L ANDS CAPEANDVI S UALAS S E S S ME NT OFPROPOS E DHOWBROOKOPE NCAS TCOALWORKI NGS
AS S E S S ME NTPE RI ODDE C2011–J AN2012
3&4 5 8 13 19 24 30 34 36 37
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5
The Scenario and the Development Proposal
1.5 Landscape Impact Assessment describes changes created
1.1 Cobex Ltd has commissioned this independent specialist
by the development to the areas fabric, character and quality, whereas Visual Impact Assessment describes changes in the perceived landscape namely views of the development area.
document to contribute towards an Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Statement which accompanies their planning application to extract coal by opencast mining from a site near Howbrook. The site is north of Sheffield and south of Barnsley and approximately 300 metres to the north east of the village of Howbrook [Fig. 1]. The development proposal covers approximately 47 hectares of agricultural land.
1.6 Landscape and visual impacts are assessed separately and both play an important role in EIA because these impacts have an immediately apparent and direct effect on the perceived quality and value of the landscape.
The Legislative Framework for EIA
1.2 The European Union Council Directive 97/1/EC sets out a procedure for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), implemented in England and Wales by the Town and Country Planning Regulations 1999, that must be followed for certain types of project before planning permission is granted. An EIA attempts to collect all relevant information regarding the environmental impacts of a proposed development, and allows an unbiased analysis and evaluation, through assessment by the promoter and review by the decision maker, to ensure a sound understanding of the proposal before deciding whether to allow it to proceed.
1.3 Developments where EIA is required are listed in Schedule 1 of the UK EIA regulations (Annex 1 of the EC Directive) which includes open cast mining of over 25 hectares in extent. An EIA must also be completed in compliance with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough’s Unitary Development Plan (2000) Volume 1 - Part II Mineral Extraction Policy M9A. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
1.4 The scope of this document focuses on the assessment of landscape and visual impacts of the development on the environment, which forms a part of the EIA. It consists of landscape character and visual baseline studies, an assessment of the predicted impacts and a proposal for the mitigation of negative impacts, along with a restoration plan which will contribute to the objectives of the Community Forest and refer to relevant local polices.
6
Figure 1: Howbrook Development Proposal Site
7
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2
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8
Landscape Character
2.1 The landscape is described as a distinct and recognisable pattern of elements and characteristics that compose the character of a particular landscape. The character of a landscape can be seen to have several observable features which include landform, landcover including vegetation and built up areas and cultural elements which combine to give a landscape its own unique scenic quality and sense of place.
2.2 The proposal site falls into 2 main character areas designated by Natural England on a regional level and Barnsley Borough Council on a local level, namely Character Area 38: Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield and E1: West Barnsley Settled Woodland Farmland, and is on the edge of another Natural England designed character area Character Area 37: Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe [Fig 2].
Figure 2: Landscape Character of Howbrook and Surrounding Area 9
2.3 The descriptions for each of these areas can be found in the character area survey checklist [Table 1] along with the noted presence of each these characteristics at different locations shown in [Fig 3] within and immediately around the site.
Figure 3: Landscape Character of Howbrook Site
10
Widespread influence of transport routes, including canal, road (M1, M62) and rail, with ribbon developments emphasising the urban influence in the landscape. Rolling landforms with hills, escarpments and broad valleys.
LOCATION
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
2
1
2
3
3
LOCATION
1
LOCATION
3
View to field shielded by row of trees. Heavily built up residential suburb.
Very good vantage point. Divided into three distinct separate sections of agriculture, housing and woodland. Remnant stone on site.
Views into Westwood Country Park. Pastoral fields and some degraded hedgerows. Limestone walls in good condition. Pylons.
Both pastoral and arable fields. Some buildings and wide road with walkway.
Some built up area. Wide road. Both pastoral and arable fields.
Close proximity to Storrs Dike stream and Westwood Country Park. Pastoral fields, hedgerows and walkway/path present. No view of housing.
Arable fields. Close proximity to Westwood Country Park. Degraded hedgerows with large gaps. Pylons.
Pastoral fields. Pylons dominate fields. Degrading stone walls.
ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTIONS
TABLE 4 ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTIONS
Urban encroachment visible to the east, outside the character area.
Large stone country houses set within designated parkland landscapes.
Villages and hamlets set in open countryside.
Stone farmsteads, often with large modern outbuildings.
