Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
9.4.87 VP20 Clackmannanshire Bridge represents the view from the core path 010/100. The
magnitude of the change is considered to be medium as the closeness to the heavy traffic and
the presence of an amount of industrial elements on the surrounding landscape reduces the
magnitude of the change.
9.4.88 There are several core paths going up to the Ochil Hills. The core path No 55 in Alva Glen
affords views through the glen towards the River Forth on several levels. The proposed
turbines would be visible rising above the floodplain of the River Forth. The turbines will
appear well below the skyline when seen from this elevated receptor. The elevation of the
landscape is such that much of it rises above the proposed wind energy development and this
gives it less visual importance, and therefore less influence. The turbines have less vertical
impact in this situation, and this is further reduced by the containment of the turbines below the
skyline. Alloa’s built up area spreads over the middle ground of the view reducing the impact of
the proposed wind energy development. The presence of a large number of industrial units
alongside the River Forth shoreline reduces the unfamiliarity of proposed turbines within this
open flat river valley landscape. It is notable that the wind energy development will not
introduce an entirely new influence into the view. The magnitude of change is considered to be
low because the proposed wind energy development appears in the view only at certain points
on the way while not being in the view for the full duration of the path.
9.4.89 VP16 Dumyat represents a similar case to the one as previously described for core path no.55.
The core path 907Lg/02 runs to the top of the Dumyat Hill Memorial. The overall magnitude of
the change is considered low, less than in the representative Viewpoint 16 – Dumyat, because
the proposed wind energy development would not be visible for the full length of the path while
on the path’s higher level the eye is drawn towards objects which are on an equal or higher
level. Panoramic views of almost 360 degrees can be seen from the higher levels of the path
and therefore within this range the magnitude of the expected visual effect of the proposed
wind energy development is minimised.
Assessment of Effects on Representative Viewpoints
9.4.90 In section 9.3 section ‘Representative Viewpoints’ the first step in the assessment of effects on
the representative viewpoints was taken through the evaluation of the existing view, the
receptor type, the visibility of the proposal site, all visual detractors and potential constraints
which guided the evaluation of the level of sensitivity of each viewpoint.
9.4.91 The following viewpoint assessment informs and illustrates the visual effects on landscape
character and the expected magnitude of change on views. The level of significance of each
viewpoint is evaluated as a combination of the categories defined in Table 9.6 ‘Categories for
Significance of Effect’ which have guided the judgement of the significance of the effect.
9.4.92 The requirements for photomontages for viewpoints within 15km are set out in SNH guidance
Visual Representation of Windfarms (2007 which states that "their production will usually be of
most value for views within 15km of a windfarm site". Photomontages are produced for almost
all sensitive (higher number of visitors) and important viewpoints as follows:
• Viewpoint 3: Clackmannan Public Park
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 81
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©