Extracts - Existing Landscape significant adverse or detrimental impact upon the existing landscape resource and visual environment.

As part of establishing the existing baseline environment, the assessment, therefore, reviewed a range of relevant landscape policy designations at a national, regional and local level from a number of local planning authorities. The key planning policy documents that apply are:

Regional Plans and Guidance

• East of Plan 2001-2021 • Regional Assembly “Placing Renewables in the East of England”, Final Report

Local Plans/ Local Development Frameworks (LDF’s)

• South Cambridgeshire LDF • Local Plan and SPD on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

There is only one area of local landscape designation within a 10km radius of the site, which is a Special Landscape Area within the Braintree District, as illustrated on Figure 7.1 and this is considered within the assessment. This designation is expected to be removed on adoption of the emerging LDF. The areas of local landscape designation generally cover areas of attractive or mature landscapes which are valued for either landscape and/or visual amenity reasons.

7.5 The Existing Landscape Environment

7.5.1 Introduction

The former Countryside Agency and English Nature, with support from English Heritage, produced the Character of England map in 1996. This combines English Nature’s Natural Areas and the Countryside Agency’s Countryside Character Areas into a composite map of Joint Character Areas. The map and supporting descriptions provide the top tier of the hierarchy of Landscape Character Assessment in England and a national context for regional and local landscape and ecological assessments. Figure 7.2 shows national character areas identified within the study area. County-level landscape character assessments have been undertaken by Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and county councils and their landscape character area are shown also on Figure 7.2. Local-level landscape character assessments have also been carried out by East Hertfordshire DC, North Hertfordshire DC, Uttlesford DC and Braintree DC. Local landscape character areas within a 5km radius of the site are illustrated on Figure 7.2.

7.5.2 Countryside Character Map of England

The Site

The proposed Linton Wind Farm site lies within Countryside Character Area 87 – East Anglian Chalk. An appraisal of the site and its environs confirms that the elements of the character area description are apparent. The character area is described in Countryside Character, Volume 6 – East of England published by the

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Countryside Agency. A brief summary and key characteristics of this area is presented in Appendix E2, and their distance from the site and sensitivity to wind development, recorded in Table 7.1.

Surrounding Areas

The study area encompasses three further character areas: the South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland (character area 86), Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands (Character Area 88), and The Fens (Character Area 46). A summary of Character Areas 86 and 88 can be found in Appendix E2. Character Area 46 has not been reviewed due to the small area of coverage within the study area and distance from the site.

Basis for Sensitivity Assessments

The sensitivity assessments are drawn from the EERA document: “Placing Renewables in the East of England”. This is a region-wide study, covering all aspects of renewable energy generation, including on-shore wind. The study uses a constraint-mapping approach similar to that used by wind developers in searching for sites, to identify areas that may be suitable or on-shore wind development. It also includes an assessment of the sensitivity and capacity of the national Joint Character Areas (JCAs) within the region to accommodate wind development. The document is clear that the constraints maps should not be used to either support or reject individual proposals, and these are not referred to. However, the assessments of sensitivity are very relevant to this LVIA and are used as the basis for the assessments of sensitivity of the JCAs in Table 7.1.

This document also recommends a “maximum wind farm typology” for each character area based on size bands (small 2-3; medium 4-12; large 13-24; very large 25 or more). A typology of medium, or 4-12 turbines, is indicated for the East Anglian Chalk.

7.5.3 County Character Assessment

In addition to and contributing a greater level of detail to national scale landscape character assessments, many county councils have undertaken landscape character assessments of their administrative area.

The majority of the Linton Wind Farm site is located within the county of Cambridgeshire which has produced a landscape character assessment as part of its Landscape Guidelines. The southern tip of the site lies within the county of Essex which also has produced an assessment of the landscape character of the county. Of those county administrative areas lying beyond the site within the study, Hertfordshire County Council has produced a landscape character assessment as part of its Landscape Strategy. There is no landscape character information currently available for the county of Suffolk, covering the eastern portion of the study area.

