Page 272 - Alderney Regional Environmental Assessment of Renewable Energy: Environmental Report

Alderney

Regional Environmental Assessment of Renewable Energy:

Environmental Report

7.8

Landscape and Seascape

7.8.1

Baseline Description

Alderney is similar to the other Channel Islands in having sheer cliffs broken by stretches of

sandy beach and dunes. Trees are rather scarce, as many were cut down in the 17th Century

to fuel the lighthouses on Alderney and the Casquets. Those trees that remain include cabbage

trees and there are some small woods dotted about the island. The main town in Alderney, St

Anne, features an imposing church and an unevenly cobbled high street. Other settlements

include Braye, Newtown, Longis, Crabby and Mannez.

The Alderney Land Use Plan (States of Alderney, 2011a) sets out conditions for potential land

use within specific zones on the island. The location of these zones is shown in Figure 21.

Although no specific landscape character assessment has been undertaken for Alderney, there

are conditions within several of the zones, to ‘maintain the character and landscape value’, or

the ’visual amenity’ of that zone. These are as follows:

Zone 2A: Grand Hotel Site:

This is area is reserved for residential development

including social housing. Consideration should be given to the effect of any proposal

on the skyline;

Zone 2B: Area Adjacent to Butes Lane:

Any development is to be low density

residential. Consideration should be given to the effect of any proposal on the skyline;

Zone 6:

Existing Ribbon Development to the South-east of Routes Carrieres - Infill

low-density development only. Plans for new dwellings should demonstrate that the

dwelling fits in with the topography of the site and its existing wooded landscape, and

include landscape proposals for the finished project;

Zone 7C: Inner Harbour:

The Inner Harbour, including the surrounding lower quays,

is of historic importance to the island and currently used by local commercial fishing

and boating interests. It includes a bunkering service and chandlers on the Quay

together with fishermen’s huts and related local Marine interests. Any future

development will be required to recognise the importance of retaining the visual

appearance of this area to prevent any physical changes which may detract from the

present historical environment;

Zone 8: Fort Zone:

Any development is to be sympathetic to the location and visual

impact of the fort, and should recognize and protect the special features of each fort

and its location. Non-development of a fort is also an option. Any proposed

development is to respect the topography of the site and its surroundings and include

landscape proposals for the finished project. Special consideration should be given to

the effect of any proposal on the skyline;

Zone 10B: Middle Slopes of Cotil du Val:

Development shall not occur on land

above the 40 metre contour line. The ridge height of any development should not be

above the 45 metre contour. No property will have direct vehicular access onto

Newtown Road. New roads and services will be required as outlined in the Cotil du Val

Design Guide (SPG). The presence of mature trees in this Zone is important to

minimize the impact of development and to preserve the natural appearance of the

hillside. Existing mature trees should be retained as part of any development plan;

R/4001/7

248

R.2129