HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
6.1 INTRODUCTION (with reference to Appendix 6.1: Figures 6.1 and 6.2)
6.1.1 The Richards Partnership have been appointed to carry out a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) of the development proposals for a hybrid planning application for an Energy Park, with all matters reserved apart from access. A full description of the development is provided in Chapter 5 of this ES.
6.1.2 Figure 6.1 shows the extent of the area subject to this application. The site (within the security fence) was the subject of a separate planning application in the autumn of 2011 for permission to remediate the site of hazardous materials and stabilise it in advance of any subsequent redevelopment, this application received planning permission in March 2012 and has since been implemented.
6.1.3 Given the long term objective for the site is for it to be developed as an Energy Park, it was agreed with both Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council that for the purposes of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment chapter of the (EIA), the baseline situation will be as described in the Landscape and Visual Appraisal submitted in support of the earlier, 2011, remediation application. This has been agreed with both Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council. This landscape and visual appraisal will be attached as an appendix to the EIA supporting the Main Application.
6.1.4 The landscape and visual impacts referred to later in the report are assessed separately in accordance with good practice1. They may be defined as follows:
6.1.5 Landscape character: impacts on the landscape or townscape may arise where the character of areas with a particular scenic quality or merit are modified by the development.
6.1.6 Landscape features: impacts on landscape features such as hedgerows, trees or landform may arise where features are lost or substantially modified as a result of the development.
6.1.7 Visual amenity: impacts on visual amenity may arise where features intrude into or obstruct the views of people, or where there is some other qualitative change to the view seen.
45
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.1.8 It should be stressed that ‘impacts’ can be changes for the better (resulting in positive effects) as well as changes for the worse ( resulting in adverse effects).
6.1.9 The landscape and visual appraisal was carried out through a desk study of relevant documents and by field study work undertaken from May 2011 to August 2012. The purpose of the site visits were to establish:
The content and quality of the site’s existing landscape features.
The character of the site and it immediate environs.
The site’s visual relationship with its surroundings.
The contribution of the site to the wider landscape.
The people most likely to be affected by development on all or part of the site.
1 Best practice guidelines for landscape and visual assessment include: Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland (2002) the Countryside Agency Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (2002) Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.
6.2 LEGISLATION POLICY AND GUIDANCE (with reference Appendix 6.1: Figures 6.2 and 6.3)
6.2.1 The site lies within the administrative area of Sedgemoor District Council. At the time of writing the development plan consists of saved policies from the County Structure Plan and the Council’s Adopted Core Strategy with saved policies from the Sedgemoor District Local Plan 1991-2011.
6.2.2 On the basis that the former Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) site does not contain any regional or county landscape designations, attention will focus on local policy contained within the Core Strategy and Local Plan. The corridor for the proposed road runs through the ‘Visually prominent areas of high quality landscape’ as identified in the Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment and Countryside Design Summary- 2003 (SLA) and will be considered in this context (See Figure 6.3).
6.2.3 The Sedgemoor District Local Plan does not accord any specific landscape designations to the site. However there are areas of the site designated as ‘Locally Important Nature Conservation Site’ and ‘Rail Facilities’.
46
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.2.4 As part of the evidence base of the LDF, Sedgemoor District Council have produced ‘Puriton Energy Park Supplementary Planning Document’ (SPD) which has now been adopted by the Council, and provides further information about the site’s delivery as an Energy Park allocated in the LDF . This document has been prepared to ‘guide and inform development of the brownfield site of the former Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF)’ and sets out clear principles to which any future development should adhere in order to:
“Create a new environment that responds to the surrounding uses and strengthens links so that the development is seen as an integral part of the surrounding landscape well related to the nearby villages and respectful of the historic importance of the site..” (para 8.3)
6.2.5 The SPD is quoted in more detail later in this assessment in relation to the development proposals and their adherence to its principles.
6.2.6 The SLA is also adopted as supplementary planning guidance and identifies two areas of visual sensitivity; ‘Visually prominent areas of high quality landscape’ and ‘Areas of high sensitivity in relation to road corridors’ both of which will be considered later in this assessment.
6.2.7 The preferred route corridor for the overhead powerlines associated with the Hinkley Point C proposals runs to the east of the site, crossing it for a short stretch in the south eastern corner. This corridor is continuing to undergo consultation and it is not anticipated that these pylons and powerlines would be erected before 2018.
Landscape and Visual Impact
6.2.8 The importance of the countryside and its role in providing a setting for towns and villages and to amenity purposes is recognised in Policy D14: Natural Environment of the adopted Core Strategy which states:
“…proposals should ensure that they enhance the landscape quality wherever possible or that there is no significant adverse impact on local landscape character, scenic quality and distinctive landscape features as identified in the Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment and Countryside Design Summary. In particular:
Siting and landscaping that take account of visibility from public accessible vantage points;
47
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
The form, bulk and design of buildings having proper regard to their context in respect of both the immediate setting and the defining characteristics of the wider local area.”
6.2.9 The SLA identifies the former ROF site as being within the (c) ‘Levels’ sub category of “4. Levels and Moors”. The SLA identifies the nearby Polden Hills area, through which the proposed access road would pass, as being within the “Polden Hills” a sub-category of “6. Lowland Hills” (See Figure 6.6). The Polden Hills elevated nature results in the two landscape character areas being inextricably linked in both landscape and visual terms. In view of this any development proposals need to be mindful of the different landscape types characteristics and their sensitivities.
6.2.10 Under a section entitled “Sensitivity to visual impact and the capacity for new development/key principles for new development” (Pg 47, para 4.63) the SLA states:
“The opportunity for screening of new low level development as viewed from other areas at low elevation means that capacity for development in the Levels is often higher than in many other areas of the District. This is, however, dependent on the extent of existing tree cover or potential for this to be reinforced by new planting. Sites which lie close to the higher ground and view corridors such as the ridge of the Polden Hills will also need to take account of views from these vantage points.”
6.2.11 Given The Site’s relationship with the adjacent Polden Hills these points are particularly relevant to any development strategy for the site.
6.2.12 The Puriton Energy park SPD also recognises the importance of the potential landscape and visual impact on the wider area, stating in para 8.8.2
“It will be important that measures to reduce the visual impact of the development on the landscape character are fully considered as part of the redevelopment proposal…. Though the mature and established landscaping around the site does currently provide effective screening for the lower buildings this is more challenging for the taller elements.”
6.2.13 In a similar vein to landscape and visual impact Policy D17 – Historic Environment of the Core Strategy states:
“All development should contribute to enhancing and maintaining the historic environment, ensuring a continued role in distinguishing the District’s unique sense of identity and place.”
48
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.2.14 As noted earlier, the 1940’s development of the former ordnance factory effectively removed agricultural practices and superimposed industrial activities across most of the site. Whilst the development of the site fundamentally changed its landscape character, a significant number of the historic fabric of drainage ditches and field edges are still evident, particularly in the north eastern area of the site.
6.2.15 Policy D20 – Green Infrastructure of the Core Strategy states that:
“Green Infrastructure (GI) will be safeguarded, maintained, enhanced and added to, as appropriate, to form a multi-functional resource which meets the following objectives: Provide an accessible network of green spaces which meet recreational needs, cultural needs including education and interpretation, are safe and secure, and support physical health and mental wellbeing. Maintain and improve biodiversity and contact with nature; Provide enhanced settings for existing and proposed developments and create pleasant and sustainable places in which to liven and work in or visit.”
6.2.16 The Sedgemoor District Coundil Green Infrastructure Strategy (2011) states the following objectives
GI1: To maximise opportunities to deliver a multi-functional GI network. GI2: to protect and enhance the District’s distinct landscapes, including mitigating the impact of major infrastructure and development. GI3: To protect and enhance the natural environment, including biodiversity, greenspace and water.(page 5)
6.2.17 It recognises the ‘Puriton Energy Centre’ as a ‘proposed/potential project’ and recognises the ‘scope for additional activities on site including leisure and open spaces for recreation’ (page 24)
49
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.3 METHODOLOGY
6.3.1 The approach employed in carrying out the landscape and visual assessment of the development proposals is drawn from the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management, Assessments “Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Assessment” Second Edition (Spons Press, 2002) and Landscape Character Assessment – Guidance for England and Scotland 2002. The aim of these guidelines is to set high standards for the scope and content of landscape and visual assessments and to establish certain principles that would help to achieve consistency, credibility and effectiveness in landscape and visual impact assessment. Guidance is contained in these publications on some approaches and techniques which have been found to be effective and useful in practice by landscape professionals. However, the guidelines are not intended as a prescriptive set of rules or as an exhaustive manual of techniques.
6.3.2 The landscape and visual assessments are separate, though linked, procedures. Landscape assessment is concerned with identifying and assessing the importance to be placed on the landscape characteristics, landscape quality and condition of the landscape. Visual assessment aims to assess the extent of visibility of a development, the perception of viewers and visually sensitive receptors.
6.3.3 Landscape impacts derive from changes in the physical landscape, which may give rise to changes in its character and how this is experienced. This may, in turn, affect the perceived value ascribed to the landscape.
6.3.4 Visual impacts relate to the changes that arise in the composition of available views as a result of changes to the landscape, to people’s responses to the changes, and to the overall impacts with respect to visual amenity.
6.3.5 Resulting effects may be positive (beneficial), neutral (no change), or negative (adverse), direct or indirect, and can be cumulative, permanent or temporary (short, medium or long term). They can also arise at different scales, (local, regional or national) and have different levels of significance (Severe through to No Change).
6.3.6 The photomontages produced in support of this assessment have been undertaken in accordance with Landscape Institute Advice Note 01/11.
50
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.3.7 A full methodology is attached as an appendix to this assessment (Appendix 6.2). For ease of reference and understanding the methodology tables showing the significance criteria, magnitude of change and effects are provided as follows.
Significance Criteria
6.3.8 Landscape sensitivity is assessed through applying the criteria cited in the following table:
Table 6.1 : Landscape Sensitivity Criteria Landscapes covered by a national designation for landscape value such as AONB, Heritage Coast or National Park which Very High taking into account its character, quality and value is highly sensitive to even very small changes. Landscapes covered by a national designation or a highly valued local landscape designation which taking into account High its character, quality and value is highly sensitive to small changes. Landscapes not covered by a local or national designation for landscape value but with a moderate number of locally Medium valued landscape features which taking into account its character, quality and value would tolerate some change. A relatively robust landscape character which could tolerate Low moderate to substantial change. A relatively robust landscape character which could tolerate Very Low substantial change. Significantly eroded landscapes with no discernable Not Sensitive to landscape pattern or landscape characteristics that would be Change affected by change.
Landscape Magnitude of Change
6.3.9 The approach taken in defining the magnitude of change brought about by the introduction of a development on the landscape character is presented in the table below:
51
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Table 6.2 : Magnitude of Change - Landscape
Very high changes in landscape characteristics over Very High an extensive area.
Notable changes in landscape characteristics over a
High wide area or intensive change over a more limited area.
Moderate change in landscape characteristics in a Medium localised area.
Low Minor change in landscape characteristics.
Very Slight change in landscape characteristics. low No change. None
Landscape Impact Significance
6.3.10 By combining the magnitude of change predicted and the sensitivity of the landscape receptor an assessment of the significance of the impact can be made. The following table outlines the general principles that inform this judgement:
52
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Table 6.3 : Landscape Effects
Moderate Moderate Moderate Substantial Severe Severe V. high Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Minor Minor Moderate Substantial Substantial Severe High Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect
Minor Minor Minor Moderate Substantial Substantial Medium Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Negligible Minor Minor Moderate Moderate Substantial Low
Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect MAGNITUDE OFCHANGE MAGNITUDE
Very Negligible Negligible Negligible Minor Minor Effect Minor Effect Low Effect Effect Effect Effect No None No change No change No change No change No change change
None Very Low Low Medium High V. High
SENSITIVITY
6.3.11 These effects can be beneficial, neutral or adverse – the degree to which these apply are qualified in the impact tables Appendix 6.3 and Appendix 15.2
6.4 VISUAL IMPACTS
Visual Sensitivity
6.4.1 The following table sets out the criteria which will be used in the assessment to judge sensitivity of visual receptors:
53
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Table 6.4: Visual Sensitivity Criteria Viewers which are very highly attuned to their surroundings with prolonged viewing opportunities. This includes views from Very High designed vistas or viewpoints including hillforts, castles and beacons Viewers which are highly attuned to their surroundings with prolonged viewing opportunities. This includes views from; National Trails or named recreational paths, designated tourist High routes, outdoor recreational and tourism spaces/activities and navigable waterways. Private views from a large group of dwellings enjoying high quality views. Public open space. Recreational facilities viewers in moderate and mixed use areas, road users (local scenic and slower roads) and other viewers with a moderate awareness of and focus on their Medium surroundings. This would include main and local railways and less well used public rights of way. Private views from a group of dwellings. Viewers with a passing awareness of, and a limited focus on their surroundings including people in their places of work,
Low industry, mixed use area and roads where vehicles are travelling at high speeds to their surroundings. This includes low usage roads and little used footpaths. Viewers with a passing awareness of, and a limited focus on their surroundings including people in their places of work,
Very Low industry, mixed use area and roads where vehicles are travelling at high speeds to their surroundings with almost completely obscured view of the changed landscape.
None Views of the changed landscape are completely obscured.
54
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.5 VISUAL MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE
6.5.1 The magnitude of change likely to be brought about by the development proposals on visual amenity will be assessed using the following magnitude of change criteria:
Table 6.5 : Magnitude of Change - Visual Total alteration to key features or characteristics of the
Very High existing views such that post development the existing view will be completely changed. Major alteration to key features or characteristics of the High existing view such that post development the existing view will be considerably changed. Partial alteration to key features or characteristics of the view
Medium such that post development the existing view will be noticeably changed.
Minor alteration to key features or characteristics of the Low existing view such that post development the existing view will be largely unchanged despite discernable differences.
Minimal alteration to the key features or characteristics of the Very Low existing view such that post development there will be barely discernable changes.
None No change.
6.6 VISUAL SIGNIFICANCE
6.6.1 By combining the magnitude of change predicted and the sensitivity of the receptor to a particular change, an assessment of the significance of the impacts can be made. The following table outlines the general principles of this judgement.
55
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Table 6.6 : Visual Effects
Moderate Moderate Moderate Substantial Severe V. high Severe Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect
Minor Minor Moderate Substantial Substantial High Severe Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect
Minor Minor Moderate Substantial Substantial Medium Minor Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect
Negligible Minor Moderate Moderate Substantial Low Minor Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Negligible Negligible Negligible Very Low Minor Effect Minor Effect Minor Effect MAGNITUDE OFCHANGE MAGNITUDE Effect Effect Effect
No None No change No change No change No change No change change
None Very Low Low Medium High V. High
SENSITIVITY
6.6.2 As highlighted earlier these effects can be beneficial, neutral or adverse. The degree to which these apply are qualified in the impact tables Appendix 6.3 and Appendix 15.2.
6.7 BASELINE CONDITIONS (with reference to Appendix 6.1: Figures 6.4 – 6.11 and Appendix 6.5 Photosheets for Visual Receptors 12-30)
Landscape Context
6.7.1 The former ROF site lies 700m to the west to the M5 motorway, approximately 0.5km to the north of the village of Puriton, 6km to the north east of the town of Bridgwater, Somerset (See Figure 6.1 and 6.2).It sits at a level of approximately 5m above ordnance datum (AOD) at the foot of the Polden Hills in the Somerset Levels, while the corridor for the new access road lies on rising ground to the south of Puriton connecting with the A39 at a level of approx 37m AOD. The landscape setting of the site, while overwhelmingly rural is, in the cases of the villages of Puriton and Woolavington, of an urban nature and as such may better be described as 'townscape'. However, for simplicity this assessment uses the term 'landscape' throughout in order to describe the setting of the development.
56
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Site Description
6.7.2 The site is made up of a number of elements comprising the former munitions factory whose limits are defined by an 2 m high security fence, a number of agricultural fields, a reed bed, a ‘borrow pit’, the site entrance area, a section of disused railway line and a corridor of land running from the A39 to the south of Puriton and up to the Woolavington Road.
6.7.3 As agreed with the LPA the baseline condition of the site includes the former munitions processing plant buildings and storage areas. Many of the photographs referred to in the assessment show these structures. Some photographs show the site with some, or all, of the these structures removed and without some of the site trees. Where this is the case the figures note the changes from the baseline.
Description of Former Munitions Site within Security Fence
6.7.4 The main body of the site consists of the former high explosives factory, which ceased to be operational in 2008.
6.7.5 This area is generally flat. However, the site’s significant topographical features consist of numerous 4-6 metres high, grass covered munitions storage/blast mounds that are scattered across it. These vary in height between 4.5 and 7.3m AOD.
6.7.6 The factory came into existence in the late 1930’s to manufacture armaments. The internal road system was broadly laid out in a manner which retained and respected the existing network of ditches that typify the landscape of the Somerset Levels. These ditches remain largely in existence although many have become overgrown.
6.7.7 Since its closure in 2008 the site has been subject to an ongoing decommissioning and decontamination process which started in 2010. This has included the lifting of defunct railway track, the removal of buildings within the blast mounds and the mounds themselves, removal of some vegetation, and an ongoing survey and sampling process prior to the commencement of the main works covered by this application. This decommissioning and demolition work is ongoing in accordance with the 2011 planning permission for the remediation works.
57
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.8 The southern portion of the site around the entrance area is made up of a large number of single storey, flat roofed, red brick built buildings, which were generally used as offices and laboratories and are considered to be of little architectural merit. While a number of these are now disused, several remain as functioning offices and storage units.
6.7.9 The main industrial plant buildings and acid processing apparatus are situated in the central portion of the site astride a north south spine road (Main Road). They comprise of a series of large sheds, tanks, chimneys and external pipes, several rising to three or more storeys in height. While some are built in the same brick style as the administration buildings the majority are, or were, clad with white/grey metal sheeting. These buildings are subject to the ongoing decommissioning process and while their skeletons still stand, at the time of writing, much of the cladding has already been removed leaving the area with a derelict and unkempt character.
6.7.10 Outside this central area are the large areas of blast mounds. These earth mounds were formed around small industrial buildings by way of directing any explosion upwards and thereby providing a shield from potential explosions. They are subject to the ongoing decommissioning process and for the purposes of this report have been divided into three areas.
6.7.11 The area to the north of North Road was decommissioned in 2010. The remaining mounds have now been re-colonised by grassland species giving the appearance of a series of small grassed hummocks scattered across the landscape. The area to the east of Main Road has already had the majority of the buildings removed and the resulting landscape comprises areas of open earth mounds around small areas of hardstanding. The area to the west of Main Road has yet to be fully decommissioned and remains derelict and overgrown in nature.
6.7.12 The sole, asphalt access to the site is at the southern entrance gate from the Woolavington Road, this leads directly towards Main Road. There is also a single lane gravel track to the east of the site, albeit, not used for operational activities. While the central road system is paved, there is also a single lane, gravel perimeter track adjacent to the 2m tall security fence that surrounds the site.
58
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.13 There is a considerable amount of mature vegetation on site as illustrated in Figure 6.4: Existing Site Features and Conditions Plan – Former ROF Site, including several blocks of woodland which appear prominent in the wider landscape. The trees on site have been subject to arboricultural surveys which are submitted in support of this application.
6.7.14 The most significant block of planting within the site is a tall, mature stand of Hybrid Black Poplar in the north-western area/block of the site which is clearly visible in the wider landscape (See Figure 6.4). During the early 1990’s areas of nature conservation orientated woodland planting were introduced in a number of locations around the perimeter of the site.
6.7.15 Within the site the trees of most landscape/amenity merit are the somewhat gappy avenues of Horse Chestnuts found along several of the site’s arterial roads. There are also a large number of trees along the southern boundary, including a number of mature conifers which form an incongruent feature amongst the mainly deciduous trees and hedgerows found across the Levels.
6.7.16 Historically the site had a rail link, albeit, this was decommissioned in the 1970’s. The defunct rail loading yard is situated along the western side of the site. Whilst the rail lines have been removed, the large areas of ballast give a clear indication of the areas that they, and the holding yard, once occupied. The abandoned nature of this area has, over time, resulted in colonising species such as alder, birch, buddleia and bramble having established a significant swathe of scrub/young woodland along the western side of the site.
6.7.17 The site has a number of features which might be considered of historical interest, including the blast mounds, the remaining ditch system and the series of defence posts/pill boxes that were constructed around the perimeter to protect the site during the Second World War.
6.7.18 The existing lighting on the site is considered in the Lighting Impact Assessment (LIA) at (Appendix 6.6). This document states that ‘with the large quantity of road and area lighting alongside the poorly controlled lighting associated with the buildings the site would have appeared as a substantial industrial site at night time….Generally speaking the site does not/did not conform to current good practice for control of obtrusive lighting resulting in the largely negative appearance at night.’
59
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Description of BAE Land outside the Security Fence and corridor of land connecting with the A39 subject to Planning Application (With reference to VR 14, 15, 18, 20, 22 and 23)
6.7.19 The land outside the security fence is predominantly pastoral. The fields between the security fence and the Woolavington Road lie on gently sloping flat ground at a level of approximately 8-18m AOD and are divided by maintained hedgerows with a number of larger trees. To the south of Woolavington Road the ground begins to rise up more steeply to form the Polden Hills. Similarly this area of land comprises large, broadly square pastoral fields divided by managed hedgerows with a number of larger trees. The corridor of land which is subject to this application cuts through 8 fields to the south and east of the village before connecting with the A39 at a level of approx 37m AOD.
6.7.20 An area around the existing site entrance is also subject to this planning application. There are two links off the Woolavington Road, an east and west approach which join together to form a ‘horseshoe’. These access roads are lined by avenues of mature horse chestnut trees which have been subject to an arboricultural assessment which is submitted in support of this application (Pete Wharton Report 2012)
6.7.21 The area of land contained by these roads is given over to pasture To the east of the eastern approach road it is a playing field, beyond which the land reverts to pastoral farmland.. However, at the entrance itself, there are large areas of hardstanding with old bicycle shelters, a bus stop, a social club (37 Club) and a sports field.
6.7.22 Half way along the site’s eastern boundary is a 5.2 Ha fishing pond known as the ‘borrow pit’. This pond was formed by the excavation of material required to form the ‘blast mounds’ on site. It has been used as a fishing pond for a number of years and is surrounded by swathes of self seeded vegetation.
6.7.23 There are also two existing tracks that lie within the site one leading to Crockers Hill in Woolavington and a second leading from Rookery Close in Puriton. These are both typical rural tracks with managed hedgerows on either side. Neither is currently a public right of way.
60
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Historic Context
6.7.24 The large proportion of the former ROF site sits within the levels and is highlighted as being ‘Probably late 18th Century enclosure’ within the SLA, which states:
“By 1770 nearly two thirds of all the floodable land on the Levels and Moors was still unreclaimed but by 1840 almost the entire area has a system of drainage channels and was enclosed by rhynes” (para 2.20)
6.7.25 The 1931 OS map shows a typical network of rhynes forming predominantly rectilinear shapes. Running across the north eastern corner of the site and along the northern boundary is Black Ditch which is identified in the SLA as an ‘Early pre-enclosure feature created or influenced culturally’, for a stretch of its length it forms the parish boundary.
6.7.26 The track linking Puriton to the former ROF Site is shown on the 1931 map, data is not available for the land immediately to the west of Woolavington, albeit it seems likely that this track would have also been in existence at the time.
6.7.27 With the advent of the former ROF the landscape in this area changed from one that was agricultural in nature to one that became industrial. However, a significant number of these ditches were retained. To the north of the site, the Huntspill River was constructed in order to serve as a reservoir to the factory. This wide, man-made drainage channel, which links to the Bristol Channel some 5 km to the east, is controlled by sluice gates to prevent tidal inflow. It is linked to the drainage system of the ROF site by a series of reed beds, constructed at the same time.
