21Landscape and Visual Impact

21. Landscape and Visual Impact

21 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT

21.1 Introduction

21.1.1 This chapter provides an assessment of the Hinkley Point C Development on the local and wider landscape and on a range of identified sensitive visual receptors. The assessment has been undertaken through a combination of review of available information on landscape character and sensitivities, consultation with appropriate organisations, the use of 3d modelling techniques and the establishment of a number of viewpoints around the proposed Hinkley Point C Development Site from which potential visual impact may be apparent. 21.1.2 The assessment has been undertaken through a staged approach which is reflected in the structure of this chapter. The landscape and visual policy context for the scheme is set out in section three and is followed in section four by a description of the assessment methodology. 21.1.3 The fifth section consists of a baseline study of the landscape and visual resource of the existing site and its surroundings. This breaks the landscape down into component parts, which assists with identifying any elements or features that might be particularly sensitive to the proposed development. 21.1.4 The sixth section sets out the potential landscape and visual impacts that the scheme could have without any mitigation, including construction phase landscape and visual effects and potential effects on the completion of the scheme. Mitigation measures are described in section seven and the significance of any residual effects are described in section eight. 21.1.5 In parallel with EDF Energy’s consultation process, National Grid is consulting on its proposals to provide a new high voltage overhead line between Bridgwater and Seabank near Avonmouth, together with more upgrades and modifications to existing overhead lines in the vicinity of Hinkley Point. The geographic overlap between EDF Energy’s and National Grid’s consultations is largely confined to communities between Bridgwater and Hinkley Point in the area where National Grid’s proposals predominantly involve upgrading existing overhead lines rather than the provision of new overhead lines. 21.1.6 A new 400kV substation will be required on the Development site and output from the nuclear power station to the substation would be transmitted through 2 new EDF Energy overhead lines carried by towers within the site boundary. To facilitate connections between the proposed substation and the national grid high voltage electricity transmission system, six overhead line landing gantries are required along the southern and eastern boundaries of the substation site. The landing gantries will connect via overhead line to three overhead line terminal towers (pylons) outside the substation compound to the south and east. The National Grid substation overhead line landing gantries and terminal towers (pylons) and the EDF Energy overhead lines will form part of the EDF Energy Development Consent Order (OCD) application. Modifications to the existing overhead line network south east of the substation will also be required and this will form part of a separate DCO application by National Grid. Volume 4 of the Environmental Appraisal provides an assessment of the cumulative effect of the Hinkley Point C Development and the National Grid’s proposals in the vicinity of the Hinkley point C site.

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21.2 Study area

21.2.1 A wider study area of the landscape and visual impact assessment was determined by the analysis of the Ordnance Survey data and broadly followed the extent of the predicted visibility of the development site within the surrounding landscape. This wider study area was then reassessed using 3d modelling techniques and the advice of the consultation bodies identified during the assessment process. A number of viewpoints (covering an area of approximately 20km radius from the centre of the site) have been determined to assist in the visual impact assessment. For the purposes of the landscape assessment, a detailed study area has been established which includes an area 5km out from the development site. The perceptual impacts on landscape character areas and types have also been considered within the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) Figure 21.1.

21.3 Legislation, Policy and Guidance

a) Introduction to Planning Context Analysis 21.3.1 The Hinkley Point C Development Site is located within West Somerset Council (WSC). The wider study area lies within three other local planning authority areas, namely: North Somerset Council, Sedgemoor District Council (SDC), and Taunton Deane Borough Council Figure 21.2. Aspects of planning guidance and policy, which are of particular relevance to this assessment, are examined below and shown in Figure 21.3. Guidance on national designations as well as local authority planning policy notes have been used to inform the decision making process. b) National Landscape Designations 21.3.2 Three important national designations exist within the wider study area:

 Exmoor National Park;  Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB); and  Mendip Hills AONB.

i) Exmoor National Park 21.3.3 Exmoor National Park is situated within the counties of Somerset (71% of the park) and Devon. The boundary of the National Park is located approximately 14km, and beyond, to the west of the Hinkley Point C Development Site. It was designated in 1954 under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Each national park in England has been managed by its own National Park Authority since April 1997, following the Environment Act 1995. Its aims are to "conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Parks" and "promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Parks by the public” (Ref. 21.1) including responsibility for the conservation of the historic environment. ii) Quantock Hills AONB 21.3.4 The Quantock Hills AONB was designated in 1956 under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and was the first AONB designated in England. It has the area of 9900 hectares and at its closest is located approximately 4km south-west of the Hinkley Point C Development Site. It falls within the boundary of three local planning authorities (LPAs), namely: WSC, SDC and Taunton Deane Borough Council.

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iii) The Mendip Hills AONB 21.3.5 The Mendip Hills AONB lies approximately 18 km north-east of the Hinkley Point C Development Site. 21.3.6 Further description of the AONB landscape character is provided in the landscape baseline Section 21.5. iv) Local Landscape Designations 21.3.7 There are no local landscape designations that cover any part of the Hinkley Point C Development Site. However, there are a number of local planning designations and policy guidance notes covering landscapes of particular interests that are present in the wider study area. These are listed and briefly described below:

 Inheritance Tax Exemption Sites;  Historic Landscape;  Green Wedge;  Conservation areas; and  Historic Parks and Gardens.

v) Inheritance Tax Exemption Sites 21.3.8 Capital tax exemption is available for land of 'outstanding scenic, historic and scientific interest'. Four sites have been identified within the detailed study area for their exceptional scenic quality. Fairfield Estate is adjacent to the western boundary of the Hinkley Point C Development Site and includes Fairfield House and Dodington Hall, which are listed buildings. East Quantoxhead Estate is an area of high scenic, conservation and historic interest lying partly within the Quantocks Hills AONB. Kentsford Farmhouse and Orchard Wyndham are located around the village of Williton, approximately 10km to the west of the site. vi) Historic Landscape 21.3.9 Historic landscape characterisation is a programme initiated by English Heritage to increase understanding of the wider landscape beyond that of the planned parkland of the country estate. Historic characterisation is described by the Council for British Archaeology as "a way of going beyond intuition to get beneath the skin of a place and look at its essential qualities and character” (Ref. 21.2). The historic landscape characterisation programme does not restrict itself to historic buildings, ornamental landscapes and purely archaeological features, but embraces other man made features such as hedges and managed woodland. Recognising the historic character of a landscape is intended to allow the landscape itself to be managed and protected within the English planning system. Historic landscape characterisation has no statutory basis, however local planning authorities are required to "take account of the historical dimensions of the landscape as a whole" (Ref. 21.3). vii) Green Wedge 21.3.10 Green Wedge is a local landscape designation within the SDC Local Plan. Its function is to contain urban development within a defined boundary around settlements. The nearest Green Wedge designation is located approximately 11km to the north-east of the Hinkley Point C Development Site, adjacent to the coastline settlements between Burnham-on-Sea and Brean Down.

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viii) Conservation Areas 21.3.11 Conservation areas are tracts of land that have been given protected status in order to ensure that natural features, cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded. The designation is usually applied to areas considered worthy of preservation or enhancement because of their special architectural or historic interest, "the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance", as required by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (Section 69 and 70). 21.3.12 Twenty six conservation areas exist within 20km of the Hinkley Point C Development Site and within the boundary of four relevant LPAs. They include: Loxon, Hutton and Uphill in North Somerset; Bridgwater, Lympsham, Cannington, Nether Stowey, Spaxton/Four Forks and Burnham-on-Sea in Sedgemoor; Holford, Watchet, Stogumber and Stogursey in West Somerset; and West Bagborough, Lydeard St Lawrence, Combe Florey, Ash Priors, Bishops Lydeard, Halse, Fitzhead, Kingston St Mary, West Monkton, Ford, Cothelstone, Goosenford, and Hestercombe House in Taunton Deane Borough. Refer to Volume 2, Chapter 22, Historic Environment. ix) Historic Parks and Gardens 21.3.13 There are a number of Historic Parks and Gardens within the wider study area. Three such parks have been identified within the visual envelope of the Hinkley Point C Development Site (up to 1km of the Hinkley Point C Development Site), namely: St Audries House, Fairfield, and Crowcombe Court. These parks of historic value are included in the national Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England. Figure 21.3. c) Other Relevant Policies and Guidance 21.3.14 Polices relevant to the setting of the Hinkley Point C development include the Strategy for the Severn Estuary; Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2004; and Our Environment: Our Future, a Regional Strategy for the South West’s Environment 2004- 2014. These documents provide aims and objectives for future enhancements for the wider area as well as providing guidance notes for best practice in terms of landscape management. i) Strategy for the Severn Estuary 21.3.15 The Severn Estuary Strategy (2000-2001) prepared policy recommendations and proposals for action for the Estuary, and along with key stakeholders and partners has produced a Consultation Draft for the Strategy for the Severn Estuary. As a result of this consultation and the co-ordinated efforts of many key partners in dealing with the responses, numerous appropriate changes have been incorporated into the final Strategy for the Severn Estuary:

 “Encourage wider consultation of all interests on estuary-related matters concerning development and management.” (Policy M5);  “Encourage, where appropriate, the harmonisation of regional planning guidance that affects the Estuary.” (Policy M6);  “Sustainability appraisal should be undertaken of plans and activities on and around the Estuary.” (Policy M9);  “Support the identification of coastal zones where new greenfield development will only be permitted if a coastal location is necessary, where it does not compromise environmental objectives and where it takes account of cumulative impacts.” (Policy D1);  “Encourage development and land uses which conserve and enhance the cultural, natural and built heritage." (Policy D2); and  “Encourage wide consultation when barrage, weir and renewable energy schemes are proposed, and ensure the possible local and regional socio-economic, environmental and

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flood defence benefits of future barrage and weir schemes are weighed against their impacts on landscapes/seascapes and the sensitivity of wildlife habitats on the Estuary.” (Policy D6a).

ii) Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2009-2014 21.3.16 The Quantock Hills AONB Management Plan 2009-2014 sets out policies, objectives and action points over a range of subjects, including landscape, wildlife, historic environment and cultural influences and development and planning. The Management Plan has the following relevant landscape, development and planning policies and objectives:

 “L1: To protect and enhance the landscape and character of the AONB;  D1: To protect the wild character, wildlife sites and species, cultural landscape and architectural heritage of the AONB;  D2: To ensure AONB involvement and influence in planning processes affecting the AONB;  D3: To protect the views out from the AONB through involvement in the planning process; and  D4: To support the local distinctiveness in AONB settlements”. (Ref. 21.4)

iii) Our Environment: Our Future, a Regional Strategy for the South West’s Environment 2004-2014 21.3.17 The purpose of this strategy is to generate awareness of the importance of the South West environment to people living in, working in and visiting the region. In addition, the strategy aims to identify priorities for protecting and enhancing the environment in the interests of sustainable development. It also looks to ensure that decisions are based on an understanding that social and economic activity must be undertaken within the carrying capacity of the region’s environment by highlighting key issues for the region. The key aims and objectives of the Regional Strategy are:

 “Support the use of tool-kits such as Landscape Character Assessment and Historic Landscape Character Assessment in the planning process (including RSS and LDF preparation where appropriate) and produce a simple guide on which tool to use for different purposes.”  “Promote regional coverage of Landscape Character Assessments.”  “Conserve and enhance local distinctiveness through support for parish plans and village design statements.”  “Promote regional exemplars of improving accessibility to the natural and historic environment.”  “Develop good walking and cycling networks across the region.”  “Produce and regularly review Statutory Management Plans for AONBs and National Parks."  “Produce and regularly review a Biodiversity Implementation Plan."  “Produce and regularly review a South West Historic Environment Strategy."

21.3.18 Landscape character assessments provide distinctive descriptions of localities, including the local geology, hydrology, soils, ecology, settlement patterns, cultural history, scenic characteristics and land use amongst other indicators. These descriptions inform the strategic assessment process by identifying specific elements of particular importance. These elements may need protecting against potentially damaging operations in the interests of maintaining local distinctiveness.

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21.3.19 Policies exist within the Regional Planning Guidance for the South West (RPG 10), The Somerset and Exmoor National Park Joint Structure Plan, and the West Somerset District Local Plan Deposit Draft Plan which aim to protect the landscape character of the local area. 21.3.20 Policy EN 1 Landscape and Biodiversity, within Regional Planning Guidance for the South West (RPG 10), states that:

 “Local authorities and other agencies in their plans, policies and proposals, should: have regard to the significant landscape joint character areas of the region set out in this RPG (Map 4) and aim to conserve and enhance local character”; and  “Take measures to protect the character of the countryside and the environmental features that contribute towards that character, including the minimisation of light pollution.”

21.3.21 Policy 5 Landscape Character, within the Somerset and Exmoor National Park Joint Structure Plan, states that:

 “The distinctive character of the countryside of Somerset and the Exmoor National Park should be safeguarded for its own sake. Particular regard should be had to the distinctive features of the countryside in landscape, cultural heritage and nature conservation terms in the provision for development.”

