Draft National Wind Farm Development Guidelines - July 2010

C.3 Task Methodologies
C.3.1 Project Feasibility/site selection
Project feasibility and site selection directly relate to the preliminary landscape assessment
to identify any major constraints to the project in order for successful site selection and
project feasibility (i.e. substantial evidence whether the project is feasible given its location
in the landscape, size, siting and design).
The Preliminary Landscape Assessment will inform the project feasibility and site selection of
the wind farm development. The preliminary assessment is essentially for:
• data gathering such as maps, descriptive material, site visits and photographs,
relevant documented landscape assessment studies
• planning policy context, landscape protection policies and designated highly-valued
landscapes in the surrounding area, local authority consultation
• preliminary community consultation where possible
Based on the site inspection and local authority consultation, it may be concluded that:
• The project may be not feasible if the wind farm would be sited in a landscape that
has is highly sensitive or valued, or would result in a major change to the landscape’s
character. If the proposed site adjoins or is located on an area statutorily designated
as having landscape significance this may also reduce the project's feasibility.
• The project may be feasible if the wind farm would be sited in a landscape that has a
relatively ‘low sensitivity’ and not as highly-valued, or would result in only a minor
change to the landscape’s character The project may be feasible if the site is
located in an area in which no reference is made in statutory planning instruments to
significant landscapes.
The Preliminary Landscape Assessment should also consist of the following:
Undertake a site inspection to assess in a preliminary manner the extent to which the
character of the landscape would be changed by a wind farm, including:
• Considering the existing characteristics of the landscape (landform, waterform,
vegetation and land use) and its likely sensitivity to change (refer to Best Practice
Siting and Design Practice Note).
• Roughly estimating the extent of the likely ‘viewshed’ of the wind farm (refer to
Viewshed Mapping Practice Note, Section C.7.5).
• Assessing whether the change to the landscape’s character would be major,
moderate or minor.
• Gathering information regarding the community's relationship to the landscape.
This information may be already documented or may require discussion with
representatives of the authority. The relevant information includes:
• Whether there is large settlement nearby, and therefore potential for a large local
community interest to occur.
• Whether there has been any recent community concern about landscape protection
or impact of development on landscapes.
• The extent to which any impacts identified above might be perceived as negative by
elements in the local community.
• Any reports that might contain pertinent information about local community values in
relation to landscape.
Draft National Wind Farm Development Guidelines – 2 July 2010 Page 75