6.7.28 The ‘borrow pit’ on the site’s eastern boundary would have been formed during this period as a result of the excavation of material necessary to form the ‘blast mounds’ associated with the factory.
6.7.29 The south eastern corner of the former ROF Site and the land rising up over the Polden Hills is considered by the SLA to be ‘Probably Mediaeval or earlier’. This higher, and consequently drier, land is quite different in nature with smaller and more irregular field shapes, more trees and number of blocks of woodland.
61
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.30 As well as the growth of the villages of Puriton and Woolavington, there are a number of obvious Twentieth and Twenty-first Century additions to the landscape in the immediate vicinity. The most prominent of these is the M5, which runs through the levels some 700 m to the west of the site, but also the network of pylons which is prominent in the Levels landscape and, although less visually intrusive, the new solar park on the site’s western boundary.
Landscape Character Area Description – District Level (with reference to Figure 6.6)
6.7.31 The following descriptions of detailed Local Landscape Character Areas in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Energy Park are the result of a desk top and field studies and are made with reference to the following documents:
The Character of England Landscape, Wildlife and Cultural Features Map - National Character Area 142/3 Somerset Levels and Moors/Mid Somerset Hills
Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment and Countryside Design Summary (2003) Landscape Character Areas ‘Levels and Moors’ and ‘Lowland Hills’
6.7.32 The proposed development site sits within National Character Area 142 – ‘Somerset Levels and Moors’, an area also recognised in the SLA where it is further subdivided. It also sits immediately to the north of the Polden Hills, National Character Area 143 ‘Mid Somerset Hills’.
6.7.33 The SLA identifies the former ROF Site as being within the (c) ‘Levels’ a sub category of “4. Levels and Moors”:
“a vast area of drained wetland which lies at or below the level of high tide in the adjacent Bristol channel.” (para 4.1)
6.7.34 The SLA identifies the nearby Polden Hills area, through which the road would travel, as being within the “Polden Hills” a sub-category of “6. Lowland Hills”, which are described thus:
“Rising out of the low and wetland landscape of the Levels and Moors, are a series of hills and isolated knolls which have a close association with the wetlands both visually and historically” (para 6.1)
6.7.35 The SLA describes the Levels as being a:
62
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
“largely flat landscape with a pattern of fields defined by a combination of drainage channels and hedges”. (para 4.50)
The pattern of drainage ditches is considered:
“much less regular (than the Moors) and it is noticeable that many of the major local drainage channels or rhynes take a sinuous course. This is thought to be a consequence of the gradual process of reclamation which began in prehistoric times and which took the driest ground first and worked with an area’s natural edges and drainage channels” (para 4.50)
This drainage ditch observation appears particularly pertinent/applicable to the landscape to the north of Puriton and the west of the site where the principle drains meander northwards.
6.7.36 The SLA notes:
“Hedgerows are widespread throughout the Levels, except in the open coastal areas and contain a wider range of species than the Moors, with willows still common but many other hedgerow trees. A number of more ornamental tree species, especially the coniferous, stand out in the landscape and contribute towards the creation of a more inhabited and civilised character than on the Moors”. (para 4.53)
Contrary to the SLA, the landscape and visual appraisal undertaken as part of this report found the network of hedgerows, within and around the site as being weak and gappy. This field survey observation is reinforced by an examination of the aerial photographs of the site and its environs which shows little or no hedgerow network to the west and north- west of the site and to a slightly lesser degree to the north and north-east. The hedgerow system was found to be more robust to the south of the site and on the rising ground of the Polden Hills (Polden Hills Landscape Character type).
6.7.37 The SLA notes under the heading of “Sensitivity to visual impact and capacity for new development” (pg46) the flat nature of the levels strongly influences both the perception of it from higher viewpoints e.g. the Lowland Hills, and views and vistas within it. It notes:
“in the traditional Levels landscape church towers were the only significant landmark buildings and other buildings, which were generally no more than two storeys high, were normally not visible at any great distance”. (para 4.60)
Of the BAE Systems site, the LCA notes:
63
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
“the issue of scale is particularly relevant in this flat landscape and structures such as electricity pylons, the armaments factory at Puriton and the former milk-processing factory at Bason Ridge demonstrates the more intrusive impact of tall buildings. The larger modern agricultural buildings and industrial units can also tend to be locally prominent due not only to scale but also colour of materials.” (para 4.60)
6.7.38 As defined in the methodology, The ‘Levels and Moors’ would constitute a ‘landscape not covered by a local or national designation for landscape value, but with a moderate number of locally valued landscape features which taking into account its character, quality and value would tolerate some change’, and as such are considered to have a ‘Medium’ level of Sensitivity.
6.7.39 As the proposed road would run through the Polden Hills Landscape Character Area, and the main site sits alongside it, this assessment will consider the potential landscape and visual impacts on this character area. The Polden Hills are designated in the SLA as ‘Visually prominent areas of high quality landscape’, stating:
“The visual prominence of the Polden Hills and the variety and richness of it landscape promotes it as a high priority for conservation. In particular, the western end of the hills and the south hillocks have a high value in terms of views from lowland areas.” (para 6.47)
6.7.40 The SLA describes the Polden Hills as:
“a long, low ridge which cuts across the Somerset Levels and Moors. Within Segdemoor the ridge reaches a maximum height of 98m AOD. The topography is variable, with steeper slopes and hillocks to the southern side of the ridge, and shallower gradients on the northern side leading gently down to the moors.” as (para 6.37)
“Clay soils and gentler gradients have allowed a variety of agricultural usage, including arable and permanent pasture or grass leys in a pattern of either large fields within flailed Hedgerows and few mature trees or smaller fields with nature hedgerows which are predominantly pasture. A patchwork of small but visually dominant blocks is an important feature of the southern side of the hills in particular, with one area of commercial forestry. Deciduous woodland is a key feature of the ridge along the A39.” as (para 6.38)
The SLA summarises the Polden Hills appraisal with:
“The area is a rich tapestry of landscape with frequent long views, over the Levels and Moors to the other hill areas, creating a very high quality landscape character area.” (para 6.40)
64
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.41 In addition to the Polden Hills a number of other ‘hills and isolated knolls’ are identified within the SLA, and while these would not be directly impacted by the proposed development some have an inter-visibility with it and are thus included in this assessment. They are described as having :
“typically rolling, board profiles, with some steeper slopes…A patter of small field with mature hedgerows is typical in the steeper hill areas, with larger fields on the gentler slopes.” (para 6.3)
The ‘Lowland Hills’ including the Polden Hills are considered to have a ‘High’ level of sensitivity.
6.7.42 There are two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within an 15 km radius of the site, The Mendips and the Quantock AONB. The SLA describes Mendips thus:
“a dramatic landscape, rising from the low and flat landscape of the Levels, through a narrow bank of fertile farmland and settlement, to the steep scarp face with deciduous woodland, enclosed pastures, open heath and downland and a relatively bare plateau skyline.” (Para 5.1)
6.7.43 It goes on to describe the Quantocks AONB as a ridge that:
“creates a dominant landform at the southwestern edge of the District, creating a spectacular backdrop to the Levels and Moors landscape” (para 7.4)
Both these areas have a ‘Very High’ level of sensitivity.
Local Landscape Character Areas (with reference to Figure 6.7)
6.7.44 The Local Landscape Character Areas have been defined for this assessment by The Richards Partnership in accordance with good practice as stated in 6.1.4
CA 1 – Former ROF Site (Within the Security Fence)
6.7.45 The inner boundary of the site sits wholly within ‘Area 4.c The Levels’ of the Somerset Landscape Assessment. Given its history and use it is appropriate to describe this area as having an individual landscape character different to that of the surrounding area.
65
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.46 It is currently undergoing a remediation process subsequent to receiving planning permission in March 2012. Prior to the submission of this application, it was agreed that, for the basis of this assessment the ‘baseline’ assessment of the site itself would be as described in the ‘Remediation Application’ Huntspill Energy Park – Landscape and Visual Appraisal, October 2011 (Appendix 6.5).
6.7.47 The character of this area is dominated by a series of now disused, industrial buildings around the entrance area. These are served by a number of paved roads and higher level pipelines that network throughout the site. There remain a number of ditches which have survived from its earlier use as reclaimed farmland, but these have been severed in places to make way for its later industrial use.
6.7.48 The highest density and tallest buildings/plant (rising to 30m plus above ground level) are generally concentrated along the Main Road running north from the entrance. The majority of the single storey administrative buildings and laboratories are situated along the site’s southern boundary. The nature of the tall processing plant provides this area with a very industrial character.
6.7.49 In contrast to the intensity of activity and structures focused along Main Road, the surrounding areas are scattered with much lower magazine/process buildings on a relatively low density with a separation of approximately 50-70 metres. The surrounding earth blast mounds and the grid pattern of the surrounding distribution roads provides the area with a military character and nature, quite different to the industrial processing area.
6.7.50 These buildings are currently undergoing a decommissioning and demolition process, with the blast mounds being regraded. Those in the north of the site (See Figure 6.4: Existing Site Conditions Plan) have had their central buildings removed, but the earth mounds remain and have been allowed to grass over leaving a unusual landscape of regularly spaced hummocks covered in long grass. Those to the east of the site were undergoing decontamination at the time of writing. Those remaining to the west of Main Road remain untouched and the area has an unkempt derelict air about it.
6.7.51 Moving out from the centre of the site beyond the managed areas to the north and east, the character changes to an agricultural landscape with cattle roaming several of the fields on the occasion the site was visited.
66
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.52 In the wider landscape the taller processing plant, chimneys and buildings have the most influence on the character of the surrounding area with some buildings reaching 36.26m AOD and chimneys reaching 43.74m AOD. Similarly, in landscape and visual terms, the trees, scrub and hedgerows within and around the site play a strong role in how the site and the landscape is viewed and perceived, with many playing a clear roll in screening the site. The most significant blocks of planting are outlined in Figure 6.4: Existing Site Conditions Plan and cross referenced on the baseline Visual Receptor photographs.
6.7.53 The overall character of the area is that of a derelict industrial site, quite incongruous with its immediate surroundings, with the large buildings appearing prominent in an otherwise rural landscape beyond, while the blast mounds provide an interesting reminder of the site’s recent history and there are a number of trees/woodland blocks of note the area overall does not have a high intrinsic value, and is therefore ascribed a level of ‘Very Low’ sensitivity.
CA 2 – Moors and Levels North of Woolavington
6.7.54 This area is typical of the flat Levels landscape described in both National Character Area 142 and the SLA. The area is dominated by medium sized rectilinear fields divided by rhynes and hedgerows. The fields are predominantly pasture, and at the time of writing were either given over to grazing or a hay crop. The hedgerows have a strong component of Willow, many of which have been allowed to mature and form attractive features in the wider landscape.
6.7.55 The network of lanes also follows this rectilinear pattern created by the ditches, with many having their verges formed by ditches that are vegetated by reeds. The straight nature of the roads means that, although the traffic is not heavy, that which does travel through the area does so at speed.
6.7.56 While this could be described as an expansive and open landscape, the flat nature of the land means that the hedgerows and trees preclude long views over the wider area, although there is a visual relationship with the higher ground on the Polden Hills to the south.
67
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.57 The north of this character area is dominated by the Huntspill River, a man-made channel dug in the 1940’s to services the former munitions factory. It runs in a straight line in an east-west direction and has man made berms on either sites. While this is physically a large feature in the landscape it is surprising well hidden from view with the exception of the long vistas from the flat road bridges that cross it.
6.7.58 The other dominating man-made feature of this landscape is the network of electricity pylons that criss cross the area given the flat nature of the land they stand proud in the skyline and are visible from some considerable distance. This character area has a strong inter-visibility with the former ROF site and its industrial buildings.
6.7.59 Despite the strong influence of Twentieth Century man-made features in this landscape, it has a tranquil air and apart from the traffic on the lanes the area is quiet and peaceful. While there can be no doubt that the pylons detract from the overall intrinsic quality this area is considered to have a ‘Medium’ level of sensitivity.
CA 3 – Levels and Moors Adjacent to the M5
6.7.60 This area has many of the same characteristics as CA2, it is flat in nature and given over to pastoral farmland within a similar network of rhynes and hedgerows as previously described and a similar predominance of pylons and masts. The over-riding feature in this character area is the M5 Motorway which runs along the edge of the area in a north south direction. As the main artery linking the south west with the rest of the county, this carries a constant stream of traffic throughout the day and night. Given the flat nature of the landscape not only is the traffic aurally intrusive, but also visually. The visual relationship with the M5 has been highlighted in the SLA which has identified a swathe of land approximately 1km either side of the motorway as being an area of ‘High Sensitivity in relations to road corridors’, although this is due to the volume of people who are exposed to the wider landscape from this area rather than the quality of the landscape along the M5 corridor. The assessment states:
“The M5 Motorway and the main line railway from Taunton to Bristol run through the Levels, and constitute important view corridors in terms of perceptions of the landscape”. (para 4.61)
6.7.61 Human activity is also in evident in the form of boarded up gateways and areas of fly tipping along Batch Road.
68
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.62 Immediately to the west of the site a new solar park has recently been erected. While the photo-voltaic cells sit low in the landscape and are not visually intrusive they have fundamentally altered the character of the fields upon which they are built and have contributed to the more man-made feel of the area as a whole.
6.7.63 The mainline railway runs immediately to the west of and parallel to the motorway. Beyond the railway line is the Walpole Landfill site, which is currently being developed to recycle food waste.
6.7.64 This landscape is considered to have a ‘Low’ Level of sensitivity.
CA 4 – Land to the South of the Former ROF Site
6.7.65 This relatively thin strip of land at the foot of the Polden Hills between the ROF and the Woolavington Road, while fundamentally rural in nature, has many of the human influences often associated with the urban fringe. The fields at the eastern edge of the character area are smaller than those in the surrounding landscape and several appear unmanaged or are given over to paddocks. The remnants of old orchards are also present in several of these fields.
6.7.66 At the entrance area to the former ROF site there are large areas of hardstanding with old bicycle shelters, a bus stop, the 37 Club and sports fields. There is also a small area of land to the west of the site entrance which has been paved over and is occupied by a number of small buildings and caravans. The double entrance to the site is lined by mature avenues of horse chestnut trees while the remainder of the area is given over to pastoral fields.
6.7.67 A number of residential properties and farms also front onto and are accessed from this stretch of road.
6.7.68 The Woolavington Road, while not excessively busy, is a fast moving road without any pedestrian footway; this is the only public route through the area. Given that the wider landscape is of an open and expansive nature, this small section of land is relatively introverted and lacks the same level of inter-visibility that is found in the wider landscape.
69
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.69 This character area while predominantly rural in nature has a number of urbanising influences, in the form of the villages of Puriton and Woolavington, the fast moving road and the former ROF site itself. It has a ‘Medium’ level of sensitivity.
CA 5 – Puriton
6.7.70 The village of Puriton sits at the foot of the Polden Hills immediately to the east of the M5 Motorway. The historic core lies on the lower ground around the church, but the greater part of the village is late Twentieth Century and has gradually grown up over the rising ground towards the junction with the motorway. At the times the village was visited in preparing this assessment the village appeared relatively quiet with few people about. Traffic was focused on the Woolavington Road travelling through the village up onto the A39.
6.7.71 Subject to prevailing weather conditions, large parts of the village are influenced by the noise of the traffic on the M5 which is a detracting factor from an otherwise attractive environment. When entering the village from the south, along Hillside, the village is seen within the context of the existing industrial buildings on the former ROF site in the background.
6.7.72 The overall character of the village is that of an attractive, well maintained commuter village. This character area has a ‘Medium’ level of sensitivity.
CA 6 – Woolavington
6.7.73 The village of Woolavington is very similar in nature to Puriton. The historic core also lies on the lower ground, while the more modern, late Twentieth Century/Twenty First Century housing has crept up the hillside onto the higher ground to the south, thus giving it a greater inter-visibility with the Levels below. As with Puriton, the village is attractive with mature, well maintained gardens. There appears to be little activity during the day, and the village has a quiet, peaceful nature. The western edge of the village has an inter- visibility with the industrial buildings of the former ROF site. This character area is considered to have a ‘Medium’ level of sensitivity.
70
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
CA 7 – The Polden Hills
6.7.74 The Polden Hills are identified as a character area in their own right in the SLA. They form a prominent and attractive low ridge of land running in an east west direction overlooking the Levels and have a strong visual relationship with the surrounding countryside. The change in character between the hills and the surrounding levels is also recognised in the National Character Areas, the hills falling within NCA 143 – Mid Somerset Hills.
6.7.75 The hills are also identified in the SLA as being included within ‘Visually prominent areas of high quality landscape.’ This local character area considers a smaller area of land comprising the hills’ northern face between the villages of Puriton and Woolavington which has the strongest relationship to the site.
6.7.76 The southern side of the hills are steep in nature with a number of blocks of deciduous woodland, the busy, and fast moving, A39 is a dominant and detracting feature. The northern hillside, which has a shallower incline, comprises an attractive mixture of deciduous woodland and managed farmland dissected by a network of well used public footpaths. The rectilinear blocks of woodland tend towards the steeper ground and the ridge itself, while the shallower slopes are mainly given over to pastoral use. The fields are divided by mature, managed hedgerows with a number of mature individual trees. Whilst there is a good deal of human activity and modern influence on the levels below, all of which is evident from the hills, the character area of the hills themselves is relatively quiet and tranquil. The exceptions to this are the electricity pylons that transverse the area just to the west of Woolavington and the noise from the M5 which is apparent from the western end of the ridge.
6.7.77 Given the ridge’s inter-visibility with the Levels and the intrinsic quality of this area, it is considered to have a ‘High’ level of sensitivity.
71
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Visual Context
6.7.78 The landscape of the site and the surrounding area is predominantly flat, sitting at a level of between 5m and 10m AOD. The exception of this is the Polden Hills which rise to a level of approximately 70m AOD immediately to the south of the site. As a result of this elevation, these hills are visually prominent in the wider landscape and there are wide, panoramic views from the hills across the Somerset Levels, contained to the north by the Mendip Hills and the south west by the Quantock Hills. The landscape is predominantly rural, but there are a number of visually prominent human influences, namely the M5 motorway, a number of towns and villages, various large scale industrial sheds and the network of electricity pylons that criss cross the countryside.
6.7.79 Visual impact relates to the changes that the development would have upon views as experienced by the public. Visual receptors are the locations from which people could experience views of the development. It is not practical to assess every visual receptor (VR) and therefore the views selected for inclusion as part of this assessment are representative of those available to the public looking towards the site from the surrounding area. They range in distance from immediately adjacent to the site to 17.5kms from the site, albeit in some of the more distant views it is extremely difficulty to ‘pick out’ the site with the naked eye. These VRs have been agreed (in meetings and correspondence) with the county Landscape Architect, who has also agreed which should go forward as photomontage locations. The location of the VRs is shown in Figures 6.1 and 6.2.
6.7.80 Figure 6.10 shows the Theoretical Zone of Influence (ZVI) for the existing situation, this computer generated model has been run to show the area over which the tallest building and tallest chimney currently on site may be visible. It does not account for the fact that views may be obscured by intervening vegetation or built form, but is, nevertheless, a useful tool in helping to define the visual envelope of a development. Subsequent site visits have revealed that due to the low lying nature of the Levels and the abundance of intervening vegetation, many of these potential views are, in fact, screened.
6.7.81 The numbering of the VRs follows that used in the ‘remediation application LVA’ at (Appendix 6.5) and as a consequence starts at 12 (numbers 1-11 being within the main site itself) (See Appendix 6.1, Figures 6.1 and 6.2).
72
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
VR12 – View looking south east from the edge of the M5 adjacent to the Huntspill River (1400m from site boundary), Photomontage Viewpoint
6.7.82 This view is taken immediately adjacent to the M5 as it crosses the Huntspill River some 1400m to the north west of the site. It is of a flat, open, rural landscape eventually giving way to the Polden Hills some 3.5 kms to the south. The site is visible in the middle distance, with the block of poplar woodland in the site’s north west corner clearly visible to the east of this the existing industrial buildings are also discernable, while they mostly sit below the skyline a few of the taller chimneys extend above it. The villages of both Puriton and Woolavington are also visible at the foot of the Polden Hills.
6.7.83 This is an attractive, open, agricultural landscape seen, albeit briefly, by many people each day. However, the motorway itself is a dominant feature and the pylons and communications masts that run across the landscape are also highly visible. It should be noted, that for motorists travelling south along the M5 most views of The Site are screened by intervening vegetation and this view is representative of a very small stretch of road between the Huntspill River and Junction 23.
6.7.84 Ordinarily a VR such as a motorist or passenger travelling at speed is considered to have a ‘Low’ level of sensitively (See Table 6.4: Visual Sensitivity Criteria). However, in this instance the Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment and Countryside Design Summary identifies a number or principle road corridors throughout the district as “Areas of high sensitivity in relation to road corridors.” These corridors are seen as important, in that they afford high numbers of people views of the district’s attractive landscape. Given this designation, this receptor is considered to have a ‘Medium’ Sensitivity.
VR13 – View looking east towards the site from Batch Road (700m from site boundary)
6.7.85 This view is available to motorists and pedestrians using Batch Road which runs in a north-south direction approximately 700 m from the site’s north western boundary. While Batch Road carries a relatively small amount of traffic, very similar views would be available to the many travellers using the M5 which sits on slightly raised ground some 30m to the west.
73
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.86 This VR has clear, open views to the site over the flat farmland in the foreground. The large stand of woodland in the north western corner of the site is prominent in the wider landscape. Much of the site is screened from view by the lower level hedgerows and smaller blocks of trees along the western side of the site, but the tops of the existing industrial buildings in the centre of the site, which form the skyline, are visible as a slightly incongruous element in the wider view.
6.7.87 The nature of the levels means that this VR is afforded clear open views over the wider landscape. To the south the view is enclosed by the ridge of the Polden Hills, while to the north most views are precluded by intervening trees and hedgerows. A prominent network of electricity pylons is visible from this point.
6.7.88 Immediately to the west of the site is the new solar park, the larger part of this development is obscured by intervening vegetation, although it is just possible to pick out some of the solar panels above the hedgeline.
6.7.89 This view is available to the users of Batch Road and a similar view is also available to a large number of people as the travel along the M5. It is an attractive rural landscape, albeit there are a number of detracting influences in the form of the site’s industrial buildings and the network of electricity pylons given the low number of people travelling along this road it is ascribed a ‘Low’ level of sensitivity.
VR14 – View looking north towards the site from Woolavington Road. (250m from ROF site boundary) Photomontage Viewpoint
6.7.90 This view is taken from the Woolavington Road as it leaves/approaches Puriton (approximately 350m from the edge of the village). It is predominantly agricultural in the foreground, but the larger proportion of the view is made up of the site itself. There are a number of derelict industrial buildings as well as prominent red brick buildings visible to this VR, albeit they are screened in varying degrees by intervening vegetation. There are a large proportion of non-native conifers around the edge of the site, that add to the slightly incongruous feel.
74
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.91 The skyline is mostly formed by vegetation in the foreground and middle distance, although some of the large buildings and chimneys on the site sit proud of this. Beyond this, the skyline is formed by the Mendip Hills some 15kms to the north. A number of electricity pylons in the distance also break the skyline. This VR is ascribed a level of ‘Medium’ sensitivity.
VR15 - View looking north towards the Site from the Woolavington Road adjacent to Martlands Farm (280m from site boundary)
6.7.92 This view is taken from the Woolavington Road adjacent to Martlands Farm as it leaves the village. From this VR the open, expansive views so typical of the area are not available as they are screened by intervening mature hedgerows and belts of trees. Despite its proximity to the site there are no clear views into it or of the main buildings, although some of the chimneys protrude above the tree line. This VR experiences an attractive rural landscape and consequently is ascribed a level of ‘Medium’ Sensitivity.
VR16 – View looking south west from the car park adjacent to The Causeway immediately to the south of the Huntspill River (800m from site boundary) – Photomontage Viewpoint.
6.7.93 This view is taken from a small car park immediately to the south of the Huntspill River which is predominantly used by walkers and fishermen; a similar view is available to motorists travelling south along the Causeway. The view from this VR is of an open, flat agricultural landscape with the Polden Hills forming the skyline some 3km to the south, beyond this, to the south west, the ridge of the Quantock Hills is also visible some 19kms away. The site is visible in the middle distance and while only a few of the chimneys break the skyline, it forms an incongruous and detracting element in the wider view, with its garish colours sitting at odds with the surrounding agricultural scene.
6.7.94 The second dominant visual feature visible from this VR is the large number of electricity pylons and communications masts which do break the skyline. This VR is ascribed a ‘Medium’ Level of sensitivity.
75
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
VR17 – View looking west from the Causeway towards The Site. (560m from site boundary)
6.7.95 This view is taken from The Causeway some 200m to the north of the village of Woolavington. This is a flat, open rural landscape as previously described, and due to the flat nature of the land much of the wider landscape is obscured from view by intervening mature hedgerows and trees. As a consequence of this, the existing buildings in the centre of the site and the numerous electricity pylons sit proud in the landscape and form the skyline, detracting from what is otherwise and attractive rural scene. The Causeway is a flat, relatively straight road and, while it is not especially busy, motorists tend to move at speed meaning this view would not only be transient, but also oblique. Consequently this VR is considered to be of ‘Low’ sensitivity.
VR18 View looking north from footpath to the east of Puriton (500m from former ROF Site boundary and approximately 250m from proposed roundabout on Woolavington Road)
6.7.96 This view is taken from the public footpath to the east of Puriton that connects the Woolavington Road with the bridleway that runs along the spine of the Polden Hills. From this relatively low elevation (approx 24m AOD) many longer views are screened by intervening vegetation, albeit the Mendip Hills do form part of the skyline in the distance. The chimneys and some of the upper storeys of the taller site buildings are visible in the middle distance, but most of the former ROF site is obscured by intervening vegetation. The houses along the eastern edge of Puriton are partially visible to walkers as they travel north.
6.7.97 The footpath appears to be well used by local walkers and as a consequence is considered to have a ‘Medium’ level of sensitivity.
76
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
VR19 -View looking north from Bridleway adjacent to Home Covert (1060m from site boundary and approximately 250 m from proposed access road) Photomontage Viewpoint
6.7.98 This view is taken from the bridleway that runs along the spine of the Polden Hills. From this elevation (approx 53m AOD) there are wide expansive views over the Somerset Levels to Brent Knoll and the Mendip Hills to the north and to the Bristol Channel in the west. The foreground comprises an attractive mixture of woodland and managed farmland, divided by mature hedgerows and trees.
6.7.99 The wider landscape is a hive of activity with the constant stream of traffic on the M5 clearly visible, the network of electricity pylons and communications masts and a number of large industrial sheds to the north west, all set in wider managed agricultural farmland. From this VR the villages of Puriton and Woolavington are obscured by topography, but the central buildings of the site are clearly visible in the middle distance, their mixed tones and colours striking a somewhat unattractive note in the wider landscape.
6.7.100 This VR falls just within the visual envelope of the solar park, the majority of the park is screened by intervening vegetation, however some of the panels (which face south) are visible from this location adding to the general ‘urbanisation’ of the view.
6.7.101 The Polden Hills are recognised for their high quality landscape and visual prominence and are popular with local walkers and riders and as a consequence this VR is ascribed a level of ‘High’ sensitivity.
VR20 – View looking north from Hillside as it enters Puriton from the south (1000m from former ROF Site boundary, 75m from proposed access road) Photomontage Viewpoint
6.7.102 This view is taken from Hillside as it drops down from the A39 into the village of Puriton. Given its slightly higher elevation (approx 47m AOD) than the land to the north, this VR is afforded wide panoramic views over the Somerset Levels to Brent Knoll and the Mendip Hills in the far distance, albeit these are considerably curtailed during the summer months when the hedgerows have been allowed to grow (See Figure 6.63 – VR 20- Existing Summer View)
77
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.103 The edge of the village of Puriton is clearly visible in the foreground behind arable fields, with the derelict industrial buildings and chimneys of the site clearly visible in the background, forming a slightly discordant element in the backdrop to the village. This is compounded by further infrastructural elements in the form of the M5 and the many electricity pylons transversing the levels. Nonetheless it remains an attractive, rural view.
6.7.104 The solar park is clearly visible from this VR. It occupies the five fields to the west of the former ROF site and the panels, which are angled to the south, are visible over the roofs in the foreground; over time the boundary planting would help to reduce their visibility, however they would remain an additional urbanising influence in this landscape.
6.7.105 This access into Puriton is currently well used and affords pedestrians and motorists their first opportunity to view the wider panorama of the area and is accordingly ascribed a level of ‘Medium’ sensitivity.
VR21 -View looking north west from Crancombe Lane as it passes/enters Woolavington (850m from site boundary) Photomontage Viewpoint
6.7.106 This view is taken from Crancombe Lane as it drops down from the Polden Hills and enters the village of Woolavington. Given its slightly lower elevation, the views available to this VR are not quite as far reaching as those from the spine of the hills. Motorists travelling southwards along Crancombe Lane get a few glimpses though field gates towards The Site. Generally roadside hedges conceal/screen most views, albeit motorists in SUVs sit higher and, subject to the hedgerow management regime, have more views towards The Site.
6.7.107 This view, or one similar, is available to the residents of the houses that back onto Crancombe Lane, albeit this would generally be from upper floors, given that the majority of ground floors windows and gardens are screened by planting and fences.
6.7.108 The view is predominantly of open managed farmland with medium sized fields divided by a network of mature hedgerows and trees. However, there are a number of detractors in the form of electricity pylons, telegraph poles and the derelict buildings in the centre of the site, the chimneys of which are just beginning to break the skyline at this point.
78
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.109 Given the high level of sensitivity ascribed to the Polden Hills and that this view is also enjoyed by a number of residents living in Woolavington this VR is ascribed a ‘Medium’ level of sensitivity.
VR22 -View looking south east along the A39 to the south of Puriton. (1100m from former ROF Site, 0m from proposed new junction) Photomontage Viewpoint
6.7.110 This view is taken from the southern edge of the A39 at is rises up from the motorway heading south eastwards and is typical of that which would be available to motorists travelling along this fast moving stretch of road.
6.7.111 The former ROF site is not currently visible from this location, being screened by existing vegetation. However, the new road junction/roundabout would be located in the foreground of this view . The existing view is constrained by the roadside trees and hedgerows and channelled eastwards, the road itself being the dominant feature. During the winter it is possible to glimpse the houses on the southern edge of Puriton. A group of houses are situated immediately to the south of the A39 at this point and residents would experience a similar view.
6.7.112 The A39 and the receptor location are not an ‘Area of high sensitivity in relation to road corridors’ as described in the SLA. Whilst the Polden Hills is identified as a ‘Visually prominent area of high quality landscape’ the road corridor itself is not considered to be a high quality landscape or visually prominent. Given this, and the speed at which most people are travelling, this VR is considered to be of ‘Medium’ level of sensitivity.
VR23 -View looking south from Cypress Drive towards the proposed access road. (50m from proposed access road) Photomontage Viewpoint
6.7.113 This view is taken from Cypress Drive, on the southern edge of Puriton, looking south, similar views would be available from private properties that sit at the edge of the village.
6.7.114 The view looks over open farmland with the blocks of woodland, New Ground Covert and Ashen Covert, forming the background. Hillside is visible to the right of view, albeit the road itself is screened by the roadside hedgerow. The junction with the A39 is just visible between the trees.
79
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.115 Given the number of private residential views and location of this belt of land within the Polden Hills, it is considered that this view is of ‘Medium’ sensitivity.
VR24 -View looking east from Pawlett (2.7kms from the site)
6.7.116 The view is taken from the A38, Bristol Road, at the edge of the village of Pawlett on slightly elevated land at the foot of Pawlett Hill. A similar view would be available from upper floors of some of the residential properties that back onto it and, obliquely, to motorists travelling along this fast stretch of road. From this location the skyline to the north is formed by the Mendips, while to the south east it is the Polden Hills, where it is possible to discern the rooftops of Puriton and Woolavington on the lower slopes. While the view is predominantly rural, the network of electricity pylons forms an obtrusive element in the wider landscape, as does the Walpole landfill site 1 km to the east. The landfill site has recently received planning permission for the erection of a new Anaerobic Digestion facility which would be visible from this VR.
6.7.117 At this distance the larger site trees are clearly visible and it is also possible to discern the large buildings on the site. However, the site forms a small part in a wide panorama.
6.7.118 This visual receptor is considered to have a ‘Low’ level of sensitivity.
VR25 -View looking east from Stert Drove (7kms from the site)
6.7.119 The view is taken from Stert Drove, the single lane road that leads to Stert Point on the Bristol Channel. This flat and open landscape allows for expansive views across the Levels which are only constrained by the Mendips to the north and the Quantocks to the south. The Polden Hills form a low ridge in the middle distance, and it is possible to discern Glastonbury Tor some 26 kms to the east.
6.7.120 From this slightly elevated stretch of road it is possible to see the large block of trees in the north western corner of the site, which form the skyline. While it is possible to ‘pick out’ the outline of some of the taller buildings on site with the help of binoculars, this is not possible with the naked eye. The pylons that run to the immediate north of the site are, however, visible. However, these are all very small elements in a large panoramic. This was the best available view in the locality, with that immediately to the west on the River Parrett Trail, being obscured by Pawlett Hill.
80
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.121 While this is not a busy road, the lanes and footpaths on this spit of land appear well used by walkers and joggers and as such it is considered to be of ‘Medium’ sensitivity.
VR26 -View looking north east from the Quantock Hills (17 kms from the site)
6.7.122 The view is taken from the top of Lydeard Hill, adjacent to the Macmillan Way West national trail within the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It shows expansive views over the Somerset Levels, Bristol Channel and up to the Mendips some 35kms to the north.
6.7.123 It is possible to see the Polden Hill ridge in the middle distance sitting to the north east of Bridgwater. However, while it is theoretically possible to see the north western part of the site from this location, in reality, it is extremely difficult to pick out with the naked eye.
6.7.124 Due to its location on a well used national trail and within the AONB this VR is considered to have a ‘Very High’ Sensitivity.
VR27 -View looking north from the M5 (5.5 kms from the site)
6.7.125 The view is taken from the A372 as is crosses over the M5 to the south of the site. The Polden Hills ridge forms an attractive skyline, albeit there are a number of detracting elements to the view in the form of traffic, pylons and polytunnels.
6.7.126 While slightly elevated above the motorway, this view demonstrates that for motorists travelling north, the ridgeline precludes any views of the site from the south. This remains the case until the motorway emerges from the cutting associated with Junction 23.
6.7.127 This view is considered to be of ‘Low’ sensitivity.
VR28 -View looking west from Glastonbury Tor (17.5 kms from the site)
6.7.128 The view is taken from the top of Glastonbury Tor, a nationally celebrated Scheduled Ancient Monument, that rises some 158 m above the Somerset Levels and is a very popular tourist destination. From this elevated viewpoint there are 360 degree views over the surrounding landscape including to the Bristol Channel to the west. This vast panoramic allows views right across the Levels from the Quantocks in the south to the Mendips in the north.
81
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.129 It is possible to pick out a few of the more prominent features in the distant landscape such as Hinkley Point Power Station, Brent Knoll and the Huntspill River and from these ascertain the location of the site. However, it is not possible to see the individual features of the site from this distance and at this elevation with the naked eye.
6.7.130 Given its popularity as a tourist destination, it is considered that this VR has a ‘Very High’ level of sensitivity.
VR29 -View looking south from the Mendip Hills (15 kms from the site)
6.7.131 There are any number of potential views from the Mendips Hills AONB looking south across the Somerset Levels. The view from Cross Plain, immediately adjacent to the West Mendip Way national trail, was chosen as being representative. Again is shows a vast panoramic over the levels. The Polden Hills are visible in the distance, albeit they do not break the skyline, which is formed by another ridge further to the south. From this point it is just possible to see the form of both Puriton and Woolavington as they rise up the lower slopes and as a consequence locate the main body of the site, albeit to the naked eye it is not possible to discern individual features.
6.7.132 Given its location within the AONB and adjacent to a popular national trail is it considered that this VR is of a ‘Very High’ sensitivity.
VR30 -View looking south east from Brent Knoll (8.5 kms from the site)
6.7.133 The view is taken from the top of Brent Knoll, an isolated hill fort rising to an elevation of 139m AOD above the Levels to the north west of the site. From this view there are expansive, 360 degree views over the Somerset Levels from Bridgwater Bay to the west to Glastonbury Tor to the east. While the landscape is predominantly rural there are a number of urban influences, the most prominent of these being the noise and movement of the M5 which passes the knoll approximately 2kms to the south east, and, in terms of built form, the large, light coloured warehouses in Isleport Business Park to the east of Burnham on Sea and Highbridge, approximately 3.5kms to the south.
6.7.134 The Polden Hills ridge is clearly visible, albeit it does not form the skyline from this vantage point. It is also possible to see the villages of Woolavington and Puriton sitting on its lower slopes. The existing ROF site buildings, 8.5kms to the south east are just discernible from this VR.
82
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.135 Given that Brent Knoll is an ancient hill fort and is visited by many tourists, specifically to enjoy the views over the surrounding landscape, this VR is considered to have a ‘Very High’ level of sensitivity.
Description of the Proposed Development (with reference to Appendix 6.1, Figures 6.12-6.22)
6.7.136 A detailed description of the evolution of the design proposals and their rationale has been included within the supporting Design and Access Statement (DAS). While there will inevitably be some repetition, this report will attempt confine itself to a physical description of the proposals in order that their potential impact on the landscape character and surrounding VRs may be considered.
6.7.137 The evolution of the proposals has been mindful of the parameters set out in the paragraphs within the document relating to ‘Scale and Massing’ and ‘Landscape Design’ being most relevant to this assessment. In terms of site planting, para 8.9.2 includes the following guidance:
An attractive setting and frontage should be created befitting of the arrival at the site.
High quality landscape, including formal tree and shrub planting on the roads throughout the site should provide an attractive and appropriate setting for the Energy Park.
Existing trees and hedgerows on site should be retained where these are important in terms of amenity value or species.
New structural planting should also be undertaken to help define the boundary and create a sense of place.
Integration of the new development (including any transport infrastructure) with the surrounding area will be achieved both by responding to the existing context and character of the site, by tree planting, and by providing strategic landscaping to soften the appearance of the new development on surrounding areas.
Indigenous trees and shrubs found within the locality and tolerant of current ground conditions will be selected to reflect local landscape character and to achieve successful establishment.
83
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.138 The landscape proposals associated with this development are in accordance with these principles.
6.7.139 The proposed B1, B2 and B8 uses would all lie to the south of the existing North Road that runs across the site and is to be retained (See Figure 6.12). They would sit within a series of development blocks whose shape and location were agreed at the time of the Remediation Application. The road network would be broadly respectful of that which is existing and, wherever possible, existing mature trees and the existing system of ditches would be retained. Similarly, the mature vegetation around the site’s boundaries would also be retained and reinforced in order to soften and help screen the future development.
6.7.140 The B1 uses would be situated around the site entrance on Plot B, C1 & C2. The B2 units would be predominantly situated in the central and western area of the site on Plots A, D & F and the B8 units would be situated to the east of the site on Plot H.
6.7.141 The remaining development blocks, namely G1, G2, J & K which would be safeguarded for energy generating use would be graded out for future use.
6.7.142 The development would be accessed from the south via a new road linked to the A39. This is subject to a detailed application and will be fully described in subsequent paragraphs (6.7.156 – 6.7.167).
6.7.143 Adjacent to the site entrance in the south western portion of the site it is proposed to locate a business campus (B1 uses), this would be located around a series of small lakes and a meadow which is protected for its ecological value. This portion of the development would comprise a series of relatively small, inter-related buildings with associated parking areas and landscaping. These buildings would form a high quality, modern introduction to the development and would reach a maximum height of 8m (13.80m AOD).
6.7.144 A comprehensive materials palette is included within the Design and Access Statement. A variety of materials have been selected, a number of which are repeated throughout the proposed development in order to give cohesion to the site as a whole, the colours of which have been chosen to reflect the colours of the surrounding landscape.
6.7.145 The SPD recognises the importance in the choice of materials when mitigating landscape impacts. Para 8.3 states that:
“colour and texture should however be recessive against the background and landscape.”
84
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Para 3.8.4 goes on to state:
“Careful choice of colours of the roof and cladding of any buildings will be important in limiting visual prominence;”
6.7.146 It is envisaged that the B1 units would be clad in a combination of iridescent metallic cladding, which covers a spectrum of green, brown and orange, larch timber cladding, solar shading and ‘Schuco’ curtain walling.
6.7.147 The B2 and B8 buildings would be faced with metal cladding, coloured in a ‘landscape palette’ of shades of green reminiscent of the new Morrisons’ distribution centre adjacent to Junction 23 of the M5. This vast building is faced in a series of horizontal panels in four shades of green which have been located in a random pattern, the roof is a dark grey in colour. The effectiveness of this approach in reducing/mitigating visual impact in the wider landscape is demonstrated by the extent to which the building is disguised in longer views, while the pale grey NHS distribution centre adjacent to it is still clearly visible. In developing the proposals for the Energy Park buildings we have taken this concept and considered a variety of options, testing them on photomontages to measure their potential success in blending the buildings into the wider landscape. The chosen palette comprises a series of squares and rectangles in varying sizes, in a random pattern. The colours range from dark greens and browns to paler greys and blues, the lighter colours being situated at the higher levels on the buildings. The swatch for the B2/B8 units comprises predominantly the darker colours, ensuring that these buildings would comfortably assimilate with the proposed energy generating use buildings that are considered as part of the cumulative Effects. A colour swatch is included within the DAS.
6.7.148 The roofs would be a combination of metal ‘standing seam’ construction with integrated solar panels covering approximately 20% of the roof area on southern facing sections.
6.7.149 The eaves of the B2 & B8 buildings would rise to a height of 12m above ground level with the corresponding ridge reaching 15m above ground level.
6.7.150 Much of the landscape around the site’s periphery remains untouched and as a consequence these mature trees already provide an effective screen to much of the existing development on site. Wherever possible the mature trees that line the existing ditches within the site have been retained as part of the proposals. Vegetation that is proposed for removal is highlighted in Figure 6.22.
85
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.151 The development has been designed to sit within a cohesive landscape framework, which has been developed in conjunction with the team ecologists, architects, highways and drainage engineers. The peripheral structure planting has been designed to help assimilate the development into the wider environment. It comprises a mix of native tree and hedgerow species planted at varying sizes in order that the resulting woodlands do not appear to be of uniform age, but integrate into the landscape within which they lie. Where possible existing trees have been retained alongside the internal road network, where this is not the case lines of semi-mature avenue tree planting would be introduced.
6.7.152 Several areas, including a large section in the north eastern corner are ‘locally important nature conservation sites’ and are consequently retained and protected. In addition to this a number of linear attenuation areas have been introduced adjacent to the existing ditches, these would also be managed for nature conservation value.
6.7.153 As has been previously described, the ditches found within the site are a typical feature of the Somerset Levels and some care has gone into ensuring that the principal ditches are retained, along with areas historically farmed as ‘ridge and furrow’ in the interests of nature conservation value. This ‘ridge and furrow’ landscape has been replicated around the western and northern boundaries of plots G1 and G2. In addition to this it was felt to be important that the site’s more recent history was also recognised and to this end one of the blast mounds has been retained along the northern boundary, as have a number of the Second World War defence posts that sit around the periphery.
6.7.154 A proposed palette of plant material is included within the DAS and it is anticipated that as individual development plots are submitted for detailed planning applications they would draw on this list, thus ensuring that the resulting development has legibility and cohesion.
6.7.155 The planting shown within the individual plots is generic given that the exact layout of each plot is something that would be defined at the detail design stage. However, it is anticipated that all plots and their car parking areas would have tree and shrub planting included within them.
86
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
The Proposed Access Road (With reference to Appendix 6.1 Figures 6.23-6.32)
6.7.156 The traffic generated by the proposed development would necessitate the construction of a new access road linking with the A39 some 1.4 km to the south, in order to avoid large vehicles trying to negotiate a path through the village of Puriton. Full details of this road have been submitted as part of this application.
6.7.157 The proposed road would be some 1.5 km in length and would run from the A39 to the south of Puriton before crossing the Woolavington Road and entering the site, where it has been aligned to provide an attractive introduction to the proposed development.
6.7.158 The road would be 7.3 m wide and take the form of a two lane highway, adjacent to which would be a 1.8 m wide public footpath separated from the road by a 1.2 m wide grass verge. In order to minimise both visual and aural intrusion it is proposed to construct an earth bund to the north of the road, between the road and the village of Puriton (See Figures 6.25, 6.26, 6.27 and 6.29). In order to ensure that traffic travelling along the road is screened from the southern edge of the village, the bund would range in height from 3 to 4m and in width from approximately 30m, adjacent to the A39 roundabout, to approximately 20 m along the side of the road. The bund would be planted with native woodland planting, in order that, over time, the road and bund would be further assimilated into its surroundings. Along its southern boundary a native hedge would be planted with individual specimen trees randomly spaced. This bund would run from the A39 junction along the southern side of the village stopping some 360m before the junction with the Woolavington Roundabout. An 8m strip of screen planting would continue up to the Woolavington Road roundabout.
6.7.159 The connection with the A39 would necessitate a new road junction, which would take the form of a 62 m wide roundabout which would also connect with the re-aligned Puriton Hill. This roundabout would sit at a level of approximately 37m AOD at its junction with the A39, sloping down to 36m AOD at is junction with the proposed access road. This would necessitate a degree of ground modelling which has been detailed as part of this application..
87
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.160 It is not anticipated that the road will need to be lit along its entire length, albeit a detailed lighting scheme will need to be agreed with Somerset County Council as the approving and adopting authority. However, it is anticipated that both of the proposed roundabouts will need to be lit in accordance with SCC ‘normal adoptable’ standards along with the section of road between the A39 Junction and Hillside, and the section of road between Woolavington Road and the site. This is the scenario that the ES will consider.
6.7.161 The lighting would take the form of 10m high lamps around the roundabout and at regular intervals on the northern side of the road on the short stretches described above. The lighting scheme is described in more detail in the LIA (Appendix 6.6).
6.7.162 A second roundabout would be introduced at the junction with the Woolavington Road. This would sit at an approximate level of 14.5m AOD.
6.7.163 The road would bisect Hillside, one of the existing connections between the A38 and Puriton and the small stretch of road to the south of the proposed access road would be closed off. To the north a new T-junction would be formed connecting the access road to Puriton.
6.7.164 It is proposed that a green bridge be constructed approximately equidistant between the roundabouts. This would carry a permissive bridleway and public footpath across the proposed access road. The bridleway would reconnect Hillside, with a link running parallel to the road on both its northern and southern sides providing safe access for horses and walkers across the proposed road.
6.7.165 The green bridge has been designed to blend as seamlessly as possible into the landscape in which it sits. It has been designed to allow a clearance of 5.3m for lorries. In order to accommodate this and minimise the height of the bridge, the road would be cut into the existing hillside by 2m, allowing the ground to be gently contoured up to and over the new structure. A 600mm layer of earth would be placed on the sides of the bridge to allow for a 2.4m width of native shrub planting on either side of the bridleway.
