Bake Farm Environmental Statement

Chapter 6 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL

INTRODUCTION

Proposal

6.1. The proposal is for a ground mounted solar PV farm (also known as an array) of approximately 14.3 MW peak power. The solar panels will be mounted on a framework arranged in rows facing south to maximise sunlight exposure. The panels will be inclined to 22 degrees with the lowest part of the table approximately 0.8 metres above ground and the highest point up to 2.4 metres above ground. The proposed development will include inverter stations and switchgear and be fenced with deer fencing. A full description of the proposals can be found in chapter three.

6.2. The proposed scheme includes inherent mitigation, in that the application site (hereafter called ‘the site’) has been located in the least visible part of the farm landholding and existing hedges and field patterns are retained. This assessment has concluded that secondary landscape mitigation measures should be provided, and these details are set out in the later sections of this chapter.

Scope of the Assessment

6.3. The project is subject to Environmental Impact Assessment and the structure and detail of the LVIA has been prepared to address this. The LVIA report covers:

• Evaluation of the existing landscape character, designations and visual baseline and based on this, identification of potential landscape and visual receptors within the study area; • Evaluation of the sensitivity of potential landscape and visual receptors based on value and susceptibility; • Evaluation of the magnitude, degree of effect and significance of effects resulting from the proposals, for construction and operation; • Discussion of mitigation; and, • Evaluation of residual effects and their significance.

6.4. This LVIA uses a landscape character based assessment approach, evaluating the landscape as a whole, based on a review of the individual elements and how they interact within a given landscape context. Designated assets and visual amenity were evaluated in this context. A study area of a 5 km radius around the site was evaluated.

6.5. Drawings, photographs and photomontages have been prepared to support the LVIA and are included in Appendices at 6.1. The photomontages have been produced equivalent to a 75 mm lens, and for purposes of comparison closely matched to those prepared to inform the previous solar park application at the same location.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 1

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.6. Where individual historic Scheduled Monuments are indicated as having potential inter- visibility with the proposed solar array, potential impacts on their landscape setting are also considered.

6.7. This LVIA does not consider cumulative impacts, as no additional solar PV schemes were identified within the defined study area radius. All distances given are approximate.

Sources of information

6.8. Landscape and visual receptors were identified by searching online information including:

• www.magic.gov.uk – national landscape designations and character areas; • http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningpolicy - Wiltshire Council – local landscape designations, character areas and Salisbury District Council Local Plan (saved policies); and, • http://www.ccwwdaonb.org.uk/– Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB Landscape Sensitivity Study 2007.

6.9. The ZTV models and OS base mapping were analysed to identify visual receptors such as local residents, users of public rights of way and visitors to open spaces and areas of countryside. To assist in interpretation of the findings by others, this report contains standard landscape and visual impact assessment tables outlining the likely sensitivity of certain receptors to development.

6.10. References to specific documents are included via end notes at the end of this chapter, before the appendices.

Consultation

6.11. In 2013 a planning application was submitted by Coombe Bissett PV Park Limited (the client) for a 16 M W (peak power) for a Solar PV Array at the same location but to a different layout . Numerous comments were received from organisations and individuals on that application and as a result it was decided to withdraw the application and submit a new application for a scheme with an improved array layout sought to address the main concerns raised. The various comments and documents relating to landscape and visual issues that arose from the previous scheme have been reviewed and the following key issues have been identified in relation to the previous application. These are the potential visual impact to: • Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve; • Coombe Bissett Recreation Ground; • The terrace of Combe Bissett Village Hall; • A PRoW near Bake Farm; • Old Shaftesbury Drove; • The A354 as it passes the application site; • Old Foundry Cottages, and • The Old Blandford Road Byway.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 2

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.12. Concerns were also raised on the potential adverse impacts on landscape character and the setting of the adjacent AONB.

6.13. This new application seeks to address these issues. Further consultation was carried out with the case officer for the original scheme and the AONB office when reconfiguring the design and mitigation.

Assessment Process

6.14. The assessment process follows the guidelines set out in GLVIA 3, summarised as follows, and detailed further (including criteria and processes) in Appendix 6.2:

• determine value, susceptibility and sensitivity for landscape and visual receptors; • examine magnitude of change based on duration and severity of the effect; • combine sensitivity and magnitude into degree of effect, using a matrix and professional judgement; • determine significance using a matrix and professional judgement; • examine mitigation proposals and evaluate their contribution to reducing effects; and, • evaluate residual effects and their significance.

6.15. Levels for sensitivity range from very low to very high, and magnitude ranges from no change to high, including a negligible category. This can result in a range of effects from no effect to substantial.

6.16. Major effects are most likely to be significant; moderate and moderate / substantial effects may be significant; and other effects are unlikely to be significant. There may however be instances, where a large number of slight or slight/moderate effects could also be considered significant overall. Significance has to be judged by the assessor based on experience and transparent reasoning, using a matrix as a tool to aid transparency (see Appendix 6.2).

6.17. The assessment has been undertaken by an experienced Chartered Landscape Architect.1 The site visit was undertaken on the 23rd April 2014 which was a day of good visibility. The deciduous vegetation was just breaking into leaf and it was a time when the screening ability of the trees and hedges was not as effective as in summer but slightly more effective than the depths of winter.

Study area and ZTV extents

6.18. The third edition GLVIA clarifies how study areas should be determined on a project specific basis. The study area extent should be “based on the extent of Landscape Character Areas likely to be significantly affected either directly or indirectly or on the extent of the area from which the development is potentially visible, defined as the Zone of Theoretical Visibility, or a combination of the two”).

1 The Landmark Practice

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 3

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.19. Key local Landscape Character Areas, as defined within the Salisbury District Landscape Character Assessment 2008 document, within the study area are B2, C2, D7 and D8. B2 and D7 are indicated to have the highest potential levels of inter- visibility, up to a radius of 4 km, with some areas extending up to 5 km and beyond. Site work showed that beyond 4 km, visual effects diminish rapidly so that significant effects subject to EIA Regulations are not anticipated beyond this distance. A 5 km study area was therefore set, enabling all landscape and visual receptors that may experience significant effects as a result of the development to be considered, without resulting in excessive levels of detail that detract from the key points.

6.20. A Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) was modelled to show the theoretical visual envelope of the site over the 5 km study area. The ZTV was used as a tool to identify potential viewpoints and to direct field studies, based on ZTV comparison with landscape character resources and designated assets. The desk study and ZTV were clarified and ratified through field observations.

6.21. Within the 5 km study area centred approximately at grid reference SU111278, all national and local landscape designations and landscape character areas were reviewed. Footpaths and roads were identified to a distance of 5km, but users were only assessed as visual receptors if they were likely to experience views towards the site. Individual residential properties and farms that may experience views have been identified within a 1 km radius only. Elsewhere properties will be assessed in groups or by area as appropriate.

6.22. The 5 km study area extends from the chalk ridgelines to the south, incorporating Salisbury to the north east and extending along the River Ebble Valley to the west. Receptors to the north of Old Shaftsbury Drove, such as Salisbury Racecourse, have been scoped out of further assessment due to the wooded corridor and ridge along Old Shaftsbury Drove which prevents inter-visibility with the site. Specific individual receptors within 1 km of the site are, for example, Bake Farm House, Bake Farm bungalows, other properties associated with Bake Farm, the PRoW (Public Right of Way) to the east of the boundary, Old Shaftsbury Drove and Salisbury Road (A354). There is also the potential for some limited and localised views from properties on the fringes of Coombe Bissett.

LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL BASELINE CONDITIONS

6.23. This section outlines the baseline of existing landscape and visual conditions on site and in the study area. Landscape designations have been considered if directly relevant to the appraisal of landscape character or visual amenity.

The Site

6.24. The application site covers approximately 40.2 ha (99.36 acres) of arable land centred approximately at OS grid reference SU111278 (see Figure 6.1). The application boundary is located approximately 3 km south west of Salisbury city centre and approximately 0.7 km to the north east of the village centre of Coombe Bissett. The area surrounding the site contains a number of significant features, in particular Salisbury Racecourse to the north and Old Shaftsbury Drove on the northern site

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 4

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

boundary; Bake Farmhouse and two bungalows to the east of the site boundary; Salisbury Road 390 m south of the southern boundary and the south western districts of Salisbury at 1.6 km to the east. Elsewhere the study area is rural in character and comprises of pasture, arable fields, woodland belts, occasional agricultural buildings and dwellings. Other nearby settlements include Odstock at 3 km to the south east, Stratford Tony at 2 km to the west and Homington at 1.5 km to the south in the river Ebble valley.

6.25. Land use in the immediate areas surrounding the site consists of large to medium scale pasture and arable fields, woodland blocks and belts, some soft fruit production, scattered farms and isolated properties. Salisbury Racecourse lies immediately to the north but occupies the north facing slope of the ridge and is screened from view by a tree belt along Old Shaftesbury Drove. Current access to the fields is from the main farm drive which runs along the eastern boundary and from Drove Lane, near the northwest corner of the site.

6.26. The application site comprises three entire fields, half a field (the remaining part of the field lying open to the south) and two small paddock areas. Hedges within the application site also divide the fields. The fields have been historically maintained as grazing and arable land and have recently grown wheat. In places hedges have been poorly maintained and gaps have opened up. Locally, field patterns off site range from medium to large in scale, with some localised hedge removal or degeneration, particularly when associated with arable production.

6.27. Photographs of the site are presented in Figure 6.8.1- 6.82.

Surrounding Landscape

6.28. To the south, the land falls towards a shallow valley before rising to Homington Down (99 m Above Ordnance Datum {AOD}) at 800 m from the site boundary (see Figure 6.2). The land beyond falls again to the River Ebble valley and then rises to the distinctive chalk ridgelines (up to approx. 130 m AOD) south of Homington village, at approximately 2 km to the south. The village settlements to the south of the site are located within the River Ebble valley.

6.29. To the southwest the topography also falls down to the Ebble Valley at Coombe Bissett (55 m AOD). The river valley is enclosed by ridgelines rising to the open chalk escarpments to the southwest (up to 150 m AOD) with more gently undulating ridgelines to the west rising to Old Shaftsbury Drove (135 m AOD).

6.30. To the east the landscape is relatively flat and open before rising to the western districts of Salisbury (100 m AOD at 1.5 km to the east). Bake Farm lies adjacent to the south east corner of the site boundary and consists of a small group of residential properties and agricultural buildings. The settlement includes Bake Farmhouse, Bake Farm bungalows, a converted barn and two additional semi-detached properties, agricultural barns and other ancillary structures.

6.31. Beyond Old Shaftsbury Drove, running along the northern site boundary, the topography falls northwards to the River Nadder valley at 2.5 km (50 m AOD). The settlements of Netherhampton, Wilton and the western districts of Salisbury are located

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 5

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

within the valley. Topography and tree cover obscure views to the site from these areas.

Soils and Geology

6.32. The British Geological Society data states that the site overlies the Seaford Chalk Formation which is sedimentary cretaceous bedrock. There are no superficial deposits identified within the data. However, the site is identified in the Wiltshire Landscape Character Assessment as being in an area that is distinguished from open downland by drift geology of flints and clay. This has given rise to loamy brown soils, often associated with woodlands in contrast to the open downlands. This accords with conditions experienced on site. The site is also classified as grade 3 agricultural land.

Historic Landscape

6.33. The site comprises of 19th century fields enclosed on formerly open downland. There are a number of historical features on and adjacent to the site including a Roman road running at approximately 150 m from the north western boundary. There is significant evidence of prehistoric, Romano-British and medieval land use. There are also medieval drove roads close to the western boundary and on the northern site boundary. There is other evidence of medieval and post-medieval boundaries in and adjacent to the site, in particular parish boundaries along the site’s boundary hedgerows. There are also a number of ring ditches and round barrows within or directly adjacent to the site. A Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) is also located approximately 150m from the north western corner of the site. For further details refer to chapter eight of this ES, cultural heritage.

Other features

6.34. An overhead power line runs in a south westerly direction through the northern section of the application area. There are no other obvious or notable landscape features within or adjacent to the application.

Landscape Character

6.35. Current LVIA best practice encourages assessments to be based on landscape character. In the Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland, Landscape character is defined as “a distinct and recognisable pattern of elements that occur consistently in a particular type of landscape. Particular combinations of geology, landform, soils, vegetation, land use, field patterns and human settlement create character. Character makes each part of the landscape distinct, and gives each its particular sense of place. …Exploring and understanding the landscape character of any area requires systematic investigation of the many different factors that have helped to create and influence that location. They include geology and landform, the natural attributes of soils and the vegetation associated with them, and both the historical and current influences of human land use and settlement. The interactions between all these factors create the character of the landscape”.

6.36. The sections below outline the information available on landscape character in the study area for key areas, and supplements this with site observations as appropriate

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 6

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

to convey an understanding of the study area that is based on landscape character to the reader.

National Character Areas (NCA)iv

6.37. Natural England has published a series of National Character Areas that divide England into 159 broad countrywide based character areas. These areas are defined by a unique combination of intrinsic unifying landscape characters such as: geology, soils, topography, vegetation, agriculture, ecology and human settlement.

6.38. All legacy descriptions, key data fact sheets and new area profiles, where available, can be found on the Natural England websitev. For NCA134, a new Profile was published on 21 October 2013.

