M7 Naas to Newbridge Bypass Upgrade Scheme. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Brief of Evidence

Transcription

1 M7 Naas to Newbridge Bypass Upgrade Scheme Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Brief of Evidence Presented by Richard Butler, Cunnane Stratton Reynolds Landscape Architect: BL Arch (University of Pretoria, 1995); Member of the Irish Landscape Institute; Town Planner: MSc Spatial Planning (DIT, 2007); Member of the Irish Planning Institute; 15 years professional experience including LVIA to inform planning, design and construction of transport infrastructure and other developments. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 1

2 Content of Presentation Predicted landscape and visual impacts; Issues relating to landscape and visual amenity raised in submissions and objections; Mitigation measures; Conclusions. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Methodology Derived from the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, 2nd edition 2002, published by the UK Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. Landscape and visual impacts are assessed by separate but linked procedures. Landscape assessment: The effects deriving from alterations to the elements and characteristics of the landscape, which may give rise to changes in its character, how it is experienced and hence the ascribed value of the landscape. Visual Assessment: Changes that arise in the composition of available views, the response of people to these changes and the overall effects on the area s visual amenity M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 2

3 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Methodology Assess and classify landscape/visual receptor sensitivity; Identify and classify magnitude of landscape/visual change; Leading to a classification of impact significance, and evaluation as beneficial, neutral or adverse. Sensitivity H M L Magnitude H M L High Significance Medium Significance Low Significance N Existing Environment The landscape is described and visual receptors identified in Section 14.4 of the EIS. Policy affecting the assessment is identified in Section 14.5 of the EIS. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 3

4 Impact Assessment Landscape Impacts of the M7 Widening No significant changes outside of the motorway pavement and median. No significant changes to the main elements or characteristics of the wider landscape. Negligible magnitude of landscape change. Landscape sensitivity is low: already characterised by the presence of the M7 and falling within the Strategic Development Corridor of Co. Kildare, informed by the county landscape character assessment. Predicted impact: Low significance and neutral. Greater magnitude of landscape change during construction but confined to the existing motorway corridor. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 4

5 Visual Impacts of the M7 Widening 25 Visual Reference Points (VRPs) assessed - representing residential properties in the vicinity of the motorway. Non-residential land use and visual receptors were scoped out of the assessment. No protected views or scenic routes potentially affected. The visual impact assessment for the 25 VRPs is contained in Table 14.4 of the EIS. For 22 VRPs, after the construction phase, low or negligible magnitude of change, or no change to views. No significant effect on visual amenity. For VRPs where some change to views is predicted this would result primarily from the installation of noise barriers. After construction, change never greater than a low magnitude. To mitigate visibility of the barriers: (a) planting alongside barrier (house-side), or (b) setting the barrier behind existing vegetation on the shared boundary between the motorway and the neighbouring property. Summary: After construction no visual impact or impacts of low significance for 22 of 25 VRPs. For 3 VRPs, mitigation measures along with noise barriers will neutralise impacts. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 5

6 Visual Impacts of the M7 Widening Response to Objections Brendan & Carol Carton, Lewistown Approx. 100m from road reservation to canal bank Approx. 50m from house to edge of road reservation M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 6

7 Visual Impacts of the M7 Widening Response to Objections Brendan & Carol Carton, Lewistown Request provision of earth mound for additional noise mitigation, and provision of additional landscaping to mitigate effects on Grand Canal. Section shows location of proposed noise barrier in relation to existing vegetation in the road reservation, and to the Carton s house. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 7

8 Visual Impacts of the M7 Widening Response to Objections Joe & Karen Evans, 1158 Osberstown Cottages Approx. 50m from property boundary to attenuation area M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 8

9 Landscape Impacts of the Newhall Interchange Established presence of the M7 and R445, the existing interchange, extensive zoning for industry and warehousing of the surrounding lands and the ongoing development, results in low sensitivity to landscape change of the nature proposed. However Kildare County Development Plan (14.4.2) recognises that at local level landscapes vary in terms of their ability to absorb development. Therefore landscape is assessed at two scales: the wider landscape and the local landscape. At the wider scale the relocation of the interchange by a short distance to the existing crossing of the R445 over the M7 constitutes a low magnitude of change. There would be a loss of some agricultural land, sections of hedgerow with mature trees, and semi-mature vegetation from the existing motorway corridor. A greater volume of woody vegetation would be established in mitigation (Landscape Mitigation Plan Figure 14.1, EIS Volume 3, and Schedule of Commitments Figure 1). At the wider scale the landscape impact would be of low significance and neutral. There would be no change to landscape character and value. During construction the impact would be of medium significance and adverse. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 9

10 Landscape Impacts of the Newhall Interchange At the local scale, the area contained by the M7 and R445 occupied by the Coyle family properties is a distinct landscape resource. Having a residential function and due to an accumulation of impacts over time - this landscape is of high sensitivity to change of the nature proposed. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 10

11 Landscape Impacts of the Newhall Interchange Scheme The proposed west-bound off-ramp would traverse the field to the west of the house belonging to Mary Coyle, rising on an embankment towards the new roundabout on the R445. Loss of part of the field, and a section of the strip of semi-mature vegetation alongside the motorway. Traffic movements in the area would be altered, with an increase in volume on the R445 in front of the houses. The main elements and characteristics of the landscape would not be substantially altered, but considering cumulative effects the landscape change can be considered of medium magnitude. During the construction phase the magnitude of change would be high. For this area, during construction, the landscape impact would be of high significance and adverse. In operation the impact would be of medium significance and the impact would continue to lessen in time as mitigation planting matures. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 11