88
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.166 To the north of the roundabout on Woolavington Road, the proposed access road would become more formal in nature, with a regular avenue of semi mature pollared willows planted along its sides, before giving way to a ‘parkland’ landscape with informal lakes forming the entrance to the proposed development. Through this section the road would be raised by approximately 0.7m above existing ground level to ensure there are no flooding issues.
6.7.167 The construction of the proposed access road and its associated roundabouts would necessitate the removal of a number of existing trees and sections of hedgerow, these are shown on Figure 6.24.
6.7.168 A number of new footpaths and bridleways are being introduced around the site and connecting into the existing network. A new permissive footpath would be introduced running from the northern boundary along the western side of the existing reed bed linking to the Huntspill River. This path would be within a 4-5m wide grass strip with a new post and rail fence separating walkers from the reed bed.
6.7.169 There would also be two permissive bridleway connections linking the site with the villages of Puriton and Woolavington. The link with Puriton would run along an existing track and would be upgraded to a compacted gravel surface. The link with Woolavington would run for part of its length along an existing track before crossing three small fields alongside the field boundaries. This would also be surfaced in compacted gravel.
6.7.170 As noted earlier, the 1940’s development of the former ROF site effectively removed agricultural practices and superimposed industrial activities across most of the site. However, while this dramatically altered the landscape character of the site, a significant number of the drainage ditches were retained. As part of the remediation application the proposed development plateaus were defined which necessitated the removal of a number of the remaining ditches; however the layout was configured to ensure that the principal ditches were retained and a number of new ditches were incorporated in order to reconnect disused ditches into the wider system. In recognition of the site’s more recent history a ‘blast mound’ and a number of defence posts have been retained on site.
6.7.171 The introduction of the proposed access road would necessitate the removal of a number of trees and sections of hedgerow. While this would be kept to the minimum necessary to build the proposals, it would inevitably remove the existing historic field pattern.
89
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Phasing
6.7.172 It is anticipated that the construction phasing of the development (including the energy generating use) would take place over a twenty year period. The sequence of this phasing is outlined in detail (with supporting plans) as part of the application ES. The phasing plans have been prepared in line with the guidance set out in the SPD, but have also been informed by a Take-up Model that has been used to predict the anticipated market demand for the proposed uses, and the rate at which these will be built out.
6.7.173 Given the complexity of the scheme and the anticipated duration of the project, it is likely that some of the energy generating facilities (as assessed as part of the cumulative effects) may come forward before all of the B1, B2 and B8 units have been constructed. The photomontages that accompany this assessment have been drawn to reflect the nature of the application, with each photomontage viewpoint shown, firstly, with all the hybrid application uses and secondly with the additional energy generating use (assessed in Chapter 15 of this ES) .
6.7.174 Phase One of the development would include elements of the B1, B2 & B8 units and energy generating uses, the proposed access road, and all the peripheral structure planting. The introduction of all the structure planting at this early stage will ensure that at the date the project reaches its completion it will already have a mature landscape structure and the project will receive the maximum benefit from landscape screening.
Construction Stage Impacts
6.7.175 A ‘Construction Environmental Management Plan’ (CEMP) has been submitted in support of this application. This had been prepared: ‘to provide a framework that sets out the environmental issues and management procedures to be adopted during construction works on the site in order to control potential adverse impact to the environment and the local community’.
90
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.176 As has been described in the phasing section of this assessment the construction period would potentially span a 20 year period. During this timeframe the potential landscape and visual impacts arising from the construction would vary in significance. The construction of the B1, B2 and B8 Units will span the lifetime of the project. It is anticipated that individual units would take between 6-12 months to construct and it is understood that no cranes would be required that might give rise to additional visual impacts in the surrounding landscape. At this stage there is insufficient information available to undertake a meaningful assessment of the landscape and visual impacts arising from the construction phase of the outline element (B1, B2, B8 and associated infrastructure) of the hybrid application. However, the CEMP recognises that ‘phase-specific CEMPs will be required to ensure that the impacts of more detailed construction plans are taken into account’.
6.7.177 Prior to any development taking place on the former ROF site the proposed access road would need to be constructed. This is subject to a detailed application and while there is not, as yet, a detailed programme of works available, the project engineers have provided a list of the likely operations and phasing associated with the road upon which to base the construction phase landscape and visual assessment (this programme would need to be agreed with SCC). The predicted effects associated with the construction of the proposed access road are outlined below.
6.7.178 It is anticipated that the road would require a 12 to 18 month construction period, during which period the following key phasing action would take place (this is not an exhaustive list)
Top soil removal and stockpiling;
Cutting of the highway corridor (and stockpiling of material);
Construction of haul road to reduce construction traffic through Puriton. Likely to be from Puriton Hill to Woolavington Road;
Formation of ponds and material removed/moved;
Formation of bund from stockpiled material;
Laying of road;
Topsoiling/planting.
91
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.179 The contractor will need space for both stockpiling and welfare facilities. The exact location of this compound would be agreed with the LPA at a later date.
6.7.180 The level of landscape and visual impacts generated through the 12-18 month construction period would vary. It is anticipated that the formation of the bund would come forward as one of the earlier operations. This would help to screen the ongoing road construction works from the southern side of Puriton.
6.7.181 Impacts relating to lighting, working hours, noise and traffic movements would be assessed with proposed mitigation as part of the CEMP.
6.7.182 Given the concentrated area over which these works would take place and the relatively limited timeframe, it was not felt necessary to assess the wider landscape character areas (as defined in the SLA or those that would not receive a direct impact) or more distant visual receptors (over 2km distant) in relation to the construction stage effects relating to the proposed access road.
6.7.183 The line of the proposed access road would run through the Polden Hills and Land to the south of former ROF Site Local Landscape Character Areas (as defined in this assessment). These areas would undergo an ‘intensive change over a limited area’ for the duration of the works which would constitute a ‘High’ magnitude of change during the construction period resulting in a ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’.
6.7.184 The road would be visible to the following visual receptors within a 2 km radius; 12,13,14,18,19,20,22, and 23. While it is theoretically visible in the distance from several other visual receptors, it would be extremely difficult to pick out with the naked eye and is not considered to have an effect that differs from the final assessment.
92
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.185 In views 12, 13, it would be possible to see the construction works associated with the proposed road in the distance beyond the Puriton, albeit it would not form a prominent feature in the wider view. It is anticipated that in VR18, some of the construction activities would be visible during the winter months when the trees and hedgerows are out of leaf, but that the works would be largely screened during the summer months. In VR19 only the works associated with the proposed green bridge would be visible. All of the above are considered to result in a ‘Low’ magnitude of change during the construction stage, that is ‘minor alteration to the key features or characteristics of the existing view, such that post development the existing view will be largely changed despite discernible differences’. this would result in ‘Minor to Moderate Adverse Effects’ in the short term.
6.7.186 The following ‘close up’ visual receptors would experience larger magnitudes of change.
VR14 – View looking north towards the Site from Woolavington Road (250m from the Site boundary) (Medium Sensitivity)
6.7.187 In view 14 the road would be located in the foreground to the left of view. The earthworks and other construction activities would be clearly visible to this visual receptor, and would form an incongruous element to the view prior to the land ‘greening-up’ and the planting beginning to establish. This would constitute a ‘Very High’ magnitude of change and a ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’ during the construction period.
VR20 – View looking north from Hillside as it enters Puriton from the south (1000m from ROF Site boundary, 75m from Proposed Access Road) (Medium Sensitivity)
6.7.188 The construction activities associated with the road would dominate the foreground of this view. From the outset the soil strip, bund construction and road formation would be apparent to this visual receptor, forming a detracting element to the existing view, toward the end of the construction period this would start to diminish, once the bund had begun to ‘green up’ and any visible areas of soil strip and storage had been reinstated. During construction it is considered that this visual receptor would experience a ‘Very High’ magnitude of change resulting in a ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’.
93
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
VR22 – View looking south east along the A39 to the south of Puriton (1100m from fromer ROF Site, 0m from proposed new junction) Photomontage Viewpoint (Medium Sensitivity)
6.7.189 The construction activities associated with the road would dominate the foreground of this view. In the short term the removal of the existing vegetation on the northern side of the A39 would open up the view towards Puriton and the north, however, this would become screened with the introduction of the proposed bund. From the outset the removal of vegetation, topsoil strip and formation of the roundabout and general construction activities would from a dominant and detracting element in this view. This would constitute a ‘Very High’ magnitude of change resulting in a ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’.
VR23 – View looking south from Cypress Drive towards the proposed access road (50m from proposed access road) (Medium Sensitivity)
6.7.190 The line of the proposed access road runs through the centre of the field in this view. At the outset of the construction period the soil strip and other construction activities would be visible, changing this view from the outset. The formation of the bund would come forward as one of the earlier operations and, as such, would help to screen the later operations involved with the road construction, helping to reduce impacts from an early stage. This is considered to constitute a ‘Very High’ magnitude of change resulting in a ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’.
6.7.191 The impacts associated with the construction of the road would endure for a limited period of time, after which, the effects of the finished development as described later in this document would apply.
Mitigation
6.7.192 The purpose of mitigation is to avoid, reduce and where possible, remedy or offset any adverse impacts on the environment arising from the proposed development. In terms of landscape and visual impact, mitigation may either be ‘in-built’ and as such effective from Year 1 or, as in the case of planting, it may become more effective over time, hence the predicted landscape and visual effects are assessed at Year 1 and Year 15.
94
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.7.193 Siting and layout would be considered as ‘in built’ mitigation. The configuration of the site layout is such that, from the outset, it was determined to reserve the central area for the highest buildings as is currently they case. Plots G1 and G2 are left open in the hyrbid application and the proposed built form of the energy generating uses is considered in the Cumulative Effects section of this ES. The remaining plots allocated for energy generating Use have been positioned to the north of North Road furthest from the villages of Puriton and Woolavington, with the lower buildings associated with the B1, B2 and B8 uses situated to the south and around the site’s periphery.
6.7.194 The buildings of the B1, B2 and B8 units have been designed so that their roofs are a maximum height of 15m, the highest of these would reach 20.85m AOD. Given the nature of the Levels landscape this means that they would be effectively screened from many viewpoints by existing intervening vegetation from the outset. However, to help further assimilate them into the wider environment it is proposed that they are clad in the green panels previously described in order to minimise any visual contrast with the surrounding landscape.
6.7.195 The general principles of the lighting strategy is described in the (LIA) at Appendix 6.6. The lighting strategy would be designed in accordance with best practice in order ensure ‘obtrusive light is contained and minimised’. A Strategic Lighting Strategy has been submitted as part of this application.
6.7.196 In addition to the ‘in built’ mitigation, belts of structure planting would be introduced in locations around the site’s perimeter as well as additional avenue planting and tree and shrub planting associated with the internal infrastructure and individual plots. The perimeter structure planting would vary in width from approximately 25-55m wide and would comprise a mix of native species including specimen trees such as, oak, sweet chestnut and black poplar, these would be 2-3m high at the time of planting and it is anticipated that by Year 15 they would have reached 8-11.5m in height depending on species. These plants would continue to grow and further screen the buildings in subsequent years. All the structure planting around the site’s periphery would come forward as part of Phase 1 of the development. This would maximise the new structure planting’s screening potential from the outset. A table of anticipated tree growth rates is included in Appendix 6.7..
6.7.197 Within the site, avenue planting would be introduced along the roads to reinforce the existing planting which would be retained, this would introduce:
95
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Willow and alder running along the north/south and east/west roads and their accompanying ditches.
Lime and alder along other new routes not accompanied by ditches.
6.7.198 These species are common within the surrounding area and thus an appropriate choice to help further assimilate the development into its surroundings over the long term. Additional structure planting would be included as part of each new development plot as it comes forward.
6.7.199 The choice of the siting of the proposed access road is the culmination of an assessment of a number or different options by the various team disciplines which have been detailed in the Road Options report that accompanies the application
6.7.200 There are two principal elements to the mitigation of the proposed access road. The ground modelling that accompanies it is ‘in built’. Wherever possible the road has been cut into the existing hillside to ensure it sits at the lowest possible level. To the north a 3- 4m high bund has been constructed to screen the traffic from Puriton and to minimise aural intrusion (noise issues are dealt with in detail in a separate chapter of this ES). Similarly the green bridge has been designed to sit as low as possible in the landscape and blend back in with its surroundings.
6.7.201 The second element of mitigation associated with the road is the structure planting. The planting along the bund would be 12m wide from the A39 to the south-east of Puriton, reducing to 8m wide for the last 380m up to Woolavington Road. It would comprise an understorey mix of native species which would be planted as ‘whips’ (80-100mm high) with a number of larger sweet chestnut and lime trees, which would be 4.5-6.5m in height at the time of planting. The green bridge would also be planted with similar native shrub stock. To the south a roadside hedge would be planted with field maple and hornbeam trees at irregular spacings. These trees would be approximately 4.5m high to 6.5m at the time of planting.
6.7.202 The LIA states the following in connection with lighting mitigation:
96
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
“As detailed information of the lighting associated with the outline development is not currently available the assessment is drawn from expected best practice, the generic lighting strategy, equivalent and reference developments as well as limited computer simulations and calculations. The general lighting strategy can be found within the Lighting Impact Assessment Appendix 2. This strategy works to include any mitigation measures from the outset providing a strategy that is considerate to the surrounding area. The lighting strategy makes reference to the use of control systems to dim lighting when not required. For the purpose of assessment it is imagined that all external lighting is at full intensity.”
6.8 ASSESSMENT OF LANDSCAPE IMPACTS – OPERATIONAL STAGE (HYBRID APPLICATION)
6.8.1 This section of the assessment addresses the impact associated with the operation stage of the Hybrid Application (See Figure 6.12 Illustrative Landscape Masterplan (Hybrid Application) Wider Site), that is the outline application for the B1, B2 and B8 units, with associated infrastructure and the detailed application for the Proposed Access Road.
Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment – Character Area – Moors and Levels (Medium Sensitivity)
6.8.2 As previously described this CA covers a vast area and includes the former ROF site which is atypical of the wider area. The CA would receive a direct impact in the small area covered by the former ROF site. The site is brownfield and has been in industrial use for some seventy years; albeit, the scale and massing of the proposed buildings on the site would be greater than that which is existing. However, the proposed buildings would not be dissimilar to many that already populate the Levels and it is therefore considered that the magnitude of change at Year 1 would be ‘Very Low’ resulting in a ‘Minor Adverse Effect’. This would remain the same at Year 15.
97
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment – Character Area – Lowland Hills - Polden Hills (High Sensitivity)
6.8.3 The Polden Hills as described in the SLA covers the whole of this ridgeline, running from adjacent to Junction 23 of the M5 in the west to the east of the village of Ashcott some 13km to the east. A small part of this large area would receive a direct impact in the form of the proposed access road (this area is considered later in this report as a ‘local character area’). While recognising that the western end would incur a higher level of impact, the larger character area would not be impacted by the introduction of the road and the development of the former ROF site. As a consequence it is considered that the overall magnitude of change at Year 1 would be ‘Low’ resulting in a ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’. This would remain the same at Year 15.
Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment – Character Area – Lowland Hills (High Sensitivity)
6.8.4 In addition to the Polden Hills a number of other small hills and knolls rise from the Levels landscape, including Pawlett Hill and Brent Knoll and while these have an inter-visibility with the site; they would receive no direct impacts. Given their distance and setting within this large landscape, it is considered that the magnitude of change the proposals would cause to their landscape character is ‘None’ resulting in an effect of ‘No Change’
Mendips AONB – (Very High Sensitivity)
6.8.5 The Mendips AONB sits some 15km to the north of the site and its ridgeline forms the visual envelope to the north of the Somerset Levels. This ridgeline is visible from the site and in several views forms the skyline. The Mendips AONB would not receive any direct impacts as a result of the proposed development. Given the distance between the proposals and the AONB, it is considered that the magnitude of change the proposals would cause to its landscape character is ‘None’ resulting in an effect of ‘No Change’.
98
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Quantocks AONB – (Very High Sensitivity)
6.8.6 The Quantock AONB sits some 12kms to the south west of the site and its ridgeline forms the visual envelope to the south west of Bridgwater. This ridgeline is visible from the former ROF site but not from the line of the proposed road. The Quantocks AONB would not receive any direct impacts as a result of the proposed development. Given the distance between the proposals and the AONB, it is considered that the magnitude of change the proposals would cause to its landscape character is ‘None’ resulting in an effect of ‘No Change’
CA1 – Former ROF Site – (Very Low Sensitivity)
6.8.7 The former ROF site has been in industrial use for the last seventy years and while now decommissioned, remains a brownfield site, with the remnants of its factory buildings still very much in evidence. The proposals would remove these old, derelict buildings and replace them with a series of new offices, warehouses and light industrial buildings. As illustrated in Figure 6.13 these would be located in the southern two thirds of the site with the land to the north of North Road remaining either ‘as is’ or, as in the case of plots J and K, graded out to form a development plateau prior to any future development that may come forward. The majority of the planting around the site’s periphery would be retained, as would the original road network, much of the ditch system and a number of the horse chestnut avenues within the site. As has been previously agreed in the remediation application a proportion of the site vegetation would be removed, however the proposals would bring forward a significant amount of new planting. Whilst the nature of the development is very different to that existing, it was considered that it would form a ‘moderate change in landscape characteristics in a localised area’ and as a consequence is considered constitute a ‘Medium’ magnitude of change resulting in a ‘Minor Neutral Effect’ at Year 1. This would remain the case at Year 15.
99
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
CA2 – Levels and Moors north of Woolavington– (Medium Sensitivity)
6.8.8 This character area would receive minimal direct impacts in the form of the introduction of the footpath links to Woolavington and the Huntspill River, neither of which is considered to result in a material change to the character of this area. However, there is a strong inter-visibility between this CA and the former ROF site, whose derelict factory buildings along Main Road are visible in the wider area. Their removal and replacement with a number of larger structures along the site’s eastern boundary would increase the number of man-made elements influencing the character of this area and as such is considered to be a ‘minor change in landscape characteristics’, constituting a ‘Low’ magnitude of change and a ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’ at Year 1. By Year 15, once the proposed structure planting along the site’s eastern edge has had an opportunity to mature and help assimilate the development into the wider landscape this would reduce to a ‘Minor Adverse Effect’.
CA3 – Levels and Moors adjacent to the M5 – (Low Sensitivity)
6.8.9 This character area would receive minimal direct impacts in the form of the introduction of the new footpath link with Puriton, which is not considered to form a material change to the character of the area. There are already a large number of man-made, Twentieth Century influences evident in this area in the form of the motorway, railway, solar park, landfill site and pylons. The removal of the old, derelict industrial buildings from the site and their replacement with the proposed B1, B2 and B8 buildings would constitute a magnitude of change of ‘None’ and ‘No Change’ to the landscape character of this area.
CA4 – Land to the south of the former ROF Site– (Medium Sensitivity)
6.8.10 This character area would receive a direct impact in connection with the development proposal. Towards its western end, adjacent to Puriton, it would accommodate a new roundabout and be dissected by the new access road as it enters the site. The new footpath link with Woolavington would also cross this CA but is not considered to be a material change.
6.8.11 Due to its proximity to the former ROF site and the Polden Hills, this CA would also receive indirect impacts from the introduction of the southern section of the proposed access road and the new buildings on the site.
100
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.8.12 The new road would introduce an urban element to this CA and also lead to an increase in light and noise levels (both of which have been covered in detail in separate chapters) and a corresponding decrease in the level of tranquillity that might be currently associated with this area. As a consequence it is considered that the magnitude of change would be ‘High’, defined as ‘notable changes in landscape characteristics over a wide area or intensive change over a more limited area’. This would result in a ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’. Over time the planting associated with the road would help to soften and assimilate it into the wider landscape, however its introduction would still result in an ‘intensive change over a limited area’ and thus the effect would remain the same at Year 15.
CA5 – Puriton– (Medium Sensitivity)
6.8.13 The only direct impact on this character area would be the removal of traffic from the village centre, which would constitute an improvement on the existing situation. However, it would receive indirect impacts in the form of the proposed access road to the south and the introduction of the new development on the former ROF site.
6.8.14 The proposed access road would constitute a change to the setting of the village to the south and east and to the character of the southern and eastern edges of the village, however it does not have a relationship with the central, western and northern parts of the village.
6.8.15 The nearest buildings in the proposed hybrid application would be the two storey office buildings either side of the site entrance which would reach a maximum height of 8m. They would be separated physically and visually by existing, intervening vegetation and as such would have little effect on the character of the village.
6.8.16 The lighting introduced in association with the proposals on the former ROF site would be less intrusive than that which currently exists. However, the introduction of the proposed new access road junctions would introduce lighting into an area which is currently unlit. Along Woolavington Road, this would effectively move the perceived boundary of the village forward from the existing start of the street lit area. From the southern edge of the village there would also be an increase in light levels from the stretch of road between the new junction and Hillside. From certain locations to the north the setting of the village would now include the illuminated road, albeit it would be in the context of the village which is already lit.
101
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.8.17 Viewed as a whole it is considered that, the overall magnitude of change on the character of the village would be ‘Low’, a ‘minor change in landscape characteristics’ at Year 1, resulting in a ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’. By Year 15 the proposed structure planting would have established and helped to assimilate the development, including the road, into the wider environment, however, the resulting effect would remain as ‘Moderate Adverse’.
CA6 – Woolavington – (Medium Sensitivity)
6.8.18 The village of Woolavington would not receive any direct impacts from the proposed development on the former ROF site. Neither would it receive any direct or indirect impacts from the introduction of the proposed access road. The western edge of the village has an inter-visibility with the former ROF site and the replacement of the existing industrial buildings at the centre of the site with those proposed towards the eastern boundary would give rise to a ‘slight change in landscape characteristics’ in as much as it would give the wider area a slightly more developed character. By Year 15 the structure planting along the eastern boundary would have matured considerably, helping to soften the development and assimilate it into its wider environment. This would constitute a ‘Very Low’ magnitude of change at year 1 resulting in a ‘Minor Adverse Effect’; this would remain the case at Year 15.
102
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
CA7 – The Polden Hills – (High Sensitivity)
6.8.19 This local character area covers a short stretch of the Polden Hills’ northern face between Puriton and Woolavington (as outlined in Figure 6.7). This CA would receive direct impacts in the form of the new junction on the A39 and the corresponding access road, and indirect impacts in the form of the proposed development on the former ROF site. As has been previously described the proposed access road would link the former ROF site to the A39, with roundabout junctions on the A39 and the Woolavington Road. The construction of the proposed access road would necessitate the removal of a number of trees and sections of hedgerow (See Figure 6.24), the replacement planting palette has been selected from native species in order to ensure that it reflects that which is indigenous to the area and would blend in the most successfully with the surrounding landscape. The access road has been designed to incorporate a 3-4m high earth bund on its northern side to help separate it from the southern edge of Puriton and a green bridge to allow riders and walkers safe access to the land to the south. Both of these features would be graded and planted with indigenous species to help integrate the road into the wider landscape over time.
6.8.20 While there is currently aural intrusion into this CA in the form of the fast moving A39 and the M5, the wider area is relatively quiet and tranquil. While noise impact has been covered in detail in a separate chapter, it should be considered here in as much as the introduction of the road (both in terms of noise and movement) would decrease the tranquillity for walkers and riders using the footpaths in this area.
6.8.21 The redevelopment of the site would increase the volume of built form on the Levels. From elevated views on the Polden Hills this becomes more apparent than from those lower down and perhaps closer. This increase in urban form indirectly impacts on the character of this area.
