowesgate and Harwood Forest Area, completed in 2006, followed by Kiln Pit Hill (February 2007), North and South Charlton (April 2007), South and West Berwick upon Tweed (June 2007) and East Durham Limestone and Tees Plain (August 2008). 8 “Least constrained” in this context refers to the absence or comparatively lower frequency ( when compared to the surrounding area) of a set of pre-defined technical and environmental constraints that prohibit development in absolute terms. It does not relate to the landscape and visual characteristics of an area or suggest that there are not other constraints that either singularly or in combination may affect the ability to develop wind turbines. 9 Dunsford HM, MacFarlane, R and Turner KL (2003) The Development of a Regional Geographic Information system for the North East Renewable Energy Strategy. Project Reference NEREG/2002/004 \\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- Ove Arup & Partners Ltd REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM COALFIELD REPORTWITH Issue 14 May 2009 APPENDICIES.DOC

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

• The wind speed threshold in the NOABL10 dataset has been raised from 6.4m to 6.8m in order to provide greater focus on the areas most likely to be considered by developers in the first instance11. The results of the constraint analysis are shown on Figure 1 and Table A gives details of the constraint datasets used in the analysis.

Table A – Constraints to large-scale wind energy development Criteria / Source Details/justification/decision constraint This reflects the practice within the onshore wind industry of siting development an appropriate distance Visual / aural amenity from residential properties (for noise/amenity and safety of sensitive receptors reasons). 600m has been chosen for this study. It is (Settlements, acknowledged that acoustic separation distances closer isolated properties, to 700m are now the norm for the very largest rated farms etc) OS Address turbines (2-3MW turbines) and the study point data recommendations (when developed) generally respond (600 m radius buffer to this sort of separation distance from residential areas. of all postal This is not to suggest that 600m represents a new addresses) planning criterion for use at the development control level; it is used to broadly represent the most densely populated rural areas and thus to help define a sensible study area for analysis.

Developers of large (i.e. ≥ 25MW) wind farms would typically seek sites with a minimum mean annual wind speed of 6.8+ m/s (defined at 45m above ground level). Generally other areas are unlikely to be considered economically viable; however, with the tallest turbines

some flexibility is now available on the margins of the Wind speed < 6.8 m DTI/NOABL areas of higher wind speeds. This is not to suggest On 1km square basis Model that areas with wind speeds less than 6.8m/s represent a new planning criterion for use at the development control level; the data is used to broadly represent the most promising wind resource areas and thus to help define a sensible study area for analysis.

Wind farms generally have a very small physical footprint compared to the total area occupied by the development, since only the turbine footings and access / maintenance Sites of Special Natural England tracks require the disturbance of the ground surface. Scientific Interest Nonetheless, because of the ecological importance of sites under designation such areas are now considered as constraints to large-scale wind farm developments.

10 The Department of Trade and Industry wind speed database (ETSU NOABL) contains estimates of the annual mean wind speed throughout the UK. The data is the result of an air flow model that estimates the effect of topography on wind speed. There is no allowance for the effect of local thermally driven winds such as sea breezes or mountain/valley breezes. The model was applied with 1km square resolution and makes no allowance for topography on a small scale or local surface roughness (such as tall crops, stone walls, or trees), both of which may have a considerable effect on the wind speed. The data can only be used as a guide and should be followed by on-site measurements for a proper assessment. 11 Sensitivity testing has been undertaken on the effects of changing this parameter from 6.5m/s to 6.8m/s and in reality the spatial changes in unconstrained area are small. \\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- Ove Arup & Partners Ltd REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM COALFIELD REPORTWITH Issue 14 May 2009 APPENDICIES.DOC

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Criteria / Source Details/justification/decision constraint National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Special Because of the landscape, cultural and ecological Protection Areas importance of sites under designation such areas are (SPA), RAMSAR, , Natural England considered as absolute constraints to large-scale wind Special Areas of farm developments. Conservation (SAC),

Possible SAC (pSAC) and National Nature Reserves (NNR)

Scheduled Scheduled Monuments (SMs) are designated by English Monuments Heritage and are statutorily protected, thus are World Heritage Site considered as absolute constraints to large-scale wind farm developments. Listed building data English Heritage is also used but is The extent of World Heritage Site(s) have been not buffered on the considered as absolute constraints and their setting constraint plans. considered further in the report.

UK military and Airports are concerned about turbines interfering within air traffic control. Calculating the visibility of Wind turbines to a radar installation allows the Radar identification of sites that are not in the line or site of a radar installation. Distances beyond which this is no longer an issue varies with Airports at 30km and Military Radar 76km.

Note that data has also been used for land outside of the study area where appropriate and where it would be significant within the analysis e.g. settlement data.

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Figure 1a – Technical and Environmental Constraints

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

3.3.1 Derivation of Study Area The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy makes no specific reference to the true spatial extent of the “W” symbols; the only descriptive text is as follows: “The [W] symbols on the Indicative Diagram are intended to give a positive steer towards areas of least constraint. They do not imply that other suitable areas for development in relation to criteria policies will not emerge from more detailed developer activity”. In Northumberland the broad areas of least constraint identified by the “W” symbols are named after specific locations. In County Durham and the Tees Valley they are named after specific landscape character types As no spatial definition of a “W” has been provided within the RSS a broad study area some 10km radius from the centre of the W symbol has been used as the starting point for the analysis for the previous Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies in the North East. The W symbol as defined in the RRES represents an area some 4km in diameter, although this represents just a graphical aid and does not imply physical limits or a definitive boundary. An initial 10km radius therefore should encompass all possible permutations of the W location and extent; this is shown on Figure 1b below. Within this 10km radius area, the study area is defined by the main area of “least constraint” closest to the ‘W’ symbol and ideally forming a contiguous area with the ‘W’ symbol. This is also shown on Figure 1b. It should be noted that the study area therefore takes in areas of landscape not forming part of the ‘coalfield uplands’ landscape type. This has been done to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the resource in the area and is not intended as an indication of whether these areas do or do not lie within the broad areas of least constraint referred to in RSS Policy. For ease of geographic reference this main area of “least constraint” closest to the ‘W’ symbol is also reproduced on an OS base as Figure 2, and against a map of topography as Figure 3. The study area is then subjected to further landscape and visual analysis, and this is set out in the next chapter.

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Figure 1b – Derivation of overall study area

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Figure 2 – Overall study area on OS base

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Figure 3 – Initial topographical analysis of the overall study area

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

4 Landscape Analysis

4.1 Introduction

This chapter considers the influence of the landscape on the siting of wind turbines within the study area with reference to desk study and a field-based landscape sensitivity/capacity assessment. This study is considering the capacity for both the North and South Durham Coalfield “Ws” as indicated in the North East of England Plan (the RSS).

4.2 Overview

The Study Brief requires the following: • Landscape objectives in respect of wind energy developments; • Thresholds for acceptable change; and • Setting guidelines for the scale and size of potential developments. In order to arrive at the information required by the study brief it is considered the following three components of information are required: • Landscape sensitivity and thus a measure of the capacity of a particular landscape to accommodate wind farm developments of particular scales/forms; • Visual sensitivity, a measure of the likely visual effects associated with development of a part of the study area; and • A view on the likelihood of cumulative landscape and visual impact between proposals. The approach to these issues is guided by the following documents: • Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment12 • Landscape Character Assessment: Guidance for England and Scotland13 • Visual Assessment of Windfarms: Best Practice14 • Landscape Appraisal for Onshore Wind Development15 • Topic Paper 6 – Techniques and criteria for judging capacity and sensitivity16 • Topic Paper 9 – Climate Change and Natural Forces – The consequences for Landscape Character17 It is accepted that climate change is occurring as stated in Topic Paper 9 and unless action is taken will result in changes to the landscape. One mitigating measure is the provision of

wind farms to reduce CO2 emissions from energy generation and the development of strategic planning policies are key to ensuring that these can be achieved appropriately. This report works within this positive frame work. It is not possible to state with confidence that changes are likely to occur in the County Durham landscape due to climate change. We therefore use the existing landscape baseline as a means to define sensitivity and capacity for wind farms over the next few years. The three elements of landscape sensitivity, visual sensitivity and cumulative impact are brought together as shown on Diagram A and Table 1. The building blocks for the analysis

12 Landscape Institute and IEMA (2002) – 2nd Edition 13 Countryside Agency and SNH (2002) 14 SNH – Revised 2005 15 Benson, J. et al (2003) 16 SNH and Countryside Agency (2005) 17 SNH and Countryside Agency (2002) \\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- Ove Arup & Partners Ltd REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM COALFIELD REPORTWITH Issue 14 May 2009 APPENDICIES.DOC

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are landscape ‘zones’ or sub-units which are sub-divisions of the general study area. These are principally derived from desk study but have been verified in the field.

Diagram A – Indicative methodology for landscape and visual assessment work

Identify zones within wider study area

Determine Overall Landscape sensitivity of Prepare ZTVs – determine a “zone” Overall Visual sensitivity of a “zone”

Reject any areas The above together broadly defines “acceptable” “too sensitive” wind farm typologies per zone/area

Combinations of these “acceptable typologies” Reject further modelled within a preferred development area for areas or modify cumulative/potential effects wind farm typologies from those previously indicated Recommended areas and typologies linked to reporting and guidance

The tasks are set out below in Table 1.

Table 1 – Outline workflow for landscape and visual work

Task title Task

Definition of “least Review of standard GIS constraints for wind farm developments constrained”18 areas

Definition of study area Identify major areas of “least constraint”, group together and cross check against developer interest (only to ensure main areas of interest addressed)

Definition of typologies for Research typologies based on recent applications. Define likely size and wind farms number of turbines for feasible wind farms updating GO-NE study typologies

18 “Least constrained” in this context refers to the absence or comparatively lower frequency (when compared to the surrounding area) of a set of pre-defined technical and environmental constraints that prohibit development in absolute terms. It does not relate to the landscape and visual characteristics of an area or suggest that there are not other constraints that either singularly or in combination may affect the ability to develop wind turbines. \\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- Ove Arup & Partners Ltd REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM COALFIELD REPORTWITH Issue 14 May 2009 APPENDICIES.DOC

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Task title Task

Refinement of landscape -Identify landscape types/units in technically feasible areas [referring to GO-NE sensitivity/capacity, study, Landscape character assessment of England, County Durham County derivation of landscape Character Area Study and other available studies] units/zones -Refine capacity for different landscape types/areas for refined wind farm typologies working within UoN framework

Refinement of zones/units Identify areas within landscape units which may perform differently in terms of overall visibility and visual effects on sensitive receptors, subdivide accordingly

Identification of Identify and visit viewpoints for: viewpoints for - assessing landscape sensitivity/ capacity assessment and site - assessing potential visual effects of each zone’s potential wind farms assessment

Zone of Theoretical Identify categories of receptors for ZTV analysis e.g. overall effects, settlement, Visibility ( ZTV ) A-roads, National Park, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Trails, visitor attractions, National Trust properties/registered parkland/listed buildings, conservation areas etc. -Define radii of analysis -Define heights of turbines to be used for analysis -Carry out ZTV for each zone for each receptor type -Score/summarise visual performance with commentary [based on site visit] -Link to wind farm typologies

Cumulative development -Research further evidence of wind farm cumulative impact studies -Identify draft criteria and thresholds for defining what constitutes unacceptable cumulative effects -Define scenarios for analysis of cumulative effects -Discuss potential cumulative effects overall and on sensitive receptors of combinations [qualitative]

Guidance for local Define process, factors and information that local authorities/DTI etc. will take authorities, DTI etc. into consideration or require in determining wind farm applications

4.3 Landscape Desk study

4.3.1 GO-NE Landscape Appraisal for Onshore Wind Development The work undertaken as part of the preparation of the North East Regional Renewable Energy Strategy (RRES) in 2003, which underpins Submission Draft RSS renewable energy policies, included a “Landscape Appraisal for Onshore Wind Development”19. This study fed into an onshore wind GIS created as part of RRES which helped to identify the “Ws.” The GO-NE Landscape Study identified and described the region’s landscape character areas based predominantly on desk study analysis with limited field work. A level of sensitivity to wind turbine development was then ascribed to each character area based on an assessment of physical and perceptual characteristics. This has provided the basis for strategic planning at RSS level. While the GO-NE Landscape Study provides a starting point, in that it identifies levels of sensitivity to wind development, it does not give any guidance as to the capacity of a particular landscape to accommodate multiple developments; neither does it consider the cumulative impact of successive developments or visual impact issues. It is also at too

19 Government office for the North East - Landscape Appraisal for onshore wind development – Report NEREG/2002/004 Final Report July 2003 \\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- Ove Arup & Partners Ltd REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM COALFIELD REPORTWITH Issue 14 May 2009 APPENDICIES.DOC

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coarse a scale to inform this type of project, other than to provide context. To this end the relevant landscape character areas from the GO-NE Landscape study have been added to Figure 4, along with their relative landscape sensitivity. Most of the study area corresponds with five landscape character areas (Reference Figure 4). These are the:

• Coalfield Upland Fringe (CUF) – an area of low-medium physical and perceptual landscape sensitivity (combined sensitivity score 220) to wind farms comprising the elevated ridges within the study area.

• Rolling Uplands (RU) – an area with medium physical and medium-high perceptual landscape sensitivity (combined sensitivity score 4) comprising much of the east of the study area.

• River Valley with Settlements (RVS) – an area with medium-high physical and medium perceptual landscape sensitivity (combined sensitivity score 4) running throughout the north and west of the study area.

• Upland Fringe Farming (UFF) – an area with low-medium physical and low perceptual landscape sensitivity (combined sensitivity score 2) comprising a relatively small pocket of land in the south west of the study area.

• Gritstone Upland Fringe and Vale (GFV) – an area with medium-high physical and perceptual landscape sensitivity (combined sensitivity score 4) comprising much of the south of the study area.

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Figure 4 – Overall study area and landscape character areas from GO-NE study

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4.3.2 County Durham Landscape Character Assessment The County Durham Landscape Character Assessment (2008) is a nested series of landscape character assessments covering County Character Areas, Broad Character Types, Broad Character Areas and Local Landscape Types has been carried out by Durham County Council. The study area is broadly divided into four County Character Areas which are further subdivided into ten Broad Character Types, see Figure 4a. These are the: North Pennines County Character Area

• Moorland Fringe – An upland landscape of varied topography comprising wet pasture, rough grazing and enclosed moorland in large regular fields bounded by low stone walls and wire fences. Scattered conifer plantations, shelterbelts and occasional large tracts of commercial forestry are found within this character area.

• Middle Dale – Broad upland valleys with moderately sloping, often gently stepped valley sides, incised by narrow steep-sided gills. A sparsely wooded landscape with a strong regular or sub-regular pattern of fields bound by dry stone walls.

• Moorland Ridges & Summits – An upland landscape of broad elevated moorland ridges and high flat topped summits with a strong horizontal grain to the topography. Steep sided narrow valleys divide the ridges. Landcover generally comprises upland heath and acid grassland with extensive grazing by sheep.

• Lower Dale – Broad upland valleys with narrow floodplains and incised gorges on the valley floor. A generally pastoral farmland of improved or semi-improves pasture bound by hedgerows with frequent trees and dry stone walls. Ancient woodland in the gorges and denes. Relics of rigg and furrow and cultivation terraces. West Durham Coalfield County Character Area

• Coalfield Upland Fringe – A sparsely wooded landscape with a gently rounded topography with broad ridges and shallow valley heads, occasional steep bluffs and incised denes. Regular grids of parliamentary enclosures bound by dry stone walls or overgrown hawthorn hedges with occasional older field systems.

