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

e developed, there would only be very short sections of open skyline visible
between all the wind farms with the ‘string’ of turbines reflecting the linear
pattern of coastal development and thus diminishing the contrast, backdrop
and landscape setting provided by the presently predominantly open uplands.
Views from the ‘Raised Beach Coast’ character area
5.17 Views of existing wind farms are largely restricted from the ‘Raised Beach
Coast’ landscape character area although the Ardrossan wind farm is visible
from the West Kilbride area and there are views of both Wardlaw Wood and
Ardrossan from the Goldenberry Hill promontory near Hunterston.
5.18 Following review of cumulative ZTVs in a number of ES, it is concluded that
the Kaim Hill, Waterhead Moor and Inverkip proposals are likely to be visible
from a considerable extent of the ‘Raised Beach Coast’. A small number of
turbines of the consented Kelburn wind farm may also be visible from some
parts of this area. All these proposals and the existing Ardrossan and
Wardlaw Wood wind farms would be visible simultaneously and sequentially
from roads and settlements within the coastal fringe. However the
significance of the cumulative impacts will be dependant on the context of
views and landscape character and the prominence of the wind farm in view.
The Goldenberry Hill promontory will be most affected by simultaneous views
of part of the Kelburn and Millour Hill proposals seen together with the
existing Wardlaw Wood and Ardrossan wind farms (Millour Hill ES, Figures
8.26 and 8.29). This is not a particularly well-populated area and it is already
influenced by industrial development at Hunterston. The uplands are also less
pronounced when viewed from this area and the presence of existing wind
farm development further reduces sensitivity.
5.19 The proposed Kaim Hill wind farm would be highly visible from parts of the
‘Raised Beach Coast’ with views from open esplanades, marinas and
promontories likely to be most affected. While the Firth of Clyde and islands
form the key focus of views, multiple developments seen on the skyline would
be dominant and would adversely affect the setting that the hills provide to
this settled coastal fringe. This proposal may be simultaneously visible with
the Waterhead Moor proposal in the Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay area while
both Kelburn and Kaim Hill may be visible from the open esplanades of Largs
and Fairlie, although the Kaim Hill turbines would be notably more prominent
in these views.
Views from within the uplands
5.20 Views from both roads and summits within the upland area were considered
in our assessment. These included the A760 which cuts through the uplands
between Kelburn and the junction with the B784 and from the minor roads
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