View - North East Lincolnshire Council

BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement: Vol. 2 Main Text
Operation
Overview
13.98 This section presents the landscape and visual impact assessment for the operational phase of
the Dissolved Acetylene Project.
13.99 The main building fabrication materials are likely to be metal, insulated panels. Due to the nature
of the development, material selection is limited and needs to be based on process requirements
(insulation, fire proofing, sound reduction etc.). The colour scheme and finish will be the same as
those of the existing BOC site (i.e. greys with a low sheen finish).
Landscape Impact Assessment
13.100 The main impacts on existing landscape structure and pattern could occur through the overall
presence of the facilities (e.g. addition of landscape elements including new vertical structures),
from increased illumination and activity within the site and from change in land use.
13.101 As discussed previously, the landscape condition for the development site, and its immediate
surroundings, is considered to be of low sensitivity. Furthermore the wider landscape character is
considered to be degraded within published character assessments.
Presence of Facilities, Change in Land Use and Increased Activity
13.102 The presence of the new facilities would result in the addition of landscape elements congruent
with those already present in the area. The existing character would be intensified by the addition
of another large scale industrial development within an already industrial and active landscape.
No significant effects on landscape character are anticipated as the development is situated within
an existing industrial commercial area.
13.103 The increases in development would be visible from surrounding identified character areas,
however, it is not anticipated that the Project would adversely impact on the character of these
areas. The Project would be viewed within the context of the existing active and industrial area.
13.104 The current landscape character of the Project site and its setting is dominated by industrial and
agricultural land use. Thus the character of the development reflects the current and established
patterns of land use.
13.105 The magnitude of the effect is anticipated to be minor adverse. Overall the significance of the
impact on landscape character is anticipated to be neutral.
Lighting
13.106 Levels of illumination would increase as a result of the proposed lighting scheme; however, this
would be seen in the context of the existing, highly illuminated industrial development located
along the edge of the Estuary. The existing level of illumination exerts considerable influence on
the night time visual amenity currently experienced. It is anticipated that the impact upon the
current levels of ‘skyglow’ xxiii would be neutral.
13.107 Impacts arising as a result of ‘point source’ illumination are anticipated to be minor adverse, in
locations in close proximity to the Project. At a greater distance from the site it is anticipated that
the use of lighting may increase the level of visibility of the Project compared to that experienced
during the daytime. However it is considered that in the context of the existing levels of
illumination within the landscape this would be barely discernible and of slight adverse
significance at worst.
13.108 The above impacts, relating to illumination, refer to impacts on landscape character only and
illumination is considered as part of the assessment on visual receptors in the following section.
xxiii ‘Skyglow’ is the function of both direct and indirect upward light and atmospheric particles.
5100935.404 Environmental Statement August 2011 245