Hopsrig Wind Farm Environmental Statement Volume 1: Non Technical Summary February 2017

Transcription

1 Hopsrig Wind Farm Environmental Statement Volume 1: Non Technical Summary February 2017

2 Introduction Hopsrig Wind Farm Limited (the Applicant 1 ) has applied to Dumfries and Galloway Council for planning permission to construct and operate a 42 megawatt 2 (MW) wind farm comprising twelve wind turbines at a site located 7.5 km north west of Langholm in Dumfries and Galloway (Figure 1), known as the proposed Hopsrig Wind Farm (the proposed development ). An Environmental Statement (ES) has been prepared to accompany the application for planning permission. The ES reports on the potential for signifi cant environmental effects as a result of the proposed development. This document provides a Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the ES. PURPOSE OF THE NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY The aim of the NTS is to summarise the content and main fi ndings of the ES in a clear and concise manner to assist the public in understanding what the environmental effects of the proposed development are likely to be. The full ES (Volume 2: Main Report; Volume 3: Figures; and Volume 4: Technical Appendices) provide a more detailed description of the proposed development and the fi ndings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. 1 The Applicant is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Buccleuch Estates Limited. 2 Based on currently available turbines, the maximum rated output of the proposed development would be 42 MW (3.5 MW per turbine). FURTHER INFORMATION Copies of the ES and further information on the proposed development may be obtained from the applicant by info@2020renewables.com or by post, Hopsrig Wind Farm Limited, c/o 2020 Renewables Ltd, Clyde View (Suite F3), Riverside Business Park, 22 Pottery Street, Greenock, PA15 2UZ. The NTS is available free of charge; a CD containing copies of all documents is available at a cost of 25 and a printed copy of the ES costs 800 from the address above. An electronic version of the reports supporting the application, including the ES, will be available to download from The ES will also be available for viewing by the public during normal opening hours at the following locations: Langholm Library, Market Place, High St, Langholm, DG13 0JQ (open Monday, 14: ; Tuesday, CLOSED; Wednesday, ; Thursday, CLOSED; Friday, ; Saturday, ); and Dumfries and Galloway Council Offi ces, Kirkbank House, English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2HS (open Monday to Friday, 09:00 17:00). Cover image and this image here shows the view from Kirk Cleuch Hill, with the proposed Hopsrig turbines shown on the left and the consented Crossdykes turbines on the right. 02 Hopsrig Wind Farm Non-Technical Summay

3 Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Map Data with the permission of the Controller of HMSO, Crown Copyright Reserved Licence No. ES N 0 20 km J 0 10 Kilometers Figure 1: Site Location COMMENTING ON THE APPLICATION If you would like to comment on the application, comments can be made by to Dumfries and Galloway Council mailbox at planning@ dumgal.gov.uk or by post to Head of Planning & Regulatory Services, Kirkbank, English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2HS, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation. Dumfries and Galloway Council will advertise the application and provide further information on the process and timescales for making comments. Any comment that is made cannot be treated as confidential. Material that forms part of an application and on which the fi nal decision is based must be available for public inspection. Copies of representations and other documents will be made available on the Council s website although personal details will be removed in order to comply with data protection legislation. Hopsrig Wind Farm Limited 03

4 Site Location and Surroundings Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Map Data with the permission of the Controller of HMSO, Crown Copyright Reserved Licence No. ES N T6 T7 T5 T8 T10 T12 T4 T9 T11 T3 T2 T1 Key Site Boundary Turbine Location Crane/Turbine Hardstanding Turning Area Hardstanding Site Entrance Hardstanding Substation Hardstanding Temporary Site Facilities Hardstanding Temporary Storage Area Hardstanding Borrow Pit Search Area 0 1 Kilometers The proposed development is located approximately 7.5 km north west of Langholm, situated west of the B709 road within the Eskdale and Liddesdale Estate, which is owned by and managed by Buccleuch. The higher ground in the western part of the site is dominated by commercial plantation forestry and is also used for sporting purposes. The eastern section of the site consists mainly of open moorland and semiimproved grassland used for grazing livestock. The Boyken Burn runs west to east through the centre of the site and joins the River Esk just outside of the site boundary. There is an existing access track, which runs from the B709 through the eastern part of the site and into the forestry plantation in the western part of the site. The nearest settlement is Bentpath, located approximately 1.4 km north of the site entrance on the B709 road. 04 Hopsrig Wind Farm Non-Technical Summay Site Access Track Proposed New Site Access Track Proposed Upgrade of Existing Site Access Track Figure 2: Site Layout There are a number of wind farm developments located in the vicinity of the proposed development. The 22 turbine Ewe Hill wind farm is under construction and located immediately to the south. The consented Crossdykes wind farm is located to the west of the site and comprises 15 turbines. Land to the south of the site is the subject of a planning application for Loganhead wind farm, comprising 13 turbines. The operational Craig wind farm is located to the east of the proposed Loganhead wind farm, and comprises six turbines. The site is located in an area which has been identifi ed by Dumfries and Galloway Council as a preferred area for locating wind farms. The proposed development has been designed to appear as an extension to the existing Ewe Hill and recently consented Crossdykes Wind Farms.

