Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
9.3.10 Although the convention does not contain policies on landscape protection or management,
nor designate specific areas based upon their landscape and visual amenity, it does provide
aims to ensure that policies are put into place by those involved in managing the landscape.
National Designations
National Scenic Areas
9.3.11 There are 40 National Scenic Areas (NSAs) in Scotland, one of which lies within the study
area. NSA's were identified in 1978 by the Countryside Commission for Scotland and were
established by Order of the Secretary of State in 1981, and can be summarised as follows:
‘…areas of land and water which represent the very best of Scotland’s renowned
scenery. They are of such outstanding natural beauty and amenity that they should be
safeguarded and enhanced as part of the national heritage.’
9.3.12 Furthermore, the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 gives a statutory basis to NSAs through
an addition to the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, which was brought into
force through The Town and Country Planning (National Scenic Areas) (Scotland)
Designation Directions 2010. This recent legislation defines a NSA as an area ‘of outstanding
scenic value in a national content’.
9.3.13 The Upper Tweeddale NSA lies within the study area approximately 20 km south east of the
site. The area’s special qualities are described by SNH as follows:
• Diverse scenery of great charm and soft beauty;
• The historical continuity of settlement;
• Green, intimate pastoral valleys;
• Expansive, open hills with panoramic views;
• The variety of woodlands and trees;
• The large, geometric fields;
• The distinctive vernacular buildings;
• Tranquil riverine landscapes.
9.3.14 The most relevant aspect of the NSA for this project are the hill tops and peaks which are the
only part of the landscape which coincide with the ZTV. A viewpoint at Pykstone Hill, within
the Upper Tweeddale NSA, has been chosen to identify landscape and visual effects as part
of the assessment.
Regional Designations
Areas of Great Landscape Value
9.3.15 Within Scotland, Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLVs) were historically designated to
protect small, local areas of scenic and recreational value. These designated landscapes lie
outside of, and complement, the NSAs. AGLV’s are currently under review and will be
replaced by Candidate Special Landscape Areas (CSLA).
9.3.16 The site is located adjacent to the Pentland Hills AGLV, which extends up to the A70 to the
south east of the site. The landscape designation extends south west from the edge of
Edinburgh covering approximately two thirds of the Pentland Hills.
March 2013 9-19 ES Chapter 9
Landscape and Visual
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