Viewpoint 9 Tyninghame (Ravensheugh Sands)

946. The cumulative wireline from Tyninghame (Ravensheugh Sands) (Figure 15.29c) illustrates that there would be limited potential for the Proposed Development to be viewed in combination with the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm and Seagreen 1A, due to the Inch Cape wind turbines being highly unlikely to be perceived given that only a limited number of blade tips may just intermittently appear above the horizon line at 50.9 km and Seagreen 1A being barely visible at 70.3 km from the viewpoint. The Proposed Development may be visible with Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm (which is part of the assumed baseline conditions), located to the east in the same sector of the offshore view. In this context the Proposed Development will form a visually recessive distant element at 50.9 km, viewed from a relatively low-lying location on Tyninghame Beach. The Proposed Development may appear to visually extend the combined Neart na Gaoithe (29.2 km) and Inch Cape (50.9 km) array to the south, however its contribution to the additional cumulative effect is limited as the Proposed Development wind turbines only intermittently appear above the horizon line as blade tips and upper towers, with the majority of the wind turbines partially screened by the intervening horizon.
947. Although the Proposed Development will result in a southern extension of wind farm influence on the distant sea skyline, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effect with Inch Cape on this view will be low, fundamentally because Inch Cape is barely visible, such that there is very limited additional cumulative change over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). There are also restricted views of the Proposed Development wind turbines, which appear as distant blade tips/upper towers, being visually recessive at 50.9 km and located partially behind Neart na Gaoithe (within which it is partially subsumed). On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development is assessed as low and for the identified medium-high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with Inch Cape is assessed as not significant (moderate/minor).

Viewpoint 10 Dunbar

948. The cumulative wireline from Dunbar (Figure 15.30c) illustrates that there would be potential for the Proposed Development to be visible in combination with the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm (51.1km) however Seagreen 1A is highly unlikely to be perceived given that only a limited number of blade tips may just intermittently appear above the horizon line behind Neart na Gaoithe at 69.6 km. In this context the Proposed Development will form a visually recessive distant element at 48.4 km however, it may appear to visually extend the combined Neart na Gaoithe (28.1 km) and Inch Cape (51.1 km) array to the south. Inch Cape forms a slight northern extension to Neart na Gaoithe but is visually recessive at such long distance and is viewed partially behind Neart na Gaoithe and at smaller vertical scale. The Proposed Development is located at similarly long distance to Inch Cape and also overlaps with Neart na Gaoithe, which it is partially subsumed behind, to form a contiguous wind farm array with both projects. The southern part of the Proposed Development is likely (when visible) to form a southern extension of the offshore wind farm influence, contributing to a wider combined lateral spread of distant wind turbines on the sea skyline extending southwards in the seascape backdrop beyond Dunbar Harbour. The scale of cumulative change is however likely to be restricted by the distance offshore and limited frequency of visibility at such long range. The open sea aspect will be retained to the north and south, with open sea separating the combined Neart na Gaoithe/Inch Cape/Berwick Bank offshore wind farm array from the East Lothian coastline.
949. Although the Proposed Development will result in an additional notable southern extension of wind farm influence on the distant sea skyline, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effect with tier 2 projects on this view will be medium-low, due to it being visually recessive at such long distance offshore (48.4 km) from this viewpoint, and partially behind Neart na Gaoithe, within which it is partially subsumed. On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as medium-low and for the identified medium-high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with Inch Cape is assessed as not significant (moderate/minor).

Viewpoint 11 Skateraw

950. The cumulative wireline from Skateraw (Figure 15.31b) illustrates that there would be limited potential for the Proposed Development to be viewed in combination with Seagreen 1A, which is 69.7 km from the viewpoint, or with the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm, which is unlikely to be distinguished at distance behind Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm and given that only a limited number of blade tips and upper towers/rotors may just intermittently appear above the horizon line and intervening landforms of Chapel Point at 52.6 km. The Proposed Development may be visible with the combined Inch Cape and Neart na Gaoithe array, located to the north-east in the same sector of the offshore view. In this context the Proposed Development will form a visually recessive distant element at 45.9 km, viewed from a relatively low-lying location at Skateraw. The Proposed Development also overlaps with Neart na Gaoithe, which it is partially subsumed behind, to form a contiguous wind farm array with both projects.
951. Although the Proposed Development will result in a southern extension of wind farm influence on the distant sea skyline, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effect with Inch Cape on this view will be low, fundamentally because Inch Cape will have a negligible and barely perceptible influence on the view behind Neart na Gaoithe, such that there is very limited additional cumulative change over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development is assessed as low and for the identified medium sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with Inch Cape is assessed as not significant (minor).

Viewpoint 12 Cove (SUW)

952. The cumulative wireline from Cove (Figure 15.32c) illustrates that there would be limited potential for the Proposed Development to be viewed in combination with Seagreen 1A, which is 71.3 km from the viewpoint, and that the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm is subsumed entirely behind Neart na Gaoithe at long distance (55.2 km). Although the Proposed Development will visually extend the combined Neart na Gaoithe (31.1 km) and Inch Cape (55.2 km) array to the south, resulting in an additional southern extension of wind farm influence on the distant sea skyline, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effect with Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A on this view will be low, fundamentally because these tier 2 projects will have a limited influence on the view behind Neart na Gaoithe and at very long range, such that there is very limited additional cumulative change or interaction of the Proposed Development with Inch Cape, over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as low and for the identified medium-high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as not significant (moderate/minor).

Viewpoint 13 Fast Castle

953. The cumulative wireline from Fast Castle (Figure 15.33c) illustrates that there would be limited potential for the Proposed Development to be viewed in combination with Seagreen 1A, which is 69.3 km from the viewpoint, and that the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm is subsumed entirely behind Neart na Gaoithe at long distance (54.9 km). Although the Proposed Development will form a distinct new offshore wind farm to the south of the combined Neart na Gaoithe (31.4 km) and Inch Cape (54.9 km) array, resulting in an additional southern extension of wind farm influence on the distant sea skyline, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effect with Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A on this view will be low, fundamentally because these tier 2 projects will have a limited influence on the view behind Neart na Gaoithe and at very long range, such that there is very limited additional cumulative change or interaction of the Proposed Development with Inch Cape, over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as low and for the identified high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as not significant (moderate/minor).

