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• Policy GP2 General Development Principles – General Amenity states “Development will be permitted where,
as applicable:
ii) The proposed use and form of development will not be detrimental to the visual amenities of
nearby occupiers or the character or appearance of the surrounding area.”
• Policy GP5 General Development Principles – Natural Environment states “Development will be permitted
where, as applicable:
v) There would be no unacceptable impact on landscape quality;
vi) The proposal includes an appropriate landscape scheme, which enhances the site and the
wider context including green infrastructure and biodiversity networks;
vii) The proposal includes appropriate tree planting or retention where appropriate and does not
result in the unacceptable loss of or harm to trees, woodland or hedgerows that have wildlife or
amenity value.”
• Policy CE4 Historic Landscapes, Parks, Gardens and Battlefields states that “sites included in the register of
landscapes, parks and gardens of special historic interest and identified historic battlefields should be
protected, conserved, enhanced and where appropriate, restored. Attention will also be given to their setting.”
• Policy CE10 Renewable Energy states “renewable energy schemes will be considered favourably, subject to
there being no over-riding environmental and amenity considerations…. Large scale proposals may be more
appropriately located outside of the defined settlement boundary if no appropriate brownfield sites exist. The
cumulative impacts of renewable energy schemes will be an important consideration.”
• Policy T7 Public Rights of Way and New Development states that “any public footpath, bridleway or cycleway
affected by development proposals will require retention or the provision of a suitable alternative. Provision of
additional routes, where appropriate, will be sought in new developments, with linkages to the existing network.”
Assessment methodology
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▪ A review of landscape designations and planning policies for the landscape, as indicators of
landscape value, and of other landscape studies relevant to the area, including LANDMAP
and local landscape character assessments.
▪ A survey of the site and landscape context study areas and inspection of views of the site from
publicly accessible viewpoints, including a photographic survey, undertaken during April, May
and October 2019.
▪ Evaluation of the features and elements of the landscape and their contribution to the
landscape character, context and setting, based on these studies.
▪ Analysis of the development proposals and consideration of potential landscape and visual
effects of the proposed development.
▪ Assessment of the sensitivity of the landscape to the changes likely to arise from the
development.
▪ Identification of the extent of theoretic visibility of the development and potentially sensitive
viewers or valued view locations, supported by a viewpoint analysis.
▪ Consideration of proposals for mitigation measures to avoid, reduce or offset significant
adverse effects.
▪ Assessment of magnitude of change and significance of effects on the landscape and on
visual amenity, with the mitigation proposals in place.
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▪ AVR Level 1: Location, size and degree of visibility of proposal. This shows the massing of
the proposal within a 3D context represented by the photograph - that is, what can and cannot
be seen.
▪ AVR Level 3: As level 2 + use of materials. This is a fully rendered photomontage, usually
photo-realistic with texture, shading and reflections as appropriate.
Assessment and Mitigation
Weather
7 The data quoted are those for the England SW and Wales S district, obtained from The Met Office website: [accessed 09.05.19]
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• Rainfall above 1mm per day, which limits visibility, occurs on an average of 148.6 days in the year, about 41%
of the year
• There are on average 35.7 days when air frost occurs, which can produce hazy conditions limiting visibility,
about 10% of the year
• There is an average of 1519.7 hours of sunshine per annum for the district of England SW and Wales, more
than the Wales regional average of 1401 hours.
Guidance
• An approach to Landscape Character Assessment, published by Natural England, 2014;
• LANDMAP information available on the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) website
• Natural Resources Wales, LANDMAP Guidance Note 3: Guidance for Wales, Using LANDMAP for Landscape
and Visual Impact Assessment of Onshore Wind Turbines, May 2013
• Policies relevant to the landscape and visual amenity in national and regional policy including Newport City
Council, Local Development Plan 2011-2026, (adopted January 2015); Gwent Levels Landscape Character
Assessment, April 2017, prepared by Chris Blandford Associates; and Gwent Level Green Infrastructure
Strategy, April 2017, prepared by Chris Blandford Associates,
• Newport Local Development Plan (Adopted January 2015)
• Natural Resources Wales Website, http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/
• Register of Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales
• Newport City Council Designation of Special Landscape Areas (June 2009)
Photography
8 The Landscape Institute Guidance Note, Visualisation of development, September 2019, on LI website: accessed 22 October 2019]
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Designations
National Landscape Designations
Special Landscape Area
9 The Landscape Institute Guidance Note, Visualisation of development, September 2019, on LI website: [accessed 22 October 2019]
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• Newport;
• Cardiff; and
• Caerphilly
• Maintenance of the pattern and network of drainage ditches.
• Loss of landscape integrity through gradual change in character from developments including leisure, and
features such as “horsiculture”.
• Increased pressure for development at existing settlements and associated with major transport routes e.g.:
M4 Link Road (the M4 Link Road is no longer proceeding).
• Loss of vegetation associated with drainage network.
• Intensification of existing land uses, such as golf courses, fishing lakes etc.
• Fly tipping
• Settlement edge degradation, including pollution to drainage system.
Registered Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Interest
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Historic and Cultural landscape designations
Conservation areas and listed buildings
10 https://gweddill.gov.wales/docs/desh/policy/961205circular6196en.pdf
11 http://cadwpublic- api.azurewebsites.net/reports/historiclandscape/FullReport?lang=en&id=HLW%20(Gt)%202
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• Grade II: Former West Usk Lighthouse - Situated on the raised bank of the sea wall on the western shore of
the Usk Estuary approximately 2.85km southwest of the site.
• Grade I: Parish Church of St Peter - Located at the centre of Peterstone village, set back from the road,
approximately 1.1km from the site.
• Grade II*: Parish Church of St Bridget - Located on the western side of Church Road in St Bride’s Wentlooge,
approximately 0.8km from the site.
• Grade II: Gelli-ber Farmhouse and Grade II*: Parish Church of St Mary are located north of the railway to the
north of Marshfield.
• At Tredegar House and grounds there are a further 16 listed buildings and structure, all located over 2.5km
northeast of the site.
Scheduled Monuments
Registered Parks and Gardens
12 https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/sam/FullReport?lang=en&id=1035
13 Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales. Part 1: Parks and Gardens, CADW, Welsh Assembly Government, ICOMOS UK, 2000
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Ancient Woodlands
Public access
Interim Summary
14 https://cadw.gov.wales/historicenvironment/protection/historicparksandgardens/?lang=en
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• Features of the landscape which make a significant contribution to the character of the area should be retained
and enhanced. Development should not have adverse impacts on these areas;
• Ensure that there is no significant adverse impact on local landscape character, scenic quality and distinctive
landscape features;
• Careful consideration should be given to the potential effects the development proposals may have on setting
of historic assets including conservation areas, scheduled monuments and Registered Parks & Gardens; and
• The special character of the Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest should be protected;
• Proposals either individually or cumulatively would not cause significant adverse impact on the quality of the
local environment;
• Careful consideration should be given to the impact development proposals may have on residential amenity;
and
• Cultural heritage and ecological designations, although not specifically related to landscape amenity, are an
indication of landscape value.
Sensitivity, or susceptibility to change
Landscape sensitivity
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Table 10.2 Indicative criteria for assessing Landscape Sensitivity
Category Indicative criteria
High sensitivity A highly valued landscape e.g. of national or international importance, whose character or key characteristics are susceptible to change; Aspects of the landscape character are highly valued as “key characteristics” and susceptible to change, often identified in National or local character assessments; The landscape character is highly valued as intact and in good condition and particularly vulnerable to disturbance; A highly valued landscape with no or limited potential for substitution or replacement.
Moderate A landscape of local importance or value, whose character or key characteristics are sensitivity susceptible to change; Other characteristics of the landscape character also valued in National or local character assessments and susceptible to change; The landscape character is valued for moderate condition and not particularly vulnerable to disturbance; A moderately valued landscape with some potential for substitution or replacement.
Lesser No or little evidence of value or importance attached to the landscape area, its sensitivity features or characteristics; Few features, characteristics or qualities susceptible to disturbance or particularly susceptible to improvement or upgrading Good potential for substitution or replacement
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Table 10.3 Indicative criteria for assessing Magnitude of Landscape Change
Magnitude of Landscape change change
Great change Major size or scale of change, affecting the landscape type or character of the area within which the proposal lies or extending over the wider area; likely to be longer term or permanently, with low prospect of reversibility
Medium Intermediate size or scale of change, affecting part of the landscape type or character change of the area within which the proposal lies, or larger scale of change at the level of the site or immediate context; likely to continue into the medium term, with good prospect of reversibility
Small change A minor proportion of the extent of the character type or area is affected or smaller scale of change over a larger extent; the changes occur at the level of the site or immediate context, and likely to be short term and reversible.
Negligible/no No apparent change to landscape characteristics change
Assessment of Effects
Table 10.4 Indicative criteria for assessing Landscape Effects
Landscape Indicative criteria Effect
Major Highly sensitive landscape completely degraded or greatly changed, with little or no scope for mitigation;
Great improvement, sufficient to upgrade overall landscape character.
Moderate Medium change to moderately sensitive landscape; lesser change to higher sensitivity landscape or greater change to less sensitive landscape.
Minor Localised or limited adverse change to the existing landscape character; greater change to less sensitive landscape; Considerable scope for mitigation; Localised improvement to the existing landscape.
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Landscape Indicative criteria Effect
Negligible Little or no perceived change to the existing landscape character; The change is difficult to discern.
• The “site” extends to the boundaries of the site shown on Figure LA.21;
• The “landscape context” extends to a radius of 5km from the proposed solar farm and battery storage;
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• The visual study area extends up to 5km from the site boundary for the proposed solar farm and battery storage.
For this assessment, viewpoints within 5km of the site boundary have been considered as representative of
views from within the local area;
• The Cumulative assessment area extends to a radius of 7.5km, as shown on Figure LA.30.
