MORAY WIND ENERGY LANDSCAPE CAPACITY STUDY

Updated and Revised Final Appendix Report July 2016

Carol Anderson Landscape Associates

1

CONTENTS 

APPENDIX A: REFERENCES 

APPENDIX B: REVIEW OF SNH 2015 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT 

APPENDIX C: DETAILED SENSITIVITY TABLES 

APPENDIX D: SITING AND DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR SMALLER TURBINES 

APPENDIX E:  WIND FARM REPOWERING STUDY ‐ ZTV MAPPING AND VISUALISATIONS 

APPENDIX F:  LANDMARK HILLS

2

Appendix A: References Grant, A. 2010. Landscape Capacity Studies in Scotland – a review and guide to good practice. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No 385. Historic Scotland (website). Inventory of Designed Landscapes, Moray (Darnaway, Cullen House, Brodie Castle, Innes House, Gordon Castle, Gordonstoun, Pluscarden and Relugas. The Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, 3rd Edition, 2013 Scottish Government, June 2014. Scottish Planning Policy and online resource Onshore Wind – Some Questions Answered. Scottish Government 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy (and 2015 Update) Scottish Natural Heritage Visual Representation of Wind Farms Version 2.1 (December 2014) Scottish Natural Heritage, Assessing the cumulative impacts of onshore wind energy developments (2012) Scottish Natural Heritage. Siting and Designing windfarms in the landscape (version 2), May 2014. Scottish Natural Heritage, June 2015, Spatial Planning for Onshore Wind Energy Developments – Natural Heritage Considerations Scottish Natural Heritage. Map of Wild Land Areas and Non-Technical Description of Methodology, June 2014 Swanwick, C. and Land Use Consultants, 2002. Landscape Character Assessment: Guidance for England and Scotland. Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage. Swanwick, C, University of Sheffield and Land Use Consultants 2005. Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland – Topic Paper 6: Techniques and Criteria for Judging Capacity and Sensitivity. The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Various Environmental Statements for wind farm developments including those for the Dorenell, Meikle Hill, Hill of Glaschyle, Aultmore and Kellas wind farms

 

3

Appendix B: Review of SNH updated landscape character assessment

Background The 1998 SNH Moray and Nairn Landscape Assessment

This study formed part of the national programme of landscape character assessment commissioned by SNH in partnership with local authorities. It identifies 10 landscape character types across Moray and Nairn. Local authority boundaries have since been redrawn with the Nairn area allocated to Highland Council. The south- western boundary shown in the Moray and Nairn landscape assessment has also changed with the new Moray boundary extending further up the Spey Valley to include Ben Rinnes to the Avon Valley which forms the boundary with the Cairngorms National Park.

Baseline characterisation used in the 2012 Moray Wind Energy Landscape Capacity Study (MWELCS) The 1998 Moray and Nairn landscape assessment informed the definition of more detailed character areas for the sensitivity assessment undertaken as part of the 2012 MWELCS. The original names of the broad character types defined in the 1998 landscape assessment were adopted although sub-divisions of character types were introduced to better reflect key characteristics and the specific landscape context of landscapes which would potentially be sensitive to wind farm and turbine development. New characterisation was undertaken in 2012 following field assessment to fill ‘gaps’ where boundary changes had occurred. Some boundaries were also altered to better reflect landscape features seen on the ground. The table below sets out how each of the landscape character types identified in the 1998 Moray Landscape Character Assessment formed the basis for the detailed sensitivity assessment undertaken as part of the 2012 MWELCS:

No Character type Approach adopted for assessment 1. Soft Coastal Shore This character type has been amalgamated with the

‘Hard Coastal Shore’ (2) and much of the ‘Coastal

Forest’ (3) and a single sensitivity assessment undertaken.

2. Hard Coastal Shore As above

3 Coastal Forest As above

4 Coastal Farmland A sub-division of this character type has been defined to the east and is called the ‘Coastal

Farmland with Rolling Hills’ (4a). This area has a more rolling landform and greater extent of woodland than the main type; it also lies in close proximity to

the ‘Broad Forested Hills within Upland Farmland’

4

(8a). Separate sensitivity assessments have been undertaken for the main type (4) and this sub-type

(4a)

5 Rolling Farmlands and Forest Two sub-divisions of this character type have been

defined; the ‘Rolling Farmlands and Forest with Valleys’ (5a) and the ‘Rolling Farmlands and Forest with Low Hills’ (5b) to the west. The narrow band of

rolling hill fringes found between the Spey and Lossie valleys has been retained as ‘Rolling Farmlands and Forest’ (5). Separate sensitivity assessments have

been undertaken for the main type (5) and for sub-types (5a) and (5b).

6 Narrow Wooded Valley This character type has been largely retained in the sensitivity assessment but with some minor amendments made to the boundaries

7 Broad Farmed Valley This character type has been extended to include the Rinnes and Fiddich valleys and Ben Aigan which lies

between these valleys and forms a key landmark feature.

8 Upland Farmland The broad farmland centred on the shallow valley of the Isla and its northern tributaries has been retained as ‘Upland Farmland’ (8). Two sub-types have

additionally been defined within this character type, the ‘Broad Forested Hills within Upland Farmland’ (8a) and the ‘Valleys within Upland Farmland’ (8b)

9 Upland Moorland and Forestry This character type has been largely retained but with some amendments made to the southern

boundary to exclude the settled hill fringes at the transition with the Spey Valley and to the northern boundary to exclude the settled valley of the Upper

Lossie.

10 Open Uplands The western part of this character type is retained as

‘Open Uplands’ (10). The eastern area of this character type has been sub-divided into the ‘Open Uplands with Settled Valleys’ (10a) and the ‘Open

Uplands with Steep-sided Slopes’ (10b).

The SNH revised Moray and Nairn Landscape Character Assessment (2015) A review was undertaken of the 1998 Moray and Nairn Landscape Assessment in 2014/15 by Deb Munro Landscape Architect. This review also considered adjacent landscape character assessments and the character areas defined in the 2012 MWELCS. The review has resulted in the amendment of detailed boundaries of the of landscape character types within the original 1998 assessment so that they better reflect landscape features on the ground. The following more major changes to character classification have also been made:

5

A reduction in area of the Narrow River Valleys landscape character type

covering the River Findhorn with broader shoulders of densely forested land sitting above the incised valley defined as Rolling Farmlands and Forest and Upland Moorlands and Forestry.

Definition of Valley in Open Upland and Valley in Upland Farmland character types covering the upper Deveron in the east and Glen Rinnes in the south-west of Moray. The review report does not provide any description of character for these areas. The Deveron valley extends into the adjoining Aberdeenshire area within the revised draft 2015 Aberdeenshire Landscape Character Assessment. (Glen Rinnes is defined as Broad Farmed Valley in the 2012 MWELCS while the Deveron is defined as 8b Valleys within Upland Farmland).

Extension of the Rolling Farmlands and Forest (5) landscape character type to include Quarry Wood on the north-western edge of Elgin.

Extension of the southern boundary of Upland Moorlands and Forestry (10) into the Broad Farmed Valley (7) which covers the Spey Valley.

Creation of a new landscape character type Upland Farmed Valleys and Forested Hills (9) covering the upper Isla valley/Drummuir/Hill of Towie and Dufftown area. This area currently comprises Upland Farmland in the 1998 LCA and is also largely Upland Farmland (and related sub-types) in the 2012 MWELCS.

Figure 9 (taken from the SNH 2014/15 final draft review of the Moray and Nairn

landscape character assessment and included at the end of this appendix) shows the relationship between the 1998 Moray and Nairn landscape character assessment and the 2012 MWELCS. Recommendations for baseline landscape characterisation for the updated 2015 Moray wind capacity study

It is proposed to adopt all the changes made to the boundaries of landscape character types 1-6, 8, 11-12 in the revised SNH LCA. There are some key differences with the 2012 MWELCS that cause some concern however. These comprise the definition of the new character type Upland Farmed Valleys and Forested Hills (9) in the Hill of Towie/Dufftown area, the classification of Glen Rinnes, the Deveron and the Deskford Valleys and changes made to the southern boundary of the Upland Moorlands and Forestry (10). Sub-division of some of the main 12 landscape character types identified in the 2014/15 SNH review will also still be required given the variation which occurs in key characteristics and context, therefore influencing sensitivity to wind energy development. The following baseline characterisation for the purposes of the sensitivity assessment to be undertaken as part of the 2016 revised MWELCS is proposed:

Retain the amalgamation of the Soft/Hard Coastal Shore (1/2) and Coastal Forest (3) character types and adopt all boundary revisions.

6

Retain the sub-division of the Coastal Farmland (4) in the east and a renamed sub-division Rolling Coastal Farmland (4a) to cover the less expansive areas of coastal farmland backing Buckie and Cullen and covering the Deskford valley (the latter area formerly defined as Valleys within Upland Farmland 8b in the 2012 MWELCS). All boundary revisions to be adopted.

Adopt the boundary changes to the Narrow Wooded Valley (6) and Rolling Farmlands and Forestry (5) landscape character types but retain the sub-divisions of LCT 5 into 5a Rolling Farmland and Forests with Valleys and 5b Rolling Farmland and Forests with Low Hills set out in the 2012 MWELCS. The area of Rolling Farmland and Forests (5) which would then occur within Moray to the west of the Findhorn Valley (the Darnaway Forest area) should be included in sub-type 5b Rolling Farmland and Forests with Low Hills. It will be necessary to highlight the importance of the wooded policies within the western part of this landscape in providing the setting and backdrop to rare open views from the Findhorn and Dorback valleys.

The SNH 2014/15 revised LCA extends the southern boundary of the Upland Moorland and Forestry into the Broad Farmed Valley (7) covering the Spey Valley to include Monahoudie Moss and the spur of wooded higher ground which forms a ‘pinch-point’ to the north-west of Telford Bridge at Craigellachie. Although these comprise more densely wooded areas within the wider Spey Valley, they are lower and much less extensive in scale than the Upland Moorland and Forestry (10) LCT and also include some settlement/farmland. It was agreed with the Steering Group that the increased sensitivity of these outer upland edges should be stressed in the revised 2016 MWELCS.

Adopt the revised boundary of the Upland Farmland (8) but define a sub-type Broad Forested Hills within Upland Farmland (8a) as in the 2012 MWELCS. It was agreed with the Steering Group that the Valley in Upland Farmland (River Deveron in the far eastern part of Moray) and the Valley in Open Farmland covering Glen Rinnes/Deveron should be amalgamated with the upper Isla, Rinnes and Fiddich valleys (lying within the new LCT 9 in the revised SNH LCA) to form a new landscape character type called Narrow Farmed Valley (13)

The new Upland Farmed Valleys and Forested Hills LCT 9 will be adopted in part but with the upland areas of this character type being classified as the Rolling Forested Hills (9) and the valleys incorporated into the new character type Narrow Farmed Valleys (13).

All changes made to the classification and boundaries for landscape character type 11 Open Rolling Upland (which essentially follows the approach taken in the 2012 MWELCS) will be adopted.

Landscape character type 12 Open Upland and Farmed Valleys will be sub-divided as done for the 2012 MWELCS into Open Uplands with Steep Slopes (12a) and Open Uplands with Settled Glens (12b). These character sub-types and the proposed new Narrow Farmed Valleys character type covering Glen Rinnes will be extended to the Cairngorms National Park boundary (the 2014/15 SNH LCA review does not include all of the Moray area).

7

Figu

re 9

: MW

ELC

S LC

Ts a

nd

Mo

ray

and

Nai

rn o

rigi

nal

LC

Ts

Fig

ure

9: M

WEL

CS

LCTs

an

d M

ora

y an

d N

airn

ori

gin

al L

CTs

8

Appendix C: Detailed Sensitivity Tables

9

Cha

ract

er T

ype

1-3:

Coa

stal

Mar

gin

– Se

nsiti

vity

ass

essm

ent f

or la

rge

and

med

ium

typo

logi

es

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

A

sses

smen

t o

f la

rge

typ

olo

gy

(80m

-130

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Ass

essm

ent

of

med

ium

ty

po

log

y (5

0m-8

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

Thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

form

s a

very

na

rrow

coa

stal

mar

gin

larg

ely

defin

ed

by th

e lo

w c

liff o

f a r

aise

d be

ach

in th

e ea

st a

nd a

dis

tinct

rid

ge b

etw

een

Loss

iem

outh

and

Bur

ghea

d. T

he

char

acte

r ty

pe is

wid

er to

the

wes

t w

here

it in

clud

es th

e co

asta

l for

ests

, th

e m

ost e

xten

sive

of t

hese

bei

ng

Cul

bin.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

lies

adja

cent

to

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) a

lthou

gh

inte

r-vi

sibi

lity

betw

een

the

two

is o

ften

rest

ricte

d by

land

form

and

fore

stry

. T

here

is g

reat

er in

ter-

visi

bilit

y of

thes

e tw

o ch

arac

ter

type

s ea

st o

f the

Riv

er

Spe

y du

e to

the

abse

nce

of s

cree

ning

fe

atur

es.

The

nar

row

ness

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe in

crea

ses

sens

itivi

ty in

term

s of

ef

fect

s on

adj

oini

ng la

ndsc

apes

. Thi

s ty

polo

gy is

like

ly to

hav

e a

sign

ifica

nt

impa

ct o

n th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4)

, w

hich

alth

ough

ext

ensi

ve a

nd

rela

tivel

y si

mpl

e in

term

s of

its

land

form

and

land

cov

er, i

s w

ell

settl

ed a

nd v

ery

open

. T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

coul

d de

trac

t fr

om th

e la

ndm

ark

hill

of th

e B

in o

f C

ulle

n an

d th

e se

tting

to C

ulle

n H

ouse

, with

in th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4

) if

site

d in

the

east

ern

part

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

nar

row

ness

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe in

crea

ses

sens

itivi

ty in

term

s of

effe

cts

on a

djoi

ning

land

scap

es.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy is

like

ly to

hav

e a

sign

ifica

nt im

pact

on

the

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

(4)

, whi

ch a

lthou

gh

exte

nsiv

e an

d re

lativ

ely

sim

ple

in

term

s of

its

land

form

and

land

co

ver,

is w

ell s

ettle

d an

d ve

ry o

pen.

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

coul

d de

trac

t fr

om th

e la

ndm

ark

hill

of th

e B

in o

f C

ulle

n an

d th

e se

tting

to C

ulle

n H

ouse

, with

in th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4

) if

site

d in

the

east

ern

part

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

Mor

ay F

irth

give

s a

sens

e of

ex

pans

iven

ess

to th

e ov

eral

l se

asca

pe. L

ong

even

bea

ches

are

m

ore

open

alth

ough

mor

e in

tric

ate

sect

ions

of r

ocky

inde

nted

coa

stlin

e,

narr

ow r

aise

d be

ache

s an

d ex

tens

ive

dune

sys

tem

s al

so o

ccur

and

thes

e ar

eas

have

a s

mal

ler

scal

e. D

ispe

rsed

bu

ildin

gs a

re r

are

alth

ough

a r

egul

ar

patte

rn o

f sm

all s

ettle

men

ts is

a

char

acte

ristic

of t

his

coas

t. F

ores

ts a

nd

encl

osed

farm

land

als

o pr

ovid

e sc

ale

refe

renc

es.

Alth

ough

this

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

th

e sc

ale

of m

ore

open

, lon

g ev

en

sect

ions

of c

oast

line

and

the

wid

er

Mor

ay F

irth,

are

as o

f mor

e co

mpl

ex

inde

nted

coa

stlin

e, th

e lo

w r

elie

f of

the

shor

elin

e, r

aise

d be

ache

s an

d lo

w c

liffs

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

sen

sitiv

e in

te

rms

of c

ompa

rison

s of

sca

le to

tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze.

Sm

all s

ettle

men

ts a

nd o

ther

feat

ures

w

ould

als

o be

dw

arfe

d by

this

ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h A

lthou

gh th

is ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e sc

ale

of m

ore

open

, lon

g ev

en s

ectio

ns o

f coa

stlin

e an

d th

e w

ider

Mor

ay F

irth,

are

as o

f mor

e co

mpl

ex in

dent

ed c

oast

line,

the

low

re

lief o

f the

sho

relin

e, r

aise

d be

ache

s an

d lo

w c

liffs

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

sen

sitiv

e in

term

s of

co

mpa

rison

s of

sca

le to

turb

ines

of

this

siz

e.

Sm

all s

ettle

men

ts a

nd o

ther

fe

atur

es w

ould

als

o be

dw

arfe

d by

th

is ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h

10

Lan

dfo

rm

A

div

erse

and

ofte

n co

mpl

ex la

ndfo

rm

with

long

san

dy a

nd b

anke

d st

ony

beac

hes

back

ed b

y co

mpl

ex s

and

dune

s, s

pits

and

oth

er tr

ansi

ent

geom

orph

olog

ical

feat

ures

in th

e C

ulbi

n, F

indh

orn

and

Spe

y es

tuar

y ar

ea. T

he c

oast

is m

ore

inde

nted

and

ro

cky

to th

e ea

st a

nd b

etw

een

Loss

iem

outh

and

Bur

ghea

d, fe

atur

ing

smal

l cov

es, p

rom

onto

ries

and

occa

sion

al c

ragg

y is

lets

. A r

aise

d be

ach

plat

form

and

ass

ocia

ted

low

clif

f oc

curs

bet

wee

n B

ucki

e an

d C

ulle

n.

The

com

plex

form

of d

une

syst

ems

and

mor

e in

tric

ate

coas

tal f

eatu

res

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

sen

sitiv

e to

this

ty

polo

gy.

Alth

ough

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wou

ld r

elat

e be

tter

to th

e m

ore

sim

ple

stre

tche

s of

coa

st a

nd th

e ge

ntly

slo

ping

imm

edia

te h

inte

rland

pr

esen

t in

som

e ar

eas,

they

cou

ld

detr

act f

rom

nea

rby

mor

e co

mpl

ex

land

form

app

reci

ated

in lo

ng v

iew

s al

ong

the

coas

t.

The

abr

upt e

dges

of c

liff t

ops,

the

low

, nar

row

rid

ge b

etw

een

Loss

iem

outh

and

Bur

ghea

d an

d sk

ylin

es o

verlo

okin

g th

e co

ast w

ould

be

par

ticul

arly

sen

sitiv

e to

this

ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h T

he c

ompl

ex fo

rm o

f dun

e sy

stem

s an

d m

ore

intr

icat

e co

asta

l fea

ture

s w

ould

be

high

ly s

ensi

tive

to th

is

typo

logy

. A

lthou

gh tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze w

ould

rel

ate

bette

r to

the

mor

e si

mpl

e st

retc

hes

of c

oast

and

the

gent

ly s

lopi

ng im

med

iate

hin

terla

nd

pres

ent i

n so

me

area

s, th

ey w

ould

de

trac

t fro

m n

earb

y m

ore

com

plex

la

ndfo

rm a

ppre

ciat

ed in

long

vie

ws

alon

g th

e co

ast.

T

he a

brup

t edg

es o

f clif

f top

s, th

e lo

w, n

arro

w r

idge

bet

wee

n Lo

ssie

mou

th a

nd B

urgh

ead

and

skyl

ines

ove

rlook

ing

the

coas

t w

ould

be

part

icul

arly

sen

sitiv

e to

th

is ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Cul

tivat

ed fi

elds

, ofte

n en

clos

ed b

y st

one

wal

ls, s

lope

gen

tly d

own

to th

e lo

w c

liffs

of r

aise

d be

ache

s in

the

east

. G

orse

y sc

rub

colo

nise

s cl

iff to

ps a

nd

smal

l kno

lls o

n se

awar

d fa

cing

slo

pes

and

rock

y kn

olls

. Ext

ensi

ve p

ine

fore

sts

plan

ted

on d

unes

and

poo

rer

soils

and

gra

vels

bac

k th

e co

ast i

n pl

aces

and

are

par

ticul

arly

ext

ensi

ve to

th

e w

est.

Man

y of

thes

e fo

rest

s ar

e m

anag

ed fo

r th

eir

recr

eatio

n an

d co

nser

vatio

n va

lue

and

are

ofte

n di

vers

e. M

udfla

ts a

nd s

altm

arsh

form

co

mpl

ex p

atte

rns

with

in th

e tid

al

Fin

dhor

n B

ay a

nd S

pey

estu

ary.

Gol

f co

urse

s ar

e oc

casi

onal

feat

ures

clo

se

to th

e co

asta

l edg

e.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

det

ract

from

the

ofte

n di

vers

e ve

geta

tion

patte

rn

whi

ch is

clo

sely

ass

ocia

ted

with

the

land

form

of t

he C

oast

al M

argi

n. M

ore

unifo

rm fo

rest

ry a

nd le

ss s

tron

gly

encl

osed

farm

land

wou

ld b

e le

ss

sens

itive

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

det

ract

from

th

e of

ten

dive

rse

vege

tatio

n pa

ttern

w

hich

is c

lose

ly a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith th

e la

ndfo

rm o

f the

Coa

stal

Mar

gin

. M

ore

unifo

rm fo

rest

ry a

nd le

ss

stro

ngly

enc

lose

d fa

rmla

nd w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

11

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

The

re is

a s

tron

g id

entit

y to

the

settl

emen

ts w

hich

are

reg

ular

ly s

pace

d al

ong

the

coas

t. M

any

are

of h

isto

ric

and

arch

itect

ural

inte

rest

. Lo

ssie

mou

th a

nd B

urgh

ead

are

dist

inct

ivel

y si

ted

on p

rom

onto

ries

abov

e sh

elte

red

harb

ours

whi

le th

e pl

anne

d fis

hing

por

ts to

the

east

are

tu

cked

bel

ow c

liffs

on

narr

ow r

aise

d be

ache

s.

Par

ts o

f the

imm

edia

te h

inte

rland

are

m

ore

deve

lope

d, fo

r ex

ampl

e be

twee

n Lo

ssie

mou

th a

nd B

urgh

ead,

Fin

dhor

n an

d ea

st o

f the

Spe

y w

ith M

OD

de

velo

pmen

t, go

lf co

urse

s an

d ca

rava

n pa

rks.

The

ligh

thou

se w

est o

f Lo

ssie

mou

th fo

rms

a la

ndm

ark

feat

ure.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e se

tting

of a

rchi

tect

ural

ly d

istin

ctiv

e se

ttlem

ents

if s

ited

near

by a

nd/o

r on

co

ntai

ning

sky

lines

. Tur

bine

s of

this

si

ze, a

nd p

artic

ular

ly m

ultip

le

turb

ines

, cou

ld d

isru

pt th

e re

gula

r pa

ttern

of l

arge

ly c

ompa

ct

settl

emen

ts, o

ften

clea

rly a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith r

iver

mou

ths

or s

helte

red

natu

ral

harb

ours

set

alo

ng th

e co

ast b

y fil

ling

gaps

of o

pen

land

bet

wee

n. T

he

light

hous

e w

est o

f Los

siem

outh

w

ould

be

sens

itive

to tu

rbin

es s

ited

near

by.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e se

tting

of a

rchi

tect

ural

ly d

istin

ctiv

e se

ttlem

ents

if s

ited

near

by a

nd/o

r on

con

tain

ing

skyl

ines

. Tur

bine

s of

th

is s

ize,

and

par

ticul

arly

mul

tiple

tu

rbin

es, c

ould

dis

rupt

the

regu

lar

patte

rn o

f lar

gely

com

pact

se

ttlem

ents

, ofte

n cl

early

as

soci

ated

with

riv

er m

outh

s or

sh

elte

red

natu

ral h

arbo

urs

set

alon

g th

e co

ast b

y fil

ling

gaps

of

open

land

bet

wee

n. T

he li

ghth

ouse

w

est o

f Los

siem

outh

wou

ld b

e se

nsiti

ve to

turb

ines

site

d ne

arby

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

he c

oast

al e

dge

has

dist

inct

ive

natu

ral q

ualit

ies

and

a se

nse

of

rem

oten

ess

can

also

be

expe

rienc

ed

away

from

roa

ds a

nd s

ettle

men

t, w

here

the

hint

erla

nd is

less

vis

ible

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

sca

le c

ould

intr

ude

on th

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

and

na

tura

lnes

s ex

perie

nced

alo

ng p

arts

of

the

coas

tline

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Tur

bine

s of

this

sca

le c

ould

intr

ude

on th

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

and

na

tura

lnes

s ex

perie

nced

alo

ng

part

s of

the

coas

tline

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

The

Coa

stal

Mar

gin

is w

ell s

ettle

d an

d th

e fo

rest

s an

d co

ast a

re h

ighl

y va

lued

fo

r re

crea

tiona

l use

. T

here

are

ope

n vi

ews

acro

ss th

e M

oray

Firt

h to

the

dist

ant S

uthe

rland

co

ast a

nd h

ills.

Vie

ws

betw

een

the

Mor

ay c

oast

and

hin

terla

nd, i

nclu

ding

th

e ad

jace

nt C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4)

, are

sc

reen

ed b

y la

ndfo

rm a

nd fo

rest

ry in

pl

aces

alth

ough

inte

r-vi

sibi

lity

alon

g th

e co

ast a

nd th

e w

ider

Mor

ay

land

scap

e is

incr

ease

d al

ong

mor

e

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

vi

sibl

e fr

om r

oads

, set

tlem

ent a

nd

beac

hes

with

in th

is c

hara

cter

type

w

here

it w

ould

form

a d

omin

ant

feat

ure.

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld a

lso

be

prom

inen

t in

view

s fr

om th

e C

oast

al

Far

mla

nd (

4) a

nd fr

om th

e no

rth-

faci

ng s

ettle

d sl

opes

of t

he R

ollin

g F

arm

land

s an

d F

ores

t with

Val

leys

(5

a) a

nd th

e R

ollin

g C

oast

al

Far

mla

nd (

4a).

Hig

h T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne w

ould

be

high

ly

visi

ble

from

roa

ds, s

ettle

men

t and

be

ache

s w

ithin

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe

whe

re it

wou

ld fo

rm a

dom

inan

t fe

atur

e.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

als

o be

pr

omin

ent i

n vi

ews

from

the

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

(4)

and

from

the

nort

h-fa

cing

set

tled

slop

es o

f the

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nds

and

For

est w

ith V

alle

ys

(5a)

and

the

Rol

ling

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

(4a

).

Hig

h

12

open

, lon

g an

d ev

en s

ectio

ns o

f coa

st.

Bin

n H

ill is

pro

min

ent i

n th

ese

view

s.

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

sm

all g

roup

of t

urbi

nes

at

Fin

dhor

n ar

e vi

sibl

e in

the

wes

tern

par

t of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe. T

he o

pera

tiona

l R

othe

s I a

nd II

and

Hill

of T

owie

win

d fa

rms

are

visi

ble

nort

h an

d ea

st o

f E

lgin

see

n on

the

skyl

ine

of th

e di

stan

t up

land

s of

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

F

ores

try

(10)

and

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a)

but a

t di

stan

ces

of o

ver

18km

. B

oynd

ie w

ind

farm

is lo

cate

d cl

ose

to

the

coas

t in

neig

hbou

ring

Abe

rdee

nshi

re.

Cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

with

exi

stin

g w

ind

farm

s si

ted

with

in th

e up

land

la

ndsc

apes

to th

e so

uth

are

unlik

ely

to b

e si

gnifi

cant

due

to th

e di

stan

ces

invo

lved

, the

inte

rmitt

ent n

atur

e of

op

en v

iew

s to

the

hint

erla

nd a

nd th

e ex

tens

iven

ess

of v

iew

s w

hich

le

ssen

s vi

sual

impa

ct.

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

site

d in

the

wes

tern

par

t of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe

wou

ld h

ave

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

with

th

e sm

alle

r F

indh

orn

turb

ines

but

al

so w

ith o

ther

bui

ldin

gs a

nd

infr

astr

uctu

re a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith M

OD

de

velo

pmen

t at K

inlo

ss.

Cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

on v

iew

s fr

om k

ey

coas

tal r

oute

s m

ay o

ccur

with

win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ents

site

d in

A

berd

eens

hire

alth

ough

vie

ws

wou

ld

be m

ore

likel

y to

be

sequ

entia

l due

to

the

scre

enin

g pr

ovid

ed b

y rid

ges

and

hills

on

the

Mor

ay b

ound

ary.

Med

ium

-low

C

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s w

ith e

xist

ing

win

d fa

rms

site

d w

ithin

the

upla

nd

land

scap

es to

the

sout

h ar

e un

likel

y to

be

sign

ifica

nt d

ue to

the

dist

ance

s in

volv

ed, t

he in

term

itten

t na

ture

of o

pen

view

s to

the

hint

erla

nd a

nd th

e ex

tens

iven

ess

of

view

s w

hich

less

ens

visu

al im

pact

. T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne s

ited

in th

e w

este

rn p

art o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

w

ould

hav

e cu

mul

ativ

e ef

fect

s w

ith

the

smal

ler

Fin

dhor

n tu

rbin

es b

ut

also

with

oth

er b

uild

ings

and

in

fras

truc

ture

ass

ocia

ted

with

MO

D

deve

lopm

ent a

t Kin

loss

. C

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s on

vie

ws

from

ke

y co

asta

l rou

tes

may

occ

ur w

ith

win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ents

site

d in

A

berd

eens

hire

alth

ough

vie

ws

wou

ld b

e m

ore

likel

y to

be

sequ

entia

l due

to th

e sc

reen

ing

prov

ided

by

ridge

s an

d hi

lls o

n th

e M

oray

bou

ndar

y.

Med

ium

-low

13

Cha

ract

er T

ype

1-3:

Coa

stal

Mar

gin

– Se

nsiti

vity

ass

essm

ent f

or s

mal

l-med

ium

and

sm

all t

ypol

ogie

s T

op

ic

Su

mm

ary

des

crip

tio

nA

sses

smen

to

f sm

all-

med

ium

ty

po

log

y (3

5m-5

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Ass

essm

ent

of

smal

ltyp

olo

gy

(20m

-35m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

L

and

scap

e co

nte

xt

Thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

form

s a

very

na

rrow

coa

stal

mar

gin

larg

ely

defin

ed

by th

e lo

w c

liff o

f a r

aise

d be

ach

in th

e ea

st a

nd a

dis

tinct

rid

ge b

etw

een

Loss

iem

outh

and

Bur

ghea

d. T

he

char

acte

r ty

pe is

wid

er to

the

wes

t w

here

it in

clud

es th

e co

asta

l for

ests

, th

e m

ost e

xten

sive

of t

hese

bei

ng

Cul

bin.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

lies

adja

cent

to

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) a

lthou

gh

inte

r-vi

sibi

lity

betw

een

the

two

is o

ften

rest

ricte

d by

land

form

and

fore

stry

. T

here

is g

reat

er in

ter-

visi

bilit

y of

thes

e tw

o ch

arac

ter

type

s ea

st o

f the

Riv

er

Spe

y du

e to

the

abse

nce

of s

cree

ning

fe

atur

es.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

be

site

d w

ithin

br

oade

r se

ctio

ns o

f the

Coa

stal

M

argi

n (1

-3)

to m

inim

ise

effe

cts

on

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) a

lthou

gh

thes

e ar

eas

are

larg

ely

fore

sted

and

ot

her

sens

itivi

ties

wou

ld th

eref

ore

com

e in

to p

lay.

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

coul

d de

trac

t fr

om th

e la

ndm

ark

Bin

of C

ulle

n an

d th

e se

tting

to C

ulle

n H

ouse

if s

ited

near

by o

r in

key

vie

ws.

Med

ium

S

mal

ler

turb

ines

wou

ld h

ave

less

of

an e

ffect

on

the

adjo

inin

g C

oast

al

Far

mla

nd (

4) c

hara

cter

type

. The

re

are

incr

ease

d op

port

uniti

es to

site

tu

rbin

es to

war

ds th

e lo

wer

hei

ght

band

of t

his

typo

logy

to m

inim

ise

effe

cts

on a

djoi

ning

sen

sitiv

e la

ndm

ark

hills

and

pol

icie

s.

Med

ium

-low

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

Mor

ay F

irth

give

s a

sens

e of

ex

pans

iven

ess

to th

e ov

eral

l se

asca

pe. L

ong

even

bea

ches

are

m

ore

open

alth

ough

mor

e in

tric

ate

sect

ions

of r

ocky

inde

nted

coa

stlin

e,

narr

ow r

aise

d be

ache

s an

d ex

tens

ive

dune

sys

tem

s al

so o

ccur

and

thes

e ar

eas

have

a s

mal

ler

scal

e. D

ispe

rsed

bu

ildin

gs a

re r

are

alth

ough

a r

egul

ar

patte

rn o

f sm

all s

ettle

men

ts is

a

char

acte

ristic

of t

his

coas

t. F

ores

ts a

nd

encl

osed

farm

land

als

o pr

ovid

e sc

ale

refe

renc

es.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

rela

te to

th

e sc

ale

of m

ore

open

, lon

g ev

en

sect

ions

of c

oast

line

and

expa

nsiv

e fla

t hin

terla

nd a

reas

. Sm

all s

cale

sh

orel

ine

feat

ures

suc

h as

the

very

na

rrow

rai

sed

beac

hes,

dun

es a

nd

low

clif

fs w

ould

how

ever

be

high

ly

sens

itive

to th

is ty

polo

gy. T

urbi

nes

of

this

siz

e co

uld

over

whe

lm th

e sc

ale

of s

mal

l set

tlem

ents

if s

ited

near

by.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

rela

te to

th

e sc

ale

of m

ore

open

, lon

g ev

en

sect

ions

of c

oast

line

and

wou

ld

have

less

of a

dom

inan

t effe

ct o

n m

ore

sens

itive

are

as p

rovi

ded

turb

ines

wer

e lo

cate

d w

ell a

way

fr

om s

hore

line

feat

ures

suc

h as

the

very

nar

row

rai

sed

beac

hes,

dun

es

and

low

clif

fs.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Lan

dfo

rm

A d

iver

se a

nd o

ften

com

plex

land

form

T

he c

ompl

ex fo

rm o

f dun

e sy

stem

s H

igh-

The

com

plex

form

of d

une

syst

ems

Hig

h-

14

w

ith lo

ng s

andy

and

ban

ked

ston

y be

ache

s ba

cked

by

com

plex

san

d du

nes,

spi

ts a

nd o

ther

tran

sien

t ge

omor

phol

ogic

al fe

atur

es in

the

Cul

bin,

Fin

dhor

n an

d S

pey

estu

ary

area

. The

coa

st is

mor

e in

dent

ed a

nd

rock

y to

the

east

and

bet

wee

n Lo

ssie

mou

th a

nd B

urgh

ead,

feat

urin

g sm

all c

oves

, pro

mon

torie

s an

d oc

casi

onal

cra

ggy

isle

ts. A

rai

sed

beac

h pl

atfo

rm a

nd a

ssoc

iate

d lo

w c

liff

occu

rs b

etw

een

Buc

kie

and

Cul

len.

and

mor

e in

tric

ate

coas

tal f

eatu

res

wou

ld b

e se

nsiti

ve to

this

typo

logy

al

thou

gh th

is ty

polo

gy w

ould

rel

ate

bette

r to

sim

ple

sect

ions

of e

ven

coas

tline

, fla

tter

area

s of

ope

n hi

nter

land

and

mor

e ge

ntly

slo

ping

la

nd. T

he a

brup

t edg

es o

f clif

f top

s,

the

low

, nar

row

rid

ge b

etw

een

Loss

iem

outh

and

Bur

ghea

d an

d sk

ylin

es o

verlo

okin

g th

e co

ast w

ould

be

par

ticul

arly

sen

sitiv

e.

med

ium

an

d m

ore

intr

icat

e co

asta

l fea

ture

s in

clud

ing

estu

arie

s an

d ba

sins

w

ould

be

sens

itive

eve

n to

this

sm

all t

ypol

ogy

alth

ough

ther

e ar

e in

crea

sed

oppo

rtun

ities

to r

elat

e tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze to

mor

e ev

en

sect

ions

of c

oast

line

and

mor

e ge

ntly

und

ulat

ing

slop

ing

land

w

ithou

t det

ract

ing

from

adj

acen

t m

ore

com

plex

are

as o

f lan

dfor

m.

The

abr

upt e

dges

of c

liff t

ops,

the

low

, nar

row

rid

ge b

etw

een

Loss

iem

outh

and

Bur

ghea

d an

d sk

ylin

es o

verlo

okin

g th

e co

ast

wou

ld b

e pa

rtic

ular

ly s

ensi

tive.

med

ium

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Cul

tivat

ed fi

elds

, ofte

n en

clos

ed b

y st

one

wal

ls, s

lope

gen

tly d

own

to th

e lo

w c

liffs

of r

aise

d be

ache

s in

the

east

. G

orse

y sc

rub

colo

nise

s cl

iff to

ps a

nd

smal

l kno

lls o

n se

awar

d fa

cing

slo

pes

and

rock

y kn

olls

. Ext

ensi

ve p

ine

fore

sts

plan

ted

on d

unes

and

poo

rer

soils

and

gra

vels

bac

k th

e co

ast i

n pl

aces

and

are

par

ticul

arly

ext

ensi

ve to

th

e w

est.

Man

y of

thes

e fo

rest

s ar

e m

anag

ed fo

r th

eir

recr

eatio

n an

d co

nser

vatio

n va

lue

and

are

ofte

n di

vers

e. M

udfla

ts a

nd s

altm

arsh

form

co

mpl

ex p

atte

rns

with

in th

e tid

al

Fin

dhor

n B

ay a

nd S

pey

estu

ary.

Gol

f co

urse

s ar

e oc

casi

onal

feat

ures

clo

se

to th

e co

asta

l edg

e.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

det

ract

from

the

ofte

n di

vers

e ve

geta

tion

patte

rn

whi

ch is

clo

sely

ass

ocia

ted

with

the

land

form

of t

he C

oast

al M

argi

n. M

ore

unifo

rm fo

rest

ry a

nd o

pen

farm

land

w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e.

Med

ium

T

here

is in

crea

sed

scop

e to

loca

te

this

typo

logy

to a

void

impa

ct o

n m

ore

dive

rse

vege

tatio

n pa

ttern

.

Med

ium

-low

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

The

re is

a s

tron

g id

entit

y to

the

settl

emen

ts w

hich

are

reg

ular

ly s

pace

d T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld d

omin

ate

the

setti

ng o

f arc

hite

ctur

ally

dis

tinct

ive

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

dom

inat

e th

e se

tting

of a

rchi

tect

ural

ly d

istin

ctiv

e M

ediu

m

15

al

ong

the

coas

t. M

any

are

of h

isto

ric

and

arch

itect

ural

inte

rest

. Lo

ssie

mou

th a

nd B

urgh

ead

are

dist

inct

ivel

y si

ted

on p

rom

onto

ries

abov

e sh

elte

red

harb

ours

whi

le th

e pl

anne

d fis

hing

por

ts to

the

east

are

tu

cked

bel

ow c

liffs

on

narr

ow r

aise

d be

ache

s.

Par

ts o

f the

imm

edia

te h

inte

rland

are

m

ore

deve

lope

d, fo

r ex

ampl

e be

twee

n Lo

ssie

mou

th a

nd B

urgh

ead,

Fin

dhor

n an

d ea

st o

f the

Spe

y w

ith M

OD

fa

cilit

ies,

gol

f cou

rses

and

car

avan

pa

rks.

The

ligh

thou

se w

est o

f Lo

ssie

mou

th fo

rms

a la

ndm

ark

feat

ure.

settl

emen

ts if

site

d ne

arby

and

/or

on

cont

aini

ng s

kylin

es. M

ultip

le tu

rbin

es

of th

is s

ize

coul

d di

srup

t the

reg

ular

pa

ttern

of l

arge

ly c

ompa

ct

settl

emen

ts, o

ften

clea

rly a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith r

iver

mou

ths

or s

helte

red

natu

ral h

arbo

urs

set a

long

the

coas

t by

filli

ng g

aps

of o

pen

land

bet

wee

n th

em. T

he li

ghth

ouse

wes

t of

Loss

iem

outh

wou

ld b

e se

nsiti

ve to

tu

rbin

es s

ited

near

by.

settl

emen

ts if

site

d ne

arby

and

/or

on c

onta

inin

g sk

ylin

es.

Mul

tiple

turb

ines

cou

ld d

isru

pt th

e re

gula

r pa

ttern

of l

arge

ly c

ompa

ct

settl

emen

ts a

lthou

gh th

ere

is m

ore

scop

e to

acc

omm

odat

e th

ese

smal

ler

turb

ines

to m

inim

ise

effe

cts

on s

ettle

men

t pat

tern

and

set

ting.

T

he li

ghth

ouse

wes

t of

Loss

iem

outh

wou

ld b

e se

nsiti

ve to

tu

rbin

es s

ited

near

by.

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

he c

oast

al e

dge

has

dist

inct

ive

natu

ral q

ualit

ies

and

a se

nse

of

rem

oten

ess

can

also

be

expe

rienc

ed

away

from

roa

ds a

nd s

ettle

men

t, w

here

the

hint

erla

nd is

less

vis

ible

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

sca

le c

ould

intr

ude

on th

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

and

na

tura

lnes

s ex

perie

nced

alo

ng p

arts

of

the

coas

tline

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

intr

ude

on th

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

and

na

tura

lnes

s ex

perie

nced

alo

ng

part

s of

the

coas

tline

alth

ough

ther

e is

incr

ease

d sc

ope

for

smal

ler

turb

ines

to b

e se

t bac

k fr

om th

e m

ore

sens

itive

coa

stal

edg

e an

d th

us m

inim

ise

impa

cts

on

perc

eptu

al q

ualit

ies.

Med

ium

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

The

Coa

stal

Mar

gin

is w

ell s

ettle

d an

d th

e fo

rest

s an

d co

ast a

re h

ighl

y va

lued

fo

r re

crea

tiona

l use

. T

here

are

ope

n vi

ews

acro

ss th

e M

oray

Firt

h to

the

dist

ant S

uthe

rland

co

ast a

nd h

ills.

Vie

ws

betw

een

the

Mor

ay c

oast

and

hin

terla

nd, i

nclu

ding

th

e ad

jace

nt C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4)

, are

sc

reen

ed b

y la

ndfo

rm a

nd fo

rest

ry in

pl

aces

alth

ough

inte

r-vi

sibi

lity

alon

g

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

be

intr

usiv

e fr

om

road

s, s

ettle

men

ts a

nd a

reas

use

d fo

r re

crea

tion

if si

ted

on th

e ed

ge o

f be

ache

s, b

etw

een

the

coas

t and

the

A94

2 or

site

d on

rid

ge to

ps a

nd

with

in n

arro

w r

aise

d be

ache

s an

d on

th

e ab

rupt

edg

e of

clif

fs. T

urbi

nes

of

this

siz

e co

uld

also

be

prom

inen

t in

view

s fr

om th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4)

an

d fr

om th

e no

rth-

faci

ng s

ettle

d

Hig

h E

ven

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wou

ld b

e

intr

usiv

e fr

om r

oads

, set

tlem

ents

an

d ar

eas

used

for

recr

eatio

n,

part

icul

arly

if s

ited

on th

e ed

ge o

f be

ache

s, b

etw

een

the

coas

t and

th

e A

942

or s

ited

on r

idge

tops

and

w

ithin

nar

row

rai

sed

beac

hes

and

on th

e ab

rupt

edg

e of

clif

fs.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

, how

ever

, be

less

lik

ely

to b

e pr

omin

ent i

n vi

ews

from

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

16

the

coas

t and

the

wid

er M

oray

la

ndsc

ape

is in

crea

sed

alon

g m

ore

open

, lon

g an

d ev

en s

ectio

ns o

f coa

st.

Bin

n H

ill is

pro

min

ent i

n th

ese

view

s.

slop

es o

f the

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nds

and

For

est w

ith V

alle

ys (

5a)

and

the

Rol

ling

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4a).

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) a

nd fr

om

the

nort

h-fa

cing

set

tled

slop

es o

f th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

s an

d F

ores

t w

ith V

alle

ys (

5a)

and

the

Rol

ling

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4a).

C

um

ula

tive

ef

fect

s T

he s

mal

l gro

up o

f tur

bine

s at

F

indh

orn

are

visi

ble

in th

e w

este

rn p

art

of th

is c

hara

cter

type

. The

ope

ratio

nal

Rot

hes

I and

II a

nd H

ill o

f Tow

ie w

ind

farm

s ar

e vi

sibl

e no

rth

and

east

of

Elg

in s

een

on th

e sk

ylin

e of

the

dist

ant

upla

nds

of th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd

For

estr

y (1

0) a

nd B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

) bu

t at

dist

ance

s of

ove

r 18

km. T

he

cons

ente

d ex

tens

ion

to th

e R

othe

s w

ind

farm

will

ext

end

the

num

bers

of

turb

ines

vis

ible

on

the

skyl

ine

in th

ese

view

s.

Cum

ulat

ive

issu

es w

ith e

xist

ing

win

d fa

rms

site

d w

ithin

the

upla

nd

land

scap

es to

the

sout

h w

ould

not

be

sign

ifica

nt d

ue to

the

dist

ance

s in

volv

ed, t

he v

ery

inte

rmitt

ent n

atur

e of

ope

n vi

ews

to th

e hi

nter

land

and

th

e ex

tens

iven

ess

of v

iew

s w

hich

le

ssen

s th

eir

visu

al im

pact

. T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne s

ited

in th

e w

este

rn p

art o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

w

ould

be

mor

e co

mpa

tible

in s

ize

with

the

exis

ting

Fin

dhor

n tu

rbin

es

but c

ould

incr

ease

the

clut

ter

of b

uilt

MO

D in

fras

truc

ture

in th

e K

inlo

ss

area

, pot

entia

lly a

ffect

ing

view

s fr

om

mor

e se

nsiti

ve b

each

es.

Seq

uent

ial e

ffect

s on

vie

ws

from

key

co

asta

l rou

tes

may

occ

ur w

ith w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

ts s

ited

in

Abe

rdee

nshi

re.

Low

C

umul

ativ

e is

sues

with

exi

stin

g w

ind

farm

s si

ted

with

in th

e up

land

la

ndsc

apes

to th

e so

uth

wou

ld n

ot

be s

igni

fican

t due

to th

e di

stan

ces

invo

lved

, the

ver

y in

term

itten

t na

ture

of o

pen

view

s to

the

hint

erla

nd a

nd th

e ex

tens

iven

ess

of

view

s w

hich

less

ens

thei

r vi

sual

im

pact

. T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne w

ould

be

smal

ler

than

the

oper

atio

nal

Fin

dhor

n tu

rbin

es a

nd c

ould

res

ult

in c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s if

site

d cl

ose-

by. T

hey

coul

d al

so e

xace

rbat

e th

e cl

utte

r of

bui

lt in

fras

truc

ture

in th

e K

inlo

ss a

rea.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

be

unlik

ely

to h

ave

sign

ifica

nt

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

with

coa

stal

op

erat

iona

l dev

elop

men

ts in

A

berd

eens

hire

.

Low

17

Cha

ract

er T

ype

4: C

oast

al F

arm

land

– S

ensi

tivity

ass

essm

ent f

or la

rge

and

med

ium

typo

logi

es

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Ass

essm

ent

of

larg

e ty

po

log

y (8

0m-1

30m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

A

sses

smen

t o

f m

ediu

mty

po

log

y (5

0m-8

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

Thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

is g

eogr

aphi

cally

ex

tens

ive

apar

t fro

m a

t its

eas

tern

end

w

here

it n

arro

ws

betw

een

the

coas

t an

d th

e no

rthe

rn e

dge

of B

road

F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd

(8a)

and

Rol

ling

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd

(4a)

. A

low

but

dis

tinct

rid

ge fo

rms

a bo

unda

ry b

etw

een

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe

and

the

Coa

stal

Mar

gin

(1-

3) b

etw

een

Loss

iem

outh

and

Bur

ghea

d an

d th

is,

toge

ther

with

the

coas

tal f

ores

ts

plan

ted

on m

ore

low

-lyin

g ar

eas,

re

stric

ts c

lose

vie

ws

inla

nd to

this

ch

arac

ter

type

from

the

coas

t. T

here

is

grea

ter

inte

r-vi

sibi

lity

betw

een

thes

e tw

o ch

arac

ter

type

s ea

st o

f the

Spe

y du

e to

the

abse

nce

of s

cree

ning

fe

atur

es.

The

sm

alle

r sc

ale

land

scap

es o

f the

R

ollin

g C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4a

) an

d th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

s an

d F

ores

t (5)

and

th

e pr

omin

ent r

idge

of H

eldo

n H

ill

with

in th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

s an

d F

ores

t with

Val

leys

(5a

) st

rong

ly

cont

rast

with

the

expa

nsiv

e lo

w-ly

ing

plai

n of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe.

The

ext

ensi

vene

ss o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

wou

ld g

ener

ally

lim

it im

pact

on

adjo

inin

g ch

arac

ter

type

s. S

ensi

tivity

in

crea

ses

tow

ards

the

east

how

ever

w

here

this

ban

d of

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd

(4)

cons

tric

ts a

nd w

here

ther

e is

m

ore

inte

r-vi

sibi

lity

with

the

Coa

stal

M

argi

n (1

-3).

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om th

e la

ndm

ark

feat

ure

of th

e B

inn

of

Cul

len

with

in th

e B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

) in

th

is e

aste

rn a

rea.

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

site

d to

war

ds

the

sout

hern

bou

ndar

ies

of th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe c

ould

impa

ct o

n sm

alle

r sc

ale

adjo

inin

g la

ndsc

apes

(4

a) a

nd (

5) a

nd a

lso

detr

act f

rom

the

prom

inen

t rid

ge o

f Hel

don

Hill

with

in

the

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nds

and

For

est

with

Val

leys

(5a

).

Med

ium

T

he e

xten

sive

ness

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe w

ould

gen

eral

ly li

mit

impa

ct o

n ad

join

ing

char

acte

r ty

pes.

Sen

sitiv

ity in

crea

ses

tow

ards

th

e ea

st h

owev

er w

here

this

ban

d of

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) c

onst

ricts

an

d w

here

ther

e is

mor

e in

ter-

visi

bilit

y w

ith th

e C

oast

al M

argi

n (1

-3)

. T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om th

e la

ndm

ark

feat

ure

of th

e B

inn

of

Cul

len

with

in th

e B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

) in

th

is e

aste

rn a

rea.

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

site

d to

war

ds

the

sout

hern

bou

ndar

ies

of th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe c

ould

impa

ct o

n sm

alle

r sc

ale

adjo

inin

g la

ndsc

apes

(4

a) a

nd (

5) a

nd a

lso

detr

act f

rom

th

e pr

omin

ent r

idge

of H

eldo

n H

ill

with

in th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

s an

d F

ores

t with

Val

leys

(5a

).

Med

ium

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

A g

ener

ally

ope

n an

d ex

pans

ive

coas

tal p

lain

but

with

mor

e ro

lling

la

ndfo

rm, o

ccas

iona

l out

crop

hill

s an

d

Alth

ough

this

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

th

e sc

ale

of th

e la

ndfo

rm, s

ettle

men

t an

d ot

her

land

cov

er fe

atur

es w

ould

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Tur

bine

s to

war

ds th

e lo

wer

hei

ght

band

of t

his

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

br

oade

r lo

w-ly

ing

basi

ns w

here

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

18

woo

dlan

ds p

rovi

ding

con

tain

men

t in

som

e ar

eas.

A lo

wer

lyin

g lin

ear

shal

low

bas

in e

xten

ding

sou

th/w

est t

o no

rth/

east

is la

rger

in s

cale

and

pa

rtic

ular

ly o

pen.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is

wel

l set

tled

with

a r

egul

ar p

atte

rn o

f fa

rms,

hou

ses

and

settl

emen

ts

prov

idin

g re

ady

scal

e re

fere

nces

.

be d

omin

ated

by

thes

e ve

ry ta

ll tu

rbin

es.

If si

ted

on o

r ne

arby

the

smal

l ou

tcro

p hi

lls w

hich

are

land

mar

k fe

atur

es w

ithin

this

land

scap

e,

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wou

ld o

verw

helm

th

eir

low

ver

tical

sca

le.

Are

as o

f mor

e ro

lling

land

form

si

mila

rly h

ave

a sm

alle

r sc

ale

whi

ch

wou

ld b

e do

min

ated

by

turb

ines

of

this

siz

e.

settl

emen

t is

spar

ser

alth

ough

this

ty

polo

gy in

gen

eral

wou

ld a

ppea

r ve

ry la

rge

in r

elat

ion

to b

uild

ings

an

d w

oodl

ands

. If

site

d on

or

near

by th

e sm

all

outc

rop

hills

whi

ch a

re la

ndm

ark

feat

ures

with

in th

is la

ndsc

ape,

tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze w

ould

ov

erw

helm

thei

r lo

w v

ertic

al s

cale

. A

reas

of m

ore

rolli

ng la

ndfo

rm

sim

ilarly

hav

e a

smal

ler

scal

e w

hich

w

ould

be

dom

inat

ed b

y tu

rbin

es o

f th

is s

ize.

L

and

form

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

has

a pr

edom

inan

tly

subt

ly u

ndul

atin

g la

ndfo

rm b

ut w

ith

som

e oc

casi

onal

land

mar

k hi

lls a

nd

ridge

s in

clud

ing

Hill

of S

pyni

e cl

ose

to

Elg

in a

nd T

appo

ch a

nd B

inn

Hill

clo

ser

to th

e co

ast.

Poc

kets

of m

ore

com

plex

ro

lling

land

form

occ

ur in

the

Urq

uhar

t an

d Lh

anbr

yde

area

and

sm

all k

nolly

hi

lls N

E o

f Elg

in. T

he b

road

floo

dpla

ins

of th

e S

pey

and

Loss

ie a

nd a

ban

d of

ve

ry lo

w-ly

ing

drai

ned

land

bet

wee

n Lo

ssie

mou

th a

nd K

inlo

ss h

ave

a pa

rtic

ular

ly s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm.

The

gen

eral

ly s

impl

e ge

ntly

un

dula

ting

to fl

at la

ndfo

rm o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

red

uces

sen

sitiv

ity

alth

ough

this

typo

logy

wou

ld d

etra

ct

from

the

prom

inen

t hill

s an

d rid

ges

and

smal

l are

as o

f mor

e co

mpl

ex

rolli

ng la

ndfo

rm if

site

d on

or

near

by

them

.

Med

ium

-low

T

he g

ener

ally

sim

ple

gent

ly

undu

latin

g la

ndfo

rm o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

red

uces

sen

sitiv

ity

alth

ough

this

typo

logy

wou

ld d

etra

ct

from

the

prom

inen

t hill

s an

d rid

ges

and

smal

l are

as o

f mor

e co

mpl

ex

rolli

ng la

ndfo

rm if

site

d on

or

near

by

them

.

Med

ium

-low

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

A s

impl

e la

nd c

over

pat

tern

of l

arge

ar

able

fiel

ds in

ters

pers

ed w

ith s

mal

l bl

ocks

of c

onife

rs. S

ome

larg

er

coni

fero

us p

lant

atio

ns o

ccur

clo

se to

th

e co

ast a

nd th

e S

pey

Val

ley.

S

mal

l poc

kets

of m

ore

dive

rse

land

co

ver

patte

rn a

re a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith th

e po

licie

s of

mix

ed s

helte

rbel

ts, p

arkl

and

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e si

mpl

e an

d ge

nera

lly o

pen

char

acte

r of

farm

land

alth

ough

pol

icy

feat

ures

an

d m

ore

natu

ral v

eget

atio

n co

ver

wou

ld b

e m

ore

sens

itive

.

Med

ium

-low

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

the

sim

ple

and

gene

rally

ope

n ch

arac

ter

of fa

rmla

nd a

lthou

gh

polic

y w

oodl

ands

and

mor

e na

tura

l ve

geta

tion

cove

r w

ould

be

mor

e se

nsiti

ve.

Med

ium

-low

19

and

aven

ues

of In

nes

Hou

se, G

ordo

n C

astle

, Bro

die

Cas

tle a

nd

Gor

dons

toun

, the

mor

e na

tura

listic

m

oss

and

woo

dlan

d of

the

Bau

ds o

f C

ulle

n an

d S

pyni

e M

oss

and

broa

dlea

ved

woo

dlan

ds, s

crub

and

w

etla

nds

alon

g th

e S

pey.

B

uilt

en

viro

nm

ent

RA

F a

ir fie

lds

and

asso

ciat

ed b

uild

ings

an

d in

fras

truc

ture

incl

udin

g ta

ll m

asts

ar

e co

ncen

trat

ed in

the

Kin

loss

, Lo

ssie

mou

th a

nd B

urgh

ead

area

. D

ispe

rsed

farm

s, h

ouse

s, s

mal

l and

la

rger

set

tlem

ents

and

occ

asio

nal

hist

oric

al b

uild

ings

incl

udin

g th

e O

ld

Cas

tle o

f Duf

fus,

Pal

ace

of S

pyni

e an

d gr

and

hous

es/c

astle

s w

ith d

esig

ned

land

scap

es a

s w

ell a

s ch

urch

spi

res

form

land

mar

k fe

atur

es.

Larg

er

war

ehou

ses,

mal

tings

and

som

e qu

arry

ing

and

land

fill s

ites

form

oc

casi

onal

feat

ures

and

ther

e is

a w

ell-

deve

lope

d ne

twor

k of

roa

ds a

nd s

ome

tran

smis

sion

line

s.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e se

tting

of s

mal

l set

tlem

ents

, far

ms

and

hous

es in

this

wel

l set

tled

land

scap

e. H

isto

ric b

uilt

feat

ures

w

ould

als

o be

sen

sitiv

e to

intr

usio

n on

thei

r se

tting

alth

ough

thes

e fe

atur

es a

re w

idel

y di

sper

sed.

