Guidance: Siting and Design of Small Scale Wind Turbines of Between 15 and 50 Metres in Height
Guidance: Siting and Design of Small Scale Wind Turbines of Between 15 and 50 Metres in Height
Guidance: Siting and Design of Small Scale Wind Turbines of Between 15 and 50 Metres in Height
CONTENTS Page
1. INTRODUCTION 2
2. BACKGROUND ISSUES 2
2.1 Emerging trends in small scale turbine development
2.2 How this guidance fits with other SNH documents
APPENDIX 1 Checklist of aspects to consider for small scale wind energy proposals
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1. INTRODUCTION
To this end, we are committed to helping make good renewable energy development
happen in the right places. Well sited and appropriately designed turbines can be
accommodated in the Scottish landscape and this guidance seeks to achieve this.
This guidance is for developers and Planning Authorities. It provides advice on the design
issues relating to single and small turbine groups and it compliments our existing suite of
wind energy guidance available on our website.
The guidance deals solely with the landscape and visual, siting and design aspects of
proposals for small scale wind turbines. There are other issues to be taken into
consideration when developing such proposals, such as habitat or species; health and
safety concerns or operational requirements, but these are not considered here.
For the purposes of this guidance “small turbines” or “small-scale turbines” refers to
those which are between 15 and 50 metres in height to blade tip. Siting guidance for
larger turbines is available in “Siting and Designing Windfarms in the Landscape”. We
consider turbines of below 15 metres in height to be micro wind energy development and
have produced guidance for micro renewables separately.
For every development siting and design should be informed by analysis of the key
characteristics of the particular site. Although the extent of any landscape and visual
impacts will obviously vary within a turbine size range of between 15 and 50 metres, this
guidance attempts to provide general guidance for turbines of this scale.
Appendix 1 is a checklist of aspects to consider when developing proposals for small scale
turbine development, linked to relevant parts of the text.
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2. BACKGROUND
There are increasing numbers of planning applications for small scale wind turbines,
comprising either single turbine developments, groups of two or three small turbines, and in
some cases larger groups of small turbines.
Studies have shown that people are generally in favour of wind energy development 1,
although individual impacts will depend on the siting and design of the turbines, and how
and where they are viewed from. Small turbines are more likely to be located in more settled
lowland landscapes with a denser network of roads, nearer to residential properties,
meaning that turbines are seen more frequently by a greater number of people, from varying
directions, distances and elevations. It is therefore important to consider how the users of
adjacent properties, including both the potential turbine owners and their neighbours, will
experience them.
We have a suite of guidance relating to small scale turbine development which is available
on the onshore renewables pages of the SNH website. The relationship between these
various guidance sources can be seen in flowchart form on our website 2. Importantly our
approach to assessing small scale turbine applications is given in other guidance. This
guidance offers only siting and design advice on proposals which SNH would not routinely
be consulted on, yet where negative landscape and visual impacts could be reduced by
following good design principles.
This guidance also sits alongside and reflects the principles contained within Scottish
Government onshore wind energy planning policy and advice Renewable Energy, as well as
other industry guidance (See paragraph 3.3). It concentrates on the siting and design
characteristics of the various forms of small scale turbines. It also identifies situations in
which cumulative issues may be of particular importance for small scale turbines.
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3. SMALL SCALE TURBINE CHARACTERISTICS
In contrast to larger scale commercial wind turbines, a greater variety of styles, designs and
colours of small turbine are commonly available, generally with faster rotation speeds. We
encourage continuing technical innovation that results in turbine design appropriate to
Scottish landscapes.
Choice of turbine is a key factor in the potential landscape and visual suitability of small
turbines at any site, especially where cumulative effects may occur. Careful choice of turbine
at an early stage in the design process will help to ensure an improved landscape fit and
avoid complex visual mixes of turbine types in any location. Applicants are encouraged to
consider and discuss a number of different turbine options at the pre-planning stage.
There are two main operational forms of small turbine currently available – those which
rotate on a horizontal axis and those which rotate on a vertical axis.
