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4. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL EFFECTS

4.1 INTRODUCTION

4.1.1 ThischapteroftheESassessesthelikelysignificantenvironmentaleffectsoftheProposedDevelopmentinrespectoflandscapeandvisualmatters.Inparticular,thischapterdescribestherelevantlandscapeandvisualpolicycontext;themethodsusedforassessmentanddetailsofthecriteriausedtodeterminesignificance;thebaselinelandscapeandvisualconditionsatandsurroundingthesiteoftheProposedDevelopmentthepotentialimpactsandeffectsasaresultoftheProposedDevelopment;anymitigationorcontrolmeasuresrequiredtoreduceoreliminateadverseeffects;andthesubsequentresidualeffectsandlikelysignificanteffectsassociatedwiththeProposedDevelopment.

4.1.2 ThischapterisaccompaniedbyaseriesofFiguresandTechnicalAppendices.

4.1.3 Chapter2oftheESprovidesadetaileddescriptionofdevelopmentandthisChapterdoesnotrepeatit,butthatdescriptionandtheassociatedParametersPlan(Document2.10)formthebasisofthisassessment.

4.2 METHODOLOGY

4.2.1 ALandscapeandVisualImpactAssessmenthasbeenpreparedbasedupontheGuidelinesforLandscapeandVisualImpactAssessment,thirdedition(GLVIA3),publishedbytheLandscapeInstituteandtheInstituteofEnvironmentalManagementandAssessment,in2013.Thefollowingsummarisestheapproachadopted.FurtherdetailsonthemethodologycriteriaadoptedcanbefoundinAppendix4.1.

4.2.2 InsummarytheGlossaryofGVLIA3–atpage157-definesthemeaningofLandscapeandVisualImpactAssessment(LVIA)as: “Atoolusedtoidentifyandassessthelikelysignificanceoftheeffectsofchangeresultingfromdevelopmentbothonthelandscapeasanenvironmentalresourceinitsownrightandonpeople’sviewsandvisualamenity.”

4.2.3 Theguidancerecognisesacleardistinctionbetweentheimpact,astheactionbeingtaken,andtheeffect,beingtheresultofthataction.

4.2.4 TherearetwocomponentsofLVIA;

• Assessmentoflandscapeeffects;assessingeffectsonthelandscapeasaresourceinitsownright;

• Assessmentofvisualeffects:assessingeffectsonspecificviewsandonthegeneralvisualamenityexperiencedbypeople.

4.2.5 Thesetwoelementsaredescribedseparatelyinthischapter.

Baseline 4.2.6 Intermsofbaselinestudiestheassessmentprovidesanunderstandingofthelandscapeinthe

areatobeaffected,itsconstituentelements,character,conditionandvalue.ForthevisualbaselinethisincludesanunderstandingoftheareainwhichtheProposedDevelopmentmaybevisible,thepeoplewhomayexperienceviews,andthenatureofviews.

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4.2.7 ThebaselinelandscapeisdescribedbyreferencetoexistinglandscapecharacterassessmentsandbyadescriptionoftheSiteanditscontext.Forthisassessmentthefollowingexistingpublishedlandscapeandgreeninfrastructurestudieshavebeenreviewed;

• NaturalEngland`sNationalCharacterAreas(2013/2014)

• TheEastMidlandsRegionalLandscapeCharacterAssessment(2010)

• TheCurrentLandscapeCharacterAssessmentforNorthamptonshire(2003)

• TheEnvironmentalCharacterAssessmentandKeyIssuesreportforNorthamptonshire

• NorthamptonGreenInfrastructurePlan(GIP)-AGreenInfrastructureToolkitforNorthampton(May2016)

• NorthamptonLandscapeSensitivityandGreenInfrastructureStudy(February2009)

• TheSouthNorthamptonshireReviewofSpecialLandscapeAreas(June2017)

Assessment of Landscape Effects

4.2.8 Arangeoflandscapeeffectscanarisethroughdevelopment.Thesecaninclude:

• Changeto,orlossof,elements,features,aestheticorperceptualaspectsthatcontributetothecharacteranddistinctivenessofthelandscape

• Additionofnewelementsthatinfluencecharacteranddistinctivenessofthelandscape

• Combinedeffectsofthesechanges

4.2.9 Thecharacteristicsoftheexistinglandscaperesourceareconsideredinrespectofthesusceptibilityofthelandscaperesourcetothechangearisingfromthisdevelopment.Thevalueoftheexistinglandscapeisalsoconsidered.

4.2.10 Eacheffectonlandscapereceptorsisassessedintermsofsizeorscale,geographicalextentoftheareainfluencedanditsdurationandreversibility.Intermsofsizeorscale,thejudgementtakesaccountoftheextentoftheexistinglandscapeelementsthatwillbelostorchanged,andthedegreetowhichtheaestheticorperceptualaspectsorkeycharacteristicsofthelandscapewillbealteredbyremovalor,changeto,oradditionofnewelements.

4.2.11 Theoveralllandscapeeffectisdeterminedbyconsideringthesensitivityofthelandscapereceptorsandthemagnitudeofeffectonthelandscape.Finalconclusionsontheoveralllandscapeeffectsaredrawnfromtheassessmentcomponentsdescribed.

Assessment of Visual Effects4.2.12 Anassessmentofvisualeffectsdealswiththeeffectsofchangeanddevelopmentontheviews

availabletopeopleandtheirvisualamenity.

Mapping Visibility4.2.13 Thefirststageintheassessmentistomapapproximatevisibility.Thiscanbedonebyacomputer

generatedZoneofTheoreticalVisibility(ZTV)orbymanualmethods,usingmapstudyandfieldevaluation.AcomputermodelledZTVmayalsoberefinedbyfieldevaluationtotakeaccountoffeatures(e.g.buildingsandwoodlands)thatmaynotbeincludedaspartofthecomputermodel.FortheProposedDevelopmentacomputermodelledZTVrefinedthroughfieldevaluationhasinformedtheassessmentofvisualeffects.ThemethodologyemployedformappingvisibilityisincludedinAppendix4.1.

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Photo Viewpoints and Photomontages4.2.14 Aseriesofviewpointsareincludedwithintheassessmentwhichgenerallyrepresentviewstowards

theProposedDevelopmentfromsurroundingvisualreceptors.OtherviewsofortowardstheProposedDevelopmentSitearealsoincludedwhereitsupportsthedescriptionandunderstandingofthearea’slandscapeandvisualcharacteristics.TheviewsalsotypicallyrepresentwhatcanbeseenfromavarietyofdistancesanddirectionstowardstheProposedDevelopmentSite.

4.2.15 Inadditiontotheviewpoints,aseriesofphotomontageshavebeenprepared.ThelocationsoftheviewpointsandphotomontageshavebeenagreedwithSouthNorthamptonshireCouncil,withfurtherviewpointsandphotomontagesagreedwithHistoricEngland.AllareincludedwithinFigures4.7and4.10.ThephotomontagesaimtosimulatethelikelyvisualchangesthatwillresultfromtheProposedDevelopment.Thephotomontageshavebeenpreparedinaccordancewithgoodpractice,asdetailedinTheLandscapeInstituteAdviceNote01/11‘Photography and photomontage in landscape and visual impact assessment’andoutlinedinAppendix4.1.

Visual Receptors4.2.16 Itisimportanttorememberthatvisualreceptorsareallpeople.Foreachaffectedviewpointthe

assessmentconsidersbothsusceptibilitytochangeinviewsandthevalueattachedtoviews.Thevisualreceptorsmostsusceptibletochangearegenerallylikelytoinclude:

• residentsathome

• peopleengagedinoutdoorrecreation,includinguseofpublicrightsofway,whoseattentionorinterestislikelytobefocusedonthelandscapeorparticularviews;

• visitorstoheritageassetsorotherattractions,ifviewsofsurroundingsareanimportantcontributortotheexperience;

• communitiesifviewscontributetothelandscapesettingenjoyedbyresidentsinthearea.

4.2.17 Travellersonroad,railorothertransportroutestendtofallintomediumorlowcategoriesofsusceptibilitytochange.Wheretravelinvolvesrecognisedscenicroutesawarenessofviewsislikelytobehigher.

4.2.18 Visualreceptorslikelytobelesssensitivetochangeinclude:

• peopleengagedinoutdoorsportorrecreationwhichdoesnotinvolveordependuponappreciationofviewsofthelandscape;

• peopleattheirplaceofworkwhoseattentionmaybefocusedontheirworkoractivity,notontheirsurroundings.

4.2.19 Eachofthevisualeffectsisevaluatedintermsofitssizeorscale,thegeographicalextentoftheareainfluencedanditsdurationorreversibility.

4.2.20 Intermsofsizeorscale,themagnitudeofvisualeffectstakesaccountof:

• thescaleofthechangeintheviewwithrespecttothelossoradditionoffeaturesintheviewandchangesinitscomposition,includingproportionoftheviewoccupiedbytheproposeddevelopment;

• thedegreeofcontrastorintegrationofanynewfeaturesorchangesinthelandscapewiththeexistingorremaininglandscapeelementsandcharacteristicsintermsofform,scaleandmass,lineheight,colourandtexture;

• thenatureoftheviewoftheproposeddevelopment,intermsoftherelativeamountoftimeoverwhichitwillbeexperiencedandwhetherviewswillbefull,partialorglimpses.

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4.2.21 Thegeographicalextentofthevisualeffectineachviewpointislikelytoreflect:

• theangleofviewinrelationtothemainactivityofthereceptor

• thedistanceoftheviewpointfromtheproposeddevelopment

• theextentoftheareaoverwhichthechangeswouldbevisible.

4.2.22 Aswithlandscapeeffects,thedurationoftheeffectcouldbeshorttolongtermorpermanentandthesamedefinitionsapply.

Assessment of Cumulative Effects4.2.23 Forthepurposesofthislandscapeandvisualcumulativeeffectsassessment,thefollowing

definitionsreflectingGLVIA3apply:

• Cumulativelandscapeeffectsmayarisefromaddingnewtypesofchangeorfromincreasingorextendingtheeffectsofthemainproject.Theconcerniswiththeaccumulationofeffectsuponlandscapecharacterandthecomponentsthatcontributetoit.Cumulativelandscapeeffectsarelikelytoincludeeffects:onthefabricofthelandscape;ontheaestheticaspectsofthelandscape;and,ontheoverallcharacterofthelandscape.

• Cumulativevisualeffectsaretheeffectsonviewsandvisualamenityenjoyedbypeople,whichmayresulteitherfromaddingtheeffectsoftheprojectbeingassessedtotheeffectsoftheotherprojectsonthebaselineconditionsorfromtheircombinedeffect.Thismayresultfromchangesinthecontentandcharacteroftheviewsexperiencedinparticularplaces.

4.2.24 GLVIA3advises;‘In most cases the focus of the cumulative assessment will be on the additional effect of the project in conjunction with other developments of the same type’.Itdoeshoweveracknowledge,‘In some cases, development of another type will be relevant and may help to give a more complete picture of the likely significant cumulative effects. For example, previous or planned road improvements ….are likely to be relevant ‘other developments’ when assessing cumulative effects in relation to a major urban extension’(GLVIApara7.10,pg122).

4.2.25 GLVIA3setsouthowdevelopmentproposalsatdifferentstagesintheplanningprocess,whetherofthesameordifferenttypes,shouldbetreatedinassessingcumulativelandscapeandvisualeffects.Itadvises,‘Taking ‘the project’ to mean the main proposal that is being assessed, it is considered that existing schemes and those which are under construction should be included in the baseline for both landscape and visual effects assessments (the LVIA baseline). The baseline for assessing cumulative landscape and visual effects should then include those schemes considered in the LVIA and in addition potential schemes that are not yet present in the landscape but are at various stages in the development and consenting process:

• schemeswithplanningconsent;

• schemesthatarethesubjectofavalidplanningapplicationthathasnotyetbeendetermined.’(GLVIApara7.13,pg122)

4.2.26 Itfurtheradvises‘The emphasis must always remain on the main project being assessed and how or whether it adds to or combines with the others being considered to create a significant cumulative effect.’(GLVIApara7.28,pg129)

4.2.27 Inadditiontothesitesorschemesallocatedinadoptedlocalplanningdocumentsorwithplanningconsent,thecumulativelandscapeandvisualeffectsassessmentalsoconsiderstheemergingRailCentralSRFIdevelopmentproposalasdescribedelsewherewithinthisES.SeeSection7ofthisChapter.

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4.2.28 ThestudyareafortheassessmentofcumulativeeffectshasbeenidentifiedastheZTV(SiteAnalysis)oftheProposedDevelopmentplusanyoverlappingZTV(ZoneofTheoreticalVisibility)fortheotherrelevantidentifiedprojects.Thishasbeendeterminedthroughdesktopreviewofrelevantplansandinformationincludedaspartoftheotherdevelopmentprojectsand/orfromthereviewanduseofexistingbaselinevisualstudiesandfieldwork.

Significance Criteria4.2.29 Conclusionsonthelevelofeffects,andwhethertheseareadverseorbeneficial,aredrawn

fromseparatejudgementsonthesensitivityofthereceptorsandthemagnitudeoftheeffectsalongsideprofessionalqualitativejudgment.EffectsuseawordscaleofMajor,Moderate,MinororNegligible.Whereitisdeterminedthattheassessmentfallsbetween,orencompasses,twoofthedefinedthresholds,thenthejudgementisassessedtoliebetweentherespectivedefinitionsortoencompassaspectsofboth.ThecriteriafortheeffectsisoutlinedwithinAppendix4.1

Landscape Effects4.2.30 Intermsofwhatconstitutesasignificantlandscapeeffect,GLVIA3makesitclear,atparagraph

5.56,that: “There are no hard and fast rules about what makes a significant effect, and there cannot be a standard approach since circumstances vary with the location and landscape context and with the type of proposals. At opposite ends of a spectrum it is reasonable to say that:

• majorlossorirreversiblenegativeeffects,overanextensivearea,onelementsand/oraestheticandperceptualaspectsthatarekeytothecharacterofnationallyvaluedlandscapesarelikelytobeofthegreatestsignificance;

• reversiblenegativeeffectsofshortduration,overarestrictedarea,onelementsand/oraestheticandperceptualaspectsthatcontributetobutarenotkeycharacteristicsofthecharacterofthelandscapesofcommunityvaluearelikelytobeoftheleastsignificanceandmay,dependingoncircumstances,bejudgedasnotsignificant;

• whereassessmentsofsignificanceplacelandscapeeffectsbetweentheseextremes,judgementsmustbemadeaboutwhetherornottheyaresignificantwithfullexplanationsofwhytheseconclusionshavebeenreached.”(para5.56)

Visual Effects4.2.31 Inrelationtowhatconstitutesasignificantvisualeffect,GLVIA3states,atparagraph6.44,that:

“There are no hard and fast rules about what makes a significant effect, and there cannot be a standard approach since circumstances vary with the location and context and with the type of proposal. In making a judgment about the significance of visual effects the following points should be noted:

• Effectsonpeoplewhoareparticularlysensitivetochangesinviewsandvisualamenityaremorelikelytobesignificant.

• Effectsonpeopleatrecognisedandimportantviewpointsorfromrecognisedscenicroutesaremorelikelytobesignificant.

• Large-scalechangeswhichintroducenew,non-characteristicordiscordantorintrusiveelementsintotheviewaremorelikelytobesignificantthansmallchangesorchangesalreadyinvolvingfeaturesalreadypresentwithintheview”(para6.44)

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Likely Significant Effects4.2.32 InaccordancewiththeapproachadvocatedinGLVIA3,thecategoriesofEffectsconsideredto

representalikelysignificanteffectforthisLVIAhavebeendeterminedandarethoseeffectsthatarestatedasMajororModerate/Major.Wherethisoccurs,thisisidentifiedwithintheLVIA.

4.2.33 ItshouldbenotedthattheremaybesomechangesresultingfromtheProposedDevelopmentthatwillbenotableandextensive,yetwillencapsulatebothadverseandbeneficialchange.Insomeoftheseinstances,theresultantoveralleffectmaynotbeMajororModerate/Majorastherewillbeadegreeofbalancingoutinthecombinedeffectoftheadverseandbeneficialchanges.

Assumptions and Limitations4.2.34 ThefollowingassumptionsarerelevanttothisChapter:

• TheResidualLandscapeandVisualEffectsoftheProposedDevelopmenttakeintoaccountthegrowthoftheproposedplantingandinparticulartheproposedwoodlandandtreeplanting.Typicalgrowthratesforthisplantingisdrawnfrompublishedsourcesandassumesthatthewoodlandandtreeswillbegenerally8–12metreshighafter15years.

4.2.35 ThefollowinglimitationsarerelevanttothisChapter:

• Judgementsonthelikelyvisualeffectsforany‘private’receptorse.g.residentialpropertieshavebeendeterminedbaseduponpubliclyaccessibleoragreedaccesspositions.Forexampleinsomesituationsithasnotbeenpossibletodeterminethedetailednatureofsomeprivateviewsfromresidentialproperties,althoughthelikelynatureoftheviewhasbeenappraisedbaseduponacombinationofviewsbacktowardsthepropertyfromwithintheSiteandfromnearbypubliclyaccessiblelocations.Thishasenabledthenatureofthelikelyvisualchangetobesufficientlydetermined.

4.3 EXISTING BASELINE CONDITIONS

Planning Policy Context4.3.1 Thissectionconsiderstherelevantplanningframeworkinthecontextoflandscapeandvisual

issues.NotallpoliciesarereferredtoorlistedinfullbutthoseofmostrelevancetotheProposedDevelopmentSiteandthenatureoftheProposedDevelopmentareincluded.Figure4.1detailstheserelevantpoliciesanddesignations.

National Planning Policy

National Policy Statement (NPS) for National Networks, 20144.3.2 Chapter5oftheNPSconsiderslandscapeandvisualimpactsandlanduse,includingopen

space,greeninfrastructureandGreenBelt.InthecontextoflandscapeandvisualimpactstheNPSadvisesthatwherethedevelopmentissubjecttoEIAtheapplicantshouldundertakeanassessmentofanylikelysignificantlandscapeandvisualimpactsintheenvironmentalimpactassessmentanddescribetheseintheenvironmentalassessment.Theassessmentshouldincludereferencetoanylandscapecharacterassessmentandassociatedstudies,asameansofassessinglandscapeimpactsrelevanttotheproposedproject.

4.3.3 Itfurtheradvisesthattheassessmentshouldincludeanysignificanteffectsduringconstructionoftheprojectand/orthesignificanteffectsofthecompleteddevelopmentanditsoperationonlandscapecomponentsandlandscapecharacter(includinghistoriclandscapecharacterisation).Itshouldalsoassessthevisibilityandconspicuousnessoftheprojectduringconstructionandthepresenceandoperationoftheprojectandpotentialimpactsonviewsandvisualamenity.

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4.3.4 Inthecontextofnationallydesignatedlandscapes,thatincludesNationalParksandAreasofOutstandingNaturalBeauty,theNPSmakesreferenceto‘Developments proposed within nationally designated areas’atparagraphs5.150–5.153.TheProposedDevelopmentisnotlocatedwithinanationallydesignatedarea.Atparagraphs5.154–5.155,theNPSmakesreferenceto‘Developments outside nationally designated areas which might affect them’. The Site is not in proximitytoanynationallydesignatedlandscapesandwillhavenoindirecteffectuponanysuchdesignatedlandscape.

4.3.5 Undertheheading‘VisualImpact’atparagraph5.158,theNPSstates; ‘The Secretary of State will have to judge whether the visual effects on sensitive receptors, such as local residents, and other receptors, such as visitors to the local area, outweigh the benefits of the development…’

4.3.6 ThisassessmenthasconsideredthepotentialandlikelyeffectsoftheProposedDevelopmentonsensitivevisualreceptors.

4.3.7 Undertheheading‘Mitigation’atparagraph5.160,theNPSstates:

‘Adverse landscape and visual effects may be minimised through appropriate siting of infrastructure, design (including choice of materials), and landscaping schemes, depending on the size and type of proposed project. Materials and designs for infrastructure should always be given careful consideration.’

4.3.8 ThedesignoftheProposedDevelopmentandtheembeddedmitigationmeasuresandlandscapeproposalshavebeenconsideredandappraisedaspartofaniterativeandcomprehensiveprocesstoenablethelandscapeandvisualeffectstobeminimisedandmitigated.

4.3.9 Otherrelatedmattersarereferencedunderthesectionon‘Land use including open space, green infrastructure and Green Belt’.Thisincludesreferencetotheeffectsupongreeninfrastructureandpublicrightsofway.

4.3.10 AllofthelandscapeandvisualmattersraisedintheNPShavebeenconsideredandwhererelevantappraisedaspartofthedesignandsubsequentassessmentoftheProposedDevelopmentandtheresultsofthisapproacharedetailedinthisChapter.

National Planning Policy Framework4.3.11 Alsoofrelevancetothisassessment,theNPPFincludesrelevantplanningprinciplesatparagraph

17,includingreferencestodesign,countrysideandenvironmentalvalue.

4.3.12 Section11isconcernedwith“Conserving and enhancing the natural environment”.TheNPPFseekstoconserveandenhancethenaturalenvironment–protectingandenhancingvaluedlandscapes,andaffordinggreatweighttotheprotectionofareasofnaturalandscenicbeauty. “Theplanningsystemshouldcontributetoandenhancethenaturalandlocalenvironmentby:Protectingandenhancingvaluedlandscapes...”

4.3.13 TheNPPFseekstoconserveandenhancethenaturalenvironment–protectingandenhancingvaluedlandscapes,andaffordinggreatweighttotheprotectionareasofnaturalandscenicbeauty.ThelandscapeandgreeninfrastructureproposalswhichformpartoftheProposedDevelopmentstemfromthelandscapeandvisualassessmentsundertakenandanynecessarymitigationmeasuresidentified,reflectingtheprinciplesofGoodDesignwhichtheNPPFadvocates.