Viewpoint 14 Tun Law

954. The cumulative wireline from Tun Law (Figure 15.34c) illustrates that there would be limited potential for the Proposed Development to be viewed in combination with Seagreen 1A, which is 69.9 km from the viewpoint, and that the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm is subsumed largely behind Neart na Gaoithe at long distance (56.9 km), partially extending it to the south. Although the Proposed Development will form a distinct new offshore wind farm to the south of the combined Neart na Gaoithe (33.3 km) and Inch Cape (56.9 km) array, resulting in an additional southern extension of wind farm influence on the distant sea skyline, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effect with Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A on this view will be low, fundamentally because these tier 2 projects will have a limited influence on the view behind Neart na Gaoithe and at very long range, such that there is very limited additional cumulative change or interaction of the Proposed Development with Inch Cape, over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). The southern part of Inch Cape is likely (when visible) to combine with the Proposed Development to reduce the space between Neart na Gaoithe and the Proposed Development, resulting in some increase in the perceived visual linkage of offshore wind farms on the distant sea skyline. The open sea skyline between Neart na Gaoithe and the Proposed Development is however, generally likely to be perceived due to the long distance and low visibility of Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A in this area of skyline. On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as low and for the identified high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as not significant (moderate/minor).

Viewpoint 15 St Abb's Head

955. The cumulative wireline from St Abb’s Head (Figure 15.35c) illustrates that there would be limited potential for the Proposed Development to be viewed in combination with Seagreen 1A, which is 69.9 km from the viewpoint, and that the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm is subsumed largely behind Neart na Gaoithe at long distance (56.8 km), partially extending it to the south. Although the Proposed Development will form a distinct new offshore wind farm to the south of the combined Neart na Gaoithe (33.2 km) and Inch Cape (56.8 km) array, resulting in an additional southern extension of wind farm influence on the distant sea skyline, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effect with Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A on this view will be low, fundamentally because these tier 2 projects will have a limited influence on the view behind Neart na Gaoithe and at very long range, such that there is very limited additional cumulative change or interaction of the Proposed Development with Inch Cape, over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). The southern part of Inch Cape is likely (when visible) to combine with the Proposed Development to reduce the space between Neart na Gaoithe and the Proposed Development, resulting in some increase in the perceived visual linkage of offshore wind farms on the distant sea skyline. The open sea skyline between Neart na Gaoithe and the Proposed Development is however, generally likely to be perceived due to the long distance and low visibility of Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A in this area of skyline. On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as low and for the identified high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as not significant (moderate/minor).

Viewpoint 16 Eyemouth

956. The cumulative wireline from Eyemouth (Figure 15.36c) illustrates that there would be limited potential for the Proposed Development to be viewed in combination with Seagreen 1A, which is 73.5 km from the viewpoint, and that the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm is subsumed largely behind Neart na Gaoithe and located largely beyond the skyline at very long distance (61.2 km). Although the Proposed Development will form a distinct new offshore wind farm to the south of the combined Neart na Gaoithe (37.6 km) and Inch Cape (61.2 km) array, resulting in an additional southern extension of wind farm influence on the distant sea skyline, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effect with Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A on this view will be low, fundamentally because these tier 2 projects will have a limited influence on the view behind Neart na Gaoithe and at very long range, such that there is very limited additional cumulative change or interaction of the Proposed Development with Inch Cape, over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). The southern part of Inch Cape may in theory combine with the Proposed Development to reduce the space between Neart na Gaoithe and the Proposed Development, however is unlikely to be distinguished given that only a limited number of blade tips and upper towers/rotors may just intermittently appear above the horizon line at 61.2 km. The open sea skyline between Neart na Gaoithe and the Proposed Development is likely to continue to be perceived due to the long distance and low visibility of Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A in this area of skyline. On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as low and for the identified medium-high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as not significant (moderate/minor).

Viewpoint 17 Berwick-upon-Tweed

957. The cumulative wireline from Berwick-upon-Tweed (Figure 15.37d) illustrates that there would be limited potential for the Proposed Development to be visible in combination with the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm and Seagreen 1A. Inch Cape is located 73.5 km to the north and Seagreen 1A 84.5 km offshore, with both projects being barely visible above the horizon in the cumulative wireline and will be even less visible in the prevailing atmospheric conditions at very long range. Although the Proposed Development will result in an additional wind farm influence on the sea skyline 43.6km from the viewpoint, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effects with Inch Cape on this view will be negligible, fundamentally because Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A will have a negligible influence on the view, such that there is essentially no additional cumulative change or interaction between the Proposed Development and Inch Cape, over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development is assessed as negligible and for the identified medium-high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as not significant (minor).

Viewpoint 18 Cocklawburn Beach

958. The cumulative wireline from Cocklawburn Beach (Figure 15.38b) illustrates that there would be essentially no potential for the Proposed Development to be visible in combination with the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm or Seagreen 1A as neither project will be visible at all due to the distance and screening by the intervening horizon. The potential for additional changes resulting from the Proposed Development with Inch Cape will be avoided as these tier 2 projects are not visible.
959. Although the Proposed Development will result in an additional wind farm influence on the sea skyline 49.4 km from the viewpoint, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effects with Inch Cape on this view will be zero, fundamentally because Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A will not be visible, such that there is essentially no additional cumulative change or interaction between the Proposed Development and Inch Cape, over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development is assessed as zero and for the identified high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with Inch Cape is assessed as not significant (there is no cumulative effect).