6.39. The site is located at the far northeastern end of NCA 134 ‘Dorset Downs & Cranborne Chase’, covering the Ebble Valley and associated slopes within the study area, as well as some of the Chalk Downland either side. NCA134 is large and stretches from the Dorset coast in the southwest to the area around the site in the northeast. ‘NCA 132 Salisbury Plain & West Wiltshire Downs’ is located in the northern section of the study area, covering the Natter and Avon valleys, and separated from the site and study area by the Fovant Greensand Terrace and extending Chalk Downland ridge as well as the large urban area of Salisbury. The site’s setting and character is considered to be defined solely by the landscape within NCA 134, although at the area’s eastern end, due to the physical and visual separation from NCA 132. Only NCA 134 will be considered in more detail below.

6.40. The key characteristics of NCA 134 include:

• A rolling, chalk landscape with dramatic scarps and steep-sided, sheltered valleys. • Scarp slopes with species-rich grassland, complex combes and valleys, spectacular views, prominent hillforts and other prehistoric features. • Open, mainly arable, downland on the dip slope with isolated farmsteads and few trees. • Very varied valleys with woodlands, hedged fields, flood meadows and villages in flint and thatch. • Distinctive woodlands and deer parks of Cranborne Chase. • Semi-natural ancient woodlands, with large groups of hazel coppice, and the deer parks of Cranborne Chase, clothe the undulations of the dip slope. Prominent planted shelterbelts and hill-top clumps of beech, oak and ash emphasise and reinforce the simple but expansive geometry of the high downland. • Highly legible and coherent history of early human occupation, including a particularly well-preserved network of imposing hill forts, clusters of barrows, field systems, earthworks, ancient lanes and other prehistoric features, often delineating ritual landscapes. • Very large fields, resulting from the enclosure of downland for sheep and corn that took place between the 16th and 19th centuries. Changes during the 20th century have resulted in an intensively arable agricultural landscape.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 7

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

• An intimate and older (often medieval in origin) enclosed, mixed-farming landscape of smaller, often hedgerow-bounded fields is found in the valleys and coombes, and around the formally landscaped estate parklands.

6.41. The legacy descriptions included some comment on the northeastern landscapes and overall characteristics as follows: “On the northern edge, there are scarps above the Nadder and Ebble valleys which, towards Salisbury, have been sculpted into a series of north-facing bowls. On the dip slope, there are generally few trees but woodland becomes increasingly important to the east of the Stour valley where there are remnants of the ancient hunting ground of Cranborne Chase. Locally, natural regeneration and hill top planting has created distinct landmarks, while to the south the occurrence of yews just off the low ridges is evident from names like ‘Great Yews’ and ‘Nine Yews Farm’. … Perhaps the strongest characteristic of the Dorset Downs are the numerous focal points within the broad pattern of slopes and valleys. There are vast hillforts, like Maiden Castle and Hambledon Hill, particularly dramatic where their thick ramparts are emphasised by low winter or summer evening lights, there are barrows on hill and ridge tops and there are the grand houses of Cranborne Chase framed by ancient limes and chestnuts”.

6.42. The site is in the periphery of the Cranborne Chase ancient hunting grounds, but is not in the Stour valley. In that sense many of the aims, objectives and characteristics associated with the wider NCA are not fully apparent or applicable to the site and study area. Some of the legacy details were found to be more relevant to the specifics of the study area, including future inspirations which include:

“The Chalk landscape has been strongly influenced by the drive for efficient arable farming. Subject to economic feasibility and grant regimes, there is potential for conversion of arable fields back to chalk grassland. This could re- create something of the character of pre 1940s downland. A range of agri- environmental schemes represent an important opportunity to restore the historic open, rolling grasslands for which the chalklands have traditionally been known. Ideally, the new downland landscapes should create unified and large scale chalkland scenery, rather than small-scale patchworks.

There is scope to conserve the usually small and geometrically shaped woodlands to form new outlines, reflecting the flowing contours and composed on a grand scale. The existing woods tend to be on hillside slopes and there is potential to create new woods, and occasional carefully placed clumps on ridgetops and summits to enliven the horizon and create landmarks along ridgetop roads. These would need to be carefully planned to take account of local character, landform and existing features, including maintaining the integrity of planned landscapes.

Hedgerows and hedgerow trees are locally important. Replacement trees should not disrupt important open vistas and areas of distinctive sweeping landform”.

6.43. The Environmental Opportunities for the wider NCA are as follows:

SEO 1: Plan for and manage changes in the agricultural landscape by and

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 8

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

supporting business choices that balance food production with protecting soils and water, enhancing ecosystems (particularly those associated with semi- natural grasslands) and restoring ecosystem services.

SEO 2: Manage and enhance the historic character of the NCA, including the rich assemblage of settlement and field patterns, heritage features (including prehistoric assets), and the patterns of woodland, vegetation and geodiversity that give the NCA its sense of place.

SEO 3: Manage and enhance the recreational and educational potential of the NCA in a way that clearly shows the links between people and the landscape, and between geodiversity, ecosystems and the services they provide. Aim to heighten people’s enjoyment, appreciation and understanding of the NCA, as well as their ability to take positive, informed action to enjoy and conserve their surroundings.

6.44. The summary on tranquillity states that there is generally a high level of tranquillity in the NCA, but that this is eroded near the two main settlements and along the trunk roads. This correlates with the findings during site work confirming that the site is considered to be located in an area of slightly reduced tranquillity due to the proximity to Salisbury, the presence of the A354 Blandford Road and the major overhead powerlines crossing the site and area. Areas of least intrusion and highest tranquillity are in the heart of Cranborne Chase away from the A340 and to the north west of the A340 between Dorchester and Blandford Forum. The average tranquillity rating for the NCA is 7 and the large increase in intrusion between 1960 and 2007 is noted.

6.45. Considering the large expanse of the NCA, the peripheral location of the site within it, away from the most sensitive and tranquil areas, and the reduced level of tranquillity in the study area, it is considered that character changes impacting on the wider quality and integrity of this NCA are unlikely, and that any character changes are better discussed at local level. The NCA is not discussed further in the impact assessment.

Local Landscape Character Areas (LCA)

6.46. The ‘Wiltshire Landscape Character Assessment 2005’vi is a county wide landscape character study with the main purpose of assessing the current status of the Wiltshire landscape and providing an objective basis for developing policies, enhancement and restoration projects.

6.47. Based on the County-wide assessment, a further district wide Landscape Character Assessment was prepared by Chris Blandford Associates on behalf of Salisbury District Council, dated February 2008vii. The district-level landscape assessment provides detailed strategies together with an assessment of the landscape and visual sensitivity in and around the development area. It is more recent than the County-wide assessment, builds on the approach set out in it and was specifically developed to inform the South Wiltshire Core Strategy. The assessment contains further detailed information broadly in line with the character areas and conclusions in the County-wide assessment. Therefore only the district-wide assessment will be considered in this report as the more current and more appropriate assessment,

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 9

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

although the information provided in the County-wide assessment has also been reviewed.

6.48. In addition, the AONB area within the study area is covered by a separate Landscape Character Assessmentviii dated 2003. The AONB LCA is still referred to in the AONB Management Plan, but is older than the County-wide and the District-level LCAs. It has been reviewed as part of the baseline study, and the character areas broadly correspond to those of the newer assessments. Therefore, it will not be discussed in detail separately, but reference will be made as appropriate when discussing the AONB in the impact assessment. (The LCA Figure 4.1 refers).

6.49. The following Salisbury District Landscape Character Areas are located within the study area and are the principal areas defining the character, with references to the approximate areas of the other LCAs in brackets as appropriate:

LCA B2 – ‘Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Slopes’ – The site is located within this area. The area also covers the chalk slopes to the south of the site. (WLCA area 2F and small parts of 2D in Type 2 Wooded Downland, AONB area 5B Ebble Chalk River Valley).

LCA D7 – Cranborne Chase Chalk Downland located along the southern edge of the study area. (WLCA area 2D in Type 2 Wooded Downland, AONB area 2B Southern Downland Belt Open Chalk Downland).

6.50. The LCAs in close proximity to the development are:

LCA C2 – ‘Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Floor’ located along the Ebble River valley to the south of the site. (WLCA area 5F in Type 5 Chalk River Valleys, AONB area 5B Ebble Chalk River Valley).

LCA D8 -‘Netherhampton Chalk Downland’ located to the north and east of the site. (WLCA mix of areas 5B, 2E and 2F with some 3A mainly in Types 2 Wooded Downland and 5 Chalk River Valleys, not covered by AONB areas).

6.51. During desk study and field observations it was determined that LCA B2 Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Slopes and LCA D7 Cranborne Chase Chalk Downland are most relevant to this report and the proposed development; these are discussed in more detail below. Whilst LCA C2 is in close proximity, it represents the valley floor with no visual connection to the site and a different character, and although forming a unit with LCA B2, is unlikely to be affected by the development due to the visual separation and difference. LCA D8 is mostly physically separated from the site and areas with intervisibility could not be found, except in areas near Salisbury to the east / northeast, which, due to the orientation and intervening distance, are considered unlikely to experience any character or setting effects.

6.52. The study area also includes small sections of other character areas within the Narrow Chalk River Valley, Broad Chalk River Valley, Chalk Downland, Chalk Escarpment and Greensand Terrace character areas. However, these LCAs are located around the outer regions of the study area and were found not to have intervisibility with the site as they are largely physically and visually separated from the

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 10

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

remainder of the study area through landform. There is no direct impact and negligible or no intervisibility, with a resulting unlikely potential impact. These outlying character areas will therefore not be discussed further in this report.

6.53. The following relevant key characteristics, condition, sensitivity and management guidelines have been extracted and summarised from Salisbury District Council’s Landscape Character Assessment for areas B2 and D7.

LCA B2 Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Slopes

6.54. The application site lies within the eastern sections of LCA B2 and with LCA C2 forms the valley of the River Ebble. The horizon of southern views is (where not blocked by vegetation) defined by the gentle ridges associated with LCA D7. The extracts below are quotes from the character area descriptions, followed by a discussion of site observations and site and study area specific issues.

6.55. Relevant key landscape characteristics are as follows:

1. “Broad river valley chalk slopes, which have been deeply eroded by a series of re- entrant tributary valleys which are now dry; and coombes; 2. The opposing valley slopes are quite close to each other, resulting from the narrowness of the valley floor, creating a sense of enclosure; 3. Small areas of unimproved chalk grassland and rough pasture on steeper slopes; 4. Valley slopes are dominated by intensive arable production, contained within a system of extensive field units which were enlarged during the 20th century; 5. Many tumuli, a hillfort at Chiselbury and Ackling Dyke Roman Road between Old Sarum and Badbury Rings contribute to visible archaeology; 6. Downland character typical on many of the Valley Slopes.”

6.56. The visual character is summarised as follows:

“The broad, shallow slopes of the Ebble River Valley are cut by a series of dry tributary valleys, which create a gently undulating topography. Picturesque villages and hamlets are often located at the foot of the valley slopes. The visual connectivity to the landscapes of chalk downland is emphasised by the predominant arable land use contained within fields that are extensive in size, the previous pastoral land use having given way to arable crop production. Pasture is largely defined by improved ley and is intensively grazed. Some areas of rough pasture also survive but are largely limited to small grazing pockets on the floodplain or steepest valley sides. The Valley Slopes have a generally simple landscape pattern and there is generally a strong sense of openness throughout. Sense of tranquillity is also strong throughout much of the area.”

6.57. The current condition is described as follows:

“The natural landform of this landscape has retained its distinctive form and strong sense of intactness and continuity – the open, flat floodplain gives way to the gently sloping valley sides with its dry tributary valleys. Numerous

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 11

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

tumuli, ancient earthworks as well as a section of a Roman road are surviving elements of the physical landscape. Due to the extent of arable farmland, much of the landscape is actively managed and in good condition. Signs of decline are evident at settlement edges due to poor maintenance of some farm outbuildings that evoke an untidy approach to settlements. Overall landscape condition is generally good.”

6.58. Landscape and Visual Sensitivity is summarised as follows:

“Overall, this Landscape Character Area is considered to have moderate landscape character sensitivity. This results from the generally diluted distinction between the former pastoral character of the valley floodplain and the arable character of the valley slopes, resulting in moderate overall strength of character. …The shallow slopes and contrasting deep chalk coombes are particularly sensitive to landscape change since their relatively open character and simple landscape pattern would be easily disrupted by inappropriate development or changing land uses and because the entire landscape is highly visible in views from the adjacent enclosing ridgetops. Overall visual sensitivity is therefore considered to be moderate to high.”

6.59. The management strategy and special management objectives are set out as follows:

“The overall management strategy for the Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Slopes Landscape Character Area should be to conserve the remaining patches of semi- natural grassland and site and setting of archaeological monuments. • Encourage areas of fallow arable land within the arable matrix and conserve farmland features such as hedgerows, ponds and field margins to encourage arable weeds and farmland birds; • Resist further dilution of traditional settlement character through establishment and use of building design guidance; • Consider providing guidelines on characteristic planting on the edge of settlements to prevent harsh boundaries between rural and urban areas; • Reinforce landscape features such as the beech avenue which rises from Broad Chalk to Knowlton Hill; • Consider opportunities for reinstatement of chalk grassland, particularly on sites that lie adjacent to existing chalk grassland sites and ensure grazing pressure is managed to maintain a mosaic of grass and scrub habitats; • Promote sustainable management of recreation.”