• Coalfield Valley – Broad, well defined valleys with occasional narrow floodplains and incised denes with variable woodland cover. Mixed farmland of improved pasture and arable cropping. Sub-regular field patterns bounded by thorn hedges with scattered hedgerow trees. Occasional regular parliamentary enclosures. Extensive areas of restored opencast land and reclaimed colliery land - often open and relatively featureless.

• Coalfield Valley Floodplain – Flat, narrow floodplains fringed in places by low, steep- sided bluffs. Large arable fields protected from flooding in places by low levees. Smaller pastures of improved or semi-improved wet pastures bounded by low hedges with scattered hedgerow trees. Semi-improved pasture with scattered scrub on steeper bluffs. Pennine Dales Fringe County Character Area

• Gritstone Upland Fringe – An upland fringe landscape of broad, high ridges and plateaux, and shallow valleys. Regular grids of parliamentary enclosures with occasional older field systems. Predominantly pastoral fields bound by dry stone walls and gappy hedgerows

• Gritstone Vale – A broad rolling vale incised by the narrow steep sided often wooded valleys of the River Tees and its tributaries. Semi regular, sometimes linear fields bound by hedgerows with occasional dry stone walls. Area of historic parkland and heavily wooded estate farmland.

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Tees Lowlands County Character Area

• Lowland Vale – A broad lowland vale defined by higher ground to the north and south with a gently rolling or undulating topography. Mixed, but predominantly arable farmland in a semi-regular pattern of old enclosures bounded by hedges with scattered hedgerow trees. Relics of rigg and furrow in older pastures. Sparsely wooded but with some heavily wooded areas of old parkland and estate farmland.

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Figure 4a – Overall study area and County Durham Broad Character Types

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4.3.3 Derivation of Landscape Zones Using the Broad Character Types identified in the Durham Landscape Character Assessment, Ordnance Survey mapping and fieldwork and acknowledging the GO-NE study, the study area has been further sub-divided into zones of anticipated similar landscape character. It should be noted that these zones are not intended to represent a detailed landscape character assessment of the study area. Fourteen zones have been derived for the North Durham Coalfield while twenty one zones have been derived for the South Durham Coalfield. The zones are shown on Figures 5a and 5b. Each zone is then subjected to a landscape sensitivity analysis and visual assessment and this process is described in the next section.

4.3.4 Relevant landscape characteristics Context The area lies between the remote uplands of the North Pennines with its AONB to the west and the lower settled landscapes of the Tees Valley and the coastal plain and hills beyond. The Wear Valley passes between broadly dividing the two study areas. It is therefore, in many ways a transitional landscape. Topography The northern and southern study areas contain series of ridges that extend as fingers from the higher ground of the North Pennines AONB to the west, forming relatively prominent east facing spurs dissected by relatively broad valleys. To the east of the northern study area the land opens out to the lowland valley terraces and incised valleys which surround the city of Durham. While to the east of the southern study area the land generally opens out to the rolling lowland plain of the Tees Plain. The land in the south of the southern study area opens out into a gently rolling or undulating broad lowland vale incised by the narrow steep sided of the River Tees and its tributaries. Landcover The dominant landcover is mixed farming with a higher proportion of pastoral fields and rough grazing on the steeper slopes and in the upland areas. There is a regular or semi- regular pattern of medium fields frequently bounded by low hawthorn hedges and dry stone walls in the more upland areas. Apart from Hamsterley Forest, a large coniferous plantation in the west of the southern coalfield study area, tree cover is generally confined to the sides of watercourses and scattered small blocks of mixed or coniferous plantation and shelter belts. There are also some heavily wooded areas of old parkland and estate farmland in the southern coalfield study area, for example the woodland surrounding Raby Castle and Streatlam Park. The study area is surrounded to the north east and south by frequent large conurbations including Consett and Stanley to the north, Durham and Newton Aycliffe to the east and Darlington and Barnard Castle to the south. The study area is well settled with scattered clusters of properties small hamlets and villages especially in the southern coalfield area. Scattered farms and isolated properties are generally frequent throughout the study area. The area is served by a network of busy roads and winding lanes with several A-roads passing through the area. Pylons and overhead power lines are found within the study area however they are broadly confirmed to the east of the overall study area. There are several existing wind farms located in the northern coalfield study area, generally with a turbine height to blade tip of around 70- 80m although reaching 100m at Craghead and 110m at Broom Hill wind farm to the east of Sunniside.

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Figure 5a – Northern Study Area: Proposed landscape zones for sensitivity analysis and visual assessment

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Figure 5b – Southern Study Area: Proposed landscape zones for sensitivity analysis and visual assessment

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Figure 6a – Northern Study Area: Topography and Zones

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Figure 6b – Southern Study Area: Topography and Zones

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Perceptual Qualities Overall this is a well settled medium scale farmed landscape. It is a visually open landscape with panoramic views from the higher ground across the lowlands to the south and east, and toward North Pennines AONB in the west. The area has a generally rural character with a more semi-rural or urban fringe quality in heavily settled or disturbed areas. Existing and disused quarries are present throughout much of the overall study area with reclaimed sand and gravel workings along the River Wear. Evidence of mining reclamation is generally confined to the broad coalfield upland fringe. The comprehensive transport network and the volume of traffic generally reduce the tranquillity of the areas served. Detractors including telecommunications masts and pylons are generally confined to the east of the area. There are several existing wind farms located in the northern coalfield study area, generally with a turbine height to blade tip of around 100-110m. The upland moorland area of the North Pennines AONB which is highly visible from parts of the study area forms a strong backdrop to the overall study area.

4.4 Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity

The GO-NE Landscape Appraisal for Onshore Wind Development uses a landscape methodology to determine a broad view on the sensitivity of the region’s landscape character areas and how vulnerable they are to change. The project considered specifically sensitivity to wind energy development. There is agreement amongst landscape professionals that landscapes have different sensitivities depending on the form of change or development e.g. an assessment for housing would be different to one for minerals extraction. The GO-NE appraisal indicates: “Landscapes which are highly sensitive are at risk of having their key characteristics fundamentally altered by development, leading to a change to a different character. Sensitivity is to be assessed by considering the physical characteristics and perceptual characteristics of landscapes in the light of particular forms of development” (in this case wind farms). Sensitivity is considered independent of landscape value (i.e. whether an area has a landscape designation or not). Landscape capacity refers to the degree to which a particular landscape area is able to accommodate a particular type of change without significant effects on its character, or overall change of character. Capacity implies a quantity that can be assessed and measured; it relates to how much a landscape can absorb or accommodate development without a fundamental change in character, i.e. becoming a dominant characteristic, rather than a prominent element. Based upon a review of previous landscape capacity studies for wind farms, including the GO-NE study, plus the experience of the study team in Wales between 2002 and 2006 in developing and implementing TAN8, a simplified sensitivity and capacity matrix has been developed. This links a series of objective criteria relating to the physical and perceptual characteristics of a landscape zone to the capacity of those zones for a particular type of wind farm development. It is inevitably simplistic in its approach, but arguably its strength lies in its relative ease of application and its transparency. The matrix is applied to the landscape zones (which range from approximately 2.5 – 20km² in size) and which together form landscape character areas. Thus the approach is fine- grained and capable of detecting local changes in landcover/landform. Such a small grain of analysis also serves to even out any individual uncertainties over capacity limits, since the

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units are to be brought together to form an overall series of broad capacity areas covering the North and South Durham Coalfield wind resource areas. Of the criteria presented within the sensitivity and capacity matrix all are to be considered of equal weight in principle, however experience suggests that scale of landform, scale of landcover and topographic form are the most instructive. To inform the landscape sensitivity/capacity work, a series of wind farm typologies have been developed. These are set out below: • Very large - Greater than 76MW or 25-35+ turbines approx. i.e. larger wind farms submitted to DTI -Kielder Forest - or several of the below grouped together. • Large - Between 50-75MW or 17-24 turbines approx. i.e. such as submitted to DTI for example Ray in the Knowesgate and Harwood Forest Resource Area. • Medium - Between 26-49 MW or 9-16 turbines approx. i.e. Butterwick • Medium small - Between 7.5-25 MW or 4-9 turbines approx. • Small-Medium small - Between 7.5-18 MW or 4-6 turbines approx. • Small - Less than 7.5MW or less than 4 turbines approx. • None – Area unsuitable for any wind turbines by virtue of its landscape characteristics and/or relationship to sensitive landscape features. Turbines in the range of 100-125m to blade tip have been considered within the typologies. However, it should be noted that in some instances larger numbers of smaller (say 80m to blade tip) turbines may be appropriate. It should be noted that the proposed “Medium” category suggested above comprises a smaller number of turbines than the RSS “medium” category ( up to 20-25 turbines ) yet given modern turbine outputs the installed capacity in MW is likely to be broadly the same. It is considered that >50MW would be viewed by most parties as a key size threshold given the change in consenting regime and represents most developers view of what constitutes a “large” project. The study brief makes reference to “guidelines for scale and size of potential developments”. This is a contentious issue as smaller turbines (sub-100m to blade tip), whilst often more desirable in landscape terms, are generally less efficient, increasingly difficult to purchase and are unlikely to come forward in future applications. Turbine heights are also likely to continue to increase over time as taller turbines give greater energy yields per turbine and are also required in areas of forestry to avoid turbulence effects. The Landscape Sensitivity/Capacity assessment will consider therefore the suitability or otherwise of parts of the study area for current design turbines in the 100-125m+ to blade tip range and give emphasis as to what an appropriate number of turbines might be for the landscapes concerned. Any areas not deemed suitable for current turbine technology will be highlighted and a commentary made on whether those areas would be unsuitable for all wind turbines or whether smaller turbines might be acceptable if available (e.g. second hand). Generally the greater the sensitivity of a landscape the smaller the typology of wind farm which is appropriate for that landscape to avoid the wind farm becoming a dominant element within the landscape. A Landscape Capacity worksheet was completed for each zone and based on the physical and perceptual characteristics identified in the worksheets professional judgement was used to determine the wind farm typology appropriate for each zone. The summary of results for the intrinsic landscape sensitivity and appropriate typologies for the zones is set out within Tables 2a and 2b below and illustrated on Figure 7a and 7b. The completed Landscape Capacity worksheets for each zone are included in Appendix A.

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The typologies identified in Tables 2a and 2b relates to the size of a single cluster that may be appropriate in a zone irrespective of the number of turbines that may already be located within the zone or which may have been given planning permission. This means that in some zones it may be considered that they have reached their landscape capacity already due to the number of turbines or the size of the zone. This is commented on in the worksheets and the capacity of zones with existing turbine development or with existing turbine development in close proximity is further discussed later in the report. Some zones, due to their size may be able to accommodate more than one cluster of a given typology. The desirability of this is explored in the cumulative assessment section. The capacity assessment relates only to landscape issues, not overall development capacity as this is determined by numerous factors, some of which are outwith the scope of this report. Table 2a –Intrinsic Landscape Sensitivity of Zones within North Durham Coalfield study area and resulting largest wind farm typology potentially acceptable:

Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone N1 Medium – None This zone comprises part of the wider “coalfield valley” Medium High landscape. Medium scale field with deciduous and mixed woodland block located in the north of the zone. The Lanchester Valley Walk runs along a disused railway line through the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout the zone. The settlements of Lanchester and Delves Lane with Consett beyond are located to the south east and north west of the zone respectively. The sensitivity of the zone allows does not allow turbine development within the zone due to the grain and character of landscape and surrounding settlement pattern. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however the single 44m high turbine at the Greencroft Industrial Park and the two existing 100m high turbines at the Holmside wind farm are located in the adjacent zone to the east.

Zone N2 Medium Medium Small A gently undulating, well settled landscape, which forms part of a broad ridge, rising to around 260m AOD at Wheatley Hill. The area has medium scale fields, some of rough pasture, with frequent areas of coniferous and mixed woodland planting. Several small waterbodies are spread throughout the area. The linear settlement of Maiden Law is located in the south west of the zone and there is industrial development to the west. Overhead power lines pass through the western part of the zone and the tip to the north east of Maiden Law. Overall the area has an urban fringe character. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a medium small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape. There are two existing 100m high turbines at the Holmside wind farm and a single 44m high turbine at the Greencroft Industrial Park within the zone. The capacity for further turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development and is discussed in Table 8.

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Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone N3 Medium – Small - None A broad valley landscape containing several minor tributaries to Medium High the Cong Burn. The area has medium scale fields with tree cover generally associated with the tributaries. The small settlement of Holmside is located towards the middle of the zone. A network of minor roads runs through the area. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of landscape and settlement pattern. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however the two existing 100m high turbines at the Holmside wind farm are located to the north west of the zone. The capacity for turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development to the north west which is discussed in Table 8.

Zone N4 Medium Medium small A well wooded landscape with medium scale fields, which forms part of a broad ridge, rising to 232m AOD above Charlaw Fell. The remains of Langley Hall lie in a wooded area in the south of the zone. Scattered isolated properties are generally located in the south of the zone connected by a network of minor roads which runs through the area. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a medium small typology due to the grain and character of landscape and settlement pattern in the surrounding area. There are four existing 110m high turbines at Langley within the zone. The capacity for turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development and is discussed in Table 8.

Zone N5 Medium Small A gently undulating ridge with small to medium scale fields, rising to 311m AOD in the west. A locally prominent rounded hill, which rises to 270m AOD, lies in the east of the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout. Sawmill Wood, a small, predominantly coniferous plantation is located in the middle of the zone. The A68 forms the western boundary with the North Pennines AONB located to the west beyond this. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of landscape and settlement pattern.

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Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone N6 Medium - Small - None Part of the wider coalfield valley landscape containing the steep Medium High sided valleys of the River Bowney and several smaller tributaries. The land rises to 275mAOD in the west of the zone. Landcover generally comprises medium scale mixed use fields with pockets of deciduous and mixed woodland located along the water courses. Satley, a linear village on the B6296, is located on higher ground towards the west of the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of landscape and settlement pattern. Several clusters of turbines are located the zones to the south and west of this zone at the High Hedley II (four 80m turbines), Tow Law (six 71m turbines) and West Durham (twelve 80m turbines) wind farms. A single 80 m high turbine which forms part of West Durham wind farm is located on the boundary of this zone and Zone 9. The capacity for turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development to the south and west of the zone which is discussed in Table 8.

Zone N7 Medium Medium Small This zone lies on the east facing slopes of a broad ridge of coalfield upland fringe. The A68 forms the western boundary of the zone with the North Pennines AONB located to the west beyond this. The area has medium scale fields with several pockets of mixed woodland scattered throughout the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a medium small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape. There are five existing 80m high turbines, which form part of the West Durham wind farm within the zone, including one turbine which is on the boundary with Zone 9. Seven turbines which form the remainder of the West Durham wind farm, along with six 71m turbines at Tow Law and four 80m turbines at High Hedley II lie to the south east of this zone. The capacity for further turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development within the zone and development in close proximity and is discussed in Table 8.

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Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone N8 Medium High None This zone comprises mixed use small to medium scale agricultural fields with little tree cover along a relatively narrow ridge with associated steep valley sides extending from the higher ground in the west of the study area. Open views to the north and south are possible. The area is well settled with the linear settlements of Cornsay, Quebec and Esh located along the ridgeline and the settlement of Cornsay Colliery located on the south facing slopes of the zone. The larger settlements of Lanchester and Langley Park lie to the north of the zone, while Esh Winning lies to the south. The City of Durham lies to the east of the zone. Pylons pass through the east of the zone. The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to its role as backcloth to lower land and the grain and character o the landscape and settlement pattern. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however the High Hedley II (four 80m turbines), Tow Law (six 71m turbines) and West Durham (twelve 80m turbines) wind farms are located to the south west of the zone.

