Appendix 5 Environmental Statement for Permitted Marina (South County Council 10/00312/FUL) – Halletec Environmental Ltd

0130/04 Swindon Marina – Environmental Statement

Proposed Swindon Marina

Swindon

South Staffordshire

Environmental Statement

On behalf of

T & J Munday

April 2010

Job No: 0651/1

52 Cheshire Street Market Drayton TF9 1PR  2009 Halletec Environmental Ltd.

Chartered Surveyors, Minerals Planning & Environmental Consultants

Chartered Surveyors Minerals, Planning & Environmental Consultants

52 Cheshire Street Market Drayton Shropshire TF9 1PR 01630 698 035

Proposed Swindon Marina

Swindon

Environment Statement

On behalf of

T & J Munday

April 2010

Author Christopher Whitehouse Planning and Development Surveyor BSc (Hons) Checked By Alistair Duncan AMS. BSC. CEnv. FRICS. FIQ.

Disclaimer This report has been prepared by Halletec Environmental which is the trading name of Halletec Environmental Limited, with all reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms of the Contract with the client, incorporating our General Terms and Conditions of Business and taking account of the resources devoted to it by agreement with the client. We disclaim any responsibility to the client and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of the above. This report is confidential to the client and we accept no responsibility of whatsoever nature to third parties to whom this report, or any part thereof, is made known. Any such party relies on the report at their own risk.

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CONTENTS

Chapter No Section Page No

1 Introduction and Methodology 4 2 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 12 3 Geological Appraisal 77 4 Transport Assessment 113 5 Archaeological Assessment 189 6 Ecological and Protected Species Survey Report 224 7 Noise Assessment 258 8 Hydrological and Hydrogeological Assessment 293 EIA Summary Matrix and Cumulative Impact 9 506 Assessment 10 Summary and Conclusions of EIA 515

Appendices Appendix 1 Location and Site Plan 520 Extract of Section 12 from Schedule II EIA Appendix 2 522 Requirements Appendix 3 June 2009 Scoping Report 524

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1.0 Introduction and Methodology

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1.0 Introduction

This Environmental Statement (ES) has been submitted together with a Planning Statement prepared by Paul Turner Consultancy for a planning application consisting of development of a 226 berth marina alongside and connected to the Staffordshire and Worcester canal.

The proposed development includes provision for two service buildings housing toilets, showers and laundry facilities and a waste pump out and re-fuelling system. The marina will provide a high level of security for boat owners including fencing and closed circuit television. Proposed facilities will also include a detached building located at the site entrance that will contain a managers office, farm shop, chandlery and tea room, gift shop and mezzanine viewing gallery area. The development will include sufficient vehicle parking for boat users and visitors. The scheme will include soft and hard landscaping and planting throughout the site and alongside Smestow Brook. Also adjacent to Smestow Brook are low-key amenity facilities for picnicking and nature conservation for use by boat owners and visitors.

1.1 Situation and Description

Swindon is located to the south of and west of just outside the county boundary in South Staffordshire. See location plan at Appendix 1. The site comprises approximately 8.9 ha. (22 acres) of agricultural land that is down to a combination of mainly permanent pasture with rough grazing. The site is bounded on its western and southern sides by the Smestow Brook and on its east by the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. Its northern boundary is on to The Holloway, a ‘C’ class road that runs through the centre of Swindon village. See Drawing no 0651/1/2 at Appendix 1.

1.2 Background and demand for the development proposal

In 2006 British Waterways published a report entitled Inland Marinas Investment Guide in which they identified a steady increase in demand for canal based leisure activities resulting in the need for an additional 11,800 berths on the canal network by 2015. The demand is being driven by a number of factors including increased leisure time, demand particularly from the over 50 age group, and the increasing attraction of the canal system for leisure related development. The growth in demand for narrow boats is also reflected in the requirement for secure off line mooring,

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which can only be provided in new build marinas of the type proposed for Swindon. The applicant has brought this site to the attention of British Waterways who have confirmed it is suitable in terms of water capacity within this part of the canal network to sustain the addition of 250+ narrow boats.

The site benefits from a number of features that make it particularly suitable for development as a marina. These include:

 Low visual impact

 Good road access

 Good access to local facilities

 Good access to the popular wider Midlands canal network

 Space for provision of important on site services

 An attractive setting

 Scope to create a scheme that can integrate harmoniously with the village

The site also benefits from a low visual impact with Swindon Rough, a substantial wooded scarp slope which rises above the site as a backdrop. The land forms part of a larger agricultural holding but is isolated from the main unit for reasons of geography and topography with no prospect of that isolation being altered in the future. Agriculturally it is partially affected by the Smestow Brook flood plain and is therefore largely incapable of material agricultural improvement. This proposed development accordingly forms part of farm diversification into a leisure and recreational land use.

2.0 Methodology

2.1 General Approach

The Environmental Statement has been prepared to comply with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) ( and Wales) Regulations 1999 (as amended) (hereafter referred to as the EIA Regulations) require that before consent is granted for certain types of development, an EIA must be undertaken. The EIA Regulations set out the types of development, which are classified as being subject to an EIA (Schedule 1 development) and other

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Chartered Surveyors, Minerals Planning & Environmental Consultants types of developments, which may require assessments if they give rise to significant environmental impacts (Schedule 2). The development falls within Schedule 2, Category 12b of the EIA Regulations (Appendix 2) as a tourism and leisure development project which due to its scale, nature and location, has the potential to significantly alter or impact upon the environment. The EIA will therefore be carried out to determine the likely significance of these effects and to offer mitigation measures through which potential adverse impacts may be reduced or removed.

Guidance has been used for good practice of the EIA, including;  Circular 02/99 – Environmental Impact Assessments, Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions (DETR), 1999  Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessments, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), 2003  Environmental Impact Assessments – A Guide to Good Practice and Procedures: A Consultation Paper, DCLG, 2006  Amended Circular on Environmental Impact Assessments: A Consultation Paper, DCLG, 2006

The EIA has considered the likely significant environmental effects of the development, based upon current knowledge of the site and the surrounding environment. Following the findings of various studies contributing to the EIA, ways of avoiding, reducing or offsetting any potential significant adverse effects (collectively known as ‘mitigation measures’) have been identified and set out in each technical chapter.

