Date: July 2016 Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon Landscape and Visual Assessment Prepared by CSa Environmental Planning On behalf of Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire ( (88 (8 Report No: CSa/2326/02c Date: July 2016 Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon Landscape and Visual Assessment Prepared by CSa Environmental Planning On behalf of Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire Date Prepared by Authorised by File Ref Rev A 15.07.14 LJK CS 2326/02 Rev B 23.09.15 SG CS 2326/02b Rev C 24.06.16 CA CS 2326/02c Report No: CSa/2326/02c CONTENTS Page 1.0 Introduction 2 2.0 Site Location and Context 3 3.0 Landscape Policy Context 7 4.0 Site Description and Visibility 11 5.0 Ability of the Site to Accommodate Development 15 6.0 Conclusion 20 Appendices Appendix A: Location Plan Appendix B: Aerial Photograph Appendix C: Photographs Appendix D: MAGIC map with Heritage Information Appendix E: Housing Layout Site Plan Appendix F: Methodology and Summary of Landscape and Visual Effects Lydiard Tregoze Landscape Visual Assessment CSa/2326/02 P age 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 CSa Environmental Planning has been appointed by Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire to undertake a landscape and visual appraisal of land at Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon, Wiltshire as part of the supporting information for a full planning application for residential development of 48 homes, with open space and accompanying infrastructure works. The location of the site is illustrated on the Location Plan at Appendix A and on the Aerial Photograph at Appendix B. 1.2 This appraisal describes the existing landscape character, quality and visual characteristics of the site. The report then goes on to assess the potential landscape and visual impacts resulting from the proposed development. The findings of this appraisal have informed the preparation of the site layout, a copy of which is contained in Appendix E. Methodology 1.3 This appraisal is based on a site visit undertaken by suitably qualified and experienced Landscape Architect in May 2014. The vegetation was in full leaf at this time and weather conditions were good. 1.4 In landscape and visual impact appraisals, a distinction is drawn between landscape effects (i.e. effects on the character or quality of the landscape irrespective of whether there are any views of the landscape, or viewers to see them) and visual effects (i.e. effects on people’s views of the landscape, principally from any residential properties, but also from public rights of way and other areas with general public access). This report therefore considers the potential impact of development on both landscape character and visibility. The methodology utilised in this report and a summary of the landscape and visual effects is contained in Appendix F. 1.5 Photographs contained within this document (Appendix C) were taken using a digital camera with a lens focal length approximating to 50mm, to give a similar depth of vision to the human eye. In some instances images have been combined to create a panorama. Lydiard Tregoze Landscape Visual Assessment CSa/2326/02 P age 2 2.0 SITE LOCATION AND CONTEXT Site Location 2.1 The site is located on the south-western edge of Swindon, within Wiltshire District, formerly North Wiltshire District. Site Context 2.2 This site comprises a broadly rectangular field of pasture and a band of woodland, totalling approximately 6 hectares. It lies immediately to the south of Tewkesbury Way and west of Hay Lane, abutting the urban edge of Swindon. The Middleaze and Nine Elms area of Swindon lie to the north of the site with The Prinnels area to the east. To the south of the site is an area of horse grazed pasture, beyond which is Lydiard Country Park. To the west is open farmland with the village of Lydiard Millicent beyond. 2.3 Housing within The Prinnels and Middleaze is predominantly medium density, two-storey development dating from the 1970’s. A pedestrian underpass, close to the north-east corner of the site, passes beneath Tewkesbury Way, linking Hay Lane to Middleaze. 2.4 The site and its neighbouring fields are currently used for grazing horses. 2.5 Access to the site is currently from its north-eastern corner from a gated path which leads from Tewkesbury Way. An unmade public footpath crosses the site diagonally from the north east access, exiting partway along the southern boundary. Statutory and non-statutory landscape designations 2.6 There are no statutory or non-statutory landscape designations covering the site or adjoining area. The land to the south and west does however form part of the registered park and garden of Lydiard Tregoze; this is discussed more fully below and in the heritage assessment. National Landscape Character 2.7 ‘The Character Map of England’ (a national assessment of landscape character by the Countryside Commission and English Nature (now Natural England), produced in 1999) divides the country into 159 National Character Areas. The site and its environs are identified as lying within Character Area 108 Upper Thames Clay Vales and the sub-character area of Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Buckingham Vales. 