Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_SLVIA
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6.0 Landscape and Seascape Effects
6.1. Introduction
6.1.1. The magnitude and significance of landscape or seascape effects arising from
the proposed GWF are related to the capacity of the landscape resource and
the seascape environment to accommodate the type of change proposed.
This is assessed using the recognised evaluation process (Institute of
Environmental Management and Assessment/Landscape Institute, 2002),
which looks at the physical form and attributes of the landscape resource and
seascape environment and considers their existing sensitivity. The
magnitude of effect upon the landscape resource and seascape environment
then takes into account the scale, extent and duration of the effects detailed
below.
6.1.2. This assessment methodology is detailed in Appendix 1.
6.2. Nature and Duration of Landscape and Seascape Effects
6.2.1. Chapter 5 of the ES (Project Details) identifies the key offshore elements
associated with the proposed development. The sources of potential effects
arising from these are identified as being the proposed WTGs and offshore
sub-stations, collection platform and or accommodation platform,
meteorological masts, and vessels which will give rise to a range of different
effects upon the seascape environment and landscape resource according to
the different stages of the proposed development.
6.2.2. The anticipated duration of effects associated with the construction,
operational and decommissioning stages of the proposed development are
identified within Chapter 5 of the ES. It is currently anticipated that
construction is likely to last approximately 2.5 years. The wind farm’s
operational life is defined (by The Crown Estate) as up to 25 years, an
additional two years would be granted to the lease to allow decommissioning
to take place. All elements of the wind farm would be designed with a
minimum operational life of 25 years. Following this a decision would be
made on whether the operating company wish to proceed with
decommissioning or apply to the relevant Regulatory Authority at the time,
to repower the wind farm. This SLVIA addresses effects of the construction
phase, a 25 year operational phase and the decommissioning phase.
Construction
6.2.3. During the construction phase, the effect of increased activity of construction
vessels travelling to the offshore site from local ports, the presence of jack-up
barges and the progressive construction of the WTGs will constitute the