Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment
38
description
For a proposed opencast coal mining site in Howbrook near Rotherham by COBEX Ltd. Written as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment undergraduate module.
Transcript of Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment
OF PROPOSED HOWBROOK OPENCAST COAL WORKINGSLANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT PERIOD DEC 2011 – JAN 2012
3 & 4
58131924303034
3637
List of figuresFigure 1: Howbrook Development Proposal SiteFigure 2: Landscape Character of Howbrrok and Surrounding AreaFigure 3: Landsacpe Character of Howbrook SiteFigure 4: Zone of Visual Influence of Howbrook DevelopmentFigure 5: Viewpoint 1Figure 6: Viewpoint 2FiguFigure 7: Viewpoint 3Figure 8: Viewpoint 4Figure 9: Viewpoint 5Figure 10: Viewpoint 6Figure 11: Viewpoint 7Figure 12: Viewpoint 8Figure 13: Visual ReceptorsFiguFigure 14: Viewpoint 1 with DevelopmentFigure 15: Viewpoint 2 with DevelopmentFigure 16: Viewpoint 3 with DevelopmentFigure 17: Viewpoint 4 with DevelopmentFigure 18: Viewpoint 6 with DevelopmentFigure 19: Viewpoint 7 with DevelopmentFigure 20: VIewpoint 8 with DevelopmentFiguFigure 21: South Yorkshire Forest Redevelopment Proposal PlanFigure 22: Illustraon of forestFigure 23: Illustraon of forest
introducon
1The Scenario and the Development Proposal
The Legislave Framework for EIA
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
5
The Scenario and the Development Proposal
1.1 Cobex Ltd has commissioned this independent specialist document to contribute towards an Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Statement which accompanies their planning application to extract coal by opencast mining from a site near Howbrook. The site is north of Sheffield and south of Barnsley and approximately 300 metres to the north east of the village of Howbrook [Fig. 1]. The development proposal covers approximately 47 hectares of agricultural land.
The Legislative Framework for EIA
1.2 The European Union Council Directive 97/1/EC sets out a procedure for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), implemented in England and Wales by the Town and Country Planning Regulations 1999, that must be followed for certain types of project before planning permission is granted. An EIA attempts to collect all relevant information regarding the environmental impacts of a proposed development, and allows an unbiased analysis and evaluation, through assessment by the promoter and review by the decision maker, to ensure a sound understanding of the proposal before deciding whether to allow it to proceed.
1.3 Developments where EIA is required are listed in Schedule 1 of the UK EIA regulations (Annex 1 of the EC Directive) which includes open cast mining of over 25 hectares in extent. An EIA must also be completed in compliance with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough’s Unitary Development Plan (2000) Volume 1 - Part II Mineral Extraction Policy M9A.
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
1.4 The scope of this document focuses on the assessment of landscape and visual impacts of the development on the environment, which forms a part of the EIA. It consists of landscape character and visual baseline studies, an assessment of the predicted impacts and a proposal for the mitigation of negative impacts, along with a restoration plan which will contribute to the objectives of the Community Forest and refer to relevant local polices.
1.5 Landscape Impact Assessment describes changes created by the development to the areas fabric, character and quality, whereas Visual Impact Assessment describes changes in the perceived landscape namely views of the development area.
1.6 Landscape and visual impacts are assessed separately and both play an important role in EIA because these impacts have an immediately apparent and direct effect on the perceived quality and value of the landscape.
6
Figure 1: Howbrook Development Proposal Site
7
baseline study: landscape
2Landscape Character
Landscape Character of Howbrook and Surrounding Area
Landscape Character of Howbrook Site
Landscape Character Receptors
8
Landscape Character
2.1 The landscape is described as a distinct and recognisable pattern of elements and characteristics that compose the character of a particular landscape. The character of a landscape can be seen to have several observable features which include landform, landcover including vegetation and built up areas and cultural elements which combine to give a landscape its own unique scenic quality and sense of place.
2.2 The proposal site falls into 2 main character areas designated by Natural England on a regional level and Barnsley Borough Council on a local level, namely Character Area 38: Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield and E1: West Barnsley Settled Woodland Farmland, and is on the edge of another Natural England designed character area Character Area 37: Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe [Fig 2].
Figure 2: Landscape Character of Howbrook and Surrounding Area
9
2.3 The descriptions for each of these areas can be found in the character area survey checklist [Table 1] along with the noted presence of each these characteristics at different locations shown in [Fig 3] within and immediately around the site.
Figure 3: Landscape Character of Howbrook Site
10
TAB
LE 4
AD
DIT
ION
AL
DES
CR
IPTI
ON
S
TAB
LE 1
CH
AR
AC
TER
AR
EA 3
8 :
N
OTT
ING
HA
MSH
IRE,
DER
BYS
HIR
E A
ND
YO
RK
SHIR
E C
OA
LFIE
LD
LOC
ATI
ON
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8
W
ide
spre
ad e
vid
en
ce o
f in
du
stri
al a
ctiv
ity
incl
ud
ing
min
e b
uild
ings
, fo
rmer
sp
oil
tip
s an
d ir
on
an
d s
teel
pla
nts
.
C
om
ple
x m
ix o
f b
uilt
-up
are
as, i
nd
ust
rial
lan
d, d
erel
icti
on
an
d f
arm
ed o
pen
co
un
try.
