Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 47 Regional Seascape Unit Porthcawl to Nash Point Name:
(Above): Porthcawl (Photo © Natasha Lough, CCW) (Left): Dunraven Bay, to the eastern end of the unit, with characteristic beds of rock (Photo © John Briggs) (Below): The Ogmore Estuary, Merthyr Mawr dunes beyond (Photo © John Briggs)
1 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 47 Regional Seascape Unit Porthcawl to Nash Point Name:
Seascape Types: THMR, TSLD, THIU Key Characteristics Imposing lias cliffs, wavecut platforms and beaches of Glamorgan Heritage Coast with incised valleys.
Extensive dunes of Merthyr Mawr rising on underlying landform flanked by flat Ogmore valley and fronted by a wide sandy beach. Flat coastal plain around Porthcawl with low rocky headland and sandy enclosed beaches. Gently undulating, rural, mixed farming to the east. Bristol Channel causes slight lateral flow and the sea is opaque with suspended solids. Key views from Glamorgan Heritage Coastal Path, Porthcawl Point, Dunraven Bay and Park, Nash Point and Ogmore by Sea. Long open views of Bristol Channel seen against backcloth of English coast including Exmoor. Key cultural associations: Predominant cultural expression is leisure: Porthcawl to the west including very large caravan park and amusement centre at Trecco Bay; low key holiday and beach destinations at Ogmore-by-Sea, Southerndown, with golf courses at Porthcawl and St Bride’s Major.
Physical Geology Liassic limestone lies to the east along the Vale of Glamorgan Coast and around Porthcawl Characteristics Point with conglomerate east of the town. Blown sand lies at Merthyr Mawr. Coastal landform A south-west facing, slightly concave coast, which is in part an eroding and in part a deposition coastline. The section of coast is to the east, from Ogmore-by-Sea to Nash Point has high, vertical and sloping cliffs to 50m AOD. Within this context there are a number of small incised valleys reaching the coast, some left hanging by the cliffs.. The cliffs are distinctly layered with horizontal beds of limestone.. To the west lies the low rocky landform of Porthcawl Point, between which the dunes of Merthyr Mawr Warren rise on underlying landform. Coastal landcover The Vale of Glamorgan coast is rural with pasture and arable land running to the edge. Porthcawl is an urban area with a very large caravan site at Trecco Bay. Ogmore-by-Sea is a coastal settlement on steeply rising slopes. Between Portcawl and Ogmore-by-Sea lies the extensive Merthyr Mawr sand dune system.. Intertidal area To the east, extensive wave-cut platforms display strong rectilinear and linear patterns depending on tilt of the bed, and evidence of fossils. These are interspersed with large sandy beaches, coves and pebbles. The tidal range is high on the Bristol Channel - 9m on average. The Ogmore River brings silt and sand to the coast. The beach in front of Merthyr Mawr is large and sandy with rocks to the west. Around Porthcawl there are a series of wave-cut platforms which enclose small sandy bays. Of note there are some rocks covered in tarmac in an attempt to control erosion near Porthcawl. Characteristics of sea The sea has a lateral tidal flow from the Bristol Channel. There are also suspended solids giving an opaque brown appearance to the water although this is slightly clearer than that to the east. Hinterland landform Gently undulating plateau to the east rising from the coast to a high point of around 100m AOD incised with narrow valleys. To the north land rises gently on a coastal plain then sharply in the scarp slope to 100m AOD at Newton Down. The flat Ogmore valley lies between higher land. Hinterland landcover Arable and pastoral agriculture with scattered farms and some nucleated settlements on the plateau. Bridgend lies inland, with few views of the coast. Lighting Porthcawl including Trecco Bay is the largest concentration of light on the coast with Ogmore by Sea contributing. Inland Bridgend is the largest source. Lighting intensity diminishes to the east. Nash Point has a lighthouse.
Use Land/coast uses The coast is used for agriculture, residential, intensive leisure including a very large static caravan site (Trecco Bay), informal recreation such as the coastal path and beaches.
