RWE Innogy UK | Triton Knoll Electrical System, Onshore Crossing Schedule

Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Limited

TRITON KNOLL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Annex 2-1: Chapter 2, Landscape and Visual Baseline Study

April 2015

Document Reference 6.2.5.2.1

Pursuant to: APFP Reg. 5(2)(a)

1 RWE Innogy UK | Triton Knoll Electrical System, LVIA Baseline

Triton Knoll Electrical System Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Limited Copyright © 2015 RWE Innogy UK Ltd Environmental Statement All pre-existing rights reserved.

Application Document 6.2.5.2.1 Annex 2-1: Liability Chapter 2, Landscape and Visual Baseline Study In preparation of this document Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Limited (TKOWFL), a joint April 2015 venture between RWE Innogy UK (RWE) and Statkraft UK, subconsultants working on behalf of TKOWFL, have made reasonable efforts to ensure Drafted By: RSK that the content is accurate, up to date and Approved By: Kim Gauld-Clark complete for the purpose for which it was prepared. Date of April 2015 Neither TKOWFL nor their subcontractors make any Approval warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of Revision A material supplied. Other than any liability on TKOWFL or their subcontractors detailed in the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd contracts between the parties for this work neither Auckland House TKOWFL or their subcontractors shall have any Great Western Way liability for any loss, damage, injury, claim, expense, Swindon cost or other consequence arising as a result of use Wiltshire, SN5 8ZT or reliance upon any information contained in or omitted from this document. T +44 (0)845 720 090 Any persons intending to use this document should F +44 (0)845 720 050 satisfy themselves as to its applicability for their I www.rweinnogy.com intended purpose. Where appropriate, the user of this document has the obligation to employ safe www.rweinnogy.com/tritonknoll working practices for any activities referred to and [email protected] to adopt specific practices appropriate to local conditions.

Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Limited have been awarded EU TEN-E funding to support the development of the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Electrical System located in both UK Territorial waters and the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The funding which is to be matched will support a number of surveys, engineering reports, and environmental impact assessment studies for the Triton Knoll Electrical System. The studies will form part of the formal documentation that will accompany the Development Consent Order which will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. The sum of €1,159,559 has been granted and the process to reclaim this funding is ongoing. Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd Triton Knoll Electrical System

Annex 2-1: Chapter 2, Landscape and Visual Baseline Study

P80427

MARCH 2015

RSK GENERAL NOTES

Project No.: 80427

Title: Triton Knoll Electrical System Landscape and Visual Baseline Study

Client: Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd, Auckland House, Great Western Way, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 8ZT

Date: March 2015

Office: Manchester

Status: Final Rev04

Technical Author John Meehan reviewer Chris Frain

Signature Signature Date: 23th March 2015 Date: 23th March 2015

Project director Wendy Hogben Quality reviewer

Signature Signature th Date: 23 March 2015 Date:

RSK Environment Ltd (RSK) has prepared this report for the sole use of the client, showing reasonable skill and care, for the intended purposes as stated in the agreement under which this work was completed. The report may not be relied upon by any other party without the express agreement of the client and RSK. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this report. Where any data supplied by the client or from other sources have been used, it has been assumed that the information is correct. No responsibility can be accepted by RSK for inaccuracies in the data supplied by any other party. The conclusions and recommendations in this report are based on the assumption that all relevant information has been supplied by those bodies from whom it was requested. No part of this report may be copied or duplicated without the express permission of RSK and the party for whom it was prepared. Where field investigations have been carried out, these have been restricted to a level of detail required to achieve the stated objectives of the work. This work has been undertaken in accordance with the quality management system of RSK Environment Ltd.

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CONTENTS

1 LANDSCAPE & VISUAL ...... 1-1 1.1 Introduction ...... 1-1 1.2 Baseline Studies ...... 1-1 Baseline desktop assessment ...... 1-1 Study Area ...... 1-2 Baseline field assessment ...... 1-3 1.3 Existing environment ...... 1-3 The Intermediate Electrical Compound ...... 1-4 The Substation ...... 1-12 The Existing Bicker Fen Substation ...... 1-23 The Onshore Cable Route ...... 1-25 REFERENCES ...... 1-33 APPENDICES ...... 1-34 Appendix 1: Cable route reference photographs ...... 1-34 FIGURES ...... 1-55 PLATES ...... 1-75

FIGURES

Figure 1-1 Landscape Designations

Figure 1-2-1 National Landscape Character

Figure 1-2-2 Local Landscape Character

Figure 1-2-3 Local Landscape Character – Intermediate Electrical Compound

Figure 1-2-4 Local Landscape Character – Substation

Figure 1-3-1 Visual Context – Intermediate Electrical Compound

Figure 1-3-2 Visual Context – Intermediate Electrical Compound (Long-range)

Figure 1-3-3 Visual Context – Substation

Figures 1-4-1 to 1-4-11 Cable Corridor - Reference Photograph Locations

PLATES

Plates 1-1-1 to 1-1-12 Intermediate Electrical Compound Viewpoints – Existing View

Plates 1-2-1 to 1-2-11 Substation Viewpoints – Existing View

Plates 1-3-1 to 1-3-7 Unlicensed Works at Bicker Fen Viewpoints – Existing View

1 LANDSCAPE & VISUAL

1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 This report presents the findings of a baseline landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) undertaken for the proposed Triton Knoll Electrical System which comprises the Intermediate Electrical Compound, Substation and onshore cable route (the ‘proposed development’) for the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm (TKOWF). 1.1.2 This report forms Volume 5 of the Environmental Impact Assessment, and is Annex 2-1 of Volume 3 Chapter 2 ‘Landscape and Visual’ and should be read in conjunction with that chapter. 1.1.3 The ‘Proposed Development’ boundary, as shown by the enclosed figures, refers to the total area of land required for the Intermediate Electrical Compound, Substation compound, Unlicensed Works at Bicker Fen, temporary construction compounds, underground cabling from landfall at Creek to an existing substation at Bicker Fen, permanent and temporary access tracks and drainage and landscape mitigation. For the purposes of this report, when the ‘site’ is referred to, this refers to the Proposed Development Boundary. Specific reference will be made to both the Intermediate Electrical Compound site, the Substation site and the Unlicensed Works site, and in each of these cases the intended focus is on their individual Proposed Development boundary, excluding the cable route boundary, which will be referred to separately.

1.2 Baseline Studies 1.2.1 Baseline landscape and visual assessments are undertaken in parallel, and are informed by a combination of desk and field based techniques.

Baseline desktop assessment 1.2.2 Preliminary identification, description and evaluation of the existing landscape and visual context of the study area involved a desk based review and interrogation of the following information sources:

• Responses obtained through the scoping and formal and informal consultation processes, including through the Human Environment Review Panel which is part of the Triton Knoll EIA Evidence Plan; • Ordnance Survey mapping and aerial photography relating to existing landform, vegetation, settlement patterns, promoted viewpoints and drainage regimes;

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• Plans containing information relating to landscape designations and landscape related policies at the local, regional and national level; • Engineering data and schematic plans relating to the proposals and their construction; • The Multi-Agency Geographical Information for the Countryside website; managed by Natural (available at http://www.magic.gov.uk); • National landscape character areas (NCAs) as defined by Natural England. Refer to Figure 1-2-1 for this information; and • Local Landscape Character Areas (LCAs), as published and defined in the Boston Borough Council Landscape Character Assessment (Boston Borough Council, 2009); the Landscape Character Assessment (East Lindsey District Council, 2009); and the North Landscape Character Assessment (2007). Refer to Figures 1-2-2 to 1-2-4 for this information. Study Area 1.2.3 Following the findings of the preliminary landscape and visual desk and site based assessment, the boundary of the study area has been defined as a: A 3.0 km radius around each of the Intermediate Electrical Compound • and Substation site boundaries (i.e. the total area of land required to accommodate the Intermediate Electrical Compound, Substation, the temporary works and mitigation works); and A 1.0 km buffer either side of the cable route element of the onshore • Proposed Development Boundary. The onshore point at which this study area begins is the Mean Low Water (MLW); and 1.2.4 The study area for the Unlicensed Works at the Existing Bicker Fen Substation utilises the southern extent of the 3.0 km Substation study area. This is reflective of the nature of the proposal, i.e. an extension to an existing development and its proximity to the Substation, which is 1.2 km to the north, -north-west. It is considered that the nature and form of the proposed development would be such that no significant landscape and visual effects would be experienced outside of this study area. The study area provides a boundary to the focus of assessment, identification of key receptors and the selection of representative viewpoints. 1.2.5 The Intermediate Electrical Compound study area boundary has been defined following agreement with East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) during previous consultation, and the specific Intermediate Electrical Compound study area boundary is shown in Figure 1-2-3. However it is acknowledged that the AONB is located 5.0 km west of the Intermediate

Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd Triton Knoll Electrical System Landscape and Visual Baseline Study Report no. P80427 (04) 1-2 Electrical Compound site and although it is considered by the assessor that no significant visual effects due to the proposed development are likely to be experienced within the AONB, a viewpoint is proposed from within its eastern extent to demonstrate this (refer to Table 1-3). The Substation study area boundary has been defined following agreement with Boston Borough Council (BBC) during previous consultation and the specific Substation study area boundary is shown on Figure 1-2-4. 1.2.6 Considering the nature of the effects of the installation of the onshore cable (which will subsequently be described below), it is appropriate that a 1.0 km distance either side of the site boundary will be used to consider temporary landscape and visual effects during the construction period. Direct landscape effects, i.e. loss of landscape elements, have been minimised through an iterative ‘micro-siting’ process during the detailed project design in which the cable route avoids important landscape elements (e.g. trees, hedgerow, etc where reasonably practicable) that are identified in the baseline assessment. Preliminary routing studies considered landscape and visual effects and the route corridor has been carefully selected to minimise landscape and visual effects by routing to avoid sensitive landscape elements (e.g. trees, hedgerow, streams, etc) as far as is practicable.

Baseline field assessment 1.2.7 The field survey was undertaken during periods of clement weather from public highways, public rights of way (PRoW) and publically accessible areas, including areas of public open space. The Substation site was visited on: 9th August 2013; 29th August 2013; and 26th March 2014. The Intermediate Electrical Compound site was visited on: 12th February, 25th March, 14th April and 15th April 2014. The cable route was visited on the 24th, 25th and 26th March 2014. The existing Bicker Fen substation was a consideration during the Substation field surveys, a focused site visit also occurred on the 4th February 2015. 1.2.8 Site work involved:

• A corroboration of the findings of the desktop review; • Additional information on landscape elements, character, views and localised screening; and • Photographs from proposed representative viewpoints.

1.3 Existing environment 1.3.1 In describing the existing environment, the scheme will be referred to in an east-west direction i.e. from coastal landfall to the existing substation at Bicker Fen. Initially the Intermediate Electrical Compound site will be described, followed by the Substation site, the existing Bicker Fen Substation and finally the cable route site.

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The Intermediate Electrical Compound

Site Description 1.3.2 The part of the Proposed Development Boundary within which the Intermediate Electrical Compound site is to be located, is located 2.8 km east, north-east of the village of in the district of East Lindsey and the county of . The Intermediate Electrical Compound site is located across two medium sized arable fields and is relatively flat with a low elevation between approximately 1.0 m and 2.0 m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD). Field boundaries have some hedgerow cover and contain field drains which form part of a wider drainage network. The northern boundary of the site is delineated by Marsh Lane.

Landscape Designations 1.3.3 No part of the Intermediate Electrical Compound site or study area falls within a nationally or locally designated landscape. 1.3.4 The boundary of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is approximately 5.0 km west, north-west of the Intermediate Electrical Compound boundary, and the boundary of the locally designated Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) is approximately 4.5 km to the west of the Intermediate Electrical Compound boundary. 1.3.5 Landscape designations are shown on Figure 1-1.

Landscape Character 1.3.6 Landscape character has been appraised from the national level to the local scale commensurate to the proposed scheme. Description and classification of existing character has involved consideration of the context of the site and study area. A summary of the relevant published landscape character assessments is provided in the following sections.

National Landscape Character 1.3.7 National Character Areas (NCAs), produced by Natural England, divide England into 159 landscape character areas. The Intermediate Electrical Compound site is located within the following character area profile:

• NCA Profile 42: and Marshes (2014) Natural England 1.3.8 Figure 1-2-1 illustrates the location of national landscape character areas within the study area. A summary of Profile 42 is as follows: 1.3.9 NCA Profile 42: Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes is described as having three main areas: the Middle Marsh in the western extent; the Outmarsh, which the site is located within, located in the eastern extent; and the coastal area in the very eastern extent. The key characteristics of Profile 42 which are relevant to the site are: Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd Triton Knoll Electrical System Landscape and Visual Baseline Study Report no. P80427 (04) 1-4

• “A flat coastal plain with dramatic skylines across great distances, rising gradually in the west of the character area, approaching the Lincolnshire Wolds; • A predominantly agricultural landscape, mostly consisting of mixed arable farmland. Field sizes in the Outmarsh are medium-scale and consist of a higher proportion of grass and rough grazing than in other parts of the character area; • A general low level of settlement with a dispersed character in the Outmarsh. The settlement pattern here is described as: “a mixture of straggling linear villages along former east-west drove roads and isolated farmsteads set in 19th century planned fieldscapes; and • Woodland and hedge cover is sparse throughout the area with more minimal tree and hedgerow cover found on the Outmarsh where planting is limited to shelterbelts located around farmsteads and settlements.” 1.3.10 The ‘Drivers of Change’ section of Profile 42 identifies that there is pressure on the landscape in the character area from development including grid connections for large offshore wind farms which may affect the area. 1.3.11 The ‘Landscape Opportunities’ section of Profile 42 includes the following references:

• “Retain the open character of the landscape with its expansive and big skies. Protect areas with a strong sense of remoteness, wildness and tranquillity and dark skies at night, for example NNRs and AONB; • “Protect the flat, open, low-lying Outmarsh for its remote and tranquil character which is enjoyed by walkers; • “Plan for new woodland planting at appropriate locations, especially where this would be beneficial to creating new green infrastructure routes or integrating new development into the landscape; and • “Conserve quiet rural areas by encouraging sensitive development, respecting the long, open views and the strong rural character and local vernacular of the area. New development in urban areas should be in keeping with existing character and should be well-designed and sited to reduce visual intrusion.”

Local Landscape Character 1.3.12 Refer to Figure 1-2-3 for the Intermediate Electrical Compound character areas.

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1.3.13 The most relevant published local landscape character assessment to the Intermediate Electrical Compound site is:

• East Lindsey District Landscape Character Assessment; East Lindsey District Council (2009). 1.3.14 This assessment divides East Lindsey District into 13 distinct character areas and the site is located within character area J1: Lock to Coastal Outmarsh, the key characteristics of which that are relevant to the site are:

• "A low lying, drained coastal plain contained to the east by sea embankments, sand dunes and sea defences; • Mostly flat with some areas of gentle undulations including some saltern mounds; • Some wide open views and big skies. Some views enclosed by landform, embankments, sand dunes or trees; • Extensive network of drains, ditches and dykes with a strong geometric pattern in the northern and central parts of the area; • Rivers and the historic Louth Canal cross from the Lincolnshire Wolds in the west towards the coast; • Predominantly mixed agricultural land use with both arable and pasture, and some remnants of ridge and furrow; • Several important coastal nature reserves with a high level of nature conservation designation with associated wildlife; • Sparsely scattered settlements set within mature ornamental trees and hedgerows; • A stretch of coastal resorts from to Skegness with caravan parks, and new residential and commercial developments on their outskirts; • An extensive network of raised minor roads with a few larger A roads serving the coastal resorts; and • A predominantly intact and distinctive rural landscape with some man-made influences including a gas terminal, an oil storage facility and several wind farms." 1.3.15 Landscape character has been appraised from the national level to the local scale commensurate to the proposed scheme. The description and classification of existing character has involved consideration of the context of the site and study area using published landscape character assessments and field based observations. A summary of the relevant published

