Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton
March 2015
A brief landscape and visual appraisal of the potential effects of development proposals at KSDs Dunton site on the site and surrounding area
Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
i Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Contents
Introduction ...... 1 Methodology ...... 1 Baseline ...... 2 Landscape Character ...... 6 National Character Area ...... 6 Local Character Area ...... 7 Site Description and Features ...... 10 Site visit ...... 10 Site description ...... 11 Topography ...... 11 Vegetation ...... 11 Transport routes and public rights of way ...... 12 Watercourses ...... 13 Landscape designations ...... 13 Development Proposals ...... 13 Visual Analysis ...... 14 Views from the west ...... 15 Views from the north ...... 16 Views from the east ...... 17 Views from the south ...... 18 Recommendations ...... 19 Conclusion ...... 19 Appendix 1 – Plans ...... 23
l:\landesign\projects\landscape projects\projects\ksd dunton\landscape appraisal 04-02-2015.docx
ii Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
iii Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Introduction
1. This report appraises the landscape and visual aspects of the proposed concrete batching plant at KSD’s recycling operation at Dunton. The report describes the methodology used to undertake the appraisal and includes an assessment of the baseline conditions, identification of the receptors likely to be affected by the proposed development to the north, south, east and west viewpoints and guidance on any mitigating steps which could be taken to reduce any identified impacts on the site and surrounding area. The report is not a full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment as defined in the Landscape Institute’s guidelines as the limited visual impacts arising from this proposal do not warrant such an extensive approach to adequately demonstrate the likely effects.
Methodology
2. Methodology used in the preparation of this report has been developed from the guidance given in ;- Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Third Edition (The Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, 2013). Landscape Character Assessment: Guidance for England and Scotland (Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage 2002). Analysis of up to date OS Explorer Series maps, aerial photography from www.google.co.uk and OS data.
3. In summary, the appraisal process comprises: Establishment of existing or ‘baseline’ conditions, including planning policy for the area, landform, vegetation, settlement, designations relating to the area including listed buildings and conservation areas, brief landscape character assessment, identification of visual receptors and establishment of their sensitivity and recording of landscape features in the vicinity of the proposed development. Site visit to verify the ‘baseline’ conditions. 1 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Brief description of the proposed development. Assessment of the landscape and viewpoints. Recommendations.
Baseline
Planning Policy 4. Planning Policy and existing environment - the following elements of planning policy relate to landscape and restoration impacts.
National Planning Policy 5. NPPF National Planning Policy Framework - section 11 highlights the need to protect the natural environment and in relation to landscape says, 'The planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: protecting and enhancing valued landscapes'
6. Other relevant sections advise; 'Put in place policies to ensure worked land is reclaimed at the earliest opportunity, taking account of aviation safety, and that high quality restoration and aftercare of mineral sites takes place, including for agriculture (safeguarding the long term potential of best and most versatile agricultural land and conserving soil resources), geodiversity, biodiversity, native woodland, the historic environment and recreation.' ; And 'provide for restoration and aftercare at the earliest opportunity to be carried out to high environmental standards, through the application of appropriate conditions, where necessary. Bonds or other financial guarantees to underpin planning conditions should only be sought in exceptional circumstances.' https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data /file/6077/2116950.pdf
Warwickshire Minerals Local Plan 7. The Minerals Local Plan for Warwickshire (Feb 1995) contains a number of saved policies in relation to development at minerals sites. The Dunton site is subject to a mineral consent and in this regard the Minerals Local Plan is
2 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
relevant. From a visual impact point of view policy M7 d) provides for ancillary development and advises that such development should be sited adjacent to primary plant, which the proposed development is. Policy M6 sets out the environmental issues against which planning applications will be assessed and this includes (amongst others) sites and landscapes of historic and archaeological importance (M6. 2. d); Agricultural land quality and the feasibility of achieving a high quality restoration to an appropriate use; living conditions for people (M6. 3. e); Green Belt (M6 4. a ); Areas of restraint(M6 4. C); and Special Landscape Areas M6 4. D).
8. The visual assessment concludes that the existing screened nature of the site will prevent any significant views of the proposed development and for the majority of receptors the development will not be visible at all. The nearest historic features relate to Dunton Hall where three grade 2 listed structures (comprising the hall, a barn and a pigeon loft) occur. These sit to the north of the KSD site in their own grounds and are separated from the development by an existing 10m high screening mound. The views from Dunton hall will not alter as a result of the proposed development.