5 Description of Development INFRASTRUCTURE The proposed development (Figure 2) would include the following key components: 12 turbines, of a maximum ground to tip height of 140 m, with transformers; a crane hardstanding area at each turbine base to support the crane required to lift the turbine components during construction; 8.1 km of upgrades to the existing forestry tracks and 5.3 km of new access tracks to access the turbines and infrastructure; Turning areas for turbine delivery vehicles; a substation/control building; a temporary site entrance offi ce and layby area; a temporary construction compound and storage areas; underground cabling linking the turbines with the substation; and Borrow pits to provide a potential source for the stone to be used in the construction of the development. The proposed development includes for the removal of sections of the existing commercial forestry plantation blocks on the site, although the forestry on the lower elevations of the site will remain. Technical studies have been undertaken to identify potential access routes to the site. The main turbine components (nacelles and blades) are expected to be imported to a suitable port that would allow access to the M74. These would then be transported to site via the M74 then on the B723 to Eskdalemuir. At Eskdalemuir the route would be south to Baillie via an unclassifi ed road before heading east via another unclassifi ed road to join the B709 (see Figure 3). The construction phase of the proposed development is anticipated to be approximately 18 months and it is expected that the eventual decommissioning of the proposed development (after 25 years of operation) would take approximately 12 months. ENERGY GENERATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE The proposed development would contribute to implementing the national climate change strategy and policy targets, which aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by supporting renewable energy. The proposed development would save approximately 54,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year (compared to a typical grid mix of electricity supply). This equates to supplying 26,300 homes with renewable electricity 3. 3 Based on a notional capacity factor of 30% Hopsrig Wind Farm Limited 05

6 Description of Development cont. JOBS AND LOCAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT (CONSTRUCTION) PHASE The estimated development and construction cost of the proposed development is expected to be million based on an estimated expenditure of million per installed MW 4. Based on economic research for the onshore wind industry 5, it is anticipated that this value would be divided across development and planning costs (10%), balance of plant (26%), turbines (58%) and grid connection costs (6%). It is anticipated that approximately 11% of the overall value of contracts could be realised in Dumfries and Galloway (up to 4.62 million), and 35% of the value could be realised in in Scotland (up to 14.7 million). 4 Based on the applicant s cost model. 5 BiGGAR Economics (2015) Onshore Wind: Economic Impacts in 2014, Renewable UK. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Map Data with the permission of the Controller of HMSO, Crown Copyright Reserved Licence No. ES In addition to the capital expenditure, the knock on benefi ts of construction employment and spending in the local economy would provide some benefi cial effects in the Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish economy. It is estimated that the construction phase would provide direct employment for 154 job years nationally (Scotland), and 49 job years in the local economy. Assuming an estimated salary cost of 5.3 million ( 1.75 million local), the indirect benefi t to the local economy would be 0.6 million in spending, and supporting three job years. At a national level, the indirect benefi t would 3.9 million in spending, supporting 24 job years. The Eskdale and Liddesdale Estate is based in Langholm, and plays a key role in the local economy and employment. Given the link between the Applicant and the Estate the Applicant would seek to continue the positive economic contribution to the local area through the delivery of the proposal. Figure 3: Abnormal Loads Key N Site Boundary Abnormal Loads Route Site Access 0 8 Kilometers 06 Hopsrig Wind Farm Non-Technical Summay

