Land off Eckington Road, Coal Aston 11158_R01b_Landscape Technical Note 1.0 Introduction and Background 1.1. This updated technical note has been prepared by Tyler Grange LLP on behalf of Richborough Estates in response to desktop analysis and preliminary fieldwork undertaken in August 2017 to inform representations to the North East Derbyshire Council (NEDC) Local Plan Publication Draft in respect of allocation of the site for residential development. The work has been updated in March 2018 and further representations on the Publication Draft are to be made in April 2018. 1.2. This note provides advice relating to landscape character and visual amenity matters at a high level to appraise the feasibility for future residential development of the Land off Eckington Road, Coal Aston, Dronfield (hereafter referred to as ‘the site’). 1.3. This overview report does not constitute a full Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) / full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA). It is intended that this work will inform potential development going forward and provide a review of the suitability of the land for release from the Green Belt. 1.4. The report should be read alongside the Landscape Context Plan (11185/P02a), Landscape Viewpoint Photography (11185/P03) and Landscape Opportunities and Constraints Plan (11185/P01b) that are included at the rear of this report. 2.0 Site Context (See Landscape Context Plan (11185/P02a)) 2.1. The site is located to the north-east of Coal Aston, a community to the north-east of Dronfield, North East Derbyshire. 2.2. The site is centred on OS grid reference SK 36792 79683 and extends to approximately 9.5 hectares (23.5 acres). The site is made up of a series of five field parcels bound by hedgerow and a further parcel comprising the on-site farmhouse with associated buildings. The site is bounded by typical hedgerows and scattered trees, with a stream and woodland running along the northern site boundary. 2.3. The site is bound to the south by Eckington Road (B6056) is overlooked by the existing houses that run parallel to it. To the east, the site is bound by field boundary hedgerow, with more established tree belts and Whinacre Wood beyond. To the west, the playing fields off Birches Lane sit adjacent to the site, the boundary is marked by a combination of dense vegetation and mature hedgerow as well as private garden vegetation towards the south-west. 2.4. There are no Public Rights of Way (PRoW) traversing the site or running directly parallel to its boundaries. There are a number of PRoW within close proximity and within the wider context, with some offering potential views towards the site. Close proximity PRoW include Dronfield FP38 to the west, Dronfield FP37 the north and north east, and Dronfield BW40 to the east. Landform within the site is gently sloping with a highpoint of 184m Above Ordnance Datum Tyler Grange LLP, 3 Jordan Street, Deansgate, Manchester, M15 4PY Tel: 0161 236 8367 www.tylergrange.co.uk Registered in England No. OC356615 Vat Reg. No. 994 2320 07 Registered Office: Marsden Estate, Rendcomb, Cirencester, Gloucestershire. GL7 7EX Birmingham ・ Cotswolds ・ Exeter ・ London ・ Manchester (AOD) in the south, generally falling to the north the low point is 159m AOD in the north-eastern corner. 3.0 Landscape Context (See Landscape Context Plan (11185/P02a)) 3.1. A site walkover survey was conducted on the 30th August 2017 and updated in March 2018, to assess the landscape character and visual amenity of the site. A desktop study of available data sources was also undertaken to review national and local landscape designations and policies. As stated above, this work does not constitute a full Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) / full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA), but it does establish initial recommendations and conclusions associated with landscape matters. 3.2. The site has some direct visibility towards the current settlement edge to the south and west (Coal Aston), as well as the scattered farmsteads to the east. The site consists of open fields, a farmstead with a gently sloping topography and mature hedgerows to the sites boundaries and its internal field boundaries. Overhead power lines run north-south along the western field parcel towards Whinacre Wood which forms a strong visual boundary to the north. 3.3. This is not a remote and rural context and the character is clearly influenced by the settled backdrop. Planning Policy Context 3.4. The site falls within the administrative district of North East Derbyshire Council and is subject to a Green Belt designation. A further review of Green Belt context is set out later within this report. North East Derbyshire Council Local Plan (2001 – 2011) 3.5. This is the current adopted policy document, however, a new policy document, the Local Plan (2011 – 2033) is currently at the draft consultation stage. 