c/o GladmanCare Homes

Ltd

Views of Site & Proposals

Verified Visual Montages

METHOD STATEMENT

Proposed Apartments with Care

at
Compton Mill
Leek

Document Print Size A4

03840-P2-December 2016 Single Sided
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Visually Verified Montages
Method Statement
Compton Mill, Leek
December 2016 Introduction
Purpose & Scope Published ’Best Practice’ Guidance used

 This Method Statement describes and illustrates the process used in the production of
‘Visually Verified Montages’ (VVMs) prepared by Gladman Care Homes Ltd in support
of a planning application for the development of Use Class C2 Residential Apartments
with Care at Compton Mill, Leek.
 VVMs combine 3D Computer Generated Model views of the proposals placed
accurately within real-life photographic views.
 This provides the most easily understood, accurate and impartial true-to-life
representation of the proposals for assessment by design and development
professionals and members of the public.
 High quality photography and 3D laser topographic surveying is used to record each
viewpoint and existing reference features to calibrate the 3D Model of the proposals to
the photographic image.
 The completed VVMs serve 2 primary purposes:-
1. Provide a series of photorealistic images which illustrate the proposals in sufficient
context for a viewer without visiting the site.
2. Enable a viewer to visit the site, locate each viewpoint and be able to align and
view the relevant VVM within its actual setting.
 This Method Statement is organised in 3 sections:-
1. Introduction
2. Method
3. Illustrated Process and Verification for each VVM:-
 Survey Brief & Data
 Survey Data & 3D Model view
 Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment - Third Edition -
Landscape Institute and The Institute of Environmental Management &
Assessments
 Photography and photomontage in landscape and visual impact assessment -
Landscape Institute Advice Note 01/11
 Visual Representation of Windfarms - Good Practice Guidance - Scottish National
Heritage 2006
 Para 15 notes ‘This guidance is specifically for onshore windfarms within
Scotland; however some of the principles established through this guidance
may be relevant to other types of development or within other locations’
 This guidance is the most comprehensive in describing theory and practice in
creating and presenting VVMs and other ’real life’ imagery.
 London View Management Framework SPG March 2012 (particularly Appendix C
- Accurate Visual Representations including guidance on method statements)
Limitations and Use
 Neither photographs nor visualisations can fully convey a view as seen in reality by the
human eye. This applies equally to single photographic images or video sequences.
 They are however the most ‘life-like’ representations generally produced for building
proposals, most readily understood by the general public and an important tool for site
assessment by professional users.
 It is important to ensure data used in preparing photomontages is accurate and can
be verified as such. This method statement describes the process of gathering, verifying
and using data for this project.
 Each VVM represents the view from a single location. It is essential to ensure this view is
representative of the wider dynamic views in the locality and agreed as such by
relevant parties including the Applicant and Local Planning Authority.

Standards
 The working method described in Section 2 has been developed based on published
’best practice’ guidance noted below and from analysis of production of VVMs
specifically for building proposals.
 Views have been selected as the most representative following careful assessment of
the site and its visual context.
 Should the need for additional views emerge, these can be prepared by the same
methodology and integrated with existing material.

 Although the much of this guidance is related to Landscape Impact Assessments, the  Where key views have been identified, photographed and surveyed early in the
basic principles they describe in producing VVMs and other ‘real life’ imagery apply design process, VVMs become an important design tool in design development and
equally to building proposals. evaluation, using ’wireline’ and ’block’ models as well as a presentation of the final
design.

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Visually Verified Montages
Method Statement
Compton Mill, Leek
December 2016 Method
Method
 The following sequence has been used for producing and verifying accurate VVMs 3. Image selection
 Ideally used as a working tool in design development and evaluation before  Base photographs selected for best exposure & field-of-view.
completion of finished views for planning submission and public consultations.
 A VVM needs a field-of-view which is comfortable to use and interpret on site
1. Establish Views Required with sufficient context to allow the proposals to be evaluated as a desktop
exercise.
 Identify key viewpoints and site context - near, middle and distant views using
Visual Impact Assessment techniques.  This imposes a camera focal length range of between 30-50mm (35mm film
equivalent).
 A comprehensive initial selection of views allows selection and editing of most
representative views during the design process without repeat site visits.  The lower figure provides a wider field-of-view without lens distortion and a
comfortable viewing distance on an A3 sheet, assisting site assessment.
 Establish view/photography constraints within available timescales: -
 Ideally a set of VVMs should be to the same field-of-view, image size and
 Optimum times of day for each view. viewing distance. This is generally established by the constraints of the closest
 Weather conditions. views of the site. This also ensures that for a ‘desktop’ assessment views are of
consistent relative ‘scale’ to each other to compare the true size and impact of
 Need for summer/winter views. the proposals in each view.

