Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
No. Wind energy development Status Direction
from the
Forthbank
Distance to
Forthbank
(approx.)
No. of
turbines
Group 6 - Uplands: North West Pentlands Fringe
11 Pates Hill Approved South 36km 7 110
12 Tormywheel Approved South 35km 15 100
17 Blacklaw Extension Application South 36km 21 127
Group 7 –Coastal Flats/Cullaloe Hills/Lowland Valley Fringes – Dunfermline
15 FMC Technologies, Fife Approved East 22km 1 100
10 Little Raith Approved East 30km 9 100
77 Westfield Application North-East 32km 5 110
Height
to tip
(m)
9.5.33 In the Appendix 9.10 the potential visual effect of the individual cumulative wind energy
developments in groups are assessed within 35km.
9.5.34 The assessment considers the potential for cumulative effects within a 35km radius from the
centre of the proposed site. The theoretical cumulative ZTV comprises those parts of the
35km ZTVs for the other wind energy developments which overlap with the 35km ZTV for
Forthbank. In theory the extent of the ZTVs’ overlap is in correlation with the magnitude of the
predicted effect. To test the statement in turn the individual cumulative ZTVs were overlapped
by the viewpoint locations plan. All twenty two viewpoints appeared within the ZTVs overlap
zone at least in the case of three wind energy developments. Therefore the third key variable
which is introduced is the potential visibility of the individual wind energy development from the
representative viewpoints.
9.5.35 The magnitude of the predicted effect according to the number of viewpoints within the
individual wind energy development’s CZTV is collated with the visibility data from the certain
viewpoint where the assessment draws retrospectively in the field study experiences and the
viewpoints’ studies.
9.5.36 Table 9.9-1 in Appendix 9.9 shows the distances from viewpoints for every installed, approved,
on application and scoping wind energy development within the 35km study area. The table
also highlights the viewpoints which fall within the ZTVs’ overlap zone of the proposed and
cumulative wind energy development.
9.5.37 The number of wind energy developments presented in cumulative views and their distance is
used as an indicator of the magnitude of the overall cumulative visual effect. The significance
of the overall combined and successive cumulative impacts is evaluated by reference to the
following assessment in Appendix 9.10 and the results are presented in Table 9.15.
Table 9.15 Significance of Cumulative Effect within 35km
No. Wind energy development Magnitude of change Significance of Effect
Group 1 - Lowland Hills: Ochil Hills
2 Greenknowes low negligible
8 Burnfoot Hill low negligible
9 Lochelbank negligible negligible
Group 2 – Lowland Hills: Knaik Hills
1 Braes of Doune high major
21 Standingfauld (formerly Greenbog) negligible negligible
Group 3 - Lowland Hills: Fintry, Gargunnock and Touch Hills
4 Earlsburn high Major/moderate
7 Craigengelt high major
13 Earlsburn North medium minor
16 Muirpark high major
Group 4 - Lowland Plateaux
3 Greendykeside negligible negligible
6 Braiden Hill negligible negligible
14 AG Barr Factory, Lanarkshire negligible negligible
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 103
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