Haddockston Golf Course Extension EIA Scoping Report

6 Landscape and Visual
6.1 INTRODUCTION
6.1.1 In accordance with best practice in EIA, WSP has conducted a preliminary, desk based review of potential
Landscape and Visual receptors to inform this Scoping Report. The primary purpose of this exercise has been to
undertake a sufficient level of environmental assessment to identify potentially significant environmental effects of the
project and which should therefore receive greatest attention during the detailed EIA stage.
6.1.2 This chapter will assess the potentially significant issues associated with the landscape and visual resources
of the site and the surrounding area. The methodology to be used for the assessment of the residual landscape and
visual effects of the proposed development is outlined below.
6.1.3 The existing site consists of Haddockston House, Park Glen Wood and an existing 9 hole golf course along
with an existing fishing loch and coniferous woodland to the west of the Haddockston House and another existing
property, Lochside House. The site retains a predominantly rural character despite its proximity to Kilmacolm,
Bishopton and Bridge of Weir.
6.1.4 Existing landscape information relating to the site has been reviewed to gain an insight into the character of
the receiving landscape. This has largely been drawn from Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping, and the SNH Landscape
Character Assessment No 116 – Glasgow and Clyde Valley, 1999.
6.2 LEGISLATION, POLICY AND GUIDANCE
National Level
6.2.1 Reference will be made to:
• ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment’, The Landscape Institute and Institute of
Environmental Management and Assessment, 2002.
Planning Advice Note (PAN) 58: Environmental Impact Assessment (Scottish Executive 1999); and
Planning Advice Note (PAN) 68: Design Statements (2003).
Regional Level
6.2.2 The site lies within the area covered by policy GB1 of the Renfrewshire Local Plan (2006) Green Belt, as
described previously in Section 2.4.1.
6.2.3 In addition to the statutory development plan, the site is included within Glasgow and Clyde Valley
Landscape Character Assessment (SNH, 1999), which has been reviewed in relation to the existing baseline of the
site. The Landscape Character Assessment identifies that the site lies within the ‘Rugged Upland Farmland’
landscape character type, which includes:
Ruffed landform comprising rocky bluffs and shallow troughs;
Dominance of pastoral faming; and
Tree cover often emphasising landform, for example concentrated on bluffs and outcrops.
6.3 KEY ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE EIA
6.3.1 The scope of the landscape and visual impact assessment will be discussed and agreed with Renfrewshire
Council, SNH and Historic Scotland as appropriate. This will inform the issues to be considered in the ES. It is
expected that the following issues are likely to be relevant and should be considered for further assessment:
The impact on local landscape character areas as a result of removal of woodland to the west of Haddockston
House to accommodate the golf course extension;
The impact on local landscape character areas as a result of the removal of existing trees to accommodate
construction of the holiday chalets;
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