Gwelfor Castlemorris , SA62 5XA Telephone: 07942 896755 email: [email protected]

Appendix 19

Planning Application Supplementary Report

Seascape

Site Location

Hendrewen Farm, Manorowen

Pembrokeshire SA65 9QD

Endurance 50 kw Wind Turbine

This report has been prepared by WinDS Limited in support of the submitted Design and Access Statement. WinDS cannot accept any responsibility for any use of or dependence on the information within this report by any third party. All reasonable efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the contents of the report.

Results produced within this report were derived using Windfarmer 5.1. Windfarmer 5.1 is an industry standard modular software suite used for the design and planning of both single wind turbine sites and wind farms. Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 32 Regional Seascape Unit Crincoed Point to Name:

The view east from Strumble Head (All photos on this page (c) Dave Maclachlan, PCNPA)

Looking west near Penrhyn Looking east, showing the cottage of Penrhyn

1 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments

No: 32 Regional Seascape Unit Crincoed Point to Strumble Head Name:

Seascape Types: THMR Key Characteristics Indented, rugged coast of sheer basic lava cliffs with a series of very small coves and headlands, with Strumble Head particularly prominent. Rural pastoral slopes up to coastal hills such as Garn Fawr with semi-natural vegetation and very sparse settlement. Sea is tidal and exposed with Rosslare ferries passing through from Fishguard. Long views along the coast with headlands as the main focii. Key cultural associations: An evolved but now relict landscape with archaeological evidence from the Neolithic to the medieval periods. This coastline was also the site of the last invasion of Britian by sea in 1797.

Physical Geology Band of basic lava and tuff lying along most of the coast with a small area of acid lava and Characteristics tuff around Cerrigwastad Point. There is complex geology in the hinterland including Ordovician rocks. Coastal landform North facing, indented rocky coast with sheer cliffs and slopes reaching 50m AOD in places. To the east, fingers of rock reach out into the sea. A series of small coves and headlands with small valleys reaching the coast. Strumble Head is dramatically? conspicuous. Coastal landcover Rural landcover with pastoral land in fields of irregular and strip patterns and very sparse settlement. Semi-natural vegetation lies on the coastal slopes and cliffs and exists in larger patches on the small headlands to the west. There is a coastguard station at Strumble Head. Intertidal area Narrow, steep, rocky shores. Characteristics of sea Tidal and exposed. Strumble Bank lies just off the coast with overfalls. Hinterland landform This rises gradually up from the coastal cliffs to a series of distinct hills with rock outcrops culminating in Garn Fawr to the west and Garnwnda at 108m AOD to the east. To the south of this, the coastal plateau is undulating dissected by rivers. Hinterland landcover The landcover is highly rural with irregular pasture and semi-natural vegetation on the hills. Settlement is very sparse and linked by narrow winding minor roads. Lighting Lighting is focused on Fishguard and Goodwick harbour to the east, becoming dark towards Strumble Head where there is a lighthouse.

Use Land/coast uses Pastoral farming with sparse residential uses / farmsteads. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs along the entire coastal unit. Sea uses Irish ferries from Goodwick, leisure/sailing boats from Fishguard.

Visual and How the seascape unit Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Fishguard and Goodwick and scattered settlement, ferries, minor sensory qualities is experienced road network, open access land at Garn Fawr and adjacent hills and on Mynydd Dinas at a distance to the east. Degree of intervisibility An exposed coast with wide views of the sea. The most significant visibility is from the of land and sea coastal slopes and hills including Garn Fawr, which substantially screen the sea from the incised coastal plateau hinterland to the south. There is some visibility from Mynydd Dinas. Key views to sea and Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Strumble Head, Garn Fawr and associated open access land, along the coast Dinas Head and Mynydd Dinas to the east. Key views to land From numerous ferries and from sailing boats/leisure craft from Fishguard and elsewhere. Tranquillity/rem- The coast is relatively remote and inaccessible with only footpath access and some limited oteness/wildness minor road access. Tranquillity and remoteness increase to the west. Sense of scale Medium Openness/ Open

2 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments enclosure Diversity Diverse Exposure Very exposed to the west and exposed to the east.

Key cultural The seascape unit is dominated by Strumble Head, a large and distinctive headland strong in associations elements of historic continuity and survival, and with long views, both landwards and seawards. It exhibits distinctive Welsh settlement forms and contains actual and suggested evidence for the archaeology of the early church in Wales, preserved in both upstanding monuments and in crop-mark sites. The area includes: Neolithic chambered tombs; Iron Age hillforts and associated field systems; Early Christian sites and monuments; medieval settlements, significant elements of many of which remain in use today.