T

he p

rese

nce

of s

ome

infr

astr

uctu

re

and

indu

stria

l dev

elop

men

t in

this

la

ndsc

ape

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty to

an

exte

nt, a

lthou

gh th

e in

trod

uctio

n of

la

rge

turb

ines

wou

ld a

ccen

tuat

e th

is

aspe

ct o

f lan

dsca

pe c

hara

cter

. M

ultip

le d

evel

opm

ents

of s

ingl

e an

d sm

all g

roup

s of

turb

ines

cou

ld

sign

ifica

ntly

incr

ease

the

clut

ter

of

disp

arat

e el

emen

ts in

this

la

ndsc

ape.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e se

tting

of s

mal

l set

tlem

ents

, far

ms

and

hous

es in

this

wel

l set

tled

land

scap

e. H

isto

ric b

uilt

feat

ures

w

ould

als

o be

sen

sitiv

e to

intr

usio

n on

thei

r se

tting

alth

ough

thes

e fe

atur

es a

re w

idel

y di

sper

sed.

T

he p

rese

nce

of s

ome

infr

astr

uctu

re a

nd in

dust

rial

deve

lopm

ent i

n th

is la

ndsc

ape

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty to

an

exte

nt,

alth

ough

the

intr

oduc

tion

of la

rge

turb

ines

wou

ld a

ccen

tuat

e th

is

aspe

ct o

f lan

dsca

pe c

hara

cter

and

(p

artic

ular

ly if

mul

tiple

de

velo

pmen

ts o

f sin

gle

and

smal

l gr

oups

of t

urbi

nes

occ

urre

d) c

ould

si

gnifi

cant

ly in

crea

se th

e cl

utte

r of

di

spar

ate

elem

ents

in th

is

land

scap

e.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

his

is a

wel

l-set

tled

and

high

ly

man

aged

land

scap

e w

ith n

o se

nse

of

wild

ness

or

othe

r st

rong

per

cept

ual

qual

ities

.

Sen

sitiv

ity is

red

uced

due

to th

e ab

senc

e of

sen

sitiv

e pe

rcep

tual

qu

aliti

es.

Low

S

ensi

tivity

is r

educ

ed d

ue to

the

abse

nce

of s

ensi

tive

perc

eptu

al

qual

ities

.

Low

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

can

be v

ery

open

in

plac

es w

ith e

xten

sive

and

uni

mpe

ded

view

s po

ssib

le fr

om m

ajor

roa

ds s

uch

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

vi

sibl

e fr

om r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent

with

in th

is o

pen

land

scap

e w

here

it

Hig

h T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne w

ould

be

high

ly

visi

ble

from

roa

ds a

nd s

ettle

men

t w

ithin

this

ope

n la

ndsc

ape.

The

re

Hig

h

20

as th

e A

96 a

nd fr

om th

e de

nse

netw

ork

of m

inor

roa

ds w

hich

cris

s-cr

oss

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe. F

ores

try

and

subt

le r

idge

s lim

it th

e ex

tent

of v

iew

s in

ot

her

area

s. T

he p

rom

inen

t hill

s of

B

inn

Hill

and

Tap

poch

form

foca

l fe

atur

es in

vie

ws

acro

ss th

is

land

scap

e.

The

re a

re v

iew

s to

the

upla

nds

of

Mor

ay to

the

sout

h fr

om th

is a

rea,

with

B

en R

inne

s, B

en A

igan

and

Bro

wn

Mui

r hi

lls fo

rmin

g ke

y fe

atur

es. T

he

Mor

ay F

irth

and

dist

ant S

uthe

rland

co

ast a

lso

feat

ure

in v

iew

s to

the

nort

h.

Infr

astr

uctu

re a

nd b

uild

ings

ass

ocia

ted

with

the

RA

F a

re h

ighl

y vi

sibl

e as

are

th

e w

ind

turb

ines

at F

indh

orn

and

mas

ts in

the

wes

tern

par

t of t

his

land

scap

e to

war

ds th

e co

ast.

Clo

se v

iew

s to

this

land

scap

e ar

e lim

ited

from

the

Coa

stal

Mar

gin

(1-

3)

due

to s

cree

ning

pro

vide

d by

fore

sts

and

land

form

to th

e w

est o

f the

Spe

y.

Som

e in

ter-

visi

bilit

y be

twee

n th

e co

ast

and

this

land

scap

e oc

curs

eas

t of t

he

Spe

y ho

wev

er. T

he n

orth

-fac

ing

settl

ed s

lope

s of

Hel

don

Hill

with

in th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

and

For

est w

ith

Val

leys

(5a

), th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

and

F

ores

t (5)

and

the

Rol

ling

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

(4a

) ha

ve o

pen

and

elev

ated

vi

ews

acro

ss th

is la

ndsc

ape

and

over

th

e M

oray

Firt

h.

coul

d co

mpe

te w

ith th

e fo

ci o

f pr

omin

ent h

ills

and

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to

form

a d

omin

ant f

eatu

re.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

als

o be

hi

ghly

vis

ible

from

the

ofte

n w

ell-

settl

ed n

orth

-fac

ing

slop

es o

f ad

jace

nt c

hara

cter

type

s. A

lthou

gh

clos

e vi

ews

from

the

Coa

stal

Mar

gin

(1

-3)

are

likel

y to

be

scre

ened

by

fore

st a

nd a

coa

sta

l rid

ge w

est o

f the

S

pey,

this

typo

logy

wou

ld b

e vi

sibl

e fr

om s

ectio

ns o

f the

coa

st e

ast o

f the

S

pey

and

they

wou

ld a

lso

be s

een

in

long

er a

nd m

ore

open

vie

ws

alon

g th

e co

ast f

rom

pro

mon

torie

s an

d ba

ys w

here

the

hint

erla

nd is

mor

e vi

sibl

e.

may

be

mor

e sc

ope

to s

ite tu

rbin

es

tow

ards

the

low

er h

eigh

t of t

his

typo

logy

to m

inim

ise

effe

cts

on

exis

ting

foci

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

be

high

ly v

isib

le fr

om th

e of

ten

wel

l-se

ttled

nor

th-f

acin

g sl

opes

of

adja

cent

cha

ract

er ty

pes.

Alth

ough

cl

ose

view

s fr

om th

e C

oast

al

Mar

gin

(1-3

) ar

e lik

ely

to b

e sc

reen

ed b

y fo

rest

and

a c

oast

al

ridge

wes

t of t

he S

pey,

this

ty

polo

gy w

ould

be

mor

e vi

sibl

e fr

om

sect

ions

of t

he c

oast

eas

t of t

he

Spe

y an

d th

ey w

ould

als

o be

see

n in

long

er a

nd m

ore

open

vie

ws

alon

g th

e co

ast f

rom

pro

mon

torie

s an

d ba

ys w

here

the

hint

erla

nd is

m

ore

visi

ble.

Cu

mu

lati

ve

The

gro

up o

f sm

all w

ind

turb

ines

at

Cum

ulat

ive

issu

es w

ith w

ind

farm

s M

ediu

m-lo

w

Cum

ulat

ive

issu

es w

ith w

ind

farm

s M

ediu

m-lo

w

21

effe

cts

Fin

dhor

n si

ted

in th

e ad

jace

nt C

oast

al

Mar

gin

(1-3

) ar

e vi

sibl

e fr

om

settl

emen

ts a

nd r

oads

in th

e w

este

rn

part

of M

oray

. The

Rot

hes

and

Hill

of

Tow

ie w

ind

farm

s ar

e vi

sibl

e no

rth

and

east

of E

lgin

see

n on

the

skyl

ine

of th

e di

stan

t upl

ands

of t

he U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

and

Bro

ad

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8

a) a

t dis

tanc

es o

f bet

wee

n10-

18km

. T

he B

oynd

ie w

ind

farm

is s

ited

appr

oxim

atel

y 11

km to

the

east

of

Mor

ay w

ith li

mite

d vi

sibi

lity

from

this

lo

w-ly

ing

char

acte

r ty

pe.

alre

ady

site

d w

ithin

the

upla

nd

land

scap

es to

the

sout

h ar

e un

likel

y to

be

sign

ifica

nt o

ver

muc

h of

this

ch

arac

ter

type

due

to th

e di

stan

ces

invo

lved

and

the

exte

nsiv

enes

s of

vi

ews

whi

ch le

ssen

s th

eir

visu

al

impa

ct. T

he a

rea

sout

h an

d ea

st o

f E

lgin

and

the

Spe

y V

alle

y ar

e m

ore

sens

itive

. Seq

uent

ial e

ffect

s on

vie

ws

from

the

A98

may

occ

ur w

ith w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

ts s

ited

in

Abe

rdee

nshi

re.

alre

ady

site

d w

ithin

the

upla

nd

land

scap

es to

the

sout

h ar

e un

likel

y to

be

sign

ifica

nt o

ver

muc

h of

this

ch

arac

ter

type

due

to th

e di

stan

ces

invo

lved

and

the

exte

nsiv

enes

s of

vi

ews

whi

ch le

ssen

s th

eir

visu

al

impa

ct. T

he a

rea

sout

h an

d ea

st o

f E

lgin

and

the

Spe

y V

alle

y ar

e m

ore

sens

itive

. Seq

uent

ial e

ffect

s on

vi

ews

from

the

A98

may

occ

ur w

ith

win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ents

site

d in

A

berd

eens

hire

.

22

Cha

ract

er T

ype

4: C

oast

al F

arm

land

– S

ensi

tivity

ass

essm

ent f

or s

mal

l-med

ium

and

sm

all t

ypol

ogie

s T

op

ic

Su

mm

ary

des

crip

tio

nA

sses

smen

to

f sm

all-

med

ium

ty

po

log

y (3

5m-5

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Ass

essm

ent

of

smal

ltyp

olo

gy

(20m

-35m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

L

and

scap

e co

nte

xt

Thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

is g

eogr

aphi

cally

ex

tens

ive

apar

t fro

m a

t its

eas

tern

end

w

here

it n

arro

ws

betw

een

the

coas

t an

d th

e no

rthe

rn e

dge

of B

road

F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd

(8a)

and

Rol

ling

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd(4

a).

A lo

w b

ut d

istin

ct r

idge

form

s a

boun

dary

bet

wee

n th

is c

hara

cter

type

an

d th

e C

oast

al M

argi

n (

1-3)

bet

wee

n Lo

ssie

mou

th a

nd B

urgh

ead

and

this

, to

geth

er w

ith th

e co

asta

l for

ests

pl

ante

d on

mor

e lo

w-ly

ing

area

s,

rest

ricts

clo

se v

iew

s in

land

to th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe fr

om th

e co

ast.

The

re is

gr

eate

r in

ter-

visi

bilit

y be

twee

n th

ese

two

char

acte

r ty

pes

east

of t

he S

pey

due

to th

e ab

senc

e of

scr

eeni

ng

feat

ures

. T

he s

mal

ler

scal

e la

ndsc

apes

of t

he

Rol

ling

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4a)

and

the

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nds

and

For

est (

5) a

nd

the

prom

inen

t rid

ge o

f Hel

don

Hill

w

ithin

the

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nds

and

For

est w

ith V

alle

ys (

5a)

stro

ngly

co

ntra

st w

ith th

e ex

pans

ive

low

-lyin

g pl

ain

of th

is c

hara

cter

type

.

The

re w

ould

be

incr

ease

d sc

ope

for

this

typo

logy

to b

e si

ted

with

in th

is

exte

nsiv

e la

ndsc

ape

to a

void

si

gnifi

cant

impa

ct o

n ad

join

ing

mor

e se

nsiti

ve s

mal

ler

scal

e la

ndsc

apes

. S

ensi

tive

skyl

ines

see

n fr

om th

e le

ss

built

up

sect

ions

of c

oast

with

in th

e C

oast

al M

argi

n (

1-3)

wou

ld s

till n

eed

to b

e av

oide

d an

d tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze c

ould

als

o st

ill d

etra

ct fr

om k

ey

land

mar

k fe

atur

es if

site

d ne

arby

.

Med

ium

-low

T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne w

ould

hav

e m

inim

al e

ffect

s on

adj

oini

ng s

mal

ler

scal

e la

ndsc

apes

and

ther

e is

sc

ope

also

to s

ite th

em o

n ge

ntle

r lo

wer

slo

pes

of th

e m

ore

pron

ounc

ed h

ills

and

ridge

s.

Sen

sitiv

e sk

ylin

es s

een

from

the

less

bui

lt up

sec

tions

of c

oast

with

in

the

Coa

stal

Mar

gin

(1-

3) w

ould

stil

l ne

ed to

be

avoi

ded

how

ever

.

Low

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

A g

ener

ally

ope

n an

d ex

pans

ive

coas

tal p

lain

but

with

mor

e ro

lling

la

ndfo

rm, o

ccas

iona

l out

crop

hill

s an

d w

oodl

ands

pro

vidi

ng c

onta

inm

ent i

n

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to b

road

er

low

-lyin

g ba

sins

whe

re s

ettle

men

t is

spar

ser

alth

ough

turb

ines

of t

his

size

w

ould

stil

l app

ear

larg

e in

rel

atio

n to

Med

ium

T

here

are

incr

ease

d op

port

uniti

es

to a

ccom

mod

ate

the

smal

ler

turb

ines

of t

his

typo

logy

to m

inim

ise

scal

e ef

fect

s on

sm

alle

r sc

ale

Med

ium

-low

23

som

e ar

eas.

A lo

wer

lyin

g lin

ear

shal

low

bas

in e

xten

ding

sou

th/w

est t

o no

rth/

east

is la

rger

in s

cale

and

pa

rtic

ular

ly o

pen.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is

wel

l set

tled

with

a r

egul

ar p

atte

rn o

f fa

rms,

hou

ses

and

settl

emen

ts

prov

idin

g re

ady

scal

e re

fere

nces

.

build

ings

and

woo

dlan

ds a

nd a

lso

to

the

smal

ler

prom

inen

t hill

s (w

hich

do

not r

ise

abov

e 10

0m)

and

smal

ler

scal

e ro

lling

land

form

.

feat

ures

suc

h as

woo

dlan

ds a

nd

build

ings

.

Lan

dfo

rm

T

his

land

scap

e ha

s a

pred

omin

antly

su

btly

und

ulat

ing

land

form

but

with

so

me

occa

sion

al la

ndm

ark

hills

and

rid

ges

incl

udin

g S

pyni

e R

idge

clo

se to

E

lgin

and

Tap

poch

and

Bin

n H

ill c

lose

r to

the

coas

t. P

ocke

ts o

f mor

e co

mpl

ex

rolli

ng la

ndfo

rm o

ccur

in th

e U

rquh

art

and

Lhan

bryd

e ar

ea a

nd s

mal

l kno

lly

hills

NE

of E

lgin

. The

bro

ad fl

oodp

lain

s of

the

Spe

y an

d Lo

ssie

and

a b

and

of

very

low

-lyin

g dr

aine

d la

nd b

etw

een

Loss

iem

outh

and

Kin

loss

hav

e a

part

icul

arly

sim

ple

land

form

.

The

gen

eral

ly s

impl

e ge

ntly

un

dula

ting

land

form

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe r

educ

es s

ensi

tivity

alth

ough

this

ty

polo

gy w

ould

det

ract

from

the

prom

inen

t hill

s an

d rid

ges

and

smal

l ar

eas

of m

ore

com

plex

rol

ling

land

form

if s

ited

on o

r ne

arby

them

.

Med

ium

-low

T

he g

ener

ally

sim

ple

gent

ly

undu

latin

g la

ndfo

rm o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

red

uces

sen

sitiv

ity

alth

ough

eve

n th

ese

smal

ler

turb

ines

wou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om th

e pr

omin

ent h

ills

and

ridge

s an

d sm

all a

reas

of m

ore

com

plex

rol

ling

land

form

if s

ited

on h

ill o

r rid

ge to

ps

alth

ough

ther

e m

ay b

e so

me

limite

d sc

ope

to s

ite tu

rbin

es to

war

ds th

e lo

wer

hei

ght b

and

of th

is ty

polo

gy

on lo

wer

less

pro

min

ent s

lope

s.

Low

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

A s

impl

e la

nd c

over

pat

tern

of l

arge

ar

able

fiel

ds in

ters

pers

ed w

ith s

mal

l bl

ocks

of c

onife

rs. S

ome

larg

er

coni

fero

us p

lant

atio

ns o

ccur

clo

se to

th

e co

ast a

nd th

e S

pey

Val

ley.

Sm

all

pock

ets

of m

ore

dive

rse

land

cov

er

patte

rn a

re a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith th

e po

licie

s of

mix

ed s

helte

rbel

ts, p

arkl

and

and

aven

ues

of In

nes

Hou

se, G

ordo

n C

astle

, Bro

die

Cas

tle a

nd

Gor

dons

toun

, the

mor

e na

tura

listic

m

oss

and

woo

dlan

d of

the

Bau

ds o

f C

ulle

n an

d br

oadl

eave

d w

oodl

ands

, sc

rub

and

wet

land

s ag

ains

t the

Spe

y.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e si

mpl

e an

d ge

nera

lly o

pen

char

acte

r of

farm

land

alth

ough

pol

icy

feat

ures

an

d m

ore

natu

ral v

eget

atio

n co

ver

wou

ld b

e m

ore

sens

itive

.

Med

ium

-low

T

here

is in

crea

sed

scop

e to

loca

te

this

sm

alle

r ty

polo

gy to

avo

id

effe

cts

on p

olic

y fe

atur

es a

nd a

reas

w

ith a

mor

e na

tura

listic

veg

etat

ion

cove

r.

Low

24

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

RA

F a

ir fie

lds

and

asso

ciat

ed b

uild

ings

an

d in

fras

truc

ture

incl

udin

g ta

ll m

asts

ar

e co

ncen

trat

ed in

the

Kin

loss

, Lo

ssie

mou

th a

nd B

urgh

ead

area

. D

ispe

rsed

farm

s, h

ouse

s, s

mal

l and

la

rger

set

tlem

ents

and

occ

asio

nal

hist

oric

al b

uild

ings

incl

udin

g th

e O

ld

Cas

tle o

f Duf

fus,

Pal

ace

of S

pyni

e an

d gr

and

hous

es/c

astle

s w

ith d

esig

ned

land

scap

es a

nd c

hurc

h sp

ires

form

la

ndm

ark

feat

ures

. La

rger

w

areh

ouse

s, m

altin

gs a

nd s

ome

quar

ryin

g an

d la

ndfil

l site

s fo

rm

occa

sion

al fe

atur

es a

nd th

ere

is a

wel

l-de

velo

ped

netw

ork

of r

oads

and

som

e tr

ansm

issi

on li

nes.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e se

tting

of s

mal

l set

tlem

ents

, far

ms

and

hous

es in

this

wel

l set

tled

land

scap

e if

site

d ne

arby

. H

isto

ric b

uilt

feat

ures

wou

ld a

lso

be

sens

itive

to in

trus

ion

on th

eir

setti

ng

alth

ough

thes

e fe

atur

es a

re w

idel

y di

sper

sed

and

ther

e m

ay b

e in

crea

sed

scop

e to

site

this

typo

logy

to

min

imis

e ef

fect

s on

thei

r se

tting

. T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld a

ccen

tuat

e in

dust

rial c

hara

cter

and

clu

tter

in

part

s of

this

land

scap

e. S

ingl

e tu

rbin

es to

war

ds th

e lo

wer

hei

ght

band

of t

his

typo

logy

and

clo

sely

re

late

d to

exi

stin

g in

dust

rial

deve

lopm

ent,

wou

ld h

ave

a be

tter

scal

e re

latio

nshi

p to

thes

e bu

ildin

gs

and

wou

ld m

inim

ise

the

spre

ad o

f bu

ilt in

fras

truc

ture

.

Med

ium

The

re is

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to s

ite th

e sm

alle

r tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s ty

polo

gy to

m

inim

ise

effe

cts

on th

e se

tting

of

settl

emen

t and

land

mar

k hi

stor

ical

fe

atur

es. T

he m

ore

frag

men

ted

char

acte

r of

dis

para

te b

uilt

stru

ctur

es c

ould

be

exac

erba

ted

in

plac

es a

lthou

gh th

ere

are

oppo

rtun

ities

to s

ite th

is s

ize

of

turb

ine

so th

ey a

re v

isua

lly

asso

ciat

ed w

ith e

xist

ing

built

de

velo

pmen

t thu

s re

duci

ng

wid

espr

ead

clut

ter.

Med

ium

-low

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

his

is a

wel

l-set

tled

and

high

ly

man

aged

land

scap

e w

ith n

o se

nse

of

wild

ness

or

othe

r st

rong

per

cept

ual

qual

ities

.

Sen

sitiv

ity is

red

uced

due

to th

e ab

senc

e of

thes

e pe

rcep

tual

qu

aliti

es.

Low

S

ensi

tivity

is r

educ

ed d

ue to

the

abse

nce

of th

ese

perc

eptu

al

qual

ities

.

Low

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

can

be v

ery

open

in

plac

es w

ith e

xten

sive

and

uni

mpe

ded

view

s po

ssib

le fr

om m

ajor

roa

ds s

uch

as th

e A

96 a

nd fr

om th

e de

nse

netw

ork

of m

inor

roa

ds w

hich

cris

s-cr

oss

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe. F

ores

try

and

subt

le r

idge

s lim

it th

e ex

tent

of v

iew

s in

ot

her

area

s. T

he p

rom

inen

t hill

s of

B

inn

Hill

and

Tap

poch

form

foca

l fe

atur

es in

vie

ws

acro

ss th

is

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

vi

sibl

e fr

om r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent

with

in th

is o

pen

land

scap

e al

thou

gh

ther

e w

ould

be

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to

site

this

typo

logy

to m

inim

ise

effe

cts

on e

xist

ing

foci

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

als

o be

vi

sibl

e fr

om th

e of

ten

wel

l-set

tled

nort

h-fa

cing

slo

pes

of a

djac

ent

char

acte

r ty

pes

alth

ough

they

wou

ld

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Alth

ough

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wou

ld

gene

rally

be

talle

r th

an w

oodl

ands

, th

ey w

ould

be

unlik

ely

to b

e vi

sual

ly

prom

inen

t pro

vidi

ng th

ey w

ere

care

fully

site

d to

avo

id h

ill a

nd r

idge

to

ps. T

here

wou

ld b

e gr

eate

r sc

ope

to a

ccom

mod

ate

mul

tiple

turb

ines

of

this

siz

e to

min

imis

e ef

fect

s on

vi

ews.

Med

ium

25

land

scap

e. T

here

are

vie

ws

to th

e up

land

s of

Mor

ay to

the

sout

h fr

om th

is

area

, with

Ben

Rin

nes,

Ben

Aig

an a

nd

Bro

wn

Mui

r hi

lls fo

rmin

g ke

y fe

atur

es.

The

Mor

ay F

irth

and

dist

ant S

uthe

rland

co

ast a

lso

feat

ure

in v

iew

s to

the

nort

h.

Infr

astr

uctu

re a

nd b

uild

ings

ass

ocia

ted

with

the

RA

F a

re h

ighl

y vi

sibl

e as

are

th

e w

ind

turb

ines

at F

indh

orn

and

mas

ts in

the

wes

tern

par

t of t

his

land

scap

e to

war

ds th

e co

ast.

In te

rms

of v

iew

s to

this

land

scap

e fr

om th

e su

rrou

ndin

g ar

ea, c

lose

vie

ws

are

limite

d fr

om th

e C

oast

al M

argi

n (

1-3)

due

to s

cree

ning

pro

vide

d by

fore

sts

and

land

form

to th

e w

est o

f the

Spe

y.

Som

e in

ter-

visi

bilit

y be

twee

n th

e co

ast

and

this

land

scap

e oc

curs

eas

t of t

he

Spe

y ho

wev

er. T

he n

orth

-fac

ing

settl

ed s

lope

s of

Hel

don

Hill

with

in th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

and

For

est w

ith

Val

leys

(5a

), th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

and

F

ores

t (5)

and

the

Rol

ling

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

(4a

) ha

ve o

pen

and

elev

ated

vi

ews

acro

ss th

is la

ndsc

ape

and

over

th

e M

oray

Firt

h.

be le

ss p

rom

inen

t tha

n la

rger

ty

polo

gies

. Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

be

visi

ble

from

sec

tions

of t

he c

oast

eas

t of

the

Spe

y an

d m

ay a

lso

be s

een

in

long

er a

nd m

ore

open

vie

ws

alon

g th

e co

ast f

rom

pro

mon

torie

s an

d ba

ys w

here

the

hint

erla

nd is

mor

e vi

sibl

e al

thou

gh, a

gain

, the

y w

ould

be

less

pro

min

ent t

han

the

larg

er

typo

logi

es in

thes

e ex

pans

ive

view

s.

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

sm

all g

roup

of t

urbi

nes

at

Fin

dhor

n si

ted

in th

e C

oast

al M

argi

n

(1-3

) ar

e vi

sibl

e fr

om s

ettle

men

ts a

nd

road

s in

the

wes

tern

par

t of M

oray

. T

he R

othe

s an

d H

ill o

f Tow

ie w

ind

farm

s ar

e vi

sibl

e no

rth

and

east

of

Elg

in s

een

on th

e sk

ylin

e of

the

dist

ant

upla

nds

of th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd

Cum

ulat

ive

issu

es w

ith e

xist

ing

win

d fa

rms

site

d w

ithin

the

upla

nd

land

scap

es to

the

sout

h ar

e un

likel

y to

be

sign

ifica

nt o

ver

muc

h of

this

ch

arac

ter

type

due

to th

e di

stan

ces

invo

lved

and

the

exte

nsiv

enes

s of

vi

ews

whi

ch le

ssen

s th

eir

visu

al

impa

ct.

Low

C

umul

ativ

e is

sues

with

exi

stin

g w

ind

farm

s si

ted

with

in th

e up

land

la

ndsc

apes

to th

e so

uth

are

unlik

ely

to b

e si

gnifi

cant

ove

r m

uch

of th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe d

ue to

the

dist

ance

s in

volv

ed a

nd th

e ex

tens

iven

ess

of

view

s w

hich

less

ens

thei

r vi

sual

im

pact

.

Low

26

For

estr

y (1

0) a

nd B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

) at

di

stan

ces

of b

etw

een

10 a

nd18

km.

The

Boy

ndie

win

d fa

rm is

site

d ap

prox

imat

ely

11km

to th

e ea

st o

f M

oray

with

lim

ited

visi

bilit

y fr

om th

is

low

-lyin

g ch

arac

ter

type

.

Seq

uent

ial e

ffect

s on

vie

ws

from

the

A98

may

occ

ur w

ith w

ind

farm

de

velo

pmen

ts s

ited

in A

berd

eens

hire

al

thou

gh th

e sm

alle

r si

ze o

f thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

be

likel

y to

red

uce

cum

ulat

ive

impa

cts.

Seq

uent

ial e

ffect

s as

soci

ated

with

w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

t with

in

Abe

rdee

nshi

re w

ould

not

be

sign

ifica

nt.

27

Cha

ract

er T

ype

4a: R

ollin

g C

oast

al F

arm

land

– S

ensi

tivity

ass

essm

ent f

or la

rge

and

med

ium

typo

logi

es

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Ass

essm

ent

of

larg

e ty

po

log

y (8

0m-1

30m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

A

sses

smen

t o

f m

ediu

mty

po

log

y (5

0m-8

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

Thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

com

pris

es a

sm

all

area

of n

orth

-fac

ing

rolli

ng h

ills

and

the

undu

latin

g D

eskf

ord

Val

ley

whi

ch

frin

ge th

e B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a).

It fo

rms

the

fore

grou

nd to

vie

ws

of th

e la

ndm

ark

hill

of B

in o

f Cul

len

whi

ch is

loca

ted

in

LCT

(8a

).

The

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) a

buts

this

la

ndsc

ape

to th

e no

rth

and

form

s a

narr

ow b

and

in th

is a

rea

whi

ch is

fr

inge

d by

the

Coa

stal

Mar

gin

(1-

3).

The

adj

acen

t Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a)

gene

rally

has

a s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm a

nd

land

cov

er a

nd a

re v

ery

spar

sely

se

ttled

red

ucin

g se

nsiti

vity

. How

ever

th

e B

in o

f Cul

len

whi

ch is

als

o cl

assi

fied

as L

CT

8a

form

s a

land

mar

k hi

ll w

hich

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

se

nsiti

ve to

larg

er tu

rbin

e ty

polo

gies

si

ted

both

on

it an

d cl

ose-

by it

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

als

o im

pact

on

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4),

whi

ch is

wel

l set

tled

and

open

, in

crea

sing

sen

sitiv

ity. T

here

wou

ld b

e lim

ited

effe

cts

on th

e C

oast

al M

argi

n (1

-3)

due

to it

s vi

sual

con

tain

men

t an

d di

stan

ce fr

om th

is L

CT

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

adj

acen

t Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a)

gene

rally

has

a s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm

and

land

cov

er a

nd a

re v

ery

spar

sely

set

tled

redu

cing

se

nsiti

vity

. How

ever

the

Bin

of

Cul

len

whi

ch is

als

o cl

assi

fied

as

LCT

8a

form

s a

land

mar

k hi

ll w

hich

w

ould

be

high

ly s

ensi

tive

to la

rger

tu

rbin

e ty

polo

gies

site

d bo

th o

n it

and

clos

e-by

it.

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld a

lso

impa

ct o

n th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4

), w

hich

is w

ell s

ettle

d an

d op

en,

incr

easi

ng s

ensi

tivity

. The

re w

ould

be

lim

ited

effe

cts

on th

e C

oast

al

Mar

gin

(1-3

) du

e to

its

visu

al

cont

ainm

ent a

nd d

ista

nce

from

this

LC

T.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

A r

ollin

g la

ndfo

rm w

ith s

mal

l hill

s cu

t by

nar

row

val

leys

offe

rs a

deg

ree

of

cont

ainm

ent a

nd r

educ

es s

cale

. Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is w

ell-s

ettle

d w

ith a

di

sper

sed

patte

rn o

f sm

all f

arm

s an

d th

ese,

toge

ther

with

woo

dlan

ds,

prov

ide

read

y sc

ale

refe

renc

es. T

he

land

scap

e be

com

es m

ore

open

on

uppe

r hi

ll sl

opes

whi

ch a

re b

road

er a

t th

e tr

ansi

tion

with

the

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a).

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e la

rgel

y sm

all t

o m

ediu

m s

cale

of t

his

land

scap

e. T

he c

onsi

sten

t pre

senc

e of

sm

all f

eatu

res,

incl

udin

g di

sper

sed

settl

emen

t, is

a fu

rthe

r se

nsiti

vity

.

Hig

h T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld d

omin

ate

the

larg

ely

smal

l to

med

ium

sca

le o

f th

is la

ndsc

ape.

The

con

sist

ent

pres

ence

of s

mal

l fea

ture

s,

incl

udin

g di

sper

sed

settl

emen

t, is

a

furt

her

sens

itivi

ty.

Hig

h

28

Lan

dfo

rm

S

mal

l rou

nded

inte

rlock

ing

hills

are

cut

by

nar

row

inci

sed

burn

s –

the

Des

kfor

d V

alle

y is

bro

ader

but

with

und

ulat

ing

slop

es. L

andf

orm

is g

ener

ally

mor

e co

mpl

ex o

n th

e lo

wer

slo

pes

with

br

oade

r, m

ore

even

gra

dien

ts o

n up

per

slop

es a

nd o

ccas

iona

l sm

all f

latte

r ar

eas.

Bro

ader

upp

er h

ill s

lope

s an

d sm

all

area

s of

flat

ter

grou

nd a

re li

mite

d in

ex

tent

red

ucin

g sc

ope

to

acco

mm

odat

e m

ultip

le tu

rbin

es o

f th

is s

ize.

The

pat

tern

of m

ore

com

plex

rol

ling

land

form

and

nar

row

va

lleys

is a

furt

her

sens

itivi

ty.

Hig

h

Bro

ader

upp

er h

ill s

lope

s an

d sm

all

area

s of

flat

ter

grou

nd a

re li

mite

d in

ex

tent

red

ucin

g sc

ope

to

acco

mm

odat

e m

ultip

le tu

rbin

es o

f th

is s

ize.

The

pat

tern

of m

ore

com

plex

rol

ling

land

form

and

na

rrow

val

leys

is a

furt

her

sens

itivi

ty.

Hig

h

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Cul

tivat

ed fi

elds

alte

rnat

e w

ith

woo

dlan

ds. W

oodl

ands

are

ofte

n di

vers

e co

mpr

isin

g m

ixed

con

ifers

and

br

oadl

eave

s in

val

leys

and

form

ing

the

polic

ies

of L

ette

rfou

rie, C

ulle

n an

d C

airn

field

Hou

ses

set o

n lo

wer

hill

sl

opes

.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

impa

ct o

n m

ore

dive

rse

woo

dlan

ds a

nd p

arkl

and

asso

ciat

ed w

ith d

esig

ned

land

scap

es

alth

ough

mor

e ex

tens

ive

upla

nd

past

ures

on

uppe

r hi

ll sl

opes

wou

ld

be le

ss s

ensi

tive.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

impa

ct o

n m

ore

dive

rse

woo

dlan

ds a

nd p

arkl

and

asso

ciat

ed w

ith d

esig

ned

land

scap

es a

lthou

gh m

ore

exte

nsiv

e up

land

pas

ture

s on

upp

er

hill

slop

es w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is w

ell-s

ettle

d w

ith a

re

gula

r pa

ttern

of d

ispe

rsed

farm

s an

d ho

uses

and

sm

all s

ettle

men

ts s

uch

as

Dry

brid

ge a

nd C

loch

an tu

cked

dow

n on

low

er h

ill s

lope

s. P

ublic

roa

ds a

re

gene

rally

ver

y na

rrow

and

win

ding

.

Mor

e sp

arse

ly s

ettle

d up

per

hill

slop

es w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e in

te

rms

of a

void

ing

impa

ct o

n th

e im

med

iate

set

ting

of s

ettle

men

ts a

nd

othe

r bu

ilt fe

atur

es a

lthou

gh tu

rbin

es

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to b

e se

en

in r

elat

ive

prox

imity

to b

uilt

feat

ures

gi

ven

settl

emen

t den

sity

and

the

limite

d ex

tent

of t

he c

hara

cter

type

.

Nar

row

roa

ds c

ould

res

ult i

n la

ndsc

ape

and

visu

al e

ffect

s as

soci

ated

with

acc

ess

impr

ovem

ents

for

vehi

cles

req

uire

d to

tran

spor

t thi

s ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h M

ore

spar

sely

set

tled

uppe

r hi

ll sl

opes

wou

ld b

e le

ss s

ensi

tive

in

term

s of

avo

idin

g im

pact

on

the

imm

edia

te s

ettin

g of

set

tlem

ents

an

d ot

her

built

feat

ures

alth

ough

tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze w

ould

be

likel

y to

be

seen

in r

elat

ive

prox

imity

to

built

feat

ures

giv

en s

ettle

men

t de

nsity

and

the

limite

d ex

tent

of t

he

char

acte

r ty

pe.

N

arro

w r

oads

cou

ld r

esul

t in

land

scap

e an

d vi

sual

effe

cts

asso

ciat

ed w

ith a

cces

s im

prov

emen

ts fo

r ve

hicl

es r

equi

red

to tr

ansp

ort t

his

typo

logy

.

Hig

h

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

his

is a

wel

l-set

tled

and

high

ly

man

aged

land

scap

e w

ith li

ttle

sens

e of

w

ildne

ss o

r ot

her

stro

ng p

erce

ptua

l qu

aliti

es.

Sen

sitiv

ity is

red

uced

due

to th

e ab

senc

e of

thes

e pe

rcep

tual

qu

aliti

es.

Low

S

ensi

tivity

is r

educ

ed d

ue to

the

abse

nce

of th

ese

perc

eptu

al

qual

ities

.

Low

29

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

The

re is

a d

egre

e of

vis

ual

cont

ainm

ent o

ffere

d by

the

rolli

ng

land

form

, inc

ised

val

leys

and

w

oodl

ands

whe

n tr

avel

ling

on th

e na

rrow

roa

ds w

ithin

this

cha

ract

er

type

. The

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

) fo

rms

an e

ven

and

pred

omin

antly

woo

ded

low

sky

line

to th

is la

ndsc

ape

and

also

lim

its lo

ng

view

s fr

om r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent.

The

A

98 a

nd B

9018

offe

r cl

ose

view

s of

th

is la

ndsc

ape

and

the

nort

hern

slo

pes

are

visi

ble

from

wel

l set

tled

coas

tal

area

s.

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

vi

sibl

e fr

om m

ore

open

roa

ds a

nd

elev

ated

set

tlem

ent w

ithin

this

la

ndsc

ape.

T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld a

lso

be h

ighl

y vi

sibl

e fr

om th

e w

ell-s

ettle

d C

oast

al

Far

mla

nd (

4) a

nd th

e C

oast

al M

argi

n

(1-3

) an

d co

uld

impa

ct o

n ke

y vi

ews

to th

e B

in o

f Cul

len

if si

ted

on lo

wer

hi

ll sl

opes

. Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e m

ay

also

be

seen

on

the

skyl

ine

from

the

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8) to

the

sout

h al

thou

gh w

ould

be

likel

y to

per

ceiv

ed

as b

eing

ass

ocia

ted

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd(8

a)

whi

ch fo

rms

a fa

irly

unifo

rm fo

rest

ed

skyl

ine

in th

ese

view

s.

Hig

h T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne w

ould

be

high

ly

visi

ble

from

mor

e op

en r

oads

and

el

evat

ed s

ettle

men

t with

in th

is

land

scap

e.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

als

o be

hig

hly

visi

ble

from

the

wel

l-set

tled

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

(4)

and

the

Coa

stal

M

argi

n (1

-3)

and

coul

d im

pact

on

key

view

s to

the

Bin

of C

ulle

n if

site

d on

low

er h

ill s

lope

s. T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

may

als

o be

see

n on

the

skyl

ine

from

the

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd

(8)

to th

e so

uth

alth

ough

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to p

erce

ived

as

bein

g as

soci

ated

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd(8

a) w

hich

fo

rms

a fa

irly

unifo

rm fo

rest

ed

skyl

ine

in th

ese

view

s.

Hig

h

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

con

sent

ed A

ultm

ore

win

d fa

rm w

ill

be v

isib

le in

clo

se p

roxi

mity

from

par

ts

of th

is L

CT

.

Sig

nific

ant c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s w

ould

be

like

ly to

occ

ur w

ith c

onse

nted

w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

t site

d in

the

adja

cent

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

).

Hig

h S

igni

fican

t cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

wou

ld

be li

kely

to o

ccur

with

con

sent

ed

win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ent s

ited

in th

e ad

jace

nt B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

).

Hig

h

30

Cha

ract

er T

ype

4a: R

ollin

g C

oast

al F

arm

land

– S

ensi

tivity

ass

essm

ent f

or s

mal

l-med

ium

and

sm

all t

ypol

ogie

s T

op

ic

Su

mm

ary

des

crip

tio

nA

sses

smen

to

f sm

all-

med

ium

ty

po

log

y (3

5m-5

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Ass

essm

ent

of

smal

ltyp

olo

gy

(20m

-35m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

L

and

scap

e co

nte

xt

Thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

com

pris

es a

sm

all

area

of n

orth

-fac

ing

rolli

ng h

ills

and

the

undu

latin

g D

eskf

ord

Val

ley

whi

ch

frin

ge th

e B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a).

It fo

rms

the

fore

grou

nd to

vie

ws

of th

e la

ndm

ark

hill

of B

in o

f Cul

len

whi

ch is

loca

ted

in

LCT

(8a

).

The

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) a

buts

this

la

ndsc

ape

to th

e no

rth

and

form

s a

narr

ow b

and

in th

is a

rea

whi

ch is

fr

inge

d by

the

Coa

stal

Mar

gin

(1-

3).

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

hav

e a

limite

d ef

fect

on

the

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a)

prov

ided

turb

ines

wer

e lo

cate

d to

av

oid

intr

usio

n on

key

vie

ws

to th

e la

ndm

ark

hill

of th

e B

in o

f Cul

len.

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize,

site

d on

low

er

hills

wou

ld im

pact

on

the

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

(4)

alth

ough

ther

e is

som

e sc

ope

to r

educ

e im

pact

s by

siti

ng th

is

typo

logy

on

uppe

r h

ill s

lope

s at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e si

mpl

er lo

w r

idge

s of

the

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

).

Med

ium

T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld h

ave

a lim

ited

effe

ct o

n th

e B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

) pr

ovid

ed it

was

loca

ted

to a

void

in

trus

ion

on k

ey v

iew

s to

the

land

mar

k hi

ll of

the

Bin

of C

ulle

n.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

be

likel

y to

hav

e m

inim

al e

ffect

s on

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4).

Med

ium

-low

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

A r

ollin

g la

ndfo

rm w

ith s

mal

l hill

s cu

t by

nar

row

val

leys

offe

rs a

deg

ree

of

cont

ainm

ent a

nd r

educ

es s

cale

. Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is w

ell-s

ettle

d w

ith a

di

sper

sed

patte

rn o

f sm

all f

arm

s an

d th

ese,

toge

ther

with

woo

dlan

ds,

prov

ide

read

y sc

ale

refe

renc

es. T

he

land

scap

e be

com

es m

ore

open

on

uppe

r hi

ll sl

opes

whi

ch a

re b

road

er a

t th

e tr

ansi

tion

with

the

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a).

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

app

ear

very

la

rge

in r

elat

ion

to s

mal

ler

hills

, se

ttlem

ent a

nd w

oodl

ands

alth

ough

br

oade

r m

ore

open

upp

er h

ill s

lope

s at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e B

road

F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a)

wou

ld b

e le

ss

sens

itive

. T

he c

onsi

sten

t pre

senc

e of

sm

all

feat

ures

, inc

ludi

ng d

ispe

rsed

se

ttlem

ent,

is a

furt

her

sens

itivi

ty.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

re is

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to s

ite

this

typo

logy

with

in b

road

er u

pper

hi

ll sl

opes

but

als

o on

mor

e op

en

area

s on

low

er fa

rmed

slo

pes.

N

arro

w v

alle

ys a

nd s

mal

l rol

ling

hills

rem

ain

sens

itive

. Whi

le th

is

typo

logy

wou

ld a

ppea

r la

rge

in

rela

tion

to d

omes

tic b

uild

ings

if

site

d ne

arby

they

cou

ld r

elat

e be

tter

to th

e oc

casi

onal

larg

er a

gric

ultu

ral

shed

s pr

esen

t in

this

land

scap

e.

Med

ium

Lan

dfo

rm

S

mal

l rou

nded

inte

rlock

ing

hills

are

cut

by

nar

row

inci

sed

burn

s –

the

Des

kfor

d V

alle

y is

bro

ader

but

with

und

ulat

ing

slop

es. L

andf

orm

is g

ener

ally

mor

e co

mpl

ex o

n th

e lo

wer

slo

pes

with

Sin

gle

and

smal

l gro

ups

<3

turb

ines

of

this

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

br

oade

r, u

pper

hill

slo

pes

alth

ough

th

is s

ize

of tu

rbin

e w

ould

be

likel

y to

de

trac

t fro

m n

earb

y m

ore

com

plex

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

re w

ould

be

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to

loca

te th

is ty

polo

gy to

min

imis

e ef

fect

s on

mor

e co

mpl

ex la

ndfo

rm.

Med

ium

31

broa

der,

mor

e ev

en g

radi

ents

on

uppe

r sl

opes

and

occ

asio

nal s

mal

l fla

tter

area

s.

land

form

if s

ited

on s

mal

l are

as o

f fla

tter

grou

nd o

n lo

wer

slo

pes.

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

C

ultiv

ated

fiel

ds a

ltern

ate

with

w

oodl

ands

. Woo

dlan

ds a

re o

ften

dive

rse

com

pris

ing

mix

ed c

onife

rs a

nd

broa

dlea

ves

in v

alle

ys a

nd fo

rmin

g th

e po

licie

s of

Let

terf

ourie

, Cul

len

and

Cai

rnfie

ld H

ouse

s se

t on

low

er h

ill

slop

es.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

also

im

pact

on

mor

e di

vers

e w

oodl

ands

an

d pa

rkla

nd a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith

desi

gned

land

scap

es a

lthou

gh m

ore

exte

nsiv

e up

land

pas

ture

s on

upp

er

hill

slop

es w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Alth

ough

des

igne

d la

ndsc

ape

feat

ures

wou

ld b

e se

nsiti

ve to

all

deve

lopm

ent t

ypol

ogie

s si

ted

with

in

thei

r bo

unda

ries,

turb

ines

tow

ards

th

e lo

wer

hei

ght b

and

of th

is

typo

logy

wou

ld b

e le

ss li

kely

to

impa

ct o

n th

ese

feat

ures

if s

ited

near

by, h

elpe

d by

the

part

ial

scre

enin

g lik

ely

to b

e pr

ovid

ed b

y la

ndfo

rm a

nd w

oodl

ands

.

Med

ium

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is w

ell-s

ettle

d w

ith a

re

gula

r pa

ttern

of d

ispe

rsed

farm

s an

d ho

uses

and

sm

all s

ettle

men

ts s

uch

as

Dry

brid

ge a

nd C

loch

an tu

cked

dow

n on

low

er h

ill s

lope

s. P

ublic

roa

ds a

re

gene

rally

ver

y na

rrow

and

win

ding

.

Mor

e sp

arse

ly s

ettle

d up

per

hill

slop

es w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e in

te

rms

of a

void

ing

impa

ct o

n th

e im

med

iate

set

ting

of s

ettle

men

ts a

nd

othe

r bu

ilt fe

atur

es.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

re is

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to s

ite th

e sm

alle

r tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s ty

polo

gy to

m

inim

ise

effe

cts

on th

e se

tting

of

settl

emen

t.

Med

ium

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

his

is a

wel

l-set

tled

and

high

ly

man

aged

land

scap

e w

ith li

ttle

sens

e of

w

ildne

ss o

r ot

her

stro

ng p

erce

ptua

l qu

aliti

es.

Sen

sitiv

ity is

red

uced

due

to th

e ab

senc

e of

thes

e pe

rcep

tual

qu

aliti

es.

Low

S

ensi

tivity

is r

educ

ed d

ue to

the

abse

nce

of th

ese

perc

eptu

al

qual

ities

.

Low

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

The

re is

a d

egre

e of

vis

ual

cont

ainm

ent o

ffere

d by

the

rolli

ng

land

form

, inc

ised

val

leys

and

w

oodl

ands

whe

n tr

avel

ling

on th

e na

rrow

roa

ds w

ithin

this

cha

ract

er

type

. The

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

) fo

rms

an e

ven

and

pred

omin

antly

woo

ded

low

sky

line

to th

is la

ndsc

ape

and

also

lim

its lo

ng

view

s fr

om r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent.

The

A

98 a

nd B

9018

offe

r cl

ose

view

s of

Alth

ough

this

siz

e of

turb

ine

wou

ld b

e vi

sibl

e fr

om m

ore

open

roa

ds a

nd

elev

ated

set

tlem

ent w

ithin

this

la

ndsc

ape,

ther

e w

ould

be

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to s

ite th

em to

avo

id p

rom

inen

t sk

ylin

e lo

catio

ns.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

not

be

visi

ble

from

the

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8) to

the

sout

h al

thou

gh it

cou

ld im

pact

on

view

s to

the

land

mar

k hi

ll of

the

Bin

of

Cul

len

if si

ted

on lo

wer

hill

slo

pes.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy (

and

part

icul

arly

tu

rbin

es to

war

ds th

e lo

wer

hei

ght

band

of <

25m

) w

ould

be

mor

e lik

ely

to b

e pa

rtia

lly s

cree

ned

by

coal

esci

ng w

oodl

ands

and

land

form

in

vie

ws

from

with

in th

is la

ndsc

ape

and

from

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4),

limiti

ng th

eir

visu

al in

trus

ion.

Med

ium

32

this

land

scap

e an

d th

e no

rthe

rn s

lope

s ar

e vi

sibl

e fr

om w

ell s

ettle

d co

asta

l ar

eas.

Tur

bine

s w

ould

be

likel

y to

form

pr

omin

ent f

eatu

res

in v

iew

s fr

om th

e w

ell-s

ettle

d C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4)

al

thou

gh in

trus

ion

coul

d be

lim

ited

by

care

ful s

iting

bel

ow th

e sk

ylin

e.

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

con

sent

ed A

ultm

ore

win

d fa

rm w

ill

be v

isib

le in

clo

se p

roxi

mity

from

par

ts

of th

is L

CT

.

Sig

nific

ant c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s co

uld

be a

void

ed b

y si

ting

this

siz

e of

tu

rbin

e aw

ay fr

om lo

wer

slo

pes

dire

ctly

bel

ow th

e A

ultm

ore

win

d fa

rm.

Med

ium

T

here

are

like

ly to

be

few

pot

entia

l cu

mul

ativ

e ef

fect

s as

soci

ated

with

th

is s

mal

l typ

olog

y al

thou

gh th

ey

shou

ld a

lso

be s

ited

away

from

sl

opes

dire

ctly

bel

ow th

e A

ultm

ore

win

d fa

rm.

Med

ium

-low

33

Cha

ract

er T

ype

5: R

ollin

g Fa

rmla

nd a

nd F

ores

ts –

Sen

sitiv

ity a

sses

smen

t for

larg

e an

d m

ediu

m ty

polo

gies

T

op

ic

Su

mm

ary

des

crip

tio

nA

sses

smen

to

f la

rge

typ

olo

gy

(80m

-130

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Ass

essm

ent

of

med

ium

typ

olo

gy

(50m

-80m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

L

and

scap

e co

nte

xt

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

form

s a

narr

ow fr

inge

of

sm

all r

ollin

g h

ills

and

slop

es

betw

een

the

high

er h

ills

of th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

and

the

low

-lyin

g co

asta

l pla

in o

f the

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

s (4

). W

hile

its

wel

l-set

tled

and

farm

ed c

hara

cter

dis

tinct

ly

cont

rast

s w

ith (

10)

it m

erge

s m

ore

grad

ually

with

(4)

. The

ste

ep-s

ided

la

ndm

ark

hill

of B

row

n M

uir

loca

ted

with

in th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd

For

estr

y (1

0) p

rovi

des

a pr

omin

ent

back

drop

to th

is c

hara

cter

type

.

The

nar

row

ness

of t

his

land

scap

e m

eans

that

turb

ines

of t

his

size

w

ould

impa

ct o

n ad

jace

nt la

ndsc

apes

w

ith im

pact

s m

ore

likel

y to

occ

ur o

n th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

s (4

) w

hich

, al

thou

gh e

xten

sive

and

ope

n, is

als

o w

ell-s

ettle

d th

us r

educ

ing

scal

e.

Alth

ough

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

F

ores

try

(10)

has

a m

ore

expa

nsiv

e sc

ale

bette

r ab

le to

acc

omm

odat

e th

is ty

polo

gy, t

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

coul

d im

pact

on

the

land

mar

k hi

ll of

B

row

n M

uir

whi

ch p

rovi

des

a pr

omin

ent b

ackd

rop

to th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

and

For

ests

(5)

but

als

o th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4)

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

nar

row

ness

of t

his

land

scap

e m

eans

that

turb

ines

of t

his

size

w

ould

impa

ct o

n ad

jace

nt

land

scap

es w

ith im

pact

s m

ore

likel

y to

occ

ur o

n th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

s (4

) w

hich

, alth

ough

ext

ensi

ve a

nd

open

, is

also

wel

l-set

tled

thus

re

duci

ng s

cale

. Alth

ough

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0)

has

a m

ore

expa

nsiv

e sc

ale

bette

r ab

le to

acc

omm

odat

e th

is ty

polo

gy,

turb

ines

of t

his

size

cou

ld im

pact

on

the

land

mar

k hi

ll of

Bro

wn

Mui

r w

hich

pro

vide

s a

prom

inen

t ba

ckdr

op to

the

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nd

and

For

ests

(5)

but

als

o th

e C

oast

al

Far

mla

nd (

4).

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

land

form

is q

uite

rol

ling

in p

lace

s lim

iting

sca

le a

nd th

is, t

oget

her

with

fa

irly

exte

nsiv

e w

oodl

and

cove

r,

redu

ces

open

ness

. T

his

land

scap

e is

w

ell-s

ettle

d w

ith a

dis

pers

ed p

atte

rn o

f sm

all f

arm

s (a

num

ber

of a

band

oned

fa

rm b

uild

ings

on

uppe

r ea

ster

n sl

opes

) an

d m

any

new

hou

ses

whi

ch,

toge

ther

with

enc

lose

d fie

lds

and

smal

l w

oodl

ands

, pro

vide

rea

dy s

cale

re

fere

nces

. Sca

le in

crea

ses

at th

e tr

ansi

tion

with

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

an

d F

ores

try

(10)

whe

re s

ettle

men

t is

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e la

rgel

y sm

all t

o m

ediu

m s

cale

of t

his

land

scap

e. T

he c

onsi

sten

t pre

senc

e of

sm

all f

eatu

res,

incl

udin

g di

sper

sed

settl

emen

t, is

a fu

rthe

r se

nsiti

vity

.

Hig

h T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld d

omin

ate

the

larg

ely

smal

l to

med

ium

sca

le o

f th

is la

ndsc

ape.

The

con

sist

ent

pres

ence

of s

mal

l fea

ture

s,

incl

udin

g di

sper

sed

settl

emen

t, is

a

furt

her

sens

itivi

ty.

Hig

h

34

spar

ser

and

hill

slop

es b

road

er.

Lan

dfo

rm

T

his

land

scap

e ha

s a

very

var

ied

land

form

com

pris

ing

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g hi

lls s

lope

s w

ith o

ccas

iona

l mor

e ro

unde

d sm

all h

ills

whi

ch r

ise

grad

ually

to

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0) to

the

sout

h. P

ocke

ts o

f mor

e kn

olly

land

form

occ

ur a

nd n

arro

w

valle

ys a

re fi

lled

with

sm

all w

ater

bo

dies

at M

illbu

ies

and

Bla

ckhi

lls.

Bro

ader

gen

tly u

ndul

atin

g hi

ll sl

opes

co

uld

mor

e ea

sily

acc

omm

odat

e th

is

typo

logy

alth

ough

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om th

e m

ore

com

plex

land

form

of k

nolls

, nar

row

va

lleys

with

sm

all w

ater

bod

ies

and

occa

sion

al s

mal

l rou

nded

hill

s.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Bro

ader

gen

tly u

ndul

atin

g hi

ll sl

opes

cou

ld m

ore

easi

ly

acco

mm

odat

e th

is ty

polo

gy

alth

ough

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wou

ld

detr

act f

rom

the

mor

e co

mpl

ex

land

form

of k

nolls

, nar

row

val

leys

w

ith s

mal

l wat

er b

odie

s an

d oc

casi

onal

sm

all r

ound

ed h

ills.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Alm

ost e

qual

pro

port

ions

of p

astu

re

and

arab

le fi

elds

inte

rspe

rsed

with

sm

all c

onife

rous

woo

dlan

ds. F

arm

land

is

mor

e m

argi

nal a

nd th

e co

nife

rous

pl

anta

tions

bec

ome

mor

e ex

tens

ive

at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd

and

For

estr

y (1

0). S

mal

l poc

ket o

f po

licy

woo

dlan

d oc

cur

at B

lack

hills

al

thou

gh g

ener

ally

this

land

scap

e ha

s lim

ited

dive

rsity

and

few

land

mar

k fe

atur

es.

Sen

sitiv

ity is

red

uced

due

to th

e re

lativ

ely

sim

ple

patte

rns

of fo

rest

co

ver

and

farm

land

alth

ough

this

ty

polo

gy c

ould

det

ract

from

sm

all

pock

ets

of p

olic

y w

oodl

and

if si

ted

clos

e-by

.

Med

ium

-low

S

ensi

tivity

is r

educ

ed d

ue to

the

rela

tivel

y si

mpl

e pa

ttern

s of

fore

st

cove

r an

d fa

rmla

nd a

lthou

gh th

is

typo

logy

cou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om s

mal

l po

cket

s of

pol

icy

woo

dlan

d if

site

d cl

ose-

by.

Med

ium

-low

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is w

ell-s

ettle

d w

ith a

re

gula

r pa

ttern

of d

ispe

rsed

farm

s an

d ho

uses

and

als

o so

me

smal

l se

ttlem

ents

, inc

ludi

ng la

rger

dis

tille

ry

build

ings

. Set

tlem

ent i

s sp

arse

r at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e ad

jace

nt U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

alth

ough

th

ere

are

pock

ets

of r

ecen

t res

iden

tial

deve

lopm

ent.

Pub

lic r

oads

are

ge

nera

lly v

ery

narr

ow a

nd w

indi

ng.

Mor

e sp

arse

ly s

ettle

d up

per

hill

slop

es w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e in

te

rms

of a

void

ing

impa

ct o

n th

e im

med

iate

set

ting

of s

ettle

men

ts a

nd

othe

r bu

ilt fe

atur

es a

lthou

gh tu

rbin

es

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to b

e se

en

in r

elat

ive

prox

imity

to b

uilt

feat

ures

gi

ven

settl

emen

t den

sity

and

pat

tern

ac

ross

this

land

scap

e.

