Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables
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Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

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07.02.2014 Views

Camilty Wind Farm Analysis of the Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development in West Lothian 9.5.148 The site of the proposed wind farm lies within character type 2(ii) Upland Hill Fringes Gladsmuir/Woodmuir/Camilty Fringe. This area is defined within the objectives of the Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development in West Lothian as suitable for ‘Landscape Accommodation’. The study defines this as ‘where some wind energy development could be acceptable as long as overall landscape character and visual amenity is retained. Rather than seeking to protect the landscape with this objective there may be important landscape related constraints in terms of the siting and scale of wind energy development, but suitably designed wind farms which generally fit with the landscape could potentially be accommodated even though they may have an impact on the landscape locally. The landscape is a landscape with wind energy development’. 9.5.149 Unit 2(ii) in which the site is located, is assigned an overall Medium level of sensitivity, which is the lowest level identified within the study. Although the character type is considered to have potential to accommodate wind farm development, the presence of the 10 km buffer around the West Cairn Hill ‘iconic viewpoint’ indicates that the study considers significant adverse effects on visual receptors at this location would occur if a wind farm is developed in this area. The assessment in this chapter has identified that the proposed wind farm would form a prominent addition to views from this summit within the Pentland Hills Regional Park. The turbines would form a new focus in the view, whilst low level wind farm infrastructure would be less easily discernible and the felled areas of forestry would not be uncharacteristic in a commercially managed plantation. The blocks and strips of trees removed as part of the proposed wind farm would provide the opportunity to create a more visually diverse mosaic of forms and habitats to enhance the appearance of the dark, geometric blocks of conifers in the landscape. The proposed wind farm would also be visible in the context of existing wind farms at Black Law, Muirhall and Pates Hill, providing a continuation of established features and patterns. The separation between schemes would be maintained, providing a series of well defined wind farms in forestry. Although prominent and generating a significant effect on receptors at the peak of West Cairn Hill, as previously identified within this chapter at paragraphs 9.5.93 to 9.5.94, the receptors’ ability to enjoy the scenic quality of the Pentland Hills would not be diminished to such an extent that the special features, qualities and characteristics of the landscape could no longer be understood or appreciated. The designated landscape would remain intact beside a neighbouring landscape in which wind farms are located.. 9.5.150 The study identifies principal sensitive routes, the most relevant of which within the vicinity of the proposed wind farm include two sections of the A70 to the north and south of the site. To the south of the site important views are considered to be northwards across Cobbinshaw Reservoir towards the Bathgate Hills. The proposed wind farm would not interrupt this view of the hills. The turbines would be visible to the right of the view rising out of forestry. Occupiers of vehicles would experience Moderate effects on transient views. To the north of the site, important views are considered to occur between Harperrig Reservoir and the eastern West Lothian boundary, with views southwards and eastwards to the Pentland Hills. The proposed wind farm would lie to the south west in these views and would not be visible behind the reservoir or in front of the Pentland Hills. The view would not be directly affected, although, the tops of turbines would be intermittently visible above intervening trees and woodland to March 2013 9-79 ES Chapter 9 Landscape and Visual Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2013 ©

