Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

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Walberswick to Thorpeness Regional Seascape Unit
Seascape Unit Boundaries
4.3.10. This regional seascape unit comprises an eastward facing, concave shoreline,
extending approximately 15km between Walberswick and Thorpe Ness and
defined by the headland of Thorpe Ness and by the estuary mouth of the
River Blythe at Walberswick.
Marine, Coastal & Hinterland Components
4.3.11. The coastal edge within the seascape unit is characterised by a gently curving
continuous beach of sand and shingle. In the central portion of the seascape
unit, the beach is backed by the Dunwich and Minsmere Cliffs, a series of
heath-topped, shallow sandstone and mudstone cliffs extending to the north
and south of Dunwich Heath. Elsewhere, the beach is commonly edged with
stretches of marram-grass tufted sand dunes. The coastal zone also includes
extensive areas of marshland and mudflat habitats. Built structures within
the coastal zone are largely limited to a series of wooden bridges and
retaining structures associated with dykes and drainage channels in
marshland areas and a limited number of larger-scale concrete sea defence
structures. There are also clusters of stained-timber fishing huts located
along the edge of the dunes. The larger inland hinterland beyond the
marshland habitats is characterised by a series of elevated eastward-facing
wooded slopes. Settlement within the seascape unit is limited to the small
villages of Dunwich and Walberswick and a few isolated cottages scattered
intermittently along the cliff tops to the north and south of Dunwich Heath.
Sizewell power station is situated immediately adjacent to the coast in the
south of the seascape unit. The power station infrastructure includes a series
of large-scale buildings, two offshore platforms and a series of pylons
extending inland from the power station. These structures are industrial in
character and scale and have a dominant presence in the wider seascape
environment.
Inter-visibility
4.3.12. The visibility splays at the edge of this unit are defined and limited by the
headlands forming the boundaries of the seascape unit, with Thorpe Ness
containing views along the coast to the south and the estuary mouth of the
River Blythe at Walberwick containing views along the coast to the north.
The church tower and a number of other tall buildings associated with the
settlement of Walberswick are prominent in views north along the coastline
within the seascape unit. Southward views along the coast tend to be