Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
9.5.66 The magnitude of the visual effect of the proposed wind energy development is evaluated as
negligible from assessment viewpoint 22 (VP22 – Tomtain Hill). Therefore the cumulative
effect added by the Beauly-Denny transmission line is considered to have a negligible
magnitude. The landscape sensitivity from this viewpoint was evaluated as medium. The
cumulative effect is considered to be negligible and therefore not significant.
9.5.67 The cumulative effects of the Beauly-Denny replacement transmission line are not included in
the Statement of Significance as the precise location of pylons is not as yet available but the
expected distance between the pylons will be increased. Therefore the visualisation and the
significance of the effects remain speculative.
Conclusions
9.5.68 The assessment data of the cumulative magnitude and significance of the predicted visual
effect is presented in table 9.16. The outcome shows that the highest cumulative effects
appear in viewpoints closest to the proposed wind energy development while the viewpoints
which do not have any cumulative visual effect are also those that are closest to the proposed
wind energy development. This contradiction is conditional and dependant on the low
elevation of these viewpoints and the proposed wind energy development site. The low
elevation position on the floodplain of the River Forth establishes the high magnitude of the
predicted effect when the turbines are at a close range distance and the view is not restricted.
On the other hand the low level position of both the receptor and the proposed development
makes available efficient screening of views due to the slight undulation of the landform and
vegetation and intervening buildings.
9.5.69 The cumulative effect comes from the Group 3 wind energy developments on the Touch Hills
which are the closest to the viewpoints referred to. The high level position of the cumulative
wind energy development and the low level of the viewpoint, gives them more of a visual
prominence in comparison with the Forthbank wind energy development which sits in a low
river valley.
9.5.70 In visual terms it is considered that the potential for significant cumulative effects on residential
amenity to increase with the Forthbank wind energy development would occur in the closest
settlements such as Cowie, Alloa and Clackmannan.
9.5.71 Significant effects on the visual amenity of local residents may arise from the wind energy
developments individually but the potential for significant combined or successive cumulative
effects are considered to be limited given the different orientation and different topographical
levels of the developments as confirmed by field survey observations.
9.5.72 The cumulative visual effects on main roads would be confined to short sections of the A876
as it crosses the Clackmannanshire Bridge. The instances of experiencing cumulative effects
on roads would be limited by local topography, tree cover and intervening buildings.
9.5.73 This conclusion associated with these routes would be variable to the local path network and
National Cycle Routes within 2km. There would be several opportunities to see Group 3 -
Lowland Hills: Fintry, Gargunnock and Touch Hills wind energy developments and the
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 122
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