Zone N9 Low Medium Medium A broad finger of coalfield upland fringe extending from the - Medium higher ground to the west of the study area. Predominantly pastoral large to medium scale fields with dry stone wall and post and wire field boundaries. Disused workings restored to rough grassland and agriculture are found throughout the zone. Conifer belts are apparent. Hedleyhope Fell Nature Reserve, a steeply sloping area of mid altitude heathland lies within the middle of the zone. Relatively widely spaced isolated properties are located throughout the zone with the settlement of Tow Law located to the west of the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows a medium typology due to the grain and character of the landscape. The High Hedley II (four 80m turbines), Tow Law (six 71m turbines) and most of the West Durham (eight of the twelve 80m turbines) wind farms are located within the zone. The capacity for further turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development within the zone which is discussed in Table 8.

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Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone N10 Medium Medium small Undulating land, rising to around 310mAOD at Billy Hill, within part of a broad ridge which extends from higher land to the west. Landcover is predominantly medium scale mixed field with dry stone wall and post and wire field boundaries. There are indications of past mineral extraction and the landscape is degraded in parts. A number of coniferous plantations and shelterbelts are located across the zone. The linear settlements of Sunniside and Stanley Crook are located within the zone with the town of Crook located to the south of the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a medium small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and the settlement pattern. There are four existing 110m high turbines at the Broom Hill wind farm within the zone. The High Hedley II (four 80m turbines), Tow Law (six 71m turbines) and most of the West Durham (eight of the twelve 80m turbines) wind farms are located to the north west of the zone. The capacity for further turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development within and in close proximity to the zone. This is discussed in Table 8.

Zone N11 Medium – Small This zone comprises medium scale pastoral and arable fields Medium High with relatively frequent plantations and shelterbelt planting along a relatively narrow ridge which extends from the higher ground in the west of the study area. Land at Woolley Hill (267m AOD) and Tallyho Gate (266m AOD) form localise highpoints within the zone. Disused quarries are found throughout the area and a disused open cast workings restored to forestry is located in the east of the zone. Isolated properties are relatively widely scattered throughout. The former mining villages of Esh Winning and Ushaw Moor are located to the north. The town of Brandon is located to the east with the City of Durham to the north east. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and potential impact on views of the World Heritage Site. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however there are four existing 110m high turbines at the Broom Hill wind farm within the adjacent zone to the west. The capacity for turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development to the west and is discussed in Table 8.

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Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone N12 Medium – None A broad, gently dished landscape sloping from the higher ground Medium High in the adjacent zone towards the settlement of Brancepeth, which lies to the east outside of the zone. Open views are possible to the south west and the Tees Plain. Disused workings, now restored to mixed agricultural use are located on the higher ground within the zone. Isolated properties are relatively widely scattered throughout the zone. Coniferous and mixed plantations are found throughout the zone. The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to the grain and valley character of the landscape and settlement pattern to the east. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however there are four existing 110m high turbines at the Broom Hill wind farm within the adjacent zone to the west.

Zone N13 Medium – None A continuation of the broad ridge of coalfield upland fringe land Medium High to the north west of the zone. A gently domed ridge falling towards the Wear Valley with lower land on either side including the settlement of Crook to the east.. The area contains small to medium sized fields with frequent shelterbelt planting. The area has been worked for coal in a number of opencast operations over the years and has been restored to a mixture of pasture and forestry. The A68 passes through the west of the zone, connecting with the A689 to the south of the zone. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however there are four existing 110m high turbines at the Broom Hill wind farm within the adjacent zone to the north. Though potentially suitable for turbines in terms of its landcover the zone’s local prominence to the Wear valley and tributary valley and associated settlements suggests no wind farms are suitable.

Zone N14 Medium - Small A continuation of the broad ridge of coalfield upland fringe land Medium High to the north west of the zone. Open views across the Tees Plain to the south east are possible. A medium scale ridge landscape with blocks of mixed woodland in the north and south of the zone. Medium scale mixed arable and pastoral fields bound by a mixture of tree belts, hedgerows, dry stone walls and post and wire fences are found throughout the zone. Generally sparsely settled with isolated properties scattered throughout the zone. The settlements of Willington and Crook lie to the south east and south west of the zone respectively. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however there are four existing 110m high turbines at the Broom Hill wind farm within the adjacent zone to the north. The capacity for turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development to the west which is discussed in Table 8.

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Table 2b –Intrinsic Landscape Sensitivity of Zones within South Durham Coalfield study area and resulting largest wind farm typology potentially acceptable:

Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone S1 Medium High None An elevated edge landscape with large rough grazing fields and open land with some areas of heathland, scattered trees and pockets of woodland. Open views are possible to the well settled Wear Valley to the north and the North Pennies AONB to the east. Several small water bodies which have formed in disused quarries are found in the east of the zone. The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to its relatively exposed nature, the surrounding settlement pattern and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the east.

Zone S2 Medium – Small - None A steeply sloping edge landscape above the Wear Valley with Medium High medium scale pastoral fields bound by stone walls and blocks of coniferous plantation in the north and south of the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout the zone. Several disused quarries are located throughout the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape, the surrounding settlement pattern and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the east.

Zone S3 Medium – None Part of the Wear Valley to the north east of Witton-le-Wear. Medium High Scattered isolated properties are found throughout the zone, the small hamlet of Bedburn is located in the west of the zone. Medium scale predominantly pastoral fields on the valley sides bound by dry stone walls with some hedgerows, with larger predominantly arable fields along the floodplain of the River Wear. Pockets of predominantly deciduous woodland are associated with the water courses within the zone and scattered on the valley sides. The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to its valley setting, the character of the landscape and settlement pattern.

Zone S4 Medium – None A small domed continuation of the broad ridge of coalfield upland Medium High fringe in the northern study area rising to 191m AOD and locally prominent with the Wear valley to the south and west and Beechburn Beck to the east. Medium scale fields with little tree cover. A minor road bisects the zone and the A68 passes through the east of the zone. Infrequent scattered isolated properties are located throughout, and the settlements of Witton- le-Wear and Howden-le- Wear lie respectively to the south and north east of the zone. Pylons run through the middle of the zone. Though potentially suitable for turbines in terms of its landcover the zone’s local prominence to the Wear valley and tributary valley and associated settlements suggests no wind farms are suitable.

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Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone S5 Medium – Small - None Part of the Wear Valley containing frequent scattered isolated Medium High and clustered properties and several small settlements including Witton-le-Wear, Witton Park and Woodside. Medium scale predominantly arable fields on the valley sides with larger arable fields along the floodplain of the River Wear although smaller patterns also exist on the valley floor. Pockets of mixed woodland are associated with the water courses within the zone and scattered on the valley sides. Disused sand and gravel workings are evident along the River Wear. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and the settlement pattern.

Zone S6 Medium – None Large scale coniferous plantation on the steep sides of the Medium High Euden Beck and the Spurswood Beck. The area is popular with a visitor centre, picnic areas and mountain biking trails. Clustered residential properties with associated small rough grazing fields are located within the forest. The North Pennines AONB forms the northern and eastern boundary of the zone. The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB which would result in any turbines rising out of the valley and becoming a significant focus for this part of the AONB.

Zone S7 Medium High None A narrow zone comprising small pastoral fields bound by stone walls located on a narrow ridge above the Bedbeck Burn. Scattered isolated properties are located along the ridge with the linear settlement of Hamsterley located east of the zone. A minor road forms the southern boundary of the zone. Open views of Hamsterley Forest (Zone S6) and the North Pennines AONB beyond are possible. The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to its narrow ridge character, settlement pattern and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the east.

Zone S8 Medium – Small - None A shallow dished valley sloping towards the Wear Valley to the Medium High east. Predominantly pastoral fields bound by stone walls. Infrequent scattered blocks of deciduous trees throughout the zone. The linear settlement of Hamsterley is located to the north of the zone with infrequent scattered isolated properties located throughout. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the scale and character of the landscape and settlement pattern and also the area’s relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the west.

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Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone S9 Medium – Small An undulating landscape of a broad ridge rising to 360m AOD to Medium High the west of Woodland. Small pockets of coniferous and mixed plantation are located infrequently throughout the zone. Scattered isolated properties are found throughout and the linear settlement of Woodland is located in the middle of the zone. Several minor roads pass through the zone and there is a wireless mast. Small scale predominantly pastoral fields are associated with the settlements and isolated properties with field size increasing towards the edges of the zone. The area’s relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the west is one of transition with the land falling away from the fells and becoming more settled with some detractors. While the landcover and presence of detractors within the landscape suggest the zone may be capable of accommodating a larger typology; the presence of Woodland in the centre of the zone and the relationship of the area with the North Pennines AONB to the west increase the sensitivity and reduce the capacity of the zone.

Zone S10 Medium - Small A continuation of the gently sloping broad ridge which extends Medium High from the North Pennines AONB to the west. A gently undulating landscape rising to 283m AOD in the west of the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout the zone with some clustering occurring in the east of the zone. A sparsely wooded zone with small to medium scale mixed agricultural fields bound by hedgerows and post and wire fences The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and settlement pattern.

Zone S11 Medium High None A heavily settled zone with several small settlements including Cockfield and Butterknowle and scattered isolated and clustered properties throughout the zone. Small to medium scale mixed agricultural fields bound by hedgerows with infrequent pockets of deciduous woodland, generally associated with the watercourses within the zone. Cockfield Fell, a Scheduled Monument scheduled for its enclosures and industrial workings, and part of the Gaunless Valley Heritage Landscape is located in the centre of the zone. Pylons pass through the middle of the zone. The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to the presence of Cockfield Fell, the heavily settled nature of the zone and the scale and character of the landscape.

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Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone S12 Medium Small An undulating open landscape with a medium scale field pattern, rising to 200m AOD in the west of the zone. A relatively sparsely wooded zone with infrequent woodland/forestry blocks throughout with a small coniferous plantation located in the east. Scattered properties lie throughout the zone with the settlement of Evenwood located in the west of the zone. The larger settlements of West Auckland and Bishop Auckland are located to the north of the zone and the sensitive settlement of Bolam lies to the south east. The A688 and A68 pass through the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and settlement pattern. Turbine development at Royal Oak (five 80m high turbines) in the adjacent zone to the east has planning approval subject to a legal agreement dealing with outstanding MOD issues. The capacity for turbine development within this zone would be limited should the consented turbines at Royal Oak be constructed and is discussed in Table 8.

Zone S13 Medium Small- Medium small A landscape of gently rolling hills rising to around 220m AOD within a wider undulating landscape with small to medium scale fields. The zone has sparse tree cover apart from Brusselton Wood in the north of the zone. The surrounding landscape is heavily settled with towns including Bishop Auckland to the north and Newton Aycliffe to the east. The A68 passes through the zone and two masts are located along a minor road which passes through the zone. A small tip is located in the north of the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small - medium small typology due to the grain of the landscape and proximity of settlement. Turbine development at Royal Oak (five 80m high turbines) in the adjacent zone to the east has planning approval subject to a legal agreement dealing with outstanding MOD issues. The capacity for turbine development within this zone would be limited should the consented turbines at Royal Oak be constructed and is discussed in Table 8.

Zone S14 Medium High None A narrow zone sloping gently from the broad ridge to the north of the zone towards the wooded Langley Beck. Small to medium scale pastoral fields with scattered woodland block. Sparsely settled with infrequent isolated properties generally painted white. A minor road passes through the zone. The North Pennines AONB forms the northern boundary to the zone. The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to the scale and character of the landscape, and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the north.

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Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone S15 Medium – Small A gently undulating predominantly pastoral landscape with small Medium High to medium sized fields gently sloping towards the east. Field boundaries are a mixture of hedges with frequent hedgerow trees and post and wire fences. Occasional woodland blocks and shelterbelts are found throughout the zone. A dismantled railway passes through the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout the zone. Overhead power lines run through the east of the zone. The area provides the skyline to lower land to north and south. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the scale and character of the landscape, settlement pattern and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the north west. Any wind farm development should avoid the northern and southern edges to avoid over dominance of lower land beyond.

Zone S16 Medium High None A gently undulating landscape reaching around 210m AOD in the north of the zone. Landcover comprises small to medium scale mixed agricultural fields bound by hedgerows with woodland blocks. Part of the relatively well wooded Raby Park (land associated with the Raby Castle estate) is located in the east of the zone and the heavily wooded Streatlam Park is located in the south of the zone. A minor road passes through the middle of the zone providing access to the relatively widely spaced scattered isolated properties that are located throughout the zone. The sensitivity of the zone with its settled estate and parkland character allows no wind farm development

Zone S17 Medium High None A well wooded gently sloping landscape falling from a ridge to the north of the zone forming a backcloth to the lower land to the south. The A688 runs along the eastern boundary of the zone and a minor road runs along the northern boundary. Widely spaced isolated properties are scattered throughout the small zone accessed by private roads and tracks. The Raby Castle grounds and part of the wider estate associated with the castle, which extend into the east of the zone, are included on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to its role as a backcloth to the settled landscape to the south including the registered Raby Castle Estate and the village of Staindrop.

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Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone S18 Medium - None A landscape of medium scale fields gently sloping south towards Medium High the Tees Vale and forming a backcloth to this rural area. Mixed agricultural fields with field boundaries generally comprising hedgerows. Clustered settlements are located throughout the zone with the sensitive settlement of Bolam to the east. Tree cover is limited with infrequent small woodland blocks located towards the middle of the zone near the settlement of Hilton. The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to its role as backcloth to the rural Tees Vale, settlement pattern, especially close to Bolam and the scale and character of the landscape.

Zone S19 Medium – None A small zone reaching 302m AOD to the south of Howegill Medium High Plantation located towards the end of a broad ridge which extends into the North Pennines AONB to the north west. The ridge also forms the edge of Teesdale to the south which acts as a gateway to the AONB. Landcover generally comprises medium scale pastoral fields with an upland feel, occasional coniferous plantations and a large area of unfenced rough grazing in the south of the zone. Settlement is relatively sparse with widely spaced isolated properties across the zone. The North Pennines AONB lies to the north west of the zone. Though potentially suitable for turbines in terms of its landcover, the zone’s local prominence in relation to Teesdale and the North Pennines AONB suggests that it is unsuitable for development.

Zone S20 Medium - Small - None A continuation of the gently sloping undulating land in Zone 16 Medium High with a gentle valley along which the Newsham Beck runs towards the River Tees. Humbleton Hill forms a local highpoint rising to 190m. A dismantled railway runs along this shallow valley. Small to medium scale mixed agricultural fields bound by hedgerows and post and wire fences with generally sparse tree cover. Occasional small waterbodies are scattered throughout the zone. A relatively well settled area with clustered settlements, including Cleatlam and Little Newsham, throughout the zone. The zone lies in the north of the unspoilt rural Tees Vale. The busy A688 passes through the north of the zone.. The sensitivity of the zone allows at most only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and the settlement pattern. Development should minimise effects on the Tees Vale.

