BREEZEHURST, HILLIERS FARM LANE, GORE END, HAMPSHIRE, RG20 0PL LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL APPRAISAL FOR REPLACEMENT DWELLING On behalf of MR & MRS DOW March 2017 REF: 17.528 WHLandscape Consultancy Ltd. Sandcliffe House Northgate Street Devizes Wilts SN10 1JT t: 01380 727539 e: [email protected] APPOINTMENT WHLandscape Consultancy Ltd. has been appointed by Mr & Mrs Dow to undertake a Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) for the proposed construction of a replacement dwelling at Breezehurst, Hilliers Farm Lane, Gore End, Hampshire, RG20 0PL. WHLandscape Consultancy Ltd. has an established track record of appraising development proposals. The Practice has considerable experience in the field of landscape and visual assessment and uses tried and tested techniques developed and recognised by the Landscape Institute, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, and Natural England. This LVA has been undertaken by: George Harley BA (Hons) MA Checked by: Will Harley BSc (Hons) CMLI CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2. SCOPE AND APPRAISAL METHODOLOGY 3. LANDSCAPE PLANNING CONTEXT 4. BASELINE LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL STUDY 5. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL APPRAISAL 6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 7. REFERENCES ILLUSTRATIVE MATERIAL FIG. 1 LOCATION AND VIEWPOINT PLAN FIG. 2 VERTICAL AERIAL FIG. 3 DESIGNATIONS FIG. 4 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ANALYSIS FIG. 5 LANDSCAPE AND MITIGATION STRATEGY APPENDICES APPENDIX 1: DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS APPENDIX 2: VIEWPOINT PHOTOGRAPHS Landscape and Visual Appraisal Replacement Dwelling at Breezehurst, March 2017 Hilliers Farm Lane, Gore End, Hampshire 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 This LVA provides an appraisal of the landscape and visual effects associated with the proposed construction of a replacement dwelling at Breezehurst, Hilliers Farm Lane, Gore End, Hampshire. The site is located within the civil parish of East Woodhay and forms part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). In total, the site covers approximately 0.21 hectares (ha) of land at Breezehurst which comprises the bungalow, its grounds, as well as several ancillary buildings. The applicants own a further 0.56ha of land to the west of the site, including a tree belt to the north. 1.2 The proposed development will see the demolition of all the existing on-site buildings and the erection of a two-storey replacement dwelling. The proposed development will also see the creation of a new vehicular access to the centre of the plot, as well as the retention and enhancement of the existing access to the north. 1.3 The site is in the administrative area of Hampshire County Council, specifically Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. The policy context is taken from the National Planning Policy Framework (2012) and Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan 2011 to 2029 (2016). The baseline landscape character has been taken from the Natural England National Character Area Profile: 129. Thames Basin Heath (2014), the Hampshire County Integrated Character Assessment (2010), and the Basingstoke and Deane Landscape Assessment (2001). Information regarding the character of the North Wessex Downs AONB has been taken from the North Wessex Downs AONB Integrated Landscape Character Assessment (2002), the North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2014–19 (2014), and the North Wessex Downs AONB position statement on housing (2012). Also of relevance to this project is The Parish of East Woodhay Village Design Statement (2005) which provides information on the building styles and material found within the parish. 1.4 The LVA involves the following components: Establishing the scope and methodology of the appraisal. Desk studies and preliminary site surveys. Baseline analysis of landscape and visual resources, including desk and field surveys. Identification and appraisal of landscape and visual effects. A landscape strategy and mitigation proposals. WHLandscape 1 Landscape and Visual Appraisal Replacement Dwelling at Breezehurst, March 2017 Hilliers Farm Lane, Gore End, Hampshire 2. SCOPE AND APPRAISAL METHODOLOGY The LVA process is based on the following guidance: Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. 3rd ed. Landscape Character Assessment: Guidance for England and Scotland Landscape effects relate to changes in landscape character, features and qualities as a result of the development and can be Positive, Adverse or Neutral. Visual effects relate to the appearance of the development and can also be Positive, Adverse or Neutral. The visual effects affect the visual amenity, which is the value of an area and what can be seen. The LVA will consider the following: The effects on landscape resource and character. The effects on visual amenity and the perception of the landscape. The effects on any designations within the study area. 2.1 BASELINE LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL STUDY 2.1.1 This study reviews the existing landscape and visual resources in terms of character, value and sensitivity. The baseline analysis forms the basis against which to appraise the magnitude of change and, subsequently, the significance of effect of the predicted landscape and visual effects resulting from the proposed development. The appraisal focuses on the areas from which the development may be visible and includes a description, classification and evaluation. The process comprises three stages, namely a desk study, field survey and analysis. DESK STUDY RESOURCES 2.1.2 The following resources have been used to inform the field survey and the analysis: Mapping Ordnance Survey maps and vertical aerial photography Definitive Rights of Way: Hampshire Rights of Way Online Geology: Geology of Britain Viewer (British Geological Survey) Pedology: Soilscapes Map (Soilscapes) Designations: Magic Interactive Mapping – Basingstoke and Deane Interactive Policies Map Heritage assets: The National Heritage List for England (Historic England) Additional Desk Study Resources The Parish of East Woodhay Village Design Statement WHLandscape 2 Landscape and Visual Appraisal Replacement Dwelling at Breezehurst, March 2017 Hilliers Farm Lane, Gore End, Hampshire Planning Policy National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan 2011 to 2029 Character Assessment Natural England National Character Area Profile: 129. Thames Basin Heath Hampshire County Integrated Character Assessment Basingstoke and Deane Landscape Assessment North Wessex Downs AONB Publications North Wessex Downs AONB Integrated Landscape Character Assessment North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2014–19 North Wessex Downs AONB position statement on housing FIELD SURVEY WORK 2.1.3 The desk study informs the field survey work. Of particular relevance are the Ordnance Survey maps, aerial photography and the Landscape Character Assessments. The field survey is then used to gain a full appreciation of the relationship between the landscape character components and the proposed development therein. The fieldwork is supported by mapped viewpoints and photographic records which aim to be representative and relevant to the receptors. ANALYSIS 2.1.4 The baseline landscape analysis provides a description, classification and evaluation of the landscape, and the interaction between the landscape components. This forms the basis for appraisal of the effects of the proposed development. 2.2 APPRAISAL OF LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL EFFECTS 2.2.1 The landscape appraisal addresses changes in the fabric, character and key characteristics of the landscape. The visual appraisal addresses changes in views, and the significance of those changes on visual receptors. 2.2.2 The appraisal of effects aims to: Systematically identify the effects of the development. Estimate the sensitivity of the site, study area and receptors, and the magnitude of change. WHLandscape 3 Landscape and Visual Appraisal Replacement Dwelling at Breezehurst, March 2017 Hilliers Farm Lane, Gore End, Hampshire Provide an appraisal of the nature of the effects and, subsequently, the significance of effect in a logical and well-reasoned fashion. Indicate possible mitigation measures. 2.2.3 The LVA for the proposed development of the site will look at the potential effects of the proposals in the context of receptor sensitivity in order to determine the potential effect on the underlying resource, with mitigation measures recommended if required. 2.2.4 Wherever possible, identified effects are quantified but, by its very nature, the LVA requires a significant amount of interpretation and professional judgement. To be consistent, the prediction of magnitude of change and the appraisal of significance of effect have been based on pre-defined criteria. 2.2.5 The significance of effect can be expressed as a correlation between the magnitude of change and landscape or visual sensitivity in a single matrix to determine significance, as shown in Table 1 (below). However, it must be noted that the matrix is not in itself a substitute for professional judgement, for which an allowance must be made. The calculation of a significant effect need not be unacceptable or adverse. Where possible, an appraisal is made as to whether the significance of effect is Positive or Adverse (Nature of Effect), although in some cases the change is neither Positive nor Adverse (Neutral). Although mitigation measures are often proposed where the significance of effect is Minor or None, it is the Major and Major/Moderate categories which provide the highest level of significance in terms of effect on the landscape and visual resources. Table 1: Significance of Effect