Solwaybank Wind Farm RES 8 Landscape and Visual unit. In the IPP, this area has ‘high-medium’ landscape sensitivity and ‘high’ visual sensitivity to Introduction wind farms of a scale similar to the proposed wind farm. Map 3A of the document indicates that the site lies within a ‘Cumulative Sensitivity Zone’. Elsewhere, it states that “the Annandale foothills 8.1 This chapter provides an assessment of the effects that the proposed Solwaybank Wind Farm are considered to be close to reaching capacity for larger typologies2…where multiple (hereafter referred to as ‘the proposed wind farm’), is predicted to have on the landscape and developments of large wind turbines would be likely to form a dominant rather than an incidental views from the surrounding area, during construction, operation and decommissioning. feature across the landscape unit”’3. 8.2 Effects on the landscape include physical changes to the landscape as well as changes in landscape character. Effects on the landscape may also include effects on areas designated for their scenic or Effects Assessed in Full landscape qualities, at a national, regional or local policy level. Effects on visual amenity relate to changes in views, and the appearance and prominence of the wind farm in those views. 8.9 Effects on the following topics have been assessed: 8.3 The landscape and visual assessment (LVIA) was undertaken following published guidance, including landscape character and resources; the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (Landscape Institute 2002), and designated landscapes; guidance published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The approach used was approved by SNH views and visual amenity (including settlements and routes); and during consultation. A cumulative landscape and visual assessment (LVIA) was also carried out, cumulative effects. taking into consideration existing and consented wind farm developments, as well as submitted applications. Effects Scoped Out 8.4 This chapter is supported by Figures 8.1 to 8.36 and these are referenced in the text. These can be 8.10 On the basis of guidance, desk based research and survey work undertaken and the professional found in Volume 3 of this Environmental Statement (ES). judgement of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) team, the following effects have been 8.5 This assessment has been undertaken by Land Use Consultants (LUC), the original assessment was ‘scoped out’: not carried out by LUC. This assessment has been carried out by three landscape architects at LUC, effects on areas within the 35 km study area with minimal predicted visibility, such that there all members of the Landscape Institute. is no likelihood of significant effects, including effects on landscape character types, designations, viewpoints, settlements or routes. Legislation and Policy Context Legislation and Policy Issues Identified during Consultation 8.6 General planning policies relating to the wind farm development and those specifically related to 8.11 Consultation has been carried out with SNH, Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC), Scottish Borders landscape and visual issues are outlined in Chapter 2: Planning Policy Context. The 35 km study Council, Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council. Consultation has focused on the area includes land within the Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders administrative areas, and selection of viewpoints and cumulative developments to be considered in this assessment. Issues Cumbria and Carlisle and Northumberland administrative areas, although the ‘Zone of Theoretical identified during consultation are set out in Table 8.1. The table also sets out issues raised during Visibility’ (ZTV) does not extend into Northumberland. the consultation in 2009, and how these have been addressed in the LVIA. 8.7 SNH (2009) Strategic Locational Guidance for Onshore Windfarms in Respect of the Natural Table 8.1: Issues Identified during Consultation Heritage, contains guidance with respect to the sensitivity of different parts of Scotland in terms of Scoping/Other Comments from Statutory Response/Action Taken its natural heritage, based on a desk assessment of landscape and natural heritage designations. Consultee Consultation Consultees (dated) Areas of high, medium and low sensitivity are identified across Scotland, as well as intermediate 2010-2011 Consultation areas (map 5 of the document). The Solwaybank Wind Farm site lies in an area shown as low sensitivity on map 5 of the document. SNH Meeting held to Viewpoints discussed at meeting Proposal and viewpoints introduced at discuss (2.3.2011), Viewpoint at Criffel too the meeting. 