Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_LVIA
36
September 2011
GALLOPER WIND FARM SUBSTATION
the treed boundaries and gently undulating landform to limit long
distance views into the wider landscape in places. There are a number
of industrial-scale buildings and structures on the outskirts Leiston
and pylons are visible in the landscape south of the settlement. The
wider rural landscape appears to be largely intact, characterised by
narrow and incised, winding country lanes. There are, however, a
number of views towards the urban edge of Leiston as well as towards
holiday parks and market garden greenhouses from within the rural
landscape.
4.2.14. A part of the landscape to the west of the site lies within the Suffolk
Coast and Heaths AONB. The remainder, whilst predominantly rural
in character, contains a number of detracting elements associated
with the urban edge of Leiston.
Landscape to the South of the Proposed Substation Site
4.2.15. The landscape to the south of the proposed substation is characterised
by a gently undulating landform with a diversity of land-uses
including heathland, arable farming, pig-farming, holiday parks,
horse grazing and woodland. Outgrown field boundaries are
common, as are patches of scrub and gorse. A line of pylons
dominates the landscape and Sizewell Power Station is frequently
visible. There are also medium to long distance views towards built
structures on the edge of Leiston to the west. A number of Pine and
deciduous woodland blocks on elevated slopes have a strong visual
presence in middle distance views to the north. The dominance of the
pylons combines with the mixture of land uses and vegetation types
to give a discordant array of elements in many views, whilst the
wooded horizon lines combine with the outgrown field boundaries
and areas of scrubby pasture to lend an intimate character to the
landscape. The buzzing of overhead pylons is audible, as is noise
generated by cars and trucks travelling along the Sizewell Gap road.
4.2.16. Much of the landscape to the south of the substation site lies within
the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB and Suffolk Heritage Coast