15.15.6.         Northumberland

  1. The Northumberland coastline is located over 40 km to the south of the Proposed Development. The coastline has a north-easterly aspect and a strong visual relationship with the sea. Views to the open sea are extensive and include striking vistas to coastal landmarks, such as Lindisfarne and Holy Island; and dramatic distant views from the beaches along the northern rugged coastline. Further south, these are almost continuous with the low profile of the Farne Islands forming a visual focus within open horizons. Frequent ‘haar’ (coastal fog) restricts visibility. 
  2. The seascape and visual effects of the Proposed Development will be experienced from coastline defined by SA21 Berwick-upon-Tweed to Holy Island; and the remaining coastal areas to the south of Holy Island, within MCA23 Rural Northumberland and Coastal Waters and LCT 4b Rocky Coastline: Farne Islands Coast.  Changes to the perceived character of the coast will primarily be experienced from areas with views out to sea, including Berwick-upon-Tweed, Holy Island, several beaches, the Northumberland Coast Path and transport corridors. Representative viewpoints are provided for the largest settlement on this stretch of coast (Viewpoint 17 Berwick-upon-Tweed); a popular beach (Viewpoint 18 Cocklawburn Beach); and popular tourist attractions (Viewpoint 19 Holy Island and Viewpoint 20 Bamburgh Castle).
  3. Not significant effects on views experienced by people along the Northumberland coastline have been identified at representative viewpoints including, from north to south, Berwick-upon-Tweed (Viewpoint 17), Cocklawburn Beach (Viewpoint 18), Lindisfarne Castle (Viewpoint 19) and Bamburgh Castle (Viewpoint 20). This reflects the sensitivity of receptors, which ranges from medium to high, and the magnitude of change resulting from the Proposed Development, which ranges from medium to low. The long distance (46.0 to 60.1 km) separating the viewpoints from the Proposed Development means that it will appear within a peripheral location with regards to the expansive, open seascape and will generally appear low on the horizon and relatively small in vertical scale, extending over a smaller proportion of the wider panorama of open sea. Much of the open sea horizon that will remain unaffected by the Proposed Development.
  4. The scenic quality of the Berwick-upon-Tweed to Holy Island coastline is recognised by designation of the Northumberland Coast AONB and North Northumberland Heritage Coast. A registered park and garden, Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island and Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve along the shoreline, also contribute it the value of the coastline, which is highly valued by tourists and visitors. The susceptibility of the coast to changes associated with the Proposed Development derives principally from its strong association with the sea and the potential for development in the seascape to disrupt visual unity and the loss of open sea views. Factors reducing sensitivity include modification by major transport routes, settlement and tourism infrastructure, which detractor from the scenic/perceptual qualities. The seascape is also of large, expansive scale, with a simple broad coastal landform and is separated from the Proposed Development by open sea.
  5. The Proposed Development will result in changes to the visual aspects of the perceived character of SA21 Berwick-upon-Tweed to Holy Island, and MCA23 Rural Northumberland and Coastal Waters / LCT 4b Rocky Coastline: Farne Islands Coast. The addition of the Proposed Development to the associative seascape context of the Scottish waters to the north, will change specific aesthetic/perceptual aspects of the seascape, particularly its exposed character open and open views out to the sea horizon. Characteristic views along the coastline and out to sea will remain, and it will remain an exposed, relatively undeveloped landscape whose character is governed by the dynamic influences of the sea and weather. The magnitude of change to the perceived character of the Northumberland coast is assessed as low, with effects that are not significant.
  6. Not significant effects on the Northumberland Coast AONB (and North Northumberland Heritage Coast) and are assessed, due to their distance from the proposed wind farm array (47.9 km and 41.8 km respectively). These will be limited to indirect, visual effects on the setting of the designated landscapes. An assessment of the effects arising from the Proposed Development on the defined special qualities of the Northumberland Coast AONB found that the Proposed Development will result in low levels of change and not significant residual effects on the majority of the Northumberland Coast AONB’s special qualities, including the ‘coastal setting of iconic historic and cultural landmark features’ (SQ2) such as Bamburgh Castle; the ‘Remote historic, cultural and spiritual qualities’ (SQ3) of the Holy Island; the ‘striking views’ and ‘spectacle’ of the ‘Rocky Farne Islands’ (SQ4); and the ‘Feeling of exposure and tranquillity’ (SQ7) derived from the relatively lowly settled, low-lying and open character of the AONB. The Proposed Development will result in zero change and no residual effect on ‘Traditional coastal fishing villages’ (SQ5), as it will neither change the perceived association between coastal settlements and the sea, nor alter their simple vernacular design; and ‘views inland’ (SQ6), due to the offshore nature of the Proposed Development.
  7. Due to the limited and localised significant effects on views across the coast and seascape, and the context in which these occur, neither the Natural Beauty nor the purposes of designation of the Northumberland Coast AONB will be compromised, nor will its integrity be harmed or undermined.

