Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
9.2.38 Permanent effects are those that will remain following the de-commissioning of the proposed
wind energy development. The access tracks will have a permanent effect. It should be noted
that the majority of the access tracks already exist on the site. Underground cabling and
turbine foundations will be left in-situ, below ground, but will have no permanent landscape and
visual effects following the restoration of ground cover following de-commissioning. Any
removal of mature trees or loss of landscape features is considered permanent within the
timeframe of 25 years.
9.2.39 Where significant effects arise these will most likely be as a result of the turbines. The
significant effects which occur in relation to the turbines will be long-term and reversible. To
avoid repetition, the duration and reversibility of effects are not reiterated throughout the
assessment.
Landscape Effects
9.2.40 “Landscape effects derive from changes in the physical landscape which may give rise to
changes in its character and how this is experienced. This may in turn affect the perceived
value ascribed to the landscape” (para. 2.14, GLVIA 2002).
9.2.41 The physical effects on the landscape are the direct effects from the proposed wind energy
development on the site, which can alter the land cover, landscape features and the landscape
character of the site. In addition, the operational activities associated with the proposal,
including the movement of vehicles within the construction, operation and de-commissioning
phases, can extend the direct physical effects beyond the immediate site area.
9.2.42 There are also perceptual changes to the landscape within the study area, from the effects of
the proposed wind energy development on the landscape character. These effects are
determined through an assessment of the existing character of the landscape, and how this is
likely to be altered by the proposed wind energy development.
Visual Effects
9.2.43 “Visual effects relate to the changes that arise in the composition of available views as a result
of changes to the landscape, to people’s responses to the change, and to the overall effects
with respect to visual amenity” (para. 2.15, GLVIA, 2002).
9.2.44 The assessment of visual effects has been made through the in-depth analysis of agreed
viewpoints, selected to represent the range of views and viewer types from where the
proposed development is theoretically visible and to determine whether the effects are likely to
be significant.
9.2.45 The viewpoint locations cover individual residences and settlements; main transport routes;
main visitor locations; areas of cultural significance; the range of landscape character types
within the study area; and the cumulative effects of the proposal in combination with other
existing or proposed wind energy developments in the study area.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 10
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©