4.4 Baseline
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PURPOSE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THESE FIGURES: BALLYGILBERT WIND FARM These map-based Figures provide information on the baseline conditions within the 30 km Study Area that has been used for this Landscape and Visual Impact FIGURES 4.1 - 4.4 Assessment. They must be viewed in conjunction with the analysis of landscape and visual effects contained in Chapter 4 of the Environmental Statement and the detailed methodology for the preparation of visualisations contained in Technical Appendix 4.2. BASELINE ASSESSMENT FIGURES For ease of reference, the Reverse Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) is shown on Figure 4.3. The green shaded areas indicate parts of the Study Area which would experience no visibility of the Development. The same is illustrated in Figure 4.9: Reverse ZTV (blade tip) and the means of understanding each of the ZTV diagrams is further explained on Figures 4.5 – 4.13. Figure 4.1 illustrates the location of statutory landscape designations defined by planning policy and Development Plans. These provide evidence of the value placed on various parts of the Study Area for landscape and/ or visual characteristics and which may be subject to particular development control or planning policies. Non-statutory classifications, such as tourist routes and visitor attractions within the Study Area are also mapped on this figure. These give an indica- tion of the wider value of the Study Area to society although these classifications may not equate to any statutory protection. Landscape and Seascape Character Areas (LCAs and SCAs) are presented separately on Figure 4.2. These are defined by published documents: the Northern Ireland Landscape Character Assessment for Northern Ireland (NILCA) defines areas of distinct, recognisable or common character; the Northern Ireland Re- gional Seascape Character Assessment (NIRSCA) defines similar areas along the coastline; The Northern Ireland Regional Landscape Character Assessment (NIRLCA) defines broader areas of similar character and has been more recently updated than the NILCA. LCAs are further analysed by site survey and, where they are not deemed to be of relevance to this Development, this is indicated on the figure. Figure 4.3 illustrates the location of Provisional Viewpoints that were used to gain an initial understanding of the visual characteristics of the Development within the Study Area. It also illustrates the location of final Viewpoints that were chosen to provide a representative sample of viewers (receptors) and types of views of the Development across the Study Area and, most importantly, to demonstrate potential views of the Development rather than to show the screening effect of landscape features. A full and detailed description of the viewpoint selection process is provided in Technical Appendix 4.4 and should be referred to in con- junction with this Figure. Figure 4.4 illustrates the locations of other wind farms and single turbines that are considered to form the ‘Cumulative Baseline’ for this LVIA which comprises existing, consented and proposed (in-planning) wind farms which are likely to be visible from the selected Viewpoints (see Figures 4.14 – 4.42). A full descrip- tion of the Cumulative Baseline is provided in Technical Appendix 4.5. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT DRAWN / APPROVED: DATE: SCALE & PRINT SIZE: REVISION: SMc / JMc June 2020 NTS @ A3 B THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPERTY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS LTD. AND NO REPRODUCTION MAY BE MADE IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION 30 km 25 km Cushendun BALLYGILBERT WIND FARM Quality section Link section of 20 km of Ulster Way Ulster Way FIGURE 4.1 Cushendall LANDSCAPE DESIGNATIONS Ballymoney AND CLASSIFICATIONS 15 km Garron Point 19 23 KEY 20 10 km Ballygilbert proposed turbines 21 7.5 km Viewpoint locations Carnlough 10 (see Figure 4.3 for more detail) 14 22 15 5 km Link section of Glenarm Statutory Designations Ulster Way 8 2.5 km Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Cleggan House 7 26 Registered Park Glenarm Castle 1 24 & Demesne 9 Registered Parks, Gardens and 10 Demesnes 16 2 13 18 3 17 Ballygalley Ballygalley Non-Statutory Classifications 11 4 Broughshane Castle 12 25 Scenic drives 27 76 5 Skernaghan Point Ballymena Larne 29 Footpaths Islandmagee National Cycle Networks The Gobbins 28 Visitor attractions and destinations Quality section of Ulster Way Whitehead Ballyclare NOTE: This Figure must be viewed in conjunction with the analysis of landscape and visual effects contained in Chapter 4 of the Environmental Antrim Carrickfergus Statement. 