15.15.7.         Night-time Effects

  1. An assessment of night-time visual effects is based on the description of proposed wind turbine lighting set out in the MDS in Table 15.13 and the ICAO/CAA regulations and standards, utilising the methodology set out in Appendix 15.1 (section 1.6). The effect of the visible lights will be dependent on a range of factors, including the intensity of lights used, the clarity of atmospheric visibility and the degree of negative/ positive vertical angle of view from the light to the receptor.
  2. ICAO indicates a requirement for no lighting to be switched on until ‘Night’ has been reached, as measured at 50 cd/m2 or darker. It does not require 2,000 candela medium intensity to be on during ‘twilight’, when coastal character may be discerned. The assessment of the lighting of the Proposed Development is primarily intended to determine the likely significant effects on the visual resource i.e. it is an assessment of the visual effects of aviation lighting on views experienced by people at night, however the assessment also considers effects on coastal character at night of particular areas where the landform of the foreshore, coastal landforms and inshore islands etc may be perceived at night with lights in the background on the sea skyline i.e. where a perceived character effect may occur as a component of visual effects.
  3. There are no specific dark sky parks with viewing locations promoted for viewing the night skies and the baseline lighting conditions across the SLVIA study area vary considerably, with coastal urbanised areas and settlement forming the brightest light sources and the darker landscapes often being located inland associated with areas of upland and restricted to sections of less developed coast such as the Berwickshire Coast in the Scottish Borders. The assessment of night-time visual effects is undertaken with reference to representative night-time viewpoints in each local authority area of the SLVIA study area. In general, the sensitivity of visual receptors at night is assessed as being relatively lower at night than during the day, and of medium-low or medium sensitivity for viewpoints in urban areas, such as Johnshaven, Montrose and Dunbar, where there is no formal recognition of the view having value at night-time or having visitors with the express intention of viewing the night sky; and where susceptibility of people experiencing the night-time view is influenced by existing baseline lighting of housing, street lights and the existing Seagreen 1 and/or Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind turbine lighting out to sea. The sensitivity to change for viewpoints in relatively darker locations such as Fife Ness and St Abbs Head is assessed as rising to medium or medium-high sensitivity, which are relatively dark locations in the context of the wider settled coast, despite the moderating influence of Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind turbine lighting out to sea.
  4. The effect of the Proposed Development lighting at night is however assessed to be of low magnitude and not significant in views from Angus and Fife, where the additional lighting will appear subsumed behind and overlapping much of Seagreen 1 or Neart na Gaoithe, in which much of the dark sea skyline will be retained and remain unaffected. The magnitude of change is considered to increase to medium-low in views from East Lothian (such as Viewpoint 10 Dunbar) where the lateral spread of lighting is greater, however this is moderated by the increased distance of the lights offshore at over 45 km from the closest parts of the East Lothian coast. The effect of the Proposed Development lighting at night is only assessed as being significant in views from the coastline around St Abbs Head, such as Viewpoint 15, due to the combination of its medium-high sensitivity and medium magnitude of change, resulting in a significant change to the dark seascape in the view off this coast at night. Significant effects are however avoided on the perception of the rugged and dramatic landforms of the coastline due to the separation between the coast and the lighting offshore. 
  5. In all night time views, the addition of the aviation lights of the Proposed Development may influence the continuity between the dark sea below and dark skies above, however they will be low to the horizon and do not extend into, nor impede, the wider expanse of night sky, which will continue to be experienced readily, nor result in brightening of the night sky (skyglow) or glare on to the sea surface and would therefore not be of detriment to the character of the coastline perceived at night or the experience of the night skies. The distance of the Proposed Development lighting over approximately 38 km from the closest (Scottish Borders) coastline and over 40 km from other local authority areas from the potential sources of light reduces the effects as viewers are unlikely to perceive the aviation lights to any degree of intensity at such long range.
  6. Further mitigation of effects arising from night-time lighting is likely to be provided during the operation of the lighting at night in accordance with Article 223 of Air Navigation Order (CAA, 2016) which allows for 2,000 cd aviation lights to be dimmed to ‘not less than 10% of the minimum peak intensity’ if ‘visibility in all directions from every wind turbine generator in a group is more than 5km’. 2,000 cd lights will therefore only be experienced in visibility of <5 km and their intensity would be dimmed to 200 cd in visibility of >5 km. CAA, 2016 also requires that ‘the angle of the plane of the beam of peak intensity emitted by the light must be elevated to between 3-4° degrees above the horizontal plane’ and ‘not more than 10% of the peak intensity is visible at 1.5 degrees or more below the horizontal plane’ which ensures that lighting intensity is focused between 3-4° above horizontal and allows for a reduced intensity of the light below the horizontal plane, where distant views from the coastline will be experienced.

