PROPOSED INKERSALL ROAD SOLAR FARM
NEAR STAVELEY, DERBYSHIRE
LANDSCAPE VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
FOR
LOW CARBON
JUNE 2020
PROPOSED INKERSALL ROAD SOLAR FARM LANDSCAPE VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Planning Policy Context
3.0 Assessment Methodology and Criteria
4.0 Site Description and Proposals
5.0 Landscape Baseline
6.0 Landscape Effect
7.0 Visual Assessment
8.0 Mitigation Measures and Residual Degree of Effect
9.0 Cumulative Assessment
10.0 Conclusion
References
Figure 01: Survey Site Location Figure 02: Heritage Assets Figure 03: Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) Figure 04a: Potential Visual Receptors PROW Figure 04b: Potential Visual Receptors RRE Figure 05: Viewpoints Figure 06: Landscape and Biodiversity Scheme Figure 07: Cumulative Zone of Theoretical Visibility Appendix A: Landscape Setting of Listed Building – Inkersall Farm Appendix B: Selected Panoramas
Report Ref D34.19 No: Hilary R Ludlow Author: MSc CMLI, CEnv Scientific Steven Weber check: BSc MCIEEM Presentation Zoe Lewis check: BA (Hons)
Date: June 2020
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1.0 Introduction
1.1 Landscape Science Consultancy Ltd (LSC) was commissioned to conduct a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment at Inkersall near Staveley, Derbyshire in relation to proposals for a solar farm, hereafter referred to as the ‘Proposed Development’ within the ‘Survey Site’.
The assessment defines the existing landscape and visual baseline and assesses the sensitivity to change and considers the effect of the Proposed Development on the landscape and its visual resources over a wider area centred on the Survey Site which is defined by the anticipated visual envelope – hereafter referred to as the ‘Study Area’.
1.2 Site and Proposals
The proposed solar farm is located within a contained Survey Site east of Inkersall Green, occupying 65 hectares (ha) of agricultural land situated to the east of Inkersall Green. The land shows characteristics typical of the regional and local character area with an undulating landform of low hills and ridges, and shallow valleys. Local variations reflecting the differing characteristics of the underlying Coal Measures geology.
The Pools Brook corridor defines the eastern boundary of the Survey Site whilst a smaller unnamed tributary brook with a narrow, wooded corridor runs east- west along the southern boundary of the Survey Site. Pools Brook Country Park defines the northern boundary with the urban development of Inkersall Green to the west.
1.3 Study Area
The majority of the Study Area falls within the Estate Farmlands landscape character type which is a broad, gently undulating and industrial landscape.
It is accepted practice within landscape and visual assessment work that the extent of the Study Area is broadly defined by the visual envelope of the Proposed Development and the anticipated extent of the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV). In this case the ZTV is limited by the existing topography and intervening built form and vegetation.
The Study Area has, therefore, been broadly defined by the theoretical visual envelope and the potential zone within which views of the Proposed Development may be experienced.
Previous LVIA’s for the Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm and the Arkwright Solar Farm located in the vicinity demonstrated that the undulating landscape and the strong ridge lines clearly defined the zone within which the proposals would be viewed. In relation to the Proposed Development, the local topography defines the theoretical visual envelope with greatest effect to both landscape and visual receptors within 2km of the Survey Site.
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Following initial consideration, therefore, of a wider zone, a Study Area of 2km was considered to be appropriate to cover all potential material landscape and visual effects.
1.4 Report
The key aims of the assessment are to determine the likely effects of the proposal on the local landscape character and resource; and identify visual receptors and the potential effects arising from the Proposed Development to visual amenity.
Through a defined and methodical approach based on methodology advised in the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 3rd Edition the sensitivity of the landscape, the magnitude of change on the resource as a result of the development and the effects are predicted in terms of their significance, relating to the magnitude of any changes and the sensitivity of the landscape and visual receptors in accommodating the development. The assessment uses a structured methodology that combines both objective assessment and subjective assessment based on professional judgement.
Based on the outcome of the initial assessment, the process allows for changes in the layout design combined with mitigation measures which would reduce or remove adverse effects in order to integrate the development to the wider landscape area over the longer term.
A cumulative assessment is made with reference to the existing solar farms: Arkwright Solar Farm and Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm.
The conformance of the proposals to selected core policies within the Chesterfield Borough Council Local Plan is discussed.
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2.0 Planning Policy Context
2.1 National Planning Guidance
The National Planning Policy Framework (‘NPPF’) sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied (MHCLG, 2019).
· Policy 20(d) advises that strategic policies should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and quality of development, and ‘make sufficient provision for conservation and enhancement of the natural, built and historic environment, including landscapes and green infrastructure, and planning measures to address climate change mitigation and adaptation’;
· Policy 127(c) advises that planning policies and decisions should ensure that developments ‘are sympathetic to local character and history, including the surrounding built environment and landscape setting, while not preventing or discouraging appropriate innovation or change (such as increased densities)’;
· Policy 151(a) deals directly with renewable energy provision and stipulates that in order to help increase the use and supply of renewable and low carbon energy and heat, plans should ‘provide a positive strategy for energy from these sources, that maximises the potential for suitable development, while ensuring that adverse impacts are addressed satisfactorily (including cumulative landscape and visual impacts)’;
· Policy 151(b) considers identifying suitable areas for renewable and low carbon energy sources, and supporting infrastructure, where this would help secure their development;
· Policy 151(c) identifies opportunities for development to draw its energy supply from decentralised, renewable or low carbon energy supply systems and for co-locating potential heat customers and suppliers;
· Policy 153 requires that determining planning applications, local planning authorities should expect new development to:
a) comply with any development plan policies on local requirements for decentralised energy supply unless it can be demonstrated by the applicant, having regard to the type of development involved and its design, that this is not feasible or viable; and
b) take account of landform, layout, building orientation, massing and landscaping to minimise energy consumption.
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· Policy 154 advises that when determining planning applications for renewable and low carbon development, local planning authorities should:
a) not require applicants to demonstrate the overall need for renewable or low carbon energy, and recognise that even small- scale projects provide a valuable contribution to cutting greenhouse gas emissions; and
b) approve the application if its impacts are (or can be made) acceptable. Once suitable areas for renewable and low carbon energy have been identified in plans, local planning authorities should expect subsequent applications for commercial scale projects outside these areas to demonstrate that the proposed location meets the criteria used in identifying suitable areas.
· Policy 170(a) relates to conservation and enhancement of the natural environment and states that Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: ‘protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, Sites of biodiversity or geological value and soils (in a manner commensurate with their statutory status or identified quality in the development plan); and
· Policy 172 relates to National Parks, the Broads and AONB’s where ‘great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty’. Section c) of the policy states that consideration of such applications should include an assessment of ‘any detrimental effect on the environment, the landscape and recreational opportunities, and the extent to which that could be moderated.’
2.2 National Policy Statement EN1 July 2011
Section 4.5 – Criteria for Good Design
4.5.1 Applying “good design” to energy projects should produce sustainable infrastructure sensitive to place, efficient in the use of natural resources and energy used in their construction and operation, matched by an appearance that demonstrates good aesthetics as far as possible. It is acknowledged, however, that the nature of much energy infrastructure development will often limit the extent to which it can contribute to the enhancement of the quality of the area.
4.5.2 Good design is also a means by which many policy objectives in the NPS can be met, for example the impact sections show how good design, in terms of siting and use of appropriate technologies can help mitigate adverse impacts such as noise.
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4.5.3 In the light of the above, and given the importance which the Planning Act 2008 places on good design and sustainability, the IPC needs to be satisfied that energy infrastructure developments are sustainable and, having regard to regulatory and other constraints, are as attractive, durable and adaptable (including taking account of natural hazards such as flooding) as they can be. In so doing, the IPC should satisfy itself that the applicant has taken into account both functionality (including fitness for purpose and sustainability) and aesthetics (including its contribution to the quality of the area in which it would be located) as far as possible. Whilst the applicant may not have any or very limited choice in the physical appearance of some energy infrastructure, there may be opportunities for the applicant to demonstrate good design in terms of siting relative to existing landscape character, landform and vegetation. Furthermore, the design and sensitive use of materials in any associated development such as electricity substations will assist in ensuring that such development contributes to the quality of the area.
4.5.4 For the IPC to consider the proposal for a project, applicants should be able to demonstrate in their application documents how the design process was conducted and how the proposed design evolved. Where a number of different designs were considered, applicants should set out the reasons why the favoured choice has been selected. In considering applications the IPC should take into account the ultimate purpose of the infrastructure and bear in mind the operational, safety and security requirements which the design has to satisfy.
4.5.5 Applicants and the IPC should consider taking independent professional advice on the design aspects of a proposal. In particular, Design Council CABE can be asked to provide design review for nationally significant infrastructure projects and applicants are encouraged to use this service
4.5.6 Further advice on what the IPC should expect applicants to demonstrate by way of good design is provided in the technology- specific NPS’s where relevant.
Section 5.9 Landscape and Visual
Introduction
5.9.1 The landscape and visual effects of energy projects will vary on a case by case basis according to the type of development, its location and the landscape setting of the Proposed Development. In this context, references to landscape should be taken as covering seascape and townscape where appropriate.
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Applicant’s Assessment
5.9.5 The applicant should carry out a landscape and visual assessment and report it in the ES. (See Section 4.2) A number of guides have been produced to assist in addressing landscape issues. The landscape and visual impact assessment should include reference to any landscape character assessment and associated studies as a means of assessing landscape impacts relevant to the proposed project. The applicant’s assessment should also take account of any relevant policies based on these assessments in local development documents in England and local development plans in Wales.
5.9.6 The Applicant’s assessment should include the effects during construction of the project and the effects of the completed development and its operation on landscape components and landscape character.
5.9.7 The assessment should include the visibility and conspicuousness of the project during construction and of the presence and operation of the project and potential impacts on views and visual amenity. This should include light pollution effects, including on local amenity, and nature conservation.
IPC Decision Making - Landscape Impact
5.9.8 Landscape effects depend on the existing character of the local landscape, its current quality, how highly it is valued and its capacity to accommodate change. All of these factors need to be considered in judging the impact of a project on landscape. Projects need to be designed carefully, taking account of the potential impact on the landscape. Having regard to siting, operational and other relevant constraints the aim should be to minimise harm to the landscape, providing reasonable mitigation where possible and appropriate.
Developments in Other Areas
5.9.14 Outside nationally designated areas, there are local landscapes that may be highly valued locally and protected by local designation. Where a local development document in England or a local development plan in Wales has policies based on landscape character assessment, these should be paid particular attention. However, local landscape designations should not be used in themselves to refuse consent, as this may unduly restrict acceptable development.
5.9.15 The scale of such projects means that they will often be visible within many miles of the site of the proposed infrastructure. The IPC should judge whether any adverse impact on the landscape would
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be so damaging that it is not offset by the benefits (including need) of the project.
5.9.16 In reaching a judgment, the IPC should consider whether any adverse impact is temporary, such as during construction, and/or whether any adverse impact on the landscape will be capable of being reversed in a timescale that the IPC considers reasonable.
5.9.17 The IPC should consider whether the project has been designed carefully, taking account of environmental effects on the landscape and siting, operational and other relevant constraints, to minimise harm to the landscape, including by reasonable mitigation.
Mitigation
5.9.21 Reducing the scale of a project can help to mitigate the visual and landscape effects of a proposed project. However, reducing the scale or otherwise amending the design of a proposed energy infrastructure project may result in a significant operational constraint and reduction in function – for example, the electricity generation output. There may, however, be exceptional circumstances, where mitigation could have a very significant benefit and warrant a small reduction in function. In these circumstances, the IPC may decide that the benefits of the mitigation to reduce the landscape and/or visual effects outweigh the marginal loss of function.
5.9.22 Within a defined site, adverse landscape and visual effects may be minimised through appropriate siting of infrastructure within that site, design including colours and materials, and landscaping schemes, depending on the size and type of the proposed project. Materials and designs of buildings should always be given careful consideration.
5.9.23 Depending on the topography of the surrounding terrain and areas of population it may be appropriate to undertake landscaping off site. For example, filling in gaps in existing tree and hedge lines would mitigate the impact when viewed from a more distant vista.
2.3 Planning Practice Guidance for Natural Environment 2014
Landscape
How Can Planning Policies Conserve and Enhance Landscapes?
The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that plans should recognize the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and that strategic policies should provide for the conservation and enhancement of landscapes. This can
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include nationally and locally designated landscapes but also the wider countryside.
Where landscapes have a particular local value, it is important for policies to identify their special characteristics and be supported by proportionate evidence. Policies may set out criteria against which proposals for development affecting these areas will be assessed. Plans can also include policies to avoid adverse impacts on landscapes and to set out necessary mitigation measures, such as appropriate design principles and visual screening, where necessary. The cumulative impacts of development on the landscape need to be considered carefully.
Renewable and Low Carbon Energy
The National Planning Policy Framework explains that all communities have a responsibility to help increase the use and supply of green energy, but this does not mean that the need for renewable energy automatically overrides environmental protections and the planning concerns of local communities. As with other types of development, it is important that the planning concerns of local communities are properly heard in matters that directly affect them.
Local and neighbourhood plans are the key to delivering development that has the backing of local communities. When drawing up a Local Plan, local planning authorities should first consider what the local potential is for renewable and low carbon energy generation. In considering that potential, the matters local planning authorities should think about include:
· the range of technologies that could be accommodated and the policies needed to encourage their development in the right places
· the costs of many renewable energy technologies are falling, potentially increasing their attractiveness and the number of proposals
· different technologies have different impacts and impacts can vary by place
· the UK has legal commitments to cut greenhouse gases and meet increased energy demand from renewable sources. Whilst Local Planning Authorities should design their policies to maximise renewable and low carbon energy development, there is no quota which the Local Plan has to deliver.
How Can Local Planning Authorities Identify Suitable Areas for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy?
Extracts:
“There are no hard and fast rules about how suitable areas for renewable energy should be identified, but in considering locations, Local Planning
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Authorities will need to ensure they take into account the requirements of the technology, critically, the potential impacts on the local environment, including from cumulative impacts. The views of local communities likely to be affected should be listened to.
When identifying suitable areas it is also important to set out the factors that will be taken into account when considering individual proposals in these areas. These factors may be dependent on the investigatory work underpinning the identified area.
…. In considering impacts, assessments can use tools to identify where impacts are likely to be acceptable. For example, landscape character areas could form the basis for considering which technologies at which scale may be appropriate in different types of location. Landscape Character Assessment is a process used to explain the type and characteristics of landscape in an area. Natural England has used Landscape Character Assessment to identify 159 National Character Areas in England which provide a national level database. Landscape Character Assessment carried out at a county or district level may provide a more appropriate scale for assessing the likely landscape and visual impacts of individual proposals.
Identifying areas suitable for renewable energy in plans gives greater certainty as to where such development will be permitted. For example, where councils have identified suitable areas for large scale solar farms, they should not have to give permission outside those areas for speculative applications involving the same type of development when they judge the impact to be unacceptable.
What are the Particular Planning Considerations That Relate to Large Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Farms?
The deployment of large-scale solar farms can have a negative impact on the rural environment, particularly in undulating landscapes. However, the visual impact of a well-planned and well-screened solar farm can be properly addressed within the landscape if planned sensitively.
Particular factors a Local Planning Authority will need to consider include:
· Encouraging the effective use of land by focussing large scale solar farms on previously developed and non-agricultural land, provided that it is not of high environmental value;
· Where a proposal involves greenfield land, whether (i) the proposed use of any agricultural land has been shown to be necessary and poorer quality land has been used in preference to higher quality land; and (ii) the proposal allows for continued agricultural use where applicable and/or encourages biodiversity improvements around arrays;
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· That solar farms are normally temporary structures and planning conditions can be used to ensure that the installations are removed when no longer in use and the land is restored to its previous use;
· The proposal’s visual impact, the effect on landscape of glint and glare and on neighbouring uses and aircraft safety;
· The extent to which there may be additional impacts if solar arrays follow the daily movement of the sun;
· The need for, and impact of, security measures such as lights and fencing;
· Great care should be taken to ensure heritage assets are conserved in a manner appropriate to their level of significance, including the impact of proposals on views important to their setting. As the significance of a heritage asset derives not only from its physical presence, but also from its setting, careful consideration should be given to the impact of large- scale solar farms on such assets. Depending on their scale, design and prominence, a large-scale solar farm within the setting of a heritage asset may cause substantial harm to the significance of the asset;
· The potential to mitigate landscape and visual impacts through, for example, screening with native hedges; and
· The energy generating potential, which can vary for a number of reasons including, latitude and aspect.
