Planning Application Additional Verified photomontages and assessment September 2014
Contents Page 1 Visual assessment 2 1.1 Introduction 2 1.2 Baseline 2 1.3 Potential effects and good environmental design management 5 1.4 Assessment 5 1.5 Supplementary mitigation options 9 1.6 Residual effects 9 1.7 Cumulative effects 9 1.8 Assessment summary matrix 10
Glossary and abbreviations Digital surface model Digital terrain model GLVIA LCA LiDAR LVMF OS MasterMap Plant habit Verifiable photomontage ZTV A digital representation of the earth's surface and includes all objects on it such as plants and buildings A digital representation of the bare ground surface without any objects like plants and buildings Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Landscape character area an area of with largely homogenous characteristics, forming the receptors for the landscape assessment. Lidar is a remote sensing technology that measures distance by illuminating a target with a laser and analysing the reflected light. London View Management Framework An Ordnance Survey map product containing information about the extents of buildings and other built features. Characteristic shape, appearance or growth form of a plant species, to include whether it is deciduous or evergreen. Accurately prepared digital visualisations of the proposed development which can be used to determine the view from a specific location. Zone of theoretical visibility Page 1
1 Visual assessment 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 This note has been prepared in response to stakeholder comments on the Garden Bridge planning application. 1.1.2 This assessment is not a formal addition to the Environmental Statement (ES) but should be read in conjunction with the relevant sections of the visual chapter of the ES. The methodology, limitations and assumptions defined in the ES apply to this assessment and can be found in Volume 2, Section 15 and Volume 5, Appendix 4. 1.1.3 Two additional verified photomontages have been commissioned and assessed. These verified views are from: Waterloo Bridge (LVMF view 15B.1) Waterloo Bridge (Southern corner, on the bridge) 1.1.4 This assessment describes the nature of the two existing views on Waterloo Bridge and the changes both beneficial and adverse that would be introduced as a result of the proposed development during construction and operation. As detailed in the ES, operation is taken to include both the existence of the proposed development (e.g. the bridge) and it s operation (e.g. lighting). The assessment also identifies mitigation measures where appropriate. 15B.1 represents the River Prospect view defined by the LVMF 1. Viewpoint 29, Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to the South Bank, was selected to represent the full dynamic nature of views on the bridge as the viewer walks along Waterloo Bridge. 1.1.1 This visual assessment has been undertaken for the following scenarios: winter Year 1 of operation (to assess the visual effect of the proposed bridge in winter); summer of Year 1 of operation (to assess the visual effect of the proposed bridge in summer); summer of Year 25 of operation (to assess the effect that vegetation established as part of the proposed development would have on views once it has matured); and For both summer and winter of Year 1, as photography of these views was not available, the assessment has been based on professional judgement and with reference to the photography provided for the ES baseline. 1.1.2 No assessment at night time in winter and summer of Year 1 and Year 25 of operation has been undertaken as impacts would not differ from those identified in the ES and are considered to represent a low or negligible change to the viewpoints assessed in the existence / operational assessment. 1.2 Baseline 1.2.1 This section sets out the nature of the two existing views on Waterloo Bridge towards the during winter and summer. 1.2.2 Both viewpoints represent the ground level view from recreational and tourist receptors on the bridge, which have a high sensitivity to change. River Prospect 1 LVMF Page 136 Page 2
River Prospect 15B.1: Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to the Westminster bank 1.2.3 This viewpoint, a protected River Prospect focused on St Paul s Cathedral, is representative of the view from recreational users crossing Waterloo Bridge, at the northern end of the bridge. 1.2.4 The view in winter is an open vista looking down the River Thames, focused on Blackfriars Bridge towards the background of the view, and the varied skyline of the City of London in the distance (landmarks annotated on Figure 1.1). The view is framed by the buildings fronting onto both the north and south banks, and the avenues of mature London plane trees also along both banks in this location. Permanent and temporary moorings are located along both the north bank and within the river channel. 1.2.5 In summer, the mature trees along Victoria Embankment and on the south bank form more distinct features (illustrated in Figure 1.1), providing screening for buildings beyond. 1.2.6 By Year 1 of construction, the South Bank Centre development (if consented) would be under construction and the Royal National Theatre and Doon Street developments would be complete, altering the skyline visible on the south bank in the foreground of the right hand side of the view. Also by Year 1 of construction, the developments at Sea Containers House and South Bank Tower / Kings Reach Tower in the middle ground would be complete. By Year 3 of construction, the South Bank Centre development would be complete. Figure 1.1 Prospect View 15B.1 summer view Page 3
