Land northwest of, Moore’s Lane, East Bergholt
Johnny Clayton
2 October 2016
ADDENDUM TO HIGH TREES FARM
LAND NORTHWEST OF, MOORE’S LANE, EAST BERGHOLT

Land northwest of, Moore’s Lane, East Bergholt
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Quality Assurance
Site name: Land northwest of, Moore’s Lane, East Bergholt
Client name: Countryside Properties
Type of report: Addendum to High Trees Farm, East Bergholt
Landscape and Visual Impact Appraisal, May 2015,
Revised October 2015. Submitted with Application
Planning Application B/15/00673 ‘Land northwest of,
Moore’s Lane, East Bergholt’
Prepared by: Johnny Clayton
Signed
Date 2 November 2016
Reviewed by:
Signed
Date

Land northwest of, Moore’s Lane, East Bergholt
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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction 1
2.0 East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan 2015 – 2030 2
3.0 Review of the Development Proposals 8
4.0 Overall Summary 10

Land northwest of, Moore’s Lane, East Bergholt
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1.0 Introduction
1.1 This addendum forms an update to the Landscape and Visual Appraisal (October 2015), produced
to support a planning application for a mixed-use development on land north-west of Moore’s Lane,
East Bergholt.
1.2 The update has been produced in response to the recently adopted East Bergholt Neighbourhood
Plan 2015 – 2030 (Incorporating Examiner’s Modifications, July 2016). In particular, it takes into
account Policy EB6, which, among other things, requires that developers take full account of the
landscape capacity assessment (Map 11) included in the Neighbourhood Plan.

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2.0 East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan 2015 – 2030
2.1 The Neighbourhood Plan sets out the vision for East Bergholt, reflecting the views of the Parish
Council and the local community. It identifies the need to construct a minimum of 86 new houses
in the village between 2015 and 2030.
2.2 The Neighbourhood Plan is underpinned by the ‘East Bergholt Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity
Appraisal’ (EBLS&CA), prepared for East Bergholt Parish Council, by The Landscape Partnership
in July 2015.
2.3 The purpose of the EBLS&CA, assessment is to inform the scale and location of new development
around the periphery of East Bergholt. It includes a Landscape Capacity Plan (Reproduced as Map
11 within the EB Neighbourhood Plan), which divides the landscape around the village into discrete
parcels (Refer Figure 1).
Figure 1: EBLS&CA Landscape Capacity Plan (Map 11 of the EB Neighbourhood Plan)
2.4 The EBLS&CA includes separate assessments of landscape capacity for each parcel of land,
based on a numerical score (Refer Table 1).
Table 1: Extract from the EBLS&CA showing scores for each parcel of land around East Bergholt.
Parcel Overall Landscape Capacity
Score
Landscape Capacity
A 39 Low to Medium
B 39 Low to Medium
C 37.5 Low to Medium

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D 38.5 Low to Medium
E 39 Low to Medium
F 42 Medium
G 39 Low to Medium
H 38.5 Low to Medium
I 38.5 Low to Medium
J 39.5 Low to Medium
K 37 Medium to Low
L 29 Low
M 32 Low
N 40.5 Medium to Low
O 33 Low
P 28 Low
Q 41 Medium
R 45.5 Medium
S 42 Medium
T 47 Medium
2.5 The assessment indicates that the landscape within the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty AONB (Parcels O, M, L and P) has the least capacity to accommodate new development,
whilst land to the east of the village (Parcels T and F), is considered to be less sensitive, with
greater capacity to accommodate residential development.
2.6 The Moores Lane Application Site is located within ‘Parcel A’, categorised as an area of ‘Low –
Medium Landscape Capacity’.
2.7 EBLS&CA states the following in respect of Parcel A:
‘Parcel A:
This landscape is considered to have a Low to Medium capacity to accommodate built
development, albeit that its capacity profile score suggests it is positioned at the higher end of this
bracket. Although any development on this parcel would relate well to the settlement edge, it would
have the potential to have a significant influence on visual amenity as a result of the open nature
of the surrounding landscape. Should development within ‘Parcel A’ be considered appropriate,
the following aspects should be taken into account:
·inclusion of a substantial belt of planting, incorporating existing vegetation on the north-eastern
edge of the parcel
·opportunities to create a softer transition between countryside and village on this settlement
edge, and to create a gateway to the village
·strengthening and management of hedges along the B1070, and inclusion of standard trees
·retention of existing vegetation and field patterns
·development layout should respect the setting of existing development in Beehive Close, and
the setting of the Grade II listed High Trees Farmhouse
·opportunities to include public access/green infrastructure through the development’

