11/00713/F - Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk

ased on 3-bladed turbines with a tower height of up to 80m. The LUC report identifies the
site as lying in 2 landscape character types - ‘Rolling Open Farmland’ (landscape character
type 9) and ‘Plateau Farmland’ (landscape character type 10).
The LUC report gives a list of key characteristics for each character type. For ‘Rolling Open
Farmland’ these include:-
� A medium to large scale landscape with an over-riding sense of openness, wide
open skies, medium to large field units and the presence of large linear features such
as shelter belts;
� Prominent skyline; and
� Often feels remote and peaceful.
Whilst the study concludes that this landscape type has moderate capacity for single or
small scale groups of turbines (2 – 12 turbines) it does point to the sensitivity of the
landscape in terms of the impact of turbines upon landmarks such as churches and because
of its sense of remoteness and tranquillity. It also points out that the landscape has a low
capacity to accommodate anything above the ‘small scale group’.
For ‘Plateau Farmland’ the key characteristics include:-
� A large scale landscape;
� Most elevated landscape in the study area;
� Skyline is prominent, often uninterrupted and smooth giving way to wide-open skies;
and
� The landscape feels for the most part still – having a remote, almost vacant character
in places.
Notwithstanding the above comments, the LUC study concludes that ‘Plateau Farmland’ has
a ‘high’ capacity for accommodating small scale groups of turbines. Within this
generalisation, the study does state that ‘A small scale group may be appropriate if linked to
the busy areas of the landscape such as the main transport corridors…however, it would be
less suited to the more peaceful parts of the landscape type’.
The Chris Blandford Associates (CBA) report aims to “provide an integrated assessment of
the landscape character of the Borough…, to serve as a baseline inventory to enable a
better understanding of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk’s landscapes and for monitoring
change”. Its objectives are to:-
� Undertake a systematic survey of the Borough’s existing Landscape Character Types
to identify areas of distinctive local character.
� Provide a comprehensive description and evaluation of the landscape character units
identified within the Borough, integrating field survey information on visual character
with historic landscape character and biodiversity (including ecological network
mapping information).
� Engage key stakeholders in the assessment process to gather views on landscape
character issues and raise awareness of the project.
It places the application site in landscape character unit J1 ‘Plateau Farmland: Docking’,
which it characterises as follows:
“Situated to the north of the Borough, this large area of gently undulating plateau farmland
radiates from the large village of Docking at its centre. The western edges of the area are
situated within Norfolk Coast AONB. Outside Docking, settlement pattern is sparse,
consisting of isolated farmsteads and small hamlets forming ribbon development along the
10/01419/FM Development Control Board
25 July 2011
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