This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland Environmental Report Volume 3: Appendices
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) December 2009 This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-1
Appendix A: Relevant Obligations and Regulatory Instruments
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
UN Kyoto Protocol Consider implications of the plan The United Nations Framework Alleviate the impacts of climate change and reduce in terms of impacts on International Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) global emissions of Green House Gases. greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Kyoto Protocol 1997
Consider implications of the plan Second European Climate Change Develop the necessary elements of a strategy to in terms of impacts on EU Programme (ECCP ll) 2005. implement the Kyoto protocol. greenhouse gas emissions and Climate climate change.
Consider requirements for UK Climate Change Act 2008 Address and adapting to climate change addressing climate change as part of the SEA
Consider requirements for Sets out UK Government’s long term goal to reduce reducing carbon emissions as UK Energy Act 2008 carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 with significant part of the assessment of the plan progress being made by 2020 (SAP)
Enable sustainable use of marine goods and services and to ensure the marine environment is safeguarded for the use of future generations. Establishes a comprehensive structure within which Consideration of the plan on The Marine Strategy Framework Directive Marine EU member States are required to develop and preventing good environmental (July 2008) implement cost effective measures, necessary to status being achieved. achieve or maintain “good environmental status” in the marine environment. Good Environmental Status must be achieved by 2020 at the latest. This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-2
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
Need to consider transposition of Promote the sustainable management of marine this into NI in particular Marine UK The Marine and Coastal Access Bill 2008 activities and increased protection and conservation Planning and how this will relate of marine and coastal natural heritage to the SAP and will be influenced by findings from the SEA
The MARPOL Convention International Convention for the Prevention of Considers impacts of the plan in Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protection of the marine environment relation to protection of the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL marine environment. 73/78)
The OPSAR Convention Ensures that marine activities are The Convention for the protection of the Protection of the marine environment Marine Environment to the North-East Atlantic appropriately controlled. (22 September 1992)
UN Conference on the Human Environment, Sustainable development principles “ the Rio Encourages development in a Environment International Stockholm 1972 Principles” sustainable manner.
The UN Conference on Environment and Promotes social and economic development in a way Encourages principals of Development (UNCED, Earth Summit) Rio de that will not be detrimental to environmental sustainable development are Janerio, Brazil 1992 protection included in the plan.
The World Summit on Sustainable Adoption of the Johannesburg Plan of Development (WSSD), Johannesburg, Implements sustainable Implementation setting out steps in a quantifiable September 2002 – Commitments arising from development. time with targets and goals Johannesburg Summit
Integrates environmental The UN Millennium Declaration (2000) and Goal seven is for Environmental Sustainability sustainability into development Millennium Development Goals policies and programmes. This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-3
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
Facilitation of transparent and wider consultation for The Convention on EIA in Transboundary Consideration of cross boundary projects which will have or potentially have cross- Context 1991 (Espoo Convention) impacts. boundary effects
Any activities which are subject to a licensing by the appropriate Protection and enhancement of the aquatic EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) authority within one nautical mile environment of the coast will be compliant with the requirements of the Directive
Aims to conserve and enhance designated natural Environmentally Sensitive Areas beauty areas, to conserve flora and fauna and Ensures for the protection and geological and physiographical features of those Designation Order (Northern Ireland) 2005. consideration of the natural areas; and to protect buildings and other objects or environment. SR No. 276 of 2005 archaeological, architectural or historic interest in those areas.
Sets out the need for an impact The Planning (Environmental Impact Set out the requirements for Environmental Impact assessment for the development Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) Assessment. of marine renewable 1999. SR No. 73 of 1999 developments. Northern Ireland Allows the designation of National Parks, Areas of Ensures for the consideration and The Nature Conservation and Amenity lands Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs), Areas of protection of designated sites order 1985 Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and nature within Northern Ireland Reserves
The Environment (Northern Ireland) Order Ensures for the protection of the Amends the ASSI section of the NCALCO 1985 2002, environment in Northern Ireland
Ensures the protection and The Conservation (Natural Habitats) Implements the provisions of the Habitats Directive in consideration of habitats and Regulations 1995 Northern Ireland. species protected under the habitats directive. This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-4
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
The report provides a Europe wide resource assessment of onshore and offshore wind potential in an geographically explicit manner. The results of the Europe’s onshore and offshore wind energy study found that the potential onshore wind resource Identify some of the main potential. An assessment of environmental is potentially constrained by environmental factors by constraints to the development of and economic constraints. EEA Technical 7%, whereas environmental considerations (e.g. offshore wind resources. Report/No6/2009. seascape, navigation, oil and gas, fishing and nature conservation) potentially constraint the available offshore wind energy resource by >90%.
Considers the feasibility of Sets out the common rules for production, EU transfer and distribution of The Electricity Directive 1996 transmission and distribution of electricity in the electricity from marine European Union renewables
Energy Sets indicative targets for renewables for each member state, and introduced a support scheme and The Directive on promotion of Electricity Encourages the development of binding technical standards aimed to encourage Sources from Renewable Sources 2001 renewable energy sources increased production of electricity from renewable sources.
Encourages the promotion of electricity from Encourages the development of EU Renewables Directive (2001/77/EC) renewable energy sources. renewable energy sources
Energy White Paper: Our Energy future -- Reiterates Government Policy that by 2010, 10% of Encourages the development of creating a low carbon economy 2003 electricity needs, should be from renewable sources. renewable energy sources
Sets out DECC programme to develop up to 25 GW UK Potential cumulative effects with of energy from further rounds of offshore wind farm DECC Offshore Energy Plan NI offshore wind and marine leasing in the UK Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) renewable energy developments. and territorial waters of England and Wales by 2020 This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-5
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
Control of the construction and Electricity ( Northern Ireland ) Order 1992 operation of offshore power over Article 39 1 MW (within territorial sea) an The Offshore Electricity Development ( over 50 MW beyond territorial Environmental Impact Assessment ) sea. regulations ( Northern Ireland ) 2008 - these Allow for a safety zone around require an EIA to be undertaken by the renewable marine devices where developer as part of the application for an navigation and fishing is electricity generation consent Obtaining of consents for offshore renewable prohibited. projects. Considers the placement of structures in the sea or on the sea bed during construction. Northern Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 Ireland Control of the disposal of material and dredged material at sea.
Sets the framework for the Energy Order (NI) 2003 regulation of energy in Northern Ireland
Places an obligation on licensed electricity suppliers Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Encourages the development of in Northern Ireland to source an increasing proportion Ireland) 2005 as amended renewable electricity generation of electricity from renewable sources.
Aims promoting energy efficiency in the public and The Energy Efficiency (Northern Ireland) Order private sectors of business and to the public as a Promotes the use of energy in an 1999 (No. 659 (N.I.3) ) whole, through financial assistance, advice, research efficient way. and dissemination of information.
Consideration of hazardous Directive 91/689/EEC the Hazardous Waste Sets provisions for the control and transportation of Waste EU waste production and Directive (as amended) hazardous wastes. transportation This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-6
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
Global treaty to protect human health and the Reduction in the amount of The Stockholm Convention (2001) environment from persistent organic pollutants airborne pollutants that are (POPs) produced.
World health organisation (WHO) Air Quality Reduction in the amount of Seek the elimination or minimisation of certain Guidelines (1999) and Guidelines for Europe airborne pollutants that are airborne pollutants from protection of human health. International (1987) produced. Considers the contribution of the Sets out the protection of the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol (UN September 1987) plan to ozone depleting phasing out of ozone depleting substances. substances.
Geneva Convention on Long-Range Controls and reduces environmental damage caused Consider implications of the plan Transboundary Air Pollution 1979 by transboundary air pollution. on transboundary air pollution. Air The Air Framework Directive Directive on Air Quality Assessment and Prevention and reduction of airborne pollutants for Controls the levels of airborne Management (Framework Directive) the protection of human health and the environment. pollutants. EU (1996/62/EC)
Limitation of national emissions of certain airborne Directive on national Emission Ceilings for Controls the levels of airborne pollutants for the protection of human health and the Certain Atmospheric Pollutants (2001/81/EC) pollutants. environment.
UK Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Strategic Framework for Air Quality Objectives for Controls and monitors the levels Northern Wales and Northern Ireland key air pollutants. of airborne pollutants Ireland Air Quality Limit Value Regulations (NI) 2003 Sets out air quality limit or guide values for specified Controls and limits the levels of (SR No. 2121 of 2003) and amendments. pollutants to be achieved by local authorities. airborne pollutants This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-7
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
Guides international cooperation on the protection of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic. It combined and up-dated the 1972 Oslo Convention Ensures protection of the marine Opsar Convention (1992) on dumping waste at sea and the 1974 Paris environment. Convention on land-based sources of marine pollution.
Prevents the decline and UN Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) Maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity encourages the enhancement of International biodiversity.
The Ramsar Convention Protection and conservation of wetlands, particularly Ensures that Ramsar sites are The Convention of Wetland of International those of importance to waterfowl as waterfowl protected and given appropriate Importance (1971 and amendments) Habitat. consideration.
Bern Convention on the Conservation of Consideration of the plan on Conservation of wild flora and fauna Biodiversity European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (1979) protected habitats and species
Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Consideration of the plan on Conservation of species and wildlife on a global scale Migratory Species and Wild Animals (1979) migratory species.
The EU Biodiversity Strategy Prevents the decline and Reduce biodiversity loss and maintain and enhance encourages the enhancement of Communication on a European Community current levels of biodiversity. Biodiversity Strategy. biodiversity.
Sets out the protection of birds and the designation of Directive 79/409/EEC Conservation of Wild Requires that SPAs are not Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in accordance with EU Birds adversely affected by the plan. Article 4 of the Directive
Sets out the framework for the establishment of Directive 92/43/EEC Conservation of Natural Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) fro sites Requires that SACs are not Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora hosting habitats listed in Annex I and habitats of adversely affected by the plan. species listed under Annex II of the directive. This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-8
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
European Convention on Protection of the The convention includes provisions for the Requires that the archaeological EU Archaeological heritage (Revised), Valletta, identification and protection of archaeological environment is given appropriate 1992 heritage, conservation and control of excavations consideration.
Allows the NI Department of the Environment to designate Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) The Environment (Northern Ireland) Order Impacts on ASSIs will be Biodiversity NI where the land is of special interest by reason of its 2002 considered in the SEA. flora, fauna, geological, physiographical or other features and needs to be protected.
Environmental designations will be considered in the SEA. Two areas of Area of Outstanding Provides the Department of Environment for Northern The Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands Natural Beauty 1) Binevenagh, on NI Ireland with the power to acquire land for the purpose Order 1985 the north east shores of the of managing it as a nature reserve. Foyle, and 2) Mourne on the north shores of Carlingford Lough, are designated under this Order.
The SEA will assess impacts on Biodiversity biodiversity including potential The Conservation (Natural Habitats) impacts on Natura 2000 sites NI Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (SR No. Implements the Habitats Directive in Northern Ireland (Special Areas of Conservation 380 of 1995) and amendments. (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs)).
The Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 and Makes it an offence to intentionally kill, injure, or take Impact on wild seabirds will be NI amendments. any wild bird or their eggs or nests. considered as part of the SEA.
To protect wildlife (both Flora and Fauna) and the The Wildlife Act 1976. The Wildlife The SEA will assess impacts on NI control of activities which may impact adversely on (Amendment) act 2000 biodiversity. the conservation of Wildlife This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-9
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
The SEA will assess impacts on biodiversity including potential European Communities (Natural Habitats) Implements the Habitats Directive in Ireland impacts on Natura 2000 sites NI Regulations, SI 94/1997, as amended SI (Special Areas of Conservation 233/1998 and SI 378/2005 (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs))
To protect listed flora and their habitats from The SEA will assess impacts and NI Flora Protection Order 1999 alteration, damage or interference in any way. flora.
Consider the impacts that the Convention Concerning the Protection of the Encourage the protection and preservation of cultural International plan will have on world heritage World Cultural and Natural Heritage heritage, natural heritage. sites.
Protects wrecks from unauthorised interference if they are of historic, archaeological or artistic importance and it is an office to carry out certain Ensures wrecks sites are Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 actives in a defined area around a wreck unless a protected and given appropriate Archaeology licence has been obtained. Emergency designation consideration. and Cultural can be obtained if a previously unknown wreck is Heritage UK/Northern discovered as a result of marine development. Ireland MoD has powers to protect vessels that were in military service when they were wrecked. If the position of the vessel is unknown Protected Places Ensures military wrecks sites are The protection of Military Remains Act 1986 can be designated. If the location of the vessel is protected and given appropriate known then a controlled site can be designated consideration. around it. The Act is also applicable in international waters which includes the UK continental shelf. This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-10
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
This act is used to regulate the reporting and disposal of wreck – including wreck of archaeological Ensures the protections of wrecks Merchant Shipping Act 1995 interest found or recovered from UK waters or found that are of archaeological or recovered outside UK waters but brought into UK importance. waters.
Provides for the protection of all archaeological sites Ensures that archaeological sites Historic Monuments and Archaeological and objects including those on the foreshore and and objects are protected and Objects (NI) Order 1995 seabed. given appropriate consideration.
Right for everyone to see public information that is held by public authorities Population International Aarhus Convention Consultation on the SEA Right for everybody to participate in environmental decision making
Establishes the “FEPA” licensing system for: - Disposal at sea of dredged material or other substances. Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 Need to be considered in the SEA NI And Deposits in the Sea (Exemptions) Order - Construction work which involves deposition of in relation to the installation of (NI) 1995 materials below the High Water Mean Spring Tide, offshore wind and marine devices e.g. installation of structures on seabed, laying of subsea cables, building of harbours, jetties, sea outfall pipes, reclamation of land etc.
Foyle Fisheries Act 1952 (NI) Both Acts make it an offence to discharge deleterious Water NI matter into waters, which impacts on fish, or To be considered in the SEA Fisheries Act (NI) 1966 spawning grounds This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-11
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
To promote the conservation of the water resources To promote the cleanliness of surface and ground water Impacts on water quality will be NI The Water (NI) Order 1999 Establishes powers to make regulations for the assessed by the SEA control of water abstraction. Currently there is no water abstraction licensing system operating in Northern Ireland.
Summarises the development of water quality targets for Northern Ireland’s waters and outlines the role of the inter-agency Water Quality Management EHS/”NIEA’s “Policy For Setting And Committee in helping to achieve those targets. It sets The SEA will consider water NI Delivering Water Quality Targets out the current position on setting water quality quality impacts targets, on measuring achievement of targets and on the development of partnerships to co-ordinate environmental protection and improvement.
Impacts on the water environment will be considered by the SEA. If The Water Environment (Water Framework The implementation of the Water Framework impacts could affect legal NI Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 Directive in Northern Ireland. obligations under the Water Framework Directive, this will be highlighted.
To designate and prescribe quality standards, Water quality standards for Quality of Salmonid Waters Regulations 1988 sampling programmes, and inspection for salmonid NI salomonids will be considered in (SI 293 of 1988) waters. The Regulations give effect to Council the SEA. Water Directive No. 78/659/EEC.
Quality of Bathing Waters Regulations 1988 Impacts on water quality will be NI Implements Bathing Water Directive in Ireland. (SI 84 of 1988) and amendments assessed by the SEA. This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-12
Topic Level Title Summary of Objectives Implications
The SEA will assess impacts on NI Quality of Shellfish Waters Regulations 2006 Implements Shellfish Waters Directive in Ireland. water environments which support shellfisheries
To reduce the discharges of waste into the sea of European Communities (Port Reception ship-generated waste and cargo from ships at ports NI Facilities for Ship Generated Waste and Cargo To be considered in SEA by improving the availability and use of port reception Residues) Regulations 2003 (SI 117 of 2003) facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues
Table Appendix A2: Relevant Plans and Programmes
Relevant Plans and Programmes Summary of Objectives Implications
To enhance biodiversity conservation in response to the Rio UK Biodiversity Action Plan (1996) The SEA will assess impacts on biodiversity convention.
Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy 2002 (including NI Species and Habitat Action Plans To enhance biodiversity at the Northern Irish level The SEA will assess impacts on biodiversity and Departmental Biodiversity Implementation Plans)
Sets out a strategic and long-term perspective on the future Shaping Our Future - Regional Development development of Northern Ireland up to the year 2025. Strategy for Northern Ireland 2025, DRD, It addresses a range of economic, social, environmental and SEA is intended to contribute to environmental September 2001 and Shaping Our Future – community issues which are relevant to delivering the objectives protection and sustainable development. Adjustments to the Regional Development of achieving sustainable development and social cohesion in Strategy – 2025, June 2008 Northern Ireland. SPG ENV 1 (To conserve the natural environment)
The PPS 2 Planning and Nature Conservation Various policies relating to designated Sites of International Impacts of the Implementation Plan on designated (June 1997) Nature Conservation Importance. sites will be considered as part of the SEA. This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 AECOM & Metoc Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland APPENDIX A-13
Relevant Plans and Programmes Summary of Objectives Implications
Provides the policy context for assessing proposals which affect the archaeological or built environment and seeks to achieve PPS 6 Planning, Archaeology and the Built Impacts on cultural heritage will be considered as part sustainable stewardship of the region’s archaeological and built Heritage (March 1999) of the SEA. heritage by cherishing and protecting fine monuments, buildings and other heritage resources.
Limavady Area Plan 1984 - 1999 Contains policy provision for South Eastern Foyle Area
Draft Northern Area Plan 2016 Contains policy provision for Eastern Foyle Area
Derry Area Plan 2011 Contains policy provision for the Derry Area These plans are acknowledged in terms of this SEA. West Tyrone Area Plan 2019 Pre Issues Stage However, the main focus of the SEA is on the marine environment outside the boundaries of these plans. Banbridge and Newry and Mourne Area Plan Contains policy provision for Newry and Mourne Area The SEA does consider onshore grid connections and 2015 the requirement for supporting onshore infrastructure Donegal County Development Plan 2006- 2012 Sets out planning policy for County Donegal. but this is at a very high strategic and generic level and at this stage does not directly relate to any Louth County Development Plan 2003-2009 Sets out planning policy for County Louth specific locations or land use plans/programmes. Implements the Water Framework Directive for the island of River Basin Management Plans Ireland. Geographic boundaries for plan are determined by river basin catchments.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland Environmental Report Appendix B: Protected Sites and Species
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) November 2009 This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Appendix B: Detailed designation description of the protected sites within the study area
County Site Name Designation Description of designation Antrim Coast North Antrim Coast SAC Primary reason for Annex I Annex II designation - Vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic & Baltic coasts - Narrow-mouthed whorl snail (Annex I)
SAC Other site features Annex I Annex II
(qualifying features) - Atlantic vegetation of drift lines - None
- Atlantic salt meadows - Shifting dunes along the shoreline (“white dunes”) - Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation (‘grey dunes’) - Species-rich grassland SPA (Antrim Hills) Migratory species: - Circus cyaneus (25 breeding pairs) - Falco columbarius (8 breeding pairs) AONB Antrim Coast and Glens AONB – beautiful and varied scenery: a high plateau cut by deep glens, with gentle bays and blunt headlands, moorlands and farmlands.
ANTRIM Ballycastle ASSI Ballycastle Coalfield ASSI – the best example of a coalfield sequence in Ireland, with fossils. Supports maritime heath and limited saltmarsh. Coalfields Carrickarade ASSI Carrickarade ASSI – the island and adjoining mainland represent a section through a volcano. The limestone cliffs contain a raised sea cave, and the area home to two rare snails, and breeding birds. Giant’s World Heritage Site Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site – designated on account of outstanding universal value for both geomorphological features and natural beauty and Causeway aesthetic importance. AONB Causeway Coast AONB – 18 miles of coastal scenery with dramatic cliffs and headlands broken by fresh sandy beaches backed by dunes NNR Giant’s Causeway NNR – an area of extraordinary geological features, wild flowers and seabirds. ASSI Giant’s Causeway and Dunseverick ASSI – supports a rich assemblage of notable species, breeding and wintering birds, and impressive geological features. Kebble NNR Kebble NNR - important for breeding seabirds Larne Lough SPA Annex I species: Migratory species
- Common tern (Sterna hirundo) - 199 breeding pairs) - Light-bellied Brent goose (Branta bernicia hrota) - 227
- Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) - 6 breeding pairs) wintering individuals
- Sandwich tern (Sterna sandvicensis) – 165 breeding individuals This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
County Site Name Designation Description of designation ASSI Larne Lough ASSI – diverse habitats ranging from an artificial brackish lagoon in the northwest to mudflats, rocky shores and saltmarshes throughout. Supports nationally important numbers of overwintering birds including the Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), great-crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator), light-bellied Brent Goose (Branta bernicia hrota) and shelduck (Tadorna tadorna). Wading birds such as greenshank (Tringa nebularia) and redshank (Tringa totanus) are also present in nationally important numbers. The lough is also important for breeding birds such as the common gull (Larus canus). Portmuck ASSI Portmuck ASSI – contains a tombolo between Isle of Muck and mainland (only feature of this type on open coast of N Ireland). Supports notable population of breeding seabirds, with limited saltmarsh and calcareous grassland. Also contains the Cretaceous Hibernian Greensands series. Portrush NNR Portrush NNR – important geological area, with fossils. ASSI Portrush West Strand ASSI – important underlying geology for understanding sea level changes on north coast of Ireland since last ice age.
Ramore Head & ASSI Ramore Head & The Skerries ASSI – important historical geological site, important for breeding seabirds. the Skerries Rathlin Island Primary reason for Annex I Annex II designation none - Reefs - Vegetated sea cliffs SAC - Submerged or partially submerged sea caves
Other site features Annex I (qualifying features) - Sandbanks slightly covered by seawater all the time - Annual vegetation of drift lines SPA Annex I species: Migratory species: Assemblage: - Peregrine (Falco peregrinus) – 6 breeding pairs - Guillemot (Uria aalge) – 28,064 breeding pairs During the breeding season, the area regularly supports 66,000 individual seabirds - Razorbill (Alca torda) – 5978 breeding pairs
- Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) – 6822 breeding pairs ASSI Rathlin Island Coast ASSI – supports a wide variety of habitats and associated flora and fauna. In summer, the sea cliffs are important for breeding seabirds: Northern Ireland’s largest population of puffin (Fratercula arctica). A small populations of Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), an Annex I species also noted in the ASSI. Runkerry ASSI Runkerry ASSI – a beach system of international importance Sheep Island SPA Annex I species - Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) – 249 breeding pairs Torr Head ASSI Torr Head ASSI – important limestone formation. White Park Bay ASSI White Park Bay ASSI – area of coastal sand dune, maritime cliff and slope and higher plant assemblage. Also important for nesting seabirds and butterflies. Ballymacormick ASSI Ballymacormick Point ASSI – a rocky headland with small sandy bays and mudflats. Contains wide range of coastal vegetation communities, and intertidal communities. Site Point includes Cockle Island, important for breeding colony of Arctic Tern.
DOWN Ballyquintin NNR Ballyquintin NNR – a low, exposed, rocky coastline with bays, inlets and islands. Area supports saltmarsh and dry grassland. Point This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
County Site Name Designation Description of designation Belfast Lough* SPA Annex I species: Migratory species: - Redshank (Tringa totanus) – 2,466 wintering individuals
Ramsar Belfast Lough Ramsar Site – an intertidal sea lough with mudflats and lagoons. The site qualifies by regularly supporting internationally important numbers of redshank in winter, as well as nationally important numbers of other bird species (e.g. shelduck, oystercatcher, curlew and turnstone). ASSI Inner Belfast Lough ASSI – important because of the fauna, and habitats it supports: intertidal foreshore, mudflats and lagoons, important feeding/roosting sites for wintering waders and wildfowl. Also exhibits range of geological interests. Outer Belfast ASSI – important geology, and supports nationally important populations of wintering seabirds. pSPA Belfast Lough open water - Internationally important wintering population of Great Crested Grebe – designation planned for 2009 Carlingford SPA Annex I species: Migratory species: - Light-bellied Brent goose – 319 wintering Lough** - Common tern – 339 breeding pairs individuals - Sandwich tern – 575 breeding pairs - Arctic Tern (new feature to be confirmed 2009/10) Ramsar Carlingford Lough Ramsar Site – the site qualifies for supporting internationally important breeding populations of sandwich tern, and for supporting an important assemblage of vulnerable and endangered Irish Red Data Book bird species. The area is also known to support nationally important breeding populations of common, roseate and Arctic terns, and forms part of an extended cross-border site which supportings internationally important numbers of overwintering light-bellied Brent geese. ASSI Carlingford Lough ASSI – important geological area which supports range of unusual and rich littoral communities. International important numbers of wildfowl overwinter on the site. Cloghy Rocks NNR Cloghy Rocks NNR –haul out site for common and grey seals, and important area for seabirds.
Copeland ASSI Copeland Islands ASSI – important site for breeding seabirds and waders, plus coastal plant communities and geological features. Islands pSPA Internationally important breeding populations of Manx Shearwater (migratory) and Arctic Tern (Annex I) – designation planned for 2009 Dorn NNR Dorn NNR – extensive area of mud-flats, sheltered bays, pladdies and seabed. A spit of shingle and bedrock extends over 1km into the lough. Foreshore supports wintering wildfowl and waders, common seals are seen in July. Granagh Bay NNR Granagh Bay NNR – supports excellent marine habitats and a great variety of sea life, wildfowl and grey seal. Killard NNR Killard NNR – important grassland area ASSI Killard Point ASSI – important physiography, flora and fauna: one of best examples of coastal system in N Ireland especially for grasslands.
