Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Viewpoint 12: Bo’ness
Figure Number: VP-12
Grid Reference NS 008 814 Elevation 24m AOD
Bearing 310º Direction of View: North west
LCT: Coastal margins LCU: The Bo’ness Coastal Hills
Distance to nearest 14.30km
Existing Cumulative Earlsburn WF
proposed turbine:
visibility:
Location:
The viewpoint is taken from the grounds of the public open space (Victoria Park) of Bo’ness. The viewpoint is situated
13.72km to the south east of the site at an elevation of 54m AOD. The viewpoint is between Bo’ness Town Centre
Conservation Area and Grange Terrace Conservation Area.
Context:
Bo’ness lies on a hillside on the south bank of the Firth of Forth therefore its grounds slope down to the River Forth.
The town is developed in the form of terraces.
Receptor Type:
This viewpoint is selected as being representative of residents of Bo’ness.
Existing View:
The elevated position of the viewpoint affords a panoramic long distance view with the Highlands on the horizon. The
chimney of the Longannet Power Station breaks the skyline above the misty peaks of the Highlands. The chimney is
the centre focal point of the view, over the River Forth water on the middle ground and over the rooftops of Bo’ness in
the foreground.
On the right side of the view the Ochil Hills rise on the skyline. Above the River Forth water rise the Lowland Valley
Fringes low, rounded hills with large dark areas of plantations on the top of them. The Ochil Hills form a light backdrop
for the dark plantation line covering the ridge of low hills.
On the left side of the view the eastern boundary of the Touch Hills forms the skyline. Broad swathes of hummocky
farmland form a transition in height and form from west to east between the Touch hill-slopes and the wide flat valley
of the Forth Estuary. The blade tips of the Craigengelt wind energy development are visible over the Touch Hill
landform.
Grangemouth Oil Refinery is on the opposite position to the Longannet Power Station on the backdrop of the Touch
Hills landform.
The River Forth estuary on the middle ground dominates the view. On the east side of Grangemouth, the River Avon
joins with the River Forth and on its west side the River Garron flows into the River Forth.
The visibility of the proposal site:
The proposal site is not visible from the viewpoint. It remains behind the undulating landform adjacent to Longannet
Power Station.
Visual detractors:
Longannet Power Station; the pylons; Grangemouth Oil Refinery chimneys, Craigengelt wind energy development,
lattice towers close to Kincardine Bridge.
Landscape Designations: Conservation area.
Viewpoint Sensitivity to the proposed wind energy development: :
The landscape sensitivity of this location is considered to be low.
The visual sensitivity of this location is considered to be medium.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 49
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