Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

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seascape unit is considered, therefore, to be Low to Negligible. The sensitivity
of this unit is assessed as High-Medium. The overall significance of
operational effect is judged to be Minor.
Felixstowe/Deben Estuary
6.5.6. The seaward extent of this regional seascape unit lies approximately 28km
west of the nearest GWF WTG. Whilst the inland extent of this unit includes
numerous features associated with nature conservation, tourism, recreation
and agriculture, along the coastline, beyond the Deben Estuary, there is a
limited number of natural physical features, with man-made jetties, pipes,
groynes and sea defences predominating south of the estuary and the area
around Felixstowe characterised by widespread urban and industrial
development extending along an engineered coastline. There are also a
number man-made elements present in seaward views, including shipping
traffic associated with the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe and, when
visibility is good, the WTGs of the Gunfleet Sands wind farms are visible in
southward views along the coast. When visibility is very good, the WTGs of
the GGOWF and London Array schemes are also visible from the coastline of
this unit as very distant elements on the horizon line of the North Sea, to the
east and southeast respectively. The proposed WTGs will be visible in the
same sector of the eastern horizon line as the WTGs of the GGOWF, when
visibility conditions are very good. Whilst their additional presence on the
horizon line will be perceptible in views, the distance and layout of the
proposed WTGs in relation to the WTGs of the GGOWF means they will not
significantly increase the overall spread or density of WTGs seen in views.
The magnitude of operational effect of the proposed WTGs on the existing
character of the Felixstowe/Deben Estuary regional seascape unit is
considered, therefore, to be Negligible. The sensitivity of the unit is assessed
as Medium-Low. The overall significance of operational effect is judged to be
Negligible.
Stour/Orwell Estuary
6.5.7. The seaward extent of this regional seascape unit lies approximately 30km
west of the nearest GWF WTG. The unit is characterised by a broadly lowlying,
indented coastline with large areas of marshland and drained marshes,
resulting in a seascape that is large in scale and commonly exposed in
character. The coastline includes significant areas of settlement and
industrial development. Built development also extends into seaward views,
with the operational WTGs of the Gunfleet Sands wind farms seen in views
southwards along the coast and, when visibility is good, there are also distant
views towards the WTGs of the wind farm of London Array. When
conditions for visibility are very good, there are also very distant views
eastwards, across the North Sea, towards the WTGs of the GGOWF. As such,