Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 29 Regional Seascape Unit Cemaes Head to Trwyn y Bwa Name: Above, below and bottom right: Looking N across the waters of Ceibwr Bay to Ynys Fach, with Pencastell Looking towards Newport Bay with Careg Yspar (the island) above. In the distance is the dramatic folding of Pen yr Afr. (All photos © Dave Maclachlan PCNPA) 1 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 29 Regional Seascape Unit Cemaes Head to Trwyn y Bwa Name: Seascape Types: THIR, THMR Key Characteristics A rocky, fine grain indented sandstone coast with spectacular high cliffs rising to 150m with islets and arches, jagged rocky shores and very few small shingle beaches. Rural coastal plateau predominantly pastoral with very sparse settlement set back from the coast or in deep valleys. The coast has little light pollution. An exposed outward facing coast. Views from coastal path, Ceibwr Bay, Mynydd Carningli and associated open access land. Key cultural associations: sparsely populated; dominant characteristic is of an evolved and unspoiled landscape Physical Geology Ordovician rocks with a sandstone lithology. Characteristics Coastal landform A rocky, fine grain indented west and north west facing eroding coast. Spectacular high cliffs abut the coast rising to 150m AOD around Pen yr Afr and near Foel Goch. These are formed from steeply angled sandstone beds which create jagged formations, including steeply sloping cliffs, islets at Careg Wylan and Careg Yspar and a natural arch nearby. Narrow incised valleys reach the coast at only two small inlets which is otherwise fairly raised rising to 189m AOD. Coastal landcover A rural coast with semi-natural vegetation on steep coastal slopes and cliffs. Agriculture is predominantly pastoral with some arable in parts and reaches the coast where cliffs are vertical. Settlement is very sparse and scattered usually set back from the exposed coast. Intertidal area Narrow jagged rocky shores cover the vast majority of the coastline with occasional small shingle beaches. Islets lie just offshore linked at low tide. Characteristics of sea Exposed and tidal. Hinterland landform Behind the coastal hills to the east the dissected hilly plateau remains at a consistent level (200m AOD maximum) incised by narrow valleys which reach the coast in a couple of locations including Moylgrove. To the south the undulating profile of the Carningli and other hills rise to around 340m AOD providing a distinct backcloth. Hinterland landcover A rural hinterland with predominantly pastoral agriculture with some arable in parts. Deciduous woodland lies in steep incised valleys back from the coast. Semi-natural moorland vegetation is limited to the foothills of the Preselis to the south. Settlement is sparse and scattered with only one small village between the main settlements of Cardigan to the north and Newport to the south i.e. Moylgrove. Lighting The greater part of the coast is dark with minor light sources concentrated around the Teifi estuary to the north and Newport to the south. Use Land/coast uses Pastoral farming with some limited arable interspersed with sparse residential uses/farmsteads. The coastal path runs along the entire coastal unit. Sea uses Leisure/sailing boats from Teifi estuary, Newport and Fishguard. Visual and How the seascape unit Pembrokeshire Coast Path, minor road network, scattered settlement and open access land at sensory qualities is experienced a distance to the south including Mynydd Carningli. Degree of intervisibility The most significant visibility is from the coastal edge including highpoints and slopes. The of land and sea incised coastal plateau character of the hinterland means that visibility inland is limited particularly to the east. To the south, the Preseli foothills overlook the sea e.g. Mynydd Carningli. Key views to sea and Coastal path, Ceibwr Bay, Crugiau Cemmaes viewpoint inland, Mynydd Carningli and along the coast associated open access land. Key views to land From occasional sailing boats/leisure craft. 2 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments Tranquillity/rem- A significant part of the coast is remote and tranquil with only footpath access and very oteness/wildness limited road access with no major roads nearby. Sense of scale Large Openness/ Open enclosure Diversity Diverse particularly in terms of topography Exposure Very exposed Key cultural Evolved unspoiled landscape enjoyed by walkers on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path with no associations inappropriate modern intrusions; sparsely populated. Cardigan Bay SAC Forces for change Land/coast Recreational pressure on the limited access points to sea. Changing farming practices and their effects on agricultural land. Sea - Designations and National Park Pembrokeshire Coast National Park sensitive features AONB - Heritage Coast St Dogmaels and Moylgrove Long-distance coastal Pembrokeshire Coast Path footpath/National Trail Outstanding and special Lower Teifi valley historic landscapes Historic gardens and - parks Key scheduled ancient Carn Ingli Hillfort SN 0637 monuments Country Parks - Open access land Mynydd Carningli and associated hills 3 Welsh seascapes and their sensitivity to offshore developments No: 29 Regional Seascape Unit Cemaes Head to Trwyn y Bwa Name: Headline Sub-criteria Increases sensitivity Decreases sensitivity criteria Overall Summary of key • Spectacular high cliffs with islets and natural • Large scale of open seaward views character factors arches in places and • The coastal hills qualities • Unspoilt rural character • Very sparse settlement • Few roads (relatively remote) • Pembrokeshire Coast Path • A wide panorama of sea visibility, especially from headlands Seascape sensitivity levels for different forms of offshore development Modelled scenario Generic form of Sensitivity Comments development Tall structures 13km Moderate - High Tall structures out at sea would detract as a setting to the Offshore wind offshore spectacular natural and unspoilt coastline. sensitivity Wave energy units Broad flat structures on Moderate - High Broad flat structures would be visible and detract from the sensitivity the sea surface spectacular natural and unspoilt coastline, because of the elevated viewing locations and the Pembrokeshire coast path. Tidal energy units Developments placed High Accessibility from land will be difficult for this remote sensitivity only a short distance coast and its cliff terrain for developments just offshore. offshore. 4 .