Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 41 Regional Seascape Unit Giltar Point to Pembrey Burrows (Carmarthen Bay) Name:
Pendine, and Pendine Sands (Photo © Richard Kelly) Pendine Sands (Photo © Aethne Cooke, CCW )
Tenby (Photo © Richard Kelly) Pemborkeshire Coast Path (Photo © Dave Maclachlan, PCNPA)
Caldey Island with Tenby. (Photo © Dave Maclachlan, PCNPA)
1 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments
No: 41 Regional Seascape Unit Giltar Point to Pembrey Burrows (Carmarthen Bay) Name:
Seascape Types: THMR, THMU, TSLD Key Characteristics A wide south facing bay, enclosed to the east and west, with contrasting character. Dominated by the dunes, some with conifer plantations, either side of the Taf and Tywi estuaries, and to the east on Gower with a hill fringe. To the west of pendine sands, the coastline has sloping cliffs and a series of sand sandy beaches and minor headlands. A rural area with popular tourist settlements to the west, notably Tenby, and the remains of military installations behind Pendine Sands. The bay is more sheltered to the west, but strong currents exist around the estuaries. Long views out to sea but also across to the Gower. Key cultural associations: Large historic landscape and extensive SSSI. The coastal settlements are largely dominated by tourism and leisure today, in contrast to the former medieval military control through castles at Laugharne, Llansteffan and Kidwelly, and the former purpose of the settlements as industrial and fishing ports. The estuary flowing into this bay has associations with Dylan Thomas.
Physical Geology The geology is east west trending with upstanding Devonian Old Red Sandstone north of Characteristics Pendine sands, flanked by coal measures and millstone grit around Saundersfoot and Pembrey to the west and east respectively. Carboniferous limestone lies to the far west, south of Tenby and forms the northern half of Caldey Island. Windblown sand stretches along significant parts of the coast at Pendine, Pembrey and on the Gower. This is backed by alluvium in the former two locations. Coastal landform A wide south facing bay enclosed to the east and west. Coastal hills lie generally close to the coast with incised valleys to the west and discontinuous sloping cliffs interspersed with sandy beaches between minor headlands. Further east the extensive Pendine Sands is backed by dunes before the hills rise to the north. The low lying convex coast of Pembrey Burrows and extensive sands lie to the far east beyond the Taf and Tywi estuaries. Coastal landcover The greater part of the coast is rural with pasture dominating,and some arable land.. Deciduous and mixed woodlands reach the coast on steep valley sides, concentrated to the west. Established semi-natural vegetation covers the Pembrey Burrows while conifer plantations with rough clearings characterise Pembrey Forest. Coastal settlements are concentrated to the west, most of which are tourism related with many caravan parks. The most important is the historic resort and fishing town of Tenby perched above the coast on a cliff, and Saundersfoot further north. Elsewhere settlement is relatively sparse and scattered. Intertidal area To the east the coast is simple with very large sandy beaches at Pendine (very fine, hard, level and linear) and Cefn Sidan. Smaller but still extensive beaches lie to the west, including those fronting Tenby, Saundersfoot and Amroth. Limited rocky areas lie particularly west of Amroth. Minor rock headlands divide beaches such as Monkstone and St Catherines Island at Tenby. Characteristics of sea There are strong currents around the estuaries. The bay is large and generally open and undeveloped. Hinterland landform Incised coastal plateau with a hilly character reaching 200m AOD dominates with incised valleys to the west and estuaries with wider associated valleys to the east. Hinterland landcover Pastoral and arable agriculture with scattered farms with larger settlements on A roads. The largest settlements are on the coast. Lighting The area is generally dark to the east but lit around coastal settlements to the west.
Use Land/coast uses The coast is used for residential, tourism (caravan parks and holiday accommodation) and informal recreation. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path to the west, beaches for swimming, kite buggies and car parking (Pendine Sands). Past and possibly present military activity on Pembrey/Pendine. Sea uses Sailing mainly concentrated to the west. Military activity at Pendine uses a designated area
2 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments of the sea as a firing range.
Visual and How the seascape unit Coastal Path; beaches such as Tenby, Saundersfoot, Amroth, Pendine; settlements; adjacent sensory qualities is experienced minor roads such as around Amroth. Degree of intervisibility The coastal hills limit visibility of the sea from the inland incised plateau so most visibility is of land and sea from their southern faces. Key views to sea and Pembrokeshire Coastal Path; beaches such as Tenby, Saundersfoot, Amroth; settlements along the coast such as Tenby; Caldey Island. Views to the Gower. Key views to land Views limited to swimmers, windsurfers and coastal yachts. Tranquillity/rem- The most remote, tranquil places lie to the east around Pembrey and Pendine although the oteness/wildness MoD restricts access to the bulk of Pendine Sands. The west is more settled and crowded with holidaymakers in the summer. Sense of scale Large - open relatively simple bay Openness/ Open enclosure Diversity Diverse- between east and west Exposure Exposed to very exposed (western edge)
Key cultural The coastal landscape is largely given over to tourism and leisure, from the honey pot associations destination of Tenby to small tourism centres at Saundersfoot and Amroth (both of which are former industrial ports), to Pendine and Llanmiloe, Laugharne, Llansteffan and Kidwelly. This basic infrastructure of chalets, caravan parks, small hotels and B&Bs is reinforced by the presence inland close to the Cleddau of the larger attractions of Bluestone, Oakwood Park and Folly Farm. Historically, the estuaries of the Taf and Tywi Rivers were strategically important, with 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 literary associations with Dylan Thomas and Richard Hughes). Pendine owes its fame to the land speed record attempts which ended tragically with the death of J.G. Parry Thomas in 1927. Teamed with nearby Llanmiloe, it is the subject of intensive economic regeneration, albeit on a small scale, In addition to the contemporary cultural phenomenon of the very large 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. The seascapes around Llanmiloe, Laugharne and Pembrey Burrows are used as practice grounds for military ordnance.
Forces for change Land/coast Development pressure on tourist settlements. Recreational use and wear and tear on coastal path and habitats. Climate change and sea level rise on coastal settlements and estuarine ecology. Wind farms visible from both land and sea Sea -
Designations and National Park Pembrokeshire Coast National Park sensitive features AONB - Heritage Coast Long-distance coastal Pembrokeshire Coast Path (as far east as Amroth) footpath/National Trail Outstanding and special Taf and Tywi estuary; [Tywi Valley] historic landscapes
3 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments Historic gardens and Llanmiloe House parks Laugharne Castle and Castle House Llechdwnni (north of Kidwelly) Key scheduled ancient Laugharne Castle (also Guardianship site) SN 3010 monuments Llansteffan Castle (also Guardianship site) SN 3510 Tenby Castle SN 1300 Kidwelly Castle Carmarthen Castle Country Parks Pembrey Country Park Open access land Marros; Pembrey Forest
4 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments
No: 41 Regional Seascape Unit Giltar Point to Pembrey Burrows (Carmarthen Bay) Name: Headline Sub-criteria Increases sensitivity Decreases sensitivity criteria
Overall Summary of key • Views to the west including Caldey Island e.g. • A large bay with a relatively low lying character factors from Tenby coast to the east, of dunes and forest at and • The historic integrity of Tenby and its setting Pendine and Pembrey respectively qualities • Pembrokeshire Coast Path • Busy and lit aspects of settlements • Elevated panoramic views from western coastal areas including Pembrokeshire Coast National Park • The tranquil and unlit character of area to the east and central across the estuary mouth
Seascape sensitivity levels for different forms of offshore development (derived from criteria above) Modelled scenario Generic form of Sensitivity Comments development
Tall structures 13km Moderate The dimensions of the bay would mean that any windfarm Offshore wind offshore following the scenario [a minimum of 13km from any sensitivity coast] would be located around 20km from the Pendine shore. Therefore views across the bay would be minimally affected by comparison.
Wave energy units Broad flat structures on Low - Moderate Wave energy units could be physically accommodated in sensitivity the sea surface the bay. The relatively flat coast to the east would reflect the units’ horizontal character. However views from elevated ground to the west may reveal broad flat structures on the sea surface, and these could clutter the emptiness and simplicity of the space, and clutter views of Caldey Island.
Tidal energy units Developments placed Low - Moderate There are small scale sensitive built locations such as sensitivity only a short distance Amroth and larger but historic Tenby, so relating offshore. development just offshore to existing development would need designing with sensitivity to their character. To the east, development just offshore would interrupt the dynamic and remote and tranquil qualities, especially vertical structures.
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