PORTISHEAD BRANCH LI NE PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMAT I O N R E P O R T V O L U M E 2 CHAPTER 11 Landscape and Visual Impacts Assessment Table of Contents Section Page 11 Landscape and Visual Impacts Assessment .................................................................. 11-1 11.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 11-1 11.2 Legislation and Policy Framework ........................................................................... 11-2 11.3 Methodology............................................................................................................ 11-5 11.4 Baseline, Future Conditions and Value of Resource .............................................. 11-14 11.5 Measures Adopted as Part of the DCO Scheme .................................................... 11-37 11.6 Assessment of Landscape Effects .......................................................................... 11-37 11.7 Assessment of Visual Effects .................................................................................. 11-52 11.8 Mitigation and Residual Effects ............................................................................. 11-56 11.9 Cumulative Effects ................................................................................................. 11-57 11.10 Limitations Encountered in Compiling the PEI Report........................................... 11-58 11.11 Summary ................................................................................................................ 11-58 11.12 References ............................................................................................................. 11-67 11.13 Abbreviations ......................................................................................................... 11-67 Tables Table 11-1: Summary of relevant NPSNN advice on landscape and visual impact assessment Table 11-2: Summary of local policy on landscape and views Table 11-3: Summary of consultation responses Table 11-4: Landscape character value Table 11-5: Sensitivity of visual receptors and typical descriptors Table 11-6: Magnitude of impact for landscape character effects Table 11-7: Magnitude of visual impact and typical descriptors Table 11-8: Significance of landscape effects Table 11-9: Significance of visual effects Table 11-10: Designations relevant to the DCO Scheme Table 11-11: Listed buildings relevant to the DCO Scheme Table 11-12: Registered parks and gardens relevant to the DCO Scheme Table 11-13: Scheduled monuments relevant to the DCO Scheme Table 11-14: Effects on the setting of listed buildings Table 11-15: Effects on the setting of registered parks and gardens Table 11-16: Effects on the setting of scheduled monuments Table 11-17: Potential impacts, mitigation and residual Impacts for the DCO Scheme on landscape and views Figures See Volume 3, Book of Figures: Figure 11-1: Landscape baseline plan Figure 11-2: Indicative site specific landscape character areas Figure 11-3 Visual envelop and receptors Appendices See Volume 4, Appendices: Appendix 11.1 General views Appendix 11.2 General summer and winter views Appendix 11.3 Visual effects PORTISHEAD BRANCH LINE PRELIMINARY CHAPTER 11 ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REPORT, VOLUME 2 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACTS ASSESSMENT CHAPTER 11 11 Landscape and Visual Impacts Assessment 11.1 Introduction The Portishead Branch Line (MetroWest Phase 1) Development Consent Order Scheme (“the DCO Scheme”) has the potential to give rise to significant landscape and visual effects. This Chapter: describes the relevant legal and policy framework which has informed the undertaking of the assessment; describes the methodology used for the identification and assessment of likely significant landscape and visual impacts effects in this Preliminary Environmental Information Report ("PEI Report"); describes the landscape and visual baseline having regard to existing information; describes the measures that have been adopted as part of the DCO Scheme; identifies and assesses the likely significant effects that could result from the DCO Scheme during construction, operation and decommissioning phases; considers mitigation of likely significant effects and assesses residual effects; considers the cumulative effects of other developments in combination with the DCO Scheme on landscape and visual receptors; identifies the limitations encountered in compiling this PEI Report; and provides a summary of the residual effects for the mitigated DCO Scheme. Landscape character and visual impact assessments are separate, but related topics. The landscape character assessment relates to changes to the elements, features and patterns which together make up the landscape character. The visual assessment relates to the change in the view from particular locations referred to as the visual receptors. The process of landscape and visual impact assessment (“LVIA”) involves developing an understanding of both the existing landscape and visual resources in relation to the DCO Scheme, and then assessing the impact of the DCO Scheme on these resources. Mitigation measures are proposed and included as part of the design where required. The landscape character has been assessed through consideration of nationally and locally designated landscapes and their features, as well as site specific qualities. An understanding of the visual impact has been developed by preparing an approximate visual envelope of the DCO Scheme, and assessing the magnitude of the change in views from selected viewpoints within that visual envelope where those viewpoints are considered to undergo a significant change in view The cumulative effects consider the impact of other development in the vicinity of the DCO Scheme, as well as the construction and operation of the proposed works required for MetroWest Phase 1 comprising the modifications to Parson Street Junction where the DCO Scheme will join the south west main line between Bristol and Taunton, Parson Street Station, the Bedminster Down Relief Line and Severn Beach / Avonmouth Signalling in the Bristol area, and the Bathampton Turnback, which is located near the outskirts of Bath. 11-1 CHAPTER 11 PORTISHEAD BRANCH LINE PRELIMINARY LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACTS ASSESSMENT ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REPORT, VOLUME 2 This chapter should be read in conjunction with Chapter 4 Description of the Proposed Works and Chapter 8 Cultural Heritage with regards to the impact of the DCO Scheme on the setting of heritage features. 11.2 Legislation and Policy Framework National Policy National Policy Statement for National Networks The National Policy Statement for National Networks ("NPSNN") advises on the assessment of landscape and visual impacts for nationally significant infrastructure projects (“NSIP”) for national networks including railways at paragraphs 5.143 to 5.161. Applicants should undertake an assessment of any likely significant landscape and visual impact assessments and describe these in the Environmental Statement (“ES”). Table 11-1 summarises the requirements of the NPSNN for developers. Table 11-1: Summary of relevant NPSNN advice on landscape and visual impact assessment Summary of NPS provision Consideration within the PEI Report Paragraph 5.144. The assessment should include The relevant National Character Areas developed by reference to any landscape character assessment Natural England, and landscape character areas as and associated studies and take account of any developed by North Somerset Council have been relevant policies based on these assessments in local identified and the potential effects on these areas development documents in England. have been assessed. Paragraph 5.145. The assessment should include any The landscape and visual assessment considers significant effects during the construction of the potentially significant effects during the project and/or the significant effects of the construction phase and the operation phase. completed development in its operation on landscape components and landscape character (including historic landscape characterisation). Paragraph 5.146. The assessment should include the An approximate visual envelope has been developed visibility and conspicuousness of the project during for the DCO Scheme and the potential significant construction and of the presence and operation of change in views cause by the DCO Scheme from the project and potential impacts on views and within that area have been assessed. visual amenity. This should include any noise and light pollution effects, including on local amenity, tranquillity and nature conservation. National Planning Policy Framework The landscape and visual impact assessment has been considered in relation to the National Planning Policy Framework (“NPPF”) Chapter 7 Requiring good design and Chapter 12 Conserving and enhancing the historic environment. NPPF Chapter 7 states that planning policies should: “respond to local character and history, and reflect the identity of local surroundings and materials, while not preventing or discouraging appropriate innovation” (paragraph 58) be “visually attractive as a result of good architecture and appropriate landscaping” (paragraph 58) and in addition, it is “proper to seek to promote or reinforce local distinctiveness” (paragraph 60), and 11-2 PORTISHEAD BRANCH LINE PRELIMINARY CHAPTER 11 ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REPORT, VOLUME 2 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACTS ASSESSMENT “take the opportunities