Detailed technical studies have been ongoing throughout the design process, providing information about environmental issues and constraints affecting the proposals. The EIA has considered both positive and negative effects during the construction phase of the development and once the development is completed. In line with the legislative and best practice requirements, direct, indirect, secondary and cumulative short, medium and long term, permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects haven been addressed where applicable.

2.2 Scoping the EIA

In line with both the EIA Regulations and best practice guidance, a Scoping Study was carried out at the start of the assessment process to identify the environmental issues to be addressed in the ES. Although not a statutory requirement, a Scoping report was submitted to South Staffordshire

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District Council in June 2009 by way of formal request for a scoping opinion. The report can be obtained by reference to Appendix 3. The report was undertaken using a combination of:

 Reference to the ‘Checklist of matters to be considered for inclusion in an environmental statement’ in Appendix 5 of the Environmental Impact Assessment – A Guide to Procedures (DETR, 2000) and to best practice guidance.  A review of the technical studies completed as part of the design process.  Identification of potential sensitive receptors surrounding the site; and  Expert opinion from the design team and external consultants.

In determining the scope of the EIA, all potential effects were identified and consideration was given to the following criteria;

 Scale of change from baseline assessment (existing land situation and its relationship within the local environment)  Sensitivity , type and distance of receptors  Duration of effects in both construction and operational phases  Nature of the potential effect  Proposed mitigation measures incorporated with the design or during construction; and  Environmental policies and standards

The scoping report submission did not produce any formal responses from the Planning Authority; it is therefore assumed that the key environmental issues highlighted in the Scoping should be addressed as part of the EIA (Table 2.2).

Table 2.2: Environmental Issues investigated within the ES Environmental Issue Chapter Number Consultant Author

Landscape and Visual 2 ESP Ltd Keith Hampshire Impact Geology and Ground 3 Halletec Environmental Alistair Duncan Conditions Transport 4 PSA Design David Wallbank Archaeology 5 Pre-Construct Archaeology Geoff Tann Ecology 6 Pearce Environment Tristam Pearce Noise and Vibration 7 ANV Noise Les Jephson Hydrology, Water 8 Hafren Water Paul Ellis Resources and Flood Risk

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Cumulative Effects 9 Halletec Environmental Christopher Whitehouse

The following organisations have been consulted regarding the development directly by the project team:  South Staffordshire District Council  Environment Agency  Staffordshire Highway Authority  British Waterways  Natural England

The issues that were raised by each of the consultees are addressed as appropriate in the relevant chapters of the ES.

2.3 Structure of the Technical Chapters

Each key environmental issue has been assigned a separate chapter of the ES (Chapters 2-9). Each chapter provides a similar structured assessment:

 Introduction  Planning Policy Context, Guidelines and best practice  Assessment Methodology  Baseline Conditions  Potential effects (likely effects from baseline conditions before mitigation takes place)  Mitigation Measures (where significant adverse environmental effects have been identified a commitment is made by the Applicant to implement mitigation measures where possible)  Residual effects – assuming mitigation measures have been implemented and an assessment of the significance of their effect.

2.4 Evaluation of Significance

The EIA Regulations state that an ES should, where possible, identify, describe and assess the likely significant effects of the development on the environment, including a consideration of:

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 Positive and negative effects  Short, medium and long term effects  Direct and indirect effects  Permanent and temporary effects; and  Cumulative effects and effect interactions

Environmental effects have been predicted with reference to definitive standards and legislation where available. Where it has not been possible to quantify effects, qualitative assessments have been carried out, based on available knowledge and professional judgment. Where uncertainty exists, this has been noted in the relevant chapter. Each assessment topic has been determined by effect criteria; applying a common EIA approach of classifying effects according to whether they are of low, medium or high significance considered to be adverse, neutral or beneficial.

Each issue identifies specific criteria and gives due regard to the following:

 Extent and magnitude of effect  Effect duration (short, medium or long term)  Effect nature (direct or indirect, reversible or irreversible)  Whether the effect occurs in isolation or is cumulative  Sensitivity of the receptor; and  Its relationship with environmental policies.

In order to provide a consistent approach and enable comparative study between environmental issues within the ES, the following terminology has been used where possible and summarised in Chapter 9: Adverse: detrimental effects to an environmental receptor Neutral: no significant effects to an environmental receptor Beneficial: positive effects to an environmental receptor

The effects have been assessed against the following scale of significance: Low: short, slight or highly localised significance Neutral: no real significance Medium: limited effects which may be considered significant High: considerable effects of more than local significance

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In context of the development, short to medium term effects are considered to be associated with the construction phase, long term effects are associated with completed operational development. Localised effects refer to the neighbouring receptors in the village of Swindon. Assumptions and limitations are noted within each relevant technical chapter.

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2.0 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

ESP Ltd

April 2010

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CONTENTS

Section Title Page Number Number

1.0 REPORT AUTHOR 15

2.0 SCOPE OF REPORT 16

3.0 BASELINE STUDIES 17

3.1 Description of the site and setting 17

3.2 Landscape character 19

3.3 Visual appraisal 24

4.0 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS 26

5.0 ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS AND MITIGATION 27

5.1 Landscape effects 27

5.2 Visual effects 29

5.3 Planning Policy 31

6.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 36

7.0 APPENDICES 37

7.1 Landscape proposals plan (drawing number S12/LAN/004) 38

7.2 Table of predicted effects on views 40

7.3 Methodology for assessing impact significance 58

7.4 Landscape Character plan (drawing number S12/LAN/002) 68

7.5 Visual Appraisal plan (drawing number S12/LAN/003) 69

7.6 Site Photographs 70

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7.7 Sightline sections 74

7.8 Bibliography and sources 76

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1.0 Report Author

1.1 This report has been prepared by Keith Hampshire, a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute. He holds a Batchelor of Arts Degree and a Graduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture and has held full professional status since 1987.