6.60. Being located towards the eastern end of the River Ebble valley, the land opens out, so that the more narrow and enclosed characteristics and smaller field systems present in the valley are not as apparent. The landscape is broader, with medium and large fields and less steep slopes. It is considered that key characteristics 1 to 3 are not readily applicable to the site and surroundings, whilst 4 to 6 are more apparent.

6.61. The application site is located towards the eastern sections of this character area in a more open rolling arable landscape with limited visual relationship with areas to the west due to hedges, vegetation and subtle landform variations. Whilst the site has

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 12

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

larger fields and appears open in the locality, wider area views are strongly limited in this area due to the woodland corridors associated with the Old Shaftsbury Drove and Salisbury Road, in combination with sometimes treed hedges in a relatively shallow topography. However, there is some limited intervisibility with areas along the chalk escarpment to the south and southwest, where it interlinks with D7.

6.62. As discussed previously, the sense of tranquillity is reduced on site and in the surrounding area. The development is influenced by the outskirts of Salisbury with views to suburban edges on ridgelines, lighting and the busy road corridors such as the A345 to the south of the site. A major power line crosses the area. The diluted distinction between the arable land and valley floor areas is apparent in the study area. For all those reasons, the local character and visual sensitivity is considered to be at the lower moderate end of the scale for the site and study area. The site does not feature semi-natural grassland and there are no major SAMs on it or around it. Those in the vicinity will be discussed as previously outlined.

6.63. Overall, it can be concluded that the site reflects some of the key characteristics, but is located in a less visible area compared to other locations, and its tranquillity and condition is reduced in some aspects. The conservation and restoration of hedgerows and settlement edge planting could have particular relevance to potential mitigation for the development.

LCA D7 - ‘Cranborne Chase Chalk Downland’

6.64. This Landscape Character Area is situated to the south of LCAs B2 and C2 with some finger-like extension to approximately 1.7km from the site, but the majority of the area being beyond 3km from the site. It also falls within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB. To the west and south it is a continuation of the Chalk Downland. This LCA is being considered further as a landscape receptor in conjunction with the AONB to discuss setting changes in relation to the AONB areas, which are covered by this LCA. The northern fringes of this LCA form the horizon line along the southern edge of the study area.

6.65. Relevant key landscape characteristics are as follows:

1. “An elevated downland, deeply eroded to create a dramatic series of coombe valleys and ridges; 2. Dominated by an Upper Chalk surface geology with drift clay with flints capping on higher ground; 3. A mosaic of both pastoral and arable land uses with arable dominating to the south and east; 4. Medieval Royal hunting grounds, defined by surviving parks, with large areas of surviving managed woodland; 5. Shelterbelts, copses, clumps and parkland trees, contribute to distinct estate and Parkland character, particularly around the Rushmore Estate; 6. Beech avenues and beech hedgerows provide dramatic seasonal colour change; 7. Chalk grassland and ancient woodland provide important nature conservation habitats; 8. Neolithic long barrows and numerous Bronze Age round barrows, particularly concentrated around Tollard Royal;

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 13

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

9. Surviving earthworks indicating late prehistoric to Romano-British settlements and field systems, cross-ridge dykes and linear earthworks, such as Grim’s Ditch and Bokerley Dyke; 10. Low density settlement pattern with few villages and dispersed farmsteads, with 19th century enclosure; 11. Panoramic views from Win Green over adjacent escarpment and low- lying terrace and valley landscapes.”

6.66. The visual character is summarised as follows:

“Cranborne Chase Chalk Downland is a diverse landscape, comprising a mixture of dramatic chalk valleys, ridges and plateaux, diverse woodland, copses, shelterbelts and parkland trees, in addition to small-scale villages which are scattered across the area. It is a landscape, which shows strong human influences, not only in the archaeological remains, but in the managed forests, woodlands, copses and avenues along with the parklands and gardens. Together these create a classical English landscape.”

6.67. The current condition is described as follows:

“Overall the landscape is well managed with much of the area forming part of the Rushmore Estate. It has a visual integrity and the condition of ecological habitats (woodland, chalk grassland and scrub) is generally good, although some ancient woodland sites have been affected by re-planting. The built environment is generally in a good state of repair and as the Chase remained free from modern agricultural practices until the middle of the 19th century many historic features have remained intact. Overall, the current condition of the landscape is good.”

6.68. Landscape and Visual Sensitivity is summarised as follows:

“The overall impression is one of well-balanced, harmonious rural scenery, where views are unpredictable and constantly changing; panoramas from high points, such as Win Green are particularly important in understanding the overall setting and form of the area in relation to its surroundings. …It all adds to the intrigue, mystery and rich variety of local interest, which characterise this landscape. On this basis, this area is considered to have high landscape character sensitivity. … The northern extent of the character area comprises elevated downland, deeply eroded to create a series of coombe valley and ridges with a distinctive ‘upland’ character. … However, despite the local variations in openness or enclosure, it is the overriding strength of visual character, principally derived from the area’s unique combination of dramatic landform and the survival of the Chase Woods, coupled with the good condition of its attributes, which make this landscape highly sensitive.”

6.69. The management strategy is set out as follows:

“The overall management objective should be to conserve the distinctive classical English landscape created by the dramatic chalk valleys, ridges and plateaux, diverse woodland, copses, shelterbelts, avenues and parkland trees. In particular there is a need to re-invigorate woodland management

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 14

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

within this area.”

6.70. The detailed management objectives are not considered relevant to the site as the development is located in a different LCA. The wider panoramic views to the north and over LCA B2 are possible from the northern eastern perimeters of this character area to the south of Coombe Bissett and Homington. Although views to the application site only affect a relatively small area of LCA D7 and the AONB, landscape changes within LCAs B2, D8 and C2 that could be overlooked from D7 have the potential to form recognisable new features due to the elevated nature of the D7 landscape. However this will be perceived within the context of the wider landscape taking in the views towards Salisbury and surrounding settlements and wooded ridgelines and more distant views northwards, and actual views out are limited due to local hedges and vegetation. These panoramic views and tranquillity, however, are an intrinsic part of the character and strength of the area. They are important to understanding the setting of the LCA D7 and relationship with the adjacent contrasting lowland to the north. The sensitivity of the overall setting of character area is considered to be medium when set within the context of the existing more intensively developed and managed landscape of the character areas to the north.

Landscape Designations

6.71. Designated areas and features present in the 5km study area are illustrated on Figure 6.4 Landscape Designations and are described in more detail below.

On-site Designations

6.72. The site lies within the following designated landscape policy area which also surrounds the city of Salisbury and covers a large proportion of the District:

Policy C6 Special Landscape Area “Within the Special Landscape Area, proposals for development in the countryside will be considered having particular regard to the high quality of the landscape. Where proposals which would not have an adverse effect on the quality of the landscape are acceptable, they will be subject to the following criteria: ­ the siting and scale of development to be sympathetic with the landscape; and high standards of landscaping and design, using materials which are appropriate to the locality and reflect the character of the area. ­ Salisbury and Wilton have particularly fine landscape settings, being contained in a bowl shaped formation within the chalk downlands. The high quality of the surrounding landscape is a constraint on the development of any land on the edge of, or close to, the urban areas, especially where it forms the skyline. Built development or changes of use of land will therefore only be permissible where, in addition to being fully in accordance with other relevant policies of this Local Plan, it can be demonstrated that the quality of the landscape will not be impaired. More formal proposals, such as golf courses, will be permitted only where there will be no adverse impact on the landscape.

The Local Planning Authority considers the landscapes which surround and

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 15

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

flow through Salisbury and Wilton to be intrinsic to their character. The Landscape Settings of these settlements incorporate the main contributory features and the boundaries are, of necessity, tightly drawn around each settlement.

The downlands which surround Salisbury conceal the extent of the city in approaches to it. They afford comprehensive views across Salisbury, highlighting its situation at the confluence of the five rivers which converge in and flow through the city. These river valleys, and their associated flood meadows, provide extensive views towards the city and the Cathedral. They also avoid the coalescence of Salisbury with surrounding settlements, and the centre with outlying parts of the city, which have managed to retain their own identity. The Landscape Setting of Salisbury encompasses the setting of the Old Sarum Ancient Monument, which was the site of the original settlement of Salisbury. Views towards the monument are available over a wide area, and the prevailing character of the surrounding area, when viewed from the monument, is one of an agricultural landscape.”

6.73. The sensitivity and high quality of the landscape outlined in this policy is of relevance to this scale and type of development. Therefore the ‘Special Landscape Area’ will be taken forward as a landscape receptor to consider the potential effects on the quality of the landscape in which the proposals are located. This will be discussed in conjunction with parts of the Special Landscape Area providing the setting for the AONB fringes.

6.74. Policy PS8 dealing with renewable energy does not refer to the Special Landscape Area.

Off-site Designations

6.75. The following off-site designations are located within the 5km study area and are discussed further below:

• Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) • Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) • Conservation Areas • Listed Buildings and Structures

Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Polices C4 & C5)

6.76. The AONB covers approximately 1010 sq.km. Approximately 50 sq.km is located across most of the south and west of the 5km study area. The AONB boundary runs along Drove Lane to the west of the site and close to the north western site boundary. The open chalk ridgelines and escarpment to the south are also within the AONB and have localised and elevated views to the site. The site is located in the Special Landscape Area, which forms the setting of the AONB along the edges, and it has to be explored further in this report as to whether the site could be considered to be part of this setting, and whether any setting changes to the AONB may occur as a result

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 16

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

of the proposed development. The presence of some limited intervisibility with the open north facing escarpments of the AONB to the south and south west, and the western boundary being in close proximity (although with very limited intervisibility), suggesting that potential impact on its setting in these areas should be explored further. Users will be evaluated as visual receptors separately as appropriate.

6.77. Planning and policy information has been reviewed and summarised below that may help to inform this discussion in the impact assessment, focused on landscape character and quality.

6.78. The AONB Management Plan details the purpose, objectives and aims pursued by the AONB Partnership. It describes the significance of the AONB as follows:

“Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1981, under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Following the introduction of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, the government confirmed that the landscape qualities of National Parks and AONBs are equivalent. The protection given to both types of area by the land use planning system should therefore be equivalent. The AONB landscape is also of international importance, recognised as a Category V Protected Landscape by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is an evolved cultural landscape, managed and nurtured by people over millennia. Those who manage the land are central to the future of this landscape. It is inevitable and appropriate that this cultural landscape will continue to develop but this needs to be in ways that conserve and enhance its special qualities.”

6.79. The primary purpose of the AONB designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area. It is explained that “This Management Plan does not form part of the statutory Development Plan for any part of the AONB but, as a statutory document in its own right, should be a material consideration in the planning process and an instrument for securing consistency across the AONB in planning matters.”

6.80. Those sections with most relevance to the proposals are Theme 2 Distinctive Local Landscapes and Theme 3 Planning and Transportation, both of which include various references to setting and renewable energy projects. Relevant objectives and policies are reproduced below to inform the discussion on the setting issue in the impact assessment and allow for conclusions in regard to the compliance of the proposals with planning policy and the AONB purpose and Management Plan.

6.81. In Theme 2 Distinctive Local Landscapes, Objectives C and F should be considered.

• Objective C requires that “The landscape character, tranquillity and special qualities of the AONB and its settings are conserved and enhanced.”

6.82. The policies associated with this objective deal with research into ‘Forces for Change’, a Climate Change Action Plan and policy and grant aid packages for sustainable development and erosion of landscape character and tranquillity, but none is directed at the AONB setting itself. However, the policies dealing with erosion of landscape character and tranquillity could be argued to be relevant to discussions in this

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 17

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

report, as the overall objective does refer to the setting. Policies C4 and C5 are therefore listed below:

“C4 Identify areas and/or features where landscape character or quality has been or is being lost and encourage enhancement measures. C5 Encourage the identification of factors that contribute to, or detract from, tranquillity in order to effectively conserve and enhance high levels of tranquillity.”

6.83. A subsection in Theme 2 deals with natural resources and includes references to Renewable Energy. Renewable energy is listed as a key issue stating that “There is an increased demand for renewable energy. Developments must harmonise with the character of the area and inappropriate developments, such as visually intrusive wind turbines, should not be sited within the AONB boundary, its setting or impair significant views from it. Options for the AONB to help meet local energy needs on a scale that can be accommodated within the landscape include: • wood-fuelled heating and hot water systems, • micro-hydro electricity generation, • on-farm bio-digestion • active solar and • photovoltaics …”

6.84. In response to this identified key issue, Policy F3 aims to “Support renewable energy generation by technologies that integrate with the landscape character, that are neither visually intrusive nor harmful to wildlife, and are of an appropriate scale to their location and siting.”

6.85. A further subsection of Theme 2 deals with Historic and Cultural Heritage, with some reference to setting, please refer to chapter eight of this ES for detailed considerations of cultural heritage matters.

6.86. Theme 3 Planning and Transportation contains a number of important references to AONB setting and how the AONB expects to be involved in the decision making process. The explanatory text to Theme 3 states that:

“The responsibility for planning policy, transport policy and development control lies with the local authorities. The AONB Partnership has an important role to play in providing guidance, ensuring consistency in the application of planning policy across the AONB, and acting as a consultee on all development and land use change proposals that may have a significant impact and/or effect on the characteristics, special qualities or setting of the AONB. The constituent local planning authorities have all adopted the AONB Planning Protocol (Appendix 6) that sets out procedures for AONB input to policy establishment and those applications on which the AONB would expect to offer comment. The protocol is reviewed annually and has been seen to work well during the last three years. … Where visible from the AONB, the surrounding landscape, which is often of significant landscape value, is an important element of the AONB’s natural beauty. Relevant local planning authorities must have regard for the landscape and visual impact of development adjacent to or within close proximity of the AONB’s boundary.”

