Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 50 Regional Seascape Unit Goldcliff to Chepstow Name: Newport Wetlands (Photo by Kevin Dupé,©CCW) Looking across to England (Photo by Kevin Dupé,©CCW) Extensive sand flats in the estuary (Photo by Charles Lindenbaum ©CCW) Severn Bridge (Photo by Ian Saunders ©CCW) 1 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 50 Regional Seascape Unit Goldcliff to Chepstow Name: Seascape Types: TSLR Key Characteristics A relatively linear, reclaimed coastline with grass bund sea defences and extensive sand and mud exposed at low tide. An extensive, flat hinterland (Gwent Levels), with pastoral and arable fields up to the coastal edge. The M4 and M48 on the two Severn bridges visually dominate the area and power lines are also another major feature. Settlement is generally set back from the coast including Chepstow and Caldicot with very few houses directly adjacent, except at Sudbrook. The Severn Estuary has a strong lateral flow, a very high tidal range, is opaque with suspended solids and is a treacherous stretch of water. The estuary is a designated SSSI, with extensive inland tracts of considerable ecological variety. Views from the coastal path on bund, country park at Black Rock and the M4 and M48 roads are all important. Road views are important as the gateway views to Wales. All views include the English coast as a backdrop. Key cultural associations: Gwent Levels reclaimed landscape, extensive historic landscape and SSSIs, Severn Bridges and road and rail communications corridor. Physical Geology Triassic rocks with limited sandstone in evidence around Sudbrook. These are overlain with Characteristics alluvium with river terraces occurring to the east. Carboniferous limestone lies inland. Coastal landform This is a south to south-west facing deposition coast, consisting of low lying land (Gwent Levels) with a coastal protection bund around of 5m high, except in isolated areas of slightly higher land. The coast is relatively straight, with a minor change in direction around Sudbrook where there is evidence of very low sandstone cliffs at Black Rock. The bund veers slightly inland in places leaving small areas of saltmarsh. Coastal landcover The greater part of the area is rural, dominated by pasture but with some arable land. This extends right up to the bund or coastal edge. The main settlement is Chepstow just to the north-east, with development at the Newhouse commercial estate (to the south) and the original Wye and Severn Bridge carrying the M48. Further to the west there is an industrial settlement (Sudbrook) which is dominated by the second Severn Crossing for the M4. The Gwent Levels show historic field and drainage ditch patterns, but their legibility is compromised in places by pylon lines. Intertidal area The large tidal range of up to 15m exposes very extensive areas of mud and sand forming the Godwin Sands, Mathern Oaze and Porton Grounds. These exhibit channels formed by outlets to the drainage ditches from the Levels. These areas are dangerous to walk on although there is evidence of past use for fishing. There are occasional rock platforms exposed at low tide close to Sudbrook and Black Rock. Characteristics of sea The Severn Estuary has a large tidal range and exhibits a strong lateral flow. There are also suspended solids giving an opaque brown appearance to the water. There are few boats because of the dangers of this stretch of water. The funnel effect of coastal geometry builds up the largest tidal bore in the UK further up the Severn estuary, and the second highest tidal range in the world. Hinterland landform The Gwent Levels are flat at around 5-8m AOD, though there are extensive areas rising slightly around Portskewett and Caldicot. Hinterland landcover Mainly pastoral land cover with some arable. There are scattered farms and a very few nucleated settlements, with the main settlement being on slightly higher ground set back from the coast, including Caldicot, Magor and Chepstow. A series of power lines emanating from Uskmouth power station to the west run just inland from the coast forming major detractors. Lighting On the coast, the M4 and M48, Sudbrook and Newhouse commercial estate are the major sources of light and traffic noise. These are augmented by the larger settlements set back from the coast. The coast to the west becomes more rural and isolated. Use Land/coast uses The coastal edge is used for informal recreation with part of the Sustrans Celtic Trail cycle 2 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments path, a footpath, rod fishing and very occasional caravan sites. There is a pumping station for the Severn Railway Tunnel at Sudbrook. Sea uses The sea is used to a very limited extent for commercial navigation, with very occasional yachts. Visual and How the seascape unit Coastal path on bund; country park at Black Rock; from the M4 and M48 roads. sensory qualities is experienced Degree of intervisibility Views of the sea are limited because of the flatness of landscape and the presence of the of land and sea coastal defence bund. Wider views are possible on rising land around Leechpool and from more distant inland locations, e. g. on the Wye Valley walk at Wynd Cliff, which also includes the tidal Wye estuary in its incised wooded valley. Key views to sea and Views from the coastal path on bund, country park at Black Rock and the M4 and M48 roads along the coast are all important. The former two allow a direct view of the expanse of the Severn estuary while the road views are important as the gateway views to Wales. All views include the English coast as a backdrop, with Portishead Down being the most prominent landform. Key views to land Views limited to occasional yachts or commercial craft. Tranquillity/rem- The coast becomes more tranquil to the west towards Gold Cliff where there is less oteness/wildness settlement, and roads and pylons keep back from the coastline. The landscape and coastal edge is highly modified so it is only the character of the sea that contributes to the wildness of the area. Sense of scale The sense of scale is medium-large because both the sea and land are flat and open. Openness/ Open enclosure Diversity Simple coastline Exposure Exposed to the west and moderately exposed to the east of Sudbrook. Key cultural Historically, the most supreme cultural expression are the reclaimed landscapes of the Gwent associations Levels beginning at Goldcliff and spreading eastwards to the boundaries of Chepstow. These reclaimed coastal landscapes – managed successively by Romans, Cistercians and Marcher lords and subsequently into modern times - are under threat both from the possible effects of climate change and gradual erosion of the historic landscape for industrial, residential and infrastructure development. The Newport Wetlands Reserve, adjacent to Gold Cliff, has recently been created to alleviate the loss of wildfowl habitat because of the construction of the Cardiff Bay Barrage. Chepstow is the only settlement of any significance in the unit, though the back fen area and the gradually rising ground to the east south of the ancient forest of Wentwood contains much evidence of surviving Marcher lord influence and mediaeval settlement in small historic villages, parks and gardens. The whole extent of the Levels is a designated SSSI. The contemporary cultural landscape and seascape is dominated by the presence of the two Severn bridges, the M4 and M 48 motorways and London-Swansea railway, and large electricity pylons extending from the Uskmouth Power Stations. - Forces for change Land/coast Development pressure around all settlements and around Newhouse industrial park near Chepstow. Rising sea levels may put pressure on sea defences and threaten low lying land with flooding. The proposed Newport relief road would result in an enormous land-take and have a marked effect on the ecology and historic landscape of the northern and middle landscape of the Levels. Sea Tidal empowerment schemes would significantly affect the area’s visual and tidal character, especially of the extensive inter-tidal area. 3 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments Designations and National Park - sensitive features AONB - Heritage Coast Long-distance coastal footpath/National Trail Outstanding and special Gwent Levels historic landscapes Historic gardens and Llanwern Park (with long views of the coast) parks St Pierre Park Machen House Mathern Palace Moynes Court Piercefield and the Wynd Cliff Key scheduled ancient Sudbrook Hillfort ST 5087. monuments Chepstow Castle (guardianship) The Bulwarks (guardianship) Country Parks Nash Nature Reserve Newport Wetlands Reserve Open access land - 4 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 50 Regional Seascape Unit Goldcliff to Chepstow Name: Headline Sub-criteria Increases sensitivity Decreases sensitivity criteria Specific criteria Overall Summary of key • The rural character of the levels to the west • The linear low lying coastal plain character factors • The coastal path • The industrial character of Newhouse and • Views of open sea focussed in a very restricted Industrial Warehouse Park with qualities south-westerly direction associated lighting, • The large scale infrastructure of the Severn Bridges • Movement along the M4 and M48 • Presence of power lines across the levels • The commercial ship traffic to Avonmouth Seascape sensitivity levels for different forms of offshore development Modelled scenario Generic form of Sensitivity Comments development Tall structures 13km High The estuary is not large enough to accommodate the wind Offshore wind offshore farm scenario due to the confined estuary width. Tall sensitivity structures located closer than the scenario 13km distance will appear very large and dominate the focus of views. Wave energy units Broad flat structures on Moderate The ability to accommodate broad flat structures is sensitivity the sea surface constrained (because of the width of the estuary) to only a small area in the western part of the seascape unit.