Fara Wind Energy Project

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

Fara Wind Energy Project

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

Report OSE/3543 Chapter 2

October 2013

Project Developer:

S & JD Robertson

Project Design:

Richard Gauld IEng MInstMC BSc(Hons) Dip. GeoSci Dip. DesInn

Orkney Sustainable Energy Ltd 6 North End Road KW16 3AG

Telephone 01856 850054 Facsimile 01856 851239 Email [email protected]

Fara Report OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013

Summary: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

A large 20MW scale wind energy project is proposed for the island of Fara, a low lying island located between south and in ; the nearest community is . The landscape and visual impact of this development is explored, considering the degree of change brought about by the proposed windfarm.

Turbine Selection

A windfarm has been designed around the Enercon E82 wind turbine, with a 78m tower and an 82m diameter rotor. Seven turbines are proposed for the site, each with a maximum tip height of 119m. This report demonstrates the visual impact of the turbines and explores the relationship with the Orkney landscapes and surrounding views; it is recognised that this is a large development. It is felt that the machines appear appropriate for the proposed location without significant adverse impacts.

Impact on Landscape Elements

The proposed turbines are to be located on an uninhabited island on an area of land that has been selected to avoid ecological impacts. Fara is defined as a ‘Whaleback Island’ by SNH however within the island itself there are different area, encompassing heather, moorland and grasslands. The project has been assessed to have moderately significant effects on the landscape elements in the area.

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site is centred upon a group of important archaeological monuments in the West Mainland of Orkney. The project cannot be seen from the principal monuments, and accordingly there is no visual impact upon Maes Howe, , the Stones of and .

The Hoy and West Mainland Orkney National Scenic Area (NSA) has been designated for exceptional scenic quality. The boundaries of the NSA are around 6km to the north of the project, and the special qualities of the NSA are mainly the high hills of Hoy and the coastal communities of Stromness and Rackwick. The Fara project is outwith the NSA and is over 10km from the summit of the Hoy hills.

Impacts on Visual Resource of the Area

Maps produced to predict Zones of Theoretical Visibility and wireframe topographic studies indicate that the development would be well screened from the main Orkney population centres, due to prominent topographic barriers; views would be mainly of a distant nature. Field study has confirmed that the most significant views would be from Lyness, Longhope and the coastal housing and farms in south Hoy.

Views from the main road that follows the east coast of Hoy would be mainly of a peripheral nature, with the route between Longhope, Lyness and north Hoy having the greatest sequential impacts; direct views to the turbines occur only from sections of this road.

The potential impact upon the surrounding communities has been thoroughly explored, with 32 viewpoints used to show the degree of impact.

Cumulative Impacts

Orkney is becoming an area where views of wind turbines are common, with the projects largely located on a variety of hilltop, moorland and island locations. The area around Lyness has seen the beginnings of a renewable energy industry, with growth in marine energy, as well as a single wind turbine constructed at Ore Brae, and a further two turbines consented. A 2.3MW turbine is also positioned on the nearby island of Flotta. The Fara wind farm is Orkney’s first 20MW+ development, and it appears that the site and surrounding land and sea-scapes to be appropriate for the development.

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1 INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY ...... 5

2 BACKGROUND TO THE DEVELOPMENT ...... 7

3 PLANNING AND DESIGN ...... 9

3.1 DESIGN ELEMENTS : SCALE , HEIGHT AND ROTOR SPEED ...... 9 3.2 TURBINE AVAILABILITY ...... 9 3.3 LOCAL PLANNING GUIDELINES ...... 9 3.4 RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LANDSCAPE ...... 10 3.5 ASSESSMENT OF WIND TURBINES IN ORKNEY ...... 12 3.6 DETERMINING TURBINE SIZE ...... 13 3.7 CUMULATIVE ISSUES ...... 13 4 LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS ...... 14

5 IMPACT UPON LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ...... 21

5.1 SOLID GEOLOGY AND SUPERFICIAL DEPOSITS ...... 21 5.2 LANDSCAPE CONTEXT ...... 23 5.3 LANDSCAPE IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...... 24 5.4 LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY ...... 24 5.5 CHANGES TO LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ...... 28 6 IMPACT UPON VISUAL RESOURCE ...... 31

6.1 VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...... 31 6.2 VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT ...... 31 6.3 ASSESSMENT OF CHANGES TO VISUAL AMENITY ...... 31 6.4 GRADING OF MAGNITUDE OF IMPACT ...... 32 6.5 GRADING OF SENSITIVITY ...... 32 6.6 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT ...... 33 6.7 SELECTION OF VIEWPOINTS AND PHOTOMONTAGES ...... 33 6.8 SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT ON LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS ...... 34 6.9 VIEWPOINT IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE ...... 34 7 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ...... 42

7.1 ASSESSMENT OF CUMULATIVE LANDSCAPE EFFECTS ...... 42 7.2 ASSESSMENT OF CUMULATIVE VISUAL EFFECTS ...... 43 7.3 ASSESSMENT OF CUMULATIVE SEQUENTIAL VISUAL EFFECTS ...... 48 8 CONCLUSIONS ...... 50

BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 51

APPENDIX A ...... 53

APPENDIX B ...... 59

4 Fara Report OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 1 Introduction and methodology

1.1 This report is an assessment of the landscape impacts and of the visual effects of a proposed wind energy project on an uninhabited island located in Scapa Flow, east of Hoy and north of the Flotta oil terminal. This report outlines the proposed project, and then determines the effects on the surrounding landscapes. Assessment of the impact upon a range of viewpoints in the area is then considered, followed by analysis of cumulative and sequential impacts.

1.2 Fara was inhabited between the 1800s and 1965, with basic subsistence farming taking place in the centre of the island during this period. The location of island was strategically significant during the Second World War, and was a base for around 200 military personnel. Military activity was not as high as that taking place at Lyness on Hoy; however a light railway was built around the island. The island is presently owned by the firm of S & JD Robertson, and has an active sustainable grouse shoot and a working sheep farm. The turbines have been located in the central part of the island, avoiding more sensitive moorland to the north and south. The project is expected to connect to the existing high voltage network on Hoy, however the route of any seabed cabling will be determined by Scottish and Southern Energy; it is likely the cables will follow the route of the existing wires to the island. There will be a small switchgear building on Fara, located adjacent to a farmhouse that has been restored to become the main base for operations on the island.

1.3 The project has been designed and planned using national guidance: Best Practice

Guidelines for Wind Energy Developments [1] , SPP6: Renewable Energy

Developments [2], Online planning advice on renewable energy and the associated

Advice Sheet regarding onshore wind turbines [3] PAN1/2011: Planning and Noise [4]

PAN 58: Environmental Impact Assessment [5] and PAN 68: Design Statements [6] and the Guidelines on Wind Energy and Aviation Interests from the Defence and Civil

Aviation Interests Working Group [7], SNH Guidelines on the Environmental Impact of

Windfarms [8], Scottish Planning Policy 15: Planning for Rural Development , and PAN

73: Rural Diversification [9]. .

1.4 The visual assessment methodology has followed current guidance and has been

developed in line with the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment [10] ,

and the Visual Assessment of Windfarms: Best Practice [12 ].

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1.5 The following is a summary of the assessment process:

• Collection of relevant background information; • The creation of maps showing the Zones of Theoretical Visibility; • The use of wireframe and photomontage images to assess the significance of impact; • The establishment of viewpoints around the project; • A baseline study of the existing landscape and the visual resource; • An assessment of the significance of the development upon the landscape • An assessment of the significance of the development upon viewpoints; • A study into the scale and extent of the development; • The assessment of potential cumulative impacts.

1.6 The Fara windfarm is the first 20MW scale proposed for Orkney. Larger scale developments have been established throughout mainland ; however there are significant constraints to development in Orkney, with large areas of uninhabited moorland subject to high levels of protection. It appears that uninhabited islands could be very appropriate for developments of this scale, however have not yet been able to provide guidance on the location of projects of this scale. It is appreciated that locational guidance can be difficult to establish, and it is therefore hoped that this project will help guide OIC on the type, scale and location of renewable energy projects that can be established in Orkney.

1.7 There are two large scale projects constructed in Orkney, with consent for seven turbines on Burgar Hill in the West Mainland, and a five turbine development running on Sanday. These locations have a variety of turbine sizes, varying from the 1.3MW Nordex N60 through to the 2.75MW NM92 on Burgar Hill; the latter is the largest turbine on Orkney. The nearby island of Flotta has a single 2.3MW Enercon E70, and it is felt that isolated island landscapes can accommodate MW scale developments. The Enercon E82 turbine proposed for Fara is a slightly stretched version of the Flotta E70, and from a distance these turbine models appear to be very similar.

6 Fara Report OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 2 Background to the development

2.1 The proposed project will consist of seven Enercon E82 3MW wind turbines, positioned in the central section of the island of Fara, Figure 1. Each turbine will have a 78m tall tower, and will have a rotor diameter of 82m. All cabling will be underground and will likely connect to the Orkney 33kV network on Hoy; no additional overhead wires will be necessary.

Figure 1; Project setting

2.2 The turbines will stand on concrete foundations, all of which will be below ground level, with construction hardstanding areas linked by upgrading the old tracks and establishing new linking spurs. The central core of Fara has the remains of old farmhouses and fields, with a track leading west towards a small pier. Access to the island will be from the east, and it is expected that the track network will result in little, if any, visual impact upon neighbouring communities on Hoy and Flotta.

2.3 The Fara windfarm is a temporary development, with the operational phase of the project lasting for an expected 25 years; this assessment considers the impact and visual effects of the wind turbines over this period. At the end of this project the turbines will be removed.

7 Fara Report OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 2.4 The Fara site is low-lying, with visual influences largely upon the communities surrounding Scapa Flow. There are locations where the development can be seen from longer distances, with the turbines theoretically visible from the north Caithness coastline. There are also important historical sites in Hoy, and there is the boundary of a National Scenic Area to the north of Fara.

2.5 The visual impact of the turbines has been demonstrated using photomontages, wireframes and maps showing theoretical zones of visual influence. Cumulative and sequential impacts are also considered, along with the potential inter-visibility of the project with other turbines in the area.

2.6 Fara is a large scale windfarm development, and accordingly significant effort has been made to explore the potential impacts of the project. When considering visual and landscape impacts, it would be normal practice to consider around 15 viewpoints, however in this instance there are adjoining local authorities to consider, each with their own guidance. The assessment has therefore provided three separate sets of photomontages, encompassing landscape impacts, significant viewpoints in Orkney, and views from the north coast of Caithness; these viewpoints were agreed in consultation with OIC, SNH and Highland Council.

2.7 The project zone of visual influence extends to 35km, in line with guidance from SNH. Maps showing the zone of theoretical visibility have been produced using the WindFarm software, Version 4.2, provided by ReSoft Ltd. All analysis and terrain modelling uses Ordnance Survey gridded Panorama data at a scale of 1:50 000. Background maps are provided at different scales, with Ordnance Survey mapping used throughout, at scales of 1:25,000, 1:50,000 and 1:250,000. Maps have been reproduced from Ordnance Survey data with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office; Crown Copyright reserved, Licence No. 0100031673.