21.3.22 Policy LC/3 Special Landscape Areas, within the West Somerset District Local Plan Deposit Draft Plan, states that:

 “Where development is permitted outside development limits, particular attention will be given to the protection of the scenic quality and distinctive local character of the landscape. Development which does not respect the character of the local landscape will not be permitted.”

d) Summary 21.3.23 In summary, the Hinkley Point C Development Site is not covered by any national landscape designations; however such designations are present within the study area, namely: the Exmoor National Park, the Quantock Hills AONB and the Mendip Hills AONB. 21.3.24 The landscape strategy for the proposed development will aim to meet all the associated landscape designation policy objectives. The details of the landscape strategy are provided in Appendix 21a.

21.4 Methodology

a) Introduction 21.4.1 The format of this assessment is based on the principles produced by the Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment in the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LI and IEMA 2002) (Ref. 21.5) and the Countryside Agency’s Landscape Character Assessment, Guidance for England and Scotland (CA 2002) (Ref. 21.6). b) Landscape Baseline Methodology 21.4.2 By analysing the character of an area, its principal features and elements can be identified. Once these elements are identified, potential impacts likely to arise as a result of the proposed

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development can be determined and a judgement made as to the overall effect this may have on the local landscape character. 21.4.3 The Countryside Agency guidelines (Sandwick et al, 2002) (Ref. 21.6) make a clear distinction between the characterisation process (in which the attributes of the landscape are described) and the judgement-making process. The landscape baseline section of the assessment should deal with the characterisation process, and later sections make judgements about the potential effects of the proposed development based upon the characterisation. 21.4.4 Existing landscape character assessments are an important starting point for any new assessment, due to the hierarchical nature of character assessment:

 “Ideally assessments at different scales should fit together as a nested series or a hierarchy of landscape character types and/or areas so that assessment at each level adds more detail to the one above” (Sandwick et al 2002, par. 2.14) (Ref 21.6).

21.4.5 The study of landscape assessments at different strategic levels is important for a number of reasons:

 it aids the understanding of the landscape at a wider level;  it allows the identification of landscape elements that may be present at a number of different scales, and thus of higher importance;  it highlights landscape character that is ‘out of context’ with other levels of the hierarchy; and  it may identify potential mitigation and restoration options that may not be present at the local scale, but can be beneficial at a higher level.

c) Sensitivity of Landscape Resource 21.4.6 The determination of landscape sensitivity is an important part of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment process. Sensitivity combined with the potential magnitude of change / effect allows assessment of the overall significance of the landscape effects to be made. The overall sensitivity of the existing landscape resource is based on the following factors:

 the value placed on a landscape;  the quality placed on the landscape;  compatibility of the proposed development with existing land-uses and landscape character;  condition of the landscape;  contribution of the landscape within the site to the overall landscape character;  the scope for mitigation of the proposed scheme; and  the degree to which landscape elements and characteristics can be replaced or substituted.

21.4.7 For assessment purposes, the sensitivity of a landscape is categorised as high, medium or low. d) Visual Baseline Methodology 21.4.8 Visual impacts relate solely to changes in available views of the landscape and the effect these changes may have on the members of the public's experience of the landscape. Such impacts include the direct and indirect impacts the development will have upon views through intrusion or obstruction, as well as the overall impact on visual amenity (be it degradation or enhancement).

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21.4.9 The first stage in development of the visual baseline was an initial study of the Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 and 1:10,000 maps in order to identify potential viewpoints (receptors) and areas for investigation based on the following criteria:

 distance from the scheme to the receptor;  the proportion of the development visible as well as the absolute visibility of the scheme;  the height of the development relative to the receptor with reference also to the scale of other features in the view;  the number and character of elements which would be lost from or added to the view;  high concentrations of viewers, such as settlements, local recreational facilities etc;  views illustrating the visual character of the surrounding area; and  areas identified as having a high potential for visual impact within the ZTV.

21.4.10 Principal viewpoints have been selected on the basis of locations that provide the clearest views of the site and are also the most accessible to the public. 21.4.11 Secondary viewpoints represent views from areas which are not commonly used by the public, or which would provide less clear views of the Hinkley Point C Development Site. Secondary viewpoints also represent areas which may be perceived to be sensitive to the visual impact of the scheme but which may have restricted views of the site, i.e. due to the distance from the receptor. 21.4.12 Use was made of desktop study and consultation to identify potential viewpoints. Key Terra Firma ground modelling software and AutoCAD were used to establish a ZTV ‘Bare Earth’ and to assist in viewpoint selection. OS Landform Profile DTM ASCII XYZ dataset and the heights of the existing structures at the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex were used in ground model creation. This ground model is the digital representation of the earth surface within the study area and which has been used in the analysis of the area of potential site visibility using computer generated imagery. 21.4.13 A total of 185 panoramic views have been recorded during 15 days of site visits to illustrate the general range of visibility across the study area, as well as viewpoints where the potential for significant visual impact was identified. Photographs were taken to record the existing views. Site visits were carried out on the following dates:

 19 December 2008;  20 January 2009;  23 and 25 February 2009;  1 and 29 May 2009;  16 and 17 September 2009;  2 December 2009;  3 and 28 March 2010; and  9, 15, 16 and 19 April 2010.

21.4.14 Weather conditions on the days of the visual surveys varied, however in most cases conditions were considered adequate for assessing all of the selected views. 21.4.15 A total of 44 final Principal and Secondary Viewpoints were selected following consultation with key stakeholders. Photographs illustrating views from a selected series of viewpoints were taken using a Nikon D100 digital camera, set to the equivalent of a 35mm focal length, which is the equivalent of 50mm film camera lens (equivalent of human eye). Where viewpoints consisted of more than one frame, the relevant frames were merged together using Photovista

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software (version 2.0). Principal Viewpoint Sheets are shown in Figures 21.6 to 21.40 and Secondary Viewpoint Sheets are shown in Figures 21.41 to 21.49. e) Sensitivity of Visual Resource 21.4.16 The sensitivity of the visual resource (viewpoint) depends on the following factors:

 the location and context of the viewpoint. For example, viewpoints which are closer to the site are generally more sensitive;  the number of users who commonly use the viewpoint. Some viewpoints are commonly used by the public, such as formal viewing platforms, picnic areas or recreational rights of way. Other viewpoints may be difficult to gain access to;  the nature of the viewpoint. Residents may be sensitive to visual impacts as they will experience the visual change on a regular and prolonged basis. Public footpaths can also be sensitive, since the users’ attention is often focused on the landscape. By contrast, views from outdoor sport facilities, transport routes or places of work are less sensitive;  movement of viewers at the viewpoint. Transitionary views, for example drivers on roads, are generally less sensitive than views experienced by people from fixed locations (e.g. residents of properties) and where movement of the viewer is slower (e.g. footpaths); and  the cultural significance of the viewpoint, including its appearance in guidebooks and tourist maps, or the strength of its relationship with cultural and historical associations.

21.4.17 The sensitivity of viewpoints is categorised as high, medium or low and is based on the professional judgement of the assessor. f) Assessment Methodology and Criteria 21.4.18 The assessment methodology used in landscape and visual impact assessment is similar to that used for other environmental parameters and is based on determining impact significance through consideration of the potential magnitude of change in relation to the sensitivity of the landscape to change. In this respect the approach taken is similar to the overall assessment approach set out in Volume 2, Chapter 5 of the Environmental Appraisal. There are, however, some differences, which largely relate to the fact that the assessment process is effectively judgemental and subjective with no quantitative data or thresholds available against which predicted changes can be assessed. This does not mean, however, that the scale of change and sensitivity of the receptor (i.e. the landscape or visual interest) cannot be defined and a framework for assessment developed. For example, the magnitude of landscape impacts depends upon the following factors (Landscape Institute and Institute for Environmental Management (LI and IEMA 2002)) (Ref. 21.5):

 the scale or degree of change to the existing landscape resource;  the nature of the change caused by the proposed scheme (for example beneficial or adverse); and  the timescale or phasing of the proposed scheme.

21.4.19 For this assessment, the above factors have been taken into account and for each of the viewpoints the potential magnitude of the residual visual impacts, during both construction and completion of the development, has been assessed. The magnitude of visual impacts is mainly dependent upon the following factors (LI and IEMA, 2002) (Ref. 21.5):

 the proportion of the existing view which would change as a result of the development proposals;

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 the number of features or elements within the view which would be changed;  the appropriateness of the proposed scheme in the context of the existing views;  the number of viewers which would be affected by the changes in the view;  the timescale of the proposed scheme, continuity and intermittent nature; and  the angle of the view in relation to the main activity of the receptor.

21.4.20 Taking into account the above points, the magnitude of change for both landscape and visual impacts has been categorised as:

 high – the proposed scheme would completely change the character and/or appearance of the landscape for a long period of time or permanently. It would affect many receptors;  medium – the proposed scheme would cause a noticeable difference to the landscape, and would affect several receptors;  low – the proposed scheme would cause a barely perceptible impact, and would affect few receptors; and  negligible – the proposed scheme is appropriate in its context. It may be difficult to differentiate from its surroundings and would affect very few or no receptors.

21.4.21 The potential significance of landscape and visual impacts is determined by a combination of the magnitude of the potential impact and the sensitivity of the landscape and visual setting to change. These two variables can be correlated as illustrated in Table 21.4.1 below. Table 21.4.1: Impact Magnitude Matrix

Magnitude of Sensitivity of Receptor Change High Moderate Low

High Major Major/Moderate Moderate

Medium Major/Moderate Moderate Moderate/Minor

Low Moderate Moderate/Minor Minor

Negligible Not Significant Not Significant Not Significant

21.4.22 The above consideration of the sensitivity of the receptors with the magnitude of the potential impacts provides an overall assessment of the potential significance of impacts. However, this process is not a quantitative process; there is not an absolute scoring system. Instead, the correlation of the two factors, although reflecting recognised features and methods of working outlined in this report, is in the end a matter of professional judgement. 21.4.23 Table 21.4.2 provides a brief definition of the significance criteria. It must be emphasised that both landscape and visual impacts can be either adverse or beneficial in nature except the situation where no change is predicted and in this case the impact is assessed as negligible – neither beneficial nor adverse.

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Table 21.4.2: Significance Criteria

Level of Description Significance

Major Very large or large change in landscape and visual conditions. Effects, both adverse and beneficial, are likely to be important considerations at a regional or district level because they contribute to achieving national, regional or local objectives, or could result in exeedance of statutory objectives and/or breaches of legislation.

Moderate Intermediate change in landscape and visual conditions. Effects are likely to be important considerations at a local level.

Minor Small change in landscape and visual conditions. These effects may be raised as local issues but are unlikely to be of importance in the decision making process.

Negligible No discernable change in landscape and visual conditions. Effect is likely to have a negligible or neutral influence, irrespective of other effects.

21.4.24 With regard to landscape and visual aspects, short to medium term impacts are considered to normally be associated with physical construction, and long term impacts are normally associated with an operational scheme. g) Limitations and Assumptions 21.4.25 The principal assumptions and limitations for this assessment are as follows:

 given the undulating/hilly topography of the landscape surrounding the Hinkley Point C Development Site, it was considered appropriate to use computer modelling to assist with viewpoint selection and to appreciate the potential visual influence of the development in the wider landscape; and  site visits have been carried out during both Winter and Summer conditions. Where possible, the selected photographs show the worst case scenario (Winter views). For some views, where vegetation does not obscure the Hinkley Point C Development Site, Summer views were considered sufficient for the purpose of the assessment. The weather conditions on the day of each survey varied however in most cases conditions were considered acceptable for assessing all of the selected views.

21.5 Baseline Environmental Characteristics

h) Landscape Baseline i) National Landscape Character 21.5.1 The Countryside Agency produced guidelines for Landscape Character Assessments Guidance for England and Scotland (2002) (Ref. 21.6) identifying three main levels of Landscape Character Assessment:

 national and regional scale;  county, district and unitary authority scale; and  local, parish and site scale.