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landscape character assessments is provided in the following section. The landscape character areas are shown on Figure 1-2-2. 1.3.16 The area within the site and majority of the study area is broadly typical of the character description within East Lindsey Character Area J1: Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh. The site is a component part of a large-scale, flat and open landscape with a predominance of intensively farmed arable fields. As the landform is flat and the land is largely open agricultural there are wide open views with only a small proportion of views enclosed by gentle undulations, embankments and trees. 1.3.17 Land use is predominantly mixed agricultural with both arable and pasture, and some remnants of ridge and furrow. There is an extensive network of drains, ditches and dykes beside fields, and the field pattern of the site and immediate surrounding area, particularly to the south of Marsh Lane, is laid out geometrically. Land to the north of Marsh Lane has very limited built development with only a small number of farm buildings and residential properties. 1.3.18 The site is located between two locally distinctive developments: the Skegness Stadium (used for stock car racing), which is located adjacent to the east of the Proposed Development Boundary; and a Grain Store, which comprises large grain silos and associated agricultural buildings, located adjacent to the west of the Proposed Development Boundary. 1.3.19 Settlement is sparse and consists of individual farmsteads and small clusters of properties or villages and can be seen in Figure 1-3-1. Settlements within the study area are located at the outer edge of the study area boundary and are: , which is 2.6 km east, north-east of the Proposed Development Boundary; , which is largely located outside of the study area, although a small area in the north-east of the town overlaps with the 3 km study area to the south-west of the Proposed Development Boundary; and Orby, which again is substantially located outside of the study area, but with a number of properties in the east of the village located within the 3 km study area to the west of the Proposed Development Boundary. Larger settlements are located outside the study area and away from the Proposed Development Boundary, on the coastline, which are: Mablethorpe; ; and Skegness. There is an extensive network of raised minor roads with a few larger A-roads serving the coastal resorts. 1.3.20 There are long range views from this area out towards:

• Large scale tented structures within Butlins holiday camp; • Skegness to the south-east; • A large rollercoaster within Ingoldmells to the east; • An offshore wind farm located off the eastern coast;

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• To the west, the hills at the eastern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB; and • Two wind turbines located just outside the study area to the south, south- west in the vicinity of Burgh le Marsh, approximately 3.5 km away.

Visual Baseline

Visual Context 1.3.21 The Intermediate Electrical Compound site and study area consist of a large- scale, flat and open landscape which allows long distance views from most locations within the study area. There is limited woodland and hedgerow cover however that which does occur provides some localised screens to views. 1.3.22 As there are no prominent visual features on the site, it is difficult to identify in views from the wider area. Adjacent buildings to the site are relatively prominent in views from various locations within the flat surrounding study area, which are: a grain store, which consists of two large, metallic buildings and silos located adjacent to the western boundary of the site; and a stadium located adjacent to the eastern boundary of the site, which includes an array of lighting columns. 1.3.23 There are some long range views out from the study area to prominent landforms or built features, as referred to in paragraph 1.3.21.

Visual Receptors 1.3.24 Settlement pattern within the area surrounding the Intermediate Electrical Compound site is limited to a small number of scattered farmsteads and individual properties. The nearest settlements to the Intermediate Electrical Compound are Addlethorpe, Orby and Burgh le Marsh (distances from the site are provided in Table 1-1). Intervening vegetation largely restricts views towards the site from properties to the south. From Addlethorpe and properties to the east, again intervening vegetation restricts views of the site. There are few Public Rights of Way within the area surrounding the Intermediate Electrical Compound and notably few publicly accessible areas to the north of it. 1.3.25 Table 1-1 presents details of identified visual receptors within the study area, their position and the nature of their existing views.

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Table 1-1: Visual receptors in the Intermediate Electrical Compound study area

Distance & Direction Name Nature of Existing View from Site Individual Properties Views are direct from the property towards the site with views of the adjacent Grain Store Wilcox Farm, and Stadium possible. Some vegetation 0.9 km NE Marsh Lane surrounding the property limits views out. This property is assumed to be uninhabited at present. Oblique views out from the property towards Marsh House the site, however vegetation located adjacent Farm, Marsh 0.5 km W to the property and beside Marsh Lane limit Lane views of the site. Oblique views from the upper storey of the Marsh View property towards the site. Ground level views Farm, 0.6 km S are screened by hedgerow on Ingoldmells Ingoldmells Road Road. Property is surrounded by trees which are presumed to screen views out however Ashington House 0.6 km S oblique upper storey views are possible towards the site. Views out are largely screened by adjacent Fir Tree Farm, trees and hedgerow, however possibly upper 0.8 km SE Ingoldmells Road storey views from the rear of the property towards the site. Cottage Farm, Views out are largely screened by adjacent 0.9 km SE Ingoldmells Road agricultural buildings. Teapot Hall, The Views out towards the site are largely Willows, Illinois screened by adjacent woodland, including a Farm and 1.3 km ESE plantation woodland 0.2 km north of these Hawthorne properties. Some oblique views of the Cottage southern part of the site possible. Sycamore Farm Properties are surrounded by trees which are and Holly Tree presumed to screen views out however 1.3 km SW Cottage oblique upper storey views are possible (Faulker’s Lane) towards the site. Sunnydale, Some adjacent vegetation screens however Broadmeadows, 1.6 km S views of the site are filtered by vegetation on Bristol Farm and intervening roads. The Glen Some screening by adjacent vegetation, Jasmine Cottage 2.2 km NNE however possible views across the open landscape towards the site.

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Distance & Direction Name Nature of Existing View from Site Views of the site are screened from the Habertoft 2.7 km NW property by adjacent vegetation. Hamlets/Villages

Views of the site are largely screened by Addlethorpe 2.5 km ENE intervening vegetation and minor localised rises in the landform.

Views of the site are screened by intervening Orby 2.8 km W vegetation.

Views of the site are screened by intervening Burgh le Marsh 2.9 km SW vegetation. Public Rights of Way (i.e. Footpaths, Bridleways, Roads & Recreational Routes)

Direct views into the site when adjacent and Adjacent to N Marsh Lane views possible from large extents of the road boundary as it passes through the study area.

Views are oblique from the road towards the site with views of the adjacent Grain Store Ingoldmells Road 0.6 km S and Stadium possible however views from large extents of the road are screened by adjacent hedgerow.

Footpath leading Views are likely from the footpath however north from Holly 0.9 km W access to the path has not been identified due Tree Cottage to overgrown vegetation.

Footpath leading Views across the open landscape towards the south from 1.9 km NW site are possible however views are filtered by Habertoft intervening hedgerow.

Other (e.g. Recreational Facilities, Places of Work, Railway Lines etc)

Direct views from the stadium car park into Skegness Adjacent to E the site which is directly adjacent. The Grain Stadium boundary store is clearly visible to the west of the site.

Representative Viewpoints 1.3.26 The following representative viewpoints in Table 1-2 have been considered in the assessment of the proposed Intermediate Electrical Compound. These are illustrated in Figure 1-3-2.

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Table 1-2: Representative viewpoints for the Intermediate Electrical Compound Distance & Included as No. Name Rationale for selection Direction Photomontage from Site Representative of views from Wilcox Farm, 0.9 km road users and a residential VP1 Yes Marsh Lane NE property (currently uninhabited). Marsh House Representative of views from a VP2 Farm, Marsh 0.5 km W residential property and road Yes Lane users. Representative of views from Properties on 1.3 km VP3 residential properties and road Faulker’s Lane SW users. Marsh View Representative of views from Farm, VP4 0.6 km S residential properties and road Yes Ingoldmells users. Road Junction of Marsh Road Representative of views from 1.2 km VP5 and residential properties and road ESE Ingoldmells users. Road Footpath Representative of views from a 2.4 km VP6 beside local footpath and a residential NW Habertoft property. Howlet House, Representative of views from 2.4 km VP7 South Ings residential properties and road Yes NNE Lane users. Representative of views from Youngers 1.6 km VP8 residential properties and road Lane SSE users. 2.5 km Representative of views from a VP9 Addlethorpe ENE settlement. Representative of views from Welton le 6.2 km VP10 the eastern extent of the Marsh, AONB WNW Lincolnshire Wolds AONB. Marsh Lane, Adjacent Representative of views from VP11 Yes Opposite Site to N road users. Junction of South Ings 1.6 km Representative of views from VP12 Lane and Orby NE road users. Road

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1.3.27 Plates 1-1-1 to 1-1-12 provide photographs of the Intermediate Electrical Compound site from the named viewpoints.

