Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
15.4.30 As throughout Scotland, golf is an attraction, though there are no sites within approximately
3km of the application area. The nearest are approximately 3km to the northeast (Alloa Golf
Club at Sauchie) and 3km to the northwest (Braehead Golf Club, Cambus, Tullibody). Both
are located in wooded parkland, with much vegetation screening.
Potential Effects Arising
15.4.31 The potential effects on tourism that could arise from a wind energy development, without
appropriate mitigation, could result in some tourists being discouraged from visiting the area,
which could have adverse economic consequences. However, positive impacts could also
arise.
15.4.32 The construction period for the proposed wind energy development is estimated as six months.
During this period construction operations have the potential to affect the following:
• diversion of pathways, leading to reduced enjoyment of walking in the area;
• changes in views during construction, leading to changed experience of tourists and
users of the area;
• abnormal load movement could disrupt traffic and affect tourists; and
• increased demand on accommodation for construction workers could limit
availability for visitors.
15.4.33 The proposed operational period for the wind energy development is 25 years. Potential
effects on tourism and recreation are both positive and negative:
• increase in tourism directly due to the proposed wind energy development being
seen as an attraction;
• encouragement of tourists to stop and explore the area as the proposed wind
energy development serves as a local landmark;
• landscape and visual effects, affecting visitors’ enjoyment of the scenery;
• routes of informal pathways and rights of way will run through and close to the
proposed wind energy development, leading to potentially reduced enjoyment of
walking in the area;
• effects on tourist routes, affecting some visitors’ enjoyment of their journey by
alterations in views;
• local temporary access diversions to facilitate routine operational and emergency
maintenance requirements;
• effects on tourist facilities, affecting some visitors’ enjoyment of their stay or visit to
that facility, such as by impacting on their views from the facility; and
November 2010 Chapter 15 Page 16
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