Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_LVIA
143
September 2011
GALLOPER WIND FARM SUBSTATION
15.3.4. Under the heading of Assessment it concludes:
‘The Appraisal of Sustainability identified that there is the potential for some
long lasting adverse direct and indirect effects on landscape character and
visual impacts on the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB, with limited
potential for mitigation given that the site is wholly within the AONB.
This could have an effect on the purpose of the designation. To further
understand these effects and the effectiveness of the mitigating actions
proposed by the nominator of the site, further detailed assessment at project
level is required – the Appraisal of Sustainability suggests through the
provision an integrated landscape, heritage and architectural plan. The
potential for remaining effects can best be fully assessed when detailed plans
come forward because they depend on a range of factors including the
detailed proposals for minimisation and mitigation, the cooling technology
proposed and location of transmission infrastructure. However, given the
limited scope for mitigation, a level of impact is likely to remain.’
(paragraphs C.8.81 and C.8.82)
15.3.5. It is, therefore, already recognised that Sizewell C will cause some
long lasting adverse landscape effects on the landscape of the Suffolk
Coast and Heaths AONB that cannot necessarily be mitigated. It is
also recognised that these will occur within the context of existing
development associated with the existing Power Station and
transmission infrastructure.
15.3.6. It is likely that GWF substation and Sizewell C Power Station will be
present during an overlapping timescale. However, GWF will be
present for a shorter period (32 month construction phase, a 25 year
operational phase and a 2 year decommissioning phase) than Sizewell
C. During this overlapping period there are likely to be cumulative
adverse landscape and visual impacts. These are likely to be greatest if
and how the smaller part of the nominated site area to the south (east
of Sandy Lane) is developed, but much less if only the area to the
north is developed. It is possible that cumulative effects will be quite
limited if only the northern part of the nominated site area is