Howbrook LVIA

Land at Howbrook, Barnsley, South

Yorkshire

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment for

Proposed Open Cast Coal mining site

Prepared on behalf of

Cobex LTD

Prepared by SLOJ Landscape Associates

Landscape Consultants

Reference 301a-RE-01 Revision A 10018280

Date

January 2013

Contents 1 Introduction Page 1 2 Project Background Page 1 3 Methodology Page 2

3.1 desk study 3.2 Fieldwork Page 3

4 Scoping Page 3 5 Associated policies Page 4

5.1 Designations Page 10 6 Landscape Baseline Page 11

6.1 National Character Page 11 6.2 Historic Landscape character Page 13 6.3 Site Setting Page 14 6.4 Topography Page 15

7 Visual Baseline Page 16 7.1 ZTV Page 16 7.2 ZVI Page 16 7.3 Conclusions Page 17 7.4 views from site Page 18 7.5 Receptors identified Page 19

8 Landscape impacts Page 24 8.1 Potential Impacts Page 24 8.2 predicted impacts Page 25

9 Visual impacts Page 27 9.1 Potential impacts Page 27 9.2 Predicted impacts Page 28 9.3 Visual envelope of individual overburdens Page 33

10 Mitigation Page 34 10.1 Avoidance Page 34 10.2 Reductions Page 34

11 Regeneration Page 36 12 Concluding statements Page 38 13 Referencing Page 39

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment – Howbrook: Open Cast Mining Cobex LTD

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1 Introduction 1.1 An LVIA is a "systematic procedure" (Carys Swannic) that is used in order to

assess the positive and negative landscape and visual impacts that could be incurred from a development-taking place in a certain area.

1.2 It considers all possible effects of the development and the changes that it

will bring to the views and visual amenity of the area. The LVIA uses the landscape character to comment on these impacts.

1.3 The LVIA is part of a larger planning submission called an Environmental

Statement (ES) 1.4 They do not look at the ecological impacts of a development in detail; this is

a separate part of the ES. An independent person, normally a landscape architect, creates a report that will be submitted along with other documents in the planning process.

1.5 It is the developer’s own responsibility to submit an LVIA if they feel it is

necessary. 2 Project Background

2.1 Cobex Ltd have made proposals to extract up to approximately 160,000

tones of good quality coal from a site just outside Howbrook, Barnsley, and approximately 7 miles North/Northwest of the City of Sheffield by means of open-cast coal mining

2.2 The are a well established mining company employing between 30 and 40

people depending on how many of the 175 suppliers want coal. They have mined sites across Wakefield and Leeds and have to supply coal to National Power along with the private sector.

2.3 The proposed mine will cover approximately 47 hectares of which 18 will be

used for mining the rest will be used for spoil heaps and visual barriers.. It is approximately 300m northeast of the village of Howbrook.

2.4 The site is bordered on the east by the A61, Hollinberry Lane to the south,

Bromley Carr Road and Storres lane to the West, and West Wood to the North.


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Figure 1: OS map showing the sit location in relation to local settlements, Not to Scale)

2.5 The site consists of 5 fields separated by an un-named tributary of Storres

Dyke, River Howbrook and defunct hedgerows. There is a more substantial hedgerow on the West of the site protecting the newly build properties there; there are also several coniferous trees in the hedging and a 4m high bund.

2.6 The project is expected to last for the duration of 20 months and over time

the landscape and visual impacts will change, as spoil heaps get larger for example. This LVIA has been wrote on the basis of when the impact would be at its worse.

2.7 To assess the impact for some of the receptors an assumption has had to be

made on their impacts because of inaccessibility, or, the trees are not in leaf. 3 Methodology 3.0.1 A desktop study and site visits were carried out through December 2012

and January 2013 to verify the baseline conditions, associated policy and any visual receptors of the proposed site. The results were used to ascertain the magnitude the change would have to the area on the landscape and visual effect.

3.0.2 The assessment has ben carried out using guidance given in:

• ‘Guideline for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment’ (GLVIA) • Lecture Series by Carys Swannic


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3.1 Desk Study 3.1.1 There were several documents used in the desktop study, these are as

followed: • National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) • NCA 38: Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield, Key

Facts & Data • NCA 37: Yorkshire & Southern Pennines Fringe, Key Facts & Data • South Yorkshire Historic Environment Characterisation Project,

Barnsley Character Zone Descriptions, Assarted Enclosure • Development Sites and Places Consultation Draft 2012 • Historic Landscape Character maps

Other documents

• Ordnance Survey • Edina Digimap contor plan • Section 17 of Development Sites and Places Consultation Draft 2012

3.2 Field Work 3.2.1 Two site visits took place to investigate in and around the site to:

• Identify the Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) • Find the main receptors of the site and photograph them • Find the quality of the landscape • Establish the condition and value of the landscape.

