Abstract
This Evidence Review Note (ERN) provides comprehensive guidance on assessing visual impacts of offshore wind farm (OWF) projects and impacts on seascape and landscape. Drawing on evidence from more than 76 Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), along with input from regulators and landscape and visual professionals, the ERN aims to support more effective, proportionate and consistent EIAs.
Seascape, landscape and visual impacts are among the most frequently reported significant adverse effects in OWF EIAs, particularly where projects are located within 50km of the coast. These effects are often difficult to mitigate once projects reach the operational phase, yet most projects with such impacts have still been consented. This highlights the limitations of mitigation and the role of planning judgement in balancing visual impacts with wider energy objectives.
Inconsistencies in Seascape, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (SLVIA) terminology, structure, and classification have created challenges for assessors and reviewers. Public understanding of visual impacts also frequently diverges from expert judgments, underscoring the need for clearer communication and more accessible engagement.
This ERN provides a practical framework for more robust and proportionate SLVIA, with six key recommendations:
- Standardisation of Scoping: Adopt a consistent, evidence-based approach to EIA SLVIA scoping across the UK, using a three-tier categorisation (Categories A-C) of impacts. This will improve efficiency and focus assessments on likely significant effects. For offshore developments beyond 50 km from shore, generally scope out SLVIA.
- Consistency and Clarity of Reporting: Standardise chapter structures and impact terminology. This will enhance accessibility and comprehension. Clear signposting and alignment with planning policy terminology will improve engagement among non-specialist stakeholders.
- Proportionate Reporting and Enhanced Engagement: Ensure clear and concise reporting, focused on significant effects, with technical detail in appendices. Embrace digital tools, such as GIS-based maps, interactive and dynamic visualisations, documentary media and web-based reporting, to enhance clarity, usability and engagement (including public engagement). Aim for reports around 30-40 pages in length.
- Strategic Approach to Risk Assessment: Address significant SLVIA effects at a strategic level through regional seascape sensitivity assessments to guide site selection and avoid high-sensitivity areas.
- Regionalised and Threshold-Based Cumulative Effects Assessment: Evaluate cumulative effects through regional frameworks and perceptual thresholds, moving beyond turbine counts to more meaningful indicators of visual change.
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Strategic Compensation: Where significant adverse effects are unavoidable, work with stakeholders to identify appropriate compensation measures that enhance seascape and landscape understanding or stewardship and align with marine planning objectives.
By implementing these recommendations, the OWF sector can reduce costs, increase certainty, reduce landscape harm and streamline the consenting process. Clearer, more consistent and proportionate assessments will strengthen engagement, promote good design and ensure the UK’s rich seascapes and landscapes are protected along with its ambitions for clean energy growth.