• Describe and evaluate the landscape of the site and surrounding landscape context and the visual amenity of
the surrounding area, which might be affected by the proposed development;
• Examine the development proposals and analyse the potential effects on the landscape and the visual amenity
associated with the scheme’s design or operation; and
• Provide an assessment of the significance of the landscape and the visual effects of the proposed development
with integral mitigation measures in place.
• The LVIA is presented with separate sections dealing with effects on landscape, effects on visual amenity and
cumulative landscape and visual effects.
• Figure LA.21 Site Location
• Figure LA.22 Designations
• Figure LA.23 Public Access
• Figure LA.24 LANDMAP
• Figure LA.25 Topography
• Figure LA.26 Zone of Theoretical Visibility Analysis
• Figure LA.27 Viewpoint Photographs
• Figure LA.28 Landscape Character Areas
• Figure LA.29 Site Photographs
• Figure LA.30 Cumulative Impact Assessment
Baseline Environment
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Table 10.5 Criteria for evaluating LANDMAP ‘Aspect Areas’
LANDMAP Evaluation Definition
Outstanding of international or national importance
High of regional or county importance
Moderate of local importance
Low of little or no importance
Unknown insufficient information exists to evaluate
LANDMAP – The Site
Geological Landscape
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Landscape Habitats
Historic Landscape
Cultural Landscape
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Visual & Sensory Aspect
LANDMAP Summary
Table 10.6 LANDMAP Evaluation: Aspect Areas within the Application Site
Aspect Layer Aspect Area name and Classification Overall Evaluations Unique ID (Level 3)
Geological Wentlooge Level Coastal Flat High Landscape UID: NWPRTGL034
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Aspect Layer Aspect Area name and Classification Overall Evaluations Unique ID (Level 3)
Landscape (unnamed) Mosaic Outstanding Habitats UID: NWPRTLH055 Historic Wentlooge Level Regular Outstanding Landscape UID: NWPRTHL021 Fieldscapes Overall: Outstanding Cultural Gwent Levels Institutions Group Value: Landscape UID: NWPRTCL004 Outstanding Flat open Overall: High Visual and Wentlooge level lowland Scenic quality: High Sensory UID: NWPRTVS001 Farmland Character: High
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Table 10.7 LANDMAP Evaluation: Site Context
Aspect Layer Aspect Area name and Classification Evaluations Unique ID (Level 3) Historic Wentlooge Level Regular Fieldscapes Outstanding Landscape UID: NWPRTHL021 Peterstone and the Portland Grounds Marginal Land Outstanding UID: NWPRTHL047 Nash/Goldcliff coastal zone Irregular Fieldscapes Outstanding
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Aspect Layer Aspect Area name and Classification Evaluations Unique ID (Level 3) UID: NWPRTHL017 River Usk Water & Wetland Outstanding UID: NWPRTHL048 Tredegar Park Designed Outstanding UID: NWPRTHL003 St Brides Wentlooge Irregular Fieldscapes High UID: NWPRTHL020 Newport Docklands Processing/Manufact High UID: NWPRTHL032 uring Tredegar Park Historical Setting UID: Irregular Fieldscapes High NWPRTHL027 Michaelston le Fedw Rolling Hills Irregular Fieldscapes High UID: NWPRTHL001 Castletown Fen Edge Irregular Fieldscapes High UID: NWPRTHL002 Cefn Mably Designed High UID: CRDFFHL009 Wentlooge Level Reclaimed land High UID: CRDFFHL010 Cefn Mably House Designed Outstanding UID: CynonHL720 Wentlooge Level Reclaimed land Outstanding UID: CRDFFHL011 Rumney Intertidal Zone Water & Wetland Outstanding UID: CRDFFHL012
Overall: High Visual and Wentlooge level Flat open lowland Scenic quality: High Sensory Farmland UID: NWPRTVS001 Character: High Overall: Outstanding Estuary Mudflats Lowland/Coastal/Inte Scenic quality: Outstanding rtidal UID: NWPRTVS007 Character: Outstanding
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Aspect Layer Aspect Area name and Classification Evaluations Unique ID (Level 3) Wentlooge Levels north Flat Open Lowland Overall: High west Scenic quality: Moderate Farmland UID: CRDFFVS029 Character: Outstanding Overall: High Tredegar Scenic quality: High UID: NWPRTVS023 Tredegar Park Character: High Overall: High Gaer Open Lowland Scenic quality: High UID: NWPRTVS019 Valleys Character: High St Brides Estuary Overall: High Flat Open Lowland Grassland UID: Scenic quality: Outstanding Farmland NWPRTVS009 Character: High Overall: High Park Wood Wooded Rolling Scenic quality: Outstanding UID: NWPRTVS024 Lowland Character: Moderate Overall: High Machen Slopes Hillside & Scarp Scenic quality: High UID: NWPRTVS013 Slopes Mosaic Character: High Overall: High Maescoed Hillside & Scarp Scenic quality: High UID: NWPRTVS014 Slopes Mosaic Character: High Overall: High Nash Wetlands Lowland Wetland Scenic quality: High UID: NWPRTVS005 Character: High Overall: High Caldicot Level Flat Open Lowland Scenic quality: High UID: NWPRTVS037 Farmland Character: High Craig Llanishen and Craig Overall: High Hillside & Scarp Llysfaen Scenic quality: High Slopes Mosaic UID: CRDFFVS021 Character: High
Gwent Levels Landscape Character Assessment
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• Flat and low lying, rarely rising above 10 metres AOD
• Open expanse of primarily pastoral agricultural land
• Distinctive pattern of drainage ditches or “reens” which are visually distinctive and of high ecological value
• Estuarine clay with silts and peats, forming flat topography and poorly drained, neutral soils
• A number of linear settlements
• Highly distinctive and strong pattern of regular, rectangular small-scale fields
• Area is traversed by the London-Cardiff mainline railway and powerlines
• Rich in surviving earthworks and field patterns but also in buried archaeology.
• Distinctive lowland reclaimed landscape of important geological, ecological, historical and cultural interest
• Flat open character provides links with the wider Gwent Levels to the east and seawards to the Severn Estuary
• Characteristic rectilinear network of drainage ditches/reens are visually distinctive and of high ecological value
• Sparse settlement pattern of small, isolated farms with rural roads usually following drainage ditch patterns
• Rural, agricultural character ‘typical’ of the Gwent Levels landscape
• Flat, low-lying landform with high water-table
• Characteristic medium to small-scale, narrow fields with distinctive NW-SE orientation and orthogonal pattern
of pastures, reens and hedgerows
• Open, exposed and windswept character particularly across south of area
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• Loss of landscape integrity through gradual change in character from development.
• Continued development pressure resulting in loss of integrity of historic landscape and drainage ditch system.
• Significant visual intrusion in parts of area including built development, roads and railway, pylons, sub-stations,
landfill and soil-stripping activities.
• Proposals for large-scale photo voltaic arrays in ‘solar farms’ can have potentially significant landscape and
visual effects where poorly designed or sited.
Landscape context of the site
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Features of the site
Characteristics and aesthetics
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Public access
Landscape baseline summary
▪ The network of reens, banks and surface drainage;
▪ The patchwork of small fields; more sinuous in this part of the levels than the rectilinear
arrangement to the east;
▪ Hedgerow vegetation, which includes well cut hedges, scrubby hedges, mature trees and
pollards; and
▪ Green lanes and minor roads, straight with roadside verges and drainage ditches aligned
alongside.
Inherent design mitigation
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• Photovoltaic panels to be aligned inside of existing field boundaries to prevent the removal of vegetation;
• Access to field plots is gained via existing field gateways from existing road routes. Access between fields will
be via existing farm access routes;
• Stock proof fencing to be offset from hedgerows canopy edges to ensure existing vegetation is not damaged
or disturbed;
• Grid yard and battery storage area to be screened with additional hedgerow vegetation;
• Battery storage units to be painted green to sit within the landscape;
• Cabling to be bored under ditches and reens at 1.5m depth below the base of the ditch/reen and bored under
hedgerows to avoid disturbance to sensitive landscape elements and to prevent the inclusion of unsightly
cabling bridges; and
• Limited site infrastructure ensures construction and decommissioning can be achieved with little disturbance.
Potential Environmental Impacts and Effects
• the potential operational effects on landscape fabric within the site;
• the potential operational effects on landscape character, including consideration of the significance of effects
on designated landscapes; and
• the potential effects on the landscape amenity of Local residents, users of public rights of way and roads.
Potential Effects on Landscape Fabric
Potential Effects on Landscape Character
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▪ the distance to the site;
▪ weather conditions; and
▪ the ‘fit’ of the proposed development within the landscape.
Sensitivity
Landscape features and character
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Vegetation pattern
Public access and settlement
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Designations
Magnitude of change
Construction phase
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During operation
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Assessment
Vegetation pattern
Landscape character
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Users of public rights of way
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Vehicle travellers
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Local residents
Designations and other landscape interests
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Table 10.8 Significance of landscape effects
Landscape Elements Magnitude of Significance Significance Receptor change (assessment of (assessment of effects during effects during (Sensitivity of construction / operation) receptor) decommissioning)
Vegetation Hedgerows, Vegetation retained; Negligible, for Negligible, neutral, pattern hedgerow Small-none retained vegetation long term, for retained (Moderate) trees and vegetation; other vegetation within or on the site boundaries
Landscape LANDMAP Medium to Moderate adverse Minor adverse – character aspect areas negligible, subject to adjacent to site and negligible during (Moderate) proximity to the site. during construction operation Magnitude would be and Proposals fully higher during decommissioning. reversible after 40 construction and Minor adverse – years decommissioning. negligible beyond 1km from the site.
Landscape Public rights Small-none for Minor adverse Minor adverse- amenity of way, cycle distant footpaths, adjacent to site. negligible during (Moderate) routes, long medium-great for Minor adverse – operation distance near footpaths. negligible beyond Proposals fully footpaths 1km from the site. reversible after 40 years
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Landscape Elements Magnitude of Significance Significance Receptor change (assessment of (assessment of effects during effects during (Sensitivity of construction / operation) receptor) decommissioning)
Landscape Roads, Small – negligible Minor adverse Minor adverse- amenity railway line adjacent to site. negligible during (Lesser) and M4 Minor adverse – operation. Proposals motorway negligible beyond fully reversible after 1km from the site. 40 years.
Landscape Residential Medium to Moderate adverse – Moderate adverse – amenity properties negligible, subject to negligible for negligible for (Moderate) and nearby proximity to the site. properties along properties along settlement Hawse Lane, Hawse Lane, Broadway, Ty Mawr Broadway, Ty Mawr Lane and Wheel Lane Lane and Wheel Lane subject to whether subject to whether there are primary there are primary views towards the views towards the site. site.
Minor adverse – Minor adverse – negligible for negligible for properties beyond properties beyond immediate context of immediate context of the site. the site. Proposals fully reversible after 40 years
Designations Gwent Small – negligible Minor adverse – Minor adverse – (Moderate- Levels on designated area negligible during negligible during High) Landscape of as a whole construction and operation. Proposals Outstanding decommissioning. fully reversible after Historic 40 years Interest
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Landscape Elements Magnitude of Significance Significance Receptor change (assessment of (assessment of effects during effects during (Sensitivity of construction / operation) receptor) decommissioning)
Designations Wentlooge Small – negligible Minor adverse – Minor adverse – (Moderate- Levels SLA on designated area negligible during negligible during High) as a whole construction and operation. Proposals decommissioning. fully reversible after 40 years
Designations Registered None None None (Moderate) Historic Park and Garden
Designations Listed Small Minor adverse- Minor adverse- (Moderate) Buildings and negligible negligible scheduled monuments
Landscape Effects Conclusion
Construction Effects
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Operational Effects
Assessment methodology
Visual Sensitivity
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Table 10.9 Indicative criteria for assessing Visual Sensitivity
Category Indicative criteria High sensitivity Viewers in residential or community properties with open views of the site Views experienced by many viewers Daily, prolonged or sustained views available over a long period, or where the view of the landscape is an important attractant A view from a landscape, recreation facility or route valued nationally or internationally for its visual amenity Moderate sensitivity Viewers in residential or community properties with partial or largely screened views of the site Frequent open views available of the site Viewers are pursuing activities such as sports or outdoor work, where the landscape is not the principal reason for being there or the focus of attention is only partly on the view A view of the site from other valued landscapes, or a regionally important recreation facility or route Lesser sensitivity A view of low importance or value, or where the viewer’s attention is not focused their surroundings A view of the site from a landscape of moderate or less importance Occasional open views or glimpsed views available of the site passing views available to travellers in vehicles A view available to few viewers
Magnitude of change
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Table 10.10 Indicative criteria for assessing Magnitude of Visual Change
Magnitude of Visual Change Change
Great change Major size or scale of change, affecting a large proportion of the angle of the view or affecting views from a wide area; continuing into the longer term or permanently, with low prospect of reversibility
Medium change Intermediate size or scale of change, affecting part of the angle of the view or affecting views from the wider context, or larger scale of change in views from within the site or immediate context; continuing into the medium term, with good prospect of reversibility
Small change A minor proportion of the angle of view is affected or the contribution of the changed elements or characteristics to the composition of the view is not important; the changes are viewed from longer distances, are short term and reversible
Negligible/no change Barely perceptible change or the change is difficult to discern; No change in the view or the changes due to the development are out of view.
Table 10.11 Indicative criteria for assessing Visual Effects
Visual effect Indicative criteria
Major Large or very large change or visual intrusion experienced by highly sensitive viewers or from highly sensitive public viewpoints The proposal would cause a great deterioration in the existing view Large or very large improvement in the view, sufficient to upgrade overall visual amenity
Moderate Medium change or visual intrusion experienced by moderately sensitive viewers; lesser change to higher sensitivity viewers or greater change to less sensitive viewers
Minor Small or localised visual intrusion in the existing view, especially for less sensitive viewers Localised reduction in visual intrusion, or improvement in the view
Negligible The change in the view is imperceptible or difficult to discern
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Factors affecting visibility of the site
Zone of theoretic visibility
Viewpoint study
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Views from the East
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View from the North
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Views from the South
Views from the west
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Visual receptors
Users of public rights of way
People in settlements and residential properties
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Road users
Effects on Visual Amenity
Sensitivity
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Table 10.12 Viewpoint Photographs
Ref Location Distance Receptors and reasons for selection of the view
01 Hawes Lane on 175m to Public road users and train users. a bridge over the • The viewpoint is close to the site and offers slightly the railway northeast elevated views towards the site from the railway line bridge. line, • The viewpoint is located in the Gwent Levels Registered Wentlooge Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and the Wentlooge Special Landscape Area. • The ZTVs indicate that the majority of the proposed solar farm would potentially be visible. • To assess winter and summer views.
02 Ty Mawr Lane 750m to Users of National Cycle Route 88 and public road users adjacent to the • The viewpoint is located within 1km of the site. Drenewydd northwest • The viewpoint is located in the Gwent Levels Registered Reen, Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and the Wentlooge Wentlooge Special Landscape Area. • The ZTVs indicate that the majority of the proposed solar farm would potentially be visible.
03 Heol Las, 1.3km to Users of the public access route and road users. Wentlooge the west • The viewpoint is located in the Gwent Levels Registered Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and the Wentlooge Special Landscape Area. • The ZTVs indicate that the majority of the proposed solar farm would potentially be visible.
04 Wales Coast 950m to Users of the Wales Coast Path. Path to the the south • The viewpoint is located within 1km of the site. south of the • The viewpoint is located in the Gwent Levels Registered site Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and the Wentlooge Special Landscape Area. • The ZTVs indicate that a moderate part of the proposed solar farm would potentially be visible. • To assess winter and summer views.
05 Wales Coast 2.5km to Users of the Wales Coast Path and nearby residents. Path to the the • The viewpoint is located in the Gwent Levels Registered southwest of southwest Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and the the site Wentlooge Special Landscape Area. • The ZTVs indicate that a small part of the proposed solar farm would potentially be visible. • It represents key visual receptors, including residents. • To assess winter and summer views.
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Ref Location Distance Receptors and reasons for selection of the view
06 Wales Coast 4.6km to Users of the Wales Coast Path and nearby users of Newport Path at the east Wetland Centre. Newport • The viewpoint is located in the River Usk Special Wetlands Landscape Area, to the east of the site. Centre • The ZTVs indicate that a small part of the proposed solar farm would potentially be visible. • It represents key visual receptors. • To assess winter and summer views.
07 Gaer Hill, 4.5km to Users of the Sirhowy Valley Walk long distance route and Newport the nearby residents. northeast • The viewpoint offers elevated and long distance views towards the site. • The viewpoint is located at a Scheduled Ancient Monument. • The ZTVs indicate that the majority of the proposed solar farm would potentially be visible. • It represents key visual receptors, including residents. • To assess winter and summer time views.
08 Pen-y-lan, 2.9km to Public footpath users and nearby residents of scattered Bassaleg the farmsteads. northwest • The viewpoint offers elevated and long distance views from the north of the M4 motorway and towards the site. • The viewpoint is located close to a Scheduled Ancient Monument. • The ZTVs indicate that the majority of the proposed solar farm would potentially be visible.
Distant views excluded from the assessment
Ref Location Distance Receptors and reasons for selection of the view
09 Twmbarlwm 10.6km to Users of the public footpath and access land. the north • The viewpoint offers elevated and long distance views from the north of the M4 motorway and towards the site. • The viewpoint is located at a viewpoint marked on an OS map, which is close to a car park and several other PRoWs. • The viewpoint is located close to a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
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Ref Location Distance Receptors and reasons for selection of the view
10 Bridleway at 8.7km to Users of the pubic bridleway. Craig Llysfaen the • The viewpoint offers elevated and long distance views from northwest the north of the M4 motorway and towards the site.
11 Wales Coast 12.4km to Residents, users of the Wales Coast Path and viewing Path viewing the platform, and users of the adjacent public open space. platform, southwest • There are elevated views towards the site and across the Penarth Severn Estuary.
Magnitude of change
Table 10.13 Magnitude of Change
Ref Location Magnitude of Change
Construction Operation Decommissioning
01 Hawes Lane on a The construction of The operation of the The decommissioning bridge over the railway the solar farm and solar farm and battery of the solar farm and line, Wentlooge battery storage will storage will have a battery storage will have a horizontal horizontal emphasis have a horizontal The viewpoint is close to emphasis within the within the existing emphasis within the the site, 175m to the existing field pattern. field pattern. The existing field pattern. northeast, and offers The large scale of large scale of change The large scale of slightly elevated views change in views from in views from within change in views from towards the site from the within the immediate the immediate context within the immediate railway line bridge context of the site will of the site will result in context of the site will result in Medium Medium Change result in Medium Change during during operation. Change during construction. decommissioning.
02 Ty Mawr Lane adjacent The solar farm and The solar farm and The solar farm and to Drenewydd Reen, battery storage will be battery storage will be battery storage will be Wentlooge obscured by the obscured by the obscured by the intervening railway intervening railway intervening railway The viewpoint is 750m line which is slightly line which is slightly line which is slightly to the northwest of the elevated. During elevated. During elevated. During site and it offers a decommissioning relatively open view
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Ref Location Magnitude of Change
Construction Operation Decommissioning across a flat landscape construction there will operation there will be there will be a Small with few notable be a Small Change. a Small Change. Change. features.