Sea uses The sea is used for swimming and surfing particularly at Porthcawl but also at Ogmore, fishing and some sailing from either Penarth Haven or Swansea/Mumbles. Commercial
2 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments navigation uses of the Bristol Channel and to and from the ports of Swansea, Avonmouth, Cardiff and Newport.
Visual and How the seascape unit is Glamorgan Heritage Coastal Path; beaches such as at Porthcawl and Ogmore-by-Sea; coastal sensory qualities experienced and inland plateau settlements. Degree of intervisibility of To the east there is significant visibility out to sea as the land gently rises away from the coast land and sea on the plateau although views of the sea close to the coast are limited by the high cliffs. To the west visibility continues on the rising hill and scarp slopes behind the narrow coastal plain and dunes. Key views to sea and along Glamorgan Heritage Coastal Path has numerous open views and is a very sensitive receptor. the coast Other key viewpoints include Porthcawl Point, Dunraven Bay and Park, Nash Point and Ogmore-by-Sea. All views include the English coast as a backdrop including Exmoor. Key views to land Views are limited to yachts/boats and the Swansea-Cork ferry to the west. Tranquillity/rem- The coast becomes more tranquil and with fewer settlements to the east and access is oteness/wildness generally by footpath with limited vehicular access. To the west there is limited tranquillity at Merthyr Mawr but this evaporates around Porthcawl and Trecco Bay. Sense of scale Medium to large due to cliff heights to east, size of dunes and openness of coast. Openness/ Open enclosure Diversity Diverse (varying coastal types). Exposure Exposed as south west facing.
Key cultural Porthcawl holiday resort: major low-cost caravan park formerly popular with miners; Low associations key holiday and beach destinations at Ogmore-by-Sea, Southerndown, with golf courses at Porthcawl and St Bride’s Major. Subject to extensive residential expansion during the late 20th century. Small-scale regenerative activity on sea front at Porthcawl.
Forces for Land/coast Development pressure around settlements especially Porthcawl. change Intense recreation pressure around Trecco Bay. Less intense pressure on Glamorgan Heritage Coastal Path. Coastal erosion affecting coastal path and historic features. Climate change may threaten low lying land with flooding. Sea Sand and gravel extraction from Nash Bank may modify erosion patterns on coast.
Designations and National Park - sensitive features AONB - Heritage Coast Glamorgan Heritage Coast east of Ogmore-by-Sea
Long-distance coastal Glamorgan Heritage Coastal Path footpath/National Trail Outstanding and special Twyni Merthyr Mawr historic landscapes Historic gardens and parks Dunraven Park Key scheduled ancient Dunraven Hillfort SS 8872 monuments Country Parks - Open access land Tir Mynediad in the environs of and north of Ogmore-by-Sea
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No: 47 Regional Seascape Porthcawl to Nash Point Unit Name: Headline Sub-criteria Increases sensitivity Decreases sensitivity criteria
Overall Summary of key • The high liassic cliffs with features such as • A relatively shallow concave coast character factors in this Dunraven Point and Nash Point • Low lying land seascape • Rural and tranquil character to the east • The suburban settlement of Porthcawl • Glamorgan Heritage Coastal Path and views • The extensive caravan park at Trecco along the Heritage Coast Bay, • Views to Exmoor on the English coast • Implementation of Scarweather Sands • The promenade at Porthcawl where there are wind farm to the west. many receptors. • The Nash Point lighthouse • Plateau landform to the east
Seascape sensitivity levels for different forms of offshore development (derived from criteria above) Modelled scenario Generic form of Sensitivity Level Comments development
Tall structures 13km Moderate The introduction of tall objects at13km distant would Offshore wind offshore distract from the special qualities of those parts of the sensitivity seascape that are undeveloped.
Wave energy units Broad flat structures on Low - Moderate The introduction of broad flat objects out to sea would sensitivity the sea surface distract from the special qualities of those parts of the seascape that are undeveloped, however, being flat, they would be less visually prominent than tall objects...
Tidal energy units Developments placed Moderate - High Development close to shore to the east would be visible sensitivity only a short distance from the Glamorgan Heritage Coast from elevated, scenic, offshore. cliff locations, significantly increases the sensitivity.
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