Viewpoint 19 Holy Island (near Lindisfarne Castle)

960. The cumulative wireline from Lindisfarne Castle (Figure 15.39c) illustrates that there would be no potential for the Proposed Development to be visible in combination with the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm or Seagreen 1A, as neither project will be visible at all due to the distance and screening by the intervening horizon. The potential for additional cumulative changes resulting from the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects will be avoided as there are no tier 2 projects visible.
961. Although the Proposed Development will result in an additional wind farm influence on the sea skyline 53.7 km from the viewpoint, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effects with Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A on this view will be zero, fundamentally because Inch Cape will not be visible, such that there is essentially no additional cumulative change or interaction between the Proposed Development and tier 2 projects, over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development is assessed as zero and for the identified high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as not significant (there is no cumulative effect).

Viewpoint 20 Bamburgh Castle

962. The cumulative wireline from Bamburgh Castle (Figure 15.40c) illustrates that there would be no potential for the Proposed Development to be visible in combination with the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm or Seagreen 1 Variation, as neither project will be visible at all due to the distance and screening by the intervening horizon. The potential for additional cumulative changes resulting from the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects will be avoided as there are no tier 2 projects visible.
963. Although the Proposed Development will result in an additional wind farm influence on the sea skyline 60.1 km from the viewpoint, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effects with tier 2 projects on this view will be zero, fundamentally because no tier 2 projects will not be visible, such that there is essentially no additional cumulative change or interaction between the Proposed Development and tier 2 projects, over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development is assessed as zero and for the identified high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as not significant (there is no cumulative effect).

Viewpoint 21 Pencraig Brae

964. The cumulative wireline from Pencraig Brae (Figure 15.41c) illustrates that there would be limited potential for the Proposed Development to be viewed in combination with Seagreen 1A, which is 77.5 km from the viewpoint, and has limited potential to be visible in combination with the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm which is 57.8 km from the viewpoint, located to the north-east in the same sector of the view towards the sea across the East Lothian plain. In this context the Proposed Development will form a visually recessive distant element at 58.2 km however, it may appear to visually extend the combined Neart na Gaoithe (36.5 km) and Inch Cape (57.8 km) array to the south. Inch Cape forms a northern extension to Neart na Gaoithe but is visually recessive at such a long distance and is viewed partially behind Neart na Gaoithe and at smaller vertical scale. The Proposed Development is located at similarly long distance to Inch Cape and also overlaps with Neart na Gaoithe, which it is partially subsumed behind, to form a contiguous wind farm array with both projects. The southern part of the Proposed Development is likely (when visible) to form a southern extension of the offshore wind farm influence, contributing to a wider combined lateral spread of distant wind turbines on the distant seascape backdrop. The scale of cumulative change is however likely to be restricted by the distance offshore and limited frequency of visibility at such long range.
965. Although the Proposed Development will result in an additional southern extension of wind farm influence on the distant sea skyline, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effect with tier 2 projects on this view will be low, due to it being visually recessive at such a long distance offshore (58.2 km) from this viewpoint, and partially behind Neart na Gaoithe, within which it is partially subsumed. On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development is assessed as low and for the identified medium sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as not significant (minor).

Viewpoint 22 Ewelair Hill

966. The cumulative wireline from Ewelair Hill (Figure 15.42c) illustrates that there would be no potential for the Proposed Development to be visible in combination with the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm or Seagreen 1 Variation, as neither project will be visible at all due to the distance and screening by the intervening landform. Although the Proposed Development will result in an additional wind farm influence on the sea skyline 54.2 km from the viewpoint, the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effects with tier 2 projects on this view will be zero, fundamentally because no tier 2 projects will not be visible, such that there is essentially no additional cumulative change or interaction between the Proposed Development and tier 2 projects, over and above the scenario already assessed in Section 15.11 (which considered the effect of the Proposed Development as an addition to Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 in the assumed baseline). On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development is assessed as zero and for the identified medium sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as not significant (there is no cumulative effect).

Viewpoint 23 Isle of May

967. The cumulative wireline from the Isle of May (Figure 15.43c) illustrates that there would be potential for the Proposed Development to be visible in combination with the consented Inch Cape offshore wind farm and Seagreen 1A, as well as Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm (which is part of the assumed baseline conditions), located to the east in the same sector of the offshore view. In this context the Proposed Development will form a visually recessive distant element at 41.5km, in the context of the visually more pronounced Neart na Gaoithe (16.4 km) and Inch Cape (34.3 km). Inch Cape contributes more to the cumulative effect due to its closer proximity and larger scale in the view, and due to it being seen as a northerly extension of Neart na Gaoithe, where the Inch Cape wind turbines may result in an increase in the wind farm developed skyline and further loss of the open seascape to the north of Neart na Gaoithe. The Proposed Development, by comparison, is located at greater distance offshore and will be largely located behind Neart na Gaoithe and is therefore largely subsumed within and behind the array of Neart na Gaoithe wind turbines. The Proposed Development results in some increase in the density of the array in combination with Neart na Gaoithe and may contribute a small increase in the lateral spread of wind turbines on the sea skyline to the south of Neart na Gaoithe, with just the southern part of the array likely (when visible) to extend into the distance on the skyline to the south of Neart na Gaoithe, contributing to a wider overall spread of wind turbines on the sea skyline in combination with Inch Cape and Neart na Gaoithe.
968. On balance, the additional cumulative magnitude of change resulting from the contribution of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as medium-low and for the identified medium-high sensitivity receptors at this location the additional cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is assessed as not significant (moderate).

Visual Receptors

969. An assessment of the additional cumulative effects arising as a result of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects on the views and visual amenity experienced by the principal visual receptors is undertaken in Table 15.46   Open ▸ .