Irregularly shaped small, medium sized and large fields bounded by hedgerows, stone walls and fences.
Substantial areas of intact agricultural land, both in arable and pastoral use.
Gently rolling landform with hills and broad valleys. Small, medium sized and large woodlands, mainly deciduous and some coniferous.
WEST BARNSLEY SETTLED WOODED FARMLAND
TABLE 3 CHARACTER AREA E1:
Dense network of roads, canals and railways.
Impression of a well-wooded landscape even though tree cover is relatively sparse overall.
Predominantly broadleaved woodlands on steep valley sides forming important backdrops to industrialised areas.
Predominantly pastoral farming with strong linear patterns of walled enclosures on plateaux.
Urban development mainly confined by valleys creating dramatic interplay of views between settlements and the surrounding hillsides.
Predominance of local sandstone and ‘gritstone’ as a building material notably in large and dominant industrial buildings.
Close conjunction of large-scale industry, urban areas and transport routes with open countryside.
Extensive urban influences from the matrix of large and small towns.
Eastern slopes of the Pennines, dropping from upland in the west down to the east, dissected by numerous steep-sided valleys.
YORKSHIRE SOUTHERN PENNINE FRINGE
TABLE 2 CHARACTER AREA 37:
Strong cultural identity arising from history of coal mining and other heavy industry.
Local variation in landscape character reflecting variations in underlying geology.
Small, fragmented remnants of pre-industrial landscape and semi-natural vegetation, including many areas of woodland, river valley habitats, subsidence flashes and other relict habitats. Ever-present urban influences from major cities, smaller industrial towns and mining villages.
2
1
LOCATION
Substantial areas of intact agricultural land in both arable and pastoral use.
Many areas affected by urban fringe pressures creating fragmented and downgraded landscapes.
Complex mix of built-up areas, industrial land, dereliction and farmed open country.
Widespread evidence of industrial activity including mine buildings, former spoil tips and iron and steel plants.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, DERBYSHIRE AND YORKSHIRE COALFIELD
TABLE 1 CHARACTER AREA 38 :
11
4
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
8
Landscape Character Receptors
2.4 As can be seen from [Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4] the site shows evidence of most of the elements and characteristics described for each character area with a few exceptions which may not be present unless the site was over a considerably larger area. The following are the most notably present:
A complex mix of built-up areas, industrial land, dereliction and farmed open country.
Small, fragmented remnants of pre-industrial landscape and seminatural vegetation, including many areas of woodland, river valley habitats, subsidence flashes and other relict habitats.
Small, medium sized and large woodlands, mainly deciduous and some coniferous.
Gently rolling landform with hills and broad valleys.
Irregularly shaped small, medium sized and large fields bounded by hedgerows, stone walls and fences.
Stone farmsteads, often with large modern outbuildings.
Villages and hamlets set in open countryside.
Widespread influence of transport routes, including canal, road (M1, M62) and rail, with ribbon developments emphasising the urban influence in the landscape.
The following is a list of potential receptors to the impacts of the development proposal:
Trees, woodlands, hedgerows and unimproved grassland.
Landform and topographic features including open hill tops, valleys, open green space and farmland.
River corridors, streams, and rivers (as they are all linked).
Built elements including limestone walls, walks, farmsteads, villages, hamlets, suburbs and roads.
2.6 Being designated as composing of valued elements and characteristics places a bearing on the importance of the site as a resource locally as well as regionally, which is considered when assessing predicted impacts on the overall landscape character. This will contribute towards identifying areas for potential enhancement and other mitigation proposals.
2.5 The overall landscape character reflects its close proximity to the Peak District National Park and mimics its landform. Within the site it is important to note the three streams cutting across it, namely Storrs Dike which forms the northern boundary just below Westwood Country Park, an unnamed tributary of Storrs Dike and How Brook. Most of the land is currently being used for arable farming and permanent pasture bounded mainly by degraded hedgerows and some limestone walls. There are also a number of mature trees present and a field of unimproved grassland with biodiversity value. A small walkway is also present located within the boundary of the proposal below Storrs Dike and the edge of Westwood Country Park.
12
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3
Z oneofVi s ua l I nfluenc e Repr es en v eVi e wpoi nt s Vi s ua l Rec ept or s
13
14
15
16
17
Visual Receptors
3.7 The following is a list of potential receptors of visual impacts:
Residents – living in surrounding areas of close proximity or further out in ZVI.
