A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements TR010044 Volume 6 6.3 Environmental Statement Appendix 7.4: Visual Baseline and Visual Effects Schedule Planning Act 2008 Regulation 5(2)(a) Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 26 February 2021 A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements Environmental Statement – Appendix 7.4: Visual Baseline and Visual Effects Schedule Infrastructure Planning Planning Act 2008 The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements Development Consent Order 202[ ] Appendix 7.4: Visual Baseline and Visual Effects Schedule Regulation Reference: Regulation 5(2)(a) Planning Inspectorate Scheme TR010044 Reference Application Document Reference TR010044/APP/) 6.3 Author A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements Project Team, Highways England Version Date Status of Version Rev 1 26 February 2021 DCO Application Planning Inspectorate Scheme Ref: TR010044 Application Document Ref: TR010044/APP/6.3 A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements Environmental Statement – Appendix 7.4: Visual Baseline and Visual Effects Schedule Table of contents Chapter Pages 1 Visual baseline and visual effects schedule 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Representative viewpoints 1 1.3 Visual effects schedule: residential receptors 31 1.4 Visual effects schedule: commercial properties 96 1.5 Visual effects schedule: public receptors 111 1.6 Visual effects schedule: public right of way 119 Planning Inspectorate Scheme Ref: TR010044 Application Document Ref: TR010044/APP/6.3 A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements Environmental Statement – Appendix 7.4: Visual Baseline and Visual Effects Schedule 1 Visual baseline and visual effects schedule 1.1 Introduction This Appendix to Chapter 7, Landscape and visual effects of the Environmental Statement [TR010044/APP/6.1] presents details of each visual receptor group (including a description of their baseline view and sensitivity), and the effects receptors are likely to experience during construction and operation of the Scheme. The magnitude and significance of these effects are set out in the Visual Effects Schedules (VES) within this appendix. 1.2 Representative viewpoints A total of 53 representative viewpoints have been selected to assist in illustrating the effects on visual receptors. These viewpoints represent the experience of different types of visual receptor. Representative viewpoints are also referred to in the case of private views, for example the views of residents from properties where it has not been possible to access or where large numbers of viewpoints cannot all be included individually. In such cases reference is made to viewpoints located on public land, such as roads, or Public Rights of Way (PRoW). The selection of viewpoints has been informed by the Zone of Theoretical Visibility analysis, fieldwork and desk research. In some cases, viewpoints have been chosen specifically to demonstrate a particular effect or specific issue, for example where visibility is restricted by intervening vegetation or buildings. The following text describes the baseline view from each viewpoint that would exist without the Scheme. Reference should be made to the VES, which identifies which receptor group(s) each viewpoint relates to. and Figure 7.15.1 – Figure 7.15.53 of the Environmental Statement [TR010044/APP/6.2] which includes baseline winter and summer photography from each viewpoint. Viewpoint 1: View north from Roxton Road This viewpoint is representative of users of PRoW (FP/6) which links Chawston to Roxton. The viewpoint is situated at around 30 metres AOD, north of Roxton looking towards the western extents of the Scheme. Winter The view looks north from Bedford Road over a timber fence in the foreground and agricultural fields beyond lying central to the view. Dispersed vegetation is visible in the distance with the landform rising up to a wooded backdrop. Occasional rooftops of residential buildings in Chawston are visible through the surrounding trees in the background of the view. The bunds forming a false cutting along the A421 cross through the background of the view noticeable by the embankments, tops of signage and tall lighting columns which flank the route Planning Inspectorate Scheme Ref: TR010044 1 Application Document Ref: TR010044/APP/6.3 A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements Environmental Statement – Appendix 7.4: Visual Baseline and Visual Effects Schedule of the road. The existing Black Cat roundabout is not visible as it is screened by dense intervening vegetation. Summer In summer existing vegetation in leaf reduces the extent of views of the detracting features along the existing A421. Viewpoint 2: View northeast towards the existing Black Cat roundabout from School Lane, Roxton This open view looks north east towards the existing Black Cat roundabout from School Lane. The view is representative of road users and residents from the rear of properties on the eastern edge of Roxton along School Lane. The