3.2.2 Not all the receptors could be established through this document due to

constraints such as access and time, however they provide a good coverage of the ZVI and cover a good range of typical receptors

3.2.3 Where the receptors were private properties assumptions had to be made

as to the effect that the development would have on them due to access of the private land, as a result any photo taken were done them the closest accessible vantage point.

4 Scoping 4.1 The LVIA should take into account the landscape and visual impacts of the

development on • Residential areas- These should be both small villages and large

housing estates • Public footpaths – These should cover long viewing areas and also

footpaths closer to the site • Parks – These should be assessed as a new development could detur

people from using an area of park • Commuters on the A61 and A616 – Images may not be possible for

health and safety reasons however, an assessment of these areas should be attempted


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• Small local roads in the area – See how someone’s journey would be

impacted by a opencast coal-mining site in the area. • It should also consider areas where long views of the site are possible

to see if the surrounding character would be effected by an opencast coal mine

This should all be contained within a 2-mile radius of the project site.

4.2 The LVIA should take into consideration National Landscape Character, and assess at each receptor how the Landscape character could be affected by the development. 4.3 The LVIA should comply with any type of policy regulation concerning EIA e.g the European Directive.

5 Associated Policy 5.0.1 The environmental impact assessment (EIA) stems from European law

Council Directive 85/337/EEC in 1985. This was later superseded by the slightly edited New European Union Council Directive 97/1/EC. Both of the European directives are now consolidated on December 13th, 2011 to form Directive 2011/92/EU.

5.0.2 This outlined what types of development needed an EIA and what did not;

they gave four different levels each of which had their own criteria. These were Annex 1, Annex 2, Annex 3 and Annex 4.

5.0.3 The European directives are then integrated into legislative frameworks of

the member state. The most recent in the UK is Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 however they fail to address the current directive as they were wrote after the TCP regulations.

5.0.4 The proposed development of the open-cast coal mine falls into the

Scheduled 1 (annex 1 19) category as it is an open-cast coal mine that exceeds the 25 hectares it is aloud to be classed as a Scheduled 2 site, therefore an LVIA must be carried out to be submitted along with the planning documents.

Figure 2: Google Earth image showing a 2-mile radius of the site


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5.0.5 Old policies are now superseded due to the introduction of the National

Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) these are: MPG5, PPS5, PPG15, PPG16, PPS1, MPS1, MPS2 , MPG2, MPG3, MPG7, MPG10, MPG13, MPG15

5.0.6 The NPPF is the new that is for all local authorities to adhere to and

incorporate them successfully into their own unitary development plans for their areas. It contains policies that directly relate to the extraction of coal but also other policies that may inform what is permissible

PG32. All developments that generate significant amounts of movement should be supported by a Transport Statement or Transport Assessment. Plans and decisions should take account of whether:

• The opportunities for sustainable transport modes have been taken up depending on the nature and location of the site, to reduce the need for major transport infrastructure;

• Safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all people; • Improvements can be undertaken within the transport network that cost

effectively limit the significant impacts of the development. Development should only be prevented or refused on transport grounds where the residual cumulative impacts of development are severe.

PG90. Certain other forms of development are also not inappropriate in Green Belt provided they preserve the openness of the Green Belt and do not conflict with the purposes of including land in Green Belt. These are:

• Mineral extraction; • Engineering operations;

…

PG92. Community Forests offer valuable opportunities for improving the environment around towns, by upgrading the landscape and providing for recreation and wildlife. An approved Community Forest plan may be a material consideration in preparing development plans and in deciding planning applications. Any development proposals within Community Forests in the Green Belt should be subject to the normal policies controlling development in Green Belts.


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PG144. When determining planning applications, local planning authorities should:

• Ensure, in granting planning permission for mineral development, that there are no unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment, human health or aviation safety, and take into account the cumulative effect of multiple impacts from individual sites and/or from a number of sites in a locality;

• Ensure that any unavoidable noise, dust and particle emissions and any blasting vibrations are controlled, mitigated or removed at source, and establish appropriate noise limits for extraction in proximity to noise sensitive properties;

• … • Provide for restoration and aftercare at the earliest opportunity to be

carried out to high environmental standards, through the application of appropriate conditions, where necessary. Bonds or other financial guarantees to underpin planning conditions should only be sought in exceptional circumstances;

• …

PG143. In preparing Local Plans, local planning authorities should: • Set out policies to encourage the prior extraction of minerals, where

practicable and environmentally feasible, if it is necessary for non-mineral development to take place;

• Set out environmental criteria, in line with the policies in this Framework, against which planning applications will be assessed so as to ensure that permitted operations do not have unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment or human health, including from noise, dust, visual intrusion, traffic, tip- and quarry-slope stability, differential settlement of quarry backfill, mining subsidence, increased flood risk, impacts on the flow and quantity of surface and groundwater and migration of contamination from the site; and take into account the cumulative effects of multiple impacts from individual sites and/or a number of sites in a locality;

• When developing noise limits, recognise that some noisy short-term activities, which may otherwise be regarded as unacceptable, are unavoidable to facilitate minerals extraction;

• Put in place policies to ensure worked land is reclaimed at the earliest opportunity, taking account of aviation safety, and that high quality restoration and aftercare of mineral sites takes place, including for agriculture (safeguarding the long term potential of best and most versatile agricultural land and conserving soil resources), geodiversity, biodiversity, native woodland, the historic environment and recreation.