The landscape character assessments produced by the counties within the study area described above are presented in Appendix E3 and illustrated on Figure 7.2 where relevant to the assessment. For character areas which lie within 10km of the site, the distance from the site and sensitivity to the change, for each area is recorded in Table 7.1. Areas more than 10km from the site will not experience significant effects and are not considered further within this assessment.

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7.5.4 Local Character Assessments

Local landscape character assessment studies within a 5km radius of the site have been considered for the purposes of the assessment.

An assessment of local landscape character has been undertaken within Uttlesford District. The extent of the local character areas lying within a 5km radius of the site is shown on Figure 7.2 and the details of these character areas are presented in Appendix E4.

Elsewhere within a 5km radius of the site, there were no local landscape character area descriptions available for South Cambridgeshire District at the time of writing this assessment.

7.5.5 The Site

The site comprises a slightly elevated, sloping farmland landscape characterised by an open field pattern, which rises from approximately 50m AOD in the north of the site to approximately 100m AOD in the south of the site. The site lies 0.5km to the west of Linton village, 0.5km to the southeast of Hildersham and 1.5km west of the village of Hadstock. A temporary meteorological mast occupies elevated ground in close proximity to the western site boundary. The line of a dismantled railway extends through the northern portion of the site, running in parallel with the A1307 and the northern site boundary. A series of pylons extends across the northeast corner of the site.

The site can be described as consisting of landscape features that are common across the East Anglian Chalk area including large scale undulating arable fields with distinctive hilltop woodland clumps lying adjacent to the more elevated areas of the site. The fields within the site are divided by a variety of boundary treatments including, medium-tall clipped hedgerows, hedge trees, hedge banks and ditches.

There are no landscape designations applying to the site. Whilst the site comprises largely intact arable farmland, the condition of a number of hedgerows within the site is deteriorating, with some hedgerows appearing outgrown and gappy in places and a number of adjacent fields lying unbounded and open to one another in parts. Some of the hedgerow trees are becoming stag-headed. The pylons in the northeast corner of the site also form detracting influences on the rural character of the site.

Although the site occupies slightly elevated land with an open field pattern, the southern, more elevated portion of the site is enclosed in part by adjacent woodland blocks. The presence of the pylons, the proximity of the urban edge of Linton and the busy A1307 road corridor reduce the site’s overall sensitivity to the development to Medium-Low.

7.5.6 The Surrounding Study Area

The 25km radius study area extends to the west of Royston, to the north of Newmarket and , beyond Haverhill to the east and towards the northern edge of Bishop Stortford to the south. The study area encompasses a number of significant transport corridors including the M11, A14, A10, A1307, A1303, A1301, A505, A428 and A1017, as well as a main line railway extending south from Cambridge.

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A significant portion of the study area to the south and east of the site comprises an undulating, dissected plateau landscape, rising up to 130m AOD. It has a strongly wooded appearance and is characterised by scattered small settlements, isolated farmsteads and a winding road pattern away from major routes. To the north and west of the site, topographic undulations become less pronounced and give way to a series of broad, low-lying open areas where long straight roads and major transport routes dominate. Woodland blocks remain a feature of this more open landscape, but they appear more scattered and, as a consequence, tend to form more distinct features on more elevated slopes and hilltops. The quality and sensitivity of the landscape of the area surrounding the site are addressed through the landscape character areas and designated landscapes and are summarised in Table 7.1.

7.5.7 Public Rights of Way

Within the study area, public rights of way (as defined on Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 scale mapping) generally run along existing or previously developed communication routes and commonly align field boundaries within the landscape of the study area.

There are four public rights of way (ROW) passing through or aligning the site: a public bridleway extends from the northeast site boundary from the Cambridge Road along the length of the eastern site boundary, connecting with Cow Lane after it exits across the southern site boundary (ROW 1); a public bridleway extends from the A1307 across the northwest corner of the site and terminates at the western site boundary (ROW 2); a public footpath crosses the southwest portion of the site and extends northeast, connecting Abington Park Farm to the settlement of Linton (ROW 3); and a public footpath (ROW 4) linking a series of copses in close proximity to Catley Park extends into the southern portion of the site and links with ROW 1.

