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Sizewell C Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

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Sizewell C Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Sizewell C Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Natural Beauty and Special Qualities Indicators Final V1.6 Version Date: 20 November 2015 1.0 Introduction Discussions have been held between the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB Partnership, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and EDF Energy with the purpose of establishing what constitutes the natural beauty and special qualities of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. The findings of these discussions are contained in the following tables. The Natural Beauty and Special Qualities Indicators described cover the whole of the AONB, and not just the Sizewell C site and its immediate hinterland. This document sets out the Natural Beauty and Special Qualities of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The document has been developed by EDF Energy, as part of their preparatory work for the proposed Sizewell C, in consultation and agreement with the AONB Partnership, Suffolk Coastal District Council and Suffolk County Council. It follows a rigorous criteria based approach, building on the existing Natural England process for the designation of protected landscapes. It forms an important part of the baseline to help inform the design of the proposed development and against which to judge the effects of the proposed development on the protected landscape and its special qualities, but clearly will be of significant wider benefit to the AONB Partnership in articulating what is characteristic and special about this nationally important landscape. 1 2.0 Natural Beauty Indicators The Natural Beauty Indicators for the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB presented below are structured to follow Natural England’s guidance for assessing landscapes for designation as National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Englandi: Factor Example Sub- Example Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB Indicator Factor Indicator Landscape Intactness of the Characteristic Close-knit interrelationship of semi-natural and cultural quality landscape in visual, natural and man- landscapes (notably coast, estuaries, reedbeds, Sandlings functional and made elements heath, forest, farmland and market towns) and built ecological are well heritage features (such as Martello towers, pill boxes, perspectives represented river walls), creating a juxtaposition of elements in a throughout relatively small area. The AONB contains important areas of heath and acid grassland, and it supports a high number of protected species populations. As such it has importance in a national context for biodiversity. The condition of Landscape Strong overall character, albeit that the evolving nature of the landscape’s elements are in intensively farmed arable land with agricultural features and good condition fleece/polythene and outdoor pig rearing can divide elements opinion on landscape condition in visually sensitive locations such as on valley sides. The influence of Incongruous A small number of large scale and long established incongruous elements are not elements on the coast of the AONB divide opinion, being features or present to a regarded by some as incongruous features and by others elements (whether significant as enigmatic; for example the complex military site at man-made or degree, are not Orford Ness. The power stations at Sizewell also divide natural) on the visually opinion in this way, however in many views, particularly perceived natural intrusive, have of the B station, the apparent uncluttered simple beauty of the area only localised appearance and outline as well as the lack of visible influence or are human activity, partially mitigate the adverse visual temporary in impacts. nature Scenic quality A distinctive sense Landscape Unique character defined by semi-natural and cultural of place character lends a landscapes (notably coast, estuaries, reedbeds, Sandlings clear and heath, forest, farmland and villages) and built heritage recognisable features (such as Martello towers, pill boxes, river walls), sense of place creating a juxtaposition elements in a relatively small area. Striking landform Landform shows Sea cliffs and shingle beaches contrasting to flat and a strong sense of gently rolling Sandlings heaths and farmland. scale or contrast Extensive shingle beaches and shallow bays provide opportunities for long distance and panoramic views. Landscape displays a ‘rhythm’ dictated by a series of east- west rivers and estuaries, and the interfluves that lie between them. There are striking Coastal cliffs, shingle spits, estuaries and beaches are landform types or striking landform features. coastal configurations 2 Visual interest in Land cover and Varied habitats and land cover in intricate mosaic patterns of land vegetation types corresponding to natural geography (landform, geology, cover form an soils & climate) and displaying seasonal differences, appealing pattern either as a result of natural processes or past and current or composition in farming and land management regimes. relation to each Elevated vantage points provide impressive views over other and/or to low lying coastal marshes, estuaries and beaches. landform which may be appreciated from either a vantage point or as one travels through a landscape Appeal to the Strong aesthetic Close-knit interrelationship of constituent features senses qualities, creates a juxtaposition of colours and textures (such as reflecting factors coniferous forests, reedbeds, intertidal mud flats and such as scale and heathland, sand dunes and shingle beaches) that is form, degree of further enhanced by seasonal changes. openness or Strong aesthetic, spatial and emotional experiences - for enclosure, example in the contrast between open and exposed areas colours and on the coast or within estuaries with more traditional textures, enclosed farmland areas. simplicity or diversity, and ephemeral or seasonal interest Memorable or Large open vistas across heaths and along the coast. unusual views Landmarks include historic structures such as medieval and eye-catching churches, Martello towers and lighthouses, the House in features or the Clouds (Thorpeness) and Snape Maltings, the landmarks riverside at Woodbridge with iconic Tide Mill, along with more modern structures including Sizewell A and B and former military site at Orford Ness. Characteristic Sensory stimuli enhanced by quality of light/space (the cognitive and big ‘Suffolk skies’), areas with dark skies and sound (e.g. sensory stimuli bird calls, curlews on heath and geese on estuaries, the (e.g. sounds, wind through reeds in estuaries, waves on shingle). quality of light, characteristic smells, characteristics of the weather) Relative A sense of Relatively few Absence of major coastal road or rail route, due to wildness remoteness roads or other estuaries, and intermittent ‘soft edged’, often lightly transport routes trafficked access routes across the AONB to the coastline from main routes inland, has contributed to the relatively undeveloped character of the Suffolk Coast. Distant from or Pockets of relative wildness associated with coast, estuary perceived as and forests in this largely farmed and settled landscape. distant from significant habitation 3 A relative lack of Extensive areas of Semi-natural habitats evident, notably on the Sandlings human influence semi-natural heaths, marshes, reedbeds, estuaries and along the vegetation coastline. Uninterrupted Largely undeveloped coastline and areas of semi-natural tracts of land habitat including Sandlings heath, forests, reedbeds, with few built estuaries and marshland. features and no Landscape interspersed with isolated villages, and built overt industrial heritage assets such as Martello towers, pill boxes, river or urban walls that contribute to character. influences A small number of large scale and industrial elements on the coast of the AONB are long established, notably Sizewell A and B and the former military site at Orford Ness. A sense of openness Open, exposed to Big ‘Suffolk skies’ emphasise sense of openness and and exposure the elements and exposure on open and exposed coastline and on the expansive in Sandlings heaths. character A sense of Sense of Forestry plantations create sense of enclosure and enclosure and enclosure isolation contrasting to open and more exposed areas isolation provided by (e.g.) along the coast and on the Sandlings heaths. woodland, landform that offers a feeling of isolation A sense of the Absence or Significant areas of semi natural landscape notably along passing of time and apparent absence the coastline and within undeveloped estuaries where a return to nature of active human there is little evidence of apparent human activity despite intervention the sea walls and coastal marshes. Relative Contributors to Presence and / or Areas of semi natural habitat, where there is a general tranquillity tranquillity perceptions of absence of development and apparent human activity, natural contribute to a sense of relative tranquillity. Further landscape, enhanced by sounds (bird calls, the wind through reeds in birdsong, peace estuaries, waves on shingle) and relatively dark skies. and quiet, natural –looking woodland, stars at night, stream, sea, natural sounds and similar influences Detractors from Presence and/or Some local detractors from tranquillity include the tranquillity perceptions of seasonal influx of visitors to coastal towns, low flying traffic noise, large aircraft noise and urban development on fringes of the numbers of AONB. people,
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