9. There is no landscape designation in the area and therefore no impacts on such features arise. The site does however sit in the West Midlands Green Belt.
10. Green Belt in its self is an area wide policy of separation (rather than one of landscape protection) with the key aim being to maintain openness, particularly between urban areas that might otherwise coalesce. Inappropriate development is not supported in the green belt unless very special circumstances exist to justify the development. However, NPPF advises that minerals extraction and engineering operations are not inappropriate in the greenbelt. Furthermore concrete batching is recognised as being relted to mineral development, particularly for safeguarding.
11. The concrete batching is recognised as a form of mineral development in NPPF (paragraph 143) and as the current proposals seek to place a concrete 3 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
plant in a permitted aggregate site, it seems reasonable to conclude that in such a scenario, a concrete batching plant would not be inappropriate if granted for a temporary period linked to the minerals consents. Furthermore, as the proposed use will sit unseen within an existing permitted area of operations, openness has already been affected and the proposed development will not detract from that any further than has already occurred. Therefore the proposed use can be considered to be acceptable in this location in the Green Belt.
12. In conclusion, from a landscape perspective the proposed development accords with the saved policies of the MLP as there is unlikely to be any significant visual impact arising as most receptors will have view at all. The only potential views are theoretical and will be approximately 800km distant, limited to views of the top 0.5 metre of the new plant. At a practical level the new plant will not be barely visible.
13. The Warwickshire Waste Core Strategy (WCS) (adopted July 2013) provides more recent policy for waste development and is mentioned here as the Dunton Site is also a waste site, it being a major centre for the production of recycled aggregate.
14. The WCS contains a range of development management policies with DM1 being relevant for protection and enhancement of the natural and built environment. This policy takes a similar line to policy M6 in the MLP as discussed above and seeks to protect Green Belt, adjacent land uses and valued landscapes and sites of national and international value. Proposals should maintain sub regional and locally important sites.
15. As discussed above, no such adverse impacts will arise from the proposed development.
4 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
16. Policy DM2 covers, amongst others, visual intrusion, advising that planning permission will not be granted where unacceptable adverse impacts arise. As set out above, no unacceptable adverse impacts are likely.
17. DM4 requires the design of any new waste management facilities be of an appropriate scale and design and retain any landscape features where possible. The proposed design achieves this aim by promoting a low level and well screened concrete batching plant.
18. In summary, it is questionable whether the proposed development is a waste matter at all as the material fed into it is no longer part of the waste stream by the time it is used for concrete production. However, regardless of that the relevant development policies of the WCS are met by the proposed development.
North Warwickshire Local Plan - Core Strategy (adopted October 2014) (the NWBCCS) 19. The NWBCCS generally defers mineral and waste matters to the county council. However, some policies do have some relevance when considering the proposed development. These are as follows:-
20. NW3 -Green belt - as mentioned above, the development is in the green belt but is in An existing mineral site and has no significant impacts beyond the boundary of the existing permitted operation. The justification for the site in this location is set out in the supporting statement attached to the planning application.
21. NW10 sets out development considerations including design, visual impact etc, and NW13 provides policy for the Natural Environment. Both seek to protect landscape character and related matters however, as set out above, no unacceptable impacts arise from this development in relation to these polices.
5 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Policy summary 22. From a visual point of view the proposed development will be screened within an existing site and will have no significant or unacceptable adverse effects on any features of landscape value, landscape character or sensitive receptors.
23. Whilst the site is in the green belt the proposal is for mineral related development in a permitted mineral and waste site that is already in active use. In these circumstances the proposed development can be considered as acceptable within the existing site, as it is both a mineral development and very special circumstances exist for this particular choice of location. Namely that the site is already an active aggregate producing site and is one of the largest single producers of aggregate in the county. Co locating aggregate related infrastructure here in accordance with MLP policy M7 d does therefore accord with the development plan policy.
