S02 Y Carneddau
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S02 Y Carneddau Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map with the permission of Ordnance Survey ® on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright Licence No. 100023387 Location and Extent This LCA comprises the Carneddau mountain range bounded to the west by the U-shaped valley of Nant Ffrancon and to the south by the Afon Lligwy and the A5. Key Characteristics . Vast scale, exposed landscape . High hills and mountains bounded by roads and valleys . Includes the second highest peak in Snowdonia (Carnedd Llywelyn) Evaluation The following table illustrates the appraisal of this Landscape Character Area (LCA) against sensitivity criteria which have been predetermined for the five different development types. Higher ↑ Medium Lower Criterion/development type Key - ↓ Sensitivity Sensitivity Sensitivity not applicable Assessment of Landscape Sensitivity to each Development Type Sensitivity Criteria Characteristics of the LCA Parks Wind Energy Wind PV Solar Scale Field Energy 400 kV Overhead Line Masts Mobile Caravan/ Static Chalet Scale Typically a vast scale landscape. ↓ VS8: Medium (23%)/ Vast (75%) Field Pattern, Not applicable Scale and Enclosure Landform High hills and mountains including the high ridgeline of the Carneddau mountain range, bounded to the west by the U-shaped valley of Nant Ffrancon and by the A5 and Afon Llugwy valley to the south. Landscape VS Classification Level 2: Exposed Upland/Plateau ↑ ↑ ↑ (77%)/ Hills, Lower Plateau & Scarp Slopes (22%) VS4: High Hills/Mountains (77%)/ Rolling/Undulating (7%)/ Hills/ Valleys (16%) Landcover Open craggy mountain summits, rough upland grazing, scarp slopes and large rectangular ↑ ↑ ↑ enclosures of ffridd interspersed with large lakes. Assessment of Landscape Sensitivity to each Development Type Sensitivity Criteria Characteristics of the LCA Parks Wind Energy Wind PV Solar Scale Field Energy 400 kV Overhead Line Masts Mobile Caravan/ Static Chalet VS Classification Level 3: Upland Grazing (75%)/ Hillside & Scarp Slopes Mosaic (16%)/ Hillside & Scarp Slopes Grazing (6%) VS5: Open Land (77%)/ Mixture (22%) Man-made Primarily unsettled with few vernacular properties Influences clustered along the A5. Few overt man-made influences other than minor roads and mobile masts to the west and south. ↑ ↑ ↑ VS6: Clustered (22%) / No Settlements (77%) VS27: Fair (100%) Settlement Not applicable Pattern Skylines and The high and prominent ridgeline of the Carneddau Settings mountain range and the high peak of Carnedd ↑ ↑ Llywelyn (the second highest in Snowdonia) form highly distinctive skylines within this LCA. Movement Limited road traffic brings occasional movement to the landscape, which otherwise has a still character. ↑ VS18: Occasional (75%)/ Frequent (16%) / Infrequent (8%) Visibility, Key Panoramic views from the mountains overlooking Views, Vistas the seascapes of Conwy and Anglesey to the north. and Typical Receptors (both To the south the open and exposed landscape allows within and outside of expansive views over the Carneddau mountain each Landscape Character Area) range. Visual VS9: Open (24%)/ Exposed (75%) ↑ ↑ ↑ Typical receptors include occupiers, users and visitors to the following: . Clustered properties . Snowdonia National Park (including Snowdon) Assessment of Landscape Sensitivity to each Development Type Sensitivity Criteria Characteristics of the LCA Parks Wind Energy Wind PV Solar Scale Field Energy 400 kV Overhead Line Masts Mobile Caravan/ Static Chalet . Long distance routes including Sustrans national cycle route Bangor to Fishguard (NCN route 82) . Open Access Areas . Local attractions and public rights of way . The A5 tourist route . The local road network Views to and These include: from . Snowdonia National Park (including Important Snowdon) Landscape and . Anglesey AONB Cultural . Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB ↑ ↑ Heritage . Ogwen Valley Registered Historic Landscape Features (both . Registered Historic Parks and Gardens within and outside of . ELDP Area of Natural Beauty (Development each Landscape Character Area) Policy 2) Condition Not applicable Scenic Quality Typically High LANDMAP evaluation and Character VS25: Moderate (94%)/ Strong (6%) VS46: High (86%)/ Moderate (11%) ↑ ↑ ↑ VS47: High (88%)/ Moderate (11%) VS48: High (88%)/ Moderate (12%) Remoteness/ Exposed, remote and wild mountain range with no Tranquillity road access into the higher mountains. and Experiential and The A5 to the south and west introduces a degree of Aesthetic, Perceptual Aesthetic, visual intrusion and noise disturbance, slightly reducing the perceived tranquillity. ↑ ↑ ↑ VS24: Exposed (77%)/ Settled; Attractive; Sheltered (11%)/ Other (6%)/ Settled; Attractive; Exposed; Wild; Spiritual (5%) Assessment of