Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Viewpoint 22: Tomtain Hill
Figure Number: VP-22 a Existing View; VP-22b Wireframe
Grid Reference NS 722 814 Elevation 438m AOD
Bearing 299º Direction of View: North east
LCT: Lowland Hills LCU: Kilsyth Hills
Distance to nearest
proposed turbine:
19.45km
Existing Cumulative
visibility:
Braes of Doune
Craigengelt WF
Earlsburn WF
Greendykeside
4
Number of Hubs
4 Number of turbines with
theoretically visible:
blades theoretically visible:
Visual Effects:
The visual effect caused by the proposed wind energy development is barely perceptible due to distance.
Cumulative Effects:
Craigengelt’s turbines are direct in the view to the north at a distance of 5km. Braes of Doune wind energy
development’s layout is clearly visible behind Craigengelt at a 29.3km distance.
Some blades of Earlsburn wind energy development break the skyline, otherwise all turbines and blades are seen
against the backdrop of the Lowland Hills’ landmass.
Greendykeside’s two turbines rise above the Lowland Plateaux landscape in the south. At a 14.3km distance they are
clearly visible elements in the landscape.
The Beauly- Denny transmission line would potentially be seen from this viewpoint because the view is orientated to
the east where the Beuly-Denny transmission line would run between Cowie and Denny. These 400kV pylons would
be not perceivable at the distance of 12km beyond Denny’s built up area.
Magnitude of Change: Negligible
Nature of impact
Significance of Effect
Indirect/Neutral
Negligible
9.4.94 Table 9.7-1 in Appendix 9.7 lists the viewpoints and summarises the assessment information
of all 22 viewpoints.
9.5 Cumulative Effects
Introduction
9.5.1 The purpose of the cumulative assessment is to ascertain how the addition of proposed
Forthbank wind energy development will contribute to the cumulative effects of wind energy
developments on the landscape and visual resource within the study area.
9.5.2 Cumulative effects may arise where a landscape character receptor or view is affected by
more than one wind energy development, which occurs where the study areas for two or more
wind energy developments overlap so that they are experienced at proximity where they may
have an incremental effect.
9.5.3 Three types of cumulative visual impact are considered in the assessment: combined,
successive and sequential (Guidance taken from Cumulative Effect of Wind energy
developments, Scottish Natural Heritage, issued 13/04/051). Combined and successive
impacts are from static viewpoints, whereas sequential impacts relate to viewers who are
moving.
• Combined effects occur where a static observer is able to see two or more
developments from one viewpoint within the observer’s arc of vision at the same
time.
• Successive effects occur where two or more wind energy developments may be
seen from a static viewpoint but the observer has to turn to see them.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 96
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©