From:	Judith Ward

Sent:	28 October 2013 14:26

To:	Bob Neville

Subject:	Swalcliffe Park Equestrian 13/01295/F

Dear Bob

I apologise for the delay in replying to this consult, it had been sent to Ecology so we missed it.

The site is situated adjacent to and NW of Swalcliffe Grange Farm in an area of unspoilt undulating landscape. The site has a complex slope as it falls both W to E with part of it also falling SW to NE into a small valley which runs roughly NW to SE. This makes the site visually exposed, particularly to the SW. Since the warm up arena and main riding arena need to be level a considerable amount of cut and fill is required which will cause a significant alteration to the landform. The site lies at elevations between 176m and 190m which is not an insignificant height difference.

There are agricultural hedges surrounding the site which are gappy and cut low along the boundaries of the site. These provide some screening from some viewpoints, but are particualry limited in close proximity.

No contour plan or spot heights have been provided and this is making it difficult for me to assess the relationship between the two arenas as there are no sections covering both. It is also impossible to check that the plans work in terms of levels. It is stated that the finished levels will differ by 3m between the 2 arenas.

There is a considerable amount of cut and fill required to realise these plans. Upto 8m of fill and 5 m of cut. Some of the slopes are as steep as 1:2 which is too steep to hold the slope in place and to maintain in terms of grass cutting. This angle is far too steep to begin to look natural. The indicative hatching does not illustrate a uniform approach to landform modeling.

The development takes the form of 2 arena's with post and rail fences round them with the appearance of being 'dropped' in the field with associated tracks and a very large tarmaced parking area and access road. All these elements are alien in such a landscape particularly given their large size and that there will be 3 separate large elements with no visible integration into the landscape. The tarmac car park is a particualrly large and alien introduction to the landscape. It's presence suggests to me that the site will experience frequent use.

The proposed landscape strategy is inadequate. Some limited hedge planting

Photo viewpoints

All are summer views which is the best case senario. There would be some inreased visibility in winter particularly at close range

1. Although the site is below the skyline the development will clearly be visible . The arena's will be clearly be visible along with the tarmac. A large amount of post and rail fencing will be introduced into this hedged and tree'd landscape. Moderate to high impact

2. The arena's and parking will be clearly visible from here. Once the site is operational there will be considerable impacts from this viewpoint High impact

3. The development will be clearly visible from here. the existing natural falls of the land will be altered by the developmentwill reduce the undulations and introduce flat plateua's High impact

4.intervening hedgerows and topography screen site Nil effect

5.intervening vegetation and topography screens the site. Nil effect

6.The majority of the assessment site would be clearly visible, particularly as it slopes in the general direction of the viewpoint. Moderate to high impact

7.Partial visibility of the site behind hedgerows. moderate to low impact

8. The northern part of the site is visible

9. The righthand part of the site is visible

10.Assessment site visible in the distance

11. Site just visible but since most users will be pasing quickly in vehicles, only glimpses will be seen.

The visualisations don't in my opinion give an accurate view of the development. On VPA the NW edges of the arenas appear to be level with the surrounding land. A look at DWG160/32/A shows that these edges are cut into the slope of the field. The visualisations should in my view show the site in operation with vehicles parked and all the other paraphernalia associated with these events. VPB and VPC shows the awkward relationship of the arenas to each other. And considerable disturbance of the landscape.

Events such as this also require toilet facilities, washing and hoseing down areas, food suppliers, possible PA systems and camping. None of which have been designed in. If the facility is used extensively ( and it is likely to be given the construction costs of installing it) then it is likely that some of these would remain on site permanentaly. They need to be thought out and designed in.

Conclusion

This application will in my opinion casuse far greater impact on a relatively unspoilt area than is claimed. I don't believe that the full scale of the proposal in terms of landscape impact has been explored particualrly relating to ancillary and incidental activities. The visualistions don't seem to be accurate.

I find that the proposal will cause undue visual intrusion into the countryside, is inconsistent with local landscape charater, will cause undue harm to natural features and topography and have an adverse effect on the character and appearance of the area. In short a more suitable site should be chosen.

Judith Ward

Landscape Planning Officer

Cherwell District Council

Environmental Services

Lucinda Babij

2013-10-28

Cherwell District Council