LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY, PANSHANGER
Transcript of LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY, PANSHANGER
LANDSCAPE VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: KEY REPRESENTATIVE VIEWPOINTS AND METHODOLOGYMAY 2021
LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY, PANSHANGER
2 LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA
ISSUE SHEET
JOB NAME: LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY, PANSHANGER
JOB NUMBER: D2972
CLIENT: HOMES ENGLAND
REVISION DATE REVISION DETAILS PREPARED BY CHECKED BY APPROVED BY
DRAFT 11.05.2021 DRAFT FOR CLIENT TEAM REVIEW JB / CAM LS LS
3LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA 3
CONTENTS
1.0 introduction 41.1 introduction 41.2 LVIA methodology summary 41.3 desktop research 41.4 fieldwork 4
2.0 key representative viewpoints 62.1 introduction 62.2 visual assessment summary 6
APPENDIX 1 18fabrik LVIA Methodology
4 LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA
1.1 INTRODUCTION
fabrik Chartered Landscape Architects as part of the RegenCo group have been appointed by Homes England to carry out a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)ofthelandnortheastofWelwynGardenCityatPanshanger(theSite)anditssurrounding area, in order to consider the likely physical and visual impacts arising as a result of the proposed development.
ThisdocumentsetsoutthekeyrepresentativeviewpointsandLVIAmethodologytobeagreedwithOfficersatWelwynHatfieldBoroughCouncil.
ThelocationandextentoftheSiteisshownontheplanopposite.ItcurrentlylieswithintheGreenBeltandpredominantlyonthenorthernhalfofaformeraerodrome.TheSiteisboundbytheB1000,MoneyHoleLaneandassociateddwellings,surrounding agriculture / pastureland, scrubland and trees to the north; farmland totheeast(beyondwhichliesPanshangerParkRegisteredParkandGarden);theconsentedPhase1developmentassociatedwiththeSitetothesouthandsouth-west;andthewelltreedcorridorofHernsLanetothewest.
TheSiteliespredominantlyonalocalisedplateauandgentlyslopesnorthwards.Thenorth-westernparceloftheSiteslopesmoresteeplyandformsthevalleyslopestotheRiverMimran.PROWBridleway062runsnorth-souththroughthewesternsectionoftheSiteandfootpath021followstheeasternboundary.
Varyingwidthsofvegetation(predominantlytreeswithunderstoreyplantingorovergrownhedgerows)followthenorthern,easternandwesternboundary.TheSiteistypifiedbytheopengrassland/regenerativescrublandoftheformeraerodrome;tothewestatriangularwoodlandareaandinformalopenspace,witharablelandtothenorth-westerncornerfieldparcel.Theeasternsiteboundaryisdefinedbyaclippedhedgerow.
1.2 LVIA METHODOLOGY SUMMARY
LVIAisaniterativeprocess.Thefinaldocumentwillsetoutlandscapepolicy(togetherwithanyrelatedpolicyonecologicalandheritageassets)andanysupportingSPG’s/SPD’sandwillthengoesontodescribetheconstituentbaselinelandscapeelements(theexistingtopography,drainage,landcover,vegetationpattern,publicrightsofway,landscape features, detracting landscape elements, the history of the landscape and thewaythatlandscapeisexperienced)whichtogetherinformlandscapecharacter,landscapeconditionandvalue.TheLVIAwillthendescribethebaselinecharacterandamenityoftheidentifiedvisualreceptors(consideringthevisualenvelope,thedifferentgroupsofpeople,placesaffected,thenatureoftheviewandthevisualamenity).The landscape constraints and opportunities are then set out to inform the proposed development. Any additional mitigation measures to those embedded into the scheme, alongsideanyassumptionswhichhaveinformedtheassessmentofeffectsaresetoutafterthedescriptionoftheproposeddevelopment.Theeffectsoftheproposeddevelopmentwillthenbeconsideredagainsteachofthelandscapeandvisualreceptors relative to the particular stages of the project. The penultimate section of this LVIA sets out a statement on policy compliance.
ThemethodologyfortheLVIAisbasedonthe‘GuidelinesforLandscapeandVisualImpactAssessment’(thirdedition)bytheLandscapeInstituteandInstituteofEnvironmentalManagementandAssessment(Routledge,2013).Afullmethodologyisset out at Appendix 1.
1.3 DESKTOP RESEARCH
ThedesktopsurveycarriedoutaspartoftheLVIAhasincludedthereviewofOrdnanceSurveymaps,interactivemaps,aerialphotography,publishedlandscapecharacter assessment documents, landscape capacity assessments, planning policy and the emerging development proposals. The extent of the baseline and therefore theimpactappraisalisbroadlydefinedbytheZoneofTheoreticalVisualInfluence(ZTVI)asdeterminedbytheinitialdeskstudyandverifiedinthefieldandthereforeextendstoapproximately1.8kmfromtheSite.
Thedesktopassessmentalsoidentifiesanylikelychangestothecurrentbaselinesituationwhicharelikelytobeinplacepriortotheproposeddevelopmentproceeding.
1.4 FIELD WORK
ThefieldworkhasbeencarriedouttorecordtheexistinglandscapeelementswithintheSite;thecontextuallandscapeelements;andidentifiedaseriesofkeyvisualreceptors.ThevisualassessmentincludesaphotographicsurveyoftheSitetakenfromaseriesofrepresentativekeyviews,chosentorepresentarangeoflocationsincludingbothpublicandprivateviews,distancesanddirectionsaroundtheSite.TheselectionofviewsisbroadlybasedontheLVIAESChapterpreparedforthePhase1developmenttothesouthoftheSite.Theweatherconditionsandcameralensehavebeen recorded.
INTRODUCTION1.0
5LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA
SITE BOUNDARYREP
RO
DU
CED
FR
OM
OR
DN
AN
CE
SURV
EY D
IGIT
AL
MA
P D
ATA
© C
RO
WN
CO
PYR
IGH
T 2
015
. ALL
RIG
HTS
RES
ERV
ED. L
ICEN
CE
NU
MB
ER 1
00
02
24
32
FIGURE 1.1 – EXTRACT FROM ORDNANCE SURVEY PLAN SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE APPLICATION SITE (FABRIK, 2021)
LEGEND
6 LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA 6
2.1 INTRODUCTION
TheextenttowhichtheSiteisvisiblefromthesurroundinglandscapeisbasedon grading of degrees of visibility. It is determined from a visual inspection of the ApplicationSiteanditscontextfromroads,publicrightsofway,residentialproperties,areas of open space, commercial / employment and community buildings / visitor attractions.ItalsoconsidersthevisualrelationshipbetweentheSiteandthesurrounding landscape and heritage designations.