In addition to the rights of way passing through the site, a branch of the Icknield Way Path extends northeast to southwest through the wider study area and passes the site broadly parallel to the eastern site boundary, at a minimum distance of 400m. The Icknield Way Path is a 169km long-distance path that connects two national trails: the Ridgeway, lying southwest of the study area, and Peddars Way, lying northeast of the study area.

In addition to the Icknield Way Path, there is a relatively dense network of rights of way within a 5km radius of the site, providing public access to much of the landscape immediately surrounding the site, including the Harcamlow Way extending through the landscape at an approximate minimum distance of 3km to the north and 4.5km to the southeast of the site.

7.5.8 Historic Environment

The landscape and visual effects of the proposed wind farm on the historic environment are considered in further detail in Chapter 8 Cultural Heritage – Indirect Effects and Chapter 9 Archaeology.

7.5.9 Landscape Summary

Table 7.1 below summarises the key landscape baseline features and designations within the study area that are relevant to the assessment and identifies their condition (quality) and sensitivity to the change.

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Table 7.1 Landscape Baseline Summary

Joint Area Character Type Approximate Distance Sensitivity to the from Site (min) Development JCA 86 – South Suffolk & North Essex 2.5km Medium Claylands

JCA 87 – East Anglian Chalk n/a Medium

JCA 88 – Bedfordshire and 10km Medium-Low Cambridgeshire Claylands

County Level Character Areas Approximate Distance Sensitivity to the from Site (min) Development South-east Clay Hills (Cambridgeshire) n/a Medium Chalklands (Cambridgeshire) 300m Medium

The Fens (Cambridgeshire) 9km Medium– Low

North West Essex Chalk Farmland 5.5km Medium (Essex) Central Essex Farmlands (Essex) 7km Medium

North Essex Farmlands (Essex) 500m High-Medium

Cam Valley (Essex) n/a Medium

Local Character Area – Uttlesford Approximate Distance Sensitivity to the from Site (min) Development Cam River Valley 400m Medium

Ashdon Farmland Plateau 500m Medium

Designated Landscapes Approximate Distance Sensitivity to the from Site (min) Development Special Landscape Area (Braintree) 9.5km High-Medium

7.6 The Existing Visual Environment

7.6.1 Introduction

The purpose of the visual assessment is to determine the extent of the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) of the development (the area of land from within which it may be possible to see any part of the proposed development) and to determine how visible the proposals would be from principal representative viewpoints and from this, the likely effects on various visual receptor groups.

7.6.2 Meteorological Conditions

Prevailing meteorological and weather conditions will have a significant bearing upon the visibility of the development during the course of a year. In particular, the frequency of low cloud, mist, fog and general poor atmospheric visibility will combine, at times, to reduce the extent of view usually available in clear weather conditions.

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7.6.3 Extent of Visibility

The computer generated bare ground ZTV to nacelle and blade tip (Figure 7.4) identifies key stretches of the landscape from which the proposed wind farm development may be theoretically visible within the agreed 25km radius study area. This is in line with the Visual Representation of Windfarms Good Practice Guidance (SNH).

Bare ground ZTVs generally make no allowance for any screening effects that may arise due to existing vegetation or existing built development. As a result they give an exaggerated impression of the potential degree of visual exposure of a proposed development and therefore present an unrealistic worst-case scenario. This is especially so where ZTVs indicate visibility from broadly flat landscapes, such as the north and north-western portions of the study area.

To limit this exaggerated impression, significant existing settlements and woodland have been incorporated into the terrain model to provide a more realistic impression of anticipated visibility, as illustrated on Figure 7.5. However, the real extent of the proposed development’s visibility will be reduced further still as a result of hedgerows, buildings and occasional features such as embankments or cuttings.

The ZTVs illustrated on Figures 7.4 and 7.5, therefore, present a worst-case scenario of the extent of visibility that is never more than theoretical in its extent.

As illustrated by the ZTV studies, the principal zones of visibility broadly extend around the site in all directions within a 5km radius. Within the wider landscape, at distances beyond 10km from the site, visibility is more intermittent to the northeast, east, southeast, south and southwest. To the west, northwest and north of the site, the zone of visibility extends to cover lower-lying areas north of the A505 towards Cambridge as well as extending to areas of landscape between Cambridge and Newmarket.

