Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
• brown hare (UK, Scottish, Falkirk, Stirling);
• common toad (UK); and
• roe deer (Scottish).
Existing Land Use and Local Land Use Context
11.3.24 The application area is located to the south of Alloa and is situated on the north shore of the
Inner Forth Estuary (upstream of the Kincardine and Clackmannanshire Bridges) (see Figure
1.1. Site Location Plan).
11.3.25 Given its lowland, coastal location, the site lies within the characteristically wide, open
floodplain of the lower reaches of the River Forth catchment where the predominant land use
in the wider area surrounding the site is arable farming. The south eastern site of the
application area is situated on a former landfill site as discussed in Chapter 1 (Introduction)
which was capped on de-commissioning and has since been colonised by grassland and
associated flowering plants (see habitat descriptions below).
11.3.26 The western end of the application area is located on the south-eastern periphery of Alloa.
Immediately south of the site is the Forth Estuary. Due to the depth of the channel at this
location and the presence of the two bridges approximately 3km downstream, this part of the
estuary is not accessible to any large ships and is rarely navigated by small craft.
11.3.27 The eastern boundary of the application area is marked by the lower, tidal reaches of the River
Black Devon. This is a minor watercourse and is not a commercially or industrially used
waterway. Beyond the river is a flat, open area of arable fields.
11.3.28 Finally, to the north of the application area is an area of open grassland amongst which lie
three freshwater and slightly brackish lagoons which are part of the Clackmannanshire Council
managed Black Devon Wetland Wildlife Site. These wetlands which have been created and
enhanced over the last 10-15 years through local biodiversity initiatives are primarily of
importance for waterfowl. As such, this site is the focus of potential future management
interest from RSPB as stated in the summary of consultation responses (Table 11.1).
Field Survey Results
Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey
11.3.29 The following provides summary descriptions of the habitats found within and immediately
surrounding the application area. Figure 11.4 presents a Phase 1 Habitat Map of the site
which illustrates the dominant habitat types within and immediately adjacent to the application
area. It also identifies the location of key ecological features of interest via a series of target
notes, descriptions for which are provided in the following text and within “Other Legally
Protected or Invasive Species” section below. This map has been produced from information
collected during the Phase 1 Habitat Survey with updates from subsequent ecological site
visits (e.g. protected species surveys).
November 2010 Chapter 11 Page 20
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