Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
• the ZTV of the proposed wind energy development; and
• principal visual receptors and representative viewpoints.
Landscape Related Planning Designations
9.3.3 The proposed wind energy development site itself is not covered by any international, national
or regional landscape-related planning designations. Various nationally and regionally
designated areas are, however, found elsewhere in the study area and these have been
considered. The designated areas that are relevant to the assessment are shown on Figure
9.3 ‘Landscape Designations’ and are described below.
9.3.4 Appendix 9.1 identifies policies relevant to landscape.
9.3.5 There are three ways in which such designations can be relevant to the landscape and visual
assessment:
• the presence of a designation can give an indication of a recognised value that may
increase the sensitivity of a landscape character receptor, viewpoint or visual
receptor, and may therefore influence the significance of the effect on that receptor;
• the presence of a relevant designation can lead to the selection of a representative
viewpoint within the designated area, as the viewpoint will provide a representative
outlook from that area; and
• designated areas may be included as landscape character receptors so that the
effects of the proposed wind energy development on these features of the
landscape that have been accorded particular value can be specifically assessed.
Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV)
9.3.6 Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV); a range of regional areas identified as being of
scenic importance. Designated by Local Authorities and protected in Development Plans
(Structure and Local Plans). Areas of Great Landscape Value are identified in the
Development Plan as areas of high landscape quality with strong and distinctive characteristics
which make them particularly sensitive to development. The AGLVs and associated policies
are determined by the individual planning authorities. While the common purpose of the
designation is to protect AGLVs from potentially harmful development, the policies can differ in
their intent both between regions and between adopted and emerging plans.
9.3.7 There are a large number of AGLVs across the study area. These tend to cover the more rural
hills of a landscape and are mostly defined by a particular landscape character. The Areas of
Great Landscape Value (AGLV) within the ZTV are as follows:
• The Ochil Hills (the Lowland Hills landscape character unit) is entirely designated as
an AGLV. The Ochil Hills dominate the landscape of Clackmannanshire and provide
a backdrop for the town of Stirling. The Ochil Hills play an important role in
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 19
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