Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

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5.4.7. It is assumed that elements at a distance greater than 50km in seaward views
will not be visible to the human eye, even when meteorological conditions
are considered to be excellent for visibility.
5.5. Visual Receptors
5.5.1. A range of visual receptors can be expected to be affected by the proposed
development, including those onshore and offshore. Onshore receptors will
include, but will not be limited to, local residents, those travelling through
the area including pedestrians and motorists, those visiting the area for
recreational and amenity purposes and those working outdoors. Offshore
receptors will include passengers and workers on passenger and cruising
routes, recreational fishermen and sailors, working fishermen, and workers
on shipping and those involved in marine aggregate extraction. The extent of
the effect upon certain groups, however, will vary according to the nature of
the view, intricacies of the surrounding landscape and seascape and their
level of sensitivity to the type of development. Refer to Appendix 1 for a
description of receptor groups and their baseline sensitivities to the proposed
type of change arising from the offshore wind farm.
5.6. Offshore Receptors
5.6.1. Vessel movement around the site of the proposed wind farm is discussed in
Chapter 16 (Shipping and Navigation) and tourism and recreation in Chapter
24 (Landuse, Tourism and Recreation) of the ES. At the time of the survey
reported in Chapter 16, excluding vessels associated with GGOWF (which
was under construction), there were on average 12 vessels per day passing
through the site of the proposed GWF. Cargo ships and oil tankers are the
most common vessels in the vicinity of GWF. There are a smaller number of
“other” ships, comprising of salvage, research, pilot, passenger, fishing and
dredging vessels and tugs. There is a pattern of passenger vessels running
west – east just to the north of GWF, and between the north and south parts
of GWF, as shown on Figure 16.2a in Chapter 16 if the ES.
5.6.2. Chapter 16 states that:
� The wind farm is well outside the general racing and sailing areas off the
coast.
� There is one light–use cruising route shown to be heading via the Sunk
Traffic Separation Scheme East (TSSE) (the gap between the northern
and southern parts of the wind farm) used by traffic between the Thames
/ Harwich Haven and The Netherlands (Figure 16.9).
� There are several marinas and clubs for recreational vessels located along
the coast near Harwich and Felixstowe. The nearest club is the Bawdsey