assessment of the sensitivity of the landscapes of … · assessment of the sensitivity of the...

ASSESSMENTOFTHESENSITIVITYOFTHE LANDSCAPESOFNORTHUMBERLAND

TOWINDENERGYDEVELOPMENT

Preparedfor

January2018

AssessmentoftheSensitivityoftheLandscapesinNorthumberlandtoWindTurbineDevelopment 2

January1,2018

ReportPreparedby

ThePlanningandEnvironmentStudioLtd.69NewRoad,Wingerworth,Chesterfield,

Derbyshire.S426UJ

Office:01246386555Mobile:07813172453

[email protected]

BAYOUBLUEnvironmentLimited.CottageLaneFarm,CottageLane

Collingham,NewarkNottinghamshire.NG237LJ

T.+44(0)1636555006M.+44(0)7866587108

[email protected]

PESDocumentRef.PES1610:FinalReportIssue:RevA

Draftedby:GrahamBradfordCheckedby:AnthonyBrown

Authorisedby:GrahamBradford

Coverphotograph:VistasouthtoNorthSteadsandSistersWindFarmsfromBoulmerBeach.Lens75-300mmf/4-5.6

(c)PESLtd


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ReportContents

Section Page.1. INTRODUCTION&CONTEXT: 5 NationalPlanningPolicyContext 6 LocalPlanningPolicyContext 7 BackgroundtoWindEnergyDevelopmentin

Northumberland 8

ScopeoftheStudy 14 FormatoftheReport 16 2. METHODOLOGY: 17 Introduction 17 ProjectStages 18 ProjectStage1DefiningAppropriateWind

TurbineTypologyCategories 18

ProjectStage1:GenerationandApplicationofAppropriateCriteriatoAssessSensitivity

19

ProjectStage1:PilotStudy 27 ProjectStage2:FieldEvaluationandModeration

ofInitialDesk-BasedSensitivityAssessment 28

ProjectStage3:SensitivityAssessmentandSummary

29

DerivingOverallSensitivityValuesincludingConsiderationofCumulativeEffects

29

3. LANDSCAPESENSITIVITYPROFILESAND

ASSESSMENT: 33

SensitivitybyLCTfromLCT1toLCT44 34-245 4. SUMMARYFINDINGS:SENSITIVITYTOWIND

ENERGYDEVELOPMENTINNORTHUMBERLAND:

246

SensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentinPrinciple

246

SensitivitytoSmall,Small-MediumandMediumTurbinesupto65mHeighttoBladeTip

250

SensitivitytoMedium-LargeandLargerTurbinesabove65mHeighttoBladeTip

255

WiderConsiderations 257 APPENDICES: 259A. LandscapeCharacterTypesandLandscape

CharacterAreas 259

B. KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsandGeneralInfluenceonWindEnergy

263


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LISTOFTABLES: Table1: WindResourceAreas(RSS),landscapecharacter

areasandexistingwindenergydevelopments 10

Table2: SummaryofwindturbineapplicationswithinNorthumberland

12

Table3: Operationalonshorewindenergyschemeswithturbines55m–100mht.tobladetip

12

Table4: Operationalonshorewindenergyschemeswithturbines100m–130mht.tobladetip

12

Table5: Operationaloffshorewindenergyschemes 13Table6: Windturbinetypologycategoriesusedinthe

study: 19

Table7: Landscapeattributesinfluencingsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment

20

Table8: Landscapesensitivitycontinuum 24Table9: Definitionsoflandscapecharacterarea

sensitivitytowindturbinedevelopment 29

Table10: SensitivityScaleforAssessingOverallSensitivityofeachLCAtoWindEnergyDevelopment

30

Table11: Summaryofoverallsensitivityoflandscapecharacterareastowindenergy

246

LISTOFFIGURES Figure1: StudyArea 5Figure2: LandscapeCharacterTypesinNorthumberland 9Figure3: WindResourceAreasinNorthumberland(RSS) 11Figure4: WindTurbinesinNorthumberland55mto130m

toBladeTip(2017) 13

Figures5-48:

LandscapeCharacterTypes/Areas1to44 34-241

Figure49: LandscapeSensitivitytoSmallWindEnergyTurbines<25m

252

Figure50: LandscapeSensitivitytoSmalltoMediumWindEnergyTurbines26m-40m

253

Figure51: LandscapeSensitivitytoMediumWindEnergyTurbines41m-65m

254

Figure52; LandscapeSensitivitytoMediumtoLargeWindEnergyTurbines66m-100m

255

Figure53: LandscapeSensitivitytoLargeWindEnergyTurbines101m-130m

256


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1. INTRODUCTION&CONTEXT1.1 NorthumberlandCountyCouncilcommissionedthePlanning&EnvironmentStudio(PES)and

BayouBluenvironment(BBe)toundertakeanassessmentofthesensitivityoftheNorthumberlandlandscape(outsideNorthumberlandNationalPark–seeFigure1)towindenergydevelopment.ThestudywillbeusedtohelptheCouncilunderstandwhetheritisappropriatetoidentifysuitableareasforwindenergydevelopmentwithintheemergingLocalPlan.


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1.2 Thepurposeofthestudyisthreefold:

(i) toprovidetheCouncilwithanuptodateevidencebaseonthesensitivityofthelandscapesofNorthumberlandtodifferentscalesofwindturbine;

(ii) toinformpotentialidentificationbytheCouncilofsuitableareasforwindturbinedevelopmentintheNorthumberlandLocalPlan;and

(iii) toinformpoliciesapplicabletoonshorewindenergyintheemergingLocalPlan.

NationalPlanningPolicyContext1.3 Planningpolicyforonshorewinddevelopmentiscontainedinanumberofdocuments.UK

GovernmentnationalpolicyisprincipallysetoutintheNationalPlanningPolicyFramework(NPPF)1,theOverarchingNationalPolicyStatementforEnergy,NationalPolicyStatementforRenewableEnergyInfrastructure2,andnationalPlanningPracticeGuidance(PPG)forRenewableandLowCarbonEnergy3.

1.4 ThenationalplanningpolicyframeworkisestablishedtohelpmeettheGovernment’starget

forenergygenerationfromrenewablesourcesaspartofatransitiontoalowcarbonfuture.However,thepromotionofrenewableenergyisrestrained-thedifferentrolesandcharacterofdifferentareasmustbetakenintoaccountandtheintrinsiccharacterandbeautyofthecountrysidemustberecognisedinguidingnewwindenergydevelopmenttoappropriatelocations4.

1.5 Planningapplicationsforlargescalerenewableenergyprojects,includingonshorewindwith

anelectricitygeneratingoutputabove50megawatts(MW),werepreviouslytreatedasNationallySignificantInfrastructureProjects(NSIPs)requiring‘developmentconsent’bytheSecretaryofState(ratherthanplanningpermission)underthePlanningAct2008andsubsequentlyamendedbytheLocalismAct2011.Onshorewindfarmsofover50MWwereremovedfromtheNSIPregimeundertheEnergyAct2016andregulationsmadeunderit,withthedecisionmakingpowertransferredbacktolocalplanningauthorities.Windenergyapplicationsbelow50MWaredecidedatthelocalauthoritylevelinEnglandinaccordancewiththepolicessetoutintheNPPFandfollowingtheproceduresetoutintheTownandCountryPlanningAct1990andtheTownandCountryPlanning(DevelopmentManagementProcedure)(England)Order2015.

1.6 Inawrittenministerialstatementon18June20155theGovernmentannouncednew

considerationstobeappliedtoproposedwindenergydevelopmentsothat“localpeoplehave

1DepartmentforCommunitiesandLocalGovernment(March2012),NationalPlanningPolicyFramework.2DepartmentforCommunitiesandLocalGovernment(July2011),OverarchingNationalPolicyStatementfor2DepartmentforCommunitiesandLocalGovernment(July2011),OverarchingNationalPolicyStatementforEnergy(EN-1)andNationalPolicyStatementforRenewableEnergyInfrastructure(EN-3).3DepartmentforCommunitiesandLocalGovernment(March2014),PlanningPracticeGuidance:Renewableandlowcarbonenergy.4NPPFparagraph17.5SecretaryofStateforCommunitiesandLocalGovernment(GregClark),(18June2015),HouseofCommons:WrittenStatement(HCWS42).


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thefinalsayonwindfarmapplications”.Thisstates:“Whendeterminingplanningapplicationsforwindenergydevelopmentinvolvingoneormorewindturbines,localplanningauthoritiesshouldonlygrantplanningpermissionif:

• thedevelopmentsiteisinanareaidentifiedassuitableforwindenergydevelopmentina

localorneighbourhoodplan;and• followingconsultation,itcanbedemonstratedthattheplanningimpactsidentifiedby

affectedlocalcommunitieshavebeenfullyaddressedandthereforetheproposalhastheirbacking”(whetheraproposalhasthebackingoftheaffectedlocalcommunityis,accordingtothewrittenstatement,“aplanningjudgementforthelocalplanningauthority”).

1.7 ThisisnowembodiedwithinthenationalPPGwhichprovidesguidancetolocalcouncilsin

developingpoliciesforrenewableandlowcarbonenergy6.ThePPGstressesthattherearenohardandfastrulesabouthowsuitableareasforrenewableenergyshouldbeidentifiedbut,critically,thepotentialimpactsonthelocalenvironment,includingfromcumulativeimpacts,mustbetakenintoaccount.

LocalPlanningPolicyContext1.8 TheLocalPlaninNorthumberlandcurrentlycomprisesthesavedlocalplansoftheformer

constituentlocalplanningauthoritiesinNorthumberland,priortolocalgovernmentreorganisationin2009.TheCounciliscurrentlypreparingareplacementLocalPlan.

1.9 TheNorthumberlandConsolidatedPlanningPolicyFrameworkdoesnotcurrentlyidentify

suitableareasforwindenergydevelopment.CastleMorpethLocalPlanidentifiesareasofsearchforwindpower,andAlnwickCoreStrategyidentifiesareasofleastconstraint.Inassessinglandscapesensitivitytodifferentscalesofwindturbine,thisstudywillinformworktoenabletheCounciltoidentifywhethertherearesuitableareasforwindenergydevelopmentacrossthecounty(outsideNorthumberlandNationalPark).

1.10 ThisstudywillformpartoftheevidencebasetotheNorthumberlandLocalPlanalongsidea

numberofotherrelevantstudiesthathavealsobeenusedasbackgrounddocumentstoinformpreparationofthisreport,namely:

• NorthumberlandLandscapeCharacterAssessment(NLCA),2010.• NorthumberlandKeyLandUseImpactStudy(NKLUIS),2010.• Renewable,Low-CarbonEnergyGenerationandEnergyEfficiencyStudy,2011.• NorthumberlandCoastAONBLandscapeSensitivityandCapacityStudy,2013.• EvaluationoftheImpactsofOnshoreWindFarmsonTourism,2014.• AssessmentoftheExtenttowhichExistingOnshoreWindDevelopmentsin

NorthumberlandhavebeenSuccessfullyAccommodatedintotheLandscape,2015.6DepartmentforCommunitiesandLocalGovernment,(18June2015),PlanningPracticeGuidance:Renewableandlowcarbonenergy.


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1.11 Thereport’sevidenceandfindingswillalsobeusefulbeusefulintermsofinformingplanningapplicationsandmayalsobeofvaluetolocalcommunitiesandotherorganisations.

BackgroundtoWindTurbineDevelopmentinNorthumberland

1.12 GuidancewithintheevidencebasestudiesreferredtoaboveiscurrentlyusedbytheCounciltohelpdetermineplanningapplicationsforwindturbines.TheNKLUISassesseslandscapesensitivityoflandscapecharacterareasidentifiedintheNLCA(seeFigure2andAppendixA)tosmall-scalewindpowerdevelopment(definedasupto5turbinesofanyheight–turbineheightwasnotconsideredakeyfactoraffectingsensitivitytowindpowerdevelopment))andtolarge-scalewindpowerdevelopment(definedasmorethan5turbinesofanyheight).ThisstudywillactasanupdatetothelandscapesensitivityassessmentwithintheNKLUISintermsofwindenergydevelopment.

1.13 PriortothesubmissionoftheNLCAandNKLUISin2010,strategicwindresourceareaswere

identifiedintheformerNorthEastRegionalSpatialStrategy(RSS)7.Policy41oftheRSSidentified11windresourceareas,basedon‘broadareasofleastconstraint’whichwerethemselvesderivedfromexaminationoflandscapecharacterataregionalscale.Table1andFigure3indicatesthe6windresourceareasidentifiedintheRSSwithinNorthumberlandandshowstheminrelationtolandscapecharacterareas(fromtheNLCA)andexistingwindenergyschemes.Thesepresentimportantchronologicalreferenceandcontext,buthavenotinfluencedthemethodologydevelopedorfindingsofthisstudy:

7GovernmentOfficefortheNorthEast(2008),TheNorthEastofEnglandPlan:RegionalSpatialStrategyto2021.


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Table1:WindResourceAreas(RSS),landscapecharacterareasandexistingwindenergydevelopmentsWindResourceArea(inRSS) LandscapeCharacterArea(s)

(inNLCA)WindEnergyScheme

SouthandWestBerwickuponTweed

DuddoandLowickOpenRollingFarmland

Barmoor

North/SouthCharlton RockFarmedCoastalPlain;CharltonRidgeOutcropHillsandEscarpments;RosebroughMoorSmoothMoorland

Wandylaw&Middlemoor

KnowesgateandHarwoodForestarea

GreenRiggSweethopeandBlackdownOutcropHillsandEscarpments;HarwoodForestOutcropHillsandEscarpments

NorthernCoalfieldsouthofDruridgeBay

CoastalCoalfields NorthSteads,Sisters&Lynemouth

KilnPitHillarea KilnPitHillHinterland BoundaryLane&KilnPitHill

1.14 Inaddition,theKielderForestandReservoirareawasidentifiedintheRSSasaStrategicRenewablesResourceArea,withpotentialforlarge-scalewindpowerdevelopment.WiththerevocationoftheRSSthesestrategicwindpowerresourceareasarenolongeridentifiedinthedevelopmentplanforthecounty,althoughtheirbasisinregionallandscapestudiesisunchangedandcontinuestoinformdecisionsonlocalwindenergydevelopmentapplications.

1.15 TodatethemainlevelofinterestinNorthumberlandforonshorewindturbinedevelopmenthasbeenformicroandsmaller-sizeddevelopmentscomprisingsingleturbines25mheighttobladetiporless,andcommercial-scalesinglewindturbinesandwindfarmswithupto18turbines100m–130mheight.Therehasalsobeenconsiderableinterestwithinthecountyforturbinesbetweenapproximately25m–55mheight.Atthetimeofwritingthisreporttherewasasmallnumberofoperationalwindturbinesbetween55m–100mheightwithinNorthumberland.

&Ray


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1.16 Building-mountedsmalldomesticwindturbinesthatdonotexceedanoverallheight(including

building,hubandblade)of15metres,andstand-alonesmalldomesticwindturbinesthatdonotexceed11.1metresinheight,donotgenerallyneedplanningpermissionunderpermitteddevelopmentrightscontainedwithintheTownandCountryPlanning(GeneralPermittedDevelopment)(England)Order2015.

1.17 Currentlymostapplicationsforonshorewindturbinesupto25mht.inthecountyhavebeen

approved.Withintheotherturbineheightrangesreferredtoabovethereisamixedpictureofapplicationspermitted,refused,allowedonappealanddismissedatappeal.Table2providesa


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summaryofwindturbineapplicationswithinNorthumberlandatthetimeofwritingindicatingthesignificantpressureforwindenergydevelopmentinthecounty:

Table2:SummaryofwindturbineapplicationswithinNorthumberland*

Turbineheighttobladetip

Schemespermittedor

allowedonappeal

Schemesrefusedordismissedatappealorpending

Turbinesoperationalorconsented

Turbinesrefusedordismissedatappealorpending

Below25m 55 0 62 025-55m 19 11 23 1355-100m 2 8 4 16100m+ 15 4 124 17

*approximatenumbersusingdatafromNorthumberlandCountyCouncil

1.18 Table3providesmoredetailofoperationalonshorewindenergyschemeswithturbineheight

55m–100mtobladetip.TheirlocationisshowninFigure4: Table3:Operationalonshorewindenergyschemeswithturbines55m–100mht.

Scheme Numberofturbines Turbineht.tobladetip

Power(MW)perturbine

BavingtonMount 1 61m 0.5Kirkheaton 3 66m 0.6LowHortonFarm 1 71m 0.275StepsofGrace 1 74m 0.5

1.19 Table4providesmoredetailofoperationalwindenergyschemeswithturbineheight100m–

130mtobladetip,alsoshowninFigure4: Table4:Operationalonshorewindenergyschemeswithturbines100m–130mht.


Power(MW)perturbine

Barmoor 6 110m 2BewickDrift 1 110m 2.3BlythHarbour 1 130m 3.4BoundaryLane 3 110m 2GreenRigg 18 100m 2KilnPitHill 6 100m 2Lynemouth 13 121.5m 2Middlemoor 18 125m 3NorthSteads 9 125m 2MSDCramlington 2 125m 2.5Ray 16 125m 3.4Sisters 4 125m 2Wandylaw 10 125m 2Wingates 6 110m 2.5


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1.20 Atthetimeofwritingtherewere7offshorewindturbinesnearBlythHarbour,asdetailedin

Table5below: Table5:Operationaloffshorewindenergyschemes


Power(MW)

BlythOffshore 2 93m 2perturbineBlythOffshoreRe-powering

5(consentforupto15) 191.5m Max.total41.5


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1.21 Therangeofturbineapplicationshasbeenusedtogenerateappropriatewindturbinetypologiesforinclusionwithinthestudy.Inaccordancewiththeprojectbrief,thestudyassessesthesensitivityoflandscapesinNorthumberlandtodifferentscalesofwindturbinebasedontheheightoftheturbines(ratherthannumbersofturbines/turbinearrayswithinawindfarm).ThisisdiscussedfurtherinSection2:Methodology.

ScopeoftheStudy

1.22 Thescopeofthisstudyisto:

a. identifycriteriaforassessinglandscapesensitivitytowindturbinedevelopment;b. identifydifferentcategoriesoflandscapesensitivitytowindturbinedevelopment;c. identifydifferentscalesofwindturbines,basedontheheightofturbines,tobeusedin

theassessment;d. undertakeanassessmentofthesensitivityofeachofthelandscapecharacterareasin

Northumberlandtowindturbinedevelopment,includingaconsiderationofcumulativeeffects;andto

e. provideadviceonthesensitivityofeachlandscapecharacterareatowindturbinedevelopmentandanyimplicationsfortheidentificationofsuitableareasforwindturbinedevelopmentinNorthumberland.

1.23 ThestudyconsidersonshorewindturbineswithinNorthumberland,includingthe

NorthumberlandCoastAreaofOutstandingNaturalBeauty(AONB)andthatpartoftheNorthPenninesAONBfallingwithinthecounty,butexcludingNorthumberlandNationalPark.Thenatureofwindturbinesmeanstheycanaffectlandscapecharacterbeyondthehostlandscape,thuscross-borderinter-visibilityandcumulativeeffectsofdevelopmentswithinneighbouringadministrativeareas,includinginScotland,NorthumberlandNationalParkandoffshoreinstallations,aretakenintoaccountinthestudy.

1.24 Althoughwindpoweristheoreticallylimitedbyarangeofconstraints,forexampleaverage

windspeed,technologicaladvancesnowenabledevelopmentacrossabroadrangeofconditions.Thereforetheentirecounty(withtheexceptionofNorthumberlandNationalPark)isconsideredinrelationtolandscapesensitivitytowindturbinedevelopment.

1.25 TheNorthumberlandLandscapeCharacterAssessment(NLCA)isusedasthebasisforthis

studyinassessingthesensitivityofthe44landscapecharactertypes(LCT)(whicharegenericandsharecommoncombinationsofgeology,topography,vegetationandhumaninfluences,e.g.OutcropHillsandEscarpments)andthe108landscapecharacterareas(LCA)(whicharesingle,discretegeographicalareasofthelandscapetypewithaunique‘senseofplace’,e.g.KyloeandChillinghamHills)towindturbineproposalsinthecounty.Writtenin2010(followingtheformationoftheunitaryauthorityofNorthumberlandCountyCouncilin2009),theNLCAprovidesvaluabledescriptionofthecharacteroftheNorthumberlandlandscapeswhichhasbeenupdatedinthisstudywherenecessary,inparticularintermsofthepresenceofman-madefeatures(suchaswindturbines)andhowtheseareperceivedasaffectingthebalanceofkeylandscapecharacteristicsandviews.Itisimportanttonotethatthisstudydoesnot


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purporttobeanewNLCA;itrecordsthemainfeaturesofeachlandscapecharactertypeatthetimeofthestudyasindicatorsoflikelysensitivityofthelandscapetowindturbinedevelopment.ThisisaddressedfurtherinSection2:Methodology.

1.26 Itisalsoimportanttonotethatthissensitivitystudydoesnotdefinethepreciselimitofwind

turbinedevelopmentthatcanbeaccommodatedwithinNorthumberland,butgivesanindicationoftherelativesensitivityofthedifferentlandscapecharacterareastothistypeofdevelopment,asdefinedinthestudy.Itshouldnotbeinterpretedasadefinitivestatementthataparticularlandscapeissuitableornotsuitableforwindturbinedevelopment–thisreportisnotasubstitutefordetailedlandscapeandvisualimpactassessmentoflocaldevelopmentproposalsoraspartofwiderenvironmentalimpactassessment.

1.27 Furthermore,althoughthestudymayhelpidentifylesssensitivelocationsitdoesnotmean

thattheseareasarethereforealwayssuitableforwindturbinedevelopment,northatsuchdevelopmentwillbeacceptable.Evenanarearatedaslow-moderatesensitivitywillcomprisesomekeycharacteristicsthataresensitivetodevelopment.Ifadevelopmentwouldadverselyaffectkeycharacteristics,orthescaleofdevelopmentwouldcreateahighmagnitudeofchange,effectsonthecharacterandappearanceofanareacouldpotentiallybesignificantevenifthatareaisratedaslow-moderatesensitivity.

1.28 Thestudyusescarefullydefinedcriteriatoassesssensitivitythatinevitablyinvolvesadegree

ofprofessionaljudgementinevaluatingsometimescompetingandunequallyweightedcharacteristics,orattributes.Rigidinterpretationofthefindingsshouldbeavoided,payingparticularattentiontothedescriptionsofpotentialsensitivitytodifferentscalesofdevelopmentandtheassociatedbroadgenericguidanceonthetypeofdevelopmentthatmayormaynotbeacceptableindifferentlocations.

1.29 Itisalsoimportanttorecognisethatthisstudyonlyconsiderslandscapecharacter.Biodiversity

andculturalheritagearetakenintoconsiderationonlywheretheyhaveaninfluenceonlandscapecharacter.TheCouncilwillconsiderallotherenvironmentalfactorsandallotherrelevantissuesduringdeliberationsonwhetherthereareanysuitableareasforwindturbinedevelopment.

1.30 Assessmentofthesensitivitytowindturbinedevelopmentismadetocomparelandscapes

withinNorthumberland;thestudyshouldnotbereadalongsideorcomparedwithothersensitivityandcapacitystudies.Nordoesthestudycomparetheadvantagesordisadvantagesofwindenergyinrelationtootherrenewableorlowcarbonenergysources.

1.31 Itisacknowledgedthatindividualperceptionsandattitudestowardsrenewableenergy

developments,andinparticularwindturbines,varygreatly.Contrastingpositiveandnegativeattitudesarecommonbutthestudytakesanunbiasedapproach.


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FormatoftheReport1.32 ThisReportissetoutin4principalsections: Part1:Introduction&Context(thissectionasabove). Part2:Methodology.Setsouttheprinciples,scope,approach,process,techniquesand

sequenceadoptedinpreparingthelandscapesensitivityreport. Part3:LandscapeSensitivityProfilesandAssessment.Thissectionformsthebodyofthe

researchoutputsandprovidesdetailed,structuredanalysisofLCT/LCAsensitivityattributesandsummaryvalues.

Part4:SummaryFindings:LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentin

Northumberland.Thissectionprovidesaccessiblesummaryresultsfromtheresearch,presentsmappingoutputsatcountyscaleandhighlightskeyissuesofsensitivityvariationsandfurtherconsiderationsinrespectstogoodlandscapeplanningforwindenergydevelopment.

Appendicessetoutmoredetailedcontextualinformation.


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2. METHODOLOGYIntroduction

2.1 TheassessmentfollowsgenericguidanceforjudginglandscapesensitivitycontainedwithinTheCountrysideAgency’sandScottishNaturalHeritage’sjointLandscapeCharacterAssessmentGuidanceforEnglandandScotland,2002,TopicPaper68.ThestudyisalsoconsistentwiththeimpactassessmentmethodologyadvocatedbytheLandscapeInstituteandInstituteofEnvironmentalManagement&AssessmentintheirGuidelinesforLandscapeandVisualImpactAssessment,20139.

2.2 Awidebodyofguidancehasbeenproducedonthelandscapeeffectsofon-shorewindfarms,

inparticularfromScottishNaturalHeritage(SNH)10,overrecentyears.Usefuloverviewsofwindfarmcharacteristicsandtypicaleffectsofwindturbinesonthelandscapearefoundinnumerousdocumentsincludinglandscapeandvisualimpactassessmentssubmittedinconnectionwithwindfarmproposals,andwindenergysensitivityand/orcapacitystudiesthroughouttheUK.Thereisnowawideconsensusastothewaysinwhichwindturbinescanaffectthelandscape.AppendixBprovidesanoverviewofkeylandscapecharacteristicsandtheirgeneralinfluenceonwindenergydevelopmentbasedonareviewofavailableguidanceandothersources11andtheconsultantsownexperienceofundertakingon-shorewindenergylandscapesensitivityandcapacitystudiesinEnglandandScotlandinmanydifferentlandscapesandatdifferentscalesofdevelopment.Thishashelpedinformamethodologyforthisstudy.Itisimportantthattheprocessissimpleandeasilyunderstoodwhilstbeingrobust,transparentanddefendable.

2.3 Landscapesensitivityreferstotheextenttowhichaparticularlandscapecharactertypeor

areaisvulnerabletochangeduetopotentiallysignificanteffectsonitscharacter,includingviews,oroverallchangeoflandscapecharactertype.Landscapesensitivityisaprofessionaljudgementreflectingtheparticularlandscapecharacteristicsandfeaturesofagivenarea,forexamplelandscapeswhicharerareorunusuallandscapetypesarelikelytobemoresensitivetochange.Sensitivityislikelytovaryaccordingtothetypeandnatureofchangebeingproposed,andinthisstudyreferstothelandscapeandvisualsensitivityoftheNorthumberlandlandscape(excludingNorthumberlandNationalPark)towindenergydevelopment.

8TheCountrysideAgencyandScottishNaturalHeritage(2002);LandscapeCharacterAssessment:GuidanceforEnglandandScotland.TopicPaper6:TechniquesandCriteriaforJudgingCapacityandSensitivity;9LandscapeInstituteandInstituteofEnvironmentalManagement&Assessment(2013),GuidelinesforLandscapeandVisualImpactAssessment,ThirdEdition.10Forexample:StrategicLocationalGuidanceforOnshoreWindFarms,2009;GuidanceonSpatialPlanningforOnshoreWindTurbines–naturalheritageconsiderations,2015;SitingandDesigningWindFarmsintheLandscape,Version1,2009&Version2,2014;SitingandDesignofSmallScaleWindTurbinesofbetween15and50minHeight,2012;AssessingtheCumulativeImpactofOnShoreWindEnergyDevelopments,2012.11IncludingSNHguidance(asabove),NorthumberlandKeyLandUseImpactStudy(2010),CheshireEastLandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopments(2013),DurhamCountyCouncilWindTurbineDevelopmentEvidencePaper(November2016).


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2.4 ‘Landscapesensitivity’and‘landscapecapacity’aretermsthatareoftenusedtomeanthe

samethinginlandscapesensitivityandcapacitystudies.Careisneededinthewaythat‘landscapecapacity’isusedsinceitcanimplytheexistenceofanobjectivelydefinedthresholdbelowwhichdevelopmentisacceptable,andbeyondwhichitisunacceptable.Rarelycansuchathresholdbedefinedwithanyaccuracy,andthresholdswillbedependentuponvariousconsiderationsaffectingsensitivity,policyandtheneedforrenewableenergy.ConsequentlythisstudyassessestheoverallsensitivityoflandscapecharactertypeswithinNorthumberlandtowindenergydevelopmentwithoutattemptingtoidentifylandscapeswherethresholdsofdevelopmentmayormaynotbeacceptable.

ProjectStages2.5 Themethodbroadlyfollowsaprocessofthreeprojectstages: ProjectStage1:

• Deskstudyreviewofpublishedmaterial(seeSection1),includingwindenergyapplicationdecisionswithinthecounty,OrdnanceSurveysheetsat1:50,000scaleand1:25,000scale,andaerialphotographs/imagery;

• Evaluationoflandscapecharactertypes(LCT)andlandscapecharacterareas(LCA)usingtheNorthumberlandLandscapeCharacterAssessment(NLCA),2010;

• Developmentofwindenergytypologycategoriesbasedonturbineheights(ratherthannumbersofturbines/turbinearrayswithinawindfarm)inaccordancewiththeprojectbrief;

• Generationandapplicationofappropriatecriteriatoassesssensitivity;• Initialdesk-basedassessmentoflandscapesensitivityofeachLCTandLCAacrossthe

county;• Initialfieldworkwithinpilotstudycharacterareas.

ProjectStage2:

• Fieldworkground-truthingandmoderationoftheinitialassessment.

ProjectStage3:• PresentationofresultsbywayofsensitivityprofilesforeachLCTtoeachwindenergy

category,tablessummarisingsensitivitybycategoryofeachLCA,andmappingusingageographicinformationsystem(GIS);

• Recommendationsfortakingthesensitivityassessmentfindingsforwardstowardsamorespecificidentificationofareaswiththecapacitytoaccommodatewindenergy,takingintoconsiderationcumulativeeffectsofoperationalandapproveddevelopments.

ProjectStage1:DefiningAppropriateWindTurbineTypologyCategories2.6 Inaccordancewiththeprojectbrief,windenergytypologycategoriesarebasedonturbine

heights(ratherthannumbersofturbines/turbinearrayswithinawindfarm).Awiderangeofwindenergytypologieshavebeenconsideredinpreviousstudies:forexample,theNorthumberlandKeyLandUseImpactStudy(NKLUIS),2010,considerssensitivitytosmall-


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scalewindpowerdevelopmentdefinedaswindfarmsofupto5turbinesofanysize,andlarge-scalewindpowerdevelopmentdefinedasanywindfarmwithmorethan5turbinesofanysize;theNorthumberlandCoastAONBLandscapeSensitivityandCapacityStudy,2013,considerssensitivitytodomestic/farm-scalewindturbinesofbetween15-50mheighttobladetip,andcommercial-scalewindfarmswithoneormoreturbines100mheighttobladetip.

2.7 Areviewofplanningapplicationsoverthepasttenyearsgivesapartialindicationoflikely

turbineheightsmostlikelytocomeforwardinthecounty12.Followingareviewofdifferentcategoriesofturbineincludedinthepilotstudy(seebelow)anddiscussionwiththeCouncil’sprojectteam,itwasagreedthatthefollowingwindturbinetypologycategorieswouldbeusedinthestudy:

Table6:Windturbinetypologycategoriesusedinthestudy:

TurbineheighttobladetipSmall<25m

Small-Medium26m-40m

Medium41m-65m

Medium-Large66m-100m

Larger101m-135m

2.8 ThistypologyissimilartothatadoptedbytheneighbouringDurhamCountyCouncilinawind

turbinedevelopmentstudypreparedasevidencebasefortheCountyDurhamPlaninNovember201613.Theseturbineheightscanbeseentoreflectmorecommongenerationcapacitybandsofcommerciallymaturewindenergytechnologies.Forexample,asnotedintheDurhamCCstudy,thereisoftenamarkeddifferenceinturbinetypeabove40moverallheighttobladetip,reflectedintheheightofthewindturbinetowertothehub(nacelle),rotorbladelengthandMWoutput.

ProjectStage1:GenerationandApplicationofAppropriateCriteriato

AssessSensitivity2.9 Thisisthekeystageinthedevelopmentofabespokemethodmostappropriatetothe

identificationandrecordingofsensitivityattributesofthelandscapesofNorthumberlandtodifferentcategoriesofwindturbine.Followingadeskbasedreviewoflandscapesensitivitytowindenergystudies,usingtheconsultant’sextensiveprofessionalexperienceatundertakingsuchprojectsanddiscussionwiththeCouncil’sprojectteam,ledtotheconclusionthatarefinementofthesensitivitycriteriausedintheNorthumberlandKeyLandUseImpactStudy(NKLUIS),2010,wouldbebroadlyappropriateforthisstudy.TheNKLUISusesthelandscapeclassificationofLCTsandLCAsfromtheNLCA(seeFigure2andAppendixA)asthebasisforitsassessmentoflandscapesensitivitytowindpower,asthisstudydoes,providingcontinuityacrosstheevidencebaseforthenewLocalPlan.

12Notwithstandingunforeseentechnologicaladvances.13DurhamCountyCouncil(November2016),CountyDurhamPlanWindTurbineDevelopmentEvidencePaper.


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2.10 Anunderstandingofhowwindturbinescanaffectthelandscapehashelpedtodefinethesensitivitycriteriausedinthisstudy.Asreferredtoabove(paragraph2.2)thereisnowawideconsensusastothewaysinwhichwindturbinesaffectthelandscape.AppendixBprovidesanoverviewofkeylandscapecharacteristicsandtheirgeneralinfluenceonwindenergydevelopmentbasedonareviewofavailableguidanceandothersources14andtheconsultants’ownexperienceofundertakingon-shorewindenergylandscapesensitivityandcapacitystudies.Fromthis,keylandscapeattributeshavebeenidentifiedthataremostlikelytoinfluencesensitivityoflandscapesinNorthumberlandtowindturbinedevelopment,asoutlinedbelowinTable7.Criteriaforassessingsensitivityinthisstudyarereproducedfromthelandscapeattributesinthetableundersixkeyheadingsofphysical,visual,perceptual,qualitative,historic&cultural,andcontextualconsiderations.

Table7:Landscapeattributesinfluencingsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment

Attribute FactorsconsideredindetermininglandscapesensitivityPHYSICALLANDSCAPECONSIDERATIONSLandform Theshape,elevationandchangeinreliefofthephysicallandscape,

rangingfromsimpleandconsistent,suchastheflatcoastalplain,tothemorecomplex,ruggedanddramaticlandscapesofthesandstonehilloutcropsandrockycoastlines.Includingconsiderationofanydistinct‘landmark’featuressuchastheWhinSillwithincreasedsusceptibility.Ingeneral,thesimplerandmoregentlygradedthelandformthebetterthevisualrelationshipwiththesimpleformandscaleofturbines,providingvisualbalanceandavoidingvisualconfusion.Ancillaryroadsassociatedwithlargerturbinesaremorelikelytobebetteraccommodatedonmoregentleslopes.

Landcover Thecomplexityanddiversityoflandcoverpattern,fromtheuniformmonocultureofmoorlandandplantationforest,tomoreirregular,complex,intricatepatternsoflandscapefeatures.Landscapeswithdomestic/humanscalefeaturessuchassmallfields,boundaryhedgerows,treesandwalls,woodlandcopsesanddomesticbuildingsthatactasscaleindicatorsandcanaccentuatethesizeoflargerturbines.Considerationof‘landmark’featuressuchashilltopcopses,whetherpatterndisplaysintegrityorifitisfragmented.Ingeneral,asimpleandconsistentlandcoverpatternislesssensitivetowindenergydevelopmentthanamoreintricate,irregular,fragmentedpatternwhereturbinescouldincreasevisualconfusion.However,complexpatternswithinurbanfringelandscapesoftenlackcoherence,withthepotentialforreducedsensitivitytowindenergydevelopmentofappropriatescale.

14IncludingSNHguidance(asabove),NorthumberlandKeyLandUseImpactStudy(2010),CheshireEastLandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopments(2013),DurhamCountyCouncilWindTurbineDevelopmentEvidencePaper(November2016).


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Landscapescale

Therelativesizeoflandforms,rangingfromthemostintimaterivervalleystoextensiveopencoastalplain,andtherelativescaleofthelandscapeincludinglandcoverpatternsoffields,hedgerowsandtrees.Landscapescaleiscloselyrelatedtothedegreeofreliefandtopographicalcontainment,andthedegreeofenclosure/openness,visibilityandtheextentofviews,andhowthelandscapeisexperienced.Thewayinwhichlandformsenclosethelandscape,oropenoutintootherlandscapes,iscloselyrelatedtoscale.Considerationofwhetherturbineswouldbecompatibleinscaleoriftheywouldbeapparent/conspicuous/prominent/dominantinthelandscape.Ingeneral,themoreopenandlargerscaleofthelandscapethegreatertheabilitytorelatetolargerscaleturbinetypologies.However,landscapeswhereexpansivenessandsenseofdistanceisimportantwillbemoresensitivetowindenergydevelopment.

VISUALCONSIDERATIONSSkylines Visualhorizonscanbesimplei.e.relativelyflatandfeaturelessandnot

prominent,ormoreprominentanddistinctiveand/orcomplexwithwoodland,treesandotherfeatures.Ingeneral,prominent,distinctive,undevelopedskylinesaremoresensitivetowindenergydevelopmentthanindistinctiveskylineswhicharenotprominentorwheredevelopmentsuchastallstructuresisalreadyprominentontheskyline,eveniflocatedinadjacentcharacterareas.

Viewsandlandmarks

Considerationofviewsfromimportantviewpointsorotherviewsto/fromlandmarkfeaturessuchasiconicbuildings,naturalfeaturessuchasridgesandhillsandotherlandscapefoci.Includingviewsalongthecoastandtoandfromthesea.Ingeneral,turbineswillbelessacceptablewhereseenfrompopularviewpointsandwheretheyadverselyimpactonviewsto/fromimportantlandmarkfeaturesandothersensitiveviews,eitherwithinthesamecharacterareaorbeyond.Thismayincludeconsiderationofviewslookingdownfromsensitiveelevatedviewpoints.

Inter-visibility Landscapesmaybeopenandvisibleinpanoramicviewsacrossawidearea,ormaybevisuallyenclosedandself-contained.Includesconsiderationoftheroleofadjacentlandscapesincontributingtooverallcharacterofthelandscapetype,andpotentialeffectsofdevelopmentonothercharactertypesandviceversa.Ingeneral,landscapetypesthataremorecloselyjuxtaposedandwidelyvisiblefromsurroundinglandscapesarelikelytobemoresensitivetowindenergydevelopment,dependingonthenatureofeffectsandthesensitivityofthoselandscapestodifferentturbinetypologies.

Visualreceptors

Considerationofthechangeinviewsandvisualamenityfromsensitivevisualreceptors,inparticularresidents,tourists,peopleusingpublicrightsofwayforrecreationalpurposes,viewsfromscenicroads,canalsandothertransportcorridors.Ingeneral,landscapeswithlargenumbersofpotentialvisualreceptorswillbemoresensitivetowindenergydevelopment,dependingontheextentofvisibilityandthenatureofdevelopment.

PERCEPTUALCONSIDERATIONSMovement Considerationoftheextentofvisibleman-mademovementinthe

landscape(butwhichmayincludemovementfromnaturalsourcessuchasflowingwaterandtreesblowinginthewind),withinthesamecharacterareaorbeyond,suchasvehicletraffic,aircraftandmoving


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structuressuchasexistingwindturbines.Ingeneral,busylandscapeswithfrequentman-mademovementwillhavereducedsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.

Builtdevelopment

Considerationofthedegreeofmodificationtothelandscape,eitherwithinthesamecharacterareaorbeyond,bybuiltdevelopmentsuchassettlement,industrialorcommercialbuildingsandinfrastructure,lineartransportroutesandpowerlines,andverticalstructuressuchascommunicationsmasts,pylons,chimneysandwindturbines.Moremodifiedanddevelopedlandscapeswillgenerallyhaveareducedsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment,dependingonthenatureofcumulativeeffectsandoveralllandscapecharacter.Undevelopedlandscapewithastrongsenseofnaturalness(includingmanagedlandscapes)willgenerallyhaveanincreasedsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.Thedevelopedcoastislesssensitivethantheundevelopedsandyorrockycoastline,includingtheAONBandheritagecoast.Landscapeswithnotablehistoricsettlementsandsettlementpatternwillgenerallybeofincreasedsusceptibility.

Remoteness Considerationofthesenseofremotenessintermsofeaseofaccessorseclusion(inthesenseofthedegreeofcontainment,humanactivityandman-madenoisethatcanbeexperienced).Remote,tranquillandscapeswithlittlehumanactivityornoise(butwhichmayincludemovementandnoisefromnaturalsourcessuchasflowingwaterandtreesblowinginthewind)willbesensitivetowindenergydevelopment.

QUALITATIVECONSIDERATIONSScenicquality Thenaturalbeautyandnaturalorornamental(designed)scenicqualityof

thelandscape,whetherdesignatedforsuchqualitiesornot.Includesconsiderationoftheconditionofthelandscapeintermsofitsphysicalstateanditsvisualandfunctionalintactness.Considerationoflikelyeffectsonspecialqualitiesandtheoverallintegrityoflandscapesrecognisedfortheirscenicquality,suchasNorthumberlandNationalPark,AONB,heritagecoastanddesignedlandscapes,whichareparticularlysensitivetowindenergydevelopment.

Distinctiveness TheextenttowhichalandscapeisrepresentativeoftheNorthumberlandlandscape,orcontributestoadistinctive‘senseofplace’.Considerationofwhetherthelandscapecontainsaparticularcharacterand/orfeaturesorelementswhichareconsideredparticularlyimportantexamples,whichwouldbemoresensitivetouncharacteristicwindenergydevelopment.

Rarity TherelativerarityofalandscapecharactertypewithinNorthumberland.Considerationalsoofthepresenceofrareelementsorfeaturesinthelandscape.Ingeneral,morefrequentcharactertypeswillbelesssensitivethanrarerlandscapesorlandscapescontainingrareelementsorfeatures.

HISTORIC&CULTURALCONSIDERATIONSHeritageassets Theinfluenceofculturalheritagefeatures,includingbuiltstructures,

designedlandscapesandvisibleearthworksonthecharacterofthelandscapeandviews.Distinctivearchaeological/historicfeaturescangiveastrongsenseofhistoryor‘timelessness’.WindenergydevelopmentcouldadverselyaffectthesettingofsensitiveheritageassetssuchasScheduledMonuments,listedbuildings,historicparksandgardens,heritagecoastandHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSite.

Recreation Considerationoftheroleplayedbythelandscapeinlandscape-basedrecreation,includingtouristattractions,othervisitorfacilitiesandscenic


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footpaths.Recreationalandtouristfacilitiesaresensitivetowindenergydevelopmentwhereexperienceofthelandscapeisimportanttovisitors.

CONTEXTUALCONSIDERATIONSLandscapecharactercontext

Theroleofadjacentcharactertypesincontributingtooveralllandscapecharacterandscenicquality,andviceversa.Includesconsiderationoftheinteractionofnaturalandculturalattributesoflandscape,seascapeandperi-urban(urbanfringe)areas.Includesconsiderationofcontainment,backdropandskylines,theexperienceofscaleanddegreeofcomplexity,inter-visibilityandvegetationpatterns,andtheimportanceofthesettingoflandscapesrecognisedfortheirscenicquality.Landscapetypesthatarecloselyjuxtaposedandcontraststronglywithadjacentlandscapes,areasoftransitionbetweencharactertypes,andareasthatformpartofthesettingofsensitivelandscapes,arelikelytobeespeciallysensitive.Susceptibilitywillalsobeincreasedwherethereisahighdegreeofinter-visibilitybetweenadjacentlandscapesand/orseascapesand/ortheurbanfringe,includingconsiderationofvisibilitywithinthewiderstudyareabeyondNorthumberland.Considerationofthevisualinfluenceofwindturbinesandhowthiswouldchangelandscapecharacterdependingonwhetherwindenergydevelopmentwouldbeapparent/conspicuous/prominent/dominantwithinalandscapecharactertypeorarea.

Cumulativeeffects

Considerationofexistingwindenergydevelopment(s)andcumulativeeffectsthatmayalterkeycharacteristicswherewindenergydevelopmentwouldbeapparent/conspicuous/prominent/dominantwithinalandscapecharactertypeorarea.Considerationofcumulativeeffectswithotherdevelopmente.g.transmissionlinesandotherinfrastructure,whichcancreateanover-complexvisualimage.Theremaybescopeforfurtherdevelopmentofasimilarsizewhilstattainingsomevisualseparationtominimiseeffectsonlandscapecharacterdependentuponconsiderationofsequentialcumulativeeffectswhenmovingthroughthelandscape.

2.11 ThisframeworkrepresentsarefinementofthestandardisedsetofcriteriausedintheNLCAto

representthekeycharacteristicfeaturesofeachLCAinNorthumberlandthatcouldbeaffectedbywindenergydevelopment,inparticularintermsof:

• Amalgamationofconsiderationsoflandscapescaleandenclosuretoreflecttheirclose

inter-relationship;• Considerationofsettlement,industry,verticalandhorizontalfeaturestogetheras‘built

development’andtherecordingofuptodatebuiltfeatureswheretheyaffectlandscapecharacter,suchaswindenergyinstallationsandsignificanturbanandinfrastructureexpansion,asareflectionoftheperceptionofthedegreeofbuiltmodificationtothelandscape(ratherthanas‘cultural’criteriaasintheNLCA);

• Considerationof‘scenicquality’toincludenotonlylandscapecondition(asintheNLCA)butalsotoreflectNorthumberland’snaturalbeautyandornamental(designed)qualities;

• TheadditionofconsiderationofthewiderlandscapecharactercontextofeachLCA,reflectingtheoftenintricateinterplayofphysical,visual,perceptual,qualitative,historic


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&culturalattributesandhowthesecombinetoaffectthecharacterofthelandscapesofNorthumberland;

• Theadditionofconsiderationofcumulativeeffectstoreflecthowkeycharacteristicsmayhavechangedduetotheinstallationofwindenergydevelopmentswithinandbeyondthestudyarea.

2.12 Thestudyassessestherelativesensitivityofeachoftheprojectlandscapeunits(LCTs/LCAs)

interpretedfromtheNLCAdescriptions,consideredagainsteachofthewindturbinetypologycategoriesusedinthisstudy,foreachlandscapesensitivityattribute/criterionwithinTable7.Amatrixisused(basedonthatusedwithintheNLCAbutrefinedasappropriateasmentionedabove)torecordastandardisedsetofcriteriatorepresentthekeycharacteristicfeaturesofeachLCA,whichfacilitatesconsistentanddirectcomparisonofthesensitivityofeachLCAtowindenergydevelopment.Foreachcriterionafive-pointscaleisusedagainstwhicheachLCAisassessedintermsofgeneralsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.Thefive-pointscalerepresentsagradualcontinuum(ratherthanarigidscalewithfixedpoints)fromlow,low-moderate,moderate,moderate-highandhigh,usingtheNLCA,fieldworkandprofessionaljudgementtodecidetheplacementonthescale,andconsequentoverallsensitivity(seeparagraphs2.23–2.30).Table8outlinesthelandscapesensitivitycontinuum:

Table8:LandscapeSensitivityContinuum

LowerSensitivity

HigherSensitivity

PHYSICALLANDSCAPECRITERIALandform Simple,levelorgentlygraded,

unvariedtopography;Lackoflandmarklandformfeatures.

Complex,steep,dramatic,strongtopographicalvariety;Distinctlandmarklandformfeatures.

Landcover Simple,consistent,limitedvarietyinlandcoverpattern;Lackofhuman-scalefeatures;Lackoflandmarklandscapefeatures;Complexurbanfringelandscapeslackingcoherence.

Moreintricate,irregular,fragmentedlandcoverpattern;Human-scalefeaturesactingasscaleindicators;Distinctlandmarklandscapefeatures.

Landscapescale

Largescalelandformswithlittlereliefortopographiccontainment;Largescalelandcoverpatternslackinginhuman-scalefeatures;Largerscaleturbinesrelatebettertolargerscale,open,exposedlandscapes;Smallerscaleturbinesrelatebettertosmallerscalelandscapeswithmoreintricatelandcoverpatternsandhuman-scalefeatures.

Smallscale,intimatelandformswithhighdegreeofreliefandtopographiccontainment;Smallscalelandcoverpatternswithhuman-scalefeatures;Landscapeswhereexpansivenessandsenseofdistanceisimportant;Largerscaleturbineswillbeoutofscaleinsmallscale,enclosedlandscapes.


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LowerSensitivity

HigherSensitivity

VISUALCRITERIASkylines Notprominent,indistinctive,

simple,featurelessvisualhorizons;Existingdevelopmentisprominentontheskyline.

Prominent,distinctive,complexvisualhorizons;Undevelopedskyline.

Viewsandlandmarks

Thelandscapeisnotafeatureinrecognisedviews;Noviewsfromimportantviewpoints;Noviewsto/fromimportantlandmarkfeaturesorotherlandscapefoci.

Thelandscapeisimportantinrecognisedviews;Keyviewsfromimportantviewpoints;Viewsto/fromimportantlandmarkfeaturesand/orotherlandscapefoci.

Inter-visibility

Self-containedlandscapesvisuallyenclosedwithrestrictedinter-visibility.

Openlandscapesvisibleinpanoramicviewsacrossawidearea.

Visualreceptors

Fewpeoplepotentiallyaffectedbyachangeinviewsandvisualamenity.

Manypeoplepotentiallyaffectedbyachangeinviewsandvisualamenity.

PERCEPTUALCRITERIAMovement Busy,frequenttocontinuousman-

mademovement.Still,withnooronlyveryoccasionalman-mademovement.

Builtdevelopment

Highdegreeoflandscapemodificationbybuiltdevelopment;Significantman-madelinearorverticalstructures;Littleornotraditionalbuildingsorsettlements;Nosenseofnaturalness.

Largelyundeveloped,withverylimitedlandscapemodificationbybuiltdevelopment;Nosignificantman-madelinearorverticalstructures;Traditional&/orsmallscalebuildingsandsettlements;Strongsenseofnaturalness.

Remoteness Easilyaccessiblelandscapewithnosenseofremoteness;Nottranquil,withmuchhumanactivityandman-madenoise.

Secludedlandscapewithasenseofremoteness;Tranquil,withlittlehumanactivityornoise.

QUALITATIVECHARACTERISTICSScenicquality Landscapeoflownaturalbeauty

and/orlownaturalorornamental(designed)scenicquality;Nolandscapedesignation;Poorcondition,poorlymanaged;Visuallyand/orfunctionallydamagedorimpaired.

Landscapeofhighnaturalbeautyand/orhighnaturalorornamental(designed)scenicquality;Landscapedesignatedforitsscenicquality;Goodcondition,wellmanaged;Visuallyand/orfunctionallyintact.


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LowerSensitivity

HigherSensitivity

Distinctiveness NotrepresentativeofNorthumberland;Little‘senseofplace’;Containsnoparticularlyimportantlandscapecharacteristicsorfeaturesorelements.

DistinctivetoNorthumberland;Strong‘senseofplace’;ContainslandscapecharacteristicsorfeaturesorelementsconsideredparticularlyimportantexampleswithinNorthumberland.

Rarity AcommonlandscapecharactertypeorareawithinNorthumberland;Norarelandscapefeaturesorelementspresent.

Aunique/veryinfrequentlandscapecharactertypeorareawithinNorthumberland;Rarelandscapefeaturesorelementspresent.

HISTORIC&CULTURALCRITERIAHeritageassets

Theinfluenceofculturalheritage/historicfeaturesonlandscapecharacterandviewsishighlylimited;Nodistinctivevisiblearchaeologyand/orsensitivehistoricassets;Nosenseofhistoryor‘timelessness’.

Landscapecharacterandviewsarehighlyinfluencedbyculturalheritage/historicfeatures;Distinctivevisiblearchaeologyand/orhistoricfeatures;Potentialforthesettingofsensitiveheritageassets(whetherdesignatedand/orlistedornot)tobesignificantlyaffected;Strongsenseofhistoryor‘timelessness’.

Recreation Littleornolandscape-basedrecreationalortouristuse.

Landscapeislocallyand/ornationallyimportantforrecreationand/ortourism,whereexperienceofthelandscapeisimportant.

CONTEXTUALCONSIDERATIONSLandscapecharactercontext

Thelandscapedoesnotcontributetothecharacterand/orscenicqualityofadjacentcharactertypes,orviceversa;Landscapetypeissimilartoadjacenttype;Landscapecontrastswithadjacenttypesbutwithrestrictedinter-visibility;Windturbinesconsideredtobe‘noticeable’or‘apparent’arelikelytobecomeacharacteristicofthelandscapebutnotakeycharacteristic.Thelandscapeaffectedisunlikelytobecomea‘windfarmlandscape’typeorsub-type.

Thelandscapecontributestothecharacterand/orscenicqualityofadjacentcharactertypes,orviceversa;Landscapetypescloselyjuxtaposedandcontrastingstronglywithadjacenttypes;Areasoftransitionbetweencharactertypes;Highdegreeofinter-visibilitybetweenadjacentlandscapesand/orseascapesand/orperi-urban(urbanfringe)areas;Windturbinesconsideredtobe‘prominent’or‘dominant’wouldbecomeakeycharacteristicofthelandscapewhichmightbecomea‘windfarmlandscape’typeorsub-type.


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LowerSensitivity

HigherSensitivity

Cumulativeeffects

Landscapeunaffectedbyoperationalorconsentedwindenergydevelopment,orotherdevelopment,suchthatwindturbinesareunlikelytocreateanover-compleximage;Turbinesofasimilarlayoutanddesigntootheroperationalorconsentedturbinesthatlimitsvisualconfusion;Cumulativeeffectswithothernearbyoperationalorconsentedwindenergydevelopmentwouldcreateanew‘windfarmlandscape’charactertypebutwherethisisconsideredpreferabletoadverselyaffectingthecharacterofmoresensitivelandscapes;Visualseparationbetweenwindfarmsissuchthatsequentialcumulativeeffectswhenmovingthroughthelandscapeareconsideredinsignificant.

Combinedeffectswithoperationalorconsentedwindenergydevelopment,orotherdevelopment,wouldcreateanover-compleximageand/orvisualconfusion,and/orwouldadverselychangethecharacterofthelandscapeintoa‘windfarmlandscape’typeorsub-type;Acceptablevisualseparationbetweenoperationalorconsentedwindenergydevelopmentsisadverselyaffectedresultinginsignificantsequentialcumulativeeffectwhenmovingthroughthelandscape.

ProjectStage1:PilotStudy2.13 Theprojectteamrecognisedfromtheoutsetthatinundertakingarelativelylargescaleand

complexstudy,therecouldbesignificantvalueinpilotingproposedmethodsandprovisionalsensitivityassessmentstoenablerefinementinmethodand/orscopebeforefullapplication.Moreover,thisallowedfortheCouncil’sprojectteamtobeengagedfromanearlystageofthework.ConsequentlyapilotstudywasundertakenandaninternalpilotstudyreportpresentedtoCouncilofficerstowardstheendofStage1.

2.14 FieldsheetswerepreparedtorecordkeycharacteristicsofLCAswithin3LCTs,andfieldwork

undertakentorecordanysignificantchangesfromthecharacteristicsidentifiedintheNLCA,suchastheeffectsofnewinfrastructure,builtdevelopmentandwindenergyinstallations.Draftsensitivityprofileswerepreparedforthe3LCTs,whichwereLCT21:RollingUplands,LCT35:BroadLowlandValleysandLCT40:BroadBaysandDunes,chosenduetotheirdifferingcharacteristics(upland/lowland-rural/coastal-peri-urban),theirlimitednumberofcomponentLCAsandgeographicconcentration.

2.15 Akeylessonlearntfromthepilotstudywasthattheprojectwouldbenefitfrommore

extensivefieldworktoidentifylandscapechangessince2010,inparticularwindenergydevelopmentsandmoresignificanturbanandinfrastructureexpansionoverthepreceding7years.Insodoing,addedvaluewouldbeaffordedtothestudy,particularlyinrelationtohowwindenergyhaschangedthecharacterandwidercontext/inter-visibilityofsomeLCTs/LCAs,


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andtheimpactthishashadoncumulativeeffects.ChangeswererecordedontheLCAmatricesagainstrelevantcriteria(sensitivityattributes)thattogetherprovideanoverallassessmentofsensitivitytodifferentscalesofwindenergydevelopment.

2.16 Also,asaresultofthepilotprofilingandsubsequentdiscussionswiththeCouncil’sproject

team,theinitialturbinetypologycategorieswerefinalisedandthesensitivitycriteria(attributes)wereslightlyamended(asreferredtoabove).TheserelativelyminorbutsignificantchangesprovideabespokemethodmostappropriatetotheidentificationandrecordingofsensitivityattributesofthelandscapesofNorthumberlandtocategoriesofwindturbinemostlikelytocomeforwardinthecounty.

ProjectStage2:FieldEvaluationandModerationofInitialDesk-BasedSensitivityAssessment

2.17 ThisstageentailsthemoderationandrevisionwhereappropriateofStage1outputsthroughground-truthing.Thisallowsforaqualitative,experientialelementtobeembeddedwithintheoverallassessmentoflandscapesensitivity.Itaffordsthenecessaryfirst-handappreciationandground-levelunderstandingandanalysisofthecomplexinterplayoflandscapecomponents,bytheconsultants,inreachingaprofessionaljudgmentonlandscapeunitsensitivity.

2.18 Fieldworkentailedexaminationoflandscapecharactervis-à-vistheProjectStage1findings,

andindoingsokeyaddedvalueachievedthroughhavingregardtothesignificanceofvisualreceptorseitherwithinthelandscapeunit,orpotentiallyaffectedoutsideitinneighbouringormoredistantlandscapeunits.Inter-visibilityoflandscapeunitsandimportantviews/viewpointswasconfirmedbyground-truthingworkasfarasisappropriatetoastrategic-grainsensitivityassessment.

2.19 Fieldworkalsoconfirmedthelocationofalloperationalwindfarmswithinthecountytofeed

intothelaterprojectstagewheretheirimpactonlandscapecharacterandsensitivityistakenintoaccount.AtthetimeoftheNorthumberlandLCAin2010therewereonly3operationalwindfarmsinthecounty(withatotalof14turbinesincluding2offshoreatBlyth),andafurther10consentedwindfarms(totalling130turbines).Thishadrisento15operationalwindfarms(withatotalof114turbines100m–130mheighttobladetip-seeTable4andFigure4)plusanumberofsmallerwindturbinesandanadditional7offshoreturbinesnearBlythHarbour(withamaximumheighttobladetipof191.5m–seeTable5)bythetimetheconsultantsundertookthisstudy.Theeffects(individualandcumulative)ofoperationalwindfarmsonlandscapecharacterandsensitivityisakeyconsiderationinthestudy.

2.20 Duringthefieldwork,fieldsheetsandannotatedfieldmapswereusedtorecordkey

landscapecharacteristicsofeachLCAacrossthecounty,notinganyappropriaterefinementstothoserecordedintheNLCA.Thesetogetherwithaphotographicrecordprovideastrongframeworkofaide-memoirestoinformStage3projectoutputs.


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ProjectStage3:SensitivityAssessment&Summary2.21 Landscapesensitivityprofilesrecordtheassessmentofsensitivityofeachofthe44LCTs

againsteachofthekeysensitivityattributes.Afive-pointscaleisusedtorecordtheoverallsensitivityofeachLCAwithineachLCTtothedifferentcategoriesofwindturbinetypologyusedinthestudy,usingthedefinitionsofsensitivitygiveninTable9below.Professionaljudgementisusedtodecidetheexactplacementonthescale(seeparagraphs2.23–2.30).ThesearerecordedinasummarytableattheendofeachLCTprofile.

