DECC REFERENCE: LLANDINAM GRID CONNECTION ELECTRICITY ACT 1989 (Sections 36, 37, 62(3) & Schedule 8) TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (Section 90) and THE ELECTRICITY GENERATING STATIONS AND OVERHEAD LINES (INQUIRIES PROCEDURE (ENGLAND AND WALES) RULES 2007 APPLICATION BY SCOTTISH POWER ENERGY NETWORKS (SPEN), DATED 7th DECEMBER 2009, FOR CONSENT UNDER SECTION 37 OF THE ELECTRICITY ACT 1989 TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE A 132KV OVERHEAD ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION LINE BETWEEN BRYN DADLAU SUBSTATION AND WELSHPOOL SUBSTATION, POWYS, MID WALES (“LLANDINAM GRID CONNECTION”) DECC REFERENCE: LLANDINAM GRID CONNECTION BERR/2009/0005 PROOF OF EVIDENCE of Mr John Campion BA(Hons) BLD MSc CMLI MCIEEM On behalf of Natural Resources Wales Volume 1 Anthony Jellard Associates Pear Tree Cottage Grosmont Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 8LG Tel. 01600 750475 Fax 01600 750545 e-mail: [email protected] POWYS CONJOINED WIND FARMS PLANNING INQUIRY LANDSCAPE PROOF OF EVIDENCE – NATURAL RESOURCES WALES - LLANDINAM GRID CONNECTION INTRODUCTION 1.1 My name is John William Campion. I am a Chartered Landscape Architect, having been qualified in both the Landscape Architecture and Landscape Management Divisions of the Landscape Institute since September 1982 and January 1989, respectively. I am also a full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. 1.2 I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Town and Country Planning from the Liverpool Polytechnic; a postgraduate Bachelor of Landscape Design Degree from the Victoria University of Manchester; and a Master of Science Degree in Landscape Ecology, Design and Maintenance from the University of London (Wye College). 1.3 I have over 33 years’ experience of landscape design and management, in both the public and private sectors. I am Director of John Campion Associates Ltd and an Associate in the practice of Anthony Jellard Associates, Chartered Landscape Architects. As part of an ongoing Framework Agreement since 2007, I have led a small team of landscape consultants for Anthony Jellard Associates, which has provided for the Countryside Council for Wales and Natural Resources Wales technical advice and technical reviews of the landscape and visual impact assessments submitted in support of over 30 major planning applications in Wales. 1.4 Anthony Jellard Associates were commissioned by Natural Resources Wales on 27th June 2013 to provide landscape evidence to this Inquiry. We have previously reviewed landscape and visual impact assessments provided in support of the development proposal for the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), under the above- mentioned Landscape Consultancy Framework, during the period September 2012 to the present day, providing technical assistance to CCW and Natural Resources Wales in preparing their response to Powys County Council on the planning application, in their role as a statutory consultee. 1.5 Natural Resources Wales (NRW) was established in April 2013 and brings together the work of the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales and Forestry Commission Wales, as well as some functions of Welsh Government. It is the statutory adviser to the UK and Welsh Governments on sustaining and enhancing the natural resources of Wales. As a body, its purpose is to ensure that the natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained, enhanced and used, now and in the future. 1.6 Natural Resources Wales’s functions are set out in the Natural Resources Body 2 Landscape Proof of Evidence (FINAL 21st Dec 2013) POWYS CONJOINED WIND FARMS PLANNING INQUIRY LANDSCAPE PROOF OF EVIDENCE – NATURAL RESOURCES WALES - LLANDINAM GRID CONNECTION for Wales (Functions) Order 2012 and include the requirement to exercise its functions so as to: Promote nature conservation and enhancement of natural beauty and amenity, and Promote the provision and improvement of opportunities for access to and enjoyment of the countryside and open spaces; open air recreation; and the study, understanding and enjoyment of the natural environment. Natural Resources Wales's advice and comments to the Inspectors and the Planning Inquiry are therefore provided in the context of the above remit. 1.7 Natural Resources Wales fully supports the government’s energy policy and its targets for renewable electricity production and, to minimise environmental harm, the strategic approach to the location of wind farms as embodied in the Strategic Search Areas (SSAs) set out in Planning Policy Wales (PPW) (Edition 5, November 2012) and TAN 8 Planning for Renewable Energy July 2005. NRW fully endorses the recognition in the National Policy Statements for Energy (NPS) and PPW that energy provision should seek to avoid or minimise the impact on the environment, and should not compromise international and national statutory obligations for designated areas, species and habitats. 