Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Contents
Foreword
1 Introduction 1
2 Strategic and Criteria-based Planning of Wind Farm Developments 2
Landscape Protection 2
Landscape Accommodation 2
Landscape Change 3
Identifying capacity and limits to development 3
Cumulative Impacts 3
3 Siting and Design of Wind Farms 4
Siting of Wind Farms 4
Wind Turbine Design and Layout 8
Design and Access Statement 9
4 Environmental Considerations 10
Land Use 10
Ecology 11
Ornithology 11
Noise 12
Visual Impact 12
Shadow Flicker 12
Archaeology 12
Hydrology 12
Telecommunications, Television, Aviation Systems 13
Social considerations 13
Socio-economic and tourism considerations 13
5 Designing in landscapes with multiple wind farms 14
6 Glossary 15
7 Notes 16
Foreword
Foreword
1 Introduction
Landscape Protection
PPW (Edition 4, February 2011) aims to maintain
the integrity and quality of the landscape within the
National Parks, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONB), Natura 2000 Habitat Directive Sites, National
Nature Reserves, the Dyfi Valley Biosphere site and
World Heritage Sites. The highest levels of nature
conservation and heritage designations, such as
National Parks and AONB, are all excluded from SSAs.
Landscape Accommodation
Landscape accommodation aims to retain the overall
character of the landscape, yet accepting that
development may be allowed which will have an impact
locally; that it fits within the landscape and does not
change its character on a large scale.
Strategic and Criteria-based Planning of Wind Farm Developments
3
Landscape Change
Within (and immediately adjacent) to the SSAs, the
implicit objective is to accept landscape change i.e. a
significant change in landscape character from wind
turbine development
11
. Where it is accepted that the area
is one whose landscape character may be allowed to
change, DCfW considers that good landscape design
principles still need to be followed to ensure that the
development is still appropriate for the scale and
character of the landscape.
Cumulative Impacts
In developing planning policies and wind farm
guidance, local authorities and developers should
consider identifying areas that should be afforded
protection in order to reduce the potential for further
cumulative impacts. These areas may be required
between very large individual wind farms, clusters of
wind farms, and SSAs. Renewable assessments
undertaken by the local authority would identify these
areas. The Renewable and Low Carbon Energy A
Toolkit for Planners document provides guidance on
how to undertake a renewable assessment to identify
opportunities and provide the evidence base for their
Local Development Plan's. It is acknowledged that
the delivery of any protected areas may be challenging
and will rely on a constructive dialogue between all
parties.
- Effects on landscape designations landscape value
Effects of additional development on the qualities, integrity
and objectives of any relevant landscape designation should be
analysed and described.
- Effects of skylining
A viewers eye tends to be drawn towards the skyline. Where an
existing wind farm is already prominent on a skyline the
introduction of additional structures along the horizon may
result in development that is proportionally dominant. The ratio
of developed to non-developed skyline is therefore an important
landscape consideration.
Landscape Character
Underlying geology, landform, soils, vegetation,
land use and settlement make places have different
landscape character. Taken together these qualities
contribute to regional distinctiveness and a local
sense of place. Understanding a landscapes key
characteristics and features is vital in considering how
new development will affect it or, with appropriate
design, contribute to it. LANDMAP, the key landscape
guidance and landscape resource for Wales, has
five layers of information that promotes sustainable
landscape decision-making; Geological Landscape,
Landscape Habitats, Visual and Sensory, Historic
Landscape and Cultural Landscape.
Ffynnon Oer Windfarm Access, UK Arup
Siting and Design of Wind Farms
7
Wind Farms Arup
Siting and Design of Wind Farms
Whitelee Wind Farm, Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire, UK Paul White Photography
8
Turbine Colour
Experience has shown that it is important to choose a colour
that will relate positively to a range of backdrops seen within
different views and in different weather conditions. . If wind
turbine components are of different colour it can create
a more complex image and means the visibility of
different sections varies.
