Grandhome Mixed Use Urban Extension JB_LA+UD Grandhome Mixed Use Urban Extension Technical Annex Landscape & Visual Assessment For Grandhome Trust September 2013 1 Grandhome Mixed Use Urban Extension JB_LA+UD Contents Summary 3 1.0 Introduction 4 2.0 Proposed Development Site and Surroundings 5 3.0 Landscape and Existing Visibility of Site 20 4.0 Landscape and Visual Impact 27 5.0 Proposed Mitigation Measures 30 6.0 Statement of SigniFicance 34 Appendices 37 ReFerences 78 Glossary oF Terms 80 Appendices Appendix 1: Landscape and Visual Assessment Methodology Appendix 2: Development Plan Extracts Appendix 3: SNH Landscape Character Assessment Extracts Appendix 4: Viewpoint Photograph Technical Information Appendix 5: Existing Visibility (PPiP, Phase 1 & Masterplan,) Appendix 6: Visual Effect of Proposed Development without Mitigation (PPiP, Phase 1 & Masterplan) Figures 1.1 SNH Landscape Character Assessment 1.2 Historic Map 1.3 Landscape Character 1.4 Landscape Features 1.5 Proposed Visibility and Viewpoint Photograph Locations 1.6 Viewpoint Photographs (1-14) 1.7 Additional Viewpoints 1.8 Views into the Site 1.9 Scenic Long Distance Views 1.10 Landscape Mitigation Measures (Landscape Concept, Structure, Framework & Elements) Tables 1.0 Summary of Evaluation of Landscape & Visual Effects Project Ref: 299/JB_LA+UD Status: Final_4th June 2013 2 Grandhome Mixed Use Urban Extension JB_LA+UD Issue No: 3_20th September 2013 Summary In brief, the landscape and visual assessment found that the overall effect on landscape and visual amenity of the proposed urban extension of Aberdeen at Grandhome would be moderate adverse, and therefore significant in terms of the adopted criteria. However, the permanent landscape and visual effect of the proposed development will decrease significantly over time by virtue of the development design and establishment of the associated landscape framework. During construction, there will be a moderate landscape effect associated with the permanent removal of agricultural land and some landscape features while creating the new neighbourhoods. Proposed landscape mitigation measures include the extension of woodland planting, the reinforcement and addition of new woodland blocks, tree belts, copses, trees on ridgelines, avenues and stone walls, all of which are distinctive features that will add value to the overall landscape character. The areas of greatest change in the character of views and visual amenity will be localised and range from major to moderate. For most residential properties and others in the wider surrounding area, the proposed development will be viewed in the context of the wider cityscape and the degree of change consequently ranges from moderate to minor. Change to the character of views will be limited over time by the proposed landscape framework. Location, scale and character have been carefully considered in the design of the proposed urban extension with the aim of creating an appropriate and positive change to the environment, whilst respecting and enhancing the established local character. Views to and from the site have also been a key influence, the design aim being to develop an attractive overall composition for the development in its setting, well integrated within the wider Aberdeen cityscape. The layout of the development and accompanying landscape supports the creation of a unique sense of place at Grandhome. The landscape framework retains and reinforces existing landscape features while adding a full complement of green spaces for formal and informal recreation as well as ‘wild’ areas that support biodiversity. The structure planting helps define neighbourhoods, screens or filters views, and provides a matrix of movement and biodiversity corridors. Together, these elements ensure the sympathetic integration of the development into the surrounding cityscape and landscape. 3 Grandhome Mixed Use Urban Extension JB_LA+UD 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background This Technical Annex provides an assessment of the potential impacts on landscape and visual amenity arising from the proposed new mixed use urban extension of Aberdeen at Grandhome - the the Planning Permission in Principle (PPiP) area (Phases 1-5, 4,700 units), the first Phase to be constructed at Laverock Brae (Phase 1, 500 units) and overall Masterplan (Phases 1-7, 7000 units). Good practice as described in the “Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Assessment” (2002)1 has been followed in undertaking this appraisal and is described in Appendix 1. The Technical Annex is organised as follows: Section 2.0 provides a description of the development site and surroundings. Section 3.0 describes the landscape and existing visibility of the site (existing baseline conditions). Section 4.0 provides an assessment of