12 Visual Impacts of the M7 Widening 12 Visual Reference Points (VRPs) assessed - representing residential properties in the vicinity of the interchange. The VRPs are shown on Figure 14.2, EIS Volume 3. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 12

13 Visual Impacts of the M7 Widening The visual impact assessment for the 12 VRPs is contained in Table 14.5 of the EIS. Situated in a landscape in transition. Commercial development ongoing and further lands zoned for industry and warehousing. Kildare County Development Plan Map 18.3 Naas Environs (west) 8 of the 12 VRPs would experience low magnitude of change or less after the construction phase. The composition, character and quality of views would not be significantly altered. Visual impact on these properties would be of low significance and neutral. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 13

14 Visual Impacts of the Newhall Interchange Scheme 4 of the 12 Visual Reference Points representing 5 houses - would experience medium or high magnitude of change after the construction phase. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 14

15 Visual Impacts of the Newhall Interchange 4 of the 12 Visual Reference Points representing 5 houses - would experience medium or high magnitude of change after the construction phase. For 2 of these NI-5 and NI-8 mitigation planting will reduce and neutralise impact. Additionally, development of zoned lands between the properties and the interchange site will screen the interchange from view. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 15

16 Visual Impacts of the Newhall Interchange 2 Visual Reference Points representing 3 houses - would experience long term visual change. These are the properties of Mary and Harry and Maura Coyle and the property of Catherine Morrin. All have submitted objections. Catherine Morrin Mary Coyle Harry & Maura Coyle M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 16

17 Visual Impacts of the Newhall Interchange Response to Objections Mary Coyle and Harry and Maura Coyle The off-ramp would pass some 70m from Mary Coyle s house, on an embankment. Due to tall, dense vegetation surrounding the house and Harry and Maura Coyle s house the off-ramp would not be visible from within the properties. Noise barriers would be visible, especially in front of the houses along the R445. Increased traffic volume on the R445 may be visible over the barrier. Lights of traffic at night, and overhead lighting of the new interchange may be visible. Approaching the houses on the access lane the roundabout and traffic on the R445 would be visible. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 17

18 Visual Impacts of the Newhall Interchange Response to Objections Mary Coyle and Harry and Maura Coyle Minimal change to views from the houses but views and visual amenity in the domestic environment would be altered. The receptors are of high sensitivity, therefore impact classified as being of high significance and adverse. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 18

19 Mitigation Measures: Newhall Interchange The landscape mitigation plan is included as Figure 14.1 of the EIS Volume 3. Additional Mitigation measures in Schedule of Commitments Figure 1. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 19

20 Mitigation Measures: Coyle Properties Belt of woodland on the roundabout embankment to the SW. To rear of houses, in front of the noise barrier, a double-width hedgerow with a central line of closely spaced trees. To front of the houses the noise barrier will provide screening of traffic on the R445. E-E A-A (Vegetation shown in sections approx. 5-7 yrs after planting. Trees 6m tall.) A-A E-E E-E M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 20

21 Response to Objections Catherine Morrin House orientates towards interchange site. Relative lack of screening vegetation between the house and the site. Interchange would be visible including lights at night. Medium magnitude of change: Composition of the view would be altered, but not the character, nor the scenic quality in the medium to long term after construction. Approx. 300m to interchange works on R445 Approx. 400m from house to M7 M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 21

22 Mitigation Measures: Catherine Morrin Woodland in the road reservation including on the embankment above fish pass pools, without encroaching on slip road sightline and allowing access to pools. On boundary of road reservation a hedgerow beneath and a line of closely spaced trees. Profile of the interchange infrastructure will be broken up and softened. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 22

23 Cumulative Impacts: M7 Upgrade & Proposed Osberstown interchange The two interchange sites are 2.75km apart (3km by the motorway). Only road users will experience effects of both developments within a short period approx. 1.5 to 2 minutes apart. In the context on a motorway bypassing a large town there will be no accumulation of negative impact on visual amenity. Mitigation Measures & Residual Impacts For the motorway widening, planting along with noise barriers, or setting back barriers to preserve vegetation on property boundaries, to soften their presence in views. Other than the noise barriers there will be no addition or removal of significant landscape features therefore no significant landscape or visual impacts. For the interchange, a scheme of woodland, hedgerows, treelines, shrubs and meadowgrass planting is proposed to restore the landscape. This will compensate for losses resulting from the infrastructure and provide visual screening for nearby houses and their associated lands. The most sensitive receptors few in number - will continue to experience adverse landscape and visual change in their domestic environment. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 23

24 Conclusions Receiving environment falls into Strategic Development Corridor of Co. Kildare. Designated for development of transport infrastructure and associated land use. Relatively limited landscape value, recognised in County Development Plan. Impacts of significance, on both landscape and visual receptors, confined to a small area and a small number of people. Impacts arise due to the proximity of their houses to the motorway. Residual impacts after mitigation are not of sufficient significance to restrict the M7 s improvement. The proposed development is not an inappropriate intervention in the landscape. M7 Naas to Newbridge By-Pass Upgrade Scheme - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 24