2. Site Work  Where there is a mix of near and distant views, a longer focal length for the latter
can provide a better level of detail, subject to the overall constraints for
 Site photography in advance of topographic survey work ensures a better brief comfortable viewing., and may be used in addition to a ‘standard’ wider view.
for the survey and gives greater flexibility in making best use of weather
conditions and time of day for photography.  Single images are preferred - multiple panoramic ‘stitched’ images are more
complex to set up and use, and more prone to distortion.
Photography
4. Modelling & verifying viewpoints
 Use of good quality digital SLR and lens, mounted on level tripod at consistent
height, usually 1.6m.  Using CAD and 3D modelling software, survey data is mapped to accurate co-
ordinates for each viewpoint and associated reference points. Each viewpoint is
 Comprehensive image set for each viewpoint, at best image quality, for range then saved as a ‘virtual camera’ scene and exported as an image.
of exposures and focal lengths/fields-of-view.
 Using Image Editing software, these ‘virtual camera’ modelled views are
 Camera locations marked & noted for topographic survey and future reference. accurately placed within the corresponding viewpoint photograph.
 Date, time, weather conditions noted.  This establishes an accurate baseline reference between photograph and 3D
Topographic Survey design modelling for the inclusion of design proposals.

 Any anomalies or errors identified can be assessed for further evaluation.

 Brief - Each viewpoint identified on OS Plans and photographs, key reference
points identified and marked on photographs. Typically between 12 and 20  Additional data in the 3D topographic survey - ground lines, walls lines etc - may
reference points, providing good coverage of depth and height within the view be used to further assist accurate verification.
gives a good basis for accurate verification.
 Precise geolocation, date and time are set for each view in the model to match
 Site Work - 3D survey points, located by GPS to Ordnance Survey datum, for corresponding photograph, ensuring shadows, light etc are consistent.
viewpoint location and key reference points for each view.

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Visually Verified Montages
Method Statement
Compton Mill, Leek
December 2016 Method
Method
5. Developing and Evaluating Proposals
 Once design model and base photographs have been matched and verified,
design proposals can be developed to a level of detail appropriate for design
evaluation & final presentation.

 VVMs can be presented at a series of cumulative AVR Levels* to illustrate

proposed development in different ways as the design develops, as shown
opposite :-

 AVR Level 0 - Location and size of proposal - simple ‘wireline’ or toned

area showing full extent of proposals overlaid on the unedited base
photograph.

 AVR Level 1 - Location, size and degree of visibility of proposal -

proposals and/or base photograph edited to show degree of visibility
within view.

 AVR Level 2 - as Level 1 + description of architectural form - proposals

shown with basic massing and detail in base photograph edited for
detailed visibility of site & proposals.

 AVR Level 3 - as Level 2 + use of materials - proposals shown in full detail in

full context as a ‘photorealistic’ rendering.

6. Final image editing & 3D modelling and rendering for accurate

photorealistic presentation of proposals.
 Image editing software used as appropriate to edit base photograph and place
modelled and rendered proposals accurately within context of surroundings.

 3D Modelling and Rendering software used to match appearance of proposals to

light, shadows & grain of base photograph.
Accurate Visual Representation Levels - Illustrated Example,
 Final view images exported as appropriate for design development, evaluation
(Reproduced from Appendix C, London view Management Network ) and final presentation.

* - AVR (Accurate Visual Representation): a wider term including VVMs, & videos - Levels defined in Appendix C of London View
Management Framework (see p 2 ‘Standards’)

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Visually Verified Montages
Method Statement
Compton Mill, Leek
December 2016 Process and Verification
Selection of Viewpoints
 Site photographs were taken on 23/02/16. Weather
was sunny.