7.6.4 Representative Viewpoint Appraisal

Eleven viewpoint locations and their representative visual receptor groups were identified and agreed with South Cambridgeshire District Council and Uttlesford District Council. They are illustrated on Figure 7.3. The existing characteristics of these viewpoints are described below. A synopsis of the baseline quality and sensitivity is also summarised in the Table 7.2 at the end of this section.

Viewpoint 1 – Southern edge of Little Linton

This viewpoint is located on the southern edge of the settlement Little Linton, at the junction of a public footpath and a public bridleway, approximately 1.2km to the north of the nearest proposed wind turbine. It illustrates the view from the key visual receptor group of residents living in properties aligning the lane at Little Linton as well as the views seen by users of the local rights of way network north of the site.

The foreground of the view comprises small-scale pasture fields, used for horse- grazing, bounded by a combination of post and rail and post and wire fencing. There are also a number of scattered isolated dwellings and out-buildings within the foreground of the view, with a semi-detached house forming a focal point in the near distance. In the middle distance to the east, Linton College and associated sporting facilities are visible on the urban edge of Linton. In the middle distance to the south,

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a series of outgrown hedgerows partially screen views towards the grain store to the south of the A1307. The traffic using the A1307 is readily audible from the viewpoint and can be seen intermittently through gaps in the intervening vegetation. To the west, there are filtered views towards a number of agricultural storage sheds visible in the middle distance. Elevated land to the south and southeast of the site forms a middle and far distance horizon line. A series of pylons extending across the foreground of the view into the far distance leads the eye towards the horizon line.

The local residents and local footpath users, with a High level of sensitivity to change, are identified as the principal visual receptor groups at this location. This viewpoint is, however, also representative of a number of other receptor groups including residents more widely from within Linton village, travellers using the A1307 and agricultural workers.

Viewpoint 2 – Western edge of Hadstock

Located on the western edge of the village of Hadstock at the intersection of three public footpaths adjacent to the B1052, this viewpoint is approximately 1.6km to the east of the nearest proposed wind turbine. This viewpoint illustrates the view as seen by the key visual receptor group of walkers using the local rights of way network to the east of the site.

A stable block and a series of outbuildings can be seen in the foreground of the view, with views towards them filtered by a number of hedge trees and small tree groups. Small-scale horse pasture fields, bounded by medium, outgrown hedgerows, lie on either side of the outbuildings to the north and south. The trees in the foreground frame views towards a track which extends from the foreground of the view, into the middle distance where it is visible, as a focal point, rising over elevated land towards a local ridgeline in the middle of the view. Large-scale arable fields, with largely un- vegetated field boundaries, can be seen on the elevated land in the middle distance and the local ridgeline visible in the middle distance forms a blunt horizon line. The tip of two pylons can be seen in the far distance, beyond the local ridgeline. In the far distance to the north, there are filtered views towards elevated land, with Hildersham Wood and the woodland blocks around Catley Park forming notable features on the horizon line. To the south, there are filtered distant views towards Rivey Hill and the landmark features of the brick water tower and Rivey Wood. The declining condition and loss of local field boundaries combines with the deteriorating quality of the outbuildings in the foreground of the view to reduce the existing quality of the view.

The local residents and users of public rights of way, with a High level of sensitivity to change, are identified as the principal visual receptor group at this location. However, this viewpoint is also representative of other receptor groups including travellers using the B1052 and agricultural workers.

Viewpoint 3 – Track leading to Park Farm

This viewpoint is located 2.0km to the west of the nearest proposed wind turbine on a public footpath, adjacent to the gateway leading to Park Farm. It illustrates the view from the key visual receptor group of visitors using local public rights of way in the area, as well as views seen by local residents living at Park Farm Cottages.

