CA15: Newquay and Perranporth Coast Key Landscape Characteristics1 • Gently undulating north-west facing coastal shelf dissected by small streams with narrow valleys to the sea. • Open and exposed landscape with little tree cover. • High slate cliffs form a dramatic and varied coastline with long sandy west facing surf beaches. • Extensive areas of rough ground, scrub, and sand dune systems. • Small to medium scale field pattern. • Large settlements based on tourism and other clustered settlements with small or estate farms. • Caravan and campsites scattered across the coast and hinterland. • Tourist signage and other features on roads. 1 Taken from Cornwall Council (2007) Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Landscape Character Study [http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=20139 accessed January 2011] Land Use Consultants CA15: Newquay and Perranporth Coast Landscape Sensitivity Assessment for Wind Turbines Lower sensitivity Higher sensitivity Relatively large scale rolling coastal landscape with some plateau areas, but incised by a number of narrow valleys which create more complex landform. Distinctive Landform and landform features include two large bays (Perran Bay and Watergate Bay), and scale smaller sandy coves (Holywell, Crantock and Fistal beaches) separated from each other by dramatic cliffs and headlands (Kelsey Head, Pentire Point East and West, and Towan head). In addition there are extensive sands and coastal dunes (Penhale Sands) at Perran Bay. The landscape has a varied pattern of medium scale fields (of post medieval origin) dominating the south of the area, with irregular, small to medium scale fields of medieval origin more prevalent in the north. There is a small area of particularly Land cover pattern distinctive long, narrow medieval fields at Trevarrian and Tregurrian, south of and presence of Mawgan Porth. In addition there are a few small areas of modern enclosed land human scale interspersed throughout the LCA. Extensive areas of coastal rough ground and sand features dunes (mainly in the south of the area associated with Perran Bay and Holywell Bay), areas of woodland alongside some of the valley streams and occasional patches of unenclosed rough ground also add variety. Frequent human scale features include Cornish hedges, farmsteads, scattered caravan and campsites, and some hedgerow trees (in more sheltered areas away from the coast). Contains existing roads and vehicular tracks including the A392, A3059 and A3075. Tracks/transport With the exception of the wide flat foreshore of Perran Bay and the open space pattern surrounding Newquay Cornwall Airport, remaining areas are linked by a network of minor roads and some winding lanes with high hedges. There are some restrictions in terms of winding narrow hedged lanes. Although the key characteristics of this LCA do not specifically mention skylines, they do highlight the high slate cliffs which form a dramatic and varied coastline. The Skylines LCA description also refers to caravan parks located on skylines (where they form noticeable glistening white blocks in the green landscape) and some important coastal headland skylines with historic landmark features including Bronze Age barrows and Iron Age promontory forts or cliff castles (Penhale Point, Kelsey Head, Trevelgue Head and Griffin’s Point). The popularity of this area as a tourist destination and the resulting associated Perceptual settlements (in particular around Newquay, Perranporth and the coves of Porth and qualities Mawgan Porth) brings activity to this landscape. The presence of Newquay airport in the north of the area also increases activity and human influence. Despite the dominance of the commercial tourism industry, the strong influence of the sea, cliff tops, headlands and extensive sand dunes offers a contrasting wildness. Cornwall Council’s HLC Sensitivity Mapping for wind turbines assesses the HLC types of ‘Coastal and Upland Rough Ground’ (along the coast and small patches on higher valley slopes inland) to be highly vulnerable to wind turbines. Large areas of Historic landscape ‘Medieval Farmland’, making up over a third of the LCA’s land area, are assessed as of character ‘moderate-high’ vulnerability. Smaller pockets of ‘Post-Medieval Farmland’ and ‘Recreational’ land are assessed as of ‘moderate’ vulnerability, whilst areas of lower sensitivity are associated with small areas of ‘20th Century Farmland (amalgamations of AEL)’ and ‘20th Century Settlement’– assessed as of ‘low-moderate’ vulnerability and larger areas of ‘Military’ land assessed as of ‘low’ vulnerability to wind turbines. Land Use Consultants CA15: Newquay and Perranporth Coast Lower sensitivity Higher sensitivity This study did not assess the areas of ‘Dunes’, which form a