Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
9.2.3 A plan within the Scoping Report of July 2012 illustrating a preliminary zone of theoretical
visibility (ZTV) based on a 130m blade tip height for a 14 turbine scheme and 25 candidate
viewpoint locations provided the basis for the consultation. The assessment has
subsequently been based on a maximum 132m high turbine as a worst case scenario
discussed further in Chapter 4. SNH suggested new viewpoints at Harburn House, Five
Sister’s West Calder, and the B8084 south of Armadale. SNH also suggested replacing the
viewpoint at East Cairn Hill for West Cairn Hill and replacing Dechmont Low with Howden
House Livingston. WLC was content with the choice of viewpoints.
9.2.4 A final list of 26 candidate viewpoints was established following the consultation process. The
locations were visited and photography undertaken to establish their relevance within the
assessment process.
9.2.5 Other specific issues raised by SNH include:
• Consideration should be given during the design phase to existing, consented and
planned wind farms in the vicinity.
9.2.6 This LVIA addresses the main issues of concern raised by WLC, as determining authority,
and statutory consultees during the pre-application consultations.
9.2.7 There has been ongoing public consultation on the emerging design of the proposed wind
farm through public exhibitions, local meetings and meetings with individual local residents.
Published Guidance
9.2.8 As a matter of best practice, this assessment has been undertaken based on published
guidance on landscape and visual assessment. This includes:
• Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment
(2002) Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 2 nd Edition;
• Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage (2002) Landscape Character
Assessment – Guidance for England and Scotland;
• Landscape Institute, Advice Note 01/11 Photography and Photomontage in
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment.
9.2.9 There is also a range of best practice guidance specifically for the assessment of wind farms.
The following documents, amongst others, have been taken into consideration:
• Scottish Natural Heritage, Visual Representation of Wind Farms: Good Practice
Guidance (dated 2006, published 2007);
• Scottish Natural Heritage, Assessing the Cumulative Impacts of Onshore Wind
Energy Developments, (March 2012);
• Scottish Natural Heritage, Siting and Designing Windfarms in the Landscape (Dec.
2009);
• Scottish Natural Heritage, The Special Qualities of the National Scenic Areas (2010);
• ASH Consulting Group, (1998), The Lothians Landscape Character Assessment,
Scottish Natural Heritage Review No. 91;
• Scottish Government web-based renewables advice (superseded PAN 45);
• PAN 68 – Design Statements;
March 2013 9-2 ES Chapter 9
Landscape and Visual
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