Aspire Defence Capital Works Army Basing Programme 2020 Landscape & Visual Appraisal Tidworth August 2015 Document No: 22-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 Document Status Rev. Date Purpose of Issue Prep. Chkd. Appr. A 09.07.15 Issued for Planning RJC TFT DAG B 26.08.15 Issued to Planning Authority RJC TFT DAG CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Methodology 3.0 Planning Policy 4.0 Elements of the Landscape 5.0 Landscape Character 6.0 Visual Amenity 7.0 Mitigation 8.0 Conclusion APPENDICES Appendix A – National Character Area Appendix B – Kennet District Landscape Assessment Appendix C – Salisbury District Landscape Character Assessment Appendix D – Hampshire Integrated Landscape Assessment FIGURES (contained in Annex) Figure 1 Landscape Constraints Figure 2 Landscape Context Figure 3 Topography Figure 4 Receptor Viewpoint Locations Figure 5 Receptor Viewpoint Photography Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Tidworth Masterplan 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 Wiltshire’s landscape has been intensively used by the military for well over a century. Salisbury Plain is one of the largest training areas in the UK. 1.1.2 This report describes the landscape and visual effects of the Army Basing Programme (ABP) 2020 at MoD Tidworth on the camp and its surroundings. Specifically it appraises the likely effects on: · the individual landscape elements and features of the camp and surrounding area; · the landscape character of the camp and surrounding area; · the specific aesthetic or perceptual aspects of the landscape; and · visual amenity. It has been prepared in support of the hybrid planning application for the masterplan proposals for delivery of the ABP assets at Tidworth to be submitted to Wiltshire Council. 1.1.3 The effects of the masterplan development proposals on the settings of the built heritage features found within the camp and surrounds is considered in the Built Heritage Assessment, which is also submitted in support of the hybrid application. 1.1.4 The application site comprises land within the camp boundary. The photograph below (taken in 2011- looking from the south-west) illustrates its general setting. 1.1.5 Land for Tidworth Garrison was first acquired at the end of the 19th Century, with construction of the permanent camp commencing in 1902 and being largely completed by some 10 years later, although further building took place until the 1920’s. Thus, along with nearby Bulford, Larkhill and Perham Down, the camp has been in military use for well over a century. There was little change during the inter- war period, but adapting to the increasing mechanisation and equipment requirements of the modern army saw a progressive programme of new development during the second half of the twentieth century. In recent years, there has been much redevelopment and modernisation under the Project Allenby 22-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 RevB - 1 - of 33 August 2015 Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Tidworth Masterplan Connaught Public Private Partnership (PPP) to cater for evolving military operational requirements. 1.1.6 The masterplan covers an area of approximately 165 hectares. The camp adjoins the built-up area of Tidworth. It is accessed from the Bulford Road, which runs near to southern boundary and connects with the A338 Salisbury Road which runs close to the camp’s eastern boundary. The A303 runs just over 4km to the south. In contrast with its wider rural surroundings, the camp is largely enclosed and compact and characterised by the existing built development of significant extent. It comprises a mix of living, office, technical and training accommodation, together with other ancillary buildings, hardstanding, parking and sports facilities. Street tree planting and woodland blocks, both within the camp itself and adjacent to sections of the camp’s boundary, provide a strong green infrastructure and screening. 1.1.7 The camp lies within the predominantly rural setting of the sensitive landscape of Salisbury Plain. Much of the area approximately 0.5km west of the camp is designated as a Special Landscape Area (SLA). Notwithstanding, the area in and around Salisbury Plain hosts a number of military camps, including: Warminster; Perham Down; Larkhill; Upavon and Bulford; as well as Tidworth. The Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) lies over 20km to the south- west and the North Wessex Downs AONB lies to the north, approximately 3.5km to the north-west. 1.1.8 The quality of the built environment within the camp is variable. Although much (in particular the technical areas) is utilitarian, there are areas of higher townscape quality, such as early nineteenth century mess buildings adjoining the tree lined southern boundary. 1.2 Study Area 1.2.1 The extent of the Study Area used for this appraisal is based on the landform, land cover, land use and built form in the vicinity of the camp. 1.2.2 It is important to note that the boundary of the Study Area does not define the area beyond which there will be no effects. Rather it contains the area within which there is potential for likely significant landscape and visual effects to occur. 1.3 Scope of Study 1.3.1 A Preliminary Landscape Assessment (PLA) - Capita November 2013 – of options for the Army Basing Programme (ABP) within the camp was undertaken in order to assist selection of options and the development of the masterplan for the ABP proposals, and to identify potential landscape and visual mitigation requirements. 1.3.2 The PLA has been reviewed by suitably qualified and experienced Landscape Architects and fully re-worked and augmented for the preparation of this Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) in respect of the hybrid application proposals: those submitted both in outline and detail. Further site visits for the purposes of field observation in preparing this LVA have been undertaken. The scope of the study and locations of the representative viewpoints – see Figure 4 - have been agreed for the purposes of preparing this LVA with Wiltshire Council. It is considered that the work that has been carried out enables a reasoned and robust analysis of the likely landscape and visual effects arising from the masterplan developments contained within the hybrid application. It should be noted that each of the Priority Works applications for the camp that have recently been lodged with the planning authority were themselves accompanied by a landscape and visual appraisal. 22-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 RevB - 2 - of 33 August 2015 Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Tidworth Masterplan 1.4 Assumptions 1.4.1 This report makes the following assumptions: · The appraisal is based on the illustrative masterplan and parameters submitted with the hybrid application. · All existing vegetation located outside the potential development areas would be unaffected by the masterplan proposals; and · The application of good site construction practice. In particular, nearby retained trees are afforded protection in accordance with the recommendations provided in British Standard 5837:2012 Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction – Recommendations. 22-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 RevB - 3 - of 33 August 2015 Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Tidworth Masterplan 2. METHODOLOGY 2.1 Introduction 2.1.1 The earlier PLA work (see paragraph 1.3.1 above) entailed in the preparation of this appraisal comprised two specific elements. The first element involved a desk based study of: · relevant landscape planning policies in the development plan; · published documents relating to landscape character; and · the analysis of local mapping to identify potentially significant receptor viewpoints, taking into account topography, built development and significant vegetation features such as woodland. 2.1.2 The second element entailed field work and included the walking of roads, public rights of way and permissive paths to establish a detailed understanding of the character of the landscape within the Study Area and to determine the extent to which the Army 2020 basing proposals would be capable of being seen (in whole or in part). A photographic record was taken at this time to inform the description of visibility from the receptor viewpoints. The photographic record taken was taken to inform the description of visibility from the receptor viewpoints. The field work was carried out in late September 2013, with a second round of site photography taken in the ensuing winter. 2.1.3 As indicated in the Section 1 above, whilst the PLA work has been drawn on for the preparation of this study, it has been re-worked and augmented to address the specific development proposals in this application and the assessment tailored accordingly. 2.1.4 The methodology employed for this LVA is proportionate to the location, type and scale of the proposed development and appropriate to the nature of its effects. It draws upon a range of approaches and techniques, but is primarily based on the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Third Edition, 2013 (GLVIA3) and carried out in accordance with the best practice guidance contained therein. 2.2 Baseline Conditions 2.2.1 The baseline landscape and visual conditions of the camp and surrounding area are described including: · a factual description of the landscape conditions within the Study Area (including topography, geography, population, distribution, land use patterns, patterns of communication, history, etc.); · the identification of any anticipated