Table9:DefinitionsoflandscapecharacterareasensitivitytowindturbinedevelopmentHigherSensitivity(H) Manyofthekeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapeare

highlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Landscapecharacter,viewsand/orvisualamenityarehighlylikelytobesignificantlyaffected.

Moderate-HighSensitivity(M-H)

Manyofthekeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapearesensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Landscapecharacter,viewsand/orvisualamenityarelikelytobesignificantlyaffected.

ModerateSensitivity(M)

Someofthekeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapearesensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Landscapecharacter,viewsand/orvisualamenityareunlikelytobesignificantlyaffected.

Low-ModerateSensitivity(L-M)

Fewofthekeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapearesensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Landscapecharacter,viewsand/orvisualamenityareunlikelytobesignificantlyaffected.

LowerSensitivity(L) Thekeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapearegenerallyrobustandarenotparticularlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Landscapecharacter,viewsand/orvisualamenityareunlikelytobesignificantlyaffected.

2.22 Colourcodinginthesummarytableswithineachlandscapesensitivityprofilereflectthe

differentsensitivitylevelswithinTable10,andarerepeatedonGISgeneratedmappingtoindicaterelativesensitivityofeachLCAtoeachofthefivewindturbinetypologycategories.Thisenableseasycross-referencingandspatialexpressionoffindingstofacilitatecomparisonofeacharea.

DerivingOverallSensitivityValuesincludingConsiderationofCumulative

Effects2.23 OverallsensitivityvaluesforeachLCAarederivedbyusingthefollowingTable10.Foreach

landscapecharacteristic,adoptedspecificallyforthisstudyasreferredtoabove,afive-pointscaleissetoutagainstwhicheachlandscapeisassessed,andprofessionaljudgementisusedindecidingoverallsensitivity.


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Table10:SensitivityScaleforAssessingOverallSensitivityofeachLCAtoWindEnergyDevelopment LowSensitivity Low-Moderate

SensitivityModerateSensitivity

Moderate-HighSensitivity

HighSensitivity

PHYSICALLANDSCAPECRITERIALandform Simple,level,

unvariedSimple,gentlyundulatingwithoccasionalvariety

Undulatingorwithsomevariety

Rolling,varied,butlackingstrongcomplexity

Complex,strongtopographicalvariety,dramatic

Landcover Simple,predictablelimitedvarietyinlandcover

Simple,withoccasionalvariety

Somevariety Varied,butlackingcomplexity

Muchvarietyinlandcoverresultinginmosaiceffect

Landscapescale

Large,open,exposed

Medium-large,generallyopen,enclosedinplaces

Medium,someenclosure

Medium-small,mostlyenclosed,someopenareas

Small,enclosed

VISUALCRITERIASkylines Notprominent,

indistinctive,simple&/ordevelopmentdefined

Notprominent,indistinctive,&/orsomedevelopment

Someprominence,notdistinctive&/orvaried,somedevelopment

Prominent&/orsomecomplexity&/orlittledevelopment

Prominent,distinctive&/orcomplex&/orundeveloped

Viewsandlandmarks

Noviewsfromviewpointsortolandmarkfeatures

Viewstolimitedoroccasionallandmarkfeatures

Viewstolocallysignificantlandmarkfeatures

Viewsfromviewpointsortoimportantlandmarkfeatures

Keyviewsfrompopularviewpointstoiconic/importantlandmarkfeatures

Inter-visibility

Self-contained,restrictedinter-visibility

Occasionalviewsto/fromadjacentlandscapes

Inter-visibilitywithsomeneighbouringlandscapes

Inter-visibilityandstronglinkstoneighbouringlandscapes

Extensivelyinter-visible,partofwiderlandscape

Visualreceptors

Lownumberofviewersfrompropertiesandtransportroutes

Localtransportroutes,limitednumbersofresidents

Somevisibilityfrommaintransportroutes,moreresidents

Highervisibilityfrommaintransportroutesandproperties

Frequentpropertiesandviewsfrommaintransportroutes

PERCEPTUALCRITERIAMovement Busy,frequent

tocontinuousmovement

Frequentmovementonroadsandrailways

Occasionaltofrequentmovement

Quiet,limitedmovement

Still,veryoccasionalmovementonly

Builtdevelopment

Highdegree&/orlargescalebuiltdevelopment.Littleornotraditionalbuildingsorsettlements,nosenseofnaturalness

Somebuiltdevelopment&/orinfrastructureand/orprominentverticalstructuresand/orsomebrownfieldland

Somebuiltdevelopment&/orinfrastructureand/orverticalstructuresbutlackingprominence

Limitedbuiltdevelopment,infrastructure,&/ortraditionalorsmallscalebuildingsandsettlements,strongsenseofnaturalness

Verylimitedornobuiltdevelopment.Traditional&/orsmallscalebuildingsandsettlements,strongsenseofnaturalness

Remoteness Nottranquil,muchhumanactivityandnoise

Frequenthumanactivityandpresence

Somehumanactivitylimitingsenseofremoteness

Relativelytranquil

Tranquil,littlehumanactivityornoise,senseofremoteness


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QUALITATIVECHARACTERISTICSScenicquality

OfLowperceivedpicturesque/aesthetic/dramaticvalue

Low/mediumperceivedpicturesque/aesthetic/dramaticvalue

Mediumperceivedpicturesque/aesthetic/dramaticvalue

Medium/highperceivedpicturesque/aesthetic/dramaticvalue

Highperceivedpicturesque/aesthetic/dramaticvalue

Distinctive-ness

NotrepresentativeofNorthumberland

UnrepresentativeofNorthumberlandbutwithsomesenseofplace

SomeelementsofdistinctiveNorthumberlandlandscapecharacter

RepresentativelandscapeofNorthumberland

DistinctivetoNorthumberland

Rarity AcommonlandscapeacrossNorthumberland

Amorecommonlandscape,withfeaturesofsomerarity

Amorecommonlandscapewithsomeuniquefeatures

AlandscaperarelyoccurringacrossNorthumberland

Aunique/veryinfrequentlandscapeacrossNorthumberland

HISTORIC&CULTURALCRITERIAHeritageassets

Landscapewheretheinfluenceofhistoricsitesoncharacterishighlylimited

Landscapewheretheinfluenceofhistoricsitesoncharacterislimitedbutoccasionallylimportantlocally

Landscapewheretheinfluenceofhistoricsitesoncharacterissignificantbutrestrictedinextent

LandscapewhereperceptionandinfluenceofhistoricsitessignificantlyaddstocharacteracrosstheLCA

Landscapesignificantlydefinedordominatedbyheritagesitesandhistoricassociations

Recreation Littleornorecreationaluse

Lowlevelinformalorlocalrecreationaluse

Locallysignificantrecreationaluseorattraction

Wellusedforrecreation,greaterthanlocalattraction

Importantforrecreationforlocalsandvisitors,nationaldesignationorattraction

2.24 Itisimportanttonotethatthesensitivityassessmentisnotmadeonthebasisofasimplesum

ofthemostattributesfallingwithinapointonthescale,butonconsiderationofthecomplexinterplayofdifferentcriteria,recognisingthatwithinalandscapeunitsomecriteriamayhaveagreaterinfluenceonlandscapecharacterthanothercriteria,forexampleaprominentskyline.

2.25 Thecombinedeffectsofanumberofwindturbinescancreatecumulativeeffectsi.e.

additionalchangestothelandscapeandpeople’sperceptionsofitthatcouldeventuallychangethecharacterofthelandscape.Asnumbersofwindturbinesincrease,theirpotentiallyhighlevelofvisibilityandotherpotentialimpactsmeansthatcumulativeeffectsaremorelikely.Thisisanevolvingareaofpracticeandconsiderableefforthasrecentlybeendevotedtoaddressingcumulativelandscapeandvisualeffectsinguidance,specificallyonwindfarms15.Moregeneralguidanceisprovidedinthe‘GuidelinesforLandscapeandVisualImpactAssessment’,201316.

2.26 ConsiderationisgivenwithintheLCTprofilestothepresenceofwindturbineswithinorvisible

fromaLCT,howthisaffectslandscapecharacterandthepotentialfor(further)cumulativelandscapeandvisualeffectsasaresultofnewwindenergydevelopment.Cumulative

15AssessingtheCumulativeImpactofOnShoreWindEnergyDevelopments(2012),ScottishNaturalHeritage16GuidelinesforLandscapeandVisualImpactAssessment,ThirdEdition,2013;LandscapeInstituteandInstituteforEnvironmentalManagementandAssessment.


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landscapeeffectsmayincludeeffectsonlandscapecharacterandonthephysicalfabricofthelandscape(suchaswoodlandandhedgerows).Cumulativevisualeffectsmayinclude:

• Combinedvisibilityoftwoormoredevelopmentsfromaviewpoint,either‘in-

combination’(wherethedevelopmentsareseenwithinthesamearcofvisionatthesametime)or‘in-succession’(wheretheobserverhastoturntoseethevariousdevelopments);

• Sequentialvisibilitywheredifferentdevelopmentsareseenwhenmovingfromoneviewpointtoanother,forexamplewhentravelingalongaroad,railway,river/canalorfootpath,etc.Sequentialeffectsmayrangefromfrequentlysequentialtooccasionallysequential.

2.27 ThepotentialsensitivityofaLCAtocumulativeeffectsistakenintoaccountintheoverall

summaryassessment.Guidanceisgivenwithintheprofilesforavoidingorlimitingcumulativeeffectsfromadditionalwindenergydevelopment.

2.28 Althoughthestudyfindingswillhelpdirectdevelopmenttolesssensitivelocations,itdoesnot

implythatdevelopmentwillalwaysbeacceptableinthoseareas.Forexample,thestudymayfindthatevenanareaassessedasoveralllow-moderatesensitivitymaycomprisesomekeycharacteristicsthataresensitivetothetypeofdevelopmentproposedandthatmightcausesignificantadverseeffect.Itisforeachdevelopmentproposal(thatmaybesupportedbyLandscape&VisualImpactAssessmentasanexplicitelementofEnvironmentalImpactAssessment,forexample)toshowhowthecharacteristicsofalandscapeunit(LCT/LCA),andthewiderareawherevisualsensitivityextendsbeyondtheunit,havebeentakenintoaccountinthesiting,layoutanddesignofaproposal,tohelptheCouncilreachadecisiononthescaleofdevelopment,itsmagnitudeofchangeandlikelysignificanceofeffectonthecharacterandappearanceofthearea.However,theoutputsofthissensitivityassessmentdoprovidethatsystematicandtransparentcoarse-to-moderategrainfilterofareaswherewindenergydevelopmentofthedifferenttypologiesconsideredinthestudywouldnotbeappropriateinlandscapeandvisualterms.

2.29 Anoverallsummarysensitivitytablesetsoutacomprehensiveyetsimpleoverviewofthe

relativesensitivitiesofeachLCAtoeachcategoryofwindturbinetypology(seeTable11,Section4).ThesamecolourcodingisusedasintheLCTlandscapesensitivityprofilesandinthemappingtoeasecross-referencing.

2.30 Stage3oftheprojectincludesnarrativeinexplanationofthefindingsandmakes

recommendationsfortakingtheseforwardinpolicyand/orasupplementaryplanningdocumentinrelationtowindenergyinNorthumberland.


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3. LANDSCAPESENSITIVITYPROFILESANDASSESSMENT3.1 Thissectionsetsoutdetailedlandscapesensitivityassessmentsforeachofthe44

LandscapeCharacterAreasoftheStudyArea.WithineachassessmentprofilethereportpresentsfindingsinrespecttotheLCT’scomponentcharacteristicsandhowthesearejudgedtorelatetosensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.Eachprofileprovidesasummarystatementinrespecttotheoveralllandscapecharactercontextinrelationtowindenergysensitivityandanarrativeinrespecttothepotentialimplicationsofcumulativeimpactsarisingfromadditionalwindenergydevelopment.

3.2 Asummarytableispresentedwithineachprofileastotheassessedoverall

landscapesensitivitiestoeachofthewindturbinetypologies(scales)foreachcomponentlandscapecharacterareaofeachLCT.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT1:BroadRiverMouth

LCT1comprisesasinglecharacterareabasedaroundthelowertidalreachesandmouthoftheRiverTweed.• LCA1a:TweedRiverMouth

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT1:BroadRiverMouth:• Sweepingrivercourse,separatingthehistoriccoreandoutlyingareasofBerwickuponTweed,

withmudbanksandsandybeachesattherivermouth.

• Large-scalearableandpasturefieldsboundedbyremnanthedgerowsandoccasionalfieldtrees.Woodlandadjoinstheriverinplaces.

• Historiccharacter,includingthemedievalcoreandmedieval/post-medievalfortificationsofBerwickuponTweedonthenorthsideoftheRiverTweed,andthehistoricbridgesspanningtheriver.


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• PeripheraldevelopmentassociatedwithBerwickuponTweedextendsoverthevalleyslopes.

• Large-scaleindustrialbuildingsatTweedmouthformadominantfeaturewithinviewsfromthenorth.

• ThehigharchedrailwaybridgeformsadistinctivelandmarkandthisiscomplementedbytheoldroadbridgeintothehistoriccoreofBerwickuponTweed.

• Viewsaretypicallyfocusedonthebridgesandtowardsthecoast.LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT1:BroadRiverMouthSensitivityattributes

Landscapecharacteristicsinfluencingsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment

Sensitivityassessment

PHYSICAL:Landform

BroadrivermouthbasinandcoastalfringeflankingabroadsweepintheTweedasitflowsintotheNorthSea.Avarietyofgradientsrisetolowbluffsfromthetidalriverbanksandmudbankstothenorth,withgentlerrisessouthoftheriver.Broadsandybeacheslietotheimmediatesouthoftherivermouth,withamixedsandyandrockyshorelinetothenorth,beyondtheprominentstonebreakwaterandlighthouse.

Moderate

Landcover

MuchoftheLCAisurbanwithprominentrivercrossings(roadandrail),quayside,historictownfortificationsandprominentbuildings.Publicopenspace(riversideenvirons),pocketwoodland,golfcourses,variousurban-fringelandusesandarablefarmlandcharacteriseundevelopedparts.Riparianenvironsarekeyelementsofthelandscapewithgentlepastoralslopesandsteepwoodedbanksideswestofthetown.

Moderate-High

Landscapescale Large-mediumscalefarmlandliesbeyondadenseurbanframework,withpocketwoodlandsandriparianvegetationprovidingamoreintimatescaleinplaces.

Moderate-High

VISUAL:Skylines Awayfromtheurbanskylinesofthetownandthe

shorelineenvirons,horizonsaremostlydefinedbylow,roundedsimpleformfarmlandbrows,mostlyundevelopedbutwithperi-urbaninfluencesdependingonviewpoint(power-lines,masts,farmbuildings).Skylinesfromtheshorelinestretchouttoseaandalongthecoastnorthandsouthaffordingbigskies.OccasionalglimpsesofthemoredramaticCheviotHillstothesouthwestareaffordedfromelevatedlocations.

Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

Expansiveviewsalongthecoastalstrip(particularlyfromthenorthernbreakwater)andfromtownfortifications.Historicandmorerecentrivercrossingsprovideprominentlandmarksandafforddramaticviewsacrossandalongtheriver,therivermouthandthetown,particularlyfromtheEastCoastMainLinerailcrossing.Areasofrelativeelevationfromwithinthetownandgolfcoursesforexampleprovidesomeexceptionalandhistoricviews.Someviewsacrossthe

High


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Sensitivityattributes



areaarepossibletravellingnorthontheA1.Inter-visibility Someintervisibilitywithelevatedlandtothenorthof

thetown,butgenerallytheareaisself-containedbutwithlittlesenseofenclosurebytopography.

Moderate

Visualreceptors Widespread,highsensitivityreceptorswithinandaroundthetownfromresidentialareasandmanyhistoricsites.ViewsfromtheA1andparticularlytheEastCoastMainLineareimportantattherivercrossing.

High

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Significantmovementalongmaintransportroutesand

urbanactivity.Theriver,coastandtidalchangesandbigskiesaddnaturalmovementacrossthearea.

Low-Moderate

Builtdevelopment Extensiveurbanareaeast,southandnorthoftherailwayrivercrossingspresentingasignificantcontrasttotheriversidearablelandscapestothewestinwhichthereislittlebuiltdevelopment.

Moderate

Remoteness Someratherlimitedsenseofremotenesstothewesternfringesofthearea,butotherwiseasettledurbanandperi-urbanlandscape.

Low

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Therivercorridor,itsmouthandcoastalstrip,

combinedwithimportanttownscapesettingandviewsaffordsomestrongscenicvalueandimportantlocaldistinctiveness,althoughlargepartsoftheareaareofunremarkableurbancharacterorarablefarmland.

Moderate-High

Distinctiveness Adistinctivelandscapeofmoderatescaleriverflowingeastwardsfromtheremote,tranquilBoardercountrytoitsurban,protectedquaysidemouthtothenorthsea.

High

Rarity Uniquecombinationofnaturalandurbanlandscapefeaturesofsignificanthistoricandculturalimportance.

High

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Highculturalandtownscapeimportance,withstrong

inter-connectivitybetweentopography,thecoast,riverandhistoricbuildings,quayside,rampartsandbridges.

High

Recreation Importantriversideandcoastalamenityvalue,includingtheTownRampartsBerwickshireCoastalPath,NorthumberlandCoastalPathandNationalCycleNetwork.

High

CONTEXTUALCONSIDERATIONS:Landscapecharactercontext

Agentlyprofiled,lowlandriverandrivermouthbasinlandscapecontextatthenorthernendoftheextensivearablecoastalplain.Significanthistoricurbanareasonrisinglandstandaroundtherivermouthwhilstinlandisamixedarableandgrazingfarmedhinterlandbisectedbymajortransportinfrastructure.TheLCTliesimmediatelytothenorthoftheNorthumberlandCoastAONBandissteepedinhistoricsignificancewithiconicviewsfromthehistoricrivercrossings.TheLCTishighlyvisibleinmediumdistanceviewsfromtheviewpointatHalidonHillwithinLCA4a


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(NorthTweedCoast)immediatelynorthoftheLCAandtown.Otherwiseintervisibilityisquitelimitedbylocaltopography.Ingeneral,theLCAwouldbehighlysensitivetocommercialscalewindenergydevelopment,primarilyasaconsequenceofalargeconcentrationofsensitivereceptors,includingextensiveresidentialareasandimportantheritagesitesandtheirlandscapesettings.AbsenceofsignificantverticalinfrastructurebeyondthetownandwithinsurroundingLCAscontributestotherelativelystand-alonecharacterofthetownandLCA’ssetting,whichcouldbeerodedbylargerscalewindenergydevelopment.However,tothewestfromthetownanditshistoricsitesandoutlooks,themediumtolargescaleofthearablefarmedlandscapewithlowerdensityofsettlementsuggestsomelimitedsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.NewwindenergydevelopmentwithintheLCTshouldbelimitedtocarefullysitedsmallorpossiblysmall-mediumscaleturbines,singleorpossiblyinpairs,closelyassociatedwiththelocationandtothescaleofscaleoffarmbuildingsinthelandscapeontheperipheryoftheLCT.

Cumulativeeffects TherearecurrentlynowindturbineslocatedwithinLCA1a.Thevisualprominenceoftwomedium-sized,individualturbinestothenorthwithinLCA4astandinanurbanfringe/businesspark/transportcorridor(A1)contextandhaveminimaleffectuponcharacterofLCA1a.Longerviewstoindividualandmultipleturbineinstallationstothesouthandsouth-westpresentminimalvisualorcharactereffectsasaresultofdistanceandorscaleoftheturbines,suchasthosewithinthenorthernA1corridorofLCA3a.Largerturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapesettingofthetownandrivermouththatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingthelandscapesettingandviewstoandfromtheNorthumberlandCoastAONBtothesouth,butareunlikelytohaveasignificantcumulativeeffect.

LCT1:BroadRiverMouth-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment

LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA) Turbineheighttobladetip<25m 26m-

40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA1a:TweedRiverMouth M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT1:BroadRiverMouth

IngeneralLCT1issuitableforcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationofindustrial/commercialunits,farmbuildings,otherdomesticscalefeaturesandwoodlandwithinthewesternpartsofthelandscape.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitablewithinLCT1.However,small-mediumscaleturbinesbetween26m-40mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Turbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthe


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landscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantinimportanthistoricviewsfromthetownandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape,suchasthehistoricrivercrossingsandfortifications.Medium,medium-largescaleandlargerturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Thisisparticularlyduetohighlevelsofsensitivereceptorsandhistoricimportanceofthetownscapeandhistoricrivercrossings.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT2:CoastalIncisedValley

ThisLCTcomprisesthelowersectionsoftworivervalleys,theCoquetandtheAln,astheyflowthroughthecoastalplaintotheNorthSea.Thevalleysarerelativelyshallow,butsharplyincisedinplaces,andemergeclosetogetheronthecoast.TheLCTisrepresentedbytwocharacterareas(LCA):• LCA2a:LowerAln• LCA2b:LowerCoquet

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT2:CoastalIncisedValley:• Shallowvalleyscuttingthroughthecoastalplain,withmeanderingrivers.

• Moreshelteredthanthesurroundingcoastalplain,withrestrictedviews.


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• Arablefarming,withpastureandwoodlandinsteeperareas.

• Villagesandlargersettlements,aswellasfarmsteadsandcottages.

• Transportlinksandinfrastructure,suchastheEastCoastMainLine,passthrough.

• Longhistoryofsettlement,andgoodaccesslinks.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT2:CoastalIncisedValleySensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Shallow,sometimessteep-sidedincisedvalleyscontainthemeanderingAlnandCoquetrivers.Bothriversmeanderwithinabroadervale,andthesurroundingfloodplainsaregenerallyundulating.CoastalinfluenceismorelimitedthaninthesurroundingFarmedCoastalPlain(LCT3),duetothelowerelevationsandenclosingtopography.

ModeratetoModerate-High

Landcover

Landcoverispredominantlyarablefarming,withopen,rectilinearfields.Somepastoralfarmingonsteeperareas.Boundariesarepostandwireorpostandrail,withareasofintact,relativelyspecies-richhedgerows.Estateinfluences,withmixedplantationwoodlandandironfencing,occurinsmallareas.Therearedeciduousandconiferousplantationsandshelterbelts,withnativeandsemi-naturalwoodlandalongtherivers,particularlytheCoquet.


Landscapescale Variedscaleconsequenttoareasoftightenclosureandvarietywithinsteepervalleyareas,contrastingwithwiderfarmlandsettingofthevalleys.Generallynotalargescaledlandscape.


VISUAL:Skylines Sometimescomplexandvariedwhilstfarmlandareas

simplerandmorepredictable.SomeimportantheritageskylinesatWarkworthCastleandAlnwickgardens

Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

DramaticandimportantviewstoWarkworthCastlefromavarietyoflocationsandpleasingvistasacrossandalongrivervalleys,particularlyalongMillWalkoftheCoquetandfromtheelevatedvistasinlandacrossthemeanderingAlnatFoxtonnorthofAlnmouth.

Moderate-High

Inter-visibility GenerallylimitedthroughenclosureofthevalleysbutsomelongerviewstothewestfromLCA2b

Low-ModeratetoModerate

Visualreceptors LocaltransportroutesandsettlementatLesburyWarkworthandGuyzance.Recreationalusesofrivervalleysandvisitorstothesepopulardestinations.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Frequentmovementonlocalroadnetworkbutalso

moresignificantregulartrainpassagealongEastCoastMainLine.



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Builtdevelopment EasternfringesofAlnwickinLCA2a.ElsewherevillagesettlementatWarkworth,GuyzanceandLesburyandscatteredfarmsteadsandsmallcountryhouses.AgriculturalbuildingsandcaravansiteatWarkworth,althoughnotvisuallyprominent.


Remoteness PocketsoftranquillityinincisedCoquetValleyandwoodland.Elsewheretranquillitylimitedbyopennessandproximitytorodandrailnetwork.Raillineisfrequentlyaudibleevenwhenoutofview.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality EasternfringesofLCTfallwithinNorthumberlandCoast

AONB.Elsewhererelativelyhighscenicvalueaffordedbycomplexlandusemosaicandtopographicvariety,withmeanderingriversasstrongfocalpointsandthedramaticprominenceofWarkworthCastle.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Distinctiveness StronglydistinctivelandscapepresentingvaluedNorthumberlandcharacteristics.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Rarity IncisedvalleysnotmarkedlyrareinNorthumberland. ModerateHISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Severalsignificantheritagesites,notablypartsof

WarkworthCastlesettinganddistinctivevillageenvironmentsatWarkworth,GuyzanceandLesburywherethereareConservationAreas.ElsewherehistoriclistedsitessuchasGuyzancePrioryandMorwickHallandhermitagesiteontheCoquet.EasternedgeofHulneParkandAlnwickCastleRegisteredParkandGardensoverlayLCA2a.

High

Recreation Importantareaasvisitorattractionandlocalvalue.RiversidewalksandwiderPRoW,boatingandsalmonfishing.

Moderate-High


TheCoastalIncisedValleyspresentarelativelysensitivelandscapecontextforwindenergydevelopment.Intimatetopography,human-scalefeatures,stronglysceniclandscapefociofthemeanderingriversandimportantheritageassets(whicharesignificantvisitorattractionsinpartduetolandscapesetting)wouldbesensitivetotheinstallationofmorethanthesmallestwindturbines.PartsoftheLCTfallwithinnationallandscapedesignation,anddevelopmentaffectingtheNorthumberlandCoastAONB’ssettingcouldbesignificantlyharmfultoitscharacter.Landscapeunitsarereasonablyself-contained,andcarefullylocatedsmallerwindenergydevelopmentsofsingleturbines,possiblysupportingruralbusinessesorfarmsteadsmaybeabsorbedinsomeareas,butwillbehighlydependentuponspecificsiting.

Cumulativeeffects TherearenoexistingwindenergyinstallationswithintheLCT.RelativeabsenceofintervisibilitybetweenLCTsmeansvistastoexistingwindfarmsarenotwidespread.However,someviewsfromthesouthernfringeofLCA2btowardsNorthSteadsandSisterswindfarmsatWiddringtonarepossiblefromtheAcklingtonRoad,southofGuyzanceatadistanceofaround5.5km.Here,largescalewindenergyproposalswouldbelikelyto


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beintervisblewiththeWiddringtonsitesandindoingsoextendthecentralNorthumberlandcoastalplainwindfarmlandscapenorthwards.Overallissuesofcumulativevisualimpactsarenotlikelytobesignificantinrelationtolimitingdevelopmenttofewandsmallindividualinstallations.

LCT2:CoastalIncisedValley-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA2a:LowerAln M M-H H H HLCA2b:LowerCoquet M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT2:CoastalIncisedValley

IngeneralLCT2issuitableforcarefullysitedsinglesmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildings,otherdomesticscalefeaturesandwoodlandwithinthelandscape.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitablewithinLCT2.However,small-mediumscaleturbinesbetween26m-40mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Medium,medium-largeandlargerturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.ThisispartiallyduetotherelativelysmallscaleandheritageandrecreationalimportanceoftheLCT.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT3:FarmedCoastalPlain

ThisLCTcomprisesabandoffarmlandrunningalongmuchofthenorth-eastNorthumberlandcoast.TheFarmedCoastalPlainvariesinwidthfromthenarrowstripbetweenHaggerstonandBelford,tothemoreexpansiveareasaroundRockandLucker.Itisagentlyrollinglandscapeofmainlyarablefarmland,wellsettled,andwithacoastalinfluence.TheNorthumberlandCoastAONBincludestheeasternedgeofthisLCT.TheLCTisrepresentedbythreecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA3a:Haggerston• LCA3b:Lucker• LCA3c:Rock


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KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT3:FarmedCoastalPlain:• Open,coastallocation,althoughseaviewsarenotalwayspossible.

• Gentlyrollingoralmostflatfarmland,dominatedbylargearablefields.

• Generallylow-lying,withsomesmallhillsandraisedplateaux.

• Intensivefarmland,oftenwithweakfieldboundarypattern.

• Occasionalwoodedestates.

• Largefarmsteadscomprisingtraditionalandmodernbuildings.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT3:FarmedCoastalPlainSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Generallylow-lyinglandscapeofgentlyrollingland,withsomebroad,flatareas.Thereareareasofhigherground,suchasthesmallplateau-likehillatBillylaw,southofBerwickuponTweed,andaroundLonghoughton.Small,roundedhillsarecommonfeatures.Theareaisdrainedbysmallburns,whichrundownfromthehillstothewest,andcutnarrow,shallowgulliesthroughthesandysoil.Rockyoutcropsarerare,butoccuratBelfordStation.

Moderate

Landcover

Predominantlyarablefarmland,withpastureinmoremarginalareas,suchassmallfieldsnexttotherailwayline,andonthescatteredhills.Largerfieldsaremorecommon,withsomeareasofveryextensiveenclosures.Hedgerowsarefrequentbutoftenunmaintained,leadingtogapsandreplacementwithpostandwirefencing.TreecoverisgreaterinthesouthoftheFarmedCoastalPlain,becomingsparsertothenorth.Coniferousforestryoccursinsmallblocksandshelterbelts,withsomedeciduousplantationsortreelines,aswellasbeltsofpine.Thefewestatesprovidealocallymorewoodedcharacter,withmixedplantationsandbetter-maintainedhedges.


Landscapescale Amediumtolargelandscapecharacterisedbylimitedtopographicvariationorlandusechangeandlargefields.

Low-Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Limitedcomplexity,withbigskiesoverthelow-lying

gentlyrollingcoastalplain.Low-Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

SomemoresignificantviewsovertheNorthumberlandCoastAONBcoastline,withfocusofLindisfarneandHolyIslandsands,andHaggerstonCastleacrossLCA3a.Elsewhereviewsquitelimitedbysimplelandformandwoodlandblocks.HistoricviewsfromPeelToweratPreston.SomeviewstohigherlandtothewestsuchastheKyloeHills.

Moderate-High


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Inter-visibility Generallylessintervisibilityasaconsequenceoflowchangesinreliefacrossthecoastalplain,andforeshorteningofviewsbywoodlandblocks.SomeintervisibilitywiththeNorthumberlandCoastAONBtotheeast.

Low-Moderate

Visualreceptors Scatteredsettlement,predominantlyfarmsteadsandhamlets.LocalandmaintransportrouteswithA1andEastCoastMainLinepassingthroughallthreeLCAs.AreasofAONBfallacrosseasternfringeoftheLCT.

Moderate-High

PERCEPTUAL:Movement FrequentmovementalongA1andEastCoastMain

Line,elsewheremovementlimitedtolocaltransportnetworksandsmallerscaleindividualwindturbines.

Moderate

Builtdevelopment Lowdensityofscatteredsettlements,mainlysmallervillagesandhamletssuchasEllingham,Lucker,ChristonBankandLonghoughton.Belfordistheonlylargervillagewithsomesmallscaleindustry.Haggerstonisalarge,wellestablishedholidayhomeparkbutgenerallywellscreenedinthelandscapebytrees.Occasionalmasts,railwaygantriesandpylonsbutthesearerarelyprominentorcharacteristic.


Remoteness Adeeplyrurallandscapewithlowdensityofdevelopmentandlittlemovementbutwellsettledandrarelyaffordingasenseofremotenessoftranquillity

Moderate

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality EasternfringesoftheLCTfallwithinthe

NorthumberlandCoastAONBandassuchenjoysignificantlandscapeprotectionandhencehighsensitivity.Inherentlandscapevalueawayfromthecoastalstripitselfishoweverrelativelylimited,withwellmanagedexpansiveareasoflow-lyingarablefarmlandwithplantationwoodlandandshelterbelts.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Distinctiveness ExpansivearearepresentativeofNorthumberland’sagriculturalcoastalplain.

Moderate-High

Rarity Commonplacelandscapetype. LowHISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets RockandHowickHalls,policywoodland(small,

managed,multi-purposewoodlandswithlandscapefunctionandvalue,oftenassociatedwithhistoriccountryhouses)andPrestonTowerpresentheritagefoci.ConservationAreasarefoundwithinhistoriccoresofEmbleton,RockandBelford.RegisteredParksandGardensatBelfordandHowickHalls.Largecountryhousesandtheirestatesareanimportantaspectofhistoriccharacter.Intensivearableagriculturehaserodedmuchoftheearlierhistoriclandscape.RemnantsofoldervillagesofAncroft,TughallandNorthCharlton–survivewithinthemodernfieldpattern.Someextensiveareasofridge-and-furrow,

Moderate


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notablyaroundSwinhoe.WorldWarIIairfieldatBrunton.

Recreation ImportantgatewaystotheNorthumberlandCoastAONBandcoastalattractions,includingStOswald’sWayandNorthumberlandCoastPathlongdistancepathbutlimitedinherentrecreationalvaluebeyondPRoWnetworkandquietlaneswhichareimportantforrecreationalcycling.LargeholidayhomeparkatHaggerstonCastle.

Low-Moderate


ThelandscapecharacterofLCT3FarmedCoastalPlainisextensiveandprovidesarelativecontinuouscontextorsettingtothecoastalLCTsoftheNorthumberlandCoastAONBtotheeast.Characterishoweverrelativelyunremarkablewithwidespreadintensivearableagriculture,modesttopographicinterestandheritagesiteswithrelativelylowlandscapeprominence.Thelargescaleofthelandscape,simplecomponentsandpredictableskylineswouldsuggestarelativelylowsensitivitytowindenergyinstallations,particularlyinthemaintransportcorridorswhereotherinfrastructureandmovementinthelandscapeisperceptible.HowevertheoverlaporotherwisecontiguouslinearrelationshipwiththeNorthumberlandCoastAONBsuggeststheLCTcouldbeparticularlyimportantasasettingtothenationallysignificantlandscape,includingthesettingsofitsiconicheritagesitesandimportantrecreationalvalue.Developmentoflarge-scalewindenergyinstallations,particularlyofcommercialwindfarmswouldpresentinherentpotentialfornegativeimpactuponthewidersettingofthosesignificantlandscapeassets.Developmentofsmaller,individualturbinesorsmallclustersofsmallerturbinesmaybeaccommodatedwithinthelandscapewithoutseriouschangeincharacterbutonlyinthoseareasawayfromtheNorthumberlandCoastAONBboundary,particularlyinthoseareaswhereplantationwoodlandandshelterbeltsprovideinterruptiontolongervistas.InsomepartsoftheLCTlongervistasarepossibleduetogentletopographicvariationandfewvisualbarriers,andherethereispotentialforwindturbinestobevisuallyprominentfocioversignificantareas.Smallandsmall-mediumturbinesshouldbenomorethatapparentinthelandscapeorwithinsmallerviewconesorvisualenvelopes.

Cumulativeeffects Anumberofsmall-mediumindividualturbinesarelocatedwithinthenorthernpartsofLCA3aHaggerston,southofBerwick-upon-Tweed.ThesearelocallyvisiblewithinthegentlyrollingandopenlandscapeoftheA1corridorandintheenvironsofHaggerstonholidayhomepark.Noneoftheturbinesexceeds50minheight.Theseturbinesdohoweverpresentaloosebutdistinctconcentrationofsmallerturbineswithinthelandscapethatarelocallyprominent,althoughnotharmfullyobtrusive.Thesmallerturbinesareoftennotablebyhigherrotationalspeedofrotorsorbythelesselegant,visually‘jarring’rotationalrhythmof2-bladeturbines.ElsewheresilosatBelfordstationandMainLineoverheadgantriespresentonlylimitedverticalstructuresinthelandscape.AcrossLCA3bandLCA3ctherearerepeatedviewsandvistasoftheMiddlemoorandWandylawwindfarms(together28x125m)atNorth


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CharltonandacrossLCA3aofBarmoorWindFarm(6x110m).ThescaleandelongatedlayoutofWandylaw/Middlemoorandtheirelevatedsitingresultsinwidespreadvisibilityoftheturbinesinsuchawayastopresentaperceptualwestern‘enclosure’ordelineationofthecoastalstripoverconsiderabledistances.Furtherdevelopmentoflarge-scalewindturbinesacrossthisLCTwouldpresentapotentialforexpansion,concentrationandconsolidationofthewindenergylandscape,andimportantly,serveto‘squeeze’anddilutetheintegrityofthesettingoftheAONBcoastlineaswellasbeprominentfromwithinit.ThewiderimpactsofBarmoorwindfarmarenotassignificanttoLCT3duetotheslightlysmallerscaleandlowernumberofturbinesandthe‘stepped’topographybetweenitandLCT3,whichlimittheextentofitsvisualprominence.However,thesecommercial-scaleinstallationscanbeseeninthesamevistasastheclusterofsmallerturbineswithinLCA3a,emphasisingthedifferencesinscaleandrotorspeedandindoingsobegintosuggestthatwindenergyisavisualcharacteristicofmuchofthenorthernA1corridor.Furtherdevelopmentoflarger-scalewindenergyinthisnorthernLCAmayexacerbatethisvisualcontrast,whichcanemphasisethedifferencebetweentheturbinesandhuman-scalelandscapecomponents,andleadtoaconfusedanddisjointedlandscapecharacterwhichwoulddiluteitswiderarable,coastalplaincontext.

LCT3:FarmedCoastalPlain-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA3a:Haggerston M-H M-H H H HLCA3b:Lucker M-H M-H H H HLCA3c:Rock M-H M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT3:FarmedCoastalPlain

IngeneralwindturbineswouldbeunsuitableinprinciplewithinLCT3.However,smallandsmall-mediumscaleturbinesbelow40mtobladetipheightmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscapeoradjacentmoresensitivelandscapes.Medium,medium-largeandlargerscaleturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthewiderlandscapecontextthatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.ThisisprimarilyduetotheimportanceaffordedtothelandscapeaseitherwithinNorthumberlandCoastAONBorlocallyintervisblefromit,withitshigherlandscape,recreationalandheritagevaluesensitivities.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT4:RockyCoastline

TheRockyCoastlineLCTcomprisestherockysectionsofthecoastalstrip,includingprominentheadlands,cliffs,andtheFarneIslands.ItfallslargelywithintheNorthumberlandCoastAONB.TheLCTisrepresentedbythreecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA4a:NorthTweedCoast• LCA4b:FarneIslandsCoast• LCA4c:CrasterCoast


January1,2018

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT4:RockyCoastline:• Rockycoastofcliffsandheadlands.

• Dramaticshorelinewithoffshorerocksandislands.

• Prominentcoastallandformsofferingviews.

• Smallformerfishingvillages,nowcentresoftourism.

• Exposedcoastallandscapeofwindblownhedges.

• Majorhistoricfeaturesarepopulartouristattractions.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT4:RockyCoastlineSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Complexlandscapestripwherebandsofhardrockmeetthecoastlineresultinginheadlands,whilethesofterrocksareerodedtoformsmallbays.ElevationrangesfromthehighcliffsnorthofBerwickuponTweed,tothelow-lyingheadlandsalongmuchoftheLCT.BaysandcoveswithinthisLCTaregenerallyrocky,withlimitedsandbeaches,thoughdunesystemsareprominentaroundBamburgh.Stonereefs,offshorerocks,andwave-cutplatforms,oftencalled‘carrs’or‘steels’,extendoutfromtheforeshore.Prominentlandformsoccur,suchastheWhinSilloutcroponwhichBamburghCastleisbuilt.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Landcover

Narrowcoastalstripdominatedbytheshore,althoughtheinlandsectionisfarmed,mostlyforpastureduetotheexposednatureoftheterrain.Hedgerowsareoftengappyandwindblown,withwirefences.Treecoverisgenerallysparse,althoughsomesmallwoodlandblocksarepresent.Whingrassland,adistinctiveplantcommunityonWhinSillderivedsoil,occursaroundBamburghCastle.


Landscapescale Amedium-to-smallscalelandscapedefinedbyintimaterockycoves,smallbaysandassociatedcoastalpasture.Landandshorelineslopestotheseaandincreasesintimacyofthelandscape.

Moderate-High

VISUAL:Skylines Simpleseawardhorizonsbutsomevariationinland

consequenttoscaleandvariationofinlandtopography.Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

CoastalviewsoftendramaticandfocusedonsignificantheritageassetssuchasBamburghCastleandDunstanburghCastle.ViewsouttoFarneIslandsoftendramaticinchangingseascapes.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Inter-visibility Somelimitedintervisibility,particularlyalongthecoastlinetoadjacentLCT5SandyCoastlineandLCT1BroadRiverMouth.Limitedintervisibilityinland,butinplacesviewswestwardstohighergroundsuchasthe

Moderate


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KyloeHillsareimportant.MiddlemoorandWandylawwindfarmsarefrequentlyprominentlandmarksfromthecoastalLCT.

Visualreceptors SignificantsettlementincludingSeahousesandBamburgh,majortransportcorridorthroughLCA4aandlocaltransportrouteselsewhere.

Moderate-HightoHigh.

PERCEPTUAL:Movement VariationinmovementacrossthethreeLCAs.LCA4a

includestheA1andEastCoastMainLineandBerwickuponTweedfringeandtwomediumsizedwindturbines.LCA4bincludessignificantvisitormovementalongthecoastroad.LCA4cexhibitsalowerdegreeofperceivedmovementalonglocalroadnetwork.


Builtdevelopment MainsettlementatSeahouses,Bamburgh,CrasterandnorthernfringesofBerwick-upon-Tweedwheremodernindustrialandtransportinfrastructureislocated.LCA4cislessdevelopedoutsideCraster,withfewothersignificantbuiltstructures.Localpowerlinesandradiomasts.EstateartefactsandbuildingsaroundHowick,andmilitaryinfrastructureatRAFBoulmer,exertastronginfluenceonthelocallandscape.


Remoteness RemotenessandtranquillityarelimitedatLCA4aandalongthebusytouristrouteofLCA4b.RelativetranquillityisexperiencedinpartsofLCA4cbutlocalroadnetworkandcoastalvisitorsoftenapparent.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality VirtuallythewholeLCTfallswithintheNorthumberland

CoastAONBandenjoysthehighestnationalleveloflandscapedesignation.VistasalongthecoastandouttotheFarneIslandaredramatic,constantlychangingwithweatherandseascapeconditions,andfrequentlyfocusuponiconicheritagelandmarkssuchthattheseviewscanbeconsideredtobenationallyimportant.

High

Distinctiveness TheFarneIslands’coastlineofLCA4bishighlydistinctive.ElsewherelandscapecharacteristicsarerepresentativeofNorthumberlandcoastbutmorecommon.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Rarity FarneIslands’coastlineisunique.Rockbaysandheadlinesaremorefrequentlyexperiencedwithinthecounty.

Moderate-HightoHigh

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets TheLCAischaracterisedbyhighlyimportantheritage

siteswithDunstanburghandBamburghcastlesbeingparticularlysignificantinthelandscape.OtherassetsincludetheregisteredbattlefieldatHalidonHill(1333)furtherreflectsthestrategicimportanceofthecoastalstrip.Patternsofmedievalopenfields,intheformofupstandingridgeandfurrow,areanimportantaspectofhistoriccharacter.ConservationAreaswithin

Moderate-HightoHigh


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Embleton,BamburghandSeahousesvillages.Recreation Highlyimportantareaforcoastalrecreationand

tourismwithattractivecoastalvillages,shorelinesandheritageassets.NorthumberlandCoastpath/StOswald’sWay.Caravanparksandgolfcoursesaresignificantinplaces.

Moderate-HightoHigh


TheLCTalmostentirelyfallswithinNorthumberlandCoastAONBandassuchenjoysanationallyrecognisedleveloflandscapevalueanddesignation.BydefinitiontheLCTisusuallyofpronouncedlinearproportionwithafocusstronglyoncoastlinevistasandnarrowstripofcoastallandscapefeatures.Whilstlandscapefeaturesandcharacteristicsinlandfromthecoastalstripareoftenunremarkable,theyprovideimportantruralsettingandbuffertothehighlyattractiveandvaluedcoastandshoreline.ViewsacrossthisLCTfringeareoftenimportantinthesettingofsignificantheritageandlandscapefeatures.Asaconsequenceofthecharacter,designationandrecreationalvalueofmuchoftheLCT(withlessersensitivitytoLCA4aoutsidetheAONB),landscapesensitivitytoallbutthesmallestscaleofwell-sitedwindenergyinstallationsishigh.Localisedcapacityforsingle,small-scaleturbinessupportingurbansites,caravanparksorfarmsteadsmaybepossiblebutthresholdsforlandscapeandvisualharmwillbelow.

Cumulativeeffects Twomedium-scalewindturbinesarelocatedwithinLCA4a,northofBerwickuponTweed.AlthoughwithinthevisualinfluenceoftheindustrialareaofthetownandtheA1corridor,thelandscapeinthelocalityisofcoastalhillsideandcliffsfallingtotheseafromHalidonHill,andthesepresentprominentvisualfoci,particularlywhenviewedfromabovefromhigherland.ThevisualenvelopeoftheseturbinesishoweverrelativelyenclosedfromelsewhereinNorthumberlandandintervisibilitywithadditionalturbineswouldthereforebeunlikelytocausesignificantcumulativeimpact.Intervisibilitywiththecoastalplainofsouth-eastScotlandcouldhoweverbesignificant.ElsewheretherearenoexistingturbineswithintheLCTandverticalstructuresorprominentintrusivebuiltdevelopmentverylimited.However,thevisualinfluenceoftheMiddlemoorandWandylawwindfarmsisattimessignificant,particularlyfromhigherormoreopenpointswithinLCA4bandLCA4c.ViewswestwardsfromareassuchasSeahouses,BamburghCastleandEmbletoncanbeperceivedtobedelineatedor‘hemmed-in’bytheextendedlinearorientationofthesemajorinstallationsonmiddledistancehorizons.ExtensionoftheseinstallationsordevelopmentwithinthehinterlandofLCT3CoastalFarmlandcouldleadtosignificantharmfulcumulativeimpactsuponthesettingLCT4anditshighsensitivitytomajordevelopment.


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LCT4:RockyCoastline-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


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66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA4a:NorthTweedCoast M M-H M-H H HLCA4b:FarneIslandsCoast M-H H H H HLCA4c:CrasterCoast M-H H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT4:RockyCoastline

Limitedsensitivitytosmallerscalewindturbinesupto25mtobladetipheightisfoundwithinLCA4a.Singleorsmallclustersofturbinesshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsandotherdomesticscalefeaturesinthelandscape.IngeneralwindturbineswouldbeunsuitableinprinciplewithintherestofLCT4.However,small-mediumandmediumscaleturbinesbelow40mtobladetipheightwithinLCA4a,andbelow26mtobladetipheightinLCAs4band4cmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscapeoradjacentmoresensitivelandscapes.WithinLCA4aturbinesabove65mtobladetipheightwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthewiderlandscapecontextthatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.WithinLCAs4band4cthisthresholdofsignificantharmwouldbeforturbinesabove40mtobladetipheight.ThisisprimarilyduetotheimportanceaffordedtothelandscapeaseitherwithinNorthumberlandCoastAONBorlocallyintervisblefromit,withitshigherlandscape,recreationalandheritagevaluesensitivities.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT5:SandyCoastline

ThisLCTliesbetweenareasofRockyCoastline(LCT4).TheSandyCoastlinecomprisesalow-lyingcoastalstrip,withlongsandybeachesanddunes,aswellasextensivetidalsandsandestuaries.Thisisapopulartouristarea,andincludesthehistoricallysignificantHolyIsland.ItfallsmainlywithintheNorthumberlandCoastAONB.TheLCTisrepresentedbythreecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA5a:HolyIslandCoast• LCA5b:BeadnellandEmbletonBays• LCT5c:AlnandCoquetEstuaries


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KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT5:SandyCoastline:• Low-lying,exposedcoastline.

• Broadsandybeachesandtidalsands.

• Dunesystems.

• Isolatedprominentbuilthistoricfeatures,suchasLindisfarneCastle.

• Longviewsalongthecoast.

• Extensivehistoricassociations.

• Touristinfrastructure.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT5:SandyCoastlineSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Stretchingbetweenrockysectionsofcoast,wheresandstonesandothersofterrockshaveofferedlittleresistancetocoastalerosion,formingwidesandybays.BetweenBerwickuponTweedandBamburgh,alongstretchofbroadsandybeachandtidalflatsfacesthelow-lyingHolyIsland,whichisheldinplacebytheWhinSilloutcroponwhichLindisfarneCastleisbuilt.SmallerbaysoccuratBeadnellandEmbleton,andatAlnmouth,wheretheyareassociatedwithestuarineareasoftheCoquetandAlnrivers.Landward,theterrainislow-lying,withextensivedunesystemsinplaces.


Landcover

Thecoastalfarmlandisarableandpastoral,withvaryingfieldpatternsacrossthearea.Largerfieldsaremorecommoninthenorth,whilesmaller-scalefieldswithirregularboundariesoccuraroundHighNewton.Treecoverisgenerallysparse,limitedtosmallblocks,orassociationswithwatercourses.Sanddunesystemsareextensive,oftenforminghighridges.SaltmarshoccursinthetidalestuariesoftheAlnandCoquet.


Landscapescale Medium-largescalelandscapeswithlongsweepingexpansesofsandybeachatlowtideandcontinuousdunesystems.SomesmallerscalelandscapewithinLCA5bwherebaysaremoreenclosedandpronouncedinshape.


VISUAL:Skylines SimplewithincreasedvarietywithinLCA5bwhere

inlandtopographyismorevaried.Low-ModeratetoModerate

Viewsandlandmarks

IconiccoastalviewsalongbeachesandacrossbaystonationallyimportantheritagefeaturessuchasBeadnellLimeKilns,DunstanburghCastle,LindisfarneCastleandPrioryandWarkworthCastle.

High

Inter-visibility SomelimitedintervisibilitytocoastallandscapesofLCT4andinlandtoLCT3.Viewsoutfrommajor

Moderate-High


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heritagesitesanddunetopscanbepanoramic.Visualreceptors A1068andEastCoastMainLinepassthroughLCA5c.

MainsettlementsofWarkworth,Alnmouth,EmbletonandHolyIslandfallwithintheLCTwithlocaltransportroutes.Iconicvisitorattractionsandrecreationalusersofthecoastandbeaches.

Moderate-HightoHigh

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Somemovementalongmaintransportcorridors,

particularlyLCA5c.NaturalmovementoftidesandseascapesparticularlycharacteristicacrossLCA5a.Uniquemovementofvehiclesatlowtideoverthecausewaycanbeprominentinlandscape.


Builtdevelopment SignificantsettlementatWarkworth,Alnmouth,EmbletonandHolyIsland,withscatteredfarmsteadsacrossthewiderLCT.CaravanparksaroundBeadnell,Alnmouth,WarkworthandWarenMillareoccasionallyprominent.Absenceofsignificantinfrastructureorindustry.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Remoteness RelativetranquillityandperceptionofhumanactivityvariesacrosstheLCT.TransportroutesinLCA5creduceperceptionofremotenessduringbusierperiods,butthiscanaltermarkedlyonthebeachesawayfromtheA1068.LCA5boffersaquitelandscapeexperiencealthoughintensiveholidaydevelopmentatBeadnellBayerodesthisinhighseason.LCA5acanbeabusytourismdestinationacrossthecausewaytoHolyIslandinparticular,butatothertimesandawayfromthisfocalpointthewidesandyexpansesofthenorthoftheislandandalongGoswickSandscanaffordsignificantopportunitiesforsolitude.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality ThegreatmajorityoftheLCTfallswithin

NorthumberlandCoastAONBandenjoysthehighestnationalleveloflandscapedesignation.Thesweepingsandybays,dramaticseascapes,shelteringdunesandrelativeabsenceofincongruousdevelopment,combinedwithsignificantheritagesiteswhichareprominentinthelandscapeaffordhighscenicvalue.

High

Distinctiveness StronglydistinctivetoNorthumberlandandrepresentativeofpopularperceptionofitsspecialqualitiesbyvisitors.

Moderate-High

Rarity LCA5aisuniquewithinthecountywiththespecialqualitiesandmysticalandhistoricappealofHolyIsland,tidalcausewayandexpansivesandsatlowtide.LCA5bandLCA5cpresentsomemorecommoncombinationsofheadlandandsandybeach,butremaindistinctiveanddistinctfrombeachestothesouthbytheirabsenceofindustrialheritageandincongruousdevelopment.

Moderate-HightoHigh

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:


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Heritageassets ImportantheritageassetsstandprominentinthelandscapeofLCT5,particularlythecastlesofWarkworth,DunstanburghandLindisfarneaswellasLindisfarnePriory.ConservationAreasarefoundinAmble,Warkworth,Alnmouth,EmbletonandHolyIsland.MorerecenthistoryassetsarefoundasWorldWarIIanti-invasiondefences,nowbeingsubsumedbydunesystems,atBamburgh,BeadnellBayandAlnmouthBay.

High

Recreation Importantareafortourismandrecreation.Focusingoninformalrecreationonthebeachesandvisitstoattractivevillagesandheritagesites.NorthumberlandCoastpathandStOswald’sWaypassthroughtheLCT.RecreationandtourismpressurescanhavenegativeimpactsupontheLCTsspecialqualities,suchascarparking,erosion,caravansitesandtraffic.

High


TheLCTpresentsabroadrangeoflandscapecharacteristicsandvisualqualitieswhichcanbeseentobehighlysensitivetowindenergydevelopment,andparticularlymediumtocommercialscaleinstallations.TheLCTisalmostentirelydesignatedasAONBandassuchenjoyshighlevelsoflandscaperecognitionanddesignation.Bydefinition,theLCTismainlynarrowinproportionwithastrongfocusoncoastalvistasandlinearlandscapefeaturesandunspoilt,open,expansivenaturalsandycoastline.Whilstlandscapefeaturesandcharacteristicsinlandfromtheimmediatecoastalstripareoftenunremarkable,theyprovideimportantquite,peacefulruralsettingandbuffertothehighlyattractiveandvaluedcoastandshoreline.ViewsacrosstheLCT’swesternfringeareoftenimportantinthesettingofsignificantheritageandlandscapefeatures.Asaconsequenceofthecharacter,designationandrecreationalvalueofmuchoftheLCT,landscapesensitivitytoallbutthesmallestofwindenergyinstallationsishigh.Localisedcapacityforsingle,small-scaleturbinessupportingurbansites,caravanparksorfarmsteadsmaybepossiblebutthresholdsforlandscapeandvisualharmwillbelowasobjectivesshouldbeonlandscapeenhancementratherthanconsolidationofincongruouslanduses.

Cumulativeeffects Onemicro-scale(10m)windturbineisoperationalatSnookToweronthenorthofHolyIslandbutthisdisplaysminimallandscapeintrusionorprominence.Elsewhereprominentvisualfociwithverticalemphasisarelimitedtohighlysignificantheritagesites.FurtherdevelopmentofwindenergyinstallationsacrosstheLCTarethereforeunlikelytopresentcumulativeharmwithintheLCTitself.However,aswithLCT4RockyCoastline,thevisualinfluenceofMiddlemoorandWandylawwindfarmsisattimessignificant,particularlyfromhigherormoreopenpointswithinLCA4aandLCA5b.ViewswestwardsfromareassuchasHolyIslandandthecoastalroadnetworkofLCA5bcanbeperceivedasbeingdelineatedorhemmed-inbytheextendedlineardistributionofthesemajorinstallations.ExtensionofthesewindfarmsordevelopmentwithintheadjacenthinterlandofLCT3CoastalFarmlandcouldleadto


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significantcumulativeimpactsuponthesettingLCT5anditshighsensitivitytomajorwindenergydevelopment.Moreoverextensionofvisuallylinkedcommercialwindenergysiteseastornorthoftheremajorwindfarmsarelikelytopartiallyre-characterisethenorthNorthumberlandcoastalplainaswind-energylandscape.ViewstoBarmoorWindFarmandtheloosedistributionofsmallerturbineswithinLCA3aarepossiblefromnorthernpartsoftheLCT.ThesearegenerallynotvisuallyprominentbutfurtherconcentrationacrossthisareaofarangeofturbinescalesmaybegintoerodetheimportantsettingtotheLCTandNorthumberlandCoastAONB.

LCT5:SandyCoastline-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


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LCA5a:HolyIslandCoast M-H H H H HLCA5b:BeadnellandEmbletonBays M-H H H H HLCT5c:AlnandCoquetEstuaries M-H H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT5:SandyCoastline

IngeneralwindturbineswouldbeunsuitableinprinciplewithinLCT5.However,smallscaleturbinesbelow26mtobladetipheightmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscapeoradjacentmoresensitivelandscapes.Small-medium,medium,medium-largeandlargerscaleturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthewiderlandscapecontextthatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.ThisisprimarilyduetotheimportanceaffordedtothelandscapeaseitherfallingwithinNorthumberlandCoastAONBorlocallyintervisblefromit,withitshigherlandscape,recreationalandheritagevaluesensitivities.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT6:BroadSandstoneValley

ThisLCTcomprisesalandscapeofthebroadvalleyoftheRiverAlnandtributaries,asitpassesthroughthesandstonehills.TheLCTisrepresentedbyasinglecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA6a:WhittinghamVale

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT6:BroadSandstoneValley:• Broadundulatingvalley;

• Significantinfluenceofglacialdeposition;

• Strongenclosurepattern,albeitindeclineinparts.


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LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT6:BroadsandstoneValleySensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

SomevarietywithinabroadshallowvalleyoftheriverAlnanditstributariestheEdlinghamandEglinghamburns.ThemeanderingriverisnotahighlyprominentfeatureovermuchoftheLCTcomponent,oftendefinedonlybyripariandeciduoustreecover.Glacialdepositfeaturessuchasdrumlinsandeskersprovideundulatinglandforminplaces.

Moderate

Landcover

Patchworkofarablecropsandpasture,butwithlocalisedparklandinfluences.Occasionalpocketwoodlandsandfarmstead-linkedconiferousplantations.Strongpatternofhedgerowswithhedgerowtrees,althoughinmanyareasthisisbeingerodedashedgerowsareremoved.

Moderate-High

Landscapescale Mediumscalelandscapewithhumanscalefeaturessuchashedgerows,smallwoodlands,parklandandscatteredsettlement.Someenclosureinplaces.

Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Largelysimple,punctuatedbywoodlands,somelarger

andblock-likeandlinearshelterbeltswithgentlyrollingslopesandhorizons.

Low-Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

Somelocallyimportantfoci,smallermainlyhistoricestatesandsettlementsuchasShawdonHallandWhittinghamvillageinthevalleyfloor.ViewstoThruntonWoodsandAlnwickMoors.OccasionalglimpsestotheCheviotHillsandSandstoneRidge.

Moderate

Inter-visibility Theshallowbutpronouncedvalleyprofilegenerallyresultsinavisuallyself-containedlandscapeovermostoftheLCA.Somelongervistasincludelandscapesbeyond,suchasthedomeofAlnwickMoortothesouth-eastandThruntonWoodconiferousplantations.SomeviewsfromnorthernfringestoCheviotHills

Low-Moderate

Visualreceptors MaintransportroteA697runsnorth-souththoughtheLCAwhilstadenselocalroadnetworkliesacrossmuchoftheLCA.ThevillagesofWhittinghamandGlantonandtheagriculturalhamletsofBoltonandEdlinghamprovidethefociofsettlementalongwithscatteredbutfrequentfarmsteads.SmallEstatessuchasLemmingtonHallandShawdonHalladdhistoricalsensitivityinthelandscape.

Moderate

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Limitedmovementinthelandscape,primarilyfromthe

mainA697andlocalroadnetworkbutalsofromseasonalagriculturalactivityinthearablelandscape.

Moderate-High

Builtdevelopment Scatteredandfrequentbutoftensmallinscale.Limitedtosmallvillages,hamlets,smallestatesandfarmsteads.Limitedothertypesofbuiltdevelopment.

Moderate-High


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Remoteness Asettledandfarmedlandscapewithstronglocalroadnetwork.Howeversettlementisgenerallysmallinscaleandscatteredratherthanconcentrated,reducinganyperceptionofremoteness.

Moderate

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Agentlearableandwoodlandlandscapeoveradistinct

butshallowrivervalleylandform.Peacefulruralcharacter,particularlyaroundhistoricestatesandhamletsbutoverallnotremarkable.

