Army Basing Programme 2020 Landscape & Visual Appraisal Larkhill
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Aspire Defence Capital Works Army Basing Programme 2020 Landscape & Visual Appraisal Larkhill June 2015 Document No: 27-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 Document Status Rev. Date Purpose of Issue Prep. Chkd. Appr. A 29.05.15 Issued for Planning RJC TFT DAG B 26.06.15 Issued for Planning RJC TFT DAG CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Methodology 3.0 Planning Policy 4.0 Elements of the Landscape 5.0 Landscape Character 6.0 Visual Amenity 7.0 Mitigation 8.0 Conclusion APPENDICES Appendix A – National Character Area Appendix B – Salisbury District Landscape Character Assessment FIGURES (contained in Annex) Figure 1 Landscape Constraints Figure 2 Landscape Context Figure 3 Topography Figure 4 Receptor Viewpoint Locations Figure 5 Receptor Viewpoint Photography Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Larkhill Masterplan 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 Wiltshire’s landscape has been intensively used by the military for well over a century. Salisbury Plain is one of the largest training areas in the UK. 1.1.2 This report describes the landscape and visual effects of the Army Basing Programme (ABP) 2020 at MoD Larkhill on the camp and its surroundings. Specifically it appraises the likely effects on: · the individual landscape elements and features of the camp and surrounding area; · the landscape character of the camp and surrounding area; · the specific aesthetic or perceptual aspects of the landscape; and · visual amenity. It has been prepared in support of the hybrid planning application for the masterplan proposals for delivery of the ABP assets at Larkhill to be submitted to Wiltshire Council. 1.1.3 The effects of the masterplan development proposals on the settings of the numerous and important heritage features found within the camp’s hinterland is considered in the Heritage Assessment, which is also submitted in support of the hybrid application. 1.1.4 The application site comprises land within the camp boundary. The photograph below (taken in 2012- looking north) illustrates its immediate setting. 1.1.5 Larkhill has been in military use since the end of the 19th Century, being established, (along with nearby Bulford, Tidworth and Perham Down), as a Garrison since c1899 onwards. Incremental development has occurred in the intervening period to cater for evolving military operational requirements. In recent years, parts of the site has been redeveloped and modernised under the Project Allenby Connaught Public Private Partnership (PPP). 1.1.6 The masterplan covers an area of approximately 154 hectares. The camp is relatively isolated from nearby settlement. It is accessed from The Packway, a 27-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 - 1 - of 33 May 2015 Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Larkhill Masterplan public highway which runs through the southern part of the camp, connecting to the A345 to the east. The A303 runs some 2km to the south of the site. In contrast with its surroundings, the camp is largely enclosed and compact and characterised by the existing built development of significant extent. It comprises a mix of living, office, technical and training accommodation, together with other ancillary buildings, hardstanding, parking and sports facilities. Street tree planting and woodland blocks, both surrounding much of the camp’s perimeter and indeed within the camp itself, provide a strong green infrastructure and screening. 1.1.7 The camp lies within the predominantly rural setting of the sensitive landscape of Salisbury Plain. Notwithstanding, the area in and around Salisbury Plain hosts a number of military camps, including: Warminster; Perham Down; Tidworth; Upavon and Bulford; as well as Larkhill. The Cranbourne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) lies some 9km to the south-west and the North Wessex Downs AONB lies to the north, over 10km from the camp’s northern boundary. There are a number of heritage resources (and tourist destinations) of national and international importance in the vicinity: notably the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site (WHS) - The Packway forming its northern boundary - and including Woodhenge (a Scheduled Monument) approximately 1.5km to the east. 1.1.8 The quality of the built environment within the camp is variable. Although much, in particular the technical areas, is utilitarian, there are areas of higher townscape quality, such as The Royal School of Artillery buildings and their environs. 1.2 Study Area 1.2.1 The extent of the Study Area used for this appraisal is based on the landform, land cover, land use and built form in the vicinity of the camp. 1.2.2 It is important to note that the boundary of the Study Area does not define the area beyond which there will be no effects. Rather it contains the area within which there is potential for likely significant landscape and visual effects to occur. 