 Draft design images from viewpoints 1-3 were

previously included in the Pre-Application consultation
material presented to Urban Vision North Staffordshire
on 4th November 2015 and submitted to Staffordshire
Moorlands on 23rd November 2015,

 The detailed views of the proposals submitted here 1

have been developed for those viewpoints, and 2
additional viewpoints 4 & 5 as shown on the plan.

 Each viewpoint was located, marked and

photographed in line with the methodology described
on the preceding pages.

 Those viewpoints and view reference points were

subsequently added to the site topographic survey. 2
5
View Reference Points

 Many of the verification Reference Points used in the

views are common to more than one view. Each
Reference Point is identified with a unique reference
letter and number, relating to the first view in which it
occurs.

5
 30mm

36mm

40mm

50mm

Selection of Focal Length / Field of View - View 3 - 36mm gives good field of view & workable for other views
 Viewpoint
1

Viewpoint
5
Viewpoint
2

Viewpoint
4

Viewpoint
3

3D Topographic Survey & location plan - viewpoint locations and reference points added
 Adjacent 58-60 St Edward St -

mark on setts

VIEWPOINT
OS Grid Reference 398330,356401
Ground level (m AOD) 184.38m
Viewing height 1.60m
View direction SE
Bearing 138°
Distance from Site Boundary 147m

Verification data key

Image centre lines
Model verification points
(size diminishes with distance)
Model image insertion point 1 View from St Edward Street - Adjacent 58-60 -
from within the Conservation Area
MS1 View & Viewpoint location
Outline of Proposed building
Compton Mill
LEEK
 Adjacent 74 St Edward St -

Corner of inspection cover

VIEWPOINT
OS Grid Reference 398362,356341
Ground level (m AOD) 181.20m
Viewing height 1.60m
View direction SE
Bearing 131°
Distance from Site Boundary 79m

Verification data key

Image centre lines
Model verification points
(size diminishes with distance)
Model image insertion point 2 View from St Edwards Street - No 74 from within
the Conservation Area
MS1 View & Viewpoint location
Outline of Proposed building
Compton Mill
LEEK
 Adjacent 48 Compton -

Mark near end of railings

VIEWPOINT
OS Grid Reference 398440,356191
Ground level (m AOD) 189.74m
Viewing height 1.60m
View direction N
Bearing 0º
Distance from Site Boundary 40m

Verification data key

Image centre lines
Model verification points
(size diminishes with distance)
Model image insertion point 3 View from Compton - No 48 - from within the
Conservation Area
MS1 View & Viewpoint location
Outline of Proposed building
Compton Mill
LEEK
 Boundary 38-40 Duke St -

Mark on change of surface

VIEWPOINT
OS Grid Reference 398514,356239
Ground level (m AOD) 196.21m
Viewing height 1.60m
View direction W
Bearing 272°
Distance from Site Boundary 17m

Verification data key

Image centre lines
Model image insertion point 4 View from Duke Street - adjacent to No 40.

MS1 View & Viewpoint location

Model verification points Outline of Proposed building
(size diminishes with distance) Compton Mill
LEEK
 Adjacent to gully by top of steps

VIEWPOINT
OS Grid Reference 398408,356334
Ground level (m AOD) 186.22m
Viewing height 1.60m
View direction SSE
Bearing 155°
Distance from Site Boundary 48m