6.8.22 This character area would receive an indirect impact from the lighting introduced in association with the proposals on the former ROF site, albeit this would be less intrusive than that which currently exists (see Appendix 6.7). However, the introduction of the proposed new access road would introduce lighting into an area which is currently unlit and constitute a direct adverse impact.
103
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.8.23 When the proposed access road and the new developments on the ROF site are assessed together they are considered to constitute a ‘Notable change in landscape characteristics over a wider area of intensive change over a limited area’, that is a ‘High’ magnitude of change at year 1 resulting in a ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’. While the planting associated with the development would continue to mature and soften the proposed development, it would remain at ‘Substantial Adverse’ at Year 15.
6.9 ASSESSMENT OF VISUAL IMPACTS – OPERATIONAL STAGE (HYBRID APPLICATION)
6.9.1 In order to demonstrate the theoretical visibility of the proposed new developed a ZVI model was run, based on the 15m high roof height of one of the B2/B8 units in the central area of the site. As illustrated in Figure 6.31 this shows that the proposed units under consideration would have a reduced sphere of influence in the wider landscape when compared to that which is existing. However, as previously noted this does not account for vegetation and built form which considerably reduced the area from which development would be visible.
6.9.2 The existing industrial buildings and chimneys located on site are an incongruous element in the wider landscape. The colours, predominantly white or red are visually prominent and several reach over 30m in height. Their removal would constitute a beneficial visual impact from the VRs surrounding the site.
VR12 – View looking south east from the edge of the M5 adjacent to the Huntspill River. (1400m from site boundary) Photomontage Viewpoint (Medium Sensitivity)
6.9.3 The development proposals would bring forward the removal of the existing buildings and chimneys in the centre of the site that are currently visible from this VR, several of which exceed a height of 30m AOD. Their replacements, in the form of B1, B2 and B8 units as previously described would sit much lower in the landscape, reaching a maximum height of 20.80m AOD, meaning that when viewed from the M5 none of the buildings would break the skyline.
104
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.9.4 Much of this new development would be screened by the existing trees on site as well as intervening vegetation off site, this, coupled with the use of the ‘landscape colours’ to clad the buildings would result in them blending with the intervening and surrounding landscape colours. This is demonstrated in the photomontages, Figure 6.44 shows how the development would look during the winter months at Year 1, before the proposed structure planting has had a chance to mature. While it would be possible to discern the new rooflines they would not be a prominent feature in the landscape. Figure 6.45 shows the same view during the winter months at Year 15, by this time the structure planting would have matured to screen out much of the development. By Year 15 in the summer months (Figure 6.46) it would be quite difficult to discern the development.
6.9.5 From this VR it is theoretically possible to discern the alignment of the proposed access road, albeit the road as it runs to the south of Puriton would be concealed by the bund. As is demonstrated in the photomontages, there would be little discernible difference between the existing situation and the proposals from this VR.
6.9.6 The LIA found that there would have no adverse impacts associated with the former ROF site or the proposed access road.
6.9.7 The removal of the existing built form and the introduction of the proposed access road and the B1, B2 and B8 units considered together would constitute a ‘Very Low’ magnitude of change at Year 1 resulting in a ‘Minor Neutral Effect’. By Year 15 the structure planting along the northern boundary would have reached approximately 8-11.5 m in height, further screening the units and helping to assimilate them into the wider landscape. At this point, given the removal of the old industrial units, the effect would reduce to ‘Minor Beneficial’.
VR13 – View looking east towards the Site from Batch Road (700m from the Site boundary) (Low Sensitivity)
6.9.8 From this VR it would just be possible to discern the outline of some of the B8 units to the west of the site, albeit they would be partially screened by existing vegetation and further absorbed into the surrounding landscape by the use of the landscape colour palette. The existing buildings in the centre of the site currently break the skyline and their removal would improve the view. While in some places the proposed buildings may form the skyline from this VR, in some places the trees would be higher ensuring that this is a muted effect.
105
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.9.9 The alignment of the proposed access road would be visible from this VR, albeit it would be concealed by the bund to the north of the road. The lighting associated with the road would largely appear in the context of the village as a small extension to the illuminated area.
6.9.10 The development as a whole is considered to constitute a ‘minimal alteration to the key features or characteristics of the existing view’ and as such the magnitude of change would be ‘Very Low’ resulting in a ‘Negligible Effect’ at year 1. This would remain the case at Year 15.
VR14 – View looking north towards the Site from the Woolavington Road (250m from the Site boundary) Photomontage Viewpoint (Medium Sensitivity)
6.9.11 The removal of the existing site buildings, several of which contrast quite strongly with the background landscape, and their replacement with the B1, B2 and B8 units which would generally sit lower in the landscape and blend more successfully with the background landscape would constitute a ‘minor alteration’ to the existing view. These buildings would generally sit below the existing skyline as is demonstrated in the photomontage illustrating the development in the winter months a Year 1 (Figure 6.49)
6.9.12 The proposed access road would be visible to the left of view, and this would result in an increase in ambient light levels during the hours of darkness.
6.9.13 While they are recognised as an incongruous element in the landscape which should be removed at a later date, the cypress trees on the site boundary would be retained in the short to medium term as they offer a strong visual screen to the southern boundary of the site throughout the year.
6.9.14 By the winter of Year 15, views of the development would be heavily filtered and in the summer months it would be largely screened from view by the existing and proposed planting.
6.9.15 The overall magnitude of change to this view is considered to be ‘Low’ resulting in a ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’. As the structure planting matures, the development will become further assimilated into the landscape and by Year 15 the development will be mostly screened from view in the summer months (See Figure 6.51) and the effect would have reduced to ‘Minor Adverse’.
106
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
VR15 – View looking north towards the Site from the Woolavington Road (380m from the Site boundary) (Medium Sensitivity)
6.9.16 The introduction of the proposed development would constitute a ‘barely discernable’ change to this view. The proposed access road is not visible to this VR and while the B2 units on Plot H may be just discernible during the winter months, the remainder of the site would remain screened by existing intervening vegetation. The existing building and chimneys that protrude above the trees to the skyline would be removed, with those that replace them being located below the tree line.
6.9.17 The LIA found that there would be no adverse effects for this VR.
6.9.18 Overall the proposed development would constitute a ‘Very Low’ magnitude of change at Year 1 resulting in a ‘Minor Neutral Effect’. This would remain the same at Year 15.
VR16 – View looking south west from the car park adjacent to The Causeway immediately to the south of the Huntspill River (800m from Site boundary) Photomontage Viewpoint (Medium Sensitivity)
6.9.19 Only the B2 and B8 elements of the proposed development would be visible from this VR, with the B1 and proposed access road being screened by topography and built form.
6.9.20 The existing buildings are clearly visible and form an incongruous and garish element in the landscape, with a few of their chimneys breaking the skyline. Their removal would constitute a positive visual effect. While the buildings that would replace them are of a larger scale and mass, they would sit considerably lower in the landscape, never breaking the skyline and their landscape coloured tones would blend more sympathetically with the surrounding landscape as can be seen in the Year 1, winter Photomontage (Figure 6.54). The lighting assessment found that the proposals would constitute an improvement on the existing situation.
6.9.21 At Year 1 the proposed development would constitute a ‘Low’ Magnitude of change resulting in a ‘Moderate Neutral Effect’. By Year 15 the structure planting would have matured sufficiently to screen out the larger proportion of built form as shown in both the winter and summer photomontages (Figures 6.55 and 6.56). This would reduce the effect to ‘Minor Beneficial’ in the medium to long term.
107
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
VR17 – View looking west from the Causeway towards the Site (60m from Site boundary) (Low Sensitivity)
6.9.22 From this VR the majority of the proposed development, including the access road would not be visible. The only elements of the development that would be visible are the B2 units associated with Plot H. Despite being relatively low in height in relation to that which is existing, their proximity to the site boundary and slight elevation above the road would result in them breaking the skyline from this VR. This would constitute a ‘High’ magnitude of change and a ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’ at Year 1. By Year 15 it is anticipated that the structure planting along the eastern boundary would have achieved a height in the region of 8-11.5m and would have screened out much of the development, even during the winter months. By this point the effect would reduce to ‘Minor Adverse’.
VR18 – View looking north from the footpath to the east of Puriton (500m from former ROF Site boundary and 250m from proposed roundabout on Woolavington Road) (Medium Sensitivity)
6.9.23 From this VR little of the former ROF site is visible, albeit a few of the taller buildings sit proud of the existing trees; these would be demolished, removing a detracting element from this view. The proposed B1, B2 and B8 units would sit lower in the landscape and would mostly be screened by existing intervening vegetation, their landscape tones helping them to further blend into their surroundings.
6.9.24 While the road itself would not be visible from this VR the lighting columns associated with it would be, as would the higher sided vehicles travelling along it. At Year 1 this would constitute a ‘Low’ magnitude of change resulting in a ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’. By Year 15 the structure planting around the site entrance would have matured considerably, helping to further assimilate the development into the wider environment, however it would still be possible to see some of the larger vehicles travelling along the access road as they approach the site, particularly during the winter months. By this time it would have dropped to a ‘Minor Adverse Effect’.
108
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
VR19 – View looking north from Bridleway adjacent to Home Covert (1060 from former ROF Site boundary) Photomontage Viewpoint (High Sensitivity)
6.9.25 From this elevated VR it is possible to see a large proportion of the former ROF site, with the buildings along Main Road being clearly visible. Their removal would constitute an improvement on the existing situation. While the new B1, B2 & B8 buildings would be lower in height and coloured in landscape tones, their mass and scale would be greater than that which is existing and would introduce additional built form into the middle distance of this view. The proposed development would not break the skyline when viewed from this VR. As is illustrated in the Year 1 winter Photomontage (Figure 6.59) the grey roofs and the landscape colours of the proposed buildings would significantly help to absorb them into their surroundings.
6.9.26 By Year 15 (Figures 6.60 & 6.61) both the peripheral structure planting and the internal planting would have matured to further assimilate the development into the existing landscape. The Year 15 winter photomontage shows that there would continue to be filtered views towards the site, although these would reduced during the summer months by existing planting in the foreground. Over time this planting would continue to mature and further screen the development.
6.9.27 The proposed access road itself would not be visible from this VR, albeit, the top of the green bridge would be visible to the left of view.
6.9.28 These changes would give rise to a ’noticeable change’ to the existing view and as such are considered to cause a ‘Medium’ magnitude of change and a ‘Substantial’ Adverse Effect’ at Year 1. By Year 15 the proposed structure planting would have matured and have begun to soften the buildings, and the effect would reduce to ‘Moderate Adverse’.
109
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
VR20 – View looking north from Hillside as it enters Puriton from the south (1000 from former ROF Site boundary 75 m from Proposed Access Road) Photomontage Viewpoint (Medium Sensitivity)
6.9.29 The introduction of the proposed access road would be the most significant change to the view afforded to this VR. As can be seen in the photomontage prepared to illustrate the situation during the winter months at Year 1 (Figure 6.64) the proposed bund would screen the existing houses on the southern edge of the village from the outset, with the traffic on the new road being visible in the foreground. The proposed B1, B2 and B8 buildings would be visible in the middle distance, albeit the landscape coloured tones would help to blend them in with their surroundings and none would break the skyline.
6.9.30 By the winter of Year 15 (Figure 6.65) the planting along the bund would have increased in height to approximately 11m and would entirely screen the village and the buildings on the former ROF site from this VR. The proposed trees would then form much of the skyline and filter the long views to the Mendips. The traffic on the road would remain visible in the foreground. Views from this VR would be significantly constrained during the summer months as demonstrated in both the baseline photograph and the Year 15 summer photomontage (Figure 6.66) which shows the proposed roadside planting forming the skyline beyond the hedge.
6.9.31 The LIA found that there would be increase levels of lighting visible to this VR during the hours of darkness.
6.9.32 This view would be considerably changed by the introduction of the proposed development which would constitute a ‘High’ magnitude of change and ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’. While the structure planting associated with the proposed access road would mature overtime the view would remain significantly changed from that which is existing and as such this effect would not reduce by Year 15.
110
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
VR21 – View looking north west from Crancombe Lane as it passes/enters Woolavington (800m from Site boundary) Photomontage Viewpoint (Medium Sensitivity)
6.9.33 The existing cluster of buildings at the centre of the site are visible in the middle distance to this VR. The proposed B1, B2 and B8 units would sit lower in the landscape than the existing buildings and would not break the skyline, but would have a larger scale and mass. Much of the proposed development would be obscured from view by intervening topography and vegetation, however due to its slightly elevated nature, this VR would be able to see the roof tops of the units in the centre of the site (Plots D & F) as well as the walls and roofs of the buildings on Plot H on the eastern boundary. As demonstrated in the Year 1 winter photomontage (Figure 6.69), the green and grey palette adopted for the scheme would help to assimilate the development into its surroundings. By Year 15 (Figures 6.70 and 6.71) the maturing peripheral and internal structure planting would have helped to further soften the development. The proposed access road would not be visible to this VR.
6.9.34 The lighting assessment found that there were no adverse effects on this visual receptor during the hours of darkness.
6.9.35 At Year 1 the magnitude of change is considered to be ‘Medium’ in that the view is ‘noticeably changed’ resulting in a ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’. By Year 15 the structure planting would have matured to a height of 8-11.5m which would help to further assimilate the development into its surroundings. This would be particularly evident along the eastern boundary, reducing the magnitude of change to ‘Low’. This would mean that the effect remains ‘Moderate Adverse’.
111
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
VR22 – View looking south east along the A39 to the south of Puriton (1100m from former ROF Site, 0 m from proposed new junction) Photomontage Viewpoint (Medium Sensitivity)
6.9.36 As demonstrated in the photomontages (Figures 6.74, 6.75 and 6.76) the view experienced by drivers travelling along the A39 and the residents living to the south of the A39 would change from one that is relatively constrained by the existing roadside planting to one that becomes more open, as the road opens out to form the roundabout junction. This would be the dominant feature in the foreground. The proposed roundabout would be lit and the street lamps would add to the increased urban character of the view. As demonstrated in the Year 1 photomontage (Figure 6.74) the proposed B1, B2 and B8 units on the former ROF site would not be visible from this VR..
6.9.37 As demonstrated in both the summer and winter Year 15 photomontages, the roadside vegetation and that planted in the centre of the roundabout would have matured to reduce the proportion of the new road that would be visible and ‘soften’ the new junction, helping to assimilate it into its wider surroundings.
6.9.38 The introduction of this junction would require lighting in accordance with SCC requirements. Given that this is currently an unlit section of road the LIA found that there would be adverse impact during the hours of darkness.
6.9.39 The overall magnitude of change is considered to be ‘HIgh’ giving rise to a ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’ at Year 1by Year 15 this would reduce to ‘Moderate Adverse’.
VR23 – View looking south from Cypress Drive towards the proposed access road (50 m form proposed access road) Photomontage Viewpoint (Medium Sensitivity)
6.9.40 As is demonstrated by the Year 1 winter photomontage (Figure 6.79) the introduction of the bund would screen the road from the outset. The effect of the bund, and the native planting along it, would be to shorten the view available to this VR. As demonstrated in the photomontages (Figure 6.80 & 6.81), by Year 15 the planting would have matured to absorb the bund and will appear as a belt of young woodland.
6.9.41 During the hours of darkness the street lighting to the west of Hillside would form a change in the night time view as is stated in the LIA.
112
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.9.42 While the road would not be visible, the shorter view would be a ‘noticeable change’ to this visual receptor and constitute a ‘Medium’ magnitude of change resulting in a ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’.
VR24 – View looking east from Pawlett (2.7kms from the Site) (Low Sensitivity)
6.9.43 From this VR it is possible to discern the tops of some of the taller existing buildings on the site and the block of woodland in the site’s north western corner is also visible. The proposed new B1, B2 and B8 buildings would sit lower in the landscape and would be screened by intervening vegetation. It would not be possible to see the proposed access road from this VR. The removal of the existing buildings would result a ‘barely discernible change’ and a ‘Very Low’ magnitude of change, resulting in a ‘Negligible Beneficial Effect’ from Year 1. This would remain the same at Year 15.
VR25 – View looking east from Stert Drove (7kms from the Site) (Medium Sensitivity)
6.9.44 As previously described it is possible to pick out the block of woodland in the north western corner, but not possible to discern the existing buildings with the naked eye from this VR and the alignment of the proposed access road is obscured by Pawlett Hill. The introduction of the proposed development would cause ‘No change’ to the existing view from Year 1 onwards.
VR26 – View looking north east from the Quantock Hills (17kms from the Site) (Very High Sensitivity)
6.9.45 Given the distance between this receptor and the site and the difficulty in identifying the existing buildings, it would not be possible to discern the proposed buildings from this visual receptor. The alignment of the proposed access road would not be visible, situated as it is on the northern side of the Polden Hills. The introduction of the proposed development would cause ‘No change’ to the existing view from Year 1 onwards.
VR27 – View looking north from the M5 (5.5kms from the Site) (Low Sensitivity)
6.9.46 The proposed development and the access road would not be visible from this VR and there would be ‘No Change’ to the view from Year 1 onwards.
113
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
VR28 – View looking west from Glastonbury Tor (17.5kms from the Site) (Very High Sensitivity)
6.9.47 Given the distance between this receptor and the site and the difficulty in discerning the existing buildings, it would not be possible to identify the proposed buildings or the proposed access road from this VR. The introduction of the proposed development would cause ‘No change’ to the existing view from Year 1 onwards.
VR29 – View looking south from the Mendip Hills (15kms from the Site) (Very High Sensitivity)
6.9.48 Given the distance between this receptor and the Site and the difficulty in discerning the existing buildings, it would not be possible to discern the proposed buildings or the proposed access road from this VR. The introduction of the proposed development would cause ‘No change’ to the existing view from Year 1 onwards.
VR30 – View looking south east from the Brent Knoll (8.5kms from the Site) (Very High Sensitivity)
6.9.49 Given the distance between this receptor and the site and the difficulty in discerning the existing buildings, it would not be possible to identify the proposed buildings or the proposed access road from this VR. The introduction of the proposed development would cause ‘No change’ to the existing view from Year 1 onwards.
6.10 SUMMARY
6.10.1 This chapter has considered the potential landscape and visual impacts associated with the redevelopment of the former ROF site at Puriton, Somerset as an Energy Park. The hybrid application comprises the following energy related employment uses: B1a, b or c buildings (Plots B, C1 and C2), B2 buildings (Plot H) and B8 buildings (Plots A, D and F) and the following infrastructure comprising: new road access onto the A39, internal road system, public open space, , footpaths, cycle routes, landscaping and drainage along with associated works.
6.10.2 The former ROF Site is designated as an ‘Energy Park’ as outlined in the ‘Puriton Energy Park Supplementary Planning Document’ adopted by Sedgemoor District Council in 2012.
114
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.10.3 There are no specific landscape designations associated with the former ROF site, albeit its western fringe sits within an area of ‘high sensitivity in relations to road corridors’ as defined by the Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment and Countryside Design Summary (2003). It is also home to a number of ’Locally Import Nature Reserves’ as designated in the Sedgemoor District Local Plan.
6.10.4 The alignment of the proposed access road runs through a ‘visually prominent area of high quality landscape’ as defined by the SLA.
6.10.5 The site is situated on the Somerset Levels, at the foot of the Polden Hills. There is a strong inter-visibility between these two areas. The former ROF site is unusual in being a large ‘brownfield’ site within, what is otherwise, a rural landscape. The site was operated as a munitions factory from the late 1930s until it ceased operations in 2008. The large industrial buildings and chimneys associated with this factory remain and are visible within the surrounding landscape.
6.10.6 There are two AONBs within a 15km radius of the site. To the north the Mendip Hills form the backdrop to the Levels and their ridgeline is visible as a backdrop to the site when viewed from the Polden Hills, and to a lesser degree the Levels. 15 km to the south west lie the Quantock Hills, their relationship with the site is much weaker, with their ridgeline only forming a backdrop to the site when viewed from the north east. In views from both of these AONBs it is difficult to discern the site with the naked eye, albeit existing chimneys can be seen with the aid of binoculars.
6.10.7 In assessing the landscape and visual impacts that might be associated with this development the following receptors were identified:
5 landscape character areas as defined by the SLA (See Figure6.6);
7 local landscape character areas (See Figure 6.7);
19 visual receptors (8 were chosen as photomontage viewpoints) All visual receptors and photomontage viewpoints and the LVIA methodology were agreed with the LPA (See Figures 6.1 and 6.2 and Appendix 6.4)
6.10.8 The visual impact assessment has been supported by a series of photomontages which show the development at Year 1 during the winter months and Year 15 during summer and winter.
115
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.10.9 The development of the proposals has been an iterative process, with the findings of the landscape and visual assessment baseline data informing the location of buildings on site, the buildings’ colour palette and the location of ground modelling and planting.
Year 1 Effects (hybrid application)
6.10.10 At Year 1 the landscape and visual effect are assessed as:
Landscape character areas as defined by the SLA:
1 ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’
1 ‘Minor Adverse Effect’
3 ‘No Change’
Local landscape character areas
2 ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’
2 ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’
1 ‘Minor Adverse Effect
1 ‘Minor Neutral Effect’
1 ‘No Change’
Visual receptors:
4 ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’
5 ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’
2 ‘Minor Neutral Effect’
1 ‘Negligible’
1 ‘Negligible Beneficial’
6 ‘No Change’
116
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.10.11 Beyond Year 1 the effects would be expected to diminish as the planting in and around the development begins to mature and helps to assimilate the proposals into their wider environment. This would continue to be the case at Year 15 and beyond.
Year 15 Effects (hybrid application)
6.10.12 At Year 15 the landscape and visual effect are assessed as:
Landscape character areas as defined by the Sedgemoor District Landscape Assessment:
1 ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’
1 ‘Minor Adverse Effect’
3 ‘No Change’
Local landscape character areas:
2 ‘Substantial Adverse Effect’
1 ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’
2 ‘Minor Adverse Effect’
1 ‘Minor Neutral Effect’
1 ‘No Change’
Visual receptors:
1 ‘Substantial Adverse Impact’
5 ‘Moderate Adverse Effect’
3 ‘Minor Adverse Effect
1 ‘Minor Neutral Effect’
1 ‘Minor Beneficial’
1 ‘Negligible’
1 ‘Negligible Beneficial’
117
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6 ‘No Change’
6.10.13 Tables 6.7 and 6.8 summarise the findings below (for detailed Impact Tables see Appendix 6.3)
Table 6.7 Landscape Effects
LCA Year 1 Year 15
Sedgemoor Landscape Minor Adverse Minor Adverse Assessment ‘Levels and Moors’
Sedgemoor Landscape Moderate Adverse Moderate Adverse Assessment ‘Polden Hills
Sedgemoor Landscape No Change No Change Assessment ‘Lowland Hills ‘Wider Area’
Mendips AONB No Change No Change
Quantocks AONB No Change No Change
CA1 – Former ROF Site Minor Neutral Minor Neutral
CA2 – Moors and Levels north Moderate Adverse Minor Adverse of Woolavington
CA3 – Moors and Levels No Change No change adjacent to the M5
CA4 – Land to the south of the Substantial Adverse Substantial Adverse former ROF site
CA5 - Puriton Moderate Adverse Moderate Adverse
118
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
CA6 - Woolavington Minor Adverse Minor Adverse
CA7 – Polden Hills Substantial Adverse Substantial Adverse
Table 6.8 Visual Effects
VR Year 1 Year 15
12 View looking east from the edge of the Minor Neutral Minor Beneficial M5 adjacent to the Huntspill River
13 View looking east towards the Site from Negligible Negligible Batch Road
14 View looking north towards the Site form Moderate Adverse Minor Adverse the Woolavington Road
15 View looking north towards the Site from Minor Neutral Minor Neutral the Woolavington Road adjacent to Martlands Farm
16 View looking south west from the car Moderate Neutral Minor Beneficial park adjacent to The Causeway immediately to the south of the Huntspill River
17 View looking west from The Causeway Moderate Adverse Minor Adverse towards the Site
18 View looking north from the footpath to Moderate Adverse Minor Adverse the east of Puriton
19 View looking north from the bridleway Substantial Adverse Moderate Adverse adjacent to Home Covert
119
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
20 View looking north from Hillside as it Substantial Adverse Substantial Adverse enters Puriton
21 View looking north west from Moderate Adverse Moderate Adverse Crancombe Lane as it passes/enters Woolavington
22 View looking south east along the A39 to Substantial Adverse Moderate Adverse the south of Puriton
23 View looking south from Cypress Drive Moderate Adverse Moderate Adverse towards the proposed access road
24 View looking east from Pawlett Negligible Beneficial Negligible Beneficial
25 View looking east from Stert Drove No Change No Change
26 View looking north east form the No Change No Change Quantock Hills (AONB)
27 View looking north from the bridge No Change No Change above the M5
28 View looking west from Glastonbury Tor No Change No Change
29 View looking south from the Mendip Hills No Change No Change (AONB)
30 View looking south east from Brent Knoll No Change No Change
120
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.10.14 The landscape and visual impact assessment has established that removal of the existing industrial units and the redevelopment of the site with B1, B2 and B8 development would give rise to few significant adverse effects. Adverse effects associated with this development are primarily focused on the proposed access road, albeit these effects are concentrated on a relatively small area to the south of Puriton. In consideration of these adverse effects the development proposals have incorporated ‘in built’ and post development mitigation measures in the form of a 3-4m bund to screen the road and minimise any aural intrusion, together with a 12m wide belt of structure planting that would continue to mature and help to assimilate the road into its surroundings year on year.