M
any
area
s af
fect
ed
by
urb
an f
rin
ge p
ress
ure
s cr
eati
ng
frag
me
nte
d a
nd
do
wn
grad
ed
lan
dsc
ape
s.
Sub
stan
tial
are
as o
f in
tact
agr
icu
ltu
ral l
and
in b
oth
ara
ble
an
d p
asto
ral u
se.
Smal
l, f
ragm
en
ted
re
mn
ants
of
pre
-in
du
stri
al la
nd
scap
e a
nd
se
mi-
nat
ura
l ve
geta
tio
n, i
ncl
ud
ing
man
y ar
eas
of
wo
od
lan
d, r
iver
val
ley
hab
itat
s, s
ub
sid
en
ce
flas
hes
an
d o
the
r re
lict
hab
itat
s.
Ever
-pre
sen
t u
rban
infl
ue
nce
s fr
om
maj
or
citi
es, s
mal
ler
ind
ust
rial
to
wn
s an
d m
inin
g vi
llage
s.
W
ide
spre
ad in
flu
en
ce o
f tr
ansp
ort
ro
ute
s, in
clu
din
g ca
nal
, ro
ad (
M1
, M6
2)
and
rai
l, w
ith
rib
bo
n d
evel
op
men
ts e
mp
has
isin
g th
e u
rban
infl
ue
nce
in t
he
lan
dsc
ape.
Ro
llin
g la
nd
form
s w
ith
hill
s, e
scar
pm
ents
an
d b
road
val
leys
.
Lo
cal v
aria
tio
n in
lan
dsc
ape
ch
arac
ter
refl
ect
ing
vari
atio
ns
in u
nd
erl
yin
g ge
olo
gy.
St
ron
g cu
ltu
ral i
de
nti
ty a
risi
ng
fro
m h
isto
ry o
f co
al m
inin
g an
d o
ther
hea
vy in
du
stry
.
TAB
LE 2
CH
AR
AC
TER
AR
EA 3
7:
YOR
KSH
IRE
SOU
THER
N P
ENN
INE
FRIN
GE
LOC
ATI
ON
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 8
Ea
ster
n s
lop
es o
f th
e P
en
nin
es, d
rop
pin
g fr
om
up
lan
d in
th
e w
est
do
wn
to
th
e ea
st, d
isse
cted
by
nu
mer
ou
s st
eep
-sid
ed v
alle
ys.
Exte
nsi
ve u
rban
infl
ue
nce
s fr
om
th
e m
atri
x o
f la
rge
and
sm
all t
ow
ns.
C
lose
co
nju
nct
ion
of
larg
e-s
cale
ind
ust
ry, u
rban
are
as a
nd
tra
nsp
ort
ro
ute
s w
ith
op
en c
ou
ntr
ysid
e.
P
red
om
inan
ce o
f lo
cal s
and
sto
ne
an
d ‘g
rits
ton
e’ a
s a
bu
ildin
g m
ate
rial
no
tab
ly in
larg
e an
d d
om
inan
t in
du
stri
al b
uild
ings
.
U
rban
de
velo
pm
en
t m
ain
ly c
on
fin
ed
by
valle
ys c
reat
ing
dra
mat
ic in
terp
lay
of
view
s b
etw
een
se
ttle
men
ts a
nd
th
e su
rro
un
din
g h
illsi
des
.
P
red
om
inan
tly
pas
tora
l far
min
g w
ith
str
on
g lin
ear
pat
tern
s o
f w
alle
d e
ncl
osu
res
on
pla
teau
x.
P
red
om
inan
tly
bro
adle
ave
d w
oo
dla
nd
s o
n s
tee
p v
alle
y si
de
s fo
rmin
g im
po
rtan
t b
ackd
rop
s to
ind
ust
rial
ise
d a
reas
.
Im
pre
ssio
n o
f a
we
ll-w
oo
de
d la
nd
scap
e e
ven
th
ou
gh t
ree
cove
r is
rel
ativ
ely
spar
se o
vera
ll.
De
nse
ne
two
rk o
f ro
ads,
can
als
and
rai
lway
s.
TAB
LE 3
CH
AR
AC
TER
AR
EA E
1:
WES
T B
AR
NSL
EY S
ETTL
ED W
OO
DED
FA
RM
LAN
D
LOC
ATI
ON
1
2
3 4
5
6
7
8
Ge
ntl
y ro
llin
g la
nd
form
wit
h h
ills
and
bro
ad v
alle
ys.
Sm
all,
me
diu
m s
ize
d a
nd
larg
e w
oo
dla
nd
s, m
ain
ly d
ecid
uo
us
and
so
me
con
ifer
ou
s.
Sub
stan
tial
are
as o
f in
tact
agr
icu
ltu
ral l
and
, bo
th in
ara
ble
an
d p
asto
ral u
se.
Irre
gula
rly
shap
ed
sm
all,
me
diu
m s
ize
d a
nd
larg
e f
ield
s b
ou
nd
ed b
y h
edge
row
s, s
ton
e w
alls
an
d f
ence
s.
Sto
ne
far
mst
ead
s, o
ften
wit
h la
rge
mo
der
n o
utb
uild
ings
.
Vill
age
s an
d h
amle
ts s
et in
op
en
co
un
trys
ide.
