Central and Eastern Berkshire Joint Minerals & Waste Plan Strategic Landscape & Visual Assessment June 2018 Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................... 2 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 6 2. Bracknell Forest Local Planning Authority Area ................................................... 8 Local Planning Policy .............................................................................................. 8 Landscape Character Assessment ......................................................................... 8 3. Wokingham Borough Council Local Planning Authority Area ............................ 14 Local Planning Policy ............................................................................................ 14 Landscape Character Assessment ....................................................................... 14 4. Windsor and Maidenhead Local Planning Authority Area .................................. 24 Local Planning Policy ............................................................................................ 25 Landscape Character Assessment ....................................................................... 25 Glossary of Terms………………………………………………………………………….65 Appendix 1: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Methodology..................... 63 Landscape Character Assessments ..................................................................... 66 Methodology for Site Assessments ....................................................................... 68 Appendix 2: Bracknell Forest Planning Policies………………………………………..78 Appendix 3: Wokingham Borough Planning Policies…………………………………..81 Appendix 4: Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Planning Policies………..85 Prepared by Hampshire Services © Crown copyright and database rights 2017 Ordnance Survey 100018817 Hampshire County Council Derived from 1:50000 scale BGS Digital Data www.hants.gov.uk/sharedexpertise under Licence 2011/049F, British Geological Survey ©NERC Executive Summary This section provides an overview of the likely impact on visual and landscape character of each of the proposed site allocations to support the Central and Eastern Berkshire – Joint Minerals and Waste Plan. Mitigation measures are also outlined which could be put in place to offset those effects which have been identified. Central and Eastern Berkshire comprises the four Unitary Authorities: Bracknell Forest Council, Reading Borough Council, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and Wokingham Borough Council. For ease of reference, the sites have been listed: first by Local Planning Authority (LPA) area; second by the site code and; third by proposed type of site (either Waste treatment or Mineral extraction). Windsor and Maidenhead LPA has the highest number of sites assessed, having five proposed Waste and four proposed Minerals sites. Wokingham LPA has one Minerals site and one Waste site proposed. In Bracknell Forest LPA, one Waste site has been put forward for assessment, with no Minerals extraction sites proposed. No sites have been proposed in Reading LPA. Key for both Landscape Character and Visual Impact Slight Positive Slight Positive Neutral Neutral Slight Adverse Slight adverse Moderate Adverse Moderate Adverse Large Adverse Large Adverse Strategic Landscape and Visual Assessment (June 2018) 1 Summary of Site Assessments Site Site name Likely Likely Key Issues and Mitigation measures Code Landscape Visual Effects Effects Bracknell Forest LPA Waste CEB Planners Farm Moderate / Moderate The extent of the proposals for this site is currently unknown and this could have a significant 2 Slight / Slight effect on the site if it extends outside the existing boundary. Adverse Adverse The level of landscape and visual effects will be determined by the proposed use. Grassed mounds partially enclose the northern eastern and southern boundaries these need to be reinforced with native shrub planting. If the proposed development is outside the existing boundary new mitigation will be required to safeguard the footpath WIN FP4 & WIN FP12 and the residential areas to the north east and west of the farm. The height of any development should be no higher than that existing. Wokingham LPA Mineral CEB Bridge Farm Large Large Phased extraction and restoration may limit the overall impact of mineral extraction on the 7 Adverse Adverse character of the landscape. Visual impacts could be mitigated by advanced planting of screening vegetation along the roads and footpaths. The hedgerow along the A325 Reading Road needs to be thickened to provide a greater screen. The fields adjacent to the River Loddon are very sensitive and an ever diminishing landscape resource. If extraction is required, they should be restored to agriculture and not to water bodies. River side pasture is becoming a rare habitat in this area and ponds are abundant. This site will impact a number of footpaths: ARBO FP 21, 22II, 20II & 20III. These paths will need to be protected and given adequate space to remain without being confined into narrow corridors created by high mounds. The paths should be a minimum of 5m wide and include views out over the landscape. Small scale sequential extraction and restoration is required to minimise visual effects All woodland and hedgerows with trees should be protected by leaving wide buffers to ensure their long term health and viability. Restoration should include recreating the original field boundaries and planting hedgerows Strategic Landscape and Visual Assessment (June 2018) 2 Summary of Site Assessments Site Site name Likely Likely Key Issues and Mitigation measures Code Landscape Visual Effects Effects Waste CEB Star Works / Slight Slight Extent and nature of proposals are unknown and this will influence the required mitigation. 9 Knowl Hill Adverse Adverse This is an existing permanent waste site with an adjacent area of landfill that is currently incomplete. The site is surrounded by rights of way (HURL RB 41 V1 & V, WARG FP 41 I & 42 I & WARG RB 40 I) and Ancient Woodland. The existing woodland around the site should be retained and the boundaries reinforced within the site adjacent to the areas where the landfill operations are complete, to aid screening of the site from the footpaths where views are possible in the north east corner. Windsor and Maidenhead LPA Mineral CEB Ham Island Large Large The Island is in the Thames floodplain in a highly sensitive location 16 Adverse Adverse There are residential areas on and adjoining the island, plus a horse rescue centre. There area archaeological remains within the site. Busy recreational routes (River Thames and Thames Path) run past the site.. Road access, consisting of a narrow single track lane, already used for sewage works access, passes through a residential area of Old Windsor. Limited development, linked to water transport, may be acceptable, provided adequate screen planting is included to protect the residential and recreational environment.. CEB Water Oakley Slight Slight This site is flat and has the benefit of having been planted up with native planting around the 17 Farm Adverse Adverse boundaries, inside the original hedgerows, approximately 8-10 years ago. This planting helps to screen views of the site from the A308 Windsor Road, Fifield Road & properties to the north of the road, the screening will increase with each years growth. Footpath Bray/51A/1 along the southern boundary of the site requires screening along the section where it is open to the site. If bunds are used there needs to be a suitable offset from the path to reduce the tunnel effect. Footpath Bray/53/1 crosses the site and is open along its whole route. This path will need screening or diversion to footpath Bray/57/2 which follows the eastern boundary of the site and will also need to be screened. Large structures and stockpiles should be located within the south eastern part of the site. Strategic Landscape and Visual Assessment (June 2018) 3 Summary of Site Assessments Site Site name Likely Likely Key Issues and Mitigation measures Code Landscape Visual Effects Effects CEB Poyle Quarry Slight Slight The site consists mainly of existing arable fields with pylons running through. Aircraft fly low, 18 and Poyle Adverse Adverse directly overhead. Sensitivities include Colnbrook village (Conservation Area) and proposed Quarry housing site to north, nature reserve to south, and the Colne Valley Way footpath route (Hort/4) Extension which adjoins its west side. Heathrow Hilton to west adjoins the proposed new access route. It will be essential for adequate space for strong new landscape structure to be included in any proposals. CEB Horton Brook Neutral Slight This is an existing worked site. Colne Valley Way footpath (HORT/4) runs along east side, 19 Quarry Adverse Colnbrook housing to north and Horton to south. Views across site from elevated sailing club at reservoir to west. Mitigation to date has left the site open to views due to the poor establishment of the planting and exposed bunds. Effective delivery of new landscape structure, including large trees, required as part of any development. CEB Monkey Island Moderate Slight The site is adjacent The Cut channel, close to the River Thames, and Bray Lake Recreation Area. 26 Lane, Bray Adverse Adverse A high level of public access in this area raises sensitivity. Public access should