The following list should assist in using available information to shape proposals for renewable energy development and assist in assessing and appraising planning applications.

1. What type of change is proposed?
2. To which Landscape Character Type (LCT) does the proposal relate (refer to Figure 2.1)? Is the site within a National Landscape or a Local Landscape Designation? If a proposal is close to the edge of two or more LCTs, all relevant profiles will need to be consulted.
3. To what degree does the site reflect the typical sensitivities identified in the sensitivity criteria for the LCT in question? Which of these sensitivities will be affected by the proposal and how?
4. Does the assessment text identify any areas of higher or lower sensitivity at Landscape Character Area (LCA) level that may be applicable to the proposal?
5. Are there any specific site opportunities for mitigation (including those identified in relevant LCA or LLD profiles)?

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Guidance on undertaking Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

Overall need/purpose

A landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) is a key part of assessing the effect of proposed wind energy or solar PV developments, including as part of the EIA process. An EIA may not be required for all developments however it is likely that a landscape and visual impact assessment or appraisal (LVIA) will be required to accompany the planning application. The level of detail required will be dependent upon the sensitivity of the site and the nature of the proposal and its potential effects. Pre-application discussions with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Councils are strongly recommended for all wind energy and solar PV applications. This will provide an opportunity to agree the scope, level of detail and presentation of the LVIA, and ensure that it is based on accurate and up-to-date information. The LVIA should address the key landscape issues raised by the proposals, providing information that is relevant, necessary and material to the decisions to be made. All renewable energy applications potentially affecting the North Wessex Downs or Chilterns National Landscapes will automatically require an LVIA.

General guidance on LVIA is provided in the Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment’s ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment’ (GLVIA3). However, the following guidance sets out the type of information that could be expected to be submitted as part of an LVIA for a solar PV or wind energy development in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse. In addition, LVIAs for EIA developments should comply with the scoping opinion given by the planning authority where this has been sought.

The following section sets out the required components of an LVIA, in terms of information required to submit along with a planning application.

Project description

The planning application should include a description of the project at each phase in its life cycle in sufficient detail to allow the assessment of landscape and visual effects including:

• The location, layout, orientation and dimensions or extent of all plant and structures (including plans, elevations and sections);
• A description of the scale and duration of project activities during construction, operation, and decommissioning (including method of construction and traffic generation);
• Information on site access including routes for transport of renewables infrastructure, including any need for removal of landscape features;
• Location and size of temporary lay down areas, construction compounds, materials storage, temporary fencing, foundations and site cable runs;
• Excavation/levelling details and soil removal estimates (if applicable);
• Plans for site reinstatement;
• Details of any tracking or moving mechanisms;
• Location, specification and design of any structures, roads, hardstanding or storage buildings, temporary and permanent;
• Location and appearance of any signage, security features, lighting, fencing and onsite and offsite grid connection points (substation/switchgear cabinet);
• Plans for landscape mitigation measures and/or landscape enhancement; and
• Plans for decommissioning (removal of infrastructure and ancillary structures, proposals for restoration and future land management).

The LVIA should highlight those aspects of the development that are the key sources of landscape and visual change.

Baseline studies

The baseline studies should set out the existing conditions within the study area. The study area should be agreed with the planning authority. Information on land use, landscape features, landscape character and landscape designations should be provided, drawing on the Landscape Character Assessments and National Landscape (AONB) Management Plans (where relevant to the site in question). A field survey should be undertaken to supplement desk based information.

The landscape baseline should be evaluated in accordance with the ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment’ (3^rd Edition) – known as GLVIA3.

A zone of theoretical visibility (ZTV) should be prepared to indicate the area over which the renewable energy development may be seen. These should consider all components of the renewable energy development e.g. solar PV panels and associated infrastructure. ZTVs should be used, alongside fieldwork, to identify representative assessment viewpoints. These viewpoints should be discussed and agreed with the planning authority and other stakeholders. The number of viewpoints required will vary depending on the size of the development and sensitivity of the location. Priority should be given to views from distances of less than 3km and from sensitive locations (e.g. residential areas, areas popular with visitors or for outdoor recreation where views may be focussed on the landscape and recognised/iconic views). If the development is visible from a protected landscape there will be a requirement for at least one viewpoint from that landscape. The purpose for selection should be recorded within the LVIA.

