Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_SLVIA
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Aldeburgh Bay Regional Seascape Unit
Seascape Unit Boundaries
4.3.16. Thorpe Ness provides the northern extent of the Aldeburgh Bay regional
seascape unit and Orford Ness provides the southern extent. These are
clearly evident as the main regional headlands which define Aldeburgh Bay.
Marine, Coastal & Hinterland Components
4.3.17. The marine component of the seascape unit is derived from the relatively
narrow intertidal zone along the northern part of the shingle landform of
Orford Ness, and the shingle beach between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness.
Much of the coastal edge is formed by the shingle spit of Orford Ness which is
one of the most dynamic landforms on the UK coastline. The small seaside
town of Aldeburgh lies at the northern parts of the seascape unit. It is a
popular destination for holiday-makers with tourist facilities, hotels and
restaurants lining the sea front and High Street.
4.3.18. South of Aldeburgh, the inland landscape is characterised by low-lying,
gently rolling coastal farmland with settlement limited to a few scattered,
isolated farms. The coastline south of Aldeburgh has strong associations
with the region's military and defensive history. The most significant
defensive structure is the great Martello Tower located on the southern edge
of Aldeburgh, which is the most northerly of the east coast towers built to
guard against potential Napoleonic invasion. Another notable defensive
structure is the huge, grey, steel structure north of Orford Ness which once
housed a top secret Anglo-American radar project. This imposing building,
and the associated radio masts sited adjacent to it across the Lantern Marshes,
is now used as a BBC World Service transmitting station.
Inter-visibility
4.3.19. 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 north and Orford Ness containing
views south. Extensive sea views between Orford Ness and Aldeburgh can be
seen from the shingle spit of Orford Ness and also from Lantern Marshes.
Views toward the sea from the west of the Rivers Alde and Ore are limited by
the shingle spit at Ordord Ness, which rises above sea level. Within the town
of Aldeburgh, views towards the sea are largely limited to the sea front,
although there are distant sea views available slightly further inland between
Aldeburgh and Thorpeness and also to the south of Aldeburgh from more
elevated, eastern facing areas of the coastal farmland. Notable features and
structures lying beyond the Aldeburth Bay regional seascape unit that are