xxxxxx xxxxxx Environmental Statement Chapter 13. Seascape Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment www.tidallagoonswanseabay.com www.tidallagoonswanseabay.com Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay plc Contents 13.0 Seascape & Landscape Visual Impact Assessment ...................................................................... 1 13.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 13.2 Relevant legislation and policy ...................................................................................................... 2 13.3 Approach and methods ................................................................................................................. 2 13.3.1 Study area ......................................................................................................................... 3 13.3.2 Desk study ........................................................................................................................ 4 13.3.3 Site visits ........................................................................................................................... 5 13.3.4 Identification of regional Seascape Units, local Seascape Units and Landscape Character Areas ................................................................................................................................. 5 13.3.5 Assessment of effects on seascape and landscape character .......................................... 6 13.3.6 Baseline visual assessment ............................................................................................. 11 13.4 Baseline conditions ...................................................................................................................... 24 13.4.1 Study area and context ................................................................................................... 24 13.4.2 Landscape designations .................................................................................................. 26 13.4.3 Statutory designations .................................................................................................... 26 13.4.4 Non statutory designations ............................................................................................ 28 13.4.5 Analysis of LANDMAP data ............................................................................................. 33 13.4.6 Analysis of Admiralty Charts ........................................................................................... 35 13.5 Baseline landscape and visual assessment .................................................................................. 40 13.5.1 Assessment of ZTV .......................................................................................................... 40 13.5.2 Baseline assessment of Regional Seascape Units ........................................................... 41 13.5.3 Baseline assessment of Local Seascape Units ................................................................ 44 13.5.4 Baseline assessment of Landscape Character Areas ...................................................... 49 13.6 Mitigation measures .................................................................................................................... 68 13.7 Potential effects – construction .................................................................................................. 68 13.7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 68 13.7.2 Potential effects on visual amenity ................................................................................ 73 13.8 Potential effects – Operation ...................................................................................................... 80 13.8.1 Potential effects on seascape & landscape character .................................................... 80 18.3.2 Potential effects on seascape & landscape character from other LCAs ....................... 100 13.8.3 Cumulative effects on seascape and landscape character ........................................... 111 13.8.4 Potential effects on Visual Amenity ............................................................................. 111 13.8.5 Effects on statutory & non statutory designations ...................................................... 166 13.9 Potential effects - decommissioning ......................................................................................... 174 13.10 Residual effects ......................................................................................................................... 174 13.11 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 175 13.12 References ................................................................................................................................. 177 Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay – Environmental Statement Seascape & Landscape Visual Impact Assessment Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay plc 13.0 Seascape & Landscape Visual Impact Assessment 13.1 Introduction 13.1.0.1 This Chapter assesses the likely effect of the Project on both the seascape and the landscape, and in terms of its effect on landscape character and visual amenity within a study area that is defined and described below. 13.1.0.2 For the purpose of this assessment 'seascape' is defined as landscapes with views of the coast or seas, and coasts and the adjacent marine environment " (The Landscape Institute & Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), 2013). 13.1.0.3 Landscape is defined as "an area, perceived by people, whose character is the result of the interaction of natural and/or human factors " (Natural England, 2012). 13.1.0.4 The Project is described in detail within Chapter 4 of this ES. The elements that are assessed within this Chapter include elements and effects of: i. the Offshore Works including: the ca. 9.5km seawall; turbine and sluice gate housing structure and integral semi-goliath gantry crane (referred to as the turbine and sluice gate housing structure); Offshore Building; and lighting; and ii. the Onshore Works including: Western Landfall Building incorporating boating centre and hatchery including visitor facilities, O&M, slipway/jetty access point at the western landfall; an information point at the eastern landfall; saltmarsh and dune creation works and parking, access road and associated onshore lighting. 13.1.0.5 This Seascape and Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (SLVIA) describes and evaluates the existing seascape/landscape character and visual amenity and assesses the potential physical effects of the Project, including the effects of the lagoon and associated onshore and offshore infrastructure on seascape/landscape character and visual amenity within the study area (defined in Section 13.4.1). The assessment covers the construction, operational and decommissioning phases of the Project. The effects during the operational phase of the Project on designated landscapes, which include Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), Landscapes of Outstanding/Special Historic Interest, Heritage Coasts, Registered Parks & Gardens, Country Parks, National Trails/Long Distance Paths and National Cycle Routes have also been assessed. Although it is acknowledged that these areas are sensitive receptors in their own right, they have been assessed using the methodology for assessing effects on landscape character and visual amenity as outlined in Section 13.3. 13.1.0.6 The assessment of effects takes consideration of the following issues: i. Direct and indirect effects on seascape and landscape character and changes to the seascape/landscape; ii. Effects on the visual amenity of the study area and from the selected viewpoints including changes to the composition of views and the perception and response by receptor groups to these changes; iii. Potential cumulative visual effects with other existing, approved or proposed (in planning), or relevant projects within the study area; iv. The magnitude, duration and level of permanence of effects; and Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay – Environmental Statement Seascape & Landscape Visual Impact Assessment Page 13 - 1 Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay plc v. The effects during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the Project. 13.2 Relevant legislation and policy 13.2.0.1 This assessment of the landscape/seascape and visual effects of the Project was undertaken using a methodology developed by Soltys Brewster Consulting and drawn from the following guidance: i. DTI (2005) Guidance on the Assessment of the Impact of Offshore Wind Farms - Seascape and Visual Impact ; ii. Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Brady Shipman and Martin and University College Dublin (2001) Guide to Best Practice in Seascape Assessment ; iii. The Landscape Institute and IEMA (2013) Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition ; iv. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) (2002) Guidelines on the Environmental Impacts of Windfarms and Small Scale Hydro Electric Schemes ; v. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) (2013) LANDMAP Information Guidance Note 3 - Using LANDMAP for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment of Onshore Wind Turbines ; vi. NRW (2013) LANDMAP Information Guidance Note 4 - LANDMAP and the Cultural Landscape; vii. The Countryside Agency and SNH (2004) Landscape Character Assessment