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13 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 1 A Preliminary Environmental Policy Review This section briefly outlines the policy framework in relation to the environment for the development of the proposed Corsbie Moor Wind Farm. While it does not contain an in-depth discussion of the specific policies, it does outline the primary policy documents, and their key points, that will need to be taken into consideration. Relevant, specific policies contained within these documents will be fully documented for each of the technical assessments as part of the ES. A separate Planning Statement will also be prepared as part of the overall suite of application documents which will review the extent to which the application complies with relevant national policy and the Development Plan. Under the provisions of Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act of 1997, there is a requirement placed on the decision-maker dealing with planning applications whereby the decision has to be made in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Emerging development plans are examples of material considerations as are national planning policy issued by the Scottish Government. The weight to be given to material considerations against the development plan is a matter for judgement in each individual case. Despite the primacy that legislation gives to the development plan, it is useful to start an assessment of the policy context by looking at the national policy framework, which is the basis under which more local policies will evolve. The assessment of policy context then moves down through the strategic advice in the Structure Plan and finally to the local policy advice in the Local Plan. The National Planning Policy Framework The second National Planning Framework (NPF 2) (approved June 2009) along with the recently approved Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) (February 2010), provides the relevant national planning policy framework for the proposed development. NPF 2 is concerned with Scotland in its wider context and it addresses the major contemporary challenges of global competition, climate change and resource depletion. In regards to energy, it recognises the main challenges as tacking climate change and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. NPF 2 states that the Scottish Government has set high targets for the generation of electricity from renewable means along with other objectives. The SPP recognises that the planning system has a key role in tackling climate change and states that: the need to help mitigate the causes of climate change and the need to adapt to its short and long term impacts should be taken into account in all decisions throughout the planning system. The SPP states that the current (non-capped) target for electricity generation is 50% from renewable sources by 2020 and recognises the current role of onshore wind power. The SPP also states that Development plans should support all scales of development associated with the generation of energy and heat from renewable sources, ensuring that an area s renewable energy potential is realised and optimised in a way that takes account of relevant economic, social, environmental and transport issues and maximises benefits. PAN45 Renewable Energy Technologies, and its two Annexes, is currently being revised in order to reflect the change in the national framework arising from the consolidation of the SPP into one document.

14 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 2 The Development Plan The applicable Development Plan comprises the approved Scottish Borders Structure Plan (2002) with alterations (2005 and 2009) and the Scottish Borders Local Plan, adopted Scottish Borders Structure Plan One of the main aims of the approved Structure Plan is for residents of the area to benefit from new development which makes best use of resources, is well integrated with its surroundings, and is of a high quality, environmentally sensitive design and a high quality, safe and healthy environment. Structure Plan Policies which are directly relevant to the development proposed include: Policy I19 Renewable Energy which provides support for appropriately sited and designed renewable energy development. Policy I20 Wind Energy Developments states criteria against which wind energy developments will be assessed. These include impacts upon amenity and aeronautical safety. The Structure Plan contains a diagram indicating the preferred areas of search for wind energy development. The proposed site is located within a preferred area. In addition to the substantive policies identified above, the Structure Plan contains a number of additional policies which seek to protect the environment and amenity, these include: Principle S1 Environmental Impact Policy N2 International Sites Policy N3 National Sites Policy N4 Precautionary Principle Policy N5 Local Biodiversity Action Policy N6 Environmental Impact Policy N7 Protection of Nature Conservation Interest Policy N8 River Tweed System Policy N9 Maintaining Landscape Character Policy N10 National Scenic Areas Policy N11 Areas of Great Landscape Value Policy N13 Parks and Designed Landscapes Policy N14 National Archaeological Sites Policy N15 Regional and Local Archaeological Sites Policy N16 Archaeological Evaluation, Preservation and Recording

15 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 3 Policy N17 Listed Buildings Policy N18 Conservation Areas Policy N20 Design Policy E22 Protection of the Tourism Industry Policy C8 Access Network Scottish Borders Local Plan Policy D4 Renewable Energy Development within the adopted Local Plan is directly applicable to the proposed development. It is a Development in the Countryside policy which stipulates the Council s support for renewable energy developments where they can be accommodated without unacceptable impacts on the environment. Policy D4 recognises the importance of wider economic and environmental benefits which can be associated with renewable energy developments. It also sets out a number of assessment criteria applicable to commercial scale wind farm developments. The adopted local plan also contains a number of generic policies aim to protect the environment and amenity which are of relevance to the proposed development. Principle 1 Sustainability Policy G1 Quality Standards for New Development Policy BE1 - Listed Buildings Policy BE2 - Archaeological Sites and Ancient Monuments Policy BE3 Gardens and Designed Landscapes Policy NE1 - International Nature Conservation Sites Policy NE2 - National Nature Conservation Sites Policy NE3 - Local Biodiversity Policy NE5 - Development Affecting the Water Environment Policy EP 1 - National Scenic Areas Policy EP2 - Areas of Great Landscape Value. Policy H2 - Protection of Residential Amenity Policy INF 2 Protection of Access Routes Policy INF 6 Development within Exclusion Zones Supplementary Planning Guidance Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) relating to Wind Energy was published in May This document includes a Spatial Strategy indicating areas with differing levels of constraints. The Corsbie Moor site is identified as being within an area of Moderate (lower) constraints with pockets of Minor constraints. The area surrounding the site is afforded

16 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 4 significant protection, however the actual site is considered potentially appropriate for the development of wind farm; subject to the findings of relevant assessments. The SPG indicates that proposals in this area should be determined against the requirements of Policy D4 along with the requirements of Section 6.4 of the SPG which relates to impacts upon AGLVs and NSAs, Tourism, Nature Conservation Sites, Shadow Flicker, Noise, Ecology, Ornithology, Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Aviation, Decommissioning, Communities and Grid. B Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Policy Context Cultural heritage is represented by a wide range of features, both above and below ground that result from past human use of the landscape. These include standing buildings, many still in use, sub-surface archaeological remains, and artefact scatters. It also includes earthwork monuments as well as landscape features such as field boundaries and industrial remains. Certain features that are deemed to be of particular importance are given legal protection as Scheduled Ancient Monuments through the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (AMAAA). Similarly, the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 provides for the definition and protection of Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas of architectural and historical interest. This is currently in the process of being amended by the Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, which is currently before the Scottish Parliament. Further advice on how cultural heritage should be treated is given in SPP and in Planning Advice Note (PAN) 42. PAN42 deals with archaeology, and sets out policy for the protection of features designated under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act The SPP provides the national policy framework for future development, and includes a section on the impacts of development on the historic environment (encompassing Scheduled Monuments and non-designated archaeological sites, Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Gardens and Designed Landscapes and World Heritage Sites). Further detail and clarification is provided in the Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP). Regional planning policy relevant to archaeology and cultural heritage is set out above. Baseline Overview Data was obtained on designated features recorded within the site and a 5km envelope surrounding it through GIS datasets downloaded from the Historic Scotland website 1. In addition, data on non-designated cultural heritage features recorded by the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS) and the Scottish Sites and Monuments Records (SSMR) in the surrounding area has been obtained from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) on-line Pastmap resource. 1 last accessed on 4th May 2010

17 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 5 Designated Features No designated cultural heritage features have been identified within the site boundary. The nearest Scheduled Monuments to the site are Corsbie Tower (located approximately 900m from the site and 1.6km from the nearest indicative turbine location) and forts at Knock Hill (located approximately 600m from the site boundary). A further eleven Scheduled Monuments lie within 5km of the site boundary. The next nearest of these monuments are at Whitslaid Tower (1.2km west of the site boundary), Houndslow, (2km to the east of the site boundary) and Blythe settlement (2.7km north of the site boundary). Other Scheduled Monuments lie more than 3km from the site, including Black Hill Fort (5.5km south of the site boundary) identified by Historic Scotland as a potential receptor during preliminary consultations. The nearest listed buildings to the site are as follows: Old Bridge Galadean, (Category B), approximately 500m west of the site boundary; Birkhill House (Category B), approximately 500m west of the site boundary; Bassendean House, (Category B), approximately 700m south of the site boundary; Corsbie Farmhouse, (Category B), approximately 800m south of the site boundary; Corsbie Tower, (Category B), approximately 900m south of the site boundary; and Legerwood Church and Churchyard (Category B), approximately 1km south of the site boundary. The nearest Category A listed building is Greenknowe Tower which is located approximately 2.9km south of the site boundary. The closest Garden and Designed Landscapes are Thirlstane Castle, located 4km north-west of the site boundary and Mellerstain, located 4.1km south of the site boundary. The closest World Heritage Site is Edinburgh Old and New Towns, approximately 42km northwest of the site boundary. The Lauder Conservation Area is, at its closest, 4.8km north-west of the site boundary. Preliminary site layouts taking into account potential constraints such as microwave and similar fixed links and proximity to dwellings indicate that turbines will not be located close to the site boundary. The distances of identified features from the nearest turbine will therefore be greater than the distance to the site boundary, and in some cases substantially greater. In particular, features to the west and north-west of the site (e.g. Old Bridge Galadean and Birkhill House) are likely to be up to 2.5km further from the nearest turbine than from the site boundary, while features to the south of the site (e.g. Knock Hill) are likely to be up to 1.5km further from the nearest turbine than from the site boundary. Non-designated Features Several features and areas of archaeological interest are recorded within the site by the NMRS and SSMR. These mostly refer to cropmarks and earthworks identified on aerial photographs, and chance finds of artefacts. The cropmarks and earthworks are indicative of sub-surface archaeology and suggest that the remains of prehistoric settlement may be present within parts of the site. Features and areas of interest currently identified within the site are as follows:

18 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 6 Possible prehistoric enclosures at Eden Burn (SSMR , NMRS NT64NW12, NT64NW13, NT64NW14, NT64NW31, NT64NW42) Dean Brae Burn (NMRS NT64NW42) and Dean Brae (NMRS NT54NW45) and ring-ditch at Eden Burn (NMRS NT64NW41) identified through aerial photography in the south-east corner of the site and forming a discrete group of prehistoric features overlain by later ridge and furrow cultivation; flint arrowhead and stone spindlewhorl (NMRS NT64NW27) found at Corsbie Moor; ridge and furrow cultivation at Corsbie Moor (NMRS NT64NW37) and Cribbs Covert (NMRS NT54SE67); possible prehistoric pit alignment at Legerwood (NMRS NT54SE38); and Boon Black Dyke possible road or trackway at (NMRS NT54SE68, NT54SE66, NT54NE64) is recorded on either side of the site, suggesting it crosses the site from north to south at Stell Wood. Further features within the 500m study area but beyond the site boundary are of similar character, including a pit alignment (NMRS NT54SE60), prehistoric fort (NMRS NT54SE55) and enclosure (NMRS NT54SE34) at Gala Dean, a prehistoric enclosure (NMRS NT54SE32) and medieval mill-lade (NMRS NT54SE36) at Whitslaid, and an enclosed settlement at Boon (NMRS NT54NE47) to the west of the site. To the north, a barbed and tanged arrowhead (NMRS NT64NW25) and stone axehead (NMRS NT64NW26) were found at Hyndsidehill, and to the east, there are further records of ridge and furrow cultivation (NMRS NT64NW35), and prehistoric artefacts (axe-hammer, flint knife and arrowhead) from Bassendean House (NMRS NT64NW16, NT64NW17), and a ring-ditch (NMRS NT64NW45) at Green Knowe. These features indicate the presence of prehistoric settlement and occupation of parts of the site and its environs and are representative of the use of the study area in the medieval and later periods. Proposed Scope of Assessment Direct Effects The small footprint of the built development associated with a wind farm significantly lessens the potential for direct effects on cultural heritage features. Nevertheless there are some known features within the site and the potential for previously unrecorded features to be present within the site remains. As a result, it is possible that archaeological features may be directly affected by the proposed development. The EIA process will identify any known features and attempt to establish the potential for further unrecorded features. Where necessary, this information will be used to inform the wind farm design in order to avoid or reduce effects on identified features. To this end, the following additional sources of information would be consulted during the EIA: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS); Regional Sites and Monuments Record/Historic Environment Record; Registers of designated features within 5 km of the site boundaries; Reports of previous archaeological investigations; and

19 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 7 Review of national and local policy relating to cultural heritage. A study area extending up to 500m from the site boundary will be used to identify known cultural heritage features which might be directly affected by the proposals and to assess the potential presence of previously unrecorded features within the site. A site visit and walkover will also be undertaken, with the aim of identifying any visible cultural heritage features within the site, checking available records and noting general ground conditions. It is anticipated that the appropriate micro-siting of turbines during the process of finalising the wind farm layout design will be used to avoid direct effects on cultural heritage features identified during the EIA. However, where this is not possible measures will be adopted to identify and preserve by record any features which have not previously been recorded. This mitigation is subject to further discussion with relevant consultees, including Scottish Borders Council Archaeological Advisor. Effects on Setting Effects on the setting of designated cultural heritage features and the wider historic landscape will also be considered as part of the EIA. These are normally changes to the setting of a feature, whether permanent or temporary. According to national policy guidance such effects are normally considered more relevant to designated features of national importance, such as scheduled monuments, listed buildings, and registered historic parks and gardens. An initial appraisal of likely cultural heritage receptors undertaken as part of the scoping exercise has identified the following receptors in particular for further assessment in the EIA: Corsbie Tower Scheduled Monument and Listed Building; Knock Hill Fort Scheduled Monument; Black Hill Fort Scheduled Monument; Houndslow Scheduled Monument; and Legerwood Church and Churchyard Listed Buildings. An assessment of potential effects on the setting of the above features will be made through a combination of documentary study, site visits (from publicly accessible areas) and wireframe illustrations. It is additionally proposed that this element of the assessment will be open to consultees, including the relevant planning officer, to encourage ongoing consultation. The aim will be to establish the current setting of the feature and how this might be affected, in consideration of factors such as distance, topography and available screening from vegetation and built development. Where the potential for a significant effect on setting is identified photomontage viewpoints may also be prepared. The assessment will then be made based on professional judgement with reference to a stated methodology, bearing in mind available guidance such as Historic Scotland s Assessment of Impact on the Setting of Historic Environment Resources and any scoping responses or information arising from further consultation. Other designated features within the proposed 5km study area appear unlikely to be significantly affected by the proposed development as a result of their distance from the site and the presence of intervening landform or plantation which provides a degree of screening. However, further research and assessment will be undertaken as part of the EIA and a brief