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Two main types of turbines have a horizontal axis:
• Domestic/micro turbines.
These turbines are usually installed for supplying electricity to domestic, agricultural
or small scale industrial properties, although excess energy produced may be sold
back to the national grid. Some are less than 15m to hub height, although similar
larger versions are available. Even though these are considerably smaller than most
commercial turbines they have the potential to be taller than buildings (even sizeable
farm buildings) and mature trees. They are most commonly three bladed machines
mounted on a tubular tower, although 2 bladed machines are becoming more
common and lattice towers are sometimes used. 2 bladed turbines tend to have
longer, aircraft–like blades whose rotational movement is commonly perceived as
being less smooth than 3 bladed models from some aspects, despite their movement
being regular. This can be a particular consideration when 2 bladed turbines are
viewed in combination with 3 bladed models. Some small scale horizontal axis
turbines have yaw arms (to orientate them to the wind) which can be as visible as the
turbine blades themselves.
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines tend not to be as efficient as the more common horizontal axis
machines, but they do offer benefits in low wind situations. They also tend to be easier to
build, can be mounted close to the ground, and handle turbulence much better. However,
the variation in wind loading on blades during revolution causes more fatigue and therefore
wear and tear, and in some cases guy wires may be needed to ensure stability. They are
generally smaller than horizontal axis turbines and tend to be more common in urban areas
where there are townscape issues to consider (such as their scale in relation to their setting,
effects of wind tunnelling and resultant turbulence and acoustic concerns). Their forms are
more often specially tailored to create a design statement for individual sites.
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However, despite the way their characteristics differ from horizontal axis turbines, there are
similarities in siting and design considerations.
There are certain site requirements for small turbine development which will need to be
balanced with other considerations, such as turbine performance requirements, site layout,
and acoustic, financial or ecological concerns.
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4. SITING AND DESIGN ISSUES SPECIFIC TO SMALL SCALE TURBINES
In 2009 SNH produced guidance on “Siting and Designing Windfarms in the Landscape”,
which sets out principles for larger windfarm developments. Many of these are transferrable
and should always be considered when designing small-scale development. This guidance
highlights the following issues specific to development of single and groups of small
turbines.
Care needs to be taken with differing tower/blade colouring. For example, darker turbine
heads can look as if they are floating in situations where a light turbine base is seen against
the sky. Conversely lighter turbine heads can disappear in bright conditions, leaving the
darker tower with no clear rationale for being there.
Identifying the key landscape and visual characteristics of the area (such as landform and
elevation and the presence/absence of woodland blocks), and their sensitivity to (and
capacity for) change will help to inform decisions on size.
Whilst large commercial windfarms are often located in isolated upland locations where their
scale is difficult to perceive, small turbines are often located close to built features (such as
farms, walls, houses or settlements) and vegetation features like hedges or copses which
provide scale indicators in the landscape. It is therefore particularly important to ensure that
turbines relate to the scale of adjacent landscape features (see relationship with buildings
and structures section below).
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4.1.3 Turbine Layout/Array
Small scale turbines can be arranged in different layouts, or arrays, and still fulfil operational
requirements. In comparison with commercial scale development it is likely that fewer
turbines will need to be accommodated. There is potential to present a simple, often
sculptural, visual image. This may, however, be more difficult where turbines are viewed
with other built elements, such as existing buildings, masts, etc. Turbine layout should, if
possible, respond to the patterns in the landscape, eg. arranged regularly in a line parallel to
a straight field boundary on flat ground, or grouped in a less formal arrangement on a
hillside next to irregular shaped woodland.
Alignment of turbines should respect underlying landform as this will help to reduce the need
for localised levelling and subsequent ground disturbance at turbine bases.
In all cases the turbine layout should be considered when viewed from several viewpoints
particularly the most sensitive and/or frequently viewed viewpoints, from which overlapping
(or “stacking”) of turbine towers/blades should be avoided.
4.1.4 Micrositing
Micrositing allows developers to change the precise location of turbines to avoid unforeseen
constraints, such as deep peat or an important archaeological site. In some cases this has
affected the original design concept of a scheme.