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National Planning Practice Guidance4.3.14 TheNationalPlanningPracticeGuidance(PPG)supportstheuseoflandscapecharacter

assessmentasatoolforunderstandinglocaldistinctivenessandNaturalEngland’sguidanceonlandscapecharacterassessment.Italsoprovidesawiderangeofguidanceonenvironmentalanddesignmatters.Underthe’Design‘sectionoftheguidance,paragraph6(ReferenceID:26-006-20140306)states:

“Design impacts on how people interact with places. Although design is only part of the planning process it can affect a range of economic, social and environmental objectives beyond the requirement for good design in its own right. Planning policies and decisions should seek to ensure the physical environment supports these objectives. The following issues should be considered:

• localcharacter(includinglandscapesetting)

• safe,connectedandefficientstreets

• anetworkofgreenspaces(includingparks)andpublicplaces

• crimeprevention

• securitymeasures

• accessandinclusion

• efficientuseofnaturalresources

• cohesive&vibrantneighbourhoods”.

Local Planning Policy 4.3.15 TheMainSiteliesonlandwithintheDistrictofSouthNorthamptonshire,andsomeofthe

proposedhighwaysmeasuresarealsowithinSouthNorthamptonshirebutothersareinNorthamptonBorough.

West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Local Plan (Part 1)4.3.16 ThisstrategicdocumentcoversthewholeofWestNorthamptonshire,includingNorthampton

BoroughandSouthNorthamptonshireDistrict.

4.3.17 ProposedPolicyS1(Distribution of Development)definesthestrategyasbeingfordevelopmenttobe“concentrated primarily in and adjoining the principal urban area of Northampton”.

4.3.18 Paragraph10.7oftheJCSreferstoLandscapeSensitivityandGreenInfrastructureStudieswhichhavebeencarriedoutforthetownsinWestNorthamptonshireandnotes(interalia)that:-

“…These studies provide additional broad advice on the overall sensitivity of an area, including historic character, green infrastructure, biodiversity and overall landscape sensitivity. These studies have informed the selection of the areas for development identified in this plan. The development of areas highlighted as having High Landscape Sensitivity in the study is not precluded, but it does mean that additional care and appropriate mitigation will be required when planning for new development...”

4.3.19 LocalLandscapeSensitivityandotherstudiesarereferredtoinlatersectionsofthischapter.

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4.3.20 PolicyBN1-Green Infrastructure Connectionsseeksingeneralterms,toprotectandenhanceGreenInfrastructureassets.ThePolicynotes(interalia)that:

“Measures to enhance existing and provide new Green Infrastructure Provision will:

a) Be designed and delivered sustainably with prudent use of natural resources;

b) Mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change including through improved flood risk management and as a carbon store;

c) Be designed to the highest quality in terms of appearance, access provision and wildlife provision;

d) Reflect local character through the planting of native species and consideration of natural and cultural heritage features;

e) Be supported by a long term management strategy.”

South Northamptonshire Local Plan (1997)4.3.21 TheSouthNorthamptonshiredevelopmentplanalsocomprises‘saved’policiesoftheSouth

NorthamptonshireLocalPlan(1997).Severalofthe1997localplanpolicieshavebeensupersededbythenewpoliciesintheWestNorthamptonshireJointCoreStrategy(LocalPlanPart1).Theremainderare‘saved’andwillcontinuetoapplyindeterminingplanningapplicationsuntiltheyarereplacedbyequivalentpoliciesinLocalPlanpart2whichiscurrentlybeingpreparedbySouthNorthamptonshireCouncil(SNC).

Landscape Designations and Strategies4.3.22 Nonationallandscapedesignationshavebeenidentifiedwithinorincloseproximitytothe

ProposedDevelopmentSite.However,asmallpartofthesouthernendoftheBypassCorridorextendsintothelocallydesignatedToveValleySpecialLandscapeArea(SLA)andanumberofrelevantecological,conservationandhistoricalbaseddesignationsandfeaturesarelocatedwithinthecontextoftheProposedDevelopmentSiteasawhole.TheToveValleySLAdesignationisdatedandwascontainedwithintheSouthNorthamptonshireLocalPlan(1997).

4.3.23 AspartoftheemergingLocalPlanPart2SouthNorthantsCouncilSNChascompletedareviewofthelandscapeofthedistrict.Thisreviewconsideredanumberoffactorsincludingthedistinctivenessoflandscapes,theirscenicquality,naturalandculturalcharacterandfunction.TheSouthNorthamptonshireReviewofSpecialLandscapeAreas(June2017)notes(inter alia)that: “TheToveValleyisaribbonofdistinctivebroadlandscapeplateaurichinscenicqualitysurroundedbyhilltopsettlementsandwoodlandfeatures.ThewatercoursesandlandfeatureoftheGrandUnionCanal,RiverToveanditstributariesmeanderthroughthelandformwhilstformingthefeaturepointofthelandscapeandgivingthelocallandscapeitscharacter.ThestronglandscapeviewsfilterdowntowardsthedevelopedTowcesterwherethelandformbeginstochangeandbecomemoreundulating.ThislandscapeenhancesinhistoricvalueandthechangegivesresidencetothedistinctiveparklandlandscapeofEastonNestonandtheiconicGradeIIgroundsthataccompaniesitandtheTowcesterRacecourse.AsthelandscapechangestowardsTowcestertheintroductionofmoredensewoodlandfeaturesformprovidingstrongecologicalandvisualattractionaswellaspublicrecreationthroughthegardensandgroundsofEastonNeston.”

4.3.24 TheSouthNorthamptonshireLocalPlanPart2:PreSubmissionDraftforConsultation:DraftPoliciesandProposals(excludingSettlementConfines)(September2017)proposesthattheToveValleySLAberetainedwithtwosmalladditionalareasincluded,;onetotheeastoftheA508(-southwestofAshton)-andonetothewestoftheA508(-northofAlderton).

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4.3.25 TherelevantdesignationsareshownonFigure4.1andfurtherdetailsontheseandthelikelyeffectsuponthemaredetailedinthischapterandtheEcologyandCulturalHeritagechapters.

Northamptonshire’s Environmental Character Strategy and Green Infrastructure Strategy4.3.26 TheseStrategiesformpartoftheNorthamptonshire’sEnvironmentalCharacterandGreen

InfrastructureSuite(ECS).TheECSdescribesthephysicalenvironmentofNorthamptonshireandprovidesclearguidelinesforeachofthethreemajorlandscapecomponents;thehistorical,ecological(biodiversity)andmodern(current).FurtherdetailsofthesepartsoftheECSaredetailedinthesectionbelowtitled‘LandscapeCharacterandContext’.

4.3.27 TheGreenInfrastructureStrategyoutlinesavisionforGreenInfrastructure(GI)inNorthamptonshireandastrategicframeworkandmasterplanforGIdeliveryacrossthecounty.

Northampton Green Infrastructure Plan (GIP) - A Green Infrastructure Toolkit for Northampton (May 2016)

4.3.28 TheGIPisspecifictotheNorthamptonRelatedDevelopmentArea(NRDA);itformsthebasisofaco-ordinatedapproachtothecreationandsustainedmanagementofGIacrosstheNRDAwhileestablishinglinksforneighbouringlocalauthorities.TheGIPformsanaturalprogressionfromthemorestrategicGIguidancesetoutinMakingtheConnection(RiverNeneRegionalPark,2006)andtheNorthamptonLandscapeSensitivityandGreenInfrastructureStudy(LivingLandscapesConsultancy,2009)(Seebelow).

4.3.29 TheNRDAincludesthewholeofNorthamptonBoroughplustheareasallocatedforeightSustainableUrbanExtensions(SUEs)whichcrossadministrativeboundariesintoDaventryandSouthNorthamptonshire.InthecontextofthetotalProposedDevelopmentSite,theNRDAboundaryextendsuptotheM1motorwaybutdoesnotencompassthelandtothewest.Consequently,itonlyincludesthoselimitedpartsoftheProposedDevelopmentSitethatlietotheeastofthemotorway.

Northampton Landscape Sensitivity and Green Infrastructure Study (February 2009)4.3.30 TheNorthamptonLandscapeSensitivityandGreenInfrastructureStudy(NLSGI)incorporatesall

landwithinNorthamptonBorough,plusoneparishbeyondineachdirection.ItencompassesthemajorityoftheProposedDevelopmentSite.OnlythesoutherntipoftheBypassCorridor(onthesouthernsideofRoade)liesoutsidetheboundaryforthisstudy.TheremainderoftheProposedDevelopmentlieswithinStudyArea3:South,asdescribedatParagraph8.4.16oftheNLSGI.

4.3.31 Figure24oftheNLGISillustratestherelativeLandscapeandVisualSensitivitywithinNorthamptonBoroughanditsimmediatesurrounds.WithreferencetoStudyArea3:South,thestudystatesatParagraphs8.5.15-8.5.17;

“Within this Study Area there are three discrete areas of high-sensitivity landscape. These are 1) the ridge of land which runs from Cogenhoe to Hunsbury Hill, which is visually prominent and forms the southern setting to Northampton. 2) The area south and south-east of Hackleton and Piddington, due to the attractiveness of the countryside and strong visual links with the historic landscape of the surrounding wooded areas. 3) The Courteenhall estate, as an example of a traditional parkland estate. Delapre Abbey is also highly sensitive due to the size and openness of the site.

There are pockets of lower visual sensitivity land between the M1 and the existing southern edge of Northampton, and in the shallow “bowl” of land between Wootton and Grange Park.

The remainder of the Study Area is an open rural landscape of high-medium sensitivity, where medium or large scale development would appear incongruous.”

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4.3.32 Paragraphs8.7.12-8.7.16ofthestudyprovidethefollowingSummaryofSensitivityforStudyArea3:South:-

“The majority of high-medium sensitivity Biodiversity sites are concentrated within the urban area of Northampton, and include the publicly-accessible sites of Hunsbury Hill and part of Barnes Meadow Local Nature Reserve. There are also high-medium sensitivity linear features, including the Grand Union Canal and the dismantled railway line, which runs through Great Houghton. There are extensive blocks of medium sensitivity land including the Courteenhall estate and a priority area for acid grassland habitat survey around Blisworth and Gayton…

High sensitivity Cultural Heritage sites in this Study Area include the designated sites of Courteenhall estate, Northampton Battlefield (around Delapre Abbey) and Hunsbury Hill Fort. There are also several villages with Conservation Areas….

Landscape and Visual sensitivity analysis shows that the high sensitivity areas are the ridge which runs between Whiston and Hunsbury Hill, the Courteenhall estate, and the area southeast of Hackleton, which is visually associated with Yardley Chase and Salcey Forest. The majority of this Study Area is of high-medium landscape and visual sensitivity.

Analysis of Flood Zones and Minerals sensitivity shows ribbons of high sensitivity land at risk of flooding from the Wootton Stream, and scattered Proposed Areas for Mineral Extraction Sites in the western part of the Study Area.

Cumulatively, the sites with the greatest concentration of high/high-medium sensitivity ratings are Hunsbury Hill, Courteenhall, the area south-east of Hackleton and the Grand Union Canal.”

4.3.33 Figure31ofthestudydepictstheCombinedSensitivityoftheGIstudyarea.ThemajorityoftheareaisshownaseitherHighSensitivityorHigh–MediumSensitivity,withonlyrelativelysmallareasofMediumSensitivityorlowershownwithinandontheimmediatefringesofNorthampton`sbuiltuparea.

4.3.34 ExtractsofthisstudyareincludedinAppendix4.2

Topography4.3.35 ThefollowingshouldbereadinconjunctionwithFigure4.2.

Context – Landform4.3.36 ThetopographyoftheProposedDevelopmentSite`scontextcomprisestherollingslopesofa

tributaryvalleytotheRiverNenetothenorthseparatedbyaridgeofhighergroundfromtheRiverTovevalleytothesouth.ThetributarywatercoursetotheRiverNenestretchesinabroadlysoutheast–northwestdirectionacrossthelandscapetothenorthoftheMainSiteandtheM1motorwayataround65–75metresAboveOrdnanceDatum(AOD).

4.3.37 ThemiddleandlowerslopestothistributaryvalleyundulateacrossthelandscapeimmediatelytothenorthandsouthoftheM1motorway.ThehigherslopesrisemoremarkedlyandsteeplyinasoutherndirectiontowardsanarrowplateauofhighergrounduponwhichtheironstonevillagesofRoadeandBliswortharesituated.Thehighestpartsofthislandliesataround120–135mAOD.

4.3.38 FromthehigherlandthelandformthenfallssouthwardsthroughRoadeintotheTovevalleytothesouth.ThesouthernpartoftheProposedDevelopmentSitecomprisingtheBypassCorridorliesonthesouthernsideofthehighestland.ThelandformoftheProposedDevelopmentSite`scontextischaracterisedbytherollingnatureoftheslopesleadinguptothemorepronouncedandprominentridgelinethatstretcheseasttowest,broadlyseparatingtheMainSitefromtheBypassCorridor.

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Local – Landform4.3.39 Atamorelocalisedlevel,theMainSiteincludesashallowsecondaryridgeofgroundthatextends

alongthewesternsideofthisareaattypically95–102mAOD.ThegeneralaspectoftheMainSiteistotheeastandsoutheastwiththelandgenerallyfallingbacktowardstheexistingurbanedgeandmotorwayjunction.OnthiseasternedgeoftheMainSitethelandisatapproximately80mAOD.ThehighestpointwithintheMainSiteliesclosetothewesternboundaryandtwoareasofexistingwoodland.ThesewoodlandslierelativelyelevatedwithintheMainSiteatapproximately95–98mAOD.

4.3.40 InthenorthwesterncorneroftheMainSitethelandfallsgentlytowardsMiltonMalsor,yetitisonlythisfarnorthwesterncorneroftheMainSitethatfallsawayfromthemotorwayandexistingurbanedge.MiltonMalsorliesattypically75–85mAODyethasageneralaspectandfallawayfromtheMainSite.Collingtreetotheeastandthisstretchofthemotorwaysimilarlylieataround75–85mAODandalsofallawayfromtheMainSite.

4.3.41 TheMainSitethussitswithinashallowbutenclosedlandformsetting,withageneralaspecttowardstheexistingurbanedgeandthemotorwayjunction.Therelativelyhigherlandalongitswesternsideandtothesouth(theCourteenhall–Blisworthridgeofhigherground)separateitinlocalisedtermsfromthelandscapestothewestandsouth.Blisworthliesattypically95–120mAODandoccupiesasemienclosedpositionontheeasternsideofasmallvalleythatgenerallyfallsnorthwardsfromthehigherground.ThissettlementalsogenerallyhasanaspectthatfallsawayfromthedirectionoftheMainSite

4.3.42 Theexistingrailline(NorthamptonLoopRailLine(NLRL))alongthewesternboundaryoftheMainSiterisesfromapproximately86mAODatthenorthwestcornertoapproximately98mAODatthesouthwest.FromclosetothesouthwestcorneroftheMainSitetheNLRLmeetstheWestCoastMainLineandextendssouthwardsincuttingtowardsandbeyondRoade.

4.3.43 ThelandformoftheBypassCorridorisrelativelymoreelevatedandvariedthantheMainSite.AroundthewesternsideofRoadethelandistypicallybetween105–125mAODwithvaryingslopesandfalls,thoughmostgenerallybacktowardsthesettlementedgeandthesoutheast.DespitebeingrelativelymoreelevatedtherollingnatureofthislandformmeansthattheBypassCorridorisalsorelativelyenclosedwhereitliesclosertothesettlementedge.ThiscorridorstretchesaroundandacrosstwosmalldipsandridgesinthelandformtothenorthandwestofRoade.

4.3.44 ThelandformatandaroundthelocationoftheHighwayMitigationMeasuresvariesyetformspartofthebroaderrollinglandform.Somelocationsoccupyrelativelyflatterandrelativelylowerlyingpositions.Therearenodistinctiveornotablelandformcharacteristicsorfeaturesattheselocations.

Landscape Character4.3.45 LandscapeCharacterAssessmentshavebeenpreparedatnational,regionalandcountywide

scalescoveringtheProposedDevelopmentSiteanditscontext.RelevantextractsofthepublishedlandscapecharacterassessmentsandstudiesareincludedatAppendix4.2andthelocationandextentofthedifferentareasaredetailedonFigures4.3and4.4.

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National

Natural England National Character Areas (Figure 4.3)4.3.46 NationalCharacterArea(NCA)profileshavepreparedbyNaturalEnglandforthe159NCA`s

definedacrossEngland.TheseNCAprofilesincludeadescriptionofthenaturalandculturalfeaturesthatshapethelandscape,howthelandscapehaschangedovertime,thecurrentkeydriversforongoingchange,andabroadanalysisofeacharea’scharacteristics.

4.3.47 Atthisverybroadlandscapescale,muchoftheProposedDevelopment(MainSiteandmostoftheHighwaysWorks)lieswithinNCA89‘Northamptonshire Vales’andtheBypassCorridor(andthemostsouthernoftheHighwayswork)liesontheedgeofNCA91‘Yardley Whittlewood Ridge’.

4.3.48 The‘Northamptonshire Vales’NCAcompriseanextensivetractoflandextendingfromthe‘Northamptonshire Uplands’NCAtothesouth-westand‘Rockingham Forest’ NCAtothenorth-east,thelatterformingthenorthernboundaryoftheNeneValley.

4.3.49 ThedescriptionoftheNorthamptonshire ValesNCAincludesthefollowingreferences;

“…a large, relatively open, uniform landscape composed of low-lying clay vales interrupted by varied river valleys. Its sense of place comes less from its overall landform and more from its visually dominant settlements and views of the surrounding higher ground. The area has many settlements within it, including the major urban area of Northampton…” (para 1, page 7)

…Despite the predominance of settlements and a general lack of tranquillity, this contrasts strongly with a distinctly rural feel to the landscape, particularly in the southern part of the area, which features a mixture of arable and pastoral farmland. Country houses, historic landscapes, designed parkland, and waterside trees and meadows add further variety…” (para 2, page 7)

4.3.50 TheKeyCharacteristicsoftheNorthamptonshireValesasdefinedintheNCAprofileincludethefollowingreferences:

• “An open landscape of gently undulating clay ridges and valleys with occasional steep scarp slopes. There is an overall visual uniformity to the landscape and settlement pattern;

• Diverse levels of tranquillity, from busy urban areas to some deeply rural parts;

• Mixed agricultural regime of arable and pasture, with arable land tending to be on the broader, flat river terraces and smaller pastures on the slopes of many minor valleys and on more undulating ground;

• Relatively little woodland cover but with a timbered character derived largely from spinneys and copses on the ridges and more undulating land, and from waterside and hedgerow trees and hedgerows, though the density, height and pattern of hedgerows are varied throughout;

• Frequent large settlements that dominate the open character of the landscape, such as Northampton and Wellingborough, and associated infrastructure, including major roads, often visually dominant.

• Relatively frequent, prominent historic parklands and country houses towards the outer edges and close to more wooded areas.” (bullet points 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 & 9, page 6)

4.3.51 TheNCAprofileincludesStatementsofEnvironmentalOpportunity(SEO)whichprovideguidanceforachievingsustainablegrowth.TheSEO`sforthisNCAinclude; “SEO 3: Plan ongoing strategic growth and development within the area so that it strengthens the

sense of place and increases biodiversity, incorporating extended and restored hedgerow networks,

open spaces and the conservation, management and promotion of geological features as part of

green infrastructure planning.

CHAPTER 4 - PG 14

For example by:

• Ensuring that the location, form and design of the planned sustainable urban extensions around Northampton are guided by landscape character assessment objectives and incorporate large-scale landscaping measures that can link to the green infrastructure network. This would both counteract the dominance of new developments and contribute to climate change adaptation.

• Encouraging tree planting around settlement fringes to help to reduce visual impact, integrate new development into the landscape and contribute to an increase in the woodland resource.” (para1,andbulletpoints1&2,page17)

4.3.52 NCA91‘Yardley Whittlewood Ridge’alsostretchesacrossabroadlandscapetract,fromBrackleyinthesouthwesttoRushdenandRaundsinthenortheast.ItencompassesthesettlementofRoadeandpartsofitsimmediatesettingatarelativelynarrowpartoftheNCA.ThedescriptionoftheNCAincludes; ‘The Yardley Whittlewood Ridge National Character Area (NCA) is a low and gently undulating

limestone plateau commonly referred to locally as the Ridge….The Ridge is more distinct in the

south-west where it rises from the adjacent low-lying claylands. From the top, the land slopes away

gently in most directions, giving long views over the surrounding countryside…’ (Para 1, page 3)

The Ridge contains a variety of semi-natural habitats, including ancient woodland, wood pasture

and parkland, hedgerows, lowland meadow and flood plain grazing marsh. It is a well-wooded

landscape…’ (para 2, page 3)

4.3.53 ThesetworelevantNCA`ssetthebroadnationalscalelandscapecontextfortheProposedDevelopmentSite.

Regional

East Midlands Regional Landscape Character Assessment (2010) (Figure 4.3)4.3.54 Inthehierarchyofpublishedcharacterassessments,thisstudysitsbetweentheNational

CharacterAssessment,whichidentifiesbroadnationalcharacterareas,andthecountylevelassessment,whichexamineslandscapecharacteratarelativelyfinergrain.Itisusefulforprojectswhicharebasedataregionallevelsuchasstrategicplanningprojects.TheEastMidlandsRegionalLandscapeCharacterAssessment(EMRLCA)identifies31regionalLandscapeCharacterTypes(LCT).

4.3.55 Withinthisassessmentstudy,theProposedDevelopmentSitelieswithinthe‘Undulating Mixed Farmlands’LCT.ThelandscapecharacteroftheUndulating Mixed FarmlandsLCTisdescribedas; “…an extensive landscape stretching from the Oxfordshire and Warwickshire borders, through

Northamptonshire and into the heart of Leicestershire. Despite its scale, varied underlying geology

and complex draining patterns that have created a landscape of hills, ridges and valleys, the

landscape has a strong visual unity.

Of particular importance to creating this visual unity is the undulating nature of the landform,

interspersed with relatively high hills and ridges, a mixed agricultural regime and areas of

permanent pasture preserving widespread ridge and furrow, occasional woodlands and spinneys,

and a network of well treed hedgerows.…” (paras 1 & 2, page 168)

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4.3.56 Undertheheading‘Physical Influences’thestudyadvises;

“…The agricultural landscape is punctuated by numerous small deciduous woodlands and spinneys and whilst these are generally not extensive, they are often prominent features when occupying steep slopes or elevated hills and ridges…

… Hedgerows and hedgerow trees also contribute to the well treed character of the landscape.