1.8 In my evidence, I shall examine the landscape context of the proposed 132kV line route and its environs. I then examine the process of defining landscape character and provide definitions and explanations of the technical terms used. I then comment on the landscape character and sensitivity assessments undertaken by the Applicant, following which I provide my own assessments based upon reviews of the underlying LANDMAP information together with a more detailed analysis of some sections of the proposed line route. I review the capacity of the affected landscape to accommodate change of the type proposed without significant adverse effects upon landscape character. Finally, I examine the anticipated landscape and visual effects of the proposed development and draw conclusions as to the emphasis which I consider the Planning Inspector should give to the predicted landscape and visual effects of the scheme, as proposed, in reaching his decision as to whether he recommends that the development should be granted planning permission. 1.9 The evidence which I have prepared and provide for this Planning Inquiry in this Proof of Evidence is true, and has been prepared and given in accordance with the guidance of my professional institution, and I confirm that the opinions expressed are my true and professional opinions. 3 Landscape Proof of Evidence (FINAL 21st Dec 2013) POWYS CONJOINED WIND FARMS PLANNING INQUIRY LANDSCAPE PROOF OF EVIDENCE – NATURAL RESOURCES WALES - LLANDINAM GRID CONNECTION THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 2.1 The application seeks consent for the construction and operation of 382 double wood pole line supports, each between 12 and 16 metres (m) high. The proposed route extends for a distance of around 35 kilometres (km) between the proposed substation at Bryn Dadlau, near the entrance to the operational Llandinam wind farm, and the operational substation situated just to the east of Welshpool in the Severn Valley. 2.2 The proposed line route originates at the proposed Bryn Dadlau substation within Strategic Search Area (SSA) C (Newtown South) identified by TAN8 in July 2005. The southernmost section of the proposed line route, some 8.3 kms long, would also lie within the defined boundary of SSA C. 2.3 The Applicant states that the operational life of the grid connection is currently dependent upon the operational life of the Llandinam Wind Farm Re-Powering scheme and that the need for the long term retention of the line would be kept under review. POLICY CONTEXT 3.1 My evidence does not address the matter of planning need or any alternative proposals for a grid connection route but identifies the impacts of the proposal on landscape and visual amenity, and on historic landscape, and considers whether the proposal has adequately avoided or minimised the environmental impacts. I refer in my Proof of Evidence to the Overarching National Policy Statement (NPS) for Energy (EN-1) and the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5), in relation to landscape and visual matters concerning route alignment, design and mitigation measures. 3.2 When addressing the topic of 'Criteria for "good design" for energy infrastructure', NPS EN-1 provides guidance in addressing the problem of taking into account the aesthetics of the infrastructure and the contribution to the area in which is it to be sited. 'Whilst the applicant may not have any or very limited choice in the physical appearance of some energy infrastructure, there may be opportunities for the applicant to demonstrate good design in terms of siting relative to existing landscape character, landform and vegetation. Furthermore, the design and sensitive use of materials in any associated development such as electricity substations will assist in ensuring that such development contributes to the quality of the area.' 1 4 Landscape Proof of Evidence (FINAL 21st Dec 2013) POWYS CONJOINED WIND FARMS PLANNING INQUIRY LANDSCAPE PROOF OF EVIDENCE – NATURAL RESOURCES WALES - LLANDINAM GRID CONNECTION The proposed 132kV Llandinam Grid Connection wind farm proposes 382 double wood pole line supports, at around 90-metre intervals, the construction and operation of which will alter the landscape character of the area through which it passes. This will significantly and adversely affect the landscape character of the Vale of Montgomery Registered Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales and the visual amenity of walkers along a section of the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail. 3.3 NPS EN-1 Part 5 Generic Impacts contains a section (5.9) dedicated to landscape and visual effects. In dealing with IPC decision making in respect of landscape impact, the wording is as follows: 'Projects need to be designed carefully, taking account of the potential impact on the landscape. Having regard to siting, operational and other relevant constraints the aim should be to minimise the harm to the landscape, providing reasonable mitigation where possible and appropriate.' 2 NPS EN-1 also contains specific references to the impact of a proposed development on any heritage assets.3 Paragraph 5.8.12 states: 'In considering the impact of a proposed development on any heritage assets, the IPC should take into account the particular nature of the significance of the heritage assets and the value that they hold for this and future generations.