CAM FOREST PROPOSED TIMBER EXTRACTION TRACK

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1 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment CAM FOREST PROPOSED TIMBER EXTRACTION TRACK Elizabeth McIntosh BSc, Dip LD, MSc, MICFor Forest Design Services December 2012

2 CAM FOREST, Proposed mber extrac on access track LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT Contents 1) Landscape character and context baseline study 2) Planning and Policy considera ons 3) Alterna ve routes 4) Descrip on of proposals, issues affec ng choice of route and design of track 5) Descrip on of beck crossing, construc ons details and illustra ons of proposals 6) Evalua on of effects landscape, visual iden fica on of viewpoints, receptors, ZVIs (Maps, photos, illustra ons of proposals) 7) Mi ga on measures 8) Conclusions A full descrip on of the proposed extrac on routes may be viewed in the Cam Woodlands Report. The purpose of this assessment is to examine the landscape effects of the proposals, evaluate mi ga on ac ons proposed and give recommenda ons for which alterna ve best meets landscape objec ves. 1) Landscape character and context next 5 to 10 years are therefore limited. 2) Planning and Policy considera ons The Dales Woodland Strategy ( ), third revision, maintains links with the Na onal Park Management Plan and also supports and reflects Regional Forestry Strategies for Yorkshire and nearby Cumbria. Trees and woodlands are an important feature in the Yorkshire Dales Na onal Park and the Na onal Park Management Plan aims to conserve the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park and promo ng understanding and enjoyment of its special quali es. The Dales Woodland Strategy focuses on the protec on, restora on and expansion of semi natural woodland habitats. Conifer planta ons occupy just under 2% of the Na onal Park. In partnership with landowners and grant aiding authori es, extensive work is being undertaken to introduce broadleaves into these conifer areas as well as managing them for BAP species such as red squirrels. In addi on to aspira ons to manage woodland for environmental benefit, the Yorkshire Dales Na onal Park also encourages management of woodland for economic benefit. The Dales Woodland Strategy states the aims will be to: a) Assist landowners to create a sustainably managed tree and woodland resource which supports the reten on and development of a viable and vibrant forestry sector. b) Encourage the future development of an ac ve market, including tourism, recrea onal and renewable energy opportuni es, for both tradi onal and innova ve woodland products that contribute to the economic vitality of the Dales in par cular the local produc on of high quality mber. Cam Forest is situated in the Three Peaks and Central Moors and Fells Landscape Character area of the Yorkshire Dales Na onal Park. The Landscape Character area contains a number of key characteris cs that are visible within the se ng of Cam Forest. These key characteris cs include dis nct stepped peaks o en with pronounced flat plateau tops; exposed peak sides with sandstone and limestone crags and screes; uninhabited exposed moorland with upland farms and associated buildings on dale fringes and dale heads, o en associated with pockets of limestone grassland; broadleaved woodland associated with gullies and along gills, with occasional small woodlands on hillsides; planta on forest occupying former field pa ern, planted in even aged stands, but now approaching produc on phase; isolated roads and footpaths offering panoramic views of dales and the Three Peaks. Field boundaries in this area are a mixture of stone walls and wire fences. Hill livestock farming and associated service industries and tourism are the main occupa ons in the area. Cam Forest is situated on the watershed of the rivers Ribble and Wharfe, on the upper reaches of the Cam Beck. There are extensive views from the upper slopes to the surrounding countryside, including Ingleborough, an important local landmark. The landscape surrounding the planta on is large scale, open heather moorland, with gently sloping landform. Greenfield planta on adjoins the south east boundary and is also in the process of felling and replan ng. Cam can be seen clearly from sec ons of the Pennine Way and Dales Way, which follow the northern planta on boundary. The upper planta on slopes are visible from a few loca ons in the surrounding landscape forming an unnatural looking angular element in the landscape. Otherwise most of Cam is remote from public access routes and not visually prominent in the wider landscape. Cam has been seriously affected by wind blow, over the past 5 years. The planta on is even aged and predominantly planted with Spruce having been managed on a non thin regime; management op ons over the In order to manage woodland for these benefits, it is necessary to gain access for management and to extract produce. 3) Alterna ve routes considered The extrac on of mber and haulage of mber from Cam Forest has been the subject of debate for several years. Under previous ownership several different routes were considered and discussed with the Planning Authority. The exis ng track which joins the Cam High Road to the north east of the planta on is an op on which would not require the construc on of a new track, although some upgrading may be required. Use of this route would lead to mber lorries travelling through Hawes and it has been discarded on prac cal grounds. Routes a, b and c (Fig 9) were also considered. The landscape effects of these tracks would vary, depending on length, gradient (and therefore cut and fill required for construc on) and character of the landscape over which they were constructed. Routes b and c involved construc ng track over open moorland, which would increase visual prominence compared with routes immediately above the planta on. These routes would also introduce a man made element into a semi wild landscape with resul ng impact on landscape character. Route a linked the exis ng forest access track to the Cam High Road by a rela vely short route up the bank above the planta on. This route was discarded because it affected land belonging to an adjacent owner. 4) Descrip on of proposals, issues affec ng choice of route and design of track The main objec ve of this proposal is to connect Cam Forest with the local public road network at Gearstones on the B6255, to allow mber extrac on by lorry from the forest. In order to do this, a new linking track is required between the current forest access track to the north of the planta on and the Cam High Road. This route is the shortest poten al link to the public road network and will avoid mber lorries using narrow country lanes which link to Hawes. In addi on, sec ons of the Cam High Road will require upgrading to allow safe passage of loaded lorries, including the Gayle Beck crossing near Gearstones. The prac cali es of construc ng a track and legal 1