Strumble Head was the high point from which the women of the area (dressed in red shawls and carrying an assortment of farm implements) succeeded in containing the abortive French landing in 1797 at Carregwastad Point.

The Strumble Head Lighthouse stands on a small off-shore island (Ynys Meicel) linked to the mainland by a footbridge.

Forces for change Land/coast Recreational pressure on limited access points to sea such as Strumble Head. Changing farming economics on agricultural land. Sea Expansion of ferry services.

Designations and National Park Pembrokeshire Coast National Park sensitive features AONB - Heritage Coast St Davids Peninsula Long-distance coastal Pembrokeshire Coast Path footpath/National Trail Outstanding and special Pen Caer: Garn Fawr and Strumble Head historic landscapes Historic gardens and - parks Key scheduled ancient Garn Fawr Hillfort SM8938 monuments Garn Fach Hillfort Ysgubor Gaer Dinas Mawr Ffynnon Degan (ruined chapel and holy well) Garn Gilfach burial chamber

Country Parks - Open access land Small extents on the coast and hills behind such as Garn Fawr and inland on the hills to the east at Mynydd Dinas.

3 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments

No: 32 Regional Seascape Crincoed Point to Strumble Head Unit Name: Headline Sub-criteria Increases sensitivity Decreases sensitivity criteria

Overall Summary of key • Spectacular scenery of wild natural, even sheer • Frequent passing ferries (which are character factors cliffs indicative of human use and give and • Varied natural cliff architecture including some scale to the seascape) qualities fingers of rock, coves and headlands • The plateau character inland, which • The very sparse rural settlement limits views • Remote and tranquil feel of the area, • The landmark form of the lighthouse particularly towards the west at Strumble Head • The Pembrokeshire Coast Path close to the • The large scale of open sea views coastline • The wide panorama of open sea views

Seascape sensitivity levels for different forms of offshore development Modelled scenario Generic form of Sensitivity Comments development

Tall structures 13km Moderate-High Tall structures offshore would detract from the wild, Offshore wind offshore remote, tranquil qualities and spectacular cliff scenery. sensitivity

Wave energy units Broad flat structures on Moderate Broad flat structures out to sea would be less visible than sensitivity the sea surface taller ones, however, the elevated cliff location of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path would enable views of such developments.

Tidal energy units Developments placed Moderate-High Development just offshore would detract and contrast from sensitivity only a short distance the wild, remote, tranquil and undeveloped coastline, and offshore. be seen from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

4 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 33 Regional Seascape Unit Strumble Head to St David’s Head Name:

Aber Mawr (bay) near Granston Treopert (All Photos on this page © Dave Maclachlan, PCNPA)

Carn Penberry from the east Cliffs and stacks near Abercastle (Ynys Deullyn)

1 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments

No: 33 Regional Seascape Unit Strumble Head to St David’s Head Name:

Seascape Types: THMR Key Characteristics Highly indented rugged coast of sheer cliffs of Silurian or Ordivician rocks, some very high, with numerous small headlands and a few sandy coves. Rolling rural pastoral coastal plateau with valleys, some noticeable hills such as Garn Fawr and Carn Lidi with semi-natural vegetation. The coast suffers little light pollution. Sea is tidal and exposed. Long views along the coast with headlands as main foci. Key cultural associations: Sparse settlement with a few small coastal settlements in valleys. Principal cultural association is with tourism, with the small coastal villages (owing their existence largely to 19th century slate quarrying) now catering for holidaymakers.

