Barns Close Quarry Business and Technology Park, Leigh on Mendip. Landscape and Visual Evidence and Impact Appraisal Volume 1 Landscape and Visual Evidence May 2020 Ref: 2173-TFC-00-ZZ-RE-L-8001 image? The terra firma Consultancy Ltd. www.terrafirmaconsultancy.com Barns Close Quarry Business and Technology Park, Leigh on Mendip Landscape and Visual Evidence and Impact Appraisal Revision 04 Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1. Background ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2. Report structure ................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3. Project brief.......................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.4. Site location ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.5. Site Access .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 Planning Policy and Guidance ........................................................................................................... 7 1.6. National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2019) .............................................................................................. 7 1.7. National Design Guide (2019) ............................................................................................................................ 10 1.8. Somerset Minerals Plan up to 2030 (2015), Somerset County Council ............................................................. 11 1.9. Local Plan Part 1: 2006-2029 (2014) and the emerging Local Plan Part 2, Mendip District Council. ................. 12 1.10. Leigh-On-Mendip Parish Plan (2006) ................................................................................................................. 14 1.11. Leigh-On-Mendip Village Design Statement (VDS) ........................................................................................... 14 1.12. Summary ........................................................................................................................................................... 15 Landscape Qualities, Function and Character ................................................................................ 15 1.13. National Character Assessments: NCA 141 Mendip Hills, Natural England ....................................................... 15 1.14. Regional Level: Landscape Character Assessments ......................................................................................... 18 1.15. District level: Landscape Assessment of Mendip District (May 1997), Mendip District Council .......................... 18 1.16. Summary ........................................................................................................................................................... 20 Landscape elements, Qualities, Functions and Character ............................................................. 21 1.17. General description of the site and landscape setting ........................................................................................ 21 1.18. Geology (strata and profile) ............................................................................................................................... 21 1.19. Topography ....................................................................................................................................................... 21 1.20. Natural Hydrology .............................................................................................................................................. 22 1.21. Soils ................................................................................................................................................................... 22 1.22. Vegetation (trees, hedges and woodland) ......................................................................................................... 22 1.23. Other vegetation ................................................................................................................................................ 23 1.24. Sensitive ecological areas ................................................................................................................................. 23 1.25. Settlements and cultural connections ................................................................................................................ 24 1.26. Roads, lanes and tracks .................................................................................................................................... 24 1.27. Historic Routes (Footpath, Bridleways) .............................................................................................................. 25 1.28. Access and recreation ....................................................................................................................................... 25 1.29. Historic Features (time-depth) ........................................................................................................................... 26 1.30. Scale.................................................................................................................................................................. 26 1.31. Settlement setting (Field Pattern) ....................................................................................................................... 26 1.32. Perceptual Qualities: Tranquility, aural, visual.................................................................................................... 26 1.33. Perceptual Qualities: Dark night skies ............................................................................................................... 26 1.34. Perceptual Qualities: Openness / enclosure ...................................................................................................... 27 1.35. Perceptual Qualities: Visual / Scenic Beauty ..................................................................................................... 27 1.36. Summary ........................................................................................................................................................... 27 Views .................................................................................................................................................. 27 1.37. Views ................................................................................................................................................................. 28 1.38. General description of visibility ........................................................................................................................... 28 1.39. Specific viewpoints (refer to Figures 13 and 14) ................................................................................................ 28 1.40. Receptor Sensitivity ........................................................................................................................................... 28 The terra firma Consultancy Contents Ltd. www.terrafirmaconsultancy.co m Barns Close Quarry Business and Technology Park, Leigh on Mendip Landscape and Visual Evidence and Impact Appraisal Revision 04 1.41. Views from published village walks .................................................................................................................... 29 1.42. Views from surrounding footpaths ...................................................................................................................... 29 1.43. Views from surrounding rural lanes .................................................................................................................... 30 Summary of key design drivers, constraints and opportunities .................................................... 30 1.44. Design Evolution. Initial Advice to the Client and Design Team ......................................................................... 30 1.45. Key Drivers ........................................................................................................................................................ 31 1.46. Opportunities and Constraints ........................................................................................................................... 31 1.47. Issues to consider .............................................................................................................................................. 31 1.48. Constraints ........................................................................................................................................................ 32 1.49. Opportunities (inherent mitigation) ..................................................................................................................... 32 1.50. Opportunities (considered as enhancements) .................................................................................................... 32 1.51. Ecological Mitigation .........................................................................................................................................