Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd & National Park Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background 0.1 Gwynedd Council, the Isle of Anglesey County Council (the ‘Councils’) and the Snowdonia National Park Authority (the Park Authority) have a diverse mix of remarkable landscapes many of which are very highly valued for their outstanding natural beauty and tranquillity; ranging from remote and wild uplands and moorlands to narrow steep sided valleys, wide river floodplains and estuaries, gently undulating pastoral lowlands and dramatic coastlines. The busy coastal resort towns along some of the coastlines contrast markedly with the highly rural and remote areas inland. 0.2 These landscapes are experiencing an increasing number of planning applications and enquiries relating to a diverse mix of renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and tourism developments; in particular relating to those listed below: Renewable Energy Developments • Wind Energy (focussing on smaller scale developments 1) • Field-Scale Solar PV Energy Other Developments (Transmission Infrastructure and Tourism) • A 400 kV Overhead Line (Electricity Transmission Infrastructure) • Mobile Masts (Telecommunications Transmission Infrastructure) • Static Caravan/Chalet Parks and Extensions (Tourism)

0.3 This study was commissioned by the Councils and Park Authority, in response to the growing pressure on the landscape, to help protect the most sensitive and distinctive landscapes from inappropriate development and to encourage a positive approach to development in the right location and at an appropriate scale. The study provides an evidence based assessment of the relative sensitivity and capacity of the Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd and Snowdonia National Park landscapes to accommodate each of these types of development at varying scales. It is important to note that not all of the developments are considered across the overall study area; each development type has its own relevant study area as agreed at the outset with the Steering Group (for instance field scale solar PV energy developments are not considered in Snowdonia National Park because there are no current or anticipated future development pressures in this area). Aim of the Study 0.4 The overall aim of the study is to inform the development of strategic Supplementary Planning Guidance and to assist the Councils and Park Authority in assessing the landscape and visual effects of these developments for development control purposes; to minimise the impact of such developments on the landscape. Study Objectives 0.5 The main objectives of the study are to: • Provide a strategic assessment of the relative sensitivity of the landscapes of the Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd and Snowdonia National Park to the different renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and tourism developments using a defined set of landscape and visual criteria that includes both physical and perceptual aspects as well as a consideration of landscape value. • Identify the key landscape, visual and perceptual sensitivities of different areas.

1 Typically up to a group of 9 wind turbines, 80 m maximum height to blade tip. This study does not generally consider larger wind energy developments as these best fit within TAN 8 SSA’s, none of which fall within the Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd or Snowdonia National Park.

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Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd & Snowdonia National Park Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment

• Provide broad guidance on those areas where development of different scales is potentially most acceptable and those areas where there are likely to be significant adverse landscape and visual effects; bearing in mind the capacity limits. Methodology 0.6 There is currently no formally agreed approach for assessing the sensitivity or capacity of landscapes to renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism developments. The methodology set out in Section 2 of this report is developed from current guidance and the approach taken in other similar studies, and is tailored to this geographically unique study area. It is based on the premise that development should be more readily accepted in the least sensitive areas and should avoid areas that are highly valued for their scenic, recreational and undeveloped qualities such as tranquillity and remoteness; particularly those areas safeguarded by international or national designations and those where the cumulative effects of existing and consented schemes limit further development. 0.7 Professional judgement and understanding of landscape character is used to make broad judgements about what makes one landscape more or less sensitive than another. These evaluations have been informed and backed up by data gathered from the sources of baseline information listed in Appendix 5, including maps, relevant landscape and historic character assessments, LANDMAP, field work and consultations with the Steering Group. 0.8 It is important to note that this report represents a strategic study and is not prescriptive at an individual site level. It does not replace the need for the Councils or Park Authority to assess individual planning applications or for specific local landscape and visual impact assessment as part of formal EIA on a case by case basis. 0.9 It is also important to note that the study is not a cumulative appraisal of development and is limited to landscape character and visual amenity issues. It does not take account of other natural and cultural heritage considerations (except where they relate to landscape character and visual amenity, including setting), technical factors such as wind speed, grid capacity or aviation constraints or the perceived need for renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism developments. Evaluation of Landscape Character Areas and their Sensitivity to Renewable Energy, Transmission Infrastructure and/or Tourism Developments 0.10 For the purpose of assessing the sensitivity of the landscape to renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism developments, the overall study area was broken down into smaller geographical areas (refer to Figure 3); each of which represent the differences in character of the landscape across the Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd and Snowdonia National Park. A total of 59 landscape character areas (LCA) were identified. 0.11 Data for each these geographical areas was reviewed to start to build up a picture of the sensitivity of the landscape and site visits made to back up the findings and to inform overall evaluations of landscape sensitivity to renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism development; as follows: • 24 LANDMAP layers were reviewed and analysed • Desk top studies were reviewed such as Anglesey Landscape Strategy / Gwynedd Landscape Strategy / Snowdonia National Park Local Development Plan (2011) - Landscapes of Eryri / Seascape for Wales / CADW Historic Landscapes / World Heritage Site information etc. • Site visits were made to back up and moderate the findings

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Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd & Snowdonia National Park Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment

0.12 The overall findings of the sensitivity assessments are illustrated in Section 4 and summarised in Table 0.1 below. Table 0.1: Summary of Sensitivity Key to Sensitivity

Development Medium- Low- Very High High Medium Low Type Not High Medium Applicable