15.15.8.         Cumulative Effects

  1. The CEA undertaken within this SLVIA takes account the impact associated with the Proposed Development together with other relevant plans, projects and activities. In accordance with guidance (NatureScot, 2021 and Landscape Institute 2013), existing projects and those which are under construction are considered as part of the baseline conditions. The CEA addresses the additional cumulative effects of the Proposed Development with other potential future projects ( Table 15.42   Open ▸ ). A tiered approach to the CEA is adopted based on the differing potential of projects for proceeding and ultimately contributing to a cumulative impact.
  2. The Tier 1 assessment (Section 15.12.2) considers the Proposed Development (Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore) with Berwick Bank Wind Farm onshore i.e., a whole project assessment. It found that the majority of receptors will not experience tier 1 cumulative effects since they have either no visibility, or very limited/distant visibility, of either the onshore infrastructure or the Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore. The main tier 1 cumulative effect during construction is likely to occur in views experienced by walkers along a short section of the John Muir Way between Torness and Chapel Point, and visitors to Skateraw Harbour, where the construction of the landfall will be visible at close range in combination with the construction of the Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore and the construction  of the onshore substation in inland views, which are assessed to be significant (major/moderate), although temporary during construction. Tier 1 cumulative effects during operation and maintenance will only occur on receptors near the onshore substation, where both the operational onshore substation and the Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore may be visible and influence views and perceived character. These tier 1 cumulative effects have been found to be significant when considering the whole project effect (i.e. the total effect of the onshore substation and the Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore) on localised parts of the landscape around the onshore substation where there are also sea views to the Proposed Development, including geographically contained areas of the Coastal Margins LCT (277) (Lothians), Dunbar to Barns Ness Coast SLA and Thorntonloch to Dinglass Coast SLA, and a number of representative viewpoints in these areas at Skateraw, John Muir Link and Innerwick. When considered as an additional contribution of the Proposed Development (Berwick Bank Wind Farm Offshore), the cumulative effect is however assessed as not significant, fundamentally because the Proposed Development will have a limited influence on the perceived character and views at such long range offshore and results in a low level of additional cumulative change over and above the effect of Berwick Bank onshore substation alone (as assessed in Chapter 6 of the Onshore EIAR). These changes also occur in the context of major transport corridors and industrial development (Torness Power Station, Dunbar Cement Works and Dunbar Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) and are likely to reduce over time as the landscape mitigation scheme takes effect.
  3. The Tier 2 assessment (Section 15.12.3) considers projects consented and submitted but not yet determined. These consist of offshore and onshore wind farms within the SLVIA study area (Figure 15.16) but the primary impact interactions result from the Proposed Development with the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm and Seagreen 1A, for which a Screening Report (SWEL, 2022) has been submitted for a s36C variation to increase the wind turbine parameters of 36 consented Seagreen 1 wind turbines which have not yet been constructed. The contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effect with tier 2 projects on views and perceived character of the South-East Aberdeenshire, Fife and Angus coastline of the SLVIA study area has been found to be medium-low to low with effects not significant (moderate to minor), due to it being visually recessive at long distance offshore partially behind Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A, with Inch