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21.5.2 The Countryside Agency and its roles and responsibilities has now been encompassed within Natural England, which is now responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, freshwater and marine environments, geology and soils, are protected and improved. It also has a responsibility to help people enjoy, understand and have access to the natural environment. 21.5.3 At the national and regional level, landscape character assessment is defined by the work originally undertaken by the Countryside Agency, as set out in ‘Countryside Character, Volume 8: South West (Countryside Agency 1999)’ (Ref. 21.7). 21.5.4 Originally, this document identified the area of land at Hinkley Point C as falling within ‘Area 146 – Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes'. However, WSC commissioned a more detailed landscape character appraisal for its area to help inform policy for the WSC Local Plan. This study identified the land around Hinkley Point C as being part of the ‘National Character Area 142: Somerset Levels and Moors’ Figure 21.4. 21.5.5 This character area has the following key characteristics:

 flat, open landscape of wet pasture, arable and wetland divided up by wet ditches or ‘rhynes’;  absence of dispersed farmsteads or any buildings on levels and moors. Nucleated settlements on ridges/islands;  surrounded, and divided up, by low hills, ridges and islands which form distinctive skylines;  peat working and nature reserves contrasting with the rectilinear planned landscape of the Moors;  dramatic and prominent hills such as Brent Knoll, the Isle of Avalon and Barrow Mump, rising above the Levels and Moors;  sparse tree cover on Levels and Moors contrasting with woodland, hedges and orchards of surrounding hills;  sparsely populated Moors but settlements common on hills, ridges and islands;  historic landscape strongly evident in features ranging from prehistoric trackways and lake villages to post-medieval enclosures and peat working;  international nature-conservation significance for wetland, waders and waterfowl;  narrow dune belt fringing Bridgwater Bay; and  raised rivers and levees, with main roads and causeways flanked by houses. Flooding in winter over large areas.

21.5.6 It is important to note that many of the same characteristics were given for the National Character Area 143, Mid Somerset Hills, which is located to the south-west of the Somerset Levels and Moors National Character Area. 21.5.7 Four other National Character Areas fall within the landscape character study area: Area 141: Mendip Hills, Area 146: Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes, Area 144: The Quantock Hills and Area 145: Exmoor. 21.5.8 The key characteristics of Area 141: Mendip Hills area are:

 a chain of prominent limestone hills extending inland from the coast and rising up sharply from surrounding lowlands;  an open, largely treeless, limestone plateau with karst features, cave systems, dry stone walls and sparse settlement;  dramatic gorges, cliffs and escarpment slopes around the plateau;

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 a sharp contrast between the open plateau and steep escarpment slopes of the karst landscape and the more complex, gentler landforms in the east;  many industrial archaeological sites reflecting the lead, coal and cloth industries;  perpendicular church towers;  country houses in the east with wooded parks;  buildings in local stone with pantile roofs: stones include grey or honey-coloured oolitic limestone; and  outstanding prehistoric ritual landscapes.

21.5.9 The key characteristics of Area 146: Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes are:

 lowland farmland qualities in sharp contrast to surrounding built landscapes;  lowland, mixed farming landscape, with dense hedges, sparse woodland and frequent settlement;  contrast between floodplain, low clay vale and higher sandstone vale edge;  scattered settlement of farmsteads and hamlets linked by winding lanes;  scattered villages;  red sandstone buildings and prominent perpendicular church towers;  cider apple orchards;  variable hedgerow tree cover, with some areas of abundant hedgerow oaks;  willow in floodplains; and  open and windswept coast with low cliffs.

21.5.10 The key characteristics of the Area 144: The Quantock Hills are:

 central high, heath land ridge, with some beech clumps;  irregular field patterns and farmsteads in sheltered fringes;  steep wooded valleys and lower slopes, commonly with former deer parks. Beech copses and lines are characteristic;  red sandstone and shales use in older buildings and giving colour to the soils; and  high archaeological interest of Bronze Age monuments such as burial mounds.  The key characteristics of Area 145: Exmoor are:  a diverse upland landscape, rising abruptly out of the surrounding lowlands and ending in a high and spectacular cliff coastline with coastal heath at the edge of the Bristol Channel;  central high, treeless heather and grass moorlands used for rough grazing;  extensive 19th century moorland-edge enclosures and farms with beech-topped hedge banks and beech wind breaks;  steep wooded inland valleys and steep coastal combes;  regular, straight-sided fields usually enclosed by earth banks and stone walls;  villages and farmsteads nestle in sheltered valley bottoms;  wooded lower slopes in places, some with former deer parks;  slates and sandstones used in older buildings;  complex and visually outstanding coastline of headlands, steep cliffs and coves;  high archaeological interest of Bronze Age monuments such as hill-forts.

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ii) Local Landscape Character 21.5.11 At the more detailed, regional and district level, the landscape character has been described in a number of landscape character studies. The following documents have been analysed to inform the landscape baseline for the LVIA:

 West Somerset Landscape Assessment 1999 adopted in 2006 as part of the West Somerset District Local Plan (WS Atkins 1999) (Ref. 21.8);  Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment and Countryside Design Summary Revised Edition 2003 (Sedgemoor 2003) (Ref. 21.9);  North Somerset Landscape Character Assessment (LUC 2005) (Ref. 21.10);  Exmoor Landscape Character Assessment (Preece 2007) (Ref. 21.11);  Landscape Assessment of the Quantock Hills AONB (Countryside Agency 2003) (Ref. 21.12);  Landscape Assessment of the Mendip Hills AONB (Countryside Commission 1998) (Ref. 21.13);  Taunton Deane Local Plan (2004) (Ref. 21.14); and  Somerset and Exmoor Historic Landscape Characterisation Project 1999–2000 (Ref 21.15).

21.5.12 The above landscape characterisation studies have identified a number of landscape character areas/types in the vicinity of the Hinkley Point C Development Site. However, due to the similarities between the assessments and overlapping areas of study, a selection of relevant landscape character areas/types was made following field and desktop study. The selected landscape character areas/types have been illustrated in Figure 21.5. 21.5.13 Local landscape character areas (located within 10km of the site) receiving views of the site would have the potential to be directly affected by the proposed development. 21.5.14 The establishment of the ZTV led to the conclusion that the following local landscape character areas/types were of the highest relevance to this assessment:

 Quantock Vale Area with four Sub-Areas, namely: Eastern Lowlands Sub-Area, The Coast (St. Audries to Hinkley Point) Sub-Area; Wick Moor and Coast Sub-Area; and Wall Common and Coast Sub-Area;  Blue Anchor Bay Area;  Central West Somerset Area;  Doniford Stream and Quantock Fringe Area;  Central Quantocks;  Quantocks Area;  Lowland Hills Area;  Levels and Moors Area; and  Brendon Fringe.

21.5.15 The key characteristic of the relevant landscape character areas are provided below. Quantock Vale 21.5.16 East of the Quantock Hills, the steep and semi-steep slopes and hills, which characterise most of West Somerset, give way to a more flowing lowland landscape of wider valleys and gentle hills which are rarely over 60m AOD. The Quantock ridge is a dominant feature to the west. In common with most of the district, the landform is overlain by an essentially ancient agricultural landscape of small fields, hedges, hedgerow trees and small woodlands. Stogursey is the only village of significant size but there are several small settlements and numerous farms. The

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lowland defines this character area but two small areas of marsh and the coast have led to four sub-character areas being defined, which have the following characteristics:

 Eastern Lowlands – field pattern; deciduous woodland; hedges and hedgerow trees; Hinkley Point and the national grid overhead transmission lines to the existing power stations;  The Coast (St Audries to Hinkley Point) – cliffs; wave cut platforms; coastal vegetation;  Wick Moor and Coast – the area is nationally important for its nature conservation features; and  Wall Common and Coast – the area is nationally important for its nature conservation features.

Blue Anchor Bay 21.5.17 This area is essentially characterised by areas of marsh and low-lying land but it also includes the town of Minehead and the steep slopes of Exmoor fringe to the south and west of the town. The area has been divided into five smaller character areas which have the following landscape characteristics.

 Minehead Exmoor Fringe – field pattern; hedges, trees and woodland;  Minehead Salt Marsh – drainage ditches and pasture; West Somerset Railway;  Dunster Flats – field pattern; hedges and hedgerow trees, the Hawn; West Somerset Railway;  Blue Anchor Flats – field pattern; hedges and small copses; West Somerset Railway; caravan and camping sites; and  The Coast – sand dunes; vegetated Shingle; wide open stretches of inter-tidal muds, sands, shingle and gravel.

Central West Somerset 21.5.18 Central West Somerset is an area of rolling or undulating hills, rarely over 100m AOD, divided by numerous streams and rivers in generally narrow but not exceptionally steep valleys. The hills of Exmoor and the Quantocks visually enclose this area yet the sea to the north creates openness to the view. 21.5.19 Essentially this is an ancient agricultural landscape of small fields, hedges, hedgerow trees and small woodlands but it also contains the main settlements of the district as well as numerous farms, hamlets and villages. The enclosure provided by the surrounding hills and the sea gives this area a cohesion which is difficult to divide. Therefore, this area is considered as two simple sub areas which have the following key characteristics:

 Carhampton to Quantock Coastal Hills – field pattern; hedges and hedgerow trees; tree clumps, copses and woodland; radio masts; and  The Coast (Blue Anchor to St Audries) – cliffs; wave cut platforms; coastal flora.

Doniford Stream & Quantock Fringe 21.5.20 Along the western boundary of the Quantock Hills AONB there is a narrow (rarely more than two to three fields wide) agricultural fringe which is only divided from similar agricultural land use in the valley of the Doniford Stream by the line of the A358 road. A wider band of coastal agricultural fringe encloses the northern end of the Quantock Hills AONB. On the basis of geology, landform and land use these hills are linked to the valley.

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21.5.21 The Doniford Valley is a distinct linear character area enclosed by the Brendon Hills to the west and the Quantocks to the east. The hilly terrain is broken and incised by small streams. There is scattered woodland throughout the area, some of which in the south is quite extensive. This area is considered as two sub areas which have the following key characteristics:

 Doniford Valley – field pattern; hedges and hedgerow trees; tree clumps, copses and woodland; enclosed by hills; and  North East Quantock Agricultural Fringe – field pattern; hedges and hedgerow trees; tree clumps, copses and woodland; views out to sea.

Central Quantocks 21.5.22 This character area comprises most of the Quantocks Hills AONB that lies in West Somerset. The Central Quantocks rise to smooth rounded summits incised by deep combes. This common land is not divided into fields. Visually the Quantocks Hills are a dominant feature from many view points within the district. The highest summits are over 300m AOD and are covered with heathland and moor of great aesthetic and wildlife value. To the east deeply incised, wooded combes dissect the plateau. There are no settlements in this open countryside although West Quantoxhead is on the boundary. The landform suggests two man sub divisions to the Central Quantocks, which have the following key characteristics:

 the Upland Plateau and Combes – the area is nationally important for its landscape and nature conservation; and  the Western Scarp Slope – the area is a nationally important landscape feature; prominent landform and skyline; moorland vegetation; parkland; and beech hedges.

Quantocks Hills 21.5.23 The Quantocks Character Area covers the southern parts of the Quantock Hills AONB and its prominent ridge will receive long distance views of the proposed development. Two sub-areas are described with the following key characteristics:

 Quantock Hills and Combes sub-area – complex landform; steep combes; some large arable or pasture fields; small pasture fields; dispersed farmhouses; mature trees as prominent skyline features; streams and deciduous woodland; open hilltops with gently rolling landform with long views from gaps or gates in hedgebanks; and  Quantock Summits sub-area – open heath and moorland of significant ecological value; large forestry plantations (deciduous and coniferous); open unimproved grassland; some enclosed pasture; heather-clad upland plateau of the northern part of the Quantock hills.

Lowland Hills 21.5.24 This landscape character area comprises a series of isolated knolls, which have a close historic and visual association with wetlands. The area includes land of similar key characteristics lying within parts of two National Landscape Character Areas: Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringe, and Mid-Somerset Hills. Two sub-areas of this landscape character area have particular relevance to the development:

 Quantock Foothills sub-area – low, broad, rolling hills forming transition to steeply folded AONB; undulating topography; small deciduous woodlands; remnant parkland landscapes; field pattern; hedgerows with hedgerow trees (ash and oak); small streams and brooks; the M5 and power lines; and

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 Stockland Hills sub-area – similar to the Quantock Foothills but more diverse and smaller scale; undulating topography; distinctive due to the relationship with the coastal and estuarine areas; small hills (Cannington Park hill fort); larger arable and small pasture fields; unmanaged hedgerows; small woodlands; dispersed settlement pattern.

Levels and Moors 21.5.25 The Levels and Moors are a vast area of drained wetland with limited tree cover and a strong sense of openness. It is an area of summer pastures criss-crossed with a geometric pattern of rhynes, long straight access droves and distinctive pollarded willows or hawthorn hedgerows in some parts of the moors. The landscape of the Levels show further differences with a pattern of drainage ditches and lanes which is often much less regular and includes more mixed hedgerows. Two sub-areas of this landscape character area have particular relevance to the development:

 Levels sub-area – lowland areas, largely flat landscape, irregular field pattern defined by a combination of drainage channels and hedges; hedgerows and hedgerow trees; inhabited and civilised character; sense of quiet and unspoilt rural charm; and  Estuarine Levels sub-area – this area carries the same key characteristics as Levels sub- area, but is closer to the coast.