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5.0.7 On a regional scale the development would come under the controls of the

Yorkshire and Humber Regional Spatial Strategy Plan 2026 and is covered by policies ENV4. (Overleaf)

5.0.8 Under new UK planning regulations, Barnsley’s Metropolitan Borough

Council BMBC) had to create a unitary development plan, This is created in order to create a formal framework for BMBC as part of their unitary plan the created policy. The previously policy on minerals was much more comprehensive compared to the few of todays policed, the policies that it over shadows are, M9a, M9B, M9C, M9D, M9H, M9k, M9LO, M11, BA37, BA38, NE21, NE22, WW26, PE21, PE22, WR24, and WR25. These have been superseded because it was classed as an anredlient way to work.

5.0.9 Barnsleys Development Sites and Places Consultation Draft 2012 (DSP) was

part of the larger local planning policy documents that form Barnsleys Unitary Development Framework, the DSP contains a section on minerals, Section 17. It outlines all the ways in which BMBC are responding to the NPPF and developing the plans.

5.0.10 BMBC have created policies that directly relate to this proposal at

Howbrook, this being MIN3 (Overleaf) 5.0.11 The document also covers other aspects of mineral extraction.

PG149.Permission should not be given for the extraction of coal unless the proposal is environmentally acceptable, or can be made so by planning conditions or obligations; or if not, it provides national, local or community benefits which clearly outweigh the likely impacts to justify the grant of planning permission.

PG147. Minerals planning authorities should also: …

• Indicate any areas where coal extraction and the disposal of colliery spoil may be acceptable;

…


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Policy MIN3 Mineral Extraction Proposals for mineral extraction must not have unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment or on human health including those from:

• Noise • Dust • Visual intrusion • Traffic • Tip and quarry slope stability • Differential settlement of quarry backfill • Mining subsidence • Increased flood risk • Impacts on the flow and quantity of surface and groundwater; and • Migration of contamination from the site.

Proposals must also take into account the cumulative effects of multiple impacts from individual sites and/or a number of sites in the locality.

ENV4: Minerals A) Plans, strategies, investment decisions and programmes should safeguard mineral deposits in the region, including aggregates (sand, gravel, limestone and sandstone), silica sand, coal, clay, brick earth, chalk and potash, from sterilisation by other types of development and provide for an adequate and steady supply of minerals. B) The Region will maximise the use of secondary and recycled aggregates to reduce dependency on primary extraction. C) Mineral Planning Authorities should:

1. Maximise the contribution by substitute and secondary materials wherever possible, and facilitate sites and operations (including those to blend secondary and primary aggregates, reprocessing and the transfer of materials), especially in West Yorkshire

2. Make provision for the sub regional apportionments as set out in Table 10.1 and endeavour to maintain a landbank for all nationally and regionally significant minerals

3. Seek a progressive reduction in aggregate production from National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, noting that there is no strategic justification for the provision of any new crushed rock sites within these areas within the Plan period

D) The sub-regional aggregate apportionments should be updated in a review of the Plan, in particular to taking account of the 2nd Phase of the Yorkshire and Humber Sand and Gravel Study.


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PG17.23 We will impose planning conditions and legal agreements where appropriate to ensure these environmental criteria are met. A programme of work will also need to be agreed which must take account, as far as is practicable, of the potential impacts on the local community over the expected duration of operations. For larger or more complex applications, there may also be a need for an application to be submitted with an Environmental Statement.

PG17.21 Minerals can only be worked where they exist, and although considered to be a temporary use of land, mineral operations can be long lived. It is therefore important to ensure that an acceptable balance is maintained between the need for mineral extraction, and protecting the environment and residential amenities.

PG17 17.22 In accordance with the Technical Guidance to the NPPF where appropriate we will require the submission of a dust assessment to ensure that dust emissions are controlled, mitigated or removed at source. We may also require a noise emissions assessment and will recognise that some noisy short-term activities may be unavoidable to facilitate minerals extraction. Applicants will also need to address slope stability in line with this Technical Guidance.


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5.1 Designations 5.11 There are three designations that are in or around the site all inform how

the development will progress and what precautions and considerations they have to make through the process to ensure it does not cause damage or any harm to the surrounding area.

5.12 The area is in the Greenbelt, though the greenbelt is not sacrosanct, and as seen in PG90 in the NPPF mineral extraction is a valid form of development that is permitted in the Greenbelt.

