Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Viewpoint 10: Path Pineapple
Figure Number: VP-10 a Existing View; VP-10b Wireframe
Grid Reference NS 892 882 Elevation 15m AOD
Bearing 4º Direction of View: North
LCT: Lowland River Valley LCA: Carse of Forth
Distance to nearest 2.33km Cumulative visibility: None
Turbine:
Number of Hubs
4 Number of turbines with 4
theoretically visible:
blades theoretically visible:
Visual Effects:
Close range distance of 2.3km. All turbines are screened by the vegetation which runs along the Pineapple borders.
Slight blade movement would be perceivable through the vegetation in seasons when the trees do not have leaves.
Cumulative Effects:
The cumulative visibility is restricted by the Dunmore Woods which blocks all views towards the Gargunnock Hills
where there are operating wind energy developments such as Craigengelt and Earlsburn.
Magnitude of Change: Negligible
While the ZTV and wireline show that all four turbines are theoretically visible from this viewpoint, screening by
localised landform and tree cover reduces visibility to the turbines.
Nature of impact
Indirect/Neutral
Significance of Effect
Negligible to minor
Viewpoint 11: Airth Village
Figure Number: VP-11 a Existing View; VP-11b Wireframe
Grid Reference NS 902 878 Elevation 7m AOD
Bearing 345º Direction of View: North
LCT: Lowland River Valley LCA: Carse of Forth
Distance to nearest 2.7km Cumulative visibility: None
Turbine:
Number of Hubs
4 Number of turbines with 4
theoretically visible:
blades theoretically visible:
Visual Effects:
Close range distance of 3km. Three turbines are visible against the grand landmass of the Ochil Hills. Turbine no.3
remains behind turbine no.4 in this angle of the view giving an appearance of one vertical element. The turbine no.1
which is further away from the group of three therefore looks smaller in the view. The turbines do not break the skyline
above the Ochil Hills but would appear taller than the row of pylons which run alongside the River Forth’s northern
shore.
Cumulative Effects:
The cumulative visibility is restricted due to the low level position of the viewpoint which contains the views to the
outside. In this case Airth Castle Hill and Dunmore Hill with its Woods block all views towards the Gargunnock Hills
where there are operating wind energy developments such as Craigengelt and Earlsburn. In Airth village the views to
the outside are contained by its buildings.
Magnitude of Change: Medium
At a range of 2.7km to the nearest turbine they will still appear as largescale moving elements forming an eye catching
feature.
Turbines are viewed within the context of the industrial elements which have already extensively altered the landscape.
Despite the accumulation of the industrialisation the strong contrast of the low flat river valley landscape and the
landmass of the Ochil Hills reduces the scale of vertical elements added to the landscape.
The containment well below the skyline also helps to reduce the perceived scale of the turbines.
Nature of impact
Direct
Significance of Effect
Moderate
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 88
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