Viewpoint 29: Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to the South Bank 1.2.7 This viewpoint is representative of the view from recreational users crossing Waterloo Bridge, close to the South Bank. 1.2.8 The view in winter is an open vista looking down the River Thames and focused on the varied skyline along the north bank of the River and the City of London in the background (landmarks annotated on Figure 1.2). The view is framed to the right by the dense avenue of mature London plane trees on the South Bank. Permanent and temporary moorings are evident along the north bank and within the river channel. 1.2.9 In summer, the mature trees along the south bank form a distinct feature and screen the majority of buildings beyond. The mature trees in leaf along the Victoria Embankment are also more evident against the built frontage of along the Victoria embankment. 1.2.10 By Year 1 of construction, the South Bank Centre development (if consented) would be under construction and the Royal National Theatre and Doon Street developments would be complete, altering the skyline visible on the south bank in the foreground of the right hand side of the view. Also by YFear 1 of construction, the developments at Sea Containers House and South Bank Tower / Kings Reach Tower in the middle ground would be complete. By Year 3 of construction, the South Bank Centre development would be complete. Figure 1.2 Viewpoint 29 summer view Page 4
1.3 Potential effects and good environmental design management 1.3.1 Section 2 of the ES provides a full description of the proposed development and the aspects of construction, operation and proposed design measures most relevant to the visual assessment are set in Section 15. 1.4 Assessment Assessment of effects from construction 1.4.1 The following section describes the likely significant effects arising from construction of the proposed. River Prospect 15B.1: View from Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to Westminster bank 1.4.2 Construction activity at the proposed would be highly visible in the foreground of this view. Cranes, piling rigs and barges working on the bridge structure would be highly visible in the river corridor, blocking views up and downstream, while activities would also be apparent at both the north and south banks. The removal of trees on the north and south banks would be noticeable. On this basis, the magnitude of change is considered to be high. 1.4.3 The high magnitude of change assessed alongside the high sensitivity of this receptor would result in a major adverse effect, and therefore a significant temporary adverse effect. 1.4.4 The effect would be unaltered for access option B and C. Viewpoint 29: Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to the South Bank 1.4.5 Construction activity at the proposed would be highly visible in the foreground of these views. Cranes, piling rigs and barges working on the bridge structure would be highly visible in the river corridor, blocking views up and downstream, while activities would also be apparent at both the north and south banks. The removal of trees on the north and south banks would be noticeable from these views. On this basis, the magnitude of change is considered to be high. 1.4.6 The high magnitude of change assessed alongside the high sensitivity of this receptor would result in a major adverse effect, and therefore a significant temporary adverse effect. 1.4.7 The effect would be unaltered for access option B and C. Assessment of effects from existence and operation 1.4.8 The following section describes the likely significant effects arising from existence and operation of the proposed on the two additional viewpoints on Waterloo Bridge. This is ordered beginning with the winter of Year 1 of operation, followed by summer of Year 1 of operation and concluding with effects. Verifiable photomontages have been prepared to illustrate how the proposals would look in the summer of Year 25 of operation from both viewpoints. River Prospect 15B.1: View from Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to the Westminster bank 1.4.9 The proposed bridge would be located in the foreground of this view. While the bridge would alter the nature of the existing view of the river, it is considered that the quality of the design would represent a positive addition to the vista. The planting on the bridge would introduce a new garden landscape crossing the river and visually uniting the green corridors lining both banks. The bridge architecture and massing, including the slenderness of the centre section would minimise obstruction of views down the river, with buildings visible above, and the distinctive avenue of mature London plane trees along Victoria Embankment visible below. 1.4.10 Visibility of the key landmarks in the view would be largely unaffected by the proposed. However views of other key landmarks, in this instance, Temple Gardens would be slightly obscured by the bridge structure which would cut through the dense tree canopy in the gardens. 1.4.11 In the winter of Year 1 of operation the trees on the bridge would frame views towards St Paul s Cathedral and the City of London. Given that the proposed bridge would introduce a new high quality landmark in the foreground of the view, while not overly altering the wider scene and skyline, the magnitude of change is considered to be medium. The medium magnitude of change assessed alongside the high sensitivity of the receptor would give rise to a moderate beneficial effect, and therefore a significant permanent beneficial effect in the winter of Year 1 of operation. 1.4.12 In the summer of Year 1 of operation, the planting on the bridge would form a more distinct feature. However, due to their immature size in Year 1 of operation, the magnitude of change is considered to remain medium and the effect moderate beneficial a significant permanent beneficial effect in the summer of Year 1 of operation. 1.4.13 This assessment would be unchanged taking into account the tree works associated with construction access options B and C. Page 5