1.3 Scope of Study 1.3.1 A Preliminary Landscape Assessment (PLA) - Capita November 2013 – of options for the Army Basing Programme (ABP) within the camp was undertaken by suitably qualified and experienced Landscape Architects in order to assist selection of options and the development of the masterplan for the ABP proposals, and to identify potential landscape and visual mitigation requirements. The PLA has been reviewed and revised in respect of the hybrid application proposals, both outline and detailed. It should be noted that each of the Priority Works applications for the camp that have recently been lodged with the planning authority were themselves accompanied by a landscape and visual appraisal. 1.3.2 The PLA work entailed in the preparation of this appraisal comprised two specific elements. The first element involved a desk based study of: · relevant landscape planning policies in the development plan; · published documents relating to landscape character; and · the analysis of local mapping to identify potentially significant receptor viewpoints, taking into account topography, built development and significant vegetation features such as woodland. 27-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 - 2 - of 33 May 2015 Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Larkhill Masterplan 1.3.3 The second element entailed field work and included the walking of roads, public rights of way and permissive paths to establish a detailed understanding of the character of the landscape within the Study Area and to determine the extent to which the Army 2020 basing proposals would be capable of being seen (in whole or in part). A photographic record was taken at this time to inform the description of visibility from the receptor viewpoints. 1.3.4 The field work was carried out in late September 2013, with a second round of site photography taken in the ensuing winter and further augmented by subsequent site visits. It is considered that the work that has been carried out enables a reasoned analysis of the likely landscape and visual effects to be made. 1.3.5 The photographic record taken at the time of the study was to inform the description of visibility from the receptor viewpoints. The locations of the representative viewpoints – see Figure 4 - have been agreed with Wiltshire Council. 1.4 Assumptions 1.4.1 This report makes the following assumptions: · The appraisal is based on the illustrative masterplan and parameters submitted with the hybrid application. · All existing vegetation located outside the potential development areas would be unaffected by the masterplan proposals; and · The application of good site construction practice. In particular, nearby retained trees are afforded protection in accordance with the recommendations provided in British Standard 5837:2012 Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction – Recommendations. 27-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 - 3 - of 33 May 2015 Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Larkhill Masterplan 2. METHODOLOGY 2.1 Introduction 2.1.1 The methodology employed for this appraisal is appropriate to the nature and scale of the proposed development. It draws upon a range of approaches and techniques but is primarily based on the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA3). 2.1.2 The appraisal considers the landscape and visual effects of the proposed development during the construction and operational periods. 2.2 Baseline Conditions 2.2.1 The baseline landscape and visual conditions of the camp and surrounding area are described including: · a factual description of the landscape conditions within the Study Area (including topography, geography, population, distribution, land use patterns, patterns of communication, history, etc.); · the identification of any anticipated changes within the landscape (excluding the proposed development) as a result of development allocations, consented developments, etc. Where Priority Works planning applications have been submitted, the proposed developments are considered to be part of the baseline condition; · a description of landscape character areas from both on site observation and from published documentation; and · a description of the visual amenity of the Study Area and general visibility of the camp. 2.2.2 The description of the baseline is informed by a number of site visits to understand the baseline landscape and visual conditions of the camp and surrounding area. 2.3 Appraisal of Effects 2.3.1 Landscape effects arising from development are considered by evaluating changes to landscape receptors in the Study Area. These receptors comprise landscape elements and Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) and the effects will consist of: · physical changes to the landscape attributable to some aspect of the development proposals (for instance the loss of vegetation or buildings); · effects on the aesthetic or perceptual qualities of a character area attributable to a direct effect occurring elsewhere within or outside of the character area; and · effects on the character of LCAs. 27-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 - 4 - of 33 May 2015 Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Larkhill Masterplan 2.3.2 The effects on visual receptors (i.e. people) are assessed by considering the change experienced from key receptor viewpoints within the Study Area.