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Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

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2890_mitigation<br />

9<br />

August 2011<br />

<strong>Galloper</strong> <strong>Wind</strong> <strong>Farm</strong> Substation<br />

detailed assessment places the site in The Sandlings landscape character area which,<br />

within the vicinity of the site, corresponds with the area covered by the Estate<br />

Sandlands landscape character type given in the Suffolk Landscape Character<br />

Assessment.<br />

It states that ‘The Sandlings on the estate are mainly under intensive arable cropping<br />

and forestry plantations, with only comparatively small areas of heathland remaining.<br />

..….’<br />

Soils of the Sandlings are typically loamy sands which are free draining and have very<br />

little capacity to hold moisture. Agricultural productivity is limited due to extent of<br />

droughtiness of soils which impedes plant growth.<br />

Heathland<br />

The ILMP states that ‘Historically the Sandlings were almost entirely covered by<br />

lowland heath, a semi-natural habitat created by clearance of the primary forests and<br />

the subsequent low intensity agriculture practised by early settlers of the area.<br />

However, improvements in agricultural technologies have over recent time made the<br />

Sandlings much more viable for intensive commercial agriculture and forestry, and<br />

these landuses have become increasingly dominant influences on the landscape.<br />

The Sandlings on the estate are mainly under intensive arable cropping and forestry<br />

plantations, with only comparatively small areas of heathland remaining. ……’<br />

(Paragraphs 5.19 and 5.20)<br />

Woodland<br />

The ILMP refers to a number of small areas of lowland mixed deciduous woodlands in<br />

the Sandlings including Sizewell Wents. It states that all woodlands on the Estate are<br />

under a management plan and that landscape is an overriding management objective,<br />

with improvement of wildlife being a further benefit. It states that ‘The management<br />

of the …… woodlands will seek to increase the proportion of broadleaved species where<br />

appropriate and improve the structure of the woodlands by ride clearing and<br />

widening. Woody shrubs will be planted along ride sides and on the edges to maximise<br />

the habitat potential of the woodland edge, and to benefit woodland edge species such<br />

as woodlark.’ (Paragraph 6.61)<br />

It gives the following management guidance for Sizewell Wents and some other<br />

woods on the Estate:<br />

General Management Specific Management Actions<br />

Woodland plantations are managed in<br />

accordance with normal silvicultural<br />

practice. Thinning, felling and replanting<br />

Ride areas to be managed and kept open<br />

by cutting of vegetation.

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