A landscape and visual impact assessment was carried out to ascertain the visual impact of the wind farm on the surrounding community. Macro Works, a globally leading Landscape and Visuals consultancy were commissioned to carry out all landscape and visual assessments. This was done initially by desk based assessment with subsequent site visits by a landscape consultant to photograph the landscape.

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A Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) was produced outlining which project elements will be visible from areas surrounding the proposed project. Photo-montages were also produced to show what the proposed project would look like once operational, from the areas identified in the ZTV as most visible. EMPowers final iteration of the proposed project was designed to minimise the visual impact of the project on surrounding residents.

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Separate to the visual assessment, EMPower conducted a shadow flicker analysis and mitigation strategy. Shadow flicker is the name given to a phenomenon caused when the sun is behind the turbine blades as it rises or sets, casting a moving shadow over a small opening in a building such as a window, creating a flickering effect within the building. Guidance states that this does not affect properties outside ten rotor diameters of the turbine positions so the potential impact is restricted to the immediate vicinity of a projects turbine positions.

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The current Irish planning regulations has a zero limit tolerance for shadow flicker occurrence, to protect local residential properties. A shadow flicker assessment is carried out to demonstrate the potential for occurrence. The proposed project's layout can then be modified to design out the risk of occurrence.

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Where there is potential for occurrence, software can be installed. This can identify when shadow flicker could occur. The wind turbine can then be shut down for a period of time, therefore mitigating the effect. Employing this mitigation measure ensures that no residents living near the wind farm experience shadow flicker.

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