Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
9.4 Assessment of Effects
9.4.1 The landscape and visual assessment is intended to determine the effects that the proposed
wind energy development will have on the landscape and visual resource. The assessment is
presented in two sections:
• the phases of the proposed wind energy development; and
• potential effects on the landscape and visual resource
9.4.2 Effects of the proposed wind energy development on the landscape and visual resource will
arise from the construction, operation and de-commissioning of the wind turbines, access
tracks, substation compound and building. While the principal effects result from the turbines,
other aspects of the wind energy development such as access tracks are also likely to have
some effect, but this will generally be more limited. A description of the proposed wind energy
development phases is contained in Chapter 4.
9.4.3 The temporary construction facilities, such as cranes, construction vehicles, construction
compounds, laydown areas and delivery vehicles required during the construction of the wind
energy development will have effects on the landscape and visual resource. It is anticipated
that construction of the proposed wind energy development will take approximately 6 months,
under phases described in Chapter 4 of the ES. The construction effects assessed in this
section are therefore predicted to occur during this period and end at the start of the
operational stage.
9.4.4 All construction works will be confined to the immediate surroundings of the site. The works
would individually and cumulatively give rise to landscape and visual effects. These effects
would however be temporary and would mainly arise through vehicle movements, construction
of access tracks and erection of the turbines. The effects arising from other operations,
including the excavation of turbine foundations, cable trenches and the construction compound
would be localised, with attention being drawn to the area through vehicle movements and
plant rather than the physical changes arising from the work.
9.4.5 The final layout reflects a design which aims to minimise visual impacts on and around the site,
while maximising the turbines’ exposure to the prevailing wind resource. The landscape and
visual effects of the construction phase are considered below.
Site access, Wind Turbine Foundations and Cable Routes
9.4.6 Ground disturbance would be restricted to the existing and new site access tracks, excavation
for wind turbine bases, underground cable routes and temporary works associated with the site
compound. Ground disturbances would be fully reinstated where possible, as described in
Chapter 4, Section 4.8 ‘Civil Works’. Figure 1.2 illustrates the new and existing access track
layout.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 60
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