Description of local enviroment

Air quality

Properties within 300m of the scheme – refer to ‘Population and Human Health’.

A search of the Air Quality in Scotland online mapping tool records that the works are not located within an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). The scheme is located within the Stirling Council boundary area, which currently does not have any AQMAs.

No Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMS) are located within 10km of the scheme extent (Air quality in Scotland). The nearest air quality monitoring sites lie within Stirling City Centre and Crieff 25km from the scheme extents with the levels at the time of search noted to be in ‘low’ levels (Low Index 1-3).

There are no sites registered for air emissions on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) (Scotland’s Environment) within 10km of the works. 

The nearest Transport Scotland traffic count point (Site ID: 000000006003) lies 7km north of the closest scheme extents. Traffic count data at this site for 2024 accounted for 3,608 motor vehicles, with 9.7% of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

Baseline air quality is likely to be primarily influenced by traffic along the A84 carriageway. Secondary sources are derived from day-to-day urban and agricultural/forestry land management activities.

Cultural heritage

According to the PastMap and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) online mapping tools, one Scheduled Monument ‘Loch Lubnaig St Bride’s Chapel’ (SM1630), lies approximately 65m south from the A84 South End of Loch Lubnaig.

Several records on Canmore database and Historic Environment Records (HERs) are noted within 300m of the schemes. The nearest of these, is a record on Camore database and HER and is associated with the noted Scheduled Monument 65m south of the scheme (PastMap).

There are no Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Garden & Designed Landscapes, Battlefields or World Heritage sites were identified within 300m of the scheme (PastMap).

No features of Cultural Heritage value have been identified within the scheme extents and its immediate area. Furthermore, the works are confined to the man-made ground of the trunk road with the works being like-for-like. Although the works involve maintenance activities within the trunk road drainage system construction of the trunk road is likely to have removed any archaeological remains that may have been present within the area. As such, ‘cultural heritage’ is scoped out and is not discussed further within this RoD.

Landscape and visual effects

The schemes fall entirely within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (LLTNP) (8621) which has been designated for the following special general qualities:

  • A world-renowned landscape famed for its rural beauty
  • Wild and rugged highlands contrasting with pastoral lowlands
  • Water in its many forms
  • The rich variety of woodlands
  • Settlements nestled within a vast natural backdrop
  • Famous through-routes
  • Tranquillity
  • The easily accessible landscape splendour

The schemes do not not fall within a National Scenic Area (NSA) (SiteLink).

The Landscape Character Type (LCT) within the study area is ‘Straths and glens with lochs’ (no. 254) (NatureScot). The key characteristics of this LCT are:

  • Strongly enclosed by steep and often rugged hill slopes with lochs filling much of the space between, leaving only a narrow flatter margin against the loch shore.
  • Lochs generally long and narrow.
  • Narrow passes occur between some lochs. Subtle promontories and narrow beaches feature on loch shorelines – these particularly appreciated in long views down the length of the lochs. Modification of natural lochs and water catchments in the LLTNP, giving rise to a variety of structures including dams and aqueducts – many of these comprise distinctive 19th Century structures.
  • Settlements often located at the head of lochs and major through roads are aligned through some of these glens and straths.
  • Scattered traditional dwellings or clusters of buildings usually located close to alluvial pastures at the intersection with side glens and water courses on some loch shores.
  • Tourism and recreation facilities along loch shores.
  • Highland-type designed landscapes, grand houses, hunting lodges and associated features, policies and parklands occupy prime loch shore positions. Pier and timber boat houses are a common feature in association with houses and estates particularly on Loch Ard.
  • Lochs are highly visible, with roads and cycle/walking routes aligned close to their shores.
  • Long views are possible across open water to the Highland Summits and the combination of craggy towering hills and smooth water is an essential component of the scenic richness of the National Park.

The scheme extent lies within a rural area along the eastern bank of the Loch Lubnaig with land use dominated by woodland. Pockets of pastoral grassland are present towards the scheme eastern extents with Loch Lubnaig forming a dominant landscape feature east of the scheme.