Moderate

Distinctiveness NotstronglydistinctivelandscapeofNorthumberland,butrivervalleysettlementandestatesprovidelocalisedsenseofplace.

Low-Moderate

Rarity NotunusualacrossNorthumberland,norarecomponentsinthelandscape.

Low-Moderate

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets ThevillageofWhittinghamislocatedatafordingpoint

oftheRiverAln,andisasmallvillagebuiltaroundamedievalcore.SmallestateswithsomedesignedparklandarelocatedacrosstheLCA.Extensiveareasofridgeandfurrow,representingmedievalfieldsystemsfoundinpocketswithinthemodernenclosures,associatedwithsettlements,particularlyWhittingham,andthedesertedvillagesofBartonandAbberwick.EdlinghamCastleisanEnglishHeritageproperty.

Moderate-toModerate-High

Recreation Publicfootpathsandpermissivepathsradiatefromsettlements,andtherearesmallareasofaccessland.SomebuiltheritageinterestsuchasEdlinghamCastle.

Low-Moderate


Adistinctshallowvalleyprofilewithamanagedappearanceandscatteredsettlementwithsomehistoricinterest,butwithoutstrongfociorsignificantlandscapefeatures.Landscapescale,degreeofenclosureandsettlementpatternallindicateawidespreaddegreeofon-goinghumanpresenceintheareabutgenerallyatlowtomoderatelevelsofintensity.Thelandscapeismostlyself-containedwithlimitedintervisibilitywithothercontrastingormoredistinctivelandscapes,butwithoccasionalviewstohigherlandinalldirections.Overallthelandscapecharacteristicsandvisualcomponentspresentamoderatedegreeofsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment,althoughlargerscaledevelopmentwouldpotentiallyhavesomesignificantimpactsuponsensitivereceptorsandheritageassets.Theareaishoweverdeeplyruralandsetwithinacontextofmostlymoresensitivelandscapeswherewindenergymayservetodilutethesettledruralcharacterandpresentincongruousscaleofdevelopmentinawiderlandscapecontextofhuman-scaledevelopment.Smallerandmediumscalewindenergydevelopmentmaybeaccommodatedintothelandscapehavingregardtolocallysensitiveelementsandsitesandwherethisisapparentratherthanprominent.

Cumulativeeffects NowindenergydevelopmentshavebeenpermittedorinstalledwithintheLCTandtherearenosignificantverticalstructurestocomplicatesimpleskylines.Thereisalsoanabsenceofwindenergydevelopmentinmost


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neighbouringlandscapes.However,thesouthernturbinesofMiddlemoorwindfarmstandapproximately3kmtothenorthoftheLCT’snorthernfringe.ThescaleandnumberofturbinesacrossthemajorMiddlemoor/WandylawwindfarmsaffordvariousmiddleandlongerdistanceviewstothemfromwithintheBroadSandstoneValleyslandscapetypewithmovementbeingapparent.CumulativeimpactsoftheMiddlemoor/Wandylawwindfarmsaresignificantinsomevistasfromtheireastern/coastalsideanddevelopmentofsimilarscaleturbineswithintheBroadSandstoneValleycouldservetoextendthevisualenvelopewithinwhichthesearealreadyviewedoneast-westlinesoftravel,althoughtheelevationfromtheLCTislowerthanthoseexistingsites.AcrosstheLCTsmallscaleindividualturbinesservingfarmsteadsareunlikelytopresentseriouscumulativevisualharmandmaybeassimilatedwiththemediumscalelandscapeawayfromresidentialreceptors.

LCT6:BroadSandstoneValley-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA6a:WhittinghamVale L-M M M M-H M-HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT6:BroadSandstoneValley

IngeneralLCT6issuitableforsmall,small-mediumandmediumscaleturbinesupto65mheighttobladetip.Medium-largeandlargescalewindturbinesabove66mheighttobladetipthroughouttheLCTwouldbeunsuitableinprinciple.Thesescalesofwindenergydevelopmentmaybesuitableonlywhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffects,largelyduetothehighdegreeofinter-visibilitywithadjacentandmoredistantlandscapes,wouldnotbesignificant.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT7:EstateValley

ThisLCTconsistsofanincisedvalley,dominatedbytheextensiveparklandintheestateoftheDukeofNorthumberland,includingHulnePark,andthedistinctivehistoriclandscapearoundAlnwickCastle.TheLCTisrepresentedbyonecharacterarea(LCA):• 7a:HulnePark

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT7:EstateValley:• IncisedRiverAlnvalley.

• Extensivedesignedparklandlandscape.

• Historicarchitecturalfeatures,includingextensiveboundarywalls.


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• Estatewoodlands.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT7:EstateValleySensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Acomplex,relativelyconfinedmeanderingrivervalleywithsteepsidesdownstreamoftheAlnandEglinghamBurnconfluence.TheAlnvalleyisatitsnarrowesthere,asitpassesbetweenAlnwickMoortothesouth,andCharltonRidgetothenorth.Therivermeandersaroundsmallerhillswithinthevalley,suchasBrizleeHill(175m)andCuthbertHeugh(129m).Inplacestheriverflowsthroughfloodplains(‘haughs’),andelsewhereiscontainedwithinasteep-sidedgully.


Landcover

Variedopenparklandelements,extensivewoodlandandestatelands.Riparianandparklandtreesarecharacteristicandelsewherethereisastrongmosaicofdeciduousandconiferousforestryplantationandwoodland.Arableandpastorallandenrichesthemosaicoflanduses.PartsofAlnwickaddanurbancomponentwithstrongtownscapevalueofstonebuildings,slateroofingandhighstonecurtilagewallsunderpinningestateinfluence.


Landscapescale Anenclosed,mediumtosmalllandscapescalewithmultipleelementswithinarelativesmallspatialunit.

Moderate-HightoHigh

VISUAL:Skylines Somecomplexitydependentuponrelief,degreeof

enclosure,urbanfringeinfluenceandmixedlanduses.Moderate-HightoHigh

Viewsandlandmarks

ImportantviewswithintheLCTofhistoricdesignedlandscapesandheritagefeatures,aswellastownscapeandlandscapevalue.BrizleeTower,AlnwickCastle,theRiverAlnitselfandHulnePrioryareexamplesofacomplexandattractiverichheritagelandscape.

High

Inter-visibility AselfcontainedLCTbywayofenclosedrivervalleytopographyandsignificanttreecover.

LowtoLow-Moderate

Visualreceptors ResidentialreceptorsfromthenorthernfringeofAlnwickandfromlocaltransportroutes.Recreationalvisitorsalsosensitivetovisualprominenceofwindenergyinstallations.

High

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Urbanfringeandlocalroadnetworkpresentsome

limitedmovementinthelandscape,butgenerallyquitelimited.


Builtdevelopment SignificanthistoricbuiltdevelopmentacrossthenorthernfringeofAlnwicktownandmanyhistoricbuildingssuchasAlnwickCastleanditsestatebuiltcomponentsandinfrastructure.Generallyhighvaluearchitecturalelementsacrossthelandscape.

High

Remoteness AmanagedanddesignedlandscapeovermuchoftheLCTbutoftentranquilwithlimitedpublicthoroughfares

Moderate


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overmuchofit.QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Highdegreeofattractivenessthroughcombinationsof

naturalandre-modelledtopographyandnaturalfeatures,designedlandscapeandfrequentheritagesitesandbuildings.

High

Distinctiveness Strongsenseofplaceassociatedwiththemosaicoflandscapeandheritagecomponents,historicassociationsandculturalimportance.

High

Rarity AuniquecombinationofhistoricandtopographicandgeomorphologicalcomponentsspecifictotheDukeofNorthumberlandEstate.

High

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Highhistoricalandculturalheritagevalueacrossthe

LCTwhichpartlydefinesthelandscapeandvisualfociwithinit.ImportantlandscapesettingsofhighvaluebuiltheritagecomponentsacrosstheLCT.MuchoftheLCTisRegisteredasHistoricParkandGardenandincludesdesignedlandscapebyCapabilityBrown.Stronghistoricimportanceextendsbacktoprehistoricearthworksandstandingstones.

High

Recreation AlnwickCastle,alongwiththeAlnwickGarden,isahighlypopulartouristdestination.HulnePrioryandAlnwickAbbeyarepubliclyaccessible,asisthesurroundingpark.

High


TheLCTisalmostentirelydesignatedasListedParkandGardenandcomprisesarichmixtureofdesignedparkland,woodlandsandplantationwhichpresentthesettingforimportantheritagefeaturesandthenorthernlandscapecontextfroAlnwickitself.Therollingtopographyandtreecoverprovidefrequentareasofenclosure,andlimitedpublicaccessenhancesrelativetranquillity.Withtheexceptionofwell-screenedestatefarmbarnsthereisapredominanceofattractivestonebuiltarchitectureacrosstheLCTwithanabsenceotherwiseofmodernprominentbuiltstructures.Theintroductionofmediumorlargerwindturbineinfrastructurewithinthelandscapewouldbelikelytocontrast,detractfromanddiluteitsstronganddistinctiveexistingestate-managedcharacterandhistoricintegrity.PartsoftheLCTtotheeastareparticularlyimportanttothesettingofthetownandofAlnwickCastleoverdesignedparklandwithiconicviewsfrombridgesinparticular.

Cumulativeeffects NowindenergydevelopmenthasbeeninstalledorpermittedwithintheLCT.Developmentofanynewlyconsentedturbineinfrastructurewouldinitiallyhavenocumulativeeffectswithintheimmediatearea.Middlemoorwindfarmfallsapproximately5kmtothenorthoftheLCT.OvermostoftheLCTlocallandformrestrictsviewstotheturbinesbuthighergroundsuchasatBrizleeTowerallowsviewstothenorthincludingtheextensivewindfarmlandscapeofLCA8cCharltonRidgeandLCA10aRosebroughMoor.DevelopmentofmediumtolargerscalewindturbineswithintheLCTwouldbelikelytoleadtoviewconeswithinwhch


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Middlemoorandnewturbineswouldbeperceived.TheenclosednatureoftheLCTwithlimitedintervisibilitybetweenLCTswouldservetoreducethelikelihoodofintervisibilitywithotherinstallationsofsmallerturbines.

LCT7:EstateValley-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


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LCA7a:HulnePark M-H H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT7:EstateValley

IngeneralwindturbineswouldbeunsuitableinprinciplewithinLCT7.However,smallscaleturbinesbelow26mtobladetipheightmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportanthistoricanddesignedlandscapefociinthelandscapeoradjacentmoresensitivelandscapes.Small-medium,medium,medium-largeandlargerscaleturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthewiderlandscapecontextthatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Thisisprimarilyduetotheimportanceaffordedtothelandscapeasdesignedandhistoriclandscape,withimportantsettingtoAlnwickanditsnationallyimportantheritageassets.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT8:OutcropHillsandEscarpments

ThisLCTcompriseselevatedlandscapesofhillsthatformadistinctivechainofrockyuplands,runningthelengthoftheNorthumberlandSandstoneHillsNationalCharacterArea,fromtheKyloeHillsinthenorth,toGreatWanneyCraginthesouth.Theirdistinctiveformandrichsemi-naturalvegetationpatternscontrastwiththesurroundingmoreintensively-farmedlandscapes.TheLCTisrepresentedbysevencharacterareas(LCA):• 8aDoddingtonRidge.• 8bKyloeandChillinghamHills.• 8cCharltonRidge.• 8dBeanleyMoor.• 8eRothburyForest.• 8fHarwoodForest.• 8gSweethopeandBlackdown.

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT8:OutcropHillsandEscarpments• Flat-toppedelongatedridgesandroundedsandstonehills.


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• Distinctivesteepscarpfacesformingstepped,oftendark,skylinesilhouettes.• Openplateauandgentledipslopesclothedinheathermoorland,acidicgrasslandmosaic,

coniferousforestryandpeatbog/mires.• Steeperslopesandcraggyoutcropswithbracken,heatherandbroadleavedwoodland.• Wetpasturesandsemi-improvedpasturesonlowerslopes.• Richmutedcoloursandtextures.• Littleornohabitationbutsignificantarchaeologicalremains.• Waterbodiesincludingnaturalloughsandreservoirs.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT8:OutcropHillsandEscarpments




PHYSICAL:Landform

Somevarietyinlandformwithsandstonegeologyunderlyingasharpnorthandwest-facingscarpwithcraggycliffs,screeslopesandupstandingrockyoutcrops.Flattopsoftheridgesformabroadplateauabovethegentler,roundeddipslopetothesouthwheretherearefewerdistinctiverockyoutcropfeatures.Drainedbyaseriesofburnswhichcutincisedcoursesthoughthemoorland,andareoftenborderedbybracken,heatherandbroadleavedtreesandflankedbywetpastures.Elsewhereinthischaractertypetherearenaturalloughsandmires(e.g.DardenLoughandLittleLoughrespectively)inareasofimpededdrainage.Man-madereservoirsatSweethopeLoughandFontburnReservoir.

Moderate

Landcover

Extensivesemi-naturalvegetationofmixedheatherandgrasslandmoorlandandroughpasture,significantconiferousplantationanddeciduouswoodlandonsteeperscarpslopes.Bracken,heatherandbroadleavedtreesflankedbywetpasturealongsideincisedburnsdrainingtheplateau.Acidicsoilsandpeatboginareasofpoordrainage.Rockyoutcropsarevisuallyimportantelementsofthelandsurface.Stonewallenclosurefacilitatessheepfarmingwhilstmoorlandmanagementsupportsfieldsports.

Moderate

Landscapescale Significantvarietyinlandscapescaleisencounteredacrossthe7LCAsoftheOutcropHillsandEscarpments.Mediumtolargescalelandscapesgenerallywithvariationtowardsthefringeoftheopenmoorlandwheregreaterenclosurecanbeencounteredsuchaswithinwoodpasture.Drystonewallspunctuatemoreopenlandscapetractsreducingtheperceivedscaleofthelandscape.LCA8catCharltonRidgehasasmalleroverallscalethanotherLCAsduetogreaterundulationafrequentbutsmallconiferousplantations.BycontrastLCA8eatRothburyForesthasalargeopenandexposedlandscapescale.

Low-Moderate


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VISUAL:Skylines Largelysimplebutwithsomevariation,dependent

uponthosemorecraggyoutcropsormoorlandandplantationaffordingamoreregularandsmoothskyline.Oftenbigskiesandextensivevistasareexperienced.TheprofileoftheOutcropHillsandEscarpmentscanbeimportantfromthecoastalplain,includingfromtheNorthumberlandCoastAONB,wheretheKyloeHillsforexampleoftenpresentsanimportant‘landscapeframe’orvisualenclosuretothecoastalplain.


Viewsandlandmarks

SignificantvariationoverthewiderLCTareas.VistasoftentakeinlocallyimportantlandmarkswhilstlongervistasfromoutcropsandhighersitesextendbeyondtheLCAsoverbroadpanoramas,butarerarelyfocusedonkeylandmarks.KeyexceptionstothisarevistastothecoastparticularlyfromLCA8band8cwhereiconicheritagelandmarksarevisible,suchasBamburghCastleandHolyIsland.VistastothewestandtheSimonsideandCheviotHillsareimportant.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Inter-visibility ThelargeextentandoftenelevatedridgesandoutcropsoftheLCTallowforfrequentandsometimesstrongintervisibilitywithneighbouringLCTs.TransitionallandscapesservetoemphasisethissuchasLCT10SmoothMoorlandandLCT11SandstoneFringeFarmland.LCA8fhasanextensiveboundarywithNorthumberlandNationalPark.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Visualreceptors Fewvisualreceptorsofhighsensitivitybeyondlocalandoccasionallymaintransportroutes(A697,A696).Sparsesettlementislimitedtouplandfarmsteads.RecreationaluseofthelandisimportantoveranumberoftheLCAs.

Moderate.

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Wherenostrategicroadnetworkroutesorwindfarms

fallacrosstheLCAs,movementtendstobelimited.Elsewheresomefrequentmovementalongmaintransportcorridors.SignificantmovementisapparenthoweverfrominstalledwindfarmsincludingthelargewindfarmsatMiddlemoor(LCA8c),Ray(LCAs8fand8g)andGreenRig(LCA8g).


Builtdevelopment Verylimitedbeyonduplandfarmsteadsandwindenergyinstallations.SomehilltopmastsandantennaeevidentsuchasatLCA8eRothburyForestandLCA8fHarwoodForestwhereelectricitypowerlinepylonsandradiomastsareevident.MoDradardomeatBrizleeWoodisaprominentandalmostsurreallandscapefociinmultipleviews.

Moderate-High

Remoteness DespiteuplandatranquilcharacterremotenessiserodedacrossmuchoftheLCTbytheroadnetwork,



January1,2018




agriculturalactivityandsometouristandrecreationactivities.LCA8fHarwoodForestandLCA8gSweethopeandBlackdownoffermoreremoteuplandtractswheremovementactivityislimitedawayfromwindfarms.

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Moderatescenicqualitiesawayfrominfrastructureand

largeuplandfarmsteads.Scenicqualityissometimesraisedwherevistasarepossibleandrockyoutcrops,scarpslopesandsurfacewaterfeaturesareapparent,suchasGreatWanneyCrag.

Moderate

Distinctiveness Somedistinctivenessbywayofscaleanduplandcharacter,particularlyacrosstheLCA8bKyloeandChillinghamHillsandHarwoodforestandLCA8eRothburyForestwhichunderpinsenseofplaceforuplandNorthumberland.

Moderate-High

Rarity ExtensiveareaoftheLCTresultsinlowerlevelofrarityalthoughimportanttothecharacterofthecountyasaconsequenceofrelativeextentofcover.

Low-Moderate

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Prehistoriccupandringfeaturesareimportantcultural

sitesbuthavelittleinfluenceonthelandscape.EstatewoodlandsandparklandatCragside,Chillingham,HedgeleyHallandRosCastleontheridgeofLCA8carelesscommonbutimportantlandscapecomponentsacrosstheLCT.Morewidelyhistoricsitesorfeaturesarelimited.


Recreation CragsideandChillinghamCastlewithitswildcattlearenotablevisitorattractionbutotherwiserecreationinterestislimitedtoinformalactivityovertherightsofwaynetworkandopenaccessland.StCuthbert’sWayacrosstheKyloeHillsandStOswald’sWaycrossLCA8fandareregionallyimportanttrails.


CONTEXTUALCONSIDERATIONSLandscapeCharacterContext

Intheabsenceoflandscapedesignation,andalocationbetweennationallydesignatedlandscapesofNorthumberlandNationalParkandNorthumberlandCoastAreaofOutstandingNaturalBeauty,thisuplandspineofthecountymaybeseenpresentanattractivetopographiclocationforcommercialwindenergyproposals.Large-scalewindenergywithintheLCThasaninherentpotentialforsignificantlyalteringthecharacterofthisupland,openandoccasionallyremotemoorlandlandscape.ThishasbeenevidencedwherewindfarmshavebeeninstalledatMiddlemoor,RayandGreenRig.SignificantlocalvariationisidentifiedacrossthisextensiveLCTwithmultiplecombinationsoflandusesandhistoricfeaturesoverbroadlysimilargeologyandtopography.Thedegreeofdevelopmentvariesalso,althoughmuchoftheLCTisopenandexposedandoflargerscaleswithverylimitedbuiltdevelopmentincomparisontosurroundingLCTs.Comparativelylimitednumbersofsensitivereceptors,oftenmoderatescenicvalue(althoughoccasionallymoreimportant),simpleskylinesand


January1,2018




largerscaleofthelandscapehasinfluencedpastpermissionsforwindenergydevelopmentatlargecommercialscales,suchasatMiddlemoor,GreenRigandRay,totheextenttheirhostLCAsmaynowbeconsideredtobecharacterisedbywindenergydevelopment.FurtherwindenergydevelopmentacrosstheLCTwouldbelikelytobeprominentinmanylocationsduetoelevationandexposure,butwithinareasofoveralllowertomoderatesensitivity.AcrosstheLCTinsitingnewwindenergyinstallationsitwillbeimportanttohaveregardstoimportantcraggyridgelinesandscarpslopeswhicharevulnerabletomediumandlargerscaleturbines‘sky-lining’orcausingpartial‘blade-sweep’overmediumandnear-distancehorizons,andhencebeunsuitablelocations.FurtherdevelopmentwithintheLCTofmediumtolargerscalewindturbineswouldnormallybeexpectedtobeprominentfromotherLCTs.Sensitivityofthelandscapeawayfromthosespecificfeaturesofinterestanddistinctivenesswouldnormallybelower,particularlytosmallandmedium-scaleturbines.

CumulativeEffects TheLCThasanumberofexistingwindenergysiteswithinitincludingthemajorinstallationsatMiddlemoor,RayandGreenRig.Smallertwinturbines(20m)arealsolocatedatOttercops,Kirkwhelpingtonandsinglesmall(18mand21m)turbinespermittedatFallowleesandPowburnalthoughwithsignificantlylowerlandscapeprominencethatthelargecommercialsites.Theextentofvisualinfluenceofthoselargerinstalledwindfarmsareoftenexpansive.ExistingcumulativeeffectsofthecloselylocatedMiddlemoorandWandylawsitesaresuchthatthetwositesreadasoneinalmostalldirectionsofpossiblevisibility,includingfromextensivetractsoftheNorthumberlandCoastAONB.RayandGreenRigwindfarmsarevisibleinthesamevistasfromimportantsiteswithinNorthumberlandNationalParksuchasSimonside,ataround6kmdistance.LCA8gnowcouldbereasonablydescribedasa‘windfarmlandscape’withthecompletionofRayWindFarminrelativeproximitytoGreenRig.TheelevatedandelongatedextentoftheLCTaffordsitwithmultipleboundarieswithseveralneighbouringLCTs.Intervisibilitybetweentheseareasandwithnon-contiguousLCTsisoftensignificant,includingwithcontrastinglowlandfarmedlandscapesborderingthespineofoutcropsandescarpmentsandaffordsastronglandscapecontrastandsettinginplaces.However,thesteepscarpslopesandgradualdipslopesdoaffordsomepossibilityoflocatingwindenergydevelopmentbelowandawayfromelevatedridgesandplateausuchthatthelandscapeobscuresintervisibilityatrelativelycloseproximitiesinsomedirections.TheelevatednatureoftheLCT,theexistenceofinstalledwindfarmswithinthreeoftheLCAsandstrongintervisibilityinplaceswithdesignatedlandscapesandneighbouringLCTssuggeststhatadditionallargerscalewindenergydevelopmentshavethepotentialforsignificantcumulativeimpactswhichwouldrequiredcloseexaminationinrespecttotheirpotentialforharmatprojectplanningstage.Closingordilutingthestrategic-scalegapsbetweenthetwomainconcentrationsofwindfarmsatRay-GreenRigandMiddlemoor-Wandylaw,particularlyacrossLCA8d,8eand8fthroughlargescalewindenergydevelopmentmaypresentsignificantcounty-scale


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cumulativeimpactasalineorseriesofintervisible‘islands’ofwindfarmsthroughthespineofthecounty,visiblefromimportantviewpointsandlandscapesatastrategicscale.Limitedfurtherconcentrationofwindturbinesclosetoexistingwindfarmsmaylimitsuchcumulativeharmwhereturbinesareofsimilarscale,butwouldneedtobeaffordedcloseconsiderationatprojectassessmentstage.

LCT8:OutcropHillsandEscarpments-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


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66m-100m

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LCA8a:DoddingtonRidge M M-H H H HLCA8b:KyloeandChillinghamHills L-M M-H H H HLCA8c:CharltonRidge. L L-M M M-H M-HLCA8d:BeanleyMoor. M M-H H H HLCA8e:RothburyForest. M M M-H H HLCA8f:HarwoodForest. L-M M M-H H HLCA8g:SweethopeandBlackdown. L-M M M M-H M-HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT8:OutcropHillsandEscarpments

IngeneralLCT8issuitableforcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetipwheretheyarecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsinthelandscape.Small-mediumscaleturbinesbetween26m-40mtobladetipwouldbegenerallysuitablewithinLCA8c,8e,8fand8g.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove40mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitablewithinLCT8,althoughLCA8candLCA8garelesssensitivetoturbinesbetween41m-65mtobladetip.Small-mediumscaleturbineswithinLCA8a,8band8d,mediumscaleturbineswithinLCA8eand8f,andmedium-largeandlargescaleturbineswithinLCA8cand8gmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT9:SandstoneUplandValleys

ThisLCTcomprisesthevalleyoftheRiverCoquet,asitflowsalongsideandthroughtheNorthumberlandSandstoneHillsNCA.Thevalleyisstronglyinfluencedbythesandstonecontexttothesouthandeast,andbythelower-lyinglandoftheUplandFringeFarmland(LCT15)tothenorth.ThisLCTextendsintoNorthumberlandNationalPark.TheLCTisrepresentedbyonecharacterarea(LCA):• 9a:Coquetdale

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT9:SandstoneUplandValleys:• Sinuousshallowvalleyandnarrower,incisedtributariessetwithinthesandstoneuplands.

• Valleysenclosedbydistinctive,gentlyconvexsandstonehillswithacidicvegetation.

• Smoothfloodplainmeadowsandpasturesgrazedbycattle,sheepandhorsesandoccasionalareasofarablefarmland.


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• Strongtopographic,vegetationandlandusepatterns.

• Meanderingriversthatareinconspicuouswithinthelandscape,butlinedwithalders.

• Steepbluffsclothedinpineandotherconifersflankingthevalleyfloor.

• ShelterbeltsandclumpsofScotspineandmixedwoodlandonlowerslopesandvalleyfloor.

• Sandstone-builthistoricvillagesonlowerslopes.

• Richarchaeologyincludingridgeandfurrow,motteandbaileyandfortifiedbastlehouses.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT9:SandstoneUplandValleysSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Theirregularprofileofmuchofthevalleyisasymmetrical,duetothefactthatthesouthsideisunderlainbysandstone,andthenorthsidebyglacialdepositsoverhardgeology.Onthesandstonevalleysidesthetopographyrisessharplyandacidicsoilsprevail,whileglacialdepositsrisemoregently,formingaroundedprofile.Thefloodplainwithinthevalleyiswelldefinedandofvaryingwidth.Themeanderingcourseoftheriverflowsbetweenshinglebanks.Inplacesoxbowlakesandformerriverchannelscanbepickedoutaswetpatchesandundulationswithinthevalleyfloorpastures.

Moderate-High

Landcover

SignificantvariationacrosstheLCT.Acidicsoilssupportdistinctivevegetation,includingheathermoorland,birchwoodland,andpatchesofgorseandbracken,whiletheglacialsoilstothenorthsupportlarge-scaleimprovedpasturesandblocksofconifershelterbelts.Valleyfloorpasturesaresemi-improvedwithpatchesofwetflushvegetation.Thefieldpatternisgenerallysmall-scalewithgrazingbycattle,sheepandhorses.ThesurroundingwoodlandsgivethevalleysasenseofenclosuremoststronglyfeltinthetributaryvalleyswherethewatercoursesarelinedwithaldertreesandbroadleavedwoodlandandintheUpperCoquetvalleywherepineandconiferplantationsextendontothefloodplain.Elsewhere,asatWartonandRothbury,thevalleyfloorismoreopen,althoughmatureoakandashtreesarecharacteristicwithinthehedgerowsonthelowervalleysides.MixedlandusesapartfromagricultureincludesmallsettlementandpartsofRothburywheregolfcourseandcaravanparkarelocated.Formersandandgravelworkingsnowrestored.

High

Landscapescale Smallscaleconsequenttocomplexmixofvegetation,landform,significantenclosureandmixedlanduses.

High


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VISUAL:Skylines Relativelycomplexskylinespresentedbythevalley

shouldersandwherelongerviewsallowneighbouringLCTsofhighergroundbeyondthevalleyfloorandintotheOutcropHillsandEscarpmentsandUplandFringeFarmlandLCTsandtheCheviotHillswithinNorthumberlandNationalPark.

Moderate-High

Viewsandlandmarks

SomelocallyimportantheritagecomponentssuchasBastileandTowerHousesandthefocalpointoftheriveritselfanditscrossingpoints.

Moderate

Inter-visibility Oftenself-containedbywayofsteeplyrisingvalleysides.Somelongervistastohighergroundtothesouthandnorth,andoccasionalvistasintoNorthumberlandNationalPark.

Moderate

Visualreceptors SettlementofHepple,Sharperton,ThroptonandRothburyfallwithinorpartlywithintheLCTasdoestheB6341andB6342.TheareaisimportantforrecreationandvisitorsasamaingatewayroutetoNorthumberlandNationalPark.

Moderate-High

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Roadusers,focusedagriculturalactivityinthevalley

floorandvariousurbanandperi-urbanlandusesprovidesomemovementtothelandscape,whilsttheriveritselfprovidesnaturalseasonalvariationinflowandwidth.


Builtdevelopment FocusedsettlementinvillagesandtownofRothbury.Scatteredfarmsteadselsewhereandvariousotherlandusewithassociatedstructures.

Moderate

Remoteness Focusedusesandactivityinthevalleylimitssenseofremotenessoftranquillity.

Moderate

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Somescenicvaluewherevistastoupperslopesand

surroundinguplandsbecomepossible.Therivercourseitselfandsteeptributaryburnsprovideattractivefocaldetail,includingasitpassesthroughthegorgeatRothbury.OtherwisehumaninfluenceandtransportcorridorhasresultedinagoodconditionofthelandscapebutalsolimitsscenicvaluewithintheLCTitself,suchasmineralsworksandcaravansites.ImmediateproximitytoNorthumberlandNationalParkunderlinesthepotentialimportanceoftheLCTasasettingtothedesignatedlandscape.

Moderate-High

Distinctiveness Arelativelydistinctivecombinationoflandscapecharacterwithastrongersenseofplace.

Moderate-High

Rarity AuniqueLCTwithlimitedspatialextentacrossthecounty.

High

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Locallyimportantfeaturessuchasnumeroustower

housesandbastlehousesandhistoricvillageswithModerate-High


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ConservationAreaacrossmuchofRothburyasitfallswithintheLCT.Villagesdatingfromthemedievalperiodorpossiblyearlierhaveastronglocalvernacularcharacterandarepredominantlybuiltofsandstone.

Recreation RothburyattheeasternedgeoftheLCTisarecognisedgatewaysettlementtoNorthumberlandNationalPark.Relativelylevelfootpathslinethefloodplainallowingpotentiallymoreaccessibleinformalrecreationtosomeusers.

Moderate.


Thesmallscale,complexityoflanduses,frequentsensitivereceptorsandhistoricsettlementalongsidetheattractiverivervalleycharacteratthefringeofNorthumberlandNationalParksuggesthigherlandscapesensitivitytowindenergy.Limitedcapacityforverysmall-scaledevelopmentofindividualturbines,outoftheimmediatevisualriver-valleycorridor,possiblysupportingruralbusinessesandfarmsteadsmaybeaccommodatedwithoutseriousvisualandcharacterharminlimitedcircumstances.Otherlargerturbinesanddevelopmentsofmultipleturbines-bybeingoutofscalewiththelandscapeandpresentinginevitablevisualdrawinconfinedtopography,wouldbelikelytobevisuallydominantoroutofscale.

Cumulativeeffects Nowindenergydevelopmentislocatedwithinthecharacterarea,norinadjoiningLCTs.TherelativelyenclosedtopographyandlimitedintervisibilitybetweenneighbouringandmoredistantLCTssuggeststhatshouldsmallscalewindenergydevelopmentbepermittedwithintheSandstoneUplandValleytherewouldbealowprobabilityofcumulativeeffectsarising.ProximitytoNorthumberlandNationalParksuggeststhatvisualharmtothesettingofthenationallydesignatedlandscapewouldbeanimportantconsiderationindefiningsuitabilityofproposedwindenergyschemes.

LCT9:SandstoneUplandValleys-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


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101m-135m

LCA9a:Coquetdale M-H H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT9:SandstoneUplandValleys

IngeneralwindturbineswouldbeunsuitableinprinciplewithinLCT9.However,smallscaleturbinesbelow26mtobladetipheightmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportanthistoricanddesignedfociinthelandscapeoradjacentmoresensitivelandscapes.


January1,2018

Small-medium,medium,medium-largeandlargerscaleturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthewiderlandscapecontextthatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Thisisprimarilyduetotheimportanceaffordedtothelandscape’scomplexity,intimatescale,scenicvalueandcloseproximitytoNorthumberlandNationalPark.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT10:SmoothMoorland

ThisLCToccursonthebroaddipslopewhichliestotheeastoftheprominentscarpoftheNorthumberlandSandstoneHills.ItiscloselyassociatedwiththeOutcropHillsandEscarpments(LCT8),whichformthewesternedgeofbothareasofSmoothMoorland.TheLCTisrepresentedbytwocharacterareas(LCA):• 10aRosebroughMoor• 10bAlnwickMoor

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT10:SmoothMoorland:• Gentlyundulatingmoorland,withoutthesignificantrockyoutcropswhichcharacterisethe

OutcropHillsandEscarpments(LCT8).

• Simplelandcoverofheathermoor,roughgrasslandandpeatbog.


January1,2018

• Limitedareasofconiferousplantationforestleavinganopencharacter.

• Littlewoodlandortreecover,andverylimitedsettlement.

• UninterruptedviewsacrossthecoastalplaintowardstheNorthSea.

• Prominentmastsandotherinfrastructure.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT10:SmoothMoorlandSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

LandformisdefinedbythegentleeasterndipslopeoftheNorthumberlandSandstoneHillsNCA.Thelandrisesfromthecoastalplaintoarelativelylevelseriesofplateaux,beforedroppingsharplytothewestatthescarpslope(withinLCT8).Theplateauxareflatorverygentlyundulating,withfewprominenthills.Overallthelandshelvestotheeast.Smallburnsdraintheland,viaanetworkofnarrowgullies.Elevationandopen,extensivenatureaffordsexpansivevisibilityacrossmanyparts.

Low-Moderate

Landcover

Primarilyheathermoorlandwithuplandheathandblanketbogoccupyinglargeareas,givingtheimpressionofanamorphouslandscapeofcontinuousheathercoverage.Transitionisgradualtobrackenandgorseamongstopenpasturewithincreasingbutlimitedfieldboundaries.Areasofsemi-improvedgrasslandonlowerslopeswithincreasingenclosurefromhedgesreplacingdrystonewallsandpostandwireofhigherareas.Smallbutprominent,frequentgeometricalconiferousplantationandoccasionalbroadleafedwoodsprovideonlytreecover.

Low-Moderate

Landscapescale Opennessandrelativeuniformity,withlimitedtopographicvarietyandfewboundaryfeaturesresultinalargerscalelandscapealthoughoverallextentslightlylimitsthis.

Low-Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Topographicandsimplevegetationcoveraffords

largelysimpleconsistentskylinesbutthesearepunctuatedbyprominentwindenergydevelopmentatLCA10aandvariousmastsandantennas.

Low-Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

WandylawandMiddlemoorwindfarmsarehighlyprominentcomponentsinthelandscapeofLCA10a,outcompetingoccasionalolderradiomasts.OtherwiseverylimitedfocalpointswithintheLCT,butprominentfrommajorroads(A1,B6341).OccasionalimportantvistasoutwardsfromtheLCT,particularlyfromLCA10awithpanoramicviewstowardsthecoastanditsimportantheritagelandmarks,and

Moderate


January1,2018




someviewstotheCheviotHillstothewest.Inter-visibility Strongintervisibilitytoneighbouringandmoredistant

LCTsfromLCA10b,lesspronouncedintervisibilityfromLCA10a,butstillpossibleinplacesacrossthecoastalplain.LCA10bvisiblefromareasofAlnwick.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Visualreceptors SensitivereceptorslimitedtofarmsteadsandscatteredsettlementwithintheLCT,andmainandlocalroadcorridors,includingtheA1.SomeprominencetoimportantresidentialreceptorsoutsidetheLCT,suchasfromnorthernpartsofAlnwickforLCA10b.

Moderate

PERCEPTUAL:Movement SignificantmovementinthelandscapeofLCA10awith

theoperationofMiddlemoorandWandylawwindfarms.MovementalongthelocalroadnetworkisapparentacrossLCA10b,butrelativelylimited.


Builtdevelopment ThepresenceofMiddlemoorandWandylawwindfarmsissignificantinLCA10a,andradioandtelevisiontransmissionmastswithassociatedcompoundsandbuildingsatAlnwickMoor,QuarryHouse,ChattonSandyfordsandBrowniesideareprominent.

Remoteness Despitelackofsignificantsettlement,windenergy,thelimitedroadnetworkandforestryandfarmsteadsettlementdetractfromanysenseofdeepremotenessalthoughthereisrelativetranquillityandsenseofopennessawayfromroadsandwindturbines.

Moderate

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Smooth,relativelyfeaturelesslandscapewithblocky

plantation,weakboundaryfeaturesradiomastandwindenergydevelopmentgenerallydetractfromtheruralandpeacefullandscapesandlongervistastotheeast.RichheathercoloursinlatesummerliftthebleaknessoftheLCT.


Distinctiveness Notastronglydistinctiveorplacedefininglandscapetype,althoughculturalassociationswithAlnwickforLCA10b.TheRadardomeonthenorthernboundaryofLCA10bisadistinctivelandmarkwhichprovidesastrongfocalpointandreferencepoint.

Low-Moderate

Rarity OneofaseriesofuplandmoorlandplateaulandscapesinNorthumberland,affordinglimitedrarity.

Low-Moderate

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Generalabsenceofbuiltheritageassetswhich

influencethelandscapebutimportantpre-historicstonemarkingsandearthworksacrosstheLCT.RemnantrailwaylinestructurestoLCA10b.

Low-Moderate

Recreation Limitedrecreationalvaluebeyondinformaluseofrightsofwaynetworksandopenaccessland.QuietlanesaffordcyclingopportunitytoLCA10a.

Moderate


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Thislargerscalelandscapewithfewfocalpointsorfeaturesandrelativelyuniformtopographyandlandcoverprovideslimitedinherentsceniccharacter.Thiswouldnormallysuggestlowersensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.Howeverthelandscapeisoftenprominentinwidervistasfromthesouthandeastandaffordssignificantvistastothecoastalplain,includingtheNorthumberlandCoastAONB.ThenorthernareasofLCA10bareincloseproximitytopartsofAlnwickandsuggestahighdegreeofsensitivereceptorsforlargerscalewindenergyproposals.IntervisibilitywithmoresensitiveneighbouringlandscapesfromtheLCT’sfringe,suchasLCT7:EstateValleymaybeimportantinconsideringsensitivityofthelandscapetofuturewindenergydevelopment.ThefundamentalcharacterofLCA10ahasbeenredefinedoverrecentyearswiththeestablishmentofMiddlemoorandWandylawwindfarms,comprising28x125mturbines(including5turbineswithinLCA8c).Thishaseffectivelyresultedina‘windfarmlandscape’fortheLCAandhassignificantlyalteredthebalanceofdefininglandscapecomponents.ThismayhavereducedfurtherthepotentialforharmfulchangetolandscapecharacterwithintheLCTbyfurtherwindenergydevelopmentsalthoughelevatedwesternfringesoftheLCThavethepotentialforsky-liningbyturbinesandsignificantincreaseinprominencefrommoresensitivelandscapesbetweenLCT10andNorthumberlandNationalParktothewest.FurtherdevelopmentofwindturbineswithinLCA10ashouldbeassessedagainsttheabilitytoconcentrateratherthanexpandtheextentofwindenergypredominanceinthelandscape.

Cumulativeeffects TheinstallationsatWandylawandMiddlemoorareincloseproximitysuchthatinmostviewsthesecanbereadasonelargewindenergyinstallation.TogetherthesecanbeseentohavecreatedawesternskylineofwindturbinesforlargercentralpartsoftheNorthumberlandCoastAONB.NowindenergydevelopmentispresentinLCA10b.NotwithstandingthetightvisualinterrelationshipbetweenWandylawandMiddlemoorwindfarms,itispossibletoviewthesewithotherlargerwindfarmstothesouth-eastacrossthecoastalplainsouthofAmble/Hadston,includingSisters,NorthSteadsandLynemouthwindfarms.Howeverthedistanceofseparationmeanssuchintervisibilityislimitedinsignificance.Furthermajorwindenergydevelopmentbetweentheseconcentrationsofwindturbines,particularlythoseacrossthecoastalplainwhichcanbeviewedinpanoramicvistasfromhigherpointsinland,mayhoweverresultinaperceivedconsolidationofwindturbinesacrossawiderviewconeorarc,withthepotentialforsignificantchangeinlandscapecharacterthroughcumulativeeffects.DevelopmentoflargescalewindenergyinLCA10bwouldpotentiallyservetonarrowthecurrentlystrategicgapbetweenlargerscaleinstallationstothesoutheastandsouthwest,andthusbegintoeffectivelyconsolidatepotentialchainofwindenergysiteswithinaverywideseriesofviewcones.Significantintervisibilitywithlargewindenergyinstallationstothesouth-west(GreenRigg,Ray)isnotpossiblebutfuturedevelopmentinthehinterlandLCTs,suchasLCAs8eand8fwouldpresentpotentialforacentralNorthumberlandchainoflargeturbinesacrosshigherground.


January1,2018

LCT10:SmoothMoorland-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA10a:RosebroughMoor L-M M M M-H M-HLCA10b:AlnwickMoor M M-H M-H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT10:SmoothMoorland

IngeneralLCT10issuitableforsmallscaleturbinesbelow26minheighttobladetip.LCA10apresentslesssensitivitythanLCA10b,andissuitableinprincipletowell-sitedsmall-mediumandmediumscaleturbinesbelow66minheighttobladetip.LCA10awouldgenerallybeunsuitableformedium-largeandlargerturbinesupto135mtobladetipheight,butthesemaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffects,largelyduetothehighdegreeofinter-visibilitywithadjacentandmoredistantlandscapes,wouldnotbesignificant.WithinLCA10b,small-mediumandmediumscaleturbinesupto65mheighttobladetipareunsuitableingeneral,butmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffects,wouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportanthistoricanddesignedfociinthelandscapeoradjacentmoresensitivelandscapes.WithinLCA10bmedium-largeandlargerscalewindturbinesabove66mheighttobladetipwouldbeunsuitableinprinciple,largelyduetothehighdegreeofinter-visibilitywithadjacentandsomemoredistantlandscapes,andlongervisualimpactsonsettlementanddesignatedlandscapes.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT11:SandstoneFringeFarmland

LCT11isatransitionallandscapebetweentheexposedSandstoneHillsandmoreintensivelyfarmedandsettledlowlandareas,andisamarginalareaforagriculturebotheconomicallyandgeographically.TheLCTiscloselyassociatedwiththeOutcropHillsandEscarpments(LCT8),occurringateitherendofthechainoftheNorthumberlandSandstoneHills(NCA2).TheLCTisrepresentedbythreecharacterareas(LCA):• 11aBelfordHills• 11bButelandandColtCrag• 11cHetton.


January1,2018

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT11:SandstoneFringeFarmland:• Open,expansive,marginaluplandfringefarmland.

• Gentlyundulatingtopographydrainedbyminorburns,withwetpasturesinshallowhollows.

• OccasionalWhinSillandsandstoneoutcropsandcragswithassociatedactiveanddisusedquarries.

• Associationwithneighbouringsandstonehills.

• Mainlyroughandsemi-improvedpastures,withpatchesofopengrassmoorlandonhighestground.

• Variedpatternofenclosure;medium-to-largescaleanddefinedbyamixtureofstonewallsandwirefencing.

• Areasofgeometricconiferousforestandmixedwoodlandplantation.

• Sparselypopulatedlandscape,withoccasionalfarmsteadsconnectedbynarrowlanes.

• Historicelementsincludeevidenceofpastminingincludingcoalshafts,andancientridgeandfurrow.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT11:SandstoneFringeFarmlandSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Thelandscapeshelvesdownfromthehighersandstonehills,tothecoastalplain,ortothemid-Northumberlandfarmland.Relativelylimitedtopographicalvariation,althoughassociatedwiththemoredistinctlandformsoftheOutcropHillsandEscarpments(LCT8),suchastheKyloeHillsaboveHetton.Sandstone,shale,limestoneandmudstoneareoverlainwithglacialdrift,givingrisetoasubtlyundulatingtopography.Sandstoneandwhinstoneoutcropsoccurandarequarriedforaggregateandbuildingstone.FrequentsmallsurfacepondsandmossesandsmallreservoirssuchasColtCragreservoirinLCA11b.

Moderate

Landcover

Predominantlyalandscapeofroughandsemi-improvedpastures,oftenwithwetrushyareas,withpatchesofopengrassmoorlandonthehigherground,above200m.Somearablefarming,particularlyinLCA11aandLCA11b.FrequentsmallconiferousbeltsandfarmplantationacrossLCA11aandLCA11c.Deciduoussemi-naturalwoodlandsoccupywerdepressionsandincisedburns,althoughnotwidespread.MilitaryfiringrangesandassociatedinfrastructureandtracksfoundwithinLCA11b

Low-Moderate

Landscapescale Mainlyamediumtolarge-scalelandscapeconsequenttosimplelandcovercomponentsandlackofdiversityinlandform.Weakboundaryfencingservestoemphasiselargerlandscapescale.Inareaswhere

Low-Moderate


January1,2018




drystonewallsaremaintained,scaleisoccasionallyreduced,supportedlocallybyplantation.

VISUAL:Skylines Simple,longhorizonsandbigskiesconsequentto

simpleelevatedlandformandlimitedtreeorbuiltstructure.SlightlymorevarietyisseeninviewstothewestwheretheCheviotHillsprovideamoredramatichorizon.

Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

FewsignificantlandmarkswithintheLCTalthoughLCA11aofferspanoramicviewstothecoastincludingBamburghCastle,theFarneIslandsandHolyisland.SomeviewstoNorthumberlandNationalParktothewestfromLCA11bandLCA11c.

Moderate

Inter-visibility StrongassociationswiththeimmediatevalleyanduplandoutcropsandescapementLCTs,butonlyLCA11aBelfordHillsofferslongerviewsacrossmultipleLCTstowardsandalongthecoast.LCA11aandLCA11cofferoccasionalvistastowardstheCheviotHillstothewest.


Visualreceptors AverylowdensityofbuiltdevelopmentlimitssensitivereceptorstohamletssuchasHolburn,occasionalfarmsteads,roadnetworks(includingtheA68)andrecreationalusers.Scaleanddensityoftransportroutesvary,withmainroutesthroughorabuttingLCA11aandLCA11b.ThenorthernfringeofBelfordpartlyfallswithintheLCT.

Moderate

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Somemovementalongtransportroutes.Verylimited

withinLCA11c.Twoofthe18windturbinesofGreenRiggwindfarmfalljustwithinLCA11bandindoingsoaddmovementtothisarea.OtterburnmilitaryrangesfallpartlywithinLCA11bwheremilitaryactivity,smokeplumesandnoiseperiodicallyintroducemovementandnoise.


Builtdevelopment SomehumaninfluenceacrossBelford,hamletsandscatteredfarmsteads.Masts,overheadlinesandreservoirsareoccasionallyprominentinLCA11basismilitaryrangeinfrastructureinformermineralsworks,butoverallalandscapewithverylimitedbuiltstructure.GreenRiggwindfarmpartlyoverlaystheLCT(althoughfallingprimarilywithinLCA8g)andistheonlysignificantverticalfeatureinthelandscape,althoughthemajorityofthewindfarmisprominentfromwithinLCA11b.

Moderate-High

Remoteness LCA11aofferslowerlevelsofremotenessasaconsequenceofgreaterlevelsofdevelopment,urbanedgeactivityaroundBelfordandmaintransportcorridorsclosetotheeasternboundary.LCA11band11caremoreremoteandwithinlimitedmovementoractivityandoffersomerelativetranquillity

ModeratetoModerate-High.


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QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Althoughofsemi-uplandcharacterwithlimitedbuilt

developmentandrelativetranquillity,theLCThaslimitedscenicvalue.Overallwide-opentractswithlowvarietyoflandcoverorfocalpoints,oftenwithweakboundaryfeaturesorblockplantations.Longerviewstoeastandwestareofvaluebutarenotreflectiveofimmediatecharacter.

Low-Moderate

Distinctiveness Somedistinctivefeatures,suchascragsandsmallravinewoodlandsbutfrequentlywithoutstronglydefiningcharacterleadingtoweaksenseofplace.

Low-Moderate

Rarity Amorecommonlandscapetypewithcommonfeaturestootheruplandfringecharactertypesacrossthecounty.Howeversomecombinations,suchasthewaterbodiesofLCA11aandcragsofLCA11boffersomemoreunusuallandscapecomponents.

Moderate

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Rigandfurrowandpre-historiccupandringrock

carvingprovidesomehistoricimportancetothelandscapes,butwithlimitedvisualsignificance.

Low-Moderate

Recreation Informalrecreationacrossrightsofwayandaccessland,withhighimportanceattachedtoStCuthbert’sWaylongdistanceroute.

Moderate


TheLCTpresentsanextensivebutpredominantlyopenandunremarkablelandscapecomponentofNorthumberland,althoughsomeareasprovidehistoric,recreationandlocalisedscenicvalue.Broadly,theabsenceofenclosure,lowlevelsofhumanscalestructuresandmoderatelevelsofreceptorssuggestaloweroverallsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.Despitethis,theelevatednatureofmuchoftheLCTandsomewiderpanoramicprominence,particularlyacrossLCA11a,meansthatthelandscapesaffordexpansiveviewsintoandacrossthemfromnumerousviewpoints.LCA11ainparticularformspartofthelowuplandridgelinerunningnorth-southwhichpartlyframesthecoastalplainandAONB.Whilstpresentinglimitedinherentinterest,visualprominencefromneighbouringlandscapes,particularlythoseassociatedwiththesettingofdesignatedlandscapesaffordsomeincreasedsensitivitytowindenergydevelopmentatlargerscales.Furtherturbineswithinthelandscapeshouldthereforebeapparentratherthanvisuallyprominentfeatures,andtheconsiderationofscaleofnewturbineswillbethemostsignificantfactorinachievingthisobjective.

Cumulativeeffects Two125mwindturbinesofGreenRiggWindFarmfalljustwithinLCA11bButelandandColtCragandsixsmall(<25m)turbineshavebeenconsentedacrossthatLCAinadisperseddistribution,ofwhichtwoareoperational(atthetimeofstudy).Onesmall-scaleturbineisoperationalatWarentonLawwithinLCA11a.Operationallarge-scalewindturbinesatGreenRigg,RayandWandylawpresentclearintervisibilitywithmajorwindenergysitesinneighbouringLCTs.Consequentlymajorwindenergydevelopmentsofmediumtolarge


January1,2018




scaleturbineswithintheLCTwouldpresentinherentpotentialforcumulativevisualeffectsofmultiplemajorinstallationswithinthesameviewcorridorsorpanoramas.Careshouldbegiventoensuinganyfurtherturbinedevelopmentconsolidatesareasnowcharacterisedbywindenergyratherthanextendtheminanysignificantdirection.ParticularharmcouldariseinrelationtotheroletheLCTplaysinthewidersettingsofthedesignatedlandscapesofNorthumberlandNationalParkandNorthumberlandCoastAreaofOutstandingNaturalBeauty,despitenotbeingcontiguouswiththoseareas.AneffectivenorthernlinearextensionwithinLCA11aoftheMiddlemoor/Wandylawwindfarmarraywouldhavesignificantpotentialtoconsolidatetheperceivedwindfarm‘enclosure’totheAONBwhenviewedfromiconicviewpointssuchasHolyIslandandBamburghCastle.

LCT11:SandstoneFringeFarmland-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA11a:BelfordHills L-M M M-H H HLCA11b:ButelandandColtCrag L-M M M M-H HLCA11c:Hetton L-M M M M-H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT11:SandstoneFringeMoorland

IngeneralLCT11issuitableforsmallandsmall-mediumscaleturbinesbelow40minheighttobladetip.LCA11apresentsslightlyhighersensitivitythanLCA11band11c,andisunsuitableinprincipletoturbinesabove40mtobladetipheight.Howeverwell-sitedmediumscaleturbinesbetween41mand66minheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffects,wouldnotbesignificant.LCA11band11cwouldgenerallybeunsuitableformedium-largeandlargerturbinesbetween66m-100mtobladetipheight,butthesemaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffects,wouldnotbesignificant.Medium-largeandlargerscalewindturbineswouldbeunsuitableinprincipleinLCA11a,withlargescaleunsuitableinprincipleinLCAs11band11c.Sensitivitytothesescalesofturbineislargelyduetothehighdegreeofinter-visibilitywithadjacentandsomemoredistantlandscapes,andlongervisualimpactsonsettlementanddesignatedlandscapes.Cumulativeimpactsarealsoimportantconsiderations.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT12:BroadFarmedVale

LCT12comprisesonlyonelandscapecharacterarea:• LCA12a:BreamishVale

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT12:BroadFarmedVale:• Meanderingriverandfloodplainwithinbroadvalleylandscape.

• Distinctbreakbetweenthevaleandthesandstonehillstotheeast.

• Rollingmixedfarmland.

• Irregularpatternofwoodlands.

• ViewstotheCheviotHillstothewest.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT12:BroadFarmedValeSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Somemoderatevariationwithinbroadvaletopographywithincreasesinelevationtoeastandwestmargins,morepronouncedtotheeastbythesandstonehills.RiverBreamish/Tillmeanderssouthtonorththroughlowerlyingbutmarkedlyundulatinglandforminplaces.Valleyprofileisnotpronouncedalongmuchofrivercourse,whichinplaceshasbeenstraightened.

Low-Moderate

Landcover

Mostlymedium-largearablefields,withsignificantareasofsemi-improvedpasture.Someolderclustersofsmaller,lessregularfieldsremain.Oftenweakfieldboundaries.Clumpsofbroadleafwoodland,someassociatedwithfarmsteads.Coniferousshelterbeltsmorefrequenttothesouth.Moresignificantwoodlandisassociatedwithparklandlandscapes,especiallyChillinghamCastle.

Low-Moderate

Landscapescale Mediumscale,characterisedbyopenlandscapewithgenerallyweakfieldboundariesbutsetwithinadjacentpartialenclosurebyrisingground.

Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Generallysimplewithsomevarietyprovidedbyrising

CheviotHillstowestandmorewoodedsandstonehillstotheeast.

Low-Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

Limitedsignificanceofviewsalthoughmainroads(B6349andB6348)transectthevaleLCAeasttowestandprovidevistasacrossthevalebetweenhigherneighbouringgroundLCAs,whilstthebusierA697fringesthesouthwestoftheLCA.ChillinghamestatetotheeasternfringeoftheLCAprovideslandscapeandarchitecturalfocus,butfromlimitedvisualextent.

Low-Moderate

Inter-visibility StrongintervisibilityfromwithinthevaletohigherenclosingridgelinesofCheviotfoothillsandthesandstoneOutcropHillsandEscarpments.ExtensiveviewsoverandbeyondtheLCAfromraisedvantagepointssuchasRosCastletotheeast

Moderate-High

Visualreceptors Sensitivereceptorslimitedtosmalllocalsettlements(Chatton,ChillinghamEstate),scatteredfarmsteadsandlocaltransportroutes.

Moderate

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Appreciablemovementinthelandscapefromroads

andmorelocallyalongtherivercourse.Moderate

Builtdevelopment ChattonandChillingham(settlement)arelargersettlementsrelativetotheruralityandremotenessofthearea.Frequentfarmsteadswithlargemodernagriculturalbuildingpunctuatethelandscapes.ThesawmillatWoopertonisaprominentindustrialoperation.Theroadnetworkisthemaininfrastructure

Low-Moderate


January1,2018




oftheLCAbutapartfromtheA697rarelyprominent.Verticalstructuresareverylimited,restrictedtoagriculturalstructuresandtelephoneandlocalpowerlines.

Remoteness AwayfromtheroadnetworkthevaleLCAisstronglyruralwithmoderatesenseoftranquillitypartlyattributedtolowdensityofsettlement.PublicrightsofwaytomoreremoteareasoftheLCAarerelativelylimitedinmostlyarablelandscapeandtheroadnetworkisoftenperceptible.

Low-Moderate

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Limitedscenicvalueinisolation,althoughwider

landscapeviewstohighergroundeastandwestprovidesomesceniclandscapevalue.RegisteredParklandandheritagevalueofChillinghamaffordsenhancedlocalscenicvalueanddramaticviewstotheCheviotHills.

Moderate

Distinctiveness Notstronglydistinctiveinisolationfromitswiderlandscapecontext,althoughthemeanderingrivercourseaffordslocalsenseofplace.

Low-Moderate

Rarity Notrareincontextofthecountybutwidersettingisdistinctive.

Low-Moderate.

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets The‘Devil’sCauseway’Romanroadrunsnorth-south

throughthelandscape.Somemedievalridgeandfurrow,particularlyaroundChattonwhichretainscharacteristicallymedievalsettlementform.The14thcenturyChillinghamCastleisapopularvisitorattraction,asistheparkland(inseparateownership),andishometotheChillinghamwildcattleherd.Viewsfromthecastle/parklandtothewestareparticularlyattractive.

Moderate

Recreation MainlylimitedtovisitorattractionofChillinghamCastleandparkland,particularlythewildcattlewhichhasnationalprofile.Elsewheretheareaifoflimitedwalkingandcyclingvalueincomparisontoneighbouringareas.

Low-Moderate


Alocalised,contrastingpocketofrelativelylowland,arablelandscapeseparatingareasofsteepergradientanduplandridgestotheeastandwestwithcontrastinglandcovertothoseneighbouringLCAsandsignificantintervisibility.ViewstotheCheviotHillswithinNorthumberlandNationalParkaresignificanttothewest,overandbeyondtheinterveningLCT15UplandFringeFarmland.Ingeneralwindenergydevelopmentshouldbelimitedtofewindividualorsmallgroupsofsmallormediumsizedturbinesassociatedwithsettlement,farmsteadsorruralenterpriseemploymentsites.Largerscalewindenergydevelopmentwouldbelikelytobedisproportionatetothescaleofthelandscapeandaffectsensitivereceptorstherein.


January1,2018




TheimportanceofviewsfromhighergroundeastandwestoftheLCA,particularlyfromdesignatedheritageassetssuchasChillinghamRegisteredParkandGarden,shouldbeconsideredinwindenergyproposalsaslikelyconstraints.

Cumulativeeffects TherearenocurrentwindenergyinstallationswithinLCA12a.OccasionalpartialviewstotheBarmoorWindFarm(6x110m)arepossiblefromwithintheLCTbutthesepresentamiddledistancefeature(>10km)acrossanarrowviewarc.NootherprominentlyvisibleturbinesfallwithinneighbouringornearneighbouringLCAs(forexampleWandylawWindFarminLCA10a)asaconsequenceoftheenclosingnatureofthevalelandscapesetting.

LCT12:BroadFarmedVale-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA12a:BreamishVale M M M-H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT12:BroadFarmedVale

IngeneralLCT12issuitableforwindenergydevelopmentunder40minheighttobladetipwherethesearecarefullysitedandassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildings,otherdomesticscalefeaturesandwoodlandwithinthelandscape.Thelandscapeisgenerallyunsuitabletoaccommodatewindturbinesabovethisheight.Howeverlandscapesmaybesuitabletomediumscaleturbinesunder65mtobladetipheightwhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscapeandnotinterruptimportantvistasacrossthelandscape(ratherthanintoit).Medium-largescaleandlargerturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Thisisparticularlyduetohighinter-visibilityandstronglinkswiththeadjacentlandscapesframingNorthumberlandNationalParkdesignatedlandscape.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT13:BroadFloodplainValley

LCT13comprisesbroad,openvalleys,definedbyhighergroundatthemargins,andaflatalluvialfloodplainwithmeanderingrivers.ThisLCTisrepresentedbyonecharacterarea(LCA):• LCA13a:TillandGlenValleys

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT13:BroadFloodplainValley• Broadvalleywithflatfloodplainandmeanderingrivercourse.