3 issues connected with the use of Cam High Road have led the present owner to opt for a compromise route which will be less intrusive in the landscape and which will reduce the gradient of the slope into Cam, thereby controlling the amount of cut and fill required to construct the track. Full details of construc on appear in the method statement and associated drawings. In summary, the track will be constructed across the slope, on the chosen route and will be surfaced with local stone. Spoil resul ng from construc on will be covered with topsoil from the site, allowing re vegeta on of earth workings in a short me period. Repair works to the sec on of the Cam High Road between the bridge at Gayle Beck and the proposed new track at West Gate will also be carried out. No widening is proposed, the works will include repairing pot holes, construc ng culverts and water breaks and surfacing with stone to match the original surface, to allow safe passage of mber lorries. The landscape effects of this work are considered to be minimal. 5) Descrip on of beck crossing, construc ons details and illustra ons of proposals The crossing required to carry mber lorries over Gayle Beck will need to be upgraded, details are described in the engineers report. 6) Evalua on of effects landscape, visual iden fica on of viewpoints, receptors, ZVIs (Maps, photo graphs and illustra ons of proposals) Methodology: Zones of Visual Influence of the proposed track was determined by ground checking and maps were produced for the 3 previous poten al routes (Fig 9), which encompass the most recent proposal. Photographs towards the northern boundary of Cam Forest and the proposed track route were taken from 12 loca ons in the surrounding landscape, to represent typical views of the northern end of the forest. These views were from public roads, public footpaths and from open access country, represen ng typical panoramic effects and closer views. 2 further photographs were taken towards the Gayle Beck crossing. The orienta on and extent of the proposed route was then illustrated and assessed. 4 of the more distant views (Figs 1 4), 2 close views (Figs 5, 6) and the Gayle Beck crossing views (Figs 7, 8) were then examined more closely. Receptors: In this remote landscape, most receptors will be local residents (of whom there are very few) and walkers and users of the Pennine Way, Dales Way and Ribble Way. The Gayle Beck crossing will be visible at field distance to passing traffic on the B6255 and to users of the Dales Way. Presenta on of landscape and visual effects: For each chosen VP, the extrac on route was drawn to scale onto the photograph. A landscape appraisal was carried out to demonstrate the effects for each illustra on. In close up views, before and a er construc on results were shown in more detail. The illustra ons demonstrate that the chosen route will not be prominent from the medium distance and that the construc on proposed will be in character with exis ng tracks in the vicinity. The effects from the wider landscape are therefore considered to be permanent but low in impact. Close up views indicate that there will be changes to the immediate landscape during and a er construc on. Detailed choice of route, response to local topography and sensi ve use and treatment of cut and fill will all require to be considered to minimise effects. The effects are considered to be permanent, moderate in the short term and slight in the long term. At the Gayle Back crossing the effects will consist of removal and replacement of the exis ng structures and are not considered to be significant in the landscape in the long term. 7) Mi ga on measures The chosen route is par ally concealed by Cam Forest, especially in views from the south. Most of route is within the property boundary, with a short link to Cam High Road. The route follows a rela vely shallow gradient to limit the amount of cut and fill required. The use of local stone is proposed for surfing to match the surface of Cam High Road. (Cam High Road has been subject to surface erosion and use by off roaders in the past, which has damaged the fragile surface and has required repair and rebuilding). The route follows contours across the slope, spoil from construc on will be heaped at side of route and then graded and covered with topsoil to allow re vegeta on to take place. In addi on, the applicant proposes to plant na ve broadleaved trees and shrubs on adjacent ground within the forest boundary which will provide screening of the track in the medium and long term. At the Gayle Beck crossing the exis ng footbridge, ford and weir arrangement will be removed and replaced with a single span road bridge, as shown in photo 8b. 8) Conclusions and recommenda ons On a prac cal level, the proposed route will allow extrac on of mber to nearest public road to the west of Cam and will avoid mber lorries travelling through Hawes. The route will not be prominent in the surrounding landscape. Measures proposed for construc on and a er care will control the effects of the new route in the immediate landscape. It is therefore recommended that the chosen route is accepted as a new element in the local landscape. This assessment was prepared by Elizabeth McIntosh, with drawings and photographs by Jonathan Keyte. Elizabeth McIntosh is a Chartered Forester and Landscape Architect, who runs Forest Design Services, a consultancy that specialises in forest and woodland design. Liz has over 25 years experience of forest design work in the public and private sectors. Work includes design and illustra on of commercial and na ve woodland plan ng schemes, prepara on of long term forest plans and associated works, including roading and way leaves in the landscape. Frequently working in sensi ve landscapes and on large plan ng schemes, this work also involves the prepara on of landscape and visual impact assessments. 2

