Dalchork Wind Farm Community Liaison Group (CLG)

Transcription

1 Dalchork Wind Farm Community Liaison Group (CLG) Draft Minute of Meeting 25 June 2013 Lairg Community Centre 7pm Attendees: Cara Cameron Don Cameron Alasdair Marshall Marion Turner Pieter Bakker Hector MacLennan Chloe Constant Rob Mackay Callum Nicholson Steven Park (Resident) (Resident) (Resident) (Resident / Creich Community Council) (Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra Community Council) (Lairg Community Council) (E.ON) (E.ON) (FCS) (PPS Group) - Chair Apologies: Peter Campbell Kevin Crowe Neil Fuller (Creich Community Council) (Durness Community Council) (Durness Community Council) 1. Welcome and Introduction SP welcomed everyone to the meeting, thanking attendees for giving up their own personal time to attend and importantly contribute to the discussion, and importantly input into the design process, for the proposed Dalchork Wind Farm. SP then sought agreement from members that he would Chair the meeting up to and including Agenda item 3 Election of Chairperson; at which point he would then act as Secretariat for the Group in support of its members and Chairperson. Members agreed. A round table introduction then took place.

2 2. Apologies for Absence Noted as Above. 3. Election of Chairman SP asked members if they would like to nominate or stand for the position of Chairperson for the Liaison Group. Upon discussion it was unanimously agreed that SP would Chair the remainder of the meeting given that it was the first meeting of the CLG. It was then agreed that the position of Chairperson would discussed further at the next meeting, where the position of Chairperson could be on a basis of rotation. 4. Role of Liaison Group: SP then took members through the Terms of Reference (Appendix 1) for the Liaison Group, explaining that the role of the Liaison Group was to provide members of the local community and the respective Community Councils a real opportunity to inform, input and shape the design process for the proposed Dalchork Wind Farm, and raise any issues of concern directly with E.ON on an on-going basis. SP also highlighted from the outset that the CLG had not been setup to form a view on any future planning application and that matters concerning Community Benefit would not be covered under the remit of the CLG. It was confirmed that any planning or other significant decision to do with the proposed development would be handled through the appropriate body e.g. the relevant Community Council. With regards to membership of the CLG it was proposed that it be made up of members of the public who had expressed an interest in joining the CLG during the public information day; all those Community Councils who boundary adjoins that of Lairg Community Council, which the site boundary sits within. It was also highlighted that Councillors from North, West and Central Sutherland and the neighbouring ward of East Sutherland and Edderton had been invited to observe the discussions of the CLG. During the preceding discussions, particularly that relating to issues pertaining to the A836 and A838, it was agreed that an invite should be extended to representatives of Tongue Community Council. It was further agreed that PB would make initial contact with Tongue Community Council on behalf of the CLG

3 5. Moriston Project Update a. Information Days CC provided an update on the public information days that were held on 12 th and 13 th March. CC highlighted that approx. 35 people attended over both days, and that 15 questionnaires were completed. CC also highlighted that she had received further feedback at the Lairg Mayfest. SP then commented that what was apparent from the public information days was that the Lairg and surrounding communities are extremely knowledgeable about issues pertaining to renewables. B. Layout RM informed attendees that following a tender process, the Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) awarded E.ON the right to explore the potential for new wind energy projects on two areas of land within the Scottish National Forest Estate. The site at Dalchork falls within the portfolio within the North Scotland Area (North Highland Forest District and Inverness, Ross and Skye Forest District.). RB highlighted that initial feasibility studies have been undertaken since 2011, which has provided the initial data to inform the scoping process as well as the constraints map provided. It was confirmed by RM that 3 Met Masts (80m height for 5 years) have been consented for the purpose of monitoring wind yield, with the intention being to install the Met Masts later this summer. RM also informed attendees that scoping responses have been received from statutory consultees, with the key issues predominately relating to Environmental constraints of the site, and that issues relating to the current Wild Land Consultation and the proximity to the Highland Special Landscape Area would also need to be considered carefully. RM then issued three maps that were to be used as discussion points for the meeting. The first being the site boundary plan (Appendix 2). The second being the Developable Area Plan (Appendix 3), which illustrates the land available for Turbine Development, Associated development, and within those boundaries the areas in which turbines could potentially be sited. The third (Appendix 4) highlights the various constraints within the site all of which must be taken into account when looking at areas in which turbine development would be constrained or limited due to these respective features. Whilst it was appreciated that the numbers of turbines was currently not agreed, SP highlighted that it was important comments from the CLG helped inform this process going forward.

