M25 junction 28 improvement scheme TR010029 6.1 Environmental Statement Chapter 9: Landscape and visual APFP Regulation 5(2)(a) Planning Act 2008 Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 Volume 6 May 2020 M25 junction 28 improvement scheme TR010029 6.1 Environmental Statement Chapter 9: Landscape and visual Infrastructure Planning Planning Act 2008 The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 M25 junction 28 scheme Development Consent Order 202[x ] 6.1 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT CHAPTER 9: LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL Regulation Number: Regulation 5(2)(a) Planning Inspectorate Scheme TR010029 Reference: Application Document Reference: TR010029/APP/6.1 Author: M25 junction 28 improvement scheme project team, Highways England Version Date Status of Version 1 May 2020 Application issue Planning Inspectorate scheme reference: TR010029 Application document reference: TR010029/APP/6.1 Page 2 of 53 M25 junction 28 improvement scheme TR010029 6.1 Environmental Statement Chapter 9: Landscape and visual Table of contents Chapter Pages Executive summary 5 9. Landscape and visual 5 9.1 Introduction 5 9.2 Competent expert evidence 5 9.3 Legislative and policy framework 5 9.4 Study area 9 9.5 Assessment methodology 10 9.6 Assessment assumptions and limitations 16 9.7 Baseline conditions 17 9.8 Potential impacts 27 9.9 Design, mitigation and enhancement measures 31 9.10 Assessment of effects 32 9.11 Cumulative effects 42 9.12 NPS NN compliance 50 9.13 Monitoring 51 9.14 Summary 52 Tables Table 9.1: Legislation, regulatory and policy framework for landscape 5 Table 9.2: Landscape sensitivity and typical descriptors and examples 11 Table 9.3: Landscape - magnitude and nature of impact and typical descriptors 13 Table 9.4: Visual – magnitude of impact and typical descriptors 13 Table 9.5: Landscape and visual – significance of effects categories 14 Table 9.6: Landscape - typical descriptors of significance of effect categories 14 Table 9.7: Visual - typical descriptors of significance of effect categories 15 Table 9.8: Relevant key characteristics of National Character Area (NCA) 111 – Northern Thames Basin 21 Table 9.9: Relevant key characteristics of the regional LCAs 21 Table 9.10: The relevant key characteristics of the LLCAs 23 Table 9.11: Summary of the magnitude of visual impacts during construction and operation 30 Table 9.12: Summary of landscape significance of effects 34 Table 9.13: Summary of visual effects significance 37 Table 9.14: Summary of visual significance of effects – Residential receptors 39 Table 9.15: Summary of visual significance of effects – Users of Public Rights of Way and recreational receptors 40 Table 9.16: Summary of visual significance of effects – Road users 41 Table 9.17: Cumulative effects 42 Planning Inspectorate scheme reference: TR010029 Application document reference: TR010029/APP/6.1 Page 3 of 53 M25 junction 28 improvement scheme TR010029 6.1 Environmental Statement Chapter 9: Landscape and visual Executive summary The Scheme lies within a landscape that is predominantly composed of open pasture and woodland blocks some composed of Ancient Woodland. The M25 as it passes through the study area follows a broad shallow valley, rising to the north and south following the ground level. There is one property (Grove Farm) encircled by the Scheme Development Consent Order (DCO) boundary as well as isolated properties within the study area to the west located adjacent to the Maylands Golf Club. Further afield the settlements of Harold Hill and Harold Park lie adjacent to the Scheme. The Ingrebourne River and Weald Brook flow through the study area passing under the A12 at Putwell Bridge. Overhead electricity pylons run in a north to south direction and are a dominant feature in the landscape. Weald Park, a Grade II Registered Park and Garden located approximately 800 m to the north of junction 28, lies within the study area. There are areas of tree planting that run along the A12 and M25 these serve to limit the visual impact of these highways on the surrounding area although the from the traffic is always present, disturbing the tranquillity of the area. The Scheme has been developed to limit as far as possible the impact on the surrounding landscape with the introduction of the proposed loop road and associated slip roads. Despite this there are areas of unavoidable losses to ancient and mature woodland blocks (including veteran trees) and other vegetation associated with the improvements to the highway infrastructure which will have an impact on the landscape. It will also increase the visibility of the roads and traffic leading to increased visual impact for certain receptors particularly during