1.2 He is a Director of ESP Ltd, an independent, multi-disciplinary consultancy undertaking Landscape Planning and Design, Estate Management, Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management for the public and private sectors. He has gained extensive experience in various aspects of landscape planning and environmental assessment over the past 20 years. Prior to setting up ESP Ltd in 2004 he worked as a Landscape Architect for Bowman Planton Ltd, Tarmac Quarry Products and Metropolitan Borough Council. He has acted as expert witness at Planning Inquiries and Appeals for the past twelve years.

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2.0 Scope of Report

2.1 T and J Munday propose to construct a canal linked marina comprising a 226 berth basin, vehicle access, parking, amenity/wildlife area, tea room and managers office and two small facilities buildings on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal at Swindon, South Staffordshire. The Applicant requested a formal scoping opinion in relation to an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposals from South Staffordshire District Council who, at the time of writing this report has not responded. However, the report accompanying the request clearly identified that the scale and location of the proposals warrants the preparation of a full landscape and visual impact assessment.

2.2 There are no statutory criteria or standards laid down for the assessment of landscape and visual impacts. However, this report has been undertaken in general conformity with the ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment’ 2nd Edition, published by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment and the Landscape Institute in 2002 (ref 1). This document defines and differentiates landscape and visual effects as follows:

‘Landscape and visual assessments are separate, although linked procedures … … … The assessment of the potential effect on the landscape is carried out as an effect on an environmental resource, ie the landscape. Visual effects are assessed as one of the interrelated effects on population.

Landscape effects derive from changes in the physical landscape, which may give rise to changes in its character and how this is experienced. This may in turn affect the perceived value ascribed to the landscape … …

Visual effects relate to the changes that arise in the composition of available views as a result of changes to the landscape, to people’s responses to the changes, and to the overall effects with respect to visual amenity.’

2.3 The assessment methodology employed in this report is detailed in Appendix 7.3 below.

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3.0 Baseline Studies

3.1 Description of the Site and Setting

3.1.1 The Site is located on the southern edge of the Village of Swindon, 1.5 kilometres south of Wombourne and 1 kilometre west of Wall Heath and . Swindon is situated in the neck of a segment of relatively open countryside on the northwest edge of the West Midlands conurbation. The swathe of countryside is centered round the villages of Gospel End in the northeast, Himley in the centre and Swindon in the southwest.

3.1.2 The Site occupies approximately 8.9 hectares of permanent pasture located on the valley floor of Smestow Brook, between the Brook on its southwest side and the towpath of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to the northeast. It is broadly rectangular in shape, curving eastwards in its southern quarter. It measures approximately 600 metres long by 150 to 200 metres wide in the main body and 100 metres wide in the southern quarter. The land surface falls mostly from of a level of approximately 63 metres aod along the towpath southwest towards the Brook at approximately 59 metres aod. The edge of the Brook floodplain is delineated by a shallow bank between 1:15 and 1:20 in gradient that divides the northeast and southwest sides of the main northern body of the site. A seasonal pool approximately 100 metres long forms in the southern quarter of the floodplain during the winter months. An east facing promontory on the west side of the valley pushes the Brook around a broad loop that narrows the floodplain and defines the southern end of the Site. Apart from some post and wire fencing that defines pens and field boundaries, the only other feature within the site is an overhead power line on poles that crosses from the substation in the northwest corner to the southeast corner of the pastures.

3.1.3 The southwest valley side rises steeply from the Brook at gradients between 1:2 and 1:3 adjacent to the main body of the Site. The steep slope continues in a southeast direction towards the promontory that encloses the site, but the Brook channel sweeps northeast to follow the opposite side of the floodplain south of this point. The entire length of the Brook adjacent to the Site is bordered by Swindon Rough, a mature, deciduous woodland dominated by pedunculate oak, beech, sycamore and hazel. A broad arable plain borders the top of the wooded valley side. It falls gently towards the south from an elevation of approximately 85 metres aod in a shallow valley that meets the Smestow Brook valley one kilometre away. Public Footpath SW1 follows the top edge of the woodland from Chasepool Cottages on The Holloway in the north to Hollow Mill

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Farm and Hinksford Bridge to the south. A large gas plant enclosure and mast occupy part of the northeast end of the Rough.

3.1.4 The northern end of the site is defined primarily by High Street, Swindon beyond a mostly entire, tall hedge. The hedge is broken in three places. The first is where High Street bridges the Brook. The second is where the existing field gate gives access onto the pastures. The third is at Canalside, the lockside cottage in the northeast corner of the site. A residential cul-de-sac called Brooklands is situated on a triangle of land between the Brook, High Street and the Rough beyond the northwest corner of the site. It is separated from the Brook and the Site by an area of scrubby woodland. The centre of the village of Swindon is located just beyond the northeast corner of the Site. The settlement is partly 19th century in origin, but most is late 20th century. It occupies mostly the valley floor north of the Site, but also wraps around the northeast corner at Reynolds Close and Hinksford Lane.

3.1.5 Most of the length of Canal towpath is separated from the Site by a dense, 2 metre tall hedge. There are three short gaps in the hedge. The first is adjacent to the Lockside Cottage at the north end. The second is on the cusp of the bend under the overhead power cables. The third is adjacent to Hinksfords Lock at the south end. The east side of the valley slopes more gently then the west side, rising at gradients between 1:20 and 1:30. The back gardens of five dwellings on Reynolds Close abut the northern end of the Canal. To the south of these, a mostly wooded group of small enclosures separate dwellings on Hinksford Lane from the Canal. Further south is the village cricket ground. Beyond that are a horse ménage and various small pastures associated with Hollow Mill. There are further dwellings on the upper slopes of the valley at Hinksford Gardens, Hinksford View and Hinksford House, along with a building/garden supplies centre. Hinksford Lane is a busy road that links Kingswinford in the south to Wombourne to the north. The towpath at Hinksford Lock is linked by public footpath SW2 to Hinksford Lane, Hinksford House and Hinksford Farm to the east. Three high voltage electricity supply lines on pylons follow the eastern edge of the Smestow valley from a large substation southeast of Hinksford northwards towards Wombourne.

3.1.6 The southeast end of the site is defined by a substantial hedgerow and the promontory in the valley side described above. South of the promontory the valley widens again where a long standing park home estate called Hinksford Park occupies a 650 metre length of the land between the Brook and the Canal.

