Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
9 Landscape and Visual Assessment
9.1 Introduction
9.1.1 This Chapter of the ES describes the process and findings of the landscape and visual impact
assessment (LVIA) for the proposed Forthbank wind energy development (herein after referred
to as ‘the proposed wind energy development’ or ‘the proposal site’). The purpose of
landscape and visual impact assessment is to identify and assess potential impacts from the
proposed wind energy development on these landscape resources and visual amenity.
Cumulative effects, arising from the effect of the proposed wind energy development in
conjunction with other wind energy developments, are also considered.
9.1.2 The assessment has been prepared and reviewed by chartered landscape architects at RPS in
Edinburgh who undertook the work following a commission from PfR.
9.1.3 Working graphics for the purpose of scheme assessment and design evolution, together with
all figures and visualisation graphics, have been prepared by RPS.
9.1.4 The proposal site location is shown in Figure 1.1 and the Site boundary and layout is illustrated
in Figure 1.2.
9.1.5 This assessment covers the construction, operational phase and de-commissioning of the wind
energy development. The proposed wind energy development will consist of four variable
pitch (three bladed) wind turbines with associated infrastructure, including access tracks,
meteorological mast, and substation building. The landscape and visual assessment is based
on a turbine which has a hub height of up to 80m and a blade length of 45m, giving a
maximum blade tip height of 125m. Details of the proposed wind energy development are
provided in Chapter 4.
9.1.6 The landscape and visual assessment covers a study area of 35 kilometres (km) radius from
each of the outermost turbines of the proposed development in all directions. A 35km radius is
considered to be the maximum radius within which a significant effect could occur given the
height of the turbines to be used, and was based on recommendations in current best practice
guidance for turbines of 101m to 130m to blade tip (p.39, para 61 Visual Assessment of
Windfarms: Best Practice SNH 2002).
9.1.7 The study area is not intended to provide a boundary beyond which the wind energy
development will not be seen, but rather to define the area within which the wind energy
development may have a significant landscape or visual effect. A significant effect is, in reality,
very unlikely to occur towards the edges of the study area. The 35km study area is shown in
Figure 9.1 and more locally, a 10km study area in Figure 9.2.
9.1.8 The LVIA is presented in six broad parts, each of which is further subdivided into sections.
These six parts are:
• methodology;
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 1
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