Scottish Natural Heritage visual representation of wind farms - guidance

The consultation, which runs until 19 July, 2013 suggests a number of key changes to the way visualisations are produced and used. They include recommending images are presented at a new focal length of 75mm, increasing the size of images to 260mm in height, and making the images easier to use by removing the need to view them curved and at an exact distance. A key requirement is for larger panoramic images to provide the wider landscape and visual context.

Brendan Turvey, SNH policy and advice manager for renewables, said: "The new approach seeks to combine the standards published by The Highland Council in 2010 with our existing guidance. The improvements should increase public confidence in the images produced and lead to a clearer representation of what the wind farm would really look like. We look forward to hearing the views of developers, planning officers and members of the public on the changes proposed and then working with our partners to finalise the new guidance."

After the consultation ends on 19 July, SNH will work with The Highland Council, Scottish Government, Scottish Renewables, Landscape Institute and Heads of Planning Scotland to finalise the new guidance, which it aims to publish by the end of the year. Until then, the existing guidance, which is still applicable, will remain in place.