Camilty Wind Farm the right of the view. There would also be a Moderate effect on occupiers of vehicles from this section of the A70. Effects on Landscape Resources and Visual Receptors at Decommissioning 9.5.151 The anticipated effects on landscape and visual resources associated with the decommissioning phase are expected to be broadly similar to those identified for the construction phase. 9.6 Mitigation and Enhancement Measures 9.6.1 The scheme design and mitigation measures described in Chapter 3 and section 9.4 ‘Topic Specific Design Evolution’ have been included as an integral part of the scheme, so as to avoid, minimise and, where necessary, compensate for potential adverse effects. No further landscape mitigation is proposed. 9.7 Assessment of Residual Effects 9.7.1 No further secondary mitigation measures are proposed and so the residual effects of the scheme on receptors are considered to be the same as those reported above. 9.8 Assessment of Effects on Potential Future Receptors 9.8.1 No future potential landscape or visual receptors have been identified which are likely to experience significant adverse effects as a result of the proposed wind farm. Changes in the composition of the Camilty Plantation due to the felling of trees as part of the FDP have been taken into consideration during the preparation of this chapter of the ES. 9.9 Cumulative Effects 9.9.1 The preceding sections have addressed the landscape and visual impacts of the proposed wind farm within an existing baseline, which contains operational wind farms, particularly the nearby schemes at Pates Hill and Muirhall. Legislation requires EIA also to address the cumulative impacts of a proposal together with other developments under development or planned in the area. The Scottish Executive’s web based advice ‘Onshore wind turbines’ (Feb.2011), which replaces PAN 45, highlights the likelihood that cumulative impacts may result in an eventual limit to the extent of onshore wind development ‘In areas approaching their carrying capacity the assessment of cumulative effects is likely to become more pertinent in considering new wind turbines, either as stand alone groups or extensions to existing wind farms. In other cases, where proposals are being considered in more remote places, the thresholds of cumulative impact are likely to be lower, although there may be other planning considerations’. The guidance also states that ‘In assessing cumulative landscape and visual impacts, the scale and pattern of the turbines plus the tracks, power lines and ancillary development will be relevant considerations. It will also be necessary to consider the significance of the landscape and the views, proximity and inter-visibility and the sensitivity of visual receptors’. 9.9.2 Cumulative effects of wind farms are considered where the presence of other wind farms in a given area (usually within 60 km radius) in combination with the proposed wind farm may March 2013 9-80 ES Chapter 9 Landscape and Visual Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2013 ©

<strong>Camilty</strong> <strong>Wind</strong> <strong>Farm</strong><br />

the right of the view. There would also be a Moderate effect on occupiers of vehicles from<br />

this section of the A70.<br />

Effects on Landscape Resources and Visual Receptors at Decommissioning<br />

9.5.151 The anticipated effects on landscape and visual resources associated with the<br />

decommissioning phase are expected to be broadly similar to those identified <strong>for</strong> the<br />

construction phase.<br />

9.6 Mitigation and Enhancement Measures<br />

9.6.1 The scheme design and mitigation measures described in Chapter 3 and section 9.4 ‘Topic<br />

Specific Design Evolution’ have been included as an integral part of the scheme, so as to<br />

avoid, minimise and, where necessary, compensate <strong>for</strong> potential adverse effects. No further<br />

landscape mitigation is proposed.<br />

9.7 Assessment of Residual Effects<br />

9.7.1 No further secondary mitigation measures are proposed and so the residual effects of the<br />

scheme on receptors are considered to be the same as those reported above.<br />

9.8 Assessment of Effects on Potential Future Receptors<br />

9.8.1 No future potential landscape or visual receptors have been identified which are likely to<br />

experience significant adverse effects as a result of the proposed wind farm. Changes in the<br />

composition of the <strong>Camilty</strong> Plantation due to the felling of trees as part of the FDP have been<br />

taken into consideration during the preparation of this chapter of the ES.<br />

9.9 Cumulative Effects<br />

9.9.1 The preceding sections have addressed the landscape and visual impacts of the proposed<br />

wind farm within an existing baseline, which contains operational wind farms, particularly the<br />

nearby schemes at Pates Hill and Muirhall. Legislation requires EIA also to address the<br />

cumulative impacts of a proposal together with other developments under development or<br />

planned in the area. The Scottish Executive’s web based advice ‘Onshore wind turbines’<br />

(Feb.2011), which replaces PAN 45, highlights the likelihood that cumulative impacts may<br />

result in an eventual limit to the extent of onshore wind development ‘In areas approaching<br />

their carrying capacity the assessment of cumulative effects is likely to become more<br />

pertinent in considering new wind turbines, either as stand alone groups or extensions to<br />

existing wind farms. In other cases, where proposals are being considered in more remote<br />

places, the thresholds of cumulative impact are likely to be lower, although there may be<br />

other planning considerations’. The guidance also states that ‘In assessing cumulative<br />

landscape and visual impacts, the scale and pattern of the turbines plus the tracks, power<br />

lines and ancillary development will be relevant considerations. It will also be necessary to<br />

consider the significance of the landscape and the views, proximity and inter-visibility and the<br />

sensitivity of visual receptors’.<br />

9.9.2 Cumulative effects of wind farms are considered where the presence of other wind farms in a<br />

given area (usually within 60 km radius) in combination with the proposed wind farm may<br />

March 2013 9-80 ES Chapter 9<br />

Landscape and Visual<br />

Copyright <strong>Partnerships</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Renewables</strong> Development Co. Ltd 2013 ©

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