Chapter 8: Landscape, Townscape and Visual Resources
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Our northern runway: making best use of Gatwick Our northern runway: making best use of Gatwick Preliminary Environmental Information Report Chapter 8: Landscape, Townscape and Visual Resources September 2021 Preliminary Environmental Information Report: September 2021 Chapter 8: Landscape, Townscape and Visual Resources Page Our northern runway: making best use of Gatwick Table of Contents 8 Landscape, Townscape and Visual Resources 8-1 8.1. Introduction 8-1 8.2. Legislation and Policy 8-2 8.3. Consultation and Engagement 8-9 8.4. Assessment Methodology 8-13 8.5. Assumptions and Limitations of the Assessment 8-22 8.6. Baseline Environment 8-23 8.7. Key Project Parameters 8-51 8.8. Mitigation and Enhancement Measures Adopted as Part of the Project 8-56 8.9. Assessment of Effects 8-57 8.10. Potential Changes to the Assessment as a Result of Climate Change 8-110 8.11. Cumulative Effects 8-111 8.12. Inter-Related Effects 8-123 8.13. Summary 8-123 8.14. References 8-148 8.15. Glossary 8-151 Preliminary Environmental Information Report: September 2021 Chapter 8: Landscape, Townscape and Visual Resources Page i Our northern runway: making best use of Gatwick 8 Landscape, Townscape and Visual Resources 8.1. Introduction 8.1.1 This chapter of the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) presents the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) work undertaken to date concerning the potential effects of the proposal to make best use of Gatwick’s existing runways (referred to within this report as ‘the Project’) on landscape, townscape and visual resources. 8.1.2 This chapter assesses the likely significant landscape, townscape and visual effects resulting from the Project. This includes identification of the character and features of the landscape and townscape (landscape within built up areas) and consideration of the changes that would result as a consequence of the Project. In addition, it considers the potential visual effects arising as a result of the Project. The chapter reports on studies, including a combination of field surveys and desktop research, to describe, classify and evaluate the existing resource. The principal objectives of the assessment are: ▪ to describe, classify and evaluate the existing landscape and townscape likely to be affected by the Project during its construction and operational phases; ▪ to identify visual receptors with views of the Project; and ▪ to identify the likely significant effects on landscape, townscape and views, considering measures proposed to reduce or avoid any effects identified. 8.1.3 In particular, this PEIR chapter: ▪ sets out the existing and future environmental baseline conditions, established from desk studies, surveys and consultation to date; ▪ presents the potential environmental effects on landscape, townscape and visual resources arising from the Project, based on the information gathered and the analysis and assessments undertaken to date; ▪ identifies any assumptions and limitations encountered in compiling the environmental information; and ▪ highlights any necessary monitoring and/or mitigation measures that could prevent, minimise, reduce or offset the possible environmental effects identified in the EIA process. 8.1.4 This chapter is accompanied by a number of appendices and figures listed below: ▪ Appendix 8.2.1: Summary of Local Planning Policy; ▪ Appendix 8.3.1: Summary of Stakeholder Scoping Responses; ▪ Appendix 8.4.1: Landscape, Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment Methodology; ▪ Appendix 8.6.1: County Landscape Character Assessments; ▪ Appendix 8.6.2: CPRE Tranquillity Mapping; ▪ Appendix 8.9.1: Summary of Effects at Representative Viewpoints; ▪ Figure 8.4.1: Existing and Proposed Zones of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) within 5 km Radius Study Area; ▪ Figure 8.4.2: National Landscape Character Areas and Landscape Designations; ▪ Figure 8.4.3: Existing ZTV and Viewpoint Locations; ▪ Figure 8.4.4 to Figure 8.4.20: Viewpoints 1 to 17 Photography (winter daytime/summer daytime/winter night time); Preliminary Environmental Information Report: September 2021 Chapter 8: Landscape, Townscape and Visual Resources Page 8-1 Our northern runway: making best use of Gatwick ▪ Figure 8.4.21: Aerial Photography and Visual Receptor Locations; ▪ Figure 8.6.1: Topography; ▪ Figure 8.6.2: District Landscape and Townscape Character Areas within 5 km Radius; ▪ Figure 8.6.3: 2018 Baseline Gatwick Overflights; ▪ Figure 8.6.4: All 2018 Baseline Overflights within 35 mile Radius; ▪ Figure 8.6.5: Increase in Gatwick Overflights; ▪ Figure 8.6.6: Increase in Gatwick Overflights Compared with All Overflights; and ▪ Figure 8.9.1 to 8.9.36: Photomontages. 