6.10.15 The landscape and visual impact assessment has established that removal of the existing industrial units and the redevelopment of the site with B1, B2 and B8 development would give rise to few adverse effects.
121
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY
122
HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
6.1 INTRODUCTION
6.1.1 This chapter provides a review and update of changes that have occurred to the site, the wider context (existing and future baseline) and the resultant EIA since the ES (April 2013) and the ES Update (October 2013). The information has been updated only where changes material to the assessment have occurred. Otherwise the original information still stands and has not been repeated here-in. This being the case, this ES Addendum should be read in conjunction with the ES Chapter (April 2013) and the ES Update (October 2013).
6.1.2 The Richards Partnership, an established practice of chartered landscape architects, were appointed to carry out a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) of the development proposals for a hybrid planning application for an Energy Park, with all matters reserved apart from access. Given that a period of four years has now elapsed since the original assessment was undertaken, BAE have instructed The Richards Partnership to revisit the site and surrounding area to re-assess the `baseline' situation. This is in order to assess and include any changes to the landscape character or visual amenity of the area which may have occurred since the ES (April 2013).
6.1.3 In addition to the above the best practice guidelines for landscape and visual assessment have been amended and updated in the intervening period. These now comprise The Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact (2013) Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment and An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment —October 2014 -Christine Tudor. The Richards Partnership have been working to these guidelines for some time and have updated their LVIA methodology to accord with them; this methodology is used in this ES Addendum.
6.1.4 Given that the components of the proposed development have not changed since the ES (April 2013) application, the photomontages produced for that application are still considered to be representative and relevant and as such have not been updated as part of this addendum.
6.1.5 Originally, given the long term objective for the site is for it to be developed as an Energy Park, it was agreed with both Sedgemoor District Council (SDC) and Somerset County Council (SCC) that for the purposes of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment chapter of the (EIA), the baseline situation would be as described in the Landscape and
13 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Visual Appraisal submitted in support of the earlier, 2011, remediation application. However, given the passage of time that has elapsed since this earlier, 2011, application, it has now been agreed with SDC that this chapter of the ES should be updated to describe the current(2017) baseline situation.
6.1.6 The landscape and visual assessment was carried out through a desk study of relevant documents and by field study work undertaken during April and May 2017. The location of the viewpoints contained in the assessment is the same as agreed (with one minor amendment —Viewpoint 25) in the 2013 ES, the landscape character areas are as previously described, again with two minor amendments(CA4 and CA6).
6.2 LEGISLATION, POLICY AND GUIDANCE
6.2.1 There is no change to the legislative and policy framework from the ES (April 2013).
6.3 METHODOLOGY
6.3.1 The approach employed in carrying out the landscape and visual assessment of the development proposals is drawn from the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management, Assessments "Guide lines for Landscape and Visual Assessment" Third Edition (2013) (GLVIA3) and An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment —Christine Tudor (2014). The full, updated, methodology is included in Appendix 6.2: LVIA Methodology ES Addendum (June 2017).
6.4 BASELINE CONDITIONS
Site Description
6.4.1 The site is made up of a number of elements comprising the former munitions factory site whose limits are defined by a 2m high security fence, a number of agricultural fields, a reed bed, a `borrow piY, the site entrance area, a section of disused railway line and a corridor of land running from the A39 to the south of Puriton and up to the Woolavington Road. The site has changed since the 2013 ES as described in Chapter 3: Site and Environs, Key elements of this baseline are reproduced here for clarity.
Description of Former Munitions Site within the Security Fence
6.4.2 The main body of the site consists of the former high explosives factory, which ceased to be operational in 2008. Since that time the site has been gradually decommissioned with the majority of the buildings on site being demolished. A small number of buildings
14 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
remain, generally around the periphery; large piles of rubble are located where a number of the buildings used to stand.
6.4.3 This area is generally flat. However, the site's significant topographical features consist of numerous 4-6 metres high, grass covered blast mounds that are scattered across it. The explosives buildings that were once located within these mounds have now been decommissioned and demolished to slab level.
6.4.4 The remaining bunds have now been re-colonised by grassland species giving the appearance of a series of small grassed hummocks scattered across the landscape.
6.4.5 The most significant block of planting within the site is a tall, mature stand of Hybrid Black Poplar in the north-western area/block of the site which is clearly visible in the wider landscape. Within this area are two newt ponds, which were introduced as part of an ecological mitigation programme associated with the decommissioning works.
6.4.6 The most obvious change to this site since the ES (April 2013) has been the ongoing decommissioning process, which has seen the removal of the majority of the buildings along with their associated chimneys, which were previously a feature when viewed from the wider landscape. The character of the site, however, remains that of a derelict, previously industrial landscape.
6.4.7 An updated Lighting Impact Assessment (LIA) is appended to this chapter. This addendum reports on all changes to the predicted effects of the lighting, only those changes that are significant are noted in this chapter.
Description of BAE Land outside the Security Fence and corridor of land connecting with the A39 subject to the Planning Application
6.4.8 There is no material change to the BAE land outside the Security Fence and the corridor of land connecting with the A39 subject to the Planning Application from that described in the ES (April 2013).
Historic Context
6.4.9 There is no change to the historical context from the ES (April 2013).
15 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Landscape Character Area Description —District Level
6.4.10 The following descriptions of detailed Local Landscape Character Areas in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Energy Park are the result of a desk top and field studies and were made with reference to the following documents:
• The Character of England Landscape, Wildlife and Cultural Features Map -National Character Area 142/3 Somerset Levels and Moors/Mid Somerset Hills
• Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment and Countryside Design Summary (2003)(SLA) Landscape Character Areas 'Levels and Moors' and `Lowland Hills'
6.4.11 Since the ES (April 2013), the National Character Area profiles have been updated. The current relevant documents are:
• National Character Area profile: 142: Somerset Levels and Moors, which includes the site; and
• National Character Area profile: 143 Mid Somerset Hills, which includes the Polden Hills immediately to the south of the site.
6.4.12 These documents are essentially an updated, and more detailed assessment of the character of this area of Somerset and do not form a material change to that included within the ES (April 2013).
6.4.13 The Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment and Countryside Design Summary (2003) remains the current landscape character assessment at the local level and as such there is no change from the ES (April 2013).
6.4.14 The following section re-visits the landscape character areas in light of the updated LVIA methodology, considering the `value' and 'susceptibility' of the landscape receptors and their resulting 'sensitivity' —highlighting any changes from the ES (April 2013).
6.4.15 The following character areas defined within the SLA were identified as being of relevance to the original assessment. These are as follows:
• Character Area (c) `Levels' a sub category of "4. Levels and Moors" (which includes the former ROF site); and
16 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
• Character Area (c) Polden Hills a sub category of "6. Lowland Hills" which encompasses the area to the south of the site through which the proposed access road would run;
6.4.16 The ES (April 2013) assessed the sensitivity of Character Area (c)'Levels' a sub category of `4' Levels and Moors" as being of `medium' sensitivity.
6.4.17 Applying the updated methodology, it is considered that the `Levels', while not a designated landscape are of national significance, exhibit a strong sense of place and support a number of elements in good condition and as such are of `high' value. With regard to the susceptibility of this landscape receptor, the proposals would be located within a discrete area that is currently a derelict industrial site, and as such would be `able to accommodate the type of development proposed without undue negative consequences to the baseline situation' and as such is of `low' susceptibility. On balance, it is considered that the sensitivity of this area remains `medium'.
6.4.18 The ES (April 2013) assessed the sensitivity of Character Area (c) `Polden Hills' a sub category of '6' "Lowland Hills" as being of 'high' sensitivity.
6.4.19 Applying the updated methodology, it is considered that the `Polden Hills', while not designated, are a prominent feature in the local landscape, with elements that are in good condition and that contribute positively to the local sense of place. They are also noted within the SLA as being one of the districts `visually prominent areas of high quality landscape' and as such it is considered to be of `high' value. The larger part of the application site is located outwith this area, but retains an inter-visibility between the former ROF site and the northern face of the hills at their eastern extent. The line of the proposed access road, however, would travel through the easternmost part of this character area. Allowing for the size of the character area and the small part that has the potential to be affected, it is considered that the area would be `partly able to accommodate the type of development proposed without undue negative consequences to the baseline situation', and as such is of 'medium' susceptibility. Nonetheless, on balance the overall sensitivity of this area is considered to remain `high'.
6.4.20 There are two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within a 15 km radius of the site, The Mendips and the Quantock AONB. The ES (April 2013) assessed both these areas to be of `very high' sensitivity.
6.4.21 Both these areas have been designated for their natural beauty and exhibit landscapes that are in good condition and provide a strong sense of place, as such they are
17 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
considered to be of `very high' value. However, they are both some distance from the site (15km in the case of the Mendips and 12km in the case of the Quantocks), and while there is an inter-visibility between the site and both of these areas, the site forms a very small element within the wider levels landscape and is not easily discernible from either ridge, nor does it play a significant role of the setting of either area. As such its susceptibility to the proposed development is considered to be 'low', with the resulting sensitivity being assessed as `high'.
Local Landscape Character Areas
6.4.22 In accordance with good practice, The Richards Partnership have defined Local Landscape Character Areas for this assessment.
CA 1 —Former ROF Site (Within the Security Fence)
6.4.23 The inner boundary of the site sits wholly within `Area 4.c The Levels' of the Somerset Landscape Assessment. Given its history and use it is appropriate to describe this area as having an individual landscape character different to that of the surrounding area.
6.4.24 As previously noted, since the ES (April 2013), the site has undergone an extensive remediation process and the majority of the buildings within the site have been demolished, leaving behind the road network with the foundations of the old buildings and piles of rubble, along with the remains of the blast bunds, which have been recolonised by grass.
6.4.25 As part of the remediation the elevated pipeline that once ran along the sides of the road have been removed, leaving their supporting concrete pillars.
6.4.26 The character of this area remains one of an old disused industrial site, albeit without the industrial buildings that originally populated it, which remains an anomaly within the wider landscape which surrounds it.
6.4.27 The area does not lie within a designated landscape, and neither does it exhibit many of the attributes of the `Levels' landscape which surrounds it. However, it does have a number of mature trees, the majority of which are located towards the periphery of the site, along with ditches that are remnants of the old rhyne system. The remnants of the blast bunds, now grassed over, serve as an interesting reminder of the site's previous incarnation. Nonetheless its predominant characteristic is one of a derelict industrial landscape and as such its landscape value is considered to be 'low'. With regard to susceptibility, given its previous use as an industrial site, it is considered that there would
18 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
be some capacity to accommodate new development, without undue negative consequences and as such its susceptibility is considered to be `Medium. On balance the sensitivity of this LLCA is considered to be `low'. The ES (April 2013) found that this LLCA was of a 'very low' sensitivity. However taking into account the updated methodology and the loss of the tall buildings and chimneys which used to populate the site, it is considered that this is no longer the case.
CA 2 —Moors and Levels North of Woolavington
6.4.28 There is no material change to character of this area from that described in the ES (April 2013), apart from the introduction of a new solar park to the east of The Causeway and South of the Huntspill River and the improvements to the fishing lake, adjacent to the site's eastern boundary
6.4.29 This area is typical of the flat Levels landscape described in both National Character Area 142 and the SLA. The ES (April 2013)found the area to be of `medium' sensitivity.
6.4.30 Applying the updated methodology, it is considered that, while the landscape is not designated, it does display many of the attributes for which the Somerset Levels is well known, including the network of rhynes, and hedgerows, many of which have a strong component of willow. These contribute positively to the character and sense of place within this landscape and as such its value is considered to be `high'. A small part of the site boundary falls within this character area, albeit it is not proposed to build upon it, and any other effects upon its character would be as a result of setting or inter-visibility. As such its susceptibility is considered to be `low'. As such it is considered the overall sensitivity would remain as `medium'.
CA 3 —Levels and Moors Adjacent to the M5
6.4.31 There is no material change to character of this area from that described in the ES (April 2013). The ES (April 2013)found the sensitivity of this character area to be `Low'.
6.4.32 Applying the updated methodology, it is considered that while the landscape displays many of the characteristics typical of the Levels, there are in addition a large number of man-made detractors in this area. These include the M5, the Walpole Landfill Site, the railway line and solar farm. As such the value of this landscape receptor is judged to be `Medium'. A small part of the site boundary falls within this character area, in the form of the old railway connection, which may be re-instated, and any other effects upon its character would be as a result of setting or inter-visibility. As such its susceptibility is
19 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
considered to be `low'. As such it is considered the overall sensitivity would remain as `low'.
CA 4 —Land to the South of the Former ROF Site
6.4.33 There is no material change to character of this area from that described in the ES (April 2013), apart from the introduction of the new housing development at the western edge of Woolavington. The boundary of this character area has been amended to remove this small area and place it within CA6 Woolavington. The ES (April 2013) assessed this area as being of 'medium' sensitivity.
6.4.34 The character of this area is predominantly rural in character, albeit with a number of urban influences including the large areas of hardstanding and buildings adjacent to the entrance of the former ROF site and the urban edges of both Puriton and Woolavington.
6.4.35 Applying the updated methodology, it is considered that the landscape supports a number of elements which make a positive contribution to its character, particularly the many mature trees. However, there are also a number of urban influences and on balance its value is judged to be `medium'. Parts of the site lie within this character area, including the stretch which would accommodate the new access road and as such its susceptibility, particularly towards its western edge, is considered to be `high'. Nonetheless, on balance the overall sensitivity is judged to remain as 'medium'.
CA 5 — Puriton
6.4.36 There is no material change to the character of this area from that described in the ES (April 2013). The ES (April 2013) assessed this area as being of `medium' sensitivity.
6.4.37 Applying the updated methodology, it is considered that while there are a small number of historic buildings in the centre of the village, the larger part of the village is made up of Twentieth Century development; it is not the subject of any designation. The noise of the M5 is a significant detractor in some parts of the village, as such the value is considered to be `low'. With regard to susceptibility, while the greater part of the village would not be greatly susceptible to the proposed development, the proposed access road would lie close to the southern and eastern edges, as such it is considered that its susceptibility would be `high'. Overall it is considered the sensitivity of Puriton would remain `medium'.
20 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
ACA 6 — Woolavington
6.4.38 There is no material change to the character of this area from that described in the ES (April 2013), apart from the addition of a small housing development on the western edge of the village. The boundary of this character area has been adjusted to include this area of housing. The ES (April 2013) assessed this area as being of `medium' sensitivity.
6.4.39 Applying the updated methodology, the village of Woolavington is not dissimilar to Puriton, its historic core having been surrounded by modern housing development. The village centre is home to a number of listed buildings and the village has a tranquil character to it. Overall it is considered to be of `medium' value. With regard to is susceptibility, given it is physically removed from the former ROF site, and any effects would most likely relate to setting, its susceptibility is judged to be `low'. On balance its overall sensitivity is considered to remain `medium'.
CA 7 —The Polden Hills
6.4.40 There has been no material change to the character of this area from that described in the ES (April 2013). The ES (April 2013) assessed this area as being of `high' sensitivity.
6.4.41 The Polden Hills are identified as a character area in their own right in the SLA. They form a prominent and attractive low ridge of land running in an east west direction overlooking the Levels and have a strong visual inter-relationship with the surrounding countryside. While not designated, , they do, however, have a strong sense of place and support a number of valued elements and as such are judged to be of 'high' value. The hills are also identified in the SLA as being included within `Visually prominent areas of high quality landscape.' With regards to their susceptibility to the proposed development, the proposed access road would cross the western extent of this character area and as such they are considered to be of'high' susceptibility and, on balance, would remain 'high' sensitivity.
Visual Context
6.4.42 The viewpoints selected for inclusion in the ES (April 2013) were selected and agreed in advance with the county Landscape Architect. All these locations were visited again in April/May 2017 and the photographs retaken. These are included in Appendix 6.4: Baseline Viewpoints.
6.4.43 The numbering of the Viewpoints followed that used in the 'remediation application LVA' (October 2011) and as a consequence started at 12 (numbers 1-11 being within the main
21 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
site itself). Therefore, to avoid confusion between the ES (April 2013) and this addendum, the same numbering system has been used.
Viewpoint 12 —View looking south east from the edge of the M5 adjacent to the Huntspill River(1400m from ROF site boundary)(Photomontage Viewpoint within the ES (April 2013)
Receptors: Motorists travelling along the M5 (`medium' sensitivity in the ES (April 2013)).
6.4.44 At the time that the ES (April 2013) was undertaken it was possible to discern the cluster of tall industrial buildings in the centre of the site, which sat just below the skyline. The removal of these buildings from the view is the only material change to the composition of this view (existing baseline), and is difficult to discern for those travelling along the M5.
6.4.45 In applying the updated methodology, it is considered that while the view is not designated, it is nonetheless attractive, albeit with some detracting man-made elements including the road itself and the pylons, and, as such, is considered to be of 'medium' value. With regard to the susceptibility of the receptors, motorists travelling on the M5, generally do so at speed and their focus would not be on the surrounding landscape, as such they would generally be considered to be of 'low' susceptibility. However, the SLA identifies a number or principle road corridors throughout the district, including this section of the M5, as `Areas of high sensitivity in relation to road corridors." These corridors are seen as important, in that they afford high numbers of people views of the districts landscape. Therefore, on balance, these receptors are considered to be of `medium' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 13 —View looking east towards the site from Batch Road (700m from ROF site boundary)
Receptors: Motorists and Pedestrians (Low sensitivity in the ES (April 2013).
6.4.46 At the time the ES (April 2013) was written, it was just possible to see some of the taller buildings at the centre of the site from this location. The removal of these buildings is the only material change to the composition of this view.
6.4.47 In applying the updated methodology, it is considered that the view from this location is one of an attractive landscape, albeit not designated, with few detracting elements and as such is considered to be of `medium' value. Motorists travelling along this quiet stretch of road (and along the M5, which is immediately adjacent, and who would experience a very similar view), would not have their attention on the view and are considered to be of `low'
22 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
susceptibility. Pedestrians walking along this stretch of road, however, would have more of an opportunity to experience the view and would be more likely to appreciate it and as such are considered to be of 'medium' sensitivity. On balance, Motorists are assessed to be of `low' sensitivity and pedestrians of `medium' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 14 —View looking north towards the site from Woolavington Road.(250m from ROF site boundary) Photomontage Viewpoint in ES (April 2013)
Receptors: Motorists(Medium sensitivity in ES (April 213)
6.4.48 At the time the ES (April 2013) was written, it was just possible to see some of the taller buildings at the centre of the site from this location. Some of these buildings, including an associated chimney broke the skyline from this location. The removal of these buildings is the only material change to the composition of this view.
6.4.49 This view is available to motorists, albeit obliquely, travelling along this stretch of road between Puriton and Woolavington. The view, while not unattractive, does have a number of detracting elements, the most prominent being the remaining red brick buildings within the site. Nonetheless the view is considered to be of `medium' value. The motorists travelling along this stretch, who would not generally be travelling at speed, may appreciate the view, but it would not be fundamental to their activity and as such are considered to be of `medium' susceptibility. Overall their sensitivity is considered to be `medium'.
Viewpoint 15 -View looking north towards the Site from the Woolavington Road adjacent to Martlands Farm (280m from site boundary)
Receptors: Motorists(Medium sensitivity in ES (April 2013)
6.4.50 At the time the ES (April 2013) was written, it was just possible to see some of the taller buildings in the eastern part of the site from this location. Some of these buildings, including associated chimneys broke the skyline when viewed from this location. The removal of these buildings is the only material change to the composition of this view.
6.4.51 This view is available to motorists, albeit obliquely, travelling along this stretch of road between Puriton and Woolavington. The view is of an attractive rural landscape without any notable detractors and as such is considered to be of 'medium' value. The motorists travelling along this stretch, who would not generally be travelling at speed, may appreciate the view, but it would not be fundamental to their activity and as such are
23 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
considered to be of `medium' susceptibility. Overall their sensitivity is considered to be `medium'.
Viewpoint 16 —View looking south west from the car park adjacent to the Causeway immediately to the south of the Huntspill River (800m from the former ROF site boundary) — (Photomontage Viewpoint in the ES Apri► 2013)
Receptors: Walkers &fishermen using the car park and motorists on the Causeway (Medium sensitivity in the ES (April 2013)
6.4.52 At the time the ES (April 2013) was written, the buildings in the centre of the site were clearly visible in the middle distance and while, with the exception of some of the chimneys, they sat below the skyline, they formed 'an incongruous and detracting element in the wider view' with their garish colours sitting at odds with the surrounding countryside scene'. Their removal is a material change to the composition of this view. This view is representative of those views available along the publically accessible land along the southern bank of the Huntspill River as well as from the Causeway to the north-east of the site.
6.4.53 The current view is over a rural landscape towards the Polden Hills, with the Quantock Hills forming the distant skyline. The line of pylons which break the skyline in the middle distance are the only notable detractors. This expansive and attractive view, which includes the ridgeline of the Quantocks AONB in the distance, is considered to be of 'high' value. The car park was busy on the occasions on which the site was visited. Walkers, for whom the view might be expected to form a key point of interest, are considered to be of `high' susceptibility. Fishermen, would only use the car park briefly before turning to the river, are considered to be of 'low' susceptibility. Motorists travelling south along the causeway, a road which carries regular traffic towards Woolavington, are considered to be of `medium' susceptibility.
6.4.54 Therefore, on balance, Walkers are considered to be of `high' sensitivity, while the fishermen and motorists are considered to be of `medium' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 17 —View looking west from the Causeway towards the Site. (560m from the former ROF site boundary)
Receptors: Motorists on the Causeway (Low sensitivity in the ES (April 2013)
6.4.55 At the time the ES (April 2013) was written, the buildings in the centre of the site were clearly visible breaking the skyline beyond the hedgerow in this view `detracting from what
24 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
is otherwise an attractive rural scene'. Their removal is a material change to the composition of this view. This view is representative of those views available to those travelling north along the Causeway as it leaves Woolavington.