Killough Bay SPA Migratory species: - Light-bellied Brent goose – 354 wintering individuals Ramsar Killough Bay Ramsar Site – a small harbour with tidal mudflats and shingle banks. The site qualifies as it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird in any season. The principle interest is the wintering population of light-bellied Brent goose. ASSI Killough Bay and Strand Lough ASSI – important overwintering site for seabirds. Lecale Coast AONB Lecale Coast AONB – impressive coves, dramatic headlands and secluded sandy beaches, famed for its seal colonies. Mourne AONB Mourne AONB – picturesque mountains, moorland and woodland. This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
County Site Name Designation Description of designation Murlough Primary reason for Annex I Annex II
designation - Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation (‘grey dunes’) - Marsh fritillary butterfly
- Atlantic decalcified fixed dunes Other site features Annex I Annex II (qualifying Common seal - Sandbanks slightly covered by seawater all the time SAC features) - Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide - Atlantic salt meadows
- Embryonic shifting dunes
- Shifting dunes along the shoreline (‘white dunes’) - Dunes with Salix repens ssp. argentea NNR Murlough NNR – a fragile 5,000yr old sand dune system which supports range of flora and fauna. ASSI Murlough ASSI – coastal complex with extensive range of coastal habitats supporting wintering wildfowl and wades, haul-out site for common and grey seals and accommodating a wide range of rare invertebrate species and communities Outer Ards SPA Annex I species: Migratory species:
- Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) – 207 breeding pairs - Light-bellied Brent goose – 245 wintering individuals - Golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria) – 2,079 wintering - Ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula) – 545 wintering individuals individuals - Turnstone – 1,241 wintering individuals Ramsar Outer Ards Ramsar Site – the site encompasses intertidal areas, but also adjoining areas of notable habitat (e.g. dune and maritime grassland, heath and saltmarsh). The principle interests are the wintering populations of light-bellied Brent goose, golden plover, turnstone and ringed plover. The Outer Ards is also a Wetland of International Importance because it qualifies for regularly supporting 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird in any season. ASSI Outer Ards ASSI – internationally important rock series supporting important bird populations. Quoile Pondage NNR Quoile Pondage NNR – the present freshwater lake was created by the construction of a tidal barrier across the estuary of the River Quoile. The area supports habitats rich in Basin wildlife, and large bird populations. Strangford Primary reason for Annex I Annex II Lough designation - Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low None tide
- Coastal lagoons - Large shallow inlets and bays SAC - Reefs
Other site features Annex I (qualifying features) - Annual vegetation of drift lines - Perennial vegetation of stony banks - Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud & sand - Atlantic salt meadows This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
County Site Name Designation Description of designation SPA Annex I species: Migratory species: Assemblage: - Arctic tern – 210 breeding pairs - Knot (Calidris canutus) – 8,723 wintering individuals Over winter, the area regularly supports 60,220 - Common tern – 603 breeding pairs - Light-bellied Brent goose – 10,527 wintering individuals individual waterfowl.
- Sandwich tern – 593 breeding pairs - Redshank – 3,781 wintering individuals - Bar-tailed godwit – 882 wintering individuals - Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) – 3,871 wintering - Golden Plover – 6,526 wintering individuals individuals Ramsar Strangford Lough Ramsar Site – a large shallow sea lough with a wide variety of marine and intertidal habitats, Strangford Lough qualifies by virtue of supporting a variety of important wetland features, and an important assemblage of vulnerable and endangered wetland plants and animal species. Furthermore, it qualifies by regularly supporting in winter >20,000 waterfowl, and internationally important numbers of light-bellied Brent geese, knot and redshank. In addition it regularly supports internationally important breeding populations of both sandwich tern and common turns, and nationally important numbers of Arctic Tern. MNR Strangford Lough MNR – designated to conserve marine flora, fauna and geological features, while providing opportunities for study of marine systems. NNR North Strangford Lough NNR – contains extensive mud and sheltered sand flats, supporting important bird populations. AONB Strangford AONB –almost landlocked inlet of sea within a diverse lowland topography. Internationally important for wintering wildfowl, and nature conservation interest. ASSI Strangford Lough Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 ASSI – split into 3 parts, it is important for coastal processes, and diverse marine habitats, species and bird populations. Ballymaclary NNR Ballymaclary NNR – contain dune slack communities supporting rich and varied summer flora. Bann Estuary Primary reason for Annex I Annex II designation - Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation (‘grey dunes’) None SAC Other site features Annex I (qualifying - Atlantic salt meadows features) - Embryonic shifting dunes - Shifting dunes long the shoreline (‘white dunes’) ASSI Bann Estuary ASSI – the area incorporates a series of sand dune systems, which contain a complex mosaic of habitat types associated with the diverse morphology and soils of the dune systems. In addition, the estuary is used by significant numbers of passage and wintering waders and wildfowl and is important for breeding species of waterbird. Binevenagh AONB Binevenagh ASSI – one of the finest beaches in the province, stretching for 8km from Downhill to the Lough Foyle. Lough Foyle SPA Annex I species: Migratory species: Assemblage: - Bar-tailed godwit – 1,896 wintering individuals - Light-bellied Brent goose – 3,730 wintering individuals Over winter, the area regularly supports 37,310 individual waterfowl LONDONDERRY LONDONDERRY - Bewick’s Swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) – 78 wintering individuals
- Golden plover – 4,891 wintering individuals
- Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) – 890 wintering individuals Ramsar Lough Foyle – site is comprised of large shallow sea lough which includes several river estuaries. The site qualifies by being a good representative example of a wetland complex including intertidal sand and mudflats, with extensive seagrass beds, saltmarsh, estuaries and brackish ditches. It also is a good example of a wetland, which plays a substantial role in the natural functioning of a major river basin which is located in a trans-border position. ASSI Lough Foyle ASSI – the area is important because of its physiography, flora and fauna. Four over wintering species of bird occur in internationally important numbers, and other bird species are present in numbers important in an all-Ireland context. Important and extensive mudflats and a range of notable fish species are also supported. This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
County Site Name Designation Description of designation Magilligan Primary reason for Annex I Annex II
designation - Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation (‘grey dunes’) None
- Dunes with Salix repens ssp. argentea SAC - Humid dune slacks Other site features N/A (qualifying features) NNR Magilligan Point NNR – the tip of one of the largest sand dune systems in the British Isles. The area is important for the flora and fauna it supports, and wintering populations of seabirds. ASSI Magilligan ASSI – one of the best examples of sand dune system in Northern Ireland due to the extent and largely unmodified nature, the wide range of plant and animal communities present. It is also important for several species of waterbird. Roe Estuary NNR Roe Estuary NNR – the mudflats of the estuary support vast numbers of small seashore animals (e.g. lugworms, shrimp, ragworms), large beds of mussels, and extensive areas of eel-grass. As a result, the area is also important for thousands of wildfowl. TOTAL = 68 designations and 2 potential designations (pSPAs) Source: NIEA (2009a); JNCC (2009)
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland Environmental Report Appendix C: Sea Mammal Research Unit Marine Mammal Report
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) November 2009 This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON MARINE MAMMALS FOR
NORTHERN IRELAND
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Project Name: Northern Ireland Marine Renewables SEA –
Reference: MMM 0908 MET
Project Manager: Beth Mackey
Drafted by: Evelyn Philpott
Checked by: Gordon Hastie
Approved by: Nicola Quick
Date: 28th August 2009
Table of Contents BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON MARINE MAMMALS FOR ...... 0 This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 0 STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ...... 0 Table of Contents ...... 0 1. ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL GENERIC IMPACTS OF MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVICES AND OFFSHORE WIND ON MARINE MAMMALS ...... 2 1.1 Anthropogenic noise ...... 2 1.2 Pollution ...... 5 1.3 Ship strikes ...... 5 1.4 Cabling ...... 5 1.5 Physical barriers ...... 6 1.6 Collision risk ...... 6 1.7 Other effects ...... 6 2. MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 6 2.1 Assigning an exclusion zone ...... 7 2.2 Visual and passive acoustic surveying within an exclusion zone...... 7 2.3 Acoustic deterrents ...... 8 2.4 Engineering designs ...... 8 2.5 Seasonal/ area restrictions ...... 9 2.6 Pollution ...... 9 2.7 Reducing collision risk ...... 9 2.8 Active acoustics ...... 10 2.9 Feedback loop for device shut down ...... 10 3. INFORMATION GAPS ...... 10 4. REFERENCES ...... 11 5. Additional technical information for Appendix (marine mammals) ...... 14 Additional technical information for Appendix (marine mammals) ...... 15 Annex 1 ...... 19 Annex 2 ...... 20 Annex 3 ...... 25
Page 1 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
1. ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL GENERIC IMPACTS OF MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVICES AND OFFSHORE WIND ON MARINE MAMMALS In this chapter the potential effects of offshore wind, wave and tidal development on marine mammals in the coastal waters of Northern Ireland was investigated. The future expansion of offshore renewable energy has led to increasing concerns about the impact these developments may have on the marine environment. These impacts may be short- or long-term. In the case of marine mammals there are numerous potential impacts ranging from disturbance and habitat loss to physical injury or death. There are many stages in the lifecycle of either an offshore wind farm or a marine renewable development including site surveys, construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning. Each of these steps has the potential to affect marine mammals to some degree; and in some cases these effects may impact marine mammals at a population level.
Potential impacts include:
1.1 Anthropogenic noise There are a number of activities during installation of offshore wind, wave and tidal devices which are relatively noisy and are of particular concern for marine mammals which have very sensitive underwater hearing (Koschinski et al., 2003, Thomson et al., 2006, Madsen et al., 2006). Although data on the hearing sensitivities of individual marine mammal species are often lacking, it is possible to make some generalisations about groups of animals. For example, small to medium sized odontocetes have good high frequency (80-150 kHz) hearing and are most sensitive to sounds above 10 kHz (Richardson et al., 1995). These species also use high frequency sounds for echolocation. Bottlenose dolphins can hear as low as 40-125 Hz (Richardson et al., 1995). Harbour porpoise audiograms show that the range of best hearing is between 16-140 kHz with maximum sensitivity at 100-140 kHz (Kastelein et al., 2002). Harbour porpoises echolocate at a frequency range of 110-150 kHz and bottlenose dolphins at 110-130 kHz. Although audiograms (plots of hearing sensitivity by frequency) for baleen whales are unavailable there is evidence that they are sensitive to low frequency sounds. Studies suggest that baleen whales communicate and hear sounds in low to medium frequencies (20 Hz to >3 kHz) and lack the high frequency echolocation systems (20-150 kHz) found in toothed whales (Richardson et al., 1995). They produce sounds with low frequencies which travel further through water than higher frequencies which attenuate in the water column. Therefore baleen whales are thought to be able to communicate over longer distances than odontocetes (Nummela 2008). Most baleen whales sounds are less than 1 kHz but may reach 8 kHz (Richardson et al., 1995). Minke whales produce sounds which can range from 0.6-12 kHz (Richardson et al., 1995).
Seals communicate acoustically below and above water, and are believed to hear best at frequencies of 1-30 kHz (Richardson et al., 1995). Compared to odontocetes, some seals may have better sensitivity at lower frequencies (=1kHz) (Richardson et al., 1995). Above 60 kHz sensitivity is poor but some species such as harbour seals can detect up to 180 kHz (Richardson et al., 1995). No behavioural audiograms are available for the grey seal, but electro-physiological audiograms showed a typical pattern over the range of frequencies tested (Ridgeway and Joyce 1975) with the range of best hearing at 8-40 kHz. Grey seals make low frequency calls suggesting they have good low frequency hearing. As studies on the hearing abilities of marine mammals are generally carried out on captive animals, audiograms are unavailable for the majority of species. Noise disturbance can have different effects depending on the loudness or source level. Loud, intense noise sources such as explosions have the potential to cause lethal physical injury to marine mammals while other This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
noise sources can cause behavioural effects or masking (where potentially important biological sounds are unheard over anthropogenic noise) (Richardson et al, 1995).
Construction noise During offshore marine construction, piles are often used to support the devices. Pile driving generates noise with a high source level and broad bandwidth (Richardson et al., 1995), potentially similar to levels experienced during seismic surveys. Monopiles are hammered into the sea bed using an impulse pile driving technique at 1 second intervals and depending on the seabed it can take 1-3 hours to drive one pile into the bottom. Pile driving is a pulsed sound and has a quick rise time from ambient pressure to maximum pressure. Pulsed sounds generally have the worst effect on marine mammal hearing (Southall et al., 2007). The levels of noise emissions are dependent on many factors including pile size and type, seabed characteristics, water depth, as well as impact strengths and duration (Diederichs et al., 2008). The noise from pile driving activities may cause auditory damage such as temporary or permanent threshold shift (TTS or PTS). The sounds emitted during pile driving are generally low frequency and most energy is emitted below 1000Hz, but some components from ramming impulses are up to 100kHz (Evans, 2008). Noise measurements carried out during piling operations at five UK wind farms indicate that the source levels of these pile driving operations varied between 243 and 257dB re 1 µPa at 1m, having an average value of 250dB re 1 µ Pa at 1m (Nedwell et al., 2007). Thomsen et al., (2006) quoted peak broadband source levels of 228 dB re 1µPa at 1m, with 1/3 octave levels highest at 315 Hz (peak 218dB re 1µPa at 1m). They calculated theoretical impact radii of various zones and for harbour porpoise and harbour seals, the zone of masking extended well beyond 80 km with a zone of behavioural responsiveness of several km, perhaps up to at least 15-20 km. Tougaard et al., 2009 found the zone of responsiveness for harbour porpoises to pile driving extended beyond 20km. These predictions are supported by studies of wind farms in the North and Baltic seas (Tougaard et al., 2003a, b, 2006). Thomsen et al., (2006) estimate animals close to the noise source which are exposed to sudden pile driving noise might be injured. Pile driving noise can be audible to some marine mammals over 100km away from the source and may cause behavioural reactions at ranges of many kilometres (Madsen et al., 2006). An alternative to using piles is the use of gravitational concrete platforms but this is more suitable in sheltered waters (Madsen et al., 2006).
Marine mammal monitoring was carried out during all developmental phases of the Danish offshore wind developments at Horns Rev and Nysted (Tougaard et al., 2003a, b, 2006). The monitoring programs at both sites were designed to examine whether numbers or behaviour of marine mammals changed during the course of wind farm development. From these studies it is not clear what specific aspect of the construction phase caused the effect i.e. noise, increased boat traffic, changes in prey availability. A behavioural short-term effect was observed in harbour porpoises at Horns Reef during the construction phase with porpoises displaced at distances of at least 15 km. At Nysted a stronger impact on porpoises was observed during construction with apparent displacement persisting 2 years into the operational phase. Specifically acoustic studies using T- PODs at Nysted found a significant change in echolocation activity associated with piling activities indicating that porpoises left the area during this time (Carstensen et al., 2006). Due to the differences in effects of construction activity on porpoises in these two locations, it was concluded that the same species could react differently to the construction of wind farms in different areas. No large-scale avoidance was observed by harbour seals at Horns Reef; however data from tagged animals indicate there was limited apparent usage of the area, with seals having much larger home ranges than the wind farm area itself. At Nysted significantly fewer seals were hauled out during pile driving. No negative effects on seals were observed during operational phase for either wind farm
Page 3 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
site. However harbour seal populations around Nysted are generally increasing so this may have obscured effects.
Seismic exploration of construction sites during geotechnical surveys will introduce an additional noise source in the form of active sonar into the habitat and may displace animals. Increased boat traffic associated with any marine development also raises the ambient noise levels in an area. Most construction of offshore wind and marine renewable development involves a relatively high amount of ship-traffic for transporting piles and turbines, and maintenance. Sound levels and frequency characteristics depend on ship size and speed with variation among vessels of similar classes. Medium sized support and supply ships generate frequencies mainly between 20 Hz and 10 kHz with source levels between 130 and 160dB re 1µPa at 1m (Richardson et al., 1995). A 25 m tug pulling an empty barge, for example has been reported to have a 170 dB re 1 µPa at 1 m source level (Nedwell et al., 2004).
Continuous noise from boat traffic can cause smaller cetaceans like harbour porpoises to avoid boats (e.g. Polacheck & Thorpe, 1990). Harbour porpoises are known to react to vessels by moving away from them at distances as great as 1km (Palka & Hammond, 2001) which suggests that in areas of high shipping traffic, harbour porpoises may be excluded from that habitat. Wind farms or renewable energy areas developed further offshore may potentially interrupt migratory routes for baleen whales. There may also be avoidance issues where marine mammals may be displaced from a feeding or breeding ground due to such increased activity.
Dredging and drilling noise could also occur during wind farm and other offshore renewable construction and measurements of suction and hopper dredgers for example, show a peak spectral source level of up to 177 dB re 1 µPa at 1 m between 80-200 Hz (Nedwell et al., 2004). The effects of drilling noise from wind farms or offshore renewable construction is unknown.
Operation noise During wind farm operation the turbine can produce low frequency noise and vibrations that can pass into the water column and there may be additive effects when many turbines are operating together (Ingemansson Technology 2003). Air turbulence noise from the wings is generally reflected from the sea surface and so does not to add to underwater noise levels (Tougaard et al., 2009). Betke et al., (2004) concluded that operating 1.5 MW turbines will not cause hearing damage, but might affect marine mammal behaviour in the vicinity. Thomsen et al., (2006) used data from Betke et al., (2004) to calculate a maximum operational sound pressure level of 142dB re 1µPa at 1m. Koschinski et al., 2003 showed that responses, if any of harbour porpoises and seals to noise from a 2MW turbine are restricted to 60-200m. Tougaard et al., 2009 examined underwater noise from operating wind turbines and found total sound pressure levels of 109-127dB re 1µPa rms at distances between 14-20m. This study concluded that harbour porpoises would not display behavioural responses unless they were very close to the turbine (Tougaard et al., 2009). Due to their increased hearing sensitivities at low frequencies; harbour seals would be expected to hear the turbine noise at further distances than porpoises. The effects of operational noise from tidal or wave energy devices are as yet unknown.
Decommissioning Decommissioning offshore structures may involve using open water explosives which is the strongest point source of anthropogenic noise in the marine environment (Richardson et al., 1995). Loud intense noise levels can potentially kill or injure marine mammals at certain distances and can cause behavioural effects at wide ranges.
Page 4 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
1.2 Pollution Another potential threat is pollution. Any offshore marine development requires the use of diesel and oil lubricants, hydraulic fluids and antifouling compounds. A large scale chemical spill has the potential to contaminate marine mammals in an area. Any development that has structures at, or close to, the water surface could present a collision risk to shipping. Collisions could result in an oil spill leading to potentially serious environmental consequences. The risk of pollution is likely to be greatest during the construction phase and the highest level of site activity but may be a risk during operation depending on device design and maintenance activities.
1.3 Ship strikes Increased boat traffic associated with offshore development increases the risk of boat strikes. Most lethal strikes of large whales occur with ships 80 m or longer travelling at speeds of 14 kts or greater. No severe or lethal injuries are known to have been sustained at ship speeds below 10 kts (Laist et al., 2001). The majority of collisions with large whales occur over or near the continental shelf and collisions may have a significant effect on small populations (Laist et al., 2001). Although most strikes with large ships are thought to be limited to large baleen whales, there is evidence that of small cetaceans mortality due to physical interactions with vessels (Parsons & Jefferson, 2000). The highest level of boat traffic is likely to be associated with the construction phase of a development.
1.4 Cabling Cable-laying typically requires one or two vessels and will result in a short term increase in ambient noise levels. Due to their rigid nature mooring cables are unlikely to pose a major threat of entanglement but they may be difficult to detect given their small cross-sectional area (Wilson et al., 2007).
Wind farm development has led to considerable interest in electromagnetic effects from export and interturbine cables on marine species, especially elasmobranchs, but also other fish and marine mammals (Gill et al., 2005). Magnetic fields are produced from AC or DC current passing through the conductor. Magnetic field strength generated during electricity cable operation is variable, and dependent on a number of factors including cable alignment and configuration. Electric fields can be produced in water passing through the magnetic field surrounding a cable. Electric fields can be almost completely blocked from emanating externally by the shielding effect of a cable’s structure. The magnetic field from the Nysted wind park cable to shore was approximately 5 microtesla (μT), at 1 m above the cable; the natural magnetic field in Denmark is 45 μT (Tougaard et al., 2006).The strength of both magnetic and electric fields decreases with distance from the source, and field strength at the seabed surface would therefore be dependent on the depth to which cables are buried.
The underlying assumption that cetaceans have ferromagnetic organelles capable of determining small differences in relative magnetic field strength remains a complicated, understudied and unproven field of science (Basslink, 2001), with only circumstantial evidence. Cetaceans cross cables constantly, for example, migration of the harbour porpoise in and out of the Baltic Sea necessitates several crossings over operating subsea HVDC cables in the Skagerrak and western Baltic Sea without any apparent effect on its migration pattern (Basslink, 2001). There is no apparent evidence that existing electricity cables have influenced migration of cetaceans, but further study is thought warranted (Gill et al., 2005). There is no evidence that seals are sensitive to electromagnetic fields. There may however be secondary effects of EMF if a change in abundance of electro-sensitive prey species (e.g. elasmobranches –skates, rays and sharks) has an effect on the feeding ecology of marine mammals.
Page 5 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Matrices of cables within arrays may produce a more concentrated EMF effect than individual export cables. Overall, EMF should remain on the list as a potential stressor, and policy ensures cable structure and appropriate mitigation actions are adaptive to new literature or field studies.
1.5 Physical barriers Little is known of the physical or perceptual barrier effect produced by offshore tidal and wave energy devices. There are various designs of marine renewable energy devices and structures which may have different barrier potential. Marine mammals are highly mobile can avoid obstacles in the water column; however a lot depends on their ability to perceive the obstruction. Their perception can depend on their age and health status and also on physical parameters of the environment – such as turbidity and ambient noise levels. Odontocetes use both active and passive listening so they can echolocate to navigate around obstacles in poor visibility; however seals do not have this ability. The impact of physical barriers could be present the entire phase of development.
1.6 Collision risk The variety of structures associated with offshore renewable energy devices can lead to increased collision risk for marine mammals. Tidal and wave devices are variable in structure design and so differ in potential collision risks to marine mammals. Structures which may be associated with most devices are underwater piles, fixed structures, cables, chains and anchors; all of which pose some degree of collision risk. Collision risk associated with wave energy devices will vary with device design. Some devices float on the surface while others may be attached to the seabed with cables. As this is a new area of technology there is no information on how marine mammals respond to these devices in the water column. There is a clear collision risk involved with tidal turbines that possess moving parts. Due to cavitation the rotors of tidal turbines do not rotate as fast as wind farm turbines. The rotor tip can move at 12ms-1 (Wilson et al., 2007). Some device designs do not have exposed rotor tips. As yet however there is no information on how marine mammals behave around such structures. Collision risk is likely to be highest in fast flowing areas where high approach speeds may delay the reaction time of animals or impede their navigational abilities (Wilson et al., 2007). If a no fishing zone is enforced around the development site foraging opportunities may increase and attract seals and cetaceans. This may increase the collision risk.
1.7 Other effects Construction work such as dredging and blasting may affect the local fish populations and so have an indirect effect on marine mammal populations that feed on them. Alternatively, the development of offshore wind, wave and tidal arrays may also have a positive effect on local marine mammal populations. For example, fishing may be restricted in the site of an offshore development which may increase fish stocks in that area and have a consequent effect on their marine mammal predators. The creation of artificial reefs may encourage fish aggregations and thereby enhance marine mammal foraging in the area.
2. MITIGATION MEASURES It is important to distinguish between monitoring and mitigation. To mitigate is to make something less harmful and involves taking steps to avoid or minimise a negative impact. To monitor is to observe, to measure or test at intervals, especially for the purpose of regulation or control. The purpose of pre- construction or baseline monitoring is generally to investigate species presence in an area and seasonal variation in habitat use. For example if it is known that a particular site is an important seasonal feeding area for a species then construction could be avoided at this sensitive
Page 6 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
time. The purpose of a monitoring plan needs to be established at the planning stage as it will affect the methodologies used (e.g., scale, frequency, duration). The methods used to collect data at different stages of development need to be standardised so they are comparable. Power analysis can be carried out to ensure that the monitoring program is capable of measuring the necessary variables with the required precision to detect an effect. Power analysis is a useful tool in long-term monitoring programmes where the primary aim is to monitor trends in populations, especially when an impact from development is possible.
Many mitigation measures have been proposed for the different stages of development of marine renewable devices. However, as it is a relatively new technology, the effectiveness of many mitigation measures have yet to be determined. For any given developmental stage, the required mitigation will depend on the risks involved and may have to be adapted to suit the requirements of developments in different areas. The design of a mitigation plan for marine mammals will ideally be site-specific so it can take into account the marine mammals present in the area; mitigation measures can be adapted to suit different target species. The following is a list of the key mitigation measures which can be used during the construction phase of offshore wind and marine renewable developments. These measures are mainly concerned with mitigating for the harmful effects of noise generated during construction however the risk of collision with renewable devices is also discussed.
Guidelines are currently in place for minimising disturbance and injury to marine mammals during piling (JNCC 2009). While many of these are also related to piling activities during marine renewable development –no specific guidelines are in place for marine renewable development.
2.1 Assigning an exclusion zone An exclusion or safety zone is a predefined area surrounding the noise source which represents the area of most risk to animals during noisy activities. The highest anticipated noise levels during construction should be used to design the exclusion zone. JNCC recommend a minimum exclusion zone of 500m to mitigate for noise disturbance during piling (JNCC 2009). However, it can be difficult to design suitable exclusion zones for all marine mammal species as different species have different hearing abilities and various sensitivities to noise and audiograms for many species are unknown. Compton et al., 2008 recommend that the extent of the safety zone is based on site specific acoustic propagation to determine where the safe sound pressure level is reached. A sound pressure level of 160dB root mean square is suggested as a precautionary solution to establishing an exclusion zone boundary to minimise disturbance (Compton et al., 2008).