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3.2 Landscape Character

3.2.1 The baseline landscape section of this report addresses two aspects: a classification of the landscape including descriptions of its characteristic features; and an evaluation of the resource including an assessment of values ascribed to the setting, including its capacity to sustain impacts and sensitivity to change.

Classification (Refer to Landscape Character plan, drawing number S12/LAN/002 in Appendix 7.4)

3.2.2 The landscape character of an area can be identified by consistently recurring patterns of elements. In 1996 the former Countryside Commission and English Nature produced the ‘Character of England Map’. This map combines English Nature’s ‘Natural Areas’ and the Countryside Commission’s ‘Countryside Character Areas’ into a map of 159 ‘Joint Character Areas’ for the whole of England (ref 2). Each area is described generally in terms of its geographical, ecological, historical and cultural background insofar as they influence such aspects as settlement patterns and land use. English Nature has now renamed these regional character areas ‘National Character Areas’. The site is located towards the eastern edge of National Character Area 66 entitled the Mid Severn Sandstone Plateau. Certain key characteristics listed for the regional character area are relevant to the setting of this site, namely:  A rolling landform with open, arable cultivation dominating an often weak hedgerow pattern – found on the plateaus beyond the river valleys. The landform is dominant over the land cover in defining its character, which is unusual for a lowland setting  Narrow, steep-sided wooded dingles - found throughout the area  Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal – an important man-made feature that contains some notable industrial architecture.

3.2.3 Other characteristics of the setting described in this reference include:  Roman activity was significant – Camp located 300m east of site, major occupation at Greenforge 1.3km downstream of site  Smestow Brook supported a number of water powered industries, still evident between Swindon and Wombourne to the north  Ancient Woodlands are sparsely represented  A setting of irregular, medium scale fields and network of narrow lanes – formerly an English elm stronghold.

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3.2.4 Staffordshire County Council published landscape guidelines for the County in 2001 entitled ‘Planning for Landscape Change’ (ref 3). This reference was adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance and is still used by the County and District Planning Authorities to support their saved landscape related policies within the developing Local Development Framework. The broad brush regional National Character Areas have been refined to Landscape Character Types (LCT) at County level. The Landscape Character plan in Appendix 7.4 of this report (dwg. no. S12/LAN/002) shows the site and its setting located well within a belt of Sandstone Estatelands LCT (sub Character Type: Estatelands – as opposed to Parkland, Farmland or Forest). The LCT unit is centred on Smestow Brook and covers from and Bonningale Parishes in the north to the southern end of South Staffordshire. The Guidelines describe the visual character of this LCT as follows: ‘This is a varied agricultural landscape of intensive arable production but with pockets of less intensive pastoral farming. The rolling landform gives way to flatter land along the river valleys, but there are dominant ridge features with scarp slopes. Prominent large-scale hill and ridge top woodlands visually dominate the area, whilst on the mid-slopes, woodlands are sparser and of medium scale. Many of the woodlands have a heathy character to them. This is a landscape that appears far more wooded that it actually is, with prominent positioning of woodlands and the coalescence of mature hedgerow oaks in places. The slopes in turn give way to well-treed valleys where lines of poplars can occasionally be found. Increased numbers of mature hedgerow oaks locally provide filtered views of three to four fields distance.

The unifying feature of this varied landscape is the dominance of landform over a weak medium scale regular and irregular field pattern, although that pattern is very visible because of its position on the slopes.

This is an area that is influenced by a number of halls, with attendant parkland and associated estatelands. Farms are large, with extensive modern buildings and there are characteristic home farms and estate cottages. Villages are expanding with the increase in commuter dwellings and small lanes show the obvious signs of becoming well used rat-runs. Where farmland abuts the conurbation the landscape reflects this influence, hedgerow deterioration being more evident and horseyculture becoming frequent.

Evaluation 3.2.4 National guidance on the evaluation of landscapes has changed emphasis from consideration of landscape quality towards conservation of diversity and the local distinctiveness

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of landscape character. The Rural White Paper (November 2000) (ref 4) promotes the joint objectives of appropriate development and respect for local character. ‘The English Countryside is largely man-made…. For it to retain its vitality we must allow for necessary change. Our aim is to manage this change in a way which recognises and where possible enhances the diversity and distinctiveness of the countryside’ This approach is reiterated in current National Planning Policy PPS7 2004 paragraph 1(vi) (ref 5) states: ‘All development in rural areas should be well designed and inclusive, in keeping with its location, and sensitive to the character of the countryside and local distinctiveness.’ This policy, according to the draft Supplementary Planning Document entitled ‘Green Belt and Open Countryside Policy Guidance’ by South Staffordshire District Council (ref 6) ‘aims to raise the quality of life and the environment in rural areas, promote more sustainable patterns of development, improve their economic performance and promote sustainable, diverse and adaptable agricultural sectors.’

Characteristic features present (Refer to Landscape Character Photograph K in Appendix 7.6) 3.2.5 The Landscape Character plan (dwg. no S12/LAN/002) illustrates character influences within a radius of approximately one kilometre from the site boundary which reflects the intimate valley floor setting of the site. Some of the characteristic and incongruous features present within the landscape setting are located within short distances from the site but far beyond its small visual envelope. The following characteristic features are present within the site’s landscape setting:  Estate plantations dominate the skyline at Himley and Whitehouse Farm  Heathy ridge woodland - Swindon Rough that dominates the setting  Well treed stream valleys - Smestow Brook and the canal borders  Mixed intensive arable and pasture farming – arable mostly on the upper plateau areas and pasture mostly on the valley floor and more gently sloping side slopes  Canal.