Cape contributing most to the overall cumulative effect on the views given its closer proximity and larger vertical scale. The Proposed Development may appear to further the visual link between Inch Cape and Seagreen 1 in the section of sea skyline between these offshore wind farms in some viewing directions from South-East Aberdeenshire, Fife and Angus coastline, contributing to a wider combined lateral spread of wind turbines, however Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A will both be visible at closer proximity and larger vertical scale in these views, contributing more to the cumulative effect in comparison to the more distant Proposed Development, which is often subsumed completely or partially behind Inch Cape and/or Neart na Gaoithe. The cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is also assessed as medium-low and not significant in views and perceived character of the East Lothian coast and progressively reduces to low in views from the Scottish Borders coastline, fundamentally because tier 2 projects (Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A in particular) will have a limited influence on views, as they are located at very long range (over approximately 56km and 69km respectively from the coast), and Inch Cape is located behind Neart na Gaoithe, such that there is very limited additional cumulative change or interaction of the Proposed Development with these Tier 2 projects, over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). The cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as zero and not significant in views and the perceived character of the Northumberland coast, including the Northumberland Coast AONB, fundamentally because Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A will not be visible, and there will be no additional cumulative change or interaction.
  4. The Tier 3 assessment (15.12.4) considers projects with a Scoping Report. Tier 3 projects within the SLVIA study area consist of scoping stage onshore wind farms, all of which are located between 43 - 60 km from the Proposed Development array area, are not visible in offshore views towards the Proposed Development due to their inland locations, and if visible in the wider inland view panorama, are likely to be subsumed within existing onshore wind farm groupings. The Proposed Development will therefore have limited effect interaction with Tier 3 projects and it is assessed that the Proposed Development will result in no additional significant cumulative seascape, landscape and visual effects with scoping stage projects included in the Tier 3 assessment.
  5. The Tier 4 assessment (15.12.5) considers projects likely to come forward where an AfL has been granted. Tier 4 projects within the SLVIA study area consist of Scotwind Leasing Area 1 (BP) and Scotwind Leasing Area 2 (SSER) located to the east of the Proposed Development; and Scotwind Leasing Area 6 (DEME) located to the north as shown in Figure 15.16 The assessment identifies that there is no likelihood of Scotwind Leasing Area 1 (BP) and Scotwind Leasing Area 2 (SSER) AfL projects to result in significant cumulative effects with the Proposed Development on coastal (seascape) character, special qualities of designated landscapes or views/visual amenity due to their very long distance from all coastlines within the SLVIA study area. Scotwind Leasing Area 1 (BP) is located approximately 61 km and Scotwind Leasing Area 2 (SSER) 80 km from the closest (Aberdeenshire) coastline and are even more distant from the other local authority areas within the SLVIA study area. Scotwind Leasing Area 6 (DEME) AfL does however, have potential for cumulative effect interactions with the Proposed Development on coastal (seascape) character and views/visual amenity of the Aberdeenshire coastline, due to its closer proximity to this coastline, albeit it is located 38.4 km offshore from the closest point of the Aberdeenshire coast. Scotwind Leasing Area 6 (DEME) AfL project is however, not currently well defined to the point that a full assessment can be made and the effects arising as a result of this AfL project are not reasonably foreseeable at the current time due to a lack of specific information on which to base an assessment and low data confidence, therefore it is screened out of assessment in the SLVIA.