… in a landscape with relatively low semi-natural vegetation cover, trees and hedgerows provide important refuges and connective habitats for wildlife.” (paras3&4,page169)

4.3.57 Undertheheading‘Built Development’,itstates;

“…modern mixed-use development is evident on the fringes of larger settlements such as Leicester, Northampton and Daventry and in and around those villages closest to the main towns. This creates visual intrusion and extends the urban fringe. Further expansion of Northampton and Daventry can be anticipated as these lie within the MKSM Growth Area…

…These areas are likely to experience considerable development pressure and high levels of growth with mixed use development on the fringes of the urban areas…” (para5,page171)

4.3.58 Undertheheading‘Infrastructure’thestudynotesthat:

“Localised road improvements are evident in the road network in order to better connect isolated villages with larger towns and cities. This has an urbanising effect and brings a degree of standardisation to the landscape.

The aim should be to manage road improvements, maintaining the existing character of the rural road network, whilst having regard to user and safety requirements. Any road improvements should be carefully planned and designed to provide positive environmental and landscape enhancements and strengthen prevailing character. This may include grassland, hedgerows and trees along road verges to enhance character and increase the occurrence of semi-natural habitats…” (paras2&3,page172)

4.3.59 ThisstudysupportstheotherpublishedlandscapecharacterassessmentscoveringtheProposedDevelopmentSiteanditsbroadercontext.

County

The Current Landscape Character Assessment for Northamptonshire (2003) (Figure 4.4)4.3.60 The ‘Current Landscape Character Assessment for Northamptonshire’(24November2017)

(CLCAN)subdividesNorthamptonshireinto6LandscapeTypes,whichinturndivideinto20broaderlandscapetypologiesresultingin77distinctLandscapeCharacterAreas.

4.3.61 WithintheCLCAN,theProposedDevelopmentSiteissituatedprincipallywithinLandscapeCharacterArea6a:“The Tove Catchment”whichinturnispartofthe“Undulating Claylands”landscapetypologyasdefinedbytheNorthamptonshireCLCA.ThosepartsoftheProposedDevelopment(namelypartsofthehighwayrelatedworks)whichlietothenorthoftheM1liewithinLandscapeCharacterArea6b:“Hackleton Claylands”whichformspartofthe“Undulating Claylands”landscapetypology.TheMainSitealsoincludespartofLandscapeCharacterArea13b:“Bugbrooke and Daventry”whichinturnispartofthe“Undulating Hills and Valleys” typology. ItisthenorthernthirdoftheMainSitethatlieswithinthisLandscapeCharacterAreaandtypology.

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4.3.62 The Tove CatchmentLandscapeCharacterArea(LCA)comprisesthelargestoftheUndulatingClaylandsareaslyingtothesouthwestofNorthampton.ThestreamsoftheTove Catchment LCA(6a)haveerodedbroad,gentle,convexslopedvalleys,resultinginthedistinctiveundulatinglandform.Landcoveristypicallyacombinationofbotharableandpasturefarmingwithimprovedpasturelargelylocatedaroundvillages.Woodlandassociatedwithestateparklandsisparticularlysignificantinthecharacterarea.

4.3.63 The150haGradeIIregisteredlandscapedparkatCourteenhall,developedin1791byHumphreyReptonisanotablefeaturewithintheLCA.Theparkincludesasignificantnumberofpredominantlybroadleavedwoodlands,althoughsomehaveamixedcomposition.ThisparkliestothesoutheastoftheA508andtheMainSite,thoughiseffectivelyenclosedbythearrangementofexistingmaturewoodlandareasandtreebelts.

4.3.64 SurroundingthesouthernboundaryoftheLCAaresignificantwoodlandblockswithintheLow Wooded Clay Ridge,whichalthoughbeyondthearea,createanotablewoodedhorizoninmanyviewstothesouth.

4.3.65 The Bugbrooke and DaventryLCA(13b)isthemostextensiveareaoftheUndulatingHillsandValleyscharacterareasandoccursonthewesternandsouthernsidetheRiverNeneBroadRiverValleyFloodplain.Itextendsfromthewesterncountyboundary,aroundtheeasternedgeofDaventry,tothesouthwesternedgeofNorthampton.Landcoverintheareaisacombinationofbotharableandpastoralfarmlandinfieldsofvaryingsize.

4.3.66 Strongurbanisinginfluencesareevidentinthelandscape.Northamptonandothersettlements,theM1motorway,A45andothermajor‘A’roadsandrailwaysandaseriesofhighvoltagepylonsallexertaninfluence.Theundulatinglandformdoes,howeverinplaces,providesomescreeningoftheseelements.

The Environmental Character Assessment and Key Issues report4.3.67 The ‘Environmental Character Assessment and Key Issues’report(ECAKI)subdividesthecounty

into16EnvironmentalCharacterAreas.TheProposedDevelopmentSitefallswithinEnvironmentalCharacterAreanumber13:‘The West Northamptonshire Uplands’asdefinedbytheECAKI.TheECAKIidentifiesanumberofkeyissuesfor‘The West Northamptonshire Uplands’ ofwhichthefollowingareconsideredtoberelevantinthecontextoftheProposedDevelopmentSite:-

• “TheUplandsareanexpansiveandelevatedlandscapewithanarcofhighroundedhillsandvalleys.AcappingofironstonebearingMarlstoneRockandNorthamptonSandFormationhasresultedinwelldefinedlandformfeatureswithsteeplyslopingprominenthillsthatcontrasttosofterlandscapeswherecappingbyathickmantleofBoulderClayhasoccurred.Thelocalvariationsareanintegralpartofthewidercharacteroftheareaandassuchdevelopmentandlandmanagementshouldbeappropriatetolocalconditions.

• Thearcofhillsmarksamajorwatershed,drainingtoanumberofjuvenileriversincludingtheNene,WarwickshireAvon,LeamandCherwelltothewest,theWellandtothenorthandtotheTove/Ousetothesouth.Landmanagementanddevelopmentshouldconsidertheimpactofrunoffandpollutioninthisarea,giventhatnumerouswatercoursescouldbeaffected.

• NorthamptonandDaventryfringetheselandscapesandopportunitiesexisttoenhancetheruralurbanfringebyappropriatelandmanagementandnewdevelopment,andlimittheurbanisinginfluenceofthetownsontheotherwiserurallandscape.TheM1corridorisalsoasignificanturbanisingcomponentofthelandscapeandmeasuresshouldbetakentolimitthevisualandacousticimpactthishasonthesurroundinglandscape.”

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Local Landscape4.3.68 ThespecificcharacteristicsoftheProposedDevelopmentSiteandthesurroundingareaare

describedbelowandshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeAerialPhotograph(Figure4.5).Thisprovidesasitespecificandfinerlevelofassessmentthanthosesetoutwithinthenational,regionalandcountytiersoflandscapecharacterassessment.

Proposed Development Site Landscape – Local Context and Character4.3.69 ThelandscapecontextoftheProposedDevelopmentSiteisvariedincharacterandencompasses

thesouthernurbanextentsofNorthamptonincludingWootton,CollingtreeandtheextensiveGrangeParkhousingandindustrialestatetothenortheastandmoreopenmixedandrollingfarmlandaroundandtothesouthwestofRoade.LargetransportinfrastructurefeaturesprominentlywithinthislocalcontextandincludestheM1motorwayandJunction15ofthemotorway(connectingwiththeA45andtheA508),togetherwiththeWestCoastMainLine(WCML)andtheNorthamptonLoopRailwayLine(NLRL).ThelatterconnectstotheWCMLclosetothesouthwestcorneroftheMainSite.

4.3.70 ThevillagesofMiltonMalsorandBlisworthlierespectivelytothenorthwestandwestoftheMainSite,withotherscatteredpropertieswithinthefarmlandlandscapetothewest.Blisworthoccupiesarelativelyelevatedpositionontherisinglandtothewest.TheA43alsoliesinthisdirection.CollingtreeliesontheurbanedgeofNorthamptonontheoppositesideofthemotorwaytotheMainSitearea.CourteenhallHouseandassociatedlandscapeparkland(Registered,GradeII)liestothesoutheastoftheMainSite.ThisparklandincludessomesignificantmaturewoodlandsandtreebeltswhichenclosetheHouseandotherbuildingsandseparatethemandtheassociatedparklandfromtheMainSite,theBypassCorridorandthelandscapetothewest.

4.3.71 RoadeliesalongtheA508,approximately2.5kmsouthofJunction15oftheM1motorway.ThelandscapecontextoftheBypassCorridoraroundthewesternsideofthesettlementisinfluencedbyacombinationofthevaryingtopography,farmlandandbuiltupedge.ThispartoftheProposedDevelopmentSitestretchesacrosstheWCML(inrelativelydeepcuttingatthispoint),asmallwatercourse,apublicbridleway(TheMidshiresWay),anumberofotherPublicRightsofWay(PROW),BlisworthRoadandafurtherdisusedrailcorridortothesouthofRoade.

4.3.72 Therollingnatureofthetopographyandgeneralaspectofthelandtowardsthesouthwestformuchofthisareaprovidesadegreeofenclosuretothelowerpartsofthisareathatlieclosertotheexistingurbanedge.

4.3.73 TheMainSitecomprisespredominantlyarablefarmlandandiscontainedtothenortheastbytheM1Motorway,tothewestbytheNLRL,tothenorthbyCollingtreeRoad,tothesoutheastbytheA508;andtothesouthbyfieldboundaries.Ithasageneralaspecttowardsthewestandbacktowardsthemajorroadcorridorsandexistingurbanedge.AgentleridgeofhigherlandstretchesalongthewesternsideoftheMainSiteandprovidessomevisualseparationtothemorerurallandscapetothewestoftheNLRL.

4.3.74 TowardsthecentralwesternpartoftheMainSiteisafarm(RectoryFarm),twomaturewoodlands(HighgateWoodandChurchill’sWood)andsomefurthermaturetreesandvegetation.OthermaturetreesandtreebeltsarepredominantlylocatedinthecentralandsouthernpartsoftheMainSite.AsmallwatercoursefallswesttoeastacrossthesouthernpartoftheMainSite,withthelandtothesouthofthiswatercoursesteadilyrisingtowardstheMainSiteboundary.ThelandcontinuestorisebeyondtowardsCourteenhallRd.

4.3.75 TwoPublicRightsofWay(PROW)crosstheMainSiteandcontinueacrosstheM1motorwayontheeasternedgeoftheMainSiteviaanoverbridge.TheseroutesprovidelinksbetweenCollingtree(andtheareanortheastofthemotorway)andthelandscapetothewest(viaarailoverbridgeonthewesternboundaryoftheMainSite)andthelandscapeandA508tothesouth.

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4.3.76 ThelandscapecharacterandinfluencesoftheProposedDevelopmentSitevaries.TheMainSitecomprisespredominantlyarablefarmlandyetisinfluencedbytheexistingnearbyurbanedgeandlargescaleinfrastructure(M1motorway,Junction15,A508andNLRL).ThenatureofthelocallandformandgeneralaspectoftheMainSitetowardstheeast,coupledwiththeexistingmaturewoodlandreducetheMainSite`srelationshipwithandinfluencefromthemorerurallandscapeandsmallersettlementstothewest.Thisisarelativelysimplelandscapethatisreasonablywelldefinedandcontainedwithinitslocalisedcontext.ThelandscapecharacterandinfluencesoftheBypassCorridortothewestofRoadeisalsovariedandencompassesbuiltupusesandrollingfarmland.Thisareaisrelativelymorevariedinlocallandformtermsduetoitsmorerollingnature.

Proposed Development Site - Landscape Features

Main Site4.3.77 Landform: PleaserefertotheearliersubsectiontitledLocal–Landform.

4.3.78 Land Use and Open Space: TheMainSiteispredominantlyarablefarmlandcomprisinganumberoffieldsboundedbyhedgerowsandhedgerowtreestogetherwithsurroundingandnearbymajorroadcorridors(M1andA508/A45).Otherusesincludewoodlandandfarmbuildings.Therearenoareasofpublicopenspace,althoughthereispublicaccessintheformofPROW.

4.3.79 Woodland, Trees and other Vegetation: TheMainSiteincludesvariousareasofwoodland,treebelts,individualtrees,hedgerowsandothervegetation.TheArboriculturalAssessmentprovidesdetailsofthetreesandwoodlandsacrossthisareaandfurtherecologicaldetailsandinformationonthewoodland,treesandothervegetationareincludedwithintheEcologychapter.

4.3.80 TheprincipalwoodlandareaswithintheMainSitecompriseHighgateWoodandChurchill’sWood,whichbothlieonrelativelyhighergroundinthewesternpartofthearea.Thesetwowoodlandsarerelativelyprominentwithinthelocallandscapeandarevisiblefrommoreelevatedlocationstothesouthandwest.OthersmallerwoodlandcopsesandbeltsofmaturetreesexistwithintheMainSite,includingonthesouthernboundary,alongthewatercourseandaroundJunction15andalongtheboundarywiththemotorway.

4.3.81 TheexistingM1motorway,A508andA45roadcorridorsincludematurehedgerows(occasionallytallwheretheyoccur),treebeltsandotherscatteredscrubandtrees.Thisroadcorridorplantingisconsideredtobefairlytypicalofhighwayplantinganddoesnotincludeanyparticularlynotableordistinctivegroupsoftrees.

4.3.82 HedgerowsalsooccurthroughouttheMainSiteandaretypicallyvariablewithsomewellmaintainedandcontinuousandotherfragmentedanddisplayingalackofpositivemanagement.

4.3.83 Water Features and Watercourses:AsmallwatercoursefallswesttoeastthroughthesouthernpartoftheMainSiteandislinedbysometreesandvegetation.AnumberofotherdrainageditchesassociatedwithexistinghedgerowsalsoexistwithintheMainSiteareaandapondexistsnearRectoryFarmtowardsthecentreofthearea.TheEcologyandDrainagechaptersincludefurtherdetailsofthewaterfeaturesandwatercourseswithintheMainSite.

4.3.84 Public Rights of Way (PROW):Twopublicfootpaths(Refs.KX13andKX17)crosstheMainSiteprovidinglinksbetweenthelandscapetothewest(viaarailoverbridgetotheNLRL);Collingtreeandtheurbanareaeastofthemotorway;andtheA508tothesoutheast.

4.3.85 FurtherdetailsoftheexistingandwiderprovisionofPROWandotherpubliclyaccessibleroutesaredetailedintheTransportAssessment.

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4.3.86 Built Development and Infrastructure:BuiltdevelopmentwithintheMainSiteincludesaclusterofderelictfarmbuildingsinthewest(accessedfromtheA508)andRectoryFarmlocatedonrelativelyhighergroundinthewesterncentralpartoftheMainSite.Thelatteriscurrentlyusedasashootingschool.TwocommunicationmastsarelocatedadjacenttoJunction15/A508andadjacenttothepedestrianaccessbridgeoverthemotorway.LowvoltageoverheadelectricitylinesontelegraphpolestraversethenorthernandwesternpartsoftheMainSite.

Bypass Corridor4.3.87 Landform:PleaserefertotheearliersubsectiontitledLocal–Landform.

4.3.88 Land Use and Open Space:Thisareacomprisespredominantlymixedarableandpasturefarmland,yetalsocrossesanumberofotherfeatures;namelytheWCML(incuttingatthispoint);BlisworthRoad,asmallwatercourse,adisusedrailcorridorandanumberoffieldboundaries.TherearenodefinedareasofpublicopenspacewithintheBypassCorridor,althoughthereispublicaccessintheformofsixPROW(includingthe‘MidshiresWay’).

4.3.89 Woodland, Trees and other Vegetation:TheArboriculturalAssessmentprovidesdetailsofthetreesandwoodlandsalongtheBypassCorridorandfurtherecologicaldetailsandinformationonthewoodland,treesandothervegetationareincludedwithintheEcologychapter.

4.3.90 ThereisrelativelylimitedwoodlandortreeswithintheBypassCorridor.MaturehedgerowsandtreesexistalongtheA508inthenorthandsouthoftheareaandothermaturehedgerowsandtreesboundsomeofthefields.OthermaturetreesandvegetationexistwithintheWCMLcuttingandalongthedisusedraillineinthesouthofthearea.Thereislimitedexistingvegetationalongthewatercourse.

4.3.91 Water Features and Watercourses:AsmallwatercoursefallsnorthwesttosoutheastthroughthecentralpartoftheBypassCorridor.ThiswatercourseflowsaroundthesouthwesternsideofRoade.TheEcologyandDrainagechaptersincludefurtherdetailsofthewaterfeaturesandwatercourses.

4.3.92 Public Rights of Way (PROW):TherearesixPROW(includingthe‘MidshiresWay’)withintheBypassCorridor.Mostofthesecrosstheareaforrelativelyshortdistancesratherthanextendaroundthecorridorandthesettlementedge.FurtherdetailsoftheexistingandwiderprovisionofPROWandotherpubliclyaccessibleroutesaredetailedintheTransportAssessment.

4.3.93 Built Development and Infrastructure: ThereisnoexistingbuiltdevelopmentwithintheBypassCorridor,althoughexistinghousingonthewesternfringesofRoadedoesexistclosetotheperipheryofthecorridor.AsmallnumberoffarmingpropertiesandabusinesscentrealsolieclosetothecorridorboundaryonBlisworthRoadandatthesouthernextentofthecorridor,offtheA508.

Highway Mitigation Measures – Existing Landscape4.3.94 TheHighwayMitigationMeasuresaresituatedinanumberoflocationsinthecontextofthemain

SiteandBypassCorridor.Thelandscapecharacteristicsandfeaturesattheselocationsare:

• M1 Junction 15 and north east of the junction along the A45 This landscape is dominated by the major roads and associated infrastructure with other uses

and influences comprising Grange Park, the logistics buildings close to junction 15 and the hotel

and golf course on the western side of the A45 either side of Watering Lane. Mature trees and

planting is most evident around the golf course yet it also extends along both sides of the A45.

• A508, alongside the Main Site This landscape corridor adjoins the Main Site and is covered by the description of the Main Site

landscape. The existing road corridor includes mature hedgerows and hedgerow trees to both

sides of the road.

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• M1 Junction 15A The location of these mitigation measures is to the east of the service areas and dominated by

an elevated section of the motorway, two roundabout junctions and immediately surrounding

mature trees and vegetation. The Grand Union Canal also lies close to the west of the proposed

works. It is a relatively enclosed location.

• A508/ Blisworth Road (Courteenhall Road) junction – between the main Site and Bypass Corridor Courteenhall Park lies to the east of the A508 and this junction with farmland to the west. The

land rises gradually from north to south and a war memorial and access to the Courteenhall

Estate are situated close to the south of the junction. It is a relatively enclosed stretch of road

with the mature trees and tree belts dominating and limiting any views eastwards across the

park. Hedgerows and mature trees and the rising land also limit views out towards the west and

north west.

• A508 junctions with Rookery Lane and Ashton Road – south of Roade/ the Bypass Corridor This location comprises farmland immediately surrounding the junctions with mature hedgerows

and trees to the roadside, particularly on the eastern side around the Ashton road junction.

• A508/ Pury Road junction – south of Roade/ the Bypass Corridor This location is relatively open and dominated by farmland with hedgerows, trees and fenced

boundaries to the roadside and junction surrounds. The open and more distant views are

generally towards the rising ground to the north and north east.

• A508 at Grafton Regis – south of Roade/ the Bypass Corridor The small settlement area of Grafton Regis and Church lane lie immediately to the east of the

A508 at this location. Existing residential properties and a public house front towards the road,

with tall mature trees and a hedgerow lining the western side of the road and restricting views

towards the farmland beyond. This stretch of the road is enclosed by the trees and hedgerow to

the west and the properties to the east. It includes existing bus stops and roadside pavements.

• Knock Lane / Blisworth Road – west of Roade/ the Bypass Corridor This location is dominated by farmland with hedgerows and hedgerow trees situated relatively

close to the roadside in places. The road is relatively narrow with Tunnel Hill Cottages located

close to the junction with Stoke Road and a solar farm located south of Knock Lane. It is

relatively elevated and open landscape context.

Landscape Value4.3.95 Thebaselinelandscapeassessmentalsoincludesconsiderationofthelandscapevalueofthe

ProposedDevelopmentSiteanditssurroundingcontext.ThishasbeenconsideredinlinewiththemethodologyoutlinedatthebeginningofthischapterandinAppendix4.1andfollowstheapproachadvocatedintheGuidelinesforLandscapeandVisualImpactAssessment(3rdEdition)(GLVIA3).

4.3.96 Inadditiontoareviewofexistinglandscapedesignationsandinformationcontainedintherelevantpublishedlandscapecharacterassessments,thefollowingcriteriahavebeenusedtoassessthevalueoftheProposedDevelopmentSitelandscape.BoththeMainSiteandBypassCorridoroftheProposedDevelopmentSitehavebeenconsideredalongwiththeimmediatelandscapecontextstotheseareas.ThelandscapesrelevanttotheHighwayMitigationMeasureshavealsobeenassessedindeterminingtheeffectsoftheseworksonthelandscapesattheserespectivelocationsasdetailedlaterinthischapter:

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4.3.97 Landscapequality(condition):TheNorthamptonshireCLCAadvisesforthe‘Undulating Claylands’ LandscapeCharacterType,withinwhichthemajorityoftheProposedDevelopmentSiteandsurroundingsaresituated;‘On the whole the Undulating Claylands are a well maintained and managed landscape of moderate scenic quality. Local variations in condition are apparent, however, and frequently depend on the extent to which hedgerows are manage’.

4.3.98 ThelandscapeoftheProposedDevelopmentSite(encompassingboththeMainSiteandBypassCorridor)anditsimmediatecontextisreasonablywellintact.TheMainSiteincludeswoodlandareas,treesandhedgerowsthatareallgenerallyingoodorreasonablecondition.ThetwomainwoodlandblockswithintheMainSitearea(HighgateandChurchill’sWoods)areingoodcondition.ThemajorityofthetreeswithintheSiteareofModeratequalityinarboriculturalterms,yettherearealsootherHighandLowQualitytreesandtreegroups.

4.3.99 Postandwirefencingisevidentinplacesbutnottoasignificantextent.ExistinghedgerowsaregenerallycontinuousalthoughanumberincludesomegapsandaremoreoutgrownwithintheBypassCorridor.TheMainSiteincludessomerelativelyyoungerandmaturingtreeplantingwhichprovidesarelativelybroaderagestructuretotheexistingplanting.

