Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Viewpoint 17: Saline Hill
Figure Number: VP-17
Grid Reference NS 033 931 Elevation 272m AOD
Bearing 262º Direction of View: west
LCT:
Upland Igneous and LCU:
Cleish Hills
Volcanic Hills
Distance to nearest 13.82km
Existing Cumulative Craigengelt WF
proposed turbine:
visibility:
Greenknowes WF
Location:
The viewpoint is taken from the foothill of Saline Hill. The viewpoint is situated 13.82km to the east of the site at an
elevation of 272m AOD.
Context:
Saline is a village in Fife approximately 8 km to the north-west of Dunfermline. The village is dominated to the eastnorth-east
by Saline Hill, 359 meters AOD, with a hill fort on its eastern summit. There is no marked footpath to the
summit of Saline Hill.
Receptor Type:
The viewpoint represents receptor views towards the proposed site from the east.
Existing View:
The view towards the proposed site is an elevated open panorama with Highland Summits on the far horizon. The
Ochil Hills form the skyline to the right of the view and Lowland Hills to the left side of the view. The view stretches over
the broad and rolling grounds of the Lowland Fringes landscape. Several large coniferous blocks and mixed woodlands
are integrated within the undulating landform.
All settlements are well concealed by woodland. Saline village is seen on the bottom of the foothill of Saline Hill.
Clackmannan is barely perceptible between the Devilla Forest and the Forest plantations.
The River Forth is not visible in the direct view, but its water comes into the view to the south where the flare stacks of
Grangemouth and the Longannet Power Station chimney are also visible.
The Greenknowes turbines are visible to the north in the view on the Ochil Hills and above the skyline.
The rotating turbine blades of Craigengelt wind energy development are distinguishable on the Lowland Hills in the
west.
The visibility of the proposal site:
Due to the distance the proposal site is not visible from the viewpoint. As it is hard to distinguish the location of
Clackmannan therefore it is even more difficult in the case of the proposed site which remains behind Clackmannan.
Visual detractors:
Longannet Power Station; Grangemouth Oil Refinery chimneys, Craigengelt and Greenknowes wind energy
developments.
Landscape Designations:
Upland Igneous and Volcanic Hills AGLV
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 low.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 54
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