03 Heol Las, Wentlooge The solar farm and The solar farm and The solar farm and battery storage will be battery storage will be battery storage will be
largely obscured due largely obscured due largely obscured due The viewpoint offers a to distance and to distance and to distance and relatively open view intervening intervening intervening across a flat landscape hedgerows. During hedgerows. During hedgerows. During with few notable construction there will operation there will be decommissioning features, except be a Small Change. a Small Change. there will be a Small overhead transmission Change. lines.
04 Wales Coast Path to The solar farm and The solar farm and The solar farm and the south of the site battery storage will be battery storage will be battery storage will be largely obscured due largely obscured due largely obscured due The viewpoint is located to distance and to distance and to distance and 950m to the south in the intervening intervening intervening Gwent Levels hedgerows. During hedgerows. During hedgerows. During Registered Landscape construction there will construction there will construction there will of Outstanding Historic be a Small Change. be a Small Change. be a Small Change. Interest and the Wentlooge Special Landscape Area. Existing overhead transmission pylons and wind turbines are visible in this view.
05 Wales Coast Path to The construction of The operational The decommissioning the southwest of the the solar farm and phase of the solar of the solar farm and site battery storage will be farm and battery battery storage will be storage will be obscured by obscured by vegetation during obscured by vegetation during The viewpoint is located summer and winter, vegetation during summer and winter, 2.5km to the southwest No Change. No Change.
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Ref Location Magnitude of Change
Construction Operation Decommissioning
in the Gwent Levels summer and winter, Registered Landscape. No Change.
The decommissioning 06 Wales Coast Path at The construction of The operational Newport Wetlands the solar farm and phase of the solar of the solar farm and Centre battery storage will be farm and battery battery storage will be obscured, No storage will be obscured, No The viewpoint is located Change. obscured, No Change. in the River Usk Special Change. Landscape Area, 4.6km to the east of the site.
07 Gaer Hill, Newport The construction of The operational The decommissioning the solar farm and phase of the solar of the solar farm and battery storage will be The viewpoint offers farm and battery battery storage will be obscured, No elevated and long storage will be obscured, No Change. distance views towards obscured, No Change. the site from 4.5km to Change. the northeast.
The solar farm and 08 Pen-y-lan, Bassaleg The solar farm and The solar farm and battery storage will be battery storage will be battery storage will be The viewpoint offers largely obscured due largely obscured due largely obscured due elevated and long to distance and to distance and to distance and distance views from the intervening intervening intervening north of the M4 hedgerows. During hedgerows. During hedgerows. During motorway and towards construction there will construction there will construction there will the site from 2.9km to be a Small Change. be a Small Change. be a Small Change. the northwest.
Assessment
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Table 10.14 Assessment of Effects
Ref Location Assessment Receptor Sensitivity Proposed solar arrays, battery storage and associated infrastructure Magnitude of Change Hawes Lane on 01 During construction, the movement of equipment and construction activity will a bridge over be a perceptible element in the view, vehicles accessing and egressing the site the railway would be visible as would glimpses of construction activity. Hedgerow line, Wentlooge vegetation would screen a proportion of the solar farm and battery storage
constriction activity. The development would be viewed in the context of the Receptors: movement of trains and highway traffic in the wider landscape. Public road During operation, the solar arrays would be partially screened from view, users and train limiting views of the boundary fence, arrays and battery storage units. users (Moderate During decommissioning all arrays and visible infrastructure associated with sensitivity) the solar arrays would be removed before the land is returned to its existing use as agricultural pasture. Following a short period of disturbance during Magnitude of decommissioning the site would be fully restored. change: Solar farm and battery Assessment: For users of the minor road the scale of change would be storage: medium. Vehicular travellers would be less sensitive than cyclists. Given the Medium sensitivity of cyclists, equestrians and pedestrians there would be a Moderate Change Adverse’ effect resulting from the Solar Arrays, Battery Storage and ancillary plant. While there is potential for reduced effects of ‘Minor Adverse and Moderate Adverse’ during operation, higher effects would occur during construction and decommissioning.
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Ref Location Assessment Receptor Sensitivity Proposed solar arrays, battery storage and associated infrastructure Magnitude of Change
02 Ty Mawr Lane During construction, the movement of equipment and construction activity will adjacent to be a perceptible element in the view. Vegetation along the railway and field Drenewydd boundary vegetation would screen the solar arrays to a large degree, including Reen, the associated construction works. Wentlooge During operation, the solar arrays would be largely screened from view,
Receptors: limiting views of the boundary fence, arrays and battery storage units. Users of During decommissioning all arrays and visible infrastructure associated with National Cycle the solar arrays would be removed before the land is returned to its existing Route 88 and use as agricultural pasture. Following a short period of disturbance during public road decommissioning the site would be fully restored. (Moderate sensitivity) Assessment: For users of National Cycle Route 88 the scale of change would be small. Vehicular travellers would be less sensitive than cyclists. Given the Magnitude of sensitivity of cyclists, equestrians and pedestrians there would be a Minor Adverse from the Solar Arrays, Battery Storage and ancillary plant. change: Solar farm and battery storage: Small Change
Heol Las, 03 During construction, the movement of equipment and construction activity will Wentlooge be a perceptible element in the view. Field boundary vegetation would screen the solar arrays to a large degree, including the associated construction works. Receptors: During operation, the solar arrays would be largely screened from view, Users of the public access limiting views of the boundary fence, arrays and battery storage units. route and road During decommissioning all arrays and visible infrastructure associated with users. (Lesser the solar arrays would be removed before the land is returned to its existing sensitivity) use as agricultural pasture. Following a short period of disturbance during decommissioning the site would be fully restored. Magnitude of Assessment: For users of the minor road the scale of change would be small. change: Solar Vehicular travellers would be less sensitive than cyclists. Given the sensitivity farm and battery of cyclists, equestrians and pedestrians there would be a Minor Adverse from storage: Small the Solar Arrays, Battery Storage and ancillary plant. Change
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Ref Location Assessment Receptor Sensitivity Proposed solar arrays, battery storage and associated infrastructure Magnitude of Change
Wales Coast 04 During construction, the movement of equipment and construction activity will Path to the not be a perceptible element in the view. Field boundary vegetation would south of the screen the solar arrays and the associated construction works. site During operation, the solar arrays would be screened from view. Receptors: During decommissioning all arrays and infrastructure associated with the solar Users of the arrays would be removed before the land is returned to its existing use as Wales Coast agricultural pasture. Following a short period of disturbance during Path. (High decommissioning the site would be fully restored. sensitivity) Assessment: For users of the Wales Coast Path there would be no change as a result of the Solar Arrays, Battery Storage and ancillary plant. Magnitude of change: Solar farm and battery storage: No Change
Wales Coast 05 During construction, the movement of equipment and construction activity will Path to the not be a perceptible element in the view. Field boundary and intervening southwest of vegetation would screen the solar arrays and the associated construction the site works.
Receptors: During operation, the solar arrays would be screened from view. Users of the During decommissioning all arrays and infrastructure associated with the solar Wales Coast arrays would be removed followed before the land is returned to its existing use Path. (High as agricultural pasture. Following a short period of disturbance during sensitivity) decommissioning the site would be fully restored. and road users. Assessment: For users of the Wales Coast Path there would be no change as (Lesser a result of the Solar Arrays, Battery Storage and ancillary plant. sensitivity)
Magnitude of change: Solar farm and battery
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Ref Location Assessment Receptor Sensitivity Proposed solar arrays, battery storage and associated infrastructure Magnitude of Change storage: No Change
Wales Coast 06 During construction, the movement of equipment and construction activity will Path at not be a perceptible element in the view. Field boundary and intervening Newport vegetation would screen the solar arrays and the associated construction Wetlands works. Centre During operation, the solar arrays would be screened from view. Receptors: During decommissioning all arrays and infrastructure associated with the solar Users of the arrays would be removed before the land is returned to its existing use as Wales Coast agricultural pasture. Following a short period of disturbance during Path. (High decommissioning the site would be fully restored. sensitivity) Assessment: For users of the Wales Coast Path there would be no change as a result of the Solar Arrays, Battery Storage and ancillary plant. Magnitude of change: Solar farm and battery storage: No Change
07 Gaer Hill, During construction, the movement of equipment and construction activity will Newport be barely perceptible element in the view. Field boundary and intervening vegetation would screen the solar arrays and the associated construction Receptors: works. Users of the During operation, the solar arrays would be screened from view. Sirhowy Valley Walk and During decommissioning all arrays and infrastructure associated with the solar visitors to the arrays would be removed before the land is returned to its existing use as Scheduled agricultural pasture. Following a short period of disturbance during Ancient decommissioning the site would be fully restored. Monument. Assessment: For users of the Sirhowy Valley Walk there would be no change (High as a result of the Solar Arrays, Battery Storage and ancillary plant. sensitivity)
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Ref Location Assessment Receptor Sensitivity Proposed solar arrays, battery storage and associated infrastructure Magnitude of Change
Magnitude of change: Solar farm and battery storage: No Change
08 Pen-y-lan, During construction, the movement of equipment and construction activity will between be a perceptible element in the view. Field boundary and intervening Cardiff and vegetation would screen a proportion of the work at ground level, but the Bassaleg elevation of the view reduces the screening provided by field boundary hedgerows. Receptors: During operation, the solar arrays would be largely screened from view. Public footpath users and During decommissioning all arrays and infrastructure associated with the solar nearby residents arrays would be removed before the land is returned to its existing use as of scattered agricultural pasture. Following a short period of disturbance during farmsteads. decommissioning the site would be fully restored. (Moderate Assessment: For users of the public footpath and nearby residents there would sensitivity) be a small change as a result of the Solar Arrays, Battery Storage and ancillary plant. This would result in a ‘Minor Adverse’ effect during constriction, Magnitude of operation and decommissioning of the solar farm. change: Solar farm and battery storage: Small Change
Visual Effects Conclusion
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Construction Effects
Operational Effects
Additional mitigation, compensation & enhancement measures
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• retention of existing vegetation along field boundaries.
