Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 12 Regional Seascape Unit Menai Strait Name:
Telford’s suspension bridge, Menai Bridge (All photos © John Briggs) The Menai Bridge/Bangor end of the Strait (with Conwy Bay in background)
Combined road and rail bridge – with Telford’s bridge in background. Caernarfon and castle near the south western end of the strait.
1 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments
No: 12 Regional Seascape Unit Menai Strait Name:
Seascape Types: LSLR, LHMR Key Characteristics A sinuous, picturesque tidal strait with an indented coastline in parts, including small islands. Unique in Wales, though characteristics may also be found in major estuaries and rias. Very low cliffs in places with a rocky shore giving way to sand, shingle and mud to the south west. Predominantly pastoral landscape with parkland and woodland sloping up from the Strait. The major settlements are concentrated to the north around Bangor and Menai Bridge, and to the south around Caernarfon. A strong lateral tidal flow gives the strait a unique character and marine flora and fauna. The Menai Suspension and Britannia Bridges are major historic structures and transport links across the Strait. The Strait itself is a marine transport corridor.
The main views are from the bridges, the pier at Bangor, the waterfront at Caernarfon including the castle, from the Menai Bridge area and from historic parklands like Plas Newydd. A popular area for recreation and tourism including residential and holiday marinas. Key cultural associations: history of marine trade on the Strait and the settlements along its banks, primarily the town of Caernarfon and the cathedral and university city of Bangor.
Physical Geology A strong north east to south west trending geology consisting of Carboniferous limestone Characteristics and coal measures [red beds] through which the Strait runs. Precambrian rocks lie to the west on Anglesey and a complex mix of Cambrian and Ordovician rocks including acid tuffs lie to the east on the mainland. Boulder clay overlies the bedrock with blown sand [dunes] either side of the mouth of the Strait at Abermenai to the south. Coastal landform A sinuous and indented coastline bounding the Strait with minor cliffs in places, but generally sloping down to a rocky shore. A number of small islands lie just off the Anglesey shore, some of which are linked to the coast by short causeways, as seen in the Menai Bridge area. Coastal landcover Mainly rural with scattered settlement and parkland, but with some larger settlements, including Bangor and Menai Bridge to the north and Caernarfon with its Edwardian castle to the south, all of which front onto the Strait. Deciduous woodland runs down to the water's edge and covers some of the islands, enhancing the character and enclosure of the seascape. Such a seascape of small wooded islands is unique in Wales. The Strait is crossed by two high level bridges of significant architectural and historical interest: the Menai Suspension (road) Bridge built by Thomas Telford, and the Britannia (now a combined rail and road) Bridge, originally a tubular rail bridge built by Robert Stephenson. Small piers and docks lie along the shores. Tourism related development lie along the coast including the residential marina and holiday village at Plas Dinorwic (Y Felinheli) and the Plas Menai, the National Watersports Centre for Wales. The only substantial industrial building is the one factory sited north east of Caernarfon, now closed. There are extensive dunes at Newborough Warren to the south west. Intertidal area The northern two thirds of the Strait has narrow rock shores. These give way to mud and sand with some shingle to the south west, where large sandbanks are left in the channel at low tide. Characteristics of sea The Strait has a very strong lateral flow, which reverses and gives a unique character and marine flora and fauna to the area. The Strait is between 300 and 1200m wide. In the central section (between the two bridges) the Strait is known as ‘The Swellies’, where numerous rocks beneath the surface and tidal rapids make this a treacherous location for navigation. HMS Conwy famously grounded here in the 1950’s. Hinterland landform Relatively low landform rising on either side of the Strait with parallel ridges up to 70m AOD on Anglesey and up to 150m AOD on the mainland plateau. However, behind the coastal plateau to the east lies the grandeur of the mountains of Snowdonia which forms the dominant backdrop. Hinterland landcover Generally a rural pastoral landscape with a limited amount of arable land. Settlement is generally scattered outside the major urban areas of Bangor, Menai Bridge, Llanfairpwll and
2 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments Caernarfon. Lighting Lighting is concentrated on the main settlements [Bangor and Caernarfon] and the major road corridors including the A55 Expressway and A487. It diminishes on Anglesey to the south west.
Use Land/coast uses The coast is used for residential, leisure [including marinas and the pier at Bangor], some limited footpaths and cycle routes [Lon Las Menai cycle route]. The National Watersports Centre for Wales (Plas Menai) is located between Y Felinheli and Caernarfon. Public access to the Strait is limited in the Plas Newydd / Parc Faenol estates, despite their central location, proximity to settlements and high scenic quality. Sea uses The Strait is a navigable route, cutting off a longer journey around the outer Anglesey coast. However, care is needed at ‘The Swellies’, with its currents and submerged rocks Sailing/boating from adjacent marinas, activities relating to Plas Menai. Swimming is limited by the currents. Before the bridges were built, there were several historic ferry crossing points. ‘Halen Mon’ (Anglesey Salt) is extracted from the clean waters opposite Caernarfon. This is a nationally known ‘local identity’ product.
