Bake Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 6 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL INTRODUCTION The Commission 6.1. CEC were commissioned in September 2013 by Coombe Bissett PV Park Limited (the client) to prepare a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) to accompany a planning application for a Solar PV Array (the proposed development) at Bake Farm, Coombe Bissett, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 4JT (the application site) to form part of the Environmental Statement. Previous work was carried out informing feasibility and layout considerations in 2012, which fed into this LVIA report. Proposals 6.2. Proposals are for a ground mounted 16.07 MW solar PV farm (also known as an array). The solar panels would be mounted on a framework which would be arranged in rows facing south to maximise sunlight exposure. The panels would be inclined to 25 degrees with the lowest part of the table approximately 0.8 metres above ground and the highest point up to 2.608 metres above ground. The proposal will be fenced with deer fencing, and include inverter stations and switchgear. A full description of the proposals can be found in chapter three. 6.3. The proposed scheme includes inherent mitigation, in that the proposed site layout ensures that the solar array would be set back from the existing hedgerows. Existing hedges and field patterns will therefore be retained, and proposals will use the existing landform. In addition, this assessment has concluded that further landscape mitigation measures should be provided, and these details are set out in the later sections of this chapter. Scope of the Assessment 6.4. 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. 6.5. 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 5km radius around the site was evaluated. 6.6. Drawings, photographs and photomontages have been prepared to support the LVIA, Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual November 2013 6 - 1 Bake Farm Environmental Statement and are included in Appendices 6.3 and 6.4. 6.7. Where individual historic Scheduled Monuments are indicated as having potential inter- visibility with the proposed solar array, impacts on their contemporary users and contemporary landscape setting will also be considered. This appraisal is concerned only with the contemporary landscape or visual aspects of heritage landscapes and contemporary setting of historic features and is not intended to form, or replace the need for, a full heritage assessment. 6.8. This LVIA does not consider cumulative impacts, as no additional solar PV schemes were identified within the defined study area radius. 6.9. All distances given are approximate. Sources of Information 6.10. 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. 6.11. 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. This report contains standard landscape and visual impact assessment tables outlining the likely sensitivity of certain receptors to development; this is intended to assist in interpretation of the findings by others. 6.12. References to specific documents are included via end notes at the end of this chapter, before the appendices. Consultation 6.13. Consultation letters were sent to Wiltshire Council and the AONB Board to agree approach, study area and viewpoints. No reply was received from Wiltshire Council. Comments relevant to the detail of this LVIA received from the AONB Board were: • They would like to see security fencing, observation towers, and similar matters that can have significant impacts on the character of a locality included in the assessment; • The distance zones (i.e. close distance, mid distance and long distance) used in the LVIA should be reviewed; • Further viewpoints from AONB areas should be included; and, • Visualisations should take account of current guidance. 6.14. Other comments included the proximity to the byway connecting to the racecourse and associated potential security issues and the potential effects on heritage and archaeological features. Those issues are addressed elsewhere in the ES and do not form part of the LVIA. 6.15. As a result of the comments, the distance zones were reviewed and further views in Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual November 2013 6 - 2 Bake Farm Environmental Statement the AONB photographed to show the limited extent of actual visibility, due to extensive screening. The fencing and ancillary structures are considered as part of the impact assessment, and the visualisation display takes on board current guidance recommendations. 6.16. Coombe Bissett Parish Council commented on potential effects from the village hall and Nature Reserve. As a result, viewpoint 11 was added to the viewpoint selection showing the view from the village hall, and specific assessment text is provided within the visual impact assessment tables at appendix 6.2 in regard to the village hall and nature reserve. 6.17. The Scoping Opinion received for the proposal did not raise any further issues. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY Overview 6.18. The LVIA methodology is based on the principles outlined in the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA)i which are widely accepted as the industry standard, together with the Landscape Character Assessment Guidance prepared by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)ii. Essentially it is a two stage process consisting of firstly a baseline desk study to identify key landscape and visual receptors within the study area combined with fieldwork. This is in order to clarify and ratify the desk study findings and eliminate receptors unlikely to experience effects. Secondly, an objective evaluation of the likely effects of the proposals on the remaining receptors is carried out and thirdly significance of those effects determined before and after mitigation. Study area and ZTV extents 6.19. 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. However, it may also be based 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” (highlight in bold by CEC Ltd). CEC uses an approach of combination of both for most projects to identify the key receptors and radius of study area, depicted by a circular shape as this reflects the degree of diminishing visibility, which is closely interlinked with the potential degree of effect. 6.20. 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 4km, with some areas extending up to 5km and beyond. Site work showed that beyond 4km, visual effects diminish rapidly so that significant effects subject to EIA Regulations are not anticipated beyond this distance. A 5km 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. 6.21. A Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) was modelled to show the theoretical visual envelope of the site over the 5km study area. The methodology for production of the ZTV is outlined in Appendix 6.5. The ZTV was used as a tool to identify potential Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual November 2013 6 - 3 Bake Farm Environmental Statement 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. 6.22. Within the 5km 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