LUC has been appointed by ClimateXChange (CXC) to carry out a research project to review how light and shadow effects from wind farms are considered and communicated in the development planning process in Scotland.

This project follows on from CXC’s Wind Farm Impacts Study (2015), which recommended developing national guidance on how light and shadow effects from wind farms should be defined, assessed and communicated throughout the planning process.

LUC is tasked with carrying out an evidence review that will contribute to meeting these recommendations by assessing how light and shadow effects are currently considered and communicated through the planning process in Scotland. The research findings will be used to provide recommendations on how to improve:

• the definition of light and shadow effects and impacts;
• methods for predicting the impact of light and shadow effects on local residents; and
• the communication of light and shadow effects and impacts with local residents.

The insights from the review may be used to inform future guidance for developers and planning authorities.

LUC completed the first stage, which included a review of the guidance, tools and standards that are currently used in Scotland to define light and shadow effects from wind farms and to predict the impacts of those effects on residents, earlier this year. LUC is currently undertaking Stage 2, along with sub-consultants PagerPower, and will assess and compare how light and shadow effects are dealt with by local authorities during the planning process. Stage 2 will also assess how these effects are understood by the public, in particular those living near wind farms. Project completion is programmed for late 2016.