Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_LVIA
20
September 2011
GALLOPER WIND FARM SUBSTATION
3.0 Landscape Policy Context
3.1. Introduction
3.1.1. The national, regional and local policy frameworks recognise the
importance of renewable energy, but also require that due
consideration be given to areas of recognised landscape value. As part
of establishing the existing baseline environment, the assessment
therefore reviewed and considered a range of relevant landscape
policy designations at a national, regional and local level.
3.2. Landscape Designations
Refer to Figure 01
3.2.1. The national, regional and locally important landscape designations
that fall within the study area comprise the following:
Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB
3.2.2. The development site is located within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths
AONB. The Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB extends from the
northern side of the Stour estuary to the south of Ipswich, to
Kessingland in the north and covers much of the land between the
A12 trunk road and the coast. The landscape is a patchwork of shingle
beaches, crumbling cliffs, marshes, estuaries, heathland, forests and
farmland. It is deeply indented by the estuaries of the Alde and the
Deben and bordered by the cliffs and tidal silts of the North Sea
coastline.
3.2.3. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales are
designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside
Act 1949, solely on account of their natural beauty, with the aim of
conserving and enhancing it. Together with National Parks (and
National Scenic Areas in Scotland) and Heritage Coasts, AONBs make
up the family of nationally protected landscapes in the UK. The
landscapes within these designations are recognised as being of the