Small turbines are likely to be sited at lower levels in less exposed environments than larger
windfarms. Nevertheless, developers should be encouraged to carry out complete pre-
application site investigations to reduce the need for micrositing. This obviously has cost
implications at an early stage in the development process, but it is preferable than the use of
detailed micrositing conditions. In the event of a micrositing condition being required within a
permission for small-scale turbine development, the distances should be kept to a
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minimum, proportionate to the height (and therefore spacing) of the turbines to retain the
best overall design.
The visual relationship with nearby tall features such as trees and masts is an important
consideration. Out with micrositing tolerances reassessment of the proposal may be needed
if the design of the scheme changes significantly.
The nature and magnitude of impacts upon landscape character are likely to be related to:
• The scale of the landscape. This is one of the primary characteristics likely to require
consideration. For instance, is it small scale and intimate or large scale and
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expansive? The height of the turbine should seek to complement the landscape and
be appropriate in scale;
• Influence on the ‘tranquillity’ of the landscape. For example, the effect of turbine
blade movement may be an issue, which can be mitigated by proposing a model with
a slower rotation speed.
• Settlement pattern. As small-scale turbines are more commonly found in settled
landscapes they have potential to impact on the landscape character of these unless
sympathetically sited. Paragraph 4.3.5 outlines key siting and design considerations.
• Small scale topography. Even small turbines have the potential to dominate small
scale topography. Care should be taken not to introduce turbines which would have
an overbearing presence on complex or intricate landforms.
• Relationship with distinctive ridge or skylines. Small turbines may affect the simplicity
of distinctive ridges or skylines and may be prominent in the landscape even if below
these features.
Some or all of these effects may occur over an area wider than the immediate character
type in which the proposal sits. Reference to Zone of Theoretical Visibility mapping will help
to establish and assess the likelihood and significance of this.
Due to remoteness and poor grid connections areas with a strong sense of wildness tend
not to attract proposals for wind energy development. Small scale turbine development
adjacent to areas valued for their wildness has the potential to undermine the inherently
sensitive wildness qualities of these areas. If this is associated with other development, such
as farms, the effects will be reduced. Cumulative issues, with both other turbine
developments and other forms of development, will also be important near wild land, and
care needs to be taken not to incrementally introduce a level of built development which
would erode the special qualities and setting of such areas.
Some locations, close to areas of population, are particularly valued for the sense of
wildness they provide relative to urban centres (the Pentland Hills for example). Whilst
wildness qualities in these areas will not be as strong as in remote parts of the northwest
highlands, they still provide an important recreational resource and should be considered
carefully when siting turbines.
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such as National Scenic Areas (NSAs), National Parks, Regional Parks, Local Landscape
Designations (eg. Areas of Great Landscape Value), National Nature Reserves, Local Nature
Reserves and sites listed in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes (GDLs)
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4.3 Siting and design factors
Good siting and design principles are needed if small scale turbines are to relate effectively
to the specific qualities of an area. Key considerations are as follows;
4.3.1 Landform
Smaller turbines have more potential to use landform to restrict their visual impact than
larger commercial models. This should be explored, particularly when there are potential
adverse impacts on views from sensitive receptors, such as settlements, which could be
mitigated through screening. Advantage should be taken of the combined screening
properties of topography and vegetation (see woodland section below). However, in certain
situations turbines may potentially influence or confuse the perception of landscape. For
example a farm may be screened by landform from a certain view, yet the small-scale
turbine installed to produce its electricity is visible – this would introduce a built element to
the landscape where there was previously nothing evident. In this instance it will be
necessary to assess whether this is an acceptable effect on landscape character.
The screening properties of landform and vegetation can be used to reduce visibility of small scale turbines,
although a balance is required with the need for a good wind resource.