landscape and visual impact of the proposed development. Section 5.0 outlines the proposed mitigation measures. Section 6.0 summarises the overall effects on landscape and visual amenity, and presents a statement of significance. In addition, reference is made to a number of Appendices, which contain the following information: Appendix 1 summarises the landscape and visual assessment methodology. Appendix 2 presents relevant landscape and visual planning policy extracts from Development Plans. Appendix 3 presents extracts from the SNH Landscape Character Assessment. Appendix 4 provides technical background information regarding the viewpoint photographs. Appendix 5 presents details of the existing (or baseline) views and visual amenity. Appendix 6 presents details of potential change of views as a result of the proposed development without any mitigation. 1 The new third edition of the GLVIA was published in April 2013. The Landscape Institute (LI) have stated “In general terms the approach and methodologies in the new edition are the same, the main difference is that GLVIA 3 places greater emphasis on professional judgement and less emphasis on a formulaic approach” (LI Website). The LI and IEMA have advised that an assessment started using GLVIA 2 should be completed using that edition. 4 Grandhome Mixed Use Urban Extension JB_LA+UD 2.0 Proposed Development Site and Surroundings 2.1 InFormation Information regarding the environmental features and sensitivities of the proposed development site at Grandhome and surroundings is presented below and in Figures 1.1-1.2. Reference should also be made to the other ES Technical Annexes covering Cultural Heritage and Ecology. Figure 1.1: presents the landscape character areas for the site and surrounding area, as identified by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Figure 1.2: presents a historic map dated 1869 showing the proposed development site and surrounding area (OS First Edition). The information provided in this section relates to a study area of 10km radius from the proposed development site at Grandhome and has been collected from published documents as well as during site visits, design workshops and meetings. Specifically, the following has been undertaken: - . desk review of current environmental data, designations and policies relating to the study area . site appraisal of the environmental resources and potential receptors within the study area . reference to the Landscape Character Assessment by Scottish Natural Heritage . information available from Development Plans covering the study area, Pastmap, SNH, and the National Map Library for Scotland 2.2 Physical Description Location The proposed urban extension of Aberdeen at Grandhome is located approximately 6km north west of the centre of Aberdeen, adjacent to the Bridge of Don suburbs of Middleton Park and Danestone. The proposed development covers an area of approximately 320 hectares, lying to the north of the River Don and the A90 (T). Within the overall Masterplan area, the first phase of development encompasses Laverock Brae to the west of Whitestripes Avenue. This road links Danestone to Middleton Park and provides access to the Buckie Road residential area to the east. The five phases of the Planning Permission in Principle (PPiP) area extend westwards towards and beyond Monument Wood, and north of Whitestripes Road. Geology, Soils and Drainage The north east lowlands project into the North Sea between the Old Red Sandstone areas of Moray and Strathmore. To the west the lowlands gently rise to the North East Grampian Highlands. Geologically this is a complex region drained by many rivers, all of which rise in the Grampian Highlands. Despite the smoothing action of erosion across the complex lithology, several major physiographic regions have been identified. The city of Aberdeen and the proposed development is located within the “Skene Lowlands”2 which is underlain almost entirely by various granites. To the north is the “Buchan Platform” a gently rolling plain tilted to the east. The solid geology of the general study area comprises Dalradian metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. The most resistant of the metamorphic rocks are quartzites, and these are associated with the high ground in the area, such as Brimmond and Tyrebagger Hills. 2 MISR (1982) Soil Survey of Scotland. Eastern Scotland. “Skene” -Gaelic referring to a small farming community. 5 Grandhome Mixed Use Urban Extension JB_LA+UD The Dalradian sequence is interrupted in places by intrusions of igneous rocks of the Caledonian Orogeny (i.e. mountain building episode). This underlies much of the west of the city, extending from the north of Dyce southwards to the River Dee. Rubislaw quarry, which supplied much of the granite from which Aberdeen was