6.11.7.              Detailed Visual Effects assessment

Viewpoint 1: A1, Skateraw Junction

Baseline

  1. The viewpoint is located at the junction of the A1 trunk road and the minor road providing access to the properties and farm at Skateraw, as well as Skateraw Beach.  The view in this location is representative of road users travelling north on the A1 trunk road and at the junction. 
  2. The southern margin of the A1 trunk road, towards the Proposed Development, exhibits a principally open aspect in this location and is bound by grass verges, road signage and lighting and post-and-wire fence field boundaries.  To the west, the road is enclosed by mature coniferous shelterbelt as it passes the onshore substation site.  South-westerly views towards the Proposed Development are across arable fields, bound by a combination of hedgerows and post-and-wire fences.  Tree cover throughout the field of view includes small groups of trees associated with scattered individual properties and farms, linear shelterbelts and deciduous woodland following river channels at Thurston Manor Burn, Dry Burn and Braidwood Burn. 
  3. In addition to the A1 trunk road, the ECML and construction activity associated with the Neart na Gaoithe cable corridor cross the foreground of the view (albeit a temporary feature), vertical, man-made features are prevalent throughout the view with wooden pole and pylon mounted overhead electricity lines and overhead infrastructure associated with the ECML evident.  Larger scale electricity pylons break the skyline within the southern part of the view, as does the Aikengall Wind Farm.
  4. The visible horizon is defined by the eastern fringes of the Lammermuir Hills including Brunt Hill, Pinkerton and Blackcastle Hill.  The radio tower on top of Blackcastle Hill is a notable landmark of views throughout the LVIA study area.  The chimney stack of the Dunbar Cement Plant breaks the skyline to the north-west (Volume 3 Figure 6.15   Open ▸ b), with Torness Power Station lying to the north-east (Volume 3 Figure 6.15   Open ▸ d).  The Barns Ness Lighthouse is also a landmark throughout the LVIA study area, set against the sea (Volume 3 Figure 6.15c).

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. The viewpoint is located on the south-western boundary of SLA 30: Thorntonloch to Dunglass Coast, as identified by ELC, albeit that the designation in this location is principally related to the coastline to the east and within the study area is also dominated by Torness Power Station.  The value of this viewpoint is therefore considered to be medium.
  2. The A1 trunk road forms a major transport corridor along the east coast and as such, is well used.  This viewpoint location is also the end of NCR 76, where it joins the local cycle route and core path network that follows the A1 trunk road. Visual receptors on the A1 trunk road travel at speeds of around 60-70mph and whilst at relatively close proximity their experience of the view towards the site area is one of a short duration.  Road users waiting at the junction and users of the walking and cycling network travelling at lower speeds for recreation experience a longer appreciation of inland views towards the site area.  However, this experience is heavily influenced by the volume and speed of traffic travelling on the A1 trunk road which forms a closer focus for users. The close proximity of the ECML and Torness power Station also have a substantial influence on the view and bring a baseline context of existing infrastructure and industrial development. Taking this into account, susceptibility is considered to be medium.
  3. In combining the medium value and medium susceptibility, the sensitivity of the receptor is, considered to be medium.

Magnitude of change

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. As demonstrated by Volume 3 Figure 6.15   Open ▸ f - 6.15i the onshore substation would markedly increase the portion of the field of view occupied by built form, breaking the visible horizon between the foothills to the southwest. 
  2. Viewed at close proximity, the introduction of industrial development would present a marked contrast to the more consistent agricultural ground cover of the baseline view with limited screening influences in situ.  Although the onshore substation would predominantly appear as a large agricultural building, the perceived scale is at odds with other agricultural buildings when experienced from this distance, orientation and elevation.  This change would be experienced for a short duration, in this location, and as users of the A1 trunk road pass the onshore substation and visibility is achieved through the gap in existing shelterbelt planting that flanks the road.  Road users at the junction and recreational users would experience slightly more sustained visibility.
  3. Construction of the onshore substation would introduce similarly evident features to the baseline visual resource.  Taller elements involved in the construction process would break the skyline profile while ground based activities associated with the excavation and regrading of the substation platform would be viewed in close proximity with little screening offered.  Construction lighting would be visible when working days would extend into the hours of darkness, although this section of the A1 trunk road is also lit at night, slightly moderating the effect that this might have.
  4. The magnitude of change is considered to be high during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following. At year 15, proposed woodland planting located to the east of the onshore substation would partially obscure the onshore substation, reducing its visual influence at this location. The magnitude of change at year 15 once mitigation planting has matured is considered to be medium.
Cable Corridor (construction)
  1. Construction of the onshore cable corridor would benefit from a number of existing screening influences, when experienced from this location.  Construction of the section of the cable corridor from landfall to the onshore substation would be entirely screened from view by intervening localised topography, the A1 trunk road and mature shelterbelt and woodland. 
  2. Construction of the southern section of the cable corridor, between the onshore substation and Branxton, east of Innerwick, would be visible in the middle-distance view following the eastern extent of the minor road between North Lodge and Thornton Law.  The excavation of agricultural land, operation of machinery in fields and storage of excavated materials would present a change to baseline agricultural activity, introducing new temporary features to the view.  However, this is not considered to be entirely incongruous with the agricultural setting.
  3. The magnitude of change is therefore considered to be low during construction.