The A84 Trunk Road connects Stirling with Doune, Callander and Lochearnhead. It commences from its junction with the M9 at and including the eastern most roundabout at Craigforth Stirling (M9 junction 10) leading generally north-westwards for a distance of 44.7 kilometres to its junction with the A85 in Lochearnhead. The A84 is a single carriageway along its length.

Biodiversity

The scheme is located approximately 10m east of the River Teith Special Area of Conservation (SAC; NatureScot Site Code: 8367), which encompasses the Garbh Uisge/River Leny and at this section. In addition, the A84 carriageway within the scheme extents spans several minor watercourses which outflow into Garbh Uisge/River Leny and Loch Lubnaig, and by association the River Teith SAC, west of the scheme.

Due to proximity and ecological connectivity of the works to the River Teith SAC, a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been produced. Refer to the relevant assessment section below for details.

No other locally or nationally designated sites with biodiversity features (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Local Nature Reserves or National Nature Reserves) are located within 300m of the scheme (SiteLink).

The NBN Atlas did not return records of bird species within 2km over the last ten-year period, however it is expected that birds are present within the area. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) (WCA), all wild birds and their active nests are protected with some birds, particularly those listed on Schedule 1 of the act, receive additional level of protection.

The NBN Atlas holds no records of injurious and invasive species of plants (as listed in the Network Management Contract (NMC)) using the same search criteria.

The Transport Scotland Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) identified one record of rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) in 2017, an invasive species, within the verges of A84 10m south of the scheme.

The A84 carriageway within the scheme extents lies within a rural area with Loch Lubnaig and Garbh Uisge/River Leny located just 10m west of the scheme and extensive areas of conifer woodland east of the scheme.

Woodland listed as ‘ancient’ (of semi-natural origin) on Ancient Woodland Inventory maps lies adjacent to the A84 either side of the scheme (Ancient Woodland Inventory). There are no areas of trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) within 300m of the scheme (Loch Lomond and The Trossachs NP TPO).

Geology and soils

There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRSs), or geological SSSI’s located within 300m of the scheme (SiteLink).

Bedrock within the scheme extents is comprised of following bedrocks (BGS Geology Viewer):

  • Ben Ledi Grit Formation (metasandstone) - metamorphic bedrock
  • Ben Ledi Grit Formation (semipelite) - metamorphic bedrock
  • Central Scotland Late Carboniferous Tholeiitic Dyke Swarm (quartz-microgabbro) - igneous bedrocks

Superficial deposit within the scheme extents is comprised of following superficial deposits (BGS Geology Viewer):

  • Till, Devensian (Diamicton)
  • Alluvium – Clay, silt, sand and gravel

The local soil type is recorded as brown soils and mineral podzols (Scotland’s Environment Map).

Soils within the scheme extent are recorded as being ‘Class 0’, as displayed on Scotland’s Peat Map. Class 0 are mineral soils with no peat present.

Material assets and waste

The resurfacing works are required to replace worn surface and general maintenance of the A84 trunk road. The works will also include removal of existing filter drain materials and replacement with clean gravel. General maintenance activities will be undertaken on cut grips and drainage ditches along the scheme extents.

Materials used will consist of:

  • Asphaltic material
  • Bituminous emulsion bond coat
  • Milled in road studs
  • Thermoplastic road marking paint
  • New type B filter drain material
  • Perforated carrier pipe

Wastes are anticipated to be removed planings from the surface course, which will be recovered for re-use in line with BEAR Scotland’s Procedure 126: The Production of Fully Recovered Asphalt Road Planings. The Contractor is responsible for the disposal of uncontaminated road planings and this has been registered in accordance with a Paragraph 13(a) waste exemption issued by SEPA, as described in Schedule 3 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 2011.

Filter drain material will be tested for a range of possible contaminants prior to the drainage works being undertaken. Material disposal will be undertaken in accordance with the test findings.

