Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Dollar is fairly flat with lots of vegetation along the way. The River Devon is close by at various
points.
The Core Paths
9.3.73 The Core Paths Plans identify a network of paths that gives people reasonable (nonmotorised)
access throughout the Councils’ areas. As highlighted within national guidance,
Core Paths Plans - a guide to good practice, 2005, core paths are of particular importance
close to where people live. The need for each local authority to produce a Core Paths Plan is
detailed in sections 17 - 23 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The duties and powers
enshrined in this Act are expanded upon in the Scottish Executive publication Part 1 Land
Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, Guidance for Local Authorities and National Park Authorities,
2005. Core paths do not have to have any sort of previous designation e.g. right of way and
can comprise of a variety of different path types, ranging from natural grassy swards, to highspecification
constructed paths, to satisfy the needs of all users. Although the whole path
network should provide for a range of recreational access - walking, cycling, horse riding,
canoeing, etc - and for all abilities of use, not every individual path caters for every type of
user.
9.3.74 The core paths networks of Clackmannanshire Council, Stirling Council and Falkirk Council
areas fall within the ZTV and are assessed within the 10km radius Local Study Area in section
9.4 ‘Assessment of Effects’.
Representative Viewpoints
9.3.75 The assessment of landscape and visual effects is informed by a series of 22 viewpoints. The
viewpoint locations are shown on Figure 9.12, and are illustrated in Figures VP1a – VP22b
where a photograph of each view is accompanied by a computer-generated wireline and, for a
number of the views, a photomontage is created.
9.3.76 The viewpoints within the 10km local study area are shown in Figure 9.11 on a scale 1:125,
000.
9.3.77 The viewpoints are selected to cover points of specific importance such as recognised
viewpoints, designated landscapes, settlements, important routes and attractions, and to
inform the likely extent of significant visual effects arising from the proposed wind energy
development. A variety of landscape character types and points from different directions and
distances have also been represented in the selected views.
9.3.78 The viewpoint assessment is used to inform and illustrate the assessment of effects on
landscape character and the assessment of effects on views. The viewpoint assessment is
contained within section 9.4 ‘Assessment of Effects’.
9.3.79 Table 9.9 below lists the viewpoints and provides information on their location and distance
from the site.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 37
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