CAIRN DUHIE WIND FARM. Consultation Report 2013

Transcription

1 CAIRN DUHIE WIND FARM Consultation Report 2013

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3 CONTENTS 1.0 THE PROPOSAL... 1 Introduction 1 Project Description THE APPLICANT OUR APPROACH TO COMMUNITY CONSULTATION THE CONSULTATION PROCESS COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK SUMMARY APPENDICES Exhibition Newsletter 14 Exhibition Newspaper Advert 17 Exhibition Questionnaire 19 Analysis of Exhibition Questionnaires 22 Summary of Comments from Exhibition Questionnaires 25

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5 1.0 THE PROPOSAL Introduction This Consultation Report relates to an application for Section 36 Consent made by RES UK & Ireland Ltd (RES) for Cairn Duhie Wind Farm ( the Proposed Wind Farm Development ). This document details and reports on the consultation process undertaken by RES. RES has served this document to the following parties: Scottish Government Energy Consents and Deployment Unit (ECDU) The Highland Council The Moray Council East Nairnshire Community Council Grantown-on-Spey Community Council Edinkillie Community Association Dava Residents Association An electronic version of this document is available for download at This document, the full Environmental Statement (ES) and associated documents will be available for viewing during their normal opening hours at the following locations: Location Name Normal Opening Hours Address The Highland Council 9:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday Council Offices, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX The Highland Council Nairn Service Point The Highland Council Grantown Service Point 9:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday The Court House, High Street, Nairn, IV12 4AU 9:00 to 12:00, Monday to Friday The Town House, The Square, Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3HF The Moray Council 8:45 to 17:00, Monday to Friday High Street, Elgin, IV30 1BX Copies of the ES and associated documents have been provided to the East Nairnshire Community Council, Grantown-on-Spey Community Council and Edinkillie Community Association. Project Description An application for the proposed development will be made under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 as the capacity is, or exceeds, 50 megawatts. Planning permission is being sought for a wind farm development comprising the following: 20 three-bladed horizontal axis wind turbines of up to 110 m tip-height, nominally rated at up to 3 MW; At each turbine, associated low to medium voltage transformers and related switchgear; Turbine foundations; p.1

6 Hard-standing areas at each turbine location for use by the cranes erecting the turbine and maintenance; A single, permanent, free-standing meteorological ( met )/wind monitoring mast; A single, permanent communications mast; Up to 6 guyed temporary meteorological masts to be used for detailed wind definition and wind farm commissioning/acceptance testing; Connecting on-site access tracks including turning heads; A site entrance from the public road network (A939); A wind farm sub-station compound containing a control building; An on-site network of buried electrical and control cables; A temporary construction compound with car parking; A temporary storage area; Landscaping and ecological enhancement; Woodland and scattered tree felling and planting; Drainage works; Associated ancillary works; Engineering operations; and Two off-site areas of widening on and adjacent to the public road. 2.0 THE APPLICANT RES is one of the world s leading independent renewable energy developers with operations across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. RES, a British company, has been at the forefront of wind energy development for over 30 years and has developed and/or built 116 wind farms (or more than 7.5 Gigawatts (GW) of wind capacity) worldwide. In the UK alone, RES currently has more than 1,000 Megawatts (MW) of onshore wind energy either constructed, under construction or consented. In Scotland, RES has developed and/or built eleven wind farms with a total generation capacity of nearly 215 MW. In 2013, RES completed construction of Meikle Carewe Wind Farm in Aberdeenshire. RES is active in a range of renewable energy technologies, including the development of large-scale solar and biomass and the delivery of on-site renewable heat and power technologies. In the field of renewable energy and sustainable buildings we also offer strategic advice to the public and private sectors RES has offices across the UK and worldwide. Drawing on decades of experience in the renewable energy and construction industries, RES has the expertise to develop, construct and operate projects of outstanding quality. From its Glasgow office RES has been developing, constructing and operating p.2

7 wind farms in Scotland since RES has a growing team of over 117 staff in Scotland working across a range of disciplines. 3.0 OUR APPROACH TO COMMUNITY CONSULTATION RES is experienced in wind energy project development and community consultation is an integral part of the process. A comprehensive process that engages with local people and stakeholders at an early stage allows an informed debate that helps us identify issues or concerns, explore solutions and design a low-impact project. As outlined in Section 1.0 of this report, the proposed development constitutes a Section 36 Consent application, as the proposed capacity is, or exceeds, 50 megawatts. While there is no requirement to carry out Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) with the local community or submit a PAC report as part of a Section 36 Consent application, RES considers community consultation an integral part of the development process. As a responsible developer RES has undertaken a considerable amount of consultation and wishes to summarise the process within a Consultation Report. Cairn Duhie Wind Farm is located within the East Nairnshire Community Council area, sits adjacent to the Grantown-on-Spey Community Council area to the south and to the east, and is adjacent to an area covered by the Edinkillie Community Association. At all stages of the development process RES set out clearly the purpose of the consultation. Throughout the process RES also emphasised that comments made are not representations to the ECDU and that there would be the opportunity for representations to the ECDU, once a planning application is submitted. p.3

