Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_LVIA
74
September 2011
GALLOPER WIND FARM SUBSTATION
9.2. Effects on Landscape Designations during Construction
Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB
9.2.1. The proposed substation and onshore cable connection lie within the
AONB, as illustrated on Figure 01. The magnitude of effects on the
character of the AONB will be similar to the effects on landscape
character types described above. The same landscape character types
are described in section 2 of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB
Management Plan (2008-2013).
9.2.2. During construction the onshore cable connection will cause
localised effects of High magnitude up to approximately 200m from
the cable corridor where it will be installed using surface excavation.
The significance of effect on this area will be Major for the temporary
duration of the works only. The works will cause effects of Low
magnitude and Moderate significance up to approximately 200m
from the cable corridor and temporary beach compound where it will
be installed using directional drilling on Sizewell Beach. The
magnitude of effect of the cable connection during operation will be
Negligible.
9.2.3. One of the operations during construction will be the removal of a
large proportion of the existing Sizewell Wents woodland. There will
also be disturbance from temporary lay down and site
accommodation extending over a wider area than the substation site
itself, and from elements such as spoil heaps, construction traffic and
the visual movement of vehicles. Excavation including works to
lower the substation platform, use of subsoil and topsoil to form the
landform, and construction of the elements within the substation and
the cable connections and sealing end compounds and gantries will
affect the character of the landscape in this part of the AONB. They
will be new elements in the AONB, albeit set within the context of
existing infrastructure at GGOWF substation and the adjacent pylons
and overhead wires, and the more distant Sizewell Power Station.