Desktop Landscape Visual Impact Assessment

Uplands Community College Wadhurst East Sussex

Planning June 2014

9design

Document title: Desktop LIVA Version: Final A Date: June 2014 Produced by: 9design 9 Forester Road Thorneywood Nottingham NG3 6LP Contact: Julie Hardcastle email 9.design@zen.co.uk 07971 107642

Contents 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Methodology 3.0 ZVI Analysis 4.0 Viewpoints 5.0 Land Use Assessment 6.0 Proposed Screen Planting 7.0 Mitigation 8.0 Summary

Uplands Community College - 9design

1.0 Introduction The site is located within a relatively flat landscape of the village, with vehicle access to the site from Lower High Street. The site lays outside of Wadhurst conservation area and is bounded by a few residential properties, predominantly to the north east. With rough grassland/grazing to the south and further east. Along the west boundary is a sports field with pavilions. The site is bounded to the south and east with hedgerows and areas of existing mature trees. The proposed site development is 3400m² within the Uplands Community College Site. The site of the MUGA is a distance of approx. 46 meters from the south east corner to the boundary and the car park is approx. 2 meters to the nearest residential property boundary and lays outside of the Wadhurst conservation area.

Proposals The proposed development is for a new multiple use games area (MUGA) and a new car park. The proposed MUGA will be built in a single phase on the existing playing fields. The proposed MUGA will have a prominent position on the site, adjacent to the existing school buildings. The scheme includes additional cycle parking and the provision of fire tender access. The development does not exceed the line of the existing buildings on the site with the playing field.

Uplands Community College - 9design

Uplands Community College Proposed Site Plan

2.0 Methodology The Purpose of this desktop research is to establish a landscape base line against which visual impacts may be assessed. Sources of baseline information comprise existing data from statutory agencies, the local plan, O.S, and bat survey by Arbtech, included within the Application. The principal landscape elements have been recorded, which depending on their prominence and importance, contribute to the local character of the area. The assessment includes a combination of objective and subjective judgement. The development including any landscape mitigation are assessed against this baseline information.

Uplands Community College - 9design

Uplands Community College Proposed Location Plan

3.0 Analysis Using the guidelines for the landscape and visual assessment as reference the sensitivity of each viewpoint and the magnitude of the visual impact was assessed against the following criteria. Sensitivity – Assessed on a scale from low to high Low sensitivity – relatively unimportant landscape, the nature of which is potentially tolerant of substantial change Medium sensitivity – landscape of moderately valued characteristics reasonably tolerant of changes High sensitivity – landscape of distinctive character sensitive to small changes Magnitude – Assessed on a scale of low to high Low magnitude – minor changes in view with few viewers affected Medium magnitude – moderate changes in view, many viewers affected High magnitude – major changes in view, majority of viewers affected

Uplands Community College - 9design

Grade I listed

Grade II* listed

Grade II listed

Existing Trees/Hedging

Important Views to and from the village

Focal Point

Approx. height of trees/hedges 3-5m

Approx. height of trees/hedges 3-5m

RESIDENTIAL AREA LOWER HIGH STREET

Uplands Community College Visual Analysis

Uplands Community College

4.0 Viewpoints The viewpoints have been taken where possible, and provides a guide as to the extent of the visibility of the proposed MUGA an temporary floodlighting. The views are illustrated on the following pages We have looked at viewpoints around the radius of the site and identified any screening from existing vegetation and buildings. The proposed site development ranges in height from 3m – 5m for the MUGA and 6M for the temporary floodlighting. The views are illustrated in the following pages. The viewpoints selected were predominantly the following most sensitive to visual impact by the development. 1. Residents on Lower High Street 2. Walter Cottages 3. Snape View 4. The Greyhound Inn (PH)

Uplands Community College - 9design

1

2

3

4

Uplands Community College Viewpoints Key Plan

4.1 Viewpoint One View from the residential housing on Lowers High Street. Looking towards the site. Description of change: There is a direct view to the site for most of the residents, there is intermittent screening from existing mature trees. The sensitivity is low as the site is tolerant to change. The magnitude is medium, there is moderate change ,in views with several houses affected.

Significance of change: Viewpoint one the magnitude is medium however the visual impact would be reduced by the proposed bund with screen planting around the proposed development. This would be especially of low magnitude during the summer months.

4.2 Viewpoint Two View from Walters Cottages, to the south east of the site, looking west into the site. Description of change: There will be a direct view to the MUGA site. The sensitivity is low as the site is tolerant to change. The magnitude is medium, as there are moderate changes in view, although screened by existing trees and new planting around the car park and MUGA. Significance of change: View point two the magnitude is low as there is some screening from existing mature trees , and the visual impact will be reduced by the proposed bund with native species tree and hedgerow planting.

Approx. position of site

Uplands Community College - 9design

4.3 Viewpoint Three View from Snape View, to the west of the site, looking towards the site. This view is the higher point behind Washwell Lane. Description of change: No direct view to the MUGA site, view is blocked by the cricket pavilion and the existing college buildings. Sensitivity and magnitude are low. Significance of change: Viewpoint three the magnitude is to be considered to be very low. There will be no changes in the view.

4.4 Viewpoint Four View from Greyhound Inn, to the north of the site looking towards the site. Description of change: No direct view to the site of the MUGA, view is blocked by existing college buildings and a row of large conifers. Sensitivity and magnitude are low. Significance of change: Viewpoint four the magnitude is to be considered to be very low. There will be no changes in the view.

