Environmental Statement 6.4 Brechfa Forest Connection Development Consent Order Application - Reference EN020016 Environmental Statement Appendix 9.6 Visual effects on footpath users May 2015 Regulation reference: The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 Regulation 5(2)(a) Environmental Statement – Appendix 9.6 – Volume 6.4 Appendix 9.6: Visual effects on Footpath Users 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 This appendix considers the visual effects of the Proposed Development on footpath users along the route. All footpaths within 1km of the Proposed Development have been considered where they fall within the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) of the development (see Figure 9.3 maps 1 to 3 (Volume 6.3)). The amount of detailed assessment undertaken however is commensurate with the proximity of the footpath and the likely level of effect. 1.1.2 Footpaths (including CCC promoted walks and long distance footpaths) are identified as individual footpaths (FP). Where footpaths form sections of CCC promoted walks and or long distance footpaths a single reference is provided and details of the additional designations are provided within the baseline description. The location of each footpath receptor is shown on Figure 9.4 Visual baseline maps 1 to 4 (Volume 6.3) of the main landscape and visual chapter of this assessment. 1.1.3 In accordance with the agreed scope of the assessment the following effects are considered: . the visual effects during the construction phase for underground sections of the route; . any construction phase visual effects arising out of highway visibility splay clearance, access roads or the undergrounding of existing overhead WPD assets; . the visual effects of the operational phase for both underground and overhead sections of the route (including the implications of any vegetation removal that may have occurred through the introduction of the connection or as a result of ongoing maintenance to keep the route 1 Environmental Statement – Appendix 9.6 – Volume 6.4 clear). 1.2 Approach 1.2.1 The schedule below provides a baseline description of visual conditions at each footpath within each project landscape character area (pLCA); an assessment of sensitivity based upon criteria provided in section 9.4 of the main chapter (Volume 6.2); and an assessment of the degree of visual change and significance of the likely visual effects (construction and operational and taking account of all assessment criteria set out within the methodology provided in section 9.4 of the main landscape and visual chapter of this assessment (Volume 6.2)). 1.2.2 The assessment of sensitivity identifies whether the visual effect may arise as a result of either an overhead (O) or underground (U) section of the route (in some instances the location may be affected by both, and its sensitivity to each may vary). The visual sensitivity of footpath users to the development is considered to be high in areas of high value, open countryside that are generally agreed to be associated with recreational use including promoted or named long distance paths. The visual sensitivity of incidental footpath users in areas of low value countryside or in built up areas is considered to be medium. Reasoning is provided where lower values are attached to footpaths within a Special Landscape Character Area (SLA) or where higher values are attached to footpaths outside a SLA. 1.2.3 The assessment combines consideration of the degree of visual change that would occur, the extent (or length) of the Proposed Development that would potentially be visible, the duration over which the visual change would persist (in this regard the Proposed Development is treated as a permanent feature but this may vary depending on changes to surrounding vegetation cover) and whether the change is likely to be reversible (all visual changes associated with this development are generally considered to be potentially reversible (i.e. the Proposed Development could be removed and vegetation 2 Environmental Statement – Appendix 9.6 – Volume 6.4 generally re-establish) and only those locations where effects are likely to be irreversible are highlighted in the table (e.g. where unique/rare landscape components or mature/‘veteran’ trees are to be removed)). 