Significance of the effect

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. The effect is considered to be moderate-major and significant in EIA terms during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following.  The effect would reduce to moderate and significant in EIA terms by year 15 once mitigation planting has matured. Whilst the effect reduces to moderate in year 15 it remains significant largely due to the close proximity and relative scale of the onshore substation to the viewpoint which is not entirely mitigated in year 15 from this location. Construction effects are adverse, reversible and temporary. Operational effects are adverse and permanent.
Cable Corridor (construction)
  1. The effect is considered to be minor and not significant in EIA terms.  Construction effects are adverse, reversible and temporary. 

Viewpoint 2: Innerwick

Baseline

  1. This viewpoint is located on Barns Ness Terrace on the eastern edge of Innerwick.  North-easterly coastal views towards the Proposed Development encompass large-scale arable fields of the coastal plain, bound by hedgerows of varying consistency.  Torness Power Station forms the focus of the view, located on the promontory at Torness Point.  Other human influences include wooden pole mounted overhead lines, the A1 trunk road and ECML.  Although visible features of the view, the A1 trunk road and ECML are not dominant or intrusive elements when viewed from this location.
  2. The foreshore of the East Lothian coast, including the proposed landfall location, are screened from view by the intervening terrain of the raised beach platform.  The centre of the view is characterised by coniferous shelterbelt planting lining the path of the A1 trunk road, as it passed north of the onshore substation site.  This structure is reinforced within the view by mature woodland enclosing the properties and agricultural buildings at Skateraw, Skateraw House and Skateraw Farm. 
  3. Dunbar Cement Plant and Energy Recovery Facility are visible to the north (Volume 3 Figure 6.16   Open ▸ a).  The Barns Ness Lighthouse is also a landmark of the view, set against the sea (Volume 3 Figure 6.16   Open ▸ b).

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. The viewpoint is not located within any national, regional or local scenic designations or recognised scenic views.  The majority of the Dunbar to Barns Ness Coast SLA is screened from view in this location by intervening landform. Views will however be valued by local residents particularly open views towards the coast for which much of the settlement is orientated towards. Value is therefore considered to be medium-high.
  2. Barns Ness Terrace provides access to the village of Innerwick from the east and is reasonably quiet, mainly used by local residents.  The view in this location is representative of the experience from a number of properties on this part of Barns Ness Terrace, which has an open aspect towards the Proposed Development.  The site is at an angle to the direction of travel for road users but lies within a part of the open views particularly when travelling east.  The surfaced pavement on the southern side of the road ends at Innerwick Farm.  Despite this, the grass verge on the northern road margin is used by local residents for walking and is included in ELC’s core path plan as a suggested link route (but is not a core path). Taking all of this into account susceptibility is considered to be high.
  3. When considering the medium-high value and high susceptibility, sensitivity is considered to be high.

Magnitude of change

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. Volume 3 Figure 6.16   Open ▸ d – 6.16g illustrate that the Proposed Development would represent a noticeable change to the middle-distance view, increasing the developed nature of the view north. 
  2. Whilst intervening topography would screen lower parts of the onshore substation, the Proposed Development would partially break the coastline profile and impinge upon visibility of the coastal edge and landscape features such as around Skateraw.
  3. The Proposed Development is located 722 m to the north-east with the existing Torness Power Station at 2.2 km north-east. the Proposed Development would extend industrial development to a greater portion of the field of the view north-east, albeit at differing scales and distances.  It is important to note that this portion of the view is also subject to influence of infrastructure at the intersection of the A1 trunk road and ECML and the built form at Skateraw.
  4. The quiet nature of the road means that some road users would experience this view for a short duration on the eastern extent of Innerwick, at an oblique angle to their direction of travel as part of the open view.  However, walkers and properties on Barns Ness Terrace would experience visibility of greater duration.
  5. Construction activities associated with the onshore substation would be visible from this viewpoint. The majority of the ground-based work associated with the excavation and re-grading of the onshore substation platform would be screened by intervening topography, however, taller elements of the construction process would appear above this topography and appear to sit in front of the visible coastal edge.  Construction lighting would be visible when the working day would extend into the hours of darkness.  However, construction lighting would be viewed in the context of road lighting along the A1 trunk road between the Skateraw and Thorntonloch junctions, as well as existing lighting at Torness Power Station, slightly moderating the effect of construction lighting.
  6. The magnitude of change is considered to be medium-high during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following.  At year 15, proposed woodland planting located to the south of the onshore substation would obscure parts of the onshore substation from view, reducing the visual influence of built development seen from this location. The magnitude of change at year 15 once mitigation planting has matured is considered to be medium.
Cable Corridor (construction)
  1. The majority of the construction of the cable corridor would be screened from view in this location by field boundary hedgerows, shelterbelt planting, mature woodland and intervening land.  Some partial visibility of the trenchless technology (e.g. HDD) compound to the south of the A1 trunk road may be attained, as could construction activity to install the onshore substation to Branxton cable corridor to the north-east. Visibility of this activity would be limited to the taller elements of excavation machinery and would be experienced in the same field of view as the existing industrial development at Torness Power Station.
  2. The magnitude of change is therefore considered to be low during construction.