4 Fig 1 View 1 from near Selside on B6479 Northern end of Cam Forest just visible from local road network, proposed track will not be visible to road users Greenfield Forest in Langstrothdale, just visible on horizon From the public road this is an open landscape with long distance views. Inbye fields with associated small woods near the roadside give way to open moorland with planta on forest just visible on the horizon. Landscape diversity and distance from the proposed track will control visual effects. Fig 2 View 2 from Pennine Way near Ling Gill Cam High Road on hillside below local ridge Proposed track magnify to view Northern end of Cam Forest and western edge visible from Pennine Way The Pennine Way branches off the Cam High Road at Cam End and crosses Cam Fell. The landscape is large scale and open, with few features to interrupt views. This long distance path provides the most prominent views of the northern end of Cam Forest. The proposed track is shown on the panoramic photograph (may be magnified to show detail). The route will not be prominent at medium distance and choice of material will control visual effects. 3

5 Fig 3 View 3 from Oughtershaw side on Cam High Road Greenfield Forest in Langstrothdale Cam Forest Proposed route just visible Cam High Road on hillside in background on hillside below local ridge Cam High Road provides views to the open, remote dales landscape. Extensive views to the surroundings are a feature of the route. Visual effects of a new track at the northern edge of Cam Forest will be minimal. Fig 4 View 4 from Greenfield upper boundary Northern edge of Cam Forest Proposed route spurs off from Exis ng forest access track not Cam High Road on hillside exis ng forest track magnify to prominent in landscape below local ridge view route View from open access land at the top of Greenfield Forest. Visual effects of proposed new route will be minimal. 4