The Substation

Site Description 1.3.28 The part of the Proposed Development Boundary within which the Substation site is to be located, is 2.0 km north-west of the village of Bicker in the and the county of Lincolnshire. The Substation site is relatively flat with a low elevation approximately between 1.0 m and 2.0 m AOD and comprises medium to large sized open arable fields which are geometrically balanced and are separated by a network of narrow drainage ditches and farm tracks. The fields are mostly edged with un-cropped field margins and there is a lack of tree or hedgerow cover.

Landscape Designations 1.3.29 No part of the Substation site or study area falls within a nationally or locally designated landscape.

Landscape Character

National Landscape Character 1.3.30 National Character Areas (NCAs), produced by Natural England, divide England into 159 landscape character areas. The Substation site is located within the following character area profile:

• NCA Profile 46: (2013) Natural England 1.3.31 Figure 1-2-1 illustrates the location of national landscape character areas within the study area. The key characteristics of NCA Profile 46: The Fens which are relevant to the site are as follows:

• "Expansive, flat, open, low-lying wetland landscape influenced by the Wash estuary, and offering extensive vistas to level horizons and huge skies throughout, provides a sense of rural remoteness and tranquillity; • Overall, woodland cover is sparse, notably a few small woodland blocks, occasional avenues alongside roads, isolated field trees and shelterbelts of poplar, willow and occasionally leylandii hedges around farmsteads, and numerous orchards around Wisbech. Various alders, notably grey alder, are also used in shelterbelts and roadside avenues; • There are over 4,000 farms in the Fens...The predominant land use is arable – wheat, root crops, bulbs, vegetables and market gardening made possible by actively draining reclaimed land areas. Associated horticultural glasshouses are a significant feature. Beef cattle graze narrow enclosures Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd Triton Knoll Electrical System Landscape and Visual Baseline Study Report no. P80427 (04) 1-12

along the banks of rivers and dykes and on parts of the salt marsh and sea banks; • Open fields, bounded by a network of drains and the distinctive hierarchy of rivers (some embanked), have a strong influence on the geometric/rectilinear landscape pattern. The structures create local enclosure and a slightly raised landform, which is mirrored in the road network that largely follows the edges of the system of large fields; • Large, built structures exhibit a strong vertical visual influence, such as the 83 m-high octagonal tower of ‘Boston Stump’ (St Botolph’s Church), Ely Cathedral on the highest part of the Isle of Ely dominating its surrounding fen, wind farms and other modern large-scale industrial and agricultural buildings, while drainage and flood storage structures and embanked rail and road routes interrupt the horizontal fen plain; and • Settlements and isolated farmsteads are mostly located on the modestly elevated ‘geological islands’ and the low, sinuous roddon banks (infilled ancient watercourses within fens). Elsewhere, villages tend to be dispersed ribbon settlements along the main arterial routes through the settled fens, and scattered farms remain as relics of earlier agricultural settlements. Domestic architecture mostly dates from after 1750 and comprises a mix of late Georgian-style brick houses and 20th century bungalows." 1.3.32 Similar to Profile 42 described above, the ‘Drivers of Change’ section of Profile 46 identifies that there is pressure on the landscape in the character area from development including grid connections for large offshore wind farms which may affect the area. 1.3.33 The ‘Landscape Opportunities’ section of Profile 46 includes the following references:

• “Ditches and watercourses are seen as features in the landscape and need to be better managed. Management of the field boundary ditch system will reinforce the wetland character of the area; and • Protect the long views and open expansive unwooded character of the landscape and work to visually mitigate the impact of large structures including unsympathetic buildings and energy infrastructure that are highly visible in this flat landscape.”

Local Landscape Character 1.3.34 Refer to Figure 1-2-4 for the Substation character areas. 1.3.35 The most relevant published local landscape character assessments to the Substation site are:

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• Landscape Character Assessment of Boston Borough; Boston Borough Council (2009); and • Landscape Character Assessment; North Kesteven District Council (2007). 1.3.36 The BBC Character Assessment provides part of the evidence base to be used by BBC to inform the preparation of the new BBC Local Development Framework. It divides Boston Borough into nine distinct character areas and the site is located within Area A1: Holland Reclaimed Fen, the key characteristics of which are:

• "Flat and low-lying reclaimed fenland; • Open and expansive views with big skies and dark night skies with some views semi-enclosed at ground level by large embankments; • More distant views to Boston Stump and to the Lincolnshire Wolds in East Lindsey District to the north; • A man-made intensive arable landscape laid out in a regular, geometric pattern with narrow roads and trackways alongside drains, dykes and ditches; • The large North Forty Foot Drain and South Forty Foot Drain are key dominating features of the area; • Field boundaries are typically open with wet ditches, dykes and drains and the occasional hedgerow; • Occasional large scale horticultural glasshouses, and packing or processing plants occur near the southern boundary of the area; • Sparsely populated with occasional small hamlets, scattered farmsteads, and occasional rows of former workers’ cottages; • Occasional derelict farm cottages and field buildings; • Sparse tree cover confined to shelterbelts, with occasional hedgerows and small blocks of mixed woodland with shrubby edges; • Bicker wind farm and large scale pylons on the south western tip are modern landmark features; and • A semi-remote, tranquil and intact working agricultural landscape." 1.3.37 The assessment identifies 'forces for change' within the character area and those which are relevant to this LVIA are as follows:

• "Bicker wind farm and large scale pylons are modern and large scale additions to the landscape;

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• Agricultural intensification has led to the amalgamation of fields for the large scale production of arable crops: • Expansion and modernisation of the infrastructure associated with intensive agriculture; • Recent roadside planting of hedgerows and hedgerow trees; • Countryside and Environmental Stewardship Schemes, affecting the appearance of buffer strips around arable field edges and dyke vegetation, through changed farming and management practices; and • The Fens Waterways Project is likely to enhance the area around the South Forty Foot Drain in the future. It is anticipated that it will increase marine traffic and encourage more tourism in the area." 1.3.38 The character assessment describes the particular sensitivities of the area, which are summarised as follows:

• "Holland Reclaimed Fen is a very distinctive, homogenous, intact and rural landscape with few detractors. The aspect is largely open and flat so the small number of tree shelterbelts and occasional hedgerows and hedgerow trees provide only a very limited degree of enclosure; • The design and location of any new development should take into account the homogenous nature, geometric pattern, scale and rural characteristics of the area including the sense of remoteness, scarcity of built elements, the linear format of the landscape and the importance of the drainage network. Any new developments should be positioned carefully to use existing and new screening without impacting upon the open character. Location of future developments should be limited and concentrated around existing developments and settlements whilst still retaining the existing dispersed pattern of farmsteads, dwellings, rows of workers' cottages and hamlets; and • The overall landscape character sensitivity of Holland Reclaimed Fen is considered to be moderate to high." 1.3.39 The site is located 1.3 km west from the boundary of Area B1: Bicker to Settled Fen , the key characteristics of which are as follows:

• “A largely flat landform slightly elevated above the adjacent drained fenland; • Open views with big skies;

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• Views to landmark water towers, and church towers and spires set amongst mature trees in historic villages. Other visible landmarks include the windfarm at Bicker and Boston Stump. • An intact working rural landscape. • Settlement pattern of widely spread villages, often medieval in origin, with farmsteads and dwellings scattered in between. • Scattered agricultural buildings, horticultural glasshouses, packing sheds, poultry sheds, food processing plants and distribution centres which are of a mix of styles and ages. • A relatively large scale organic network of winding roads is infilled by a geometric field pattern of predominantly arable fields. • Generally tree cover is sparse with occasional hedgerows and hedgerow trees and infrequent blocks of mixed woodland. • Towards the outskirts of Boston there are more modern influences including converging rows of large scale pylons and new recreational sites. • A distinctive, cohesive and legibly evolving agricultural landscape, which is peaceful in parts but not particularly remote.” 1.3.40 The site is located 0.2 km east from the boundary of North Kesteven’s administrative area and the closest character area to the site is the Fenland Landscape Character Sub-Area, the key characteristics of which are as follows:

• “Low lying with very flat relief; • Occasional small islands of slightly higher land; • Very large, rich arable fields divided up by drainage channels; • A hierarchy of rivers drains and ditches creating linear patterns across the landscape; • The geometric road pattern follows the drainage pattern with small roads raised above the level of the fields, running from west to east; • Generally extensive vistas to level horizons and huge skies, apart from in the north easterly direction where the Lincolnshire Wolds provide a marked “Upland” horizon; • Sparse woodland cover though some occasional trees surrounding farmsteads and some shelter, belts particularly of poplars; • Intensively farmed and managed it is almost entirely a man-made landscape;

