Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Viewpoint 15: Shieldhill
Figure Number: VP-15
Grid Reference NS 898 768 Elevation 182m AOD
Bearing 358º Direction of View: north
LCT: Lowland Plateaux LCU: Slamannan Plateau
Distance to nearest 13.71km
Existing Cumulative Braes of Doune WF
proposed turbine:
visibility:
Craigengelt WF
Location:
The viewpoint is taken from the B8028 which runs through Shieldhill. At this point the B8028 forms the main street of
Shieldhill. The viewpoint is situated 13.71km to the south of the site at an elevation of 182m AOD.
Context:
The B8028 runs through Shieldhill and turns up to the higher levels of Slamannan Plateau. Shieldhill is one of the
towns near Falkirk. Polmont Station and M9 are in close proximity being just 3.4km to the north west and Falkirk
Station 2.3km to the north.
Receptor Type:
This viewpoint is selected as being representative of Shieldhill residents and B8028 road users who are heading
towards Falkirk.
Existing View:
The elevated position of the viewpoint on Slamannan Plateau affords a panoramic long distance view with the
Highland hills on the horizon. Straight in the view is Braes of Doune wind energy development in its full size layout. It is
visible at a distance of approximately 37km..
In the foreground is a residential open space area and also Shieldhill properties. The ground drops down towards the
River Carron valley where the settlement of Falkirk spreads.
The settlement’s sprawl is bisected by the woodland strips which form the middle ground of the view. Beyond Falkirk
the Lowland Hills Fringe landscape cuts into the flat Lowland River Valley landscape.
On the right side of the view the Ochil Hills form the skyline and the scarp slopes of the Ochil Hills form the backdrop
to the carseland of the Lowland River Valley landscape. On the left side of the view the Lowland Hills Fringe rises up
to the Touch Hills where the Craigengelt wind energy development layout is visible. The view looks over the Lowland
Fringe’s broad swathes of hummocky farmland visible beyond Falkirk’s urban sprawl.
Callander Wood’s dark canopy line is visible above Glen Village on the southern edge of Falkirk. Langlees Woodland
canopy is visible above the built up area of Falkirk. Further down on the River Forth floodplain the white chimneys of
the Alloa Works are barely perceptable above the canopy of the Dunmore Woods.
The water of the River Forth and both of the bridges which cross it are in the view near to Kincardine. The Kincardine
tower block building is visible on the backdrop of dark plantations.
The visibility of the proposal site:
The proposal site is not visible from the viewpoint. Its location is identified by the white chimneys of the Alloa Works
which are distinguishable above the canopy of the Dunmore Woods.
Due to the elevation and the distance of the view the King’s Seat Hill (another local landmark) is not distinguishable
against the River Forth floodplain.
Visual detractors:
Two lattice towers are clearly visible near to the Clackmannanshire Bridge although they do not break the skyline.
Three rows of pylons meet between Denny and Larbert (Bonnybridge and Falkirk). Some of them are visible on the
backdrop of woodland.
Landscape Designations:
None identified
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 52
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©