12 LANDSCAPE & VISUAL 12.1 INTRODUCTION · 2016-04-19 · DOCX APRIL 2016 12-2 • ... descriptive text only if relevant); and • Ability of the LRs/ LCAs to accommodate change without

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT CASTLE PEAK POWER COMPANY LIMITED

0308057_S12_LVIA_REV 3.DOCX APRIL 2016

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12 LANDSCAPE & VISUAL

12.1 INTRODUCTION

This Section presents a landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) which

has been conducted based on a review of available literature, as well as field

surveys to help identify the existing conditions so as to be able to accurately

assess the potential landscape and visual impacts associated with the Project.

Figure 12.1 shows an aerial image of the Project Site and in addition to land-

based construction works, minor marine dredging works adjacent to the BPPS

seawall, close to the existing seawater intake and outfall, will be required

should a second CCGT unit be installed.

The remainder of the LVIA provides details on the following:

• Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines;

• Review of Planning and Development Framework;

• Methodology for LVIA;

• Baseline Conditions, for Landscape and Visual elements;

• Identification of Impacts;

• Impact Assessment Prior to Mitigation, for Landscape and Visual

elements;

• Suggested Mitigation Measures;

• Residual Impacts;

• Cumulative Impacts; and

• Conclusion.

12.2 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION, STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES

This LVIA has been prepared according to Clause 3.2.1 (ix), Clause 3.4.11.1-3

and Appendix G of the EIA Study Brief No. ESB-286/2015.

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) legislation (Cap.499, S.16)

and the Technical Memorandum on EIA Process (EIAO-TM), particularly

Annexes 10 (Criteria for Evaluating Visual and Landscape Impact, and Impact

on Sites of Cultural Heritage) and 18 (Guidelines for Landscape and Visual

Impact Assessment) have been referred to in carrying out this assessment.

In addition, the following standards and guidelines have been referred to for

assessing the landscape and visual impacts associated with the Project:



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• Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance Guidance Note 8/2010

(Preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under the

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance);

• Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) issued by the

Planning Department;

• Lands Administration Office (LAO) Practice Note No. 7/2007 Tree Preservation

& Removal;

• DEVB TC(W) No. 7/2015 – Tree Preservation;

• DEVB TC(W) No.6/2015 – Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape

Features;

• ETWB TCW No. 11/2004 – Cyber Manual for Greening;

• ETWB TCW No. 29/2004 – Registration of Old and Valuable Trees, and

Guidelines for their Preservation;

• Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (November 2015), Chapter

11 Urban Design Guidelines; and

• Study on Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong (1).

12.3 REVIEW OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT CONTROL FRAMEWORK

The Project will be implemented within the boundary of the existing BPPS

which is not covered by any Outline Zoning Plan (OZP). The coast does not

form part of any Coastal Protection Area (CPA), and the Sha Chau and Lung

Kwu Chau Marine Park is located at least 4.4 km by sea from the BPPS. Pak

Nai Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which is an intertidal mudflat/

mangrove habitat, is approximately 5 km to the north. Figure 12.2 helps

illustrate this.

It should be noted that Lung Kwu Tan at Tuen Mun is one of five potential

near-shore reclamation sites that are being considered as part of the

Enhancing Land Supply Strategy: Reclamation Outside Victoria Harbour and

Rock Cavern Development (2). If selected it would provide 200-300 ha of land

to the south of Black Point that is currently positioned for business,

residential, and complimentary Government, Institution and Community

(GIC) facility uses, with local open space. Details of heights of buildings in

this area have not been finalised but are assumed to be no greater than 50 m (3)

(1) PlanD. Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong Final Report. Available at:

http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/p_study/prog_s/landscape/landscape_final/index.html [Accessed November 2015]

(2) Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) Paper 3/2015

(3) Agreement No. CE 14/2013 (CE) Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the Three Potential

Nearshore Reclamation Sites in the Western Waters of Hong Kong - Investigation - Executive Summary (Final)



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i.e. they should not reach over the height of Black Point ridgeline which is just

over 130m at its peak, and therefore are not considered as future VRSs. In

addition there is a lack of detailed information or scheduling of the potential

project currently, and therefore it is not included as part of the assessment.

12.4 METHODOLOGY

This following section presents the methodology for the landscape and visual

impact assessment for the Project.

The methodology follows the criteria and guidelines state in section 1 of

Annex 10 and Annex 18 of the TM respectively, the EIAO Guidance Note GN

8/2010 Preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under the

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, and the report of Landscape Value

Mapping of Hong Kong, for evaluating and assessing the landscape and visual

impacts.

12.4.1 Baseline

Assessment Areas

As per Clause 3.4.11.2 of the Study Brief, the Assessment Area for Landscape

Impact Assessment (LIA) shall include areas within a 500 m distance from the

boundary of the Project site as indicated in Figure 12.1.

As per Clause 3.4.11.2 of the Study Brief, the Assessment Area for visual

impact assessment shall be defined by the visual envelope of the Project.

Identification of the visual envelope has been achieved by site visit and desk-

top study of topographic maps and photographs, and GIS analysis, to

determine potential visibility of the Project from various locations. GIS

analysis uses known data regarding the proposed built structures to model

the area that can potentially see the developments. Building heights

provided by CLP at the time of preparing this LVIA have been used to

generate the models and assume the highest facility is the +106mPD stack.

This is a worst case scenario as the stack height may be reduced. It should be

noted that GIS analysis uses topographic data as a baseline, disregarding

existing built forms and vegetation which reduce the actual visual envelope.

Landscape Baseline

LR and LCA identification

Site visits and desktop study of topographical maps, information databases

and photographs were used to identify the baseline landscape resources (LRs)

and landscape character areas (LCAs) found within the 500 m Assessment

Area. LR types have been mapped based on their principal physical

(2013). Retrieved October 6, 2015 from Civil Engineering and Development Department, Web site:

http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/landsupply/doc/Executive%20Summary%20on%20Final%20Report(S2)b.pdf



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landscape and visual characteristics which link them together, rather than

their habitat function. In mapping these resources, contiguous areas of the

LR types have been identified which may not always match ecological habitat

maps. LCAs are generally broader categorizations than LRs, and each one

encompasses a number of different LRs.

