Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
exploration of hills, effects on wildlife and effects on tourism businesses as a result of fewer
visitors.
15.4.30 Overall, it is therefore concluded that there is there is no evidence that wind farms have a
negative effect upon tourism or recreation interests and that for the vast majority of tourists,
wind farms are not a major factor in their decision-making.
Tourism Attractions
15.4.31 It is notable that a number of key tourist attractions are located in Linlithgow and along the
Firth of Forth coastline where there would be no theoretical visibility of the proposed wind
farm once operational. However, there are a number of key tourism attractions within central
West Lothian ( the Livingston and Bathgate locality) that could have theoretical visibility of the
proposed wind farm, including Harperrig Fishery, Five Sisters Zoo, Livingston Designer Outlet
and The Centre, the Almondell & Calderwood Country Park and the Almond Valley Heritage
Centre. In view of this it is considered that there is the potential for the proposed wind farm to
have a detectable impact upon the tourism industry in West Lothian. The sensitivity of this
resource is therefore considered to be medium.
15.4.32 However, actual visibility from each of these tourist attractions would be influenced by the
localised effects of topography, the built environment and vegetation as discussed below:
• Harperrig Fishery – The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) predicts views of up to 6
turbines from Harperrig Fishery. The landscape and visual impact assessment (ES
Chapter 9: Landscape and Visual) confirms that the proposed turbines would be
visible from Harperrig Reservoir and would form a prominent addition in views from
the reservoir westwards towards the site. However, it concludes that the proposed
turbines would not be out of character with the existing views which include
commercial forestry plantations and the turbines at Pates Hill Wind Farm;
• Five Sisters Zoo – The ZTV predicts views of up 6 turbines from Five Sisters Zoo.
However, site visits confirm that views of the proposed wind farm would be screened
by surrounding vegetation to the south;
• Morton Clay Targets – The ZTV predicts views of up to 6 turbines from Morton Clay
Fishery. Site visits confirm that views of the proposed wind farm would be screened
by the intervening topography and vegetation;
• Livingston Designer Outlet and The Centre – The ZTV predicts views of up to 6
turbines from the Livingston Designer Outlet and The Centre. Site visits confirm that
there would be no views of the proposed wind farm from within these shopping
centres. The intervening buildings, vegetation and topography would screen views of
the proposed wind farm from the parking areas;
• Almondell & Calderwood Country Park – The ZTV predicts views of up to 6 turbines
from within parts of the Country Park. However, site visits confirm that the proposed
wind farm would be screened by the surrounding topography and vegetation;
• Almond Valley Heritage Centre – The ZTV predicts views of up to 6 turbines from the
Almond Valley Heritage Centre. However, site visits confirm that the proposed wind
farm would be screened by the surrounding vegetation.
15.4.33 On the basis of these findings, it is considered that the proposed wind farm is unlikely to
detract from visitor enjoyment and likely demand to visit any of these tourist attractions. The
March 2013 15-22 ES Chapter 15
Socio-Economics, Tourism, Land-Use and Recreation
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