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• Except for scattered farmsteads and farm buildings the sub-area is unsettled; and • Prominent power lines and large-scale agricultural buildings." 1.3.41 Landscape character has been appraised from the national level to the local scale commensurate to the proposed scheme. The description and classification of existing character has involved consideration of the context of the site and study area using published landscape character assessments and field based observations. A summary of the relevant published landscape character assessments is provided in the following section. 1.3.42 The site and majority of the study area are broadly typical of the character description within Boston Borough Council's Area A1: Holland Reclaimed Fen and North Kesteven Council's Fenland Landscape Character Sub-Area as shown in Figure 1-2-2. This is a large scale and open, man-made landscape which predominantly consists of large arable fields. Fields are often divided by drainage channels, the largest of which is the South Forty Foot Drain which broadly runs from north to south and physically divides the study area. Although there is a sense of openness within the landscape and general open views, occasional earth bunds and shelter belts interrupt some views across the landscape. 1.3.43 The landscape is sparsely populated which, aside from the influence of large electrical infrastructure within the landscape, engenders a certain sense of tranquillity and a sense of isolation. There are few main roads or settlements throughout the majority of the study area and there is limited movement. Residential properties are either located on their own or in ribbon settlements located beside the local access routes through the Fens. The landscape character is slightly different in the north-eastern part of the study area however, as it is partly influenced by the visibility of vehicles on the A17 road. 1.3.44 Tree and hedgerow cover is limited; however that which is in evidence is a mix of evergreen and deciduous species. There is occasional use of dense, single-species screen planting such as leylandii (Cupressus x leylandii) shelterbelts which have been planted beside farms. 1.3.45 Large scale electrical infrastructure, i.e. the Bicker Fen Wind Farm and lines of pylons, are dominant features within the landscape. However, the wide, open landscape absorbs such features and partly reduces their prominence. The turbines do provide a limited sense of movement within an otherwise still landscape. There is also an existing National Grid substation located at Bicker Fen, approximately 1.0 km south, south-east of the site.

Visual Baseline 1.3.46 The Substation site and study area consist of a large-scale, flat and open landscape which allows long distance views from most locations within the

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study area. There is limited woodland and hedgerow cover and that which does exist provides some localised screening to views. Earth bunds beside drains, such as beside the Forty Foot Drain, provide an additional screen to some views of ground level features such as residential properties and roads. From the site views to the north and east are restricted by the presence of the South Forty Foot Drain’s embankments. There are no notable long-range views out of the study area. 1.3.47 There are a number of prominent built features in close proximity to the site, most of which consist of electrical infrastructure and these are: Bicker Fen Wind Farm, which consists of 13 turbines (101 m in height to their blade tip) and is located within 0.2 km of the south-eastern boundary of the site; and three lines of electricity pylons pass across the study area, the closest of which to the site is within 0.2 km of the south-western boundary. The existing National Grid Bicker Fen substation is located 1.0 km south, south-east of the site boundary. 1.3.48 The large scale of the landscape has the effect of reducing the relative scale of large features within the landscape, such as the turbines and pylons, within views. Smaller features such as farm buildings, houses and blocks of woodlands, appear as negligible components in most views.

Visual Receptors 1.3.49 Within the study area there is a relatively low occurrence of visual receptors as this is a sparsely populated area which is largely used for intensive agriculture. Residential receptors within the study area are either located in an isolated position or are within a small hamlet or in ribbon settlements along local roads. 1.3.50 Table 1-3 presents details of identified visual receptors within the study area, their position and the nature of their existing views.

Table 1-3: Visual receptors in the Substation study area Distance & Name Nature of Existing View Direction from Site Oblique views from the properties towards the site. Views out are restricted by boundary hedgerow and tree planting which is a mix of Two Properties at evergreen and deciduous. Bicker Fen Wind Western Extent of 0.6 km E Farm is visible, 0.8km to the south-west. Pylons North Drove are also visible within the view, adjacent to the wind farm. Views of the site are possible from upper storey windows. Views of the site are screened by the adjacent earth bund beside the South Forty Foot Drain Property within 0.9 km W and by evergreen planting directly adjacent to Fen the site. There are possible upper storey views, however these would be oblique. Bicker Fen Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd Triton Knoll Electrical System Landscape and Visual Baseline Study Report no. P80427 (04) 1-18

Distance & Name Nature of Existing View Direction from Site Wind Farm is visible above the mound. Pylons are clearly visible in the view within close range. Oblique views from the property towards the site. Views out are restricted by boundary hedgerow and tree planting which is a mix of evergreen and deciduous. Bicker Fen Wind Crow Hall 1.3 km E Farm is visible, 1.2km to the west. Pylons are also visible within the view, adjacent to the wind farm. Views of the site are possible from upper storey windows. There are potential views of the site from within the grounds however large scale agricultural Lowgrounds Farm 1.5 km E buildings within the site will likely screen most views out. Oblique views from the properties towards the site across arable fields. Views out are restricted by boundary hedgerow and tree planting which is a mix of evergreen and Chestnut Farm 2.0 km NE deciduous. Bicker Fen Wind Farm is visible, 2.6 Barns km to the south, south-west. Pylons are also visible within the view, adjacent to the wind farm. There is potential for views of the site from upper storey windows. Direct views from the property across open arable fields towards the site. Bicker Fen Wind Brand End Farm 2.5 km NE Farm is visible, 2.4 km to the south. Pylons are also visible within the view, adjacent to the wind farm. Views out from the property are restricted by adjacent boundary vegetation and by trees and hedgerow in the intervening landscape. Bicker Royalty Farm 2.8 km NNE Fen Wind Farm is visible, 2.6 km to the south, south-west. Pylons are also visible within the view, adjacent to the wind farm. Views out in an easterly direction towards the site from the property are restricted by adjacent boundary vegetation and by trees and hedgerow in the intervening landscape. Views Broadhurst Farm 2.0 km WNW of the site are screened by an earth bund adjacent to the South Forty Foot Drain. Bicker Fen Wind Farm is visible above the mound. Pylons are also visible within the view. Views of the site are screened by intervening hedgerows along local access roads and by an Glebe Farm 2.7 km W earth bund adjacent to the South Forty Foot Drain. Views of the site are screened by the adjacent Eau End Farm 1.7 km SW earth bund beside the South Forty Foot Drain. There are possible upper storey views however. Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd Triton Knoll Electrical System Landscape and Visual Baseline Study Report no. P80427 (04) 1-19

Distance & Name Nature of Existing View Direction from Site Bicker Fen Wind Farm is visible above the mound. Pylons are also visible within the view. Hamlets/Groups of Properties Oblique views from the western extent of Bicker Gauntlet towards the site. Bicker Fen Wind Farm is clearly visible from here. approximately Bicker Gauntlet 1.4 km E 1.5km to the west. Pylons are also visible within the view, adjacent to the wind farm. Views of the site are possible from upper storey windows. Views of the site are not possible due to the Northorpe 3.1 km SSE distance away. Views of the Bicker Fen dominate in a north-westerly direction. Views of the site are screened by intervening Drove vegetation (occasional woodland blocks) and by Properties (inc. 2.2 km NW the earth bund adjacent to the South Forty Foot White House) Drain. Views of the site are screened by intervening Fen vegetation (occasional woodland blocks) and by 2.4 km SW Properties the earth bund adjacent to the South Forty Foot Drain. Public Rights of Way (i.e. Footpaths, Bridleways, Roads & Recreational Routes) Direct, open views across the site from this bridleway, particularly from the elevated earth bunds which are accessible. Views are across South Forty Foot an open, arable landscape, however prominent Drain Bridleway 0.2 km W visual features include the Bicker Fen Wind (Bick/1/1) Farm, adjacent to the south-eastern corner of the site and electricity pylons, located in the vicinity of the wind farm. South Forty Foot Views of the site are screened by bunds located Drain Footpath 2.0 km NNE adjacent to the South Forty Foot Drain. (Swhd/14/1) Views out in an easterly direction towards the site from the property are restricted by trees and Footpath beside hedgerow in the intervening landscape. Views Broadhurst Farm 1.3 km WNW of the site are screened by an earth bund (LHal/4/2) adjacent to the South Forty Foot Drain. Bicker Fen Wind Farm is visible above the mound. Pylons are also visible within the view. Views of the site from this path are screened by Path beside Eau the adjacent earth bund beside the South Forty End Farm 1.7 km SW Foot Drain. Bicker Fen Wind Farm is visible (Help/14/2) above the mound. Pylons are also visible within the view. Footpath within Views out are restricted by the South Forty Foot 1.8 km W Little Hale Fen Drain embankment. Bicker Fen Wind Farm is

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Distance & Name Nature of Existing View Direction from Site (LHal/5/1) visible, 0.8km to the south-west. Pylons are also visible within the view, adjacent to the wind farm. Views of the site are possible from upper storey windows. Views are across the open landscape towards Footpath beside the site which is located in close proximity to Hammond Beck 1.4 km SE Bicker Fen Wind Farm and a line of pylons. (Bick/2/1) Some tree along the nearby Bicker Drove. Other (e.g. Places of Work, Railway Lines etc) Potential glimpsed and temporary views of the site from passing trains in an oblique direction. Railway Line 2.2 km N Views of Bicker Wind Farm and adjacent pylons would be more dominant components of the view.