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16 6.0 SUMMARY RES has documented and reported on the consultation activities undertaken. Where appropriate we have responded directly to comments raised or directed people to the relevant information provided during the consultation or independent sources. Section 5.0 sets out the comments received and how we have responded to the comments. During the scoping process RES received numerous comments on the viewpoints that were to be used in the assessment of Cairn Duhie Wind Farm. RES reviewed all the suggestions made by Grantownon-Spey Community Council, Save Our Dava and individual local residents. As a result RES made a number of amendments to accommodate the feedback from the local community. During the scoping stage, RES only received comments related to the assessment of the proposed wind farm and as such no changes have been made to the layout or design of Cairn Duhie Wind Farm We have engaged early with the local community to facilitate a constructive consultation process; this has helped us understand and address any concerns as the project developed. Through the consultation process, we have helped the community in understanding the benefits and impacts of the proposed wind farm and added value and improved the quality of our proposal through meaningful and productive consultation. The consultation process has resulted in a high quality development proposal that we hope the local community will largely support in their area. p.12

17 7.0 APPENDICES Exhibition Newsletter Exhibition Newspaper Advert Exhibition Questionnaire Analysis of Exhibition Questionnaires Summary of Comments from Exhibition Questionnaires p.13

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19 Exhibition Newsletter p.14

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21 CAIRN DUHIE WIND FARM Newsletter 1, September 2013 RES INVITES YOU TO DISCUSS ITS PROPOSAL FOR CAIRN DUHIE WIND FARM Renewable energy company RES is holding a series of public exhibitions in September to present plans for a wind farm located to the southeast of Ferness, to the east of the A939. RES first started consulting on plans for Cairn Duhie Wind Farm in RES has always been confident that Cairn Duhie is a very good site for a wind farm and we are pleased to be taking the project forward. We submitted a scoping request earlier this year to the Scottish Government for a proposed 20 turbine wind farm, up to 110m in height to the blade tip. Our designs for the wind farm have evolved as a result of the site specific studies we have undertaken and our assessments have been shaped by feedback we have received. RES Hill of Towie Wind Farm, near Keith, height to tip of the blade 100m. Photo for illustrative purposes only. The image shown is not representative of the size, scale or appearance of the proposed turbines. WANT TO KNOW MORE? We would welcome the opportunity to share our proposals for the Cairn Duhie Wind Farm with as many people as possible, so we will be holding three public exhibitions at the following locations and times: l l l Monday 16th September from 12pm 8pm Edinkillie Hall, Dunphail Tuesday 17th September from 12pm 8pm Glenferness Village Hall, Ferness Wednesday 18th September from 1pm 7pm Nairn Community & Arts Centre, Nairn We hope you will be able to come and discuss the proposals with us. You are welcome to attend any of the three exhibitions, irrespective of where you live, as the information displayed on all days will be identical. Members of the RES project team will be on hand to answer any questions you might have and there will also be the opportunity to register your views about the wind farm, which in turn could inform our proposals. Members of the public living within the vicinity of the wind farm will be able to view a three dimensional computer generated image of the wind turbines from their address. Turn over for key details about the Cairn Duhie Wind Farm

22 CAIRN DUHIE WIND FARM AT A GLANCE A96 Inverness A9 Loch Moy MORAY FIRTH A9 Nairn A939 A938 A95 A96 Darnaway Forest Ferness Lochindorb A940 A940 A939 Grantownon-Spey Forres A939 A95 Hills of Cromdale KEY FACTS CAIRN DUHIE WIND FARM Location: Southeast of Ferness, between Nairn and Grantown-on-Spey Community Council Area: East Nairnshire Local Planning Authority: Highland Council Proposed number of turbines: 20 Installed capacity: megawatts (MW)* Community Benefit: 5,000 per installed megawatt *depending on final turbine selection RES IN SCOTLAND BENEFITING THE COMMUNITY RES is one of the world's leading independent renewable energy project developers. As a respected British company with over 30 years of experience of planning, building and operating renewable energy projects, RES has been at the forefront of wind energy development since the 1970s. RES has developed and/or built more than 7.5 gigawatts (GW) of wind energy capacity worldwide; including almost 10 per cent of the UK s wind power. RES has been developing, constructing and operating wind farms in Scotland since 1993, having completed ten projects to date. RES is committed to finding effective and appropriate ways of consulting with all its stakeholders, including local residents and businesses, and believes that the views of local people are an integral part of the development process. We want to be good neighbours and will listen to and address any questions or concerns you might have. RES believes that communities should benefit directly from hosting a wind farm. For the Cairn Duhie Wind Farm we are proposing a Community Benefit Fund of 2,000 per installed megawatt per year for the local community. In addition, RES is making a further 3,000 per installed megawatt available each year for a Local Electricity Discount Scheme. This scheme will see those residential, community and business properties closest to the wind farm receiving a direct discount off their electricity bill each year. In total the community benefits for Cairn Duhie Wind Farm will come to 5,000 per installed megawatt. Any questions? For those receiving this newsletter by post, we obtained your address through a national post-code database. If you do not wish to receive further information from us about this proposal, please write to us and let us know. Rachel Anderson, Community Relations Manager rachel.anderson@res-ltd.com Tel: , Mobile: RES UK & Ireland Ltd Third Floor, STV, Pacific Quay Glasgow G51 1PQ If you require information in Braille, large text or Audio, please let us know. Visit our project website, giving regular updates about the proposed Wind Farm Printed on recycled paper

