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Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Negligible
Criteria for Magnitude of Landscape Change
elements/features/patterns of the baseline i.e. pre
development landscape and/or introduction of
elements that may not be uncharacteristic with the
surrounding landscape.
Very minor loss of/alteration to one or more key
elements/features/patterns of the baseline i.e. pre
development landscape and/or introduction of
elements that are not uncharacteristic with the
surrounding landscape approximately the ‘nochange’
situation.
Criteria for Magnitude of Visual Amenity
Change
view – change will be distinguishable from the
surroundings whilst composition and character will
be similar to the pre change circumstances.
Very slight change in baseline i.e. pre
development view – change barely distinguishable
from the surroundings. Composition and character
of view substantially unaltered.
9.2.79 There may also be intermediate levels of magnitude of change where the degree of change
falls between two of the definitions.
Significance of Effect
9.2.80 The purpose of a LVIA is to determine, the likely significant environmental effects of a project.
It is accepted that, due to the nature and scale of development, a proposed wind energy
development could potentially give rise to some significant visual and landscape effects.
However, it should be stressed that, not all landscape and visual effects arising would be
significant in LVIA terms. Furthermore, a significant effect would not necessarily mean that the
effect is unacceptable in planning terms. What is important is that the likely effects are
transparently assessed and understood in order that the determining authority can bring a
balanced, well-informed judgement to bear when making the planning decision.
9.2.81 The significance of effects on landscape, views and visual amenity are evaluated according to
a five-point scale: Major, Moderate, Minor, Negligible or None. A description of the significance
criteria is provided in Table 9.5 below.
Table 9.5 Significance of Effect
Significance Landscape Resource
of Effects
Major Where the proposed changes would be
uncharacteristic and/or would significantly alter a
valued aspect of the landscape.
Moderate Where proposed changes would be noticeably out
of scale or at odds with the character of an area.
Minor
Where proposed changes would be at slight
variance with the character of an area.
Negligible Where proposed changes would have an
indiscernible effect on the character of an area.
None Where the proposal would be in keeping with the
landscape character of the area and/or would
maintain landscape quality, or where the benefits
of proposed mitigation would balance adverse
impacts.
Visual Resource/Amenity
Where the proposed changes would be
uncharacteristic and/or would significantly alter a
valued view or a view of high scenic quality.
Where proposed changes to views would be
noticeably out of scale or at odds with the
existing view.
Where proposed changes to views, although
discernible, would only be at slight variance with
the existing view.
Where proposed changes would have a barely
noticeable effect on views/visual amenity.
Where proposal would retain existing views, or
where on balance the proposed mitigation would
maintain the quality of views (i.e. adverse
impacts are balanced by beneficial effects).
9.2.82 Temporary changes, i.e. those during construction and de-commissioning, may have higher
rating than the ‘significance of effects’ assessment would suggest. This is due to their
temporary nature.
9.2.83 The significance of the landscape and visual effects are assessed through a combination of the
sensitivity of the receptor with the magnitude of change. This information is assimilated to
assess whether or not the wind energy developments will have an effect that is significant or
not significant. The variables considered in the evaluation of the sensitivity of each view and
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 17
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