30 Newtownabbey Bangor north LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Belfast DRAWN / APPROVED: DATE: SCALE & PRINT SIZE: REVISION: SMc / JMc June 2020 1:250,000 @ A3 A THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPERTY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY 0 5 10 km SYSTEMS LTD. AND NO REPRODUCTION MAY BE MADE IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION This material is based upon Ordnance Survey digital data © Crown Copyright 2020 and is reproduced with the permission of Land and Property Services under delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. All rights reserved. Licence No. 242 30 km 25 km BALLYGILBERT WIND FARM Cushendun 20 km LCA 121 SCA 9 FIGURE 4.2 LCA 118 Moyle Glens Northern Glens Coast MOYLE MOORLANDS Cushendall LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE Ballymoney & FOREST CHARACTER AREAS 15 km 19 Garron Point 23 KEY 20 10 km Ballygilbert proposed turbines 21 7.5 km Carnlough Viewpoint locations 10 LCA 122 SCA 23 (see Figure 4.3 for more detail) 22 GARRON PLATEAU 14 15 North Channel LCA 117 22 15 5 km CENTRAL Glenarm Landscape Character Area containing BALLYMENA the Development GLENS 8 2.5 km 7 26 SCA 10 Other LCAs assessed in the LVIA LCA 123 SOUTHERN GLENS COAST LCA 59 LARNE 1 24 Cullybackey LCA 117 GLENS 9 LCA 126 & Clogh Mills CENTRAL LARNE COAST Regional Landscape Character Area Drumlins 10 BALLYMENA 16 2 13 18 containing the Development GLENS 3 17 Ballygalley 4 Broughshane 11 Seascape Character Area 12 25 27 76 5 Ballymena Larne Other LCAs not assessed in the LCA LCA 124 29 LARNE BASALT MOORLAND LCA 116 SCA 12 Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Ballymena Larne Lough Farmland LCA 127 Islandmagee LCA 60 LARNE RIDGELAND LCA 128 River Main Valley ISLANDMAGEE 28 SCA 11 THE GOBBINS LCA 115 LCA 125 Tardree & Six Mile Tardree Upland LCA 98 Water Valleys Pastures CARRICKFERGUS UPLAND PASTURE Whitehead Ballyclare LCA 130 Carrickfergus Farmed NOTE: This Figure must be viewed in conjunction Escarpment with the analysis of landscape and visual effects contained in Chapter 4 of the Environmental Antrim Carrickfergus Statement and Technical Appendix 4.3. 30 LCA 114 SCA 13 LCA 129 Three & Six Mile Water Valleys Belfast Lough Carrickfergus Shoreline Newtownabbey Bangor north LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Belfast DRAWN / APPROVED: DATE: SCALE & PRINT SIZE: REVISION: SMc / JMc July 2020 1:250,000 @ A3 B THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPERTY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY 0 5 10 km SYSTEMS LTD. AND NO REPRODUCTION MAY BE MADE IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION This material is based upon Ordnance Survey digital data © Crown Copyright 2020 and is reproduced with the permission of Land and Property Services under delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. All rights reserved. Licence No. 242 INSET: Shortlisted Viewpoint Categories 30 km Category A: Views from the Ulster Way within, and in close proximity, to the site Viewpoints 1 - 7, Figures 4.14 - 4.20 Note: Viewpoints 3 and 5 have limited visibility and are illustrated by wireline-only figures p72 25 km Category B: Views from the rural road network, including representation of p29 residential properties, within approximately 5 km of the site Viewpoints 8 - 13, Figures 4.21 - 4.26 BALLYGILBERT WIND FARM Cushendun Note: Viewpoint 13 has limited visibility and is illustrated by a wireline-only figure 20 km Category C: Views from settlements within approximately 5 km of the site FIGURE 4.3 Viewpoints 14 - 18, Figures 4.27 - 4.31 Note: Viewpoint 15 has limited visibility and is illustrated by a wireline-only figure Cushendall VIEWPOINT SELECTION Ballymoney Category D: Sequential views from the A2 Coast Road 15 km Viewpoints 19 - 22, Figures 4.32 - 4.34 Garron Point Note: Viewpoints 21 and 22 have limited visibility and are illustrated by wireline-only figures 19 23 p51 Category E: Other representative views within the AONB KEY Viewpoints 23 - 27, Figures 4.35 - 4.39 Note: Viewpoint 23 is located nearly 20 km and is illustrated by a wireline-only figure p48 20 10 km Ballygilbert proposed turbines p14 Category F: Longer range views outwith the AONB p49 p50 21 7.5 km Viewpoints 28 - 30, Figures 4.40 - 4.42 Carnlough Shortlisted viewpoint location, category Note: Viewpoint 30 is located beyond 20 km and is illustrated by a wireline-only figure 10 p26 A (see ‘inset’) 22 14 15 p66-68 5 km Glenarm Shortlisted viewpoint location, category 10 p61 p9 B (see ‘inset’) 2.5 km p37 8 p25 7 26 p60 Shortlisted viewpoint location, category p55 p15 10 1 C (see ‘inset’) p58 24 p46 p24 9 p62 p40 p54 Shortlisted viewpoint location, category 10 10 16 2 D (see ‘inset’) 13 p5 18 3 17 p34 p59 Ballygalley 4 Broughshane p39 11 Shortlisted viewpoint location, category 12 10 25 p71 p33 6 E (see ‘inset’) p18 27 p42 p44 5 p47 Ballymena Larne p28 p8 Shortlisted viewpoint location, category p20 29 10 F (see ‘inset’) Provisional Viewpoint location not p10 Islandmagee shortlisted because it is represented by another Viewpoint p21 28 Provisional Viewpoint location not short- p10 listed due to absence of/ limited view Antrim Coast and Glens Area of p36 Outstanding Natural Beauty p35 Whitehead Ballyclare p30 Reverse Zone of Theoretical Visibility (see Figures 4.9 - 4.10 for detail) Antrim Carrickfergus 30 Newtownabbey Bangor north p31 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT NOTE: This Figure must be viewed in conjunction with the analysis of landscape and visual effects contained in ChapterBelfast 4 of the Environmental Statement and the detailed methodology DRAWN / APPROVED: DATE: SCALE & PRINT SIZE: REVISION: for the preparation of visualisations contained in Technical Appendix 4.2.