Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
to the right of the view. Recreational users of the reservoir are of medium sensitivity,
experiencing a medium magnitude of change that would lead to a Slight effect on receptors,
which is not significant.
Distant Views
9.5.28 Distant views of the site are generally from more elevated locations to enable views over
intervening vegetation to be gained. At the Knock in the Bathgate Hills at Viewpoint 16,
Black Hill in the Pentlands at Viewpoint 17 and the edge of Fauldhouse at Viewpoint 21 the
turbine erection activities, including the cranes, would form the visible aspects of the
construction phase activity at the Camilty Plantation. These works would be visible as very
minor, although recognisable elements on the fringes of the Pentland Hills landscape. Low
level activities at the plantation would be barely discernible at these distances. The receptors
are of high sensitivity and would temporarily experience a small magnitude of change. The
effect on views would be Slight, which is not significant.
9.5.29 At Viewpoint 18 Thriepmuir Reservoir, 19 Allermuir Hill, 20 Forth, 23 Arthur’s Seat, 24
Pykestone Hill and 25 Tinto Hills the construction activities would form barely discernible
temporary elements in the view either due to the distance at which they would be
experienced or the screening qualities of intervening vegetation. Most of these views are
from upland areas, characterised by wide tracts of rural landscape. The proposals would
form a very minor change in these views that may be easily missed by the observer. Walkers
or residents in the location are all of high sensitivity and would notice a negligible magnitude
of change in view. The short term effects on receptors would be Negligible, which is not
significant.
9.5.30 Occupiers of vehicles at Viewpoint 22 the A706 at Longbridge and Viewpoint 26 at the B8084
south of Armadale would be of medium sensitivity. The distant transient views gained whilst
travelling on these roads would be predominantly of the high level construction activity which
would form minor elements in the overall view of a rural landscape with a backdrop of the
Pentland Hills. The construction phase would form a slightly discordant addition to views.
The magnitude of change would be small, resulting in a Slight effect on receptors, which is
not significant.
Operation
Activities Associated with the Operational Phase
9.5.31 The operational phase of the wind farm for the purposes of this assessment is considered to
last for a period of twenty-five years. The following structures have been considered:
• Wind turbines;
• Met Mast;
• Substation/control building;
• Access tracks;
• Movement of wind turbine blades; and
• Aviation warning lights.
9.5.32 In line with a requirement for aviation lighting stipulated by Defence Estates (see Chapter 2
Table 2.1), the turbines will be fitted with an appropriate form of lighting, which is proposed to
be infrared, subject to agreement with Defence Estates and other relevant consultees. As
March 2013 9-56 ES Chapter 9
Landscape and Visual
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