LUC has supported Brookfield Renewable UK in submitting an application for Section 36 consent with supporting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for an eight-turbine extension to Kennoxhead Wind Farm, in South Lanarkshire.

This is LUC’s first project to be submitted under the requirements of The Electricity Works (Miscellaneous Temporary Modifications) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 during the current Covid-19 pandemic. The amended legislation includes a temporary relaxation of the requirement to display hard copies of the application documents, instead stating that online access will suffice.

The proposed turbines measure 180m to tip height, so there is a requirement for permanent aviation lighting. LUC’s supporting Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) therefore included an aviation lighting assessment. This included tower lighting Zones of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) plans and night-time visualisations, which aim to represent the appearance of the aviation lighting at dusk and during varying weather conditions. For maximum accuracy, we prepared photomontage visualisations which illustrate both the brightest 2000 candela (used during reduced visibility) and 200 candela lighting intensity scenarios.

The LVIA also included a comparative assessment which considered the proposed development in a theoretical baseline and included the consented Kennoxhead and Penbreck Wind Farms. This more likely development scenario assessment was supported by a second suite of photomontage visualisations.

The project illustrates some of the highly complex set of planning circumstances that LUC’s landscape architects and planners regularly assess and visualise. Every assessment is bespoke and responds to the specific circumstances.

To discuss you requirements please contact Joanna Wright for EIA or Sam Oxley for LVIA.