Table 15.46: Cumulative Effects (Tier 2) on Visual Receptors

CUMULATIVE EFFECT (Tier 2) OF THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ON coastal (seascape) CHARACTER

970. The potential for cumulative effects on coastal (seascape) character arising in the tier 2 assessment is informed by the assessments undertaken in the cumulative visual assessment above and the coastal character effects assessment undertaken in Section 15.11. The range of potential cumulative effects that are identified and included in this CEA are a subset of those considered for the Proposed Development alone assessment, in the context of an assumed baseline with operational and under-construction projects.
971. Some of these potential impacts on coastal character identified and assessed for the Proposed Development alone (in Section 15.11) are of negligible or low magnitude or of localised geographic extent, and certain coastal character receptors do not require further detailed assessment due to the unlikelihood of significant effects occurring. It is considered likely that these potential impacts have limited or no potential to interact with similar changes associated with other plans or projects, and therefore only the coastal character receptors assessed in detail Section 15.11 ( Table 15.27   Open ▸ to Table 15.38   Open ▸ ) are assessed further for potential cumulative effects in this tier 2 assessment. This assessment of relevant CCAs is undertaken in Table 15.47   Open ▸ and is informed by the cumulative ZTV for Seagreen 1A (Figure 15.17b) and Inch Cape offshore wind farm (Figure 15.20).

Table 15.47: Cumulative Effects (Tier 2) on Coastal Character (CCAs)

CUMULATIVE EFFECT (Tier 2) OF THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ON special qualities of designated landscapes

972. The potential for cumulative effects on defined special qualities of the Northumberland Coast AONB arising in the tier 2 assessment is informed by the assessments undertaken in the coastal character effects assessment above and the special qualities assessment undertaken in Table 15.41   Open ▸ . The range of potential cumulative effects that are identified and included in this CEA are a subset of those considered for the Proposed Development alone assessment, in the context of an assumed baseline with operational and under-construction projects.
973. A cumulative effect assessment of the operation and maintenance of the Proposed Development on the special qualities of the Northumberland Coast AONB is undertaken in Table 15.48   Open ▸ .

Table 15.48: Cumulative Effects (Tier 2) on Northumberland Coast AONB Special Qualities

15.12.4.         Tier 3 Cumulative Effects Assessment

974. The tier 3 assessment considered all plans/projects assessed under Tier 2, plus those projects with a Scoping Report as listed in Table 15.42   Open ▸ and shown in Figure 15.16 Tier 3 projects within the SLVIA study area consist of scoping stage onshore wind farms, all of which are located between 43 - 60 km from the Proposed Development array area.
975. The cumulative landscape and visual effects of scoping stage sites are not generally considered in CEAs for onshore wind farm development, in line with best practice guidance (NatureScot, 2021), which states that:

• 'An assessment of cumulative impacts associated with a specific development proposal should encompass the effects of the proposal in combination with:
• existing development, either built or under construction;
• approved development, awaiting implementation; and
• proposals awaiting determination within the planning process with design information in the public domain.  Proposals and design information may be deemed to be in the public domain once an application has been lodged, and the decision-making authority has formally registered the application'.

976. This guidance generally recommends cumulative assessment goes only as far as assessing projects where an application has been lodged, however, it does also state that 'occasionally it may be appropriate to include proposals which are in the early stages of development in an assessment, particularly where clusters of development or “hotspots” emerge. However, a degree of pragmatism is required to enable proposals to progress to determination'.
977. GLVIA3 (Landscape Institute, 2013) also supports the approach of assessing projects with planning consent and those that are subject of a valid planning application, stating (7.14) that ‘schemes that are at the pre-planning or scoping stage are not generally considered in the assessment of cumulative effects because of uncertainty about what will actually occur, that is, is not ‘reasonably foreseeable’.
978. GLVIA3 does however note, that ‘there may be occasions where such schemes may be included in the assessment if the competent authority or consultation bodies consider this to be necessary. Such a request should only be made if absolutely necessary to make a realistic assessment of potential cumulative effects’.
979. Consultations with stakeholders have taken place on the approach to the SLVIA ( Table 15.4   Open ▸ ), which have not indicated it necessary to assess the cumulative effects of Proposed Development with scoping stage (tier 3) projects.
980. Offshore specific guidance (PINS, 2019) recommends that projects where a scoping report has been submitted are considered in the CEA. A preliminary assessment of the position and spatial extent of scoping stage onshore wind farms, listed in Table 15.42   Open ▸ and shown in Figure 15.16, indicates that they are all located at long distance between 43 - 60 km from the Proposed Development array area, are not visible in offshore views towards the Proposed Development due to their inland locations, and if visible in the wider inland view panorama, are likely to be subsumed within existing onshore wind farm groupings. The Proposed Development will therefore have limited effect interaction with scoping stage projects and it is assessed that the Proposed Development will result in no additional significant cumulative seascape, landscape and visual effects with scoping stage projects included in the Tier 3 assessment.
981. The totality of the potential effects arising in respect of scoping stage projects (tier 3) is also considered unlikely to arise, as it is likely that at least some the scoping stage projects will not ultimately be taken forward to application, gain consent or become operational, which reduces the likelihood of tier 3 effects arising in full.

15.12.5.         Tier 4 Cumulative Effects Assessment

982. The tier 4 assessment considers all plans/projects assessed under Tier 3, plus those projects likely to come forward where an AfL has been granted.
983. Tier 4 projects within the SLVIA study area consist of Scotwind Leasing Area 1 (BP) and Scotwind Leasing Area 2 (SSER) located 31.6 km and 56.8 km to the east of the Proposed Development array area respectively; and Scotwind Leasing Area 6 (DEME) located 46.5 km to the north as shown in Figure 15.16 AfL wind farms are not shown in the viewpoint wireline visualisations in Figures 15.21 to 15.75 due to the uncertainty of information available for these projects.
984. Offshore specific guidance (PINS, 2019) recommends that projects where a scoping report has yet to be submitted are considered in the CEA, however LVIA generally follows an approach whereby early pre-scoping stage sites (such as AfL projects) are not considered in the CEA, based on guidance (NatureScot, 2021 and Landscape Institute, 2013.
985. In line with the offshore specific guidance (PINS, 2019), a preliminary CEA informed by the position and spatial extent of these AfL projects (Figure 15.16) and the distance of each AfL project form each local authority coastline within the SLVIA study area is presented in Table 15.49   Open ▸ .