2.2 Visual and passive acoustic surveying within an exclusion zone Both land based and boat based visual surveying is often carried out to detect presence of marine mammals. Unlike acoustic surveying, animal identification is relatively easy and the detection of seals is possible during visual surveys. Visual surveying does not rely on technical equipment which may fail in the field. Visual surveying allows information to be collected on group size and behaviour and also has the possibility of detecting marine mammals even if they are silent. The personnel employed for undertaking the marine mammal monitoring should be experienced at species identification, non-biased, confident in their ability to assess weather conditions and survey accordingly. Adequate visual surveying cannot be undertaken at night or in poor weather conditions i.e. strong winds, heavy rain, thick fog. In such circumstances acoustic surveying has proved to be invaluable. Static acoustic surveying devices such as PODs can by deployed for months at a time and can collect continuous data 24hours a day in all weather conditions, but they do not produce real time data. Alternatively, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) using hydrophones, is a useful mitigation or monitoring tool and can be used to provide real time information and alert the
Page 7 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
approach or presence of sound producing cetaceans. Given that PAM cannot detect seals or silent cetaceans, and that visual surveying is less reliable in poor weather conditions, it is recommended that noisy activities should be halted when poor weather conditions exist. For the same reasons JNCC also recommend that piling does not commence at night (JNCC 2009).
JNCC recommend a standard procedure for piling activities and request that two independent observers are used to detect marine mammals –both a visual observer (MMO) and a PAM operative (JNCC 2009). These observers should have experience of observing and identifying marine mammals at sea. If piling operations are expected to take place over an extended time period then additional MMO’s and PAM operatives may be required to reduce observer fatigue. The observers should be based on the source vessel if possible to ensure the best 360° view of the impact area. The MMO records marine mammal sightings data, relevant construction activities and responses/actions taken in a suitable database. Monitoring should commence at least 30 minutes prior to the start of piling and piling should not commence until 20 minutes after the last marine mammal sighting or acoustic detection in the exclusion zone (JNCC 2009).
Concurrent visual and acoustic surveying is very important to try to minimise the probability of marine mammals being present in the monitoring zone. While no method alone can guarantee the detection of marine mammals, the combined employment of both visual and acoustic methods significantly increases the effectiveness. However, in poor weather conditions the accuracy of both methods can be severely compromised and ideally noisy activities should cease. While visual and acoustic surveying can be effective for cetacean detection, it must be noted that seals often surface irregularly and so can be more difficult to detect and track visually and they cannot be detected acoustically. Acoustic monitoring cannot detect all species of marine mammal and ideally should not be relied upon solely, particularly if seal mitigation monitoring is required. Although PODs are useful monitoring tools they are inappropriate for mitigation purposes as they do not give real time data i.e. the data is collected over time and is then retrieved and analysed. New PAM buoys are presently being developed to monitor marine mammals in real-time and these could be located around the construction site to improve detection rates. Ideally, piling should not commence at night or in bad weather conditions as the risk of not detecting marine mammals is increased.
2.3 Acoustic deterrents The use of acoustic deterrents as a mitigation measure during the construction of offshore wind farms has been examined in detail by SMRU Ltd. (2007). By activating an acoustic deterrent before the start of piling or explosive use, it is hoped that marine mammals would be encouraged to move away from the source so they would be a safe distance from the impending construction noise. It is difficult to study the reactions of marine mammals exposed to high source levels of noise and so for many species it is unknown. The precautionary approach of attempting to temporarily exclude marine mammals from the vicinity of the sound source, while at the same time trying not to permanently exclude animals from an important habitat, is advised. There is a risk of habituation so it is advised to vary the signals used. Care has to be taken that the acoustic deterrents do not themselves pose a risk to marine mammals. Thus a soft ramp up approach (see below) should be used with acoustic deterrents if possible. JNCC recommend that acoustic deterrent devices are used only in conjunction with visual and/or acoustic monitoring and that their use is restricted to the pre- piling search and during piling (JNCC 2009).
2.4 Engineering designs A soft start is designed to give marine mammals in the area a chance to leave the ensonified zone before the noise reaches a damaging level. Soft starts in piling occur when the initial hammer blows to the pile have low energy and gradually build up to full power. The idea behind this procedure is
Page 8 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
that animals in the vicinity move away from the noise before it builds up to dangerous levels. However, soft starts lengthen the piling process so while it can limit the risk of high level impacts such as permanent threshold shift, it may increase the risk of lower level impacts (SMRU Ltd., 2007). There is a risk that if the soft start is not carried out carefully the noise levels may be enough to induce hearing damage in marine mammals if they are in the vicinity. The efficacy of employing soft starts has not yet been proven (Richardson et al., 1995, Compton et al., 2008). JNCC recommends a soft start of no less than twenty minutes and that piling is suspended if a marine mammal enters the exclusion zone during the soft start. If piling is paused for over ten minutes, a ‘soft start’ is required when recommencing (JNCC 2009).
Other mitigation measures may include the use of bubble curtains, use of vibratory hammers, padding or insulating the pile. For a full review of engineering solutions as mitigation measures associated with offshore wind farms see Nehls et al., (2007).
2.5 Seasonal/ area restrictions Known areas of importance for marine mammal feeding or breeding could be avoided when locating a marine renewable device. Also construction could be postponed during breeding seasons for species using an area.
2.6 Pollution Strict guidelines could be established to reduce pollution during offshore construction. No dumping policies could be enforced and fines levied against infractions (Jefferson et al., 2009). Navigational lights and warnings should be in place to alert other users to construction and increased vessel activity in the area.
2.7 Reducing collision risk Increased shipping activity increases the risk of marine mammal collisions with vessels. This can potentially be reduced by incorporating a code of conduct for vessels operating both in transit to and within the development site. Restrictions on vessel speed to 10kts and developing guidelines on how to proceed when marine mammals are present may prevent ship strikes and reduce the impact of the disturbance (Jefferson et al., 2009). The following are examples of guidelines which may be included in a shipping code of conduct at or around development sites:
• If whales or dolphins approach the vessel or bow-ride, a slow speed and steady course should be maintained until clear.
• A speed of <10kts should be observed within the construction site and vessel operators should stick to set routes as much as possible to avoid disturbance.
• Whales and dolphins should never be chased or harassed.
• Do not approach within 100m of dolphins or porpoises.
There is no information describing the movements or behaviour of marine mammals around renewable devices and mitigation methods to reduce the risk of collision from such devices are currently unproven. Wilson et al., 2007 carried out a comprehensive review on potential collision risks from marine renewable energy devices to marine mammals and suggested the following mitigation measures to reduce this impact;
• Devices should be placed so as not to disrupt migratory paths or travelling routes.
Page 9 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
• Certain device designs may be easier to detect than others.
• Important sites for marine mammals should be avoided such as breeding or feeding areas.
• Seasonal restrictions could be placed on operation to avoid impacting on marine mammals at vulnerable times such as breeding season.
• The use of acoustic deterrents such as pingers or acoustic harassment devices.
• Soften collision by adding smooth edges or padding.
• Use protective grids or netting –which may however be an additional risk.
• Protect against entrapment by incorporating escape hatches into device design.
2.8 Active acoustics The use of active sonar as a monitoring tool for marine mammals is currently under development and may in future offer a method to mitigate collision risk (especially for species that do not routinely vocalise underwater). Imaging sonar systems are currently being developed and tested to evaluate their detection efficiency and to determine their marine mammal tracking capabilities. An important consideration with this method is that some sonar devices emit relatively low frequency sounds which can be detected by the animals and so limit their effectiveness as a monitoring tool.
2.9 Feedback loop for device shut down Clear communication is often the most important factor in ensuring the effectiveness of mitigation measures. It is essential that the mitigation measures employed are clear and detailed. All personnel involved in construction should be made aware of the imposed mitigation procedure. A detailed communication plan needs to be in place before the start of any construction. It is vital that all monitoring associated with mitigation is carefully reported as well a detailed record of adherence/non adherence to the mitigation measures. The personnel responsible for ensuring the mitigation measures are adhered to on site (e.g. the marine mammal observer MMO) must have a direct line of communication to the works’ superintendent who is responsible for device shut down if required.
3. INFORMATION GAPS • Information on the detailed distribution and habitat usage of marine mammals in coastal Northern Irish waters is lacking. Although there is much detailed information from focused studies in Strangford Lough on seals and porpoises, there is no similar data for the rest of the coastline. Recent photo–id studies indicate that bottlenose dolphins sighted in Northern Irish waters are individuals which have been previously seen around the coast of the Republic of Ireland. It is unknown if these bottlenose dolphins are part of a larger protected population.
• The behavioural responses of most species of marine mammal to noise disturbance both during installation and operation and to electromagnetic fields are unknown. Audiograms of many marine mammal species are unknown. Some species may be more sensitive to different frequencies of noise than others. While there may be behavioural responses observed, it is difficult to interpret whether they are biologically significant (i.e. do they affect health and reproduction or do they cause a disturbance).
Page 10 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
• The behavioural response of marine mammals to turbines is unknown. It is not clear how the animals will react to rotating turbines as to date rotors on test units have been stopped if a marine mammal is sighted in the near vicinity of a rotating turbine.
• Effects of cumulative installation of devices, as well as cumulative effects of other activities in the area such as shipping, seismic exploration and effects due to climate change are unknown.
• Indirect effects such as effects on prey items and habitat are unknown.
• The effectiveness of many mitigation measures have not been tested –such as soft starts to piling.
4. REFERENCES
Betke, K, Schultz-von Glahn, M & Matuschek, R (2004). Underwater noise emissions from offshore wind turbines. Paper presented on CFA/DAGA 2004, 2 pp. (http://www.Itap.de/Itap.htm)
Carstensen, J., Henriksen,O.D. & Teilmann, J. (2006). Impacts of offshore wind farm construction on harbour porpoises: acoustic monitoring of echolocation activity using porpoise detectors (T- PODS). Marine Ecology Progress Series 321:295-308.
Page 11 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Compton, R., Goodwin, L., Handy, R & Abbott, V. (2008). A critical examination of worldwide guidelines for minimising the disturbance to marine mammals during seismic surveys. Marine Policy 32:255-262.
Cronin, M., Duck, C., Ó Cadhla, O., Nairn, R., Strong, D. & O’ Keeffe, C. (2004). Harbour seal population assessment in the Republic of Ireland: August 2003. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 11. National Parks & Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Governement, Dublin, Ireland.
Diederichs, A, Nehls, G, Dähne, M, Adler, S, Koschinski, S, & Verfuß, U. (2008). Methodologies for measuring and assessing potential changes in marine mammal behaviour, abundance or distribution arising from the construction, operation and decommissioning of offshore windfarms. Commissioned by COWRIE Ltd. 90pp.
Evans, PGH (2008). Concluding remarks. In: Evans PGH (ed) Proceedings of the ASCOBANS/ECS workshop. Offshore wind farms and marine mammals: impacts and methodologies for assessing impacts. ECS special publication series No. 49. European Cetacean Society, San Sebastian, Spain, 21st April 2007, pp 63-67.
Gill, A.B, Gloyne-Phillips I, Neal, K.J & Kimber, J.A (2005). The potential effects of electromagnetic fields generated by sub-sea power cables associated with offshore wind farm developments on electrically and magnetically sensitive marine organisms – a review. Prepared for and commissioned by COWRIE.
Goodwin, L. & Speedie, C. (2008). Relative abundance, density and distribution of the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) along the west coast of the UK. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK, 2008, 88(6), 1221–1228.
Hammond, P.S. Northridge, S.P. Thompson, D. Gordon, J.C.D. Hall, A.J. Aarts G. & Matthiopoulos J. (2005). Background information on marine mammals for Strategic Environmental Assessment 6
Ingemansson Technology (2003). Utgrunden offshore wind farm-measurements of underwater noise. Report 11-00329-03012700. Ingemansson Technology, Gothenburg.
Jefferson, T.A, Hung, S.K & Würsig, B. (2009). Protecting small cetaceans from coastal development: Impact assessment and mitigation experience in Hong Kong. Marine Policy 33: 305-311.
JNCC (2009). Statutory nature conservation agency protocol for minimising the risk of disturbance and injury to marine mammals from piling noise. (jncc.gov.uk)
Kastelein, R.A., Bunskoek, P., Magedoorn, M, Au, W.W.L & De Haan. (2002). Audiogram of a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) measured with narrow-band frequency-modulated signals. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 112(1):334-344.
Koschinski, S. Culik, B.M., Damsgaard Henriksen, O., Tregenza, N., Ellis, G., Jansen, C. & Kathe, G. (2003). Behavioural reactions of free-ranging porpoises and seals to the noise of a simulated 2MW windpower generator. Marine Ecology Progress Series 265:263-273.
Laist, D.W, Knowlton, A.R, Mead, J.G, Collet, A.S, & Podesta. M (2001). Collisions between ships and whales. Marine Mammal Science. 17:35-75.
Page 12 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Madsen, P.T., Wahlberg, M., Tougaard, J., Lucke, K. & Tyack, P. (2006). Wind turbine underwater noise and marine mammals: implication of current knowledge and data needs. Marine Ecology Progress Series 309: 279-295.
Nedwell, J. R., Parvin, S. J., Edwards, B., Workman, R., Brooker, A. G. & Kynoch, J. E. (2007). Measurement and interpretation of underwater noise during construction and operation of offshore windfarms in UK waters. Subacoustech Report No. 544R0738 to COWRIE Ltd. ISBN: 978-0-9554279-5-4.
Nedwell, J.R., & Howell, D. (2004). A review of offshore windfarm related underwater noise sources. – COWRIE report No. 544 R 0308, 57 pp.
Nehls, G., Betke, K., Eckelmann, S. & Ros. M. (2007). Assessment and costs of potential engineering solutions for the mitigation of the impacts of underwater noise arising from the construction of offshore windfarms. BioConsult SH report, Husum, Germany. On behalf of COWRIE Ltd.
Nummela, S. (2009). Hearing in Encyclopaedia of Marine Mammals 2nd edition. Eds Perrin, W.F., Wursig, B. & Thewissen, J.G.M. Academic Press. 1316pp.
Palka. D.L, & Hammond, P.S (2001). Accounting for responsive movement in line transect estimates of abundance. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 58:777-787.
Parsons, E.C.M & Jefferson, T.A (2000). Post-mortem investigations on stranded dolphins and porpoises from Hong Kong waters. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 36 (2) 342-356.
Polacheck. T., & Thorpe L (1990). The swimming direction of harbor porpoise in relationship to a survey vessel. Report of the International Whaling Commission 40:463-470.
Reid, J., Evans, P.G.H. and Northridge, S.P. (2003). Cetacean Distribution Atlas. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.68pp.
Richardson, J.W., Greene, C.R., Malme, C.I. & Thomson, D.H. (1995). Marine Mammals and Noise. Academic Press San Diego, 576PP.
Ross, P, De S. R, Addison, R., Van L. H, Vos, J, & Osterhaus, A. (1996). Contaminant-induced immunotoxicity in harbour seals: Wildlife at risk? Toxicology 112:157-169
Ross, P.S. (2002). The role of immunotoxic environmental contaminants in facilitating the emergence of infectious diseases in marine mammals. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment 8(2) 277-292.
Simms, W, & Ross, P.S (2000). Vitamin A physiology and its application as a biomarker of contaminant-related toxicity in marine mammals: A review. Toxicology and Industrial Health. September 16:291-302
SMRU Ltd. (2007). Assessment of the potential for acoustic deterrents to mitigate the impact on marine mammals of underwater noise arising from the construction of offshore windfarms. Commissioned by COWRIE Ltd (project reference DETER-01-07).
Page 13 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Southall, B.L., Bowles, A.E., Ellison, W.T., Finneran, J.T., Gentry,R.L., Greene Jr, C.R., Kastak, D., Ketten, D., Miller, J.A,M Nachtigall, P.E., Richardson, W.J.,Thomas, J.A & Tyack, P.L. (2007).Marine Mammal Noise Exposure Criteria: Initial Scientific Recommendations. Aquatic Mammals 33(4) Thomsen, F., Lüdemann, K., Kafemann, R. & Piper, W. (2006). Effects of offshore wind farm noise on marine mammals and fish, Biola, Hamburg, Germany on behalf of COWRIE Ltd.
Tougaard, J., Carstensen, J., Henriksen, O.D., Skov, H., & Teilmann, J. (2003a). Short-term effects of the construction of wind turbines on harbour porpoises at Horns Reef. - Hedeselskabet, Roskilde, Denmark.
Tougaard, J., Carstensen, J., Ilsted Bech, N. & Teilmann, J. (2006). Final report on the effect of Nysted Offshore Wind Farm on harbour porpoises. National Environment Research Institute.65pp.
Tougaard, J., Ebbesen, I., Tougaard, S., Jensen T. & Teilmann, J. (2003b). Satellite tracking of harbour seals on Horns Reef. Technical report to Techwise A/S, Biological Papers from the Fisheries and Maritime Museum, Esbjerg. No. 3.
Tougaard, J., Henriksen, O.D. & Miller, L.A., (2009). Underwater noise from three types of offshore wind turbines: Estimation of impact zones for harbor porpoises and harbour seals. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 125(6) 3766-3773.
Tougaard, J., Carstensen, J., Teilmann, J., Skov, H & Rasmussen, P. (2009). Pile driving zone of responsiveness extends beyond 20km for harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena(L,))(L). Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 126(1):11-14.
Wilson, B., Batty, R.S., Daunt, F. & Carter, C. (2007). Collision risks between marine renewable energy devices and mammals, fish and diving birds. Report to the Scottish Executive. Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, Scotland, PA37 1QA.
5.
Page 14 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Additional technical information for Appendix (marine mammals)
Page 15 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure . Sightings of cetacean species in Western European Waters, taken from Reid et al., (2003)
Location of observed harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) groups during (A) May and August, 2002; (B) May and September, 2003; and (C) May and September, 2004 for the west coast of the UK. Taken from Goodwin & Speedie 2008. .
Page 16 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure : Harbour porpoise distribution in SEA area 6, from Hammond et al., 2005
Figure . Distribution of (a) grey seal and (b) harbour seal haul out sites in the Irish Sea. Taken from Hammond et al., (2005).
Page 17 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure : Map of the locations of groups of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) recorded in the Republic of Ireland, August 2003 and in Northern Ireland, August 2002. From Cronin et al., 2004.
Page 18 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Annex 1 Table 1. Results from SCANS-II, Estimates of abundance estimates for the SCANS-II study area from both the shipboard and aerial surveys in 2005. CVs are given in parentheses and lognormal 95% CIs are given in square brackets (Hammond, 2008).
Species Shipboard Aerial Total
Harbour Porpoise (HP) 275 527 (0.25) 110 090 (0.32) 385 617 (0.20)
[261 266 – 569 153]
Common dolphin (CD) 30 511 (0.35) 32 777 (0.82) 63 288 (0.46)
[26 953 – 148 605]
Common dolphin or 55 909 (0.28) 313 (0.68) 56 222 (0.28) Striped dolphin (SD) [32 680 – 96 724]
Bottlenose dolphin (BD) 10 673 (0.31) 1 972 (0.45) 12 645 (0.27)
[7 504 – 21 307]
White-beaked dolphin 11,910 (0.26) 10,754 (0.83) 22,664 (0.42) (WB) [10,341-49,670]
Lag sp. 27,227 (0.38) 10,754 (0.83) 37,981 (0.36)
[19,169-75,255]
Minke whale (MW) 13 281 (0.36) 5 333 (0.55) 18 614 (0.30)
[10 445 – 33 171]
Page 19 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Annex 2 Table 1a Results from SCANS-II, estimates of group abundance, corrected mean group size, corrected animal abundance and animal density (animals/km2) from the shipboard survey using the MRLT approach. CV’s are given in parentheses. Figures in square brackets are 95% confidence intervals (Taken from Hammond (2008)).
Species Block Group abundance Corrected Animal abundance Animal density mean group size
V 19 909 (0.32) 2.37 (0.22) 47 131 (0.37) 0.294 (0.37)
HP
W 1 022 (0.77) 2.59 (0.15) 2 646 (0.80) 0.019 (0.80)
Q 7 679 (1.27) 1.30 (0.19) 10 002 (1.24) 0.067 (1.24)
S 14 788 (0.34) 1.57 (0.09) 23 227 (0.36) 0.340 (0.36)
U 54 357 (0.28) 1.19 (0.09) 88 143 (0.23) 0.562 (0.23)
T 11 519 (0.35) 2.06 (0.12) 23 766 (0.33) 0.177 (0.33)
P 25 334 (0.52) 3.18 (0.21) 80 613 (0.50) 0.408 (0.50)
Total 134 608 (0.21) 2.05 (0.11) 275 527 (0.25) 0.274 (0.25)
[100 600 – 214 [189 780 – 486 210] 880]
V 4 246 (0.44) 1.05 (0.03) 4 449 (0.45) 0.028 (0.45)
MW
W
Page 20 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Q 1 856 (0.46) 1 (0.0) 1 856 (0.46) 0.012 (0.46)
S
U 3 519 (0.69) 1 (0.0) 3 519 (0.69) 0.022 (0.69)
T 1 738 (0.52) 1 (0.0) 1 738 (0.52) 0.013 (0.52)
P 1 504 (0.42) 1.14 (0.12) 1 719 (0.43) 0.009 (0.43)
Total 12 864 (0.36) 1.03 (0.02) 13 281 (0.36) 0.013 (0.36)
[6 440 – 25 694] [6 663 – 26 471]
V 1 831 (0.41) 4.3 (0.08) 7 862 (0.37) 0.049 (0.37)
WB
W
Q 336 (0.66) 6.0 (0.22) 2 030 (0.60) 0.014 (0.60)
S
U 98 (0.99) 5.0 (0.08) 493 (0.48) 0.003 (0.48)
T 280 (0.64) 5.4 (0.15) 1 525 (0.56) 0.011 (0.56)
P
Total 2 544 (0.32) 4.8 (0.07) 11 910 (0.26) 0.012 (0.26)
[1 451 – 4 748] [7 012 – 19 552]
V
CD
W 1 434 (0.26) 12.5 (0.17) 17 916 (0.22) 0.129 (0.22)
Q 505 (0.85) 2.9 (0.39) 1 454 (0.81) 0.010 (0.81)
S
U
T
P 999 (0.31) 11.2 (0.57) 11 141 (0.61) 0.056 (0.61)
Page 21 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Total 2 938 (0.28) 10.4 (0.44) 30 511 (0.35) 0.030 (0.35)
[1 708 – 5 053] [15 671 – 59 404]
V
CD or SD
W 2 272 (0.23) 14.5 (0.11) 32 921 (0.27) 0.238 (0.27)
Q 520 (0.86) 3.0 (0.39) 1 578 (0.79) 0.011 (0.79)
S
U
T
P 1 418 (0.23) 15.1 (0.38) 21 410 (0.41) 0.109 (0.41)
Total 4 210 (0.20) 13.3 (0.23) 55 909 (0.28) 0.056 (0.28)
[2 874 – 6 167] [32 402 – 96 470]
V 1 620 (0.34) 4.0 (0.14) 6 460 (0.35) 0.040 (0.35)
Lag sp.
W
Q 1 864 (0.29) 4.2 (0.12) 7 736 (0.29) 0.052 (0.29)
S
U 87 (0.99) 4.65 (0.12) 405 (1.00) 0.003 (1.00)
T 1 238 (0.77) 10.2 (0.26) 12 627 (0.80) 0.094 (0.80)
P
Total 4 809 (0.29) 5.7 (0.12) 27 227 (0.38) 0.027 (0.38)
[2 738 - 8 569] [12 442 – 49 151]
Page 22 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Table 1b. Results from SCANS-II, animal abundance and density (animals/km2) estimates from the aerial survey. Figures in parentheses are CVs. Figures in square brackets are 95% CIs (Hammond, 2008).
Species Block Animal abundance Animal density
MW B 1 202 (0.96) 0.0097 (0.96)
J 835 (1.02) 0.0223 (1.02)
O 1 073 (0.89) 0.0236 (0.89)
R 2 222 (0.84) 0.0576 (0.84)
Total 5 333 (0.55) 0.0217 (0.55)
[1 349 – 21 080]
BD B 395 (0.74) 0.0032 (0.74)
J 412 (0.86) 0.0110 (0.87)
N 246 (1.04) 0.0080 (1.05)
O 235 (0.75) 0.0052 (0.75)
R 313 (0.81) 0.0081 (0.81)
Z 369 (0.81) 0.0116 (0.81)
Total 1 972 (0.45) 0.0064 (0.45)
[712 – 5 455]
CD B 14 349 (1.66) 0.1159 (1.66)
N 2 322 (0.61) 0.0758 (0.61)
O 366 (0.73) 0.0081 (0.73)
R 15 327 (0.78) 0.3972 (0.78)
Z 491 (0.87) 0.0154 (0.87)
Total 32 777 (0.82) 0.1212 (0.82)
[8 056 – 133 351]
SD Z 157 (1.28) 0.0050 (1.28)
[21 – 1 203]
WB J 682 (0.86) 0.0182 (0.86)
Page 23 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
N 9 731 (0.91) 0.3177 (0.91)
O 75 (0.80) 0.0016 (0.80)
R 267 (0.85) 0.0069 (0.85)
Total 10 754 (0.83) 0.0707 (0.83)
[2594 – 44589]
CD or SD J 88 (0.99) 0.0023 (0.99)
O 225 (0.84) 0.0050 (0.84)
Total 313 (0.68) 0.0038 (0.67)
[95 – 1 029]
Patterned B 125 (0.96) 0.0010 (0.96)
O 375 (0.80) 0.0083 (0.80)
R 1 360 (0.80) 0.0352 (0.80)
Total 1 860 (0.62) 0.0089 (0.62)
[611 – 5 661]
Page 24 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Annex 3 Table 1a. Results from the CODA survey, estimates of animal abundance and animal density (animals/km2) using the MRLT approach. Figures in parentheses are percentage CVs. Figures in square brackets are 95% confidence intervals. Long-finned pilot whales data cannot be included at this stage. Updated from Macleod et al. (2008).
