Environmental Statement Volume 1. Non-Technical Summary. Land south of Pendown Farm Cornwall

Transcription

1 Environmental Statement Volume 1 Land south of Pendown Farm Cornwall August 2012

2 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Windberry Energy Operations Limited has submitted a planning application to Cornwall Council (CC) for a single wind turbine at land south of Pendown Farm, Cornwall 1.2. A Figure, showing the proposal in its regional and local context, is provided in Figure 1 below: Figure 1: Site Location Crown copyright licence number Savills (L&P) Ltd 1.3. The proposed development is described in the planning application as: The erection of a single wind turbine with a maximum tip height of up to 62m with associated infrastructure including widening of an existing access and creation of a new access track Based on a turbine with a generation capacity of 330kW, it is estimated that enough electricity could be generated to supply the equivalent of approximately 185 Environmental Statement: Volume 1 1

3 households, based on a 30% capacity factor and annual average consumption of 4,700 kilowatt hours (kwh) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process that aims to improve the environmental design of a development proposal and provide decision makers with sufficient information about its environmental impacts. A key element in the process is the preparation of an Environmental Statement (ES) providing information to assess the environmental effects of the development, to accompany a planning application The single wind turbine development has been subject to an EIA (at the request of CC) and an ES has been submitted with the application. This Non-Technical Summary (NTS) is a summary of the ES in non-technical language Prior to the submission of the application, discussions were held with CC officers and statutory consultees, principally to agree the level of detailed information required by CC, assessment methodologies and potential mitigation measures In accordance with normal planning procedures it is intended that this ES, together with the other details of the planning application, are available to view at the Council s offices and online at 2. SITE DESCRIPTION 2.1. The application site is situated approximately 1.6km north-east of the settlement of Three Burrows, adjacent to the A30 highway in central Cornwall. The nearest post code to the site is TR4 9NE The site is located on boundary of the Parishes of Kenwyn and Perranzabuloe. The existing use of the site is farmland A number of dwellings are present in the local area and include Pendown Farm and Pendale Farm to the north and Four Burrow Farm to the south-west. Other features in the vicinity of the site include: A30. This is the main highway in and out of Cornwall; Electricity Pylons. Located approximately 500m to the north-east of the site. Four Burrows Wind Farm. Operational wind farm comprising of 15 turbines with a maximum tip height of 45.5m, located approximately 0.8km to the south-east of the site on the opposite side of the A30; Trevissome Park single turbine. Operational single turbine with a maximum tip height of 33m located approximately 1.3km to the south-west of the site The application site has an area of 0.2 hectares, within which the turbine, foundation, hardstanding area, new access track and associated infrastructure would be located. 1 Based on medium UK domestic electricity consumption of 4,700 kwh/pa as used by OFGEM. Environmental Statement: Volume 1 2

4 2.5. The surrounding area is farmland comprising of medium sized fields bordered by mature hedgerows. 3. SCHEME DESCRIPTION 3.1. In overall the scheme comprises the following principal components: a single turbine with 3 blades and a maximum height to blade tip of 62m; a steel reinforced concrete foundation for the turbine; a hard-standing at the base of the turbine; widening of an existing field access; creation of a new access track from the existing farm track to the turbine, for a total of 178m with a width of 4m widening to 5m at bends; an equipment housing cabinet; and underground cabling to the wind turbine Wind turbine technology is evolving rapidly, with each of the major manufactures making frequent changes to their model line-up and technical specification. Therefore, in-line with common practice, it will be necessary for the specific make and model of turbine to be confirmed at a later stage, before construction However for the purposes of the ES, it is necessary to set out the parameters on which the assessment has been based. For the Pendown proposal, the wind turbine assessed would have a maximum overall (to the tip of the blade) of up to 62 metres and a maximum rotor diameter of up to 33 metres The connection of the turbine to the local electricity distribution network would be the subject of a separate application by the electricity distributor. However, initial research indicates that connection could be achieved to the existing overhead line located directly to the north of the site. 4. OUTLINE OF ALTERNATIVES 4.1. The site has been subject to detailed site appraisals, before it progressed to the EIA and project design stage. The site has progressed for the following reasons: the site does not lie within a landscape designation; the site does not lie within an ecological designation; the distances from the nearest residential properties are such that potential noise impacts can be avoided; Environmental Statement: Volume 1 3

