Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
9.3.25 Table 9.4-1 in Appendix 9.4 presents the Landscape Classification System and corresponding
Landscape Character Types (LCT) and Landscape Character Units (LCU) within 35km Study
Area. The landscape character types and sub-character units are shown on Figure 9.6.
Landscape Character Types (LCT)
9.3.26 This section contains a detailed description of the character of the landscape types together
with an evaluation of their sensitivity to landscape change. Through a filtering process LCTs
that might be affected by the proposed wind energy development were identified. This process
was carried out through a desktop study and site survey which examined the visibility of the
proposed wind energy development from the landscape character types around the study area,
using the ZTV and wirelines.
9.3.27 A description of the landscape character types within the study area and within the ZTV, which
were considered not to be impacted significantly by the proposed wind energy development,
are presented in Appendix 9.5. Table 9.5-1 presents the LCUs which have ZTV cover but it is
expressed as discrete scattered patches for the most part a long distance from the proposed
wind energy development site. These LCUs were not considered to have the potential to
experience a significant effect and have not been assessed further.
9.3.28 Table 9.5-2 lists the rest of the LCUs which remain outwith the ZTV and therefore will not be
impacted upon by the proposed wind energy development.
9.3.29 This filtering process has indicated that 6 landscape character types and 9 related landscape
character units have the potential to undergo significant effects as a result of the proposed
wind energy development. These are:
• Lowland Hills: Ochil Hills
• Lowland Hill Fringes: East Touch Fringe
• Lowland River Valleys: Carse of Forth
Falkirk/Denny Urban Fringe
• Lowland Valley Fringes: Devon/Forth
• Lowland Plateaux: Slamannan Plateau
• Coastal Margins: Grangemouth Bo’ness Flats,
The Bo’ness Coastal Hills
Kincardine Coastal Flats
9.3.30 These landscape character types and sub-character units are described below.
9.3.31 The sensitivity ratings of the landscape character units are based on the relevant Landscape
Character Assessments. The same applies to the landscape character descriptions, which are
summarised in the tables below but the original wording is preserved.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 24
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