Seasonalchangeinexistingevergreenanddeciduousplantmaterialwillaffecttheavailableviews.Typicallyviewswillbedifferentthroughtheseasonswithagreatersenseofenclosureinthesummermonthswhendeciduoustreesareinleaf.
PhotographsforthevisualassessmentwerecarriedoutinApril2021andrepresentearlyspringviewspredominantlybeforeleavesonthetreeshademerged.
TheplanthatfollowsshowstheactualvisualsummaryoftheexistingSitefromthelocalenvironmentandincludes1-19viewsfromwithinthelandscapeandtownscape.ThephotographsaretakeninlinewiththeLandscapeInstitute’sTechnicalGuidanceNote6/19VisualRepresentationofDevelopmentProposals(LandscapeInstitute,2019).BothpanoramasandA3photoswillbeincludedintheLVIA.Forthepurposesof this document, the panoramas have been included.
PhotographsaretakenusingaNikonDSLRcamerawitha35mmlens(anda2/3rdssensor)toachieveanequivalent52.5mmfocallength.Thevisibilityonthedaysofthevisualinspectionandtheeyeheightofthephotographerwillberecorded.
2.2 VISUAL ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
OpenandpartialviewsoftheSitearelimitedtotheimmediatesettingandlocallandscape. Residential receptors on the existing settlement edge to the south of theSiteexperienceopenviewsacrosstheformeraerodrome,withinthecentreandeastoftheSite.OpenandpartialviewsaresimilarlyexperiencedfromtheroadnetworkimmediatelyadjacenttotheSite,fromtheBridlewaywhichcrossesthroughthewesternsectionoftheSiteandthePublicRightofWay(PRoW)whichformstheeastern boundary.
Fromthelocallandscape,viewsarelimitedtolocationsontheelevatedsouthfacinghillsidetothenorthoftheSite,withopenandpartialviewsfromthenetworkofPRoW,roadnetworkandsouthernsettlementedgeofTewin.TheSiteisvisiblewithinthecontextoftheadjacentarableandpastoralfields,woodlandblocksandtreedhedgerowsandagainstthebackdropoftheexistingresidentialedgeofWelwynGardenCity.Theslopinglandformisapparent,asarethedwellingswhicharesituatedtothesouthoftheSiteandtogetherwithadjacenttreesandwoodland,formkey skyline features.
KEY REPRESENTATIVE VIEWPOINTS2.0
Summary of Visual Receptor Types and Associated Viewpoint Reference
Visual Receptor Type Key Representative Viewpoint Reference
Residential 6,10,16,17,19
Transientfromroads,railwayandassociatedpavements(Receptors in vehicles, on bike and foot)
3,6,13,16,17,20
TransientfromPublicRightsofWay(Receptors on foot, bike and horseback)
2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11, 12, 14, 18
Education 19
PublicOpenSpace 15,19
Heritage assets 5,10
RegisteredParkandGarden 13
7LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA 7
FIGURE 2.1 – LOCATION PLAN SHOWING VISUAL SUMMARY FROM LOCAL AREA (FABRIK, 2021)
SITE BOUNDARY
LEGEND
LOCATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWPOINT – OPEN VIEW (AN OPEN VIEW OF THE WHOLE OF THE SITE OR OPEN VIEW OF PART OF THE SITE).21
LOCATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWPOINT – TRUNCATED VIEW (VIEWS OF THE SITE ARE OBSCURED BY THE INTERVENING BUILT FORM AND / OR VEGETATION, OR IS DIFFICULT TO PERCEIVE).
21
LOCATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWPOINT – PARTIAL VIEW (A VIEW OF THE SITE WHICH FORMS A SMALL PART OF THE WIDER PANORAMA, OR WHERE VIEWS ARE FILTERED BETWEEN INTERVENING BUILT FORM OR VEGETATION).
21
REP
RO
DU
CED
FR
OM
OR
DN
AN
CE
SURV
EY D
IGIT
AL
MA
P D
ATA
© C
RO
WN
CO
PYR
IGH
T 2
015
. ALL
RIG
HTS
RES
ERV
ED. L
ICEN
CE
NU
MB
ER 1
00
02
24
32
1
3 4
5
6
7 8
9
1011
12
1413
15
16
17
19
20
18
2
18 LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA
A1.1 INTRODUCTION
ThemethodologyemployedincarryingoutanLVIAoftheSiteandschemeproposals,isdrawnfromtheLandscapeInstituteandtheInstituteofEnvironmentalManagementandAssessment’s“GuidelinesforLandscapeandVisualImpactAssessment”(GLVIA3)ThirdEdition(Routledge2013).Themethodadoptedisproportionatetotheproposals.
Thetermlandscapeisdefinedasanareaperceivedbypeople,whosecharacteris the result of the action and interaction of nature and / or human factors. It results fromthewaythatdifferentcomponentsofourenvironment–bothnaturalandcultural/ historical interact together and are perceived by us. The term does not mean just special, valued or designated landscapes and it does not only apply to the countryside. Thedefinitionoflandscapecanbeclassifiedas:
• Alltypesofrurallandscape,fromhighmountainsandwildcountrysidetourbanfringe farmland (rural landscapes);
• Marine and coastal landscapes (seascapes); and• Thelandscapeofvillages,townsandcities(townscapes). TheLVIAwillprovideadescriptionofthebaselineconditionsandsetouthowthestudyareaandSieeappears,orwouldappear,priortotheproposeddevelopment.Thebaselineassessmentwillthenbeusedtopredictthelandscapeandvisualimpacts arising from the proposed development. The assessment of impact is carried out as part of the iterative design process in order to build in mitigation measures to reducetheimpactsasmuchaspossible.Theimpactassessmentwillidentifyandassesseffectsduringthestagesoftheproposeddevelopment(andinthecaseofthisSite,theinitialsiteenablingandconstructionstagesandthenattheoperationalphases or decommissioning, restoration and aftercare stages).
ThephotographyandpreparationofanyVisuallyVerifiedMontages(VVMs)willbepreparedinaccordancewithTechnicalGuidanceNote06/19onVisualRepresentationofDevelopmentProposals(LandscapeInstitute,17September2019).
A1.2 SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF LVIA METHODOLOGY
Landscapeandvisualassessmentsareseparate,althoughlinked,procedures.Forexample, often the assemblage of landscape elements contributes to informing the ZoneofTheoreticalVisibilityandthedegreeofvisibilityfromtherangeofvisualreceptors.
Thebaselineassessmentwilldescribe:
• Eachofthelandscapeelementswhichthencollectivelyinformlandscapecharacterfor the site and its context;
• Thecharacter,amenityanddegreeofopennessoftheviewfromarangeofvisualreceptors(eithertransient,serialorstaticviews);
• The current and future baseline scenarios; and• The value of each of the landscape and visual receptors.