Verification data key

Image centre lines
Model verification points
(size diminishes with distance)
Model image insertion point 5 View from Joliffe Street - adjacent to top of
steps.
MS1 View & Viewpoint location
Outline of Proposed building
Compton Mill
LEEK
VIEWPOINT 1 X Y Z VIEWPOINT 3 X Y Z
VIEW A View from St Edward Street - adjacent to nos 58-60 398330.328 356401.176 182.780 VIEW C View from Compton - adjacent to No 48 398440.096 356190.769 188.142
A01 SW corner of chimney capping 61 St Edward Street ("Gilligans") 398358.447 356386.103 191.378 A06 NW parapet apex - Compton Mill 398431.474 356272.641 203.849
A02 SW corner of chimney capping 65 St Edward Street ("Variety") 398363.479 356374.059 190.619 A13 Base of bus stop adjacent to Compton Mill 398438.246 356234.782 187.008
A03 NE end northlight roof - Compton Mill 398452.798 356290.763 203.451 A14 Top of bus stop adjacent to Compton Mill 398438.248 356234.785 189.589
A04 Top south corner 1st floor window- 69 St Edward Street 398364.254 356365.511 184.130 A17 Top of lighting column adjacent St Marys Church 398410.932 356268.796 194.773
A05 SW corner of chimney capping "Unicorn" Public House 398372.255 356351.163 193.279 B04 Top of telegraph pole - Prospect Place 398414.737 356296.701 195.495
A06 NW parapet apex - Compton Mill 398431.474 356272.641 203.849 B05 NW edge of parapet - Compton Mill 398426.154 356284.129 200.837
A07 Roof Apex-north dormer -"Unicorn" Public House 398369.718 356348.837 190.040 B06 NW corner of capping - Compton retaining wall 398406.558 356294.008 187.368
A08 Base of lampost-Compton near road junction 398384.440 356327.008 180.273 B07 SW corner of lantern roof - Compton Mill turret 398433.603 356249.696 197.647
A09 Roof eaves gutter --south west end "Unicorn" Public House 398372.298 356341.931 187.663 C01 Base of lampost outside 42 Compton 398434.922 356205.164 187.927
A10 Parapet-top north corne r- Compton Mill turret 398434.806 356252.667 198.133 C02 Top of lighting column on Compton adjacent "Leek Glass" 398424.737 356235.130 197.067
A11 Top west corner of turret window - Compton Mill 398432.864 356252.174 190.141 C03 NW corner of Compton Mil - ground level 398420.481 356285.693 187.380
A12 North east corner of tower parapet- All Saints Church Southbank St 398508.678 356132.656 207.407 C04 NW corner of Compton Mil - top of parapet 398420.424 356285.626 196.491
A13 Base of bus stop adjacent to Compton Mill 398438.246 356234.782 187.008 C05 Compton Mill - apex of parapet 398443.732 356261.437 203.841
A14 Top of bus stop adjacent to Compton Mill 398438.248 356234.785 189.589 C06 Compton - South corner of BT Box - ground level 398442.053 356217.584 187.916
A15 Base of "parking" sign west side of St Edward Street 398345.193 356377.492 180.746 C07 Compton - South corner of BT Box - top of casing at corner 398442.015 356217.547 189.068
A16 Top of "parking" sign west side of St Edward Street 398345.223 356377.494 183.153 C08 2 Duke Street - lower corner of canopy 398444.353 356205.243 191.212
A17 Top of lighting column adjacent St Marys Church 398410.932 356268.796 194.773 C09 2 Duke Street - outside corner of gutter 398444.248 356205.266 194.313
A18 Base of traffic light west side of Compton 398379.464 356314.604 180.691 C10 2 Duke Street -outside corner of entry step 398444.558 356204.858 188.400
A19 Kerbside top of traffic light west side of Compton 398379.425 356314.794 184.469
A20 Top of spire stonework - St Marys Church 398413.026 356255.621 227.103
A21 Northmost gable apex 66 St Edward Street 398353.304 356361.547 193.486