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Zones Landscape Largest wind farm Comments sensitivity typology potentially acceptable

Zone S21 Medium High None A gently dished landscape broadly falling towards the Langley Beck and the River Tees beyond. Medium scale fields bound by hedgerows with occasional hedgerow trees and post and wire fences. Raby Castle, a Grade II* Listed Building is located in the north of the zone. The Raby Castle grounds and part of the wider estate associated with the castle are included on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to the settled character of the landscape and character of the landscape, and the presence of part of the registered Raby Castle Estate in the east of the zone.

Zone S22 Medium – None A relatively narrow ridge, extending eastward from the area of Medium High higher ground to the north west. Predominantly medium scale pastoral fields bound by dry stone walls with scattered small coniferous plantations. A minor road passes through the centre of the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout the zone accessed along private tracks. Frequent small disused quarries are located in the west of the zone. A disused railway line lined with scattered trees and pylons pass through the east of the zone. The North Pennines AONB is located to the west of the zone. The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to its relatively narrow ridge character, and the areas proximity and relationship with the settled valley to the east and the North Pennines AONB to the west.

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Figure 7a – Distribution of wind farm typology

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Figure 7b – Distribution of wind farm typology

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4.5 Summary of Landscape Effects

As indicated by the data within Tables 2a and 2b nineteen zones are considered to have some capacity for wind development from small to medium typology wind farm development. The areas with simpler landform and landcover, away from the edge of significant or distinct changes in level, are favoured. However, existing turbine development may reduce the potential capacity of a zone; this is discussed in Section 6: Capacity of Zones for Further Wind Farm/ Wind Farm Development. Also, given the settled nature of the study area, careful consideration should be given to potential juxtaposition between wind turbines and settlement in zones with potential for wind development. The following seventeen areas should be excluded from consideration for commercial scale wind farm development due to their intrinsic landscape characteristics, unless development is to proceed in the acknowledgement that the landscape capacity would be exceeded:

• Zone N1

• Zone N8

• Zone N12

• Zone N13

• Zone S1

• Zone S3

• Zone S4

• Zone S6

• Zone S7

• Zone S11

• Zone S14

• Zone S16

• Zone S17

• Zone S18

• Zone S19

• Zone S21

• Zone S22

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5 Visual Sensitivity Analysis

5.1 Introduction

This chapter considers the variable performance of the study area with respect to visual impact. It looks mainly at the relative performance of the different parts of the zones within the study area. This chapter discusses the visual data generated for the study and then describes how it is used within the analysis of the study area zones. The parameters used within this chapter are based upon evidence/experience gathered from previous similar studies in Northumberland, Wales and Scotland, either by the University of Newcastle or by this study team; references to relevant studies are included where appropriate.

5.2 Visual Sensitivity: Overview of data generated

Landscape capacity (as outlined in the previous chapter) tends broadly to address the direct effects of the development of wind turbines in particular areas. It is clear that an important issue relating to most, if not all, wind farm proposals is that of visual impact, and in particular the potential for visual impact upon sensitive receptors. Sensitive visual receptors are diverse in nature, but can be grouped as follows: • “Landscape/Sensitive Outdoor Recreation Receptors” – these are locations within ‘sensitive landscapes’ used by people who may be sensitive receptors such as walkers/cyclists and general visitors enjoying areas of scenic quality. ‘Sensitive landscapes’ in this context are generally considered to be those which are valued nationally such as the North Pennines AONB, the immediate settings of Registered Historic Parks and Gardens and World Heritage Sites. The Pennine Way National Trail is considered as a ‘sensitive outdoor recreation receptors’. • “People day to day” – these are people who may see turbines frequently while carrying out their day to day business or whilst residing in or around an area. Those most affected will be on the edges of settlements (others gaining glimpses between buildings and other structures). The category also includes those using highways in the area. The study has considered the relative visual effects of hypothetical turbines of fixed height placed within each of the landscape zone/units identified for the landscape sensitivity exercise. Each zone has been evaluated in terms of its visibility overall and to sensitive receptors via the creation of a zone of theoretical visibility (ZTV) for each. The ZTVs do not take into account any screening from buildings and vegetation, and therefore represent a worst case scenario. Key parameters used in the generation of the relative visual analysis are established within Table 3 below. Table 3 – Key parameters used in the generation of the relative visual analysis

Turbine height 125m to blade tip (a median value between a nominal 135m in any forested areas and a nominal 115m in open moorland). It should be stressed that using height to blade-tip in the ZTV presents a conservative approach to the analysis; many individual EIA ZTV studies for wind farms consider height to hub as well as to blade tip. These nominal turbine heights may not exactly fit with a given manufacturers specification.

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Turbine density in zones 4 No. placed within each 1 km within the zone on a grid basis. Note this turbine distribution does not directly relate to the likely developable capacity (MW) available per zone as no constraints are taken into account.

Grid size used in ZTV 250m square

Extent of ZTV Minimum extent of 20km from edge turbines in the zone. Whilst it is acknowledged that 30-35km represents the ZTV in many cases, the study is concerned with moderate adverse visual impacts and greater only. For 100-140m turbines these impacts are considered to occur within 20km of the study area.

The ZTV generated is then broken down into component parts:

• The overall area that can see wind turbines in each zone

• The number/area of day-to-day receptors such as dwellings and A and B roads that can see wind turbines in each zone

• The number/area of sensitive landscape and features receptors such as National Park/AONB or National Trails that can see wind turbines in each zone. This is further described within Table 4.

Table 4 – Visibility data description – further details Measurement category Comments Overall visual effect Overall total area that can This measurement defines the theoretical area that can view the theoretically view turbines placed wind turbines in any study area zone. It covers all potential receptors including those not covered by categories below such as users of open access land, public footpaths and minor roads. It is also a factor which brings in the effects of the turbines on perception of landscapes surrounding any zones. Landscape/ sensitive outdoor recreation receptors Areas of National Park/AONB These are sensitive landscapes used by people who may be sensitive that can view turbines receptors such as visitors enjoying its scenic quality. The nature of the landscapes within National Parks/AONBs is such that they often allow broad views, and wind turbines may be viewed whilst undertaking leisure activities. (National Park is not applicable but used in other studies.) National Trail that can view These are sensitive routes used by people who will be sensitive receptors- turbines walkers enjoying scenic quality. National Trails often allow broad views, and wind turbines may be viewed whilst undertaking leisure activities. People day to day Settlements that can view The likelihood of severe effects upon visual amenity and setting, particularly turbines in close proximity cumulative effects upon communities. i.e. the visual effects that developing a zone might have upon adjacent villages and settlement in terms of dominance and sense of enclosure. Settlements that can view Settlements are the most sensitive receptors. People may see turbines turbines in medium distance frequently while carrying out their day to day business or whilst residing in or around the study area. Those most affected will be on the edge of settlements, others gaining glimpses between buildings and other structures. A and B roads that can view Users of roads are less sensitive than residents generally but may include turbines tourists and turbines will affect visitor’s perceptions of an area.

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In arriving at an overall summary of the visual performance of a zone/sub-area, the data per receptor group is first ranked, and then the data combined. This is combined as follows:- Rank given to overall visual performance+ Rank given to settlement data (10km) + Rank given to settlement data (2km) + Rank given to roads + Rank given to National Park/AONB (where applicable) + Rank given to the National Trails (where applicable)

The effects on these different receptors are considered at varying distances to cover the most significant effects dependent on the type of receptor. It is acknowledged that there will be effects beyond these distances and this is discussed further below.

5.3 Calibration of likely visual effects

There have been many studies relating to the potential visual effect on wind farm development. This is brought together in the publication ‘Visual Assessment of Windfarms: Best Practice’ produced for Scottish Natural Heritage by the University of Newcastle 2002. As pointed out by the study, the expected magnitude of effect varied between studies but this depended on whether the writer was pro or anti wind farm development. ‘PAN 45: Renewable Energy Technologies’ produced by the Scottish Executive in 2002 suggest the following perception for a wind farm in an open landscape [without relating this to tower height, but having earlier referred to turbines of tower height >70m and rotor diameters of >80m i.e. height to blade tip of up to 110m] is as follows (Table 5): Table 5 – Perceptual distances for Wind farms

Distance Perception 0-2km Likely to be a prominent feature 2-5km Relatively prominent 5-15km Only prominent in clear visibility -- seen as part of a wider landscape 15-30km Only seen in very clear visibility -- a minor element in the landscape

The University of Newcastle suggest, based on this and other research that the size classes, names and descriptions of visual effect should be modified. This study does not come to a view on significance which is related to the sensitivity of the receptor. In Table 6 below the University of Newcastle data is taken and a view is developed on distance and significance of effect for 125m to blade tip turbines depending on sensitivity of receptor as the basis of the calibration of effects for visual impact assessment.

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Table 6 – Calibration of significance of visual effects with distance for wind farms University of Newcastle criteria This study calibration Sensitivity of Receptor Distance High Moderate Low sensitivity range Sensitivity sensitivity

Size class Name Descriptors - Modifying Magnitude of Likely significance of effect [Magnitude] appearance in factors Effects central vision field

Very large Dominant Commanding, Few Substantial Up to 2 km Severe Major Moderate controlling the view adverse

Large Prominent Standing out, striking, Few Substantial/ 2 to 5 km Severe. Major. Moderate sharp, unmistakable, Moderate Major in Moderate in easily seen some some situations situations Medium Conspicuous Noticeable, distinct, Many: Moderate 4- 10 km Major Moderate Minor catching the eye or Limit of attention, clearly potential visible, well-defined visual significance

Very small Inconspicuous Lacking sharpness of Many Minor 9-20km Moderate Minor Minor definition, not obvious, indistinct, Limit of ZVI not clear, obscure, blurred, indefinite

Negligible Faint Weak, not legible, Few Negligible 15km- 30km Negligible Negligible Negligible near limit of acuity of human eye

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The sensitivity of receptors is based on commonly accepted standards derived from the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Assessment [GLVIA 2002]. The total angle of view where turbines are visible due to intervening landform or vegetation will also have an important influence on magnitude of effect. It is therefore also considered in the cumulative impact assessment (next chapter refers). The most significant i.e. “severe to moderate effects” on visual receptors are shown highlighted in Table 6 and in the context of this study are considered to be effects on: • Open Access land and other recreational users – all effects within 15km (as midway between 9-20km approximately) • Settlements – effects within 2km and 10km (acknowledged double counting – distance band tends to highlight most significant effects where potential for inter- visibility screening would be less) • AONB/National Trail – effects within 10km • Roads – effects within 5km (lower sensitivity users) The data for the effects within these distance bands for each of the zones with the study area are shown in Tables 7a and 7b below, and illustrated spatially on Figure 8a and 8b which follows. The data in Tables 7a and 7b generally shows the number of 250mx250m grid squares (in the computer generated ZTV distance band referenced) containing the appropriate sensitive receptors that would be theoretically able to see turbines located within each zone or sub- area. The only exception to this relates to the settlement data. This shows the numbers of residential properties (in the computer generated ZTV distance band referenced) that would be theoretically able to see turbines located within each zone or sub-area. Each set of data is then ranked. The maximum theoretical overall visibility within the 15km radius (representing most significant effects) is the area occupied by a circle of this radius centred on the zone. This equates to 700km2 approx. or 11300 grid squares of 250x250m.

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Table 7a – Northern Study Area: Areas potentially exposed to views of turbines for each zone, by receptor group

Settlement Settlement Roads AONB National Turbine Overall count up count up up to up to Trail up Totals of Overall No 15km Rank to 2km Rank to 10km Rank 5km Rank 10km Rank to 10km Rank ranking ranking Zone N1 42 5506 1 5766 8 34080 4 316 12 880 9 0 1 35 6 Zone N2 34 7936 7 10338 14 74104 12 338 13 132 5 0 1 52 13 Zone N3 20 7321 5 3417 4 95331 14 143 1 0 1 0 1 26 2 Zone N4 32 8210 8 6410 10 93592 13 299 9 0 1 0 1 42 9 Zone N5 50 6070 2 1390 2 34782 5 295 8 1226 13 0 1 31 4 Zone N6 64 6682 3 2095 3 29644 3 299 10 1082 12 0 1 32 5 Zone N7 27 6786 4 621 1 17911 1 181 2 1365 14 0 1 23 1 Zone N8 50 8944 12 7807 13 64432 10 373 14 363 6 0 1 56 14 Zone N9 48 8479 10 3628 5 39574 6 280 6 911 11 0 1 39 7 Zone N10 41 9128 14 4622 7 44805 7 313 11 731 8 0 1 48 12 Zone N11 30 9019 13 7477 11 58828 9 282 7 50 4 0 1 45 11 Zone N12 34 8792 11 6046 9 70921 11 244 4 28 3 0 1 39 7 Zone N13 21 7536 6 4612 6 26774 2 246 5 725 7 0 1 27 3 Zone N14 21 8262 9 7479 12 50949 8 223 3 880 9 0 1 42 9

Note: The above data has been ranked where a ranking of 1 indicates the best performance (i.e. visible to the least number of performance indicators) and a ranking of 14 indicates the worst performance (i.e. visible to the most number of performance indicators).

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Table 7b – Southern Study Area: Areas potentially exposed to views of turbines for each zone, by receptor group

Settlement Settlement Roads AONB National Turbine Overall count up count up up to up to Trail up Totals of Overall No 15km Rank to 2km Rank to 10km Rank 5km Rank 10km Rank to 10km Rank ranking ranking Zone S1 11 5475 1 156 4 11575 6 135 4 1336 20 0 1 36 1 Zone S2 17 5547 2 76 2 12940 9 150 6 1334 19 0 1 39 3 Zone S3 59 8385 8 1166 13 30794 15 257 14 1342 21 0 1 72 14 Zone S4 13 5654 3 2184 18 34629 16 221 10 367 8 0 1 56 7 Zone S5 53 7420 6 5745 21 47541 20 356 22 294 6 0 1 76 18 Zone S6 81 8572 10 205 5 11813 7 30 1 1796 22 7 19 64 13 Zone S7 11 6437 4 237 6 16686 11 82 2 907 14 0 1 38 2 Zone S8 36 7165 5 608 8 26856 14 148 5 819 13 0 1 46 4 Zone S9 50 9352 18 702 10 14272 10 133 3 914 15 0 1 57 8 Zone S10 55 9155 15 2177 17 35679 17 223 11 706 11 0 1 72 14 Zone S11 89 11230 21 4519 20 38031 18 342 21 655 10 0 1 91 22 Zone S12 80 12138 22 10688 22 55813 22 426 12 73 3 0 1 82 20 Zone S13 14 9968 19 4038 19 51204 21 304 15 0 1 0 1 76 18 Zone S14 15 8389 9 101 3 8313 2 180 7 1157 18 40 21 60 9 Zone S15 46 9249 17 491 7 8667 3 318 19 992 16 35 20 82 20 Zone S16 51 9187 16 893 11 11867 8 306 16 376 9 0 1 61 10 Zone S17 17 8885 12 1512 15 18208 13 197 8 257 5 0 1 54 6 Zone S18 23 10389 20 979 12 44020 19 324 20 38 2 0 1 74 16 Zone S19 11 7545 7 72 1 7256 1 232 13 1087 17 63 22 61 10 Zone S20 54 8642 11 1703 16 8877 4 316 18 365 7 6 18 74 16 Zone S21 73 8901 13 1290 14 17570 12 313 17 127 4 0 1 61 10 Zone S22 22 8917 14 649 9 11533 5 219 9 771 12 0 1 50 5

Note: The above data has been ranked where a ranking of 1 indicates the best performance (i.e. visible to the least number of performance indicators) and a ranking of 22 indicates the worst performance (i.e. visible to the most number of performance indicators).

