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

The Upland Core
Description
4.12 This character area comprises the higher hills at the core of the uplands of
the CMRP. It also forms the most remote part of the upland area with no
roads and few tracks. Hills are generally more defined than elsewhere in the
upland area with distinct domed summits, occasionally ringed by a faint
tracing of crags and scree. The Hill of Stake and Misty Law are over 500m
high; this latter peak forming a particularly distinctive landmark in wider views
of the uplands from the east. A cluster of knolly peaks, centred on Irish Law
(484m), lie in the southern part of this character area and also feature on the
skyline in views from the west. Steep-sided narrow valleys cut into hill slopes
and some of these are dramatically rocky in places. Small lochans occur
within areas of slacker ground. Grass moorland is the predominant landcover
and the absence of field enclosures contributes to the simplicity and
openness of this landscape of open, sweeping summits and softly rolling
ridges. Some coniferous forestry is located on the eastern hill fringes and
there are also remnant policies at Muirshiel within the Calder valley.
Landscape Sensitivity
4.13 While the larger turbines of typologies (1+2) and the upper height band of (3)
could relate to the scale of this landscape, they would dominate and detract
from the more distinctive hills characteristic of this area. This area is also not
geographically extensive and large numbers of turbines would significantly
diminish the open expansiveness of the landscape. Although smaller
typologies would have less of an effect on landform and scale, all
development typologies would conflict with the simple, open and uncluttered
character and significantly diminish the integrity of this upland area. This
landscape forms a backdrop to the intimately scaled ‘Rolling Hill Fringes’ to
the east, contributing to the rich wider landscape composition between the
uplands and settled hill fringes. Wind farm development would dominate the
scale of these adjoining hill fringes and detract from the simple backdrop
provided by the hills. Wind farm development could also impact on the
containment of the adjacent ‘Loch Thom’ area, adversely affecting landscape
character. High sensitivity
Perceptual qualities and values
4.14 All development typologies would introduce built development into the more
intact core area of these uplands and would significantly affect the sense of
seclusion and wildness which is commonly experienced when walking within
this relatively unmodified core area of the CMRP. High sensitivity
Views and visibility
4.15 Views from this area are extensive and notably striking to the west and southwest
over the Firth of Clyde and focussing on the islands of Cumbrae, Bute
and Arran. A number of hills are popularly accessed by walkers including
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