The siting and design of aquaculture in the landscape: visual and ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

When viewed from a low level viewpoint and backed by a land formation, it can be difficult to distinguish cages. 4.2 Key considerations from low-level viewpoints –– From a low-level viewpoint, including from the sea itself, water based structures can be harder to see if they are set against a dark backdrop of landform and vegetation, or if they are often seen in shadow. –– When viewed close up, cages and buoys are of course likely to be more visible. Where existing trees are part of the character, planting trees along the shoreline, between the road and the structures, can break up the visibility. –– The size of a large structure may be easier to absorb if it is seen against the expanse of the open sea – the structures appear smaller and the water itself provides a well-scaled setting. Siting a structure at a distance from the viewer, perhaps on a long expanse of horizon associated with the open sea, will make the structure seem smaller in size. –– If you have the choice and you want to reduce visual impact, aim to site a structure where it is visible from a stretch of road where people are likely to be driving fast, and certainly try to avoid siting structures adjacent to lay-bys and other viewpoints from which there will be static views of the structure. –– Visual foreshortening occurs when the level surface of what appears to be a large expanse of water on plan takes up only a small part of a view. As a result, vertical structures viewed from a low-level viewpoint can have a proportionately higher impact, taking up proportionately more ‘visual space’ than the water. –– Conversely, low structures on a flat surface, such as lines of buoys, can merge together so that they appear to only occupy a small amount of the water surface, especially if located further away from the viewer, as foreshortening becomes more pronounced with distance. –– Structures such as top nets, feed barges and accommodation modules contrast most significantly with the level water surface. They will be less visible if they are kept close to the water surface. Cages viewed from a low level viewpoint are absorbed by background vegetation. 36
A site can provide a complementary context to fish cages, especially where activities relate to the shore and aquaculture structures are kept close to the water surface, as here at Lyness. 4.3 Context of view It is therefore useful to think about the way the proposed development will be viewed and the types of viewpoint from which it will be seen. Points to consider, for example are: 4.3.1 Key visual sensitivities –– A location where there is one well-known viewpoint, or only one panoramic view of a loch, for example if the loch is surrounded by woodland and is largely hidden. This will make that single viewpoint more important. –– Sometimes the view of a stretch of coast or sea loch is the first glimpse of the sea visible after travelling along a lengthy stretch of inland road. This will make that view more sensitive. –– High-level views which are ‘revealed’ as dramatic panoramas after travelling up a road or footpath to a high pass, ridge, summit or crest of a hill will always be important views. –– Views to focal points, such as the mountains at the end of a loch, or a castle or another feature, are likely to be highly sensitive. –– The visual setting of features and landmarks of cultural or natural importance, for example historic buildings or sites or visually dramatic features. What is foreshortening? Foreshortening is when the space between objects viewed across a plane becomes less visible with distance. When, for example, long lines are viewed from a low level viewpoint across the sea, the space between the lines appears to be reduced with distance. This can also have the effect of ‘bunching’ the buoys together so that they appear as a more solid mass when out at sea. View One The lines seen relatively close to the shore View Two The lines are located further away from the shore, and appear to occupy less space because of visual foreshortening, although they may be more visible, or appear too close to the centre of the loch from another viewpoint. 37
Page 1 and 2: Scottish Natural Heritage The sitin
Page 3 and 4: Section 1 Introduction Marine finfi
Page 5 and 6: 1.2 The aims of this guidance This
Page 7 and 8: Section 2 Choosing a Location Scotl
Page 9 and 10: 2.5 National Marine Plan The Marine
Page 11 and 12: ‘…the best expression of wildne
Page 13 and 14: The likely visual impact of propose
Page 15 and 16: When a number of developments occup
Page 17 and 18: Planning authorities expect develop
Page 19 and 20: 3.3 Using this section The followin
Page 21 and 22: 3.4.2 Implications for siting and l
Page 23 and 24: 3.5 Sheltered but expansive lochs 3
Page 25 and 26: Cages and lines can reflect the hor
Page 27 and 28: 3.6.2 Implications for siting and l
Page 29 and 30: It is not easy to site an installat
Page 31 and 32: The expanse of the sea may potentia
Page 33 and 34: Scattered settlement: Here housing,
Page 35 and 36: Excavation of landform on steep slo
Page 37: All the relevant elements of the pr
Page 41 and 42: Section 5 Detail Design The most su
Page 43 and 44: 5.2.1 Finfish cages and top nets --
Page 45 and 46: Dark, muted, matt colours are less
Page 47 and 48: 5.3.2 Rafts and other water-based s
Page 49 and 50: Section 6 Oyster Farms Oyster farmi
Page 51 and 52: 6.2 BST adjustable long lines BST l
Page 53 and 54: Annex One Environmental Assessment
Page 55 and 56: Annex Three Bibliography and Useful
Page 57: www.snh.gov.uk © Scottish Natural

The siting and design of aquaculture in the landscape: visual and ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?