Landscape Character
National Character Area
24. The site lies within the Arden National Character Area (Area 97) as defined by Natural England’s National Landscape Character Assessment. The key points of this area are summarised as follows: Well-wooded farmland landscape with rolling landform. Geologically diverse with rocks ranging from the Precambrian to the Jurassic and overlain by superficial Quaternary deposits. Mature oaks, mostly found within hedgerows, together with ancient woodlands, and plantation woodlands that often date from the time of enclosure. Woodlands include historic coppice bounded by woodbanks. Narrow, meandering clay river valleys with long river meadows; the River Blythe SSSI lying between the cities of Coventry and Birmingham is a good example of this. 6 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Numerous areas of former wood-pasture with large, old, oak trees often associated with isolated remnants of more extensive heathlands. Village greens/commons have a strong association with remnant lowland heath. Fragmented heathland persists on poorer soils in central and northern areas. Diverse field patterns, ranging from well hedged, irregular fields and small woodlands that contrast with larger semi regular fields on former deer park estates, such as, Packington Hall and Stoneleigh Park. Complex and contrasting settlement pattern with some densely populated where traditional settlements have amalgamated to form the major West Midlands conurbation while some settlements remain distinct and relatively well dispersed.1
Local Character Area
25. Warwickshire County Council has produced its own Landscape Guidelines – It shows the site being within the Arden river valleys landscape area, however the description of this area does not fit with the character of the site and surrounding landscape. The site lies some distance from the Tame, Blythe or Cole river valleys and these rivers do not feature visually in the landscape at this location. The landscape in this location is open, with large fields to the north and east, with few hedgerow trees and wooded areas. Visually, large electricity pylons dominate the skyline and the elevated section of the M42 and junction 9 is a major feature in the landscape.
26. The guidelines make recommendations for landscape improvements in this area in relation to development. These are conservation of historic features, pastoral character and primary field boundaries; restoration of permanent pasture and management of semi-natural habitats.
1 National Character area profile 97 7 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
27. North Warwickshire Borough Council has produced their own Landscape Character assessment in which the site falls into Character Area 12: Middleton to Curdworth - Tame Valley farmland.
28. The key characteristics of the area are summarised thus: Gently undulating east facing slopes cut by small watercourses that drain towards the River Tame including the Langley Brook; A predominantly open arable landscape with large fields divided by low, tightly trimmed hedges with few hedgerow trees; A dispersed settlement pattern of hamlets, villages and farmsteads, some with modern farm sheds; The settlements are contained by peripheral small hedged pastoral fields and woodland; Dispersed network of busy A roads and a few smaller quieter lanes connecting the settlements; The M42 / M6 toll junction within the south and nearby visible industry has a substantial influence upon the open landscape; Several golf courses in the area, the largest being the Belfry Hotel; The Birmingham and Fazeley Canal passes discretely through the area; Long and panoramic views to the east from elevated open slopes.
29. Location and boundaries: Comprises the east facing slopes of the Tame valley, its eastern boundary meets the adjacent Tame Valley wetlands character, the west is more broadly defined by elevated wooded upland, the south abruptly meets the industrial estates at Hams Hall and to the north the character continues along the upper reaches of the Tame Valley beyond the Borough boundary.
30. Landscape Character description of the area around the site: Several busier A roads pass through the area and connect to the busy and exposed A42 / M6 toll junction to the south. These busy transport corridors connect to nearby industrial areas to the south around Hams Hall and have an urbanising influence, particularly on the south part of this landscape area. The 8 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
settlement of Curdworth is located just beyond he junction at the fringe of the area. Lines of pylons also cut through this landscape.
31. A general lack of woodland and tree cover in combination with the sloping landform creates an open empty feel to this landscape, except within the immediate vicinity of the small villages/hamlets. As land becomes more elevated some parts are very open with long panoramic views east across the arable landscape to distant wooded scarps.
32. Pressures for change/Key issues: This is a wide open landscape that has been subject to considerable agricultural intensification, this has resulted in loss of hedgerows and landscape features. Historic Parkland areas such as the Belfry have been converted to golf course use and golf courses are dominant landscape elements within this open landscape. Busy motorways and A roads on higher land have a significant urbanising effect on this landscape combined with peripheral industrial uses to the south.
