ORCHARD WAY WIND FARM ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT. Non Technical Summary

Transcription

1 Photomontage view looking East from public right of way to the immediate south of Hanslope ORCHARD WAY WIND FARM ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Non Technical Summary

2 RWE Npower Renewables Ltd Orchard Way Wind Farm Environmental Statement, Non Technical Summary AMEC Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited

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5 Copyright and Non-Disclosure Notice The contents and layout of this report are subject to copyright owned by AMEC ( AMEC Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited 2011) save to the extent that copyright has been legally assigned by us to another party or is used by AMEC under licence. To the extent that we own the copyright in this report, it may not be copied or used without our prior written agreement for any purpose other than the purpose indicated in this report. The methodology (if any) contained in this report is provided to you in confidence and must not be disclosed or copied to third parties without the prior written agreement of AMEC. Disclosure of that information may constitute an actionable breach of confidence or may otherwise prejudice our commercial interests. Any third party who obtains access to this report by any means will, in any event, be subject to the Third Party Disclaimer set out below. Third Party Disclaimer Any disclosure of this report to a third party is subject to this disclaimer. The report was prepared by AMEC at the instruction of, and for use by, our client named on the front of the report. It does not in any way constitute advice to any third party who is able to access it by any means. AMEC excludes to the fullest extent lawfully permitted all liability whatsoever for any loss or damage howsoever arising from reliance on the contents of this report. We do not however exclude our liability (if any) for personal injury or death resulting from our negligence, for fraud or any other matter in relation to which we cannot legally exclude liability. Document Revisions No. Details Date 1 Environmental Statement draft to client 26/08/11 2 Environmental Statement final 09/09/11

6 i Contents 1. Introduction Scheme Description Environmental Effects Landscape and Visual Impact Historic Environment Hydrology and Hydrogeology including Flood Risk Ecology Ornithology Traffic and Transport Noise and Vibration Utilities, Telecommunications and Aviation Social and Economic Impacts Shadow Flicker Dust and Air Quality 3-8 Figure 1 Proposed Wind Farm Layout after page 2-2

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8 Introduction RWE Npower Renewables Ltd (the developer) is seeking planning permission to construct a wind farm at Hill Farm, Haversham. Throughout this document, the wind farm shall be referred to as the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm The proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm site (the development site) is centred on NGR E N and encloses an area of approximately 228 hectares. It is approximately 4km north of central Milton Keynes and 2.2km west of Newport Pagnell, between the settlements of Little Linford and Haversham. The development site is under agricultural cultivation with habitats comprising arable farmland, improved grassland, one small block of semi-natural broadleaved woodland and numerous hedgerows. There is one residential property within the development site, Hill Farm, which is situated in the southern part of the development site and financially involved (owned and occupied by the landowner of the development site who will receive income for the turbines) with the scheme. The development site is criss-crossed by a number of Public Rights of Way with the long-distance Midshires Way and Swan s Way plus the Hanslope Circular Ride passing through it This Non Technical Summary (NTS) forms part of the Environmental Statement (ES) for the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm. The ES presents information on the identification and assessment of likely significant effects of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations It also comprises a main volume together with accompanying volumes of figures and appendices. The NTS provides an overview of the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with detailed information presented in the ES EIA should be a systematic process that must be followed for certain types of project before a decision can be made on development consent, the resulting ES forms a basis for consultation and enables decision-makers to consider the environmental effects of a project when determining the planning application. Given the size of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm and the potential for significant environmental effects to occur, RWE Npower Renewables Ltd recognised that an EIA would be needed. The EIA undertaken has given consideration to all environmental topics but has focussed on those relating to likely significant environmental effects as follows: Landscape and Visual Impact Historic Environment Hydrology and Hydrogeology including Flood Risk Ecology Ornithology

9 1-2 Traffic and Transport Noise and Vibration Utilities, Telecommunications and Aviation Social and Economic Impacts Shadow Flicker Dust and Air Quality

