7 May 2013 | CIR.Q.0140 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON BEHALF OF QUIET REVOLUTION LTD PROPOSED WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, LAND AT STONE RAKES BARN, BRIERCLIFFE, LANCASHIRE COPYRIGHT The contents of this document must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROPOSED WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, STONY RAKES FARM, BRIERCLIFFE, LANCASHIRE CONTENTS: Page No: 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 3 3. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 4 4. PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT 5 5. BASELINE ASSESSMENT 9 6. ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS 17 7. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 27 8. REFERENCES 28 APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 SITE LOCATION PLAN & PRELIMINARY LAYOUT APPENDIX 2 METHODOLOGY APPENDIX 3 LANDSCAPE POLICIES, DESIGNATIONS APPENDIX 4 EXTRACTS FROM CHARACTER ASSESSMENTS APPENDIX 5 ZTV AND PHOTOVIEW LOCATION PLAN APPENDIX 6 PHOTOVIEWS SH/CIR.Q.0140 7th May 2013 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROPOSED WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, STONY RAKES FARM, BRIERCLIFFE, LANCASHIRE 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 This Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) describes and evaluates the landscape character and visual amenity of the proposed Stone Rakes Farm wind energy development on the physical landscape characteristics and visual amenity of the study area. The assessment is undertaken to determine the potential effects of the proposed development on the landscape and visual resource of the site and the surrounding area. The assessment considers the effect on the landscape resource (both direct effects and effects on how the landscape character is perceived) and the effect on visual amenity (views). Cumulative effects arising from the effect of the proposed development in conjunction with other wind farms, where applicable, are also considered. 1.2 The main objectives of the LVIA are as follows: • To identify, evaluate and describe the current landscape character of the site and its surroundings and also any notable individual landscape features within the site; • To determine the sensitivity of the landscape to the type of development proposed; • To identify potential visual receptors (i.e. people who would be able to see the development) and evaluate their sensitivity to the type of changes proposed; and • To identify and describe any effects of the development in so far as they affect the landscape and/or views of it and to evaluate the magnitude of change due to these effects. 1.3 Quiet Revolution Ltd has commissioned Pegasus Environmental, part of the Pegasus Group, to undertake the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment of the proposed Stone Rakes development. Pegasus Environmental has considerable experience in undertaking Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIAs) and in the preparation of Environmental Statements (ESs) for major development proposals including renewable energy projects. 1.4 The LVIA is arranged into the following Sections: • Section 2 Assessment Methodology: describes how the LVIA has been carried out and what criteria have been used to determine the assessment of effects. • Section 3 Summary of the Proposed Development: provides information on the physical appearance of the turbines and layout. • Section 4 Planning Policy Context: provides detailed review of current planning policy context on a national and local level. SH/CIR.Q.0140 7th May 2013 Page | 1 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROPOSED WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, STONY RAKES FARM, BRIERCLIFFE, LANCASHIRE • Section 5 Baseline Assessment: includes background information on existing landscape, character and visual elements within the study area, which has been used as a basis for the assessment of effects. • Section 6 Assessment of Effects: identifies potential ways in which the landscape and visual elements of the study area may be affected by the proposed development. • Section 7 Summary & Conclusions: summarises the findings for the assessment and draws conclusions on the acceptability of the proposed development based on the significance of landscape and visual effects. SH/CIR.Q.0140 7th May 2013 Page | 2 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROPOSED WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, STONY RAKES FARM, BRIERCLIFFE, LANCASHIRE 2. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY Introduction 2.1 This LVIA methodology has been specifically developed for wind energy developments in accordance with best practice guidance. It makes reference to mapped information, planning policy and existing landscape character assessment documents, and uses photographs and field survey work, together with the professional judgement of experienced landscape assessors. It draws together existing desktop information (such as maps, aerial photographs and documents), which is verified and supplemented by site survey. 2.2 The desktop study includes a review of relevant planning policies in order to identify any elements or parts of the study area which are recognised for their landscape or visual qualities and any preferred locations for wind energy developments that may already have been identified. The desk study also evaluates likely levels of acceptable change for various parts of the study area by defining landscape and visual sensitivity. 2.3 This assessment draws from the best practice guidance listed in section 8. A detailed assessment methodology is outlined in Appendix 2. 2.4 The Scottish Natural Heritage guidance suggests that turbines below 50 metre blade tip should be assessed based on a 15 kilometre study area. However, this guidance is aimed at large scale developments and does not make any reference to small scale or horizontal axis turbines. Considering the scale and design of the proposed turbine, it is concluded that a study area of 5 kilometres radius would be more appropriate and any potential significant effects would be limited to 2 kilometres. The study area is illustrated in Appendix 3. SH/CIR.Q.0140 7th May 2013 Page | 3 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROPOSED WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, STONY RAKES FARM, BRIERCLIFFE, LANCASHIRE 3. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT General Description 3.1 The design of the project has been developed by the client based on environmental information and wind speed. The proposed development is located on land known as Stone Rakes Farm. 3.2 Quiet Revolution Ltd proposes to erect 2 (two) horizontal axis wind turbines with a maximum height to blade tip of 32m. 3.3 The turbine blades and hub will be to standard manufacturer white finish. The tower will be made of white galvanised steel. Site Construction 3.4 The construction works would be short-term. It is envisaged that the construction of access tracks will not be necessary, as existing access routes will be used. Any disruption of the site during the construction period will be minimised and reinstated to the previous state after the construction period is completed. 3.5 The existing landscape features and vegetation along the delivery route and on site will be retained. At this stage it is considered that they will not be altered. Decommissioning 3.6 At the end of the development’s operational life Quiet Revolution Ltd propose to decommission the development in accordance with best practice and/or in compliance with any planning conditions. SH/CIR.Q.0140 7th May 2013 Page | 4 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROPOSED WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, STONY RAKES FARM, BRIERCLIFFE, LANCASHIRE 4. PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT National Planning Policy National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012) 4.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) set out the Government’s economic, environmental and social planning policies for England, and their vision for sustainable development. At the heart of the NPPF is a presumption in favour of sustainable development. The PPS22 companion guide for renewable energy remains a material consideration under the new NPPF. 4.2 NPPF Section 10 entitled ‘Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change’ (page 22) states that planning plays a vital role ‘in supporting the delivery of renewable and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure. This is central to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.’ 4.3 NPPF Section 10, paragraph 97, notes that ‘to help increase the use and supply of renewable and low carbon energy, local planning authorities should recognise the responsibility on all communities to contribute to energy generation from renewable or low carbon sources. They should: • Have a positive strategy to promote energy from renewable and low carbon sources; • Design their policies to maximise renewable and low carbon energy development while ensuring that adverse impacts are addressed satisfactorily, including cumulative landscape and visual impacts.’ 4.4 NPPF Section 10, paragraph 98, goes on to note that ‘when determining planning applications, local planning authorities should: • Not require applicants for energy development to demonstrate the overall need for renewable or low carbon energy and also recognise that even small scale projects provide valuable contribution to cutting greenhouse gas emissions; • Approve the application if its impacts are (or can be) acceptable. Once suitable areas for renewable or low carbon energy have been identified in plans, local planning authorities should also expect subsequent applications for commercial scale projects outside these areas to demonstrate that proposed location meets the criteria used in identifying suitable areas.’ 4.5 NPPF Section 11 entitled