5 there are existing electricity lines near the site that can be used to make a grid connection; and the site befits from its close association with the existing Four Burrows wind farm and the A30 highway The applicant has ensured that the EIA and the scheme design proceeded hand-inhand with the aim of producing a refined and sensitive wind energy proposal. 5. PLANNING POLICY 5.1. The Development Plan for the site consists of the following: Regional Planning Guidance 10 (RPG10); Cornwall Structure Plan (2004 saved policies); and Carrick District Local Plan (1998 saved policies) The development plan is the principal consideration for planning decision-making. Additional material considerations include the Government s National Planning Policy Framework (2012) and supplementary guidance adopted by the Council At international, European and national levels, the recognition of the need to bring forward new renewable energy generation is clear. Wind energy is acknowledged to the one of the most deliverable forms of renewable energy generation capacity. National policy is therefore supportive of wind energy RPG10 recognises the important contribution renewable energy will make to achieving more sustainable forms of development and energy generation, including a target of 11-15% electricity production from renewable sources by Policy 7 Renewable Energy Resources of the Cornwall Structure Plan addresses the need for the provision of renewable energy generation to maximise environmental benefits, whilst minimising any adverse local impacts. The policy highlighted a target for about 93MW of installed capacity of renewable resources by The Carrick District Local Plan within Policy 13B Renewable Energy is generally supportive of renewable energy schemes subject to broad criteria to prevent significant impacts and to safeguard the environment The relevant parts of these and other applicable policies have been taken into account when developing the proposal, to prevent significant impacts on the environment In addition to the statutory development plan documents, Cornwall Council has produced a draft guidance document called Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Supplementary Planning Document (Published as a draft for public consultation in June 2010). The document has been produced to provide additional guidance for renewable energy development proposals. It also provides guidance in respect of Environmental Statement: Volume 1 4

6 assessing cumulative impacts, landscape and visual effects, siting and good design, all of which have been taken into account Both national planning policy guidance and development plan policy are supportive of wind energy proposals, including that proposed at land south of Pendown Farm. 6. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL 6.1. A comprehensive landscape and visual assessment of the proposed development has been carried out The site does not lie within an area designated for its landscape. The study area includes parts of the St Clement Area of Great Landscape Value and St Agnes sections of the Cornwall AONB. It concludes there would be no significant adverse effects on these areas The proposals would result in the loss of a relatively small area of arable farmland which is not considered to be a significant adverse landscape effect. The proposal would form a structure similar in appearance to the nearby Four Burrows wind farm and would be located close to busy roads which already create a degree of noise and visual intrusion in the landscape The assessment identified that potential significant adverse visual effects would be between 1-2km from the site. The assessment shows that due to the undulating landscape and frequent hedgebanks, trees and other vegetation, views in which the turbine forms a dominant feature would be relatively restricted There are seven existing areas/groups of turbines within 20km of the site, with a further 12 sites having planning consent, including one existing windfarm (Carland Cross) having consent to repower. In terms of the potential cumulative effects, the proposed turbine would appear as an extension to the existing Four Burrows wind farm, thereby minimising potential adverse effects. The Pendown Farm turbine would be seen as occupying a similar part of the landscape to other wind turbines, and would appear on the horizon, similar to the existing turbines, and be of a similar size and appearance so as not to have a significant adverse cumulative effect 7. NOISE 7.1. An assessment of the potential noise impacts of the turbine has been carried out in accordance with relevant guidance which included noise survey data from two locations around the site to determine existing noise conditions in the area The assessment indicates that predicted turbine noise levels from the Pendown turbine are within the proposed noise limits at all wind speeds A cumulative noise assessment has been carried out between the proposed single turbine and the existing Four Burrows wind farm. The cumulative noise assessment Environmental Statement: Volume 1 5