• Intensivelyfarmedagriculturallandscape,withgeometricwoodlandblocks.

• Settlementandfarmsclusteredattheedgeofthevalleyfloor.


January1,2018

• ExpansivelandscapewithviewstotheCheviotHills.

• Historicvillagesandfarmbuildings.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT13:BroadFloodplainValleysSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Agentlyundulatingtoflat,broadfloodplainlandscapeoversedimentarydepositdriftgeology.TheWoolerWaterentersthebroadvalleyfloortothenorthofWooler,joiningwiththeRiverTillandthebroadvalleyoftheRiverGlenwhichentersfromthewest.TheRiverTillthenmeandersmarkedlyacrossthevalleyfloortothenorth.

Low-Moderate

Landcover

Predominantlyanarablefarmedlandscapewithareasofpastureandgeometricwoodlandblock,particularlytothenorthandwest.Limitedriparianvegetationhelpsdefinemeanderingcourseoftherivers.Sandandgravelworksandasmallairfieldprovideotherlandusestothewesternfringe.

Low-Moderate

Landscapescale Mostlylargescalewithsomemoremediumgrainaroundwoodlandareasandsettlementfringes.

Low-Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Skylinesaremostlydefinedbyrisinggroundover

moorlandfringeinadjacentLCAs,includingthesteeplyrisinggroundofNorthumberlandNationalParkwhichtheLCAabutswestofWoolerwhereridgelinesaresmoothbutundulating.TotheeastthesteeperslopesanddistinctivemixofwoodedandsmoothrollingoftheoutcrophillsandescarpmentsLCTservetoprovideacleartopographicalcontrastwiththeLCA.Skylinesareessentiallyfreefromman-madestructuresawayfromsightlinesthroughhighvoltagepowerlinesthatrunnorth-souththroughthecentreoftheLCA.

Moderate-High

Viewsandlandmarks

VerylimitedpointsofvisualfocuswithintheLCAbutimportantviewsoutwards.Themeanderingriversaredistinctivetopographicalfeaturesbutpresentlowvisualprominencewithinthevalley.Keyvistasacrossthevalleytothewest,intotheCheviotHillsarestrikingandexpansive,andareenhancedbythecontrastbetweentheneighbouringtopography.

Moderate-High

Inter-visibility HighdegreesofintervisibilityparticularlyintoNorthumberlandNationalParkandOutcropHillsandEscarpments,butalsotorisinggroundtothenorthintotheOpenRollingfarmlandsLCT.ExtensiveviewsacrossthewholeofLCT13fromadjoiningLCTsarepossibleasaconsequenceoflowandrelativelyflattopography.

High

Visualreceptors SomeimportantreceptorsalongmaintransportrouteoftheA697betweenWoolerandColdstream.SignificantsettlementofWoolerliestothesouthern

High


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fringeoftheLCAwhilstdwellingsarelocatedinDoddington,Fenton,Milfieldandacrossmanyscatteredfarmsteadsonhigherpointsaroundthefloodplain.RecreationalimportanceoftheneighbouringNorthumberlandNationalParkmaybeadverselyaffectedbywindenergydevelopmentacrossthevalleyandelevatesthesensitivityofthiscriterion.

PERCEPTUAL:Movement SomemovementassociatedwiththeA697,andmore

occasionallyfromMilfieldairfield.Moderate

Builtdevelopment Agriculturaldevelopmentisscatteredacrosstheflatvalleyfloorwherelandrisesabovethefloodplain.MainsettlementoftheedgeofWoolerandsmallhamletsfallaroundthefringeoftheLCA.

Moderate

Remoteness Anintensivelyfarmedlandscapewithscatteredsettlementandmainroad.Powerlines,pylonsandairfieldlimitanysenseofremoteness.

Low-moderate

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Somemoderateinherentscenicqualityprimarily

focusedwithintherivercorridorsthemselvesthataffordattractiveoutlookswithpronouncedmeanderingandsomebraiding,butwithlimitedpublicaccessawayfromroadcrossings.SomeattractivecontrastbetweentheLCAitselfandthesteeplyrisingCheviotHillswhichdelineatethewesternedge.

Moderate-High

Distinctiveness Presentsmoderatesenseofplaceandsettingwithinneighbouringuplandfeaturesisdistinctive

Moderate

Rarity AninfrequentlandscapetypewithinNorthumberland Moderate-HighHISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets TheMilfieldBasincontainssomeofthemostsignificant

prehistoriclandscapesinthecountry,includingevidenceofMesolithicsettlement,hengesandlaterprehistoricoccupation,inadditiontotheAnglo-Saxon‘palace’siteofMaelmin.Howeverthesearenotprominentinthelandscape.Romansettlementsites,enclosuresandcampscanalsobefoundintheLCAandaswellastheestatelandscapeofEwartPark

Moderate

Recreation Limitedtothelocalfootpathnetwork.ViewsfromNorthumberlandNationalParkintoandacrosstheLCA,andtowardsitfromwithinmaybeimportantinrespecttotheNationalParks’statutorypurposes.

Moderate-High.


TheLCTcontextoffersgreaterlandscapevalueandsensitivitythanitsinherentlandscapecharacteralone.ItliesasarelativelydistinctivebroadvalleyfloodplainwithinacontrastingcontextofsurroundingsteeprisinggroundleadingtotheundevelopedroundedhillsoftheCheviotHills(withinNorthumberlandNationalPark),theIgneousFoothillsandOutcropHillsandEscarpments.Assuch,viewsacrossthelandscapefromoutsidearecomprehensive,andsignificantfromwithinittothesehigherareas.


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WindenergydevelopmentwithintheLCAshouldnotservetodiminish,interruptordistractfromimportantvistasbetweenareasofhighergroundfringingandpartiallyenclosingtheLCA,potentiallyaffectingthesettingofNorthumberlandNationalPark.Movementofturbinebladesfromelevatedviewsagainstlandscapebackdropcouldbeprominentandadistractioninthelandscape.However,verticalmanmadestructuresalreadydilutetheseviewsintheformofpowerlinesandpylons.Furtherdevelopmentshouldhoweverseektoavoidexacerbatingthisvisualimpactbylimitingthescaleanddistributionofwindenergydevelopmentsuchassmallerindividualturbinesassociatedwithfarmsteads.Windenergydevelopmentinthekeyrivercorridorsshouldbeavoidedtoconservetheirlocalisedspecialcharacter.Theremaybesafety/technicalimplicationsforwindenergydevelopmentasaconsequencetheairfield/glidercluboperationsatMilfield

Cumulativeeffects TherearenoexistingwindenergydevelopmentswithintheLCT.Howeverthepylonsandpowerlinesprovideaprominentdiscordantfeatureinthelandscapewhichwouldprovidebothafurthercomplexityagainstlargerscaledwindturbines,andapotentiallydramaticindicatorofscale.Suchjuxtapositionorcombinationoffeaturesinasingleviewconeshouldbeavoided.BarmoorWindFarm(6x110mturbines)standsonelevatedgroundtothenorth-eastinLCT16.TheirpreciselocationandafocusinthelandscapetowardstheCheviotHillsmeansthesearesignificantbutnotoverbearingfeaturesinthelandscape.TheyarehoweverseenagainstabackdropoftheCheviotHillsinviewsfromthenorth-east,andfurtherdevelopmentofmediumorlargerscaledturbinesinLCT13wouldbelikelytoexacerbatethisvisualcontrastanddetractfrothesettingofNorthumberlandNationalParkoverandaboveindividualimpacts.

LCT13:BroadFloodplainValley-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA13a:BroadFloodplainValley M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT13:BroadFloodplainValley

IngeneralLCT13issuitableforsmallscalewindenergydevelopmentunder26minheighttobladetipwherethesearecarefullysitedandassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildings,otherdomesticscalefeaturesandwoodlandwithinthelandscape.Thelandscapeisgenerallyunsuitabletoaccommodatewindturbinesabovethisheight.However,thelandscapemaybesuitabletosmall-mediumscaleturbinesunder41mtobladetipheightwhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociin


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thelandscapeandnotinterruptimportantvistasacrossthelandscape(ratherthanintoit).Medium,medium-largescaleandlargerturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Thisisparticularlyduetohighinter-visibilityandstronglinkswiththeadjacentlandscapesframingNorthumberlandNationalPark.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT14:IgneousFoothills

TheIgneousFoothillsLCTcomprisesaseriesofsteepsidedrounded,outlyingfoothillsoftheeasternCheviotHills,closetooradjoiningNorthumberlandNationalParkboundary.Itpresentsamixofuplandandlowlandcharacteristicsandisdividedinto3landscapecharacterareas(LCAs):• LCA14a:MoneylawsandColdside,• LCA14b:WoolerFoothills• LCA14c:OldFawdon

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT14:IgneousFoothills:• Roundedhillscutbysteepvalleys.

• AssociationwiththeCheviotHills,eitherdirectlyorseparatedbynarrowvalleys.

• Generallysmoothhillswithsomerockyoutcrops.


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• Amixofuplandlanduses,includingforestryandroughgrazing,withsomeareasofpastureandarablefarming.

• Littleornosettlement,withonlyafewfarmsteads.

• Frequentevidenceinthelandscapeofhistoricalactivitysuchassettlements.

• Networkoffootpathsandopenaccessland.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT14:IgneousFoothillsSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

RollingsteepsidedhillsformingeasternfringeoftheCheviotHills.Generallysimplewithlimitedvariety,althoughhillsoftenpronouncedinprofileifnotscaleandelevation.

Moderate-High

Landcover

Simpleagricultural(mainlyarablewithsomegrazing)andplantation/shelterbeltlanduse,occasionallyvariedaroundWooler(LCA14b)whereresidential,recreationalandemploymentusesareevident.

Low-Moderate

Landscapescale Largeormedium-largescalewestofWooler.Definedbylargerfieldsandopenroughgrazing,withloworweakhedgeandpostandwireboundariesinplaces.

Low-Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Large,simple,somelimitedvarietywhereplantations

skyline.MorecomplexitywithinLCA14batWoolerwithincreaseinurbanusesandactivities.

Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

GenerallyimportanteasternfringeofCheviotHillsandseenextensivelyfromlowlandtotheeastandhighergroundofthesandstoneoutcropsandescarpment.

Moderate-High

Inter-visibility Significantintervisibilitytolowlandanduplandneighbouringlandscapes,includingNorthumberlandNationalParkandtotherisinglandscapesofthesandstoneoutcrophillsandescarpmenttotheeast.

High

Visualreceptors LowlevelsofresidentialbuildingsandthereforereceptorslimitedtolocaltransportroutesandPublicRightsofWayusers.Localreceptorsinneighbouringareasarehoweversensitive,suchasWoolerandNorthumberlandNationalPark.

Low-Moderate

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Verylimited,primarilytothelocalroadnetwork. HighBuiltdevelopment VerylimitedsettlementwiththeexceptionofWooler’s

westernfringe.Occasionalfarmsteadandfreestandingscatteredcottages.ProminentpylonsandpowerlinespartiallycrossLCA14bsouthofWooler.


Remoteness ModeratelyisolatedbutaccessiblefrommainroadcorridorsandproximitytoWooler,particularlyLCA14b.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Variedscenicqualitybutsomeimportantareasin

relationtotheCheviotHills,NorthumberlandNationalModerate-HightoHigh


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Parkfringeandhighlyvisibletransitionallandscapewheresomeareasareattractive,suchastothewestofWoolerandOldFawdonHill.

Distinctiveness AdistinctiveNorthumberlandlandscapecharacterisedbythelargescaleofthelandscapewithmixedlandusereflectingthechangingtopographyandrelativetranquillity.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Rarity Ararelandscapewithrelativelysmallareawithinafarmoreexpansiveuplandfringecontext.

Moderate-hightoHigh

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Arichhistoriclandscapebutwherefeaturesofinterest

arerarelyvisuallyprominentinthelandscape.HeritageassetsincludehillfortsandbattlefieldatHomildonhill.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Recreation Importantaccessibleupland/CheviotoutlierlandscapeforinformalrecreationonfootpathnetworkandacrossAccessLand,particularlywestofWooler,withnumerousaccessiblesummits.HowevermoresignificantareasforoutdoorenjoymentfallclosebywithinNorthumberlandNationalPark.

ModeratetoModerate-High.


AnuplandtransitionallandscapewhichinplacesdefinesthechangebetweentheeasternCheviotfringeasitfallstothelowervaleandvalleylandscapesandthenSandstoneHillsbeyond.ThelandscapeunitsareasignificantcomponentofthesettingofNorthumberlandNationalParkandspecificallytheCheviotHillsandpresentasemi-remoteuplandvisualbufferfromoutwardsviewsfromthehighersummitsoftheCheviotHills.Locallythelandscapeisofsomesimplebutneverthelessscenicvalueandisoftenhighlyvisiblefromsurroundinglandscapeunits.TheIgneousHillslandscapesremainmostlysimpleandgenerallywithoutprominentbuiltstructuresorverticalcomponents.Skylinesmaybesimplebutareoftenimportantincloseandlongerviews.ThissettingandframingfunctionoftheIgneousHillstoNorthumberlandNationalPark,elevatedlandandimportantskylineswithfewverticalstructuressuggeststhelandscapewouldbemoresensitivetowindenergydevelopmentatmediumtolargerscales,eventhoughlandscapescaleisgenerallylargeandhumanscalefeaturesarelimited,whichwouldotherwiseindicatelowersensitivity.SmallerscalewindenergydevelopmentmaybeacceptableawayfromridgelinesandhighergroundwhichformpartofthepanoramicviewsintoNorthumberlandNationalParkfromthenorth,eastandsouth.

Cumulativeeffects VerylimitedwindenergydevelopmentislocatedwithinLCT14oritssurroundinglandscapes.Asingle24mturbineislocatedwithinLCT14bwestofWooleraboveHighburnHousecaravanpark.Theturbineislocatedclosetoanareaofrelativelyprominentdevelopmentandmixedlandusesandthusdoesnotpresentaparticularlyincongruouselementorlandscapeintrusion.ProminentpowerlinesandpylonswhichareasignificantlandscapedetractortotheeasternfringeoftheCheviotHillscrossLCA14b.Thepylonsandpowerlinesprovideaprominentdiscordantfeatureinthe


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widerlandscapewhichwouldprovidebothafurthervisualcomplexityagainstlargerscaledwindturbines,andapotentiallydramaticindicatorofscale.Suchjuxtapositionorcombinationoffeaturesinasingleviewconeshouldbeavoided.Withtheexceptionofthepylons,theabsenceofwindenergydevelopmentorprominentwindenergyinstallationswithinthenearandmediumvisualenvelopeofLCT14suggeststhatdevelopmentthereinwouldbeunlikelytoleadtosignificantcumulativeimpact.SomelongerviewstotheCheviotHillsfromthenortheastmayhoweverincludetheBarmoorwindfarm(6x110mturbines)andbeviewedagainsttheeasternfringeofNorthumberlandNationalParkincludingLCT14,andfurtherdevelopmentofmediumtolargeturbinesclosertoNorthumberlandNationalParkmayresultincumulativeerosionofthesettingofthedesignatedlandscape.FurtherwindenergydevelopmentwithintheLCTshouldthereforebelimitedtosmallturbinessetacrosslowerlyingland.Mediumandlargerturbinesandgroupsofturbineswouldpresentaprominentanddistractingformofdevelopmentagainstanimportantlandscapecontextofnationalimportance,presentnewvisualfociandcompetewithimportantvistastowardsNorthumberlandNationalPark.

LCT14:IgneousFoothills-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA14a:MoneylawsandColdside M M-H H H HLCA14b:WoolerFoothills M M-H H H HLCA14c:OldFawdon M-H M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT14:IgneousFoothills

IngeneralLCT14isonlysuitableforcarefullysitedsinglesmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetipwithinLCA14aand14b.Theseshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildings,otherdomesticscalefeaturesandwoodlandwithinthelandscape.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitableinallotherareasofLCT14.However,smallandsmall-mediumscaleturbinesupto40mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Medium,medium-largeandlargerscaleturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitive


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tothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.ThisisparticularlyduetotheinherentlysensitivecharacteristicsoftheIgneousFoothills,significantpossibilityofcumulativeeffectsandhighinter-visibilityandstronglinkswiththeadjacentNorthumberlandNationalParkanditssetting.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT15:UplandFringeFarmland

LCT15UplandFringeFarmlandischaracterisedbyundulatingfarmlandatthefringesofthehighergroundoftheCheviotHills,andcharacterisedbydispersedwoodlandandplantations,andsparsesettlement.Itisrepresentedbytwolandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA15a:LilburnandRoddam• LCA15b:UpperCoquet

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT15:UplandFringeFarmland:• Medium-scale,undulatinglandformwithminorwatercoursesfeedingintothenearbyriver

valleys.

• Mixtureofarableandimprovedpasture,withfrequentwoodlandblocks.

• Dispersedpatternofsettlementwithsmallvillagesandscatteredfarmsteads.


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• Medium-scalelandscapewithviewstotheCheviotHills.

• Historicvillages,landmarkbuildingsandestatewoodland.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT15:UplandFringeFarmlandSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Amarkedlyundulatinglandscape,lowerlyingthanuplandtotheeastandwest,fallingbetweentherivervalleyscarvedbytheCoquet,BreamishandTill.Numeroussmallwatercoursesdrainthearea,flowingintotheadjacentrivervalleys

ModeratetoModerate-high

Landcover

Mainlyarablefarmlandwithfrequentconiferousshelterbeltsandsmallmixedwoodlandsandplantations.Deciduousriparianvegetationrevealtheroutesofsmallwatercourses.SmallerareasofpastureacrosswesternareasandsomeundesignatedestateparklandsuchasatRoddamandLilburnTower.


Landscapescale Mediumscalewithcomplexmosaicofsemi-regularfieldspatterspunctuatedbyplantationsandshelterbelts.Someenclosureclosetowoodlandsandinsteepersmallervalleys.

Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Generallysimple,notprominentandindistinctivevisual

horizonswithsomevariationwithintherollinglandform.Woodlandisastrongskylinefeatureinplaces.

Moderate-High

Viewsandlandmarks

Undulatinglandformfrequentlylimitsdistantviews,howeverthemoreintimatevalleys,particularlyinthenorthcontainviews,someofwhichfocusonthehistoricbuildings,parklandandestatewoodland.Furthersouththelandscapeismoreopenincharacter,andviewsaremoreexpansive,withviewstotheCheviotHillspossible.

Moderate

Inter-visibility Someself-enclosedareasoflandscapeowingtolocalundulationbutsomesignificantintervisibilityispossiblefromhigherpointswithhigherlandscapeunitstothewestandsouth-eastandconsequentlyintotheLCTfromthoseareas.ViewsintotheareapossiblefromwithinNorthumberlandNationalPark.


Visualreceptors A697mainroadrunssouthtonorththroughLCA15a,withasignificantnetworkofminorroadsandPublicRightsofWayelsewhere.Occasionalsmallvillagesandestateslieacrossthelandscapewhereresidentsaresensitivereceptors.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement LocaltransportroutesandthemainA697present

frequentmovementinthelandscape.Someagriculturalactivity.



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Builtdevelopment Somehamletandsmallvillagespresentlimitedsettlementinthelandscapeasdofrequentscatteredfarmsteads.Farmsteadsandagriculturalbuildingsareoftenmaskedbyshelterbeltsandwoodland.EstategroupsofhistoricbuildingsatLilburnandRoddam.MajorpylonandelectricitylinescrossLCA15a.Nosignificantindustrialinfluence.


Remoteness RelativelytranquilbutinfluenceofA697andpylonsinLCA15adetractsfromsenseofremoteness.AbsenceofthesefeatureswithinLCA15breinforcesmoreremoteruralcharacter.Somelimitedareasofseclusionwithindeeperburnvalleys,betweenwoodlandsandaroundhistoricfarmsteads/halls.WesternfringeofLCA15bhasastrongersenseofremoteness.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Attractive,well-managedlandscapeparticularlyacross

LCA15basitrelatescloselytotheCoquetValleyandNorthumberlandNationalPark’seasternboundaryacrossrisingland.EstatelandsandparklandcontributetoattractivecharactertothenorthwhilsttheextensivemosaicoffarmlandandwoodlandtothesouthcontrastswithadjoiningrivervalleyandmoorlandoftheCheviotfringe.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Distinctiveness Someclearsenseofplace.AdistinctiveNorthumberlandlandscape,particularlyinrespecttothejuxtapositionofmanagedfarmedlandscapeandwoodlandmosaicandmoorlandhillsandopenrivervalleys.

Moderate-High

Rarity Notanuncommonlandscapeacrossthenorthandwestofthecounty.

Moderate

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Smallestates,parkland,romanroad,medievalhamlets

andfieldsystemsandaricharchaeologicalheritagecontributetothelandscape’svisualcharacter.

Moderate-High

Recreation NationalCycleNetworkroute68towithinLCA15aandarichnetworkofPublicRightsofWayandquietlanesofferconsiderableinformalrecreationvalue,supportedbyproximitytoNorthumberlandNationalParkandlargerestatessuchasChillinghamtotheeast.

Moderate-High


Themarkedlyundulatinglandscapeischaracterisedbymanagedarableandpasturefarmlandandwoodlandswithoccasionalinfluenceofestatefarmsteadsandhamlets.TheproximitytotheeasternfringeofNorthumberlandNationalParkandabsenceoflargersettlementscontributetoanattractiveandsemi-remotelandscapeofahumanscale.Thisispartlyerodedbypylonsandroadinfrastructuretothenorth,althoughthesearelocalised.Sensitivitytomediumandlargerscalewindenergydevelopmentwillbemorepronouncedincloserproximitytothedesignatedlandscapeanduplandfringe,andtosettlement.Theundulating


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landform,medium-scaleandscatteredhuman-scalecomponentsofmanagedfarmlandincreasesensitivitytolargerstructures.VistasfromandtoNorthumberlandNationalParkwillbeimportantconsiderationsandincreasesensitivitymoregenerally.Largerturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingthelandscapesettingandviewstoandfromNorthumberlandNationalPark.

Cumulativeeffects NootherwindenergyinstallationsarelocatedwithintheLCT.HighvoltagetransmissionlineswithinLCA15aprovideareferencepointtoscaleforotherverticalfeaturesandwouldpotentiallyemphasisethescaleofcommercialwindfarminstallations.Thepylonsandpowerlinesprovideaprominentdiscordantfeatureinthewiderlandscapewhichwouldprovidebothafurthervisualcomplexityagainstlargerscaledwindturbines,andapotentiallydramaticindicatorofscale.Suchjuxtapositionorcombinationoffeaturesinasingleviewconeshouldbeavoided.Thepowerlinesandpylonsareasignificantlandscapedetractortothenorth-easternfringeoftheCheviotHillsandfurtherprominentdevelopmentwouldhaveaderogatoryaffectonthewidersettingofNorthumberlandNationalParkinthisarea.

LCT15:UplandFringeFarmland-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA15a:LilburnandRoddam M M-H H H HLCA15b:UpperCoquet M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT15:UplandFringeFarmland

IngeneralLCT15issuitableforcarefullysitedsinglesmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildings,otherdomesticscalefeaturesandwoodlandwithinthelandscape.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitablewithinLCT15.However,small-mediumscaleturbinesbetween26m-40mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscapesuchasestatefarmlandandhistoricbuildingsandsettlement.Medium,medium-largeandlargerturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Thisispartiallyduetotherelativelysmall


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scaleandheritageandrecreationalimportanceoftheLCTanditsproximitytoNorthumberlandNationalPark.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT16:OpenRollingFarmland

ThisLCTcompriseslandscapesofgentlyrollingarablefarmland,withscatteredvillagesandoccasionalestatesboundingtheEngland-ScotlandborderandformingthesouthernsideoftheTweedrivercorridor.TheLCTisrepresentedbythreecharacterareas(LCA):• 16a:Halidon• 16b:DuddoandLowick• 16c:EastLearmouth.

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT16:OpenRollingFarmland:• GentlyundulatingfarmlandlyingabovethevalleysoftheRiverTweedandRiverTill.

• Arablecultivationdominatesthefarmlandwithastrongpatternofenclosureandregular,mediumsizedfields.


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• Scatteredfarmsteads,hamletsandsmallvillagesaredispersedthroughoutthelandscape.

• LocalinfluencesofestatesandplannedvillagessuchasFordandEtal.

• Thelandscapehasanopencharacterandtheregularlandformandmediumsizedfieldscontributeaconsistencyacrossthearea.

• InfluencesfromanumberofperiodsofhistoryareevidentincludingtherouteoftheA697alongtheRomanroad,theBattleofFloddenField,theplannedvillagesofFordandEtal,andestatelandscapessuchasTillmouthPark.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT16:OpenRollingFarmlandSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Gentlyundulating,graduallyrisinglandfromtheTweedandTillrivervalleysbeforefallingtowardsthesouthernboundaryaroundFord.Generallysimplelandformoverglacialtill.Inpartstherivervalleysaremorepronouncedandincised,androckyoutcropsarefoundinhigherpartsofthearea.InotherareastheTweedValleyisbroaderandpresentsaopensmoothlandform.

Moderate

Landcover

Characterisedbyarablefarmingwithinwidenetworkofregularmedium-sizedfields.Deciduoustreesfollowwatercourseswhileconiferousormixedplantationandshelterbeltspunctuatemoreraisedareas.Treesoftenassociatedwithscatteredfarmsteads.

Moderate

Landscapescale Thelandscape,dominatedbywell-managedarablefarmlandhasamediumtolargescalewhichoffersonlylimitedenclosureinsteepervalleysandclosetowoodsandshelterbelts.


VISUAL:Skylines Largelysimplewithsomelocalisedvarietyinsteeper

valleylocationsandacrosshigherareasofLCA16b.Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

Someexpansiveviewspossiblefromslightlyraisedareas,particularlytotheCheviotHills.HalidonHillwithinLCA16aofferspanoramicviewssouthwardsacrossBerwickuponTweedandtheTweedValleyandthecoastbeyond.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Inter-visibility Someintervisibilitypossibleacrossmoreopenareasofgentletopography.HalidonHillpresentsstrongerintervisibilitywithcoastalLCAsandBerwickuponTweedtownscape.


Visualreceptors ProximitytoBerwickuponTweedandmaintransportcorridors(A1andEastCoastMainLine)fromHalidonHillpresentsignificantreceptors.LCAs16band16carepunctuatedwithsmallersettlementsandfarmsteadsanddissectedbylocalandmainroadnetworksincludingA697,A696andB6354.



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PERCEPTUAL:Movement Moderatelevelsofmovement,butlocalisedtoaround

BerwickuponTweedandthemaintransportcorridors.WindenergymovementfromlargeturbinesatBarmoorwindfarmwithinLCA16b.

Moderate

Builtdevelopment SomesettlementscatteredacrosstheLCTbutoverallalowdensityofbuiltdevelopmentwithscatteredfarmsteads,hamletsandsmallvillages.VillagesreflecttheAnglo-Saxondistributionofsmallnucleatedvillagesseparatedbyawideareaofsurroundinglandwithinwhichfarmhamletsarelocated.EstateVillagesfoundsuchasFord.


Remoteness Awell-managedandgenerallyaccessiblelandscape,althoughoftensemi-tranquilawayfrommainroadsacrossLCA16band16c.ProximitytoBerwickuponTweedreducesanysenseofremotenessacrossHalidonHill.

Moderate

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Relativelygentletopographyandlargearable

farmscapespresentlimitedscenicvalue.Howeverriverandstreamvalleysoffermoreconstrainedareasofhighvisualvalue,withwoodedvalleysidesandwatercoursesandhistoriccrossings.ViewstoCheviotHillswithinNorthumberlandNationalParkandtheNorthumberlandCoastAONBofferscenicinterestoutsidetheLCT,whilstestatevillagespresentattractivebuiltheritageanddesignedlandscapes.


Distinctiveness Locallydistinctivefeaturessuchastherivervalleysbutgenerallynotaffordingastrongsenseofplace.

Low-ModeratetoModerate.

Rarity Amorecommonlandscapetype. Low-ModerateHISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Someimportantheritagecomponents,reflecting

bordercountrylocation.FloddenFieldbattleground(1513)isclosetothevillageofBranxton,markedbytallstonecross.ThecourseoftheA697wasoriginallyaRomanroadandanimportantmilitaryroute.Medievalvillages,suchasNorham,Lowick,CornhillonTweedandWarkareanimportantaspectofhistoriccharacter,particularlywheretheyareassociatedwithfortifications.

Moderate-High

Recreation ImportantforinformalrecreationwithNationalCycleNetworkroutes1and68passingthroughthislandscape,providinglinksfromBerwickuponTweedintoScotland.Thereisanextensivenetworkoffootpaths,includingalongsidetheRiverTillandonthedisusedrailwayssouthofCornhillonTweed.

Moderate-High


Anundulating,sometimesrollinglandscapecharacterisedbyexpansivearablefarmlandreflectinggoodsoilsanddrainage.Opennessprevails


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althoughsomeenclosureisfoundinthevalleysandbetweenwoodlands.LongviewsinandoutoftheLCTandgraduatedtopographicalvarietysuggeststhatwindenergywithintheLCTcouldbevisibleoverlongerdistances,particularlyfromelevatedsitesnorthandwest.WhilsttheLCT’scharacteristicsarenotinherentlyhighlysensitivetowindenergydevelopment,areasabuttingmoresensitiveneighbouringlandscapespresentthepossibilityofvisualharmtothesettingsofthosedesignations,particularlyfromlargerscaleprominentwindenergydevelopment.Locally,rivervalleyswithinandpartlydelineatingtheLCTpresentimportantlandscapecomponentswhichwouldbesensitivetomediumandlargerscaleproposals.Humansettlementisscatteredratherthanextensivebutprovidesensitivereceptorsandhuman-scalelandscapecomponentswhichcouldcontrastvisuallywithcommercialscaleturbines.Ingeneral,windenergydevelopmentshouldbesetbackfromthesensitiveuplandwesternfringeorwherelargeturbinesinparticularcouldhaveasignificanteffectonthesettledandsmallerscalevalleysandsettlementbybeingoutofscaleandvisuallydominant.LCA16aatHalidonHillwouldbemoresensitivetowindenergydevelopmentasaconsequenceofelevatedprominenceandproximitytosensitivereceptors.

Cumulativeeffects Thesix110mturbinesofBarmoorwindfarmonthesouthernfringeofLCA16barehighlyprominentfeaturesonhigherground,visibleoverlongdistancestothenorth,eastandwest.FurthermediumorlargescalewindenergydevelopmentwithintheLCT,andparticularlyLCA16bwouldbelikelytobevisibleinlongervistasfromNorthumberlandNationalParkandmoresensitivereceptorsinareasaroundBerwickuponTweedandfrommaintransportroutes.SuchviewsareoftenagainstalongerbackdropoftheCheviotHillstothewest.ThelargescalewindfarmatLongformacus(48x125mturbines)inScotlandtothenorth-eastisclearlyvisiblefromseveralhigherpointsacrosstheLCT,butisofsufficientdistancetoberealtivelyunobtrusiveorvisuallyassociatedwithBarmoor.HowevertheBorderslandscapeissubjecttointensivepressureforwindenergydevelopmentatthetimeofthisreport.(Source:ScottishBordersCouncil)SmallerindividualturbinesarelocatedatKentstoneFarm,Haggerston,LowickandCornhill-on-Tweed.Thesesmallerturbines(alllessthan40mheight)havealimitedvisualprominenceinthelandscapeandsomelowerlevelcumulativeeffectspresentedastravellingthroughthelandscape.OthersmallerturbinesinneighbouringLCTs,particularlyLCA3aHaggerston,areoflimitedvisualinfluencedespitelowtopographicalvariationandopenvistasfromhigherlandwithinLCA16b.TheLCTwillgenerallybelesssensitivetofurthersmallscalewindenergywhereassociatedwithscatteredfarmsteads,butcumulativeeffectsshouldbeconsideredatthelocallevel,particularlywheretheseconcentratewindenergydevelopmentatasmallscalebetweenlargerinstallationseithersideoftheScottish-Englishboarder.


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LCT16:OpenRollingFarmland-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA16a:Halidon M-H H H H HLCA16b:DuddoandLowick M M-H M-H H HLCA16c:EastLearmouth M M-H M-H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT16:OpenRollingFarmland

IngeneralLCT16isnotsuitableforwindenergydevelopment.TheonlyexceptionstothishighersensitivityareLCAs16band16cwhichwillbegenerallysuitableforsmallscalewindenergydevelopmentupto25bladetipheightwherethesearewellrelatedtootherhumanscaledevelopmentsuchasfarmsteadsandsettlement.LCA16amaybesuitableforcarefullysitedsmallscalewindenergydevelopmentupto25mtobladetipheightwhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant,suchaswherecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildings,otherdomesticscalefeaturesandwoodlandwithinthelandscape.LCAs16band16cmaybesuitableforcarefullysitedsmallscalewindenergydevelopmentupto65mtobladetipheightwhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Ingeneral,windturbinesabovesmall-mediumscale(>25mheighttobladetip)inLCA16a,andabovemedium-large(>65mtobladetipheight)inLCA16bad16cwouldinprinciplebeunsuitableastheywouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Thisisparticularlyduetothehighinter-visibilitywithadjacentsensitiveLCTs,heritagecomponentsinthelandscapeandsensitivereceptors.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT17:UplandFringeRidges

ThisLCTcompriseslong,farmedparallelridges,runningsouth-westtonorth-east,extendingacrosstheScottishborder.Large-scale,openlandscape,withsomewoodlandbeltsandshelterbelts.Itoccursinasingleareainthenorth-westofthecounty.TheLCTisrepresentedbyasinglecharacterareas(LCA):• 17a:HorseRigg

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT17:UplandFringeRidges:• Seriesoflong,narrowparallelridges,alignedfromthesouth-westtonorth-east.

• Occasionalrockoutcrops.

• Groundrisestowardsthesouth-west.

• Viewsnorth-easttowardsColdstreamandtheTweedvalley.


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• Largefieldsandshelterbelts.

• Steepsouth-easternedgefacingtheCheviotHills.

• Uplandfringecharacter.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT17:UplandFringeRidgesSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

AdistinctseriesofrollingsmoothridgeswhichformspartofamoreextensivefeaturewhichextendsintoScotlandtothesouthwest.Thelandrisestosummitsof200mand221m.Topographyincludesoccasionalrockyoutcrops,butthelandformisgenerallysmooth,droppingmoresharplyintotheBowmontWatervalleytothesouth.


Landcover

Predominantlyarablefarmlanddespiterelativeelevation.Largeopenfieldswithoftenloworweakhedgeboundaries.Somepastureandwoodlandisalsofound,withrectilinearandsometimessky-liningconiferousplantation.Deciduoustreebeltsarealsopresent,aswellasclustersoftreesaroundfarmsteads

Moderate

Landscapescale AlargescalelandscapealthoughvistaswithintheLCTareself-containedbytherollinglandform.Largefieldpatternswithweakhedgelinesemphasisethelargescale.


VISUAL:Skylines Generallyself-containedsimplesmoothskylines,

sometimesdefinedbyplantation.AtothertimesinviewsalongridgestheskylineismorecomplexasaconsequenceofotherLCTprofiles.

LowtoLow-Moderate.

Viewsandlandmarks

Nosignificantdistinctivefeaturesorvisualfoci.VistastowardstheTweedValleytothenortheastandthoseovertheBowmontWatervalleytotheCheviotHillstothesouthoccasionallypossible.

LowtoLow-Moderate.

Inter-visibility Someintervisibilitypossiblefromthisrelativelyelevatedarea,particularlytothesouthandeast.

Moderate-High

Visualreceptors Lownumberofreceptorsasaconsequenceofsparsesettlementandpopulationandabsenceofmaintransportroutes.

Low-Moderate

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Limited,aquiettranquillandscapeunit Low-ModerateBuiltdevelopment Limitedprimarilytoscatteredfarmsteadsandisolated

dwellings.Somefarmsteadswithlargeagriculturalbuildingsareprominent.

Low-Moderate

Remoteness Althoughtranquilwithlimitedmovement,humaninfluencepervadesthroughprominentfarmsteadsandarablelandscape.Small-scalemineralsoperationsaddtoaperceptionofhumanactivityandactiveland

Moderate


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management.QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Limitedsignificantscenicinterestalthoughdistinctive

landformwithoccasionaloutcropsaddsomeinterest,asdoviewsoutwards.


Distinctiveness Notstronglyrepresentativeofthecounty Low-ModerateRarity Amorecommonlandscape,withfeaturesofsome

rarity,suchasrockyoutcropandparallelridges.Moderate

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Lowlevelsofheritagecomponents.Somevernacular

cottages.Thelarge,relativelylate,rectilinearenclosurescreateaformalhistoricstructuretothelandscape,albeitwithfewcharacteristicstructures.

Low-Moderate

Recreation Limitedtolocalinterestacrossrightsofwaynetwork. Low-ModerateCONTEXTUALCONSIDERATIONS:Landscapecharactercontext

ThelandscapeoftheUplandFringeRidgespresentssometopographicaldistinctiveness,butlargescalearableandimprovedpasturefarmingpracticeresultsinasmoothlandscapeoflimitedinherentinterest.IntervisibilityandviewsintoandoutoftheLCTvary,andofsomeimportancelocallybutnotextensively.Thelandscapeunitishoweverrelativelyelevatedandlongerviewstolargescaleturbineswouldbelikelyfrommostdirections.Visualreceptorsarelimitedbutthereisotherwiseadegreeoftranquillityasaconsequenceofremotenessandlowlevelsofsettlementandroaddensity.VistasacrosstheLCTfromNorthumberlandNationalPark’snorthernelevatedareasarepossible.Landscapecomponentsgenerallysuggestalowersensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.HoweveritissignificantinrespecttothesettingofNorthumberlandNationalParkandthiselevatesitsoverallsensitivityabovethatassociatedwithitscomponentcharacteristicsalone.

Cumulativeeffects NowindenergyinfrastructureislocatedwithintheLCT.SmallandmediumscaleturbinesareunlikelytobereadinthesamevistasasotherinstallationswithinNorthumberland,butviewsintoScotlandandsignificantwindenergyinfrastructuremaybepossible.ProximitytoNorthumberlandNationalParknorthernboundarysuggestdevelopmentoflargerinstallationsormediumturbinestothesouthoftheLCTmaypresentharmtothesettingofthedesignatedlandscape.

LCT17:UplandFringeRidges-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA17a:HorseRigg L-M M M-H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT17:UplandFringeRidges

IngeneralLCT17issuitableforcarefullysitedsinglesmallandsmall-mediumscaleturbinesupto40mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildings,other


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domesticscalefeaturesandwoodlandwithinthelandscape.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove40mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitablewithinLCT17.However,mediumscaleturbinesbetween41m-65mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociorsensitivitiesinthelandscape.Medium-largescaleandlargerturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Thisisparticularlyduetothehighinter-visibilitywithNorthumberlandNationalParkandtheTweedValley.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT18:UplandFringeValley

ThisLCTcomprisesvalleylandscapeslyingattheperipheryoftheCheviotHills,andrepresentingatransitionbetweentheinciseduplandvalleysandbroadlowlandvalleys.Thevalleysaretypicallyruralincharacter,withlimitedurbaninfluence.TheLCTisrepresentedbythreecharacterareas(LCA):• 18a:BowmontValley• 18b:WoolerVale• 18c:UpperBreamish• 18d:UpperAln

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT18:UplandFringeValley:• Shallow,glaciatedvalleyswithgravelriverbeds,oftendelineatedbywoodland.


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• Mixedarablefarmlandandpasture.

• Scatteredsettlementconcentratedwithinsmallvillages,hamletsandfarmsteads.

• Strongvisualrelationshipwiththeuplands.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT18:UplandFringeValleysSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Simple,usuallydistinctivevalleyfloorlandscapesbetweentheinciseduplandvalleysandbroadlowlandvalleys.FlatbottomedorgentlyundulatingvalleysofglacialdepositsandgeomorphologicalsurfacefeaturesliebetweenwideningvalleysideswithuplandsurroundsoftheCheviotfoothillsandotheroutlyinguplandssuchastheMoneylawsandHeddonHill.Riversarevariouslystraightflowing(WoolerWater)ordistinctlymeandering(BowmontWater).StrongvisualassociationwiththeCheviotuplandstothewestwhichtheriversdraineastwards.

Low-Moderatetomoderate

Landcover

Mixedarable,improvedpastureanddeciduouslinear/riparianwoodlandcover.Shelterbeltsandsmallconiferousplantation,particularlytothesouthernLCAs.Formermineralsoperations,suchasatBranton.

Moderate

Landscapescale Mediumandmedium-smalllandscapescale,definedbyboththedegreeoftopographicenclosureandgrainofagriculturalandforestrylanduse.


VISUAL:Skylines Varieddependentupondegreeofenclosurebyvalley

sidesanddirectionofviewalongoruprivercorridor.Moderate-Moderate-High

Viewsandlandmarks

StrongvisualinfluenceofNorthumberlandNationalPark’sCheviotHillsuplandstothesouthandwestandlongerviewsalongvalleylinestowardsOutcropHillsandEscarpmentlandscapeareastotheeast.Oftenastrongcontrastbetweentheflatvalleyflooranduplandvalleysides.

Moderate-High

Inter-visibility Strongintervisibilitybetweentheflatvalleycharacterareasandthevalleysideanduplandlandscapestheybound,evenifthosevistasarenotparticularlyextensive.

Moderate-High

Visualreceptors Mixeddegreeofreceptorsacrossthefourcharacterareas.LCA18bincludespartsofWoolerandmaintransportroutes.TheotherLCAshavelimitedscatteredsettlementandminorroadlocaltransportnetworks.ProximitytoNorthumberlandNationalParkincreasessensitivityinvistasfromandtowardstheLCT.

Moderate-High

PERCEPTUAL:Movement LCAs18band18cexperiencesignificantmovement

alongtheA697andsettlement-edgeactivity.ModeratetoModerate-High


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Elsewheremovementislimitedtominorroadnetwork.Naturalmovementinthelandscapeisperceptibleatcloserdistancestotheshallowriverbedsandcanbeseasonallyvaried.

Builtdevelopment VariesconsiderablyacrossthefourLCAs.LCA18bincludesareasofsettlementtothesouthernedgeofWooler,somelightindustrialunitsandsignificantinfrastructuresuchastheA697andhighvoltagepowerlinesandpylons.AlargecaravanparkisasignificantfeatureinLCA18b.RestoredmineralsoperationsarelocatedatBranton.Inotherareassettlementishighlylimitedtofarmsteadsandoccasionallysmallhamletsintranquilsettings.


Remoteness MixedacrosstheLCAs.LCAs18aand18darequietremoteruralsettingswhilst18band18careinfluencedbydevelopment,populationandmovement.

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Mixedscenicvaluebroadlydependentuponthedegree

ofsettlementandhumanactivity.LCa18aandLCA18dpresentquietruralvalleyfloorlandscapesbeneathsteepuplandsurroundsofsomescenicvalue.ElsewherescenicvalueoftheLCAitselfislimited.


Distinctiveness Notstronglydistinctiveinthecountycontext,withscenicandsenseofplacequalitiesmoredependentuponimmediatelyneighbouringlandscapesettings.


Rarity NotaparticularlyrarelandscapesinNorthumberlandbutwithdistinguishingwidercontextcharacter.

Moderate.

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Importanthistoricalsitesrangingfromevidenceof

medievalcultivationandsettlement,tosmallgardensanddesignedlandscapes.TheseincludetheAnglo-SaxonpalacecomplexofAdGefrinonthenorthernslopesofYeaveringBell,Alnhammedievalvillageandanumberofbastleandtowerhouses.

Moderate-High

Recreation GatewaylandscapestothenorthernpartsofNorthumberlandNationalPark.Locallyrecreationopportunitylimitedtolocalrightsofwayandcycleroutes

Moderate.


ConsiderablevarietyincharacterexistswithinthesetoffourlandscapecharacterareaswhichbroadlysharetopographicfeaturesandlandscapecontextswiththeCheviotfringe,butwithsomevariationindegreeofsettlement,scenicvalueandtranquillity.TheBowmontValleyandUpperAlnpresenttranquillandscapeswithinattractivesettingswithlowlevelsofsettlementandprimarilyinagriculturallanduse.Elsewherehigherlevelsofdevelopmentandmovementandlowerlevelsoftranquillitypresentrelativelybusylandscapecontexts.WhilsttheLCT’scharacteristicsarenotinherentlyhighlysensitivetowindenergydevelopmentperse,closeproximitytomoresensitiveneighbouring


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landscapes–particularlyNorthumberlandNationalPark,presentsomevulnerabilityofvisualharmtothesettingsofthoselandscapes,especiallyfromlargerscalewindenergydevelopment.Locally,rivervalleyswithinandpartlydelineatingtheLCTpresentimportantlandscapecomponentswhichwouldbesensitivetomediumandlargerproposalsasaconsequenceoflandscapescaleandrelativeenclosure.Inplacesthereisahigherconcentrationofsensitivereceptorstolargerscalewindenergydevelopment,althoughthesecoincidewiththeareasofexistingbuiltdevelopmentandmovementinthelandscape.IngeneralwindenergydevelopmentshouldberestrictedtosmallerindividualturbinessetbackfromthesensitiveuplandwesternandsouthernLCTfringesorwherelargeturbinesinparticularcouldhaveasignificanteffectonthesettledandsmallerscalevalleysandhamletsbycontrastingwithhumanscaleandbeingvisuallydominant.

Cumulativeeffects NoexistingwindenergyinstallationsarelocatedinLCT18.A21msingleturbineispermittedclosetotheeasternfringeofLCA18catPowburn.LargewindenergyinstallationsareotherwisedistantfromtheLCTandunlikelytohavecumulativeimplicationsfromwithinLCT18.Thenarrow,arcingextentofLCA18awouldbeparticularlysensitivetomultiplewindenergydevelopments,potentiallyservingtovisuallyframeNorthumberlandNationalParkboundary.ThepylonsandhighvoltagepowerlinesacrossLCA18cprovideaprominentdiscordantfeatureinthelandscapewhichwouldprovidebothfurthervisualcomplexityagainstlargerscaledwindturbines,andapotentiallydramaticindicatorofscaleofcommercialscaledturbines.Suchjuxtapositionorcombinationoffeaturesinasingleviewconeshouldbeavoided,particularlyinthewidercontextofNorthumberlandNationalPark’snorth-easternsetting.

LCT18:UplandFringeValley-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA18a:BowmontValley M M-H H H HLCA18b:WoolerVale L-M M M-H H HLCA18c:UpperBreamish M M-H H H HLCA18d:UpperAln M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT18:UplandFringeValley

IngeneralLCT18issuitableinprincipleforsingleorsmallgroupsofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip,andupto40minLCA18b.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsandotherdomesticscalefeaturesinthelandscape,andgenerallyawayfromthesmallscalevalleysandNorthumberlandNationalParkfringe.ForLCAs18a,18cand18dthelandscapewillgenerallybeunsuitablefor


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windturbinesabove26m,andover40minLCA18b.HoweverintheseLCAsturbinesbetween26mand40mmaybesuitablewithinLCAs18a,38band38c,andbetween41and65minLCA18bwhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.WiththeexceptionofLCA18b(wheremediumscalewindturbinesmaybeacceptableasabove),medium,medium-largescaleandlargerturbineswithintheLCTwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,largelyasaresultoftheinter-visibilitywithneighboringlandscapes,andparticularlyNorthumberlandNationalPark,andimpactsuponsensitivelocalreceptors.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT19:MoorlandandForestMosaic

ThisLCTcoversmostoftheisolatedwesternpartofthecounty,tothewestofNorthumberlandNationalPark.ItextendsintoNorthumberlandNationalPark,andalsobeyondtheborderintoScotland,formingoneofthelargestareasofforestinBritain.Withinthestudyarea,thislandscapeincludesKielderForestandKielderReservoir,andmuchofRedesdaleForest.TheLCTisrepresentedbytwocharacterareas(LCA):• 19a:KielderandRedesdaleForests• 19b:KielderReservoir.

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT19:MoorlandandForestMosaic:• Simple,expansiveuplandlandscape,generallyover250m.

• Gentlyrollingtopographyincisedbyburnsthatareoftenconcealedbyplantations.


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• Mosaicoflarge-scaleconiferousplantations,opengrass,heathermoorlandsandmires,withlimitedareasofin-byepasture.

• Enclosedlandscapewithlimitedoutwardviews.

• Adynamiclandscapewithsignificantareasofon-goingfellingandrestocking.

• Somebroadleavedwoodlandsandwoodlandedgesthatsoftentheplantationcharacter.

• Agenerallyuninhabitedlandscape,withonlyoccasionalfarmsteadsandforestrysettlements.

• Reservoirsthatofferexpansiveviewsacrossopenwater,incontrasttotheenclosedcharacterofsurroundingforest.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT19:MoorlandandForestMosaicSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Topographyofhighrollingorundulatingplateauxgenerallyover250m,withharderunderlyingsandstonesformingridgesseparatedbysoftererodedshales.Inpost-glacialtimesmeltwateraccumulatedintheuplandtroughscreatingareasofraisedandblanketbog,forexampleatKielderMoorwhereheather,cottongrass,deergrassandsphagnummossoccuronblanketpeat.Inthenorthofthearea,theundulatingridgesarelesscommon.HereflattabularhillssuchasatPeelFellandCarterFellaremorecommon.KeilderReservoirprovidesavastartificialwaterscapeinthefloodedtheuppervalleyoftheRiverNorthTyne.Theman-madethereservoirhasnaturalisticedges,narrowinletsofwater,andpeninsulasofland.Somewatersideareasremainasopenmoorland.

Moderate

Landcover

Predominantlylarge-scaleextensiveconiferousplantationandmoorland,withthereservoirlandscapepresentingacentrallarge-scalecontrastinglandcover.Rotationaltimberfellingandplantingpatternsdefinelargeareas.Extensiverestructuringoftheplantationswithselectivethinninganddeciduousplantingtoreflectamorenaturalplantsuccessionandvisualsoftening.

Low-Moderate

Landscapescale LargescaleandsimplicityoflanduseandcoveroverLCA19a.SomemorecomplexreservoirfringelanduseandcoverwithintheKielderbasinofLCA19b.

Low-Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Generallysimple,undulatingwithsinglelandusemixof

coniferousplanationormoorlandvisible.Lowtolow-Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

LCA19aprovideslimitedfocallandmarksduetoenclosureofthewoodlandandextensivelanduse.IncontrastLCA19bprovidessomecontrastinglandmarkfeaturesassociatedwiththereservoirandbanksideinfrastructure

Low-ModeratetoModerate-High


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Inter-visibility OccasionalvistastootherLCAsfromhighermoorlandpoints(primarilyintoScotlandorNorthumberlandNationalPark)arepossiblebutinfrequentduetoenclosureoftheplantations.ThebasintopographyofKielderreservoiriswhollyenclosed.VerylimitedintervisibilityispossiblebetweentheedgesofLCA19aandLCA20cUpperNorthTyneValley.

LowtoLowModerate.

Visualreceptors FewreceptorswithinLCA19areflectinganabsenceoftransportroutesandsettlement.Recreationaluseofthereservoirbasingivesrisetolimitedreceptorsensitivitybyrecreationalusers.KielderObservatoryislocatedtothenorthwestofthereservoirwithinLCA19a.Itislikelythatwindenergydevelopmentwhichbreachesthehorizonina360oarcwouldhaveahighlydeleteriouseffectonastronomicalactivitiesatthishighprofilepublicfacility.

Low-Moderate,occasionallyHigh

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Verylimitedmovementwithintheforestasa

consequenceofverylimitedsettlementortransportroutesacrossLCA19a.LCA19bKielderReservoirisanimportantrecreationareawithatpeaktimesconsiderablevehiclemovementsandwaterandlandbasedactivitiessuchassailingandwindsurfing.


Builtdevelopment Significantwaterrelatedinfrastructureatthereservoir,somedramaticinscalesuchasthedamwall,whichfallsmainlywithinNorthumberlandNationalPark.Primarily,‘buildings’arelimitedtolooseconcentrationsofforestryandwaterworkers’dwellings,communityinfrastructureandvisitorfacilitiesatKielder‘village’atthewestofthereservoir.Kielderobservatoryisastrikingbuildingremotefromothersettlement.Noneofthesedevelopmentsisprominentinthewiderlandscape.

Low-Moderate

Remoteness Forestryandwaterresourceactivityandrecreationaluseandfacilitieslimitremotenessinthosespecificareas,butinplacestheLCTcanbeperceptuallyremote.

Low-Moderate

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality LimitedinherentscenicqualityacrossthewiderLCT

althoughvistasacrossthewaterscapeofKielderReservoirisanattractiontomanyvisitors.Increasingscenicqualityinareaswhereforestryremodellingisbecomingestablished.


Distinctiveness Scaleanddualityoflandcover/usesresultinsomelimiteddistinctivenessbutfewfeaturesofparticularsignificancewithinLCA19a.Kielderreservoir,asthefocusofLCA19bisastrikinglandscapefeatureifnotwhollyunique.

Moderate-High

Rarity LCA19acomprisesacombinationoftopographyand High


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landcovernotuncommonacrossNorthumberland.Inpartdrivenbyscaleofthewaterscapeandabsenceofintervisibilitytootherlandscapes,LCA19bisararelandscape,exceptionalatthenationallevel.

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Limitedheritagefeatureswhichcontributetothe

landscapecharacterorfocioftheLCT,forexampleancientearthworksandoccasionalcairns.

Low-Moderate

Recreation HighvaluerecreationalresourceonandaroundKielderReservoir.Walking,cycling,ridingandwatersportsissupportedwithinthelargelandscapebypurpose-builtfacilities,carparkingandaccommodation.

High


ThisexpansiveLCToffersseverallandscapecharacteristicswhichmaybelesssensitivetowindenergydevelopmentthantheremoteuplandlandscapewouldotherwisesuggest.ThereisastronguniformityandsimplicityacrosstheLCT,atalargelandscapescalewithfewhuman-scalefeaturesagainstwhichlargerturbineswouldcontrast.DespiteproximitytoNorthumberlandNationalParkthelandscapeisoftenself-containedtoalargeextent,althoughtherelationshiptoNorthumberlandNationalParkshouldbesignificantconsiderationsinrespecttowindenergyproposals.Thelandscapeislargelymanagedwithwidespreadforestryactivityandwatermanagementinfrastructureofnationalsignificance.Theseuseshaveshapedthecharacterofthelandscapeoverarelativelyrecenttime-depth,andhasresultedindynamicchangeswhichcontinuewithforestryclearanceandreplanting.Locally,theLCTprovideshighrecreationalvalue,particularlyonandaroundKielderReservoir.Foresttracksareimportantformountain-bikingandotheroutdoorpursuits,forwhichopenvistasorscenicvaluevariesinrespecttotheirrecreationalimportance.KielderForestandWaterPark(andthewholeofNorthumberlandNationalPark)istheUK’sfirstdarkskyparkknownasNorthumberlandInternationalDarkSkyPark.KielderObservatoryisacelebratedandrecentexampleofaquasi-publicfacilitybeingestablishedtofurtherastronomicalstudyandpublicaccesstoit.Windenergydevelopmentofanyscalewhichwouldbreachexistingskylineswouldpotentiallyharmtheastronomicvalueoftheareaandtheeffectivenessoftheobservatory.Large-scalewindturbineswouldhaveinherentpotentialtoseriouslyharmsuchlandscape/’skyscape’characterandtheobservatoryshouldbeconsideredtobeahighlysensitivereceptorthatwouldlimitpotentialsitesforwindenergyacrosstheLCT.

Cumulativeeffects NowindenergyschemesareinstalledorpermittedacrosstheLCTandcumulativeeffectsthereinarethereforeunlikelytoariseinrelationtoinitialproposals.IntervisibilityfromwithintheLCTtootherlandscapeunitsislimitedbybothrollingtopographyandextensiveconiferousplantation.ThereisarelativeabsenceofwindenergydevelopmentinareascontiguouswiththeLCT,whichprimarilycomprisesareasinCumbria,ScotlandorNorthumberlandNationalPark,oftenremotefromthehighcapacitygridandalsoinfluencedbyproximitytoMoDsites.


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VisualimpactsuponthesettingofNorthumberlandNationalParkwillbeanimportantconsiderationfroproposalsacrosstheeasternflankoftheLCT.

LCT19:MoorlandandForestMosaic-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA19a:KielderandRedesdaleForests L-M M M-H M-H HLCA19b:KielderReservoir M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT19:MoorlandandForestMosaic

IngeneralthewholeofLCT19issuitableinprincipleforsingleorsmallgroupsofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.WithinLCA19athelandscapeissuitableinprincipleforturbinesupto40mtobladetipheight.ForLCAs19a,thelandscapewillgenerallybeunsuitableforwindturbinesabove40m.Howeverturbinesbetween41mand100mtobladetipheightmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant,includingthoseontheKielderObservatory.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.WithinLCA19b,thesameprincipleswillapplybutonlytowindturbinesbetween26mand40mtobladetipheight.ThelandscapeofLCA19awillbeunsuitableinprincipletoturbinesabove100mtobladetipheight.Medium,medium-largescaleandlargerturbineswithintheLCA19bwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,largelyasaresultofthevisualandperceptualeffectsupontherecreationalandsceniclandscapeimportanceofKielderReservoir.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT20:RollingUplandValleys

ThisLCTcomprisesbroadvalleyswhichcarvethroughlargerblocksofuplandlandscape.ThevalleyscontraststronglywiththeneighbouringuplandLCTs.ThislandscapeincludesthevalleysoftheRiversRedeandNorthTyneandtheirtributaries,althoughpartsofthesevalleysextendintoNorthumberlandNationalPark,andarethereforeoutsidethestudyarea.TheLCTisrepresentedbythreecharacterareas(LCA):• 20aOtterburnandElsdonValley,• 20bBellinghamandWoodburnValley• 20cUpperNorthTyneValley

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT20:RollingUplandValleys:• Broadvalleyswithgentlyconvexvalleysides.


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• Tributaryburns,oftenwell-wooded,carvingincisedvalleysintothehillsides.

• Clearlydefinedfloodplainandmixedfarmlandonvalleyfloors.

• Consistentpatternoftexturedroughpasturesdividedbystonewallsonvalleysides,withopenmoorlandabove.

• Meanderingriversaresometimesmarkedbyalders,butarenotgenerallyprominentlandscapefeatures.

• Steep,woodedbluffsflankingedgesofthefloodplain.

• ShelterbeltsandclumpsofScotspineormixedwoodlandonlowerslopesandoccasionallyonvalleyfloors.

• Historicsandstonevillagesanddispersedfarmsteadsonlowerslopes.

• Richarchaeologyincludingridgeandfurrowandfortifiedbastlehouses.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT20:RollingUplandValleysSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Simple,broadvalleylandscapewithsteeperincisedtributarieswithstrongglacialandmeltwaterinfluences.Well-definedfloodplainwithprominentblufftoitsedges,withriversandburnsoftenoflowvisualprominence.MeanderingcoursesofriverRede,islesBurnandNorthTyne.Glacialdriftandalluviumsoilsgraduallythinwithincreasedelevationtowhereunderlyingsandstoneandshaleoutcrops.Occasionalwaterfallsreflectinghorizontalgeologicalbanding.

Low-Moderate

Landcover

Floodplainmeadowsandpastures,andinsomeplacespatchesofarableland.Valleysidespasturetransitionstoroughgrazingandopenmoorlandwithgorse.Oakandashwoodednarrowtributaryvalleys.Othersemi-naturalwoodlandismainlyriparianoronsteeperbluffs.Somemixedspeciesshelterbeltsaroundfarmsteads.Lowergroundenclosedbyweakfencesandhedgeswithdrystonewallsprominentacrossvalleysides.

Moderate

Landscapescale Largetomediumscalelandscapewithasenseofenclosureisfeltmostkeenlyinthesmaller,narrowertributaryvalleys,wherelinearsemi-naturalbroadleavedwoodlandsflankthewatercourses,forexamplealongTarset,HareshawandLislesBurns.Bycontrast,thevalleysaroundOtterburn,ElsdonandnorthofBellinghamareshallow,mediumtolarge-scalevalleyswithrelativelylittlewoodlandonvalleyfloorsorsides.

