Blackdown Hills AONB wind turbine capacity study
Clients: Blackdown Hills AONB Partnership
Considering wind farms in AONBs is a sensitive subject. Whilst landscape objectives are paramount in such areas there is a duty to consider where developments at various scales can be accommodated without compromising these objectives.
The practice assessed the capacity of the AONB in terms of landscape character and sensitivity and visibility from key viewpoints. The existing LCA was used to determine sensitivities in terms of key criteria and potentially suitable areas were then tested against the objectives of the AONB.
Some limited capacity was found in a less sensitive area including a former airfield.