4 RM highlighted that once the Met Masts have been installed and data gathered from them, this too would help inform and influence the constraints plan, and thus the potential locations for turbines. PB asked whether peat probe studies had been conducted. RB stated that a first phase peat probe had been completed and that a second phase peat probe would be undertaken that would take into account initial layouts utilising poles longer than the 6 metres used for the phase one assessment. DC then asked if areas of peat would affect the stability of turbines. RM indicated that the class of the area would indeed determine the feasibility of turbines on that location. DC then asked about the proximity to residential properties and the impact the proposed wind farm may have. RM highlighted that they were fully aware of the houses within proximity to the site, predominately down the Western edge and off the A836 and that indicative locations for conducting these assessments had been outlined in the Scoping Report. RM confirmed that noise monitoring assessments would be conducted at various properties, and that and should a planning application be made for the proposed wind farm then strict guidelines on noise limits would be adhered to in line with European legislation. It was agreed that a copy of the Scoping Report would be circulated to members of the CLG, and that suggestions on additional locations for conducting noise assessments would be made by members of the CLG. CC asked if any issues relating to eagle activity had been raised by SNH in their Scoping response. RM highlighted that two wintering and one breeding season would be done and that bird surveys have been conducted since Autumn 2011, and that this has shown one eagle sighting just off the North Eastern edge of the site but that there had been no flight lines over site. RM reiterated that SNH, RSPB and local raptor groups were being consulted. PB then asked if there had been any objections from the Scoping Report responses. RM stated that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) have filed a holding objection due to the fact that an indicative layout and turbine figures were not included. SNH have also advised that due to issues pertaining to Wild Land, it was anticipated that an objection may be likely from them. RM informed the CLG that once a copy of the E.ON response to the Wild Land consultation was produced, a copy would be circulated to CLG members. MT then spoke about the proposed wind farm in relation to some of the peaks and ridges towards the North of the Site, and if these could be incorporated as part of the design process to hide elements of the wind farm. RM suggested that at the next meeting some design work could be done in real time. All agreed that would be of interest.

5 CC then spoke about access to and from the site, questioning what route the proposed turbines would take. RM stated that whilst it was anticipated that turbines would come into the port at Invergordon and then transported via the A9, A839 and A836, the specific details of this are still to be determined. It was therefore agreed that Access would be discussed as a specific agenda item at the next meeting of the CLG. MT then spoke about cumulative impact in the area. RM confirmed that as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment cumulative assessments would be done and would include all projects in the planning system, consented and in operation. It was agreed that the list of projects to be included would be highlighted in the Scoping Report. C. Timeline RM then took members of the CLG through the proposed timeline: Met Masts to be installed mid-august (weather dependent) Design workshops with the CLG Autumn 2013 Public Exhibitions Autumn 2013 Planning Submission Mid 2014 If consent granted, then construction to commence in AOB MT has a question about Grid Connection for the proposed site. RM informed the CLG that there has been no grid application made yet but that a feasibility study was underway. The current indication is that there will be grid availability 2019/2020. PB asked about felling plans for the wind farm and Forestry Commission Scotland. CN confirmed that there would be consultation on the Forest Design Plan around the time of the wind farm Public Exhibitions. RM confirmed that a proposed revision of the Forest Design Plan would form part of the Environmental Statement and that requirements for compensatory planting would be met for any felled areas. RM explained further that it has not yet been determined whether forested areas would be clear felled or key holed. PB suggested that the community should be consulted on their preference on this matter. CN / RM confirmed that all works / proposals will comply with the Scottish Governments policy on Control of Woodland Removal

6 7. Date of Next Meeting Further details on the next meeting would be circulated over the summer, when it is when it is anticipated that data from the Met Mast can help inform the debate and design process.