Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Farm ... - North Ayrshire Council

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within the Kelburn Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI) report (2008) are the most useful, being the most up to date in terms of current proposals and clearly produced. A limited selection of visualisations from the Kelburn Wind Farm SEI has been reproduced to illustrate the key landscape and visual issues highlighted in the capacity study. Although the Leapmoor proposal has been withdrawn and the Waterhead Moor proposal altered since the time of survey, a number of key sensitivity issues are highlighted through analysis of the general location of these developments and it therefore remains valid to consider them as theoretical case studies within the cumulative assessment. Assessment of landscape sensitivity 2.19 The assessment uses landscape character areas as a basis for the landscape sensitivity assessment and makes judgements of the sensitivity of each character area to wind energy development by assessing potential effects on key characteristics sensitive to such development (in its various forms). The method separates out physical landscape qualities and perceptual qualities associated with the experience of that landscape. It therefore allows judgements on each criterion to be made explicit. The assessment involved the following tasks: Assessment of Sensitivity to Wind Energy Development 2.20 Field survey was undertaken by two professional landscape architects, experienced in the assessment of both wind farm development and the process of landscape character and capacity assessment, using a checklist from key viewpoints to record sensitivity to the development typologies against the following criteria: � Landform and scale � Landscape pattern and foci � Settlement and built features � Landscape context (effect on sensitivity from other landscape character areas in view including assessment of wider landscape composition) � Perceptual qualities associated with the landscape including the sense of remoteness and naturalness likely to be experienced 2.21 In terms of assessing the potential effects of wind farm development on key characteristics, judgements were generally made on turbine height first. The potential effect of the number of turbines was then assessed by gauging the geographical area that would be covered and considering how the ‘extent’ of development would relate to scale, landform, settlement and landscape pattern. The visualisations produced within the Environmental Statements for proposed wind farm developments within the study area (which varied greatly in the number of turbines, although less so in their height) were found to be useful in informing the assessment. 2.22 The assessment of landscape sensitivity considers the degree and nature of change on key characteristics, gauged through a combination of analytical 11
survey, professional assessment and judgements. A five point rating scale was used to judge sensitivity as follows: Table 2: Definitions of Landscape Sensitivity Ratings Low sensitivity Key characteristics of landscape are robust and able to accommodate development without significant character change; wind energy development relates to character. Low – medium sensitivity Key characteristics of landscape are resilient and are able to accommodate development in some situations without significant character change. Many aspects of wind energy development relate to landscape character. Medium sensitivity Key characteristics of landscape are vulnerable but with some ability to accommodate development in limited situations without significant character change; wind energy development relates to some aspects of landscape character. Medium – high sensitivity Key characteristics of landscape are sensitive and development can only be accommodated in very limited situations without significant character change. Wind energy development relates to only a few aspects of landscape character and some significant landscape impacts are likely to occur on key characteristics. High sensitivity Key characteristics of landscape are fragile and are unable to accommodate development without significant character change. Wind energy development conflicts the majority of the key aspects of landscape character and widespread significant landscape impacts would arise. Views and visibility analysis 2.23 The assessment of potential effects on views and visibility was based on assessment work undertaken in the field, using relevant visualisations from ES of proposed wind farms to demonstrate particular issues. This assessment considers views and visibility both within landscape character areas and from the wider study area to the character area. It involved an appraisal of the following: � How the landscape is experienced, whether from roads, footpaths within settlements or from the sea � Key views from within each character area, including a description of their nature and composition and the wider context ie) views of focal features outwith the character area � Potential skyline effects and the landscape context in terms of considering views of the character area located within North Ayrshire but seen from the wider study area. Potential visibility from individual properties was not considered in the assessment. 12
Page 1 and 2: Landscape Capacity Study for Wind F
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS 1. Background Page Introdu
Page 5 and 6: 1. Background Introduction to the s
Page 7 and 8: 1.11 The LUC capacity study informe
Page 9 and 10: landscape character. Sensitivity is
Page 11: Existing and proposed wind farm dev
Page 15 and 16: 2.29 It is also considered that the
Page 17 and 18: 1 2 3 D Existing and Consented Wind
Page 19 and 20: 3.5 Visual sensitivity was calculat
Page 21 and 22: Raised Beach Coast Intimate Pastora
Page 23 and 24: 4. Sensitivity Assessment Loch Thom
Page 25 and 26: Duchal Moor Description 4.7 This ch
Page 27 and 28: The Upland Core Description 4.12 Th
Page 29 and 30: The Blaeloch and Crosbie Hills area
Page 31 and 32: cumulative landscape and visual imp
Page 33 and 34: Extensions (5) located on southern
Page 35 and 36: the containment provided by the upl
Page 37 and 38: Rolling Hill Fringes Description 4.
Page 39 and 40: 5. Cumulative Effects Introduction
Page 41 and 42: 5.9 The uplands which form the core
Page 43 and 44: e developed, there would only be ve
Page 45 and 46: North Ayrshire Landscape and Visual
Page 47 and 48: North Ayrshire Landscape and Visual
Page 49 and 50: 6. Conclusions on capacity Summary
Page 51 and 52: 6.10 With regard to current wind fa
Page 53: periphery of the site. The distinct
Page 56 and 57: Appendix A: References Ayrshire Joi
Page 58 and 59: Appendix B: Review of specific wind
Page 60 and 61: and would appear to diminish the pe
Page 62 and 63:
The proposal would have significant
Page 64 and 65:
Background This report on the lands
Page 66 and 67:
the ‘Rugged Moorland with Hills a
Page 68 and 69:
e expected. A number of golf course
Page 70 and 71:
Transportation issues are assessed
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Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Farm ... - North Ayrshire Council

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