Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 19 Regional Seascape Unit Penrhyn Du to Pen-ychain (Abersoch and Pwllheli) Name:

Looking from Mynydd Tir y cwmwd (Llanbedrog) north east to Pwllheli (above) and south west to Abersoch (below) (Photos © John Briggs)

1 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments

No: 19 Regional Seascape Unit Penrhyn Du to Pen-ychain (Abersoch and Pwllheli) Name:

Seascape Types: THLR, TSLR Key Characteristics A coast of mainly alluvial lowland levels with a series of shallow scalloped bays with narrow dunes in places. Cliffs only lie where there are harder rocks around Penrhyn Du, Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd and at Pen-ychain. Mainly rural pastoral land, running close to the coastal edge. Focus of tourism and recreation based settlement at Pwllheli and Abersoch including golf courses, resort development, large marina and caravan sites. Sea more sheltered on east facing coast. Key views from Abersoch and Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd. Views to the east towards Snowdonia and Cardigan Bay and to the west to St Tudwal’s islands. Key cultural associations: Seascapes of leisure and recreation, at Pwllheli, Llanbedrog and The Starcoast World camp.

Physical Geology Ordovician rocks dominate with the igneous granite of Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd and acid tuff Characteristics intruding centrally. Alluvium lies on the lowland around Pwllheli forming the spit alongside the Afon Rhyd-hir, boulder clay lies in an isolated area to the west. Coastal landform A south to south-east facing coast of lowland deposition levels, with a series of shallow scalloped bays. The only cliffs are to the south around Penrhyn Du, the upstanding landform of Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd which reaches 132m AOD (80m high) and low cliffs at Pen- ychain where the land rises to 23m AOD. Small scale dunes behind beaches are mostly modified and developed. The small estuary at Pwllheli has developed an alluvial tongue of low lying land extending eastwards. Coastal landcover The greater part of the coastal landcover is rural, with pasture running close to the coastal edge. Semi-natural vegetation occurs at Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd, Cors Llyferin south of Abersoch, with dune areas such as at Morfa Abererch to the east. There is a focus of tourism and recreation based settlement at Pwllheli and Abersoch. There is a beach chalet park in the dunes between Abersoch and Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd and a colourful line of restored traditional huts on the beach itself at Llanbedrog. There are also a number of caravan sites and a golf course. Intertidal area Sweeping sandy beaches dominate the bays but become more shingly to the east. The only rocky foreshore exists around Pen-ychain to the east. There is some coastal erosion of soft low cliffs, and some visually intrusive hard coastal defences east of Pwllheli to protect the railway. Characteristics of sea The sea is generally slightly more sheltered than that to the west Hinterland landform Behind the coastal plain, there is a hinterland of gently rolling hills reaching 200m AOD to the north west and 100m AOD to the east. These, with higher, more pronounced peaks inland form the peninsula core and provide a backcloth to the coast. Hinterland landcover A rural pastoral landscape with a mix of small and large irregular fields interspersed with semi-natural vegetation on hillsides. Settlement is generally relatively sparse and scattered with some caravan sites. The largest settlements are Pwllheli and Abersoch – both on small river mouths. Abersoch together with Llanbedrog are both sheltered from south west prevailing winds by higher land. Lighting There is a concentration of lighting associated with the major coastal settlements and the intervening roads/corridors.

Use Land/coast uses Beaches are popular for leisure, as are the golf courses behind. Sea uses There is significant use of inshore waters for leisure boating, sailing and swimming focused on Abersoch (slipway and anchorage) and Pwllheli (marina). There is a coastguard station at Abersoch with slipway.