River Prospect 15B.1: View from Waterloo Bridge: downstream downstream close to the Westminster bank 1.4.14 The view in the summer of Year 25 of operation is illustrated in Figure 1.3 below. The increased maturity of the planting on the proposed bridge, in addition to new planting on the south bank around the landing, would strongly reinforce the green character of the bridge and increase the positive contribution it would make to the vista. However the increase in the planting height would obscure the peristyle section of St. Paul s Cathedral from the view. Plant maintenance and management activities would be required to ensure views towards this key landmark would be largely retained where practicable. While there would be some additional obstruction of views down the river, the overall river character and distinctive landmarks would not be adversely altered. Overall, due to the strong visibility of the matured planting, the magnitude of change is considered to be high. 1.4.15 The high magnitude of change assessed alongside the high sensitivity of the receptor would give rise to a moderate beneficial effect, and therefore a significant permanent beneficial effect, in the summer of Year 25 of operation. Figure 1.3 River Prospect 15B.1 summer of Year 25 of operation verifiable photomontage Page 6
Viewpoint 29: Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to the South Bank 1.4.16 The proposed bridge would be located in the middle ground of the view. The structure of the bridge would partially block views of Blackfriars Bridge and historic buildings on the north bank. However, views of St Paul s Cathedral would remain unobstructed and the height of the bridge arches and the slenderness of the centre section would minimise the obstruction of views down the river and to the listed river wall and mature tree planting along Victoria Embankment. 1.4.17 From this viewpoint the quality of the design of the bridge would be evident, creating a new landmark in the river corridor. However, it s location in the view would also obscure elements of the vista that are valued, most notably parts of the historic buildings on the north bank next to Blackfriars Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge itself. On this basis, the proposed is considered to detract from this specific vista which represents a small proportion of the journey across Waterloo Bridge (also considered by River Prospects 15B.1 and 15B.2). Due to the planting being small in size in Year 1 (therefore reducing the extent of screening), the magnitude of change is considered to be medium. The medium magnitude of change assessed alongside the high sensitivity of the receptor is considered to give rise to a moderate adverse effect, and therefore a significant permanent adverse effect, in the winter of Year 1 of operation. 1.4.18 In the summer of Year 1 of operation, the planting on the bridge would obscure slightly more of the upper section of the historic buildings on the north bank and Blackfriars Bridge. However, as the planting would remain small at this point in the programme, the magnitude of change is considered to remain medium, and the level of effect moderate adverse a significant permanent adverse effect, in the summer of Year 1 of operation. 1.4.19 This assessment would be unchanged taking into account the tree works associated with construction access options B and C. Page 7
Viewpoint 29: Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to the South Bank 1.4.20 The view in the summer of Year 25 of operation is illustrated in Figure 1.4 below. The increased maturity of the planting on the proposed bridge would make it a much more distinctive feature within the foreground of the view, increasing the positive influence of the new structure in the river. However, the planting design, when viewed from this location, would also further obscure views of the distinctive historical skyline along the north bank close to Blackfriars Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, and the peristyle of St Paul s Cathedral, although the dome and lantern would still be clearly visible. 1.4.21 Although there would be additional screening of these landmarks, the minimal change to other aspects of the panorama, means the level of effect is considered to remain moderate adverse, and therefore a significant permanent adverse effect, in the summer of Year 25 of operation. Figure 1.4 Viewpoint 29 summer of Year 25 of operation verifiable photomontage Page 8