2.8 Digital photography has been used to provide the background imagery for each of the photomontages. Most of the images were produced using a Pentax K-5 DSLR along with a Pentax-M 1:2.8 35mm lense. This combination gives a high resolution image with a horizontal field of view of 40°, in line with SNH guidance. The completed photomontages were then shown on a single A3 page, along with a wireframe image of the turbines and a technical summary of the viewpoint; each photomontage is 30cm long by 20cm high. Composite wide-angle or panorama images have not been used, as these would artificially diminish the apparent scale of the development.

8 Fara Report OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 3 Planning and design

3.1 Design elements: scale, height and rotor speed The overall height of grid-connected wind turbines in Orkney varies from 67m to over 120m on Burgar Hill. Wind turbines have also been increasing in scale; the industry is developing an offshore sector, with turbines increasing in scale to justify the increased cost of civil engineering at sea. As the turbines get larger, delivery becomes much more problematic - the NM92 on the Burgar Hill site has a 45m long blade and machines of this size can be delivered to relatively few locations. In contrast mainland Europe has much taller towers. These taller towers are used in flat or rolling landscapes rather than exposed hilltops, and typical overall heights can be 120 to 150m. Increasing the size of the wind turbine rotor tends to result in slower rotational speed; the Vestas V52 on has a top speed of 30rpm, whereas the NM92 has a maximum of 15rpm. The newer turbines are variable speed, rotating at lower speeds in low wind conditions.

3.2 Turbine availability When considering the scale of the wind turbine that is appropriate for an area, there has to be a balance between the number of wind turbines that a given area or landscape can accommodate, compared with the dimensions of the turbine. By choosing a large turbine, a compact group can be positioned to control visual impacts, while maximising distances to neighbours. The Enercon E70 has been used for the adjacent project on Flotta and for the windfarms and community projects throughout Orkney, and although the E82 is slightly larger, it was felt that this turbine could be appropriate for the Fara site, providing a significant volume of renewable energy. The E82 is most similar in scale to the Nordex N80 on Burgar Hill, with a 78m tower and a 41m blade.

3.3 Local planning guidelines Orkney Islands Council has established renewable energy planning guidelines for the county, and in 2005 David Tyldesley and Associates were engaged to conduct a Landscape Capacity and Visual Impact Study as part of a Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Council. This study indicated that Orkney had a significant capacity for windfarm development, provided sensitive areas were avoided. Fara is uninhabited and does not have the environmental restrictions of the adjacent wild landscapes of Hoy, and is one of the very few parts of Orkney that can be considered suitable for a 20MW+ windfarm development. Final Supplementary Planning Guidance (Onshore Wind Energy Development) has now been published, however the zoning guidance within this report is very limited; it is simply stated that all wind turbines, from micro through to

9 Fara Report OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 MW scale should all be targeted for installation in the same locations. It is felt that this is a quite simplistic approach that is need of refinement, nevertheless it is noted that part of Fara has been zoned for development by the current OIC guidance. The planning guidance also has clear reference to the benefit of local and community ownership; the Fara project follows this guidance, and the local authority is a development partner. It should be noted however that this guidance does not take into account the island grid system, nor does it consider the scattered low density housing in remote areas. It should be noted that the grid capacity in Orkney has become a major limiting factor, with only single commercial scale turbines being constructed on Hoy and Flotta. The Orkney grid infrastructure is in the process of being improved, with a new interconnector from Scotland expected to terminate at the Bay of Skaill in 2018

3.4 Relationship with the landscape

This part of Orkney has a group of low-lying islands set against the backdrop of the high moorland hills of Hoy. Fara is a gently sloping uninhabited island in Scapa Flow, and provides a contrast to the industrial man-made landscape of the Flotta oil terminal and the remains of the military structures that still can be found around Lyness on Hoy. The land to the west and north of Lyness encompasses a very large area of protected moorland with little scope for development. The Fara site is an excellent technical location, with the turbines positioned on an open exposed landscape, at large distances from nearby communities and surrounding properties, Figure 1; the neighbour clearances are greater than any other wind energy project in Orkney .

The project design has ensured that the turbines have a good fit to the island landscape. Figure 2 has typical project photomontages, the view from Wee Fea west of Lyness, and the view from Pegal Head to the north Fara. The scale and location of the turbines has been considered as part of the design process, and while it is evident that the project will be strongly visible from Lyness, the height and number of wind turbines appear to be appropriate, and it is felt that impacts are not adversely significant. It should be noted that the project has the same overall development footprint as the adjacent Flotta oil terminal, and from a visual perspective, it is suggested that the juxtaposition of the oil terminal with the renewable energy project is quite appropriate. The community turbine at Lyness is located at a low-lying site 3km south-west of Fara and there is little in the way of cumulative impacts between these developments. The Flotta turbine is more exposed, and is of a similar scale to the Fara turbines, and accordingly the visual impact of this project is greater.

10 Fara Report OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 Cumulative and sequential effects thus encompass the relationship between the existing and consented projects on Hoy and Flotta, with the Fara project expected to have the most significant impact upon this part of Orkney, due to scale and number of turbines.

Figure 2: Relationship of the Fara project with the island landscapes – views from Wee Fea and Pegal

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3.5 Assessment of wind turbines in Orkney

An assessment of the developments across Orkney has been considered to help put the project in context. The following projects have either been built, are under construction or have had planning consent. The size of wind turbines varies considerably, and is related to grid capacity, location of neighbours and environmental constraints.

Windfarm Landscape character type Turbine size No. of turbines

Burgar Hill Moorland Hills Six different models; 6 (+1) 76m, 92m, 100m, 116m.

Hammars Moorland Hills 44m tower 22m blade 5 Hill (E44 turbine) 67m overall

Burray Island Pasture 44m tower, 26m blade; 1 70m overall.

Stove, Undulating Farmland 44m tower 22m blade 1 (E44 turbine) 67m overall

Barns of Undulating Farmland 44m tower 22m blade 3 Ayre (E44 turbine) 67m overall

Bu Island Farmland 49m tower, 27m blade; 3 (under redevelopment) 76m overall.

Sanday Undulating Island Pasture 65m tower, 40m blade; 5 (under redevelopment) 105m overall.

45m tower, 22m blade; Ridgeline Island Landscape 2 67m overall. (E44 turbine) 45m tower, 22m blade Holodyke Low moorland 1 (E44 turbine) 67m overall

Flotta Low Moorland 60m tower 40m blade; 1 100m overall

Hatston Industrial townscape 44m tower 22m blade 1 67m overall

Community Island Pasture 44m tower 22m blade 5 turbines (E44 turbine) 67m overall

Berriedale Undulating Farmland 44m tower 22m blade (1) (E44 turbine) 67m overall

Rennibister Coastal Farmland 44m tower 22m blade (1) 67m overall

Binga Fea, Low moorland 45m tower, 22m blade (2) Hoy (E44 turbine) 67m overall

Akla Moorland Hills 44m tower 22m blade (1) (E44 turbine) 67m overall

Table 1: Constructed and consented turbines in Orkney

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3.6 Determining Turbine Size

Table 1 reveals that there are 40 commercial-scale turbines constructed or consented in Orkney, with an average tip height of 75m, located upon a large variety of landscape character types, encompassing moorland, farmland and island landscapes. The majority of wind turbines in Orkney are located on moorland and are the Enercon E44 900kW, with maximum tip heights of 67m. When considering that larger turbines, it can be seen that there are projects at Burgar Hill, Sanday and Flotta. The main criteria for determining where larger developments can go are the type of landscape, the proximity of neighbours and ecological issues; it can be concluded that a large scale turbine could be appropriate for the Fara site, with impacts similar to that of the Sanday development.

3.7 Cumulative issues

It can be seen that the area around Fara is somewhat isolated from the Mainland Orkney, and it is recognised that there is the beginning of a clustering of developments in the south Hoy, Fara and Flotta areas. The cumulative assessment of the Fara project largely considers the interrelationship of these developments, and accordingly the following wind energy projects have been assessed in the cumulative impact section:

a. Flotta; 2.3MW turbine and Oil Terminal

b. Hoy community turbine / Binga Fea / Ore Farm; 5 x 900 kW turbines

c. Rysa / Muckle Rysa developments; 1 x 900 + 1 x 500 kW turbines

d. Fara; 3MW turbines

From a cumulative perspective it should be noted that there is a constructed turbine at Lyness, with two further two consented for neighbouring land, and a larger turbine 2MW turbine on Flotta. The only other planned developments in the immediate area are the single turbines proposed for land near Rysa Lodge and Muckle Rysa, and the two turbines at Ore Farm, adjacent to the community turbine. When considering projects further afield, there is a single turbine on Burray and the similar scale developments consented for Berriedale on and at Akla in ; these single turbines are of a different scale to the Fara project and are considered to be too far away to have cumulative effects. Analysis of cumulative effects is considered in part 7 of this report, using wireframe and photomontage techniques where appropriate.

13 Fara Report OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 4 Landscape Elements

4.1 The site is not directly subject to any International, National or Local Landscape Designations, with marginal indirect effects upon the Hoy and West Mainland National Scenic Area to the north. When considering ecology designations, the moorland on Hoy to the west of Fara is designated SSSI and SPA, with impacts upon this aspect of the area explored in detail within the Ecology chapters of the report. The Fara development has been designed to avoid sensitive or protected areas, and has largely used developed and previously managed farmland, avoiding more environmental diverse moorland to the north and south of the island. Fara itself has a rather uninspiring visual perspective, and shows as a largely flat, low-lying island, with a mixture of brown moorland to the north and south of the island, along with a green central area dotted with the remains of derelict crofts.

4.2 Landscape planning designations

• World Heritage Site: The Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site is centred on important archaeological monuments in the West Mainland of Orkney. The project is not visible from Maes Howe, the Ring of Brodgar, the and Skara Brae. Although the project can be theoretically seen from the Ring of Bookan the turbine locations are over 18km away, positioned behind a ridge and a cluster of buildings in a direction that is not felt to be significant, and accordingly adversely significant impacts upon the WHS are not expected. There are two viewpoints located within the inner core of the WHS, discussed below in part 6. Any indirect impacts upon the WHS area also considered by the project archaeologist, and discussed in detail within the Archaeology chapter of the Environmental Assessment.

• National Scenic Area: The Hoy and West Mainland Orkney National Scenic Area has been designated for exceptional scenic quality; the boundaries of the NSA are around 6km to the north of the turbine site, Figure 3. It should be noted that the special qualities of the NSA are mainly the high hills of Hoy and the coastal communities of Stromness and Rackwick. A photomontage and wireframe of the view from the summit of Ward Hill on Hoy has been completed, with analysis suggesting only a moderate degree of significance.

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Akla

Rysa Fara

Flotta Binga Fea/Hoy

Figure 3: Boundary of the NSA and the relationship to the adjacent and proposed wind projects

• Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes: There are three properties in Orkney that are registered as Gardens and Designed Landscapes; Balfour Castle on , Skaill House in the West Mainland and Melsetter House on Hoy. The wireframe and photomontage analysis suggests that there are low to moderate visual effects upon viewers in the grounds of Melsetter House.

15 Fara Report OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 • Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments: There are no direct impacts upon any Listed Building, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Property in Care and other historic properties in the area. The project archaeologist has determined the properties where the turbines could be seen and discusses possible impacts upon settings in the Archaeology report, with wireframes and photomontages used to explore indirect impacts.