8.8 The recently produced draft Dumfries and Galloway Interim Planning Policy (IPP)1 contains information relating to sensitivity to wind farm development, based on landscape character areas. According to the Interim Planning Policy, the site lies within the ‘Annandale Foothills’ landscape 2 Typologies referred to in this document are windfarms of different scale and numbers of turbines. “Large: Turbines above 80m in height to blade tip. These are more likely to comprise developments of over 10 turbines but could also include single turbines or smaller groups” (DGC (2011) Dumfries and Galloway Interim Planning Policy (draft), paragraph 3.2) 1 DGC (2011) Dumfries and Galloway Interim Planning Policy (draft) 3 DGC (2011) Dumfries and Galloway Interim Planning Policy (draft), paragraph B13. 8-1 Volume 2: Main Report Chapter 8 Landscape and Visual Solwaybank Wind Farm RES Scoping/Other Comments from Statutory Response/Action Taken Scoping/Other Comments from Statutory Response/Action Taken Consultee Consultee Consultation Consultees (dated) Consultation Consultees (dated) 2010-2011 Consultation 2010-2011 Consultation viewpoint distant. Lockerbie Golf Course may Criffel viewpoint omitted. Landscape Comments on ES Errors and lack of clarity in Updated visualisations. selection, plus not have visibility. Lockerbie Golf Course viewpoint Architect for of 2009 visualisations. subsequent Discussion of all effects in LVIA. Final list of viewpoints agreed omitted after finalised layout (no DGC (Sept Insufficient analysis in LVIA. correspondence (3.5.2011). visibility). 2009 and Several local routes considered, undated) Minor roads within 5-10km of the including minor road skirting the site not assessed. site, from West Linnbridgeford to Cumulative (July 2011) No further response. LUC referred to SNH windfarm map Cumulative viewpoints too few and Kennedy’s Corner, then east to consultation (dated February 2011). too distant. Barnglieshead, as well as viewpoints close to the site. DGC Consultation No in house landscape advice for Kept DGC informed of progress Lack of focus on local landscape regarding viewpoints. No issues with selected regarding viewpoint selection and effects. Justification for the selection of viewpoint list following SNH confirmation of SNH comments. cumulative viewpoints is provided. selection viewpoints (meeting with RES, Assessment of Foothills LCT January 2011). includes Annandale area. Final list of viewpoints agreed Forestry Comments on ES Effect on woodland cover of site Set out in Chapter 6: Forestry. (1.7.2011). Commission of 2009 not clarified. Forestry replanting, discussed in Cumulative (July 2011) No further response. (July 2009) Compensatory planting required. Chapter 6: Forestry. consultation SNH (Oct Comments on ES Comments on visualisations did not Visualisations updated. Scottish Consultation Confirmed viewpoint locations within Sequential cumulative effects are 2009) of 2009 follow Visual Representation of Cumulative assessment updated Borders regarding Scottish Borders area, Roan Fell, considered for these routes. Windfarms (2006). including sequential effects. Council viewpoint White Coomb and Langholm Concerns about cumulative effects, Infrastructure elements assessed. selection Monument (11.2.2011). including sequential effects. Sequential cumulative effects should Lack of assessment of borrow pits be considered, including potential and infrastructure elements effects along the A7 and A74(M). Cumulative Provided information about five Sites included in CLVIA. consultation developments, Earlshaugh, Glenkerie and Corbie Shank (11.2.2001), Windy Assessment Methodology Edge and Cummings Hill (28.7.2011). Cumbria Consultation No issues, content with viewpoint at Viewpoint at Bowness on Solway Baseline Characterisation County regarding Bowness on Solway (11.2.2011). assessed. 8.12 Desk studies were undertaken to provide information about the baseline landscape and visual Council viewpoint selection amenity and to inform the field work and evaluation of effects. Data sources included Ordnance Survey (OS) topographic and geological maps, as well as references specific to designated areas and Cumulative Provided list of cumulative Wind farm developments considered landscape character. consultation developments (11.2.2011). in CLVIA. 8.13 Field survey work was carried out during several visits between August 2010 and August 2011 under Agreed cumulative viewpoint differing weather conditions. Records were made in the form of field notes and photographs. selection, provided information on two further developments (1.8.2011). Method of Assessment (including Significance Criteria) Carlisle City Consultation Confirmed viewpoints at Todhills and No additional viewpoints included, as Council regarding Banks, and omission of viewpoint at views from Carlisle and Castle Study Area viewpoint Carlisle city centre.