10 Scheme Description RWE Npower Renewables Ltd have undertaken a number of technical and environmental studies and consultations to design a five turbine scheme that is appropriate to the surrounding area. The planning application is for a wind energy development comprising of the erection, 25 year operation and subsequent decommissioning of five wind turbines with a maximum overall tip height of up to 127m The purpose of the scheme is the generation of electricity and the total capacity of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm is likely to be between 9MW and 15MW based on five turbines with a generating capacity of between 1.8MW and 3MW each It is estimated that the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm will produce between 24,790 MWh and 29,648 MWh of electricity per year. 1 This is enough to supply the average annual electricity needs of between 5,300 and 6,300 UK homes each year based on the UK average annual domestic electricity consumption of approximately 4,700kWh. 2 Over the life of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm this figure may change as average domestic electricity consumption changes The development for which planning permission is sought is shown in Figure 2.1 and also includes the following: Transformer/switchgear kiosks associated with each turbine; Permanent anemometry mast; Crane pads associated with each turbine and the anemometry mast; On-site access tracks; Temporary construction compound and temporary anemometry mast; Control building and compound; and On-site cables. 1 Energy predicted to be generated by the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm is derived using wind speeds monitored in the local area and correlating these to a Meteorological Office station providing longer term data. This enables a calculation to be made to estimate the average annual energy production for the development site based on 5 turbines each of rated capacity of between 1.8 MW and 3 MW. It should be noted that the minimum/maximum installed capacity does not necessarily give the lowest/highest energy output. In this case, the Repower MM82 (2.05 MW) gives the lowest energy output and the Repower MM92 (2.05 MW) the highest output. The energy capture predicted and hence derived homes equivalent or emissions savings figures may change as further data are gathered. 2 Equivalent homes supplied are based on an annual electricity consumption per home of 4,700 kwh. This figure is supported by recent domestic electricity consumption data available from The Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2010 and household estimates and projections from the UK Statistics Authority.

11 In the case of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm the means by which it is to be connected to the electricity distribution network is yet to be confirmed with the local Distribution Network Operator. However, the preferred option is for the cables to run underground from the control building to the site entrance for approximately 0.6km, then within the highway corridor for approximately 1.8km to an existing overhead line adjacent to the M1 bridge, north-east of Little Linford, where a new pole will be erected to connect the cables to the 33kV line. The grid connection is subject to a separate consenting regime and will be the responsibility of the local Distribution Network Operator Construction of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm will last approximately 12 months and will be carried out in accordance with documented health and safety and environmental management procedures.

12 Key Development site boundary N On-site access track layout (5m) On-site cable route Turbine location 1 Crane pad location (40m x 20m) Temporary construction compound (50m x 50m) Control building and car park (26m x 15m) Anemometry met mast location Anemometry met mast crane pad (15m x 11m) NOTE: 2 3 Turbine foundations (not shown on map) will be 18m in diameter. Anemometry met mast foundations (not shown on map) will be 4m x 4m. Micrositing area (not visible on map) around all turbines and the anemometry met mast will be 20m m 600m Scale A3 Orchard Way Wind Farm Non Technical Summary Figure 1 Proposed Wind Farm Layout August Y176.wor pattn Based upon Ordnance Survey digital data with the permission of the Controller of the Stationery Office Crown Copyright Reserved. Licence No: AL

13 Environmental Effects 3.1 Landscape and Visual Impact The methodology of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) follows guidance which is promoted by the Landscape Institute and widely accepted throughout the UK as the appropriate approach to use Landscape effects are defined by the Landscape Institute as changes to landscape elements, characteristics, character and qualities of the landscape as a result of development, whilst visual effects are concerned with the effect of a proposed development upon the views of people, often referred to as visual receptors, and their general visual amenity. The study area for the LVIA extends to 30km from any turbine although the assessment also uses a detailed study area that is 10km from any turbine, as this is the area where landscape and visual effects are most likely to be concentrated. In undertaking the LVIA consultation was undertaken with statutory consultees and all Local Authorities within the study area with a particular emphasis upon Milton Keynes Council Landscape character areas (LCAs) have been defined in Landscape Character Assessments produced in the past decade for Milton Keynes Council and for Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire County Councils. The assessment concluded that the characteristics of the LCAs, including the two LCAs covering the development site, would result in none of them sustaining significant effects although significant effects upon landscape character to the west of the M1 corridor and within approximately 2km of any of the turbines were likely to occur. There would be no significant effects upon the sole national landscape designation: the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) In comparison with many wind farms, the development site is located within 2.5km of the edge of a settlement of over 200,000 people, Milton Keynes, thereby sharply increasing the number of people with potential views of the turbines. However, the visual assessment demonstrates that the overwhelming majority of the people who live, work or visit Milton Keynes will not have views of the turbines. Indeed, it will not be possible to see more than a couple of blade tips from the tallest and most open location in Milton Keynes: Campbell Park. Use of Zones of Theoretical Visibility maps, photomontages and wireframe visualisations allied with site visits indicated that significant visual effects would be limited to a small proportion of the people living, undertaking outdoor recreational activities or travelling in the vicinity of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm Significant visual effects are predicted to be sustained by residents at some individual properties located within 1.5km of any of the proposed turbines on the south-eastern and western sides of the development site and by some

