for Proposed Cluddaun Wind Farm Co. Mayo VOLUME 3...

Environmental Impact Statement

for

Proposed Cluddaun Wind Farm

Co. Mayo

VOLUME 3 APPENDICES

Appendix 12 A

Viewshed Reference Point Selection Report

Viewshed Reference Point (VRP) Selection Report

Cluddaun Wind Farm,

Co. Mayo

Prepared by

February 2012

Viewshed Reference Point (VRP) Selection

Introduction

This report provides a rationale for the selection of viewshed reference points (VRP’s) for the proposed Cluddaun

Wind Farm, which is located in County Mayo some 10km to the north east of the settlement of Bellacorrick and 10km

southwest of Ballycastle. This project comprises fifty one turbines that are arranged in a fairly loose, organic layout.

The proposed turbines will have a blade tip height in the order of 150m.

The VRP selection is based on computer generated visibility modeling, a desk survey and subsequent field work and

uses a set of pre-established criteria to determine the likely relevance of each view.

Methodology

Generation of a Zone of Theoretical Visibility

Malachy Walsh and Partners Ltd. carried out a computer automated study of the zone of theoretical visibility (ZTV).

The purpose of this exercise is to identify the ‘theoretical’ extent and degree of visibility of turbines. This is a

theoretical exercise because it is based on topography only at 10m contour intervals and does not allow for

intermittent screening provided by, for example, hedgerows, forests or buildings and does not involve the actual

height of crests (but using the nearest 10m contour below). Thus the ZTV map, assuming no screening, represents a

‘worst-case-scenario’ with respect to viewing exposure. For the purposes of this project a radius of 20km from the

edge of the site was used for the ZTV to ensure reasonable coverage of the area. This is in line with the Wind

Energy Development Guidelines, which suggest a radius of 20km for turbines in excess of 100m in height.

Identification of Viewshed Reference Points as a Basis for Assessment

The results of the ZTV analysis provide the basis for selection of key viewpoints from which to study the visual

impacts of the proposed wind farm in detail. It is not warranted to include each and every single location that provides

a view of the development as this would result in an unwieldy report and make it extremely difficult to draw out the

key impacts arising from the project. Instead, the assessors endeavoured to select a variety of receptor types that

would also provide views of the proposed wind farm from different distances, different angles and different contexts.

These locations are significant because they represent, for example, centres of population and major transport

routes. An initial broad set of potential views is generated from a desk study using the ZTV map. Each potential VRP

is abbreviated to identify which of the following receptor types it represents;

Receptor Type Abbreviation

Key Views - from features of international or national importance; KV

Designated Scenic Routes and Views; DR

Local Community views; LC

Centres of Population CP

Major Routes; and MR

Amenity and heritage features. AV

Some VRP’s may be applicable to several receptor categories, in which case, they will be assessed under the group

that best reflects that location’s particular sensitivities. Such VRP’s are of particular relevance to the proposal due to

their multiple sensitivities.

Fieldwork is then undertaken using the broad set of potential VRP’s in order to systematically identify those that will

actually provide a view of the proposed wind farm and those from which potential views are screened by vegetation

or structures. This process involves the use of wireframe images to depict the proposed turbines within the terrain

context seen from each potential VRP location. It is also an opportunity to experience the character and features of

each location and make initial value judgements in relation to the sensitivity of each VRP. Where two or more VRP’s

with similar sensitivities are located within close proximity to each other, one may be selected in lieu of the others to

represent the visual impact from that general viewing distance and angle.

VRP selection by other Agencies

It is a common occurrence that VRP locations are suggested or required by Statutory or non-Statutory bodies with

stakeholder interest in the site. The most likely source of VRP selection input is from the Local Authority that will

assess the planning application or surrounding Local Authorities that may be impacted by the proposal. VRP

locations may also be requested by An Taisce or other tourism, heritage or conservation groups with an interest in

the area. If a third-party proposes a VRP, it can be evaluated for inclusion.

