Assessing the impact of a new wind turbine on its rural setting
Located on raised grazing land near Builth Wells in Wales, the proposed site for a new wind turbine and its grid connection is adjacent to a telecoms mast and access track 215m west of Tremaen Farm. Due to its location at the bottom of a wide valley, the turbine will be visible from the surrounding slopes and high ridgelines, where a number of public footpaths, isolated farms and residential clusters can be found.
Seeking an experienced partner, Fisher German LLP appointed Influence to prepare a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA). This included a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) analysis of the LANMAP (a new hierarchical European Landscape Classification), encompassing visual and sensory as well as cultural and historic Aspect Areas. Combined with a detailed visual survey of the surrounding area, we carried out a thorough assessment of the turbine’s impact on the character and visual aesthetic of the landscape.