Brendon Fringe 21.5.26 The Brendon Fringe is the most extensive landscape character area within West Somerset. It includes land over 150m AOD to the east of the Brendon hills and to the south west, the district around Clatworthy Reservoir. In the eastern finger above Doniford Stream and notably at Raleghs Cross the area is quite open and bleaker than elsewhere in the district. The fields are larger and more regular in shape. Further south, to the south-west and east of Clatworthy reservoir the landscape is essentially an ancient agricultural landscape of small fields, hedges, hedgerow trees and small woodlands. 21.5.27 There are no significant settlements in this character area and it is dominated by numerous, scattered villages, hamlets and farms. The main villages are Brompton Ralph, Huish Champflower, Skilgate and Upton. Two sub divisions of this area have been recognised and they have the following key characteristics:

 Open Brendon Fringe – field pattern; hedges, particularly beech; close association with Exmoor; and  Brendon Fringe – field pattern; floristic banks; hedges and hedgerow trees; coniferous woodland; Clatworthy Reservoir.

iii) Landscape Appraisal of the Hinkley Point C Development Site and its Surroundings 21.5.28 The Countryside Agency guidance on landscape appraisal recommends that landscapes are initially characterised, and that judgements about the nature and value of these landscapes are then based on this characterisation process. This guidance recommends that the characterisation process should be based on an assessment of natural factors, cultural social factors and aesthetic and perceptual factors. 21.5.29 These factors have been examined for the Hinkley Point C Development Site and its adjacent landscape up to 5km away. Each of these factors is assessed below.

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iv) Natural Characteristics 21.5.30 The bedrock geology of the Eastern Lowlands Landscape Character Sub-Area comprises Triassic Mercia Mudstones along the foot of the Quantock Hills which are overlain to the north by the limestones and shales of the Jurassic Lower Lias. Soils developed on the Lower Lias outcrop are calcareous pelosols, while fine loamy soils predominate over the outcrop of the Mercia Mudstones. More detailed information on the geology of the surrounding area and the Hinkley Point C Development Site is provided in Volume 2, Chapter 14 of the Environmental Appraisal. 21.5.31 The topography of the Eastern Lowlands Character Sub-Area can be described as rolling lowland with low hills (to about 70m AOD) in the south and south-west, transitioning into a predominantly flat landscape to the east. The landscape in the immediate vicinity of the site contains numerous drains and ditches typical of an agricultural landscape. 21.5.32 Vegetation consists predominantly of agricultural fields divided by hedgerows and hedgerow trees on boundaries. Pollarded willow along the field boundaries is a common feature. Some small pockets of predominantly deciduous woodlands and copses are located within and around the Hinkley Point C Development Site. v) Cultural and Social Factors 21.5.33 The Hinkley Point C Development Site is surrounded by large areas of farmland, which are the main land use in its vicinity. The field pattern is irregular and the fields are predominantly small. Historically and culturally it is possible to read the medieval pattern of the landscape. 21.5.34 The dominant built form consists mainly of small, two storey cottages, agricultural buildings of a simple form, and nucleated hamlets and farms. There is a strong emphasis on the use on local materials. Roofs are made of thatch, slate and tiles. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex dominates the character of the local area. Small villages around the Hinkley Point C Development Site, such as Stolford, Woolstone, Wick, Shurton, Burton and Lilstock add to the agricultural character of the surrounding area. Stogursey is the only village of significant size. 21.5.35 The existing national grid overhead transmission lines and towers from the existing Hinkley Point A and Hinkley Point B stations form a prominent feature in the low-lying landscape to the east. 21.5.36 There are several public rights of way crossing the Hinkley Point C Development Site and in its immediate vicinity, including a coastal path which runs along the top of the low cliff line. These footpaths were walked during the field assessment. Further information on the Rights of Way network and their status is provided in Volume 2, Chapter 24. 21.5.37 There are no known sites of national or international importance for archaeology or cultural heritage within the Hinkley Point C Development Site, however a Scheduled Monument, Wick Barrow (also known as Pixies Mound), a designated burial mound of Neolithic-Early Bronze Age, is located to the south-east. 21.5.38 There are no listed or locally listed buildings within the Hinkley Point C Development Site. An important Grade II* listed building, Fairfield House, together with listed deer park, is located approximately 3km south-west of the Hinkley Point C Development Site. vi) Aesthetic and Perceptual Aspects 21.5.39 The aesthetic qualities of the local area are summarised in Table 21.5.1, divided into the main categories identified within the Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage guidance (CA and SNH 2002) (Ref. 21.6).

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Table 21.5.1: Aesthetic Attributes of the Landscape Within and Adjacent to the Hinkley Point C Development Site

Aesthetic Factors

Enclosure The Hinkley Point C Development Site and its immediate surroundings are located in the rolling landscape of the Quantock Vale. The site is open to the west, however due to the rolling topography; areas of enclosure exist where land height falls. Due to its coastal location, the site is exposed from the north, and views of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex exist along the coastline from Minehead to Brean Down. The site is enclosed to the east, where existing buildings and a belt of woodland screen the majority of the short and mid distance views towards the Hinkley Point C Development Site. Small villages scattered around the adjacent landscape and vegetation provide enclosure in places.

Scale A large scale landscape with few interruptions. Open areas and views are large in nature.

Balance Views generally consist of wide areas of sky and farmland. Built elements include individual farms, small villages and the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex. These combined characteristics give a generally balanced character to the landscape, which becomes discordant in the immediate vicinity of Hinkley Point C.

Texture Agricultural fields of different size and vegetation, including hedgerows, hedgerow trees and areas of woodland on rolling topography create a textured landscape.

Pattern The landscape holds an organised pattern, due to the intensity of agricultural use and limited transport infrastructure in the vicinity of the site. The continuity of landscape pattern is interrupted by the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex.

Form and The horizontal elements include open agricultural landscape, roads and national grid Line overhead line conductors (wires), which contrast with the vertical buildings of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex and the associated electricity pylons. Scattered trees and hedges occasionally help to break form and line.

Diversity A simple landscape with some agricultural built elements, which becomes more complex in the vicinity of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex.

Colour Natural greens, browns dominate the landscape, whilst grey, white and dark brown shades are apparent in the built form.

Movement Still landscape due to limited movement on few local roads and the presence of large areas of agricultural land. Landscape becomes busier in the immediate vicinity of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex.

vii) Classification and Evaluation 21.5.40 The above appraisal concludes that the classification of the existing landscape as part of the Quantock Vale Landscape Character Area and ‘Eastern Lowlands’ Landscape Character Sub Area constitutes an accurate reflection of the character of the site. Table 21.5.2 illustrates how these criteria have been appraised to derive an assessment of the areas sensitivity.

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Table 21.5.2: Sensitivity of Existing Landscape Resource

Landscape Description Element

Value and Quality The majority of the Hinkley Point C Development Site and its peripheral boundaries consist of areas of farmland, divided by hedgerows and small blocks of trees. The site is situated on the open coastline overlooking the Bristol Channel and Bridgwater Bay. A number of local designations exist within the detailed landscape study area, two of which are of particular importance, namely County Wildlife Site within the Hinkley Point C Development Site and the Fairfield Estate Inheritance Tax Exemption Site, which is adjacent to the western SSA boundary and was designated for its exceptional scenic quality.

Compatibility The Hinkley Point C Development Site consists of large areas of farmland within high quality landscape. However, the presence of the adjacent Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex increases the compatibility of the site with similar proposals.

Condition The landscape within the site has been assigned a good condition rating due to coherent patterns of elements.

Potential for A potential exists to replicate/improve declining features, such as hedgerows, Replication or hedgerow trees and planting woodland areas. Substitution

Scope for The proposed development gives the opportunity for an effective landscape and Mitigation ecological strategy to be implemented.

Overall landscape sensitivity of the site = medium

viii) Potential for Landscape Enhancement 21.5.41 The West Somerset Landscape Character Assessment identifies the Hinkley Point C Development Site as being within the ‘Eastern Lowlands’ Landscape Character Area. The character of this landscape area permits interventions which would suit the scale and landscape character of the particular area concerned. The potential exists for the following:

 creating a natural and appropriate landscape setting for Hinkley Point C with reference to the surrounding countryside;  creating and enhancing habitats through planting management to enhance biodiversity;  mitigating the visual impact of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex and Hinkley Point C through manipulation of topographic levels plus associated screen planting;  creating a strong network of wildlife corridors linking the surrounding landscape;  encouraging sensitive hedgerow management; and  tree planting.

ix) Visual Baseline 21.5.42 A ‘Bare Earth’ ZTV has been used within this assessment Figure 21.1 which does not take into account the extensive screening effects of blocks of woodland, settlements or urban area and therefore represents a ‘worst case visual scenario’. Smaller scale elements also preclude

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visibility. As a result, there may be roads, tracks and footpaths in the vicinity of the Hinkley Point C Development Site and in the wider setting which, although shown as falling within the ZTV, are heavily screened or filtered by banks, walls and flanking vegetation and which preclude viewing opportunities. 21.5.43 The visibility of the site is principally restricted by the undulating topography around it. To a lesser extent the visibility is restricted by the existing mature vegetation and built development of predominantly residential uses. 21.5.44 Views from the north are open and panoramic, and available predominantly from the sea. The South Wales coastline located across the Bristol Channel, approximately 23km from the site at its narrowest point provides views of the site under good weather conditions. 21.5.45 Views from the east are available predominantly from the coastline (Hinkley Point to Weston- super-Mare) and areas of higher topography, including Brent Knoll and Puriton Hill. The ZTV to the east of the site has been refined following field work and the majority of the ZTV was excluded due to intervening vegetation and built environment. The areas located in the vicinity of the site (up to 5km) provide good views of the existing higher structures at Hinkley Point. 21.5.46 Views from the south and south west are of the low hills located around the site and the prominent ridgeline of the Quantocks, with clear views of the Hinkley Point C Development Site from areas of highest elevation. The Quantock Hills obscure any views to the site from south- west of the hills themselves. 21.5.47 To the west of the site, views are available predominantly from the coastline and some higher areas located in the eastern part of the Exmoor National Park. x) Principal and Secondary Viewpoints 21.5.48 Refer to Figure 21.1 for an overview of the Principal and Secondary Viewpoint locations. 21.5.49 Principal Viewpoint 1 – ProW WL23/110 West of Benhole Lane. This viewpoint is sited on a Public Right of Way no. WL 23/110 and is representative of the view for walkers on the ridge located to the south-west of the site. The view is open and consists of an expanse farmland and sea with some coastal vegetation in the foreground and middle ground. The existing Hinkley Point A and B structures punctuate the skyline towards the right of the view. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.6. 21.5.50 Principal Viewpoint 2 – Coastal footpath PRoW no. WL 23/95. This viewpoint is located on the coastal footpath/PROW no. WL 23/95 and represents views experienced by walkers. Significant areas of farmland are visible in the foreground and the existing Hinkley Point A structures punctuate the skyline in the middle of the open view. Small shrubs partially screen the views of the sea and few trees are visible. The viewpoint is located within a sensitive tract of important international designations of nature conservation, which are a popular destination for their wildlife and landscape value. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.7. 21.5.51 Principal Viewpoint 3 – Lilstock – PRoW WL 24/9. This viewpoint is situated on the Public Right of Way no. WL 24/9 to the north of Lilstock and represents views available for walkers. The existing view is open and consists of an open expanse of sky and the seascape of Bridgwater Bay. The coastal footpath and coastal shrub covering are visible in the foreground. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings are visible in the distance. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as medium. Figure 21.8. 21.5.52 Principal Viewpoint 4 – PRoW no WL 24/8. This viewpoint is located on Public Right of Way no. WL 24/8, to the west of the site. The view predominantly comprises large areas of farmland with a few pockets of shrubs and trees in the foreground and background. The Existing Hinkley Point

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Power Station Complex is visible in the distance. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as medium. Figure 21.9. 21.5.53 Principal Viewpoint 5 – Public Right of Way (PRoW) at Higher Hill. This viewpoint is located on the Public Right of Way at Higher Hill to the west of the site. Due to the higher topography and no intervening elements, open views of Bridgwater Bay and the Hinkley Point C Development Site and its immediate surroundings are available from this viewpoint. Brean Down and Steep Holm are visible in the far distance. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as medium Figure 21.10. 21.5.54 Principal Viewpoint 6 – PRoW no WL 24/11 near the edge of the Great Plantation. The viewpoint is sited on a Public Right of Way near the Great Plantation to the south-west of the site and is representative of the view for walkers. The lower levels of the Hinkley Point C Development Site are obscured by the topography; however the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings, due to their height, punctuate the skyline. The view is contained on one side by the Great Plantation woodland and tree and shrub pockets are visible in the middle ground and background. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as medium. Figure 21.11. 21.5.55 Principal Viewpoint 7 – Fairfield House Driveway. This viewpoint is located on the Driveway to Fairfield House, a Grade II* Listed Building to the south-west of the site. It is representative of the view for residents and visitors to Fairfield House. The view is dominated by grassland with some trees and man-made influences such as telegraph poles and fences in the foreground. A mix of hedgerows and tree blocks can be seen in the middle ground and the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex is clearly visible in the background. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.12. 21.5.56 Principal Viewpoint 8 – Shurton, PRoW no. WL 23/48. The viewpoint is located on Public Right of Way no. WL 23/48 on the western edge of Shurton, looking north-east towards the site. It is representative of the view for walkers and local residents. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.13. 21.5.57 Principal Viewpoint 9 – Shurton, PRoW no. WL 23/56. This viewpoint is located on the public footpath located within the village of Shurton next to the pumping station to the south of the Hinkley Point C Development Site. It represents views experienced by walkers and local residents. Large areas of farmland, hedgerows and hedgerow trees are major landscape elements within the view. The lower levels of the Hinkley Point C Development Site would be obscured by the topography; however the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings, due to their height (65 metres), punctuate the skyline. The viewpoint is located within the Quantock Vale (Eastern Lowlands) Landscape Character Area and its sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.14. 21.5.58 Principal Viewpoint 10 – Pixies Mound. The viewpoint is located on a PRoW next to Pixies Mound Scheduled Ancient Monument looking west towards the site. It is representative of the view for visitors to Hinkley Point. The view is dominated by grassland with tree plantation screening the existing power station towards the right in the background. The access road (Wick Moor Drove) cuts through the grassland in the view. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.15. 21.5.59 Principal Viewpoint 11 – PRoW no. WL 23/60, West of Wick. The viewpoint is located on a PRoW no. WL 23/60, west of Wick, looking north-west towards the site. It is representative of the view for walkers and local residents. The view is open, dominated by farmland in the foreground with hedgerow edges. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex is clearly visible in the distance. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as medium. Figure 21.16.