4.3 Project analysis has considered the Scottish Natural Heritage Landscape Character

Assessment (LCA) for Orkney [14 ]. The wind turbines are positioned upon a Whaleback Island, a landscape type common in both the north and south of the Orkney archipelago; Figure 4 is the SNH map of the different landscape character types across the county.

4.4 Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) maps were generated using the WindFarm programme along with Ordnance Survey gridded topographic ‘Panorama’ data. These maps are presented to show the impact within 35km of the site on a 1:50,000 backdrop map along with the location of the project viewpoints, Figures 5, 6 and 7. No account has been taken of the reduction of views through obstruction by buildings in local communities. The ZTV is largely contained within Scapa Flow and the surrounding island communities. The project cannot be seen in most of Mainland Orkney and the ; there is negligible impact upon .

4.5 Although the project is adjacent to Hoy, only the south of the island has any degree of impact, with very little in the way of visibility upon the more commonly visited north Hoy hills. The folded topography of Hoy restricts views of the development from many parts of the island, and consequently it is felt that the scale of the Hoy landscapes have not been significantly adversely affected; the turbines have a moderate influence when considering the almost mountainous wild landscapes of north Hoy.

4.6 The landscapes around Lyness and Longhope in are the areas likely to have the most significant impact from the Fara development. These areas have seen significant human influence, with the underlying ground conditions suitable for farming. In addition Lyness has the remains of the military infrastructure that was installed during the Second World War. The impact of this period can still be felt, with Lyness in need of regeneration; it is felt that the arrival of a renewable industry is very important for this community.

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Fara

Figure 4: Orkney Landscape Character Assessment Map (SNH)

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Figure 5

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Figure 6

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Figure 7

20 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 5 Impact upon Landscape Character

5.1 Solid Geology and Superficial Deposits

The oldest rocks of Orkney are a mixture of granite, gneiss and schists, which formed part of the Caledonian mountain chain over 400 million years ago. These rocks originally enclosed the Lake Orcades basin which became the focus of erosion and the deposition over time. This sediment formed Old Red Sandstone, which largely drapes over the basement rock complex. Subsequent tectonic activity caused the sediments to become folded and faulted, creating a range of hills, which was then subjected to erosion and submergence; Hoy represents the higher remains of these hills. The hills to the west and north of Fara are thus gently sloping sedimentary rocks, comprising of Devonian Old Red Sandstone.

There is evidence of significant volcanic activity in north Hoy, with a Carboniferous basalt and volcanic ash layer dated around 350 million years ago. There is also a geological feature running from in Orphir, through Cava and , then southwards past Fara to Melsetter; the Risa Fault – Figure 8. It can be seen that the project is located east of this fault, with the turbines positioned upon Stromness Flagstone. A local unconformity occurs where a similar fault traverses Fara, Figure 9, with younger Hoy Sandstone present at the centre of the island; this rock has been used as a local building material.

Figure 8: Cross section of Hoy, showing the effects of the Risa Fault

The solid geology has been modified by glacial action during the ice ages, the last of which reached its maximum extent 18,000 years ago. The main effect of ice movement has been to smooth the local topography and to deposit glacial till boulder clay on Fara. The effect of the unconformity that runs between Lyness and Fara can also be seen in the area, with the underlying Stromness Flagstone at the centre of the island providing fertile pasture, in contrast to the brown peaty and boggy soil conditions south of the fault line, Figure 10. The BGS drift map also shows the extent of peat deposits on Fara, with the project avoiding the main deposits that cover the south of the island.

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Stromness Flagstone

Figure 9: Solid and Drift Geology (BGS)

Figure 10: Satellite view of Hoy, Flotta and Fara (Bing maps)

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5.2 Landscape Context The windfarm site is a gently sloping whaleback island landscape, located between the larger islands of Flotta and Hoy, with the turbines positioned in the part of the island that has been farmed in the past; these islands are a familiar landscape in Orkney, and can be considered to have moderate sensitivity. In the context of Scapa Flow, the low- lying islands of , Burray, South Walls and the smaller islands of Rysa and Cava all follow this form. This part of Orkney is a drowned landscape, and these islands are the higher parts of a low-lying plain, now lost with post glacial rising sea levels - Figure 11. Fara, Flotta and Calf of Flotta form a single landmass, with a sea depth of only 4m at shallowest part of the West Weddel Sound. Note that Figure 11 also provides the location of the existing cables and pipes linking Flotta and Fara with Hoy, indicating the likely route of the sea bed HV cable that will be required to connect the Fara project to the Orkney Grid; SSE will be responsible for this cable route.

Figure 11: Chart of sea depths around Fara and Flotta (Copyright UK Hydrographic Office )

Fara itself is a low, unassuming island, with large areas of brown moorland to the north and south, and a central area of farmland, dotted with derelict properties. Although now uninhabited, Fara has been a working island, with subsistence farming providing a base for crofting; 76 people were recorded as living on the island in 1891. This type of landscape is characterised by large areas of low-lying brown moorland, with a green patchwork of fields and drainage ditches, fences and dykes marking the areas of human habitation; this pattern of land use is common throughout Orkney.

23 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 5.3 Landscape Impact Assessment Methodology

The significance of the impact of the proposed development on landscape character has been considered by assessing the sensitivity of the island landscape and the scale of the predicted changes to it. The setting of the site and the surrounding landforms and seascape has been considered, along with changes created by the development.

5.4 Landscape Sensitivity

The sensitivity of a landscape is an indication of the capacity of the land to absorb change. The factors used to assess sensitivity included the quality of the landscape, the value and importance of the landscape through national or local designations, the presence of any discordant features, the rareness of the landscape character, the balance and scale of the development, and the ability of the landscape to absorb change.

The SNH Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) report was published in 1998, and accordingly does not consider renewable energy development in any detail. It is however acknowledged by the report that the now removed 3MW turbine on Burgar Hill was an important monument in the landscape, that Orkney Islands Council is in favour of renewable energy development, and that developments of 3MW scale turbines will likely require formal environmental impact assessment. The LCA identifies Fara as having a ‘Whaleback’ island landscape, and recognises that these islands have a degree of depopulation, dereliction and abandonment; this is very relevant for Fara. The LCA goes on to suggest that diversification is appropriate for these type of islands, and that care should be taken to restore derelict buildings where possible; there is no specific advice on the deployment of wind turbines on the smaller islands. Orkney Islands Council have commissioned a Landscape Capacity Assessment for onshore wind energy around the islands, however this is not yet available.

It should be considered that the project will have an influence upon Scapa Flow, and although not formally designated in terms of the LCA, the seascape formed by Scapa Flow, and the interaction of this sea with the islands is quite relevant. SNH have recently produced a Landscape Capacity Assessment for the development of the

aquaculture industry in Scapa Flow [15], and in doing so established the concept of ‘coastal character areas’, combining the landscapes and seascapes of the enclosed coastal parts of Orkney. Although not directly relevant for the Orkney renewable energy industry, this Landscape Capacity Assessment provides a useful assessment of Fara, and the islands setting within Scapa Flow.

24 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 In summary, the aquaculture Landscape Capacity Assessment indicates that the area around Fara has a high potential for development. Whilst it is recognised that this report was written to explore the potential impact of any fish farming or marine developments, the possibility of developing Fara is discussed in detail. The sensitivity of the island is considered, covering both shores between the north tip of Fara and Weddle Sound, focussing on the stretch of water that runs between Fara and Lyness. It can be seen from the viewpoint analysis, below, that the most significant views of the project are from the nearest neighbours in the Lyness community, and accordingly the sensitivity of the views of Fara from this area are quite appropriate.

The Landscape Capacity Assessment considers the coastline of Fara, on both the eastern and western sides, and while reiterating that this capacity assessment is for any new maritime developments, it should be noted that from a landscape perspective the island is described as having ‘Low Sensitivity’; Figure 12.

Fara

Figure 12: Extract from Landscape Capacity Assessment, showing the coastal character areas

around Rysa and Fara (SNH report 466, Scapa Flow Landscape Capacity Assessment)

25 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 The SNH document suggests that Fara has a bleak aspect, does not have any exceptional scenic qualities, and the quasi-industrial landscapes of Lyness and Flotta dominate the coastline in this part of Orkney. It is felt perhaps that this is an overly-critical assessment of the views of Fara, but there is a sense of bleakness and abandonment, somewhat similar to the visual impact of the clearance villages in the Highlands. In mitigation, the SNH report also suggest that the Oil Terminal on the nearby island of Flotta will absorb noise, light from activities on the island, and could offset any development activities.

The sensitivity of designated landscapes located to the north of the site has also been considered. The World Heritage Site is in the West Mainland and is centred on the Neolithic monuments of Maes Howe, Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness, with Skara Brae located further to the west; there appears to be only very minor impact upon the WHS, with the project visible as a small development on the distant southern horizon. The Fara turbines cannot be seen from Maes Howe, Ring of Brodgar or the Stones of Stenness, with the greatest impact occurring upon the lesser known Ring of Bookan, Figure 13. Note that there are two smaller turbines on the nearby farm of Redland which present a much greater visual influence upon the WHS than the Fara development, and it is quite apparent that developments of this type can be absorbed by the Orkney landscapes, provided the apparent scale is small and the skyline is not sensitive.

Figure 13: Theoretical impact upon the Ring of Bookan, Orkney World Heritage Site

The National Scenic Area covers Stromness and the hills of north Hoy, and while not wishing to diminish the importance and sensitivity of the NSA and WHS in this part of Orkney, it should be noted that the Fara development is located a significant distance to the south of the boundaries of these designated landscapes, with little in the way of connectivity between the Fara site with the NSA landscapes. Only a very small part of the NSA has views of the Fara development, evident from Figures 14 and 15.

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National Scenic Area

10km from Fara

NSA Boundary

Figure 14: Areas within the Hoy NSA that have views of the Fara development

Figure 15: Wireframe schematic of the view from Ward Hill looking south

When considering the location of Fara, the low-lying landscape and the bleak and uninhabited nature the island, along with the proximity of industrial areas in Lyness and Flotta, it is felt that the island has a low to moderate landscape sensitivity. It is acknowledged that this bleak and remote nature can be considered to be attractive, however it is suggested that Orkney is a living community, and that our few uninhabited landscapes are perhaps the most appropriate for the scale of development proposed for Fara. It is also felt that the establishment of the oil terminal on Flotta mirrors the potential impacts upon Fara, with a large scale development located upon an area which had the capability to absorb the impacts, without having undue adverse influences.

27 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 5.5 Changes to Landscape Character

The scale of impact upon on the surrounding landscapes has been assessed by considering the location of the turbines within the island landscape, the size and scale of the turbines compared with the surrounding landforms, the extent of effects created by the development, the compatibility of the development with the existing landscape character, any conflicts or synergies with other existing vertical elements, loss or degradation of landscape elements, the permanence of the effects and the consideration of any cumulative landscape effects.

The development will not result in permanent changes to the Whaleback Island landscape character, as windfarms by their nature are temporary developments, however there will be a discernible change to the island landscape for the duration of the project. The development will be clearly visible, particularly from the west of island; however it is felt that largely moderate impacts will occur upon the landscapes concerned. This is largely due to the low-lying nature of the landscape type, with the large scale backdrop of the Hoy mountain topography. From longer distance views to the north and east, views of the Fara turbines are very much diminished by the Hoy topography, and the influence of the large open areas of sea provided by Scapa Flow.