Representative Viewpoints 1.3.51 The following representative viewpoints in Table 1-4 have been considered in the assessment of the proposed Substation. These are illustrated in Figure 1-3-3.

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Table 1-4: Representative viewpoints for the Substation Distance & Included as No. Name Rationale for selection Direction Photomontage from Site Representative of views from South Forty the South Forty Foot Drain Foot Drain At 2.5 km VP1 public footpath and from North Ing SSW residential properties in the Drove North Ing area. Representative of views from South Forty the South Forty Foot Drain VP2 Foot Drain at 0.5 SW Yes public footpath in close Bicker Fen proximity. Representative of views from South Forty the South Forty Foot Drain VP3 Foot Drain at 2.8 km NE public footpath and from Royalty Farm Royalty Farm. Representative of views from Little Brand residential properties in the VP4 End Plot, 1.6 km NE Yes Little Brand End area and road Timms Drove users here. Representative of views from Chestnut 2.1 km residential properties in the VP5 Farm Barns, Yes ENE Tilebarn Lane area and road Tilebarn Lane users. Representative of views from North Drove, residential properties in the VP6 Bicker 1.6 km E western extent of Bicker Yes Gauntlet Gauntlet and of North Drove road users. Representative of views from residential receptors and road VP7 South Drove 2.6 km SE users in the vicinity of South Drove and Ing Drove. Representative of views from Gauntlet 3.4 km residential receptors and road VP8 Drove ESE users in the northern extent of Bicker. Representative of views from Great Hale residential receptors and road VP9 Drove, Great 2.2 km NW users in the Great Hale Fen Hale Fen area.

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Distance & Included as No. Name Rationale for selection Direction Photomontage from Site Representative of views from North Drove, 2.4 km residential receptors and road VP10 Helpringham WSW users in the Helpringham Fen Fen area. Representative of view from residential property at Little VP11 Little Hale Fen 0.8 km W Yes Hale Fen and road users in the vicinity.

1.3.52 Plates 1-2-1 to 1-2-11 provide photographs of the Substation site from the named viewpoints.

The Existing Bicker Fen Substation

Site Description 1.3.53 The part of the Proposed Development Boundary within which the Unlicensed Works at the Existing Bicker Fen Substation are located is 2.4 km west of the village of Bicker in the borough of Boston and the county of Lincolnshire. The Unlicensed Works site is located 1.2 km south, south-east of the proposed Substation site. 1.3.54 The Unlicensed Works site largely consists of an area of hard standing which is bounded by a steel palisade fence. An exception to this is at the north-eastern extent of the site, which is the proposed location of temporary construction compound TCC26 and this area consists of rough grassland. The entire site is flat with a low elevation of less than 5.0 m AOD and its central section contains electrical infrastructure equipment including: switchgear; busbars; voltage transformers; and cable connections to adjacent two 400 kV pylons, one being located on each side of the Unlicensed Works site. The height of existing equipment ranges from approximately 6.9 m (Line Disconnectors and Circuit Breakers) to 17.2 m (Low Height Towers/Single Circuit Towers). 1.3.55 Refer to Figure 1-5 in Volume 3, Chapter 1 which illustrates the layout of the existing site.

Landscape Designations 1.3.56 No part of the Unlicensed Works site falls within a nationally or locally designated landscape, nor is there a designated landscape within the study area.

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Landscape Character 1.3.57 Given the proximity of the Existing Bicker Fen Substation to the proposed Substation (1.2 km) and its location within the same Boston Borough Council Landscape Character Area, A1: Holland Reclaimed Fen, the landscape character description provided previously for the proposed Substation also applies here. However, the following are components of the landscape character description which are specific to the Unlicensed Works site:

• The site itself consists of electrical infrastructure which is in contrast to the dominant land use in the study area which is arable farmland. However, electrical infrastructure is a key component of the wider landscape character given its visual prominence within this open landscape. Electrical infrastructure within the site directly connects to two 400 KvkV electricity pylons which are located adjacent to the eastern and western boundaries (the eastern pylon being located within the cable route part of the Proposed Development Boundary). Additionally, the nearest Bicker Fen Wind Farm turbine is located 0.2 km to the north-west; and • The Unlicensed Works site is located 0.4 km to the west of the Boston Borough Council Landscape Character Sub-Area B1: Bicker to Wyberton Settled Fen. As was stated in the previous section, which considered the landscape character of the Substation and its study area, Sub-Area B1 is broadly consistent with the host character area, A1.

Visual Context and Representative Viewpoints 1.3.58 Referencing the consideration of visual context of the proposed Substation within the previous section, there are also relatively few visual receptors of the Unlicensed Works site as this is a sparsely populated area which is largely used for intensive agriculture. However, a clear difference between the Substation and Unlicensed Works sites is that the Unlicensed Works site falls is located within an existing operational substation which is visible from within parts of the surrounding study area. 1.3.59 As shown on Figure 1-3-3, the nearest residential receptors to the site are: Bicker Gauntlet, which is located 1.3 km north-east of the site (indicated by the location of VP06 on Figure 1-3-3); properties on Ings Road located 1.2 km east, south-east of the site (indicated by the location of VP07 on Figure 1-3-1); properties located on Cowbridge Road, located 1.4 km east of the site; a farmhouse located 1.6 km west, south-west of the site at North Ing Drove (indicated by the location of VP01 on Figure 1-3-1); and properties located 2.0 km south-east of the site in Northorpe. 1.3.60 The nearest publicly accessible location to the Proposed Development Boundary is Vicarage Drove, which is located within 0.1 km of the eastern and southern boundaries of the site. In addition there is a footpath, Bick/2/1,

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which is located 0.3 km east of the site. Refer to Figure 1-3-3 which illustrates the location of visual receptors within the study area. 1.3.61 Due to the proximity of the Unlicensed Works site to the proposed Substation, the following seven Substation representative viewpoints (as referenced in Table 2-2) can replicated for use as representative viewpoints of the Unlicensed Works site:

• Viewpoint 1: South Forty Foot Drain at North Ing Drove, which is 2.0 km to the south-west of the Unlicensed Works site (refer to Plate 1-3-1); • Viewpoint 2: South Forty Foot Drain at Bicker Fen, which is 1.4 km to the north-west of the Unlicensed Works site (refer to Plate 1-3-2); • Viewpoint 4: Little Brand End Plot, Timms Drove, which is 3.1 km north, north-east of the Unlicensed Works site (refer to Plate 1-3-3); • Viewpoint 5: Chestnut Farm Barns, Tilebarn Lane, which is 3.0 km north- east of the Unlicensed Works site (refer to Plate 1-3-4); • Viewpoint 6: North Drove Bicker Gauntlet, which is 1.5 km to the north-east of the Unlicensed Works site (refer to Plate 1-3-5); • Viewpoint 7: South Drove, which is 1.5 km east, south-east of the Unlicensed Works site (refer to Plate 1-3-6); and • Viewpoint 8: Gauntlet Drove, which is 2.6 km south-west of the Unlicensed Works site (refer to Plate 1-3-7).