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Figure 8a – Northern Study Area: Spatial Distribution of visual ranking data

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Figure 8b – Southern Study Area: Spatial Distribution of visual ranking data

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It should be noted that the ZTV analysis does not make allowances for the screening effect of buildings and vegetation as it is not possible to model effectively such features within a County level 3-D model as generated for this study; the computing and resource implications render it impractical. It is therefore likely that the visual effects on settlement and other receptors will be less than indicated and that the information derived from the ZTV analysis should be taken as a worst case scenario. The study area has been visited and views taken from key receptors within and around the search area. The findings of the ZTV analysis are combined with the expected effects in key views to arrive at the conclusions discussed in the section below.

5.4 Description of Visual Effects

5.4.1 Northern Area

Overall Visual Effects The most visible zone in the northern study area is Zone N10 which is visible a little over one and a half times the area of Zone N1, the least visible zone. Zone N10 is an area of undulating land mostly above 200m AOD, rising to 310m AOD, located on a broad ridge which runs from the AONB to the north west. Development within this zone would be potentially visible from both the surrounding ridge tops and the lower land to the south and east. Two of the other worst performing zones (N8 and N11) in the northern area are also located on ridge tops, while the third (N12) is located on the south eastern edge of the study area. The least visible zone is Zone N1, a broad valley gently falling toward the south east, which includes several tributaries to the River Browne, itself tributary to the River Wear. Zones N5, and N7 are both elevated areas which perform relatively well with views potentially foreshortened by the surrounding topography.

Effects on Settlement Overall the whole study area is generally heavily settled with settlement ranging from isolated farming properties to small villages. A few pockets of sparsely settled land are located in both the northern and southern study areas. The study area is surrounded on three sides by settlements including Consett and Stanley to the north, Newton Aycliffe, Bishop Auckland and the city of Durham to the east, and Barnard Castle to the south. The worst performing zone within a distance 2km is Zone N2 which is surrounded by settlement to the north and south, this zone also performs poorly within a distance of 10km. Zones N8, N11 and N14 perform poorly within a distance of 2km; however these zones perform relatively better within a distance of 10km. The worst performing zone within 10km is Zone N3 which is visible to over five times more properties than Zone N7, the best performing zone. In general, the zones with the higher visibility within 10km (Zones N2, N3, N4 and N12) are located in the east of the northern study area towards the large centres of population. The best performing zone within a distance of both 2km and 10km is Zone N7 which is located in the far west of the study area on the edge of the sparsely settled AONB. Other relatively well performing zones within 10km (Zones N1, N6 and N13) are also generally located in the west of the study area towards the AONB. Zones N3 and N5 perform well within a distance of 2km but perform less well within 10km due to the presence of several large settlements in the surrounding area

Effects on Roads The northern area is generally well served by a network of A and B roads which extends to the north and east and along the Wear valley to the south.

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Zone N8 is the worst performing zone as it is a linear zone which is highly visible to the valley to the north which has the busy A691 running through it. Other poorly performing zones include Zones N1, N2 and N10 which either have busy roads passing through the zone or are located above valleys with busy roads. The best performing zone is Zone N3 which, although the B6352 passes through the zone, is exposed over a relatively short distance. Zones N7, N12 and N14 also perform comparatively well.

Effects on the North Pennines AONB The best performing zones (including Zones N3, N4, N11 and N12), not surprisingly, are those zones located in the east of the northern study area away from the AONB. Zones N3 and N4 are located over 10km away from the AONB. The worst performing zones are those in the north west of the study area which share a boundary with or are located in close proximity to the North Pennines AONB. The worst performing zone is Zone N7 with Zones N5, N6 and N9 also performing poorly.

Effects on the Pennine Way National Trail The zones within the northern area all lie beyond 10km of the Pennine Way National Trail therefore all perform equally well in terms of having no impact on the National Trial within 10km.

5.4.2 Southern Area

Overall Visual Effects The most visible zone in the southern study area is Zone S12 which is visible over twice the area of Zone S1, the least visible zone. Zone S12, an open undulating landscape is largely located on a broad ridge which extends from the west. Development within this zone would potentially be visible over the lower ground to the north, south and east. Zones S9, S11, S13 and S18 which also perform poorly in terms of overall visibility are also located on or contain parts of the flanks of the same broad ridge on which Zone S12 is located. The least visible zone is Zone S1, a small elevated zone in the north west of the southern study area. The other zones which also perform relatively well in terms of overall visibility are also generally located in the north of the study area. The visibility of the zones would potentially be foreshortened by the surrounding topography; however the small size of several of the zones may impact on their visual performance.

Effects on Settlement As outlined in the commentary regarding the effects on settlement in the northern area, overall the southern study area is generally heavily settled with a few scattered pockets of sparsely settled land. Several medium and large conurbations are located in relatively close proximity to the eastern and southern edges of the area. As might be expected the zones that performed the worst within the southern study area tended to be those zones located towards the more heavily settled landscapes in the east of the study area. The worst performing zone within a distance 2km is Zone S12 which also worst performing zone within a distance of 10km. Zones S4, S5, S10, S11 and S13 also perform comparatively poorly within distances of both 2km and 10km. Zone S19 performs best in terms of settlement within a distance of both 2km and 10km. Zones S1, S2, S6, S7 and S14 also perform comparatively well within distances of both 2km and 10km. The best performing zones for settlement within 2km are themselves sparsely settled and are all located in the west of the southern study area, generally adjacent to the sparsely settled AONB.

Effects on Roads The worst performing zone in the southern study area is Zone S5 which has the A68 running through it and the A689 and A688 in close proximity. Zones S11, S15, S18, S20

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and S21 which also perform relatively poorly either have busy roads passing through the zone or are located above valleys with busy roads. The best performing zone is Zone S6, Hamsterley Forest which is located away from the network of roads which runs through the east and south of the zone. Other zones which perform comparatively well (Zones S1, S2, S7, S8 and S9) are also located in the north west of the southern study area.

Effects on the North Pennines AONB As with the northern study area the best performing zones (Zones S12, S13 and S18) tend to be located in the east of the study area while the worst performing zones (Zones S1, S3 and S6) are generally those which share a boundary with or are located in close proximity to the North Pennines AONB. Zone S6, Hamsterley Forest, which actually extends into the AONB is unsurprisingly the worst performing zone.

Effects on the Pennine Way National Trail In the southern area the vast majority of zones lie over 10km away from the National Trail and are unlikely to have a significant effect on the National Trail. Only five zones (SS6, S14, S15, S19 and S20) would potentially affect the Pennine Way within 10km. Zone S19, located in the south west of the southern area is the worst performing of these zones. Zones S15 and S14, the second and third worst performing zones respectively also lie in the very south west of the zone, surrounding Zone S19. Zone S20, which although still one of the worst performing zones, performs 10 times better than Zone 19, the worst performing zone, lies to the east of the other poorly performing zones. It acknowledged that, as only a few zones would potentially affect views from the Pennine Way within 10km and the number of 250m grid square actually affected are so low, simply ranking the data based on performance (as has been done for the previous studies) leads to 17 zones with a very low ranking and only five zones with a comparatively high ranking. Presenting the results in this format, as is the case for the results contained within all other data sets, is only one of many possible ways of presenting the raw data contained within this report. However, this approach is consistent with the previous studies and recognises the importance placed on the scenic quality of the setting of National Trails as perceived by many people.

5.5 Summary of Visual effects

5.5.1 Northern Area No zone performs consistently well across the board in either the northern or southern study area. In the north Zone N7 performs most consistently across all categories apart from its effects on the AONB and in fact performs the best when ranked overall. Zone N3 also performs well except for its effects on settlement up to 10km. Zone N8 performs poorly in most categories except effects on the AONB and is considered to perform most poorly when ranked overall. Zone N2 also performs poorly in most categories except effects on the AONB. Zone N9, which has the most existing turbine development, does not perform particularly well in any one category however it is ranked 7th out of 14 overall. Zone N10, also with turbine development, comes 12th out of 14 overall, mainly due to its overall visibility.

5.5.2 Southern Area In the south Zone S7 performs most consistently across all categories apart from its effects the AONB (where it is ranked 20 out of 22) and in fact performs the best when ranked overall. Zones S2 and S7 also perform well except for its effects on the AONB and on settlement up to 10km. Zone S11 is considered to perform most poorly when ranked overall and performs poorly in most categories although it performs comparatively less poorly with regards effects on the AONB.

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5.5.3 Overall Study Area Zones in the west of the overall study area generally tend to perform better in terms of impacts on settlement and roads while those in the east tend to have a greater impact on people due to their location close to large centres of populations. Zones in the east of the overall study area tend to perform better in terms of their impact on the North Pennines AONB and the Pennine Way National Trail. Overall the study area is a heavily settled landscape with further large centres of population surrounding the study area, especially when compared with the wind resource areas in Northumberland. While the settlement data indicates that significantly more properties are affected within 2km and 10km it is likely that the properties which would experience any significant or major visual effects from turbine development would be those located at the outer edges of the settlement. Those properties located within the core of settlements, are likely to only have limited or no views of turbine development with buildings and vegetation providing intermediate screening.

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6 Capacity of Zones for further wind farm / wind farm development

6.1 Introduction

In contrast to previous studies of the wind resource areas in the North East, the overall defined study area has within it several existing and consented wind farms and includes significant areas potentially constrained by scattered settlement and other factors. In the previous chapters, each zone has been allocated a landscape sensitivity and capacity for a given size of typology and its visibility to sensitive receptors explored. However, the existing or consented wind farm development needs to be factored in to explore whether the recommended typology has been exceeded or not and how the existing and consented wind farm development may impact on the potential development of adjacent zones. This chapter explores these issues. The existing and consented wind farms have the potential to cause cumulative effects with any other wind farm development proposed in close proximity. Figures 9a and 9b highlight the approximate zones of potential visual dominance/prominence (based on the perceptual distances shown in Table 5 previously) for the existing and consented commercial scale wind turbines within the study area. While it is acknowledged that the Greencroft and Glaxo Smith Kline turbines will have their own zones of potential visual dominance/prominence, the authors of this report are unaware of any published material providing guidance on the perceptual distances for smaller non commercial scale turbines. The definition of the zone of potential visual dominance/prominence form smaller non commercial scale turbines was outside of the scope of this study. As such these turbines have been excluded from the potential visual dominance/prominence modelling. However, any detailed cumulative impact assessment included as part of an application for further turbine development within the wider study area should consider the presence and influence of these turbines. It should be noted that the zones of visual dominance/prominence do not represent a development control constraint.

6.2 Suitability Assessment

The cumulative effects of possible further development in relation to existing and consented wind farms also need to be considered. As a rough rule of thumb, turbine developments should be separated by at least around 5km minimum to avoid overbearing/dominating effects on both sides of intervening sensitive receptors. It is appreciated that there may be instances where this is not an issue, and indeed some developments within the study area are closer than this, often reading as one wind farm from some angles. This section addresses this issue in broad terms and combinations of existing and potential developments in a number of zones together are discussed further in Section 7.0. The nature of the study area landscape is such that there is a significant density of residential properties which, alongside other constraints, limits the technical feasibility of wind farm development. This has to be treated with caution but, when combined with the location of existing or permitted development and landscape capacity, is an indicator of whether more development is appropriate within an area. Tables 8a and 8b below discuss each zone in turn and come to conclusions as to whether each zone is suitable for further wind farm development, or, where no wind farm development exists within the zone, whether the influence of existing or permitted development in adjacent zones reduces the suitability of the zone for wind farm development. This will help define whether a zone should be taken forward for consideration within the discussion of cumulative issues in the next chapter.

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Figure 9a – Northern Study Area: Zones of visual dominance/prominence for existing and consented wind farms

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Figure 9b – Southern Study Area: Zones of visual dominance/prominence for existing and consented wind farms

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Table 8a – Northern Coalfield Study Area: Assessed suitability of Zones for further wind farm / wind farm development

Zones Assessed Comments suitability

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable N1 for turbine development due to the sensitivity of the landscape and the surrounding settlement pattern.

Zone Very Limited There could be some potential for further development associated with N2 the Holmside turbines provided that the cluster did not exceed the typology assessed as appropriated (i.e. 4-9 turbines approx.). The zone theoretically has the capacity to accommodate additional small scale development elsewhere in the zone. However the zone exhibits poor performance in terms of visibility and the constraints map indicates that there is potentially little unconstrained land. The separation distance from Holmside would be low or relatively low (typically <2.5km to 5km) and cumulative impacts might therefore be unacceptably high.

Zone None/Very There are no existing turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape N3 Limited could have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (less than 4 turbines). However the constraints map indicates that there is potentially very little unconstrained land. The separation distance from the Holmside turbines in Zone N2 are low (<3km) and cumulative impacts could therefore be unacceptably high.

Zone Limited There could be some potential for further development associated with N4 the Langley turbines provided that the cluster did not exceed the typology assessed as appropriated (i.e. 4-9 turbines approx.). Durham Cathedral World Heritage Site is located in the centre of Durham to the east of the zone. Development in this zone, especially in the east of the zone, may impact on key views of the World Heritage Site due to its proximity and the visual qualities of the area. Care should be taken to avoid any turbine development within this zone conflicting with key views of the World Heritage Site. The separation distance from the turbines at Langley and Holmside would be low or relatively low (typically <2.5km to 5km) and cumulative impacts might therefore be unacceptably high.

Zone Very Limited There are no existing turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape N5 could have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (less than 4 turbines). However the constraints map indicates that there is potentially little unconstrained land. In the south of the zone the separation distance from the cluster of wind farms around Tow Law in Zones N7 and N9 is relatively low (<5km) and cumulative impacts could therefore be unacceptably high. The zone is located directly adjacent to the North Pennines AONB. The sensitive moorland and dales landscape of the AONB would be buffered to some degree in this area by intervening tracts of less sensitive land of an upland fringe character within the AONB west of the A68.

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Zone None/Very One of the West Durham wind farm turbines is located on the boundary N6 Limited of the zone; no other turbines are located within the zone. In principle the landscape could have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (less than 4 turbines) either associated with the West Durham wind farm or elsewhere in the zone. However, the separation distances from the cluster of wind farms around Tow Law in Zones N7 and N9 and the Langley turbines in Zone N4 are low to relatively low (typically <2.5 to 4km) and cumulative impacts could therefore be unacceptably high. The zone is located directly adjacent to the North Pennines AONB. The sensitive moorland and dales landscape of the AONB would be buffered to some degree in this area by intervening tracts of less sensitive land of an upland fringe character within the AONB west of the A68.

Zone Very Limited There could be some potential for further development associated with N7 the turbines at the West Durham wind farm provided that the cluster did not exceed the typology assessed as appropriated (i.e. 4-9 turbines approx.) for the zone. The zone also performs well in terms of visibility; however, the constraints map indicates that there is potentially very little unconstrained land. The separation distances from the cluster of wind farms around Tow Law in Zone N9 are low (typically <3km) and cumulative impacts could therefore be unacceptably high. The zone is located directly adjacent to the North Pennines AONB. The sensitive moorland and dales landscape of the AONB would be buffered to some degree in this area by intervening tracts of less sensitive land of an upland fringe character within the AONB west of the A68.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable N8 for turbine development due narrow ridge pattern of the zone and the role of the zone as a back cloth to lower ground. The zone also exhibits poor performance in terms of visibility.