area is mainly flat lying at approximately 20 metres AOD. Winter The view is open, across a large agricultural field extends from the foreground of the view to the background with little intervening vegetation. The A1 and Bedford Road meet on the horizon at the existing Black Cat roundabout, which is raised slightly above the surrounding landscape in the view and surrounded by tall streetlights. Mature vegetation on field boundaries and evergreen trees enclosing Roxton Garden Centre in the centre of the view limit long-distance views to the north beyond. Pylons and lighting columns are visible across the skyline along the A1 to the right of the view and around the existing Black Cat roundabout and can be seen over the top of the existing vegetation. Lighting around the existing Black Cat roundabout and along the A1 illuminates the middle ground at night. Summer In summer existing vegetation in leaf reduces the extent of views of the A1, Bedford Road and the existing Black Cat roundabout. Traffic and the tops of taller elements such as street lighting remain visible at the roundabout and on the A1. Viewpoint 3: View from pavement on Tempsford Bridge, north of the River Great Ouse, looking north along the A1 opposite Kelpie Marina This viewpoint is representative of people travelling in vehicle and by foot on a section of the A1 north bound towards the existing Black Cat roundabout, between PRoW PF/4 and School Lane, opposite Kelpie Marina. This section of the route is relatively flat and lies at 18 metres AOD. Winter The A1 north bound carriageway dominates the scene, with street furniture including safety barriers, bollards, street lighting and overhead wires cluttering the view. The A1 passes north through the centre of the view from the foreground into the distance. Existing mature vegetation on both sides of the A1 frames views of the existing Black Cat roundabout, which is just visible in the background. Planning Inspectorate Scheme Ref: TR010044 2 Application Document Ref: TR010044/APP/6.3 A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements Environmental Statement – Appendix 7.4: Visual Baseline and Visual Effects Schedule Lighting along the A1 at night further focuses the view on the road. Summer Deciduous vegetation in leaf further limits the extent of views to the west towards Roxton and contains views north along the A1 towards the existing Black Cat roundabout. Viewpoint 4: View north from the junction of Bedford Road and Roxton Road The view is representative of users Bedford Road and the adjacent pavement. The viewpoint is situated at 22 metres AOD on a relatively flat area adjacent to Roxton Garden Centre. Winter This short distance view looks northeast towards the existing Black Cat roundabout. The foreground comprises the road, associated pavements and a timber fence bordering a narrow arable field in the middle ground beyond. Mature vegetation on bunds lining the existing A421 and the embankments of the existing Roxton Road bridge stretch across the background of the view screening traffic and preventing long-distance views beyond. The existing Black Cat roundabout is visible to the east of the view where traffic, lighting columns, signage and the top of the Travelodge Hotel are visible above the earthworks and existing vegetation in the background at the southern end of Bedford Road. At night, lighting along the A421, around the existing Black Cat roundabout and associated with Roxton Garden Centre illuminate the middle ground. There is light spill into the foreground and sky glow across the background. Summer In summer existing vegetation in leaf reduces the extent of views of the tops of high sided vehicles on the existing Black Cat roundabout, with signage and lighting columns remaining partially visible. Viewpoint 5: View southeast towards existing Black Cat roundabout from PRoW FP/10 This viewpoint is representative of recreational users of PRoW FP/10 heading southeast towards Roxton Road bridge and the A421 which passes beneath it, south of Chawston. The wide view extends northeast to southeast across a relatively flat area of the landscape at 22 metres AOD. Planning Inspectorate Scheme Ref: TR010044 3 Application Document Ref: TR010044/APP/6.3 A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements Environmental Statement – Appendix 7.4: Visual Baseline and Visual Effects Schedule Winter Agricultural fields dominate the foreground extending into the middle distance with the only features being occasional trees and drainage ditches. In the distance looking south the mature vegetation on the bunds of the false cutting along the A421 prevents views extending to Roxton, beyond the A421. Looking east Roxton Road and the existing Roxton Road bridge are barely visible as they are partially screened by mature vegetation, although traffic passing over the bridge is evident on the skyline. The horizon looking east is wooded. The foreground and middle ground of the view are relatively dark, with some light spill and sky glow from the A421 and existing Black Cat roundabout evident in the background.