significant proportion of the LCA. Distinctive The LCA describes the long wide west facing surf beaches, the cliffs, coastal rough landscape features ground, dunes and holiday parks as distinctive features of this landscape. Wind energy development could affect some of these. Substantial portions of the north of the LCA lie within the Watergate & Lanherne AGLV. Special qualities include the dominance of the headlands of Beryls Point, Griffins Point and Trenance Point, the marshes and trees in the Vale of Lanherne, and the woodland at old Carnanton Estate. Scenic quality Large parts of the centre and south of the LCA lie within the Perranporth & Holywell AGLV [NB the paper mapping includes an additional area in the south at Reen Sands and in the north along the fringes of Newquay that is not shown on the GIS data]. Special qualities include the integrity of the front of the sand dunes, the semi-natural and impressive nature of the cliffs (particularly at Pentire Point), and the wooded valley around the old mining area of Treamble. Although the large scale landform and presence of extensive human influence could indicate a lower sensitivity to wind energy development, the presence of a dramatic coastline, undulating topography, irregular small to medium scale fields, areas of Overall sensitivity rough ground, important coastal skylines and sense wildness of the coastline increase assessment sensitivity so that overall this LCA is considered to have a moderate-high sensitivity to wind energy development. Areas close to urban edges and the airport have a moderate sensitivity. The wild and undeveloped coastal edge and its immediate hinterland would be particularly sensitive (high). Sensitivities to different turbine heights Although the landform is relatively large scale, the scale of hills and heights of cliffs Very small: 18-25m indicate that this landscape would be particularly sensitive to ‘large’ scale turbines. Small: 26-60m The wild and rugged coastline would be sensitive to any wind turbine development. Medium: 61-99m Large: 100-150m Sensitivities to different cluster sizes and The small to medium scale field pattern and presence of undulations indicates that distribution this landscape would be particularly sensitive to the larger groups of turbines (i.e. ‘medium’, ‘large’ and ‘very large’ clusters. Single turbine The wild and rugged coastline would be sensitive to any scale of turbine Small (<5 turbines) development. Medium (6-10) Large (11-25) Very large (>25) Landscape strategy and Guidance for Wind Turbines The landscape strategy is for a landscape with occasional single turbines or small clusters of turbines up to and including medium height, located away from Landscape strategy the cliff edge (turbine size should relate to landscape scale within the LCA). There may be more than one wind energy development in the LCA, but they should be clearly separated so that, although each wind energy development influences the perception of the landscape at close proximity, collectively they do not have a Land Use Consultants CA15: Newquay and Perranporth Coast defining influence on the overall experience of the landscape. See Annex 2 of the Technical Report for generic siting and design guidance. In addition, the following guidance should apply to any wind energy developments within this LCA: • Locate wind energy development away from the undeveloped coastal edge, particularly its prominent headlands and cliff tops. • Locate turbines where they can relate to existing built structures - small turbines may be associated with existing farm buildings. • Consider opportunities to locate turbines on the edge of larger settlements where they may relate to existing built development. • Areas of distinctive long narrow fields, of medevial origin, at Trevarrian and Tregurrian, south of Mawgan Porth, will be particularly sensitive to larger scale turbines. • Ensure wind energy development does not dominate, or prevent the understanding and appreciation of, historic landmarks on the skyline, such as the Iron Age Fort at Trevelgue and cliff castles (including Penhale Point, Kelsey Head, Trevelgue Head and Griffin’s Point). • Avoid siting turbines within the HLC Types of ‘Upland Rough Ground’ and ‘Coastal Rough Ground’– assessed by Cornwall Council as being highly Siting Guidance vulnerable to wind farm development. • Consider views from local viewpoints and popular routes (e.g. the South West Coastal Path) when considering the siting and design of wind energy development in the landscape – aim for a balanced composition as seen from this important route. • Ensure wind energy development does not adversely affect the long wide west facing surf beaches, cliffs, coastal rough ground and dunes as distinctive features of this landscape. • Protect the