A light grey colour generally achieves the best balance
between minimising visibility and visual impacts when
seen against the sky. For multiple wind farm groups or
wind farm extensions, the colour of turbines should
generally be consistent. Light grey will relate positively
to a range of backdrops seen within different views of
and in different weather conditions.
Turbine Lighting
In some locations it may be necessary to light wind
turbines for reasons of civil or military aviation safety.
Lighting on top of the turbine may be inappropriate in
predominately unlit rural areas. Therefore it is
necessary to design lighting in order to minimise
landscape and visual impacts whilst satisfying health
and safety or navigation requirements.
Turbine layout
The layout of a wind farm should relate to the specific
characteristics of the landscape. The layout of large
scale wind farms generally comprises a grid of wind
turbines often taken as the starting point with the
turbines spaced at minimum separation distances to
avoid turbulence, often equating to 4-5 rotor
diameters. Throughout the design process, the wind
turbines may be moved or removed due to an array of
physical and environmental constraints.
Design and Access Statement
A Design and Access Statement (DAS) is a key document
which accompanies a planning application and a
developer should aim to create a wind farm with a
cohesive design that relates to the surrounding landscape.
A DAS should explain the design principles and concepts
that have been applied to particular aspects of the
proposal. The DAS should demonstrate how the local
context has influenced the design of the development.
10
4 Environmental Considerations
Land Use
Wind turbines take up very little land, only about 1% of
the site where they are situated and the remaining land
is still available for agricultural or amenity use. The
potential effects on land use are generally minimal
because the land may not be of a particularly high
quality in terms of Agricultural Land Classification
(ALC). For instance, uplands tend to have limited land
use and may be of less marginal economic value to
farmers. Land use will determine the layout, siting and
size of a wind farm.
EIA support Arup
EIA support Arup EIA support Arup EIA support Arup
11
Environmental Considerations
Ecology
Certain species in Britain are in need of special
protection, for reasons of dramatic decline, loss of
habitats and rarity or restricted distribution. The flora
and fauna listed below are protected via European and/
or national legislation:
- Invertebrates;
- Bats;
- Amphibian and reptiles;
- Great Crested Newts;
- Water voles; and
- Key habitats (including plant species).
The design, layout and siting of a wind farm has to take
into consideration of the surrounding protected species.
If the wind farm layout design has the potential to cause
ecological issues it is often possible to modify a wind
farm site to minimise the effects upon protected flora
and fauna species. Consultation with the Countryside
Council for Wales early will assist this iterative process.
Ornithology
Poor design of wind farms could result in loss of bird
habitat and feeding grounds, collision and interruption
to flight paths and migratory routes. The EIA informs
the design process so that site layouts are modified to
accommodate bird movements in an iterative process
prior to the planning application. As with ecological
issues above, early consultation with the Countryside
Council for Wales/RSPB will also assist this iterative
process.
All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 which prevents killing or injuring
any bird or damaging or destroying nests and eggs.
Certain species are specially listed under Schedule 1 of
the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which prevents
disturbance of the species or its nest and/or eggs at any
time, and are protected by special penalties.
12
Environmental Considerations
Noise
Two factors affect the perception of a particular sound;
the level of background noise relative to the sound in
question; and the tonal quality. If the noise emitted by
the turbine is less than the background noise then it will
be hard to discern the sound of the turbine.
Visual Impact
Visual impacts of wind farms can determine the layout
and siting of a wind farm.
Archaeology
Construction of wind farms could affect visible or
buried archaeological remains, such as non-designated
features and designated features (Listed Buildings and
Scheduled Ancient Monuments).
Hydrology
Wind farm development could create vulnerable
changes to flood risk, ground water, surface water and
drainage systems. The layout and siting of a wind farm
can reduce the adverse impacts on hydrology.
EIA support Arup
Environmental Considerations
13
Social considerations
Effective and early consultation with key stakeholders
and the general public are important processes within
the EIA and design process.