7 OPERATIONAL EXPENDITURE It is estimated that the operation and maintenance of the proposed development would require 20 person days per year, per turbine. In addition, the site would employ one full time operations manager. The total employment provided directly at the site would be 1.75 full time equivalent jobs for the 25 year operational life of the wind farm (or 44 job years). This equates to a 1.5 million salary cost (at today s value), with approximately 0.5 million spend in the local economy (supporting two to three job years) and 1 million in the national economy (supporting fi ve job years). DECOMMISSIONING EXPENDITURE Decommissioning expenditure is anticipated to be approximately 1.4 million, equating to seven job years. Approximately 50% of the value of the decommissioning contracts would be realised locally, and 90% would be realised in Scotland COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND SHARED OWNERSHIP The proposed development would also generate a benefi cial effect on the local economy as a result of community funding provided by the developer. Standard industry practice is to provide annual community funding of 5,000 per MW during the 25 year operational life of the proposed development. Based on a total installed capacity of 42 MW 6, the total community funding would be 210,000 per year, which would equate to 5.25 million over the lifetime of the proposed development. Being based within the community gives the Applicant an intimate understanding of the aims and needs of the local community. The Applicant is committed to working with the local community to ensure that the community benefi t is delivered and used in a positive and sustainable way. In addition, the Applicant is happy to enter into discussions with the community with a view to establishing a mechanism for the community to be able to share in the ownership of the scheme. As a range of options for the delivery of such a scheme exist, at this stage, no prescriptive scheme has been set out. 6 Subject to change Hopsrig Wind Farm Limited 07

8 Site Selection, Design Evolution & Alternatives The Applicant has reviewed the potential to develop various energy generation technologies within their estates. The site has been identifi ed as having potential for large scale wind energy generation, providing an opportunity to diversify land use and providing opportunities for continued investment in the local community. Site selection was initially informed by Dumfries and Galloway Council Local Development Plan Supplementary Guidance 7 which located the site within a Lower Sensitivity Landscape Character Area and therefore a preferred area for the development of large wind farms. Additionally, a Dumfries and Galloway Council Local Development Plan Technical 7 Dumfries and Galloway Council (2015) Local Development Plan: Supplementary Guidance Part 1: Wind Energy Development: Development Management Considerations URL: Paper: Wind Energy Interim Spatial Framework Maps 8 located the site within the Area for Greatest Potential for large wind farms and also outside the Cumulative Sensitivity Zones. Initial feasibility studies identifi ed the site as a good location for a wind farm benefi tting from both good wind resource and the environmental capacity to accommodate further development. The Applicant has sought to address the potential for signifi cant environmental effects through the design process. The proposed layout for the wind farm has been refi ned through a series of changes (Figure 4), informed by environmental surveys, technical considerations and consultation with environmental regulators, the local planning authority and members of the public to ensure that it is appropriate for the site. 8 Dumfries and Galloway Council (2014) Local Development Plan Technical Paper: Wind Energy Interim Spatial Framework Maps URL: Figure 4: Design Evolution Scoping Layout (April 2016) Iteration 1: Design Workshop 1 (May 2016) T5 T4 T6 T17 T7 T3 T2 T18 T1 T8 T11 T12 T10 T13 T14 T9 T16 T15 T11 T5 T4 T6 T12 T10 T7 T17 T13 T14 T8 T9 T3 T2 T18 T15 T16 T1 Key Site Boundary Turbine Location Site Access Track Proposed New Site Access Track Proposed Upgrade of Existing Site Access Track a b Iteration 2: Design Workshop 2 (June 2016) Turning Area Hardstanding Site Entrance Hardstanding Iteration 3: Design Freeze Layout (October 2016) Crane/Turbine Hardstanding Substation Hardstanding T6 T7 T5 T3 T4 T15 T8 T9 T10 T12 T11 Temporary Site Facilities Hardstanding Temporary Storage Area Hardstanding Borrow Pit Search Area T7 T6 T5 T4 T3 T8 T12 T10 T11 T9 T2 T1 T13 T14 T2 T1 Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Map Data with the permission of the Controller of HMSO, Crown Copyright Reserved Licence No. ES Hopsrig Wind Farm Non-Technical Summay c d