Zone Very Limited The number of existing turbines at the High Hedley, Tow Law and West N9 Durham wind farms exceed the medium typology assessed as appropriate for the zone. However, the development has a clustered structure which reduces the tendency for the development to be viewed as a single wind farm to some degree. It is considered that further development of additional turbines which would lead to further visual coalescence of the clusters in both this and adjacent zones would be in appropriate. The zone is located in close proximity to the North Pennines AONB. The effect on the AONB could be acceptable due to the apparent buffer of slightly degraded agricultural and forestry land within the AONB to the west which separates the more remote fells from this zone. There is little capacity for any further development elsewhere in the zone away from these wind farms as separation distances would be low (typically <3km) and it is likely that cumulative impacts would be unacceptably high.

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Zone Limited There could be some potential for further development associated with N10 the Broom Hill wind farm provided that the cluster did not exceed the typology assessed as appropriated (i.e. 4-9 turbines approx.). However the zone exhibits poor performance in terms of visibility. The separation distances from the turbines at the Tow Law, High Hedley I & II wind farms are low (typically <3km) and cumulative impacts could therefore be unacceptably high.

Zone Limited There are no turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape could N11 have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (i.e. less than 4 turbines approx.). The eastern part of this zone in particular is visible in the backdrop of views of Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site from the east which will limit its development potential.. In the west of the zone separation distances from the turbines at the Broom Hill and High Hedley II wind farms are relatively low (typically <5km) and cumulative impacts could therefore be unacceptably high.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable N12 for turbine development due to the valley character and sensitivity of the landscape.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable N13 for turbine development due to the prominence of the zone above the settled Wear Valley.

Zone Limited There are no turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape could N14 have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (i.e. less than 4 turbines approx.).However, the constraints map indicates that there is potentially little unconstrained land. The separation distance from the turbines at the Broom Hill wind farm is low (typically <3km) and cumulative impacts could therefore be unacceptably high.

Table 8b – Southern Coalfield Study Area: Assessed suitability of Zones for further wind farm / wind farm development

Zones Assessed Comments suitability

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S1 for turbine development due to the sensitivity of the landscape and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the east.

Zone None / Very There are no turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape could S2 Limited have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (i.e. less than 4 turbines approx.). However, the constraints map indicates that there is potentially little unconstrained land. The North Pennines AONB lies to the west of the zone and care will need to be taken to ensure any significant impacts on the AONB are minimised should development be taken forward in this zone.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S3 for turbine development due to the prominence of the zone above the settled Wear Valley.

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Zones Assessed Comments suitability

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S4 for turbine development due to the prominence of the zone above the settled Wear Valley.

Zone None / Very There are no turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape could S5 Limited have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (i.e. less than 4 turbines approx.) away from the settlements within and surrounding the zone. However, the constraints map indicates that there is potentially little unconstrained land.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S6 for turbine development due to the areas close proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB. The zone also exhibits poor performance in terms of visibility within 10km from the AONB.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S7 for turbine development due to the narrow ridge character of the zone and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB.

Zone None / Very There are no turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape could S8 Limited have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (i.e. less than 4 turbines approx.) away from Hamsterley. However, the constraints map indicates that there is potentially very little unconstrained land. The North Pennines AONB lies to the west of the zone and care will need to be taken to ensure any significant impacts on the AONB are minimised should development be taken forward in this zone.

Zone Limited There are no turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape could S9 have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (i.e. less than 4 turbines approx.) away from Woodland on the lower land to the north east. However, the constraints map indicates that there is potentially little unconstrained land. The North Pennines AONB lies to the west of the zone and care will need to be taken to ensure any significant impacts on the AONB are minimised should development be taken forward in this zone.

Zone Very Limited There are no turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape could S10 have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (i.e. less than 4 turbines approx.) away from Toft Hill and the clustered settlement in the east of the zone and High Etherley to the east of the zone. However, the constraints map indicates that there is potentially very little unconstrained land.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S11 for turbine development due to the sensitivity of the landscape which is part of the Gaunless Valley Heritage Landscape and the presence of the Cockfield Fell Scheduled Monument.

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Zones Assessed Comments suitability

Zone Very Limited There are no turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape could S12 have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (i.e. less than 4 turbines approx.) away from Evenwood and Bolam. However, the zone performs poorly in terms of overall visibility and the constraints map indicates that there is potentially little unconstrained land. The capacity for turbine development within this zone may be limited should the turbines at Royal Oak be constructed as separation distances from the turbines would be relatively low in the east of the zone (typically <5km) and cumulative impacts could therefore be unacceptably high.

Zone Very Limited Five 80m to blade tip turbines at the Royal Oak wind farm within this S13 zone have planning approval subject to a legal agreement dealing with outstanding MOD issues. There could be some potential for further development associated with these turbines provided that the cluster did not exceed the typology assessed as appropriated (i.e. 4-9 turbines approx.) for the zone. However, the zone performs poorly in terms of overall visibility. Care will need to be taken to avoid any significant impacts on the surrounding settlements should any further development be taken forward in this zone.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S14 for turbine development due to the sensitivity of the valley landscape and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the north.

Zone Limited There are no turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape could S15 have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (i.e. less than 4 turbines approx.). However, the zone performs poorly in terms of overall visibility and the constraints map indicates that there is potentially very little unconstrained land. The North Pennines AONB lies to the north west of the zone and care will need to be taken to ensure any significant impacts on the AONB are minimised should development be taken forward in this zone.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S16 for turbine development due to the sensitivity of the landscape and the areas parkland character.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S17 for turbine development due to the sensitivity of the landscape and the presence of the Raby Castle estate and its associated parkland.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S18 for turbine development due to the sensitivity of the ridge landscape and its relationship with the unspoilt rural landscape to the south.

Zone None There are no turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable for turbine S19 development due areas proximity and relationship with Teesdale and the North Pennines AONB.

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Zones Assessed Comments suitability

Zone Very Limited There are no turbines within the zone. In principle the landscape could S20 have the capacity to accommodate a small scale development (i.e. less than 4 turbines approx.) away from the clustered settlement at South Cleatlam and Little Newsham. However, the constraints map indicates that there is potentially little unconstrained land. Care would need to be taken to ensure that significant impacts on sensitive receptors in the Tees Vale were avoided or minimised should development be taken forward in this zone.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S21 for turbine development due to the sensitivity of the landscape and the presence of the Raby Castle estate and its associated parkland.

Zone None There are no existing turbines within the zone. The area is not suitable S22 for turbine development due to the sensitivity of the ridge landscape and its proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the west.

The pattern of potential further wind farm development within the study area is set out in Figures 10a and 10b below.

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Figure 10a – Northern Study Area: Suitability of Zones for further wind farm development

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Figure 10b – Southern Study Area: Suitability of Zones for further wind farm development

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7 Cumulative Development Issues

7.1 Introduction

In the previous chapters the suitability of each zone in terms of intrinsic landscape sensitivity and capacity has been discussed, the relative potential visual performance of each zone investigated and the potential impact of existing wind farm development on the potential of each zone for further wind farm energy development has been considered. However, the further development of a number of zones within both the northern and southern study areas is likely to lead to cumulative impacts both on the zones themselves but also on adjacent areas and more distant receptors. These are discussed in relation to each area in turn.

7.2 Northern Area

7.2.1 Background The northern study area has thirty two operational commercial scale wind turbines clustered in seven different wind farm developments. The level of development already exceeds the RSS definition of a medium wind resource area as “broadly up to 20-25 turbines”. However, it has been identified in the previous chapter that there may be some potential for further limited development within the northern area. The presence of the existing wind farms will influence any potential for further wind farm development within the northern study area. The zones of visual dominance and visual prominence for existing development are set out in Figure 9a. This indicates that further wind farm development within much of the northern study area may lead to unacceptable cumulative impacts. As only relatively limited additional development may be possible, it is considered that use of formal scenarios for potential development is not appropriate. The turbine at Greencroft is not considered to be of sufficient size to be taken into consideration as strategic scale development in a cumulative scenario assessment and therefore is discounted in terms of consideration of cumulative effects. The various possible issues resulting from additional development are discussed below.

7.2.2 Potential development of Zone N2 Zone N2 already has two turbines at Holmside, south of Stanley. Additional appropriately sited turbines of a suitable size and design could potentially mitigate the awkward ‘goal post’ appearance of these turbines but constraints may make this difficult to achieve. Development further away in the zone could create cumulative effects with these turbines and with Langley to the south but through careful design and siting a small scale development may be acceptable, again, dependent on constraints

7.2.3 Potential development of Zones N4, N11 and N14 Zone N4 already has development at Langley. A few additional turbines, associated with the Langley wind farm increasing the number of turbines to 6 may be acceptable here in terms of intrinsic character while maintaining separation from Holmside to the north. However, care would be required in the siting, design and layout of a wind farm within this zone to minimise impacts on sensitive receptors and detailed visual analysis work would be required in support of any application for wind energy development to ensure the potential effects on sensitive receptors are minimised. Zone N11 has no existing turbines and a potential small development of less than 4 turbines may be acceptable in terms of landscape character but may also be visible in conjunction with the World Heritage Site/views of the cathedral from the north east. Development within Zones N4 and N11 may be separated by around 7km but the combination of the two may be

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unacceptable in terms of impacts on views of and from the World Heritage Site and other sensitive receptors. Zone N14 has no existing turbines and a potential small development of less than 4 turbines may be acceptable in terms of landscape character. However, both this zone and Zone N11 are within 5km of Broom Hill wind farm, with potential cumulative effects. Also the development of both Zone N14 and N11 together could cumulatively adversely affect the intervening valley. Therefore, of the three zones considered here, Zone N11 potentially causes the most cumulative impact issues with existing and potential development.

7.2.4 Extension and expansion of existing wind farm developments around Tow Law – Zones N7, N9 and N10 The existing wind farms have developed incrementally as a series of 7 small clusters generally 1km apart but with some up to 2km apart over a combined distance of 6km. Together they form a sweep of turbines which, from some angles of view, already create the appearance of a single wind farm, albeit with some variation in size, layout and design of turbines. Within, and close to, this group of wind farms there is a strong feeling of being in a wind farm landscape. It is considered that there is very little opportunity for additional turbines between existing clusters as these would close the already limited gaps leading to further visual coalescence of the developments. Additionally, it would be very difficult to achieve an acceptable unity of design and appearance between the various developments if gaps were filled with additional turbines. Whilst individually Zones N7 and N10 may be able to accommodate more turbines this would significantly extend the overall grouping and is considered that this would exceed the combined capacity of the area. Therefore, there may be a very limited opportunity to add one or two turbines, of a suitable size and design, to either the north eastern cluster at West Durham (in Zone N7) or to the eastern cluster at Broom Hill (in Zone N10).

7.2.5 Potential development of Zone N5 Parts of Zone N5 are further than 5km from existing development to the south at West Durham and Tow Law and from Langley to the east. As outlined earlier, the single turbine at Greencroft is considered to be of a negligible size and scale in terms of a strategic level assessment for further wind energy development and has therefore not be considered as a constraint to further development within the zone. However, the presence of the Greencroft turbine should not be ignored in any visual analysis work undertaken in support of an application for wind energy development within the local area. There is a definite gap within the northern study area between the turbine development to the north east (in Zone N4) and the major clusters to the south focussed around Tow Law (in Zones N7 and N9). Theoretically there is some potential for small scale development here to ‘fill the gap’. However, wind farm development here would extend development to both sides of the settled Backgill Burn/lower Browney river valley to the north as well as the more rural upper Browney River valley to the south. This would begin to create a sweep of wind farms along the majority of the eastern edge with the AONB and also potentially create a wind farm landscape across the whole of the northern ‘W’ which may be unacceptable.

7.2.6 Overall opportunities for development within the northern area The discussion above indicates that the potential for further development is limited due to the effects of the existing development. Minor extensions to the existing wind farm development in the north and south may be acceptable while maintaining the separation of these main clusters. Care should be taken in the siting, design and layout of any additional development to minimise any impacts. Detailed visual analysis work would be required in support of any application for wind energy development to ensure the potential effects on sensitive receptors are minimised. General guidelines on the micrositing of wind energy development to minimise the landscape and visual impacts of the development are included in Appendix C. While these guidelines provide guidance on the micrositing of wind farms,

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the broad principles can be applied to the siting of additional turbines within an extension to an existing development.

7.3 Southern Area

7.3.1 Background There is no existing development within the southern ‘W’. Five turbines at Royal Oak have planning approval subject to a legal agreement dealing with outstanding MOD issues. The two turbines located at the Glaxo Smith Kline works on the outskirts of Barnard Castle to the south are small in scale, appearing to be less than the height of nearby chimneys when viewed from the A688 are not considered to be of sufficient size to be taken into consideration as strategic scale development in a cumulative scenario assessment. The potential for strategic scale development is very limited due to the many constraints in the area, mainly the dispersed settlement pattern, and the assessed sensitivity of the individual zones. Taking these matters into account it is not considered appropriate to undertake a full assessment of a series of scenarios. As with the northern ‘W’, the various issues relating to potential developments are therefore discussed below in general terms.

7.3.2 Potential development of Zones S9 and S10 These zones are part of the same ridge running from around Woodland to Toft Hill. Two separate developments, one in each zone, may be less than 5km apart and therefore may cause cumulative development issues. However, apart from Woodland, settlement is generally sparse on the ridge top and a reasonable separation between distinct small clusters may be acceptable on the ridge especially if the cluster in S9 was located on the north facing slopes of the ridge minimising views from the south.

7.3.3 Potential development of Zones S9/S10 and S15 Zones S9/S10 and S15 are separated by an intervening ridge (Zones S22 and S17) which is sparsely settled and with limited minor road/public footpath access. The visual separation afforded by this intervening ridge means that if a small scale wind farm were developed in both Zone9/10 and Zone 15 receptors in more settled areas such as valley sides and floors would have potential views of small scale wind farm development on only one side which may be acceptable. Detailed visual analysis work would be required in support of any application for wind energy development to ensure the potential effects on sensitive receptors are minimised. The North Pennines AONB around Woodland Fell and Langleydale Common, east of Eggleston, and Pikeston Fell, at a distance to the north would be affected by development of both Zones S9/S10 and Zone S15. The key issue to consider would be the effect of development on the remoteness and tranquillity of moorland landscapes within this part of the AONB. Care would be needed in the siting, design and layout of wind energy development to minimise effects.

7.3.4 Potential development of Zones S12 and S13 These areas are well over 5km from other potential developments in S9 and S15 and could be over 5km from developments in S10. This may assist in reducing cumulative effects with these zones although there may be some visual receptors in locations such as West Auckland who may experience cumulative effects. However, the main issues may be in relation to development in both Zones S12 and S13. These form part of the same ridge and are likely to visible from the well settled area to the north around Bishop Auckland and West Auckland and also from the sensitive historic village of Bolam nearby to the south. It would be desirable not to have two wind farm developments in this area and as S13 is a slightly degraded landscape with masts this may be the more appropriate zone. However, detailed

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visual analysis work would be required in support of any application for wind energy development to ensure the potential effects on sensitive receptors are minimised.

7.3.5 Potential development of Zones S15 and S20 Any potential wind farms in these zones would be well separated from other potential wind farms in other zones discussed above. Development of Zones S15 and S20 may allow a separation of 5km depending on exact locations of potential wind farms. Dependent on siting there could be cumulative effects on Teesdale and the Tees Vale, as well as on historic parkland such as at Streatham Park which lies between the two zones. It may be desirable in this respect to limit development to one wind farm in total rather than one in each zone. As outlined earlier, the turbine at the Glaxo Smith Kline works at Barnard Castle to the south west of these zones is considered to be of a negligible size and scale in terms of a strategic level assessment for further wind energy development and has therefore not be considered as a constraint to further development within these zones. However, the presence of the Glaxo Smith Kline turbines should not be ignored in any visual analysis work undertaken in support of an application for wind energy development within the local area.