The approach to assessing cumulative landscape and visual impact of large scale solar farms is likely to be the same as assessing the impact of wind turbines. However, in the case of ground-mounted solar panels it should be noted that with effective screening and appropriate land topography the area of a zone of visual influence could be zero.”
2.4 Local Policy
The Survey Site lies within the Chesterfield Borough Council administrative area.
The following documents contain policies and background information that are of relevance in the current assessment for land within Chesterfield Borough Council:
· Chesterfield Borough Council (CBC) Local Plan: Core Strategy 2011-2031 (adopted 24th July 2013) · Replacement Chesterfield Borough Local Plan (adopted June 2006)
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CBC Local Plan: Core Strategy
Policy CS3 - Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development
When considering development proposals, the Council will take a positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework. It will always work proactively with applicants jointly to find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions in the area.
Planning applications that accord with the policies in this Local Plan (and, where relevant, with polices in neighbourhood plans) will be approved without delay, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
Where there are no policies relevant to the application or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision then the Council will grant permission unless material considerations indicate otherwise – taking into account whether:
a) Any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole; or b) Specific policies in that Framework indicate that development should be restricted.
Policy CS5 – Renewable Energy
The council will support proposals for renewable energy generation particularly where they have wider social, economic and environmental benefits, provided that the proposals:
a) minimise adverse impacts on the historic environment including heritage assets and their setting; b) minimise adverse impacts on natural landscape and townscape character; c) minimise adverse impacts on nature conservation; d) minimise adverse impacts on amenity – in particular through noise, dust, odour, and traffic generation; e) reduce impact in the open countryside by locating distribution lines below ground where possible; f) include provision to reinstate the site if the equipment is no longer in use or has been decommissioned.
Policy CS9 - Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity
Chesterfield borough’s green infrastructure network will be recognised at all levels of the planning and development process with the aim of protecting and enhancing the network. Development proposals will be expected to demonstrate that they will not adversely affect, or result in the loss of, features of recognised importance. Development proposals are required to meet the following criteria where appropriate, and should:
a) not harm the character or function of the Green Belt, Green Wedges and Strategic Gaps, and Local Green Spaces; b) enhance connectivity between, and public access to, green infrastructure; c) increase the opportunities for cycling, walking and horse riding;
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d) enhance the multi-functionality of the borough’s formal and informal parks and open spaces; e) conserve or enhance the local distinctiveness and character of the landscape; f) enhance the borough’s biodiversity and where possible link habitats; g) protect existing ancient and non-ancient woodland and increase tree cover in suitable locations in the borough; h) in cases where loss of a green infrastructure asset is unavoidable, include provision of alternative green infrastructure, on site where possible, to ensure a net gain in quantity, quality or function.
Replacement Chesterfield Borough Local Plan
Policy EVR3 – Landscape Character
‘Planning permission will only be granted for development in the countryside provided that it is designed in a manner which conserves, protects, enhances or restores the local distinctiveness and character of the landscape type within which it is located…’
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3.0 Assessment Methodology and Criteria
The methodology for assessment is based on standard best practice guidance contained in Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA) 3rd Edition LI & IEMA 2013. The aim of the assessment is to establish the planning context, scope and key receptors for both the local landscape character areas and the visual baselines.
It should be noted that the guidance contained within the above is not prescriptive, allows for qualitative assessment and considerable scope is given to the individual practitioner to tailor specific assessment methodologies to the requirements of each proposed development.
3.1 Landscape
3.1.1 Landscape Baseline
The landscape baseline is informed by a desk top study of existing landscape assessments, capacity studies and field surveys. It aims to provide an understanding of the landscape in the Study Area including constituent elements, its character, the way it varies spatially, its geographic extent, its history, its condition, the way in which the landscape is experienced and the value attached to it.
Desktop Assessment
Various sources are accessed to support an initial desktop assessment of landscape character and value within the Survey Area including:
· Landscape Character Assessments (National, Regional and Local where available); · Designated landscapes such as National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; · Local Supplementary Planning Policy documents or similar which identify the priority and value of the landscape at a local scale; · Status of individual groups or features such as Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings, Historic Assets and Cultural Heritage elements; · Landscape elements of local or community interest such as local green spaces or allotments; and
· Following the identification of landscape components which define the landscape character of the Study area and outline the landscape and visual receptors the assessment is informed by the determination of the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) to indicate the potential visibility of the Proposed Development within the landscape; to inform field studies and to assist the choice of representative viewpoints.
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The ZTV has a number of limitations as the technique does not take into account existing screening which can substantially reduce visibility but is still a valuable tool in predicting potential visibility of the development.
Site Visit
The results of the initial desktop assessment and ZTV are then verified, modified or amended through site visits to establish local-scale relevance to develop a Landscape Baseline. The site visits were undertaken in February 2019 and March 2020.
Notes are taken on landscape components which contribute towards overall landscape character such as land use, topography, drainage and vegetation. The way in which the individual components interact to influence the general impression of the landscape and nature of the views is also assessed.
Photographs are taken to assist the reader in visualising the proposals and assessing the effects.
3.1.2 Assessment of Landscape Effects
Landscape effects consist of changes in the fabric, character and quality of the landscape which it is predicted would result from the construction and operation of the proposed solar park – assessing the effects on a landscape as a resource in its own right (GLVIA 2013).
The effect on landscape character areas and on the key characteristics within the areas, therefore, depends on the attributes of the receiving landscape and the characteristics of the proposed development.
Defining Landscape Receptors
Using the landscape baseline and site visit and considering the development proposals in question, the effects on the wider landscape character can be predicted and described.
As well as the overall character of the area the key characteristics and receptors of the landscape are identified as those components of the landscape that contribute to the whole which are likely to be affected by the scheme. The interactions between these receptors and the Proposed Development are then described. Changes considered include direct, indirect and cumulative effects, short-, medium- and long-term effects, temporary and permanent effects, and both positive and negative effects.
Assessing Susceptibility of the Landscape
The susceptibility or capacity of the landscape and its key characteristics to accept change, is the degree or ability with which the landscape resource can accommodate the change of the type and scale proposed, without detrimental
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effects upon its character (GLVIA 3rd edition para 5.40). It is based upon the vulnerability of the landscape to modification through the introduction of new features, or the loss of existing components. It is influenced by the condition and nature of the receiving landscape and the expectations of users of that landscape. Determining the susceptibility of a landscape receptor is a subjective process and incorporates considerations of landscape form, type, land cover, vegetation type, value, scale, access and context. The criteria used in this assessment are set out in Table 01.
Table 01: Landscape Susceptibility Categorisation Susceptibility Criteria
It is likely that the undue consequences would occur to this High landscape from the Proposed Development.
Undue consequences may occur to this landscape from the Medium Proposed Development.
It is unlikely that the undue consequences would occur to this Low landscape from the Proposed Development.
Assessing Value of the Landscape
The value of the landscape is the relative value attached to the landscape by society, which may include different viewpoints from different stakeholders (GLVIA 3rd edition p157). This is largely informed by the results of the various background data assessments and may take into account statutory and non- statutory designations as well as other sources which imply a local or regional value. The criteria used in this assessment are set out in Table 02.
Table 02: Landscape Value Categorisation Value Typical Evaluation Criteria
Internationally recognised or nationally valued landscape (National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Scenic National/International Landscapes) with a strong landscape structure and many distinct features worthy of conservation.
Landscapes designated locally or regionally (eg. Area of High Landscape Value, Regional Scenic Area etc.); or non-designated Local landscapes where there is evidence to indicate that a relatively higher value is attached.
A landscape which is appreciated by the local community but has Community little or no wider value recognition.
A despoiled or degraded landscape which shows little evidence of Limited/Negligible the attachment of value or merit by the local community.
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Assessing Sensitivity of the Landscape
To assist the judgement process of the potential effects the sensitivity range of the landscape is arrived at through a combination of the susceptibility (derived from Table 01) and value (derived from Table 02) of the landscape. The matrix used for assessing sensitivity is set out in Table 03 below.
Table 03: Landscape Sensitivity Categorisation Landscape Susceptibility High Medium Low National/International High High-Medium Medium Landscape Local High-Medium Medium Medium-Low Value Community Medium Medium-Low Low Negligible Low Low-Negligible Negligible
Assessing Likely Magnitude of Landscape Change
The magnitude of landscape change is generally considered to be the degree or scale, nature and duration of change to the landscape brought about by the scheme. This includes consideration of the size and scale of the Proposed Development, the geographical extent, and the duration and reversibility of landscape effects.
The scale of effect, small, medium and large, covers the geographical area over which effects may be felt. Duration may be permanent, long term between 10- 25 years, medium term between 2 – 10 years or short term between 0-2 years. The Proposed Development would be temporary and removed after 40 years.
Whilst the interplay of these considerations require assessment on a case-by- case basis, the outline criteria for assessing magnitude are given in Table 04.
Table 04: Magnitude of Landscape Change Magnitude Criteria Large scale with a wide extent; total loss of, or major change to, elements, Large features or characteristics of the landscape baseline. i.e. introduction of elements considered to be totally uncharacteristic when set within the attributes of the receiving landscape. On a permanent or long-term duration. Intermediate or localised extent, partial loss of or temporary change to elements, features or characteristics of the landscape. Medium i.e. introduction of elements that may be prominent but may not necessarily be considered to be substantially uncharacteristic when set within the attributes of the receiving landscape. On a long to medium term duration. Limited extent, minor loss of or temporary change to elements, features or characteristics of the landscape. Low i.e. introduction of elements that may be prominent but may not be uncharacteristic when set within the attributes of the receiving landscape. On a medium to short term duration. Very Low Very minor to negligible loss or temporary change to elements, features or
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Magnitude Criteria characteristics of the landscape. i.e. introduction of elements that are not uncharacteristic with the surrounding – approximating to the ‘no change’ situation.
Assessing Overall Landscape Effect and Significance
The overall significance of the impact to the landscape is arrived at through a combination of the sensitivity of the landscape (calculated as per Table 03) and the magnitude of the predicted effect (calculated as per Table 04). It provides an assessment of the gravity of the likely effects.
The matrix used for assessing overall significance of landscape effect is set out in Table 05 below.
Table 05: Illustrating the overall effect of significance through correlation of sensitivity and magnitude of impact. Landscape Sensitivity High/High- Medium/Medium Low/Negligible Negligible Medium -Low
Major- Large Major Moderate Slight Moderate of Moderate- Slight-
Im p a ct Medium Moderate Slight Major Negligible Slight- Low Moderate Slight Negligible Negligible
M a g ni t ude Slight-
L a ndsc a pe Very low Slight Negligible Negligible Negligible
The emphasis of the assessment is on ‘significant effects’ and the approach to the assessment must be proportional to the scale of the project that is being assessed and the nature of its likely effects. For this assessment ‘substantial effects’ resulting from the development would be those that result in a Major or a Major -Moderate effect.
A major effect would:
· Be at complete variance with the character (landform, scale and pattern);
· Permanently degrade, diminish or destroy the integrity of a valued characteristic feature, element or the setting;
· Cause a landscape with a high value or a high susceptible to change to be permanently and irreversibly changed; and
· Cause a sense of place to be lost.
A major effect is, therefore, an important consideration in the planning process.
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A major-moderate effect would:
· Be at considerable variance with the landscape character;
· Degrade or diminish the integrity of the valued characteristic features, elements or their setting;
· Cause a landscape of high value or with a high susceptibility to change to be distinctly changed; and
· Cannot fully be mitigated and may cumulatively amount to a substantial effect.
A major-moderate effect is, therefore, a material consideration in the planning process.
Key characteristics within the landscape that give the area a distinct sense of place are considered separately from the character areas to determine how each key characteristic is altered individually by the proposals. The assessment uses the same matrices above.
3.2 Visual Receptors
3.2.1 The assessment of visual effects considers the effects of change on the views experienced by people and their visual amenity, including changes to the character of views by the introduction of new elements or loss of existing elements within views.
3.2.2 Visual Baseline
The visual baseline aims to establish the area in which the Site may be visible, the different groups of people who may experience views of the Site, the places where they will be affected, and the change to the nature of the views and visual amenity at those points.
Desktop Assessment
This assessment commences with a desk-based analysis of the Study Area to identify potential locations where views of the Site are possible. This includes an analysis of landform and existing screening.
The visual envelope refers to the area of land within which there are views of any part of the Proposed Development – this is scoped using a desktop assessment to provide a Zone of Theoretical Visibility and then modified and verified in the field, taking into account the influence of any intervening screening features such as vegetation and buildings.
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Site Visit
A Site visit is undertaken to qualify and quantify views from a range of potential visual receptors including:
· People living in the Study Area; · People working in the Study Area; · People moving through the Study Area on transport links such as road and rail as well as footpaths and bridleways; · People visiting landscapes or attractions within the Study Area; and · People engaged in various types of recreational activity within the Study Area including areas of cultural importance.
Viewpoints
Viewpoints were selected on the basis that they provide potential views of the Proposed Development from a variety of directions, a range of distances and from a variety of receptor types – residential, recreational and transportation routes that are representative of the varying image of the solar farm in the landscape.
The specific viewpoints in the report, therefore, aid the assessment of the scale, duration and extent to which the Proposed Development affects the quality of the view.
Photographs were taken at a number of representative viewpoints which were identified based on the findings of the desktop study and site visit. These are either representative, illustrative or specific locations within the Study Area where views of the Proposed Development may occur.
In line with current guidance on landscape photography (Landscape Institute Advice note 01/11) photograph panoramas were taken from potential receptor locations with a Canon EOS400D camera using a 50mm equivalent focal length. The single frames were stitched together to form a panoramic view using digital software. Optical distortion and parallax error were avoided using a tripod, 3- way tripod head, 3-way levelling base and a micro positioning plate.
Photographic panoramas are subsequently presented in Appendix B of this report along with metadata regarding location, aspect and scale of effect as well as annotations to illustrate the location of the Proposed Development.
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3.2.3 Assessment of Visual Effects
Sensitivity of Visual Receptor
The sensitivity of the visual receptor to changes is a function of the occupation or activity that the people experiencing the view are engaged with, as well as the extent to which their attention may be focussed on the views.
A broad characterisation of the visual receptors more and less likely to be susceptible to change is set out in Table 06.
Table 06: Illustrating the criteria which would make a visual receptor more or less susceptible to change. Sensitivity of Criteria Visual Receptor Residential properties within 0.5km of the Site where direct views from rooms/gardens/curtilage can be gained Recreational users of public rights of way, Long Distance Footpaths and High Sensitivity National Way Footpaths within 0.5km of the Site with direct views from valued viewpoints Visitors to nationally advertised attractions tourist Sites, Heritage Monuments, and National Trust Sites that are within 0.5km of the Site with direct views and where visual amenity is very important to its enjoyment Residential properties within 0.5km of the Site with oblique or partially screened views or glimpses of the Site can be gained Residential properties between 0.5 and 2km from the Site with direct views
Public houses, restaurants etc. within 0.5km with direct views Recreational users of public rights of way, Long distance and National Way Medium footpaths between 0.5km and 2.0km of the Site with direct views Sensitivity Road users within 0.5km of the Site with direct/full views Visitors to nationally advertised attractions tourist Sites, Heritage Monuments, National Trust Sites between 0.5km and 2.5km of the Site with direct views and where visual amenity is very important to its enjoyment Educational and Recreational facilities within 0.5km of the Site with direct/full views Work and industrial Sites with limited opportunity to appreciate views of the Site Road users beyond 0.5km of the Site with limited opportunity to appreciate Low Sensitivity views Residents, Recreational users of public rights of way with limited opportunity to appreciate views. Educational and Recreational facilities, Tourist Sites and Heritage Monuments beyond 2km
This assessment also takes into account the value of the view experienced, taking into account the following considerations:
· Recognition of the value attached to particular views, for example in relation to heritage assets and/or designated landscapes; and
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· Indicators of value attached to views by visitors, for example inclusion in guidebooks or interpretative materials; or through provision of facilities for their enjoyment, for example parking bays.
Predicting and Describing Visual Effects
The predicted effect of the Proposed Development is described with regards to a range of factors (GVLIA 3rd Edition Section 6.26 – 6.28). This includes the nature of the view; the proportion of the Proposed Development visible; the distance between the receptor and the Proposed Development; whether the view is stationary or transient; and the nature of the changes.