Low-Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Simple,gentlyrollingskylines,primarilypastureor

roughgrazinglandwithlittlemanmadestructureapartLow-Moderate


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fromwallsandoccasionalfarmstead.Plantationandshelterbetsoccasionallyformtheskyline.

Viewsandlandmarks

OccasionalvistasfromvalleysidesacrosstheLCT,oftendownthevalleycorridorandoccasionallytohighergroundofNorthumberlandNationalPark.

Low-Moderate

Inter-visibility Someintervisibilitypossible,particularlytouplandswithinNorthumberlandNationalParkandacrossLCT8OutcropHillsandEscarpmentsandLCT11SandstoneFringeFarmlandtotheeast.LCA20aOtterburnandElsdonValleyhasstrongproximitytoLCT21theRollingUplandsandlendsanempty,uplandfeeltothelandscapewherelongerviewsacrosstheLCTarepossible.

Moderate-High

Visualreceptors AsasettledlandscapethereareresidentialreceptorswithinvillagessuchasBellinghamandOtterburn,fromscatteredfarmsteadsandfromtransportroutessuchastheA68,A696andB6320.

Moderate

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Occasionaltofrequentmovementasaconsequenceof

localtransportroutesandlargersettlement,butalsoagriculturalactivityacrossthevalleyfloors.OccasionalaircraftdisturbanceinrelationtotheOtterburnMoDranges.

Moderate

Builtdevelopment VillagesofBellingham,OtterburnandEastandWestWoodburnaremainsettlementsoftheLCTfocuseduponrivercrossingswithsomevernacularmerit.Elsewherescatteredfarmsteadslieprimarilyacrossthevalleyfloors.Overallawell-settledlandscapetypealthoughretainingsomesenseofpeacefulnessconsequenttorelativeremoteness.

Low-Moderate

Remoteness Some,butinteruptedsenseofremotenessasaconsequenceoftransportroutes,settlementandmanagedagriculturallandscapeovermuchofftheLCT.MilitaryoperationsatOtterburnMoDcampaddoccasionalnoisydisturbance.AsmallradiomaststandsatStannersburn.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Somewiderappealasaconsequenceofopenvistas

acrossshallowuplandrivervalleysandexpansivepastoralandgrazedlandscapewithdrystonewallsandriparianwoodlands.LCAshaveaverydistinctive,unspoiltandhistoriccharacterandarestronglyinfluencedbythewideruplandsetting.HoweveroveralltheLCTprovidesformoderatescenicvalueasaconsequenceofthevisualimpactoftransportinfrastructureandsomevisuallyprominentgriculturalbuiltdevelopment.Althoughlimitedinextent,therelativelackofdevelopmentacrossLCA20coffersanattractivevisualcontext.



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Distinctiveness Limiteddistinctivefeatureswhichmightdefineastrongsenseofplace.Thereisgenerallyahorizontalemphasistothelandscape,unusualinanuplandcontext.

Low-Moderate

Rarity NotararelandscapeacrossnorthandwesternpartsofNorthumberlandalthoughreasonablylimitedinextent.

Moderate

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets HistoricassetsareimportantintheLCTwithRoman

sitesandroadsincludingDereStreet,medievalvillageform,rigandfurrowpastureandfortifiedbastlehousesandpeeltowers.Medievallandscapeofopenfieldsystemsofridgeandfurrowcultivationiseasilyappreciatedwithinthemodernfieldpatternandaddstothehistoriccharacterofthearea.PastindustrialactivityandminingisevidentinthelandscapeofLCA20b.

Moderate

Recreation RecreationalfacilitiesinLCT20includedevelopmentssuchascaravanparksandgolfcourses.Thereisagoodnetworkofrightsofway,andsmallareasofaccessland.AshortsectionofthePennineWay,NationalTrailpassesthroughLCA20b.

Moderate-High


LCT20RollingUplandValleyscombinesrelativelygentle,openandpeacefullandscapecomponentswithasettledcharacteranddeephistorictime-depth.Althoughwithinawideruplandcontextthelandscapeisoftenhorizontalincharacterandrelativelycompactinextent.Verticalfeaturesaregenerallyabsentfromthelandscapeandahumanscaleoftenpervadesconsequenttosettlementandsmallerfieldpattern,particularlyonlowerslopesandvalleyfloors.Historicassetsandrelativelyfrequentsensitivereceptorsfurthersuggestahighersensitivitytomediumandlargerscalewindenergydevelopment.Scatteredagriculturalfarmsteadsmaybeabletoaccommodatewell-locatedsmall-mediumscalewindenergydevelopmentofsinglemaststhatassimilatewithinthelandscapewithoutsignificantvisualprominence.

Cumulativeeffects Twosmall(<25m)windturbinesstandwithintheLCT-tothenorthofWestWoodburnwithinLCA20bandontheboundarywithNorthumberlandNationalParkonhighergroundatSheelLawnorthofBellingham.Neitheroftheseturbinesishighlyconspicuousinthewiderlandscapeandlimitedfurtherdevelopmentofthisscaleisunlikelytogiverisetostrongcumulativelandscapeeffects.Theeastern-mostareasofLCA20bfallsclosetoRayWindFarmwhere16125mturbineslieacrossLCT8.SeveralturbinesareconspicuousfromwithinLCA20b,eastofEastWoodburn.TheLCTalsoformsasignificantelementofthelandscapecontextbetweenRayWindFarmandNorthumberlandNationalParkboundarywestofWestWoodburn.DevelopmentwithintheLCAandLCTmorewidelywouldpresentinherentpotentialforharmfulchangetothesettingofNorthumberlandNationalParkanditsupland,remotecharacterwhichtheLCThelpsreinforce.Developmentofmorethansmall-mediumscalewindenergyinstallationswithLCA20aandLCA20bwouldpresentariskofsignificantcumulative


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landscapeimpactsincombinationwithRayandGreenRiggwindfarm,whichalthoughlessprominentfromwithintheLCThasthepotentialtofurtheralteroverallcharacterofthewiderareatothatofawindfarmlandscape.

LCT20:RollingUplandValleys-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA20a:OtterburnandElsdonValley L-M M M-H H HLCA20b:Bellingham&WoodburnValley L-M M M-H H HLCA20c:UpperNorthTyneValley L-M M M-H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT20:RollingUplandValleys

IngeneralthewholeofLCT20issuitableinprincipleforsingleorsmallgroupsofcarefullysitedsmallandsmall-mediumscaleturbinesupto40mheighttobladetip.Thelandscapewillgenerallybeunsuitableforwindturbinesover40m.Howeverturbinesbetween41mand65mtobladetipheightmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant,includingthoseonNorthumberlandNationalPark,settlementreceptors,heritageassetsandthePennineWay.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Medium-largescaleandlargerturbineswithintheLCTabove66mtobladetipheightwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,largelyasaresultofcumulativeeffects,sensitivityofreceptorsandsettingofNorthumberlandNationalPark.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT21:RollingUplands

ThisLCTcompriseslargeareasoftheeasternpartoftheBorderMoorsandForestNationalCharaterAreaalthoughmuchofitislocatedwithinNorthumberlandNationalParkandoutsidethepresentstudyarea.ThreesmallareasofthislandscapeextendoutsideNorthumberlandNationalPark,wheretheyareassociatedwiththeRollingUplandValleys(LCT20).TheLCTisrepresentedbythreecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA21a:EalinghamRigg• LCA21b:CorsensideCommon• LCA21c:OtterburnPlateau.

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT21:RollingUplands:• Broad,open,large-scale,rollingmoorlandplateau.

• Simple,smoothflowinglandform,oftenfeaturelesswithhighdegreeofuniformity.


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• Extensiveareasofsemi-naturalvegetationincludingamatrixofheather,mat-grassmoorland,raisedbogsormiresandpatchesofbracken.

• SparsesettlementincludingisolatedfarmsteadsandVictorianhuntinglodges.

• Drainedbyanetworkofburnsthathaveerodeddeepbutnotvisuallyprominentravines.

• Sparsetreecover–occasionalconiferousshelterbeltsandclumps,withlimitedareasofsemi-naturalwoodlandalongburns.

• Uniformityoflandcoverbrokeninplacesbyin-byepasturesassociatedwithfarmsteads.

• Militarytraininguseoverasignificantpartofthearea.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT21:RollingUplandsSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Smooth,rollingandsimpleappearancetothetopographywithlocalisedvarietyonly.Wheretheunderlyingsandstonebreakstheboulderclaysurface,contrastingcraggyoutcropsaddvisualinterest.Intheeast,sandysoilsarewelldrainedbyanetworkofburnswhichcarvedeepravinesbutarenotamajorfeatureofthelandscapeasawhole.


Landcover

Inareaswheretheglacialdepositsaredeep,landcoverisprimarilygrassymoorland,peatbogandmosses.Someheathermoorlandusedforsheepgrazingwithextensiveareasarealsomanagedasgrousemoor.Wherepostandwirefencingdividesareas,theeffectsofdifferentialgrazingregimesaresometimesevident.Treecoverissparsealthoughtherearegeometricshelterbelts,forinstanceatLeightonHill.


Landscapescale Alargescale,emptylandscapearisingfrombroadextent(intoNorthumberlandNationalPark)withlimitedenclosure,sub-divisionorhumaninfluence.SomemoderatenaturalenclosureisfoundlocallywithinvalleysofLCA21c.

Low-Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Plateaulandscapeandverylimitedwoodlandor

structurespresentsimplepredictableskylinesLow-Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

Occasionalviewsarepossiblefromhigherpoints,particularlyfromLCA21bEalinghamRiggovervalleystotheeastandoversettlementofOtterburnbutplateaulandformmostlylimitsvistas.EalinghamRiggitselfisamorepronouncedlandmark.

Moderate

Inter-visibility Variationsinintervisibilityacrossthe3LCAs.LCA21aandLCA20chavelimitedintervisibilitybeyondneighbouringLCTs,particularlyLCA8fHarwoodForest,LCA11bButelawandColtCragandLCA29NorthTyneValley.LCA21boffersoccasionallystrongintervisibilitywithneighbouringLCTs.AllLCAshavestrongvisual



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linkagestoNorthumberlandNationalPark.Visualreceptors GenerallylimitedreceptorswithintheLCTbutlocal

transportroutesandscatteredfarmsteadswithinLCA21aandLCA21b.

LowtoLow-Moderate

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Limitedmovementinthelandscape,limitedtosporadic

militarytrainingactivitywithinOtterburnrangeswithinLCA21c.SlightlygreatermovementalongA68boundingLCA21a.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Builtdevelopment Limitedtoafewscatteredfarmsteads.LatticeradiomastatEalinghamRigg.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Remoteness Limitedtolocaltrafficnetwork,low-keyagriculturalactivityandoccasionalmilitarytrainingactivities.

Moderatetomoderate-High

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Landscapewithlimitedscenicvalue,althoughgenerally

open,semi-wilduplandandwithoutstrongvisualdetractors.RockoutcropswithinLCA21coffersomeinterest.AlthoughboundingNorthumberlandNationalParkacrossallthreeLCAsitpresentslimitedfocalpointsorfeaturesofvisualattractiveness.

Moderate

Distinctiveness Rockyoutcropsandvalleysaffordsomelimiteddistinctiveness.

Moderate

Rarity Openuplandsrelativelyuncommonbutnotrare.Alessfrequentlandscapewithoccasionaldistinguishingfeatures.

Moderate

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Someimportantarchaeologicalinterest,butrarely

visuallysignificantinthelandscape.Rigandfurrow,hillforts,bastles,earthworks,DereStreetRomanroad.


Recreation MoDrangesatOtterburnperiodicallyrestrictrecreationalaccess.LCA21aandLCA21bpresentopenaccessandfootpathswithdirectlinkagestoNorthumberlandNationalPark.ThePennineWayNationalTrailcrossesLCA21a.



Largescale,simplerollinglandform,lowcomplexityoflandcoverandpatternandminimalsettlementgenerallyaffordslowersensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.However,theLCAsarerelativelysmallandneverdistantfromruralsettlements,presentingsensitivereceptorsforlargerscaleturbinesoutsidetheLCAs.Scatteredagriculturalfarmsteadsmaybeabletoaccommodatewell-locatedsmallerscalewindenergydevelopmentofsinglemaststhatassimilatewithinthelandscapewithoutsignificantharm.LCAsImmediatelyabutNorthumberlandNationalParkandthisconsiderablyincreasessensitivityduetopotentialeffectsonitssettingandvisualharmtoviewsintoandoutofNorthumberlandNationalPark.Importantheritageassetsareprimarilyarchaeologicalandmaybelessvulnerabletolandscapechange.TheLCAsaffordsomelow-keyrecreationalvalue,butthisislimitedin


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relationtothatoftheadjoiningNorthmberlandNationalParkandsubjecttomilitaryrangerestrictions.Minimalmovement,developmentorinfrastructureintheLCTwouldmeanthelandscapeisrelativelysensitivetotheintroductionofmediumandlargerturbines.Groupsofmedium-to-largerscalewindturbineswouldbelikelytopresentmoderate-to-highharmtotheintegrityoftheLCT.

Cumulativeeffects TherearenoexistingwindenergydevelopmentswithintheLCT.SomelimitedvisualintervisibilityispossiblewithRayWindFarmfromLCA21aataround3kmdistance,butisnotprominentfromLCA21corLCA21a.GreenRiggWindFarmispartlyvisiblefromhigherpartsofLCA21bataround5kmdistance.WhereviewsofturbinesarevisiblefromwithintheLCTtheyareoftenagainstthemostlysimple,mainlyhorizontalskyline.Despitetherelativeproximitytotheselargewindfarms,thereisnotsignificantvisualeffectwithintheLCTandthereforecumulativeimpactsmaybepossibledependingonscaleorlocation,butnotnecessarilysignificant.Medium-distancehorizonslimitverylongvistasandfrequentchangesintopographyallowsforscreeningofsmall-mediumturbinesovermediumtolongdistances.ApotentialforcumulativevisualandcharactereffectsexistsbywayofrelativeproximitytoRayandGreenRiggWindFarms.ConsiderationtotheeffectofawindfarmconcentrationinrelativeproximitytoNorthumberlandNationalParkboundary,andviewstoitfromtheeastarethereforeimportantconsiderationsinthisLCTinrespecttowindenergyproposals.

LCT21:RollingUplands-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-

135mLCA21a:EalinghamRigg M M-H H H HLCA21b:CorsensideCommon M M-H M-H H HLCA21c:OtterburnPlateau M M-H M-H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT21:RollingUplands

IngeneralthewholeofLCT21issuitableinprincipleforsingleorsmallgroupsofcarefullysited,smallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Thelandscapewillgenerallybeunsuitableforwindturbinesover25m.HoweverwithinLCA21aturbinesbetween26mand40mtobladetipheight,andbetween26m-65minLCAs21band21c,maybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristics


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andcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant,includingthoseonNorthumberlandNationalPark,settlementreceptorsandheritageassets.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Turbinesofmorethanmedium-largescale,(ormediumscaleforLCA21a),wouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,largelyasaresultofcumulativeeffects,sensitivityofreceptorsandsettingofNorthumberlandNationalPark.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT22:FarmedRiverValleys

ThisLCTformsanuplandfringefarmlandlandscapebetweentheNorthTyneandDerwentdalewhichhasbeendissectedbydeeplyincisedburnvalleys.ThisLCTisrepresentedbytwolandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA22a:Devil’sWaterandHinterland• LCA22b:DiptonWoodandSlaley

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT22:FarmedRiverValleys:• East-westridgessupportinguplandfringemixedfarmland;

• Dissectedanddrainedbyincisedburnsrunningalongdeepcleftsordeans(narrow,steep-sidedvalleys);


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• Rockyledges,waterfallsandnarrowhaughs(areasoflow-lyingfloodplain)withindeansmarktheproximityofbedrocktothesurface;

• Semi-naturalancientwoodlandwithindenesandconiferousplantationsinthewiderhinterland;

• Variedfieldpatterns–irregularandsinuousclosetosettlements,rectilinearandplannedonupperslopes;

• Mixedfarming–arableandsheeporhorsepasture(improvedandsomewet);

• Mixtureoffieldboundaries,includinghedgeswithhedgerowtrees,postandwirefencing,andstonewallsparticularlyaroundsettlements;

• Settlementcomprisessmallvillagesanddispersedfarmsteads,countryhousesandhalls,andmillvillages.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT22:FarmedRiverValleysSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Thevaried,rollinglandscapeisunifiedbyitsstronganddistincttopographicpatternofeast-westroundedsteppedterracesanddrainagepatternofburnswithinincisedvalleys,reflectingthebandingandfaultingwithinthesandstonerockstrata.Cragsandwoodeddenesarelandformfeatures.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Landcover

Variedlandcoverpatternofwoodedgorgesanddenes,exposedrockwithwaterfalls,commercialforestryandmixedfarming.Domestic/human-scalefeaturesincludehedges,hedgerowtreesanddrystonewalls.


Landscapescale Valleys,woodland,domestic/human-scalefeaturessuchasfieldboundariesandundulatinglandformcreatemedium-smallscalelandscapewithsomeenclosure.Small-scaleintimatevalleyscontrastwithareasofmoreopen,largerscalefarmland.


VISUAL:Skylines Generallysimple,notprominentandindistinctivevisual

horizonswithsomevariationwithintherollinglandform.Woodlandisastrongskylinefeatureinplaces.

Low-moderatetoModerate

Viewsandlandmarks

Thelandscapeisnotafeatureinrecognisedviewsorfromimportantviewpoints,butcragsandwoodeddenesprovidelandscapefocitogetherwithlocalviewswithinvalleysandtohistoricbuildings.


Inter-visibility Self-containedvalleylandscapeisvisuallyenclosedbytopographyandwoodland,withrestrictedinter-visibility.Increasedinter-visibilityfromhighermoreopenfarmlandwithoccasionalviewstoadjacentlandscapesincludingmoorlandridgesanduplandstothenorth,southandwest.

LowtoLow-moderate

Visualreceptors SensitivevisualreceptorsincluderesidentsofSlaleysituatedalongalocalisedridge,smallvillagesand



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dispersedproperties,withintermittentviewsfromminorlocalroads.

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Occasionaltofrequentman-mademovementonminor

localroadsandagriculturalactivities.ModeratetoModerate-high

Builtdevelopment Noindustrialorsignificantinfrastructureortransportroutesbutbuiltmodificationofthelandscapeincludesvillages,scatteredsettlementandlocalroads.Fewverticalstructuresincludeashortlineofpylonsandtwosmalltomediumscalesinglewindturbines.Ruralcharacteroftraditionalsmall-scalevillagesandfarms.Moderatesenseofnaturalness.


Remoteness Somesenseofseclusionwithinthevalleysbutgenerallyanaccessiblelandscapewhereproximitytosettlementandotherhumanactivityreducesthesenseofremoteness.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Naturalrivervalleyfeaturesincludingincisedburns,

waterfallsandancientwoodlandwithinnarrow,steep-sidedvalleysprovidescenicquality.PartlylieswithintheNorthPenninesAONB.Lackoffieldboundarymanagementinsomeplaces.Generallyavisuallyandfunctionallyintactlandscape.


Distinctiveness Naturalrivervalleyfeaturesaredistinctiveandprovideastrong‘senseofplace’,althoughnotespeciallyrepresentativeofNorthumberland.


Rarity AninfrequentLCTwithonlytwoLCAscoveringarelativelysmallpartofNorthumberland.DistinctivenaturalrivervalleyfeaturesarerarewithintheCounty.

Moderate-hightoHigh

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Saxonandmedievalvillages,survivingridgeandfurrow

andsixteenthandseventeenthcenturyfieldpatternsinfluencelandscapecharacterandviews.Historicearthworks,millsandotherlistedbuildings.


Recreation Landscape-basedrecreationislimitedtoasmall,localrightsofwaynetwork.



Arollingandinplacesdeeplyinciseduplandfringefarmedlandscape,lyingbetweenandcontrastingwithuplandmoorlandandDerwentdalewithintheNorthPenninesAONBtothesouth,andtheTyneGapvalleylandscapetothenorth.Theuplandfringeisparticularlysensitivetowindenergydevelopmentwherelargerturbinescouldhaveasignificanteffectonthesettledandsmallerscalevalleysandlowlandlandscapestothenorthbybeingoutofscaleandvisuallydominant.Strongpastoralemphasisandinter-visibilityonthehighergroundthatbordersmoorlandlandscapescontributetothecharacterofLCA22a.Althoughnotremote,andmodifiedbyfarmingandcommercialforestry,thepresenceofextensivenativewoodlands,estateplantingsandstonebuildingsgivestheLCTarural,naturalistic,andtraditionallymanaged


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character.Thesimplerlandformandlandcoverpattern,andmoreopen,mediumtolargerscalefarmlandofLCA22bindicatepotentiallylowersensitivitytomediumscalewindenergydevelopment.

Cumulativeeffects Therearecurrentlyasmallnumberofsinglesmall-scalewindturbineswithinLCA22a.Thesedonotadverselyaffectlandscapecharacter;cumulativeeffectsarecurrentlyinsignificant.TherearecurrentlynowindturbinesvisiblewithinneighbouringLCTs.

LCT22:FarmedRiverValleys-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA22a:Devil’sWaterandHinterland M M-H H H HLCA22b:DiptonWoodandSlaley M M-H M-H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT22:FarmedRiverValleys

IngeneralLCT22issuitableforsingleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsinthelandscape.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitablewithinLCT22.Small-mediumscaleturbinesandmediumscaleturbineswithinLCA22bmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Medium-largescaleandlargerturbineswithintheLCT,andmediumscaleturbineswithinLCA22awouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingthelandscapesettingandviewstoandfromtheNorthPenninesAONB.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT23:LowerDale

ThisLCTcomprisesthelowersectionsofthedaleswhichrunnorthandeastoutoftheNorthPennines.Althoughthetypicaldalehascharacteristic‘upper’,‘middle’and‘lower’sections,notallLowerDaleareasareassociatedwithcorrespondingMiddleDale(LCT24)andUpperDale(LCT27)areas.ThisLCTisrepresentedbythreelandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA23a:LowerSouthTyne• LCA23b:LowerAllenheads• LCA23c:LowerDerwent

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT23:LowerDale:• Broaddaleswithnarrowfloodplainsorgorgesonthevalleyfloor;

• Winding,oftenshallowandrockyriversandtributaryburns,withpeatybrownfast-flowingwater;


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• Limestones,sandstonesandshalesthatoutcropoccasionallyonthesidesofgorgesanddale-sidequarries;

• Tree-linedwatercourses,withancientashandoakwoodsingorgesanddenes(narrow,steepsidedvalleys);

• Frequenthedgerowoak,ash,sycamoreandwychelmanduntrimmedhedgerows;

• Pastorallandscapecomprisingimprovedandsemi-improvedpasturesandhaymeadows;

• Oldfieldsystemswithsub-regularorlinearpatternsofhedgesandwalls;

• Relictsofridgeandfurrowandcultivationterraces;

• Oldvillagesofvernacularsandstonebuildingsonthedalefloor;

• Scatteredstonefarmsteadsandfieldbarns;

• Intimateandvisuallyenclosedcharactercontrastingwithhighmoorlandridgelines.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT23:LowerDaleSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Broaduplandvalleyswithafairlyshallowandevenslopinglandform,gentlysteppedinplaces,dissectedbyadrainagepatternoffastflowingburnsinsmalltributaryvalleysrunningintothemainriversofthedale.Variedandrelativelycomplexlandformfeaturesincludemeanderingriversandstreamsinsteep,incisedgillsanddeepgorges,withrockyoutcropsandwaterfalls.Locallymodifiedbyquarrying.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Landcover

Logicalpatternoflanduseandvegetationcoverrelatedtolandform,drainageandexposure-mosaicsofimprovedandsemi-improvedpastureandoccasionalflower-richhaymeadowsandgrazingonupperslopesandwetterland,withmanagedgrasslandsandriparianwoodlandonthevalleyfloor.Generallysmallandmediumsizedregularorlinearfieldpatterns,withabundantdomestic/human-scalefeaturessuchastallhedgerows,treesandstonewallboundaries.Overallthelandscapehasawell-woodedfeel.


Landscapescale Relativelybroadscaleoftheopenpastoraldales,contrastingwiththevalleysthatarevisuallyenclosedbyriparianwoodlands,treesandhedgerows,withamuchmoreintimate,domestic/human-scale.


VISUAL:Skylines Thedalesaredefinedbysimple,highmoorland

ridgelinesthatoverlookthevalleysandformabackdrop,withlittlevariety.Largelyundevelopedvisualhorizonsincreasesensitivity.


Viewsandlandmarks

Thelandscapefeaturesinviewsfromhighergroundbutnotfromimportantviewpoints.Cragsandwoodedgorgesprovidelandscapefocitogetherwithlocalviews



January1,2018




withinvalleystocharacteristicrockyoutcropsandwaterfalls.

Inter-visibility Theself-contained,deepvalleylandformrestrictsinter-visibility,althoughthemoreopenupperdalelandscapeprovidesviewsofneighbouringvalleyandmoorlandslopes.Overlookedfromhigherground.


Visualreceptors Sensitivevisualreceptorsincluderesidentsofsmallhamletsandvillagesanddispersedproperties,walkersandcyclistsonrecreationalroutes.Alsoviewsfromminorlocalroadsandmain‘A’roads.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Occasionaltofrequentman-mademovementalong

recreationalroutesandroads,includingsome‘A’roads,althoughsomeareasaremuchcalmer.


Builtdevelopment Lackofsignificantindustryandinfrastructure,althoughthereareactiveandabandonedlimestonequarries.FewverticalstructuresincludeoccasionaltelecommunicationsmastsandtwosmalltomediumscalesinglewindturbinesinLCA23b.Someviewstoapowerlinetothenorth.‘A’roadswindthroughthevalleysoralongthevalleyedge.Generallyasettled,rurallandscape,withsmallhamletsandmediumsizedmedievalvillagesonthedalefloor,andscatteredfarmsandbarnsconnectedbywindinglocalroads.Moderatetomoderate-highsenseofnaturalness.


Remoteness Tranquiluplandfringelandscape,withasenseofseclusionwithinthevalleys,butgenerallyanaccessiblelandscapewhereproximitytosettlementandotherhumanactivityreducesthesenseofremoteness.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Naturalrivervalleyfeaturesincludingmeandering

riversandincisedburns,waterfallsandancientwoodlandwithinnarrow,steep-sidedgorgesprovidehighscenicquality.Lossofsomefieldboundariesonupperslopesandlackofwoodlandmanagement,butgenerallyavisuallyandfunctionallyintactlandscapeofhighquality.TheLCTlieswithinoradjacenttotheNorthPenninesAONB.


Distinctiveness Naturalbroadrivervalleyswithincisedtributariesandotherfeaturesaredistinctiveandprovideastrong‘senseofplace’,althoughnotespeciallyrepresentativeofNorthumberland.


Rarity AninfrequentLCTintheuplandfringesofthePenninedalescoveringarelativelysmallpartofNorthumberland.DistinctivenaturalrivervalleyfeaturesarerelativelyrarewithintheCounty.

Moderate-hightoHigh

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Vernacularbuildings,medievalvillagesandpastoral

landusegiveastrongsenseofbothvisualunityandModeratetoModerate-high


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culturalcontinuity.Relictsofancientagriculture–ridgeandfurrow,lynchetsandcultivationterraces–arewidespread.Historicalquarryinghasalsoshapedthelandscape.CountryhousessuchasWhitfieldHallinLCA23b,associatedestatevillages,andFeatherstoneCastleparklandinLCA23acontributetothehistoriclandscapecharacterofthearea.However,thereisnostronghistoricinfluenceonthecharacterofLCA23c.

Recreation FootpathnetworksincludingIsaac’sTeaTrailandthePennineWayNationalTrail,andNationalCycleNetworkroutesprovideimportantlinksintoandthroughtheNorthPenninesAONB,andtoDerwentReservoir.DisusedrailwayisanimportantrecreationalroutethroughLCA23a.



BroaduplandlandscapefringingtheNorthPennineAONBmoorland,withcontrastingdeeplyincised,well-wooded,intimatevalleysfallingtowardstheTyneGapvalleylandscapetothenorth.Theuplandfringeisparticularlysensitive,wherelargerwindturbinescouldhaveasignificanteffectonthesettledandsmallerscalevalleysandlowlandlandscapestothenorthbybeingoutofscaleandvisuallydominant.Inpartstranquil,althoughnotremoteandgenerallyaccessible,thevernacularbuildings,medievalvillagesandrelictsofancientagriculturegivetheLCTarural,naturalistic,andstronglypastoralcharacter.

Cumulativeeffects Therearecurrentlyasmallnumberofsinglesmall-scalewindturbineswithinLCA23b.Thesedonotadverselyaffectitslandscapecharacter;cumulativeeffectsarecurrentlyinsignificant.Therearelimitedviewstooccasionalsmallturbinesonhighgroundtothesouth(andtotallmaststotheeast).

LCT23:LowerDale-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


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LCA23a:LowerSouthTyne M M-H H H HLCA23b:LowerAllenheads M M-H H H HLCA23c:LowerDerwent M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT23:LowerDale

IngeneralLCT23issuitableforsingleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsintheuplandfringelandscape,wherethereissomeassociationwiththeopenmoorlandandfell.Theyshould,however,besitedawayfromthesensitivevalleysidesandfloorwhichshouldremainfreeofwindenergydevelopment.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciple


January1,2018

beunsuitablewithinLCT23.Small-mediumscaleturbinesmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominant;theyshouldavoidthesensitiveuplandfringeandtheyshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.MediumscaleandlargerturbineswithintheLCTwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingtheuplandfringe,landscapesettingandviewstoandfromtheNorthPenninesAONB.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT24:MiddleDale

ThisLCTcomprisestheintermediatesectionsofthedalesthatrunprincipallynorthandalsoeastwardsfromtheNorthPennines.Althoughthetypicaldalehascharacteristic‘upper’,‘middle’and‘lower’sections,notallMiddleDaleareasareassociatedwithcorrespondingLowerDale(LCT23)andUpperDale(LCT27)areas.ThisLCToccurswhollywithintheNorthPenninesAONB.ThisLCTisrepresentedbyfivelandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA24a:MiddleSouthTyne• LCA24b:MiddleWestAllen• LCA24c:MiddleEastAllen• LCA24d:MiddleDevil’sWater• LCA24e:MiddleDerwent


January1,2018

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT24:MiddleDale:• Broaduplandvalleyswithmoderatelysloping,oftengentlysteppedvalleysides,incisedby

narrowsteep-sidedgills;

• Rockyriversandtributaryburns,withfast-flowingpeatybrownwater,withinnarrowfloodplainsonvalleyfloors;

• Improvedandsemi-improvedpasturesandflower-richuplandhaymeadows;

• Strongregularorsub-regularpatternsofdrystonewallswithoccasionalash,oakandsycamorefieldtrees;

• Sparselywooded,withnarrowashandoak-birchwoodlandsalongrivers,streamsanddale-sidegills,andscatteredplantationsofScotspine,larchorspruce.

• Smallvillages,hamletsandfarmclusterslinkedbyvalleyfloorroads,withscatteredfarmsandfieldbarnsondalesides.Buildingsoflocalstonewithstoneflagorslateroofs;

• Activeandabandonedlimestoneandwhinstonequarriesprominentonthedalesides;

• Relictsoftheleadminingindustry,includingbuildings,wasteheaps,smelterfluesandreservoirs;

• Importanceashistoricalroutesofcommunicationunderlinedbyriver,roadandrailwaycorridors,includingIsaac’sTeaTrailwalkingroute,SouthTynedaleRailway(preservedscenicnarrowgaugerailway),MaidenWayRomanRoadandWhitleyCastle/EPIACUMRomanFort;

• ThemajorwaterbodyofDerwentReservoirsignificantlycontributestothecharacterofLCA24eMiddleDerwent,extendingovertheborderintoCountyDurham;

• Visuallyopen,butenclosedbyencirclingmoorlandridgelines;

• Settledtranquiluplandlandscapewithastrongsenseofculturalcontinuity.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT24:MiddleDaleSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Broaduplandvalleyswithafairlyshallowandevenslopinglandform,gentlysteppedinplaces,dissectedbyadrainagepatternoffastflowingburnsinsmalltributaryvalleysrunningintothemainriversofthedale.Variedandrelativelycomplexlandformfeaturesincludemeanderingriversandstreamsinsteep,incisedgillsanddeepgorges,withrockyoutcropsandwaterfalls.Locallymodifiedbystonequarryingandleadmining.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Landcover

Generallyregularpatternoflanduseandcomplexmixofvegetationcoverrelatedtolandform,drainageandexposure-mosaicsofimprovedandsemi-improvedpastureandoccasionalflower-richhaymeadowsandgrazingonupperslopesandwetterland,withmanagedgrasslandsandriparianwoodlandonthevalleyfloor.Strongfieldboundarypatternwithabundantdomestic/human-scalefeaturessuchastallhedgerows,treesandstonewalls(quarriedfromlocalsandstones,



January1,2018




limestonesandwhinstone).Generallysparselywoodedalthoughsomeareashaveawell-woodedappearance.LCA24eisaheavilywoodeddale.

Landscapescale Relativelybroadscaleoftheopenpastoraldales,contrastingwiththenarrowincisedvalleysthatarevisuallyenclosedbyriparianwoodlands,treesandhedgerows,withamuchmoreintimate,domestic/human-scale.


VISUAL:Skylines Thedalesarevisuallyopenbutdefinedbysmooth,

simple,highmoorlandridgelinesthatencircleandoverlookthevalleysandformbackdrops,withlittlevariety.Mostlyundevelopedvisualhorizons,increasingsensitivity,althoughtallmastsatCattonBeaconarevisuallysignificanttothenorthofLCA24candfromadjacentcharacterareas.


Viewsandlandmarks

Thelandscapefeaturesinviewsfromhighergroundbutnotfromimportantviewpoints.Cragsandwoodedgorgesprovidelandscapefocitogetherwithlocalviewswithinvalleystocharacteristicmeanderingrivers,rockyoutcropsandwaterfalls.DerwentReservoirisakeylandmarkandvisualfocusinLCA24e.


Inter-visibility Thelargelyself-contained,deepvalleylandformrestrictsinter-visibility.Themoreopenupperdalelandscapeprovidesviewsofneighbouringvalleyandmoorlandslopes,butlimitsinter-visibility.

LowtoLow-moderate

Visualreceptors SensitivevisualreceptorsincluderesidentsofAllendaleTown,smallhamletsandvillagesandnumerousscatteredproperties,walkersandcyclistsonrecreationalroutes.Alsoviewsfromminorlocalroadsandmain‘A’roads,andfromthescenicrouteofthepreservedSouthTynedaleRailway.



recreationalroutesandroads,includingsome‘A’roads,althoughsomeareashavelittlemovement.


Builtdevelopment Lackofsignificantindustryandinfrastructure,althoughthereareactiveandabandonedstonequarriesandleadmines.Fewverticalstructuresincludecommunicationmastse.g.CattonBeaconandatKnarsdale,andanumberofsmalltomediumscalesinglewindturbineswithinoradjacenttoLCA24cand24d.TheA689andA686runthroughthevalleysoralongthevalleyedgeofLCA24a&24b.AllendaleTownisthelargestsettlement,butgenerallyadomesticatedsettled,rurallandscape,withsmallhamletsandmediumsizedmedievalvillagesonthedalefloor,andscatteredfarmsandbarnsconnectedbywindinglocalroads.Highersenseofnaturalnessontheupper,wilder



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slopesandinthesmallerdales.Remoteness Tranquiluplandfringelandscape,withasenseof

seclusionwithinthevalleysofthesmallerdales,butgenerallyanaccessiblelandscapewhereproximitytosettlementandotherhumanactivitye.g.DerwentReservoirvisitordestination,reducesthesenseofremoteness.



riversandincisedburns,waterfallsandancientwoodlandwithinnarrow,steep-sidedgorgesprovidehighscenicquality.Lossofsomefieldboundariesonupperslopesbutgenerallyawell-managed,visuallyandfunctionallyintactlandscape.TheLCTliesentirelywithintheNorthPenninesAONB.


Distinctiveness Naturaluplandmoorlandandbroadrivervalleyswithincisedtributariesandotherfeaturesprovideastrong‘senseofplace’representativeofNorthumberland,althoughnotespeciallydistinctivetotheCounty.


Rarity ArelativelyinfrequentLCTintheuplandfringesofthePenninedales,enclosedbyencirclingmoorlandridgelinesofsouthernNorthumberland.DistinctivenaturalrivervalleyfeaturesarerelativelyrarewithintheCounty.

Moderate-hightoHigh

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Vernacularbuildings,medievalvillagesandpastoral

landusegiveastrongsenseofbothvisualunityandculturalcontinuity.Relictsofancientagriculture–ridgeandfurrow,lynchetsandcultivationterraces–arewidespread.Historicalstonequarryingandleadmininghasalsoshapedthelandscape.TheremainsofBlanchlandAbbey,towers,andseveralcountryhousesreflectotherhistoricalaspectsofthelandscape.ImportanceashistoricalroutesofcommunicationunderlinedbytheMaidenWayRomanRoadandWhitleyCastle/EPIACUMRomanFortwithinLCA24a.


Recreation FootpathnetworksincludingIsaac’sTeaTrail,PennineWayNationalTrailandMaidenWayRomanRoad,andNationalCycleNetworkroutesprovideimportantlinksthroughtheNorthPenninesAONB,andtoDerwentReservoirwhichisapopularfacility.DisusedrailwayisanimportantrecreationalrouteincludingthepreservedscenicSouthTynedaleRailwaythroughLCA24a.OpenaccesstotheWhitleyCastle/EPIACUMRomanFort.



BroaduplandlandscapefringeencircledbymoorlandridgesoftheNorthPenninesAONB,withcontrastingdeeplyincised,well-wooded,intimatevalleysfallingtowardstheTyneGapvalleylandscapetothenorth.Theuplandfringeisparticularlysensitive,wherelargerscalewindenergy


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developmentinparticularcouldhaveasignificanteffectonthesettledandsmallerscalevalleysandlowlandlandscapestothenorthbybeingoutofscaleandvisuallydominant.Inpartstranquil,althoughnotremoteandgenerallyaccessible,thevernacularbuildings,medievalvillagesandrelictsofancientagriculturegivetheLCTarural,naturalistic,andstronglypastoralcharacterthatishighlysensitivetomediumandlargerscalewindenergydevelopment.

Cumulativeeffects Thereareanumberofoperationalorapprovedsinglesmalltomedium-scalewindturbineswithintheLCT.ThesearemostlylocatedthroughoutoradjacenttothenorthernpartofLCA24cwheresequentialcumulativeeffectscouldoccurwhilstmovingthroughthelandscapeshouldallapprovedturbinesbecomeoperationaloriffurtherturbinesareapproved.TwosmalltomediumscalesinglewindturbinesarelocatedwithintheneighbouringLCAs25dand25ebuttherearenoviewsoflargerwindturbinesfromwithinLCT24.Additionalsmallorsmalltomedium-scalewindenergydevelopmentintheLCTshouldbecarefullysitedtoavoidcumulativeeffects(eithercombinedwithinasinglevieworsequential).AdditionalwindturbineswithinoradjacenttoLCA24cmaycreatesignificantcumulativeeffectswheretheyareconspicuous,becomingkeyfeaturesandaffectingthecharacterofthelandscape.

LCT24:MiddleDale-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


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LCA24a:MiddleSouthTyne M M-H H H HLCA24b:MiddleWestAllen M M-H H H HLCA24c:MiddleEastAllen M M-H H H HLCA24d:MiddleDevil’sWater M M-H H H HLCA24e:MiddleDerwent M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT24:MiddleDale

IngeneralLCT24issuitableforsingleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsintheuplandfringelandscape,wherethereissomeassociationwiththeopenmoorlandandfell.Theyshould,however,besitedawayfromthesensitivevalleysidesandfloorwhichshouldremainfreeofwindenergydevelopment.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitablewithinLCT24.Small-mediumscaleturbinesmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfoci


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inthelandscape.MediumscaleandlargerturbineswithintheLCTwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingtheuplandfringe,landscapesettingandviewstoandfromtheNorthPenninesAONB.TheycouldalsobecomeconspicuousinviewsfromtheneighbouringMoorlandRidgesLCTwhichishighlysensitivetowindenergydevelopment.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT25:MoorlandRidges

ThisLCTisfoundwithintheNorthPennineuplandssouthoftheTyneGapandformsanimportantvisualbackdroptothelowerlyingdaleswhichdissectit.Thisuplandlandscape,rangingfromaround450mto600m,isculturallylinkedtothedalesbelow.Theirinterfaceismarkedbynarrowbandsoftransitionallandscapes,wheresemi-improvedpastureandconiferousshelterbeltsmeetthebroadpatternoffencesandstonewalls.MostofthislandscapeiswithintheNorthPenninesAONB(withtheexceptionofLCA25aandanareainthenorthernpartofLCA25c).ThisLCTisrepresentedbyfivelandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA25a:BlenkinsoppCommon• LCA25b:HartleyburnandKnarsdaleCommons• LCA25c:WhitfieldMoor• LCA25d:AllenCommonandMohope/ActonMoors• LCA25e:HexhamshireandBulbeckCommons


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KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT25:MoorlandRidges:• Broaddividedridgesandhighflat-toppedsummits;

• Astronghorizontalgraintothetopography;

• Gritstonesandlimestonesoutcroplocallyinlowgreycragsandscreeslopes;

• Hardigneousdolerites(suchasWhinSill)outcropinlargercragsandscreeslopes;

• Dissectedbyrocky,quickflowingbecksorburnsinsteepsidedgullies,withstandsofjuniper;

• Extensivetractsofblanketbogwithcottongrass,sphagnummossandheathermoorland,withsparsetreecover;

• Drierslopesclothedinuplandheathofheatherandbilberryoracidgrasslands;

• Burningpatternsongrousemoorscreateapatchworkofolderandyoungerheather;

• Extensivegrazingbyhardyhillsheep;

• Fewman-madefeaturesotherthanoccasionalfences,grousebutts,cairnsandsheepfolds;

• Unfencedroadsmarkedbysnowpoleswithgatesorcattlegridsatthemoorwall;

• Somerelictsofleadmining–bellpits,hushes,wasteheaps,railways,reservoirsandwaterleats(artificialwatercourse),smelterfluesandchimneys;

• Panoramiclongdistanceviewsoutacrossunbrokenmoorlandsoradjoiningdales;

• Aremoteandelementallandscapewithanearwildernessqualityinplaces.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT25:MoorlandRidgesSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Simple,smoothlyflowing,uplandplateaulandformwithastronghorizontalgrainandsteppedprofile,heavilyinfluencedbytheunderlyinggeology.Broad,gentlyundulating,dividedridgesandelongatedflat-toppedsummits,withnotablelandformfeaturesincludingoutcropssuchasWhinSill,cragsandscreeslopes.Rocky,quickflowingbecksformsteepgulliesorgills.


Landcover

Relativelyconsistentlandcoverinmutedmosaicsofblanketbog,grassandheathermoorland.Seasonalpatternsarearesultofheatherburningandextensivesheepgrazing.Domestic/humanscalefeaturesaregenerallyabsentapartfromoccasionalstonewalls.


Landscapescale Alargescale,open,horizontallandscapepredominantlyunenclosed.Incisedvalleysaresmallerinscaleandmoreenclosed.


VISUAL:Skylines Prominent,open,sweepingskylinesalmostentirely

undevelopedandwhereverticalfeaturesarefew,suchasoccasionalmasts,telegraphpolesandroadsidesnow

Moderate-hightoHigh


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poles.Viewsandlandmarks

Visualsimplicitywithopen,deeppanoramicviewsacrossthemoorsandadjoiningdales,andshallowerpanoramicviewsacrosssequentialridges.TheLCTformsthebackdropofviewsfromthelowerlyingdaleswhichdissectit,andinpartfromtheTyneGapinthenorthfromwherethereareviewsfromHadrian’sWall.Fewfocalpointsorlandmarkfeatures.


Inter-visibility Highlevelsofinter-visibilitythroughoutandbetweencharacterareas.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Visualreceptors AsparselypopulatedlandscapewithviewsprincipallyfromsettlementswithintheadjoiningdalesandSouthTyneValley,localroadsandscenicwalkingandcyclingroutes.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Verylittleman-mademovementgenerally,principally

fromtheA69whichcutsthroughLCA25a.AgreaterperceptionofmovementattheLCTedgesclosertothemoresettledvalleys.


Builtdevelopment Occasionalman-madefeaturesincludescatteredrelictsofleadmining,grousebutts,sheepfoldsandoccasionalmastsonthemoors.TheA69andaparallellineofpylonsinfluencethenorthernpartofLCA25a.Panoramicviewsincludedistantbuiltdevelopmentincludingwindfarms.


Remoteness Aremoteandelementallandscapewithanearwildernessqualityinplaces,reducingtowardstheedgeswherethereisagradualtransitionintoadjoiningdales.AccesstomostpartsoftheLCTisverydifficult,withahighdegreeofseclusionandtranquillity.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Highscenicquality.MostoftheLCTiswithintheNorth

PenninesAONBwiththeexceptionofLCA25aandanareainthenorthofLCA25cwhichareofsimilarcharacterandareofsimilarhighscenicvalue.Generallywell-managed,withsomeissuesaroundmoorlandmanagement.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Distinctiveness Distinctiveuplandridgeswithastrong‘senseofplace’andastrongassociationwiththeadjoiningvalleylandscapes.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Rarity TheMoorlandRidgesLCTcoversanextensivepartofsouthernNorthumberlandsouthoftheTyneGap,andextendsintoCountyDurhamandCumbria.


HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets OccasionalstonewallsincreaseinnumberattheLCT

edgesandreflectlate18thcenturyenclosureofcommonground.IndustrialarchaeologyisanimportantfeatureofthisLCT,withextensiveremainsofformerleadminesonWellhopeMoor,andtheextensiveflue



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networkfromtheAllensmeltmillatDryburnMoor.Althoughrichinprehistoricarchaeology,muchisburiedorcomprisessubtlefeatureswhicharemaskedbyvegetation,forexamplestonecircles,cairnfieldsorburialmounds.SomeRomanfeatures.

Recreation SectionsofthePennineWayNationalTrail,Isaac’sTeaTrailandotherway-markedroutescrossthemoors,includingasectionofNationalCycleNetworkroute7(partoftheverypopularCoasttoCoast[alsoknownastheSeatoSea]recreationalroute).Themajorityofthelandscapeisopenaccesslandwherelandscape-basedrecreationinparticularenjoymentofthesceniclandscapeisimportant.

Moderate-hightoHigh


Thephysicalcharacteristicsofthelandscapei.e.thegenerallylargescale,open,simpleandconsistentlandformandlandcover,wouldsuggestthattheMoorlandRidgesLCTisnotparticularlysensitivetowindenergydevelopment.However,theLCTformsanimportantvisualbackdroptothelower,middleandupperdalesLCTswhichdissectit.Consequentlythemoorlandridgesareanimportantcharacteristicofthedales,andviceversa.Theirinterfaceismarkedbynarrowbandsoftransitionallandscapes.Thisuplandlandscapeisalsoculturallylinkedtothedalesbelow.Thedistinctiveperceptionofremoteness,wildernessandnaturalness,andthehighscenicvalueofthemoorsarecharacteristicsenjoyedbyvisitorstowhomlandscape-basedinformalrecreationisimportant.Thesecharacteristicsarehighlysensitivetowindenergydevelopmentofanyscale.

Cumulativeeffects TherearenowindturbineswithintheLCT.ThereareviewsofasmallnumberofsmalltomediumscaleturbinesinadjoiningLCTsandovertheborderinCountyDurham,anddistantviewstolargerturbinestothenorth(GreenRigg,BavingtonMount,KirkheatonandRaywindfarms).ThesedonotadverselyaffectthecharacteroftheMoorlandRidgesLCT;cumulativeeffectsarecurrentlyinsignificant.DuetotheimportanceofthelandscapeinviewsfromsurroundingLCTsitisimportantthatadditionaldevelopmentbeyondtheLCTdoesnotresultincumulativeeffectsadverselyaffectingthelandscapecharacteroftheMoorlandRidgesLCT.

LCT25:MoorlandRidges-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


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LCA25a:BlenkinsoppCommon H H H H HLCA25b:HartleyburnandKnarsdaleCommons H H H H HLCA25c:WhitfieldMoor H H H H HLCA25d:AllenCommonandMohope/ActonMoors H H H H H


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LCA25e:HexhamshireandBulbeckCommons H H H H H

OverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT25:MoorlandRidges

ManyofthekeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofLCT25arehighlysensitivetoallscalesofwindenergydevelopment.Landscapecharacter,viewsand/orvisualamenityarehighlylikelytobesignificantlyaffectedandthusingeneralanyscaleofwindenergydevelopmentwouldbeunsuitablewithinLCT25.However,theremaybescopeforlimitedwindenergydevelopmentassociatedwiththeA69corridorinthenorthofLCA25a.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT26:UplandFarmlandandPlantations

ThisLCTformsatransitionallandscapegraduallyfallingnorthwardsfromtheNorthPenninedales(MiddleDale)totheTyneGapvalley.ThisLCTisrepresentedbyonelandscapecharacterarea(LCA):• LCA26a:Healey

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT26:UplandFarmlandandPlantations:• TransitionallandscapebetweentheNorthPenninedales(MiddleDale)andtheTyneGap;

• SeriesofroundedterracesgentlyrollingdownintotheTynevalleytothenorth;

• ForestedlandscapewithmediumtolargerectilinearblocksofconiferousplantationsincludingScotspineandlarch,andmixedroadsidetreebelts;


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• Regularmediumtolarge-scalegeometricfieldpatterndefinedbyhedgeswithhedgerowtreesandareasofstonewalls;

• Mixtureofarableandpasture(sheepgrazing);

• Drainagepatternisnotstrong,consistingofrelativelyinsignificantminorburns;

• Sparsesettlementconfinedtoformercountryhousesnowusedforvariouspurposes.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT26:UplandFarmlandandPlantationsSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

SandstonebandingofthebedrockisreflectedinthegentlyrollinglandforminaseriesofroundedterraceswhichdescendnorthwardsintotheTynevalley.Insignificantshallowburnsprovidesomevarietybutwithnostrongdrainagepattern.


Landcover

Asomewhatvariedbutcoherentlandcoverreflectingtheunderlyingvarietyofsoils,comprisingamosaicofheavy,seasonallywaterloggedclaysandmorefertileandfree-drainingbrownearthsonthesandstone.Coniferousplantationsandpatchesofgorseandbrackeninvergesandhedgerowsreflecttheacidicsandysoils.Largemixedconiferplantationsandroadsideshelterbelts.Geometricfieldpatternofmixedarableandpastorallanduse,withboundaryhedgerowsandstonewalls.These,togetherwithdomesticbuildingsprovidehumanscalefeaturesinthelandscape.


Landscapescale Generallyamedium-largescalelandscapealthoughreducedbythewoodedenclosureinsomeareasandthedomestic/humanscalelandscapeelementsandbuildings.


VISUAL:Skylines Smoothuplandslopesprovidelargelysimplevisual

horizons,withsomevariationwithintherollinglandform.Blocksofplantationforestryaresimplefeaturesontheskyline.PredominantlyundevelopedalthoughalineofpylonscrossestheskylineinthenorthoftheLCT.


Viewsandlandmarks

Significantconiferousplantationsprovidecontainmentandlimitviews.Nokeyviewsto/fromimportantviewpoints,butelevatedfeaturessuchastreesandbuildingsprovidelocalisedlandmarkfoci.Therearelongdistanceviews,funnelledbetweenforestryorotherwisepanoramic,outwardsfrommoreelevatedareas.TheLCTfeaturesinviewsfromneighbouringlandscapesincludingthePenninefringe.


Inter-visibility Therelativelyhighforestcoverandgentletopographylimitinter-visibility.However,thereishighinter-



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visibilitywithneighbouringandmoredistantlandscapesfromelevatedpartse.g.viewsfromelevatedsectionsofroadnorthwardstotheTynevalleysidesandeastwardstothePenninefringe.

Visualreceptors Nosubstantialsettlements;sensitivereceptorsincluderesidentsofdispersedfarmsandcottages,andintermittentviewsfromthelocalrightsofwaynetworkandfromtherollingminorlocalroadsandtheA68.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Occasionalman-mademovementonminorlocalroads,

andagriculturalactivities.MorefrequentmovementontheA68.


Builtdevelopment Noindustrialorsignificantsettlementorotherdevelopment,withbuiltmodificationofthelandscapelimitedtoscatteredfarmsandcottages,localroadsandtheA68.Fewverticalstructuresincludeoccasionalcommunicationsmastsandashortlineofpylonsacrossnorthernparts.Overridingruralcharacteroftraditionalsettlementpattern,withamoderatesenseofnaturalness.


Remoteness Somesenseoftranquillitywithinthefarmlandbutgenerallyanaccessiblelandscapewhereproximitytosettlementandotherhumanactivityreducesthesenseofremoteness.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality HealeyHall,SlaleyHallandMinsteracreswith

associatedparklandandestatelandscapefeaturesprovideornamental(designed)scenicquality.Lackoffieldboundarymanagementinsomeplaces.Overallavisuallyandfunctionallyintactlandscapebutnotofespeciallyhighnaturalscenicbeauty.


Distinctiveness IndistinctlandscapecharacterlackingfeaturesorelementslikelytobeconsideredasimportantexampleswithinNorthumberland.Nostrong‘senseofplace’.

LowtoModerate-low

Rarity AninfrequentLCTwithonlyoneLCAcoveringarelativelysmallpartofNorthumberland.However,uplandfarmland,forestryplantationsandestateinfluencesarenotparticularlyrarefeaturesorelementswithintheNorthumberlandlandscape.


HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Countryhouseswithassociatedparklandandestate

landscapessuchasSlaleyHallandMinsteracres(monastery)influencethecharacterofthelandscape,buttherearefewotherheritageassets.


Recreation SlaleyHallformercountryhouseandestateisnowusedforrecreationalpurposesasahotelandgolfcourse.Thelocalrightsofwaynetworkprovideslimitedinformalrecreation.



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Atransitionallandscape,similaringeologyandtopographytolandtothewestbuttheLCTslandusepatternandlackofastrongdrainagenetworkdistinguishitfromtheFarmedRiverValleys(LCT22).Manyofthekeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapegenerallysuggestlow–moderatesensitivitytomediumtolargescalewindenergydevelopmentiflocatedwithinareasofmoremodifiedlandscape,suchastheA68roadcorridor.Thehighproportionofforestrycovercouldreducetheimpactofturbinesinthelandscape.However,elevatedpartsoftheLCTareinter-visiblewithneighbouringlandscapesanditsuplandfringecharactermakesitsensitivetowindenergydevelopmentthatcouldaffecttheadjoiningsettledandsmaller-scalelowlandvalleylandscapetothenorth.TheLCTprovidesabackdropinviewsfromallaround,includingtheNorthPenninesAONBtothesouth,andisimportanttothesettingofthedesignatedlandscapewherewindenergydevelopmentcouldaffectitsspecialcharacteristicsandscenicquality.

Cumulativeeffects TherearecurrentlynowindturbineswithinLCT26butwindturbinesarevisiblewithinneighbouringLCTsi.e.KilnPitHillandBoundaryLanewindfarmsapproximately2kmtotheeast.ThesedonotadverselyaffectlandscapecharacterofLCT26;cumulativeeffectsarecurrentlyinsignificant.

LCT26:UplandFarmlandandPlantations-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA26a:Healey M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT26:UplandFarmlandandPlantations

IngeneralLCT26issuitableforsingleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsinthelandscape,onlowerlyingland.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitablewithinLCT26.Small-mediumscaleturbinesmaybesuitablewithinLCA26awhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Evensmallandsmall-mediumsizedturbinescouldbecomeprominentordominantiflocatedinelevatedlocationsawayfromforestry.MediumscaleandlargerturbineswithintheLCTwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingtheuplandfringe,landscapesettingandviewstoandfromtheNorthPenninesAONB.They


January1,2018

couldalsobecomeconspicuousinviewsfromneighbouringlandscapestothenorth.Ifturbinesaresitedimmediatelyadjacentto,orwithinwoodlandareas,treeswouldactasascaleindicatoraccentuatingturbinesize.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT27:UpperDale

ThisLCTcomprisesapastorallandscapeintheupperreachesoftheNorthPenninedales.ItoccurswhollywithintheNorthPenninesAONB.ThisLCTisrepresentedbytwolandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA27a:UpperWestAllen• LCA27b:UpperEastAllen

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT27:UpperDale:• UpperreachesoftheNorthPenninedalesconsistingofvariedvalleytopography;

• Fast-flowing,rockyRiverWestAllenandRiverEastAllen,withsmallertributaryburnsandbecks;

• Shallow,infertileorwaterloggedsoils;

• Wetrushpastures,uplandhaymeadowsandroughgrazinginmoorlandfringes;

• Regularfieldpatternsofdrystonewalls;


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• Scatteredfieldbarns;

• Fewtreesorwoodlandsexceptforoccasionalconiferplantations;

• Scatteredsmallfarmswithoccasionalfarmclustersandhamlets;

• Relictsoftheleadminingindustry,includingminebuildings,wasteheaps,smelterflues,reservoirsandhushes,oftenwithspecialisedbiodiversity;

• ReservoirsinLCA27b;

• Visuallyopenbutenclosedbyencirclingmoorlandridgelines;

• Remote,wildandtranquillandscapesonthemarginsofsettledandagriculturalland.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT27:UpperDaleSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Broaduplandvalleyswithafairlyshallowandmoderatelyslopinglandform,gentlysteppedinplaces,dissectedbyadrainagepatternoffastflowingburnsinsmalltributaryvalleysrunningintothemainriversofthedale.Variedandrelativelycomplexlandformfeaturesincludemeanderingriversandburnsinnarrow,incisedgillsorsikes.Locallymodifiedbytheleadminingindustry.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Landcover

Generallyregularpatternoflanduseandconsistentvegetationcoverrelatedtolandform,drainage,exposureandlandmanagement–pastorallandscapewithmutedpatchworksofwet,rushpastures,uplandhaymeadowsandroughgrazing.Regularfieldboundarypatternwithstonewallsandwirefences,andscattereddomestic/human-scalefeaturesincludingstonefieldbarnsandsheepfolds.Generallysparselywoodedalthoughsomelandatthedaleheadhasbeenafforestedwithregularblocksofsprucee.g.atAllenheads.


Landscapescale Relativelybroadscaleoftheopenpastoraldales,contrastingwiththenarrowincisedvalleyswithamoreintimate,domestic/human-scale,andwoodedareas.


VISUAL:Skylines Thedalesarevisuallyopenbutdefinedbysmooth,

simple,highmoorlandridgelinesthatencircleandoverlookthevalleysandformbackdrops,withlittlevariety.Undevelopedvisualhorizons,increasingsensitivity.


Viewsandlandmarks

Thelandscapefeaturesinviewsfromhighergroundbutnotfromimportantviewpoints.Occasionallocalisedlandformfeaturesprovidelandscapefociinviewsalongthedalefunnelledbytherisingdalesides.


Inter-visibility Generallyhighlevelsofinter-visibilityfromtheopenupperdalelandscapetoneighbouringvalleyand



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moorlandslopes.Widelyoverlookedfromencirclinghigherground.

Visualreceptors SensitivevisualreceptorsincluderesidentsoftheonlysettlementatAllenheadsandnumerousscatteredpropertiesinthedalefloorandontothedalesides,walkersandcyclistsonrecreationalroutes.AlsoviewsfromminorlocalroadsandtheB6295.



recreationalroutesandminorroads,althoughsomeareashavelittlemovement.