Landscapeeffectsderivefromeitherdirectorin-directchangestothephysicallandscapewhichmaygiverisetochangestotheindividuallandscapecomponents.Thisinturneffectsthelandscapecharacterandpotentiallychangeshowthe
landscape is experienced and valued.
Visualeffectsrelatetothechangesthatariseinthecomposition,characterandamenityoftheviewasaresultofchangestothelandscapeelements.
Theassessmentofeffectsthereforesystematically:
• Combinesthevalueofthereceptorwiththesusceptibilitytotheproposedchangeto determine the sensitivity of the receptor;
• Combines the size, scale, geographic extent, duration of the proposals and its reversibility in order to understand the magnitude of the proposal;
• Combinesthesensitivityoftheeachofthereceptorsandthemagnitudeofeffecttodeterminethesignificanceoftheeffect;
• Presentsthelandscapeandvisualeffectsinafactuallogical,well-reasonedandobjective fashion;
• Indicates the measures proposed over and above those designed into the scheme toprevent/avoid,reduce,offset,remedy,compensatefortheeffects(mitigationmeasures)orwhichprovideanoveralllandscapeandvisualenhancement;
• Setsoutanyassumptionsconsideredthroughouttheassessmentofeffects;and• Setsoutresidualeffects.• Effectsmaybepositive(beneficial)ornegative(adverse)directorindirect,residual,
permanent or temporary short, medium or long term. They can also arise at differentscales(national,regional,localorsitelevel)andhavedifferentlevelsofsignificance(major,moderate,low,negligibleorneutral/nochange).
• Residualeffectsconsideranyadditionalmitigationmeasuresrequiredoverandabovethosedesignedintotheschemetoaddressspecificlandscapeandvisual sensitivities in place over and above the primary and secondary mitigation measuresproposed.Residualeffectsalsoconsiderthoseatyear15/20.Theprocessofassessingresidualeffectsisthesameasassessingtheprimaryeffects.
Thecombinationoftheabovefactorsinfluencestheprofessionaljudgementandopiniononthesignificanceofthelandscapeandvisualeffects.
Cumulativeeffectsofallotherknowndevelopmentwillalsobeconsidered(followingagreementwiththeLPAofthosedevelopmentstobeconsidered).
Thefollowingsectionssetoutinmoredetailtheassessmentprocessemployed.
A1.3 ESTABLISHING THE LANDSCAPE BASELINE
Desk and Field StudiesThe initial step is to identify the existing landscape and visual resource in the vicinity oftheproposeddevelopment–thebaselinelandscapeandvisualconditions.Thepurpose of baseline study is to record and analyse the existing landscape, in terms of its constituent elements, features, characteristics, geographic extent, historical and culturalassociations,condition,thewaythelandscapeisexperiencedandthevalue/importanceofthatparticularlandscape.Thebaselineassessmentwillalsoidentifyanypotentialchangeslikelytooccurinthelocallandscapeortownscapewhichwillchange the characteristics of either the site or its setting as part of the future baseline scenario.
A desk study has been carried out to establish the physical components of the local
landscapeandtobroadlyidentifytheboundariesofthestudyarea.Ordnancesurvey(OS)mapsanddigitaldatawillbeusedtosupplementOSinformation,whichtogethercombine to create a series of key characteristics and character areas. Vertical aerial photographyandGooglestreetviewwillbeusedtosupplementOSinformation.Atthisstage, any special designated landscapes or spatial planning designations (such as AreasofOutstandingNaturalBeauty,NationalParks,RegisteredParksandGardens,GreenBelt,ConservationAreas,ListedBuildings,AreasofSpecialCharacter);heritageorecologicalassetswillbeidentified.Areviewofinformationavailableintermsofanypublishedhistoriclandscapecharacterisationtogetherwithanyotherlandscape / capacity / urban fringe and visual related studies is carried out at this stage.
Landscape character assessment is the tool for classifying the landscape into distinct characterareasortypes,whichsharecommonfeaturesandcharacteristics.ThereisawellestablishedmethodologydevelopedintheUKbytheCountrysideAgencyandScottishNaturalHeritagein2002,whichhasbeensupersededinEnglandbyguidancepublishedbyNaturalEnglandin2014.Thenationalandregionallevelcharacterassessmentsareoftenavailableinpublisheddocuments.Howeverthelocal/districtorsitelevelsmayneedtobesetoutbasedonacombinationofdeskstudiesandfieldsurveywork.Thecharacterassessmentwillalsoidentifyenvironmentalandlandscapeopportunities,recentchanges,futuretrendsandforcesforchangewheretheymaybeimportantinrelationtotheproposal,especiallyconsideringhowthelandscapeappears,orwouldappearpriortothecommencementofdevelopment.Theconditionofthelandscape,i.e.thephysicalstateofanindividualareaoflandscape,willbedescribed as factually as possible. The assessment of landscape importance includes reference to policy or designations as an indicator of recognised value, including specificfeaturesorcharacteristicsthatjustifythedesignationofthearea.Thevalueofthatlandscapebydifferentstakeholdersorusergroupsmayalsoinfluencethebaseline assessment.
Thesedeskbasedstudiesarethenusedasabasisforverificationinthefield.Thefieldbasedassessmentalsoconsiderstheperceptualqualitiesofthelandscape,including tranquillity.
Judgements on the value of both the landscape and visual receptor are made at the baseline stage.
Landscape ValueValueisconcernedwiththerelativevalueorimportancethatisattachedtodifferentlandscapes. The baseline assessment considers any environmental, historical and culturalaspects,physicalandvisualcomponentstogetherwithanystatutoryandnon-statutorydesignationsandtakesintoaccountothervaluestosociety,whichmaybeexpressedbythelocalcommunityorconsultees.Thetablessetoutonthefollowingpageareastartingpointforconsiderationinthefield.Thelandscapedesignationsaretobeconsideredintermsoftheir‘meaning’totoday’scontext.Thefollowingtablesetsoutthecriteriaanddefinitionsusedinthebaselineassessmenttodeterminelandscape value (in addition to condition / quality). Wherever possible information and opinionsonlandscapevalueistobesoughtthroughdiscussionswithconsultees,stakeholders and user groups.
FABRIK LVIA METHODOLOGY APPENDIX 1
19LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA
A1.4 ESTABLISHING IN THE VISUAL BASELINE
Desk and Field StudiesThevisualbaselinerecordstheinternalSitearrangementsandkeyviewsoutfromtheSitetowardslandscapeorbuiltfeatures,butalsoestablishestheareainwhichtheSiteandtheproposeddevelopmentmaybevisible,thedifferentgroupsofpeoplewhomayexperiencetheviews,theplaceswheretheywillbeaffectedandthenature,characterandamenityofthoseviews.