4.3.100 TheCourteenhallparklandtothesoutheastoftheMainSiteisintactandingoodcondition.ThisparklandishoweverenclosedandeffectivelyseparatedinlandscapetermsfromtheProposedDevelopmentSite.ThelandscapecontexttotheeastoftheMainSite(northandeastofthemotorwaycorridor)islessintactduetothechangesthathavearisenfromthevariousdevelopmentsontheedgeofNorthampton.

4.3.101 Scenicquality:Thecombinationofgentlyrollingarablefarmland,characterisedbyvisuallyprominentwoodlandblocksandlargefieldsboundedbyhedgerowsandhedgerowtrees,togetherwithurbanisinginfluencessuchasbuiltdevelopmentontheedgesofNorthampton,theM1,othermajor‘A’roadsandrailwayspresentarathertypicallandscapeforthispartofthe‘Undulating Claylands’and‘West Northamptonshire Uplands’landscapetypes.

4.3.102 WithintheMainSite,thetwolargerandmoreelevatedwoodlandareasformlocallypositivevisualfeaturesandarevisiblefromtheimmediatesurroundings.Theinfluenceofthemotorway,othermajorroadsandtheexistingurbanedgedetracttovaryingextentsfromthescenicqualityofthispartoftheProposedDevelopmentSitelandscape.

4.3.103 TheCourteenhallparklandliesoutsidetheProposedDevelopmentSiteyetdoescontributetothepositivescenicqualityofthelocalareathroughtheframeworkofmaturewoodlandandtreebeltsthatarevisibletothesoutheastoftheMainSite.Thisparklandishoweverenclosedinvisualterms,somostviewsarelimitedtotheouterpartsofthewoodedpark.

4.3.104 AroundRoadethescenicqualityisratherordinaryandunremarkable.ThispartoftheProposedDevelopmentSiteisrelativelymoreinterruptedandenclosedinvisualcharacter,influencedbytheexistingedgeofRoadeandtheunderlyingrollinglandform.Themajorityofthecorridorisdominatedbymixedfarmlandyetwiththeinfluenceoftheexistingbuiltupedgeofthesettlement.

4.3.105 Rarity:TheProposedDevelopmentSiteincludesnorarelandscapeelementsorfeaturesanditdoesnotformpartofararelandscapecharactertypeorarea.AsstatedintheNorthamptonshireCLCA,thebroaderlandscapecontext(predominantlythe‘Undulating Claylands’type)oftheProposedDevelopmentSiteis’generally unremarkable although occasional estate houses and associated parkland are of note and the wooded horizon of the surrounding Low Wooded Clay Ridge are distinctive.’

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4.3.106 Representativeness: The ‘Undulating Farmlands’isanextensivelandscapetract.BothareasoftheProposedDevelopmentSitearegenerallyrepresentativeofthiswiderlandscapecharactertype.Principally,itincludesamixofarableandpasturefieldsandanetworkoflargelyhedgedfieldboundaries,withoccasionalwoodlandsandtreebelts.WhilstthesearetypicalofthewiderareatheProposedDevelopmentSitedoesnotcontainanyparticularcharacteristicsorfeatureswhichareconsideredtobeimportantexamples.ThemostnotablefeatureatamorelocalisedscaleistheparklandthatliesbeyondtheMainSitetothesoutheast.

4.3.107 Conservationinterest:TheProposedDevelopmentSiteincludessomeecological,archaeologicalandculturalheritageinterestasoutlinedintherelevantESchapters.TheCollingtreeConservationArealiesincloseproximitytothenorthoftheMainSite,althoughtheM1formsaphysicalboundaryandareaofseparationbetweentheMainSiteandthisConservationArea.OtherConservationAreasliesmoredistanttotheMainSiteatMiltonMalsorandBlisworthtothenorthwestandwestoftheMainSiterespectively.

4.3.108 Assetoutabove,CourteenhallParkissituatedtothesoutheastoftheMainSiteandtheCourteenhallConservationArealiesimmediatelytotheeastofthisparkland,yetbotharevisuallyenclosedandseparatedfromthewiderlandscape.

4.3.109 Recreationvalue:TwoPublicRightsofWay(PROW)extendthroughandbeyondtheMainSiteandestablishconnectionsbetweentheexistingurbanareatotheeastofthemotorway(atCollingtree)andthewidercountrysidetothewestandsouth.

4.3.110 TheBypassCorridorincludessixPROWwhichlargelyproviderouteseast–westacrossthelandscapewithsomeprovidinglinksintoandoutofRoade.BothareasoftheProposedDevelopmentSitedonotincludeanyotherspecificrecreationalactivities,althoughaplayingfieldatRoadeliesclosetothesouthoftheBypassCorridor.

4.3.111 Perceptualaspects:TheProposedDevelopmentSiteanditsimmediatecontextdonotpossessanynotableperceptualqualities.Itisperceivedasanagriculturallandscapelocallyinfluencedbymajortransportinfrastructureroutes(theM1,A508andNLRL)andtheurbanedgeofNorthamptontotheeast.Itisnotatranquilor‘wild’landscape.

4.3.112 Associations:TherearenoknownassociationswiththeProposedDevelopmentSitelandscape.

4.3.113 TheoveralllandscapevalueoftheMainSitehasbeenassessedasLow/MediumandfortheBypassCorridorthelandscapevaluehasbeenassessedasMedium.TheBypassCorridorlandscapeishoweveratthelowerendofthisMediumvalueassessment.isalsoontheboundarybetweenLowandMediumbut

Landscape Receptors4.3.114 TherewillbeanumberoflandscapereceptorspotentiallyaffectedbytheProposedDevelopment,

asfollows:

• Thecharacterandappearanceofthelandscape,includingaestheticandperceptualdimensions–ataProposedDevelopmentSitewideandbroadercontextualbasis;

• CourteenhallParkLandscape

• LandscapefeaturesorcomponentsoftheProposedDevelopmentSite,including:

¶ Landform;

¶ WoodlandandTrees;

¶ Hedgerows;

¶ Waterfeatures

4.3.115 Allofthesereceptorshavebeenassessedbytheimpactassessmentprocess.

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Existing Views and Visual Receptors4.3.116 AdetailedbaselinevisualappraisalhasbeenundertakenfortheProposedDevelopment.The

baselineappraisalhasexploredthenatureoftheexistingvisualamenityoftheareaandtheapproximatevisibilityoftheProposedDevelopmentSitefromsurroundingreceptors.Figure4.6detailsthelocationofaseriesoftherepresentativephotoviewpointsandFigure4.7containsthephotoviewpoints.

4.3.117 ThelocationoftherepresentativeViewpointsincludedwithintheassessmenthavebeenagreedinadvancewithSouthNorthamptonshireCouncil.

4.3.118 ThemainVisualReceptorsidentifiedaspotentiallyexperiencingsomelikelyvisualeffectsarisingfromtheProposedDevelopmentaresummarisedbelow:

• Residents-principallythoseinpropertiessurroundingtheProposedDevelopmentSiteareas.Thiswillpotentiallyincludesomeresidentsatthefollowinglocations:

¶ MiltonMalsor;

¶ Blisworth;

¶ Collingtree;

¶ Roade;

¶ OthersettlementsandscatteredandindividualpropertiessurroundingtheProposedDevelopmentSite;

• UsersofPublicRightsofWay(PROW),includingthoselocatedwithintheProposedDevelopmentSiteandothersinthevicinity;

• UsersofRoads,includingtheA508,M1motorway,A45,CollingtreeRd,BlisworthRoad,CourteenhallRd,NorthamptonRd,WateringLaneandBarnLane;

• Usersofexistingemploymentandcommercialpremises;and

• Usersofplayingfields/recreationalareas/schoolatRoade.

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4.4 ASSESSMENT OF LIKELY SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS

Construction4.4.1 ConstructionphasingdetailsoftheprojectareincludedatChapter2ofthisESandwithinthe

ConstructionEnvironmentalManagementPlan(CEMP)andthisincludesdetailsoftheanticipatedphasingoftheworks.

4.4.2 Throughoutthecourseoftheconstructionprocess,theapproachesandmethodologiesadoptedwillseektoavoidorminimiseanyunnecessaryeffectsuponthelandscapeandsurroundingvisualreceptors.Forexample,thelocationanddesignoftemporarysitecompounds,lighting,signageandperimetermoundingtaketheseconsiderationsintoaccount.Combinedwitheffectiveprojectmanagementandliaisonwiththerelevantauthoritiesandstakeholders,thepotentiallandscapeandvisualeffectsofconstructionwillbemitigatedandminimisedasfaraspracticableduringtheconstructionstage.

4.4.3 Thephasingandsequencingoftheproposedworkshastakenintoaccountlandscapeandvisualconsiderations.Theearthworksstrategyandformationofthedevelopmentplateausandmoundingandthetimingoftheplantingandlandscapeproposalsisimportantintheseterms.TheearthworksstrategywillbalancecutandfillmaterialacrossboththeMainSiteandtheBypassCorridorSiteandasaresultthemitigationmoundingproposalswillgenerallybeformedusingmaterialandsoilsfromtheadjoiningorothernearbydevelopmentplots.Therelationshipbetweentheearthworksandthecreationofmoundingmeansthatthescreeningearthworkswillbeprovidedinphasesastheearthworksprogress,withtheassociatedplantingimplementedsoonafterwards.TheplansrelevanttothephasingofworksareappendedtoChapter2ofthisES.

4.4.4 Formationoftheperimetermoundingandassociatedplantingwillbeundertakentothewestern,southernandpartoftheeasternMainSiteperimeteraspartoftheinitialphaseoftheProposedDevelopment.Onceinplace,themoundingandplantingtothewesternperimeteroftheMainSitewillvisuallyscreenmuchofthesubsequentconstructionactivityontheMainSite,particularlyfromthelowerlyingareasfurthertothewest.Moundingandplantingtothesouthandsoutheast(closetojunction15)oftheMainSite,willalsoenabletheseareastobeimplementedaspartofthefirstoverallphaseofconstruction.

4.4.5 ThesubsequentconstructionphasewillcompriseformationofthemorenortherlydevelopmentplateausandassociatedmoundingtothenorthernperimeteroftheMainSiteandalongthenortheasternperimeterwiththeM1motorwaycorridor.Oncethismoundingisinplace,itwillformaneffectivevisualscreentomuchofthesubsequentMainSiteconstructionactivityfromvisualreceptorsbeyond.

4.4.6 Thisapproachseekstobalancetheearthworksmaterialandwherethisoccursthemoundingwillbeformedinadvanceofthebuiltdevelopmentworks,withplantingtofollowsoonafterwards.Whereplantingandhabitatcreationproposalsarenotlinkedtootherearthworksanddrainageworks,theremaybeopportunitiestoundertakesomeoftheseworksinadvanceorearlyinaparticularphaseofdevelopment.

4.4.7 ThedemolitionandconstructionstageoftheProposedDevelopmentisexpectedtogeneratesomepotentiallysignificantdirectandindirectlandscapeandvisualimpacts,withtemporaryeffects.

Landscape 4.4.8 Thepredictedconstructioneffectsareconsideredwithreferencetothepublishedlandscape

characterassessments,designatedlandscapes,locallandscapecharacterandSitespecificlandscapefeaturesandcomponents.

4.4.9 TheconstructioneffectsoftheProposedDevelopmentuponlandscapereceptorsaredetailedintheLandscapeEffectsTable(Appendix4.4).

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Published Landscape Character Assessment Studies:

National, Regional and County4.4.10 Inthecontextofthenationalscalelandscapecharacterassessmentstudycoveringextensive

landscapetractsasdefinedbytheNationalCharacterAreas(NCA`s),theconstructionoftheProposedDevelopmentwillhaverelativelycontainedimplicationsandeffectsontheidentifiedNCA`s.Attheregionalandcountyscalesofassessmenttheeffectswillberelativelygreater,yetthesewillstilloccuroverrelativelylocalisedpartsofthemoreextensivelandscapecharacterareasortypes.Inthesetermsandatthesescales,thewiderandindirectconstructioneffectsoftheProposedDevelopmentwillgenerallydissipatewithdistancefromtheSite.

4.4.11 TheprogressivenatureoftheconstructionworkswillhaveadirecteffectuponarelativelylimitedsoutherlypartoftheNorthamptonshire ValesNationalCharacterArea(NCA89)andcentralnorthern part of the Yardley Whittlewood Ridge(NCA91).TheconstructionworkswillalsohaveadirecteffectuponalimitedpartoftheUndulating Mixed FarmlandsLandscapeCharacterType(5c).

4.4.12 ThelandscapeeffectsarisingduringtheconstructionperioduponallofthesenationalandregionalscalecharacterareasandtypeswillbelargelyconcentratedacrossandaroundtheSiteareas.Theexistingpresenceofurbanandotheractiveinfrastructureandinfluences(egM1Motorway,A508,edgeofNorthampton,Roade)withintheselandscapeswillalsomoderatetosomedegreetheconstructionlandscapeeffectsoftheProposedDevelopment,atthesescales.

4.4.13 TheconstructioneffectoftheProposedDevelopmentuponthesepublishedLandscapeCharacterTypesandAreaswillvary,yetatthesescaleswillbeatmostMinor Adverseforthosedirectlyaffected.

4.4.14 AtaCountyscale,theconstructionoftheProposedDevelopmentwilldirectlyaffectThe Tove Catchment (6a)andBugbrooke and Daventry(13b)characterareas.Constructionlandscapechangeswillinitiallyincluderemovaloftreesandotherplantingandchangestothelandformtoformthedevelopmentplateaus,perimeterandroadsidemoundingandthebypasscorridor.Subsequentconstructionoftheroad(s),buildings,intermodalareaandassociatedinfrastructurewillresultindirecteffectsuponthecharacterandfeaturesofthelandscape.

4.4.15 ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeuponThe Tove Catchment(LCA6a)duringtheconstructionperiodwillbeLow/Medium,resultinginaMinor/Moderate AdverseeffectduringconstructionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.16 ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeupontheBugbrooke and Daventry(LCA13b)duringtheconstructionperiodwillbeLow/Negligible,resultinginaMinor AdverseeffectduringconstructionoftheProposedDevelopment.

Other Landscape Areas

Courteenhall Registered Park and Garden4.4.17 ConstructionactivitywillhaveaverylimitedeffectuponthelandscapeofCourteenhallRegistered

ParkandGardenwhichliestothesoutheastoftheMainSiteandsouthoftheCourteenhallRoadjunction.Anyeffectswillbeindirectandwillessentiallyresultfromaveryslightchangeinoutlookwhenlookingnorthandwestwardsfromthisarea.Viewsofthisnatureareconsideredtobeofnegligibleorminoradversesignificance.ThenatureoftheexistinglandformandexistingwoodlandwithinandsurroundingtheRegisteredParkandGardenwillsubstantiallylimitanydirectorindirectinfluencesfromconstructiononthislandscape.

4.4.18 Themostnotableeffectuponthislandscapeduringconstructionislikelytoariseasaresultofthenearesthighwaysworks;-includinganewroundaboutontheA508andassociatedlandscaping-atthenorthernendoftheBypassCorridorandforconstructionofthenearestwarehouseunit

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inthesouthoftheMainSite,yeteventheseworkswouldhaveaverylimitedinfluence,giventhemature,enclosedandinwardlookingnatureoftheRegisteredParkandGarden.

4.4.19 ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeuponthislandscapeduringtheconstructionperiodwillbeLow/Negligible,resultinginaMinor AdverseeffectduringconstructionoftheProposedDevelopment.

Special Landscape Area4.4.20 ASpecialLandscapeArea(SLA)(ToveValleySLA)extendsacrosspartofthelandscapetothe

southeastofRoade.ThesouthernextentoftheproposedbypassworkswhereitjunctionswiththeexistingA508andnearbyhighwaymitigationmeasureslieintheveryfarnortheastcorneroftheSLA(asdepictedonFigure4.1).Atthispoint,theSLAextendswestoftheA508andsouthofthedisusedrailline.AnydirectorindirecteffectsofconstructionoftheproposedbypassandhighwaymitigationmeasuresuponthislandscapewillbeverylimitedandtheresultinglandscapeeffectduringconstructionwillbeNegligible/Minor Adverse. ThisisasaresultoftheverysmallareawithintheSLAtobeaffected,wherethe distinctivenessandspecialqualitiesoftheSLAarelessnot apparent.

Local and Site Landscape4.4.21 ThelandscapecharacteroftheMainSiteanditsmoreimmediatecontextwillchangesignificantly

duringtheconstructionperiod.Theconstructionworkswillentailtheactivepresenceofplantandmachinery,sitecompounds,temporaryaccessroutesandtheincreasingpresenceoftheemploymentunitsandhighwaysandotherinfrastructure.

4.4.22 TheeffectupontheMainSitelandscapewillbedirectandnotable.TheexistingfarmlandandotherlandareaswithintheSiteboundarywillbeprogressivelyaffected,althoughsomeotherareasandfeatureswillberetainedandsuitablyprotectedandconservedduringthecourseoftheconstructionprocess,suchastheexistingwoodlandsknownasHighgateandChurchill’s.Theconservationofthesewoodlandareasandotherwoodland,treesandhedgerowslargelyaroundtheMainSiteperimeterwillmoderatetosomedegreethedirecteffectsuponthelandscapefeatures.

4.4.23 ThelandscapecharacteroftheMainSitewillchangefromonedominatedbyintensivelymanagedarablefarmlandyetincludingexistingnotablesurroundingmajorinfrastructureandurbanisinginfluences;toonedominatedbythepresenceoflargescaleemploymentunits,andadditionalrailandroadinfrastructure.Themodifiedlandscapecharacterwillincludeasubstantialperimeterlandscape,whichwillbecomeincreasinglyapparentandvisibleduringtheconstructionperiod.Thiswillassistinmitigatingthevisualinfluenceoftheemergingbuiltdevelopmentproposalsoverthesurroundinglandscape.

4.4.24 BeyondtheMainSiteboundary,theconstructioneffectsuponlocallandscapecharacterwillgenerallydissipateastheperimetermoundingandassociatedplantingproposalsarecompletedandtheconstructionactivitybecomeslessvisiblebeyondtheMainSiteboundary.Theindirecteffectsuponthelocallandscapecharacterwillbelimitedtothenorth,eastandsouthoftheMainSitebutrelativelygreatertothewest.TheproposedmoundingandtheassociatedplantingalongthewesternMainSiteboundarywillhoweverreducethelocalisedinfluenceoftheconstructionactivityovertheimmediatelandscapetothewestonceithasbeenformed.

4.4.25 ThemagnitudeofthechangearisingfromconstructionoftheProposedDevelopmentuponthecharacteroftheMainSitelandscapewillbeHigh,resultinginaMajor AdverseeffectduringconstructionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.26 ConstructionofthehighwayworksassociatedwiththeM1motorway,A508andA45willnotbesignificantinlandscapecharacterterms.Thecharacterofthelocallandscapesalongtheseparticularroutesisalreadydominatedbythesemajorroadsandjunctionsandtheassociated

CHAPTER 4 - PG 27

highwayactivity.Whilstlandscapechangeanddisruptionwilloccurduringtheconstructionprocess,thecharacteroftheseparticularexistingroadcorridorlandscapeswillnotchangesignificantly.Someareasofexistingroadsideplantingandtreeswillberemoved,yetthiswillberelativelylimitedintermsofthenumbersandeffectsuponanyareasoflargetreesandmaturevegetation.Theresultantconstructioneffectsuponthelandscapecharacteroftheseareaswillnotbesignificant.

4.4.27 ThelandscapecharacteroftheBypassCorridorwillchangesignificantlyduringtheconstructionphase.Thischangewillarisefromtheprogressiveformationoftheroadcorridoraroundthenorthernandwesternsideofthesettlement.Thiswillentailtheremovalofstretchesofhedgerowsandagenerallylimitednumberoftreesandthereplacementofexistingfarmlandwiththenewroad,roadjunctionsandassociatedstructuresandmounding,pondsandotherplantingandlandscapefeatures.TheproposedroadwillalsobridgeacrosstheRoadeRailCuttingtothenorthwestofthesettlement.

4.4.28 ThemagnitudeofthechangearisingfromconstructionoftheBypassuponthecharacteroftheBypassCorridorlandscapewillbeHighresultinginaModerate/Major AdverseeffectduringconstructionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.29 ConstructionoftheHighwayMitigationMeasureswillresultintheremovalofsomeexistingtrees,sectionsofhedgerowsandgrassedverges.TheextentoftheselossesaredetailedwiththeArboriculturalAssessment(Appendix4.3)andEcologicalChapter.Theeffectsuponthelandscapebothintermsofcharacterandfeatures(egtreesandhedgerows)willbelimitedandlocalisedateachoftheselocationsresultinginaNegligible or Negligible/Minor Adverselandscapeeffectatthisscaleofassessment.

Landscape Features4.4.30 Landform:Aspartoftheconstructionprocess,theSitelandformwillbeprogressivelyaltered

tocreatetherequireddevelopmentplateau`s,perimetermoundsandearthworksandSuDSbalancingpondsandfeatures.Theseworkswillbephasedinaccordancewiththedetailsprovided(seeChapter2ofthisES),andalsorelevantdetailscontainedintheConstructionEnvironmentManagementPlan(CEMP)(Appendix2.1).

4.4.31 Thescaleoftheearthworksandthenatureofthechangetotheexistinglandformwillbesignificant.TheexistinglandformandslopeswithintheMainSitegenerallyfallfromthewestandnorthtowardsJunction15oftheM1.Theproposedconstructionwill‘re-model’thisunderlyinglandformtocreateaseriesofgenerallyflatplateausfortheproposedemploymentbuildings,associatedareasofhardstanding/parkingandtherailintermodalarea.Aroundtheseareasandprincipallytothenorth,westandeastoftheMainSitesubstantialperimetermoundingwillbeformedtoenclosethebuiltdevelopmentcomponents.

4.4.32 TheearthworksproposalswithintheMainSitewillcombine“cut”and“fill”operationsaspartofabalancedandsustainablestrategy.Thedevelopmentplateauareaswillingeneral,includemore“cut”areas,withmuchofthe“fill”utilisedtoformtheperimetermounding.Asaresult,onbalance,thedevelopmentplateauswillgenerallysitlowerthantheexistinggroundlevels.AtthenorthernmostextentoftheMainSite,closetothesouthofCollingtreeRoad,thebuiltdevelopmentplateauwillbeformedatuptoaround8-10metresbelowexistinggroundlevels.Themoresoutherlyofthedevelopmentplateauswillincludemore“fill”areasandwillthusberaisedatleastinpartabovetheexistinggroundlevels.

