Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_SLVIA
Appendix 1: Seascape, Landscape and Visual Assessment (SLVIA)
Methodology
1) Introduction
LDA Design has an established methodology for carrying out Seascape and
Visual Impact Assessments (SVIAs) for proposed offshore wind farm
developments. The methodology may be varied slightly to address site or
development / context specific situations, and the terms used to describe
particular levels of effect may be varied (e.g. the use of the word Substantial
instead of Major - see below) at the request of the EIA coordinator in order to
correlate with other assessments in an ES. The standard methodology,
including likely variations, is described below along with any variations
specific to this particular assessment. Additional supporting information is
also provided within appendices.
2) Overview
The methodology employed has 4 key stages, which are described in more
detail in subsequent sections, as follows:
� Baseline - includes the gathering of documented information; scoping of
the assessment and agreement of that scope with the client, EIA
coordinator and local planning authority; site visits; and, initial reports
to client and/or EIA coordinator of any issues that may need to be
addressed within the design.
� Design - where appropriate, review of initial layout/ options, WTG
choice(s), and mitigation options.
� Assessment - includes an assessment of the seascape, landscape and
visual effects of the full scheme, requiring site based work and the
completion of a full report and supporting graphics.
� Cumulative Assessment - assesses the effects of the proposal in
combination with other wind farm developments.
The general assessment methodology draws upon the established
Countryside Agency methodology (Landscape Character Assessment
Guidance, 2002) and other recognised guidelines, in particular the Institute of
Environmental Assessment and the Landscape Institute's Guidelines for
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, second edition 2002; Scottish
Natural Heritage's 'Visual representation of Wind Farms Best Practice
Guidance' (2006, albeit published in May 2007); the Guidance on the
Assessment of the Impact of Offshore Wind Farms (DTI, 2005); and, the