• Reduction of hedgerows where doubled on either side of reens to stop overshadowing of reens
• the proposed security fence will be a 2m high stock fence to reduce its potential visual prominence.
Construction
Operation
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Cumulative Effects
Table 10.15 Assessment of Effects
Solar farm development Status Distance from Direction Output Size (ha) the site (km) from the site Began Road, Newport Operational 4 Northwest 4.9MW Clearwell Farm Operational 4.1 Northwest 2MW Llanwern Approved 8.6 Northeast 49.9MW 130 DNS To be Rush Wall 13.8 East 49.9MW decided
Table 10.16 Other cumulative developments
Distance from the site at its Other development Status Direction from the site nearest point (km) Cardiff Parkway Approved 2.5 Southwest development Feeder Station, Green Approved 1.1km Northeast Lane
15 Data gathered from https://www.mygridgb.co.uk/map/ [accessed 16th May 2019]
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Distance from the site at its Other development Status Direction from the site nearest point (km) DNS To Mor Hafren Energy be 4.0km Southwest Recovery Facility decided
Scoped out cumulative developments
Table 10.17 solar farm turbine developments that are to be scoped out of cumulative assessment
Solar farm development Status Distance to Direction Output Size (ha) the site (km) from the site Cwrt Henllys Farm Operational 9.4 North 5MW Lamby Way Planning 6.1 Southwest 8.99MW 16.89
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Other Developments
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Ecology and Nature Conservation
Introduction
Assessment Criteria and Methodology
Valuation of Ecological Features
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Table 11.1 Criteria for Valuing Important Ecological Features
Geographic Description Value International Statutory Sites designated or classified under international conventions or or European European legislation for example Biosphere Reserves, Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Regular or significant populations of internationally important species
National Statutory Sites designated under national legislation for example Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), National Nature Reserves (NNR), Marine Nature Reserves (MNR). Habitats and Species of Principal Importance listed under Section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. Species which are threatened or rare in the UK. Regional Local Nature Reserves (LNR), ancient woodland, species or species assemblages considered rare in south Wales.
County Sites meeting the criteria for county designations e.g. Non-statutory Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) or Sites of Interest to Nature Conservation (SINC). Notable species. Species or species assemblages considered rare in the county. Local Newport Local BAP Priority Habitats and Species. Species and habitats that are not threatened but are valued at a local level.
Characterising Ecological Impacts
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Direct Effects
• Habitat loss, where the impact is related to the amount or quality of habitat available.
• Habitat fragmentation, where the impact includes severance of habitats and/or wildlife
corridors linking them, which may lead to reduced genetic diversity and increase the
likelihood of species being lost.
Indirect Effects
• Disturbance, which may include visual, noise or vibration.
• Dust deposition, incidental vehicle trafficking, water discharges and surface runoff, which
affect habitats both within and outside the footprint of the works.
Cumulative Effects
▪ Môr Hafryn Energy Recovery Site
▪ Rush Wall Solar Park
▪ Gwent Levels Farmers Community Solar Scheme
▪ Cardiff Parkway
Assessment of Significance
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Zone of Influence
Scoping Opinion
• The statutory and non-statutory designated Sites present in the Zone of Influence and their
associated species;
• Habitats and species of conservation concern, including those of Principal Importance in
Section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, the Local Biodiversity (Newport) Action Plan
(LBAP) which may be present on the Application Site or in the surrounding area or have been
previously recorded on the Application Site;
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• The local distribution of protected species in the area, for which the Application Site may
support suitable habitat.
Legislation, Planning Policy and Guidance
• Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora 1992 (The Habitats Directive);
• The Conservation of Habitat and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended);
• The Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981 (as amended);
• Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000;
• The Environment (Wales) Act 2016;
• The Badgers Act 1992;
• Hedgerow Regulations 1997.
National Planning Policy
In 2018, the Welsh Government published Edition 10 Planning Policy Wales (PPW)16 which provides
national policy relating to Sustainability and Ecology. PPW sets out the land use planning policies of
the Welsh Government and is supplemented by a series of Technical Advice Notes (TANs), Welsh
Government Circulars and policy clarification letters. The primary object of PPW is to ensure that the
planning system contributes towards the delivery of sustainable development and improves the social,
economic environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.
16 Welsh Government (2018) Planning Policy Wales, Edition 10, Welsh Government, Cardiff
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• 6.2 Green Infrastructure;
• 6.4 Biodiversity and Ecological Networks
Local Planning Policy
• Objective 6 - Conservation of the Natural Environment: To protect and enhance the
quality of the natural environment, including landscape, protected habitats and species of
principal importance for biodiversity in Wales (regardless of greenfield or brownfield status)
and the protection of controlled waters;
• Strategic Policy (SP9) – Conservation of the Natural, Historic and Built Environment:
The conservation, enhancement and management of recognised Sites within the natural,
historic and built environment will be sought in all proposals;
• General Policy Environment (GP5) – The Natural Environment: Development will be
permitted where, as applicable:
• The proposals are designed and managed to protect and encourage biodiversity and
ecological connectivity, including through the incorporation of new features on or off Site to
further the UK, Welsh and/or Newport biodiversity action plans;
• The proposals demonstrate how they avoid, or mitigate and compensate negative impacts to
biodiversity, ensuring that there are no significant adverse effects on areas of nature
conservation interest including international, European, national, Welsh Section 42 (now
Section 7 Environment (Wales) Act 2016) and local protected habitats and species, and
protecting features of importance for ecology;
• The proposal will not result in an unacceptable impact on water quality;
• The proposal should not result in the loss or reduction in quality of high-quality agricultural
land (Grades 1, 2 and 3a);
• There would be no unacceptable impact on landscape quality;
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• The proposal includes an appropriate landscape scheme, which enhances the Site and the
wider context including green infrastructure and biodiversity networks;
• The proposal includes appropriate tree planting or retention where appropriate and does not
result in the unacceptable loss of or harm to trees, woodland or hedgerows that have wildlife
or amenity value.
Newport Local Biodiversity Action Plan.
• Woodland Habitats Action Plan;
• Freshwater Habitats Action Plan;
• Wetland Action Plan;
• Farmland Habitat Action Plan;
• Lowland Grassland and Heathland Action Plan;
• Brownfield and Urban Action Plan;
• Marine and Coastal Action Plan;
• Dormouse Action Plan;
• Bat Action Plan;
• Otter Action Plan;
• Water Vole Action Plan;
• Fungi Action Plan;
• Small Ranunculus Action Plan; and,
• Shrill Carder Bee Action Plan
Relevant Guidance / Best Practice
Limitations
17 Newport Biodiversity Partnership (No Date) The Newport Local Biodiversity Action Plan, Newport Biodiversity Partnership, Newport.
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Baseline Data Collection
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18 JNCC (2010) Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey - a technique for environmental audit (2010 ed.). JNCC. Peterborough.
19 Cresswell P., Harris S. & Jefferies D.J. (1990) The history, distribution, status and habitat requirements of the badger in Britain. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough.
20 Chanin P. (2003) Monitoring the Otter Lutra lutra, Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Monitoring Series No. 10 English Nature, Peterborough.
21 Dean M., Strachan R., Gow D. and Andrews R (2016) The Water Vole Mitigation Handbook (The Mammal Society Mitigation Guidance Series). Eds Fiona Mathews and
Paul Chanin. The Mammal Society, London.
22 Collins, J. (ed.) (2016) Bat Survey for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd edition). The Bat Conservation Trust, London.
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Consultation
23 Bright P.W., Morris P.A. and Mitchell-Jones A. (2006) Dormouse Conservation Handbook, 2nd Edition. English Nature, Peterborough.
24 Froglife (1999) Froglife Advice Sheet 10: Reptile Survey - An introduction to planning, conducting and interpreting surveys for snake and lizard conservation. Froglife, London. 25 Oldham R.S., Keeble J., Swan M.J.S. & Jeffcote M. (2000) Evaluating the Suitability of Habitat for the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus). Herpetological Journal, 10: 143-155. 26 English Nature (2001) Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough.
27 Palmer, M., Drake, M. and Stewart, N. (2010) A manual for the survey and evaluation of the plant and invertebrate assemblages of ditches. Version 4. Buglife, Peterborough.
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• Extended Phase 1 - 1 year;
• Wintering and breeding bird survey - 2 years (see Chapter 12);
• Otter and Water Vole - 1 year;
• Bats - 1 year;
• Dormouse – 1 year;
• Reptiles and amphibians - 1 year;
• Invertebrates - 1 year.
• Requirement 1: Ecology and Nature Conservation – Further information is required in the
Environmental Statement which demonstrates the proposal has no adverse effects / likely
significant effects on the Gwent Levels SSSI.
• Requirement 2: Ecology and Nature Conservation – Further information is required in the
Environmental Statement which demonstrates the proposal has no adverse effects / likely
significant effects on European Protected Species (Bats and Great Crested Newts).
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Baseline Conditions
Statutory Protected Sites
• Severn Estuary SPA (see Chapter 12 – Ornithology);
• Severn Estuary Ramsar Site (see Chapter 12 – Ornithology);
• Severn Estuary SAC
Other Statutory Sites: SSSIs
There are three SSSIs within the 3km search area:
• Severn Estuary SSSI (see Chapter 12 – Ornithology);
• Gwent Levels: Rumney and Peterstone SSSI;
• Gwent Levels: St Brides SSSI.
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• Reen and ditch habitats;
• Insects and other invertebrates; and,
• Shrill carder bee.