VIEWPOINT 2 X Y Z VIEWPOINT 4 X Y Z
VIEW B View from St Edward Street - adjacent to no 74 398362.050 356341.112 179.597 VIEW D View from Duke Street - adjacent to No 38 398513.747 356238.695 194.611
A03 NE end northlight roof - Compton Mill 398452.798 356290.763 203.451 A20 Top of spire stonework - St Marys Church 398413.026 356255.621 227.103
A06 NW parapet apex - Compton Mill 398431.474 356272.641 203.849 B09 Top of lighting column - Derby Street 398453.156 356219.393 195.214
A08 Base of lampost-Compton near road junction (behind van) 398384.440 356327.008 180.273 D01 42 Compton - junction roof ridge and north chimney 398428.054 356209.712 196.718
A10 Parapet-top north corne r- Compton Mill turret 398434.806 356252.667 198.133 D02 Compton Mill - SW parapet adjacent Duke Street 398455.228 356220.473 197.256
A11 Top west corner of turret window - Compton Mill 398432.864 356252.174 190.141 D03 Top of telegrpah pole - Duke Street 398459.290 356221.989 198.919
A13 Base of bus stop adjacent to Compton Mill 398438.246 356234.782 187.008 D04 Compton Mill - SW parapet corner of middle section - substation 398479.761 356231.639 199.949
A14 Top of bus stop adjacent to Compton Mill 398438.248 356234.785 189.589 D05 Top of lighting column - Duke Street adjacent to Mill substation 398483.853 356233.454 198.392
A17 Top of lighting column adjacent St Marys Church 398410.932 356268.796 194.773 D06 Compton Mill - SE ground corner of middle section - substation 398488.726 356235.909 192.835
A18 Base of traffic light west side of Compton 398379.464 356314.604 180.691 D07 Compton Mill - SE parapet corner of middle section - substation 398488.802 356235.913 199.944
A19 Kerbside top of traffic light west side of Compton 398379.425 356314.794 184.469 D08 Compton Mill - junction of jamb & threshold of double doors 398487.552 356238.458 193.116
A20 Top of spire stonework - St Marys Church 398413.026 356255.621 227.103 D09 Compton Mill - junction of jamb & head of double doors 398487.589 356238.466 195.259
B01 end of front eaves - 2 Brook Street 398383.673 356332.586 187.211 D10 Compton Mill - ground level outside corner adjacent to roller shutter 398493.040 356242.843 193.092
B02 gable apex - 2 Brook Street 398385.000 356330.324 188.937 D11 Compton Mill - parapet outside corner above roller shutter 398493.066 356242.817 201.028
B03 end of rear eaves - 2 Brook Street 398386.386 356328.095 187.236 D12 Compton Mill - jamb/lintel juction facing 25 Duke Sreet 398491.437 356246.217 196.526
B04 Top of telegraph pole - Prospect Place 398414.737 356296.701 195.495 D13 25 Duke Street - outside SW end of gutter 398503.170 356242.579 199.320
B05 NW edge of parapet - Compton Mill 398426.154 356284.129 200.837 D14 25 Duke Street - SW door jamb/stone lintel junction 398503.609 356242.911 196.255
B06 NW corner of capping - Compton retaining wall 398406.558 356294.008 187.368
B07 SW corner of lantern roof - Compton Mill turret 398433.603 356249.696 197.647
B08 SW parapet corner - Compton Mill adjoining Derby Street 398454.267 356220.769 197.206
B09 Top of lighting column - Derby Street 398453.156 356219.393 195.214
B10 West ridge/chimney junction - 8-10 Duke Street 398459.971 356208.524 197.008

Viewpoint locations and reference point survey co-ordinate tables 1-4

VIEWPOINT 5 X Y Z
VIEW E View from Jolliffe Street - by steps & NFU office 398408.415 356334.499 184.616
A03 NE end northlight roof - Compton Mill 398452.798 356290.763 203.451
A17 Top of lighting column adjacent St Marys Church 398410.932 356268.796 194.773
B04 Top of telegraph pole - Prospect Place 398414.737 356296.701 195.495
B05 NW edge of parapet - Compton Mill 398426.154 356284.129 200.837
C02 Top of lighting column on Compton adjacent "Leek Glass" 398424.737 356235.130 197.067
C04 NW corner of Compton Mil - top of parapet 398420.424 356285.626 196.491
E01 Top of telegraph pole - Cornhill Street 398444.303 356304.706 197.497
E02 Compton Mill - corner of stone parapet facing Cornhill Street 398478.362 356274.530 205.585
E03 Jolliffe Street car park - corner of guard rail 398417.302 356325.356 187.386
E04 Jolliffe Street car park - corner of brick wall 398417.214 356325.207 186.397
E05 Jolliffe Street- base of lighting column 398422.937 356309.732 187.841
E06 Jolliffe Street- top of lighting column 398422.887 356309.752 193.924
E07 Jolliffe Street-base of "Pay and Display" sign 398425.392 356303.954 188.220
E08 Jolliffe Street-base of "Pay and Display" sign 398425.385 356303.972 190.416
E09 Compton Mill - top corenr of roller shutter facing Cornhill Street 398427.017 356284.410 192.254
E10 NW corner of Compton Mil - top of parapet towards Jolliffe Street 398425.237 356287.826 196.488
E11 Compton Mill - NW Rooflgiht parapet 398428.287 356279.564 203.804
E12 Base of lampost- Cornhill Street 398420.630 356288.441 187.585
E13 Top of lampost outside 42 Compton 398434.880 356205.116 198.117
E15 St Marys Church -top of stone finial on apex of roof 398412.754 356262.122 208.111

Viewpoint locations and reference point survey co-ordinate tables 5