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

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would have an adverse impact on the scenic wider landscape composition that the simple, open backdrop of hills provides to this diverse farmed landscape. High sensitivity 33
5. Cumulative Effects Introduction 5.1 The consideration of potential cumulative effects of wind farm development within the priority area has been informed by review of existing visualisations and computer visibility mapping contained within the Environmental Statements for a number of proposed wind farm developments within the study area. Wind farm proposals considered in the assessment are listed in Section 2.15, Table 1. The visualisations have been used to demonstrate key sensitivities associated with the general location of wind farm developments and although some proposals have been withdrawn or altered since the time of survey, they have provided valuable ‘case study’ material for the assessment of cumulative effects. Potential cumulative landscape and visual issues have been principally identified on the analysis of key views to and from the uplands which form the core of the study area. Existing wind farm development 5.2 The existing wind farms of Ardrossan and Wardlaw Wood lie within the phase one study area and form part of the baseline landscape and visual character. The Kelburn wind farm has recently been consented and for the purposes of this study, it is assumed that it has been constructed. 5.3 The Ardrossan wind farm comprises 12 turbines of 100m height to blade tip. An extension of 3 further turbines to this wind farm has recently been constructed. This wind farm is sited within an area of low hills against the coast which lie between Ardrossan and West Kilbride. It has a relatively tightly clustered layout and is partially contained by the Knockewart Hills to the north and further separated from the Wardlaw Wood and Kelburn wind farms by the Crosbie hills. In views from the west and south, this wind farm is visually associated with the lower hills which taper down from the higher uplands to the north. It is also visually associated with the more settled coastal edge, and in views from Great Cumbrae, it is seen in the context of industrial development at Hunterston. This wind farm is generally successful in its location and design presenting a compact integrated grouping of turbines in most views although more cluttered views occur to the north of West Kilbride where turbines visually interact with transmission lines. 5.4 The Wardlaw wind farm comprises 6 turbines, measuring 125m height to blade tip. This wind farm is sited at the eastern end of a gently undulating upland area which appears as a broad ridge when viewed from Kaim Hill and from the A760. It lies some 3km to the north-east of the Ardrossan wind farm. Turbines are set out on a relatively widely spaced grid layout and in some key views from the south-east this results in visual ‘stacking’ of turbines with 34
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 and 12: Existing and proposed wind farm dev
Page 13 and 14: survey, professional assessment and
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: Rolling Hill Fringes Description 4.
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

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

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