14 3-2 residents in properties in the centre of Haversham, on the eastern edge of Castlethorpe, in Little Linford and at Bullington End, but not by the majority of residents. It is assessed that no residential properties would sustain substantial effects on views from their main living areas and it is concluded that effects on their residential amenity are not such that the turbines could be considered overbearing and/or oppressive leading to them being widely regarded as an unacceptable (although not necessarily uninhabitable) place to live The 125m high turbines at Milton Keynes Wind Farm at a comparable height and are sited at approximately the same elevation as those turbines that are proposed for the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm and have been operational since Consequently they provide a useful indication of the likely effects of turbines in north Buckinghamshire and how susceptible they are to screening by vegetation cover and topographical variation as well as how much potential turbine visibility is affected by the prevailing atmospheric conditions. 3.2 Historic Environment The proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm has the potential to affect archaeological and other features of the historic environment which are located on the development site or in its vicinity Archaeological remains have been identified at the development site through a combination of cropmarks identified on aerial photographs, artefact finds, records of previous archeological investigation and geophysical survey undertaken as part of the historic environment assessment. These indicate areas of archaeological interest within the development site including the remains of Romano British settlement and medieval or early post medieval industrial activity, most probably lime kilns. Features likely to represent the ploughed-out remains of Bronze Age burial mounds have also been identified The main areas of archaeological interest identified through the desk-based assessment and geophysical survey have been avoided through scheme design. Further archaeological evaluation, through trial trenching, has been agreed with the Senior Archaeological Officer at Milton Keynes Council, and will be carried out prior to the determination of the planning application, to fit with the agricultural calendar, in order to confirm the results of the desk-based assessment and geophysical survey and to inform the decision-making process. The results of the evaluation will also feed into the construction process; there is some potential in the footprint of some elements of the scheme design, such as, access tracks, for the construction methodology to preserve any important remains, although it is expected that, if found, any remains which are affected can be excavated and recorded, resulting in no significant effects Development can also affect the historic environment as a result of changes to the setting of assets or historic landscapes. There are a number of monuments and buildings of national importance in the area surrounding the

15 3-3 proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm. In particular, a medieval moated site in the former Hanslope Park to the north-west of the development site is a scheduled monument, and there are two registered parks and gardens to the north-east of the site Gayhurst Court and the adjacent Tyringham park, registered Grade II*, which lie either side of the River Great Ouse The assessment has concluded that a combination of factors, such as, turbines falling outside designed or important views and screening from trees in the vicinity of heritage assets has resulted in the prediction of no significant effects on the setting of these heritage assets. 3.3 Hydrology and Hydrogeology including Flood Risk The hydrology and hydrogeology assessment predominantly comprised a desk-based study to identify features of the surface water and groundwater environment on and adjacent to the development site. Hydrological receptors identified are the Tathall Brook, ponds, field drains, groundwater and flood risk. These could potentially be affected not only by the construction phase of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm but also by the change in land use associated with the development once operational Hydrological constraint buffers incorporated into the scheme design will limit the impact of any sediment entrained run-off or accidental pollution events on the water quality of these receptors. The implementation of pollution prevention and drainage control measures during construction and maintenance will further ensure that any adverse effects on hydrology and hydrogeology are not significant The impermeable footprint of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm is small. The assessment has concluded that it is unlikely to significantly affect surface water run-off although suitable drainage control measures will be incorporated into the design. 3.4 Ecology The proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm could have effects on flora and fauna within the development site and/or the surrounding area. The ecological assessment has been informed by desk studies; surveys of habitats within and adjacent to the development site; and surveys to determine the presence or absence of protected species within/near the development site The development site supports predominantly common and widespread farmland habitats with woodland, hedgerows, ponds and is adjacent to nonstatutory wildlife sites. Protected species supported include bats, dormice, great crested newts, badgers and brown hares. Environmental measures will be adopted during the construction phase to ensure compliance with ecological legislation and/or to minimise the risk of significant effects Bats are potentially vulnerable to the effects of operational wind turbines. The vast majority of the bats recorded over the development site are common and