Builtdevelopment Lackofsignificantindustryandinfrastructure,althoughthereareabandonedleadmines.Fewverticalstructuresincludeoccasionalcommunicationmastsandanapprovedsmallscalewindturbine.Allenheadsistheonlysettlement,butgenerallyadomesticatedsettled,rurallandscape,withnumerousscatteredfarms,barnsandcottagesconnectedbywindingminorroads.Highersenseofnaturalnessandwildernessontheupper,wilderslopesandalongsmallertributaryburns.


Remoteness Tranquiluplandfringelandscape,withasenseofseclusionandremotenesswithinthevalleysofthesmallerburnsandontheopenroughmoorlandvalleysides.Moreaccessibilityalongthedalefloorwhereproximitytosettlementandotherhumanactivitye.g.AllenheadsalongtheB6295,reducesthesenseofremoteness.



riversandincisedburnsprovidehighscenicquality.Lossofsomefieldboundariesonupperslopesbutgenerallyawell-managed,visuallyandfunctionallyintactlandscape.TheLCTliesentirelywithintheNorthPenninesAONB.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Distinctiveness Naturaluplandmoorlandandbroadrivervalleyswithincisedtributariesandotherfeaturesprovideastrong‘senseofplace’representativeofNorthumberland,althoughnotespeciallydistinctivetotheCounty.


Rarity ArelativelyinfrequentLCTintheuplandfringesofthePenninedales,enclosedbyencirclingmoorlandridgelinesofsouthernNorthumberland.DistinctivenaturalrivervalleyfeaturesarerelativelyrarewithintheCounty.

Moderate-hightoHigh

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Vernacularfarmbuildingsandpastorallandusegivea

strongsenseofbothvisualunityandculturalcontinuity.Relictsoftheleadminingindustryshapethelandscape.


Recreation Limitedlocalfootpathnetworkandasmallpartof Low-moderateto


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NationalCycleNetworkroute7(partoftheverypopularCoasttoCoast[alsoknownastheSeatoSea]recreationalroute)withintheLCTprovidelinksthroughtheNorthPenninesAONB.

Moderate


BroaduplandlandscapefringeencircledbymoorlandridgesoftheNorthPenninesAONB,withcontrastingincisedrivervalleysofmoreintimatescale.Generallyhighlevelsofinter-visibilityfromtheopenupperdalelandscapetoneighbouringvalleyandmoorlandslopes.WidelyoverlookedfromencirclinghighergroundofhighscenicqualityincreasessensitivityofthisLCTtowindenergydevelopment.SomeareasarerelativelyaccessiblebutoveralltheLCThasastrongrural,naturalistic,pastoralcharacterthatispartstranquil,wildandremoteandthushighlysensitivetowindenergydevelopment.

Cumulativeeffects ThereiscurrentlyoneapprovedsmallscalewindturbinewithintheLCTthatdoesnotadverselyaffectlandscapecharacter;cumulativeeffectsarecurrentlyinsignificant.TherearecurrentlynowindturbinesvisiblewithinneighbouringLCTs.

LCT27:UpperDale-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA27a:UpperWestAllen M M-H H H HLCA27b:UpperEastAllen M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT27:UpperDale

IngeneralLCT27issuitableforsingleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsintheuplandfringelandscape,wherethereissomeassociationwiththeopenmoorlandandfell.Theyshould,however,besitedawayfromthesensitivevalleysidesandfloorwhichshouldremainfreeofwindenergydevelopment.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitablewithinLCT27.Small-mediumscaleturbinesmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.MediumscaleandlargerturbineswithintheLCTwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingtheuplandfringe,landscapesettingandviewstoandfromtheNorthPenninesAONB.TheycouldalsobecomeconspicuousinviewsfromtheneighbouringMoorlandRidgesLCTwhichishighlysensitivetowindenergydevelopment.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT28:BasinValleyandFringes

ThisLCTliesatthefarwestoftheCountyandincludesthewatershedattheheadoftheTyneGapbetweentheRiverIrthing,whichflowswestintoCumbria,andtheTipaltBurn,whichflowseasttotheSouthTyne.ThislandscapeisadjacenttoNorthumberlandNationalParkandcontinueswestalongtheIrthingvalley,beyondthestudyarea.ThisLCTisrepresentedbyonelandscapecharacterarea(LCA):• LCA28a:RiverIrthing

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT28:BasinValleyandFringes:• TransitionallandscapeonthewatershedbetweentheSouthTynevalleytotheeastandthe

CarlisleBasintothewest;

• Transitionallandscapebetweenhighermoorlandridgestothenorth(ThirlwallCommon–inNorthumberlandNationalPark)andtothesouth(BlenkinsoppCommon–LCT25a);


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• Narrow,wooded,steep-sided,deepgorge-likevalleycarvedbytheRiverIrthingalongtheLCTswesternboundary(theCountyboundarywithCumbria);

• Predominanceofpasture,scrubandroughgrazing;

• Semi-naturalwoodlandalongriverandtributaryburns,andmaturetreesassociatedwithsettlement;

• Fieldpatterndefinedbystonewalls,postandwirefencesorhedgerows;

• SignificanthistoricsitesreflectingtheLCTsimportanceasadefensivefrontieroverthecenturies.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT28:BasinValleyandFringesSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Narrow,steep-sided,deepgorge-likevalleyalongtheLCTswesternboundary(theCountyboundarywithCumbria)wherethesinuouscourseoftheRiverIrthinghascutthroughthesandstone.ElsewheregentlerslopesfallfromtheruggedmoorlandontheedgeofNorthumberlandNationalPark,southwards.Occasional,irregularWhinSilloutcropsaredistinctivelandformfeatures.


Landcover

Variedlandcoverpattern;thesteep-sidedgorge-likevalleyisheavilywoodedbothonthevalleyfloorandwith‘hanging’woods.Wetpasture,hedgerowsandgorsearealsofoundonthevalleyfloor.Elsewherein-byepasturesandroughgrazingfieldsareboundedbyamixtureofstonewalls,hedgerowsandpostandwirefences,withoccasionalhedgerowtreesandwoodedcopsesoftenneardomestic-scalefarmbuildings.


Landscapescale Theintimategorge-likerivervalleyisasmallscalelandscapecontainedbythesteepwoodedsides.Thiscontrastswiththemoreopentransitionalpasturelandwhereoccasionallongdistanceviewssouthwardstotheopenmoorlandgivetheperceptionofamedium-largescalelandscape,albeitcontainingsmall-scalelandcoverpatternswithhuman-scalefeatures.


VISUAL:Skylines Smoothflowinggenerallyfeatureless,roundedskylines,

notprominentorparticularlydistinctive.Pylonsarevisibleondistantskylinestothesouth.Theskylineisnotafeaturefromwithinthevalleyduetodensewoodland.

ModeratetoLow-moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

ThelandscapefeaturesinviewsfromhighergroundincludingNorthumberlandNationalPark.Occasionallocalisedlandformfeaturesprovidelandscapefoci.ThelandscapeprovidesanimportantbackdroptothesettingofHadrian’sWallandtheremainsofThirwallCastle.

Moderate-hightoHigh


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Inter-visibility Rivervalleylandformandwoodlandrestrictinter-visibilitybutelsewheretherearelongerdistanceviewstoneighbouringmoorlandslopes.

LowtoModerate

Visualreceptors Anumberofsensitivevisualreceptorswouldbepotentiallyaffectedbyachangeinviewsandvisualamenity,includingresidents,travellersontheB6318andrailway,walkers,cyclistsandtourists.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Man-mademovementinthelandscapeis

predominantlyinthemoresettledlowlandinthesouthincludingtheB6318andrailway,withoccasionalmovementelsewhereincludingasmallscalewindturbineclosetoBarronHouse.


Builtdevelopment NucleatedvillagesatGreenhead,LongbyreandGilslandandscatteredfarmsteadsarelocatedonthesettledlower-lyinggroundalongtheB6318.Althoughthereareotherdispersedfarmsandarailwayonthehigherslopesthesearemoreruggedwithamorenaturalcharacter.Telegraphpoles,occasionalcommunicationmasts,asmallwindturbineandviewsofpylonstothesouthareconspicuousstructures.


Remoteness Theintimaterivervalleyanddeepgorgeisinpartssecluded,andthereisasenseofremotenessontheruggedvalleyfringeslopesalthoughthisperceptionisreducedbyhumanactivity,settlementandtransportroutes.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Highnaturalscenicqualityofthegorge-likerivervalley

landscape.Elsewherethevalleyfringepasturelandisgenerallywellmanagedandvisuallyintact.DevelopmentcouldaffectthespecialqualitiesandintegrityoftheadjacentNorthumberlandNationalPark.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Distinctiveness Thegorge-likerivervalleylandscapeisdistinctivewithastrongsenseofplace,representativeofNorthumberlandanddistinctiveintheCounty.ThepresenceofHadrian’sWallthroughthelandscapeenhancesdistinctiveness.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Rarity AuniqueLCTenclosedbymoorlandridgelinesofNorthumberlandNationalParkandsouthernNorthumberland.DistinctivenaturalrivervalleyfeaturesarerelativelyrarewithintheCounty.

Moderate-hightoHigh

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets SignificanthistoricfeaturesincludeHadrian’sWall

WorldHeritageSite,theStanegateRomanRoadandtheremainsofThirlwallCastle.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Recreation SignificantrecreationaluseincludingHadrian’sWallPathNationalTrail,thePennineWayNationalTrailandNationalCycleRoute72‘Hadrian’sCycleway’.

Moderate-hightoHigh


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Thisisagenerallyopen,transitionallandscapelyingbetweenhighermoorlandridgestothenorth(ThirlwallCommon–inNorthumberlandNationalPark)andtothesouth(BlenkinsoppCommon–LCT25a)whichgivesitaruggeduplandcharacter,withcontrastingincised,narrow,wooded,steep-sided,deepgorge-likerivervalleyofmoreintimatescale.Thevarietyoflandformandlandcover,scenicqualityofthelandscape,itsdistinctivenessandrarity,arecharacteristicsthatmakethisLCTespeciallysensitivetowindenergydevelopment.Inter-visibilitywithneighbouringuplandmoorlandslopesincreasessensitivityofsomepartsoftheLCT.Lower,southernareasarerelativelyaccessiblebutoveralltheLCThasarural,naturalistic,pastoralcharacterthatishighlysensitivetowindenergydevelopment.Thehistoricandrecreationalimportanceofthelandscape,adjacenttoNorthumberlandNationalParkandimportanttothesettingandenjoymentofHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSitefurtherincreasetheLCTssensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.

Cumulativeeffects ThereiscurrentlyonesmallscalewindturbinewithintheLCT.Thisdoesnotadverselyaffectlandscapecharacter;cumulativeeffectsarecurrentlyinsignificant.TherearecurrentlynowindturbinesvisiblewithinneighbouringLCTs.

LCT28:BasinValleyandFringes-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA28a:RiverIrthing M-H H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT28:BasinValleyandFringes

IngeneralLCT28isunsuitableinprincipleforwindenergydevelopment.Singleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbecloselyassociatedinlocationandscaletofarmbuildingsinthevalleyfringes.Theyshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Small-mediumandlargerturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingthelandscapesettingandviewstoandfromNorthumberlandNationalPark.TheycouldalsobecomeconspicuousinviewsfromtheneighbouringMoorlandRidgesLCTwhichishighlysensitivetowindenergydevelopment.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT29:BroadWoodedValley

Thisnorth-southelongatedLCTdefinesthenorthernextremitiesoftheTyneGapandcomprisesthebroadwoodedvalleythatcontainstheRiverNorthTyneinitsmiddlereachesandseveraltributaryvalleys.TheTributaryValley(LCT33)oftheErringBurnliesimmediatelytotheeastwhilsttheSandstoneFringeFarmland(LCT11)alsoflankstheLCTtotheeast.TheroundeduppervalleyslopesshowagradualtransitionintotheUplandCommonsandFarmland(LCT34)tothewest,borderingNorthumberlandNationalPark.LCT29stretchesfromRedesmouthinthenorthtotheconfluencewiththeRiverSouthTyneeastofBridgeEnd.ThisLCTisrepresentedbyonelandscapecharacterarea(LCA):• LCA29a:NorthTyneValley

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT29:BroadWoodedValley:• BroadvalleywiththeRiverNorthTynemeanderingnorthtosouththroughthecentreofthe

floodplainofvaryingwidth;


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• Gentlyslopingandundulatingvalleysidesdissectedbyarepeatingpatternoftributarystreamsmeanderingwesttoeast;

• Highconcentrationoftrees–includingnativewoodlandcopses,mixedandconiferouswoodlands,hedgerows,avenuesandparklandtrees;

• Semi-naturalwoodland(includinghazel,wychelmandash)alongriveredgesandintributaryvalleys;

• Mixtureofarableandpastureagriculturallanduse,andvalleyfloormeadows;

• OutcropsofWhinSillandlimestone;

• Regularmediumscalefieldpatterndefinedbyhawthornhedges,postandwirefencesorstonewalls;

• Smallstonebridgesacrosstributarystreamsanddisusedrailway;stonewallssurroundingparklandestates;

• Villageslocatedonlowervalleysides,andscatteredfarmsteadslendingasettledcharacter;

• Managedlandscapewithlargecountryhousesandassociatedparklands.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT29:BroadWoodedValleySensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Complexbutrelativelyconsistenttopographyisinpartduetoacomplexgeologyunderpinnedbysandstone,siltstone,mudstonesandshalesandoverlainbyglacialdriftandalluvium.WhinSillandlimestoneoutcropswithinabandthroughthecentreoftheLCT.AtthenorthernendoftheLCTtheRiverNorthTynedropsintoadeepgorge-likewoodedvalley.Therearecut-offmeanders,terracesandotherfeatures,providingevidenceofthechangingcourseoftheriverwithintheoftenbroad,gentlyundulatingfloodplainmeadows.AseriesofwoodedtributaryvalleyswindtheirwayeastwardsfromtheuplandmoorlandwithinNorthumberlandNationalPark,passingthroughthegentlyslopingorundulatingvalleyandcuttingintothemainrivervalleysidesinaregularpattern.


Landcover

Acomplexyetunifiedmixofpastureandarablefarmland,enclosedbyastrongfieldpatternofhedgerowsandhedgerowtrees,withpostandwirefencingorstonewallsinsomeplaces.Managedhaymeadowsonthevalleyfloor,grazedbyhorses.Denseancientandsemi-naturalbroadleavedwoodlandwithinthetributaryvalleysandalongthemainvalleysides,withmixedwoodlandplantationsandcopses.Numerousparklandandestatelandscapeswithmatureparklandandavenuetrees,andornamentalgardens.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Landscapescale Thebroadvalleycomprisesfieldsofmediumscalealthoughwoodlandprovidessomeenclosure,in



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contrasttothemoreintimatewoodedrivervalleysthatofferagreaterdegreeofcontainment.Occasionallongdistanceviewstotheadjacentopenmoorlandgivetheperceptionofamedium-largescalelandscape,albeitcontainingsmall-scalelandcoverpatternswithhuman-scalefeatures.

VISUAL:Skylines Smoothflowinggenerallyfeatureless,rounded

moorlandskylines,notprominentorparticularlydistinctive.PylonsarevisibleontheskylinecuttingthroughthesouthernpartsoftheLCT.Theskylineisnotafeaturefromwithintherivervalleyduetodensewoodland.


Viewsandlandmarks

ThelandscapefeaturesinviewsfromhighergroundincludingNorthumberlandNationalPark.Occasionallocalisedlandformfeaturesprovidelandscapefoci.ThelandscapeprovidesanimportantbackdroptothesettingofHadrian’sWallandassociatedfeatures,andotherheritageassets.Largecountryhouseswithinparkland,otherbuildingssuchasChipchaseCastle,stonebridgesetc.arefeaturesinthelandscape.Pronouncedterracesonlowervalleyslopesaffordviewsacrossthevalleywithinwhichthemainriveranditsfloodplainandtributariesareoftenhidden.


Inter-visibility Rivervalleylandformandwoodlandrestrictinter-visibilitybutelsewheretherearelongerdistanceviewstoneighbouringmoorlandslopes.


Visualreceptors Anumberofsensitivevisualreceptorswouldbepotentiallyaffectedbyachangeinviewsandvisualamenity,includingresidents,travellersonthenetworkoflocaland‘B’roads,theA6079,walkersincludingthoseonthePennineWay,andtourists.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Frequentmovementalongthenetworkoflanesand‘B’

roads,andtheA6079inthesouth,withenhancedactivityaroundthemainsettlementsandquarries.Asmallnumberofsmall-scalewindturbinesaddman-mademovementintothelandscape.Turbineblademovementisalsoevidentfromlargewindturbinesandwindfarmsinadjacentlandscapestotheeast(GreenRigg,BavingtonMount,KirkheatonandRaywindfarms).


Builtdevelopment Awell-settledlandscapewithsmallhistoricvillagesatcrossingpoints,scatteredfarmsteadsandcottages,andlargeestatehouseswithboundarystonewalls,alonganetworkofnarrowwindinglanesand‘B’roads.Bridgescrosstheriversandadismantledrailway.TheA6079passesthroughthesouthernpartoftheLCT.Occasionalmastsinthelandscapeandquarries(active,disused



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andrestored)telegraphpoles,smallwindturbinesandpylonsthroughthesouthernpartsoftheLCTareconspicuousstructures.Overall,however,thevalleyretainsadistinctlyrural,naturalbutmanagedcharacter.

Remoteness Agenerallyaccessible,settledlandscapeinwhichhumanactivitylimitstranquillityandsenseofremoteness.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Highscenicqualityofthemeandering,woodedriver

andtributaryvalleyscontrastingwiththegentlyundulatingfloodmeadowspunctuatedbythenumerousparklandandestatelandscapesonthelowervalleysides,withmatureparklandandavenuetrees.Awell-managedlandscape,inparticulartheNunwickRegisteredHistoricParkandGardenatSimonburn,andornamentalgardensatChipchaseCastle.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Distinctiveness Thegorge-likerivervalleylandscapeinthenorthisdistinctivewithastrongsenseofplace,representativeofNorthumberlandanddistinctiveintheCounty.ThepresenceofHadrian’sWallandassociatedfeaturesinthelandscapeenhancesdistinctiveness.


Rarity AuniqueLCTinwhichdistinctivebroad,naturalrivervalleyfeaturesarerelativelyrarewithintheCounty.

Moderate-hightoHigh

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets SignificanthistoricfeaturesincludeHadrian’sWalland

majorRomanfortatChesters,theStanegateRomanRoad,castlesatHaughtonandChipchase,andotherheritageassets.


Recreation PopulartouristdestinationsincludeamajorRomanfortatChestersandornamentalgardensatChipchaseCastle.Alsocaravansitesandanextensivepublicrightsofwaynetworkthroughthevalley.ThePennineWayNationalTrailpassesalongthenorth-westernboundaryoftheLCT.

Moderate-hightoHigh


Theconsistenttopographic,landcover,fieldandsettlementpatternscreateacomplexyetunifiedvisualcomposition.Despitetherelativelyhighdensityofsettlement,thevalleyretainsaruralcharacter.Narrow,windingroadsandlaneslinedwithhedgerowsandsmallwoodlandsreinforcethisnaturalbutmanagedcharacter.Thebroadfarmedvalleycontrastswiththewoodedrivervalley,inparticularthedeepgorge-likewoodedvalleyatthenorthernendoftheLCT.Scenicqualityofthelandscape,itsdistinctivenessandrarity,arefurthercharacteristicsthatmakethisLCTespeciallysensitivetowindenergydevelopment.Inter-visibilitywithneighbouringuplandmoorlandslopesincreasessensitivityofsomepartsoftheLCT.Thehistoricandrecreationalimportanceofthelandscape,adjacenttoNorthumberlandNationalParkandimportanttothesettingandenjoyment


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ofHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSitefurtherincreasetheLCTssensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.

Cumulativeeffects Thereareasmallnumberofsmall-scalewindturbineswithintheLCT,andglimpsesoflargeturbinesatGreenRigg(LCT8)totheeastfromelevatedlocationsalongtheedgeofthisLCT.Consequentlycumulativeeffectsarecurrentlyinsignificant.Largerscaleturbineswithinthislandscapecouldcreatesignificantcumulativeeffectswhenseenincombinationwithorinsuccession(i.e.whenpassingthroughthelandscape)withexistingwindturbinesandwindfarmsvisibleinadjacentlandscapestotheeast.

LCT29:BroadWoodedValley-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA29a:NorthTyneValley M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT29:BroadWoodedValley

IngeneralLCT29issuitableforsingleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsandotherdomesticscalefeaturesinthevalleylandscape.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitablewithinLCT29.However,small-mediumscaleturbinesbetween26m-40mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.MediumscaleandlargerturbineswithinthewoodedrivervalleyofthisLCTwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingthelandscapesettingandviewstoandfromNorthumberlandNationalPark.TheycouldalsobecomeconspicuousinviewsfromtheneighbouringMoorlandRidgesLCTwhichishighlysensitivetowindenergydevelopment.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT30:GlacialTroughValleyFloor

ThisLCTcomprisestheflatfloodplainandlowervalleyslopesabovetheRiverTyne.Forthemostpartthelowervalleyslopesblendgentlyintotheextensivefloodplain.Inplacesthemeanderingcourseoftheriverhascutintothevalleysidescreatingsteepsidedbluffsandnarrowgorges.ThisLCTisrepresentedbythreelandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA30a:HaltwhistletoNewbrough• LCA30b:NewbroughtoCorbridge• LCA30c:CorbridgetoWylam

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT30:GlacialTroughValleyFloor:• Valleyfloorandshallowlowerslopesofaneast-westalignedglacialtrough,lyingbetweenthe

NorthPenninestothesouthandtheNorthumberlanduplands,includingtheNorthumberlandNationalPark,tothenorth;

• Theglacialicesteamcarvedthroughtheunderlyingbedrockwhichconsistsofmudstone,sandstoneandlimestone,coveredbymeltwaterdepositsofsandandgravels,creatingamoundytopographyofkames,eskersandinterveninghollowsinsomeareas;


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• Predominantlyaflat,welldefinedandshelteredvalleyfloorcontainingthemeanderingRiverSouthTyne;

• Highlyfertileandwelldrained,rich,alluvialdepositsonthevalleyfloorsupportamixofarablelanduse,withcattle-grazedriversidepastures;

• Mediumtolarge-scalefieldswithmixedfarming,definedbyhedgerowsandpostandwirefencing;

• Generallyopencharacter;treecoverisconcentratedalongtheriverorsteepbluffs,orassociatedwithestatelandscapes;

• Nucleatedsettlementsofearlydateonlowerslopes,oftenbridgingtherivere.g.HaydonBridge;

• MajortransportcommunicationroutecontainingtheA69,theCarlisletoNewcastlerailway,aswellastheriver;

• Sandandgravelextractiononthevalleyfloorinsomeplaces;

• Someareasofindustryandsettlementexpansion.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT30:GlacialTroughValleyFloorSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Simple,lowlyingvalleyfloorandgentlelowervalleyslopes,withsometopographicvariationwheresteepbluffsorgorges,kames,eskersandinterveninghollowsprovidevarietyinsomeareas.


Landcover

Simplelandcoverpatternofarablelanduseonthefertilevalleyfloorwithcattle-grazedriversidepastures.Treecoverisnotextensive;woodedestatelandscapes,areasofwoodedgorgeandriparianwoodlandprovidevariation.Humanscalefeaturesactasscaleindicatorswithinthesettledvalley,includingwell-trimmedhedgerowsandoccasionalhedgerowtrees.


Landscapescale Mediumtosmallscalelandscapeandfieldpattern,generallynarrow,linearvalleywhereslopingvalleysidescreateenclosure,thoughbroadeningoutwithinthecentralareaoftheLCT(LCA30b).IncreasedwoodlandcoverwithinthevalleyfloorofLCA30cgivesamoreenclosedcharactertotheeastofCorbridge.


VISUAL:Skylines Thegentlyslopingvalleysidesleaduptolargelysimple

surroundinghighermoorlandskylines,althoughsettlementandlowfarmedridgesprovidesomevarietywithinLCA30bandnarrowtributaryvalleysinLCA30c.


Viewsandlandmarks

Thesinuouscourseoftheriverprovideslocallyimportant,glimpsedviewsalongthevalleyfloor,acrosstherivertovalleysides,andatjunctionswithtributaryvalleys.Landmarkbuildingsandestatesarelocallysignificant.


Inter-visibility Ashelteredvalleylandscapewhereadjacentvalley Lowerto


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sidesandhighergroundareimportantincontributingtotheoverallcharacteroftheglacialtroughvalleyfloorLCT.

Low-moderate

Visualreceptors Highnumberofresidentialreceptorsinthesettled,populatedvalley,andviewsfromkeytransportroutes.

Moderate-hightoHigh

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Extensivevisibleman-mademovementwithinthe

valleyalongtheriverandmaintransportationroutesincludingtheA69andCarlisletoNewcastlerailway.FactorychimneyplumesarevisibleforconsiderabledistancesintheHexhamareaofLCA30b.


Builtdevelopment TownsandvillagesreflectarepetitivepatternalongthecommunicationcorridorthroughwhichmainroadsandtheNewcastletoCarlislerailwaypass.Recentgrowthincludesbuiltdevelopmentonthefloodplain.LCA30binparticularincludesprominentbuiltdevelopmentandindustry,andapylonlinecrossesthevalleyeastofHexham.Landscapemodificationbygravelextractioninsomeplacesonthevalleyfloor.Despitethis,thevalleyfloorretainsaruralcharacteralongmuchofitslength.


Remoteness Activity,noiseandeaseofmovementalongthevalleyreduceremoteness,althoughsomepartsretainastronglyruralandunspoiltcharacter.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Naturalrivervalleyfeaturesincludingmeanderingriver,

woodedtributaryvalleysandbluffs,andremnantglaciallandformfeaturesprovidehighnaturalscenicquality.Parklandandgardenswithindesignedestatesareofhighornamentalscenicquality.Lossofsomefieldboundariesbutgenerallyawell-managed,visuallyandfunctionallyintactlandscape.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Distinctiveness Thenarrowglacialtroughvalleyfloorcontainsdistinctivevalleylandscapefeaturesandastrong‘senseofplace’representativeofNorthumberland,althoughnotespeciallydistinctivetotheCounty.


Rarity Aninfrequentlandscapecomprisingtheflatfloodplainandlowervalleyslopesabovetheeast-westalignedRiverTynecorridor,attheheartoftheTyneGap.

Moderate-hightoHigh

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets 18thcenturyestatelandscapesarealegacyofindustrial

wealthintheTyneValley,particularlyeastofHexham.HistoricallythelowervalleyslopeshavebeenimportantforsettlementsinceRomantimes;somearelocatedatimportantrivercrossingpointswithhistoricstonebridges.Therailwayandminingactivityhashadasignificantinfluenceonvernaculararchitectureofanumberofsettlements.Historiccorestosomesettlements.


Recreation NationalCycleRoute72‘Hadrian’sCycleway’passes Low-moderateto


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throughpartofthevalleyfloor.Riversidewalksandcyclepaths,includingpartsofHadrian’sWallPathNationalTrail.NationalTrustpropertiesprovidelocalattractions.

Moderate


Thesheltered,extensivelypopulatedvalleylandscapeandbusytransportcorridorcontrastswiththewilderqualitiesoftheadjacentvalleysidesandsurroundinghigherground.Parkland,avenuesandwoodedplantationsassociatedwithestatelandscapeshaveastronginfluenceonthecharacterofsomepartsoftheglacialtroughvalleywhereimpactonsettingisamajorconsideration.Incontrastingurbanfringeandprominentindustrialareas,particularlywithinLCA30b,builtdevelopmentisakeycharacteristicreducingsensitivitytosmallerscalewindenergydevelopment.However,thelinear,mediumtosmall-scalevalleylandscape,areasthatretainastronglyrural,unspoiltcharacter,andhighnumberofsensitivevisualreceptorsincreasessensitivityofthisLCTtolargerscalewindenergydevelopment.

Cumulativeeffects TherearenowindenergydevelopmentswithinthisLCTorvisiblefromitlyingwithinotherLCTs.ConsequentlythecumulativeeffectofwindenergydevelopmentisnotcurrentlyaconcernwithinthisLCT.

LCT30:GlacialTroughValleyFloor-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA30a:HaltwhistletoNewbrough M-H H H H HLCA30b:NewbroughtoCorbridge M-H M-H H H HLCA30c:CorbridgetoWylam M-H H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT30:GlacialTroughValleyFloor

IngeneralLCT30isunsuitableinprincipleforwindenergydevelopment.Singleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbecloselyassociatedinlocationandscaletofarmbuildingsonthelowervalleysides.Theyshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Small-mediumscaleturbinesbetween26m-40mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewithinLCA30bwhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbecloselyassociatedwithexistingtallerverticalstructures(suchasindustrialchimneys).Small-mediumscaleturbinesbetween26m-40mheighttobladetipwithin


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LCAs30aand30c,andlargerturbinesthroughouttheLCT,wouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Theycouldbecomeconspicuousinviewsfromtheneighbouringmoorlandandhighergroundwhichissensitivetowindenergydevelopment.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT31:GlacialTroughValleySides

ThisLCTcomprisesthevalleysidesoftheglacialtroughwhichcarriestheRiversSouthTyneandTyne.ThesevalleysidesareparticularlydistinctfromtheGlacialTroughValleyFloor(LCT30)bothintermsoftopographyandlandusepatterns.Inplacesthelandscapeofthesurroundinguplandsoccursontheuppervalleysides,influencingthecharacterofthevalleyslopesbelow.ThisLCTisrepresentedbysevenlandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA31a:TipaltBurn• LCA31b:HaltwhistletoBridgeEnd• LCA31c:NorthPlenmellerCommon• LCA31d:LangleytoStocksfield• LCA31e:StocksfieldtoPrudhoe• LCA31f:AcombtoOvington• LCA31g:OvingtonWylam


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KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT31:GlacialTroughValleySides:• Valleysidesofaneast-westalignedglacialtrough,lyingbetweentheNorthPenninestothe

southandtheNorthumberlanduplands,includingNorthumberlandNationalPark,tothenorth;

• Theglacialicesteamcarvedthroughtheunderlyingbedrockwhichconsistsofmudstone,sandstoneandlimestone,coveredbymeltwaterdepositsofsandandgravels,creatingerosionaldeepeningthatsubsequentlyencouragedtributaryburnstocutdownandformdeeplyincisedgulliesinthevalleysides;

• Asaresultofthegeologyandglacialerosion,thevalleyssidesaregenerallysteepandshowastronglysteppedprofileinplaces,becominggentlertotheeast.Wheretributaryvalleyscutintobedrockonthevalleysides,waterfallsarecharacteristic;

• Someofthetributaryvalleysarefedbymanyfurthersmallertributaries-locallythiscreatesacomplextopographyofincisedwoodedvalleysseparatedbyroundedknollsofland;

• Mixed-scalefieldpatterndefinedbyhedges,postandwirefencingandstonewallsonupperslopes;generallymediumsizedfieldpattern,thoughsmalltomediuminsomeplacesandmediumtolargescalewherearablefieldshavebeenenlarged;

• MainlypasturelandtothewestoftheLCT,withincreasingarablecomponentonshallowerslopestotheeast;

• Ancientsemi-naturalwoodlandassociatedwithnaturalspringsandincisedtributaryvalleys;

• Characteristicwaterfallsalongtributaryburns,particularlyonnorth-facingslopes;

• Areasofconiferousplantationandshelterbeltsinplaces;

• Historichouses,estatesandcastles,andsignificantareasofridgeandfurrow;

• Nucleatedsettlementandareasofurbanexpansion;

• Narrowlanesrunningupanddownvalleysides;

• Well-settledandshelteredenclosedlandscape.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT31:GlacialTroughValleySidesSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Valleysidesaregenerallyrelativelysteepwithastronglysteppedprofileinplaces,becominggentlertotheeast.Alocallycomplextopographyofincisedwoodedvalleysseparatedbyknollsoflandwheretributaryvalleysandburnsarefedbymanysmallertributaries.Asaresultofgeologyandglacialerosion,thetributaryburnshavecutdeeplydownintothebedrockofmudstones,sandstonesandlimestones,formingdeeplyincisedgulliesinthevalleysides.Waterfallsaredistinctivelandformfeatures.


Landcover

Typicallyimprovedpastureontheuppersteeperslopeswithstonewallboundaries,andarableuseontheshallowerslopeswithhawthornhedgerowfieldboundaries.Deeptributaryvalleysarewellwooded.Hillslopesarereasonablywellwoodedwithsmallto

Low-moderatetoModerateandModeratetoModerate-high


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medium-sizedbroadleafandconiferouswoods.Parklandtreesandshelterbeltsaroundlargehousesandestatesonnorthernslopes,withlargeconiferousforestsmorecommontothesouth.

Landscapescale Generallymediumsizedfieldpattern,thoughsmalltomediuminsomeminortributaryvalleysandmediumtolargescalewherearablefieldshavebeenenlarged.Enclosureisprovidedbythevalleylandformandwoodedslopes.Broader,moreopenlandscapewherethevalleyslopeslinkphysicallyand/orvisuallywithadjacentmoorlandridges.


VISUAL:Skylines Largelysimple,gentlyundulatinglowrounded

moorlandridgeorsummits,occasionallypunctuatedbydistinctivelinesofScotspinee.g.LCA31d.AlineofpylonsisprominentontheskylinethroughLCAs31aand31b.Tributaryvalleysprovidevarietyonthehorizon.


Viewsandlandmarks

Landformandwoodlandconstrainsviewsinsomeareasbutviewsupanddownandacrossthevalleyfromhighermoreopenslopesarelocallyimportant.Hallsandestatewoodlands,waterfallsandblocksoftreesprovidelocallandmarksorlandscapefoci.Landscapeformsthebackgroundandsettingtosettlements.


Inter-visibility Fromthehigheropenslopesthereisinter-visibilitywithsurroundinghigherland,includingNorthumberlandNationalParktothenorthandNorthPenninesAONBtothesouth.Lowerslopesandtributarylandscapesareself-containedwherethevalleylandformandwoodlandlimitvisibility.


Visualreceptors Highnumberofvisualreceptorsfromsettlements,main‘A’roadsandotherroads,andtherailwayinparticular.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Roadsandtherailwayprovidefrequentmovementon

thelowerslopesandinthevalleyfloor,withotherman-mademovementvisibleonhigherslopesandinadjoiningcharacterareas.Twopairsofsmall-mediumsizedwindturbinesprovidemovementwithintheLCA31blandscape.


Builtdevelopment TheLCTsupportsconsiderableandprominentsettlementrangingfromsmallnucleatedvillagestolargetowns,insomeplacesextendingfromthevalleyfloorupthevalleysides.NarrowrurallanesrunupanddownthevalleysidesconnectingthemainsettlementsandmaintransportcorridorincludingpartsoftheA69,A695andCarlisletoNewcastlerailwayonlowerflatterground.AlineofpylonscrossesthenorthernvalleyslopesthroughLCA31aand31b,andoccasionalmasts



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includingatwopairsofsmall-mediumsizedwindturbinesprovidedistinctiveverticalfeatures.Previouscollierysettlementshaveexpanded,whilstmininghasleftareasofdisturbedground.Incontrast,minortributaryvalleysformrelativelyundevelopedquietbackwaterswithastronglyrural,secretivecharacter.LCA31ehasparticularlystrongperi-urbaninfluences.

Remoteness Activity,noiseandeaseofmovementalongthevalleyandupanddownvalleysidesreduceremoteness,althoughsomepartsretainastronglyruralandunspoiltcharacter.Peri-urbaninfluencesreduceremotenessandtranquillityinLCA31e.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Designedlandscapesoflargeestates,hallsandcastles

onnorthernvalleysidesareofhighscenicquality.WesternpartsofthevalleyaresandwichedbetweenNorthumberlandNationalParkandNorthPenninesAONBwithhighscenicquality,lesssototheeastwheretherearemoreurbaninfluences.Lossofsomefieldboundariesandpoorwoodlandmanagement,butgenerallyawell-managed,visuallyandfunctionallyintactlandscape.


Distinctiveness Theglacialtroughvalleysidescontaindistinctivevalleylandscapefeaturesandestateinfluences,withastrong‘senseofplace’representativeofNorthumberland,althoughnotespeciallydistinctivetotheCounty.LCA31eislessdistinctivewithperi-urbaninfluences.


Rarity Theglacialtroughvalleyslopesextendoveraconsiderabledistanceeasttowest,andnorthandsouthabovetheRiverTynecorridor,throughthemiddleoftheTyneGap.LCA31eisamorecommonlandscapewithstrongperi-urbaninfluences.


HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Largeestates,hallsandcastlesprovidereflectionsof

theBorderWarsand19thcenturyindustrialwealth.Ridgeandfurrowissignificantinsomeareas,e.g.LCA31c.Historiccorestosomesettlements.


Recreation NationalCycleNetworkroute72passesthroughthevalley,withotherlocalpathsandcycleroutes.



Thesettledlandscapeandtransportcorridorofthelowerslopescontrastwiththewilderqualitiesofthehighervalleysidesandsurroundingmoorland.ImpactonviewsfromNorthumberlandNationalParkandNorthPenninesAONBisamajorconsiderationparticularlyinwesternpartsoftheLCT,increasingsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.Estatelandscapeshaveastronginfluenceonthecharacterofsomepartsoftheglacialtroughvalleysideswhereimpactonsettingisalsoaconsideration.Incontrastingurbanfringeandprominentindustrialareasbuiltdevelopmentisakeycharacteristicreducingsensitivitytosmallerscalewindenergy


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development.However,thelinear,mediumtosmall-scalevalleylandscape,areasthatretainastronglyrural,unspoiltcharacter,andhighnumberofsensitivevisualreceptorsincreasessensitivityofthisLCTtolargerscalewindenergydevelopment.

Cumulativeeffects Therearecurrentlytwopairsofsmall-mediumsizedwindturbinesassociatedwithfarmsteadsontheupperslopesofLCA31b.Thesedonotadverselyaffectlandscapecharacter;cumulativeeffectsarecurrentlyinsignificantbutthislandscapetypehasamoderate-hightohighsensitivitytofurtherturbinesofthissizethusnumbersshouldbelimitedtominimisecumulativeeffects.TherearecurrentlynowindturbinesvisiblewithinneighbouringLCTswithinthestudyarea.

LCT31:GlacialTroughValleySides-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA31a:TipaltBurn M-H H H H HLCA31b:HaltwhistletoBridgeEnd M-H H H H HLCA31c:NorthPlenmellerCommon M-H H H H HLCA31d:LangleytoStocksfield M-H H H H HLCA31e:StocksfieldtoPrudhoe M-H H H H HLCA31f:AcombtoOvington M-H H H H HLCA31g:OvingtonWylam M-H H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT31:GlacialTroughValleySides

IngeneralLCT31isunsuitableinprincipleforwindenergydevelopment.Singleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbecloselyassociatedinlocationandscaletofarmbuildingsinthevalleyfringesorwithinurbanfringelandscapesassociatedwithexistingbuiltdevelopment.Theyshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Small-mediumandlargerturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingthesettingofestatelandscapes,landscapesettingandviewstoandfromNorthumberlandNationalParkandNorthPenninesAONB.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT32:ParallelRidgesandCommons

ThisLCThasamarkedpatternofelevatedridgesandshallowtroughswithastrongeast-westalignment,extendingnorthbeyondthestudyareaintoNorthumberlandNationalParkwhichformsthenorthernboundaryoftheLCT.Thegentlyrolling,openmoorlandextendsfromGreenheadinthewesttoShieldontheWall(BrownMoor)intheeast.ThehighgroundoffersviewstotheedgeofWarkForestinNorthumberlandNationalParkandacrosstheTyneGaptothePenninesinthesouth.ThisLCTisrepresentedbytwolandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA32a:HowdenHill• LCA32b:Haltwhistle,MelkridgeandRidleyCommons

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT32:ParallelRidgesandCommons:• Glacialerosionhascreatedarepeatingpatternofelevatedridgesandshallowtroughswith

strongeast-westalignment:acuestalandscape(ridgeformedbyerosionoftiltedsedimentaryrockstrata,wherehardrocksremainasascarpononeside,withsofterrocksformingagentle


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slopeontheother);inplacesthecraggyoutcropridgeisbrokenbyglacialmeltwaterchannels,forexampleatWhinstoneRidgeandSycamoreGap;

• VisualassociationwiththedramaticWhinSilloutcropstothenorth,whicharetoppedbyHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSite,althoughtheseareoutsidethelandscapecharactertype;

• Openmoorlandwithmat-grass(Nardusstricta)andpurplemoorgrass,peatbog,improvedpasturesandcommons;

• Mediumtolarge-scaleenclosurepatterndefinedbystonewallsandpostandwirefencing;

• Limitedhabitationofdispersedfarmsteadsnestlingintolandformandsurroundedbyshelterplanting;

• Limitedtreecoverofsmallbroadleavedcopsesandblocksofconiferousplantation;

• SignificantareaforoutdoorrecreationandtourismassociatedwithRomanfeaturesincludingthenearbyHadrian’sWall,campsandsignalstations,andimportantearthworkevidenceofpre-Romanlandscapecultivation(cordrig).

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT32:ParallelRidgesandCommonsSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Simplepatternofgentlyslopingelevatedmoorlandridgesandshallowtroughswithstrongeast-westalignment,incisedbyuplandburnsdrainingnorthtosouth.CraggyoutcropsofWhinSillprovidevariationanddistinctioninrelief,especiallywherebrokenbyglacialmeltwaterchannels.


Landcover

Simple,consistentmoorlandplateauwithlittlevarietyconfinedtomoorgrassandsemi-improvedgrazingpasturedividedbystonewallsorfencing.Otheroccasionaldomestic/humanscalefeaturesincludepatchesofcarrwoodland,boghabitatsandconiferousplantations,andisolatedfarmsteads.


Landscapescale Mediumtolargescaleopen,exposedmoorlandplateau.

LowertoLow-moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Simple,gentlyundulatingmoorlandskylinesare

generallyfeaturelessbutprominent.Alineofpylonsandoccasionalwoodedplantationsaredistinctiveandprominentonthehorizoninplaces.


Viewsandlandmarks

TheLCTisimportanttothesettingofNorthumberlandNationalParkandHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSite.LandformfeaturesincludingWhinSillcragsprovidelandscapefoci.


Inter-visibility Inter-visibilitywithNorthumberlandNationalParkandHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSiteisakeyissue.Moreextensiveinter-visibilityfromopenelevatedmoorlandacrossadjacentlandscapesincludingNorthumberlandNationalParktothenorthandNorthPenninesAONBtothesouth.



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Visualreceptors ContrastbetweenLCA32awherereceptorsarelimitedtoacoupleofadjacentminorroads,andLCA32bwherevisualreceptorsincludetheB6318MilitaryWayRomanRoad,asmallnumberoffarmsteads,touristsandrecreationalusersofpublicrightsofwayincludingpartofNationalCycleNetworkroute72‘Hadrian’sCycleway’.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement MovementalongtheB6318MilitaryWay,localroads

andatcarparksassociatedwithrecreational/tourismfacilitieswithinLCA32b.Twopairsofsmall-mediumsizedwindturbinesprovidemovementwithintheadjoiningLCA31b.IncontrastLCA32aisarelativelysmallareabarelyaffectedbymovement.


Builtdevelopment Dispersedpatternofisolatedsandstonefarmsteadslinkedbyminorlanes.The18thcenturyMilitaryRoad(B6318)followsthenorthernedgeofpartofLCA32bacrossHaltwhistleCommon.AlineofpylonspassesthroughorclosetoLCAswithinthischaractertype.Visitorinfrastructureandsignagehasmodifiedthelandscapee.g.atVindolandaRomanFort.

Low-moderatetoModerateandModerate-hightoHigh

Remoteness Overallsenseofremotenessandexposure,butsomewhatreducedbyrelativeeaseofaccess;contrastintranquillitybetweenLCA32awhichisquietandtranquilwithlittleactivity,andLCA32bwhichhassignificantrecreationalusereducingremoteness.

ModeratetoModerate-highandModerate-hightoHigh

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality CloseproximitytoNorthumberlandNationalParkand

NorthPenninesAONBwithhighscenicquality.Moorlandhaslimitedmanagementrequirementsbutvisuallyandfunctionallyanintactlandscape.


Distinctiveness UplandmoorlandistypicaloflargepartsofNorthumberland.Landformfeaturesprovideparticularfeaturesofimportanceandadistinctive‘senseofplace’.


Rarity ThisLCTcoversarelativelysmallpartoftheCountyandcontainssomerarefeatures.


HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets FewhistoricfeaturesinLCA32abutimpactonthe

settingofRomanfeaturesassociatedwithHadrian’sWallisaconsideration.TheseheritageassetsfromtheRomanperiod,includingimportantearthworkevidenceofpre-Romanlandscapecultivation(cordrig),campsandsignalstationsareimportanthistoricfeatureswithinLCA32b.


Recreation ThelandscapeisagatewaytothemajortouristdestinationofHadrian’sWall,ashortdistancetothenorth,andassociatedattractionsincludingTheSillNationalLandscapeDiscoveryCentre.Thereare



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campsites,extensiveaccessintheformofpublicrightsofwayincludingpartofNationalCycleNetworkroute72‘Hadrian’sCycleway’,andaccessland.


Physicallandscapeattributesoftheopenmoorlandindicatereducedsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment,althoughturbinescouldadverselyaffectnaturallandformfeaturesincludingWhinSillcragsthatprovidelandscapefoci.Thelandscapecontainshistoricallyimportantearthworkevidenceofpre-Romanlandscapecultivationintheformof‘cordrig’nearHaltwhistleandelsewhere.Thislandscapecharactertypefeelsremotebecauseofitsnarrowroads,sparsesettlement,extensiveagriculturemanagement,andexposuretotheelements.Thelandscapehasatimelessquality,apparentlylittlemodifiedsinceRomantimes.Thecomplex,enduringformoftheWhinSill,setwithinasimpleanduniformlandscapeofgentlyrollingmoorlandandenclosedpastures,remainsitsdefiningfeature.Thelandscapecontainshistoricallyimportantearthworkevidenceofpre-Romanlandscapecultivationintheformof‘cordrig’nearHaltwhistleandelsewhere.ThelandscapeisagatewaytothemajortouristdestinationofHadrian’sWall,andtheassociatedattractions.Inter-visibilityincludingpotentialimpactonviewsandthesettingofNorthumberlandNationalParkandHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSiteisasignificantconsideration,increasingthesensitivityofthisLCT.

Cumulativeeffects TherearecurrentlynowindturbineswithinthisLCT.TwopairsofsmalltomediumscalewindturbinesarevisiblewithintheneighbouringLCA31bbutthesedonotadverselyaffectlandscapecharacter;cumulativeeffectsarecurrentlyinsignificant.AnylargeturbineswithinthislandscapecouldcreatecumulativeeffectswithexistingpylonsthatarealreadyprominentontheskylineinsomepartsoftheLCT.

LCT32:ParallelRidgesandCommons-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA32a:HowdenHill H H H H HLCA32b:Haltwhistle,MelkridgeandRidleyCommons

M-H H H H H

OverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT32:ParallelRidgesandCommons

IngeneralLCT32isunsuitableforwindenergydevelopment.Singleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewithinLCA32bwhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbecloselyassociatedinlocationandscaletofarmbuildingsorotherdomesticscalefeaturesinthelandscape.Theyshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthe


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landscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Smallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetipwithinLCA32aandsmall-mediumandlargerturbinesthroughouttheLCTwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingthelandscapesettingandviewstoandfromNorthumberlandNationalPark,NorthPenninesAONBandHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSite.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT33:TributaryValley

ThisLCToccursalongthenorth-easternedgeoftheTyneGapvalleyandisdefinedbythehigherlandoftheNorthumberlandsandstonehillstothenorth(SandstoneFringeFarmlandLCT11)andthehigherlandoftheNorthTynevalleytothesouth(UplandCommonsandFarmlandLCT34).TotheeastthelandscapeopensoutintothelowlandfarmlandofMidNorthumberland.ThisLCTisrepresentedbyonelandscapecharacterarea(LCA):• LCA33a:ErringBurn

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT33:TributaryValley:• ShallowvalleyoftheErringBurnlyingbetweenridgesofhigherlandtothenorthandsouth;

• Cleardrainagepattern,astheErringBurnflowsthroughthecentreofashallowvalleywestwardsintotheRiverNorthTyne;


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• Geometric,medium-sizedfieldpatterndefinedbylowhawthornhedgerowswithoccasionalhedgerowtreesandstonewalls;

• Mixtureofarablelandandimprovedpastureswithwetflushesalongtheburn;

• Sparselywoodedexceptforsmallcopses,somerelativelyyoung,andripariantreesalongsidetheburn;

• Sparselypopulatedlandscapewithasmallnumberoffarmsteadsmostlylocatedontheoneminorroadrunningeast-westthroughtheLCT,withfewotherlanesandtracks;

• TheA68runsnorth-westtosouth-eastthroughthecentreoftheLCT,andtheA6079alongthewesternboundary;

• HistoriclandscapewithDereStreetRomanRoad(A68),desertedmedievalvillageatKeepwick,ridgeandfurrowandanumberoflistedbuildingsincludingCocklawPeleTower.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT33:TributaryValleySensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Asimple,consistent,shallowbowl-shapedvalleydrainedbytheErringBurnfeedingintotheRiverNorthTynetothewest.Underlainbybandsofsandstone,limestone,siltstonesandmudstonesbutcoveredwithathicklayerofglacialdepositswhichgiverisetoagentlyundulatingtopography.Thereisalackofanydistinctlandformfeatures.

Lower

Landcover

Asimple,consistentpatternofmixedagriculturalusewithgeometricarablefieldsandimprovedpasture,dividedbywell-trimmedhawthornhedgerows,hedgerowtreesandoccasionalstonewalls.Treesoverlapinviewssuggestingamorewoodedcharacterthanexists.Gorseonhighergroundandwetflushesinthevalleybottomprovidesomevariety.Occasionalfarmsteadsprovideotherdomestic/humanscaleindicatorsinthelandscape.Thereisalackofanydistinctlandscapefeatures.

Low-moderate

Landscapescale Mediumsizedfieldpattern.Aridgelineofhighergrounddefinesthebroadbowl-likevalleytothesouthandprovidessomeenclosure,butthelandscapeopensouttotheeastparticularlytothenorthwherethereareextensiveviews,givingtheperceptionofamoreopenlandscape.


VISUAL:Skylines Thesurroundinghigherfarmlandprovidessimple,open

andunclutteredhorizonsimportanttothecharacterofthebowl-likeLCT.ThereissomevisibledevelopmentandmovementalongtheB6318(MilitaryWay)andatallmastonhighgroundtothesouth.


Viewsandlandmarks

TheLCTisseeninviewsfromsurroundinghighergroundbutimportantviewsorviewpointsarenota



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featureofthisLCT.VisibilityfromNorthumberlandNationalParktothewestandHadrian’sWalltothesouthisanimportantconsideration.

Inter-visibility Limitedinter-visibilitytothesouthduetotheridgelineofhigherground,butthereareextensiveviewsparticularlynorthwardsprovidinginter-visibilitywithneighbouringlandscapes.


Visualreceptors FewresidentialreceptorsbutsomevisibilityfromtransportroutesincludingtheA68throughtheLCT.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement TheA68andminorroadprovidemovementthrough

theLCT,withtrafficalsovisibleonsurroundingroads.Beyondthesetransportationcorridorsthereisonlyoccasionalman-mademovement.


Builtdevelopment Sparselypopulatedlandscapewithasmallnumberoffarmsteadsmostlylocatedontheoneminorroadrunningeast-westthroughtheLCT,withfewotherlanesandtracks.ThestraightA68isthemainlandscapemodification(DereStreetRomanRoad)togetherwithatalltelecommunicationmastonhighgroundalongtheLCTssouthernboundary.OnemediumscalewindturbineatBavingtonMount(1x61m)andthreemedium-largescaleturbinesatKirkheaton(3x66m)approximately6-7kmtothenortheastarevisiblefromhighground.


Remoteness TheA68andperpendicularminorroaddividetheLCTandprovideaccessibility,althoughbeyondtheseroutestheLCTisremoteandtranquilwithastronglyruralcharacter.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Aheavilymanagedagriculturallandscapewithsome

naturalscenicquality,althoughsomelossofhedgerowsasevidencedbyremaininglinesoftrees.Evidenceoftreeplantinginfieldcornercopses.


Distinctiveness TheshallowvalleylacksdistinctivecharacteristicsandfeaturesandisnotparticularlyrepresentativeofNorthumberland,buthassome‘senseofplace’duetoitsbowl-likelandform.


Rarity ThefarmedvalleylandscapesharessimilarcharacteristicswithotheragriculturallandscapesintheCounty,butitisarelativelysmallLCTwithonlyoneLCAandthusuniquealbeitwithnorarelandscapefeaturesorelements.


HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets HistoriclandscapewithDereStreetRomanRoad(A68),

desertedmedievalvillageatKeepwick,ridgeandfurrowandanumberoflistedbuildingsincludingCocklawPeleTower.


Recreation Littleevidenceofrecreationalortouristuse,limitedto LowertoLow-


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asmallpartofSt.Oswald’sWaylongdistanceroutecuttingthroughthenorth-easterncorneroftheLCT.

moderate


Physicalattributesoftheopenvalleylandscapeindicatereducedsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment,althoughthepresenceofheritageassetsinthelandscapeandadjacentLCTsincreasessensitivity,especiallywherethesettingofHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSitetothesouthcouldbeaffected.Thevalleyistoalargeextentdefinedbyitssmoothunclutteredridge-likeskylinegenerallyfreeofdevelopmentapartfromaprominenttallmastonthesouthernboundary.Movingturbinebladesonthesurroundinghighgroundwouldsignificantlyaffectthestronglyrural,remoteandtranquilqualitiesoftheLCT.AwayfromthemainA68corridor,thislandscapecharactertypefeelsremotebecauseofitsfewnarrowroads,sparsesettlement,lackofovertmodernhumaninfluencesandthesimpleagriculturallanduse.Inter-visibilityincludingpotentialimpactonviewsandthesettingofNorthumberlandNationalParkandHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSiteisasignificantconsideration,increasingthesensitivityofthisLCT.

Cumulativeeffects TherearecurrentlynowindturbineswithinthisLCT.OnemediumscalewindturbineatBavingtonMountandthreemedium-largescaleturbinesatKirkheatonarevisiblewithintheneighbouringLCA36aapproximately6-7kmtothenortheast,butthesedonotadverselyaffectlandscapecharacter;cumulativeeffectswithintheLCTarecurrentlyinsignificant.ThewindturbinesatBavingtonMountandKirkheatonaddtosequentialcumulativeeffectsalongtheA68fromwhereotherwindfarmsarevisiblealongtheroute,includingBoundaryLane,KilnPitHill,GreenRiggandRay.CumulativeeffectsofanynewwindenergydevelopmentwithintheLCTwithexistingturbinesinneighbouringLCTs,andsignificantsequentialcumulativeeffectsalongtheA68,shouldbeavoided.

LCT33:TributaryValley-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA33a:ErringBurn M-H M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT33:TributaryValley

IngeneralLCT33isunsuitableinprincipleforwindenergydevelopment.Singleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip,andsmall-mediumscaleturbinesbetween26m-40mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbecloselyassociatedinlocationandscaletofarmbuildingsonthelowervalleysides.Theyshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldavoidthehighergroundontheedgeof


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theLCT.Mediumscaleandlargerturbinesabove40mheighttobladetipwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Theycouldbecomeconspicuousinviewsfromtheneighbouringhighergroundandotherlocationssensitivetowindenergydevelopment,includingthelandscapesettingandviewstoandfromNorthumberlandNationalParkandHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSite.


January1,2018

LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT34:UplandCommonsandFarmland

ThisLCTislocatedabovethevalleyslopesoftheRiversSouthTyneandNorthTyne,formingatransitionallandscapetotheadjoininguplandmoorlandandforestlandscapeswithinNorthumberlandNationalPark,andtotheNorthPenninesAONBintowhichitextendstothesouth.Generallyitcomprisesopen,elevatedlandbetween200mand250m,theelevationenablingviewsacrosstheadjacentvalleysandtotheedgeoftheKielderandWarkForestswithinNorthumberlandNationalPark.Thislandscapethereforeactsasanimportantvisualsettingtoadjacentvalleys.ThisLCTisrepresentedbyfivelandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA34a:AcombRidge• LCA34b:BroadpoolCommon• LCA34c:GrindonCommon• LCA34d:FeatherstoneCommon• LCA34e:LowesandNubbockFells


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KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT34:UplandCommonsandFarmland:• Broadopenridgesandplateauareas;

• Intermediate,transitionalareabetweenopenmoorlandandforestsandadjoiningvalleylandscapes;

• Dissectedbyseriesofburnsoftenflowingthroughincisedcleughs(narrowgorgewithhighrockysides);

• Strongmediumtolarge-scalegeometricpatterncreatedbystonewallandhedgerowenclosures;

• Someimprovedpasturesonlowerslopes,givingwaytounimprovedrougherpasturesonhigherland;pasturesaremainlywetandrushy;

• Broadleavedtreesonlowerslopesandinravines;

• Smalltomedium-sizedconiferousplantationscreating'blocky'characterinplaces;

• Sparselysettled,withisolatedfarmsmarkedbyshelterwoodlandandconnectedbystraightroads.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT34:UplandCommonsandFarmlandSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Geologicallythelandscapecomprisesthinlybeddedlimestones,sandstonesandmudstonesoverlainwithglacialtill.Partsoftheareaformarelativelyflatplateau,whileothersundulategentlyasaresultofdriftdeposits.Inplacesthebandingofthesandstonerockisevidentintheundulatingtopographyandinthedrainagepatternwhereminorburnshavecutravinesthatreflectthefaultingoftheunderlyinggeology.Overallasimplelandformwithsomevariety.


Landcover

Simplelandcoverofmoorland,poorlydrainedroughpastureandbrackenonhighground,withimprovedpasturesonlowerslopes.Patchesofgorseandbrackenprovideevidenceofbandingofthesandstoneandoverallatexturedlandscapeofmutedcolours.Avarietyoffieldboundariesincludestonewallsonelevatedmoorland,outgrowngappyhedgerowsandpost&wirefencingonlowerground,reflectingthelandscape’stransitionalcharacter.Thestronggeometricfieldpatternreflectsplanned18thcenturyenclosureofcommonland.Thewell-treedandinplaceswell-woodedburnscreateastronglandscapepattern.Occasionaltreesonroadsides,inhedgerowsandaroundfarmsteads,withmoreextensiveareasofgeometricconiferousshelterbeltplantationsthatcreatea‘blocky’character.


Landscapescale Mediumtolargescalefieldpatternwithinapredominantlyopenlandscape,althoughtrees,woodlandandblocksofconiferousplantationsprovide



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asenseofenclosureinparts.VISUAL:Skylines Generallysimple,smooth,indistinctivemoorland

skylines,althoughwoodlandandplantationsprovidesomecomplexity.AlineofpylonsisprominentontheskylinewithinoradjacenttomostofthelandscapeareaswithinthisLCT.


Viewsandlandmarks

LongdistanceviewsnorthwardsfromthetopoftheridgewherethemilitaryroadrunsfollowingthelineofHadrian'sWall;impactonthesettingoftheWorldHeritageSiteisasignificantfeatureoftheLCT.PotentialvisualimpactonviewsfromNorthumberlandNationalParkandNorthPenninesAONBisasignificantconsideration.


Inter-visibility Highinter-visibilitywiththesurroundinglandscapefromelevatedridgesandacrosstheTyneValley,includingvisibilitywithNorthumberlandNationalParkandNorthPenninesAONB.

Moderate-hightoHigh

Visualreceptors FewresidentsbutvisibilityfromtransportroutesincludingtheA68andB6318.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Frequentmovementonmaintransportrouteswithin

theLCTorbeyond.Low-moderatetoModerate

Builtdevelopment Dispersedfarmsteadsinshallowdipsinthelandform,somedisusedquarries,prominentlineofpylonsandtransportrouteswithassociatedbuiltdevelopment.