3.6. Local Policies within the Core Strategy relating to landscape that will need to be considered as part of any site promotion / emerging development proposals include: • GS1 Sustainable Development; • GS2 Development in the Green Belt; • NE1 Landscape Character; • NE2 Special Landscape Areas; • NE7 Protection of Trees and Hedgerows; • NE8 Tree Planting • BE1 General Design Principles • BE11 Development within and Adjoining Conservation Areas North East Derbyshire Local Plan (2014 – 2034) Publication Draft (February 2018) 3.7. This document contains emerging policy information, landscape and visual policies are listed below: • SS1 Sustainable Development; • SS10 North East Derbyshire Green Belt; • SDC2 Trees, Woodlands and Hedgerows; • SDC3 Landscape Character; 11158_R01b_ Landscape Briefing Note DR_JB_AR Page 2 • SDC5 Development within Conservation Areas; • SDC12 High quality Design and Place-Making; • ID6 Green Infrastructure; and • ID7 Greenways and Public Rights of Way. 3.8. Policy GS1 and Emerging Policy SS1 outlines the principles of sustainable development which all new development should follow, with regard to location in relation to existing settlements and public transport routes, or ensure provision of improved public transport, and protecting and conserving the quality of natural and cultural assets. 3.9. Policy GS2 and Emerging Policy SS10 sets out the restrictions with regard to development in the Green Belt, however this policy is now superseded by the national policy as stated in the NPPF. 3.10. Policy NE1 and SDC3 states that the distinctive landscape character of the District should be conserved or enhanced, and that development proposals that result in a loss of distinctive features contributing towards character will not be permitted. 3.11. Policy NE2 states that development will be permitted within and adjoining Special Landscape Areas. Where it does not materially detract from the surrounding landscape and the scale, design and materiality of proposed development are in keeping with the special character of the area. 3.12. Policy NE7 and Emerging Policy SDC2 states that planning permission will not be granted for proposals that would have a direct or indirect detrimental effect on established or ancient woodland, important hedgerow or trees that make a significant contribution to the character or amenity of an area. 3.13. Policy NE8 states that proposals will be expected to retain trees that contribute to the quality and amenity of local environment, or provide replacement utilising native species. 3.14. Policy BE1 states that development proposals will only be granted permission where they are of a density, scale, massing, height and layout, and use materials that respect the character and appearance of the surrounding area and contribute towards a safe and secure environment. 3.15. Policy BE11 and Emerging Policy SDC5 state that development proposals within or adjacent to a Conservation Area should preserve or enhance the character of the area. Permission will be granted where it is demonstrated that the scale, form and overall design respects the prevailing traditional built features, and the boundary and landscaping features that contribute to the character of the area are retained. The site falls within Moss Valley Conservation Area which also covers a large proportion of the study area to the north. No published documents for Moss Valley Conservation Area have been produced so observation on the features and character of the area have been made under the landscape character context section of this report below. The Coal Aston Conservation Area is also within the study area. This Conservation Area is described by Dronfield Civic Society as predominantly urban and residential with a number of Listed Buildings. Given the lack of inter-visibility between the site and the Coal Aston Conservation Area, the proposals are unlikely to affect this Conservation Area or its features. 3.16. Emerging Policy SDC12 states that all new development should be of a high standard and contribute to the overall character of the local environment. 11158_R01b_ Landscape Briefing Note DR_JB_AR Page 3 3.17. Emerging Policy ID6 states that the new development should conserve and enhance the existing Green Infrastructure network. 3.18. Emerging Policy ID7 states that proposals should improve the connectivity of the existing Green Infrastructure network. Evidence Base Documents 3.19. Relevant evidence base documents are set out below: • North East Derbyshire Green Belt Review (February 2017); • Green Belt Functionality Study (November 2015); • A Greenpoint for Biodiversity in North East Derbyshire (Adopted October 2008, updated June 2010); • Historic Environment Study District Overview (November 2012); • Green Infrastructure Study (March 2012); • Dronfield 2030: A Vision for the Town (February 2016); and • Derbyshire Landscape Character Assessment. 3.20. The relevant evidence base documents listed above deal with the improvement and enhancement of the existing green infrastructure, to ensure new development enhance existing biodiversity, character and sense of place. A further site specific study has been carried out with regards to Green Belt below. North East Derbyshire Green Belt Review 3.21.