Project Title: Deephams Sewage Works Upgrade Figure Title: Viewpoint 8 For Information Only Figure 13.4 June 2014
13.9 Visual Impact Assessment 13.9.1 Likely visual effects are assessed for significance below. Visual Effects during Construction Residents of Picketts Lock Lane (Figure 13.5 Viewpoint 3 Photomontage) 13.9.2 Residents of Picketts Lock Lane currently have views of dense trees (on the bund located at the northern site boundary) in the southerly direction and Picketts Lock Lane to the north, bordered by trees and shrubs at the southern boundary of the golf course. Most houses are orientated east-west, although some look north-south. The character of the existing view is suburban/ industrial, and foci include tower blocks at Huntingdon Road, pylons, metal palisade fencing and the depot at the corner of Picketts Lock Lane/ Meridian Way. 13.9.3 The views are considered to be of low value, (valued at the community level) and not orientated towards the Site. 13.9.4 The visual receptor group of high susceptibility is likely to experience a small scale of change to views as a result of construction activity including lighting (albeit in an area characterised by a wide variety of existing light sources) and stockpiling on site, particularly to the north of the temporary construction compound. No trees are proposed to be removed as part of the construction phase of the Upgrade in the north west section of the boundary. The changes in views are likely to be experienced over a small geographical extent, for properties at the western end of Picketts Lock Lane as the majority of residents views are not oriented towards the Site, and will be temporary/ short term (limited to the 39 month construction period). The level of visual effect for this receptor group during construction is therefore judged to be minor adverse. Recreational users of the Lee Valley Golf Course and Lee Valley Athletics Centre 13.9.5 These receptors currently have views of reservoirs to the east and buildings and car parks associated with the athletics centre to the west. Views of the Site are limited by intervening features such as built form and trees, and undulating topography. Views are also characterised by the golf course and recreational green space. 13.9.6 The views are considered to be of medium value as receptors are within the Lee 13.9.7 The receptor group of medium susceptibility is likely to experience a small scale of change to views as a result of construction activity including demolition works, cranes and stockpiling on site, plus lighting of the works. This change in view is likely to occur over a small geographical extent, not likely to be noticed over a large proportion of the area e.g. for approximately three holes of the golf course and with primary views not oriented towards the Site, and temporary/ short term (39 month construction period). 13.9.8 Overall the level of effect on this receptor is likely to be minor adverse. Walkers on Pymmes Brook Trail (Figure 13.5 Viewpoint 3 Photomontage) 13.9.9 The Pymmes Brook Trail is an urban route which joins the London Loop at Cockfosters, then through a number of parks and along roads to its end point at Picketts Lock. The section which will have potential views of the Site is along Picketts Lock Lane. The receptor currently has views of the road and roadside vegetation along Picketts Lock Lane and houses along it. Views are characterised by suburban/ industrial features including longer views towards tower blocks such as Huntingdon Road. Chapter 13 Landscape and Visual Page 13.33 of 13.42 June 2014
13.9.10 The views are considered to be of medium value as the receptors are within the Lee 13.9.11 The receptor group of high susceptibility is likely to experience a small scale of change to views as a result of localised vegetation loss for construction activities, including stockpiling and lighting of the works. This change in view is likely to occur over a small geographical extent only a very small proportion of the route on Picketts Lock Lane will be affected, and will be temporary/ short term (39 month construction period). 13.9.12 Overall the likely level of effect on this receptor is judged to be minor adverse. Cyclists on National Cycle Route 1, walkers and motorists on Lee Park Way (Figure 13.6 Viewpoint 1 Photomontage and Figure 13.7 Viewpoint 6 Photomontage) 13.9.13 Lee Park Way is a no-through road as gates close off the access from Advent Way and the A406 to the south. The long distance cycle route goes into central London to the south and Cheshunt to the north, following the reservoirs through the Lee The section which will have potential views of the Site is adjacent to the Site to the east. The receptors currently have views of the Lee Navigation and banks of the reservoir to the east, and the tops of industrial units at the Ardra Road Industrial Estate and Deephams sewage works to the west. Views to the west are mostly screened by the wooded bund along the eastern site boundary (the SMINC). Views are characterised by the river and scrubby woodland. 13.9.14 The views are considered to be of medium value as receptors are within the Lee 13.9.15 The receptor group of high susceptibility is likely to experience a medium scale of change to their views in a localised location where vegetation loss on the eastern boundary will occur. This will result in a change in character of the view in this location and may introduce views of construction activity, demolition, cranes and stockpiling on site, plus lighting of the works. This change in view is likely to occur over a small geographical extent only a very small proportion of the route will be affected and will be experienced generally in glimpses over less than 1km. The likely effect will be temporary/ short term (39 month construction period) and reflects a worst case scenario i.e. where proposed planting is implemented at the end of the construction period. If it is possible to introduce planting earlier in the programme then visual effects will be reduced to minor as the vegetation matures. 