4.4.33 Theearthworksproposalswillconstitutelargescaleoperations,resultinginnotablechangestoandthecreationofnewlandformcharacteristicsacrosstheMainSitearea.ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeupontheMainSite`slandformwillbeHigh,resultinginaMajor AdverseeffectinlandscapetermsduringconstructionoftheProposedDevelopment.

CHAPTER 4 - PG 28

4.4.34 OtherlandformchangeswilloccuralongtheBypassCorridorwiththeproposedroadbeingsitedonslightlyhigherandlowerlevelsalongitsroutearoundRoade.Therewillalsobeproposedmoundinglocatedalongsidetheproposedbypassaspartofthemitigationstrategytoaddresspotentialvisualandnoiseeffects.Thesignificanceofthehighwayrelatedconstructioneffectsonlandformwillberelativelymorelimitedandlocalised.ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeupontheBypassCorridorlandformwillbeMedium,resultinginaModerate AdverseeffectinlandscapetermsduringconstructionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.35 TheconstructioneffectoftheHighwayMitigationMeasuresuponthelandformwillbeNegligible inlandscapeterms.

4.4.36 Woodland,TreesandotherVegetation:DetailsofthosetoberemovedorretainedareincludedwithintheArboriculturalAssessment.

4.4.37 GiventhescaleofthedevelopmentandtheSite,thenumbersoftreesandareasofplantingtoberemovedtoenableconstructionoftheProposedDevelopmentisconsideredtoberelativelycontainedandnotsignificantinmorethanlocallandscapeterms.Importantly,HighgateWoodandthevastmajority(approx.84%)ofChurchill’sWood,willbeconservedandprotectedduringthecourseofconstruction.Inaddition,sometreesandplantingbetweenthesewoods;inthesouthernpartoftheMainSiteandaroundtheMainSite`sperimeterwillalsobeconservedandprotected.ExistingtreeplantingalongthecourseoftheM1roadcorridorwillalsobesuitablyprotectedwherenecessary.

4.4.38 Existingwoodland,treebeltsandhedgerowswillhoweveralsoberemovedacrosslargeareasoftheMainSiteaspartoftheconstructionactivities.TheselossesaredetailedintheArboriculturalAssessment(Appendix4.3)andEcologyChapterofthisES.

4.4.39 Theresultantsignificanceoftheconstructionlandscapeeffectupontheexistingwoodland,treesandvegetationontheMainSitehasbeenassessedasModerate/Major Adverse.

4.4.40 Existingtrees,hedgerowsandotherplantingtoberemovedalongtheBypassCorridorwillberelativelymorelimited.ThemostnotableplantinglossesinlandscapetermswillariseattheRoadeCuttingcrossingandinthesouthwheresomeexistingplantingalongthedisusedrailcorridorwillberemoved.OtherhedgerowandplantinglossesoccuraroundtheBypassCorridorasdetailedintheArboriculturalAssessment(Appendix4.3)andEcologyChapterofthisES.

4.4.41 Theresultantsignificanceoftheconstructionlandscapeeffectupontheexistingwoodland,treesandvegetationaroundtheBypassCorridorhasbeenassessedasMinor/ Moderate Adverse.

4.4.42 ConstructionoftheHighwayMitigationMeasureswillresultintheremovalofsomeexistingtrees,sectionsofhedgerowsandgrassedverges.TheextentoftheselossesaredetailedwiththeArboriculturalAssessments(Appendix4.3)andEcologicalChapter.Theresultantsignificanceoftheconstructionlandscapeeffectupontheexistingwoodland,treesandvegetationattheHighwayMitigationMeasuresSiteshasbeenassessedasNegligible to Minor Adverse.

4.4.43 WaterFeaturesandWatercourses:TheProposedDevelopmentwillresultinthelossofandsomechangestoexistingdrainageditcheswithintheSitearea,althoughthesmallwatercoursewhichrunsthroughthesouthoftheMainSitewillbeconserved.ThepondatRectoryFarmwillalsoremainundisturbed.

4.4.44 Aspartoftheconstructionprocessanddrainagestrategy,modificationswillbemadetothewatercourseandpondsinsomelocationsyetthiswillnotbesignificantinlandscapeterms.TheconstructionprocesswillalsoincludetheformationofaseriesofSuDSfeatures,includingaroundtheproposedBypassCorridor.

CHAPTER 4 - PG 29

4.4.45 ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeupontheSite`swaterfeaturesandwatercourses(MainSiteandBypassCorridor)willbeLow,resultinginatmostaMinor AdverselandscapeeffectduringconstructionoftheProposedDevelopment.

Visual4.4.46 AcomprehensivevisualimpactassessmentoftheProposedDevelopmenthasbeenundertaken

todeterminethepotentialeffectsuponsurroundingreceptors.ThishasconsideredthespecificeffectsarisingduringtheconstructionstageandasaresultofthelikelyphasingoftheProposedDevelopment.Aseriesofphotoviewpoints,photomontages(forthecompleteddevelopment),relatedplansandaVisualEffectsTableareincludedandcollectivelydetailandsupportthedescriptionofthelikelyvisualeffectsarisingfromconstructionoftheProposedDevelopment.

Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV)4.4.47 TheZTVoftheProposedDevelopmentisdescribedfullyundertheOperationalDevelopment

section.Duringtheconstructionstage,thevisibleextentoftheProposedDevelopmentwillvaryquiteconsiderablysubjecttothenatureoftheconstructionworksandthelocationofthesewithintherespectiveSiteareas.TheZTVforthecompleteddevelopmentisillustratedonFigure4.9.

4.4.48 TheZTVfortheconstructionworksassociatedwiththeMainSiteandthatoftheconstructionworksfortheBypassCorridorproposalswillstretchoverdifferentareasasillustratedbytheZTVforthecompleteddevelopmentatFigure4.9.Thevisibleextentofthehigherpartsofthebuildings(includingtherailgantrycranes)underconstructionwillgenerallyreflecttheZTVforthecompletedProposedDevelopmentasdetailedonFigure4.910.However,theZTVmaybetemporarilyextendedduringtheconstructionperiodbyanyuseofcranesthatarelikelytoextendtoheightsabovethemaximumbuildingheights.

4.4.49 OncetheconstructionoftheperimetermoundingisinplacearoundtheMainSite,viewstowardsconstructionactivitieswillbegreatlyreduced,particularlyforvisualreceptorsclosetothenorth,westandeastoftheMainSite.ThesevisualreceptorswillincludepropertiesatCollingtreeandMiltonMalsorandPublicRightsofWay(PROW)largelytothewestoftheMainSite.Oncetheperimetermoundingisformed,therewillgenerallybeverylimitedviewsfromthesedirectionstowardsanylowerlevelconstructionactivities.Constructionofthebuildingsandinparticularthehigherpartsofthebuildingswillhoweverremainrelativelymorevisiblefromthesouth(egA508users).

Effects upon Visual Receptors4.4.50 TheconstructioneffectsoftheProposedDevelopmentuponvisualreceptorsaredetailedinthe

VisualEffectsTable(Appendix4.5).

4.4.51 GiventhenatureandphasingoftheProposedDevelopment,thevisualeffectsarisingfromitsconstructionwillvarythroughoutthisstage.ConstructionactivitiesandplantmovementswithintheMainSiteandalongtheBypassCorridorwillbevisibleattimesfromallofthosereceptorswithviewstowardsthecompletedandoperationaldevelopment.

4.4.52 Ingeneral,theclearestviewstowardstheconstructionactivitiesandplantmovementsetc.willbeexperiencedbyresidentsandusersofthoseproperties,roads,rightsofwayandotherreceptorsinclosestproximityandwiththeclearestexistingviewstowardstheSiteareas.Moredistantviewswillalsobepossibletoconstructionactivity,althoughinmanyinstancestheseviewswillbelimitedtotheconstructionoftheperimetermoundingandtotheframesandhigherpartsoftheproposedbuildings.

CHAPTER 4 - PG 30

4.4.53 Thesignificanceofthevisualeffectsforallofthereceptorswillvaryduringthecourseofconstructionandwillgenerallybemostnotableduringconstructionofthoseworksclosesttotherespectivereceptor,includingtheformationofsomeofthemoundingproposals.Atthesetimes,thesignificanceofthevisualeffectsarisingforsomereceptorsmayexceedthoseresultingfromthecompletedandoperationaldevelopment,althoughtheseconstructionvisualeffectswillonlyoccurforatemporaryperiod.Theformationandplantingoftheperimetermounding,oncecompletedandparticularlytothenorthandwestoftheSitewillhelptorestrictandscreensomeoftheviewstowardstheconstructionactivities.

4.4.54 Overall,theconstructioneffectsonthesurroundingvisualreceptorswillvaryfrom Negligible Adverse to Major Adverse(asdetailedwithintheVisualEffectsTable),withthereceptorswiththeclosestandclearestviewstowardstheconstructionactivitygenerallyexperiencingthemostsignificantvisualeffectsatthepeakofconstructionactivity.

Operational Effects4.4.55 TheProposedDevelopmentisexpectedtogeneratearangeofpotentialsignificantdirectand

indirectlandscapeandvisualimpacts,withlikelypermanenteffects.ThestatedoperationaleffectsarebaseduponthefullcompletionoftheProposedDevelopmentanddonottakeintoaccountthesubsequentmanagementandmaturingoftheexistingandnewlandscapeandplantingproposals.Theseeffectswhichtakeintoaccountthegrowthofthetreesover15yearsareconsideredandoutlinedinthesubsequentResidualEffectssection.

4.4.56 Landscapeandvisualeffectswillresultfromtheintroductionofpermanentchangestothelandscapeandwithinviewsasaresultofthecompleteddevelopment.Keychangestothelandscapeandtoviewswilloccurduetotheintroductionofthefollowingproposedelements:

• Newemploymentunitsandassociatedoffices;

• Newrailrelatedfeaturesandactivitiesincludingtheintermodalfacilitywithgantrycranesandstorageareasincludingcontainerstackingarea;

• HighwayimprovementsatandaroundJunction15oftheM1andelsewherewithinthelocality;

• NewroadaccessintotheMainSitefromtheA508;

• NewBypasstoRoade;

• ExternaloperationalareasandHGV/CarParking;

• RegradingandremodellingoftheSitelandscapetoaccommodatethedevelopmentandnewlandscapingproposals;

• Othernewinfrastructure(roadsandpaths);

• Newtree,shrubandwoodlandplanting;

• NewwetlandhabitatsassociatedwiththeformationofaSustainableDrainageSystem(SuDS);

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Landscape 4.4.57 Thepredictedoperationaleffectsareconsideredwithreferencetothepublishedlandscape

characterassessments,designatedlandscapes,locallandscapecharacterandSitespecificlandscapefeaturesandcomponents.

Published Landscape Character Assessment Studies

National, Regional and County4.4.58 Inthecontextofthenationalscalelandscapecharacterassessmentstudycoveringextensive

landscapetractsasdefinedbytheNationalCharacterAreas(NCA`s),thecompletedandoperationaldevelopmentwillhaverelativelycontainedimplicationsandeffectsontheidentifiedNCA`s.Attheregionalandcountyscalesofassessmenttheeffectswillberelativelygreater,yetthesewillstilloccuroverrelativelylocalisedpartsofthemoreextensivelandscapecharacterareasortypes.Inthesetermsandatthesescales,thewiderandindirectoperationaleffectsoftheProposedDevelopmentwillgenerallydissipatewithdistancefromtheSite.

4.4.59 TheProposedDevelopmentwillhaveadirecteffectuponarelativelylimitedsoutherlypartoftheNorthamptonshire ValesNationalCharacterArea(NCA89)andcentralnorthernpartoftheYardley Whittlewood Ridge(NCA91).Theconstructionworkswillalsohaveadirecteffectuponalimitedpart of the Undulating Mixed FarmlandsLandscapeCharacterType(5c).

4.4.60 ThelandscapeeffectsuponallofthesenationalandregionalscalecharacterareasandtypeswillbelargelyconcentratedacrossandaroundtheSiteareas.Theexistingpresenceofurbanandotheractiveinfrastructureandinfluences(egM1Motorway,A508,edgeofNorthampton,Roade)withintheselandscapeswillalsomoderatetosomedegreetheresultinglandscapeeffectsoftheProposedDevelopment,atthesescales.

4.4.61 TheoperationaleffectoftheProposedDevelopmentuponthesepublishedLandscapeCharacterTypesandAreaswillvaryyetatthesescaleswillbeatmost Minor Adverseforthosedirectlyaffected.

4.4.62 AtaCountyscale,theProposedDevelopmentwilldirectlyaffectThe Tove Catchment(6a)andBugbrooke and Daventry(13b)characterareas.LandscapechangeswillincludethereplacementofanareaofarablefarmlandwithnewlargescalerailterminalandrelatedemploymentdevelopmentandaroadbypasstoRoade.Extensivelandscapeproposalsincludingtheconservationofmaturewoodlandsandothertreebeltsandtresswillalsoformanimportantcomponentofthescheme.CollectivelyalloftheseelementswillconstituteaLow/MediummagnitudeofchangetoThe Tove Catchment (LCA6a),resultinginaMinor/ModerateAdverseeffectuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.63 ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeupontheBugbrooke and Daventry(LCA13b)willbeLow/Negligible,resultinginaMinor AdverseeffectuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

Other Landscape Areas

Courteenhall Registered Park and Garden4.4.64 TherewillbelimitedoperationallandscapeeffectsuponthelandscapeofCourteenhallRegistered

ParkandGarden.AnyeffectswillbeindirectandwillresultfromthelimitedandcontainedinfluenceoftheoperationalProposedDevelopment.ThenatureoftheexistinglandformandinparticulartheexistingwoodlandwithinandsurroundingtheRegisteredParkandGardenwillnotablylimitanyindirectinfluencesfromtheProposedDevelopmentonthislandscape.

4.4.65 ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeuponthislandscapewillbeLow/Negligible,resultinginaMinor AdverseeffectuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

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Special Landscape Area4.4.66 TheSpecialLandscapeArea(SLA)extendsacrosspartofthelandscapetothesoutheastof

Roade.ThesouthernextentoftheproposedbypassworkswhereitjunctionswiththeexistingA508liesintheveryfarnortheastcorneroftheSLAasdepictedonFigure4.1.AtthispointtheSLAextendswestoftheA508andsouthofthedisusedrailline.AnydirectorindirecteffectsoftheproposedbypassuponthislandscapewillbeextremelylimitedandtheresultinglandscapeeffectuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopmentwillbeNegligible/ Minor Adverse.

Local and Site Landscape4.4.67 TheProposedDevelopmentwillchangethecharacteroftheMainSitefromonedominatedby

intensivelymanagedarablefarmlandincludingwoodlandandfarmbuildingstoonedominatedbythepresenceoflargescaleemploymentunits,railinfrastructureandrelatedcomponentsandinfrastructure.

4.4.68 Thelossoftheexistingfarmlandusewouldbepermanentandirreversible.Thenewlandscapewillhowever,alsoincludeasubstantiallandscapeandgreeninfrastructurecomponent,whichwillbecomeincreasinglyapparentandvisibleasitmatures.Notably,thetwomaturewoodlands(HighgateandChurchill’s)withintherelativelymoreelevatedwesternpartoftheMainSitewillbeconservedandsubstantialnewwoodlandareasandhabitatswillextendlargelyaroundthebroadperimeteroftheMainSite.

4.4.69 ThemagnitudeofthelandscapechangearisingatthislocalisedscalewillbeMedium/High,yetitwillnotallbeadverse.Theconservationofthetwowoodlandsinthewestandthecreationoftheextensivenewwoodlandareasandbeltsofnativeplantingwilloffersomemitigationandbeneficialchangeinlandscapeterms.

4.4.70 TheresultantlandscapeeffectoftheProposedDevelopmentupontheMainSitelandscapeuponcompletionwillbeModerate/ Major Adverse.However,thiswillreduceinthemediumtolongertermtoaModerate Adverseeffectastheexistingandnewplantingmaturesandisappropriatelymanaged.

4.4.71 ThelandscapecharacteroftheBypassCorridorwillsimilarlyundergoanotablechangetothelocallandscapeasaresultoftheproposedbypass.ThisproposedroadwillextendacrossfarmlandtothenorthandwestofRoadeandwillformanewfeaturewithinthissettlementedgelandscape.Theproposedroadcorridorwillincludenewmoundingandplantingthathasbeendesignedtoeffectivelyassimilateandmitigatethepotentialeffectsoftheroadcorridorwithinthislocallandscape.

4.4.72 Newwoodland,treesandhedgerowplantingassociatedwiththeBypassCorridorproposalswillconnectwithandprovidelinkstoexistinghabitatsadjoiningorclosetothenewroad.TherewillbeanoverallnetgaininnumberofnativetreesandhedgerowsalongtheBypassCorridor.

4.4.73 ThemagnitudeofthechangearisingfromtheproposedbypassuponthecharacteroftheBypassCorridorlandscapewillbeMediumresultinginaModerate AdverseeffectuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.ThiswillreduceinthemediumtolongertermtoaMinor/ Moderate Adverseeffectastheexistingandnewplantingmaturesandisappropriatelymanaged.

CHAPTER 4 - PG 33

Landscape Features4.4.74 Landform:UponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment,thelandformoftheMainSitewillhave

beensubstantiallymodifiedbytheconstructionworks(asoutlinedintheprecedingConstructionEffectssection).TheresultantlandformwithintheSitewillincludechangesarisingfromtheformationofthebroadlyflatdevelopmentplotsandrailareafromtheformationofsomesignificantperimetermounding.Proposedwoodlandandtreeplantingalongandacrossmanyofthesemoundswillassistinintegratingthesechanges.

4.4.75 TheresultantchangestothelandformwillresultinextensiveyetlargelylocalisedandcontainedchangestothelandformcharacteristicsacrosstheMainSite.ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeupontheSite`slandformwillbeHighatthismorelocalisedscale,resultinginaModerate/Major AdverselandscapeeffectuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.76 Theproposedmoundinglocatedalongsidetheproposedbypasswillrepresentlocalisedchangestotheunderlyingrollinglandform,yettheassociatedwoodlandandtreeplantingwillassistinintegratingthesechangesovertime.ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeupontheBypassCorridorlandformwillbeLow/Medium,resultinginaMinor/ Moderate AdverselandscapeeffectuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.77 TheeffectoftheHighwayMitigationMeasuresuponthelandformwillbeNegligibleinlandscapeterms.

4.4.78 Woodland,TreesandotherVegetation:Detailsofthosewoodlands,treesandotherplantingtoberemovedorretainedareincludedwithintheArboriculturalAssessment(Appendix4.3)

4.4.79 Carefulattentionhasbeenpaidthroughoutthedesignprocesstominimisethepotentialeffectsuponwoodland,treesandhedgerowsaspartofabalancedandwellconsidereddevelopmentsolution.HighgateWoodandthevastmajority(approx.84%)ofChurchill’sWood,willbeconserved.Inaddition,sometrees,hedgerowsandotherhabitatsbetweenthesewoods;inthesouthernpartoftheMainSiteandaroundtheMainSite`sperimeterwillalsobeconservedaspartofthefutureproposedSitewideGreenInfrastructure(GI).

4.4.80 Asignificantnumberofnewwoodlandareas,treebelts,othertreesandtreegroups,hedgerowsandplantingwillbeimplementedaspartoftheProposedDevelopment.Allofthisnewandexistingplantingwillformanextensiveandwellconnectedframeworkofplantedcorridorsandgreenspacesstretchingaroundthenewbuiltdevelopmentplots.ThisnewplantingwillcomprisepredominantlynativeandindigenousspeciesthatisappropriatetotheSite`slocationandlandscapecharacteristicsandwillsatisfyotherbiodiversityaims.

4.4.81 TheproposedGI,encompassingthenewwoodland,trees,hedgerowsandotherplanting,habitatsandopenspacewillextendacrossasignificantproportionoftheMainSitearea.UponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopmenttherewillbeanoverallnetgainintheareasofwoodland/treegroups/treesandlengthsofhedgerowacrosstheSite.Whilstthisdoesnotdirectlyreplaceforthelossofexistingmaturewoodland,treesandhedgerows,itwillneverthelessextendtheageprofileofthesitewideplantingandwillbesupportedbyacomprehensiveandlongtermmanagementregimethatwillincludetheexistingconservedwoodlands,treesandhedgerows.

4.4.82 Thelossofexistingwoodland,treesandhedgerowsalongtheBypassCorridorwillberelativelylimitedasdetailedundertheConstructionEffectsandtherewillbenewnativewoodland,hedgerowsandothertreebeltsplantedalongthiscorridortoassistinassimilatingandmitigatingtheroadproposals.Thisproposedplantingwillalsorepresentanoverallnetgaininthenumbersandareasofwoodland,treesandhedgerowsalongtheBypassCorridor.

CHAPTER 4 - PG 34

4.4.83 ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeupontheSite`s(MainSiteandBypassCorridor)woodland,treesandhedgerowswillbeLow,resultinginaMinor AdverseeffectuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.InthemediumtolongertermthischangetoaneutralandsubsequentlyMinor Beneficialeffectastheexistingandnewplantingmaturesandisappropriatelymanaged.

4.4.84 WaterFeaturesandWatercourses:TheProposedDevelopmentwillincludetheformationofanumberofwaterfeaturesandwetlandareaslargelyaspartofaSustainableDrainageStrategy.Thesefeatureswillbedesignedtomaximisetheircontributioninlandscapeandbiodiversitytermsalongsidethedrainagerequirements.ManyofthesefeatureswillbesitedinthesouthoftheMainSiteandwillcontributetowardsthelandscapefrontageoftheMainSite.OtherdrainagefeaturesaspartoftheproposedBypassCorridorwillalsocontributepositivelyatalocalisedscale.

4.4.85 ThemagnitudeoflandscapechangeupontheSite`swaterfeaturesandwatercourseswillbeNegligible/LowBeneficial,resultinginaNegligible/ Minor BeneficiallandscapeeffectuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment(MainSiteandBypassCorridor).

