Weighting - PowerPoint Presentation

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Weighting

TopicVery LowLowMedium High Very High Baseline AnalysisLandscapeA landscape which is dominated by dereliction and neglect with evidence of anti-social behaviour such as graffiti, vandalism and littering.A landscape where change is likely to be positive.A landscape, streetscape or townscape where the elements are not valued and is therefore not sensitive to change and where change is unlikely to be detrimental. Landscape types to include but not limted to :-Industrial landscapesInfrastructural landscapes including major transport corridorsDegraded urban streetscapesUnmaintained wastelandsA landscape, streetscape or townscape that exhibits positive characters is locally important and whose character, landuse, pattern and scale would have the capacity to accommodate changeA landscape , streetscape or townscape feature with significant merit or character that create a sense of place – walls, structures, fountains, entrances, boundaries, sculptures and landmarks.Landscape types to include but not limited to:-Residential suburban landscapes with established garden plantingRoadside Open Spaces including semi privates residential spaces and local parks/sports groundsRoad corridors with substantial street tree plantingIntact urban streetscapesAgricultural landsA landscape, streetscape or townscape widely acknowledged as containing elements of national importance. National designation may applyA landscape containing features of ecological, historical, sociocultural or national importanceA landscape acknowledged for its quality and value having few negative elements.A landscape having the capacity to accommodate change to a certain degreeLandscape types to include but not limit to:-Historical city centre and core urban villagesUrban centre open spaces and plazasSignificant urban specimen trees and tree groups including those with tree preservation ordersDistrict Parks and Historic landscape or parklandGreenbelt areas as defined in the Development PlanA landscape , streetscape or townscape protected by an International or national designation, (Special Area Amenity Order (SAAO), candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC), pNHA, etc.)A landscape widely acknowledged for its distinctive features and the quality and value of its elements and edge conditionA landscape with distinctive character and low capacity to accommodate changeAbsence of negative elements, e.g. traffic, noise, dereliction, unmanaged areasLandscape types to include but not limited to:-Historical streetscapes and urban set piecesNationally important open spaces and parkland 

Baseline Analysis - LandscapeSlide4

Weighting

TopicVery LowLowMedium High Very High Baseline AnalysisVisual  Viewer Groups(Visual Amenity)Little or no interest (Is this possible ?)Viewers with a passive or temporary view of the landscape such as motoristsViewers with a passing interest in their surroundings or whoseinterest is not specifically focused on the landscapeViewers within an exclusively trafficked landscape (i.e. a majorroadway or adjacent to one with no mitigation)Viewers with a moderate interest in their environment such as recreational travellers and less frequent users of recreational facilities who are likely to experience the type of change resulting from the proposed scheme as an adverse (or positive) change in their view and/or the quality of the existing view, as likely to be perceived by the viewer, is assessed as being mediumViewers within a landscape dominated by traffic. Visual condition of the landscape is degradedViewers with a proprietary interest and prolonged viewing opportunities such as residents and frequent commuters or recreational users who are likely to experience the type of change resulting from the proposed scheme as an adverse (or positive) change in their view and/or the quality of the existing view, as likely to be perceived by the viewer, is assessed as being highSome visual discordance in landscape. Traffic movements distracting visually but not predominantViews from high usage public spacesAreas containing protected views as outlined in the relevant Development PlansViewers with a profound interest in the view such as direct observers (e.g. from a restaurant, local park), views from local residential properties and residential care units with direct views to the proposed schemeViews from areas of recognised high visual value due to architectural or landscape merit, e.g. Georgian Streets or Squares, major tourist attractions. Baseline Analysis - VisualSlide5

Impact Analysis - Landscape

Topic

Weighting

Low Impact Magnitude Medium Impact Magnitude High Impact Magnitude Landscape and Visual - suburban and transport corridors100–250m50–100m0–50m Landscape and Visual - urban and suburban defined townscapesAll landscape and visual receptors within a defined townscape weighted equally, i.e. medium to high as per the criteria in Table 11.2 Slide6

Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline

Typical sectionsSlide7

Description of Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment

 Baseline Rating and Landscape SensitivityCapacity for Change/Description of ImpactImpact Magnitude  Impact SignificancePossible Design MitigationSection 1 – Clongriffen to Grange Road At the Clongriffen terminus of the route the landscape is characterised by a mix of newly established residential developments with associated open spaces and tree lined access routes alongside undeveloped and partially developed sites. This route section also runs through more mature residential areas with roadside public and semi-private open space of a generally low landscape value – mainly amenity mown grassland, remnant hedgerows with occasional underdeveloped trees.The boundary railing associated planting and pedestrian realm associated with the Father Collins Park forms a section of the roadside boundary along with fenced playing fields.Generally wide road corridors along proposed routes with a mix of young to semi-mature street trees to grass and planted verges.Variable pedestrian connectivity along road corridors with limited openings to parks / open space and residential developments. This Sections study area includes a portion of the Estuary Landscape Character Area as designated in the current Fingal County Council Development Plan 3 but impacts on this Character area, which is classed in the Development Plan as having a high landscape sensitivity, are avoided as it is physical y and visually separated from the route alignment by the Dublin to Belfast Railway line and existing development. There are direct views from residential properties to the road corridor especially from upper floor residential units and private balconies.       mediumSpacious road corridors with some capacity for change. The removal of establishing street trees to facilitate the BRT works, where the road corridor configurations may be altered, may impact on the tree lined avenues as they mature with gaps reducing the effectiveness of an overall landscape avenue structure. Roadside landscape and boundaries to established public open space and open space areas associated with adjoining residential developments may be impacted if road corridor dimensions alter. Quality of views to the roads from adjoining residential areas and road users not likely to be significantly impacted as views are already currently occupied by elements of road infrastructure      low

moderate

Possible to reconfigure pedestrian realm to improve local connectivity. New roadside planting to replace any lost to facilitate the scheme. As avenue planting in the newer development areas are generally young to semi mature trees they haven’t yet established a strong canopy presence on the road corridor and.so replacement planting can be considered as effective mitigation to replace any lost due to the works. A tree management strategy to be put in place where works are proposed in proximity to retained mature trees or hedgerows.

Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline Descriptive

Description of

the Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment

A baseline rating is assigned

Capacity for change is analysed

Impact magnitude is assigned (based on matrix)

Impact significance is assigned

Mitigation measures are proposedSlide8

Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline

Typical sectionsSlide9

Description of Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment

Baseline Rating and Landscape Sensitivity

Capacity for Change/Description of ImpactImpact Magnitude Impact SignificancePossible Design MitigationSection 2 – Donaghmede to CoolockGenerally transport corridors running along sections of the Malahide Road and the N32 with limited pedestrian and vehicular openings to adjoining residential areas, vacant lands and commercial premises. Roadside landscapes typically consisting of grass verges with intermittent immature to semi mature street trees in grass verges of varying widths. Roadside boundary’s vary with walls and low wall and railings to residential areas and planted and railed boundaries to commercial elements along the route. Established hedges and planting to the central median reduces the visual extent of the road corridor and are important landscape elements.Viewers generally having a passive or temporary view of the landscape such as motorists. Views from residential areas general limited to views from upper floors or oblique views across private garden areas or public open space.     lowAs the landscape character is predominately one of transport corridors, additional elements associated with a BRT transport system would have little overall impact on both road users and the quality of the existing environment.The segregated nature of the current transport corridor could be improved with a more integrated path network and improved public realm along the proposed BRT route. Roadside landscape and boundaries may be impacted if road corridor dimensions alter. Quality of views to the roads from adjoining residential areas and road users not likely to be significantly impacted as views are already currently occupied by elements of road infrastructure      medium     moderateIt may be possible to reconfigure the pedestrian realm and linkages at locations to improve the pedestrian environment and local connectivity. New roadside planting to replace any lost to facilitate the scheme to comply with the DCDP objective ‘To replace all trees removed with an appropriate species, where the removal of street or roadside trees is necessary.A tree management strategy to be put in place where works are proposed in proximity to retained mature trees or hedgerows.

Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline

Descriptive

Description of

the Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment

A baseline rating is assigned

Capacity for change is analysed

Impact magnitude is assigned (based on matrix)

Impact significance is assignedMitigation measures are proposedSlide10

Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline

Typical sectionsSlide11

Description of Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment

 Baseline Rating and Landscape SensitivityCapacity for Change/Description of ImpactImpact Magnitude Impact SignificancePossible Design MitigationSection 3 – Donaghmede to Coolock via Tonlegee RoadGenerally wide road corridor along Grange Road with street trees, grass verges and pockets of roadside open space containing mown grassland and tree planting. Roadside boundary’s vary with walls to rear gardens and gable ends to residential areas and planted and railed boundaries to commercial and institutional elements along the route including the suburban village centre at Donamede shopping centre and Grangemore Church. Generally good pedestrian linkages.Along the Tonlegee Road there are older residential, mainly semi-detached units facing the road, many of which have access to off-street parking to front garden areas. This street has generally wider grass verges with more mature avenue trees creating a strong landscape structure for the street. Original front garden boundaries here are generally intact and many gardens have mature tree and shrub planting. Along Grange Road there are limited direct views of the road corridor from adjoining residential properties. Along Tonlegee Road there are more direct views of the road corridor from adjacent housing. However views are partially screened where there are mature front gardens with associated tree and shrub planting.       mediumDue to the varying width of roadside grass verges and quantity of incidental open spaces the streets have the capacity to accommodate change to a certain degree with limited impact on the townscape character. Mature street trees within restricted grass verges may be impacted in any reduction in softscape area or verges.Quality of views to the road from adjoining residential areas and from road users are not likely to be significantly impacted as views are currently occupied by elements of road infrastructure..     medium     moderateThe varying width of the road corridor allows selected locations with a greater capacity for change, where expansion of the carriageway could be accommodated with careful detailing and scheme design.New roadside planting to replace any lost to facilitate the scheme to comply with the DCDP objective ‘To replace all trees removed with an appropriate species, where the removal of street or roadside trees is necessary.

A tree management strategy to be put in place where works are proposed in proximity to retained mature trees.

Impact Analysis – Landscape - Baseline

Descriptive

Description of

the Baseline Landscape and Visual Environment

A baseline rating is assigned

Capacity for change is analysedImpact magnitude is assigned (based on matrix)Impact significance is assignedMitigation measures are proposedSlide12

Mitigation Strategy

Description

Avoidance of impact

 Environmental constraints have been identified through baseline assessment, planning and design. Reduction of impact Elements of the scheme design are designed to have a minimal impact. Proposed landscape improvements will replicate natural features, be appropriate to the setting and be in keeping with the landscape / townscape character of the area.Remedy of impact Where the scheme causes negative impacts or is routed through sensitive landscapes or townscape, the scheme’s impacts are mitigated through:General Mitigation Measure, e.g. form of planting. The aim of the mitigation strategy is to reduce the effect and visual impact on the landscape and viewers Specific Mitigation Measures to suit a local condition will be proposed where a localised impact is being mitigated or to address a specific landscape/architectural character areaMitigation StrategyHierarchyGeneral Design Phase Mitigation Measure (GMM) Ref No.Description of Mitigation Measure GMM 1The BRT option will be integrated into the baseline environment in an ecologically sensitive manner (where required). Landscape treatments will complement the surrounding ecological network and will counter the potential barrier and fragmentation effect of the BRT option along with compensation for loss of habitat, in consultation with a suitably qualified ecologist as necessary.GMM 2At specific areas, there will be a requirement for particular screening of sensitive receptors. These will be established in an appropriate planting typology with a specific emphasis on quick establishment of a screen, with larger material to create screening and effective planting for the long term.GMM 3Consideration will be given to the local landscape/townscape character area and context of the BRT route option in the preparation of the landscape design. The landscape design aims to retain and reinforce regional and local identity where possible. For example, tree species appropriate to the context should be chosen for each location, whether that be native or introduced. Where avenues have been impacted matching street trees will be chosen to help reinforce the landscape structure of the townscape.OptionsGeneral Mitigation Measures (Sample only) Slide13

Multi

C

riteria Analysis

Decision on the Preferred Route(EPR)Slide14

Conclusions of Analysis

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Design proposals