There is no requirement for a site compound.

A Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is not required, and coal tar has not been highlighted as being present.

Noise and vibration

For residential, community and commercial receptors refer to the ‘Population and Human Health’ section below.

Works are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) or Candidate Quiet Areas (CQA).

Noise modelled data from Environmental Noise Directive (END) Round 4 Noise Mapping indicates 24 hour annual average noise level (Lden) between 60 and 75dB at the scheme location (SpatialData).

Baseline noise levels are likely to be primarily influenced by traffic travelling along the A84. Secondary sources are derived from day-to-day urban and agricultural/forestry land management activities.

Population and human health

Five residential properties and one commercial facility lie within 300m of the works. The nearest residential property ‘Stank Cottage’ lies 130m west of the A84 South End of Loch Lubnaig, beyond the Garbh Uisge/River Leny and has a level of screening provided by intervening tree belts. Remaining dwellings are suitably set-back and screened by tree belts.

A coffee shop ‘The Cabin’ lies 160m north of the A84 South End of Loch Lubnaig (Phase 2) scheme and is screened from the scheme by intervening woodland belts.

Two public car parks ‘The Cabin car park’ and ‘Loch Lubnaig South carpark’ lie within 300m of the A84 South End of Loch Lubnaig (Phase 2); 120m north and 85m south of the scheme respectively.

One layby lies adjacent to the A84 northbound carriageway within the scheme extents.

The National Cycle Network (NCN) route 7 (OS Maps) at its closest point is located approximately 85m west from the A84 South End of Loch Lubnaig beyond the river Garbh Uisge. It is also listed as a core path (NatureScot) and form a part of two walking routes, ‘Ben Ledi’ and ‘Stank Glen’ as listed on WalkHighlands (WalkHighlands).

Road drainage and the water environment

Loch Lubnaig (ID: 100258) lies 10m west of the schemes at its nearest point. Loch Lubnaig is a classified lake by Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) (SEPA Water Classification Hub) in the River Forth catchment and was rated as “moderate” in 2023 (SEPA).

Garbh Uisge/River Leny (ID: 4718) lies approximately 10m west of the A84 South End of Loch Lubnaig. Garbh Uisge/River Leny is a river in the River Forth catchment and it was awarded an overall status of ‘good’ in 2023 by SEPA (Water Classification Hub).

A number of unnamed and unclassified waterbodies are culverted beneath the A84 within the scheme extents with all outflowing into Loch Lubnaig and/or Garbh Uisge/River Leny west of the scheme extents. 

The schemes lie within the ‘Trossachs’ groundwater basin (ID: 150680) which has been classified as “good” by SEPA in 2023. It is also listed as a ground Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA).

A search of SEPA Flood Map did not identify surface water flooding on the A84 carriageway at the scheme extents (SEPA Flood Maps). The banks of the Loch Lubnaig and Garbh Uisge/River Leny and a number of minor waterbodies which are culverted beneath the scheme extents are identified as having a high likelihood of surface water flooding and fluvial flooding (10% chance of flooding each year) (SEPA Flood Maps).

Climate

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets out the target and vision set by the Scottish Government for tackling and responding to climate change (The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009). The Act includes a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 80% before 2050 (from the baseline year 1990). The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 amended the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 to bring the target of reaching net-zero emissions in Scotland forward to 2045 (Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019).

The Scottish Government has since published its indicative Nationally Determined Contribution (iNDC) to set out how it will reach net-zero emissions by 2045, working to reduce emissions of all major greenhouse gases by at least 75% by 2030 (Scotland's contribution to the Paris Agreement: indicative Nationally Determined Contribution - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). By 2040, the Scottish Government is committed to reducing emissions by 90%, with the aim of reaching net-zero by 2045 at the latest.

Transport Scotland is committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network and this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport (Mission Zero for transport | Transport Scotland). Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland. In response to the climate emergency, Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 75% by 2030 and to a legally binding target of net-zero by 2045.