1.5 Supplementary mitigation options 1.5.1 Supplementary mitigation options remain as set out in Section 15 of the Garden Bridge ES. Bridge are similarly not considered to be compounded by these cumulative developments. 1.6 Residual effects 1.6.1 As no mitigation measures are proposed, the residual effects arising from construction and existence / operation remain as described in Section 15 of the ES, with the addition of these two additional views. 1.7 Cumulative effects Construction Year 3 of construction 1.7.1 Year 3 of construction has been considered specifically for the cumulative assessment as construction works would be ongoing at the Thames Tideway Tunnel Victoria Embankment Foreshore site, upstream from the proposed Garden Bridge. Considering the construction activities at this site alongside activities at the proposed the adverse effects of the two new viewpoints River Prospect 15B.1 and viewpoint 22, which are significant when considering the construction of the proposed alone, would be elevated. Existence and operation Year 1 of operation 1.7.2 By Year 1 of operation, all of the cumulative developments listed in Appendix 4.3 of the ES would be complete other than the two Thames Tideway Tunnel developments. As reported in the ES the cumulative effects of these developments considered alongside the proposed are not considered to alter any of the assessments described above. 1.7.3 These two viewpoints would continue to be adversely affected by construction at the Thames Tideway Tunnel developments. These adverse effects are considered to arise solely from construction at the Thames Tideway Tunnel sites and are therefore not considered to be the cumulative effect of these in conjunction with the proposed. Year 25 of operation 1.7.4 By Year 25 of operation the Thames Tideway Tunnel sites would be complete and operational. The completion of these would represent greater development within the river corridor, particularly when considered alongside the change that would arise from the proposed. However, the beneficial effects arising from the new bridge acting as a significant new positive feature in the landscape are not considered to be diminished in any way by the completion of the Thames Tideway Tunnel sites. The adverse effects arising from the proposed Garden Page 9
1.8 Assessment summary matrix Table 1.2: Assessment summary matrix visual assessment Aspect of the project Description of effect Supplementary mitigation Description of residual effect options Summary Significance Summary Significance Effects from construction River Prospect 15B.1: View from Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to Westminster bank Viewpoint 29: View from Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to South Bank Effects from Operation Year 1 and Year 25 River Prospect 15B.1: View from Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to Westminster bank Construction activity, construction plant and facilities at the proposed would be highly visible in the foreground of these views. Construction activity at the proposed would be highly visible in the foreground of these views In the winter of Year 1 of operation, visibility of the proposed bridge in the foreground of the view. Visibility of key landmarks largely unaffected. In the summer of Year 1 of operation, visibility of the proposed bridge in the foreground of the view. Visibility of key landmarks largely unaffected. In the summer of Year 25 of operation, the increased maturity of the planting on the proposed bridge, in addition to new planting on the south bank around the landing, would reinforce the green character of the bridge and increase the positive contribution it would make to the vista but would also screen the peristyle of St Significant temporary adverse No further mitigation practicable Effect unchanged Significant temporary adverse Significant temporary adverse No further mitigation practicable Effect unchanged Significant temporary adverse Significant permanent beneficial Significant permanent beneficial Significant permanent beneficial None Effect unchanged Significant permanent beneficial None Effect unchanged Significant permanent beneficial None Effect unchanged Significant permanent beneficial Page 10
Aspect of the project Description of effect Supplementary mitigation Description of residual effect Summary Significance options Summary Significance Paul s Cathedral. Viewpoint 29: View from Waterloo Bridge: downstream close to South Bank In the winter of Year 1 of operation, visibility of the proposed bridge in the middle ground. Visibility of the key landmarks would be largely unaffected by the proposed apart from Blackfriars Bridge and Historic buildings on north bank which would be obscured by the bridge structure. In the summer of Year 1 of operation, visibility of the proposed bridge in the middle ground. Visibility of the key landmarks would be largely unaffected by the proposed apart from Blackfriars Bridge and Historic buildings on north bank which would be obscured by the bridge structure. In the summer of Year 25 of operation, the increased maturity of the planting on the proposed bridge would screen the peristyle of St Paul s Cathedral, Blackfriars Bridge and Historic buildings on north bank but there would be minimal change to other aspects of the view. Significant permanent adverse Significant permanent adverse Significant permanent adverse No further mitigation practicable Effect unchanged Significant permanent adverse No further mitigation practicable Effect unchanged Significant permanent adverse No further mitigation practicable Effect unchanged Significant permanent adverse Page 11