Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Viewpoint 2: Kennet Pans PFP
Figure Number: VP-2 a Existing View; VP-2b Wireframe
Grid Reference NS 915 895 Elevation 1m AOD
Bearing 305º Direction of View: north west
LCT: Coastal Margins LCA: Kincardine Coastal Flats
Distance to nearest
Turbine:
2.01km Cumulative visibility: Craigengelt WF
Earlsburn WF
Number of Hubs
4 Number of turbines with 4
theoretically visible:
blades theoretically visible:
Visual Effects:
All four turbines will be readily visible from a close range distance of 2km. All turbines are visible in their full height and
break the skyline above the Lowland Knaik Hills. Turbines will appear as large scale elements within the floodplain of
the River Forth. On the right side of Forthbank turbines the 380kV Forth Crossing pylons break the skyline above the
Ochil Hills.
Cumulative Effects:
In a 90 degree view 7 turbines of the Craigengelt wind energy development are visible on top of the Craigengelt Hill,
rising above the skyline.
Earlsburn wind energy development’s blade tips above the Touch Hills ridge are barely perceptible.
Magnitude of Change: High
The hubs and blades of the Forthbank wind energy development will be seen above the skyline and the movement of
their blades will add to their prominence.
The perceived scale of the turbines will be less than their actual scale in this view. This is on account of the turbines
appearing to be located at a similar range to the pylons, while in fact they are located at a slightly more distant range.
As a result this makes the scale of the turbines appear comparable with the scale of the chimney stacks and pylons,
when in actual fact the turbines are bigger. This 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. In this view the pylons remain the
dominating features.
Nature of impact
Direct
Significance of Effect
Major to moderate
Viewpoint 3: Clackmannan Public Park
Figure Number: VP-3 a Existing View; VP-3b Wireframe; VP3-c Photomontage
Grid Reference NS 911 916 Elevation 30m AOD
Bearing 255º Direction of View: west
LCT: Lowland River Valley LCA: Carse of Forth
Distance to nearest
Turbine:
1.60km Cumulative visibility: Craigengelt WF
Earlsburn WF
Number of Hubs
4 Number of turbines with 4
theoretically visible:
blades theoretically visible:
Visual Effects:
All four turbines will be readily visible from the relatively close range distance of 1.5km with the Lowland Hills in the
background. The hubs and blades will be seen above the skyline and the movement of their blades will add to their
prominence. Their blades would break the skyline above the Lowland Hills which form the skyline of this view.
Cumulative Effects:
Craigengelt wind energy development is clearly visible on the Craigengelt Hill between the proposed turbines number
1 and number.2.
Earlsburn wind energy development’s blades are barely perceptible above the Touch Hills’ ridge.
Magnitude of Change: High
In this view the turbines dominate, rather than the pylons. The turbines appear on the landscape as new vertical
architectural structures. They will appear as large scale elements within the River Forth valley landscape. The layout of
turbines is such that turbine no.1 is at an approximately 800m distance from the others.
The presence of the Alloa Works’ 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. These existing elements
surround the turbines on either side, so that the turbines are not extending the influence of this type of development in
any direction.
Nature of impact
Direct
Significance of Effect
Major to moderate
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 83
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