Significance of the effect

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. The effect is considered to be major and significant in EIA terms during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following.  The effect would reduce to moderate-major and significant in EIA terms in year 15.  Construction effects are adverse, reversible and temporary.  Operational effects are adverse and permanent.
Cable Corridor (construction)
  1. The effect is considered to be moderate-minor and not significant in EIA terms.  Construction effects are adverse, reversible and temporary.

Viewpoint 3: John Muir Link near Skateraw

Baseline

  1. The viewpoint is located on the John Muir Link, west of Torness Power Station and on the cliffs above Skateraw Harbour.  The principal focus of views from this location is to the north and east towards the sea and along the coastline including rocky shorelines and sandy bays.
  2. Inland views to the southwest have an immediate foreground of arable fields bound by post-and-fences and hedgerows.  The A1 trunk road and ECML cross the middle-distance view, with the road bordered by coniferous shelterbelt and the railway passing behind the mature woodland of Skateraw House and the properties at Skateraw.  The land rises up forming a backdrop and skyline of low hills with the village of Innerwick, including the agricultural buildings at Innerwick Farm occupying a central position in the southwest view, backdropped by the eastern fringe of the Lammermuir Hills.  The transition from the arable farmland of the coastal plains to rough grassland bound by stone walls is a visible feature of the view, as is the radio tower on top of Blackcastle Hill, wind turbines at Aikengall wind farm and large-scale electricity pylons, crossing the view south-east of Innerwick.  Wooden pole mounted electricity lines can also be seen.
  3. Dunbar Cement Plant, Dunbar Energy Recovery Facility and Barns Ness Lighthouse are visible along the coast to the north (Volume 3 Figure 6.17   Open ▸ c).  Torness Power Station dominates visibility to the southeast (Volume 3 Figure 6.17   Open ▸ a).

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. This viewpoint is located on the boundary between SLA 29: Dunbar to Barns Ness Coast and SLA 30: Thorntonloch to Dunglass Coast. The John Muir Way (of which the John Muir Link is an extension of) is one of Scotland’s Great Trails. Value is considered to be high.
  2. This route is a popular long-distance walking route with both local residents and visitors to the area.  Although inland views are achieved, the primary focus of receptors in this location is on an appreciation of coastal views to the open sea over Skateraw Harbour, Chapel Point and along the coast to Barns Ness Lighthouse (Volume 3 Figure 6.17   Open ▸ c and 6.17d). Susceptibility is therefore considered to be medium.
  3. When considering the high value and medium susceptibility, sensitivity is considered to be medium-high.

Magnitude of change

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. Volume 3 Figure 6.11   Open ▸ shows that the onshore substation is theoretically visible from the elevated section of this route between Skateraw Harbour and Torness, beyond this short section there is limited or no visibility of the onshore substation. Volume 3 Figure 6.17   Open ▸ f - 6.16g shows the Proposed Development, at a range of 9.5 km, would increase the presence of industrial development but this would be experienced within an extent of the field of view already occupied by existing built form.  Appearing as large-scale agricultural buildings, the onshore substation would be set within the same part of the view occupied by the village of Innerwick, screening the settlement from view at this location. Existing screening is afforded by the coniferous shelterbelt bordering the A1 trunk road, reducing potential visibility of the north-western part of the onshore substation.
  2. Whilst construction activities within the eastern onshore substation site would be visible, existing screening would partially reduce visibility of ground-based activities.  Taller elements of the construction process would be visible against a backdrop of the eastern fringe of the Lammermuir Hills.  These elements are not predicted to break the horizon except when tall cranes are in use. Construction lighting would be visible when the working day would extend into the hours of darkness. 
  3. The magnitude of change is considered to be medium-high during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following. At year 15, proposed woodland planting located to the north and east of the onshore substation would obscure parts of the onshore substation from view, reducing the visual influence of the onshore substation seen from this location. The magnitude of change at year 15 once mitigation planting has matured is considered to be medium-low.
  1. These changes are considered to apply to the elevated section of the route between Skateraw Harbour and Torness, beyond this no change is predicted.
Landfall and Cable Corridor (construction)
  1. Elevated visibility of the landfall location, compounds and storage areas would be attained from this location, with very few screening influences present (Volume 3 Figure 6.17   Open ▸ c).  Activity associated with the construction of the landfall and northern-most part of the onshore cable corridor would be visible for an approximate 2.2 km section of the route, between north of Torness Power Station and the Barns Ness Lighthouse (see Volume 3 Figure 6.6   Open ▸ ).  The trenchless technology (e.g. HDD) and construction compound, material storage areas, temporary access tracks and temporary structure to provide a weatherproof working environment for cable jointing at the transition joint bays would be visible in close proximity to the route within the pastoral field immediately inland.  As trenchless technology is being deployed to bring the offshore export cable ashore, no physical disturbance of the route, beach or intertidal area are predicted.  However, a short closure or diversion to the route could be required during trenchless technology activity.
  1. The permanent security fencing required to protect the underground Transition Joint Bays would locally detract from the rural and coastal character of views but could be specified to accord with the setting if reasonably practicable.
  2. Construction of the onshore cable corridor would benefit from a number of existing screening influences, when experienced from this location.  Construction of the section of the cable corridor from landfall to the onshore substation would be predominantly screened from view by intervening localised topography and mature woodland. 
  3. Construction of the southern section of the cable corridor, between the onshore substation and Branxton, east of Innerwick, would be partially visible in the middle-distance view following the eastern extent of the minor road between North Lodge and Thornton Law.  The excavation of agricultural land, operation of machinery in fields and storage of excavated materials would present a change to baseline agricultural activity, introducing new temporary features to the view.  However, this is not considered to be entirely incongruous with the agricultural setting.
  1. The magnitude of change during construction is considered to be medium at the viewpoint location and would extend for a localised section of the route (approximately 500m to the northwest and southeast of where the cable corridor crosses the route). The magnitude of change is considered to be low for other sections of the route between Barns Ness and Torness with no change predicted beyond this.