33. Landscape Management Strategies: This predominantly open arable landscape would benefit from improvement and reinforcement of its landscape features; Maintain the historic dispersed settlement pattern of small villages and scattered farmsteads; Conserve the built character of the area by ensuring that new development reflects the vernacular style; Conserve and protect the irregular outline of the settlements and the tree cover around them; The design and management of new and enhancement of existing recreational and golf course facilities should be in keeping with the landscape character of the area and seek to assimilate the facility within the wider landscape. Consider peripheral woodland planting blocks to better assimilate the Belfry golf course within the wider landscape;
9 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Conserve the historic field pattern and pastoral character around the settlement edges and identify opportunities for conversion of arable back to permanent pasture; Encourage development of wide and diverse field margins; Conserve and strengthen primary hedge lines and manage these more positively as landscape features; Consider new hedgerow planting and include only native locally occurring species; Enhance tree cover through planting of hedgerow oaks; Encourage woodland planting on rising ground and particularly in the vicinity of the M42/M6 toll junction; new woodland planting should complement the shape and scale of the surrounding landscape pattern and use native locally occurring broadleaved species, predominantly oak; Encourage natural regeneration of trees and vegetation alongside watercourses and promote small areas of wetland planting in areas currently lacking in habitats; Encourage ecological management of grassland areas and wetlands
Site Description and Features
Site visit
34. A site visit to view the site and surrounding areas was carried out in February 2015 on a sunny day with very occasional and short intermittent snow showers. Visibility other than during the snow showers was very good. Observations and notes made on the day of the site visit regarding the site and local landscape character are summarised below. Observations were suspended during snow showers.
10 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Site description
35. The site lies to the south east of junction 9 of the M42 approximately 5km south east of Sutton Coldfield. Curdworth village lies less than 1km to the west and the village of Lea Marston is 1km to the east. The surrounding area is mainly agricultural or industrial in use, with few residential properties in the immediate vicinity of the site. The site is wholly used by the recycling operation with storage and processing operations predominating across the site.
36. On entering the site, there is a site office and welfare facilities along with weighbridge, wheelwash and a parking area. Currently there is a recycling plant which is used to separate and stockpile waste material. There is a large area utilised for stockpiling and for the parking of mobile plant.
37. Surrounding the site is a large bund which ranges from 3m to 15m in height. The bund fully encloses the site except where it overlaps to provide access at the site entrance. The bund acts as a visual and noise barrier.
Topography
38. The site lies on gently sloping land at 90-100 aod on the top of the north western slopes of the Tame Valley. The land to the north, south, east and west slopes gradually away from the site.
Vegetation
39. The bund is vegetated with grass and herbaceous vegetation and the outer slopes are planted with young trees and shrubs. There is little vegetation or landscape features within the site other than ruderal grass on some of the inner bund slopes. Some areas of the inner bund slopes remain sparsely vegetated.
11 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Transport routes and public rights of way
40. The M42/ M6 Toll road junction (J9) lies to the north west of the site.
41. The entrance to the site is off the A446 Litchfield Road, which runs from the M42 junction at the north west corner of the site to Hams Hall and the M42 junction at Birmingham airport beyond.
42. The A4097 Kingsbury Road lies close to the northern boundary of the site and is bounded by tall hedgerows on its southern side.
43. To the east lies Hams Lane which links Hams Hall to the village of Lea Marston. This road is also bounded by tall roadside hedges. This road leads onto Haunch Lane in the centre of Lea Marston, which heads north. Blackgreaves Lane, a narrow road branches off Haunch Lane and meets Kingsbury Road just north of Dunton Wood.
44. Faraday Avenue lies to the south of the site and is a dualled road accessing the Hams Hall Distribution Park.
45. There are a number of public footpaths in the area. The one in closest proximity to the site (M16) follows the southern boundary of the site and before heading east towards Hams Lane south of Lea Marston.
46. There is a footpath which traverses the highest point in Curdworth village running from the M42 motorway bridge on Marsh lane northwards towards a the primary school.
47. There is another footpath in Curdworth which runs from the business park (Dunton Park) on the north side of the village off Kinsbury Road in Curdworth. This path heads northward towards Wishaw and shares the access road into Dunton Park industrial Estate.
12 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Watercourses 48. There are no waterbodies in the immediate vicinity of the site. The river Tame lies approximately 1.5kms to the east, south east and south of the site. The river is not visible from the site.