Table.25 Unfavourable reens identified from NRW Condition Assessment 2011 with reference to Figure 12.2.3
NRW Block Number
43 45 50
R29 D2 D12
R30 D3 R23
R31 D4
R57 D5
R58 D6
R6
R63
R66
R67
R69
Non statutory Sites
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• Peterstone Wentlooge, a Gwent Wildlife Trust Reserve, is approximately 600m south of the
application area at its nearest point (within the Severn Estuary SPA) – wildfowl and wading
birds (Chapter 12);
• LG Duffryn Site 2 (SINC) 1.5 km northeast of the application area - H4-Natural grasslands -
Large area of neutral grassland adjacent to Gwent Levels;
• Marshfield Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC); 1.5km southwest of the
application area - Unknown;
• LG Duffryn Site 1: South Lake Drive (SINC): 1.8km north-northeast of the application area -
H16-Standing open water, H11-Reed beds and S2-birds; Pond / Phragmytes reedbed, Cettis
Warbler;
• Sandy Lane Farm Field (SINC): 1.6 km northwest of the application area - S2-Birds, H4-Neutral
grassland and S6-Invertebrates; Semi-improved pasture;
• Celtic Springs (SINC): 2.3km north of the application area - H20-Mosaic Habitat: Post-industrial
mosaic habitat. Neutral grassland. Calcareous grassland.
Habitats
Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh
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Poor Semi-Improved Neutral Grassland
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Semi-improved Grassland
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Watercourses with Species Poor Hedgerow
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Dry Ditch
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Standing Water
Hedgerows
Deciduous Woodland and Trees
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Dense Scrub
Tall Ruderal
Ephemeral Perennial
Spoil Heap
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Invasive Species
Protected and Key Species
Badger
Riparian Mammals
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Bats
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Automated Detector Surveys
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Table 26 Habitat types at automated bat detector locations
Location No. Habitat Type
1 Species poor defunct hedgerow and reen into improved grassland field.
2 Corner of species-poor hedgerow and open reen into semi-improved grassland field.
3 Corner of a species-poor hedgerow and defunct species poor hedgerow into semi- improved grassland.
4 Corner of a species-poor hedgerow with trees and defunct species poor hedgerow into improved grassland
5 Mounted of scattered scrub next to reen into poor semi-improved grassland
6 Species-poor defunct hedgerow and reen into semi- improved marshy grassland field.
Transect Surveys
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Bat Roosts
Six trees were found to have features with bat roost potential ranging from low to high, although no
evidence of bats was found in any of these features. These were mainly located on the northern
boundary near the railway line with one in the southeast of the Site near the main road (Figure 11.4.5).
No buildings were present within the Site.
Hazel Dormouse
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Amphibians
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Reptiles
Invertebrates
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▪ Water beetles - Haliplus mucronatus and Hydrophilus piceus;
▪ The hairy dragonfly Brachytron pratense;
▪ Water snail – Physa heterostropha.
▪ Big-headed flies - Pipunculas fonsecai and Tomosvaryella minima
▪ Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae (S7, RDB1, LBAP);
▪ Small blue Cupido minimus (WCA5, S7, RDB1);
▪ Small pearl-bordered fritillary Boloria selene (S7, RDB1, LBAP);
▪ Wood white Leptidea sinapis (WCA5, S7, RDB1);
▪ Goat moth Cossus cossus (S7, RDB2, LBAP);
▪ Shrill carder bee Bombus sylvarum (S7, RDB2 - NB, LBAP);
▪ Brown-banded carder bee Bombus humilis (S7).
▪ Variable damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum (NT);
▪ A haplid water beetle Peltodytes caesus (NS);
▪ Ground beetles Pedius longicollis, Pterostichus anthracinus (NS), Odacantha melanura (Nb)
and Stenolophus skrimshiranus (NS);
▪ A rove beetle Cypha discoidea (Nb);
▪ A reed beetle Plateumaris bracta (NS);
▪ A flea beetle Longitarsus lycopi (NS);
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▪ Weevils Gymetron beccabungae (Nb) and Gymnetron villosulum (Nb);
▪ Ornate brigadier soldierfly Odontomyia ornate (RDB2);
▪ Black colonel soldierfly Odontomyia tigrina (NS);
▪ Brown-banded carder bee Bombus humilis (S7);
▪ Shrill carder bee Bombus sylvarum (S7, Nb)
Field Drains (Grips) in Relation to Invertebrates
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Other Species
Inherent Design Mitigation
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Potential Environmental Impacts and Effects
Statutory Protected Sites
Severn Estuary SAC
28 Natural Resources Wales (2015) Site Improvement Plan Severn Estuary, NRW, Cardiff.
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St Brides & Rumney and Peterstone SSSIs (also see Invertebrates)
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Non-Statutory Sites
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Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh and all Grassland on Site
29 Armstrong A., Ostle N.J. & Whitaker J (2016), Solar park microclimate and vegetation management effects on grassland carbon cycling, Environmental Research Letters,
11: pp 1-11.
30 Harrison C. Lloyd H. & Field C. (2017), Evidence review of the impact of solar farms on birds, bats and general ecology, Natural England, Peterborough.
31 BSG Ecology (2019) Potential ecological impacts of ground-mounted photovoltaic solar panels, BSG, Newport.
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Deciduous Woodland and Trees
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Dense Scrub
Tall Ruderal and Ephemeral Perennial
Invasive Species
Badger
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Riparian Mammals (Otter)
Riparian Mammals (Water Vole)
Bats
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▪ Loss of commuting and foraging habitat.
▪ Collision as a result of bats attempting to drink from the panels.
▪ Collision with vertically aligned panels.
32 Bat Conservation Trust (2018) Bats and Artificial Lighting in the UK, Bats and the Built Environment Series BCT, London.
33 Stone E. L. (2013) Bats and Lighting: Overview of current evidence, University of Bristol, Bristol. 34 Greif S. & Siemers B. M. (2010) Innate recognition of water bodies in echolocating bats, Nature Communications 1 107, Nature Publishing Group.
35 Russo D., Cistone L. & Jones G. (2012), Sensory ecology of water detection by bats: A field experiment, PL0S ONE 7 (10): e48144.
36 Harrison C. Lloyd H. & Field C. (2017), Evidence review of the impact of solar farms on birds, bats and general ecology, Natural England, Peterborough.
37 BSG Ecology (2019) Potential ecological impacts of ground-mounted photovoltaic solar panels, BSG, Newport.
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Dormouse
Construction & Decommissioning effects – Without mitigation there is a risk of death or injury to dormice
during hedge removal and there will be a loss of some potential dormouse of habitat. Potential impacts
are considered to be negative and significant at the County Level.
Operational Effects – Following requests from NRW on a similar site on the Gwent levels any
operational impacts would only be related to on-going hedgerow maintenance as part of habitat
improvements. Removal of hedgerows to allow light into the reen system would result in loss of
foraging, nesting and commuting habitat for dormice, which would be considered significant at the
Local level.
Reptiles and Amphibians
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European Eel
Invertebrate Assemblage
38 Horvath G.,Blaho M., Egri A., Kriska I.S. & Robertson B. (2010), Reducing the maladaptive attractiveness of solar panels to polarotactic insects, Conservation Biology 24:
1644-1653
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Shrill Carder Bee
39 Smith M.N. (2010) The Status and Distribution of the Shrill Carder Bee Bombus sylvarum on Magor & Undy SSSI and Whitson SSSI on the Gwent Levels and on Newport
Wetlands National Nature Reserve in 2019, CCW Contract Science No. 919. CCW, Bangor.
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4 Improved grassland = 47.5ha
5 Poor Semi-improved grassland = 63.7ha
6 Semi-improved grassland = 10.0ha
7 Marshy grassland = 3.2ha
Although there may be a change in species diversity and biomass there is not enough information in
the study undertaken to date (Armstrong et al, 2016), which indicate which species are likely to be
affected most (see grasslands assessment above).
The flowering plant species present in the Armstrong et al study was yarrow Achillea millefolium, ribwort
plantain Plantago lanceolate, birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, red clover Trifolium repens, common
sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia, meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris and oxeye daisy Leucanthamum
vulgare. Four of these species are present in the application area particularly in areas of poor semi-
improved grassland namely yarrow, meadow buttercup, ribwort plantain and red clover. Of these
species particularly beneficial to shrill carder bee (i.e. those included in wildflower mixes for this
species) yarrow performed well under the solar panels and increased in percentage cover under panels
and in the gaps between panels to the control, whereas meadow buttercup disappeared under both
panels and in gaps and oxeye daisy disappeared under the panels but was only slight reduced in the
gaps. There will be significant areas within the rides and gaps between panels as well as the field
margins where the existing vegetation structure will be largely maintained.
The presence of solar panels could also reduce the favourability of the site for this species by interfering
with flight patterns by habitat fragmentation. According to BSG (2019) there are no landscape scale
studies relevant to the UK available to review on this topic. However, Ewers & Didham (2006)40
conclude that sedentary and specialist invertebrate species are more likely to be affected by habitat
loss and fragmentation than more mobile and generalist species and that butterflies are widely
40 Ewers R.M. & Didham R.K. (2006) Confounding factors in the detection of species responses to habitat fragmentation, Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical
Society 81: 117-142.
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acknowledged to be sensitive to habitat fragmentation.
Guiller et al (2017)41 studied the impacts on butterfly communities on a utility scale solar farm in France.
Their findings were that both mobile and sedentary species coped with the changes in landscape
structure. Given their findings with species known to be sensitive to habitat fragmentation this suggests
that a more mobile species such as shrill carder bee (and other notable bee species) would not be
significantly impacted by this change in landscape structure.
Whilst reduction in site value for shrill carder bee is unlikely to affect the favourable conservation status
of this species across the entire SSSI area, in view of its status as a designated feature, and following
the precautionary principle, any such effects could potentially be significant up to National level.
Other Species
Additional Mitigation, Compensation and Enhancement Measures
Statutory Designated Sites
41 Guiller C., Affre L., Deschamps-Cottin M., Geslin B. & Kaldonski N. (2017) Impacts of solar energy on butterfly communities in Mediterranean agro-ecosystems, Sustainable
Energy 36(6):1817-1823.