Species Block Animal abundance Animal density
(animals/km2)
CD 1 3,546 (0.76) 0.01 (0.76)
2 53,638 (0.54) 0.16 (0.54)
3 12,378 (1.23) 0.08 (1.23)
4 48,701 (0.51) 0.40 (0.51)
Total 118,264 (0.38) 0.12 (0.38)
[56,915 – 246,740]
SD 1 519 (1.05) 0.0015 (1.05)
2 33,254 (1.57) 0.10 (1.57)
3 7,546 (0.62) 0.05 (0.62)
4 20,045 (0.56) 0.16 (0.56)
Total 61,364 (0.93) 0.06 (0.93)
[12,323 – 305,568]
CD, SD & CS 1 4,065 (0.67) 0.012 (0.67)
2 115,398 (0.80) 0.343 (0.80)
3 24,551 (0.66) 0.153 (0.67)
4 80,152 (0.37) 0.658 (0.37)
Total 224,166 (0.48) 0.232 (0.48)
[90,979 – 552,331]
FW 1 247.7 (0.45) 0.001 (0.45)
2 3668.2 (0.34) 0.011 (0.34)
3 3113.3 (0.22) 0.019 (0.22)
4 595.4 (0.72) 0.005 (0.72)
Page 25 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Total 7624.6 (0.21) 0.008 (0.21)
[5027.6 – 11563.3]
SW 1 0 0
2 0 0
3 366.4 (0.33) 0.002 (0.33)
4 0 0
Total 366.4 (0.33) 0.0004 (0.33)
[176.1 – 762.2]
LB 1 249.8 (0.44) 0.0007 (0.44)
2 3853.3 (0.33) 0.011 (0.33)
3 3528.9 (0.22) 0.022 (0.22)
4 604.7 (0.72) 0.005 (0.72)
Total 8236.7 (0.20) 0.008 (0.20)
[5475.5 – 12 390.4]
SP 1 363 (0.46) 0.001 (0.46)
2 759 (0.52) 0.002 (0.52)
3 560 (0.55) 0.003 (0.55)
4 409 (0.55) 0.003 (0.55)
Total 2,091 (0.34) 0.002 (0.34)
[1,077 – 4,057]
Table 1b. Results from the CODA survey, Conventional line transect abundance estimates. Figures in parentheses are CVs. Figures in square brackets are 95% confidence intervals. Updated from Macleod et al. (2008).
Page 26 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Species Block Animal abundance Animal density
(animals/km2)
BD 1 5,709 (0.35) 0.02 (0.35)
2 11,536 (0.33) 0.03 (0.33)
3 876 (0.82) 0.005 (0.82)
4 1,174 (0.45) 0.01 (0.45)
Total 19,295 (0.25) 0.020 (0.25)
[11,842 – 31,440]
MW 1 5,547 (1.03) 0.016 (1.03)
2 1,218 (1.04) 0.004 (1.04)
3 0 0
4 0 0
Total 6,765 (0.99) 0.007 (0.99)
[1,239 – 36,925]
BW 1 3,512 (0.33) 0.01 (0.33)
2 785 (0.43) 0.002 (0.43)
3 597 (0.55) 0.004 (0.55)
4 2,097 (0.25) 0.017 (0.45)
Total Total 6,992 (0.25) 0.0072 (0.25)
Page 27 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure 1 Survey blocks defined for the SCANS II survey. Those surveyed by ship were S, T, V, U, Q, P and W. The remaining strata were surveyed from aircraft, taken from Hammond (2008).
Page 28 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure 2 CODA survey region divided into the survey blocks, and realised search effort in red. Sightings distribution of common dolphin (yellow circles), fin whales (red circles) and pilot whales (black circles).
Page 29 of 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland Environmental Report Appendix D: Anatec Navigation Report
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) November 2009 This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 Anatec UK Ltd – Shipping Density Data Northern Ireland
1. Introduction This technical note briefly describes the shipping density data for the Northern Ireland study area supplied to Metoc plc in May 2009.
2. Data Sources Two main data sources were used in the study:
• ShipRoutes Database • Survey Data
The ShipRoutes database was developed by Anatec to assist in identifying shipping passing in proximity to proposed offshore developments such as oil & gas sites and renewable energy sites, but the data covers the entire area around the coast of Northern Ireland, and is not specific to offshore installations. The number of ship movements is based on port logs as well as the latest ferry and freight timetables for major operators such as P&O, Stena, Steam Packet, Norfolkline etc. ShipRoutes was developed mainly for offshore waters, with routes generally defined up to the entrances to estuaries and ports.
The routes taken by ships between ports were obtained from several data sources, including radar and AIS (Automatic Identification System) surveys, satellite tracking individual ship passage plans and Admiralty Sailing Directions.
Primary data sources include: (a) AIS survey data from 2008/09 (covers the busiest areas of shipping - the main ports of Larne, Belfast and also the shipping around Rathlin Island, etc.) (b) Satellite tracking data [2005]
Supplementary data includes: (a) Radar and AIS data from 2005 which covers the quieter areas to the North of Northern Ireland (b) Ferry data from 2008 (c) Annual port data for vessel movements, which the latest official data is from 2007 (d) Individual ship passage plans (e) Admiralty sailing directions
The study covers merchant ships (vessels above approximately 100 gross registered tonnes). It excludes vessel activity which is termed as non-routine, i.e., ships not sailing economically between ports but taking part in special operations. This includes military, fishing and recreational vessels, as well as vessels at anchor or moored.
The type and size categories used are summarised in Table 1. Table 1 Ship Type and Size Categories Type Code General Type Subtypes (examples) 1 Cargo General Cargo, Container Carrier, Reefer, Bulk Carrier, Gas Carrier, Ro/Ro (Freight)
Page 1 of 4 This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 Anatec UK Ltd – Shipping Density Data Northern Ireland
2 Tanker Crude Oil, Product, Chemical, Bunkering, Vegetable Oil 3 Ferry Passenger Ferry, High Speed Craft, RoPax Size Code Deadweight Tonnes (DWT) 1 < 1,500 2 1,500-5,000 3 5,000-15,000 4 15,000-40,000 5 ≥ 40,000
Page 2 of 4 This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 Anatec UK Ltd – Shipping Density Data Northern Ireland
3. Shipping Density Model The study area covered the waters around Northern Ireland.
The variation in shipping density in the study area was estimated using a grid of cells. The grid contained 4,381 cells with a cell size of approximately 1 nautical mile (North/South) x 1 nautical mile (East/West). (Note: The cell width varies slightly from north to south.)
A plot of the grid used is presented in Figure 1.
Figure 1 Grid of Cells used to model Study Area Anatec’s ship density model was used to estimate the number of ships per year passing through each cell. For illustrative purposes, the results were ranked and colour-coded according to the relative shipping density in the local area. Cells with negligible traffic were ranked as 1 (lowest density). The remaining cells were ranked from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), with approximately one-fifth of the non-negligible cells within each category.
Figure 2 presents a summary chart of the results grid colour-coded by shipping density rank.
The rankings correspond to the following ranges.
1. 0 to 20 ships per year 2. 20 to 100 ships per year 3. 100 to 300 ships per year 4. 300 to 700 ships per year 5. ≥ 700 ships per year
As well as total ships per year, annual traffic levels for the different ship type and size categories presented in Table 1 were supplied within a GIS layer.
Page 3 of 4 This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 Anatec UK Ltd – Shipping Density Data Northern Ireland
Figure 2 Ship Density Chart - Northern Ireland
Page 4 of 4 This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) November 2009 This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Northern Ireland Marine Renewables SEA Section Seascape Assessment
Client: June 2009
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Prepared by: ...... Approved by: ...... Karen Clifford/Sian Lovell Iain Bell Principle / Senior Landscape Architect Regional Director
Northern Ireland Marine Renewables SEA
Rev No Comments Date
Dunedin House, 25 Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH4 3TP Telephone: 0131 311 4000 Fax: 0131 311 4090 Website: http://www.fabermaunsell.com
Reference Date Created
This contains confidential and commercially sensitive information, which shall not be disclosed to third parties.
f:\proposals\landscape\ni sea - seascape\draft report sections\draft 31.07.09\nie seascape assessment report 10.08.doc
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Table of Contents
1 Introduction ...... 2 2 Seascape Methodology ...... 3 2.1 Scope of the Assessment ...... 3 2.2 Seascape Guidance / Good Practice ...... 3 2.3 Seascape Assessment Process ...... 3 2.4 Visual Impacts ...... 5 2.5 Characteristics of Wave and Tidal Arrays ...... 5 3 Baseline Environment ...... 7 3.1 Introduction ...... 7 3.2 Seascape Character Types ...... 7 4 Effects on Seascape ...... 16 4.1 Potential Key Effects ...... 16 4.2 Seascape Sensitivity to Change ...... 16 4.3 Importance ...... 20 4.4 Magnitude of Change ...... 20 4.5 Significance of Effects ...... 21 4.6 Mitigation Measures ...... 24 4.7 Likelihood of Occurrence ...... 25 4.8 Confidence and Data Gaps ...... 25 4.9 Residual Effects ...... 26 5 Summary ...... 28 5.1 Recommended Baseline Survey and Monitoring ...... 28 6 References ...... 30
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Appendix E E1 Seascape Assessment
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 2 1 Introduction
This Appendix considers the potential impacts that off shore wind, wave and tidal devices could have on the seascape resource of the study area. It describes the key components, features and characteristics that make up the various strategic seascape types found within the study area. It refers to statutory designations relating to landscape value and considers the implications of wave and tidal development in terms of potential impacts on key seascape components and features. It considers at a strategic level which areas of the Northern Irish seascape (within the study area), which are likely to be least sensitive to the visual effects of wind, wave and tidal device characteristics and consequently most appropriate for locating this type of marine renewable energy. A seascape can be described as a discreet area containing a seaward component, a coastline component and a landward component. It can be defined as ‘the coastal landscape and adjoining areas of open water, including views from land to sea, from sea to land and along the coastline1’. Seascape character is made up of physical characteristics of hinterland, coast and sea as well as a range of perceptual responses to the seascape. Seascape effects are the changes in the character and quality of the seascape as a result of a development. Seascape assessment is, therefore, concerned with the direct and indirect effects upon specific seascape components and features; the more subtle effects on seascape character and the effects upon designated landscapes.
1 Guidance on the Assessment of the Impact of Offshore Wind Farms. Seascape and Visual Impact Report. (DTI, November 2005)
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 3 2 Seascape Methodology
2.1 Scope of the Assessment This section provides an explanation of the approach taken to strategically assess the impact of wind, wave and tidal devices on the seascape resource of the study area. It should be noted that this section does not consider the potential impacts associated with the ancillary land based components of wind, wave and tidal devices, such as transmission lines, sub stations, roads and tracks, as these are covered in Chapter 7 Technologies. The following description does not replace the SEA assessment method presented in Chapter 6 Assesment Method, but simply provides further description of the specific approach applied to the seascape assessment. Due to the strategic nature of this study the seascape assessment has been undertaken by desk study only. However, additional survey work was carried out during two separate seascape familiarisation site visits (refer to Section D1 for further details). These helped to inform the threshold of visibility of the device characteristics considered and also to enable the assessment team to experience in the field the complex and varying nature of the Northern Irish seascape by visiting contrasting locations. The study area extends up to 12 nautical miles. For the purposes of the seascape assessment a 10km landward extent has been considered as proposed in the SNH Commissioned Scott et al (2005) study. 2.2 Seascape Guidance / Good Practice The seascape assessment has been prepared with reference to a number of guidance documents, primarily the DTI Guidance on Seascape and Visual Impact Assessment of Offshore Wind Farms2 the Scottish Marine Renewables SEA, 20073 , UK Offshore Energy SEA 20094, and the Scott et al Assessment of the Sensitivity and Capacity of the Scottish Seascape in relation to Offshore Wind Farms5. Reference has also been made to the Guide to Best Practice in Seascape Assessment (Hill et al., 2001)6. It should be noted that none of the seascape assessment guidance currently available relates to wave and tidal devices. The DTI Guidance does, however, seek to encourage consistency and good practice in seascape assessment and combined with the Scottish Marine Renewables SEA, 2007 has provided a useful reference when refining the strategic approach adopted to seascape assessment in relation to wave and tidal devices. 2.3 Seascape Assessment Process The flow diagram presented in Figure 2.1 provides an indication of the various stages followed in the seascape assessment process. This recognised approach has been adapted from the above DTI guidance and uses the good practice guidance for landscape assessment contained in the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA), published by the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment in 2002. Further details of the seascape assessment process are contained throughout this chapter as the results associated with the various stages of the assessment process are explained.
2 Guidance on the Assessment of the Impact of Offshore Wind Farms. Seascape and Visual Impact Report. (DTI, November 2005) 3 Scottish Marine Renewables Strategic Environmental Assessment 2007, Scottish Executive, 4 UK Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment 2009, DTI 5 Scott, K.E., Anderson, C. and Benson, J.F. (2005). An Assessment of the sensitivity and capacity of the Scottish seascape in relation to offshore windfarms. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 103 (ROAME No. F03AA06) 6 Hill, M. et al. (2001) Guide to Best Practice in Seascape Assessment. Countryside Council for Wales
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 4
Figure 2.1 Overview of key stages in seascape assessment process
BASELINE SEASCAPE IDENTIFICATION OF CHARACTERISATION: DESIGNATED LANDSCAPES • NIEA Landscape Character Assessments UNDERSTANDING PHYSICAL FORM OF DEVICE ARRAYS: DEFINE SEASCAPE • Off shore wind turbines TYPES • On surface linear structures • On surface point structures
FAMILIARISATION SITE VISITS: • Strangford, Lecale Coast and ASSESS SEASCAPE SENSITVITY: Dundrum Bay • Which seascapes are more sensitive • Giant’s Causeway, Rathin to off shore wind, wave & tidal Island Coast, Ballycastle and devices Moyle Glens • Scale / Form / Pattern / Settlement / • Lough Foyle and Magilligan Flats
MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE: • How much change to seascape character • Thresholds of visibility
EVALUATION OF SEASCAPE IMPACTS: • Assessing significance APPLY IMPORTANCE: • Combining sensitivity & magnitude • Areas of Outstanding • Consideration of importance associated Natural Beauty (AONB); with designated landscapes • World Heritage Sites (WHS); • Major / Moderate / Minor / Neutral • Marine Nature Reserve • Positive / Negative (MNR); • Temporary / Permanent (Construction / • Areas of Especially High Operation / Decommissioning Scenic Amenity • Significant or Not (EHSA)(County Donegal) ;
MONITORING
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 5
2.4 Visual Impacts Development can change people’s direct experience and perception of the landscape/seascape depending on the existing context, the scale, form, colour and texture of the proposals, the nature of activity associated with the development and the distance and angle of view. However, for there to be a visual impact there is the need for a viewer, usually referred to as a receptor. Receptors can include residential properties, workplaces, recreational facilities, road users, pedestrians and other outdoor sites and viewpoints which would be likely to experience a change in existing view as a result of a development. GLVIA acknowledges a relationship between the perception of landscape/seascape character and the experience of viewers or receptors. Although procedurally linked, they are separate and distinct assessments. Given the strategic nature of this assessment it has been considered that it is not possible to assess potential visual impacts associated with the device arrays as changes to visual amenity are a direct response to receptor locations. At a strategic level it is not possible to identify receptors (number or type) with any level of certainty and consequently visual impacts associated with the installation and operation of off-shore wind, wave and tidal devices within the study area have not been considered as part of this SEA. Visual impact assessment is an important part of the EIA process and a full visual impact assessment should be undertaken when considering project specific off shore wind, wave and tidal developments. Visibility and key views of the sea from the landward, coastline and seaward components of the seascape should be identified and analysed as part of the visual impact assessment. Receptors are likely to be both land and marine based and could include the following: Land Based
Residents; Visitors/tourists; Views from footpaths, cycleways and bridleways; Other outdoor recreation e.g. fishing, bird watching, golf, swimming etc; Coast road users; Minor road users; Arterial/trunk road users; Rail passengers; and Industrial and commercial activities.
Marine Based
Yachts and inshore recreational boating; Water base recreation e.g. surfing, wind surfing, sea kayaking, sea angling; Competitive or high speed watersports e.g. jet skiing, speed boating; Passenger ferries; Commercial shipping and fishing vessels; and Extractive oil or gas.
The above receptors have been broadly listed to reflect the decreasing sensitivity7 for example views from residential properties are more sensitive than views from industrial or commercial activities. Equally views experienced from yachts and inshore recreational boating are more sensitive than views from commercial shipping and fishing vessels. Various ambient conditions will affect the visibility of a device from the receptor and will include factors such as distance, direction and angle of view to the device, time of day, season, light and prevailing weather. 2.5 Device Characteristics
Devices have been grouped by characteristics relevant to the assessment of seascape impacts and these are described below. Reference should be made to Chapter 7 for further information on the technology of the device arrays.
7 Guidance on the Assessment of the Impact of Offshore Wind Farms. Seascape and Visual Impact Report. (DTI, November 2005)
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 6
Off shore wind structures: - Wind turbines in open water; - Typically consisting of 3-5 MW turbines (height to blade tip approximately 80-120 m); and - Typical arrangements would comprise approximately 300 MW array (60 turbines) of 30km2.
On surface linear structures - Wave devices in open water; - Between 2 and 14 m in height above the water surface; and - Commercial arrays comprising up to 6.5 km2.
On surface point structures - Wave or tidal devices in open water; - The extent of protrusion above the sea surface would vary considerably, with the smallest visible element comprising marker buoys and lighting beacons, ranging to vertical structure up to 14 m in height; - Typical arrangements for wave devices are difficult to predict. For example a point absorber, which usually comprises buoys moored to the seabed, may have moorings that spread out over a significant distance thereby increasing the separation between devices in the array. For the purposes of this assessment the following arrangement has been considered: an array of approximately 50-100 tidal devices, generating 100-200 MW, in coastal water would be expected to occupy 1-2 km2. - It is important to note that the device features could change as the technology develops and should therefore not be considered as being definitive. The exact geometry of the array will also vary from location to location and will be very site and device specific. Also as the technology develops the footprint of individual devices could extend corresponding to the increase in energy output.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 7 3 Baseline Environment
3.1 Introduction The first stage in defining seascape character types at a national scale (to reflect the strategic nature of this study), involved reviewing the extensive series of landscape character assessments (LCAs) commissioned and published by Northern Ireland Environment Agency. (Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment, 2000). Forty two separate landscape character assessments split over twelve regions cover the SEA study area and these were reviewed in order to extract information on the coastal character of the study area. Whilst the majority of these LCAs defined coastal types or areas on the basis of the characteristics of the coastline, rather than the character of the marine element or relationship of land and sea, sufficient information on coastal character was available to form the basis of defining seascape character types across the study area. Section D3 provides details of the relevant regional areas including spread of LCAs and reviews the key characteristics of each region. The many defined coastal landscape character types from the LCA review were then grouped according to shared characteristics. The geographical spread of these dominant characteristics was evaluated in conjunction with Ordinance Survey maps of the study area and a review of previously defined seascape types. These new groupings of amalgamated and slightly simplified coastal types were then reviewed in the context of their relationship with coastline and sea to formulate eight seascape types with shared dominant characteristics. These eight seascape types are illustrated in Figure 9.6.1 and form the basis of the baseline seascape for the SEA. Section D2 provides further information on the amalgamation of the coastal types and the subsequent generation of the seascape types. 3.1.1 In defining the seascape types it was important that the strategic scale of the assessment was considered. Northern Ireland has by definition a dramatic, varied and constantly changing coastline. Broad judgements have had to be made regarding the component parts of each seascape and a rationale developed in order to generalise and hence incorporate minor character areas set within a generic description of seascape type. Consequently, where a seascape has been deemed for example, to be Seascape Type 6 - Complex Indented Coast, Small Bays and Offshore Islands, there may be the occasional occurrence of a large bay within the coastline. At a strategic level, this level of detail cannot be mapped without detracting from the clarity of baseline understanding of study area. Within the descriptions below secondary characteristics contributing to seascape type have been included in the description of Seascape Type. 3.2 Seascape Character Types The following section provides a description of the eight different seascape types contained within the study area as illustrated on Figure 9.6.1. Further information on these seascape types can be found in D2, Table D2.1, Seascape Character Type.
3.2.1 Seascape Type 1 – Large Open or Partially Open Sea Lough with Raised Hinterland Location: Lough Foyle, Belfast Lough and Carlingford Lough Physical Characteristics This seascape type comprises large scale sea loughs associated low-lying coastal plain, raised hinterland and headlands. Tidal mudflats are a common component of the seascape, with sands and mudflats evident at lough mouths. Settlement can vary, the hinterland can be comprised of low lying agricultural land with scattered rural settlement, elsewhere dense urban development is concentrated around head and mouth of the sea loughs, leading to visually prominent industrial infrastructure and linear development. Typicaly large ports and harbours are located at the lough head with associated urban or industrial development. Ferry terminals and busy shipping lanes are located at Lough Foyle and Belfast Lough At both Lough Foyle
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 8
and Carlingford Lough this seascape type falls partially within the Derry slopes and Morne ANOB areas. Lough Foyle is also overlooked by EHSA areas.. Experiential Qualities Large scale open views along windswept low lying shorelines are contained by basalt ridges or raised hinterland. Long smaller scale contained views to the open sea framed by headlands are gained from Lough shores. Where there is an absence of urban development, truncated views along the lough to the open sea provide a high scenic quality.
3.2.2 Seascape Type 2 – Inner Sea Lough Enclosed by Narrow Mouth with Raised Hinterland Location: Larne Lough, Strangford Lough, Physical Characteristics Inner loughs possess a more enclosed, sheltered character than Seascape Type 1. The loughs are typically contained within a broad flat bottomed valley enclosed by distinct basalt ridges. The valley floor and shoreline are comprised of low lying coastal fringe and/or tidal mudflats and backed by raised hinterland and headlands. Flat estuarine landscape is typically accompanied by open farmland and estate woodlands, situated on lough sides. This landscape type possesses a predominantly sheltered and rural character with pockets of visually dominant industrial development including Mageramorne quarry and BallyLumford power station situated at Larne Lough. Settlement patterns vary and range from scattered rural housing and farms within valleys to larger concentrated settlements at Lough mouths and heads. In many instances there are pockets of significant archaeological interest such as at Strangford Lough, including early Christian structures, motts and standing stones which reinforce the cultural heritage of the wider area. The scale within this seascape type is influenced by the flat open valley floor, calm body of contained water balanced by raised headlands and hinterlands. A sense of peaceful isolation and reduced scale in the landscape is created by the juxtaposition of enclosed water and landform. This seascape type occurs within Strangford Lough ANOB which is also Northern Ireland’s only Marine Nature Reserve.
Experiential Qualities Open contained views along the lough are given sense of scale and drama by the associated land mass. Views to the open sea are limited or obscured by the topography; the experience is primarily inward looking with associated qualities of shelter and tranquillity. Scenic qualities vary with some areas of high scenic quality .
3.2.3 Seascape Type 3 – Sounds at Mouth of Enclosed Sea Lough with Raised Hinterland Location Larne Lough, Strangford Lough Physical Characteristics Primary characteristics are the presence of sounds and narrow lough mouths backed by secondary rolling hinterland and steeply sloping shores. The associated shoreline is complex and indented with occasional small islands. The landscape is intimate in character containing attractive traditional coastal settlements comprising clusters of cottages, small scale harbours and scattered rural settlement. The dominant character of this seascape type is rural. The sounds divert visual attention inland away from the outer coast and focus attention on the adjacent shores or on the water itself. Attractive headlands can contain pockets of raised beaches with small bays at outer lough mouth. Again the sense of scale is reduced with the containment of viewsAt the Narrows of Strangford Lough this seascape type falls within both Strangford Lough AONB and Lecale Coast AONB. The narrows of Larne Lough fall partially within the Antrim Coast and Glens ANOB area,
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 9
Experiential Qualities Smaller scale views contained by indented coastline and rising land mass create a sense of calm, shelter and tranquillity. This is a scenic landscape, where the attention is focused less on open sea and more on narrow stretches of water directed by the presence of steeply rising landform and crenulated coastal edge enforcing the quiet nature of the seascape as opposed to open, wild stretches of coast.