16 3-4 soprano pipistrelle bats, regarded as being at medium risk of collisions with wind turbines at the species level and low risk at the population level. They are also amongst the most common and widespread bat species. Myotis species and probable brown long-eared bats were also recorded but are at low risk from collision with wind turbines at both the individual and population level. However, as low numbers of noctules and Leisler s (a higher risk for collision with wind turbines at both the species and population level) plus Barbestelle (medium risk of collusion with wind turbines at both the species and population level) have been recorded, additional transect surveys and static monitoring for bats are ongoing until October 2011 and the results will be provided as Supplementary Environmental Information In accordance with Natural England guidelines the potential for adverse effects on bat species has been reduced by locating the turbines such that the tips of the operational turbine blades are over 50m from the nearest hedgerow, woodland edge and stream, recognising that these are often preferred bat flight lines. The incorporation of further environmental measures (dependent on the results of the 2011 bats surveys) will minimise the risk of significant effects or non-compliance with ecological legislation. 3.5 Ornithology Ornithological assessment has been informed by a desk study and a programme of surveys following nationally recognised ornithological survey guidance within and adjacent to the development site The development site supports predominantly common and widespread breeding bird species that are typical of farmland in the local area. Species of note include lapwing, yellowhammer and tree sparrow which breed on the development site, although mostly in low numbers, and barn owl and hobby which breed close to it Disturbance to birds may occur as a consequence of construction work, or due to the presence of the wind farm close to nest or feeding sites or on habitual flight routes. It is predicted that any displacement effects are likely to occur over only short distances, meaning birds are likely to be able to find alternative habitat nearby to the development site The effects of collision with rotating turbine blades resulting in the killing or injury of birds is of particular relevance for sites located in areas known to support raptors or large concentrations of waterfowl, such as Great Linford Gravel Pits, which is a non-statutory wildlife site situated to the south of the development site. Collision risk modelling was carried out for hobby, lapwing and grey heron and negligible collision rates predicted Environmental measures will be adopted during the construction phase to ensure compliance with ecological legislation. The proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm is therefore likely to have no significant effects on birds alone or in combination with other wind farms in the area.

17 Traffic and Transport General construction materials are proposed to be transported to the development site from Junction 14 of the M1 via the A509 towards Newport Pagnell. From here, vehicles are assumed to route to the development site via Chicheley Hill which turns into Sherington Road, before turning right onto the B526. After approximately 3.6km vehicles will turn left onto an Unnamed Road towards Little Linford and Haversham before accessing the development site. Collett Transport Limited undertook an access study for abnormal loads; following Swept Path Analysis and consultation with the Milton Keynes Council Highways Department and the Highways Agency it was determined that this haulage route is also suitable for taking abnormal loads Estimates of traffic generation associated with the construction phase of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm have been derived from a first principles approach. It is predicted that during month five of the construction period (excluding concrete deliveries for turbine foundations) there will be a percentage increase in total traffic flows (relative to background traffic flows) as follows: Unnamed Road near Haversham: increase in total traffic of 1.4% and an increase in Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) of 18.1% Unnamed Road at M1 overbridge: increase in total traffic of 0.9% and increase in HGVs of 13.9% B526: increase in total traffic of 0.6% and increase in HGVs of 21.1% Sherington Road: increase in total traffic of 0.9% and increase in HGVs of 30.0% It is expected that during the remainder of the twelve month construction programme (excluding five days on which concrete for the turbine foundations is poured and 212 HGV movements for concrete deliveries may occur) traffic generation will be considerably less Taking into account this level of traffic effects on severance, driver and pedestrian delay, pedestrian amenity and intimidation are considered to be not significant. However, it is considered appropriate to implement a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) in order to reduce as far as reasonably practical adverse effects associated with general HGV deliveries, concrete deliveries and abnormal loads; this will also ensure any residual effects on highway safety are not significant. 3.7 Noise and Vibration Noise will be emitted by equipment and vehicles used during construction of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm. Once operational the turbines will emit noise from the rotating blades as they pass through the air. The amount of noise emitted tends to vary depending on the wind speed. When there is little wind the turbine rotors will turn slowly and produce lower noise levels