Road users – e.g. commuters and travellers.
Visitors – i.e. users of recreational landscapes / public footpaths e.g. walkers / ramblers, horse riders, mountain bikers / cyclists and tourists / day trippers.
The degree to which the receptors will be affected depends on their numbers and duration of view.
Figure 13: Visual Receptors
The above are estimated figures representing the statistics of each receptor group. For example 55% of the receptors will be residents and each resident will be affected by the visual impact for approximately 12 hours of the day. Road users who generally just pass by the area will be least affected and visitors to the area affected for only their duration of stay.
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4 L a nds c a peI mpa c t s L a nds c a peI mpa c tAs s es s ment L a nds c a peI mpa c tPr edi cons L a nds c a peI mpa c tMig a on
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Landscape Impacts
4.1 This part of the assessment predicts the landscape and visual impacts of the proposed development, identifying and describing what will take place. Predicted and potential impacts are not to be confused. Potential impacts are those which are scoped on a broader and more general scale and are not site specific. As well as a description of identified impacts there is also an attempt to estimate their magnitude and provide an assessment of their nature and significance.
4.2 Landscape and visual impacts are assessed separately. Landscape Impact Assessment deals with changes to individual landscape elements and characteristics and the resulting effect these changes will have on the overall landscape character due to the proposed development. These impacts have been summarised in [Table 5]. Landscape Impact Predictions
4.3 In describing what the character of the site will become without any of Cobex Ltd’s mitigation proposals the impacts would cause potentially mainly adverse effects on the perceived landscape character at both regional and local level. The South Yorkshire Community Forest extends into the site along the How Brook and through the tributary of Storrs Dike and forms a green corridor into the Peak District National Park. These streams and the semi-natural vegetation that surround them would potentially be polluted and/or damaged in some way whether directly or indirectly and in the worst-case scenario these impacts would be irreversible. Natural England may have to rethink the boundaries of Westwood Country Park to not include the site.
4.4 The development would potentially have a more severe and irreversible impact on the site itself, approximately 35 hectares worth of loss and damage to characteristic contours, semi-natural vegetation, farmland and elements including the streams, mature trees, hedgerows and limestone walls. This would completely change the character of the site into one uncharacteristic and uncomplimentary to its surroundings. 20
FEATURES
LANDCOVER
LANDFORM LAND USE
SITE LEVEL
LANDCOVER
LANDUSE
LANDFORM
Mature trees. Unimproved grassland. Species poor hedgerows. Limestone walls.
Storrs Dike, its tributary and How Brook.
Landform and topographic features. Arable farming and permanent pasture. Erection of coal processing area, site offices and water treatment area. Wet woodland corridors running along streams into Westwood Country Park.
Gently rolling landform with hills and broad valleys. Public footpath from Carr House Farm to middle of Stoors Dike footpath. Irregularly shaped small, medium sized and large fields. Wet woodland corridors running along streams into Westwood Country Park.
Storrs Dike, its tributary and How Brook.
FEATURES
LOCAL LEVEL
Westwood Country Park.
Receptors
LANDFORM
REGIONAL LEVEL
Topic Area
TABLE 5: Landscape Impact Assessment D
A
N
Impact
B
H
H
L
Magnitude
Streams culverted and bridged in areas for vehicle access (kept to minimum). Loss of mature trees. Loss of species rich grassland. Loss of species poor hedgerows. Loss of limestone walls.
M M L M
M L M
ML
H
M
ML
MH
L
New undesirable land use. Disturbance of woodland and potential loss.
M
M
L
VH
H
VH
H
M
L
H
H
L
Sensitively
Complete removal of existing landform. Loss of arable farm land and permanent pasture.
Disturbance of steamside woodland and potential loss.
M
IR
Loss of characteristic fields.
R
L
ID
Nature
L
S
M
Duration
Temporary suspension of Carr House Farm footpath.
Loss of characteristic landform.
Transpennine Trail route disrupted. River corridors habitats/character further downstream affected.
Description of impact
Medium
Low
Medium
Medium
Medium Low
High
Low
Medium Low
Very High
High
Medium
Low
High
High
Low
Significance
Landscape Impact Mitigation
4.5 Mitigation proposals have been put forward by Cobex Ltd to mitigate these impacts. These measures have been detailed in [Table 6].