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 18

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.87. The impact on the setting of the AONB is an important consideration for developments in surrounding areas, as reflected in the policies to Objectives K and L associated with Theme 3, as follows:

“Objective K. Policy K2. Encourage coherent and consistent formulation and implementation of planning policies that take full account of the local distinctiveness, character and quality of the AONB and its setting.” “Objective L. Coherent and consistent formulation and implementation of planning policies across the AONB takes full account of the purposes of designation and the character and quality of the area and its setting. Policy L1. Continue the use of the AONB planning protocol by local planning authorities to ensure that the AONB Partnership is consulted on all development and land use change proposals that meet the criteria or may have a significant impact and/or effect on the characteristics, special qualities, or setting of the AONB. Policy L3. Ensure that where new development is permitted it complements the special qualities of the AONB and takes full account of the area’s setting and context through the consideration of appropriate Landscape Character Assessments and sensitivity and design studies.”

6.88. Finally the Management Plan references Position Statement 3, which is briefly discussed below (Position Statement Number 3: The Relevance of the Setting of the AONB).

6.89. The Position Paper sets out the aspirations of the AONB in regard to proposals that may affect its setting. The paper discusses that the concept of setting has been derived from the legislation relating to Listed Buildings, and states that:

“A similar situation exists on the edge of an AONB, especially where the landscapes and landforms link and, visually or functionally, join the surroundings to the AONB. Proposals for change in the setting should, therefore, have regard to the inter- relationship with the AONB and the landscape character and qualities.”

6.90. The paper goes on to discuss related planning policy as well as citing two inspector decisions relating to AONB setting, confirming that the setting of the AONB is a material consideration in the planning process. It draws the attention of “…all relevant authorities, land managers, developers, and their agents and consultants to the importance of the setting of the AONB and urges them to … acknowledge and accept the concept of the setting of the AONB”.

Local Planning Policy

6.91. The application site is located in the administrative area of Wiltshire Council, a unitary authority created in 2009 incorporating Salisbury District Council. For the purposes of section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the statutory development plan currently comprises:

1) The South Wiltshire Core Strategy (adopted February 2012); 2) Policies ‘saved’ from the Salisbury District Local Plan 2003.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 19

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.92. The South Wiltshire Core Strategy (SWCS) was adopted in February 2012 and primarily deals with housing and employment. However there are a number of policy provisions in the SWCS relevant to applications for renewable energy and landscape matters.

6.93. The 2003 Salisbury District Local Plan (SDLP) remains part of the statutory Development Plan by virtue of some policies having been ‘saved’ by ministerial Direction. Whilst parts of it have since been superseded by the South Wiltshire Core Strategy, the SDLP continues to be material in determining planning applications, particularly in relation to detailed technical issues.

6.94. The saved policies in the Salisbury Local Plan 2011 include those relating to the AONB (Policies C4 and C5), but do not refer to its setting (setting is not mentioned in their explanatory text either) and are therefore not directly relevant to the site and proposals.

6.95. A further key policy is PS8 which relates to Renewable Energy. This states as follows:

Proposals for renewable energy projects will be permitted provided that; within the New Forest, the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other designated areas of nature conservation or archaeological importance, such development will only be permitted where there will be no unacceptable adverse impact on these designated areas; (i) the development will not result in an unacceptable intrusion on the landscape; and (ii) there is no unacceptable adverse effect on the amenities of local residents from noise, electrical disturbance or other environmental effects arising from the development.

6.96. It is notable that whilst this policy refers to the AONB as being a relevant consideration for renewable energy development, there is no such reference to the Special Landscape Area designated under saved Policy C6.

AONB Sensitivity

6.97. The Landscape Practice (TLP) produced a landscape sensitivity study for the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB Partnership. The study did not identify the sensitivity to any particular type of development but identifies broad issues and pressures for change within the AONB, and how these might have an impact on the landscape character areas. The report has divided the AONB into a number of distinctive character areas and assessed the sensitivity of each. Although the proposed development is located outside the AONB, the study has drawn general conclusions about the landscape sensitivity, robustness and overall capacity to absorb change based on character areas.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 20

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.98. The areas to the west of the site fall within the AONB character area 5b Ebble Valley. This has been assessed as having an overall moderate-high sensitivity. The areas to the south of the site, along the ridgeline, fall within the AONB character area 2B Southern Downland and have been assessed as having an overall high sensitivity.

6.99. This should be considered when discussing setting effects on the AONB, in conjunction with the more detailed information contained in the study for each area, although it is evaluated in this instance that the sensitivity outside the AONB would be lower than that found to exist in the AONB, particularly when considering the increased influence of intrusive elements on and near the site.

Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM)

6.100. There are only three SAMS within the study area on which the proposals have the potential to affect the contemporary setting of the monuments (for a detailed discussion of archaeological and heritage impacts on those and any other assets refer to chapter 8 of this ES, Cultural Heritage). This LVIA report deals with contemporary setting and user issues on the main assets only (i.e. those in close proximity to the site or publicly accessible tourist attractions or hill forts with intervisibility or views to other assets that include the site). The SAMs and their users to be considered further in this LVIA are:

1) A bowl barrow on the edge of a woodland block at 150m west of the development boundary (SU103281) (430m North West of Northdown Barn. Monument ID 26835). 2) The western sections of the Little Woodbury Hill settlement, to the north west of Salisbury District Hospital, at 2.4km east of the site (SU149278) (Woodbury ancient villages. Monument ID WI298). 3) Bowl Barrow on Homington Down, 725m south of Tottens Farm 1.8km south of site.

Listed Buildings & Structures

6.101. A number of listed buildings have been identified at close distance to the site boundary (see Figure 6.6), in particular within the settlements of Coombe Bissett and Homington. For more details on heritage impacts refer to Chapter 8 of this ES, Cultural Heritage. There are some listed features/buildings discussed further in the LVIA in terms of contemporary setting effects due to their proximity to the site and the potential for landscape character changes in this area:

1) Milestone about 150 m east of the entrance to Bake Farm Grade II on Salisbury Road, appr. 500 m east of the site, Listed Building ID 319407; 2) Manor Farmhouse Grade II on Stratford Tony Road, appr. 400 m southwest of the site; and 3) Homington House Grade II on Salisbury Road, appr. 500 m south of the site.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 21

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.102. Salisbury Cathedral is located approx. 3.3 km north-east of the site and, whilst the spire is visible in some views across the study area, the cathedral site and Salisbury as such are separated from the site and proposals by landform and development, there are no ground level views of the site from the cathedral, the tower is not accessible to the top and the cathedral is located in a completely different landscape character area at long distance. For those reasons, whilst it has a presence in the wider landscape by virtue of its spire, the site is not considered to be within the setting of this asset and neither the cathedral nor its users are discussed further as landscape receptors. Users of the landscape, cathedral views of and across the landscape including the spire will be considered further as part of the visual assessment, discussing the relationship between the tower, the site and users as appropriate.

Visual Amenity and Views

6.103. This section examines the influence of the landscape on the visual amenity in the area, focusing on landform, vegetation and visual key features and characteristics, linked back to the previous landscape character descriptions as appropriate. This is followed by a description of the Zone of Theoretical Visibility of the proposals and the key views photographed for the assessment.

6.104. Existing visibility of the site is illustrated on Figure 6.3 ‘Zone of Theoretical Visibility’. Key viewpoints selected for the LVIA are presented in Figure 6.10.

Landform

6.105. The site is located close to the top of a ridge where the land starts to slope less as it rolls over the ridge. There is a gentle slope to the south and southwest southerly between 87-115 m AOD approximately. It is significant that the fields are gently sloping compared with the more typical steeper slopes of the valley. For example the eastern boundary falls from 96 m AOD to 87 m AOD over a distance of 300 m (1:33) and the centre of the site falls from 106 m AOD to 100 m AOD over a distance of 420 m (1:70). This combination of ridge top location and gentle gradients means that the fields which comprise the site are not significant features within the landscape and where they are visible, they appear as thin slivers within the landscape.

6.106. Long views east to west across the site are restricted by the undulating landform in the study area, created by finger-like extensions from the two main east west ridges. More elevated long distance views to the site are possible from some locations on ridgelines, particularly to the south and partially screened by boundary hedgerows to the east. Views from the east are also limited by the fact that land on site has a slight westerly and southerly fall, i.e. away from the viewer, and that the western part of the site (which is the highest land on site) is enclosed by hedges with some tall shrubs and trees, that prevent views of the site area directly. Middle distance views to the site tend to be screened by a combination of vegetation and intervening landform.

6.107. Beyond the site to the south, the land falls towards a shallow valley before rising to Homington Down (99 m AOD) at 800 m from the site boundary. The land beyond falls again to the River Ebble valley and then rises to the distinctive AONB chalk ridgelines (up to approx. 130 m AOD) south of Homington (LCA B2 on the slopes and

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 22

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

LCA D7 on the top), at approximately 2km (note that this is also labelled Homington Down on OS mapping). The A345 runs through a steep sided coombe (valley) prior to climbing the chalk escarpment near Coombe Bissett Down (3.5 km) to the south west. Panoramic views across the landscape to the north towards the application area are possible here, but only from a small number of locations, where vegetation or hedges do not block views. Any views occurring from the road towards the site are transient, and vegetation largely blocks views from the Droves and paths. The more open AONB areas are further south, separated visually and physically from the site.

6.108. To the southwest the topography falls to the River Ebble Valley at Coombe Bissett (55m AOD). The river valley is enclosed by ridgelines rising to the open chalk escarpments to the south (up to 150 m AOD) with more gently undulating ridgelines to the north rising to Old Shaftsbury Drove (135 m AOD). Intervening ridgelines screen potential views to the site from many areas.

6.109. To the east the landscape is relatively flat and open before rising to the western districts of Salisbury located on a shallow ridgeline (100 m AOD at 1.5 km to the east). Localised and elevated views are possible to the eastern boundary of the site delineated by a hedge, but the fields are not visible.

6.110. Old Shaftsbury Drove runs along the ridgeline (100-115 m AOD) on the northern site boundary, mostly in a wooded corridor forming a distinct feature in the wider area due to its ridgeline position and linear character. The land then falls northwards to the River Nadder valley at 2.5 km (50 m AOD). The settlements of Netherhampton, Wilton and the western districts of Salisbury are located within the valley, physically and visually separated from the site. All middle and long distance views to the north are screened by the Old Shaftsbury Drove ridgeline with vegetation.

Vegetation & Land Use

6.111. Land use in the immediate areas surrounding the site consists of large to medium scale arable fields, woodland blocks and belts, some soft fruit production, scattered farms and isolated properties. The northern boundary of the site is defined by a mature band of trees which flank the Old Shaftesbury Drove. This band of trees is locally prominent and occupies the skyline and significantly, blocks views of the site from land to the north.

6.112. The westernmost field within the site is defined to the south by a thick and well established hedge which ranges from 2 – 4 m in height and contains few gaps.

6.113. The original application site included the entire central field down to the A354. The current scheme only uses the upper portion to avoid the steeper and more visible lower slopes. This means that there is currently no hedgerow or boundary demarking the southern extent of the site. There is, however, a low but substantial hedge defining the eastern edge of this field, which also forms the western boundary of the adjoining field which is also part of the site. There is an existing hedgerow defining the southern boundary of this field, but it is low and there are several gaps.

6.114. A low, but continuous hedgerow separates the large western field from two small paddock areas which form the most eastern part of the site. These are, however, only

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 23

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

separated from the track and PRoW which runs along the eastern boundary, by a post and wire fence.

6.115. There is a clump of mature maples adjacent to Bake Farm House which restrict views of the application site from the farm house. Apart from two mature trees within the central hedgerow, there are no large trees within the hedgerows which define the application site. The stretch of the A354 which passes the site is flanked by stands of mature beech forming a prominent and attractive feature in the landscape and an attractive route for travellers. Significantly the stands significantly reduce the visibility of the site from within the surrounding landscape.

6.116. The site is visible from some elevated locations to the south and east, where vegetation and landform permits. The chalk escarpment running from east-west along the southern part of the study area and encroaching into the northern part at the western end, is an open landscape of large-scale chalk down arable and pasture fields and occasional woodland blocks. Short dry valleys (coombes) are cut into the chalk ridgeline. Some of the medieval drove roads tend to be located in the coombes which are often lined with dense vegetation which screen views to the development from many areas, particularly at lower levels. The farmland surrounding the site tends to comprise of large to medium scale fields with woodland blocks, which are often located on the higher ridgelines. The river Ebble valley to the south is associated with traditional linear settlements and their associated mosaic of woodland blocks, small scale fields and dense vegetation screening, creating a small-scale enclosed landscape. Therefore potential views to the site from these areas do not normally occur or are very limited.

Settlements and other built form

6.117. This section describes the settlement pattern and outlines the presence of visual receptors associated with properties and other forms of development (such as employment areas or leisure developments), and represents the baseline analysis of residential and development related visual receptors in the area.

6.118. Properties or structures up to 1km from the site are described below and shown at Figure 6.10.

6.119. The village of Coombe Bissett: The village of Coombe Bissett, including its Conservation Area, is located in a river valley and generally does not afford views to the site, apart from around the village hall and recreation ground and the upper windows of a few properties. Other properties and buildings beyond the settlements tend to be sparsely located and often associated with farmsteads. Potential close distance receptors are therefore limited to the locations outlined below.