Significance of the effect

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. The effect is considered to be moderate-major and significant in EIA terms during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following. The effect would reduce to moderate and not significant in EIA terms in year 15.  The moderate effect is considered not significant largely due to the screening effect of mitigation planting which although not entirely screening the Proposed Development from view does provide a substantial extension to existing trees in the same part of the view moderating the effect. These effects are considered to apply to the elevated section of the route between Skateraw Harbour and Torness, beyond this no change is predicted. Construction effects are adverse, reversible and temporary.  Operational effects are adverse and permanent.
Landfall and Cable Corridor (construction)
  1. The effect is considered to be moderate and significant in EIA terms over a localised portion of the route in close proximity to the proposed landfall and cable route (approximately 500m to the northwest and southeast).  The moderate effect is considered significant because the effect of construction activity related to the landfall and cable corridor is visible in relatively close proximity and whilst not entirely incongruous with other agricultural activities the scale of this activity viewed from this medium-high sensitivity receptor viewed from this location is regarded high enough to trigger a significant effect.
  2. The effect for other parts of the route between Barns Ness and Torness is considered to be moderate-minor and not significant in EIA terms with no effect for section beyond this. Construction effects are adverse, temporary and reversible. 

Viewpoint 4: Minor Road near Thornton

Baseline

  1. This viewpoint is located on the minor road northeast of Thorntonloch Holdings. The road is single-track and is primarily used to access properties south of Torness Power Station.  The road is flanked on both sides by, mature hedgerows which contain and partly obscure views from much of this section of road and nearby properties. Whilst the viewpoint has been positioned to take advantage of a gap in the hedgerow and largely represents road users, the viewpoint has also been selected to represent scattered properties in the area where similar (albeit less open) views occur to the northwest. 
  2. From the viewpoint location, views northwest towards the Proposed Development are across large-scale fields and interrupted by field boundary hedgerows and trees and deciduous woodland lining the Thornton Burn. Properties and agricultural buildings at Crowhill define a part of the visible horizon to the northwest, with wooden pole mounted overhead lines, Dunbar Cement Plant and Dunbar Energy Recovery Facility breaking the skyline.  The A1 trunk road and ECML are visible but are more peripheral features to the north.  Coniferous shelterbelt to the A1 trunk road and mature woodland enclosing Skateraw House foreshorten views to the coastline and open sea, although distant visibility to the Fife coast is possible in clear visibility.
  3. Coastal views to the north are towards Torness Power Station (Volume 3 Figure 6.18   Open ▸ b).

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. This viewpoint is not located within any national, regional or local scenic designations or recognised scenic views.  The edges of Monynut to Blackcastle SLA are evident as only a small part of the middle-distance view, defined by the deciduous woodland accompanying the Thornton Burn.  The Dunbar to Barns Ness Coast SLA is screened from view in this location by intervening landform and vegetation. Value is therefore considered to be medium-low.
  2. The road is a minor, single-track road providing access to properties in the vicinity of Thorntonloch Holdings via a narrow stone bridge and restricted underpass beneath the ECML.  The view is deemed representative of the scattered residential properties around Thorntonloch Holdings that have an appreciation of the surrounding landscape, particularly the immediate landscape context they are set in and the coastal fringes to the north.  Susceptibility is considered to be medium-high.
  3. In combining the medium-low value and medium-high susceptibility, sensitivity is considered to be medium.

Magnitude of change

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. Although the Proposed Development would appear as principally large-scale agricultural buildings, the onshore substation is experienced in appropriate scale compared with existing built form from this distance, orientation and elevation. 
  2. In the view to the northwest, the onshore substation would marginally increase the portion of the field of view occupied by industrial development, breaking the skyline slightly. The onshore substation would also screen visibility of Dunbar Energy Recovery Facility and reduce visibility of the Dunbar Cement Plant (Volume 3 Figure 6.18   Open ▸ d - 6.18e). 
  3. This change to the view would be experienced at an oblique angle to the direction of movement if travelling north when the focus of receptors would be towards Torness Power Station.
  4. Taller elements involved in the construction process would break the skyline profile while ground based activities associated with the excavation and regrading of the onshore substation platform would be predominantly screened by topography.  Taller elements breaking the horizon would be experienced within the context of other man-made features that already rest upon the visible horizon.  Construction activity within the western portion of the onshore substation site would also be screened from this location.  Construction lighting would be visible when working days would extend into the hours of darkness, although this would be experienced in the context of the lit section of the A1 trunk road and Torness Power Station.
  5. The magnitude of change is considered to be medium during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following, reducing to medium-low in year 15 when landscape mitigation planting has matured.
Cable Corridor (construction)
  1. Construction of the onshore cable corridor is not predicted to be visible from this location and would therefore result in no change.