20 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 8 account of the assessment of effects on all designated cultural heritage features within the ZTV and a distance of 5km of turbines will be presented in the ES. The assessment of effects on the setting of cultural heritage features will be carried out in close consultation with the landscape and visual assessment, with the latter particularly considering the visual amenity aspect of cultural heritage receptors. Confirmation of the proposed scope and any further receptors which consultees may regard as worthy of further assessment, is requested. Assessment Methodology/Approach The EIA would include a description of the research undertaken and results obtained, as well as an assessment of the nature and significance of the likely effects of the proposed development. Consideration would be given to any necessary mitigation, following consultation with E.ON and consultees. All work will be completed in accordance with the Institute for Archaeologists Code of Conduct and Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-Based Assessments (2008). C Landscape, Visual Amenity and Related Issues Policy Context The Landscape and Visual Assessment (LVA) section of the EIA will be undertaken with reference to a number of best practice documents. In particular reference will be made to methodological approaches set out in the following publications: Guidelines on Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA). Second Edition. The Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. 2002; 2 Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and the Landscape Institute s Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Assessment, second edition (LI/IEMA, 2002); Guidelines on Environmental Impacts of Wind Farms and Small Scale Hydro Electric Schemes. Scottish Natural Heritage. 2001; Siting and Design of windfarms in the landscape Version 1, Scottish Natural Heritage, December 2009; Visual Assessment of Wind Farms: Best Practice. University of Newcastle. Scottish Natural Heritage Report No. F01AA3030A. 2002; Cumulative effects of wind farms a guidance note (SNH, 2005) and the emerging 3rd Version which is currently out to consultation; Visual Representation of Wind Farms Good Practice Guidance (SNH, 2006); 2 We are aware that consultations are underway to revise the GLVIA for a third edition and if this is published during the lifespan of this EIA its contents will be incorporated into the LVA.

21 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 9 Visual Representation of Windfarms: Good Practice Guidance. The Scottish Renewables Forum and the Scottish Society of Directors of Planning, Horner & Maclennan and Envision, 2006; Landscape Character Assessment: Guidance for England and Scotland. University of Sheffield and Land Use Consultants. The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage. 2002; Ordnance Survey (OS) Mapping; and Aerial photographs. Baseline Overview The proposed study area for the project will be a 35km radius, based on guidance by Scottish Natural Heritage in relation to proposed turbine size. This is primarily focussed upon the Scottish Borders, although also extends in to East Lothian and Midlothian in the north. The south eastern portion of the study area also extends into the northern extent of Northumberland, England. Landscape Character Landscape Character Typologies within the Scottish Borders area are identified in The Borders Landscape Assessment (ASH Consulting Group, 1998). With regard to the proposed Corsbie Moor Wind Farm, the site is located within the Upland Fringe: Rolling Farmland landscape character type, which is located to the south of the Lammermuir Hills. This character type is characterised by undulating slopes and rolling hills with distinctive mounds and terraces. Land cover is mainly arable and pasture enclosed by mature hedgerows as well as coniferous shelterbelts and plantation forestry. There are also scattered areas of broad-leaved woodland. Landscape Designations Initial research indicates that a number of landscape designations are located within the proposed study area and it may be possible to view the proposed wind turbines from certain vantage points within some of them. These include amongst others: National Scenic Areas (NSA): Eildon Hills. Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV): Lammermuir Hills; Moorfoot Hills; Eildon and Bowhill. Area of High Landscape Value (AHLV: Tweed Valley. Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes (HGDL):