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21.5.60 Principal Viewpoint 12 – Local road to the south of the site (near Gunter’s Grove). This viewpoint is located to the south of the site on a local road near Gunter’s Grove farm and provides views experienced by motorists. Located within the Quantock Vale ‘Eastern Lowlands’ Landscape Character Area, the viewpoint is not situated within any landscape designation. An open area of coastal marsh at Wick Moor is visible in mid-distance with scrubby vegetation and individual trees partially screening views towards the site. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex is easily visible. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as low. Figure 21.17. 21.5.61 Principal Viewpoint 13 – Farrington Hill Lane. This viewpoint is located near Farrington Farm and represents views experienced by a few local residents. The viewpoint is not located within any landscape designation and has been identified as located within the Quantock Vale (Eastern Lowlands) Landscape Character Area. The view is dominated by farmland, hedgerows on field boundaries and hedgerow trees. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings are easily visible as they punctuate the skyline. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as medium. Figure 21.18. 21.5.62 Principal Viewpoint 14 – Public Footpath, PRoW no. WL 23/61 to the east of the Development Site. This viewpoint is located on the Public Right of Way no. WL 23/61 to the east of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex. The viewpoint is located within the Quantock Vale ‘Wick Moor and Coast’ Landscape Character Area. A ditch, grazing fields and shrubs are visible in the foreground. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings are predominantly screened by a belt of woodland planted around the site boundary. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.19. 21.5.63 Principal Viewpoint 15 – Stolford, coastal footpath. This viewpoint is located on the coastal footpath to the north of Stolford, within the Quantock Vale (Wall Common and Coast) Landscape Character Area and represents views experienced by walkers and local residents. A local track and coastal footpath as well as coastal shrub and alluvial deposits are visible in the foreground. Local farm buildings, low brick walls and wooden fencing are visible in the middle distance. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings are a dominant feature in the distance as they punctuate the skyline. Small clumps of trees are visible to the left side of the view. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.20. 21.5.64 Principal Viewpoint 16 – Quantock Hills AONB, PRoW. This viewpoint is located on a Public Right of Way to the north of Kilve which is part of the Quantock Hills AONB. It is representative of the view for walkers and local residents in the area. The view is open, undulating and is primarily dominated by farmland with hedgerow boundaries and a few trees. Local houses and farm buildings, wooden fencing, telegraph poles and small clumps of trees are visible throughout the foreground. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings are visible in the long distance as they punctuate the skyline. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.21. 21.5.65 Principal Viewpoint 17 – East Quantoxhead, PRoW. This viewpoint is located on a Public Right of Way to the north-east of East Quantoxhead which is part of the Quantock Hills AONB. It is representative of the view experienced by walkers and local residents. The view is generally open and dominated by farmland. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.22. 21.5.66 Principal Viewpoint 18 – East Quantoxhead, Court House Gardens. This viewpoint is located in the gardens of the Court House, a listed building within the Quantock Hills AONB that is seasonally open to public. It is representative of the view experienced by walkers and visitors of the Court House. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.23.

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21.5.67 Principal Viewpoint 19 – Entrance to Dodington House. This viewpoint is located at the entrance to Dodington House, a listed building within the Fairfield Estate. It is representative of the view experienced by walkers and visitors to Dodington House. The current view does not show the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings which are normally visible in long distance. The photograph will be retaken following the Stage 2 consultation. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.24. 21.5.68 Principal Viewpoint 20 – Nether Stowey Residential Properties at Stogursey Lane. This viewpoint is located on a footpath adjacent to the residential area at Stogursey Lane in Nether Stowey. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as medium due to its location next to a residential area. Figure 21.25. 21.5.69 Principal Viewpoint 21 – Quantock Hills AONB, Beacon Hill. This viewpoint is located on Beacon Hill in the northern part of the Quantock Hills AONB. It represents views experienced by walkers on Staple Plain. The viewpoint provides an open view of a large scale landscape with few built elements. The Quantock Vale Landscape Character Area and the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex is visible in the long distance. The view is dominated by heathland vegetation covering Beacon Hill. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.26. 21.5.70 Principal Viewpoint 22 – A39, Holford Parking Bay. This viewpoint is located approximately 5.5km to the south-west of the site on a parking bay at A39. This parking bay is used by motorists on the A39 but also horse riders and visitors to the northern fringes of the Quantock Hills AONB. It is located within the Quantock Hills AONB. Except for the A39 in the foreground, this viewpoint provides views of undisturbed countryside with a few farmhouses located in mid distance. Several patches of woodland partially screen views towards the coastline. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex is a prominent landmark in the centre of the view. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.27. 21.5.71 Principal Viewpoint 23 – Quantock Hills AONB, Footpath between Woodland Hill and Dowsborough. This viewpoint is located on a summit within the Quantock Hills AONB on a footpath between Woodland Hill and Dowsborough. It represents views experienced by walkers. The taller buildings of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex provide a distinctive landmark in the far distance. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.28. 21.5.72 Principal Viewpoint 24 – Quantock Hills AONB, Walford’s Gibbet. Located on the edge of Quantock Hills AONB and on high elevation, this viewpoint provides undisturbed views of the countryside around the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex, which is a prominent landmark in the centre of the view. This view is experienced by local walkers on the public footpath and provides views of the countryside with farmhouses and numerous patches of woodland. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.29. 21.5.73 Principal Viewpoint 25 – Quantock Hills AONB – PRoW, Quantocks Common. This viewpoint is located on the Quantocks Common within the Quantock Hills AONB. It represents views experienced by walkers. The hilltops of the northern Quantocks Hills (within the AONB) are visible in the mid distance. These hills obscure the majority of views towards Bridgwater Bay and the coastline, however the taller buildings of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex provide a distinctive landmark in the far distance as they punctuate the skyline. As requested by Quantock Hills AONB this view will be retaken from a nearby location to avoid the screening provided by the hills in the mid distance which currently bias the view. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.30. 21.5.74 Principal Viewpoint 26 – Quantock Hills AONB, Will’s Neck. This viewpoint is located on Will’s Neck ridge within the Quantock Hills AONB and represents views experienced by walkers. The

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hilltops of the northern Quantocks Hills (within the AONB) are visible in the mid distance. These hills obscure the majority of views towards Bridgwater Bay and the coastline; however the taller buildings of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex provide a distinctive landmark in the far distance. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.31. 21.5.75 Principal Viewpoint 27 – Quantock Hills AONB, Cothelstone Hill. This viewpoint is located at the summit of Cothelstone Hill and overlooks the lower-lying coastal landscape with Bridgwater Bay in the far distance. This viewpoint is located within the Quantock Hills AONB. It represents views experienced by walkers on Cothelstone Hill. The viewpoint provides an open view of the Quantock Hills landscape and the immediate foreground is formed by the grassy hilltop of Cothelstone Hill. The surrounding landscape of the Quantock Hills comprises a patchwork of agricultural fields and forest plantations separated by hedgerows delineating field boundaries. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings are visible in the far distance. The viewpoint sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.32. 21.5.76 Principal Viewpoint 28 – Quantock Hills AONB, Wind Down, lay-by. This viewpoint is located at the lay-by within the Quantock Hills AONB. It represents views experienced by drivers parking in the lay-by. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings are visible in the far distance. The viewpoint sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.33. 21.5.77 Principal Viewpoint 29 – Cannington Park. This viewpoint is located on a footpath leading to the Cannington Park Hill Fort, which is a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument. It represents views experienced by walkers. The existing vegetation partially screens the views of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings. The viewpoint sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.34. 21.5.78 Principal Viewpoint 30 – Stockland Bristol. This viewpoint is located on the edge of Stockland Bristol and is representative of the views experienced by walkers, drivers and the residents of properties located on the village western edge. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings and the associated power lines are visible in the distance. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.35. 21.5.79 Principal Viewpoint 31 – Public Footpath near Puriton Hill. This viewpoint is located on a public footpath located on the Puriton Hill adjacent to Junction 23 of M5 and provides open views of countryside between Bridgwater and the rolling coastline. The M5 and the adjacent built form are visible in the foreground and several small settlements and can be seen in the distance. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex buildings punctuate the skyline in the far distance. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as low. Figure 21.36. 21.5.80 Principal Viewpoint 32 – Burnham-on-Sea, waterfront (west of the pier).This viewpoint is located adjacent to the pier on Burnham-on-Sea waterfront within the built up area. It represents views experienced by walkers, motorists and local residents. The sandy beach and waters of the Severn Estuary out into Bridgwater Bay dominate the view with the Quantock Hills visible in the far distance. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex is visible on the coastline. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.37. 21.5.81 Principal Viewpoint 33 – Brent Knoll (monument). This viewpoint is located on the top of Brent Knoll hill and represents views experienced by walkers. This viewpoint provides open views of the Bridgwater Bay and the adjacent coastline. The taller buildings of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex are barely visible due to the long distance from the site. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as medium. Figure 21.38. 21.5.82 Principal Viewpoint 34 – Berrow Beach. This viewpoint is located adjacent to the Berrow Beach and represents views experienced by the visitors to the beach. The sandy beach and waters of

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the Severn Estuary out into Bridgwater Bay dominate the view with Quantock Hills visible in the far distance. The Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex is barely visible due to the long distance. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as medium. Figure 21.39. 21.5.83 Principal Viewpoint 35 – Brean Down. This viewpoint is located at the summit of Brean Down, looking across Bridgwater Bay. It represents views experienced by walkers and is located within the Limestone Ridges and Combes Landscape Character Area. It provides an open view of Bridgwater Bay and long distance views across to the Quantock Hills and parts of Exmoor. The grassy slope of Brean Down is visible in the foreground. The buildings of the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex blend into the surrounding landscape due to their distance from the viewpoint. The viewpoint’s sensitivity has been rated as high. Figure 21.40. xi) Secondary Viewpoints 21.5.84 The location of the Secondary Viewpoints, a photograph of each existing Winter view and a description are included on Figures 21.41 to 21.49. The following is a list of these viewpoints and their defined sensitivity:

 S1 – Stogursey, residential properties at Burgage Road/Lime Street – medium;  S2 – Minehead Waterfront – medium;  S3 – North Hill – high;  S4 – Minehead, Paganel Road – high;  S5 – Conygar Tower – high;  S6 – Rodhuish Common – high;  S7 – Mendips, Bleadon Hill, PROW – high;  S8 – Mendips, Crook Hill – high; and  S9 – Wales, Barry Island Waterfront – high.

21.5.85 Table 21.5.3 provides a summary of selected viewpoint locations in relation to national landscape character areas, local landscape character areas and sub-areas, designations and Inheritance Tax Exemption sites.