Larg
e s
ton
e c
ou
ntr
y h
ou
ses
set
wit
hin
des
ign
ate
d p
arkl
and
lan
dsc
apes
.
U
rban
en
cro
ach
me
nt
visi
ble
to
th
e ea
st, o
uts
ide
the
char
acte
r ar
ea.
LOC
ATI
ON
A
DD
ITIO
NA
L D
ESC
RIP
TIO
NS
1 P
asto
ral f
ield
s. P
ylo
ns
do
min
ate
fiel
ds.
De
grad
ing
sto
ne
wal
ls.
2 A
rab
le f
ield
s. C
lose
pro
xim
ity
to W
estw
oo
d C
ou
ntr
y P
ark.
Deg
rad
ed h
edge
row
s w
ith
larg
e ga
ps.
Pyl
on
s.
3 C
lose
pro
xim
ity
to S
torr
s D
ike
stre
am a
nd
Wes
two
od
Co
un
try
Par
k. P
asto
ral f
ield
s, h
edge
row
s an
d w
alkw
ay/p
ath
pre
sen
t. N
o v
iew
of
ho
usi
ng.
4 So
me
bu
ilt u
p a
rea.
Wid
e ro
ad. B
oth
pas
tora
l an
d a
rab
le f
ield
s.
5 B
oth
pas
tora
l an
d a
rab
le f
ield
s. S
om
e b
uild
ings
an
d w
ide
road
wit
h w
alkw
ay.
6 V
iew
s in
to W
est
wo
od
Co
un
try
Par
k. P
asto
ral f
ield
s an
d s
om
e d
egra
ded
hed
gero
ws.
Lim
esto
ne
wal
ls in
go
od
co
nd
itio
n. P
ylo
ns.
7 V
ery
goo
d v
anta
ge p
oin
t. D
ivid
ed in
to t
hre
e d
isti
nct
sep
arat
e se
ctio
ns
of
agri
cult
ure
, ho
usi
ng
and
wo
od
lan
d. R
emn
ant
sto
ne
on
sit
e.
8 V
iew
to
fie
ld s
hie
lded
by
row
of
tree
s. H
eavi
ly b
uilt
up
res
iden
tial
su
bu
rb.
11
Landscape Character Receptors
2.4 As can be seen from [Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4] the site shows
evidence of most of the elements and characteristics described for
each character area with a few exceptions which may not be
present unless the site was over a considerably larger area. The
following are the most notably present:
2.5 The overall landscape character reflects its close proximity to
the Peak District National Park and mimics its landform. Within the
site it is important to note the three streams cutting across it,
namely Storrs Dike which forms the northern boundary just below
Westwood Country Park, an unnamed tributary of Storrs Dike and
How Brook. Most of the land is currently being used for arable
farming and permanent pasture bounded mainly by degraded
hedgerows and some limestone walls. There are also a number of
mature trees present and a field of unimproved grassland with
biodiversity value. A small walkway is also present located within
the boundary of the proposal below Storrs Dike and the edge of
Westwood Country Park.
The following is a list of potential receptors to the impacts
of the development proposal:
2.6 Being designated as composing of valued elements and characteristics places a bearing on the importance of the site as a resource locally as well as regionally, which is considered when assessing predicted impacts on the overall landscape character. This will contribute towards identifying areas for potential enhancement and other mitigation proposals.
A complex mix of built-up areas, industrial land, dereliction and farmed open country.
Small, fragmented remnants of pre-industrial landscape and semi-natural vegetation, including many areas of woodland, river valley habitats, subsidence flashes and other relict habitats.
Small, medium sized and large woodlands, mainly deciduous and some coniferous.
Gently rolling landform with hills and broad valleys.
Irregularly shaped small, medium sized and large fields bounded by hedgerows, stone walls and fences.
Stone farmsteads, often with large modern outbuildings.
Villages and hamlets set in open countryside.
Widespread influence of transport routes, including canal, road (M1, M62) and rail, with ribbon developments emphasising the urban influence in the landscape.
Trees, woodlands, hedgerows and unimproved grassland.
Landform and topographic features including open hill tops,
valleys, open green space and farmland.
River corridors, streams, and rivers (as they are all linked).
Built elements including limestone walls, walks, farmsteads,
villages, hamlets, suburbs and roads.
12
baseline study: visual
3Zone of Visual Influence
Represenve Viewpoints
Visual Receptors
13
14
15
16
17
Visual Receptors
3.7 The following is a list of potential receptors of visual
impacts:
The degree to which the receptors will be affected depends on
their numbers and duration of view.
The above are estimated figures representing the statistics of
each receptor group. For example 55% of the receptors will be
residents and each resident will be affected by the visual impact
for approximately 12 hours of the day. Road users who generally
just pass by the area will be least affected and visitors to the area
affected for only their duration of stay.
Residents – living in surrounding areas of close proximity or further
out in ZVI.
Road users – e.g. commuters and travellers.
Visitors – i.e. users of recreational landscapes / public footpaths
e.g. walkers / ramblers, horse riders, mountain bikers / cyclists and
tourists / day trippers.
