Landscape

For the landscape and visual character assessment, representative viewpoints were discussed and agreed with South Kesteven District Council. Viewpoints were initially selected in areas where there would be potential views of the turbines at locations that were likely to be used by local residents, walkers, cyclists, motorists and workers. The viewpoints were then checked on-site to ensure that no local features (e.g. hedgerows, buildings) obscured the view. The final viewpoints included settlements, sites of historic interest, key public highways and public rights of way.

The footpaths and bridleway directly adjacent and passing through the site would have direct views of the turbines. Further away, the visual impact of the turbines is lessened because trees, buildings and other tall structures block the view. There are no views from within nearby villages, so no turbines are seen above rooftops causing disconcerting contrasts in scale. Within Allington, although there are no direct views of the wind farm within the main body of the village, it may be possible to see the blade tips from the western end of Peach Lane and from the main road through Normanton. In Bottesford, there would not be any views of the site from the churchyard of the Church of St Mary. However, from some views you would be able to see both the spire and turbines side by side. No heritage features, such as Belvoir Castle and Belton House would experience a significant impact.