Preliminary Seascape Character Assessment Suffolk, South Norfolk & North Essex

Ian HoulstonLDA Design

Suffolk Coast Forum Monday 9th July 2018

Philip WatsonSuffolk County Council

Context of the Seascape Character Assessment

Approach

Source: An Approach to Seascape Character Assessment 2012

Approach delivers a consistent approach to the assessment of land and sea

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The Main Stages of Assessment Step 1. Define Purpose and Scope

Step 2. Desk Study

Step 3. Field Survey

Step 4. Classification and Description

PurposeThe main purposes of the assessment are to:

• provide an agreed baseline description of offshore areas, consistent with information available for terrestrial areas in published landscape character assessments, to inform planning, design and management decisions undertaken by a range of interested parties; and

• contribute to the baseline evidence for the Seascape, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (SLVIAs) of developments in the coastal and marine environment including the East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two offshore windfarms.

Desk StudyReview key references.

Order and overlay datasets:

• Existing character assessments• Designations• Physical influences: geology, topography/bathymetry biodiversity • Cultural influences: marine heritage, fisheries, tourism, industry,

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Output: Draft Seascape Character Types

Maritime and Marine Natural Areas

National and Regional Landscape and Seascape Character

Historic Seascape Character

County LandscapeCharacter

District and Local ScaleLandscape Character

Landscape and Seascape Designations and Definitions

Biodiversity Designations

Heritage Designations and Wrecks

Sediment Geology

Bathymetry and Landform

Shoreline ManagementPlans

Industrial Activity and Energy Generation

Navigation

SCT 01 Inland Navigable Waters

SCT 01 Inland Navigable Waters

SCT 02 International Port and Approaches

SCT 03 Nearshore Waters

SCT 03 Nearshore Waters

SCT 03 Nearshore Waters

SCT 03 Nearshore Waters

SCT 04 Developed Nearshore Waters

SCT 04 Developed Nearshore Waters

SCT 04 Developed Nearshore Waters

SCT 04 Developed Nearshore Waters

Field SurveyFor each draft Character Type:

• Assess and describe aesthetic and perceptual qualities. • Assess and describe views from land to sea, sea to land and along

the coast.• Prepare photographic record for each location. • Secure GPS co-ordinates for each location.

Output: Refinement to mapping and descriptions for draft Seascape Character Types

Classification and DescriptionReporting to cover:Methodology.Baseline Review with Thematic Mapping.Landscape / Seascape Character Types:• Location• Key Characteristics• Physical Influences• Cultural Influences• Aesthetic and Perceptual Qualities

Seascape Character Types

Your Input

Briefing Paper and Proforma• For each of the draft Seascape Character Types, review the key

characteristics identified and comment. Is there additional detail to add?

• Review the map illustrating draft Seascape Character Types and suggest any amendments to the boundaries.

Please return forms to Lucy Williams by 27th July (refer to Briefing Paper for details)

Thank you