In determining the significance of impact, this assessment has compared the sensitivity of the island setting, along with the scale of proposed development. It is fully acknowledged that this is a larger scale development (in Orkney terms) however it should also be remembered that all communities across Scotland are being asked to establish policies that will enable large scale renewable energy production. Given that Orkney Islands Council have not yet determined specific locations appropriate for developments of this scale, this landscape assessment indicates that uninhabited islands are particularly relevant for renewable energy development in Orkney, ensuring that influences upon neighbours can be much more controlled.

The impact significance of development is considered below, with analysis of potential impact upon designated landscapes, Table 2, and upon the landscapes of Fara and the adjacent Hoy landscapes, Table 3. There are no inhabitants on Fara, and accordingly the nearest neighbours are located in the Lyness community on Hoy; the Fara landscape is most commonly viewed from this community to the west of the island.

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LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITIES SCALE OF IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE DESIGNATIONS

The turbines are only just Views within, to and from the visible from the elevated monuments make the WHS one of landscape around the Ring of the most sensitive areas in Orkney . Bookan, appearing as a minute Views to the west and south remain development that avoids NEOLITHIC HEART very important, with the backdrop of OF ORKNEY sensitive skylines. The project the Hoy hills providing a skyline for Negligible WORLD HERITAGE is located to the south of the the setting sun. The view to the SITE WHS, at a distance of 18km. south appears less sensitive, and it It is felt that the development should be noted that there is no would represent only a impact whatsoever upon the negligible level of change to principal monuments. the view.

High scenic quality, and dramatic The turbines are hidden from views of North Hoy and the West almost all parts the NSA in Mainland seascape. Views from Hoy. There are glimpses from within this landscape require a high the summit of Ward Hill and level of protection. from exposed areas in the The NSA landscape has distinctive West Mainland. The turbines HOY AND WEST geology, topography, archaeology are visible as a low –lying MAINLAND and land use which can be seen as linear development over 10km Moderate NATIONAL SCENIC layers within the landscape. The south from the summit of AREA geology is large scale and relatively Ward Hill, and are very uniform. The topography consists of subservient to the NSA coasts both shallow and steep, landscapes. The turbines are widespread lowlands in the basins proposed for one of the few of the Lochs of and Stenness islands in Scapa Flow that in the West Mainland, and the appears appropriate for a extensive uplands of Hoy. larger scale wind farm.

Three properties in Orkney are The Fara turbines can be seen registered as Gardens and Designed to break a low ridge to the Landscapes; Balfour Castle on north-east of the gardens, Shapinsay, Skaill House in the West providing a line of turbines HISTORIC Mainland and Melsetter House in that are visible from the GARDENS AND Longhope, Hoy. These are high grounds of Melsetter House, Moderate DESIGNED sensitivity, special locations with set against the sky. The LANDSCAPES : wooded grounds and open views. distance to the nearest turbine The photomontage analysis suggests is over 8km, and accordingly that there are moderate visual they present a low to moderate effects upon viewers in the grounds magnitude of impact upon the of Melsetter House. . garden setting.

Table 2: Significance of impact upon designated landscapes

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LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITIES SCALE OF IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE

Fara presents a low-lying island The installation of a large scale positioned between the industrial renewable energy project is locally landscape of the Flotta oil terminal significant, with the seven turbines and the remains of the military providing a highly visible structures at Lyness. The island is development. The island landscape somewhat feature-less, and from will change from being one of WHALEBACK most views appears to be an dereliction to become much more Moderate ISLAND extension of Flotta, with only a dynamic, providing a new industry. narrow shallow channel separating The juxtaposition of the Flotta Oil the two. The island does have Terminal, along the new renewables contrasting vegetation, with grouse hub at Lyness are important, as it is moors to the north and south, felt that the Fara project will present divided by a central core of drained a significant positive feature in this field and derelict crofts. part of Orkney. North Hoy has the highest hills in The positioning of seven large Orkney, with Ward Hill providing turbines on Fara provides a large fine open views. These hills extend scale renewable project, visible as a southwards, with little in the way linear development with a simple of human influences, until the and balanced layout, located in the population centre of Lyness is same orientation as the Flotta oil reached in the south of the island, terminal and wind turbine. with the hills then falling in stature The development does not appear to and grandeur. There are large dwarf the moorland landscape, with extended areas of moorland, draped the hills of North Hoy providing a with brown heather vegetation, considerable backdrop; the Fara with extensive peat deposits. MOORLAND turbines are large in scale but do not Moderate HILLS This large mass of hills defines dominate the Moorland landscapes. north Hoy, and forms a backdrop to The project can be seen from the views from the east. The hills summit of Ward Hill, but only from extend westwards, culminating in the elevated access track on the high and dramatic cliff topography, southern ridge of the hill. Project with the land falling down to sea infrastructure will not be visible level at Rackwick. when viewed from the Hoy hills. The moorland hills of Hoy and the There are cumulative issues to West Mainland of Orkney have consider, with an existing turbine of high sensitivity to development, but a similar scale located at Flotta, and also have a high capacity to absorb smaller turbines constructed and change. consented at Lyness.

A strip of land between the sea and The Fara development is located on the moorland hills that has seen the island opposite the Lyness significant human influence, with coastal strip, with little in the way of the land drained and worked to interaction between the landscapes; INCLINED provide crofting and rough grazing; the construction of the Fara project COASTAL the soil is more accommodating can be seen as a more remote Moderate PASTURE and the ground is more likely to development, in the same way that have natural drainage. the Flotta Oil Terminal and wind turbine have become recognised Extensive military remains are a features in an adjacent landscape; feature, now largely derelict. overall impacts are low.

Table 3: Significance of impact upon adjacent landscape elements

30 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 6 Impact upon Visual Resource

6.1 Visual Impact Assessment Methodology

A simple table has been used to help with the process of determining the significance of the visual impact of the development; the sensitivity of a range of viewpoints is considered, along with the magnitude of change predicted to occur to the visual amenity at each location. This assessment has been transferred to the photomontage volume of the project report, and the viewpoint analysis detailed below should be read in conjunction with these images. Note that a degree of professional judgement has been used to interpret the results of the assessment.

6.2 Viewpoint Sensitivity Assessment The sensitivity of a viewpoint is an indication of the capacity of the view to absorb change. Very high sensitivity would include locations visited specifically for viewing the landscape, or a view from a key visitor attraction such as the World Heritage Site or the National Scenic Area; there are very few locations where Fara can be seen from either the WHS or the NSA. A viewpoint with high sensitivity could be a road with fine open views, a location with a large population or a view from an archaeological site. A view with medium sensitivity would be one where the view is less open or attractive and a view with low sensitivity would be one of a built-up, industrial or despoiled location. There are very few locations in Orkney, if any, that could be considered to have negligible sensitivity , however it should be noted that the farm buildings on Fara, along with the many other redundant military structures at Lyness, can only degrade in the future.

6.3 Assessment of Changes to Visual Amenity The scale of impact to the visual amenity of the area was assessed by considering the proximity of the development to the viewpoint, visual conflicts with features in the landscape, the compatibility of the project with other developments, the composition, symmetry and balance of the windfarm, the direction and angle of view of the project, the distance over which the view is seen, the percentage of view taken up by the windfarm, the other elements visible, including tracks, transformers and switchgear buildings, the permanence of the project and any cumulative effects with other existing or approved wind projects in the area; the Hoy, Flotta and Rysa projects are discussed in conjunction with the Fara development.

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6.4 Grading of Magnitude of Impact The grading of the magnitude of impact upon viewpoints has been scaled as follows:

5:VERY HIGH MAGNITUDE is used to describe a major change to baseline conditions, resulting in complete alteration the visual character of the area and would completely dominate the view point; large wind turbines located within 1km.

4:HIGH MAGNITUDE is used to describe an easily discernible and noticeable change to some aspect of the visual character of the viewpoint and would be conspicuous and distinct; large wind turbines are located between 1 and 2.5km away.

3:MEDIUM MAGNITUDE is used to describe a moderate, but still discernible change to some features of baseline conditions, resulting in a moderate but discernible change to the viewpoint, such that visual character is slightly altered, and would be apparent; wind turbines located within 2.5 and 5km away.

2:LOW MAGNITUDE is used to describe a minor change such that the development would have a discernible nature and would be slightly apparent; large wind turbines are visible between 5 and 15km away.

1:VERY LOW MAGNITUDE is used to describe a change of such indiscernible nature that the development would be inconspicuous, with the viewpoint almost unchanged and the project scarcely visible; wind turbines are over 15km away.

6.5 Grading of Sensitivity The grading of visual sensitivity can be summarised as follows:

VERY HIGH SENSITIVITY is used to describe a view with the following criteria: • The views are very highly valued - distinctive and considered scenically beautiful and of high national importance; • The development is seen by a very large number of viewers. HIGH SENSITIVITY is used to describe an area which meets the following criteria: • The views are highly valued - considered attractive and are valued both nationally and locally; • The development is seen by a large number of viewers. MODERATE SENSITIVITY is used to describe an area which meets the following: • The views have moderate values but remain appreciated, • The development is seen by a moderate number of viewers. LOW SENSITIVITY is used to describe an area which meets the following criteria: • The views are locally valued; • The development is seen by only a low number of viewers. NEGLIGIBLE SENSITIVITY is used to describe an area which meets the following: • The views are not valued; • The development is not readily seen. 32 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013

6.6 Assessment of Significance of Impact

Significance is a relative term; a landscape could be highly sensitive to change, but if the magnitude of change is low then the overall significance would only have medium effects. The significance of the impact on the character of a view brought about by a proposed development is a combination of the sensitivity of the landscape and the magnitude of the change affecting it, and similarly the significance of the impact on the visual resource is a combination of the sensitivity of the view and the magnitude of change as perceived by the viewer.

In line with the recommendations given in section 6.4 of Visual Assessment of

Windfarms: Best Practice [12] a matrix has been created to help consider the likely significance of the impact upon both the visual resource, with nine impact categories created, figure 16. These categories are then used to help determine the overall significance of the development.

5:V ERY HIGH Medium Medium/High High High/Adverse Adverse

4:H IGH Low/Medium Medium Medium/High High High/Adverse

3:M EDIUM Low Low/Medium Medium Medium/High High

2:L OW Negligible/Low Low Low/Medium Medium Medium/High

1:VERY LOW Negligible Negligible/Low Low Low/Medium Medium

MAGNITUDE NEGLIGIBLE LOW MODERATE HIGH VERY HIGH SENSITIVITY

Figure 16: Significance of Impact

6.7 Selection of Viewpoints and Photomontages

The viewpoint selection was determined by considering the quality of the visual amenity, whether or not there are any discordant or prominent features, the type and number of possible viewers and any historical context or designation; only viewpoints within the ZTV have been considered. The subsequent photomontages all have realistic, high quality images, mainly using 40° viewing angles. Larger viewing angles have been used for cumulative analysis to show the maximum extent of viewing angle at any given location, and when exploring the location of the wind energy project within the greater Orkney landscape. Narrower viewing angles have also been used on occasion to give greater clarity of turbine position.