 Table 15.49: Preliminary CEA of Tier 4 Projects

986. The preliminary assessment identifies that there is no likelihood of Scotwind Leasing Area 1 (BP) and Scotwind Leasing Area 2 (SSER) AfL projects to result in significant cumulative effects with the Proposed Development on coastal (seascape) character, special qualities of designated landscapes or views/visual amenity due to their very long distance from all coastlines within the SLVIA study area.
987. Similarly, Scotwind Leasing Area 6 (DEME) AfL project has no likelihood of significant cumulative effects on coastal (seascape) character, special qualities of designated landscapes or views/visual amenity experienced from Angus, Fife, East Lothian, Scottish Borders or Northumberland. Scotwind Leasing Area 6 (DEME) AfL does however, have potential for cumulative effect interactions with the Proposed Development on coastal (seascape) character and views/visual amenity of the Aberdeenshire coastline, due to its closer proximity to this coastline, albeit it is located 38.4 km offshore from the closest point of the Aberdeenshire coast.
988. Crown Estate Scotland has only recently announced, in January 2022, the outcome of its application process for ScotWind Leasing. Scotwind Leasing Area 6 (DEME) is one of the successful projects selected and offered an option agreement. This is just the first stage of the long process this project will have to go through before wind turbines are operational, as the project progresses through consenting, financing, and planning stages. There are considerable uncertainties still present, in particular, geophysical and geotechnical studies have not been undertaken, the location of wind turbines within the AfL is not decided and the dimensions of the wind turbines are unknown. The Scotwind Leasing Area 6 (DEME) AfL project is not currently well defined to the point that a full assessment can be made and the effects arising as a result of this AfL project are not reasonably foreseeable at the current time due to a lack of specific information on which to base an assessment and low data confidence, therefore it is screened out of further assessment in this SLVIA.

15.13. Transboundary Effects

989. A screening of transboundary impacts has been carried out and has identified that there was no potential for significant transboundary effects with regard to seascape, landscape and visual from the Proposed Development upon the interests of other European Economic Area (EEA) States.

15.14. Inter-Related Effects

990. A description of the likely inter-related effects arising from the Proposed Development on seascape, landscape and visual receptors is provided in volume 3, appendix 18.1 of the Offshore EIA Report.
991. For seascape, landscape and visual receptors, the following likely significant effects have been considered within the inter-related assessment:

• Changes to views experienced by people from specific and representative viewpoints and from visual receptors;
• Changes to the perceived seascape (coastal) character of coastal character areas;
• Changes to the perceived landscape character and qualities of designated landscapes; and
• Changes to night-time views and perceived character of coastal character as a result proposed development lighting.  

992. Table 15.50   Open ▸ lists the inter-related effects (project lifetime effects) that are predicted to arise during the construction, operation and maintenance phase, and decommissioning of the Proposed Development and also the inter-related effects (receptor-led effects) that are predicted to arise for seascape, landscape and visual receptors.
993. As noted above, effects on seascape, landscape and visual receptors also have the potential to have secondary effects on other receptors and these effects are fully considered in the topic-specific chapters. These receptors and effects are:

• Cultural Heritage (Chapter 16)

–      Temporary (during construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning phases), long-term (during operation and maintenance phase only) and reversible (post-decommissioning) addition of Proposed Development resulting in direct effect to views from and indirect effect to perceived character of Gardens and Designed Landscapes (GDLs) and Registered Parks and Gardens (RPGs), including Lindisfarne Castle, and the North Northumberland Heritage Coast;

• Socio-Economics and Tourism (Chapter 18)

–      Temporary (during construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning phases), long-term (during operation and maintenance phase only) and reversible (post-decommissioning) addition of Proposed Development resulting in indirect effect to visitor and tourist use of the coast including receptors such as beaches, recreational routes, golf courses and visitor attractions.

Table 15.50: Summary of Potential Inter-Related Effects for Seascape, Landscape and Visual Receptors

15.15. Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures

15.15.1.         Introduction

994. Information on Seascape within the SLVIA study area was collected through desktop review, site surveys and consultation. The SLVIA identifies and assesses the significance of changes resulting from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Proposed Development. This is carried out in relation to both the coastal (seascape) and landscape character as environmental resources in their own right, and on people’s views and visual amenity, as well considering the cumulative effects of the Proposed Development with other projects.
995. The Proposed Development array area has been sited 37.8 km offshore from closest part of the array area to the closest section of coast. The eastern edge of the array area is generally located at distances over 60 km from the coast. The siting of the Proposed Development at long distance offshore forms the key designed in measure which minimises potential for significant seascape, landscape and visual effects experienced in coastal views. The spatial extent of the northern part of the Proposed Development array area was also reduced during the project design which increased its distance offshore from the coast of Aberdeenshire, Angus and Fife, contributing to minimising the effects on receptors in these parts of the SLVIA study area.
996. Table 15.51   Open ▸ presents a summary of the residual effects in respect to seascape, landscape and visual receptors and Table 15.52   Open ▸ presents a summary of the potential cumulative effects.
997. The SLVIA is based on the design envelope described in Chapter 4. In compliance with EIA regulations, the likely significant effects of a realistic ‘worst-case’ scenario are assessed and illustrated in the SLVIA. The realistic worst-case layout assessed as the PDE for the SLVIA is the 179 x 355m wind turbine layout, as shown in Figure 15.1a. This layout has the highest wind turbine blade tip height (355m), with largest rotor diameter (310m) with wind turbines occupying locations that represent the impacts arising from the full extent of the wind farm array area.
998. In accordance with GLVIA3 (Landscape Institute, 2013) (para 7.13), existing offshore and onshore wind farms and those which are under construction are included in the baseline for both landscape and visual effects assessments. These projects are shown in Figure 15.16 and Table 15.42. Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm (Neart na Gaoithe) is under construction offshore as of August 2020 and is expected to be operational in 2023. Seagreen 1 is under construction offshore as of December 2020 and is also expected to be operational in 2023. As they are both currently under-construction and expected to be operational before the Proposed Development starts construction offshore, in accordance with GLVIA3, both Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen 1 are assumed to be part of the baseline i.e., they are assumed to be operational for the purposes of the SLVIA.
999. The spatial scope of the SLVIA study area is defined as 60 km from the Proposed Development Array Area as shown in Figure 15.2 The Proposed Development is located offshore in the outer Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay, approximately 37.8 km east of the Scottish Borders coastline (St Abb’s Head), 44.8 km from the East Lothian coastline (Torness Point), 40.3km from the Angus coastline (Prail Castle) and 40.9 km from the Fife coastline (Fife Ness). A summary of the seascape, landscape and visual effects arising within each of the main geographic regions within the SLVIA study area is provided as follows.

