Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Viewpoint 5: Wallace Monument
Figure Number: VP-5
Grid Reference NS 809 957 Elevation 159m AOD
Bearing 120º Direction of View: south east
LCT: Lowland River Valley LCU: Carse of Forth
Distance to nearest
proposed turbine:
8.99km
Existing Cumulative
visibility:
Craigengelt WF
Earlsburn WF
Braes of Doune WF
Location:
The viewpoint is taken from the summit of Abbey Craig on the platform of the Wallace Monument. The viewpoint is
situated 8.95km to the north west of the site at an elevation of 159m AOD. The Wallace Monument Tower’s height is
67m.
Context:
Abbey Craig is a hilltop near Stirling, a volcanic crag above Cambuskenneth Abbey where the monument sits. Abbey
Craig is covered by woodland and there are three trails available for walks. The Craig stands in close proximity to the
Ochil Hills where it meets the carseland of the River Forth. The Abbey Craig with the Wallace Monument forms a
recognisable landmark above the Lowland River Valley landscape.
Receptor Type:
This viewpoint is selected as being representative of local/international tourists and recreational users of the
landscape.
Existing View:
It is an elevated open panorama with an almost infinite horizon over the River Fort estuary. On the right side of the
view, above the Slamannan Plateau the Pentland Hills are visible on the horizon and on the left side the Cleish Hills
with Knock Hill rise on the horizon. The Slamannan plateau blends through upland fringes into the uplands.
In the foreground large arable fields sprawl over the River Forth floodplain.
The most eye catching feature of this flat landscape, are the light coloured flat roofs of the Bonded Warehouses which
cover almost 100 hectares. Tullibody’s built up area adjacent to the warehouses appears as a more organic part of the
landscape.
The route of the A907 towards Tullibody is clearly seen between the fields. The A91 runs across the foreground of the
view in between the Ochil Hills and Stirling. Both A roads are well lined by vegetation.
The vertical features do not stand out in this elevated view. The chimneys of Alloa Works and Longannet Power
Station are distinguishable. Grangemouth Oil Refinery on the backdrop of the Slamannan Plateau is identifiable by the
smoke from its chimneys.
The 380kV Forth Crossing crosses the River Forth close to Alloa, another row of pylons crosses the river close to the
warehouses and a third line of pylons runs parallel with the A91 across the foreground.
Not one of these vertical manmade features breaks the skyline.
The visibility of the proposal site:
The River Devon flows into the River Forth and binds the site to the east. This area is visible as a brown field which
marks the site’s location in this view.
The proposal site alongside the river is visible in its full length and size.
Visual detractors:
Bonded Warehouses Longannet Power Station; Kincardine high block building, the 380kV Forth Crossing;
Grangemouth Oil Refinery chimneys, chimneys of Cowie and Alloa Works, lattice towers.
Landscape Designations:
Craigs Abbey AGLV and Wallace Monument is a National Landmark.
Viewpoint Sensitivity to the proposed wind energy development: :
The landscape sensitivity of this location is considered to be medium.
The visual sensitivity of this location is considered to be high.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 43
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©