7.3.6 Overall opportunities for development within the southern area The discussion above indicates that the potential for development is limited to a few small, well separated clusters avoiding significant adverse effect on the AONB, the Tees valley and the combination of scattered and clustered settlement throughout the area. This is supported by both the landscape and visibility analyses. Detailed visual analysis work would be required in support of any application for wind energy development to ensure the potential effects on sensitive receptors are minimised. General guidelines on the micrositing of wind energy development to minimise the landscape and visual impacts of the development are included in Appendix C.

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8 Conclusions and Recommendations

8.1 Study Findings

This study has built upon the outputs of previous studies (The GO-NE Landscape study21 and (for method) the Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Study in Knowesgate and Harwood Forest) and as required, has considered the landscape capacity and visual issues of the North and South Durham Coalfield wind resource areas. This more detailed study has highlighted the potential for the modification to the assessed capacity for onshore wind for the area developed in the regional study and currently incorporated into planning documentation. The study has come to the following principle conclusions: a) The level of existing wind energy development (32 existing commercial scale turbines) within the North Durham Coalfield Upland exceeds scale of development envisaged for the area within the RSS (i.e. up to 20-25 turbines). The study has nevertheless identified some limited capacity for further development within the area without further change to the landscape character of the area. Any proposals for new development will need to have regard to potential cumulative impacts with existing development, and considerable care will need to be taken in siting design and layout to ensure that such impacts are kept within acceptable levels. b) There is currently no wind energy development within the South Durham Upland Coalfield. The study indicates that this area is not capable of accommodating the level of wind turbine development envisaged within the RSS (i.e. up to 20-25 turbines), without a significant change in the landscape character of the area. It is considered that the area may be able to accommodate around half of the level of development envisaged within the RSS. c) Due to the larger than envisaged capacity for wind energy development in the North Durham Coalfield Upland and the smaller capacity in the South Durham Coalfield Upland, it seems likely that taken together the two resource areas together could, taking into consideration existing development, deliver the overall level of development envisaged by the RSS, but are unlikely to be able to exceed it by a significant margin.

8.2 Use of the study

This consultants study provides the following: a) A further level of data between existing regional studies, and the material documenting significant environmental impacts contained within Environmental Impact Assessments prepared by developers in support of individual wind applications. b) An expert independent opinion to inform decision makers (particularly local authorities in assessing and commenting on single or multiple wind turbine proposals) in terms of landscape capacity, visual issues and cumulative impact within these North East Wind Resource areas. This can help guide the local planning authority(s) develop their own thresholds of acceptability for wind farm development, taking into account the area’s landscape and the need to contribute to National and Regional Targets. The study (and others in other Wind Resource Areas in the North East) could therefore be used as part of the overall statutory planning process, if given appropriate weight via a Supplementary Planning Guidance document or similar. This is to help influence the

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planning response to the current high levels of developer interest within the North East of England and secure a more planned, consistent and coherent approach to the decisions taken with respect to onshore wind applications. This should provide greater protection to the more sensitive landscapes within the region, whilst allowing appropriate contributions to be met towards renewable energy targets, to help tackle global climate change. It is recommended that developer proposals be considered within the context of the outcomes proposed, together with the criteria, thresholds and wind farm typologies developed in this study. Further detailed assessment of any proposals in the North and South Coalfield areas, considering other environmental factors such as biodiversity and archaeology, should, in the main, be reported on within Environmental Impact Statement submitted as part of a planning application. This assessment will need to be reviewed as part of the planning decision making process, alongside the comments of consultees on factors such as radar and aviation.

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Appendix A Landscape Sensitivity Worksheets – Northern Study Area

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N1 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PHYSICAL Landscape Scale of vast large medium small intimate scale and landform openness Scale of vast large medium small intimate landcover Openness confined enclosed open exposed Sensitivity L LM M MH H Landform and Topographic plateau rolling/undulating hills/valleys levels mountains shape form smooth rounded complex Skyline Broad ridge multiple ridge Single narrow ridge Ridge pattern Sensitivity L LM M MH H Settlement Settlement no settlement large scale scattered/rural/ farm Small scale rural Small towns/large pattern industrial clustered villages Vertical many masts and pylons Some masts and No man made elements pylons vertical elements Sensitivity L LM M MH H Landscape Landcover forestry open land large scale field small scale field development pattern and foci pattern pattern/ mosaic pattern/ mosaic Pattern Weak/disrupted pattern Moderately strong Strong pattern pattern Sensitive no sensitive features Few sensitive some sensitive sensitive features features/foci features apparent features apparent prominent Sensitive no sensitive features Few sensitive some sensitive sensitive features features on features apparent features apparent prominent on skyline skyline Sensitivity L LM M MH H Visual Diversity uniform simple diverse complex Sensitivity L LM M MH H composition

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: This zone comprises part of the wider “coalfield valley” landscape. Medium scale field with deciduous and mixed woodland block located in the north of the zone. The Lanchester Valley Walk runs along a disused railway line through the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout the zone. The settlements of Lanchester and Delves Lane with Consett beyond are located to the south east and north west of the zone respectively. The sensitivity of the zone allows does not allow turbine development within the zone due to the grain and character of landscape and surrounding settlement pattern. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however the single 44m high turbine at the Greencroft Industrial Park and the two existing 100m high turbines at the Holmside wind farm are located in the adjacent zone to the east.

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NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N2 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: A gently undulating, well settled landscape, which forms part of a broad ridge, rising to around 260m AOD at Wheatley Hill. The area has medium scale fields, some of rough pasture, with frequent areas of coniferous and mixed woodland planting. Several small waterbodies are spread throughout the area. The linear settlement of Maiden Law is located in the south west of the zone and there is industrial development to the west. Overhead power lines pass through the western part of the zone and the tip to the north east of Maiden Law. Overall the area has an urban fringe character. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a medium small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape. There are two existing 100m high turbines at the Holmside wind farm and a single 44m high turbine at the Greencroft Industrial Park within the zone. The capacity for further turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N3 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A broad valley landscape containing several minor tributaries to the Cong Burn. The area has medium scale fields with tree cover generally associated with the tributaries. The small settlement of Holmside is located towards the middle of the zone. A network of minor roads runs through the area. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of landscape and settlement pattern. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however the two existing 100m high turbines at the Holmside wind farm are located to the north west of the zone.

The capacity for turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development to the north west.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N4 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A well wooded landscape with medium scale fields, which forms part of a broad ridge, rising to 232m AOD above Charlaw Fell. The remains of Langley Hall lie in a wooded area in the south of the zone. Scattered isolated properties are generally located in the south of the zone connected by a network of minor roads which runs through the area.

The sensitivity of the zone allows only a medium small typology due to the grain and character of landscape and settlement pattern in the surrounding area. There are four existing 110m high turbines at Langley within the zone. The capacity for turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N5 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A gently undulating ridge with small to medium scale fields, rising to 311m AOD in the west. A locally prominent rounded hill, which rises to 270m AOD, lies in the east of the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout. Sawmill Wood, a small, predominantly coniferous plantation is located in the middle of the zone. The A68 forms the western boundary with the North Pennines AONB located to the west beyond this. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of landscape and settlement pattern.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N6 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: Part of the wider coalfield valley landscape containing the steep sided valleys of the River Bowney and several smaller tributaries. The land rises to 275mAOD in the west of the zone. Landcover generally comprises medium scale mixed use fields with pockets of deciduous and mixed woodland located along the water courses. Satley, a linear village on the B6296, is located on higher ground towards the west of the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of landscape and settlement pattern. Several clusters of turbines are located the zones to the south and west of this zone at the High Hedley II (four 80m turbines), Tow Law (six 71m turbines) and West Durham (twelve 80m turbines) wind farms. A single 80 m high turbine which forms part of West Durham wind farm is located on the boundary of this zone and Zone 9. The capacity for turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development to the south and west of the zone.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N7 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: This zone lies on the east facing slopes of a broad ridge of coalfield upland fringe. The A68 forms the western boundary of the zone with the North Pennines AONB located to the west beyond this. The area has medium scale fields with several pockets of mixed woodland scattered throughout the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a medium small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape. There are five existing 100m high turbines, which form part of the West Durham wind farm within the zone, including one turbine which is on the boundary with Zone 9. Seven turbines which form the remainder of the West Durham wind farm, along with six 71m turbines at Tow Law and four 80m turbines at High Hedley II lie to the south east of this zone. The capacity for further turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development within the zone and development in close proximity. NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N8 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PHYSICAL Landscape Scale of vast large medium small intimate scale and landform openness Scale of vast large medium small intimate landcover Openness confined enclosed open exposed Sensitivity L LM M MH H Landform and Topographic plateau rolling/undulating hills/valleys levels mountains shape form smooth rounded complex Skyline Broad ridge multiple ridge Single narrow ridge Ridge pattern Sensitivity L LM M MH H Settlement Settlement no settlement large scale scattered/rural/ farm Small scale rural Small towns/large pattern industrial clustered villages Vertical many masts and pylons Some masts and No man made elements pylons vertical elements Sensitivity L LM M MH H Landscape Landcover forestry open land large scale field small scale field development pattern and foci pattern pattern/ mosaic pattern/ mosaic Pattern Weak/disrupted pattern Moderately strong Strong pattern pattern Sensitive no sensitive features Few sensitive some sensitive sensitive features features/foci features apparent features apparent prominent Sensitive no sensitive features Few sensitive some sensitive sensitive features features on features apparent features apparent prominent on skyline skyline \\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page A17 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

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Sensitivity L LM M MH H Visual Diversity uniform simple diverse complex Sensitivity L LM M MH H composition

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: This zone comprises mixed use small to medium scale agricultural fields with little tree cover along a relatively narrow ridge with associated steep valley sides extending from the higher ground in the west of the study area. Open views to the north and south are possible. The area is well settled with the linear settlements of Cornsay, Quebec and Esh located along the ridgeline and the settlement of Cornsay Colliery located on the south facing slopes of the zone. The larger settlements of Lanchester and Langley Park lie to the north of the zone, while Esh Winning lies to the south. The City of Durham lies to the east of the zone. Pylons pass through the east of the zone. The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to its role as backcloth to lower land and the grain and character o the landscape and settlement pattern. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however the High Hedley II (four 80m turbines), Tow Law (six 71m turbines) and West Durham (twelve 100m turbines) wind farms are located to the south west of the zone

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N9 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: A broad finger of coalfield upland fringe extending from the higher ground to the west of the study area. Predominantly pastoral large to medium scale fields with dry stone wall and post and wire field boundaries, conifer belts are apparent.. Disused workings generally restored to pasture are found throughout the zone.. Hedleyhope Fell Nature Reserve, a steeply sloping area of mid altitude heathland lies within the middle of the zone. Relatively widely spaced isolated properties are located throughout the zone with the settlement of Tow Law located to the west of the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows a medium typology due to the grain and character of the landscape. The High Hedley II (four 80m turbines), Tow Law (six 71m turbines) and most of the West Durham (eight of the twelve 100m turbines) wind farms are located within the zone.

The capacity for further turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development within the zone.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N10 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: Undulating land, rising to around 310mAOD at Billy Hill, within part of a broad ridge which extends from higher land to the west. Landcover is predominantly medium scale mixed field with dry stone wall and post and wire field boundaries. There are indications of past mineral extraction and the landscape is degraded in parts. A number of coniferous plantations and shelterbelts are located across the zone. The linear settlements of Sunniside and Stanley Crook are located within the zone with the town of Crook located to the south of the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a medium small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and the settlement pattern. There are four existing 110m high turbines at the Broom Hill wind farm within the zone. The High Hedley II (four 80m turbines), Tow Law (six 71m turbines) and most of the West Durham (eight of the twelve 100m turbines) wind farms are located to the north west of the zone.

The capacity for further turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development within and in close proximity to the zone.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N11 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: This zone comprises medium scale pastoral and arable fields with relatively frequent plantations and shelterbelt planting along a relatively narrow ridge which extends from the higher ground in the west of the study area. Land at Woolley Hill (267m AOD) and Tallyho Gate (266m AOD) form localise highpoints within the zone. Disused quarries are found throughout the area and a disused open cast workings restored to forestry is located in the east of the zone. Isolated properties are relatively widely scattered throughout. The former mining villages of Esh Winning and Ushaw Moor are located to the north. The town of Brandon is located to the east with the City of Durham to the north east. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and potential impact on views of the World Heritage Site. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however there are four existing 110m high turbines at the Broom Hill wind farm within the adjacent zone to the west.

The capacity for turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development to the west.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N12 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A broad, gently dished landscape sloping from the higher ground in the adjacent zone towards the settlement of Brancepeth, which lies to the east outside of the zone. Open views are possible to the south west and the Tees Plain. Disused workings, now restored to mixed agricultural use are located on the higher ground within the zone. Isolated properties are relatively widely scattered throughout the zone. Coniferous and mixed plantations are found throughout the zone.

The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to the grain and valley character of the landscape and settlement pattern to the east. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however there are four existing 110m high turbines at the Broom Hill wind farm within the adjacent zone to the west.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N13 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: A continuation of the broad ridge of coalfield upland fringe land to the north west of the zone. A gently domed ridge falling towards the Wear Valley with lower land on either side including the settlement of Crook to the east. The area contains small to medium sized fields with frequent shelterbelt planting. The area has been worked for coal in a number of opencast operations over the years and has now been restored to a mixture of pasture and forestry. The A68 passes through the west of the zone, connecting with the A689 to the south of the zone. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however there are four existing 110m high turbines at the Broom Hill wind farm within the adjacent zone to the north. Though potentially suitable for turbines in terms of its landcover the zone’s local prominence to the Wear valley and tributary valley and associated settlements suggests no wind farms are suitable

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: N14 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: A continuation of the broad ridge of coalfield upland fringe land to the north west of the zone. Open views across the Tees Plain to the south east are possible. A medium scale ridge landscape with blocks of mixed woodland in the north and south of the zone. Medium scale mixed arable and pastoral fields bound by a mixture of tree belts, hedgerows, dry stone walls and post and wire fences are found throughout the zone. Generally sparsely settled with isolated properties scattered throughout the zone. The settlements of Willington and Crook lie to the south east and south west of the zone respectively. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape. There are no existing or known proposed turbines within the zone; however there are four existing 110m high turbines at the Broom Hill wind farm within the adjacent zone to the north.

The capacity for turbine development within this zone is limited due to the existing development to the west.

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Appendix B Landscape Sensitivity Worksheets – Southern Study Area

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S1 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: An elevated edge landscape with large rough grazing fields and open land with some areas of heathland, scattered trees and pockets of woodland. Open views are possible to the well settled Wear Valley to the north and the North Pennies AONB to the east. Several small water bodies which have formed in disused quarries are found in the east of the zone. The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to its relatively exposed nature, the surrounding settlement pattern and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the east.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S2 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B3 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A steeply sloping edge landscape above the Wear Valley with medium scale pastoral fields bound by stone walls and blocks of coniferous plantation in the north and south of the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout the zone. Several disused quarries are located throughout the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape, the surrounding settlement pattern and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the east.

