NORTH LANARKSHIRE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN MODIFIED PROPOSED PLAN LOCAL LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT BACKGROUND REPORT NOVEMBER 2018 North Lanarkshire Council Enterprise and Communities CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. URS Review of North Lanarkshire Local Landscape Character (2015) 3. Kilsyth Hills Special Landscape Area (SLA) 4. Clyde Valley Special Landscape Area (SLA) Appendices Appendix 1 - URS Review of North Lanarkshire Local Landscape Character (2015) 1. Introduction 1.1 Landscape designations play an important role in Scottish Planning Policy by protecting and enhancing areas of particular value. Scottish Planning Policy encourages local, non-statutory designations to protect and create an understanding of the role of locally important landscape have on communities. 1.2 In 2014, as part of the preparation of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Proposed Plan, a review of local landscape designations was undertaken by URS as part of wider action for landscape protection and management. 2. URS Review of North Lanarkshire Local Landscape Character (2015) 2.1 The purpose of the Review was to identify and provide an awareness of the special character and qualities of the designated landscape in North Lanarkshire and to contribute to guiding appropriate future development to the most appropriate locations. The Review has identified a number of Local Landscape Units (LLU) that are of notable quality and value within which future development requires careful consideration to avoid potential significant impact on their landscape character. 2.2 There are two exemplar LLUs identified in this study, Kilsyth Hills and Clyde Valley, which are seen as very sensitive to development. Both of these areas warrant specific recognition and protection, as their high landscape quality would be threatened and adversely affected by unsympathetic development within their boundaries. The Report recommends that these two areas are identified as Special Landscape Areas within the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Modified Proposed Plan and supported by specific policy protection. 2.3 North Lanarkshire Council has taken onboard the recommendations from this Report and has incorporated them into the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan Modified Proposed Plan. It is therefore important that this Report and the two Special Landscape Areas below are taken into consideration in relation to any wind turbine proposals. 2.4 A copy of the URS Review of North Lanarkshire Local Landscape Character (2015) is available in Appendix 1. 3. Kilsyth Hills Special Landscape Area (SLA) 3.1 Following the URS Review of North Lanarkshire Local Landscape Character, two exemplar LLUs identified, of which the Kilsyth Hills LLU was one, and should be designated as a Special Landscape Area (SLA). This SLA‘s Statement of Importance explains in detail why this proposal should be taken forward. 3.2 The value of the Kilsyth Hills LLU is a result of its largely undeveloped nature and importance as a contrasting feature and backdrop to other landscape types. The character of the local landscape is therefore considered to be “highly sensitive to development”, as the introduction of artificial structures could adversely affect the key characteristics and value of the landscape. 3.3 The designation of the Kilsyth Hills SLA is considered particularly important given the prominent presence and perceived value of the landscape, both locally and in a regional context and the landscape’s limited capacity to change without adverse impact. Additionally the landscape is valued both locally and regionally as an important setting for outdoor recreation and low-impact sustainable tourism. 3.4 A copy of the Statement of Landscape Importance for the Kilsyth Hills Special Landscape Area Background Report is available on the Council’s Website. 4. Clyde Valley Special Landscape Area (SLA) 4.1 Following the URS Review of North Lanarkshire Local Landscape Character, two exemplar LLUs identified, of which the Clyde Valley LLU was one, and should be designated as a Special Landscape Area (SLA). This SLA‘s Statement of Importance explains in detail why this proposal should be taken forward. 4.2 The value and the key characteristics of the Clyde Valley LLU relates to the limited settlement and overall impression of a well-cared for agricultural landscape. The north side of the Clyde Valley in North Lanarkshire towards Garrion Bridge is more contained by slopes, with deeply incised valley spurs off the main broad valley, each of which have very limited and contained views into and out of the incisions. The valley provides a contrast to the adjacent large urban areas to the north. The landscape is highly sensitive to development which does not relate to its agricultural character. 4.3 The designation of the Clyde Valley SLA is considered particularly important given the relative uniqueness of this type of landscape within North Lanarkshire. It is the prominent presence and perceived value of the landscape, both locally and in a regional context, with the landscape’s limited capacity to change without adverse impact on its character. The valley is an important visitor destination with a series of long-established garden centres as well as outdoor recreation in the form of the long distance Clyde Valley Walkway, a route of regional importance and the various local paths which link to the Walkway through the surrounding woodlands and the countryside. 4.4 A copy of the Statement of Landscape Importance for the Clyde Valley Special Landscape Area Background Report is available on the Council’s Website. Review of North Lanarkshire Local Landscape Character April 2015 Prepared for: North Lanarkshire Council North Lanarkshire Council REVISION SCHEDULE Rev Date Details Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by 1 November Draft Report Mark Elliott Zoë McClelland Nigel Hackett 2014 Principal Principal Technical Director Landscape Planner Architect 2 February Revised Draft Report John Devenny Nigel Hackett Nigel Hackett 2015 Principal Technical Technical Director Landscape Director Architect 3 April 2015 Revised Draft report, John Devenny Nigel Hackett Nigel Hackett incorporating feedback Principal Technical Technical Director Landscape Director Architect 4 April 2015 Final Report John Devenny Nigel Hackett Nigel Hackett Principal Technical Technical Director Landscape Director Architect URS Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited 2nd Floor Apex 2 Haymarket Edinburgh EH12 5HD FINAL REPORT April 2015 1 North Lanarkshire Council Limitations URS Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited (“URS”) has prepared this Report for the sole use of North Lanarkshire Council in accordance with the Agreement under which our services were performed. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this Report or any other services provided by URS. This Report is confidential and may not be disclosed by the Client nor relied upon by any other party without the prior and express written agreement of URS. The conclusions and recommendations contained in this Report are based upon information provided by others and upon the assumption that all relevant information has been provided by those parties from whom it has been requested and that such information is accurate. Information obtained by URS has not been independently verified by URS, unless otherwise stated in the Report. The methodology adopted and the sources of information used by URS in providing its services are outlined in this Report. The work described in this Report was undertaken between August 2014 and April 2015 and is based on the conditions encountered and the information available during the said period of time. The scope of this Report and the services are accordingly factually limited by these circumstances. Where assessments of works or costs identified in this Report are made, such assessments are based upon the information available at the time and where appropriate are subject to further investigations or information which may become available. URS disclaim any undertaking or obligation to advise any person of any change in any matter affecting the Report, which may come or be brought to URS’ attention after the date of the Report. Certain statements made in the Report that are not historical facts may constitute estimates, projections or other forward- looking statements and even though they are based on reasonable assumptions as of the date of the Report, such forward- looking statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted. URS specifically does not guarantee or warrant any estimate or projections contained in this Report. Copyright © This Report is the copyright of URS Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person other than the addressee is strictly prohibited. FINAL REPORT April 2015 2 North Lanarkshire Council TABLE OF CONTENTS GLOSSARY ................................ ................................ ............... 4 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ 5 2 METHODOLOGY ....................................................................... 6 3 LOCAL LANDSCAPE UNITS .................................................... 8 4 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................... 39 APPENDIX 1: FIELD SURVEY PRO-FORMA .................................. 40 FINAL REPORT April 2015 3 North Lanarkshire Council GLOSSARY GDL