A glint and glare assessment is a specialist area that is beyond the parameters of an LVIA.
Magnitude of Visual Impact
The magnitude of a visual effect is the degree or scale to which it changes the view, taking into account the following considerations:
· The size and scale of any change including the degree of contrast or integration of new features or changes to the landscape form; the nature of the view of the Proposed Development; · The geographical extent of any change including the angle of view in relation to the activity of the receptor; the distance of the viewpoint to the Proposed Development and the extent of the area over which the changes would be visible; and · The duration and reversibility of visual effects.
Whilst the interplay of these considerations require assessment on a case-by- case basis, the outline criteria for assessing magnitude are outlined in Table 07.
Table 07: Criteria Used to Define the Magnitude of Change Magnitude of View Criteria Impact The proposals become the dominant feature of the view Very Large Dominant to which all other elements become subordinate. Commanding, controlling the view. The proposals form a large and immediately apparent Large Prominent part of the view and change its overall character. Standing out, striking, sharp, unmistakeable, easily seen. The proposals form a recognisable element within the view and would be readily noticed by the viewer. Medium Conspicuous Noticeable, distinct, catching the eye or attention, clearly visible, well defined. The proposals constitute only a minor component of the Low Apparent wider view and might not be noticed by the casual viewer. Visible but not obvious. Only a very small part of the proposals is discernible Inconspicuous/ Negligible and/or at such distance that they are scarcely Faint appreciated, or they blend into the local landscape.
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Magnitude of View Criteria Impact Weak, not legible, near limit of acuity of human eye. None The development cannot be seen from the viewpoint.
Consideration is also given to seasonal differences in visibility where possible. Photographs were taken during the winter months when leaves were absent in order to illustrate the worst-case scenario with little or no effective screening from the trees and shrubs.
Overall Visual Effect and Significance
The overall significance of the impact to the visual receptors is arrived at through professional judgement as to the importance of the change derived from a combination of the sensitivity of the visual receptor (derived from Table 06) and the magnitude of the predicted effect (derived from Table 07). The matrix used for assessing overall significance of landscape effect is set out in Table 08 below.
Table 08: Illustrating the overall effect of significance through correlation of sensitivity and magnitude of impact. Sensitivity of Visual Receptor
High Medium Low Very
Major Major-Moderate Moderate Large of Large Major-Moderate Moderate Minor-Moderate p a ct ude
Im Medium Moderate Minor-Moderate Minor
Low Minor-Moderate Minor Slight
M a g nit Negligible Minor Negligible Negligible V is u al None None None None
For both landscape character and visual receptors effects towards the higher level of the scale (Major) are those judged to be the most important in planning terms whilst those towards the bottom of the scale are of lesser concern (GLVIA 3rd Edition para 3.35). Intermediate ratings such as minor-moderate indicate an effect that is greater than Minor but less then Moderate.
Whether the effects are adverse, neutral or beneficial is identified based on professional judgement (GLVIA 3rd Edition para 2.15). Adverse or Beneficial effects can be determined from the same rating. Major Beneficial would be as significant as Major Adverse.
3.3 Cumulative Effect
Where consented or built schemes of a similar nature occur within the Study Area a cumulative assessment is undertaken as the schemes form part of the assessment baseline.
Cumulative landscape effects include:
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· Cumulative effects on the landscape as a result of removal or addition of features in the landscape;
· Alterations to the aesthetic qualities of the landscape for example sense of enclosure pattern or perception of naturalness or tranquillity; and
· Effects on the overall character of the landscape resulting in changes to key characteristics.
The magnitude of the cumulative change is the combined influence of the schemes on the landscape character, Table 09.
Table 09: Magnitude of Cumulative Landscape Change Magnitude Criteria Large An obvious additional change to landscape character in combination with other developments. Discernible but not obvious additional change to landscape character in Medium combination with existing developments. Slight additional change to landscape character in combination with existing Low developments. Indiscernible change to landscape character in combination with existing Very Low developments.
Cumulative visual effects to views occur when the viewer can see two or more similar developments from one viewpoint and where sequential effects occur as an observer moves from one viewpoint to another to see different developments. The magnitude of the cumulative effect on views is assessed in the same scale as the landscape character effects, Table 10.
Table 10: Magnitude of Cumulative Change to Views Magnitude Criteria Large An obvious additional change to view in combination with other developments. Discernible but not obvious additional change to view in combination with Medium existing developments.
Low Slight additional change to view in combination with existing developments.
Very Low Indiscernible change to view in combination with existing developments.
The level of effect is assessed using the standard methodology above.
The cumulative assessment provides a summary of the combined effects of the schemes, Section 9.0.
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4.0 Site Description and Proposals
4.1 Site Location
Figure 01
The Site of the proposed solar farm is approximately 65 ha in size and is located within existing agricultural land to the east of Inkersall Green in Derbyshire, UK, illustrated in Figure 01. The Site is set in an urban edge landscape of low hills and ridges with shallow valleys and local variations reflecting the differing characteristics of the underlying Coal Measures geology.
4.2 Survey Site
The Proposed Development is located within a contained area east of Inkersall Green, set within an urban fringe landscape and occupying farmland situated on a knoll of land where Inkersall Farm, a Grade II listed building, and the hamlet of Inkersall are located above the Pools Brook valley. To create a buffer between the nearest settlement of Inkersall Green the PV panels would be located on the south and east facing land within the Survey Site. From all directions, given the variations within the local topography, the visibility towards and of the Survey Site would depend on the angle of the view.
The land use is currently pasture used for cattle grazing with an established field structure with mature hedgerows subdividing the land. Adjacent to the eastern and northern boundaries of the Survey Site are several woodland blocks associated with the valley of the Pools Brook and Pools Brook Country Park, including semi-natural elements as well as more recently developed broadleaf plantations.
The Pools Brook Country Park and the Pools Brook corridor define the northern and eastern boundaries of the Survey Site respectively whilst a smaller unnamed tributary brook with a narrow, wooded corridor runs east-west along the southern boundary of the Survey Site. The urban area of Inkersall Green abuts the western boundary.
Two minor roads run through the Survey Site – these are Inkersall Green Road running east-west to a junction with Inkersall Road which runs north-south linking to Staveley Road in the south. No footpaths pass directly through the site. A network of footpaths is present to the west and south of the Survey Site; a footpath on the opposite valley side to the east connects Duckmanton to the Pools Brook Country Park; and the Trans-Pennine Trail passes along a portion of the western site boundary on a disused railway line.
The Grade II listed farmhouse and associated buildings and infrastructure of Inkersall Farm lies within the centre of the Survey Site with a small number of additional residential dwellings lying immediately adjacent to the north-east. West Croft House on the southern boundary is a residential property with associated outbuildings and temporary buildings. Whilst not within the Survey
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Site itself, the Proposed Development would enclose this property on three sides.
4.3 Study Area
The Survey Site is located within an urban fringe landscape south of Staveley and east of Inkersall Green with a mosaic of land use typical of the urban fringe. The Study Area has been broadly defined by the theoretical visual envelope and the potential zone within which views of the solar farm may be experienced. In this case the local topography defines the theoretical zone and this combined with evidence on visual intrusion put forward in the LVIA reports for Arkwright Solar Farm and the Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm the Study Area has been extended to include land over 2km from the Survey Site.
The local topography is open and gently rolling/undulating and has created a large to medium scale landscape with some open, long distance views from the ridge tops of a series of ridges running broadly north - south. The escarpment on which the town of Bolsover developed is a prominent feature lies 4km to the south east.
Significant anthropogenic modifications have taken place arising from the historic use of the landscape for coal extraction including shaft and open cast mining. This has resulted directly in landscape features such as spoil heaps, as well as contributing historic infrastructure such as the now disused railway which is elevated through much of its passage alongside the Survey Site.
The local landscape reflects this evidence of past and present use with the old colliery areas improved by restoration including Pools Brook Country Park which lies immediately along the northern boundary of the Survey Site and the wooded corridor of a disused railway defines the western boundary.
Renewable power generation is already a component of the land use within the Study Area with a single turbine on the west facing slope of the Pools Brook west of Duckmanton which creates a mobile vertical structure in the landscape; alongside two existing solar arrays – the Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm to the south west and the Arkwright Solar Farm located on the west facing land above Pools Brook. Most of the Borough is undulating and any substantial solar farm within this area will include an element of rising topography.
The Arkwright Solar Farm is visible within the landscape between Duckmanton and Inkersall Green, along the ridge to Long Duckmanton and from the higher ground to the south west. Views of the Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm are more limited and localised by the topography.
A high power (400kV/275kV) National Grid pylon route runs along the western boundary of the Survey Site to the centre of the western boundary before proceeding across the landscape in an easterly direction to the north-east corner.
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There are a number of settlements within the local environs of the Survey Site. Some of these coalesce into one another at their boundaries to create contiguous belts of residential development. This is particularly true for the areas on the margins of Chesterfield which includes the settlements of Calow, Netherthorpe/Staveley/Brimington/Inkersall Green and Middlecroft which form an arc to the west and north of the Survey Site.
The western boundary of the Survey Site abuts Inkersall Green and Middlecroft, separated from the residential development by a partially elevated disused railway line and road.
Duckmanton and Long Duckmanton lie on a ridgeline approximately 1km to the east and south east respectively and dominate the valley top. Other settlements within the immediate locality of the Survey Site are more discrete and self- contained with smaller settlements such as Poolsbrook approximately over 1km to the north-east; and Arkwright Town approximately 1.5km to the south- west. Bolsover lies 4km to the south-east.
Industrial and other employment represents a significant land use in places, with large warehouse and industrial units particularly prevalent to the north- east in response to the proximity of the M1 corridor. Between the villages of Duckmanton and Poolsbrook lies the Erin Void landfill site and significant industrial development has taken place at Markham Vale. The employment and industrial units on the periphery of Staveley lie approximately 750m to 2km to the north of the Survey Site with the main town set further back.
The new Markham Vale Link Road opens out old colliery areas to development linking the towns to Junction 29a of the M1 motorway. The major trunk road of the M1 lies approximately 1.2km to the east of the Survey Site whilst more minor roads connect local settlements in closer proximity to the Survey Site.
Further development is proposed under the Staveley and Rother Valley Area Action Plan. Strategic gaps between development areas will be retained. Importantly, the Survey Site does not fall within the promoted gap areas; the nearest is the green wedge west of Inkersall Green.
With this level of urban edge development and industrialisation the area is not considered to be tranquil.
4.4 Proposals
Well-established principles of design have been incorporated into the layout taking a range of constraints into consideration to minimise effect with additional mitigation planting where appropriate.
The proposed solar farm site comprises an area of up to 65 hectares with fixed solar panels set within the existing field pattern. With the topography of the site creating a mosaic of slope angles only sections of the solar panels would be viewed from any one direction, reducing the potential visual impact.
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The Grade II listed farmhouse, Inkersall Farm, would be central in the site and, therefore, the landscape setting is given consideration, Appendix A.
Design of the Layout
Following National Guidance, the layout of the panels has been designed to be sympathetic to the local landscape retaining the existing structural landscape features such a hedgerows and tree groups and including a comprehensive landscape scheme.
Following the initial assessment, consideration has been given to the landscape setting of the Grade II listed farmhouse and the houses of the hamlet of Inkersall. Panels will be set back from boundaries of the properties and limited to the land to the east and south. An exclusion zone would also be maintained along the corridor under the pylons in line with National Grid policy and where required to protect habitats and species.
The arrays of solar panels would be mounted on pile-driven metal frames, supported by metal posts with no concrete foundations. The arrays of solar panels, set out in rows, would not exceed a maximum of approximately 2.7m in height; would be dark blue/black in colour with an aluminium (or similar) frame; and are designed to maximize sunlight absorption whilst controlling glint and glare to receptors, particularly road users. This latter requirement would be achieved by angling the panels from the horizontal, facing south whilst the manufacturer’s finish would control glint and glare.
The batteries and other associated infrastructure, such as the invertors, would be set largely within the area of the panels. Please refer to the Development Zones Plan and Indicative Site Layout Plan forming part of the planning application for more detail in terms of where specific infrastructure would be located within the Survey Site.
Security fencing to a height of approximately 2.0m and coloured to blend into the landscape would be installed along the outer edges of the solar farm in order to restrict access. This would be sited inside the outermost vegetation, ensuring that access is available for hedge trimming and maintenance. The maturing vegetation would screen the fencing in the long term. CCTV cameras would be set on the security fence.
No permanent lighting is proposed.
Project Lifecycle
The construction phase would last for a period of 16 weeks including time for ground preparation, the installation of panels and other equipment and landscaping.
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The operational stage would be for 40 years during which time there would be no planned changes to the structures. Access visits would occur for maintenance, mowing of grass and the movement of grazing animals.
Decommissioning Stage
The panels and associated structures are not permanent and would be removed after 40 years. The ground would revert back to open pasture fields and arable as required.
The temporary and reversible nature of a solar farm is an important consideration in assessing effects.
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5.0 Landscape Baseline
Landscape character areas within approximately 2km are included in this assessment. Character areas beyond that distance would experience no effects.
5.1 Existing Landscape Assessments
5.1.1 National Character Area
The Survey Site and its surroundings fall within the National Character Area (NCA) 38: Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield. The NCA is at a relatively coarse scale and is sub-divided in the Local Character Areas (LCA) which provide local detail.
This National Character Area is defined by underlying shallow Coal Measures and consists of the relatively low-lying landscape of rolling ridges with rounded sandstone escarpments and larger rivers running through broad valleys. The NCA lies to the east of the Pennine chain, bounded by the Peak District National Park and the wool and engineering towns of the Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe to the west.
5.1.2 Regional Character Area
The Survey Site lies entirely within the Settled Coalfield Farmlands Regional Character Area (RCA) under the East Midlands Regional Landscape Character Assessment (2010).
Key characteristics of this area include:
· Undulating landform of low hills and ridges, and shallow valleys with local variations reflecting the differing characteristics of the underlying Coal Measures geology; · Evidence of past and present exploitation of area with former mine sites, pit heaps, clay pits, disused railway lines, tramways, canals and opencast coal and clay working areas; · Substantial areas of intact agricultural land with mixed farming predominating, varied field sizes and hedgerows but with localised areas of small fields and dense hedgerows; · Scattered, small broad-leaved woodlands, copses and linear tree belts and some relict ancient semi-natural woodlands; more extensive woodlands and plantations associated with the restoration of former mining areas and also within The National Forest; · Heathy vegetation associated with steeper slopes and uncultivated land; · Small towns, villages, hamlets and scattered farmsteads constructed from local Coal Measures sandstone, with some villages expanded as sprawling mining settlements with red brick former mining terraces and ribbon development;
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· Network of narrow winding lanes between urban areas; and · Strong cultural identity and industrial archaeological interest associated with history of coal mining.
5.1.3 Local Landscape Character Area
Figure 01
Survey Site
The Survey Site lies within the Estate Farmlands Landscape Character Area (LCA) under the Derbyshire County Landscape Character Assessment (2014).
The Estate Farmlands landscape character type is a broad, gently undulating and industrial landscape. The soils have traditionally supported a mixed farming system but, owing to the gently rolling landform, arable farming has dominated. A distinct lack of hedgerow trees, allied to the gentle relief, has created a moderately open landscape with occasional long distance views only interrupted by landform. Being an intensively managed landscape, it has a low ecological value.
Blocks of woodland occur locally but often only contain coniferous species. Red brick former mining terraces are a distinctive attribute of many villages. Essentially rural in character, the Estate Farmlands have, in the past, been severely impacted upon by industrialisation such as open cast mining for coal, development of major transport routes and expansion of villages. Since the decline of the coal industry, the area is still under pressure from new development and this is likely to continue to impact on the rural character of the landscape.
Planting and management guidelines for this character area include the following:
· Medium to large scale woodland planting; · Re-establish and enhance physical links between existing isolated woodland and hedgerows; and · Conserve and enhance the tree groups that occur within and around rural settlements and isolated farmsteads.
Study Area
Within the wider Study Area there are also the River Meadowlands Landscape Character Area and, to the west approximately 2km away, the Coalfields Village Farmlands Landscape Character Area.
The ZTV illustrated in Figure 03 indicates that theoretically there would be limited visibility of the proposed solar farm from within the perimeters of the Coalfields Village Farmland LCA to the west of the site but there would be no
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direct effect on the Character Area. The ZTV indicates that the River Meadowlands Character Area would not be directly affected. Both adjacent Character Areas have been scoped out of further consideration.