Significance of the effect

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. The effect is considered to be moderate and not significant in EIA terms during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following. The moderate effect is not considered significant as the scale of change on this medium sensitivity receptor is not regarded high enough to trigger a significant effect, whilst the upper parts of substation buildings would be visible from this location above intervening landform, they would be viewed within the same part of the view as existing industrial infrastructure. The effect would reduce to moderate-minor and not significant in EIA terms in year 15.  Construction effects are adverse, reversible and temporary.  Operational effects are adverse and permanent.

Cable Corridor (construction)

  1. No change and therefore no effect is predicted. 

Viewpoint 5: Minor Road near Thurston

Baseline

  1. This viewpoint is located on the minor road at the entrance to Thurston Manor Caravan Park and gives access to Innerwick and outer-lying properties.  The road in this location is bound by scrubby vegetation and post-and-wire fencing, creating an open aspect in views northeast to the coast. 
  2. The elevated view northeast is across the gradually sloping coastal plain to Torness Power Station, which forms the visual focus. The coastal plain encompasses large arable fields, bound by intermittent hedgerows and stone walls with wooden pole mounted overhead lines forming a linear feature across the centre view.  Scattered properties, including Skateraw House, are visible in the distance. The A1 trunk road and ECML are visible on the coast to the northeast, as are the shelterbelt enclosing the main trunk road and the mature woodland at Skateraw House.  These areas of woodland are the only feature of the view to provide any context or definition to the major industrial development at Torness Power Station, which is set against the open sea. The village of Innerwick occupies the hillslopes to the east, backed by the deciduous woodland of the Braidwood Burn. 
  3. Construction activity associated with the NNG onshore cable corridor is apparent north of Innerwick and close to the A1 (albeit this is a temporary feature of the view at the time of photography fieldwork).

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. This viewpoint is not located within any national, regional or local scenic designations or recognised scenic views.  The viewpoint is however located close to the eastern boundary of SLA 7: Doonhill to Chesters but does not have extensive views across this SLA. Value of this view is considered to be medium.
  2. The view is largely representative of road users with distant and oblique views towards the Proposed Development site. A number of properties scattered along the minor road have similar views (albeit at less elevation than the viewpoint) and an appreciation of the surrounding landscape, particularly the immediate landscape context in which they are set. The location is close to the access to Thurston Manor Caravan Park and is popular with visitors to the area who use the outer-lying areas for walking and cycling. Views towards the Proposed Development site are within the context of Torness Power Station. On balance, susceptibility is considered to be medium.
  3. In combining the medium value and medium susceptibility, sensitivity is considered to be medium.

Magnitude of change

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. Volume 3 Figures 6.19d - 6.19e illustrate that the Proposed Development at a range of 1.6 km would extend the industrial influence on the view, increasing the portion of the field of view occupied by industrial development.  At this distance, orientation and elevation, the Proposed Development represents a marked change to the principally arable and consistent land use approaching Torness Power Station.  However, the onshore substation is experienced within the same part of the panorama and the existing Power Station which moderates the additional influence that the Proposed Development would have.
  2. Limited screening influences exist in the view, resulting in relatively uninterrupted visibility of the Proposed Development which is 1.6 km to the east.  The onshore substation would partially break the visible horizon, obscuring some of the open sea at Thorntonloch however, part of it would be back clothed by the buildings at Torness Power Station.
  3. Construction activities associated with the onshore substation would be visible from this viewpoint. Whilst parts of the ground-based work associated with the excavation and re-grading of the onshore substation platform would be screened by intervening topography, taller elements of the construction process would marginally break the horizon and extend onto views of the open sea.  Construction lighting would be visible when the working day would extend into the hours of darkness.  However, this would be viewed in the context of road lighting along the A1 trunk road between the Skateraw and Thorntonloch junctions, as well as existing lighting at Torness Power Station, moderating the effect it would have.
  4. Taking all of this into account, the magnitude of change is considered to be medium during construction and at year 1 once construction activity is complete. At year 15, proposed woodland planting located to the west of the onshore substation would further obscure the proposed substation from view, and the magnitude of change is predicted to be medium-low at year 15.
Cable Corridor (construction)
  1. Visibility of the cable corridor construction would be limited to a small portion of the landfall to onshore substation section, west of Skateraw House in the distance and partially restricted by intervening landscape elements.  The magnitude of change is considered to be low during construction.

Significance of the effect

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. The effect is considered to be moderate and not significant in EIA terms during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following. The moderate effect is not considered significant as the scale of change to this medium sensitivity receptor is not regarded high enough to trigger a significant effect, whilst the upper parts of substation buildings would be visible from this location above intervening landform, they would be viewed within the same part of the view as existing industrial infrastructure.
  2. The effect would reduce to moderate-minor and not significant in year 15. Construction effects are adverse, reversible and temporary.  Operational effects are adverse and permanent.
Cable Corridor (construction)
  1. The effect would be minor and not significant.  Construction effects are adverse, reversible and temporary. 