The foreground of the view comprises an undulating, medium-scale, arable field, bounded by medium, gappy and/or outgrown field boundaries. Glimpsed views towards buildings comprising Park Farm are also visible in the foreground of the

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view, filtered by adjacent trees and outgrown hedgerow vegetation. The medium- scale arable landscape extends from the foreground into the middle distance of the view. In the far-distance, small copses and scattered, isolated buildings and dwellings can be seen on elevated land amongst a series of medium-scale fields visible on the rising land. These buildings include Grumble Hall and Burtonwood Farm, as well as Great Chesterford Research Park which is visible on the horizon line to the west amongst woodland. A series of pylons form a notable feature within the view, spanning the horizon line to the east. There are also distant views to the southwest towards an undulating, wooded landscape, part of which lies within a Landscape Conservation Area, as designated by North Hertfordshire District Council (see Figure 7.1).

The local residents and users of the Public Right of Way, with a High level of sensitivity to change, are identified as the principal visual receptor group at this location. This viewpoint also represents the view from other receptor groups including agricultural workers and the local residents of Park Farm.

Viewpoint 4 – Northern edge of

Viewpoint 4 is 5.2km from the nearest proposed wind turbine, and is located on a public bridleway connecting Byrd’s Farm to the northern edge of Saffron Walden. It illustrates the view as seen by the key visual receptor group of walkers using local public rights of way in the area.

A large-scale, undulating, arable landscape forms the foreground of the view. Although few field boundaries are visible within the view, the bridleway from which the view can be seen is aligned on either side by an outgrown hedgerow. In the middle distance, the tree-lined route of the B1052, extending northwards from Saffron Walden towards Little Walden, forms a distinctive linear feature in the landscape. Traffic travelling along the B1052 is distinctly audible from the viewpoint. Elsewhere in the middle distance of the view, there are a number of scattered, isolated dwellings, farms and outbuildings. Several small, deciduous copses can be seen in the middle distance, including Grimsditch Wood which is visible on the horizon line in the middle distance. The undulating arable landscape extends into the far distance, with a series of pylons extending across the horizon line from the west to the northwest. Great Chesterford Research Park is visible in the far distance amongst deciduous woodland on the horizon line to the west.

The users of the local rights of way network, with a High level of sensitivity to change, are identified as the principal visual receptor group at this location. This viewpoint is also representative of other receptor groups including agricultural workers and residents dwelling on the northern edge of Saffron Walden.

Viewpoint 5 –Worsted Lodge on route of Roman Road

This viewpoint is located adjacent to the A11 dual-carriageway, approximately 5.1km to the north of the nearest proposed wind turbine. The viewpoint is situated on a public footpath which follows the route of a Roman Road. It illustrates the view from the key visual receptor group of users of the local rights of way network.

The foreground of the view comprises a large-scale, gently undulating, arable landscape, framed by scrub vegetation that aligns the route of the public footpath on which the viewpoint is located. The majority of fields within the foreground of the view are bounded by medium, clipped hedgerows that have become gappy in places.

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Post and rail fencing and scrubby vegetated boundaries can also be seen. A series of telegraph poles span the field in the foreground of the view. Scattered, deciduous copses are visible in the middle distance to the south, whilst to the east, the upper portion of the Rivey Hill water tower and the tips of a number of pylons can be seen rising beyond a blunt horizon line. In the middle distance to the west an undulating, elevated arable field and a deciduous copse can be seen beyond the A11 dual carriageway and the adjacent lay-by. Noise generated by traffic travelling along the A11 is readily audible from the viewpoint.

The users of the public footpath following the route of the Roman Road, with a High level of sensitivity to change, are identified as the principle visual receptor group at this location. This viewpoint also represents other receptor groups including users of the A11, local residents of Worsted Lodge Farm and agricultural workers.

Viewpoint 6 – Mill Trust car park

Located approximately 5.9km southeast of the nearest proposed wind turbine, this viewpoint is located in the car park adjacent to Ashdon Windmill owned by Ashdon Mill Trust. It indicates the view from the key visual receptor group of visitors to the windmill as well as users of the local rights of way network.

A newly planted hedgerow extends across the foreground of the view beyond which extends a ploughed, medium-scale arable field. Outgrown field boundaries and hedgerow trees frame the view to the northeast and southwest. The medium-scale arable fields in the middle distance of the view are generally bounded by medium- clipped hedgerows and extend across an undulating topography. A series of scattered, small copses and small clusters of dwellings and farm buildings can also be seen in the middle distance of the view. In the far distance, there are a number of distinctive woodland blocks scattered across a larger-scale arable landscape visible on elevated land. The elevated land rises to form a generally wooded horizon line. A series of pylons can be seen extending across the distant horizon and the Hadstock Granary buildings form a notable landmark on the skyline.