Landscape designations 49. There are no designated landscapes in the vicinity. There is a SSSI, Whitacre Heath, a former sand and gravel quarry which is 2kms east of the site.
Development Proposals
50. KSD intends to install a concrete batching plant within the existing site in a location to the east of the current weighbridge and south of the wheel wash.
51. The proposal is for a plant that is a maximum of 9.8m high (to the top of the mixer tower and 9.3m high to the top of the cement silos). The plant will comprise the elements set out in the list below and will sit on a larger concrete pad.
52. The proposed development comprises the following items:- 3 ground fed aggregate storage bins with associated 8.2m high covers, ground level loading ramp and weigh belt; 750mm wide inclined conveyor connecting the aggregate bins to the mixer tower; Batch mixer tower housed in an 9.8m high clad structure; 2 x 60 tonne 9.3m high cement silos; Inclined and enclosed cement feed between silos and mixer tower; Switch room. Concrete washout and settlement tank; 2 x open sided stocking bays located adjacent to the plant Elevated batching cabin attached to the western side of the mixer building the floor level being at a height of 4.6m above ground and the building being 2.6m high Twin water tanks for holding clean and recycled water. 13 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Hard surfaced batching plant yard area. Concrete Batching Plant
53. The plant will sit within the existing operational area at the KSD Site, within the screened and bunded area. It should be noted that the proposed plant is smaller and lower than the existing permitted wash plant etc at Dunton which sits to the south of the development site.
54. The upper levels of the plant will be clad / enclosed with all loading and unloading activity taking place at ground level such that mobile plant activities around the batching area will not be visible from outside the site.
Visual Analysis
55. A preliminary visual assessment of the site and surrounding area was undertaken during the site visit. The aim of the assessment was to identify the main views of the proposed development area of the site from properties, roads, footpaths and public areas and to identify important visual connections with adjacent areas.
56. Visual receptors include the following groups of people, who are considered to be those most likely to be affected by any change in view:
• People resident at properties
• People at places of work
• Users of roads and public rights of way
14 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
57. The main views of the site are as follows:
Views from the west
Current view from the west 58. To the west lies the village of Curdworth where there are a number of potential viewers resident in this location. Houses on the Kingsbury Road in Curdworth, face north/south and therefore have little or no view of the site, other than the top of the site bund and the top 3-4m of the existing plant. There are a handful of residential properties on the edge of Curdworth which will have views of the top of the site screenbund and top of existing plant. However, within the view and at a much closer proximity is the elevated section of the M42 with moving traffic and road fixtures, high level lighting and signage. This dominates the full panoramic view north, east and south from Curdworth.
59. Views from public footpaths in Curdworth present similar views. There is a view of the screenbund and top of the existing plant from the footpath from Marsh Lane. The plant is particularly noticeable due to its blue colour. This view point is the highest point in Curdworth and whilst the view is dominated by the M42 road, further large impacts arise from the concentration of pylons and electricity powerlines radiating out from the substation on Hams Lane.
Proposed development views (from the west) 60. The view from Curdworth of the proposed plant will be minimal if visible at all. The proposed height of the plant is 9.7m which means the top of the plant will be at a height of 108.7m aod. The western screenbund is at a height of 107m aod. Potential viewers in Curdworth will be viewing from a lower point, approximately 92m aod. From this position the upward view to the crest of the screening view linked with the position of the proposed plant on site means that the screenbund will screen all but the top 50cm of the plant from this view point. At this distance, (800m) whilst it will be theoretically possible to see the very top of the proposed plant, it will be very difficult to see it in practice 15 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
from this location. Also in the wider view, dominated by the motorways, roads, electricity pylons and powerlines, the change in view is extremely small and barely noticeable, especially when viewed against the backdrop of the much higher northern screenbund. This visual assessment location represents the highest viewing point in the village, and is a public footpath. All other viewpoints (residential) are at a lower level and therefore would not have views of the plant due to the height of the intervening screen bund.
Views from the north
Current view (from the north) 61. It is difficult to view the site from the existing roads to the north, due to road embankments, intervening vegetation and roadside hedges. When viewed from the public footpath adjacent to Grange Farm Cottages (near the Belfrey) there are only views of the permitted northern screenbund which is visible on the brow of the hill. The existing plant (the tallest structure on the site) cannot be seen. It is not possible at this distance to pick out the planted slopes of the bund.