7 demonstrates that noise levels from wind turbine noise will meet the noise limits in accordance with the relevant guidance. 8. CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1. The proposed development has the potential to impact on cultural heritage assets, including listed buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments, both directly through construction and indirectly through impact on their setting The cultural heritage assessment has concluded that the site has the potential to impact upon archaeology associated with the funerary site of Four Burrows. An archaeological evaluation will therefore be provided before commencement of development, in order to better understand the presence/ survival of later prehistoric remains and the extent to which below ground deposits have been affected by postmedieval agricultural practices The presence of the turbine will change some views from certain listed buildings. The landscape is already defined by wind farm development. Turbines form part of views to and from many heritage assets in the area and are largely seen in conjunction with vernacular buildings, typically clustered in groups across the landscape and particularly from the A30. The presence of the single turbine at Pendown Farm in conjunction with those sites already consented or built will not add to any potential significant [adverse] impacts on setting. 9. ECOLOGY AND ORNTHOLOGY 9.1. A desk- based assessment, incorporating a biological records search and an Extended Phase 1 habitat survey, was used to identify the baseline ecological conditions. In addition, both ornithological and bat surveys were conducted. Consultation also took place with Natural England and the RSPB Overall, the habitats within the survey area are considered to be of low ecological value but have the potential to support some protected and notable species, such as bats and badgers The habitats on site are generally of low ornithological interest. However, they are likely to support a range of locally notable breeding bird species and a range of birds typical of farmland habitats within the UK. A range of common hedgerow and farmland species (including chaffinch, robin, wren and chiffchaff) were recorded within the 500m survey area, with the majority holding territories on the fringes of the survey area around Pendown and Pendale Farms. Skylark was the most frequentlyrecorded species holding territories across most fields within the survey area, including within the immediate turbine field Habitats within the survey area provide medium quality bat habitat. The nearest potential bat roost is located within the farm complex approximately 360m northwest of the proposed turbine location. The site is considered to be of low overall value for bats. The wider area is considered to be of low value for bats. Environmental Statement: Volume 1 6

8 9.5. Enhancement measures should include interplanting of native hedgerow species within the hedgerows on site to enhance diversity, cover and foraging opportunities for a range of protected and commoner species The ecological assessment concludes that the effects on all identified species and habitats is expected to be neutral following the implementation of habitat enhancement except for predicted minor negative effects on bird species. 10. TRANSPORT Construction traffic will either arrive/depart via the A30/A394 Chiverton Cross roundabout to the south and then via the A3075 and the B3284, or will make a U- turn at the Chiverton Cross roundabout, travelling north along the A30, and then making a left turn onto the B3284 to access the site The turbine components will arrive on standard HGVs and there will be no movements by abnormal loads The highest flow of traffic will occur during the construction period involving the delivery of (off-site) ready-mixed concrete used to pour the foundations of the turbines. This equates to an average of between 10 and 12 movements per day. This activity is limited to approximately 5 days, with traffic decreasing substantially after that period In summary, a modest number of vehicle related journeys and a minimal impact on the wider transport network are envisaged There are no adverse highway or transport impacts resulting from the development that cannot be adequately mitigated 11. AVIATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS The potential impacts of the development on aviation and telecommunications were considered through desk based assessment With regard to the potential impacts on television reception the BBC has developed an online tool for the assessment of wind turbines. This indicates that there that there no homes without alternative off-air likely to be affected, but that up to 1222 homes which may have an alternative off-air service could be affected. It should be noted that digital television signals are less susceptible to potential interference from wind turbines Responses from communication link operators indicate that these links are not likely to be affected by the proposed development In terms of aviation, consultation with Newquay Airport has confirmed that they have no objection to the proposal. Radar projections carried out by Wind Power Aviation Consultants (WPAC) has confirmed that the NATS radar at Burrington would not be affected by the proposed single turbine. Environmental Statement: Volume 1 7