It should be noted that the recently planted hedgerow vegetation in the foreground of this view may screen views towards the site in the future, depending on the regime employed to manage and maintain the hedge.

Visitors to the area visiting the windmill and using the local right of way network, with a High level of sensitivity to change, are identified as the principal visual receptor group at this location. This viewpoint is also representative of a number of other important receptor groups including local road users and agricultural workers.

Viewpoint 7 – Eastern edge of Crawley End

This viewpoint is on the eastern edge of the settlement of Crawley End on a public byway, approximately 10.0km from the nearest proposed wind turbine. It illustrates the view from the key visual receptor group of walkers and horse-riders using the local rights of way network, as well as views from local residents.

The foreground of the view comprises a medium-scale, undulating arable landscape, with fields bounded by a series of gappy, outgrown hedgerows. Scattered isolated dwellings on the northeast edge of Crawley End and a series of telegraph poles are also visible in the foreground of the view. The medium-scale, undulating landscape extends into the middle distance of the view, with fields bounded by a combination of

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gappy, medium and outgrown hedgerows and punctuated by intermittent, scattered, small deciduous copses. The view encompasses a distant, elevated, wooded horizon line. Pylons can be seen spanning a distant ridge, against the horizon and the buildings comprising Great Chesterford Research Park are also prominent against the skyline in the distance. The landscape within this view has strong visual connections with its surroundings, with long distance views available, though there are a number of detracting elements within the view such as the pylons spanning the far horizon.

The local residents and users of the local rights of way network have been identified as having a High level of sensitivity to change and are identified as the principal visual receptor group at this location. This viewpoint is also representative of other receptor groups including local road users and agricultural workers.

Viewpoint 8 – Western edge of Little Wilbraham

Viewpoint 8 is positioned on a pubic footpath leading to Hawk Mill Farm on the western edge of Little Wilbraham, approximately 11.5km north of the nearest proposed wind turbine. Walkers and visitors to the Hawk Mill form the key visual receptor group.

A flat, large-scale arable field, bounded by low-clipped hedgerows, gappy in places and with hedge trees elsewhere, can be seen in the foreground of the view. This field extends into the middle distance where scattered farm buildings are visible to the south, and the landmark structure of Hawk Mill visible to the southwest. In the far distance to the east, a series of pylons can be seen extending across elevated land, whilst a distinctive coniferous woodland block can be seen on the distant horizon to the southeast. A further series of pylons are visible to the south extending across large-scale, undulating fields.

Walkers and visitors, with a High level of sensitivity to change, are identified as the principal visual receptor group at this location. This viewpoint is also representative of other receptor groups including local road users, local residents and agricultural workers.

Viewpoint 9 – B1052 near Hadstock Control Tower

Viewpoint 9 is located on the B1052, near to the Hadstock Control Tower, approximately 2.4km southeast of the nearest proposed wind turbine. Local road users are the key visual receptor group represented by this viewpoint.

The landscape within the foreground of the view comprises an open and expansive plateau landscape containing a series of unbounded, large-scale, arable fields, with a number of scattered clumps of scrub vegetation. The B1052 extends from the foreground of the view into the middle distance. A number of copses and small woodland blocks are visible in the middle distance and a series of pylons span the horizon line to the west. Other prominent features visible on the horizon line in the middle distance include the Hadstock Granary building complex, the Hadstock Control Tower and filtered views towards a cluster of agricultural storage buildings. There are long distance views to the northeast towards a series of wooded hills, among which the Rivey Hill water tower and a further white rendered water tower are visible against the horizon line.

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The local road users, with a Medium level of sensitivity to change, are identified as the principal visual receptor group at this location. This viewpoint is also representative of other receptor groups including residents of the Hadstock Control Tower and agricultural workers.