22 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 10 Thirlestane Castle; Mellerstain; Priorwood Garden; Bemersyde; Abbotsford. National Trails: Southern Upland Way. Country Parks: The Hirsel Country Park; Bowhill House and Country Park. Proposed Scope of Assessment The LVA chapter will include two related assessments which will look at the effects on the landscape as a whole, as well as those of potential visual receptors located in the vicinity of the site. These are described in more detail below. Landscape Assessment The landscape assessment will include the direct and indirect effects on the landscape resource and various landscape receptors, including landscape character and landscape designations, as well as landscape elements and features. Landscape Character Effects on landscape character areas that have been defined within the local studies 3,4,5 and which are partly or completely located within the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) will be assessed. The LVA will focus on those character areas in closest proximity to the application site (i.e. within 10km radius) which are likely to be most affected by the development. This is an approach we have used successfully in previous wind farm LVAs and avoids burdening the LVA with large amounts of erroneous information. Landscape Designations The assessment of landscape designations will also concentrate upon those within the detailed 10km radius study area, where experience indicates that potential significant effects are most likely to occur. Designations which have a cultural heritage dimension, such as listed buildings, scheduled monuments and registered battlefields will be assessed within the cultural heritage 3 Borders Landscape Assessment (ASH Consulting Group, 1998) 4 Lothians Landscape Character Assessment (ASH Consulting Group, 1998) 5 Currently there is no landscape character assessment for the Northumberland area (Northumberland County Council is in the process of producing this) and as a result the National Character Areas described in the North East England Landscape Assessment will be referenced.

23 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 11 chapter. However, the LVA will assess effects upon registered historic gardens and designed landscapes. Landscape Elements The landscape assessment will include direct and indirect effects upon landscape elements and patterns within the application site and immediate context, such as hedgerows and the field boundary pattern. This will include consideration of its condition and capacity. Visual Assessment Visual effects are recognised by the Landscape Institute as being a subset of landscape effects and are concerned wholly with the effect of a proposed development upon the views and the visual amenity of visual receptors: people, who live, work, undertake recreational activities or travel through the study area. Visual receptors are categorised by their visual sensitivity to change in accordance with their principal activity in line with the GLVIA. Some visual assessments are based completely or substantially upon a detailed assessment of a limited number of viewpoints from where the likely effects upon visual receptors are illustrated by photomontages and/or wireframes. Entec s approach, whilst making extensive use of such visualisation techniques, would be to identify a much wider range of visual receptors either as individuals e.g. at individual residential properties within 3km of a turbine, or amalgamated into groups e.g. all the residents of a particular village or hamlet. Once identified, the predicted magnitude of visual change that would be sustained by the visual receptors will be assessed using information gained from site visits, visualisations such as wireframes and the ZTVs. In accordance with the approach set out in the GLVIA the magnitude of visual change will be combined with the sensitivity of the visual receptor (as accorded within the GLVIA) to produce a level of visual effect. There are seven potential levels of visual effect, two of which: substantial and moderate/substantial are assessed as being significant in the context of The Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (Scotland) Zones of Theoretical Visibility The selection of which visual receptors are to be included within the visual assessment will be guided by a series of ZTVs. These are generated by a computer software programme (generally Resoft Wind Farm Version 4), that uses the tallest model of the potential turbine type and digital terrain model (dtm) data (generally Ordnance Survey Panorama data) to calculate locations from where either the turbines hubs or nacelles or just the upper blade tips would theoretically be visible. In some locations the extent of woodland cover is such that it is likely to have a strong influence upon the availability of receptors views and it is necessary to amend the dtm data to make allowance for this influence. ZTVs will be produced for both the upper blade tip (currently assumed to be 126.5m high) and hub height of the proposed turbines (currently assumed to be 80m high). Initial ZTV analysis indicates that the visibility of the proposed turbines would be relatively fragmented, particularly beyond a 10km radius from the site. Beyond this distance the ZTV becomes increasingly fragmented, being largely restricted to the area s ridgelines and summits. This preliminary ZTV analysis has influenced the selection of the provisional list of visualisation viewpoints (described below). The initial ZTVs will be re-run for any iterations in the turbine layout that arise during the course of the EIA and for the final layout but experience for other wind farm developments indicates that unless these iterations involve a large increase

24 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 12 or decrease in turbine numbers or turbine specification, the distribution of the ZTVs are unlikely to alter greatly. Visualisation Viewpoints It is proposed to provide photomontages for up to ten viewpoints representing the views of key visual receptors within the 10km radius detail study area as well as wireframes from up to a further eight viewpoint locations at distances of between 10km and 35km from the application site. All visualisations will be prepared according to best practice with regard to key considerations such as viewing distance and the angle of view. The provisional viewpoint locations detailed below have been proposed due firstly to their location within the ZTV and then due to the potential sensitivity of the main individual, group or groups of receptors at or close to, that location or because they provide representative views potentially available to large numbers of visual receptors e.g. inhabitants of one of the larger settlements within the study area. It should also be noted that all viewpoints have to be publicly accessible. Proposed Viewpoint Locations Viewpoint No. and Location Grid Reference Approx Distance from Scheme Reason for Selection Photomontage Viewpoints 1) A6089 (north) NT km Representative of views experienced by road users passing the site to the north east. 2) Ledgerwood NT km Nearby settlement to the south, representative of views experienced by local residents. A viewpoint which includes the Ledgerwood Farm Trail would also be desired. 3) Nether Blainslie NT km Nearby settlement to the west, representative of views experienced by local residents. 4) Houndslow NT km Nearby settlement to the east, representative of views experienced by local residents and road users on the A697. 5) A6089 (east) NT km Representative of views at a close proximity from the local road network where there is a direct view of the site 6) Blythe NT km Nearby settlement to the north, representative of views experienced by local residents. Cumulative viewpoint. 7) Lauder NT km Nearby settlement with outstanding conservation area, representative of views experienced by local residents. 8) View from the A6105 NT km Representative of views from the east of the site on the main road network. Cumulative viewpoint. 9) Eildon Hills NSA NT km Representative of views from national level landscape designation. Cumulative viewpoint. 10) Twin Law Cairns NT km Within Lammermuir Hills AGLV, on route of the Southern Upland Way, experienced by recreational receptors. Cumulative viewpoint. Wireframe Viewpoints 11) Maxwellheugh NT km Representative of views experienced by local residents in this settlement to the south east. 12) Lammer Law Nt km Summit within Lammermuir Hills AGLV