6.4.56 The current view is of an attractive rural landscape, where the only detractors of any note are the line of pylons in the distance. Due to the flat nature of the levels, distant views are largely curtailed by intervening vegetation. The value of this view is considered to be 'medium'. The motorists travelling north along this road, who would not generally be travelling at speed, are also considered to be 'medium' susceptibility, resulting in an overall `medium' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 18 View looking north from footpath to the east of Puriton (500m from the former ROF Site boundary and approximately 250m from the proposed roundabout on Woolavington Road)
Receptors: Walkers(Medium sensitivity in ES (April 2013)
6.4.57 At the time the ES (April 2013) was written, the buildings in the centre of the site were partially visible beyond the treeline at the edge of the village. Their removal represents a relatively small change to the composition of this view. The path appeared to be well used on the occasions the site was visited.
6.4.58 The view current view is of an attractive, predominantly rural landscape. As a result of the low elevation of this viewpoint, longer views are generally screened by intervening vegetation, albeit the Mendip Hills do form part of the skyline in the distance. On balance this view is considered to be of `medium' value. Walkers on this route, for whom the view would provide a point of interest are considered to be of 'high' susceptibility. On balance, these receptors are considered to be of `medium' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 19 -View looking north from bridleway adjacent to Home Covert (1060m from the former ROF site boundary and approximately 250m from the proposed access road)(Photomontage Viewpoint in ES (April 2013)
Receptors: Walkers (High sensitivity in ES (April 2013)
6.4.59 At the time the ES (April 2013) was written, the buildings in the centre of the site were visible in the middle distance, but did not break the skyline of the Mendip Hills in the distance, their `mixed tones and colours striking a somewhat unattractive note in the wider landscape'. While there remain a number of other visual detractors visible on the levels landscape, their removal represents a notable change to the composition of the view.
25 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.4.60 Nonetheless, this elevated view from the top of the Polden Hills, with expansive views over the Somerset Levels to the Bristol Channel in the west and the Mendip Hills (AONB) in the north and as such is considered to be of `high' value. Walkers along this stretch of path would be highly attuned to their surroundings and as such are considered to be of `high' susceptibility. Overall the sensitivity of these receptors is considered to be `high'.
Viewpoint 20 —View looking north from Hillside as it enters Puriton from the south (1000m from the former ROF Site boundary, 75m from the proposed access road)
Receptors: Motorists and Walkers(Medium sensitivity in the ES (April 2013)
6.4.61 At the time of the ES (April 2013) it was possible to see the buildings in the centre of the site beyond the village, albeit views in summer when the hedge in the foreground has not been clipped are greatly restricted, the text noted:
"The edge of the village of Puriton is clearly visible in fhe foreground behind arable fields, with the derelict industrial buildings and chimneys of the site clearly visible in the background, forming a slightly discordant element in the backdrop to the village"
6.4.62 While there remain visual detractors on the Levels, including the solar farm immediately to the west of the site, the removal of the buildings at the centre of the site represents a notable change to the composition of this view. This is an attractive view over the levels towards Brent Knoll and the Mendips in the distance and as such is considered to be of `high' value. This route into Puriton is currently well used by motorists, albeit less so by pedestrians, and affords them their first opportunity to view this wide panorama over the Levels. However, this views is only available for a short stretch of road, approximately 160m, and as such these receptors are considered to be of 'medium' susceptibility. On balance motorists and walkers are considered to be of `medium' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 21 -View looking north-west from Crancombe Lane as it passes/enters Woolavington (850m from site boundary)
Receptors: Motorists, Walkers and Residents(Medium sensitivity in ES (April 2013))
6.4.63 The location of this view has been slightly adjusted and moved some 15 metres to the south as the gateway through which the original view was taken has since had a corrugated iron gate installed which precludes views through it.
6.4.64 There are two changes to this view; the removal of the buildings in the centre of the site and the introduction of the new housing at the western edge of Woolavington, which is
26 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
visible in the middle distance. However these changes are minor elements in this wide view across the levels towards the Bristol Channel to the west and the Mendips to the north.
6.4.65 While there are a number of detractors in the view, including the pylons which break the skyline, and that it is at a lower elevation than the views from the Polden Ridge it is still considered that this view is of `high' value'.
6.4.66 Walkers and motorists travelling along this stretch of road are only afforded brief glimpses of the view over the roadside hedge and these would be further curtailed in the summer months and as such are considered to be of `low' susceptibility. Residents, for whom similar views would be available from their first floor windows, but less so from their ground floor windows and gardens, are considered to be of `medium' susceptibility. On balance motorists, walkers and residents are considered to be of `medium' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 22 -View looking south east along the A39 to the south of Puriton.(1100m from former the ROF Site, Om from the proposed new junction)
Receptors: Motorists and residents (Medium sensitivity in the ES (April 2013))
6.4.67 There is no material change to the composition of this view from that described in the ES (April 2013).
6.4.68 This view is taken from the southern edge of the A39 at is rises up from the motorway heading south-eastwards and is typical of that which would be available to motorists travelling along this fast moving stretch of road.
6.4.69 This viewpoint is located within `visually prominent area of high quality landscape' as defined in the SLA. However, views along this section of the road corridor are visually contained by the roadside vegetation and the road corridor itself is not considered to be an especially high quality landscape or visually prominent. However there are few detractors beyond the road itself and as such the value of this view is considered to be `medium'. Motorists travel along this stretch at some speed and are unlikely to be focussed on their surroundings and as such are considered to be of `low' susceptibility. The properties immediately to the south are set well back from the road behind well vegetated front garden, which would filter views towards the road and as such are considered to be of `medium' sensitivity. On balance motorists travelling along this stretch of road are considered to be of 'low' sensitivity, while residents are considered to be of `medium' sensitivity.
27 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Viewpoint 23 -View looking south from Cypress Drive towards the proposed access road.(50m from the proposed access road)
Receptors: Residents (Medium sensitivity in ES (April 2013))
6.4.70 There has been no material change to the composition of this view from that described in the ES (April 2013).
6.4.71 The view looks over open farmland with the blocks of woodland, New Ground Covert and Ashen Covert, forming the background. Hillside is visible to the right of view, albeit the road itself is screened by the roadside hedgerow. The junction with the A39 is just visible between the trees. Given the curtailed nature of the view it is considered to be of `medium' value. The residents of the southern side of Cypress Drive will have similar views from the upper floors of their properties, albeit it is worth noting several properties are bungalows, the property immediately behind where this viewpoint is taken faces towards the site. The residents of Cypress Drive are considered to be of 'high' susceptibly. However, on balance, given the curtailed nature of the view and that the majority of opportunities for residents to see it are not from ground floor habitable rooms their overall sensitivity is considered to be `medium'.
Viewpoint 24 -View looking east from Pawlett (2.7kms from the site)
Receptors: Motorists and residents (Low sensitivity in ES (April 2013))
6.4.72 There has been a minimal material change to the composition of this view since the ES (April 2013). It was previously possible to discern the buildings at the centre of the site, but given they were several kilometres distant and did not form a key component of the view their removal has not given rise to a great change to the view. The Walpole landfill site appears to have extended northwards in the intervening time providing an unattractive foreground to the Mendip Hills in the distance.
6.4.73 This view across the Levels towards the Mendips has a number of detractors, primarily the landfill site and the pylons which break the skyline, but is nonetheless primarily of an attractive rural landscape and as such is considered to be of `medium' value. Motorists travelling along this stretch of the A38 would generally be travelling at speed and only have oblique views to the west, and as such are considered to be of `low' susceptibility. Some of the residents of properties which back on the A38 would have similar views from their upper floors, albeit the gardens of these properties are generally well vegetated and would heavily filter views to the west, these residents are considered to be of 'medium' HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
susceptibility. On balance motorists are considered to be of `low' sensitivity and residents of `medium' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 25 -View looking east from Steart(7kms from the site)
Receptors: Walkers/bird watchers (Medium sensitivity in the ES (April 2013))
6.4.74 Since the ES (April 2013) was written, the Wetland and Wildlife Trust, together with the Environment Agency, have undertaken a considerable amount of work on the Steart Peninsula and the Steart Marshes, including the introduction of a number of footpaths that are open to the public. In light of this it was considered more appropriate to locate the representative viewpoint for this area on one of the new permissive paths, instead of at its original location on the lane leading to Steart.
6.4.75 From the original viewpoint some 850m to the south it was just possible to 'pick ouY the taller site buildings with the aid of binoculars in the distance, adjacent to the block of woodland in the north-western corner of the site.
6.4.76 From the path adjacent to the salt marshes, there are open views of the marshes towards the east. It is just possible to discern Glastonbury Tor some 26 kms to the east, along with the Mendip to the north and the Polden Hills in the middle distance. The block of woodland in the north-western corner of the site, is just discernible in the distance, where it just breaks the skyline. The pylons in the distance are the only visual detractors of any note.
6.4.77 This view is of an attractive, flat, open estuarine landscape and is considered to be of `high' value. Walkers and bird watchers who visit the marshes and use the networks of paths would be highly attuned to their surrounding and as such are considered to be of `high' susceptibility, resulting in an overall `high' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 26 -View looking north east from the Quantock Hills (17 km from the site)
Receptors: Walkers (Very High sensitivity in ES (April 2013))
6.4.78 There has been no material change to the composition of this view since the ES (April 2013).
6.4.79 The viewpoint is located at the top of Lydeard Hill, adjacent to the Macmillan Way West national trail within the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and affords expansive views across the Somerset Levels to the Bristol Channel and Mendips
29 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Hills some 35kms to the north; the value of this view is considered to be 'very high'. Walkers using the National Trail and this area of access land are considered to be highly attuned to their surroundings and as such of 'very high' susceptibility. These receptors as considered to be of `very high' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 27 -View looking north from the M5 (5.5 kms from the site)
Receptors: Motorists (Low sensitivity in ES (April 2013))
6.4.80 There has been no material change to the composition of this view since the ES (April 2013).
6.4.81 The view is taken from the A372 as is crosses over the M5 to the south of the site. The Polden Hills ridge forms an attractive skyline, albeit there are a number of detracting elements to the view in the form of traffic, pylons and polytunnels. The view is not designated and on balance is considered to be of `medium' value.
6.4.82 While slightly elevated above the motorway, this view demonstrates that for motorists travelling north, the ridgeline precludes any views of the site from the south. This remains the case until the motorway emerges from the cutting associated with Junction 23. These receptors are considered to be of `low' susceptibility and on balance of `low' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 28 -View looking west from Glastonbury Tor (17.5 kms from the site)
Receptors: Walkers (Very High sensitivity in ES (April 2013))
6.4.83 There has been no material change to the composition of this view since the ES (April 2013).
6.4.84 The view is taken from the top of Glastonbury Tor, a nationally celebrated Scheduled Ancient Monument, which rises some 158m above the Somerset Levels and is a very popular tourist destination. From this elevated viewpoint there are 360 degree views over the surrounding landscape including views to the Bristol Channel to the west. This vast panoramic allows views right across the Levels from the Quantocks in the south to the Mendips in the north. As such the view is considered to `very high' value and the receptors of `very high' susceptibility and thus of `very high' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 29 -View looking south from the Mendip Hills (15 km from the site)
Receptors: Walkers (Very High sensitivity in ES (April 2013))
30 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.4.85 There has been no material change to the composition of this view since the ES (April 2013).
6.4.86 There are any number of potential views from the Mendips Hills AONB looking south across the Somerset Levels. This view shows an expansive panoramic over the levels and is judged to be of `very high' value. Walkers on the Mendips, for whom the view would be a key part of their experience, are considered to be of 'very high' susceptibility and as a result of `very high' sensitivity.
Viewpoint 30 -View looking south east from Brent Knoll (8.5 km from the site)
Receptors: Walkers (Very High sensitivity in ES (April 2013))
6.4.87 There has been no material change to the composition of this view since the ES (April 2013).
6.4.88 The view is taken from the top of Brent Knoll, an isolated hill fort rising to an elevation of 139m AOD above the Levels to the north west of the site. From this view there are expansive, 360 degree views over the Somerset Levels from Bridgwater Bay to the west to Glastonbury Tor to the east. While the landscape is predominantly rural there are a number of urban influences, the most prominent of these being the noise and movement of the M5 which passes the knoll approximately 2kms to the south east, and, in terms of built form, the large, light coloured warehouses in Isleport Business Park to the east of Burnham on Sea and Highbridge, approximately 3.5kms to the south. Nonetheless, the view is considered to be of 'high' value.
6.4.89 Those who climb Brent Knoll, which is a popular destination, do so specifically to enjoy the view and as such are of 'very high' susceptibility. On balance the sensitivity of these receptors is considered `very high'.
Description of the Proposed Development
6.4.90 There has been no change to the design of the proposed development and the proposed access road since the ES (April 2013).
Phasing
6.4.91 The proposed phasing of the development remains as that outlined in the ES (April 2013).
31 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Construction Stage Impacts
6.4.92 At the time of the ES (April 213), it was considered that there was insufficient information to undertake a meaningful assessment of the landscape and visual impacts arising from the construction stage of the Hybrid development. This remains the case.
6.4.93 The proposals for the phasing and construction of the access road have not changed from the ES (April 2013).
6.4.94 The effects of the construction on both the landscape visual receptors identified have not changed since the ES (April 2013).
Mitigation
6.4.95 There has been no change to the mitigation since the ES (April 2013) and the ES Update (October 2013).
6.5 ASSESSMENT OF LANDSCAPE IMPACTS — OPERATIONAL STAGE (HYBRID APPLICATION)
6.5.1 This section of the assessment addresses the impact associated with the operation stage of the Hybrid Application. It reports only material changes that have occurred since the 2013 ES and the ES Update or in instances where an effect has not changed but requires explanation. For completeness, all of the effects reported in the 2013 ES are set out in the table below and in Appendix 6.3: LVIA Impact Tables ES Addendum (June 2013)
Sedgemoor Landscape Assessment —Character Area —Moors and Levels (Medium Sensitivity)
6.5.2 The ES (April 2013) concluded that this Character Area would experience a `very low' magnitude of effect resulting in a `minor' adverse effect.
6.5.3 The majority of the buildings that were located on the site at the time of the ES (April 2013) have now been removed, nonetheless the site remains Brownfield and is not typical of the character area within which it sits. With this in mind it is considered that the magnitude of effect would be `low' rather than 'very low'. However, the resulting effect would remain 'minor adverse' at Year 1 and Year 15, which is not significant in nature.
32 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
CA1 —Former ROF Site — (Low Sensitivity)
6.5.4 The ES (April 2013) judged this CA to be of 'very low' sensitivity, this assessment has been amended to `low' in light of the changes within the site itself.
6.5.5 Despite the removal of the majority of the site's buildings in the intervening years, the site remains Brownfield and has a derelict character. Thus it is considered the magnitude of effect would remain `medium'. The ES (April 2013) judged this to be a 'minor neutral' effect, it is now considered to be `minor adverse' in the short and the long term. There is therefore no change to the significance of this effect, which remains not significant in nature
6.6 ASSESSMENT OF VISUAL IMPACTS — OPERATIONAL STAGE (HYBRID APPLICATION)
Viewpoint 12 —View looking south east from the edge of the M5 adjacent to the Huntspill River.(1400m from site boundary)
Receptors: Motorists travelling along the M5(medium sensitivity)
6.6.1 The ES (April 2013) considered the removal of the existing derelict buildings and their replacement with the proposed new buildings to constitute a 'very low' magnitude of effect, resulting in a 'minor beneficial' effect in the long term. Given the original buildings on the ROF site have already been demolished, and that the proposed buildings would sit low in the landscape and from a small component of the view, it is considered that the magnitude of effect would remain `very low', resulting in a `minor adverse' effect in short term (previously minor neutral), reducing to `negligible' (changed from minor beneficial) in the long term, when the attendant structure planting has had an opportunity to mature. There is therefore no change to the significance of this effect, which remains not significant in nature
Viewpoint 13 —View looking east towards the Site from Batch Road (700m from the Site boundary)
Receptors: Motorists and Pedestrians (Motorists -Low sensitivity, Pedestrians —Medium sensitivity).
6.6.2 The ES (April 2013)judged these receptors to be of `low' sensitivity, this assessment has been amended to 'medium' for pedestrians and remains as `low' for motorists in light of the updated LVIA methodology.
33 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.6.3 The effects of the proposed development are judged to remain 'very low'. This would give rise to a `minor adverse' effect for pedestrians and a `negligible' effect for motorists, which would endure into the long term (both changed from negligible). There is therefore no change to the significance of this effect, which remains not significant in nature
Viewpoint 15 —View looking north towards the Site from the Woolavington Road (380m from the Site boundary)
Receptors: Motorists (Medium sensitivity)
6.6.4 There is no change from the ES (April 2013) in as much as the magnitude of effect is considered to remain 'very low'. However, the updated methodology no longer allows for a 'minor neutral' effect. As such the short term effect is judged as 'minor adverse', reducing to `negligible' in the long term (previously minor neutral). There is therefore no change to the significance of this effect, which remains not significant in nature.
6.6.5 The LIA Addendum records the night time effect as changing from 'minor beneficial' to `moderate adverse'.
Viewpoint 16 —View looking south west from the car park adjacent to The Causeway immediately to the south of the Huntspill River (800m from Site boundary)
Receptors: Walkers (High sensitivity) 8~ fishermen using the car park and motorists on the Causeway (Medium sensitivity)
6.6.6 The ES (April 2013)judged these receptors to be of `medium' sensitivity, this assessment has been amended to `high' for walkers and remains as `medium' for motorists and fishermen using the car park in light of the updated LVIA methodology and the removal of the buildings in the centre of the site.
6.6.7 The derelict industrial buildings were clearly visible; their removal constitutes a material change to the composition of this view. Given that these buildings have now been removed it is considered that the introduction of the B2 and 68 elements of the development which would be visible from this location would constitute a 'medium' magnitude of effect. It is considered that this would result in a `moderate adverse' effect for all of these receptors at Year 1 (short term)(previously moderate neutral). In the long term, as the vegetation matures around the site, it is considered that the effect would gradually reduce to 'minor adverse' (previously minor beneficial). There is therefore no change to the significance of this effect, which remains significant in the short term and not significant with the maturing of landscape mitigation
34 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
6.6.8 The LIA Addendum records the night time effect as changing from `minor beneficial' to `moderate adverse'.
Viewpoint 17 —View looking west from the Causeway towards the Site (60m from Site boundary)
Receptors: Motorists on the Causeway (Medium sensitivity)
6.6.9 The ES (April 2013)judged these receptors to be of `low' sensitivity. This assessment has been amended to 'medium' in light of the updated LVIA methodology and the removal of the buildings in the centre of the site.
6.6.10 From this location the 62 units associated with Plot H would be visible at the edge of the site and would break the skyline from this location. Given that is a brief and oblique view it is considered to constitute a `medium' magnitude of effect at Year 1 (short term) resulting in a `moderate' adverse effect. However, by Year 15 (long term) the structure planting would have achieved a height in the region of 8-11.5m and would screen out much of the development, even during the winter months, reducing the effect to `minor adverse'. There is no change to this effect from that reported in the 2013 ES.
6.6.11 The LIA Addendum records the night time effect as changing from `minor beneficial' to `moderate adverse'.
Viewpoint 21 —View looking north west from Crancombe Lane as it passes/enters Woolavington (800m from Site boundary)
Receptors: Motorists, Walkers and Residents (Medium sensitivity)
6.6.12 There is no change from the ES (April 2013).
6.6.13 The LIA Addendum records the night time effect as changing from 'moderate beneficial' to 'moderate adverse'.
Viewpoint 22 —View looking south east along the A39 to the south of Puriton (1100m from former ROF Site, Om from the proposed new junction)
Receptors: Motorists (low sensitivity) and Residents (medium sensitivity)
6.6.14 The ES (April 2013)judged these receptors to be of 'medium' sensitivity. This assessment has been amended to 'low' sensitivity for motorists and remains as `medium' for residents in light of the updated LVIA methodology.
35 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 6.6.15 There is no change to the magnitude of effect from the ES April (2013), which would remain as 'high'. This would result in a 'substantial adverse' effect for residents (as before) and a `moderate adverse' effect for motorists at Year 1 (previously substantial adverse). By Year 15 both types of receptor would experience a `moderate' adverse effect (as before). There is therefore no change to the significance of these effects, which remain significant in the short term and longer term, albeit in an improved sense for motorists.
Viewpoint 24 —View looking east from Pawlett (2.7km from the Site) (Low Sensitivity)
Receptors: Residents (Medium sensitivity), Motorists(Low Sensitivity).
6.6.16 The ES (April 2013), found that the proposed buildings, which would sit low in the landscape would be screened by intervening vegetation and that the access road would not be visible. It found that the removal of the buildings in the centre of the site would give rise to a 'negligible beneficial' effect. Given that these buildings have now been removed it is considered that there would be 'no change' to the visual amenity of these receptors (previously negligible beneficial). There is therefore no change to the significance of this effect, which remains not significant in nature.
6.7 SUMMARY
6.7.1 This chapter has reconsidered the potential landscape and visual impacts associated with the redevelopment of the former ROF site at Puriton, Somerset as an Energy Park. This review has been undertaken to account for an potential changes to the 'baseline' situation and in order to ensure that the updated ES accords with current industry guidelines, with regard to landscape and visual impact assessment.
6.7.2 There is no change to the proposals from the ES (April 2013).
6.7.3 The table below summarises the effects and notes any changes from the ES (April 2013). This demonstrates that in the majority of cases, there is no change to the effects reported since the 2013 ES and the 2013 ES Update. Only one of the landscape receptors would experience a change to the predicted effect, however this would remain 'not significant'.