15.15.9.         Frequency of Effects

  1. The varied clarity or otherwise of the atmosphere will reduce the number of days (the ‘frequency’) upon which views of the Proposed Development will actually be available from the coastline and hinterland, and is likely to inhibit clear views, rendering the Proposed Development wind turbines located at long distance offshore, as visually recessive within the wider seascape. The effects of the construction and operation of the Proposed Development will vary according to the weather and prevailing visibility. This means that effects that may be assessed as being significant in the SLVIA under ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ (i.e., worst-case/optimum) visibility conditions, may be not significant under moderate, poor or very poor visibility conditions.
  2. Assessments are based on a worst-case position of optimum (‘very good’ or ‘excellent’) visibility, in line with current guidance (Landscape Institute and IEMA, 2013), however the matter of the frequency of the effects, and in particular, concerning weather and visibility, other than in a worst-case good visibility scenario, is an important matter to consider in understanding the likely effects upon visual amenity and the perceived character and qualities of the coast, and people’s enjoyment of them.
  3. The judgements concerning the significance of the effects have not considered the limitations of visibility out to sea at these distances where clear visibility to the horizon occurs infrequently, instead taking the ‘worse-case’ assumption that good visibility would apply at all times.
  4. The SLVIA addresses the matter of frequency that clear visibility is likely to occur, and this confirms that the assessed worst case optimum visibility out towards the wind turbines and the horizon is infrequent. For the greater part of the time the clarity of long-distance views out to sea will not be part of the experience of those enjoying the coast. Under the more frequent sub optimal conditions, the effect of the wind turbines on views will not be significant. This needs to be taken into consideration alongside the nature of the effects (magnitude) and the effects subsequently being on the threshold of significance, alongside the geographical extent over which they are likely to be experienced.
  5. Although some significant effects on views and the perceived coastal character were identified, these were all concluded to be of only medium magnitude. The effects would occur only in certain weather and visibility conditions and therefore on limited occasions during the year. Under the more frequent sub-optimal weather conditions, the effect of the wind turbines on views and perceived character will not be significant.
Table 15.51:
Summary of Potential Environmental Effects

Table 15.51: Summary of Potential Environmental Effects


Table 15.52:
Summary of Potential Cumulative Environment Effects

Table 15.52: Summary of Potential Cumulative Environment Effects

15.16. References

Literature

Inch Cape Offshore Limited (2018) Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

Forth and Tay Offshore Wind Developers Group (2011) Regional Seascape Character Assessment: Aberdeen to Holy Island.

Kincardine Offshore Wind Farm (April 2019). Development Specification and Layout Plan.

Kincardine Offshore Wind Farm (April 2019). Lighting and Marking Plan.

Land Use Consultants (2011).  An assessment of the impacts of climate change on Scottish landscapes and their contribution to quality of life: Phase 1 - Final report.  Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 488.

Landscape Institute and IEMA (2013). Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment: Third Edition (GLVIA3). Routledge.

Landscape Institute (2019). Visual Representation of Development Proposals.

Landscape Institute (2021). Assessing landscape value outside national designations, Technical Guidance Note (TGN) 02/21.