Viewpoint 10 – Great Chesterford Community Centre

The viewpoint is on the northern edge of Great Chesterford, adjacent to the B1383, in the car park of the Great Chesterford Community Centre, located approximately 3.7km southwest of the nearest proposed wind turbine. Local road users and users of the Community Centre are the principal visual receptor groups.

The foreground of the view comprises a medium-scale arable field bounded by a post and rail fence, adjacent to an amenity green space. Elsewhere in the foreground of the view, gappy, low-clipped hedgerows are visible as well as a number of scattered trees and hedge trees and a single-storey brick Community Centre building, with associated areas of hardstanding, lighting and recreational facilities. The urban edge of Great Chesterford is also visible to the south. A series of telegraph poles extends across the predominantly flat topography of the foreground of the view, rising towards more elevated land in the middle distance of the view. Traffic travelling along the B184 is visible in the middle distance of the view and noise generated from this traffic and vehicles travelling along the B1383 are also readily audible from the viewpoint. Scattered isolated dwellings and farm buildings are visible in the middle distance and an undulating, medium-scale arable landscape rises towards the distant horizon line. A number of scattered deciduous copses are visible against the distant horizon and the top portion of a series of pylons can be seen in the far distance beyond.

The community centre users, with a Medium level of sensitivity to change, are identified as the principal visual receptor group at this location. This viewpoint is also representative of other receptor groups including local road users, agricultural workers and public rights of way users.

Viewpoint 11 – Rivey Hill, west of Rivey Wood

The viewpoint is located on the upper slopes of Rivey Hill on the Icknield Way Path, north of the village of Linton, to the west of Rivey Wood, approximately 2.2km northeast of the nearest proposed wind turbine. Walkers using public rights of way are the principal visual receptor group.

An expansive 300 degree view is visible from this viewpoint, extending into the far distance to the southeast, south, southwest, west and northwest. The foreground of the view comprises an undulating series of medium-scale arable fields, bounded in parts by short, clipped hedgerows and punctuated by scattered, small deciduous copses and occasional isolated trees. The Rivey Hill brick water tower forms a notable landmark feature in the near distance, visible beyond Rivey Wood to the east. The arable fields in the foreground descend into the middle distance where the urban form of Linton village is clearly visible to the south. The grain storage buildings in the northeast corner of the site form a notable feature in the middle distance of the view and a series of shed developments scattered along the route of the A1307, interspersed with further blocks of woodland, can also be seen. In the far distance to the southeast and south, the landscape rises to form an elevated horizon with intermittent blocks of woodland forming features on the horizon line. To the west and northwest, expansive views across the gentle undulations of a lower-lying landscape are visible, with the settlements of Sawston and Stapleford seen amongst a matrix of

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fields and transport corridors. Very distant views to the urban edge of Cambridge can also be seen from this viewpoint. A series of pylons form a prominent vertical feature to the west in the middle distance of the view. These pylons extend into the far distance to the north and the south and span half of the available view as seen from this viewpoint.

Walkers and visitors to the area using the Icknield Way Path, with a High level of sensitivity to change, are identified as the principal visual receptor group at this location. This viewpoint is also representative of other receptor groups including agricultural workers.

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Table 7.2 Visual Baseline Summary No. Viewpoint Location Grid Approximate Character Type / Key receptor group Sensitivity Reference Landscape Designations (receptor group) Distance to Nearest Turbine

1 Southern edge of Little 555493E 1.2km CA87-East Anglian Chalk Residents High Linton 247349N PROW – Walkers

2 Western edge of Hadstock 555706E 1.6km CA87-East Anglian Chalk Residents High 245100N PROW – Walkers Road-users 3 Track leading to Park Farm 551766E 2.0km CA87-East Anglian Chalk Residents High 244889N PROW – Walkers

4 Northern edge of Saffron 554392E 5.2km CA86-South Suffolk & PROW - Walkers High Walden 239676N North Essex Clayland

5 Worsted Lodge on route of 552933E 5.1km CA87-East Anglian Chalk PROW –Walkers High Roman Road 251828N Road-users

6 Ashdon Mill Trust car park 559502E 5.9km CA86-South Suffolk & Tourists High 242601N North Essex Clayland PROW – Walkers

