Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
9.4.78 Long Distance Ways: The Devon Way remains generally outwith the ZTV coverage. Only the
section in Alloa within the built up area falls within the ZTV. Therefore the effect is considered
to be negligible.
Assessment of Effects on Core Paths
9.4.79 Throughout the study area a minor number of public paths, Rights of Way and draft core paths
would undergo changes due to the presence of the operational Forthbank wind energy
development.
9.4.80 The core path and cycle ways network is assessed in close proximity (2km) to the proposed
site and are shown in Figure 15.2 Chapter 15 Socio-economics, Tourism and Land Use.
9.4.81 For the assessment the Clackmannanshire Council Core Paths Plan (September 2010) was
reviewed (http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/document/2345.pdf). Also the Falkirk Council Core
Paths Plan (2010) was studied (http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/development/planning_and_
environment/outdoor_access/PDFs/core_path_docs/core_paths_plan.pdf ).
9.4.82 There is a potential for views towards the proposed wind energy development from core paths
in the Local Study Area, where much will depend on local circumstances including the extent to
which pathside vegetation and urban environment filter or obstruct views towards the site. In
general the same visibility pattern as for the roads applies to the core path network. Therefore
the overall visual effect to core paths is considered not to be significant.
9.4.83 Where the visual effect on the views will result in a significant change is on the core path
010/71 which runs alongside the coastline of the river Forth on its southern shore between
South Alloa and Dunmore village. Although the Ochil Hills provide a backcloth to the industrial
part of Alloa alongside the River Forth, to the south east the view opens over the River Forth
estuary with the Clackmannanshire Bridge on the close horizon with the lattice towers and
Longannet Power Station and the large number of pylons breaking the skyline.
9.4.84 Several core paths run on the northern shore of the River Forth on its floodplain close to the
site. The row of pylons runs alongside the northern coast of the river and crosses it next to
South Alloa. The low elevation of the potential receptors and close proximity to the pylons
results in views where the pylons break the skyline above the Ochil Hills and overhead
powerlines traverse the sky. The reduction in perceived scale and the number of pylons in the
view reduces the prominence of the turbines. The presence of the chimney stacks and pylons
ensures that the turbines are seen in a context where large-scale, man-made vertical elements
are an established feature of the baseline situation. The close proximity of views to the
turbines causes the high magnitude of the change.
9.4.85 The viewpoint VP8 - the A905 represents the view from Core Path 010/96 crossing the A905
towards Dunmore Home Farm. The magnitude of the visual effect is high in this section of the
path. However, the view experienced is not constant for the full length of the path as most of it
runs through the Dunmore Woods where no visual change would occur.
9.4.86 VP10 Path to Pineapple is taken at the core path 010/69 and represents ‘no change’ view.
This path runs just approximately one kilometre south of the core path 010/96.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 80
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