15.15.2.         Angus

1000. The Angus coastline is located to the north-west of the Proposed Development and is over 40.3km from the Proposed Development. The wide Montrose Bay (SA4) with its sandy beach extends from Milton Ness to the outflow of the River South Esk at the coastal town of Montrose. Dunes, grassland and a level agricultural hinterland lie behind.  The low-lying, rocky headland of Long Craig (SA 5) is backed by a gently sloping agricultural hinterland that stretches south from Scurdie Ness to Lunan Bay. The bay’s broad sandy beach is backed by dunes and framed by low cliffs to the north and south and extends to Boddin Point. A continuous stretch of tall, Old Red sandstone sea cliffs and associated small bays with narrow shingle beaches (SA 7: Lang Craig To The Deil’s Heid) south of Lunan Bay extends to the eastern edge of Arbroath.
1001. Much of the coastline provides expansive, unrestricted sea views out to open seas and the coastline extending north and south, which provide a partial sense of enclosure to the wide views. The headlands of Milton Ness and Scurdie Ness provide some enclose in views from Montrose Bay, the bay itself prominent when looking north from Scurdie Ness. The projection of Long Craig diverts attention away from the open sea and along the coastline, while at Lunan Bay the broad sandy bay is framed by low cliffs to the north and south. Farmland on clifftops within Long Craig to Deil’s Head also afford views inland, to the west.
1002. The seascape and visual effects of the Proposed Development will be experienced from coastline defined by Montrose Bay (SA4), Long Craig (SA5), Lunan Bay (SA6) and Land Craig to Deil’s Head (SA7). These will primarily be experienced in areas with views out to sea, including the coastal seafronts of Arbroath, Carnoustie and Montrose; coastal cliff top paths; and coastal sections of National Cycle Network Route 1, the A92 tourist route and the Edinburgh to Aberdeen rail line. Viewpoint 2 Montrose provides a representative viewpoint from a settlement on this section of coastline.
1003. The Angus coastline is not subject to landscape designation for its scenic quality, and its generally medium value derives principally from the informal attraction of the seaside. Lunan Bay has an additional degree of naturalness and the broad sandy bay is particularly well valued by society and considered to have a medium-high value. Much of the Angus coastline is of medium sensitivity, rising to medium-high and high at Montrose Bay and Lunan Bay, respectively, and reflecting their higher susceptibility. Despite the inter-visibility between the coastline and the Proposed Development, residents and visitors to the seafront areas of settlements in Angus will observe a medium-low magnitude of change. Principally, this derives from the long distance of the Proposed Development from the coast; its peripheral location with regards to the expansive open seascape; the relatively small apparent scale of the Proposed Development with regards to its seascape context; and it being partially subsumed behind Seagreen 1 offshore wind farm such that it adds a relatively narrow additional lateral spread of wind turbines as an extension of the wind turbine elements that are already characteristic in the baseline view. The Proposed Development will therefore result in no significant effects on the coastal character of the Angus coastline.
1004. Effects on views experienced by people at Montrose (Viewpoint 2) have been identified as not significant. This reflects the medium sensitivity of receptors within Montrose, and the medium-low magnitude of change resulting from the Proposed Development. The long distance (45.3 km) separating the viewpoint from the Proposed Development means that it will appear within a peripheral location with regards to the expansive, open seascape; low on the horizon and relatively small in vertical scale; and extending over a smaller proportion of the wider panorama of open sea. Much of the open sea horizon will remain unaffected by the Proposed Development. The Proposed Development will result in no significant effects on views experienced by people from the Angus coastline.