Visual4.4.86 AcomprehensivevisualimpactassessmentoftheProposedDevelopmenthasbeenundertaken

todeterminethepotentialeffectsuponsurroundingreceptors.Thishasconsideredthespecificeffectsarisingduringtheoperationalstage.TwoassessmentshavebeenconductedforreceptorsduringtheoperationalstageoftheProposedDevelopment.Thefirstconsiderstheeffectsuponfullcompletionofthedevelopmentandinthewinterperiod(i.e.thescreeningeffectsofanydeciduousfoliageinthesummerisnottakenintoaccount)andthesecondpredictstheresidualeffects15yearsaftercompletionandinthesummerperiod(thusenablingtheeffectivenessofanyplantingtobeevaluated).

4.4.87 AseriesofPhotoViewpoints,Photomontages,relatedplansandaVisualEffectsTableareincludedandcollectivelydetailandsupportthedescriptionofthelikelyvisualeffectsarisingfromtheProposedDevelopment.

Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV)4.4.88 TheZTVoftheProposedDevelopmentisthetheoreticalareafromwithinwhichtheProposed

Developmentwillbevisible.Itisrepresentativeandisnotanindicatorofthesignificanceofthevisualeffect.TwoZTV`saredetailedonFigure4.9.FirstlyaZTVbaseduponacomputermodelandOrdnanceSurveylandformdata,takingnoaccountofexistingwoodland,buildingsorotherstructures,andsecondlyaZTVthathasrefinedand‘tested’thecomputermodelversiononsiteandbyotherdeskbasedanalysise.g.crosssections.Itisthelatter,ZTV(SiteAnalysis)thatisconsideredtobemostrepresentativeoftheareasfromwithinwhichtheProposedDevelopmentislikelytobevisible.FurtherdetailsontheZTVandmethodologyemployedisincludedatAppendix4.1.

4.4.89 TheZTVofthisProposedDevelopmentisprimarilydefinedbythetopographysurroundingtheSite,withexistingwoodland,hedgerowsandtreesandsettlementareasalsointerruptingandscreeningpotentialviews.TheZTVoftheMainSiteProposedDevelopmentextendstovaryingdegreestothenorth,south,eastandwestoftheSite.Itextendsovertherelativelybroadestareatothewest,withmoredistantZTVareassituatedtothenorthandnortheast.VisibilityoftheMainSiteProposedDevelopmentisrelativelymorecontainedtothesouthandsoutheast.

4.4.90 TheZTVoftheBypassCorridorisrelativelycontainedandinterrupted.ThisZTVdoesnotstretchsignificantlyfromtheBypasscorridororoveralargeareaanditislargelydefinedbytheundulatingnatureofthelocallandformandtoalesserdegreebytheexistingsettlementedgeandsurroundingtreesandhedgerows.

CHAPTER 4 - PG 35

Photomontages4.4.91 InadditiontothePhotoViewpoints(Figure4.7)thatsupportthebaselinedescriptionofthe

landscapeandvisualamenityoftheSiteanditssurroundings,anumberofPhotomontagesfortheProposedDevelopmenthavebeenpreparedandareincludedatFigure4.10.–Figure4.454

4.4.92 ThePhotomontagesaimtosimulatethelikelyvisualchangesthatwillresultfromtheProposedDevelopment.Theyhavebeenpreparedinaccordancewithacceptedguidance,assetoutinTheLandscapeInstituteAdviceNote01/11‘Photography and photomontage in landscape and visual impact assessment’ anddetailedinAppendix4.1.

4.4.93 TheProposedDevelopmentillustratedwithinthePhotomontagesisbasedupontheIllustrativeMasterplananddepictstheproposedmaximumheightofthebuildingsandrailinfrastructureonthemaximumheight(iemaximumfinishedfloorlevels(FFL`s))fortherespectivedevelopmentplots/zones,asdetailedontheProposedDevelopmentParametersPlan.Inthisregard,theresultspresentthepotentiallyworstcasescenariointermsofthevisibleextentoftheproposalswithintheviews.

4.4.94 Atthisstage,thedesignandelevationaltreatmentsoftheproposedbuildingsisillustrativeonlyandthesubsequentdesignanddetailingofthebuildingsandotherstructures(elevationaltreatments,colours,rooflinesetc.)willbesubjecttosubsequentapprovalsundertherequirementsintheDCO,followingapprovaloftheorder.

4.4.95 Thephotomontagesdepicttheschemeuponfullcompletionofalltheearthworks,buildings,railandroadinfrastructureandlandscapeproposalsetc.Twophotomontagesareincludedforeachviewpoint,namely;

• Uponfullcompletion;and

• 15yearspostfullcompletion.

4.4.96 The15yearspostfullcompletionphotomontageisusedtoconveytheresidualeffectofthelandscapeandplantingproposalsafter15yearsofgrowthandappropriatemanagement.

Effects upon Visual Receptors4.4.97 TheeffectsoftheProposedDevelopmentuponvisualreceptorsaresetoutinfullintheVisual

EffectsTable(Appendix4.5).ThefollowingsummarisesthevisualeffectsoftheProposedDevelopmentuponfullcompletionandpriortothegrowthandmanagementoftheproposedplantingandhabitats.ThisincludeslandscapemitigationwhichisimplementedasanintegralherentpartoftheProposedDevelopment.Theassessmentdoesnothowevertakeintoaccountthesubsequentmanagementandmaturingoftheexistingandnewlandscapeandplantingproposalswhichiscoveredintheresidualeffectssection.ReceptorreferencesareincludedinbracketsandrefertotheVisualEffectsTableandthelocationoftheVisualReceptorsasshownonFigure4.8.

Settlement and Properties4.4.98 ViewstowardsthecompletedDevelopmentwillbepossiblefromsettlementareasandproperties

surroundingtheSiteandwillrangefromcloseandclearviewstodistantandrestrictedviews.

4.4.99 ViewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentfromMiltonMalsor(VisualReceptorReferenceP1)willbelimitedduelargelytotheexistingrestrictednatureofviewstowardstheMainSite.ThelandgentlyfallsthroughthissettlementfromthesoutheasttowardsthenorthwestandawayfromtheMainSite.ThesoutheasterlyedgeofthesettlementalsoincludessomematuretreesandplantingareasthatalsolimitedthepotentialviewsinthedirectionoftheProposedDevelopment.

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4.4.100 WhereanyviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentarepossibletheywillbelimitedtotheoutermoundingandassociatedplantingproposalsprincipallyinthenorthwestcorneroftheMainSiteandalongthewesternperimeter(RefertoPhotomontageViewpoint16atFigures4.1018–4.20).Notwithstandingtheabsenceofviewsofthenewbuiltdevelopment,thesignificanceofthevisualeffectsuponthosepropertiesatMiltonMalsorwithanyavailableviewswillbeModerate Adverse uponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.ItshouldbenotedhoweverthatthemajorityofpropertiesatMiltonMalsorwillhavenoviewstowardsanyelementoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.101 AverysmallnumberofpropertiestotheeastofMiltonMalsorontheCollingtreeRd(P2/P3)willhaveviewstowardsthenorthernperimeteroftheMainSite.ThevisibleextentoftheproposalsalongthisedgeoftheMainSitewillbeeffectivelyandpredominantlylimitedtotheperimetermoundingandlandscapeproposals.Theproposedemploymentunitsandoperationalareaswillbeeffectivelyscreenedbytherisinggroundandmounding.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectsuponthesethreepropertieswillbeModerate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.102 FromCollingtree(P4)totheeastoftheMainSiteandimmediatelyeastoftheM1motorway,potentialviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentwillbelimitedtoaverysmallproportionofpropertiesprincipallyonthewesternsideofthesettlement.FortheverysmallnumberofpropertieswiththeclearestviewsitwillbetheeasternperimetermoundingandassociatedlandscapeproposalsinthenortheastpartoftheMainSiteareaandtheupperpartsofthenearestbuildingunitsthatwillbevisible(PhotomontageViewpoint19).Operationalactivitiesandthelowerpartsofthebuiltdevelopmentswillnotbevisibleastheywillbeeffectivelyscreenedbythecombinationofexistingtreesandplantingandnewmoundingandplanting.

4.4.103 ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectsuponthesmallnumbersofpropertiesatCollingtreewithanyavailableviewswillbeMinor/ Moderate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.104 TothesouthoftheMainSiteareasmallnumberofscatteredproperties(P5/P6)thatwillhavevaryingviewstowardstheProposedDevelopment.TheclearestviewswillincluderestrictedviewstowardsthebuiltdevelopmentinthesouthernpartoftheMainSiteandtowardsthemoundingandproposedplantingonthesouthernboundary.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectsuponthissmallnumberofpropertieswillbeModerate Adverse(andModerate/ Major AdverseforCourteenhallWestLodgeFarm)uponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.105 PotentialviewsfromCourteenhallHouseandotherbuildingsorpropertieswithintheestate(P7)areveryeffectivelyscreenedbyexistingmaturewoodlandandtreebeltswithinandaroundtheestate(PhotomontageViewpoint26).NodirectviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmenthavebeenidentifiedfromtheHouse.Glimpsedviewsmayhoweverbepossiblemostlikelyinwinterfromwithinthegrounds,yetthesewouldbeverylimitedandanyvisualeffectsareunlikelytobeanymorethan Minor Adverse,andmorelikelytobeNegligible.FromthevastmajorityofthegroundsnoviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentarelikely.NoviewstowardstheproposedDevelopmenthavebeenidentifiedfromCourteenhall(P8)

4.4.106 ViewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentfromBlisworthtothewestoftheMainSitearelimitedduetothenatureofthelandformunderlyingthissettlement,whichgenerallylimitstheopportunitiesforviewsinthedirectionoftheMainSite.ThosepropertieswithanypotentialviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentarelimitedtoasmallnumberofpropertiesonthenortheasternedgeofthesettlement,ontheCourteenhallRd(P9/P10).

4.4.107 Fromtheseproperties,distantviewsprimarilyfromfirstfloorwindowswillbepossibletowardstheProposedDevelopment.Intheseexistingexpansiveandvariedviews,itwillbetheperimetermoundingandplantingonthewesternsideoftheMainSitethatwillbemostvisible,althoughviewstowardsthehigherpartsofthebuildingsandgantrycraneswithintheintermodalareawillalsobepossible.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectsuponthelimitednumberofpropertieswithanyavailableviewsatthislocationwillbeMinor/ Moderate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

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4.4.108 OtherdistantandlimitedviewsfromwestoftheMainSitetowardstheProposedDevelopmentwillbepotentiallypossiblefromasmallnumberofpropertiesnorthandnorthwestofBlisworth(P11/P12).ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectsuponthissmallnumberofpropertieswillbeMinor AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.109 ViewstowardstheproposedDevelopmentfrompropertieswithinNorthamptonwillbelimitedandrestricted.VeryrestrictedviewsmaybepossiblefromaverylimitednumberofpropertiesatGrangePark(P13).ThehighestpartsoftheProposedDevelopmentwillalsobeseenbeyondtheexistingurbanareafromlimitedlocationsnorthofCollingtree(P14)andfromotherlimitedyetmoreelevatedpropertiesatorclosetoWootton(P15)(Photomontage24).TherewillbenoviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentfromthevastmajorityofpropertieswithinthesesouthernpartsofNorthampton.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectsuponthosepropertieswithanyavailableviewswillbeuptoMinor AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.110 FromLodgeFarm,LathvillyFarmandafurtherpropertyonBarnLane(P16),amixofrestrictedandmoreopenviewstowardsthewesternedgeoftheMainSitewillbepossible,withsomeexistingplantingandstructures,largelywithinthegroundsoftherespectiveproperties,limitingsomeviewstowardstheMainSite.Whereviewsarepossible,itwillbetheperimetermoundingandassociatedplantingthatwillformthemaindevelopmentcomponentsintheviews.Thebuiltdevelopmentandintermodalrailterminalareawillbeeffectivelyscreenedbytheperimetermoundingandplanting.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectsuponthesepropertieswillbeuptoModerate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.111 TheproposedbypassmaybeglimpsedbeyondinterveningtreesandahedgerowbyasmallnumberofpropertiesonthenorthernedgeofRoadeatandclosetoBaileyBrooksLane(P17)(Photomontage29).Therisinggroundandtheexistinginterveninghedgerowplanting/treesaroundtheplayingfieldswillhoweverscreenanyclearviewstowardsthebypasscorridor.Proposedmoundingandplantingalongthesouthernsideofthisstretchofthebypasswillreinforcethisexistingscreeningfromthesettlementedge.Generally,therewillbenoviewstowardstheBypassCorridorproposalsoranyvehiclesontheroadfrommostpropertiesinthenorthernpartofRoade.WhereanyrestrictedviewsarepossibletheresultantvisualeffectsarelikelytobenomorethanMinor Adverse.

4.4.112 PropertiesonthenorthernsideofDovecoteRd,Roade(P18)haverelativelyclearviewsnorthwardsacrosstheimmediatelandscape.Theproposedbypasswillextendacrossthisview,althoughproposedmounding,screenfencingandplantingwillpartiallyscreenandmitigatetheeffectsoftheroad/trafficintheseviews.Therewillneverthelessbeanotablechangetotheviewforthosepropertieswiththeclearestviewsnorthwards.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectsuponthesepropertieswillbeModerate/ Major AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.113 NearbypropertiesonBlisworthRdonthewesternedgeofRoade(P19)(Photomontage33)willalsohaveviewstowardstheproposedbypassasitextendsaroundthesettlementedgelandscape.Proposedinterveningmoundingandplanting,togetherwithscreenfencingwilleffectivelyscreenmostviewstowardstrafficontheroad.Wherevisibletheroad/trafficismostlikelytobeseenoverashortdistancegraduallyrisingontheslopestothewest,yetwillbeeffectivelyscreenedfromviewstothenorthwestandsouthwestandotherdirections.Thesignificanceofthevisualeffectsuponthesepropertieswithviewswillbeupto Moderate Adverse uponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.114 TothewestofBlisworthRd,twoproperties(DovecoteFarmandnearbyproperty)(P20)arelikelytohavevaryingyetcloseviewstoatleastpartofthebypassproposals.Theproposedmounding,plantingandscreenfencingwillmitigateandscreenviewstowardstheeastandsouth,althoughduetotheproximityoftheproposals,theclearestviewsarelikelytoresultinaModerate/ Major AdversevisualeffectuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

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4.4.115 ArelativelylimitednumberofotherpropertiesonthewesternedgeofRoadeonWallwinCloseandHoeWay(P21)willalsohavepotentialviewswestwardstowardstheproposedbypass.Theseviewswillhoweverberestrictedbyinterveninghedgerowsandplantingandotherexistingbuildingsandfeaturestothewestandsouthwilllimitthepotentialfield/extentoftheavailableviews.Vehiclesusingtheproposedroadarelikelytobevisiblefromsomeofthesepropertiesyetoverallthesewillbelimitedandtheexistingandproposedplanningandmoundingwillbeeffectiveinmitigatingtheresultingeffects.Thesignificanceofthevisualeffectsuponanyofthepropertieswithavailableviewswillbeupto Minor/ Moderate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.116 Twootherproperties(NetherwoodandHydeFarm)(P22/P23)situatedtothewestandsouthernextentoftheBypassCorridorwillhaverestrictedandlimitedviewstowardstheproposedroadresultinginrespectivelyMinor/ Moderate Adverseand Moderate Adversevisualeffects.

Public Rights of Way (PROW) / Footpaths4.4.117 Viewsfromthispublicfootpath(F1)willchangesignificantlyastheexistingroutewillbediverted

aroundtheMainSiteaspartoftheProposedDevelopment.ThedivertedroutewillbesitedwithintheperimeterlandscapeframeworkandlargelyontheoutermidslopesoftheproposedmoundingtothenorthandwestoftheMainSitearea.Twoproposedviewpointsfrompositionsonthehighergroundalongthewesternperimeterofthesiteareproposedandwouldbeaccessedbypermissivefootpathconnectionsfromthisdivertedfootpath.Viewsfromthisdivertedfootpathwillinevitablyaltersignificantlyandwillbedominatedbythenewplantingandhabitatproposalsandmounding.Opportunitiesformoreexpansiveandelevatedviewsacrossthelandscapetothewestofthesitewillbepossible.

4.4.118 Whilstthenatureoftheviewswillinevitablychangesignificantlyasaresultofthediversion,theeffectivevisualscreeningofthebuiltdevelopmentfrommuchofthedivertedroutebythemoundingandlandscapeproposalswillmitigatetosomedegreethevisualeffects.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthisfootpathwillbeModerate/ Major Adverse uponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.However,thiswillreduceintheshorttomediumtermastheexistingandnewplantingmaturesandisappropriatelymanaged.

4.4.119 Viewsfromthepublicfootpath(F2)thatextendsthroughthecentralpartoftheMainSiteinanorthwesterlydirectionfromtheA508willalsochangemarkedlyasaresultofthenecessarydiversionofthisfootpath.Thenatureoftheviewsfromthisdivertedstretchoffootpathwillincludethenewlargescaleemploymentunitsandassociatedinfrastructureandlandscapeproposals.Thefootpath(willbecombinedwithacycleway)willstillmaintainadirectlinkbetweentheA508andthefootbridgeovertheM1intoCollingtree.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthisfootpathwillbeModerate/ Major AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.However,thiswillreduceintheshorttomediumtermtoasthenewlandscapeandplantingmaturesandisappropriatelymanaged.

4.4.120 Publicfootpath(F3)liestothewestoftheMainSiteandextendsnorthtowardsMiltonMalsorconnectingwithBarnLane(Photomontage7).ViewseastwardsfromthisroutetothenorthofMiltonCrossingwillincludeexistingarablefarmlandintheforegroundwithviewstowardstheperimetermoundingandlandscapeproposalsbeyondtheNLRL.Viewstowardsthebuiltdevelopmentwillbenotablyrestrictedbythisperimetermoundingandplantingalthoughtherewillbesomelimitedandlargelyglimpsedviewsbeyondtothehigherpartsofthebuildingandgantrycraneswithintheintermodalarea.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthisfootpathwillbeModerate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.121 Frompublicfootpath(F4)viewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentwillbepossibletotheeastofBlisworthplayingfield,althoughfromtheplayingfielditselfandlowerlyingstretchesneartheWCMLRviewswillbemorelimited.Whereviewsarepossible,thehighestpartsofsomeoftheemploymentunitsandrailgantrycraneswillbevisiblebeyondtheperimetermoundingand

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plantingtothewesternboundaryoftheMainSite.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthisfootpathwillbeModerate AdversefortheclearestviewsuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment,withotherviewsoflessersignificance.

4.4.122 TherewillberestrictedviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentfromstretchesofPublicRightsofWay(PROW)(F5–F8)(Photomontage10)closetoCourteenhallRdtothesouthwestoftheMainSite.NortheasterlyviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentwillbepossiblefromsomestretchesofthesePROWacrossinterveningfarmland.Intheseviewsthehigherpartsoflimitedpartsofthebuildingunitswillbevisiblebeyondinterveningwoodlandandtrees.TheproposedmoundingandplantingalongthewesternperimeteroftheMainSitewillalsobeeffectiveinscreeningviewstowardsthemajorityofthebuiltdevelopment,includingtheintermodalareaandotheractivepartsoftheProposedDevelopment.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthesestretchesofPROWwillbeMinor/Moderate or Moderate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.123 LimitedandrestrictedviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentwillbepossiblefromthepublicfootpath(F9),whichformspartoftheGrandUnionCanalWalk,betweentheA43underpassatBlisworthJunctionandtheWCMLRunderpass(northofStationRoad).Inanyavailableviews,thehighestpartsoftheproposedunitsmaybedistantlyvisiblebeyondtheperimetermoundingandplantingalthoughthemajorityoftheproposedbuiltdevelopmentwillbeveryeffectivelyscreenedfromview.Somerestrictedandfilteredviewswillbepossibletowardstheoutermoundingandlandscapeproposalsonthewesternedgeofthedevelopment.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthisfootpathwillbeMinor Adversewhereanyavailableviewsexist,uponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.FrommostofthislocalisedstretchofcanalsidetherewillbenoviewstowardstheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.124 Otherlimited,distantandrestrictedviewstowardspartoftheProposedDevelopmentmaybepossiblefromshortstretchesofPROW(F10/F11)tothewestandnorthwestofBlisworth,resultinginatmostaMinor AdversevisualeffectuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.125 Publicfootpath(F12)extendseastwardsfromMiltonMalsortoMapleFarmbeforecrossingtheM1towardsCollingtreeGolfCourse.ViewssoutheastwardsfromthisroutewillincludeexistingfarmlandintheforegroundwiththeperimetermoundingandlandscapeproposalsseenbeyondCollingtreeRoad.Thebuiltdevelopmentandassociatedactivitywillbeveryeffectivelyscreenedfromview,withlittleornoopportunitytoseethebuiltdevelopment.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthisfootpathwilluptoMinor/ Moderate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.126 OthermoredistantandlimitedviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentwillbepossiblefromshortstretchesofPROWtothenortheastoftheM1andeastofWootton(F13/F14/F15).ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthesefootpathswillbeMinor Adverse/ Negligible uponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.127 NorthofRoade,therewillberelativelycloseandclearviewsfromexistingfootpaths(F16/F17)(Photomontage31)towardtheproposedbypass.RelativelycloseandopenviewssouthwardsfromtheserouteswillbepossibletowardsthebypassasitextendsaroundtothenorthofRoade(toboththeeastandimmediatewestoftherailline).Thenewroadwillformanotableelementintheseviews,althoughnewplantingandmoundingproposalswilloffersomevisualfilteringandmitigationofviews.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthesestretchesoffootpathswillbeModerate/ Major AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

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4.4.128 FromthePublicBridleway(‘MidshiresWay’)(F18)tothewestofRoade,closeandclearviewstowardstheproposedbypasswillbepossibleoverashortstretchofthebridleway.Viewstowardstheroadandassociatedtrafficwillvarysubjecttothepositionalongtheroute.Wherethebridlewayisclosetoandcrosses(viaanunderpass)theproposedroad,thevisualchangewillbemostsignificant.Fromfurthertotheeastandwest,thevisualeffectswillbereducedandfromarelativelyshortdistancetothewest,therewillbenoavailableviewstowardstheproposedroad.Thesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthisbridlewaywillbeupto Major Adversewheretheclosestandclearestviewsareavailable,uponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.However,thiswillreduceintheshorttomediumtermtoastheexistingandnewplantingmaturesandisappropriatelymanaged.

