Conwy and Denbighshire Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment for Wind Energy Development
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MAY 2013 CONWY AND DENBIGHSHIRE LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY AND CAPACITY ASSESSMENT FOR WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT FINAL REPORT Conwy and Denbighshire Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment for Wind Energy Development Acknowledgements This report was prepared in collaboration with a Steering Group, comprising the following members: Ali Dore BSc (Hons) MLD CMLI, Senior Landscape Officer, Conwy County Borough Council Robin Sandham BSc (Hons) MTPL MRTPI, Senior Planning Officer, Conwy County Borough Council Richard Sumner BA (Hons) Dip LA CMLI, Landscape Officer, Denbighshire County Council Catrin Roberts BSc (Hons) MCD MRTPI, Planning Policy Officer, Denbighshire County Council Advice and assistance was also given by: Sarah Green BA (Hons), MLD, CMLI, MA (Architectural Association - Landscape Conservation), Regional Landscape Architect, Natural Resources Wales Created RG Checked KL Approved SG Conwy and Denbighshire Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment for Wind Energy Development Contents Page No. Executive Summary i-ix Section 1 Background 1 Section 2 Methodology 7 Section 3 Baseline Landscape of Conwy and Denbighshire 23 Section 4 Evaluation of Landscape Units and Their Sensitivity for Wind Energy Development 29 Section 5 Evaluation of Landscape Strategy Areas and Capacity Assessments 197 Section 6 Guidance for Wind Energy Development Within Strategy Areas 245 Figures Figure 1: Clwyd Landscape Assessment – Landscape Character Types 251 Figure 2: Broad Landscape Character and Landscape Units 252 Figure 3: Landscape and Cultural Heritage Designations / Constraints 253 Figure 4: Operational and Consented Wind Energy Developments (March 2013) 254 Figure 5: Landscape Units 255 Figure 6: Landscape Strategy Areas 256 Figure 7: Landscape Units and Strategy Areas 257 Figure 8: Landscape Strategy for Wind Energy Development 258 Figure 9: Comparative Turbine Heights 259 Appendices Appendix 1: Background Documents 261 Appendix 2: Planning Policy Wales 263 Appendix 3: Extract from LANDMAP 264 Appendix 4: Operational, Consented and Proposed Wind Energy Developments (March 2013) 257 Appendix 5: Plans Illustrating the Topography of the Study Area 272 Appendix 6: LANDMAP Data in Relation to the Study Area (March 2013) - CD format 275 Appendix 7: Glossary and Definitions 276 Conwy and Denbighshire Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment for Wind Energy Development Executive Summary Background Conwy County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council (the Councils) both have a significant expanse of rural upland areas which have an abundant onshore wind resource. This includes Clocaenog Forest which has been designated as one of seven Strategic Search Areas (SSAs) in Wales, as defined in TAN 8. The Welsh Government’s approach to wind energy development is to concentrate the development of large scale (>25MW) wind farms within Clocaenog Forest Strategic Search Area and the other SSAs, in order to contribute to the Welsh Government’s aspiration to achieve 2GW in total capacity by 2015/2017 (of which 8MW of onshore and offshore wind energy is expected to be provided).1 The identification of Clocaenog Forest SSA has led to some large wind energy developments being consented and constructed. Whilst it is recognised that renewable energy development is important to meeting sustainability targets, there does need to be a balance struck between accepting change to landscape character in some areas whilst protecting other areas that may be more susceptible to change. Welsh Government planning policy does not set out spatial limitations for onshore wind energy development under 25 megawatts (MW) and those smaller developments under 5MW both of which are applicable to all parts of Wales subject to the assessment of localised impacts. Conwy and Denbighshire comprise a diverse mix of landscapes many of which are highly valued for their great natural beauty and tranquillity - ranging from remote and wild uplands and moorlands to narrow steep sided valleys, wide river floodplains, gently undulating pastoral lowlands and dramatic coastlines. The busy coastal resort towns along the north coast contrast markedly with the highly rural areas inland. These landscapes are experiencing an increasing number of planning applications and enquiries for wind energy developments under 5MW, (i.e. applications for single and pairs of wind turbines) as well as larger wind energy schemes being progressed outside the SSA. This study was commissioned by the Councils in response to this growing pressure on the landscape from wind energy developments. The study provides an evidence based assessment of the relative