15.15.3.         Fife

1005. The coastline of Fife is located to the west of the Proposed Development, with coastline between St Andrews an St Monans, with the closest point at Fife Ness situated 40.9 km from the Proposed Development. From St Andrews to Fife Ness (SA12) the open and exposed coastline of rocks and low cliffs is backed by a gently sloping agricultural hinterland. With small sandy bays, extensive wave-cut rock platforms, low cliffs and narrow, wooded dens, the coastal edge is complemented by the historic settlement of St Andrews, a landmark and focus for recreational uses along the coastline. From the headland of Fife Ness to Chapel Ness, the East Neuk of Fife coast (SA 13) is generally low lying and rocky with shingle beaches, distinctive red sandstone cliffs and traditional fishing villages around busy harbours.
1006. Views of the sea from the northern coastline are generally large scale and open, becoming more extensive at Fife Ness. From the hinterland, the proximity of the sea is an underlying perception. The southern coastline affords wide and extensive views out across the Firth of Forth and along the coast to the open sea in the east. Views from sheltered harbours and further inland are limited and focus on the Firth of Forth.
1007. The seascape and visual effects of the Proposed Development will be experienced from coastline defined by St Andrews to Fife Ness (SA12) and East Neuk of Fife (SA13). Changes to their perceived character will primarily be experienced from coastal areas with views out to sea, by residents; visitors to sea fronts of settlements such as St Andrews, Anstruther, Crail and Pittenweem; walkers on the Fife Coastal Path; and motorists on parts of the A917 route. Representative viewpoints are provided for the most notable settlement on the coastline (Viewpoint 3 St Andrews); a beach (Viewpoint 4 Cambo Sands); the nearest section of coast to the Proposed Development (Viewpoint 5 Fife Ness); and a settlement on the south coast (Viewpoint 6 Crail).
1008. Despite the high and medium-high sensitivity of the coastal character and views from parts of the Fife coastline to change, the effect of the Proposed Development on the perceived character and visual amenity is assessed as not significant due to the low magnitude of change arising from the Proposed Development on the character and views of the coastlines of the St Andrew’s to Fife Ness coast (SA12) and East Neuk of Fife (SA13). The Proposed Development will largely be subsumed behind Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm in views from the Fife coastline, contributing mainly to an increase in the density of wind turbines where they overlap and a very narrow increase in lateral spread, in which the majority of open sea skyline will be retained and remain unaffected. Effects will be limited to visual aspects of the setting of the Fife coast. Views towards the Proposed Development are long range (over approximately 40.9 km from the coast at its closest point, Fife Ness); are oblique to the predominant coastal aspect; and are partially enclosed by the coastline. In views from north of Fife Ness, the coastline provides much of the focus and interest, while views from the southern coastline tend to look south across the Firth of Forth and the Isle of May towards the East Lothian coast. These views are also influenced by shipping activity in the Forth and the operational Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm at closer range (at distances of around 15.6 km from Fife Ness).
1009. The effect of the Proposed Development on the Special Qualities of the St Andrews to Fife Ness LLA and East Neuk LLA is assessed as not significant, due to their distance from the proposed wind farm array (41.3 km and 41.5 km, respectively), therefore effects are limited to indirect, visual effects on the setting of the LLAs, and as their special qualities will all fundamentally continue to be experienced despite the presence of the Proposed Development in the ‘expansive seaward views’, which will continue to define the character and quality of the coast. Not significant effects on views experienced by people along the Fife coastline have been identified at representative viewpoints including, from north to south, St Andrews Cathedral (Viewpoint 3), Cambo Sands (Viewpoint 4), Fife Ness (Viewpoint 5) and Crail (Viewpoint 6). The long distance (41.7 km to 52.9 km) separating the viewpoints from the Proposed Development means that it will appear generally appear low on the horizon and relatively small in vertical scale, extending mainly behind Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm over a smaller proportion of the wider panorama of open sea, and is often within a peripheral location with regards to the expansive, open seascape.

15.15.4.         East Lothian

1010. The East Lothian coastline is located to the south-west of the Proposed Development and is situated over approximately 45 km from the Proposed Development at its closest point (Torness Point). In the western part of the SLVIA study area, the coast is north facing, but becomes north-east facing between Tantallon and Dunglass near the Scottish Borders. The coast consists of alternating rocky headlands and sandy bays, generally low-lying with relatively unfragmented flat agricultural land behind and low tree cover. The area includes the towns of Dunbar and North Berwick, transport routes and industrial/energy generation and transmission developments, that broadly follow the coast and its margins. The sheltered coastline, sandy bays and diverse coastal scenery make for a popular recreational coast, however the experience is influenced by the presence of development. Views from the flat terrain are defined by headlands at North Berwick and Torness Point. From the north these predominantly look across the mouth of the Forth of Firth, past the Isle of May to Fife Ness and the East Neuk of Fife coastline; whereas further south the views are more expansive out to the open North Sea.
1011. The coastal character of the East Lothian coast (SA17 and SA18) is of assessed as being medium-high to high value, reflecting its coverage by local SLA designations covering all of the East Lothian coastline within the SLVIA study area, and consisting of the North Berwick Law, Tantallon Coast, Belhaven Bay, Dunbar to Barns Ness Coast, Monynut to Blackcastle, and Thorntonloch to Dunglass Coast SLAs. The coastal character is assessed as being of medium-high sensitivity, reflecting its recognised value while being moderated in part by its medium susceptibility due to the extent of modification by settlement, industrial/energy generation development and busy transport routes, as well as the presence of Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm visible in the seascape setting approximately 28 km from the closest parts of the coast.
1012. Changes to the perceived seascape character of the East Lothian coast will primarily be experienced from coastline defined by Eyebroughy to Torness Point (SA17) and the northern parts of Torness Point to St Abbs Head (SA18). These will be experienced in areas with views out to sea, by residents; visitors to the sea fronts of North Berwick and Dunbar; people at beaches, on recreational routes and at specific viewpoints/attractions; and travellers on main transport routes. Representative viewpoints are provided at visitor locations at North Berwick Law and Tantallon Castle (Viewpoints 7 and 8, respectively); a popular beach (Viewpoint 9 Tyninghame (Ravensheugh Sands)); one of the main settlements (Viewpoint 10 Dunbar); and on the John Muir link coastal path (Viewpoint 11 Skateraw). Not significant effects on views experienced by people along the East Lothian coastline have been identified at all representative viewpoints. Despite the medium-high to high sensitivity of receptors along the East Lothian coast, the magnitude of change resulting from the Proposed Development is assessed as low or medium-low, and therefore effects are not significant. The long distance (45.9 km to 56 km) separating the viewpoints from the Proposed Development means that it will appear relatively small in vertical scale, generally appearing low on the horizon and viewed in the context of a southern extension to the existing Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, while retaining the wider open sea horizon and separation between the Proposed Development and the coast.
1013. Not significant effects on the perceived coastal (seascape) character of the East Lothian coastline are also assessed as occurring as a result of the Proposed Development, due to the medium-low magnitude of change that is predicted. Although East Lothian’s coastline is largely of medium-high sensitivity, the perceived coastal character will largely experience a medium-low magnitude of change arising from the Proposed Development, due to the intervening distance (over approximately 45 km) and its influence on the perceived landscape qualities of the Eyebroughy to Torness Point (SA17) and northern parts of Torness Point to St Abbs Head (SA18) coast at such range. The effect of the Proposed Development on the Special Qualities of the Tantallon Coast, Belhaven Bay and Dunbar to Barns Ness SLA is assessed as not significant as the special qualities of these SLAs will all fundamentally continue to be experienced despite the presence of the Proposed Development, at distances of over 45km, and will continue to define to the character and quality of the coast. These effects will be limited to indirect, visual aspects of the seascape setting of these SLAs.