4.4.129 Otherviewstowardstheproposedbypasswillbepossiblefromafootpath(F19)andbridleway(F20)towardsthesouthernendoftheBypassCorridor.Viewsfromtheserouteswillvaryalongthosestretchesthatallowanyviewstowardstheproposedbypass.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersoftheserouteswillbeModerate or Minor/ Moderate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

Roads4.4.130 ViewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentwillbepossiblefromanumberofroadswithinthe

vicinityoftheSite.ViewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentwillbepossibleforusersoftheM1motorway(R1).Viewsofnewbuiltdevelopment(predominantlyUnitsimmediatelytothewestofthemotorwaycorridor)willoccuroverarelativelyshortstretchofthemotorway.Immediatelytothenortheastofthemainbuiltdevelopmentareathemotorwayliespartiallywithinacuttingandincludessomecontinuousmaturetreebeltplantingoneitherside.ThiseffectivelylimitstheopportunityforviewsoutfromtheroadcorridortowardstheMainSite.Thecombinationofexistingcuttingandplantingplusnewmoundingandplantingwillhowevereffectivelyscreenthebuiltdevelopmentandoperationalactivity.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersoftheM1motorwaywillbeMinor AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.131 Fromtheapproximately1.0kmstretchoftheA508(R2)(Photomontage5)immediatelytothesoutheastofthemainbuiltdevelopmentarea,therewillbecloseanddirectviewstowardsthebuiltdevelopment,andoperationalareastogetherwiththeroadfrontagelandscape.Ingeneral,theproposedbuildingswillbesetbacksomedistancefromtheroadbeyondabroadlandscapeswatheencompassingnewsustainabledrainagefeaturesandnewtreeandotherplanting.Furthertothesouth,theviewsaremorerestrictedbyexistingroadsidetreesandplanting.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersoftheA508willbeMinor/ Moderate Adverse uponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.132 VaryingvisualeffectswilloccurforusersoftheA45(R3)asaresultofthehighwayimprovementworkstothenorthofJunction15althoughitislikelythattheemploymentunitsmayalsobeseenapproachingJunction15fromthenorth.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersoftheA45willbeatmost Minor AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.133 LimitedandintermittentviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentforusersofWateringLane(R4)totheeastofCollingtreewillbepossiblewheregapsintheroadsidevegetationoccur.ViewstowardsthehighestpartsoftheemploymentunitstogetherwiththeperimetermoundingandlandscapingtothesouthwestoftheM1willbepossiblefromashortstretchofWateringLanebetweentheHiltonHotelandCollingtree.Theseviewswilloccuroverashortdistanceandinthecontextofotherexistingroadandurbaninfluences.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthisstretchofWateringLanewillbeMinor/ Moderate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

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4.4.134 ImmediatelytothenorthoftheMainSite,closeanddirectviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentwillbepossibleforusersofCollingtreeRoad(R5).TheseviewsoccurbetweentheNLRLinthewestandtheM1motorwaybridgecrossingtotheeast.Closeanddirectviewstowardsthebuiltdevelopmentwillhoweverberestrictedandscreenedbytheconservedroadsidehedgerowsandtreesandtheproposedmoundingandplantingimmediatelybeyond.Thisexistingandnewmoundingandplantingwillbeparticularlyeffectiveinscreeningviewstowardstheemploymentunits,whichwillbesetdownalongthisnorthernpartoftheMainSite.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponroadusersofthisstretchofCollingtreeRdwillbeMinor/ Moderate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.135 FromthestretchofCourteenhallRoad(R6)betweentheA508andBlisworthsomeviewswillbepossiblelargelytowardstheoutermoundingandlandscapeproposalsonthewesternsideoftheMainSite,togetherwiththehighestpartsofsomeoftheemploymentunitsandgantrycraneswithintheintermodalarea.Theseexistingwiderangingviewsalsoincludeotherexistingsettlement,industrialunitsandmajortransportinfrastructure.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthestretchofCourteenhallRoadwithanyviewswillbeMinor AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.136 OtherpotentialviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentwillbepossibleforusersofanumberofroadswithinthesurroundinglandscape.TheseincludeGaytonRoadtothewestofBlisworth(R7);elevatedsectionsoftheA43tothenorthoftheWCMLR(R8);anunnamedroadprovidingaccesstoCourteenhallvillageandQuintonofftheA508(R9)(Photomontage25);WooldaleRoadaroundtheperipheryofWootton(R10);andtheB526totheeastofWootton(R11).ForanyusersoftheseroadswithviewstowardstheProposedDevelopment,thesignificanceofthevisualeffectwillbelargely Minor Adverse/ Negligibleuponcompletion.

4.4.137 Inrelationtotheproposedbypass,therewillbeviewstowardsitfromBlisworthRd(R12).Theproposedbypasswillcrossthisroadandanewjunctionarrangementwillbeformed.Thiswillresultinsomenotablechangeoveralimitedstretchoftheexistingroad.Newmoundingandplantingwillhowever,assistinmitigatingandassimilatingthenewroad.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthelimitedstretchofBlisworthRoadwithanyviewswillbeMinor/ Moderate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

Other Receptors4.4.138 TothewestoftheMainSitetheNorthamptonLoopRailwayLine(NLRL)(O1)liesgenerallywithin

acuttingandincludessomecontinuousmaturetreebeltplantingoneitherside.ThiseffectivelylimitstheopportunityforviewsoutfromtherailwaycorridortowardstheMainSite.CloseeasterlyviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentwillhoweverbepossibletowardstheproposedmoundingandplantingalongthewesternsideoftheMainSite.Viewsintotheintermodalareaandtowardstheproposedbuiltdevelopmentwillalsobepossiblewhererailconnectionsto/fromtheintermodalareaaresitedandtherearebreaksintheperimetermounding.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersoftheraillinealongsidetheMainSitewillbeMinor/Moderate Adverse uponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.139 FromtherelativelyelevatedstretchesoftheWestCoastMainlineRailway(O2)betweenRoadeCuttingandtheA43someviewswillbepossibletowardstheperimetermoundingandlandscapeproposalsandpotentiallytothehighestpartsoftheemploymentunitsandrailgantrycranes.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthisstretchoftheraillinewillbeMinor Adverse uponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.140 FromGrangeParkIndustrialEstate(O3)itispredictedthattherewillbenoorverylimitedviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentandanyvisualeffectwillbeatmost Minor Adverse/ Negligible.Fromthevastmajorityoftheestate,therewillbenopotentialviewstowardstheProposedDevelopment.

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4.4.141 SomeviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentfromtheHiltonHotel(O4)willbepossibleacrosstheM1roadcorridor.ExistingviewsarehoweverrestrictedandincludetheadjacentM1motorway,Junction15andtheA45.Themagnitudeofthevisualchangeforanyavailableviewswillthereforebelessenedbythepresenceoftheseexistingfeatures.FromthemajorityoftheroomswithinthehoteltherewillbenoavailableviewsoftheProposedDevelopment.Whereclearerviewstowardsthesouthwestandtheproposalsarehoweverpossible,thesignificanceofthevisualeffectwillbeMinor AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.142 RestrictedandfilteredviewsnorthwardstowardstheproposedbypasswillbepossibleforusersoftheRoadePlayingFields(O5)(alongsidetheRoadeVillageHall)(Photomontage29).Existingviewsarehoweverlimitedbytheexistinghedgerowandtreeplantingtothenorthoftheplayingfieldsandfurtherproposedplantingbeyondthiswillstrengthenthevisualscreeningofviewstowardstheroadandvehicles.ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersoftheplayingfieldswillbeatmostMinor/ Moderate AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

4.4.143 OtherrestrictedandlimitedviewswillbepossibletowardstheproposedbypassfromRoadeFootballClub(O6)andRoadeSchoolSportsCollege(O7).ThesignificanceofthevisualeffectuponusersofthesefacilitieswillbeMinor AdverseuponcompletionoftheProposedDevelopment.

Night time Lighting Effects4.4.144 ALightingImpactAssessmentoftheProposedDevelopmenthasbeenundertakenandisincluded

atChapter11.ThisLandscapeandVisualassessmenthasbeenundertakenonthebasisoftheproposedLightingStrategy.TheStrategyisfoundedonthekeyprinciplesofenergyefficiencyandminimisingenvironmentaleffects.TheproposedLightingStrategywillseekto:

• Minimisespilllighttosurroundingareas;

• Minimiseupwardskypollution;and

• Ensureappropriateilluminationlevelson-site.

4.4.145 TheLightingStrategyincorporatesthelatestenergyefficientdirectionalluminairesthatpreventskyglow,glareandlightspillage.ThedetailedlightingschemewillbedesignedtosatisfytheLightingStrategyandtominimiseupwardlightpollutionandtocomplywiththeInstituteofLightingProfessional(ILP)bestpractice.

4.4.146 Thefollowingfactorslargelyinfluencetheextentofthenighttimevisualeffectsarisingfromthelightingproposals:

• theexistingextent,sourcesandlevelsoflightinginandaroundtheSite;

• thelocationofreceptorsandareasofsettlementwithviewstowardstheproposals;

• theadoptionofbestlightingdesignpractice.

4.4.147 Overall,thenighttimevisualeffectsoftheProposedDevelopmentwillbeminimisedthroughtheadoptionoftheLightingStrategyandfurtherattentionatthedetaileddesignstagetothelightingproposals.Thepresenceofexistinglightsources(e.g.surroundingmajorroadsandnearbyemploymentandsettlementareas)intheSite`scontextwillmoderatetheadversenighttimevisualeffectsasdetailedintheLightingImpactAssessment.

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4.5 LANDSCAPE STRATEGY, DESIGN AND MITIGATION

Introduction and Objectives4.5.1 TheLandscapeStrategyfortheProposedDevelopmenthasbeenpreparedinthecontextofa

thoroughanddetailedunderstandingoftheSiteanditscontextandwithinaframeworkofkeypolicyanddesignguidance.Theproposalsareshownontheaccompanyingdrawings;IllustrativeLandscapeContextPlan,IllustrativeLandscapePlan(MainSite)andIllustrativeLandscapePlan(RoadeBypass).

4.5.2 TheexistinglandscaperesourceoftheSiteanditscontexthasbeenconsideredbytheassessment,masterplanninganddesignprocess.ThishasextendedfrompreliminarylandscapeandvisualappraisalsthroughtotheproductionoftheguidingdesignprinciplesandtheLandscapeFrameworkproposals.Thisiterativeprocesshasentailedclosecollaborationbetweenlandscape,architectural,urbandesign,engineering,ecologicalandotherprofessionals,includingstatutorybodiesandlocalplanningauthorities.

Design: Policy and Guidance4.5.3 TheGovernmentnowplacesverygreatimportanceonthedeliveryofsustainableandco-

ordinatedgreeninfrastructure(GI),asakeycomponentofitssustainabledevelopmentagenda.“Green Infrastructure Guidance”articulatesNaturalEngland`s(NE)positioninrelationtoGIplanninganddelivery,whichisseenasakeypartinadaptingtoandmitigatingclimatechangeandtodeliveringmultipleenvironmentalfunctions.TheNEguidancerecognisestheimportanceof“Multifunctionality”toGI.OfparticularnoteisthecontributionthathighqualityGIcanplaytothedeliveryofanumberofNE`sstrategicoutcomesaslistedonpage13oftheirdocument.Theseinclude:

“Well planned Green Infrastructure encompassing new and enhanced sites and habitats:

• contributes to high quality and accessible landscapes benefiting people and wildlife;

• plays an essential role in maintaining and enhancing the health of the natural environment and its ability to provide a wealth of ‘ecosystem services’;

• increases ecological connectivity to overcome habitat fragmentation and

• increase the ability of the natural environment to adapt to climate change”

The creation and enhancement of green infrastructure helps to:

create attractive and accessible places for people to enjoy direct and regular contact with the natural environment;

strengthen links between urban areas and their surrounding countryside, and bring the natural world into every neighbourhood, with benefits for individual and community health and well-being.”

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Landscape Design Issues and Considerations4.5.4 ThereareanumberofrelevantlandscapeandrelatedGIdesignissuestobeaddressedbythe

proposals.Thesecanbesummarisedasfollows:

• PositivelyassimilatingtheProposedDevelopmentwithinthelandscapeandlandform;includingformitigatingandminimisinganypotentialadverseeffectswithparticularattentiontotheinterrelationshipofbuildingheights;plotlevels;earthworksandmoundingproposalsandconservedandproposedwoodlandandplantingareas;

• Establishingandstrengtheningconnectionsandgreencorridors;particularlyaroundtheSiteperimeter,betweenexistingwoodlandsandwiththesurroundinglandscape;

• Accessibilitytothegreenspacestobeconservedorcreatedaspartoftheproposals;withpotentialopportunitiesforinformalrecreationandphysicalactivityegwalkingandcycling,withpublichealth(healthpromotion)aswellasenvironmentalbenefits;

• Securingandmaximisingbiodiversityinterest,throughconservation,enhancementandcreationofhabitatsandgreenspaces;

• IntegratingSustainableDrainage(SuDS)featuresandmeasurestoformpartofastrongmulti-functionalGreenInfrastructureframeworkfortheProposedDevelopmentSitethatwilldelivervaluablebiodiversityandamenitybenefitsalongsidethepracticaldrainagerequirements;

• Establishingandmanagingasignificantandrobustlandscapeframeworktoformanappropriateandcohesive“greenstructure”tothebuiltdevelopmentandcreateasuitablebuffertotheneighbouringsettlementsanduses.

4.5.5 Astronglandscapeschemeandstrategyformsakeypartoftheoveralldevelopmentapproach.Thelandscapeobjectivesofthisincludethefollowing:

• Recogniseandrespectexistinglandscapecharacter;

• Conserveandenhancelandscapeareasandfeaturesasanintegralandstructuringpartofthelandscapeframework;

• Createahighqualitynewlandscapeframework,includingwoodlandandstructureplanting,hedgerows,othermixedhabitats,openspacesandsustainabledrainagefeatures;

• Providesignificantnewplantingaspartofathoroughandlongtermapproachtothegrowthandmanagementoftheoveralllandscapeframework;

• Minimiseanypotentialadverselandscapeorvisualeffectsthroughtheapplicationofbestpracticedesignprinciplesandcarefulattentiontodesignthroughallstagesofthedevelopmentprocess;and

• Adoptspecificlandscapemeasurestomitigateanypotentialadverselandscape,visualorotherenvironmentaleffects(e.g.screen/acousticfencingwherenecessarytosupportanymoundingproposals).

Landscape Proposals

4.5.6 TheProposedDevelopmentwillincorporatetheconservationofexistingwoodlandandtrees,reinforcedbysignificantnewwoodland,treeandshrubplanting;thecreationandconservationoflandscapecorridorsthroughthedevelopment;theprovisionofnewmixedhabitats(includingsomewetlandareas/pondsaspartofthesustainabledrainagestrategy)tosatisfybiodiversityobjectives;theformationofsignificantearthworkproposalsandtheestablishmentofhighqualityandrobustlandscapestothebuiltdevelopmentplotsandsurrounds.

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4.5.7 Atastrategiclevel,theseproposalswillreflectthebroadstatedaimsandapproachesoutlinedintheNaturalEnglandGreenInfrastructure(GI)andtheRegionalandCountybasedlandscapecharacterandGIguidance.

4.5.8 Indevisingtheseproposals,therehasbeencarefulanalysisofthedevelopmentproposalsandclosecollaborationwithotherenvironmentalandtechnicalprofessionals.ThishassoughttominimisepotentialadverseenvironmentaleffectsandmaximiseopportunitiesforGIwithintheSite.Ithasalsosoughttoensurethatthelandscapestrategyproposalsarebothappropriateintheshortandlongerterms.Carefulattentionhasalsobeenpaidtotheemergingearthworksanddrainagestrategiestoensurethatacomprehensivesolutionemergesthatrobustlyaddressesthelandscapeandvisualissuesassociatedwiththeproposals.

4.5.9 Anumberofplansandcrosssectionshavebeenpreparedtoconveythecharacteranddetailofthelandscapeproposals.TheIllustrativeLandscapePlans(DrawingNos.5772/L/29,5772/L/30and5772/L/38Figures??-??)andIllustrativeLandscapeCrossSections(DrawingNos.5772/L/32–37,5772/L/39and5772/L/40Figures??-??)areattachedtothisChapter.TheseillustrativeplansandcrosssectionsprovideanunderstandingofthelandscapeandmitigationdesignproposalsandhowtheserelatetotheexistingSitecontextandtotherelevantlandscapeandvisualreceptors.

4.5.10 AstronglandscapeframeworkwillbeestablishedaspartoftheProposedDevelopment,comprisingtheconservationofexistingwoodlandandotherhedgerowsandtrees,reinforcedbysignificantnewtree,hedgerowandshrubplantingandotherhabitats.TheformationofnewearthworksandmoundingproposalstomostoftheMainSite`sperimeterwillincludemuchofthisnewnativeplantingandwillbeimportantinmitigatingandscreeningviewsoftheProposedDevelopmentfrombeyondtheboundary.TheEcologyESchapterprovidesfurtherdetailontheproposedhabitatcreationmeasures.

4.5.11 TheproposedGI,encompassingthenewwoodland,trees,hedgerowsandotherplanting,habitatsandopenspacewillextendtoasignificantproportionofthetotalSiteareaandinsummarywillcomprisethefollowing.FurtherdetailsonareasandquantitiesoftheGreenInfrastructurePlantingandHabitatsareincludedatAppendix4.6:

Green Infrastructure Landscape Area/ Habitat/ Feature Area/ Quantity (Approx.)

ExistingConservedWoodland/TreeGroups 10.70Ha

ProposedWoodland/TreeGroups/StructurePlanting(MainSite) 23.35Ha

ProposedWoodland/TreeGroups/StructurePlanting (BypassCorridor) 5.70Ha

ExistingConservedHedgerows 3,800Linm

ProposedHedgerows 13,000Linm

ExistingConservedSpeciesRichGrassland/Meadow/NonAgriculturalGrassland 4.70Ha

ProposedConservedSpeciesRichGrassland/Meadow/NonAgriculturalGrassland 26.60Ha

ProposedSuDSfeatures/Wetlands/Ponds 3.00Ha

Table: Summary of Landscape and Green Infrastructure Areas (Main Site and Roade Bypass Corridor)

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Landscape Management4.5.12 Thesuccessfulimplementationofthefinalisedstrategywilldependuponmanyfactors,including

theeffectivenessoftheProposedDevelopment’sdetailedlandscapedesignandaclearandcomprehensiveplanforthephasedimplementationandsubsequentongoingmaintenanceandmanagementofallareas.Allofthelandscapeareasandfeatureswillbemanagedandmaintainedinthelongterm.ItiscurrentlyanticipatedthatthiswillbeachievedthroughtheimplementationofacomprehensiveLandscapeandEcologicalManagementPlan(LEMP)tobedeterminedalongsideotherrelevantsitemanagementobjectivesandrequirements.

4.5.13 ThesubsequentdetaileddesignandmanagementworksforthelandscapeandGIareaswillbeadvancedinclosecollaborationwiththerelevantauthoritiesandothertechnicalandenvironmentalprofessionals.EffectivemanagementofthelandscapewillhelpensurethattheGreenInfrastructureandhabitatscreatedaremaintainedandabletoestablishthemselvesproperly,andwillcreateplaceswhichhelpdeliversocialaswellasenvironmentalbenefits,includingaspartofhealthpromotionforemployeesandlocalpeoplethroughaccesstowalkingandcyclingroutes.

4.6 RESIDUAL EFFECTS

4.6.1 Theresidualeffectsconsidertheeffectsaftertheincorporationofthemitigationmeasures.Inthecontextofthelandscapeandvisualassessment,primarymitigationmeasuresandconsiderationshavebeenincorporatedasanintegral(or‘embedded’)partofthedesignandlayoutoftheProposedDevelopment.Thishasincludedattentiontothesiting,layoutandheightsoftheProposedDevelopmentandconsiderationoftheearthworksandgroundmodellingproposals.AlloftheseaspectsandfeatureshavebeentakenintoaccountinthedesignoftheProposedDevelopmentandthedevelopmentparametersandhavethereforebeenassessedaspartoftheconstructionandoperationalstages.

4.6.2 TheresidualoperationaleffectsassessmentconsiderstheProposedDevelopment15yearsaftercompletionandtakesintoaccountthegrowthoftheproposedandconservedplantingoverthistime.TheseeffectsaredetailedintheEffectsTablesatAppendices4.4and4.5.andoutlinedbelow.

Construction

Landscape4.6.3 Wellmanagedandcontrolledsiteactivitiesandtheapplicationofgoodpracticesthroughoutthe

constructionprocesswillminimisethepotentialadverseeffectsarisingfromconstruction.ThiswillincludetheprotectionofalltreesandvegetationtobeconservedinaccordancewithBS5837:2012(TreesinRelationtoDesign,DemolitionandConstruction-Recommendations).

4.6.4 Theearlyimplementationofsomeoftheouterandperimeterlandscapeandassociatedearthworksproposalswillassistinminimisingsomeoftheindirectinfluencesovertheimmediatelysurroundinglandscape.Overall,theresiduallandscapeeffectsduringconstructionwillremainasstatedfortheconstructionstageintheearlierAssessmentofLikelySignificantEffectssection.

Visual4.6.5 Thephasedandearlyimplementationofsomeoftheouterandperimeterlandscapeand

associatedearthworksproposalswillassistinminimisingtheresultingvisualeffectsduringtheconstructionperiod,particularlyalongthewestern,northernandeasternMainSiteperimeters.TheadditionalandselectiveuseoftemporaryscreenfencingmayalsobeconsideredalongSiteboundariesatparticularperiods,althoughitisunlikelythatthesewillofferanynotableadditionalscreeningbenefits.

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4.6.6 Theuse,location,extentanddesignofanytemporaryfencingwillbedeterminedatthedetaileddesignstageandinconsultationwiththerelevantauthorities.Particularattentionwillbepaidtothepotentialvisualeffectsuponthosepropertiesandreceptorswiththeclearestviewstowardstheconstructionactivity,includingthoseontheedgeofRoadeaffectedbytheRoadeBypassproposals.

4.6.7 Wellmanagedandcontrolledsiteactivitiesandtheapplicationofgoodpracticesthroughouttheconstructionprocesswillminimisethepotentialadversevisualeffectsarisingfromconstruction.Overall,theresidualvisualeffectsduringconstructionwillremainasdescribedfortheconstructionstageintheearlierAssessmentofLikelySignificantEffectssection.

