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'C' Dumfries & Galloway Wind Farm Landscape Capacity Study

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'C' Dumfries & Galloway Wind Farm Landscape Capacity Study Part 1 Wind Energy Development: Development Management Considerations Appendix ‘C’ Dumfries & Galloway Wind Farm Landscape Capacity DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL Study Local Development Plan Supplementary Guidance Adopted 22nd June 2017 www.dumgal.gov.uk DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY (turbines >150m) in selected upland landscapes already influence character and views, cumulative Executive Summary and considers scope for the repowering of issues likely to be associated with additional The Dumfries and Galloway Wind Farm Landscape existing wind farms involving replacement with development are identified and this informs the Capacity Study (DGWLCS) assesses the sensitivity substantially larger turbines. guidance set out for each landscape character type/ of landscape character types, and more locally area. Section C includes two supporting studies; a Detailed sensitivity assessments are based on defined character areas, to different sizes of wind review of the existing regional landscape character defined landscape character types/areas. However, turbine development. It also considers scope for assessment; and an assessment of opportunities for potential indirect effects on landscape character offshore wind energy developments, based on a repowering existing schemes with larger turbines and/or on views can extend over a wide area, regional coastal character assessment. The study and for introducing turbines in excess of 150m in including other nearby landscape character types/ was revised and updated in 2016 in response to the height. areas or in some cases adjacent authorities. As considerable amount of wind farm development a result, sensitivity assessments for individual Summary of Findings: The landscape of Dumfries in Dumfries and Galloway and the continuing proposals may need to consider both the ‘host’ and Galloway is notably diverse with the contrast demand for larger turbines. Overall findings, landscape character type/area and adjoining or of character types producing rich, multi-layered conclusions and recommendations can be used close-by landscape character types/areas where landscapes and high quality scenery, recognised in to inform strategic planning for wind energy wider sensitivities may apply. the scenic designations which cover extensive parts developments with the detailed assessments of the region. providing more specific guidance to be used when Structure: Section A establishes the context of the considering development proposals. study and explains the adopted methodology. The region’s larger operational and consented Section B has a summary of the study findings and wind farms generally occupy less sensitive, sparsely Scope and Methodology: The methodology recommendations, followed by detailed sensitivity settled and simple upland areas. Remaining follows best practice guidance on developing assessments for individual character types/areas undeveloped parts of these upland landscapes landscape capacity studies. It establishes a and for offshore wind energy developments. Each are often more constrained as they lie closer to ‘landscape baseline’, based on current landscape landscape character type/area has a separate section more sensitive settled areas. Developments are conditions and a review of operational and with descriptions of landscape character, cultural particularly extensive and are a key characteristic consented wind turbine development in the heritage and an overview of existing/consented in the Wigtownshire Moorlands, the Southern region. The study considers landscape sensitivity developments With links to detailed maps. Uplands close to the border of East Ayrshire and to a wide range of turbines, based primarily Guidance on development is given with a combined the Forest of Ae. Some areas are considered to on turbine height. It focusses on the remaining landscape and visual overall sensitivity score, and a have reached capacity for development, due to capacity for large turbines and a consideration of separate score for the landscape values sensitivity the significant cumulative effects already evident potential cumulative effects. Broad patterns or criterion. Detailed assessments of sensitivity, key because of the close siting and/or varied design concentrations of development are analysed in constraints and opportunities for different turbine of developments. These include the area around greater detail within their landscape context to typologies are set out in tabular form. In landscapes Upper Nithsdale and the south-western part of the develop broad strategic guidance. The study also 2 where operational and consented wind farms Wigtownshire Moorlands. assesses sensitivity to very large wind turbines Wind Energy Development: Development Management Considerations Smaller groups of large turbines are also located in For offshore wind energy development, the study less extensive areas of simpler upland plateau, lying recommends the protection of the special qualities within or closer to more settled valleys and coastal of coastal landscapes which form an essential part areas. Although there has not been widespread of the identity of Dumfries and Galloway. Enclosed development of large wind turbines within more bays, the wilder seascapes associated with the Mull sensitive lowland areas, such developments are of Galloway and the Machars peninsula and coastal more visible from settlements and key transport views from the A75 and settlement are noted as routes than the more extensive wind farms located being of particular sensitivity. within the much larger scale upland areas. Limitations: The study provides information on the The study identifies the greatest scope for relative sensitivity of landscapes to different scales additional development in parts of the Southern of wind turbine development. It is accepted that the Uplands with Forest, with some more limited majority of large scale wind energy developments remaining opportunities likely in the Plateau are likely to incur significant adverse landscape Moorlands, Plateau Moorlands with Forest and visual effects. The study sets out guidance on and Foothills with Forest landscape character the nature and likely severity of potential effects types. Cumulative effects with operational and and proposes a strategy aimed at protecting the consented wind farms and likely increased effects most sensitive landscapes. Landscape and visual on surrounding more sensitive landscapes are key sensitivity comprise one of a range of issues that constraints in the remaining undeveloped parts of need to be considered in determining the potential these landscapes. acceptability of a specific development; these are covered by other sections of the Dumfries and The more rugged hill ranges of the Southern Galloway Local Development Plan and associated Uplands, the Coastal Granite Uplands and the supplementary guidance. Strategic guidance Foothills landscapes are identified as being within the DGWLCS does not replace the need for important to keep free of large scale wind turbines individual landscape and visual impact assessments in order to conserve scenic distinctiveness and and/or Environmental Assessments for individual minimise impact on more settled dales and valleys. wind energy developments. Smaller scale and more settled lowland landscapes, generally lying in the south of the region, are also identified in the study as being of higher sensitivity to larger wind turbines. 3 DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY Contents Section A: Background .........................................................................5 17. Coastal Plateau/Flow Plateau (14/15) .....................................................181 1. Introduction .................................................................................................5 18. Upland Fringe (16) ..................................................................................190 2. Study Methodology ....................................................................................7 19. Plateau Moorland (17) ............................................................................209 20. Plateau With Forest (17A) ......................................................................218 Section B: Recommendations and Detailed Assessments ................27 21. Plateau Moorland With Lochs (17B) .......................................................229 3. Key Study Findings and Recommendations .............................................27 22. Foothills (18) ...........................................................................................236 Detailed Sensitivity Assessments .............................................................45 23. Foothills With Forest (18A) ....................................................................283 4. Peninsulas (1) .............................................................................................46 24. Southern Uplands (19) ...........................................................................327 5. Peninsula With Gorsey Knolls (1A) ..........................................................71 25. Southern Uplands With Forest (19A) .....................................................344 6. Coastal Flats (2)..........................................................................................79 26. Coastal Granite Uplands (20) ..................................................................355 7. Shallow Flat-Bottomed Valley/Narrow Wooded Valley (3/4) ..................96 27. Rugged Granite Uplands (21) .................................................................375
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