9 11.5. There is one military airfield in the vicinity of the site, relating to Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose which is located approximately 25km to the south-west of the site. WPAC undertook radar modelling and determined that the turbine would not be visible to the radar at Culdrose. The MOD has been consulted and a response is awaited. 12. SHADOW FLICKER AND SAFETY Shadow flicker is the name given to the effect that may arise when turbine blades rotate in bright sunlit conditions, casting shadows over windows. As the blades rotate the shadow is seen to flick on and off within a neighbouring property as the blades shadows move past the window The effect should only occur within a building if a wind turbine is located within a distance of 10 x the rotor diameter or less and there is no intervening topography, vegetation or other obstruction between the turbine and the dwelling window The likelihood and duration of the effect depends upon: Orientation of the property s windows relative to the turbine: in the UK only properties within 130 degrees either side of north, relative to the turbine can be affected, as turbines do not cast long shadows on their southern side; Distance from the turbines: the further the observer is from the turbine, the less pronounced the effect would be; Turbine height and rotor diameter; Time of year and day; Weather conditions (cloudy days reduce likelihood) There are no properties within 10 rotor diameters of the turbine location, therefore it is not considered that there would be any resulting adverse impact from shadow flicker The turbine has been located to maintain an adequate buffer between buildings, rights of way and roads to ensure the safety of users; Wind turbines have an exemplary safety record with no recorded instances of fatalities to any member of the public anywhere in the world. The turbines are also designed to shut down automatically during high wind speed conditions, typically in excess of 60 mph Most wind turbines are fitted with vibration sensors which can detect any imbalance which might be caused by icing of the blades, in which case operation of machines with iced blades could be inhibited. Appropriate lightning protection measures are incorporated in wind turbines to ensure that lightning is conducted harmlessly past the sensitive parts of the nacelle and down into the earth." Environmental Statement: Volume 1 8

10 13. SOCIO-ECONOMIC The local area is similar to other parts of Cornwall, with a higher proportion of over 65 s and a smaller than average working age population, compared with the rest of the Country Economic activity rates within 5km of the site were lower than the regional average in April 2001, with 65.2% of the working aged population in some form of employment, compared to 67.5% for the South West. The area has a much higher than average retired population, with 17.4% of those aged between the ages of classed as retired. This is compared with 15.5% for the South West region and 13.5% for England The development is likely to the lead to the creation of 1 FTE job during the erection of the wind turbine The expected importation of a limited number of workers involved in construction, may take up temporary accommodation in the principal towns and settlements around the proposed site and contribute expenditure to local facilities and services The generation of ongoing rental payments to local landowners would represent a positive benefit, which depending upon the intentions of the local landowner could be reinvested in the local area No adverse socio-economic impacts are anticipated as a result of this development. The resulting expenditure and direct and indirect employment generation in total will bring negligible to minor positive benefits to the local economy The generation of ongoing rental payments to local landowners would represent a long term consistent positive benefit, which depending upon the intention of the local landowners, could be retained in the local area, leading to a negligible to minor positive impact locally. 14. CONCLUSION The proposal has evolved over a period of time and therefore incorporates elements of inherent mitigation which are effectively designed into the proposal such as maintaining a 50m separation distance from nearby hedgerows All of the predicted adverse residual impacts of the scheme have been assessed as negligible to slight minor negative In accordance with planning procedures for EIA schemes, comments on the planning application should be sent directly to Cornwall Council as detailed below. Natural Resources, Cornwall Council, Carrick House, Pydar Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1EB Any requests for additional information about the proposal should be directed to Savills Planning at the following address: Wessex House, Priors Walk, East Borough, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1PB dpalmer@savills.com Environmental Statement: Volume 1 9