6.7.4 Seven of the visual receptors would experience a change to predicted effects. However, none of those which were previously considered 'not significant', would change to 'significant
36 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Table 6.1 Landscape Effects
LCA Year 1 Year 15
Sedgemoor Landscape Minor Adverse (unchanged) Minor Adverse (unchanged) Assessment `Levels and Moors'
Sedgemoor Landscape Moderate Adverse (unchanged) Moderate Adverse (unchanged) Assessment `Polden Hills
Sedgemoor Landscape No Change (unchanged) No Change (unchanged) Assessment `Lowland Hills `Wider Area'
Mendips AONB No Change (unchanged) No Change (unchanged)
Quantocks AONB No Change (unchanged) No Change (unchanged)
CA1 —Former ROF Site Minor Adverse (changed from Minor Adverse (changed from Minor Neutral) Minor Neutral)
CA2 —Moors and Levels north Moderate Adverse (unchanged) Minor Adverse (unchanged) of Woolavington
CA3 —Moors and Levels No Change (unchanged) No change (unchanged) adjacent to the M5
CA4 —Land to the south of the Substantial Adverse (unchanged) Substantial Adverse (unchanged) former ROF site
CA5 - Puriton Moderate Adverse (unchanged) Moderate Adverse (unchanged)
CA6 - Woolavington Minor Adverse (unchanged) Minor Adverse (unchanged)
CA7 — Polden Hills Substantial Adverse (unchanged) Substantial Adverse (unchanged)
Table 6.2 Visual Effects
Viewpoint Year 1 Year 15
12 View looking east from the edge of the Minor Adverse Negligible (changed M5 adjacent to the Huntspill River (changed from Minor from Minor Beneficial) (motorists) Neutral
13 View looking east towards the Site from Negligible (unchanged) Negligible (unchanged) Batch Road (motorists)
13 View looking east towards the Site from Minor Adverse Minor Adverse Batch Road (pedestrians) (changed from (changed from Negligible) Negligible)
14 View looking north towards the Site form Moderate Adverse Minor Adverse the Woolavington Road (motorists) (unchanged) (unchanged)
37 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
15 View looking north towards the Site from Minor Adverse Negligible (changed the Woolavington Road adjacent to (changed from Minor from Minor Neutral) Martlands Farm (motorists) Neutral)
16 View looking south west from the car Moderate Adverse Minor Adverse park adjacent to The Causeway (changed from (changed from Minor immediately to the south of the Huntspill Moderate Neutral) Beneficial) River (walkers)
16 View looking south west from the car Moderate Adverse Minor Adverse park adjacent to The Causeway (changed from (changed from Minor immediately to the south of the Huntspill Moderate Neutral) Beneficial) River (fishermen using car park and motorists on the Causeway)
17 View looking west from The Causeway Moderate Adverse Minor Adverse towards the Site (motorists) (unchanged) (unchanged)
18 View looking north from the footpath to Moderate Adverse Minor Adverse the east of Puriton (walkers) (unchanged) (unchanged)
19 View looking north from the bridleway Substantial Adverse Moderate Adverse adjacent to Home Covert (walkers) (unchanged) (unchanged)
20 View looking north from Hillside as it Substantial Adverse Substantial Adverse enters Puriton (motorists and walkers) (unchanged) (unchanged)
21 View looking north west from Moderate Adverse Moderate Adverse Crancombe Lane as it passes/enters (unchanged) (unchanged) Woolavington (motorists, walkers and residents)
22 View looking south east along the A39 to Substantial Adverse Moderate Adverse the south of Puriton (Residents) (unchanged) (unchanged)
22 View looking south east along the A39 to Moderate Adverse Moderate Adverse the south of Puriton (Motorists) (changed from (unchanged) Substantial Adverse)
23 View looking south from Cypress Drive Moderate Adverse Moderate Adverse towards the proposed access road (unchanged) (unchanged) (residents)
24 View looking east from Pawlett No Change (changed No Change (changed (motorists and residents) from Negligible from Negligible Beneficial) Beneficial)
25 View looking east from Stert Drove No Change No Change (walkers) (unchanged) (unchanged)
26 View looking north east form the No Change No Change Quantock Hills(AONB) (walkers) (unchanged) (unchanged)
27 View looking north from the bridge No Change No Change above the M5 (motorists) (unchanged) (unchanged)
38 HUNTSPILL ENERGY PARK: ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM JUNE 2017 Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
28 View looking west from Glastonbury Tor No Change No Change (walkers) (unchanged) (unchanged)
29 View looking south from the Mendip Hills No Change No Change (AONB)(walkers) (unchanged) (unchanged)
30 View looking south east from Brent Knoll No Change No Change (walkers) (unchanged) (unchanged)
39 Legend
,—~ -- -- ROF Site boundary / ~ ., --~ ,~ ~1 1 . 1 'J __ _ _ ,. - ;%' Single storey buildings .__._ ~ ~~ l \ ~ .. ;, ~: ~ ,.~ } ~...,, r, ~~. __ 2 storey buildings ~i~ r- { ~ ~ ~ ~ ~::_ I: n '. r ~i~ , , ~ ~ ~ , F ~ :, 1 3 or more storey buildings ~ f„,.... Jl . ., ~ ..... i- ~ ~~• ~'L ,~ ~ .: Woodland/ significant ~, , i belts of trees ,~' ~~ 1 ; `~'` ... 1 ~~ / /' Pill Box/ defence posts ~ ~
Bunds decomissioned and allowed to grass over 7 N r~ a"~ .~ ~ dy °:; ~ ~____J New Yard Area ~~,. j ;~- E ~. ~~e~ 1 ~ + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~'y ,~r +szs Spot Levels o "f ~' i
~., Remediation ponds for Newts ~
5 Po 1 .t.-. ~ i y ~~ ~1 ❑ ~' j~ /~
V t~ a~~ ~ ~. ~J c ~ I' .I. ,k5hx ~ ~ ~ ,, ❑d I I ~~ i F ~ __._. ~ ,I O ~~ ;; ;,; ~ ~0 - ~/ f/ f o --~- a ~ ~ ~/~~j t 7 0 ` /~ 0 0.)~ ;/•
Project: Title: Revlslons: Drawn by: Checked by: Status: Date: Drawing ~o: Rev: SC JBG Planning 24/04/2017 17-24-PL-221 0 Figure 6.4 ■ ■ richards Huntspill Energy Park ES Addendum (June 2017) Scale: f1I5 i Agincourt Square. Monmouth. NP25 38T r .aa~o~ieaonzzsi Existing Site Features & 150m 300m conditions -Former ROF Site Legend
APPlication site boundary
;\; ~ )' Distance from site
Sedgemoor District Landscape Charac[erAreas
Levels and Moors
Peat Moors
Clay Moors
Levels
Mendips
Strawberry Belt and Footslope Villages
Scarp Slope, West Mendip Summits and Cheddar Gorge
Lowland Hills
Polden Hilis
Other Lowlands Hilis Character Areas
Quantock Hills and Combes
Quantock Hilis and Combes
Quantock Summits
Reprotluced hom the Ortlnance Survey Map with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery O@ice (c) Crown Copyright Licence no 100046803
Project: Title: Revlslons: Orewn by: Checked by: Status: Date: Drawing no: Rev: sc sac Planning 24/04/2017 17-24-PL-224 0 Figure 6.6 t'IChBt'dS Huntspill Energy Park ES Addendum (June 2017) Scale: ntS i Agincourt Square, Monmouth, NP25 3BT 7: +44(0)7600772251 Landscape Character Areas - s w„ _ _ ao km Sed emoor Landsca e Assessment Rev 0: o~,~,sa c~..i.e r~o.aan ~ Legend ~ .. .„ aYu ... APPlication site boundary
CA1: Former ROF site ~tiESl~-- UNISf ILL -:P '~ ~` 't~, ,,,.. / ns.,a,~~ -'t.~ - ~ ~'~'^,.~~-.. gym.,. CA2: Moors and levels north of Woolavington
;~ ~ +°~ "' ~ (( EF\ST HUnlIpSPILL CP ,., °' ,`~ ,., "~c""~~ Y -~ .. CA3: Moors and levels adjacent to the MS
CA4: Land to the South of the former ROF site I „ ~ `~ - M piIIM ~ ` ~' F (r—lr r.wieR ~wai ~'?' 1 ) `' E ~ ~ ;_. ~ CAS: Puriton ,>~ ^~~' e ~ ,, a, ..:,.,,.. - - _ 1 . 43. i CA3).. ~ - _ - d CA6: Woolavington ~ s '•~ ......
CA7: The Polden Hiils
y~ . a • L c J `~ ^~,"°, ~ SEDGEixI~_ ~ISTI~IrT ~ ~ m~,l ,, ~ ,.~ am ;~ y r... _.. \~'a k."rt az fie ~ 1
,,, ,.a ,~ ► ~ ~ ~.~,. ca5 '' ,, r P( t . . u+'; ""tl info„2 ,; — .v { ~ A6 ~ j- ~. ~l r ~~ ~ '~ d~ ~ a ~~ w... I rt COS_SIN6~T (~N Ca ~-rl~ ~..` ~
'•~ , ~ _ ~ v dsr t r fi
,w X75- f ~ :•I~ ~ '.cro. 3 -. i ~, 31 ' 32 a ~:. ~'
,,, ~ e ~ y o~~ y _k ~+^~ P~ie.~
~`o . ,. I~-,(~ -~f` ry _ ~ ~ a.~- '~,~~ .w. '_~ -1 •,l ~_ 1. ~q i
.,U.~; < :, - , ;r. ~ .
Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Map wfth permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (c) Crown Copyright Licence no 100046803
Project: Title: Revlslons: Drawn by: Checked by: Status: Date: Drawing no: Rev: Figure 6.7 SC JBG Planning 24!04/2017 17-24-PL-223 ClChafdS Huntspill Energy Park Scale: t Ae~ncoun Square, Monmouth, NP25 38T ES Addendum (June 2017) T: +44(0)1600772257 Local Landscape Character 1 km 2 km Areas Rev 0: o~~ uaa~.anpm xan ✓ ~. Legend ,~ M:. MOEt y KI8;j ~ . ~ .~ _1 3 ~'. ~ "~ WIM1 0. d ~ ~ / . Nle laec F~m '• ~. i iC~F r7' S ~.. ~ C oh H! W f / ~lT ~~~ Farm C ~ ti~. .~ Application site boundary I WI hY PoVlu w _.. PV~d~. Pa na6c~,~ ~/~''z` F 1 ~~ / - ' k 8 'Jgc '~6"" Firm r - f 1 F m • a `.. ~ 8 Farm nY.g .b: Fa+In ., p - .. '~y ., Woodland blocks BriEg C e Far f ~ i HIN81 Rhv i~' ~ ~ ~ jc Na FB I~~ `"`'"" wi~nr eow Ef?~STp HUf~9`T~SPII L C:P ~ . we ~~ r rBoa~ 5rm mo.e , ~~p c a% p .~a.~ W.F'F; c I Significant belts of trees 'd~ i ,. ., c«,~m \ ~'. .' e/, ., ~ Fa.n 1. _ %/ `/ audd i~ OfQ pyg5. .. - _-. OI ...... ru r ~. _. 'i,~`~ " Pylons x ~ —'' ... k~,.~s - ._. _. ~ &transmission lines/cables 4 ~ - Hu spillLevel ~, 41a k ., ~=F m }i PSI q' ... + ~' g pn ' Solar Park 6~ F 1i'~~`. ~~~ +n .~.' .._ ,,; `M e M1 ., ry. ~Huntsplll . Moor Pawlett Level ~ r'. .. i Bye~ i~~~ £ - V Notable Viewpoint ~ - ~ i( j I ~ w ai.~ ~.. ro 0 ::. ~ ~ .. Oro tea, F ~ ~ .. '.y. '. y'_ ~ ~ ~sQ~ 41 Rivers (Huntspill & Parcett)
■ - t Polden Hills i ~. M .4 ~.k,, `_ ', ~~:- ro'd + (visual threshold in relation to Site indicated with blue line) h .y. ~~ [dn Level ,~ ~ ~ .- I W lav g .Lee' Residential properties along the western side of Woolavington enjoy elevated filtered views towards the site ~... ^ ~ ,j. Ra~~,~. MUNanaw Y ~f . l'° '^~~"„M lE q e .. _ ~ ~ r 0.. ~ ~d; r C _ e cr^ ~K 5w~m; ro ; a 1 Residential properties along the southern and eastern sides of Puriton have same limited and filtered views towards the site ,Q~~y ~. r-- - l ~ ~- i 'T _ '~ ~" gip 'q,a ~ED~EMO.O ~~5~• I ~ 4 ~ ~{1 8'"~`-~ M s ~ I ~ Polden Hills landscape has a strong visual relationship to r zp ~ ,ao the site .. - ~Z'b ~ ~_. . oaS MF r r .Bann ~ -{ R ', ~ ) Residential properties along the southern side of Puriton which have some limited views towards the proposed access road w ipoi ~ '. al ~~ a ,~~i,~ ~ k E ~~~,, ~~ t' a ~ ~H tnnp~oa .~- . e~o~ J y y~ I pew Ee~a ~ . , :., e _ _ y _. ~ ,. ~ ~~ i ..~ . InbuWil P Co+en II~I,tOn. -' W I Ij t Uppe C b m ~•. 0o a ngtoni ~Q1i II D E e' ~ - 1
' ` ~ ~ b. ~ y ~' .y.y~*._, e ,l. mot':'
- h ~' J ~ ~ II ~'L - "'~ ~ ' u ba~ I ~ t ~ ~ ( ~ s Fe o ins ~ ~ t D vkfi Id \~'~ ~ f-. _ .1 .. q R.2 ,1 d Q~ h l,ne 1 ~Fnn 5 IanE ]t3 4 „ ~ ~.__ ncr \ ~i ~ '• i CPvk ~'e . ~ 'Sl R \8 6 .... C ra !G« ~ r ~~ ~ ~ 3~ / ~ ovule P k — I ~7! y _ 1: ~*,l `'. °a Han ~¢, f,~,_ ~, roo '~ K~ ~ ~~r ~C`~ P.~~,. je '—~~ ~ C~ 8 nPork~ 0 .~ 4e W~Sr .✓.. .• S . ~.. ~ "' H~ - ~ r ~ ~... Barn Rwdi ~• 1 ~ / .. `~ ' _ ...... r '. ~ _ ..: - z~i ~. q3v ~1 ` 1 ~ _ ~° Pais ~ ~ mer e ~~ ex a LY d
Reprotluced from the Ordnance Survey Map with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Once (c) Crown Copyright Licence no 100046803
Project: Title: Revlslons: Drawn by: Checked by: Status: Date: Drawing no: Rev: Figure 6.11 AMP PJR Planning 23/05/2017 17-24-PL-225 t'IChaYdS Huntspill Energy Park ES Addendum (June 2017) Scale: ntS i Agincourt Square, Monmouth, NP25 3BT t km 2 km T. +4i(0)1600772257 Notable Landscape Features, Viewpoints &Vistas t' t{i
o~,~ ~ ~ ~`.. t `~ ,~ ~ i ~,~, o0 -:._- -
1 ,, ~
1 1
~ ~'4`_ate~ '~ ~ M '~► ~ ~ ~~ r ~ ~ t - - - .. - . . . . .:~~ ! ~ i i~ ;. J CCU t 1 5 ~ ,~I b QQ R ~. _~, ■ ■ i - pE0 Y ~. ~, ~ i ~ +_ { ;~3 lA a e~ : ~ '~ ~ ~ ■ ~ ~ ' ~
i r T ~,±., ■ ~ . °~ ~, -'~°`_ ~; l \ ~
i Existing mature wootllana to De ~etaine0 D I C):,1~-- Ex'sting InC viGual trees ro De retained
Existing young woodland to be relalnetl
/' ~ Hedgeslgcru6lo be relaine0
_~ - Existing hedgerows to be retained
.~+i I i sremovea as pen or reined al on appl caYon
~-". -.44 ~«..~-.._."~F~ l FOR HeEg slscruD removed as Den of CONTIN '~_~ .._. aaionanai~aion y, ` ~r ~ 1 ~ ~`~' — ` ~ ` ~ ~ ~~ c ~ 1 ~ UATIONR ~ — — ~Qi,' ,~, ~. ~~ ~ e emovetl as part of ~FERTO04yG7 gem Ciatron appl ca4m 107-78 `,~-•_~~~ s `' ~.~ ~ B N `"~ ~ VCgMa1 on w Ih perm ¢son to iamoveE. but Whlch has ~y_W ~~~ / yet la be Uearetl
Project: Title: Revlslons: Drawn bY : C~ecketl DY : Status: Date: Drawin9 no: Rev: JBG PJR Planning 25/05/2017 17-24PL-22 ■ ■ richards Figure 6.22 - Huntspill Energy Park scare: 1:2500 ~ Al 1 Agincourt Square, Monmouth, NP25 38T ESAddendum (June 2017) T. +44(0)7600 772251 Tree Retention and Removal Plan 125m 250m Legend
APPlication Site Boundary
2VI for Proposed B2/B8 Buildings 15m high ridge line (21.395m AOD)
Reproduced hom the Ortlnance Survey Mep with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery ORice (c) Crown Copyright Licence no 100046803
Project: Title: Revlslons: Drawn by: Checked by: Status: Date: Drawing no: Rev: JBG PJR Planning 23/0512017 17-24-PL-227 Figure 6.33 PIChBfdS -'~'~i' Huntspill Energy Park ES Addendum (June 2017) Scale: i Agincourt Square, Monmouth, NP25 3BT T. +44(0)1600772257 ZN- Hybrid Application 62/68 5 kRl 10 km Development ~ ~ Legend
_ ROF Site boundary ~
Project: TR~e ReWalons: Drawn by: Checked by: Status: Dau: Drawing no: Rev: Figure 6.34 SC JBG Planning 24/04/2017 17-24-PL-222 0 ■ ■ richards. Huntspill Energy Park ES Addendum (June 2017) Scale: I1tS 1 Agincourt Square. Monmouth, NP25 38T T. +g6(0)1600772251 Aerial Image 150m 300m Rev 0: om,ny c~..w zuwaon
,. , Legend -- -- ~.. 6 dge 8
~, N ~ Coup F ~ R a y ~ ' - ~~_ ''~ ~. ~P B`u,`n Application site boundary II farm ~ ~ F ~ 'x V~' : '~;c".t w ` ~' __ ~rm~ scn ~ ~~~.'' _ ;t . ,' Ica .. s v i ~,* ~`,,,,~_. ``+. ~ ---+~~~ .._ ~ f 3~', East t ~ ~~: B .~ ~ N~F~ ~ .Huncsp~l- R ,. ~' -.~ . 3km 16 Photographic viewpoints .FB ,N/{ Hack ~j F rm ~~QMnl ~ . . ILL P 6 ~ '~ ~~ S "t "R. I MO m 3i S .Wrth~B , de Farm - F m i/ y. '~ .. Ce1 . r C _,.::.. I i f,W M1y R ad P C [e ...... 1 Yroor:^i Photomontage viewpoints Beak BriEB ~. FaPm / " - f ... ~ ~~arm R~ ~ 1j: ••. -- y ~~ Br~Cge ~ ~~ d ~ ..., Su - 'f ~'~ Ashcan - ~. :~ ~,- o' ~ F — w h ao .. i.. Farm ~ " e 'H~nt W01 PlY :' B d ~ C Firm 2km f D. ~~ WI h~ 80.. - ~.... P r[on RoaO 1V ~ WiN Gore .. K... ~ _' ANl'St Hunuv~~~ e~m« ~ m L v F r ~qy ~Co~ E r~<
Ru ~,; ~ rpds - Farrc
1K" .. ~ ~ 44 '~. ~ /' ~ Hu [spill Leve`r..~'~o4e,.y . r.
` a~a frolt Wichr `,:~w~ ~.,a~o~ ' r: ~ F~.m ... .`n6 eteko _ B egc ..}~ ...... r :~ Huncspill Moor ( Hou,c So ,8hf ~. ,.• ...... , ` ~ Pawlect gel
.. - ~'k' ..,v n Gi r, ~ ... I Bndjc ~Cor G Id Corn ,. ;obi O Bad y - A'• ~ J 3@~q'a ~D c R,,,o+a~.~ . . £ .r . _~C~ ~_ /a," -. _._ _. .:>.k .,..~.~ ~ .; ~~. ~ ~ _ pydc ~ tkove lira ' MSi ~ l, ~.'F_ i. / 1!" ~ ~ . PVBs 43 3 ~:amiN'yV~ sue,; ~ _ .. a — - — .. ~, P .». ~~ ~ . ... i E h BC[ ~ ~ 1l ~ ~~ ~ L ~ i~ o Punton Levd ,~c g ~ ~ _' a . ~ _ ~t !' s 6N«+b ~ -- ' ~,Y wools m ;LevN d ~ D ,. ' = i _.. Ly~ +- tbT F f~ ,. .t 6 ~ ~ . ~ ~ /- . O' r ROMAN SA a soy e r r ~y - ,— ~ z ~ L~ ~'Faccory ~?~ b`.~ 1 s ~_ ~ i(~ `'F ., .~ ~ ~~ n.oum,00. - 34~ F'~ s~ -~~ 'I~ ,a o ~ o~. F q ~i..-v-yne m .w,m. cv4 : _ Spy a a O, Y J - -' :9 ~ E~~~ F scoe~~a no .a_ • .e 0 - - 17 `'r', 44 ~~ . ~,`°° ~R SEDGEMOO 1STRiET n a~° `h~.~° ,~
~ ', ~ .. ~ ~ ; ; ~ \~ ~ Walpole v3' .~ .w~Y'' ,'. .~ '. ~ V. ~ - -y~ ~l~'£ i. '.t. i.. . w .coin ~ ~ ;~ ~r ~~G ~a. _.. . ~ ,,,"->.~, y ~S ~ ~~~1 _ ~ ~ w _~~,y. i s ~ ~.. . -.\ '- F m ...wool,; ~ - :~ ~ tn~w~o~ ~ --.---~ _" 'f _, Do n End f +-'y' ~ y, .. 'J _~ v j E ' E ,Y. r ~ ~ '6 1 ~ r ~.~ ~ ` P 1~ ia« Fes.._ < ...':0. .,~: 'fOTI ~ `.r. ~.._ ~ ~/' Ii P\ -. Vdl{h ..'S~ ). in ~ ~ ~z~ ,~ ~ t r~ \ .~ nc~~m Gen.. }A~ _.. .9 ~~~ .M clad •Z-.`._..~,_ ,j ~ )l r ~ ~ - .• « Aietle 2y k :mot ~ ~~ ~ V '. Hof d ~g , ~,~. P~ ~, ~ :Q~3 ~:~' ~~~o~ ~ t" ~:WOOI2YIflgtOfl`. ~.. COSSlNGT01' y,)'~ j. ~ Dun bale Dro E ~~ ~F -~. ~ ~c '~pbma II y,., a .~ '. comae e~ s e' .~ ~eo~.~ei s '~,~~ t ya~ ~ ,~_ a h'Nh ~ ~ ~~ Amt _ C -...,L\ .'oF~~ ~:b ~ —_ - yy ~ V y ~•-~
Oo ~ Dark) NA l _ sa. ~ ~/ s~,..i ~. - . '•`Lai,~ t - 'co ~- F ~~Tn co a Cossingion \ ~ '3~ ~ $2 o to Park ~ e n o~~,.,, ]~I r "'~~_ 1; ~~ !, ~ ' ay ~ + ~'8. ` ;_,:. ~ ~~ ~ o~~ ,. Q ~ -- ~ ~~ -`. 'ff Mall ~ Y
J i KHI{ ~_~y~ti '~' C.~n~ th .'"" .t '.. i Roy ~~__ _. o~i` .a C.~ao i.h ~•.'..., ~'/,, , ~ r` 1 / '~~ r
/n h _.~` ~H f i~ ~,' use
_"' - D. '} ,3~y Farm farm 'i li teS '. ~. l _ Ft~~„ Y'\ .,.xa.a w.r ~ --ea~ Yh '>e~yk ThrYkdw~ ~l' . 6~ ~ 1 i ~wiMwa, ~ o;:m~ . ~,~a ap, _ ., . ~w~renw.. 6 ~ ~ ~ BawdnD t__ ~ i ~ ~ ,t~A~rV! ~i ,B:db ew.e. ~. Ho.~e, ':: ' ~' _. 6 4Mon~o P Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Map with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (c) Crown Copyright Licence no 100046803 Project: Title: Revisions: Drawn by: Checked by: Status: Date: Drawing no: Rev: ~ FIgUI'E 6.1 JBG PJR Planning 20/08/12 11-07-D50 B 'IChSCdSt Huntspill Energy Park Site Location and 1 Agincourt Square, Monmouth, NP25 3BT Photographic REV B: Revised vie~+vomizsio~i~oo. Scale: flt5 Revised Application Site Boundary. 12/03/2013 r. +aa~o~,soo»22s, Viewpoints -Local Area REV A: Sitebountlaryuptlated 1 km 2 km R@V ~: Drawing Created. March 2072 ~ Legend Application site boundary ~~~~ ~ ~'~.~~~~ ~' Distance from site ~;;~ Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Photographic viewpoints / V ~-50m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) 50-100m 100-150m 150-200m 200-250m 250-300m 300-350m Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Map with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (c) Crown Copyright Licence no 100046803 Project: Title: Revisions: Drawn by: Checked by: Status: Date: Drawing no: Rev: Figure 6.2 JBG PJR Planning 20/08/12 11-07-81 B richards j Huntspill Energy Park Site Location, Photo Viewpoints & REV B: RevisedApplicaUonSiteBoundary. 12/0320 7 3 Scale: f1t5 1 Agincourt Square, Monmouth, NP25 36T RBV A: 74/07/2012- Uptlated to show revised heights T: +44(0)1600772251 Topographical Study -Wider Area for energy builtlings and chimneys 5 km 10 km RBV ~: Drawing Createtl 26106/2012