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Non-Statutory Sites
Coastal and Floodplain grazing marsh (including all grasslands)
Hedgerows
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Invasive Species
Badgers
Riparian Mammals
Bats
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Dormouse
Amphibians & Reptiles
Invertebrate assemblage
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Shrill Carder bee
42 Parker G. & McQueen C. (2013) Can solar farms deliver significant benefits for biodiversity? Preliminary Study July-August 2013 – In Harrison C. Lloyd H. & Field C. (2017),
Evidence review of the impact of solar farms on birds, bats and general ecology, Natural England, Peterborough.
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Other Species
Residual Environmental Impacts and Effects
Cumulative Effects
Môr Hafren Energy Recovery Facility
43 Sterecycle UK Ltd (2009), Cardiff Waste Treatment Facility Environmental Statement, Chapter 7: Ecology, and Nature Conservation, Sterecycle UK Ltd
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Rush Wall Solar Park
8 Phase 1 Habitat Survey
9 Bat Surveys
10 Water Vole
11 Otter
12 Terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates
13 Botanical (NVC) and aquatic plant surveys
14 Badger
15 Amphibians
44 Golder Associates (2014), Permitted Waste Treatment Facility, Newlands Road Wentlooge: Updates to Environmental Statement: Ecology and Nature Conservation,
Golder Associates (UK) Ltd.
45 GD Planning Ltd (2019) Scoping Report Môr Hafren Biopower: Proposed Môr Hafren Energy Recovery Facility, Land off Newlands Road, Cardiff, GD Planning, Daventry.
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Gwent Levels Farmers’ Community Solar Scheme
Table 25 Summary of cumulative impacts between Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub and Gwent farmers’ Community Solar Scheme
Gwent Levels Mitigation/Compensatio Mitigation/Compensati Significant Farmer Wentloog Feature Effect n/ on/ cumulative s’ e Enhancement Enhancement effect? Solar Schem
Potential run- 12.5 and 7m margins Severn Estuary off/siltation/pollut 12.5 and 7m margins and Not significant Yes Yes and rides maintained. SAC ion during rides maintained. CEMP CEMP construction
Coastal Flood 12.5 and 7m margins and 129.9ha Significant at the 139ha 12.5 and 7m margins Plan Grazing Loss of rides maintained. (2.3% of Local level in (2.4% and rides and gaps marsh/Grasslan biomass/diversit Reduction in grazing, Gwent terms of reduction of maintained. Habitat ds y under panels elimination of fertilizer Levels in biomass and Gwent management and inputs, habitat SSSIs) species diversity
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Gwent Levels Mitigation/Compensatio Mitigation/Compensati Significant Farmer Wentloog Feature Effect n/ on/ cumulative s’ e Enhancement Enhancement effect? Solar Schem Levels management, wildflower wildflower and hay SSSIs) meadow planting meadow plantings.
12.5 and 7m margins and rides maintained SSSI reens and 12.5 and 7m margins and during Not significant Ditches: rides maintained during construction/decommissi construction/decommissio oning. CEMP Yes ning. CEMP Yes
Siltation/pollutio Clearing of hedgerows on Clearing of hedgerows Yes, beneficial at n during south side to allow light. on south side to allow both sites construction In reen management. light. In reen management.
LEMP Pre- LEMP Pre- Otters: possible commencement Not significant commencement surveys. disturbance to Yes Yes surveys. EPS licence if EPS licence if necessary. holts necessary. Reens Reens managed. Beneficial managed.
Water Vole: death or injury/ Pre commencement Pre commencement Not significant damage to Yes surveys. LEMP Off site surveys. LEMP Beneficial burrows during Reens managed. Reens managed. g construction.
Bats: Loss of some Yes Reen management Yes Reen management Beneficial hedgerows
Dormouse: LEMP Death or injury Nest boxes and Not significant during No N/A Yes improving poor construction/hab hedgerows itat loss
Not significant Reptiles and Protection during Protection during amphibians: Yes Yes construction. construction. Death or injury Habitat piles. Beneficial
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Gwent Levels Mitigation/Compensatio Mitigation/Compensati Significant Farmer Wentloog Feature Effect n/ on/ cumulative s’ e Enhancement Enhancement effect? Solar Schem during Habitat piles. Habitat construction management and reduction in grazing.
12.5 and 7m margins European Eel: 12.5 and 7m margins and and rides maintained siltation pollution rides maintained during Not significant Yes Yes during of reens during construction/decommissio construction/decommissi construction ning. CEMP oning. CEMP
Reen management, Reen management, removal of hedgerows, Invertebrate removal of hedgerows, Yes, beneficial at wildflower meadow Assemblage: wildflower meadow both sites planting. Yes planting. Yes Potential for white Egg laying on Potential for white edging Not significant edging and grid pattern solar panels and grid pattern on panels on panels to dissuade to dissuade insects. insects.
12.5 and 7m margins Shrill Carder 12.5 and 7m margins and and rides maintained. bee: Loss of rides maintained. Not significant Yes Yes Wildflower meadow foraging/nesting Wildflower meadow planting, connectivity habitat/ planting. across site maintained.
Other species: Trenching and Trenches left with operations Trenches left with escape escape means, pipes during means, pipes capped. construction, capped. Not significant Yes Yes animals falling Fences with min 20cm in. Movement Fences with min 20cm gap beneath. restricted across gap beneath. site during operation.
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• Removal of hedgerows at both Sites to benefit SSSIs;
• Wildflower meadow planting at both Sites;
• Management of all habitats including the ditches & reens;
• Habitat piles for reptiles and amphibians.
Cardiff Parkway Scheme (Llanwern Rail Facilities)
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Assessment Summary
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Table 26 - Summary of Ecology Assessment
Significance Residual Residual Feature Value of Feature Phase Environmental Effect Nature of Impact/effect Without Proposed Mitigation & Enhancements Significance of Impact/effects Mitigation Effect Low risk of water pollution. Possible siltation entering protected site via reen system Minor Short-term, reversible. Not significant CEMP/Dust management Neutral Not Significant European/Internati Construction & Severn Estuary SAC contamination. onal Decommissioning Operation None predicted N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Water pollution Possible damage to banks and Negative. aquatic habitats by sediment/pollutants & National Construction & Temporary, reversible. Significant at CEMP Neutral Not Significant St Brides & Rumney & Peterstone qualifying invertebrate species. Damage to Decommissioning a Local level SSSIs (including water courses) grips Improvement of reen management by De- Not LEMP. Removal of hedges on one side of where double Significant at a Operation Long term Positive. Positive silting /clearing Significant hedges exist. Improved reen & ditch management. Local Level Negative. Construction & Damage to grasslands e.g. rutting and Short-term, reversible. Significant at Works in spring/summer to avoid wet ground. Neutral Not Significant Decommissioning compaction Local level Coastal & floodplain grazing marsh National Negative. Sensitive grazing/mowing regime. Wildflower meadow seeding. Significant at a Local Operation Shading causing changes to vegetation regime Long term (40 years), reversible. Significant at Habitat management. Reduction in grazing and fertilizer inputs. Neutral Level. Local level LEMP Negative. Damage to grasslands, during construction Short-term, reversible. Significant in the Works in spring/summer to avoid wet ground. Neutral Not Significant Construction & ZoI only Decommissioning Damage to grips by Grassland including: Poor Semi- Negative. Not vehicles/installation/removal of solar panels Temporary reversible. CEMP. Damage to be reinstated post construction Neutral Not Significant improved Neutral grassland, Marshy significant Local and cabling. Grassland, semi-improved grassland, Negative. Spacing between solar arrays. Wildflower meadow seeding. and Improved grassland Reduction in area by land take of solar panels Long- term reversible Significant at Habitat management. Reduction in grazing and nil fertilizer Neutral Not Significant & infrastructure, shading under panels Operation Local level inputs. Impacts to grips during operation None Not Significant Grips retained and functional Neutral Not Significant Construction & None N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Decommissioning Dry Ditch Negligible Operation None N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Negative. CEMP. Working Distance 7 m from hedgerows ditches/drains; Neutral Risk of damage by construction traffic. Short-term, reversible. Significant at 12.5m from major reens. (Positive effect on Not Significant the Local level. reens) Construction & Decommissioning Negative. Not Neutral Hedgerow Local None proposed, removal proposed to enhance Reen & Ditch Removed one side of double hedges Long-term positive. Positive at Local Not Significant management. (Positive effect on level. reens) Negative. Removal proposed to enhance Reen & Ditch management. Neutral Operation Removed one side of double hedges. Long-term positive. Significant at Gapping up of poor hedgerows were one side has been (Positive effect on Loss not significant Local level. removed. reens) Construction & Negative. Not Removal of some hedgerow trees Long-term., reversible. Bat, dormouse & nesting bird checks. Negative Not Significant Decommissioning significant Deciduous woodland & Trees Local Operation None N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Construction & None N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Decommissioning Dense scrub Local Operation None N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Construction & Negative. Not Loss of small area of tall ruderal habitat Long term reversible. None Negative Not Significant Decommissioning Significant Tall ruderal vegetation Negligible Operation None N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Construction & Negative. Not Loss of small area of this habitat Long term reversible. None Negative Not Significant Decommissioning Significant Ephemeral Perennial Negligible Operation None None. N/A N/A N/A N/A
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Significance Residual Residual Feature Value of Feature Phase Environmental Effect Nature of Impact/effect Without Proposed Mitigation & Enhancements Significance of Impact/effects Mitigation Effect Negative. Construction & Accidental spread of invasive species during Permanent, long-term reversible Significant at CEMP 12.5 and 7m buffers Neutral Not Significant Decommissioning works but problematic. the Local level Invasive plant species Local Negative. Accidental spread of invasive species during Permanent, long-term reversible Operation Significant at LEMP. Invasive species plan. Neutral Not Significant reen and hedge management. but problematic. the Local level Temporary reversible. Construction & Negative. Not CEMP. Cover open excavations overnight or provide means of Trenching or open excavations Commuting badgers could get Neutral Not Significant Decommissioning Significant escape. Badger Local trapped. Not Significant Operation Fencing around arrays Long-term, reversible. 20cm gap under all site fencing Neutral Not Significant
