Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
9.5.51 The proposed turbines will appear in the view approximately 1km before crossing the bridge on
the A876 on the northern shore of the River Forth. More conspicuous in the view are
Craigengelt turbines positioned on a high level in comparison with the proposed turbines on
the low floodplain of the River Forth. The magnitude of the effect of the proposed wind energy
development to the A876 is considered medium in Table 9.6-1 in Appendix 9.6. The proposed
Forthbank wind energy development is assessed in the context of an environment where there
are existing operating wind energy developments such as Craigengelt and Earlsburn.
Therefore the additional effect of the proposed Forthbank turbines is considered to be medium
too. The Craigengelt turbines and the proposed turbines are both in the oblique view.
The A905
9.5.52 The A905 runs between Grangemouth and Stirling alongside the River Forth on its southern
shore floodplain. This route goes through small villages such as Airth and Fallin. The overall
magnitude of the visual effect on the A905 is considered to be minor. The view from the road is
transient, oblique and the proposed turbines are visible in their entire size only on a short
section of the A905.
9.5.53 According to the cumulative ZTV both operating wind energy developments Craigengelt and
Earlsburn would be visible from the A905. In reality both of them are screened by the
undulation of the landform and by the roadside vegetation. Therefore on the A905 the
cumulative effect would not occur.
9.5.54 The approved ASDA depot single turbine is located 9km to the south from the proposed wind
energy development. The cumulative ZTV indicates its visibility
9.5.55 It is considered that the cumulative sequential visual effects on the roads within the ZTV cover
in the study area to be not significant.
Cumulative effects of Beauly-Denny replacement transmission line
9.5.56 Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL) and Scottish Power Transmission Ltd
(SPTL) have gained consent to replace the existing 132 kilovolt (kV) electricity transmission
line from Beauly to Denny with a 400kV overhead line. The consent was granted by Scottish
Ministers on 6 January 2010. The Braco to Denny 30km section crosses the Allan Water and
A9 and runs across moorland on the Ochil Hills and the flat valley of the River Forth,
terminating at the new substation north-east of Denny.
(http://www.sse.com/SSEInternet/uploadedFiles/Media_Centre/Project_News/Beauly/BeaulyD
ennyBooklet.pdf).
9.5.57 The upgraded line will comprise approximately 600 towers, a quarter fewer than at present.
The average height will be 53 metres, compared to the current 815 towers of an average
height of 33 metres. The spacing between towers on the upgraded line will average 360
metres, compared to a current average spacing of 250 metres
(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/01/06141510).
9.5.58 The 400kV pylons will each be up to 53 to 66 metres in height, which means approximately
20m higher than the existing 132kV pylons.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 120
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