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B4 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S3 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B5 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: Part of the Wear Valley to the north east of Witton-le-Wear. Scattered isolated properties are found throughout the zone, the small hamlet of Bedburn is located in the west of the zone. Medium scale predominantly pastoral fields on the valley sides bound by dry stone walls with some hedgerows, with larger predominantly arable fields along the floodplain of the River Wear. Pockets of predominantly deciduous woodland are associated with the water courses within the zone and scattered on the valley sides.

The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to its valley setting, the character of the landscape and settlement pattern.

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B6 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S4 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B7 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B8 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: A small domed continuation of the broad ridge of coalfield upland fringe in the northern study area rising to 191m AOD and locally prominent with the Wear valley to the south and west and Beechburn Beck to the east. Medium scale fields with little tree cover. A minor road bisects the zone and the A68 passes through the east of the zone. Infrequent scattered isolated properties are located throughout, and the settlements of Witton-le-Wear and Howden-le- Wear lie respectively to the south and north east of the zone. Pylons run through the middle of the zone. Though potentially suitable for turbines in terms of its landcover the zone’s local prominence to the Wear valley and tributary valley and associated settlements suggests no wind farms are suitable.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S5 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B10 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: Part of the Wear Valley containing frequent scattered isolated and clustered properties and several small settlements including Witton-le-Wear, Witton Park and Woodside. Medium scale predominantly arable fields on the valley sides with larger arable fields along the floodplain of the River Wear although smaller patterns also exist on the valley floor. Pockets of mixed woodland are associated with the water courses within the zone and scattered on the valley sides. Disused sand and gravel workings are evident along the River Wear. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and the settlement pattern.

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B11 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S6 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B12 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: Large scale coniferous plantation on the steep sides of the Euden Beck and the Spurswood Beck. The area is popular with a visitor centre, picnic areas and mountain biking trails. Clustered residential properties with associated small rough grazing fields are located within the forest. The North Pennines AONB forms the northern and eastern boundary of the zone. The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB which would result in any turbines rising out of the valley and becoming a significant focus for this part of the AONB.

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B13 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S7 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B14 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A narrow zone comprising small pastoral fields bound by stone walls located on a narrow ridge above the Bedbeck Burn. Scattered isolated properties are located along the ridge with the linear settlement of Hamsterley located east of the zone. A minor road forms the southern boundary of the zone. Open views of Hamsterley Forest (Zone S6) and the North Pennines AONB beyond are possible. The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to its narrow ridge character, settlement pattern and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the east.

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B15 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S8 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B16 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A shallow dished valley sloping towards the Wear Valley to the east. Predominantly pastoral fields bound by stone walls. Infrequent scattered blocks of deciduous trees throughout the zone. The linear settlement of Hamsterley is located to the north of the zone with infrequent scattered isolated properties located throughout. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the scale and character of the landscape and settlement pattern and also the area’s relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the west.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S9 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B18 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B19 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: An undulating landscape of a broad ridge rising to 360m AOD to the west of Woodland. Small pockets of coniferous and mixed plantation are located infrequently throughout the zone. Scattered isolated properties are found throughout and the linear settlement of Woodland is located in the middle of the zone. Several minor roads pass through the zone and there is a wireless mast. Small scale predominantly pastoral fields are associated with the settlements and isolated properties with field size increasing towards the edges of the zone. The area’s relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the west is one of transition with the land falling away from the fells and becoming more settled with some detractors. While the landcover and presence of detractors within the landscape suggest the zone may be capable of accommodating a larger typology; the presence of Woodland in the centre of the zone and the relationship of the area with the North Pennines AONB to the west increase the sensitivity and reduce the capacity of the zone.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S10 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B21 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A continuation of the gently sloping broad ridge which extends from the North Pennines AONB to the west. A gently undulating landscape rising to 283m AOD in the west of the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout the zone with some clustering occurring in the east of the zone. A sparsely wooded zone with small to medium scale mixed agricultural fields bound by hedgerows and post and wire fences

The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and settlement pattern.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S11 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B23 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A heavily settled zone with several small settlements including Cockfield and Butterknowle and scattered isolated and clustered properties throughout the zone. Small to medium scale mixed agricultural fields bound by hedgerows with infrequent pockets of deciduous woodland, generally associated with the watercourses within the zone. Cockfield Fell, a Scheduled Monument scheduled for its enclosures and industrial workings, and part of the Gaunless Valley Heritage Landscape is located in the centre of the zone. Pylons pass through the middle of the zone.

The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to the presence of Cockfield Fell, the heavily settled nature of the zone and the scale and character of the landscape.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S12 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B25 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B26 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: An undulating open landscape with a medium scale field pattern, rising to 200m AOD in the west of the zone. A relatively sparsely wooded zone with infrequent woodland/forestry blocks throughout with a small coniferous plantation located in the east. Scattered properties lie throughout the zone with the settlement of Evenwood located in the west of the zone. The larger settlements of West Auckland and Bishop Auckland are located to the north of the zone and the sensitive settlement of Bolam lies to the south east. The A688 and A68 pass through the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and settlement pattern. Turbine development at Royal Oak (five 80m high turbines) in the adjacent zone to the east has planning approval subject to a legal agreement dealing with outstanding MOD issues. The capacity for turbine development within this zone would be limited should the consented turbines at Royal Oak be constructed.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S13 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B28 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

\\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B29 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: A landscape of gently rolling hills rising to around 220m AOD within a wider undulating landscape with small to medium scale fields. The zone has sparse tree cover apart from Brusselton Wood in the north of the zone. The surrounding landscape is heavily settled with towns including Bishop Auckland to the north and Newton Aycliffe to the east. The A68 passes through the zone and two masts are located along a minor road which passes through the zone. A small tip is located in the north of the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small - medium small typology due to the grain of the landscape and proximity of settlement. Turbine development at Royal Oak (five 80m high turbines) in the adjacent zone to the east has planning approval subject to a legal agreement dealing with outstanding MOD issues. The capacity for turbine development within this zone would be limited should the consented turbines at Royal Oak be constructed.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S14 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A narrow zone sloping gently from the broad ridge to the north of the zone towards the wooded Langley Beck. Small to medium scale pastoral fields with scattered woodland block. Sparsely settled with infrequent isolated properties generally painted white. A minor road passes through the zone. The North Pennines AONB forms the northern boundary to the zone. The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to the scale and character of the landscape, and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the north.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S15 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A gently undulating predominantly pastoral landscape with small to medium sized fields gently sloping towards the east. Field boundaries are a mixture of hedges with frequent hedgerow trees and post and wire fences. Occasional woodland blocks and shelterbelts are found throughout the zone. A dismantled railway passes through the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout the zone. Overhead power lines run through the east of the zone. The area provides the skyline to lower land to north and south. The sensitivity of the zone allows only a small typology due to the scale and character of the landscape, settlement pattern and the areas proximity and relationship with the North Pennines AONB to the north west. Any wind farm development should avoid the northern and southern edges to avoid over dominance of lower land beyond.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S16 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A gently undulating landscape reaching around 210m AOD in the north of the zone. Landcover comprises small to medium scale mixed agricultural fields bound by hedgerows with woodland blocks. Part of the relatively well wooded Raby Park (land associated with the Raby Castle estate) is located in the east of the zone and the heavily wooded Streatlam Park is located in the south of the zone. A minor road passes through the middle of the zone providing access to the relatively widely spaced scattered isolated properties that are located throughout the zone. The sensitivity of the zone with its settled estate and parkland character allows no wind farm development.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S17 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A well wooded gently sloping landscape falling from a ridge to the north of the zone forming a backcloth to the lower land to the south. The A688 runs along the eastern boundary of the zone and a minor road runs along the northern boundary. Widely spaced isolated properties are scattered throughout the small zone accessed by private roads and tracks. The Raby Castle grounds and part of the wider estate associated with the castle, which extend into the east of the zone, are included on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to its role as a backcloth to the settled landscape to the south including the registered Raby Castle Estate and the village of Staindrop.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S18 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PERCEPTUAL How the Level of human rare occasional infrequent frequent constant landscape is access ? experienced Presence of None Some Many attractive views Presence of Many Some None detractive views Tranquillity Noisy Tranquil Sensitivity L LM M MH H Context Relationship Weak- self contained moderate Strong backdrop-this or Sensitivity L LM M MH H with other area and views adjacent LCT LCTs Remoteness/ Remoteness Remote Settled modification/ naturalness Modification Extraction/infrastructure Large scale forestry Some urban areas Rural farmland Semi natural on a large scale Poor condition Moderate condition Good condition Wildness Human intervention Wild Sensitivity L LM M MH H Summary of Summary L LM M MH H perceptual Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score Summary Summary L LM M MH H sensitivity of Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 physical and Score perceptual criteria Type of wind Subject to EIA Very large Large Medium Medium-small Small None farm etc potentially acceptable Comments: A landscape of medium scale fields gently sloping south towards the Tees Vale and forming a backcloth to this rural area. Mixed agricultural fields with field boundaries generally comprising hedgerows. Clustered settlements are located throughout the zone with the sensitive settlement of Bolam to the east. Tree cover is limited with infrequent small woodland blocks located towards the middle of the zone near the settlement of Hilton. The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to its role as backcloth to the rural Tees Vale, settlement pattern, especially close to Bolam and the scale and character of the landscape.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S19 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: A small zone reaching 302m AOD to the south of Howegill Plantation located towards the end of a broad ridge which extends into the North Pennines AONB to the north west. The ridge also forms the edge of Teesdale to the south which acts as a gateway to the AONB. Landcover generally comprises medium scale pastoral fields with an upland feel, occasional coniferous plantations and a large area of unfenced rough grazing in the south of the zone. Settlement is relatively sparse with widely spaced isolated properties across the zone. The North Pennines AONB lies to the north west of the zone. Though potentially suitable for turbines in terms of its landcover, the zone’s local prominence in relation to Teesdale and the North Pennines AONB suggests that it is unsuitable for development.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S20 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: A continuation of the gently sloping undulating land in Zone 16 with a gentle valley along which the Newsham Beck runs towards the River Tees. Humbleton Hill forms a local highpoint rising to 190m. A dismantled railway runs along this shallow valley. Small to medium scale mixed agricultural fields bound by hedgerows and post and wire fences with generally sparse tree cover. Occasional small waterbodies are scattered throughout the zone. A relatively well settled area with clustered settlements, including Cleatlam and Little Newsham, throughout the zone. The zone lies in the north of the unspoilt rural Tees Vale. The busy A688 passes through the north of the zone. The sensitivity of the zone allows at most only a small typology due to the grain and character of the landscape and the settlement pattern. Development should minimise effects on the Tees Vale. NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S21 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

MAIN CRITERIA SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS CRITERIA Sensitivity L LM M MH H PHYSICAL Landscape Scale of vast large medium small intimate scale and landform openness Scale of vast large medium small intimate landcover Openness confined enclosed open exposed Sensitivity L LM M MH H Landform and Topographic plateau rolling/undulating hills/valleys levels mountains shape form smooth rounded complex Skyline Broad ridge multiple ridge Single narrow ridge Ridge pattern Sensitivity L LM M MH H Settlement Settlement no settlement large scale scattered/rural/ farm Small scale rural Small towns/large pattern industrial clustered villages Vertical many masts and pylons Some masts and No man made elements pylons vertical elements Sensitivity L LM M MH H Landscape Landcover forestry open land large scale field small scale field development pattern and foci pattern pattern/ mosaic pattern/ mosaic Pattern Weak/disrupted pattern Moderately strong Strong pattern pattern Sensitive no sensitive features Few sensitive some sensitive sensitive features features/foci features apparent features apparent prominent Sensitive no sensitive features Few sensitive some sensitive sensitive features features on features apparent features apparent prominent on skyline skyline \\GLOBAL\EUROPE\NEWCASTLE\JOBS\200000\208158\00\DOCS\27- REPORTS\0005 FINAL N&S DURHAM Page B46 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd COALFIELD REPORTWITH APPENDICIES.DOC Issue 14 May 2009

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Sensitivity L LM M MH H Visual Diversity uniform simple diverse complex Sensitivity L LM M MH H composition

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: A gently dished landscape broadly falling towards the Langley Beck and the River Tees beyond. Medium scale fields bound by hedgerows with occasional hedgerow trees and post and wire fences. Raby Castle, a Grade II* Listed Building is located in the north of the zone. The Raby Castle grounds and part of the wider estate associated with the castle are included on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. The sensitivity of the zone does not allow turbine development due to the settled character of the landscape and character of the landscape, and the presence of part of the registered Raby Castle Estate in the east of the zone. NORTH EAST REGION WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT: Landscape capacity worksheet LANDSCAPE ZONE: S22 Generally criteria from better to worse for wind farms, left to right.

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Visual Diversity uniform simple diverse complex Sensitivity L LM M MH H composition

Summary of Summary L LM M MH H physical Sensitivity 1 2 3 4 5 criteria Score

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North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Final Report

Comments: A relatively narrow ridge, extending eastward from the area of higher ground to the north west. Predominantly medium scale pastoral fields bound by dry stone walls with scattered small coniferous plantations. A minor road passes through the centre of the zone. Scattered isolated properties are located throughout the zone accessed along private tracks. Frequent small disused quarries are located in the west of the zone. A disused railway line lined with scattered trees and pylons pass through the east of the zone. The North Pennines AONB is located to the west of the zone. The area is considered unsuitable for turbine development due to its relatively narrow ridge character, and the areas proximity and relationship with the settled valley to the east and the North Pennines AONB to the west.

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Appendix C Wind Farm Micro-Siting Guidelines

North East Assembly Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: North & South Durham Upland Coalfield Draft Final

C1 Wind Farm Micro-Siting Guidelines Initial Guidelines to minimise the landscape and visual impacts of wind farms

Aim Guideline Comment

Optimise Site large wind farms on large-scale and simple Avoid complex ridgelines and location of landscapes with simple, smooth skylines areas of complex land cover. wind farm Where views are possible towards wind farms site them Site turbine a distance of back from the edge of plateaux, valley sides, hill fringes. around 5 times its height to blade tip from top of break of slope where possible

Avoid breaking skylines when viewed from sensitive landscapes and viewpoints

Optimise Lay out wind turbines in apparently random pattern. layout of wind Avoid straight lines unless in highly rectilinear field farm pattern or industrial landscape.

Where possible break small wind farms into small groups Break up into small visually in finer grain field landscapes. separate groups of around 5 turbines where possible.

Avoid a cluttered appearance without spreading out

Optimise wind All turbines in one wind farm must be of the same Colour turbines off-white or light turbine design appearance and size. It is commonly accepted that the grey with a matt finish and size three bladed wind turbines with a solid evenly tapering tower is the most elegant design.

Respect scale of landscape where there is pronounced topography by using wind turbines sizes and numbers that do not dwarf hills / ridges. Larger wind turbines ( >100m ) could potentially have the effect of being out of scale with the appropriate topography, particularly where the receiving landform is pronounced and smaller in scale (say up to 200m change in level). In these circumstances a lower number of turbines e.g. 3-5, could potentially reduce the potential visual and landscape impact. Consider where possible not using wind turbines that are higher than a third of the height of the landform they are placed on, (or likely to be viewed against), where breaks of slope and heights are well defined. (Note: in gently undulating or flat landscapes this is irrelevant).

Optimise Site ancillary equipment below the skyline including Locate transmission lines design and buildings, sub-stations and transmission lines. underground in exposed parts layout of of the site. Use timber poles to ancillary support higher voltage over- equipment ground lines on lower slopes, where voltage allows.

House all clutter within wind turbine structure.

Design access roads so they are not widely visible using local quarried crushed stone where possible.

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