Operational Development

Landscape4.6.8 Ingeneral,thelandscapeeffectsofthecompletedandoperationalProposedDevelopmentwill

reduceovertimefollowingtheestablishmentandsubsequentmaturingoftheproposedplantingandhabitatcreation.Thecomprehensivemanagementofnotonlytheproposedplantingandhabitatsbutalsotheexistingconservedwoodland,trees,hedgerowsandotherhabitatswillalsoassistinreducingtheinitialoperationallandscapeeffects.

4.6.9 ThemainresidualchangeandbenefitsinlandscapetermswillarisefromthematuringandmanagementoftheouterandperimeterlandscapeandplantingproposalswhichwillassistinmitigatingtheinfluenceoftheProposedDevelopmentonitsimmediatecontextandinassimilatingthelandformandbuiltdevelopmentproposalsintheSite`slandscapecontext.

4.6.10 Alongsidetheexistingconservedwoodland,trees,hedgerowsandotherplanting,theextensivenewwoodland,treeandotherplantingproposalswillgrowtoformarobustandconnectedframeworkoflandscapecorridorsandareas,withnotablelandscapeareasandcorridorssitedlargelyaroundtheperimeteroftheMainSite.OthernotableplantingwillbesitedalongtheRoadeBypasscorridorandovertimethiswillassistinassimilatingthisroadwithitsimmediatelandscapecontext.

4.6.11 Thenew(anddiverted)walkingroutes,aswellasthenewconnectionstothesitefromsurroundingareas,willcontributepositivelytowardspublichealthandwellbeingbenefits.Thisincludesbenefitsforemployeesbasedon-sitewhowouldhaveaccesstoopportunitiesforexercise(walkingandrunning),aswellasopportunitiesfortraveltoworkbyfootorbycycle.

Visual4.6.12 Ingeneral,manyofthevisualeffectsofthecompletedandoperationalProposedDevelopmentwill

reduceovertimefollowingtheestablishmentandsubsequentmaturingoftheproposedplantingandhabitatcreation.Thecomprehensivemanagementofnotonlytheproposedplantingandhabitatsbutalsotheexistingconservedwoodland,trees,hedgerowsandotherhabitatswillalsoassistinreducingtheinitialoperationalvisualeffects.

4.6.13 ThematuringandmanagementoftheexistingandnewplantingwillofferthemostnotablevisualimprovementstosomeofthereceptorsimmediatelysurroundingtheSiteorwithcloseviewsencompassingproposedplantingandmoundinginbetweenthereceptorandtheproposedbuildingsorotherinfrastructure.

4.6.14 AnassessmentoftheresidualvisualeffectsoftheProposedDevelopment(15yearspostcompletion)ontheidentifiedreceptorsisincludedintheVisualEffectsTableatAppendix4.5.

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4.7 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS

4.7.1 Inthecontextofthisassessmentofcumulativelandscapeandvisualeffects,thefocusisontheassessmentoftheProposedDevelopmentincombination withand in addition tothefollowingprojects:

1. Committed (Allocated) Projects:• NorthamptonSouthSustainableUrbanExtension(SUE)–allocatedintheJointCoreStrategy

• SouthofBrackmillsSUE–allocatedintheJointCoreStrategy

2. Other Projects:• RailCentralSRFI–proposed,butnotacommitment;

4.7.2 Thecumulativelandscapeandvisualeffectsassessmentthusconsiders;

• thecombinedandadditionaleffectsoftheproposedNorthamptonGatewaydevelopment,withtheotheridentifiedcommitted(allocated)projects.

• thecombinedandadditionaleffectsoftheproposedNorthamptonGatewaydevelopment(pluscommitteddevelopments)withtheRailCentralSRFIwerethisalsotobeapprovedinadditiontotheProposedDevelopment.

4.7.3 Intermsoftimescalesandconstructionthefollowinghasbeenassumedforthepurposesofthiscumulativeassessment:

1. Committed (Allocated) Projects:• NorthamptonSouthSustainableUrbanExtension(SUE)developmentisassumedto

commencein2018/19(asindicatedbyNBC)andisexpectedtotakearound11yearstocomplete.

• TheSouthofBrackmillsSUEisassumedtocommencein2018/19(asindicatedbyNBC)andisexpectedtotakearound9yearstocomplete.

2. Other Projects:• TheproposedRailCentralSRFIdevelopment.

4.7.4 FurtherdetailsonphasingandtimescalesoftheProposedDevelopmentareincludedwithinthephasingdetails(Chapter2).

1. Committed (Allocated) Projects

Cumulative Landscape Effects – Committed (Allocated) Projects4.7.5 Thecommitted(allocated)NorthamptonSouthSUEliestothenorthoftheMainSiteandonthe

oppositesideoftheM1motorway.Inlandscapetermstherearelikelytobelimitedcombined(oradditional)effectsarisingfromthisscheme.

4.7.6 Topographically,theNorthamptonSouthSUEsitegenerallyfallsawayfromtheMainSiteandtowardstheexistingurbanedge.Thereispotentiallyverylimitedintervisibilitybetweentherespectivesiteareasandinlocallandscapecharactertermstherespectivesiteareasaredifferentintermsofexistingcharacteristics,featuresandinfluences.Anycumulativelandscapeeffectsincombinationwiththisprojectarelikelytobelimitedtotheeffectsuponasmalllandscapeareafocussedalongashortstretchofthemotorwaycorridor.Thislandscapeisalreadydominatedbythemotorwaywithothernearbyurbanisinginfluences.TherewouldbenosignificantcumulativelandscapeeffectarisingfromtheProposedDevelopmentandtheNorthamptonSouthSUE.

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4.7.7 TheSouthofBrackmillsSUEismuchfurtherawayfromtheProposedDevelopment,locatedontheeasternedgeofNorthamptonsomedistancetothenorthandeastofthesite.Asaresultofthisdistanceandthenatureoftheinterveninglandformandurbanarea,thereisnointervisibilityandnosharedlandscapeorotherreceptors.Consequently,therewouldbenocumulativelandscapeeffectsarisingfromtheProposedDevelopmentandtheSouthofBrackmillsSUE.

Cumulative Visual Effects – Committed (Allocated) Projects4.7.8 CumulativevisualeffectsarisingfromtheNorthamptonSouthSUEarelikelytobeverylimited.

ViewstowardsboththeProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentandtheNorthamptonSouthSUEareconsideredtobeunlikelyfromCollingtree.ThelimitednumberofpropertiesatCollingtreethathaveanyviewstowardstheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Developmentarelocatedonitswesternside,whereasanyviewsfromthesettlementtowardstheNorthamptonSouthSUEarelikelytobelimitedtoitsnorthernedge.TheremaybesomecumulativevisualeffectsfrommoreelevatedpropertieswithinNorthampton(RefP14(SpyglassHill,Merefield,andBlackyMore)yetthesewouldalsobelimitedandnotsignificant.

4.7.9 TheremayalsobesomeverylimitedandlocalisedcumulativevisualeffectsforusersoftheM1motorwayandAshLane/CollingtreeRoad,withrestrictedorglimpsedviewstowardsbothdevelopmentsclosetothemotorwayoverbridge.Therewouldbenosignificantcumulativevisualeffect.

4.7.10 TherewouldbenocumulativevisualeffectswiththeSouthofBrackmillsSUEproject.

2. Other Projects – Rail Central SRFI

Cumulative Landscape Effects – Rail Central SRFI4.7.11 TheRailCentralproposeddevelopmentwillencompasssimilaruses,activitiesandfeaturestothat

oftheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Developmentielargescaleemploymentbuildingsandrailinfrastructure,withlargescalelandscapeareas.

4.7.12 Incombinationthetwoprojects,wouldoccupyalargelandscapeswatheextendingbetweentheM1motorwayintheeastandtheA43inthewest.Inevitably,theRailCentralproposalwillextendtheurbanisingandlargescaledevelopmentinfluencesacrossthecountrysidetothewestoftheMainSiteandwilldominatethelandextendingwestwardstotheA43.Incombinedterms,thiswillhaveasignificanteffectuponthecharacterofthelandscape.TherewouldbeanincreasedcombinedlandscapeeffectupontheTove CatchmentLCA(6a)andBugbrookeandDaventryLCA(13b),asdefinedintheNorthamptonshireCurrentLandscapeCharacterAssessmentandmostmarkedlyuponthemorelocalisedlandscape.

4.7.13 Incombination,theurbanisingandlargescaledevelopmentinfluencesislikelytoresultinaMajor Adverselandscapeeffect(duringconstructionanduponcompletion)atalocalisedandcombinedsitewidescale.Despitetheclosepositioningofthetworespectivesites,theydodifferinlandscapetermsandareseparatedatalocalisedscale.TheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentMainSitehasagentlefalleastwardstowardstheM1motorwaycorridorandtheedgeofNorthamptonandawayfromtheRailCentralsite.TheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentMainSiteiswellcontainedinvisualterms,whereastheRailCentralsiteoccupiesamoreopenandrurallandscapetothewest.

CHAPTER 4 - PG 50

4.7.14 Consequently,despitebothsiteslyingeffectivelyadjacenttoeachother,thesignificantnewmoundingandplantingandtheconservedwoodlandstothewesternsideandperimeteroftheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Development(-MainSite)-willcreateastrongdegreeoflocalisedseparationfromtheRailCentralsiteandthelandscapetothewest.ThiswouldnotnecessarilylessenthecombinedlandscapeeffectsoftherespectivedevelopmentsbutwouldcreateaclearerdistinctionbetweentheirrespectiveeffectsoverthelandscapestotheeastandwestoftheNorthamptonLoopLine.TheRailCentralproposalislikelytodominateandsignificantlyincreasethecumulativelandscapeeffectsoverthemoreopenandrurallandscapetothewest,whereastheNorthamptonGatewayproposalwilldominateamoreenclosed,activeandurbaninfluencedcontext.

4.7.15 After15yearsandthemanagementandgrowthoftherespectiveGIareasandassociatedplanting,bothschemeswouldbesetwithinmaturingandvisuallystrongerlandscapesettings.Notwithstandingthisthecombinedcumulativelandscapeeffectsofthetworailschemesislikelytoremainsignificant.Atthistime,thematuringplantingtothemoundingonthewesternsideoftheMainSitewouldfurtherreinforcetheseparationtotheRailCentralsitetothewest.

4.7.16 Incombination,thetworailschemeswouldinevitablyresultinsignificanteffectsuponthecharacterandfeaturesofthelandscapebetweentheM1motorwayandtheA43.Thereishowever,likelytobeadifferencebetweentheeffectoftheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentoveramorecontainedlandscapewithmoreexistingactiveandurbanisinginfluencesandthatoftheRailCentralproposaloverabroaderandmoreopenandrurallandscapetothewest.

4.7.17 InthiscontextitislikelythattheRailCentralproposeddevelopmentwouldhavearelativelygreateradverselandscapeeffectandcontributeagreaterproportionofthecombinedadverseeffectuponthelandscape.

Cumulative Visual Effects – Rail Central SRFI4.7.18 ThemostnotableeffectswillarisefromtheProposedDevelopmentontheMainSitein

combinationwiththeRailCentralproposal.Subjecttotheconstructionperiodsoftherespectivedevelopmentprojectsthiscouldincludesomecumulativevisualeffectsduringconstruction.

4.7.19 ThevisualreceptorslikelytobemostaffectedincumulativetermswillbethosewithviewstowardstheProposedDevelopmentandtheRailCentralproposalfromwest,northwestandsouthwestoftheMainSite.ThesewillincludepropertiesontheedgeofMiltonMalsorandBlisworthandanumberorPublicRightsofWay(PROW)westoftheMainSiteandsouthoftheWestCoastMainLine(WCML).TherewouldbenocumulativevisualeffectswiththeRoadeBypassproposals.

Settlement and Properties4.7.20 TherewillbeviewssouthwardstowardstheRailCentralproposalforpropertiesandlocations

onthesouthernsideofMiltonMalsor(ReceptorP1).FromtheselocationsandpropertiesthecumulativecombinedvisualeffectswillbedominatedbytheRailCentralproposalwithanyviewstowardstheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentmorelimitedandrestrictedprincipallytotheperimetermoundingandplantingalongthenorthwestedgeoftheMainSite.

4.7.21 TheresultantcumulativevisualeffectislikelytovaryuptoMajorAdverseforthosesettlementedgepropertieswithviewstothesouth,southeastandsouthwest.Forthosepropertieswiththeclearestviewsinthesedirections,theRailCentralproposalwouldbecloserandmoreprominent.

4.7.22 ThereisunlikelytobeanycumulativevisualeffectsarisinguponanypropertiesatCollingtree(RefP4).TherewouldhoweverbesomecumulativevisualeffectsuponresidentsofCourteenhallWestLodge/Farm(RefP6)tothesouthoftheMainSite.ViewsnorthwardsandnorthwestwardsfromthispropertywouldincludebothdevelopmentprojectsandislikelytoresultinaMajorAdverseandsignificanteffect(duringconstructionanduponcompletion).

CHAPTER 4 - PG 51

4.7.23 FromthelimitednumberofpropertiesontheedgeofBlisworth(RefsP9&P10)withviewstowardstheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentMainSite,theRailCentralproposalwouldbevisibleasadominantfeatureinthelandscape.ThisschemewouldobscureelevatednortheasterlyviewstowardstheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Development.TheresultantcumulativeeffectuponthesepropertiesislikelytobeMajorAdverse(duringconstructionanduponcompletion)andsignificantandthesevisualeffectswouldariseasaresultofviewstowardstheRailCentralschemeonly.

4.7.24 SimilarcumulativevisualeffectsarelikelytoariseforsomepropertiesonNorthamptonRd(P11)andGaytonRd(P12).FrombothoftheselocationstheRailCentralproposalwouldbevisibleasadominantfeatureinthelandscapeandwouldobscureanyeasterlyviewstowardstheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Development.TheresultantcumulativeeffectuponthesepropertiesislikelytobeMajorAdverse(duringconstructionanduponcompletion)andsignificantandthesevisualeffectswouldalsoariseasaresultofviewstowardstheRailCentralschemeonly.

4.7.25 Elevatedandexpansiveviewspotentiallyencompassingbothschemesarelikelytobepossiblefromsomepartsoftheurbanarea(atWoottonSpyglassHill,MerefieldandBlackyMore(RefsP14&P15)).Receptorsattheselocationsareunlikelytoexperienceanysignificantcumulativevisualeffects.

Public Rights of Way (PROW) and Other Footpaths etc4.7.26 SomesignificantcumulativevisualeffectsuponusersofPROWwillarisefromtheRailCentral

proposalincombinationwiththeProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Development.ThemostnotablecumulativeeffectswillariseforusersofthePROWtothewestoftheMainSite(RefsF3–F8).ThesePROWextendacrossthesiteoftheRailCentralproposalandacrosstherisinglandtothesouthandwestofthissite.ThisincludesPROWaroundandtotheeastofBlisworth.

4.7.27 ThecombinedvisualeffectsuponusersofthesePROWarelikelytoarisealmostentirelyfromtheRailCentralproposal,givenitspositionandlikelyprominencewithinthislandscape.TheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentwillpotentiallyalsobevisibletoamorelimiteddegreefromelevatedpositionsonthePROWtothesouthwest.However,anyviewsoftheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentfromthesepositionswillbemorelimitedandwherevisibleitisonlylikelytobeseeninsmallpartbeyondthevisuallydominantRailCentralproposal.ThecumulativevisualeffectsuponusersofthesePROW(RefsF3–F8)islikelytobeMajorAdverse(duringconstructionanduponcompletion)andsignificantandthesevisualeffectswouldariseeitherasaresultoftheRailCentralschemeonly,orpredominantlyasaresultoftheRailCentralscheme.

4.7.28 TherewillalsobesomelikelysignificantvisualeffectsarisingfromtheRailCentralproposalonPROWtothenorthofBlisworth,includingfromtheGreatUnionCanalWalk(RefsF9&F10).Fromtheseroutes,anyviewswillonlybetowardstheRailCentralproposalasthiswouldobscureanymorelimitedanddistantviewstowardstheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Development.

Roads4.7.29 CumulativevisualeffectswillbeexperiencedbyusersofCourteenhallRoad(RefR6),linking

BlisworthwiththeA508.Forusersofthisroad,therewouldbeviewsfromstretchesofittowardsboththeRailCentralproposalandtheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Development.Intheseviews,theRailCentralproposalwouldbethemorevisuallyprominentofthetwoschemesandtheresultantcumulativevisualeffectislikelytobeuptoMajorAdverse(duringconstructionanduponcompletion)andsignificantwherevisiblealongtheroad.

CHAPTER 4 - PG 52

4.7.30 CumulativevisualeffectsuponusersoftheA43,NorthamptonRoad(RefR8)andGaytonRoad(Blisworth)(RefR7)willalsobedominatedbytheRailCentralproposalwithanypotentialviewstowardstheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentobscuredbytheinterveningRailCentralproposals.ThecumulativevisualeffectsupontheseroadusersarelikelytobeModerate/MajororModerateAdverse(duringconstructionanduponcompletion)andthesevisualeffectswouldariseasaresultofviewstowardstheRailCentralschemeonly.

Other Receptors 4.7.31 Cumulativevisualeffectswillbeexperiencedbyusersoftheraillines(NLRL(RefO1)andWCML

(RefO2)).ForusersoftheNLRL,theProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentwillbesitedtotheeastandtheRailCentralproposaltothewestofthisline.Closeviewstowardsbothproposalswillarisefortherelativelyshortstretchofthelineimmediatelyadjoiningtherespectivesiteareas.ThemoreopenexistingviewsfromthisstretchoftheNLRLaregenerallyacrossthelandscapeandRailCentralsitetothewest.ViewstowardstheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentMainSitearemorerestrictedbytherisingground.

4.7.32 TheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentwillincludesubstantialmoundingandplantingalongsidetheNLRLandatunnelaccesstothenorthernpartofthesite.Boththeproposedbuiltandrailrelateddevelopmentwouldbeeffectivelyscreenedbytheseperimeterearthworksandlandscapeproposals.TheRailCentralproposalisalsolikelytobescreenedyettoalesserdegreebymoundingandplantingproposalsandwouldresultinarelativelygreaterdegreeofvisualchangeandeffect.ThecumulativevisualeffectforusersoftheNLRLoverthisshortstretchofthelineislikelytobeModerate/MajorAdverse(duringconstructionanduponcompletion)andsignificant.

4.7.33 ForusersoftheWCML,closeandclearviewsoftheRailCentralproposalwillbepossibleforthestretchoflineadjoiningthissite.ItisunlikelythattherewillbeanyviewsbeyondthisproposaltoanypartoftheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Development.ThecumulativevisualeffectforusersoftheWCMLoverthisshortstretchofthelineislikelytobesignificant,yetthiswillariseonlyfromtheRailCentralproposal.

Cumulative Effects – Rail Central and the Bypass Corridor / Highway Mitigation Measures4.7.34 TherewouldbenocumulativelandscapeorvisualeffectswithRailCentralarisingfromtheBypass

CorridorproposalsandnosignificantcumulativevisualeffectswithRailCentralarisingfromtheHighwayMitigationMeasures.TherewouldbesomepotentialcumulativeeffectsarisingfromworksatJunction15A,yetthesearenotlikelytoresultinanysignificantcumulativeeffects.

4.7.35 However,itisimportanttonotethatitisnotclearwhathighwayworksmightbenecessarytoaccommodatebothschemes,ifbothwereapproved.AlthoughsomeconsiderationhasbeengiventothelikelycumulativetransporteffectsbasedonbothSRFIsasproposed,ifmorehighwaysmitigationinterventionswererequiredthecumulativeeffectscouldincrease.

CHAPTER 4 - PG 53

Cumulative Landscape and Visual Effects – Summary4.7.36 Thecumulativelandscapeandvisualeffectsoftheproposeddevelopmenthavebeenassessedin

additionto,andincombinationwiththetwocommitted(allocated)SUEs(NorthamptonSouthSUEandSouthofBrackmills).Inaddition,considerationhasbeengiventotheproposedRailCentralSRFIonanadjacent,alternativesite.

4.7.37 Thecumulativeeffectsalongsidethecommitted(allocated)SUEsarelargelylimitedornegligible,andwouldnotbesignificant.However,therearelikelytobesomesignificantcumulativelandscapeandvisualeffectsarisingfromtheRailCentralSRFIprojectincombinationwiththeProposedDevelopment.

4.7.38 AsignificantcumulativeeffectuponthecharacterandfeaturesofthelandscapestretchingbetweentheM1motorwayintheeastandtheA43inthewestislikelytoarisefromthecombinedeffectsoftheRailCentralproposal,ifapproved,alongsidetheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Development.

4.7.39 Inthiscontexthowever,thereislikelytobeadifferencebetweentheeffectoftheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentoveramorecontainedlandscapewithexistingactiveandurbanisinginfluencesandthatoftheRailCentralproposaloverabroaderandmoreopenandrurallandscape.Consequently,theRailCentralproposalwouldhavearelativelygreateradverselandscapeeffectandcontributeagreaterproportionofthecombinedcumulativeeffectuponthislandscape.

4.7.40 Invisualterms,themostnotablecumulativeeffectswillariseforreceptorstothewest,northwestandsouthwestoftheMainSite.SomepropertiesatMiltonMalsor,BlisworthandinthegeneralvicinityofthesesettlementswillexperiencesignificantcumulativevisualeffectsfromtheRailCentralproposalincombinationwiththeProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Development.Similarly,usersofaseriesofPROWwillalsoexperiencesignificantcumulativevisualeffectsarisingfromthecombinedproposals.

4.7.41 TheRailCentralproposalwouldcontributeasignificantlygreaterproportionofanycombinedvisualeffectsuponthesereceptorsandfromanumberofreceptorsandlocationstheRailCentralproposalwouldscreenanyviewstowardstheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Development.FromwestandsouthwestoftheMainSiteboundary,theProposed(NorthamptonGateway)Developmentwouldgenerallyconstituteamorelimitedanddistantpartofanyviewstowardsthecombinedproposals.Inthemediumandlongerterm,theperimetermoundingandplantingtothewesternsideoftheMainSitewouldbeincreasinglyeffectiveinvisuallyseparatingtheProposed(NorthamptonGateway)DevelopmentfromtheRailCentralsiteandlandscapetothewest.