Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
9 Landscape and Visual
9.1 Introduction and Overview
9.1.1 This chapter identifies the existing character and features of the landscape, as well as the
existing visual resources of the surrounding area. It details the changes that may result as a
consequence of construction of the proposed wind farm and considers the potential
significance of effects arising as a result.
9.1.2 The key elements of the proposed wind farm likely to result in effects on the receiving
landscape include construction and operation of wind turbines and associated structures,
buildings and access tracks and the felling of trees on Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS)
land. These elements may also affect sensitive visual receptors in the area.
9.1.3 There is a clear distinction between effects on landscape resources and visual effects.
Landscape receptors include physical elements, features and characteristics, or areas
defined by a designation, which may be affected by the proposal. Visual receptors include the
public or community at large, residents and visitors to the area. The effect on the setting of
historic monuments (including Listed Buildings) is considered in Chapter 10: Cultural
Heritage and Archaeology, of this ES.
9.1.4 The significance of effect on a receptor can be established by identifying the sensitivity of the
receptor to change, in combination with the magnitude of change that would occur as a result
of the proposed wind farm. Within this chapter, effects are defined as 'significant' in EIA
terms.
9.1.5 A description of the proposed wind farm is provided in Chapters 3 and 4 of this ES.
9.1.6 The planning policy overview for the proposed wind farm is set out in Chapter 5 of the ES.
Relevant landscape and visual guidance and policy are detailed below in section 9.2.
9.2 Methodology
Study Area
9.2.1 The study area for the proposed wind farm is defined by a 35 km radius from the closest wind
turbine (see Figure 9.1), as recommended for wind turbines over 100m, as set out in ‘Visual
Representation of Windfarms’, Good Practice Guidance, Scottish Natural Heritage (2007). It
measures approximately 12,100 square kilometres incorporating several council regions
within Scotland. Although the proposals would theoretically be visible over greater distances
in periods of very good visibility, it was considered unnecessary to extend the study further
because at 35 km the limit (acuity) of the human eye is being approached.
Consultation
9.2.2 Before the submission of the proposed wind farm application, consultation was carried out
with West Lothian Council (WLC), South Lanarkshire Council (SL), North Lanarkshire Council
(NL), Scottish Borders Council (SB), Midlothian Council (ML) Falkirk Council (FK), City of
Edinburgh (CE), Perth and Kinross Council (PK), Fife (F) and Scottish Natural Heritage
(SNH) in order to determine sensitive receptors, representative viewpoints and cumulative
wind farm developments.
March 2013 9-1 ES Chapter 9
Landscape and Visual
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