Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

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Extensive, long distance, panoramic sea views can be seen, however, from the
coastal edges of the Deben Estuary and the sea front in Felixstowe. To the
south of the seascape unit, panoramic views can be seen from Languard Fort
over the mile-wide Harwich Harbour and out to sea and the Port Viewing
Area at Landguard attracts thousands of people each year to watch the
shipping. Notable features and structures lying beyond the
Felixstowe/Deben Estuary regional seascape unit that can be seen from
within it when visibility conditions are good include the Naze promontory to
the south and the WTGs of the wind farms at Gunfleet Sands, visible in the
distance beyond. The WTGs of GGOWF and London Array wind farm will
also be seen in very distant seaward views, to the east and southeast
respectively, on occasions when visibility is very good.
Perceptual Qualities
4.3.32. The seascape is characterised by a complex composition of elements, with a
combination of built and natural elements forming and structuring the
coastline. The seascape is medium to large in scale and the scalability and
depth of the seascape is made distinguishable by features of the urban
coastline and the Port of Felixstowe. These features also provide orientation
in relation to the coastline, which is further reinforced by the activities of
large commercial cargo and passenger ferries passing through the seascape at
frequent intervals. Whilst the seascape is predominantly horizontal in form,
there is a significant presence of vertical forms visible within and beyond the
seascape unit, such as cranes at the Port of Felixstowe and the distant offshore
WTGs in the North Sea. This results in a clear, but discordant image created
by a complex arrangement of elements contained within and visible beyond
the seascape.
Existing Seascape Sensitivity to Change
4.3.33. Whilst the different components of the seascape are generally intact and
appear to be reasonably well maintained, there are a number of significant
detractors within and visible from this unit. This, combined with the
engineered character of much of the coastline and the discordant
arrangement of elements within the seascape, reduces the overall quality of
the seascape.
4.3.34. The coastline of this seascape unit varies considerably in character and
contains a diverse range of elements. The complexity and diversity of these
different elements combine with the existing vertical forms visible along the
coastline to moderate the unit's sensitivity to the proposed change of the
offshore wind farm. It is, therefore, considered that the sensitivity of this
seascape unit to the type of change proposed, by the offshore wind farm
outwith its area is Medium-Low.