33 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 6.8 Significance of Impact on Landscape Elements

Three designated landscapes have been identified in Orkney, the National Scenic Area, the World Heritage Site, and the Historic Gardens and Designed landscapes, detailed above in Table 2. Although these designated landscapes are very important, this assessment has suggested that long distances to the site, a viewing direction of moderate sensitivity, along with a moderate scale of development results in largely moderate landscape impacts.

There is also the site landscape element to consider, Table 3. The site landscape characteristic at the site as detailed within the LCA is Whaleback Island, Viewpoints A1 and A5 most clearly shows the view across this landscape character type and while clearly locally significant, from these viewpoints it is suggested that this island landscape does have a capacity to absorb the change induced by the turbines at Fara.

6.9 Viewpoint Impact Significance

A range of viewpoints has been established to explore the visual impact of the development. These viewpoints reflect a variety of locations and include views experienced by motorists, residents, visitors and walkers from and across a range of landscape character types and at varying distances from the site. Some are views which will be mainly seen from moving vehicles, whilst others are more static viewpoints at locations where people stop. Only viewpoints from which the turbines would be visible, i.e. those that fall within the Zone of Theoretical Visibility, have been used. Photomontages and wireframe images have been used to show how the impact would be perceived from these viewpoints, with parts of the wind turbines visible from each location. Visual impact significance has been determined each viewpoint, Table 4, and cumulative visual assessment of the turbines has also been considered, using the location of the existing and proposed wind turbines on Hoy and Flotta. This assessment has determined that viewpoints having High, High/Adverse or Adverse Significance would have potentially adverse effects and would require mitigation.

Three sets of viewpoints have been completed, encompassing local views and landscapes, any historic or significant views, and a set of views from the Caithness coastline, looking north towards Orkney. A total of 32 viewpoints have been determined, and while it is recognised that this is more than would normally be provided under an LVIA, it should be noted that there are three target audiences; the local community, Orkney and Highland Councils, and the statutory consultees.

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Table 4: Significance of impact upon the landscape and representative viewpoints

VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITIES MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS SIGNIFICANCE

A good quality view of the land The site lies over 3 km from the and seascapes east of Lyness viewpoint and the proposed showing a contrasting palette of turbines would be clearly visible browns and greens, along with the in most weather conditions. A1 WEE FEA VIEWPOINT blues of the sea; the value is assessed as moderate to high. The development would This view represents that seen introduce seven large turbines in from an elevated location The view will be seen by visitors a geometric layout to an open behind Lyness. to the redundant military site above Lyness; the visual large-scale island landscape with The view shows the relationship a seascape backdrop. sensitivity is assessed as Low/Medium of the development with the moderate. Lyness port renewable The turbines appear as a strong developments area, the Fara fish The Lyness and Flotta turbines are development, and provide a new farm, the Flotta oil terminal and visible to the south of this feature to the island landscapes the island ferry, set against the location, however the projects are positioned between the almost backdrop of Scapa Flow.. not seen in conjunction with Fara industrial landscapes of the Flotta from this location. The Flotta oil terminal, the remains of the terminal and flare provide existing military structures in Lyness, and developments, giving a degree of the new renewables hub; mitigation: Low Sensitivity . Medium Magnitude .

A2 SCAPA FLOW MUSEUM The Scapa Flow Visitor Centre The nearest turbine is 1.6 km This view represents that seen and Museum highlights the role from this viewpoint and the by visitors to Lyness, and also the played in Orkney proposed turbines would be by the nearest neighbours to the during the World Wars, and is a visible in most weather project. converted pump house with a conditions. series of displays and a collection The development would Numbers of visitors are of military equipment. introduce new dynamic structures unknown, but can be expected into a quasi-industrial landscape; Medium to be relatively high There are large structures positioned throughout the area; Lyness is a working port, and a The view is from the footpath the viewpoint is an elevated renewables hub. behind the Lyness museum, position chosen to show the There are clear views to the site, looking north-east, across the relationship between the turbine with the turbines providing a military buildings towards site and the museum. The distinct appearance, clearly Lyness pier and Fara. turbines do not have a significant showing a geometric design: presence: Low Sensitivity. High Magnitude

This viewpoint is outwith the Hoy The project design provides for a NSA, and located south of clear and simple view of the Lyness. A moderate quality view development, with the turbines across grassy fields, with the equally spaced; the nearest turbines visible from the rear of turbine is located 3.2 km the A3 GABLE END THEATRE the theatre; the project cannot be theatre. The development This view represents that seen seen from the front of the building introduces new structures rising by visitors to a community or the nearby school. There is above open fields, with the Fara facility stark openness of the views to the project appearing as a simple Medium The view is from the south of north in this area, in contrast with linear development. the site, looking north across the complex views to the west. The development would be open fields. The visual sensitivity is felt to be clearly visible, however it should moderate, as the open landscape be noted that neither the property provides a capacity to absorb nor road users look directly visual impacts: towards the site; Moderate Sensitivity . Medium Magnitude

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VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITIES MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS SIGNIFICANCE

The Fara development can be The view is of moderate quality, A4 LONGHOPE seen from Longhope however the and the viewpoint does not lie nearest turbine is 5.2km to the A view from the community at within a designated landscape; north of the viewpoint, and the Longhope on South Walls, medium value. The view will be turbines would therefore visible revealing the contrast between seen by moderate numbers of only in clear weather conditions, Low/Medium the largely flat farmland around people in South Walls, and by set above farmland. The view of Lyness and the moorland hills of ferry users travelling in and out of the site would lie to the north of Hoy to the north of the site, Longhope; the visual sensitivity is the community, with the turbines clearly demonstrating the flat assessed as Low to medium: seen above contrasting farmland nature of the local landscape. Moderate Sensitivity. and the sea: Low Magnitude.

A view from a minor road north The project lies 2.8 km from the A5 PEGAL HEAD of the site, with the viewpoint viewpoint, with the photomontage outwith designated landscapes, demonstrating that the proposed An open view south from the turbines would be seen set against minor road that follows the Attractive views of islands, set above moorland landscape and the Flotta turbine and Oil eastern coast of Hoy. The Medium Scapa Flow when looking towards Terminal, with significant man- existing turbine at Flotta is made visual influences. The visible as part of the turbine the site. Good quality views of Fara and the Little Rysa, with project will be clearly seen, complex. The Flotta Oil located in the centre of Fara: Terminal is also prominent. Flotta providing a backdrop to the south: Moderate Sensitivity Medium Magnitude .

Good views of Scapa Flow, with The site lies 10.8km from this A6 WARD HILL , HOY the south isles showing as a viewpoint and the turbines would An open view southwards patchwork of green and brown in therefore be visible only in very towards Flotta and Fara. This a sea of blue. The turbines are clear and sunny weather view has been enlarged using a barely visible, set against the conditions. The turbines are zoom lense to give more clarity. developments in Flotta. Note that minor and inconspicuous at this Medium An attractive view across open Fara and Flotta read as a single distance. The project would only hilly moorland, against a island when viewed from the be seen very rarely in clear backdrop of the isles and Scapa north. The Hoy topography fully conditions, giving a very minor Flow. dominates the view: change to the view: High Sensitivity . Low Magnitude .

Open landscape, showing a The Flotta turbine is adjacent to A7 WEST HILL , FLOTTA largely moorland setting, with a this viewpoint, and clearly visible Flotta is the nearest inhabited narrow strip of coastal agricultural by the local community, with the island to Hoy, and is home to an land at Lyness between Fara and Fara project located to the north important Oil Terminal, an oil the Hoy hills in the distance. The west. The existing turbine is quite processing plant covering project will be seen by a only Medium around one 1/6 th of the island. small number of visitors and prominent; however the Fara The Fara development has a walkers from this viewpoint, as development is 3.1 km away, and similar footprint. The Flotta the residents of Flotta are largely the ZTV provides evidence that community is located to the to the south of the island and do the project is largely hidden from south-east of the island. not face towards Hoy: Flotta residents: Moderate Sensitivity . Medium Magnitude .

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VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITIES MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS SIGNIFICANCE

Good quality view of Scapa Flow, The project lies almost 9 km from A8 HOXA HEAD , with Hoy providing a distant this viewpoint and will only be SOUTH RONALDSAY backdrop. There will be a low visible on clear days. number of viewers. Views from the end of the Hoxa The island of Flotta is in the peninsula, to the west of South The Fara turbines can middle distance, with the Flotta Ronaldsay. There are many theoretically be seen however they Oil Terminal and the large wind Low/Medium World War defence relics in the are below the skyline and dwarfed turbine providing greater visual area, slowly becoming derelict. by the Hoy moorland backdrop. foci; the Fara development is Note that Fara is not readily The Flotta turbine appears more visible, showing as a project of visible to the main villages in prominent, due to higher site smaller turbines located behind Burray and South Ronaldsay elevation and closer proximity: existing industrial developments: Moderate Sensitivity Low Magnitude

The site is 14 km north-west of Moderate quality views of South this viewpoint and the turbines Ronaldsay farmland and coastal would therefore be visible only features, looking towards the A9 WARD HILL , on clear sunny days. Flotta oil terminal. SOUTH RONALDSAY The Fara project merges The Hoy hills provide an The impact upon a prominent seamlessly with the Flotta turbine attractive feature in the distance, Low/Medium viewpoint on the island to the and appears to be adjacent to the with a moderate number of east of Scapa Flow, representing Flotta oil terminal; all three viewers, primarily drivers on the the potential impact upon the projects appear to be in one main road that follows the spine south isles communities. location when viewed from South of South Ronaldsay. The Flotta Ronaldsay, with all developments turbine appears quite prominent: subservient to the Hoy hills: Moderate Sensitivity Low Magnitude .

The view from a popular visitor The turbines are 8 km south of A10 EARLS BU, attraction, built in the 12 th the churchyard and would be ORPHIR century, adjacent to the Orkney visible only on clear days. An open view towards the site Viking Centre. Outwith any The project provides a simple from the north, representing the sensitive landscapes, with views linear development, spanning the impact upon visitors to the of farmland, sea and moorland. central part of Fara, taking up 6° Orphir Round Kirk, Scotland’s Low/Medium Medium quality view outwith of the far horizon. The Flotta only surviving circular medieval designated landscapes, looking turbine creates a similar impact. church. A view across low-lying towards Scapa Flow and the This is the nearest viewpoint to farmland and Scapa Flow, with southern part of the Hoy NSA in the site from Mainland Orkney a backdrop of low-lying hills the distance: and the joined South Isles.: forming the horizon. Moderate Sensitivity . Low Magnitude.

Moderate to high quality views of The site is 15 km south of this Stromness Harbour and Scapa viewpoint and the turbines would A11 BRINKIES BRAE , Flow, with the Hoy hills providing therefore be visible only on clear STROMNESS a backdrop to the west. sunny days. Impact upon the second largest The isles provide attractive The Fara project appears to be community in Orkney. Brinkies features in the distance, with a adjacent to the Flotta turbine and Brae is the hill that Stromness is Low/Medium low number of viewers, primarily the oil terminal, appearing as a built upon, with the view chosen walkers on the unclassified road distant development on the to provide a clear understanding that climbs above Stromness. The southern horizon, with all of the impact and setting of the Flotta oil terminal appears quite developments subservient to the Fara project. prominent, particularly when Hoy hills: Very Low flaring: High Sensitivity Magnitude ..