Figure 13: Visual Receptors
18
landscape impactsand migaon
4Landscape Impacts
Landscape Impact Assessment
Landscape Impact Predicons
Landscape Impact Migaon
19
Landscape Impacts
4.1 This part of the assessment predicts the landscape and visual
impacts of the proposed development, identifying and describing
what will take place. Predicted and potential impacts are not to be
confused. Potential impacts are those which are scoped on a
broader and more general scale and are not site specific. As well
as a description of identified impacts there is also an attempt to
estimate their magnitude and provide an assessment of their
nature and significance.
4.2 Landscape and visual impacts are assessed separately.
Landscape Impact Assessment deals with changes to individual
landscape elements and characteristics and the resulting effect
these changes will have on the overall landscape character due
to the proposed development. These impacts have been
summarised in [Table 5].
Landscape Impact Predictions
4.3 In describing what the character of the site will become
without any of Cobex Ltd’s mitigation proposals the impacts would
cause potentially mainly adverse effects on the perceived
landscape character at both regional and local level. The South
Yorkshire Community Forest extends into the site along the How
Brook and through the tributary of Storrs Dike and forms a green
corridor into the Peak District National Park. These streams and
the semi-natural vegetation that surround them would potentially
be polluted and/or damaged in some way whether directly or
indirectly and in the worst-case scenario these impacts would be
irreversible. Natural England may have to rethink the boundaries
of Westwood Country Park to not include the site.
4.4 The development would potentially have a more severe and
irreversible impact on the site itself, approximately 35 hectares
worth of loss and damage to characteristic contours, semi-natural
vegetation, farmland and elements including the streams, mature
trees, hedgerows and limestone walls. This would completely
change the character of the site into one uncharacteristic and
uncomplimentary to its surroundings. 20
TAB
LE 5
: La
nd
scap
e Im
pac
t A
sse
ssm
ent
To
pic
Are
a
Recep
tors
D
escri
pti
on
of
imp
act
Du
rati
on
N
atu
re
Imp
act
Mag
nit
ud
e
Sen
sit
ively
S
ign
ific
an
ce
S
M
L
D
ID
R
IR
A
N
B
RE
GIO
NA
L
LE
VE
L
LA
NDFO
RM
Wes
twoo
d Co
untry
Par
k. Tr
ansp
enni
ne T
rail r
oute
disr
upte
d.
L L
Low
FEAT
URES
St
orrs
Dike
, its t
ributa
ry an
d Ho
w Br
ook.
Rive
r cor
ridor
s hab
itats
/char
acte
r fur
ther
dow
nstre
am
affe
cted
. H
H
H
igh
LO
CA
L
LE
VE
L
LA
NDFO
RM
Gentl
y roll
ing la
ndfor
m wi
th hil
ls an
d br
oad
valle
ys.
Loss
of c
hara
cter
istic
landf
orm
. H
H
H
igh
LAND
USE
Publi
c foo
tpath
from
Carr
Hous
e Fa
rm to
midd
le of
Stoo
rs Di
ke fo
otpath
. Te
mpo
rary
susp
ensio
n of
Car
r Hou
se F
arm
foot
path
. L
L Lo
w
LAND
COVE
R Irr
egula
rly sh
aped
small
, med
ium si
zed
and
large
fields
. Lo
ss o
f cha
ract
erist
ic fie
lds.
M
M
Med
ium
Wet
wood
land
corri
dors
runn
ing a
long
strea
ms in
to W
estw
ood
Coun
try P
ark.
Dist
urba
nce o
f ste
amsid
e woo
dlan
d an
d po
tent
ial lo
ss.
H
H
Hig
h
SIT
E
LE
VE
L
LA
NDFO
RM
Land
form
and
topog
raph
ic fea
tures
. Co
mpl
ete r
emov
al of
exist
ing
landf
orm
. V
H
VH
V
ery
Hig
h
LAND
USE
Ar
able
farmi
ng a
nd p
erma
nent
pastu
re.
Loss
of a
rabl
e far
m la
nd an
d pe
rman
ent p
astu
re.
M
M
Med
ium
Low
Erec
tion
of co
al pr
oces
sing
area
, site
offic
es a
nd w
ater
treatm
ent a
rea.
New
unde
sirab
le lan
d us
e. L
L Lo
w
LAND
COVE
R W
et wo
odlan
d co
rrido
rs ru
nning
alon
g str
eams
into
Wes
twoo
d Co
untry
Par
k. Di
stur
banc
e of w
oodl
and
and
pote
ntial
loss
. M
H
H
Hig
h
FEAT
URES
St
orrs
Dike
, its t
ributa
ry an
d Ho
w Br
ook.
Stre
ams c
ulve
rted
and
brid
ged
in ar
eas f
or ve
hicle
ac
cess
(kep
t to
min
imum
).
ML
ML
Med
ium
Low
Matur
e tre
es.
Loss
of m
atur
e tre
es.
M
M
Med
ium
Unim
prov
ed g
rass
land.
Loss
of s
pecie
s rich
gra
sslan
d.
M
M
Med
ium
Spec
ies p
oor h
edge
rows
. Lo
ss o
f spe
cies p
oor h
edge
rows
. L
L Lo
w
Limes
tone
walls
. Lo
ss o
f lim
esto
ne w
alls.
M
M
Med
ium
Landscape Impact Mitigation
4.5 Mitigation proposals have been put forward by Cobex Ltd to
mitigate these impacts. These measures have been detailed in
[Table 6].