18 3-6 than during high winds. Background noise levels at nearby properties will also change with wind speed, increasing in level as wind speeds rise. The level of noise emitted by the sources and the distance from those sources to the receiver locations are the main factors determining levels of noise at receptor locations Construction noise levels have been calculated for receiver locations closest to the areas of construction and compared with guideline and baseline values. The incorporation of environmental measures into the scheme will reduce the impact of construction noise at adjacent residential properties. It is concluded that overall impacts relating to noise generated through construction activities will not be significant Noise levels from operation of the turbines have been predicted for those locations around the development site most likely to be affected by noise. Surveys have been performed to establish existing baseline noise levels at a number of these properties. Noise limits have been derived from data about the existing noise environment following the method stipulated in national planning guidance. Predicted operational noise levels have been compared to the limit values to demonstrate that turbines of the type and size which would be installed can operate within the limits so derived. It is concluded therefore that operational noise levels from the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm will be within levels deemed, by national guidance, to be acceptable for wind energy schemes. 3.8 Utilities, Telecommunications and Aviation Wind farms can interfere with electromagnetic transmissions and cause television and radar interference Consultation with organisations known to have an interest in utilities and telecommunications links has been undertaken. Turbines have been located to avoid the majority of telecommunications links; however there is one provider (Anglian Water) who could still be affected. RWE Npower Renewables Limited is committed to implement, by way of a planning condition, the mitigation they have proposed to ensure no unacceptable impacts on their links Excepting Hill Farm, the landowner s property situated within the development site, the proposed turbines are sited such that they are at least 500m away from a viewer, as recommended by the BBC to help to prevent the likelihood and severity of any television interference. However, should the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm have any adverse effect on television reception, there are a number of fully effective mitigation solutions available and RWE Npower Renewables Limited would mitigate post-development where effects are attributable to the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm Following an assessment of civil aviation interests in the vicinity of the development site, no physical obstruction or operational issues are expected. Furthermore, consultation with the aviation organisations has raised no

19 3-7 concerns about the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm. In the interests of air safety, RWE Npower Renewables would be happy to accept a planning condition for the provision of infra-red aviation lighting if requested by the Ministry of Defence. 3.9 Social and Economic Impacts Publicly accessible information was drawn upon to assess the potential social and economic effects of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm, including addressing public safety issues National planning guidance suggests an exclusion zone of 200m around turbine to avoid frightening horses; the location of the turbines has been optimised to (given other environmental constraints) to maximise the separation distance from bridleways but three remain within 200m, the nearest being approximately 130m to a turbine. However, there is an established network of bridleways in the surrounding area and there is therefore the opportunity to plan rides to avoid the wind farm should horse riders wish to do so No significant adverse effects on employment, existing businesses or recreational users (including those related to horses) are expected, either during the construction or operation of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm It is expected that the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm will have a positive social and economic effect as the local economy and the area more generally will benefit from the investment by RWE Npower Renewables Limited Shadow Flicker Shadow flicker occurs when a particular combination of conditions coincide in specific locations at particular times of the day and year, notably when the sun is low in the sky and shines from behind a wind turbine rotor. If the turbines are rotating, this can cause the shadow to appear to flick on and off as the turbine rotates, and when the moving shadow is experienced in this way through a window it is known as shadow flicker. The flickering caused by shadow flicker may have a negative effect on the amenity of affected residents Shadow flicker modelling has been undertaken in accordance with national planning guidance for ten residential properties which have the potential to experience shadow flicker, as they are located within ten times to the rotor diameter of turbines and within 130 either side of north relative to them. Shadow flicker is theoretically predicted to occur at Hill Farm, situated within the development site, and at Pineham Farm to the west of the development site. However, in practice the magnitude of shadow flicker effect will be less than that calculated by the model because of a number of factors, including cloud cover, times when turbines are not turning and orientation of the hub and rotors.

20 The proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm will incorporate automatic turbine control systems which will be programmed and activated to fully mitigate any shadow flicker effect that is found to occur once operational such that no significant effects will occur Dust and Air Quality There is the potential for an increase in dust during construction of the proposed Orchard Way Wind Farm due to earthworks and traffic movement. The assessment comprised a desk based study to identify potential receptors affected by dust emissions and concluded that no significant effects will occur. The incorporation of environmental measures into the scheme will reduce the risk of any dust nuisance occurring at adjacent residential properties during construction.