Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Landscape Character Type: LOWLAND PLATEAUX
Landscape Character Area: Slamannan Plateau
Extent within the LCT extends to a 13-20km radius in a south direction within the study area.
study area
A large expanse of elevated (200m AOD), open undulating plateau lies south of the dense
band of industry and settlement which lines the Bonny and Carron valleys west of Falkirk.
The ZTV confines only the northern periphery of the LCA.
Representative VP15 Shieldhill
viewpoints
Wind energy
Scoping: Callander Estate, Burnhead
developments
Key Characteristics/ Large expanse of elevated, open, undulating plateau.
Landform
Water
Between the flattened higher ridges, raised bogs, and plateau-type expanses, lie numerous
streams and small river-courses - including the River Avon - which wind through shallow,
visually unobtrusive valleys. Set within hollows in higher ground to the southern and eastern
peripheries are the small-to-medium sized water bodies of Black Loch and Loch Ellrig.
Land Cover/Use A grid of improved and semi-improved fields of grassland is interrupted by open tracts of
heather and grass moorland and bog vegetation.
Settlements/Roads The plateau is criss-crossed by a relatively uniform network of sometimes straight,
sometimes winding B-roads, minor country roads and farm access tracks. Dwellings and
farmsteads, often sheltered by small blocks of woodland, are dotted throughout the farmland.
The mining villages of Slamannan, Limerigg, Avonbridge and Shieldhill lie to the south and
east. The small, stone workers' cottages of the village centres have become encircled by
more modern housing, usually in a seemingly colourless beige-brown.
Other Features Scattered birch trees, Scots pine and scrubby thickets pepper the moorland areas, which
grade into rough grassland, tumbledown stone walls and coarse boggy rushstippled fields.
Hawthorn and beech hedgerows are common in many parts, but often broken and
intermittent, and infilled by post-and-wire fencing.
Throughout the farmland, several open-cast coalmines are located, in varying stages of
operation or restoration, the disruptive visual influence of which is exacerbated by the
dominant zigzagging pylon lines to the north of the area.
Experience
The influence of peat extraction and scattered working and restored coalmines upon the
expanses of moorland and pasture lands lends a somewhat denuded featureless appearance
to certain parts of the farmland. The decline of the mining settlements and often dilapidated
or remnant field boundaries contribute further to a faint atmosphere of neglect.
Internal/External
visibility
Scale
Diversity
Visual detractors
Designations
Key Landscape
Issues
LCA Sensitivity
Many views are internalised within the area by the pronounced topographical folding of the
landform.
Rolling plateau landform gives generally introverted visual character, but with sharp contrast
on northern edge where dramatic views are available across Forth carselands.
LARGE expanse of elevated, open, undulating plateau.
Low
Obtrusive major overhead power lines on northern margins;
Radio masts at Wester Glen transmitter station are widely visible; and
Visual features of extractive mining industries spoil heaps, brickwork chimneys.
This landscape is not covered by any scenic landscape designations and it has few unique
qualities that merit special protection.
To restructure original damaged landscape framework.
Low
At a local level it does present a valuable rural character that counters the pervasive
character of the more developed parts and a rich diversity of features contributes to a high
landscape value.
Landscape Character Type: COASTAL MARGINS
Landscape Character Area: Grangemouth Bo’ness Coastal Flats
Extent within the LCT extends to a 5-15km radius in a south direction within the study area.
study area
Bounded by the Kincardine Bridge and the M 876 in the north west, and the M9 to the south
west and Bo'ness to the east, this area of low lying coastal flats is dominated by the town of
Grangemouth, the docks and by large-scale petrochemical and other industrial installations.
Representative VP20 –Clackmannanshire Bridge
viewpoints
Wind energy
Scoping: Grangemouth
developments
Key Characteristics/ Extensive, open, low-lying, flat, horizontal coastal flats landscape of arable farmland.
Landform
Water
The mouth of the Almond marks the eastern boundary of the area. West of the Almond
catchment, streams flow north-eastward feeding the Midhope Burn system.
Land Cover/Use The predominant land cover of arable ground merges with smaller areas of improved pasture
on higher ground or along parts of the coast.
Between the M876 and the River Carron, which forms a distinct urban edge to Grangemouth,
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 29
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