Appendix 19.2 Seascape, Landscape and Visual
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Environmental Statement European Offshore Wind Deployment July 2011 Centre European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre Environmental Statement Appendix19.2: Seascape, Landscape and Visual EIA Technical Report European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre Seascape, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment EIA Technical Report 21st June 2011 A Worton Rectory Park Oxford OX29 4SX United Kingdom T +44 (0) 1865 887050 F +44 (0) 1865 887055 W www.lda-design.co.uk LDA Design Consulting LLP Registered No: OC307725 17 Minster Precincts, Peterborough PE1 1XX 21st June 2011 Contents 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Consultation .................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Key Guidance Documents ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.3. Data Information and Sources ................................................................................................................. 2 2.0 Impact Methodology .............................................................................................................................................. 3 2.1. Sensitivity ......................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.2. Magnitude ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 2.3. Significance...................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.4. Cumulative and In-combination............................................................................................................. 4 2.5. Worst Realistic Case ..................................................................................................................................... 5 3.0 Seascape and Landscape Effects ......................................................................................................................... 6 3.1. Seascape Effects .............................................................................................................................................. 6 3.2. Landscape Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 11 3.3. Areas of Landscape Significance ............................................................................................................ 25 3.4. Summary of Seascape and Landscape Effects ................................................................................... 30 4.0 Visual Effects ........................................................................................................................................................... 34 4.2. Viewpoints ..................................................................................................................................................... 36 4.3. Effects upon Visual Receptor Groups .................................................................................................. 48 4.4. Sequential Visual Effects on Main Roads ........................................................................................... 50 4.5. Visual Effects at Night ............................................................................................................................... 56 4.6. Summary Table of Visual Effects .......................................................................................................... 57 5.0 Other Assessment Considerations .................................................................................................................. 61 5.1. Varying Turbine Heights .......................................................................................................................... 61 5.2. Potential Ocean Laboratory ..................................................................................................................... 61 5.3. Menie Estate .................................................................................................................................................. 62 6.0 Construction, Decommissioning, and Mitigation .................................................................................... 62 6.1. Construction Phase ..................................................................................................................................... 64 6.2. Decommissioning Phase........................................................................................................................... 64 6.3. Mitigation ....................................................................................................................................................... 64 7.0 Summary ................................................................................................................................................................... 65 7.1. Seascape Effects Summary ....................................................................................................................... 65 7.2. Visual Effects Summary ............................................................................................................................ 66 7.3. Cumulative Effects Summary ................................................................................................................ 67 8.0 Appendices ............................................................................................................................................................... 68 Appendix 1. Cumulative Wind Farm List ..................................................................... 68 Appendix 2. Sequential Graphs and Plan ...................................................................... 71 2875 2875 21st June 2011 9.0 References ................................................................................................................................................................. 72 Version: 1.4 Version date: 21st June 2011 Comment FINAL This document has been prepared and checked in accordance with ISO 9001:2000. 2875 1.0 Introduction The Seascape, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (SLVIA) considers the potential effects that the EOWDC will have on the existing seascape, landscape, and visual environment. The purpose of the assessment is to determine the sensitivity, magnitude, and therefore significance of any change to the character of the regional seascape, landscape, and any areas of designated landscapes, as well as the potential effect upon views, visual amenity and receptor groups within the overall Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV). The Baseline Report (see Appendix xxx) sets out the existing seascape, landscape and visual baseline environment and identified its sensitivity to the type of change proposed. This impact assessment section describes the nature of the anticipated change upon the regional seascape units, landscape character areas and landscape designations within the study area and upon a number of agreed representative visual receptors and assesses the magnitude and significance of the anticipated changes. The cumulative seascape, landscape, and visual effects of the proposed development with the existing, consented and in-planning wind farms are assessed for the study area. The ‘in- planning’ wind farms are those that have had a planning application submitted which has not yet been determined at the time of writing the assessment (18th March). The report also discusses the cumulative effects of the potential Ocean Laboratory structure, although this would be subject to a separate planning application. 1.1. Consultation Consultation to agree upon the assessment methodology and a number of other important parameters regarding the scope of the SLVIA took place with Scottish Natural Heritage, Aberdeen City Council, and Aberdeenshire Council. The Baseline Report and its Appendix 1 provides a summary of the key stages of consultation and also provides a detailed record of all consultation which took place on the SLVIA throughout the project. 1.2. Key Guidance Documents Key guidance documents that have informed the SLVIA include: Maritime Ireland/Wales Interreg 1994 – 1999 Guidance ‘Guide to Best Practice in Seascape Assessment’ (GSA), published in March 2001. ‘An assessment of the sensitivity and capacity of the Scottish Seascape in relation to wind farms’, (SNH commissioned Report 103, 2005). Guidance on the Assessment of Effect of Offshore Wind Farms: Seascape and Visual Effect Report (DTI – November 2005). Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Effect Assessment (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and the Landscape Institute’s (LI), second edition 2002). Visual Representation of Windfarms Best Practice Guidance (SNH 2006, albeit published in 2007). Cumulative Effects on Windfarms, (SNH, 2005). Siting and Designing Windfarms in the Landscape (SNH, December 2009). 2875 1 1.3. Data Information and Sources Table 1.1 below records the main survey information and site study data that were used in this assessment. Please also see the Baseline Report for additional