Incongruous features present 3.2.6 The following incongruous features currently adversely affect the landscape character of the setting:  Power lines – three large pylon runs follow the east side of the Smestow Brook valley and an overhead line on poles dissects the length of the site  Urban fringe – the western edge of Wall Heath and the southern, industrial end of Wombourne; also the mid to late 20th century housing within Swindon village

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 Modern farm buildings – including Hinksford Farm, Chasepool Farm and OCL Garden/Building supplies on Hinksford Lane  Deteriorating hedgerows – most are in a poor condition except adjacent to the canal; increasing horseyculture only creates fencelines  Busy roads – Hinksford Lane and Wombourne Road are busy rat runs  Disused quarry, partially restored by landfill on Hinksford Lane (though not particularly visible)

Landscape Policy objectives and factors critical to landscape character and quality 3.2.7 ‘Planning for Landscape Change’ has mapped five classes of landscape quality from which five broad landscape policy objectives have been derived. Two policy objective areas cover the landscape setting. The site and most areas to the north, south and east have been classified as ‘low’ in landscape quality with a policy objective entitled ‘landscape restoration’. This classification is probably due to the influences of the urban fringe and the moderately significant number of incongruous features, particularly the overhead power lines. The guidelines state that: ‘…enough of the character survives to guide restoration efforts..’. Most of the land to the west of the site has been classified as ‘moderate’ in landscape quality with a policy objective entitled ‘landscape enhancement’. It is also judged to be a character area of the highest sensitivity. This area has suffered some erosion to the strength of character probably due to changing agricultural practices, particularly the removal and poor condition of hedgerows. The guidelines state that: ‘There is particular need, therefore to encourage relatively small-scale landscape conservation schemes such as hedgerow maintenance, habitat creation and tree and woodland planting..’.

Other designations and initiatives influencing character Green Belt 3.2.8 The fundamental aim of this policy is prevent urban sprawl by keeping the land ‘permanently open’. The most important attribute of Green belts is their openness. The whole setting is also classified by the Local Plan as a ‘Landscape Improvement Area’.

Historic Landscape Character 3.2.9 A Roman Camp Scheduled Monument (Monument number ST228) lies 300 metres to the west of the site above the wooded escarpment of the valley. The Staffordshire and Worcester Canal Conservation Area occupies the entire eastern boundary of the site. It links most of the older settlements within the Landscape Character Type. Swindon Rough is probably the only extant feature of medieval origin within the setting. Parts of the centre of Swindon Village pre date

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the 1880s. Most of the woodland plantations and enclosures within the setting are of 19th century origin.

Swindon Village Character 3.2.10 The Village Design Guide draft SPD 2009 (ref 7) identifies the historic development and characteristic features of the Village.

‘ 27 Swindon (Local Service Village) 27.1 Swindon is a small village in the Smestow Valley between Wombourne and Dudley, located entirely within the Green Belt enclosing the West Midlands conurbation. It developed slowly from the late medieval period with the growth of a local iron foundry. The industry was hugely influential and contributed to the 19th Century growth of the village, becoming its main employer and the dominant built form, until the closure of the steelworks in 1976.

27.2 The former Swindon Iron Works site, and much of the older terraced housing, located along the canal have been cleared and redeveloped. However, the village retains its focus on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, which forms an important linear green space and a link to its industrial past.

27.3 The enclosing landscape setting is an attractive mix of arable and pastoral agriculture with wooded slopes rising above and embracing the village to the south west. The modest Smestow Brook and the canal jointly link the village to its surrounding landscape, creating distinctive green corridors through the village.

27.4 The modern-day settlement pattern has a spacious, open feel and is strongly influenced by the canal, and the spinal route of Wombourne Road / The Holloway. The village edges are largely simple fence lines, hard against the pastoral fields, with relatively little enclosure by hedges or trees. The canal forms the main focus of the public realm corridor within the village.

27.5 Much of the modern village housing dates from the late 20th Century, and is low-rise and suburban in architectural character, arranged in small-scale estates and cul-de-sacs. These tend to run parallel with and enclose the river and canal, reducing permeability and accessibility within the village. The focus of the village remains around the canal crossing so the mid-19th Century Church of St. John remains on the periphery of the village, projecting into the open countryside to the west. Consequently, the village lacks the higher densities at the core of some of the older medieval villages in the District, or a clear focal point around the parish church.

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27.6 The built form retains a small number of older properties at the village core, limited to the main road frontage. These are mostly unadorned 19th Century properties, related to the industrial expansion of the village, constructed of red brick and clay tile roofs. A few properties are clad with cream painted render finishes. Swindon’s remaining historic buildings are loosely grouped at the junction of Wombourne Road and the High Street and include a 19th Century Chapel and a red brick barn with diamond pattern ventilation openings. The later 20th Century housing is low-rise, largely constructed of a lighter red-brick and tiled roofs.’

Overall landscape sensitivity ( refer to drawing number S12/LAN/002 in Appendix 7.4) 3.2.11 The east and west sides of the setting can be ascribed separate overall landscape sensitivity ratings according to the assessment methodology described in Appendix 7.3 below. The east side, within the landscape policy objective area entitled ‘Landscape Restoration’ has a ‘low’ quality rating (2 points), is not sensitive to change (0 points) and is located in a ‘not tranquil’ area (1 point). A total score of 3 points gives the east side an overall rating of low in sensitivity. The west side, within the landscape policy objective area entitled ‘Landscape Enhancement’ has a ‘medium’ quality rating (3 points), is highly sensitive to change (2 points) and is located in a ‘semi tranquil’ area (2 points). A total score of 7 points gives the west side an overall sensitivity rating of ‘high’.

3.3 Visual Appraisal

(Refer to Visual Appraisal plan, drawing number S12/LAN/003 in Appendix 7.5) 3.3.1 A walking survey of the setting revealed a remarkably small visual envelope to the Site. According to criteria detailed in the assessment methodology (Appendix 7.3) below, the following viewpoints or groups of viewpoints were rated ‘high’ or ‘medium’ in terms of sensitivity to visual disturbance:  Canalside and Bridge over Canal in High Street, Swindon (Viewpoint 1)  Green Man Public House and section of High Street, Swindon on the bridge over Smestow Brook (Viewpoint 2)  6 and 7 Holloway, Swindon (Viewpoint 5 – in part)  1 and 2 Brooklands, Swindon (Viewpoint 6)  30m length of Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Towpath on the bend section (Viewpoint 9)  Short length of Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Towpath by Hinksford Lock (Viewpoint 10)

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 Hollow Mill, Hinksford Lane (Viewpoint 13)  Swindon Cricket Club and Play Area (Viewpoint 14)  24 to 32 Hinksford Gardens, Swindon (Viewpoint 16)  4 to 12 Reynolds Close, Swindon (Viewpoint 18).