9 The key design objectives for the layout of the proposed development were as follows: Produce a visually balanced layout of turbines when seen from the surrounding landscape; Achieve an appropriate scale in terms of number, height and distribution/layout of turbines in relation to the landform of the site, immediately surrounding area and skyline; Avoid sensitive historic features; Design a scheme that appears as an extension of the Ewe Hill and Crossdykes schemes and limits the areas where new visibility of turbines is introduced; Avoid sensitive fauna and habitats, particularly peat forming habitats and groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems (GWDTEs); Avoids noise impacts on residential receptors; and Design a scheme that is technically viable and deliverable. No ornithological constraints to the design were identifi ed for the site. Feedback on the scoping stage layout was sought from members of the public through public exhibitions in October The exhibition boards were made available on the Applicant s website uploads/2016/10/ a1-hopsrig-exhibition- Boards-WEB.pdf. The information received at the public exhibitions was fed back to the assessment team and incorporated into the design and assessment process. The changes made to the proposed development layout from the scoping stage to address potential environmental impacts and feedback from the public consultation process, resulted in a scheme where: total number of turbines has been reduced from 18 to 12; all turbines are located within the preferred area for wind farms identifi ed by Dumfries and Galloway Council; visibility has been signifi cantly reduced from the closest residential receptors to the east of the proposal, and visibility from the closest settlement of Bentpath has almost been avoided altogether; The scheme has responded to the issues highlighted by Historic Environment Scotland (HES); there will be no breaches to ETSU-R-97 9 noise limits from the scheme, either alone or cumulatively with other schemes in the area; the proposed development forms a coherent and logical design with the under-construction Ewe Hill Wind Farm and the consented Crossdykes Wind Farm; visibility of the proposed development from areas where it is not seen in the context of the Ewe Hill and Crossdykes Wind Farms is very limited; and the limited areas of peatlands on site have been avoided through careful design. 9 The Working Group on Noise from Wind Turbines (1996). ETSU-R-97 The Assessment And Rating Of Noise From Wind Farms. UK: Energy Technology Support Unit Hopsrig Wind Farm Limited 09

10 Likely Significant Effects The EIA process is designed to identify signifi cant environmental effects resulting from the proposed development. Signifi cant effects associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed development are limited to effects on landscape and visual amenity and cultural heritage. The EIA included an assessment of the following: Landscape and Visual Amenity; Ecology; Ornithology; Cultural Heritage; Noise; Traffi c and Transport; and Hydrology and Hydrogeology. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL AMENITY The landscape and visual amenity assessment identifi ed potential significant effects on physical elements of the landscape or on landscape character, on any areas designated for their scenic or landscape related qualities, and on views from various locations such as settlements, routes, hilltops and other sensitive locations. Wind farm developments by their nature, typically result in significant effects on landscape character and visual amenity. Effects of this type are widely recognised to be unavoidable with this type of development; however the extent to which signifi cant landscape and visual effects are considered to be acceptable does vary from site to site. The proposed development would be located in a landscape where the impression is infl uenced by other nearby wind farms including Ewe Hill (under construction), Crossdykes (consented) and Craig (operational). The proposed development would introduce a group of 12 turbines into the northern edge of the Ewe Hill unit of the Southern Uplands with Forest landscape character type (LCT) which is evaluated as having low landscape sensitivity Viewpoint 3: From River Esk Valley 10 Hopsrig Wind Farm Non-Technical Summay

11 both to the large and medium wind farm typologies in the DGWLCS 10. This unit abuts with the more sensitive landscape of the Eskdale unit of the Narrow Wooded River Valleys LCT, to the north. In the majority of views the proposed development will appear as part of the Ewe Hill and Crossdykes Wind Farms and signifi cant effects arising as a result of the scheme are very limited. The fi ndings of the assessment predict that signifi cant effects on landscape character are limited to the Eskdale landscape character unit, Narrow Wooded Valley, which has higher sensitivity to wind farm development due to its enclosed nature, smaller scale and more diverse landscape elements. A signifi cant cumulative effect on landscape character would occur, where the proposed turbines would be seen as new features in close proximity in direct views across the valley landscape (Viewpoint 3: River Esk Valley), as generally these views are directed down through the valley. However the views within the Esk valley are intermittent and in places curtailed by the land form or/and the tree cover (Viewpoint 4: Bentpath A709). In elevated views, the proposed development would occur within the established cumulative context of Ewe Hill and Crossdykes Wind Farms. Localised signifi cant effects are predicted on the summits (including Great Hill, Golf Hill, Crumpton Hill, which form the upper sides of the valleys of the River Esk and Meggat Water in the North Langholm unit of the Southern Uplands LCT. However the overall effect of the proposed development on this large scale open landscape, both with operational/consented and the proposed wind farms is not considered to be signifi cant. No signifi cant effects on landscape character are predicted for any of the other landscape character areas within the study area. There would be no signifi cant effects on landscape fabric as a result of the proposed development including commercial forestry felling. 10 Carol Anderson, Alison Grant Landscape Architects, January 2011, Dumfries and Galloway Wind Farm Landscape Capacity Study View flat at a comfortable arm s length Hopsrig Wind Farm Linited 11