6.120. Bake Farm Bungalows, semi-detached properties and converted barn: This group of isolated properties is associated with Bake Farm. They are located adjacent to the PRoW and have potential close distance views to the eastern application boundary. A converted barn to the east of the settlement group is screened by vegetation and agricultural structures associated with Bake Farm. The semi-detached properties face northwards with the gable end facing the site. The two bungalows are located to the west of the PRoW with the rear gardens facing towards the site. The site boundary hedge screens low level views to the site.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 24

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.121. Bake Farmhouse: The farmhouse is located to the south of the property group above, at approximately 340 m from the site boundary. There is also a farm shop associated with ‘pick your own’ fruit growing at approximately 20 m south of the farm. Views are generally open onto the eastern site boundary formed by a hedge with some trees, and with some screening associated with domestic planting and remnant hedgerows. The site boundary hedge screens direct views to the development area.

6.122. Properties on Old Shaftsbury Drove: Little Acre, Bramar and an additional property are located to the north of Old Shaftsbury Drove and accessed from the east. Mature hedgerows along the drove and other domestic vegetation provide substantial screening. Bake Farm is between the properties and the site. No views could be identified during the site survey from publicly accessible places.

6.123. Old Foundry Cottages at Coombe Bissett: Although this property would potentially have been affected by the original application, the new site area does not extend down the slope towards the cottages. The greater separation distance and the effect of the topography of the slope and proposed new and improved hedgerows is such that a view is very unlikely.

6.124. Cawdon, Coombe Rise and adjacent properties along Salisbury Road (A354): Located 130 m and beyond west of Old Foundry Cottages with mature trees, hedges and rising ground between the properties and the site. Cawdon and Coombe Rise would, in addition, block views from properties behind.

6.125. Manor Farm, Drove House, Kenora and Drove Close are located along Drove Lane north of Coombe Bissett and outside the Conservation Area: Manor Farmhouse is a Listed Building. None of the properties have direct views to the site as far as could be judged from nearby publicly accessible areas with mature trees, hedges and rising ground separating them from the site. There may be glimpsed angled views in direction of the site from upper floors from Manor Farmhouse.

6.126. Stratford Tony Road and Coombe Farm to the west of the site: No actual intervisibility could be established from this area during the site visit as a result of the screening effect of intervening vegetation and ridgelines. As such, theoretical intervisibility was not indicated and these potential visual receptors have been scoped out from further discussion in this report.

6.127. Homington House Listed Building to the south: This property is separated from the site by a number of mature treebelts. Its main focus is on the immediately surrounding area and on overlooking Coombe Bissett and the valley to the south and west. Views to the site are unlikely.

6.128. The study area contains a number of hamlets and villages located along the River Ebble valley to the south of the site. The settlements comprise of Cranborne Chase, Stratford Tony, southern higher parts of Coombe Bissett outside the Conservation Area, Homington (including the Conservation Area) and Odstock. There is very limited intervisibility with the site from those areas due to the valley setting, intervening topography and vegetation. The settlements of Cranborne Chase, Stratford Tony and Homington have no views to the site. Isolated locations where potential receptors have been identified are listed below.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 25

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.129. Properties & buildings to southern perimeters of Coombe Bissett, on higher ground (at approximately 1.1km to the south west of the site). The potential views are limited to properties with a northerly aspect located on the valley flanks and at the bottom of the chalk escarpments. Filtered views of parts of the site are possible from higher elevations to the perimeters of the village, such as from the village hall, and the site appears close by on its location on the opposite slopes. There are also potential views from properties to the north of Cranborne Farm, adjacent to Old Blandford Road, although no specific locations that are publicly accessible could be identified during the site visit.

6.130. Properties on the chalk ridgelines to the south: with the exception of isolated farmsteads (such as Southdown Farm close to the junction of the A354, and Rockborne Road (SU102239)), areas with open views from the chalk ridgelines to the south contain little or no development. Other farmsteads tend to be set back from the ridge and therefore views are generally screened by the ridgeline. No potential views directly from settlements / hamlets / farmsteads could be identified during the site visit. However, because individual properties were not visited, a worst case scenario of some views has been assumed.

6.131. The Zone of Theoretical Visibility indicates some areas of potential higher visibility to the east of the site around the southern fringes of Salisbury and the Hospital (discussed further below). All views from those eastern areas to the site would look at the eastern site boundary, which largely features a tall hedge with some trees, and with the land on site falling away from the viewer. There are no views of the fields on site from those areas and only the eastern boundary can be seen.

6.132. Properties to the western perimeters of Salisbury: There are potential views from Harnwood Road and Thompson Close, together with potential views from the new housing development at Linden, on the junction of Coombe Road and Salisbury Road. Views from Harnwood Road tend to be largely filtered by vegetation associated with rear gardens. Views from Thompson Close are limited to upper rear window views of properties immediately adjacent to the city’s urban boundary whilst low level views tend to be partially screened by the eastern boundary hedge. Elsewhere within Salisbury views are screened by intervening properties. There was no intervisibility identified with isolated farmsteads at lower levels to the south of A354.

6.133. Glimpsed long distance views to elevated locations were indicated on the ZTV to occur in areas to the north and east of Salisbury, including Old Sarum. The tree cover and ridge block views of the application site. All views from this area have therefore been discounted (see Figure 6. 3).

Open Access Land

6.134. There is potential intervisibility with the site from areas of Open Access Land on and around the slopes and chalk escarpment to the south of Coombe Bissett and Homington.

6.135. Areas within Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve are largely screened from the site by virtue of their lower elevation and intervening vegetation. There are views towards

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 26

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

the site from the more elevated southern section of the reserve around Tottens Down Barn, on the northern slopes of the escarpment from within the AONB. The mature tree belt along the A354 affords some screening of the lower levels of the site. The majority of paths and areas accessed by residents are in the lower parts of the reserve with no views to the site.

Infrastructure Elements

6.136. A high voltage overhead electrical transmission line bisects the site diagonally on a southwest - northeast alignment. A supporting tall pylon is located within the site and two further pylons are located on and adjacent to the site boundaries, crossing the site roughly centrally.

6.137. The A345 (Salisbury Road), a busy route connecting Salisbury to the south west, passes 390 m to the south of the site. Views towards the site are significantly filtered by the stand of beech trees which line the road.

6.138. Road users on the Chalk Escarpment to the south may experience elevated and open views from localised areas along the route. Roadside hedgerows and vegetation generally screen potential views, however, particularly at lower levels. Limited views are possible only from the higher elevation on the tops of the escarpment and are set within the context of the wider landscape.

Public Rights of Way (PRoW)

6.139. A few small areas along footpaths to the south and south west of Coombe Bissett have been identified as potentially having intervisibility with the site. These are points on the Old Blandford Road which have some elevated views to the site, and over adjacent hedgerows and tree belts on footpaths adjacent to and close to Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve. Views are also possible from the southern, more elevated, areas of the reserve, which appear to have some public access.

6.140. There are potential views through and over boundary hedges from the PRoW at Bake Farm. Very limited, generally screened and heavily filtered views are available from Old Shaftsbury Drove on the northern site boundary, looking at the northern boundary of the site. Views over the western landscapes are also possible from PRoW to the western perimeters of Salisbury and close to Little Woodbury SAM from localised and elevated areas, although those are onto the eastern and northern boundaries, with no field areas directly visible.

Other Users

6.141. The racecourse and golf course are located to the northwest of the site, to the north of Old Shaftesbury Drove. Vegetation and landform separate users in those two areas from the site and no views are available.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 27

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV)

6.142. The ZTV (Figure 6.3) shows theoretical visibility of the site and proposals and is described further below.

Brief Description of Viewpoints

6.143. Views toward the application site were informed by the desktop study and explored across the entire study area. Those views which were considered to illustrate a worst case scenario in the context of the study area are described below. From many of the locations, however, views on the ground will be far less direct than those illustrated in the viewpoints and will often be partial and glimpsed. The term ‘worst case views’ is used in the following paragraphs to address this.

6.144. Viewpoints have been selected to provide a range of receptors, distance and directions of view in which the site and / or the proposals will be visible, taking into consideration the influence of landform, vegetation, built form and public accessibility within the study area. The viewpoints are listed in Table 6.1 and presented in Figure 6.10.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 28

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

Table 6.1: Selected representative viewpoints

Viewpoint Grid Reference Latitude Longitude Sensitivity - 1 PRoW along the drive to Bake Farm SU 11877 27500 51.04673 1.8319434 High 2 PRoW along the drive to Bake Farm and similar to views from environs of the - property SU 11832 27603 51.047654 1.8325871 High - 3 PRoW leading to Old Shaftesbury Drove and residential properties SU 11713 27908 51.050405 1.8342823 High 4 PRoW leading to Old Shaftesbury Drove SU 11695 27968 51.050938 -1.834529 High - 5 Old Shaftesbury Drove SU 11626 28061 51.051781 1.8355054 High - 6 Old Shaftesbury Drove SU 11508 28074 51.051896 1.8372005 High - 7 Drove Road leading to Old Shaftesbury Road SU 10501 28041 51.051619 1.8515611 Medium - 8 PRoW within the AONB close to the site SU 10342 28032 51.051539 1.8538356 High - 9 Old Shaftesbury Drove SU 10441 28179 51.05286 1.8524194 High - 10 Drove Road leading to Old Shaftesbury Drove SU 10688 27828 51.049704 1.8489003 Medium - 11 The terrace of Coombe Bissett Village Hall SU 10990 26016 51.033406 1.8446463 High - 12 The SW corner of the Coombe Bissett recreation ground SU 10936 25895 51.03232 1.8454188 High - 13 Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve SU 11102 25548 51.029194 1.8430679 High

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 29

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

Viewpoint Grid Reference Latitude Longitude Sensitivity - 14 Salisbury Road (A354) SU 11974 27470 51.04646 1.8305701 Medium - 15 Edge of the tree belt, Old Shaftesbury Road SU 11758 27360 51.045475 1.8336493 Medium - 16 A354 Salisbury Road on the edge of Salisbury (East Harnham) SU 13199 28195 51.052948 1.8130606 Medium - 17 Harnham Hill area SU 13994 27929 51.05054 1.8017364 High - 18 Old Blandford Road PRoW SU 10238 25910 51.032468 1.8553752 High - 19 Junction of the Salisbury Road with Rockbourne Road SU 10214 23995 51.01524 1.8557721 Low

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 30

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

Potential Landscape and Visual Receptors

6.145. The landscape and visual receptors summarised below are considered to be important for the understanding of the site and study area. This conclusion is informed by review of the ZTV model for the proposed PV solar array, field observations and professional judgement. Other receptors that are considered unlikely to experience effects are scoped out of further assessment. These are areas with no visibility of the site, those where any view will be screened by intervening vegetation and buildings, and those located at such a distance from the site that it will not be perceived as a distinct element in the view.

6.146. Some individual properties and paths may not be included if key receptors have been discussed that are similar or more representative to views from those receptors. Key receptors include properties within 1km radius and local PRoW around the site, settlements, main roads, trails and users of designated assets. The aim is to present a thorough and reasoned evaluation of the whole study area whilst keeping the quantum of information at a reasonable and accessible level.

Key Landscape Receptors • LCA B2 - Ebble Broad Chalk River Valley Slopes • LCA D7 - Cranborne Chase Chalk Downland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (The Chalk Downlands & Escarpments to the south) • Special Landscape Area (SLA) • Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings (as discussed, contemporary setting)

Key Visual Receptors • Users of the AONB (The Chalk Downlands & Escarpments to the south) • Users of Special Landscape Area • Users of Scheduled Monuments – Bowl Barrow on Homington Down, 725m south of Tottens Farm • Users of Listed Building Manor Farmhouse • Residents of Bake Farm • Residents of Bake Farm bungalows • Residents of semi-detached property north of Bake Farm • Users of Coombe Bissett village hall and recreation ground • Users of Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve • A few residential properties within Coombe Bissett • Residents of properties on the chalk escarpment • Residents on the edge of Salisbury • Users of PRoW Old Blandford Road • Users of PRoW at Bake Farm • Users PRoW Old Shaftsbury Drove • Users of PRoWs and Open Access Land on the southern and southwestern slopes and chalk escarpment

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 31

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

EFFECTS

6.147. The following paragraphs identify effects of the proposed development on the landscape and visual receptors identified in the baseline study. The assessment is conducted in accordance with the definitions / criteria described in the methodology in Appendix 6.2.

6.148. The overall effects of the proposed development on the landscape and key views in the study area are discussed below in the context of the sensitivity assessment tables in Appendix 6.2. The focus of the discussion below is on moderate or greater effects; the tables in the appendices should be referred to for all effects. Effects described below are assumed to be adverse unless stated otherwise.

6.149. This section details effects in year 1. The assessment has taken account of the mitigation measures incorporated into the layout and design of the scheme (as described below - the section on Mitigation and Enhancement refers). It is considered that the key mitigation benefits of this scheme will arise from maturing vegetation, hence the residual effects are presented as the remaining effects at year 10. It should be noted, however, that effects overall have already been reduced from a worst case scenario via design iteration of the emerging scheme. Key measures embedded at this stage are: retention of field boundaries, allowing space for additional planting, relocating parts of the array to flatter land around Bake Farm away from the steeper and more prominent lower slopes used in the previous planning application layout, and also increasing the separation distance from the nearest third party properties at Old Foundry Cottages.