Final VRP selection and use

The VRP’s selected at this stage of the project are those from which MosArt intend to assess the landscape and

visual impacts of the proposal within the context of the project EIS. Notwithstanding, this VRP selection report is

intended as a discussion document and VRP locations may be added to or removed from this set in consultation with

the Planning Authority.

Table 1 provides the grid coordinate location of the selected VRP’s for the Cluddaun Wind Farm. The panoramic

photographs included thereafter represent each of the selected VRP locations and can be used in conjunction with

the grid reference coordinates by the Visualization Specialist to find the precise location of the VRP and to capture

their own images required for photomontages. In this instance, the design of the scheme has not yet been finalized

as it is the intention to minimize the visual impact at a number of the more sensitive receptor locations. The VRP’s

that currently represent these locations may not, therefore, be required depending on the extent of ZTV coverage for

the final scheme. VRP’s that may not ultimately be required for the visual impact assessment are marked with an

asterisk.

Table 1 - Cluddaun Wind Farm – Irish and Northern Irish Grid

Coordinates for selected VRP locations

VRP

Ref.

Eastings Northings Direction

of View

Representative of views from:

AV1* 112520 342342 SSW

• A location indicated as having a theoretical view of

between 13 and 25 turbines on the ZTV map

• Landscape related amenity feature and tourist attractor

AV2 94135 323613 NE

• A location indicated as having a theoretical view of all

51 turbines on the ZTV map

• A regional walking route and tourist attractor

AV3 97609 316668 NNE



• A regional walking route and tourist attractor

CP1 110392 337242 SW


between 13 and 25 turbines on the ZTV map from its

northwestern outskirts

• Worst case scenario views from one of the nearest

settlements to the proposal site

• A regional road

CP2 96972 319930 NE



• One of the nearest settlements to the proposal site

• A national secondary road

CP3 123735 319912 NW

• A location indicated as intermittently having a

theoretical view of all 51 turbines on the ZTV map from

elevated locations at its northwestern outskirts


• A place of spiritual significance

CP4 113246 317443 NW





DR1* 112327 340768 SSW



• A scenic route designation in the Mayo County

Development Plan

DR2* 82527 337091 ESE




Development Plan

• A settlement and place of spiritual significance

DR3* 88832 333649 ESE




Development Plan

• A regional road

DR4* 81383 330234 E




Development Plan

DR5 103624 311584 N




Development Plan

• A small settlement

MR1 110568 332859 SW



• A regional road

• Views from local residences to the east

MR2 98529 318318 NNE



• A regional road

MR3 100540 319016 NNE




MR4 107504 317183 NNW




LC1 107724 327107 NW



• Views from local residences

* VRP locations that may be dropped if refinement of the scheme layout places them outside of ZTV coverage.

Note: Five VRP locations that were initially selected at the Desktop study stage were subsequently dropped at the

fieldworks stage. These locations are indicated as points A – E on the accompanying VRP selection map.

VRP Reference Images

AV1 – Car park / picnic spot at Downpatrick Head

AV2- Western way at Tawnaghmore, 2km from Ballymonnelly Bridge

AV3 – Western way at Derry Upper 2.5km from R312 junction

CP1- Ballycastle

CP2- Bellacorick

CP3 - Ballina

CP4- N59 Crossmolina

DR1 – Sheeganear, 3km North of Ballycastle

DR2 – Local Road at Pollatomish

DR3 – R314 3km West of Glenamoy

DR4- Carrowmore Lake 2km South East of Barnatra

DR5 – Local Road at Keenagh Beg

MR1- R315 5km South of Ballycastle

MR2- R312 2km Southeast of Bellacorick

MR3- N59 3km East of Bellacorick near Lough Dahybaun

MR4- N59 5km West of Crossmolina at Carrowkeel

LC1- 4km West of R315 Garranard junction

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