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BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement: Vol. 2 Main Text
Table 13.3 NCA 41 Key Characteristics
Key Characteristics of NCA 41 The Humber Estuary 95
� Expansive, flat, low-lying, sometimes remote estuarine landscape dominated by the
Humber and with an ever changing character due to tidal influences.
� Dominance of sky and open views over the Estuary, mudflats and salt marshes, where
flood embankments allow.
� A predominantly reclaimed former inter-tidal landscape of rectilinear fields with
boundaries formed by dykes, drains and embankments.
� A landscape of predominantly arable farming with some conspicuous areas of market
gardening, particularly around Hull.
� Internationally important coastal mudflats and other wetland and coastal habitats,
including the Spurn peninsula.
� Urban and industrial influences especially around Hull and on the south bank.
13.41 The southern and south western limits of the study area (those areas extending to the south of the
A180) are covered by NCA 42 Lincolnshire Coasts and Marshes 95 . This coastal area is bounded
by the mouth of the Humber Estuary and the North Sea and stretches from Grimsby in the north to
the coastline of Gibraltar Point at the edge of the Wash. The western boundary is marked by the
edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. In contrast to NCA 41, this area is described as being a more
enclosed landscape with a greater number of woodland and hedgerows present. Further details
on the key characteristics as included in Table 13.4.
Table 13.4 NCA 42 Key Characteristics
Key characteristics of NCA 42 Lincolnshire Coasts and Marshes 95
� Flat coastal plain to east, rising gradually in west to more undulating land at foot of the
Lincolnshire Wolds.
� Predominantly open, medium-scale agricultural landscape. Tendency to smaller farm
units with pasture in east. Some remnant areas of ridge and furrow, and mixed arable
to west.
� Woodland and hedge cover sparse yet increasing to west at foot of the Wolds.
� Dispersed settlement pattern through most of area. Concentration of larger settlements
towards the coast.
� Land drained to coast by combination of irregular ditches, streams and dykes. Louth
Canal is major man-made watercourse.
� Coastline experiencing both erosion and accretion. Major coastal dune systems and
salt marshes and artificial sea defences along the coastline. Extensive shallow beach.
� Brick and pantile vernacular architecture to the west. Coastal strip significantly altered
by discordant 20th century development including seaside resorts, theme parks,
bungalows, caravan parks and industry.
Local Landscape Character and Types
13.42 NELC produced a Landscape Character Assessment in 2010. The aim of this assessment and its
guidelines is for it to be used as a basis for ensuring landscape considerations to be taken into
account in the development of LDF policy and in the allocation of sites. It is also stated that it will
be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
5100935.404 Environmental Statement August 2011 231