Nar

row

roa

ds c

ould

res

ult i

n la

ndsc

ape

and

visu

al e

ffect

s as

soci

ated

with

acc

ess

impr

ovem

ents

for

vehi

cles

req

uire

d

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Mor

e sp

arse

ly s

ettle

d up

per

hill

slop

es w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e in

te

rms

of a

void

ing

impa

ct o

n th

e im

med

iate

set

ting

of s

ettle

men

ts

and

othe

r bu

ilt fe

atur

es a

lthou

gh

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to b

e se

en in

rel

ativ

e pr

oxim

ity to

bu

ilt fe

atur

es g

iven

set

tlem

ent

dens

ity a

nd p

atte

rn a

cros

s th

is

land

scap

e.

Nar

row

roa

ds c

ould

res

ult i

n la

ndsc

ape

and

visu

al e

ffect

s as

soci

ated

with

acc

ess

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

35

to tr

ansp

ort t

his

typo

logy

. im

prov

emen

ts fo

r ve

hicl

es r

equi

red

to tr

ansp

ort t

his

typo

logy

. P

erce

ptu

al

qu

alit

ies

Thi

s is

a w

ell-s

ettle

d an

d m

anag

ed

land

scap

e w

ith fe

w n

atur

alis

tic

feat

ures

and

littl

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

or

dist

inct

sen

se o

f pla

ce.

Wild

land

and

oth

er p

erce

ptua

l qu

aliti

es a

re n

ot p

rono

unce

d an

d th

ere

wou

ld th

eref

ore

be li

ttle

effe

ct

on th

is s

ensi

tivity

.

Low

W

ildla

nd a

nd o

ther

per

cept

ual

qual

ities

are

not

pro

noun

ced

and

ther

e w

ould

ther

efor

e be

littl

e ef

fect

on

this

sen

sitiv

ity.

Low

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Woo

dlan

d an

d la

ndfo

rm li

mits

vie

ws

from

roa

ds a

nd s

ettle

men

t with

in th

is

land

scap

e al

thou

gh u

pper

hill

slo

pes

prov

ide

exte

nsiv

e vi

ews

over

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) to

the

Mor

ay

Firt

h. T

he b

ackd

rop

of s

teep

er e

dge

slop

es o

f the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

F

ores

try

(10)

form

s a

cons

iste

nt

feat

ure

seen

from

this

land

scap

e w

ith

the

hill

of B

row

n M

uir

bein

g pa

rtic

ular

ly

prom

inen

t.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

form

s a

narr

ow b

and

of

hill

frin

ges

whi

ch a

re w

idel

y vi

sibl

e fr

om r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent w

ithin

the

adja

cent

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) to

the

nort

h.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

form

do

min

ant f

eatu

res

in v

iew

s fr

om

settl

emen

t and

roa

ds in

this

and

the

adja

cent

ope

n la

ndsc

ape

of th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4)

. The

y co

uld

intr

ude

on th

e se

nsiti

ve s

kylin

e of

the

upla

nd b

ackd

rop

and

detr

act f

rom

the

focu

s pr

ovid

ed b

y th

e hi

ll of

Bro

wn

Mui

r.

Hig

h T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

coul

d al

so

form

dom

inan

t fea

ture

s in

vie

ws

from

set

tlem

ent a

nd r

oads

in th

is

and

the

adja

cent

ope

n la

ndsc

ape

of

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4). T

hey

coul

d in

trud

e on

the

sens

itive

sk

ylin

e of

the

upla

nd b

ackd

rop

and

detr

act f

rom

the

focu

s pr

ovid

ed b

y th

e hi

ll of

Bro

wn

Mui

r pa

rtic

ular

ly if

si

ted

on u

pper

hill

slo

pes.

Hig

h

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

Rot

hes

I and

II w

ind

farm

is s

een

in c

lose

pro

xim

ity fr

om th

e m

ore

open

w

este

rn s

lope

s of

this

land

scap

e.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e si

ted

in th

is L

CT

w

ould

be

high

ly v

isib

le fr

om r

oads

an

d se

ttlem

ent b

oth

with

in th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe a

nd th

e ad

jace

nt

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4). T

hey

wou

ld b

e in

ter-

visi

ble

with

the

oper

atio

nal

Rot

hes

I and

II w

ind

farm

and

wou

ld

cont

rast

with

the

clea

r up

land

con

text

of

thes

e op

erat

iona

l tur

bine

s,

resu

lting

in c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s on

la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r an

d on

vie

ws.

Hig

h T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

site

d in

this

LC

T w

ould

be

high

ly v

isib

le fr

om

road

s an

d se

ttlem

ent b

oth

with

in

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe a

nd th

e ad

jace

nt

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4). T

hey

wou

ld

be in

ter-

visi

ble

with

the

oper

atio

nal

Rot

hes

I and

II w

ind

farm

and

may

al

so c

ontr

ast i

n te

rms

of tu

rbin

e si

ze, d

esig

n an

d lo

catio

n re

sulti

ng

in c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s on

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter

and

on v

iew

s.

Hig

h

36

Cha

ract

er T

ype

5: R

ollin

g Fa

rmla

nd a

nd F

ores

ts –

Sen

sitiv

ity a

sses

smen

t for

sm

all-m

ediu

m a

nd s

mal

l typ

olog

ies

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Ass

essm

ent

of

smal

l-m

ediu

m

typ

olo

gy

(35m

-50m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

A

sses

smen

t o

f sm

allt

ypo

log

y (2

0m-3

5m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

form

s a

narr

ow fr

inge

of

sm

all r

ollin

g h

ills

and

slop

es

betw

een

the

high

er h

ills

of th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

and

the

low

-lyin

g co

asta

l pla

in o

f the

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

s (4

). W

hile

its

wel

l-set

tled

and

farm

ed c

hara

cter

dis

tinct

ly

cont

rast

s w

ith (

10)

it m

erge

s m

ore

grad

ually

with

(4)

. The

ste

ep-s

ided

la

ndm

ark

hill

of B

row

n M

uir

loca

ted

with

in th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd

For

estr

y (1

0) p

rovi

des

a pr

omin

ent

back

drop

to th

is c

hara

cter

type

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

hav

e le

ss

of a

n im

pact

on

adja

cent

land

scap

es

due

to th

eir

incr

ease

d co

mpa

tibili

ty

with

the

scal

e of

the

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

(4)

. The

land

mar

k hi

ll of

B

row

n M

uir

wou

ld s

till b

e se

nsiti

ve to

tu

rbin

es s

ited

near

by h

owev

er.

Med

ium

W

ith c

aref

ul s

iting

, thi

s sm

alle

r ty

polo

gy w

ould

be

likel

y to

hav

e m

inim

al im

pact

s on

the

land

mar

k hi

ll of

Bro

wn

Mui

r. E

ffect

s on

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) w

ould

als

o be

re

duce

d du

e to

the

rela

tivel

y sm

all

size

of t

urbi

nes

and

thei

r co

mpa

tibili

ty w

ith th

e in

crea

sed

scal

e of

this

adj

oini

ng la

ndsc

ape.

Med

ium

-low

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

land

form

is q

uite

rol

ling

in p

lace

s lim

iting

sca

le a

nd th

is, t

oget

her

with

fa

irly

exte

nsiv

e w

oodl

and

cove

r,

redu

ces

open

ness

. T

his

land

scap

e is

w

ell-s

ettle

d w

ith a

dis

pers

ed p

atte

rn o

f sm

all f

arm

s (a

num

ber

of a

band

oned

fa

rm b

uild

ings

on

uppe

r ea

ster

n sl

opes

) an

d m

any

new

hou

ses

whi

ch,

toge

ther

with

enc

lose

d fie

lds

and

woo

dlan

ds, p

rovi

de r

eady

sca

le

refe

renc

es. S

cale

incr

ease

s at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd

and

For

estr

y (1

0) w

here

set

tlem

ent i

s sp

arse

r an

d hi

ll sl

opes

are

bro

ader

.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

app

ear

larg

e in

re

latio

n to

the

scal

e of

land

form

, w

oodl

ands

, lan

d co

ver

patte

rn a

nd

settl

emen

t with

in th

is la

ndsc

ape

alth

ough

impa

cts

on s

mal

ler

scal

e el

emen

ts c

ould

be

redu

ced

if tu

rbin

es

wer

e as

soci

ated

with

mor

e ex

pans

ive

uppe

r hi

ll sl

opes

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

hav

e a

bette

r sc

ale

rela

tions

hip

to th

is

land

scap

e al

thou

gh s

mal

ler

scal

e la

ndfo

rms

wou

ld s

till b

e se

nsiti

ve.

Med

ium

Lan

dfo

rm

G

ently

und

ulat

ing

hills

slo

pes

with

oc

casi

onal

mor

e ro

unde

d sm

all h

ills

rise

grad

ually

to th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd

Bro

ader

gen

tly u

ndul

atin

g hi

ll sl

opes

co

uld

mor

e ea

sily

acc

omm

odat

e th

is

typo

logy

alth

ough

turb

ines

of t

his

Med

ium

T

here

are

incr

ease

d op

port

uniti

es

to a

ssoc

iate

this

siz

e of

turb

ine

with

le

ss e

xten

sive

slo

pes,

sm

all n

atur

al

Med

ium

-low

37

and

For

estr

y (1

0) to

the

sout

h. P

ocke

ts

of m

ore

knol

ly la

ndfo

rm o

ccur

and

na

rrow

val

leys

are

fille

d w

ith s

mal

l w

ater

bod

ies

at M

illbu

ies

and

Bla

ckhi

lls.

size

wou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om th

e m

ore

com

plex

land

form

of k

nolls

, nar

row

va

lleys

with

sm

all w

ater

bod

ies

and

occa

sion

al s

mal

l rou

nded

hill

s.

terr

aces

and

the

side

of s

mal

l hill

s.

The

y w

ould

stil

l det

ract

from

mor

e co

mpl

ex k

nolls

and

nar

row

val

leys

an

d th

e to

ps o

f sm

all r

ound

ed h

ills

wou

ld a

lso

be s

ensi

tive.

L

and

scap

e p

atte

rn

Alm

ost e

qual

pro

port

ions

of p

astu

re

and

arab

le fi

elds

inte

rspe

rsed

with

sm

all c

onife

rous

woo

dlan

ds. F

arm

land

is

mor

e m

argi

nal a

nd th

e co

nife

rous

pl

anta

tions

bec

ome

mor

e ex

tens

ive

at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd

and

For

estr

y (1

0). S

mal

l poc

ket o

f po

licy

woo

dlan

d oc

cur

at B

lack

hills

al

thou

gh g

ener

ally

this

land

scap

e ha

s lim

ited

dive

rsity

and

few

land

mar

k fe

atur

es.

Sen

sitiv

ity is

red

uced

due

to th

e re

lativ

ely

sim

ple

patte

rns

of fo

rest

co

ver

and

farm

land

alth

ough

this

ty

polo

gy c

ould

det

ract

from

sm

all

pock

ets

of p

olic

y w

oodl

and

if si

ted

clos

e-by

.

Med

ium

-low

S

ensi

tivity

is r

educ

ed d

ue to

the

rela

tivel

y si

mpl

e pa

ttern

s of

fore

st

cove

r an

d fa

rmla

nd a

lthou

gh th

is

typo

logy

cou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om s

mal

l po

cket

s of

pol

icy

woo

dlan

d if

site

d cl

ose-

by.

Med

ium

-low

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is w

ell-s

ettle

d w

ith a

re

gula

r pa

ttern

of d

ispe

rsed

farm

s an

d ho

uses

and

als

o so

me

smal

l se

ttlem

ents

, inc

ludi

ng la

rger

dis

tille

ry

build

ings

. Set

tlem

ent i

s sp

arse

r at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e ad

jace

nt U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

alth

ough

th

ere

are

pock

ets

of r

ecen

t res

iden

tial

deve

lopm

ent.

Pub

lic r

oads

are

ge

nera

lly v

ery

narr

ow a

nd w

indi

ng.

Mor

e sp

arse

ly s

ettle

d up

per

hill

slop

es w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e in

te

rms

of a

void

ing

impa

ct o

n th

e im

med

iate

set

ting

of s

ettle

men

ts a

nd

othe

r bu

ilt fe

atur

es a

lthou

gh tu

rbin

es

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to b

e se

en

in r

elat

ive

prox

imity

to b

uilt

feat

ures

gi

ven

settl

emen

t den

sity

and

pat

tern

ac

ross

this

land

scap

e.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

hav

e le

ss o

f an

effe

ct o

n th

e se

tting

of s

ettle

men

ts.

The

y co

uld

be s

ited

rela

tivel

y cl

ose

to d

istil

lery

bui

ldin

gs a

lthou

gh

wou

ld n

eed

to b

e se

t bac

k fr

om

smal

ler

build

ings

to a

void

con

flict

s of

sca

le a

nd e

ffect

s on

set

ting.

Med

ium

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

his

is a

wel

l-set

tled

and

man

aged

la

ndsc

ape

with

few

nat

ural

istic

fe

atur

es a

nd li

ttle

sens

e of

sec

lusi

on o

r di

stin

ct s

ense

of p

lace

.

Wild

land

and

oth

er p

erce

ptua

l qu

aliti

es a

re n

ot p

rono

unce

d an

d th

ere

wou

ld th

eref

ore

be li

ttle

effe

ct

on th

is s

ensi

tivity

.

Low

W

ildla

nd a

nd o

ther

per

cept

ual

qual

ities

are

not

pro

noun

ced

and

ther

e w

ould

ther

efor

e be

littl

e ef

fect

on

this

sen

sitiv

ity.

Low

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Woo

dlan

d an

d la

ndfo

rm li

mits

vie

ws

from

roa

ds a

nd s

ettle

men

t with

in th

is

land

scap

e al

thou

gh u

pper

hill

slo

pes

prov

ide

exte

nsiv

e vi

ews

over

the

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

form

hi

ghly

vis

ible

feat

ures

in c

lose

vie

ws

from

set

tlem

ent a

nd r

oads

in th

is

land

scap

e an

d pa

rts

of th

e ad

jace

nt

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

be

less

vi

sual

ly p

rom

inen

t in

view

s fr

om

settl

emen

t and

roa

ds in

this

ch

arac

ter

type

and

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

Med

ium

38

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) to

the

Mor

ay

Firt

h. T

he b

ackd

rop

of s

teep

er e

dge

slop

es o

f the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

F

ores

try

(10)

form

s a

cons

iste

nt

feat

ure

seen

from

this

land

scap

e w

ith

the

hill

of B

row

n M

uir

bein

g pa

rtic

ular

ly

prom

inen

t.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

form

s a

narr

ow b

and

of

hill

frin

ges

whi

ch a

re w

idel

y vi

sibl

e fr

om r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent w

ithin

the

adja

cent

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) to

the

nort

h.

open

land

scap

e of

the

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

(4)

. The

y co

uld

how

ever

be

site

d to

avo

id in

trus

ion

on th

e se

nsiti

ve s

kylin

e of

the

upla

nd

back

drop

and

to a

void

det

ract

ing

from

the

focu

s pr

ovid

ed b

y th

e hi

ll of

B

row

n M

uir.

to h

ave

min

imal

effe

cts

on v

iew

s fr

om th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4)

pr

ovid

ing

they

avo

ided

sm

all h

ill

tops

and

wer

e ba

ck-c

loth

ed b

y ris

ing

grou

nd.

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

Rot

hes

I and

II w

ind

farm

is s

een

in c

lose

pro

xim

ity fr

om th

e m

ore

open

w

este

rn s

lope

s of

this

land

scap

e.

The

re is

som

e lim

ited

scop

e to

site

tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze to

min

imis

e cu

mul

ativ

e ef

fect

s w

ith th

e op

erat

iona

l Rot

hes

I and

II w

ind

farm

as

inte

r-vi

sibi

lity

betw

een

deve

lopm

ents

from

clo

se v

iew

s w

ould

be

likel

y to

red

uce

furt

her

east

. T

he m

ore

open

upp

er h

ill s

lope

s of

th

e w

este

rn p

art o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

are

mor

e se

nsiti

ve d

ue to

the

clos

er

prox

imity

to o

pera

tiona

l win

d fa

rm

deve

lopm

ent a

nd a

lso

the

tran

smis

sion

line

whe

re th

ey c

ould

ex

acer

bate

the

visu

al c

lutte

r of

di

spar

ate

stru

ctur

es in

the

land

scap

e.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

re is

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to s

ite

turb

ines

of t

his

size

to a

void

si

gnifi

cant

cum

ulat

ive

impa

cts

alth

ough

the

mor

e op

en u

pper

hill

sl

opes

of t

he w

este

rn p

art o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

rem

ain

sens

itive

due

to

the

prox

imity

of o

pera

tiona

l win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ent a

nd a

lso

the

tran

smis

sion

line

whe

re th

ey c

ould

ex

acer

bate

the

visu

al c

lutte

r of

di

spar

ate

stru

ctur

es in

the

land

scap

e.

Med

ium

39

Cha

ract

er T

ype

5a: R

ollin

g Fa

rmla

nd a

nd F

ores

ts w

ith V

alle

ys –

Sen

sitiv

ity a

sses

smen

t for

larg

e an

d m

ediu

m ty

polo

gies

T

op

ic

Su

mm

ary

des

crip

tio

nA

sses

smen

to

f la

rge

typ

olo

gy

(80m

-130

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Ass

essm

ent

of

med

ium

typ

olo

gy

(50m

-80m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

L

and

scap

e co

nte

xt

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

com

pris

es th

e br

oad

valle

ys o

f Plu

scar

den

and

the

uppe

r Lo

ssie

and

the

two

ridge

s w

hich

div

ide

them

. It e

xten

ds n

orth

war

ds to

incl

ude

the

low

hill

of Q

uarr

y W

ood

whi

ch

wra

ps a

roun

d E

lgin

. It

form

s a

tran

sitio

n be

twee

n th

e hi

gher

hill

s of

th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

an

d th

e lo

w-ly

ing

coas

tal p

lain

of t

he

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nds

(4).

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is d

istin

ct fr

om a

djoi

ning

cha

ract

er

type

s w

ith th

e no

rthe

rn r

idge

of H

eldo

n H

ill fo

rmin

g a

prom

inen

t bac

kdro

p to

th

e se

ttled

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nds

(4)

and

the

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nds

and

For

est w

ith

Low

Hill

s (5

b) a

nd th

e se

ttled

upp

er

Loss

ie v

alle

y co

ntra

stin

g w

ith th

e m

ore

open

upl

ands

of t

he U

plan

d M

oorla

nd

and

For

estr

y (1

0) to

the

sout

h. T

he

ridge

s ar

e al

so p

rom

inen

t fro

m th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

and

For

est (

5) to

the

east

.

The

pro

min

ence

of t

he d

istin

ct r

idge

s of

this

land

scap

e, to

geth

er w

ith th

e re

lativ

ely

smal

l ext

ent o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

type

, lim

its s

cope

to

acco

mm

odat

e th

is ty

polo

gy w

ithou

t it

impa

ctin

g on

adj

acen

t lan

dsca

pes

(and

par

ticul

arly

the

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

(4)

whe

re v

iew

s ar

e m

ore

open

). T

he v

alle

ys a

re m

ore

self-

cont

aine

d w

ith v

iew

s in

to th

em fr

om

surr

ound

ing

area

s lim

ited.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

The

pro

min

ence

of t

he d

istin

ct

ridge

s of

this

land

scap

e, to

geth

er

with

the

rela

tivel

y sm

all e

xten

t of

this

land

scap

e ty

pe, l

imits

sco

pe to

ac

com

mod

ate

this

typo

logy

with

out

it im

pact

ing

on a

djac

ent l

ands

cape

s (a

nd p

artic

ular

ly th

e C

oast

al

Far

mla

nd (

4) w

here

vie

ws

are

mor

e op

en).

The

val

leys

are

mor

e se

lf-co

ntai

ned

with

vie

ws

into

them

from

su

rrou

ndin

g ar

eas

limite

d.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

nor

ther

n rid

ge o

f Hel

don

Hill

(w

hich

is m

ost p

rom

inen

t fro

m th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4)

) on

ly r

ises

to

arou

nd 2

30m

whi

le th

e so

uthe

rn r

idge

is

slig

htly

hig

her

at 3

00m

. The

cur

ving

rid

ge o

f Qua

rry

Woo

d w

hich

wra

ps

arou

nd E

lgin

is v

ery

low

des

pite

its

prom

inen

ce. T

he v

alle

ys a

re s

tron

gly

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

wou

ld d

etra

ct

from

the

rela

tivel

y lo

w r

elie

f of t

he

nort

hern

rid

ge. I

t wou

ld a

lso

dom

inat

e th

e lim

ited

exte

nt o

f the

op

en v

alle

y flo

or. T

he p

rese

nce

of

smal

ler

scal

e fe

atur

es w

ithin

the

valle

ys in

crea

ses

sens

itivi

ty to

this

ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne w

ould

hav

e a

bette

r sc

ale

rela

tions

hip

with

the

relie

f of t

he h

ighe

r rid

ges.

It w

ould

ho

wev

er s

till b

e lik

ely

to d

omin

ate

the

limite

d ex

tent

of o

pen

valle

y flo

ors.

The

pre

senc

e of

sm

alle

r sc

ale

feat

ures

with

in th

e va

lleys

in

crea

ses

sens

itivi

ty to

this

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

40

cont

aine

d by

the

ridge

s an

d oc

casi

onal

‘p

inch

poi

nts’

occ

ur w

here

the

valle

y is

in

cise

d an

d co

nstr

icte

d by

ste

ep

dens

ely

woo

ded

hill

slop

es. E

xten

sive

w

oodl

and

cove

r lim

its o

penn

ess.

The

m

ore

open

val

ley

floor

s an

d lo

wer

si

des

acco

mm

odat

e a

disp

erse

d pa

ttern

of s

mal

l far

ms

and

hous

es,

encl

osed

fiel

ds a

nd w

oodl

ands

.

typo

logy

.

Lan

dfo

rm

T

he la

ndfo

rm o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

co

mpr

ises

an

alte

rnat

e pa

ttern

of t

wo

ridge

s se

para

ted

by th

e va

lleys

of t

he

Upp

er L

ossi

e an

d th

e P

lusc

arde

n.

Bot

h rid

ges

feat

ure

a st

eep

sout

h-ea

st

faci

ng s

carp

slo

pes

and

long

gen

tler

dip

slop

es to

the

nort

h-w

est.

Rid

ge

tops

are

nar

row

and

ver

y ge

ntly

un

dula

ting

with

the

Hill

of t

he W

angi

e an

d H

eldo

n H

ill fo

rmin

g su

btle

rou

nded

su

mm

its. T

he H

ill o

f Mul

undy

form

s a

wes

tern

out

lier

to th

e so

uthe

rn r

idge

an

d th

e lo

w c

urvi

ng r

idge

of Q

uarr

y W

ood

exte

nds

to th

e no

rth.

The

val

leys

of

the

uppe

r Lo

ssie

and

Plu

scar

den

have

flat

floo

dpla

ins

alth

ough

nar

row

an

d de

eply

inci

sed

side

val

leys

als

o oc

casi

onal

ly o

ccur

. S

mal

l com

plex

kn

olls

and

riv

er te

rrac

es p

atte

rn th

e lo

wer

sou

ther

n sl

opes

of t

he L

ossi

e in

th

e K

ella

s ar

ea.

The

mai

n rid

ges

and

the

outly

ing

Hill

of

Mul

undy

and

Qua

rry

Woo

d fo

rm

prom

inen

t lan

dfor

m fe

atur

es a

nd

ther

e w

ould

be

phys

ical

con

stra

ints

to

siti

ng th

is ty

polo

gy o

n st

eep

scar

p sl

opes

, nar

row

rid

ge to

ps a

nd

conf

ined

sum

mits

. Whi

le th

is

typo

logy

wou

ld b

e be

tter

able

to b

e ph

ysic

ally

site

d on

gen

tler

dip

slop

es

and

broa

der

flat v

alle

y bo

ttom

s it

coul

d de

trac

t fro

m th

e st

eep

scar

p sl

opes

of t

he r

idge

s an

d th

e fla

t ope

n flo

odpl

ain.

The

mor

e co

mpl

ex

land

form

of k

nolls

and

terr

aces

as

soci

ated

with

the

Loss

ie a

nd th

e na

rrow

dee

ply

inci

sed

side

val

leys

w

ould

be

high

ly s

ensi

tive

to th

is

typo

logy

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

rid

ges

and

the

outly

ing

Hill

of

Mul

undy

and

Qua

rry

Woo

d fo

rm

prom

inen

t lan

dfor

m fe

atur

es a

nd

ther

e w

ould

be

phys

ical

con

stra

ints

to

siti

ng th

is ty

polo

gy o

n st

eep

scar

p sl

opes

, nar

row

rid

ge to

ps a

nd

conf

ined

sum

mits

. Whi

le th

is

typo

logy

wou

ld b

e be

tter

able

to b

e ph

ysic

ally

site

d on

gen

tler

dip

slop

es a

nd b

road

er fl

at v

alle

y bo

ttom

s it

coul

d de

trac

t fro

m th

e st

eep

scar

p sl

opes

of t

he r

idge

s an

d th

e fla

t ope

n flo

odpl

ain.

The

m

ore

com

plex

land

form

of k

nolls

an

d te

rrac

es a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith th

e Lo

ssie

and

the

narr

ow d

eepl

y in

cise

d si

de v

alle

ys w

ould

be

high

ly

sens

itive

to th

is ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

The

rid

ges

are

larg

ely

fore

sted

, pr

edom

inan

tly c

ompr

isin

g co

nife

rous

pl

anta

tions

, but

with

som

e m

ixed

and

po

licy

woo

dlan

ds o

ccur

ring

on lo

wer

The

ope

n fa

rmed

val

ley

floor

s ar

e im

port

ant i

n th

e co

ntra

st th

ey p

rovi

de

with

the

dens

ely

fore

sted

rid

ges

and

this

siz

e of

turb

ine

coul

d de

trac

t fro

m

Med

ium

T

he o

pen

farm

ed v

alle

y flo

ors

are

impo

rtan

t in

the

cont

rast

they

pr

ovid

e w

ith th

e de

nsel

y fo

rest

ed

ridge

s an

d th

is s

ize

of tu

rbin

e co

uld

Med

ium

41

slop

es o

n th

e ed

ge o

f the

val

leys

and

w

ithin

dee

ply

inci

sed

side

val

leys

. Fla

t va

lley

floor

s an

d lo

wer

slo

pes

are

farm

ed a

nd g

ently

und

ulat

ing

past

ures

oc

cur

on th

e no

rth-

wes

t fac

ing

long

dip

sl

opes

of t

he r

idge

s an

d at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd

and

For

estr

y (1

0).

this

and

from

occ

asio

nal p

olic

y fe

atur

es. T

he m

ore

unifo

rm

coni

fero

us fo

rest

cov

er is

gen

eral

ly

less

sen

sitiv

e.

detr

act f

rom

this

and

from

oc

casi

onal

pol

icy

feat

ures

. The

m

ore

unifo

rm c

onife

rous

fore

st

cove

r is

gen

eral

ly le

ss s

ensi

tive.

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

The

val

leys

are

wel

l set

tled

and

feat

ure

a re

gula

r pa

ttern

of s

mal

l far

ms,

co

ttage

s an

d sm

all s

ettle

men

ts s

uch

as D

alla

s an

d R

affo

rd. T

here

are

a

num

ber

of h

isto

ric h

ouse

s w

ith

asso

ciat

ed d

esig

ned

land

scap

es, t

he

‘land

mar

k’ fe

atur

e of

Plu

scar

den

Abb

ey a

nd a

rcha

eolo

gica

l fea

ture

s.

Pub

lic r

oads

are

ver

y na

rrow

and

pr

ivat

e tr

acks

are

ofte

n st

eep

with

in

the

fore

sted

rid

ges.

Set

tlem

ent i

s fo

cuss

ed w

ithin

the

valle

ys a

nd th

is s

ize

of tu

rbin

e w

ould

de

trac

t fro

m th

e se

tting

of

settl

emen

ts, h

isto

ric h

ouse

s,

Plu

scar

den

Abb

ey a

nd

arch

aeol

ogic

al fe

atur

es if

site

d w

ithin

th

ese

area

s. S

pars

ely

settl

ed u

pper

hi

ll sl

opes

wou

ld b

e le

ss s

ensi

tive

in

term

s of

avo

idin

g im

pact

on

the

imm

edia

te s

ettin

g of

set

tlem

ents

and

ot

her

built

feat

ures

alth

ough

turb

ines

of

this

siz

e w

ould

be

likel

y to

be

seen

in

rel

ativ

e pr

oxim

ity to

bui

lt fe

atur

es

give

n se

ttlem

ent d

ensi

ty a

nd p

atte

rn

acro

ss th

is la

ndsc

ape.

N

arro

w r

oads

and

ste

ep te

rrai

n co

uld

resu

lt in

land

scap

e an

d vi

sual

effe

cts

asso

ciat

ed w

ith a

cces

s im

prov

emen

ts fo

r ve

hicl

es r

equi

red

to tr

ansp

ort t

his

typo

logy

.

Hig

h S

ettle

men

t is

focu

ssed

with

in th

e va

lleys

and

this

siz

e of

turb

ine

wou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om th

e se

tting

of

settl

emen

ts, h

isto

ric h

ouse

s,

Plu

scar

den

Abb

ey a

nd

arch

aeol

ogic

al fe

atur

es if

site

d w

ithin

thes

e ar

eas.

Spa

rsel

y se

ttled

up

per

hill

slop

es w

ould

be

less

se

nsiti

ve in

term

s of

avo

idin

g im

pact

on

the

imm

edia

te s

ettin

g of

se

ttlem

ents

and

oth

er b

uilt

feat

ures

. N

arro

w r

oads

and

ste

ep te

rrai

n co

uld

resu

lt in

land

scap

e an

d vi

sual

ef

fect

s as

soci

ated

with

acc

ess

impr

ovem

ents

for

vehi

cles

req

uire

d to

tran

spor

t thi

s ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s A

lthou

gh th

e va

lleys

are

str

ongl

y co

ntai

ned

and

can

feel

sec

lude

d in

so

me

plac

es, t

hey

are

gene

rally

wel

l-se

ttled

. Ext

ensi

ve fo

rest

ry a

nd a

lso

win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ent a

nd a

tr

ansm

issi

on li

ne v

isib

le fr

om th

e

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

affe

ct th

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

and

the

hist

oric

al

dim

ensi

on fe

lt in

par

ts o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

alth

ough

in g

ener

al

wild

land

qua

litie

s ar

e no

t pr

onou

nced

.

Med

ium

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld a

ffect

the

sens

e of

sec

lusi

on a

nd th

e hi

stor

ical

di

men

sion

felt

in p

arts

of t

his

land

scap

e al

thou

gh in

gen

eral

w

ildla

nd q

ualit

ies

are

not

pron

ounc

ed.

Med

ium

42

Loss

ie v

alle

y le

ssen

s th

e se

nse

of

natu

raln

ess.

The

Plu

scar

den

area

has

di

stin

ct h

isto

rical

ass

ocia

tions

.

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

The

val

leys

are

wel

l set

tled

and

feat

ure

a ne

twor

k of

nar

row

roa

ds, s

ome

of

thes

e el

evat

ed a

nd o

fferin

g op

en

view

s al

ong

and

acro

ss th

e va

lleys

to

the

ridge

s. E

xten

sive

woo

dlan

d an

d th

e rid

ge la

ndfo

rm li

mits

ope

n vi

ews

in

plac

es a

lthou

gh F

ores

try

Com

mis

sion

ow

ned

woo

dlan

ds o

n th

e rid

ges

appe

ar w

ell-u

sed

for

recr

eatio

n. A

pr

omot

ed v

iew

poin

t is

loca

ted

on th

e w

este

rn e

nd o

f the

Hel

don

Hill

rid

ge.

The

upp

er L

ossi

e va

lley

is p

artic

ular

ly

open

and

feat

ures

vie

ws

to th

e ad

jace

nt U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd

For

estr

y (1

0) in

clud

ing

the

oper

atio

nal

Rot

hes

win

d fa

rm.

The

nor

ther

n rid

ge o

f Hel

don

Hill

is

prom

inen

t fro

m th

e se

ttled

Coa

stal

F

arm

land

(4)

to th

e no

rth

and

both

rid

ges

are

seen

from

min

or r

oads

and

se

ttlem

ent w

ithin

the

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nd

and

For

est (

5) to

the

east

. Vie

ws

are

mor

e lim

ited

from

the

wes

t. T

he H

ill o

f M

ulun

dy fo

rms

a fo

cal f

eatu

re fr

om th

e B

9010

whi

le Q

uarr

y W

ood

is im

port

ant

in p

rovi

ding

the

imm

edia

te s

ettin

g to

E

lgin

.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

be

high

ly v

isib

le

if si

ted

with

in th

e m

ore

open

and

w

ell-s

ettle

d va

lleys

, sig

nific

antly

in

trud

ing

on lo

ng v

iew

s fr

om r

oads

an

d fr

om s

ettle

men

t. T

urbi

nes

of th

is

size

wou

ld b

e pr

omin

ent f

rom

se

ttlem

ents

and

roa

ds in

this

and

ad

jace

nt c

hara

cter

are

as if

site

d on

th

e rid

ges.

Hig

h T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

vi

sibl

e if

site

d w

ithin

the

mor

e op

en

and

wel

l-set

tled

valle

ys,

sign

ifica

ntly

intr

udin

g on

long

vie

ws

from

roa

ds a

nd fr

om s

ettle

men

t.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

be

prom

inen

t fro

m s

ettle

men

ts a

nd

road

s in

this

and

adj

acen

t cha

ract

er

area

s if

site

d on

the

ridge

s. T

here

m

ay b

e so

me

limite

d sc

ope

to s

ite

turb

ines

tow

ards

the

smal

ler

heig

ht

band

of t

his

typo

logy

to a

void

in

trus

ion

on p

rom

inen

t sky

lines

and

lim

iting

vie

ws

from

the

mor

e se

ttled

va

lleys

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

Pau

l’s H

ill w

ind

farm

can

be

glim

psed

from

the

min

or r

oad

at th

e up

per

end

of th

e P

lusc

arde

n V

alle

y ne

ar H

azel

bank

. The

Rot

hes

I and

II

The

re w

ould

be

clos

e in

ter-

visi

bilit

y be

twee

n an

y tu

rbin

es lo

cate

d in

the

uppe

r Lo

ssie

val

ley

and

the

oper

atio

nal R

othe

s w

ind

farm

.

Hig

h T

here

wou

ld b

e cl

ose

inte

r-vi

sibi

lity

betw

een

any

turb

ines

loca

ted

in th

e up

per

Loss

ie v

alle

y an

d th

e op

erat

iona

l Rot

hes

win

d fa

rm.

Hig

h

43

win

d fa

rm is

see

n in

clo

se p

roxi

mity

to

the

uppe

r Lo

ssie

val

ley

and

the

cons

ente

d K

ella

s an

d M

eikl

e H

ill w

ind

farm

s w

ill a

lso

incr

ease

the

exte

nt o

f tu

rbin

es s

een

on th

e sk

ylin

e pa

rtic

ular

ly in

the

Dal

las

area

. The

se

win

d fa

rms

are

not v

isib

le fr

om th

e m

ore

cont

aine

d P

lusc

arde

n va

lley.

Cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

coul

d al

so o

ccur

if

this

typo

logy

was

loca

ted

on th

e rid

ges

of th

is c

hara

cter

are

a w

here

it

wou

ld b

e se

en to

geth

er in

long

er

view

s fr

om th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4)

an

d R

ollin

g F

arm

land

and

For

est (

5).

Cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

coul

d al

so o

ccur

if

this

typo

logy

was

loca

ted

on th

e rid

ges

of th

is c

hara

cter

are

a w

here

it

wou

ld b

e se

en to

geth

er in

long

er

view

s fr

om th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4

) an

d R

ollin

g F

arm

land

and

F

ores

t (5)

.

44

Cha

ract

er T

ype

5a: R

ollin

g Fa

rmla

nd a

nd F

ores

ts w

ith V

alle

ys –

Sen

sitiv

ity a

sses

smen

t for

sm

all-m

ediu

m a

nd s

mal

l typ

olog

ies

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Ass

essm

ent

of

smal

l-m

ediu

m

typ

olo

gy

(35m

-50m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

A

sses

smen

t o

f sm

allt

ypo

log

y (2

0m-3

5m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

com

pris

es th

e br

oad

valle

ys o

f Plu

scar

den

and

the

uppe

r Lo

ssie

and

the

two

ridge

s w

hich

div

ide

them

. It e

xten

ds n

orth

war

ds to

incl

ude

the

low

hill

of Q

uarr

y W

ood

whi

ch

wra

ps a

roun

d E

lgin

. It

form

s a

tran

sitio

n be

twee

n th

e hi

gher

hill

s of

th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

an

d th

e lo

w-ly

ing

coas

tal p

lain

of t

he

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nds

(4).

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is d

istin

ct fr

om a

djoi

ning

cha

ract

er

type

s w

ith th

e no

rthe

rn r

idge

of H

eldo

n H

ill fo

rmin

g a

prom

inen

t bac

kdro

p to

th

e se

ttled

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nds

(4)

and

the

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nds

and

For

est w

ith

Low

Hill

s (5

b) a

nd th

e se

ttled

upp

er

Loss

ie v

alle

y co

ntra

stin

g w

ith th

e m

ore

open

upl

ands

of t

he U

plan

d M

oorla

nd

and

For

estr

y (1

0) to

the

sout

h. T

he

ridge

s ar

e al

so p

rom

inen

t fro

m th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

and

For

est (

5) to

the

east

.

Whi

le th

e pr

omin

ent r

idge

s of

this

la

ndsc

ape

wou

ld b

e se

nsiti

ve to

tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze, t

he v

alle

ys a

re

mor

e co

ntai

ned

and

this

typo

logy

co

uld

be lo

cate

d on

mor

e in

war

d fa

cing

dip

slo

pes

with

out i

mpa

ctin

g vi

sual

ly o

n ad

jace

nt la

ndsc

ape

type

s.

Med

ium

T

here

are

gre

ater

opp

ortu

nitie

s to

si

te th

is s

ize

of tu

rbin

e on

low

er

slop

es o

f the

pro

min

ent r

idge

s an

d w

ithin

the

valle

ys to

min

imis

e im

pact

s on

adj

acen

t lan

dsca

pe

type

s.

Med

ium

-low

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

nor

ther

n rid

ge o

f Hel

don

Hill

(w

hich

is m

ost p

rom

inen

t fro

m th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

(4)

) on

ly r

ises

to

arou

nd 2

30m

whi

le th

e so

uthe

rn r

idge

is

slig

htly

hig

her

at 3

00m

. The

cur

ving

rid

ge o

f Qua

rry

Woo

d w

hich

wra

ps

arou

nd E

lgin

is v

ery

low

des

pite

its

prom

inen

ce. T

he v

alle

ys a

re s

tron

gly

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

fit w

ith th

e sc

ale

of le

ss d

ense

ly s

ettle

d br

oade

r di

p sl

opes

of t

he r

idge

s. T

urbi

nes

of th

is

size

wou

ld s

till a

ppea

r la

rge

in

rela

tion

to th

e sc

ale

of r

elat

ivel

y na

rrow

floo

d pl

ains

and

sm

alle

r la

ndsc

ape

feat

ures

with

in th

e va

lleys

su

ch a

s w

oodl

ands

and

bui

ldin

gs.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

re a

re in

crea

sed

oppo

rtun

ities

fo

r th

is s

ize

of tu

rbin

e to

fit

with

the

scal

e of

less

den

sely

set

tled

broa

der

dip

slop

es o

f the

rid

ges.

T

urbi

nes

tow

ards

the

low

er h

eigh

t ba

nd o

f thi

s ty

polo

gy <

25m

cou

ld

also

be

acco

mm

odat

ed o

n fa

rmla

nd

on lo

wer

val

ley

side

s (b

ut a

void

ing

Med

ium

45

cont

aine

d by

the

ridge

s an

d oc

casi

onal

‘p

inch

poi

nts’

occ

ur w

here

the

valle

y is

in

cise

d an

d co

nstr

icte

d by

ste

ep

dens

ely

woo

ded

hill

slop

es. E

xten

sive

w

oodl

and

cove

r lim

its o

penn

ess.

The

m

ore

open

val

ley

floor

s an

d lo

wer

si

des

acco

mm

odat

e a

disp

erse

d pa

ttern

of s

mal

l far

ms

and

hous

es,

encl

osed

fiel

ds a

nd w

oodl

ands

.

the

open

floo

dpla

in)

Lan

dfo

rm

T

he la

ndfo

rm o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

co

mpr

ises

an

alte

rnat

e pa

ttern

of t

wo

ridge

s se

para

ted

by th

e va

lleys

of t

he

Upp

er L

ossi

e an

d th

e P

lusc

arde

n.

Bot

h rid

ges

feat

ure

a st

eep

sout

h-ea

st

faci

ng s

carp

slo

pes

and

long

gen

tler

dip

slop

es to

the

nort

h-w

est.

Rid

ge

tops

are

nar

row

and

ver

y ge

ntly

un

dula

ting

with

the

Hill

of t

he W

angi

e an

d H

eldo

n H

ill fo

rmin

g su

btle

rou

nded

su

mm

its. T

he H

ill o

f Mul

undy

form

s a

wes

tern

out

lier

to th

e so

uthe

rn r

idge

an

d th

e lo

w c

urvi

ng r

idge

of Q

uarr

y W

ood

exte

nds

to th

e no

rth.

The

val

leys

of

the

uppe

r Lo

ssie

and

Plu

scar

den

have

flat

floo

dpla

ins

alth

ough

nar

row

an

d de

eply

inci

sed

side

val

leys

als

o oc

casi

onal

ly o

ccur

. S

mal

l com

plex

kn

olls

and

riv

er te

rrac

es p

atte

rn th

e lo

wer

sou

ther

n sl

opes

of t

he L

ossi

e in

th

e K

ella

s ar

ea.

The

rid

ges

form

pro

min

ent l

andf

orm

fe

atur

es a

nd th

ere

wou

ld b

e ph

ysic

al

cons

trai

nts

to s

iting

this

typo

logy

on

stee

p sc

arp

slop

es, n

arro

w r

idge

tops

an

d co

nfin

ed s

umm

its. T

he g

entle

r di

p sl

opes

and

bro

ader

flat

val

ley

botto

ms

wou

ld b

e le

ss s

ensi

tive

to

this

typo

logy

pro

vidi

ng tu

rbin

es w

ere

site

d to

avo

id d

etra

ctin

g on

key

vie

ws

to th

e st

eep

scar

p sl

opes

and

the

flat

flood

plai

n of

the

valle

ys. T

he m

ore

com

plex

land

form

of k

nolls

and

te

rrac

es a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith th

e Lo

ssie

an

d th

e na

rrow

dee

ply

inci

sed

side

va

lleys

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

sen

sitiv

e ho

wev

er.

Med

ium

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

(and

pa

rtic

ular

ly th

ose

tow

ards

the

low

er

heig

ht b

and

of th

is ty

polo

gy)

wou

ld

be li

kely

to h

ave

less

of a

det

ract

ive

effe

ct o

n ke

y la

ndfo

rm fe

atur

es.

The

pro

min

ent r

idge

tops

, ste

ep

scar

p sl

opes

and

mor

e co

mpl

ex

land

form

feat

ures

wou

ld s

till b

e se

nsiti

ve to

any

turb

ine

site

d on

th

ese

feat

ures

or

near

by th

em.

Med

ium

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

The

rid

ges

are

larg

ely

fore

sted

, pr

edom

inan

tly c

ompr

isin

g co

nife

rous

pl

anta

tions

, but

with

som

e m

ixed

and

po

licy

woo

dlan

ds o

ccur

ring

on lo

wer

The

ope

n fa

rmed

val

ley

floor

s ar

e im

port

ant i

n th

e co

ntra

st th

ey p

rovi

de

with

the

dens

ely

fore

sted

rid

ges

and

this

siz

e of

turb

ine

coul

d de

trac

t fro

m

Med

ium

T

here

is m

ore

oppo

rtun

ity to

site

th

e sm

alle

r tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s ty

polo

gy

to m

inim

ise

effe

cts

on m

ore

nota

ble

land

cov

er. T

he o

pen

farm

ed v

alle

y

Med

ium

-low

46

slop

es o

n th

e ed

ge o

f the

val

leys

and

w

ithin

dee

ply

inci

sed

side

val

leys

. Fla

t va

lley

floor

s an

d lo

wer

slo

pes

are

farm

ed a

nd g

ently

und

ulat

ing

past

ures

oc

cur

on th

e no

rth-

wes

t fac

ing

long

dip

sl

opes

of t

he r

idge

s an

d at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd

and

For

estr

y (1

0).

this

and

from

occ

asio

nal p

olic

y fe

atur

es. T

he m

ore

unifo

rm

coni

fero

us fo

rest

cov

er is

gen

eral

ly

less

sen

sitiv

e.

floor

and

pol

icy

feat

ures

wou

ld s

till

be s

ensi

tive

to a

ny tu

rbin

e de

velo

pmen

t how

ever

.

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

The

val

leys

are

wel

l set

tled

and

feat

ure

a re

gula

r pa

ttern

of s

mal

l far

ms,

co

ttage

s an

d sm

all s

ettle

men

ts s

uch

as D

alla

s an

d R

affo

rd. T

here

are

a

num

ber

of h

isto

ric h

ouse

s w

ith

asso

ciat

ed d

esig

ned

land

scap

es a

nd

the

‘land

mar

k’ fe

atur

e of

Plu

scar

den

Abb

ey. P

ublic

roa

ds a

re v

ery

narr

ow

and

priv

ate

trac

ks a

re o

ften

stee

p w

ithin

the

fore

sted

rid

ges.

Set

tlem

ent i

s fo

cuss

ed w

ithin

the

valle

ys a

nd th

is s

ize

of tu

rbin

e w

ould

de

trac

t fro

m th

e se

tting

of

settl

emen

ts, h

isto

ric h

ouse

s an

d P

lusc

arde

n A

bbey

if s

ited

with

in

thes

e ar

eas.

Spa

rsel

y se

ttled

upp

er

hill

slop

es w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e in

te

rms

of a

void

ing

impa

ct o

n th

e im

med

iate

set

ting

of s

ettle

men

ts a

nd

othe

r bu

ilt fe

atur

es.

Med

ium

W

hile

the

setti

ng o

f key

his

toric

and

ar

chae

olog

ical

bui

lt fe

atur

es w

ould

st

ill b

e hi

ghly

sen

sitiv

e to

intr

usio

n,

this

typo

logy

wou

ld h

ave

less

of a

n ef

fect

on

othe

r bu

ilt fe

atur

es i

f site

d ei

ther

with

in le

ss w

ell-s

ettle

d ar

eas

or if

they

com

pris

ed tu

rbin

es

tow

ards

the

low

er h

eigh

t ban

d <

25m

.

Med

ium

-low

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s A

lthou

gh th

e va

lleys

are

str

ongl

y co

ntai

ned

and

can

feel

sec

lude

d in

so

me

plac

es, t

hey

are

gene

rally

wel

l-se

ttled

. Ext

ensi

ve fo

rest

ry a

nd a

lso

win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ent a

nd a

tr

ansm

issi

on li

ne v

isib

le fr

om th

e up

per

Loss

ie v

alle

y le

ssen

s th

e se

nse

of

natu

raln

ess.

The

Plu

scar

den

area

has

di

stin

ct h

isto

rical

ass

ocia

tions

.

Wild

land

qua

litie

s ar

e no

t pr

onou

nced

and

turb

ines

of t

his

size

w

ould

be

unlik

ely

to h

ave

a si

gnifi

cant

effe

ct o

n th

is, a

nd o

ther

pe

rcep

tual

qua

litie

s, p

rovi

ded

they

w

ere

care

fully

site

d.

Low

W

ildla

nd q

ualit

ies

are

not

pron

ounc

ed a

nd tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze w

ould

be

unlik

ely

to h

ave

a si

gnifi

cant

effe

ct o

n th

is, a

nd o

ther

pe

rcep

tual

qua

litie

s, p

rovi

ded

they

w

ere

care

fully

site

d.

Low

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

The

val

leys

are

wel

l set

tled

and

feat

ure

a ne

twor

k of

nar

row

roa

ds, s

ome

of

thes

e el

evat

ed a

nd o

fferin

g op

en

view

s al

ong

and

acro

ss th

e va

lleys

to

the

ridge

s. E

xten

sive

woo

dlan

d an

d th

e rid

ge la

ndfo

rm li

mits

ope

n vi

ews

in

plac

es a

lthou

gh F

ores

try

Com

mis

sion

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

be

high

ly v

isib

le

if si

ted

with

in th

e m

ore

open

and

w

ell-s

ettle

d va

lleys

and

cou

ld in

trud

e on

long

vie

ws

from

roa

ds a

nd fr

om

settl

emen

t alth

ough

ther

e is

in

crea

sed

scop

e to

site

turb

ines

of

this

siz

e in

less

wel

l-set

tled

area

s to

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

hav

e a

redu

ced

effe

ct o

n vi

ews

as th

ey

coul

d be

site

d on

low

er h

ill s

lope

s to

avo

id in

trus

ion

on lo

ng v

iew

s fr

om r

oads

alig

ned

thro

ugh

the

valle

ys. E

ven

turb

ines

of t

his

size

w

ould

be

intr

usiv

e ho

wev

er if

site

d

Med

ium

47

owne

d w

oodl

ands

on

the

ridge

s ap

pear

wel

l-use

d fo

r re

crea

tion.

A

prom

oted

vie

wpo

int i

s lo

cate

d on

the

wes

tern

end

of t

he H

eldo

n H

ill r

idge

. T

he u

pper

Los

sie

valle

y is

par

ticul

arly

op

en a

nd fe

atur

es v

iew

s to

the

adja

cent

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

F

ores

try

(10)

incl

udin

g th

e op

erat

iona

l R

othe

s w

ind

farm

. T

he n

orth

ern

ridge

of H

eldo

n H

ill is

pr

omin

ent f

rom

the

settl

ed C

oast

al

Far

mla

nd (

4) to

the

nort

h an

d bo

th

ridge

s ar

e se

en fr

om m

inor

roa

ds a

nd

settl

emen

t with

in th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

an

d F

ores

t (5)

to th

e ea

st. V

iew

s ar

e m

ore

limite

d fr

om th

e w

est.

The

Hill

of

Mul

undy

form

s a

foca

l fea

ture

from

the

B90

10 w

hile

Qua

rry

Woo

d is

impo

rtan

t in

pro

vidi

ng th

e im

med

iate

set

ting

to

Elg

in.

min

imis

e vi

sibi

lity.

Tur

bine

s of

this

si

ze w

ould

be

prom

inen

t fro

m

settl

emen

ts a

nd r

oads

in th

is a

nd

adja

cent

cha

ract

er a

reas

if s

ited

on

the

ridge

s an

d pa

rtic

ular

ly if

see

n on

th

e sk

ylin

e.

on r

idge

tops

so

seen

aga

inst

the

sky.

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

Pau

l’s H

ill w

ind

farm

can

be

glim

psed

from

the

min

or r

oad

at th

e up

per

end

of th

e P

lusc

arde

n V

alle

y ne

ar H

azel

bank

. The

Rot

hes

I and

II

win

d fa

rm is

see

n in

clo

se p

roxi

mity

to

the

uppe

r Lo

ssie

val

ley

and

the

cons

ente

d K

ella

s an

d M

eikl

e H

ill w

ind

farm

s w

ill a

lso

incr

ease

the

exte

nt o

f tu

rbin

es s

een

on th

e sk

ylin

e pa

rtic

ular

ly in

the

Dal

las

area

. The

se

win

d fa

rms

are

not v

isib

le fr

om th

e m

ore

cont

aine

d P

lusc

arde

n va

lley.

The

re w

ould

be

clos

e in

ter-

visi

bilit

y be

twee

n th

is ty

polo

gy lo

cate

d in

the

uppe

r Lo

ssie

val

ley

and

oper

atio

nal

and

cons

ente

d w

ind

farm

s lo

cate

d in

th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

with

eve

n tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze

appe

arin

g la

rge

whe

n vi

ewed

from

w

ithin

this

cha

ract

er a

rea.

C

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s co

uld

also

occ

ur if

th

is ty

polo

gy w

as lo

cate

d on

the

prom

inen

t rid

ges

whi

ch a

re v

isib

le

from

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4) a

nd

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nd a

nd F

ores

t (5)

. The

di

p sl

opes

of t

he r

idge

s of

fer

som

e

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

re is

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to s

ite

turb

ines

of t

his

size

to a

void

si

gnifi

cant

cum

ulat

ive

impa

cts.

The

Lo

ssie

Val

ley

rem

ains

sen

sitiv

e ho

wev

er d

ue to

the

clos

e pr

oxim

ity

of o

pera

tiona

l and

con

sent

ed w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

ts.

Med

ium

48

scop

e to

acc

omm

odat

e th

is ty

polo

gy

prov

ided

they

cou

ld b

e si

ted

to a

void

im

pact

s on

sen

sitiv

e sk

ylin

es.

49

Cha

ract

er T

ype

5b: R

ollin

g Fa

rmla

nd a

nd F

ores

ts w

ith L

ow H

ills

– Se

nsiti

vity

ass

essm

ent f

or la

rge

and

med

ium

typo

logi

es

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Ass

essm

ent

of

larg

e ty

po

log

y (8

0m-1

30m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

A

sses

smen

t o

f m

ediu

mty

po

log

y (5

0m-8

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

form

s a

tran

sitio

n be

twee

n th

e hi

gher

hill

s of

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0) a

nd th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

s (4

). T

he u

ndul

atin

g la

ndfo

rm a

nd e

xten

sive

woo

dlan

d lim

it in

ter-

visi

bilit

y w

ith a

djac

ent l

ands

cape

ty

pes,

alth

ough

this

land

scap

e fo

rms

low

woo

ded

skyl

ines

to th

e N

arro

w

Woo

ded

Val

leys

(6)

of t

he F

indh

orn

and

Dor

back

/Div

ie B

urns

. T

he w

ider

vis

ual p

rom

inen

ce o

f R

omac

h H

ill is

an

exce

ptio

n, a

s it

form

s a

prom

inen

t ‘la

ndm

ark’

hill

whi

ch

is e

asily

rec

ogni

sabl

e ou

twith

the

area

an

d is

vis

ible

mor

e w

idel

y ac

ross

w

este

rn M

oray

. It a

lso

prov

ides

a

visu

al ‘b

uffe

r’ be

twee

n th

e lo

wla

nd

land

scap

es a

nd th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd

and

For

estr

y (1

0) to

the

sout

h fr

om

som

e lo

wer

vie

wpo

ints

incl

udin

g pu

blic

ro

ads.

T

he r

elat

ivel

y sm

all s

cale

of h

ill fo

rms

and

spac

es c

ontr

asts

with

larg

er h

ill

form

s an

d bo

lder

pat

tern

of e

xten

sive

fo

rest

and

ope

n m

oorla

nd to

the

sout

h.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

type

is r

elat

ivel

y sm

all

in e

xten

t.

The

sm

all e

xten

t of t

his

land

scap

e ty

pe li

mits

sco

pe to

acc

omm

odat

e th

is ty

polo

gy w

ithou

t it i

mpa

ctin

g on

th

e ad

jace

nt N

arro

w W

oode

d V

alle

y (6

) to

the

wes

t or

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nd

and

For

ests

with

Val

leys

(5a

) to

the

east

. R

omac

h H

ill is

a la

ndm

ark

hill,

eas

ily

reco

gnis

able

and

vis

ible

in v

iew

s ou

twith

this

LC

T. I

t is

a se

nsiti

ve

feat

ure

beca

use

of it

s w

ide

visi

bilit

y an

d st

raeg

ic r

ole

as a

vis

ual

fore

grou

nd to

mor

e ex

tens

ive

upla

nd

area

s. O

ther

wis

e, th

is la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r ty

pe is

rel

ativ

ely

self-

co

ntai

ned,

with

vie

ws

into

it li

mite

d by

th

e hi

lly la

ndfo

rm a

nd w

oodl

and.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

The

sm

all e

xten

t of t

his

land

scap

e ty

pe li

mits

sco

pe to

acc

omm

odat

e th

is ty

polo

gy w

ithou

t it i

mpa

ctin

g on

th

e ad

jace

nt N

arro

w W

oode

d V

alle

y (6

) to

the

wes

t or

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nd a

nd F

ores

ts w

ith V

alle

ys

(5a)

to th

e ea

st.

Rom

ach

Hill

is a

land

mar

k hi

ll,

easi

ly r

ecog

nisa

ble

and

visi

ble

in

view

s ou

twith

this

LC

T. I

t is

a se

nsiti

ve fe

atur

e be

caus

e of

its

wid

e vi

sibi

lity

and

stra

egic

rol

e as

a

visu

al fo

regr

ound

to m

ore

exte

nsiv

e up

land

are

as. O

ther

wis

e, th

is

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter

type

is

rela

tivel

y se

lf- c

onta

ined

, with

vie

ws

into

it li

mite

d by

the

hilly

land

form

an

d w

oodl

and.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

Ver

y sm

all s

cale

, und

ulat

ing

and

hum

moc

ky la

ndfo

rm s

kirt

ing

arou

nd

the

base

of R

omac

h H

ill a

nd e

xten

ding

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

wou

ld im

pact

on

the

smal

l sca

le o

f muc

h of

this

ch

arac

ter

type

. In

part

icul

ar, t

his

Hig

h T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne w

ould

impa

ct o

n th

e sm

all s

cale

of m

uch

of th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe. I

n pa

rtic

ular

, thi

s

Hig

h

50

nort

h to

war

ds th

e ou

tski

rts

of F

orre

s.

The

sm

all s

cale

of t

his

land

scap

e is

re

info

rced

by

the

low

rel

ief,

with

la

ndfo

rm u

ndul

atin

g be

twee

n 90

m a

nd

190m

. The

exc

eptio

n is

Rom

ach

Hill

, w

hich

ris

es in

a p

rono

unce

d do

me

to

315m

. T

he e

xten

sive

fram

ewor

k of

mix

ed

woo

dlan

d, w

ithin

whi

ch li

e im

prov

ed

gras

s fie

lds

whi

ch a

ppea

r to

hav

e be

en

carv

ed o

ut o

f the

fore

st, f

urth

er

emph

asis

es th

e sm

all s

cale

. T

he c

onst

ant p

rese

nce

of tr

ees,

and

w

here

ther

e ar

e op

en s

pace

s,

build

ings

pro

vide

con

sist

ent s

mal

l sc

ale

feat

ures

.

typo

logy

wou

ld d

omin

ate

the

low

re

lief,

smal

l sca

le la

ndfo

rm a

nd

patte

rn o

f sm

all s

pace

s ch

arac

teris

tic

of th

is la

ndsc

ape.

typo

logy

wou

ld d

omin

ate

the

low

re

lief,

smal

l sca

le la

ndfo

rm a

nd

patte

rn o

f sm

all s

pace

s ch

arac

teris

tic o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape.

Lan

dfo

rm

A

con

sist

ent p

atte

rn o

f rol

ling

smal

l hi

lls, k

nolls

and

hum

moc

ks, w

hich

are

ro

unde

d in

sha

pe o

ccur

s to

the

east

of

the

Fin

dhor

n va

lley.

Lan

dfor

m te

nds

to

be m

ore

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g to

the

wes

t.

The

re a

re o

ccas

iona

l mor

e pr

onou

nced

kno

lls a

nd h

ighe

r hi

lls,

nota

bly

Rom

ach

Hill

, whi

ch a

re m

ore

visu

ally

pro

min

ent.

F

ield

s te

nd to

be

mor

e ge

ntly

gra

ded

and

som

etim

es r

elat

ivel

y le

vel

espe

cial

ly a

roun

d D

arna

way

Cas

tle.

The

mor

e pr

omin

ent h

ills,

the

freq

uent

low

sum

mits

and

the

com

plex

kno

lly a

nd in

terlo

ckin

g la

ndfo

rms

are

sens

itive

to th

is

typo

logy

.

Hig

h

The

mor

e pr

omin

ent h

ills,

the

freq

uent

low

sum

mits

and

the

com

plex

kno

lly a

nd in

terlo

ckin

g la

ndfo

rms

are

sens

itive

to th

is

typo

logy

.

Hig

h

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is s

tron

gly

char

acte

rised

by

the

patte

rn o

f ope

n gr

azed

fiel

ds a

ltern

atin

g w

ith fo

rest

ed

area

s w

hich

cre

ates

a d

istin

ct a

nd

cons

iste

nt s

patia

l seq

uenc

e.

The

mix

ed w

oodl

and,

incl

udin

g

The

div

ersi

ty o

f the

pat

tern

of

vege

tatio

n an

d th

e im

port

ance

of t

he

open

spa

ces

with

in th

e w

oodl

and

limits

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r th

is ty

polo

gy,

whi

ch w

ould

qui

ckly

dom

inat

e th

e se

nse

of o

penn

ess

with

in th

e sp

aces

.

Hig

h T

he d

iver

sity

of t

he p

atte

rn o

f ve

geta

tion

and

the

impo

rtan

ce o

f th

e op

en s

pace

s w

ithin

the

woo

dlan

d lim

its o

ppor

tuni

ties

for

this

typo

logy

, whi

ch w

ould

qui

ckly

do

min

ate

the

sens

e of

ope

nnes

s

Hig

h

51

broa

dlea

ves

and

mix

ed c

onife

rs a

s w

ell a

s oc

casi

onal

pol

icy-

type

mix

es,

and

wid

e ra

nge

of a

ge s

truc

ture

, offe

rs

dive

rsity

whi

ch is

furt

her

enha

nced

by

the

rang

e of

woo

dlan

d –

exte

ndin

g fr

om s

mal

l clu

mps

of t

rees

to m

ore

exte

nsiv

e fo

rest

. T

he o

pen

spac

es a

re fr

eque

ntly

irr

egul

ar a

nd o

ften

‘org

anic

’ in

shap

e,

incr

easi

ng th

e se

nse

of in

terlo

ck. M

ore

exte

nsiv

e fa

rmla

nd a

nd p

arkl

and

is

asso

ciat

ed w

ith D

arna

way

Cas

tle.

Occ

asio

nal w

ater

bod

ies,

incl

udin

g th

e de

ep tr

ough

of t

he R

omac

h Lo

ch, a

re

feat

ures

with

in th

is la

ndsc

ape.

The

inte

grity

of t

he d

esig

ned

land

scap

e ar

ound

Dar

naw

ay C

astle

an

d A

ltyre

Hou

se is

an

addi

tiona

l se

nsiti

vity

.

with

in th

e sp

aces

. T

he in

tegr

ity o

f the

des

igne

d la

ndsc

ape

arou

nd D

arna

way

Cas

tle

and

Alty

re H

ouse

is a

n ad

ditio

nal

sens

itivi

ty.

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is n

ot h

eavi

ly s

ettle

d,

with

farm

s, h

ouse

s an

d ev

en s

mal

l cr

ofts

gen

eral

ly lo

cate

d at

the

edge

of

the

open

spa

ces

over

look

ing

the

field

s.

Dar

naw

ay C

astle

, Alty

re H

ouse

and

th

eir

asso

ciat

ed d

esig

ned

land

scap

es,

as w

ell a

s oc

casi

onal

his

toric

al a

nd

arch

aeol

ogic

al fe

atur

es, i

nclu

ding

ch

urch

es a

nd d

istil

lery

bui

ldin

gs a

dd to

th

e di

vers

ity o

f the

bui

lt en

viro

nmen

t w

ithin

this

land

scap

e.

Bot

h pu

blic

and

priv

ate

road

s ar

e ve

ry

narr

ow.

The

sm

all s

ize

of m

any

of th

e ho

uses

an

d fa

rms

are

a co

nstr

aint

as

this

ty

polo

gy is

like

ly to

dom

inat

e th

e sm

all s

ize

of th

e bu

ilt fe

atur

es.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

type

is h

owev

er n

ot

wel

l set

tled,

alth

ough

the

settl

emen

t is

focu

ssed

on

exis

ting

open

spa

ces,

m

ore

exte

nsiv

e w

oode

d ar

eas

may

th

eref

ore

be le

ss s

ensi

tive

even

to

this

siz

e of

typo

logy

in te

rms

of

avoi

ding

impa

ct o

n th

e im

med

iate

se

tting

of s

ettle

men

ts. H

isto

ric

build

ings

and

des

igne

d la

ndsc

apes

w

ould

be

high

ly s

ensi

tive

to tu

rbin

es

of th

is s

ize

whi

ch im

pact

ed o

n th

eir

setti

ng.

T

he n

arro

wne

ss a

nd w

indi

ng

char

acte

r of

the

road

net

wor

k is

like

ly

to b

e co

mpr

omis

ed b

y im

prov

emen

ts

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

sm

all s

ize

of m

any

of t

he

hous

es a

nd fa

rms

are

a co

nstr

aint

as

this

typo

logy

is li

kely

to d

omin

ate

the

smal

l siz

e of

the

built

feat

ures

. T

his

land

scap

e ty

pe is

how

ever

not

w

ell s

ettle

d, a

lthou

gh th

e se

ttlem

ent

is fo

cuss

ed o

n ex

istin

g op

en

spac

es, m

ore

exte

nsiv

e w

oode

d ar

eas

may

ther

efor

e be

less

se

nsiti

ve e

ven

to th

is s

ize

of

typo

logy

in te

rms

of a

void

ing

impa

ct

on th

e im

med

iate

set

ting

of

settl

emen

ts. H

isto

ric b

uild

ings

and

de

sign

ed la

ndsc

apes

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

sen

sitiv

e to

turb

ines

of t

his

size

whi

ch im

pact

ed o

n th

eir

setti

ng.

T

he n

arro

wne

ss a

nd w

indi

ng

char

acte

r of

the

road

net

wor

k is

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

52

to a

ccom

mod

ate

the

larg

e ve

hicl

es

requ

ired

to tr

ansp

ort t

his

typo

logy

. lik

ely

to b

e co

mpr

omis

ed b

y im

prov

emen

ts to

acc

omm

odat

e th

e la

rge

vehi

cles

req

uire

d to

tran

spor

t th

is ty

polo

gy.

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

he s

elf c

onta

ined

cha

ract

er o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

incr

ease

s th

e se

nse

of

secl

usio

n in

a la

ndsc

ape

whi

ch,

beca

use

of th

e de

gree

of e

nclo

sure

, ca

n qu

ickl

y fe

el ‘s

et a

part

’ fro

m th

e re

st

of M

oray

. Thi

s is

rei

nfor

ced

by th

e sp

arse

net

wor

k of

pub

lic r

oads

, with

op

port

uniti

es to

exp

lore

the

fore

sts

larg

ely

limite

d to

non

-veh

icul

ar a

cces

s.

Tra

velli

ng th

roug

h th

e w

ell d

efin

ed

spat

ial s

eque

nce

is a

par

ticul

ar

expe

rient

ial c

hara

cter

istic

of t

his

land

scap

e w

hich

is s

tron

gly

linke

d to

its

iden

tity.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

affe

ct th

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

in th

is la

ndsc

ape.

T

he p

atte

rn o

f spa

ces

is a

par

ticul

ar

qual

ity o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape,

and

this

ty

polo

gy c

ould

eas

ily d

omin

ate

and

redu

ce th

e co

ntra

st o

f the

ope

n sp

aces

to th

e fo

rest

ed a

reas

.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

affe

ct th

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

in th

is la

ndsc

ape.

T

he p

atte

rn o

f spa

ces

is a

par

ticul

ar

qual

ity o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape,

and

this

ty

polo

gy c

ould

eas

ily d

omin

ate

and

redu

ce th

e co

ntra

st o

f the

ope

n sp

aces

to th

e fo

rest

ed a

reas

.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Vie

ws

with

in th

is la

ndsc

ape

area

are

ve

ry li

mite

d an

d ar

e of

ten

inte

rmitt

ent

due

to th

e en

clos

ure

crea

ted

by b

oth

land

form

and

woo

dlan

d.

The

low

hill

s an

d w

oodl

and

ofte

n sc

reen

par

ts o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape,

so

that

vie

ws

from

the

road

s, fo

r ex

ampl

e, a

re in

term

itten

t.

How

ever

, the

hei

ght o

f thi

s ty

polo

gy

mea

ns th

at it

is li

kely

to a

ppea

r ab

ove

man

y of

thes

e sm

alle

r fe

atur

es a

nd m

ay b

e re

lativ

ely

wid

ely

and

cons

iste

ntly

vis

ible

.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

The

low

hill

s an

d w

oodl

and

ofte

n sc

reen

par

ts o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape,

so

that

vie

ws

from

the

road

s, fo

r ex

ampl

e, a

re in

term

itten

t.

The

sm

alle

r he

ight

of t

his

typo

logy

m

eans

that

whi

le it

is li

kely

to

appe

ar a

bove

man

y of

thes

e sm

alle

r fe

atur

es a

nd m

ay b

e re

lativ

ely

wid

ely

and

cons

iste

ntly

vi

sibl

e, b

ut le

ss s

o th

an th

e ‘L

arge

’ ty

polo

gy.

Med

ium

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

Vie

ws

of o

pera

tiona

l win

d fa

rms

loca

ted

in L

CT

s 10

and

11

are

limite

d fr

om w

ithin

this

enc

lose

d la

ndsc

ape.

T

he fo

ur tu

rbin

es a

t Fin

dhor

n in

the

Coa

stal

farm

land

(4)

can

be

seen

from

The

re is

lim

ited

inte

r-vi

sibi

lity

betw

een

this

typo

logy

and

win

d fa

rm

deve

lopm

ents

in n

eigh

bour

ing

LCT

s al

thou

gh c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s co

uld

occu

r on

sen

sitiv

e sk

ylin

es a

bove

the

Med

ium

T

here

is li

mite

d in

ter-

visi

bilit

y be

twee

n th

is ty

polo

gy a

nd w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

ts in

nei

ghbo

urin

g LC

Ts

alth

ough

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

coul

d oc

cur

on s

ensi

tive

skyl

ines

Med

ium

53

som

e lo

catio

ns a

nd th

e co

nsen

ted

Hill

of

Gla

schy

le w

ind

farm

loca

ted

in th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

will

be

vis

ible

from

mor

e op

en a

reas

.

Nar

row

Woo

ded

Val

ley

(6)

with

the

cons

ente

d H

ill o

f Gla

schy

le w

ind

farm

.

abov

e th

e N

arro

w W

oode

d V

alle

y (6

) w

ith th

e co

nsen

ted

Hill

of

Gla

schy

le w

ind

farm

.

54

Cha

ract

er T

ype

5b: R

ollin

g Fa

rmla

nd a

nd F

ores

ts w

ith L

ow H

ills

– Se

nsiti

vity

ass

essm

ent f

or s

mal

l-med

ium

and

sm

all t

ypol

ogie

s T

op

ic

Su

mm

ary

des

crip

tio

nA

sses

smen

to

f sm

all-

med

ium

ty

po

log

y (3

5m-5

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Ass

essm

ent

of

smal

ltyp

olo

gy

(20m

-35m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

L

and

scap

e co

nte

xt

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

form

s a

tran

sitio

n be

twee

n th

e hi

gher

hill

s of

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0) a

nd th

e C

oast

al F

arm

land

s (4

). T

he u

ndul

atin

g la

ndfo

rm a

nd e

xten

sive

woo

dlan

d lim

it in

ter-

visi

bilit

y w

ith a

djac

ent l

ands

cape

ty

pes,

alth

ough

this

land

scap

e fo

rms

low

woo

ded

skyl

ines

to th

e N

arro

w

Woo

ded

Val

leys

(6)

of t

he F

indh

orn

and

Dor

back

/Div

ie B

urns

. T

he w

ider

vis

ual p

rom

inen

ce o

f R

omac

h H

ill is

an

exce

ptio

n, a

s it

form

s a

prom

inen

t ‘la

ndm

ark’

hill

whi

ch

is e

asily

rec

ogni

sabl

e ou

twith

the

area

an

d is

vis

ible

mor

e w

idel

y ac

ross

w

este

rn M

oray

. It a

lso

prov

ides

a

visu

al ‘b

uffe

r’ be

twee

n th

e lo

wla

nd

land

scap

es a

nd th

e U

plan

d M

oor

and

For

estr

y (1

0) to

the

sout

h fr

om s

ome

low

er v

iew

poin

ts in

clud

ing

publ

ic

road

s.

The

rel

ativ

ely

smal

l sca

le o

f hill

form

s an

d sp

aces

con

tras

ts w

ith la

rger

hill

fo

rms

and

bold

er p

atte

rn o

f ext

ensi

ve

fore

st a

nd o

pen

moo

rland

to th

e so

uth.

T

his

land

scap

e ty

pe is

rel

ativ

ely

smal

l in

ext

ent.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r ty

pe is

re

lativ

ely

self-

cont

aine

d, w

ith v

iew

s in

to th

e ty

pe li

mite

d by

the

undu

latin

g la

ndfo

rm a

nd w

oodl

and

and

part

ly

hidd

en fr

om th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd

and

For

estr

y (1

0) b

y R

omac

h H

ill.

Whi

le th

e la

ndsc

ape

type

is r

elat

ivel

y sm

all i

n ex

tent

, thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

be

loca

ted

in th

e in

terio

r w

ithou

t im

pact

ing

visu

ally

on

adja

cent

la

ndsc

ape

type

s.

Rom

ach

Hill

rem

ains

a s

ensi

tive

feat

ure,

how

ever

, eve

n to

this

siz

e of

ty

polo

gy, b

ecau

se o

f its

wid

e vi

sibi

lity

and

role

as

a vi

sual

fore

grou

nd to

m

ore

exte

nsiv

e up

land

are

as.

Med

ium

T

his

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter

type

is

rela

tivel

y se

lf-co

ntai

ned,

with

vie

ws

into

the

type

lim

ited

by th

e un

dula

ting

land

form

and

woo

dlan

d an

d pa

rtly

hid

den

from

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0) b

y R

omac

h H

ill.

Whi

le th

e la

ndsc

ape

type

is

rela

tivel

y sm

all i

n ex

tent

, thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

be

loca

ted

with

out

impa

ctin

g vi

sual

ly o

n ad

jace

nt

land

scap

e ty

pes.

Med

ium

-low

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

Ver

y sm

all s

cale

, und

ulat

ing

and

hum

moc

ky la

ndfo

rm s

kirt

ing

arou

nd

the

base

of R

omac

h H

ill a

nd e

xten

ding

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

wou

ld im

pact

on

the

smal

l sca

le o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

. In

par

ticul

ar, t

his

typo

logy

wou

ld

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

mig

ht im

pact

on

the

smal

l sca

le o

f som

e of

the

mor

e in

timat

ely

scal

ed a

reas

of t

his

Med

ium

55

nort

h to

war

ds th

e ou

tski

rts

of F

orre

s.

The

sm

all s

cale

of t

his

land

scap

e is

re

info

rced

by

the

low

rel

ief,

with

la

ndfo

rm u

ndul

atin

g be

twee

n 90

m a

nd

190m

. The

exc

eptio

n is

Rom

ach

Hill

, w

hich

ris

es in

a p

rono

unce

d do

me

to

315m

. T

he e

xten

sive

fram

ewor

k of

mix

ed

woo

dlan

d, w

ithin

whi

ch li

e im

prov

ed

gras

s fie

lds

whi

ch a

ppea

r to

hav

e be

en

carv

ed o

ut o

f the

fore

st, f

urth

er

emph

asis

es th

e sm

all s

cale

. T

he c

onst

ant p

rese

nce

of tr

ees,

and

w

here

ther

e ar

e op

en s

pace

s,

build

ings

pro

vide

con

sist

ent s

mal

l sc

ale

feat

ures

.

appe

ar ta

ll co

mpa

red

to th

e lo

w r

elie

f an

d sm

alle

r op

en s

pace

s ch

arac

teris

tic o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape.

T

he c

onsi

sten

t pre

senc

e of

sm

all

feat

ures

– in

clud

ing

tree

s an

d bu

ildin

gs –

wou

ld m

ake

it di

fficu

lt to

ac

com

mod

ate

this

siz

e of

typo

logy

w

ithou

t it a

ppea

ring

muc

h la

rger

than

th

ese

feat

ures

. M

ore

open

, lar

ger

spac

es a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith r

isin

g gr

ound

and

alo

ng th

e lo

wer

slo

pes

of la

rger

hill

s of

fer

mor

e po

tent

ial f

or th

is ty

polo

gy.

The

sm

alle

r tu

rbin

es in

this

typo

logy

ra

nge

wou

ld h

ave

less

impa

ct o

n sc

ale.

char

acte

r ty

pe.

The

re is

like

ly to

be

mos

t sco

pe to

ac

com

mod

ate

turb

ines

of t

his

type

in

the

larg

er o

pen

spac

es, a

long

the

low

er s

lope

s of

larg

er h

ills,

with

tu

rbin

es to

war

ds th

e lo

wer

hei

ght

band

of t

his

typo

logy

hav

ing

the

leas

t pot

entia

l im

pact

.

Lan

dfo

rm

A

con

sist

ent p

atte

rn o

f rol

ling

smal

l hi

lls, k

nolls

and

hum

moc

ks, w

hich

are

ro

unde

d in

sha

pe o

ccur

s to

the

east

of

the

Fin

dhor

n va

lley.

Lan

dfor

m te

nds

to

be m

ore

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g to

the

wes

t.

The

re a

re o

ccas

iona

l mor

e pr

onou

nced

kno

lls a

nd h

ighe

r hi

lls,

nota

bly

Rom

ach

Hill

, whi

ch a

re m

ore

visu

ally

pro

min

ent.

F

ield

s te

nd to

be

mor

e ge

ntly

gra

ded

and

som

etim

es r

elat

ivel

y le

vel

espe

cial

ly a

roun

d D

arna

way

Cas

tle.

The

mor

e pr

omin

ent h

ills,

the

freq

uent

low

sum

mits

and

the

com

plex

kno

lly a

nd in

terlo

ckin

g la

ndfo

rms

are

sens

itive

to th

is

typo

logy

. Lo

ng e

venl

y gr

aded

and

gen

tle

slop

es w

ith o

ccas

iona

l ter

race

s ar

e lik

ely

to o

ffer

mor

e po

tent

ial t

han

area

s of

intr

icat

e an

d co

mpl

ex

land

form

.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

The

mor

e pr

omin

ent h

ills,

the

freq

uent

low

sum

mits

and

the

com

plex

kno

lly a

nd in

terlo

ckin

g la

ndfo

rms

are

sens

itive

to th

is

typo

logy

. Lo

ng e

venl

y gr

aded

and

gen

tle

slop

es w

ith o

ccas

iona

l ter

race

s ar

e lik

ely

to o

ffer

mor

e po

tent

ial t

han

area

s of

intr

icat

e an

d co

mpl

ex

land

form

. The

re is

like

ly to

be

addi

tiona

l pot

entia

l to

acco

mm

odat

e th

is ty

polo

gy o

n th

e si

de s

lope

s of

gen

tle, l

ess

prom

inen

t low

hill

s.

Med

ium

Lan

dsc

ape

p

atte

rn

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is s

tron

gly

char

acte

rised

by

the

patte

rn o

f ope

n gr

azed

fiel

ds a

ltern

atin

g w

ith fo

rest

ed

area

s w

hich

cre

ates

a d

istin

ct a

nd

The

div

ersi

ty o

f the

pat

tern

of

vege

tatio

n an

d th

e im

port

ance

of t

he

open

spa

ces

with

in th

e w

oodl

and

limits

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r th

is ty

polo

gy,

Med

ium

T

he d

iver

sity

of t

he p

atte

rn o

f ve

geta

tion

and

the

impo

rtan

ce o

f th

e op

en s

pace

s w

ithin

the

woo

dlan

d lim

its o

ppor

tuni

ties

for

Med

ium

-low

56

cons

iste

nt s

patia

l seq

uenc

e.

The

mix

ed w

oodl

and,

incl

udin

g br

oadl

eave

s an

d m

ixed

con

ifers

as

wel

l as

occa

sion

al p

olic

y-ty

pe m

ixes

, an

d w

ide

rang

e of

age

str

uctu

re, o

ffers

di

vers

ity w

hich

is fu

rthe

r en

hanc

ed b

y th

e ra

nge

of w

oodl

and

– ex

tend

ing

from

sm

all c

lum

ps o

f tre

es to

mor

e ex

tens

ive

fore

st.

The

ope

n sp

aces

are

freq

uent

ly

irreg

ular

and

ofte

n ‘o

rgan

ic’ i

n sh

ape,

in

crea

sing

the

sens

e of

inte

rlock

. Mor

e ex

tens

ive

farm

land

and

par

klan

d is

as

soci

ated

with

Dar

naw

ay C

astle

. O

ccas

iona

l wat

er b

odie

s, in

clud

ing

the

deep

trou

gh o

f the

Rom

ach

Loch

, are

fe

atur

es w

ithin

this

land

scap

e.

whi

ch c

ould

dom

inat

e th

e se

nse

of

open

ness

with

in th

e sp

aces

. T

he in

tegr

ity o

f the

des

igne

d la

ndsc

ape

arou

nd A

ltyre

Hou

se is

an

addi

tiona

l sen

sitiv

ity.

Mor

e op

en a

nd s

impl

e la

nd c

over

, es

peci

ally

mor

e ex

tens

ive

graz

ing,

m

ay p

rovi

de s

ome

scop

e fo

r th

is

typo

logy

.

this

typo

logy

, whi

ch c

ould

dom

inat

e th

e se

nse

of o

penn

ess

with

in th

e sp

aces

. T

he in

tegr

ity o

f the

des

igne

d la

ndsc

ape

arou

nd A

ltyre

Hou

se is

an

add

ition

al s

ensi

tivity

. M

ore

open

and

sim

ple

land

cov

er,

espe

cial

ly m

ore

exte

nsiv

e gr

azin

g is

like

ly to

pro

vide

sco

pe fo

r th

is

typo

logy

. T

his

size

of t

ypol

ogy

is le

ss li

kely

to

inte

rrup

t or

frag

men

t the

land

cove

r pa

ttern

than

talle

r ty

polo

gies

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is n

ot h

eavi

ly s

ettle

d,

with

farm

s, h

ouse

s an

d ev

en s

mal

l cr

ofts

gen

eral

ly lo

cate

d at

the

edge

of

the

open

spa

ces

over

look

ing

the

field

s.

Dar

naw

ay C

astle

, Alty

re H

ouse

and

th

eir

asso

ciat

ed d

esig

ned

land

scap

es,

as w

ell a

s oc

casi

onal

his

toric

al a

nd

arch

aeol

ogic

al fe

atur

es, i

nclu

ding

ch

urch

es a

nd d

istil

lery

bui

ldin

gs a

dd to

th

e di

vers

ity o

f the

bui

lt en

viro

nmen

t w

ithin

this

land

scap

e.

Bot

h pu

blic

and

priv

ate

road

s ar

e ve

ry

narr

ow.

The

sm

all s

ize

of m

any

of th

e ho

uses

an

d fa

rms

are

a co

nstr

aint

as

this

ty

polo

gy is

like

ly to

dom

inat

e th

e sm

all s

ize

of th

e bu

ilt fe

atur

es.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

type

is h

owev

er n

ot

wel

l set

tled,

alth

ough

the

settl

emen

t is

focu

ssed

on

exis

ting

open

spa

ces,

th

eref

ore

ther

e is

like

ly to

be

oppo

rtun

ities

to s

ite th

is s

ize

of

typo

logy

with

out i

mpa

ctin

g on

the

setti

ng o

f set

tlem

ents

. T

here

is li

kely

to b

e sc

ope

to s

ite th

is

typo

logy

whe

re it

doe

s no

t rel

ate

to

the

smal

l siz

e of

the

build

ings

.

Med

ium

-low

T

he s

mal

l siz

e of

man

y of

the

ho

uses

and

farm

s ar

e a

cons

trai

nt

as th

is ty

polo

gy is

like

ly to

dom

inat

e th

e sm

all s

ize

of th

e bu

ilt fe

atur

es.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

type

is h

owev

er n

ot

wel

l set

tled,

alth

ough

the

settl

emen

t is

focu

ssed

on

exis

ting

open

sp

aces

, the

refo

re th

ere

is li

kely

to

be o

ppor

tuni

ties

to s

ite th

is s

ize

of

typo

logy

with

out i

mpa

ctin

g on

the

setti

ng o

f set

tlem

ents

. T

he h

eigh

t of t

his

typo

logy

is li

kely

to

rel

ate

to la

rger

farm

bui

ldin

gs

and

ther

e is

like

ly to

be

scop

e to

si

te th

is ty

polo

gy w

here

it d

oes

not

rela

te to

the

size

of s

mal

ler

build

ings

.

Low

57

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

he s

elf-

cont

aine

d ch

arac

ter

of th

is

land

scap

e in

crea

ses

the

sens

e of

se

clus

ion

in a

land

scap

e w

hich

, be

caus

e of

the

degr

ee o

f enc

losu

re,

can

quic

kly

feel

‘set

apa

rt’ f

rom

the

rest

of

Mor

ay.

Thi

s is

rei

nfor

ced

by th

e sp

arse

ne

twor

k of

pub

lic r

oads

, with

op

port

uniti

es to

exp

lore

the

mix

ed

woo

dlan

d fo

rest

s la

rgel

y lim

ited

to n

on-

vehi

cula

r ac

cess

. T

rave

lling

thro

ugh

the

wel

l-def

ined

sp

atia

l seq

uenc

e is

a p

artic

ular

ex

perie

ntia

l cha

ract

eris

tic o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

whi

ch is

str

ongl

y lin

ked

to

its id

entit

y.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

affe

ct th

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

in th

is la

ndsc

ape.

T

he p

atte

rn o

f spa

ces

is a

par

ticul

ar

qual

ity o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape,

and

this

ty

polo

gy c

ould

dom

inat

e an

d re

duce

th

e co

ntra

st o

f the

ope

n sp

aces

to

the

fore

sted

are

as.

Els

ewhe

re, o

n la

rger

are

as o

f ope

n fa

rmed

and

set

tled

land

, the

re is

lik

ely

to b

e le

ss im

pact

on

thes

e qu

aliti

es.

Med

ium

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld a

ffect

the

sens

e of

sec

lusi

on in

this

land

scap

e.

The

pat

tern

of s

pace

s is

a p

artic

ular

qu

ality

of t

his

land

scap

e, a

nd th

is

typo

logy

cou

ld d

omin

ate

and

redu

ce th

e co

ntra

st o

f the

ope

n sp

aces

to th

e fo

rest

ed a

reas

. E

lsew

here

, on

larg

er a

reas

of o

pen

farm

ed a

nd s

ettle

d la

nd, t

here

is

likel

y to

be

less

impa

ct o

n th

ese

qual

ities

.

Med

ium

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Vie

ws

into

and

with

in th

is la

ndsc

ape

are

very

lim

ited

and

are

ofte

n in

term

itten

t due

to th

e en

clos

ure

crea

ted

by b

oth

land

form

and

w

oodl

and.

The

low

hill

s an

d w

oodl

and

ofte

n sc

reen

par

ts o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape,

so

that

vie

ws

from

the

road

, for

ex

ampl

e, a

re in

term

itten

t.

Vie

ws

of th

is h

eigh

t of t

urbi

ne a

re

ther

efor

e lik

ely

to b

e in

term

itten

t and

re

duce

d by

the

scre

enin

g ef

fect

s of

la

ndfo

rm a

nd tr

ees,

alth

ough

the

sens

itivi

ty a

sses

smen

t rec

ogni

ses

that

tree

s w

ill b

e fe

lled,

ope

ning

up

new

vie

ws

for

a pe

riod.

T

he s

mal

ler

turb

ines

in th

is ty

polo

gy

rang

e w

ould

hav

e le

ss v

isua

l im

pact

.

Med

ium

T

he lo

w h

ills

and

woo

dlan

d of

ten

scre

en p

arts

of t

his

land

scap

e, s

o th

at v

iew

s fr

om th

e ro

ad, f

or

exam

ple,

are

inte

rmitt

ent.

V

iew

s of

this

hei

ght o

f tur

bine

are

th

eref

ore

likel

y to

be

inte

rmitt

ent

and

redu

ced

by th

e sc

reen

ing

effe

cts

of la

ndfo

rm a

nd tr

ees,

al

thou

gh th

e se

nsiti

vity

ass

essm

ent

reco

gnis

es th

at tr

ees

will

be

felle

d,

open

ing

up n

ew v

iew

s fo

r a

perio

d.

The

low

er h

eigh

t of t

his

typo

logy

re

duce

s po

tent

ial v

isua

l im

pact

. T

he s

mal

ler

turb

ines

in th

is

typo

logy

ran

ge w

ould

hav

e le

ss

visu

al im

pact

.

Med

ium

-low

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

Vie

ws

of o

pera

tiona

l win

d fa

rms

loca

ted

in L

CT

s 10

and

11

are

limite

d T

here

is o

nly

limite

d in

ter-

visi

bilit

y be

twee

n th

is ty

polo

gy a

nd a

ny

Med

ium

-low

T

here

is o

nly

limite

d in

ter-

visi

bilit

y be

twee

n th

is ty

polo

gy a

nd a

ny

Low

58

from

with

in th

is e

nclo

sed

land

scap

e.

The

four

turb

ines

at F

indh

orn

in th

e C

oast

al fa

rmla

nd (

4) c

an b

e se

en fr

om

som

e lo

catio

ns a

nd th

e co

nsen

ted

Hill

of

Gla

schy

le w

ind

farm

loca

ted

in th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

will

be

vis

ible

from

mor

e op

en a

reas

.

deve

lopm

ent i

n ne

ighb

ourin

g LC

Ts.

C

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s w

ith th

e co

nsen

ted

Hill

of G

lasc

hyle

win

d fa

rm c

ould

be

avoi

ded

by c

aref

ul

sitin

g.

deve

lopm

ent i

n ne

ighb

ourin

g LC

Ts

– th

is s

ize

of tu

rbin

e w

ould

be

less

lik

ely

to in

cur

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

with

any

vis

ible

win

d fa

rms

site

d w

ithin

adj

acen

t lan

dsca

pes.

59

Cha

ract

er T

ype

6: N

arro

w W

oode

d Va

lleys

– S

ensi

tivity

ass

essm

ent f

or la

rge

and

med

ium

typo

logi

es

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Ass

essm

ent

of

larg

e ty

po

log

y (8

0m-1

30m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

A

sses

smen

t o

f m

ediu

mty

po

log

y (5

0m-8

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

The

se n

arro

w d

eepl

y in

cise

d va

lleys

ar

e re

lativ

ely

self-

cont

aine

d. T

he

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nd a

nd F

ores

ts w

ith L

ow

Hill

s (5

b) fo

rms

the

imm

edia

te s

kylin

e ei

ther

sid

e of

thes

e va

lleys

whi

le th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

an

d O

pen

Rol

ling

Upl

ands

(11

) al

so

abut

the

sout

h-ea

ster

n co

rner

of t

his

land

scap

e.

Thi

s LC

T, e

spec

ially

to th

e so

uth,

is

over

look

ed fr

om h

igh

poin

ts, i

nclu

ding

th

e K

nock

of B

raem

oray

and

is in

ter-

visi

ble

with

the

low

wes

tern

hill

s of

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0).

The

woo

ded

char

acte

r of

this

la

ndsc

ape

mer

ges

with

the

adja

cent

R

ollin

g F

arm

land

and

For

ests

with

Low

H

ills

(5b)

, and

the

valle

y its

elf e

xten

ds

into

nei

ghbo

urin

g N

airn

. Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

form

s a

key

‘gat

eway

’ to

Mor

ay fr

om th

e so

uth

expe

rienc

ed

from

the

A94

0 w

hich

ext

ends

ove

r th

e dr

amat

ic o

pen

expa

nse

of th

e D

ava

Moo

r be

fore

des

cend

ing

into

the

richl

y w

oode

d va

lleys

of t

he D

orba

ck B

urn

and

Fin

dhor

n.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r ty

pe is

re

lativ

ely

self-

cont

aine

d, w

ith v

iew

s in

to th

is ty

pe fr

om n

eigh

bour

ing

LCT

s lim

ited

by w

oodl

and,

alth

ough

hig

her

hills

on

adja

cent

type

s to

the

sout

h ov

erlo

ok th

is lo

w-ly

ing

char

acte

r ty

pe. T

he s

mal

l ext

ent o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

wou

ld b

e qu

ickl

y do

min

ated

by

this

typo

logy

. T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld a

lso

impa

ct o

n th

e ap

proa

ch a

nd s

ense

of

arriv

al to

Mor

ay.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r ty

pe is

re

lativ

ely

self-

cont

aine

d, w

ith v

iew

s in

to th

is ty

pe fr

om n

eigh

bour

ing

LCT

s lim

ited

by th

e w

oodl

and,

al

thou

gh h

ighe

r hi

lls o

n ad

jace

nt

type

s to

the

sout

h ov

erlo

ok th

is lo

w-

lyin

g ch

arac

ter

type

. The

sm

all

exte

nt o

f thi

s ty

pe w

ould

be

quic

kly

dom

inat

ed b

y th

is ty

polo

gy.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

als

o im

pact

on

the

appr

oach

and

sen

se

of a

rriv

al to

Mor

ay.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

sca

le o

f the

land

form

bec

omes

pr

ogre

ssiv

ely

smal

ler

as th

e un

dula

tions

bec

ome

mor

e co

mpl

ex

and

the

valle

y be

com

es n

arro

wer

and

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

wou

ld im

pact

on

the

smal

l sca

le o

f muc

h of

this

ch

arac

ter

type

. In

part

icul

ar, t

his

typo

logy

wou

ld d

omin

ate

the

low

Hig

h T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne w

ould

impa

ct o

n th

e sm

all s

cale

of m

uch

of th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe. I

n pa

rtic

ular

, thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e lo

w

Hig

h

60

mor

e en

clos

ed, c

lose

r to

the

river

s.

The

med

ium

to s

mal

l sca

le o

f the

to

pogr

aphy

is r

einf

orce

d by

the

low

re

lief,

with

land

form

gen

eral

ly

undu

latin

g be

twee

n 10

0m a

nd 1

50m

in

elev

atio

n, a

lthou

gh it

is lo

wer

to th

e no

rth.

Woo

dlan

d cr

eate

s co

nsid

erab

le

cont

ainm

ent r

educ

ing

the

scal

e of

the

expe

rienc

e of

this

land

scap

e an

d op

en

area

s of

farm

land

with

in w

oodl

and

are

smal

l. T

rees

and

bui

ldin

gs p

rovi

de

cons

iste

nt r

efer

ence

poi

nts

agai

nst

whi

ch s

ize

of tu

rbin

es c

an b

e ju

dged

.

relie

f, th

e sm

all s

cale

land

form

and

th

e op

en s

pace

s w

ithin

this

la

ndsc

ape.

T

he c

onsi

sten

t pre

senc

e of

sm

all

feat

ures

– in

clud

ing

tree

s an

d bu

ildin

gs –

wou

ld m

ake

it di

fficu

lt to

ac

com

mod

ate

this

siz

e of

typo

logy

w

ithou

t it d

omin

atin

g th

ese

feat

ures

.

relie

f, th

e sm

all s

cale

land

form

and

th

e op

en s

pace

s w

ithin

this

la

ndsc

ape.

T

he c

onsi

sten

t pre

senc

e of

sm

all

feat

ures

– in

clud

ing

tree

s an

d bu

ildin

gs –

wou

ld m

ake

it di

fficu

lt to

ac

com

mod

ate

this

siz

e of

typo

logy

w

ithou

t it d

omin

atin

g th

ese

feat

ures

.

Lan

dfo

rm

La

ndfo

rm is

par

ticul

arly

com

plex

at t

he

conj

unct

ion

of th

e riv

ers

and

trib

utar

ies

with

ste

ep s

lope

s an

d in

cise

d ro

cky

gorg

es. V

alle

y si

des

are

undu

latin

g bu

t, in

pla

ces

inte

rlock

ing

and

com

plex

, with

occ

asio

nal m

ore

gent

ly

slop

ing

field

s on

the

shou

lder

s of

the

valle

y.

The

irre

gula

r an

d sm

all s

cale

la

ndfo

rms

and

stee

p si

ded

river

va

lleys

and

thei

r im

med

iate

set

ting

are

all s

ensi

tive

to th

is ty

pol

ogy.

La

rger

turb

ines

wou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om

com

plex

and

dra

mat

ic la

ndfo

rm

feat

ures

eve

n if

site

d on

mor

e ge

ntly

sl

opin

g up

per

slop

es.

Hig

h T

he ir

regu

lar

and

smal

l sca

le

land

form

s an

d st

eep

side

d riv

er

valle

ys a

nd th

eir

imm

edia

te s

ettin

g ar

e al

l sen

sitiv

e to

this

typ

olog

y.

Larg

er tu

rbin

es w

ould

det

ract

from

co

mpl

ex a

nd d

ram

atic

land

form

fe

atur

es e

ven

if si

ted

on m

ore

gent

ly s

lopi

ng u

pper

slo

pes.

Hig

h

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is s

tron

gly

char

acte

rised

by

the

varie

ty o

f w

oodl

and,

whi

ch r

ange

s fr

om

exte

nsiv

e pi

ne fo

rest

of d

iffer

ent a

ges,

to

rip

aria

n w

oodl

and

and

polic

ies.

T

he w

oodl

and

alte

rnat

es w

ith

culti

vate

d an

d gr

azed

fiel

ds, s

ome

of

whi

ch a

re r

elat

ivel

y sm

all p

ocke

ts a

nd

som

e of

whi

ch a

re la

rger

mor

e ex

tens

ive

area

s of

ope

n fie

lds.

T

hese

ope

n sp

aces

are

freq

uent

ly

irreg

ular

in s

hape

, inc

reas

ing

the

sens

e of

inte

rlock

. The

riv

ers

are

a

The

div

ersi

ty o

f the

pat

tern

of

vege

tatio

n an

d th

e im

port

ance

of t

he

open

spa

ces

with

in th

e w

oodl

and

limits

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r th

is ty

polo

gy,

whi

ch w

ould

qui

ckly

dom

inat

e th

e se

nse

of o

penn

ess

with

in th

e sp

aces

. T

he in

tegr

ity o

f the

pol

icy

woo

dlan

d,

and

the

setti

ng o

f the

dra

mat

ic

gorg

es a

nd th

eir

woo

ded

surr

ound

ings

is a

dditi

onal

ly s

ensi

tive.

Hig

h T

he d

iver

sity

of t

he p

atte

rn o

f ve

geta

tion

and

the

impo

rtan

ce o

f th

e op

en s

pace

s w

ithin

the

woo

dlan

d lim

its o

ppor

tuni

ties

for

this

typo

logy

, whi

ch w

ould

qui

ckly

do

min

ate

the

sens

e of

ope

nnes

s w

ithin

the

spac

es.

The

inte

grity

of t

he p

olic

y w

oodl

and,

and

the

setti

ng o

f the

dr

amat

ic g

orge

s an

d th

eir

woo

ded

surr

ound

ings

is a

dditi

onal

ly

sens

itive

.

Hig

h

61

part

icul

ar fe

atur

e, fo

rmin

g si

nuou

s an

d w

ell-d

efin

ed g

orge

s w

ith s

teep

sid

es

clot

hed

with

bro

adle

aved

woo

dlan

d.

Fea

ture

tree

s ar

e as

soci

ated

with

so

me

of th

e po

licy

woo

ds a

nd

desi

gned

land

scap

es.

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is n

ot e

xten

sive

ly

settl

ed, w

ith fa

rms

and

hous

es

gene

rally

loca

ted

at th

e ed

ge o

f the

op

en s

pace

s ov

erlo

okin

g th

e fie

lds.

H

isto

ric h

ouse

s –

such

as

Logi

e an

d R

elug

as a

re s

tron

gly

asso

ciat

ed w

ith

the

river

val

leys

, ofte

n lo

cate

d to

ov

erlo

ok d

ram

atic

str

etch

es o

f gor

ge.

The

re a

re a

dditi

onal

bui

ldin

gs a

nd b

uilt

feat

ures

ass

ocia

ted

with

thes

e es

tate

s,

incl

udin

g th

e br

idge

at R

elug

as.

The

mai

n A

940

exte

nds

thro

ugh

the

east

ern

side

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe, i

n pl

aces

ove

rlook

ing

the

stee

p si

ded

river

val

ley.

Som

e of

the

publ

ic a

nd

priv

ate

road

s ar

e na

rrow

and

win

ding

.

The

sm

all s

ize

of m

any

of th

e ho

uses

an

d fa

rms

are

a co

nstr

aint

as

this

ty

polo

gy is

like

ly to

dom

inat

e th

e sm

all s

ize

of th

e bu

ilt fe

atur

es.

The

his

toric

bui

ldin

gs a

nd th

eir

setti

ngs

are

an a

dditi

onal

sen

sitiv

ity.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

type

is h

owev

er n

ot

exte

nsiv

ely

settl

ed a

nd th

ere

may

be

oppo

rtun

ities

to s

ite e

ven

this

siz

e of

tu

rbin

e w

ithou

t im

pact

ing

on th

e im

med

iate

set

ting

of s

ettle

men

ts.

T

he c

hara

cter

of s

ome

of th

e ro

ad

netw

ork

is li

kely

to b

e co

mpr

omis

ed

by im

prov

emen

ts to

acc

omm

odat

e la

rge

vehi

cles

req

uire

d to

tran

spor

t th

is ty

polo

gy. I

t is

also

unl

ikel

y th

at

larg

e ve

hicl

es c

ould

neg

otia

te th

e hi

stor

ic b

ridge

s.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

sm

all s

ize

of m

any

of t

he

hous

es a

nd fa

rms

are

a co

nstr

aint

as

this

typo

logy

is li

kely

to d

omin

ate

the

smal

l siz

e of

the

built

feat

ures

. T

he h

isto

ric b

uild

ings

and

thei

r se

tting

s ar

e an

add

ition

al

sens

itivi

ty.T

his

land

scap

e ty

pe is

ho

wev

er n

ot e

xten

sive

ly s

ettle

d an

d th

ere

may

be

oppo

rtun

ities

to s

ite

even

this

siz

e of

turb

ine

with

out

impa

ctin

g on

the

imm

edia

te s

ettin

g of

set

tlem

ents

. T

he c

hara

cter

of

som

e of

the

road

net

wor

k is

like

ly to

be

com

prom

ised

by

impr

ovem

ents

to

acc

omm

odat

e la

rge

vehi

cles

re

quire

d to

tran

spor

t thi

s ty

polo

gy.

It is

als

o un

likel

y th

at la

rge

vehi

cles

co

uld

nego

tiate

the

hist

oric

brid

ges.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

he m

ore

exte

nsiv

e w

oodl

and

crea

tes

a se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

in th

is la

ndsc

ape

beca

use

of th

e de

gree

of e

nclo

sure

. T

his

is r

einf

orce

d by

the

spar

se

netw

ork

of p

ublic

roa

ds, w

ith

oppo

rtun

ities

to e

xplo

re th

e fo

rest

s la

rgel

y lim

ited

to n

on-v

ehic

ular

acc

ess.

T

he m

ost s

trik

ing

feat

ures

are

the

stee

p-si

ded

river

val

leys

, whi

ch a

re

dram

atic

and

nat

ural

istic

in c

hara

cter

.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

affe

ct th

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

in th

is la

ndsc

ape,

and

th

e se

nse

of n

atur

alne

ss a

nd d

ram

a as

soci

ated

with

the

river

gor

ges.

T

he s

eque

ntia

l pat

tern

of s

pace

s is

a

qual

ity o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

and

this

ty

polo

gy c

ould

eas

ily d

omin

ate

the

open

spa

ces

and

redu

ce th

e co

ntra

st

betw

een

the

open

spa

ces

and

the

fore

sted

are

as

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

affe

ct th

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

in th

is la

ndsc

ape,

and

th

e se

nse

of n

atur

alne

ss a

nd

dram

a as

soci

ated

with

the

river

go

rges

. T

he s

eque

ntia

l pat

tern

of s

pace

s is

a

qual

ity o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

and

this

ty

polo

gy c

ould

eas

ily d

omin

ate

the

open

spa

ces

and

redu

ce th

e co

ntra

st b

etw

een

the

open

spa

ces

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

62

Tra

velli

ng th

roug

h th

e se

quen

ce o

f op

en s

pace

s an

d w

oodl

and

is a

key

ex

perie

nce

of th

is c

hara

cter

.

an

d th

e fo

rest

ed a

reas

.

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

The

woo

dlan

d lim

its w

ide

visi

bilit

y,

alth

ough

ther

e ar

e vi

ews

from

ope

n sp

aces

to th

e hi

gher

gro

und

in th

e ad

jace

nt U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd

For

estr

y (1

0). T

he o

ccas

iona

l lon

g vi

ews,

esp

ecia

lly to

the

pron

ounc

ed

hills

of O

pen

Rol

ling

Upl

ands

(11

) an

d th

e K

nock

of B

raem

oray

, a la

ndm

ark

hill,

at t

he s

outh

ern

end

of th

e va

lley,

ar

e un

expe

cted

and

rev

elat

ory.

V

iew

s w

ithin

this

land

scap

e ty

pe a

re

part

ly li

mite

d an

d ar

e of

ten

inte

rmitt

ent

due

to th

e en

clos

ure

crea

ted

prim

arily

by

woo

dlan

d, b

ut a

lso

cont

ainm

ent

crea

ted

by la

ndfo

rm a

long

the

spin

e of

th

e riv

er v

alle

ys.

Vie

ws

alon

g th

e riv

ers;

from

brid

ges

and

acce

ss r

oute

s; to

and

from

the

hist

oric

bui

ldin

gs; a

nd fr

om th

e A

940,

in

clud

ing

the

arriv

al in

to M

oray

, are

all

impo

rtan

t.

The

woo

dlan

d of

ten

scre

ens

part

s of

th

is la

ndsc

ape,

so

that

vie

ws

from

th

e A

940,

for

exam

ple,

are

in

term

itten

t.

How

ever

, the

hei

ght o

f thi

s ty

polo

gy

mea

ns th

at it

is li

kely

to a

ppea

r ab

ove

man

y of

thes

e sm

alle

r fe

atur

es, o

r en

croa

ch u

pon

the

setti

ng o

f key

vis

ual f

eatu

res

and

may

be

rela

tivel

y w

idel

y an

d co

nsis

tent

ly v

isib

le.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

The

woo

dlan

d of

ten

scre

ens

part

s of

this

land

scap

e, s

o th

at v

iew

s fr

om th

e A

940,

for

exam

ple,

are

in

term

itten

t.

How

ever

, the

hei

ght o

f thi

s ty

polo

gy

mea

ns th

at it

is li

kely

to a

ppea

r ab

ove

man

y of

thes

e sm

alle

r fe

atur

es, o

r en

croa

ch u

pon

the

setti

ng o

f key

vis

ual f

eatu

res

and

may

be

rela

tivel

y w

idel

y an

d co

nsis

tent

ly v

isib

le.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

A s

mal

l sin

gle

turb

ine

is lo

cate

d at

Lo

gie.

The

ope

ratio

nal w

ind

farm

of

Ber

ry B

urn

is p

artia

lly v

isib

le (

at s

ome

dist

ance

) fr

om s

ome

elev

ated

ope

n ar

eas

of th

is c

hara

cter

type

. The

co

nsen

ted

Hill

of G

lasc

hyle

win

d fa

rm

will

als

o be

vis

ible

from

sim

ilar

open

ar

eas

but s

een

at m

uch

clos

er

dist

ance

s.

Cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

wou

ld p

rinci

pally

ar

ise

on v

iew

s fr

om o

pen

farm

land

an

d on

vie

ws

from

the

A94

0 w

hich

fo

rms

an im

port

ant s

ceni

c ap

proa

ch

to M

oray

. The

lim

ited

exte

nt o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

and

pre

senc

e of

op

erat

iona

l and

con

sent

ed

deve

lopm

ents

see

n on

con

tain

ing

skyl

ines

are

key

con

stra

ints

to th

e la

rge

turb

ines

of t

his

typo

logy

.

Hig

h C

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s w

ould

prin

cipa

lly

aris

e on

vie

ws

from

ope

n fa

rmla

nd

and

on v

iew

s fr

om th

e A

940

whi

ch

form

s an

impo

rtan

t sce

nic

appr

oach

to

Mor

ay. T

he p

rese

nce

of

oper

atio

nal a

nd c

onse

nted

win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ents

, see

n on

co

ntai

ning

sky

lines

, are

key

co

nstr

aint

s to

the

larg

er tu

rbin

es o

f th

is ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h

63

Cha

ract

er T

ype

6: N

arro

w W

oode

d Va

lley

– Se

nsiti

vity

ass

essm

ent f

or s

mal

l-med

ium

and

sm

all t

ypol

ogie

s T

op

ic

Su

mm

ary

des

crip

tio

nA

sses

smen

to

f sm

all-

med

ium

ty

po

log

y (3

5m-5

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Ass

essm

ent

of

smal

ltyp

olo

gy

(20m

-35m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

L

and

scap

e co

nte

xt

The

se n

arro

w d

eepl

y in

cise

d va

lleys

ar

e re

lativ

ely

self-

cont

aine

d. T

he

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nd a

nd F

ores

ts w

ith L

ow

Hill

s (5

b) fo

rms

the

imm

edia

te s

kylin

e ei

ther

sid

e of

thes

e va

lleys

whi

le th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

an

d O

pen

Rol

ling

Upl

ands

(11

) al

so

abut

the

sout

h-ea

ster

n co

rner

of t

his

land

scap

e.

Thi

s LC

T, e

spec

ially

to th

e so

uth,

is

over

look

ed fr

om h

igh

poin

ts, i

nclu

ding

th

e K

nock

of B

raem

oray

and

is in

ter-

visi

ble

with

the

low

wes

tern

hill

s of

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0).

The

woo

ded

char

acte

r of

this

la

ndsc

ape

mer

ges

with

the

adja

cent

R

ollin

g F

arm

land

and

For

ests

with

Low

H

ills

(5b)

, and

the

valle

y its

elf e

xten

ds

into

nei

ghbo

urin

g N

airn

. Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

form

s a

key

‘gat

eway

’ to

Mor

ay fr

om th

e so

uth

expe

rienc

ed

from

the

A94

0 w

hich

ext

ends

ove

r th

e dr

amat

ic o

pen

expa

nse

of th

e D

ava

Moo

r be

fore

des

cend

ing

into

the

richl

y w

oode

d va

lleys

of t

he D

orba

ck B

urn

and

Fin

dhor

n.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r ty

pe is

re

lativ

ely

self-

cont

aine

d, w

ith v

iew

s in

to th

is ty

pe fr

om n

eigh

bour

ing

LCT

s lim

ited

by e

xten

sive

woo

dlan

d.

Whi

le th

e la

ndsc

ape

type

is r

elat

ivel

y sm

all i

n ex

tent

, thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

be

loca

ted

in th

e in

terio

r w

ithou

t im

pact

ing

visu

ally

on

adja

cent

la

ndsc

ape

type

s, h

owev

er th

e ap

proa

ch a

nd s

ense

of a

rriv

al to

M

oray

rem

ains

a k

ey c

onte

xtua

l se

nsiti

vity

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r ty

pe is

re

lativ

ely

self-

cont

aine

d, w

ith v

iew

s in

to th

is ty

pe fr

om n

eigh

bour

ing

LCT

s lim

ited

by th

e w

oodl

and.

W

hile

the

land

scap

e ty

pe is

re

lativ

ely

smal

l in

exte

nt, t

his

typo

logy

cou

ld b

e lo

cate

d in

the

inte

rior

with

out i

mpa

ctin

g vi

sual

ly

on a

djac

ent l

ands

cape

type

s. T

here

ar

e so

me

oppo

rtun

ities

to s

ite th

is

smal

l typ

olog

y to

min

imis

e im

pact

on

vie

ws

from

the

A94

0.

Med

ium

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

sca

le o

f the

land

form

bec

omes

pr

ogre

ssiv

ely

smal

ler

as th

e un

dula

tions

bec

ome

mor

e co

mpl

ex

and

the

valle

y be

com

es n

arro

wer

and

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

wou

ld im

pact

on

the

smal

l sca

le o

f muc

h of

this

ch

arac

ter

type

. In

par

ticul

ar, t

his

typo

logy

wou

ld

Hig

h T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne m

ight

impa

ct o

n th

e sm

all s

cale

of s

ome

of th

e m

ore

intim

atel

y sc

aled

are

as o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

64

mor

e en

clos

ed, c

lose

r to

the

river

s.

The

med

ium

to s

mal

l sca

le o

f the

to

pogr

aphy

is r

einf

orce

d by

the

low

re

lief,

with

land

form

gen

eral

ly

undu

latin

g be

twee

n 10

0m a

nd 1

50m

in

elev

atio

n, a

lthou

gh it

is lo

wer

to th

e no

rth.

Woo

dlan

d cr

eate

s co

nsid

erab

le

cont

ainm

ent r

educ

ing

the

scal

e of

the

expe

rienc

e of

this

land

scap

e an

d op

en

area

s of

farm

land

with

in w

oodl

and

are

smal

l. T

rees

and

bui

ldin

gs p

rovi

de

cons

iste

nt r

efer

ence

poi

nts

agai

nst

whi

ch s

ize

of tu

rbin

es c

an b

e ju

dged

.

dom

inat

e th

e lo

w r

elie

f, th

e sm

all

scal

e la

ndfo

rms

and

the

open

spa

ces

with

in th

is la

ndsc

ape.

The

con

sist

ent

pres

ence

of s

mal

l fea

ture

s –

incl

udin

g tr

ees

and

build

ings

– w

ould

m

ake

it di

fficu

lt to

acc

omm

odat

e th

is

size

of t

ypol

ogy

with

out i

t app

earin

g m

uch

larg

er th

an th

ese

feat

ures

.

The

re is

like

ly to

be

mos

t sco

pe to

ac

com

mod

ate

turb

ines

of t

his

type

in

the

larg

er o

pen

spac

es w

ith th

e sm

alle

st s

ize

of tu

rbin

es h

avin

g th

e le

ast p

oten

tial i

mpa

ct.

Lan

dfo

rm

La

ndfo

rm is

par

ticul

arly

com

plex

at t

he

conj

unct

ion

of th

e riv

ers

and

trib

utar

ies

with

ste

ep s

lope

s an

d in

cise

d ro

cky

gorg

es. V

alle

y si

des

are

undu

latin

g bu

t, in

pla

ces

inte

rlock

ing

and

com

plex

, with

occ

asio

nal m

ore

gent

ly

slop

ing

field

s on

the

shou

lder

s of

the

valle

y.

The

mor

e irr

egul

ar a

nd s

mal

ler

scal

e la

ndfo

rms

and

the

stee

p si

ded

river

va

lleys

and

thei

r im

med

iate

set

ting

are

sens

itive

to th

is ty

polo

gy.

Mor

e le

vel a

nd g

entle

slo

pes

on

uppe

r va

lley

side

s m

ay o

ffer

limite

d sc

ope

for

sitin

g th

is ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

The

mor

e irr

egul

ar a

nd s

mal

ler

scal

e la

ndfo

rms

and

the

stee

p si

ded

river

val

leys

and

thei

r im

med

iate

set

ting

are

sens

itive

to

this

typo

logy

. Gen

tly g

rade

d sl

opes

an

d te

rrac

es o

n up

per

valle

y si

des

may

offe

r sc

ope

for

sitin

g sm

all

turb

ines

so

that

they

do

not d

etra

ct

from

mor

e co

mpl

ex la

ndfo

rm

feat

ures

.

Med

ium

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is s

tron

gly

char

acte

rised

by

the

varie

ty o

f w

oodl

and,

whi

ch r

ange

s fr

om

exte

nsiv

e pi

ne fo

rest

of d

iffer

ent a

ges,

to

rip

aria

n w

oodl

and

and

polic

ies.

T

he w

oodl

and

alte

rnat

es w

ith

culti

vate

d an

d gr

azed

fiel

ds, s

ome

of

whi

ch a

re r

elat

ivel

y sm

all p

ocke

ts a

nd

som

e of

whi

ch a

re la

rger

mor

e ex

tens

ive

area

s of

ope

n fie

lds.

T

hese

ope

n sp

aces

are

freq

uent

ly

The

div

ersi

ty o

f the

pat

tern

of

vege

tatio

n an

d th

e im

port

ance

of t

he

open

spa

ces

with

in th

e w

oodl

and

limits

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r th

is ty

polo

gy,

whi

ch c

ould

dom

inat

e th

e se

nse

of

open

ness

with

in th

e sp

aces

. T

he in

tegr

ity o

f the

pol

icy

woo

dlan

d,

incl

udin

g in

divi

dual

or

smal

l gro

up

land

mar

k tr

ees

and

the

setti

ng o

f the

dr

amat

ic g

orge

s an

d th

eir

woo

ded

surr

ound

ings

is a

dditi

onal

ly s

ensi

tive.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

inte

grity

of t

he p

olic

y w

oodl

and,

and

the

setti

ng o

f the

dr

amat

ic g

orge

s an

d th

eir

woo

ded

surr

ound

ings

is s

ensi

tive.

T

he in

tegr

ity o

f the

pol

icy

woo

dlan

d, in

clud

ing

indi

vidu

al o

r sm

all g

roup

land

mar

k tr

ees

and

the

setti

ng o

f the

dra

mat

ic g

orge

s an

d th

eir

woo

ded

surr

ound

ings

is

addi

tiona

lly s

ensi

tive.

Mor

e op

en

and

sim

ple

land

cov

er m

ay p

rovi

de

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

65

irreg

ular

in s

hape

, inc

reas

ing

the

sens

e of

inte

rlock

. The

riv

ers

are

a pa

rtic

ular

feat

ure,

form

ing

sinu

ous

and

wel

l-def

ined

gor

ges

with

ste

ep s

ides

cl

othe

d w

ith b

road

leav

ed w

oodl

and.

F

eatu

re tr

ees

are

asso

ciat

ed w

ith

som

e of

the

polic

y w

oods

and

de

sign

ed la

ndsc

apes

.

Mor

e op

en a

nd s

impl

e la

nd c

over

m

ay p

rovi

de s

ome

scop

e fo

r th

is

typo

logy

.

som

e sc

ope

for

this

typo

logy

.

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is n

ot e

xten

sive

ly

settl

ed, w

ith fa

rms

and

hous

es

gene

rally

loca

ted

at th

e ed

ge o

f the

op

en s

pace

s ov

erlo

okin

g th

e fie

lds.

H

isto

ric h

ouse

s –

such

as

Logi

e an

d R

elug

as a

re s

tron

gly

asso

ciat

ed w

ith

the

river

val

leys

, ofte

n lo

cate

d to

ov

erlo

ok d

ram

atic

str

etch

es o

f gor

ge.

The

re a

re a

dditi

onal

bui

ldin

gs a

nd b

uilt

feat

ures

ass

ocia

ted

with

thes

e es

tate

s,

incl

udin

g th

e br

idge

at R

elug

as.

The

mai

n A

940

exte

nds

thro

ugh

the

east

ern

side

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe, i

n pl

aces

ove

rlook

ing

the

stee

p si

ded

river

val

ley.

Som

e of

the

publ

ic a

nd

priv

ate

road

s ar

e na

rrow

and

win

ding

.

The

sm

all s

ize

of m

any

of th

e ho

uses

an

d fa

rms

are

a co

nstr

aint

as

this

ty

polo

gy is

like

ly to

dom

inat

e th

e sm

all s

ize

of th

e bu

ilt fe

atur

es.

His

toric

bui

ldin

gs a

nd th

eir

setti

ngs

are

an a

dditi

onal

sen

sitiv

ity.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

type

is h

owev

er n

ot

exte

nsiv

ely

settl

ed a

nd th

ere

may

be

oppo

rtun

ities

to s

ite th

is s

ize

of

typo

logy

with

out i

mpa

ctin

g on

the

imm

edia

te s

ettin

g of

set

tlem

ents

.

Med

ium

T

his

land

scap

e ty

pe is

not

den

sely

se

ttled

, the

refo

re th

ere

are

likel

y to

be

opp

ortu

nitie

s to

site

this

siz

e of

ty

polo

gy w

ithou

t im

pact

ing

on th

e se

tting

of s

mal

ler

build

ings

. The

he

ight

of t

his

typo

logy

is li

kely

to

rela

te to

larg

er fa

rm b

uild

ings

. H

isto

ric b

uild

ings

and

thei

r se

tting

s re

mai

n an

add

ition

al s

ensi

tivity

ev

en fo

r tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s he

ight

.

Med

ium

-low

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

he m

ore

exte

nsiv

e w

oodl

and

crea

tes

a se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

in th

is la

ndsc

ape

beca

use

of th

e de

gree

of e

nclo

sure

. T

his

is r

einf

orce

d by

the

spar

se

netw

ork

of p

ublic

roa

ds, w

ith

oppo

rtun

ities

to e

xplo

re th

e fo

rest

s la

rgel

y lim

ited

to n

on-v

ehic

ular

acc

ess.

T

he m

ost s

trik

ing

feat

ures

are

the

stee

p-si

ded

river

val

leys

, whi

ch a

re

dram

atic

and

nat

ural

istic

in c

hara

cter

.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

affe

ct th

e se

nse

of s

eclu

sion

in th

is la

ndsc

ape,

and

th

e se

nse

of n

atur

alne

ss a

nd d

ram

a as

soci

ated

with

the

river

gor

ges.

T

he s

eque

ntia

l pat

tern

of s

pace

s is

a

qual

ity o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

and

this

ty

polo

gy c

ould

dom

inat

e sm

alle

r sp

aces

and

red

uce

the

cont

rast

be

twee

n th

e op

en s

pace

s an

d th

e fo

rest

ed a

reas

.

Hig

h T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld a

ffect

the

sens

e of

sec

lusi

on in

this

land

scap

e, a

nd

the

sens

e of

nat

ural

ness

and

dr

ama

asso

ciat

ed w

ith th

e riv

er

gorg

es.

The

seq

uent

ial p

atte

rn o

f spa

ces

is

a qu

ality

of t

his

land

scap

e an

d th

is

typo

logy

cou

ld r

educ

e th

e co

ntra

st

betw

een

smal

l ope

n sp

aces

and

th

e fo

rest

ed a

reas

. The

se s

mal

ler

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

66

Tra

velli

ng th

roug

h th

e se

quen

ce o

f op

en s

pace

s is

a k

ey e

xper

ienc

e of

th

is c

hara

cter

.

tu

rbin

es w

ould

be

likel

y to

hav

e le

ss im

pact

on

thes

e qu

aliti

es if

si

ted

on m

ore

exte

nsiv

e ar

eas

of

open

farm

ed a

nd s

ettle

d la

nd s

et

wel

l aw

ay fr

om th

e va

lleys

V

isu

al

amen

ity

The

woo

dlan

d lim

its w

ide

visi

bilit

y,

alth

ough

ther

e ar

e vi

ews

from

ope

n sp

aces

to th

e hi

gher

gro

und

in th

e ad

jace

nt U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd

For

estr

y (1

0). T

he o

ccas

iona

l lon

g vi

ews,

esp

ecia

lly to

the

pron

ounc

ed

hills

of O

pen

Rol

ling

Upl

ands

(11

) an

d th

e K

nock

of B

raem

oray

, a la

ndm

ark

hill,

at t

he s

outh

ern

end

of th

e va

lley,

ar

e un

expe

cted

and

rev

elat

ory.

V

iew

s w

ithin

this

land

scap

e ty

pe a

re

part

ly li

mite

d an

d ar

e of

ten

inte

rmitt

ent

due

to th

e en

clos

ure

crea

ted

prim

arily

by

woo

dlan

d, b

ut a

lso

cont

ainm

ent

crea

ted

by la

ndfo

rm a

long

the

spin

e of

th

e riv

er v

alle

ys.

Vie

ws

alon

g th

e riv

ers;

from

brid

ges

and

acce

ss r

oute

s; to

and

from

the

hist

oric

bui

ldin

gs; a

nd fr

om th

e A

940,

in

clud

ing

the

arriv

al in

to M

oray

, are

all

impo

rtan

t.

Vie

ws

of th

is h

eigh

t of t

urbi

ne a

re

likel

y to

be

inte

rmitt

ent f

rom

the

A94

0 an

d ot

her

road

s an

d re

duce

d by

the

scre

enin

g ef

fect

s of

land

form

and

tr

ees,

alth

ough

the

sens

itivi

ty

asse

ssm

ent r

ecog

nise

s th

at tr

ees

will

be

felle

d, o

peni

ng u

p ne

w v

iew

s fo

r a

perio

d.

Fro

m m

ore

open

are

as, t

he h

eigh

t of

this

typo

logy

mea

ns th

at it

is li

kely

to

appe

ar a

bove

man

y of

the

smal

ler

feat

ures

, or

encr

oach

upo

n th

e se

tting

of k

ey v

isua

l fea

ture

s an

d m

ay b

e re

lativ

ely

wid

ely

visi

ble.

K

ey v

isua

l sen

sitiv

ities

, suc

h as

the

setti

ngs

of th

e go

rges

and

the

hist

oric

bu

ildin

gs, r

emai

n se

nsiti

ve to

eve

n th

is ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Vie

ws

of th

is h

eigh

t of t

urbi

ne a

re

likel

y to

be

inte

rmitt

ent f

rom

the

A94

0 an

d ot

her

road

s an

d re

duce

d by

the

scre

enin

g ef

fect

s of

land

form

an

d tr

ees,

alth

ough

the

sens

itivi

ty

asse

ssm

ent r

ecog

nise

s th

at tr

ees

will

be

felle

d, o

peni

ng u

p ne

w v

iew

s fo

r a

perio

d.

Fro

m m

ore

open

are

as, t

urbi

nes

of

this

siz

e w

ould

stil

l be

likel

y to

ap

pear

abo

ve w

oodl

and.

K

ey v

isua

l sen

sitiv

ities

, suc

h as

the

setti

ngs

of th

e go

rges

and

his

toric

bu

ildin

gs a

nd a

ssoc

iate

d de

sign

ed

land

scap

es, r

emai

n se

nsiti

ve to

ev

en th

is ty

polo

gy a

lthou

gh th

ere

may

be

som

e lim

ited

scop

e to

set

sm

alle

r tu

rbin

es w

ell a

way

from

th

ese

feat

ures

so

as to

min

imis

e vi

sual

impa

ct.

Med

ium

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

A s

ingl

e sm

all t

urbi

ne is

loca

ted

at

Logi

e. T

he o

pera

tiona

l win

d fa

rm o

f B

erry

Bur

n is

par

tially

vis

ible

(at

som

e di

stan

ce)

from

som

e el

evat

ed o

pen

area

s w

ithin

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe. T

he

cons

ente

d H

ill o

f Gla

schy

le w

ind

farm

w

ill a

lso

be v

isib

le fr

om s

imila

r ar

eas

but s

een

at m

uch

clos

er d

ista

nces

.

Cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

wou

ld p

rinci

pally

ar

ise

on v

iew

s fr

om o

pen

farm

land

an

d on

vie

ws

from

the

A94

0 w

hich

fo

rms

an im

port

ant s

ceni

c ap

proa

ch

to M

oray

. Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e m

ay

be a

ble

to b

e si

ted

to m

inim

ise

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

alth

ough

the

limite

d ex

tent

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

re w

ould

be

scop

e to

site

the

smal

l tur

bine

s of

this

typo

logy

so

as

to li

mit

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

alth

ough

gi

ven

the

limite

d ex

tent

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe a

nd p

rese

nce

of

oper

atio

nal a

nd c

onse

nted

win

d en

ergy

dev

elop

men

ts, c

aref

ul

mon

itorin

g of

the

cum

ulat

ive

Med

ium

67

and

pres

ence

of o

pera

tiona

l and

co

nsen

ted

deve

lopm

ents

see

n on

co

ntai

ning

sky

lines

are

key

co

nstr

aint

s to

mul

tiple

dev

elop

men

ts

situ

atio

n is

nec

essa

ry.

68

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

7: B

road

Far

med

Val

ley

– Se

nsiti

vity

ass

essm

ent f

or la

rger

typo

logi

es

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Lar

ge

scal

e ty

po

log

y as

sess

men

t (8

0-13

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Med

ium

sca

le t

ypo

log

y as

sess

men

t (5

0-80

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

T

his

char

acte

r ty

pe is

vis

ually

co

ntai

ned

by a

djac

ent u

plan

ds,

limiti

ng it

s in

fluen

ce o

n th

e w

ider

la

ndsc

ape.

How

ever

, whe

re th

ese

upla

nds

form

dis

tinct

ive

high

hill

s w

ith s

teep

slo

pes,

this

can

cre

ate

high

ly s

ceni

c la

ndsc

apes

in th

eir

juxt

apos

ition

and

con

tras

t with

the

richl

y pa

ttern

ed s

ettle

d la

ndsc

apes

of

this

val

ley.

Thi

s no

tabl

y oc

curs

w

here

the

uppe

r S

pey

is b

ack-

drop

ped

by B

en A

igan

, Ben

Rin

nes

and

Pau

l’s H

ill w

hich

all

form

key

‘la

ndm

ark’

feat

ures

.

Alth

ough

the

Bro

ad F

arm

ed V

alle

y (7

) ha

s re

lativ

ely

limite

d in

fluen

ce

on s

urro

undi

ng la

ndsc

apes

, tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze s

ited

with

in th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe c

ould

det

ract

from

th

e se

tting

of a

djac

ent l

andm

ark

hills

, wou

ld b

e vi

sibl

e fr

om

surr

ound

ing

high

er h

ills

and

coul

d di

min

ish

the

visu

al c

ompo

sitio

n in

ar

eas

whe

re a

ric

h sc

enic

ju

xtap

ositi

on o

ccur

s be

twee

n th

ese

valle

ys a

nd th

e up

land

s.

The

rel

ativ

ely

smal

l ext

ent o

f som

e va

lleys

is a

n ad

ditio

nal s

ensi

tivity

fo

r th

is ty

polo

gy a

s tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze c

ould

hav

e a

grea

ter

impa

ct o

n ad

jace

nt u

plan

d ch

arac

ter

type

s, fo

r ex

ampl

e th

e st

eep

scar

p sl

opes

of

the

Ope

n U

plan

ds w

ith S

teep

S

lope

s (1

2a)

seen

from

Gle

n R

inne

s.

Med

ium

A

lthou

gh th

e B

road

Far

med

Val

ley

(7)

has

rela

tivel

y lim

ited

influ

ence

on

surr

ound

ing

land

scap

es, t

urbi

nes

of

this

siz

e si

ted

with

in th

is c

hara

cter

ty

pe c

ould

det

ract

from

the

setti

ng o

f ad

jace

nt la

ndm

ark

hills

, wou

ld b

e vi

sibl

e fr

om s

urro

undi

ng h

ighe

r hi

lls

and

coul

d di

min

ish

the

visu

al

com

posi

tion

in a

reas

whe

re a

ric

h sc

enic

juxt

apos

ition

occ

urs

betw

een

thes

e va

lleys

and

the

upla

nds.

T

he r

elat

ivel

y sm

all e

xten

t of s

ome

valle

ys is

an

addi

tiona

l sen

sitiv

ity fo

r th

is ty

polo

gy a

s tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze

coul

d ha

ve a

gre

ater

impa

ct o

n ad

jace

nt u

plan

d ch

arac

ter

type

s, fo

r ex

ampl

e th

e st

eep

scar

p sl

opes

of t

he

Ope

n U

plan

ds w

ith S

teep

Slo

pes

(12a

) se

en fr

om G

len

Rin

nes.

Med

ium

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

Spe

y va

lley

is s

tron

gly

cont

aine

d in

pla

ces

by s

teep

and

pr

edom

inan

tly w

oode

d si

de s

lope

s al

thou

gh it

ope

ns o

ut to

form

a

broa

d flo

odpl

ain

nort

h of

C

raig

ella

chie

. It i

s al

so b

road

er a

nd

mor

e op

en s

outh

-wes

t of A

berlo

ur

whe

re u

ndul

atin

g si

de s

lope

s m

erge

m

ore

grad

ually

with

adj

acen

t up

land

s. T

he S

pey

Val

ley

is w

ell-

woo

ded

and

settl

ed w

ith a

reg

ular

pa

ttern

of f

arm

s an

d ot

her

build

ings

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e sm

all t

o m

ediu

m s

cale

of m

uch

of

this

land

scap

e in

clud

ing

the

mor

e op

en fl

at fl

oodp

lain

of t

he S

pey.

The

ev

en d

ispe

rsal

of b

uild

ings

and

ot

her

smal

l fea

ture

s ac

ross

this

w

ell-s

ettle

d la

ndsc

ape

incr

ease

s se

nsiti

vity

to t

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize.

Hig

h T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld d

omin

ate

the

smal

l to

med

ium

sca

le o

f muc

h of

this

la

ndsc

ape

incl

udin

g th

e m

ore

open

fla

t flo

odpl

ain

of th

e S

pey.

Alth

ough

tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze c

ould

rel

ate

to

broa

der

sect

ions

of t

he S

pey

Val

ley

on m

ore

open

upp

er v

alle

y si

des

at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith a

djac

ent u

plan

d ch

arac

ter

type

s, th

e ev

en d

ispe

rsal

of

build

ings

and

oth

er s

mal

l fea

ture

s ac

ross

this

wel

l-set

tled

land

scap

e in

crea

ses

sens

itivi

ty.

Hig

h

69

cont

ribut

ing

to it

s sm

all s

cale

. S

cale

incr

ease

s on

bro

ader

upp

er

slop

es a

t the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

w

here

set

tlem

ent i

s le

ss d

ense

and

th

e la

nd c

over

pat

tern

mor

e ex

tens

ive.

L

and

form

The

Spe

y V

alle

y ha

s a

flat o

pen

flood

plai

n to

the

nort

h w

hich

the

river

mea

nder

s ac

ross

. The

flo

odpl

ain

narr

ows

in th

e up

per

reac

hes

of th

e S

pey

and

is

occa

sion

ally

con

tain

ed b

y st

eep

scar

p sl

opes

. Rol

ling

low

er s

lope

s st

ep u

p to

a b

road

er m

ore

gent

ly

undu

latin

g el

evat

ed te

rrac

e in

the

Arc

hies

tow

n ar

ea a

nd a

num

ber

of

trib

utar

ies

cut n

arro

w v

alle

ys in

the

uppe

r S

pey

area

. S

mal

l, ro

unde

d hi

lls o

ccur

on

the

edge

of t

he S

pey

Val

ley

and

frin

ging

th

e br

oade

r up

land

LC

Ts

(9),

(10

) an

d (1

1).

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

det

ract

from

m

ore

dist

inct

ive

land

form

feat

ures

in

clud

ing

mor

e de

eply

inci

sed

sect

ions

of t

he S

pey,

ste

ep s

carp

sl

opes

and

mor

e co

mpl

ex r

ollin

g la

ndfo

rm c

omm

only

foun

d w

ithin

the

valle

y flo

or a

nd lo

wer

slo

pes

of th

e up

per

Spe

y. T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld a

lso

detr

act f

rom

the

stro

ng

cont

rast

that

occ

urs

betw

een

the

open

flat

floo

dpla

in a

nd s

teep

co

ntai

ning

sid

e sl

opes

in th

e lo

wer

re

ache

s of

the

Spe

y.

Mor

e ge

ntly

und

ulat

ing

uppe

r sl

opes

at t

he tr

ansi

tion

with

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0)

wou

ld b

e le

ss s

ensi

tive.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

det

ract

from

m

ore

dist

inct

ive

land

form

feat

ures

in

clud

ing

mor

e de

eply

inci

sed

sect

ions

of t

he S

pey,

ste

ep s

carp

sl

opes

and

mor

e co

mpl

ex r

ollin

g la

ndfo

rm c

omm

only

foun

d w

ithin

the

valle

y flo

or a

nd lo

wer

slo

pes

of th

e up

per

Spe

y. T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld a

lso

detr

act f

rom

the

stro

ng

cont

rast

that

occ

urs

betw

een

the

open

flat

floo

dpla

in a

nd s

teep

co

ntai

ning

sid

e sl

opes

in th

e lo

wer

re

ache

s of

the

Spe

y.

Mor

e ge

ntly

und

ulat

ing

uppe

r sl

opes

at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

wou

ld b

e le

ss s

ensi

tive.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is c

hara

cter

ised

by

encl

osed

farm

land

(w

ith s

mal

ler

field

s on

low

er s

lope

s), b

road

leav

ed

and

coni

fero

us w

oodl

ands

incl

udin

g di

stin

ctiv

e m

ixed

pol

icy

plan

tings

in

plac

es. T

he o

ften

dive

rse

vege

tatio

n pa

ttern

rei

nfor

ces

the

smal

l sca

le o

f th

is la

ndsc

ape.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

det

ract

from

ar

eas

with

a m

ore

dive

rse

land

co

ver

patte

rn a

lthou

gh s

impl

er a

nd

mor

e ex

tens

ive

past

ures

on

uppe

r sl

opes

wou

ld b

e le

ss s

ensi

tive.

Med

ium

T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om

area

s w

ith a

mor

e di

vers

e la

nd c

over

pa

ttern

alth

ough

sim

pler

and

mor

e ex

tens

ive

past

ures

on

uppe

r sl

opes

w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e.

Med

ium

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

A w

ell-s

ettle

d la

ndsc

ape

with

a

regu

lar

patte

rn o

f sm

all t

owns

site

d ne

xt to

the

Spe

y in

clud

ing

Cha

rlest

own

of A

berlo

ur,

Cra

igel

lach

ie a

nd R

othe

s an

d w

ith

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

affe

ct th

e se

tting

of s

ettle

men

ts a

nd o

ther

hi

stor

ic b

uilt

feat

ures

, inc

ludi

ng

char

acte

ristic

dis

tille

ry b

uild

ings

w

hich

ref

lect

the

regi

on’s

iden

tity.

Hig

h T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

coul

d af

fect

the

setti

ng o

f set

tlem

ents

and

oth

er

hist

oric

bui

lt fe

atur

es a

lthou

gh

sens

itivi

ty w

ould

be

redu

ced

to

turb

ines

tow

ards

the

low

er h

eigh

t

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

70

occa

sion

al s

mal

ler

settl

emen

ts o

n up

per

hill

slop

es a

nd s

ide

valle

ys.

His

toric

hou

ses,

cas

tles,

brid

ges

and

trad

ition

al d

istil

lery

bui

ldin

gs

ofte

n fo

rm r

epea

ted

land

mar

k fe

atur

es w

ithin

thes

e va

lleys

. S

ome

mor

e re

cent

dis

tille

ry

build

ings

hav

e a

mor

e in

dust

rial

appe

aran

ce.

band

of t

his

typo

logy

if s

ited

on le

ss

wel

l-set

tled

uppe

r va

lley

side

s an

d aw

ay fr

om k

ey v

iew

s to

set

tlem

ents

an

d la

ndm

ark

built

feat

ures

.

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s

Alth

ough

ther

e is

no

pron

ounc

ed

sens

e of

wild

ness

in th

ese

wel

l-se

ttled

and

farm

ed v

alle

ys, a

dis

tinct

se

nse

of p

lace

may

be

asso

ciat

ed

with

the

prod

uctio

n of

whi

sky.

Larg

e tu

rbin

es c

ould

affe

ct th

e se

nse

of p

lace

ass

ocia

ted

with

th

ese

valle

ys a

nd th

eir

whi

sky

herit

age.

Med

ium

La

rge

turb

ines

cou

ld a

ffect

the

stro

ng

sens

e of

pla

ce a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith th

e S

pey

Val

ley

and

its w

hisk

y he

ritag

e.

Med

ium

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Thi

s is

a w

ell-s

ettle

d la

ndsc

ape

with

a

netw

ork

of r

oads

loca

ted

with

in

the

valle

y flo

or a

nd a

lso

on th

e br

oade

r va

lley

side

s of

the

uppe

r S

pey.

Thi

s va

lley

is w

ell w

oode

d an

d th

is c

an o

ften

scre

en v

iew

s fr

om lo

wer

roa

ds s

uch

as th

e A

95

alth

ough

vie

ws

alon

g th

e va

lley

floor

s fr

om th

e A

941

and

B90

15 a

re

mor

e op

en. T

he S

pey

Val

ley

is

part

icul

arly

attr

activ

e fo

r to

uris

ts a

nd

peop

le e

ngag

ed in

rec

reat

iona

l ac

tiviti

es in

clud

ing

fishi

ng, c

yclin

g an

d w

alki

ng. T

he S

peys

ide

Way

lo

ng d

ista

nce

foot

path

is a

ligne

d th

roug

h th

is c

hara

cter

type

. T

he im

med

iate

sky

line

form

ed b

y up

per

valle

y si

des

and

the

oute

r ed

ge h

ills

and

slop

es o

f the

ad

jace

nt u

plan

d la

ndsc

apes

are

pr

omin

ent f

rom

the

valle

y flo

or b

ut

mor

e ex

pans

ive

view

s ar

e po

ssib

le

from

mor

e el

evat

ed s

ettle

men

ts,

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

be

high

ly v

isib

le in

vie

ws

acro

ss a

nd

alon

g th

ese

valle

ys fr

om r

oads

and

se

ttlem

ent.

The

y w

ould

als

o be

se

en in

rel

ativ

e pr

oxim

ity f

rom

mor

e el

evat

ed v

iew

s fr

om p

opul

ar h

ill

wal

king

rou

tes

and

also

from

se

ctio

ns o

f the

Spe

ysid

e W

ay. T

he

wel

l-set

tled

natu

re o

f thi

s va

lley

and

its p

opul

arity

for

tour

ism

and

re

crea

tion

incr

ease

s vi

sual

se

nsiti

vity

.

Hig

h T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

vi

sibl

e in

vie

ws

acro

ss a

nd a

long

th

ese

valle

ys fr

om r

oads

and

se

ttlem

ent.

The

y w

ould

als

o be

see

n in

rel

ativ

e pr

oxim

ity fr

om m

ore

elev

ated

vie

ws

from

pop

ular

hill

w

alki

ng r

oute

s an

d al

so fr

om s

ectio

ns

of th

e S

peys

ide

Way

. The

wel

l-set

tled

natu

re o

f thi

s va

lley

and

its p

opul

arity

fo

r to

uris

m a

nd r

ecre

atio

n in

crea

ses

visu

al s

ensi

tivity

.

Hig

h

71

wal

king

rou

tes

and

road

s.

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

ope

ratio

nal w

ind

farm

s of

P

aul’s

Hill

, Ber

ry B

urn,

Rot

hes

I and

II

and

Hill

of T

owie

are

vis

ible

from

pa

rts

of th

is la

ndsc

ape.

Ope

ratio

nal

larg

e tu

rbin

es a

re c

lear

ly a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith s

pars

ely

popu

late

d an

d re

lativ

ely

sim

ple

upla

nd c

hara

cter

ty

pes

in v

iew

s fr

om th

is la

ndsc

ape.

Cum

ulat

ive

land

scap

e ef

fect

s w

ould

oc

cur

if tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze w

ere

intr

oduc

ed to

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe a

s th

is w

ould

wea

ken

the

clea

r as

soci

atio

n of

larg

e ty

polo

gies

with

m

ore

sim

ple

and

expa

nsiv

e up

land

la

ndsc

apes

. In

ter-

visi

bilit

y be

twee

n op

erat

iona

l/con

sent

ed

deve

lopm

ents

larg

ely

seen

on

upla

nd s

kylin

es a

nd la

rge

turb

ines

si

ted

in th

ese

valle

ys w

ould

als

o be

lik

ely

to r

esul

t in

sign

ifica

nt

cum

ulat

ive

visu

al e

ffect

s.

Hig

h C

umul

ativ

e la

ndsc

ape

effe

cts

wou

ld

occu

r if

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wer

e in

trod

uced

to th

is c

hara

cter

type

as

this

wou

ld w

eake

n th

e cl

ear

asso

ciat

ion

of la

rge

typo

logi

es w

ith

mor

e si

mpl

e an

d ex

pans

ive

upla

nd

land

scap

es.

Inte

r-vi

sibi

lity

betw

een

oper

atio

nal/c

onse

nted

dev

elop

men

ts

larg

ely

seen

on

upla

nd s

kylin

es a

nd

larg

e tu

rbin

es s

ited

in th

ese

valle

ys

wou

ld a

lso

be li

kely

to r

esul

t in

sign

ifica

nt c

umul

ativ

e vi

sual

effe

cts.

Hig

h

72

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

7: B

road

Far

med

Val

ley

– Se

nsiti

vity

ass

essm

ent f

or s

mal

ler t

ypol

ogie

s To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Sm

all-

med

ium

sca

le t

ypo

log

y as

sess

men

t (3

5-50

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Sm

all

scal

e ty

po

log

y as

sess

men

t (2

0-35

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

T

his

char

acte

r ty

pe is

vis

ually

co

ntai

ned

by a

djac

ent u

plan

ds,

limiti

ng it

s in

fluen

ce o

n th

e w

ider

la

ndsc

ape.

How

ever

, whe

re th

ese

upla

nds

form

dis

tinct

ive

high

hill

s w

ith s

teep

slo

pes,

this

can

cre

ate

high

ly s

ceni

c la

ndsc

apes

in th

eir

juxt

apos

ition

and

con

tras

t with

the

richl

y pa

ttern

ed s

ettle

d la

ndsc

apes

of

this

val

ley.

Thi

s no

tabl

y oc

curs

w

here

the

uppe

r S

pey

is b

ack-

drop

ped

by B

en A

igan

, Ben

Rin

nes

and

Pau

l’s H

ill w

hich

all

form

key

‘la

ndm

ark’

feat

ures

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

detr

act

from

the

setti

ng o

f adj

acen

t la

ndm

ark

hills

and

vis

ual

com

posi

tion

in a

reas

whe

re a

ric

h sc

enic

juxt

apos

ition

occ

urs

with

the

mor

e dr

amat

ic s

teep

-sid

ed h

ills

of

the

Ope

n R

ollin

g U

plan

ds (

11).

T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld h

ave

less

of a

n ef

fect

in te

rms

of la

ndsc

ape

cont

ext

whe

re th

e va

lley

is b

road

er a

nd

back

ed b

y m

ore

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g up

land

are

as.

Med

ium

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld b

e m

ore

easi

ly

acco

mm

odat

ed to

min

imis

e ef

fect

s on

m

ore

dram

atic

sce

nery

and

on

land

mar

k hi

lls.

Med

ium

-low

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

Spe

y V

alle

y is

str

ongl

y co

ntai

ned

in p

lace

s by

ste

ep a

nd

pred

omin

antly

woo

ded

side

slo

pes

alth

ough

it o

pens

out

to fo

rm a

br

oad

flood

plai

n no

rth

of

Cra

igel

lach

ie. I

t is

also

bro

ader

and

m

ore

open

sou

th-w

est o

f Abe

rlour

w

here

und

ulat

ing

side

slo

pes

mer

ge

mor

e gr

adua

lly w

ith a

djac

ent

upla

nds.

The

Spe

y V

alle

y is

wel

l-w

oode

d an

d se

ttled

with

a r

egul

ar

patte

rn o

f far

ms

and

othe

r bu

ildin

gs

cont

ribut

ing

to it

s sm

all s

cale

. S

cale

incr

ease

s on

bro

ader

upp

er

slop

es a

t the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

w

here

set

tlem

ent i

s le

ss d

ense

and

th

e la

nd c

over

pat

tern

mor

e ex

tens

ive.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

app

ear

very

la

rge

in r

elat

ion

to th

e sm

all s

cale

of

low

er s

lope

s an

d na

rrow

er v

alle

y flo

ors

and

the

smal

l bui

ldin

gs w

hich

ar

e ev

enly

dis

pers

ed a

cros

s m

uch

of th

is la

ndsc

ape.

The

bro

ader

se

ctio

ns o

f the

Spe

y V

alle

y an

d le

ss

dens

ely

settl

ed u

pper

slo

pes

at th

e tr

ansi

tion

with

the

adja

cent

upl

and

area

s w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e to

tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze h

owev

er.

Hig

h-m

ed

The

sm

all s

cale

of l

ower

slo

pes

and

narr

ower

and

inci

sed

valle

y flo

ors

wou

ld b

e se

nsiti

ve e

ven

to tu

rbin

es o

f th

is s

ize.

The

re a

re g

reat

er

oppo

rtun

ities

to s

ite th

e sm

alle

r tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ithin

this

ch

arac

ter

type

pro

vide

d th

ey w

ere

set

back

from

sm

all b

uild

ings

on

valle

y si

des

and

with

in m

ore

exte

nsiv

e ar

eas

of fa

rmla

nd.

Med

ium

73

Lan

dfo

rm

T

he S

pey

Val

ley

has

a fla

t ope

n flo

odpl

ain

to th

e no

rth

whi

ch th

e riv

er m

eand

ers

acro

ss. T

he

flood

plai

n na

rrow

s in

the

uppe

r re

ache

s of

the

Spe

y an

d is

oc

casi

onal

ly c

onta

ined

by

stee

p sc

arp

slop

es. R

ollin

g lo

wer

slo

pes

step

up

to a

bro

ader

mor

e ge

ntly

un

dula

ting

elev

ated

terr

ace

in th

e A

rchi

esto

wn

area

and

a n

umbe

r of

tr

ibut

arie

s cu

t nar

row

val

leys

in th

e up

per

Spe

y ar

ea.

Sm

all,

roun

ded

hills

occ

ur o

n th

e ed

ge o

f the

Spe

y V

alle

y an

d fr

ingi

ng

the

broa

der

upla

nd L

CT

s (9

), (

10)

and

(11)

.

Bro

ader

, mor

e ge

ntly

und

ulat

ing

valle

y si

des

at th

e tr

ansi

tion

with

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0)

wou

ld b

e le

ss s

ensi

tive

to th

is

typo

logy

. M

ore

deep

ly in

cise

d se

ctio

ns o

f the

S

pey,

ste

ep s

carp

slo

pes

and

the

com

plex

rol

ling

land

form

com

mon

ly

foun

d w

ithin

the

valle

y flo

or a

nd

low

er s

lope

s of

the

uppe

r S

pey

rem

ain

sens

itive

how

ever

.

Med

ium

B

road

er, m

ore

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g va

lley

side

s at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

(10)

w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e to

this

ty

polo

gy.

Mor

e de

eply

inci

sed

sect

ions

of t

he

Spe

y, s

teep

sca

rp s

lope

s an

d th

e co

mpl

ex r

ollin

g la

ndfo

rm c

omm

only

fo

und

with

in th

e va

lley

floor

and

low

er

slop

es o

f the

upp

er S

pey

rem

ain

sens

itive

how

ever

. A

lthou

gh th

is s

ize

of tu

rbin

e co

uld

rela

te to

the

sim

ple

flat o

penn

ess

of

flood

plai

n ar

eas,

they

wou

ld d

etra

ct

from

the

scen

ic c

ontr

ast t

hese

are

as

prov

ide

with

ofte

n st

eep-

side

d w

ell

woo

ded

or r

ollin

g fa

rmed

val

ley

side

s.

Med

ium

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is c

hara

cter

ised

by

encl

osed

farm

land

(w

ith s

mal

ler

field

s on

low

er s

lope

s), b

road

leav

ed

and

coni

fero

us w

oodl

ands

incl

udin

g di

stin

ctiv

e m

ixed

pol

icy

plan

tings

in

plac

es. T

he o

ften

dive

rse

vege

tatio

n pa

ttern

rei

nfor

ces

the

smal

l sca

le o

f th

is la

ndsc

ape.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

det

ract

from

ar

eas

with

a m

ore

dive

rse

land

co

ver

patte

rn a

lthou

gh s

impl

er a

nd

mor

e ex

tens

ive

past

ures

on

uppe

r sl

opes

wou

ld b

e le

ss s

ensi

tive.

Med

ium

S

mal

ler

turb

ines

of t

his

typo

logy

cou

ld

fit w

ithin

mor

e co

mpl

ex a

reas

of l

and

cove

r w

ithou

t det

ract

ing

from

them

.

Med

ium

-low

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

A w

ell-s

ettle

d la

ndsc

ape

with

a

regu

lar

patte

rn o

f sm

all t

owns

site

d ne

xt to

the

Spe

y in

clud

ing

Cha

rlest

own

of A

berlo

ur,

Cra

igel

lach

ie a

nd R

othe

s an

d w

ith

occa

sion

al s

mal

ler

settl

emen

ts o

n up

per

hill

slop

es a

nd s

ide

valle

ys.

His

toric

hou

ses,

cas

tles,

brid

ges

and

trad

ition

al d

istil

lery

bui

ldin

gs

ofte

n fo

rm r

epea

ted

land

mar

k fe

atur

es w

ithin

thes

e va

lleys

. S

ome

mor

e re

cent

dis

tille

ry

The

re a

re s

ome

limite

d op

port

uniti

es to

site

turb

ines

of t

his

size

on

less

wel

l-set

tled

uppe

r va

lley

side

s at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith

adja

cent

upl

and

area

s an

d aw

ay

from

key

vie

ws

to s

ettle

men

ts a

nd

land

mar

k bu

ilt fe

atur

es.

Hig

h-m

ed

The

re a

re in

crea

sed

oppo

rtun

ities

to

site

turb

ines

of t

his

size

on

less

wel

l-se

ttled

upp

er v

alle

y si

des

and

away

fr

om k

ey v

iew

s to

set

tlem

ents

and

la

ndm

ark

built

feat

ures

.

Med

ium

74

build

ings

hav

e a

mor

e in

dust

rial

appe

aran

ce.

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s

Alth

ough

ther

e is

no

pron

ounc

ed

sens

e of

wild

ness

in th

ese

wel

l-se

ttled

and

farm

ed v

alle

ys, a

dis

tinct

se

nse

of p

lace

may

be

asso

ciat

ed

with

the

prod

uctio

n of

whi

sky.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy is

less

like

ly to

affe

ct

the

‘sen

se o

f pla

ce’ t

hat m

ay b

e ex

perie

nced

by

som

e pe

ople

pa

rtic

ular

ly if

turb

ines

wer

e ca

refu

lly

site

d to

min

imis

e vi

sibi

lity

from

key

to

uris

t rou

tes

and

dest

inat

ions

.

Med

ium

-low

T

his

typo

logy

is le

ss li

kely

to a

ffect

th

e se

nse

of p

lace

that

may

be

expe

rienc

ed b

y so

me

peop

le.

Low

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Thi

s is

a w

ell-s

ettle

d la

ndsc

ape

with

a

netw

ork

of r

oads

loca

ted

with

in

the

valle

y flo

or a

nd a

lso

on th

e br

oade

r va

lley

side

s of

the

uppe

r S

pey.

Thi

s va

lley

is w

ell w

oode

d an

d th

is c

an o

ften

scre

en v

iew

s fr

om lo

wer

roa

ds s

uch

as th

e A

95

alth

ough

vie

ws

alon

g th

e va

lley

floor

s fr

om th

e A

941

and

B90

15 a

re

mor

e op

en. T

he S

pey

Val

ley

is

part

icul

arly

attr

activ

e fo

r to

uris

ts a

nd

peop

le e

ngag

ed in

rec

reat

iona

l ac

tiviti

es in

clud

ing

fishi

ng, c

yclin

g an

d w

alki

ng. T

he S

peys

ide

Way

lo

ng d

ista

nce

foot

path

is a

ligne

d th

roug

h th

is c

hara

cter

type

. T

he im

med

iate

sky

line

form

ed b

y up

per

valle

y si

des

and

the

oute

r ed

ge h

ills

and

slop

es o

f the

ad

jace

nt u

plan

d la

ndsc

apes

are

pr

omin

ent f

rom

the

valle

y flo

or b

ut

mor

e ex

pans

ive

view

s ar

e po

ssib

le

from

mor

e el

evat

ed s

ettle

men

ts,

wal

king

rou

tes

and

road

s.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

be

sign

ifica

ntly

larg

er th

an o

ther

la

ndsc

ape

feat

ures

and

cou

ld b

e pr

omin

ent i

f site

d w

ithin

the

mor

e de

nsel

y se

ttled

and

trav

erse

d lo

wer

va

lley

area

s.

The

y w

ould

be

likel

y to

be

less

in

trus

ive

if si

ted

on u

pper

val

ley

side

s at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith a

djac

ent

upla

nds

whe

re r

isin

g gr

ound

cou

ld

redu

ce v

isua

l pro

min

ence

in k

ey

view

s fr

om k

ey r

oads

and

se

ttlem

ent.

Hig

h-m

ed

Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

wou

ld b

e ge

nera

lly le

ss p

rom

inen

t in

view

s fr

om r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent p

rovi

ded

they

wer

e w

ell-s

ited.

T

hey

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to b

e le

ss v

isib

le

if si

ted

on v

alle

y si

des

whe

re r

isin

g gr

ound

cou

ld r

educ

e vi

sual

pr

omin

ence

in k

ey v

iew

s fr

om k

ey

road

s an

d se

ttlem

ent.

Med

ium

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

ope

ratio

nal w

ind

farm

s of

P

aul’s

Hill

, Rot

hes

I and

II a

nd H

ill

of T

owie

are

vis

ible

from

par

ts o

f the

S

pey

Val

ley.

Ope

ratio

nal l

arge

tu

rbin

es a

re c

lear

ly a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

hav

e cu

mul

ativ

e im

pact

s w

ith la

rger

tu

rbin

es s

ited

in a

djac

ent u

plan

d ch

arac

ter

type

s if

site

d cl

ose-

by.

The

y co

uld

also

affe

ct th

e se

tting

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

re a

re in

crea

sed

oppo

rtun

ities

to

acco

mm

odat

e tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze to

m

inim

ise

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

with

la

rger

turb

ines

site

d in

adj

acen

t up

land

cha

ract

er ty

pes.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy

Med

ium

75

spar

sely

pop

ulat

ed a

nd r

elat

ivel

y si

mpl

e up

land

cha

ract

er ty

pes

in

view

s fr

om th

is la

ndsc

ape.

and

desi

gn in

tegr

ity o

f ope

ratio

nal

win

d fa

rms

by in

trod

ucin

g di

ffere

nt

heig

hts/

desi

gns

and

a ne

w p

atte

rn

of d

evel

opm

ent,

for

exam

ple,

ap

pear

ing

to ‘s

pill’

dow

n lo

wer

hill

sl

opes

bel

ow fa

irly

cont

aine

d gr

oupi

ngs

of w

ind

farm

s si

ted

in

adja

cent

upl

and

area

s. A

lthou

gh

ther

e is

sco

pe to

site

this

typo

logy

to

avo

id im

pact

s on

des

ign

and

inte

grity

, tur

bine

s to

war

ds th

e up

per

heig

ht b

and

of th

is ty

polo

gy w

ould

st

ill a

ppea

r ve

ry la

rge

from

se

ttlem

ents

and

roa

ds w

ithin

the

Spe

y va

lley

and

coul

d af

fect

the

pres

ent c

lear

rat

iona

le o

f lar

ge

turb

ines

bei

ng a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith

upla

nd a

reas

.

wou

ld a

lso

have

a c

lear

er s

ize

diffe

rent

ial w

ith o

pera

tiona

l/con

sent

ed

turb

ines

and

this

wou

ld in

crea

se

scop

e fo

r m

ultip

le tu

rbin

es to

be

acco

mm

odat

ed m

ore

succ

essf

ully

.

76

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

8: U

plan

d Fa

rmla

nd –

Sen

sitiv

ity a

sses

smen

t for

larg

er ty

polo

gies

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Lar

ge

scal

e ty

po

log

y as

sess

men

t (8

0-13

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Med

ium

sca

le t

ypo

log

y as

sess

men

t (5

0-80

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

T

his

char

acte

r ty

pe is

con

tain

ed b

y th

e hi

gher

gro

und

of th

e ad

jace

nt

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a)

char

acte

r ty

pe a

nd

ther

efor

e ha

s lim

ited

inte

r-vi

sibi

lity

and

influ

ence

on

wid

er la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r, in

clud

ing

neig

hbou

ring

Abe

rdee

nshi

re. A

lthou

gh L

CT

8a

is

gene

rally

spa

rsel

y se

ttled

and

de

nsel

y fo

rest

ed, t

hus

limiti

ng v

iew

s to

the

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8), i

t in

clud

es th

e la

ndm

ark

hills

of t

he

Bin

of C

ulle

n an

d M

eikl

e B

allo

ch

whi

ch a

re p

opul

ar fo

r re

crea

tion.

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

has

little

influ

ence

on

sur

roun

ding

land

scap

es.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

how

ever

ap

pear

to d

imin

ish

the

vert

ical

sca

le

and

detr

act f

rom

mor

e di

stin

ctiv

e de

fined

land

mar

k hi

lls w

ithin

the

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a)

if si

ted

clos

e-by

.

Med

ium

T

his

land

scap

e ha

s lit

tle in

fluen

ce o

n su

rrou

ndin

g la

ndsc

apes

. Tur

bine

s of

th

is s

ize

wou

ld h

owev

er a

ppea

r to

di

min

ish

the

vert

ical

sca

le a

nd d

etra

ct

from

mor

e di

stin

ctiv

e de

fined

la

ndm

ark

hills

with

in th

e B

road

F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd

(8a)

if s

ited

clos

e-by

.

Med

ium

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

gen

tly u

ndul

atin

g sh

allo

w

valle

ys o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

are

expa

nsiv

e an

d op

en a

lthou

gh th

e pr

esen

ce o

f a r

egul

ar p

atte

rn o

f sm

all f

arm

s an

d ho

uses

pro

vide

re

ady

scal

e re

fere

nces

and

red

uce

the

over

all s

cale

of t

he la

ndsc

ape.

S

ome

narr

ower

and

mor

e co

ntai

ned

valle

ys o

ccur

in p

lace

s an

d a

num

ber

of s

mal

l wel

l-def

ined

hill

s ar

e oc

casi

onal

feat

ures

.

Alth

ough

this

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

the

broa

d sc

ale

of th

e ge

nera

lly

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g la

ndfo

rm, i

t wou

ld

dom

inat

e sm

all h

ouse

s an

d fa

rms

whi

ch a

re e

venl

y di

sper

sed

acro

ss

this

land

scap

e. T

he m

ore

cont

aine

d va

lley

floor

s, in

clud

ing

the

valle

y of

th

e R

iver

Isla

and

the

rela

tivel

y sm

all h

ills

whi

ch o

ccas

iona

lly o

ccur

, w

ould

add

ition

ally

be

sens

itive

to

this

typo

logy

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Alth

ough

this

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

th

e br

oad

scal

e of

the

gene

rally

gen

tly

undu

latin

g la

ndfo

rm, i

t wou

ld

dom

inat

e sm

all h

ouse

s an

d fa

rms

whi

ch a

re e

venl

y di

sper

sed

acro

ss

this

land

scap

e. T

he m

ore

cont

aine

d va

lley

floor

s, in

clud

ing

the

valle

y of

th

e R

iver

Isla

and

the

rela

tivel

y sm

all

hills

whi

ch o

ccas

iona

lly o

ccur

, wou

ld

addi

tiona

lly b

e se

nsiti

ve to

this

ty

polo

gy.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Lan

dfo

rm

T

his

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g la

ndsc

ape

enco

mpa

sses

the

flat-

botto

med

va

lley

of th

e R

ive

r Is

la, t

he b

road

sl

opes

whi

ch p

rovi

de it

s w

ider

se

tting

and

the

shal

low

val

leys

of

visu

ally

insi

gnifi

cant

trib

utar

ies

runn

ing

from

the

nort

h w

hich

are

di

vide

d by

long

, low

rid

ges

with

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e ge

nera

lly s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

alth

ough

they

wou

ld

sign

ifica

ntly

det

ract

from

Kno

ck H

ill

and

from

the

smal

ler,

yet

dis

tinct

ive,

hi

lls a

nd r

idge

s if

site

d on

or

clos

e-by

them

.

Med

ium

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

the

gene

rally

sim

ple

land

form

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe a

lthou

gh th

ey w

ould

si

gnifi

cant

ly d

etra

ct fr

om K

nock

Hill

an

d fr

om th

e sm

alle

r, y

et d

istin

ctiv

e,

hills

and

rid

ges

if si

ted

on o

r cl

ose-

by

them

.

Med

ium

77

gent

le a

nd s

moo

th s

lope

s.

Occ

asio

nal w

ell-d

efin

ed s

mal

l hill

s an

d rid

ges

occu

r -

the

mos

t di

stin

ctiv

e of

thes

e be

ing

the

land

mar

k hi

ll of

Kno

ck H

ill o

n th

e bo

rder

with

Abe

rdee

nshi

re. T

he

smal

l hill

s of

Mul

derie

, Cai

rds

Woo

d, G

allo

w H

ill a

nd th

e rid

ge o

f S

illye

an W

ood

also

sta

nd o

ut w

ithin

th

e ge

nera

lly g

ently

und

ulat

ing

land

form

of t

his

land

scap

e.

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

has

a si

mpl

e la

nd

cove

r of

larg

e fie

lds

of p

astu

re a

nd

som

e ar

able

land

. Sm

all g

eom

etric

co

nife

rous

she

lterb

elts

and

woo

ds

patte

rn th

e fa

rmla

nd a

lthou

gh it

ge

nera

lly h

as a

n op

en a

nd s

impl

e pa

ttern

.

The

sim

ple

land

cov

er p

atte

rn o

f th

is la

ndsc

ape

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty to

th

is ty

polo

gy.

Med

ium

-low

T

he s

impl

e la

nd c

over

pat

tern

of t

his

land

scap

e re

duce

s se

nsiti

vity

to th

is

typo

logy

.

Med

ium

-low

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

Kei

th, s

ited

eith

er s

ide

of th

e R

iver

Is

la, i

s th

e on

ly s

izea

ble

settl

emen

t w

ithin

this

land

scap

e al

thou

gh th

ere

is a

n ev

en d

ispe

rsal

of f

arm

s ac

ross

th

is c

hara

cter

type

. The

re a

re fe

w

obvi

ous

arch

aeol

ogic

al o

r hi

stor

ic

feat

ures

whi

ch m

ake

a st

rong

co

ntrib

utio

n to

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter.

E

xist

ing

tall

win

d tu

rbin

es a

re

situ

ated

in th

e no

rth-

east

ern

part

of

this

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter

type

and

hi

gh v

olta

ge tr

ansm

issi

on li

nes

and

larg

e su

bsta

tion

are

high

ly v

isib

le

feat

ures

in th

e ar

ea a

roun

d K

eith

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

ex

acer

bate

the

disc

orda

nt c

lutte

r of

tr

ansm

issi

on li

nes

in th

e ar

ea

arou

nd K

eith

, fur

ther

dim

inis

hing

its

land

scap

e se

tting

. The

set

ting

of

smal

ler

settl

emen

ts a

nd in

divi

dual

bu

ildin

gs c

ould

als

o be

affe

cted

, pa

rtic

ular

ly b

y m

ultip

le tu

rbin

es a

nd

this

is c

onsi

dere

d fu

rthe

r un

der

‘cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts’

.

Med

ium

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld

exac

erba

te th

e di

scor

dant

clu

tter

of

tran

smis

sion

line

s in

the

area

aro

und

Kei

th, f

urth

er d

imin

ishi

ng it

s la

ndsc

ape

setti

ng. T

he s

ettin

g of

sm

alle

r se

ttlem

ents

and

indi

vidu

al

build

ings

cou

ld a

lso

be a

ffect

ed,

part

icul

arly

by

mul

tiple

turb

ines

and

th

is is

con

side

red

furt

her

unde

r ‘c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s’.

Med

ium

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s

The

re is

no

sens

e of

wild

ness

or

a st

rong

sen

se o

f pla

ce a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith th

is la

ndsc

ape.

The

re w

ould

be

no s

igni

fican

t effe

ct

on th

is s

ensi

tivity

.

Low

T

here

wou

ld b

e no

sig

nific

ant e

ffect

on

this

sen

sitiv

ity.

Low

78

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Thi

s is

a v

ery

open

land

scap

e w

ith

long

vie

ws

poss

ible

from

roa

ds a

nd

elev

ated

set

tlem

ent a

cros

s m

uch

of

the

char

acte

r ty

pe.

The

dis

tinct

ive

sum

mits

of K

nock

H

ill, M

eikl

e B

allo

ch, B

in o

f Cul

len

and

Lurg

Hill

(th

e m

ajor

ity o

f the

se

loca

ted

in th

e ad

jace

nt B

road

F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a))

and

the

dist

ant B

en

Rin

nes

form

key

foci

in th

ese

view

s.

The

sha

llow

val

leys

nor

th o

f the

R

iver

Isla

are

mor

e co

ntai

ned,

lim

iting

vie

ws

from

the

B90

18 a

nd

B90

17 to

som

e ex

tent

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

hei

ght w

ould

be

high

ly v

isib

le w

ithin

this

ope

n la

ndsc

ape

and

wou

ld b

e se

en in

cl

ose

prox

imity

to s

ettle

men

t and

ro

ads

incr

easi

ng p

oten

tial i

mpa

ct.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

inte

rrup

t ke

y vi

ews

to fo

cal h

ills

with

in th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe a

nd th

e la

ndm

ark

hills

with

in th

e B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

).

Hig

h T

urbi

nes

of th

is h

eigh

t wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

vis

ible

with

in th

is o

pen

land

scap

e an

d w

ould

be

seen

in c

lose

pr

oxim

ity to

set

tlem

ent a

nd r

oads

in

crea

sing

pot

entia

l im

pact

. Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

inte

rrup

t key

vie

ws

to fo

cal h

ills

with

in th

is c

hara

cter

type

an

d th

e la

ndm

ark

hills

with

in th

e B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

).

Hig

h

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

Fou

r op

erat

iona

l lar

ge tu

rbin

es (

70-

92m

hig

h) a

nd th

e un

der

cons

truc

tion

Edi

ntor

e w

ind

farm

lo

cate

d in

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe a

nd

the

cons

ente

d A

ultm

ore

win

d fa

rm

site

d in

the

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a)

are/

will

be

wid

ely

visi

ble

acro

ss th

is o

pen

land

scap

e. T

he H

ill o

f Tow

ie w

ind

farm

loca

ted

in th

e R

ollin

g F

ores

ted

Hill

s (9

) is

als

o pr

omin

ent o

n th

e sk

ylin

e in

vie

ws

from

this

land

scap

e.

Exi

stin

g an

d co

nsen

ted

deve

lopm

ents

of l

arge

r tu

rbin

es

site

d in

this

land

scap

e ha

ve

incu

rred

sig

nific

ant l

ands

cape

and

vi

sual

impa

cts

and

conf

lict w

ith th

e pr

edom

inan

t pat

tern

with

in M

oray

of

larg

er ty

polo

gies

bei

ng a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith m

ore

expa

nsiv

e an

d si

mpl

e up

land

land

scap

es. O

pera

tiona

l and

co

nsen

ted

win

d fa

rms

loca

ted

in

adja

cent

cha

ract

er ty

pes

also

st

rong

ly in

fluen

ce c

hara

cter

and

vi

ews.

Add

ition

al tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze s

ited

in th

e U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8

) w

ould

exa

cerb

ate

thes

e im

pact

s.

Hig

h E

xist

ing

and

cons

ente

d de

velo

pmen

ts

of la

rger

turb

ines

site

d in

this

la

ndsc

ape

have

incu

rred

sig

nific

ant

land

scap

e an

d vi

sual

impa

cts

and

conf

lict w

ith th

e pr

edom

inan

t pat

tern

w

ithin

Mor

ay o

f lar

ger

typo

logi

es

bein

g as

soci

ated

with

mor

e ex

pans

ive

and

sim

ple

upla

nd la

ndsc

apes

. O

pera

tiona

l and

con

sent

ed w

ind

farm

s lo

cate

d in

adj

acen

t cha

ract

er

type

s al

so s

tron

gly

influ

ence

ch

arac

ter

and

view

s. A

dditi

onal

tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze s

ited

in th

e U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8)

wou

ld

exac

erba

te th

ese

impa

cts.

Hig

h

79

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

8: U

plan

d Fa

rmla

nd –

Sen

sitiv

ity a

sses

smen

t for

sm

alle

r typ

olog

ies

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

S

mal

l-M

ediu

m s

cale

typ

olo

gy

asse

ssm

ent

(35-

50m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

S

mal

l sc

ale

typ

olo

gy

asse

ssm

ent

(20-

35m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

L

and

scap

e co

nte

xt

Thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

is c

onta

ined

by

the

high

er g

roun

d of

the

adja

cent

B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

) ch

arac

ter

type

and

th

eref

ore

has

limite

d in

ter-

visi

bilit

y an

d in

fluen

ce o

n w

ider

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter,

incl

udin

g ne

ighb

ourin

g A

berd

eens

hire

. Alth

ough

LC

T 8

a is

ge

nera

lly s

pars

ely

settl

ed a

nd

dens

ely

fore

sted

, thu

s lim

iting

vie

ws

to th

e U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8)

, it

incl

udes

the

land

mar

k hi

lls o

f the

B

in o

f Cul

len

and

Mei

kle

Bal

loch

w

hich

are

pop

ular

for

recr

eatio

n.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

still

de

trac

t fro

m th

e la

ndm

ark

hills

w

ithin

the

adja

cent

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a)

if si

ted

near

by a

lthou

gh th

ere

are

incr

ease

d op

port

uniti

es fo

r th

is

typo

logy

to a

void

suc

h im

pact

s.

Med

ium

-low

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to

have

littl

e ef

fect

on

the

land

mar

k hi

lls

with

in th

is c

hara

cter

type

and

the

Bro

ad F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a)

prov

idin

g th

ey w

ere

site

d w

ell a

way

from

them

.

Low

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

gen

tly u

ndul

atin

g sh

allo

w

valle

ys o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

are

expa

nsiv

e an

d op

en a

lthou

gh th

e pr

esen

ce o

f a r

egul

ar p

atte

rn o

f sm

all f

arm

s an

d ho

uses

pro

vide

re

ady

scal

e re

fere

nces

and

red

uce

the

over

all s

cale

of t

he la

ndsc

ape.

S

ome

narr

ower

and

mor

e co

ntai

ned

valle

ys o

ccur

in p

lace

s an

d a

num

ber

of s

mal

l wel

l-def

ined

hill

s ar

e oc

casi

onal

feat

ures

.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

stil

l app

ear

very

larg

e in

rel

atio

n to

sm

all

hous

es a

nd fa

rms

in th

is la

ndsc

ape.

T

he e

ven

disp

ersa

l of b

uild

ings

ac

ross

this

wel

l-set

tled

land

scap

e in

crea

ses

sens

itivi

ty a

lthou

gh m

ore

spar

sely

set

tled

area

s at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8a

) pr

ovid

e so

me

oppo

rtun

ities

to s

ite

turb

ines

of t

his

size

.

Med

ium

T

his

size

of t

urbi

ne w

ould

hav

e le

ss o

f an

impa

ct o

n th

e sc

ale

of s

mal

l far

ms

and

hous

es a

nd th

ere

are

cons

eque

ntly

incr

ease

d op

port

uniti

es

to a

ccom

mod

ate

this

typo

logy

.

Med

ium

-low

Lan

dfo

rm

T

his

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g la

ndsc

ape

enco

mpa

sses

the

flat-

botto

med

va

lley

of th

e R

ive

r Is

la, t

he b

road

sl

opes

whi

ch p

rovi

de it

s w

ider

se

tting

and

the

shal

low

val

leys

of

visu

ally

insi

gnifi

cant

trib

utar

ies

runn

ing

from

the

nort

h w

hich

are

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e ge

nera

lly s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

alth

ough

mor

e co

ntai

ned

valle

y flo

ors

and

smal

l w

ell-d

efin

ed h

ills

rem

ain

sens

itive

.

Med

ium

-low

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

the

gene

rally

sim

ple

land

form

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe.

Low

80

divi

ded

by lo

ng, l

ow r

idge

s w

ith

gent

le a

nd s

moo

th s

lope

s.

Occ

asio

nal w

ell-d

efin

ed s

mal

l hill

s an

d rid

ges

occu

r -

the

mos

t di

stin

ctiv

e of

thes

e be

ing

the

land

mar

k hi

ll of

Kno

ck H

ill o

n th

e bo

rder

with

Abe

rdee

nshi

re. T

he

smal

l hill

s of

Mul

derie

, Cai

rds

Woo

d, G

allo

w H

ill a

nd th

e rid

ge o

f S

illye

an W

ood

also

sta

nd o

ut w

ithin

th

e ge

nera

lly g

ently

und

ulat

ing

land

form

of t

his

land

scap

e.

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

has

a si

mpl

e la

nd

cove

r of

larg

e fie

lds

of p

astu

re a

nd

som

e ar

able

land

. Sm

all g

eom

etric

co

nife

rous

she

lterb

elts

and

woo

ds

patte

rn th

e fa

rmla

nd a

lthou

gh it

ge

nera

lly h

as a

n op

en a

nd s

impl

e pa

ttern

.

The

sim

ple

land

cov

er o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty to

this

ty

polo

gy.

Med

ium

-low

T

he s

impl

e la

nd c

over

of t

his

land

scap

e re

duce

s se

nsiti

vity

to th

is

typo

logy

. Thi

s si

ze o

f tur

bine

wou

ld

be le

ss li

kely

to d

etra

ct fr

om a

reas

w

ith a

mor

e di

stin

ct fi

eld

encl

osur

e or

w

oodl

and

patte

rn.

Low

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

Kei

th, s

ited

eith

er s

ide

of th

e R

iver

Is

la, i

s th

e on

ly s

izea

ble

settl

emen

t w

ithin

this

land

scap

e al

thou

gh th

ere

is a

n ev

en d

ispe

rsal

of f

arm

s ac

ross

th

is c

hara

cter

type

. The

re a

re fe

w

obvi

ous

arch

aeol

ogic

al o

r hi

stor

ic

feat

ures

whi

ch m

ake

a st

rong

co

ntrib

utio

n to

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter.

E

xist

ing

tall

turb

ines

are

situ

ated

in

the

nort

h-ea

ster

n pa

rt o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r ty

pe a

nd h

igh

volta

ge tr

ansm

issi

on li

nes

and

larg

e su

bsta

tion

are

high

ly v

isib

le fe

atur

es

in th

e ar

ea a

roun

d K

eith

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

ex

acer

bate

the

disc

orda

nt c

lutte

r of

tr

ansm

issi

on li

nes

in th

e ar

ea

arou

nd K

eith

, fur

ther

dim

inis

hing

its

land

scap

e se

tting

. The

set

ting

of

smal

ler

settl

emen

ts a

nd in

divi

dual

bu

ildin

gs c

ould

als

o be

affe

cted

, pa

rtic

ular

ly b

y m

ultip

le tu

rbin

es a

nd

this

is c

onsi

dere

d fu

rthe

r un

der

‘cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts’

.

Med

ium

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

are

less

like

ly to

af

fect

the

setti

ng o

f ind

ivid

ual

settl

emen

ts a

nd fa

rms.

Mul

tiple

tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s ty

polo

gy, a

nd

part

icul

arly

turb

ines

tow

ards

the

low

er

heig

ht o

f 20m

, wou

ld h

ave

less

of a

n im

pact

on

the

setti

ng o

f set

tlem

ent.

Med

ium

-low

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s T

here

is n

o se

nse

of w

ildne

ss o

r a

stro

ng s

ense

of p

lace

ass

ocia

ted

with

this

land

scap

e.

The

re w

ould

be

no e

ffect

on

this

se

nsiti

vity

. Lo

w

The

re w

ould

be

no e

ffect

on

this

se

nsiti

vity

. Lo

w

81

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Thi

s is

a v

ery

open

land

scap

e w

ith

long

vie

ws

poss

ible

from

roa

ds a

nd

elev

ated

set

tlem

ent a

cros

s m

uch

of

the

char

acte

r ty

pe.

The

dis

tinct

ive

sum

mits

of K

nock

H

ill, M

eikl

e B

allo

ch, B

in o

f Cul

len

and

Lurg

Hill

(th

e m

ajor

ity o

f the

se

loca

ted

in th

e ad

jace

nt B

road

F

ores

ted

Hill

s w

ithin

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a))

and

the

dist

ant B

en

Rin

nes

form

key

foci

in th

ese

view

s.

The

sha

llow

val

leys

nor

th o

f the

R

iver

Isla

are

mor

e co

ntai

ned,

lim

iting

vie

ws

from

the

B90

18 a

nd

B90

17 to

som

e ex

tent

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

hei

ght w

ould

stil

l be

prom

inen

t with

in th

is la

ndsc

ape.

M

ultip

le tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze

asso

ciat

ed w

ith a

num

ber

of la

nd

hold

ings

cou

ld h

ave

sign

ifica

nt

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

on v

iew

s as

this

la

ndsc

ape

is o

pen

and

high

ly v

isib

le

from

set

tlem

ent a

nd m

ajor

roa

ds.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

inte

rrup

t ke

y vi

ews

to fo

cal h

ills

with

in L

CT

8a

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Tur

bine

s of

this

hei

ght w

ould

be

less

pr

omin

ent w

ithin

this

ope

n la

ndsc

ape

and

wou

ld b

e un

likel

y to

impa

ct o

n ke

y vi

ews

to la

ndm

ark

hills

.

Med

ium

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

Fou

r op

erat

iona

l lar

ge tu

rbin

es (

70-

92m

hig

h) lo

cate

d in

this

cha

ract

er

type

, the

und

er c

onst

ruct

ion

Edi

ntor

e w

ind

farm

and

the

cons

ente

d A

ultm

ore

win

d fa

rm s

ited

in th

e B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8a)

are/

will

be

wid

ely

visi

ble

acro

ss th

is o

pen

land

scap

e. T

he H

ill o

f Tow

ie w

ind

farm

loca

ted

in th

e R

ollin

g F

ores

ted

Hill

s (9

) is

als

o pr

omin

ent o

n th

e sk

ylin

e in

vie

ws

from

this

land

scap

e.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

hav

e cu

mul

ativ

e im

pact

s w

ith la

rger

tu

rbin

es s

ited

in a

djac

ent u

plan

d ch

arac

ter

type

s if

site

d cl

ose-

by.

Tur

bine

s to

war

ds th

e up

per

heig

ht

band

of t

his

typo

logy

wou

ld s

till

appe

ar v

ery

larg

e fr

om s

ettle

men

ts

and

road

s w

ithin

this

land

scap

e an

d co

uld

exac

erba

te c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s in

som

e pa

rts

of th

is la

ndsc

ape.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

re a

re in

crea

sed

oppo

rtun

ities

to

acco

mm

odat

e tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze to

m

inim

ise

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

with

la

rger

turb

ines

site

d in

adj

acen

t up

land

cha

ract

er ty

pes.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy

wou

ld h

ave

a cl

eare

r si

ze d

iffer

entia

l w

ith o

pera

tiona

l/con

sent

ed tu

rbin

es

and

this

wou

ld in

crea

se s

cope

for

mul

tiple

turb

ines

to b

e ac

com

mod

ated

m

ore

succ

essf

ully

.

Med

ium

-low

82

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

8a: B

road

For

este

d H

ills

with

in U

plan

d Fa

rmla

nd –

Sen

sitiv

ity a

sses

smen

t for

larg

er ty

polo

gies

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Lar

ge

scal

e ty

po

log

y as

sess

men

t (8

0-13

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Med

ium

sca

le t

ypo

log

y as

sess

men

t (5

0-80

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

T

he e

leva

tion

of th

is c

hara

cter

sub

-ty

pe in

crea

ses

its v

isua

l inf

luen

ce

on a

djac

ent l

ands

cape

s. T

his

char

acte

r ty

pe in

clud

es n

arro

wer

rid

ges

as w

ell a

s br

oade

r pl

atea

ux

alth

ough

in g

ener

al th

ese

upla

nd

area

s ar

e no

t ext

ensi

ve. T

hese

up

land

are

as a

re im

port

ant i

n fo

rmin

g a

sim

ple

back

drop

to m

ore

com

plex

sm

alle

r sc

ale

settl

ed

land

scap

es in

clud

ing

the

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8), B

road

Far

med

Val

ley

(7),

Rol

ling

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4a)

and

the

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nd (

4). I

n ge

nera

l how

ever

the

sim

pler

pla

teau

an

d br

oade

r rid

ges

mak

e a

less

er

cont

ribut

ion

to w

ider

sce

nic

char

acte

r th

an th

e pa

rtic

ular

ly

dist

inct

ive

‘land

mar

k’ h

ills

of B

in o

f C

ulle

n an

d M

eikl

e B

allo

ch w

hich

al

so p

rovi

de a

n im

port

ant b

ackd

rop

to th

e M

oray

Coa

st a

nd

neig

hbou

ring

Abe

rdee

nshi

re. T

he

dens

ely

woo

ded

Whi

teas

h H

ill is

ad

ditio

nally

impo

rtan

t in

prov

idin

g th

e se

tting

to G

ordo

n C

astle

de

sign

ed la

ndsc

ape

and

to

Foc

habe

rs.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

be

likel

y to

hav

e a

grea

ter

impa

ct o

n ad

jace

nt la

ndsc

apes

par

ticul

arly

w

here

the

upla

nd a

rea

is le

ss

exte

nsiv

e or

if s

ited

on o

r ne

arby

th

e la

ndm

ark

hills

of B

in o

f Cul

len

and

Mei

kle

Bal

loch

or

in th

e W

hite

ash

Hill

are

a.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

be

likel

y to

hav

e a

redu

ced

impa

ct o

n ad

jace

nt

land

scap

es p

artic

ular

ly if

site

d w

ithin

th

e co

re o

f mor

e ex

tens

ive

upla

nd

plat

eaux

. Tur

bine

s si

ted

on o

r ne

arby

th

e la

ndm

ark

hills

or

the

Whi

teas

h H

ill

area

wou

ld h

ave

a si

gnifi

cant

effe

ct

on a

djoi

ning

land

scap

es.

Med

ium

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

mor

e ex

pans

ive

plat

eaux

and

br

oad

ridge

s ha

ve a

larg

e sc

ale

alth

ough

sca

le is

red

uced

whe

re

ridge

s ar

e na

rrow

er a

nd w

here

hill

s ha

ve m

ore

defin

ed s

umm

its a

nd a

re

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e sc

ale

of m

ore

exte

nsiv

e pl

atea

ux

but w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e na

rrow

, low

rid

ges,

occ

asio

nal s

ettle

d ar

eas

and

the

mor

e de

fined

sum

mits

of t

he

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

re is

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to s

ite

turb

ines

of t

his

size

to r

educ

e ef

fect

s on

sca

le a

lthou

gh m

ore

defin

ed h

ills

rem

ain

sens

itive

.

Med

ium

83

gene

rally

sm

alle

r in

ext

ent.

la

ndm

ark

hills

. L

and

form

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

gene

rally

feat

ures

sm

ooth

gen

tly g

rade

d sl

opes

and

su

btly

rou

nded

indi

stin

ct h

ill to

ps

with

in b

road

er p

late

aux.

How

ever

, m

ore

dist

inct

ive

hills

with

ste

eper

sl

opes

and

def

ined

sum

mits

als

o oc

cur

and

incl

ude

Lurg

Hill

and

the

land

mar

k co

nica

l hill

s of

Bin

of

Cul

len

and

Mei

kle

Bal

loch

.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e ge

nera

lly s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm o

f muc

h of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe a

lthou

gh

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wou

ld d

etra

ct

from

mor

e de

fined

hill

s w

hich

form

la

ndm

ark

feat

ures

with

in th

is

land

scap

e if

site

d on

or

clos

e-by

th

em.

Med

ium

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

the

gene

rally

sim

ple

land

form

of m

uch

of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe a

lthou

gh tu

rbin

es

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om m

ore

defin

ed h

ills

whi

ch fo

rm la

ndm

ark

feat

ures

with

in th

is la

ndsc

ape

if si

ted

on o

r cl

ose-

by th

em.

Med

ium

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

has

a si

mpl

e la

nd

cove

r of

ext

ensi

ve c

onife

rous

fo

rest

ry w

ith s

ome

smal

l are

as o

f m

oorla

nd o

n th

e su

mm

its o

f mor

e de

fined

hill

s. S

emi-i

mpr

oved

fiel

ds

of p

astu

re o

ccur

on

low

er s

lope

s at

th

e tr

ansi

tion

with

the

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8).

The

gen

eral

ly s

impl

e la

nd c

over

of

this

land

scap

e re

duce

s se

nsiti

vity

to

this

typo

logy

.

Low

T

he g

ener

ally

sim

ple

land

cov

er o

f th

is la

ndsc

ape

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty to

th

is ty

polo

gy.

Low

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

A s

pars

ely

settl

ed la

ndsc

ape

with

fe

w p

rom

inen

t arc

haeo

logi

cal a

nd

hist

oric

bui

lt fe

atur

es e

vide

nt.

The

spa

rsel

y se

ttled

nat

ure

of th

is

land

scap

e re

duce

s se

nsiti

vity

in

rela

tion

to th

e se

tting

of s

ettle

men

ts

and

othe

r bu

ilt fe

atur

es.

Med

ium

-low

T

he s

pars

ely

settl

ed n

atur

e of

this

la

ndsc

ape

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty in

re

latio

n to

the

setti

ng o

f set

tlem

ents

an

d ot

her

built

feat

ures

.

Med

ium

-low

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s

Alth

ough

par

ts o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

may

feel

sec

lude

d aw

ay fr

om

adjo

inin

g se

ttled

land

scap

es, t

he

pres

ence

of e

xten

sive

com

mer

cial

fo

rest

ry a

nd w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

t in

som

e ar

eas

limits

any

sen

se o

f w

ildne

ss.

The

re w

ould

be

no s

igni

fican

t ef

fect

s on

this

sen

sitiv

ity.

Lo

w

The

re w

ould

be

no s

igni

fican

t effe

cts

on th

is s

ensi

tivity

. Lo

w

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Vie

ws

from

with

in th

is la

ndsc

ape

are

rest

ricte

d du

e to

the

exte

nsiv

e co

nife

rous

fore

st c

over

ing

muc

h of

th

ese

upla

nd a

reas

but

als

o be

caus

e fe

w r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent

are

pres

ent.

The

exc

eptio

n to

this

is

som

e of

the

hills

like

ly to

be

popu

lar

with

wal

kers

, inc

ludi

ng B

in o

f Cul

len

Tur

bine

s w

ould

be

high

ly in

trus

ive

if si

ted

on m

ore

defin

ed h

ills

whi

ch

are

likel

y to

be

popu

lar

with

wal

kers

an

d al

so fo

rm k

ey fo

ci in

vie

ws.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

be

likel

y to

be

prom

inen

t in

view

s fr

om r

oads

and

se

ttlem

ent i

n su

rrou

ndin

g ch

arac

ter

type

s in

clud

ing

the

Coa

stal

Hig

h T

urbi

nes

site

d in

thes

e up

land

are

as

wou

ld b

e pa

rtic

ular

ly in

trus

ive

if si

ted

on m

ore

defin

ed h

ills

whi

ch a

re li

kely

to

be

popu

lar

with

wal

kers

and

als

o fo

rm k

ey fo

ci in

vie

ws.

Tur

bine

s of

this

si

ze w

ould

be

likel

y to

hav

e le

ss o

f a

visu

al im

pact

pro

vide

d th

ey w

ere

set

wel

l bac

k w

ithin

the

core

of m

ore

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

84

and

Mei

kle

Bal

loch

. Thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

gen

eral

ly fo

rms

low

eve

n fo

rest

ed s

kylin

es s

een

from

su

rrou

ndin

g se

ttled

and

farm

ed

land

scap

es –

the

exce

ptio

n to

this

be

ing

the

land

mar

k hi

lls.

Far

mla

nd (

4), U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8)

an

d N

arro

w F

arm

ed V

alle

ys (

13)

ex

tens

ive

fore

sted

pla

teau

x.

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

con

sent

ed A

ultm

ore

win

d fa

rm

will

occ

upy

one

of th

e br

oade

r pl

atea

u-lik

e hi

lls w

ithin

this

ch

arac

ter

area

. The

ope

ratio

nal H

ill

of T

owie

win

d fa

rm is

loca

ted

in th

e ne

arby

Rol

ling

For

este

d H

ills

(9)

and

a nu

mbe

r of

larg

e tu

rbin

es a

nd

the

unde

r co

nstr

uctio

n E

dint

ore

win

d fa

rm a

re a

lso

loca

ted

in th

e ad

jace

nt U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8)

.

The

re a

re fe

w u

ndev

elop

ed a

reas

of

this

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter

type

re

mai

ning

with

out m

ajor

land

scap

e an

d vi

sual

con

stra

ints

(la

ndm

ark

hills

, set

ting

to F

ocha

bers

etc

). T

he

exte

nt o

f ope

ratio

nal a

nd c

onse

nted

w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

ts v

isib

le o

n hi

lls im

med

iate

ly s

urro

undi

ng th

e U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8)

incr

ease

s th

e lik

elih

ood

of s

igni

fican

t cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

bein

g as

soci

ated

with

ad

ditio

nal d

evel

opm

ents

in th

is

land

scap

e. T

hese

effe

cts

wou

ld

prin

cipa

lly a

ffect

vie

ws

from

roa

ds

and

settl

emen

t in

near

by w

ell-

settl

ed la

ndsc

apes

and

als

o fr

om

recr

eatio

nal r

oute

s on

hill

s.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

re a

re fe

w u

ndev

elop

ed a

reas

of

this

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter

type

re

mai

ning

with

out m

ajor

land

scap

e an

d vi

sual

con

stra

ints

(la

ndm

ark

hills

, se

tting

to F

ocha

bers

etc

). T

he e

xten

t of

ope

ratio

nal a

nd c

onse

nted

win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ents

vis

ible

on

hills

im

med

iate

ly s

urro

undi

ng th

e U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8)

incr

ease

s th

e lik

elih

ood

of s

igni

fican

t cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

bein

g as

soci

ated

with

add

ition

al

deve

lopm

ents

in th

is la

ndsc

ape.

T

hese

effe

cts

wou

ld p

rinci

pally

affe

ct

view

s fr

om r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent i

n ne

arby

wel

l-set

tled

land

scap

es a

nd

also

from

rec

reat

iona

l rou

tes

on

near

by h

ills.

The

sm

alle

r tu

rbin

es o

f th

is ty

polo

gy c

ould

als

o ap

pear

di

scor

dant

with

larg

er c

onse

nted

and

op

erat

iona

l win

d tu

rbin

es if

site

d ne

arby

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

85

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

9: R

ollin

g Fo

rest

ed H

ills

– Se

nsiti

vity

ass

essm

ent f

or la

rger

typo

logi

es

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

L

arg

e sc

ale

typ

olo

gy

asse

ssm

ent

(80-

130m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

M

ediu

m s

cale

typ

olo

gy

asse

ssm

ent

(50-

80m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

L

and

scap

e co

nte

xt

The

ele

vatio

n of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe

incr

ease

s its

vis

ual i

nflu

ence

on

adja

cent

land

scap

es. T

hese

hill

s ar

e im

port

ant i

n fo

rmin

g a

sim

ple

back

drop

to m

ore

com

plex

sm

alle

r sc

ale

settl

ed la

ndsc

apes

incl

udin

g th

e U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8)

and

Bro

ad

Far

med

Val

ley

(7)

and

Nar

row

F

arm

ed V

alle

y (1

3). T

his

land

scap

e in

clud

es th

e la

ndm

ark

hill

of B

en

Aig

an w

hich

is p

rom

inen

t in

view

s fr

om th

e S

pey

Val

ley

and

also

from

th

e w

ider

Mor

ay c

oast

al p

lain

to th

e no

rth.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

be

likel

y to

hav

e a

grea

ter

impa

ct o

n ad

jace

nt la

ndsc

apes

par

ticul

arly

w

here

the

upla

nd a

rea

is le

ss

exte

nsiv

e, if

site

d cl

ose

to th

e ou

ter

edge

s of

the

hills

or

if si

ted

on o

r ne

arby

the

land

mar

k hi

ll of

Ben

A

igan

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

be

likel

y to

ha

ve a

red

uced

impa

ct o

n ad

jace

nt

land

scap

es if

site

d w

ithin

the

core

of

mor

e ex

tens

ive

upla

nd p

late

aux

(alth

ough

muc

h of

this

are

a is

alre

ady

occu

pied

by

win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ent

and

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

wou

ld a

rise

– se

e be

low

). T

he o

uter

edg

es o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

and

the

land

mar

k hi

ll of

Ben

Aig

an h

ave

an in

crea

sed

sens

itivi

ty.

Med

ium

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

mor

e ex

pans

ive

rolli

ng p

late

aux

have

a la

rge

scal

e al

thou

gh s

cale

is

redu

ced

with

in n

arro

w v

alle

ys a

nd

on lo

wer

hill

slo

pes

whe

re fa

rmla

nd,

build

ings

and

sm

alle

r w

oodl

ands

ar

e pr

esen

t.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e sc

ale

of m

ore

exte

nsiv

e pl

atea

ux

(alth

ough

muc

h of

thes

e ar

eas

are

alre

ady

occu

pied

by

win

d fa

rm

deve

lopm

ent)

. Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

dom

inat

e se

ttled

and

farm

ed

uppe

r sl

opes

and

val

leys

and

the

mor

e de

fined

sum

mits

of t

he

land

mar

k hi

lls.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e sc

ale

of m

ore

exte

nsiv

e pl

atea

ux (

alth

ough

m

uch

of th

ese

area

s ar

e al

read

y oc

cupi

ed b

y w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

t).

Tur

bine

s to

war

ds th

e lo

wer

hei

ght

band

of t

his

typo

logy

cou

ld a

lso

rela

te

to th

e re

duce

d sc

ale

of s

pars

ely

settl

ed u

pper

hill

slo

pes

but w

ould

stil

l do

min

ate

the

mor

e de

fined

sum

mits

of

the

land

mar

k hi

lls.

Med

ium

Lan

dfo

rm

A

pro

min

ent g

roup

of r

ound

ed h

ills,

al

igne

d no

rth

east

– s

outh

wes

t, w

ith r

elat

ivel

y st

eep

side

s an

d co

nica

l or

roun

ded

sum

mits

, and

se

para

ted

by a

net

wor

k of

long

and

co

nnec

ted

valle

ys

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e ge

nera

lly s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm o

f muc

h of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe a

lthou

gh

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wou

ld d

etra

ct

from

mor

e de

fined

hill

s w

hich

form

la

ndm

ark

feat

ures

with

in th

is

land

scap

e if

site

d on

or

clos

e-by

th

em.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e ge

nera

lly s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm o

f muc

h of

th

is c

hara

cter

type

alth

ough

turb

ines

of

this

siz

e w

ould

det

ract

from

mor

e de

fined

hill

s w

hich

form

land

mar

k fe

atur

es w

ithin

this

land

scap

e if

site

d on

or

clos

e-by

them

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

86

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

gene

rally

has

a

sim

ple

land

cov

er o

f ext

ensi

ve

coni

fero

us fo

rest

ry w

ith a

reas

of

heat

her

moo

rland

on

the

sum

mits

of

mor

e de

fined

hill

s. S

emi-i

mpr

oved

fie

lds

of p

astu

re a

re in

ters

pers

ed

with

sm

alle

r w

oodl

ands

on

low

er

slop

es a

t the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e se

ttled

val

leys

whi

ch c

ut in

to th

ese

hills

.

The

sim

ple

land

cov

er o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty to

this

ty

polo

gy a

lthou

gh m

ore

patte

rned

fa

rmla

nd a

nd w

oodl

and

on lo

wer

hill

sl

opes

wou

ld b

e m

ore

sens

itive

Med

ium

-low

T

he s

impl

e la

nd c

over

of t

his

land

scap

e re

duce

s se

nsiti

vity

to th

is

typo

logy

alth

ough

mor

e pa

ttern

ed

farm

land

and

woo

dlan

d on

low

er h

ill

slop

es w

ould

be

mor

e se

nsiti

ve

Med

ium

-low

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

A s

pars

ely

settl

ed u

plan

d la

ndsc

ape

with

occ

asio

nal f

arm

s lo

cate

d on

lo

wer

slo

pes

and

with

in v

alle

ys.

The

spa

rsel

y se

ttled

nat

ure

of th

is

land

scap

e re

duce

s se

nsiti

vity

in

rela

tion

to th

e se

tting

of s

ettle

men

ts

and

othe

r bu

ilt fe

atur

es.

Med

ium

-low

T

he s

pars

ely

settl

ed n

atur

e of

this

la

ndsc

ape

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty in

re

latio

n to

the

setti

ng o

f set

tlem

ents

an

d ot

her

built

feat

ures

.

Med

ium

-low

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s

Alth

ough

par

ts o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

may

feel

sec

lude

d aw

ay fr

om

adjo

inin

g se

ttled

land

scap

es, t

he

pres

ence

of e

xten

sive

com

mer

cial

fo

rest

ry a

nd w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

t in

som

e ar

eas

limits

any

sen

se o

f w

ildne

ss.

The

re w

ould

be

no s

igni

fican

t ef

fect

s on

this

sen

sitiv

ity.

Lo

w

The

re w

ould

be

no s

igni

fican

t effe

cts

on th

is s

ensi

tivity

. Lo

w

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Vie

ws

from

with

in th

is la

ndsc

ape

are

rest

ricte

d du

e to

the

coni

fero

us

fore

st c

over

ing

muc

h of

thes

e up

land

are

as b

ut a

lso

beca

use

few

ro

ads

and

settl

emen

t are

pre

sent

. T

he e

xcep

tion

to th

is is

som

e of

the

popu

lar

with

wal

kers

, inc

ludi

ng B

en

Aig

an a

nd M

eikl

e C

onva

l. T

his

char

acte

r ty

pe g

ener

ally

form

s lo

w

even

fore

sted

sky

lines

see

n fr

om

surr

ound

ing

settl

ed a

nd fa

rmed

la

ndsc

apes

– th

e ex

cept

ion

to th

is

bein

g th

e la

ndm

ark

hills

.

Tur

bine

s w

ould

be

high

ly in

trus

ive

if si

ted

on m

ore

defin

ed h

ills

whi

ch

are

popu

lar

with

wal

kers

and

als

o fo

rm k

ey fo

ci in

vie

ws.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to b

e pr

omin

ent i

n vi

ews

from

roa

ds a

nd s

ettle

men

t in

surr

ound

ing

char

acte

r ty

pes

incl

udin

g th

e U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8)

, B

road

Far

med

Val

ley

(7)

and

the

Nar

row

Far

med

Val

leys

(13

), T

he

pres

ence

of o

pera

tiona

l win

d fa

rm

deve

lopm

ent w

ithin

the

mor

e ex

tens

ive

and

less

vis

ually

sen

sitiv

e up

land

pla

teau

cen

tred

on

the

Hill

of

Tow

ie, r

educ

es s

cope

to s

ite

addi

tiona

l tur

bine

s in

this

land

scap

e

Hig

h T

urbi

nes

wou

ld b

e hi

ghly

intr

usiv

e if

site

d on

mor

e de

fined

hill

s w

hich

are

po

pula

r w

ith w

alke

rs a

nd a

lso

form

ke

y fo

ci in

vie

ws.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

be

like

ly to

be

prom

inen

t in

view

s fr

om r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent i

n su

rrou

ndin

g ch

arac

ter

type

s in

clud

ing

the

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8), B

road

F

arm

ed V

alle

y (7

) an

d th

e N

arro

w

Far

med

Val

leys

(13

), T

he p

rese

nce

of

oper

atio

nal w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

t w

ithin

the

mor

e ex

tens

ive

and

less

vi

sual

ly s

ensi

tive

upla

nd p

late

au

cent

red

on th

e H

ill o

f Tow

ie, r

educ

es

scop

e to

site

add

ition

al tu

rbin

es in

this

la

ndsc

ape

with

out s

igni

fican

t vis

ual

Hig

h

87

with

out s

igni

fican

t vis

ual i

ntru

sion

on

adj

acen

t set

tled

valle

ys.

intr

usio

n on

adj

acen

t set

tled

valle

ys.

C

um

ula

tive

ef

fect

s T

he H

ill o

f Tow

ie w

ind

farm

whi

ch is

lo

cate

d in

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe is

pr

omin

ent i

n vi

ews

from

par

ts o

f the

B

road

Val

ley

Far

mla

nd (

7), t

he

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8) a

nd th

e N

arro

w F

arm

ed V

alle

ys (

13).

T

he u

nder

-con

stru

ctio

n E

dint

ore

win

d fa

rm lo

cate

d in

the

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8) w

ill b

e cl

osel

y in

ter-

visi

ble

with

the

Hill

of T

owie

win

d fa

rm, p

rinci

pally

in v

iew

s fr

om h

ills

such

as

Ben

Aig

an.

A v

arie

ty o

f sm

all f

arm

turb

ines

are

lo

cate

d on

hill

slo

pes

to th

e S

W o

f th

e A

95 in

the

Mag

giek

nock

ater

ar

ea a

nd a

roun

d M

ulbe

n in

the

adja

cent

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8).

Sig

nific

ant c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s w

ould

be

like

ly to

occ

ur b

etw

een

larg

er

turb

ines

loca

ted

in th

e U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8)

and

the

Ope

n U

plan

ds

with

Set

tled

Gle

ns (

12b)

and

this

ty

polo

gy s

ited

in a

djac

ent a

reas

of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe.

Add

ition

al la

rge

turb

ines

site

d on

th

e ou

ter

edge

s of

the

Hill

of T

owie

up

land

are

a co

uld

exac

erba

te th

e cl

utte

r w

hich

alre

ady

occu

rs w

ith

smal

ler

turb

ines

site

d on

val

ley

side

s an

d in

the

Mul

ben

area

of t

he

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8). I

t cou

ld a

lso

incr

ease

the

exte

nt o

f tur

bine

s vi

sibl

e on

sen

sitiv

e sk

ylin

es

resu

lting

in s

igni

fican

t cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

from

roa

ds a

nd s

ettle

men

t.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Sig

nific

ant c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s w

ould

be

like

ly to

occ

ur b

etw

een

larg

er

turb

ines

loca

ted

in th

e U

plan

d F

arm

land

(8)

and

the

Ope

n U

plan

ds

with

Set

tled

Gle

ns (

12b)

and

this

ty

polo

gy s

ited

in n

earb

y ar

eas

of th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe.

Add

ition

al la

rge

turb

ines

site

d on

the

oute

r ed

ges

of th

e H

ill o

f Tow

ie

upla

nd a

rea

coul

d ex

acer

bate

the

clut

ter

whi

ch a

lread

y oc

curs

with

sm

alle

r tu

rbin

es s

ited

on v

alle

y si

des

and

in th

e M

ulbe

n ar

ea o

f the

Upl

and

Far

mla

nd (

8).

T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld c

ontr

ast w

ith th

e si

ze o

f tur

bine

s w

ithin

the

oper

atio

nal

Hill

of T

owie

win

d fa

rm a

nd th

e ne

arby

Edi

ntor

e w

ind

farm

and

cou

ld

resu

lt in

sig

nific

ant c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s if

clos

ely

inte

r-vi

sibl

e w

ith th

ese

deve

lopm

ents

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

88

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

10: U

plan

d M

oorla

nd a

nd F

ores

try

– Se

nsiti

vity

ass

essm

ent f

or la

rger

typo

logi

es

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Lar

ge

scal

e ty

po

log

y as

sess

men

t (8

0-13

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Med

ium

sca

le t

ypo

log

y as

sess

men

t (5

0-80

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

T

his

land

scap

e fo

rms

a re

lativ

ely

low

bac

kdro

p of

ext

ensi

vely

fore

sted

an

d op

en h

ills

to th

e m

ore

richl

y pa

ttern

ed a

nd s

mal

ler

scal

e hi

ll fr

inge

s of

LC

Ts

5, 5

a, 5

b an

d 6

to

the

nort

h an

d w

est a

nd to

LC

T 7

to

the

sout

h. T

hese

upl

ands

are

see

n as

a d

ista

nt lo

ng lo

w r

idge

from

the

wel

l-set

tled

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nds

(4)

to th

e no

rth.

V

isib

ility

into

the

inte

rior

of th

ese

upla

nds

is li

mite

d fr

om th

ese

surr

ound

ing

land

scap

es. T

he m

ore

defin

ed h

ills

of M

ill B

uie,

Bro

wn

Mui

r an

d C

arn

na C

allic

he s

tand

out

as

easi

ly r

ecog

nisa

ble

and

freq

uent

ly

visi

ble

‘land

mar

k’ h

ills

on th

e ed

ge

of th

is c

hara

cter

type

. T

his

char

acte

r ty

pe is

rel

ativ

ely

exte

nsiv

e, a

cha

ract

eris

tic w

hich

is

rein

forc

ed w

here

it a

djoi

ns R

ollin

g O

pen

Upl

ands

(11

), w

hich

has

a

sim

ilar

vege

tatio

n pa

ttern

.

Larg

er tu

rbin

es s

ited

on th

e oc

casi

onal

mor

e pr

onou

nced

hill

s su

ch a

s B

row

n M

uir

and

Mill

Bui

e w

ould

affe

ct th

e ba

ckdr

op p

rovi

ded

to w

ell-s

ettle

d la

ndsc

apes

to th

e no

rth

as th

ey a

re la

ndm

ark

hills

vi

ews

of w

hich

rec

ur a

cros

s th

ese

low

land

cha

ract

er ty

pes.

Sm

alle

r sc

ale

valle

ys s

uch

as th

e Lo

ssie

V

alle

y, w

hich

is p

artic

ular

ly d

iver

se

in it

s up

per

reac

hes,

cou

ld a

lso

be

dom

inat

ed b

y la

rge

turb

ines

loca

ted

on th

e ou

ter

hills

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe. T

he o

utw

ard-

faci

ng h

ill s

lope

s an

d th

e la

ndm

ark

hill

of C

arn

na

Cal

liche

see

n fr

om th

e B

road

Val

ley

Far

mla

nd (

7) o

f the

Spe

y V

alle

y w

ould

als

o be

sen

sitiv

e to

turb

ines

of

this

siz

e.

In g

ener

al h

owev

er, t

he

exte

nsiv

enes

s of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty p

rovi

ded

deve

lopm

ent w

ere

loca

ted

with

in

the

‘inte

rior’

of th

e up

land

s an

d se

t w

ell b

ack

from

mor

e se

nsiti

ve h

ill

tops

and

slo

pes

on th

e fr

inge

s of

th

is c

hara

cter

type

to m

inim

ise

effe

cts

on a

djoi

ning

sm

alle

r sc

ale

land

scap

es.

Med

ium

La

rger

typo

logi

es s

ited

on th

e oc

casi

onal

mor

e pr

onou

nced

hill

s su

ch a

s B

row

n M

uir

and

Mill

Bui

e w

ould

affe

ct th

e ba

ckdr

op p

rovi

ded

to

wel

l-set

tled

land

scap

es to

the

nort

h as

they

are

land

mar

k hi

lls v

iew

s of

w

hich

rec

ur a

cros

s th

ese

low

land

ch

arac

ter

type

s. S

mal

ler

scal

e va

lleys

su

ch a

s th

e Lo

ssie

Val

ley,

whi

ch is

pa

rtic

ular

ly d

iver

se in

its

uppe

r re

ache

s, c

ould

als

o be

dom

inat

ed b

y la

rge

turb

ines

loca

ted

on th

e ou

ter

hills

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe.

The

out

war

d-fa

cing

hill

slo

pes

and

the

land

mar

k hi

ll of

Car

n na

Cal

liche

see

n fr

om th

e B

road

Val

ley

Far

mla

nd (

7)

wou

ld a

lso

be s

ensi

tive

to tu

rbin

es o

f th

is s

ize.

In

gen

eral

how

ever

, the

ex

tens

iven

ess

of th

is c

hara

cter

type

re

duce

s se

nsiti

vity

pro

vide

d de

velo

pmen

t wer

e lo

cate

d w

ithin

the

‘inte

rior’

of th

e up

land

s an

d se

t wel

l ba

ck fr

om m

ore

sens

itive

slo

pes

on

the

frin

ges

of th

is c

hara

cter

type

. T

here

may

be

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to

acco

mm

odat

e th

e sm

alle

r tu

rbin

es o

f th

is ty

polo

gy to

min

imis

e ef

fect

s on

ad

join

ing

mor

e se

nsiti

ve la

ndsc

apes

.

Med

ium

-low

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

A la

rge

scal

e ge

ntly

und

ulat

ing

upla

nd p

late

au r

isin

g to

bet

wee

n 30

0-40

0m. S

light

ly lo

wer

hill

s oc

cur

on th

e no

rthe

rn e

dge

of th

is

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e ex

pans

iven

ess

and

relie

f of t

he

inte

rior

plat

eau,

alth

ough

turb

ines

of

this

siz

e w

ould

dom

inat

e sm

alle

r

Med

ium

-low

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

the

expa

nsiv

enes

s of

the

inte

rior

plat

eau.

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld h

ave

less

of

an

effe

ct o

n th

e re

lativ

ely

low

rel

ief

Med

ium

-low

89

char

acte

r ty

pe. S

cale

is r

educ

ed

with

in o

ccas

iona

l nar

row

gle

ns s

uch

as th

e G

len

of R

othe

s an

d at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith th

e up

per

Loss

ie

Val

ley

whe

re la

ndfo

rm is

mor

e co

mpl

ex.

glen

s an

d hi

lls.

of s

mal

ler

edge

hill

s bu

t wou

ld s

till

dom

inat

e th

e sc

ale

of n

arro

w g

lens

Lan

dfo

rm

T

hese

upl

ands

form

a s

impl

e un

dula

ting

plat

eau

with

bro

ad g

entle

sl

opes

, sha

llow

bas

ins

and

roun

ded

sum

mits

. Lan

dfor

m is

mor

e co

mpl

ex

at th

e tr

ansi

tion

with

the

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nd a

nd F

ores

ts w

ith V

alle

ys

(5a)

to th

e so

uth-

wes

t of D

alla

s w

here

inci

sed

valle

ys, m

ore

knol

ly

topo

grap

hy a

nd lo

chan

s oc

cur.

The

na

rrow

inci

sed

Gle

n of

Rot

hes

and

stee

p-si

ded

and

pron

ounc

ed h

ills

of

Mill

Bui

e, B

row

n M

uir

and

Car

n na

C

ailli

che

form

land

mar

k fe

atur

es.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e pr

edom

inan

tly s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm o

f th

is g

ently

und

ulat

ing

plat

eau.

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

wou

ld d

etra

ct

from

the

land

mar

k hi

lls o

f Bro

wn

Mui

r, M

ill B

uie

and

Car

n na

C

ailli

che,

the

deep

trou

gh o

f the

G

len

of R

othe

s an

d po

cket

s of

mor

e co

mpl

ex la

ndfo

rm, i

f site

d on

or

near

by th

ese

feat

ures

.

Med

ium

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

the

pred

omin

antly

sim

ple

land

form

of t

his

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g pl

atea

u. T

urbi

nes

of

this

siz

e w

ould

det

ract

from

the

land

mar

k hi

lls o

f Bro

wn

Mui

r, M

ill B

uie

and

Car

n na

Cai

llich

e, th

e de

ep

trou

gh o

f the

Gle

n of

Rot

hes

and

pock

ets

of m

ore

com

plex

land

form

, if

site

d on

or

near

by th

ese

feat

ures

.

Med

ium

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Ext

ensi

ve c

onife

rous

fore

stry

and

gr

ass/

heat

her

moo

rland

with

oc

casi

onal

bog

gy b

asin

s be

twee

n hi

lls.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

fit w

ith th

e si

mpl

e la

nd c

over

foun

d w

ithin

the

upla

nd in

terio

r of

this

cha

ract

er

type

.

Low

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld fi

t with

the

sim

ple

land

cov

er fo

und

with

in th

e up

land

in

terio

r of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe.

Low

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

A v

ery

spar

sely

set

tled

land

scap

e w

ith is

olat

ed fa

rms

loca

ted

with

in

the

Gle

n of

Rot

hes

and

on h

ill

slop

es a

bove

the

Bro

ad F

arm

land

V

alle

y (7

) an

d th

e R

ollin

g F

arm

land

s an

d F

ores

t (5)

. The

A

941

and

a na

rrow

min

or r

oad

cros

s th

is la

ndsc

ape

alth

ough

ac

cess

is r

estr

icte

d ge

nera

lly w

ithin

th

e up

land

cor

e.

The

ope

ratio

nal R

othe

s I a

nd II

win

d fa

rm, m

asts

and

pow

er li

nes

are

loca

ted

with

in th

is c

hara

cter

type

.

The

rel

ativ

ely

spar

se s

ettle

men

t an

d pr

esen

ce o

f exi

stin

g w

ind

farm

de

velo

pmen

t and

oth

er b

uilt

infr

astr

uctu

re r

educ

es s

ensi

tivity

.

Low

T

he r

elat

ivel

y sp

arse

set

tlem

ent a

nd

pres

ence

of e

xist

ing

win

d fa

rms

and

othe

r bu

ilt in

fras

truc

ture

red

uces

se

nsiti

vity

.

Low

Per

cep

tual

A

lthou

gh a

cces

s is

rel

ativ

ely

Alth

ough

in p

lace

s se

clud

ed,

Med

ium

-low

A

lthou

gh in

pla

ces

secl

uded

, M

ediu

m-lo

w

90

qu

alit

ies

rest

ricte

d w

ithin

this

land

scap

e an

d it

can

feel

sec

lude

d, th

e pr

esen

ce o

f ex

tens

ive

com

mer

cial

fore

stry

and

w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

t neg

ates

any

se

nse

of w

ildne

ss.

‘wild

land

’ cha

ract

er is

gen

eral

ly n

ot

pron

ounc

ed a

nd th

ere

wou

ld

ther

efor

e be

littl

e ef

fect

on

this

se

nsiti

vity

.

‘wild

land

’ cha

ract

er is

gen

eral

ly n

ot

pron

ounc

ed a

nd th

ere

wou

ld

ther

efor

e be

littl

e ef

fect

on

this

se

nsiti

vity

.

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Thi

s up

land

land

scap

e is

spa

rsel

y se

ttled

. It i

s cr

osse

d by

two

publ

ic

road

s; th

e A

941

is a

ligne

d th

roug

h G

len

of R

othe

s an

d ha

s re

stric

ted

view

s w

hile

vie

ws

from

the

sing

le-

trac

k un

clas

sifie

d ro

ad b

etw

een

the

Spe

y V

alle

y an

d D

alla

s ar

e m

ore

open

and

the

exis

ting

Rot

hes

I and

II

win

d fa

rm (

and

the

Ber

ry B

urn

and

Pau

l’s H

ill w

ind

farm

s in

the

adja

cent

Ope

n R

ollin

g U

plan

ds

(11)

) ar

e vi

sibl

e fr

om th

is r

oute

. F

ores

t and

win

d fa

rm tr

acks

pro

vide

ac

cess

to th

e in

terio

r of

thes

e hi

lls

alth

ough

pub

lic a

cces

s is

like

ly to

be

fairl

y lim

ited.

V

iew

s fr

om m

ore

settl

ed lo

wla

nd

area

s an

d va

lleys

into

the

inte

rior

of

thes

e up

land

s ar

e re

stric

ted

by th

e m

ore

defin

ed o

r hi

gher

‘edg

e’ h

ills,

su

ch a

s B

row

n M

uir

and

Mill

Bui

e.

The

se a

re im

port

ant i

n vi

ews

from

su

rrou

ndin

g se

ttled

low

land

are

as

and

also

vis

ually

con

tain

the

oper

atio

nal R

othe

s w

ind

farm

.

The

spa

rsel

y se

ttled

nat

ure

of th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe a

nd r

estr

icte

d vi

sibi

lity

of th

e lo

wer

bas

in-li

ke

land

form

with

in th

e in

terio

r of

thes

e up

land

s fr

om r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent

in m

ore

settl

ed lo

wla

nd a

reas

re

duc

es s

ensi

tivity

. T

he h

ighe

r or

mor

e pr

onou

nced

hi

lls o

n th

e no

rthe

rn e

dge

of th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe a

re m

ore

visu

ally

se

nsiti

ve h

owev

er a

s th

ey e

ither

fo

rm la

ndm

ark

hills

in th

eir

own

right

w

hen

view

ed fr

om th

e no

rth

or

cont

ain

view

s of

the

oper

atio

nal

Rot

hes

I and

II w

ind

farm

de

velo

pmen

t (as

in th

e ca

se o

f C

arn

na C

ailli

che

404m

) fr

om th

e B

road

Far

med

Val

ley

(7).

T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

coul

d ha

ve

cum

ulat

ive

visu

al e

ffect

s w

ith

exis

ting/

cons

ente

d w

ind

farm

de

velo

pmen

ts in

vie

ws

from

su

rrou

ndin

g ar

eas.

Med

ium

T

he s

pars

ely

settl

ed n

atur

e of

this

ch

arac

ter

type

and

res

tric

ted

visi

bilit

y of

the

low

er b

asin

-like

land

form

with

in

the

inte

rior

of th

ese

upla

nds

from

ro

ads

and

settl

emen

t in

mor

e se

ttled

lo

wla

nd a

reas

red

uce

s se

nsiti

vity

. T

he h

ighe

r or

mor

e pr

onou

nced

hill

s on

the

nort

hern

edg

e of

this

cha

ract

er

type

are

mor

e vi

sual

ly s

ensi

tive

how

ever

as

they

eith

er fo

rm la

ndm

ark

hills

in th

eir

own

right

whe

n vi

ewed

fr

om th

e no

rth

or c

onta

in v

iew

s of

the

oper

atio

nal R

othe

s I a

nd II

win

d fa

rm

deve

lopm

ent (

as in

the

case

of C

arn

na C

ailli

che

404m

) fr

om th

e B

road

F

arm

ed V

alle

y (7

).

The

re m

ay b

e in

crea

sed

scop

e fo

r th

is ty

polo

gy to

lim

it im

pact

s on

key

vi

ews

alth

ough

sm

alle

r tu

rbin

es c

ould

ha

ve c

umul

ativ

e im

pact

s w

ith

exis

ting/

cons

ente

d de

velo

pmen

ts

site

d in

this

land

scap

e if

seen

in c

lose

pr

oxim

ity fr

om k

ey v

iew

s.

Med

ium

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

ope

ratio

nal R

othe

s I a

nd II

win

d fa

rm a

re s

ited

with

in th

e in

terio

r of

th

is u

plan

d pl

atea

u an

d th

is

gene

rally

lim

its la

ndsc

ape

and

visu

al im

pact

on

adjo

inin

g m

ore

sens

itive

set

tled

land

scap

es. T

here

is

ver

y lim

ited

visi

bilit

y of

this

win

d

Any

add

ition

al tu

rbin

e de

velo

pmen

t si

ted

with

in th

is c

hara

cter

type

co

uld

have

impa

cts

on th

e sk

ylin

e th

is la

ndsc

ape

prov

ides

to L

CT

(5)

an

d (5

a) (

exte

nsiv

e fo

rest

cov

er

limits

vie

ws

from

LC

T (

5b))

. A

void

ance

of l

andm

ark

hills

suc

h as

Med

ium

A

ny a

dditi

onal

turb

ine

deve

lopm

ent

site

d w

ithin

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe c

ould

ha

ve im

pact

s on

the

skyl

ine

this

la

ndsc

ape

prov

ides

to L

CT

(5)

and

(5

a) (

exte

nsiv

e fo

rest

cov

er li

mits

vi

ews

from

LC

T (

5b))

. Avo

idan

ce o

f la

ndm

ark

hills

suc

h as

Mill

Bui

e w

ould

Med

ium

91

farm

from

the

Bro

ad V

alle

y F

arm

land

(7)

of t

he S

pey

Val

ley

alth

ough

it is

mor

e vi

sibl

e in

vie

ws

from

the

nort

h w

ithin

LC

Ts

(4),

(5)

an

d (5

a). T

he c

onse

nted

Kel

las

and

Mei

kle

Hill

win

d fa

rms

will

incr

ease

th

e ex

tent

, and

in s

ome

area

s, a

lso

the

prom

inen

ce o

f lar

ge tu

rbin

es

clos

e to

the

Loss

ie V

alle

y in

the

Dal

las

area

. C

lose

vie

ws

of th

e op

erat

iona

l R

othe

s I a

nd II

win

d fa

rm

deve

lopm

ent o

ccur

from

the

uncl

assi

fied

road

bet

wee

n th

e S

pey

Val

ley

and

Dal

las

and

thes

e de

velo

pmen

ts a

re s

een

with

the

Pau

l’s H

ill a

nd B

erry

Bur

n op

erat

iona

l win

d fa

rms

site

d in

the

adja

cent

Ope

n R

ollin

g U

plan

ds (

11)

from

this

rou

te.

Ope

ratio

nal w

ind

farm

s ar

e ge

nera

lly s

et b

ack

from

th

is r

oad

(par

ticul

arly

thos

e de

velo

pmen

ts in

the

Ope

n R

ollin

g U

plan

ds (

11))

alth

ough

the

cons

ente

d de

velo

pmen

t of M

eikl

e H

ill w

ill b

e si

ted

muc

h cl

oser

to th

is

road

.

Mill

Bui

e w

ould

lim

it cu

mul

ativ

e im

pact

s by

con

tain

ing

and

sepa

ratin

g w

ind

farm

de

velo

pmen

ts.

Cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

coul

d oc

cur

if de

velo

pmen

t enc

roac

hed

clos

er o

n bo

th s

ides

of t

he u

ncla

ssifi

ed r

oad

betw

een

Spe

y V

alle

y an

d D

alla

s,

crea

ting

a do

min

ant c

orrid

or e

ffect

of

larg

e tu

rbin

es a

ffect

ing

view

s an

d th

e ex

perie

nce

of tr

avel

ling

on th

is

rem

ote

and

scen

ic r

oute

. C

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s co

uld

occu

r fr

om

the

Dav

a W

ay T

rail

whe

re w

ind

farm

s in

LC

T 1

1 an

d th

is la

ndsc

ape

wer

e se

en s

imul

tane

ousl

y or

se

quen

tially

from

this

rec

reat

iona

l ro

ute.

limit

cum

ulat

ive

impa

cts

by c

onta

inin

g an

d se

para

ting

win

d fa

rm

deve

lopm

ents

. C

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s co

uld

occu

r if

deve

lopm

ent e

ncro

ache

d cl

oser

on

both

sid

es o

f the

unc

lass

ified

roa

d be

twee

n S

pey

Val

ley

and

Dal

las,

cr

eatin

g a

dom

inan

t cor

ridor

effe

ct o

f la

rge

turb

ines

affe

ctin

g vi

ews

and

the

expe

rienc

e of

trav

ellin

g on

this

rem

ote

and

scen

ic r

oute

. C

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s co

uld

occu

r fr

om

the

Dav

a W

ay T

rail

whe

re w

ind

farm

s in

LC

T 1

1 an

d th

is la

ndsc

ape

wer

e se

en s

imul

tane

ousl

y or

seq

uent

ially

fr

om th

is r

ecre

atio

nal r

oute

.

92

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

11: O

pen

Rol

ling

Upl

ands

– S

ensi

tivity

ass

essm

ent f

or la

rger

typo

logi

es

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Lar

ge

scal

e ty

po

log

y as

sess

men

t (8

0-13

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Med

ium

sca

le t

ypo

log

y as

sess

men

t (5

0-80

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

T

his

upla

nd la

ndsc

ape

has

a si

mila

r ch

arac

ter

to th

e ad

jace

nt u

plan

ds

with

in H

ighl

and

Cou

ncil

area

to th

e so

uth

and

wes

t. T

he e

xten

sive

ness

of

this

land

scap

e al

so in

crea

ses

whe

re it

adj

oins

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0) to

the

east

and

nor

th. W

ithin

Mor

ay, t

his

land

scap

e fo

rms

a ba

ckdr

op o

f pr

edom

inan

tly o

pen

and

shap

ely

hills

to th

e m

ore

richl

y pa

ttern

ed a

nd

smal

ler

scal

e hi

ll fr

inge

s of

the

Bro

ad F

arm

ed V

alle

y (7

) of

the

Spe

y V

alle

y to

the

sout

h. T

hese

up

land

s al

so fo

rm a

dis

tant

long

rid

ge s

een

from

the

wel

l-set

tled

Coa

stal

Far

mla

nds

(4)

to th

e no

rth.

T

he m

ore

defin

ed h

ills

of K

nock

of

Bra

emor

ay, R

oy’s

Hill

and

the

coni

cal p

eak

of C

arn

Kitt

y st

and

out

in v

iew

s fr

om s

urro

undi

ng

land

scap

es a

lthou

gh v

isib

ility

into

th

e in

terio

r of

thes

e up

land

s is

fairl

y lim

ited.

The

hill

s on

the

sout

hern

ed

ge o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape

prov

ide

a di

stan

t bac

kdro

p to

the

Cai

rngo

rms

Nat

iona

l Par

k w

hile

thos

e on

the

wes

tern

bou

ndar

y of

Mor

ay fo

rm a

pr

omin

ent ‘

edge

’ to

the

expa

nsiv

e ba

sin

of D

ava

Moo

r an

d Lo

chin

dorb

w

ithin

the

Hig

hlan

d C

ounc

il ar

ea.

Larg

er ty

polo

gies

site

d on

the

mor

e pr

onou

nced

hill

s w

hich

lie

on th

e ou

ter

edge

s of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe

wou

ld a

ffect

the

back

drop

pro

vide

d to

the

Bro

ad F

arm

ed V

alle

y (7

),

dom

inat

ing

this

adj

acen

t set

tled

and

smal

ler

scal

e la

ndsc

ape.

T

he la

ndm

ark

hill

of K

nock

of

Bra

emor

ay is

als

o pr

omin

ent i

n vi

ews

acro

ss D

ava

Moo

r,

Loch

indo

rb a

nd fr

om th

e N

arro

w

Woo

ded

Val

ley

(6)

and

part

s of

the

coas

tal p

lain

of M

oray

. The

lim

ited

visi

bilit

y of

the

low

er-ly

ing

inte

rior

of

thes

e up

land

s re

duce

s ef

fect

s on

ad

join

ing

land

scap

es a

lthou

gh

oper

atio

nal w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

t is

alre

ady

acco

mm

odat

ed w

ithin

th

is a

rea.

T

his

typo

logy

site

d on

the

high

er

sout

hern

hill

s co

uld

affe

ct v

iew

s fr

om th

e C

airn

gorm

s N

atio

nal P

ark

and

its w

ider

land

scap

e se

tting

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Larg

er ty

polo

gies

site

d on

the

mor

e pr

onou

nced

hill

s w

hich

lie

on th

e ou

ter

edge

s of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe

wou

ld a

ffect

the

back

drop

pro

vide

d to

th

e B

road

Far

med

Val

ley

(7),

do

min

atin

g th

is a

djac

ent s

ettle

d an

d sm

alle

r sc

ale

land

scap

e.

The

land

mar

k hi

ll of

Kno

ck o

f B

raem

oray

is a

lso

prom

inen

t in

view

s ac

ross

Dav

a M

oor

and

from

the

Nar

row

Woo

ded

Val

ley

(6)

and

part

s of

the

coas

tal p

lain

of M

oray

. The

lim

ited

visi

bilit

y of

the

low

er-ly

ing

inte

rior

of th

ese

upla

nds

how

ever

re

duce

s ef

fect

s on

adj

oini

ng

land

scap

es a

lthou

gh o

pera

tiona

l win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ent i

s al

read

y ac

com

mod

ated

in th

is a

rea.

T

his

typo

logy

site

d on

the

high

er

sout

hern

hill

s co

uld

affe

ct v

iew

s fr

om

the

Cai

rngo

rms

Nat

iona

l Par

k an

d its

w

ider

land

scap

e se

tting

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s A

larg

e sc

ale

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g up

land

pla

teau

with

rou

nded

hill

s T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

the

expa

nsiv

enes

s an

d re

lief o

f the

M

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e ex

pans

iven

ess

of th

e in

terio

r pl

atea

u.

Med

ium

-low

93

ris

ing

gene

rally

to b

etw

een

400-

520m

. The

low

-lyin

g ba

sin

of

Moi

dach

Mor

e is

ver

y op

en a

nd

expa

nsiv

e. S

cale

is r

educ

ed w

ithin

th

e sh

allo

w v

alle

ys o

f the

Div

ie a

nd

Dor

back

Bur

n w

here

set

tlem

ent,

woo

dlan

ds a

nd e

nclo

sed

farm

land

in

trod

uce

smal

ler

scal

e fe

atur

es.

Mor

e co

mpl

ex k

nolly

land

form

and

lo

chan

s to

the

nort

h of

Car

n K

itty

also

influ

ence

the

smal

ler

scal

e la

ndsc

ape

foun

d to

the

nort

h of

C

arn

Kitt

y.

inte

rior

plat

eau,

alth

ough

turb

ines

of

this

siz

e w

ould

dom

inat

e sm

alle

r sc

ale

valle

ys a

nd s

mal

l but

pr

omin

ent h

ills.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e w

ould

hav

e le

ss

of a

n ef

fect

on

the

rela

tivel

y lo

w r

elie

f of

sm

alle

r ed

ge h

ills

but w

ould

stil

l do

min

ate

the

scal

e of

sha

llow

s

ettle

d va

lleys

Lan

dfo

rm

T

hese

upl

ands

form

a s

impl

e un

dula

ting

plat

eau

with

bro

ad g

entle

sl

opes

, sha

llow

bas

ins,

flat

mos

ses

and

roun

ded

sum

mits

. T

he s

teep

-sid

ed h

ills

of K

nock

of

Bra

emor

ay a

nd R

oy’s

Hill

hav

e a

wel

l-def

ined

sha

pe a

nd s

ome

mor

e co

mpl

ex a

reas

of s

mal

ler

scal

e kn

olls

and

loch

ans

occu

r to

the

nort

h of

Car

n K

itty.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e pr

edom

inan

tly s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm o

f lo

w-ly

ing

basi

ns a

nd b

road

hill

sl

opes

alth

ough

turb

ines

of t

his

size

w

ould

det

ract

from

mor

e pr

onou

nced

hig

her

or s

teep

-sid

ed

hills

and

are

as o

f mor

e co

mpl

ex

land

form

if s

ited

on o

r ne

ar th

em.

Med

ium

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

the

pred

omin

antly

sim

ple

land

form

of l

ow-

lyin

g ba

sins

and

bro

ad h

ill s

lope

s al

thou

gh tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze w

ould

de

trac

t fro

m m

ore

pron

ounc

ed h

ighe

r or

ste

ep-s

ided

hill

s an

d ar

eas

of m

ore

com

plex

land

form

if s

ited

on o

r ne

ar

them

.

Med

ium

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

has

a pr

edom

inan

tly

sim

ple

land

cov

er o

f gra

ss/h

eath

er

moo

rland

with

are

as o

f mos

s an

d de

ep p

eat,

patte

rned

with

sm

all

loch

ans

and

wet

land

, and

oc

casi

onal

sem

i-im

prov

ed fi

elds

and

sm

all c

onife

rous

woo

dlan

ds w

ithin

sh

allo

w v

alle

ys. N

ativ

e pi

ne

woo

dlan

d is

a fe

atur

e w

ithin

the

valle

y of

the

Dor

back

Bur

n

The

gen

eral

ly s

impl

e la

nd c

over

of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe w

ould

be

less

se

nsiti

ve to

this

typo

logy

alth

ough

tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze c

ould

det

ract

fr

om m

ore

patte

rned

loch

ans

and

wet

land

with

in M

oida

ch M

ore

and

nativ

e pi

ne w

oodl

and

with

in th

e va

lley

of th

e D

orba

ck B

urn.

Med

ium

-low

T

he g

ener

ally

sim

ple

land

cov

er o

f th

is c

hara

cter

type

wou

ld b

e le

ss

sens

itive

to th

is ty

polo

gy a

lthou

gh

turb

ines

of t

his

size

cou

ld d

etra

ct fr

om

mor

e pa

ttern

ed lo

chan

s an

d w

etla

nd

with

in M

oida

ch M

ore

and

nativ

e pi

ne

woo

dlan

d w

ithin

the

valle

y of

the

Do

rbac

k B

urn.

Med

ium

-low

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

A v

ery

spar

sely

set

tled

land

scap

e w

ith is

olat

ed fa

rms

asso

ciat

ed w

ith

the

shal

low

val

leys

of t

he R

iver

D

ivie

and

Dor

back

Bur

n. T

he A

940

The

rel

ativ

ely

spar

se s

ettle

men

t an

d pr

esen

ce o

f exi

stin

g w

ind

farm

s an

d ot

her

built

infr

astr

uctu

re

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty.

Low

T

he r

elat

ivel

y sp

arse

set

tlem

ent a

nd

pres

ence

of e

xist

ing

win

d fa

rms

and

othe

r bu

ilt in

fras

truc

ture

red

uces

se

nsiti

vity

.

Low

94

is a

ligne

d cl

ose

to th

e w

este

rn e

dge

of th

is c

hara

cter

type

. The

op

erat

iona

l Pau

l’s H

ill a

nd B

erry

B

urn

win

d fa

rms

are

loca

ted

in th

is

land

scap

e. A

tran

smis

sion

line

is

alig

ned

in th

e no

rth-

wes

t of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe.

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s

Acc

ess

is r

elat

ivel

y re

stric

ted

with

in

this

land

scap

e an

d it

can

feel

se

clud

ed. A

sen

se o

f nat

ural

ness

ca

n be

ass

ocia

ted

with

som

e fe

atur

es, f

or e

xam

ple

the

mos

s of

M

oida

ch M

ore

alth

ough

the

pres

ence

of w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

t re

duce

s th

e se

nse

of w

ildne

ss

over

all.

Alth

ough

in p

lace

s se

clud

ed a

nd

appe

arin

g na

tura

l, th

e pr

esen

ce o

f op

erat

iona

l win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ent

redu

ces

wild

land

qua

litie

s.

Med

ium

A

lthou

gh in

pla

ces

secl

uded

and

ap

pear

ing

natu

ral,

the

pres

ence

of

oper

atio

nal w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

t re

duce

s w

ildla

nd q

ualit

ies.

Med

ium

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

Thi

s up

land

land

scap

e is

spa

rsel

y se

ttled

and

acc

ess

is g

ener

ally

lim

ited.

It fo

rms

the

thre

shol

d to

M

oray

see

n fr

om th

e A

940,

al

thou

gh th

e pr

omin

ent h

ills

of th

e K

nock

of B

raem

oray

and

Car

n B

iora

ch r

estr

ict v

iew

s in

to th

e in

terio

r of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe. T

he

Dav

a W

ay T

rail,

alig

ned

on a

form

er

railw

ay r

oute

, is

popu

lar

with

w

alke

rs a

nd c

yclis

ts a

nd p

rovi

des

acce

ss in

to th

e in

terio

r ba

sin

of

Moi

dach

Mor

e.

A s

ingl

e-tr

ack

road

bet

wee

n U

pper

K

nock

ando

and

Dal

las

prov

ides

m

ore

open

vie

ws

of th

ese

upla

nds

from

the

east

. The

ope

ratio

nal

Pau

l’s H

ill a

nd B

erry

Bur

n w

ind

farm

s ar

e vi

sibl

e fr

om th

is r

oad

but

appe

ar s

et b

ack

into

the

upla

nd

core

. Vie

ws

from

mor

e se

ttled

The

spa

rsel

y se

ttled

nat

ure

of th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe a

nd r

estr

icte

d vi

sibi

lity

of th

e lo

wer

inte

rior

hills

an

d ba

sin

from

roa

ds a

nd

settl

emen

t in

mor

e se

ttled

low

land

ar

eas

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty a

lthou

gh

view

s ar

e po

ssib

le fr

om th

e D

ava

Way

Tra

il. T

he h

ighe

r an

d/or

mor

e pr

onou

nced

hill

s on

the

frin

ges

of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe a

re m

ore

visu

ally

se

nsiti

ve.

Med

ium

T

he s

pars

ely

settl

ed n

atur

e of

this

ch

arac

ter

type

and

res

tric

ted

visi

bilit

y of

the

low

er in

terio

r hi

lls a

nd b

asin

fr

om r

oads

and

set

tlem

ent i

n m

ore

settl

ed lo

wla

nd a

reas

red

uces

se

nsiti

vity

alth

ough

vie

ws

are

poss

ible

fr

om th

e D

ava

Way

Tra

il. T

he h

ighe

r an

d/or

mor

e pr

onou

nced

hill

s on

the

frin

ges

of th

is c

hara

cter

type

are

mor

e vi

sual

ly s

ensi

tive.

Med

ium

95

low

land

are

as a

nd v

alle

ys in

to th

e in

terio

r of

thes

e up

land

s ar

e re

stric

ted

by th

e m

ore

defin

ed o

r hi

gher

‘edg

e’ h

ills

incl

udin

g K

nock

of

Bra

emor

ay a

nd R

oy’s

Hill

and

thes

e hi

lls a

re a

lso

impo

rtan

t in

view

s fr

om

surr

ound

ing

settl

ed lo

wla

nd a

reas

an

d al

so v

isua

lly c

onta

in o

pera

tiona

l w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

ts.

V

iew

s fr

om m

ore

settl

ed la

ndsc

apes

to

the

nort

h ar

e re

duce

d by

the

‘buf

fer’

prov

ided

by

the

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0) w

hich

di

rect

ly a

buts

the

Rol

ling

Far

mla

nds

and

For

est w

ith V

alle

ys (

5a).

C

um

ula

tive

ef

fect

s T

he o

pera

tiona

l Pau

l’s H

ill a

nd

Ber

ry B

urn

win

d fa

rms

are

loca

ted

in th

is c

hara

cter

type

. The

Pau

l’s

Hill

win

d fa

rm is

prin

cipa

lly v

isib

le

from

the

Bro

ad F

arm

ed V

alle

y (7

) of

th

e S

pey

Val

ley.

The

Ber

ry B

urn

win

d fa

rm h

as a

rel

ativ

ely

limite

d ex

tent

of v

isib

ility

alth

ough

dis

tant

vi

ews

are

poss

ible

from

the

Loch

indo

rb a

rea

to th

e w

est w

hich

ha

s a

dist

inct

sen

se o

f wild

ness

. T

he R

othe

s I a

nd II

win

d fa

rm a

nd

the

cons

ente

d M

eikl

e H

ill w

ind

farm

ar

e lo

cate

d in

the

adja

cent

Upl

and

Moo

rland

and

For

estr

y (1

0). T

hese

w

ind

farm

s ar

e pr

inci

pally

see

n to

geth

er fr

om th

e m

inor

roa

d be

twee

n U

pper

Kno

ckan

do a

nd

Dal

las.

Pot

entia

l cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

incl

ude

thos

e af

fect

ing

the

desi

gn in

tegr

ity

of th

ese

win

d fa

rms

as w

ell a

s ef

fect

s on

vie

ws

from

the

Bro

ad

Far

med

Val

ley

(7),

the

sens

itive

Lo

chin

dorb

and

Dav

a M

oor

area

, th

e D

ava

Way

Tra

il an

d m

inor

roa

d be

twee

n U

pper

Kno

ckan

do a

nd

Dal

las.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Pot

entia

l cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

incl

ude

thos

e af

fect

ing

the

desi

gn in

tegr

ity o

f th

ese

win

d fa

rms

as w

ell a

s ef

fect

s on

vi

ews

from

the

Bro

ad F

arm

ed V

alle

y (7

), th

e se

nsiti

ve L

ochi

ndor

b an

d D

ava

Moo

r ar

ea, t

he D

ava

Way

Tra

il an

d m

inor

roa

d be

twee

n U

pper

K

nock

ando

and

Dal

las.

Tur

bine

s of

th

is s

ize

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to b

e cl

osel

y in

ter-

visi

ble

with

exi

stin

g la

rge

turb

ines

(gi

ven

land

scap

e an

d vi

sual

co

nstr

aint

s in

the

rem

aini

ng

unde

velo

ped

area

s o

f thi

s la

ndsc

ape)

an

d co

uld

resu

lt in

clu

tter

and

unac

cept

able

vis

ual c

onfu

sion

.

Hig

h

96

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

12a:

Ope

n U

plan

ds w

ith S

teep

Slo

pes

– Se

nsiti

vity

ass

essm

ent f

or la

rger

typo

logi

es

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Lar

ge

typ

olo

gy

asse

ssm

ent

(80-

130m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

M

ediu

m t

ypo

log

y as

sess

men

t (5

0-80

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

T

his

upla

nd la

ndsc

ape

is n

arro

w

and

limite

d in

ext

ent,

in p

art

beca

use

it oc

cupi

es tw

o ar

eas

on

eith

er s

ide

of G

len

Rin

nes.

N

ever

thel

ess,

it a

ppea

rs m

ore

expa

nsiv

e w

here

it m

erge

s w

ith th

e O

pen

Upl

ands

with

Set

tled

Gle

ns

(12b

) to

the

east

and

the

Ladd

er

Hill

s w

ithin

the

Cai

rngo

rms

Nat

iona

l P

ark

to th

e so

uth.

It

beco

mes

nar

row

er a

nd m

ore

cons

trai

ned

in e

xten

t to

the

nort

h.

Thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

form

s th

e co

ntai

ning

edg

e an

d rid

ges

to th

e N

arro

w F

arm

ed V

alle

ys (

13)

of G

len

Rin

nes

and

a ba

ckdr

op to

the

Bro

ad

Far

med

Val

ley

(7)

of th

e S

pey

Val

ley.

It a

lso

over

look

s G

lenl

ivet

w

ithin

the

near

by C

airn

gorm

s N

atio

nal P

ark.

T

he r

ugge

d hi

ll gr

oup

of B

en

Rin

nes,

Mei

kle

Con

val a

nd L

ittle

C

onva

l are

an

outli

er g

roup

of

land

mar

k hi

lls w

hich

are

wid

ely

visi

ble

and

easi

ly r

ecog

nisa

ble.

The

se u

plan

ds m

erge

with

adj

acen

t hi

lls to

the

east

and

sou

th to

cre

ate

an u

plan

d la

ndsc

ape

whi

ch a

ppea

rs

mor

e ex

pans

ive

beca

use

of th

e ad

jace

nt h

ills.

T

his

larg

e ty

polo

gy, h

owev

er, w

ould

af

fect

the

setti

ng o

f sm

all s

cale

d an

d m

ore

settl

ed lo

wla

nd

land

scap

es o

f the

adj

acen

t Bro

ad

Far

med

Val

ley

(7)

and

Nar

row

F

arm

ed V

alle

ys (

13).

T

his

larg

e ty

polo

gy c

ould

als

o af

fect

th

e se

tting

of t

he s

mal

ler

scal

e,

settl

ed g

len

of G

lenl

ivet

in th

e C

airn

gorm

s N

atio

nal P

ark.

T

he s

ensi

tivity

of t

he s

ettin

g of

Ben

R

inne

s, a

nd s

mal

ler

hills

with

in th

is

grou

p, a

lso

has

an im

pact

bey

ond

the

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter

type

, as

it is

wid

ely

reco

gnis

able

hill

feat

ure

acro

ss lo

wla

nd a

reas

of M

oray

.

Hig

h T

hese

upl

ands

mer

ge w

ith a

djac

ent

hills

to th

e ea

st a

nd s

outh

to c

reat

e an

up

land

land

scap

e w

hich

app

ears

m

ore

expa

nsiv

e be

caus

e of

the

adja

cent

hill

s.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy, h

owev

er, w

ould

affe

ct

the

setti

ng o

f sm

all s

cale

d an

d m

ore

settl

ed lo

wla

nd la

ndsc

apes

of t

he

adja

cent

Bro

ad F

arm

ed V

alle

y (7

) an

d N

arro

w F

arm

ed V

alle

ys (

13).

It c

ould

al

so a

ffect

the

setti

ng o

f the

sm

alle

r sc

ale,

set

tled

glen

of G

lenl

ivet

in th

e C

airn

gorm

s N

atio

nal P

ark.

T

he s

ensi

tivity

of t

he s

ettin

g of

Ben

R

inne

s, a

nd s

mal

ler

hills

with

in th

is

grou

p, a

lso

has

an im

pact

bey

ond

the

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter

type

, as

it is

a

wid

ely

reco

gnis

able

hill

feat

ure

acro

ss

low

land

are

as o

f Mor

ay.

Hig

h

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

Larg

e sc

ale,

str

ongl

y ve

rtic

al s

ided

lo

ng, o

pen

but o

ften

narr

ow r

idge

s ris

e di

rect

ly u

p fr

om th

e ad

jace

nt

valle

ys to

an

elev

atio

n of

ove

r 70

0m

in th

e so

uth,

dro

ppin

g to

low

er r

elie

f as

soci

ated

with

low

er r

idge

s (4

87m

) in

the

nort

h.

Ben

Rin

nes

rises

to 8

40m

, for

min

g

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e ex

pans

iven

ess

and

high

rel

ief o

f the

lo

ng r

idge

s an

d op

en h

ills,

alth

ough

tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e na

rrow

rid

gelin

es, t

he e

nclo

sed

glen

s an

d pa

sses

, sm

alle

r fo

othi

lls

and

the

low

er r

elie

f of t

he h

ills

to th

e no

rth.

Med

ium

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

the

expa

nsiv

enes

s an

d hi

gh r

elie

f of t

he

long

rid

ges

and

open

hill

s, a

lthou

gh

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wou

ld d

omin

ate

the

narr

ow r

idge

lines

, the

enc

lose

d gl

ens

and

pass

es, s

mal

ler

foot

hills

an

d th

e lo

wer

rel

ief o

f the

hill

s to

the

nort

h.

Med

ium

97

the

high

est p

oint

of a

n ou

tlyin

g gr

oup

of s

teep

sid

ed o

pen

hill

sum

mits

. S

cale

is r

educ

ed b

y in

crea

sed

cont

ainm

ent c

reat

ed b

y na

rrow

gl

ens

and

pass

es.

Woo

dlan

d an

d sm

alle

r to

pogr

aphi

cal f

eatu

res,

incl

udin

g sm

alle

r st

and-

alon

e hi

lls w

hich

pr

ovid

e th

e ba

ck d

rop

to D

uffto

wn,

al

so r

educ

e th

e sc

ale

alon

g th

e tr

ansi

tion

betw

een

thes

e sl

opes

and

ad

jace

nt v

alle

ys.

Lan

dfo

rm

T

hese

upl

ands

form

long

, slo

ping

bu

t rel

ativ

ely

even

rid

gelin

es to

the

east

of G

len

Rin

nes.

T

he r

ugge

d pr

ofile

form

ed b

y m

ore

com

plex

gra

dien

ts r

ise

to th

e pr

onou

nced

sum

mit

of B

en R

inne

s to

the

wes

t.

The

cha

ract

er ty

pe is

dom

inat

ed b

y st

eep

slop

es, w

ith o

nly

occa

sion

al

area

s of

mor

e ge

ntle

gra

dien

ts.

Mor

e co

mpl

ex la

ndfo

rm, i

nclu

ding

sm

alle

r hi

lls, o

ccur

at t

he n

orth

ern

end

of G

len

Rin

nes.

The

mor

e co

mpl

ex la

ndfo

rms

and

stee

per

slop

es a

re s

ensi

tive

to th

is

typo

logy

, alth

ough

it c

ould

rel

ate

to

the

sim

ple

land

form

of l

ong

ridge

s an

d th

e oc

casi

onal

mor

e ge

ntle

sl

opes

and

gra

dien

ts.

Tra

cks

and

plat

form

s si

ted

on th

e st

eepe

r sl

opes

are

like

ly to

req

uire

ex

tens

ive

eart

h w

orks

.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

The

mor

e co

mpl

ex la

ndfo

rms

and

stee

per

slop

es a

re s

ensi

tive

to th

is

typo

logy

, alth

ough

it c

ould

rel

ate

to

the

sim

ple

land

form

of l

ong

ridge

s an

d th

e oc

casi

onal

mor

e ge

ntle

sl

opes

and

gra

dien

ts.

Tra

cks

and

plat

form

s si

ted

on th

e st

eepe

r sl

opes

are

like

ly to

req

uire

ex

tens

ive

eart

h w

orks

.

Hig

h-M

ediu

m

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

has

a pr

edom

inan

tly

sim

ple

land

cov

er o

f hea

ther

m

oorla

nd a

cros

s th

e up

per

slop

es

and

sum

mits

, with

occ

asio

nal

impr

oved

gra

ssla

nd fi

elds

alo

ng th

e lo

wer

hill

slo

pes.

The

se b

lend

se

amle

ssly

with

gra

ss fi

elds

with

in

the

farm

ed lo

w-ly

ing

land

. C

onife

rous

woo

dlan

ds, s

ome

of

whi

ch a

re q

uite

ext

ensi

ve, a

nd

smal

ler

shel

ter

woo

ds a

re to

be

The

gen

eral

ly s

impl

e la

nd c

over

of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe w

ould

be

less

se

nsiti

ve to

turb

ines

of t

his

size

.

Med

ium

-low

T

he g

ener

ally

sim

ple

land

cov

er o

f th

is c

hara

cter

type

wou

ld b

e le

ss

sens

itive

to tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze.

Med

ium

-low

98

foun

d al

ong

the

low

er s

lope

s.

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

A v

ery

spar

sely

set

tled

land

scap

e w

ith is

olat

ed fa

rms

asso

ciat

ed w

ith

the

occa

sion

al s

helte

red

valle

y on

th

e pe

riphe

ry o

f thi

s ty

pe.

The

re a

re fa

rm a

nd fo

rest

ry tr

acks

in

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe, b

ut o

nly

shor

t st

retc

hes

of p

ublic

roa

d w

hich

ex

tend

thro

ugh

narr

ow p

asse

s.

The

con

sent

ed D

oren

ell w

ind

farm

lie

s cl

ose

to th

is c

hara

cter

type

.

The

re is

lim

ited

settl

emen

t with

in

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe.

If bu

ilt, t

he a

djac

ent c

onse

nted

D

oren

ell w

ind

farm

will

cre

ate

a m

uch

mor

e de

velo

ped

char

acte

r in

th

e so

uth

east

ern

upla

nds,

whi

ch

redu

ces

sens

itivi

ty in

this

are

a.

Low

T

here

is li

mite

d se

ttlem

ent w

ithin

this

ch

arac

ter

type

. If

built

, the

adj

acen

t con

sent

ed

Dor

enel

l win

d fa

rm w

ill c

reat

e a

muc

h m

ore

deve

lope

d ch

arac

ter

in th

e so

uth

east

ern

upla

nds,

whi

ch r

educ

es

sens

itivi

ty in

this

are

a.

Low

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s

Acc

ess

to th

e up

land

are

as a

nd th

e m

ore

rem

ote,

uns

ettle

d gl

ens

is

limite

d, a

nd th

e m

oorla

nd is

sem

i-na

tura

l in

char

acte

r. T

his

incr

ease

s th

e se

nse

of w

ildne

ss a

nd r

elat

ive

secl

usio

n, b

ut th

e ar

ea is

rel

ativ

ely

narr

ow in

ext

ent a

nd n

ever

far

from

se

ttled

low

land

s.

If bu

ilt,

the

pres

ence

of t

he

cons

ente

d w

ind

farm

at D

oren

ell w

ill

redu

ce w

ild la

nd q

ualit

ies

with

in th

e G

len

Fid

dich

fore

st a

nd it

s po

tent

ial

wid

espr

ead

visi

bilit

y lim

its th

e se

nse

of w

ildne

ss e

lsew

here

in th

is ty

pe.

The

se le

ss a

cces

sibl

e rid

ges,

su

mm

its a

nd u

nset

tled

glen

s ar

e re

lativ

ely

wild

and

sem

i-nat

ural

, but

if

built

, the

pre

senc

e of

the

cons

ente

d D

oren

ell w

ind

farm

will

re

duce

the

sens

e of

wild

ness

.

Med

ium

T

hese

less

acc

essi

ble

ridge

s,

sum

mits

and

uns

ettle

d gl

ens

are

rela

tivel

y w

ild a

nd s

emi-n

atur

al, b

ut if

bu

ilt, t

he p

rese

nce

of th

e co

nsen

ted

Dor

enel

l win

d fa

rm w

ill r

educ

e th

e se

nse

of w

ildne

ss.

Med

ium

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

The

re is

lim

ited

settl

emen

t and

pu

blic

roa

d ac

cess

to th

is a

rea,

but

th

e su

mm

its a

nd th

e hi

gh r

idge

lines

ar

e w

alki

ng r

oute

s.

Ben

Rin

nes

is a

pop

ular

, hig

h su

mm

it w

hich

sta

nds

abov

e th

e su

rrou

ndin

g gl

ens

offe

ring

fine

view

s.

The

con

sent

ed D

oren

ell w

ind

farm

, w

ithin

the

adja

cent

Ope

n U

plan

ds

with

Set

tled

Gle

ns (

12b)

will

be

visi

ble

and

prom

inen

t fro

m B

en

The

rid

ges

and

hill

sum

mits

are

bo

th h

ighl

y in

ter-

visi

ble

and

are

view

poin

ts in

thei

r ow

n rig

ht,

ther

efor

e it

is li

kely

to b

e di

fficu

lt to

lo

cate

this

typo

logy

whe

re it

doe

s no

t hav

e a

visu

al im

pact

.

Hig

h T

he r

idge

s an

d hi

ll su

mm

its a

re b

oth

high

ly in

ter-

visi

ble

and

are

view

poin

ts

in th

eir

own

right

, the

refo

re it

is li

kely

to

be

diffi

cult

to lo

cate

this

typo

logy

w

here

it d

oes

not h

ave

a vi

sual

im

pact

.

Hig

h

99

Rin

nes

and

othe

r hi

gh p

oint

s in

this

ch

arac

ter

type

. B

en R

inne

s, M

eikl

e C

onva

l and

Li

ttle

Con

val a

lso

stan

d ou

t as

a la

ndm

ark

hills

from

els

ewhe

re in

the

type

, bec

ause

of t

heir

dist

inct

ive

shap

e an

d ‘s

tand

-alo

ne’ s

ettin

g.

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

con

sent

ed D

oren

ell w

ind

farm

lie

s on

the

wes

tern

edg

e of

the

neig

hbou

ring

Ope

n U

plan

ds w

ith

Set

tled

Gle

ns (

12b)

. Thi

s is

an

exte

nsiv

e w

ind

farm

whi

ch w

ould

st

retc

h al

ong

a no

rth-

sout

h rid

ge

over

look

ing

the

glen

of G

len

Fid

dich

an

d G

len

Sui

e.

The

rid

ge a

long

the

east

sid

e of

G

len

Rin

nes

prov

ides

a v

isua

l sc

reen

to D

oren

ell,

limiti

ng it

s im

pact

on

the

smal

ler

scal

e se

ttled

va

lley

of G

len

Rin

nes.

F

rom

Ben

Rin

nes,

an

acce

ssib

le

and

rela

tivel

y w

ell u

sed

wal

king

ro

ute,

it is

als

o po

ssib

le to

see

P

aul’s

Hill

, Rot

hes

I and

II, t

he H

ill

of T

owie

, Ber

ry B

urn

and

Cla

shin

darr

och

win

d fa

rms

with

in 1

0 -

15km

of t

he s

umm

it.

The

pre

senc

e of

a la

rge

cons

ente

d w

ind

farm

on

the

edge

of t

his

char

acte

r ty

pe in

crea

ses

sens

itivi

ty

to c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s, e

spec

ially

in

term

s of

furt

her

deve

lopm

ent o

n th

e ad

jace

nt r

idge

whi

ch fo

rms

the

east

ern

flank

of G

len

Rin

nes.

It

is n

oted

that

this

rid

ge a

lso

limits

im

pact

s of

Dor

enel

l on

the

smal

ler

scal

e ad

jace

nt N

arro

w F

arm

ed

Val

leys

(13

) of

Gle

n R

inne

s by

pr

ovid

ing

a vi

sual

sep

arat

ion

betw

een

Dor

enel

l and

Gle

n R

inne

s.

Vis

ual c

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s fr

om B

en

Rin

nes

are

also

sen

sitiv

e, a

s th

is

key

view

poin

t has

a s

eque

nce

of

win

d fa

rms

arra

yed

on h

igh

poin

ts

alon

g its

nor

th-w

este

rn th

roug

h to

its

eas

tern

vie

ws.

T

his

high

and

rug

ged

land

scap

e fo

rms

the

last

rem

aini

ng tr

act o

f up

land

s in

Mor

ay w

hich

doe

s no

t ac

com

mod

ate

win

d fa

rm

deve

lopm

ent.

Hig

h T

he p

rese

nce

of a

larg

e co

nsen

ted

win

d fa

rm o

n th

e ed

ge o

f thi

s ch

arac

ter

type

incr

eas

es s

ensi

tivity

to

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts,

esp

ecia

lly in

term

s of

furt

her

deve

lopm

ent o

n th

e ad

jace

nt r

idge

whi

ch fo

rms

the

east

ern

flank

of G

len

Rin

nes.

It

is n

oted

that

this

rid

ge a

lso

limits

im

pact

s of

Dor

enel

l on

the

smal

ler

scal

e ad

jace

nt N

arro

w F

arm

ed V

alle

y (1

3) o

f Gle

n R

inne

s by

pro

vidi

ng a

vi

sual

sep

arat

ion

betw

een

Dor

enel

l an

d G

len

Rin

nes.

V

isua

l cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

from

Ben

R

inne

s ar

e al

so s

ensi

tive,

as

this

key

vi

ewpo

int h

as a

seq

uenc

e of

win

d fa

rms

arra

yed

on h

igh

poin

ts a

long

its

nort

h-w

este

rn th

roug

h to

its

east

ern

view

s.

Thi

s hi

gh a

nd r

ugge

d la

ndsc

ape

form

s on

e of

the

last

rem

aini

ng tr

act

of u

plan

ds in

Mor

ay w

hich

doe

s no

t ac

com

mod

ate

win

d fa

rm

deve

lopm

ent.

Hig

h

100

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

12b:

Ope

n U

plan

ds w

ith S

ettle

d G

lens

– S

ensi

tivity

ass

essm

ent f

or la

rger

typo

logi

es

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Lar

ge

typ

olo

gy

asse

ssm

ent

(80-

130m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

M

ediu

m t

ypo

log

y as

sess

men

t (5

0-80

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

T

his

upla

nd la

ndsc

ape

is la

rger

in

exte

nt to

the

sout

h. T

he

exte

nsiv

enes

s of

this

land

scap

e al

so in

crea

ses

whe

re it

mer

ges

with

O

pen

Upl

ands

with

Ste

ep S

lope

s (1

2a)

to th

e w

est a

nd w

ith th

e La

dder

Hill

s w

ithin

the

Cai

rngo

rms

Nat

iona

l Par

k to

the

sout

h.

It be

com

es n

arro

wer

in e

xten

t to

the

nort

h, w

here

it fo

rms

the

upla

nd

edge

to th

e sm

alle

r sc

ale

Nar

row

F

arm

ed V

alle

ys (

13)

and

wel

l-se

ttled

farm

land

with

in

Abe

rdee

nshi

re a

nd is

mor

e fr

eque

ntly

see

n w

ithin

this

low

land

co

ntex

t. T

he c

onse

nted

Dor

enel

l win

d fa

rm

limits

the

exte

nt o

f rem

aini

ng

unde

velo

ped

upla

nds

in th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe.

T

he c

onic

al, h

ighe

r la

ndm

ark

hill

of

The

Buc

k st

ands

ou

t in

view

s fr

om

the

surr

ound

ing

area

, inc

ludi

ng

adja

cent

Abe

rdee

nshi

re.

The

are

a fo

rms

dram

atic

gat

eway

s to

Mor

ay fr

om A

berd

eens

hire

, ac

ross

the

high

pas

ses

of T

he

Cab

rach

(A

941)

and

A92

0 at

C

orse

mau

l. T

his

LCT

con

trib

utes

to th

e se

tting

of

the

Ladd

er H

ills

and

its s

outh

ern

boun

dary

form

s th

e rid

gelin

e w

hich

en

clos

es G

len

Buc

hat a

nd B

raes

of

The

bro

ad s

cale

of t

he u

plan

ds

mer

ges

with

adj

acen

t hill

s to

the

wes

t to

crea

te a

n up

land

land

scap

e w

hich

app

ears

eve

n m

ore

expa

nsiv

e be

caus

e of

the

adja

cent

up

land

s.

Ass

umin

g th

at th

e D

oren

ell w

ind

farm

is c

onst

ruct

ed, t

his

typo

logy

w

ould

, how

ever

, be

likel

y to

ad

vers

ely

affe

ct th

e se

tting

of s

mal

l sc

aled

and

mor

e se

ttled

low

land

la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r ty

pes

arou

nd

the

narr

ower

, nor

ther

n en

d of

this

ch

arac

ter

type

(in

clud

ing

the

setti

ng

of A

uchi

ndou

n C

astle

and

D

uffto

wn)

. T

he s

ettin

g an

d th

e dr

amat

ic ‘s

ense

of

arr

ival

’ ove

r th

e hi

gh p

asse

s fr

om

the

east

are

als

o se

nsiti

ve.

Thi

s la

rge

typo

logy

wou

ld a

ffect

the

wid

er s

ettin

g of

the

nort

hern

Lad

der

Hill

s if

loca

ted

on th

e so

uthe

rn

bord

er o

f Mor

ay, a

s w

ell a

s po

tent

ially

ove

rlook

ing

the

smal

ler

scal

e, s

ettle

d gl

en o

f Gle

n B

ucha

t an

d th

e B

raes

of G

lenl

ivet

in th

e C

airn

gorm

s N

atio

nal P

ark.

T

he s

ettin

g of

The

Buc

k –

a la

ndm

ark

hill

– al

so h

as a

n im

pact

be

yond

the

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter

type

, as

it si

ts o

n th

e bo

rder

with

A

berd

eens

hire

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

bro

ad s

cale

of t

he u

plan

ds

mer

ges

with

adj

acen

t hill

s to

the

wes

t to

cre

ate

an u

plan

d la

ndsc

ape

whi

ch

appe

ars

mor

e ex

pans

ive

beca

use

of

the

adja

cent

upl

ands

. A

ssum

ing

that

the

Dor

enel

l win

d fa

rm

is c

onst

ruct

ed, t

his

typo

logy

wou

ld,

how

ever

, affe

ct th

e se

tting

of s

mal

l sc

aled

and

mor

e se

ttled

low

land

la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r ty

pes

arou

nd th

e na

rrow

er, n

orth

ern

end

of th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe (

incl

udin

g th

e se

tting

of

Auc

hind

oun

Cas

tle a

nd D

uffto

wn)

. T

he s

ettin

g an

d th

e dr

amat

ic ‘s

ense

of

arr

ival

’ ove

r th

e hi

gh p

asse

s fr

om

the

east

are

als

o se

nsiti

ve.

The

larg

er s

ize

of th

is ty

polo

gy w

ould

af

fect

the

wid

er s

ettin

g of

the

nort

hern

La

dder

Hill

s in

the

Cai

rngo

rms

Nat

iona

l Par

k, if

loca

ted

on th

e so

uthe

rn b

orde

r of

Mor

ay, a

lthou

gh it

w

ould

hav

e le

ss s

igni

fican

t vis

ual

impa

ct th

an th

e la

rge

(80m

-130

m)

typo

logi

es.

The

set

ting

of th

e B

uck

– a

land

mar

k hi

ll –

also

has

an

impa

ct b

eyon

d th

e la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r ty

pe, a

s it

sits

on

the

bord

er w

ith A

berd

eens

hire

.

Med

ium

101

Gle

nliv

et a

ll of

whi

ch li

e w

ithin

the

adja

cent

Cai

rngo

rms

Nat

iona

l Par

k.

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

Larg

e sc

ale

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g rid

ges

crea

te a

sen

se o

f sw

eepi

ng

horiz

onta

l sca

le e

mph

asis

ed b

y op

en u

plan

ds, r

isin

g ge

nera

lly to

be

twee

n 50

0 –

630m

, alth

ough

the

ridge

abo

ve B

lack

wat

er e

xten

ds to

75

5m a

t Coo

ks C

airn

and

The

Buc

k st

ands

out

as

a hi

gh, s

tand

-alo

ne

hill

at 7

21m

. T

he lo

wer

-lyin

g ba

sin

of C

abra

ch is

ex

pans

ive,

but

at o

nly

200m

or

so

belo

w th

e he

ight

of t

he c

onta

inin

g hi

lls th

e ba

sin

is s

hallo

w.

Sca

le is

red

uced

with

in th

e ge

ntly

en

clos

ed, s

hallo

w v

alle

ys o

f the

D

ever

on a

nd th

e T

rebl

e B

urn

whe

re

scat

tere

d se

ttlem

ent,

shel

ter

woo

dlan

ds a

nd fi

elds

intr

oduc

e sm

alle

r sc

ale

feat

ures

.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e ex

pans

iven

ess

and

relie

f of t

he lo

ng

ridge

s, a

lthou

gh tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze

wou

ld d

omin

ate

smal

ler

scal

e va

lleys

, the

sha

llow

bow

l of t

he

Cab

rach

and

sm

all t

opog

raph

ical

fe

atur

es. T

he e

xten

t of r

emai

ning

un

deve

lope

d la

rger

sca

le u

plan

ds is

lim

ited

by th

e co

nsen

ted

Dor

enel

l w

ind

farm

.

Med

ium

T

his

typo

logy

cou

ld r

elat

e to

the

expa

nsiv

enes

s an

d re

lief o

f the

long

rid

ges,

alth

ough

the

larg

er tu

rbin

es o

f th

is ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e sm

alle

r sc

ale

valle

ys, t

he s

hallo

w b

owl o

f the

C

abra

ch a

nd s

mal

l top

ogra

phic

al

feat

ures

. The

ext

ent o

f rem

aini

ng

unde

velo

ped

larg

er s

cale

upl

ands

is

limite

d by

the

cons

ente

d D

oren

ell

win

d fa

rm.

Med

ium

-low

Lan

dfo

rm

T

hese

upl

ands

form

und

ulat

ing

ridge

s w

ith b

road

rou

nded

slo

pes

cont

aini

ng s

hallo

w v

alle

ys a

nd

bow

ls.

Ste

eper

slo

pes

cont

ain

the

glen

of

the

Bla

ck W

ater

and

bec

ome

mor

e st

eep

wes

twar

ds o

ver

the

Dor

enel

l/Gle

n F

iddi

ch r

idge

to fo

rm

a tr

ansi

tion

betw

een

this

type

and

th

e ne

ighb

ourin

g O

pen

Upl

ands

w

ith S

teep

Slo

pes

(12a

) ty

pe.

The

ste

eper

sid

ed a

nd m

ore

pron

ounc

ed s

umm

it of

the

Buc

k st

ands

out

as

a la

ndm

ark

hill.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e pr

edom

inan

tly s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm o

f un

dula

ting

ridge

s an

d br

oad

smoo

th

hill

slop

es, a

lthou

gh th

e st

eepe

r w

este

rn s

lope

s ar

e m

ore

sens

itive

an

d m

ay a

lso

requ

ire e

xten

sive

ea

rth

wor

ks to

acc

omm

odat

e tr

acks

an

d pl

atfo

rms.

T

he m

ore

rugg

ed la

ndfo

rm a

nd

coni

cal s

hape

of T

he B

uck,

whi

ch

cont

rast

s w

ith th

e m

ore

gent

le

undu

latio

ns o

f nea

rby

ridge

s, is

m

ore

sens

itive

.

Med

ium

-Low

Thi

s ty

polo

gy c

ould

rel

ate

to th

e pr

edom

inan

tly s

impl

e la

ndfo

rm o

f un

dula

ting

ridge

s an

d br

oad

smoo

th

hill

slop

es, a

lthou

gh th

e st

eepe

r w

este

rn s

lope

s ar

e m

ore

sens

itive

an

d m

ay a

lso

requ

ire e

xten

sive

ear

th

wor

ks to

acc

omm

odat

e tr

acks

and

pl

atfo

rms.

T

he m

ore

rugg

ed la

ndfo

rm a

nd

coni

cal s

hape

of t

he B

uck,

whi

ch

cont

rast

s w

ith th

e m

ore

gent

le

undu

latio

ns o

f nea

rby

ridge

s, is

mor

e se

nsiti

ve.

Med

ium

-Lo

w

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

T

his

land

scap

e ha

s a

pred

omin

antly

si

mpl

e la

nd c

over

of h

eath

er

The

gen

eral

ly s

impl

e la

nd c

over

of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe w

ould

be

less

M

ediu

m

The

gen

eral

ly s

impl

e la

nd c

over

of

this

cha

ract

er ty

pe w

ould

be

less

M

ediu

m

102

m

oorla

nd a

cros

s th

e up

per

slop

es

and

sum

mits

, with

impr

oved

gr

assl

and

field

s al

ong

the

low

er h

ill

slop

es. T

hese

ble

nd s

eam

less

ly

with

gra

ss fi

elds

with

in th

e fa

rmed

lo

w-ly

ing

land

. S

mal

l con

ifero

us s

helte

r w

oodl

ands

an

d oc

casi

onal

larg

er w

oods

lie

with

in th

e sh

elte

red

shal

low

bow

ls

and

settl

ed g

lens

.

sens

itive

to tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze,

alth

ough

the

farm

ed g

lens

and

sh

allo

w b

owls

hav

e a

mor

e co

mpl

ex

patte

rn w

hich

is m

ore

sens

itive

to

deve

lopm

ent o

f thi

s si

ze.

sens

itive

to tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze,

alth

ough

the

farm

ed g

lens

and

sh

allo

w b

owls

hav

e a

mor

e co

mpl

ex

patte

rn w

hich

is m

ore

sens

itive

to

deve

lopm

ent o

f thi

s si

ze.

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

Set

tlem

ent i

s lim

ited

to d

ispe

rsed

fa

rms

and

smal

l set

tlem

ents

, as

soci

ated

with

the

farm

ed lo

w-ly

ing

glen

s an

d sh

allo

w b

asin

of t

he

Cab

rach

. The

A94

1 an

d A

920

pass

th

roug

h th

is c

hara

cter

type

, and

th

ere

are

seve

ral m

inor

roa

ds a

nd

farm

trac

ks a

ssoc

iate

d w

ith th

e gl

ens.

The

con

sent

ed D

oren

ell w

ind

farm

lies

with

in th

is c

hara

cter

type

.

The

dis

pers

ed b

ut w

ides

prea

d se

ttlem

ent i

ncre

ases

sen

sitiv

ity in

th

e se

ttled

low

-lyin

g gl

ens

and

basi

n of

the

Cab

rach

. If

built

, the

con

sent

ed D

oren

ell w

ind

farm

will

cre

ate

a m

uch

mor

e de

velo

ped

upla

nd c

hara

cter

whi

ch

will

influ

ence

the

sout

hern

par

t of

this

type

and

red

uce

sens

itivi

ty in

th

is a

rea.

Med

ium

T

he d

ispe

rsed

but

wid

espr

ead

settl

emen

t inc

reas

es s

ensi

tivity

in th

e se

ttled

low

-lyin

g gl

ens

and

basi

n of

th

e C

abra

ch.

If bu

ilt, t

he c

onse

nted

Dor

enel

l win

d fa

rm w

ill c

reat

e a

muc

h m

ore

deve

lope

d up

land

cha

ract

er w

hich

will

in

fluen

ce th

e so

uthe

rn p

art o

f thi

s ty

pe a

nd r

educ

e se

nsiti

vity

in th

is

area

.

Med

ium

-Lo

w

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s

The

low

er-ly

ing

glen

s an

d bo

wl o

f th

e C

abra

ch a

re s

ettle

d an

d ac

cess

ible

. Acc

ess

to th

e up

land

ar

eas

and

the

mor

e re

mot

e,

unse

ttled

gle

ns is

lim

ited,

and

the

moo

rland

is s

emi-n

atur

al in

ch

arac

ter.

Thi

s in

crea

ses

the

sens

e of

wild

ness

and

rel

ativ

e se

clus

ion.

T

he p

rese

nce

of w

ind

farm

de

velo

pmen

t will

red

uce

the

sens

e of

wild

ness

in th

e so

uthe

rn p

art o

f th

is c

hara

cter

type

, ass

umin

g th

e D

oren

ell w

ind

farm

is b

uilt.

The

mor

e re

mot

e up

land

s an

d th

e le

ss a

cces

sibl

e an

d en

clos

ed

unse

ttled

gle

ns a

re r

elat

ivel

y w

ild

and

sem

i-nat

ural

. If

built

, th

e pr

esen

ce o

f the

co

nsen

ted

Dor

enel

l win

d fa

rm w

ill

redu

ce w

ild la

nd q

ualit

ies

on th

e m

ore

rem

ote

ridge

s an

d in

the

Bla

ck W

ater

gle

n.

Med

ium

T

he m

ore

rem

ote

upla

nds

and

the

less

acc

essi

ble

and

encl

osed

un

settl

ed g

lens

are

rel

ativ

ely

wild

and

se

mi-n

atur

al.

If bu

ilt, t

he p

rese

nce

of th

e co

nsen

ted

Dor

enel

l win

d fa

rm w

ill r

educ

e w

ild

land

qua

litie

s on

the

mor

e re

mot

e rid

ges

and

in th

e B

lack

Wat

er g

len.

Med

ium

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

The

dis

pers

ed b

ut w

ides

prea

d se

ttlem

ent i

s lo

cate

d la

rgel

y on

the

low

er ly

ing

slop

es a

nd g

len

floor

s,

but t

he s

hallo

w s

ides

of t

hese

gle

ns

The

long

rid

ges

are

larg

ely

visi

ble

from

the

road

s an

d se

ttlem

ent

with

in th

e sh

allo

w g

lens

, the

refo

re it

is

like

ly to

be

diffi

cult

to lo

cate

this

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

long

rid

ges

are

larg

ely

visi

ble

from

the

road

s an

d se

ttlem

ent w

ithin

th

e sh

allo

w g

lens

, the

refo

re it

is li

kely

to

be

diffi

cult

to lo

cate

the

larg

er s

izes

Med

ium

103

perm

it lo

ng v

iew

s on

to th

e up

per

ridge

s. T

he th

resh

old

or ‘s

ense

of

arriv

al’ t

o M

oray

as

expe

rienc

ed

from

the

A94

1 at

the

Cab

rach

and

th

e A

920

at C

orse

mau

l is

sens

itive

be

caus

e of

the

pano

ram

a re

veal

ed

on c

rest

ing

the

top

of th

ese

pass

es.

The

con

sent

ed D

oren

ell w

ind

farm

, w

ill b

e ve

ry v

isib

le a

nd p

rom

inen

t fr

om th

e A

941

pass

at t

he C

abra

ch

and

also

vis

ible

els

ewhe

re a

long

th

is r

oad.

The

pro

min

ent h

ill o

f The

B

uck

is s

ensi

tive.

size

of t

ypol

ogy

whe

re it

doe

s no

t ha

ve a

vis

ual i

mpa

ct, a

lthou

gh

deve

lopm

ent l

ocat

ed in

less

po

pula

ted

glen

s an

d w

ithin

mor

e co

ntai

ned

land

form

is li

kely

to b

e le

ss w

idel

y vi

sibl

e.

The

hig

h pa

sses

alo

ng th

e A

920

and

A94

1 in

crea

se v

isib

ility

in th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe, a

s th

e vi

ews

wes

twar

ds in

to M

oray

are

ele

vate

d an

d pa

nora

mic

.

of th

is ty

polo

gy w

here

it d

oes

not

have

a v

isua

l im

pact

, alth

ough

de

velo

pmen

t loc

ated

in le

ss

popu

late

d gl

ens

and

with

in m

ore

cont

aine

d la

ndfo

rm is

like

ly to

be

less

w

idel

y vi

sibl

e.

The

hig

h pa

sses

alo

ng th

e A

920

and

A94

1 in

crea

se v

isib

ility

in th

is

char

acte

r ty

pe, a

s th

e vi

ews

wes

twar

ds in

to M

oray

are

ele

vate

d an

d pa

nora

mic

.

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

con

sent

ed D

oren

ell w

ind

farm

w

ill e

xten

d al

ong

a no

rth-

sout

h al

igne

d rid

ge b

etw

een

the

glen

s of

G

len

Fid

dich

and

the

Bla

ck W

ater

. T

he tu

rbin

es w

ill n

ot b

e se

en fr

om

with

in m

uch

of th

e up

per

Dev

eron

V

alle

y an

d pa

rts

of th

e lo

wer

bas

in

of th

e C

abra

ch.

How

ever

, bec

ause

of t

he h

eigh

t of

the

ridge

on

whi

ch th

e w

ind

farm

is

loca

ted,

ther

e is

no

visu

al b

uffe

r to

th

e ea

st o

r fr

om h

ighe

r el

evat

ions

to

the

nort

h. T

his

win

d fa

rm w

ill b

e hi

ghly

vis

ible

from

the

high

pas

s at

th

e C

abra

ch a

s w

ell a

s fr

om o

ther

lo

catio

ns w

ithin

this

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter

type

, inc

ludi

ng fr

om th

e A

941.

The

und

er-c

onst

ruct

ion

Cla

shin

darr

och

win

d fa

rm is

loca

ted

in A

berd

eens

hire

but

lies

clo

se to

th

e M

oray

bou

ndar

y.

The

pre

senc

e of

a la

rge

cons

ente

d w

ind

farm

with

in th

is c

hara

cter

type

in

crea

ses

sens

itivi

ty. C

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s ar

e lik

ely

to a

rise

on th

e A

941,

The

Buc

k (w

hich

is w

ell-u

sed

by w

alke

rs)

and

the

Cab

rach

are

a w

here

the

Dor

enel

l and

C

lash

inda

rroc

h w

ind

farm

s w

ill b

e se

en in

com

bina

tion

or s

eque

ntia

lly.

Pot

entia

l cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

that

co

uld

aris

e w

ith a

dditi

onal

turb

ines

of

this

siz

e ar

e lik

ely

to in

clud

e ex

acer

batio

n of

a d

omin

ant

‘cor

ridor

’ effe

ct e

xper

ienc

ed fr

om

the

A94

1 or

nea

r ‘e

ncirc

lem

ent’

of

the

Cab

rach

bas

in. T

his

heig

ht o

f tu

rbin

e is

like

ly to

be

diffi

cult

to s

ite

with

in th

e re

mai

nder

of t

his

area

w

ithou

t inc

urrin

g so

me

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

with

Dor

enel

l and

pos

sibl

y al

so C

lash

inda

rroc

h an

d th

is

seve

rely

lim

its s

cope

for

furt

her

deve

lopm

ent.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

pre

senc

e of

a la

rge

cons

ente

d w

ind

farm

with

in th

is c

hara

cter

type

in

crea

ses

sens

itivi

ty. C

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s ar

e lik

ely

to a

rise

on th

e A

941,

T

he B

uck

(whi

ch is

wel

l-use

d by

w

alke

rs)

and

the

Cab

rach

are

a w

here

th

e D

oren

ell a

nd C

lash

inda

rroc

h w

ind

farm

s w

ill b

e se

en in

com

bina

tion

or

sequ

entia

lly.

Pot

entia

l cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

that

cou

ld

aris

e w

ith a

dditi

onal

turb

ines

of t

his

size

are

like

ly to

incl

ude

exac

erba

tion

of a

dom

inan

t ‘co

rrid

or’ e

ffect

ex

perie

nced

from

the

A94

1 or

nea

r ‘e

ncirc

lem

ent’

of th

e C

abra

ch b

asin

. T

here

may

be

som

e lim

ited

scop

e to

lo

cate

ver

y sm

all n

umbe

rs o

f tur

bine

s to

war

ds th

e lo

wer

hei

ght b

and

of th

is

typo

logy

to m

inim

ise

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

with

Dor

enel

l and

C

lash

inda

rroc

h w

ind

farm

s.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

104

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

13: N

arro

w F

arm

ed V

alle

ys –

Sen

sitiv

ity a

sses

smen

t for

larg

er ty

polo

gies

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Lar

ge

scal

e ty

po

log

y as

sess

men

t (8

0-13

0m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Med

ium

sca

le t

ypo

log

y as

sess

men

t (5

0-80

m)

Sen

siti

vity

ra

tin

g

Lan

dsc

ape

con

text

T

hese

val

leys

hav

e a

limite

d in

fluen

ce o

n ad

jace

nt c

hara

cter

ty

pes

due

to th

eir

stro

ng

cont

ainm

ent.

The

y ar

e se

en in

co

njun

ctio

n w

ith th

e ad

jace

nt u

plan

d ar

ea o

f Rol

ling

For

este

d H

ills

(9)

and

the

Ope

n U

plan

ds w

ith S

teep

S

lope

s (1

2a)

and

Ope

n U

plan

ds

with

Set

tled

Gle

ns (

12b)

. Whe

re

thes

e sm

alle

r sc

ale

and

mor

e di

vers

e va

lleys

are

juxt

apos

ed w

ith

the

mor

e de

fined

edg

e hi

lls o

f LC

Ts

12a

and

12b,

sce

nic

com

posi

tion

is

enha

nced

.

The

con

tain

men

t of t

hese

val

leys

ge

nera

lly li

mits

effe

cts

on a

djac

ent

land

scap

es. T

urbi

nes

of th

is s

ize

coul

d de

trac

t fro

m k

ey v

iew

s to

the

mor

e di

stin

ctiv

e hi

lls, i

nclu

ding

the

land

mar

k hi

lls o

f Ben

Rin

nes,

M

eikl

e C

onva

l and

Litt

le C

onva

l, an

d dr

amat

ic s

carp

slo

pes

with

in

the

Ope

n U

plan

ds w

ith S

teep

S

lope

s (1

2a)

and

dim

inis

h th

e sc

enic

com

posi

tion

with

val

leys

su

ch a

s G

len

Rin

nes.

Med

ium

T

he c

onta

inm

ent o

f the

se v

alle

ys

gene

rally

lim

its e

ffect

s on

adj

acen

t la

ndsc

apes

. Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

detr

act f

rom

key

vie

ws

to th

e m

ore

dist

inct

ive

hills

, inc

ludi

ng th

e la

ndm

ark

hills

of B

en R

inne

s, M

eikl

e C

onva

l and

Litt

le C

onva

l, an

d dr

amat

ic s

carp

slo

pes

with

in th

e O

pen

Upl

ands

with

Ste

ep S

lope

s (1

2a)

and

dim

inis

h th

e sc

enic

co

mpo

sitio

n w

ith v

alle

ys s

uch

as G

len

Rin

nes.

Med

ium

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

se n

arro

w v

alle

ys a

re s

tron

gly

cont

aine

d by

adj

acen

t upl

and

area

s.

The

upp

er Is

la, G

len

Fid

dich

and

th

e D

ever

on fo

rm w

indi

ng v

alle

ys

whi

ch li

mit

visi

bilit

y an

d gi

ve a

n in

timat

e sc

ale

in p

lace

s. G

len

Rin

nes

is b

road

er a

nd m

ore

open

in

char

acte

r bu

t dra

mat

ical

ly c

onta

ined

by

ste

ep s

lope

s an

d hi

gh h

ills.

The

of

ten

wel

l-woo

ded

char

acte

r of

th

ese

valle

ys a

nd th

e pr

esen

ce o

f sm

all h

ouse

s an

d fa

rms

furt

her

redu

ce s

cale

.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e sm

all s

cale

of t

hese

con

tain

ed a

nd

wel

l-set

tled

valle

ys.

Hig

h T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld d

omin

ate

the

smal

l sca

le o

f the

se c

onta

ined

and

w

ell-s

ettle

d va

lleys

.

Hig

h

Lan

dfo

rm

V

alle

y flo

ors

are

narr

ow w

ith

occa

sion

al fl

atte

r flo

odpl

ain

area

s.

Ste

ep lo

wer

slo

pes

ofte

n gi

ve w

ay

to m

ore

rolli

ng b

road

er u

pper

slo

pes

on th

e so

uth-

east

sid

e of

the

Isla

an

d in

Gle

n R

inne

s. L

andf

orm

is

It w

ould

be

phys

ical

ly d

iffic

ult t

o ac

com

mod

ate

turb

ines

of t

his

size

on

ste

ep s

lope

s. T

his

typo

logy

w

ould

det

ract

from

are

as o

f mor

e co

mpl

ex in

terlo

ckin

g la

ndfo

rm a

nd

from

the

smal

l ope

n flo

odpl

ain

Hig

h It

wou

ld b

e ph

ysic

ally

diff

icul

t to

acco

mm

odat

e tu

rbin

es o

f thi

s si

ze o

n st

eep

slop

es. T

his

typo

logy

wou

ld

detr

act f

rom

are

as o

f mor

e co

mpl

ex

inte

rlock

ing

land

form

and

from

the

smal

l ope

n flo

odpl

ain

area

s w

hich

Hig

h

105

mor

e co

mpl

ex, w

ith s

teep

slo

pes

and

inte

rlock

ing

hills

in p

lace

s w

ithin

th

e D

ever

on v

alle

y. S

mal

l rou

nded

hi

lls a

nd r

idge

s on

the

edge

of t

hese

va

lleys

at t

he tr

ansi

tion

with

LC

Ts

9,

12a

and

12b

cont

ain

and

prov

ide

the

back

drop

to th

ese

valle

ys.

area

s w

hich

con

trib

ute

to th

e di

vers

ity o

f the

se la

ndsc

apes

. B

road

er, m

ore

gent

ly u

ndul

atin

g up

per

hill

slop

es a

nd te

rrac

es w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e al

thou

gh th

ese

area

s ar

e no

t ext

ensi

ve a

nd th

e nu

mbe

rs o

f tur

bine

s th

at c

ould

be

acco

mm

odat

ed w

ould

be

limite

d.

cont

ribut

e to

the

dive

rsity

of t

hese

la

ndsc

apes

. Bro

ader

, mor

e ge

ntly

un

dula

ting

uppe

r hi

ll sl

opes

and

te

rrac

es w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e al

thou

gh th

ese

area

s ar

e no

t ex

tens

ive

and

the

num

bers

of

turb

ines

that

cou

ld b

e ac

com

mod

ated

w

ould

be

limite

d.

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is o

ften

richl

y pa

ttern

ed w

ith a

mix

of e

nclo

sed

past

ures

and

som

e ar

able

land

and

sm

all w

oodl

ands

. Pol

icy

woo

dlan

ds,

a st

rong

pat

tern

of s

helte

rbel

ts, f

ield

tr

ees

and

aven

ue p

lant

ings

occ

ur in

th

e up

per

Isla

and

Dev

eron

val

leys

. S

mal

l poc

kets

of w

etla

nd a

nd

ripar

ian

woo

dlan

ds a

re p

rese

nt o

n th

e flo

or o

f som

e of

thes

e va

lleys

.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

det

ract

from

m

ore

dive

rse

area

s w

here

pol

icy

woo

dlan

ds a

nd a

str

ong

patte

rn o

f sh

elte

rbel

ts, f

ield

tree

s an

d av

enue

s ar

e pr

esen

t. M

ultip

le d

evel

opm

ents

of

larg

e tu

rbin

es a

cros

s th

ese

valle

ys w

ould

hav

e a

grea

ter

effe

ct.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

det

ract

from

m

ore

dive

rse

area

s w

here

pol

icy

woo

dlan

ds a

nd a

str

ong

patte

rn o

f sh

elte

rbel

ts, f

ield

tree

s an

d av

enue

s ar

e pr

esen

t. M

ultip

le d

evel

opm

ents

of

larg

e tu

rbin

es a

cros

s th

ese

valle

ys

wou

ld h

ave

a gr

eate

r ef

fect

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

The

se v

alle

ys a

re w

ell-s

ettle

d w

ith

smal

l vill

ages

, dis

pers

ed fa

rms

and

hous

es a

nd o

ccas

iona

l gra

nd

hous

es a

nd c

astle

s ev

enly

di

strib

uted

acr

oss

the

slop

es a

bove

th

e flo

odpl

ain.

Arc

haeo

logi

cal

feat

ures

are

mor

e vi

sual

ly e

vide

nt in

th

e D

ever

on V

alle

y. R

oads

are

al

igne

d th

roug

h th

ese

valle

ys.

The

set

ting

of s

mal

l set

tlem

ents

, m

ansi

on h

ouse

s/ca

stle

s an

d th

eir

desi

gned

land

scap

es a

nd

arch

aeol

ogic

al fe

atur

es w

hich

mak

e a

cont

ribut

ion

to c

hara

cter

wou

ld b

e se

nsiti

ve to

this

typo

logy

. The

re a

re

few

less

set

tled

area

s w

ithin

thes

e va

lleys

whe

re la

rger

typo

logi

es

coul

d be

acc

omm

odat

ed w

ithou

t af

fect

ing

settl

emen

t and

oth

er

feat

ures

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

The

set

ting

of s

mal

l set

tlem

ents

, gr

and

hous

es/c

astle

s an

d th

eir

desi

gned

land

scap

es a

nd

arch

aeol

ogic

al fe

atur

es w

hich

mak

e a

cont

ribut

ion

to c

hara

cter

wou

ld b

e se

nsiti

ve to

this

typo

logy

. The

re a

re

few

less

set

tled

area

s w

ithin

thes

e va

lleys

whe

re la

rger

typo

logi

es c

ould

be

acc

omm

odat

ed w

ithou

t affe

ctin

g se

ttlem

ent a

nd o

ther

feat

ures

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s

Alth

ough

thes

e w

ell-s

ettle

d an

d m

anag

ed v

alle

ys h

ave

no

pron

ounc

ed s

ense

of w

ildne

ss, t

he

stee

p-si

ded

sinu

ous

valle

y of

the

Dev

eron

, tog

ethe

r w

ith it

s ric

h bu

ilt

herit

age

and

desi

gned

land

scap

es,

can

inst

il a

dist

inct

sen

se o

f pla

ce.

The

re w

ould

be

limite

d ef

fect

s on

ke

y pe

rcep

tual

qua

litie

s w

ithin

the

maj

ority

of t

hese

val

leys

.

Med

ium

-low

T

here

wou

ld b

e lim

ited

effe

cts

on k

ey

perc

eptu

al q

ualit

ies

with

in th

e m

ajor

ity

of th

ese

valle

ys.

Med

ium

-low

Vis

ual

T

hese

val

leys

are

wel

l-set

tled

and

Tur

bine

s of

this

hei

ght w

ould

be

Hig

h T

urbi

nes

of th

is h

eigh

t wou

ld b

e H

igh

106

amen

ity

also

con

tain

a n

umbe

r of

mai

n ro

ads.

Man

y of

the

road

s fo

rm

popu

lar

tour

ist r

oute

s. V

iew

s be

yond

the

valle

y ar

e lim

ited

how

ever

due

to th

eir

cont

ainm

ent b

y ad

jace

nt u

plan

d ar

eas.

T

here

are

few

vie

ws

to th

ese

valle

ys

from

adj

acen

t cha

ract

er ty

pes

alth

ough

the

mor

e po

pula

rly w

alke

d hi

lls, s

uch

as B

en R

inne

s, p

rovi

de

elev

ated

vie

ws

over

Gle

n R

inne

s an

d G

len

Fid

dich

.

high

ly v

isib

le w

ithin

thes

e va

lleys

an

d w

ould

be

seen

in c

lose

pr

oxim

ity to

set

tlem

ent a

nd r

oads

in

crea

sing

impa

ct.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

inte

rrup

t ke

y vi

ews

to th

e la

ndm

ark

hills

al

thou

gh v

iew

s fr

om a

djac

ent

char

acte

r ty

pes

into

thes

e va

lleys

ar

e ge

nera

lly li

mite

d.

high

ly v

isib

le w

ithin

thes

e va

lleys

and

w

ould

be

seen

in c

lose

pro

xim

ity to

se

ttlem

ent a

nd r

oads

incr

easi

ng

impa

ct.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

inte

rrup

t ke

y vi

ews

to th

e la

ndm

ark

hills

al

thou

gh v

iew

s fr

om a

djac

ent

char

acte

r ty

pes

into

thes

e va

lleys

are

ge

nera

lly li

mite

d.

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

ope

ratio

nal H

ill o

f Tow

ie w

ind

farm

is p

rom

inen

t in

view

s fr

om th

e up

per

Isla

val

ley

and

from

Gle

n F

iddi

ch. T

he c

onse

nted

Dor

enel

l w

ind

farm

will

be

visi

ble

from

par

ts

of G

len

Fid

dich

.

Cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

coul

d pr

inci

pally

ar

ise

in th

e Is

la a

nd G

len

Fid

dich

va

lleys

with

ope

ratio

nal a

nd

cons

ente

d w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

ts

site

d in

adj

acen

t upl

and

land

scap

e ch

arac

ter

type

s.

Med

ium

C

umul

ativ

e ef

fect

s co

uld

prin

cipa

lly

aris

e in

the

Isla

and

Gle

n F

iddi

ch

valle

ys w

ith o

pera

tiona

l and

co

nsen

ted

win

d fa

rm d

evel

opm

ents

si

ted

in a

djac

ent u

plan

d la

ndsc

ape

char

acte

r ty

pes.

Med

ium

107

Land

scap

e ch

arac

ter t

ype

13: N

arro

w F

arm

ed V

alle

ys –

Sen

sitiv

ity a

sses

smen

t for

sm

alle

r typ

olog

ies

To

pic

S

um

mar

y d

escr

ipti

on

Sm

all-

med

ium

typ

olo

gy

asse

ssm

ent

(35-

50m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

S

mal

l sc

ale

typ

olo

gy

asse

ssm

ent

(20-

35m

) S

ensi

tivi

ty

rati

ng

L

and

scap

e co

nte

xt

The

se v

alle

ys h

ave

a lim

ited

influ

ence

on

adja

cent

cha

ract

er

type

s du

e to

thei

r st

rong

co

ntai

nmen

t. T

hey

are

seen

in

conj

unct

ion

with

the

adja

cent

upl

and

area

of R

ollin

g F

ores

ted

Hill

s (9

) an

d th

e O

pen

Upl

ands

with

Ste

ep

Slo

pes

(12a

) an

d O

pen

Upl

ands

w

ith S

ettle

d G

lens

(12

b). W

here

th

ese

smal

ler

scal

e an

d m

ore

dive

rse

valle

ys a

re ju

xtap

osed

with

th

e m

ore

defin

ed e

dge

hills

of L

CT

s 12

a an

d 12

b, s

ceni

c co

mpo

sitio

n is

en

hanc

ed.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

detr

act

from

the

back

drop

of m

ore

dist

inct

ive

hills

with

in L

CT

s 12

a an

d 12

b w

here

thes

e ar

e sc

enic

ally

ju

xtap

osed

with

the

valle

ys a

lthou

gh

ther

e is

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to s

ite

turb

ines

of t

his

size

to a

void

suc

h im

pact

s.

Cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts

coul

d ar

ise

in

the

Isla

with

exi

stin

g w

ind

farm

de

velo

pmen

t if t

urbi

nes

wer

e si

ted

on u

pper

slo

pes

and

seen

clo

se-b

y.

Med

ium

-low

T

here

wou

ld b

e gr

eate

r op

port

uniti

es

to lo

cate

this

typo

logy

to a

void

impa

ct

on a

djac

ent c

hara

cter

type

s an

d ov

eral

l sce

nic

com

posi

tion.

Low

Sca

le a

nd

o

pen

nes

s

The

se n

arro

w v

alle

ys a

re s

tron

gly

cont

aine

d by

adj

acen

t upl

and

area

s.

The

upp

er Is

la, G

len

Fid

dich

and

th

e D

ever

on fo

rm w

indi

ng v

alle

ys

whi

ch li

mit

visi

bilit

y an

d gi

ve a

n in

timat

e sc

ale

in p

lace

s. G

len

Rin

nes

is b

road

er a

nd m

ore

open

in

char

acte

r bu

t dra

mat

ical

ly c

onta

ined

by

ste

ep s

lope

s an

d hi

gh h

ills.

The

of

ten

wel

l-woo

ded

char

acte

r of

th

ese

valle

ys a

nd th

e pr

esen

ce o

f sm

all h

ouse

s an

d fa

rms

furt

her

redu

ce s

cale

.

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

dom

inat

e th

e sm

all s

cale

of t

hese

val

leys

whe

re

they

are

str

ongl

y co

ntai

ned

by

stee

p sl

opes

with

in th

e va

lley

floor

an

d lo

wer

slo

pes.

Tur

bine

s of

this

si

ze w

ould

app

ear

larg

e in

rel

atio

n to

hou

ses

and

woo

dlan

ds. T

here

ar

e fe

w le

ss w

ell-s

ettle

d ar

eas

with

in th

ese

valle

ys a

lthou

gh g

ently

gr

aded

upp

er h

ill s

lope

s at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith a

djac

ent u

plan

ds

LCT

s 9,

12a

and

12b

wou

ld b

e le

ss

sens

itive

. Mul

tiple

turb

ines

of t

his

size

ass

ocia

ted

with

a n

umbe

r of

la

nd h

oldi

ngs

coul

d ap

pear

to ‘f

ill’

the

narr

ow e

xten

t of t

hese

val

leys

.

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Tur

bine

s to

war

ds th

e up

per

heig

ht

band

of t

his

typo

logy

wou

ld a

lso

appe

ar la

rge

in r

elat

ion

to s

ettle

men

t an

d w

oodl

ands

and

cou

ld d

omin

ate

the

mor

e st

rong

ly c

onta

ined

low

er

part

s of

thes

e va

lleys

. The

re w

ould

be

incr

ease

d sc

ope

to a

ccom

mod

ate

this

sm

all t

ypol

ogy

with

in th

e br

oade

r, le

ss

dens

ely

settl

ed u

pper

hill

slo

pes

at

the

tran

sitio

n w

ith L

CT

s 9,

12a

and

12

b w

here

turb

ines

of t

his

size

wou

ld

have

less

of a

n ef

fect

on

land

scap

e sc

ale.

The

re w

ould

als

o be

gre

ater

sc

ope

to a

ccom

mod

ate

mul

tiple

tu

rbin

es to

war

ds th

e lo

wer

hei

ght

band

of t

his

typo

logy

to a

void

cu

mul

ativ

e im

pact

s.

Med

ium

Lan

dfo

rm

V

alle

y flo

ors

are

narr

ow w

ith

occa

sion

al fl

atte

r flo

odpl

ain

area

s.

Tur

bine

s w

ould

det

ract

from

are

as

of m

ore

com

plex

inte

rlock

ing

Hig

h-m

ediu

m

Tur

bine

s w

ould

det

ract

from

are

as o

f m

ore

com

plex

inte

rlock

ing

land

form

, M

ediu

m

108

Ste

ep lo

wer

slo

pes

ofte

n gi

ve w

ay

to m

ore

rolli

ng b

road

er u

pper

slo

pes

on th

e so

uth-

east

sid

e of

the

Isla

an

d in

Gle

n R

inne

s. L

andf

orm

is

mor

e co

mpl

ex, w

ith s

teep

slo

pes

and

inte

rlock

ing

hills

in p

lace

s w

ithin

th

e D

ever

on V

alle

y. S

mal

l rou

nded

hi

lls a

nd r

idge

s on

the

edge

of t

hese

va

lleys

at t

he tr

ansi

tion

with

LC

Ts

9,

12a

and

12b

cont

ain

and

prov

ide

the

back

drop

to th

ese

valle

ys.

land

form

, ste

ep s

lope

s an

d fr

om th

e sm

all o

pen

flood

plai

n ar

eas

whi

ch

cont

ribut

e to

the

dive

rsity

of t

hese

la

ndsc

apes

. Bro

ader

, mor

e ge

ntly

un

dula

ting

uppe

r hi

ll sl

opes

and

te

rrac

es w

ould

be

less

sen

sitiv

e.

stee

p sl

opes

and

from

the

smal

l ope

n flo

odpl

ain

area

s w

hich

con

trib

ute

to

the

dive

rsity

of t

hese

land

scap

es

alth

ough

ther

e is

gre

ater

sco

pe to

ac

com

mod

ate

turb

ines

of t

his

size

w

ithin

bro

ader

, mor

e ge

ntly

un

dula

ting

uppe

r hi

ll sl

opes

and

te

rrac

es.

Lan

dsc

ape

pat

tern

Thi

s la

ndsc

ape

is o

ften

richl

y pa

ttern

ed w

ith a

mix

of e

nclo

sed

past

ures

and

som

e ar

able

land

and

sm

all w

oodl

ands

. Pol

icy

woo

dlan

ds,

a st

rong

pat

tern

of s

helte

rbel

ts, f

ield

tr

ees

and

aven

ue p

lant

ings

occ

ur in

th

e up

per

Isla

and

Dev

eron

Val

leys

. S

mal

l poc

kets

of w

etla

nd a

nd

ripar

ian

woo

dlan

ds a

re p

rese

nt o

n th

e flo

or o

f som

e of

thes

e va

lleys

.

The

re a

re o

ppor

tuni

ties

for

this

ty

polo

gy to

min

imis

e ef

fect

s on

ar

eas

with

a m

ore

dive

rse

land

co

ver

patte

rn a

lthou

gh m

ultip

le

turb

ines

of t

his

size

rep

eate

d ac

ross

th

ese

valle

ys w

ould

stil

l int

rodu

ce

new

feat

ures

that

cou

ld

cum

ulat

ivel

y de

trac

t fro

m th

e ric

h la

nd c

over

pat

tern

cha

ract

eris

tic o

f th

ese

valle

ys.

Med

ium

T

here

are

gre

ater

opp

ortu

nitie

s to

lo

cate

this

sm

all t

ypol

ogy

to a

void

im

pact

s on

mor

e di

vers

e la

nd c

over

. M

ultip

le tu

rbin

es to

war

ds th

e lo

wer

he

ight

ban

d of

this

typo

logy

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to h

ave

redu

ced

cum

ulat

ive

effe

cts.

Med

ium

-low

Bu

ilt

envi

ron

men

t

The

se v

alle

ys a

re w

ell-s

ettle

d w

ith

smal

l vill

ages

, dis

pers

ed fa

rms

and

hous

es a

nd o

ccas

iona

l gra

nd

hous

es a

nd c

astle

s ev

enly

di

strib

uted

acr

oss

the

slop

es a

bove

th

e flo

odpl

ain.

Arc

haeo

logi

cal

feat

ures

are

mor

e vi

sual

ly e

vide

nt in

th

e D

ever

on V

alle

y. R

oads

are

al

igne

d th

roug

h th

ese

valle

ys.

The

set

ting

of s

mal

l set

tlem

ents

, gr

and

hous

es/c

astle

s an

d th

eir

desi

gned

land

scap

es w

ould

be

sens

itive

to th

is ty

polo

gy. T

here

is

scop

e to

site

turb

ines

of t

his

size

to

min

imis

e im

pact

s on

mor

e de

nsel

y se

ttled

are

as a

nd o

n ot

her

built

fe

atur

es.

Med

ium

Le

ss d

ense

ly s

ettle

d up

per

slop

es

offe

r op

port

uniti

es fo

r th

is ty

polo

gy to

be

site

d w

hile

min

imis

ing

effe

cts

on

setti

ng.

Med

ium

-low

Per

cep

tual

q

ual

itie

s

Alth

ough

thes

e w

ell-s

ettle

d an

d m

anag

ed v

alle

ys h

ave

no

pron

ounc

ed s

ense

of w

ildne

ss, t

he

stee

p-si

ded

sinu

ous

valle

y of

the

Dev

eron

, tog

ethe

r w

ith it

s ric

h bu

ilt

herit

age

and

desi

gned

land

scap

es,

can

inst

il a

dist

inct

sen

se o

f pla

ce.

The

re w

ould

be

no e

ffect

on

this

se

nsiti

vity

. Lo

w

The

re w

ould

be

no e

ffect

on

this

se

nsiti

vity

. Lo

w

109

Vis

ual

am

enit

y

The

se v

alle

ys a

re w

ell-s

ettle

d an

d al

so c

onta

in a

num

ber

of m

ain

road

s. M

any

of th

e ro

ads

form

po

pula

r to

uris

t rou

tes.

Vie

ws

beyo

nd th

e va

lley

are

limite

d ho

wev

er d

ue to

thei

r co

ntai

nmen

t by

adja

cent

upl

and

area

s.

The

re a

re fe

w v

iew

s to

thes

e va

lleys

fr

om a

djac

ent c

hara

cter

type

s al

thou

gh th

e m

ore

popu

larly

wal

ked

hills

, suc

h as

Ben

Rin

nes,

pro

vide

el

evat

ed v

iew

s ov

er G

len

Rin

nes

and

Gle

n F

iddi

ch.

Tur

bine

s of

this

hei

ght w

ould

be

high

ly v

isib

le if

site

d in

the

low

er

valle

y ar

eas

alth

ough

bro

ader

upp

er

hill

slop

es s

et b

ack

from

mai

n co

ncen

trat

ions

of s

ettle

men

t and

m

ain

road

s w

ould

be

less

vis

ually

se

nsiti

ve.

V

iew

s fr

om a

djac

ent c

hara

cter

ty

pes

wou

ld b

e lik

ely

to b

e lim

ited

due

to th

e vi

sual

con

tain

men

t of

thes

e va

lleys

.

Hig

h-m

ed

Thi

s ty

polo

gy w

ould

hav

e le

ss o

f an

effe

ct o

n vi

ews

from

set

tlem

ent a

nd

road

s pr

ovid

ed tu

rbin

es w

ere

set b

ack

on b

road

er u

pper

slo

pes

and

terr

aces

an

d av

oide

d in

trus

ion

on k

ey v

iew

s to

la

ndm

ark

hills

with

in L

CT

12a

. V

iew

s fr

om a

djac

ent c

hara

cter

type

s w

ould

be

likel

y to

be

limite

d du

e to

the

visu

al c

onta

inm

ent o

f the

se v

alle

ys

and

thes

e sm

alle

r tu

rbin

es w

ould

be

less

intr

usiv

e fr

om e

leva

ted

view

s.

Med

ium

Cu

mu

lati

ve

effe

cts

The

ope

ratio

nal H

ill o

f Tow

ie w

ind

farm

is p

rom

inen

t in

view

s fr

om th

e up

per

Isla

Val

ley

and

from

Gle

n F

iddi

ch. T

he c

onse

nted

Dor

enel

l w

ind

farm

will

be

visi

ble

from

par

ts

of G

len

Fid

dich

.

Tur

bine

s of

this

siz

e co

uld

have

cu

mul

ativ

e ef

fect

s w

ith o

pera

tiona

l an

d co

nsen

ted

win

d fa

rms

in

adja

cent

cha

ract

er ty

pes

if si

ted

near

by. T

here

is s

cope

to a

void

cu

mul

ativ

e ef

fect

s ho

wev

er.

Med

ium

-low

C

umul

ativ

e vi

sual

effe

cts

with

exi

stin

g w

ind

farm

dev

elop

men

ts s

ited

in

adja

cent

upl

ands

wou

ld b

e re

duce

d du

e to

the

clea

r si

ze d

iffer

entia

l be

twee

n tu

rbin

es. T

urbi

nes

shou

ld b

e lo

cate

d w

ell a

way

from

ope

ratio

nal

and

cons

ente

d w

ind

farm

s th

ough

.

Low

110

1

Appendix D: Guidance on the micro-siting of smaller turbines

Introduction The height of turbines relative to other structures in the landscape is a key consideration in terms of landscape ‘fit’. With this in mind, five types of ‘small’ turbines were initially considered when developing the methodology for this landscape capacity assessment. These are:

Domestic systems Roof/wall mounted systems Micro wind Freestanding up to 12m to blade tip Micro-small wind turbines 12m – 20m to blade tip Small wind turbine 20m – 35m to blade tip Small-medium wind turbine 35m – 50m to blade tip

Domestic systems Domestic roof/wall mounted systems are most likely to have an impact on townscape and add to cumulative effects especially in urban areas. They have not been included in this landscape capacity assessment, as it is difficult to identify a robust list of sensitivities for this size of development which can be properly assessed at the strategic scale required for this locational guidance. Micro wind developments Freestanding turbines up to 12m high relate well to the size of existing buildings in the landscape, including farm buildings. These turbines are just over twice the height of a single storey house, while a two storey house is about 9m high to roof pitch. This height of turbine is also similar to small telephone masts and tall telegraph poles1. This size of turbine has not been included in the landscape sensitivity assessments. A single turbine of this height is most likely to be used to contribute to the energy needs of a residential house, farm or other rural based small business. The size means that it is relatively easy to accommodate in a settled landscape, if sited to be associated with such a building cluster. It is therefore likely that any assessment of landscape sensitivity will conclude that this size of turbine could be readily accommodated – perhaps, at the most, subject to siting considerations to encourage the turbines to be located where they can be visually seen to be part of a group of buildings, or clearly linked to an individual house. Therefore, while it is recognised that the free standing turbines of up to 12m may have cumulative effects on the landscape, they have been excluded from the landscape sensitivity assessments.

1 Telegraph poles are available in heights from 6m to 25m, although based on site observations most appear to be 10m or less in height.

111

2

Guidance for micro-small turbines (12m – 20m in height to blade tip) Freestanding turbines between 12m and around 20m in height to blade tip can be, at its highest, over twice the height of a two storey house. This size of turbine is therefore likely to be prominent and may appear above buildings. However, a well grown, mature forest, broadleaved or conifer tree is also about 15-20m in height. Turbines are likely to be similar in height to these trees, even more so in fertile lowland landscapes where trees often achieve good growth. Other structures of a similar height include taller communications masts and small pylons. It is likely that proposals for this height of turbine will only come forward in settled lowland landscapes or hill fringes, and in these locations, trees and other structures will provide an appropriate scale reference. Specific landscape sensitivity assessments for this size of turbine were therefore not carried out within each of the landscape character types. Nevertheless, this size of turbine has been considered within the guidance offered in the lowland landscape sensitivity assessments carried out for this study. Generic guidance for this height of turbine is provided below. Background Within the Moray landscape, the following issues have been identified as being particularly influential in terms of detailed siting of this typology within character types identified as being appropriate for this typology:

Association with existing built development

Turbine height in relation to the scale of the landscape

Landform shape

Settlement and land use pattern and features

Visibility

Potential cumulative issues

Association with existing built development Wherever possible, a turbine of less than 20m high will ‘fit’ into the landscape more successfully if it forms part of a ‘cluster’ of development and is visually associated with other built structures in the landscape. This is best achieved if the size of the turbine is in proportion to the size of individual features, such as buildings, trees and even pylons and other structures.

112

3

Image 1: A turbine illustrated at an indicative 2x height of the house from this view, or a taller turbine located behind the ridge to reduce overall height from this view. The turbine is well scaled in relation to the size of other individual features. It is also located on the side of the hill, rather than the hill top, where it can be ‘read’ in conjunction with the farm buildings. This forms a ‘cluster’ of development, which reduces landscape and visual impact. Turbine height in relation to the scale of the landscape Understanding scale, and the relative proportions of features in the landscape, is important in siting this typology. Landscape scale is made up of two factors, the scale of the landform and the scale of the pattern of land use. Assessing the scale of the landform involves assessing the perceived vertical height and horizontal expanse of the topography, as well as the degree of openness and containment created by topographical relief. The pattern of land use creates an additional layer of possible enclosure, for example where woodland, hedges and field walls provide containment. Conversely, low-growing vegetation, such as moorland, can reinforce openness. In addition, while we often assess sense of scale relative to ourselves within the landscape, individual elements, from trees to pylons, can provide reference points against which the scale of the landscape or size of other elements is perceived and understood. In Moray, the scale of the landform is a significant factor in defining landscape character. More enclosed and steep-sided river valleys, small scale hummocky landforms and low hills, as well as more complex landform along some of the foothills, create areas of relatively small scale character. Plateau moorlands, more expansive hills, long undulating ridges are characteristic of upland areas. Relatively expansive but undulating low-lying landscape is more characteristic of the lowland farmed plains. Trees and woodland, field pattern, settlements and farms are located on the lower fringes of the uplands, within the glens and across the farmed plains. The consistent and recurring presence of these elements creates a pattern which reduces the scale in these areas, and the individual elements provide scale reference points against which height can be judged. As shown in Image 1 above, turbines of this height (12m – 20m) are still small enough to be sited where they can be associated with buildings and trees. Although they may be bigger than these elements, they are proportionately unlikely to be more than three times the size of

113

4

any building or tree, and within a wider landscape setting, this size relationship can usually be accommodated unless there are site-specific scale sensitivities. On the coastal fringe, landform relief tends to be very low, with raised beaches or sand dunes, some of which are forested, forming a backdrop to the beach. Even where cliffs and more pronounced landform is present, the scale is sensitive, and a turbine can easily diminish the sense of height. As a result, the landscape sensitivity assessment for the Coastal Fringe (1-3), concludes that turbines of no more than 20m high to blade tip are appropriate for this area. Turbines should be set back from the crest of a raised beach, promontory, cliff or other key landform feature. Wherever possible, they should be sited where they can be associated with existing development. Buildings along the coast are often small, and even trees can be ‘wind shorn’ and struggle to reach full height in exposed locations. This further emphasises the need to use only small turbines in the coastal landscape, to reflect the relative size of these features.

Image 2 – Coastal landscapes: This turbine is perched on top of the raised beach and although it is quite small, instantly dominates the view and overlooks, or appears to ‘hover above’, the coast.

Image 3 – Coastal landscapes: The same turbine set back from the immediate coastal edge and associated with buildings is a less intrusive impact on the coast. The buildings along the coast are often small and low, therefore smaller turbines are more acceptable in terms of relative scale.

114

5

Landform shape The farms and settlements where turbines of this height (12m – 20m) are most likely to be located are generally associated with lower hill slopes or valley floors. Some valleys have broad upper terraces, across which are scattered small farms, and where some of the steadings have fallen into disuse. The more extensive farmed coastal plains are gently undulating, often with subtle terraces or smaller areas of more complex landform created by deposits. There are also occasional long ridges, where settlement can extend far up the slopes, for example in Rolling Farmland and Forests with Valleys (5b). These farmed slopes and valley or glen floors often have terraces, narrow ledges, folds and subtle hollows, distinct changes in gradient associated with rising slopes or dips within undulations. These changes in gradient all have the potential to create natural platforms for siting turbines of this height (12m – 20m) within the settled landscape.

Image 4 – landform shape – locating turbines on changes of gradient: This turbine (an indicative 2 x the size of the two storey house), is located at the distinct change in gradient close to the farm buildings. This means that the turbine reinforces the presence of the existing change of gradient or break in slope, rather than detract from it. When siting turbines in this landscape, avoid locating them on the tops of knolls. Side slopes of low hill and ridges, and terraces or places where there is a marked change in gradient offer good opportunities. On the more expansive farmed landscapes – such as the Coastal Farmland (4) and the Upland Farmland (8) – landform is more subtle, with long low ridges and undulating forms, as well as occasional more pronounced ridges. Turbines of this height (12m – 20m) should aim to be linked to existing building groups, and should avoid the tops of ridges except where this is a characteristic of settlement pattern. These turbines will be more easily accommodated if they are sited on the side slopes of ridges. Settlement and land use pattern and features Turbines of this height (12m – 20m) are most easily accommodated in areas where there is existing settlement and other infrastructure. In such areas, the distribution of existing built development can form a recognisable pattern to which wind turbines can be visually and physically linked.

115

6

In Moray, there is frequently a clear link between settlement and landform, for example, buildings may be located at a natural break in slope, the side slopes of the glens or associated with watercourses. In more extensive farmed areas, farm buildings may be relatively evenly dispersed across the landscape. Along the coast, settlement is located on harder rocky terrain, near the mouths of rivers and sheltered coastal locations. Larger farm buildings, industrial buildings and distilleries are also to be found in Moray, and these building groups can even include tall stacks or other masts. While even turbines of this height (12m – 20m) may be larger than most domestic and farm buildings, it is likely to still be appropriate to establish a visual relationship between a turbine and a farm or other group of buildings in this type of landscape. It is desirable to support the existing pattern of built development, where turbines of a similar size are consistently associated with a commonly occurring detailed landform or built features associated with the farms or small settlements in an area. Note that proximity to ‘regularly occupied’ buildings will also need to be balanced with a noise buffer zone.

Image 5 – Poor relationship with settlement pattern. Here a turbine is located in between two farms, and is not associated with either. It appears to ‘drift’ unattached in the landscape as it does not reflect the existing pattern of built development. Instead, the turbine is setting up a new pattern of development which conflicts with the existing well-established pattern.

Image 6 – Strong relationship with settlement pattern. The same landscape, with a turbine sited to each of the farms, close to the buildings, each of which now form ‘building clusters’. Here the turbines reflect the existing pattern of settlement, emphasising this, rather than starting a new built pattern which conflicts with the existing pattern. Micro-siting will need to balance creating a development cluster with the need to apply a recommended ‘noise buffer’ zone.

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7

Image 7 – Settlement pattern on extensive low-lying farmed landscapes: Most farms are located away from the top of the high ridges, and landform is relatively subtle. Micro-small turbines (12 – 20 m) can be located relatively close to buildings, to form ‘clusters of development’ consistently placed across the more expansive farmland areas. Consistent siting and association with existing farms will limit negative cumulative landscape effects. Micro-siting will need to balance creating a development cluster with the need to apply a recommended ‘noise buffer’ zone. In some landscapes, this consistency can be further reinforced if turbines are located at a similar elevation, especially if this relates to the existing elevation of farms, settlements or another major feature, such as the head dyke, which forms the boundary between fields and open hill ground, and is often located at a break in slope. It is important to assess and understand the existing settlement pattern at the outset, and consider how a number of turbines could be sited in a landscape. Careful and consistent siting will limit potential negative cumulative effects on landscape character.

Visibility Unsurprisingly, these micro-small turbines are likely to be less visible than the larger ones over a wider area. Turbines which are 20m or less are more likely to be able to be screened or partially hidden by the low ridges and more undulating landform within the settled landscapes of Moray. Tree cover, including sometimes extensive woodland, also limits visibility, although this can be sparse in more open farmed areas. Hiding turbines per se is not more important than choosing a turbine of the right size in relation to landform or other landscape features, or than good micro-siting in relation to landform and settlement pattern. However, reducing sustained visibility of turbines helps limit potential cumulative visual impacts. Siting turbines on the sides of ridges and low hills, rather than their summits and high points overall reduces visual cumulative effects – turbines are partially screened from some viewpoints to the lee of the hill and slopes in these locations. If several turbines are visible in an area, broad consistency of turbine design, height and location can help mitigate potential visual impacts.

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8

Potential cumulative issues Micro-small turbines may become a frequent and common occurrence in farmed landscapes. Key cumulative issues for small turbines are likely to relate strongly to potential clutter in the landscape. Issues may include:

Several individual, or small groups of turbines, could begin to

dominate local character;

The landscape could appear ‘cluttered’ if single or groups of

turbines were associated with the majority of land holdings,

especially where holdings are small and therefore closer

together;

Lack of a clear siting strategy could lead to fragmentation of

an existing robust, recognisable, consistent and characteristic

pattern of settlement, especially if turbines do not relate well to

existing buildings and established pattern of built

development;

While one turbine breaching a skyline may be a focal point, a

number of diverse structures, all spinning at different speeds –

or even several of the same type of turbine – or appearing at

irregular intervals along a prominent or important skyline will

become a visual distraction from other landscape features or

from perceived visual amenity, especially from key viewpoints;

The variety of potential different types of wind turbines within

the landscape could lead to clutter with different styles, sizes

of structures and speeds of blade movement dotted across a

landscape;

There may be the added complication of increased visual

clutter created by a wide range of different heights of turbine

within a farmed landscape with micro-, small and

small/medium sized turbines;

Potential clutter may also be exacerbated if there are other

masts, such as telecoms masts, overhead wires and pylons

within the same vicinity

The sensitivity assessment has assumed that single turbines and some groups of up to 3 micro-small (below 20m to blade tip) turbines are most likely to be associated with this typology and will have the most potential to be accommodated in the landscape. The assessment has also assumed that this size of turbine is most likely to be associated with farmed and settled landscapes. Proposals for ‘wind farms/crofts’ of micro-small turbines over 3 in number are likely to have more significant adverse impacts on the landscape character, including on cumulative effects.

118

9

Guidance for small turbines (20m – 35m in height to blade tip) The sensitivity of the landscape to this development scenario has been included in all assessments carried out in settled and farmed lowland landscape and coastal character types. Less settled upland landscape character types were not assessed for this size of development, as this size of turbine is associated with more settled landscapes and applications are unlikely to come forward in areas where there are no farms or other settlement. Background Within the Moray landscape, the following issues have been identified as being particularly influential in terms of detailed siting of this typology within character types identified as being appropriate for this typology:

Turbine height in relation to the scale of the landscape

Landform shape

Settlement and land use pattern and features

Visibility

Potential cumulative issues

Turbine height in relation to the scale of the landscape Turbines of between 20m and 35m are going to be one of the tallest structures in any Moray landscape. They are going to be taller than most buildings and trees. They are still, however, similar in height to some taller pylons and communications masts. In addition, especially on the coastal farmland, there are taller communication masts and structures associated with military activity. Understanding scale, and the relative proportions of features in the landscape, is therefore important in siting this typology. Landscape scale is made up of two factors, the scale of the landform and the scale of the pattern of land use. Assessing the scale of the landform involves assessing the perceived vertical height and horizontal expanse of the topography, as well as the degree of openness and containment created by topographical relief. The pattern of land use creates an additional layer of possible enclosure, for example where woodland, hedges and field walls provide containment. Conversely, low-growing vegetation, such as moorland, can reinforce openness. In addition, while we often assess sense of scale relative to ourselves within the landscape, individual elements, from trees to pylons, can offer reference points against which the scale of the landscape or size of other elements is perceived and understood. In Moray, the scale of the landform is a significant factor in defining landscape character. More enclosed and steep-sided river valleys, small scale hummocky landforms and low hills, as well as more complex landform along some of the foothills, create areas of relatively small scale character. Plateau moorlands, more expansive hills and long undulating ridges are characteristic of upland areas. Relatively expansive but undulating low-lying landform is more characteristic of the lowland farmed plains.

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Turbines of this size (20m – 35m), even in small groups of up to three turbines, may be able to take advantage of the degree of relief created by small and medium scaled landforms, for example the broad slopes of foothills and lower fringes of upland areas, lower side slopes of valleys or the sides of undulating ridges and more subtle landforms of Upland Farmland (8) and the Coastal Farmland (4).

Image 8 – Landscape scale and size of features: A ‘small typology’ (20m – 35m) turbine located on a low-lying ridgeline set back from but still associated with the pattern of settlement. In this location, the turbine is linked to the scale of the landform and there are no features in the immediate proximity against which to judge turbine height. It is sited at a slight dip in the ridge, and back-dropped in this view by higher ground. It is located away from the house, to avoid overwhelming the buildings in terms of scale. Trees and woodland, field pattern, settlements and farms are located on the lower fringes of the uplands, within the glens and across the farmed plains. The consistent and recurring presence of these elements creates a pattern which reduces the scale in these areas, and the individual elements provide scale reference points against which height can be judged. Care should be taken to site 20m – 35m high turbines where they do not dominate individual buildings, trees or other features, although some association with broad settlement pattern is still considered appropriate. On more marginal farmed landscapes characteristic of the settled areas of Moray, buildings and tree cover are likely to be sparse and often are smaller in size than more fertile lowland farmlands. Trees may also be limited in height by exposure or poor soils and buildings are often low, either due to exposure, or due to the poorer quality farmland, which is often reflected in the characteristically more modest building style. In these locations, the relationship between small turbines (20m – 35m) and landscape features is likely to be very sensitive, as this size of turbines could easily overwhelm the small stature and scale of individual elements which are key characteristics of these landscapes. Where larger farm buildings, and even industrial and distillery buildings are located in more expansive landscapes or broader valleys, there are increased opportunities to site this height of turbine (20m – 35m) closer to buildings.

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Overall, turbines of this height (20m – 35m) can most readily be accommodated by micro-siting them to relate to the scale of landforms or where present, larger buildings and woodlands, rather than trying to link them to the size of small structures, buildings and small trees.

Image 9 – Landscape scale – larger buildings: A turbine of this height (20 – 35m), could be associated with larger buildings in more simple landscapes, for example where larger woodlands are also present. Turbines of this height are likely to be more difficult to accommodate within very small scale and complex topography, along the floor of very narrow glens and passes, on the coast, or where small landscape scale is created by small fields, diverse land use and dense settlement pattern. For this typology, if there is doubt about the potential impact of a turbine on the scale of the landscape, a photomontage or wireline of the turbine taken from a key viewpoint will help the assessment of potential impacts.

Landform shape This size of turbine is more likely to fit with the landscape if they are sited to clearly relate to a specific landform. Turbines of this size could be accommodated on low hills or ridgelines across the more expansive farmed areas, or in the wider and more extensive areas of farmed valleys. Other opportunities include the rising ground which provides the immediate backdrop to the farmed lowland areas and valley floors, especially if they are back-dropped by larger hills. Distinct changes in gradient associated with rising slopes, well defined dips within undulations or more expansive concave landforms, long ridges and interim hills along the lower edges of the foothills, as well as the edges of more expansive plateaux all provide potential opportunities for micro-siting turbines of this size.

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Image 10 – Landform shape and scale: A cluster of indicative small (20 – 35m high) typology turbines located on the side of a hill, sited where there is a distinct, relatively level ridge and at a low point in the landform. The turbines have been located where they are not likely to interrupt key views of the ‘landmark hills’ to the right. They are also in scale with the landform, although they are at the upper end of this typology in terms of size. Settlement and land use pattern and features In Moray, there is frequently a link between settlement and landform, for example, buildings may be located at a natural break in slope, the side slopes of the glens or associated with watercourses. In more extensive farmed areas, farm buildings may be relatively evenly dispersed across the landscape. Along the coast, settlement is located on harder rocky terrain, near the mouths of rivers and sheltered coastal locations. Larger farm buildings, industrial buildings and distilleries are also to be found in Moray, and these building groups can even include tall stacks or other masts. This height of turbine (20m – 35m height to blade tip) is larger than most buildings found in rural areas. They therefore should be sited where they can more readily be accommodated by landform scale, and avoid overshadowing or dominating smaller elements in the landscape, including small and complex landforms, small fields and settlement. It is more likely that these small sized turbines will be located on low ridges, the side slopes of hills, set slightly apart from farms or settlements. The alignment of tracks and location of other infrastructure, as well as the turbines themselves, are also more likely to be an issue than with smaller turbine sizes. Developing a recognisable pattern of development – for example, locating turbines at a similar elevation, and/or on similar topographical features across a landscape type will help create a pattern of development which will appear less cluttered and will also develop a distinctive and consistent landscape characteristic over time. Proximity to ‘regularly occupied’ buildings will need to be balanced with a noise buffer zone.

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Image 11 – Developing a landscape pattern: These indicative 35m high turbines are located at a similar elevation on this hillside. They are also loosely associated with the location of the farms. This similarity in size, location and elevation helps to maintain the unity of the landscape pattern. Consistent association with watercourses, low hills or breaks in slope, head dykes or other features will help increase unity in the landscape and reduce negative cumulative landscape effects. Visibility Turbines which are more than 20m in height are taller than most trees and large farm buildings, and are therefore likely to have wider visibility than those turbines less than 20m in height. As applicants may own farms or larger land holdings, there may be the potential to screen turbines from viewpoints if required, for example to reduce cumulative visual impacts, by establishing trees adjacent to the viewpoint (for quicker, maximum screening affect).

Potential cumulative issues These small sized turbines may become a frequent and common occurrence, especially in farmed landscapes. Key cumulative issues are likely to relate strongly to potential clutter in the landscape and the visual relationship with other wind turbines. Issues are similar to those identified in the analysis of micro-small wind turbines, but because of the larger size of these turbines the issues are likely to occur more quickly and may include:

Several individual, or small groups of turbines, could begin to

dominate local character;

Lack of a clear siting strategy could lead to fragmentation of

an existing robust and recognisable landscape pattern –

where possible, it is important to site turbines on similar

landforms, at similar elevations and with a similar relationship

to the existing settlement pattern;

Diverse designs of turbine, all spinning at different speeds – or

even several turbines of the same type – strung along a

prominent or important skyline could become a visual

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distraction from other landscape features or from perceived

visual amenity, especially from key viewpoints;

The larger the turbine, the harder it is likely to be to

accommodate a number of them in a single view or

recognisable tract of landscape without them becoming the

dominant feature. It is also harder to accommodate the

turbines in a sequence of views experienced, for example,

when travelling along a road;

The variety of potential different types of wind turbines within

the landscape could lead to clutter with different styles, sizes

of structures and speeds of blade movement dotted across a

landscape;

Potential clutter may also be easily created if there are other

masts, such as telecoms masts, overhead wires and pylons

within the same vicinity;

There may be the added complication of increased visual

clutter created by a wide range of different heights of turbine

within a farmed landscape with micro-, small and

small/medium sized turbines;

An additional complication may be the visual interrelationship

with larger wind farms of large and medium sized turbines,

especially along the upper edge of farmland adjacent to

upland character types.

Other landscape issues associated with this typology Undergrounding electricity cables to a suitable off-site location to connect with the grid should also be undertaken in order to avoid a clutter of disparate built elements in the landscape.

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Guidance for small-medium turbines (35m – 50m in height to blade tip) The sensitivity of the landscape to this development scenario has been included in all assessments carried out in settled lowland landscape and coastal character types. Less settled upland landscape character types, however, were not assessed for this size of development, as this size of turbine is associated with more settled landscapes and applications are unlikely to come forward in areas where there are no farms or other settlements. Background Within the Moray landscape, the following issues have been identified as being particularly influential in terms of detailed siting of this typology within character types identified as being appropriate for this typology:

Turbine height in relation to the scale of the landscape

Landform shape

Settlement and land use pattern and features

Visibility

Cumulative issues

Turbine height in relation to the scale of the landscape Turbines of between 35m and 50m are going to often be the tallest structures in any Moray landscape. They are going to be taller than buildings and trees. They will also be taller than most communication masts and pylons, although there are some very tall masts associated with military installations on the Coastal Farmland (4) in Moray. Understanding scale, and the relative proportions of features in the landscape, is therefore important in siting this typology. Landscape scale is made up of two factors, the scale of the landform and the scale of the pattern of land use. Assessing the scale of the landform involves assessing the perceived vertical height and horizontal expanse of the topography, as well as the degree of openness and containment created by topographical relief. The pattern of land use creates an additional layer of possible enclosure, for example where woodland, hedges and field walls provide containment. Conversely, low-growing vegetation, such as moorland, can reinforce openness. In addition, while we often assess sense of scale relative to ourselves within the landscape, individual elements, from trees to pylons, can offer reference points against which the scale of the landscape or size of other elements is perceived and understood. In Moray, the scale of the landform is a significant factor in defining landscape character. More enclosed and steep-sided river valleys, small scale hummocky landforms and low hills, as well as more complex landform along some of the foothills, create areas of relatively small scale character. Plateau moorlands, more expansive hills and long undulating ridges are characteristic of upland areas. Relatively expansive but undulating low-lying landscape is more characteristic of the lowland plains.

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Turbines of this height (35m – 50m) can therefore be accommodated most readily by relating the height of the turbines to the scale of the landform. If well sited, turbines of this size, even in small groups of up to three turbines, may be able to take advantage of the degree of relief created by medium scaled landforms. Examples include the broad slopes of larger scale foothills and fringes of extensive upland areas and plateaux or the transition between smaller scale farmed or settled landscapes and the edge of larger scale upland landscapes.

Image 12 – Landscape scale and size of features: A ‘medium-small’ (35 – 50m high) turbine located where it is readily associated with the scale of the landform rather than individual features within the low-lying farmland. This size of turbine is more easily accommodated if it is not located close to farms and trees, but can be seen in the context of landform and more simple landcover, such as moorland and larger woods, for example at the transition between upland and lowland landscapes. This turbine has also been placed where it avoids the hill top, and at a clear break in slope along the ridgeline. Trees and woodland, field pattern, settlements and farms are located on the lower fringes of the uplands, within the glens and across the farmed plains. The consistent and recurring presence of these elements creates a pattern which reduces the scale in these areas, and the individual elements provide scale reference points against which height can be judged. On more marginal farmed landscapes characteristic of the settled areas of Moray, buildings and tree cover are likely to be sparse and often are smaller in size than more fertile lowland farmlands. Trees may also be limited in height by exposure or poor soils and buildings are often low, either due to exposure, or due to the poorer quality farmland, which is often reflected in the characteristically more modest building style. In settled and farmed locations, the relationship between small-medium turbines (35m – 50m) and individual smaller scale elements is likely to be very sensitive, as this size of turbines could easily overwhelm the size of individual elements, such as farms, other buildings, trees, small woods and policy features which are key characteristics of these landscapes. Turbines of this height (35m – 50m) can therefore be accommodated most readily by relating the height of the turbines to the scale of the landform, and away from the setting of farms, other buildings, trees and woodland, as shown in image 12 above.

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For this typology, if there is doubt about the potential impact of a turbine on the scale of the landscape, a photomontage, wireline or photowire taken from a key viewpoint will help the assessment of potential impacts.

Landform shape This size of turbine (35m - 50m to blade tip) is likely to be more readily accommodated in medium scaled landscapes or the transition between smaller scale farmed or settled landscapes and the edge of larger scale upland landscapes. In these locations, they are more likely to fit with the landscape if they are sited to clearly relate to a specific land form. Turbines of this size could be accommodated on low hills or ridgelines which provide the immediate backdrop to the farmed lowland areas, especially if they, too, are back-dropped by larger hills or more sweeping plateaux. Distinct changes in gradient associated with rising slopes, well defined dips within undulations, natural terraces or more expansive concave landforms, long ridges, and interim hills and foothills, as well as the edges of more expansive plateaux all provide potential opportunities for micro-siting turbines of this size.

Landform shape and scale: An indicative medium-small turbine (height 35 – 50m) shown at the break in slope at the transition between more accessible farmed land and steeper hillsides. Settlement and land use pattern and features Wherever possible, this size of turbine will ‘fit’ in the landscape more successfully if it is strongly associated with the scale of the landform and not individual features such as settlement. This will mean locating this typology away from the setting individual farms and buildings and woodland features. This size of turbine (35-50m) is most likely to be accommodated where the pattern of built development becomes more sparse, for example in the upland fringe, or where farm holdings are large with very dispersed settlement pattern set within more open, large scale lowland landscapes. Other opportunities include where the pattern of fields gives way to more extensive forestry, open hills and moorland. The alignment of tracks and location of other infrastructure, as well as the turbines themselves, are also more likely to be an issue than with smaller turbine sizes.

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Developing a recognisable pattern of development – for example, locating turbines at a similar elevation, and/or on similar topographical features across a landscape type will help create a pattern of development which will appear less cluttered and will also develop a distinctive and consistent landscape characteristic over time.

Landscape pattern: These two indicative 35-50m high turbines are located at the break in slope, reinforced by the change from field pattern to open ground. They are also broadly linked to watercourses on this hillside, therefore a pattern is emerging. Visibility Turbines of this height are likely to be widely visible, as they are difficult to screen with smaller landform. Good siting is therefore very important, as the relationship with landform and wider landscape setting will be very visible.

Cumulative issues Small-medium sized turbines may become a more common occurrence. Key cumulative issues are likely to relate strongly to potential clutter in the landscape and the visual relationship with wind farms of larger turbines or individual and small groups of small turbines. Cumulative issues may include:

Several individual, or small groups of turbines, could begin to

dominate local character;

Diverse designs of turbine, all spinning at different speeds – or

even several turbines of the same type – strung along a

prominent or important skyline could become a visual

distraction from other landscape features or from perceived

visual amenity, especially from key viewpoints;

Lack of a clear siting strategy could lead to fragmentation of

an existing robust and recognisable landscape pattern –

where possible, it is important to site turbines on similar

landforms, at similar elevations and with a similar relationship

to the existing settlement pattern;

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The larger the turbine, the harder it is likely to be to

accommodate a number of them in a single view or

recognisable tract of landscape without them becoming the

dominant feature. It is also harder to accommodate the

turbines in a sequence of views experienced, for example,

when travelling along a road;

The variety of potential different types of wind turbines within

the landscape could lead to clutter with different styles, sizes

of structures and speeds of blade movement dotted across a

landscape;

Potential clutter may also be easily created if there are other

masts, such as telecoms masts, overhead wires and pylons

within the same vicinity – this is likely to be a bigger problem

with these small turbines than larger ones;

There may be the added complication of increased visual

clutter created by a wide range of different heights of turbine

within a farmed landscape with micro-, small and

small/medium sized turbines;

Other complications may be the visual interrelationship with

larger wind farms of large and medium sized turbines,

especially along the upper edge of farmland adjacent to

upland character types.

Other landscape issues associated with this typology More complex landform, such as the areas of small-scale deposits and knolls will be particularly sensitive to the construction of access tracks for this size of wind turbine development. The construction of new access tracks should be minimised by careful siting of turbines to use existing tracks and to avoid more difficult or steep terrain. Care should also be taken in the alignment and design of any access tracks to ensure that sensitive landform and vegetation is not adversely affected and that intrusion on key views is avoided. Undergrounding electricity cables to a suitable off-site location to connect with the grid should also be undertaken in order to avoid a clutter of disparate built elements in the landscape.

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Appendix E: Repowering appraisal ZTVs and visualisations

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Appendix F: Detailed description of Landmark Hills

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Knock Hill A distinctive conical and isolated hill which rises out of lower-lying farmland on the border of Moray and Aberdeenshire and is widely visible across both areas.

Bin of Cullen The shapely conical form of this hill forms a prominent feature seen widely across eastern Moray. It is important in forming an immediate backdrop to the Moray coast and to Cullen House and its designed landscape. This hill is popular with walkers and its open rocky summit (lower slopes are densely wooded) offers expansive views over the coast and the Moray Firth.

Meikle Balloch This rounded and largely forested hill lies close to Keith. The boundary between Moray and Aberdeenshire is aligned through the summit of this hill. Footpaths and tracks on the hill are well-used and the open summit offers extensive views.

Ben Rinnes The highest hill in Moray and classified as a ‘Corbett’ and thus very popular with walkers. The smaller hills of Little Conval and Meikle Conval extend from Ben Rinnes, forming a long heather-clad rolling ridge on the west side of Glen Rinnes. Ben Rinnes has a smooth and rounded form with steep slopes. A number of Tors form distinctive features on its curving ridge. This hill is important in forming the backdrop to Glen Rinnes and the Spey valley and especially dramatic views to it are possible when travelling south on the minor road from Dallas to Upper Knockando. It is particularly spectacular in August when heather is in flower and in snowy conditions.

The Buck The distinctive pointed profile of this hill together with its ‘stand-alone’ position amidst more rolling upland plateaux, contribute to the landmark status of this hill. The Buck lies on the border of Aberdeenshire and Moray and is popular with walkers, offering extensive views.

Ben Aigan Ben Aigan rises to 471m and forms a prominent feature seen across the coastal plain of Moray and from the Spey Valley. The hill is largely forested but has an open heathery summit offering extensive views. Mountain bike trails and footpaths are well-used and the Speyside Way is aligned on the western and northern slopes of the hill.

Romach Hill and Mill Buie These densely wooded rounded hills lie close to each other in the western part of Moray. They are most prominent when seen from longer views across the coastal plain of Moray near Findhorn and Forres where they form distinct high points along the upland backdrop.

Carn Kitty Not widely visible but forms distinct high point within the Open Rolling Uplands (11) and is glimpsed from the Upper Knockando to Dallas road. This hill is surrounded by the operational wind farms of Berry Burn and Paul’s Hill.

Roy’s Hill Prominent in views from the Spey Valley and tourist routes such as the A95 where its steep open heathery slopes form an immediate backdrop to the Spey and also Ballindalloch Castle designed landscape. This hill is additionally important in visually containing the Paul’s Hill wind farm. Wind farm access tracks appear to be used by mountain bikers and walkers. The summit of this hill has extensive views to the Cairngorms.

Carn na Cailliche This gently rounded hill lies on the southern edge of the Upland Moorland and Forestry (10) and is most prominent from the Upper Knockando area and in distant views from the A95 from the south. It is important in visually containing operational wind farm development lying at the core of this character type from the Spey Valley.

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