the construction phase. Because of the extent of the ancient and mature woodland blocks, vegetation and landform in the area the adverse impacts are not as significant as they could have been, with the effects largely limited to the immediate area. The Scheme also includes large areas of mitigation planting to reduce the impact of the Scheme and to offset the losses of vegetation and ancient and mature woodland blocks. Planning Inspectorate scheme reference: TR010029 Application document reference: TR010029/APP/6.1 Page 4 of 53 M25 junction 28 improvement scheme TR010029 6.1 Environmental Statement Chapter 9: Landscape and visual 9. Landscape and visual 9.1 Introduction 9.1.1 This chapter considers the likely effects of the proposed M25 junction 28 Scheme (hereafter referred to as ‘the Scheme’) upon the surrounding landscape and visual receptors. 9.1.2 This chapter describes the findings of the assessment and should be read in conjunction with Appendix 9.1 (application document TR010029/APP/6.3) and Figures 9.1 to 9.8 (application document TR010029/APP/6.2). 9.1.3 The landscape and visual assessment has been carried out following published guidance including Highways England’s Interim Advice Note (IAN) 135/10 Landscape and Visual Effects Assessment and DMRB Volume 11, Section 3, Part 5 Landscape effects but also with a consideration to the Landscape Institute’s published Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA) 3rd edition. The assessment of landscape and visual effects will be based on a combination of magnitude and sensitivity using the assessment matrix included in IAN 135/10 Landscape and Visual Effects Assessment. 9.2 Competent expert evidence 9.2.1 This landscape and visual chapter has been undertaken by a Chartered Landscape Architect (BA Hons), Diploma LA & CMLIA, who has over 15 years of knowledge and experience within the landscape architecture profession. This knowledge and professional judgement have been used to undertake this assessment. 9.3 Legislative and policy framework 9.3.1 The following table outlines the relevant legislation and policies considered in undertaking this assessment. Table 9.1: Legislation, regulatory and policy framework for landscape Legislation/ Summary of requirements Scale policy and regulation National Countryside Regulates all PRoW and ensures access to them. It requires and Rights of local highway authorities to publish a Rights of Way Way Act 2000 Improvement Plan (RoWIP), which should be reviewed every (CRoW)1 10 years. The Act also obliges the highway authority to recognise the needs of the mobility impaired when undertaking improvements. National Policy Guidance relevant to the landscape and visual effects of the Statement for Scheme include the following: National 5.143 The landscape and visual effects of proposed projects Networks (NPS will vary on a case by case basis according to the type of NN 2014)2 development, its location and the landscape setting of the proposed development. In this context, references to 1 UK Legislation (2000) Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37/contents 2 Department for Transport, December 2014, National Policy Statement for National Networks Planning Inspectorate scheme reference: TR010029 Application document reference: TR010029/APP/6.1 Page 5 of 53 M25 junction 28 improvement scheme TR010029 6.1 Environmental Statement Chapter 9: Landscape and visual Legislation/ Summary of requirements Scale policy and regulation landscape should be taken as covering seascape and townscape, where appropriate. 5.144 Where the development is subject to EIA the applicant should undertake an assessment of any likely significant landscape and visual impacts in the environmental impact assessment and describe these in the environmental assessment. A number of guides have been produced to assist in addressing landscape issues. The landscape and visual assessment should include reference to any landscape character assessment and associated studies, as a means of assessing landscape impacts relevant to the proposed project. The applicant’s assessment should also take account of any relevant policies based on these assessments in local development documents in England. 5.145 The applicant’s assessment should include any significant effects during construction of the project and/or the significant effects of the completed development and its operation on landscape components and landscape character (including historic landscape characterisation). 5.146 The assessment should include the visibility and conspicuousness of the project during construction and of the presence and operation of the project and potential impacts on views and visual amenity. This should include any noise and light pollution effects,