Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 42 Regional Seascape Unit Taf, Tywi and Gwendraeth estuaries Name:

Ginst Point to Delacorse, west side Afon Taf. (Photo © Natasha Lough, CCW) Ginst Point to Delacorse, west side Afon Taf. Photo © Monica Jones, CCW )

Ginst Point to Delacorse,west side Afon Taf. (Photo © Monica Jones, CCW) Afon Cywyn to Wharley Point, east side Afon Taf. (Photo © Natasha Lough, CCW)

1 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments

No: 42 Regional Seascape Unit Taf, Tywi and Gwendraeth estuaries Name:

Seascape Types: EHMR Key Characteristics Rounded, coastal, rural hills enclosing two picturesque estuaries and providing the backdrop to the third (Gwendraeth). Historic rural villages with castles commanding views of the estuaries at Laugharne, Llansteffan and Kidwelly. Rural pastoral coast and hinterland with prominent deciduous woodlands on steep slopes and conifers and dunes to the south east. Two enclosed estuaries and the third more open with mud, sand and saltmarsh, particularly south of the Gwendraeth. Key views from hills, historic settlements and railway. Key cultural associations: Large historic landscape covering both land and sea, extensive SSSI. The setting for the poet Dylan Thomas’s cottage.

Physical Geology Devonian Lower Old Red Sandstone defines the coastal hill landscape with Ordovician Characteristics measures inland. Wind blown sand lies over millstone grit and coal measures to the south east. Boulder clay lies on valley sides with alluvium in the valley bottoms. Coastal landform Rounded hills rise fairly steeply to around 130m AOD from the narrow valley floors with lower undulating landform further inland. The Taf and Tywi rivers form major sinuous valleys through the hilly landscape. Low sand dunes to the south east enclose the extensive muddy Gwendraeth estuary. Coastal landcover The greater part of the estuary sides are rural with pasture dominating, but with some arable land extending to the estuary edge. Mature deciduous woodland cover on the steep slopes are prominent elements. Saltmarsh lies in areas of deposition, particularly south of the Gwendraeth. Rural settlement includes the picturesque villages of Laugharne and Llansteffan (with their castles) and the more functional settlements of Kidwelly (but also with a historic castle and port), and Ferryside to the east, lying on the main railway line to Carmarthen. The latter forms the coastal and estuary edge in parts. Most settlements avoid the most exposed parts, apart from a caravan/chalet site north of the Gwendraeth. Intertidal area Mud and sand in the higher reaches of the estuary giving way to sand in the lower reaches. The saltmarsh is occasionally flooded. Characteristics of sea Estuarial with strong tidal flow and high suspended solids content. A series of narrow channels is exposed at low tide. Owing to its orientation, the estuary is only moderately exposed to the prevailing winds- the Tywi more than the others. Hinterland landform Rounded hills rise fairly steeply to around 130m AOD in the coastal area with lower undulating landform further inland to the north. Pembrey is low lying coastal plain to the south east backed by hills on the edge of the coalfield plateau. Hinterland landcover Rural landscape of pastoral with some arable, and scattered farms and some nucleated settlements usually in the valley bottoms. Lighting Carmarthen is the largest concentration of lighting with the rural settlements contributing some degree of lighting, but generally the area is moderately dark.

Use Land/coast uses The coast is used for agriculture, settlement and generally low-key leisure (caravan sites). Sea uses The sea is used to a limited extent for leisure craft including sailing boats.

Visual and How the seascape unit Settlements; the main line railway; minor roads; public footpaths. sensory qualities is experienced Degree of intervisibility The coastal hills limit visibility of the sea from inland in many places. However, there is of land and sea wide visibility up the three estuaries from the two sand bars of Cefn Sidan Sands and Laugharne Sands to south east and west respectively. Views of the estuaries themselves are from adjacent valley sides. Key views to sea and Laugharne, Llansteffan and Kidwelly including castles; the main line railway. along the coast

2 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments Key views to land Views limited to occasional yachts. Tranquillity/rem- The Taf is the most tranquil owing to the limited access, with the railway line skirting both oteness/wildness the Tywi and Gwendraeth estuaries. However, the area is tranquil overall because of its rural character. Sense of scale Medium Openness/ Moderately enclosed, but very open at the seaward extent enclosure Diversity Diverse Exposure Exposed, reducing inland.

Key cultural Historically, the estuaries of the Taf and Tywi Rivers were strategically important, with associations castles controlling the land and seascapes at Laugharne, Kidwelly, Llansteffan and (inland) at Carmarthen. Towns with coastal fortifications are now largely culturally concerned with tourism (e.g. Laugharne with its contemporary cultural associations with Dylan Thomas and Richard Hughes literary figures). In addition to the very large Taf/Tywi registered landscape covering both land and sea, the seascape of Carmarthen Bay and the estuaries is extensively designated as a SSSI – both registration and designation being highly important, though invisible, cultural expressions.

Forces for change Land/coast Development pressure on rural settlements. Climate change and sea level rise on settlements and infrastructure such as the main railway line. Sea Tidal currents can shift sediment. The potential effects of climate change on the ecology and landscapes/seascapes in or adjacent to the estuaries.

Designations and National Park - sensitive features AONB - Heritage Coast - Long-distance coastal - footpath/National Trail Outstanding and special Taf and Tywi Estuary; Tywi Valley historic landscapes Historic gardens and Llanmiloe House parks Laugharne Castle and Castle House Llechdwnni (north of Kidwelly) Castles in the Tywi Valley north-east of Carmarthen Key scheduled ancient Laugharne Castle (also Guardianship Site) SN 3010 monuments Llansteffan Castle (also Guardianship Site) SN 3510 Kidwelly Castle Carmarthen Castle

Country Parks Pembrey Country Park Open access land -

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No: 42 Regional Seascape Unit Taf, Tywi and Gwendraeth estuaries Name: Headline Sub-criteria Increases sensitivity Decreases sensitivity criteria

Overall Summary of key • Rural, tranquil character of much of the area • Rounded hills potentially containing character factors especially to the west (the Taff) any development from views from the and • A limited arc of open sea visible from the north qualities estuary, focussing open sea horizon views from • sand dunes with some coniferous within the estuary forest plantations where seaward • Constraints of the limited space within the views are not reached until arriving on estuary the beach • Qualities of remoteness • coastal railway line with hard edges to • The natural dynamic qualities of a soft the east coastline • suburbanised settlements such as • The traditional settlements of Laugharne and Ferryside and caravan parks Llanstephan with their castles and picturesque • A wider arc of open sea visibility is settings. screened by the sand bars either side • The setting of Dylan Thomas’s cottage. of the estuary mouth

Seascape sensitivity levels for different forms of offshore development Modelled scenario Generic form of Sensitivity Comments development

Tall structures 13km High The estuary is not large enough to accommodate the wind Offshore wind offshore farm scenario owing to its confined width. Tall structures sensitivity located closer than the scenario 13km distance will appear very large and dominate the focus of views.

Wave energy units Broad flat structures on High The ability to accommodate broad flat structures is sensitivity the sea surface constrained owing to the width of the estuaries and their inter-tidal areas.

Tidal energy units Developments placed Moderate Developments placed just offshore could compromise the sensitivity only a short distance intactness of the natural dynamic soft coast line, however, offshore. there are many remote stretches and some containment within the estuary for such developments.

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