3 Environmental Statement – Appendix 9.6 – Volume 6.4 Table 1: Detailed assessment table: Schedule of construction and operational phase visual effects on footpath users Ref Receptor and baseline conditions Sensitivity to the Effect (Change and Significance) development (i) Construction phase (combined (ii) Operational phase susceptibility and value) O – Overhead Line U – Underground cable pLCA1: Nant Morlais West of Llandyfaelog (see Figure 9.4 map 1) FP1 PROW Llandyfaelog 21 Medium (O) (i) Construction phase (O): Not significant (negligible). Hillside footpath, views towards the Proposed Incidental footpath (ii) Operational phase (O): The Proposed Development would not Development from upper elevated areas would be in undesignated be visible from this footpath due to topography. No Visual filtered by high hedgerow and topography. The top landscape area. changes arising from the removal or management of of the 33kV EE route is visible from this section of vegetation. Overall no change to view. Not significant the footpath. (negligible) visual effect. FP2 PROW St Ishmaels13 Medium (O) (i) Construction phase (O): Not significant (negligible). Unmarked footpath, with little sign of regular use Incidental footpath (ii) Operational phase (O): The Proposed Development would not and unclear access. Hillside footpath with open in undesignated be visible from this footpath due to topography. No Visual views in all directions. Absence of trees and visual landscape area. changes arising from the removal or management of obstructions. Long distance views available to the vegetation. Overall no change to view. Not significant west. The top of the 33kV EE route is visible from (negligible) visual effect. this section of the footpath. FP3 PROW Llandyfaelog 30 Medium (O) (i) Construction phase (O): Not significant (negligible). Hillside footpath located at a lower elevation than Incidental footpath (ii) Operational phase (O): The Proposed Development would not the Proposed Development. Views towards the in undesignated be visible from this footpath due to the screening effects of Proposed Development would be restricted by landscape area. mature woodland. No Visual changes arising from the removal topography. The footpath crosses the 33kV EE or management of vegetation. Overall no change to view. Not route and lies in very close proximity to the 132kV significant (negligible) visual effect. route which is visible from the footpath. FP4 PROW Llandyfaelog 28 and PRoW Llandyfaelog Medium (O) (i) Construction phase (O): The undergrounding of the existing 29 Incidental footpath 11kV overhead line between poles 1 to 2 and 5 to 6 would be Unmarked footpath, with little sign of regular use in undesignated visible to the north. Visual changes resulting from the removal and unclear access. Mature woodland screens landscape area. of hedgerow trees in the vicinity of pole 2 would be barely 4 Environmental Statement – Appendix 9.6 – Volume 6.4 long distance views to the north. Principal long perceptible. Overall negligible degree of change in view. Not distance views are over the valley to the south. Significant (negligible) visual effect. Pylons along the 33kV EE line are visible from the (ii) Operational phase (O): The closest section of the Proposed footpath which crosses beneath the 132kV line. Development is located at pole 6 at a distance of 580m from the footpath. Mature woodland screens views of the Proposed Development over the majority of the footpath. The upper sections of the line in the vicinity of poles 1-8 would be visible against a sky and land background in close proximity to mature trees. Visual changes arising from the removal or management of vegetation. Overall negligible degree of change in view associated with approximately 840m of the route. Not significant (negligible) visual effect. FP4a PROW Llandyfaelog 23 Medium (O) (i) Construction phase (O): Not significant (negligible). Hillside footpath located at a lower elevation than Incidental footpath (ii) Operational phase (O): The Proposed Development would not the Proposed Development. Views towards the in undesignated be visible from this footpath due to topography. No Visual Proposed Development would be restricted by landscape area. changes arising from the removal or management of topography. Pylons along the 33kV EE and 132kV vegetation. Overall no change to view. Not significant lines are visible from the footpath. (negligible) visual effect. FP4b PROW Llandyfaelog 24 Medium (O) (i) Construction phase (O): Not significant (negligible). Hillside footpath located at a lower elevation than Incidental footpath (ii) Operational phase (O): The Proposed Development would not the Proposed Development. Views towards the in undesignated be visible from this footpath due to topography. No Visual Proposed Development would be restricted by landscape area. changes arising from the removal or management of topography. Pylons along the 33kV EE and 132kV vegetation. Overall no change to view. Not significant lines are visible from the footpath. (negligible) visual effect. pLCA2: Coastal Hills North West of Llandyfaelog (see Figure 9.4 map 1) FP5 PRoW Llandyfaelog 20 Medium (O) (i) Construction phase (O): Not significant (negligible). Unmarked, inaccessible