Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Key Characteristics/
Landform
Water
Land Cover/Use
Settlements/Roads
Other Features
Experience
Internal/External
visibility
Scale
Diversity
Visual detractors
Designations
Key Landscape
Issues
LCA Sensitivity
Rugged, elevated, craggy rock outcrops of dolerite above strongly rolling, pronounced hills
sloping more gently to the Forth Valley floodplain. Dolerite sill outcrop, culminating in the
focal point of Gillies Hill, forms a strong unifying topographical feature in western, higher part
of area. Distinctive conical shape of Hills of Dunipace form significant landmark feature.
Lochs, reservoirs, many east flowing burns and deep gorge of River Carron.
Rough and semi-improved grassland with gorse scrub on higher ground changing to
improved pasture with some arable on lower ground;
Industrial villages and urban expansion on low ground, scattered steadings and estate
houses on slopes;
Biggest settlements are the mining village of Plean and the old weaving and spinning village
of Cambusbarron. Others: Dunipace, Cowie, Larben.
The area is bisected and bound by the M80 and M9 motorways and the main A872 and A9
roads.
Smaller farm and estate roads and tracks wind across the slopes, often following detours due
to the impeding motorway routes.
Extensive coniferous and mixed plantations (Tor Wood), broadleaved woodlands, policies,
shelterbelts and avenues.
The transitional character of this area is accentuated by the infiltration of urban and industrial
elements towards the eastern edge, which appears more degraded and suffering from
decline that the intimate farmland and woodland mix which characterises the western
perimeter.
Views of the surrounding dense settlement, and the restraining influence of major transport
corridors, are more evident to the east.
INTERMEDIATE
The embankments and bridging structures of which fragment the landscape, and restrict
many views.
MEDIUM
Variety of manmade features
Many roads, including motorways, and railways and overhead lines on lower ground.
Motorways with large scale embankments, cuttings and junctions.
Dismantled railway tracks and the operative line from Edinburgh to Stirling.
Some coniferous plantations planted many years ago are poorly designed.
Industrial and commercial development particularly close to motorway.
Touch/Campsie/Gargunnock Hills AGLV.
Historic buildings and features throughout area. Estates and designed landscapes such as
Touch House, Sauchieburn House, and Polmaise Castle.
Urban expansion of development with anonymous character. Significant pressure for further
residential expansion particularly on lower slopes.
Large industrial developments in villages with conspicuous gaseous plumes.
Medium to Low - variable capacity to absorb change, related to the degree of diversity of
landform, land cover and visual sensitivity. Landscape value in south-eastern sector
diminished by concentration of power lines and urban fringe influences.
Landscape Character Type: LOWLAND RIVER VALLEYS
Landscape Character Area: Carse of Forth
Extent within the LCT extends from the centre of the study area to a 35km radius in a north west direction
study area
following the course of the River Forth.
This Character Area constitutes part of a larger unit which extends westwards into Stirling
District and southwards across the Forth into Falkirk District.
The immensely broad floodplain of the River Forth cuts a dramatic swathe from the Highland
Boundary Fault in the west towards its confluence with the sea in the east.
To the north, it merges with the related carselands of the Lower Devon, to the east lie the
coastal flats of Kincardine.
Representative
viewpoints
Wind energy
developments
Key Characteristics/
Landform
Water
Land Cover/Use
Settlements/Roads
The proposal site is located on this LCA on northern shore of the River Forth.
VP3 – Clackmannan Public Park, VP4 – Alloa Tower, VP5 – Wallace Monument, VP6 –
Stirling Castle, VP7 Fallin Village, VP8 – the A905, VP9 – Dunmore Village, VP10 – Public
Path close to the Pineapple, VP11 – Airth Village and VP19 – South Alloa.
Scoping: Rosehill
The topography is strikingly flat, (predominantly below 10 m AOD), reflecting its estuarine
origin, relief features being confined to raised beaches and related fossil shorelines.
The vigorously meandering river Forth is fed by a number of visually insignificant tributaries,
many of which have been straightened into field-side ditches.
The lowest reaches of the Devon also flow through this unit, joining the Forth near Cambus.
The fertile soils of the valley floor, derived from marine and estuarine clays and silts, support
a network of large, mostly arable fields of barley, oats, and timothy grass.
The urban areas of Alloa and Tullibody are the dominant settlements in the area. Also
scattered across the carselands are traditional stone or white-washed farmsteads, dotted
throughout the farmland and linked by the straight lines of several minor roads.
Villages are absent from the carselands, being restricted to the peripheral slopes of the valley
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 26
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