4.6 There are several approaches to mitigation which have been taken, namely avoidance, reduction and compensation. Mitigation measures may rid the site of some impacts and reduce others in severity. Avoidance is where development is re-located or re-designed to avoid an impact. In this case avoiding negative impacts on landscape elements by stand-offs between that element and the excavation site. Reduction of both landscape and visual impacts will be reduced through the designed siting of soil and overburden mounds. They will screen the development to reduce the line of site to the development and seeded on sides facing How Brook and High Green to help minimise the contrasts with the surrounding landscape. Compensation is giving something back to the community and landscape in return for the losses and damage of the development. This will be through the creation of new South Yorkshire Community Forest which creates a regenerated and attractive, mixed-use, well-wooded landscape characteristic to the local area that will be accessible and beneficial to the community through improving their quality of life as well as providing economic and social benefits. These beneficial impacts may be seen to outweigh the case for safeguarding the landscape before development resulting in environmental improvements.
4.7 Mitigation of impacts to landscape character mainly comprise of avoidance of characteristic elements to avoid loss or damage and compensation of lost topography and farmland which would otherwise create significant loss to the character of the area. The likely success of these measures should be judged against existing case studies. 22
Impact
FEATURES
LANDCOVER
LAND USE
LANDFORM
SITE LEVEL
LANDCOVER
LANDUSE
LANDFORM
Loss of species poor hedgerows. Loss of limestone walls.
Loss of species rich grassland.
Complete removal of existing landform. Loss of arable farm land and permanent pasture. New undesirable land use. Disturbance of steamside woodland and potential loss. Streams culverted and bridged in areas for vehicle access (kept to minimum). Loss of mature trees.
Loss of characteristic landform. Temporary suspension of Carr House Farm footpath. Loss of characteristic fields.
D
B
H
L
Magnitude
H L M
C C A
Compensation by restoration with South Yorkshire Forest.
Dismantled during decommissioning.
H
H
M L
M
C
M
M
M
L
H
H
MH
L
H
H
L
Sensitively
L
M
A
Retained and protected with 5m stand-offs from excavation. Stripped of 150mm surface soils, stored as a thick layer (300m) on unused field, then used as part of restoration. Minimum removal. Retained and protected with 5m stand-offs from excavation.
R A
M
A
Retained and protected with 5-10m stand-offs from excavation.
Retained and protected with 5-10m stand-offs from excavation.
H
MH
N
C
A
Impact
L
IR
C
R
H
ID
Nature
L
S
M
Duration
C
A
C
Type
C
Replace soil to match original topography contours.
Compensation by restoration with South Yorkshire Forest.
Divert route to Storrs Dike which will be upgraded.
Site returned to original contours with overburden and soils.
Retained and protected with 5-10m stand-offs from excavation.
River corridors habitats/character further downstream affected.
FEATURES
LOCAL LEVEL
Diversion of route to Storrs Dike walkway which will be upgraded.
Transpennine Trail route disrupted.
Mitigation
LANDFORM
REGIONAL LEVEL
Topic Area
TABLE 6: Landscape Impact Mitigation
High
Low
Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium
Low
Very High
High
Very High
Low
High
High
Low
Significance
v i s ua l i mpa c t s a ndmig a on
5 Vi s ua l I mpa c t s Pr edi c t edVi s ua l I mpa c t swi t hMig a on Vi e wpoi nt swi t hDe v el opment
24
Visual Impacts
5.1 Visual Impact Assessment deals with changes of views due to the proposed development and the impacts these will have on the visual receptors. These have been detailed in [Table 7] corresponding to [Figs. 14 – 20] which visualise the predicted changes to the site with development and primary mitigation measures proposed by COBEX LTD which are built in to the original development scheme.
5.2 People will have different responses to views depending on the context and their reason for being there. Other important factors include the scale of change with respect to loss or addition of features and the degree of contrast between new features with the existing/remaining.
5.3 Seasonal change and weather conditions will also have an effect on screening effectiveness and visibility of the development. This assessment assumes ‘average’ conditions in autumn when the data was collected.