Remoteness ThisLCTisnotheavilypopulatedandretainsahighdegreeoftranquillitywithfewovertman-madestructures.Openmoorlandandpatchesofbrackenscrubreinforcesasenseofwildness,buttransportroutesandvisitoractivityassociatedwithHadrian’sWallreducesthesenseofremoteness.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality TheLCTlieswithinoradjacenttoareasdesignatedfor

theirscenicbeauty:thesouthernpartofLCA34elieswithintheNorthPenninesAONB,whilstotherLCAsborderNorthumberlandNationalPark.TheLCTisthusimportanttothesettingoftheNorthPenninesAONBandNorthumberlandNationalPark.Someuplandmoorlandareasshowalackofmanagement.


Distinctiveness ExtensiveuplandlandscapeisrepresentativeoftheNorthumberlandlandscape,withsomedistinctivefeaturesinparticulartherouteandearthworksandotherfeaturesassociatedwithHadrian’sWall.


Rarity ExtensiveuplandlandscapeisamorecommonlandscapetypewithintheCounty,withsomeuniquefeaturesinparticulartherouteandearthworksandotherfeaturesassociatedwithHadrian’sWall.



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HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Remnantridgeandfurrowandlinearearthworks

provideevidenceofpasthumanactivityincludingarablecropping.TheremainsofHadrian'sWall,comprisingremnantsectionsofthewallandthevallumorditch,runsalongthetopofaridgefollowingthemilitaryroad(B6318)inLCA34aand34c.


Recreation Hadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSiteisasignificantrecreationalandtouristattractionwithinLCA34aand34c.ThePennineWayNationalTrailrunsalongtheedgeofLCA34b.NationalCycleNetworkroute72‘Hadrian’sCycleway’runsthroughLCA34c.



Thephysicalcharacteristicsofthelandscapei.e.thepredominantlymediumtolargescale,open,simpleandconsistentlandformandlandcover,wouldsuggestthattheUplandCommonsandFarmlandLCTisnotparticularlysensitivetowindenergydevelopment.However,thisisanintermediatetransitionallandscapebetweenopenmoorlandandforestsandadjoiningvalleylandscapes,makingtheLCTespeciallysensitiveintheseterms.Furthermore,somepartsarerelativelytranquilandretainasenseofwildnessthatcouldbeaffectedbywindenergydevelopment.TheLCTformsanimportantvisualbackdroptotheTyneValleywherethemoorlandridgesareanimportantcharacteristic;inter-visibilitywiththeTyneValley,NorthumberlandNationalParkandtheNorthPenninesAONBisakeyconsideration.Hadrian’sWallisasignificantrecreationalandtouristattractionwithinandadjacenttotheLCTwherewindenergydevelopmentcouldadverselyaffectviewsandthesettingoftheWorldHeritageSite.

Cumulativeeffects AsinglesmallscalewindturbinehasbeenconsentedwithinLCA34e.ThereareviewsofasmallnumberofsmalltomediumscaleturbinesinadjoiningLCTs,howeverthesedonotadverselyaffectthecharacteroftheUplandCommonsandFarmlandLCT;cumulativeeffectsarecurrentlyinsignificant.DuetotheimportanceofthelandscapeinviewsfromsurroundingLCTs,andinparticularfromtheTyneValley,NorthumberlandNationalParkandtheNorthPenninesAONB,itisimportantthatadditionaldevelopmentwithinorbeyondtheLCTdoesnotresultincumulativeeffectsadverselyaffectingthelandscapecharacteroftheTyneValley,NorthumberlandNationalParkandtheNorthPenninesAONB,orviewstoandthesettingofHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSite.


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LCT34:UplandCommonsandFarmland-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA34a:AcombRidge H H H H HLCA34b:BroadpoolCommon M-H H H H HLCA34c:GrindonCommon H H H H HLCA34d:FeatherstoneCommon H H H H HLCA34e:LowesandNubbockFells M-H H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT34:UplandCommonsandFarmland

IngeneralLCT34isunsuitableforwindenergydevelopment.Singleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewithinLCAs34band34ewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbecloselyassociatedinlocationandscaletofarmbuildingsorotherdomesticscalefeaturesinthelandscape.Theyshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Smallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetipwithinLCAs34a,34cand34d,andsmall-mediumandlargerturbinesthroughouttheLCTwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingthelandscapesettingandviewstoandfromNorthumberlandNationalPark,NorthPenninesAONBandHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSite.Theseconsiderationstogetherwithinter-visibilityacrosstheTyneValleymaketheelevatedridgesoftheLCTparticularlysensitivetoallscalesofwindenergydevelopment.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT35:BroadLowlandValleys

ThisLCTlieswithinthetransitionallandscapesofmid-Northumberland.Itcomprisesthebroad,gentlyV-shapedvalleysoftheCoquet,FontandWansbeckrivers,betweenthesandstonehillstothewestandthecoastalplaintotheeast.NorthumberlandNationalParkliesashortdistancetothewest,abuttingLCA35a.ThisLCTisrepresentedbytwolandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA35a:CoquetValley• LCA35b:FontandWansbeckValleys

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT35:BroadLowlandValleys:• Broad,gentlyv-shapedvalleyssetintorollingfarmland;

• Inplacesthedeeplyincised,steep-sidedvalleylandscapeisinsharpcontrasttothesurroundingfarmland;

• Mediumtosmall-scalemixedfarminglandscapewithenclosureprovidedprincipallybyhedgerows;


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• Riparianwoodlandsarefrequentalongsidemeanderingriverchannels,contributingsignificantlytoenclosure;

• Significantlocalestateinfluencesincludinglargecountryhousessetindesignedparkland.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT35:BroadLowlandValleysSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Broad,gentlyV-shaped,low-lyingvalleysmeanderthroughthelandscape,cuttingshallowcoursesthroughdriftdeposits.TopographicalvarietywherethevalleysaremoresharplyincisedastheyflowoutoftheNorthumberlandSandstoneHillstothewest,cuttingthroughtheunderlyingmillstonegritandformingsteepvalleysides,withwoodedravinesandbouldersalongtheriverbed.TheRiverFontemergesfromtheFontburnReservoirunderthesteepslopesoftheWingatesridge.


Landcover

Agriculturallandusecomprisesasimplemixofarablecropsandpasturefields,generallyboundedbyhedgerowswithsomestonewalls.Improvedpasturegiveswaytolargerarablefieldsonthegentlerslopes.Meanderingriversidesarewellwoodedwithriparianvegetation.ThereisancientwoodlandatvariousriparianlocationsincludingMitford,Hartburn,andNunnykirk.MatureparklandassociatedwithRegisteredParksandGardensandotherornamentalgrounds.


Landscapescale Generallyopen,mediumtosmallscalefarmlandwithmedievalfieldpatternsinsomeplaces,butmoreintimatealongincisedvalleysparticularlyinthewest.Woodlandandgentlyundulatinglandformhasanenclosingeffectonviews.


VISUAL:Skylines Largelysimple,undevelopedskylinesformedby

surroundingfarmland,butwoodlandsprovidesomevarietyonthehorizon.Alineofprominentpylonscrossesbothvalleysinseveralplaces.

LowertoLow-moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

ThelandscapeisvisiblefromlimitedpartsofthesandstonehillsandelevatedpartsofNorthumberlandNationalParktothewest,includingSimonsideHills.Locally,woodlandandgentlyundulatinglandformforeshortensviewsalthoughroadoverbridgesprovidemid-distanceviewsalongthevalleys.Occasionallandmarksincludecountryhouses.


Inter-visibility Valleylandform,woodlandandgentlyundulatingfarmlandlimitsoutwardviewsbutinter-visibilitywithsurroundinghighergroundtothewest,includingSimonsideHillsinNorthumberlandNationalPark,is



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important.Visualreceptors Visibilityfromdispersedsettlements,cottagesand

farmsteads,main‘A’roads,localroadnetworkincludinganumberof‘B’roads,fromtheurbanedgeofMorpethandthefootpathnetworkincludingSt.Oswald’sWaylongdistancefootpath.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement FrequentmovementontheA1,A696andA697,and

fromtheurbanedgeofMorpeth,lesssoonthelocalroadnetworkincludinganumberof‘B’roads.Otherareasaremoreremoteandtranquilwithlimitedmovement.


Builtdevelopment Occasionalsmallvillagesliealongtherivers,locatedatcrossingpointsorontheslopesabovethewater.ThetownofMorpethliesattheeasternendofLCA35bbutdoesnotexertastronginfluenceontheWansbeckvalley,eastofMitford,sincebuiltdevelopmentwithinthetownisnotespeciallyprominent.TheA1crossesbothvalleys,insomeareasonsubstantialbridges,andothermainroadsalsopassthrough.Alineofpylonscrossesbothvalleysinseveralplaces.Anumberoflargecountryestatesexertasignificantdesignedandmanagedinfluenceonlandscapecharacterthroughtheiruseofspecificandconsistenttraditionalmaterialssuchasstoneandstylesofconstruction.


Remoteness Themoreintimatescalelandscapes,wherethevalleysareincisedandthereiswoodlandenclosure,arerelativelyremoteandtranquil.Elsewhereeaseofaccessandhumanactivityreducesremoteness.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Relativelyhighscenicqualitywithinthemeandering,

well-woodedrivervalleyswithgoodmanagement,especiallywithincountryhouseandestateparklands,andclosetoNorthumberlandNationalPark.Hedgerowdeteriorationisevidentinsomeareas,notablywherearablecropsaregrownandtheneedforfunctionalboundariesisdiminished.


Distinctiveness Distinctivelowlandwoodedrivervalleylandscape,withsomedistinctivetopographicalandhistoricfeatures.


Rarity BroadlowlandvalleylandscapeisrelativelycommonwithinNorthumberland–althoughthereareonlytwoLCAstheycoverarelativelylargearea.Somefeaturesarequiterareinthecountye.g.lowlandincisedwoodedravines.


HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Thelandscapeshowsmuchevidenceofearlier

settlement:fieldpatternsareofmedievalorigininplaces,withevidenceofridgeandfurrowcultivation;anumberoflargecountryestatesexertasignificant



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influenceonlandscapecharacter,includingRegisteredParksandGardensatKirkharle(homeofLancelot‘Capability’Brown)andtheWallingtonestate(WallingtonHallGradeIListed);ConservationAreasatFelton,Kirkwhelpington,Middleton,MorpethandNetherwitton;desertedmedievalvillageofSouthMiddleton;MitfordCastle;cairns;RomancampsandTheDevil’sCausewayRomanRoad.

Recreation St.Oswald’sWaylongdistancefootpathfollowstheRiverCoquetcorridor;elsewherethelocalfootpathnetworkisintermittent.TheRiverCoquetisnationallyimportantforgamefishing(salmonandseatrout).BrinkburnPrioryisanEnglishHeritageproperty.WallingtonHall,gardensandestateareNationalTrust-ownedwithpublicaccess,asthereisalsototheestateatKirkharle.



Broad,gentlyV-shapedlowland,meanderingrivervalleys,lyingbetweenthesandstonehillstothewestandtheflatcoastalplaintotheeast.Inter-visibilitywithNorthumberlandNationalParkandadjacentsandstonehills:NorthumberlandNationalParkliesadjacenttoLCA35aandisimportantincontributingtooveralllandscapecharacterandscenicqualityoftheLCT,andviceversa.Overallthelandscapehasatraditionallymanagedcharacter,withcountryhousesandestateparklandcontributingsignificantlytothis.Steepvalleysideswithwoodedravinesprovidenaturalvarietyandtranquillity,incontrasttobusytransportationcorridors.

Cumulativeeffects TherearenowindturbineswithinthisLCT.ThereareviewsofasmallnumberofsmalltomediumscaleturbinesinadjoiningLCTs,andglimpsesthroughvegetationtoWingateswindfarmlocatedin-betweenLCA35aand35b.ViewsfromwithinNorthumberlandNationalPark(forexamplefromtheSimonsideHills)acrosstheLCTarecharacterisedbymiddleandlongerdistancewindturbines.ThesedonotadverselyaffectthecharacteroftheBroadLowlandValleysLCT;cumulativeeffectsarecurrentlyinsignificant,althoughadditionalturbinegroupsinvistastothecoastandtothesouthmayresultincumulativeeffectsharmfultothesettingofNorthumberlandNationalParkinthewesternpartsoftheLCT.Existingpylonsprovideman-madeintrusionsintothevalleylandscapebutdonotnecessarilyreducesensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.Inasensitivelandscapetheadditionofturbinesmaycreateunacceptablecumulativeeffectswithexistingverticalfeaturessuchaspylons.CumulativeeffectsofanynewwindenergydevelopmentwithintheLCTwithexistingturbinesthatarevisibleinneighbouringLCTs,forexampleWingatesWindfarminLCA37a,shouldbeavoided.


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LCT35:BroadLowlandValleys-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA35a:CoquetValley M-H H H H HLCA35b:FontandWansbeckValley M M-H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT35:BroadLowlandValleys

IngeneralLCT35isunsuitableinprincipleforwindenergydevelopment,althoughsingleorasmallgroupofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetipwouldbesuitableinprinciplewithinLCA35b.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsandotherman-madebuiltdevelopmentordomesticscalefeaturesinthevalleylandscape.Small-scaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetipwithinLCA35aandsmall-mediumscaleturbinesbetween26m-40mheighttobladetipwithinLCA35bmaybesuitableinsomelocations,forexamplewithintheA1corridor,whereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldbeassociatedwithexistingbuiltdevelopmentsoastoreducetheirprominence/dominance,andtheyshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Small-mediumscaleturbinesbetween26m-40mheighttobladetipwithinLCA35aandlargerturbinesthroughouttheLCTwouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelowlandvalleylandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,includingthelandscapesettingandviewstoandfromNorthumberlandNationalPark(includingthedistinctiveskylineoftheSimonsideHills).Largerturbinesaregenerallyunsuitablewithinalowlandvalleylandscapewherethereisastrongsenseofnaturalness.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT36:LowlandFarmedMoor

ThisLCTislocatedwithinmid-Northumberland,atransitionallandscapebetweenthehillsanduplandfringetothewest,andthefarmlandandcoastalplaintotheeast.ItliesbetweenthevalleysoftheRiverWansbecktothenorth,theRiverPonttothesouth,andthetributariesoftheRiverNorthTynetothewest.ThisLCTisrepresentedbyonelandscapecharacterarea(LCA):• LCA36a:IngoeMoor

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT36:LowlandFarmedMoor:• Elevated,exposed,plateau-likeridge;

• Openrollingfarmland;

• Regularenclosurepattern;


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• Remnantsofmoorland,exposedcragsandquarries;

• Occasionalsmallwoodlandsandshelterbelts.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT36:LowlandFarmedMoorSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Asimpleelevated,relativelyopenandexposed,rolling,plateau-likeridgelyingbetweenrivervalleys,slopinggenerallyfromnorth-westtosouth-east.Bandsofsandstonesandlimestonesunderliethearea,providingsomevarietyinlandformbywayofoccasionalcraggyoutcrops,withdeepdriftdepositsformingtherollingtopography.


Landcover

Rectilinearfieldsofmixedpastureandarablefarmland,boundedbystonewalls,gappyhedgesandwirefences,withremnantmoorlandandfewtrees.Smallfieldcopsesandmediumscaleplantationsaddvarietyinlandcoverthroughcentralandlowerlyingeasternparts.Remnantsofroughgrazingonexposedsites.


Landscapescale Generallylargefields,limitedenclosureandthebroadopenlandformgivetheperceptionofamediumtolargescaletransitionaluplandfringelandscape.Thiscontrastswithadjoiningshelteredvalleylandscapes.

LowertoLow-moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Simpleskylineformedbygentlyrollingmoorland,

occasionallyinterruptedbyplantationwoodlandandlargescalewindturbines.

LowertoLow-moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

Thelandscapeisnotprominentanddoesnotcontainanyimportantviewpointsorviewstoorfromimportantlandmarkfeatures.Variationsinlandformsuchascragsandotherrockyoutcropse.g.atShaftoeCragsprovidenaturallandscapefoci.

LowertoLow-moderate

Inter-visibility Limitedinter-visibilitydespitetheopenexposednatureofthelandscape,withsomeinter-visibilitywiththesandstonehillstothewest.


Visualreceptors Sensitivevisualreceptorsarelimitedtoresidentsoffarmsteadsandindispersedvillagesandhamlets,usersofSt.Oswald’sWaylongdistancerouteandNationalCycleNetworkroute10thatpassashortwaythroughtheLCT,smallsectionsoftheA68andA696andthelocalroadandpublicrightsofwaynetwork.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Generallyarelativelystill,quietlandscapewithman-

mademovementlimitedtofarmingactivityandoccasionalvehicletraffic.However,movingbladesonmediumandmedium-largescalewindturbinesareprominentfeaturesinthelandscape.


Builtdevelopment Limitedindustrialinfluence,althoughpastandon-going Moderateto


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mineralquarryingisevident.ExistingwindfarmsatKirkheatonandBavingtonMount,andotherturbinesandmasts,andmain‘A’roadsthatcrossthenorth-easternandsouth-westerncornersoftheLCTarethemainformoflandscapemodification.Asparselysettledlandscapewithscatteredstonefarmsteadsoftenwithlargemodernbarns,smallvillagesandhamlets.

Moderate-high

Remoteness Anaccessiblelandscapelargelyman-modified,orderedandintensivelyfarmed,withlimitedtranquillityandremoteness.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Notalandscapeofhighscenicquality,withlittle

structureandgappyfieldboundaries.Low-moderatetoModerate

Distinctiveness Thelandscapedoesnotcontainanyparticularlydistinctivefeaturesorelements;atransitionaluplandfringe/lowlandfarmedopenmoornotparticularlyrepresentativeofNorthumberland,althoughwithsomesenseofplace.


Rarity Thelandscapedoesnotcontainanyparticularlyrareelementsorfeatures,butthisLCTisalessfrequentlandscape,withonlyoneLCA,withintheCounty.


HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Somesignificanthistoricfeatures,includingCapheaton

Hall,estateandRegisteredParkandGarden,ConservationAreaatGreatWhittington,historichamletse.g.Ingoe.Heritageassetsincludestandingstonesandanumberofburialmounds/barrow/Tumulas.DereStreetRomanRoadcrossestheareainthewest,andthecourseoftheDevil’sCausewayRomanRoadcrossesdiagonallyfromGreatWhittingtontoBolam.


Recreation Littleusedforrecreation;St.Oswald’sWaylongdistancerouteandNationalCycleNetworkroute10passthroughthearea.HallingtonReservoirprovidesprivateangling.



Despitebeinggenerallyopenandexposed,thislowlandfarmedmoorlandisrelativelywellcontainedbytherollingtopographywhichlimitsinter-visibilitywithadjoininglandscapes.AdjacentcharactertypesdonotcontributetothecharacterofthisLCT.Generallythelandscapeandvisualattributesindicatereducedsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.ThisLCTalreadyincludesmediumandmedium-largescalewindturbineswhichcontributesignificantlytothecharacteroftheareaaroundKirkheatonandHallington.Keyconsiderationsarepotentialimpactoffurtherdevelopmentonthesettingofheritageassets,includingtheCapheatonestate,andthesettingandviewsfromnaturalfeaturessuchascraggyoutcropswhichactaslandscapefoci.

Cumulativeeffects ThereisanexistingwindfarmintheLCT,atKirkheaton(3No.x66mto


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bladetip)andasingleturbineatBavingtonMount(1No.x61mtobladetip),andasmallnumberofsinglesmallandsmall-mediumsizedwindturbines.Viewsalsonorth-westwardstoGreenRiggWindfarm(18No.x120m)andRayWindfarm(16No.x125m).Consequentlythisisalandscapeinfluencedbywindenergyinstallationswherefurtherwindenergydevelopmentcouldcreateawindfarmlandscapewhereturbinesbecomedominantcharacteristics,andaddtosequentialcumulativeeffectswhentravellingalongtheA68andA696.

LCT36:LowlandFarmedMoor-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA36a:IngoeMoor L L-M L-M M MOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT36:LowlandFarmedMoor

IngeneralwindenergydevelopmentofanyscalewouldbesuitableinprinciplewithinLCT36.DevelopmentproposalsforallsizeofwindturbinewithintheLCTshoulddemonstratethatanysignificantlandscapeandvisualeffects,includingcumulativeeffects,willnotresultinunacceptablyharmfullandscapechangeorvisualintrusion.However,additionalwindenergydevelopmentwithintheLCTmaybepreferabletoallowingwindenergydevelopmentinmoresensitivelandscapes.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT37:LowlandFarmedRidges

ThisLCTcomprisestwobroad,relativelylowridgeslocatedonthehighergroundbetweenthebroadlowlandrivervalleysoftheCoquetValley(LCA35a)andtheFontandWansbeckValley(LCA35b).TheLowlandFarmedRidgesLCThasanuplandfringecharacterandisphysicallyandvisuallylinkedtothesandstonehillsandthenearbyNorthumberlandNationalParktothewest.ThisLCTisrepresentedbytwolandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA37a:WingatesRidge• LCA37b:LongwittonRidge

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT37:LowlandFarmedRidge:• Elevated,rollinguplandfringefarmland;

• Relativelyopen,mediumtolargescale;

• Coniferousshelterbeltsandplantations;


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• Areasofmoorlandroughgrazing,particularlytothewest,amongstmixedfarmlandwithpasturefieldspredominant.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT37:LowlandFarmedRidgeSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Landformisvariedbutwithoutstrongcomplexity.Broad,elevated,west-eastalignedcentralridgedrainedbyminorburnsfallingnorthwardsandsouthwardsintothemoresteeplysidedrivervalleys,withinanundulatinguplandfringelandscapeslopinggenerallyeastwards.Topographicalvariationisleasttowardstheeastbutmorevariedtothewestwherethereareexposedrockyoutcropsandcrags.


Landcover

Somevarietyinlandcover,wherepasturefieldspredominategrazedbysheep,cattleandhorses,boundedbywirefencesanddrystonewalls,witharablelandtowardstheeast.Gappyhedgerowsshowevidenceofexposuretothewind,becomingmorefrequenttotheeastwithhedgerowtreesalongroadsides.Coniferousplantationsandsmallshelterbeltsarecommon,withnotableareasofancientwoodland,frequentscrubandpatchesofbrackenencroachmentonopentreelesspastureland.Matureestateparklandandassociatedwithlargehousesandhalls.DryheathlandatLonghorsleyMoor.Scatteredhamletsandfarmsteadslinkedbylocalruralroadsaregenerallytraditionalincharacter.


Landscapescale Mediumtolargescalefieldpattern.Topographicalundulationsprovidevarietyinscale,withhigheropenexposedridgesandsmallerscaleenclosedandshelteredareas.


VISUAL:Skylines Skylinesarelargelysimple,formedbygentlyundulating

farmlandandadjoininghills.Developmentincludesconspicuouspylonsonhighgroundandtallwindturbineswhichprovidecomplexityofvisualhorizons.


Viewsandlandmarks

Thebroadexposedridgesoffergoodvantagepointswithviewsouttosurroundinglandscapes.TheLCTformspartofthesettingofNorthumberlandNationalPark,withimportantviewstoandfromtheSimonsideHills.Viewsextendeastwardstothecoastandacrossthevalleystothenorthandsouth.Historicbuildingsareprominentlandmarks.


Inter-visibility Extensiveinter-visibilityfromhigherexposedareaswithstronglinkstoadjacentlandscapesincludingNorthumberlandNationalParktothewest,acrossthecoastalplaintothecoasttotheeast,andacrosstherivervalleystothenorthandsouth.



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Visualreceptors TheLCTisasettledlandscapebutwithrelativelyfewnumbersofvisualreceptors,andviewsfromtransportcorridorslimitedtotheminorlocalroadnetwork.Alsofromlocalpublicrightsofway.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Arelativelyquietuplandfringelandscapewhereman-

mademovementislimited,forexamplelocaltrafficonruralroads.MovementoflargeturbinebladesatWingatesWindfarmisasignificantissuewithinLCA37a,andtoalesserextentatRayWindfarmwhichisseenfromLCA37bandwhichalsoaffectadjoininglandscapes.


Builtdevelopment Builtdevelopmentislimitedto:evidenceofpastquarryandmineralextractioninthewest;aconspicuouslineofpylonscrossingbothridgesineasternpartsoftheLCT;WingatesWindfarm(6No.x110m)isaprominentman-mademodificationinthelandscape,withviewstoRayWindfarm,asmallnumberofmastsandothersmallturbines.Therearenomainroadsorrailways,orlargesettlementswithintheLCT.


Remoteness Anaccessiblelandscapebutonlybyminorroads,witharemotequalityinexposedareasandinpocketsofsmaller-scaleshelteredland,albeithuman-influenced.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Anintactlandscapewithsignsofpositivemanagement.

WithinthesettingofNorthumberlandNationalParkrecognisedforitshighscenicquality.


Distinctiveness AdistinctiveuplandfringelandscapewithcloseassociationwithNorthumberlandNationalPark,andadistinctivesenseofplace.


Rarity AreasofdryheathlandareprotectedasSSSIsasadiminishinghabitatoncewidespreadinNorthumberlandbutsignificantlyreducedbyagriculturalimprovement.OtherwisetherollinguplandfarmedridgesarerelativelycommonwithinNorthumberland.


HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Arelativelyhistoriclandscape,withancientsettlements

andenclosures,bastlehouse(16thcenturydefensivefarmhouse),severalhallssetwithinparklandanddesignedgardense.g.RothleyHall,LongwittonHall,NeedlessHallandHartingtonHall,andprominentfollybuildingsatCodgerFortandRothleyCastle.ThecourseoftheDevil’sCausewayRomanRoadpassesacrosstheeasternendoftheLCT.RothleyLakesisaLancelot‘Capability’BrowndesignedlandscapewithintheextensiveWallingtonestate.


Recreation LocalrightsofwaynetworkacrosstheLCT,includingafootpathalongadisusedrailwayline.Caravanparkat



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TodburnMoor.CONTEXTUALCONSIDERATIONS:Landscapecharactercontext

Physicalattributesoflandcoverandlandscapescalesuggestreducedsensitivitytomedium-largeandlargerscalewindenergydevelopment.However,theLCTexhibitsastrongtraditional,ruralcharacter,withsmallhamletsandestatevillages,andscatteredfarmsteadslinkedbyanetworkoflocalminorroads.Theperceptionisofarelativelyquiet,remoteuplandfringelandscapewithlimitedbuiltdevelopment(althoughelectricitypylonsandWingatesWindfarmareveryconspicuousandprominent)withsomesensitivehistoricassets.Oneofthekeyconsiderations,however,istherolethelandscapeplaysinthesettingofNorthumberlandNationalPark,withimpactonkeyviews,includingfromtheSimonsideHills,amajorissue.Thehighdegreeofinter-visibilitywithadjacentandmoredistantlandscapesincreasessensitivitytofurtherlargescalewindenergydevelopment,especiallywithinLCA37bwhichiscurrentlyfreeoflargewindturbines.

Cumulativeeffects WingatesWindfarm(6No.turbinesx110mtobladetip)isprominentinthelandscape.Thereisalsoasmallnumberofsmall-mediumscalewindturbineswithintheLCT.AmajorissueisthepotentialcumulativeeffectoffurtherwindturbinesinviewsfromNorthumberlandNationalPark,withimpactonkeyviewsincludingfromtheSimonsideHillsasignificantconsideration.

LCT37:LowlandFarmedRidge-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA37a:WingatesRidge L-M M M M-H M-HLCA37b:LongwittonRidge L-M M M M-H M-HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT37:LowlandFarmedRidge

IngeneralLCT37issuitableinprincipleforcarefullysitedsmallscale,small-mediumscaleandmediumscalewindturbinesupto65mheighttobladetip.Smallscaleandsmall-mediumscaleturbinesupto40mheighttobladetipshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsandotherdomestic-scalefeaturesinthelandscape.Ingeneral,medium-largescaleandlargerscalewindturbineswouldbeunsuitableinprincipleunlessitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristics,suchasprominenthistoricbuildingsandcountryestates,andcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Forexample,aminorextensiontoWingatesWindfarmoranadditionalwindfarmofsimilarscaleandlocationwithinLCA37amaynotincreasecumulativeeffectssignificantly(subjecttodetailedassessment).AlargescalewindfarmmaybesuitablewithinLCA37bbywayofmaintaininganappropriateseparationdistancewithWingatesandotherwindfarmsinadjacentLCTs(namelyRayandGreenRigginthesandstonehillstothesouthwest,andBavingtonMountandKirkheatononthelowlandfarmed


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moorwithinMid-Northumberlandtothesouth)dependinguponimpactsonkeycharacteristicssuchassensitiveviewsandthesettingofheritageassets.Thismaybepreferabletoallowingwindenergydevelopmentinmoresensitivelandscapes(subjecttodetailedassessment).


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT38:LowlandRollingFarmland

ThisLCTcoversalargeareaofrollingorundulatingfarmland,stretchingfromtheTyneGapinthesouthtoAlnwickinthenorth.ThebroadlowlandrivervalleysoftheCoquetValley(LCA35a)andtheFontandWansbeckValley(LCA35b)cutthroughtheLowlandRollingFarmlandfromthesandstonehillsinthewesttothecoastalplainintheeast.Althoughtherearevariationsinenclosure,patterns,andtreecoverinthislandscape,theoverallformisrelativelycontinuous.ThisLCTisrepresentedbyfivelandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA38a:Longframlington• LCA38b:Longhorsley• LCA38c:WhaltonandBelsay• LCA38d:PontValley• LCA38e:NorthTyneRidge

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT38:LowlandRollingFarmland:• Undulatingagriculturallandscapewithrichsoilsunderpredominantlyarablecultivation;


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• Generallylittletreecoverotherthanhedgerowtrees,withoccasionalsmall-scalecopses,woodlandsandoccasionallargeconiferousplantations;

• Medium-scaleparliamentaryenclosurelandscape;

• Fieldenclosurebyhedgerows,withfrequenthedgerowtrees,hasbecomefragmentedinmanyplaces;

• Trunkroadsandprominentroadalignmentsexertastronginfluence;

• Locallyimportantestateinfluences,withwoodland,andestatevillages.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT38:LowlandRollingFarmlandSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Generallyasimple,smoothlyundulatingorinpartsrollinglandformasaresultofthickdriftdepositsoverlyingMillstoneGritandlimestones.Relativelyelevatedatbetween100m–150mAOD(thoughalmost200minsomeplaces)andgraduallyslopingfromwesttoeast,drainedbyaseriesofburnsandsmallrivers.Somevariationinlandformbutlackingcomplexity,e.g.LCA38distheshallowPontValley;LCA38eisanopenridgethatfallssteadilysouthwardstotheTyneValley.


Landcover

Generallyasimplepatternoflandcover,withpredominantlyintensivearablelanduseandpastureonhighergroundtothewest.Generallylittletreecoveralthoughvarietyisprovidedbywayofhedgerowtrees,small-scalewoodlands,andoccasionallargeplantationsandnativeriparianburn-sidewoodland.Matureparklandanddesignedgardensassociatedwithlargeestatesandhallsprovidefurthervariety.Therearemanyhuman/domesticscaleindicatorsinthelandscape.


Landscapescale Generallymediumtolargescale,openandexposedlandscape,althoughsmalltomediumscaleandmoreshelterede.g.inpartsofthePontValley(LCA38d).Strongenclosurepatternofregularfieldswithhedgerowboundariesgivingwaytopostandwireandstonewallsonhighergroundandaroundestates.Therollingtopographyprovidescontrastsinscale.Extensiveconiferousplantationsprovideenclosureandscreeninginsomelocations.


VISUAL:Skylines Largelysimpleskylinesformedbyundulatingorrolling

farmland,butwithcomplexityinpartswhereviewsopenoutbeyondtheLCTorduetothepresenceoffeaturesonthehorizonincludingwoodland,transportationcorridorsorconspicuousbuiltdevelopmentincludingpylons.


Viewsand Mostlylocallysignificantviewswithfewlandmarks, Low-moderateto


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landmarks limitedtooccasionalviewswestwardstoNorthumberlandNationalParkandeastwardstothecoast.Historichallsandverticalstructuresincludingmastsandwatertowersarelandmarkfeatures.ViewsfrommajortransportroutesthatcutthroughtheLCTincludingtheA1,A697,A696andtheA69.

Moderate

Inter-visibility Therollingtopographyprovidescontrastinviews,withexpansiveinter-visibilityfrommoreelevatedlocations,inparticularinter-visibilitybetweenLCA38aandtheNorthumberlandCoastAONBtotheeast,betweenLCA38bandtheCoquetValley(LCA35a)tothenorthandNorthumberlandNationalParktothewest,andbetweenLCA38eandtheTyneValleytothesouth.


Visualreceptors Asettledlandscapewithoveralllargenumbersofresidentialreceptors.Alnwick,MorpethandPontelandaremainsettlementsborderingtheLCTalthoughviewsarelimited.Viewsfromseveralmajor‘A’roadsandthelocalroadnetworkthroughtheLCT.Hadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSiteinLCA38eattractslargenumbersofvisitors.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Awellsettledlandscapewhereseveralmajor‘A’roads

providefrequentmovementthroughlargepartsoftheLCT.


Builtdevelopment LargepartsoftheLCTretainastrongruralcharacter,albeitintensivelymanagedfarmland,witharegularscatteredsettlementpatternofvillages,hamletsandfarmsteadslinkedbyminorlocalroads,althoughsomeincludemodernhousingextensions.Prominentlineartransportroutesprovideconspicuousman-mademodification.Severalmasts,watertowers,andsmallscalewindturbinesareconspicuousverticalfeatures,andthereareviewstolargescalewindfarmsinseverallocationsbeyondtheLCTtothewestandeast.SeverallinesofpylonspassthroughsouthernLCAswestwardsfromNewcastleuponTyne,onelinecontinuingnorthwardsthroughorclosetotheLCT.Evidenceofminingandindustrialactivityinthenorth,andconcentrationsofbuildingse.g.atairfields(formermilitaryandoperational).


Remoteness Generallyanaccessiblelandscape,heavilyinfluencedbyman,althoughsomeareasarerelativelyremoteandtranquilawayfromthemaintransportcorridors.


QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Areasonablyintactagriculturallandscape,although

fieldhedgerowshavebecomefragmentedinplaces.HistoricestateinfluencesandassociationwithnearbylandscapesofhighscenicqualitywithinNorthumberlandNationalParkandNorthumberland



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CoastAONB.Distinctiveness LowlandRollingFarmlandisarelativelycommon

landscapetypewithinmid-Northumberland,withfewdistinctivecharacteristics,featuresorelementsbutwithsomesenseofplace.LCA38eNorthTyneRidgeisadistinctivesouth-facingridge.


Rarity LowlandRollingFarmlandcoversanextensiveareaofmid-NorthumberlandandisatypicallandscapewithintheCounty.LCA38eNorthTyneRidgeanditsassociationwiththeTyneValleymakesitamoreunusuallandscapethanotherrollingfarmlandareas.

LowertoLow-moderate

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Historicfeaturesincludehallsandestateinfluences,

suchasBelsayandBolam,historicsettlementssomeofwhichareConservationAreas,RegisteredParksandGardensatBelsayandNorthSaltwick,historictowers,ScheduledMonumentse.g.EastMatfenandOgle(earthworksandcastle),desertedandshrunkenmedievalvillages.IncreasedRomaninfluencetothesouthincludesHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSiteandassociatedfeatureswithinLCA38e.


Recreation LimitedrecreationalusewithintheLCT.LindenHall(LCA38a)isnowahotelandgolfclub,withothergolfcoursesinthelandscapeandaCountryParkatBolamLake.BelsayHallisakeyattraction.Hadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSiteandNationalTrailaremajortouristandrecreationalattractionswithinLCA38e.



Alargeareaofrollingorundulatingfarmlandbetweenthesandstonehillsinthewestandthecoastalplainintheeast,dividedbybroadlowlandrivervalleys,withtheTyneValleyalsoinfluencingthecharacteroftheLCTtothesouth.Inter-visibilitywiththeseneighbouringlandscapesincreasessensitivitytowindenergydevelopmentdespitelandscapescalegenerallysuggestingreducedsensitivitytomediumandlargerscalewindfarms.Therearesomeurbanfringeinfluencesonthelandscapebutingeneralitretainsastrongruralcharacter,albeitintensivelymanagedarablefarmland,witharegularscatteredsettlementpatternofvillages,hamletsandfarmsteadslinkedbyminorlocalroads.Frequentmovementalongmajorroadcorridorsthroughthelandscape,andotherbuiltdevelopmentincludingprominentverticalstructures(suchascommunicationmastsandwatertowers)alsosuggestsreducedsensitivity,butawayfromtheseelementsthelandscapeisrelativelyremoteandtranquilwherelargerscalewindenergydevelopmentislikelytosignificantlyaffectlandscapecharacter.AhighnumberofsensitivevisualreceptorsarelikelytoexperienceasignificantchangeinviewsandvisualamenityasaresultoftheintroductionofmediumtolargescalewindenergydevelopmentintothisLCTwherecurrentlytherearenone.ImpactsonthesettingofheritageassetsandthepopulartouristattractionofHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSiteareakeyconsideration.


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Themanyhuman/domesticscaleindicatorsinthelandscape,suchasfieldboundaryhedgerows,treesandwalls,smallwoodlandcopsesanddomesticbuildingsincreasesthecapacityofthelandscapetoaccommodatethisscaleofwindenergydevelopment.

Cumulativeeffects ThisLCTiscurrentlyfreeofwindenergydevelopmentotherthanasmallnumberofsmallandsmall-mediumscalesinglewindturbines.ThereareviewstolargewindfarmswithinneighbouringLCTsfrommoreopenelevatedpartsoftheLCT,onhighergroundtothewest(Wingates,Ray,GreenRigg,BavingtonMountandKirkheatonwindfarms)andonthecoastalplaintotheeast(NorthSteads,SistersandLynemouthwindfarms).LargescalewindenergydevelopmentwithinthisLCTislikelytofallwithinzonesofvisibilityofoperationalwindfarmsthatcouldcreatecumulativeeffectsinsensitiveviewsto/fromthesandstonehillsandNorthumberlandNationalParkinthewestandto/fromthecoastalplainincludingtheNorthumberlandCoastAONBintheeast.

LCT38:LowlandRollingFarmland-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA38a:Longframlington M M-H H H HLCA38b:Longhorsley M M-H H H HLCA38c:WhaltonandBelsay M M-H H H HLCA38d:PontValley M-H H H H HLCA38e:NorthTyneRidge M-H H H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT38:LowlandRollingFarmland

IngeneralLCT38issuitableinprincipleforsingleorsmallgroupsofcarefullysitedsmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildingsandotherdomesticscalefeaturesinthelandscape.LCAs38dand38earemoresensitivetothisscaleofwindturbinethatwouldbeunsuitableinprincipleunlessitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivekeycharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswithintheseLCAswouldnotbesignificant.Ingeneralwindturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldbeunsuitableinprinciplewithinLCT38,althoughsmall-mediumscaleturbines26m-40mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewithinLCAs38a,38band38cwhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Busyroadcorridorsandotherlocationswithbuiltdevelopmentincludingprominentverticalstructuresarelesssensitivetosmallandsmall-mediumscalewindenergydevelopment.MediumscaleandlargerturbineswithintheLCTwouldsignificantlyaffect


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keycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment,largelyasaresultoftheinter-visibilitywithneighbouringlandscapeswithintheTyneValley,NorthumberlandNationalParkandtheNorthumberlandCoastAONB,andheritage/recreationalassetsincludingHadrian’sWallWorldHeritageSite.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT39:CoalfieldFarmland

ThisextensiveLCTcompriseslargepartsofthemoreruralareasofthecoastalplain,andincludeswell-settledfarmland,withextensiveindustriallanduses.Historicandon-goingmineralextractionhasalteredlargepartsofthelandscape,whileurbanfringeisalsoakeyinfluence.Thisisaheavilymodifiedlandscapewhichhaslostmuchofitsnaturallandscapestructureandwhichisdominatedbyman-madeelements.TheLCTisrepresentedbythreecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA39a:CoastalCoalfields• LCA39b:SeatonDelaval• LCA39c:Stannington

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT39:CoalfieldFarmland:• Low-lyingcoastalfarmland,mediumtolargeinscale,andgenerallyopenandexpansive.

• Heavilymodifiedruralarea,withextensiveindustrialandurbanfringeinfluences.


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• Wellsettled,withminingtownsandvillages.

• Large-scalesurfacecoalminesites.

• Distinctive,simplelandscapesonrestoredformersurfacecoalminesites.

• Pylons,chimneys,andtransportandindustrialinfrastructureareprominent.

• Occasionalwoodedestatelandscapes.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT39:CoalfieldFarmlandSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Underlainbythelowerandmiddlecoalmeasures,includinglayersofsandstone,mudstone,andcoal.Theexploitationofcoalhashadamajorimpactonthedevelopmentofthislandscape.Thesurfacelandscapeisgenerallyflat,withgentlyrollingareas,andrisesnohigherthan89matBerwickHill,nearPonteland.TheonlysubstantialriversaretheBlyth,whichflowsthroughtheincisedStanningtonVale,andtheWansbeck,flowinginanincisedvalleyfromMorpeth.ThesmallerRiverLyneandSeatonBurnarelesssignificantlandscapefeatures.

LowtoLow-Moderate

Landcover

Landuseisgenerallymixedfarmland,comprisinglargeorverylargefieldswithweakboundaries.Hedgerowsareoftengappyandhedgerowtreesarelimited.Woodlandcoveringeneralisinfrequentandconsistsprincipallyofconiferousplantations.Deciduoustreecoverisrestrictedtooccasionalmaturehedgerowtreesandsmallcopses.ExceptionsarethewoodedvalleysoftheBlythandWansbeckrivers,andthewoodedBlagdonestate.Elsewhereonlyscatteredfragmentsofancientwoodlandremain.Thereareseveralareasofreclaimedland,representingformermineralworkings.Restorationhasgenerallyresultedinoversimplifiedgeometriclandscapesofpastureandconiferblocks,whichlackdistinctivefeatures.Wetlandsandpools,theresultofsubsidenceorrestoration,arerelativelyfrequentandinplaceshavedevelopedintovaluablehabitat.Althoughmineralextractionhasaffectedlargepartsofthisarea,therearealsopocketsofruralcharacterwhichhavebeenrelativelyunaffected.

LowtoLow-Moderate

Landscapescale Mediumtolargelandscape,influencedbylimitedtopographicreliefandmanyareasofrestoredlandscapewithlargegeometricfieldswithweakboundaries.Pastmineralsworkingsareashavefewmaturetreesinthelandscapecontributingtoopennessandlargescale.


VISUAL:Skylines Beyondsettlementsskylinesoftensimplebutbuilt Moderate


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environmentsandpyloninfrastructurealsoaddscomplexityinmanyareas.

Viewsandlandmarks

FewsignificantviewcorridorsbutviewstothecoastandtohighgroundofSimonsideandCheviotHillsarepossiblefromcertainareas.LocallyviewstolandmarkssuchasSeatonDelavalHallareimportant.

Moderate

Inter-visibility Generallylimitedintervisibility,partlyasaconsequenceoflimitedchangeinreliefbutalsoasafunctionofthescaleofthisLCT.

Visualreceptors Aheavilysettledlandscapewithmajortransportroutespresentfrequentsensitivereceptors.

Moderate-High

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Frequentmovementalongmajortransportcorridors

andsettlementfocusedactivity.MovementfromwindenergyinstallationsisnowsignificantinLCA39a,particularlyasaresultoftheLynemouth,NorthSteadsandSisterswindfarms.

Low

Builtdevelopment FrequentsettlementandotherbuiltdevelopmentparticularlyacrossLCA39band39cincludingverticallyprominentchimneys,pylonsandwindenergyinstallationsatLynemouth,NorthSteadsandSisterswindfarms.

Low

Remoteness NotranquillityisencounteredacrosstheLCTasaconsequenceofsettlementandtransportinfrastructuredensity.

Low

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Limitedscenicvalueasaconsequenceofsettlement,

existingmineralsoperations,lowchangesinreliefandextensiveover-simplelandscaperemodellingfollowingsurfacecoalworking.PocketsofruralcharacterandbroadleavedwoodlandparticularlyaroundcountryhousesandtheincisedvalleysoftheWansbeckandBlythpresentlocalisedscenicvalue.

Low-moderate

Distinctiveness Notadistinctivelandscape,manycommonplaceelementsalthoughremodelledmineralsworkingspresentsomelimitedsenseofplace,althoughnotattractively.Countryhousesandparklandsaffordlocalinterest,asdowoodedrivervalleys.


Rarity TherollingfarmlandandsettlementisacommonplaceandextensivelandscapetypeinmidNorthumberland.

Low-Moderate

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Somesignificantheritageassets,particularlythe

countryhousesandparklandsofBlagdon,SeatonDelavalHallandLonghirst.IndustrialheritageisimportantacrosstheLCT,particularlyatWoodhornColliery.ConservationAreasinAmble,Longhirst,PontelandandSeatonDelaval/SeatonSluice.RegisteredhistoricParkandGardensatBlagdonand



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SeatonDelaval.Recreation Importantrecreationopportunitiesatthehistoric

housesheritagesitesandCountryParksatWoodhorn(QEII)andDruridgeBay,thePublicRightofWaynetworkincludingrivervalleyfootpathsandholidayhomeparkatAmble.



AbroadrangeoffactorssuggestthatthelandscapecharacterofLCT39presentscomparativelylowdegreeofsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.Topographyisrelativelyunremarkableandcurrentandpastmineralsworkingshavealteredthelandscapeandordinarilylessenedinherentlandscapeinterestwhilstincreasingitsperceivedscale.Thelandscapehasbeenmuchalteredandischaracterisedbyasignificantdegreeofbuiltdevelopmentandincongruouselements,includingfrequentmovementfromtransportandwindenergyinfrastructure.HighernumbersofsensitivereceptorsarehoweverlikelytoaffectsensitivityacrosslargeswathesoftheLCT.Theseincludesettlementbutalsoheritagesites,particularlyseveralhistoriccountryhousesandtheirsettings.

Cumulativeeffects TheLCTissignificantlyimpacteduponbyexistingwindenergydevelopment,bothwithinitandinadjacentlandscapes.LCA39aCoastalCoalfieldsincludesthreelargescalewindfarms:-Sisters,NorthSteadsandLynemouth.WithinLCA39LowHortonFarmturbine(87m)isprominentinopenfieldlocation,whistoneoftheCramlingtonMSGturbines(124m)fallsjustwithinLCA39c.On-shorewindturbinesatBomarsund,BewickDrift,BlythHarbourandEarthBalancearewidelyvisiblefrompartsoftheLCT,asaretheincreasingarrayofoff-shoreturbinesatBlyth.LCA39ainparticularcannowbeconsideredtobealandscapecharacterisedbywindenergyinstallations,whilstLCA39cissignificantlyaffectedbytheirvisualprominenceinadjacentareas.LCA39bislessaffectedbywindenergytoitssouth-westernareas.Developmentoffurtherlarge-scaleturbineswithinLCA39awouldbelikelytohaveaconsolidatingandconcentratingeffectofwindenergyprominence,anddevelopmentacrossLCA39blikelytoextendthevisualprominenceofthisareaalongthecoasttothesouthandpotentiallyimpactupondesignatedassetsatSeatonDelaval.Howeverthiswouldbeinthecontextoftheoff-shoreinstallationsatBlythwhich,whenviewedfromlowergroundtothewest,cansometimesappearnottobeoff-shore,andreadasafurtherelementofthesweepofwindfarmsofcentralcoastalplainNorthumberland.Large-scalewindenergydevelopmenttoLCA39cwouldintroducenewfeatureswithintherollingarablelandscape,butdependentuponspecificlocationcouldservetoextendthesweepofcoastalplainwindfarmsinlandacrossthenorthernfringeoftheTyneandWearconurbation.Sensitivityofmuchofthislandscapehoweverremainsrelativelylow.


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LCT39:CoalfieldFarmland-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA39a:CoastalCoalfields L L-M M M MLCA39b:SeatonDelaval L L-M M M-H M-HLCA39c:Stannington L L-M M M MOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT39:CoalfieldFarmland

IngeneralLCT39issuitableinprincipleforallscalesofwindturbines.Busyroadcorridors,powerinfrastructureandotherlocationswithbuiltdevelopmentincludingprominentverticalandindustrialstructuresarelesssensitivetowindenergydevelopment.Considerationofeffectsonsensitiveresidentialreceptorsandcumulativeimpactswithexistinginstallationswillhoweverbesignificant.LimitedexceptiontothisgeneralsuitabilityrelatestoLCA39bwheredevelopmentofwindturbinesabove66mtobladetipheightwouldordinarilybelikelytotriggerunacceptablelandscapeeffectsinrelationtoimportantheritageandrecreationalassets.Howeverdevelopmentofturbinesabove66mtobladetipheightmaybesuitablewithinLCA39bwhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthesemoresensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT40:BroadBaysandDunes

ThisLCTcomprisesthecoastalstripofthelessintensivelydevelopedpartoftheSouthEastNorthumberlandCoastalPlain.Althoughlargelyundeveloped,andwithsignificantnatureconservationinterest,thecoastlinehasbeenextensivelyman-modifiedbypastmineralextraction.DruridgeBayiswithintheNorthumberlandHeritageCoast.TheLCTisrepresentedbytwocharacterareas(LCA):• LCA40a:DruridgeBay• LCA40b:SeatonDunes

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT40:BroadBaysandDunes:• Widesweepingsandybaysbackedbydunes.

• Sharptransitionwithheavilymodifiedcoastalplain.

• Emergingleisurelanduses.

• Formerindustrialandremnantmininginfrastructure.

• Ecologicallyrich,despite,andinsomecasesbecauseof,industrialactivity.


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LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT40:BroadBaysandDunesSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Anarrow,low-lyingcoastalstripcomprisingaseriesofbroadsandybaysseparatedbyrockyheadlandsreflectingthealternationofharderandsofterrockswithintheunderlyinggeology.Flatwave-cutplatformsandoffshorerockyisletsarecharacteristic:CoquetIslandistheonlysubstantialisland.Thebayshavebroad,sweepingsandbeachesbackedbyextensivedunesystems.Surfacewaterpondsandditchesinplaces,reflectingminingsubsidence.


Landcover

Mixedfarmland,primarilylargearablefieldsandpasture.Lengthsofcoastarebackedbyextensivedunesystems,whicharelargelyintact.Thereareveryfewtreesinthisexposedlandscape,exceptionsbeingthemixedplantationsaroundLadyburnLakeatDruridgeBayCountryPark,andconiferousshelterbeltstothenorth.


Landscapescale Amedium-to-largescalelandscapewithmorecontainedareaswithinthedunesystems.

Low-Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Simpleopenskylineswithexpansiveseaviewsand

dunetopsofferingsomepredictablevariety.Low-Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

Coastalstrip,beachandheadlandviewsareimportantandoftenexpansive.Viewsinlandfromdunetopsbuthighlylimitedfromonthebeaches.ViewstoindustrialsitesaroundBlythandprominent.


Inter-visibility Strongdegreeofintervisibility,particularlyfromdunetopsandintoneighbouringcoastallandscapessuchasLCT41DevelopedCoastandinlandtoLCT39CoalfieldFarmland.


Visualreceptors Lownumbersofresidentsandlocaltransportnetworkbuthighrecreationalusage,particularlytoshoreline.

Moderate

PERCEPTUAL:Movement LimitedhumanactivitywithintheLCTbutstrong

naturalmovementinthelandscapefromseascapeandhugeskies.LargeBewickDriftwindturbinestandsonboundaryoftheLCA40bandLCA39a

Moderate

Builtdevelopment Generallyalowextentofmanmadestructuresandbuildings,anarrowsemi-naturallandscapeinthemain.Somelocalpowerlines,WWII‘pillboxes’.TheSouthernedgeofAmbleencroachesthenorthoftheLCTandhistoricpartsofthesmallhamletsofCresswellandHauxleypresentsomestonebuiltcottagesbythedunes.TheSouthernelementsofLCA40aincludeindustrialenvironsofLynemouthpowerstationsiteunderre-developmenttousebiomassasitsprimaryfuelandotherprominentindustrialstructures,partsof



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NewbigginbytheSeatownandmobilehomeparks.LCA40bincludessignificantpartsofthelargevillageofSeatonSluice.

Remoteness Localroadnetworks,industry,settlementandfarmsteadsintheLCTandthosevisibleinneighbouringLCAslimitremoteness,althoughsomeisolationfromhumanactivityispossiblefromtheshore,althoughindustrialstructuresofBlythenvironspossibleevenhere.Windenergydevelopmentvisiblefromdunesandsomebeachareas.

Moderate

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Duneandsweepingsandybeaches,hugeskiesand

changingseascapesoffersomescenicvalue.IndustrialinfluenceinandoutwiththeLCAdetractsfromsomevistasandscenicvalue.


Distinctiveness StronglydistinctivetoNorthumberland,withsweeping,longsandybeachesandduneswithrocky‘carr’headlandscharacterisingpopularperceptionsofthecountybymanyvisitors.

High

Rarity Limitedinextentalthoughexpansiveinthelocalcontext,arelativelyrarelandscapetype.

Moderate-High

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets PartofNorthumberlandHeritageCoast.Someremnant

industrialheritagesites,butrarelyvisuallyprominent,occasionalWWIIpillboxes.HeadlandchapelsandchurchesatSeatonSluiceandNewbigginbytheSea.ExtensiveConservationAreaatSeatonSluiceanchorageandcoastaldefences,andpartofSeatonDelavalHalldesignedlandscape.


Recreation Highrecreationvalueforinformalenjoymentalongaccessiblesandybays,somesailingandfishingactivity.DruridgeBayCountryParkhasmaturedfromformersurfacecoalminingworkstoimportantopenspacesandhabitatscentredonLadyburnLake.GolfcourseatNewbigginbytheSea.

Moderate-High


LCT40presentslinearcoastallandscapestripswithverylimited‘inland’extent,withclearfocusonextensivedunesandsweepingsandybays.Thereisastronghorizontalemphasistothelandscapewithwide-opencharacterandhugeskies.Landuseinlandfromthedunesisprimarilyagriculturalacrosswideflattopographybutinplacessettlementandsomesignificantindustrialinfrastructuredominates.Thelandscape’sscale,relativesimplicityandoccasionalprominentindustryandinfrastructurewouldsuggestlowersensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.Howeverscenicandsignificantrecreationalvalue,alongwithsensitivedunesystemssuggestthatlandscapescale,simplicityandformshouldnotoutweighthehighrecreationalandnaturalandhistoricheritagevalueoftheLCAinrelationtosensitivitytowindenergy.TherearehoweversignificantcontrastsinsensitivitywithintheLCT,particularlyinareaswhereexistingor


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pastindustryorinfrastructureremainsvisuallyprominent.Somecapacityforsmallscalewindenergy,possiblyservingcoastalcommunitiesorfarmsteads,suchasCresswellandNewbigginbytheSeamayexistwithoutcompromisinglandscapecharacter.Onthelargerurbanfringes,suchasLynemouth,existinginfrastructurealtersthebalanceoffeaturesinthelandscapeincomparisontothewiderLCT,andherecapacityforlargerwindenergyinfrastructuremaybefound.

Cumulativeeffects BewickDriftwindturbine(126m)atLynemouthisasignificantlandscapefeatureandliesexactlyupontheboundaryofLCTs40and39.TherearenosignificantwindenergyinstallationselsewhereintheLCTbutwindenergyoftenpredominatesinadjacentLCTs.On-shoreinstallationsareparticularlyprominentatLynemouthWindFarm(13turbinesat121mheight),SistersandNorthSteadsWindFarmsatWiddrington(acombined13turbinesat126mheight),BlythHarbour(130m)andLowHortonFarm(87m).Significanttotheconsiderationofcumulativeimpactsofwindenergy,off-shoreturbinesarelocatedeastofBlyth.Twoturbinesstandonly800moffshoreataheightofapproximately93mtotip,earlydemonstratorprojectsforthetechnology.Moresignificantlyisthecurrentinstallationof5x191mturbineslocatedapproximately6kmfromthecoastline,butaspartofaconsentforupto15turbinesintotal,extendinginthreegroupsupto14kmoffsore.Theconsequenceofthispredominanceofvisuallyprominentturbines,includingthoseoff-shore,isthatthewiderlandscapecontexttotheLCTisoftenofa‘windturbinelandscape’.FurtherdevelopmentofwindenergyinfrastructurewithinLCT40wouldthereforebeunlikelytomakesignificantchangestothevisualpresenceofturbinesinthewiderlandscapecontext.HoweverwindenergydevelopmenttothenorthoftheLCTsandtothesouthinLCA40b,mayservetoextendtheconcentrationofwindenergydevelopmentalongthesouthandmid-Northumberlandcoastalstrip,whilstdevelopmentoffurtherturbinessouthofWiddringtonwouldinevitablyservetoconcentrateandconsolidatethewindfarmlandscape.

LCT40:BroadBaysandDunes-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA40a:DruridgeBay M M-H H H HLCA40b:SeatonDunes M M-H M-H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT40:BroadBaysandDunes

IngeneralLCT40isalandscapeunsuitableinprincipleforwindturbinesabove25mtobladetipheight.However,turbinesupto40mbladetipheightinLCA40a,andupto65mbladetipheightinLCA40bmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthesemoresensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.InLCA40bturbinesshouldbemorecloselyrelatedtoindustrialinfluenceswithinoradjacenttotheLCT.Otherwiseturbines


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shouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.InLCA40aturbinesabove40mtobladetipheight,andabove65minLCA40b,willbeunsuitableastheywouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Thiswouldlargelybeasaresultoftheeffectsuponimportantscenicandrecreationalvalueofthebeachesanddunes,andlongervisualeffectsuponNorthumberlandCoastAONB.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT41:DevelopedCoast

ThisLCTcomprisesthecoastaledgeofBlythandadjacentsettlements,andiscloselyrelatedtoUrbanandUrbanFringe(LCT42).ItscoastalcharacterislinkedtotheBroadBaysandDunes(LCT40)tonorthandsouth.TheLCTisrepresentedbyonecharacterarea(LCA):• LCA41a:BlythandWansbeckEstuaries

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT41:DevelopedCoast:• Intensivelydevelopedlandscape,comprisingacoastalurbanedge.

• Rivermouthswithmudflatsormodifiedtoformharbours.

• Large-scaleindustrialstructuresandformerindustrialsites.

• Fragmentedfarmlandamongsturbandevelopment.


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LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT41:DevelopedCoastSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Simple,low-lyingcoastalstripcentredonbroadbay,intowhichtheRiversBlythandWansbeckflow.Thebayisframedbyrockypromontories,withwave-cutplatformsextendingintotheseaatNewbigginPoint,SpitalCarrs,andCrabLaw,androckyoffshoreislets.TheWansbeckestuaryisrelativelynarrowandsandy.ThatoftheBlyth,andthetributarySleekBurn,ismuchwiderwithextensivemudflats.However,itsnaturalfeatureshavebeenextensivelymodifiedforuseasamajorport.Thetopographyofthisareadoesnotriseabove10m.

Low-Moderatetomoderate

Landcover

Acomplexmixofpredominantlyurban,industrialandpost-industriallanduses,infrastructureandtransportroutes,includingthemajorportofBlyth.Arablefarming,withremnanthedgerows,persistsinfragmentedareasaroundthemouthoftheWansbeck.ThebanksoftheWansbeckarefringedwithdeciduousscrubwoodland,withmorescrubbywoodlandalongtheSleekBurnandRiverBlyth.

Low

Landscapescale Amedium-largelandscapewithpocketsofenclosurewithinrivervalleysandwoodland,butmoreusuallyopenandexposed.


VISUAL:Skylines Somecomplexitycausedbyextensiveportand

industrialinfrastructureandwirescapes.Moderate

Viewsandlandmarks

Locallyimportantviewsalongthecentralsandycoastline,withprominentviewstoinfrastructureandindustrialheritagesitesandmorerecentwindturbines,onandoff-shore.