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4.0 Development Proposals

4.1 The proposed development is described in full within the supporting statement to the Planning Application and illustrated by the drawings attached to the statement. The landscape proposals scheme is illustrated on drawing number S12/LAN/004 attached to this report. This section of the report describes in summary only salient elements of the development process that could potentially affect the landscape and people’s visual amenity. There are two principle stages to the marina development namely:

Stage 1 (Short term – 12 to 18 months)  Advance hedge planting to close the three gaps in the towpath boundary, and other peripheral plantations  Widening of the site vehicle access  Relocation of the overhead power line  Soil excavation and storage  Earthworks to construct the canal basin and the wet hollows  Construction of the marina tracks, buildings and facilities  Hard and soft landscape works across the site.

Stage 2 (Medium to long term)  Operation of the marina  Maturing of the new landscape features.

The marina will be rapidly populated by people, boats and cars. Over a period of 5 to 10 years the new planting will mature to create a level of enclosure and articulation of space

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5.0 Assessment of effects and mitigation

5.1 Landscape effects

(Note: terms in italics are defined in Appendix 7.3 - Methodology for assessing impact significance)

5.1.1 Landscape impacts are assessed in relation to the effects of change caused by the proposed development on the fabric and character of the landscape. The existing character of the areas influenced by the development site and its setting has been described above and its sensitivity to change and enhancement potential identified. Sensitivity to change relates to strength of character, or local distinctiveness, and condition of the fabric. The proposed changes to the landscape are described, mitigation measures are identified and the residual long term landscape impact assessed below.

Existing landscape condition 5.1.2 Paragraph 3.2.11 identifies the overall sensitivity for the major, east part of the landscape setting as low. Although the Canal Conservation Area is a sensitive feature, the dominating presence of overhead power lines and urban fringe reduce the overall landscape sensitivity. The arable plateau to the west of the Smestow Brook valley is rated as high in sensitivity. However, this area is physically separated and visually discrete from the site and areas to the east of the valley. Therefore, predictions of landscape effects will concentrate on the east side of the setting.

Stage 1 Predicted significance of landscape impact 5.1.3 The earthworks, basin and marina construction operations will cause substantial changes to the interior of the site. The large magnitude of effect on a landscape of low sensitivity will create a moderately adverse, short term landscape impact on a very local scale, but only a slightly adverse impact on the wider setting.

Possible mitigation 5.1.4 Although the scale of these landscape effects will be perceived by relatively few residents and visitors, they cannot be mitigated against in the short term. The visual isolation of the site from the wider setting will minimise the perception of this impact. The basic landform and land cover of the landscape should be established within 12-18 months, a very short time period in landscape terms.

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Stage 2 Predicted significance of landscape impact 5.1.5 The fabric of the landscape within the area of proposed development will change in the short to medium term from approximately 8.9 hectares of permanent pasture, including a seasonal wetland within the Smestow Brook floodplain to: 3.2 hectares of canal basin with floating pontoon moorings; 2.1 hectares of water margins, including the tree and shrub planted embankment slopes; 2.0 hectares of grassy, wetland hollows and ponds for wildlife conservation and passive, public recreational use; 0.9 hectares of new woodland plantations and semi-open grassland amenity areas; 0.37 hectares of entrance road, access track; 0.17 hectares of parking and 0.16 hectares of hard standing containing 3 buildings.

5.1.6 The park home estate called Hinksford Park is located close by in a similar position within the valley floor. It is a development of similar scale that has bedded well into the landscape. The proposed marina, being located adjacent to the existing canal corridor will not be alien to the character of the area. Conversely, the visual separation of most of the proposed marina features from the canal corridor will prevent it from degrading the heritage value of the canal architecture. Overall, the proposals would change a small number of distinctive characteristics of the site, but on a relatively large scale creating a magnitude of effect rated as medium. A medium magnitude of effect on a receptor rated low in sensitivity will result in an unmitigated impact significance rating of slightly adverse.

Possible mitigation 5.1.7 Substantial peripheral and structural native hedge and woodland planting would reduce the landscape effects of the large body of water and built structures, linking the site more with the wooded setting of Swindon Rough that visually dominates the valley. The extension of the floodplain wetland and public access for passive recreation will compensate for the active leisure uses. The potential for an enhanced leisure experience for private users, local residents and visitors will mitigate the perceived loss of an area of open countryside which is currently inaccessible to most people.

Residual landscape impact 5.1.8 The mitigation measures described above indicate that the potential significance of landscape impact of these proposals over the long term relies partly on the positive perception of the increased access to the countryside for appropriate recreational experiences. If the landscape proposals are properly implemented and maintained and the site operates as planned, the long

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term impact of the mature development could be moderated from a rating of slightly adverse to negligible.

5.2 Visual effects

5.2.1 Visual impacts are assessed in relation to viewpoints identified in the table of predicted effects on views in Appendix 7.2 below. The current standard of visual amenity is described; the changes to views resulting from the proposed development are assessed; proposed mitigation measures are identified and finally the resulting potential visual impact is assessed, including an assessment of how this may change over the 2 stages of the development. The field study revealed a very small zone of visual influence around the Site. All viewpoints are within a 300 metre radius of the Site boundary and all those rated as high or medium sensitivity are within 250 metres. This is principally because the Site is narrow, low lying and bordered by substantial hedges and the valley side woodland.

5.2.2 A summary of the table of predicted effects on views reads as follows: Views from 6 dwellings have a sensitivity rating of high. The short term earthworks and construction operations will have a substantially adverse visual effect. Mature mitigation measures will moderate these effects in the medium to long term to moderately adverse. Views from the proposed towpath footbridge over the marina basin entrance have a sensitivity rating of high. The short term earthworks and construction operations will have a substantially adverse visual effect. The medium to long term effect could be construed as substantially adverse or beneficial depending on personal opinion. Walkers could perceive the marina as visually intrusive, although they don’t currently have a view across the valley, or they could perceive the new bridge as an excellent viewing platform from which to examine the leisure facility within the wooded backdrop of Swindon Rough.