25
TABLE 7: PREDICTED VISUAL IMPACTS WITH MITIGATION
Location / Viewpoint
Description
Type
Stage
Extent
C 1
F
O 2
3
P
Duration
G
N
S
M
Nature
L
D
ID
Impact
R
IR
T
S
A
N
Quantity
Magnitude
Sensitively
Significance
B
4
ROAD / FOOTPATH USERS VIEWPOINT 1 WOODHEAD ROAD [Fig. 14] VIEWPOINT 3 STORRS DIKE [Fig. 16] VIEWPOINT 4 BROMLEY CARR ROAD [Fig.17] VIEWPOINT 5 CARR HEAD ROAD [Fig. 18] VIEWPOINT 6 HOLLINBERRY LANE [Fig. 19]
VIEWPOINT 8 HIGH GREEN [Fig. 21]
Top soil mound from F5 (3m) and subsoil tip 2 (10m) screening development. View of overburden tip 1 and 2 with graded even tops (15m) and seeded to grass. Overburden tip 2 with graded even top (15m). View of farmland stripped of topsoil/development. Top soil and sub soil (10m) blocking views into development. Overburden mound with of graded top (15m) blocking views to Hollinberry Lane and High Green. Top soil and sub soil (10m). Overburden mound with of graded top (15m) blocking views to Hollinberry Lane and High Green. Top soil (3m) and sub soil (10m) blocking views into development. Overburden mounds with graded even tops and seeded grass (15m) blocking views into Westwood Country Park. The erection of overburden tip 2 (10-20m) with graded even top with seeded grasses to screen development.
R R R R R R R R R
80
MH
MH
Medium High
80
MH
MH
Medium High
6
VH
VH
Very High
6
VH
VH
Very High
80
MH
H
Medium High
80
MH
H
Medium High
80
MH
H
Medium High
80
MH
H
Medium High
80
MH
MH
Medium High
R
80
MH
MH
Medium High
R
500
MH
MH
Medium High
Sub soiltip 2 (10m) blocking views to Carr Brook Road. Overburden tip 2 with graded even top (15m) blocking views to High Green. Top soil and sub soil (10m). Overburden mound with of graded top (15m) blocking views to Hollinberry Lane and High Green. Top soil and sub soil (10m). Overburden mound with of graded top (15m) blocking views to Hollinberry Lane and High Green. The erection of overburden tip 2 (10-20m) with graded even top with seeded grasses to screen development.
R R R R R R
5
VH
VH
Very High
5
VH
VH
Very High
80
VH
VH
Very High
80
VH
VH
Very High
80
VH
VH
Very High
80
VH
VH
Very High
R
180
VH
VH
Very High
Overburden tip 2 with graded even top (15m). View of farmland stripped of topsoil. Views over entire development, some screening from existing woodland.
R R
6
H
VH
High
6
H
VH
High
R
6
VH
VH
Very High
RESIDENTS VIEWPOINT 2 CARR HOUSE FARM [Fig. 15] VIEWPOINT 4 BROMLEY CARR ROAD [Fig. 17] VIEWPOINT 5 CARR HEAD ROAD [Fig.1 8] VIEWPOINT 8 HIGH GREEN [Fig. 21]
VISITORS VIEWPOINT 3 STORRS DIKE [Fig. 16] VIEWPOINT 7 WESTWOOD COUNTRY PARK [Fig. 20]
26
27
28
29
r es t or a on
6 Pol i c yCont e x t S out hY or k s hi r eF or es tPl a n
30
Policy Context
6.1 COBEX LTD has also put forward secondary mitigation measures in the form of a compensation proposal. This includes returning the topography of the landscape to its original contours and to develop South Yorkshire Community Forest on the postdevelopment site.
6.2 The following policies in Barnsley Metropolitan Borough’s Unitary Development Plan (2000) bear particular significance to the mitigation and restoration measures proposed.
Policy M9B SCHEMES OF WORKING, RESTORATION AND AFTERUSE WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH ALL APPLICATIONS FOR MINERAL WORKING, AND SUCH PROPOSALS WILL BE TREATED AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE APPLICATION AND ANY PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED. CONDITIONS (AND WHERE NECESSARY LEGAL AGREEMENTS) ATTACHED TO A PLANNING PERMISSION WILL REQUIRE FULL WORKING AND RESTORATION SCHEMES TO BE APPROVED PRIOR TO SPECIFIED OPERATIONS TAKING PLACE ON SITE. WHEREVER POSSIBLE PROGRESSIVE, PHASED WORKING AND RESTORATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO AN AGREED AFTERUSE. ANY PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR MINERAL WORKING SHOULD INCLUDE A SCHEME OF AFTERCARE IN THE CASE OF RESTORATION TO AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, AMENITY OR NATURE CONSERVATION.