4.6 There are several approaches to mitigation which have been
taken, namely avoidance, reduction and compensation. Mitigation
measures may rid the site of some impacts and reduce others in
severity.
Avoidance is where development is re-located or re-designed to
avoid an impact. In this case avoiding negative impacts on
landscape elements by stand-offs between that element and the
excavation site.
Reduction of both landscape and visual impacts will be reduced
through the designed siting of soil and overburden mounds. They
will screen the development to reduce the line of site to the
development and seeded on sides facing How Brook and High
Green to help minimise the contrasts with the surrounding
landscape.
Compensation is giving something back to the community and
landscape in return for the losses and damage of the
development. This will be through the creation of new South
Yorkshire Community Forest which creates a regenerated and
attractive, mixed-use, well-wooded landscape characteristic to the
local area that will be accessible and beneficial to the community
through improving their quality of life as well as providing
economic and social benefits. These beneficial impacts may be
seen to outweigh the case for safeguarding the landscape before
development resulting in environmental improvements.
4.7 Mitigation of impacts to landscape character mainly comprise
of avoidance of characteristic elements to avoid loss or damage
and compensation of lost topography and farmland which would
otherwise create significant loss to the character of the area. The
likely success of these measures should be judged against existing
case studies.
22
TAB
LE 6
: La
nd
scap
e Im
pac
t M
itig
atio
n
To
pic
Are
a
Imp
act
Mit
iga
tio
n
Typ
e
Du
rati
on
N
atu
re
Imp
act
Mag
nit
ud
e
Sen
sit
ively
S
ign
ific
an
ce
S
M
L
D
ID
R
IR
A
N
B
RE
GIO
NA
L L
EV
EL
LA
NDFO
RM
Tran
spen
nine
Tra
il rou
te d
isrup
ted.
Di
versi
on o
f rou
te to
Stor
rs Di
ke w
alkwa
y whic
h wi
ll be
upgr
aded
. C
L L
Low
FEAT
URES
Ri
ver c
orrid
ors h
abita
ts/ch
arac
ter
furth
er d
owns
tream
affe
cted
. Re
taine
d an
d pr
otecte
d wi
th 5-
10m
stand
-offs
from
exc
avati
on.
A H
H
H
igh
LO
CA
L
LE
VE
L
LA
NDFO
RM
Loss
of c
hara
cter
istic
landf
orm
. Si
te re
turne
d to
origi
nal c
ontou
rs wi
th ov
erbu
rden
and
soils
. C
H
H
Hig
h
LAND
USE
Tem
pora
ry su
spen
sion
of C
arr H
ouse
Fa
rm fo
otpa
th.
Dive
rt ro
ute to
Stor
rs Di
ke w
hich
will b
e up
grad
ed.
C L
L Lo
w
LAND
COVE
R Lo
ss o
f cha
ract
erist
ic fie
lds.
Comp
ensa
tion
by re
stora
tion
with
South
Yor
kshir
e Fo
rest.
C
MH
M
H
Ver
y H
igh
SIT
E
LE
VE
L
LA
NDFO
RM
Com
plet
e rem
oval
of ex
istin
g lan
dfor
m.
Repla
ce so
il to
match
orig
inal to
pogr
aphy
conto
urs.
C H
H
H
igh
LAND
USE
Lo
ss o
f ara
ble f
arm
land
and
perm
anen
t pas
ture
. Co
mpen
satio
n by
resto
ratio
n wi
th So
uth Y
orks
hire
Fore
st.
C H
H
V
ery
Hig
h
New
unde
sirab
le lan
d us
e. Di
sman
tled
durin
g de
comm
ission
ing.
C L
L Lo
w
LAND
COVE
R Di
stur
banc
e of s
team
side w
oodl
and
and
pote
ntial
loss
. Re
taine
d an
d pr
otecte
d wi
th 5-
10m
stand
-offs
from
exc
avati
on.
A M
M
M
ediu
m
FEAT
URES
St
ream
s cul
verte
d an
d br
idge
d in
area
s fo
r veh
icle a
cces
s (ke
pt to
min
imum
).
Retai
ned
and
prote
cted
with
5-10
m sta
nd-o
ffs fr
om e
xcav
ation
. A
M
M
Med
ium
Loss
of m
atur
e tre
es.
Retai
ned
and
prote
cted
with
5m st
and-
offs f
rom
exca
vatio
n. A
M
M
Med
ium
Loss
of s
pecie
s rich
gra
sslan
d.
Strip
ped
of 15
0mm
surfa
ce so
ils, s
tored
as a
thick
laye
r (30
0m)
on u
nuse
d fie
ld, th
en u
sed
as p
art o
f res
torati
on.
C M
M
M
ediu
m
Loss
of s
pecie
s poo
r hed
gero
ws.
Minim
um re
mova
l. R
L L
Low
Loss
of l
imes
tone
wall
s. Re
taine
d an
d pr
otecte
d wi
th 5m
stan
d-off
s fro
m ex
cava
tion.
A H
H
H
igh
visual impactsand migaon
5Visual Impacts
Predicted Visual Impacts with Migaon
Viewpoints with Development
24
Visual Impacts
5.1 Visual Impact Assessment deals with changes of views due to
the proposed development and the impacts these will have on the
visual receptors. These have been detailed in [Table 7]
corresponding to [Figs. 14 – 20] which visualise the predicted
changes to the site with development and primary mitigation
measures proposed by COBEX LTD which are built in to the
original development scheme.