Small scale turbines can be positioned to reflect and accentuate field edge patterns and road or coastal edges
(Photos: Marc van Grieken)
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There may be situations where proposed turbines do not “sit” happily in the existing scale or
pattern of the landscape. For example, it may be preferable in landscape terms to group 3
dispersed turbines to form a single feature in an already visually complex or cluttered
landscape. In a larger scale landscape, a single larger turbine with the same generating
capacity may be preferable to three smaller ones. This will help to reduce cumulative
landscape and visual impacts. However, in lowland situations it is more likely that multiples
of a smaller size would be preferable so as not to clash with existing scale indicators in the
landscape.
Care should be taken when siting turbines in an already complex or busy landscape not to create an overly cluttered visual
image. (Photo: Marc van Grieken)
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4.3.4 Perspective
Size indicators within a landscape affect our judgement of visual perspective, and thus our
recognition of whether a feature is small or large, far away or near. As increasing numbers
of different sized turbines begin to appear in the Scottish landscape it will be important not to
create confusion in landscape perspective. For example, if larger turbines are seen in front
of smaller ones the smaller ones look further away than they actually are, and if smaller
ones are in front of larger ones this gives the impression that the larger ones are nearer than
the are in reality. (See Section 5 on cumulative considerations).
• Consider the height of the turbine in relation to nearby buildings or structures. The
turbine should not have an overbearing presence or dominate adjacent buildings;
• Where a turbine has no direct visual relationship to a building group it is important for
its setting to have some logic. Consideration of its relationship to existing settlement
pattern is required to give some rationale to its location.
• Greater care is likely to be needed in settled areas designated for their landscape or
recreational value, such as Local Landscape Designations (LLDs), Conservation
Areas, GDLs, and Countryside Around Towns or Coastal Protection Zones. These
will have distinct planning policies which should state what type of development may
be appropriate.
• The relationship between small-scale turbines and the setting of and approaches to
settlements is important. Care should be taken not to let turbines dominate views of
the settlement when approaching on main access routes or when viewed from, for
example, popular recreational features outwith the settlement. Views from within the
settlement to important views or distinctive landscape features should also be
considered when siting and designing new small scale proposals.
• The form of turbine chosen may be influenced by it’s proximity to settlement – a 2
bladed turbine may appear less balanced and calm next to dwellings, but be less
visually significant in a busy urban setting due to the reduced sensitivity to
movement.
• Small scale turbines should be sited in the most appropriate location when viewed
from a variety of viewpoints, including settlement, public roads and footpaths.
• Local Authorities may require developers to submit an assessment of the potential
impacts on residential amenity where these are of significant concern.
It is important for small-scale turbines to relate well to and compliment the scale of nearby buildings.
These turbines are of suitable height and distance from their associated buildings and do not have an
overbearing relationship with them. (Photos: Scottish Government website)
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4.3.6 Woodland
Trees and vegetation can cause turbulence which affects the efficiency and longevity of
turbines. However, there may be potential for trees, woodland or forestry to screen small
scale turbines in certain situations (where these don’t affect turbine performance), especially
in conjunction with undulating landforms. However, care should be taken not to allow
turbines to compete with or dominate locally distinctive landmark vegetation features, such
as tree knolls, avenues or single specimen trees in parkland.
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5. CUMULATIVE CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO SMALL TURBINE DEVELOPMENT
“Siting and Designing Windfarms in the landscape” (2009, Chapter 5) outlines the main
principles to consider when designing new wind energy proposals in landscapes with
multiple windfarms. Many of these principles are pertinent to small-scale development in
combination with other wind energy proposals.
In the following situations particular attention should be paid to siting and design
considerations when dealing with small-scale development, remembering that sequential
cumulative effects are as important as simultaneous or combined views.
5.1.2 Where there are already other small scale turbines in an area.
To avoid multiple small scale turbine developments dominating a landscape the following
principles should be considered;
(i) the use of turbines of a similar form, design, colour and scale as those already
associated with the particular Landscape Character Type to reduce visual complexity
and clutter;
(ii) associating a certain form of turbine proposal with a particular landuse to create
some local distinctiveness, such as use of a lattice towers in an industrial area and
tubular towers in countryside locations;
(iii) carefully siting a proposed development from important viewpoints (such as a
popular hilltop or visitor attraction), in relation to other developments present in the
vicinity;
(iv) ensuring that all developments associate in the same way with landscape features,
such as farmsteads, forestry, head dykes, skylines or contours ensuring a consistent
spatial relationship between small scale turbine proposals and other forms of
development, especially tall structures such as masts, pylons and grain silos.