5.2 Existing Landscape Designations
No national designations relating to landscape, such as AONB or National Park occur within 10km of the Survey Site.
5.3 Local Planning Policy
No planning policies or supplementary planning guidance which relates directly to the specific preservation or control of landscape character are identified. The site does not lie within the Chesterfield Green Belt nor within any protected Green Wedge (adopted or emerging).
5.4 Key Landscape Characteristics
Within the wider Study Area there are a range of elements such as the recreational features, the heritage assets within the settlements and the varied topography which contribute to the appreciation of the landscape at a community level. The key landscape characteristics are those features which give the landscape a sense of place.
5.4.1 Statutory Conservation Designations – for example SSSI, SPA or SAC
There are no statutorily designated sites of nature conservation importance located on, or adjacent to, the Survey Site. The only such site within the Study Area is Duckmanton Railway Cutting SSSI which lies 1km to the south. The SSSI is separated from the site by urban infrastructure; it would not be directly or indirectly affected by the proposals and, therefore, has been scoped out of further consideration.
5.4.2 Non-Statutory Conservation Designations – for example Local Wildlife Site (LWS)
There is one non-designated site of nature conservation importance by the south west Survey Site boundary: Bower Plantation Local Wildlife Site (LWS). In addition, the Ireland LWS along the Pools Brook corridor and the Pools Brook Country Park pLWS lie adjacent to the eastern and northern boundaries respectively of the Survey Site.
5.4.3 Conservation Areas
There is one Conservation Area: Staveley Town Centre which lies just over 1km from Inkersall to the north. There are no direct or indirect links to the Survey Site which is screened from the Conservation Area by urban development. As the setting of the Conservation Area would not be affected by the proposals, further consideration of the Conservation Area has been scoped out.
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5.4.4 Ancient Woodland
There is one designated Ancient Woodland within the Study Area: West Wood which lies to the west of Inkersall Green on the gently undulating ground above Trough Brook.
There are no direct or indirect links to the Survey Site. The woodland is separated from the site by the residential area of Inkersall Green; it would not be directly or indirectly affected by the proposals and, therefore, has been scoped out of further consideration.
5.4.5 Scheduled Monuments
There are no Scheduled Monuments within the Study Area.
Bolsover Castle lies 4km away from the Study Site to the south-east. Whilst this Scheduled Monument is outside of the Study Area, the top of the tower is visible in the far distance from parts of the Survey Site due to its prominent and commanding placement within the landscape and was initially included within the Landscape Baseline.
5.4.6 Listed Buildings
One listed building occurs within the Survey Site: Inkersall Farm which is Grade II Listed. Consideration of the landscape setting of this listed building is given in Appendix A.
Two further listed buildings occur within the wider Study Area: Poplar Farm House in Duckmanton and Cherry Tree House on the A632. The locations of these buildings are illustrated in Figure 02.
5.4.7 Recreational Landscapes
Pools Brook Country Park is located on the north boundary of the site and the park boundary includes the wooded river corridor of Pools Brook on the eastern boundary of the site.
5.4.8 Other Designations
No further designations of relevance to the Proposed Development were identified within the Study Area – this includes designations such as World Heritage Sites, Registered Parks and Gardens and Registered Battlefields.
5.4.9 Summary of Local Designations and Status
Table 11 provides a summary of the results of a desktop survey to identify designated sites, conservation areas, listed buildings, heritage assets and cultural heritage elements of potential relevance within the 2km Study Area.
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Table 11: Environmental, Cultural and Historical Designations relevant to the Study Area Designation Name and Relationship to Survey Site Location Statutory Conservation · Duckmanton Railway Cutting lies 1km SK 42365 70394 Designations eg. SSSI, SPA or to the south-east of the Survey Site SAC · Bower Plantation LWS offsite on the SK 42466 71886 Non-Statutory Conservation southwest corner of the Survey Site Designations eg. LWS, pLWS · Ireland LWS running along the SK 43476 72885 or SINC eastern boundary of the Survey Site · Pools Brook Country Park pLWS SK 4397 7406 · Staveley Town Centre which lies Conservation Areas approximately 2.0km to the north of SK 43501 74954 the hamlet of Inkersall · West Wood situated 1.5km west of the Ancient Woodland SK 41540 72407 Survey Site · Bolsover Castle lies approximately Scheduled Monuments SK 47023 70726 4km to the east of the Survey Site · Inkersall Farm SK 42950 72692 Listed Buildings · Poplar Farm House SK 44237 72027 · Cherry Tree Farm SK 43993 71400 · Pools Brook Country Park located Country Park adjacent to the Proposed SK 43977 74061 Development boundary World Heritage Site · None N/A Registered Parks and · None N/A Gardens Registered Battlefields · None N/A
5.5 Settlements and Transport
5.5.1 Settlements
There are a number of settlements within the immediate environs of the Survey Site. Some of these have developed without buffers and merge into one another at their boundaries to create contiguous belts of residential development. The largest nearby town is Chesterfield which is situated 4km to the west of the Survey Site with dormitory areas including Calow/Brimington/Inkersall Green/Middlecroft/Staveley which form an arc from the south west to north of the Survey Site. Duckmanton and Long Duckmanton lie on the ridgeline to the east.
Other settlements within the Study Area are more discrete and self-contained: settlements such as Poolsbrook to the north-east and Arkwright Town to the south-west whilst the town of Bolsover lies approximately 4km to the south- east.
Alongside this pattern of settlements are a number of more isolated residential dwellings and farmsteads set within the landscape.
Key consideration is given to West Croft House on the southern boundary of the Survey Site and Blue Lodge Farm on the Staveley Road to the south.
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5.5.2 Commercial/Industrial
The Study Area and wider environs have significant areas of industrial land use – these include the Industrial Estates to the south of Staveley, the Markham Vale Business Park to the east, and units adjacent to Pools Brook Country Park whose genesis is linked with the ex-colliery landscape.
Further significant development of warehouses and distribution centres occupy the land further to the east associated with the proximity to the M1 transport corridor.
5.5.3 Transport Infrastructure
Roads
The most prominent and significant transport link in the local environs is the M1 which is situated approximately 1.5km to the east of the Survey Site at its closest pass.
Other major roads include:
· The A632, which runs east - west, and passes along the southern edges of Long Duckmanton, Arkwright Town and Calow approximately 1km south of the Survey Site at its closest point; · The A6192 which passes to the east of Staveley and connects to the M1 at Junction 29a; and
· The A619 Chesterfield Road on the west side of Staveley.
The remainder of the road network within the immediate landscape is predominantly minor and local access roads which connect villages and towns.
Footpaths and Cycleways
There is a strong network of recreational access routes within the local area which have become the principle means by which the restored landscape is accessed. The most significant of these is the Trans-Pennine Trail. The Trail follows the disused railway line south from Staveley and along the western edge of the Survey Site before branching west along the edge of Inkersall Green.
The National Cycle Network No. 67 and the Cuckoo Way follow the Chesterfield Canal to the north west of the site.
Further footpaths often run along farm tracks and disused industrial features, such as the railway line, with a network of the single track footpaths which are more commonly found in older landscapes linking Long Duckmanton past Bower Plantation to the valley of Trout Brook to the west.
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5.6 Vegetation
The local landscape outside of the built environment is predominantly arable or pasture; these fields tend to be moderately sized and regular with a good prevalence of hedgerows delineating the boundaries.
Woodland blocks occur associated with the Country Park linking along the brook valley and as a strong pattern of discrete younger broadleaf plantation with individual blocks on restored colliery land creating strong localised elements in the landscape. More mature woodland is present to the south and west, such as West Wood and Bower Plantation.
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6.0 Landscape Effect
6.1 Local Landscape Character
Estate Farmlands
The Survey Site lies within the Estate Farmlands Landscape Character Area (LCA) under the Derbyshire County Landscape Character Assessment (2014).
The Estate Farmlands landscape character type is described as a broad, gently undulating rolling landform and industrial landscape. The Survey Site and the immediate area is typical of this character area with the undulating landform and tree groups around individual farmsteads. The established hedgerow pattern in the locality lack hedgerow trees and this, linked to the gentle relief, has created an open landscape with middle to long distance views only interrupted by landform.
Essentially rural in character, the Estate Farmlands have, in the past, been severely impacted upon by industrialisation such as open casting for coal, development of major transport routes and expansion of villages. Since the decline of the coal industry, the area is still under pressure from new development and this is likely to continue to impact on the rural character of the landscape.
In the wider area the perception is of an urban character with residential development on the ridges to the west north and east and industrial development to the north and east.
Planting and management guidelines for this character area include the following:
· Medium to large scale woodland planting; · Re-establish and enhance physical links between existing isolated woodland and hedgerows; and · Conserve and enhance the tree groups that occur within and around rural settlements and isolated farmsteads.
Sensitivity in terms of Susceptibility and Value
The Study Area is not subject to any National, Regional or Local designations relating to landscape; those conservation designations noted (LWS and SSSI) relate to botanical or other ecological value which would not be adversely affected by the proposals nor are reliant on the view of the landscape for their value.
The Regional and Local Character Areas both identify the degree of historic exploitation and manipulation of the landscape; for example the LCA states that the landscape was “severely impacted upon by industrialisation such as open
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casting for coal, development of major transport routes and expansion of villages”.
In this case, no landscape features would be lost within the Survey Site and elements would be added. There would be a temporary change from open fields with a new land use within the existing pattern of hedgerows.
Within the wider area the Proposed Development would be seen in the context of existing landscape features which create an urbanised landscape – the settlements and industrialisation, restored and more vegetated landscapes, and existing pylons, solar farms and wind turbine. These features reduce sensitivity to change.
Undulating topography is a defining feature of the locality and region. Combined, the historic and ongoing exploitation and anthropogenic presence which characterises the landscape would indicate a Medium Susceptibility to change.
The range of local features within the study area contribute to the value of the local landscape at Community level resulting in an overall Medium - Low Sensitivity.
Magnitude of Impact Predicted
A solar farm development should be considered in a different category to other forms of development such as residential or industrial. Generally, a solar farm has a less significant development footprint owing to the height and entails the addition of temporary structures in the landscape, usually retaining the existing field structure and through mitigation often enhancing landscape form.
A conclusion in the assessment that an effect may be substantial should not necessarily warrant a planning refusal as the level of effect needs to be qualified with respect to the scale over which it is felt and the type of the effect. An effect may be locally substantial or substantial with respect to a small number of receptors but not substantial when considered in the wider context.
In respect of a solar farm, consideration is given to any physical changes to the landscape, integration of the development into the surrounding landscape and opportunities for enhancement.
Within the limited extent of the Survey Site itself it is considered that changes to the landscape character would be of a Medium magnitude.
Within the Estate Farmlands Character Area as a whole the scale of impact would be of a localised extent and reversible nature and not result in significant change to the overall identified landscape character area The duration of the impact would be 40 years and temporary and the effects would be reversible upon removal of the array at the end of its lifespan.
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Therefore, the combination of the scale of the Proposed Development in relation to the scale of the wider landscape character; the constrained zone of influence being confined within the local area; and the long term but reversible nature of the proposal would result in a Low magnitude of effect on the landscape character area.
Degree of Effect
The overall significance of effect at the Survey Site would be Moderate.
To the wider Estate Farmland Character Area with a combined consideration of the Low to Medium sensitivity of landscape receptors along with magnitude of predicted effect identifies an impact of Slight.
6.2 Key Landscape Characteristics
6.2.1 Effects on Key Characteristics
The highest degree of effects to the Landscape are identified with many aspects of the landscape character receiving no direct impact including land pattern, landform, social features, settlements and transport infrastructure.
Setting of Inkersall Farmhouse
The historic, heritage or cultural assets adjacent to the Survey Site is restricted to a Grade II listed building, Inkersall Farm. Other assets within the 2km Study Area include Poplar Farm and Cherry Tree Farm, although these are not within the immediate vicinity of the Survey Site.
Effects to the setting of individual Grade II listed buildings is therefore restricted in this report to the environs of Inkersall Farm. The layout of the panels near the farm has been designed with appropriate standoffs to maintain the setting of the farmhouse. A more detailed assessment of the setting of the farmhouse is given in Appendix A.
The current setting of the building is a working farmyard which screens the Farmhouse from the Proposed Development to the south and east. The construction of the yard is of a typical agricultural vernacular used for storage of machinery and cattle over the winter. The impact of the Proposed Development should be viewed in this context.
It should also be noted that the Proposed Development incorporates mitigation by design, including standoffs from the asset and screen planting. Please refer to Appendix A for more detail.
Degree of Effect
As a result of the design, the scale of impact would be Low in that the panels will be set away from the farmhouse and would have limited direct impact on
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the visual setting of the farmhouse due to distance of the panels away from the farmhouse, the landform, the existing yard and the existing vegetation. The duration of the impact on the setting would be 40 years and the effects would be reversible upon removal of the array.
The receptor would be of Medium - Low sensitivity and the effects would be of a Low magnitude resulting in an overall Slight significance of effect.
Bolsover Castle
At a much greater distance, but included for its visitor attraction status, is Bolsover Castle which lies in an elevated position to the south-east of the Survey Site.
Bolsover Castle would have minor visibility of some parts of the array; however, the distance of over 4km and the setting of the Proposed Development within a much wider context of anthropogenic land use would result in an imperceptible change in the wider landscape setting; no impacts are, therefore, identified.
No impacts to other heritage, cultural or historical landscape receptors are identified.
6.2.2 Summary
The following landscape receptors have the potential to be impacted by a solar farm only through the setting or views. Consideration of views and visual amenity for residents of settlements including listed buildings; recreational users of footpaths and cycleways and travellers using local transport infrastructure are considered in their context as Visual Receptors in Sections 7.0 and 8.0 of this report.
In respect of landscape effect the significant change in planning terms will be the alteration of land use within the Survey Site from grazing pasture to include additional structures within the landscape set over grazing pasture. The remaining effects are considered not significant in planning terms.
Table 12: Summary of Landscape Effects Sensitivity Magnitude Degree of Effect Potential to Mitigate Landscape Character Areas Site: Moderate Estate Retention and enhancement Medium Beyond 2km: Low Farmlands Slight of existing landscape Low to Negligible pattern Overall: Low Coalfields None None N/A River None None N/A Meadowlands Key
Characteristics
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Sensitivity Magnitude Degree of Effect Potential to Mitigate The change in land use can be mitigated in part by maintaining all existing hedgerows and the grazing land below the panels resulting in modification Land Use Medium Low Moderate rather than conversion of the existing land use and ensuring the ability to reverse the changes following removal of the panels at the de- commissioning stage Retention of structural Landscape hedge pattern; re-enforce No Impacts Identified Pattern some links to adjacent woodland Landform No Impacts Identified N/A No additional mitigation measures are proposed or required – the beneficial impact would arise through Low Slight-Negligible Vegetation Low mitigation proposed to Beneficial Beneficial address impacts to Visual Receptors outlined in Section 8.0 of this report and illustrated in Figure 05 The potential impact on the Cultural and setting of Inkersall Farm is Heritage Medium- Low Slight mitigated for by the design Low of the panel layout and Inkersall Farm additional planting Settlement No Impacts Identified N/A Form Transport No Impacts Identified N/A Infrastructure
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7.0 Visual Assessment
7.1 Visual Impacts in the absence of Mitigation
The Visual Receptors identified through desktop inspection of the ZTV are illustrated on Figure 04a and 04b and detailed in Table 13. A qualitative assessment of their visibility of the Survey Site and the level of view is provided along with existing considerations of relevance such as context and screening. This is informed by the site visit. The Sensitivity of the receptor and the Magnitude of the Impact are then detailed to arrive at an assessment of the Degree of Effect. The Degree of Effect is assessed with regards to the current onsite conditions which are likely to accurately reflect the conditions at Year Zero of the Proposed Development before any potential mitigation measures have had an opportunity to take effect.
Views of the existing solar arrays (Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm) from the Visual Receptors are noted in Table 13 but are not used to influence the assessment of impact in that table. The cumulative assessment is considered in Section 9.
The majority of impacts arising from the Construction Phase would be short- term and would have minimal impact on Visual Receptors. The impacts of Construction Phase effects should be addressed with regards to other disciplines such as transportation, noise, air pollution and ecology considerations; however, it is considered that the assessment of the completed array in Year Zero is sufficient to cover construction-phase visual impacts.
7.2 Visual Baseline
Visual receptors are the groups of people who would experience views of the Proposed Development.