Value, Susceptibility and Sensitivity of the Site and Study Area

6.150. Value and susceptibility have been evaluated for each receptor against GLVIA criteria (Appendix 6.2) and professional judgement as appropriate. These values were then combined into a sensitivity rating for each receptor in the tables.

6.151. The study area value varies from medium to high, with the high value areas associated with the AONB to the south and west of the study area, and the medium value landscapes more readily found in the central, northern and eastern areas, characterised by a greater influence of modern development such as urban areas and infrastructure. The site is considered of medium value, making some contribution to the local character, but also being affected by some degradation due to hedge loss and a large electricity transmission line crossing it. The Ebble valley areas to the south could be considered to be of medium to high value, and represent a transitional area between the medium and high value landscapes.

6.152. Susceptibility to solar PV development in the study area varies from low to high. The proposed development is low in height and can be relatively easily integrated into medium and large field systems, provided that it does not unduly interfere with wider area landscape character and key views throughout. Low susceptibility receptors and areas are those with very little exposure to the development, due to screening, location or orientation. They include some residents, as well as road users. Landscapes as such were considered of medium to high susceptibility, due to the potential for interference with character and views with the site being located on a gentle slope

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 32

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

partially overlooked from some high sensitivity locations. High susceptibility receptors will be those most exposed to the development, such as residents with views of the site, and those parts of the AONB with views over the site.

6.153. With a range of value and susceptibility ratings, the majority of landscapes and receptors outside the AONB are assigned a medium or medium to high sensitivity (valley locations and designated assets), and those within the AONB are mostly of high sensitivity. The site is considered to have medium sensitivity to this type of development, and has capacity to accommodate the proposed development, subject to retention of hedges and landscape features.

Glare and Glint

6.154. Glint, glare and dazzle can be generated by frames and panels of solar parks. These phenomena are defined as follows: Glint – Also known as a specular reflection is produced as a direct reflection of the sun on the surface of the solar panel. It occurs with the reflection of light from smooth surfaces such as glass, steel and calm water. Glare – A scattered reflection of light. Glare is significantly less intense than glint and is produced from rougher surfaces such as concrete, tarmac, and vegetation. Dazzle – An effect caused by intense glint and glare which can cause distracting and if strong enough reduce the ability of the receptor (pilot or otherwise) to distinguish details and objects.

6.155. Due to the intensity of glint being much higher than glare, studies of potential impact usually concentrate on glint alone. The perceived intensity of glint will vary depending on the ambient light level and direction to the receptor. Due to the transient nature and relative intensity of glint there is no possibility of significant adverse effects at any receptor.

6.156. Solar PV panels are designed to absorb light. Their primary function is converting light into electrical energy so any light which is reflected is a sign of inefficiency. The glass which coats solar panels is specifically designed with low iron content to aid the absorption of daylight and thus has a much lower level of reflectivity than the glass typically seen in conventional windows. This means less than 9% of the total incident visible light is reflected, while normal glass reflects approximately 17%. Thus reflectance levels from a given solar site are much lower than the reflectance generated by standard glass and other common reflective surfaces.

6.157. Solar panels have a comparable reflectivity to that of calm water and significantly lower than that of snow. Thus any glint which may occur would be no worse than that seen from a reservoir or lake on a calm day or a snow covered landscape on a bright day. It is important to consider that the panels do not focus sunlight and as such any reflection will always have intensity lower than that of the sun. The angle of the proposed panels has an impact on where/when any glint can occur.

6.158. This assessment assumes a panel angle of between 20 and 35 degrees from the horizontal, facing due south. At this angle, although the sun is brighter in the summer

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 33

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

and the intensity of reflection is greater, the sun is also at its highest point in the sky and the light is reflected by the panels back up into the sky.

6.159. In the northern hemisphere, due to the tilt of the earth at the summer solstice, the sun appears to rise in the north east. Once the sun reaches a sufficient elevation to allow light to rake sideways across the panels, glint visible from the ground may occur. As soon as the angle of the sun reaches sufficient elevation, however, the reflected beam will be directed back into the sky towards the south-west. In the evening with the sun setting in the northwest glint may occur to the southeast as it rakes sideways along the line of the panels.

6.160. The panels are not the only source of reflections. Although the steel mounts used to support the panels could reflect sunlight, the frames are well shaded by the solar panels above them and glint can only be experienced from upper exposed elements, such as the uppermost edge. Even so this typically amounts to a small area. The metallic frames will dull fairly rapidly as the surface oxidises, thereby reducing the reflective quality of the metal and the intensity of the glint to create a more diffuse reflection.

6.161. Prevailing weather conditions will also play an important role in the likelihood of glint occurring. In Britain, average daily sunshine hours range from between one and two in midwinter to between five and seven in midsummer. Typically only 1/3 of daylight hours over a year are cloud free meaning, as glint cannot occur when it is cloudy, total events should thus be much less than the theoretical maximum. The panels are designed to absorb light and will therefore, by design, have a much lower reflectivity than conventional glass.

6.162. Thus at the proposed solar array ground based reflections can only occur at certain times of the day from the end of March to mid-September but, even then, only to either the west in the morning and east in the evening. It is unlikely that the environs of Bake Farm and Bake Farm bungalows will experience glint because they are set lower than the panels and the landform crests to the west. The mitigation planting on the eastern edge will also block any reflective light.

6.163. Glare is unlikely to be an issue as solar panels are designed to maximise absorption of light and have a surface that is anti-reflective and diffusing. As a result, there may be some localised glare in very close proximity to the panels, but not from any distance. At distance on the chalk escarpment, the glare will simply be perceived as a lighter area in the landscape. To the east, at close distance and towards Salisbury, direct glare will not arise as the viewer would look at the side of the panels.

Construction Effects

6.164. Principal construction effects on the landscape resource will include:

• Increased activity on site and the access track on the eastern boundary for a period of approximately 18 weeks; • Potential to impact on hedges and trees along site and field boundaries if no suitable temporary protection is implemented;

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 34

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

• Exposure of bare soil in localised areas due to construction activity; and, • Gradual change from rural fields to technical installation on site.

6.165. Tree and hedge protection measures will be required to minimise construction effects, to be implemented via a Construction Management Plan as a matter of good practice. Preparation and installation works are likely to span 3 months, followed by one month of testing and commissioning prior to completion and project handover.

6.166. The increase in activity for a short period of time is not considered an issue in the wider context of the character area, and there is already some movement in the landscape associated with roads and farming activity. Users of the A354 and the PRoW and properties on the eastern site boundary may be affected locally during weekly working hours. It is not intended to undertake construction work over night or at weekends. Therefore the effect on the road users is unlikely to be more than slight for a limited period of time, whilst PRoW users and residents may experience up to moderate / substantial short term effects. Appropriate access management of the PRoW may be required if used for construction access.

6.167. Impacts on hedges will be avoided by using the existing field access points and observing protection zones to all vegetation boundaries inside and on the site boundaries. Effects have been determined assuming full retention of all hedges and trees. Hedges will be delineated with temporary protective fencing to ensure no construction machinery enters those areas. With the exception of a small number of 2 metre sections of internal hedge, to be removed to facilitate cable installation and then reinstated with new hedgerow planting, no actual impacts on those elements are envisaged.

6.168. Large areas of the site are currently under arable management, and are subject to seasonal changes in character following planting and harvesting cycles. The presence of areas of bare soil during construction is therefore unlikely to create a perceived change of the local character.

Operational Effects

6.169. Principal operational effects on the landscape resource in the area will include:

• Introduction of large new technical infrastructure installation on agricultural land, albeit representing a second ‘layer’ installed over continuing pastoral agricultural use; • Change from arable to pasture around the solar arrays, for the operational life of the proposed development, establishment of grassland buffer strips managed for biodiversity benefits; • Alteration of local landscape character; and, • Alteration of visual amenity locally and in localised areas to the south.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 35

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

Effects on the landscape features of the site

6.170. The existing farm access track to the south of Bake Farmhouse and the Farm Shop will be used during installation and for any maintenance purposes; no additional access will be required during operation.

6.171. A small number of 2 metre sections of internal hedge will be removed to facilitate cable installation between fields, before being fully reinstated by new hedgerow planting. There will be no other effects on any of the site’s landscape features. Internal and boundary hedgerows and trees will be retained and enhanced as part of the proposed development.

6.172. Retention of all hedges and the existing field pattern, together with establishment of buffers to retained features and new mitigation planting is considered to represent an overall low beneficial magnitude of change in year 1.

Effects on Landscape Character

6.173. The proposed development will result in a major change to the landscape character of the site from agricultural land to one of large electrical infrastructure, but on a temporary basis. However, for its operational life this must be considered to be an adverse effect of Major significance. The effect on the character of the surrounding landscape will be more subtle.

6.174. The proposed development will be visible from some areas of the surrounding landscape and will therefore affect landscape character beyond the site. Landscape character effects are concentrated within LCA B2 and D7, with some negligible to slight effects also arising on LCAs C2 and B8, and NCA 134. The key effects on LCAs B2 and D7 are discussed in more detail below.

LCA B2- Ebble Broad Chalk Valley Slopes LEVEL 3

6.175. The site is located within and surrounded by this character area and development will cause direct character changes. The area already contains intrusive features, including the large electricity pylons, the A354 corridor which generates traffic noise and movement, and the urban edges of Salisbury. All of these add to the influence of modern elements on the landscape character in the study area.

6.176. The landscape character area is large in relation to the development. The physical character of the site, including the characteristic linear hedgerows, tree belts and woodlands, will be retained with substantial standoffs managed for wildlife benefit on the site boundaries. The development effectively adds an overlay onto the existing use, with continued agricultural grazing use possible under the installation. The key effect on character is its appearance in distant views, where it will appear more as an unusual colouration within a field rather than an industrial installation. On decommissioning the adverse effects on landscape character will be removed, leaving just the hedges and trees planted as part of the mitigation. These will have matured and will make a beneficial contribution to landscape character of Minor significance.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 36

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.177. The proposed development will also potentially impact on the setting of the slopes and chalk escarpment to the south. Here there is inter-visibility with elevated and localised areas and the landscape is perceived as the Ebble valley, overlooking the river valley towards the opposite slopes containing the application site. Landform will not be changed and the valley and slopes will still define the character of the landscape in those views. The development would only be visible as a very thin sliver of blue/grey just below the horizon and only from localised areas.

LCA D7 – Cranborne Chase Chalk Downlands

6.178. This area is largely separated from the site. Its importance in the study area lies in the definition of the southern extent of it, with northern fringe areas intertwining with the slopes of LCA B2 (which experiences greater visual exposure as it is more sloping, compared to the more plateau like higher ground areas of LCA D7). Key characteristics of LCA D7 include the traditional English landscape: chalk downlands, dramatic landform and its unique combination to form coombe valleys and scarp slopes, the survival of Chase Woods, and panoramic views. Due to separation and distance, none of those characteristics and qualities would be particularly affected by the scheme and the main areas would be completely unaffected. With only some minor northern fringe setting impacts occurring, landscape character effects on this LCA are limited to some alteration of perception and reduction of tranquillity in its setting, perceived from peripheral areas bordering LCA B2. Overall, effects on the setting of this character area were evaluated to be moderate during construction and slight during operation, neither of which is significant. The overall character, integrity and quality of LCA D7 would not be affected.

Effects on designated landscapes and structures

6.179. The site lies within a Special Landscape Area. The AONB Chalk Downlands and Escarpments covers the south and west of the study area.

Special Landscape Area

6.180. The Special Landscape Area (SLA) policy aims to protect the high quality of the landscape surrounding Salisbury from inappropriate development and retain the rural landscape character and the setting of Salisbury. The SLA is not mentioned in Renewable Energy Policy PS8.

6.181. The sensitivity of the SLA was considered medium as it is outside the AONB (this correlates with the outside AONB landscape character sensitivity). For the majority of the SLA there will be no effects caused by the proposed development. Although Salisbury is visible in the wider area and has an influence on the study area, the site is not in its immediate setting, with the site only visible from its south western boundary and not from within Salisbury. Perception of the rural area as seen from Salisbury will, therefore, not be altered.

6.182. Views back to Salisbury that also include the site occur mainly from the AONB, and not from within the SLA. It is considered that the scheme will not affect the setting of Salisbury and its cathedral. There is likely to be an up to Moderate localised (around 500m of the application area), not significant and reversible effect on the

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 37

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

area covered by SLA, comparable to and of similar nature to the local landscape character effects discussed above.

AONB – Chalk Downlands and Escarpment to the South / Southwest of the Site

6.183. This area of the AONB is located in the south / southwest of the study area on the slopes, chalk escarpment and downlands beyond. The scheme will be set within the context of other development to the edges of Salisbury, ribbon settlements along the valleys and modern infrastructure, intensively farmed landscape and distant northern views featuring larger areas of development which have diluted the tranquillity in the northern and eastern setting. The scheme will respect the field patterns and landform and is accommodated in relatively regular fields, would not breach ridgelines, not alter dramatic landform or interfere with key views across or between assets, would not result in loss of landscape features and would enhance some of the hedges, including new linear tree planting prevalent in the vicinity of the site. As such, the development will not alter the wider character of the setting, with the overall appearance of the landscape and its structure maintained. It would, however, introduce an element that has the potential to be visually intrusive in views from some AONB fringe locations. The change in setting during construction and in year 1 is assessed to be of low magnitude, resulting in Minor localised and not significant setting effects.