5.2 People will have different responses to views depending on
the context and their reason for being there. Other important
factors include the scale of change with respect to loss or addition
of features and the degree of contrast between new features with
the existing/remaining.
5.3 Seasonal change and weather conditions will also have an
effect on screening effectiveness and visibility of the development.
This assessment assumes ‘average’ conditions in autumn when
the data was collected.
25
TABLE 7: PREDICTED VISUAL IMPACTS WITH MITIGATION
Location / Viewpoint Description Type Stage Extent Duration Nature Impact Quantity Magnitude Sensitively Significance
C O F P G N S M L D ID R IR T S A N B
1 2 3 4
ROAD / FOOTPATH USERS
VIEWPOINT 1 WOODHEAD ROAD [Fig. 14]
Top soil mound from F5 (3m) and subsoil tip 2 (10m) screening development. R 80 MH MH Medium High View of overburden tip 1 and 2 with graded even tops (15m) and seeded to grass. R 80 MH MH Medium High
VIEWPOINT 3 STORRS DIKE [Fig. 16]
Overburden tip 2 with graded even top (15m). R 6 VH VH Very High View of farmland stripped of topsoil/development. R 6 VH VH Very High
VIEWPOINT 4 BROMLEY CARR ROAD [Fig.17]
Top soil and sub soil (10m) blocking views into development. R 80 MH H Medium High Overburden mound with of graded top (15m) blocking views to Hollinberry Lane and High Green. R 80 MH H Medium High
VIEWPOINT 5 CARR HEAD ROAD [Fig. 18]
Top soil and sub soil (10m). R 80 MH H Medium High Overburden mound with of graded top (15m) blocking views to Hollinberry Lane and High Green. R 80 MH H Medium High
VIEWPOINT 6 HOLLINBERRY LANE [Fig. 19]
Top soil (3m) and sub soil (10m) blocking views into development. R 80 MH MH Medium High Overburden mounds with graded even tops and seeded grass (15m) blocking views into Westwood Country Park. R 80 MH MH Medium High
VIEWPOINT 8 HIGH GREEN [Fig. 21] The erection of overburden tip 2 (10-20m) with graded even top with seeded grasses to screen development. R 500 MH MH Medium High
RESIDENTS VIEWPOINT 2 CARR HOUSE FARM [Fig. 15]
Sub soiltip 2 (10m) blocking views to Carr Brook Road. R 5 VH VH Very High Overburden tip 2 with graded even top (15m) blocking views to High Green. R 5 VH VH Very High
VIEWPOINT 4 BROMLEY CARR ROAD [Fig. 17]
Top soil and sub soil (10m). R 80 VH VH Very High Overburden mound with of graded top (15m) blocking views to Hollinberry Lane and High Green. R 80 VH VH Very High
VIEWPOINT 5 CARR HEAD ROAD [Fig.1 8]
Top soil and sub soil (10m). R 80 VH VH Very High Overburden mound with of graded top (15m) blocking views to Hollinberry Lane and High Green. R 80 VH VH Very High
VIEWPOINT 8 HIGH GREEN [Fig. 21] The erection of overburden tip 2 (10-20m) with graded even top with seeded grasses to screen development. R 180 VH VH Very High
VISITORS VIEWPOINT 3 STORRS DIKE [Fig. 16]
Overburden tip 2 with graded even top (15m). R 6 H VH High View of farmland stripped of topsoil. R 6 H VH High
VIEWPOINT 7 WESTWOOD COUNTRY PARK [Fig. 20] Views over entire development, some screening from existing woodland. R 6 VH VH Very High
26
27
28
29
restoraon
6Policy Context
South Yorkshire Forest Plan
30
Policy Context
6.1 COBEX LTD has also put forward secondary mitigation
measures in the form of a compensation proposal. This includes
returning the topography of the landscape to its original contours
and to develop South Yorkshire Community Forest on the post-
development site.
6.2 The following policies in Barnsley Metropolitan Borough’s Unitary Development Plan (2000) bear particular significance to the mitigation and restoration measures proposed.
6.3 This policy confirms the importance of providing the council with a full mitigation and restoration scheme in the proposal to assess in order for the decision makers to grant planning permission and control development in accordance to its UDP.
6.4 This policy emphasises the need to minimise the impacts of opencast mining to an acceptable level i.e. cause minimal disturbance to both the environment and people (the receptors) and normal functioning of the landscape and its elements and features with suitable alternatives if necessary. Views into the mine must also be taken into consideration and not aesthetically pleasing sights screened.
6.5 The following policies in Barnsley Metropolitan Borough’s Unitary Development Plan (2000) bear particular significance to the restoration scheme proposed in this document.
