Chapter 5 Upper Ogmore Wind Farm & Energy Storage Facility Landscape and Visual Environmental Statement 5. Landscape and Visual Executive Summary 5.1 The landscape and visual impact assessment considers the effects of the Proposed Development on landscape character and visual amenity within a study area up to 15 km from the site. The assessment has been undertaken in accordance with all relevant published guidance on the topic, and has involved desk-based and field- based assessments. The approach and scope of the assessment was agreed through scoping and through consultation with local planning authorities. 5.2 The baseline for the assessment includes landscape and visual receptors. The landscape of the site and study area is described through observations made in the field, and drawing on published landscape character assessments and the LANDMAP database. Visual receptors include people in settlements, using the local area for recreation, and travelling through the area on roads. Representative viewpoints have been selected to assess the range of visual receptors, and these viewpoints were agreed through consultation. 5.3 The assessment of effects considers the embedded mitigation achieved through the design process, as set out in Chapter 2 Design Evolution. 5.4 Localised significant landscape effects are predicted during the construction stage, affecting the site itself and the local area of the Mynydd Llangeinwyr Uplands LCA. Due to local topography, construction works will not be widely visible from adjacent valley landscapes. 5.5 During operation, the introduction of seven large turbines alongside access tracks, substation, control building and the Energy Storage Facility (ESF), will give rise to a major (significant) effect on the landscape of the site and the surrounding Mynydd Llangeinwyr Uplands LCA. Significant (moderate) effects on landscape character are likely to be experienced across an area extending no more than 2 km from the proposed turbines, and much less to the north and west. The area where significant effects would occur is approximately bounded by the ridge of Craig Ogwr to the east, the summit of Mynydd William Meyrick, the settlement of Price Town, the south end of the main ridge of Mynydd Llangeinwyr, the settlement of Blaengarw, the summit of Mynydd Caerau, and the hairpin bend on the A4107 to the north. Beyond this area effects on landscape character would reduce to minor or negligible, and not significant. 5.6 The majority of the wind energy developments forming the cumulative baseline are operational schemes. There are a number of consented but unbuilt wind farms, and one unconsented scheme, in the study area, but none are in the same LCA or Ref: 02959-1690834, Rev: 1 – Released 5 - 1 Chapter 5 Upper Ogmore Wind Farm & Energy Storage Facility Landscape and Visual Environmental Statement within the immediate landscape context of the Proposed Development. As such, no other wind farms would be experienced at the same time as the Proposed Development in such a way that would lead to an additional cumulative effect on landscape character. 5.7 The viewpoint assessment identifies significant effects on sensitive visual receptors up to 4.8 km from the Proposed Development, with effects judged as major being limited to sensitive receptors within 2 km. Minor (not significant) effects were identified at locations up to 11.5 km from the Proposed Development, and effects at more distant viewpoints were judged to be negligible. The substation, control building and ESF will contribute to localised significant effects for a small number of nearby receptors, but will not be clearly seen in more distant views. 5.8 Significant effects are predicted for people within parts of Blaengarw (Viewpoint 4), Blaengwynfi (Viewpoint 6), Price Town, Ogmore Vale and particularly Nant-y- moel (Viewpoint 5), where there would be views of the turbines, due to the appearance of the Proposed Development on the skyline. Significant effects on views are predicted to be experienced by recreational users crossing the high ground of Werfa, Mynydd y Gelli and Mynydd Llangeinwyr (Viewpoint 2), and those accessing the surrounding hills such as Mynydd William Meyrick (Viewpoint 7) and Pen y Foel (Viewpoint 10). 5.9 Cyclists using the NCN routes 883 and 884 in the Ogwr and Garw valleys are predicted to experience significant (moderate) effects. Effects on users of the A4107 will be moderate (significant) for limited localised sections near the site. Significant effects on more distant receptors, such as people visiting the Brecon Beacons, are not anticipated. 5.10 Besides the operational wind farms that form the baseline there are relatively few consented or proposed wind farms, and the majority are sited close to operational developments such that they would not change the pattern of development that is viewed in the area. No significant cumulative effects on views are predicted. Introduction 5.11 This assessment considers the likely significant effects on landscape and visual resources of the site and the surrounding study area associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed Upper Ogmore Wind Farm and Energy Storage Facility (ESF) (herein referred to as the Proposed Development). The specific objectives of the chapter are to: • describe the landscape and visual baseline; • describe the assessment methodology and significance criteria used in completing the impact assessment; Ref: 02959-1690834, Rev: 1 – Released 5 - 2 Chapter 5 Upper Ogmore Wind Farm & Energy Storage Facility Landscape and Visual Environmental Statement • describe the potential effects, including direct, indirect and cumulative effects; • describe any mitigation measures proposed to address likely significant effects; and • assess the residual effects remaining following the implementation of mitigation. 5.12 Landscape and visual assessments are separate, although linked, processes. 5.13 This chapter considers the potential effects of the proposal on: • the landscape as a resource in its own right (caused by changes to the constituent elements of the landscape, its specific aesthetic or perceptual qualities and the character of the landscape); and • views and visual amenity as experienced by people (caused by changes in the appearance of the landscape). 5.14 The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) has been carried out by chartered landscape architects at LUC. 5.15 The chapter is supported by Figures presented in Volume 3 of the EIA Report, and referenced in the text where relevant. These comprise: • Mapped information on Figures 5.1 – 5.11; and • Visualisations on Figures 5.12 to 5.29. Legislation & Planning Policy 5.16 This section notes the legislation and policy context for the LVIA. Legislation and policy is outlined in Chapter 4: Planning Policy Context and is discussed in more detail within the supporting planning statement. International Legislation and Policy 5.17 The European Landscape Convention highlights the importance of all landscapes and encourages greater attention to care and planning in all landscapes, to manage change and ensure a forward-looking approach to management. The convention also states that all landscapes have value, regardless of formal designations. National Planning Policy 5.18 National Policy Statements (NPSs) are the main policy documents to take into account when determining an application for nationally significant energy infrastructure, and form the basis for determination of decisions. In the case of renewable energy projects the following NPSs must be taken into account: • Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1); and Ref: 02959-1690834, Rev: 1 – Released 5 - 3 Chapter 5 Upper Ogmore Wind Farm & Energy Storage Facility Landscape and Visual Environmental Statement • National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3). 5.19 With reference to decision making and mitigation, Paragraphs 2.7.48-51 of EN-3 state “Modern onshore wind turbines that are used in commercial wind farms are large structures and there will always be significant landscape and visual effects from their construction and operation for a number of kilometres around a site. The arrangement of wind turbines should be carefully designed within a site to minimise effects on the landscape and visual amenity while meeting technical and operational siting requirements and other constraints”. Wind farm design is discussed in Chapter 2 Design Evolution. 5.20 Planning Policy Wales (PPW, Edition 9, November 2016) sets out the land use planning policies for the Welsh Government. It establishes the government’s objectives for conservation and improvement of natural heritage, in particular the protection of native habitats, trees and woodlands and landscapes with statutory designations (such as National Parks). The LANDMAP information system is endorsed as an important resource to use for landscape assessment. Technical Advice Notes (TANs) support PPW, and TAN 8: Renewable Energy (2005) is of relevance to this assessment. TAN 8 Renewable Energy 5.21 Relevant national policy and guidance on onshore renewable energy technologies are set out in TAN 8 Planning for Renewable Energy1. It is noted in paragraph 2, 2 of this document that: “onshore wind power offers the greatest potential for an increase in the generation of electricity from renewable energy in the short to medium term. In order to try to meet the target for onshore wind production the Assembly Government has commissioned extensive technical work,