7 Eastern edge of Crawley 544909E 10.0km CA87-East Anglian Chalk Residents High End 240163N PROW-Walkers

8 Western edge of Little 553798E 11.5km CA87-East Anglian Chalk Residents; PROW– High Wilbraham 258428N Walker; Tourists

9 B1052 near Hadstock 555636E 2.4km CA87-East Anglian Chalk Travellers Medium aerodrome control tower 243148N

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No. Viewpoint Location Grid Approximate Character Type / Key receptor group Sensitivity Reference Landscape Designations (receptor group) Distance to Nearest Turbine

10 Great Chesterford 550450E 3.7km CA87-East Anglian Chalk Community members; Medium Community Centre 243286N Travellers

11 Rivey Hill, west of Rivey 556260E 2.2km CA87-East Anglian Chalk PROW-Walkers High Wood 247970N

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14 References Pages other than those containing the relevant topic references have been omitted.

West Coast Energy / The Cooperative, 2007, Report on extension to Coldham Windfarm Chapter Six: Ecological Assessment. Supporting document to planning application.

World Wildlife Fund, 2001, Wind farm development and nature conservation: A guidance document for nature conservation organisations and developers when consulting over wind farm proposals in England. Guideline document by WWF, EN, RSPB and BWEA.

Section 6: Geology and Hydrology

Existing Geological Maps (OS Explorer Lincolnshire Wolds South Sheet 273, 1:25000 & BGS borehole data)

Existing Hydrogeological Maps EA (Groundwater Vulnerability 1:100,000 Map Series Sheet 19 Lincolnshire)

Envirocheck Report

Environment Agency report for key potential impact of wind farm May 2002

Section 7: Landscape and Visual Character

East of England Regional Assembly “Placing Renewables in the East of England”, Final Report (Feb 2008)

East of England Plan 2001-2021

Local Authority Local Plan/LDF Documents

Braintree District Local Plan (adopted 2005)

Cambridge Local Plan (adopted 2006)

East Cambridgeshire District Local Plan (adopted 2000)

East Hertfordshire District Local Plan, Second Review (April 2007)

Forest Heath District Local Plan (adopted 2004)

North Hertfordshire District Local Plan (adopted 1996)

South Cambridgeshire District Local Plan (adopted 2004)

Replacement St. Edmundsbury Borough Local Plan 2016 (adopted 2006)

Uttlesford District Local Plan (adopted 2005)

County and District Landscape Character Assessments

Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Maldon and Uttlesford Landscape Character Assessment (2006)

LINTON WIND FARM Section 14: References Page 286 of 290 Environmental Statement: Rev 0

Cambridgeshire Landscape Guidelines (1991)

East Herts. Council Landscape Character Assessment Draft Final Supplementary Planning Document (September 2007)

Essex Landscape Character Assessment (2001)

North Hertfordshire and Stevenage Landscape Character Assessment (April 2004)

Volume 1 of the Hertfordshire Landscape Strategy (1997)

National Landscape Character Assessment and Wind Farm Visual Assessment Guidance Documents

Countryside Agency (Landscape Character Assessment Guidance, 2002)

Countryside Commission, Countryside Character Volume 1: North East. Countryside Commission. 1988.

Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment’s Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, second edition, published in 2002 (GLVIA);

Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report F01AA303A Visual Assessment of Windfarms Best Practice, University of Newcastle (2002);

Visual Analysis of Windfarms: Good Practice Guide (Consultation draft 22/07/05) prepared for Scottish Natural Heritage, The Scottish Renewables Forum & the Scottish Society of Directors of Planning.

Wind Energy and the Historic Environment: English Heritage, October 2005

Section 8: Cultural Heritage – Indirect Effects

DoE/DNH., 1994, Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment, Department of the Environment, Department of National Heritage, London

DoE, 1990, Planning Policy Guidance 16: Archaeology and Planning. Department of the Environment, London

English Heritage, 2005, Wind Energy and the Historic Environment, English Heritage, London.

English Heritage, 2008, Conservation Principles: Polices and Guidance (for the sustainable management of the historic environment). English Heritage, London

ODPM, 2004, PPS 22: Planning for Renewable Energy. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, London

Uttlesford District Council

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