3.2.4 Seascape Type 4 – Low Lying Coastal Plain Location Magilligan Lowlands; Causeway Coast and Rathin Island;, Ballycastle Glens, Outer Ards Peninsula, Ballyquintin and Lecale Coast, Tyrella Coastal Dunes, Kilkeel Coast Physical Characteristics This type of seascape is diverse and changeable, ranging from large to medium scale, depending on geographical arrangement. The seascape is exceptionally flat and often exposed with generally wide, open views extending far out to sea. Views are expansive with in some cases distant shimmering views of far away landmass. From The Causeway Coast the distant peaks of Donegal can be seen while on a clear day it is just possible to view the southern west tip of Scotland. The coastal edges either comprises long sandy beaches or strands, or may contain sweeping rounded bays or curved sandy beaches. Each forms an attractive soft coastal edge typical to this seascape type. In some instances the foreshore can be rocky and in part fragmented sloping gently upwards to meet the coastal flats beyond. Often these low lying coastal strips rise to a hinterland of rolling foothills, separated from the shore by land best suited for agriculture. The Magilligan Lowlands contain expansive and rugged sand dune colonies, which make a distinct separation of lowland hills and coastal strand. Elsewhere the transition is more subtle, coastal plains graduating from sand, to coastal mud flats, arable fields inland and then rising to hinterland of rolling hills. The open landscape has an exposed character. Patterns of settlement within this seascape type are generally rural and scattered. Development either follows a linear pattern dictated by low key transport lines or is localised and dispersed as appropriate to farming needs. This Seascape type is present in five of Northern Ireland’s eight AONB areas, namely The Derry Slopes, Causeway Coast, Antrim Coast and Glens, Lecale Coast and Mourne. Experiential Qualities Open expansive views to sea are afforded by the flat coastal plains. Here the sense of scale is enormous with uninterrupted sea views creating vast interplay of light sea and sky. Where landmass is visible in the far distance this serves to heighten further the sense of scale and openness of this seascape type. On isolated peninsulas such as Magilligan Strand there is an added sense of remoteness and wildness distinct to this seascape type. Scenic quality varies but includes some areas of very high scenic quality such as Dundrum Bay. 3.2.5 Seascape Type 5 – Narrow Coastal Strip with Raised Hinterland Location Eastern Binevagh Slopes; Coleraine Farmland; Moyle Glens; Larne Glens; Larne Coast; Island Magee; Dundrum Bay and Kingdom of Mourne Eastern Binevenagh Slopes
Physical Characteristics This seascape is typified by the occurrence of a narrow, often inaccessible, coastal strip backed by raised beach and headlands. In many places (such as Coleraine Farmland,) the coastal strip is divided from the rising hinterland by transportation corridors of minor roads and railway tracks. At the foot of the Mourne Mountains, the coastal edge is steep and rocky, rising to a narrow raised coastal shelf providing huge vistas of the bay and open sea, Often the coastline can be indented with steep hinterland, headlands and incised bays. The vast scale of the sea is in places heightened by this steeply rising hinterland and elevated viewpoints. The landscape is exposed and rugged with scattered rural settlement small linear developments follow road
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 10
corridors or clustered adjacent to sheltered bays. There are three AONB areas that include this Seascape type, the Derry Slopes, the Antrim Coast and Glens, and Mourne, On the west shore of Lough Foyle there are EHSA areas of this seascape type. Experiential qualities This seascape type is open and expansive with many elevated dramatic views to sea from both the raised hinterland and coastal shelf. There is a sense of exposure to the elements and a wildness which balanced by the influence of agriculture in the landscape providing areas of high scenic quality.
3.2.6 Seascape Type 6 - Complex Indented Coast, Small Bays and Offshore Islands Location Binevenagh; Eastern Binevenagh Slopes; Coleraine Farmland; Causeway Coast and Rathlin Island; Fair Head; Moyle Glens; Larne Glens; Larne Coast; Island Magee; Outer Ards Coast; Strangford Drumlins and Islands; Portaferry and North Leacale; Balyquintin and Leacale Coast and Newry Basin
Physical Characteristics Typically this seascape contains a varied, complex and incised coastline with steep, undulating hinterland, small bays and cliffs. Along the Causeway Coast and Rathlin Island where the drama of high cliffs, sea blown arches and rugged coastal massif separates the narrow coastal strips and shallow bays from the high plateaus beyond the coastline has a distinct shelf, often rocky with associated islands and rocky knolls. Headlands and raised beaches harbour small bays. In some locations the hinterland consists of a drumlin landscape which rolls down to meet a deeply indented shoreline. At Ballyquintin, Moyle and Larne Glens large incised bays are formed at the mouth of large steep sided valleys. Traditional settlements and small towns are located at sheltered bays and inlets, with more rural settlement scattered over exposed uplands. The topography of this type of seascape creates ever changing views of the sea, and creates a dramatic visual experience. This seascape type is present in five of Northern Ireland’s AONB areas, the Derry Slopes, The Causeway Coast, The Antrim Coast and Glens, Strangford Lough, and the Lecale Coast, plus it occurs within the Giants Causeway world Heritage site and the Strangford Lough Marine Nature Reserve..
Experiential qualities Due to the complexity of the landform associated with this distinct seascape type, the experience and views continually change. From within indented inlets, contained views scaled by landmass give a sense of tranquillity and calm. This contrasts with the exposure to long views, which can heighten the sense of drama or from the impressive, expansive views gained from raised hinterland. The associated off shore islands create a rugged profile in a mass of sea when viewed from the shore. The raised headlands and hinterland are rugged and exposed. Within the drumlins and steep valleys, views can be enclosed with sea framed by an undulating landscape. Here the experience is sheltered and more intimate. Typically this is a landscape of very high scenic quality.
3.2.7 Seascape Type 7– Plateaus and High Cliffs Location Binevenagh; Eastern Binevenagh Slopes; Coleraine Farmland; Causeway Coast; Rathlin Island and Fair Head Physical Characteristics This is a wild, rugged and visually dramatic seascape. There is great vertical scale where often a high plateau landscape with basalt cliffs plunges abruptly to an incised coastal edge. The narrow coastal edge is low, flat and in places jagged, comprising rocky mosaic, complete with rocky peninsulas and occasional small bays. The vast horizontal scale of sea and sky contrasts
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 11
dramatically with the cliff faces, arches, basaltic columns and raised plateau. Black basalt cliffs contrast with chalk faces and white beaches dotted along the Causeway Coast. Settlement is largely rural scattered development, tourism and farmland. Typically the plateau edge is raised with limited views from the rural hinterland out to the open sea. This seascape is the setting of the unique geological features at Giant’s Causeway designated a World Heritage Site (see Seascape Type 9). This seascape type occurs in three AONB areas, the Derry Slopes,The Causeway Coast and the Antrim Coast and Glens. Experiential Qualities The open expansive and elevated views to sea add to sense of wildness within this seascape type. The exhilarating experience can be heightened by the interaction and interplay of weather and changing sea and sky. The combination of exposure to the elements and vastness of scale contribute to a breathtaking sense of drama within the seascape. Long open elevated views along the coast and out to the open sea including long views to Donegal and Scotland along the north coast. Typically this is a landscape of very high scenic quality.
3.2.8 Seascape Type 8 - Large Bay Location Dundrum Bay Physical Characteristics The seascape is distinct in comprising of a very large long sweeping bay with sand dunes backed by flat agricultural land. The flat exposed coastal plateau rings the bay and rises steeply to the mountain landscape with plantation forestry to the south. The dramatic contrast between the flat plateau, great expanse of sea and sky with the steep volcanic mass of the Mourne Mountains creates a distinctive landscape. The scale of the landscape is vast with very long open views both across the bay and out to the wide horizon of the open sea. The north and east shoreline is rugged and exposed with scattered rural settlement, The town of Newcastle sits under the shelter of the Mountain to the south, the traditional distinctive coloured house fronts form a linear edge visible across the bay. Dundrum Bay is contained within two AONB areas, the Lecale Coast and the Mourne AONB. Experiential Qualities The effects of scale, light, and water in long uninterrupted vistas are particularly important components of the landscape character within the bay area. The open and expansive long views from north shore are contained by the dramatic mass of the Mourne Mountains creating a foreshortening effect looking south across the bay. Looking north towards the Lecale coast the flat open landscape forms a low linear strip on the horizon exaggerating the expanse of water and fading to the east into the wide horizon of the open sea. Typically this is a landscape of very high scenic quality
3.2.9 Seascape Type 9 – The Giant’s Causeway Location Causeway Coast; Physical Characteristics This seascape contains the unique geological features at Giant’s Causeway along with setting of steep cliffs and small rocky bays. this is a exposed, rugged and visually dramatic seascape. Steep cliffs tower above small sheltered bays and the dramatic rock formations of the causeway peninsula. The Giant’s Causeway cannot be categorised within the 8 other seascape types and is deemed to form it’s own unique seascape with a complex set of defining attributes shared nowhere else within the study area.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 12
The Giants Causeway is designated a World Heritage Site for its scenic, scientific and geological value and is within the Causeway Coast AONB. Experiential Qualities The special and unique geology, dramatic setting,, long open views along the coast and expansive views to the open sea add to the special quality of this seascape type. This landscape is of exceptionally high scenic quality and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
3.3 Protected Areas
For the purposes of the seascape assessment, importance has been addressed by reference to national, regional and local landscape designations. Absence of such a designation, however, does not infer a lack of quality or importance. Factors such as accessibility and local scarcity can render areas of nationally unremarkable quality, highly valuable as a local resource. The following landscape designations have been considered:
World Heritage Sites (WHS); Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB); Marine Nature Reserve; Areas of Especially High Scenic Amenity (County Donegal) ;
These areas are identified in Fig 9.6.2
Proposed candidate sites for Northern Ireland’s first national park have not been considered as this designation is currently subject to consultation. .It is recommended, however, that any further assessment of devices in relation to the seascape resource should consider this national level designation as one of the key designations which is reflective of high seascape quality. Due to the strategic scale of the assessment the presence and value of designed landscapes have not been considered in this assessment but should be included as a consideration on a site specific basis. World Heritage Sites
The 1972 World Heritage Convention aims to protect the values of cultural or natural sites, which could deteriorate or, worse, disappear, often through lack of funding to preserve them. States Parties to the Convention contribute the necessary financial and intellectual resources to protect World Heritage sites
3.3.1 Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site The stones at the Giant’s Causeway and surrounding cliffs were designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (WHS) in 1986. It is the one of 3 natural World Heritage Sites in the UK. The WHS designation was made in recognition of its geological, geomorphical values, its history of scientific study and its exceptional landscape values. The site occupies about 70ha of land and 160ha of sea along the north Antrim Coast consisting of dramatic cliffs, unique geological formations and small sheltered bays. There are extensive and dramatic vistas both from the causeway and the cliff tops looking out to the open sea and along the coast to the Donegal Mountains. The Giant’s Causeway is Ireland’s premier visitor attraction attracting thousands of visitors every year. 3.3.2 AONB designation AONB’s in Northern Ireland have appeared twice in legislation. Under the Amenity Lands Act in 1965, the AONB’s were so designated as the basis of planning controls. Under the 1985 Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands Order the emphasis of AONB designation was towards positive management. AONB’s designated under the 1985 NCALO act are subject to Article 5 which states that the Department may formulate proposals for AONB for :
Conserving or enhancing the natural beauty or amenities of that area;
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 13
Conserving wildlife, historic objects or natural phenomena within it; Promoting its enjoyment by the public, and Providing or maintaining public access to it.
AONB’s formulated under the Amenity Lands Act do not cease to be designated by the repeal of that Act unless the designation has been superseded by a re-designation under NCALO. However, AONB’s designated prior to the 1985 Act, have little practical effect. In an attempt to avoid confusion the Department of Environment (Northern Ireland) have subsequently set out to re-designate all AONB’s. To date, re-designation has only been achieved in four areas. These are Mourne; the Causeway Coast; the Antrim Coast and Glens and the Ring of Gullion. The study area comprises six Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), these are listed below with date of designation and described in greater detail later in this section :- The following AONB’s were designated under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands Order (Northern Ireland) 1985. The AONB areas are judged to fall within Category V – Protected Landscape of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The character of the AONB is described in the Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) of Northern Ireland, produced by the Department of Environment. • Causeway Coast (1989) • Antrim Coast and Glens (1988) • Mourne (1986) Stangford Lough, Lecale Coast and North Derry all fall under earlier AONB designation created through Amenity Lands Act. The character of the AONB is described in the Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) of Northern Ireland, produced by the Department of Environment. • North Derry (1966) • Strangford Lough (1972) • Lecale Coast (1967)
3.3.3 The Causeway Coast AONB The Causeway Coast coastline between Portrush and Ballycastle was designated an AONB in 1989 and is deemed to be one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in Europe and includes the Giants Causeway World Heritage site. The character of the AONB is described in the Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) of Northern Ireland, produced by the Department of Environment. The key characteristics of Landscape Character Area 57 are its vast scale, varied rugged coastline, high basalt cliffs and beach and dune systems. The Causeway Coast contains three distinct seascape types these being Seascape Type 4: Low Lying Coastal Plain, Seascape Type 6: Complex Indented Coastline with Small Bays and Offshore Islands and Seascape Type 7: Plateau and High Cliffs.
3.3.4 Antrim Coast and Glens AONB The Antrim Coast and Glens AONB was designated in 1998, of the 130 character areas described within the LCAof Northeren Ireland, 11 are within the AONB boundary. The AONB also falls into 4 seascape types defined earlier within this report. These comprise Seascape Type 4: Low Lying Coastal Plain; Seascape Type 5: Narrow Coastal Strip with Raised Hinterland; Seascape Type 6: Complex Indented Coastline with Small Bays and Off Shore Islands and Seascape Type 7 Plateau and High Cliffs. The characteristics create a dramatic and varied landscape predominantly of cliffs, incised and narrow coastal strips with wide bays at the foot of steeply raked glens. Rathlin Island with its basalt plateau creates a distinct off shore landmark. The rolling plateau hinterland and deeply incised glens, coupled with its rugged incised coastline form a varied land and seascape treasured for its scenic quality, tranquillity and opportunities for experiencing remoteness.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 14
3.3.5 Mourne AONB Designated an AONB in 1986, the Mourne Mountains are a national landmark and include Sieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s tallest mountain. The Mourne Mountains have been proposed as an area suitable for future designation as Northern Ireland’s first National Park, The AONB includes the area of coast from Newcaslte in Dundrum Bay, along Kilkeel coast and the north shores of Carlingford Lough to Warrenpoint, there are 4 seascape types defined earlier within this report identified within the Mourne ANOB; Type 1 Large Open Sea Lough With Raised Hinterland, Type 4 Low Lying Coastal Plain, Type 5: Narrow coastal strip with raised Hinterland, and Type 8; Large Bay. The dramatic contrast between the low rolling farmland, the great expanse of sea and sky with the steep volcanic mass of the Mourne Mountains creates a distinctive landscape. From the slopes and foothills of the Mourne mountains vast panoramic views are available out to the open sea and looking north and south along the coast.
3.3.6 North Derry AONB North Derry was designated as an AONB in 1966 and includes the dramatic coastline from the narrows and expansive sands at the mouth of Lough Foyle to the dramatic cliff coastline of Binevenagh. Four seascape types are found within the ANOB as defined earlier within this report. These comprise Seascape Type 1 Large Open Sea Lough With Raised Hinterland, Type 4: Low Lying Coastal Plain; Seascape; Seascape Type 6: Complex Indented Coastline with Small Bays and Off Shore Islands and Seascape Type 7 Plateau and High Cliffs.
3.3.7 Strangford Lough AONB In 1972 Strangford Lough was designated AONB and is the largest inner Lough in Northern Ireland. Set in sheltered rolling meadows and woodland with a drowned drumlin landscape creating a network of small islands, Strangford Lough is valued for its scenic quality and important wetland habitats. Strangford Lough is designated as Northern Irelands only Marine Nature Reserve. Three seascape types are found within the ANOB as defined earlier within this report: Seascape Type 2 Inner Sea Lough Enclosed by Narrow Mouth and Raised Hinterland, Type 3: Sounds at Mouth of Enclosed Sea Lough with Raised Hinterland, and Type 6: Complex Indented Coastline with Small Bays and Offshore Islands.
3.3.8 Lecale Coast AONB The Lecale Coast was designated AONB in 1967 and extends along the coast from the village of Strangford to the outskirts of Newcastle in Dundrum Bay. The low rolling landscape around and great expanse of Dundrum Bay contrast dramatically with the steep land mass of the Mourne mountains to the south. From Dundrum Bay to Strangford sound the low rolling coastal edge is exposed and rugged with small sheltered bays and islands. Three seascape types are found within the ANOB as defined earlier within this report: Seascape Type 3: Sounds at Mouth of Enclosed Sea Lough with Raised Hinterland, Type 4: Low Lying Coastal Plain and Type 6: Complex Indented Coastline with Small Bays and Offshore Islands.
3.3.9 Marine Nature Reserve; The purpose of a Marine Nature Reserves is to conserve marine flora and fauna and geological features of special interest, while providing opportunities for study of marine systems and the protection of nationally important marine and subtidal areas. Strangford Lough is Northern Ireland’s first Marine Nature Reserve.
3.3.10 Stranford Lough Marine Nature Reserve The reserve includes all the waters, seabed and shores (up to high water markmean tide) of Strangford Lough itself plus those of an area around the mouth of the Lough, extending north to Kearney Village, south to Sheepland Harbour and offshore for a distance of ¼ to ½ a nautical mile. The designation ensures both the conservation of the flora, fauna, landforms and other features of scientific interest and for their further study.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 15
3.3.11 Areas of Especially High Scenic Amenity (County Donegal) ; There are several areas of the coast and hinterland of Donegal that are designated as areas of Especially High Scenic Amenity under Policy BNH 5 of the County Plan, Landscape Conservation. These areas are of the highest landscape quality in the County, characterised by wilderness and few, if any, manmade structures. They include the high cliffed coastal zones and upland mountain areas with long vistas to Lough Foyle, Derry and Causeway Coast. The core principles underlying the Council’s policies for landscape conservation are to give the highest degree of protection to the areas of highest scenic landscape quality and to adopt a positive attitude to development proposals in areas of relatively low scenic landscape quality. The Council will also seek to preserve the views and prospects of special amenity value and interest, in particular, views between public roads and the sea, lakes and rivers in EHSA areas. The location of EHSA areas should be a consideration in the assessment of transboundary effects.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 16 4 Effects on Seascape
4.1 Potential Key Effects Renewable energy technology is a rapidly evolving field appearance and scale of potential future development is accordingly difficult to predict with accuracy. When considering the potential effects of device characteristics on the existing seascape we have taken a precautionary view, basing assessment of the sensitivity to change , magnitude and on effects prior to mitigation. There are a number of ways in which the device arrays may affect the seascape resource, as detailed below.
The scale and form of the array could prove inappropriate and intrusive in the context of the existing seascape; The arrays could introduce activity, features and forms out of keeping with the seascape; The arrays could involve the loss or fragmentation of important and distinctive seascape components, features and characteristics; and The introduction of an array in a nationally designated seascape could affect the integrity of a national resource.
The extent to which the device array would affect the seascape varies depending on the various stages of the development and the capacity of the existing seascape to absorb these components. The construction and decommissioning phases of the development would involve temporary and relatively short periods of change and as a result the impacts on the seascape are not considered to be significant and are consequently not considered below. The operational phases of the development when the devices are installed in the water would, however, result in more permanent and potentially significant effects and it is these operational effects on the seascape, which are described below. It should be noted that whilst submerged devices are not considered to result in potential significant impacts the buoys and lighting associated with these device arrays have been assessed as there is the potential for them to affect the seascape. 4.2 Seascape Sensitivity to Change The determination of the sensitivity to change of the seascape resource to the device arrays has been based upon an assessment of key elements and characteristics, which have been developed into broadly physical and perceptual criteria for determining seascape sensitivity. Table 4.1 below identifies the criteria used and summarises the main points considered when assessing the seascape types for their sensitivity to the device arrays. It should be noted that this table has been included to help aid transparency to the approach taken and does not represent a complete account of the various judgements and considerations that were undertaken when determining sensitivity.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 17
Table .1 Criteria for Seascape Sensitivity Criterion Increase Sensitivity Decrease Sensitivity Scale Small scale, enclosed Large scale, open Views extend across sea to horizon Elevated views from coastal edge Absence of scaling elements Coastal Topography / form Intricate, complex, rugged Flat, horizontal, simple, lack /pattern Important focal points – of natural focal points Mountains, headlands, offshore islands Settlement/infrastructure Traditional coastal and rural, Larger scale, urban mass and scattered settlements linear settlements Lack of visually prominent Larger scale infrastructure infrastructure. and busy navigational routes Scenic quality Seascape of high scenic Denuded set of landscape quality with features contributing to create distinctive visual qualities, a less intact visual quality and inherent natural within the landscape. Visually characteristics or traditional prominent industrialisation of landscape patterns intact, or landscape present. in good state of repair, or well looked after. Exposure Sheltered, calm coastal areas Exposed, dramatic seascapes Protected Areas Areas protected by specific No designations relating to designations that include the area that include protection of landscape protection of landscape character or scenic quality character or scenic quality such as WHS, AONB, MNR, EHSA
Scale: the scale of the seascape takes into consideration whether the emphasis is horizontal or vertical, linear, open, large or small. Where for example there are low coastal sand and flats with uninterrupted seaboard views, the seascape is deemed to be large scale. The interplay of sky/sea/horizon all contribute to a large sense of scale. Sensitivity to devices will generally increase with small scale enclosed seascapes and decrease with large open scale areas. Large scale seascapes may still be sensitive to exceptionally large devices, such as off shore wind turbines. Coastal topography / form / pattern: Where seascape form is relatively, flat and simple such as low lying agricultural coastal land, low lying linear devices could relate to this characteristic. However, the introduction of large point structures or turbines could intrude into the broadly horizontal plane of the same seascape. In the case of off shore wind turbines, the scale of the vertical element to be introduced into the seascape is potentially large and will impact on the horizon to a far greater extent than the smaller point structures. Where the seascape form is more complex and intricate, the straight linear lines of the device arrays may conflict with the inherent pattern, forms and focal points. Topography of associated land form, even when distant, will also inform the sensitivity of seascape to change, especially, when in the case of off shore wind, the landmass is prominent within the setting. Where the accessible coastal edge or immediate hinterland provides elevated views the distance at which effects would be considered low or negligible, would increase proportionally creating a higher level of sensitivity. The zone of intervisibility increases proportionally in relation to the elevation of the view point. For example the theoretical maximum viewable distance of a wind
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 18
turbine from Seascape Type 4 – Low Lying Coastal Plain (such as Tyrella beach, Dundrum Bay) will be 49-50 km but from Seascape Type 7– Plateaus and High Cliffs (such as the Causeway Coast) the viewable distance might be 52-62 km.8 Conversely characteristics of coastal devices may be less noticeable where the elevation of the viewpoint allows uninterrupted views over the device to the open sea horizon. Settlement/infrastructure: Device arrays are more likely to relate to linear developments, urban forms and areas where larger scale infrastructure exists than to small clustered, nucleated villages or scattered settlement where scale and character contrasts are greater. It should be noted that settlement and infrastructure is only considered in relation to the seascape and not the importance of visibility and views from them. Often where there is little settlement there will be little in the way of associated infrastructure. For off shore wind, only settlement of a prominent industrial scale and/or associated with high density urban environments will relate to the turbines. Scenic Quality : The scenic quality of a landscape relates to its inherent distinctive visual qualities, and to the condition and completeness of inherent natural characteristics or traditional landscape patterns. In the context of seascape this can often be related to the drama, sense of wildness or tranquillity that is associated with the area. For example where the hinterland of a coastline has a defined geometric geography, evolved over time due to intense farming, a coloured patchwork of field patterns may be highlighted uniquely against the backdrop of a wide open sea. Along the Causeway Coast there is a scenic quality which has a recognised value and attracts visitors from all over the world. Often designations highlight the landscape quality, recognising the visual, functional and ecological perspectives. Absence of a designation will not render a seascape void of scenic quality. However, where the scenic quality of a seascape is deemed to be evident, it has been deemed sensitive to device characteristics. To what extent an area is sensitive is in part related to the intactness and state of repair of individual features which contribute to the quality of any one place. It should be noted that when making a judgement on the scenic quality of a particular seascape type the desk-based study has not identified individual developments such as oil rigs, fish farms or land based wind farms. Exposure: Exposure to the elements is linked to the scale of the seascape but is also affected by topography. The mouths of open sea loughs can feel as exposed as a seascape dominated by cliffs and basalt escarpments. As waves crashing against rocks can seem dramatic and heighten the sense of wildness of the sea, so a distinction has been made on whether an area is calm, sheltered (higher sensitivity) or exposed, wild (lower sensitivity) and what effect the elements could have on each of the device characteristics. Devices will respond to exposure in different ways. For the purposes of this study an assumption has been made that seascapes which are exposed will be more sensitive to on surface point devices than on surface linear structures. The latter share a motion with the movement of waves that lessens the impact of the sensitivity as there is a sense of the natural in its movement. The former, standing vertical above the waves will become a (series of) fixed points of contrast for the waves to crash against, accentuating the force of nature. In the case of off shore wind turbines the support column of the devices will remain prominent above the horizon and in addition the rotating blades will from a perpetual focal point within the seascape. Protected Areas: For the purposes of the seascape assessment, landscape value has been addressed by reference to national, regional and local landscape designations. Absence of such a designation, however, does not infer a lack of quality or importance. Factors such as accessibility and local scarcity can render areas of nationally unremarkable quality, highly valuable as a local resource. The presence of an AONB, MNR or EHSA designation does not automatically preclude potential development but there may be potential for some device characteristics to conflict with the landscape objectives of a designation. The World Heritage Site is an area of special sensitivity that has the lowest capacity to accommodate change
8 White Consultants 2009
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 19
The assessment of the seascape sensitivity to change remains specifically related to the three different device characteristics. The extent to which the seascape components would accommodate and tolerate the type of change, which could be caused by the three device characteristics, is assessed by consideration of the following factors:
The form and nature of the change proposed; and The ability of the seascape components which are physically affected to accommodate the change proposed.
The seascape sensitivity has been evaluated on a relative basis within the study area and is described using the following 3 point scale as follows:
High Sensitivity- A seascape of unique character and particularly high scenic quality, where the key characteristics are fragile and susceptible to small changes of the type proposed; Medium Sensitivity – A seascape where the key characteristics are vulnerable but with some capacity to tolerate change of the type proposed; and Low Sensitivity – A seascape where the key characteristics are robust and potentially tolerant of substantial change of the type proposed. 4.2.1 Sensitivity of Seascape Types Table 4.2 below summarises the sensitivity to change of each of the eight seascape types in relation to each of the three different device characteristics prior to mitigation . Section D2 provides further detailed information of the various criteria considered when determining the sensitivity of the seascape types to the potential changes discussed. Sensitivity has been determined for Seascape types where the wind, wave or tidal resources are likely to be available. Table .2 Sensitivity to Change of Wave, Tidal and Off Shore Wind Device Characteristics Seascape Type Sensitivity to Change Off Shore Wind On Surface On Surface Point Linear Structure Structure 1 – Large Open or Partially High –N/A N/A Open Sea Lough with Raised Hinterland
2 – Inner Sea Lough with N/A N/A - N/A Narrow Mouth and Raised Hinterland 3 – Sounds at Mouth of N/A N/A High Enclosed Sea Lough with Raised Hinterland 4 – Low Lying Coastal Plain Medium Low Medium- 5 - Narrow Coastal Strip with High Medium Medium Raised Hinterland 6 – Complex Indented Coast, High Medium High Small Bays and Off Shore Islands High Medium Medium- 7 – Plateaus and High Cliffs 8 – Large Bay High Medium Medium - 9 – Giant’s Causeway High High High
4.2.2 Offshore Wind Devices The seascape types least sensitive to offshore wind device characteristics are large scale robust and open. The broad horizontal sea horizon of, Seascape Type 4: Low Lying Coastal Plain has some capacity to absorb change although there is potential for the low angle of vision to be sensitive to the introduction of large scale vertical element; hence it is judged to be of Medium Sensitivity to the device described. Within Seascape Type 6: Complex Indented Coast
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 20
with Small Bays and Off Shore Islands and type 8 – Large Bay the reduced scale of the sea horizon and enclosed view within the bay is potentially less accommodating of the device characteristics. The elevated viewpoints of Seascape Type 7: Plateau and High Cliffs, Type 6 Narrow Coastal Strip with Raised Hinterland and Type 9 -Giant’s Causeway, provide extensive elevated panoramic vistas which may increase the potential prominence and visibility of device characteristics. The sensitivity to offshore wind devices device for these Seascape Types prior to mitigation are high. 4.2.3 On Surface Linear Structure Devices Generally, seascapes which are least sensitive to the On Surface Linear device characteristics are those with large scale character combined with open, expansive views of the sea. The On Surface Linear device could mimic to a certain extent the natural movement of the sea, and be camouflaged by wave motion. The sensitivity to the Surface Linear devices has been described as Low in Seascape Type 4: Low Lying Coastal Plain due to the large scale and low viewpoint. In Seascape Type 6: Complex Indented Coastline with Small Bays and Offshore Islands and in Seascape Type 8 Large Bay, topography and scale could potentially curtail views and limit perception of a surface linear device although there is a possibility that the linear form of array may conflict from the character of a complex coastal edge. From the elevated viewpoints of Seascape Type 7: Plateau and High Cliffs and Seascape Type 5: Narrow Coastal Strip with Raised Hinterland, offshore On Surface devices may be evident from further afield Coastal linear devices conversely may potentially be less noticeable where the raised viewpoint allows views over the devices to the open horizon. The sensitivity of Seascape types 5,6,7 and 8 to On surface Linear device characteristics prior to mitigation is therefore medium. Seascape type 9 The Giants Causeway combines extensive and elevated panoramic views with vulnerable and unique seascape qualities resulting in a high sensitivity to on surface linear device characteristics prior to mitigation.
4.2.4 On Surface Point Structures Horizontal and large-scale seascapes with open views across sea have a greater potential capacity to accommodate On Point Surface Devices characteristics. However, depending on the scale and placement of these devices within the seascape, the introduction of new vertical elements within the sweeping vista could potentially affect the existing seascape character.. Therefore Landscape Types,, 4 – Low Lying Coastal Plain, 7 – Plateaus and High Cliffs, and 8 – Large Bay are of medium sensitivity. In Seascape Type 3 – Sounds at Mouth of Enclosed Sea Lough with Raised Hinterland and 6 – Complex Indented Coast, Small Bays and Off Shore Islands sensitivity prior to mitigation is high due to the reduced scale of the seascape, although there may be some potential for topography to curtail views and limit perceptions. The introduction of On Point Vertical device characteristics to the extensive and elevated panoramic views of Seascape type 9 The Giants Causeway could potentially create a noticeable focal point in the open sea, where none previously existed, therefore this vulnerable and unique seascape is of high sensitivity prior to mitigation..
4.3 Magnitude of Change The issues which influence magnitude of change are complex, and comprise a number of quantifiable and less quantifiable parameters. More quantifiable parameters include, the distance from the development and the number and proportion of devices visible in the array. Less quantifiable parameters include the scale of change with respect to the loss or addition of key components, features and characteristics of the seascape; the nature of the effect – whether adverse, beneficial or neutral; and the effects of aspect, lighting and weather on the changing perception of the seascape character. It is often, however, the distance from the receptor/seascape components, which tends to most strongly influence judgements on the magnitude of seascape impact. The DTI guidance9 suggests that distance is a key parameter and one, which might offer some form of standardisation in the way that magnitude of change is considered. Whilst the guidance
9 Guidance on the Assessment of the Impact of Offshore Wind Farms. Seascape and Visual Impact Report. (DTI, November 2005)
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 21
ultimately advises that a range of criteria should be considered when determining magnitude of change, the high level nature of this SEA and the lack of information on the location of the devices within the study area, has meant that visual significance thresholds have been used as the determining factor when considering the magnitude of change. The magnitude of change arising from the three device characteristics has been based on the visibility thresholds for wind documented in the UK Offshore Energy SEA 2009, and considerations for Wave and Tidal devices documented in the Scottish Marine Renewables SEA, 2007. These thresholds were tested and verified during the site visits to Solway Firth Strangford, and Causeway, Antrim Coast, Lecale Coast and Dundrum Bay (refer to Appendix XX of this report for further details).
The following levels of visual significance have been applied and is the basis for assessing magnitude of change using the following 4- point scale: For On Surface Linear and On Surface Point Devices
Large: 0 - 5km from the coast. Notable change in seascape characteristics over an extensive area ranging to a very intensive change over a more limited area; Medium: 5 - 10km from the coast. Moderate change in localised areas; Small: 10 - 15km from the coast. Small or imperceptible change in seascape components; and Negligible. 15km + from the coast. No discernible change in any seascape component.
For Offshore Wind 5-7MW
Large: 0-15km from the coast. Notable change in seascape characteristics over an extensive area ranging to a very intensive change over a more limited area; Medium: 15-24km from the coast. Moderate change in localised areas;
4.4 Significance of Effects 4.4.1 Assessment Criteria The two principal criteria determining the potential significance of effect are the sensitivity of the seascape and the magnitude of change and it is the evaluation of these factors against clearly defined criteria, which enables a reasoned judgement to be made on significance of effect. Account has not been taken of the effect that any mitigation measures could have on minimising potentially detrimental impacts or improving the seascape composition of the area as at the time of the assessment there were no industry standard mitigation commitments available. Potential mitigation measures are, however, identified in section 4.4 below. The findings are represented using a descriptive scale ranging from major, moderate and minor adverse impacts, neutral impact, to an ascending scale of minor, moderate and major beneficial impact. Explanation of the impact ratings is provided in Table 4.3 below. Table .3 Seascape Significance Criteria
Type of Impact Rationale for Assessment of Significance
Substantial adverse The proposals are at considerable variance with the scale, (negative) impact: form and pattern of the seascape; They are likely to degrade, diminish or even destroy the integrity of a range of characteristic features and elements or their setting; They would be substantially damaging to a high quality or highly vulnerable seascape; and They are in serious conflict with the landscape objectives of a designation.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 22
Moderate adverse The proposals are out of scale with the seascape, or at odds (negative) impact with the local pattern and form; They are likely to strongly contrast with or cause loss of characteristic features and elements or their setting; and They would compromise the landscape objectives of a designation.
Slight adverse (negative) The proposals do not quite fit the form and scale of the impact seascape; They are likely to result in only small changes to characteristic features and seascape elements; and They would not compromise the landscape objectives of a designation.
Neutral impact The proposals are well designed to complement the scale, form and pattern of the seascape; They would integrate into the existing seascape through siting and design; They would not cause loss or change to characteristic features and seascape elements; and They would avoid conflict with landscape objectives of a designation.
Minor Beneficial Impact The proposals fit well with the scale, form and pattern of the seascape; and They would maintain or enhance existing seascape characteristics.
Moderate Beneficial Impact The proposals considerably enhance the form and pattern of the seascape; and They would enable some sense of quality to be restored or enhanced to a seascape which is not of any formally recognised quality.
Major Beneficial Impact The proposals constitute a major restructuring of a degraded seascape or one in poor condition.
4.4.2 Potential Significance of Effect on Seascape The following section provides an assessment of the potential effects that the different device types could have on the seascape resource of the study area during operation, these potential effects are summarised in Table 4.4 below. It should be noted that all potential effects identified in the table below are considered during the operational phase of the development and the confidence level for all impacts is low (refer to Section 2).
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 23
Table 4.4 Potential Significance of Effect considering sensitivity of Seascape type
Table 4.41 Significance of Seascape Effects Matrix (On Surface Linear Structure and On Surface Point Structure)
Magnitude of Change (various distances from the coast) Significance of effects Large Medium Small Negligible 0-5km 5-10km 10-15km 15 Km+ Mod - Slight - Slight - High Substantial Substantial Moderate Moderate Mod – Slight - Slight - Medium – High Slight Substantial Moderate Moderate Slight - Slight - Medium Slight Neutral Moderate Moderate Slight - Low – Medium Slight Slight - Neutral Neutral Moderate Low Slight Slight - Neutral Neutral Neutral
`
Table 4.4.2 Significance of Seascape Effects Matrix (Off Shore Wind Structure) 5-6MW
Magnitude of Change (various distances from the Significance of effects coast) Large Medium <15km 15-26km
High Substantial Substantial Mod - Medium – High Substantial Substantial Mod - Medium Moderate Substantial Slight - Low – Medium Moderate Moderate Slight - Low Slight Moderate
4.4.3 Significance of Effect of On Surface Linear Structures Within 5km of the coastal edge all seascapes with wave resources would be subject to Substantial - to Slight Adverse impacts as a result of such devices (dependant on sensitivity) however this would drop to Slight Moderate to Neutral impacts after 10km. The type 4 Low Lying Coastal Plain would be the seascape most able to accommodate characteristics of on surface linear devices with slight to neutral adverse effects within 5km of the coast dropping to neutral adverse effects after 10 km. Seascape type 9 – The Giant’s Causeway has the lowest capacity for On Surface Linear Structures with significance of effects ranging from Substantial Adverse within 5km dropping to Slight Moderate Adverse after 10 km. 4.4.4 Significance of Effect of On Surface Point Structures
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 24
As with On Surface Linear devices within 5km of the coastal edge all seascapes with tidal resources would be subject to Substantial - to Slight Moderate Adverse impacts as a result of such devices (dependant on sensitivity) however this would drop to Slight Moderate to Neutral impacts after 10km. The Seascape types most able to accommodate these device characteristics include type 4 Low Lying Coastal Plain, type 5 Narrow Coastal Strip with Raised Hinterland, and 7 Plateaus and high cliffs with Moderate Substantial to Slight Moderate adverse effects within 5km of the coast dropping to Slight Moderate or Slight adverse effects after 10 km. Seascape types 6 – Sounds at the mouth of Enclosed Sea Lough, type 7 – Plateaus and Cliffs and 9 – The Giant’s Causeway have the lowest capacity for On Surface Point Structures with significance of effects ranging from Substantial Adverse within 5km dropping to Slight Moderate Adverse after 10 km. 4.4.5 Significance of Effect of Off Shore Wind Structures Due to the scale and form off offshore wind devices from the shore the significance of effect under 15 km offshore for most seascape types with wind resources would be Substantial Adverse. The low view point and large horizontal vista of Seascape type 4 – Low Lying Coastal Plain is the least sensitive to this type of development and the significance of effect within15 km would be Moderate Substantial adverse reducing to moderate adverse 15km offshore. Seascape types 1 – Open Sea Lough, type 5 – Narrow Coastal Strip with raised Hinterland, type 7 – Plateaus and Cliffs, type 8 Large Bay and 9 – The Giant’s Causeway have the lowest capacity for characteristics of off shore wind Structures with Substantial Adverse significance of effects within 26km prior to mitigation.
4.5 Mitigation
Possible mitigation measures associated with the reduction of potential adverse impacts on the seascape resource would include two key objectives; sensitive siting of the device arrays and consideration of the visual appearance of both the devices themselves and the array; both in terms of layout and use of colour.
4.5.1 Siting of Device Arrays The location of the device array within the seascape is an important consideration which could substantially diminish the level of impact that might otherwise result on the seascape. Seascape therefore needs to be considered at the outset of the layout, siting and design process in order to limit impacts. The potential impact of a proposed development and the scope for effective mitigation is very specific to individual developments. It is dependent on the type of device, the scale of the proposed array and the characteristics of the affected seascape type. Factors to consider when determining the layout and siting of arrays include the following:
Arrays should not be sited where they appear to block or close the entrance to bays/loughs/narrows/sounds or where they separate a bay from the open sea; Device arrays should reflect the shape of the coastline and align with the dominant coastal edge; Arrays should not be sited where they have the potential to fill a bay. The open, expansive nature of the water surface area should be allowed to continue to dominate; Device arrays should avoid locations near scattered settlements, as the scale of the array has the potential to dominate the fragmented pattern of the settlement; Arrays should be avoided where they conflict with the scale and subtleties of complex, indented coastal forms; Consideration should be given to locating devices in already industrialised and developed seascapes;
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 25
Where seascapes are considered to be less sensitive to the type of device proposed, devices could be clustered; thereby condensing the effects of the device in one area, leaving more sensitive seascapes intact; and Generally the further the device array is located from the coastline the lesser the impact, due to there being both fewer seascape components and features to be affected by the development as well as an increased distance between visual receptor and device.
4.5.2 Visual Appearance of device arrays Consideration should be given to the following factors.
Minimising the height and size of the structure above the water surface. Completely submerged devices would be preferable; Where there is no navigational requirement for the devices to be highly visible using contrasting bright colours, consideration should be given to the use of more dark, muted colours which would be less obtrusive and blend with the seascape more subtly; Materials wherever possible should be chosen which do not have a highly reflective surface; Wind turbine towers should be a non-reflective light hue of natural colour; and When lighting is required consideration should be given to minimising glare and reducing the extent of light emission. 4.5.3 Likelihood of Occurrence There is a high probability of the impacts identified below resulting, although there are a number of factors that will influence this, of which one of the key ones is visibility and how changes in weather, light and aspect can affect this. A range of factors can influence visibility and these can vary across the study area. The Scott et al., study identified the following key findings:
The seasonal and diurnal patterns of visibility for coastal environments are significantly different to landward areas and generally visibility is higher compared with landward sites; Highest values of coastal visibility tend to occur in the afternoon whilst poor visibility builds up during the night. This means that views of devices at sunset are more likely than views at sunrise making seascapes with westerly aspects slightly more sensitive in this respect; Coastal areas near centres of population may experience lower levels of visibility due to reduced air quality; Windows of exceptional visibility exist just after rain and before evaporation occurs; and Excellent visibility is associated wit unstable polar airstreams, particularly if these came directly from more northern latitudes and across sea tracks rather than urban areas..
Other factors such as the angle at which the sun illustrates a vista or seascape feature is an important factor in visibility and therefore the extent to which devices may appear in the seascape. The actual physical form of the device array and its geometry will also affect the level of impact and the siting, layout and design are all factors which will influence the likelihood of the impacts resulting. 4.5.4 Confidence and Data Gaps The seascape assessment is a strategic, desk based study and as such the level of assessment reflects the high level nature of the SEA and does not replace the need for more detailed seascape assessment on a project level basis. The technology surrounding the development of wind, wave and tidal devices is rapidly changing and evolving with a range of potential devices being tested with limited information available regarding the recognised effects of these devices. As a result no single wind, wave or energy development scenario could be used for this assessment. Consequently common characteristics associated with the device arrays have been considered in order to provide a consistent approach to the strategic assessment on seascape. Different device scenarios will result in different types and scale of impact on the seascape resource and will consequently need to be assessed on a case by case basis. The significance of effect of the device types on each of the nine seascape types was identified on plan, verified and mapped using GIS then assessed by means of buffering each of the
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 26
seascape types according to the significance of impact at each of the visual threshold distances. Due to the complex nature of much of the study area the buffers have sometimes resulted in overlap between seascape types, which is particularly apparent where one seascape type abuts another of a lesser significance. This has sometimes resulted in sections of seascape, which should only be of moderate significance to the device in question appearing to be of major significance due to the buffer overlap from an adjacent seascape type which is more sensitive to change. Whilst such anomalies should be borne in mind when reviewing the figures it does, to a certain extent, reflect the transitional nature between one seascape and another. In determining the significance of effect of the seascape types to the various device characteristics, it is important to note that judgements have not been made about whether the impact is acceptable or unacceptable, this is a judgement which should be made by decision makers at both strategic and project levels. 4.6 Residual Effects The mitigation measures identified in section 0 could reduce the potential effects identified above, thereby resulting in lower levels of residual impact. However, it is not possible with any level of certainty, to determine the exact level of residual impact on the seascape types as a result of the device arrays, as the extent of mitigation achievable will be heavily dependant on many project specific factors. However, to provide consistency with other topic areas in this SEA, potential residual effects have been estimated and summarised in Table 4.5 below. Table 4.5 Summary of Effect Significance Including Residual Significance Device Type Device Characteristics Development Phase Seascape Types Potential Significance of Effects (without mitigation) Standard Practice Mitigation Likelihood of Occurrence Residual Significance of Effects with Mitigation Confidence
1. Lough Foyle Off shore wind Wind OD NA No wind resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface linear Wave OD NA No wave resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface point Wave OD NA No point wave/ tidal NA NA NA NA structures or Tidal resource in this landscape region. 2. Greencastle to Benbane Head Off shore wind Wind OD 5, 6, 7, <15 km Substantial See High Substantial structures 9 15-26 km Substantial Section to Moderate 4.5 On surface linear Wave OD 5, 6, 0-5 km –No wave See High Slight structures 7,9 resource within 5km of Section Moderate - coast - 4.5 o Neutral 5-10 km Moderate-Slight 10-15 km Slight 15 km+ Neutral On surface point Wave OD 5, 6, 7, 0-5 km Moderate- See High Moderate to structures or Tidal 9 Substantial Section Slight 5-10 km Moderate-Slight 4.5 10-15 km Moderate-Slight 15 km+ Slight 3. Rathin Sound and Rathin Island Off shore wind Wind OD 5, 6, 7 No wind resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface linear Wave OD 5, 6, 7 No wave resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface point Tidal OD 5, 6, 7 0-5 km Moderate- See High Moderate to structures Substantial Section Slight 5-10 km Moderate-Slight 4.5 10-15 km Moderate-Slight 15 km+ Slight 4. Fair Head to Blackhead Off shore wind Wind OD 5, 6, 7 No wind resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 27
On surface linear Wave OD 5, 6, 7 No wave resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface point Tidal OD 5, 6, 7 0-5 km Moderate- See High Moderate to structures Substantial Section Slight 5-10 km Moderate-Slight ##4.5 10-15 km Moderate-Slight 15 km+ Slight 5. Larne Lough Off shore wind Wind OD 2 and 3 No wind resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface linear Wave OD 2 and 3 No wave resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface point Wave OD 2 and 3 No point wave/tidal NA NA NA NA structures or Tidal resource in this landscape region. 6. Belfast Lough Off shore wind Wind OD 1 No wind resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface linear Wave OD 1 No wave resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface point Tidal OD 1 0-5 km Moderate-Slight Moderate to structures 5-10 km Moderate-Slight Slight 10-15 km Slight 15 km+ Neutral 7. Ards Penninsular Off shore wind Wind OD 4 and 6 <15 km Substantial See Substantial structures 15-26 km Moderate- Section to Moderate Substantial 4.5 On surface linear Wave OD 4 and 6 No wave resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface point Tidal OD 4 and 6 0-5 km Moderate- See Moderate to structures Substantial Section Slight 5-10 km Moderate-Slight 4.5 10-15 km Moderate-Slight 15 km+ Slight 8. Strangford Lough Off shore wind Wind OD 2 and 3 No wind resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface linear Wave OD 2 and 3 No wave resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface point Tidal OD 2 and 3 0-5 km Moderate- Moderate to structures Substantial Slight 5-10 km Moderate-Slight 10-15 km Moderate-Slight 15 km+ Slight 9. Portavogie to St John’s Point Off shore wind Wind OD 4 and 6 <15 km Substantial Substantial structures 15-26 km Moderate- to Moderate Substantial On surface linear Wave OD 4 and 6 No wave resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface point Wave OD 4 and 6 0-5 km Moderate- Moderate to structures or Tidal Substantial Slight 5-10 km Moderate-Slight 10-15 km Moderate-Slight 15 km+ Slight 10. Dundrum Bay Off shore wind Wind OD 4, 5 <15 km Substantial Substantial structures and 8 15-26 km Moderate- to Moderate Substantial On surface linear Wave OD 4, 5 No wave resource in this NA NA NA NA structures and 8 landscape region. On surface point Wave OD NA No point wave/ tidal NA NA NA NA structures or Tidal resource in this landscape region. 11. Kilkeel Off shore wind Wind OD 4 <15 km Moderate- See Moderate to structures Substantial Section slight 15-26 km Moderate 4.5 Moderate
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 28 5 Summary
On surface linear Wave OD 4 No wave resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface point Wave OD NA No point wave/ tidal NA NA NA NA structures or Tidal resource in this landscape region. 12. Carlingford Lough Off shore wind Wind OD 1 <15 km Substantial See Substantial structures 15-26 km Substantial Section to Moderate 4.5 On surface linear Wave OD 1 No wave resource in this NA NA NA NA structures landscape region. On surface point Wave OD NA No point wave/ tidal NA NA NA NA structures or Tidal resource in this landscape region. The study area comprises a number of diverse and complex seascape types, which vary considerably in terms of their components, features and characteristics as well as their sensitivity to change. The significance of impact on the seascape resource of the study area varies according to a number of factors; the type of device, the seascape type and distance from the shore. Each of the nine seascape types considered are likely to be subject to differing levels of impact significance depending on the type of device array considered. For example, the introduction of a device comprising surface linear structures into Seascape Type 5 is likely to result in a more significant impact on the seascape than in Seascape Type 4. Equally, the introduction of a surface linear structure within Seascape Type 4 is likely to be less significant than if an array comprising surface point structures was developed. Due to the size and scale of Offshore wind structures in comparison to linear surface or surface point structures levels of impact are proportionally higher and devices are likely to be seen over a larger area. In general, device arrays which comprise surface point structures and offshore wind structures are likely to be less easily accommodated within the seascape of the study area than surface linear devices. However, the large horizontal scale of seascape type 4 is likely to be less sensitive to surface point structures and offshore wind devices than other seascape types. A further consideration is the positioning of the device within the seascape, in terms of distance the device is from the shore. Generally the further the device array is situated from the heart of the seascape core (i.e. within several kilometres of the coastal edge) the less likely the key features and components that make up the seascape character will be impacted. Whilst it is recognised that there are various technical and other constraints affecting the design and siting of wind, wave and tidal devices, it is considered that careful attention to the visual appearance of the design and its relationship to specific seascape characteristics and components will play a significant role in the acceptability or otherwise of wind, wave and tidal developments in the Northern Irish seascape. 5.1 Recommended Baseline Survey and Monitoring Monitoring of seascape and visual effects associated with wind, on surface wave and tidal devices; through periodic, repeat data collection is recommended so that the actual and predicted impacts on seascape and visual amenity can be compared. This would strengthen and improve future seascape and visual impact assessments of similar developments and would also provide a mechanism to check whether mitigation measures have been put in place successfully and whether improvements to the mitigation could be made. Monitoring could also provide information about whether the perceived value of seascapes effected by wave and tidal development changes for different visual receptors. As technology develops and the characteristics of the devices evolve and the scale of the device arrays change, ongoing monitoring will be essential to ensure that the geometry of the
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 29
array layout responds to the site specific locations. Refinement of the sensitivity to change of the broader seascape types as well as more localised seascape units in relation to the different device arrays will be critical if the most sensitive seascapes are to be avoided. Detailed seascape and visual impact assessments for specific device arrays in site specific locations should be undertaken to both refine the judgements made by landscape professionals in future appraisals but also to inform the design and location of future wind, wave and tidal developments. In order to achieve this, further research is recommended to establish the key parameters affecting wave and tidal array layouts from a seascape and visual amenity perspective.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 AECOM & Metoc Environmental Report Appendix E: Seascape Assessment For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 30 6 References
DTI (2005) Guidance on the Assessment of the Impact of Offshore Wind Farms. Seascape and Visual Impact Report. Hill, M. et al. (2001). Guide to Best practice in Seascape Assessment. Countryside Council for Wales. Landscape Institute & Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (LI-IEMA). (2002). Guidelines for landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. 2nd Edition. Spon Press, London Scottish Marine Renewables SEA, Scottish Executive, 2007 BMT Cordah Limited (2003) Offshore Wind Energy Generation: Phase 1 Proposals and Environmental Report. For consideration by the Department of Trade and Industry. Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment, NIEA, 2000 UK Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment DTI ,2009, England’s Historic Seascapes, Historic Seascape Characterisation (HSC), Cornwall County Council 2009 Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site Management Plan,EHSNI, 2005 Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) amended by The Planning (Environmental Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 Planning Policy Statement 22:Renewable Energy Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2004 Antrim Coast and glens ANOB Management plan 2008-2018, Antrim Coast and Glens Heritage Trust 2008 The Causeway coast AONB Management plan, EHSNI, 2003 Ulster wildlife trust, Marine reserves in Northern Ireland, Ulster Wildlife Trust
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Appendix E E2 Seascape Familiarisation Visits
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Table of Contents
E2 Seascape Familiarisation Visits ...... 3 1.1 Introduction ...... 3 1.2 Methods and Approach ...... 4 1.3 Solway Firth ...... 5 1.4 Northern Irish Seascape familiarization ...... 10 1.5 Summary ...... 23
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 3 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
E 2 Seascape Familiarisation Visits
1.1 Introduction The brief for this additional seascape work was to carry out seascape familiarisation visits to support the seascape assessment which forms part of the Northern Island Marine Renewables Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) currently being undertaken by AECOM and Metoc. This document has informed the seascape assessment of the SEA and should be read in conjunction with it. The SEA is being carried out to strategically assess the potential environmental effects that the development of marine renewable energy (wind, wave and tidal devices) off the coast of Northern Island will have on the environment. The results from the SEA will then be used by the DETI to inform the development and implementation of its strategy for marine energy. In addition to informing the development of the Northern Island DETI strategy for marine energy, the results of the SEA may also be used to inform the development of guidance for wind, wave and tidal developers. The information collated during the SEA will be organised into a framework that will be used to provide environmental information to support decision-making on future renewable marine energy developments.