AONB – Chalk Downlands and Escarpment to the West of the Site

6.184. The AONB in this area has been assessed as having medium to high sensitivity to change due to the effects of modern development on the integrity of the area. There is the potential for the development to have an indirect effect on its setting due to the scale and close distance. Despite the proximity, it was concluded that the development was likely to result in only a low magnitude of change during construction and possibly in year 1, due to the limited character and visual relationship with the development area and intervening hedge screening and landform. The low magnitude changes will result in Minor to Moderate localised and not significant effects.

Scheduled Monuments - Bowl Barrow on Homington Down and the HILL settlement

6.185. Since the solar park will not alter landform and will appear contained within field boundaries, it will not alter understanding of the landscape. Nor will it adversely affect the immediate setting of these Scheduled Monuments, and will be temporary in nature. Overall it will have an adverse effect of Minor significance.

6.186. The Conservation Areas of Homington and Salisbury and the Registered Parks and Gardens in the study area are all sufficiently visually and physically separated from the site as not to experience any landscape effects. The effect on the setting of the Coombe Bissett Conservation Area will be of low magnitude. Despite the close proximity, the visual separation and the definition of the village setting by the valley landscape act together to safeguard the character of the village, the Conservation Area, and key views through it. The site is not seen in close association with the church tower when viewed from the south due to the valley location and vegetation screening.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 38

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

Visual Effects on Users of Designated Assets

6.187. Visual effects are more extensive than landscape effects due to the large scale of the installation and its resulting prominence in some views. The overall number of visual receptors is, however, relatively limited, particularly in relation to residents and AONB users. The locations from where actual views can be obtained are also limited, and the proposed development is not considered to have an overall defining influence on the visual amenity of the study area landscape. There are no views from Registered Parks and Gardens. The changes to the views of the representative viewpoints and an assessment of the effect on visual amenity are discussed below. Viewpoints are located on figure 6.10, with viewpoint photos shown in figures 6.11.1- 6.11.19 and photomontages are at figure 6.19.

Viewpoint 1

6.188. A view looking northwest from the PRoW which runs up the Bake Farm driveway to connect with the Old Shaftesbury Drove. The drive is flanked by an established hedge which in winter and early spring is trimmed low so that it just affords views over the top towards the site. The southern boundary of the site is just visible, defined by a hedgerow with gaps. Without any mitigation some panels within the first row will just be visible through the gaps in the hedge. Views of the panels can be effectively blocked by gapping up the southern boundary hedge and managing it at 4-6m in height. The hedge along the west side of the PRoW can also be managed at a winter cut height of 2 m which will provide an effective screen within 2 years.

6.189. The sensitivity of the viewer is assessed as High since it is a PRoW where enjoyment of the countryside is an important factor to users. The magnitude of change is assessed as Medium in winter and early spring and Negligible in summer. Thus the effect on visual amenity of the proposed development without mitigation is predicted as being adverse of Moderate significance in winter and of Negligible significance in summer.

Viewpoint 2

6.190. A view looking northwest from the same PRoW but closer to the farm where there is a field access. The solar farm will extend south as far as the hedgerow with gaps. Without mitigation the first row of panels will be clearly visible through the gaps and the tops of the panels behind will be visible as a series of serrated lines. The sensitivity of the viewer is considered to be High and the magnitude of change Medium- High, resulting in an adverse effect on visual amenity of Major/Moderate significance.

Viewpoint 3

6.191. A view looking west from the same PRoW as it passes Bake Farm Cottages, chosen because it is a similar view afforded to residents and to users of the PRoW. The hedgerow with gaps which forms the southern boundary is visible. The array will be seen edge on as a series of serrated lines, viewed through the security fence, and set 20 m back 40 m inside the edge of the field (defined by the limit of the oilseed rape in the photograph) and occupying the skyline. Without mitigation the sensitivity of the

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 39

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

viewers is considered to be High and the magnitude of change High resulting in an adverse effect of Major significance.

Viewpoint 4

6.192. A final view from the same PRoW as it approaches Old Shaftesbury Drove, which runs within the line of trees and hedge which occupies the horizon. The solar park will occupy the foreground field with the security fence set inside the existing post and wire boundary fence. The array will be clearly visible behind the fence as a series of serrated lines and the panels will block the field of view.

6.193. The sensitivity of the viewer is High and the magnitude of change High, resulting in an adverse effect of Major significance without mitigation.

Viewpoint 5

6.194. A typical view looking west along the Old Shaftesbury Drove Road as it passes the site. At this point the tree and hedgerow cover which flanks the Drove road is at its narrowest; further west it broadens out into substantial tree belts. Even so the vegetation still blocks views of the site in summer and even in winter it is unlikely that the site will be visible.

6.195. The sensitivity of the viewer is considered to be High and the magnitude of change Nil in summer and Negligible in winter resulting in an adverse effect of Negligible significance.

Viewpoint 6

6.196. The view from the Drove Road looking directly towards the site where the existing electrical transmission line passes overhead. Even at this weakest point it is unlikely that panels will be visible in summer. The absence of panels within the electrical way leave means that it is also unlikely that panels will be visible in winter.

6.197. Visual impact: None.

Viewpoint 7

6.198. View from a field gateway on Drove Lane (which forms the eastern limit of the AONB) looking northeast. The application site lies behind the hedge, which is substantial and will initially screen all but the tops of the panels until it is managed at a height of 3-4 m. The sensitivity of the receptor is High but the magnitude of change will be Low resulting in an adverse effect on visual amenity of Minor significance.

Viewpoint 8

6.199. In this location Drove Lane forms the boundary of the AONB and this is a view looking east from a PRoW which approaches the site from west of Drove Lane (i.e. it is within the AONB). A hedgerow to the south blocks views to the south and so this is the only significant view towards the site, which is screened by intervening hedgerows. This view also illustrates the substantial tree cover along Old Shaftesbury Drove Road.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 40

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.200. There will be no effect on the visual amenity of users of the PRoW.

Viewpoint 9

6.201. View looking east along Old Shaftesbury Drove Road showing the substantial tree cover flanking the road. In winter it may be possible to glimpse the security fence and array through the leafless branches. Sensitivity is High and the magnitude of impact Nil in summer and Low in winter, resulting in an adverse effect of Moderate/Minor significance on visual amenity.

Viewpoint 10

6.202. This is a view looking north from Drove Lane. For the majority of Drove Lane views of the site are blocked by hedgerows on the east side of the lane but there are a few sections which are open, affording views towards the site, which lies behind the foreground hedgerow. The hedge will initially screen all but the tops of the panels until it is managed at a height of 3-4 m. The sensitivity of the receptor is High but the magnitude of change will be Low resulting in an adverse effect on visual amenity of Minor adverse significance.

Viewpoint 11

6.203. This is a view from the terrace of Coombe Bissett Village Hall. It is an attractive rural view, slightly marred by the roofs of the village school in the foreground. A small part of the site is visible (only the upper part of the highest field of oil seed rape on the horizon), the majority is hidden by the foreground tree cover. Within this area the array will be visible as a sliver of blue/grey.

6.204. The sensitivity of the viewpoint is considered High because it is an important resource for the community and the magnitude of change is assessed as Medium resulting in an adverse effect on the visual amenity of the users of Major/Moderate significance. A Photomontage is available for this view).

Viewpoint 12

6.205. A view looking north from the village playing field which is situated immediately south of the village hall, at a slightly higher elevation. The site is not visible from the majority of the playing field because it is screened by the trees along the eastern boundary and, lower down the pitch, the roof of the village hall. This is the view from the southwest corner where the part of the site is visible (the upper triangle of oil seed rape). The solar park would actually extend eastwards as far as the electricity pole next to the village hall, but this field is screened by the hedgerow forming the southern boundary (not even the bright yellow oil seed rape is visible). The proposed solar array would be visible as a sliver of blue/grey filling the upper part of the field, close to the horizon.

6.206. The sensitivity of the viewpoint is High and the magnitude of change Medium/Low (given that it will only be visible from a small part of the playing field). This will result in an adverse effect on the visual amenity of those using the playing field of Minor significance.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 41

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

Viewpoint 13 6.207. A view looking north from the Coombe Bissett nature reserve (a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve) which lies higher up the slope south of the playing field. Due to its elevated position the nature reserve affords a view of more of the site. Not only is a larger sliver of field more visible but sections of the westernmost field are visible as yellow patches, seen through the gaps in the hedgerow which forms the southwest boundary. As with the playing field, the site is only visible from a small area within the nature reserve which affords panoramic views across the valley.

6.208. The sensitivity of the viewpoint is High and the magnitude of change Medium, this will result in an adverse effect on the visual amenity of those at the nature reserve of Moderate significance. A photomontage is available for this viewpoint.

Viewpoint 14

6.209. A view looking west along the A354 Salisbury Road as it passes the site, illustrating the level of screening provided by the mature beech trees which flank the road. When the trees are out of leaf travellers can just see through to the countryside beyond. The proposed development is, however, set back from the road further up the slope and will be difficult to discern due to the hedgerow on the southern boundary. T

6.210. The sensitivity of the travellers is considered Medium, because this is a scenically attractive section of road, but the magnitude of change, even in winter, will be Negligible, resulting in a Negligible effect.

Viewpoint 15

6.211. This is the view from the north side of the line of beech trees, looking towards the site and, although not a view typically afforded to the general public, it illustrates how even without the beech trees as a screen, the site is not particularly visible.

6.212. The upper section of the first row of panels will be just visible above the southern boundary hedge. This will result in an adverse visual effect of minor significance, although this is not a particularly representative view.

Viewpoint 16

6.213. A view looking west from the A354 Salisbury Road just as it leaves the urban edge of East Harnham. The road exits the urban area of East Harnham at an elevated point before descending into a dip. For approximately 100 m the road affords views directly towards the site. Bake Farm is visible, as are Bake Farm bungalows, with part of the eastern field which comprises the site partially obscured by trees and hedgerows. Only a small part of the array will be visible, as a thin sliver of serrated lines, partially obscured by the existing vegetation. Once within the dip and moving further west the road does not afford views of the site.

6.214. The sensitivity of the travellers is considered to be Medium/Low and the magnitude of change Low, since it will be a fleeting glimpse for a short section of road. Thus the visual impact will be adverse of Minor/Negligible significance.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 42

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

Viewpoint 17

6.215. A view looking west from a PRoW within open farmland adjacent to a residential area near Harnham Hill (Andrews Way and Thompson Close area). The main PRoW runs along the hedgerow at the base of the slope and does not afford views of the site. A link to the adjacent housing climbs the slope from where the site becomes visible. The majority of properties do not face towards the site but a few have windows affording views. A significant portion of the site is visible and the proposed development will appear as rows of grey lines and shadows, but at this distance its exact nature will be difficult to discern.

6.216. The sensitivity of the area is considered to be High/Medium (walkers and residential properties) and the magnitude of change Medium resulting in an adverse effect of Moderate significance.

Viewpoint 18

6.217. View looking north east from a section of the Old Blandford Road PRoW which runs north south along an open section of ridge to the south of Coombe Bissett. For a considerable length this road affords a view of a considerable area of the site with the urban area of Salisbury forming the backdrop. The cathedral spire is visible to the far right.

6.218. The array will appear as a sliver of blue/grey below the urban form of Salisbury. The sensitivity of the viewer is considered to be High and the magnitude of impact Medium resulting in an adverse effect on visual amenity of Moderate significance. A photomontage is available for this viewpoint.

Viewpoint 19

6.219. View looking northeast from the junction of the A354 and Rockbourne Road. There are no significant views of the site to travellers using the A354 from Viewpoint 16 until this viewpoint because the road is either flanked by trees and hedges or runs in the base of the valley. A short section affords views down the valley towards the site, which in this image is clearly visible due to the crop of oilseed rape. The proposed array is, however, confined to the flatter upper slopes and will not extend down the slope. It will be visible as a thin sliver of blue grey.

6.220. The sensitivity of the viewer is considered to be Medium/Low and the magnitude of change Low because it will be a very fleeting glimpse. This results in a visual impact of Minor/Negligible significance. A photomontage is available for this viewpoint.

Users of the AONB

6.221. Large ground mounted solar arrays are becoming more familiar in the English countryside and it is evident that to close up viewpoints the arrays can appear as alien features not particularly suited to a rural landscape. From middle and distant views, however, the panels usually appear as a blue/grey colouration filling the fields and are far less intrusive and more like an unusual crop. This is relevant to how the proposed development will affect the visual amenity of people enjoying the AONB landscape.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 43

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.222. Although the boundary of the AONB comes very close to the western side of the proposed development there will be no significant views of the proposed development from this area due to limited publically accessible viewpoints, intervening vegetation and because the land to the west falls away from the site. Thus those within this part of the AONB will not be able to see the array at close hand and will not be able to perceive its industrial character.

6.223. The primary views from the AONB are from the far side of the valley to the south, typically 1.5 km and beyond, at which distance the array will appear as a mass of blue/grey occupying the fields. The new application is a significant improvement on the original application in that the array does not extend right down the slope in a field which is most prominent to the sensitive receptors around Coombe Bissett. Despite covering a large area in plan, the array will appear as a very compressed band of blue grey on the upper slopes. The Bake Farm site is probably the best site in the valley in which to locate a large array because these fields are amongst the least visible. While locating an array on the north side of the ridge away from the AONB would remove any impacts on the AONB, it would also result in far greater visual impact within the valley to the north which has numerous significant sensitive receptors. The generation capacity of the solar panels would also be impaired. The tree cover along the Old Shaftesbury Drove will beneficially form a skyline backdrop.