5.13 The site falls into the area where the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework covers, it is the vision of this plan to:

‘By 2050, biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely

used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people’ (JNCC and DEFRA. 2012)

5.14 There is a conservation area of Wortley within a 2-mile radius of the site,

precautions must be made with regard to potential damage to this area caused by dust debris blowing over and to ensure that there is not an increase in traffic that would damage to village character.

Figure 3: Map showing the extent of the greenbelt policy and the local conservation areas


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6 Landscape Baseline 6.1 National Character 6.1.1 Landscape character is defined as:

“A distinct, recognisable and consistent pattern of elements, be it natural (soil, landform) and/or human (for example settlement and development) in the landscape that makes one landscape different from another, rather than better or worse”

(Northumberland County Council) 6.1.2 A landscape character assessment is defined by Natural England as:

“Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is a technique used to develop a consistent and comprehensive understanding of what gives England’s landscape its character. It uses statistical analysis and application of structured landscape assessment techniques. LCAs provide more detailed descriptions and analysis at a local level within the national framework of National Character Areas.”

(Natural England) 6.1.3 The area that is to be mined is in the national character area of

Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield (NCA38)


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Figure 5: National Character Areas map (Natural England)

Figure 6: Yorkshire and Humber character areas map (Natural England)

Figure 4: National Character Area 38 (Natural England)

6.1.4 The features that are prominent in these areas are:

• Range of

woodland types

• Undulating landscape

• Broad valleys • Rolling hills


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6.1.5 Landscape character differs within the regions that they are in; Howbrook

lies in the Barnsley area and is in the landscape character area of West Barnsley Settled Wooded Farmland.

The characteristics that can be found in the Barnsley E1, Settled Woodland Farmland, are:

• Settled Wooded Farmland

• Rolling landform with hills and broad valleys

• Intact farmland interspersed with woodland

• Enclosed by landform and woodland

• Agriculture is a mixture of livestock and arable farming. • Mature individual trees are scattered irregularly • Small scale settlements and individual buildings (houses, hamlets,

villages and farmsteads)

6.1.6 As the Landscape character areas are not definitive lines the site could actually be considered in character area 37, the main features of this area are:

• Number of deeply incised river valleys • Poor quality of agricultural land • Some unenclosed pastures on the fringes of the moorlands, but

predominantly the pastures are enclosed by drystone walls • Broadleaved woodland is the main habitat (Natural England. 2013 c)

6.2 Historic Landscape Character 6.2.1 From the historic landscape character maps, Appendix, it is apparent that the

site at Howbrook has always been assigned the landscape character of Enclosed Land. Some key characteristics of this character type are:

• Ancient woodlands • Ancient irregular enclosure patterns • Small, sinuous or rounded fields • Mainly hedged boundaries. • A rolling hilly landscape

(Sytimescapes.co.uk, 1986)

0 1 2 3 4 km

C2

C3

C4

C1

D1

D2

D3

E1

E2

E3

E4

F1

F2

B1

B1

A2

A1

Figure 7: Barnsleys local character area designations (Mole 2)


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6.2.2 Moreover, the area of enclosed land has a history in coalmining, these were

opencast shallow coalmines. This style of mining continued into the early 19th century (Sytimescapes.co.uk, 1986). There has not been significant recent boundary loss within the zone; however there has become a decrease in native hedgerows and an increase in the use of fences.

6.3 Site Setting 6.3.1 The site lays approximately 300m North of the village of Howbrook and

about 7-Miles North/Northwest of the City of Sheffield. Is sits on a slight slope in a gently undulating landscape and is bisected by an unnamed tributary of the Stores River and the River Howbrook.

6.3.2 The residential properties of Howbrook lay directly along side the roads that

will be used to service the lorries, going to and from the quarry. There is not a designation in this area like Wortley, however Howbrook evokes a certain character that is inherent in this area.

6.3.3 There is a new build flat development that has been build directly adjacent to

the proposed site that lay behind an existing 6m high bund, there are spaced coniferous trees along the top of the bund, this development is out of character to the surrounding landscape.

6.3.4 The vegetation on the site is of a similar type to vegetation found in the peak

district, making the area part of a wider green network that should try and not be disturbed.

Figure 8: Map showing the site in relation to the city of Sheffield and the town of Barnsley (OS Map Not to scale)


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6.4 Topography 6.4.1 The topography of the site is a general trend down towards the North. The

site itself sits on a slightly sloping bank that has a variation of height of around 40meters over a 680 linear meter. This change in topography will go to some extent to helping shied the development from people.

6.4.2 There are two rivers flowing through the site, meaning there is a localised

depression in the topography where the river has eroded into the ground. 6.4.3 On a broader scale the site sits in a large U-shaped valley that is also part of

a wider green network in the Yorkshire and Humber region.


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Box 1

7 Visual Baseline 7.1 ZTV 7.1.1 The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) is the area where theoretically you

would be able to see the site from; this does not take into account of the trees, topographic changes or built features. However it is a good basis for looking for potential receptors of the development. Box 1

7.2 ZVI 7.2.1 The Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) is the area where you can actually see the

site from, this is governed by topography, vegetation and other physical features of the landscape, this could change given the time of year that the ZVI was conducted for example it would be larger in winter because the deciduous trees are not in leaf.

7.2.2 Due to the topographic nature of the site, it will be more visible from the

top of the hill on both sides of the valley.

These images show the ZTV of the area of Howbrook, this however is not an accurate representation of the extent to which the opencast coal site can be seen from. It fails to take into account topography or other features.

The varying colours relate to how much of the site can be seen from a certain area. The red means that all of the site would be able to be seen if there a person was in that are, The green means that only one of the mounds will be able to be seen from the area where you are orange three and yellow two.


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Figure 9: Calculated ZVI, calculated using the ZTV and Fieldwork

7.3 Conclusions 7.3.1 From analysis both the ZTV and the ZVI it was possible to ascertain the main

receptors of the development, also how much of the development they would be able to see. An analysis was carried out at all these receptors to find out what the visual impacts of the development were and if they would cause a significant impact.

7.3.2 When traveling on the A61 there are occasional glimpses of the site through

defunct hedgerows and glades in woodland vegetation. Also 7.3.3 For the residents of High Green in the summer months the site will not be

visible, from ground level, as the deciduous vegetation will be in full leaf and will shelter the site views to the site.


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7.4 Views from the site 7.4.1 The following views were taken in the site looking outward to the

surrounding area to see how far were visible.

Figure 10: View from the site looking North Northwest towards the A616 (GR32789869)

Figure 11: View from the site looking towards Westwood and the A61, High Green is also visible (GR32789869)

Figure 12: View from the site looking South towards Hall wood (GR32789869)


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7.5 Receptors Identified

Figure 13: Map showing what the receptors to the site are and their location.

7.5.1 Receptor 1: Residents of Howbrook Village

Receptor 2: Commuters on the A616 and A61 Receptor 3: Public footpath running alongside West Wood and River Storres Receptor 4: Hollinberry Lane, Bromley Carr Road and Storres lane Receptor 5: Public footpath along Westwood Country Park Receptor 6: Residents of High Green Receptor 7: Commuters along Woodhead Road

7.5.2 Receptor 1: Residents of Howbrook Village

These are the largest receptor of the site because they are directly next to it. It is assumed that people will be able to see over the 3m barrier mounds and see both extraction pits and overburdens from the upper floor windows, however these will be of less sensitivity because they it is assumed that they are of secondary living quarters.


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Figure 14: View of what will be the site (GR32729867)

7.5.3 Receptor 2: Commuters on the A61 and A616

Any commuters traveling down this road would only catch occasional glimpses of the opencast coal mine because of the topographic nature of the area and the fact that there is hedgerows and tall vegetation obstructing views, these views may be more frequent in the winter due to the vegetation not being in leaf.

Figure 15: Section line going through the surrounding context and the site from GR32519842 to GR34409872

The Site


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7.5.4 Receptor 3: Public footpath running alongside West Wood and River Storres

Immediate receptor of the site because the walkway runs directly alongside the edge of the site, the site will be obstructed by a 3m buffer mound which will limit the visual impact of the quarry.

Figure 16: View of the site (GR33119885)

7.5.5 Receptor 4: Hollinberry Lane, Bromley Carr Lane and Storres Lane

People at this receptor would be directly impacted from the site on most occasions, even with the addition of buffer mounds; the overburdens will still be seen.

Figure 17:View of the site from a neighboring road (GR33059802)

The Site

The Site


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7.5.6 Receptor 5: Public footpath along Westwood Country Park

A large part of the site will be seen in this view and will be quite clear, the overburdens will be clearly seen and also the extraction pits, even though the process will be in stages there will still be large visual intrusions on the site.

Figure 18: View of the site from Westwood Country Park (GR34109832)

7.5.7 Receptor 6: Residents of High Green

These back directly onto the site, however there is a strong buffer of planting already, and there will also a visual barrier mound of three meters, the views will be obstructed by these, however, in the winter some visual permeability is evident so temporal views are apparent. It is expected that the direct views will be possible from first floor windows however with less sensitivity as it is assumed that these are secondary living spaces e.g. Bedrooms

Figure 19: View of the site from the residential properties of High Green (GR33489801)

The Site

The Site High Green


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7.5.8 Receptor 7: Commuters along Woodhead Road

These will have wide full views of the site when defunct hedgerows or woodland vegetation do not obstruct them. However people will only have the occasional glimpses of the site because they are traveling down the road and there is nothing to retain them in the area.

The Site High Green

Figure 20: View of the site from Woodhead Road (GR32099592)


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8 Landscape impacts 8.1 Potential Impacts 8.1.1 It is expected that during the development, working and restoration of the

site that there will be some impacts of the landscape. These are some of the predicted impacts; these have come from looking at the development proposal and the surrounding character.

• It is likely that the development will result in a large quantity of arable

land being lost due of the changes that will happen surrounding the development and the development taking up fields.

• Wildlife could be affected by the development both on the site and immediate surroundings but also further afield due to loss of habitat, leachates and poor air quality.

• The extraction of coal in this area could see some of the native hedgerows that are characteristic of this area removed or killed, thus removing habitat and a visual barrier to the site.

• The overburdens could become unsafe and collapse in severe weather conditions and as a result both damage habitat and also no longer shield any views onto the site.

• Loss of walking routes both in the immediate area and in close proximity to the site due to the air quality, noise, increase in traffic and loss of the public footpath all together.

• The changes in topography and the extraction of coal could alter the water table and make it act differently, meaning surrounding areas could become dryer/wetter, potentially affecting any crop and habitats.

• The changes in topography could result in localized changes in drainage basin and there is a risk of flooding because the river doesn’t have the capacity to cope with the increase in water.

• The water table will be affected from the extraction of the coal which could result in localised landslips and other geomorphological issues.

• Wider roads could be necessary due to the increase of traffic mainly HGV traffic in the area.

• A change in landscape character due to the potential loss of topography, vegetation and farmland.

8.1.2 Some of these effects could be of a temporary nature, or they could have a

lasting impact on the area, figure 21 shows more detail.


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Figure 21: Table showing the landscape impacts

8.2 Predicted Impacts 8.2.1 The development will not only just impact the local residents but they will

also affect the residents of neighboring villages and the recreational walkers that have long views over the site and will be affected by increase in traffic and poor air quality.

8.2.2 The landscape character is one that is to a large extent a subjective view, and

from Woodhead Road looking down over the site there are many different types of character in the field of view. Even though at a very localized level the landscape character will be affected, if a wider view of the character area E1 is taken, it would do little for affecting the character because there is so much variation in the area.

8.2.3 Figure 22 shows what effect the open cast coal mine will have on the

character from each of the viewpoints.


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Figure 22: Table showing the scale of effect on each of the receptors and how the coalmine will effect them. 8.2.4 From an analysis of this it would suggest that the opencast coal mine would

have a moderate impact on the landscape. 8.2.5 It should be remembered that this report is analyzing the site when its

impacts are most severe.


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9 Visual impacts 9.0.1 Due to the nature of the development there will be a large range of visual

impacts that will take place during the creation and the working of the mine. They will alter in severity as the project develops over the 20 months and the visual impacts will also change as overburdens are aloud to be covered with natural pioneer vegetation.

9.0.2 As well as visual impacts on the area when the mine is in construction there

is also lots of occasions where there will be visual impacts after the mine has been fully worked, even though the overburdens will refill the hole that is made from the excavation it will not fully regain the area to its current contours.

9.0.3 In addition to this the soil that they put back into the hole will be of a poorer

quality so it would take longer for any vegetation to take a hold in this area leaving a ‘scar’ on the landscape.

9.1 Potential Impacts 9.1.1 Throughout and after the development of the mine there will be many visual

impacts of the development. It is likely that during the development of the mine the landscape character of the area will be lost and it will never fully recover. This is due to changes in the landscape, such as: topography and loss of agriculture.

9.1.2 Below are a list of the potential visual impacts on the site:

• Increase in the amount of vehicular traffic in the area and the widening of roads

• The topography is likely to change and will never fully be restored • Carr house farm and Carr house road will receive one of the largest

visual impacts as they are directly adjacent to the development site • The overburdens are up to a size of 20m and once these are to their

full height, it is expected that these will inhibit long sweeping views over the landscape

• It is expected that the village of Howbrook will change in appearance due to the increase in people around the area, although it will not be a tourist attraction there will be a significant increase in people there. Thus removing the village feel.


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9.2 Predicted Impacts 9.2.1 Receptor 1:

Figure 23: View looking into the site to assess the impact (GR32749855)

Figure 24: View of the site from the new residential flats (GR32819868)

There will be severe visual impacts for the local residents that live in Howbrook. Initially the topography will be drastically altered by the introduction of the overburden mounds and the 3m topsoil mounds. All character will be lost because arable farmland, drystone walls, native

Above

Below


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Hedgerows will be lost, not only will the character of the landscape be lost but the village character also. In addition the overburden mounds will obstruct views of a large quantity of woodland, this quite a severe impact since large quantities of the view currently is farmland and woodland.

9.2.2 Receptor 2:

The vehicles traveling down the A61 and A6161 they will only see the development temporarily and it would mainly be overburden mounds that they would see. Because of the limited views of the site in the first instance there will be a lesser impact on these commuters because they would not really see the site West Wood would largely obstruct the views to the site from the road.

Figure 25: Section line going through the surrounding context and the site from GR32519842 to GR34409872 showing how the overburdens will effect the visual impact of the site

9.2.3 Receptor 3:

Figure 26: Visualisation of the impact on the landscape on the northern most boundary of the site along the River Stores (GR33119885)

The buffer mound to the South of this footpath will obstruct any views of the actual coalmining site. This does not really effect the views because currently there is only a limited view over a field they do not extend any further. The impact on longrange views will not be great, however the mound will cause a large amount of shade along the footpath and potentially making it intimidating to walk down.


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9.2.4 Receptor 4:

Figure 27: View of the site to show the visual impact (GR33059802)

There will be large visual intrusions in this area as all 4 of the overburden mound will be able to be seen at some point in the development, this will severely affect the views. Not only will it not follow the gentle undulating land that is characteristic of this area, but also views of West Wood will be severely diminished which is large characteristic of this area.

9.2.5 Receptor 5: A large quantity of this view will be changed, as the woodland to the bottom

and the horizon line will frame the site. Currently it is all arable farmland, which will be the lost in the construction of the mine. The overburden mounds that will be created will be completely juxtaposed to the rolling landform that exists, and they will become very obvious in the rolling views.


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9.2.6 Receptor 6:

Figure 28: View of the visual impact on the residents of High Green at about first storey level (GR33459791)

From ground level there will be limited visual impacts because to a large extent they are sheltered even from the arable farmland that exists by a tree belt. It is expected that more of the site will be seen from the second storey windows of the properties in which they will see slightly more of the site, however these will only be the tips of the largest overburden mounds. They could also

contribute to a lesser amount of light coming through into these lower areas of High Green due to the size of the overburdens.


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9.2.7 Receptor 7:

Figure 29: Long distance view of the site to assess the long-range visual impact (GR31929619)

The view along Woodhead Road will be affected badly. Due to the nature of the topography and its higher vantage point quite a lot of the site will be seen. There will no longer be endless views of farmland, woodland and small settlements. However consideration has to be made to the quantity and type of receptors along here, there

are few residential properties, and many recreational walkers so the visual impact may be less significant. Negatively a greater proportion of the site will be seen with the addition of the overburdens, Figure 30, even though they are put there to limit the visual impact of the site they are an ‘eye-sore’ themselves.

Figure 30: Section line to show how the visual impact if the overburdens are put in places GR31929619 through to 33389900


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9.3 Visual Envelope of individual overburdens 9.3.1 The different receptors would have different visual impacts depending on

their location and some may not have as larger impact as would be first suggested. Figure 31 (Below) shows which, and how many of the overburden mounds can be seen from each receptor. And the severity of these impacts on the receptor.

Figure 31: Table to show how the overburdens will affect the individual receptors


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10 Mitigation 10.01 There are four different levels to mitigation: Avoidance, Reduction,

Compensation or enhancement. One of these four levels could be met for all aspects of the mining process and the restoration of the site. Mitigation is a method that could be used to limit or completely remove the negative effects of the development on the character, views and landscape of the site.

10.1 Avoidance 10.11 This is a method of mitigation where the answer is normally movement of

the project site elsewhere and not carrying out with the development at all. This is not applicable in this situation.

10.12 It is expected the Cobex LTD will observe the development proposal that

they have put forward and implement the mitigation methods that they have suggested as effectively as possible, and stick to the timetable of works so not to create issues for longer than the have proposed.

10.2 Reduction 10.2.1 Based on this initial consideration of the landscape and visual features that

could possibly be affected by this EIA development proposal, it is considered that the following mitigation measures may be appropriate.

10.2.2 Cobex LTD have attempted to reduce the visual impact of the development

of people by creating 3m high screening mounds, these will obstruct the views of the site from ground level, However these are only created 5m away from the edge of footpaths, it would be a preferable distance for them to be 10m away so they are less imposing.

10.2.3 They are proposing overburdens of up to 10, 15 and 20m. These increasing in size the further away from residential properties as possible so not to be as imposing on the properties. It also aids to protecting the amount of light that the properties get.

10.2.4 Vegetation should be grown on these mounds so to blend into the greenness of the background, in addition to this if the mounds are vegetated it will go some way to ensuring the stability of the mounds.

10.2.5 A temporary reservoir could be created somewhere to help relieve some of the pressures on the local river systems and will help contain any leachates that escape from the overburdens or processing plants so that it can be cleaned before doing damage to the wider environment.

10.2.6 As many of the native hedgerows around the edge of the site should be attempted be saved from removal and every effort should be made to make temporary habitat spaces.


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10.2.7 The site to some extent is helped being disguised by the natural topography

of the area, however it could be enhanced slightly, maybe by making some of the screening mounds a lesser angle so they were less of a visual intrusion and made more of an effort to fit in with the rolling landscape.

10.2.8 Once the project is completed the site will undergo a regeneration phase,

for this it would be essential that they do not use plant species that are ‘alien’ to the area and do not fit in with the surrounding character. Mature extra heavy standard trees should be used so that there is an immediate positive impact made to the area.