Landscape Sensitivity to each Development Type Sensitivity Criteria Characteristics of the LCA Parks Wind Energy Wind PV Solar Scale Field Energy 400 kV Overhead Line Masts Mobile Caravan/ Static Chalet Landscape The entire LCA falls within the National Park. Value (including landscape Much of the landscape is defined within ELDP as an related features) Area of Natural Beauty. Nationally designated features include Open Access Areas and a Sustrans national cycle route Bangor to Fishguard (NCN route 82). Typical High LANDMAP evaluation with some areas Outstanding. ↑ ↑ ↑ VS50: High (88%)/ Moderate (11%) VS49: High (77%)/ Moderate (22%) LH45: High (9%)/ Moderate (23%)/ Outstanding (65%) Value LH42: Unassessed (100%) GL31: High (20%)/ Outstanding (80%) GL33: High (20%)/ Outstanding (80%) Historic Value The western fringes of this LCA lie within the Ogwen Valley Registered Historic Landscape. Typically High LANDMAP evaluation with some areas Outstanding. ↑ ↑ ↑ HL38: High (65%)/ Outstanding (30%) HL35: High (35%)/ Outstanding (65%) HL40: High (37%)/ Outstanding (62%) Overall Landscape Sensitivity and Strategy The following tables provide an overall summary of sensitivity in relation to the relevant development types20 (based on the LCA sensitivity evaluation table), together with the proposed landscape strategy: WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS OVERALL SENSITIVITY Although the vast scale of this landscape may be indicative of a lowered sensitivity to wind energy development, this is far outweighed by the natural characteristics of this highly distinctive and scenic craggy upland mountain landscape which imparts a high degree of sensitivity and has resulted in its designation within Snowdonia National Park. Much of this area is also defined within the ELDP as an Area of Natural Beauty. Sensitivity is further enhanced by instantly recognisable skylines, created by dramatic and varied topography of the Carneddau mountain range which Very High together with a relative lack of human influence imparts a strong sense of remoteness and tranquillity and at times wilderness throughout much of this LCA. However, the perception of tranquillity is locally affected along the A5 road corridor to the south and western edges of the LCA. Extensive views are afforded to and from important landscape and cultural heritage features including the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, Anglesey AONB, the Great Orme Heritage Coast and a number of Registered Historic Landscapes. This combined with a high number of sensitive visual receptors, further enhances sensitivity. LANDSCAPE STRATEGY Landscape Protection Landscape Objective Baseline Development No existing or consented wind energy developments Indicative Overall Capacity Typically no capacity for wind energy developments MOBILE MASTS OVERALL SENSITIVITY The natural characteristics of this highly distinctive and scenic craggy upland mountain landscape impart a high degree of sensitivity and have resulted in its designation within Snowdonia National Park. Much of this area is also defined within the ELDP as an Area of Natural Beauty. Sensitivity is further enhanced by instantly recognisable skylines, created by dramatic and varied topography of the Carneddau mountain range, which together with a relative lack of human influence imparts a strong sense of Very High remoteness and tranquillity and at times wilderness throughout much of this LCA. However, the perception of tranquillity is locally affected along the A5 road corridor to the south and western edges of the LCA. The presence of existing mobile mast along this corridor further reduce sensitivity to this type of development in the south east. Extensive views are afforded to and from important landscape and cultural heritage features including the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, Anglesey 20 NOTE: This LCA falls outside the study areas for field-scale solar PV energy and 400 kV overhead line developments, therefore there are no strategies for these types of development. AONB, the Great Orme Heritage Coast and a number of Registered Historic Landscapes. This combined with a high number of sensitive visual receptors, further enhances sensitivity. LANDSCAPE STRATEGY Landscape Protection Landscape Objective Baseline Development 6 no. mobile mast developments Typically no capacity for mobile mast developments (with the exception of a Indicative Overall Capacity limited number of sensitively sited and well-designed camouflaged mobile masts.) STATIC CARAVAN/ CHALET PARKS AND EXTENSIONS OVERALL SENSITIVITY The natural characteristics of this highly distinctive and scenic craggy upland mountain landscape impart a high degree of sensitivity and have resulted in its designation within Snowdonia National Park. Much of this area is also defined within the ELDP as an