Viewpoint 6: Blackcastle Hill

Baseline

  1. This viewpoint is located north of the radio tower on top of Blackcastle Hill and represents views from the easternmost hillslopes of the Lammermuir fringe, looking over the coastal plain.  The location is readily accessible due to the permanent access track to the top of Blackcastle Hill for maintenance of the radio tower which in part is a recognised core path. The hilltop location provides a wide panorama towards a horizon of open sea encompassing the coastline between Barns Ness Lighthouse and Torness Power Station, Skateraw Harbour and Chapel Point.
  1. In the area of the Proposed Development site, the coniferous shelterbelt enclosing the A1 trunk road, mature woodland at Skateraw House and Skateraw Farm and deciduous woodland of the Braidwood Burn form the main areas of tree cover.  Large field boundaries are predominantly defined by hedgerows.  The coastline in this location is characterised by widespread human influence and historic industry. Large-scale electricity pylons are partially visible within the foreground view, the A1 trunk road and ECML also cross this view in the distance, with Torness Power Station a dominant industrial influence of the baseline environment set against the sea at Torness Point.  The properties and agricultural buildings at Skateraw are visible in the distance on the coastal plain. Dunbar Cement Plant, including operational quarry, and Dunbar Energy Recovery Facility are visible to the north (Volume 3 Figure 6.20   Open ▸ a). 
  1. Construction compounds, plant, material and reinstated agricultural land associated with the NNG onshore cable corridor are also evident in the distance (albeit this is a temporary feature of the view at the time of photography fieldwork).

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. Although not recognised as a scenic view, the viewpoint is located within SLA 4: Monynut to Blackcastle and demonstrates elevated outward visibility from the Lammermuir hill fringe over the coastal plains to the East Lothian Coast, incorporating the Dunbar to Barns Ness Coast and Thorntonloch to Dunglass Coast SLAs. Value is considered to be medium-high.
  2. This viewpoint location represents recreational walkers who would have an appreciation of the surrounding landscape. Susceptibility is however slightly moderated by the existing influence of industrial development and other transport infrastructure seen in the same part of the view as the Proposed Development site. On balance, susceptibility is considered to be medium.
  3. In combining the medium-high value and medium susceptibility, sensitivity is considered to be medium-high.

Magnitude of change

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. Volume 3 Figure 6.20   Open ▸ c - 6.16d illustrate that the Proposed Development at a range of 2.5 km would bring industrial land-use further inland, to the south of the A1 trunk road and ECML transport corridor, and would increase the presence of industrial development.  The onshore substation would essentially appear as large-scale agricultural buildings.  However, within such an expanse of open coastal plain, experienced from an elevated position, the change from arable fields to industrial land use would be notably apparent.
  2. This change would be set within the context of a coastline that is characterised by both industrial development and human influence as well as a more recent history of electricity generation and distribution.
  3. The introduction of the onshore substation is provided a degree of visual context by the properties and agricultural buildings at Skateraw and Skateraw Farm (set within woods), which form a backdrop and occupy the same part of the view. The large built forms of the nearby Torness Power Station also provide some local precedent and context for the scale of the Proposed Development at the onshore substation.
  4. Construction of the onshore substation would be visible from this viewpoint including the ground-based work associated with the excavation and re-grading of the substation platform. Taller elements of the construction process would not break the horizon or extend onto views of the open sea.  Construction lighting would be visible when the working day would extend into the hours of darkness.  However, this would be viewed in the context of road lighting along the A1 trunk road between the Skateraw and Thorntonloch junctions, as well as existing lighting at Torness Power Station and recreational receptors are not likely to be visiting this location during the hours of darkness.
  5. The magnitude of change is considered to be medium during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following.  Whilst the mitigation planting would obscure lower parts of the built development, the elevated nature of the viewpoint means that the mitigation planting has much less influence on the view of the Proposed Development overall and the magnitude of change remains medium at year 15 as a result.
Landfall and Cable Corridor (construction)
  1. Distant visibility of the landfall location, compounds and storage areas would be attained from this location, with partial screening afforded by the buildings and woodland at Skateraw. The permanent security fencing required to protect the Transition Joint Bays is not predicted to be visible at this range.
  2. Construction of the onshore cable corridor from landfall to the onshore substation would benefit from the screening influence of built form and mature woodland at Skateraw, when experienced from this location. 
  3. Construction of the southern section of the cable corridor, between the onshore substation and Branxton, east of Innerwick, would be visible within the field boundary east of the minor road between North Lodge and Thornton Law.  The excavation of agricultural land, operation of machinery in fields and storage of excavated materials would present a change to baseline agricultural activity, introducing new temporary features to the view.  However, this is not considered to be inconsistent with the agricultural setting.
  4. The magnitude of change is considered to be low during construction.

Significance of the effect

Onshore Substation (construction and operation)
  1. The effect is considered to be moderate and significant in EIA terms during construction, in year 1 and by year 15. The moderate effect is considered significant as the scale of change to this medium-high sensitivity receptor is regarded high enough to trigger a significant effect, whilst relatively distant in the view the introduction of industrial buildings to the largely arable coastal plain from this elevated position would be notably apparent. Construction effects are adverse, reversible and temporary.  Operational effects are adverse and permanent.
Landfall and Cable Corridor (construction)
  1. The effect is considered to be moderate-minor and not significant in EIA terms.  Construction effects are adverse, reversible and temporary. 