2.8 The landscape within the sub-character area is described as: Lydiard Tregoze Landscape Visual Assessment CSa/2326/02 P age 3 A broad belt of open, gently undulating lowland farmland underlain by an expanse of heavy blue-grey Oxford Clay and Kimmeridge Clays. In many places the clay is covered locally by gravel deposits. Contrasting landscapes including enclosed clayland pasture with wet valleys, mixed farming, hedges, hedge trees and field trees and more settled, open, arable lands. Mature oaks give a parkland feel in many places. Little woodland cover but hedgerows and mature field and hedgerow trees are a feature with many watercourses fringed with willow or poplar. Wiltshire Landscape Character Assessment 2005 2.9 In 2005, Land Use Consultants undertook a county wide assessment of the character of the landscape for Wiltshire County Council. That assessment identifies the site as lying within Area 8A, Swindon - Lyneham Limestone Ridge. The overall condition of the Limestone Ridge Landscape Type is described as moderate and the overall strength of character is similarly evaluated as moderate. In respect of the landscapes on the edge of settlements it notes that these often become degraded with flailed hedgerows and urban fringe land uses, such as horse pasture. The assessment also refers to the 2004 North Wiltshire Landscape Character Assessment which is described below. Local Landscape Character 2.10 A district wide Landscape Character Assessment was prepared by White Consultants in June 2004, to form supplementary planning guidance to the then emerging North Wiltshire Local Plan. White Consultants assessment has continued to be used to inform the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy. 2.11 That assessment identifies the site as lying within the Urban Fringe Landscape Character Type and the Swindon Fringe Character Area. The Swindon Fringe Character Area occupies the area of higher ground to the west of the urban area of Swindon. It is defined to the west and north by a steep scarp slope, which overlooks the Thames Lowlands and, to the south, by the edge of Wootton Bassett. It includes the town of Wootton Bassett and the linear villages or Purton, Hook and Lydiard Millicent. 2.12 The assessment notes that the influence of Swindon on the area is significant, with ribbon development between the major urban centres and that there is a diversity of land uses ranging from residential to light industrial and service sector and retail uses. 2.13 The principal characteristics of the Swindon Fringe Landscape Character Area are summarised as follows: Elevated ground with rolling hills and a steep escarpment to the north Lydiard Tregoze Landscape Visual Assessment CSa/2326/02 P age 4 and east. Significant areas of housing development in the town of Woolston and in ribbon development between the villages. A mix of building ages and styles, from historic village centres to more recent brick and reconstituted stone houses. Wide views are available from elevated positions on the scarp slope of the coral rag and from high points such as Brynard’s Hill, over floodplain and lowland vales and also eastwards towards Swindon. Degraded agricultural landscapes and small irregular fields of medieval origin, with gappy hedgerows and a lack of mature trees. Some unimproved meadows. Areas of woodland, including ancient woodland. A comprehensive network of public footpaths. Listed buildings and Scheduled monuments 2.14 Lydiard Park which lies to the south and west of the site, is a Grade II Registered Park and Garden. The landscape park in its present form covers an area of approximately 149 hectares and is largely nineteenth century. It encompasses several listed buildings consisting of: The main house, seventeenth century, Grade I; the Church of St. Mary, Grade I; Railings and piers to churchyard, Grade II; Several chest tombs, associated with the church, Grade II. 2.15 The extent of the listed park is shown on the heritage plan at Appendix D and can be seen to include Lydiard Park to the south and Lydiard Country Park to the west. The boundary extends as far northwards as the southern boundary of the site but excludes the field immediately to the west of the site. Public Rights of way 2.16 An unmade public footpath crosses the site diagonally from the north-east corner of the site by Tewkesbury Way and Hay Lane, to the midpoint of the southern boundary. From the southern boundary the footpath continues to the junction of several paths which converge by the gateway to the drive to Lydiard Church. 2.17 Immediately south of the south-west corner of the site, there are two further public footpaths linking Holborn in the north-east to Lydiard Tregoze Park and the church.