For all receptors the degree of effect depends on the landform, built form, vegetation and distance from the Proposed Development. The proposed mitigation will soften and partially screen views but the areas of rising topography, a feature of the landscape type in the area, reduces the total effectiveness of the screening.
Experience of the LVIA process, combined with surveys of the local area, indicate that the Proposed Development would be most noticeable in the first 2km from the site. The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) determined from a computer modelling exercise is illustrated on Figure 03. This refers to the areas of land within the 2km Study Area where the landform would theoretically permit views of any part of the proposed development. This is a bare earth model which takes no account of vegetation such as the woodland blocks, buildings and other screening features, such as the raised disused railway line, which would affect the actual view perceived.
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The ZTV, therefore, forms a starting point for assessing visual impacts and is used to identify or screen out visual receptors based on the site visit. The ZTV illustrated that the topography and settlement pattern have a strong influence on the visual envelope with low potential visibility to the north east and south. High visibility occurs along the Duckmanton Ridge.
Representative viewpoints are summarised in Table 13 below and given in Appendix B. The ‘With Mitigation’ column applies to the expected contribution after 15 years of the significant amount of proposed screen planting and mitigation by design set out in Figure 06 Preliminary Landscaping Plan.
Table 13: Summary of Viewpoints. Magnitude Significance of With Mitigation Location of Effect Effect Effect - Year 15 Year 1 Year 1 Viewpoint Footpath above 1 Large Moderate Reduce to Minor- Moderate Arkwright Solar Farm Footpath Medium - above reflecting 2 Minor Minor Arkwright landscape Solar Farm undulation Summer – North east Medium to corner of Moderate to Minor 3 Low Minor- Moderate Pools Brook Moderate Winter Lake Medium 4 Tom Lane Low Minor Minor Rectory Road 5 Long Medium Minor-Moderate Minor – moderate Duckmanton Footpath south of 6 Low Minor-Moderate Minor Inkersall Green Footpath east of 7 Large Major Moderate Bower Plantation Inkersall 8 Road South Medium Minor-Moderate Minor-Moderate of Inkersall Inkersall 9 Negligible Negligible Negligible Green Road Inkersall 10 Road North Large Moderate Minor -Moderate of Inkersall Inkersall 11 Road North Large Moderate Minor -Moderate of Inkersall Poolsbrook Minor -Moderate in 12 Low Minor -Moderate Country Park winter Country Park 13 Large Major Minor-Moderate boundary Inkersall 14 Medium Moderate Minor-Moderate Farm Blue Lodge 15 Medium Minor-Moderate Minor-Moderate Farm
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Magnitude Significance of With Mitigation Location of Effect Effect Effect - Year 15 Year 1 Year 1 Residents 16 Medium Minor-Moderate Minor-Moderate Duckmanton
7.3 Visual Receptor: Residential
Potential visual receptors within Inkersall and in the surrounding Zone of Theoretical Visibility are determined from Figure 03 and illustrated in Figure 04b.
Inkersall
The hamlet of Inkersall is set adjacent to the boundary of the Survey Site. Views from the properties would depend on the orientation of the windows; the relative layout of the Proposed Development within adjacent land; and the existing screening through vegetation and buildings.
Towards the west, as the layout of the Proposed Development has been designed to ensure that the landscape setting of the listed farmhouse would not be significantly altered, the views from the properties in Inkersall would also not be altered. With regard to views to the north, east and south east the layout of the panels has been designed to minimise effects to the properties on the east side of the road. To the north, the field immediately adjacent to the properties remains open. Panels are set back behind an existing hedgeline which will grow to 3.0m to aid screening, although, because of the gradual decline in height of the land towards the north, only a limited area would be in view. The land to the immediate east rises slightly before falling away towards the Pools Brook valley. A retained belt of woodland planting defines the crest and would significantly screen views to the east. Similarly, the southern area of panels would be set back one field away from Inkersall with retained hedges at 3.0m height and additional tree planting to increase screening. The landform drops away to the south resulting in the majority of the panels in this area being effectively screened.
The employment receptors within the farmyard itself would be of Low sensitivity. As a result of the design and landscaping there would be a Low magnitude of effect and a Slight overall significance of effect.
Receptors within the residential properties of Inkersall would be of High sensitivity. As a result of the design and landscaping, the effects would be of a Low magnitude resulting in an overall Minor-Moderate significance of effect.
Inkersall Green
The settlement of Inkersall Green lies west of the Proposed Development separated from the Survey Site by the elevated track of the disused railway and mature vegetation along the Trans-Pennine Way. Dwellings along the lower parts of the hillside will be effectively screened from the development by these
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established features. A view from Bamford Road at the southern end of Inkersall Green would depend on the continuity of the vegetation cover along the old railway line and the fact that the panels would be set back from the exclusion corridor under the pylons.
Some areas of the dwellings higher up are shown in the ZTV as having a potential view of the site looking east but the field study found that the orientation of buildings and screening by adjacent buildings significantly reduces the effect. Views from individual first-floor windows of discrete properties at the top of the rising land to the south-west of Inkersall Green may occur. This is likely to be idiosyncratic due to the relative presence of the property in question and the intervening properties.
Views are likely to be minor glimpses within a wider vista and over the rooftops of significant existing residential development, with the existing arrays at Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm already visible components of the visual landscape. Whilst the Proposed Development may, in some places, represent a minor additional contribution to the existing development within the view, they would not be a novel introduction.
The receptors would be of Medium sensitivity and the effects would be of a Medium – Low magnitude resulting in an overall Minor-Moderate to Minor significance of effect.
Middlecroft and Staveley
Middlecroft and Staveley are developments linked to Inkersall Green with potential low visibility from some higher points on the gently undulating ground and adjacent to the disused railway.
The receptors would be of Medium sensitivity. The ZTV and field survey indicated that the visual effects would be of a Low to None magnitude resulting in an overall Minor to None significance of effect.
Poolsbrook
Poolsbrook lies to the north-east of the Proposed Development site. It is difficult to judge whether there would be visibility from these houses as the layout of the development does not permit access to the south-western aspect closest to the Proposed Development.
It is likely that some properties would have minor views within a much wider vista from upper floor windows past intervening woodland blocks.
The receptors would be of Medium sensitivity and the effects would be of a Low to Negligible magnitude resulting in an overall Minor to Negligible significance of effect.
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Duckmanton
Duckmanton village lies on the ridge crest linked to the motorway at junction 29a. Views of the proposed solar farm would be from the western edge of the village from properties on the ridgeline. Views are likely from first floor windows and, in some instances, from the ground floor windows as well depending on the orientation and garden screening.
The contribution to the view would be within the context of the existing residential development of Inkersall Green viewed in the distance, rather than representing a novel intrusion.
The receptors would be of Medium sensitivity and the effects would be of a Medium – Low magnitude resulting in an overall Minor-Moderate to Minor significance of effect.
Long Duckmanton
The ZTV indicates that the potential views from the western side of this village would be from properties along the minor road passing through the village and properties along the A632 as it passes through the village. Views are possible as a minor component of the overall view from first floor windows and in some instances, from the ground floor windows for properties to the north and south of Cherry Tree Drive. The contribution to the view would be within the context of existing solar farms and the residential development of Inkersall Green, rather than representing a novel intrusion.
The receptors would be of Medium sensitivity and the effects would be of a Medium – Low magnitude resulting in an overall Minor-Moderate to Minor significance of effect.
Arkwright Town
An artificial bund encloses the views from Arkwright Town and there would be no effect.
Calow
The ZTV indicates that properties on the eastern edge of Calow with views towards the east would experience a low theoretical visibility.
The receptors would be of Medium sensitivity and the effects would be of a Low magnitude resulting in an overall Minor significance of effect.
West Croft House
A residential property with associated outbuildings and a number of caravan units. There would be a strong visibility of the Proposed Development to the north on the rising gently undulating ground beyond a large existing hedgerow
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which would to some extent soften and screen the view. Proximity to the Proposed Development would, however, make the development prominent from this visual receptor.
The receptors would be of High sensitivity and the effects would be of a Large magnitude resulting in an overall Major-Moderate significance of effect.
Blue Lodge Farm
A residential house and farmyard situated on Inkersall Road, south of the Proposed Development with views across the valley towards the Proposed Development.
There are likely to be oblique views from the most proximate windows or when entering/leaving the property. The buildings that are set back further from the road would experience reduced visibility from a combination of landform and the existing hedgerows which lie on the boundary of the Survey Site.
The receptors would be of High sensitivity and the effects would be of a Medium magnitude resulting in an overall Moderate significance of effect.
Summary
Properties with a significant degree of visual effect in planning terms would be the isolated property on the southern boundary of the Proposed Development: West Croft House.
7.4 Visual Receptor: Employment
There is abundant industrial and employment land use within the local environs; however, this is relatively limited within the Study Area itself. In some instances, there is overlap between employment and recreational receptors for example: the staff working at the Caravan Club site and the Pools Brook Country Park Café. In these instances, the impacts are assessed primarily with regards to the larger quotient of recreational visitors to these receptors.
Potential visual receptors for employment within the 2km Study Area include the Industrial Estate on the southern periphery of Staveley to the north of the Survey Site and the Industrial Estate adjacent to Pools Brook Country Park to the north-east of the Survey Site.
The receptors would be of Low sensitivity and the effects would be of a Low magnitude resulting in an overall Slight significance of effect.
7.5 Visual Receptor: Transport Links
Transport links refers to roads and railways. Consideration of footpaths, bridleways and cycleways is considered under Recreational Receptors below,
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given that recreation is anticipated to be the primary purpose for users rather than as a means of moving between destinations, for example commuting.
7.5.1 The key road routes include the M1; A632; and A6192 located often 1km plus away from the Survey Site and within the wider landscape the travellers along the routes would be frequently screened from the Proposed Development by topography, woodland blocks and urban development.
This is indicated by the ZTV which suggests the main potential for oblique glimpses to occur is for travellers passing west along the A632 as it goes down the ridge from Long Duckmanton. Views along the M1, A6192 and the A632 to the west are largely screened by topography and vegetation and occasional glimpses may not be noticed by the casual viewer.
7.5.2 The East Midlands mainline is screened from the Site by the Duckmanton ridge.
7.5.3 None of the local routes passing near to the Proposed Development are classified as scenic routes. Visual receptors on local roads with potential visibility within the 2km Study Area include:
· Inkersall Road which runs north-south through the Survey Site connecting Chesterfield Road to the south with Staveley to the north; · Inkersall Green Road runs east-west through the western portion of the Survey Site connecting with Inkersall Road to the east; · Tom Lane which connects Duckmanton to the east with Inkersall Road to the west; · Rectory Road which connects Duckmanton and Long Duckmanton running in a north-south direction along the ridgeline to the east of the Survey Site; and · Various residential roads associated with Inkersall Green
Inkersall Road
In sections, the road is screened by thick hedges and along several stretches these are on a bank which would increase the screening to full screening of the Proposed Development from road users. Variation in landform means that the zone of visibility would be restricted to times when users are driving immediately adjacent to the Proposed Development. Driving south on the stretch of road to the north of Inkersall, the Proposed Development would be visible to the east. Driving north or south on the road to the south of Inkersall, views over the hedgerows would be minor and sporadic, responding to the changing angle and elevation of the road relative to the proposed arrays.
The receptors would be of Medium sensitivity and the effects would be of a Medium to Low magnitude resulting in an overall Minor Moderate – Minor significance of effect.
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Inkersall Green Road
The Proposed Development would be viewed obliquely by road users on the crest in the middle distance. There is an existing low roadside hedge. The elevation of the road in comparison with the Survey Site would render the hedge of low screening potential.
The receptors would be of Low sensitivity and the effects would be of a Low – Negligible magnitude resulting in an overall Slight – Negligible significance of effect.
Tom Lane
Potential visibility along Tom Lane varies depending on existing screening by local vegetation and undulations in local landform which reduce potential visibility and limiting it to occasional glimpses.
Views of the Proposed Development would only occur when travelling in a westerly direction from Duckmanton down towards the Survey Site from the top of the hill, adjacent to the Duckmanton Hotel and would continue until the approach to the brook at the bottom of the hill when landform and vegetation would screen further views.
The Proposed Development would be an additional industrial component to the wider vista over the existing Arkwright Solar Farm against a backdrop of the urban development to the west.
The receptors would be of Medium sensitivity and the effects would be of a Low magnitude resulting in an overall Minor significance of effect.
Duckmanton Road
The views from the road between Duckmanton and Long Duckmanton on the ridge line has views across to the Proposed Development to the west. The Proposed Development would be well screened in places by an existing 2m high hawthorn hedge for much of the route or by residential properties but would be visible elsewhere. Views would be to the west which is offset from the direction of travel.
The receptors would be of Low sensitivity and the effects would be of a Low magnitude resulting in an overall Slight significance of effect.
7.6 Visual Receptor: Visitors to Landscapes or Attractions
There are no identified landscapes or attractions within the Study Area which are likely to be visited for their landscape value.
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Those visual receptors which could fall into this category, such as Pools Brook Country Park, are better described in terms of their recreational value in Section 7.6 below.
7.7 Visual Receptor: Recreational
Recreational receptors within the Study Area are primarily associated with footpaths/trails or Country Parks derived from colliery restoration. Potential visual receptors for recreation include:
· The long-distance Trans-Pennine Trail runs along a disused railway on the western boundary of the Survey Site before branching west along the southern edge of Inkersall Green. After branching west, the disused railway line continues to be a footpath trail · Various footpaths crossing the southern portion of the Survey Site, primarily in an east/west orientation; · Offsite footpaths to the east of the Survey Site; · Offsite footpaths to the west of the Survey Site; · A private fishing lake to the south of the Survey Site; · Fishing lakes to the north-east of the Survey Site associated with Pools Brook Country Park; · Caravan Club site to the north of the Survey Site; and · Pools Brook Country Park to the north of the Survey Site. The Cuckoo Way which follows the Chesterfield Canal to the north-east of the site was scoped out of the assessment as it is screened along its length by topography. The National Cycleway Route 67 – the stretch between Chesterfield and Lutterworth which passes along the Cuckoo Way and joins the main route of the Trans-Pennine Trail north of Staveley was also scoped out.
Public Rights of Way
Within 0.5 to 1km ZTV
Within this distance, the sensitivity of receptors using Public Rights of Way would be High. However, the ZTV indicates that many footpaths would be screened by intervening topography and vegetation.
The long-distance Trans-Pennine Trail runs north-south along a disused railway track which defines a short section of the western boundary of the Survey Site before branching west along the southern edge of Inkersall Green. Along the length from Staveley the track is elevated and well-screened by existing mature vegetation. Users of the Trail would not view solar panels as they travel south towards Inkersall Green Road as the panels are set on the eastern flanks of the undulating ground and would be screened by topography and the vegetation along Inkersall Road.
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Only approximately 500m of the trail south of Inkersall Green Road runs adjacent to the panels and the designed layout means that only a short section of that would be adjacent to panels. Where this occurs, the existing vegetation would partially screen panels and the screening effect would be reinforced by additional planting.
Walking west up the rising land between houses, users of the trail would not experience the solar farm. Walking east down this section, limited views of a small area of panels would be seen.
The receptors along the Trans-Pennine Trail would be of High sensitivity and the effects would be of a Low magnitude depending on angle of view and vegetation resulting in lengths of the trail experiencing an overall Minor- Moderate significance of effect.
Significant views would be experienced from open stretches along three Public Rights of Way crossing the landscape:
· PRoW 1 passing to the east of the Survey Site; · PROW 12 passing along the southern boundary of the Survey Site · PROW 15 passing down an open slope to the south-west of the Survey Site with oblique views across an open and elevated landscape – where views of the Survey Site would be seen in the middle distance.
Given the proximity to the Proposed Development the receptors would be of High sensitivity and the effects would be of a Large to Medium magnitude depending on angle of view and vegetation. This results in sections of varied lengths having open views towards the Proposed Development, resulting in lengths of these Public Rights of Way experiencing an overall Major-Moderate to Moderate significance of effect.
Over 1km
The ZTV indicates that users of footpaths PRoW 10 and PRoW 14 would experience views along open stretches looking to the north across an open landscape.
The sensitivity of footpath users at this distance is Medium. The magnitude of change would be Medium with an overall significance of effect of Minor- Moderate.
