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I Write in Response to Your Consultation Regarding the Above Request for a Scoping Opinion at Land at Chapel Farm Fields, Abergavenny

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I Write in Response to Your Consultation Regarding the Above Request for a Scoping Opinion at Land at Chapel Farm Fields, Abergavenny FRINGE NOTIFICATIONS DELEGATED TO THE NATIONAL PARK OFFICERS App No. Grid Ref. Applicant, proposal, type, address Decision Date Issued Decision Type 18/16565/FRI N: 215285 Kate Bingham for Request for a scoping Fringe 27 September Fringe comments E: 328769 opinion to determine the scope of an Comments 2018 EIA, following screening opinion DM/2018/00613, that the proposed development could give rise to likely significant landscape and visual effects and therefore an Environmental Statement would be required. (Fringe Consultation) at Land At Chapel Farm Fields, Abergavenny. I write in response to your consultation regarding the above request for a scoping opinion at Land at Chapel Farm Fields, Abergavenny. This letter follows our previous letter (dated 15th May 2018) which commented on the EIA screening opinion (DM/2018/00613). We have had a meeting on 24th September with the applicant’s landscape consultant to discuss our initial feedback on the screening opinion. I set out below some background on the National Park’s policy and legal context and a re-cap of the EIA screening opinion comments previously provided on this proposal. The letter ends with our comments on the intended approach to assessing the scheme’s landscape and visual impact (as set out in the agent’s request for an EIA scoping opinion dated 29th August 2018) and the proposed viewpoint location plan. We have also reviewed the agent’s draft illustrative masterplan and draft Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV). Background Policy and legal context Section 63 of the Environment Act (1995) sets out the statutory purposes of the National Park as follows:- To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park; and To promote opportunities for the public understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park In accordance with section 62(2) of the Environment, any relevant Authority shall have regard to National Park purposes when performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land in a National Park. Relevant Authorities include public bodies, government departments, local authorities and statutory undertakers. The Special Qualities of the National Park may be significantly impacted by development proposals on the fringes of the National Park. The Brecon Beacons National Park Management Plan 2010-2015 defines the Special Qualities of the Brecon Beacons National Park as follows: A National Park offering peace and tranquillity with opportunities for quiet enjoyment, inspiration, relaxation and spiritual renewal. A feeling of vitality and healthfulness that comes from enjoying the Park’s fresh air, clean water, rural setting, open land and locally produced foods. A sense of place and cultural identity - “Welshness” - characterized by the indigenous Welsh language, religious and spiritual connections, unique customs and events, traditional foods and crafts, relatively unspoilt historic towns and villages, family farms and continued practices of traditional skills developed by local inhabitants to live and earn a living here, such as common land practices and grazing. A sense of discovery where people explore the Park’s hidden secrets and stories such as genealogical histories, prehistoric ritual sites, relic medieval rural settlements, early industrial sites, local myths and legends and geological treasures from time immemorial. The Park’s sweeping grandeur and outstanding natural beauty observed across a variety of harmoniously connected landscapes, including marvellous gorges and waterfalls, classic karst geology with caves and sink holes, contrasting glacial landforms such as cliffs and broad valleys carved from old red sandstone and prominent hilltops with extensive views in all directions. A working, living “patchwork” of contrasting patterns, colours, and textures comprising well- maintained farmed landscapes, open uplands, lakes and meandering rivers punctuated by small-scale woodlands, country lanes, hedgerows and stone walls and scattered settlements. Extensive and widespread access to the Park’s diversity of wildlife and richness of semi-natural habitats, such as native woodlands, heathland and grassland, natural lakes and riparian habitats, ancient hedgerows, limestone pavement and blanket bogs including those of international and national importance. In the context of the UK, geographically rugged, remote and challenging landscapes. Enjoyable and accessible countryside with extensive, widespread and varied opportunities to pursue walking, cycling, fishing, water-based activities and other forms of sustainable recreation or relaxation. An intimate sense of community where small, pastoral towns and villages are comparatively safe, friendly, welcoming and retain a spirit of cooperation. Planning Policy Wales (PPW) acknowledges that statutory purposes of National Parks and reinforces the “Sandford Principle”, whereby if there is a conflict between the statutory purposes, greater weight shall be given to the first purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural environment. PPW also recognises that natural heritage issues are not confined by administrative boundaries and that the duty to have regard to National Park purposes applies to activities affecting these areas, whether those activities lie within or outside the designated area. EIA Screening stage The National Park Authority provided comments at the EIA screening stage (see our letter dated 15th May 2018). This broadly concurred with Monmouthshire Council’s view that an EIA is required on the basis of landscape and visual effects. As set out in our letter, the National Park Authority has concern that the development would impact on its peace and tranquility, vitality and healthfulness, sweeping grandeur and outstanding natural beauty and contrasting patterns, colours and textures. The National Park Authority is concerned that the development will impact on the following special qualities of the National Park – Sweeping grandeur and outstanding natural beauty Contrasting patterns, colours and textures Scoping Opinion Comments Having reviewed the agent’s request for an EIA scoping opinion dated 29th August 2018 and the plan of the proposed viewpoints we make the following comments to assist Monmouthshire Council in reaching a scoping opinion on this proposal: 1. We note the applicant intends to complete a landscape and visual impact Technical EIA chapter, to include consideration of tranquility (specifically relating to soundscape), light pollution and tranquility. A Cumulative Impact EIA technical chapter will also be undertaken. These topic areas are considered appropriate in light of the likely significant effects of this development. 2. It is noted that a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) will be carried out by a chartered landscape architect in line with the latest Landscape Institute/Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment’. This is an appropriate approach. 3. The LVIA is stated to use a baseline year of 2018, including an assessment during the construction period on completion of the development (i.e. operation) and 15 years after completion of the development as sufficiently suitable. This is an appropriate approach. 4. In terms of the proposed views, we note nine viewpoints are proposed with six being located in the National Park. The longest range view is 2.5km away. We note this has been based upon a Zone of Theoretical Visibility which extends to a radius of 3km only. Having reviewed this detail the NPA considers further consideration needs to be given to the visual impact upon longer-range views from neighbouring hills within the National Park – principally from the highest points on near-by Sugar Loaf, the Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr), Bryn Arw and Blorenge. It is these longer range views which appear to have been missed from the current proposed viewpoints plan but which are important factors contributing to the National Park’s Special Qualities. Therefore an assessment of the development’s impact on these longer-range views is crucial. 5. In terms of cumulative impacts, the NPA is not currently aware of any residential developments within the National Park which are considered to warrant inclusion within this chapter. We will let Monmouthshire Council comment on the planning applications outside of the National Park (but within Monmouthshire’s Authority area). .
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