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Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

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2842_SLVIA<br />

13<br />

3.0 Landscape and Seascape Policy Context<br />

3.1. Introduction<br />

3.1.1. <strong>National</strong> and Development Plan policy framework recognises the importance<br />

of renewable energy through <strong>Planning</strong> Policy Statement 22 (August 2004). It<br />

encourages the development of renewable energy sources but also states that<br />

they need to be without significant adverse or detrimental impact upon the<br />

existing landscape resource and visual environment.<br />

3.1.2. The UK Marine Policy Statement (March 2011) states: ‘In considering the<br />

impact of an activity or development on seascape, the marine plan authority<br />

should take into account existing character and quality, how highly it is<br />

valued and its capacity to accommodate change specific to any development.<br />

Landscape Character Assessment methodology may be an aid to this process.’<br />

(Paragraph 2.6.5.3.)<br />

3.1.3. In relation to designated landscapes it says: ‘For any development proposed<br />

within or relatively close to nationally designated areas (For example Areas<br />

of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), <strong>National</strong> Parks or Heritage coasts)<br />

the marine plan authority should have regard to the specific statutory<br />

purposes of the designated areas. The design of a development should be<br />

taken into account as an aid to mitigation.’ (Paragraph 2.6.5.4.)<br />

3.1.4. In March 2010 the Department for Communities and Local Government<br />

published a draft consultation on a new <strong>Planning</strong> Policy Statement: <strong>Planning</strong><br />

for a Natural and Healthy Environment. Policy NE8: Policy principles guiding<br />

the determination of applications in relation to the natural environment<br />

states in that ‘<strong>National</strong>ly designated areas, comprising <strong>National</strong> Parks, the Broads<br />

and AONBs, have the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic<br />

beauty. The conservation of the natural beauty of these designated areas should be<br />

given great weight in planning policies and decisions.’ (paragraph NE8.5)<br />

3.1.5. In July 2011 six <strong>National</strong> Policy Statements (NPS) for Energy were designated<br />

under the <strong>Planning</strong> Act 2008. The energy NPSs set out national policy against<br />

which proposals for major energy projects will be assessed and decided on by<br />

the <strong>Infrastructure</strong> <strong>Planning</strong> Commission (IPC). Two are relevant to this<br />

Section of the LVIA (EN-1 and EN-3).<br />

3.1.6. The Overarching <strong>National</strong> Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) sets out<br />

national policy for the energy infrastructure covered by the NPS in<br />

combination with the relevant technology-specific NPS. For this project the<br />

relevant technology-specific NPS is <strong>National</strong> Policy Statement for Renewable<br />

Energy <strong>Infrastructure</strong> (EN-3).

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