Broad Brush Tree Survey

A broad brush tree survey to identify dominant tree species, maturity, rarity

and any plant species of conservation interest, etc. was conducted within the

Assessment Area to provide baseline information on the landscape resources

and landscape character areas.

LR and LCA Sensitivity

Assessment of the sensitivity of LRs and LCAs is influenced by a number of

factors including the following:

• Quality and maturity, condition and value of LRs/ LCAs, taking into

account information from general quality, maturity and condition of

other types of vegetation. (Ranked as high, medium or low);

• Important / rarity of LRs/ LCAs (Ranked as high, medium or low);

• Whether a LR/ LCA is considered to be of local, regional, national or

global importance (taken into account and included in the descriptive

text only if relevant);

• Whether there are any statutory or regulatory limitations / requirements

relating to the LRs/ LCAs (taken into account and included in the

descriptive text only if relevant); and

• Ability of the LRs/ LCAs to accommodate change without compromising

their essential nature (ranked high, medium or low).

The sensitivity of each LR and LCA is based on the values of all the above

factors in totality and will be classified as follows:

High: Important landscape or landscape resources of particularly

distinctive character of high importance, sensitive to relatively

small changes.

Medium: Landscape or landscape resources of moderately valued landscape

characteristics reasonably to tolerant to change.

Low: Landscape or landscape resources of relatively unimportant

landscape characteristics largely tolerant to change.



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Visual Baseline

Identification of Visual Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) & Vantage Points (VPs)

Having determined the Assessment Area for the VIA, VSRs have been

identified within the visual envelope. As shown in Figure 12.7, no nearby

residents or villagers, (e.g. from Tuen Mun, Lung Kwu Tan, Lung Kwu

Sheung Tan or Ha Pak Nai) appear to fall within the visible area. Vantage

Points or Viewpoints (VPs) have been selected from which to help illustrate

the visual change that would be brought about by the proposed Project,

ensuring in combination they give a good overall representation of how the

Project will appear to different VSRs, both near and far.

Photomontages have been prepared from the VPs to conceptually illustrate

the visual impacts, both unmitigated and mitigated at Day 1 and mitigated at

Year 10 of operation and to supplement the visual changes described in the

text.

VSR Sensitivity

Assessment of the sensitivity of VSRs is influenced by a number of factors

including the following:

• Type of VSR. VSRs are categorized according to whether the viewer is

at home, at work or school, at play or leisure, or travelling (ranked by the

major VSR types, as described below):

- Residential VSRs – These VSRs are people living in the area and who

view the proposed Project from their homes. They are considered the

most sensitive VSRs due to the character of the view from their

homes having a substantial effect on their perception of quality and

acceptability of their home environment and general quality of life.

- Occupational VSRs – These VSRs are people working or in education

in the area, who view the proposed Project from their workplace or

education centre. Visual amenity is in general not considered a top

priority within the average workplace and these VSRs are

considered to be relatively less sensitive than residential VSRs as

their view will have a less important, although still material, effect

on their perception of quality of life. The degree to which this

applies to workers depends on whether their location is industrial,

retail or commercial. The VSRs in industrial areas, such as

factories, are generally considered to be the least sensitive, due to the

relatively low quality of their existing view in an industrial area.

- Recreational VSRs – These VSRs are people engaging in recreational

activities such as hikers on established trails and footpaths, people

participating in team sports at recreation grounds or at leisure.

Sensitivity of these VSRs depends on duration of stay, nature of the

activity and how enclosed the location is.



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- Travelling VSRs – These VSRs are people travelling on public roads

and railways, both in public and private vehicles and on foot. They

have varying sensitivity depending on the speed, nature and

frequency of travel, but are generally considered to be transitory to

the area with less regard for the surrounding views and with low

sensitivity.

• Number of individuals (ranked as very many, many, few or very few);

• Quality of existing view (ranked as good, fair or poor);

• Availability of alternative views (ranked as yes or no);

• Degree of visibility (ranked as full, partial or glimpse);

• Duration of view (ranked as long, medium or short); and

• Frequency of view (ranked as frequent, occasional or rare).

The sensitivity of each VSR is based on the values of all the above factors in

totality and classified as follows:

High: The VSR is highly sensitive to any change in their viewing

experience.

Medium: The VSR is moderately sensitive to any change in their viewing

experience.

Low: The VSR is only slightly sensitive to any change in their viewing

experience.

12.4.2 Identification & Assessment of Impacts

There are various construction works elements and operational procedures

that have the potential to generate landscape and visual impacts. These have

been identified and the significance of the impact assessed relative to the

sensitivity of the resource/receptor and the magnitude of change caused by

the impact.

Magnitude of Change

Landscape

The magnitude of change caused by a landscape impact is quantified

according to a number of factors including the following:

• The physical extent of the impact. This is assessed using a number of

factors, including: absolute area/length within the Project Site; relative

area/length within the Project Site compared to the Assessment Area;

impacts on existing trees; and current land use compared to proposed

land use i.e. taking into account some land, even though within the



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Project Site, may not be directly impacted (ranked as small, medium or

large);

• Compatibility of the Project and associated works with the existing and

planned landscape in the vicinity (ranked as good, fair, or poor);

• Duration of impacts (i.e. whether it is temporary or permanent, under

construction and operational phases); and

• Reversibility of change (ranked as reversible or irreversible).

The magnitude of landscape change on each LR/LCA will be based on the

values of all the above factors in totality and classified as follows:

Large: LRs or LCAs would incur a major change.

Intermediate: LRs or LCAs would incur moderate change.

Small: LRs or LCAs would incur slight or barely perceptible change.

Negligible: LRs or LCAs would incur no discernible change.

