Mr M Scott, Bagby Airfield, Bagby, Thirsk, North - Hambleton District ...

association with the other airfield infrastructure would create a significant visual
impact in a landscape otherwise dominated by agricultural use and woodlands.
e. the mitigation measures and enhancement opportunities
285. The provision of new blocks of broadleaf native woodland, re-introductions
of hedgerows with hedgerow trees and formation of wetland areas would all
benefit the quality of the landscape. The significance of the effects of the new
landscaping works as set out in the FPCR report is rated between substantial,
through slight, to negligible. The benefit of the landscaping scheme in isolation is
not disputed.
286. The change of surface colour to the existing hangar walls and roofs from
the light colour to a darker tone would reduce the prominence of the buildings
within the landscape.
f. the overall cumulative impacts
287. The impact on the landscapes within the character areas 3, 4, 7 and 9
(FPCR Figure 6) is considered to be understated.
288. The report gives no indication that full consideration has been given to the
increasing ground level to the eastern end of the runway which is two metres
higher than the position of the main hangar (hangar B). The increased ground
level is such that the visual impact of the new hangars would be greater from the
vantage points to the east, south and west. The impacts of the new works
assessed at all of the near vantage points shown on Figure 7 of the FPCR report
are considered to be greater than assessed in the report. The report states at
4.33 that the new buildings would be “little different in scale or character from
typical contemporary agricultural buildings such as those at neighbouring Griffin
Farm”. However, buildings at farms normally are clustered in groups with a
farmhouse and landscape features with outdoor storage and the paraphernalia of
agricultural use such that they ‘settle’ in to the landscape. The buildings on the
airfield are by function not arranged in a group as this would restrict access to
aircraft, the paraphernalia that accompanies an airfield such a parked aircraft and
windsock are not the normal features of the local landscape. The buildings and
other structures will therefore appear conspicuous in the landscape.
Hambleton District Council - Tim Wood – Proof of Evidence - 64 -