62.
63.
View from Kingsbury Road of Dunton Hall with screenbund in the background.
16 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
64. At closer proximity, there is Dunton Hall which consists of 3 Grade II listed buildings in residential / commercial use. The current view from these buildings is of the rough grassland field which lies between the property and the edge of the site and the planted slopes of the existing screenbund.
Proposed development views (from the north)
65. There will be no views of the proposed plant from the north. The viewpoints are all at a lower level than the site and the northern screenbund prevents views into the site from all of the potential viewpoints to the north. There will be no effect on potential viewers.
View of the site on the skyline from Cuttle Mill Lane
Views from the east
Current view (from the east) 66. To the east, lies the village of Lea Marston. There are a number of properties on the edge of this village which have views towards the site. Lea Marston is situated at a lower level to the site at 75m aod and therefore the site is viewed on top of a slight hill to the west of the village. There are a number of 17 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
hedgerows, woods and spinneys between the site which interrupt the view westwards, however the screenbund can be seen on the top of the hill.
Proposed development views (from the east)
67. The proposed new plant will be located behind the peripheral screen bund seen from Lea Marston and will be at a lower height than the screenbund so there will be no views from any of the properties or public footpaths and roads in Lea Marston.
Views from the south
Current view (from the south) 68. There is one residential property, Newlands Cottage, close to the southern boundary of the site which lies approximately 300m away, down slope. This property is enclosed by trees and hedgerows and therefore has a very limited views of the site. Any view obtained through the boundary hedge, would be of the well wooded site boundary close to the southern bund.
18 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Proposed development views (from the south) 69. The proposed plant will be well screened by the existing site screen bund and therefore there will be no views from the south as the land slopes away from the site towards the River Tame to the south.
Recommendations
70. Although there will be no views of the plant from the surrounding area, it is recommended that the upper 2m of the new plant should be painted appropriately to blend into the existing bunds which will act as a backdrop for the new plant when viewed from the west i.e. Curdworth. There is a slight chance that 50cm of the top of the plant could be seen from the highest point in Curdworth, although this would be barely noticeable in the overall view from Curdworth. Painting the plant appropriately, even just the top section, will ensure that the plant will have no impact on the visual amenity from Curdworth.
Conclusion
71. There will be minimal or no views of the proposed plant from the surrounding area, from both close proximity and more distant viewpoints, due to the height of the existing screenbund and the lower elevation of the viewpoints compared to the screening bund heights.
72. The development proposed will not have a detrimental effect on the character of area or on any potential viewers of the site who may be resident or passing through the area.
19 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
20 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Conditions of the report, Landscape Appraisal, Dunton
This report is produced solely for the benefit of KSD and no liability is accepted for any reliance placed on it by any other party unless specifically agreed in writing otherwise.
This report is prepared for the proposed uses stated in the report and should not be used in a different context without reference to Landesign. In time improved practices, fresh information or amended legislation may necessitate a re- assessment. Opinions and information provided in this report are on the basis of Landesign using due skill and care in the preparation of the report.
This report refers, within the limitations stated, to the environment of the site in the context of the surrounding area at the time of the inspections. Environmental conditions can vary and no warranty is given as to the possibility of changes in the environment of the site and surrounding area at differing times.
This report is limited to those aspects reported on, within the scope and limits agreed with the client under our appointment. It is necessarily restricted and no liability is accepted for any other aspect. It is based on the information sources indicated in the report. Some of the opinions are based on unconfirmed data and information and are presented as the best obtained within the scope for this report. Reliance has been placed on the documents and information supplied to Landesign by others but no independent verification of these has been made and no warranty is given on them.
21 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
22 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landscape Appraisal – KSD Dunton 2015
Appendix 1– Plan
Ref Title
LD030/DN/005 Landscape Appraisal Plan
LD030/DN/006 Viewpoint Sections of Proposed Plant
23 Landesign Planning and Landscape, Beacon House, 10 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3NP. Tel: 0771 889 5138
Landesign Planning and Landscape, 22 Parklands Drive, Loughborough, LE11 2TB, Tel: 01509 822214