Visual

The magnitude of change caused by a visual impact is quantified according to

a number of factors including the following:

• Distance between the closest source of impact and the VSR (given in

meters);

• Scale of the development. This is assessed using a number of factors,

including: absolute dimensions of new built structures visible to the VSR;

relative dimensions of the new built structures compared to other

structures visible to the VSRs in their existing view (ranked as small,

medium or large);

• Potential blockage of view (ranked as full, partial or nil);

• Duration of the impacts (ranked as temporary [short/medium term] or

permanent);

• Compatibility of the Project and associated works with the existing and

planned landscape in the vicinity (ranked as good, fair or poor); and

• Reversibility of change (ranked as reversible or irreversible).



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The magnitude of change caused by visual impacts on each VSR is based on

the values of all the above factors in totality and classified as follows:

Large: VSRs would suffer a major change in their viewing experience.

Intermediate: VSRs would suffer a moderate in their viewing experience.

Small: VSRs would suffer a small change in their viewing experience.

Negligible: VSRs would suffer no discernible change in their viewing

experience.

Significance of Potential Impacts

Significance of an impact is categorised according to the relationship between

the magnitude of change it causes and the sensitivity of the receptor it acts

upon. Following the implementation of mitigation measures, the significance

of the impact (the residual impact) may be reduced.

Ranking Significance of Impact

By understanding the magnitude of change caused by an impact on a

particular receptor prior to mitigation, and the sensitivity of that receptor, it is

possible to categorize significance of impact for each receptor in a logical,

well-reasoned and consistent fashion. Table 12.1 shows the rationale for

dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds, namely insignificant,

slight, moderate, and substantial, depending on the combination of a

magnitude of change and sensitivity of sensitive receiver and can be applied

on assessing impacts before and after mitigation.

Table 12.1 Relationship between receptor sensitivity and magnitude of change in

defining impact significance

Magnitude of Change

Negligible Small Intermediate Large

Re

cep

tor

Se

nsi

tiv

ity

(LR

/L

CA

or

VS

R)

Low Insignificant Slight Slight/

Moderate

Moderate

Medium Insignificant Slight/

Moderate

Moderate Moderate/

Substantial

High Insignificant Moderate Moderate/

Substantial

Substantial

The four thresholds for the degree of significance are explained below. All

impacts will be assumed to be adverse in the text of the Report, unless

specifically identified otherwise.

Substantial: Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposed Project will

cause significant deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality



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Moderate: Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposed Project will cause

a noticeable deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality

Slight: Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposed Project will cause

barely perceptible deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality

Insignificant: No discernible change in the existing landscape quality.

12.4.3 Mitigation Measures

Having identified and ranked the significance of potential impacts, measures

have been proposed to mitigate the impacts and reduce them to an acceptable

level. Firstly, means by which impacts can be avoided will be considered,

then possible means that might reduce the impact magnitude, and also

measures that potentially enhance existing landscape and visual quality.

Mitigation measures may take the form of:

• Adopting alternative design or revising the basic engineering and / or

architectural design, to prevent and / or minimize adverse impacts.

Alternative alignment(s), design(s) and construction methods that avoid

or reduce the identified landscape impacts will be evaluated for

comparison before adopting other mitigation or compensatory measures

to alleviate impacts;

• Remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of physical,

engineering and building features; and

• Compensatory measures such as the implementation of landscape design

measures (e.g. tree planting, creation of new open space etc.) to

compensate for unavoidable adverse impacts and to attempt to generate

potentially beneficial long-term impacts.

To ensure their effectiveness throughout the construction and operational

phases of the Project and associated works, the relevant responsible parties for

the on-going management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation

measures have been identified. Approval-in-principle of the funding,

implementation, management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation

measures has been sought from the appropriate authorities, according to the

principles in ETWB TCW No. 2/2004.

12.4.4 Acceptability of Landscape & Visual Impacts

An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of landscape and

visual impacts is provided in the Conclusion, in accordance with the five

criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM is provided, considering the

guidelines in paragraph 3.11 of Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance

GN No. 8/2010.



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12.5 BASELINE CONDITIONS

Black Point, where the BPPS is situated, is located in the western-most part of

the New Territories. It comprises a headland extending from the east (land)

to the west (sea) with granitic soil underneath, typical of the Tuen Mun and

Castle Peak areas. The major development at Black Point is the BPPS (the

first natural gas-fired power plant in Hong Kong), which is located to the

north of the headland on reclaimed land and its construction was completed

in 1996. To the east and south, BPPS is surrounded by mountains which

largely shield its viewshed, while to the immediate north and west is the

mouth of Deep Bay. The Urmston Road shipping channel, a major vessel

fairway that connects the Pearl River Estuary, the west and northwestern

Hong Kong waters and the waters between Chek Lap Kok and Tuen Mun, is

also to the west of BPPS.

The proposed location for the Project is within the existing boundaries of the

BPPS site. The proposed location for each of the additional CCGT units is

illustrated in Figure 3.1. The size of the land reserved for the additional

generation units and the associated facilities (the Project Site) is about 4 ha. It

has been used for material storage in warehouse and temporary structures.

The northern half of the reserved land is not occupied by any buildings or

facilities, whereas the southern half is occupied by a single storey warehouse.

There are no other facilities or utilities within the reserved land except the

surrounding chain link fence.

12.5.1 Landscape Baseline Conditions

Broad Brush Tree Survey

A broad brush tree survey was carried out in the Assessment Area and a

visual inspection of the soft landscaping carried out within the BPPS site.

Full details are provided in Annex 12A and key details relating to trees within

the LCAs and LRs are included below.

Landscape Resources

As shown in Figure 12.3, nine (9) Landscape Resources (LRs) have been

identified in the vicinity of the Project. These are described below and Figure

12.4 provides representative photographs of each LR.

LR1 Artificial Shoreline – This is comprised of a revetment structure along the

edge of the BPPS that provides sea defence to the BPPS and an artificial sea

edge. This LR is of low quality, low rarity and low maturity. It is

considered to have low sensitivity.