Links Cottage, Skateraw Harbour

Baseline

  1. Links Cottage is a bungalow located on Skateraw Harbour, southeast of the proposed landfall and east of the proposed cable route.  The property occupies a sheltered position within the harbour, enclosed by localised topography of the raised beach platform which rises up to the west. The principal view from this property is out to sea with its primary orientation to the east, towards Torness Power Station.  Views to west from the rear of the property and garden areas are across an immediate context of some rough and some semi-improved grassland, shortened by the raised beach that encloses the property.

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. Links Cottage is located in SLA 29: Dunbar to Barns Ness Coast and views from the property also have a local value for residential receptors. Value is considered to be Medium-High. 
  2. Residential receptors have an appreciation of the surrounding landscape and seascape, particularly the immediate harbour and coastal context of the property’s setting. The focus of views from this property are coastal with no apparent view inland (including of the Proposed Development site) due to the enclosing raised beach ridges that surround the area. Susceptibility is moderated by the existing large scale industrial context of Torness Power Station which dominates the visual context of the coastal scene from this property.  Taking this into account susceptibility to change is considered to be medium.
  3. In combining the medium-high value with the medium susceptibility, sensitivity is considered to be medium-high.

Magnitude of change (Landfall and Cable Corridor - construction)

  1. Intervening raised beach topography in close proximity to the rear elevation of the property (to the west and north) limits visibility of the ground-based construction activity at the landfall location and contractor’s compound which are located at distances of approximately 85 m and 55 m respectively.  It is considered therefore that visibility of these construction activities from this property would be restricted to only the upper parts of taller components of construction machinery. Visibility of the construction of the onshore cable corridor would be equally limited and the excavation of localised raised beach topography would occur as a more short-term process within the context of other construction activities. Views of the construction processes would be attained from the approach to the house.

The magnitude of change is therefore considered to be low during construction.

Significance of the effect (Landfall and Cable Corridor - construction)

  1. The effect is considered to be moderate-minor and not significant in EIA terms. Construction effects are adverse, temporary and reversible. 

Individual Property at Castledene

Baseline

  1. Castledene is a bungalow located south of the minor road between North Lodge and Thornton Law and north of the proposed trenchless technology (e.g. HDD) compound at the Castledene Scheduled Monument.  The property occupies an elevated position above the road allowing views north over the mature woodland at Fouracres.  Views from the rear elevation of the property are over arable fields to the Braidwood Burn and overhead power lines at Branxton (see site context photograph 12 in Volume 3 Figure 6.7   Open ▸ c). 

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. Castledene is located on the western boundary of SLA 4: Monynut to Blackcastle and views also have an informal value for residential receptors. Value is considered to be Medium-High. 
  1. Residential receptors have an appreciation of the surrounding landscape, particularly across the immediate fields and woods at Fouracres and towards the coastline to the north. The Proposed Development site is located very close to this property increasing its susceptibility to change. Susceptibility is considered to be high
  2. In combining the medium-high value with the high susceptibility, sensitivity is considered to be high.

Magnitude of change (Cable Corridor - construction)

  1. The proposed location of excess material storage and a contractor compound, north of the minor road, would be visible within angled views from the primary elevation of the property to the north-west.  The proposed cable corridor, material storage and trenchless technology (e.g. HDD) compounds would be located on elevated topography in close proximity to the rear elevation and curtilage of Castledene, within 15 m at their closest point. The magnitude of change is therefore considered to be high during construction.

Significance of the effect (Cable Corridor - construction)

  1. The effect is considered to be major and significant in EIA terms.  Construction effects are adverse, temporary and reversible. 

Core Path 18, north of Innerwick

Baseline

  1. Core Path 18 leaves the northern edge of Innerwick, east of Innerwick Primary School, where it is enclosed by mature woodland.  The route then follows the hedgerow and stone wall boundaries of fields north, to join the minor road south of the onshore substation site.

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. The core path is not located within any national, regional or local scenic designations or recognised scenic views but holds informal value for recreational users of the path. Value is considered to be medium.
  2. Visual receptors are recreational walkers on this route that have an appreciation for the landscape they are moving through, most notably the immediate landscape context of the route’s setting. Susceptibility is considered to be medium-high.
  3. In combining the medium value and medium-high susceptibility, sensitivity is considered to be medium-high.

Magnitude of change (Onshore Substation - construction and operation)

  1. Viewed at close proximity, the introduction of industrial development would present a marked contrast to the more consistent agricultural view with limited screening influences in situ.  Although the onshore substation would predominantly appear as a large collection of agricultural buildings, the perceived scale would be at odds with other agricultural buildings when experienced from this proximity and orientation.  This change would be experienced for a short section (approximately 140m), at the northern extent of the core path. On other parts of this core path and closer to where it connects with Innerwick, theoretical visibility of the onshore substation is screened by intervening features (see Volume 3 Figure 6.11   Open ▸ ).
  2. From this northern part of the core path, construction of the onshore substation would introduce similarly evident features to the baseline visual resource.  Taller elements involved in the construction process would break the skyline profile while ground based activities associated with the excavation and regrading of the onshore substation platform would be viewed in close proximity.
  1. The magnitude of change is considered to be medium-high during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following.  At year 15, proposed woodland planting located to the south of the onshore substation would substantially obscure the onshore substation from view, reducing the visual influence of built development seen from this location. The magnitude of change at year 15 once mitigation planting has matured is considered to be medium-low.