25 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 13 Viewpoint No. and Location Grid Reference Approx Distance from Scheme Reason for Selection 13) Broomy Law NT km Within Eildon and BowHill AGLV, on route of the Southern Upland Way, experienced by recreational receptors. 14) Windlestraw Law NT km Elevated vantage point from hill summit to the west. 15) Heart Law NT km Summit within Lammermuir Hills AGLV 16) Cornhill on Tweed NT km Representative of views experienced by local residents within this settlement in the Tweed Valley AHLV. 17) Torfichen Hill NT km Summit within Moorfoot Hills AGLV 18) Black Law (Dunion Hills) NT km Elevated vantage point from hill summit to the south. Consultees are requested to confirm the appropriateness of these proposed viewpoints and advise of any others if this is considered necessary. Residential Amenity In addition to the comprehensive visual assessment, emerging best practice encourages the assessment to also consider the potential for some close by residential visual receptors to sustain adverse effects upon their residential amenity i.e. the manner in which they may wish to use and enjoy their property and garden/grounds as a consequence of the presence of the turbines. For example a sense that turbines are excessively close and/or surround the property could lead to a curtailment of viable activities in particular rooms or parts of the property such as patios or outdoor swimming pools. Hence the assessment will include site surveys using especially developed proformas to ascertain the potential for such effects to arise taking into account variables such as the orientation of a property and its residents principal views, the distribution of windows and the amount of nearby potential screening vegetation. As such effects are most likely to affect properties in close vicinity to the turbines the residential amenity survey will be restricted to individual properties within 3km of any turbine. Also, as with all aspects of the LVA, the amount of information that can be gained in field surveys will be limited by the availability of public access and, in some cases, the relevant information may have to be interpreted from aerial photographs. Cumulative Effects The landscape and visual cumulative assessment will follow the guidelines set out in SNH s Cumulative Effect of Wind Farms: Guidance. In line with these guidelines the cumulative assessment will include all wind farms, clusters and individual turbines that are operational, consented or for which a full planning application has been submitted within 60km radius of any of the proposed turbines at Corsbie Moor. Wind farm proposals at the screening or scoping stages will be excluded on the basis that they may not progress to full applications and subsequently become operational. Identified wind farms will be grouped in accordance with their planning status and geographical distribution to produce a number of cumulative ZTVs which indicate where one or more of these wind farms would theoretically be visible in nominal 360º views. Potential cumulative landscape effects will be assessed as a commentary using the range of headings that are contained in the previously referenced guidance. One of the key issues will be an assessment of the potential cumulative landscape effects of the various wind farms upon

26 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 14 defined landscape character areas and local landscape designations. Visual cumulative effects will utilise a viewpoint based approach using the agreed visualisation viewpoints from the consultation exercise. 360º colour coded cumulative wireframes will be produced from all the visualisation viewpoints from which more than one wind farm could potentially be visible. These will be used to provide an analysis of the overall visual cumulative effect with the proposed Corsbie Moor Wind Farm; without the proposed Corsbie Moor Wind Farm; and the incremental visual effect of the addition of the turbines at the proposed Corsbie Moor Wind Farm. As this is potentially a complex analysis, the results will be summarised in tabular form. Assessment Methodology / Approach The LVA will clearly set out its methodology in its early sections utilising tables wherever possible to maximise its transparency and replicability. Following on from the methodology section, the LVA will present the baseline conditions in a comprehensive but succinct manner using a number of sub-headings to provide an overall analysis of the prevailing landscape and visual conditions within the 35km radius study area, again concentrating upon the 10km radius detailed study area. It should be noted that these radii would be from the nearest proposed turbine as opposed to from the site centre. It will review relevant landscape commentaries, in particular the relevant sections in the landscape character assessments recently produced by Scottish Borders Council. It will also review and list the relevant policies in the Scottish Borders Local Plan and in the Scottish Borders Structure Plan. The baseline will be supported by a number of figures on OS plans and annotated photographs of the application site and its landscape setting. As recommended by the GLVIA, the LVA will consider the potential landscape and visual effects of the proposed wind farm in separate sections. Consultation and Iterative Design A preliminary consultation meeting has already taken place with planning officers from Scottish Borders Council and a landscape architect from SNH. It is currently anticipated that future consultations will be by letter, or phone call. With regard to the detailed design of the turbine layout and ancillary elements of the proposal and the development of mitigation proposals, it is intended to adopt a design led approach through collaboration between the landscape consultant, the project engineers and the developer/landowner. Key design principles with regard to turbine layouts will be used to review and guide the layout design process through a number of layout iterations. Environmental and technical constraints will be mapped, and along with aesthetic considerations, these will be used as a template against which layout options will be reviewed to achieve an appropriate landscape and visual fit. Design issues that will be considered will include the selection criteria for the turbines including their height. In this respect it should be noted that the blade tip height of 126.5m is a worst case scenario. As part of this process it is envisaged wireframes will be produced from some or all of the visualisation viewpoints. These will allow recommendations for the micro-siting of the turbines to minimise the incidences of potentially adverse design features such as the clustering of turbines; the presence of isolated outlier turbines; the formation of an unbalanced turbine array or excessive amounts of blade overlapping. As the LVA proceeds, mitigation proposals will also be developed with regard to variables such as the colour of the turbines, location and detail design of ancillary elements such

27 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 15 as the control building and access routes and any potential for screen planting close to individual sensitive visual receptors. D Nature Conservation Policy Context The assessment will take account of the requirements of, and advice given in: Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora; Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds (the Birds Directive); The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) Regulations 1994 (as amended); Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended); The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004; PAN 60: Planning for Natural Heritage (Scottish Govt, 2000), which provides advice on how development and the planning system can improve the natural environment; Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) guidelines on ecological impact assessment (IEEM, 2006); Survey methods for use in assessment of the impact of proposed onshore windfarms on bird communities (SNH 2005); Assessing significance of impacts from onshore windfarms on birds outwith designated areas (SNH 2006); The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP); The Scottish Biodiversity List; and The Scottish Borders Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Baseline Overview Good EIA practice includes identification of any statutorily and non-statutorily designated sites of nature conservation interest within a minimum of 2km of the boundaries of a proposed development, though this may be extended if impacts could potentially extend over a wider area (IEA ). Through use of the Scottish Natural Heritage Website 7 it has been determined that there is only one statutorily designated site within this search area, which is the River Tweed Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Information about this site is provided in the table below 8. 6 Institute of Environmental Assessment (1995). Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment. E & FN Spon. London

28 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 16 Statutory Sites for Nature Conservation within 2km of the Site Site Name Grid Ref. Habitat type Area Distance from site River Tweed SAC NT The SAC comprises much of the River Tweed, which drains a large catchment on the east coast of the UK, with subcatchments in both Scotland and England. The River Tweed is the best example in Britain of a large River with strong nutrient grading along its length, with oligotrophic conditions in its headwaters, and nutrient rich lowland conditions just before it enters the sea at Berwick. 3,796ha 400m to the west of the site It is the most species rich example by far of a river with water-crowfoots Ranunculus spp in Scotland, and is the only site selected for this habitat in Scotland. The closest Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to the site is Gordon Moss SSSI which is located approximately 3.5km to the southeast. This is a remnant of an alluvial flood plain mire and the SSSI is of noted for a variety of habitats, plants and invertebrates. The site is also a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve. The closest Special Protection Area (SPA) is Greenlaw Moor SPA, located approximately 9km to the northeast, this being designated on the basis of supporting pink-footed geese. Further Desk Study Information on the presence of non-statutory designated sites and protected species will be obtained from Scottish Borders Biological Records Centre. Additional searches will be made for data relating to the site during the EIA and more detailed consultation with individuals with knowledge of the site will be undertaken, as and when such individuals are identified. Proposed Scope of Assessment In assessing the effects of any development on ecology and nature conservation interests it is necessary to define the areas of land cover and the species and habitats that need to be considered in the EIA. In doing this, two inter-related factors need to be considered: A development can affect habitats and species directly (e.g. the land-take required) and indirectly (e.g. disturbance), with the impacts potentially extending beyond the development site boundaries; It is impractical for an ecological assessment to consider every individual species and habitat that may potentially be affected, rather it should focus on valued ecological receptors, i.e. species and habitats that are valued in some way (e.g. designated sites, species protected by specific legislation or species which have economic value) and which could potentially be affected by the proposed development. It is against this background that the scope of this assessment has been defined through preliminary desk study and an extended Phase 1 habitat survey following standard methodology (JNCC, 1993). The assessment will be based on the following surveys that have been undertaken or are currently on-going.