6 Fig 5 View 5a from Cam High Road north east boundary current landscape Cam High Road Dales Way crosses this moorland area and joins Cam High Road north of Cam Cam Forest Greenfield Forest in adjacent dale on horizon Pen y ghent Pennine Way crosses this moorland area Whernside View 5b from Cam High Road north east boundary a er track construc on VIEWPOINT LOCATION (RECEPTOR) DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING VIEW DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED VIEW Cam High Road West Gate This is an open large scale landscape with long distance views. Open moorland creates a wild character to The proposed track will spur off from Cam High Road at the MITIGATION MEASURES The route has been chosen to create a safe passage for mber extrac on VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Impercep ble Grid ref. SD Short term (construc on) boundary gate. The route will vehicles. The gradient will be gradual Approx. height 505m AOD the landscape. Even aged conifer be constructed at an angle and follow local topography to * planta ons are a feature in the down the bank to the forest minimise cut and fill. In addi on, spoil Direc on of view NNE through SE to surrounding landscape. Greenfield track. The top sec on of the from road construc on will be SW Forest adjoins Cam and can be seen route only will be seen from this smoothed with the topsoil placed on Long term (opera on) in the next valley. These planta ons This viewpoint represents the view view. top. Natural vegeta on will become currently look unnatural as they lack * for users of the Cam High Road, diversity and structure. These issues re established within a year or so. approaching Cam Forest from the will be gradually addressed as the The owner also proposes to establish west. forests enter the produc on phase na ve trees and shrubs in the vicinity and are replanted to a more diverse of the route, to provide screening and pa ern. a more natural forest edge. MAGNITUDE OF IMPACT VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITY ROUTE OPTIONS CONCLUSION Rela vely Low the chosen road will be made of local crushed stone, similar in appearance to the surface of Cam High Road and will soon merge into the landscape. The top sec on only of the proposed route will be visible from Cam High Road. Medium Cam High Road users will be aware of construc on ac vity and resul ng new road in the landscape. 3 alternate routes were explored and discarded, due to ownership issues. This route has been chosen to minimise landscape effects and create a prac cable route. Slight * Moderate Substan al Severe The proposed route will not be highly visible from the surrounding landscape as details will be absorbed at a distance, as demonstrated in accompanying illustra ons from views 1 4. Use of local stone will blend with the surface of Cam High Road and the track will be of a similar width. These measures will control local effects seen by walkers of Pennine Way and Dales Way. This is the least intrusive op on and will allow management of Cam Forest to take place. Cam Forest has been affected by wind blow over the past 10 years. If this mber is not removed rela vely quickly, it will not be merchantable and current landscape issues with the planta on will not be addressed. 5

7 Fig 5c View of steepest part of exis ng slope Dales Way crosses old forest access track north of Cam The slope above Cam Forest is currently in rough grazing and provides views to the surrounding landscape, including the progressive felling of the planta on. Fig 5d View of proposed track at steepest part of slope Proposed track will create a new element in the landscape. Grading of cut slope above the track is desirable, to allow semi natural vegeta on to re establish. 6

Fig 6 View from Dales Way to north east of Cam CAM FOREST Proposed access track, Landscape Assessment Dales Way joins forest access track north of Cam Proposed extrac on route beyond Dales Way Dales