Approx. position of site

Approx. position of site

Uplands Community College - 9design

5.0 Land Use Assessment Existing land use assessment Using the Landscape character assessment and the Wealden District Core Strategy Local Plan the following assessment was carried out for the site and adjacent land within close proximity. Wadhurst is noted as a service centre within the Wealden district, with the proposal of additional housing of 70 No by 2027. The existing college in Wadhurst is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, but outside the area of conservation within Wadhurst. The existing college comprise of a number of buildings separated by a number of courtyards in between. The buildings lie on a plateau opening out to hard surfaced games courts and playing fields beyond. The balance of the site comprises of open grass sport fields. The main car park is situated immediately in front of the college. The college grounds are set within relatively flat, open grass land which surround the site to the south and east.

Uplands Community College - 9design

Uplands college building

Temporary car park

Pedestrian entrance

Main entrance

Road corridor

Existing boundary and site trees

Playing field with mature trees and hedgerows along boundaries

Recreational

Residential

Rough grassland/grazing enclosed by hedgerows

Uplands Community College Existing Land Use

5.0 Land Use Assessment Proposed land uses within the site Using the Landscape Character Assessment and the Wealden District Core Strategy Local Plan the following assessment was carried out for the site, and adjacent land within close proximity.

Area 1 Car Park The existing courts are currently used as a temporary car park, it is proposed that these are to be resurfaced and provided with line markings to denote a permanent car parking arrangement. The existing chain link fence will be replaced with timber knee rail. The new car park is proposed to service the new MUGA and the college as a whole.

Area 2 Multi Use Games Area The position of the MUGA has been carefully considered and has been located within close proximity to the college buildings and adjacent to the new car parking, this enables the use of the existing infrastructure. The MUGA will utilise temporary portable floodlights, only to be used at appropriate times. The proposed MUGA is intended to provide additional facilities for Uplands Sports Centre and the wider community. Wealden District Local Plan, Core Delivery Item 7, supports development of local leisure resources, including MUGAs across the district, as an important part of infrastructure and health provision.

Uplands Community College - 9design

Proposed Land Use Car Park

Multi use games area

Playing Field

Main Entrance to college and sports centre

Lower High Street

Tree and Hedgerow screen planting

Additional cycle parking

Temporary floodlighting

Store location for temporary lighting when not in use

Uplands Community College Proposed Land Use

Pedestrian Entrance

6.0 Proposed Screen Planting The proposed location of the MUGA has been chosen to minimise the visual impact on the surrounding area. There are a number of existing semi mature trees, screening the college from the nearest residential properties. However to enhance the existing landscape character, a small bund with additional native species structure planting of trees,hedgerows and evergreen,to the boundary of the MUGA is proposed, enhancing the wildlife habitat areas.

Uplands Community College - 9design

Uplands Community College Planting Plan

7.0 Mitigation Green infrastructure includes all forms of recreational open space and areas of particular importance or potential for wildlife. The network of green infrastructure is therefore of importance for wildlife and eco-systems, and for meeting a wide range of social, environmental and economic needs and functions. It covers both rural and urban areas of the District and guidance recognises that it is integral to the health and quality of life of sustainable communities. In order to maximise the benefits, policy places emphasis on the creation and maintenance of links between green spaces. Access to high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of communities. This development application will enhance the existing sports provision available at the school and facilitate opportunities for a greater range of activities over a greater period of time. The design proposals have been greatly influenced by the character and location of the site. The proposed site is outside of the registered battlefield, conservation and archaeological notification areas, while within the High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty, and great weight should be given to conserving the landscape and scenic beauty.

Uplands Community College - 9design

One of the main positive characteristics of the site are the existing mature trees. All of the trees will be retained. These provide natural screening of the site for the residents and habitat for nesting birds and wildlife. It is proposed there will be additional screen planting of ,26 no tree s, to include some evergreen, with 148 lin m of native species hedgerow, to provide a buffer zone, of native species trees and hedgerows, that will also provide a foraging corridor for the local birds and wildlife. Vehicle access onto the site is via existing access point from Lower High Street, which leads to the temporary car park. The proposal will involve the repositioning of the existing car park access and replacing the chain link fence with low knee rail to prevent vehicle access onto the playing field, but to allow fire tender access to the sports field. The cycle provision has been a key element in the proposal to ensure that the sustainable ethos is followed through into the transport strategy. Cycle parking provision is proposed adjacent to the existing cycle parking.

Uplands Community College - 9design

8.0 Summary The principal issue is of the impact of the proposed development on the residential amenity, particularly the residents to the north west of the college boundary and whether this is significant. There are areas of existing mature deciduous trees and hedgerows along the site bound to the south and east, which encloses the site and restricts views from a number of directions. Intermittent views may be seen during late autumn and winter seasons. The trees range in height from 3 – 6 meters. The views of the proposed development from Washwell Lane to the west are obscured by the current college buildings. There is some visual impact to properties to the north east of the site however, there are existing mature trees, and although fragmented they provide limited screening, this will be enhanced with the substantial screen planting to the perimeter of the eastern side of the car park and MUGA.,and part of the boundary to the eastern side of the college site.This will reduce the visibility into the development considerably. The visual impact of the proposals is of moderate magnitude to a low number of residents on the Lower High Street, but of low magnitude to the other views into the site., The extensive existing mature trees with the proposed substantial tree and hedgerow planting, reduces the opportunity for views into the site and mitigates any visual impact the proposals might have. The development will generally be seen as a small element within the overall site, against a backdrop of existing buildings and tree cover.