Environmental Statement Volume 1 March 2021 Chapter 7 Townscape and Visual Figure 7.1 Site Location Figure 7.2 Historical Development Figure 7.3 Townscape Character Figure 7.4 Building Heights Figure 7.5 Urban Grain Figure 7.6 Land Use Figure 7.7 Landscape Character Figure 7.8 LANDMAP Landscape Visual Sensitivity Figure 7.9 Public Open Space and Environmental Designations Figure 7.10 Movement and Linkages Figure 7.11 Site Character Figure 7.12 Key Viewpoints 7. Townscape and Visual Introduction 7.1 This Chapter reports the outcome of the assessment of likely significant environmental effects arising from the Proposed Scheme in relation to townscape and views. 7.2 The Chapter describes the consultation that has been undertaken during the EIA, the scope of the assessment and assessment methodology, and a summary of the baseline information that has informed the assessment. 7.3 In line with Chapter 2. Approach to EIA, the assessment reports on the likely significant environmental effects, the further mitigation measures required to prevent, reduce or offset any significant adverse effects, or further enhance beneficial effects. The conclusions are provided both in terms of the residual effects and whether these are considered significant. The assessment of effects takes into consideration both Primary and Tertiary mitigation (see Chapter 2: Approach to EIA for further details), as well as applying proportionality to those effects considered within the EIA, based on the outputs of the EIA Scoping process (Appendix 2.1 - 2.2). 7.4 This Chapter, and its associated Figures 7.1-7.12 and Appendix 7.1-7.4, is intended to be read as part of the wider ES with particular reference to the introductory Chapters of this ES (Chapters 1 - 5), as well as Chapter 8. Built Heritage, and Chapter 9. Biodiversity. 7.5 In addition, this Chapter should be read in conjunction with Chapter 17. Cumulative Effects Assessment. Legislative Framework and Guidance 7.6 The following legislation has informed the assessment of effects within this Chapter: • The European Landscape Convention 20001 7.7 The following guidance has informed the assessment of effects within this Chapter: • Guidelines for Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment2; • Visual Representation of Development Proposals3; • Planning Policy Wales4; • Futre Wales. The National Plan 20405 • LANDMAP6; • IEMA Environmental Impact Assessment Guide to Shaping Quality Development, 20157; • Tall Buildings Supplementary Planning Guidance8. 7.1 Summary of Consultation 7.8 Table 7.1 provides an overview of the consultation that has been undertaken to inform the Proposed Scheme and EIA, including the consideration of likely significant effects and the methodology for assessment. Table 7.1: Summary of Consultation Body / Contact Date and Form of Summary Organisation Consultation Cardiff Council Ross Cannon, Email, July, 2020. Agreement of viewpoint (CC) Placemaking. locations. Suggested relocation Simon Gilbert, of viewpoint 4 further south, Strategic additional viewpoint on the Development and embankment and additional Placemaking view from Trade Street. All suggested amendments/ additions incorporated into the assessment. Scope of the Assessment 7.9 An EIA Scoping Report was submitted to CC on 6 August, 2020, as presented as Appendix 2.1. An EIA Scoping Opinion was provided by CC on 23rd October, 2020 (Appendix 2.2). This section provides confirmation on the scope of the assessment presented within this Chapter following submission of the EIA Scoping Report and receipt of the Scoping Opinion. Not Significant Effects 7.10 The following Not Significant effects were identified as part of the EIA Scoping Report and are not considered further in this Chapter. The evidence to support this is outlined within the EIA Scoping Report (Appendix 2.1). • Townscape Effects on Topography during Construction and Operational Phases; and • Townscape Effects on Environmental Designations during Construction and Operational Phases. Likely Significant Effects 7.11 The following effects (Table 7.2) are considered significant and are reported within this Chapter. Refer to Figure 7.12 for the locations of the identified viewpoints. 7.2 Table 7.2: Likely Significant Effects Likely Significant Effect Applicable Development Phase* Changes to townscape character within the Site and study C / O area around the Site. Changes to urban grain within the Site and surrounding study C / O area. Changes to land use within the Site and surrounding study C / O area. Changes to landscape character within the surrounding study C / O area. Changes to public open space C / O Changes to movement and linkages within the surrounding C / O study area. Changes to site character C / O Changes to the character and amenity of views 1. Grangetown railway station. 2. Grange gardens. 3. Taff Embankment Park / Taff Trail / National Cycle Route 8 view north east). 4. Taff Embankment Park / Taff Trail / National Cycle Route 8 (view south). 5. A4160 bridge over River Taff. 6. Cardiff Central Railway Station (south entrance), Grade II listed. 7. Dumballs Road (view south). C / O 8. Callaghan Square / Grade II listed statue of Second Marquess of Bute. 9. Canal Parade. 10. Butetown Canal Park. 11. Dumballs Road (view north). 12. A4119 bridge over River Taff. 13. Taff Embankment (south). 14. Trade Street. 15. Principality Stadium/Fitzhamon Embankment. 16. Cardiff Castle *C = Demolition/Construction, O = Operation 7.3 Extent of the Study Area 7.12 The study area is defined as approximately 1km from the centre of the Site and in accordance with the Landscape Institute Guidelines, ‘includes the site and the wider townscape around it which the proposed development may influence in a significant manner’. The study area extents has also been informed by the potential visual extents of the Site, as indicated by the Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI). Background Studies to Inform the ES 7.13 The following background studies have informed this Chapter: • Desktop study carried out in May/June 2020. • Production of indicative ZVI using a detailed SketchUp model of the Proposed Scheme, accurately placed using Google Earth (June 2020). • Key viewpoint professional photography July and October 2020 (Contained within Appendix 7.4) • Professional surveying of viewpoints July and October 2020. Assessment Methodology 7.14 This assessment has been carried out with reference to the Guidelines for Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment (referred to hereafter as “the Guidelines”) by Planit-IE Ltd, a registered practice of the Landscape Institute with considerable experience in landscape and visual assessment. 7.15 The assessment of likely significant environmental effects as a result of the Proposed Scheme has taken into account the construction and operational phases. 7.16 A three-stage assessment process has been adopted. Firstly, the nature of receptors (sensitivity) have been assessed, and secondly, the nature of effects (magnitude) likely to result from the Proposed Scheme have been assessed. From this, the overall significance of the identified effects on receptors have been assessed. 7.17 The methodology is collated into a tabulated format where possible to provide structure for a consistent and methodical approach. Criteria and justifications are recorded in Appendices 7.2 and 7.3 for transparency. The overall assessment of significance has regard to paragraph 5.56, page 92 (significance of landscape effects) and paragraph 6.44, page 116 (significance of visual effects) of the Guidelines. 7.18 Photographs for the selected viewpoints were taken by a professional photographer in July and October 2020. Visualisations were produced by Virtual Planit, a professional visualization studio with extensive experience in the production of photomontages. Both photographs and photomontages were produced in accordance with Guidance Note 06/193. The photography and photomontage visualisations are contained within Appendix 7.4. 7.19 Detailed methodology in relation to determining the sensitivity of receptors, magnitude of effects and approach to the assessment is contained within Appendix 7.1. 7.4 Determining the Level of Effect 7.20 The level of effect attributed has been assessed based on the magnitude of change due to the Proposed Scheme and the evaluation of the sensitivity of the affected receptor, as well as a number of other factors that are outlined in more detail in Chapter 2. Approach to EIA and in Appendix 7.1. The level of effect has been based on of professional judgement and Table 2.2 has been a tool which has assisted with this process. This is replicated below. Sensitivity (or value/importance) High Medium Low Negligible Large Major Moderate to Minor to Negligible Major Moderate Medium Moderate to Moderate Minor Negligible Major Small Minor to Minor Negligible to Negligible Moderate Minor Magnitude of change Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible 7.21 Whilst Table 2.2 provides ranges, the level of effect is confirmed as a single level and not a range, informed by professional judgement. For each effect, it has been concluded whether the effect is ‘beneficial’ or ‘adverse’. A statement is also made as to whether the level of effect is ‘Significant’ or ‘Not Significant’, again based on professional judgement. 7.22 The following terms have been used to define the significance of the effects identified and these can be ‘beneficial’ or ‘adverse’: • Major effect: where the Proposed Scheme is likely to cause a considerable change from the baseline conditions and the receptor