Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

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3.0 Landscape and Seascape Policy Context
3.1. Introduction
3.1.1. National and Development Plan policy framework recognises the importance
of renewable energy through Planning Policy Statement 22 (August 2004). It
encourages the development of renewable energy sources but also states that
they need to be without significant adverse or detrimental impact upon the
existing landscape resource and visual environment.
3.1.2. The UK Marine Policy Statement (March 2011) states: ‘In considering the
impact of an activity or development on seascape, the marine plan authority
should take into account existing character and quality, how highly it is
valued and its capacity to accommodate change specific to any development.
Landscape Character Assessment methodology may be an aid to this process.’
(Paragraph 2.6.5.3.)
3.1.3. In relation to designated landscapes it says: ‘For any development proposed
within or relatively close to nationally designated areas (For example Areas
of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), National Parks or Heritage coasts)
the marine plan authority should have regard to the specific statutory
purposes of the designated areas. The design of a development should be
taken into account as an aid to mitigation.’ (Paragraph 2.6.5.4.)
3.1.4. In March 2010 the Department for Communities and Local Government
published a draft consultation on a new Planning Policy Statement: Planning
for a Natural and Healthy Environment. Policy NE8: Policy principles guiding
the determination of applications in relation to the natural environment
states in that ‘Nationally designated areas, comprising National Parks, the Broads
and AONBs, have the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic
beauty. The conservation of the natural beauty of these designated areas should be
given great weight in planning policies and decisions.’ (paragraph NE8.5)
3.1.5. In July 2011 six National Policy Statements (NPS) for Energy were designated
under the Planning Act 2008. The energy NPSs set out national policy against
which proposals for major energy projects will be assessed and decided on by
the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). Two are relevant to this
Section of the LVIA (EN-1 and EN-3).
3.1.6. The Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) sets out
national policy for the energy infrastructure covered by the NPS in
combination with the relevant technology-specific NPS. For this project the
relevant technology-specific NPS is National Policy Statement for Renewable
Energy Infrastructure (EN-3).