• using the same turbine form in views where more than one scale of development is
visible; and/or
• creating similarity by having similarly grouped and laid out turbines (eg, in groups or
lines of 3, or in even numbers in grids), whatever size they are, in a certain
landscape character type.
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Although these turbines are all of the
same form their differing locations
confuse turbine relationship with
landscape character. The smaller
turbine in the foreground makes the
large scale turbine development ‘creep’
into a more transitional lowland
landscape character and brings turbine
closer to settlements.
Large and small scale turbines seen together make the judgement
of distance and size of landscape features difficult.
The effects of differing blade rotation speeds on different scales of turbine (with the slower
speeds of commercial turbines versus faster speeds of domestic ones), may accentuate
cumulative effects of the turbines when viewed simultaneously. Situations where turbine
speeds would be significantly different should be discouraged.
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5.1.4 Where offshore and onshore turbines are seen together
Robin Rigg Windfarm in the Solway Firth with several windfarms comprising of smaller turbines on the
Cumbrian coast visible in the distance. It is not clear whether the onshore turbines are smaller
than the offshore ones, or whether they are the same height as those in the water but a long way away
Local Authorities are encouraged, through SPP and Scottish Government Planning Advice,
to outline in their windfarm spatial plan where all scales of turbine development, including
small-scale, are likely to be acceptable. This includes an indication of the desired
relationship between emerging patterns of wind development. This should be used as an
opportunity to set down siting and design objectives which can be consistently applied to all
small scale wind energy development.
Through this process Local Authorities should produce siting and design guidance indicating
where and how small-scale turbines would be appropriate in areas where larger turbines
already exist. This is most important in transitional landscapes, such as lowland fringes,
where larger upland developments can be seen from lower lying ground and vice versa.
FURTHER INFORMATION
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APPENDIX 1
Small- scale turbine development checklist
The order of this table follows the structure of the guidance note. When developing a
proposal the aspects not necessarily be considered in this sequence. The location factors
such as landscape character, landscape designation or wild land should, for example, be
considered first.
Turbine choice Have you considered a range of different turbine forms in Section 3
relation to your site?
Turbine colour What is the relationship between the proposed turbines 4.1.1
and nearby landform and skylines?
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Ancillary Have existing tracks been utilised wherever possible? 4.1.5
infrastructure
Do proposed tracks fit in with the landscape character and
compliment the pattern of existing tracks and road
networks?
Wild land Does the proposal impact on an area which is considered 4.2.2
to have strong wildness character?
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impacts on these special qualities?
Landscape If the scheme is for more than one turbine, does the 4.3.2
pattern and scale layout reflect and compliment existing landform patterns?
Focal features Will the proposed turbine(s) introduce a new focal 4.3.3
landscape feature ensure that does not create visual
confusion or compete with other notable features?
Relationship with Do the turbines respect the scale of adjacent buildings? 4.3.5
settlement
Does the proposal have a logical visual relationship with
relation the settlement pattern?
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CUMULATIVE
In combination Are the proposed turbines similar in form, colour and 5.1.2
with other small- scale to those already existing in the locality?
scale
developments Does the proposal follow the existing small-scale turbine
development pattern?
In combination Does the small-scale proposal sit in or associate with the 5.1.3
with larger same landscape character type as the larger turbines?
turbines
If so, does the proposal reflect existing turbine grouping
patterns?
Filling in gaps Will the proposal link 2 previously separate or distinct 5.1.4
between windfarm areas?
recognised
clusters of
windfarms or
wind turbines
Spatial planning Does the proposal accord with the spatial plan for wind 5.2
energy development, where this exists?
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