LANGDON MILL FARM, JEFFREYSTON Planning Application for Proposed Biodigester facility LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ASSESSMENT JULY 2015 Prepared by Anthony Jellard Associates LANGDON MILL FARM, PEMBROKESHIRE Landscape and Visual Assessment CONTENTS 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 2. Policy Context .................................................................................................... 3. Methodology ...................................................................................................... 4. Baseline Conditions ........................................................................................... 5. The proposed Development ............................................................................... 6. Magnitude of Impact and Significance of Effects................................................. 7. Conclusions ....................................................................................................... ANTHONY JELLARD ASSOCIATES July 2015 LANGDON MILL FARM, PEMBROKESHIRE Landscape and Visual Assessment 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 This report has been prepared by Anthony Jellard Associates on behalf of Reading Agricultural Consultants, in support of a planning application for proposed anaerobic digester at Langdon Mill Farm near Jeffreyston, Pembrokeshire. 1.2 This appraisal has been prepared by Rob Malcomson, associate consultant of Anthony Jellard Associates. Rob Malcomson BSc MLD CMLI became an Associate of the Landscape Institute in 1994. He has been involved in a wide range of environmental impact assessments and landscape and visual assessments for new developments including housing, retail, transport and renewable energy. He has been a LANDMAP Visual & Sensory Aspect Specialist on LANDMAP projects across Wales, and has undertaken Landscape Character Assessments and Landscape Sensitivity Studies in England and Wales, including Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Gower AONB. 1.3 Tony Jellard has contributed to the LVIA and has also prepared the landscape strategy for the development proposal. He is a Chartered Landscape Architect with extensive experience of high profile projects which have required flair and skill in both master planning and detailed design. He has worked on a wide range of projects including environmental assessments, regeneration schemes, leisure and commercial projects as well as historical restoration of parks and gardens. Previously he was design co-ordinator at Garden Festival Wales and the National Botanic Garden of Wales. He has recently been acting as a landscape consultant to the National Trust of Wales. 2. POLICY CONTEXT 2.1 This section highlights the aspects of planning policy which are relevant to the landscape appraisal of the proposed development. National Landscape Planning Related Policy 2.2 The relevant National landscape planning policy framework is provided principally by Planning Policy, Wales (PPW Edition 7 July 2014). Paragraph4.6.4 of this document advises that: ‘The countryside is a dynamic and multi-purpose resource. In line with sustainability principles, it must be conserved and, where possible, enhanced for the sake of its ecological, geological, physiographic, historical, archaeological and agricultural value and for its landscape and natural resources, balancing the need to conserve these attributes against the economic, social and recreational needs of local communities and visitors. Central to this is ensuring that the countryside is resilient to the impacts of climate change and plays a role in reducing the causes of climate change through the protection of carbon sinks and as a sustainable energy source. AJA commentary on how development relates to policy By accommodating a new sustainable energy resource, this part of the countryside will be playing a role in reducing the causes of climate change. ANTHONY JELLARD ASSOCIATES July 2015 LANGDON MILL FARM, PEMBROKESHIRE Landscape and Visual Assessment 2.3 In its definition of design, TAN 12 DESIGN provides guidance on various issues to be considered when developing a project design including landscape. This document states in para. 5.5.2 that: ‘In general terms, good design will almost always be dependent on working within the natural constraints and the historic character of the landscape and this should be the starting point from which the design of development evolves. The aim should be to achieve good design solutions, which maximise the natural landscape assets and minimise environmental impact on the landscape. It is particularly important that proposals to amend or create new landscape are not considered as an afterthought and that the long-term impact of development on the landscape is fully understood. The quality of implementation and the long-term management of changes implicit in planting schemes are fundamental to a scheme’s success.’ AJA commentary on how development relates to policy This LVIA concludes that the strategy for the proposed development follows this design guidance. The context of the site has been considered carefully and a design strategy prepared where existing landscape is protected and managed to integrate the new development into it surroundings. Pembrokeshire County Council Local Development Plan adopted February 2013. 2.4 Planning Policy is interpreted at a more local level by Pembrokeshire LDP, adopted February 2013. 2.5 Policies relevant to landscape issues in the LDP include the following: POLICY SP 16– THE COUNTRYSIDE The essential requirements of people who live and work in the countryside will be met whilst protecting the landscape and natural and built environment of Pembrokeshire and adjoining areas. Development which minimises visual impact on the landscape and relates to one of the following will be promoted: 1. Enterprises for which a countryside location is essential; 2. Opportunities for rural enterprise workers to be housed in suitable accommodation; 3. The re-use of appropriate existing buildings. AJA comments on relationship of proposed development to this policy: This development does not have significant adverse impacts on the pattern and diversity of the landscape. The landscape features are conserved and enhanced by mitigation planting POLICY GN.1 – GENERAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY Development will be permitted where the following criteria are met: 1. The nature, location, siting and scale of the proposed development is compatible with the capacity and character of the site and the area within which it is located; 2. It would not result in a significant detrimental impact on local amenity in terms of ANTHONY JELLARD ASSOCIATES July 2015 LANGDON MILL FARM, PEMBROKESHIRE Landscape and Visual Assessment visual impact; 3. It would not adversely affect landscape character, quality or diversity, including the special qualities of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and neighbouring authorities. AJA comments on relationship of proposed development to this policy: This development does not have significant adverse impacts on the landscape. It is of a scale and use which is compatible with this agricultural landscape. It is sited sympathetically against existing structures, within the wider mosaic pattern of the landscape. The mitigation planting will make a positive contribution to the local landscape. Furthermore, it would not adversely affect the special qualities of the Pembrokeshire National Park that lies approximately 2.5km to the west. POLICY GN.4 – RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE AND LOW CARBON ENERGY PROPOSALS Development proposals should seek to minimise resource demand, improve resource efficiency and seek power generated from renewable resources, where appropriate. They will be expected to be well designed in terms of energy use. Developments which enable the supply of renewable energy through environmentally acceptable solutions will be supported. This policy aims to encourage further use of renewables to produce energy, which will help to meet Government targets for generating power from renewable sources. Landscape impact, alone and in-combination, will be a material consideration in the evaluation of renewable energy proposals, with LANDMAP providing a valuable landscape analysis tool. AJA comments on relationship of proposed development to this policy: The development will be in line with the renewable energy objectives of the Local Plan as the new structures are sensitively sited in the landscape, existing landscape features are conserved and enhanced by mitigation planting. AJA have reviewed the relevant LANDMAP data as part of this assessment [refer section 4.12]. 3. METHODOLOGY General 3.1 A methodological framework has been used for this initial landscape and visual assessment based on the broad principles of following documents: Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact assessment (GLVIA) (3rd Edition, 2013), published by the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Assessment; Making Sense of Place – Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (2002) published by the Countryside Agency and Scottish National Heritage; and LANDMAP Methodology: Guidance for Wales (2013) published by Natural Resources Wales. ANTHONY JELLARD ASSOCIATES July 2015 LANGDON MILL FARM, PEMBROKESHIRE Landscape and Visual Assessment Surveys 3.2 Desktop surveys were carried out of published material on the landscape of the site and its wider context. Material included maps and LANDMAP data. Field studies enabled the recording of various landscape