Pools Brook Country Park
Visitors to the Country Park would be screened from views towards the Site by existing mature and developing vegetation. Viewpoints 3 and 13, Appendix B, illustrate how visible the Proposed Development would be from the perimeter of the Park. Visibility would be glimpses through the hedgerow along the path running along the southern boundary and from the car park to the south-west of the site. This would be predominantly a feature in winter months only;
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however, a stronger view is notable at a location on the boundary adjacent to the Proposed Development where intervening vegetation has been cleared and a bench has been sited.
Viewpoint 12 illustrates how the screening effect develops a short way into the Park, reducing the visibility significantly. The Proposed Development would be largely screened throughout the remainder of the park with glimpses only in discrete locations facing south where landform and vegetation features align.
The sensitivity of visitors to the Park would be High at this distance. The magnitude of change would be Large to Low with an overall significance of effect without mitigation varying from Major-Moderate to Minor-Moderate.
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Table 14: List of Visual Receptors with commentary on their potential view of the Proposed Development. Where a viewpoint has been photographed this is identified as either a specific, illustrative or representative viewpoint. A specific viewpoint is one which is taken to show a key or particular view. An illustrative viewpoint is one which illustrates the effect of a view, for example a single location along a linear route which illustrates the general level of impact to that receptor. A representative viewpoint is one which is not taken from the Visual Receptor itself, but where the viewpoint represents the experience of several linked receptors.
Degree of Ref Visual Receptor Name Description of View (Baseline) Sensitivity Magnitude Effect Year 1
The trail is well-screened by existing vegetation along both sides of the track – however glimpses and occasional more significant views of the Proposed Development would be possible throughout, especially during the winter Trans-Pennine Trail months. Users would be transient as they walk along the route, resulting in a running north/south visual effect which is composed of cumulative glimpses rather than a constant Minor- 1 along the disused presence. Views would be to the east which is offset from the north/south High Low Moderate railway direction of travel. RRE 03 The landform means that the Proposed Development on land to the east of Inkersall Road would be screened from view; the impact would, therefore, be restricted to the sections of the Survey Site to the immediate east of the Visual Receptor. Trans-Pennine Trail The Proposed Development would largely be screened by landform form, running east/west vegetation and existing residential area. Any glimpse would be a minor 2 along southern margin component of the view on the descent from west to east only making the High Negligible Minor of Inkersall Green Proposed Development a minor component of a wider anthropogenically- RRE 03 influenced landscape. Minor footpath PROW The Proposed Development would form a minor component of the view when 30 running along field looking to the east; however, this would be in the context of extensive Minor- 3 boundaries approx. residential mass of Inkersall Green and the existing Arkwright and Cherry Tree Medium Low Moderate 1km west of the Survey Farm solar arrays making the Proposed Development a minor component of a Site wider anthropogenically-influenced landscape. Offsite footpath Through Bower Plantation and moving east the site is screened by vegetation. PROW12, 13 running The visual awareness of the Proposed Development would increase moving Major - from Bower Plantation east and would be dominant in the view of the rising slope on the opposite side Large – Moderate 4 in the west and passing High of the valley. Medium to east on higher ground Existing arrays at Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm are strong components of Moderate with views of the site to the visual landscape at present. the north
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Degree of Ref Visual Receptor Name Description of View (Baseline) Sensitivity Magnitude Effect Year 1 The trail is well screened by existing vegetation along both sides of the track – Disused railway glimpses of the Proposed Development would be possible throughout, corridor running along especially during the winter months. In places where there are more Minor- the western boundary prominent gaps in the vegetation, or where the landform rises to elevate the Medium to 5 High Moderate to of the Survey Site – the viewpoint, views of the Proposed Development in immediately adjacent fields Low Minor section not designated would be temporarily stronger. Views would be to the east which is offset from Trans-Pennine Trail the north/south direction of travel. Existing arrays at Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm are minor components of the visual landscape at present. There is strong vegetation screening views at the Duckmanton end of this trail; however, views open up through the central section. The trail runs Footpath running in a immediately adjacent to the Arkwright Solar Array along the more eastern north-westerly part; this existing array is a dominant visual presence in this location. direction from Descending west towards Pools Brook the views of the Proposed Development High to Medium to Moderate 6 Duckmanton to the would be stronger initially, before being screened by the vegetation along the Medium Low to Minor Pools Brook Country brook corridor. On leaving Pools Brook Country Park heading south at the Park northern tip of the footpath, the Proposed Development lying to the immediate west of the brook will be a strong visual component initially before diminishing due to landform and screening. Visibility will be glimpses through the hedgerow along the path running along the southern boundary and from the car park to the south-west of the site. This will be predominantly a feature in winter months only; however, a Major- Pools Brook Country stronger view is notable at a location where intervening vegetation has been Large to Moderate 7 Park High cleared and a bench has been sited. Low to Minor- RRE 15 The Proposed Development would be largely screened throughout the Moderate remainder of the park with glimpses only in discrete locations facing south where landform and vegetation features align. Pools Brook Caravan 8 Club Site Screened by landform and strong vegetation – no views. Medium None None RRE 14
The lake to the east of Pools Brook Country Park, used for angling and walking Pools Brook Lake with a café and parking area, would experience views of the solar farm on the Minor- 9 High Medium RRE 11 opposite side of the valley particularly in winter. Insignificant glimpses would Moderate be possible from the northern tip when leaving the carpark; however, these would be directly through an existing pylon structure.
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Degree of Ref Visual Receptor Name Description of View (Baseline) Sensitivity Magnitude Effect Year 1 In sections the road is screened by thick hedges and in many places, these are on a bank which would result in full screening of the Proposed Development from road users. Variation in landform means that the zone of visibility would be restricted to times when users are driving immediately adjacent to the Proposed Development. Minor Driving south on the stretch of road to the north of Inkersall Farm, the Medium - 10 Inkersall Road Medium Moderate - Proposed Development would be visible to the east. Low Minor Driving north or south on the road to the south of Inkersall Farm, views over the hedgerows would be minor and sporadic, responding to the changing angle and elevation of the road relative to the proposed arrays. Existing arrays at Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm are minor components of the visual landscape at present. The Proposed Development would be viewed obliquely by road users on the crest in the middle distance. There is an existing low roadside hedge. The 11 Inkersall Green Road Medium Negligible Negligible elevation of the road in comparison with the Survey Site would render the hedge of low screening potential. Views of the Proposed Development would only occur when travelling in a westerly direction from Duckmanton down towards the Survey Site. These would be present from the top of the hill, adjacent to the Duckmanton Hotel 12 Tom Lane and would continue until the approach to the brook at the bottom of the hill Medium Low Minor when landform and vegetation would screen further views. The Proposed Development would be an additional industrial component to the wider vista over the existing Arkwright Solar Farm. Bamford Road, Only minor glimpses through gaps in the vegetation associated with the 13 Inkersall Green disused railway at the base of the hill to the east. Higher up, visibility is largely Medium Negligible Negligible RRE 4 screened by landform. Existing vegetation and landform would screen the Proposed Development from the road to the west of the Arkwright Arms public house. Similarly, there would be no views to the east of the ridge in Long Duckmanton, after the North of Chesterfield junction with Rectory Road. 14 Road Medium Negligible Negligible The only visibility from this road would be glimpses to the north, through RRE 23-25 existing vegetation and development, for road users travelling from east to west down the road between the Rectory Road junction and the Arkwright Arms at the bottom of the hill. 15 Rectory Road, This road runs along a ridgeline between Duckmanton and Long Duckmanton Low Low Slight
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Degree of Ref Visual Receptor Name Description of View (Baseline) Sensitivity Magnitude Effect Year 1 Duckmanton and has views across to the Proposed Development to the west. RRE 20 The Proposed Development would be well screened in places by an existing 2m high hawthorn hedge for much of the route or by residential properties but would be visible elsewhere. Views would be to the west which is offset from the direction of travel. Cherry Tree Drive A residential drive to the west of Rectory Road – visibility along this road is 16 Long Duckmanton screened by the residential properties whose views are given separate Medium None None RRE 21 consideration under Visual Receptor 17. These properties are aligned east-west in a relatively new with relatively little mature vegetation approximately 1km away from the Proposed Development. The Proposed Development would represent a constituent of the oblique Residential Properties views from ground and upper floor vantage points on those properties at the off Cherry Tree Drive, western end of the road. Views are possible as a minor component of the Minor- Minor- 17 Medium Duckmanton overall view from first floor windows and in some instances, from the ground Moderate Moderate RRE 21 floor windows for properties to the north and south of the Drive. The contribution to the view would be within the context of existing solar farms and the residential development of Inkersall Green, rather than representing a novel intrusion. Residential Properties No ground floor views from bungalows. View screened and softened by off Calver Crescent, existing vegetation present along the disused railway line. Low potential for 18 High Negligible Minor Inkersall Green minor views from first-floor windows of individual two storey properties RRE 07 along this road. Possible views from individual first-floor windows of discrete properties at the top of the rising land to the south-west of Inkersall Green. This is likely to be idiosyncratic due to the relative presence of the property in question and the Residential Properties intervening properties. to the south-west of Views are likely to be minor glimpses within a wider vista and over the 19 Medium Negligible Negligible Inkersall Green rooftops of significant existing residential development with the existing RRE 13 arrays at Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm are already visible components of the visual landscape. Whilst the Proposed Development may in some places represent a minor additional contribution to the existing development within the view, they would not be a novel introduction. Residential Properties Low potential for minor oblique views from first-floor windows of individual 20 off Avondale Road and properties along this road – this would be screened and softened by existing High Negligible Minor Welbeck Close, vegetation present along the disused railway line. No ground-floor views are
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Degree of Ref Visual Receptor Name Description of View (Baseline) Sensitivity Magnitude Effect Year 1 Inkersall Green identified. RRE 05 Residential Properties Views would be restricted to minor glimpses through gaps in the vegetation on the south-east which bounds the disused railway corridor to the east. This would be 21 corner of Bamford High Negligible Minor primarily from the front gardens or the pavement; unlikely to be any Road, Inkersall Green significant views from the windows of the properties. RRE 04 A residential property with associated outbuildings and a number of caravan units. Strong visibility of the Proposed Development to the north on the rising gently West Croft House Major- 22 undulating ground is likely beyond a large existing hedgerow which would to High Large RRE 18 Moderate some extent soften and screen the view. Proximity to the Proposed Development would, however, make the development prominent from this visual receptor. Farmhouse with associated farmyard buildings which is owned by the applicant. Views from the property itself would be minimal due to the orientation of the windows; the relative layout of the Proposed Development within adjacent land; and the existing screening through vegetation and buildings. However, the Proposed Development would be variously visible from locations around the yard and buildings where intervening screening and Inkersall Farm landform permits. 23 Low Medium Minor RRE 17 The land to the immediate east rises before falling away beyond Inkersall Road which would largely restrict views of the Proposed Development to the east. Similarly, the southern-most extent of the Proposed Development would likely be screened by the landform. The layout of the proposed solar farm has been designed to ensure that the landscape setting of the listed farmhouse would not be significantly altered, Appendix A. A group of residential dwellings to the immediate east of Inkersall Farm would have views of the part of the Proposed Development which is proposed to the Residential Properties eastern side of Inkersall Road. The panels would be set downslope from the adjacent to Inkersall Minor- 24 properties and the dwellings are screened by trees and other vegetation which High Low Farm Moderate would soften and screen views during the summer. Visibility of the tops of the RRE 16 panels through the branches is more likely in the winter.
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Degree of Ref Visual Receptor Name Description of View (Baseline) Sensitivity Magnitude Effect Year 1 A residential house and farmyard situated on Inkersall Road, south of the Proposed Development with views across the valley towards the Proposed
Development. Blue Lodge Farm 25 There are likely to be oblique views from the most proximate windows or RRE 19 Minor- when entering/leaving the property. Buildings set back further from the road Medium Medium Moderate would experience reduced visibility. This is a combination of landform and the existing hedgerow which lies on the boundary of the Survey Site. It is difficult to judge whether there would be visibility from these houses as Residential Properties the layout of the development does not permit access to the south-western 26 in Poolsbrook aspect closest to the Proposed Development. Low Low Slight RRE 12 It is likely that some properties would have minor views within a much wider vista from upper floor windows past intervening woodland blocks. These properties are on a ridgeline on the opposite valley slope above the Residential Properties Survey Site. Views are likely from first floor windows and in some instances, along Rectory Road, from the ground floor windows as well. Minor- 27 Medium Medium Duckmanton The contribution to the view would be within the context of existing Moderate RRE 20 residential development of Inkersall Green, rather than representing a novel intrusion. A Grade II listed property set on the slope which rises up to the east of the Survey Site – views across the landscape to the Proposed Development are Cherry Tree Farm 28 likely from upper floor windows only; however, this would be a minor Low Negligible Minor RRE 22 component of the views with significant screening and softening from intervening vegetation. Possible views from individual first-floor windows of discrete properties at the top of the rising land to the north-west of Inkersall Green. This is likely to be idiosyncratic due to the relative presence of the property and the intervening Residential Properties properties. to the north-west of Views are likely to be minor glimpses within a wider vista and over the 29 Low Negligible Negligible Inkersall Green rooftops of significant existing residential development with the existing RRE 06 arrays at Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm are already visible components of the visual landscape. The Proposed Development may in some places represent an additional contribution to the existing development within the view, they would not be a novel introduction. Residential Properties The properties are set on the slope which rises up to the east of the Survey Site 30 Medium None None to the north of – however views would be screened by landform and the significant
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Degree of Ref Visual Receptor Name Description of View (Baseline) Sensitivity Magnitude Effect Year 1 Chesterfield Road. intervening vegetation. RRE 23, 24 The current setting of the private fishing lake is dominated by Cherry Tree Private Fishing Lake Farm Solar Farm which surrounds it to the north and east. 31 Low Negligible Negligible RRE 02 The Proposed Development is screened from the fishing lake to an extent by landform and by vegetation. Residential Properties to the north of The landform and intervening residential development and vegetation would 32 Medium None None Chesterfield Road. screen views to these Visual Receptors. RRE 22,25 There are possible glimpses to the Proposed Development from first floor Arkwright Arms Public windows; however, the landform and the existing intervening vegetation 33 House Low Negligible Negligible (especially associated with the brook corridor) would screen the views for RRE 26 customers visiting the pub. Residential Property The landform and intervening residential development and vegetation would 34 Staveley Road Medium None None screen views to this Visual Receptor. RRE 27, 28 Industrial Estate adjacent to Pools Brook 35 Completely screened by existing vegetation and landform Low None None Country Park RRE 10 Industrial Estate to the 36 south of Staveley Town Completely screened by existing vegetation and landform Low None None RRE 09 Completely screened by existing vegetation and landform – only potential for Staveley Town 37 minor discrete views at locations where the idiosyncrasies of elevation and Low None None RRE 08 vantage point may provide a very distant and insignificant glimpse. Arkwright Town A vegetated bund encloses Arkwright Town on its northern, eastern and 38 Low None None RRE01 western boundaries, screening views of the Proposed Development.
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8.0 Mitigation Measures and Residual Degree of Effect
8.1 Mitigation Proposals
Figure 06
National guidance on mitigation by good design has been adopted in determining the panel layout in the proposals. Planting and management guidelines for the Estate Farmlands Character Area have been addressed in the landscape plan including the retention of existing hedgerow patterns with additional new hedge lines where appropriate; and the enhancement of the physical links between existing woodland blocks for example at Pools Brook Country Park. The tree groups that occur within and around the settlement of Inkersall have been retained and enhanced.
To maintain the landscape setting of Inkersall Farm, the Grade II listed building, no panels will be set on the north-west slope closest to Inkersall Green nor in the fields immediately west of Inkersall Farmhouse.
To reduce the potential visual effects of blocks of panels on the gently undulating ground the existing hedge lines would be retained and allowed to grow to 3.0m in height, effectively screening the Proposed Development from the road and breaking up the visual impression of panel blocks when viewed from wider viewpoints across the valley. Any gaps within existing hedge lines would be infilled to maintain visual continuity and the boundary hedge along Inkersall Green Road would be thickened.
Additional new hedge planting would be set along the open panel edge on the crest of the hill south of and parallel to Inkersall Green Road; around the boundary with West Croft House; by the properties on the east side of the road at Inkersall and along the open edge by Pools Brook Country Park. Trees would be included along northern boundaries.
All planting would be native indigenous species common within the local area such as hedge species - hawthorn, blackthorn, dogwood, hazel, field maple and dog rose; and tree species including whitebeam, field maple, rowan and goat willow.
Expanses of the layout would be on rising gently undulating ground and it would not be possible to completely screen the Proposed Development. However, the existing landscape structure would be maintained and enhanced which would soften the visual effect particularly from a distance.
