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Camilty Wind Farm
Significance of Effects
9.2.64 With regard to significance’ the GLVIA states the following:
“Significance is not absolute and can only be defined in relation to each development and
its location. It is for each assessment to determine the assessment criteria and the
significance thresholds, using informed and well-reasoned judgement supported by
thorough justification for their selection and explanation as to how the conclusions about
significance for each effect assessed have been derived.” (GLVIA 2nd Ed, para 7.38,
p92).
9.2.65 Significance of landscape and visual effects are derived from magnitude of change and
sensitivity. The GLVIA notes that:
“The two principal criteria determining significance are the scale or magnitude of effect
and the environmental sensitivity of the location or receptor. A higher level of
significance is generally attached to large-scale effects and effects on sensitive or highvalue
receptors; thus small effects on highly sensitive sites can be more important than
large effects on less sensitive sites. It is therefore important that a balanced and wellreasoned
judgement of these two criteria is achieved” (para 7.39).
“Thus significance cannot be defined in any context independent of the proposal under
consideration and in its geographical context. That is, significance is unique for each
proposal…” Box 7.3 of the GLVIA.
“In the context of EIA ‘significance’ varies with the type of project and the topic under
assessment, in the assessment of landscape and visual effects “…the assessor must
clearly define the criteria used in the assessment for each project using his or her skill
based on professional judgement” (para 7.42).
Table 9.7 Landscape and Visual Effects: Significance Criteria
Significance
of Effects
Landscape Resource
Visual Resource / Amenity
Substantial
Major
Where the proposed changes would be
uncharacteristic and would compromise the
integrity of a landscape or objectives of a
designation.
Where the proposed changes would be
uncharacteristic and/or would significantly
alter a valued aspect of landscape
character
Where the proposed changes would form
the dominant feature to which other
elements become subordinate, markedly
affecting and substantially changing the
overall character of the scene.
Where the proposed changes would be
uncharacteristic and/or would significantly
alter a valued view or a view of high scenic
quality.
Moderate Where proposed changes would be
noticeably out of scale or at odds with the
character of an area.
Where proposed changes to views would
be noticeably out of scale or at odds with
the existing view
Slight
Where proposed changes would be at
slight variance with the character of an
area or could be accommodated without
significant adverse effects on character.
Where proposed changes to views,
although discernible, would only be at
slight variance with the existing view.
Negligible
Where proposed changes would have an
indiscernible effect on the character of an
area. Where proposals would be in keeping
with the landscape character of an area
Where proposed changes would have a
barely noticeable effect on views/visual
amenity. Where proposals would retain
existing views, or where on balance the
March 2013 9-14 ES Chapter 9
Landscape and Visual
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