6.3 This policy confirms the importance of providing the council with a full mitigation and restoration scheme in the proposal to assess in order for the decision makers to grant planning permission and control development in accordance to its UDP.
Policy M9C IN ADDITION TO THE CRITERIA SET OUT IN POLICY M9 THE FOLLOWING DETAILED MEASURES WILL BE REQUIRED TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL: A) ADEQUATE SCREENING AND OTHER PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO BE MAINTAINED WHERE POSSIBLE DURING THE OPERATIONS. B) CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE AFTER MANAGEMENT OF THE SITE, FOLLOWING WORKING AND RESTORATION. C) OPERATION AND RESTORATION OF THE SITE SHOULD BE LIMITED TO THE SHORTEST PERIOD PRACTICABLE. D) LAYOUT OF OPERATIONAL AREAS OF THE SITE AND DIRECTION OF WORKING SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE BEST ENVIRONMENTAL OPTION. E) MEASURES TO STRIP, STORE, CONSERVE AND REPLACE SUBSOIL AND TOPSOIL. WHERE SOILS ARE INADEQUATE IN QUANTITY TO SECURE EFFECTIVE RESTORATION ALL EFFORTS SHALL BE MADE TO RETAIN SOIL MAKING MATERIAL DURING THE WORKING OF THE SITE. F) PROTECTION OF PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY OR THE PROVISION OF SUITABLE TEMPORARY DIVERSIONS TO BE PROVIDED AND AGREED AFTER LIAISON WITH THE BOROUGH COUNCIL’S RIGHTS OF WAY OFFICER. G) MEASURES TO PREVENT THE DEPOSIT OF MUD, DUST AND OTHER MATERIALS ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAY. H) ADEQUATE ACCESS TO A SUITABLE HIGHWAY WILL BE REQUIRED. I) MEASURES TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROTECTION OF SURFACE AND SUB-SURFACE WATER COURSES AND THE PROVISION OF TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT DRAINAGE. J) ARCHAEOLOGICAL FACTORS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN FORMULATING APPLICATIONS FOR MINERAL WORKING AND REGARD SHOULD BE HAD FOR THE CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRY (CBI) CODE OF MINERAL OPERATORS ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS.
6.4 This policy emphasises the need to minimise the impacts of opencast mining to an acceptable level i.e. cause minimal disturbance to both the environment and people (the receptors) and normal functioning of the landscape and its elements and features with suitable alternatives if necessary. Views into the mine must also be taken into consideration and not aesthetically pleasing sights screened.
6.5 The following policies in Barnsley Metropolitan Borough’s Unitary Development Plan (2000) bear particular significance to the restoration scheme proposed in this document.
31
Policy M9F THE FINAL CONTOURS OF THE RESTORED SITE SHOULD WHERE POSSIBLE RESEMBLE THAT OF THE LANDSCAPE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE LOCALITY. RESTORATION SCHEMES SHOULD IN APPROPRIATE CASES PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO ESTABLISH NEW WILDLIFE HABITATS OR ENHANCE EXISTING HABITATS AND PRESERVE AND RETAIN IMPORTANT GEOLOGICAL EXPOSURES FOR EDUCATIONAL USE.
6.6 This policy encourages the physical landscape to be returned to as it was before the opencast mining where possible and physical elements of the landscape to resemble or returned to former character or enhanced where possible.
Policy GS18 ANY DEVELOPMENT WHICH MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, A LOCAL NATURE RESERVE, A NATURAL HERITAGE SITE, ANCIENT WOODLAND, A REGIONALLY IMPORTANT GEOLOGICAL SITE OR OTHER NATURE CONSERVATION SITES IDENTIFIED ON THE PROPOSALS MAPS, WILL NOT BE APPROVED UNLESS IT CAN BE CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT THERE IS A CASE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT WHICH OUTWEIGHS THE CASE FOR SAFEGUARDING THE CONSERVATION INTEREST OF THE SITE AFTER AVAILABLE MEASURES TO AVOID, MITIGATE OR COMPENSATE FOR ANY ADVERSE AFFECTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, IN WHICH CASE THE COUNCIL WILL SEEK TO MINIMISE THE ADVERSE IMPACT AND/OR SECURE COMPENSATORY PROVISION INCLUDING, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THROUGH PLANNING CONDITIONS OR OBLIGATIONS.