The area of study for the visual assessment is determined through identifying the areafromwhichtheexistingSiteandproposalmaybevisible(theZoneofTheoreticalVisibilityorZTV).ThebaselineZTVoftheSitewillbedeterminedthrougheithermanualtopographicalanalysis(acombinationofdeskandfieldbasedanalysiswhichareconsideredappropriateforLandscapeandVisualAppraisalsandprojectsbelowtheEIAthreshold)ordigitalmappingbasedonbareearthmodelling,(whichdonottakeaccountoffeaturessuchasvegetationorbuiltform)constructingamapshowingtheareawheretheproposalmaytheoreticallybevisible.Theextentofthemappingwilldependonthetypeofproposal.Theactualextentofvisibilityischeckedinthefield(bothinthesummerandwintermonthsiftheprojecttimescalesallow)torecordthescreeningeffectofbuildings,walls,fences,trees,hedgerowsandbanksnotidentifiedintheinitialbaregroundmappingstageandtoprovideanaccuratebaselineassessmentofvisibility.ViewpointswithintheZTVshouldalsobeidentifiedduringthedeskassessment,andtheviewpointsusedforphotographsselectedtodemonstratetherelativevisibilityoftheSite(andanyexistingdevelopmentonitanditsrelationshipwiththesurroundinglandscapeandbuiltforms).Theselectionofarangeofkeyviewpointswillbebasedonthefollowingcriteriafordeterminationinthefield:
• Therequirementtoprovideanevenspreadofrepresentative,specific,illustrativeorstatic/kinetic/sequential/transientviewpointswithintheZTVandaroundallsidesoftheSite;
• Fromlocationswhichrepresentarangeofnear,middleandlongdistanceviews(althoughthemostdistantviewsmaybediscountedintheimpactassessmentifitisjudgedthatvisibilitywillbeextremelylimited);
• Viewsfromsensitivereceptorswithindesignated,historicorculturallandscapesor heritageassets(suchasfromwithinWorldHeritageSites;adjacenttoListed Buildings-andco-ordinatedwiththeheritageconsultant-NationalParks,AreasofOutstandingNaturalBeautyorRegisteredParksandGardens)keytouristlocationsandpublicvantagepoints(suchasviewpointsidentifiedonOSmaps);
• Theinclusionofstrategic/important/designedviewsandvistasidentifiedinpublished documents;
• Theselectionofviewpointsconsideringcumulativeviewsoftheproposeddevelopmentinconjunctionwithotherdevelopments(asagreedbetweentheparties).
TABLE A1.1 – LANDSCAPE VALUE CRITERIA
CRITERIA
HIGH LANDSCAPE VALUE
• Anexceptionallandscapewithoutstandingperceptualqualitiesandsenseofplace(iswildandtranquil).Anareathatiswhollyintact,naturalandhashighscenicqualities.Itcontains rare elements and features;
• Lieswhollywithinadesignatedlandscapewherelocalisedcharacterandscenicvalueisdistinct.ThelandscapemayincludeWorldHeritageSites,NationalParks,AreasofOutstandingNaturalBeautyorHeritageCoastorkeyelements/featuresthatarerepresentative;togetherwithanynon-statutorydesignations.Alternatively,thelandscapemaybeun-designatedbutisvaluedasitcomprisesallofthekeyelementsthatarewhollyrepresentativeofpublishedlandscapecharacterassessmentsandwhich,forexample,identifynationallyorlocallysignificantnatural,historical,artisticorculturalconnectionswhichassistininformingtheidentifyofalocalarea(suchas‘ConstableCountry’or‘JurassicCoast’).Specificcomponentsofthelandscape,oraspecifictractoflandmaybevaluedatthelocallevelasidentifiedthroughNeighbourhoodPlansorengagementwithlocalstakeholders;
• An area that is valued for its recreational activity;• Includeskeyorprotectedviews;• Areas designated and protected for archaeological, historical, cultural, geological or biological interest and conservation;• Alandscapethatcontainsparticularcharacteristicsorelementsparticularlyimportanttothecharacterofthearea,orwherethetypicalcharacteroftheareaisrepresentedin
individual areas;• Verygoodorgoodconditionoverallwithappropriatemanagementforlanduseandlandcover,orwithsomescopetoimprovecertainelements;• Openspaceswhichhavewonawardsfordesignorquality;• No or limited detracting features.
MEDIUM LANDSCAPE VALUE
• Anordinarylandscapeandwithsomeperceptualqualities.Includessomeintactnaturalareasandattributes,inpartscenicorwherescenicqualitiesaredegradedanddemonstratesadegreeofwildnessandtranquillity.
• Thearealieswhollyorpartiallyinadesignatedlandscape.ThelandscapemayincludelocaldesignationssuchasSpecialLandscapeAreas,AreasofGreatLandscapeValue,StrategicorLocalGaps;orun-designatedbutvalueexpressedthroughregionalorlocalnatural,historicaland/orculturalassociations;orthroughdemonstrableusebythelocalcommunityforrecreation(suchaslocalgreenspaces,villagegreensorallotments);togetherwithanynon-statutorydesignations.Alternatively,thelandscapemaybevaluedasitdemonstratessomelocallydistinctivelandscapeelementsidentifiedinlandscapecharacterassessment;
• Anareathatismoderatelyvaluedforitsrecreationactivitywheretheexperienceofthelandscapeplaysasmallpart;• Areas locally designated and protected for archaeological, historical, cultural, geological or biological interest and conservation; • Distinguishablelandscapestructure,withsomecharacteristicpatternsandelementsmoderatelyimportanttothecharacterofthearea;• Typical,commonplacefarmedlandscapewithlimitedvarietyordistinctiveness;• Openspacesorotherfeaturesidentifiedonalocallist;• Good-ordinarycondition,withsomehighqualityelementsandscopetoimprovemanagement;• Scopetoimprovemanagement;• Somedetractingfeatures.
LOW LANDSCAPE VALUE
• Apoorlandscapewithlimitedperceptualqualities(limitednaturalattributes,senseofwildnessandtranquillity);• Generallyun-designated.Certainindividuallandscapeelementsorfeaturesidentifiedinlandscapecharacterassessmentsmaybeworthyofconservationoralandscape
thatwouldbenefitfromrestorationorenhancement(suchaslocalparksandopenspaces).Alternatively,thelandscapemaybevaluedthroughthelandscapecharacterassessmentapproachwheresomekeyqualitiesaredefined;
• Anareawherethelandscapeplaysalimitedroleintheexperienceofrecreationactivities;• Monotonous,weak,uniformordegradedlandscapewhichhaslostmostofit’snaturalfeaturesandwherethelandcoverareoftenmaskedbylanduse;• Lack of management and intervention has resulted in degradation;• Ordinary-poorconditionwithlackofmanagementandinterventionhasresultedindegradation;• Frequentdominantdetractingfeatures;• Disturbedorderelictlandrequirestreatment.