12 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CONT. DESIGNATIONS, ROUTES AND SETTLEMENTS In terms of landscape designations, no international or national landscape designations apply within the site. The proposed development would be located adjacent to the Langholm Regional Scenic Area (RSA) however, no signifi cant effects are predicted from the proposed development on the Langholm RSA due to the limited visibility experienced within the designated area which would be confi ned to hill tops. With respect to visual amenity from settlements, there are no views of the proposed development predicted from the main towns (such as Langholm, Lockerbie, Moffat) or most of the settlements/villages in the study area. Although limited, one to two blade tips would be visible from the village of Bentpath, however the intervening forestry will reduce this visibility. The visible part of the blades would appear away from the Esk valley, which forms the focus in views from the village. Visual effect on Bentpath is therefore evaluated as not signifi cant. Visibility of the proposed development from the main roads and recreational routes throughout the study area would be limited and no signifi cant effects on the visual amenity of road users on trunk roads is predicted as a result of the proposed development when considered in conjunction with operational/ consented or proposed wind farms. However, signifi cant effects would occur on localised sections of the B709, Eskdale Prehistoric Trail and Thomas Telford Trail, which extend partially through the Esk valley. The proposed development would introduce additional visibility of wind turbines in close proximity over some sections of these routes/trails, although the proposed development would not be visible at all from large sections of these routes. The development is located in a landscape that has capacity for development and which is already subject to large scale wind farm development and which has limited number of visual receptors. Whilst all commercial scale onshore wind farm developments are likely to result in some signifi cant effects, the proposed development is considered proportionate and sensitively designed and it is considered to pose very few such effects. Viewpoint 4: From Bentpath 12 Hopsrig Wind Farm Non-Technical Summay

13 CULTURAL HERITAGE The cultural heritage assessment considered the likely effects of proposed development on the understanding, appreciation and experience of cultural heritage assets. There are 21 cultural heritage assets within the site boundary, two of which are Scheduled Monuments of National Cultural Heritage Value (Calkin farmstead and Calkin settlement). The east of the site is also part of the Boyken Burn Archaeologically Sensitive Area (ASA). There are 69 Scheduled Monuments, 130 Listed Buildings, 28 sites on the Non-Statutory List of National Importance within 5 km of the site boundary. The Conservation Area of Langholm also lies within 5 km. The non-inventory designed landscape at Westerhall is located within 2.6 km of the site. The proposed development has been designed to avoid any direct effects on all known remains. There are predicted to be signifi cant operational effects, on the setting of two Scheduled Monuments: indirect effects of on the settings of Shielburn (an Iron Age settlement) and Newland Hill (Iron Age hill fort). Signifi cant cumulative effects have also been identifi ed on the setting of three Scheduled Monuments: Calkin, settlement (Iron Age settlement), Camp Hill (Iron Age hill fort) and Newland Hill. However the proposed development would not materially impact the setting of any assets, including the monuments listed above, such that an understanding and appreciation of their cultural value and its relationship to that setting would be materially diminished. Hopsrig Wind Farm Linited 13