8.2 Residual Effects
Following the description of sensitivity, magnitude and degree of effect provided in Table 14, consideration is given to potential mitigation options to reduce or avoid the impacts.
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The original assessment value is provided for each Visual Receptor, along with a brief summary of potential mitigation options which could be used.
In instances where no impact is identified, no mitigation measure(s) is proposed. Similarly, where the relationship between the Visual Receptor and the Proposed Development is such that any scope for mitigation is outside the land ownership of the Applicant, no mitigation measure is proposed.
For the purposes of this assessment, the residual impact of the potential mitigation measures is assessed in terms of their predicted development after five years of operation. The residual degree of effect is highlighted in bold where it would change from the Year Zero status as a result of proposed mitigation; where no change from the Year Zero is identified as no appropriate mitigation measures are available, then the residual degree of effect is not shown in bold.
Table 15: List of Visual Receptors with potential mitigation measures and the residual impact assessment following five years’ operation. Note that the sensitivity of the receptor will not vary from that stated in Table 14 and is therefore not repeated in this table. Degree of Potential Visual Residual Residual Ref Effect Mitigation Receptor Name Magnitude Degree of Effect Year 1 Options
Additional planting and/or Trans-Pennine gapping up of Trail running hedgerow 1 north/south Minor-Moderate Negligible Minor between track along the and Survey Site disused railway to reduce residual views Trans-Pennine Trail running 2 Minor None Negligible Negligible east/west along Inkersall Green Footpath Additional running planting and/or 3 east/west to the Minor gapping up of Negligible Negligible west of the hedgerow on Survey Site site boundary Footpath Gap up existing running from hedges and Bower allow them to Plantation Major- grow up. 4 passing east Moderate to Medium Moderate Proposed site on parallel to Moderate rising ground southern which cannot be boundary of fully screened Survey Site Disused railway Additional corridor planting and/or running along gapping up of Minor-Moderate Slight to 5 the western hedgerow Low to Minor Negligible boundary of the between track Survey Site – the and Survey Site section not to reduce
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Degree of Potential Visual Residual Residual Ref Effect Mitigation Receptor Name Magnitude Degree of Effect Year 1 Options designated residual views Trans-Pennine Trail Footpath running in a Existing scrub north-westerly and woodland 6 direction from Minor-Moderate allowed to Low Minor Duckmanton to thicken and the Pools Brook grow up Country Park Additional planting of hedge and trees Pools Brook Major -Minor- 7 between country Low Minor Country Park Moderate park and Survey Site to reduce residual views Pools Brook 8 Caravan Club None N/A None None Site Pools Brook 9 Minor None Negligible Negligible Lake Gap up existing hedges in some Minor-Moderate 10 Inkersall Road locations and Low Minor to Minor allow them to grow up Additional planting and/or growing up of Inkersall Green hedgerow 11 Minor-Moderate Low Minor Road between the road and Survey Site to reduce residual views
12 Tom Lane Minor None / Minor
Bamford Road, 13 Negligible None / Negligible Inkersall Green Chesterfield 14 Negligible None / Negligible Road 15 Rectory Road Minor None / Minor Cherry Tree 16 None None / None Drive Residential Properties off 17 Minor None / Minor Calver Crescent, Inkersall Green Residential Properties to 18 the south-west Negligible None / Negligible of Inkersall Green 19 Residential Minor None / Minor
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Degree of Potential Visual Residual Residual Ref Effect Mitigation Receptor Name Magnitude Degree of Effect Year 1 Options Properties off Avondale Road and Welbeck Close, Inkersall Green Residential Properties on 20 the south-east Minor None / Minor corner of Bamford Road Additional planting and/or growing up of hedgerow West Croft Major- between the 21 Medium Moderate House Moderate property and Survey Site to reduce but nor obliterate residual views Additional hedge 22 Inkersall Farm Minor Low Slight planting Additional planting and/or Residential growing up of Properties Minor - 23 hedgerow Low Minor-Moderate adjacent to Moderate between the Inkersall Farm property and Survey Site Additional planting and/or growing up of hedgerow Blue Lodge 24 Minor-Moderate between the Low Minor-Moderate Farm property and Survey Site to reduce residual views Residential Boundary 25 Properties in Slight planting allowed / Slight Poolsbrook to develop Residential Properties along 26 Minor-Moderate None / Minor-Moderate Rectory Road, Duckmanton Residential Properties off 27 Cherry Tree Minor None / Minor Drive, Duckmanton Cherry Tree 28 Minor None / Minor Farm Residential 29 Properties to Negligible None / Negligible the north-west
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Degree of Potential Visual Residual Residual Ref Effect Mitigation Receptor Name Magnitude Degree of Effect Year 1 Options of Inkersall Green Residential Property(s) to 30 the south of None N/A / None Chesterfield Road Private Fishing 31 Negligible N/A / Negligible Lake Residential Property(s) to 32 the north of None N/A / None Chesterfield Road Arkwright Arms 33 Negligible None / Negligible Public House Residential Property(s) around the 34 None N/A / None Chesterfield Road/Inkersall Road junction Residential Property(s) around the 35 None N/A / None Chesterfield Road/Inkersall Road junction Industrial Estate adjacent to 36 None N/A / None Pools Brook Country Park Industrial Estate 37 to the south of None N/A / None Staveley Town 38 Staveley Town None N/A / None 39 Arkwright Town None N/A / None
Summary of Residual Visual Effects
Residual effects that are considered significant in planning terms would be experienced by residents in West Croft House; and users of the Public Rights of Way on elevated ground to the south looking across to the site.
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9.0 Cumulative Assessment
9.1 Introduction
Cumulative landscape and visual effects result from additional changes to the landscape or visual amenity caused by the Proposed Development in conjunction with other developments associated with it or separate to it or actions that occurred in the past, present or are likely to occur in the foreseeable future, (GLVIA 2013).
Cumulative landscape effects are effects that can impact on either the physical fabric or character of the landscape or any special values attached to it, (SNH 2012).
Cumulative visual effects are effects that can be caused by combined visibility which occurs where the observer is able to see two or more developments from one viewpoint and/or sequential effects which occur when the observer moves to another viewpoint and sees different developments, (SNH 2012).
9.2 Baseline
The Study Area for the cumulative assessment corresponds to the previous Zone of Theoretical Visibility.
Two solar arrays are already present within the Study Area – the Arkwright Solar Farm on the west facing gently undulating ground of Pools Brook valley to the east of the Survey Site and the Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm to the south within 1km but largely screened by the topography. The Proposed Development would be separated from the Arkwright Solar Farm at the boundaries by existing vegetation along the Pools Brook corridor but would link visually across the Pools Brook valley to form a visually contiguous coverage in the local landscape. The retention of the existing hedge line pattern would soften the visual effect on the south and east facing gently undulating ground.
There is also a single turbine situated close to the Arkwright Solar Farm which, whilst of a different style and structure, contributes a vertical, mobile structure in the landscape and contributes to the effect of renewable energy land use within the Study Area.
9.3 Future Baseline
No additional proposals are known at present which would modify the future baseline.
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9.4 Cumulative Impacts on Landscape Character
Estate Farmlands
Figure 07
The assessment of cumulative impacts to Landscape Character identified potential impacts within the wider character area; changes to Land Use and the landscape setting of the Grade II listed Inkersall Farm property. Consideration of cumulative effects is, therefore, restricted to two facets:
· The Proposed Development would increase the existing coverage of solar panels within the Estates Farmland landscape character area in terms of a cumulative shift in land use from agriculture and pasture into renewable energy generation; and
· The existing Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farms do not currently affect the setting of the Grade II listed Inkersall Farm and would not therefore have a cumulative effect on the setting of this property when considered alongside the Proposed Development
The Estate Farmlands Character Area occupies the majority of the Study Area. Within this area, the original character has been significantly altered by the extensive urban development, restoration following coal mining activity creating new landforms and modern industrial development. In terms of similar development, the existing Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm solar farms have resulted in additional temporary elements appearing in the landscape. Both the LVIAs from the two sites estimated the potential effects on a landscape scale as being minor-negligible of a local extent and a long term but temporary duration.
Within the Estate Farmlands Character Area an additional solar farm would result in an addition to the landscape which would not be out of keeping within the receiving landscape as a whole. The scale of impact of an additional solar farm set in this already developed landscape would be of a localised extent and of a reversible nature and would not result in significant change to the overall identified landscape character area. The duration of the impact would be 40 years and temporary and the effects would be reversible upon removal of the array at the end of its lifespan.
Six panoramas from the selected viewpoints illustrate the potential cumulative effect on landscape character and demonstrate that within the landscape there are few areas where the three developments would be seen to change that character in the same vista, Table 16.
The magnitude of the cumulative change of the Proposed Development on the Estate Farmlands Character Area on a landscape scale would be Medium to Low – a discernible but not obvious additional change to the landscape
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character in combination with existing developments to a slight additional change to the landscape character in combination with existing developments.
Table 16: Summary of Cumulative Effect on Landscape Character. Cumulative Cumulative With Mitigation Significance of Location Magnitude of Effect Cumulative Effect Effect Year 1 – Year 15 Year 1 Landscape Vista Photograph The panels of Arkwright and the Proposed Existing hedgerows Development would would grow to three Looking west extend over the gently metres screening a 1 within 500m undulating ground in the Minor significant extent of of Site middle distance against the Proposed the backcloth of urban Development development Medium Looking Minor increase in north west appearance of panels in 4 Minor Minor within 500m the landscape of Site Low Cherry Tree Farm and Looking wind turbine visible in north-west middle distance. 5 Minor Minor – slight 1km from Additional panels would Site not be significant Medium Arkwright and the Proposed Development Looking east would appear to 6 400m from Slight Slight coalesce in the Site landscape Low The growth of hedges within the The Proposed Proposed Development would be Development site conspicuous in the view would reduce the Looking with sections of appearance of the 7 Minor north Arkwright Solar Farm Proposed seen on the hillsides in Development in the the further distance landscape and Medium reduce the cumulative effect Minor- Slight The Proposed Development would be Additional growth seen in the foreground on hedges would with sections of screen both 8 Looking east Arkwright Solar Farm Minor developments from seen on the higher view gently undulating Slight ground above Medium
The three developments occupy a minor part of the landscape character area. The landform is such that additional panels on the gently undulating ground would not have a significant effect on the landscape character. To the wider Estate Farmland Character Area with a combined consideration of the Low
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sensitivity of landscape receptors along with magnitude of predicted effect of Medium to Low identifies an impact of Minor to Slight to the character area.
All effects on the landscape character would be reduced in the longer term by the mitigation proposals.
9.5 Cumulative Impacts on Visual Receptors
The existing arrays at Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm are minor components of the visual landscape at present. Combined views occur where an observer would see two or more solar farms at the same time; or sequentially in succession as the observer is moving through the landscape. For the majority of Visual Receptors there would be a minimal degree of combined or cumulative impact arising from consideration of the existing solar arrays, Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm, alongside the Proposed Development.
Views of the three schemes would be restricted over long distances by the undulating landform and the existing mature vegetation. The cumulative ZTV, Figure 07, indicates that within the Survey, it is the east facing fields in the east side of Inkersall Road which will be mainly viewed from the east in combination with the Arkwright Solar Farm and from the south-west with the Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm.
Residential
Within the ZTV few views from residential areas would include all three solar farms. The Arkwright Solar Farm and the Proposed Development would be visible within the landscape when viewed west from Long Duckmanton and Duckmanton; from the east from Inkersall Green towards the Duckmanton ridge; and the individual properties at Inkersall and Blue Lodge Farm.
Views of the Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm and the Proposed Development are limited, generally due to the screening effect of the landform, built form and vegetation and would only be seen from occasional residential properties on the edge of Long Duckmanton and West Croft House.
There would be visibility of parts of all three schemes from long distance views from the edges of Brimington and Calow.
Where visible, the Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm forms a minor element in the view and the combined visual effect, where seen, would be Slight.
Where visible, for example from Inkersall Green, the Arkwright Solar Farm forms a minor element in the view and the combined visual effect, where seen, would be Slight.
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Transport
The views of the three solar farms may occur along the A632 but limited to localised glimpses owing to the existing screening vegetation and the local undulations of the topography. Where viewed, the combined magnitude of effect of the three solar farms on road users with a Low sensitivity would be Medium with a Minor to Slight overall significance of effect.
Users of local roads within the ZTV include the Staveley/Inkersall Road passing south/north; Inkersall Green Road and the roads along the ridge by Duckmanton and Long Duckmanton.
Inkersall Green Road would not experience a cumulative effect as the two existing solar farms cannot be seen from this road.
Users of the Inkersall/Staveley Road would view Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm, Arkwright Solar Farm and the Proposed Development on the approach from the south going north towards Staveley for short stretches. The road users with a Medium sensitivity would experience a Medium magnitude of effect with a Minor-Moderate overall significance of effect.
Travellers along the minor roads through Long Duckmanton and Duckmanton would experience views of all three solar farms when looking both directly ahead as from Tom Lane or at oblique angles through the villages. Again, the views would depend on existing screening and undulations.
The road users with a Medium to Low sensitivity depending on distance from the sites would experience a Medium magnitude of effect with a Minor- Moderate to Minor overall significance of effect.
Public Rights of Way
Sequential views that could include either two of, or all three, solar farms would occur for walkers along six of the footpaths within the ZTV.
Trans-Pennine Trail – The Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm would not be visible from the section of the Trail by the Survey Site. Glimpses of the Arkwright Solar Farm may occur to the south east through existing vegetation particularly in winter from the northern ends of the Trans-Pennine Trail but combined views with the Inkersall Road proposal would not occur until viewed from the section where the Proposed Development is adjacent to the Trail. Views to the east would include the Proposed Development and the panels of the Arkwright Solar Farm on the ridge by Duckmanton.
For the majority of the Trail users would experience no cumulative effect. Over a short stretch of approximately 250m where cumulative views occur users with a High sensitivity would experience a Medium magnitude of effect with a Moderate overall significance of effect.
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PRoW 1: Combined views of Arkwright Solar Farm, the Proposed Development and a corner of the Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm in the further distance to the south west would occur at the southern end of the Public Right of Way. At this point the edge of the Arkwright Solar Farm is dominant in the immediate landscape and the addition of the panels of the Proposed Development would be in the middle-distance set against the urban backcloth of Inkersall Green. Further along the PRoW the views are screened by the landform and vegetation and cumulative views do not occur.
Footpath users with a High sensitivity would experience combined views over a short stretch of the path with a Medium magnitude of effect with a Moderate overall significance of effect.
Footpaths to the south and west including PRoW 12, PRoW 10, PRoW 14, PRoW 15 and PRoW 30 would experience occasional views of all three solar farms in the middle distance.
Depending on distance and angle of view users with a High to Medium sensitivity would experience a Medium to Low magnitude of effect with a Moderate to Minor overall significance of effect.
Pools Brook Country Park
Visitors to the Country Park are unlikely to experience cumulative views of the solar farms owing to the existing woodland blocks and the topography.
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10.0 Conclusion
Landscape effects identified as a result of the Proposed Development would include a change of land use from arable/agricultural to renewable energy generation. In the context of the significantly modified landscape – including such industrial elements as disused colliery spoil heaps, major trunk roads, extensive industrial and residential development and existing power infrastructure – the impact on the Landscape Character of the Estate Farmlands is considered to be Moderate at the localised Proposed Development Site. To the wider Estate Farmland Character Area with a combined consideration of the sensitivity of landscape receptors along with magnitude of predicted effect the Proposed Development would result in an overall significance of a Slight effect on the Landscape Character of the Estate Farmlands which is not significant in planning terms.
With regards to key characteristics within the landscape character area the only significant effect would be to land use where panels are added.
By planning the design of the Proposed Development, the effect on the setting of Inkersall Farm, a Grade II listed property, would not be significant in planning terms. The remaining aspects of the landscape character would receive no direct impact.
A range of potential visual receptors are identified within and around the Survey Site. These include residential properties; roads; Public Rights of Way; and recreational sites such as Pools Brook Country Park and a private fishing lake.
Within the ZTV, the majority of potential visual receptors would experience negligible or no impacts, with a number of potential receptors identified by the desktop study being scoped out following the site visit. Where higher degrees of effect were noted, mitigation measures are proposed in order to address these.