20 LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA
Desk and Field Studies Continued Viewsfromthefollowingaretobeincludedinthevisualassessment:• Individualprivatedwellings.Thesearetobecollatedasrepresentativeviewpoints
asitmaynotbepracticaltovisitallpropertiesthatmightbeaffected;• Keypublicbuildings,whererelevant(i.e.libraries,hospitals,churches,community
halls etc);• Transientviewsfrompublicviewpoints(i.e.fromroads,railwaylinesandPublic
RightsofWay-includingtouristorscenicroutesandassociatedviewpoints);• Areas of publicly accessible green space (i.e. public open space, open access land,
recreation grounds, country parks, visitor attractions, tourist destinations or scenic viewpoints);and
• Placesofemployment,aretobeincludedintheassessmentwhererelevant. ThefinalselectionofthekeyviewpointsforinclusionintheLVIAwillbebasedproportionately in relation to the scale and nature of the development proposals and likelysignificanteffectsandinagreementwiththeLPA.
Thevisualassessmentrecords:• Thecharacterandamenityoftheview,includingtopographic,geologicaland
drainagefeatures,woodland,treeandhedgerowcover,landuse,fieldboundaries,artefacts,accessandrightsofway,directionofviewandpotentialseasonalscreeningeffectsandanyskylineelementsorfeatures.
• Thetypeofview,whetherobliqueordirect;panoramicorvistas.• The extent of visibility of the range of receptors is based on a grading of degrees of
visibility,fromavisualinspectionofthesiteandsurroundingarea.Therewillbeacontinuityofdegreeofvisibilityrangingfromnoviewofthesite(truncated)tofullyopenviews.Viewsarerecorded,evenifviewsaretruncatedoftheexistingSite,astheproposeddevelopmentmaybevisibleintheseviews.Toindicatethedegreeofvisibilityofthesitefromanylocation,threecategoriesareused:
a Open View: Anopen,unobstructedandclearviewofasignificantproportionofthegroundplaneofthesite;oritsboundaryelements;oraclearviewofpartoftheSiteanditscomponent elements in close proximity.
b Partial View: Aviewofpartofthesite,afilteredorglimpsedviewoftheSite,oradistantviewwheretheSiteisperceivedasasmallpartofthewiderview;
c Truncated View: NoviewoftheSiteortheSiteisdifficulttoperceive.
Followingthefieldsurvey(whichshouldcoverideallybothwinterandsummerviews)theextenttowhichthesiteisvisiblefromthesurroundingareawillbemapped.APhotographicViewpointPlanwillbepreparedtoillustratetherepresentative,specificandillustrativeviewsinto/towardsandwithintheSite(ifpubliclyaccessible)andthedegreeofvisibilityofthesitenoted.ThisPlanwillbeincludedinaKeyViewsdocumentforagreementwiththeLocalPlanningAuthorityandanyotherstatutoryconsulteesaspartoftheconsultationprocess.Thevisualassessmentwillincludeaseriesofannotatedphotographs,thelocationandextentofthesitewithintheviewtogetherwithidentifyingthecharacterandamenityoftheview,alongsideanyspecificelements or important component features such as landform, buildings or vegetation ordetractingfeatureswhichinterrupt,filterorotherwiseinfluenceviews.ThephotographwillalsobeannotatedwiththeValueattributedtothereceptororgroupofreceptors.
Bytheendofthisstageofthecombinedlandscapeandvisualsitestudy,itwillbepossibletoadvise,inlandscapeandvisualterms,onanyspecificmitigationmeasuresrequired in terms of the developments preferred siting, layout and design.
Value of Visual ReceptorsJudgementsonthevalueattachedtotheviewsexperiencedarebasedonthefollowingcriteria.
TABLE A1.2 – VALUE ATTACHED TO VIEWS
VALUE CRITERIA
HIGH Viewsfromandtolandscapes/viewpointsofnationalimportance,orhighlypopularvisitorattractionswheretheviewformsasignificantrolein the visual experience, and / or has nationally recognised cultural associations.ThismayincluderesidentialreceptorsinListedBuildingswheretheprimaryelevationofthedwellingisorientatedtotakeadvantageofaparticularview(forexampleacrossaRegisteredParkandGardenorNationalPark).
MEDIUM Viewsfromandtolandscapes/viewpointsofregional/districtimportanceormoderatelypopularvisitorattractionswheretheviewforms part of the experience, and / or has local cultural associations. Thismayincluderesidentialreceptorswheretheprimaryelevationofthedwellingisorientatedtotakeadvantageofaparticularview.
LOW Viewsfromandtolandscapes/viewpointswithnodesignation,notparticularlyimportantandwithminimalornoculturalassociations.Thismayincludeviewsfromtherearelevationofresidentialproperties.
A1.5 PREDICTING & DESCRIBING THE LANDSCAPE & VISUAL EFFECTS
Anassessmentofvisualeffectdealswiththechangeonthecharacterandamenityarising from the proposal on the range of visual receptors.
Theassessmentofeffectsaimsto:
• Identifysystematicallyandseparatelythelikelylandscapeandvisualeffectsoftheproposed development;
• Identifythecomponentsandelementsofthelandscapethatarelikelytobeaffectedby the proposed development;
• Identifyinteractionsbetweenthelandscapereceptorsandthedifferentcomponentsofthedevelopmentatallitsdifferentstages(e.g.enabling,construction,operation,restoration etc);
• Indicate the secondary mitigation measures over and above those already designed into the scheme proposed to avoid, reduce, remedy or compensate for these effects;
• Estimatethemagnitudeoftheeffectsasaccuratelyaspossibleandconsideringthis in relation to the sensitivity of the receptor; and
• Provideanassessmentofthesignificanceoftheseeffectsinalogicalandwell-reasoned fashion.
Havingestablishedthevalueofthelandscapeandvisualreceptor,theeffectsarethenconsideredinrelationtothemagnitudeofchange,whichincludesthesize/scale,geographicalextentoftheareasinfluencedandtheduration,permanenceandreversibility.
