Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_SLVIA
42
5.0 The Existing Visual Environment
5.1. Introduction
5.1.1. The purpose of the visual assessment is to first determine the extent of the
ZTV of the development (the area of land and sea from within which it may
be possible to see any part of the proposed development) and to determine
how visible the proposed development would be from a range of agreed
representative viewpoints and from this, the likely effects on various visual
receptor groups.
5.1.2. Refer to Figure 06 (Topography and Viewpoints) and Figures 04 and 05 (ZTV
Bare Ground and ZTV Obstructions).
5.2. Initial ZTV
5.2.1. At the outset of the assessment, an initial computer generated ZTV study was
used to help identify areas from within which the site could potentially be
visible. The 72 number 7MW WTGs presented a worst-case scenario, with a
hub height of 120m and a blade tip of 195m. The computer generated bare
ground ZTV, to nacelle and blade tip (see Figure 04), identifies key stretches
of the landscape from which the proposed offshore wind farm may be
theoretically visible within the agreed 45km radius study area.
5.2.2. The bare ground ZTV makes no allowance for any screening effects that may
arise due to existing vegetation or built development. As a result it gives an
exaggerated impression of the potential degree of visual exposure of a
proposed development and therefore presents an unrealistic worst-case
scenario. To limit this exaggerated impression, significant existing
settlements and woodland have been incorporated into the terrain model to
provide a more realistic impression of anticipated visibility, as illustrated on
Figure 05. It should be noted, however, that the predicted extent of the
proposed development’s visibility shown on the ZTVs is never more than
theoretical in its extent. For example, if an area is not shaded it indicates that
the target point is not likely to be visible from a 1.6m high eye level view;
whereas if an area is shaded it indicates that the target may (but may not) be
visible. It may also be possible that local features not included within the
model, for example hedgerows, embankments and buildings, will locally
screen views towards the target point. Given that GWF is relatively far
offshore the smallest of variations in localised landform and screening
elements onshore will curtail many seaward views of GWF
5.2.3. Appendix 3 details the methodology used for creating the ZTVs and visuals.