Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
settlements which are sited above the river valley are at a distance which reduces the
magnitude of the potential effects.
9.4.74 The visual effects on the roads within the ZTV cover in the study area are not considered to be
significant. The general magnitude of the effect to the routes remains negligible. Although
there is potential for views towards the proposed wind energy development from roads in the
local area, much will depend on local circumstances including the extent to which the roadside
vegetation and urban environment filter or obstruct views towards the site. In general, the
same visual format for settlements applies to the roads: All the roads which sit on a low level
on the river valley have restricted views due to the screening of vegetation or built forms. All
the roads which are sited above the river valley are at a distance which reduces the magnitude
of the potential effects. The main factor reducing the potential for significant visual effects is the
direction in which the roads run. No routes head straight towards the site apart from one minor
local road running between the B9124 and the A905.
9.4.75 The view from the A977 heading towards the site is presented in VP1 – the A977. The
assessment shows that impacts on views from the A977 would not be significant due to the
vegetation screening.
9.4.76 It was considered that, due to the extent of cuttings and track side vegetation, there would be
only a very few, glimpsed views from the railway and this has not been assessed.
Assessment of Effects on National Cycle Routes
9.4.77 The potential effect of the proposed wind energy development on each of these routes is
assessed in Table 9.10 below.
Table 9.10 Effects on National Cycle Routes
NCR No NCR location Theoretical Visibility
NR 1 Between Edinburgh and
Aberdeen via Dunfermline,
Auchtermuchty.
The route remains outwith the ZTV cover.
No change.
NR 76
NR 754
Between Dunbar and
Kirkcaldy (Stirling and St
Andrews). This route runs
on both coast sides of the
River Forth estuary via
Stirling.
Between Kirkintilloch and
Edinburgh via Bonnybridge,
Falkirk, Linlithgow
NR 764 The West Fife Way between
Alloa and Dunfermline via
Clackmannan.
NR 765
Between Stirling and
Callander Via Dunblane.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 79
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The route falls within the ZTV cover within the Carse of Forth and the
Kincardine Coastal Flats LCU.
The proposed wind energy development would be visible in some sections
of the route. The effect is assessed at static viewpoints as follows:
VP2 - Kennet Pans PP & NCR
VP3 - Clackmannan Public Park,
VP7 - Fallin Village
VP8 - A905
VP10 - Path Pineapple
The magnitude of the change in the views would be minor. The
magnitude is reduced further because most of the LCU is outside of the
ZTV cover. The local effect is considered to be minor due to the low level
of the route which limits the extent of the visibility and affords good
screening due to the vegetation and slight landform undulations.
Some sections of the route are within the ZTV cover between Bonnybridge
and Linlithgow.
Due to the distance, intervening vegetation and the close built
environment, the views to the proposed development are hardly
achievable.
The effect is considered to be negligible.
The sections of the route between Alloa and Clackmannan fall within the
ZTV cover. It overlaps in this section with the route No 76. Due to the
existing landform, intervening vegetation and built up environment the
views to the proposal site are not possible.
The effect is considered to be negligible.
The route remains outwith the ZTV cover.
No change.