Assessment of cumulative effects

GI works and tree felling are not anticipated to result in significant environmental effects.

A search of the LLTNP Planning Portal and Stirling Council Planning Portal did not identify any planning applications within 300m of the scheme in the last six months.

A search of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner website has identified that no other roadworks are currently ongoing, or noted as being planned, on the trunk road at the same time as this scheme. Due to the nature of the proposed works, no cumulative effects are anticipated with any other developments in the vicinity.

Trees to be removed are located in a small area within the A85 trunk road corridor. Only the minimum number of trees required to facilitate construction of the layby will be removed. The total quantity of trees to be removed from the site (approximately 100 trees) has been assessed as negligible in the context of both the local and wider landscape, with plantation and tree shelterbelts remaining a dominant feature along this part of the A85 trunk road. In addition, trees to be removed will be recorded for future compensatory planting in appropriate locations. Suitable locations for replanting are highly limited within the trunk road boundary in proximity to this scheme; therefore, BEAR Scotland will seek to identify alternative suitable locations for compensatory planting, in discussion and consultation with Transport Scotland.

BEAR Scotland programme all of their proposed works in line with appropriate guidance and contractual requirements. All schemes are programmed to take into account existing and future planned works, with a view of limiting any cumulative effects relating to TM. This approach allows BEAR Scotland to effectively manage the potential cumulative effects as a result of TM, resulting in minimal disruption to users of the Scottish trunk road network.

Overall, it is unlikely that the proposed works will have a significant cumulative effect with any other future works in the area.