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VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITIES MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS SIGNIFICANCE

Attractive bay, valued locally and The site lies 11km from this considered to be a special place, viewpoint and the turbines are A12 WAULKMILL BAY , with a moderate number of located behind a headland; none ORPHIR viewers. Good quality views, of the turbines are visible from View from the car park above with moorland hills forming a the bay itself. .The project has a Medium the bay, showing the open views strong backdrop to the north, and minor impact and only blades tips to the south. Scapa Flow and Flotta providing would only be seen very rarely in open views to the south: clear conditions: High Sensitivity. Low Magnitude .

The impact upon Kirkwall A13 TRADESPARK , The site lies 17.5 km south west KIRKWALL residents, showing a cluster of of Kirkwall, with the turbines turbines on the horizon. appearing as a compact A view from an elevated part of Moderately attractive views of Low development , overlapping with Kirkwall, showing the Scapa Flow, with the south isles the Hoy and Binga Fea projects: relationship of the project with showing as distant features: Very Low Magnitude Hoy and Scapa Flow. Moderate Sensitivity .

Moderate to high quality views of The site is 17.4 km south west of open moorland, the Orphir and this viewpoint and the turbines Hoy Hills, with Scapa Flow in the would therefore be visible only A14 WIDEFORD HILL , distance. on clear sunny days. KIRKWALL The south isles provide an The Fara project appears to be The view from the prominent attractive mosaic in the distance, adjacent to the Flotta, Hoy and Low hill to the west of Kirkwall, seen by a low number of viewers, Binga Fea turbines, visible as a showing the setting of the primarily drivers on the distant development below the project within Scapa Flow. unclassified road that climbs to distant horizon, with all the summit of the hill. The Flotta developments subservient to the oil terminal appears quite topography: prominent: Moderate Sensitivity Very Low Magnitude ..

38 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 Table 5: Significance of impact upon historically important viewpoints

VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITIES MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS SIGNIFICANCE

The Crockness tower dates from The nearest turbine lies 2.3 km 1813. Although now dilapidated, north of this viewpoint and the the tower provides a historic turbines would therefore be B1 CROCKNESS record of the significance and visible in clear weather, rising MARTELLO TOWER importance of Orkney during the above a topography of island 19 th century. moorland . The turbines are large Historic Scotland protected and distinctive, but do not monument. The tower is one of The setting of the Martello Tower significantly dominate or Medium/High two that mark the entrance to the is of high quality, however the diminish the monument setting. sheltered harbour at Longhope. viewpoint does not lie within a An open view towards Fara, designated landscape. The view The Flotta turbine is located at a with the Mainland Orkney hills will be seen by low to moderate similar distance to the east, with in the distance. numbers of visitors to the tower, the Fara development clearly and the visual sensitivity is visible as a distinctive assessed as high: arrangement of seven turbines: Moderate Sensitivity. High Magnitude.

Good quality view northward over The Fara site is 4.5 km north of B2 HACKNESS BATTERY AND Scapa Flow, with the Orphir hills this viewpoint. There are other MARTELLO TOWER providing a distant backdrop. turbines theoretically visible at Binga Fea, Lyness, Rysa and A visitor attraction and Historic The setting of the Martello Tower Flotta but not in the same Scotland protected monument. is of high quality, however the direction as the Fara project. The Martello Tower is one of viewpoint does not lie within any Medium two that mark the entrance designated landscape; medium to The Fara project appears as a Longhope Sound. The Battery high values. simple geometric development of was constructed to provide large turbines above island defence at the height of the The Flotta turbine and Oil topography and within the Scapa Napoleonic War, but never saw Terminal are considerably closer Flow setting: military action. and provide a degree of mitigation Medium Magnitude . Moderate Sensitivity .

B3 LYNESS NAVAL CEMETERY The project is visible to the north The site lies 2.2 km from the of the cemetery, with two of the viewpoint, and the images of this The cemetery was established in turbines clearly visible. A view shows that the proposed 1915 when Scapa Flow was the medium to high quality view with turbines would be seen mainly base for the main UK Naval a strong sense of place. behind a clutter of derelict Fleet, and remained a Royal military buildings. Medium Naval Base until 1946. There The Fara development is east of The machines provide a new are over 400 burials from the Lyness Cemetery, located on a dynamic focus and modern First World War, and 200 just visible island, showing as a features set against old military burials from the Second World large but visually simple project: structures: Medium Magnitude . War in the Cemetery. Moderate Sensitivity .

B4 MELSETTER HOUSE An attractive house and mature The Fara project site lies 8.1km (HGDL) garden, constructed out of a 1700s from Melsetter House, with the laird’s house into a country turbines partially hidden behind Melsetter House is the finest mansion by architect William raised land; blade rotors are fully house on Hoy, and perhaps one Lethaby. Valued locally and visible. The project has a of the most significant on considered to be a special place. moderate impact upon the house Medium Orkney. It is located on the Although not generally open to and gardens, as the turbines are southern coast of Hoy, and the public, the gardens have a fine not seen from the front of the looks southwards towards open aspect to the south, with the building, and can only be seen Longhope and the linked island house tucked in below the Hoy from the garden by looking of South Walls. The house is hills to the north: northwards: private. High Sensitivity. Low Magnitude .

39 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013

Rysa Lodge is an A-listed The Fara turbines are positioned B5 RYSA LODGE , building located around 1.5km between 1.4 and 2.2 km to the (LBA) north of Lyness. The building was east of the lodge, on the opposite A former shooting lodge created out a modest croft, with shore of . It is designed by William Lethaby as little of the original remaining, acknowledged that these are large part of the Melsetter Estate. The and is an L-shaped mansion, with turbines, with all turbines visible. Lodge is one of the nearest a high walled garden. Rysa The house is largely oriented Medium/High neighbours to the Fara project, Lodge has similar features to that towards the south, giving a and is located just off theB9047 of Melsetter House, and is an degree of mitigation, nevertheless road north out of Lyness on attractive building located on an the turbines are visible from the Hoy. The house and gardens are exposed headland, with views of grounds of the property, and from private Lyness, Fara and Flotta: the few windows that face east: Moderate Sensitivity . High Magnitude

B6 ITALIAN CHAPEL High quality views of Scapa Flow The site is 17 km to the west of (LBA) and the Hoy hills, with the Orkney this viewpoint and the turbines An ornate Catholic chapel on Mainland to the north. The Italian would therefore be visible only the island of , north Chapel on Lamb Holm is a very on very clear sunny days. The popular visitor attraction, with Fara project is subservient to the of Burray. It was built by Italian Low/Medium prisoners of war out of two good views over the Churchill Hoy landscape, with the turbines Nissen huts during the Second Barriers to the north. There are barely visible as a distant World War, and is now an no views where the Chapel can be development against a moorland important visitor attraction on seen in conjunction with the Fara hill backdrop: the eastern side of Scapa Flow. project: High Sensitivity Very Low Magnitude .

Within the WHS and recorded as The Fara turbines can only just be B7 UNSTAN CAIRN a Property in Care, but less seen, with only the end of the (WHS) frequently visited due to difficult blade tips occasionally glimpsed, A Historic Scotland Property in access. Attractive views towards due to intervening topography and the distant moorland hills. Views buildings. Although theoretically Care, close to the core of the Low/Medium WHS. Numbers of visitors are to the south towards Fara are visible to the south of the cairn the unknown, but can be expected obscured by topography, scrub Fara project is 15 km away and to be much fewer than the more vegetation, the nearby property has low visual impacts upon the well-known monuments.. and other buildings: setting of this monument: Low Moderate Sensitivity Magnitude .

B8 RING OF BOOKAN Lesser known monument within The Fara project can only just be (WHS) the WHS. Open and exposed site seen, as intervening topography There is no impact upon the with open and attractive views and buildings largely block views more well-known monuments across the surrounding lochs. The of the turbines. Although within the WHS. The Ring of most sensitive viewing directions theoretically visible to the south Bookan is a largely undeveloped are to the east and west. Views to of the monument, the Fara project Low/Medium ring of stones, now overgrown. the south towards Fara are open, is 18.5 km away and is behind the Numbers of visitors are not however there are farm buildings skyline therefore the turbines have expected to be significant; there on the skyline at Stenness, very low visual impacts upon the is no parking and only limited providing a high degree of setting of this monument: access across farmland. mitigation: High Sensitivity Very Low Magnitude .

B9 ST MAGNUS CATHEDRAL The cathedral provides an The Fara project is 18.7 km away important visitor attraction, as and is behind the skyline. The The St Magnus Cathedral is a well as being a parish church. project can only just be seen, with historic building in the centre of The cathedral is one of Orkney’s only two machine rotors visible Kirkwall, with construction most significant landmarks, with from the tower; a headland to the dating back to 1137. This is the much of the original medieval south of Kirkwall blocks the view Low/Medium most northerly cathedral in the stonework fashioned by masons of most turbines. Although British Isles. The tower is who were trained at Durham theoretically visible, the turbines accessible, and provides fine Cathedral; there are similarities that can be seen have only very views over Kirkwall and the between the two building: low visual impacts : surrounding countryside. High Sensitivity Very Low Magnitude .

40 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 Table 6: Significance of impact upon Caithness viewpoints

VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITIES MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS SIGNIFICANCE

C1 MEY HILL A good quality view of farmland The Fara project is over 21 km Open viewpoint from a minor and the Pentland Firth. The Fara north of this viewpoint and is road to the east of Castle of project is theoretically visible set located behind the low lying Mey, representing views to the against the backdrop of the island of South Walls. The Fara Low north of the castle. An open Orkney hills, providing a contrast development would only be view towards Hoy and Mainland with the existing turbine at Flotta: visible in very clear days: Orkney. Moderate Sensitivity. Very Low Magnitude.

C2 SOUTH OF Attractive view of Orkney from a The Fara project is over 25 km JOHN O’G ROATS signposted location on the A99 north of this viewpoint and is south of John O’Groats. This is seen above Stroma as a distant Open view on the main road one of the few locations where the project on the horizon. The Low north to John O’Groats, with Fara turbines are seen against a development would only be fine views of Stroma and the sky rather than hill or moorland visible in very clear days: Orkney Islands. backdrop: Moderate Sensitivity. Very Low Magnitude.

C3 DUNCANSBY HEAD A somewhat stark view to Orkney, The Fara project is 23 km north with island of and the west of this viewpoint and is Clifftop viewpoint from the Cantick Head lighthouse visible in located behind South Walls. Low lighthouse east of John the middle distance, along with The Fara development would O’Groats, looking towards the Flotta turbine: only be very rarely visible: Flotta and South Walls. Low to Moderate Sensitivity. Very Low Magnitude.

C4 DUNNET HEAD A good quality view of Hoy, with The Fara project is seen as a cliff features at more simple line of turbines and is Clifftop viewpoint from the visible. The existing Hoy and over 22 km north-east of this lighthouse at Dunnet Head , Flotta turbines can just be seen, viewpoint, located above the Low looking towards Hoy. An open along with the Cantick Head Brims part of Hoy, with South and attractive view of the lighthouse : Walls and Flotta further east: Pentland Firth. Moderate Sensitivity. Very Low Magnitude.