MarineSpace Ltd (2019). Simply Blue Energy 1 Floating Offshore Wind Farm: Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report.

MMO (2018) Seascape Character Assessment for the South West Inshore and Offshore marine plan areas.

Natural England (2012). An Approach to Seascape Character Assessment.

Natural England (2014). An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment.

NatureScot (2015). Scotland’s Biodiversity – a Route Map to 2020.

NatureScot (2021). Assessing the Cumulative Impact on Onshore Wind Energy Developments.

NatureScot (2012). Guidance on Assessing the Impact of Coastal Landscape and Seascape.

NatureScot (2017). Siting and Designing Wind farms in the Landscape, Guidance (Version 3) (herein referred to as ‘NatureScot Siting and Designing’).

NatureScot (2017). Visual Representation of Wind farms, Guidance (Version 2.2).

NatureScot (2018). Guidance Note. Coastal Character Assessment.

NatureScot (2019) Scottish Landscape Character Types Map and Descriptions.

Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm (March 2018). Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm (August 2020). Lighting and Marking Plan.

Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm (June 2020) Development Specification and Layout Plan.

Northumberland Coast AONB (2020-2024). Northumberland Coast AONB Management Plan.

Scottish Government (July 2021) Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm decision to vary s36 consent.

Seagreen 1 Offshore Wind Farm (May 2020). Development Specification and Layout Plan.

Seagreen 1 Offshore Wind Farm (May 2020). Lighting and Marking Plan.

Seagreen 1 Wind Energy Limited (September 2018). Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

Seagreen 1 Wind Energy Limited (January 2022). Seagreen 1 S36C Application, Screening Report.

The Planning Inspectorate (2019). Advice Note 17 Cumulative Effects Assessment.

The Planning Inspectorate (2018). Advice Note Nine: Rochdale Envelope.

Planning Policy

Aberdeenshire Council (2017). Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan.

Aberdeenshire Council (2017) Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan – Special Landscape Areas Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Angus Council (2016). Angus Local Development Plan 2016.

East Lothian Council (2018). East Lothian Local Development Plan.

East Lothian Council (2018). East Lothian Local Development Plan, Special Landscape Areas Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Fife Council (2017). Fife Local Development Plan.

Fife Council (2009) Fife Local Landscape Designation Review.

Northumberland Coast AONB (2013) Northumberland Coast AONB Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Study.

Northumberland County Council (2019). Northumberland Draft Local Plan.

Northumberland County Council (2010). Landscape Character Assessment.

Scottish Borders Council (2016). Scottish Borders Local Development Plan.

Scottish Borders Council (2012). Local Landscape Designations Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Scottish Government (2014). National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3).

Scottish Government (2015). Scotland’s National Marine Plan: A Single Framework for Managing Our Seas.

Scottish Government (2014). Scottish Planning Policy (SPP).

Scottish Government (2021). Scotland 2045 (Fourth National Planning Framework – Draft).

UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, White Consultants with Northumbria University (2020). Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment, Review and Update of Seascape and Visual Buffer Study for Offshore Wind Farms.

Legislation

Civil Aviation Authority (2016). The Air Navigation Order 2016.

HM Government (1949). National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/12-13-14/97.

HM Government (2000). Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37/contents.

HM Government (2009). Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/23/contents.

 

[1] All figures are presented in volume 3, appendix 15.2. No figures have been presented within this chapter.

[2] C = Construction, O = Operational and maintenance, D = Decommissioning

[3] C = Construction, O = Operational and maintenance, D = Decommissioning

[4] https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/downloads/download/354/coastal_paths . Accessed 11 February 2022

[5] https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/routes-explore/scotlands-great-trails  . Accessed 10 February 2022.

[6] C = Construction, O = Operational and maintenance, D = Decommissioning

[7] C = Construction, O = Operation and Maintenance, D = Decommissioning

[8] C = Construction, O = Operation and Maintenance, D = Decommissioning