Mitigation

As a consequence of the assessment process there are likely to be modifications to the scheme design to minimise landscape and visual effects, particularly for larger schemes. In addition, there may be measures to prevent, reduce or offset significant adverse effects. These should be described in terms of relationship to/conservation of valued landscape features, relationship to landscape character (particularly topography, scale, landform and landscape pattern), and appearance from sensitive viewpoints and designated landscape. All mitigation measures should be described and an indication of how they will be implemented provided. Mitigation itself may have an impact on the landscape character, for example, hedgerow screening for a solar PV development could interrupt important long-distance views.

A description of the main reasons for site selection and any alternatives in site design or layout would also be helpful.

Enhancement

Enhancement aims to improve the character and quality of the landscape. It may take many forms, including improved land management or creation of new landscapes or features. Landscape enhancement, as part of a proposal, will be looked upon favourably.

Description of effects

This section should systematically identify and describe the likely effects of the proposal, identifying magnitude of change as a deviation from baseline conditions. Methods should be clearly set out. The assessment should cover effects at construction, operational and decommissioning phases and should consider direct, indirect, secondary, short, medium and long term effects. Effects on landscape features/fabric, landscape character, landscape values and visual amenity should be assessed.

• Effects on landscape features/fabric should consider loss of elements (e.g. hedges, trees).
• Effects on landscape character should describe the direct changes that will occur to the character of the landscape in which the proposal is located and the indirect changes to character of landscapes from where the development will be visible – this should include how the renewable energy development will affect perceptions of character and how widespread and prominent the changes will be.
• Effects on landscape values should describe any potential changes in special qualities of landscapes as recorded in Landscape Character Assessments. Particular weight should be given to conserving and enhancing the natural beauty and protecting the special qualities of protected landscapes, focussing on the reasons for designation referred to in their Management Plans.
• Effects on visual amenity should describe and illustrate the extent of visibility and record changes in views from the representative assessment viewpoints with reference to photographs and visualisations. The assessment needs to ensure that the representative viewpoints and visualisations are used to explain the impact of the scheme on visual receptors (e.g. on roads or public rights of way) across the whole route, rather than just spot points.
• Effects on settlements and individual properties should also be considered where relevant.

Assessment of significance

The significance of effects should be assessed by reference to GLVIA 3. The assessment should identify which effects are considered to be significant in the context of the EIA Regulations (for EIA development), as well as which are adverse or beneficial. Methods should be clearly set out and any assumptions clearly stated. The report should acknowledge that when assessments result in multiple negative effects, even when these are not classified as significant under EIA regulations, the cumulative effect of these can be significant.

Presentation of the LVIA

The document should be clear and logical in its layout and presentation. It should be a balanced document providing an unbiased account of the landscape and visual effects, with reasoned and justifiable arguments. A glossary of technical terms and reference list would also be helpful. For EIA development, a non-technical summary should be provided to enable a non-specialist to understand the landscape and visual effects of the proposal – this should include a summary description of the development, the aspects of landscape character and visual amenity likely to be significantly affected, and the mitigation measures to be implemented.

Maps and illustrations to accompany an LVIA

The number of maps and illustrations may vary according to the sensitivity of the site and type of proposal. Where possible, a suitable OS base should be used to indicate vegetation and public rights of way.