The Onshore Cable Route

Site Description 1.3.62 The cable route is approximately 60 km in length and includes a landfall point to the north of . The landscape at the landfall point is a flat coastal zone which almost entirely consists of open arable land. Anderby Creek is the nearest settlement and that consists predominantly of holiday chalets. Visibility of the sea is limited from inland due to the presence of coastal protection bunds and sand dunes located between the farmland and beach. The beach area at the eastern extent of the proposed cable route is a distinctly different landscape from the nearby open arable fields and the two have a clear physical separation formed by the sand dunes. 1.3.63 The landscape demonstrates some variety over the length of the proposed cable corridor, however it is broadly similar to that of the Substation and Intermediate Electrical Compound sites in that it is largely flat, agricultural land. Vegetation cover largely consists of hedgerows located on field boundaries with occasional blocks of woodland and shelterbelts, however the landscape has a relatively low level of tree and hedgerow cover overall.

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Landscape Designations 1.3.64 No part of the cable route Proposed Development Boundary falls within a nationally or locally designated landscape. 1.3.65 The northern extent of the cable route, including the potential landfall point, is located within the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park which is not a landscape designation however it is of local importance for recreation. 1.3.66 Although not a landscape designation or a statutory designation, the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project is summarised below. The project was set up during 2003 with the aim of conserving and regenerating the grazing marshes within Lincolnshire. The project focuses on three target areas in East Lindsey: around Burgh-le-Marsh; ; and Anderby/, together covering approximately 9,000 ha. The project’s stated vision is: “To restore and maintain the unique coastal grazing marshes landscape in the three project areas with their mosaic of damp wildlife-rich grasslands and distinctive water courses, archaeological sites and historic buildings. This will be achieved by promoting a thriving mix of arable and pastoral farming, by creating new opportunities for visitors and residents alike to explore, learn from and enjoy this unique environment, and by encouraging a renewed sense of pride in the local area” 1.3.67 The northern extent of the cable route passes through two of the Target Areas of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project. 1.3.68 Designations referred to here are shown on Figure 1-1.

Landscape Character and Visual Context 1.3.69 Given the cable route covers a distance of 60 km in length, the landscape and visual baseline is most easily identified in a combined process which presents information on the landscape character of sections of the cable route, and subsequently potential visual receptors are identified within each section.

Visual Context 1.3.70 The onshore cable corridor has been routed to avoid passing directly through settlements. However, its surrounding area does feature a similar settlement pattern to that of the Substation and Intermediate Electrical Compound, i.e. intermittent small settlements and isolated properties. A number of roads and Public Rights of Way are located within the study area. Table 1-5 identifies potential visual receptors within the site and study area.

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National Character Areas 1.3.71 National Character Areas (NCAs), produced by Natural England, divide England into 159 landscape character areas. The study area for the onshore development contains two of the NCAs:

• NCA Profile 42: Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes (2014) Natural England; and • NCA Profile 46: The Fens (2013) Natural England 1.3.72 The onshore cable route is located within both NCA 42 and NCA 46. 1.3.73 Figure 1-2-1 illustrates the location of national landscape character areas within the study area. A summary of each of the NCAs is as follows:

Local Character Areas 1.3.74 The landscape character of the study area of the site is described within two local landscape character assessments, which are:

• East Lindsey District Landscape Character Assessment (2009) East Lindsey District Council (ELDC); and • Boston Borough Landscape Character Assessment (2009) Boston Borough Council (BBC). 1.3.75 Given the extent of the onshore cable route it passes through a series of local character areas, which are shown in Figure 1-2-2. These character areas have been used as the basis of a description of the cable route, sequentially from landfall to the Substation (i.e. east to west) in Table 1-5. This table also includes reference to visual receptors which have been identified within each of the character areas. Both the landscape description and visual receptors identified here are supported by reference photographs in Appendix 1 and their locations are shown in Figures 1-4-1 to 1-4-10.

Table 1-5: Landscape character areas: cable route

Character Reference photographs Description of landscape Document area & extent & visual character of cable route receptors J1: Tetney This character area includes The following are lists of Lock to the landfall point at Anderby potential visual receptors, Skegness Creek. The landscape at the some of which are ELDC Coastal landfall point is that of a flat referenced using Landscape Outmarsh coastal zone with a low level photographs taken in their Character of vegetation cover. Land use vicinity. Photographs are Assessment This character largely consists of open also intended to support (2009) area includes arable land. Anderby Creek the descriptions of the initial consists predominantly of landscape character. approximate holiday chalets with some Photographs are included Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd Triton Knoll Electrical System Landscape and Visual Baseline Study Report no. P80427 (04) 1-27

Character Reference photographs Description of landscape Document area & extent & visual character of cable route receptors 20 km of cable small areas of woodland in Appendix 1. route shelterbelts. Visibility of the sea is limited from inland due The following public Reference to the presence of coastal footpaths and bridleways photographs protection bunds and sand cross the cable route 001 to 010 are dunes located between the within this section: included in farmland and beaches. Given Hutt/10/5; Hutt/10/4; Appendix 1 the visual separation Ande/17/2; Ande/17/1; provided by the sand dunes, Ande/22/4; Ande/22/3; the beach area, which is Ande/23/1; Ande/24/3; located at the eastern extent Ande/25/1; Mumb/25/2; of the site, is a relatively Mumb/26/1; Mumb/25/1; distinct area of landscape Mumb/59/8; Mumb/61/1; character with limited Hogs/58/1; Hogs/58/2; connection to the character of BurM/265/1; BurM/261/2. the wider rural landscape. The following are The landfall point is within the individual properties or Lincolnshire Coastal Country groups of properties which Park, as is approximately 6 are within or directly km of the onshore cable adjacent to the cable route route. This is not a landscape and have the potential to designation however it does experience temporary denote local value as a visual effects due to the landscape open to public cable route construction: recreation. Anderby Creek; properties on Roman Bank; Sea The overall character area is Road properties; Manor a low lying, drained plain Farm; Field Farm; which is mostly flat with only Langham Road properties; occasional minor undulations. A52 leadine west from Land use is predominantly ; properties on mixed agricultural with both Listoft Lane; properties on arable and pasture, and Ingoldmells Road; some remnants of ridge and properties on Chalk Lane; furrow. There is an extensive properties on Billgate network of drains, ditches Lane; properties on Low and dykes beside fields with Lane; properties on a strong geometric pattern in Wainfleet Road/ the northern and central parts End; properties on Lymn of the character area. As the Bank. landform is so flat and the land is largely open Users of the Lincolnshire agricultural, there are wide Coastal Country Park and open views with only a small the beach beside the proportion of views enclosed landfall at Anderby Point by gentle undulations, are also receptors which

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Character Reference photographs Description of landscape Document area & extent & visual character of cable route receptors embankments and trees. have the potential to experience visual effects. The rivers and the historic Louth Canal cross from the Lincolnshire Wolds in the west towards the coast. Sparsely scattered settlements set within mature ornamental trees and hedgerows. The largest settlements are largely coastal (and away from the cable route) such as Mablethorpe, Ingoldmells and Skegness. There is an extensive network of raised minor roads with a few larger A-roads serving the coastal resorts. There are some obvious man-made influences including a gas terminal, an oil storage facility and several wind farms. This character area consists of gently undulating foothills to the Lincolnshire Wolds, I1: Holton le which are to the west of the Clay to Great site. Land use is Steeping predominantly arable The following are Middle Marsh farmland with medium to individual properties or

large scale fields, with some groups of properties which This character pasture with grazing sheep are directly adjacent to the area and cattle. Fields are often cable route and have the intermittently bounded by ditches and potential to experience covers the dykes and field pattern is temporary visual effects study area of slightly less structured than due to the cable route the cable route other character areas along construction: Properties on within an the cable route. Billgate Lane, south of approximate 5 Burgh le Marsh; and a km extent There are scattered blocks of property at the junction of

mixed deciduous woodland Bratoft End and Wainfleet Reference and defined hedgerow Road. photograph boundaries throughout. The 011 is included character description in Appendix 1 describes this character area as a distinctive and tranquil rural landscape with very few

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Character Reference photographs Description of landscape Document area & extent & visual character of cable route receptors minor detractors. There are no public This character area is largely footpaths or bridleways flat with some gentle which cross the cable B1: Wainfleet undulations and slightly route within this character All Saints to elevated above the area. surrounding drained fens and Settled Fen coastal marsh. The following are groups of properties which are This character This is a well settled rural within or directly adjacent area covers a landscape with many to the cable route and short dwellings and farmsteads have the potential to approximate 1 scattered throughout. Fields experience temporary km extent of are predominantly arable visual effects due to the the cable route fields with occasional cable route construction: hedgerows. Frequent Properties on Lymn Bank; Reference settlements, farmsteads and properties on Harrison’s photograph dwellings are set amongst Lane; properties on 012 is included mature tree planting and Fendike Bank; properties in Appendix 1 shelter belts. A relatively on Thorpe Bank/Station diverse but intact rural Road. landscape.