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Comparison between the applicants LVIA (October 2015) and the EBLS&CA, (July 2015), in
relation to the landscape capacity of the application site.
2.8 The findings of the EBLS&CA in relation to ‘Parcel A’ are in many respects similar to the findings
of the landscape and visual appraisal submitted with the application. Both consider ‘development
on this parcel would relate well to the settlement edge’. The applicant considers the development
would create a more logical, defensible boundary to the village than currently exists.
2.9 Both assessments identify the potential adverse effect on views, although the applicant considers
these would be very localised and less extensive than the EBLS&CA suggests. i.e. ‘Parcel A’ would
be visible from a short section of the B1070, immediately adjacent to the site and a comparatively
few residential properties on Foxhall Fields and Beehive Close. Beyone these locations effects on

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views would be minimal, and it is considered that changes to the distant views from the A12 towards
East Bergholt would be negligible.
2.10 The proposed development would incorporate mitigation measures recommended in the capacity
study to improve landscape/visual integration, and to create a gateway to the settlement from the
north.
2.11 Table 2 below shows the EBLS&CA scoring for the ‘Parcel A’ Landscape Capacity Analysis
Table 2: EBLS&CA scoring for the ‘Parcel A’ Landscape Capacity Analysis
2.12 The ‘Overall Landscape Capacity Profile’ score identifies the capacity of the individual parcels
based on the following range:
·‘Score 27 – 33.5 = Low Landscape Capacity
·Score 34 – 40.5 = Low to Medium Landscape Capacity
·Score 41 – 47.5 = Medium Landscape Capacity

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·Score 48 – 54.5 = Medium to High Landscape Capacity
·Score 55 – 61.5 = High Landscape Capacity’
2.13 The EBLS&CA calculates the landscape capacity of ‘Parcel A’ to be 39, i.e. ‘Low to Medium
Landscape Capacity’. However, using the same methodology and categorisation the applicant
believes the score for ‘Parcel A’ should be 43.5, (not 39), which would equate to ‘Medium
Landscape Capacity’.
2.14 The reasons for this are:
·It is considered to be ‘a large scale landscape with limited land use and variety’, which
according to the criteria should score 4 marks.
·It is considered that ‘Parcel A is partially contained from private views’, which according to the
criteria should score 3 marks.
·It is considered that Parcel A ‘has moderate scope to provide mitigation in the medium term
broadly in keeping with existing landscape pattern’, which according to the criteria should score
4.5 marks.
·It is considered that ‘Parcel A is a location where built development will have a noticeable
impact on an area of Medium Landscape Value’, which according to the criteria should score
3 marks.
2.15 Findings of the EBLS&CA state that “whilst Parcel A falls into the ‘Low to Medium Landscape
Capacity’ the profile score suggests it is positioned at the higher end of this bracket”, i.e. close to
‘Medium Landscape Capacity.
2.16 An overall score of 43.5 would mean that ‘Parcel A’ and the application site would, along with
Parcels T and F to the east of East Bergholt, have the greatest capacity to accommodate new
development around the East Bergholt than any other location.
2.17 In making this judgement the findings of the applicants LVA are reiterated below:
·The landscape within and adjacent to the site is not protected and does not contain any notable
landscape features/designations. Traffic on the A12 trunk road and the nearby housing on the
edge of East Bergholt detract slightly from the rural tranquillity of the countryside.
·The farmland is reasonably attractive yet is commonplace within the wider region. The area is
not a primary tourist destination (visitors are mostly attracted to the Stour valley and Dedham
Vale to the south).
·It is considered that the landscape is of some importance at a local scale, as productive
farmland and a rural backdrop to properties on the northern edge of East Bergholt. The site
itself is not currently publicly accessible to the local community and therefore its value lies in
the views across it, viewed from the periphery rather than as a recreational resource, or amenity
space.
·The landscape is in reasonable condition with some detracting features, there is scope to
improve management of the land i.e. by repair and/or reinstatement of hedgerows.

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·The landscape is pleasant but unremarkable and there are more attractive landscapes nearby
notably Dedham Vale AONB and to a lesser extent the former SLA to the east of East Bergholt,
as identified in the 2006 Local Plan.

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3.0 Review of the Development Proposals in relation
to Policy EB6 of the East Bergholt Neighbourhood
Plan 2015 – 2030
3.1 Policy EB6 of the East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan 2015 – 2030 states:
3.2 Table 3 below summarises the development proposals against each clause of Policy EB6
Table 3: Compliance with Policy EB6 of the East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan
Policy EB6 Landscape and Views.
Policy clause
Development Proposals
1. Comply with the policies and guidance
relating to the Dedham Vale AONB and its
setting.
The proposed development is not within Dedham
Vale AONB and would not affect its setting, therefore
policies and guidance relating to the AONB are not
applicable to this application.
2. Where appropriate, satisfy the
development tests set out in paragraph 116
of the National Planning Policy Framework;
(‘Great weight should be given to conserving
landscape and scenic beauty in National
Parks, the Broads and Areas of Outstanding
Natural Beauty’).
The proposals would not affect the scenic beauty of
a National Park or AONB and therefore paragraph
116 of the NPPF is not applicable.
3. Respond positively to the special qualities
and scenic beauty of the Dedham Vale
AONB and its setting.
The proposals are not within Dedham Vale AONB
and would not affect its setting, or its scenic beauty,
therefore policies and guidance relating to it are not
applicable.
4. Have taken full account of the capacity
assessment set out in the Landscape
Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment (Map
11).
A review of the proposals in relation to
Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment
has been undertaken. The study identifies less
sensitive locations for new development than
application site, However, the assessment of

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landscape capacity is subjective and the applicant
believes that (Parcel A) has greater development
capacity than the assessment indicates. It is also
believed that the localised adverse effects identified
could be largely mitigated by the measures proposed
in the EBLS&CA assessment.
5. Would not have an unacceptable adverse
impact on the landscape setting of the village
demonstrated through a Landscape and
Visual Impact Assessment.
A detailed assessment of the proposed development
has been undertaken in accordance with current
best practice guidance. The findings of the
assessment confirmed the following:
·Overall sensitivity of the landscape within which
the site is located is ‘Medium’ to ‘Low’.
·The proposals would not affect the setting of any
protected features, visitor attractions or
designated landscapes.
·The landscape and visual effects would be
limited to a very localised area within, and
immediately adjacent to the site.
·The only substantial effects identified relate to a
deterioration in visual amenity from a small
number of properties on the B1070 and Beehive
Close, which are orientated towards the site.
·Mitigation measures designed to minimise these
effects are predicted to improve landscape
integration and help screen /soften views of the
new development as the planting matures.

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4.0 Overall Summary
4.1 Notwithstanding the adoption of the East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan it is considered that the
proposed development is sympathetically located in a non-designated landscape of ‘Medium to
Low’ sensitivity. The evidence base which underpins the Neighbourhood Plan states ‘development
on this parcel would relate well to the settlement edge’.
4.2 It is considered that ‘Parcel A’ in which the site is located has greater capacity to accommodate
development than the Neighbourhood Plan suggests, and this is also alluded to in the evidence
base which states that ‘its capacity profile score suggests it is positioned at the higher end of this
bracket’, (i.e. the site has greater capacity).
4.3 Furthermore, it is considered that the development would create a more logical, defensible
boundary to the village than currently exists. The development would not affect the historic village
centre, or the setting of any designated/protected sites. Any localised effects on adjacent visual
receptors could be contained by ‘modern’ development of the edge of the village and by the ring
land to the north. They could also be mitigated in the medium term by the measures outlined in the
EBLS&CA.
4.4 This LVA Addendum has taken full account of the East Bergholt Landscape Sensitivity and
Capacity assessment and Policy EB6 of the adopted East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan. Neither
of which have changed the findings of the LVA, or opinion that in landscape and visual terms the
proposed development is sympathetically located to minimise effects on the village and the
surrounding landscape.

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