8.1.5 The PEIR will inform pre-application consultation. Following consultation, comments on the PEIR will be reviewed and taken into account, where appropriate, in preparation of the Environmental Statement (ES) that will accompany the application to the Planning Inspectorate for development consent. 8.2. Legislation and Policy Legislation 8.2.1 The following legislation is relevant to this assessment: ▪ European Landscape Convention, 2000; ▪ Countryside and Rights of Way Act, 2000; and ▪ National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949. 8.2.2 The European Landscape Convention (Council of Europe, 2000) acknowledges that the quality and diversity of European landscapes constitute a common resource. The convention defines the meaning of ‘landscape’, and the importance of its characterisation through assessment, its protection, management and planning and its contribution to the quality of life for people everywhere. 8.2.3 The Countryside and Rights of Way Act, 2000, sets out the rights of the public in relation to access land and public rights of way and the designation of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) for the purpose of conserving and enhancing natural beauty. 8.2.4 The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 provides the original framework for the creation of National Parks and AONBs for the purpose of conserving and enhancing natural beauty and also addresses rights of way and access to open land. Planning Policy Context National Policy Statements 8.2.5 The Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) (Department for Transport, 2018), although primarily provided in relation to a new runway at Heathrow Airport, remains a relevant consideration for other applications for airport infrastructure in London and the south east of England. 8.2.6 The NPS for National Networks (Department for Transport, 2015) sets out the need for development of road, rail and strategic rail freight interchange projects on the national networks and the policy against which decisions on nationally significant road and rail projects will be Preliminary Environmental Information Report: September 2021 Chapter 8: Landscape, Townscape and Visual Resources Page 8-2 Our northern runway: making best use of Gatwick made1. This has been taken into account in relation to the highways improvements proposed as part of the Project. 8.2.7 Table 8.2.1 provides a summary of the relevant requirements of these NPSs and how these are addressed within the PEIR. Table 8.2.1: Summary of NPS Information Relevant to this Chapter Summary of NPS requirement How and Where Considered in the PEIR Airports NPS Landscape and townscape character, condition Paragraph 5.213 states ‘For airport development, and quality are described in Section 8.6 of this landscape and visual effects also include tranquility effects, chapter. Effects on landscape, townscape, visual which would affect people’s enjoyment of the natural resources and tranquillity are described in Section environment and recreational facilities. In this context, 8.9 of this chapter. Cumulative effects on references to landscape should be taken as covering local landscape, townscape, visual resources and landscape, waterscape and townscape character and tranquillity are described in Section 8.11 of this quality, where appropriate’. PEIR chapter. Relevant policy is included in Section 8.2 of this Paragraph 5.214 states ‘The landscape and visual chapter. Landscape and townscape character, assessment should reference any landscape character condition and quality are described in Section 8.6 assessment and associated studies as a means of of this chapter. Effects on landscape, townscape assessing landscape impacts relevant to the preferred and visual resources and tranquillity are described scheme. In addition, the applicant’s assessment should in Section 8.9 of this chapter. Cumulative effects take account of any relevant policies based on these on landscape, townscape, visual resources and assessments in local development documents’. tranquillity are described in Section 8.11 of this PEIR chapter. The effects of the surface access proposals (highways improvements) are considered within a 5 km radius study area in Sections 8.9 and 8.11 of this chapter. The effects of aviation activity are considered Paragraph 5.215 states that the assessment should include within a 5 km radius study area in Sections 8.9 ‘surface access proposals’, ‘aviation activity’ and ‘landscape and 8.11 of this PEIR chapter and effects on character, including historic characterisation’. tranquillity within nationally designated landscapes within a wider study area for overflying aircraft < 7,000 feet. The effects on the historic landscape are included in Chapter 7 Historic Environment. 1 It is noted that the Transport Decarbonisation Plan published by Department for Transport (DfT) on 14 July 2021 announced DfT's