Kilgallioch wind farm landscape and visual impact assessment

Challenge

In February 2013 the Scottish Government granted consent for ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) to develop and operate a 96-turbine windfarm in and around Kilgallioch and Purgatory Forests, known as Kilgallioch Windfarm. Now operating, the site generates up to 239MW, one of the largest onshore wind farms in the UK.

Solution

The importance of a project of this scale required a rigorous EIA process. SLR’s Place team was responsible for the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA), working as part of the EIA team. SLR used windfarm design software to assist with the layout design process, working with the project team and statutory consultees to develop the wind farm layout. The windfarm design was influenced by the desire to avoid or minimise potential effects on views and landscape character, but also on archaeological features, watercourses, peat, wildlife, recreation and the noise environment. Technical elements such as turbine spacing, wind capture, ground conditions and safety were also considered during the design process, together with feedback from the local community and consultees.

The development forms part of a large-scale renewable energy landscape, consolidating other windfarm development in the plateau moorland areas found in this region of Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire.

Impact

SLR recently undertook the LVIA for an extension to Kilgallioch, which was submitted to the Scottish Government in December 2019.Kilgallioch Extension will comprise 11 turbines and up to 20 MW of installed solar photovoltaic arrays. It utilises taller turbines of up to 180 m maximum tip height, each with a typical generating capacity of around 5.6 MW. The daytime landscape and visual effects of these taller turbines and solar photovoltaic arrays was assessed in the LVIA, together with the effects of aviation lighting of the turbines at night.