Whereverpossibletablesormatriceswillbeused,linkedwiththeschemeproposals(i.e.parameterplansordetailedplans)sothatthelandscapeandvisualeffectsarerecordedandquantifiedinasystematicandlogicalmanner.ConsiderationisgiventotheimpactsduringSiteenabling,constructionandthenagainatthecompletionofdevelopmentatYear1andagainatYear15/atmaturity(torepresentshort,mediumandlongtermeffects)sothattheresidualeffectsofthedevelopmentaftermitigationareidentified.Assumptionsorlimitationstotheassessmentwillalsobesetout.
Effectswillincludethedirectand/orindirectimpactsofthedevelopmentonindividuallandscapeelements/featuresaswellastheeffectuponthegenerallandscapecharacter and visual receptors.
Landscape SusceptibilityLandscape susceptibility is evaluated by its ability to accommodate the proposed change(i.e.thedegreetowhichthelandscapeisabletoaccommodatetheproposedchangewithoutundueconsequencesforthemaintenanceofthebaselinesituationand / or the achievement of landscape planning policies and strategies) as set out in Table A1.2.
As part of the assessment of the landscape character and its component parts, conclusionswillbedrawnastotheoverallsusceptibilityofthelandscape/landscapeelements and visual environment to the type of development proposed. Existing landscapecapacityassessmentsmayformastartingpointfortherefinementoftheassessmentoflandscapesusceptibilityatthelocalandSitelevel.
21LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA
TABLE A1.3 – LANDSCAPE SUSCEPTIBILITY CRITERIA
SUSCEPTIBILITY CRITERIA
HIGH Alandscapeortownscapeparticularlysusceptibletotheproposedchange,whichwouldresultinsignificantnegativeorpositiveeffectsonlandscapecharacter,value,featuresorindividual elements.
MEDIUM Alandscapeortownscapecapableofacceptingsomeoftheproposedchangewithsomenegativeorpositiveeffectsonlandscape character, value, features or elements.
LOW Alandscapeortownscapecapableofaccommodatingtheproposedchangewithoutsignificantnegativeorpositiveeffectsonlandscapecharacter,value,featuresorelements.
Landscape Sensitivity The assessment of landscape sensitivity is then combined through a judgement on the value attributed to that landscape receptor / component and the susceptibility of the landscapereceptortotheproposedchangeusingthefollowingmatrix.
TABLE A1.4 - LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY
LANDSCAPE RECEPTOR SUSCEPTIBILITY
HIGH MEDIUM LOW
LANDSCAPE VALUE
HIGH HIGH HIGH - MEDIUM MEDIUM
MEDIUM HIGH - MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM - LOW
LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM - LOW LOW - NEGLIGIBLE
Visual SusceptibilityThesusceptibilityofthedifferenttypesofvisualreceptorstothechangesproposedisbasedontheoccupationoftheactivityofthevieweratagivenlocation;andtheextenttowhichthepersonsattentionorinterestmaybefocussedonaview,consideringthevisualcharacterandamenityexperiencedatagivenview.Thecriteriausedtoassessthesusceptibilityofavisualreceptorissetoutbelow.
TABLE A1.5 – VISUAL SUSCEPTIBILITY CRITERIA
Susceptibility Criteria
HIGH Peopleparticularlysusceptibletotheproposedchangebecausetheyhaveaparticularinterestintheview,and/orwithprolongedviewingopportunityofthesite/proposeddevelopment,suchas:
• Residentswithdirect/clear/openviewsofthesite;• ThoseusingPublicRightsofWay,Accessland,
Commonsoroutdoorrecreationfacilities,whereviewsarean important contributor to the experience;
• Thosewithviewsfromdesignatedlandscapesandheritageassets,orviewsdescribedinliterature,wheretheviewsofthesurroundingsareanimportantcontributorto the experience;
• Thoseusingdescribed/publishedscenicrouteswhereviewscontributetotheenjoymentandqualityofthejourney;
• Thosewithclearviewsofareaswithinoraroundthesite,thatcontributetolandscapesetting,and/orwhichareenjoyed by the community.
Susceptibility Criteria
MEDIUM Peoplepartiallysusceptibletotheproposedchangebecausetheyhaveamoderateinterestintheview,and/orwithsomeviewingopportunityofthesite/proposeddevelopment,suchas:
• Thosewithanobliqueorlimitedviewtowardthesite,whichmayincludesomeresidents;
• ThosetravellingthroughthelandscapeonroadsorPublicRightsofWay,orthroughAccessland/Commonswhereviewsarepartlyconstrained,orwhereviewsonlypartlycontribute to the experience;
• Thoseusingoutdoorrecreationfacilities,whereviewsare incidental or not important to their enjoyment of that activity.
• Those using roads that are not described/not published scenicroutes,butwheretheappreciationoftheviewpartly contributes to the enjoyment and quality of that journey. Those travelling by train or other transport modes;
• Thosewithpartialviewsofareaswithinoraroundthesite,thatcontributetolandscapesetting,and/orwhichareenjoyed by the community.
LOW Peoplewithlimitedsusceptibilitytotheproposedchangebecausetheyhavemomentary,orlittleinterestintheviewandtheirsurroundings,and/orbecausetheyhavelittleviewingopportunityofthesite/proposeddevelopment,suchas:
• Thosewithveryoblique,limitedordistantviewsofthesite,whichmayincludesomeresidents;
• Those travelling through the landscape on roads or PublicRightsofWay,orthroughAccessland/Commonswhereviewsarelargelyconstrained(forexamplewithinoralongsideawoodland);orwhereviewsmakealimitedcontribution to the experience;
• Peopleengagedinoutdoorsport,whoseattentionisfocused on their activity;
• Peopleattheirworkplace,whoseattentionisfocusedontheir employment;
• Travellerswheretheviewisfleeting(forexample,duetothespeedoftheroad,orboundaryvegetation)orwhereviewsareincidentaltotheexperienceofthejourney;
• Longdistanceviewswherethesiteandproposeddevelopmentformasmallpartofthewiderpanorama.
TABLE A1.7 - MAGNITUDE OF LANDSCAPE & VISUAL EFFECTS
MAGNITUDE ELEMENTS
SIZE / SCALE GEOGRAPHIC EXTENT DURATION AND PERMANENCE
REVERSIBILITY OVERALL MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE
Significantchangetothelandscapeelements,keycharacteristicfeaturesandperceptualqualities;Significantchangetoaopenorpartialview(staticortransient).Amajor change overall.
Proposaleffectswidersettingadistrictorregionallevel;effectstheSitelevelorimmediatesettingtotheSite;effectsasingleorseverallandscapecharacterareas.
Middledistanceorcloserange;directorobliqueviews;readily noticeable perceived change.
Permanentor Temporary (Long, medium or short term)
Irreversible or Reversible
High - Medium
Somechangetothelandscapeelements,keycharacteristic features and perceptual qualities; Moderate orsignificantchangetostaticortransient,partialview.Amoderate change overall.
