Watson Petroleum, Brinkworth
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1 ALDBOURNE CHASE FARMS LAND AT SNAP FARM, ALDBOURNE SN8 2NP LANDSCAPE & VISUAL IMPACT APPRAISAL in relation to Planning Application for Anaerobic Digestion Plant & Combined Heat & Power Unit Patrick Griffiths : Landscape Architect 6, Upper Pavenhill, Purton, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 4DQ Tel.: 01793 772044 Date : May 2013 Our Ref. : PMG/C313 2 ALDBOURNE CHASE FARMS LAND AT SNAP FARM, ALDBOURNE LANDSCAPE & VISUAL IMPACT APPRAISAL in relation to Planning Application for Anaerobic Digestion Plant & Combined Heat & Power Unit Contents: Page No. 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Site Context 3 3.0 Development Proposals 4 4.0 Site Description 5 5.0 Visual Appraisal 6 6.0 Discussion 9 7.0 Conclusions 10 Landscape Context Plan & Photo Viewpoints; drwg.no. C313/P/01 Photographs A to P 3 1.0 Introduction: 1.1 This assessment has been prepared by Patrick Griffiths, BSc(Hons),Dip.LA,CMLI , an experienced Chartered Landscape Architect, upon instruction from the applicants Aldbourne Chase Farms, in order to examine the potential landscape and visual effects which would be likely to result from the proposed development at the subject site. Site visits were made during late November/early December 2012 for the purpose, including a number of record photos some of which are attached and referred to in this appraisal. These were taken using a digital camera calibrated to a setting equivalent to a 50mm. lens on a 35mm. camera. Weather conditions were generally bright with good visibility. 1.2 The approach to this appraisal and assessment of effects follows the principles contained in the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, (Second Edition, 2002, by The Landscape Institute with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment), but as suggested in that document, with the level of detail adapted to the particulars of the development and location being assessed. Timing of the instruction has enabled viewing during winter conditions, so that predictions of the ‘worst case’ visual impacts can be made. Additional desk based appraisal work has been carried out, including a review of existing landscape character assessments, Ordnance Survey plans and Google earth mapping. A plan showing the site’s location/context and photo viewpoints are attached. 2.0 Site Context: 2.1 The site forms part of the extensive Aldbourne Chase Estate which includes farmland on either side of Copse Drove road, running between Ogbourne St. George and Aldbourne. The site itself is located directly to the north-west of the Snap Farm complex of agricultural buildings and farm cottages. 2.2 The relevant landscape character area, in the Countryside Agency’s Countryside Character mapping and report of 1999, (Volume 8, South West) is the Berkshire and Marlborough Downs (character area 116), extending as a broad sweep of high ground from Devizes in the south-west to near Didcot to the north-east. The notable characteristics include the following description of particular relevance to the site’s context: ‘High, large-scale rolling chalk downland characterised by intensive arable farming, sparse woodland cover and few hedges or hedgerow trees becoming more enclosed towards the east’, and a further note that ‘On the chalk uplands a broad scatter of modern farm buildings and large horse racing establishments are prominent in the open landscape....’ 2.3 The Berkshire and Marlborough Downs have been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) since 1971, and represent one of the largest areas with this designation; AONBs have long been regarded as landscapes of national importance and this status has been confirmed in the recent NPPF. 2.4 The Kennet District Landscape Assessment prepared in 1999 identified 11 different character areas in the (former) District, with this part of the AONB identified as the Marlborough Downs character area. The summary report describes the area as an expansive landscape of open, smoothly rolling downland on the high chalk uplands, mostly under intensive arable farming. The site is also indicated as forming part of the wooded chalk uplands landscape type. The landscape assessment informed the preparation of 4 an associated landscape enhancement strategy plan, with the Snap Farm area within those landscapes where the objective is for a strengthening of character. 2.5 The Kennet Landscape Conservation Strategy, (first drafted in 2001), was carried forward as Supplementary Guidance to the Kennet Local Plan of 2011. The enhancement priorities and woodland strategy for the site area contain objectives including: Plant belts/blocks of native broadleaf woodland to reinforce typical mosaic of woodland and farmland Follow traditional pattern of shelterbelt planting to soften the impact of prominent buildings or structures … 2.6 In terms of the wider landscape context, the site is located in an area where the general landform is both elevated and broadly undulating. The site itself is situated at around 250 to 255m. AOD, with slightly higher ground just to the west, from where the landform broadly slopes down in all directions with a steep scarp slope prominent to the west. To the north-west of the site is a significant local valley, with the site of the former Medieval village of Snap on the north facing slope, beyond which the ground rises to a further area of local high ground at Upper Upham and includes the site of the further former Medieval village of Upham . 