LR2 Natural Rocky Shore – This LR makes up the natural coastal edge of Black

point and is generally comprised of rocks with some pockets of vegetation. It

is an attractive feature of the headland and is considered to have high

sensitivity.



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LR3 Highly Modified Area – This LR predominantly consists of infrastructure

associated with power generation including engineering structures, hardstand

areas and access roads but also part of the Tsang Tsui Ash Lagoon.

There is some soft landscaping within this LR including species in moveable

planters as well as at-grade, planted species.

Species in the moveable planters include trees such as Araucaria heterophylla,

Ficus microcarpa and Hibiscus tiliaceus, and palms such as Livistona chinensis.

At-grade species include shrubs such as Duranta erecta, ground cover such as

Ixora chinensis and Wedelia trilobata and trees/ palms such as Acacia confusa,

Casuarina equisetifolia, Schefflera octophylla and Bauhinia x blackeana. As

illustrated in Figure 12.3, although there is some soft landscaping, this LR is

predominantly modified by the existence of a power station, with any soft

landscaping within the Project Site boundary being in moveable planters.

This LR has a high ability to accommodate change and its sensitivity is

considered low.

LR4 Plantation - The LR is mainly found along road/ BPPS boundary edges,

and planted on cut/fill slopes. It is dominated by exotic species such as

Acacia confusa, Melaleuca cajuputi Roxb. subsp. cumingiana, Lophostemon

confertus and Cassia surratensis. The plants are generally less than 20 years

old. Within these areas, some Aquilaria sinensis trees have been found and

overall this LR is considered to have medium sensitivity.

LR5 Rocky Grassland/ Shrubland Slopes – This LR consists of natural exposed

rocky outcrops amongst grassland and shrubland on the southern slopes of

Black Point headland, including native species such as Alocasia macrorrhizos,

Cyclosorus parasiticus, Pteris semipinnata grasses and Glochidion eriocarpum,

Melastoma sanguineum and Viburnum odoratissimum shrubs, as well as exotic

species such as Bidens pilosa and Mikania micrantha grasses and Lantana camara

and Gardenia jasminoides shrubs. Rocky outcrops are a rarer HK feature and

overall this LR is considered to have medium sensitivity.

LR6 Mixed Shrubland – This LR is dominated by tall shrubs/trees which were

predominantly exotic along the transects walked, including Acacia

auriculiformis, Acacia confusa, Aleurites moluccana, Casuarina equisetifolia,

Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus robusta, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Ficus elastica

and the weedy Leucaena leucocephala, as well as shrubs including Clerodendrum

japonicum and Lantana camara. There are areas where the mixed shrubland is

less dense. Some exotic species within this LR have been planted, such as

Acacia spp. and Eucalyptus spp. trees but it also contains some species of

conservation interest such as young Aquilaria sinensis. This LR is relatively

abundant within the Assessment Area and of low rarity. It is considered to

have medium sensitivity.

LR7 Vegetated Modified Slopes – This LR comprises areas where slopes have

been modified by cut/fill in the past and are sparsely vegetated with species

such as Pennisetum purpureum, Youngia japonica and Miscanthus sinensis, with



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some bare rock areas also. Although vegetation is relatively immature, given

the bare rock outcrops which are a rarer HK feature, this LR is considered to

have medium sensitivity.

LR8 Water Channel – This LR is comprised of storm-water drainage channels

which are man-made and concrete lined. They run along the northern edge

of the Black Point headland hill slope and along Yung Long Road. This LR is

considered to have low sensitivity

LR9 Seascape – The seascape in this area has no significant characteristics such

as rock formations etc. It is abundant and of low rarity. While important in

Hong Kong, it is abundant, of high maturity and medium quality in the

Assessment Area, therefore overall is considered of medium sensitivity.

Landscape Character Areas

As illustrated in Figure 12.5, four Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) have

been identified in the vicinity of the Project. These are described below and

Figure 12.6 provides representative photographs of each.

LCA1 Deep Bay Inshore Landscape – This is a coastal area of water to the west

of the Project with a largely open, tranquil and natural aspect. It is

dominated by the presence of the BPPS at its eastern edge. The main

shipping channel of Urmston Road is outside this boundary and relatively few

vessels transit the area, with some small fishing vessels also frequenting it. It

is considered to have medium sensitivity.

LCA2 Black Point Power Station Landscape – This LCA encompasses the

existing BPPS. It is a highly modified landscape with some limited soft

landscape planting within the BPPS, including species in moveable planters as

well as at-grade, planted species.

Species in the moveable planters include trees such as Araucaria heterophylla,

Ficus microcarpa and Hibiscus tiliaceus, and palms such as Livistona chinensis.

At-grade species include shrubs such as Duranta erecta, ground cover such as

Ixora chinensis and Wedelia trilobata and trees/ palms such as Acacia confusa,

Casuarina equisetifolia, Schefflera octophylla and Bauhinia x blackeana. As

illustrated in Figure 12.5 although there is some soft landscaping, the LCA has

a predominantly industrial nature and any soft landscaping within the Project

Site boundary is in moveable planters. This LCA has a high ability to

accommodate change and it is considered to have low sensitivity.

LCA3 Black Point Headland Landscape - This LCA comprises the vegetated

hill slopes with occasional protruding rocky outcrops. The vegetation is

made up of shrubs and grasses with some trees and there is a transmission

tower near the summit of Black Point. It is considered to have medium

sensitivity.

LCA4 Tsang Tsui Hillside Landscape – This LCA generally has a natural

appearance although much of it in the vicinity of the Project is on modified



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slopes. It is vegetated with grassland, shrubs and trees in differing degrees

of density in different patches. This LCA is considered to have a medium

sensitivity

12.5.2 Visual Baseline Conditions

As detailed in Section 12.5 and illustrated in Figure 12.7, the BPPS, where the

Project is located, is located in a relatively isolated area from a visual

perspective. According to the predicted visual envelope, the Project will not

be visible to the nearest residential areas in Lung Kwu Sheung Tan, and the

Tsang Tsui hills also shield Tuen Mun from seeing the Project. Only workers

at the BPPS, those driving nearby and users of the sea in the vicinity of the

Project will have views to the site. Overall, six Visual Sensitive Receivers

(VSRs) have been identified within the Visual Envelope and these are

illustrated in Figure 12.8 and their details and sensitivity summarised in

Table 12.2.

Table 12.2 VSRs within the Visual Envelope

VSR * Name Quality of existing views

Alternative Views

Receiver population

Duration of view

Frequency of view

Degree of visibility

Sensitivity

R1 Transient Recreational Vessels

Fair Yes Very few Short Rare Full Low

R2 Recreational Hikers

Fair Yes Few Short Rare Partial Low

O1 Workers at BPPS Fair No Few Long Frequent Full Medium

O2 Fishermen Fair Yes Few Short Occasional Full Low

O3 Workers on Transient Marine Vessels

Fair Yes Few Short Occasional Full Low

T1 Travellers along Yung Long and Nim Wan Roads

Fair Yes Few Short Frequent Glimpse Low

* Type of VSR is denoted in the code where R = Recreational; O = Occupational; T = Travelling

To help assess visual impacts, four Vantage Points (VPs) have been selected

from which to create photomontages. They have been selected to provide, in

combination, an overall impression of what the new structures will look like

to relevant VSRs. The VPs are located both further away from the Project

Site, at sea near the Urmston Road key shipping channel, as well as on land

where the visual envelope is more contained. They are:

• VP1 – View to Project Site from Urmston Road (e.g. representing vessels

travelling along Urmston Road);

• VP2 – View to Project Site from near shore (e.g. representing fishermen or

recreational vessels);



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• VP3 – View to Project Site from trail on Black Point (Lan Kok Tsui)

headland (e.g. representing hikers); and

• VP4 –View to Project Site from just off Nim Wan Road (e.g. representing

travellers along the nearby roads).

12.6 IDENTIFICATION OF IMPACTS

Section 3 Project Description provides a good overview of the Project. The key

new components which may cause landscape and visual impacts are as

follows, as shown in Figure 3.2.

• Up to two CCGT units;

• Cooling water intake facility including a new cooling water pumping

station, a foam monitor house and underground water pipelines; and

• Cooling water discharge facility including a new water treatment

building and underground water pipelines and potentially a new outfall

for the second CCGT unit.

Given the possibility of a second CCGT unit being installed, in order to assess

the worst case scenario, the LVIA assumes two units will be built. If only one

CCGT unit is built, the LVIA impacts will be slightly reduced.

Construction landscape and visual impacts are considered to be limited to

within the BPPS site and its seawall and will be caused by:

• site clearance;

• excavation and other civil and building works;

• minor marine dredging (over two areas of about 100 m x 100 m each

with an estimated volume of around 20,000 m3 each, as further

described in Section 3.3.2 of the Project Description); and

• installation of the new facilities outlined above and as detailed in Section

3.3 of the Project Description.

Operational landscape and visual impacts are expected to be minimal and

arise from:

• the presence and operation of the new facilities within the existing BPPS

site; and

• potentially include maintenance dredging near the cooling water intake

and outfall locations, possibly every 4 to 5 years with dredged volume

around 33% of the capital dredging.



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Full details of these new facilities and dredging are provided in Section 3.4 of

the Project Description.

12.7 IMPACT ASSESSMENT PRIOR TO MITIGATION

12.7.1 Landscape Impact Assessment

The Landscape Assessment Area covers a large area, including nine LRs and

four LCAs. The Project only entails work within the existing BPPS and its

seafront, and therefore the landscape impacts are confined to this area.

Overall three LRs and two LCAs are affected, as illustrated in Figure 12.9 and

Figure 12.10 and detailed below. A summary of the magnitude of change to

LRs and LCAs prior to mitigation is provided in.Table 12.3 and later Table 12.6

summarises impacts on LRs and LCAs.

Landscape Resources

The Project works will affect:

• LR1 Artificial Shoreline – during the construction of the cooling water

intake facilities and discharge facilities of CCGT Unit No.2 only. Only a

minimal area will be affected and the magnitude of change is considered

small during construction. Once construction is complete the artificial

shoreline will be reinstated once again as artificial shoreline and therefore

magnitude of change is considered negligible during operation. Given

this is a low sensitivity LR, the significance of impact is slight during

construction and insignificant at operation.

• LR3 Highly Modified Area – This LR will be affected by the installation

of CCGT Unit No.1 and No.2 mainly, but also the installation of

underground water pipes, a new cooling water pumping station, a foam

monitor house, and a new water treatment facility. All these structures

are typical of power stations and highly compatible with the existing

landscape, which is an existing power station. One existing structure

(single-storey warehouse) will be demolished and removed and various

plants, all in movable planters (approximately 92 moveable planters) on

the boundary of the Project Site, will need to be removed. No at-grade,

planted trees will be affected and therefore no tree felling or

transplantation will be required. As detailed in Annex 12A, there are no

rare plants or species of conservation interest within this LR, either in

planters or at-grade. The magnitude of change is therefore considered

to be small. Given this is a low sensitivity LR, the significance of impact

is slight both during construction and at operation.

• LR9 Seascape – This LR will be affected by the installation of cooling

water intake facilities & discharge facilities and any necessary dredging

work should CCGT Unit No.2 be installed (construction dredging

estimated to fall over two areas of approximately 100 m x 100 m each

with an estimated total volume of around 40,000 m3). The areas affected



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are relatively small and the impact is temporary such that the magnitude

of change is considered to be small during construction and negligible

during operation. This is a medium sensitivity LR, but given the

relatively small area affected and it being close to the existing modified

BPPS modified landscape, the significance of impact is slight during

construction. At operation, there is some potential operational

maintenance dredging over the same areas possibly every 4 to 5 years

with dredged volume of around 6,600 m3 in each area. This is a low

volume impact and the magnitude of change is considered almost

negligible over this time period but rated as small to be cautious, thereby

leading to slight impact.

Landscape Character Areas

The Project works will affect:

• LCA1 Deep Bay Inshore Landscape – This LCA will be affected similarly

to LR9 as well as LR1, by the installation of cooling water intake facilities

& discharge facilities and any necessary dredging work (construction

dredging estimated to fall over two areas of approximately 100 m x 100 m

each with an estimated total volume of around 40,000 m3) of CCGT Unit

No.2. The area of this LCA affected is so small in the context of the

whole LCA, that the magnitude of change is almost negligible even at

construction. However given some small changes will occur, the

magnitude of change is given as small during construction. At

operation changes are negligible. This is a medium sensitivity LR, and

the significance of impact is slight during construction. At operation,

there is some potential operational maintenance dredging over the same

areas possibly every 4 to 5 years with dredged volume around 6,600 m3

in each area. This is a low volume impact and the magnitude of change

is considered almost negligible over this time period but rated as small to

be cautious, thereby leading to slight impact.

• LCA2 Black Point Power Station Landscape – This LCA will be affected

by the installation of CCGT Unit No.1 and No.2, underground water

pipes, a new cooling water pumping station, a foam monitor house, and a

new water treatment facility. All these structures are typical of power

stations and highly compatible with the existing landscape character,

which is an existing power station. There magnitude of change is

therefore considered to be small. Given this is a low sensitivity LR, the

significance of impact is slight both during construction and at

operation.



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Table 12.3 Magnitude of Change for affected Landscape Resources and Landscape Character Areas* prior to Mitigation

LR/ LCA ID Name Key Impacts

Relative scale of LCA/ LR affected (Large, Medium,

Small)

Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape

(Good /Fair /Poor) Duration of Impact

(Temporary, Permanent)

Reversibility of Change (Reversible/ Partly

Reversible/ Irreversible)

Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/

Small/ Negligible)

Construction Operation Construction Operation Construction Operation Construction Operation

LR1 Artificial Shoreline

Dredging works, Cooling water Intake Facilities & Discharge Facilities Small Fair Good Temporary n/a Reversible n/a Small Negligible

LR3 Highly Modified Area

Installation of CCGT, associated facilities and equipment and Cooling Water Pumphouse Small Fair Good Permanent Permanent

Partly Reversible Irreversible Small Small

LR9 Seascape


LCA1 Deep Bay Inshore Landscape


LCA2 Black Point Power Station Landscape

Installation of CCGT, associated facilities and equipment and Cooling Water Pumphouse Small Fair Good Permanent Permanent

Partly Reversible Irreversible Small Small

* Those not affected by the Project include: LR2 Natural Rocky Shore; LR4 Plantation; LR5 Rocky Grassland/ Shrubland Slopes; LR6 Mixed Shrubland; LR7 Vegetated Modified

Slopes; LR8 Water Channel; LCA3 Black Point Headland Landscape; and LCA4 Tsang Tsui Hillside Landscape



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12.7.2 Visual Impact Assessment

As illustrated in Figure 12.7, the predicted visual envelope for the Project is

relatively small and just six key VSR groups have been identified.

Photomontages illustrating the presence of CCGT Unit No.1 (Figure 12.11,

Figure 12.12, Figure 12.13, and Figure 12.14) and the presence of two additional

CCGT units (Figure 12.15, Figure 12.16, Figure 12.17, and Figure 12.18) show

that visual changes for most VSRs are limited. Those most affected will be

the workers at BPPS itself who are considered to experience an intermediate

change in view. However the new facilities are in the context of the existing

facilities and therefore the visual theme of the area remains the same.

The magnitude of change for the other five VSRs is considered small at worst

and since they are all considered of low sensitivity, the resulting impact

significance is considered slight.

A summary of the visual impacts prior to mitigation is provided in Table 12.4.

Table 12.4 Visual Impacts prior to Mitigation

VSR Name VSR

Sensitivity

(High/

Medium/ Low)

Magnitude of Change

(Large/ Intermediate/

Small/ Negligible)

Impact Significance

BEFORE Mitigation

(Substantial/ Moderate/

Slight/ Insignificant)

Construction Operation Construction Operation


Low Small Small Slight Slight

R2 Recreational Hikers


O1 Workers at BPPS Medium Intermediate Intermediate

Moderate Moderate

O2 Fishermen Low Small Small Slight Slight





* Type of VSR is denoted in the code

R = Residential; O = Occupational; T = Travelling

12.8 SUGGESTED MITIGATION MEASURES

Prior to mitigation, there are no impacts that are substantial.

The Project for the most part does not affect many landscape elements and for

the LRs and LCAs that are affected impacts are, at worst, slight during

construction and operation. All visual impacts are slight at construction and



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operation with the exception of impacts to workers at BPPS itself, where they

are considered to be moderate prior to mitigation.

Given the limited landscape and visual impact of the Project, mitigation

measures are therefore not required for either construction or operation

phases. Nevertheless, measures can be taken to further enhance the visual

and landscape elements associated with the proposed Project and the

following are recommended:

MM1. Sensitive architectural design of the new facilities. This should

take into account material texture, colour, finished to structure and

the context of the site to ensure the new facilities blend into the

existing context, cause least disturbance to the existing land and are

the most visually appealing.

MM2. Reinstatement. Following construction, areas temporarily affected

by the construction works, will be reinstated to their former state.

This will include the artificial shoreline as well as parts of some

roads.

MM3. Preservation of vegetation. Plants affected by the proposed Project

are all within movable planters. Prior to construction, these affected

moveable planters should be re-located to a suitable area, still within

the BPPS, taking care to ensure the existing health status of the

vegetation is maintained or enhanced at the new location. Once

construction is complete the final location of the moveable planters

should be integrated into the LMP (see MM4).

MM4. Update Landscape Master Plan (LMP) and Enhance Landscape.

The BPPS has an existing LMP and various soft landscaping within

the site boundary. Most of the existing soft landscaping will not be

affected by the Project and no at-grade trees or shrubs will be

affected. Only some movable planters will be affected by the

Project, as these will need to be relocated (see MM3). It is therefore

recommended that the LMP be updated to take account of the new

moveable planter locations and explore additional possibilities to

enhance the existing landscape. The updated LMP should give due

consideration to the possibility of screen planting within the facility

boundaries as far as practicable, including consideration of using the

vegetation within the moveable planters to provide screening at their

final location. As per Table 12.5 below, the long-term management

and maintenance of the vegetation within the BPPS/ the LMP will be

the responsibility of the Project Proponent.

In addition to implemented mitigation measures, vegetation in the landscape

surrounding the Project Site will naturally grow over time and provide more

shielding of the site.



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A summary of the suggested mitigation measures that might be implemented

to enhance the landscape and visual amenity of the Project is provided in

Table 12.5 and Figure 12.19 illustrates the landscape mitigation plan.

Table 12.5 Mitigation Measures (MM)

ID Mitigation Measure Funding Agency

Implementation Agency (short term)

Management/ Maintenance Agency (long term)

MM1 Sensitive architectural

design

Project Proponent

Project Proponent/ Contractor employed by Project Proponent

Project Proponent

MM2 Reinstatement following

construction

Project Proponent


Project Proponent

MM3 Preservation of vegetation. Project Proponent



MM4 Updated Landscape Master

Plan (LMP)

Project Proponent

Qualified Landscape Professional employed by Project Proponent

Project Proponent

12.9 RESIDUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

12.9.1 Residual Landscape Impacts

The landscape impacts experienced prior to mitigation are slight at worst.

They will not be significantly reduced due to implemented mitigation

measures with the exception of LR3 Highly Modified Area and LCA2 Black

Point Power Station Landscape which will benefit from the implementation of

an updated Landscape Master Plan and enhancement of the BPPS landscape.

Table 12.6 provides a summary of the landscape impacts.



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Table 12.6 Summary of Landscape Impacts

Sensitivity (High/

Medium/ Low)


Small/ Negligible)

Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation

(Significant/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)

Recommended Mitigation Measures

Residual Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Significant/ Moderate/


ID Descriptive Name Construction Operation Construction Operation Construction Operation Construction Operation (d1)

Operation (Y10)

LR1 Artificial Shoreline Low Small Negligible Slight Insignificant Reinstatement (MM2)

n/a Slight Insignificant Insignificant

LR2 Natural Rocky Shore High Negligible Negligible Insignificant Insignificant n/a n/a Insignificant Insignificant Insignificant

LR3 Highly Modified Area

Low Small Small Slight Slight Reinstatement (MM2)

Preserve Vegetation (MM3) & Update LMP & Enhance Landscape (MM4)

Slight Slight Insignificant

LR4 Plantation Medium Negligible Negligible Insignificant Insignificant n/a n/a Insignificant Insignificant Insignificant

LR5 Rocky Grassland/ Shrubland Slopes

Medium Negligible Negligible Insignificant Insignificant n/a n/a Insignificant Insignificant Insignificant

LR6 Mixed Shrubland Medium Negligible Negligible Insignificant Insignificant n/a n/a Insignificant Insignificant Insignificant

LR7 Vegetated Modified Slopes


LR8 Water Channel Low Negligible Negligible Insignificant Insignificant n/a n/a Insignificant Insignificant Insignificant

LR9 Seascape Medium Small Small Slight Slight n/a n/a Slight Slight Slight

LCA1 Deep Bay Inshore Landscape

Medium Small Small Slight Slight Reinstatement (MM2)

n/a Slight Slight Slight

LCA2 Black Point Power Station Landscape

Low Small Small Slight Slight Reinstatement (MM2)

Preserve Vegetation (MM3) & Update LMP & Enhance Landscape (MM4)




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Sensitivity

(High/ Medium/

Low)


Small/ Negligible)


(Significant/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)

Recommended Mitigation Measures

Residual Impact Significance UPON

Mitigation (Significant/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)

ID Descriptive Name Construction Operation Construction Operation Construction Operation Construction Operation (d1)

Operation (Y10)

LCA3 Black Point Headland Landscape


LCA4 Tsang Tsui Hillside Landscape




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12.9.2 Residual Visual Impacts

No substantial visual impacts were identified prior to mitigation. All

impacts are slight at construction and operation with the exception of impacts

to workers at BPPS which are moderate at worst, during construction and

operation. With sensitive architectural design of the new structures

(materials, textures, colours) and careful lighting, the impacts are considered

to reduce to slight at operation day 1. Careful soft landscaping of the BPPS

will continue with the new structures in place, but visual changes will still be

apparent and at year 10 of operation, impacts on VSR O3, workers in BPPS,

are still considered slight.

For VSRs at sea, mitigation measures will not significantly change the visual

impacts, therefore these remain slight at construction and operation day 1 and

year 10.

For land-based VSRs, over 10 years, although not a specific mitigation

measure, natural vegetation along Yung Long and Nim Wan Road and on

Black Point headland, will have grown such that views to the Project site are

likely to be further blocked and visual impacts reduce to insignificant levels.

Table 12.7 provides a summary of the visual impacts.



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Table 12.7 Summary of Visual Impacts

VS

R C

od

e

Name

VSR Sensitivity

(High/ Medium/

Low)


Small/ Negligible)


(Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant) Recommended Mitigation Measures

Residual Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/


Construction Operation Construction Operation Construction Operation Construct

ion Operation

Day 1 Operation

Year 10


Low Small Small Slight Slight Good practice (MM2)

Good practice (MM2) Slight Slight Slight

R2 Recreational Hikers Low Small Small Slight Slight Sensitive architectural design (MM1). Good practice (MM2)

Natural vegetation growth (not a specific mitigation measure)


O1 Workers at BPPS Medium Intermediate Intermediate Moderate Moderate Sensitive architectural design (MM1).