Policy M9C IN ADDITION TO THE CRITERIA SET OUT IN POLICY M9 THE FOLLOWING DETAILED MEASURES WILL BE REQUIRED TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL:
A) ADEQUATE SCREENING AND OTHER PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO BE MAINTAINED WHERE POSSIBLE DURING THE OPERATIONS. B) CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE AFTER MANAGEMENT OF THE SITE, FOLLOWING WORKING AND RESTORATION. C) OPERATION AND RESTORATION OF THE SITE SHOULD BE LIMITED TO THE SHORTEST PERIOD PRACTICABLE. D) LAYOUT OF OPERATIONAL AREAS OF THE SITE AND DIRECTION OF WORKING SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE BEST ENVIRONMENTAL OPTION. E) MEASURES TO STRIP, STORE, CONSERVE AND REPLACE SUBSOIL AND TOPSOIL. WHERE SOILS ARE INADEQUATE IN QUANTITY TO SECURE EFFECTIVE RESTORATION ALL EFFORTS SHALL BE MADE TO RETAIN SOIL MAKING MATERIAL DURING THE WORKING OF THE SITE. F) PROTECTION OF PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY OR THE PROVISION OF SUITABLE TEMPORARY DIVERSIONS TO BE PROVIDED AND AGREED AFTER LIAISON WITH THE BOROUGH COUNCIL’S RIGHTS OF WAY OFFICER. G) MEASURES TO PREVENT THE DEPOSIT OF MUD, DUST AND OTHER MATERIALS ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAY. H) ADEQUATE ACCESS TO A SUITABLE HIGHWAY WILL BE REQUIRED.I) MEASURES TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROTECTION OF SURFACE AND SUB-SURFACE WATER COURSES AND THE PROVISION OF TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT DRAINAGE. J) ARCHAEOLOGICAL FACTORS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN FORMULATING APPLICATIONS FOR MINERAL WORKING AND REGARD SHOULD BE HAD FOR THE CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRY (CBI) CODE OF MINERAL OPERATORS ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS.
Policy M9B SCHEMES OF WORKING, RESTORATION AND AFTERUSE WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH ALL APPLICATIONS FOR MINERAL WORKING, AND SUCH PROPOSALS WILL BE TREATED AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE APPLICATION AND ANY PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED. CONDITIONS (AND WHERE NECESSARY LEGAL AGREEMENTS) ATTACHED TO A PLANNING PERMISSION WILL REQUIRE FULL WORKING AND RESTORATION SCHEMES TO BE APPROVED PRIOR TO SPECIFIED OPERATIONS TAKING PLACE ON SITE. WHEREVER POSSIBLE PROGRESSIVE, PHASED WORKING AND RESTORATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO AN AGREED AFTERUSE. ANY PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR MINERAL WORKING SHOULD INCLUDE A SCHEME OF AFTERCARE IN THE CASE OF RESTORATION TO AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, AMENITY OR NATURE CONSERVATION.
31
6.6 This policy encourages the physical landscape to be returned to as it was before the opencast mining where possible and physical elements of the landscape to resemble or returned to former character or enhanced where possible.
6.7 Referring to Policy GS18 in this case there is a possibility that the case for development outweighs the case for safeguarding the conservation interest of the site as the compensation with the creation and extension of the South Yorkshire Forest is a key UDP objective, as stated in Policy GS24, thus providing restoration of landscape character, aesthetically pleasing views more diverse habitats than before the development.
South Yorkshire Forest Plan
6.8 The South Yorkshire Forest is created and managed by the Countryside Agency and the Forestry Commission and spans across areas of Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield. The plan is to involve these organisations and the local community to expand this community forest into the Howbrook site. COBEX LTD will take management responsibility for the first five years after the excavation and then long term management and protection responsibilities will be handed over to the South Yorkshire Forestry Commission.
6.9 The expansion of the forest will help to restore the sites local distinctiveness and character, as well as providing new habitat niches for local wildlife and benefiting the community through the creation of new landscape functions and opportunities for informal recreation as well as helping to boost investment and economical interest in the area.
6.10 Despite the name, the forest is not a continuous planting of trees but part of a ‘rich mosaic’ of woodland and land uses which is accessible to the public through a well thought out network of paths. Existing planting is preserved and new planting designed to enhance the landscape and its character and views. A concept plan for the forest is shown in [Fig. 21].
Policy GS24 THE COUNCIL WILL SUPPORT THE CREATION OF THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE FOREST. ANY DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE FOREST AREA MUST ACCORD WITH THE POLICIES OF THIS UDP AND DEVELOPERS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE FOREST.
Policy GS18 ANY DEVELOPMENT WHICH MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, A LOCAL NATURE RESERVE, A NATURAL HERITAGE SITE, ANCIENT WOODLAND, A REGIONALLY IMPORTANT GEOLOGICAL SITE OR OTHER NATURE CONSERVATION SITES IDENTIFIED ON THE PROPOSALS MAPS, WILL NOT BE APPROVED UNLESS IT CAN BE CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT THERE IS A CASE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT WHICH OUTWEIGHS THE CASE FOR SAFEGUARDING THE CONSERVATION INTEREST OF THE SITE AFTER AVAILABLE MEASURES TO AVOID, MITIGATE OR COMPENSATE FOR ANY ADVERSE AFFECTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, IN WHICH CASE THE COUNCIL WILL SEEK TO MINIMISE THE ADVERSE IMPACT AND/OR SECURE COMPENSATORY PROVISION INCLUDING, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THROUGH PLANNING CONDITIONS OR OBLIGATIONS.