Ian Munroe
14
5 Designing in landscapes
with multiple wind farms
6 Glossary
Ancillary infrastructure The built element and structures of a windfarm, apart from the
turbines, which serve the development, such as access tracks,
borrow pits, the control building and substation.
Anemometer mast A mast erected on a windfarm site, usually the same height as
the turbine hubs, to monitor wind speed.
Design and Access Statement A document which aims to create a development with a cohe-
sive design that relates to the surrounding landscape and allows
access to all users.
Strategic Search Area These areas can accommodate large scale (over 25MW) onshore
wind developments due to efficiency and environmental reasons
amongst others.
16
7 Notes
1
Insider Media Limited (2012). Group to push for renewable
gains. [online] Available at: <http://www.insidermedia.com/
insider/wales/72642-group-push-renewable-gains/index.html >
[Accessed on 29/06/2012]
2
Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy
from renewable sources and amending and subsequently
repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC
3
A Low Carbon Revolution The Welsh Assembly Government
(2010), [online] Available at :<wales.gov.uk/topics/.../energy/.../
policy/lowcarbonrevolution/>[Accessed on: 29/06/2012
4
Ibid
5
Welsh Government (2011), Planning Policy Wales Edition
4, [online] Available at:>http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/
policy/ppw/?lang=en>[Accessed 29/06/2012]
6
Technical Advice Note 8: Renewable Energy (2005), Annex D
14
The guidelines for this are set out in the Guidelines for
Landscape and Visual Assessment (GLVIA), produced by
the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental
Management Assessment
15
Welsh Government (2007) Policy Statement for the
National Parks and National Park Authorities in Wales,
March 2007, [online] Available at http://wales.gov.
uk/topics/environmentcountryside/consmanagement/
countrysidecoastalaccess/npwales/policystatement/?lang=en
[Accessed on 26/06/2012]
16
Welsh Government (2009) Heritage, Landscape and the
Cultural Value of Welsh Woodlands and Trees: The National
Assembly for Waless strategy for trees and woodlands. Forestry
Commission, March 2009
17
Hadley., D (2009). Land Use Policy, Land use and the coastal
zone, Science Direct, 26: S198 S203
7
Countryside Council for Wales (2010), LANDMAP for
Landscape and Visual Impacts Assessment of Onshore Wind
Turbines, LANDMAP Information Guidance Note J une 2010
8
Technical Advice Note (TAN) 12: Design (2009), [online]
Available at:http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy/tans/
tan12/?lang=en [Accessed 13/06/2012]
9
Scottish Natural Heritage (2009), Siting and Designing
windfarms in the landscape, Version 1, December 2009
10
Technical Advice Note (TAN) 8: Renewable Energy (2005)
[online] Available at: <http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/
policy/tans/tan8/?lang=en>[Accessed on 13/07/2012]
11
Ibid.
12
Scottish Planning Policy: Renewable Energy, Scottish
Executive 2007 was superseded in 2010 by a new consolidated
SPP, paragraph 3, Annex A Cumulative Impacts
13
Scottish Natural Heritage (2009), Siting and Designing
windfarms in the landscape, Version 1, December 2009
18
BWEA, [online], Available at:http://www.bwea.com/statistics/
Accessed on: 29/06/2012
19
Countryside Council for Wales (2010), LANDMAP for
Landscape and Visual Impacts Assessment of Onshore Wind
Turbines, LANDMAP Information Guidance Note J une 2010
20
Munday, M., Bristow, G., and Cowell, R. (2011) Wind farms
in rural areas: how far do community benefits from wind farms
represent a local economic development opportunity? J ournal of
Rural Studies 27, 112
21
The Tourism Company (2012), The Impact of Wind Turbines
on Tourism A Literature Review, [online] Available at: www.
tpnw.org, [Accessed on 16/07/2012]
22
The Scottish Government (2008), [online] Available at:http://
www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/03/07113554/0
[Accessed on 16/07/2012]
23
Scottish Natural Heritage (2009), Siting and Designing
windfarms in the landscape, Version 1, December 2009
www.arup.com