29 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 17 Habitat Survey An Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey following standard methodology (JNCC, 1993), with particular focus on assessing the potential for habitats to support species of nature conservation interest, for example protected species, as well as mapping habitats and land use. The site is dominated by improved pasture and arable fields and it is not anticipated at this stage that any further habitat surveys will be required. This will be informed by the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey. Protected Species Surveys The Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey will inform the need for further protected species surveys such as badger, otter and water vole. An initial desk study and site visit has not identified any suitable ponds for great crested newts and these are thus scoped out. Bats The site contains numerous woodland edge features as well as burns and hedgerows, all of which could provide suitable foraging opportunities for bats. In addition there are numerous farm buildings in the wider area which could provide potential roosting opportunities. Therefore bat activity surveys and roost assessment surveys will be carried out. In respect of bat surveys, the following methodology was discussed with Ann Brown of SNH during a meeting at Scottish Borders Council on 06/07/2010 and, subject to maintaining flexibility to amend the scope in light of survey findings, was agreed as being appropriate for the Corsbie Moor site. Bat activity survey methods will be based upon guidance provided in the JNCC Bat Workers Manual and the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) Bat Mitigation Guidelines, involving walking around key pre-determined areas of the site (focusing on the proposed turbine area and incorporating potential bat habitats, particularly ditches and woodland edges or hedgerows) between an hour before and 2-3 hours after dusk, listening for bat species using bat detectors (frequency division and heterodyne). Bat calls will be recorded during the survey so that the identity (species) can be subsequently confirmed using Bat Sound analysis software. Four activity surveys will be carried out between May and September. In addition to the activity survey, a roost assessment would be carried out of potential roost habitat such as mature trees and farm buildings within and surrounding the turbine area. Bird Surveys The site supports a range of common and widespread farmland species and initial desk study and survey work suggests it is unlikely that species of high nature conservation value that may potentially be adversely affected by wind farms regularly occur. Vantage point (VP) surveys following the SNH methodology (SNH 2005) have been carried out from two locations over winter and during the breeding season. 42 hours of survey per VP were undertaken between September and March, with a further 36 hours per VP between April to July inclusive. An additional 6 hours of survey per VP have been undertaken in August to complete the 12 month programme. Survey times were varied to ensure that data were collected at a range of times of the day including dawn and dusk. Target species activity over winter was limited, comprising infrequent flights of small flocks of greylag and pink-footed geese passing high (above collision risk height) over the site and a

30 Appendix to Corsbie Moor Wind Farm Request for Scoping Opinion App pg 18 flock of whooper swan were also recorded on a single occasion. Small flocks of lapwing were also recorded. In addition to the winter VP surveys, monthly walkover surveys were undertaken during the autumn and winter. Flocks of common winter farmland passerines such as linnets, yellowhammers and skylarks were recorded during these surveys as well as regular flocks of corvids and wood pigeons. As well as the breeding season VP watches, territory mapping surveys were also undertaken. Given the habitats present, the most appropriate walkover survey for the Corsbie Moor site was a territory mapping survey based on the Common Bird Census (CBC) methodology, which comprised three visits between April and July. Typical species associated with farmland, such as woodpigeon, lapwing, skylark, meadow pipit and yellowhammer were relatively common, as were passerines associated with woodland blocks such as willow warbler, goldcrest, blue tit, coal tit and chaffinch. Curlew was recorded regularly, though in low numbers, and oystercatcher, buzzard, and flocks of rooks and jackdaws were occasionally recorded. Assessment Methodology/Approach The EIA will focus on assessing the potential impact of the proposed development on any relevant designated sites and any species/habitats of nature conservation value on the site and surrounding area that have been identified as having the potential to be affected. This will include an assessment of collision risk to birds of high nature conservation importance and, where necessary, mitigation and enhancement measures will be explored. Along with LVA for wind farms, ornithological impact assessment commonly forms one of the key components of wind farm EIAs which has led to the publication of a number of bird/wind farm guidance documents. The ornithological impact assessment will be prepared in accordance with such best practice documents and in particular, the following publications and guidelines: Survey methods for use in assessment of the impact of proposed onshore windfarms on bird communities (SNH 2005); Assessing significance of impacts from onshore windfarms on birds outwith designated areas (SNH 2006); and Developing field and analytical methods to assess avian collision risk at wind farms (Band et al 2007). The Ecological Impact Assessment will take account of Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment (IEEM, ). 9 IEEM (2006). Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom.