Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_LVIA
6
September 2011
GALLOPER WIND FARM SUBSTATION
1.0 Introduction
1.1.1. This report considers the effects that the proposed Galloper Wind
Farm (GWF) substation will have on the existing landscape and visual
environments, their characteristic features and on the people who
view it. The purpose of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
(LVIA) is to determine the magnitude and significance of any change
to the character of the landscape as well as the potential impact upon
views, visual amenity and receptor groups within the study area. The
assessment will define the existing landscape and visual baseline
environment within the agreed 3.5km radius study area and assess its
sensitivity to change. It will describe the nature of the anticipated
change upon each and assess the magnitude and significance of the
changes during the construction, operational and decommissioning
stages. The assessment will also identify any integral mitigation
measures to assist with reducing effects upon particularly sensitive
receptor groups and landscape environments.
1.2. The Proposed Development
Refer to Figure 01.
1.2.1. The GWF is located within the Thames Estuary, approximately 23km
(or 12 nautical miles) off the Suffolk Coast at Hollesley Bay. The
Export Cable Route for the wind farm extension project will follow, or
run in close proximity to, the existing Export Cable Route for the
Greater Gabbard wind farm (GGOWF), and will come ashore at
Sizewell in Suffolk. The proposed substation for GWF will be
partially located within a wood and parts of two fields lying to the
west of the existing GGOWF onshore substation, with buried cables
running from the foreshore to the substation, importing electricity
generated by the GWF, and buried cables and gantries connecting to
existing 400kV overhead wires for the export of electricity.
1.2.2. Further detail is provided in section 8.0.