2 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments

Visual and How the seascape unit The main experience is from beaches, headlands and settlement, particularly Abersoch and sensory qualities is experienced Pwllheli, the road and footpath network and open access land on coast to the west. Degree of intervisibility The gently sloping hills behind the levels on the coast and high ground further to the north of land and sea and north-east have significant visibility of the sea. The greatest visibility is from higher land on the coast within the unit, such as on Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd and further south towards Porth Ceiriad. Key views to sea and Key views to sea are from Abersoch and Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd. There are also views to the along the coast east towards Snowdonia and Cardigan Bay and to the west to St Tudwal’s Islands and Penrhyn Du. Key views to land Key sea to land views are from sailing craft, often in the Pwllheli and Abersoch areas. Tranquillity/rem- The most remote, tranquil places lie to the east around Morfa Abererch even though oteness/wildness settlement is visible. The coast is generally more settled than inland and becomes crowded with holidaymakers in the summer, with much water-based recreational activity and associated noise and movement. Sense of scale Medium Openness/ Open, though with some horizon enclosure as part of the greater Cardigan Bay, from nearby enclosure headlands and more distant mountains. Diversity Moderate diversity through headlands contrasting with low lying bays. Exposure Exposed headlands but with sheltered bays where protected from prevailing south-westerly winds.

Key cultural Pwllheli was traditionally the port and mart of Llyn, and was extensively developed in the associations nineteenth century. The riparian ‘West End’ development was erected by the Cardiff entrepreneur Solomon Andrews. Abersoch has become a resort for the comparatively moneyed populations of the north-west of England and Pen-ychain an important holiday camp, which functioned as the training school HMS Glendower during the Second World War. The cultural contrast between its holiday camp era (formerly Butlins, now Starcoast World) and the timeless world of Wales is spelt out in the film Yr Etifeddiaeth, directed by John Roberts Williams. The area has become the venue for an annual pop festival ‘Wakestock’ and some major water based sporting events. Plas Glyn y Weddw is an attractive art gallery.

Forces for change Land/coast Tourism infrastructure including caravan parks and additional scattered development have made a significant impact on the character of the landscape in the Llanbedrog – Abersoch area. There are issues of recreational pressure on semi-natural landcover including golf courses on dunes.

Climate change may put pressure on sea defences and threaten low lying land with flooding.

Sea Marina at Pwllheli.

Designations and National Park / AONB Llŷn AONB covers the western section between Penrhyn Du and Carreg Defydd sensitive features Heritage Coast - Long-distance coastal Llŷn Coastal Path footpath/National Trail Outstanding and special Llŷn and Bardsey Island historic landscapes Historic gardens and - parks Key scheduled ancient Criccieth Castle (also Guardianship site) SH 4937 monuments Country Parks Open access land Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd, Cors Llyferin south of Abersoch and Mynytho Common inland.

3 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments

No: 19 Regional Seascape Unit Penrhyn Du to Pen-ychain (Abersoch and Pwllheli) Name: Headline Sub-criteria Increases sensitivity Decreases sensitivity criteria

Overall Summary of key • The views towards Snowdonia which acts as a • The greater part of the coast is an character factors backcloth. South easterly views across the sea open, low lying deposition coast with and to mountains in Meirionnydd shallow bays qualities • The majority of the area is rural • Suburban development such as • There are a few cliffs and headlands and St Pwllheli and holiday camp and Tudwal’s Islands to the west, allowing elevated various caravan sites views and focus points • Much water-based recreation and • The coastline of bays, headlands and sandy boating activity in summer in the beaches is scenic in the Absersoch and Abersoch area Llanbedrog areas.

Seascape sensitivity levels for different forms of offshore development Modelled scenario Generic form of Sensitivity Comments development

Tall structures 13km Moderate - High Placing tall objects in the sea is likely to disrupt the views Offshore wind offshore across the water to the mountains of Meirionnydd, as well sensitivity as detracting from the scenic qualities of the Llanbedrog and Abersoch areas, and compromise the focal points of St Tudwal’s Islands.

Wave energy units Broad flat structures on Moderate Placing broad flat objects in the sea offshore would be sensitivity the sea surface visible from the headlands and the mountain backcloth. However they would be less visible along much of the low lying coastline. They would add clutter and detract to the setting of St Tudwal’s Islands and views to the tips of headlands.

Tidal energy units Developments placed Low - Moderate As the majority of the coast to the east is open, low lying sensitivity only a short distance and includes suburban development such as Pwllheli and offshore. the holiday camp with associated activity, lighting and boats, the sensitivity of this coastline to developments just a short distance offshore for the eastern part of this seascape is reduced.

The location of devices in association with existing development could reduce their visual prominence.

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