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BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement: Vol. 2 Main Text
13. Landscape and Visual
Introduction
13.1 This Chapter presents the landscape and visual assessment for the Dissolved Acetylene Project.
It includes the relevant legislation and policy, assessment methodology and significance criteria,
baseline description, identification of potential impacts, impact assessment, mitigation measures,
residual impact assessment and recommendations. The potential for cumulative and incombination
impacts is discussed in Chapter 16.
13.2 The location of the development field is shown on Figure 1.2. There are minimal landscape
features present on the site, which is predominantly arable. There are no TPOs associated with
the development area. In addition, there are no established hedgerows on the site; however there
are some patches of scattered scrub along the railway line and along Middle Drain.
13.3 The proposed site is located in an area of agricultural land mixed with high levels of industrial use
(e.g. chemical processing and manufacturing). There are a number of existing works, industrial
estates, and commercial premises within 1 km of the proposed acetylene facility. Within the
surrounding landscape, vertical manmade structures such as pylons, cooling towers and stacks
dominate the skyline.
13.4 The nearest residential dwelling is a cottage (Poplar Farm) approximately 650 m to the south west
of the proposed development site, on South Marsh Road (see Figure 11.1). A bridleway runs
along two of the boundaries of the field (Hobson Way and South Marsh Road) and there is a
public footpath that runs from the corner of Hobson Way and South Marsh Road to the Humber
Estuary.
13.5 A full description of the site and its surroundings is provided in Chapter 2. Site layout and
appearance is described in more detail in Chapter 3 (see also Figure 3.2 and Figure 3.3).
Assessment Methodology and Significance
Criteria
Legislation and Policy
13.6 General protection is afforded to landscapes that are designated for their exceptional quality in
policies set out in PPS 7. However, the Dissolved Acetylene Project is not located in an area
designated for its landscape quality and the local plan (Policy GEN3: Development and
Landscaping) provides the planning context for the development.
13.7 GEN 3 requires applicants to prepare a landscaping scheme, which is expected to:
� make use of hard and soft landscaping as appropriate;
� make use of existing features such as ponds, hedgerows, trees and walls;
� be designed for minimum maintenance; and
� be established at an early stage in the site’s development.
13.8 In addition, several PPSs require careful attention to be paid to the design of development, citing
integration and enhancement of various aspects of the built and natural environment as the
rationale. Further details of relevant planning policies at national, regional and local levels are
discussed in Chapter 4 and are summarised in Appendix 4A. The conformity of the Dissolved
Acetylene Project with plans and policies is discussed in Chapter 17.
5100935.404 Environmental Statement August 2011 224