M-H M L-M L

Landscape Character Area Assessed Sensitivity

Ref Name Page no. Wind Energy Wind Energy Scale Solar Field PV Energy 400 kV Overhead Line Mobile Masts Caravan/ Static Chalet Parks ANGELSEY A01 Holyhead Mountain 60 A02 Holy Island M-H M-H M-H M-H 70 A03 Inland Sea 82 A04 North West Coast 92 A05 North West Anglesey M M M M 102 A06 Amlwch and Environs M M M M 116 A07 Parys Mountain 126 A08 Dulas Bay Hinterland M-H M-H M-H M-H 134 A09 Red Wharf Bay M-H M M-H M 146 A10 Penmon and Puffin Island 158 A11 Eastern Menai Strait M-H M-H 168 A12 East Central Anglesey M-H M M-H M 180 A13 Western Menai Strait 192 A14 Newborough 202 A15 Afon Cefni M-H M-H M-H M-H 212 A16 Aberffraw M-H M M-H M 224 A17 West Central Anglesey M L-M M L-M 236 A18 Valley Airfield Environs M M M M 248 GWYNEDD G01 Bangor Coastal Plain M-H M M-H M 260 G02 Penisarwaun Plateau M-H M-H M-H M-H 272 G03 Llanberis - Bethesda M-H M-H M-H M-H 282 G04 Caernarfon - Coast & Plateau M-H M M-H M 294 G05 Massif M-H M-H M-H M-H 306 G06 Ll ŷn North Coast 316 G07 Western Ll ŷn 324 G08 Pwllheli - Criccieth Coast M-H M M 334 iii

Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd & Snowdonia National Park Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment

Landscape Character Area Assessed Sensitivity

Ref Name Page no. Wind Energy Wind Energy Scale Solar Field PV Energy 400 kV Overhead Line Mobile Masts Caravan/ Static Chalet Parks G09 Porthmadog M-H M-H 342 G10 Central Ll ŷn M-H M M 352 G11 Blaenau Ffestiniog M-H M 362 G12 Llandderfel M-H M-H M-H 370 G13 Barmouth M-H M-H 378 G14 Corris M-H M-H 386 G15 Tywyn M-H M 392 G16 Menai Coast M-H M M-H M 400 SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK S01 Ucheldir y Gogledd 410 S02 Y Carneddau 420 S03 Yr Wyddfa a’r Glyderau 428 S04 436 S05 Y Moelwynion 444 S06 Coedwig Gwydyr M-H M-H M-H 452 S07 Dyffryn Conwy 460 S08 Dyffryn Y Ddwyryd M-H M-H M-H 468 S09 Y Mignient 476 S10 Morfa Harlech 484 S11 Morfa Dyffryn M-H M-H M-H 494 S12 Cefnwlad Arfordir Ardudwy M-H M-H M-H 502 S13 Y Rhinogau 510 S14 Dyffrynnoedd Mawddach a’r Wnion M-H M-H M-H 518 S15 Yr Arenig 528 S16 Llyn Tegid A Dyffryn Dyfrdwy M-H M-H M-H 536 S17 Aber Y Fawddach 544 S18 Mynyddoedd Yr Aran 552 S19 Coedwig Penllyn 560 S20 Cadair Idris 568 S21 Pen Dyffryn Dyfi 576 S22 Coedwig Dyfi 584 S23 Dyffryn Dysynni 592 S24 Y Tarrenau 602 S25 Aber y Ddyfi M-H 610

Formulation of Strategies for Development Within Each Landscape Character Area 0.13 Landscape strategies have been formulated for each type of development relevant to the individual LCA. The written strategies follow on from the overall assessments of sensitivity and are based upon the outcome of these evaluations and also taking into consideration the record of operational and consented renewable

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Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd & Snowdonia National Park Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment

energy, transmission infrastructure or tourism development (as of March 2014). Landscape objective(s) have been assigned for each type of development relevant to the LCA. These are based on the four objectives described in Section 2, as follows: • Landscape Protection - Typically no development or very infrequent smaller scale renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism development. • Landscape Accommodation - Typically a landscape with occasional renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism development . • Landscape Change - Typically a landscape with relatively frequent renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism development. • New Landscape - Typically a landscape with a notable amount of renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism development.

0.14 An evaluation of the indicative overall capacity of the LCA to the relative amounts of developments (renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism) which might be accommodated forms the main part of the strategy. Guidance for Wind Energy Development Within Strategy Areas 0.15 Area specific guidance notes regarding the scale, design and siting of developments to minimise adverse effects in relation to each LCA follows on from the overall landscape sensitivity and strategy tables for the LCA. Additional generic guidance notes for the siting and design of renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism development developments are also included in Section 5.

Conclusion 0.16 It is concluded that many of the landscapes of the Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd and Snowdonia National Park typically have a high sensitivity to renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism developments due to the fact that they comprise a diverse mix of landscapes; most of which are highly valued for their outstanding natural beauty and qualities of tranquillity and/or remoteness and wilderness. 0.17 This report provides a starting point for identifying the key landscape and visual issues that should be taken into consideration when looking at each individual development application. It provides a strategic understanding of the landscapes of the Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd and Snowdonia National Park in relation to sensitivity and capacity for renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism developments and answers the following questions: • What types of landscapes do Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd and Snowdonia National Park have? • Why are these landscapes sensitive (or not) to renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism developments? • How sensitive are the landscape to renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism developments? • What types of renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism development could potentially be accommodated without compromising the integrity and value of the landscape? • How could renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and/or tourism development be designed/accommodated to minimise adverse landscape and visual effects?

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