23 Exhibition Newspaper Advert p.17

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25 CAIRN DUHIE WIND FARM Public Exhibitions RES invites local people interested in learning about its proposal for the Cairn Duhie Wind Farm located to the Southeast of Ferness, between Nairn and Grantown-on-Spey, to come to the following public exhibitions: Monday 16th September from 12pm 8pm Edinkillie Hall, Dunphail Tuesday 17th September from 12pm 8pm Glenferness Village Hall, Ferness Wednesday 18th September from 1pm 7pm Nairn Community & Arts Centre, Nairn more about the proposed project. Information about the range of environmental studies we are undertaking, including computer images illustrating how the project will appear in the landscape and from addresses within the vicinity will be on display. You are welcome to attend any of the exhibitions, as the information displayed at all three will be identical. The exhibitions are open to everyone and we look forward to meeting you. For more information, please contact: RACHEL ANDERSON T E rachel.anderson@res-ltd.com

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27 Exhibition Questionnaire p.19

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29 Cairn Duhie Wind Farm Public Exhibition Questionnaire RES believes in meaningful and productive consultation with the communities around our wind farm developments. We are keen to hear your views on our proposed Cairn Duhie Wind Farm. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to provide us with some feedback. 1. How did you find out about the exhibition? Newsletter through the door Advert in local newspaper Word of mouth Website Other (please specify) 2. Before coming to the public exhibition how would you describe your knowledge of the proposed Cairn Duhie Wind Farm? Know a lot Know quite a lot Know a little Know very little Know nothing at all 3. Having attended this exhibition, to what extent do you feel we have increased your understanding and information about the proposed Cairn Duhie Wind Farm? A lot Quite a lot A little Very little Not at all PTO

30 4. Which part of the exhibition did you find most useful today? The information boards The photomontages The ability to ask RES questions Other (please specify) 5. What do you feel are the best ways for us to keep you informed about our plans for the proposed Cairn Duhie Wind Farm? (please circle) Newsletter Public Exhibition Website Other (please specify) *Please remember to leave your address in the section below so we can add you to our mailing list! If you would like to be kept informed about the proposed Cairn Duhie Wind Farm, please leave your details here: Name: Address: Additional comments: Thank you for taking the time to fill out this questionnaire. Your feedback is important to us.

31 Analysis of Exhibition Questionnaires p.22

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33 Respondents Respondents Question 1: How did you find out about the exhibition? 25 NB: The totals equal to more than 41 due to respondents ticking more than one option Newsletter Advert in local newspaper Word of mouth Website Other* Method *includes Community Council meetings, posters, and adverts on Moray Firth Radio Question 2: Before coming to the public exhibition how would you describe your knowledge of the proposed Cairn Duhie Wind Farm? Know a lot Know quite a lot Know a little Know very little Know nothing at all Knowledge p.23

34 Respondents Respondents 25 Questions 3: Having attended this exhibition, to what extent do you feel we have increased your understanding and information about the proposed Cairn Duhie Wind Farm? A lot Quite a lot A little Very little Not at all Knowledge Question 4: Which part of the exhibition did you find the most useful today? NB: The totals equal to more than 41 due to respondents ticking more than one option Info boards Photomontages Ability to ask questions 3D model Other Exhibition Elements p.24

35 Summary of Comments from Exhibition Questionnaires p.25

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37 Good exhibition + appears to be honest information! Very well-informed briefing and discussion with staff who were prepared to engage in wider debate about the energy policy issues and the pros and cons of different types of renewables. A worthwhile event. Very good to see them keep up the good work I have to say I am strongly opposed to this develop because of its devastating effect on the open landscape which more and more people are coming to enjoy through our promotion of and work on the Dava Way. Prepare for me to register objections! Happy to demonstrate support for this project as it progresses through the planning system. Very informative but still opposed to wind farms. Quite in favour No more windfarms! Please Informative display and helpful presenters. Thanks again Staff were very friendly + useful! Please ensure that the Findhorn District Salmon Fishery Board is kept informed as well. Get on with it. I dread to think! We the people who have to look at the windmill s from there [sic] living room should be kept more up to date thne [sic] anyone else Would like a copy of environmental statement on CD please. Exhibition was pretty pointless. Thanks not enough time to go round whole exhibition but will come back to Nairn tomorrow to find out more. p.26