 Views from the Green Man Public House, the footway on the bridges over Smestow Brook and the Canal on High Street and from a 30 metre length of canal towpath have a sensitivity rating of high. The short term earthworks and construction operations will have a substantially to moderately adverse visual effect. Mature mitigation measures will moderate these effects in the medium to long term to slightly adverse.  Views from a short section of the canal towpath and adjacent public footpath have a sensitivity rating of medium. The short term earthworks and construction operations will have a

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moderately adverse visual effect. Only tree and shrub plantations will be visible once these operations are complete and adverse effects will be reduced to negligible.  Views from the Cricket Club, play area and 10 dwellings have a sensitivity rating of medium. The short term earthworks and construction operations will have a slightly adverse visual effect. Mature mitigation measures will moderate these effects in the medium to long term to negligible.  Views from 7 dwellings have a sensitivity rating of medium to low. The short term earthworks and construction operations will have a moderately to slightly adverse visual effect. Mature mitigation measures will moderate these effects in the medium to long term to negligible.  Views from 46 dwellings, the section of High Street adjacent to the northern end of the site, a 300 metre length of Hinksford Road and a 450 metre length of the canal towpath have a sensitivity rating of low. The short term earthworks and construction operations will have a slightly adverse to negligible visual effect. The medium to long term visual effects from all these viewpoints will be negligible.

5.2.3 The mitigation measures that achieve a substantial moderation of visual effects include:  The implementation of advance/early hedge and woodland planting around the periphery of the site.  The perceived scale of the basin water body will be diminished by a complex plan shape including several promontories planted with groups of trees.  Car parking areas will be located mostly on low ground and within large shrub enclosures.  The raised embankments of the basin will not be visually intrusive because they face away from most existing viewpoints, or will be obscured by intervening vegetation or made less intrusive by extensive shrub planting on the outer slopes.  The four proposed buildings will be low in profile; two are single storey and two have a mezzanine first floor mostly below 7 metres in height. Surface will be clay roof tiles and bricks, interspersed by panels of natural oak weatherboard and glass. All will be constructed within well treed settings.

5.2.4 This is a visually discrete site, but clearly visible from a number of nearby dwellings and short sections of canal towpath. Although there will be some permanent loss of views across open countryside, the changes to views of boating activities will not be out of place in this setting. There would be some foreshortening of views in a few locations, but most existing views will continue to be dominated by the backdrop of Swindon Rough. The views of rural leisure activities in a green waterside setting are unlikely to be perceived by most people as an adverse

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example of urban expansion. The footbridge crossing of the basin entrance by the canal towpath will provide a viewing platform for views across much of the site. This may be taken as visually beneficial or adverse, depending on personal opinion, but these views are only obtainable from one point along a substantial length of adjacent towpath. Overall, the long term effects on visual amenity can be rated as slightly adverse.

5.3 Planning policy

5.3.1 The most relevant Planning policies in relation to landscape issues affecting South Staffordshire comprise:  Planning Policy Guidance 2: Green Belts - Jan 1995 (amended Mar 2001) (ref 8)  Staffordshire County Council: Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Structure Plan (1996- 2011) Saved policy NC2 (appended to ref 3)  Emerging South Staffordshire Local Development Framework including: o Core Strategy Preferred Spatial Strategy Consultation Document – Feb 2009 (ref 9) o Village Design Guide Draft SPD – Jan 2009 o Local Plan 1996 Saved policies Edition (ref 10)

5.3.2 Planning Policy Guidance 2: Green Belts describes five purposes of including land in Green Belts:

 To check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas;  To prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another;  To assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;  To preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and  To assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

It also identifies a positive role for land in Green Belts by fulfilling the following objectives:  To provide opportunities for access to the open countryside for the urban population;  To provide opportunities for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation near urban areas;  To retain attractive landscapes, and enhance landscapes, near to where people live;  To improve damaged and derelict land around towns;  To secure conservation interest; and

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 To retain land in agricultural, forestry and related uses.

5.3.3 The Structure Plan saved policy NC2 regarding landscape protection and restoration states : Development should be informed by and be sympathetic to landscape character and quality and should contribute, as appropriate, to the regeneration, restoration, enhancement, maintenance or active conservation of the landscape likely to be affected. Proposals with landscape and visual implications will be assessed having regard to the extent to which they would: (a) cause unacceptable visual harm; (b) introduce (or conversely remove) incongruous landscape elements; (c) cause the disturbance or loss of (or conversely help to maintain): (i) landscape elements that contribute to local distinctiveness; (ii) historic elements which contribute significantly to landscape character and quality, such as field, settlement or road patterns; (iii) semi-natural vegetation which is characteristic of that landscape type; (iv) the visual condition of landscape elements; (v) tranquillity.

5.3.4 The Core Strategy Preferred Spatial Strategy Consultation Document of the Local Development Framework includes the following draft strategic objectives: 4. To protect, conserve and enhance the countryside, character and quality of the landscape and the diversity of wildlife and habitats. 5. To protect, conserve and enhance the historic environment and to ensure that the character and appearance of the District’s Conservation Areas is improved through management plans and better- designed developments. 15. To improve the leisure, recreation and cultural facilities in South Staffordshire and ensure that each community has access to areas of good quality green space.

It also includes the following draft development policies:

DP20 Tourism - Supporting the establishment and expansion of tourism related activities that are appropriate to South Staffordshire where they make a positive and sustainable contribution to the local economy and do not compromise the quality of the built and natural environment. Supporting the use of the canal network for appropriate tourism related development.

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DP21 Canals and Canalside Development - Proposals for new canalside facilities such as moorings, service facilities and marinas and their siting and, ensuring that the scenic, heritage and wildlife value of canals is conserved and enhanced. DP34 Green Space Network - Establishing and maintaining a green network of accessible, safe, high quality open spaces, and corridors supporting nature conservation and enhancing biodiversity and providing links between residential, leisure and commercial uses. Identify the network of local and sub regional corridors and cross boundary links.

