Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

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1.3. The Study Area
1.3.1. It is accepted practice within landscape assessment work that the extent of
the study area is broadly defined by the visual envelope or the Zone of
Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) arising from the development site (the area
within which it may be possible to see any part of the proposed
development).
1.3.2. Within the ZTV, the extent of visibility of a proposed development depends
upon a variety of factors including the scale of development, the nature of the
receiving environment, the range and distribution of visual receptor groups
and the relationship between the viewpoint and the development itself
including orientation, distance, local screening and curvature of the earth. It
should also take account of the prevailing meteorological and weather
conditions / atmospheric refraction available at any one time and the
duration (permanency) of the development.
1.3.3. Following initial ZTV studies, a 45km radius study area around the proposed
offshore wind farm was identified to cover all the potentially significant
seascape and visual impacts. The study area was agreed with Suffolk Coastal
District Council, Suffolk County Council and Natural England, as detailed in
Section 2.4.
1.3.4. The identified 45km radius study area (shown on Figure 01) embraces a long
and varied stretch of coastline, extending from Southwold and the Blythe
Estuary to the north, to Felixstowe and the Deben Estuary to the south.
Between these points the coastline encompasses Hollesley Bay, Orford Ness
and Aldeburgh Bay.