A good quality view of Thurso The Fara project is over 34 km C5 THURSO CAMPSITE Bay, showing the Pentland Firth north-east of this viewpoint and Open view of Orkney and and Orkney in the distance. The is located behind Brims and Fara project is only just Melsetter. The Fara Dunnet Head from the campsite Negligible/Low at the western end of Thurso. theoretically visible set against the development is tiny at this Fine views towards the Hoy hills backdrop of the Hoy hills, with distance and is at the absolute and cliffs.. the Flotta turbine only just limit of visibility: perceptible: Low Sensitivity. Very Low Magnitude.

A good quality view towards The Fara project is over 22 km C6 JOHN O’G ROATS Stroma and Orkney across the north west of this viewpoint and Pentland Firth. The Fara project is located behind South Walls Small working harbour and ferry is theoretically visible set against and Cantick Head lighthouse. Low port for the short crossing a sky backdrop, with the Flotta The Fara development would passenger ferry to Orkney. turbine also just visible: only be very rarely visible: Moderate Sensitivity. Very Low Magnitude.

Good quality view of the entrance The project lies just over 8 km C7 FERRY ROUTE to Scapa Flow from the south, from this location on the ferry with Hoy providing a distant route, with the turbines Views from the ferry en-route to backdrop. The Fara turbines can appearing to be part of the St Margaret’s Hope, looking theoretically be seen however the Flotta development. The Fara Low/Medium towards Flotta. Note that Fara is Flotta turbine appears more turbines have a smaller aspect behind Flotta when viewed in prominent, due to higher site and do not diminish the this direction. elevation and closer proximity: surrounding landscapes.: Moderate Sensitivity Low Magnitude

41 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 7 Cumulative effects

7.1 Assessment of Cumulative Landscape Effects

Cumulative landscape effects can include both direct and indirect effects on landscape elements as a consequence of a new development in an area, with potential impacts upon landscape character, condition and value. When assessing cumulative impacts the existing turbines at Lyness and Flotta have been considered, along with the cumulative and sequential effects of other consented commercial scale wind turbines in this part the south isles; there is planning consent for two turbines adjacent to the Hoy community turbine at Binga Fea. There are also planning applications for two turbines at Ore Farm, and single turbines at the lands of Rysa Lodge and Muckle Rysa. There is an existing turbine on the island of Burray, with consent for similar scale turbines at Berriedale in South Ronaldsay, and adjacent to Akla in Orphir; these last projects are located on different landscapes and are considered to be too far from the cluster of developments around Lyness to have any significant cumulative impacts; cumulative assessment has only considered the impact of turbines in the Fara, Flotta and Lyness areas.

Moorland Hills are the most extensive of the landscape types in Orkney, and the Hoy hills appear to be able to provide a backdrop that can accommodate large scale developments such as the windfarm proposed for Fara. This is evident by the Burgar Hill and Hammars Hill projects in Evie, where a five turbine development has been located in close proximity to Orkney’s largest windfarm, a seven-turbine development. The south isles projects are located on rough grazing and moorland margins, however cumulative landscape effects are low; the group of projects around Lyness are located at a significantly large distance from the rest of the Orkney wind energy developments. It should also be noted that the Hoy and Orphir hill topography blocks views of the Fara development to the north, with the ZTV of the project almost fully upon communities around Scapa Flow. When considering the views of the Lyness, Fara and Flotta projects from the villages around Scapa Flow, the distances are very large, and consequently the projects can be hard to identify, with the individual turbines only seen in exceptionally clear days. The Fara project is also largely seen against a moorland backdrop, and appears to be more easily visually absorbed than the adjacent Flotta turbine. The Lyness turbines are extremely hard to identify from these long distances, and have less of an impact than both the Flotta and Fara sites.

42 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 7.2 Assessment of Cumulative Visual Effects

Analysis of Zones of Theoretical Visibility and a range of landscape wireframes have been used to help determine cumulative visual effects. A systematic approach has been taken to explore the potential for impact, and three aspects of cumulative visual effects have been assessed:

‹ Combination, where more than one project can be seen from the same viewpoint at the same viewing angle;

‹ Succession, where more than one project can be seen from same viewpoint, but from different viewing angles;

‹ Sequential, the changing view of developments as seen during a journey along a transport corridor.

Appendix A has cumulative impact maps and show the areas in which the ZTV of the Fara project overlaps with the ZTVs of the Flotta, Hoy and Rysa developments, and thus indicate the places from where the turbines could in theory be seen in combination or isolation with one or more of the other developments. Note that the Hoy development is made up of three adjacent projects which have been combined for the purposes of this report only; the consented Hoy Community turbine and the Binga Fea development, along with the Ore Farm project in the same locality. There are planning applications for a single 900kW turbine on the hills to the west of Rysa Lodge, and a single 500kW turbine at Muckle Rysa; these projects are more peripheral to the main developments, but are nevertheless included in the cumulative ZTV mapping.

The Rysa projects are 2.5km to the west, the Lyness developments are located roughly 3.5 km south-west of Fara, with the Flotta wind turbine approximately 3km to the south- east of the Fara site. Figure A1 provides a comparison between the Fara and Flotta projects, suggesting that there is an area around Craigiefield in Kirkwall that can see the Fara turbines in isolation. In the rest of Orkney the Flotta turbine is more readily visible, primarily due to higher ground levels. Figure A2 shows the contrast between the Fara and the combined Hoy windfarm, suggesting that there a few locations in South Ronaldsay that can see the Hoy turbines in isolation. Figure A3 shows a comparison of the Fara and Rysa projects, where it can be see that the Rysa developments have more of an impact upon the WHS inner zone. Figure A4 provides a clearer image of the locations that can only see the Fara turbines, and figure A5 is a cumulative ZTV of all four projects, provided for completeness.

43 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 The Lyness community appears to be the area most at risk from cumulative visual effects. The Fara project is however separated from Hoy, is located well to the north- east of the Lyness community, and it can be seen from the cumulative wireframes that the projects largely complement each other, with little in the way of overlapping or clashing of wind turbines; Appendix B has cumulative wireframe images. The machines proposed for Fara are similar in form to that of the Flotta development and when viewed in combination, the Fara project does not appear to dominate Scapa Flow viewpoints.

The cumulative ZTV and wireframe analysis suggests that the Fara project has a similar range of visibility to that of the Flotta turbine, and can be seen from almost all the coastal communities around Scapa Flow. The areas where both projects can be seen in relation to each other are mainly limited to the remoter parts of Hoy and along the coastline from Burray to South Ronaldsay. The cumulative Zone of Theoretical Visibility of the Fara, Lyness and Flotta projects overlap on the villages of Lyness, Longhope, St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay, and to a lesser extent upon Burray and Orphir; at distances of over 10km the cumulative impact upon these communities is very low.

The Fara development can in theory be seen in conjunction with the Rysa project when viewed from the Ring of Bookan within the WHS, but as discussed above the development would result in a low to negligible degree of change, with very low levels of visual impact to the south of the WHS; the significance and cumulative significance of the impacts upon the WHS is felt to be negligible.

The cumulative wireframe analysis has used the 16 viewpoints established for the LVIA photomontages, as these represent a wide-ranging and varied selection of locations around the site, encompassing both landscape and significant viewpoints. All wind turbines visible from each location are shown, using a 45° horizontal viewing angle. When turbines are located in geographically disparate positions, additional wireframe images are used to explore succession, rather than extending the field of vision, as this would artificially diminish the turbine scale. For the longer distance views it can be seen that all projects can be included within one wireframe images, providing evidence of clustering. This is beneficial, as the developments have become concentrated in one part of Orkney rather than spreading over a larger geographic footprint, giving a similar cumulative significance to that of Burgar Hill in Evie.

44 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 • WF1 – Wee Fea. This viewpoint is elevated and has open panoramic views over southern Scapa Flow. The most significant project will be the Hoy/Binga Fea/Ore Farm windfarm of five turbines located to the south east, with Flotta then Fara visible to the east in succession. The Rysa developments are less significant, and are on moorland to the north. The Fara project is clearly visible as a large development on a low-lying island, however the magnitude of the turbines appears to be less than that of the Hoy turbines.

• WF2 – Lyness Visitor Centre. The Fara windfarm is clearly seen as a separate and distinct project to the north-east of Lyness, with successive views of the Flotta and Hoy projects to the south. The Rysa turbines are to the north- west and have less of an impact. The projects cannot be seen in conjunction, with the Fara turbines providing the most significant impact, however it is evident from the photomontage that there is a great deal of mitigation from redundant buildings in the Lyness area.

• WF3 – Gable End Theatre. The projects cannot be seen in conjunction, with the Rysa, Fara and Flotta developments presenting a similar magnitude of impact, located to the north and east of the viewpoint. The most dominant project is the combined Hoy/Binga Fea/Ore Farm windfarm, visible to the west against a moorland backdrop. It is felt that the other projects have less of an impact as they are further away and partially below the skyline.

• WF4- Longhope. The Hoy turbines are dominant, and are in clear view against a moorland backdrop. The Fara turbines appear in combination to the north east, and appear as a cluster of smaller turbines, with Flotta appearing to have a similar scale of turbine; both Fara and Flotta are visible as island rather than moorland developments. The Flotta turbine can be seen to the east, with the Rysa turbines barely visible to the north; cumulative effects upon the Longhope community are low.

• WF5 – Pegal Viewpoint. Fara is seen as a large island development in combination with the more distant Flotta turbine. The Hoy turbines have negligible impact, with the Rysa turbines visible with the same apparent magnitude as the Fara development; the former is the closest project to the viewpoint. Fara is prominent and exposed but appears to be of the correct scale for the island landscape, and does not diminish the setting. 45 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 • WF6 – Ward Hill, Hoy. Three projects can theoretically be seen in combination, looking south towards Flotta. The developments appear to have been located to provide a cluster of turbines, with Fara standing out with a compact geometric layout, with Rysa and Flotta more peripheral. The Hoy turbines have negligible impact due to their low-lying setting. It is felt that the visual effects of three visible projects are largely absorbed by the maritime setting and the Hoy topography.

• WF7 – West Hill, Flotta. The Fara project is seen in combination with the Rysa turbines to the north-west, with the Flotta turbine highly visible in combination with the Hoy turbines to the west. Fara presents a linear development when viewed from Flotta, set against a backdrop of the Hoy hills. It is felt that the Fara turbines do not diminish the Hoy landscapes, and accordingly cumulative visual impacts are moderate.

• WF8 – Hoxa, South Ronaldsay. The four developments are seen in combination with each other, largely set against a moorland backdrop. The exception is Flotta, as this turbine has a higher elevation than the Fara turbines, and appears to standout in isolation, reflecting the prominent and exposed setting of the island in Scapa Flow. The Fara turbines appear to be of smaller magnitude than Flotta, with both Rysa and the Hoy turbines presenting negligible impacts; cumulative effects are low.

• WF9 – Ward Hill, South Ronaldsay. The Hoy landmass is seen to the north-west with the Rysa, Flotta and Fara projects appearing to be part of the same project; Fara looks to be an extension of the Flotta development; the three projects are seen in combination. The Hoy/Binga Fea/Ore Farm turbines are also visible to the west, with all projects subservient to the Hoy topography, with the hills mitigating the impact of the developments. It is readily apparent that the Hoy landmass can absorb the visual effects of the developments.

• WF10 – Earls Bu, Orphir. All four projects can theoretically be seen in combination, looking south towards Hoy. The Flotta and Fara turbines stand out against the skyline, with the Hoy turbines presenting a similar, but smaller scale of impact. The Rysa turbines are absorbed by the moorland setting and have negligible impacts. Moderate to High cumulative effects are present.

46 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 • WF11 –Brinkies Brae, Stromness. Two project are visible, with Flotta and Fara seen in combination when looking south over Scapa Flow. The two islands merge into one landmass when viewed from the north, with the turbines appearing to form one project. The Fara turbines are nearer and also appear to have the greatest magnitude, and accordingly the visual effects of Fara are moderately significant, however cumulative effects are low.

• WF12 – Waulkmill Bay, Orphir. The Flotta turbine stands out in isolation, and although the tips of the blades of some to the Fara turbines can theoretically be seen, cumulative effects are negligible.

• WF13 – Tradespark, Kirkwall. Four projects can theoretically be seen in combination, looking south-west over Scapa Flow towards Hoy. It should be noted that both the Flotta and the constructed Hoy turbine should theoretically be seen from this viewpoint, however neither turbine is readily apparent, suggesting that Fara will not have significant presence when viewed from this part of Kirkwall.

• WF14 – Wideford Hill. All of the projects can theoretically be seen in combination, looking south westwards towards, with the Fara and Hoy developments appearing as one combined windfarm. The Flotta turbine stands out in isolation to the south, with the Rysa turbines absorbed by the Hoy hills landmass to the west.

• WF15 – Shapinsay; The Fara and Hoy projects appear as one development , with Flotta presenting an isolated turbine to the south, and the Rysa turbines scarcely visible to the north. Both Flotta and Fara have a visual presence; however cumulative effects are negligible due to the long distances to islands.

• WF16 – Deerness; Four projects can theoretically be seen in combination, looking south west towards Hoy, with the Flotta turbine standing out in isolation; the other projects are set against a moorland backdrop. Given that the Hoy community and Flotta turbines are already in operation, actual experience at the viewpoint reflects the theoretical impact, with very low cumulative effects.

47 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 From the above analysis it can be seen that cumulative effects of the Fara project in conjunction with the Hoy, Rysa and Flotta turbines are largely Low to Moderate, a reflection of the low-lying island setting, the clustering effect of the neighbouring developments, and the long distances to the island from the main population centres.

7.3 Assessment of Cumulative Sequential Visual Effects

Sequential impact is the changing view of a development as seen during a journey along a transport corridor or route, and considers any changes in the experience of that journey caused by the proposed development. When a project is in direct, open line of view, along a good distance of a road, then the visual impact is higher than when the views are more interrupted, peripheral or fleeting. Cumulative sequential effects occur when a project is viewed in combination or succession with other developments. Sequential and cumulative views are restricted to roads in Hoy and South Walls, with negligible impacts upon the other south isles and Mainland Orkney.

Assessment of the impact upon this transport route was conducted by using the Windfarm software in conjunction with Ordnance Survey gridded topographic ‘Panorama’ data. The Fara, Hoy, Rysa and Flotta projects were placed within a virtual landscape then the viewer was moved along the transport route, while conducting analysis of visual effects. This was then followed up with a drive along the routes to compare the virtual landscape with the actual route. The methodology considered the following aspects:

‹ Direction of travel;

‹ Directness of view;

‹ Proximity of the development;

‹ Duration of the view;

‹ Elevation of the viewer;

‹ Variation in landscape;

‹ Changes in direction ;

‹ Presence of screening elements;

‹ Existence of other structures;

‹ Scenic quality of the road.

48 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013

Sequential impact occurs along the road that links North Hoy with Lyness and Longhope, the B9047. The Fara project will be seen, however the dominant development in this part of Orkney is the existing Flotta turbine. This is a large turbine, and due an elevated site of an exposed island, this turbine is seen from many locations. The Fara project will present a similar degree of impact as Flotta, however the greater number and scale of turbine is contrasted with a low elevation and a more secluded site.

• B9047 Longhope to Lyness and North Hoy : At Longhope the Rysa project is visible as a ridgeline development located on the horizon north of Lyness, with the combined Hoy projects forming a larger scale development to the west, and the Fara project forming a windfarm to the east (WF4) . These projects are not readily seen when travelling west from Longhope, with the Hoy turbines first becoming evident as a linear development on the left hand side of the road at North Walls School, when the Rysa project is a distant development directly ahead. The Fara and Flotta projects are not easily seen from the road, with these projects more prominent behind the school and the Gable End Theatre (WF3). Travelling north past Lyness the Fara project becomes more prominent to the east, with the Rysa turbines visible on the northern horizon (WF2); from this location the Flotta and Hoy developments are no longer seen when travelling northwards. It should be noted that although the Flotta turbine can be seen when travelling north of Longhope, the Fara project is only rarely seen in conjunction with the Flotta development from points along this road.

• B9047 North Hoy to Lyness : Travelling southwards from Rackwick or Moaness in North Hoy the Fara development is glimpsed for the first time at the Lywara viewpoint, with the turbines forming a low-lying group to the south, in combination with Flotta. The convoluted nature of the topography results in the projects then being quickly hidden, before appearing again at the Pegal viewpoint, (WF5). Note that the Hoy turbines are not seen from either the Pegal Head or Lywara viewpoints. At Muckle Rysa it becomes possible to see the Rysa turbine in conjunction with the Hoy turbines, however there are no locations along this road where the Rysa, Flotta and Lyness developments are seen in direct line of sight. Travelling south past Rysa Lodge, the Hoy and Flotta turbines become visually dominant, with Fara forming a large development to the east. The Fara project is no longer seen by road users beyond the Lyness junction.

49 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 8 Conclusions

8.1 The Fara project is located upon an uninhabited island in southern Scapa Flow, in a part of Orkney that has the beginnings of a major renewable energy industry, with commercial scale wind turbines located at Lyness and Flotta. The Fara windfarm is a large development, and is likely to be one of the very few large scale 20MW+cluster of wind turbine can be sited in Orkney, due to ecological restrictions elsewhere.

8.2 The project is located upon gently rising land in the centre of Fara, interspersed between derelict crofts and farmhouses. New access tracks will be required for the development however the site infrastructure is located in the part of the island that has been inhabited and worked in the past; the island shape has encouraged a compact geometric layout.

8.3 The large scale moorland landscape of Hoy is not diminished or dominated by the proposed windfarm. The low lying island provides a contrast to the Hoy landscapes, with the wind turbines appearing to be visually absorbed by the moorland backdrop to the west and north.

8.4 The project can be seen from Lyness and Longhope, the nearest communities; the turbines will provide distinctive tall structures rising to the east of Lyness. The visual impact upon neighbouring communities and the surrounding scattered housing has moderately high significance, but is not felt to be adverse. The project is not readily seen from Kirkwall, and provides a low-lying distant development when viewed from Stromness.

8.5 Cumulative aspects of the development in conjunction with other projects in the area have been considered. The large wind turbine at Flotta is located to the south-east of Fara, however cumulative effects are controlled, with the Flotta and Fara turbines appearing to become one development when viewed from a distance. The nearest existing development is the Hoy Community turbine, with two further turbines consented for this part of Lyness, however cumulative effects do not appear to be significant, and it appears that the Lyness area is able to accommodate a project of the scale proposed at Fara, giving a sense of rejuvenation to the area.

50 Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2 October 2013 Bibliography

1 Renewable UK (1998). Best Practice Guidelines for Wind Energy Developments http://www.bwea.com/ref/bpg.html

2 Scottish Planning Policy SPP6 (2007). Renewable Energy Developments. Scottish Executive Development Department. ISBN 978 0 7559 6552 6

3 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/National-Planning- Policy/themes/renewables/Onshore 4 Planning Advice Note PAN 1/2011, Planning and Noise . The Scottish Government, 2011 5 Planning Advice Note PAN 58 (1999). Environmental Impact Assessment. Scottish Government; ISBN 0 7480 8912 8

6 Planning Advice Note PAN 68 (2003). Design Statements. Scottish Government; ISBN 0 7559 0862 7

7 Defence and Civil Aviation Interests Working Group (2002). Wind Energy and Aviation Interests – Interim Guidelines. ETSU W/14/00626/REP

8 Scottish Natural Heritage. Guidelines on the Environmental Impact of Windfarms and Small Scale Hydroelectric Schemes. SNH Publications

9 Planning Advice Note PAN 73 (2005). Rural Diversification. Scottish Government; ISBN 0 7559 4425 9

10 Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. Institute of Environmental Impact Assessment and The Landscape Institute, 2002 11 Assessing the impact of small-scale wind energy proposals on the natural heritage Scottish Natural Heritage, March 2012

12 Visual Assessment of Windfarms: Best Practice. Scottish Natural Heritage report F01AA303A University of Newcastle, 2002

13 Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes: Volume 3 Highland, Orkney and Grampian

14 Orkney Landscape Character Assessment no.100. SNH Publications, Scottish Natural Heritage, 1998.

15 Orkney Landscape Capacity for Aquaculture; Scapa Flow and Wide Firth, report no.466. SNH Publications, Scottish Natural Heritage. horner+maclennan 2011.

16 Fara Wind Energy Project. Archaeology Survey; David Lynn, Glasgow 2012

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Appendix A

Cumulative ZTV Maps

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Figure A1: Cumulative impact of Fara and Flotta projects

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Figure A2: Cumulative impact of Fara and combined Hoy projects

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Figure A3: Cumulative impact of Fara and combined Rysa projects

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Figure A4: Locations where Fara can be seen in isolation

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Figure A5: Cumulative impact; Fara, Flotta, Hoy and Rysa

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Appendix B

Cumulative Wireframe Images

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Fara Wee WF1 Fea viewpoint: north view

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Fara Wee WF1 Fea viewpoint: east view

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Fara Wee WF1 view Fea viewpoint: south-east

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Fara Visitor Lyness WF2 Centre: view north-west

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Fara Visitor Lyness WF2 Centre: view north-east

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Fara Visitor Lyness WF2 Centre: view south-east

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Fara Visitor Lyness WF2 Centre: view south-west

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Fara Theatre: Gable WF3 End to the north-east view

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Fara Theatre: Gable WF3 End to the east view

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Fara Theatre: Gable WF3 End to the west view

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Fara Theatre: Gable WF3 End to the north-west view

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Fara to the north view Longhope: WF4

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Fara to the north-east view Longhope; WF4

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Fara to the viewpoint; south-east view Pegal WF5

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Fara to the viewpoint; south view Pegal WF5

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Fara to the Ward south WF6 view Hill, Hoy:

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Fara West WF7 Hill, Flotta: to the north-west view

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Fara West WF7 Hill, Flotta: to the west view

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Fara to the west view South Ronaldsay; Hoxa, WF8

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Fara Ward WF9 north-west Hill, view South Ronaldsay;

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Fara Orphir; Church, to Earls WF10 the and Round Bu view

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Fara to the south Brinkies Brae,view WF11 Stromness;

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Fara Orphir; to the south view Bay, Waulkmill Above WF12

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Fara Tradespark, WF13 Kirkwall; to the south-west view

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Fara Wideford WF14 Hill; to the south-west view

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Fara Ward WF15 to Hill, the south-west view Shapinsay;

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Fara The WF16 Ward, Deerness; to the south-west view Fara Document OSE/3543 Chapter 2