5.3.5 The Village Design Guide under ‘C. Design Context: 2 - Overview of Village Summaries’ identifies the following landscape character issue in proximity to settlements: The pressures for recreational use and facilities in the countryside have the potential to erode the character area, not only by the intensity of use but also by introducing new forms of landscape into the area, such as coniferous plantations and country parks. Careful attention needs to be given to form of planting on the village edge.

5.3.6 The Local Plan 1996 Saved policies Edition includes the following Green Belt policies:

POLICY GB1 GREEN BELT – GENERAL - Within the Green Belt, as defined on the proposals map, planning applications for inappropriate development, as set out below, will not be in accordance with the Plan. The construction of new buildings in the Green Belt is inappropriate unless it is for the following purposes: …….b) essential facilities for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation, for cemeteries, and for other uses of land which preserve the openness of the Green Belt and which do not conflict with the purposes of including land in it (see paragraph 3.5 of PPG2 (Revised)).

5.3.7 The Local Plan also recognises the recreational potential of the canal network:

Canals - 7.35 The canal network is significant as both a local and regional recreation resource. The canals and their towpaths are valuable assets and the District Council recognises that they have great potential for recreation, education, nature conservation and tourism…..

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7.36 Canals are also important linear open spaces and could provide the basis to develop a footpath network with opportunities for circular walks linked to village centres and Conservation Areas.

7.56 The District Council acknowledges that canals have considerable potential for tourism and recreation, but there is also a need to ensure that their scenic, architectural and historic character and wildlife value is conserved and enhanced.

5.3.8 In relation to Landscape Improvement Areas the Local Plan states:

POLICY LS9 LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENT AREAS - TREE AND SHRUB PLANTING The District Council will give priority to the planting of locally native trees and shrubs by providing advice and grant aid as resources and opportunities permit. POLICY LS10 LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENT AREAS - DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS In considering development proposals within the Landscape Improvement Areas the District Council will seek to ensure that existing landscape features and wildlife habitats are conserved and that new planting of locally native species is provided as part of the development

5.4.9 These proposals reflect the policy aspirations listed in the previous seven paragraphs in the following respects:  They do not represent the spread of a built-up area  They can be seen as providing appropriate countryside land uses  They will provide opportunities for access to the countryside for outdoor recreation  They will not cause unacceptable visual harm or introduce incongruous elements into the landscape  They will not cause significant disturbance to or loss of : locally distinctive characteristics, historic features, important semi-natural vegetation, the visual condition of the wider landscape or a sense of tranquility  They will enhance the wooded aspect of the landscape in keeping with the setting and enhance wildlife conservation  They will take land out of agricultural use, but not of a quality or quantity as to be significant  They will conserve the character of the landscape and enhance wildlife habitats  They will conserve the historic character of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Conservation Area

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 They will provide local leisure and recreational facilities and give increase access to green space  They will provide appropriate tourism facilities on the canal network while ensuring that the scenic, heritage and wildlife value of the canal environment is conserved  They will involve the planting of native species of trees and shrubs appropriate to the valley setting  They will involve the construction of buildings essential for servicing the boating and associated recreational activities

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6.0 Summary and Conclusions

6.1 Impacts on the fabric of the landscape

6.1.1 The fabric of the landscape within the area of proposed development will change in the short to medium term from approximately 8.9 hectares of permanent pasture, including a seasonal wetland within the Smestow Brook floodplain to: 2.9 hectares of canal basin with floating pontoon moorings; 1.9 hectares of water margins, including the tree and shrub planted basin embankment outer slopes; 2.5 hectares of grassy, wetland hollows and ponds for wildlife conservation and passive, public recreational use; 0.9 hectares of new woodland plantations and semi-open grassland amenity areas; 0.37 hectares of entrance road, access track; 0.17 hectares of parking and 0.16 hectares of hard standing containing 3 buildings.

6.2 Impacts on the character of the landscape

6.2.1 There is a locally distinctive character to the landscape of the setting including many features worth conserving, such as: the river corridor, the canal corridor, and the steep wooded valley side and generally well treed appearance. Substantial enclosure formed by Swindon Rough and the dramatic change in topography prevent the adjacent site and local setting from strongly influencing the character of the area of highly sensitive landscape to the west. There are also detracting features of overhead power lines, local modern commercial and housing development and the urban fringe of the West Midlands in close proximity to the site. Overall the sensitivity of the landscape setting to change is rated as low (refer to appendix 7.3 entitled ‘Methodology for assessing impact significance’). Most important to the character of the site is its function as open countryside on the edge of the settlement.

6.2.2 The short term effects of the earthworks and construction operations will be moderately adverse on the site, but only slightly adverse on the wider setting. A range of mitigation measures including early/advance planting of perimeter trees and shrubs and various landscape treatments will, in the medium to long term successfully assimilate the marina basin and structures into the landscape setting. The potential for an enhanced leisure experience for private users and local residents and visitors will mitigate the perceived loss of an area of open countryside which is currently inaccessible to most people. If the landscape proposals are properly implemented and maintained, the long term impact of the mature development could mitigate the landscape impact significance to slightly adverse to negligible. The proposals also respect the landscape policy

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aspirations PPG2, Saved Policy NC of the Structure Plan and the emerging Local Development Framework and Local Plan Saved Policies Edition. There are no cumulative landscape impacts to consider.

6.3 Impacts on the visual amenity of local residents and visitors to the setting

6.3.1 The baseline studies revealed a very small zone of visual influence around the Site. All viewpoints are within a 300 metre radius of the Site boundary and all those rated as high or medium sensitivity are within 250 metres. This is principally because the Site is narrow, low lying and bordered by substantial hedges and the valley side woodland. From the limited number of views rated high and medium in sensitivity, it is predicted that the visual impact to only six views will remain moderately adverse in the medium to long term. One proposed viewpoint on the towpath footbridge over the basin entrance will probably be seen as a viewing platform, ie visually beneficial. Effective mitigation measures including extensive peripheral and structural planting and a sensitive design layout and building detailing will reduce all other visual impacts to a level of slightly adverse or negligible. Overall, the long term effects on visual amenity can be rated as slightly adverse. There are no cumulative visual impacts to consider.

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7.2 Table of predicted effects on views

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