Location
North Norfolk Coast
Client
Dudgeon Offshore Windfarm Ltd
Project
Dudgeon Offshore Windfarm
Dudgeon Offshore Windfarm
Pegasus was commissioned to prepare a Seascape and Visual Impact Assessment (SVIA) for a proposed offshore wind farm in the Greater Wash SEA area. The proposed site is located approximately 32km offshore, the nearest town being Cromer on the North Norfolk Coast.
The Environmental Statement for the Round 2 offshore windfarm which will have an installed capacity of up to 560MW was submitted in 2009 and is awaiting determination. The application is sought under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.
The maximum height of the proposed wind turbines from mean sea level to the blade tip will be 190m in a vertical position and the minimum spacing between wind turbines will be 360m.
Our assessment considered the potential effects on seascape character and visual amenity taking account of published DTI guidance: Guidance on the Assessment of the Impact of Offshore Windfarms – Seascape and Visual Impact Assessment. Special consideration was given to the effects of the development on the North Norfolk Coast AONB and on the setting of several heritage and conservation interests along the coast including Cromer Pier.
Our assessment was accompanied by illustrative material including: Zones of Theoretical Visibility (ZTVs), wireframes and photomontages which were produced in accordance with published best practice guidance by Citrine VRS.
A cumulative impact assessment was provided to take account of other offshore windfarm proposals in the Greater Wash SEA area including the Sheringham Shoal and Docking Shoal offshore windfarms.
It has been estimated that if approved the offshore windfarm will have an output equivalent to the average annual domestic needs of approximately 400,000 UK homes.