15.15.5.         Scottish Borders

1014. The Scottish Borders coastline includes section of more remote, exposed and dramatic coastline within the SLVIA Study Area within the Berwickshire Coast SLA and the section at St Abbs Head forms the closest section of coast, situated approximately 37.8 km to the east of the Proposed Development.
1015. The coastline from Torness Point to St Abbs Head is formed by high, near vertical cliffs carved into strongly folded, resistant sedimentary rocks, with a small beach at Pease Bay. Rising to the volcanic cliffs at St Abb’s Head, the coastal edge then drops to the sheltered beach of Coldingham Bay, set into cliffs. The relatively linear coast extending southwards is mainly comprised of rocky cliffs with small headlands including Agate Point and Horse Head and an enclosed harbour at Burnmouth, surrounded by rocky cliffs. The elevated, exposed coastline provides expansive views along the rugged coast and over the horizon of the North Sea that become from more dramatic and panoramic from St Abb’s Head. The headland itself encloses views from nearby while Ramfauds, south of Eyemouth, contains southward views and landform tends to limit views inland.
1016. The seascape and visual effects of the Proposed Development will be experienced from coastline defined by Torness Point to St Abbs Head (SA18); St Abbs Head to Eyemouth (SA19); and Eyemouth to Berwick upon Tweed (SA20). Changes to the perceived seascape character of the coastline will primarily be experienced in areas with views out to sea, by residents; visitors to the sea fronts of St Abbs and Eyemouth; people at Coldingham beach, Berwickshire Coastal Path, and at specific OS marked viewpoints (St Abbs Head). Representative viewpoints are provided at locations on long distance recreational routes Viewpoint 12 Cove (SUW), the Berwickshire coastal path (Viewpoint 13 Fast Castle and Viewpoint 14 Tun Law); a recognised OS marked viewpoint (Viewpoint 15 St Abb’s Head); and settlement (Viewpoint 16 Eyemouth).
1017. The scenic quality of much of the Scottish Borders coastline is recognised by the Berwickshire Coast SLA designation at a local level and historic environment assets, including a registered park and garden (Nethebyres) and scheduled monuments/National Trust properties (Fast Castle/Tun Law) also contribute to the societal recognition of its value, which is assessed as high. The coastline within the St Abbs area is strongly associated with the sea, particularly where cliffs provide elevation, and has a high susceptibility to development at sea associated with the Proposed Development, particularly given the relatively lower influence of Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm compared to the coastline further north (due to its increased distance offshore). St Abb’s Head, being more exposed, windswept and remote than other sections of the coast, is of high sensitivity. The remaining coastline ranges from medium-high sensitivity, north of St Abb’s Head due to modification by busy transport routes on land and at sea; to medium sensitivity, south of Eyemouth, due to modification by settlement and major transport routes, which preclude any sense of remoteness and tranquillity.
1018. Significant effects will arise from the Proposed Development on the perceived character of the coastline between Fast Castle Head and Eyemouth, within parts of the Torness Point to St Abbs Head CCA (SA18) and St Abbs Head to Eyemouth CCA (SA19). The addition of the Proposed Development to the associative seascape context will alter specific aesthetic/perceptual aspects, particularly the open and exposed character of the dramatic cliffs along the coast. Open seascape will be partially occupied by the Proposed Development, increasing offshore windfarm development in association with Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, and changing the seascape composition. A high number of Proposed Development wind turbines (151-179) may be visible in the wider seascape setting of the characteristic ‘dramatic distant views over the Rugged Coast’ in the panorama out to the open North Sea. The resulting medium magnitude of change will be moderated by the location of the Proposed Development 37.8 km from the closest part of the coast (at St Abbs Head) and its relatively small apparent vertical scale within a medium to large scale, open and expansive seascape. The man-made nature of the Proposed Development may appear to contrast with the more natural areas of the rugged coast, but its relation to the action of the wind and waves will moderate this perception. The defining sense of exposure, remoteness and naturalness along the shoreline/cliff tops and the dynamic presence of the sea will remain, regardless of the Proposed Development.
1019. The effect of the Proposed Development is assessed as significant on the special quality of ‘wide views out to sea’ of the Berwickshire Coast SLA, however due to its position offshore, it avoids the ‘dramatic coastal scenery’, the ‘rocky coastline’ and ‘stretch of cliffs and bays’ in ‘views along the coast',  and the ‘wild, expansive and exciting’ qualities will fundamentally continue to be experienced despite the presence of the Proposed Development and will continue to define to the character and quality of the coast.
1020. Not significant effects on the perceived character of the Eyemouth to Berwick-upon-Tweed coastline (SA20), further south and at increased distance, will arise due to the medium sensitivity of the CCA and the medium magnitude of change arising from the Proposed Development. Introduction of the Proposed Development wind turbines to the seascape context of Eyemouth to Berwick upon Tweed will partially change ‘distant and dramatic’ views to the North Sea from the area. This section of coastline being lower and relatively robust, is less susceptible to changes in perceived character/perceptual qualities than the coastline adjoining to the north. While it will relate to the perception of exposure, the Proposed Development may influence the perceived scale and character of the dramatic coastal edge.
1021. Significant effects on views experienced by people along this stretch of coastline have been identified at a number of representative viewpoints including, from north to south, Fast Castle (Viewpoint 13), Tun Law (Viewpoint 14), St Abbs Head (Viewpoint 15) and Eyemouth (Viewpoint 16). These effects will primarily be experienced by people walking on the Berwickshire Coastal Path or visiting the coast at these locations. A medium magnitude of change will be observed resulting from the elevation of the coast, which affords visibility ‘over’ the Proposed Development with a greater amount of the Proposed Development wind turbines and offshore infrastructure being visible above the skyline relative to other viewpoints; a greater proportion of the horizon occupied (44° of the HFoV from St Abbs Head) and the relatively closer location of the Proposed Development, at approximately 38 km to 40 km from these viewpoints. These effects are moderated by the appearance of the Proposed Development wind turbines in the context of Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, to which it will relate, the visual exposure and large scale of the seascape, and the clear separation between it and the coast.