Policy M9F THE FINAL CONTOURS OF THE RESTORED SITE SHOULD WHERE POSSIBLE RESEMBLE THAT OF THE LANDSCAPE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE LOCALITY. RESTORATION SCHEMES SHOULD IN APPROPRIATE CASES PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO ESTABLISH NEW WILDLIFE HABITATS OR ENHANCE EXISTING HABITATS AND PRESERVE AND RETAIN IMPORTANT GEOLOGICAL EXPOSURES FOR EDUCATIONAL USE.
32
Figure 22: Illustration of Forest
Figure 23: Illustration of Forest
6.11 The proposal aims to enhance landscape features and views as well as increase biodiversity on site through wildlife introduction and conservation. This will be achieved by planting new woodland along the water edges and eastern slopes of the site to create a continuous green corridor between Westwood Country Park and the Peak District. The unimproved grassland seed bank will also be incorporated into the site along the edges of the woodland. The woodland would be regularly coppiced in cycles for timber production to help the local economy after the loss of arable farmland and permanent pasture.
6.12 The proposal also encourages access to the streams and brooks, incorporating them into the flow of access routes which have with wider paths for cyclists/horse riders and links with Transpennine Trails and off-road cycling paths. There is also the provision of large areas of open green space. These spaces can be used for local community events as well as for informal recreation.
Figure 21: South Yorkshire Forest Redevelopment Proposal Plan
33
evaluaon
7Unavoidable Impacts aer Migaon
Final Statement
34
7.1 In [Table 8] is a final summary of the main impacts left
after mitigation.
TABLE 8: UNAVOIDABLE IMPACTS AFTER MITIGATION
7.2 There are four main impacts left after mitigation. The first is
the adverse and potentially long term effects that culverting the
water courses will have on waterside ecology and character
further downstream. The significance of this impact is mainly
ecological and does not fall into the scope of this assessment
though changes to the characteristic ecology downstream can
be of great concern.
7.3 The second is the long term loss of permanent pasture and
arable fields. Farmland is characteristic to the area and helps to
boost the local economy. This change is welcomed by the land
owner however and so impacts to that individual will not be
adverse. Farm diversification can be a way to overcome the loss
of farmland and the South Yorkshire Forest Restoration Plan
can be beneficial to the area in the long term.
7.4 The final and largest impact to people is the presence of
screening mounds on site. Although seen as a short term
disturbance to passersby and visitors, it can be seen as a long
term impact to surrounding residents who are affected by it
every day and thus this impact is a lot more significant to these
receptors. As an integrated part of the development proposal
this cannot be changed but it is a preferable view to the
excavation site. Tree planting around the mounds may offset this
impact marginally.
Final Statement
7.5 The decision on whether to allow this development to
proceed should be made regarding the sensitivity of
receptors to both landscape and visual impacts. The
landscape impacts are significantly avoided and
compensated for with the South Yorkshire Forest
Restoration Plan. Visual impacts are mainly significantly
adverse for long term receptors i.e. residents though
short term. This needs to be judged against whether the
long term benefits of the South Yorkshire Community
Forest Restoration Proposal outweigh the need to
conserve the landscape in its current condition.
Impact Duration Nature Impact Magnitude Sensitively Significance
S M L D ID R IR A N B
Culverted streams affect waterside ecology and character downstream
H VH Very High
Loss of permanent pasture and arable fields. MH M Medium High
Presence of screening mounds. VH VH Very High
35
References
BOOKSThe Landscape Instute with the Instute of Environmental Management & Assessment, 2002. Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. 2nd ed. London: Spon Press.
COURSE MATERIALSSwanwick, C., 2012. Howbrook Project, LSC 301 : Environmental Assessment. [online via internal VLE] The University of Sheffield. Available at: <hps://vle.shef.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_grtab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_4268_1%26url%3D> [Accessed Date 13th January 2012].
ONLINE PUBLICATIONSBarnsley Council online, 2000. Barnsley Unitary Development Plan Volume 1: Strategy, Policy and Jusficaon. [online] Barnsley: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Available at: <hp://www.barnsley.gov.uk/volume1-strategy-policy-jusficaonpdf> [Accessed 17th January 2012].
Barnsley Council online, 2002. Barnsley Borough Landscape Character Assessment Final Report. [online] Barnsl[online] Barnsley: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Available at: <hp://www.barnsley.gov.uk/planning-landscape-character-assessment> [Accessed 18th January 2012].
Department for Communies and Local Government, 1993. Minerals Planning Guidance 3: Coal mining and colliery spoil disposal. [online] London: Communies and Local Government. Available at: <hp://www.communies.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/154812.pdf> [Accessed 17th January 2012].
Natural England. 37 Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe. [online] Sheffield: Natural England. Available Available at: < hp://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/jca37_tcm6-5181.pdf> [Accessed 18th January 2012].
Natural England. 38 No nghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield. [online] Sheffield: Natural England. Available at: <hp://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/jca38_tcm6-5073.pdf> [Accessed 18th January 2012].
South Yorkshire Forest Partnership, 2002. South Yorkshire Forest Plan 2002. [online] Sheffield: South Yorkshire Forest. Available at: <hp://www.syforest.co.uk/downloads/S_York_Forest_plan.pdf> [Accessed 23[Accessed 23rd January 2012].
MAPSOrdinance Survey. 2012. Map of Howbrook, 1:25 000. EDINA Digimap [online] Available through: The University of Sheffield Library [Accessed 16th January 2012].
36
Appendix
37