Significance of the effect (Onshore Substation - construction and operation)

  1. The effect is considered to be moderate-major and significant in EIA terms during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following.  The effect would reduce to moderate and not significant in EIA terms in year 15.  The moderate effect is not considered significant as the scale of change to this medium-high sensitivity receptor is not regarded high enough to trigger a significant effect, this is largely due to the screening effect of proposed planting which from the northern section of the core path would substantially screen the Proposed Development from view. These effects would be localised to the northern 140m of the core path with no effect to other sections of this route.
  2. Construction effects are adverse, temporary and reversible.  Operational effects are adverse and permanent.

INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY AT RAILWAY COTTAGE, SKATERAW GATE

Baseline

  1. Railway cottage is a bungalow located 600 metres north of Crowhill, south of the A1 carriageway.  The property immediately adjoins the ECML and as such is enclosed by timber fencing and predominantly mature vegetation.  Despite this, the aspect towards the proposed onshore substation exhibits is more open, representing the main point of access to the property from the farm access track running north of Crowhill.  Views attained towards the proposed development are over arable fields towards the village of Innerwick and Blackcastle Hill.

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. This property is not located within any national, regional or local scenic designations but has an informal value for residential receptors. Value is considered to be medium.
  2. Residential receptors have an appreciation of the surrounding landscape. However, susceptibility is moderated at this property as a result of the close proximity of the ECML, a major element of transport infrastructure in the area which obscures coastal views and brings noisy and busy infrastructure immediately adjacent to the property. Susceptibility is considered to be medium-high
  3. In combining the medium value with the medium-high susceptibility, sensitivity is considered to be medium-high.

Magnitude of change (Onshore Substation - construction and operation)

  1. The proposed onshore substation would be visible within angled views from the rear elevation and property curtilage in close proximity, 250 metres to the west.  The onshore substation would be located at a higher elevation than the property, with the closest portion of the levelled substation platform raising the existing topography introducing an embankment, access tracks and SuDS pond.
  2. The magnitude of change is considered to be high during construction, year 1 and in the years immediately following.  Whilst the mitigation planting would obscure lower parts of the built development, the embankment of the substation platform and the access tracks, the proximity of the receptor means that the mitigation planting has much less influence on the view of the onshore substation overall and the magnitude of change remains high at year 15 as a result.

Significance of the effect (Onshore Substation - construction and operation)

  1. The effect is considered to be major and significant during construction, in year 1 and by year 15.  Construction effects are adverse, temporary and reversible.  Operational effects are adverse and permanent.

6.11.8.              Proposed Monitoring

  1. No monitoring to test the predictions made within the visual effects section of the LVIA chapter is considered necessary.

6.12. Cumulative Effects Assessment

6.12.1.              Tier 1 Cumulative Assessment

  1. The tier 1 cumulative assessment considers the cumulative effects of the Proposed Development with the offshore elements of the Berwick Bank Wind Farm, forming a ‘whole project effect assessment’. The tier 1 cumulative assessment has been undertaken in Chapter 15: Seascape, Landscape and Visual of the Offshore EIA Report. The assessment of impacts arising from construction, operation and decommissioning of the Project indicates that impacts on receptors addressed in different aspects of the Project may potentially further contribute to the impacts assessed on seascape, landscape and visual receptors and vice versa.
  2. These inter-relationships are considered in the Tier 1 CEA as the impacts and associated effects of different aspects of the Project on the same receptor. In the SLVIA and LVIA, these cumulative effects are considered to be receptor led effects, where specific receptors may be affected by both the construction and operation of the Proposed Development and the construction and operation of the Berwick Bank offshore infrastructure. There is potential for effects to interact, spatially and temporally, to create cumulative effects on a receptor. A summary description of the significance of cumulative effects upon seascape, landscape and visual receptors as reported in Chapter 15 of the Offshore EIA report is provided below. For detailed findings of the Tier 1 assessment please refer to Chapter 15 of the Offshore EIA Report.
  3. The Tier 1 assessment in Chapter 15: Seascape, Landscape and Visual of the Offshore EIA Report, 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 Proposed Development or the Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore infrastructure. 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 infrastructure 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 infrastructure 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 Proposed Development and the Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore infrastructure) on localised parts of the landscape around the onshore substation where there are also sea views to the Berwick Bank offshore infrastructure, including geographically contained areas of the Coastal Margins LCT (277) (Lothians) and a number of representative viewpoints in these areas at Skateraw, John Muir Link and Innerwick. When considered as an additional contribution of the Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore infrastructure, the cumulative effect is however assessed as not significant, fundamentally because the offshore elements 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 (as assessed in Chapter 15: Seascape, Landscape and Visual of the Offshore EIA Report) over and above the effect of Proposed Development alone. 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.