6.224. Thus to people within the AONB the proposed development is predicted to have only a Minor adverse effect on their visual amenity.

6.225. It is also important to consider how the proposed development will affect views of the AONB i.e. from outside looking back at the AONB. In this instance the only significant views of the AONB in which the array would feature are from the short length of PRoW running along the eastern boundary of the site. This affords limited views back over the valley towards the AONB, but the views are adversely affected by the existing overhead transmission line which rakes across the view. The fencing and panels will block this view back towards the AONB and the view will be totally blocked once the proposed hedge planting has established. This is not, however, a significant nor particularly attractive existing view of the AONB and its loss is considered to be negligible.

Users of Special Landscape Area

6.226. The primary impact to people within the Special Landscape Area will be the restriction of views to the PRoW to the east, as discussed above, and from a few viewpoints further east, but these are very limited and fleeting. Overall the effect on the visual amenity of those within then Special Landscape Area is considered to be adverse but of Minor significance.

Users of Listed Building Manor Farmhouse

6.227. Inter - visibility is unlikely due to intervening landform and vegetation, although there may be some views due to potential gaps in the hedgerows which will be closed

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 44

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

by mitigation. The effect on the setting of Manor Farmhouse is considered to be Negligible.

Users of Conservation Areas

6.228. Minor to Moderate and not significant visual effects (arising from low magnitude change) may be experienced by users of Coombe Bissett Conservation Area and users of Homington Conservation Area, reflecting very limited, partial views potentially occurring from upper floor windows and particularly of taller construction machinery. No actual ground level views from the Conservation Areas could be identified. There are no views from Salisbury Conservation Area.

Visual Effects on Users of Properties and Settlements

6.229. The following residential visual receptors have been identified in the LVIA to experience moderate or greater visual effects.

6.230. Properties experiencing up to Major adverse visual effects during construction and until the mitigation has fully established (Year 7):

• Residents of Bake Farm during construction; • Residents of Bake Farm bungalows during construction.

6.231. Properties experiencing up to Minor to Moderate adverse visual effects during construction and until mitigation has established (Year 10):

• A small number of properties on the chalk escarpment which faces the site to the south (mainly a few within Coombe Bissett) and associated slopes during construction (Year 1) and operation; • A small number of properties at Harnham which afford views towards the site; • Foundry Cottages lie on the same slope as the array but lower down on the Salisbury Road with a separation distance of approximately 500 metres. They may afford views of the southern edge of the array from upper windows until the new boundary hedge has established (Year 10).

Visual Effects on Recreational Users

6.232. The following recreational / landscape user visual receptors have been identified:

6.233. Recreational users experiencing adverse visual effects of Major significance during construction and until mitigation has become effective (Year 10):

• Users of approximately 200 m of the PRoW as it runs past the eastern boundary of the site.

6.234. Recreational users experiencing adverse visual effects of Moderate significance during construction and until mitigation has become effective (Year 10):

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 45

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

• Users of southern elevated slopes of Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve (lower valley areas including most footpath routes would not experience a change); • Users of Coombe Bissett Village Hall terrace.

6.235. Road users experiencing an adverse visual effect of Minor significance during construction and until mitigation has become effective (Year 10):

• Those using the Salisbury Road as it drops down from the edge of the urban area where it fleetingly will allow glimpses of the eastern edge of the array.

Summary of Significant Effects during Construction and Operation Year 1

6.236. Overall the proposed array will not be particularly visible within the landscape as viewed from publically accessible areas and residential properties (illustrated by Figure 6.3, Zone of Visual Influence). The most significant visual impact will be to a tight cluster of receptors within the village of Coombe Bissett including the village hall, recreation ground, nature reserve and approximately 8 properties within the village. The array is however at a distance where it will appear primarily as a colouration within the landscape rather than an industrial installation. Overall the effect on the visual amenity of people using these facilities is considered to be adverse of moderate significance, nevertheless mitigation is desirable.

6.237. The only other significant effect will be to users of the short length of PRoW adjacent to the eastern boundary and residents of Bake Farm and Bake Farm Bungalows where the effect will be adverse of major significance and mitigation is required.

PROPOSED MITIGATION

6.238. The following mitigation is proposed to reduce or eliminate adverse effects identified (Figure 6.18 also refers).

Mitigating the adverse effect on the visual amenity of users of the PRoW running along the eastern edge

6.239. The hedgerow along the west side of the drive which leads up to Bake Farm will be managed at a winter cut height of 2.0 – 2.5 m which will block views of the array without significantly affecting the character route (achievable within 2 years).

6.240. A native hedge will be established along the section north of Bake Farm to screen the array (typically mature within 5-7 years after planting). This will establish a similar character to the PRoW as the section south of Bake Farm. The hedge shall comprise two rows of 40-80 cm transplants set 0.5 m apart at 0.5 m centres. Transplant species shall be 30% field maple, 20% hawthorn, 15% beech 10% blackthorn, 10% hazel, 5% guelder rose, 5% wayfaring tree, 3% holly, 2% privet. One honeysuckle is to be planted approximately every 10 m.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 46

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.241. A similar composition hedge will be established around the western and northern boundaries of Bake Farm and Bake Farm Bungalows. This hedge will include planting of selected standards and up to 2.5 m high feathered specimens at an average of 1 per 8 linear metres. Species to include field maple, Norway maple, holly and Scots pine.

6.242. The DNO sub station and access will be located off the track/PRoW and it is proposed to screen the compound with Prunus lusitanica which will form an evergreen hedge. While this is not native it will be seen in the context of the adjacent gardens.

6.243. The internal hedges within the array will be reinforced with new planting to close any gaps and managed at a slightly greater height which will break up the mass of the array as perceived from oblique views to the east.

6.244. Residual effect: Once established this mitigation will eliminate the adverse effects of the array when the deciduous vegetation is in leaf but an adverse effect of Minor significance will remain in winter. The access to the DNO compound will remain visually intrusive both in summer and winter resulting in an adverse effect of minor significance due to the very short section of path from which it will be visible.

Mitigating the adverse effect on the visual amenity of residents and visitors of Bake Farm and Bake Farm Bungalows

6.245. As described above, a hedge will be established around the western and northern boundaries of Bake Farm and Bake Farm Bungalows and will include planting of selected standards at an average of 1 per 8 linear metres. It is predicted that this will reduce the effect on the visual amenity of the properties to adverse of minor significance when the deciduous vegetation is in leaf and adverse of moderate significance in winter. The internal hedges within the array will be reinforced with new planting to close any gaps and managed at a slightly greater height which will break up the mass of the array as perceived from oblique views to the east.

6.246. Residual effect: In summer once the hedge and tree planting has established the visual impact will be adverse of Minor significance and when the deciduous vegetation is out of leaf, adverse of Moderate significance.

Ensuring that the proposed development remains screened should the tree cover along Old Shaftesbury Drove decline over the operational life of the solar park

6.247. A native hedge will be planted along the northern boundary, just outside the security fence. The hedge shall comprise a single row of 40-80 cm transplants set at 0.5 m centres. Transplant species shall be 25% field maple, 10% hawthorn, 30% beech 10% blackthorn, 10% hazel, 5% guelder rose, 5% wayfaring tree, 3% holly, 2% privet. One honeysuckle is to be planted approximately every 10 m.

6.248. Residual effect: None

Reducing the visual impact of the array to views from the south, particularly from Coombe Bissett

6.249. The existing hedgerows along the southwest and southern boundaries of the site will be managed to a height of 4-6 m and the gaps filled with new native planting. A new

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 47

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

hedge will be planted along the southern central section of the solar park where there is currently no boundary. The hedge shall comprise three rows of native species set 0.5 m apart at 0.5 m centres. 75% of the plants will be supplied as transplants in the range 40- 80 cm high and 20% as feathered plants 1.25 – 1.5 m high and 5% as 2.0 to 2.5 m high feathered stock. The species mix shall be 10% field maple, 40% hazel, 25% hawthorn, 10% blackthorn, 5% guelder rose, 5% wayfaring tree, 3% holly, 2% privet. One honeysuckle is to be planted approximately every 10 m.

6.250. The species chosen have the ability to form a tall thick hedge without the need for frequent management. Occasional topping and coppicing may be required to maintain a dense twig structure and prevent the hedge becoming so tall that it casts too much shade on the panels.

6.251. The internal hedges within the array will be reinforced with new planting to close any gaps and managed at a slightly greater height to will break up the mass of the array as perceived from oblique views to the east.

6.252. The mitigation will take 5-7 years to reach a height of 3 m, sufficient to screen the first row of panels, but since the panels rise up the slope to the north, the hedge will not reach its full mitigation potential until it reaches 6m, typically in 12-15 years’ time. Even when it has reached this height the hedge will not screen the panels that lie higher up the slope, as seen from Coombe Bissett. Nevertheless the hedge will have reduced the extent of panels visible to that of a thin sliver of blue/grey as seen from across the valley, reducing the visual impact to an acceptable level. Even in winter it is likely that the branch structure of the hedge will remain an effective screen due to its distance from sensitive receptors.

6.253. Residual effect: Adverse visual impact of Minor/Moderate significance.

Mitigation of the visual impact to views from the Salisbury Road, residential properties and users of PRoW to the east

6.254. The proposed tree and hedge planting along the eastern boundary to screen the array from the PRoW and Bake Farm Bungalows will reduce the extent of array visible to a significant degree from the short section of the Salisbury Road where it is visible. It will have less effect from the higher ground further east around Harnham, because the greater elevation affords views right across the array as it runs up the slope, and the proposed planting will not reach sufficient stature to screen it. The internal hedges within the array will be reinforced with new planting to close any gaps and managed at a slightly greater height. The proposed development is likely to have an adverse visual effect of Minor/Moderate significance.

Mitigation to effects on landscape character and the AONB

6.255. The proposed measures to reduce visual impact will also minimise the effect on the character of the landscape surrounding the site, but the effect is unlikely to be so significant that it alters the baseline assessment.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 48

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS

6.256. The application site at Bake Farm appears to be the most suitable location for a large ground mounted solar scheme within the area to the west, south and south west of Salisbury, in terms of minimising adverse effects on visual amenity, impacts on landscape character and avoiding the AONB. The key factors which inform this conclusion are:

1) The site lies at an elevated position close to a ridge. This means that there are few higher vantage points within the surrounding landscape which afford views down onto the site. The broad valley and ridge topography around Salisbury is such that any large scale array on the valley bottoms or steeper side slopes is likely to be far more prominent.

2) The site comprises gently sloping ground close to the top of the ridge and so appears as a narrow band in the landscape from those areas which do afford a view of the site. For a larger solar array its visibility within the landscape is small.

3) The tree cover flanking the Old Shaftesbury Drove, which runs past the site along the top of the ridge, completely screens the site from land immediately to the north and from the far side of the valley to the north.

4) Trees flanking the Salisbury Road to the south restrict views from within the valley.

5) There are only three residential properties which are significantly affected by the proposed development, all associated with Bake Farm. No PRoW crosses the site and the array can be shielded from those that run adjacent to it.

6) The site lies outside the AONB and the array will not be visible to the area of AONB which lies immediately adjacent to the west side of the site.

6.257. The most significant effect is to the cluster of sensitive receptors within Coombe Bissett; from the terrace of the village hall, part of the recreation ground; the nature reserve and from the upper windows of a few properties within the village. This new planning application significantly reduces the adverse effects from Coombe Bissett compared with the previous application. The revised configuration and the impacts will be further reduced, although not entirely eliminated, once the mitigation has become effective.

6.258. Figure 6.3 illustrates that there are very few publically accessible or residential areas which will afford views of the proposed development. From the majority of these views the array will appear as a sliver of blue/grey colouration contained by field boundaries. At these distances arrays have the appearance similar to an unusual crop. It is only to close and middle distant views that they appear industrial and alien to the rural landscape. In this instance, there are few close and medium views which can be effectively screened within a short time frame.

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 49

Bake Farm Environmental Statement

6.259. It is concluded that the landscape in the study area can accommodate this development without causing significant harm to landscape and visual resources.

i Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. Third Edition. Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment. Routledge. May 2013. ii Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland. Prepared on behalf of The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage by Carys Swanwick, Department of Landscape University of Sheffield and Land Use Consultants. 2002. iii http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer_google/googleviewer.html accessed on 20th Aug 2012 iv http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/publications/nca/southwest.aspx v http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/publications/nca/default.aspx - National Character Areas - defining England’s natural boundaries vi Wiltshire Landscape Character Assessment. Final Report. Prepared for Wiltshire County Council by Land Use Consultants. December 2005. Available at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningpolicy/landscapeconse rvation/ wiltshirelcafinalreport.htm vii Salisbury District Landscape Character Assessment. Chris Blandford Associates. February 2008. viii Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB Integrated Landscape Character Assessment. Prepared for the Countryside Agency by Land Use Consultants. June 2003. ix Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB Management Plan 2009- 2014. CCWWD AONB Partnership. 2009. Available from the AONB web site at http://www.ccwwdaonb.org.uk/projects/manplan.htm x Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY STUDY (Final Report). The Landscape Practice. May 2007. Available online at http://www.ccwwdaonb.org.uk/projects/pub_other.htm

Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual July 2014 6 - 50