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Table 21.5.3: Summary of Viewpoints in Relation to Designations and Landscape Character Areas

National Landscape Local Landscape Character Local Designations Inheritance Character Landscape Tax Character Sub- Exemption Areas sites ientific Interest Quantock Vale: EasternQuantock Vale: Lowlands Quantock Vale: The Coast Quantock Vale: Wick Moor and Coast Quantock Vale: Wall Common andCoast Ramsar Special Protection Area Special Area of Conservation Park Exmoor National Nature Reserve National Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sc Sites of Special Wildlife Sites Gardens Historic Parks and East Quantoxhead Fairfield Estate Orchard Wyndham Viewpoint Ref Hills Somerset and Moors/Mid Somerset Levels Vale of Taunton an Quantock Fringes Quantock Hills Exmoor Hills Mendip Quantock Vale Anchor Bay Blue West Somerset Central & Quantock Fringe Doniford Stream Central Quantocks Brendon Fringe Hills Lowland Quantocks Mendips and Moors Levels and Combes Limestone Ridges Moors Farmland Valley Rolling 1 ● ● ● ●

2 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

3 ● ● ● ● ●

4 ● ● ● ●

5 ● ● ●

6 ● ● ● ● ● ●

7 ● ● ● ● ● ●

8 ● ● ●

9 ● ● ●

10 ● ● ● ●

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National Landscape Local Landscape Character Local Designations Inheritance Character Landscape Tax Character Sub- Exemption Areas sites

11 ● ● ●

12 ● ● ●

13 ● ● ●

14 ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

15 ● ● ● ●

16 ● ● ● ● ●

17 ● ● ● ● ●

18 ● ● ● ● ●

19 ● ● ● ●

20 ● ●

21 ● ● ● ● ●

22 ● ● ● ●

23 ● ● ● ● ●

24 ● ● ● ● ● ●

25 ● ● ● ● ●

26 ● ● ● ●

27 ● ● ●

28 ● ● ●

29 ● ●

30 ● ●

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National Landscape Local Landscape Character Local Designations Inheritance Character Landscape Tax Character Sub- Exemption Areas sites

31 ● ●

32 ● ●

33 ● ●

34 ● ● ●

35 ● ● ● ● ●

S1 ● ● ●

S2 ●

S3 ● ●

S4 ●

S5 ● ●

S6 ● ●

S7 ● ● ●

S8 ● ● ● ●

S9

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xii) Conclusions of Visual Baseline 21.5.86 Figure 21.1 illustrates the ZTV ‘Bare Earth’ and the viewpoint locations selected to illustrate the visual impact of the development. Field work has identified the nature of the site’s actual visibility and this is confirmed by the viewpoint photographs. 21.5.87 The main areas of existing visual impact can be listed as:

 Lowland Hills around the site (up to 5km), including nearby villages and farms and a number of local Public Rights of Way;  Somerset coastline from Minehead to Weston-super-Mare, including important coastal footpaths and popular recreational areas;  Eastern hills of Exmoor National Park;  Quantock Hills AONB;  Brent Knoll;  Puriton Hill; and  South Wales coastline.

21.5.88 The overall sensitivity of the surrounding area to visual impact is considered to be medium to high. The areas of the highest sensitivity exist along the coastline, Quantock Hills AONB, Exmoor National Park, and lowland hills to the east of the Hinkley Point C Development Site.

21.6 Assessment of Effects

i) Landscape and Visual Impacts During Construction 21.6.1 This section identifies and assesses the potential impacts of the construction phase on and around the Hinkley Point C Development Site on landscape and visual amenity without any mitigation measures. A detailed description of construction phasing within the Development Site is given in Volume 2, Chapter 3. 21.6.2 The cumulative effects of the Hinkley Point C Development and National Grid’s proposals are assessed in Volume 4. j) Construction Phase Landscape Effects 21.6.3 The main landscape impact associated with the construction would be a loss of valuable landscape features, including:

 loss of grassland areas, including approximately 3.4ha of calcareous grassland of high ecological value;  loss of hedgerows within the site, of which approximately 45% have been considered as species rich;  loss of individual hedgerow trees;  loss of approximately 9ha of predominantly deciduous woodland; and  loss of watercourses and ponds within the site.

21.6.4 Further landscape impacts during construction would include:

 change to the rolling lowland topography, including both permanent changes in ground levels within the proposed development and temporary topographic changes due to the construction activities (e.g. stockpiling of excavated materials);

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 a change in landscape character within the site and its surroundings due to the presence of construction machinery, temporary buildings, construction materials and spoil storage;  loss of accessibility of highly valued landscape, including the loss of several Public Rights of Way;  changes in the view from some viewpoints located within the surrounding landscape character areas, in particular the Quantock Hills AONB, due to the visibility of construction site and the potential adverse impact of light pollution; and  loss of agricultural land with its ancient, distinctive field pattern.

21.6.5 As a result of the construction, short to medium term and local impacts on landscape character would occur. The development (without landscape mitigation measures) would result in changes to natural, cultural and social characteristics, as well as aesthetic and perceptual aspects of the landscape. 21.6.6 Direct and physical changes to the landscape would be limited to the landscape of the Quantock Vale Local Landscape Character Area, in which Hinkley Point is located. The sub-areas which would potentially suffer the highest magnitude of landscape change would be the Eastern Lowlands sub-area, which occupies the majority of the Quantock Vale area and includes a large proportion of the construction area, Wick Moor and Coast sub-area, which occupies the middle part of the construction site including a valley to the south of Green Lane, and The Coast (St. Audries to Hinkley Point) sub-area. All three of these local landscape character sub-areas would be affected by a physical change as a result of construction. 21.6.7 The construction activities would occupy the vast majority of the Hinkley Point C Development Site and many of the landscape features within this boundary would be lost. 21.6.8 Construction work would also have an impact on the perceptual and aesthetic aspects of more distant landscape areas. The magnitude of this impact on character areas (more than 5km from the site) would be medium to negligible depending on distance from the site. The landscape character areas which would receive the views of the construction would include:

 Exmoor National Park;  Central West Somerset (very limited change due to the large distance from the site); Quantocks and Central Quantocks landscape character areas within the Quantock Hills AONB (with a higher visibility from elevated areas and limited change in the low lying parts of the Quantocks);  North-eastern parts of the Doniford Stream and Quantock Fringes;  The Lowland Hills;  Elevated areas of the Levels and Moors landscape character area; and  Mendips AONB (very limited change due to the large distance from the site).

21.6.9 Overall, a high magnitude of change to the surrounding landscape is predicted during construction. Given this and the medium sensitivity of the surrounding landscape, based on Tables 21.6.1 and 21.6.2, a short to medium term moderate to major adverse landscape impact would arise during construction before mitigation. k) Construction Phase Visual Effects 21.6.10 Below is a summary of potential visual effects during construction (without mitigation) and a more detailed description of the construction disturbance to the selected viewpoints is provided in Table 21.6.1. These are all short to medium term effects:

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 visual impacts on the majority of Principal Viewpoints and some Secondary Viewpoints due to the visibility of elements associated with construction, including areas of stripped soils, construction machinery, construction materials and partially completed buildings;  visual impacts from construction traffic moving to and from the Hinkley Point C Development Site, including construction vehicles and workers;  the visibility of construction lighting from some viewpoints; and  visual impact due to the loss of landscape elements (landform, woodland, hedgerows, trees) providing screening to the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex.  Volume 4 of the Environmental Appraisal provides an assessment of the cumulative effect of the Hinkley Point C Development and National Grid’s proposals in the vicinity of the Hinkley Point Development site. Table 21.6.1: Construction Disturbance to Viewpoints (Before Mitigation)

Receptor Description

Principal Viewpoints 1, 2 Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of areas of stripped soil, earthworks, construction activities, construction lighting and partially completed scheme.

Principal Viewpoints 3, 5 Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of areas of construction activities, construction lighting and partially completed scheme.

Principal Viewpoint 4 Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of areas of construction activities, construction lighting and partially completed scheme. The construction activities would occupy only a small proportion of the view due to the long distance of the viewpoint from the site.

Principal Viewpoint 6 Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the limited visibility of areas of construction activities, construction lighting and partially completed scheme. The construction activities would occupy only a small proportion of the view due to the long distance of the viewpoint from the site.

Principal Viewpoints 8, 9, Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the 10, 12 visibility of areas of stripped soil, earthworks, construction activities, construction lighting and the partially completed scheme.

Principal Viewpoints 7,11, Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the 13, 15 visibility of areas of earthworks, construction activities, construction lighting and the partially completed scheme.

Principal Viewpoint 14 No visual impact due to the dense vegetation which screens the proposed development.

Principal Viewpoints 16, 21, Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the

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Receptor Description 22, 23, 24 visibility of areas of construction activities, construction lighting and partially completed scheme. The construction activities would occupy only a small proportion of the view due to long distance of the viewpoint from the site.

Principal Viewpoints 17, 18, Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the limited 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 visibility of areas of construction activities, construction lighting and the partially completed scheme. The construction activities would occupy only a small proportion of the view due to the long distance of the viewpoint from the site.

Principal Viewpoint 19 Assessment to be completed following retake of photograph from the viewpoint, however a provisionally there is a potential short to medium- term adverse visual impact due to the limited visibility of areas of construction activities, construction lighting and the partially completed scheme.

Principal Viewpoint 30 Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of areas of stripped soil, earthworks, construction activities, construction lighting and the partially completed scheme.

Principal Viewpoints 31, 32, Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the 35 visibility of areas of construction lighting and the partially completed scheme. The construction activities would occupy only a small proportion of the view due to the long distance of the viewpoint from the site.

Principal Viewpoints 33, 34 Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of areas of construction activities, construction lighting and the partially completed scheme. The construction activities would occupy only a small proportion of the view due to the long distance of the viewpoint from the site.

Secondary Viewpoint S1 Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the limited visibility of areas of construction activities, construction lighting and the partially completed scheme. The construction activities would occupy only a small proportion of the view due to partial screening of the viewpoint from the site.

Secondary Viewpoint S3 Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of areas of construction lighting and the partially completed scheme. The construction activities would occupy only small proportion of the view due to the long distance of the viewpoint from the site.

Secondary Viewpoints S2, Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the limited S4, S5 visibility of areas of construction lighting and the partially completed scheme. The construction activities would occupy only a small proportion of the view due to the long distance of the viewpoint from the

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Receptor Description

site.

Secondary Viewpoints S6, Potential short to medium-term adverse visual impact due to the limited S7, S8, S9 visibility of areas of construction lighting. The construction activities would occupy only a small proportion of the view due to the long distance of the viewpoint from the site.

l) Landscape and Visual Impacts During Operation 21.6.11 This section identifies and assesses the potential effects of the operational phase of the proposed development on landscape and visual amenity. A detailed description of the operational site area and the expected operating methods and activities is presented in Volume 2, Chapter 4 of the Environmental Appraisal and the Masterplan: Main Site and Buildings. 21.6.12 Volume 4 of the Environmental Appraisal provides an assessment of the cumulative effect of the Hinkley Point C Development and National Grid’s proposals in the vicinity of the Hinkley Point Development site. i) Operational Phase Landscape Effects 21.6.13 The main landscape impact associated with the development would be a loss of valuable landscape features, including:

 loss of grassland areas including calcareous grassland of high ecological value;  loss of hedgerows within the site;  loss of individual hedgerow trees;  loss of woodland; and  loss of watercourses and ponds within the site.

21.6.14 Further operational phase landscape impacts would include:

 landscape impacts due to permanent changes in topography;  a change in landscape character within the site and its surroundings due to the introduction of new built elements within the landscape, with significant alterations to topography;  loss of medium quality landscape with many valued features;  adverse impacts on the accessibility of highly valued landscape, including the loss of Public Rights of Way;  adverse impact from some viewpoints due to potential light pollution associated with the scheme; and  loss of agricultural land with its ancient, distinctive field pattern.

21.6.15 Following completion of the development, long term impacts on landscape character would be observed. The development would result in changes to natural, cultural and social characteristics, as well as aesthetic and perceptual aspects of the landscape. 21.6.16 The completed development (without the mitigation measures) would result in long term changes to natural characteristics including changes to topography, loss of arable fields within the site, trees, hedgerows, watercourses and the introduction of new built elements in the landscape. The changes in topography would be significant due to remodelling of the landforms within the Hinkley Point C Development Site. The primary operational residual landscape impact

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from the cultural and social perspective would be the increase in the amount of built form adjacent to the Existing Hinkley Point Power Station Complex and the loss of Public Rights of Way within the Hinkley Point C Development Site boundary (please refer to Volume 2,Chapter 24 of the Environmental Appraisal). 21.6.17 The magnitude of the new power station site on distant landscape character areas (more than 5km from the site) would be moderate to low before mitigation depending on the distance from the site. The main landscape character areas which would receive the views of the completed development would be the same as those during construction. 21.6.18 The changes to aesthetic and perceptual aspects would also occur due to a potential increase in lighting associated with the operation of the new power station. This would have a potentially adverse impact on the local landscape, as well the elevated areas of the Quantock Hills AONB and Exmoor National Park. 21.6.19 Overall a medium magnitude of change to the surrounding landscape is predicted during operational phase. Given this and the medium sensitivity of the surrounding landscape, based on Tables 21.4.1 and 21.4.2, a long term moderate adverse landscape impact would arise during operation before mitigation. ii) Operational Phase Visual Effects 21.6.20 Below is a summary of the potential visual effects during operation:

 adverse visual impacts from the majority of Principal Viewpoints due to the visibility of new built form replacing large areas of high quality landscape;  adverse impact from some viewpoints due to the visibility of lighting associated with the elements of the scheme. 21.6.21 Long term adverse visual impacts would be experienced from a number of viewpoints for the duration of the operation phase (without mitigation measures). Table 21.6.2 provides a description of operational disturbance to each of the proposal site viewpoints before the implementation of any proposed measures. Table 21.6.2: Operational Disturbance to Viewpoints (Before Mitigation)

Receptor Description

Principal Viewpoints 1, 2, 3, Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of 5, 6, 8 the majority of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks and other ancillary structures with associated lighting and EDF Energy overhead line towers (pylons) adjacent to substation.