2.7 The surrounding area contains several public rights of way, - principally byways, as indicated on the attached plan, (C313/P/01), with byways running close to, or adjacent to three of the site’s boundaries. The Ridgeway long-distance footpath and public byway (local ref. ALDB 12) runs in a north-south orientation at around 400 metres west of the site with another byway (ref.ALDB 11)intersecting the Ridgeway and then running directly to the west and south of the site. This byway in part runs along the Snap Farm access, passing close to the existing farm complex and associated cottages, connecting through to Copse Drove road. A further byway (ref.ALDB 32) runs eastwards from byway ALDB 11 at the site’s north-west corner, where it is initially close to the site’s northern boundary. 2.8 Many of the surrounding roads and lanes in the area are lined by dense hedgerows which somewhat restrict open views across the landscape, even during winter months, and whilst there are significant undulations in the local topography, the elevation of the site means that there are no more elevated locations within the surrounding landscape which permit wide ranging panoramas of the site. 3.0 Development Proposals: 3.1 The planning application seeks approval for development of a combined anaerobic digester plant and a heat/power production facility. Details of the proposed site layout, the proposed buildings/structures and the background and justification for this in relation to the Estate’s farming business are illustrated and described elsewhere. Of principal relevance to the visual impact assessment are the height and appearance of the proposed digester tank located towards the east of the site. The southern part of the site is mainly reserved for the large storage clamps necessary for holding the feedstock - which, as explained elsewhere, would be mainly derived from the estate’s farmyard manure and silage etc., with some local importation from elsewhere. Towards the south-west corner of the site a storage lagoon is also required. 5 3.2 As far as possible, the necessary structures have been ‘terraced’ into the sloping ground to reduce their actual maximum heights. The digester tank is of approximately 12 metres overall height, with its roof apex height at around 263.5m. AOD, which can be compared with those of the substantial barns adjacent to the east; the Trafalgar building has a ridge height of 258.26m. AOD, whilst the straw barn has a ridge height of 261.7m. AOD and eaves height of 258.97m. AOD. A small technical building is also required to serve the plant, of around 8 metres ridge height, - proposed at the eastern edge of the silage clamps, directly south of the digester tank. It is proposed that both structures, - the tank and the technical building would be finished in green colour cladding, with grey roof claddings. 3.3 The silage clamps towards the southern part of the site, whilst occupying a substantial area, are proposed to be only of 3.8 metres high, and at their southern end around half of this height would be terraced into the slope of the ground; the clamp walls will therefore be lower than the southern boundary hedge. Other than in brief, exceptional circumstances the height of the stacked silage ‘fuel’ would not exceed the height of the retaining silage clamp panels. Other smaller related structures as detailed elsewhere also form part of the AD facility, but would generally not have any significant effect upon the scheme’s visual impact, with possible exception of the exhaust stack at approximately 4.5m. high and the emergency gasflare stack at around 7m. in height. These are both slender structures to be located close to the digester tank. The lagoon area will be set into the ground, resulting in minimal visibility, and is in any event typical of farming uses. 4.0 Site Description: 4.1 The site itself slopes down moderately gently from south to north with a maximum overall fall of approximately 7 metres between the southern and northern boundary hedges. The site’s eastern boundary is formed by a line of mature trees including Beech and Oak, - predominantly open below the tree canopies. Beyond this to the east is part of the substantial farmyard complex including two substantial modern agricultural buildings referred to above; - a straw barn aligned approximately north- south and the ‘Trafalgar’ building running approximately on a west-east axis, which were erected in 2007 and 2005 respectively.