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

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Transportation issues are assessed in Chapter 12 of the ES. In Table 12.1 of this chapter it is confirmed that the minor Dipple Road would have bends widened, verges strengthened and tree branches trimmed in order to accommodate construction and delivery traffic. It is also stated in 12.4.20 that a temporary bridge and “some form of earth retaining structure will be required to retain the existing track at its closest location to the River Garnock”. Approximately 20km of new access tracks will be constructed. These tracks are described in paragraph 4.4.2 as being 5m wide, increasing at bends. Four borrow pits will be required and paragraph 4.4.5 refers to these being ‘significantly reduced after landscaping and reinstatement’. Restoration of verges is outlined in 4.5.10 where it is stated that ‘where applicable’ topsoil and turves will be stored and reused. There is no indication given in the ES that ongoing landscape restoration will be routinely undertaken. Paragraph 4.5.20 rather contradicts what is said in 4.5.10 as no mention is made of the reuse of turves. The LVIA only provides a very cursory appraisal of the effects of works to existing public roads and the construction of new access tracks. Although it is stated in paragraph 5.8.2 that new access tracks will….” climb up the prominent faces of the hill in full view of many of the viewpoints” , no assessment of the nature or significance of effects has been undertaken and no reference is made to the more specific works described in Chapter 12. In addition, the visualisation generated for Viewpoint 2 does not show the access tracks despite the close proximity of them in the foreground of this view. It is considered that widening works would be likely to have significant landscape and visual impacts on the character of the narrow rural lane of Dipple Road which is aligned by species-rich verges, hedgerows and occasional field trees. The construction of new access tracks and likely earth retention works on steep hill slopes close to the Garnock valley may also have significant landscape and visual impacts particularly given the sensitivity of this intimate and scenic ‘hill fringe’ area. These potential impacts have not be adequately assessed in the LVIA. Grid Connection Chapter 15 outlines options for the proposed grid connection, both requiring the construction of an overhead trident style wood pole line of between 11km and 16km length. There is no map reproduced in the ES to indicate the possible locations for grid connection. While it is appreciated that the grid connection will form a separate application, there are landscape and visual issues that need to be addressed. The accumulation of vertical infrastructure is characteristic of other parts of the ‘Rugged Moorland’ and ‘Broad Valley Lowland’ Landscape Character Types. Additional overhead lines could 59
contribute to this clutter of built features and further exacerbate the detractive aspects of this form of development, particularly where it may visually interact with nearby transmission lines and masts. Should the windfarm be consented it is recommended that grid connections are undergrounded. Decommissioning Paragraph 4.6.2 erroneously states that ‘windfarms can be easily and rapidly dismantled and the site restored, leaving no visible trace of its existence’. This statement takes no account of remaining access tracks and hardstandings. There are no proposals outlined in the ES for the removal of these elements. 60
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Landscape Capacity Study for Wind F
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CONTENTS 1. Background Page Introdu
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1. Background Introduction to the s
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1.11 The LUC capacity study informe
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landscape character. Sensitivity is
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Existing and proposed wind farm dev
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survey, professional assessment and
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2.29 It is also considered that the
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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
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Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Farm ... - North Ayrshire Council

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