Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_SLVIA
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Designations
Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB,
Heritage Coast
Landscape Character Type Rolling Estate Sandlands
Regional Seascape Unit Hollesley Bay
Existing View
5.8.15. The viewpoint is located on a minor road north of the village of Alderton.
Views at this location are generally open and expansive across the flat
agricultural land leading to the coastline. In places, however, views of the sea
are limited by areas of tree cover and hedgerows, which limit road users'
views towards the sea to intermittent glimpses. There is no particular focus
within the view, except for the window of sea framed by vegetation in the
centre of the view. The large expanse of sky that is visible, as a result of the
low-lying nature of the landscape, is dominant. The foreground and middle
ground of the view comprise large rectilinear fields which extend to the
coastal saltmarshes and shore in the far distance. Areas of shelterbelt
planting and woodland break up and frame the seaward vistas as well as
lending a degree of complexity and 'texture' to the view. Beyond this, the
North Sea can be seen as a narrow band below the horizon. Marine traffic can
also be seen from this location and provides a mobile focus within the
available view. When visibility is very good, there are also distant views
towards a number of WTGs of the GGOWF spanning a 34° portion of the
seaward horizon line in the east-southeast sector of the view. Beyond the
illustrated photographic panorama, views inland to the wider landscape to
the west and north of the viewpoint are limited by outgrown field boundaries
in the foreground and middle distance.
Existing Sensitivity of View
5.8.16. The sequential composition of elements and textures within the view
combines with the framed distant views of the sea to increase the existing
quality of the view. When meteorological conditions allow and visibility is
good, however, the WTGs of the GGOWF scheme occupy a significant
proportion of the available framed distant views of the North Sea.
5.8.17. Receptors would be users of the minor road where any potential views
towards the proposed offshore wind farm would be seen perpendicular to the
line of travel, and residents of Alderton. The sensitivity of the receptor is
regarded, therefore, as High.