Principal Viewpoint 4 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks and other ancillary structures with associated lighting, EDF Energy overhead line towers adjacent to National Grid’s substation.

Principal Viewpoints 7, 9, Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of 11, 12, 13 the majority of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks and other ancillary structures with associated lighting, EDF Energy overhead line towers and National Grid’s high voltage transmission towers.

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Principal Viewpoint 10 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of all of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks and other ancillary structures with associated lighting, EDF Energy overhead line towers and National Grid’s high voltage transmission towers adjacent to the substation.

Principal Viewpoint 14 No visual impact due to existing dense vegetation screening the proposed development.

Principal Viewpoints 15, 16 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to visibility of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks with associated lighting, EDF Energy overhead line towers and National Grid’s high voltage transmission towers.

Principal Viewpoint 17 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to limited visibility of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks with associated lighting.

Principal Viewpoint 18 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to visibility of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks with associated lighting.

Principal Viewpoint 19 Photograph from viewpoint to be retaken.

Principal Viewpoint 20 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to very limited visibility of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks with associated lighting due to some existing vegetation screening parts of the proposed development.

Principal Viewpoints 21, 22, Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to visibility of the 23, 24 majority of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks and other ancillary structures with associated lighting.

Principal Viewpoints 25, 26, Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to visibility of the 27, 28, 33, 34 proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks and some ancillary structures with associated lighting.

Principal Viewpoint 29 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to limited visibility of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks and some ancillary structures with associated lighting.

Principal Viewpoint 30 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of the majority of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks and other ancillary structures with associated lighting, EDF Energy overhead line towers and National Grid’s high voltage transmission towers.

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Principal Viewpoint 31 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to the visibility of proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks with associated lighting, EDF Energy overhead line towers and National Grid’s high voltage transmission towers.

Principal Viewpoint 32 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to limited visibility of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks with associated lighting.

Principal Viewpoint 35 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to limited visibility of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks and other ancillary structures with associated lighting.

Secondary Viewpoint S1 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to limited visibility of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks and with associated lighting due to the existing vegetation screening part of the proposed development.

Secondary Viewpoint S2 Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to limited visibility of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks and other ancillary structures with associated lighting.

Secondary Viewpoints S3, Potential long-term adverse visual impact due to limited visibility S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9 of the proposed built form including reactors, domes and stacks with associated lighting.

21.7 Mitigation of Effects

m) Introduction to Mitigation 21.7.1 This section develops the outline landscape and visual mitigation strategy for the Hinkley Point C Development Site. It aims to mitigate the landscape and visual impacts of the development which were identified in the previous sections Figure 21.50. The Landscape Strategy for Restoration is included in Appendix 21a. 21.7.2 The mitigation measures have been grouped as either inherent or additional landscape and visual mitigation measures. 21.7.3 Inherent landscape and visual mitigation measures are part of the strategy/design for the Permanent Development Site, and have been developed during the design process. 21.7.4 Additional measures relate to the landscape around the rest of the Hinkley Point C Development Site. As this area will be used for construction works, these measures will be incorporated on completion of the scheme after completion of the power station, expected mid 2019. 21.7.5 Landscape and visual issues have been a key consideration during the evolution of the development process. The visionary principles of the landscape mitigation and building design have been outlined in the Masterplan: Main Site and Buildings, which has been prepared as a result of close cooperation between Architects, Engineers and Landscape Architects and

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provides a coherent and integrated approach to the development of the site. The Vision defines the Primary Design Objectives and Concept, which form the basis for the selection of landscape and visual mitigation measures and which takes into account potential ecological and archaeological constraints: 21.7.6 The Primary Design Objectives and Concepts are:

 local landscape components have influenced the development of the concept design for the Permanent Development Site including: o the strata of the coastal landscape; o the organised pattern of the surrounding agrarian landscape; o lines and blocks of woodland; and o the scale and simplicity of the existing site,  to connect the site landscape back in to the surrounding countryside setting through a pattern of grassland and woodland blocks;  to create a natural and appropriate landscape setting for the power station with reference to the local countryside;  mitigate the visual impacts of the proposal through the manipulation of ground levels and associated screen planting;  create a strong network of wildlife corridors linking the restored landscape to its surrounding countryside; and  planting proposals will reflect the existing mix of indigenous species.

n) Introduction to the Mitigation of Construction Phase Effects 21.7.7 An overarching landscape mitigation strategy for the scheme would be implemented mainly after the construction period when land becomes available. Additional mitigation measures have been proposed during construction to minimise landscape and visual impacts, as listed below:

 retention of valuable landscape features within the Hinkley Point C Development Site including Green Lane;  perimeter hedgerows where practicable;  Construction fence moved to line 144750mN which would leave the majority of land undisturbed south towards Bum Brook;  advance planting of native screen woodland adjacent to Bum Brook and Benhole Lane in the southern part of the site as part of the site preparation works; and  Creation of a vegetated screening bund adjacent to the Doggets Farm boundary as part of the construction of the accommodation campus.

21.7.8 The impact of lighting during construction would be mitigated by the implementation of the proposed lighting strategy. A lighting strategy is provided in the Description of the Hinkley Point C Development section of the EnvApp Volume 2, Chapter 2. The area of development is considered to be an intrinsically dark area and in accordance with BS EN 12464-2 the limits of intrusive light to minimise problems for neighbouring areas are defined to meet Environmental Zone E1. The following objectives have been identified in the strategy to minimise the adverse impact of obtrusive light during construction:

 Following a Dark Sky policy through a strategy of lighting techniques including directional lighting and reduction of glare at night to minimise the impact on surrounding landscape, in particular the Quantock Hills AONB;

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 Design to the correct illumination level to avoid over-lighting an area and adding to sky glow;  Moving luminaires away from boundaries;  Using shields and baffles to reduce spill light to a minimum;  Introducing controls to avoid unnecessary night time lighting;  Ensuring luminaires would be orientated correctly during installation;  Reducing the height of columns;  Using full cut-off exterior luminaires to avoid light above the horizontal;  Directing light downwards; and  Ensuring appropriate luminaries would be chosen. o) Introduction to the Mitigation of Operational Phase Effects i) Inherent Mitigation Measures:

 Creation of a mosaic of grassland/amenity planting within the Permanent Development Site;  Where possible, creation of patches of tree planting within the site to mitigate the scale of ancillary buildings within the site; and  Creation of gradual transition from the industrial landscape within the site to rural landscape around the site.

ii) Additional Mitigation Measures:

 Use of an excess of spoil to develop a similar topographic landform to the existing site: including a valley and hilltops (ridges) within the southern part of the construction site;  Reinstatement/creation of agricultural land within the area used for construction (compensation of lost landscape features);  Reinstatement/creation of grassland within the area used for construction (compensation of lost landscape features);  Reinstatement/creation of woodland within the area used for construction (compensation of lost landscape features);  Creation of water features within the area used for construction (compensation of lost landscape features);  Creation of hedgerows within the area used for construction (compensation of lost landscape features);  Creation of areas of scrub within the area used for construction (compensation of lost landscape features);  Recreation of agricultural field pattern;  Creation of biodiversity corridors through effective planting;  Use of native tree and shrub species to enhance the ecological value of the site (possibly from local suppliers);  Creation of public footpaths that would provide good access to the countryside for the local residents and visitors;  Encourage phased structure planting to provide early landscape establishment and to provide visual screening of the development at the earliest possible stage;  screening views of the lower buildings within the completed development through effective screen planting around the development boundary;

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 Hedgerow planting on field boundaries to mitigate the visual impact from viewpoints located on lower topography, particularly to the west of the Hinkley Point C Development Site; and  Mitigating the adverse impact of lighting during construction and operation of the Hinkley Point C Development in accordance with the lighting strategy objectives and mitigation measures as outlined above.

21.8 Residual Effects

p) Alteration to Landscape Character During Construction 21.8.1 The construction activities associated with Hinkley Point C would occupy the majority of the Development Site and the majority of existing landscape elements will be lost or modified during construction. The appraisal process has enabled the identification of mitigation measures which would reduce, where possible, the landscape impact during construction. 21.8.2 As stated above, the direct and physical landscape changes during construction would be limited to the Quantock Vale area and its three sub-areas, namely Eastern Lowlands sub-area, Wick Moor and Coast sub-area, and The Coast (St. Audries to Hinkley Point) sub-area. All three of these local landscape character sub-areas would be affected by physical change as a result of the development. 21.8.3 The primary residual effects during construction would include the temporary loss of several landscape elements within the sub-areas mentioned above, including areas of grassland, woodland, hedgerows, individual trees, and water features. Adverse effects would be partly mitigated by the retention of Green Lane which is an important ecological and landscape feature. The majority of this hedgerow will be retained during construction and protected by fencing to avoid damage to it. Additionally perimeter hedgerows will be retained where practicable, which would partially reduce the adverse impact on the local landscape character. The southern limit of the majority of construction activity will now be some 200m to the north of Bum Brook, where apart from the construction of the emergency access road and bridge across Bum Brook, bunding north of Doggets farm and final restoration activity, no other construction work is anticipated. Early planting is proposed along the southern perimeter of the site in order to establish growth in advance of the works being undertaken. 21.8.4 The landscape within the Hinkley Point C Development Site would also experience significant alterations to existing land levels. It is important to note that some of the changes in topography would be temporary and would arise as a result of the storage of soil generated during construction. The northern part of the site will be remodelled and the existing topography will be changed according to operational specifications. The southern part of the Development Site would be used for temporary soil storage which would require the creation of temporary earth formations. The accommodation of the construction spoil presents opportunities for visual mitigation using landform to provide a transition between the rural landscape and the proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, helping the development to sit well within the site. 21.8.5 The primary landscape impact from the cultural and social perspective is the changes to the Public Right of Way network during construction, which would affect accessibility to the countryside. The potential impacts on the PROW network and proposed mitigation measures are set out and discussed in Volume 2, Chapter 24 of the Environmental Appraisal. Other impacts on cultural and social factors such as the loss of agricultural land and its field patterns

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cannot be mitigated during construction due to the extent of the construction works which would cover the entire Hinkley Point C Development Site. 21.8.6 Following implementation of the mitigation measures, the perceptual and aesthetic aspects of the construction of Hinkley Point C on landscape character would still be adverse. The magnitude of this impact on distant landscape character areas (more than 5km from the site) would be medium to negligible depending on the distance from the site. The landscape character areas which would receive the views of the construction would include: 21.8.7 Exmoor National Park and Central West Somerset (negligible change due to the large distance from the site); Quantocks and Central Quantocks landscape character areas within the Quantock Hills AONB (with a higher visibility from elevated areas and negligible change in the low lying parts of the Quantocks);

 North-eastern parts of the Doniford Stream and Quantock Fringes;  The Lowland Hills;  Elevated areas of the Levels and Moors landscape character area; and  Mendips AONB (negligible change due to the large distance from the site).

21.8.8 The adverse landscape impacts due to the construction lighting would be mitigated by the implementation of mitigation measures to meet the Environmental Zone E1 criteria hence the impact of lighting on distant landscape character areas would be minimised. q) Alteration to Landscape Character During Operation 21.8.9 Following the completion of the development and implementation of the landscape strategy for the site, several important landscape elements would be reinstated and, in places, a beneficial change would occur due to a net gain in some landscape elements. The final landscape proposals would incorporate ecological mitigation measures Volume 2, Chapter 18 of the Environmental Appraisal. The residual landscape impacts on completion of the scheme would be of a permanent nature. 21.8.10 The residual landscape effects on completion of the development would include a net increase in woodland, a small loss in the extent of hedgerows, but gain in the total area of grassland and other natural elements of local importance. The topography change would include the creation of bunds and remodelling of the existing landform, which would contribute to the screening of the proposed and existing development and create more varied, rolling topography around the new power station. The most significant residual effects on the natural elements of the landscape would be restricted to the proposed Permanent Development Site and include the loss of existing landscape elements. 21.8.11 Holford Stream will remain culverted following construction to accommodate the landform strategy. This will have an adverse residual impact on the landscape inside the Hinkley Point C Development Site and in particularly Holford Valley. However, this would in part be mitigated by the proposed addition of two ditches on either side of the valley that drain west towards an open water body adjacent to the western edge of the Hinkley Point C Development Site boundary in the restoration phase following construction. The culverting of the stream and remodelling of the valley would have an effect on the Wick Moor and Coast sub-area, which would change its character within the Hinkley Point C Development Site. This change would not be significant in the context of the Quantock Vale Landscape Character Area. 21.8.12 The primary operational residual landscape impact from the cultural and social perspective would be the increase of the amount of built form adjacent to the Existing Hinkley Point Power

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Station Complex and the loss of Public Rights of Way within the Permanent Development Site Area. 21.8.13 The completion of Hinkley Point C would have a negligible impact on the perceptual and aesthetic aspects of more distant landscape areas. The magnitude of this impact on distant landscape character areas (more than 5km from the site) would be negligible depending on the distance from the site. The main landscape character areas which would receive the views of the completed development would be the same as those during construction. 21.8.14 The adverse landscape impacts due to the lighting proposals for the operational site would be mitigated by the implementation of mitigation measures to meet the Environmental Zone E1 criteria hence the impact of lighting on distant landscape character areas such as Quantock Hills AONB and Exmoor National Park would be minimised. r) Assessment of Residual Landscape Effects During Construction and Operational Phase 21.8.15 Table 21.8.1 summarises the detailed assessment of residual landscape effects (figures taken from Landscape Strategy). 21.8.16 Volume 4 of the Environmental Appraisal provides an assessment of the cumulative effect of the Hinkley Point C Development and National Grid’s proposals in the vicinity of the Hinkley Point Development site. Table 21.8.1: Assessment of Residual Landscape effects (During Construction and Operation) *

Landscape Phase Comments (Mitigation Magnitude Type of Significance Impact Measures/Residual Impact) of change Impact

Impact on Construction N/A Medium Adverse, Moderate grassland, site- including existing specific, 30ha of improved temporary grassland, 17ha of poor semi- Operation No reinstatement of improved Low Beneficial, Moderate improved and poor semi-improved site- grassland and grassland, creation of 45ha of specific, 4.6ha of semi-improved permanent calcareous grassland/neutral hay meadow grassland habitats and 12.3ha of proposed calcareous grassland. Scarce semi-natural habitat proposed.

Impact on 97ha of Construction N/A : Medium Adverse, Moderate arable land site- specific, temporary

Operation 8.8ha proposed for Low Adverse, Minor reinstatement. site- specific, permanent

Impact on Construction Retention of some important Medium Adverse, Moderate hedgerows and hedgerows. The majority of site-

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Landscape Phase Comments (Mitigation Magnitude Type of Significance Impact Measures/Residual Impact) of change Impact scrub, including hedgerows to be removed. specific, 2.4ha of native temporary species-rich hedgerow, 1ha Operation 2.5ha of species-rich hedgerows Medium Beneficial Moderate species-poor proposed (slight decrease site- hedgerow and mitigated by increase in the specific, 1ha of scrub extent of woodland edge). permanent habitat Retention of important species- poor hedgerows, translocation/reinstatement and planting of hedgerows on field boundaries, site perimeter and off-site. 5.5ha of scrub proposed. The creation of scrub on woodland edge will enhance biodiversity and soften the transition into grassland/agricultural land.

Creation of Construction N/A N/A N/A N/A additional swamp/wetland Operation 0.31ha proposed, subject to Low Beneficial, Moderate areas seasonal variation. site- specific, permanent

Impact on 0.02ha Construction N/A Low Adverse, Minor/ of standing water site- Moderate and 0.7ha of specific, watercourses temporary

Operation 0.08ha of standing water Low Beneficial, Minor/ proposed, subject to seasonal site- Moderate variation. specific, permanent 0.6ha of watercourses proposed. Holford Stream culverted.

Impact on 0.4ha Construction Early planting in area north of Medium Adverse, Moderate of scattered trees Bum Brook and east of Benhole site- and 7ha of Lane. specific, woodland temporary

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Landscape Phase Comments (Mitigation Magnitude Type of Significance Impact Measures/Residual Impact) of change Impact

Operation 27.8ha of woodland proposed High Beneficial, Major excluding any planting of site- individual trees within the specific, Nuclear Island and off-site. permanent 1.8ha of scattered trees proposed to match lines of former field pattern.

Impact on 190 m Construction N/A Low Adverse, Minor/Moder of dry ditches site- ate specific, temporary

Operation 1166m proposed in Holford High Beneficial, Major/Moder Valley, subject to seasonal site- ate variation. specific, temporary

Changes in Construction Where possible, the spoil Medium Adverse, Moderate topography storage will be located in the site- least visible area to avoid specific, adverse impact on landscape temporary character.

Operation Changes to topography Low Adverse, Minor/Moder sympathetic to the existing site- ate landform, new screening bunds specific, to the south and west of the permanent proposed development.

Changes to Construction Minimise light pollution. Medium Adverse, Moderate aesthetic and site- perceptual specific, aspects temporary

Operation Minimise light pollution. Low Beneficial, Minor/moder site- ate Creating natural and appropriate specific, landscape setting for the power permanent station with reference to the surrounding landscape.

Impact on Construction Temporary diversion of PROW Low Adverse, Minor/ accessibility of (subject to ongoing site- moderate the countryside assessment). specific, (loss of public temporary

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Landscape Phase Comments (Mitigation Magnitude Type of Significance Impact Measures/Residual Impact) of change Impact footpaths) Operation Creation of new PROW network Low Beneficial, Minor/moder to provide better access to the site- ate countryside (subject to ongoing specific, assessment). permanent

Creation of Construction N/A N/A N/A N/A Agricultural Conservation Operation 1.3ha proposed, habitat for Medium Beneficial Moderate Headland arable wildflowers.

Changes in field Construction N/A Medium Adverse, Moderate pattern site- specific, temporary

Operation Recreation of field pattern lost Negligible N/A Not during construction. significant

Other changes in Construction N/A Medium Adverse, Moderate cultural and site- social factors specific, (new built temporary elements in rural landscape) Operation N/A Low Adverse, Minor/moder site- ate specific, permanent

*Note: All figures are approximate and subject to ongoing validation s) Assessment of Residual Visual Effects During Construction and Operational Phase 21.8.17 Table 21.8.2 provides a preliminary assessment of the significance of residual visual impacts during the construction and operational phase of the development based on the criteria set out in the methodology section. These assessments of residual visual impact significance are based on a fully mature landscape restoration. 21.8.18 Volume 4 of the Environmental Appraisal provides an assessment of the cumulative effect of the Hinkley Point C Development and National Grid’s proposals in the vicinity of the Hinkley Point Development site.

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Table 21.8.2: Assessment of Residual Visual Effects (During Construction and Operation)

Receptor Sensitivity Phase Magnitude Type of Impact Significance of change

Principal High Construction High Adverse; local; short to medium- Major Viewpoint 1 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate

Principal High Construction High Adverse; local; short to medium- Major Viewpoint 2 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate

Principal Medium Construction Medium Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 3 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate/Minor

Principal Medium Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate/minor Viewpoint 4 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate/minor

Principal Medium Construction Medium Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 5 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate/Minor

Principal Medium Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate/Minor Viewpoint 6 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate/Minor

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 7 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate

Principal High Construction Medium Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate/Major Viewpoint 8 term

Operation Medium Beneficial; local, long term Moderate/Major

Principal Medium Construction Medium Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 9 term

Operation Medium Beneficial; local, long term Moderate

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Receptor Sensitivity Phase Magnitude Type of Impact Significance of change

Principal High Construction High Adverse; local; short to medium- Major Viewpoint 10 term

Operation High Adverse; local; long-term Major

Principal Medium Construction Medium Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 11 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate/Minor

Principal Low Construction Medium Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate/Minor Viewpoint 12 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Minor

Principal Medium Construction Medium Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 13 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate/Minor

Principal High Construction Negligible Neutral; local; short to medium- Not significant Viewpoint 14 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 15 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; national; short to Moderate Viewpoint 16 medium-term

Operation Negligible Neutral; national; long-term Not significant

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 17 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 18 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Principal High Construction High Assessment not available due to view quality and Viewpoint 19 will be undertaken as part of the DCO application Operation High

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Receptor Sensitivity Phase Magnitude Type of Impact Significance of change

Principal Medium Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate/Minor Viewpoint 20 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Principal High Construction Medium Adverse; national; short to Moderate/Major Viewpoint 21 medium-term

Operation Low Adverse; national; long-term Moderate

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 22 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; national; short to Moderate Viewpoint 23 medium-term

Operation Low Adverse; national; long-term Moderate

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 24 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; national; short to Moderate Viewpoint 25 medium-term

Operation Negligible Neutral; national; long-term Not significant

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 26 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; national; short to Moderate Viewpoint 27 medium-term

Operation Negligible Neutral; national; long-term Not significant

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; national; short to Moderate Viewpoint 28 medium-term

Operation Negligible Neutral; national; long-term Not significant

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Receptor Sensitivity Phase Magnitude Type of Impact Significance of change

Principal High Construction Negligible Neutral; local; short to medium- Not significant Viewpoint 29 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Principal High Construction Medium Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate/Major Viewpoint 30 term

Operation Low Adverse; local; long-term Moderate

Principal Low Construction Negligible Neutral; local; short to medium- Not significant Viewpoint 31 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 32 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Principal Medium Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate/Minor Viewpoint 33 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Principal Medium Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate/Minor Viewpoint 34 term

Operation Negligible Adverse; local; long-term Not significant

Principal High Construction Low Adverse; local; short to medium- Moderate Viewpoint 35 term

Operation Negligible Adverse; local; long-term Not significant

Secondary Medium Construction Negligible Neutral; local; short to medium- Not significant Viewpoint S1 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Secondary Medium Construction Negligible Neutral; local; short to medium- Not significant Viewpoint S2 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Secondary High Construction Negligible Neutral; national; short to Not significant Viewpoint S3 medium-term

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Receptor Sensitivity Phase Magnitude Type of Impact Significance of change

Operation Negligible Neutral; national; long-term Not significant

Secondary High Construction Negligible Neutral; local; short to medium- Not significant Viewpoint S4 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

Secondary High Construction Negligible Neutral; national; short to Not significant Viewpoint S5 medium-term

Secondary High Construction Negligible Neutral; national; short to Not significant Viewpoint S6 medium-term

Operation Negligible Neutral; national; long-term Not significant

Secondary High Construction Negligible Neutral; national; short to Not significant Viewpoint S7 medium-term

Operation Negligible Neutral; national; long-term Not significant

Secondary High Construction Negligible Neutral; national; short to Not significant Viewpoint S8 medium-term

Operation Negligible Neutral; national; long-term Not significant

Secondary Medium Construction Negligible Neutral; local; short to medium- Not significant Viewpoint S9 term

Operation Negligible Neutral; local; long-term Not significant

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21.9 References

21.1 Exmoor National Park web-site available on-line at http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/

21.2 Council for British Archaeology, Planning Factsheet 8: Historic Characterisation, Planning and Regeneration available on-line at http://www.britarch.ac.uk/conserve/planning/plansheet8.html

21.3 Planning Policy Guidance 15: Planning and the historic environment

21.4 Quantock Hills AONB Joint Advisory Committee (2009) Quantock Hills AONB Management Plan 2009-2014

21.5 LI and IEMA (2002) Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Second Edition 2002

21.6 Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage (2002) Landscape Character Assessment, Guidance for England and Scotland

21.7 Countryside Agency (1999) Countryside Character, Volume 8: South West

21.8 WS Atkins (1999) West Somerset Landscape Character Assessment (adopted 2006 in West Somerset District Local Plan)

21.9 Sedgemoor DC (2003) Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment and Countryside Design Summary Revised Edition 2003

21.10 Land Use Consultants (2005) North Somerset Landscape Character Assessment

21.11 Preece, E. (2007) Exmoor Landscape Character Assessment Exmoor National Park

21.12 Countryside Agency (2003) Landscape Assessment of the Quantock Hills AONB

21.13 Countryside Commission (1999) Landscape Assessment of the Mendip Hills AONB

21.14 Taunton Deane BC (2004) Taunton Deane Local Plan available on-line at: http://www.tauntondeane.gov.uk/ tdbcsites/talktomorrows/adoptedlocalplan.asp

21.15 Aldred, O. (2001) Somerset and Exmoor Historic Landscape Characterisation Project 1999–2000. Somerset County Council and English Heritage, Taunton – unpublished report

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