Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_LVIA
146
September 2011
GALLOPER WIND FARM SUBSTATION
16.2. Summary of Effects on Landscape Character
16.2.1. The magnitude and significance of effects of the substation and
connection to the National Grid on landscape character will be
similar during construction and at Year 1. One of the main changes
during construction will be the removal of a proportion of Sizewell
Wents woodland and this effect will remain on completion. During
construction there will be added disturbance from temporary lay
down and site accommodation extending over a wider area than the
substation site itself, and from elements such as spoil heaps,
construction traffic and the visual movement of vehicles.
16.2.2. At Year 1 a profiled landform will have been created around part of
the substation where it extends westwards into arable and grass fields.
The proposed landform and retained areas of Sizewell Wents will
screen much of the substation, limiting effects on landscape character
to some degree. The proposed landform will integrate with the
existing landform due to gradual external slopes. However, the
proposed landform, substation and gantries will have adverse effects
on landscape character.
16.2.3. At Year 15 mitigation planting associated with GWF and GGOWF
will have matured and will help to screen the development and
integrate it into the landscape. The new woodland to the north, west
and south, planted on the proposed landform, will screen all but the
tallest structures within the substation compounds. Woodland
planting will cloak the highest parts of the proposed landform with
the lower, outside slopes being planted with a woodland edge to
create an organic, naturalist edge comprising native shrubs and open
grassland, before joining the arable or grassland fields. This treatment
would be appropriate to local landscape character and the principles
of the Sizewell Vision being developed by EDF Energy.
16.2.4. Planting would reduce the effects on landscape character from High
magnitude (at Year 1) to Medium magnitude (at Year 15) as follows: