Marine Management Organisation Visibility of sea from land
This layer has been developed in order to understand the extent of intervisibility in the Marine Plan Areas (as defined by the Marine Management Organisation) and the adjacent land onshore (in England). The colour of the grid cells in the sea represents the number of observation points (spaced 500m apart throughout the Marine Plan Areas) that can be seen from each location in the sea. The data has been classified into percentiles in order to highlight those areas in the marine plan areas that are visible from the most locations on land. The darker reds indicate locations within the highest percentile of visibility from land (can be seen from the most locations) and the darker blues indicate locations that are visible from land, but from relatively few locations.
dataset
http://environment.data.gov.uk/ds/catalogue/#/2d68e2c11c4574801f39c3e06abb5780
description: A link to the web service or dataset
http://environment.data.gov.uk/ds/catalogue/index.jsp#/catalogue
description: A link to the general host site
MMO400016
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::25830
This information was extracted from ESRIISO metadata (incorporating ISO and FGDC elements) using the EsriIsoToMedin xslt version 1.0;ISO Resource created in environment: Microsoft Windows Vista Version 6.1 (Build 7601) Service Pack 1; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.3500
imageryBaseMapsEarthCover
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2014-08-08
-7.2096
2.4808
55.9780
49.5879
creation
1954-01-01
Bristol Channel
creation
1954-01-01
English Channel
creation
1954-01-01
Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
creation
1954-01-01
Irish Sea and St. George's Channel
creation
1954-01-01
North Sea
creation
1954-01-01
Celtic Sea
creation
2014-05-16
VIIh
creation
2014-05-16
VIIf
creation
2014-05-16
VIIg
creation
2014-05-16
IVc
creation
2014-05-16
VIIa
creation
2014-05-16
IVb
creation
2014-05-16
VIa
creation
2014-05-16
VIIe
creation
2014-05-16
VIId
2013-09-19
2016-04-20
publication
2015-03-31
creation
2013-09-19
revision
2014-05-02
notPlanned
This version of the dataset has been recreated on a national scale following the methodology outlined in the geoprocessing logs for MMO1037. Observation points were placed on the sea surface (with an OFFSET A value of 0m), and set at an OFFSET B value of 2m. A viewshed calculation therefore identified (for every location on the DEM) where a viewer at 2m height above ground level would see the observation points (i.e. the sea surface). This generated a raster layer where the higher the value of the raster cell, the greater the number of observation points seen and therefore, the greater the extent of sea views. There are several caveats associated with the dataset which are as follows: - The data represent the baseline scenario i.e. the sea surface rather than any particular offshore development scenario, so it needs to be acknowledged that if structures were to be added to the sea surface (e.g. turbines), then visibility of these would likely extend further inland (although bear in mind this will not increase visibility of the sea surface, just the development) - The modelling is based on a bare ground digital representation of the earths surface without any surface features, so visibility (and intervisibility) is likely to be an exaggeration of the actual situation. The addition of surface features, such as buildings and vegetation, would have the effect of blocking some views. - The resolution of the Digital Elevation Model will affect the sensitivity of the modelling being able to reflect small topographical features. - An equivalent Digital Elevation Model of France has not been sourced for this study. Therefore views of the sea from France have not been included in this mapping - Application of a theoretical limit on visibility of 35km imposes a layer of assumption that is based on guidance that relates to the significance of impacts of views of offshore turbines over this distance rather than having been measured for this work. - Placing observer points with a grid spacing of 500m between them on land may mean that some topographical features (such as ridgelines and peaks) are not accounted for in the model. - In order to remain objective, no provision has been made to weight the analysis towards high quality views or locations where large numbers of people would be expected.
Open Government Licence. Acknowledgement of the Marine Management Organisation is required.
No limitations on access, however copyright should be used at all times.
Data/GIS Officer
Marine Management Organisation
originator
Data/GIS Officer
Marine Management Organisation
custodian
Data/GIS Officer
Marine Management Organisation
pointOfContact
2016-04-14