Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
• cumulative effects of multiple wind farms, leading to the feeling that an area has
been over developed with wind farms.
15.4.34 During de-commissioning the application area will be reinstated as approved by the
appropriate authority and relevant statutory consultees. Employment opportunities will arise
during the de-commissioning process. There may be short-term adverse effects on informal
access to the application area for recreational purposes during the de-commissioning phase
with regard to walkers, equestrians, and cyclists. Public access may be temporarily restricted
during this period, however access will be fully restored following the de-commissioning period.
Assessment of Effects
Tourism and Public Opinions
15.4.35 Table 15.7 summarises the results of five tourism surveys on wind farms and the Scottish
landscape. It is acknowledged that the different methodologies used, and different reasons for
carrying out the surveys have resulted in surveys not being conducted on a like-for-like basis.
Some of the surveys are also now several years old, which could impact upon their relevance
now wind farms are a more common feature in the landscape, and the impacts of climate
change and benefits of renewable energy are more widely accepted by the general public.
However, the range of surveys does provide an indication of tourist opinions. The March 2008
Scottish Government survey was carried out in connection with SPP6 (now superseded by
Scottish Planning Policy) and is the most recent and comprehensive of these surveys.
Table 15.7 Summary of Surveys on Tourist Opinions of Wind Farms
Title Date Prepared for Prepared by Method Key Points
The Visitor Dec
Experience 2008
The economic
impacts of
wind farms on
Scottish
tourism
The Visitor
Experience
Tourist
Attitudes
towards Wind
Farms
Mar
2008
VisitScotland Harris Interactive Visitors recruited whilst
on holiday then telephone
interview once returned
home. Number surveyed
not specified.
The Scottish
Government
Glasgow
Caledonian
University,
Moffat Centre
and Cogentsi
November 2010 Chapter 15 Page 17
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©
GIS studies, interceptor
surveys (380 people),
internet based UK and
US studies (800 people)
and economic
assessment.
2005 VisitScotland Harris Interactive Visitors recruited whilst
on holiday then telephone
interview once returned
home. Number surveyed
not specified.
Sep
2002
Scottish
Renewables
Forum and
British Wind
Energy
Association
MORI
307 tourists interviewed in
Argyll and Bute.
Principal highlight is
scenery and beautiful
landscapes (24% of those
surveyed).
From interceptor study:
75% felt wind farms had a
positive or neutral effect
on the landscape. 68%
agreed with the
statement, 'a well sited
wind farm does not ruin
the landscape'.
92% say scenery is
important in their choice
of Scotland as a holiday
destination.
Tourism and wind energy
can happily co-exist. Of
the 40% of tourists aware
of wind farms, 86% felt
their presence had a
positive or neutral effect,
8% felt it had a negative
effect, and 6% didn't
know. When asked
whether the presence of
wind farms in Argyll made
any difference to the
likelihood of
them visiting the area, the
majority, (91%),