Visual and How the seascape unit From the bridges, the pier at Bangor, Caernarfon Castle, settlements, the A487, A545 and sensory qualities is experienced other nearby roads, marinas, cycle route and footpaths, historic parkland. Degree of intervisibility Views of the Strait are generally limited to the slopes a few kilometres on either side. Wider of land and sea visibility is possible of the sea component to the south west. Views from Snowdonia are beyond 10km. Key views to sea and Key viewpoints include the two bridges, Caernarfon Castle, Plas Newydd, Y Faenol, Y along the coast Felinheli, the pier at Bangor, Caernarfon waterfront, Menai Bridge (various locations) including the Belgian Promenade and Church Island, and from the top of Marquis of Anglesey’s Column at Llanfairpwll. Key views to land Views are possible from sailing boats and other leisure craft using the Strait. Tranquillity/rem- The south west of the area, on Anglesey, is the most tranquil. Elsewhere, there are limited oteness/wildness tranquil stretches away from traffic and settlements, such as around Plas Newydd. Sense of scale Small-medium Openness/ Enclosed, but widening at the southern end enclosure Diversity Diverse Exposure Sheltered
Key cultural According to classical accounts, the narrow and turbulent Strait was the scene of the associations confrontation between the Roman legions and the Druids, as well as a crossing point for travellers to Holyhead, and to Ireland, in later times. The bastide town of Caernarfon is best appreciated from the sea - a potent and calculated symbol of imperial might, with its echoes of the Theodosian walls of Constantinople, its construction is strangely anticipated, or echoed, in the Mabinogion tale of ‘Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig’. The cathedral and university city of Bangor can trace its origins to the sixth century AD and is now an important centre of the knowledge economy of Wales, not least for its role in marine research. The Victorian pier, the university’s tower and the tower of the early nineteenth-century faux-Norman Penrhyn Castle are prominent landmarks. The Telford and the Stephenson bridges are not only engineering marvels in their own right but their infrastructure in the form of construction quays and quarries survive in this seascape area. These two bridges focused the eyes of the world on the challenges of this stretch of the Welsh coast. The Strait preserves the historic port landscapes of Caernarfon, Y Felinheli and Port Penrhyn, once the loading-points for Arfon slates on the second stage of their journey to
3 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments markets all over the world.
Forces for change Land/coast Increased levels of development pressure around settlements as the Bangor – Caernarfon area becomes the economic hub of North West Wales. Examples include: An extensive modern marina style, residential and holiday development on the former slate docks at Y Felinheli; proposed retail and leisure complex at Ty Mawr, Llanfairpwll. Increased pressure for new development and redevelopment in the Caernarfon quayside area, which contrasts with the historic character of the Castle and walled town (now a World Heritage Site) and their landscape and seascape setting; Pressure for development in the Bangor/Parc Faenol and Menai Llanfairpwll/Menai Bridge/Glyn Garth areas, which could further erode the intactness of the enclosed wooded Strait, especially if development from Bangor and its suburbs spills over the skyline as seen from Anglesey; Bright flood lighting from new sports facilities in Bangor. Proposed third (road) crossing of the Strait near Britannia bridge. Sea -
Designations and National Park - sensitive features AONB Anglesey Coast AONB Heritage Coast - Long-distance coastal Anglesey Coast Path. footpath/National Trail Lon Las Menai cycle route. Outstanding and special Dinorwig - meets the coast at Faenol; Dyffryn Ogwen meets the coast at Port Penrhyn, historic landscapes Bangor. Historic gardens and Plas Newydd, Faenol, Llanidan - all with key views over the Strait. parks Key scheduled ancient Caernarfon Castle (also Guardianship and World Heritage Site) SH 4762 monuments Country Parks - Open access land -
4 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments
No: 12 Regional Seascape Menai Strait Unit Name: Headline Sub-criteria Increases sensitivity Decreases sensitivity criteria
Overall Summary of key • The water body is sinuous and serene for much • There are large existing built character factors of its length, with the characteristics of a large structures: bridges, some urban areas and mature river. and vertical elements such as sailing qualities • In the sheltered central section the Strait is boats, small harbours, Bangor Pier, indented with small rocky wooded islands - a Electricity lines cross the Strait near unique character for Wales the Britannia bridge. • Parts are rural, tranquil and unspoilt • The enclosure and containment of the • As a World Heritage Site, Caernarfon Castle, Strait would limit wider views of walled town and setting is an exceptionally water based development sensitive water front. • “The Swellies” tidal current between the two bridges • The views of the bridges and their hilly, partially wooded setting • The ability of topography and woodland to conceal nearby Bangor from view, and similarly the broad extent of Llanfairpwll, Menai Bridge and Llandegfan. • There are a number of historic designed parklands bordering the Strait and their integrity would be compromised by placing large structures within the Strait
Seascape sensitivity levels for different forms of offshore development Modelled scenario Generic form of Sensitivity Comments development
Tall structures 13km High Tall structures would be out of scale with the Strait and Offshore wind offshore would detract from the tranquil and undeveloped sections. sensitivity However, there are already a number of existing structures and developments in the Strait in other sections.
The modelled scenario would have limited visibility except at either end of the Strait from this seascape unit.
Wave energy units Broad flat structures on High Broad flat structures would not be visible in the wider sensitivity the sea surface open sea setting, however such structures within the Strait would be detrimental to its special qualities.
Tidal energy units Developments placed Moderate - High Placing development just offshore (i.e. anywhere within sensitivity only a short distance the Strait) would create visual impacts on those stretches offshore. that are undeveloped. However there are a number of other locations where development has already altered the character of the Strait.
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