1.1.1 Understanding of Study As the first output of the SEA, AECOM have published a scoping report which was guided by the SEA steering group. As part of the scoping process, baseline information was reviewed and gaps identified where it was considered that insufficient data was available to enable a considered judgement of the effect wave and tidal devices could have on the environment. As part of the SEA, the potential impact that wind, wave and tidal devices could have on the seascape environment is being considered. The study area comprises some very complex and diverse coastlines, which vary considerably both in terms of their character and sensitivity to change. The type of device and its arrangement in the water will influence the extent and magnitude of impact that could result. Equally the specific sensitivity of a seascape in relation to the marine renewable device will vary due to the complex and diverse character of the Northern Irish coastline and the associated differences in terms of the actual and perceived remoteness and naturalness of the area. In order to understand the sensitivity of these different seascape character areas to wind, wave and tidal devices, it is important to experience a number of different and contrasting coastal environments in order to inform the criteria for sensitivity analysis. Whilst reviewing baseline data and good practice guidance on seascape assessment (as well as previous studies undertaken to assess the sensitivity and capacity of the Scottish and UK seascape in relation to renewable energy devices), it became apparent that there were gaps in the baseline data available for assessing the capacity of wind, wave and tidal devices on the Northern Irish seascape. In order to fill some of these gaps further survey based seascape analysis was considered to be required. The purpose of this additional site specific seascape work is to inform the SEA and specifically the seascape assessment which is being undertaken by AECOM. The assessment of the sensitivity of a seascape in relation to a development is a relative and comparative exercise where consistency in approach is critical. The purpose of this study is twofold. Firstly it aims to inform an understanding of the different elements of seascape character such as contrasts in scale, form and pattern, which could have an implication on how wind, wave and tidal devices are experienced in differing seascape character types. This will help inform the sensitivity of seascape types to wave and tidal devices. Secondly it will help inform the professional judgement used to establish the potential
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 4 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
visual significance of marine devices, for example, at what distance does the visibility of off shore turbines and tidal devices become insignificant? The study was undertaken in two stages during the seascape SEA process. An initial site visit to the Solway Firth (where the Robin Rigg off shore wind farm is under construction) was undertaken early on in the SEA in order to inform the methodology and sensitivity criteria used. The second visit to Strangford to view the tidal device currently trialled in the sound was combined with visits to the Lecale coast, Dundrum Bay and the Antrim and Causeway Coast in order to verify judgements made regarding sensitivity and definition of seascape character types. 1.2 Methods and Approach The SEA study area comprises the coastline of Northern Ireland
In order to obtain a representative sample of the different seascape character types within the SEA study area familiarisation visits were made in order to understand the marked differences in seascape character which exist across the study area. Visits were made to the following locations:
The Causeway Coast and Rathin Island Coast Moyle Glens Belfast Lough Strangford Lecale Coast Dundrum Bay Lough Foyle and Magilligan Flats
The complexity of island seascapes or the complex coastlines, sounds and sea loughs provide a contrast in scale, form and pattern which can influence people’s experience and perception of them. The noted contrast in the seascapes selected to visit, further enabled clarification of the consistency of approach taken in assessing sensitivity. Observations recorded have been used to substantiate the assessment of sensitivity which is a relative and comparative exercise. The familiarisation visits were also used to inform an understanding of the potential visual significance of marine devices. For example, to determine at what distance the visibility of wind turbines become insignificant. Guidance on visual significance of marine devices can be found in a number of publications. These however relate either to the Scottish or Welsh coastlines or to offshore wind farms. The Scott, K.E (2005) publication noted that levels of visibility are higher in Scotland (or at certain places in Scotland) and the potential visual range significantly higher than in England and Wales. There was no information available on levels of visibility found for Ireland. In order to help inform the likely visibility of the sea from the land a GPS was used to determine distances from turbines at the Solway Firth and distances to visible landmarks on the Northern Irish coastline. This was helpful in verifying the limits of visual significance identified during the site visits and to inform the seascape assessment of the SEA. 1.2.1 Wind, Wave and Tidal Devices Considered Given the evolutionary nature of wave and tidal technology, no single device scenario has been assessed in the Seascape SEA. Consequently, it was considered that device characteristics would be used as a basis to assess the affect of wind, wave and tidal device arrays on the seascape resource of the study areas. The following device characteristics have been used in the seascape assessment and were considered when in the field during both site visits.
On surface linear structures – these are typically wave devices in open water, 2-3m (height) of the device visible above the sea surface with a typical array arrangement 1km by 4km, oblong shape; On surface point structures – these are typically tidal devices although they can also be wave and protrude above the water surface up to 10m. A typical arrangement for a 30 unit tidal array would be expected to occupy 0.5km2; Typically consisting of 5 MW turbines (height to blade tip approximately 80-120m) in a 100-500 MW array of 10km2 – 50km2
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 5 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
,
1.3 Solway Firth The familiarisation visit to the Solway Firth was undertaken early on in the seascape SEA process. The specific purpose of the site visit was to inform the development of the seascape sensitivity criteria and to inform judgements on the potential visual significance of wind turbines within the seascape.
Approach The technology familiarisation visit involved site observations made from a number of points along the coast of the Solway Firth (recorded using a GPS). It should be noted that the recorded distances for guidelines purpose only and only as accurate as the GPS unit registered. Weather conditions were generally good throughout the site visit with good to fair visibility. The Robin Rigg off shore wind farm currently under construction was viewed at different distances and observations made on how it sat within the seascape. The 180MW development consists of 60 3MW turbines (height to blade 126m). Comparative observations were made on the visibility of the turbine array when viewed against the open horizon of the sea and against distant land mass. The turbines were in place but most blades had not yet been installed so further consideration was given to the potential effects of additional height movement and lighting. Consideration was also given to the characteristics of seascape types which could more easily accommodate such a device. Criteria to define sensitivity as described below were considered and the various seascape types found on the Solway Firth were used to test these criteria as well as to affirm the approach to defining seascape types at a strategic level.
Figure E2.1 Robin Rigg Offshore Figure E2.2 Robin Rigg Offshore Windfarm, currently under con Windfarm , V90 - 3MW Vestas Turbine 180MW development consisting of 60 3MW turbines and helico
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 6 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
1.3.1 Seascape Character and Sensitivity Seascape character is made up of physical characteristics of hinterland, coast and sea as well as perceptual responses to the seascape. The following characteristics of the seascape around the Solway Firth were noted based on observations made during the site visit and have been used to inform the capacity for these devices to be accommodated within strategic seascape types defined in the SEA.
Low undulating topography along the southern shore of the Solway Firth with open farmland Small coastal towns and settlements with pockets of industry Low rocky coastline, rising in places to low cliffs; Long sandy beaches backed by dunes or raised beach profiles and low lying pastures often with settlement set back from the coast; Areas of extensive on shore wind turbines visible in areas by Workington. Wooded slopes and raised hinterland along the northern coast of the Solway Firth
The following key elements and characteristics of seascapes are considered to be important criteria to be used in the determination of sensitivity of change of different seascapes to the device arrays considered in the SEA.
Scale of the seascape (small scale, enclosed or large scale and open); Coastal topography / form / pattern (intricate, complex, rugged, focal points or flat, horizontal, simple, lack of natural focus); Presence of settlement / infrastructure (small scale, scattered development, limited road network, lack of infrastructure or larger scale, urban mass and larger scale infrastructure); Scenic Value (undeveloped, isolated or developed); Exposure (sheltered, calm or exposed and dramatic).
1.3.2 Potential Visual Significance of Devices In order to help inform the likely thresholds of visibility of wind devices, approximate distances from the turbine array were estimated using a hand held GPS to verify the points at which changes in threshold of visual significance were noted. Below is a description of observations made at each of the GPS recorded points. The GPS locations are shown by Figure D1.3 . Crowfoot The weather conditions were good with bright sunlight and a slight haze over the Firth resulting in generally fair visibility, the time was about 12 noon. The following observations were made: Views from Crowfoot shoreline to Robin Rigg (at a distance of approximately 35km and 2 m above sea level) looking down the Solway Firth to the open sea: • - The turbine shafts were just visible on the horizon although partially obscured by haze. • - Although visible the visual impact at this distance is quite low and is partially mitigated by the pattern of distant landmass and haze along the sea horizon. • - Lighting of the turbines at night would be visible from this location and may have greater visual impact. Turbine shafts were slightly more visible from a slightly elevated viewpoint (approximately 8m above sea level) but there was not a significant increase in impact.
Siloth The weather conditions were good with bright sunlight and a slight haze over the Firth resulting in generally fair visibility, the time was about 1: 30 pm. The following observations were made: Views from Siloth seafront esplanade to Robin Rigg (at a distance of approximately 24km and 12 m above sea level) looking down the Solway Firth to the open sea.
• - The turbine shafts were clearly visible against the horizon of the open sea; visibility was slightly mitigated by haze. • - Consideration was given to the additional potential effects of height and movement once blades have been mounted. • - Lighting of the turbines at night will be clearly visible from this location
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 7 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
• - A less elevated view from the shoreline at Siloth (4m above sea level) significantly reduced the visible height of the turbine shafts.
Allonby.
The weather conditions were fair to poor with cloudy overcast skies and a slight haze over the Firth resulting in generally poor to fair visibility, the time was about 2:30 pm. The following observations were made:
Views from the beach at Allonby to Robin Rigg (at a distance of approximately 18km and 2m above sea level) looking down the Solway Firth to the open sea. • The turbine shafts were very clearly visible against the horizon of the open sea along with supply boats and construction platforms. It was possible to make out some details of construction activity. Visibility was reduced by haze and poor light. • Consideration was given to the additional potential effects of height and movement once blades have been mounted. • Lighting of the turbines at night will be very clearly visible from this location
Workington
The weather conditions were poor with cloudy overcast skies and light rain over the Firth resulting in generally poor visibility, the time was about 3:30 pm. The following observations were made: Views from the seafront at Workington (at a distance of approximately 14 km and 4m above sea level) looking across the Solway Firth to the north shore.
• The turbine shafts were visible but harder to see clearly against the dark land mass of the north shore. Turbine shafts profiled against the skyline could be clearly seen along with supply boats and construction platforms. It was possible to make out some details. Visibility was greatly reduced by rain and poor light. • Consideration was given to the additional potential effects of height and movement once blades have been mounted. • Lighting of the turbines at night will be very clearly visible from this location
With improved visibility it is considered that greater detail would have been apparent particularly between the 10 and 25km ranges. This is further supported by the observations made in the Scott et al. (2005)1 study. It is considered that the following thresholds of visibility would be appropriate to use when considering wind devices in the study area. High: 0-15km Medium: 15-26km Low: 26-32km Neutral: 32km+
The following considerations were also noted during the observations and have been used to inform the seascape SEA.
Devices which are seen in a backlit situation will appear to be more visible. An object is barely visible when the contrast between the brightness of the sky and the brightness of the object is at a minimum. Backdrop to the device will be important when considering its visibility. For instance a device which is seen against a backdrop of landform will potentially be less visible than a device which is seen against the skyline, breaking the horizon. Colour of the devices will be an important consideration to minimise their visibility.
1 Scott, K.E., Anderson, C. and Benson, J.F. (2005) An Assessment of the sensitivity and capacity of the Scottish seascape in relation to offshore windfarms. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 103 (ROAME No. F03AA06)
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 8 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure E2.3 Solway Firth, site visit locations and approximate distances
Figure E2.4 Robin Rigg Offshore Windfarm (under construction) viewed from Crowfoot (approximately 35km distance) The turbine shafts are just visible but partially obscured by the horizon haze.
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 9 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure E2.5 Robin Rigg Offshore Windfarm (under construction) viewed from Siloth (approximately 24km distance)
Figure E2.6 Robin Rigg Offshore Windfarm (under construction) viewed from Allonby (approximately 18km distance), some details of platforms and boats are visible
Figure E2.7 Robin Rigg Offshore Wind farm (under construction) viewed from Workington (approximately 14km distance), details of platforms, boats and construction activities are visible
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 10 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
1.4 Northern Irish Seascape familiarization
The site visit to Strangford, Lecale Coast and Dundrum Bay, the Causeway Coast and Rathin Island and Moyle Glens was undertaken towards the end of the seascape SEA process, primarily to provide verification of the judgements made during the desk based seascape SEA, but also to enable the tidal device at Strangford to be visited in situ. An additional visit to view the Lough Foyle Magilligan flats and the Antrim Coast was also made. The main objectives of the site visits were as follows:
To review the seascape types previously mapped along the Lecale Coast and Dundrum Bay, reviewing the descriptions and key characteristics defined for each seascape character type and develop, rationalise where necessary when viewing them in the field; To review the sensitivity criteria established as part of the strategic assessment; To verify zones of intervisibility in areas of special sensitivity such as the Giants Causeway To gain an increased understanding of the relationship between distance and visibility within each seascape and assess the sensitivity of individual seascape types to the wind, wave and tidal devices considered in the SEA; To visit Marine Current Turbine’s full sized prototype of a horizontal tidal turbine device at Strangford and view the device in the water in order to consider the type of mitigation which could be applied to the devices to minimise their impacts on seascape e.g. colour of devices / geometry and siting of the arrays2.
1.4.1 Seascape Character and Sensitivity The seascape assessment identified 8 different seascape types across the Northern Irish seascape and the following were visited and verified:
Type 1: Large Open or Partially Open Sea Lough With Raised Hinterland Type 3: Sounds at Mouth of Enclosed Sea Lough with Raised Hinterland Type 4: Low Lying Coastal Plain Type 5: Narrow coastal strip with raised hinterland Type 6: Complex Indented Coastline with Small Bays and Offshore Islands Type 7: Plateaus and High Cliffs Type 8; Large Bay
Seascape Type 2 Enclosed Sea Lough with Raised Hinterland was not visited as part of this study.
Criteria to define sensitivity were considered and the various seascape types found on the within the site study areas were used to test the criteria and rationalise the approach to defining seascape types at a strategic level. The following key elements and characteristics of seascapes are considered to be important when developing criteria to be used to determine the sensitivity of change of different seascapes to the device arrays considered in the SEA.
Scale of the seascape (small scale, enclosed or large scale and open); Coastal topography / form / pattern (intricate, complex, rugged, focal points or flat, horizontal, simple, lack of natural focus); Presence of settlement / infrastructure (small scale, scattered development, limited road network, lack of infrastructure or larger scale, urban mass and larger scale infrastructure); Scenic Value (undeveloped, isolated or developed); Exposure (sheltered, calm or exposed and dramatic).
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 11 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
1.4.2 Approach Observations and site survey information were recorded in writing, use of GPS, and photographs. The study was carried out by foot and car. GPS was used to mark points along the coast with descriptions of the vista and observation of what was visible to the naked eye at varying distances from the coast. This helped inform how different seascape types and coastlines alter how devices are likely to be perceived. A number of factors affecting the sensitivity of each individual seascape were considered. Principal amongst these was scale; form; pattern; settlement; scenic quality and exposure. With the exception of a standalone tidal device located by Strangford, the assessment was carried out in the absence of devices present in the seascape. This seascape character study therefore can only begin to inform at strategic level information that would be further explored at detailed EIA of any site specific proposal. From initial site visits it was determined that aspect and angle of view are additional factors that would be required to be considered in gauging sensitivity of each seascape to each of the devices. 1.4.3 Potential Visual Significance of Devices In order to help inform the likely thresholds of visibility of on surface point tidal devices, the tidal device located in the sound at the mouth of Strangford Lough (close to the town of Strangford) was visited and observed at varying distances. Strangford – Tidal device The weather conditions were fair, overcast but dry and bright resulting in good to fair visibility. the time was approximately 10 am. The following observations were made:
The views of the sound are small in scale with detail of the opposite shore clearly visible. The prototype horizontal tidal turbine device can be clearly seen from Strangford harbour and appeared quite imposing in scale, (actual size estimated at 10-12 m in height) the small scale of the vista seems to exaggerate the size of the device. Viewed out with the settlement of Strangford the impact of the device while still significant appears reduced in the absence of scaling elements. Consideration might be given to colour and lighting of similar devices to mitigate visual impact. Consideration was given to the potential impact of a typical arrangement for a 30 unit tidal array of surface point devices which would be expected to occupy 0.5km2;
Figure E.2.8 Marine Current Turbine’s full sized prototype of a horizontal tidal turbine viewed from Strangford harbour (approximately 800m- 1km distance)
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 12 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure E2.9, The prototype horizontal tidal turbine device viewed from the bank of Strangford Sound (approximately 300m distance).
Lecale Coast Weather conditions were generally bright but overcast with fair to good visibility, the time was approximately 10.30 -11.30 am. The following observations were made:
The coast consists of open rolling farmland elevated above sea level with scattered rural settlement and small coastal settlements in sheltered bays. The shore is wild and exposed with a high scenic value with large scale vistas out to the open sea horizon. Vistas from coastal settlements and bays are smaller in scale and largely enclosed by islands or low headlands
Seascape Character Types Identified
Type 5: Type 4: Low Lying Coastal Plain Type 6: Complex Indented Coastline with Small Bays and Offshore Islands
Dundrum Bay Weather conditions were generally bright but overcast with fair to good visibility and squally showers, the time was approximately 12 noon to 4:30 pm. It became more overcast and rain became heavier east of Newcastle with visibility fair to poor at Bloody Bridge. The seascape of the bay is distinct in comprising of a very large long sweeping bay with sand dunes backed by flat agricultural land. The flat exposed coastal plateau rings the bay and rises steeply to the mountain landscape with plantation forestry to the south. The following observations were made: Views from A2, north east Dumdrum Bay east of Minerstown • There are large scale long extensive views across the bay (aprox 15 km) and out to the open sea horizon. The open and expansive long views from north shore are contained by the dramatic mass of the Mourne Mountains creating a foreshortening effect looking south across the bay • The north and east shoreline is rugged, undeveloped and exposed with scattered rural settlement, and high scenic quality. The town of Newcastle sits under the shelter of the
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 13 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Mountain to the south, the traditional distinctive coloured house fronts form a linear edge clearly visible across the bay. Views from Tyrella Beach, Dundrum Bay
There are large scale and long extensive out to the expansive open sea horizon framed by headlands and long views along the bay. The shore is undeveloped, low lying, open and exposed with high scenic quality
Views from Newcastle Seafront Dundrum Bay
Looking north towards the Lecale coast (aprox 15km) the flat open landscape forms a low linear strip on the horizon exaggerating the expanse of water and fading to the east into the wide horizon of the open sea The stormy weather produced dramatic light effects visible over the vast expanse of sand sky and water The Newcastle shoreline is sheltered and developed consisting of low sandy flats backed by a long landscaped formal esplanade fronting the urban settlement to the west leading to rocky harbours and traditional coloured seafront buildings as the topography rises to the east.
Views from Bloody Bridge (viewpoint east of Newcastle)
Elevated views (13m above sea level) looking north towards the Lecale coast (aprox 15km) the flat open landscape appears slightly more prominent, there are very expansive views of the open sea.
Seascape Character Types Identified
Type 4: Low Lying Coastal Plain Type 5: Narrow coastal strip with raised hinterland Type 8; Large Bay
The following considerations were also noted
The effects of scale, light, and water in long uninterrupted vistas are dominant components of the landscape character within the bay area. Any structure within the bay would be visually very prominent and effects may be increased by the low flat topography to the north and west.
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 14 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure E2.10 Lecale Coast , Ballyhornan Bay, looking out to the open sea
Figure E2.11 Dumdrum Bay east of Minerstown, looking north to the Mourne mountains, Newcastle visible to the left (aprox 15km)
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 15 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure E2.12 Dumdrum Bay, Tyrella Beach, looking east to the open sea
Figure E2.13 Dundrum Bay, Newcastle Seafront , long uninterrupted views to the low profile of the north shore (aprox 15km)
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 16 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure E2.14 Dundrum Bay, Newcastle Seafront , linear settlement along the coastal edge sheltered by the mass of Mourne Mountains
Figure E2.15 Dundrum Bay, Bloody Bridge , long uninterrupted elevated views to the low profile of the north shore (aprox 15km)
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 17 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure E2.16 Dundrum Bay, Bloody Bridge , long uninterrupted elevated views to the low headlands of the north shore (aprox 15km) and out to the wide horizon of the open sea
Giant’s Causeway and Rathin Island Coast Weather conditions were generally poor and overcast with poor to fair visibility, low cloud and squally showers the time was aproximatly 10:30 – 3:30 . Mist, and low cloud created poor light conditions at the Giant’s Causeway with conditions becoming brighter and clearer to the east on the approach to Rathin Island. Giant’s Causeway Coast This is a wild, rugged and visually dramatic seascape. There is great vertical scale where often a high plateau landscape with basalt cliffs plunges abruptly to an incised coastal edge. This seascape contains the unique geological features at Giant’s Causeway designated a World Heritage Site. • Topography consists of a dramatic series of cliff faces presenting a broken edge to the raised plateau. Typically the plateau edge is raised with limited views from the rural hinterland out to the open sea. Cliffs headlands and islands form a complex indented coast with small sheltered bays below the cliffs with small scale views out to sea enclosed by headlands. • Settlement is largely rural and scattered but tourism and tourist facilities such as hotels and viewpoints are a significant component. The coastal edge is undeveloped with the exception of a small number of defined coastal settlements. • The steep cliffs (aprox 80 - 90m above sea level) present large scale expansive views to the open sea with long dramatic views of the coastline. The cliff landscape is exposed, rugged and of very high scenic quality • Long open elevated views along the coast and out to the open sea including long views along the north coast to Donegal. The land mass of Donegal was clearly visible from the world heritage site (approximately 28km at 2m above sea level) despite poor weather conditions. Rathin Island Coast • Topography consists of a dramatic series of cliffs and steep slopes edging to the rolling raised plateau. Cliffs headlands and islands form a complex indented coast with sweeping bays. Rathin Island is a plateau landscape with cliffs and bays
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 18 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
• Settlement is largely rural and scattered but tourism and tourist facilities such as hotels and viewpoints are a significant component. • Long expansive elevated views (approximately 80 – 139m above sea level) along the coast and out to the open sea including long views to Rathin Island (approximately 8-13km). The coast is of high scenic quality, rugged and exposed at cliff tops and headlands, sheltered within the low sandy bays. Landscape Character Types Identified
Type 6: Complex Indented Coastline with Small Bays and Offshore Islands Type 7: Plateaus and High Cliffs
The following considerations were also noted
The open expansive and elevated views to sea are significant components of the high scenic quality of this coastline. The elevated viewpoints along the coast significantly increase the zones of visibility. The site visit to the Giant’s Causeway was during poor weather conditions, a presumption should be made that on a clear day visibility zones would increase.
Figure E2.17 Giant’s Causeway Coast, long expansive views along the Antrim coast to Donegal (aprox 26km +)
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 19 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure E2.18 Giant’s Causeway, long expansive views and large horizons of the open sea
Figure E2.19 Rathin Island Coast, long views to Rathin Island (approximately 13km)
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 20 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Figure E2.20 Rathin Island Coast, views across Rathin Sound to Rathin Island (approximately 8km)
Ballycastle and Moyle Glens Weather conditions were generally good to fair, bright and overcast with good to fair visibility, low cloud and sea haze with conditions becoming brighter and clearer to the east on the approach to Red Bay.
Ballycastle Bay • Topography consists of an incised bay formed at the mouth of a large steep sided valley. The town of Ballycastle sits on the flat sheltered valley bottom with scattered rural settlement on the exposed uplands. • Within the bay, views to the sea are reduced in scale, enclosed by the rocky headlands and Rathin Island (approximately 6 km) Moyle Glens, Red Bay • Topography consists of an incised bay are formed at the mouth of a large very steep sided valley. The settlements of Cushendall, Waterfoot and Glenariff sit on the flat sheltered valley bottom with scattered rural settlement on the exposed uplands. • Elevated views from the valley hinterland south of Fair Head (approximately 214m above sea level) long expansive views and large open sea horizons • Within the bay views to the sea are expansive but reduced in scale, enclosed by the rocky headlands Landscape Character Types Identified
Type 6: Complex Indented Coastline with Small Bays and Offshore Islands
The following considerations were also noted
Due to the complexity of the landform associated with this distinct seascape type, the experience and views continually change. From within indented inlets, contained views scaled by landmass give a sense of tranquillity and calm. This contrasts with the exposure
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 21 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
to long views, which can heighten the sense of drama or from the impressive, expansive views gained from raised hinterland. The associated off shore islands create a rugged profile in a mass of sea when viewed from the shore. The raised headlands and hinterland are rugged and exposed The elevated viewpoints along the coast significantly increase the zones of visibility.