8 Fig 6 View from Dales Way to north east of Cam CAM FOREST Proposed access track, Landscape Assessment Dales Way joins forest access track north of Cam Proposed extrac on route beyond Dales Way Dales Way crosses slope Ownership boundary in mid slope Cam High Road near top of slope VIEWPOINT LOCATION (RECEPTOR) DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING VIEW DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED VIEW MITIGATION MEASURES VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Impercep Slight Moderate Substan al Severe Dales Way junc on with exis ng forest access track Grid ref. SD This view is currently restricted to the slope above the northern planta on edge, with The proposed route will cross the slope at an angle, away from this view point. The The proposed route will follow local topography and will ble Short term (construc on) Approx. height 490m AOD Whernside in the background. upper planta on is due to be vary slightly in width The forest edge controls the felled which will open up the on sec ons of the Direc on of view SW scale of view, channelling view over the Cam Beck and bank. The road will views onto the slope in the Cam Fell, reducing the be surfaced with local Long term (opera on) foreground. Landscape significance of the proposed stone, similar to the This viewpoint represents the view character is typical of track. exis ng forest access for users of the Dales Way as they planta on forest edge with an track. Spoil from road reach the northern boundary of abrupt change from dense construc on will be Cam Forest. spruce to open moorland smoothed with the vegeta on. topsoil placed on top. Natural vegeta on will grow over within a year or so. MAGNITUDE OF IMPACT VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITY ROUTE OPTIONS CONCLUSION Moderate the proposed forest track will run at an angle up the slope, below the Dales Way. In the longer term impact will be low the chosen road will be made of local crushed stone, will soon merge into the landscape, as the excava on cu ngs and spoil green over. Medium Dales Way users will be aware of construc on ac vity and resul ng new road in the landscape. 3 alternate routes were explored and discarded, due to ownership issues. This route has been chosen to minimise landscape effects and create a prac cable route. Whilst the proposed road will be visible to users of the Dales Way the character of the track will be similar to typical forest tracks and will be surfaced with the same stone as the Cam High Road. In addi on the current owner proposes to plant groups of na ve trees and shrubs between the forest edge and the ownership boundary which will provide screening once they are established. The construc on of this track will allow management of Cam Forest to take place. 7

9 Fig 7a Gayle Beck crossing View from junc on of Cam High Road (Dales Way) and B6255. B6255 Proposed bridge Cam High Road Gayle Beck This is a medium scale view in the lower valley enclosed by the horizon ridge, mainly characterised by open moorland with inbye pasture in the foreground. Man made elements are part of this landscape. The replaced bridge will be visible to users of the B6255 and Dales Way. The proposals upgrade exis ng elements in the landscape and visual effects will be minimal. Fig 7b Proposed Gayle Beck crossing Detail of view from junc on of Cam High Road (Dales Way) and B6255. In close up views the upgraded crossing will be more prominent as the structure is wider than previous bridge. Visual effects of proposed new route will be medium when in river valley. 8

10 Fig 8a Gayle Beck crossing View from B6255 Gayle Beck Proposed bridge B6255 Ingleborough Road users travelling in this direc on will experience a medium scale view with Ingleborough in the background. Landscape character is rela vely large scale open moorland with inbye fields in the valley bo om and foreground. Visual effects of proposed new route will be minimal from this distance. Fig 8b Proposed Gayle Beck crossing detail from upstream The proposed crossing will replace the current bridge and will be wider than exis ng structure. Visual effects of proposed new route will be medium when in river valley. 9

11 Fig 9 Loca on Map with View points CAM FOREST Proposed access track, Landscape Assessment Proposed bridge Proposed Route D 6 3 Route A 5 Route B Route C Cam Forest 10

Lower Sensitivity. VS Classification Level 2: Hills, Lower Plateau & Scarp Slopes (74%)/ Lowland Valleys (17%) / Exposed Upland/Plateau (7%)

Lower Sensitivity. VS Classification Level 2: Hills, Lower Plateau & Scarp Slopes (74%)/ Lowland Valleys (17%) / Exposed Upland/Plateau (7%) S06 Coedwig Gwydyr Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty s Stationery Office, Crown copyright Licence No. 100023387 Location