13.9.16 The level of effect on this receptor group is likely to be minor / moderate adverse in a localised area of the route, possibly reducing to negligible or slight beneficial if advanced planting is implemented. Visual Effects during Operation 13.9.17 The following receptors identified are taken forward for assessing levels of effect: Residents of Picketts Lock Lane 12 : the susceptibility of the receptor is considered to be high because they are communities where views contribute to the landscape setting enjoyed by residents; Cyclists on National Cycle Route 1, walkers and motorists on Lee Park Way the susceptibility of the cyclists and walkers is judged to be medium and the latter low, due to the comparative interest they have in their vantage point. 12 NB: assessment of visual effects considers only publicly accessible viewpoints as per GLVIA 3. Effects of development on private viewpoints such as from residential properties are usually dealt with through a residential visual amenity assessment. The group of properties along Picketts Lock Lane are therefore considered as one receptor for the purposes of this assessment. Chapter 13 Landscape and Visual Page 13.34 of 13.42 June 2014
Other receptors have been scoped out of the assessment due to lower sensitivity/susceptibility. Residents of Picketts Lock Lane (Figure 13.5 Viewpoint 3 Photomontage) 13.9.18 Residents of Picketts Lock Lane currently have views of dense trees (on the bund located at the northern site boundary) in the southerly direction and Picketts Lock Lane to the north, bordered by trees and shrubs to the golf course. Most houses are orientated east-west, although some look north-south. The character of the view is suburban/ industrial, and foci include tower blocks at Huntingdon Road, pylons, metal palisade fencing and the depot at the corner of Picketts Lock Lane/ Meridian Way. 13.9.19 The views are considered to be of low value, (valued at the community level) and not orientated towards the Site. 13.9.20 The receptor group of high susceptibility is likely to experience a small scale of change to views as a result of the new buildings and infrastructure, plus lighting. The nature of the change will be similar to what currently exists on Site, and will be of a similar height (flue stacks of 14.9m high). This change in view is likely to be experienced over a small geographical extent, at the northern site boundary the western end of Picketts Lock Lane. The majority of properties are oriented eastwest so angles of view will generally not be direct, although a number of maisonettes in this street are orientated north-south. It is likely that a number of diseased conifers will require removal over a period of time This may interrupt the line of vegetated screening for this receptor group and thus introduce views of the Deephams Site. The Landscape Strategy proposes replacement planting over time and before these trees are removed, to maintain the screening for these properties. The likely effects in 10 years could therefore be beneficial for residents in these properties. 13.9.21 The level of effect as a result of the operational Upgrade on this receptor group is likely to be no more than minor adverse at Year 0 of operation, and will potentially improve to at least minor beneficial after 10 years with implementation of the landscape strategy. Much of the planting implemented as part of the landscape strategy will be broadleaf native planting to reflect wider landscape character, however the use of holly as understorey planting will also provide a degree of permanent screening. Cyclists on National Cycle Route 1, walkers and motorists on Lee Park Way (Figure 13.6 Viewpoint 1 Photomontage and Figure 13.7 Viewpoint 6 Photomontage) 13.9.22 Lee Park Way is effectively a no-through road as gates close off the access from Advent Way and the A406 to the south. The long distance cycle route goes into central London to the south and Cheshunt to the north, following the reservoirs through the Lee The section which will have potential views of the Site is adjacent to the Site to the east. The receptors currently have views of the Lee Navigation and banks of the reservoir to the east, and the tops of industrial units at the Ardra Road Industrial Estate and Deephams sewage works to the west. Views to the west are mostly screened by the wooded bund along the eastern site boundary (the SMINC). Views are characterised by the river and scrubby woodland. 13.9.23 The views are considered to be of medium value as receptors are within the Lee 13.9.24 These receptors are likely to experience a small scale of change to their views as a result of the loss of mature poplar/ cherry trees on the eastern boundary, to the Chapter 13 Landscape and Visual Page 13.35 of 13.42 June 2014
south of the SMINC. As the bund within the SMINC will remain, views towards the Site are likely to remain screened, however, the vegetated character of the views will be altered, and there may be views to some taller buildings and structures within the Site, and site lighting. The scale of change will reduce over time as the planting implemented as part of the landscape strategy matures. 13.9.25 This change in view is likely to occur over a small geographical extent only a very small proportion of the route will be affected within and will be experienced generally in glimpses over less than 1km. 13.9.26 The likely effect will be long term. 13.9.27 Overall the level of effect on this receptor at Year 0 of operation is likely to be minor adverse, moving to minor beneficial by summer year 10 as new planting reaches maturity. Chapter 13 Landscape and Visual Page 13.36 of 13.42 June 2014