Figure E2.21 Moyle Glens, Elevated view from A2 south of Fairhead (approximately 214 m above sea level) long expansive views and large open sea horizons
Figure E2.22 Moyle Glens, Red Bay, wide expansive sea horizon framed by headlands
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 22 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Magilligan Flats, Derry Coast and Lough Foyle The site visit to Magilligan Flats and Lough Foyle was undertaken during the baseline study early in the seascape SEA process, primarily to inform understanding and judgements made during the desk based seascape SEA, This seascape familiarisation visit predates the site visits above and was used to inform and develop the onsite study methodology. The main objectives of the site visits were as follows:
To review and define the seascape types previously mapped along the Magilligan Flats and Lough Foyle, reviewing the descriptions and key characteristics defined for each seascape character type. To review the sensitivity criteria established as part of the strategic assessment; To verify zones of intervisibility To gain an increased understanding of the relationship between distance and visibility within each seascape and assess the sensitivity of individual seascape types to the wind, wave and tidal devices considered in the SEA;
Landscape Character Areas Lough Foyle Magilligan Flats Derry Coast
3 different seascape types across were identified in the study area:
Type 1: Large Open or Partially Open Sea Lough With Raised Hinterland Type 4: Low Lying Coastal Plain Type 7: Plateaus and High Cliffs
The following considerations were also noted Weather conditions were generally good with good visibility, clear skies and some distant sea haze. The low flat or elevated clifftop topography allows long views along the coast with expansive seascape vistas including views to the Donegal coastline.
Figure E2.23 Derry Coast, long views along the coast to Figure E2.24 Derry Coast, expansive horizon
Aecom & MetocThis document Seascape forms Familiarisation part of consultation Visits onas anpart Offshore of the Northern Renewable Ireland Energy Marine Strategic Renwables Action Plan SEA 2009-2020 23 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
the west
Figure E2.25 Magilligan Flats , views to Donegal Coast to Figure E2.26 Lough Foyle, expansive vista lo the west across the mouth of Lough Foyle along Lough Foyle towards Donegal Coast
1.5 Summary The familiarisation visits to different parts of the SEA study area have been an important element in informing and developing the strategic seascape assessment of wave and tidal devices, both in developing seascape sensitivity criteria and in developing thresholds of visibility. They have also enabled verification of professional judgements made during the desk based SEA and have allowed off shore wind and tidal devices to be visited in situ.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Appendix E E3 Seascape Character Type
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Appendix E3 Seascape Character Types
Landscape character types identified Geographical Shared attributes Quality of Experience distribution
Type 1: Large Open or Partially Open Sea Lough With Raised Hinterland
This seascape type comprises large scale Lough Foyle Sea Lough contained within broad flat bottomed Large scale open views along windswept sea loughs associated low-lying coastal valleys enclosed by basalt ridges or steep valley low lying shorelines are contained by basalt Belfast Lough plain, raised hinterland and headlands. sides, with low lying coastal fringe ridges or raised hinterland. Long smaller scale contained views to the open sea Carlingford Tidal mudflats are a common component of the framed by headlands are gained from Lough Lough seascape, with sands and mudflats evident at shores. Where there is an absence of urban lough mouths. development, truncated views along the lough to the open sea give an wild pen vista. Settlement can vary, the hinterland can comprise low lying agricultural land with scattered rural settlement, elsewhere dense urban development is concentrated around head and mouth of the sea loughs, with to visually prominent industrial infrastructure and linear development in some locations such as Belfast Lough.
Large ports and harbours are located at the lough heads with associated urban or industrial development. Ferry terminals and busy shipping lanes are located at Lough Foyle and Belfast Lough.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape character types identified Geographical Shared attributes Quality of Experience distribution
Type 2: Inner Sea Lough Enclosed by Narrow Mouth and Raised Hinterland
Inner loughs possess a more enclosed, Larne Lough Inner Lough contained within a broad flat bottomed Open contained views along the lough are sheltered character than Seascape Type valley enclosed by basalt ridges, with low lying given sense of scale and drama by the Strangford 1. The loughs are typically contained coastal fringe, tidal mudflats and headlands. associated land mass. Where views to sea Lough within a broad flat bottomed valley Raised headlands or hinterlands form a ‘gateway’ are truncated by the topography the enclosed by distinct basalt ridges. The enclosing the narrows at Lough mouth experience becomes inward looking with valley floor and shoreline are comprised of associated qualities of shelter and low lying coastal fringe and/or tidal Areas of flat estuarine landscape accompanied by tranquillity. mudflats and backed by raised hinterland open farmland and estate woodlands, situated on and headlands. lough sides.
Prominent historical features and archaeological interest such as at Strangford Lough, including early Christian structures, motts and standing stones which reinforce the cultural heritage of the wider area.
Islands (drumlins) – some linked by stone bridges and causeways at Strangford Lough Traditional settlements and scattered rural housing
This landscape type possesses a predominantly sheltered and rural character in contrast with some areas of visually dominant industrial development including the quarry and power station situated at Larne Lough. Settlement patterns vary and range from scattered rural This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape character types identified Geographical Shared attributes Quality of Experience distribution housing and farms within valleys to larger concentrated settlements at Lough mouths and heads The scale within this seascape type is influenced by the flat open valley floor, calm body of contained water balanced by raised headlands and hinterlands. A sense of peaceful isolation and reduced scale in the landscape is created by the juxtaposition of enclosed water and landform,
Type 3: Sounds at Mouth of Enclosed Sea Lough with Raised Hinterland Primary characteristics are the presence of Larne Lough The landscape is intimate in character Smaller scale views contained by indented sounds and narrow lough mouths backed containing attractive traditional coastal coastline and rising land mass create a sense Strangford by secondary rolling hinterland and steeply settlements comprising clusters of cottages, of calm, shelter and tranquillity. This is a highly Lough sloping shores. The associated shoreline small scale harbours and scattered rural scenic landscape, where the attention is is complex and indented with occasional settlement. The dominant character of this focused less on open sea and more on narrow small islands seascape type is rural. The sounds divert visual stretches of water directed by the presence of attention inland away from the outer coast and steeply rising landform and crenulated coastal focus attention on the adjacent shores or on the edge enforcing the quiet nature of the water itself. seascape as opposed to open, wild stretches of coast. Attractive headlands can contain pockets of
raised beaches with small bays at outer lough mouth. Again the sense of scale is reduced with the containment of views.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape character types identified Geographical Shared attributes Quality of Experience distribution
Type 4: Low Lying Coastal Plain
This type of seascape is diverse and Magilligan Low lying Agricultural land, salt marsh, and The Open expansive views to sea changeable, ranging from large to medium Lowlands coastal edges either comprises long sandy Open expansive views to sea are afforded scale, depending on geographical beaches or strands, or may contain sweeping by the flat coastal plains. Here the sense of Ballycastle arrangement. The seascape is rounded bays or curved sandy beaches. Each scale is enormous with uninterrupted sea Glens exceptionally flat and often exposed with forms an attractive soft coastal edge typical to this views creating vast interplay of light sea and generally wide, open views extending far Outer Ards seascape type. In some instances the foreshore sky. Where landmass is visible in the far out to sea. Peninsula can be rocky and in part fragmented sloping gently distance this serves to heighten further the upwards to meet the coastal flats beyond. Often sense of scale and openness of this Ballyquintin and these low lying coastal strips rise to a hinterland of seascape type. On isolated peninsulas such Lecale Coast rolling foothills, separated from the shore by land as Magilligan Strand there is an added best suited for agriculture. sense of remoteness and wildness distinct to Tyrella Coastal this seascape type. The Magilligan Lowlands contain expansive and Dunes, rugged sand dune colonies, which make a distinct
separation of lowland hills and coastal strand. Dundrum Bay Elsewhere the transition is more subtle, coastal
plains graduating from sand, to coastal mud flats, Kilkeel Coast arable fields inland and then rising to hinterland of rolling hills. The open landscape has an exposed character. Patterns of settlement within this seascape type are generally rural and scattered. development either follows a linear pattern dictated by low key transport lines or is localised and dispersed as appropriate to farming needs. The open landscape has an exposed character. This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape character types identified Geographical Shared attributes Quality of Experience distribution Patterns of settlement within this seascape type are generally rural and scattered. development either follows a linear pattern dictated by low key transport lines or is localised and dispersed as appropriate to farming needs.
Type 5: Narrow coastal strip with raised hinterland
This seascape is typified by the Eastern In many places (for example Coleraine This seascape type is open and expansive occurrence of a narrow, often Binevenagh Farmland,) the coastal strip is divided from the with many elevated dramatic views to sea inaccessible, coastal strip backed by Slopes rising hinterland by transportation corridors of from both the raised hinterland and coastal raised beach and headlands. minor roads and railway tracks. At the foot of shelf. There is a sense of exposure to the Coleraine the Mourne Mountains, the coastal edge is elements and a wildness which is diluted by Farmland steep and rocky, rising to a narrow raised the influence of agriculture in the landscape. Moyle Glens coastal shelf providing huge vistas of the bay
and open sea, Often the coastline can be Larne Glens indented with steep hinterland, headlands and Larne Coast incised bays. The vast scale of the sea is in places heightened by this steeply rising Island Magee hinterland and elevated viewpoints. The Dundrum Bay landscape is exposed and rugged with scattered rural settlement small linear developments Kingdom of follow road corridors or clustered adjacent to Mourne sheltered bays. Along the Causeway Coast and Rathlin Island high cliffs, sea blown arches and rugged coastal massif separates the narrow coastal strips and shallow bays from the high plateaus beyond.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape character types identified Geographical Shared attributes Quality of Experience distribution
Type 6: Complex Indented Coastline with Small Bays and Offshore Islands
Typically this seascape contains a varied, Binevenagh The Causeway Coast and Rathlin Island has Due to the complexity of the landform complex and incised coastline with steep, high cliffs, sea blown arches and rugged coastal associated with this distinct seascape type, Eastern undulating hinterland, small bays and massif separating the narrow coastal strips and the experience and views continually Binevenagh cliffs. shallow bays from the high plateaus beyond the change. From within indented inlets, Slopes coastline has a distinct shelf, often rocky with contained views scaled by landmass give a Coleraine associated islands and rocky knolls. sense of tranquillity and calm. This contrasts Farmland with the exposure to long views, which can Headlands and raised beaches harbour small heighten the sense of drama or from the Causeway bays. Small semi enclosed bays and rugged impressive, expansive views gained from Coast and offshore islands create pockets of shelter along raised hinterland. The associated off shore Rathin Island the exposed east coast. islands create a rugged profile in a mass of Fair Head In some locations the hinterland consists of a sea when viewed from the shore. The raised drumlin landscape which rolls down to meet a headlands and hinterland are rugged and Moyle Glens deeply indented shoreline. exposed with some sense of remoteness in Larne Glens localised areas. Within the drumlins and At Ballyquintin, Moyle and Larne Glens incised steep valleys, views can be enclosed with Larne Coast bays are formed at the mouth of large steep sea framed by an undulating landscape. sided valleys. Island Magee Here the experience is sheltered and more Traditional settlements and small towns are intimate. Outer Ards located at sheltered bays and inlets, with more Coast rural settlement scattered over exposed Strangford uplands. Drumlins and The topography of this type of seascape creates Islands ever changing views of the sea, and creates a Portaferry and dramatic visual experience. North Lecale
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape character types identified Geographical Shared attributes Quality of Experience distribution Ballyquintin and Leacale Coast Newry Basin
Type 7: Plateaus and High Cliffs
This is a wild, rugged and visually dramatic Binevenagh Steep cliffs – wide open views to sea Views emphasise dramatic cliffs and seascape. There is great vertical scale Eastern Wild rugged visually dramatic increase sense of rugged landscape where often a high plateau landscape with Binevenagh Dramatic series of cliff faces present broken edge The open expansive and elevated views to sea basalt cliffs plunges abruptly to an incised Slopes to raised plateau. Typically the plateau edge is add to sense of wildness within this seascape coastal edge. This seascape contains the Coleraine raised with limited views from the rural hinterland type. The exhilarating experience can be unique geological features at Giant’s Farmland out to the open sea. heightened by the interaction and interplay of Causeway designated a World Heritage Causeway The narrow coastal edge is low, flat and in weather and changing sea and sky. The Site. Coast and places jagged, comprising rocky mosaic, combination of exposure to the elements and Rathin Island complete with rocky peninsulas and occasional vastness of scale contribute to a breathtaking Fair Head small bays. sense of drama within the seascape.
The vast horizontal scale of sea and sky Long open elevated views along the coast and contrasts dramatically with the cliff faces, out to the open sea including long views to arches, basaltic columns and raised plateau. Donegal and along the north coast. Balck basalt cliffs contrast with chalk faces and white beaches dotted along the Causeway Coast. Development is largely scattered rural settlement, tourism and farmland.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape character types identified Geographical Shared attributes Quality of Experience distribution
Type 8; Large Bay The seascape is distinct in comprising of a Dundrum Bay The dramatic contrast between the flat plateau, The effects of scale, light, and water in long very large long sweeping bay with sand great expanse of sea and sky with the steep uninterrupted vistas are particularly important dunes backed by flat agricultural land. The volcanic mass of the Mourne Mountains creates components of the landscape character within flat exposed coastal plateau rings the bay a distinctive landscape. the bay area. The open and expansive long and rises steeply to the mountain views from north shore are contained by the The scale of the landscape is vast with very landscape with plantation forestry to the dramatic mass of the Mourne Mountains long open views both across the bay and out to south. creating a foreshortening effect looking south the wide horizon of the open sea. across the bay. Looking north towards the The north and east shoreline is rugged and Lecale coast the flat open landscape forms a exposed with scattered rural settlement, The low linear strip on the horizon exaggerating the town of Newcastle sits under the shelter of the expanse of water and fading to the east into Mountain to the south, the traditional distinctive the wide horizon of the open sea coloured house fronts form a linear edge visible across the bay.
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Appendix E E4 Seascape Regions
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514 Appendix E4 Landscape Regions
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
1. Lough Foyle
Lough Foyle from Urban Character in Open windswept Ramsar, SPA, Sea Lough enclosed by sloping Culmore/ Derry the west becoming shoreline ASSI, SAC, shores rising to mountain in the slopes to Magilligan increasingly rural to NNR north, steep sloping valley sides Panoramic views point east to the west and flat aluvail plain to across Lough Doyle to Donegal mountains the south backed by raised beach Urban settlement , (Ireland) in the west and basalt escarpments commercial and Type 1: Large Open or from shoreline Derry Slopes industrial Partially Open Sea Lough Steep wooded slopes north of (32) development at Dramatic sea and With Raised Hinterland Derry Lough head on the Lough views from Lough Foyle outskirts of Binevagh escarpment Alluvial Plain Type 4: Low Lying Suburban development and open Londonderry (33) Coastal Plain arable landscape on south shore Contained views out to sea Magilligan Sheltered spit of sand at Traditional Rural Type 5: Narrow coastal Lowlands Magilligan point at Lough mouth Settlement - Contained views from strip with raised hinterland (35) scattered farm Derry out to Lough
buildings Foyle.
Reciprocal views from the Irish coast and
extensive open views from Donegal
mountains
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
2. Antrim Coast
Magiligan Point to Traditional Rural Benbanehead Settlement - Rural character Rugged dunes and sandy flats scattered farm Dramatic series of cliff faces buildings backed by exposed moorland Magilligan present broken edge to raised Small coastal towns Lowlands plateau and concentrated open, windswept Antrim Coast (35) Type 5: Narrow coastal Narrow coastal strip separated urban settlement at lowlands and Glens Binevenagh strip with raised hinterland from lower slopes by transport river mouth in AONB (36) Exposed cliffs and corridor Coleraine Type 6: Complex escarpment Eastern Indented Coastline with Well defined valleys with steep Cliff tops dominated Causeway Binevenagh Basalt escarpment Small Bays and Offshore gulleys by golf courses in Coast AONB Slopes (38) and rocky cliffs provide Islands Coleraine Rocky peninsulas jut into sea dramatic panoramic Coleraine Wires and poles views to open sea Giants Farmland Type 7: Plateaus and Unique formations of basaltic prominent in Causeway (54) High Cliffs Long expansive views columns, stacks and needles at landscape on WHS Causeway • from upper slopes Giants Causeway causeway coast ASSISAC Coast and Broken views to sea NNR Rathin Island from within rolling Black basalt cliffs contrast with Ruined castles and (57) plateau landscape chalk faces and white beaches on archaeological causeway coast remains Wild open character
at Giants Causeway Vast scale coast with long views of coastline and hinterland
2
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
3. Rathin Sound and Rathin Island
Benbane head to Traditional rural Exposed landscape Antrim Coast Fair head scattered with dramatic and Glens High plateau landscape with settlement expansive views of AONB basalt cliffs and rugged coastline sea at Rathin Island Unique formations of basaltic Exposed cliffs and Causeway Hotels on cliff tops columns, stacks and needles at escarpment Coast AONB Giants Causeway Main settlement on Basalt escarpment Ruthin Island and rocky cliffs provide Type 5: Narrow coastal Low flat coastal edge and small concentrated at Causeway dramatic panoramic Causeway strip with raised hinterland bays backed by high cliffs Church Bay views to open sea WHS Coast and Type 6: Complex forming edge of Plateau Rathin Indented Coastline with Urban – coastal Island (57) town settlement at Small Bays and Offshore Vast scale Wild open character Ballycastle around Ballycastle Islands Beaches and dune systems at Giants Causeway the bay at the SAC, Glens (119) Type 7: Plateaus and coast with long views High Cliffs mouth of the Glens Fair Head Small Loughs and indented of coastline and
(120) coastline at Rathin island hinterland SPA, ASSI Ruined castles and Expansive enclosed Steep sided rocky valleys archaeological views of sea in Rathin remains sound Sheltered bay at Ballycastle Glen mouth Isolated rural character high scenic quality,
dramatic geological forms
3
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
4. Fair Head to Island Magee
Contained views Antrim Coast framed by headlands and Glens Small traditional Fair Head Dramatic wild shoreline with AONB coastal towns and Potential views to (120) sheltered bays and valleys villages Scotland ASSI Type 5: Narrow coastal Moyle Glens strip with raised hinterland Sheltered (121) Type 6: Complex Rural Larne Glens Indented Coastline with From Fair Head to (123) Small Bays and Offshore Black Head Scattered rural Islands housing and farms, Larne Coast Type 7: Plateaus and Open and dramatic (126) High Cliffs camping/caravan views to sea Exposed cliff top, steeply sloping sites Island Magee coastal edge and raised beach Exposed (128) Dense urban Rural development at Larne
4
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
5. Larne Lough
Concentrated Area of Scenic settlements at quality, Antrim Narrow Lough mouth with Lough mouth Coast and headlands and rolling steeply Glens AONB, sloping shores Scattered rural Larne Coast Type 2: Inner Sea Lough housing and farms (126 Enclosed by Narrow Enclosed views within Inner Lough contained within a within the valley Larne Mouth and Raised Lough valley broad flat bottomed valley Ridgeland Hinterland Larne Lough Large scale enclosed by basalt ridges, with Contained views out (127)) Type 3: Sounds at Mouth industry, Quarry, low lying coastal fringe, tidal through Lough mouth Island Magee of Enclosed Sea Lough power station and mudflats and headlands (128) with Raised Hinterland transmission lines
Sheltered Archaeological Rural Character interest - Motts and standing stones
5
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
6. Belfast Lough
Isolated headland with Area of Scenic Densely populated dramatic open views to quality, (Island with large urban sea Magee only) Island Magee conurbations at (128) Expansive enclosed Ramsar Belfast, Bangor, views of Lough from Carrickfergus Newton Abbey, SPA Lough contained within broad flat shoreline with Shoreland Carrickfergus and bottomed valleys enclosed by contained views out to ASSI (129) Hollywood basalt ridges, with low lying sea Three and coastal fringe Large scale Long views to Bangor Six Mile Type 1: Large Open or industry and Coastline from the Water Valleys Belfast Lough from Urban and industrial character on Partially Open Sea Lough commercial north shore (114) Belfast to Black north and west shores, with some With Raised Hinterland development – in Head and Bangor derelict or degraded areas Restricted views to the Belfast/ particular Belfast Lough from urban Lisburn (97) docks, power Attractive wooded estate and centres, and flat station, Bangor suburbs on southern shore hinterland transmission lines, Coastline railway and Expansive Lough (103) Sheltered? motorways views from elevated Outer Ards points on the ridges Coast (99) traditional estate and escarpment Houses with enclosing the valley grounds with contained views to the sea
6
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
7. Ards Peninsula
Ramsar Rural, SPA Exposed ASSI Contained views from Type 4: Low Lying Open gently sloping shoreline bays and harbours Coastal Plain traditional harbour Open dramatic views Rocky coastal edge with stands of towns, large hotels from raised beach Type 6: Complex trees Outer Ards East of Bangor to and caravan parks Indented Coastline with Contained views from Coast (99) Portavogie Small Bays and Offshore Estate woodland hinterland due to Numerous historic Islands woodland cover sites – pasture • Potential views to Headlands and raised beaches Scotland with small bays
7
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
8. Strangford Lough
Very large inner Lough contained Strangford within a broad flat bottomed valley Lough AONB, enclosed by basalt ridges and Lecale coast headlands, with tidal mudflats Predominantly Isolated AONB Flat estuarine landscape to the and tranquil rural
north character Scattered rural Ards low lying coastal fringe Sheltered Lough valley Marine housing and farms Farmlands Gently rolling open farmland Reserve within the valley Exposed headlands at and Estates Areas of estate woodland on with traditional Lough Mouth – Ramsar (100) Type 2: Inner Sea Lough Lough side harbour towns and Scrabo (101) Enclosed by Narrow Drumlin landscape consisting of Open panoramic views SPA villages to the south Strangford Mouth and Raised complex indented shore with across the Lough with Strangford Lough ASSI Drumlins and Hinterland small islands Dense urban numerous islands and extending to Islands (94) Narrow Lough mouth with settlement, inlets SAC Ballyquintin Point Portaferry Type 3: Sounds at Mouth headlands and rolling steeply development and and Killard Point Partially enclosed NNR and North of Enclosed Sea Lough sloping shores industry to the north views from indented Lecale (93) with Raised Hinterland Prominent historical features at Newtownards coastline Ballyquintin Islands (drumlins) – some linked Numerous historic and Leacale by stone bridges and causeways Enclosed and framed sites Coast (92) Shore rising to North Lecale Hills views within Lough on both sides of the narrows mouth form a ‘gateway’ to Strangford
Lough Headlands and raised beaches with small bays at outer Lough mouth
8
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
9. Portavogie to St John’s Point
Type 4: Low Lying Lecale coast Coastal Plain AONB Low drumlins Very quiet and rural in NNR Raised Beach character Type 6: Complex Small traditional Ballyquintin Headlands Exposed Indented Coastline with Portavogie to St villages and and Leacale Islands Open and dramatic Small Bays and Offshore John’s Point scattered rural Coast (92) Open low lying agricultural plain views to the sea Islands settlement Saltmarshes Potential views to Grazing Scotland
9
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
10. Dundrum Bay
Long sweeping bay with sands Area west of and dunes backed by flat Dundrum Bay agricultural land. Stony beaches Expansive open views in Mourne to west across the bay and out AONB, Area to Tyrella Low coastal sands and flats to sea East in Lecale Coastal Coast AONB Dunes (86) Narrow mouth to inner bay Dramatic long open Small traditional consisting of extensive tidal views across the bay Mourne Type 4: Low Lying coastal towns and mudflats. to the mountains of Foothills (84) Coastal Plain villages to the east Inner bay with narrow mouth, and Mourne in the west Type 5: Narrow coastal with caravan parks Mourne St John’s Point to tidal mudflats enclosed by low strip with raised hinterland Mountains Bloody Bridge lying agricultural land and drumlin Open and expansive Urban settlement, (75) landscape views to the sea and Type 8; Large Bay development and across Dundrum Bay Newcastle industry to the north Narrow flat coastal plateau to the from the west shore Valleys (85) at Newcastle west rising steeply to dramatic Quoile valley mountain landscape with Dramatic long views lowlands (91) plantation forestry along N Irish coast Narrow coastal shelf at the foot of from Mourne Mourne mountains with rocky Mountains coastal edge
10
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
11.Kilkeel
Mourne AONB Traditional Rural (Kingdom of Settlement- of Mourne), scattered cottages Rural Open and expansive and farm buildings Kingdom of Shallow sandy coastline views to the sea and Mourne (74) River Estuary across Dundrum Bay Type 4: Low Lying traditional coastal From Bloody Bridge Low lying coastal strip rising to from shoreline Kilkeel Coast Coastal Plain villages and small to Cranfield point hinterland of rolling foothills (73) • town at Kilkeel Long views to the sea Low Coastal sands and Flats from raised hinterland Agricultural land caravan parks
adjacent to shore
Historic buildings
11
This document forms part of consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 For all documents on this consultation visit: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page=5514
Landscape Summary of Key Quality of Designations Character Coastal Types Location Settlement Pattern characteristics experience: area
12. Carlingford Lough
Traditional coastal Mourne AONB settlements – Open views and (Mountains of Large sea Lough with low-lying including harbour expansive views along Mourne), coastal plain and raised town at Lough and to Irish hinterland, tidal mudflats and Ramsar Warrenpoint, and coast, headlands small town of SPA Low lying undulating agricultural Rostrevor Enclosed views out to land with shallow sandy coastline ASSI Traditional Rural sea through Lough Kilkeel Coast to south east Settlement- mouth (73) Type 1: Large Open or scattered cottages Mourne Partially Open Sea Carlingford Lough tidal mudflats and estuarine shore and farm buildings Occasional panoramic Mountains Lough With Raised from Cranfield point at Greencastle Scattered views from high points (75) Hinterland to Newry River development of in hinterland to the Newry Basin Salt marsh at Mill Bay new housing on north (69) Narrow Flat Coastal plateau to the drumlin tops. Dramatic views along east rising steeply to dramatic Industrial Irish coast from mountain landscape with Development - Mourne Mountains plantation forestry Docks at Rolling drumlin landscape at Warrenpoint Reciprocal views from Lough head caravan parks the Irish coast and Narrows at mouth of Newry River adjacent to shore Carlingford mountain Historic buildings
12