SiteorimmediatesettingtotheSite;effectsasingleorseveral landscape character areas.
Middledistanceviews;directorobliqueviews;partiallyobscuredviews;moderatelyperceivedchange.
Permanentor Temporary (Long, medium or short term)
Irreversible or Reversible
Medium - Low
Smallchangetothelandscapeelements,keycharacteristicfeaturesandperceptualqualities;Smallchangetoastaticortransientpartialorglimpsedview.Aminor change overall.
Site,immediatesettingtotheSite,orwidersetting;covering a single landscape character area.
Distantviews;veryoblique;smallperceivedchange.
Permanentor Temporary (Long, medium or short term)
Irreversible or Reversible
Low
Small,imperceptiblechange.Negligible. All of the above Permanentor Temporary (Long, medium or short term)
Irreversible or Reversible
Negligible
IfthereisnochangetothelandscapeorvisualreceptorthentheoverallmagnitudeofchangewillbeNeutral.
22 LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA
Visual SensitivityThe sensitivity of visual receptor is based on the professional judgement combining the value and susceptibility to change on that visual receptor.
TABLE A1.6 - VISUAL SENSITIVITY
VISUAL RECEPTOR SUSCEPTIBILITY
HIGH MEDIUM LOW
VALUE OF VISUAL RECEPTOR
HIGH HIGH HIGH - MEDIUM MEDIUM
MEDIUM HIGH - MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW
LOW MEDIUM LOW LOW - NEGLIGIBLE
A1.6 MAGNITUDE OF LANDSCAPE & VISUAL EFFECTS
Magnitude is to be determined relative to the size, scale, geographic extent, duration, permanence and reversibility of the individual project through the application of professional judgement and opinion.
Typically,thefollowingareused:
Size and Scale:relatestothecombinationofthefollowing(andarelinkedtothedescriptionssetoutundertableA1.9):
• theextentofexistinglandscapeelementsthatwilllost(toproportionofthetotalextent that is lost) and the contribution that the element has to landscape character;
• thedegreetowhichaestheticorperceptualaspectsofthelandscapearealtered;• whethertheeffectchangesthekeycharacteristicsofthelandscape(additionor
removal of features and elements)• thesizeandscaleofchangeintheview(withrespecttothelossoradditionof
featuresintheview)andchangestothecomposition,includingtheproportionoftheviewoccupiedbytheproposeddevelopment;
• thedegreeofcontrastorintegrationofanynewfeaturesorchangesinthelandscapewiththeexistingorremaininglandscapeelementsandcharacteristicterms of form, scale, mass, line, height, colour and texture;
• thenatureoftheviewoftheproposeddevelopment,intermsofrelativeamountoftimeoverwhichitwillbeexperiencedandwhetherviewswillbeopen,partial,glimpsed.
Geographic Extent:Inrelationtolandscapeeffects,thisistoconsiderthegeographicareaoverwhichthelandscapeeffectswillbefeltrelativetotheproposal;effectslimitedtothesitelevel;effectsontheimmediatesetting;effectsrelatingtothescaleofthelandscapetypeorcharacterarea(district,regionalornationallevel);effectsonalargerscalesuchasinfluencingseverallandscapecharacterareas.
Inrelationtovisualreceptors,thegeographicextentistoreflecttheangleoftheview;thedistanceoftheviewpoint;theextentoftheareaoverwhichthechangeswouldbevisible.
Duration, Permanence and Reversibility: Construction impacts are likely to be short term,temporary,butseethestartofapermanentchange.Operationaleffectsarelikelytobelongterm,permanentandeitherirreversibleorreversible.Shorttermisconsideredtobe0-2years;mediumterm5-10years;andlongterm10years+.
23LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA
A1.7 SIGNIFICANCE OF EFFECTS
Thetwoprincipalcriteriadeterminingthesignificanceofeffectsarethesensitivityofthereceptorandinrelationtothemagnitudeofeffect.Ahigherlevelofsignificanceisgenerally attached to the magnitude of change on a sensitive receptor; for example, alowmagnitudeofchangeonhighlysensitivereceptorcanbeofgreatersignificancethanveryhighmagnitudeofchangeonlowsensitivityreceptor.Therefore,whilstthe table opposite sets out a starting point for the assessment, it is important that a balancedandwellreasonedprofessionaljudgementofthesetwocriteriaisprovidedwithanexplanation.
Inordertodevelopthresholdsofsignificance,boththesensitivityofreceptorsandthemagnitudeofchangemustbeclassifiedforbothlandscapereceptorsandvisualreceptorsassetoutinthetablesbelow.Wherelandscapeeffectsarejudgedtobeadverse, additional mitigation or compensatory measures are to be considered. The significantlandscapeeffectsremainingaftermitigationarethentobesummarisedastheresidualeffects.
Effectswillbedescribedclearlyandobjectively,andtheextentanddurationofanynegative/positiveeffectsquantified,usingfourcategoriesofeffects,indicatingagradationfromhightolow.
TABLE A1.8 - COMBINATION OF SENSITIVITY AND MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS TO DETERMINE SIGNIFICANCE OF EFFECT
MAGNITUDELANDSCAPE AND VISUAL RECEPTOR SENSITIVITY
HIGH MEDIUM LOW
HIGHMAJOR MODERATE - MAJOR MODERATE
MEDIUMMODERATE - MAJOR MODERATE MODERATE MINOR
LOWMODERATE MODERATE MINOR MINOR
NEGLIGIBLENEGLIGIBLE NEGLIGIBLE NEGLIGIBLE
NEUTRALNEUTRAL NEUTRAL NEUTRAL
TheeffectssetoutbelowtheredlinearenotsignificantinEIAterms.
Thedegreeofeffectisgradedonthefollowingscaleinrelationtothesignificancecriteria above.
TABLE A1.9 - SIGNIFICANCE OF LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL EFFECTS
EFFECT SIGNIFICANCE
CRITERIA
MAJOR Significantchangetothelandscapeelements,keycharacteristicfeatures and perceptual qualities; Major change to a static open or partialview.
Negative:Wheretheproposalswouldcausethetotalorsignificantlossoforalterationtokeymaturelandscapeelementsand characteristic features; or introduce elements considered uncharacteristic of the area; a major deterioration in the character andamenityoftheviewintermsofperceptualqualitiesandwheretheproposalswouldresultinasignificantdeteriorationordominantelementtocloseormediumdistanceviews,ormorenotablechangeinmoredistantviews,consideringthecharacterandamenityoftheviewfromarangeofvisualreceptors.