A varied geology of Silurian or Ordivician rocks in a series of east-west bands including the Physical Geology extrusive igneous [volcanic] rock of Strumble Head. Cambrian rocks also meet the coast. Characteristics Sandstone lithology lies in part to the north as does an isolated patch of boulder clay. Coastal landform A highly indented rugged eroding coast of sheer cliffs with numerous small headlands and a few sandy coves generally facing north west and west. The cliffs display various rock types reaching up to 50m AOD generally and up to 75m AOD at St Davids Head with coastal rocks with varied and interesting form. Small steep sided valleys run to the coast with small streams. Coastal quarrying has created further indentations and rock cut lagoons. Coastal landcover The coast is rural dominated by pasture and rough grazing although arable has come in recently. A swathe of wildland forms a coastal strip varying in width and greatest in extent around St Davids Head/Carn Lidi and Strumble Head. Scattered settlement lies on the coast with a few small villages either in valley bottoms/coves such as Abercastle or on hillsides back from the coast such as Trefin. There is evidence of mining and quarrying on the coast, now disused eg Abereiddy and Porthgain. There is very limited access to the coast by car. Intertidal area The intertidal area is dominated by rocks displaying a range of types and bedding angle at the foot of cliffs. There are a few small coves with sand. Characteristics of sea The sea has normal tidal characteristics with apparent good water quality. There are a few large rocks just off the coast and Bais Bank is noticeable at low tide. Hinterland landform Gently undulating plateau around 50m AOD with highpoints often on the coast, e.g. Carn Llidi 181m AOD /Carn Ffraid, Strumble Head and Garn Fawr which act as sentinels along the coast. The plateau is incised with small valleys. Hinterland landcover The coast is rural dominated by pasture and rough grazing in parts although arable has come in recently. St Davids lies inland hidden from the sea, but the area is dominated by scattered, not clustered settlement. St Davids airfield lies inland but aircraft noise is very infrequent. Lighting Lighting is limited to St Davids and Fishguard (neither visible from the sea in this unit) and surrounds , it is limited elsewhere. A lighthouse is located at Strumble Head. The coast is used for agriculture, limited scattered residential with some holiday lets, some Use Land/coast uses limited caravan and camping sites, informal recreation- the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Very limited surfing and some swimming. Sea uses Some sailing/fishing, ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare. Pembrokeshire Coast Path; small coves; scattered settlement such as at Trefin. Visual and How the seascape unit sensory qualities is experienced Degree of intervisibility There is limited visibility from the land because of its plateau character and the fact that of land and sea higher ground tends to be on the coast, shielding large areas to the south. Most visibility is from this higher land form such as Carn Llidi. Key views to sea and Key views are from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path especially around Carn Llidi, St David’s along the coast Head and Strumble Head; from settlements where there is access to/near the coast such as Trefin, or Porthgain and Abercastle- on the adjacent cliffs. Key views to land Views from the ferry and occasional yachts.

2 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments Tranquillity/rem- Tranquil/remote/wild oteness/wildness Sense of scale Medium- the coast is of medium scale due to the intricate nature of the coastline and scale of cliffs Openness/ Open enclosure Diversity Diverse - diverse elements consistently along the coast Exposure Very exposed The coastal area lying between Strumble Head and St Davids Head (see seascape units 32 Key cultural and 34) is now dominated culturally by small scale tourist-related activity, with pubs, associations restaurants, art and craft galleries at Porthgain, Trefin, Llanrian and Abercastle. There is a modest incidence of leisure sailing. Slate and stone quarrying was the principal industry in the 19th century, leading to the creation of the small harbour at the picturesque village and port of Porthgain with its massive brick-built hoppers for storing aggregates before export. Such activity ceased in the first half of the 20th century. Ramsey and St David’s Peninsula SPA; St David’s pSAC. Recreation pressure on the coastal path. Forces for change Land/coast Increasing visitor-related enterprises. Trampling of cliff top vegetation. Coastal erosion leading to cliff falls. Farming economics on agricultural land. Sea -

Designations and National Park Pembrokeshire Coast sensitive features AONB - Heritage Coast - Long-distance coastal Pembrokeshire Coast Path footpath/National Trail Outstanding and special St Davids Peninsula and ; Pen Caer: Garn Fawr and Strumble Head historic landscapes Historic gardens and - parks Key scheduled ancient Garn Fawr Hillfort SM8938 monuments St Davids Head Promontory Fort SM 7227

Country Parks - Open access land Registered common land on St Davids Head/Carn Lidi, near Strumble Head and inland in patches mainly on hilltops.

3 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments

No: 33 Regional Seascape Unit Strumble Head to St David’s Head Name: Headline Sub-criteria Increases sensitivity Decreases sensitivity criteria

Overall Summary of key • Highly indented rocky coast with cliffs, coves • The large scale of open sea views character factors and headlands, • The plateau character which limits and • Higher land and panoramic view points, such views from inland qualities as Carn Llidi which are natural foci in • The existing built form (lighthouse) at themselves Strumble Head. • The area’s rural, tranquil and remote qualities • Only a few small harbour related settlements such as Abercastle and Porthgain • Very limited numbers of rural dwellings on this exposed coast • Very limited movement with no major roads and no ferries • The Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

Seascape sensitivity levels for different forms of offshore development Modelled scenario Generic form of Sensitivity Comments development

Tall structures 13km High Tall objects would detract from the wild remote tranquil Offshore wind offshore qualities and lack of existing development. sensitivity

Wave energy units Broad flat structures on Moderate - High Broad flat objects out to sea would be noticeable from the sensitivity the sea surface elevated viewpoints such as Carn Llidi.

Tidal energy units Developments placed High There is potential for development to not be widely visible sensitivity only a short distance if tucked into a bay. However, any development would offshore. detract from the wild remote tranquil qualities.

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