10.2.9 Any materials used in the regeneration process should be of the highest possible quality so to redeem the landscape quality as fast as possible.


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11 Regeneration 11.0.1 Once the site has been fully cast, there is a great opportunity to enhance the

existing character on the site. During this regeneration proposal consideration has been made to the knowledge that subsidence will take place over the following 5 years as the landscape settles into place.

11.0.2 Once all the overburdens and topsoil mounds are put back it is claimed that

the landscape will be almost the same topography as it was before however it is definite that the landscape will not go back to how it previously looked. The overburden that was taken out and put back in will take time to settle, they will subside into the ground and will change the topography of the area, and initially the landscape will almost be to the existing contours.

11.0.3 The basis for the regeneration of the site falls inline with the South Yorkshire

Community Forest Scheme. Their vision is:

“To manage it in the best public interest, creating and sustaining forests and woodlands which are attractive as well as productive and useful to the community. We want them to be pleasant places to visit, rich in wildlife, both plant and animal, where our natural and cultural heritage is safely conserved.”

(Forestry Commission)

11.0.4 As part of the regeneration strategy footpaths going though the site should be enhanced with the possibility of new footpaths going through, this will increase the number of visitors to the area. The addition of more bridal paths will also increase the number, and diversity of visitors to the area.

11.0.5 The strategy plan below shows how the site could be developed after the coal has been fully extracted.


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Figure 32: Spatial stratergy for the regeneration of the Howbrook project site

11.0.6 The proposal above attempts to incorporate the landscape character of the

surround area. The new topography is reminiscent to the wider landscape and is a step to recreating the gentle topography. A new small-scale dam has been created on the river Howbrook to create a small body of water that will be used in small-scale water management and also it will create an attractive addition to the walking route.


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12 Concluding Statement 12.0.1 This LVIA has conducted thorough investigation to the opencast coal mining

application put forward by Cobex LTD. It has assessed the potential receptors to the development and predicted what, if any, were the landscape and visual impacts on them.

12.0.2 The local landscape character will be drastically altered both during and after

the developments workings. However, if the mitigation methods and the restoration proposal was to be implemented the lasting damaging effect of the mining site could be greatly reduced. However there will be lasting impacts of this development, some of which will never be fully recovered.

12.0.3 The table below shows clearly the effect of the development, this table has

been created by using information earlier in the document.

Effect on Landscape Character

Effect on visual impact

Longevity of effect on Character

Longevity of effect of Visual impact

Receptor 1 Severe Severe Indefinite Shortly after 20 months

Receptor 2 Small Small Short term Shortly after 20 months

Receptor 3 Moderate Severe Indefinite Shortly after 20 months

Receptor 4 Severe Severe Indefinite Shortly after 20 months

Receptor 5 Moderate Moderate Long term Shortly after 20 months

Receptor 6 Negligible Small Short term Short term

Receptor 7 Moderate Moderate Long term Shortly after 20 months

12.0.4 As a whole this project will have a moderate to severe impact on the

landscape character and the visual amenity of the landscape.


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13 References Cary Swannic Lecture Series, 2012 Forestry.gov.uk (2012) Forestry Commission - Yorkshire and The Humber - About Us. [online] Available at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-7auefv [Accessed: 26 Jan 2013]. Google Earth Images JNCC and Defra (on behalf of the Four Countries’ Biodiversity Group). 2012. UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. July 2012. Available from: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-6189. Natural England. (2013 c) NCA 37: Yorkshire & Southern Pennines Fringe Key Facts & Data. [online] Available at: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/37_Yorkshire_S_Pennine_Fringe_tcm6-32446.pdf [Accessed: 19 Jan 2013]. Natural England. (2013 c) NCA 38 Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield Key Facts & Data [online] Available at: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/38_Nottinghamshire_Derbyshire_Coalfields_tcm6-32447.pdf [Accessed: 19 Jan 2013]. Naturalengland.org.uk (n.d.) Natural England - Landscape character. [online] Available at: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/landscape/englands/character/default.aspx [Accessed: 18 Jan 2013]. Naturalengland.org.uk (n.d.) Natural England - Yorkshire and the Humber. [online] Available at: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/publications/nca/yorkshumber.aspx [Accessed: 27 Jan 2013]. Nelincs.objective.co.uk (n.d.) Untitled. [online] Available at: http://nelincs.objective.co.uk/events/5654/images/web/838515_0_1.jpg [Accessed: 25 Jan 2013]. Northumberland.gov.uk (n.d.) Landscape Character Assessment. [online] Available at: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=662 [Accessed: 18 Jan 2013]. Sytimescapes.org.uk (1986) Assarted Enclosure | South Yorkshire Historic Environment Characterisation. [online] Available at: http://www.sytimescapes.org.uk/zones/barnsley/B02 [Accessed: 26 Jan 2013].

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