As a guide, the following illustrations will typically be required as part of an LVIA (see next section for maps and figures required as part of a cumulative assessment):

• A site layout plan showing position of infrastructure, access arrangements, location of any compounds, and all ancillary elements for the development in the context of the physical landscape fabric (this may already form part of the planning application in which case it can be cross-referenced);
• National character areas within the study area;
• Landscape Character Areas/Types (distance dependent upon scale of development);
• National landscape designations, open access land and public rights of way within the study area;
• Local landscape designations, rights of way and ancient woodland closer to the site (distance dependent upon scale of development);
• Mapping of historic parks and gardens, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, listed buildings and heritage trails may also be relevant to the LVIA (this information may also be recorded in the cultural heritage assessment);
• Zone of Theoretical Visibility within study area or an indication of extent of visibility (including the proportion of the site which will be theoretically visible if possible, and clearly indicating distance radii from the site);
• A map showing viewpoint locations, overlaid onto the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (may be combined with above maps if relevant);
• Zone of Theoretical Visibility overlaid onto character areas and designations (likely to be more than one map); and
• Photographs and photomontages/visualisations for viewpoints to illustrate the location and extent of development in the landscape, provided and reproduced at a minimum viewing distance of 30-50cm, and reflect best practice. Viewpoint locations and type of visualisation will need to be agreed with the LPA. Winter views are usually required as outlined in GLVIA3.

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Cumulative Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (CLVIA)

Overall need/purpose

Cumulative assessment as part of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required under the EU Directive on EIA (Directive 97/11/EC amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment), which was implemented from 1999. It refers to ‘an additional cumulative effect that is additional to the impact to be expected from the developments taken individually’ (The Council of the European Union, 1997).

The Landscape Institute defines cumulative landscape and visual effects as ‘additional changes to landscape and visual amenity caused by the proposed development in conjunction with other developments (associated with or separate to it) or actions that have occurred in the past, present or are likely to occur in the foreseeable future’. Cumulative effects can trigger the EIA process. Even if EIA is not required, it is likely that a cumulative landscape and visual impact assessment or appraisal (CLVIA) will be required to accompany the planning application.

Differences between LVIA and CLVIA

Although both cumulative and non-cumulative landscape and visual impact assessment (CLVIA and LVIA respectively) consider the effects of a renewable energy development on views and on the landscape character of the surrounding area, there are differences in the baseline against which the assessments are carried out.

For LVIA, the baseline is the existing landscape, which includes any existing solar PV or wind energy developments. This is a known baseline that can be clearly defined. For CLVIA, the baseline is to some extent uncertain, and is partially speculative. This is because renewable energy developments considered as part of the baseline should include not only those existing in the landscape, but also those which are consented but not yet built. The baseline may therefore include (in addition to existing renewables developments):

• Renewables developments currently under construction
• Renewables developments which have been granted planning permission but are not yet constructed;

Schemes that are at the pre-planning or scoping stage are not generally considered in the assessment. They should only be included “if absolutely necessary to make a realistic assessment of potential cumulative effects”. In accordance with GLVIA 3 it may also be necessary to separately consider the total and additional cumulative effects of developments. The list of schemes to include and assessment scenarios should be agreed with the Council who will need to decide what is reasonable and proportionate to request for specific applications.

Information required to be submitted as part of a CLVIA

The level of detail required will be dependent upon the sensitivity of the site, the nature of the proposal and other existing and proposed schemes, and the potential for cumulative effects. A pre-planning application meeting with the relevant LPA may provide an opportunity to discuss scope. The following presents some guidance on undertaking CLVIA of wind energy/solar PV developments in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse.

Study area and sites to be included

It is suggested that the CLVIA focuses on potentially significant cumulative effects and that a study area is selected to enable these significant effects to be reported. Study areas will depend on the size and location of other existing and proposed schemes within the landscape and will vary with type of landscape, but initial areas of search may be up to 10km from the proposal. Sequential impacts should also be considered, for example along a long-distance footpath. All existing and proposed renewables developments should be mapped within that area. The assessment may then focus in on ‘hotspot’ areas to identify likely significant effects – these ‘sub-areas’ might be less than 10km from the development. This will help keep the assessment proportional to the scale of the project and the nature of its likely effects.

Cumulative ZTV Analysis

Creating Zones of Theoretical Visibility (ZTVs) for each development, and overlaying these to create a CZTV, could help indicate areas where the proposed development is predicted to be visible (either on its own, or in conjunction with other renewables developments), and areas where other renewables developments will be visible but the proposed development will not. This can help focus the assessment.