Moderate

Inter-visibility Lowreliefchangereducesintervisibilitygenerallybutprominentinfrastructureisvisibleaswellaslongerviewsalongthecoastfromtransportroutesandthecoastalstrip.


Visualreceptors Highnumbersofresidentialandtransport-routereceptors.

High

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Frequentmovementfromtransportinfrastructureand

windenergyinfrastructure.Settlementandindustrypredominates.

Low

Builtdevelopment Highlydevelopedurbanandurban-fringelandscapeswithsignificantbuiltstructuresthroughout.

Low

Remoteness Nosenseofremoteness.Somerelativecalmalongshorelineispossible.

Low

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Lowscenicqualityasaconsequenceofindustrial

character.Low


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Distinctiveness Somedistinctivenesspresentedbytherivervalleysandestuariesaswellasthesandybay,butelsewhereubiquitousutilitarianinfrastructurepredominates.

Low-Moderate

Rarity TheextentanddegreeofurbanisationsetsthelandscapeasbeingofinfrequentcharacterwithinNorthumberland.

Moderate-High

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Withinurbancontextssomeheritageassetsfoundbut

rarelyimportantinthelandscape.ListedhistoricportatNorthBlythandConservationAreaacrossmuchofNewbigginbytheSeaseafront.

Moderate

Recreation Locallyimportantrecreationvalueofthecoast,withNewbigginbytheSeaapopularsiteforholidaychalets/mobilehomes.

Moderate


ThemostindustrialisedanddevelopedcoastallandscapeofNorthumberland.Unremarkabletopography,prominentanddominatinginfrastructureandindustrialsites,aswellasthemajorportofBlythtogethersuggestagenerallylowsensitivitytothefutureimpactofwindenergydevelopment.CountertothislowlandscapecharactersensitivityistheurbanfunctionoftheLCAwithmanyresidentsandfrequenttransportreceptors.Recreationaluseisimportantlongthecoast,butevenhereindustrialcharacterpredominates.

Cumulativeeffects SimilartothecircumstancesofLCT40BroadBaysandDunes,therearerelativelyfewwindenergyinstallationswithintheLCT,butsignificantwindenergyinfrastructurewithininter-visibleareas.BlythHarbourwindfarmcomprisesaprominent130mturbinelocatedontheouterharbourwall.Elsewherea67msingleturbinehasbeenconsentedatFurnaceRoad,westoftheA189spineroad.However,windenergyoftenpredominatesinadjacentLCTs.On-shoreinstallationsareparticularlyprominentatLynemouthWindFarm(acombined13turbinesat121mheight),furthernorthatSistersandNorthSteadsWindFarmsatWiddrington(13turbinesat126mheight),CramlingtonMSD(2x124m)andLowHortonFarm(1x87m).Significanttotheconsiderationofcumulativeimpactsofwindenergy,off-shoreturbinesarelocatedeastofBlyth.Twoturbinesstandonly800moffshoreataheightofapproximately93mtotip,earlydemonstratorprojectsforthetechnology.Moresignificantlyisthecurrentinstallationof5x191mturbineslocatedapproximately6kmfromthecoastline,butaspartofaconsentforupto15turbinesintotal,extendinginthreegroupsupto14kmoffsore.Inmanyviewsfromlowergroundtheseoffshoreturbines,aswithBlythHarbourreadvisuallyasbeingon-shoreandservetopresentaneasternframeworkofmajorturbineinfrastructure.Theconsequenceofthispredominanceofvisuallyprominentturbines,includingthoseoff-shore,isthatthewiderlandscapecontexttotheLCTisoftenofa‘windturbinelandscape’.FurtherdevelopmentofwindenergyinfrastructurewithinLCT41wouldthereforebeunlikelytomakesignificantchangestothevisualpresenceofturbinesinthewiderlandscapecontext.HoweverwindenergydevelopmenttothenorthandsouthinLCA41may


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servetoconcentrateandconsolidatethewindfarmlandscapeacrossthispartofthesouthNorthumberlandcoastalstrip.

LCT41:DevelopedCoast-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA41a:BlythandWansbeckEstuaries L L-M L-M M MOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT41:DevelopedCoast

IngeneralLCT41isalandscapesuitableinprincipleforwindturbinesofallscales,subjecttolocalconsiderationsofsensitiveresidentialreceptors.Significantexistingscaleandextentofverticalandindustrialinfrastructurehaveservedtoreducelandscapesensitivitysuchthatfurtherwindenergyinstallationwouldbeunlikelytopresentnegativelandscapechange.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT42:Urban&UrbanFringe

ThisLCTcomprisesthelargesettlementsofthesouth-eastofNorthumberland,togetherwiththeheavilyurban-influencedareasoffragmentedfarmlandandindustrywhichseparatethem.TheLCTisrepresentedbyonecharacterarea(LCA):• LCA42a:Ashington,BlythandCramlington

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT40:BroadBaysandDunes:• Largebuilt-upareasincludingformerminingtowns.

• Large-scaleindustrialandcommerciallanduses.

• Significanthumanfeatures,includingdualcarriageways,railways,pylons,andchimneys.

• Residentialareasofarangeofages.


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LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT42:Urban&UrbanFringeSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

SimilartotheCoalfieldFarmland(LCT39).Agenerallyflattopography,withsomegentlesummits,slopeseastwardstothecoast,underlainbythecoalmeasures.Thegeologywasformerlyworkedforcoal,viadeepandsurfacemines.ThelandscapeiscutthroughbythevalleysoftheRiversWansbeckandBlyth,aswellasseveralsmallerburns.Inplaces,thenaturallandformhasbeenmodified,andisoftenobscuredbydevelopment.


Landcover

Muchvarietyinurbandevelopment,infrastructureandfragmentedagriculturalfringes.Fieldsarearangeofshapesandsizes,havingbeenmodifiedbysurroundinglanduses,butaregenerallylargeandrectilinear.Fieldboundariesoftencomprisegappyoroutgrownhedges,withpostandwirefencesreplacinghedgesentirelyinplaces.Treecoverincludesconiferousplantationsanddeciduouswoodlands,bothoftensitedonreclaimedorrestoredland.

Moderate-HightoHigh

Landscapescale Amediumlandscapescalebutcharacterisedbyextensiveareasofurbancover.

Moderate

VISUAL:Skylines Complexityinskylinesarisesthroughthevariedbuilt

structuresoftheLCT,includingresidential,industrialcommercialbuildings,powerinfrastructureandtheundulatingtopography-especiallytherivervalleyatBedlingtonandreclaimedformersurfacecoalmineworkings.

Moderate-High

Viewsandlandmarks

Viewsgenerallyconstrainedbyurbancontext.However,somesignificantviewsacrossmainsettlementsincludingfromhighergroundatNelsonVillage,Cramlington.Occasionally,longerviewstotheuplandwestarepossible,withthedistinctiveprofileoftheSimonsideHillsandCheviotHillsbeyond.

Moderate

Inter-visibility Relativeabsenceofelevationandurbancontextlimitsintervisibility,althoughoccasionalvistasopenout.

Low-Moderate

Visualreceptors Urbanareapresentsextensiveandhighdensityofsensitivereceptors.

High

PERCEPTUAL:Movement Muchmovementacrosstheurbanareasand

connectingtransportcorridors.Low

Builtdevelopment Essentiallyanurbanlandscapewithopenagriculturallandatypical.Frequent,extensiveareasofpost1900residentialestatesandnewerindustrialdevelopmentsitswithincontextofpastmininginfrastructureand19thcenturysettlements.Chimneys,mastsandpylonspunctuatetheskyline.

Low


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Remoteness Nosenseofremotenesspossibleinurbanlandscape. LowQUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Verylimitedscenicqualityalthoughrivervalleys,

particularlywheremoreincised,presentareasoflocalvalue,asdoconiferousplantationsinwiderurbancontext.

Low-Moderate

Distinctiveness Somesenseofplaceemanatesfromformminingcommunitysettlements,suchastheterracesofAshington,butotherwiseindistinctivewithmanyutilitarianurbancontexts.

Low-Moderate

Rarity AuniquelandscapeinNorthumberlandbutoflimitedvalue.

Moderate-High

HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Historicremnantsofmedievalvillages,suchasthe11th-

centurychurchinWoodhorn.Morerecenthistoricbuildingsarelocatedwithinthecoresofthemainsettlements.Industrialheritageisalsoakeyaspectofthislandscape.ConservationAreaswithinBlyth,BedlingtonandCramlington.

Low-Moderate

Recreation Urbanparks,rivervalleysandCountryParkatBedlingtonofferlocallyimportantrecreationopportunities.GolfcourseatNewDelaval.

Moderate


Thisisahighlyurbanisedlandscapetractreflectingthearea’shistoricimportanceasaformercoalminingandindustrialheartland.Consequentlytheareaischaracterisedbyacomplexmixofurbanuses,structuresandtransportinfrastructure,wheresomeareasexhibiturbandecaybutalsorengeneration.Valuedlandscapeortownscapeassetsaregenerallylimited.Sensitivitytowindenergydevelopmentisthereforelowinrelationtophysicallandscapeandtownscapecharacteristics.Howeverextensivedistributionofsensitivereceptorsarelikelytoincreasesuchsensitivitiestomediumandlargerwindenergytypologies.

Cumulativeeffects PartoftheCramlingtonMSDWindFarm(1x125m)fallswithintheLCTasdoesthemediumscalesingleturbine(43.5m)atEarthBalance,Bomarsund,Bedlington.AswithLCT40BroadBaysandDunesandLCT41DevelopedCoastsurroundingLCTspresentasignificantconcentrationofwindenergydevelopmentwhichhasavisualinfluencewithinLCT42.On-shoreinstallationsareparticularlyprominentatLynemouthWindFarm(13turbinesat121mheight),furthernorthatSistersandNorthSteadsWindFarmsatWiddrington(acombined13turbinesat126mheight),thesecondCramlingtonMSDturbine(124m)andLowHortonFarm(87m).BlythHarbourWindFarmcomprisesaprominent130mturbinelocatedontheouterharbourall.Elsewherea67msingleturbinehasbeenconsentedatFurnaceRoad,westoftheA189SpineRoad.Significanttotheconsiderationofcumulativeimpactsofwindenergy,off-shoreturbinesarelocatedeastofBlyth.Twoturbinesstandonly800moffshoreataheightofapproximately93mtotip,earlydemonstratorprojectsforthetechnology.Moresignificantlyisthecurrentinstallationof5x191mturbineslocatedapproximately6kmfromthecoastline,butaspartofaconsentforupto15


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turbinesintotal,extendinginthreegroupsupto14kmoffshore.Inmanyviewsfromlowergroundtheseoff-shoreturbines,aswithBlythHarbour,readvisuallyasbeingon-shoreandservetopresentaneasternframeworkofmajorturbineinfrastructure.Theconsequenceofthispredominanceofvisuallyprominentturbines,includingthoseoff-shore,isthatthewiderlandscapecontexttotheLCTisoftenofa‘windturbinelandscape’.FurtherdevelopmentofwindenergyinfrastructurewithinLCT42wouldthereforebeunlikelytomakesignificantchangestothevisualpresenceofturbinesinthewiderlandscapecontext.HoweverwindenergydevelopmenttothenorthandsouthinLCA41mayservetoconcentrateandconsolidatethewindfarmlandscapeacrossthispartofthesouthNorthumberlandcoastalstrip.LongerviewstowardstheLCTarepossiblefromhigherlandwithinNorthumberlandNationalParksuchasatSimonside,andincertainvistastheLCTanditssurroundingwindenergylandscapescanbeseenwithWingateswindfarm(6x110m)intheneardistance.Whilstthegapbetweenthesegroupsofinstallationsmaybesignificant,furtherdevelopmentofmediumtolargeturbineseastofWingatescouldbeginningtoextendtheperceptionofawindfarmlandscapeacrossthisareaofcentral-southNorthumberland.

LCT42:Urban&UrbanFringe-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA42a:Ashington,Blyth&Cramlington L L-M L-M M M-HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT42:UrbanandUrbanFringe

IngeneralLCT42isalandscapesuitableinprincipleforwindturbinesofscalesuptomedium-large–below100mtobladetipheight,subjecttoconsiderationsofsensitiveresidentialreceptors.Developmentoflargerscalesofwindturbineabove100mheighttobladetipwouldotherwisebelikelytohaveharmfullandscapeeffects,unlessitcanbeshownthateffectsonthesemoresensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Suchconsiderationsarelikelytofocusuponsensitivityandextentofresidentialreceptors.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT43:CoalfieldUplandFringe

ThisLCT(togetherwithLCT44)occupiesthenorth-westernsideoftheDurhamCoalfieldPennineFringe,amainlyrurallandscapethatdipsgentlytowardstheheavilysettledlowlandsoftheTyneandWearvalleys,characterisedbyindustrialinfluencesandmineralworkingsinplaces.LCT43isatransitionaluplandfringelandscapemadeupofbroadridgesandshallowtributaryvalleys,lyingabovetheTynevalleytothenorthandtheDerwentvalleytothesouthandeast.ThisLCTisrepresentedbytwolandscapecharacterareas(LCA):• LCA43a:KilnPitHillHinterland• LCA43b:PrudhoeHinterland

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT43:CoalfieldUplandFringe:• Broad,elevatedopenridgesabovetheTynevalleytothenorthandtheDerwentvalleytothe

southandeast,withshallowvalleyheads;

• Gentlyroundedtopographyofdriftfree,thinlybeddedsandstones,mudstones,shalesandcoals;

• Occasionalsteepbluffsandinciseddenes;


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• Heavy,seasonallywaterloggedclaysoilswithpocketsofpeatysoilssupportingheathvegetation;

• Predominantlyimprovedorsemi-improvedpastorallandusewithsomearablecroppingondrierridges;

• Regulargridsofparliamentaryenclosuresboundedbydrystonewallsorovergrownhawthornhedges,withoccasionalolderfieldsystems;

• Sparselytreedorwooded,withscatteredconiferplantations,shelterbelts,hedgerowswithoccasionalhedgerowtrees;

• Isolatedfarmsconnectedbystraightenclosureroads,withoccasionalold‘green’villagesoflocalstoneonridgetopsites;

• Occasionalrelictsoftheminingindustryincludingsmallspoilheaps,cokeovens,waggonways,andrestoredsurfacecoalminingland;

• Telecommunicationsmasts,pylonsandwindturbinesprominentonsomeridges;

• Avisuallyopenlandscapewithcommandingviewsacrossadjacentvalleystodistantridges.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT43:CoalfieldUplandFringeSensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Simple,broad,gentlyroundeduplandlandscapewheresoftandthinlybeddedsandstones,shalesandcoalsofthecoalmeasuresaregenerallyfreeofdriftormaskedbyboulderclays.Occasionalthickersandstonebedsaremarkedbysteeperbluffs.Smallbecksandburnswithshallowvalleyheadsdraintheuppervalleys,sometimesincisedinnarrowdenes.


Landcover

Predominantlyimprovedandsemi-improvedpastureswithoccasionalroughergrazingandwetrushypastureonheavyandseasonallywaterloggedsoils.Limitedarablecroppingondrierridgetops.Arelativelyopenlandscapeofcharacteristicregular,uniformfieldpatternswithboundaryhedgerows(orwirefencingwherehedgesaregappy),andstonewalls,withdomesticbuildingsaddingtothelocallysmallscalelandscapefeatures.Infrequenttreecover,withsmalltomediumscaleplantationwoodlandsandshelterbelts(givinga‘blocky’characterinplaces),narrowtree-linedroadsandwatercourses.Brackenandpatchesofgorsereflecttheacidicsoils.


Landscapescale Abroad,mediumtolargescale,generallyopenlandscapewithexpansiveviewsfromelevatedparts.Regularpatternoffieldenclosuresismoremediumscalethanlargescale.Lowergroundandoccasionalplantationsprovidesomeenclosure.


VISUAL:Skylines Thebroadlyundulatingridgesprovidelargelysimple

skylines,withsomevarietybywayofwoodlandModeratetoModerate-high


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plantations.ThehighergroundformstheskylinesinviewsfromneighbouringLCTs.Developmentincludingpylonsandwindfarmsareprominentontheskyline,beingdominantinsomepartsoftheLCT.

Viewsandlandmarks

ExpansiveviewstoandfromelevatedridgeswithinandbeyondtheLCT,includingnorthwardsacrosstheTyneGapandsouthwardsacrossDerwentdaletothemoorlandsoftheNorthPenninesAONB.TheLCTformspartofthebackdroptoviewsofandfromsettlements,beingimportanttotheirsetting.


Inter-visibility Extensiveinter-visibilitytoandfromelevatedlandwithinandbeyondtheLCT,includingnorthwardsacrosstheTyneGap,southwardsintoDerwentdaleandtheNorthPenninesAONB,andoccasionallyeastwardstothecoast.


Visualreceptors WithintheLCTthereissomevisibilityfromsmallsettlements,scatteredfarmsteadsandpublicrightsofway,andfrompredominantlyminorroadsandalimitedsectionofthebusyA68.HoweverthereisalargenumberofpotentialvisualreceptorswithinadjacentlandscapeswithviewsintotheLCT.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement Occasionaltofrequentvisibleman-mademovement

fromroadswithintheLCTandinadjacentareas.MovementofturbinebladesfromBoundaryLaneandKilnPitHillwindfarmsarevisiblefromwithintheLCTandbeyond.Somelocationsarequieterwithlimitedmovement.


Builtdevelopment Asparselysettledlandscapethatretainsastrongruralcharacterinplaces,withscatteredhamletsandfarmsteadslinkedbystraight,regular,localenclosureroads.However,thesouthernedgeofPrudhoeextendsintoLCA43b,andnearbyStocksfieldandConsettareurbanisinginfluences.Also,thebusyA68passesthroughthewesternedgeofLCA43aandtherearesomerelictsofpastminingactivity.TelecommunicationsmastsandwindfarmsatBoundaryLane(3x110mtobladetip)andKiltPitHill(6x100m)areprominentverticalfeatures.Asmallnumberofsinglesmalltomediumscaleturbinesarealsopresentinthelandscape.AlineofpylonspassesthroughsouthernpartsofLCA43b.


Remoteness TheLCTisrelativelyaccessibleandtheinfluenceofnearbyminingtowns,busyroads(eitherwithintheLCAoradjacent),communicationsmastsandwindfarmsgivesomepartsasemi-ruralorurbanfringecharacter.Awayfromman-madeinfluencesthelandscapeisrelativelytranquil.


QUALITATIVE:


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Scenicquality Thelandscapeshowssomesignsofpositiveagriculturalmanagementandisvisuallyandfunctionallyintact.Scenicqualityintermsofnaturalbeautyisnothighandtherearenodesignedornamentallandscapesofnote.Therearesignificantdetractorsinthelandscape,mostnotablywindturbinesandpylons,althoughtherearescenicviewsacrossthemoorlandstotheeastandsouth.


Distinctiveness Theuplandfringelandscapeisfairlydistinctivewithsomesenseofplace,butnotespeciallyrepresentativeoftheNorthumberlandlandscape,beingasmallpartofthemuchwiderDurhamCoalfieldPennineFringethatextendseastwardsandsouthwardsbeyondthecounty.


Rarity TheuplandfringelandscapeisrelativelycommonwithinNorthumberlandalthoughtheLCToccupiesonlyasmallpartofthemuchwiderDurhamCoalfieldPennineFringe.TheLCTlacksanyrareelementsorfeaturesinthelandscape.


HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Fewheritageassetsincludehistoricvillagesites,

manorialearthworksatWhittonstallandalistedMausoleumonGreymareHill.ThecourseofDereStreetRomanRoadpassesthroughthenorthernedgeofLCA43a.Thesearenotespeciallyprominentorsignificantbutdobaresomerelationshipwiththelandscape.


Recreation Thereislittletouristorrecreationinfrastructure,otherthanascatteringofrightsofwaywithaparticularconcentrationsouthofPrudhoe.TheHighlandCattleCentreisatouristattractiontothesouthofStocksfield.AgolfcoursealsoliestothesouthofStocksfieldandaglidingclubwithinLCA43b.



Physicalattributesoflandform,landcoverandlandscapescalesuggestreducedsensitivitytomediumandlargerscalewindenergydevelopment.InpartstheLCTexhibitsatraditional,ruralcharacter,withsmallhamletsandscatteredfarmsteadslinkedbyanetworkoflocalminorroads.Thisgivestheperceptionofarelativelyquiet,remoteuplandfringelandscapewithlimitedbuiltdevelopmentinparts,althoughelectricitypylonsandwindfarmsareveryconspicuousandprominent.Thekeylandscapeconsiderationistherolethelandscapeplaysasabackdroptoviewsfromarelativelyextensiveareaandasasettingtosurroundingsettlement.Thehighdegreeofinter-visibilitywithadjacentandmoredistantlandscapesincreasessensitivitytofurtherlargescalewindenergydevelopment,withinbothLCA43a(seeconsiderationofcumulativeeffectsbelow)andLCA43bwhichiscurrentlyfreeofmediumandlargerscalewindturbines.

Cumulativeeffects WindfarmsatBoundaryLane(3x110mtobladetip)andKiltPitHill(6x100m)areprominentfeatures,providingnotabletractsof‘windfarmlandscape’withinLCA43a.Asmallnumberofsinglesmalltomediumscaleturbinesarealsopresentinthelandscapebutthesedonotcurrentlyhave


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significantcumulativeeffects.TelecommunicationsmastsandalineofpylonspassingthroughsouthernpartsofLCA43bprovidefurtherprominentverticalfeatures.FurthercoalescenceoflargescaleturbineswithinLCA43aislikelytoresultinwindturbinesbecomingadefiningcharacteristicofthatlandscape.Thiswouldincludelargeextensionsto,orre-poweringof,existingwindfarmswhichislikelytoresultinfurthercumulativeeffects.Thedevelopmentofadditionalturbinesinthisareashouldotherwisebelimitedtominorextensionswherenewturbinesmatchexistingturbinesinscaleandcharacter.LCA43biscurrentlyfreeofmediumandlargerscaleturbines.NewwindenergydevelopmentofthisscalewithinLCA43bwouldmaintainastrategicgapbetweenexistinginstallationsatBoundaryLaneandKilnPitHillbutislikelytocreateastragglingpatternalongtheelevatedridgesandsuchcumulativeeffectshouldbeavoided.RestrictingwindenergydevelopmentinremainingpartsofthisLCTtosmallerturbineswouldavoidsignificantcumulativeeffectsoflargerscaleturbines.

LCT43:CoalfieldUplandFringe-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA43a:KilnPitHillHinterland L L-M M M M-HLCA43b:PrudhoeHinterland L L-M M M-H M-HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT43:CoalfieldUplandFringe

IngeneralLCT43issuitableforsmallscale,small-mediumscaleandmediumscaleturbinesupto65mheighttobladetip.Carefullysitedmedium-largescaleturbinesbetween66m-100mtobladetipwouldbegenerallysuitablewithinLCA43a.Medium-largescalewindturbinesbetween66m-100mheighttobladetipwithinLCA43bandlargerscaleturbinesabove100mheighttobladetipthroughouttheLCTwouldbeunsuitableinprinciple.Thesescalesofwindenergydevelopmentmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffects,largelyduetothehighdegreeofinter-visibilitywithadjacentandmoredistantlandscapes,wouldnotbesignificant.


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LandscapeSensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentLCT44:CoalfieldValley

ThisLCT(togetherwithLCT43)occupiesthenorth-westernsideoftheDurhamCoalfieldPennineFringe,amainlyrurallandscapewithindustrialinfluencesandpastandpresentmineralworkingsinplaces.LCT44istheDerwentvalley,throughwhichtheRiverDerwentanditstributariesflow.Thislandscapestraddlesthesouth-easternboundaryofNorthumberland,separatingtheNorthumberlandCoalfieldUplandFringe(LCT43)fromthecoalfieldfringeeastoftheriverandextendingintoCountyDurham.ThisLCTisrepresentedbyonelandscapecharacterarea(LCA):• LCA44a:DerwentValley

KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsofLCT44:CoalfieldValley:• Broad,welldefinedvalleyscuttingthroughandenclosedbyroundedridgelines,withoccasional

narrowfloodplainsandinciseddenes;

• Thinlybeddedsandstones,mudstones,shalesandcoalsoverlainbyglacialboulderclays;


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• Agradualwest-eastgraintothelandscape,drainedbytributarystreamsandburnsfallingfromtheuplandfringeintotheRiverDerwent;

• Heavy,seasonallywaterlogged,claysoils;

• Mixedfarmlandofimprovedpastureandarablecropping;

• Sub-regularfieldpatternsofoldenclosuresboundedbythornhedgesandstonewalls.Occasionalregularparliamentaryenclosures;

• Scatteredhedgerowoak,ash,sycamoreandbeechtrees;

• Wellwoodedwithancientoak-birchwoodsinnarrowdenesandalongwatercourses,‘blocky’broadleaved,coniferousormixedplantationsonvalleysides,andwithinparklandassociatedwithShotleyHall;

• Settlementlimitedtoasmallnumberofisolatedfarmsteadslinkedbyminorlocalroads;

• Astronglyrurallandscapeinplacesbutwitha‘semi-rural’qualityalongitseasternmoresettledurbanfringewithConsettandEbchester;

• AsandandgravelquarrywestofEbchesterisopenandrelativelyfeatureless;

• AwayfromthewoodlandsthelandscapeisrelativelyopenwithcommandingviewseastwardsacrossthevalleytodistantridgesonthecoalfielduplandfringewithinCountyDurham.

LandscapeSensitivityProfileofLCT44:CoalfieldValleySensitivityattributes



PHYSICAL:Landform

Relativelysimple,broad,well-definedvalleyoftheRiverDerwent,withtributarystreamandburnscuttingwest-eastthroughthinlybeddedsandstones,mudstones,shalesandcoalsoverlainbyglacialboulderclays,andenclosedbyroundedridgelines.Sometopographicalvarietybywayofoccasionalnarrowfloodplainsandinciseddenes,butlackinglandmarklandformfeatures.


Landcover

Relativelysimplemixedfarmlandmosaicofimprovedpastureandarablecropping,withextensivewoodlandblocks.Isolateddomesticbuildings,roadandfield-sidehedgesandtrees,andboundarystonewallsprovidehuman-scalefeaturesinthelandscape.


Landscapescale Generallyanopenbutmediumscalevalleylandscape(ratherthanlargerscale)whereextensivewoodlandandtree-linedvalleyscreateenclosureandalocallyintimatecharacterinplaces.


VISUAL:Skylines Generallysimpleskylineofroundedvalleysidesbut

wherewoodlandinparticularprovideslocalvariation.Skylinesintheneighbouringcoalfielduplandfringearemoreprominentandcomplicatedespeciallytotheeastwheredevelopmentwithintheurbanfringerisesontheadjacentridgeline.



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Viewsandlandmarks

Viewsaretypicallydefinedbyenclosingridgelines,withlocallysignificantviewsalongthevalley.CommandinglongerdistanceviewsacrossthevalleytodistantridgesonthecoalfielduplandfringewithinCountyDurhamandviceversa.ViewsfromthesouthfromtheNorthPenninesAONBareimportantandsensitivewheretheDerwentvalleyinthisLCTisseentocutthroughthecoalfielduplandfringelandscape.


Inter-visibility Inter-visibilityandstronglinkswiththeadjacentcoalfielduplandfringeridges.


Visualreceptors LimitedsensitivevisualreceptorswithintheLCTalthoughthevalleyiswidelyvisiblefromthesettlededgearoundConsettandEbchestertotheeast.


PERCEPTUAL:Movement LimitedmovementwithintheLCTfromlocalroadsand

farmvehicles,butfrequentmovementonbusymainroadsincludingtheA68andA694,andotherthroughroutesetc.withintheadjacentsettledurbanfringearoundConsetttotheeast.


Builtdevelopment InfluencesoftheformercoalminingindustryandasandandgravelquarrywestofEbchesterarethemainman-mademodificationstothelandscape.AlineofpylonspassesthroughthenorthernendoftheLCTbutisnotprominent.Tallmastsonadjacenthighgroundaremoreconspicuous.AshortstretchoftheA68passesalongthesouthernboundarywhilstotherbuiltdevelopmentwithintheadjacentsettledurbanfringearoundConsetttotheeastprovidesanurbanisinginfluence.


Remoteness MostoftheLCTretainsastronglyrural,relativelyremoteandtranquilcharacter,accessedonlybywindinglocalroads.ViewsoftheheavilysettledanddevelopeduplandfringelandscapeaboveConsettreducetheperceptionofremoteness.

Moderate

QUALITATIVE:Scenicquality Thestronglyrural,relativelyremoteandtranquil,intact

andwellmanagedagriculturalandvalleylandscapeisofmoderatetohighscenicquality,withemphasisontheShotleyHallestate.Ebchestersandandgravelquarryandthestrongurbanfringeinfluencestotheeastreducetheperceptionofscenicquality.


Distinctiveness ThispartoftheRiverDerwentvalleyhassomedistinctivefeaturesand‘senseofplace’,butisnotparticularlyrepresentativeoftheNorthumberlandlandscape.


Rarity RivervalleylandscapesarerelativelycommonthroughoutNorthumberland,althoughthisparticularcharactertypecoversarelativelysmallareaoftheCountyandcomprisesonlyonelandscapecharacter



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area.HISTORIC&CULTURAL:Heritageassets Limitedhistoricimportancewithasmallnumberof

historicbuildingsandfeatureswithintheLCT.ShotleyHallatShotleyBridgeisGradeIIlisted,atthecentreofalinearConservationAreaalongsidetheRiverDerwent.GoodlinkstoEbchesterRomanFort(Vindomora)acrosstheriverinCountyDurham.


Recreation LimitedrecreationalusewithintheLCT.GoodpublicaccessalongDerwentvalleytothewestofEbchester,linkingtowalksalongthedisusedrailwaynowpartofDerwentWalkCountryPark,EbchesterWood(ownedandmanagedbytheNationalTrust)andEbchesterRomanFort(Vindomora)acrosstheriverinCountyDurham.



Thepredominantlyundeveloped,stronglyrural,relativelyremoteandtranquilcharacterofthismediumscalevalleylandscapeindicatesgenerallyhighersensitivitytomedium-largeandlargescalewindturbines.Thiswouldbethecaseforbothsingleturbinesandturbinegroups.Duetotheclosejuxtaposition,inter-visibilityandcontrastwiththecoalfielduplandfringethislandscapeplaysanimportantroleincontributingtothecharacteroftheadjacentlandscape,andviceversa,increasingsensitivitytowindenergydevelopment.BuiltdevelopmentwithintheadjacentsettledurbanfringearoundConsettandEbchesteronrisinggroundtotheeastprovidesanurbanisinginfluence.ViewsfromthesouthfromtheNorthPenninesAONBareimportantandsensitivewheretheDerwentValleyinthisLCTisseentocutthroughthecoalfielduplandfringelandscape.Thedomesticscaleofexistingfeaturesinthelandscape,includingfarmsteads,treesandhedges,suggeststhatturbinesofcomparablescalearelikelytobemoreappropriate,especiallywherescreenedbywoodland.Singleturbineswouldbemoreappropriate,withhighersensitivitytoturbinegroups.

Cumulativeeffects Therearecurrentlynowindturbineswithinthislandscape.Thereareviewsoflargeturbinesinadjacentcharacterareas(BoundaryLaneandKilnPitHillwindfarmsonthecoalfielduplandfringetothewest).TheDerwentValleyisseeninthemiddledistanceinviewsfromthecoalfielduplandfringetotheeastwhereBoundaryLaneandKilnPitHillwindfarmsareseeninthedistanceasprominentdevelopmentsontheskyline.Despitethis,cumulativeeffectsarenotconsideredsignificant.However,anymediumandlargerscalewindenergydevelopmentwithintheDerwentValleyLCAcouldcreateaconfusingimageandsignificantcombinedandsequentialcumulativeeffects.Theeffectofsmallorsmall-mediumscalesinglewindturbineswithinthevalleyshouldbelimitedifsensitivelylocatedwheretheywouldbeofcomparablescalewithexistingverticalelementssuchasfarmsteadsandtrees,andwherewoodlandprovidesscreening.Turbinegroupsshouldbeavoided,especiallyaroundhistoricfeaturesandwithinsensitiveviews.


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LCT44:CoalfieldValley-LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)SensitivitytoDifferentScalesofWindEnergyDevelopment


40m41m-65m

66m-100m

101m-135m

LCA44a:DerwentValley M M-H M-H H HOverallLandscapeSensitivityofLCT44:CoalfieldValley

IngeneralLCT44issuitableforcarefullysitedsinglesmallscaleturbinesupto25mheighttobladetip.Theyshouldbecloselyassociatedwiththescaleandlocationoffarmbuildings,otherdomesticscalefeaturesandwoodlandwithinthelandscape.Ingeneral,windturbinesabove25mheighttobladetipwouldinprinciplebeunsuitablewithinLCT44.However,small-mediumscaleturbinesbetween26m-40mheighttobladetipandmediumscaleturbinesbetween41m-65mheighttobladetipmaybesuitablewhereitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivecharacteristicsandcumulativeeffectswouldnotbesignificant.Inthesecircumstancesturbinesshouldbenomorethan‘apparent’inthelandscape–theyshouldnotbeprominentordominantandshouldnotout-competeimportantfociinthelandscape.Medium-largescaleandlargerturbineswouldsignificantlyaffectkeycharacteristicsandqualitiesofthelandscapethatarehighlysensitivetothistypeandscaleofdevelopment.Thisisparticularlyduetothehighinter-visibilityandstronglinkswiththeadjacentcoalfielduplandfringeridgesandvisibilitywiththeadjacentsettledurbanfringe.


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4. SUMMARYFINDINGS: SENSITIVITYTOWINDENERGYDEVELOPMENTIN NORTHUMBERLAND SensitivitytoWindEnergyDevelopmentinPrinciple4.1 Table11setsoutthefullfindingsofthisstudyacrossalllandscapeareasforallwindturbine

typologies.

Table11:Summaryofoverallsensitivityoflandscapecharacterareastowindenergydevelopment(seeAppendixAforfulllistofLCAnames).LandscapeCharacterArea


Small-Medium26m-40m

Medium41m-65m

Medium-Large

66m-100m

Larger101m-135m

LCA1a M M-H H H H

LCA2a M M-H H H HLCA2b M M-H H H H

LCA3a M-H M-H H H HLCA3b M-H M-H H H HLCA3c M-H M-H H H H

LCA4a M M-H M-H H HLCA4b M-H H H H HLCA4c M-H H H H H

LCA5a M-H H H H HLCA5b M-H H H H HLCA5c M-H H H H H

LCA6a L-M M M M-H M-H

LCA7a M-H H H H H

LCA8a M M-H H H HLCA8b L-M M-H H H HLCA8c L L-M M M-H M-HLCA8d M M-H H H HLCA8e M M M-H H HLCA8f L-M M M-H H HLCA8g L-M M M M-H M-H

LCA9a M-H H H H H

LCA10a L-M M M M-H M-H


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LandscapeCharacterArea


Small-Medium26m-40m

Medium41m-65m

Medium-Large

66m-100m

Larger101m-135m

LCA10b M M-H M-H H H

LCA11a L-M M M-H H HLCA11b L-M M M M-H HLCA11c L-M M M M-H H

LCA12a M M M-H H H

LCA13a M M-H H H H

LCA14a M M-H H H HLCA14b M M-H H H HLCA14c M-H M-H H H H


LCA16a M-H H H H HLCA16b M M-H M-H H HLCA16c M M-H M-H H H

LCA17a L-M M M-H H H

LCA18a M M-H H H HLCA18b L-M M M-H H HLCA18c M M-H H H HLCA18d M M-H H H H

LCA19a L-M M M-H M-H HLCA19b M M-H H H H

LCA20a L-M M M-H H HLCA20b L-M M M-H H HLCA20c L-M M M-H H H

LCA21a M M-H H H HLCA21b M M-H M-H H HLCA21c M M-H M-H H H

LCA22a M M-H H H HLCA22b M M-H M-H H H



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Small-Medium26m-40m

Medium41m-65m

Medium-Large

66m-100m

Larger101m-135m

LCA23c M M-H H H H

LCA24a M M-H H H HLCA24b M M-H H H HLCA24c M M-H H H HLCA24d M M-H H H HLCA24e M M-H H H H

LCA25a H H H H HLCA25b H H H H HLCA25c H H H H HLCA25d H H H H HLCA25e H H H H H

LCA26a M M-H H H H


LCA28a M-H H H H H

LCA29a M M-H H H H

LCA30a M-H H H H HLCA30b M-H M-H H H HLCA30c M-H H H H H

LCA31a M-H H H H HLCA31b M-H H H H HLCA31c M-H H H H HLCA31d M-H H H H HLCA31e M-H H H H HLCA31f M-H H H H HLCA31g M-H H H H H

LCA32a H H H H HLCA32b M-H H H H H

LCA33a M-H M-H H H H

LCA34a H H H H HLCA34b M-H H H H HLCA34c H H H H HLCA34d H H H H H


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Small-Medium26m-40m

Medium41m-65m

Medium-Large

66m-100m

Larger101m-135m

LCA34e M-H H H H H

LCA35a M-H H H H HLCA35b M M-H H H H

LCA36a L L-M L-M M M

LCA37a L-M M M M-H M-HLCA37b L-M M M M-H M-HLCA38a M M-H H H HLCA38b M M-H H H HLCA38c M M-H H H HLCA38d M-H H H H HLCA38e M-H H H H H

LCA39a L L-M M M MLCA39b L L-M M M-H M-HLCA39c L L-M M M M

LCA40a M M-H H H HLCA40b M M-H M-H H H

LCA41a L L-M L-M M M

LCA42a L L-M L-M M M-H

LCA43a L L-M M M M-HLCA43b L L-M M M-H M-H

LCA44a M M-H M-H H H

4.2 TheassessmenthasidentifiedsomeNorthumberlandlandscapesasbeingofthehighest

sensitivity,i.e.ModeratetoHighorHighsensitivity,toallsizesofwindturbineconsideredinthisstudy.Theseare:

• MostoftheRockyCoastlineLCTandalloftheSandyCoastLCT,whichforthemostpart

liewithintheNorthumberlandCoastAONB;• LCA7a:HulnePark,withintheEstateValleyLCT;• LCA9a:Coquetdale,withintheSandstoneUplandValleyLCT;• LCA14c:OldFawdon,withintheIgneousFoothillsLCT;• LCA16a:Halidon,withintheOpenRollingFarmlandLCT;


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• TheMoorlandRidgesLCT,whichforthemostpartliewithintheNorthPenninesAONB;• AlmosttheentirelandscapeswithintheTyneGap,comprising7LCTs;• LCA35a:CoquetValley,withintheBroadLowlandValleysLCT;• LCA38d:PontValleyandLCA38e:NorthTyneRidge,bothwithintheLowlandRolling

FarmlandLCT.4.3 InaccordancewiththedefinitionsofsensitivityinTable9,keycharacteristicswithin

landscapesofHighersensitivity(H)arehighlylikelytobesignificantlyaffected,andkeycharacteristicswithinlandscapesofModerate-Highsensitivity(M-H)arelikelytobesignificantlyaffectedbywindenergydevelopment.ConsequentlythisstudyconsidersthatwindenergydevelopmentwouldbeunsuitableinlandscapesofHighersensitivity(H).WindenergydevelopmentinlandscapesofModerate-Highsensitivity(M-H)wouldbeunsuitableinprincipleunlessitcanbeshownthateffectsonthemostsensitivekeycharacteristicswithinanLCAwouldnotbesignificant.Thisrecognisesthecomplexinterplayofthedifferentcriteriathatinfluencelandscapecharacterandwhichaffectlandscapesensitivitytowindenergydevelopmenttoagreaterorlesserextent(seeparagraph2.24).

4.4 TheassessmenthasalsoidentifiedanumberofotherlandscapesofModerateorlower

sensitivitywheresomeofthekeycharacteristicsaresensitivetothecategoriesofwindturbineconsideredinthisstudy.Landscapecharacter,viewsand/orvisualamenityareunlikelytobesignificantlyaffected(seeTable9).ConsequentlythisstudyconsidersthatwindenergydevelopmentwouldbesuitableinprincipleinlandscapesofModeratesensitivity(M),Low–Moderatesensitivity(L-M)andLowersensitivity(L).However,applicationsfordevelopmentofanysizeofwindturbineintheselocationswillneedtodemonstratethatanysignificantlandscapeandvisualeffects,includingcumulativeeffects,willnotresultinunacceptablyharmfullandscapechangeorvisualintrusion(seeWiderConsiderationsbelow).

SensitivitytoSmall,Small-MediumandMediumTurbinesupto65mHeighttoBladeTip

4.5 Figures49to51showthespatialdistributionoflandscapesensitivitiestothethreelowerandmediumscalesofwindturbineaddressedbythisstudy.

4.6 Landscapesthatarethemostsensitivetosmallandsmall-mediumturbinesupto40mtipare

theCoastalPlain,partsoftheCheviotFringe,theRollingUplands,NorthPennines,TyneGap,theRollingLowlandFarmland,BroadBaysandDunesandtheDerwentValley.WheretheassessmenthasidentifiedsensitivityasModeratetoHighorHighsensitivity,turbinesofthissizewouldnotnormallybeexpectedbeappropriateelementsinthelandscapewithoutharmfulcharacterorvisualchange.TurbinesofthissizemaybeacceptableinlandscapesassessedasModeratesensitivitywhereeffectsonkeycharacteristicswouldnotbeexpectedtobeassignificant.TurbinesofthissizearealsolikelytobeacceptableinlandscapesassessedasModerate-LoworLowsensitivitywherenormallykeycharacteristicsareunlikelytobesignificantlyaffected,orwhereitisdemonstratedthatanylocalsignificantlandscapeandvisualeffects,includingcumulativeeffects,willbeotherwiseacceptablethroughmitigation.


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4.7 Thereismostpotentialinthecountyforsinglesmallturbines(upto25mheighttobladetip)

orturbinesatthelowerendofthesmall-mediumheightcategory,andforsmallgroupsoftwoorpossiblythreeturbineswithinthisheightrangewithinmorerestrictedpartsofthecounty(ratherthanmorewidelydistributedbecauseofthepotentialforcumulativeeffects).Turbinesofthisheightaremorelikelytobeinscalewithlandscapepatternsandhuman-scalefeaturesinthelandscapesuchasbuildings,churchspiresandmaturetrees.However,thereisstillthepotentialforturbinesofthissizetocausesignificantadverseeffectstokeylandscapecharacteristicswithinaLCAorawiderareawherevisualsensitivityextendsbeyondtheLCA.

4.8 MostlandscapesthroughoutthecountyindicateModeratetoHighorHighsensitivitytosmall-

mediumandmediumturbinesbetween25m-65mheighttobladetip.Mediumturbinesbetween40m-65mheighttobladetipareunlikelytobesuitableinlandscapesofModeratetoHighorHighsensitivity,butmaybeacceptableinlandscapesassessedasModeratesensitivitywhereeffectsonkeycharacteristicswouldnotbesignificant,whichmayincludepartsoftheSandstoneHills,LowlandFarmedRidges,CoastalFarmlandandtheCoalfieldUplandFringe.

4.9 Landscapesassessedasbeinglesssensitivetomediumandsmallerturbinesbelow65mheight

tobladetiparetheLowlandFarmedMoor,DevelopedCoastandtheUrban/UrbanFringeLCTs.4.10 TherearelimitedareasinthecountyassessedasLowsensitivitywherekeylandscape

characteristicsarelikelytobesufficientlyrobustandarenotparticularlysensitivetothissizeofwindturbine.However,thesetendtobelandscapeswithmoreextensiveoperationalorconsentedturbineswherefurtherdevelopmentcouldleadtocumulativeeffects,orarelandscapessubjecttoremodellingandenhancement,suchasacrossformerorcurrentsurfacecoalminingareas.


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SensitivitytoMedium-LargeandLargerTurbinesabove65mHeighttoBladeTip

4.11 Theassessmenthasshownthatmostlandscapesthroughoutthecountyarenotsuitableformedium-largeandlargerturbinesduetotheModeratetoHighorHighsensitivitytoturbinesabove65mheighttobladetip.SeeFigures52and53:


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4.12 LandscapesofModeratesensitivitytothissizeofturbine,i.e.theleastsensitivelocationsincomparisonwithotherNorthumberlandlandscapes,are:

• LCA36a:IngoeMoor,whereturbinesatKirkheatonandHallingtoncontributeto

reducinglandscapesensitivityoftheLowlandFarmedMoorLCT;


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• LCA39a:CoastalCoalfields,whereturbinesatLynemouth,NorthSteadsandSisterscontributetoreducinglandscapesensitivityofthenorthernpartoftheCoastalFarmlandLCT;

• LCA39c:Stannington,wherepastandcurrentopencastmining,significanttransportinfrastructureandalargescalelandscapewithlimitedintervisibilityreducesoverallsensitivityalthoughlocallysensitivitymaybehigher;

• LCA41a:BlythandWansbeckEstuaries,whereonshoreandoffshoreturbinesatBlythcontributetoreducinglandscapesensitivityofthatpartoftheDevelopedCoastLCT;

• LCA42a:Ashington,BlythandCramlington,whereturbinesatCramlingtoncontributetoreducinglandscapesensitivityoftheUrbanandUrbanFringeLCT;

• LCA43a:KilnPitHillHinterland,whereturbinesatKilnPitHillandBoundaryLanecontributetoreducinglandscapesensitivityoftheCoalfieldUplandFringeLCT.

4.13 Althoughtheassessmenthasidentifiedtheselandscapesasbeingtheleastsensitiveto

medium-largeandlargerturbines,someofthekeylandscapecharacteristicsaresensitivetothissizeofturbine.Applicationsfordevelopmentofturbinesabove65mheighttobladetipintheselocationswillneedtodemonstratethatanysignificantlandscapeandvisualeffects,includingcumulativeeffects,willbeacceptable(seeWiderConsiderationsbelow).

4.14 Wheretheremaybesomepotentialformedium-largeandlargerturbines,thepatternof

developmentislikelytobeoneofextension(s)tooperationalwindfarmsoranewgroupingofturbineswithinaparticularpartofthecountywhereturbinesofthissizearealreadyestablished.Thereisverylittlepotentialforsingleturbinesorgroupsofturbinesabove65mheighttobladetipthatwouldnotbeexpectedtobeoutofscaleandover-dominantwithintheNorthumberlandlandscape.

4.15 Wherere-poweringproposalsarise,developmentwhichseekstomaintainthescaleofthe

existingturbineorarrayislikelytobeappropriate.However,wherelandscapeandvisualeffectsofoperationalmedium,medium-largeorlargeturbinesinparticularareconsideredtobesignificant,orwherere-poweringwithlargerturbinescouldresultinsignificantlandscapeorvisualeffects,re-poweringmaybeinappropriate.

WiderConsiderations4.16 Applicationsfordevelopmentofanysizeofwindturbinewillneedtodemonstratethatany

significantlandscapeandvisualeffects,includingindirectandcumulativeeffects,willbeacceptable.Inparticularthismustaddressinmoredetailthaninacounty-widesensitivitystudyofthiskind,therelativevalueattachedtoaparticularlandscapeoritscomponentelements,includinglandscapedesignations(suchasNationalParkandAONB),andundesignatedlandscapesthatmaybevaluedatthecommunityorlocallevel.Impactonthesettingofavaluedlandscapewillalsoneedtobeconsidered,forexamplewhereanareaaffectedbyaproposalisvisuallyassociatedwithLCAsadjacenttooroccasionallybeyondcontiguouslandscapestoadesignatedarea(suchaswheresuchareasmaybeparticularlylimitedinscale,forexamplethesouthernfringeofNorthumberlandNationalPark).


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4.17 Similarly,applicationsfordevelopmentofanysizeofwindturbinewillneedtoincludeanassessmentofvisualeffects.Thisshouldestablishthevisualbaselinebyidentifyingtheextentofpossiblevisibilityofaproposal(ZoneofTheoreticalVisibility/ZTV),thegroupsofpeoplewhomaybeaffected(visualreceptors),andkeyviewsandviewpoints.ThevalueattachedtoviewsisanimportantconsiderationwithinNorthumberland,forexampleinrelationtoiconicheritageassetssuchasthecastlesandprioriesalongthecoastline.

4.18 AssessmentofcumulativeeffectsisarequirementoftheEnvironmentalImpactAssessment

(EIA)Regulations.Cumulativeeffectsofwindenergydevelopmentsisaparticularconsiderationduetothepotentiallyhighlevelofvisibilityofthesetallstructures,whichmeansthatcumulativevisualeffectsinparticular(alongwithcumulativelandscapeeffects)aremorelikelywhereadevelopmentisproposedinconjunctionwithotheroperationalorconsentedwindenergydevelopments.ThisstudytakesintoconsiderationoperationalandconsentedwindenergydevelopmentswithinNorthumberlandandadjacentauthorities,andadvisesonpotentialcumulativeeffects,butitisnotasubstitutefordetailedassessmentofthecumulativeeffectsofawinddevelopmentproposal.ThescopeofacumulativeassessmentshouldbeagreedwiththeCouncilandislikelytoincludedefinitionofanappropriatestudyareaandtheuseofZTVmappingoftheproposeddevelopmentwithoperationalandconsentedschemes,togetherwithschemesthataresubjecttoavalidplanningapplicationthathasnotyetbeendetermined.

4.19 Thelandscape(andvisual)sensitivitytowindenergydevelopmentassessedinthisstudywill

helptheCouncilunderstandwhethersuitableareasforwindturbinedevelopmentcanbeidentifiedwithintheemergingNorthumberlandLocalPlan.Thestudyconsidersthosefactorsthataffectlandscapecharacter;otherconsiderationswillbetakenintoaccountbytheCouncilindeterminingoverallsuitability,suchasconsiderationofwiderenvironmentalvalueincludinginternationalandnationaldesignations(e.g.SPA,SSSI,ScheduledMonumentandListedBuilding)andenvironmentalassetsvaluedatthecommunityorlocallevel(e.g.localwildlifesitesandConservationAreas),aswellastechnicalandotherpracticallimitations.However,theoutputsofthissensitivityassessmentdoprovideasystematicandtransparentcoarse-to-moderategrainfilterofareaswherewindenergydevelopmentofthedifferenttypologiesconsideredinthestudywouldorwouldnotbeappropriateinlandscapeandvisualterms.


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APPENDICESAppendixA:LandscapeCharacterTypesandLandscapeCharacterAreas(NLCA2010)

LandscapeCharacterType(LCT) LandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)

1 BroadRiverMouth 1a TweedRiverMouth

2 CoastalIncisedValley 2a LowerAln

2b LowerCoquet

3 FarmedCoastalPlain 3a Haggerston

3b Lucker

3c Rock

4 RockyCoastline 4a NorthTweedCoast

4b FarneIslandsCoast

4c CrasterCoast

5 SandyCoastline 5a HolyIslandCoast

5b BeadnellandEmbletonBays

5c AlnandCoquetEstuaries

6 BroadSandstoneValley 6a WhittinghamVale

7 EstateValley 7a HulnePark

8 OutcropHillsandEscarpments 8a DoddingtonRidge

8b KyloeandChillinghamHills

8c CharltonRidge

8d BeanleyMoor

8e RothburyForest

8f HarwoodForest

8g SweethopeandBlackdown

9 SandstoneUplandValleys 9a Coquetdale

10 SmoothMoorland 10a RosebroughMoor

10b AlnwickMoor

11 SandstoneFringeFarmland 11a BelfordHills

11b ButelandandColtCrag

11c Hetton

12 BroadFarmedVale 12a BreamishVale


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13 BroadFloodplainValley 13a TillandGlenValleys

14 IgneousFoothills 14a MoneylawsandColdside

14b WoolerFoothills

14c OldFawdon

15 UplandFringeFarmland 15a LilburnandRoddam

15b UpperCoquet

16 OpenRollingFarmland 16a Halidon

16b DuddoandLowick

16c EastLearmouth

17 UplandFringeRidges 17a HorseRigg

18 UplandFringeValley 18a BowmontValley

18b WoolerVale

18c UpperBreamish

18d UpperAln

19 MoorlandandForestMosaic 19a KielderandRedesdaleForests

19b KielderReservoir

20 RollingUplandValleys 20a OtterburnandElsdonValley

20b BellinghamandWoodburnValley

20c UpperNorthTyneValley

21 RollingUplands 21a CorsensideCommon

21b EalinghamRigg

21c OtterburnPlateau

22 FarmedRiverValleys 22a Devil'sWaterandHinterland

22b DiptonWoodandSlaley

23 LowerDale 23a LowerSouthTyne

23b LowerAllenheads

23c LowerDerwent

24 MiddleDale 24a MiddleSouthTyne

24b MiddleWestAllen

24c MiddleEastAllen

24d MiddleDevil'sWater

24e MiddleDerwent

26 UplandFarmlandandPlantations 26a Healey


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27 UpperDale 27a UpperWestAllen

27b UpperEastAllen

28 BasinValleyandFringes 28a RiverIrthing

29 BroadWoodedValley 29a NorthTyneValley

30

GlacialTroughValleyFloor 30a HaltwhistletoNewbrough

30b NewbroughtoCorbridge

30c CorbridgetoWylam

31 GlacialTroughValleySides 31a TipaltBurn

31b HaltwhistletoBridgeEnd

31c NorthPlenmellerCommon

31d LangleytoStocksfield

31e StocksfieldtoPrudhoe

31f AcombtoOvington

31g OvingtontoWylam

32 ParallelRidgesandCommons 32a HowdenHill

32b Haltwhistle,MelkridgeandRidleyCommons

33 TributaryValley 33a ErringBurn

34 UplandCommonsandFarmland 34a AcombRidge

34b BroadpoolCommon

34c GrindonCommon

34d FeatherstoneCommon

34e LowesandNubbockFells

35 BroadLowlandValleys 35a CoquetValley

35b FontandWansbeckValleys

36 LowlandFarmedMoor 36a IngoeMoor

37 LowlandFarmedRidges 37a WingatesRidge

37b LongwittonRidge

38 LowlandRollingFarmland 38a Longframlington

38b Longhorsley

38c WhaltonandBelsay

38d PontValley

38e NorthTyneRidge

39 CoalfieldFarmland 39a CoastalCoalfields

39b SeatonDelaval


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39c Stannington

40 BroadBaysandDunes 40a DruridgeBay

40b SeatonDunes

41 DevelopedCoast 41a BlythandWansbeckEstuaries

42 UrbanandUrbanFringe 42a Ashington,BlythandCramlington

43 CoalfieldUplandFringe 43a KilnPitHillHinterland

43b PrudhoeHinterland

44 CoalfieldValley 44a DerwentValley


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AppendixB:KeyLandscapeCharacteristicsandGeneralInfluenceonWindEnergyLandscapeAttributes

KeyLandscapeConsiderations

GeneralInfluenceonWindEnergyDevelopment

Landform Topography,shape,complexity;distinctivefeatures;influenceonviews

• Simple,smooth,flatorgentlyundulatinglandformsgenerallyhavegreatercapacitythancomplex,ruggedorsteeplandforms

• Largerturbinegroupsmaysometimesbeaccommodatedonsimple,flatorgentlyslopinghillfringeorlowlandlandscapes

• Smallerturbinegroupsarelikelytofitbetterinarollingorundulatinghillfringeorlowlandlandscape

• Generallyturbineheightshouldbeproportionatetolandformheight,withtallerturbinesonhigherhillsandsmallerturbinesonlowerground,tohelpretaintopographicdistinctionsandcontrastsbetweenuplandandlowlandlandscapes

• Wheresitedonridgesorhills,turbineheightshouldbetypicallylessthanone-thirdtheperceivedheightoftheridgeorhilltobeproportionatetothelandform

• Developmentcouldintrudeorbevisuallyconfusingifclosetodistinctivetopographicalfeatures

• Developmentwithinlowlandlandscapescouldaffectsenseofcontrastwherethereisexistingwinddevelopmentonadjoininguplandareas

• Floodplainlandscapeshavelittlecapacityduetotheiressentiallyopencharacter

• Simpleflatcoastallandscapesprobablyhavegreatercapacitythancomplexcoastallandscapewithcombinationsofcliffs,headlandsorrockyshorelines

• Extensiveflatlowlandplateauorlowlandplainlandscapesmayhavecapacitytoaccommodatewindenergydevelopment

• DevelopmentcouldaffectsenseofdistanceLanduse Landusechange,

historicalcontinuity• Developmentcouldaffectperceptionsof‘naturalness’in

landscapeslargelyunaffectedbymoderninfluencesLandcover Pattern,varietyand

complexityduetothenumberanddiversityoflandscapefeatures;infrastructure,settlement&otherdevelopment

• Extensiveareasofhomogenouscharacterandsimilargroundcovergenerallyhavegreatercapacitythanlandscapeswithasmallerpatternandvarietyoflandcover

• Largeturbinegroupsmayhaveanadverse‘flattening’effectonlandscapeswithacomplexcharacterandvariedlandcoverwheresmallergroupingsarelikelytofitbetter

• Relationshipofturbineswiththepattern,scale,location,characterandsettingofotherbuiltdevelopment,inparticulartheheightofexistingtallstructures,willinfluencecapacity

• Maybetheneedforvisualseparationtoavoidvisualconflictsduetocontrastsinscalewhereexistingstructuresareseenincloseproximitytoturbines

• Maybetheneedforvisualseparationtoavoidcumulativeeffectswhereexistingstructuresareseenincloseproximitytoturbines

Rarity Rare/unusuallandscapeswithadistinctive‘senseofplace’

• Developmentcouldaffectperceptionsofdistinctivenessandcouldphysicallyaffectlandscapeswitharareorunusualcharacter

Scale Horizontalandvertical‘size’ofthelandscapeand

• Developmentmustbeinscalewiththelandscape,includinganyfeaturesinit,otherwiseitwilleitherdominateorappeartoosmallandtrivial


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LandscapeAttributes

KeyLandscapeConsiderations

GeneralInfluenceonWindEnergyDevelopment

extentoflandvisible(scalegenerallyincreaseswithelevationanddistance);sizeoffeaturesinthelandscape

• Intimateandsmallscalelandscapesgenerallyhavelesscapacitythanlargescalelandscapes

• Largeturbinegroupsmayhaveanadverse‘flattening’effectonsmallscale,moreintricatelandscapeswheresmallergroupingsarelikelytofitbetter

• Largeturbinegroupsmaybeappropriateinsimple,flatcoastallandscapes,andsmallerturbinesandgroupsmaybemoreappropriateinmorecomplex,variedcoastlines

• Developmentcouldaffectperceptionofverticalscaleifturbinesaretootallincomparisonwithlandscapefeaturesorsmallerturbines

Openness Extentofenclosure/containmentduetothearrangementoflandscapeelementsandtheinteractionoftheirheightanddistancebetweenthem

• Enclosedorconfinedlandscapesgenerallyhavelesscapacitythanmoreopenlandscapes

• Sensitivityislikelytobeincreasedwhereviewsarefocussedalongcoastlinesoracrossopenwatertootherlandmasses

Experience Forexamplewildness,solitude,tranquillity,senseofmovement,etc.

• Developmentcouldaffectperceptionsofremoteness,calmnessetc.

LandscapeContext

Considerationofhowadjacentareasandfeaturesalterkeysensitivitiesi.e.importancetosettingorprovidingabackdrop

• Existingdevelopmentinadjacentareasistakenintoaccountinassessingexisting‘baseline’character

• Existingdevelopmentinadjacentareasistakenintoaccountinassessingwhetheranareahasreachedorisapproachinglandscapecapacityforwindenergydevelopment

• Developmentinoneareacanaffectkeysensitivitiesinadjacentareasandincreasecumulativelandscapeeffects

• Thesettingofdistinctivelandmarkcoastalfeaturescanbeespeciallysensitive

assessment of the sensitivity of the landscapes of … · assessment of the sensitivity of the...

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