An incremental scenic assessment of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, UK

In Wales some 500 km (42%) of coastline has been designated as heritage coasts (HCs) and these areas are under increasing pressure from human activities. A 'Coastal Scenic Evaluation System', utilising a checklist of 26 physical and human use parameters, was applied at 500 m intervals along the 23 km Glamorgan Heritage Coast (GHC) to assess aesthetic changes within the HC boundaries. The technique utilised fuzzy logic analyses to quantify inherent uncertainties and subjectivities. Results at the 47 sites were differentiated into five classes by a decision evaluation parameter (D) - Class 1: (D >= 0.85), none found; Class 2: (D >= 0.65 and < 0.85), n = 3; Class 3: (D >= 0.4 and < 0.65), n = 26; Class 4: (D >= 0 and < 0.4), n = 13; and Class 5 (D < 0), n = 5. An overall GHC D value was determined as 0.41 (Class 3) and therefore classified as mainly natural with little outstanding landscape features. As HC boundary status lies between the 'good' and 'very good', the median value of Steer's classic work, it suggests that all HC areas should have a D value > 0.53. Results demonstrated distinct variations in scenic quality and analysis showed that site D values varied from 0.84 (Class 2) to -0.2 (Class 5) along the coastline. D values were lowest at the eastern boundary and the location of a power station and litter on the beach were significant contributors to the low scenic value. The first 17 sites within 8.5 km of the eastern boundary represented 100% of the Class 5 sites and 77% of Class 4 sites. The mean GHC D value for the remaining 30 sites was 0.57, which complies with HC classification according to this technique. Therefore, results cast doubt on the validity of current designated boundaries.