Policy GS24 THE COUNCIL WILL SUPPORT THE CREATION OF THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE FOREST. ANY DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE FOREST AREA MUST ACCORD WITH THE POLICIES OF THIS UDP AND DEVELOPERS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE FOREST.
6.7 Referring to Policy GS18 in this case there is a possibility that the case for development outweighs the case for safeguarding the conservation interest of the site as the compensation with the creation and extension of the South Yorkshire Forest is a key UDP objective, as stated in Policy GS24, thus providing restoration of landscape character, aesthetically pleasing views more diverse habitats than before the development.
South Yorkshire Forest Plan
6.8 The South Yorkshire Forest is created and managed by the Countryside Agency and the Forestry Commission and spans across areas of Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield. The plan is to involve these organisations and the local community to expand this community forest into the Howbrook site. COBEX LTD will take management responsibility for the first five years after the excavation and then long term management and protection responsibilities will be handed over to the South Yorkshire Forestry Commission.
6.9 The expansion of the forest will help to restore the sites local distinctiveness and character, as well as providing new habitat niches for local wildlife and benefiting the community through the creation of new landscape functions and opportunities for informal recreation as well as helping to boost investment and economical interest in the area.
6.10 Despite the name, the forest is not a continuous planting of trees but part of a ‘rich mosaic’ of woodland and land uses which is accessible to the public through a well thought out network of paths. Existing planting is preserved and new planting designed to enhance the landscape and its character and views. A concept plan for the forest is shown in [Fig. 21].
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Figure 21: South Yorkshire Forest Redevelopment Proposal Plan
6.11 The proposal aims to enhance landscape features
Figure 22: Illustration of Forest
and views as well as increase biodiversity on site through wildlife introduction and conservation. This will be achieved by planting new woodland along the water edges and eastern slopes of the site to create a continuous green corridor between Westwood Country Park and the Peak District. The unimproved grassland seed bank will also be incorporated into the site along the edges of the woodland. The woodland would be regularly coppiced in cycles for timber production to help the local economy after the loss of arable farmland and permanent pasture.
6.12 The proposal also encourages access to the streams and brooks, incorporating them into the flow of access routes which have with wider paths for cyclists/horse riders and links with Transpennine Trails and off-road cycling paths. There is also the provision of large areas of open green space. These spaces can be used for local community events as well as for informal recreation.
Figure 23: Illustration of Forest 33
e v a l ua on
7 Una v oi da bl eI mpa c t sa erMig a on F i na l S t a t ement
34
7.1 In [Table 8] is a final summary of the main impacts left after mitigation.
TABLE 8: UNAVOIDABLE IMPACTS AFTER MITIGATION Impact
Duration
S
M
Nature
L
D
ID
Impact
R
IR
A
N
Culverted streams affect waterside ecology and character downstream Loss of permanent pasture and arable fields. Presence of screening mounds.
7.2 There are four main impacts left after mitigation. The first is
Magnitude
Sensitively
Significance
H
VH
Very High
MH
M
Medium High
VH
VH
Very High
B
Final Statement
the adverse and potentially long term effects that culverting the water courses will have on waterside ecology and character further downstream. The significance of this impact is mainly ecological and does not fall into the scope of this assessment though changes to the characteristic ecology downstream can be of great concern.
7.5 The decision on whether to allow this development to
7.3 The second is the long term loss of permanent pasture and
adverse for long term receptors i.e. residents though short term. This needs to be judged against whether the
arable fields. Farmland is characteristic to the area and helps to boost the local economy. This change is welcomed by the land owner however and so impacts to that individual will not be adverse. Farm diversification can be a way to overcome the loss of farmland and the South Yorkshire Forest Restoration Plan can be beneficial to the area in the long term.
proceed should be made regarding the sensitivity of receptors to both landscape and visual impacts. The landscape impacts are significantly avoided and compensated for with the South Yorkshire Forest Restoration Plan. Visual impacts are mainly significantly
long term benefits of the South Yorkshire Community Forest Restoration Proposal outweigh the need to conserve the landscape in its current condition.
7.4 The final and largest impact to people is the presence of screening mounds on site. Although seen as a short term disturbance to passersby and visitors, it can be seen as a long term impact to surrounding residents who are affected by it every day and thus this impact is a lot more significant to these receptors. As an integrated part of the development proposal this cannot be changed but it is a preferable view to the excavation site. Tree planting around the mounds may offset this impact marginally. 35
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