South Kyle Wind Energy Project

Transcription

1 South Kyle Wind Energy Project Newsletter September 2013 Keeping you informed The South Kyle Wind Energy proposal has now been submitted to the Energy Consents Unit of the Scottish Government for consideration. We would like to thank the many thousands of people who have taken part in the consultation process for sharing with us their priorities, concerns, issues and ideas for the project. This newsletter gives information on the final proposal, the feedback we received, and an opportunity to register to stay in touch with the project as it progresses through the planning process. In this newsletter: About the project and process What you said your priorities Getting involved stay in touch

2 Keeping you updated Project Facts 50 turbines, up to 170MW Up to 3.4MW Up to 149.5metres to blade tip 30.6km of new forest roads 26km of upgraded forest roads electricity substation compound underground cables permanent welfare facility for workers borrow pits 92,000 household equivalent (based on 170MW) Legend Site boundary Wind turbine The following key issues were identified by consultees and have been fully researched and examined to develop the best possible design for the project. 82 wind turbines 50 wind turbines Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd Dwg: PA-102-A Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd Dwg: PA-102-A Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey landscape and visual archaeology and cultural heritage ornithology ecology fisheries forestry access, traffic and transport hydrology and hydrogeology geology, peat and carbon balance (including peat stability) socio-economics and recreation noise aviation / telecoms / communications Full details of how you can access this research and full details of the final proposal can be found on page 5. 2

3 Listening to you What you said. Facilitating Change was commissioned to undertake, analyse and review the output of the consultation undertaken with the local community around the South Kyle Wind Farm proposal. In addition, Vattenfall has: completed a thorough tourism assessment to understand how we can ensure that this development does not impact on the local amenity increased the distance between the proposed turbines and a near-by Scheduled Monument at Kings Cairn. assessed the impact of Infrared lighting (which may be required on some turbines) on the facilities at the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory. sited the turbines to avoid any sensitive areas identified during the environmental assessment and to adhere to technical constraints such as slope. More than 2000 people have in some way been involved in the development of this proposal sharing their insights, concerns and ideas with us. Through exhibitions, meetings, questionnaires, door to door and phone surveys, a number of priorities were identified to us, particularly: Visual impact Jobs and employment Protecting and enhancing the natural environment Investment in the community; and Tourism To assist you to visualize how the proposal would look, we have produced a 3D model which means you can stand at any location in and around the site, travel along the A713 or B741 roads, or look in detail at the viewpoints submitted in the Environmental Statement. If you are interested in receiving a copy, please contact us! A Pre Application Consultation Report has been compiled which provides a full record of the process. This can be viewed along with the Environmental Statement at the locations listed on page 5. Minimising visual impact has been a critical consideration throughout the development process. One of the key reasons for the reduction in the number of turbines from an initial 82 turbine layout to a 50 turbine layout (see changes on page 2) has been driven by this priority and your feedback on critical landscapes. In particular these were the A713 tourist route, Loch Doon, communities such Dalmellington and New Cumnock, and the Craigengillan Estate. Minimising visual impact has been a critical consideration throughout the development process... 3

4 Get involved! Get involved and stay in touch! Focussing on the opportunities and priorities outlined by local communities and consultees... The community investment that would be available through this project is currently worth 750,000 annually. We want to work with you to see how this can be maximised and how it can deliver your priorities. Now that the final proposal has been developed, we will be focussing on working with you to see what opportunities this project can deliver. Some of the themes we are aware of already include: Making sure the project generates employment opportunities directly through the project, but also through the community funding Protecting and improving the environment Investing in the needs of local communities especially creating opportunities for young people, tourism, jobs Improving local towns and facilities. We are looking forward to working with you to see how these exciting opportunities can be developed through this project. To get involved, or to stay in touch with the project, please fill out and return the registration form at the back of this newsletter! 750,000 Annual community investment for over twenty years. We want to work with you to see how this can be maximised and how it can deliver your priorities. 4

5 Investing in the needs of local communities especially creating opportunities for young people, tourism, jobs To view the application: A copy of the application, with plan showing the land to which it relates, together with a copy of the Environmental Statement and Pre Application Consultation Report, are available for inspection, free of charge, during normal office hours at: Dumfries and Galloway Council, Council Offices, English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2DD East Ayrshire Council, Council Headquarters, London Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 7BU East Ayrshire Council, The Johnnie Walker Bond, 15 Strand Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 1HU New Cumnock Community Library, New Cumnock, East Ayrshire, KA18 4AH Dalmellington Library, 1 Townhead, Dalmellington, East Ayrshire, KA6 7QZ Castle Douglas Library, Market Hill, Castle Douglas, DG7 1AE Patna Community Library, Doonside Avenue, Patna, East Ayrshire, KA6 7LX Copies of the Environmental Statement may be obtained from Vattenfall. Hard copies of a short non-technical summary are available free of charge, and can be downloaded from southkylewindfarm Any representations to the application should be made by to The Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit mailbox at representations@scotland. gsi.gov.uk or by post to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation, not later than the 11th October The Environmental Statement can also be viewed at the Scottish Government Library at Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ. Keep in touch More than 2000 people have in some way been involved in the development of this proposal sharing their insights, concerns and ideas with us. We are looking forward to working with you to see how these exciting opportunities can be developed. Contact us To be kept informed or to feedback any views you may have on the proposed South Kyle Wind Farm please contact: Joanne Hutchinson Vattenfall Wind Power Limited St Andrews House, Haugh Lane, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3RB E Joanne.Hutchinson@vattenfall.com T

6 Vattenfall Wind Power Limited, St Andrews House Haugh Lane Hexham Northumberland NE46 3RB T E Joanne.Hutchinson@vattenfall.com

7 South Kyle Wind Energy Project stay in touch Register now to get involved... We would like to invite you to get involved with this work, and stay in touch with the project, by competing the short registration form below. Alternatively, you can also register through the website at Fill in the form below and return it to our FREEPOST address. Freepost RTGG-UXGS-XSJC Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd St Andrews House Haugh Lane HEXHAM NE46 3QQ Where do you live? (Please tick box) Dalleagles Carigdarroch Waterside Burnside New Cumnock Rankinston Dalmellington Carsphairn Patna Bellsbank Mansfield Other (please specify) Your interests Where did you hear about the South Kyle Project? (Please tick box) In the newspaper On the television Online Word of mouth Attended local consultation events Received information from Vattenfall Information leaflet at a local venue Other (please specify) What elements of the project are of interest to you? (Please tick all that apply) The planning process Project in general Work/Business opportunities Vattenfall as a company Environment and habitat management plans Community Funding Training or apprenticeships Other specific project elements (please specify) CUT ALONG HERE

8 South Kyle Wind Energy Project stay in touch Keeping you informed In what formats do you think we can best provide information to local communities? Please tell us what you value about your area? What do you feel are the area s strengths? (Please tick box) Very useful Quite useful No strong view Not useful enewsletter Local information leaflets Website Newsletters Information Packs Newspapers Radio Run local information events/sessions Take part in local events Local informantion points (If useful please let us know where the best location for these would be?) Other (please specify) Please complete the contact details section. This will ensure that we keep up to date with you on the progress of the project. Name Address 1 Address 2 City/Town: State/Province: Postal Code: Country Address: Vattenfall Wind Power Limited, St Andrews House, Haugh Lane, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3RB T , E Joanne.Hutchinson@vattenfall.com CUT ALONG HERE