The majority of residential properties along urban edges in the surrounding settlements would not experience significant effects. Only one property with a significant degree of visual effect at Year 1, Major - Moderate, would be the isolated property of West Croft House which lies adjacent to the Proposed Development. Visually separated by the retained hedge lines, sections of the layout would be viewed on the land to the north and east of the property and it would not be possible to completely screen the Proposed Development from this property. However, by maintaining and enhancing the existing landscape structure the visual effect particularly from a distance would be softened. By year 15 the effect would be reduced to Moderate.
Users of three Public Rights of Way: PRoW 1 passing to the east of the Site; PROW 12 passing along the southern boundary and PROW 15 passing down an open slope to the south west of the Site with direct views over an open and elevated landscape would experience significant visual effects along short stretches.
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Being within 500m the receptors would be of High sensitivity and the effects at Year 1 over the short stretches would be of a Large to Medium magnitude depending on angle of view and vegetation resulting in lengths of the footpaths experiencing an overall Major-Moderate to Moderate significance of effect. With mitigation planting the significance of effect by Year 15 would be reduced to Moderate and Minor-Moderate respectively.
For visitors in the Country Park the Proposed Development would be largely screened throughout the Park with glimpses only in discrete locations facing south where landform and vegetation features align.
The southern boundary of the park is more open and although the screening effect develops a short way into the Park, reducing the visibility significantly, at the boundary the effect would be significant. The sensitivity of visitors to the Park would be High at this distance and in this localised area the magnitude of change would be Large with an overall significance of effect varying from Major-Moderate. With mitigation planting the significance of effect by Year 15 would be reduced to Minor-Moderate.
Users of the transport system would not experience significant effects.
Cumulative effects with the two existing solar farms – Arkwright and Cherry Tree Farm – are given consideration in respect of the landscape character.
To the wider Estate Farmland Character Area with a combined consideration of the Low sensitivity of landscape receptors along with magnitude of predicted effect of Medium to Low identifies a cumulative impact of Minor to Slight to the character area.
Cumulative effects which are considered to be significant in planning terms for individual visual receptors occur within the Study Area.
The significant cumulative effects for users of Public Rights of Way would occur along short sections that are not screened by the topography or existing vegetation. These are footpaths to the south and west including PRoW 12, PRoW 10, PRoW 14, PRoW 15 and PRoW 30 which would experience occasional views of either two or all three solar farms in the middle distance.
Depending on distance and angle of view users with a High to Medium sensitivity would experience a Medium magnitude of effect with a Moderate to Minor-Moderate overall significance of effect.
The proposed mitigation would soften the panels arrays for many receptors, but the effect cannot be completely screened on the gently undulating ground.
Views from transport routes within the Study Area of the three solar farms may occur along the A632 and the local roads but would be limited to localised glimpses owing to the existing screening vegetation and the local undulations of the topography and would not be significant.
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References
Cherry Tree Farm Solar Farm, Duckmanton - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment: 2B Landscape Consultancy Ltd 2014
Chesterfield Borough Replacement Local Plan (adopted June 2006)
Chesterfield Borough Council Local Plan: Core Strategy 2011-2031 adopted 2018
Derbyshire County Council - Landscape Character Areas 2014
East Midlands Regional Landscape Character Assessment 2010
Highways Agency 2010: Design Manual for Roads and Bridges - Interim Advice note 135/10
Highways England 2020: Design Manual for Roads and Bridges - LA107 Landscape and Visual Effects
Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Assessment 3rd Edition. Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
LDA Design 2014: Arkwright Solar - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment:
National Planning Policy Framework (MoHCLG, 2019)
Natural England Character Areas (NCA) 38: Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield
MAGIC website www.magic.gov.uk
Scottish National Heritage 2012: Guidance- Assessing cumulative impact of onshore wind energy developments
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APPENDIX A
LANDSCAPE SETTING OF LISTED BUILDING – INKERSALL FARM
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Introduction
Inkersall Farm is a Grade II listed ashlar building from the early 19th century with external architectural features such as three sash windows with rusticated heads; a central stone pilaster doorcase with an open pediment and semi-circular radial fanlight; stone eaves cornice and a hipped slate roof. The farmhouse is located at SK 42939 72691 on the junction of Inkersall Road and Inkersall Green Road. The Grade II listing means that the building is of special interest which warrants effort to preserve and protect the historical and cultural significance and setting.
NPPF Para 128 states that it is necessary to consider whether the asset is of any great significance in itself and whether its setting makes any great contribution to the character and appearance of the listed building. The level of detail should be proportionate to the asset’s importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposals on the significance.
The following assessment is focussed on the landscape setting but takes two principle factors into consideration to support the assessment:
· the architectural interest is a material consideration. The nature and character of the listed building is an important factor in judging the setting
· it is necessary to consider also the nature, appearance and sensitivity of the existing surroundings prior to development taking place
Existing Setting
The surroundings in which Inkersall farmhouse is experienced externally is controlled by the undulating topography and the established hedgerows and woodland blocks in the landscape. The building is located on the crest of a knoll of land and the topography at this location is such that the farmhouse is screened from road users by distance and established hedges.
The farmhouse sits on the north side of a farm complex extending to the south and screened from the south by modern farm buildings. The Proposed Development will be seen within the views of the farmhouse and will lie within the landscape setting and therefore has a potential to affect that setting.
The building is integrated into the wider landscape and from a distance is a minor component enclosed by other buildings and established vegetation. Within the wider agricultural setting the farmhouse is of modest importance and being grey in colour is not visibly prominent. The farm complex and the other buildings of the hamlet create a tight group enclosed by established vegetation in an otherwise open landscape. The scale of the landscape and its character absorbs the building into the agricultural landscape.
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Key Views
From Inkersall Green Lane the view is upslope towards the building and the mature vegetation enclosing it a positive contribution to the setting (see Photographs 1 and 2 at the end of this Appendix).
For travellers from the north there are no views until the viewer is relatively close. Once the road junction is reached the farmhouse takes a prominent position in the view, enclosed by existing vegetation (see Photograph 3).
From the south, at approximately 1km away, the farm complex is set in the landscape in the middle distance but the farmhouse is totally screened by the modern units. The longer distance views make no contribution to the appreciation of the farmhouse (see Photograph 4).
Along the road, travelling north the view is continually screened by the topography, the existing hedge lines, the modern industrial style farm buildings and mature trees along the roadside edge. The view of the farmhouse only opens out as the viewer becomes close (see Photograph 5).
From the east looking west across valley from Duckmanton, the farmhouse is part of the complex of Inkersall hamlet and is further screened by existing vegetation (see Photograph 6).
Significance
Using the classification of significance from Historic England it is considered that the property contributes a local distinctiveness within the hamlet of Inkersall and a minor contribution to the wider landscape. The farmhouse has a modest architectural and historic interest and contributes to the understanding of the character and appearance of the area.
However, the setting contributes a limited amount to the appreciation of the building as views are limited and enclosed within the rural landscape and there is a minor contribution of the building to the rural area because of limited visibility. Long distance views do not significantly contribute to the setting which is essentially experienced across a pastoral landscape with views concentrated on the farm complex and surrounding vegetation rather than the farmhouse itself.
Proposed Solar Farm
It is appreciated that substantial change to the landscape could result in a significant change to the character and appearance of the setting. Therefore, the selected site for and the layout of the proposed solar farm are designed to minimise any significant change to the landscape setting of the listed building by not setting panels close to the building.
The site selection and site layout contribute to the following:
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· No key views will be blocked. · No loss of view or concealment. · The building will not be isolated from its surroundings views from east – part of complex of buildings not separated from them.
· There will be no degradation of the landscape setting as viewed by road users. · The layout design aims to maintain the cohesion, scale and openness of the immediate surrounding landscape.
· The way the building is experienced would not be changed.
The potential contribution to the landscape is considered in Table Appendix A 01 below.
TABLE : Appendix A 01 Landscape Contribution to Contribution to Setting of Inkersall Farm Significance Topography Moderate: Rolling Landscape with Long Ridge Lines Two Grade II listed farmhouses within 2km. No evidence of Other Heritage assets significant relationship between Moderate: landscape historically altered by coal mining. Site enclosed in wider landscape to the west, north and east by urban Definition, scale and grain of the development. By farmhouse rural pastoral in character. Medium landscape sized fields enclosed by mature hedges. Historic farm groups widely spaced across landscape Considerable: Woodland blocks and linear belts of trees define Trees and vegetation medium distant landscape. Link to mature hedgerows. Mature vegetation enclosing farm complex The farmhouse is part of a tight group of buildings enclosed on Openness, enclosure the north and east side by mature vegetation which reinforces the green edge and sense of enclosure Enclosed agricultural landscape defines and absorbs the group Surrounding landscape character which is seen as an incident in the landscape rather than the focus of its character Key views are constrained by the landscape. Farmhouse mainly experienced from close to within enclosure of mature vegetation and surrounding buildings. From a wider distance it is part of the Significant views wider landscape. Contribution to views: The farmhouse sits within a contained group with vegetation screening creating a discreet impact on the landscape Only from Inkersall Green Road and for travellers on Inkersall Visual dominance Road. Road users view the farmhouse only as they have reached the crest of the hill
Significance of Effect
The layout of the panels has been designed to maintain the setting of the farmhouse with minimal impact. The landscape receptor would be of Medium-Low sensitivity and the effects would be apparent, of a Low magnitude resulting in an overall Minor significance of effect.
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PHOTOGRAPHS :
Photograph 1: As Inkersall Green Road emerges from the railway bridge, Inkersall Farm is not visible. Inkersall farmhouse is located in the middle distance on the crest of the hill enclosed by mature vegetation. Rising up the hill, Inkersall Green Road, the farmhouse becomes more noticeable through the trees. The view and setting would be retained; no panels would be visible and no perceptual change would occur to the skyline views.
Photograph 2: Towards the top of the hill, Inkersall Green Road, the farmhouse becomes a prominent feature in the landscape enclosed by mature trees. The view and setting would be retained and there would be no perceptual change to views.
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Photograph 3: Views of the farmhouse travelling south from Staveley are limited owing to the local landform. Along the approach to the hilltop on the rising land the farmhouse is screened from view until the crest of the hill where it then becomes a prominent feature. There would be no change to the view or the setting of the farmhouse.
Photograph 4: From the south on Staveley Road looking north into the wider landscape the farmhouse is hidden from view by the modern agricultural buildings. Solar panels would be placed in the fields to the south of these buildings. There would be no change to the visual permeability of the existing farm complex and the viewer may be unaware of the existence of the farmhouse at this point.
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Photograph 5: Approaching the farmhouse from the south the road, existing hedge and boundary features and modern farm buildings screen views of the farmhouse until the viewer is close to. No panels would be set close to the road on the east side at this point and the setting of the farmhouse would be unchanged.
Photograph 6: Viewed from the east by Arkwright Solar Farm the farm complex is central to the view but the farmhouse becomes indistinquishable amongst the building complex and the mature vegetation. Solar panels would be sited in the fields around the farm complex, changing the setting of the complex as a whole. However, the farmhouse is screened and the viewer would not be aware of it within the complex of farm buildings.
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APPENDIX B
VIEWPOINT PANORAMAS
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YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 1: Footpath east of existing solar farm (North of Duckmanton village)
Grid Ref: SK 43918 72506 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Direction to Site: WEST Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 09.29h Distance to Site Boundary: 482m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors FOOTPATHUSERS MEDIUM
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) LARGE MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) MEDIUM MINOR-MODERATE
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 2: Footpath east of existing solar farm (North of Duckmanton village)
Grid Ref: SK 43797 72955 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Directionto Site: WEST Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 10.45h Distance to Site Boundary: 400m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors FOOTPATHUSERS MEDIUM
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) LOW MINOR
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) LOW MINOR
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 3: North east corner of lake next to Poolsbrook
Grid Ref: SK 438187 31145 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Directionto Site: WEST Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 11.28h Distance to Site Boundary: 120m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors FOOTPATHUSERS HIGH
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) MEDIUM MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) LOW MINOR-MODERATE
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 4: Tom Lane adjacent to existing solar farm
Grid Ref: SK 4373472257 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Directionto Site: NORTH-WEST Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 11.57h Distance to Site Boundary: 320m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors ROAD USERS, FOOTPATHUSERS MEDIUM
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) LOW MINOR
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) LOW MINOR
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 5: Rectory Road Long Duckmanton
Grid Ref: SK 44228 71704 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Directionto Site: NORTH_WEST Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 12.16h Distance to Site Boundary: 1070m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors RESIDENTS, ROAD USERS MEDIUM
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) MEDIUM MINOR-MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) MEDIUM MINOR-MODERATE
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 6: Footpath S of Inkersall Green and NW of Ladybower wood
Grid Ref: SK 42076 72150 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Direction to Site: EAST Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March202012.53h Distance to Site Boundary: 400m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors FOOTPATHUSERS HIGH
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) LOW MINOR-MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) LOW MINOR
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 7: Footpath E of Bower Plantation
Grid Ref: SK 4282571933 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Directionto Site: NORTH Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 13.39h Distance to Site Boundary: 245m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors FOOTPATHUSERS HIGH
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) LARGE MAJOR-MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) MEDIUM MODERATE
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 8: Inkersall Road S of Inkersall Farm facing Eastern section of Solar Farm
Grid Ref: SK 4313572499 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Directionto Site: EAST Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 14.29h Distance to Site Boundary: 0m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors ROAD USERS MEDIUM
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) MEDIUM MINOR-MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) MEDIUM MINOR-MODERATE
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 9: Inkersall Green Road (near small triangular section of Survey Site)
Grid Ref: SK 4276272787 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Directionto Site: SOUTH Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 13.10h Distance to Site Boundary: 200m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors ROADUSERS MEDIUM-LOW
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) NEGLIGIBLE NEGLIGIBLE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) NEGLIGIBLE-NONE NEGLIGIBLE-NONE
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 10: Inkersall Road N of Inkersall Farm facing eastern section of Survey Site
Grid Ref: SK 4297072826 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Directionto Site: EAST Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 15.26h Distance to Site Boundary: 0m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors ROADUSERS MEDIUM
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) NONE NONE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) NONE NONE
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 11: Inkersall Road N of Inkersall Farm facing eastern section of Survey Site (just below Poolsbrook Country Park)
Grid Ref: SK 430 8473278 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Directionto Site: SOUTH-EAST Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 16.01h Distance to Site Boundary: 0m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors ROADUSERS MEDIUM
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) LARGE MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) MEDIUM MINOR-MODERATE
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 12: Poolsbrook Country Park Footpath facing south
Grid Ref: SK 4325773446 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Directionto Site: SOUTH Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 16.13h Distance to Site Boundary: 210m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors USERS OF COUNTRY PARK HIGH
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) LOW MINOR-MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) NEGLIGIBLE MINOR
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT 13: Poolsbrook Country Park southern boundary facing south
Grid Ref: SK 4321273264 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Directionto Site: SOUTH Time and Date of Photograph: 12th March 2020 16.28h Distance to Site Boundary: 10m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors USERS OF COUNTRY PARK HIGH
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) LARGE MAJOR-MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) LOW-NEGLIGIBLE MINOR
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT FROM RECEPTOR 14: INKERSALL FARM NORTH WEST ELEVATION
Grid Ref: SK 42903 72674 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Direction to Site: ALL DIRECTIONS Time and Date of Photograph: 12th February 2019 15.38h Distance to Site Boundary: 0m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors RESIDENTS, FARM WORKERS HIGH
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) MEDIUM MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) LOW MINOR
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT FROM RECEPTOR 15: BLUE LODGE FARM
Grid Ref: SK 43344 71987 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Direction to Site: WEST Time and Date of Photograph: 12th February 2019 11.49h Distance to Site Boundary: 40m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors RESIDENTS,ROAD USERS,PEDESTRIANS, MEDIUM
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of Impact (Year 1) MEDIUM MINOR-MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of Impact (Year 15) MEDIUM MINOR-MODERATE
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD SITE
YEAR 1
VIEWPOINT FROM RECEPTOR 16: RESIDENCES ON DUCKMANTON ROAD
Grid Ref: SK 44088 72264 Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm Direction to Site: WEST Time and Date of Photograph: 12th February 2019 10.29h Distance to Site Boundary: 825m Receptors Sensitivity ofReceptors RESIDENTS MEDIUM
Magnitude of Impact (Year 1) Significance of impact (Year 1) MEDIUM MINOR-MODERATE
Magnitude of Impact (Year 15) Significance of impact (Year 15) MEDIUM MINOR-MODERATE
LANDSCAPE SCIENCE CONSULTANCY LTD