Positive: Wheretheproposalswouldresultinasignificantenhancement to the key mature landscape elements or characteristicfeatures;orintroducenewelementsconsideredwhollycharacteristicofthearea;asignificantimprovementinthecharacterandamenityofthecloseormiddledistanceviewinterms of perceptual qualities for the range of visual receptors and range of distances.
MODERATE Somechangetothelandscapeelements,keycharacteristicfeatures and perceptual qualities. Moderate or major change to staticorkinetic,partialview.
Negative:Wheretheproposalswouldcausethepartiallossor moderate alteration of some of the key landscape elements and characteristic features; introduce elements considered part uncharacteristic of the area; and a barely perceived deterioration inthecharacterandamenityoftheviewfromtherangeofvisualreceptors and a range of distances.
Positive: Wheretheproposalswouldcauseamoderateenhancement to the key landscape elements or characteristic features; or introduce elements considered in part characteristic of the area; results in a noticeable improvement in the character and amenityoftheexistingviewfromarangeofvisualreceptorsandrange of distances.
MINOR Somechangetothetownscapeelements,keycharacteristicfeatures and perceptual qualities; Minor change to a static or kineticpartialorglimpsedview.
Negative: Wheretheproposalswouldcauseaminorlossoforslight alteration to some landscape elements or characteristic features; introduce elements considered in part uncharacteristic of the area; and a barely perceptible deterioration in the character andamenityoftheviewfromtherangeofvisualreceptorsandrange of distances.
Positive:Wheretheproposalswouldresultinaminorenhancement, alteration or improvement of some elements or characteristic features; introduce elements considered characteristic; and cause a barely perceptible improvement in thecharacterandamenityoftheexistingviewfortherangeofreceptors and range of distances.
NEGLIGIBLE Wheretheproposalswouldhavenodiscernibledeteriorationor improvement in the existing baseline situation in terms of landscapeelementsorview.
NEUTRAL OR NO CHANGE
Wheretheproposalswouldresultinnochangeoverall(resultinginnonetbeneficialoradverseeffect).
Effectsassessedasbeinglowerthanmoderateareconsideredtobeainsignificanteffect(relativetotheEIAregulations).
A1.8 EFFECTS DURING SITE ENABLING & CONSTRUCTION
Itisrecognisedthatprojectcharacteristicsandhencesourcesofeffects,willvarythroughtime.TheinitialeffectsarisefromtheSiteenablingandconstructionworks.Sourcesoflandscapeandvisualeffectsmayinclude:
• ThelocationoftheSiteaccessandhaulageroutes;• Theoriginandnatureofmaterialsstockpiles,strippingofmaterialandcutandfill
operations / disposal and construction compounds;• The construction equipment and plant (and colour);• The provision of utilities, including lighting and any temporary facilities; • Thescale,locationandnatureofanytemporaryparkingareasandon-site
accommodation;• TheremovalofvegetationtofacilitateSiteaccessandestablishthedevelopment
platforms; • The measures for the temporary protection of existing features (such as
vegetation, trees, ponds, etc) and any temporary screening (such as hoarding lines); and
• Theprogrammeofworkandphasingofconstruction.
24 LAND NORTH EAST OF WELWYN GARDEN CITY | LVIA
A1.9 EFFECTS DURING OPERATION (AT YEAR 1 & YEAR 15 OR 20)
Attheoperationalstage,thesourcesoflandscapeandvisualeffectsmayinclude:
• The location, scale, height, mass and design of buildings in terms of elevational treatment; structures and processes, including any other features;
• Detailsofservicearrangementssuchasstorageareasorinfrastructureelementsand utilities and haulage routes;
• Accessarrangementsandtrafficmovements;• Lighting;• Car parking;• Thenoiseandmovementofvehiclesintermsofperceivedeffectsontranquillity;• Signageandboundarytreatments;• The operational landscape, including landform, structure planting, green
infrastructure and hard landscape features;• Land management operations and objectives; and• Theenhancementorrestorationofanylandscaperesourceofparticularview.
A1.10 MITIGATION AND COMPENSATORY MEASURES
Thepurposeofmitigationistoavoid,reduceandwherepossible,remedyoroffset,anysignificant(majortomoderate)negative(adverse)effectsonthelandscapeandvisual receptors arising from the proposed development. Mitigation is thus not solely concernedwith“damagelimitation”,butmayalsoconsidermeasuresthatcouldcompensateforunavoidableresidualeffects.Mitigationmeasuresmaybeconsideredunderthreecategories:
• Primarymeasuresthatintrinsicallycomprisepartofthedevelopmentdesignthrough an iterative process;
• Standardconstructionandoperationalmanagementpracticesforavoidingandreducingenvironmentaleffects;and
• Secondary(orresidual)measuresdesignedtospecificallyaddresstheremainingeffectsaftertheprimaryandstandardconstructionpracticeshavebeenincorporated.
A1.11 RESIDUAL EFFECTS
Theresidualeffectsoftheproposeddevelopmentaretobeassessed.Residualeffectsconsideranyadditionalmitigationmeasuresrequiredtoaddressspecificlandscapeand visual sensitivities in place over and above the primary and secondary mitigation measuresproposed.Theprocessofassessingresidualeffectsisthesameasassessingtheprimaryeffects.
A1.13 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
Cumulativeeffectsaredefinedaseffectswhichresultfromadditionalchangestothelandscapeandvisualreceptorsbytheproposeddevelopmentinconjunctionwithotherdevelopments(associatedwithorseparatetoit)oractionsthatoccurredinthepast,present or likely to occur in the foreseeable future.
The scope of the developments to be included in the cumulative assessment are tobeagreedwiththeLPAbytheplanningconsultantanddeveloper.Prescribedapproachestotheassessment,intermsofthebaselineenvironmentanddefiningthestudyarea,aretoberelativetothedevelopmentsidentifiedtobeassessedandaretobeagreedwiththeLPAattheoutset.
Cumulativeeffectsarisefromtheintervisibilityofarangeofdevelopmentsand/orfromthecombinedeffectsofindividualcomponentsoftheproposeddevelopmentoccurringinthedifferentlocationsoveraperiodoftime.Theseparateeffectsofsuchindividualcomponentsordevelopmentsmaynotbesignificant,buttogethertheymaycreateanunacceptabledegreeofadverseeffectonlandscapeandvisualreceptors.
Whilsttheassessmentofeffectsaretobeassessedonthesamebasisassetoutpreviouslyinthismethodology,visualeffectsoccurbycombinedvisibilitywhichoccurswheretheobserverisabletoseetwoormoredevelopmentsfromoneviewpointand/or,wheresequentialeffectswhichoccurwhentheobserverhastomovetoanotherviewpointtoseedifferentdevelopments.