sensitivity and capacity of the Conwy and Denbighshire landscapes to accommodate wind energy development of varying scales; focussing on smaller scale developments (typically up to a group of 9 wind turbines and 80m maximum height to blade tip). This study does not generally consider larger wind energy developments (typically a group of 10 turbines or more, over 80m in height to blade tip) as due to the high sensitivity of the landscapes of Conwy and Denbighshire these are generally deemed inappropriate outside Clocaenog Forest SSA. 1 Ove Arup & Partners (2005), TAN 8 Annex D Study of Strategic Search Area A – Clocaenog Forest Final Issue Report i Conwy and Denbighshire Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment for Wind Energy Development Table 1.5 below illustrates the wind energy development typologies (types/scales) that were identified in collaboration with the Steering Group for the purpose of this study: Table 1.5: Wind Energy Development Typologies Wind Energy Indicative Supplementary Criteria Typology Output (meets one or more of the criteria) (broad output (determines whether this typology applies or whether a category1) larger one does) Micro under 50kW Single or twin turbine applications Turbine up to 20m to blade tip Small under 5MW Turbines up to 3 in number Turbines up to 50m to blade tip Viewed as a small group Medium over 5MW and Turbines up to 9 in number up to 25MW Turbines up to 80 metres to blade tip Viewed as a large group Large over 25MW Turbines over and including 10 in number Turbines up to 110 metres to blade tip Viewed as a large scale wind farm Very Large Over 25MW Turbines over and including 10 in number Turbines over 110 metres to blade tip Viewed as a very large scale wind farm As stated previously, applications and enquiries for large and very large scale wind farm developments are most commonly associated with Clocaenog Forest SSA. The large and very large typologies have been included within Table 1.5 above for reference; however, as noted above, the capacities for these categories are not dealt with as part of this study.2 Aim of the Study The overall aim of the study is to inform the development of strategic Supplementary Planning Guidance and to assist the Councils in assessing the landscape and visual effects of onshore wind energy development for development control purposes with a view to minimising the effect of such developments on the landscape. 2 These values are for guidance only. Efficiency and energy outputs are continually subject to advances in technology and operational efficiency, therefore it is recognised that these values are likely to change. ii Conwy and Denbighshire Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment for Wind Energy Development Study Objectives The objectives of the study are to: Provide a strategic assessment of the relative sensitivity of Conwy and Denbighshire’s landscapes for wind energy development using a defined set of landscape and visual criteria that includes both physical and perceptual aspects as well as a consideration of landscape value. Identify the key landscape, visual and perceptual sensitivities of different landscape areas. Provide broad guidance on those landscape areas where wind energy development of different scales is potentially most acceptable and those landscape areas where development is likely to result in unacceptable adverse landscape and visual effects. Comment on any likely cumulative and cross boundary effects of wind energy development. Methodology There is currently no formally agreed approach for assessing the sensitivity or capacity of landscapes for onshore wind energy development. The methodology set out in Section 2 of the report is developed from current guidance and the approach taken in other similar studies and tailored to this geographically unique study area. It is based on the premise that wind energy development could be more readily accepted in the least sensitive areas and should avoid areas that are highly valued for their scenic, recreational and undeveloped qualities such as tranquillity and remoteness; particularly those areas safeguarded by international or national designations and those where the cumulative effects of existing and consented wind energy schemes limit further development. Professional judgement and understanding of landscape character is used to make broad assumptions, for instance what makes one landscape more or less sensitive than another. These evaluations have been informed and backed up by data gathered from the sources of baseline information listed in Appendix 1, including maps, relevant landscape and historic character assessments, LANDMAP, field work and consultations with the Steering Group. It is important to note that this report represents a strategic study and is not prescriptive at an individual site level. It does not replace the need for the Councils to assess individual