Soft Landscaping of the Site and review LMP (MM3)

Moderate Slight Slight

O2 Fishermen Low Small Small Slight Slight Sensitive architectural design (MM1). Good practice (MM2)


Slight Slight Slight


Low Small Small Slight Slight Sensitive architectural design (MM1). Good practice (MM2)


Slight Slight Slight


Low Small Small Slight Slight Sensitive architectural design (MM1). Good practice (MM2)

Natural vegetation growth (not a set mitigation measure)


* Type of VSR is denoted in the code

R = Recreational

O = Occupational

T = Travelling



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12.10 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

Projects listed in Section 3.6 as concurrent projects have been considered with

respect to cumulative landscape and visual impacts. Noting the Visual

Envelope of this Project presented in Figure 12.7, most concurrent projects are

far enough away from the Project and out of its zone of visual influence or

assessment area. Only four projects within 1-2 km of the Project Site are

reviewed further:

• Decommissioning of West Portion of the Middle Ash Lagoon at Tsang Tsui,

Tuen Mun, approximately 1 km from the Project Site;

• Development of the Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1,

which may be constructed at the Tsang Tsui Ash Lagoon;

• West New Territories (WENT) Landfill Extensions, approximately 2 km

away from the Project Site, targeted for commissioning and operation in

2019; and

• Potential Reclamation at Lung Kwu Tan has also been considered but as

detailed in Section 12.3, is not considered relevant for cumulative impact

assessment.

With respect to decommissioning and construction of Integrated Waste

Management Facility (IWMF) at the Ash Lagoon at Tsang Tsui, this lagoon

area falls outside the Project’s zone of visual influence. An image from the

EIA for Decommissioning of West Portion of the Middle Ash Lagoon at Tsang Tsui,

Tuen Mun (Register No.: AEIAR-186/2015) confirms that the Project Site

within the BPPS will not be visible from the lagoon area (See Figure 12.20).

Figure 12.20 Middle Ash Lagoon at Tsang Tsui

Source: Image from approved EIA for Decommissioning of West Portion of the Middle Ash Lagoon at

Tsang Tsui, Tuen Mun. Photographed 4 April 2014

Equally Figure 12.21, taken from the approved EIA for Development of the

Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 (Register No.: AEIAR-163/2012),

helps illustrate that views from VSRs at the proposed IWMF facilities will not

include the BPPS Project Site, due to the hillside between these two areas.

BPPS (one tower visible)

Project Site for CCGT behind the hillside



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Figure 12.21 Proposed IWMF at the Ash Lagoon at Tsang Tsui

Source: Image from approved EIA for Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase I.

Photomontage for proposed facilities

With regards to the WENT Landfill extension, the approved EIA summarises

that for LVIA that ‘the potential impact during construction and operation phase

shall be significant due to large scale of site formation phase by phase in terms of site

area…In conclusion, the particular impacts can be reduced to a large extent by

implementing the proposed mitigation measures during construction & operation

phases and restoration & aftercare phases [e.g. semi-mature compensatory woodland,

shrubland and grassland with the proper maintenance such as thinning of pioneer

trees and enhancement planting of native tree species]. The overall residual impacts

would be treated as “acceptable with mitigation measures” after implementing the

mitigation measures.’ The relative scale of the BPPS CCGT Project by

comparison to the WENT Landfill extension is small and as previously

considered, does not have significant landscape or visual impacts. Therefore

there are no additional landscape or visual impacts that the Project will create.

Overall, it is considered that the Project will not cause any additional

landscape and visual impacts over and above impacts from other projects in

the area that are approved as acceptable with mitigation measures, i.e. there

are no cumulative impacts.

12.11 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & AUDIT (EM&A) REQUIREMENTS

A number of measures to be implemented during design and construction of

the Project are recommended in Section 12.8, to further enhance the visual and

landscape elements associated with the proposed Project. These measures

are recommended to be implemented as early as possible in the Project’s

implementation. Any soft landscaping works, in particular relocating

movable planters to agreed locations, are recommended to be implemented

prior to construction works and overseen by the qualified landscape

professional who should ensure re-location to suitable location and if any

planted vegetation within the moveable planters deteriorate in health during

the construction period, suitable measures are taken to rectify this, including

replacement of any plants that die. Landscape and visual mitigation will be

monitored through the site inspection and audit programme during the

construction phase. A qualified landscape professional shall also review the

LMP and report on any suggested updates.

BPPS towers

Project Site for CCGT behind the hillside

Proposed new facilities at Ash Lagoon



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Since no tree felling, transplanting or compensatory planting is required and

all vegetation affected are in moveable planters that will be relocated within

the BPPS site, no operation phase EM&A programme is required.

12.12 CONCLUSION

The Project comprises building certain new elements within an existing power

station that already has similar structures, and some minor temporary

dredging works. Landscape impacts are therefore limited and slight at

worst, even prior to mitigation. Any vegetation that might be affected by the

Project is in moveable planters that can readily be moved to a different

location within the BPPS and no at-grade trees or shrubs will be impacted by

the Project. The Project Site is relatively shielded from views due to

surrounding hills and headlands and located in a more remote area of Hong

Kong where there are fewer potential VSRs. The main VSRs are those who

work within the site itself or those passing close by on the sea and impacts are

moderate at worst prior to mitigation. Given the limited landscape and

visual impacts due to the Project, mitigation measures are therefore not

required for the construction and operation phases. Nevertheless, measures

are recommended to further enhance the visual and landscape elements

associated with the proposed Project, such as ensuring there is sensitive

architectural design of the new facilities, reinstatement of affected temporarily

during construction including the artificial shoreline, preservation of

vegetation, and an update of the existing LMP with a view to enhance the

landscape.

Overall therefore, the landscape and visual impacts from this Project are

considered acceptable.

Documents

12 LANDSCAPE & VISUAL 12.1 INTRODUCTION · 2016-04-19 · DOCX APRIL 2016 12-2 • ... descriptive text only if relevant); and • Ability of the LRs/ LCAs to accommodate change without