This is low lying, drained There are no public fenland. The landform is footpaths or bridleways mostly flat with only which cross the cable occasional minor undulations. route within this character area. A1: Stickney to As the landform is so flat and the land is largely open The following are Reclaimed Fen agricultural, there are wide individual properties or

open views with only a small groups of properties which This character proportion of views enclosed are within or directly area includes by gentle undulations, adjacent to the cable route approximately embankments and trees. and have the potential to 22 km of the experience temporary cable route Land use is intensively visual effects due to the

farmed medium to large scale cable route construction: Reference arable fields form vast seas Properties on Thorpe photographs of crops. Field boundaries Bank/Station Road; Windy 013 to 018 are are typically open with Bridge Farm; St included in ditches, occasional Catherine’s Farm; Appendix 1 hedgerows or remnant properties on Midville hedgerows. Fields are Road; properties on East drained by a hierarchy of Fen Lane; properties on dykes forming an extensive Main Road/Thorndales grid network. The grid is Lane; properties in

Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd Triton Knoll Electrical System Landscape and Visual Baseline Study Report no. P80427 (04) 1-30

Character Reference photographs Description of landscape Document area & extent & visual character of cable route receptors emphasised by adjacent Northlands; properties on raised minor roads and Staunt Road; properties telegraph poles and wires. on Westville Road; properties on Canister There is sparse tree cover Lane; properties on throughout which is largely Drove; properties confined to shelter belts, on Leagate Road; along some roads and properties on Mere Booth around dwellings and Road. settlements including occasional coniferous belts and short lines of poplars.

The area is sparsely populated with widely scattered farmsteads and small linear hamlets. There are settlements along the which is the main road through the area. Away from the A16 the area is relatively remote and tranquil. Sibsey Trader Mill is a prominent landmark and heritage feature. BBC This is area consists of flat The following public Landscape and low-lying reclaimed footpaths and bridleways Character fenland. There are open and cross the cable route Assessment expansive views with big within this section: A1: Holland (2009) skies and dark night skies Brot/2/1; Swhd/14/1; Reclaimed Fen with some views semi- Swhd/13/1.

enclosed at ground level by This character large embankments. The following are area includes individual properties or the final This is largely a man-made groups of properties which approximate intensive arable landscape are within or directly 12 km of cable laid out in a regular, adjacent to the cable route route geometric pattern with narrow and have the potential to

roads and trackways experience temporary Reference alongside drains, dykes and visual effects due to the photographs ditches. Field boundaries are cable route construction: 019 to 021 are typically open with wet properties on included in ditches, dykes and drains Road; properties on North Appendix 1 and the occasional Forty Foot Bank; hedgerow. The large North properties on Kirton Forty Foot Drain and South Drove; properties on Forty Foot Drain are key Drove;

Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd Triton Knoll Electrical System Landscape and Visual Baseline Study Report no. P80427 (04) 1-31

Character Reference photographs Description of landscape Document area & extent & visual character of cable route receptors dominating features of the properties on A17, area. Swineshead; Royalty Farm; properties on In terms of built development, Timm’s Drove; properties this is a sparsely populated on Bicker Drove. area with occasional small hamlets, scattered farmsteads, and occasional rows of former workers’ cottages. Occasional large scale horticultural glasshouses, and packing or processing plants occur near the southern boundary of the area. There are also occasional derelict farm cottages and field buildings.

Bicker wind farm and large scale pylons on the south western tip are modern landmark features.

This area is described as: “A semi-remote, tranquil and intact working agricultural landscape.”

Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd Triton Knoll Electrical System Landscape and Visual Baseline Study Report no. P80427 (04) 1-32

REFERENCES

• Council of Europe (2000) European Landscape Convention • Department for Communities and Local Government (2012) National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) • Department of Energy & Climate Change (2011) EN-1: Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy • Department of Energy & Climate Change (2011) EN-5: National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure • East Lindsey District Council (2009) East Lindsey District Landscape Character Assessment • East Lindsey District Council (1999) Local Plan • Boston Borough Council (2009) Landscape Character Assessment of Boston Borough • Boston Borough Council (1999) Local Plan • The Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (2013) Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition (GLVIA3) • Natural England (2014): National Character Area Profile 42: Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes • Natural England (2013): National Character Area Profile 46: The Fens • North Kesteven District Council (2007) North Kesteven Landscape Character Assessment • Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Agency (2002) Landscape Character Assessment: Guidance for England and Scotland

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APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Cable route reference photographs

001: Photograph taken from within J1: Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh This photograph is taken from the vicinity of the landfall point, at the base of the sand dunes, looking north, north-east (TF 54893 76956). This location is is reached by footpath Hutt/10/5.

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002: Photograph taken from within J1: Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh This photograph is taken from the vicinity of the landfall point on the sand dunes, looking west (TF 54893 76956). This location is within the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park and is beside footpath Hutt/10/5.

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003: Photograph from within J1: Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh This photograph is representative of views from residential properties on Roman Bank, Ainderby Creek (TF 54369 76333).

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004: Photograph from within J1: Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh This photograph is representative of views from footpaths Mumb/59/8 and Mumb/61/1 and looks south towards the site (TF 52962 73845).

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005: Photograph from within J1: Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh This photograph is representative of views from Listoft Lane and looks south towards the site (TF 52513 71886).

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006: Photograph from within J1: Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh This photograph is representative of views from South Ings Lane and looks south-west across the site (TF 53092 70392).

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007: Photograph from within J1: Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh This photograph is representative of views from Ingoldmells Road and looks west across the site (TF 52346 66641).

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008: Photograph from within J1: Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh This photograph is representative of views from Chalk Lane and looks south across the site (TF 52002 66308).

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009: Photograph from within J1: Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh This photograph is representative of views from Billgate Lane and looks south-west across the site (TF 51046 64006).

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010: Photograph from within J1: Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh This photograph is representative of views from Bratoft End and looks south-west across the site (TF 49107 63542).

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011: Photograph from the boundary of I1: Holton le Clay to Middle Marsh This photograph is representative of character area I1: Holton le Clay to Great Steeping Middle Marsh and is taken from within the Bratoft (TF 48631 63059).

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012: Photograph from within B1: to Friskney Settled Fen This photograph is representative of character area B1: Wainfleet All Saints to Friskney Settled Fen and is taken from Harrison’s Lane within the Parish (TF 45943 60801).

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013: Photograph from within A1: Stickney to Sibsey Reclaimed Fen This photograph is representative of character area A1: Stickney to Sibsey Reclaimed Fen and is taken from within the vicinity of (TF 40442 58011).

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014: Photograph from within A1: Stickney to Sibsey Reclaimed Fen This photograph is taken from Fodder Dyke Bank looking south across the site (TF 37048 56945).

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015: Photograph from within A1: Stickney to Sibsey Reclaimed Fen This photograph is taken from within the vicinity of Northlands (TF 32759 52948).

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016: Photograph from within A1: Stickney to Sibsey Reclaimed Fen This photograph is taken from within the Westville Road, (TF 31223 50917).

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017: Photograph from within A1: Stickney to Sibsey Reclaimed Fen This photograph is taken from within the vicinity of Anton’s Gowt (TF 29733 48821).

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018: Photograph from within A1: Stickney to Sibsey Reclaimed Fen This photograph is taken from Langrick Road looking north-east (TF 28217 48257).

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019: Photograph from within A1: Holland Reclaimed Fen This photograph is taken from Claydike Bank (TF 23407 45492).

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020: Photograph from within A1: Holland Reclaimed Fen This photograph is taken from the A17 near to Swineshead (TF 21206 43417).

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021: Photograph from within A1: Holland Reclaimed Fen This photograph is taken from the A17 near to Bicker Gauntlet (TF 22249 42158).

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