Construction & Negative. Not LEMP. Pre Works survey. Cover open excavations overnight or Disturbance to otters Temporary reversible. None Not Significant Decommissioning significant provide means of escape. Negative. Not Riparian Mammals - Otter Local De-silting/ clearing of reens and ditches. Temporary reversible. significant Positive from 20cm gap under all site fencing. All new crossing will allow Operation Disturbance to otters. enhanced Not Significant Negative. otters passage. Fencing preventing land movement. Permanent Reversible. Significant at a watercourses. Local level Positive from Construction & Pre- works checks in case water vole have expanded into the None. None. N/A enhanced Not Significant Decommissioning site since surveys undertaken & mitigation strategy if present. watercourses. Riparian Mammals – Water Vole Local Positive from Operation None. None. N/A None. enhanced Not Significant watercourses. Temporary lighting barrier effects Negative. Construction & Construction/ preventing bats commuting/ Significant at a No site lighting. None Not Significant Decommissioning Site lighting foraging. Local level Neutral Not Significant Solar Panels creating Reflective surface Negative. Not Bats County Long-term. Reversible. Angle of panels and wide spaces between arrays. Collision by bats mistaking panels for water. significant. Operation Solar Positive Significant at a Local Reen Management Long-term significant at Reen and hedgerow management LEMP. Positive Level Local level Negative. Construction & Long-term. Reversible. EPSL. Cutting of hedgerows in September/October. Removal of hedgerows and tree habitat. Significant at Neutral Not Significant Decommissioning Provision of nest boxes. the Local Dormouse County Long-term. Reversible. Negative. Cutting of hedgerows in September/October. Provision of Operation Management of hedgerows Significant at dormouse nest boxes. Planting up gaps in hedges on north Neutral Not Significant the Local side where south side removed. Temporary, reversible damage Construction & Negative. Not CEMP. 7-12.5 m reen buffers. Check trenches left overnight Construction/ decommissioning traffic to individuals or riparian or field None Not Significant Decommissioning significant within 250m of fishing ponds for great crested newts. Reptiles and Amphibians Local margin habitats. Significant at a Local Operation None None. None Riparian habitat piles, from arisings of hedge clearance Positive Level Negative. Construction & Low risk of water pollution. Possible siltation Temporary reversible. Significant at a CEMP. 7-12.5m reen buffers Neutral Not Significant Decommissioning entering reen system. Minor contamination. European Eel County Local level Significant at a Local Operation None None N/A Ditch and reen management Positive Level Construction & Negative. Not Silting/ pollution Temporary reversible. CEMP. 7-12.5 m reen buffers. None Not Significant Decommissioning Significant
Negative. Not Egg laying on solar panels Long-term. Reversible White edging on solar panels Neutral Not Significant Significant Invertebrate assemblage National
Operation
Positive. Long term opening up/deepening Significant at a Local De-silting /clearing of reens and ditches Significant at LEMP/Rotational reen and ditch management programme. Positive watercourses. Level Local level.
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Significance Residual Residual Feature Value of Feature Phase Environmental Effect Nature of Impact/effect Without Proposed Mitigation & Enhancements Significance of Impact/effects Mitigation Effect Construction & Temporary disturbance and risk Negative. Not Construction/ decommissioning traffic Timing of works, 7m/12.5m buffer zones infield margins. None Not Significant Decommissioning of damage to habitats. significant Lifetime of project Shrill carder bee National Change of land use possible loss of habitat Positive. Connecting margins between retained good habitat and new Significant at a Operation and connectivity. Significant at wildflower meadows Positive County Level Wildflower grassland seeding Long term enhancement and Local level. LEMP. 2.6ha wildflower grassland seeding of onsite areas. improved foraging habitat. Temporary reversible. Construction & Negative. Not CEMP. Cover open excavations overnight, or provide means of Trenching or open excavations Commuting mammals could get None Not Significant Decommissioning Significant escape. trapped. Other Species Local Negative. Significant at a Operation Fencing around arrays Long-term, reversible. local level 20cm gap under all site fencing. None Not Significant
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Ornithology
Introduction
Assessment Criteria and Methodology
Valuing Ecological Features
46 CIEEM (2018) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the UK and Ireland: Terrestrial, Freshwater, Coastal and Marine. Chartered Institute of Ecology and
Environmental Management, Winchester.
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Table 12.1 Geographic frames of reference relating to ornithological features
Geographical frame of Species Status reference
International/European • A species which is part of the cited interest of a SPA or Ramsar Site under international legislation International EU Birds Directive Annex 1 species or regularly occurring migratory species listed under Annex II/B of the Birds Directive connected to a SPA designated for this species.
National • A species listed on Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive and/or Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 occurring in nationally important numbers. • A species which is part of the cited interest of a SSSI and which regularly occurs in nationally or regionally important numbers. • A nationally important assemblage of breeding or over-wintering species. • A species present in nationally important numbers (>1% UK population). • A species included on the Section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 to guide authorities in conserving biodiversity in nationally important numbers. Fifty-one bird species and sub-species are included on the List that is currently based on the pre-existing Section 42 list of the NERC Act 2006. • National Birds of Conservation Concern Red List species that are breeding in nationally important numbers Regional • Species listed as Section 7 priority species, which are not covered above, and which regularly occurs in regionally (South Wales) important numbers. • Species present in regionally important numbers (>1% of regional population). • Sustainable populations of species that are rare or scarce within a region. • Species on the BoCC447 and/or BoCC3 (Wales)48 Red and Amber List and which regularly occurs in regionally important numbers.
County • Species listed as Section 7 priority species, which are not covered above, and which regularly occurs in important numbers for the county. • A Site designated for its county important assemblage of birds (e.g. a SINC Site). • Sustainable populations of species that are rare or scarce within the county. • Species on the BoCC4 and/or BoCC3 (Wales) Red and Amber List and which regularly occurs in important numbers for the county.
Local • A regularly occurring, locally important population of a nationally important species listed as a Section 7 priority species • Other species of conservation interest (e.g. species on the BoCC Amber List which are not covered above) regularly occurring in locally important sustainable populations. • Species on the BoCC4 and/or BoCC3 (Wales) Red and Amber List and which breed or winter in Locally important numbers. • Local BAP priority species.
2 Eaton M., Aebischer N., Brown A., Hearn R., Lock L., Musgrove A., Noble D., Stroud D. and Gregory R. (2015) Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the population status of birds in the UK,
Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 108: 708-746.
48 Johnstone I. & Bladwell S. (2016) Birds of Conservation Concern in Wales 3: the population status of birds in Wales, Birds in Wales 13: 3-31.
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Characterising Ornithological Impacts
• positive or negative;
• extent;
• magnitude (size, amount, intensity, volume);
• duration;
• timing;
• frequency; and
• reversibility.
Zone of Influence
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Direct Effects
Indirect Effects
Cumulative Effects
• Môr Hafren Energy Recovery Plant, Cardiff
• Rush Wall Solar Park, Redwick
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• Gwent Levels Farmers’ Community Solar Scheme
• Cardiff Parkway, Llanwern
Assessment of Significance
Scoping Opinion
• The statutory and non-statutory designated sites present in the Zone of Influence and their
associated species;
• Species of conservation concern, including those of Principal Importance in Section 7 of the
Environment (Wales) Act 2016, the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP), Birds of
Conservation Concern 4 (Eaton et al., 2015) and Birds of Conservation Concern 3 (Wales)
(Johnstone & Bladwell, 2016), which may be present in the Application area or in the
surrounding area or have been previously recorded in the application area; and
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• The local distribution of protected species in the area, for which the application area may
support suitable habitat.
Legislation Planning Policy, Legislation and Guidance
Legislation
• EU Directive 2009/147/EC ‘The Birds Directive’ (the codified version of Council Directive
79/409/EEC, (as amended);
• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands 1971;
• The Conservation of Habitat and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended);
• The Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981 (as amended);
• Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000;
• The Environment (Wales) Act 2016;
• Newport Local Biodiversity Action Plan;
Planning Policy
Relevant Guidance / Best Practice
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Limitations
Baseline Data Collection
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• A data search for existing ornithological information from The South East Wales Biodiversity
Records Centre (SEWBReC) for a radius of 3km of the Site for priority and protected species
(including birds) and Breeding Schedule 1 birds, statutory and non-statutory sites of nature
conservation. A search of the governments on-line tool MAGIC was undertaken for
International/European statutory sites further afield up to 10km from the application area
(Appendix 11.1).
• Winter Bird Surveys to assess the usage of the Site and 250m buffer zone (plus 550m around
originally proposed turbine locations) by wintering birds with particular focus on qualifying
and assemblage species from the nearby Severn Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA) and
Ramsar Site. These were undertaken during October to March over two consecutive years
2017/18 and 2018/19, covering both high and low tide times each month. A walkover
methodology was used based on the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Wetland Birds
Survey (WeBS) (Gilbert et al, 1998)49 (Appendix 12.1).
• A monthly survey of the wider area was undertaken on foot and by vehicle in the second
winter (2018/19) to establish other fields that lapwing were using in the area. This survey
extended to approximately 1.5km from the application area boundary but was limited to fields
visible from public rights of way (Appendix 12.1).
• Nocturnal Surveys to assess night-time activity of SPA and Ramsar qualifying bird species
on the application area. These were undertaken during December to February over two
consecutive years 2017/18 and 2018/19 using a similar methodology to Winter Birds at high
tide, but after dark with night vision equipment. (Appendix 12.1).
49 Gilbert G., Gibbons D.W. and Evans J. (1998) Bird Monitoring Methods: A manual of techniques for key UK species. RSPB, Bedfordshire.
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