Applicants should assess the cumulative landscape and visual effects of different scenarios, if applicable. This may include, for example, a scenario that considers the proposed development in the context of other existing, under construction and consented renewables developments (a fairly certain scenario) as well as a scenario that considers the proposed development in the context of other existing, under construction and consented developments.

Choice of viewpoints

A number of viewpoints should be selected to illustrate cumulative visual effects arising from the renewable energy development being assessed, in combination with other existing and proposed renewable energy developments. These selected viewpoints may be the same as, or a subset, of the main LVIA viewpoints, or they may be different. In any case they should be selected specifically to illustrate cumulative effects, including sequential views, representing the worst-case. These should be agreed with the relevant LPA prior to submission of a planning application and preferably at the scoping stage.

Baseline evaluation for the CLVIA

The sensitivity of the landscape and visual resource will be the same as that recorded in the LVIA. However, SNH guidance on CLVIA recommends that key routes should also form part of the cumulative assessment. If routes are included in the assessment their sensitivity will also need evaluating. Key routes should be selected with reference to guidance published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH, 2012) and should include well used or important routes (e.g. National and Regional Trails and well used tourist routes) that may be affected by cumulative effects.

Preparing cumulative visualisations

Cumulative visualisation, to a level agreed with the LPA, and/or photomontages should be prepared from viewpoints to illustrate the nature and degree of cumulative change to the landscape and views. This is particularly important in cases where significant cumulative effects are predicted.

Describing and assessing effects

Magnitude of cumulative change to landscape

The magnitude of cumulative change to landscape character is the influence the additional renewables development will have on the character of the area which is informed by:

• The distance over which the development will have an influence on landscape character in combination with other renewables developments;
• The siting or location of the development being assessed in relation to other existing and proposed renewables developments (and their relationship to landscape character types);
• The design of the renewable energy development being assessed in relation to other existing and proposed renewable energy developments (including scale and layout of the development); and
• Whether key characteristics of the surrounding landscape are affected by the cumulative impact.

It will also be important to consider the combined effect of fencing, tracks, buildings and other ancillary features of the renewable energy developments on the landscape.

Magnitude of cumulative change to views

The magnitude of cumulative change to views should be described taking into account the following considerations:

• The arrangement of developments in the view, e.g. developments seen in one direction or part of the view, or seen in many directions;
• The visibility/prominence of the Proposed Development compared to the other existing and proposed schemes;
• The apparent distances, from the viewer, and between developments;
• The relationship between the various sizes and layouts of the developments;
• In the case of magnitude of change to routes (sequential effects), the relative duration of views of developments from routes;
• It will also be important to consider the combined effect of tracks on views; and
• The CLVIA may also consider cumulative effect on views from settlements through use of CZTVs and visits to the settlements.

Effect on designated landscapes

The CLVIA should set out the implications of cumulative effects on designated landscapes within the study area – for example North Wessex Downs and Chilterns National Landscapes (AONBs).

Significance

The assessment should identify which effects are considered to be significant in the context of the EIA Regulations (for EIA development), as well as which are adverse or beneficial.

Figures

The number of maps and illustrations may vary according to the sensitivity of the site, the nature of the proposal and other existing and proposed schemes, and the potential for cumulative effects. However, as a guide the following illustrations will typically be required as part of a CLVIA for EIA development:

• Location map for all operational, consented and application sites within the study area, presented on a 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 OS base to indicate public rights of way, with concentric distance bands;
• CZTV for existing and proposed renewable energy developments in combination with the proposed development (CZTVs may be particularly useful for larger schemes – more than one CZTV may be useful to show different scenarios, as set out in the guidance above);
• CZTVs overlaid onto landscape character areas, landscape designations and cumulative assessment viewpoints as relevant; and
• Photographs or visualisations (comprising photomontages) of up to 360 degrees to show the proposed development in the context of other developments – annotated with site name, status (operational, permitted, application), and distance to each development, and clearly labelled to indicate how the images should be held and viewed