LINE ONE LINE TWO LINE THREE

Transcription

1 LINE ONE LINE TWO LINE THREE

2

3 Hill of Braco Wind Farm Environmental Statement Volume 1: Non Technical Summary January 2013 Preface This Environmental Statement (ES) re ports the results of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Hill of Braco Win d Farm a nd a ccompanies a n appli cation to the Scottish Mini sters made by PNE WIND UK Limited under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 as amended by the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 to construct, operate and decommission the wind farm. The Hill of Braco Wind Farm ES is publi shed in three volumes a s i dentified bel ow. This do cument is Volume 1 Non Technical Summary. T his is a standalone document written in non-technical language and provides a summary of Volumes 2 and 3. Volume 1. Volume 2. Volume 3. Non-Technical Summary Environmental Statement: Main Report Appendices to the Main Report Hard copies of the Environmental Statement can be requested by post (from PNE WIND UK Limited, 38 Thistle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1EN) for a cost of 150 each and digital copies for 15. Copies of the Non Technical Summary are available free of charge and are available for download from the project website: The Environmental Statement and the other Reports prepared for the project are available from the Aberdeenshire Council Planning Portal Website:

4 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary January 2013

5 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary January 2013 Contents 1 Introduction Introduction The Developer Project Overview Site Description Environmental Impact Assessment Consultation 2 2 Project Description Development of the Project Proposed Development Construction Operation Decommissioning 8 3 Environmental Impact Assessment Approach to Environmental Impact Assessment Mitigation 9 4 Technical Assessments Landscape and Visual Noise Ecology Ornithology Hydrology, Geology, Land Quality & Water Resources Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Traffic & Transport Aviation and Radar Land Use, Access & Recreation Shadow Flicker 16 5 Summary & Conclusions 18

6 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary January 2013

7 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 1 1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction are proposing to develop an eight turbine wind farm at Hill of Braco, Aberdeenshire. This Non Technical Summary (NTS) summarises the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed development. 1.2 The Developer (the Applicant ) is a subsidiary of PNE WIND AG. PNE WIND AG is an international wind energy project developer headquartered in Cuxhaven, Germany. PNE WIND AG plans and implements wind energy projects on land (onshore) and at high sea (offshore). Its core competence is the development, planning, implementation and financing of wind farms and their operation or sale including subsequent service. PNE WIND AG has developed 98 wind farms with 568 wind energy systems and a total nominal output of 814 MW. Alongside its German business activities PNE WIND AG is also active in dynamic growth markets and has subsidiaries and representations via joint ventures and in Southeast-Europe, the UK, USA and Canada. Furthermore, PNE WIND AG develops offshore wind farm projects, four of which have already been approved in German waters. Entering promising foreign markets is also being examined for the offshore area PNE WIND UK was established as a Joint Venture in 2008 with a view to develop around 300MW of wind energy projects in the UK by The focus of PNE WIND UK s operations is on the acquisition and development of suitable onshore wind energy sites throughout the UK. 1.3 Project Overview The wind farm layout has been developed in parallel with the EIA process as well as technical studies. An iterative approach has been adopted ensuring that where possible the environmental impacts and the results of consultation activities have been addressed through the design whilst also taking account of technical constraints The Development comprises of eight wind turbines, over an operational footprint of 4.96ha, each turbine with a rated capacity of 2.5 MW giving Hill of Braco Wind Farm a total installed capacity of 20 MW. 1.4 Site Description The Development site is illustrated in Figure 1. It is centred on approximately NK lying 7km north west of Cruden Bay in the Buchan area of Aberdeenshire. It is located north of the A90, east of the A952 and approximately 2.5km north of Hatton village. The nearest large settlement is Peterhead which lies approximately 6.5km to the north east.

8 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary The site itself comprises moorland and is currently used for grazing livestock. Blocks of conifer plantation extend down the lower hill slopes immediately surrounding the site to the north, west and south. The surrounding area is mixed use agricultural land, including arable, enclosed rough unimproved and improved pasture with dispersed farmsteads, shelterbelts and some small areas of deciduous woodland. 1.5 Environmental Impact Assessment The requirement to undertake an EIA of a wind farm with a generating capacity below 50 MW is set out in the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (hereafter referred to as the EIA Regulations ), which is transposed from the European Council Directive 85/337/EEC as amended by Directive 97/11/EC. An EIA has been undertaken in terms of the 2011 Regulations in support of the planning application for the Development. 1.6 Consultation Consultation has been undertaken throughout the EIA process. Statutory consultees, as part of the EIA process, were invited to comment on the scoping report which provided information on the Development, and allowed the opportunity for sufficient and informed feedback on the Development. Specific details of comments and responses are highlighted within relevant chapters of the ES. The statutory consultees that were contacted during the EIA process were: Statutory Consultees: Aberdeenshire Council; Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA); and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Community Consultations: Deer Community Council; Cruden Community Council; Ellon Community Council; and Longside & District Community Council.

9 This document has been prepared by for the sole use of our Client (the "Client") and in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and terms of reference agreed between and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. No third party may rely upon this document without the prior and express written agreement of. KEY Site Boundary > Turbine Layout Ò Met Mast a # Performance masts G Water Crossings Site Infrastructure Construction Compound Substation and Control Building Service Areas Crane Pads Borrow Pit Access Track > > G Ò a > G > > > # > # G #G > Scale: A3 Drawn By: FG Date: 29/11/2012 Checked By: DR Ref: Version Control: 01 FIGURE 1 DEVELOPMENT SITE Hill of Braco Wind Farm Contains Ordnance Survey Data Crown copyright and database right Ordnance Survey Crown Copyright, All rights reserved License number

10

11 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 4 2 Project Description 2.1 Development of the Project The Hill of Braco wind farm layout was developed following an iterative design process. Feasibility studies and initial consultations with statutory and non-statutory bodies were considered and informed the design, including the number and height of turbines. Table 2.1 below summarises the key development characteristics of each layout iteration. Table 2.1 Key Development Characteristics Layout Description Plan Layout 1. Initial Layout for Scoping, September 2010 Layout 2. Interim Layout for Public Consultation Event, May 2012 Layout 3. Interim Layout for Public Consultation Event, October 2012 Following identification of the site a fifteen turbine layout was developed for the purposes of undertaking scoping with Aberdeenshire Council and statutory consultees in September This layout, comprising turbines with a 125m tip height was developed based on noise, infrastructure and landscape and visual impacts. This included the use of buffers around the site boundary and surrounding residential properties in order to define land on which turbines could be sited. In conjunction with the scoping responses, Layout 2 was informed from the results of baseline studies including landscape and visual issues, bird movements and technical considerations including available wind resource. Based on this information, a twelve turbine layout was developed and used as the basis for public consultation in May This was based on turbines with a 125m tip height. Using the emerging results of the EIA including landscape impacts and noise modelling an eight turbine layout, based on 100m tip heights, was developed and displayed at a second public consultation event. The layout was developed to ensure that the wind turbines appeared as an evenly spaced group when seen from key viewpoints. As part of the development of this layout the locations of all other ancillary infrastructure including the track layout

12 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 5 Table 2.1 Key Development Characteristics Layout Description Plan Layout 4. Final Layout for Planning Application, December 2012 were also defined. This included the site access via a long section of track to the west of the site close to South Smallburn. As a result of ongoing negotiations with affected and interested land owners an alternative site access from the north east of the site, via a new junction with the local road close to Nether Kinmundy, has been developed. As a result the site track design was modified to avoid all land to the west of the site including the Moss of Cruden Site of Special Scientific Interest resulting in no requirement for forestry felling. The temporary construction compound, control building and substation were relocated to the north east of the site as a result of the re-designed track layout. Maximum turbine tip height is confirmed at 100m. The final layout is described in detail in subsequent sections of this chapter, and shown in Figure The final design of the Hill of Braco wind farm has involved positioning turbines in the available unconstrained land to maximise the potential yield from the Development whilst minimising environmental impacts. The final design can be seen on Figure Proposed Development Wind Turbines There are a range of turbine manufacturers and models which are considered to be suitable for the Development. For the purposes of the EIA it has been assumed that Nordex N80 will be used. A set of basic parameters has been established and used as the basis of the assessment: Blade Length: 40m (80m diameter rotor) Hub Height: 60m Tip Height: 100m The Development will comprise eight wind turbine generators located in the centre of the site as illustrated on Figure 1. The turbines will comprise a tapered tubular steel tower and nacelle, containing the generator and associated equipment, which is attached to a hub and rotor assembly including three 40m long turbine blades.

13 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary The final turbine colour specification would be agreed in consultation with Aberdeenshire Council, however, it is anticipated that this will be a semi-matt grey colour signed to blend into a sky background and be as neutral in appearance as possible The turbines will either be constructed on reinforced concrete foundations, established on bedrock (following excavation) or on shallow micro-piles, depending on localised ground conditions At each turbine a transformer will be required. Dependent on the final turbine specification the transformer may be located within the turbine tower or located outside and immediately adjacent to it. Crane Pads Each turbine location requires an area of hardstanding to be installed adjacent to the turbine foundation. The crane pads will provide a stable base on which to locate the turbine components and installation equipment. The crane pads will be left in-situ following construction. This will allow for their use should major components require to be replaced during the operational life of the Development as well as for use during decommissioning at the end of the Development s operational life. Permanent Anemometry Mast A permanent anemometer mast will be installed on the site and will be used to provide ongoing monitoring of wind speeds onsite in order to inform the control and monitoring of the Development. The mast will be up to 60m high comprising a steel lattice structure on to which wind speed monitoring and recording equipment will be attached. The mast will be constructed on a reinforced concrete foundation in order to ensure that it withstands severe weather. Permanent Access & Track Layout Permanent access to the Development will be taken from a new junction formed with the local road close to Nether Kinmundy. Approximately 6.93km of access track will be installed to provide permanent access to turbine locations and crane pads. The access tracks will be constructed of crushed stone which will be sourced from onsite borrow pits (see below). The running width of the access tracks will be approximately 5m with passing places, measuring 45m by 5m provided at regular intervals The access track layout is illustrated on Figure 1. The track has been routed such in order to avoid as much as possible areas of deeper peat (e.g. in excess of 0.5m) as well as reduce the potential hydrological impact by minimising the number of watercourse crossings. Four watercourse crossings will be required and will be designed to accommodate 1 in 200 year peak flows (including climate change allowance) in order to reduce the risk of flooding. The exact specifications of the watercourse crossings will be subject to detailed design following appointment of a Contractor.

14 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 7 Borrow Pits In order to minimise the volume of materials imported to site a borrow pit is proposed. This will be used to provide the majority of aggregate required for the access tracks. Following completion of construction activities the borrow pit will be reinstated using excess spoil. Control Building & Substation A control building and substation will be constructed on the site as shown on Figure 1 (approximately centred on NGR NK ). The control building will accommodate plant and equipment which will allow local control of the Development. The footprint of the control building and substation will be approximately 27m by 13m The design of the control and building and substation has been developed to integrate with its surroundings and constructed in the local vernacular. This includes neutrally painted breeze block, however the design is subject to change once a contractor is appointed. Underground Cabling Underground electrical cables will connect the turbines to the substation which is turn will be connected to the electricity distribution network. These will be laid in trenches broadly following access tracks as much as possible. Manholes will be installed at regular locations to provide access for maintenance activities. The cable trenches will be backfilled with a combination of cement bound sand (CMS) and excavated material and the ground surface reinstated. Grid Connection A connection to the electricity distribution system will be required. This will be developed by Scottish & Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) as the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO). It is anticipated that the Development will connect to the distribution system via Hatton substation, approximately 4.5km south from the Hill of Braco Wind Farm site. The electrical connection will be subject to separate consenting process. Temporary Construction Compound A temporary construction compound measuring approximately 27m by 10m will be constructed at the location illustrated on Figure 1. This will accommodate a number of temporary construction facilities as well as provide sufficient parking for the Contractor s workforce, deliveries and visitors. The compound will be contained within a secure fenced compound with 2.5m high palisade fencing or similar around the compound to provide security. 2.3 Construction The construction of the Development is planned to be undertaken over a period of approximately 15 months from 2014 to 2015 subject to award of contract. Construction will occur in phases which include the activities summarised below.

15 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 8 Table 2.2 Construction Programme Activities Site Establishment Access Track Construction Crane Pad Construction Turbine Delivery Substation Construction Turbine Erection Site Commissioning 2.4 Operation The Development has a 25 year operational lifetime after which time it would be decommissioned. During operation activities onsite will be limited to routine maintenance and servicing of the wind turbines and other associated infrastructure as required. This could include planning maintenance and repairs as well as emergency repairs. 2.5 Decommissioning At the end of its 25 year operational life the Development will be decommissioned. This will involve the removal of all above ground infrastructure: Turbines will be dismantled and removed from site. Turbine foundations will be broken up to a point around 1 metre below the surface of the site. Control building and substation will be dismantled and removed. Access tracks and cabling will be left in-situ as it is considered more environmentally impacting to remove them.

16 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 9 3 Environmental Impact Assessment 3.1 Approach to Environmental Impact Assessment The EIA process provides a means of identifying, assessing and reporting the environmental effects of the project. It is an iterative process that has been followed in parallel with the design process to identify potential environmental effects and develop mitigation measures to be incorporated into the design, construction and operation of the proposed wind farm The EIA identifies the adverse and beneficial effects of the proposed Development and assesses their significance. The significance has been assessed based on a combination of the sensitivity of the environmental feature being affected and the magnitude of the potential effect. This takes into account a range of factors including: Relevant legislation, policy standards or guidelines; The environmental value of the receptor; The capacity of the receptor to absorb change; The recoverability of the receptor; The likelihood of an effect occurring; The scale or degree of change as a result of the effects; The duration of an effect, e.g. whether it is temporary or permanent; and The reversibility of the effect The significance of effect is described on a scale: None, Minor, Moderate or Major. Significance can be assessed with and without mitigation. This NTS describes significance of residual effects; those are the effects remaining taking into account the mitigation which proposed. Effects which are identified as Major or Moderate are considered to be Significant. This may be due to the scale or irreversibility of the effect and/or the importance or sensitivity of the feature or area which they affect. Effects identified as Minor or None are Not Significant. Effects may be noticeable or detectable, however, the likelihood or duration of the effect occurring or the capacity of receptor to absorb change or recover from effects means they are not significant. 3.2 Mitigation Through the EIA process a range of mitigation measures have been identified and incorporated into the design, construction and operation of the wind farm. A standard approach to developing mitigation was adopted: Avoid or Prevent: In the first instance mitigation aims to avoid sensitive receptors or prevent adverse effects from occurring.

17 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 10 Reduce: If the effect is unavoidable mitigation aims to reduce the magnitude and/or the significance of effect. Offset: If the effect can neither be avoided or reduced, mitigation aims to offset the effect through some form of compensatory mitigation Through the above approach two forms of mitigation have been developed: mitigation by design - those measures which are incorporated into the proposed development for example through sensitive siting or specific design measures, and mitigation measures which will be implemented during the construction and operation of the development.

18 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 11 4 Technical Assessments 4.1 Landscape and Visual The landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) considers the potential effects of the Development on the landscape and visual resources of the site and the surrounding study area, during construction and operation The study area for the assessment was defined as 35 km from the outermost turbines of the Development in all directions, as recommended in current guidance for turbines of 100 m to blade tip or higher, and in agreement with statutory consultees SNH and Aberdeenshire Council To consider cumulative effects of the Development in relation to other turbines in the wider area, wind farms within 30 km of the Development have been reviewed in detail, as agreed with SNH and Aberdeenshire Council. A review of patterns of development is also provided for wind farms in the wider area, following guidance from SNH The landscape and visual assessment methodology follows guidance from the Landscape Institute, the Institute of Environmental Assessment and management, Countryside Agency and SNH. The LVIA considers the potential effects of the addition of the Development to the existing landscape, against a baseline that includes existing wind farms and those under construction. Effects on the landscape include physical changes to the landscape as well as changes in landscape character. They may also include effects on areas designated for their scenic or landscape qualities, at a national or local policy level. Effects on visual amenity relate to changes in views, and the appearance of the Development in those views. Effects on landscape and visual receptors also include changes in relation to the interaction between the Development and other existing or proposed wind farms (cumulative developments). The significance of the effect that the wind farm will have on the landscape and visual resource of the area will vary according to the magnitude of the effects and the sensitivity of the receptor The LVIA uses a set number of viewpoints for which wirelines and photomontages are produced to assess the visual impact on the receiving environment. Fourteen representative viewpoints were identified across the 35km study area and agreed with Aberdeenshire Council and SNH as part of the EIA process. The design of the windfarm considered the views from these locations The key objective of the assessment was to identify and assess the likely significant landscape and visual effects of the Development as perceived by people in the surrounding area. When assessing the significance of impacts, three development scenarios were considered. Scenario 1 assessed the visual impacts of the Development in the current baseline conditions, which includes current operational wind farms and wind farms currently in construction. Scenario 2 assess the current baseline conditions (as described in Scenario 1), as well as wind farms that have received planning consent. And Scenario 3 assess the introduction of the Development to a landscape with existing, under construction, consented wind farms and proposed wind farms with

19 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 12 submitted applications included in the baseline. This is a speculative future scenario, as not all schemes have been given planning consent Field survey work including photography was carried out during several visits under differing weather conditions between September and November This included a visit to the site, visits to viewpoints and surrounding landscapes The results of the LVIA concluded that significant effects are predicted during construction, although these will be temporary and will cease following completion of the reinstatement works Significant adverse effects are predicted to the landscape resource of the site itself (Major), and to the landscape character of the Coastal Farmland LCT (Moderate), specifically the Eastern Coastal Agricultural Plain area. No significant effects on other LCTs are anticipated Significant adverse effects on views are predicted at seven of the 14 representative viewpoints, all within 8 km of the Development, and all representing high or medium sensitivity receptors. Major effects are predicted on views experienced by high and medium sensitivity receptors located within around 6 km of the Development including Viewpoint Point (VP) 1 Redbrae, VP2 Smallburn, VP3 Hatton and VP4 Longside Significant adverse effects (Moderate) are predicted on views from the settlement of Hatton, the closest settlement, which is within 5 km of the Development. Significant adverse effects are predicted on users of local roads around the site (Major), and on walkers using a section of the Formartine and Buchan Way (Moderate). Significant adverse effects on users of major roads are not predicted Significant adverse effects on users of major roads are not predicted, except in Scenario 3 where the Development will be seen from the A90 as part of a cluster of turbines which will result in a residual moderate adverse effect. Apart from this instance, no significant variations in effect are predicted between the three scenarios. 4.2 Noise The noise assessment details the impacts of operational noise impacts associated with the proposed Hill of Braco Wind Farm on the residents of nearby existing and proposed dwellings. Four locations have been identified as being representative of the dwellings in the vicinity of the site. Background noise level measurements have been undertaken at each location. The guidance contained within ETSU-R-97 and Prediction and Assessment of Wind Turbine Noise, Acoustics Bulletin, 2009, Volume 34, No 2, have been used to assess the potential noise impact of the proposed development The measured background noise level data has been analysed in accordance with guidance to produce prevailing background noise levels for the daytime periods. These prevailing background noise levels were used to derive noise limit criteria for the daytime and night time period, which were compared with the predicted wind speed dependent wind turbine noise immission levels at each representative noise sensitive receptor. At each of the four representative noise sensitive receptors, the noise limit criterion for both daytime and night time periods have not been exceeded by the proposed wind farm.

20 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary Furthermore, the current layout design considers a 50m micro site for each proposed turbine. Therefore, for a given receptor, noise predictions have been based on the turbines being positioned 50m closer to the receptor which will representing a worst case assessment scenario For both the day and night time periods, at the measured wind speeds, it can be concluded that operational noise generated by the proposed Hill of Braco Wind Farm complies with the ETSU-R- 97 noise criteria at all of the representative noise sensitive receptor locations In summary, given that the foregoing ETSU-R-97 noise impact assessment for the proposed Hill of Braco Wind Farm development predicts that the ETSU-R-97 derived day and night time noise limit criteria will be met it is predicted that significant adverse impacts will not arise as a consequence of the operation of the Development. 4.3 Ecology The ecology assessment includes a description of the baseline ecological conditions present within the Development and its surroundings, and assesses the potential effects associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning phases In conjunction with a desk based study, a Phase 1 Habitat Survey with NVC was undertaken for the site to identify any designated sites, sensitive ecological habitats or floral species. In addition, protected species surveys were undertaken for the site to identify any areas which may constrain development The Development is not located within any international, national or local designation areas. Within 5km of the site there are two SSSIs and one Site of Interest to Natural Science (SINS). However these are all designated for geological interests, and therefore no impacts on designated sites are predicted Where sensitive protected species habitats or flora were identified these were mapped and subsequently avoided as far as practicable in the site design. By applying effective mitigation measures, mainly through the design process and following good practice measures during construction, the residual effects of this Development are assessed as being negligible and therefore not significant. 4.4 Ornithology A number of ornithological surveys were undertaken as part of the EIA including flight activity, winter walkover surveys, breeding bird surveys, black grouse, breeding raptor, barn owl and SPA linkage vantage point surveys. Where there was sufficient flight activity data, collision risk modelling (CRM) was used to predict the number of individuals per target species that might collide with the wind turbine rotors. A desk study was also undertaken to provide information on bird populations both within the Development and within the vicinity of the Development The results of the desk study were combined with the results of the baseline surveys and used to assess the context of the populations within the Development in terms of their importance. Comparisons were made with local sites designated for important breeding and wintering bird assemblages, and the North East Coastal Plains Natural Heritage Zone (NHZ) populations where possible.

21 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary An assessment has been made of the likely significance of effects of the Development on avian species at the site. By applying effective mitigation measures, mainly through the design process, the residual effects of this proposed wind farm are assessed as being low to negligible and therefore not significant It is considered that the proposed Development will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of the Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA, Ythan Estuary, Sands of Forvie & Meikle Loch SPA or Loch of Strathbeg SPA, alone or in combination with other developments within 15 km of the SPAs under the Habitat Regulations. 4.5 Hydrology, Geology, Land Quality & Water Resources The EIA has considered the potential effects of the Development on surface and ground water resources, as well as underlying ground conditions including geology and soils. Existing conditions have been determined by a combination of desktop study of available maps and data, a site walkover, consultation with statutory consultees and landowners There are no major surface water features within or in close proximity to the Development, however there are a number of field drains and ditches present. The most sensitive feature identified is a private water supply located on the Moss of Cruden at NGR NK This well is thought to supply three known properties as their sole source of water for all domestic purposes Potential effects on the water environment and ground conditions are interrelated and include: Pollution Incidents; Compaction of Soils; Erosion and Sedimentation; Increase in Runoff/Modification of Surface Water Drainage Patterns and Flows; Modifications of Groundwater Flows and Levels; Peat Instability; and Impacts on Designated Sites/Geology Through the adoption of good working practices on site, the development of an appropriately designed drainage system and site reinstatement potential effects on the water environment and ground conditions will be mitigated. However, one residual significant adverse impact is predicted to occur on the private water supply located on the Moss of Cruden, although this is considered to be temporary during the construction period only. 4.6 Cultural Heritage and Archaeology This cultural heritage and archaeology assessment has addressed the archaeological and cultural heritage issues surrounding the proposed Development. The assessment has collated data from the Aberdeen SMR, the RCAHMS database, historic mapping and other documentary sources. The assessment of the archaeological and cultural heritage sites within a 1km study area identified a total of 63 sites.

22 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary Although most of the assets identified within the site boundary will be avoided by the Development, there is the potential for physical impacts on a number of sites which have been identified, and for previously unrecorded archaeology to survive. Mitigation in the form of an archaeological strip, map and record at known sites and an archaeological watching brief in other areas will be required The proposed turbines and associated infrastructure will also have a slight adverse impact on the setting of the Scheduled Monuments of Corbie Knap Cairn (1) and Cairn Catto (2), the Category B listed Aldie House (3), the Category B listed Episcopal Church of St James (85), and the undesignated Slains Castle (86). 4.7 Traffic & Transport The EIA assesses the likely transport impacts resulting from the construction and operation of the Development on the surrounding road network. It considers both the anticipated temporary (construction) and permanent (operational) traffic effects. In the event that traffic effects exceed the thresholds set within the significance criteria, mitigation measures to offset any significant adverse impacts will be developed Mitigation is required during the construction phase to accommodate Abnormal Indivisible Loads (AILs; a load that cannot, without undue expense or risk of damage, be divided into two or more loads for the purpose of transportation (Highways Agency)) delivering the turbine components. The unclassified road and access will be widened to accommodate AILs. This will be a temporary measure, to accommodate AIL movements during the night time. The carriageway will however be returned to standard conditions immediately afterwards. This will be discussed in further detail within the method statements and agreed with the local planning authority prior to work commencing In summary, no significant residual construction traffic and transport effects have been identified Operational traffic effects have been found to be minimal as the facility would not be manned post-construction and hence would not be expected to generate vehicular trips other than occasional maintenance trips. Therefore operational traffic is considered to result in a nonsignificant impact. 4.8 Aviation and Radar Wind developments have the potential to cause adverse impacts on Aviation and Radar operations in their vicinity. With regard to radar, this is because the wind turbines are physical structures which can obstruct and reflect radar signals, impairing the radar s ability to detect targets in the manner required. Wind turbines can cause concerns with regard to flight procedures and helicopter routes due to their physical size, which means they can present hazardous obstacles to aircraft The significance of impact during construction will generally be less than impact during operation. In some cases the significance of impact is the same during construction and operation. The construction period itself is temporary and highly localised, therefore no residual effects due to the construction phase are anticipated.

23 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary During operation, there are issues with a significance of impact that is sufficient to warrant mitigation and this is being progressed with the aim of agreeing a specific mitigation strategy. Specifically, the receptors that require further consideration are: The RAF Buchan ASACS PSR; The NATS Allanshill PSR; The NATS Perwinnes PSR; Helicopter operations in the vicinity; The Hill of Dudwick meteorological radar Whilst no mitigation strategy has been formally agreed at this time, this is likely to take the form of a combined strategy to address all radar concerns. This could involve some or all of the following: a local in-fill radar solution, upgrades/recalibration of affected radar and operational mitigation. Assuming that an appropriately designed mitigation strategy can be developed and agreed with all parties it is considered that no significant effects will occur during operation of the Development. 4.9 Land Use, Access & Recreation Existing land use and access, recreational facilities and socio economic baseline at the proposed Hill of Braco Wind Farm site and adjacent areas has been considered as part of the assessment. It considers the potential effects that the proposed Development may have on land use, access, recreation and socio economics and identifies the mitigation and compensation measures that will be incorporated into the construction, operation and decommissioning stages of the development to avoid, reduce or offset potential adverse effects or enhance potential beneficial effects Land use in the study area is predominantly a combination of agriculture and open countryside. The proposed wind farm is located on agricultural land used for grazing cattle and rural landscape. The site is for the most part surrounded by established plantation woodlands. There are a small number of visitor attractions in the local area such as informal footpaths and informal equestrian activities, and within the wider area at Cruden Bay, Mintlaw and Peterhead The assessment has considered the potential effects on land use and visitor attractions in the area. Effects are predominantly associated with the construction period where the land take is greatest and activity most intense. However, with appropriate mitigation including management and retention of access, and measures to control noise and dust, effects are not considered to be significant. Permanent effects on land use will be limited to the footprint of the proposed Development. The substation will be located in a separate fenced compound with land outwith all areas of the permanent footprint of the development reinstated and returned to its former use. Permanent effects are not predicted to be significant Shadow Flicker Under certain combinations of geographical position, time of day and year, windspeed and wind direction, the sun may pass behind the wind turbine rotor and cast a shadow over neighbouring

24 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 17 buildings windows. When the blades rotate, and the shadow passes a window, to a person within that room the shadow appears to flick on and off; this effect is known as shadow flicker. It occurs only within buildings where the flicker appears through a window opening and only buildings within 130 degrees either side of north relative to a turbine can be affected Shadow flicker can present a nuisance to amenity where people are within the rooms affected by the phenomenon. In order to quantify this effect, it is possible to calculate the number of hours per year that shadow flicker may occur at a window. The specialist computer software Wind Pro was used to quantify the levels of potential shadow flicker associated with the Development The actual instances of shadow flicker will always be less than the theoretical instances predicted by the model given the use of the worst case assumptions. The occurrence of shadow flicker is only possible during the operation of the wind farm (i.e. when the rotor blades are turning, and when the sky is clear enough to cast shadows) A shadow flicker analysis has been undertaken within 850m of the proposed turbine locations; however no dwellings are situated within this study area. It is therefore considered that shadow flicker will have no significant impact from the Development Finally, if shadow flicker is shown to cause an issue, shadow flicker controls can be installed and controlled through the use of a suitable planning condition.

25 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 18 5 Summary & Conclusions The approach taken to the integration of environmental considerations throughout the design process has ensured that appropriate mitigation measures have been incorporated into the design, construction and operation of the proposed wind farm The results of the EIA, the residual effects taking into account mitigation, are summarised below. Table 5.1 Summary of Environmental Appraisal Results Topic Area Summary of Residual Effects* Construction Operation Landscape & Visual Significant Adverse Significant Adverse Noise Not Significant Not Significant Ecology Not Significant Not Significant Ornithology Not Significant Not Significant Hydrology, Geology, Land Quality & Water Resources Significant Adverse Not Significant Cultural Heritage & Archaeology Not Significant Not Significant Traffic & Transport Not Significant Not Significant Aviation and Radar Not Significant Not Significant Land Use, Access, Recreation & Socio- Economics Not Significant Not Significant Shadow Flicker N/A Not Significant *Summarises residual effects on the basis of the worst or most significant effect.

26 Hill of Braco Wind Farm - ES Volume 1 Non Technical Summary 19