14 Summary of Other Environmental Effects ECOLOGY Excluding some areas of woodland that fall within Scottish Natural Heritage s (SNH) Ancient Woodland Inventory along the existing track to the east, which will not be affected, there are no sites with specifi c legal designations for wildlife protection within or near to the proposed development. Therefore, there are no potential effects predicted for any site protected by law. Ecological fi eld surveys were completed in 2015 and 2016 to identify sensitive ecological habitats and to confi rm the presence or absence of protected ecological species. Negligible effects were identifi ed for wet modifi ed bog and dry dwarf shrub heath habitat due to the small areas of direct habitat loss. No effects are predicted for protected species such as red squirrel, otters, badgers, common lizards, palmate newt and fi sh. No signifi cant effects, due to collision risk, are predicted for bats given the low levels of activity and maintenance of buffer zones between turbines and bat habitats. Following the felling of an area of forestry in the more elevated part of the site, around the turbines, a habitat management plan will be implemented to restore a large area of land to a mosaic of heath, bog and grassland habitats, increasing the biodiversity of the site. ORNITHOLOGY Ornithology fi eld surveys were completed in 2015 and 2016 to collect information on breeding birds, black grouse, wintering birds and bird flight activity at the site. Through ornithological assessment guidance, professional judgement and desk and fi eld surveys, goshawk were the only ornithological feature identifi ed to be at risk of disturbance, displacement and bird deaths as a result of collisions with turbines. The assessment concluded that no signifi cant effects were identifi ed. TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT No signifi cant effects are anticipated for traffi c and access issues. The worst case assessment within the ES considers the potential for all construction traffi c to travel to the site through Langholm, based on travel to/ from the site via trunk road network (A7) to Langholm, through Langholm to reach the B709 and heading north-west along the B709 to the existing site access point near Bentpath. In reality, construction traffi c could approach the site from a range of directions depending on its origin and will be managed through the implementation of a traffi c management plan to limit effects during the construction phase. The abnormal loads associated with the wind farm development (turbine components) will use an alternative route to general construction traffi c. The impact of construction traffi c could increase traffi c fl ows by 21% and 29% on the B709 at the site access and between the site access and Eskdalemuir respectively. The impact of construction traffi c could increase traffi c fl ows by 3% in Langholm and 1% and 2% on the A7(T) south and north of Langholm respectively. The increase in HGVs along the construction routes would equate to approximately 3-4 HGVs per hour in the busiest month of construction. These traffi c increases will be temporary short term effects during the 18 month construction period and are not considered to result in signifi cant effects. During operation, generated traffi c levels are so low that there would be no discernible effects. 14 Hopsrig Wind Farm Non-Technical Summay

15 NOISE Predicted construction and decommissioning noise levels indicate that the predicted noise levels all receptors are below the guidelines considered acceptable within the relevant noise standard, BS following the implementation of mitigation control measures during construction and limiting construction activity at sensitive times of the day. Noise levels from the operation of the turbines have been predicted for nearby homes - those locations around the site most likely to be affected by noise. The noise effects of the operational wind farm have been assessed following best practice guidance based on measured background noise levels over a range of wind speeds. It is concluded that operational noise levels from the wind farm, and cumulatively with neighbouring wind farms, would be within levels deemed, by national guidance, to be acceptable for wind energy schemes and therefore not signifi cant. Predicted wind farm operational noise levels for the proposed development would protect the ability of residents to enjoy their outdoor spaces (gardens) during the day and prevent disturbance to rest and sleep at night time. As such, the effects are considered not signifi cant. 11 BSI (2014). BS :2009+A1:2014 Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites. Noise. UK: British Standards Institute. HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY Summary Environmental constraints and considerations have been taken into account in the site layout and wind farm design. As a result the majority of potential signifi cant effects have been avoided or reduced. The ES reports on the potential for signifi cant effects under the following headings: Landscape and Visual Amenity; Ecology; Ornithology; Cultural Heritage; Noise; Traffi c and Transport; and Hydrology and Hydrogeology. The design of the site and its location within a preferred area for wind farm development, combined with its appearance in the context of existing wind farm developments has resulted in a site which has very few signifi cant effects for a development of this scale. The proposed development has the potential to deliver a substantial economic investment to the local area as well as making a contribution to national renewable energy targets. Surveys of all surface water features have been undertaken to assess the potential effects of the proposed development on water quality within burns and rivers and habitats dependent on the groundwater at the site. No Private Water Supplies (PWS) have been identifi ed within 250 m of any proposed infrastructure. The proposed development has been designed to incorporate good practice design for watercourse crossings, and all surface water drainage will be designed to ensure that there are no adverse effects on water quality, or the rate and volume of surface runoff. Where the proposed infrastructure crosses habitat areas of groundwater dependency, the design will ensure that the groundwater fl ows are unaffected. Based on the proposed design and the industry good practice measures, no signifi cant adverse effects are predicted for the water environment. Hopsrig Wind Farm Linited 15

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