Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Viewpoint 13: Ben Cleuch
Figure Number: VP-13
Grid Reference NS 903 006 Elevation 721m AOD
Bearing 186º Direction of View: south
LCT: Lowland Hills LCU: Ochil Hills
Distance to nearest
proposed turbine:
9.25km
Existing Cumulative
visibility:
Craigengelt WF
Earlsburn WF
Braes of Doune WF
Burnfoot WF
Greenknowes WF
Location:
The viewpoint is taken from the peak of Ben Cleuch. The viewpoint is situated 9.25km to the north of the site at an
elevation of 721m AOD.
Context:
The route to Ben Cleuch begins in the car park of the Ochil Hills Woodland Park, which is accessed from the A91
immediately to the east of Alva. The path rises through the woodland and heads into the upper reaches of Silver Glen
to emerge on the ridge of Ben Ever which is on the way to Ben Cleuch.
Receptor Type:
The hill is a popular climb with tourists and visitors to the Stirling area.
Existing View:
The high position of the viewpoint affords a 360 degree landscape view. The view towards the proposed site is a high
elevated open panorama with an almost infinite horizon over the Lowland plateau. On the left side of the view, above
the Slamannan Plateau the Pentland Hills are visible on the horizon and on the right side the Lowland Hills rise on the
horizon. Craigengelt wind energy development layout is visible in the view on top of Craigengelt Hill. The turbines
appear on the dark background of the Fintry Hills. Only the blades of the Earlsburn wind energy development are seen
in the view.
The landform of Ben Cleuch with its grass and heather moorland forms the foreground of the view. On the middleground
of the view sprawls the River Forth floodplain. The drop in the levels is conspicuous .The water of the River
Forth and its meandering shape, more convoluted above Alloa, forms the focus of this view. The built up area of Alloa
and Tullibody spreads alongside the shore of the River Forth. The light coloured Bonded Warehouses catch the eye
beyond Tullibody.
On the other side of the river the light towerblocks of Falkirk on the dark backdrop of the woodland are perceivable.
Cowie and Grangemouth are distinguishable by their chimneys. Throughout the agricultural parts of the landscape,
several isolated areas of woodland indicate the course of rivers. The Dunmore Woods are in the view opposite to Alloa
on the southern shore of the River Forth.
The vertical features do not stand out in this elevated view. The Longannet Power Station and Kincardine Bridge are
prominent against the River Forth water in the view. The four highest pylons of the 380kV Forth Crossing protrude
close to the River Forth and direct the attention to the row of pylons running alongside the coastline and to the lattice
towers which stand on both sides of the Clackmannanshire Bridge. These vertical manmade features do not break 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. The four
highest pylons of the 380kV Forth Crossing indicate the site’s location in the view.
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.
Operating and installed wind energy developments such as Craigengelt and Earlsburn.
Landscape Designations:
The viewpoint is within the AGLV of the Ochil Hills.
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 50
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©