Clachaig Glen. Environmental Statement. Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary

Transcription

1 Clachaig Glen Environmental Statement Volume 1: May 2016

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3 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 1 Environmental Impact Assessment 1 Structure of the ES 2 Inspection of the Environmental Statement The Development 4 Site Location and Context 4 Site Selection and Design Evolution 4 Description of the Development 5 Site Access 6 Construction 6 Operation 7 Decommissioning Summary of Environmental Effects 8 Landscape and Visual Assessment 8 Noise 10 Ecology 11 Ornithology 12 Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology 13 Carbon Balance 13 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 14 Socio-Economics and Tourism 15 Traffic, Transport and Access 16 Infrastructure and Telecommunications 16 Air Safeguarding 17 Forestry 17 Shadow Flicker Summary and Conclusions References 20 Figures 21

4 1.0 Introduction 1.1 This document is a (NTS) of the Environmental Statement which accompanies an application for planning permission by E.ON (the Applicant) to construct and operate a 14 turbine wind farm and associated infrastructure (e.g. access tracks) near Muasdale on the western coast of the Kintyre Peninsula, to be known as Clachaig Glen Wind Farm (see Figure 1). The application will be determined by Argyll and Bute Council. 1.2 The Clachaig Glen Wind Farm (the Development ) has been the subject of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (EIA) (Scotland) Regulations The purpose of the EIA is to identify, assess and report on the likely significant effects resulting from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Development and, where possible, to recommend appropriate mitigation to reduce the impact of identified adverse effects (or enhance any beneficial effects). The results of the EIA are presented in an Environmental Statement (ES). 1.3 The purpose of a NTS is to summarise the information provided in the ES main report and therefore this NTS provides a summary of: the Development, the potential significant effects of the Development on the environment, and the measures proposed to minimise adverse environmental effects. This is written in non-technical language to ensure it is readily understood by the general public, consultees and decision makers alike. Environmental Impact Assessment 1.4 The EIA process has been managed by AECOM on behalf of the Applicant and the Environmental Statement presents the results of the assessment of environmental and socio-economic impacts undertaken by a number of specialist consultants, as listed in Table 1. Table 1: EIA and Design Team Organisation Expertise/ES Input E.ON The Applicant AECOM EIA Project Management; Conceptual design; Preparation of Environmental Statement introductory chapters (chapters 1 6), concluding chapter (chapter 19) and glossary. Authors of the following technical assessments: - Planning Policy Context; - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment; - Noise; - Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology; - Archaeology and Cultural Heritage; - Socio-Economics and Tourism; - Traffic, Transport and Access; - Infrastructure and Telecommunications; and - Shadow Flicker. Preparation of. Page 1

5 Table 1: EIA and Design Team Organisation Expertise/ES Input Arcus Ecological assessment. DGA Forestry Forestry assessment. Haworth Conservation Ltd Ornithology assessment. Osprey Consulting Services Air Safeguarding assessment. 1.5 In order to identify the key environmental topics to be included in the EIA and the scope of the assessments required, an EIA Scoping study and follow up consultation with statutory consultees was carried out. The following environmental issues were identified as requiring detailed assessment and have been addressed in the Environmental Statement (the relevant chapter of Volume 2a has been noted in brackets): Landscape and Visual (Chapter 7); Noise (Chapter 8); Ecology (Chapter 9); Ornithology (Chapter 10); Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology (Chapter 11, which covers ground conditions and the water environment as well as carbon balance and flood risk); Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (Chapter 12); Socio-Economics and Tourism (Chapter 13); Traffic, Transport and Access (Chapter 14); Infrastructure and Telecommunications (Chapter 15); Air Safeguarding (Chapter 16); Forestry (Chapter 17); and Shadow Flicker (Chapter 18). 1.6 The individual Environmental Statement chapters listed above include an assessment of potential environmental effects associated with all phases of the Development (construction, operation and, insofar as possible, decommissioning), in addition to any cumulative effects (i.e. environmental effects which may occur in combination with impacts from two or more developments or operations). 1.7 A summary of the main findings of the EIA is presented in Section 3 of this Non-Technical Summary. The Environmental Statement has been prepared in accordance with relevant legislation and associated guidance, and the advice and requirements of the relevant consultees. Structure of the ES 1.8 The Environmental Statement comprises six parts across four volumes: Page 2

6 Volume 1: (this document) provides a short, easy to read summary of the Environmental Statement; Volume 2a: Main Report provides a detailed description of the existing environment, and an assessment of the likely significant effects of the Development; Volume 2b: Figures contains supporting Figures to the Main Report. Volume 2c: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Figures contains figures and visualisations to support the Landscape and Visual Assessment; Volume 3: Technical Appendices contains supporting appendices to the Main Report; and Volume 4: Confidential Annex contains sensitive ecological data that is only provided to relevant statutory consultees and is not made available to the general public. Inspection of the Environmental Statement 1.9 The Environmental Statement and the other documents prepared to support the Planning Application for the project are available for download from the project website: and from the Argyll and Bute Council Planning Portal website: A hard copy of the Environmental Statement is also available for viewing at: Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Area office, Argyll and Bute Council, 1a Manse Brae, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RD Electronic copies of all Environmental Statement documents can be made available at a fee of 5 per DVD. A paper copy of this Environmental Statement can be made available at a fee of 10 per copy. Cheques should be made payable to AECOM Ltd, with the name and address of the individual requesting the DVD/copy written on the back To request copies of the Environmental Statement please contact Anne-Marie Mackin via (Anne-Marie.Mackin@aecom.com) or at the following address: AECOM, 2 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AR. Page 3

7 2.0 The Development Site Location and Context 2.1 The Development Site is located on the western coast of the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, approximately 20 kilometres (km) to the north of Campbeltown and 1.8 km north east of Muasdale (see Figure 1). The Development Site is centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) and consists of an area of kilometres squared (km 2 ) or 1,259 hectares (ha). 2.2 The majority of the Development Site is dedicated to timber production managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES). The higher ground in the area includes some open ground that has not been planted and contains some blanket peats and peaty topsoils. 2.3 The A83 between Tarbert and Campbeltown is located approximately 1 km to the west of the main Development Site, although the proposed site access, which forms part of the Development Site, meets the A83 approximately 1 km to the north of Muasdale (Figure 1b). Access to the Development Site will be from the Killean Estate junction with the A83, and follows the Kintyre Way long distance path heading east before heading south towards the main Development Site entrance (Figure 1a). Site Selection and Design Evolution 2.4 The Development Site was identified by the Applicant following a detailed review of potential sites for wind farm development, on a commercial scale, across the National Forest Estate in the West Argyll Forest District. The site was identified as having the potential to support a viable wind farm development as (amongst other factors) it has good wind resource, good site access, and is close to the existing electricity network as well as being removed from environmentally sensitive areas such as National Scenic Areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. 2.5 Following on from the site selection process, a number of feasibility and environmental studies were undertaken to inform the wind farm design. The Applicant also undertook formal (statutory) and informal (non-statutory) consultation with statutory consultees and the public during the design and EIA process and a Community Liaison Group (CLG) was established to enable local representatives to ask questions and provide feedback on the evolving design. 2.6 A number of alternative designs for the Development were considered before the final design layout was confirmed. The initial design layout included 53 turbines. The design was revised in 2014 to take into account areas of high sensitivity for birds and bird habitat to the east of the site, reducing the developable area and the number of turbines to 50. The number of turbines was further reduced, following consultation with Scottish National Heritage and Argyll and Bute Council, to take into account sensitive landscape to the west of the site and to reduce the impact on sensitive views. Once the turbine layout was confirmed, consideration was also given to avoiding environmental effects in developing the site infrastructure layout. Existing access tracks are to be used as far as possible and new track carefully routed to avoid impacting areas of peat and avoid water crossings. 2.7 This approach allowed the design team to avoid or minimise many environmental effects through careful siting of the location of turbines, access tracks and other infrastructure. The final 14 turbine layout of the wind farm has been influenced by the findings of these studies and the scale and design has changed considerably from the initial concept of a 53 turbine development. Page 4

8 Description of the Development 2.8 The Development will comprise a maximum of 14 wind turbines. The height of the blade tip from ground level would be a maximum of metres (m) for 13 wind turbines and m for one turbine (Turbine 1 this is due to this turbine being located on higher ground and therefore its height is lower to reduce its visual impact). Each turbine would comprise a tapered tubular steel tower and nacelle 1, containing the generator and associated equipment, which are attached to a hub 2 (up to 80 m height) and rotor assembly including three turbine blades. 2.9 The specific turbine model has yet to be selected (there are a number of models that could comply with the maximum parameters used for impact modelling in this EIA) but are expected to have a rated generating capacity of up to 3.4 megawatts (MW), giving a total potential generating capacity for the Development of up to 47.6 MW In addition to the turbines, there are a number of supporting structures and infrastructure requirements including: Access tracks; Underground cabling connecting the turbines to the on-site control building / substation; Crane hardstanding areas (created next to the turbine locations to allow cranes to be installed for turbine erection)f; A permanent anemometer mast to measure wind speed and other data required for turbine performance monitoring; A control building and substation compound3; and A temporary construction compound (incorporating a site office and site welfare facilities) Indicative locations for six borrow pits (i.e. temporary quarries) have been identified adjacent to the proposed access track for the extraction of stone for use in the construction of the Development. The borrow pit locations are indicative and do not form part of this application. The proposed locations of the turbines, access tracks, borrow pits and other site infrastructure are shown on Figure The construction and subsequent operation of the Development would require the construction or upgrade (involving resurfacing and widening in places) of approximately 17.4 km of tracks within the Development Site, comprising: 8.4 km of new track; and 9 km of upgraded forestry roads The new and upgraded tracks would be constructed of crushed stone using well-established techniques. Following construction, these tracks would be retained to provide access to the wind farm for operational and maintenance purposes To optimise the final positioning of infrastructure provide and provide a small degree of flexibility (e.g. in light of any unforeseen environmental or technical constraints), a micro-siting tolerance of up to 100 m for temporary quarries and up to 50 m for turbines, tracks and other infrastructure forms part of the application. This would allow the 'as built' location of infrastructure to deviate up 1 Section of wind turbine which sits on top of the tower and contains main technical machinery 2 Section of wind turbine which blades attach to 3 where electrical equipment for the operation of the Development will be located Page 5

9 to the specified maximum distance noted above. This flexibility has been taken into account within the EIA An off-site connection to the electricity transmission system (grid) will be required to export electricity from the wind farm. The design, consenting and construction of this grid connection will be undertaken by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited as the Transmission Network Operator. This grid connection does not form part of this planning application and a separate consenting process will be undertaken by the network operator for this development. Site Access 2.16 Permanent access to the Development will be taken from the existing junction of the A83, to the north of the site boundary (NGR , ) and will follow the existing Cross-Kintrye Timber Haul Route heading east before turning right and heading south towards the main Development Site entrance. Modifications to this junction are required to facilitate access for abnormal loads. Construction 2.17 Construction is planned to be undertaken over a period of approximately 12 months (up to a maximum of 18 months) and would involve the following main activities: Pre-construction investigations; Creation of small temporary quarries; Creation and upgrade of site access; Removal/ felling of trees to create areas for wind turbines, site access tracks and other associated infrastructure; Formation of temporary construction compound; Upgrade and formation of site access tracks; Construction of control building and substation compound; Construction of turbine foundations and hardstandings/crane pads; Installation of underground cabling; Turbine delivery and erection; Site reinstatement; and Commissioning Normal working hours for construction activities will be between 07:00 and 19:00 Monday to Friday and between 08:30 and 17:00 on Saturdays. No works would be undertaken on Sundays or public holidays. Delivery of turbine components, or emergency works only, may occur outwith the core working hours in order to reduce disturbance on the road network During construction, significant adverse environmental effects at or in the immediate vicinity of the site would either be avoided or mitigated through measures detailed within a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) that will be approved by Argyll and Bute Council. The CEMP will set out a variety of control measures for managing the potential environmental effects of construction works, including control and management of noise, dust, surface water runoff, waste and pollution control. The CEMP will draw upon established good practice measures for wind farm developments and general construction. 4 Procedures undertaken in order to demonstrate that the Development is capable of commercial operation. Page 6

10 Operation 2.20 The Development has been designed to ensure that normal forest operations would continue throughout the operational lifespan of the Development (25 years) During operation, wind farm related activities onsite will be limited to routine maintenance and servicing of the wind turbines and other associated infrastructure as required. This could include planned maintenance and repairs as well as emergency repairs. Decommissioning 2.22 It has been assumed for the purposes of EIA impact modelling that at the end of its 25 year operational life, the Development will be decommissioned. This will involve the following activities: Turbines will be dismantled and removed from site; The turbine foundations will be dismantled and removed to 1 m below ground level; and The control building and substation compound will be dismantled and removed Crane pads, site access tracks and cabling will be left in-situ, as it is considered more environmentally damaging to remove them. They will be soiled over and appropriately seeded On completion of the decommissioning works, all temporary facilities will be removed and areas of excavation/ disturbed ground will be reinstated. Page 7

11 3.0 Summary of Environmental Effects 3.1 The following sections of this provide a summary of the technical assessments contained in the Environmental Statement (Chapters 7 18, Environmental Statement Volume 2a) and highlight any significant residual effects that have been identified (i.e. those effects remaining following the implementation of mitigation and control measures discussed in the Environmental Statement). 3.2 The environmental assessments undertaken within this EIA have concluded by presenting effects that are Negligible, Minor, Moderate or Major and adverse or beneficial, depending on a number of factors such as the scale, duration and frequency of impact and how sensitive the assessed receptor (the person, object or commodity being impacted) is. An effect is generally considered to be significant if it is assessed to be Moderate or Major, although some environmental disciplines differ slightly from this method. Landscape and Visual Assessment 3.3 The wind farm design process has had full regard to landscape and visual matters, with mitigation by design at the core of the design process. The design process has sought to maximise the benefits of the surrounding topography and vegetation cover in terms of visual screening and this has resulted in a development which would have only a localised significant influence upon landscape character and views. 3.4 The Environmental Statement includes an assessment of the potential landscape and visual effects resulting from the construction / decommissioning and presence of the Development (including any cumulative effects of the Development when considered along with other operational and consented windfarms and other submitted wind farm applications currently being considered by Argyll and Bute Council). These assessments have been carried out in accordance with current good practice guidance and are based on the worst case scenario of clear weather conditions and good visibility and therefore indicate effects which may only be experienced, on average, less than a third of the year. 3.5 The Development would not affect the statutory purposes and special qualities of any statutory landscape designation, including the nearby North Arran National Scenic Area (NSA), due to either a complete lack of visibility, or a very limited visual presence of the proposed turbines during all development phases (construction, operation and decommissioning). The (nonstatutory) Areas of Panoramic Quality (AoPQ) designations maintained by Argyll and Bute Council would undergo only localised minor change in view, which would not affect the integrity of these designations. 3.6 The short term (for the duration of the construction period) presence of the cranes for construction and decommissioning would give rise to significant effects locally (within up to 2 km) on landscape character as a precursor to the erection and operation of the proposed turbines. All other temporary effects associated with the construction period are assessed as Not Significant. 3.7 The effects of the operational Development upon the landscape fabric of the Development Site and immediately surrounding area would not be Significant. The Development would be located within extensive and dense commercial forestry and only localised loss of vegetation cover would occur (comprising trees which would be felled in due course as part of ongoing forestry operations regardless of the presence of the Development). Page 8

12 3.8 Significant effects upon landscape character during the construction (beginning with the introduction of the turbines, removal of trees, and the addition of features such as access tracks and construction compounds) and operational stage of the Development would be experienced within one landscape character type, which is 6: Upland Forest Moor Mosaic. In this case, significant effects would occur in the vicinity of the proposed turbines only (up to approximately 2 km away) and wider effects on the landscape types would not be significant due to the extensive forestry hiding the turbines from view, and the continued predominance of other, existing landscape characteristics. No Significant effects on seascape character would arise. 3.9 Significant visual effects would occur in only six of the thirty viewpoints assessed, as a result of the Development. Of the other viewpoints, seventeen would experience visual effect of Minor adverse or less as a result of the limited visibility of the Development (Viewpoint 3, 8, 13, 17, 19 and 29), the limited presence of the turbines in the mid-to-background of long range panoramic views (Viewpoints 10, 18, 21, 22 23, 25, 27 and 28) or where the influence of existing wind farms within the view reduces the presence of the Development so it becomes only a smaller part of the view (Viewpoint 7,16 and 20) In addition, a further seven viewpoints would experience no effects during operation (Viewpoints 4, 5, 9, 11, 24, 26 and 30) as visibility of the Development has been successfully avoided as part of the Development s design Although the design process has sought to minimise visual effects, significant visual effects would occur in respect of views from six of the thirty representative viewpoints selected for inclusion in the assessment: Viewpoint 1 (Kintyre Way north of the Development); Viewpoint 2 (North Muasdale); Viewpoint 6 (Sound of Gigha, recreational watercraft, west of Muasdale); Viewpoint 12 (Sound of Gigha, Gigha Ferry); Viewpoint 14 (Gigha South Pier); and Viewpoint 15 (Ardminish, Isle of Gigha) The effect on the view from Viewpoint 1 would be as a result of the scale and movement of the turbines which would be noticeable and may take away from the existing focus of the view. Viewpoint 2 is relatively close to the Development Site and the scale and movement of the turbines would form a new focus in the view along the valley. At Viewpoint 6 the hubs and blades of all of the turbines would be visible above the skyline and would create an added focus in sweeping views along the horizon. Viewpoint 12 is situated further north than Viewpoint 6 and due to the angle to the Development Site and covering effect of the surrounding land, less of the Development would be visible however the view of the ridgeline would be interrupted by turbine movement. At Viewpoints 14 and 15 the tops of the turbines would appear above the skyline of the Kintyre peninsula There are no settlements within 2 km of the Development Site. Only one settlement, Ardminish, some 9.5 km to the north west (on the Isle of Gigha), would experience a change in view which is assessed as potentially Significant as a result of the presence of the Development. This would result from views of the blades and hubs of the Development along the skyline in addition to those already experienced from adjacent wind farms. However, views of the Development would be partially screened and occur as part of the background view at a distance of 9 km. In relation to Page 9

13 transport and recreational routes, one vehicular route (Tayinloan - Gigha Ferry) and three Core Paths (C293, C095/096 and C539) are also expected to experience Significant visual effects The effects of decommissioning would be similar to those experienced during the construction period (albeit of smaller scale and shorter duration) and would also represent the progressive removal of adverse effects associated with the operational stage of the Development The assessment considered the potential for the Development to result in cumulative effects with other operational and consented developments and developments for which a planning application decision is pending. The cumulative effects upon landscape character are not expected to be much different to those identified for the Development in isolation, given the localised extent of influence of the proposed turbines in addition to the number of wind farm developments already present in the landscape, consented or awaiting determination The majority of visual receptors within the study area would not experience significant cumulative effects as a result of the addition of the Development. The exceptions to this are three viewpoints, one settlement (Ardminish), one transport route (Tayinloan to Gigha Ferry), and two recreational routes, where Significant cumulative effects are predicted. These are at locations where residual Significant effects are already predicted to occur. Although the Development would extend the visibility of wind farms from some viewpoints and receptor locations, it would generally appear as a less prominent feature in comparison to the proposed Creggan Wind Farm and would not increase the overall prominence of wind farms in views. Noise 3.17 A noise assessment was carried out to consider the effects of noise associated with the Development during construction, operation and decommissioning. The assessment also considered the potential for cumulative operational noise effects with the nearby proposed Creggan Wind Farm and Blary Wind Farm To inform the assessment, noise monitoring of the existing conditions in the vicinity of the site was carried out at a number of suitable locations agreed with Argyll and Bute Council. The monitoring equipment was installed in positions that were deemed to be representative of the background noise at nearby properties around the Development Site, which were identified as sensitive to potential noise effects, and away from obvious localised sources of noise Taking into account adherence to good industry practice measures as contained in British Standard 5228:2009+A1:2014, no significant adverse effects associated with the construction and decommissioning phases of the Development are predicted. These measures will be documented within Construction Environmental Management Plan that will be approved by Argyll and Bute Council prior to construction starting The assessment of the operational and cumulative noise effects associated with the Development was undertaken using the guidance contained in ETSU-R-97 and the current Institute of Acoustic guidance published in their document: A Good Practice Guide to the Application of ETSU-R-97 for the Assessment and Rating of Wind Turbine Noise. This is the standard approach endorsed by the Scottish Government It is predicted that noise levels at dwellings will not exceed the daytime and night-time noise limits (noise at the closest residential property is assessed to be at least 4dB below the noise limit in the Page 10

14 noisiest scenario and at most properties assessed as at least 10dB below the noise limit) and therefore no significant operational noise effects should occur Likewise, the predicted noise levels, when taking into account identified cumulative wind farms, are shown to comply with the noise limits at residential receptors and therefore no significant cumulative operational noise effects are predicted. Ecology 3.23 The EIA has considered the direct and in-direct effects of the Development on ecological resources. Ecological information on the existing conditions has been gathered through deskbased study and a range of field surveys The Development will be located almost wholly within coniferous plantation woodland, a habitat of relatively low ecological value compared with other local habitats. As such, the potential for significant ecological effects has already been minimised by good site selection. Additionally, the Environmental Statement sets out a range of good practice construction measures which will be incorporated within a Construction Environmental Management Plan for the Development No statutory or non-statutory designated sites of ecological interest are found to have ecological connectivity to the Development Site, with the closest (Rhunahaorine Point Site of Special Scientific Interest) 4.5 km to the north The construction of the Development (main site) will result in the permanent loss of approximately 32.9 hectares of habitat (mainly of local importance), the majority of which (approximately 17.6 hectares) will be coniferous plantation woodland habitat. Without mitigation this effect would be considered significant; however a number of mitigation measures have been proposed and will be implemented by the Applicant, as described below In addition, the construction phase of the Development (upgrade of the permanent access track) has the potential to result in the loss of up to approximately 17.1 hectares of habitats (mainly of local importance). For the access track (a worst case of total vegetation clearance within 10 m either side of the existing site access track has been assumed). While this is a worst-case prediction, and the actual loss of habitat is likely to be less, such an effect prior to mitigation is considered to be Significant Mitigation in the form of impact avoidance measures, which will include work at detailed design phase to minimise the loss of habitats (undertaken in conjunction with a suitably qualified ecologist) as far as possible, and compensation planting will therefore be employed to reduce the potential effects of the Development on coniferous woodland habitat and access track habitats. The residual effect when taking account of avoidance measures and compensation planting is considered to be not significant The construction of the Development has been designed to reduce the permanent loss of upland habitat mosaic including blanket bog to less than 1% of the resource. The effect of the loss of less than 1% of habitat within the survey area is not considered significant. Nevertheless, compensation and enhancement measures will be implemented where possible to offset these losses; this is proposed to be incorporated into a Habitat Management Plan With the implementation of mitigation measures presented in the Environmental Statement, no adverse effects are predicted on important wildlife including otters, water vole, pine martens, red squirrels and brown trout. Page 11

15 3.31 All of the turbines are located within areas where bat activity is low; the Development layout has avoided locating turbines within 50 m of any woodland edge that has been shown to be used by foraging or commuting bats and bat roosts. The potential effect of habitat loss and disturbance on bats, and the effect of bats colliding with turbines, is therefore not considered to be significant The assessment included consideration of the potential for cumulative adverse effects with other wind farm developments in the cumulative scenario. No significant adverse cumulative effects were identified. Ornithology 3.33 An assessment of the potential effects of the Development on ornithological receptors (birds), including Red-Throated Divers, Hen Harrier, Golden Eagles, Kestrel, Golden Plover and Black Grouse, has been included in the Environmental Statement. The assessment has considered the potential for the following: Disturbance impacts during construction; Direct loss of habitat to nesting or feeding birds during operation; Indirect habitat loss due to displacement during operation; Risk of collision with turbines during operation and any associated increased mortality; and Cumulative impacts arising in combination with the operation of other wind farms located within the Argyll West and Islands Natural Heritage Zone (NHZ 14) The assessment was informed by a desk study and a range of field surveys, including: Moorland Breeding Birds (April to July in 2014 and 2015); Breeding Raptors (March to August in 2014 and 2015); Breeding Divers (April to August in 2014 and 2015); Black Grouse (April and May in 2014 and 2015); and Vantage Point Surveys (3 locations from November 2014 until April 2016) The Development Site is not subject to any statutory ornithological nature conservation designation, nor any non-statutory designation or reserves managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust The assessment concludes that no significant effects are predicted on birds due to disturbance during construction. Nevertheless, good practice measures will be followed to ensure potential disturbance is minimised, including: Breeding bird surveys will be conducted in advance of the construction works to assess the need for any restrictions on the timing of various construction activities; The construction works area will be minimised and clearly demarcated on the ground; An Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) will monitor all construction works undertaken during the bird breeding season; No construction activity will take place within one hour before or after dawn within 500 m of any black grouse lek during April or May (the breeding bird season); Bird diverters5 will be fitted to the permanent meteorological mast; and 3.37 During the operational phase of the Development, habitat loss is not predicted to result in significant effects on ornithology. The collision risk calculations carried out indicate that the 5 Visual bird deterrents that repels birds species and avoid collisions Page 12

16 Development will not have significant effects on any of the bird species recorded within the study area, either in isolation or cumulatively with other wind farms. Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology 3.38 The potential effects of the Development on geology, hydrology and hydrogeology, and flood risk have been considered within the EIA The existing environmental conditions were determined through a combination of desk-study and field surveys. The Development Site is located within the Kintyre Ground Water Body. The Ground Water Body is classified by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as having good groundwater quality and quantity. The Development Site is underlain by impermeable rocks, generally without groundwater. Shallow perched groundwater is present in the relative topographical lows and has allowed peat deposits to form Two main watercourses drain the Development Site: Clachaig Water and Barr Water. Various other minor watercourses are also present across the Development Site. All identified watercourses have an overall status of good with an ecological status of bad to good Peat probing surveys undertaken identified that peat occupies specific areas within the Development Site with the most extensive area recorded to the north of Loch a Mhadaidh in the south and east of the Development Site. Less extensive areas of peat were recorded around the centre of the Development Site and towards the western boundary. Peat was recorded to depths of between 0.5 m and 5.6 m In order to minimise the potential for adverse impacts on hydrology, hydrogeology and geology, a number of considerations were taken into account within the design of the Development. These measures included designing the layout of the Development to avoid areas of deep peat (no infrastructure has been placed in area of peat greater than 2 m in depth) and watercourses. Existing access tracks have been used where possible in order to minimise the requirement for access tracks and watercourse crossings. As well as this, new access tracks will be located more than 100 m from Private Water Supplies and other infrastructure (e.g. borrow pits) will be sited more than 250 m from Private Water Supplies Additionally, to ensure that no significant environmental effects arise, detailed good practice mitigation measures will be included within a Construction Environmental Management Plan, Geotechnical Risk Register, and a Peat Management Plan (PMP) which would be approved by Argyll and Bute Council before construction work begins With the implementation of these mitigation measures, no significant residual effects on hydrology, hydrogeology and geology resources are predicted as a result of the Development, either in isolation or cumulatively in combination with other wind farms identified in the cumulative scenario. Carbon Balance 3.45 The carbon balance of the Development has been calculated using a Scottish Government spreadsheet tool. This tool allows site-specific inputs to be used to give estimates of the quantities of carbon emitted as a consequence of construction of the wind farm, and then saved by the wind farm (by creating clean energy which does not emit carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) during its operation) The expected CO 2 saving over the 25 year lifetime of the Development is predicted to be over 1.8 million tonnes of CO 2, equivalent to the emissions from supplying fossil-fuel source electricity Page 13

17 (coal, oil and gas) to 25,578 homes. The predicted payback time (defined as the period of wind farm operation required until there is a net saving of CO 2 ) is expected to be 2.3 years, or 9.2% of the Development s design life. The detailed carbon balance calculations can be found in ES Volume 3, Appendix 11.4: Carbon Balance Assessment. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 3.47 The EIA considers the potential effects of the Development on archaeological and heritage resources in terms of direct physical effects on potential receptors within the Development Site, indirect visual effects on setting, and cumulative effects (direct and indirect) The assessment considers two study areas: An inner study area of 1 km from the Development Site boundary; and A second, wider study area of 10 km from the Development boundary to determine potential for impacts on the setting of receptors The assessment was undertaken following the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) Standards and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment (2014) and Historic Scotland s guidance note, Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Setting (2010) A total of 167 heritage sites are located within the inner study area, 1 km from the Development Site, dating from the prehistoric period onwards. There are no World Heritage Sites, Registered Battlefields, entries on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes, or Conservation Areas within the Study Area. The list includes five Scheduled Monuments and one Category A listed building. Of these, 70 heritage assets were recorded within, or immediately adjacent to the Development Site. The design of the Development has taken the location of these features into account and as such there should be no physical impacts on any of the assets identified In addition to the assets recorded, the potential for previously unrecorded archaeological sites was noted within the Development Site. The Environmental Statement puts forward a recommendation for a programme of archaeological works to be carried out prior to construction taking place at the site to determine whether there is scope for survival of archaeological features and to identify unknown archaeology. The residual effect on unrecorded assets is determined to be minor adverse and therefore not significant The potential for impacts on the setting of assets was considered over the wider 10 km study area. Only those assets which fell within the Development s Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) (i.e. those assets which would potentially have views of the Development ignoring the screening effects of intervening vegetation and buildings) and where setting contributed to their significance were taken forward for assessment. A total of 68 assets were included in the setting assessment The assessment concluded that there would be minor adverse effects, which are not considered significant, on the following assets (or clusters of assets): Dunan Muasdale, Scheduled Monument; Dunan Buidhe, Scheduled Monument; Dun Sheallaidh, Scheduled Monument; Dun Ach na h-atha, Scheduled Monument; Carragh Muasdale standing stone, Scheduled Monument; Achamore House, old parish church, Scheduled Monument; Dun Chibhich, Scheduled Monument; Page 14

18 Cara Chapel, listed building; Low Clachaig cup marked boulders, Scheduled Monument; Cup and ring marked stones, Scheduled Monument; Gigha and Cara Parish Church, listed building; and Rock Art Panels, Scheduled Monument Although it is recognised that the sensitivity of these heritage assets is high, there would be no change or a negligible degree of change in the setting of these assets. Therefore, overall, it is not considered that the Development would have any significant adverse effects The assessment included consideration of the potential for cumulative adverse effects with other wind farm developments in the cumulative baseline scenario. No significant adverse cumulative effects were identified. Socio-Economics and Tourism 3.56 The Environmental Statement includes an assessment of the likely effects of the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Development, as well as an assessment of the Proposed Development with other identified cumulative developments, on: Socio-economics: the local communities and associated economies in the vicinity of the Development; and Tourism and recreation: tourist/visitor attractions as well as recreational land uses or resources such as visitor centres and walking or cycling routes Research undertaken by Renewable UK (2015) estimates that 2.49 net construction jobs are created for each 1 MW of onshore wind. Based on a maximum output of 47.6 MW, it is predicted that 118 net construction jobs would be created during the construction phase of the Development. The proportion of jobs which would be local is uncertain and, taking that into account, the effect of these new jobs on the local economy is predicted to be minor beneficial and not significant The construction and decommissioning phases of the Development are predicted to have a minor beneficial effect on the local economy associated with contract staff using the local facilities such as accommodation, shops, and cafes/restaurants A range of tourist attractions are present in the Argyll area including sites of historical, cultural or natural interest. There are also sites or linear routes which support a diverse range of outdoor recreational activities including walking, cycling, angling, picnicking and horse riding. There are many Public Rights of Way within the study area (defined as within 5 km for socio-economic effects and within 20 km for effects relating to tourism and recreation), including a variety of core paths Public access along the stretch of the Kintyre Way that coincides with the Development access route is likely to temporarily be restricted during construction to ensure works are carried out safely (e.g temporarily stopping access during deliveries). The access track will be partitioned to create temporary footpaths to mitigate against restricted access and to ensure connectivity along the Kintyre Way during the construction period. Signage will be used to raise awareness of construction and promote safe use of alternative routes and temporary footpaths around the Development. The Applicant will provide adequate signage and appropriate advertising of any temporary restrictions to access. Further details will be provided in the Transport Management Page 15

19 Plan (TMP) to be prepared post consent. With appropriate mitigation in place, no significant residual effects in relation to land use, public access and recreation are anticipated No significant effects on the economy or tourism assets, including tourist attractions, tourist routes such as the Kintyre Way, and accommodation providers are predicted during the operational phase. However, the Development will generate a minor beneficial local economic effect as a result of community funding that would be provided by the Applicant. The total value of the community funding associated with the Development could be up to 238,000 per year ( 5,000 per MW), which equates to 5.9 million over the lifetime of the Development. Traffic, Transport and Access 3.62 Permanent access to the Development Site would be taken via the existing Killean Estate junction of the A83 and will follow the existing Cross-Kintyre Timber Haul Route heading east before heading south towards the main Development Site entrance (see Figure 2). Upgrades to this junction are required to facilitate access for abnormal loads associated with the delivery of wind turbine parts Abnormal load traffic is expected to travel from Campbeltown north to the Development Site along the A83. Access to the Development Site would be via an upgraded site access track from the A83. Other construction traffic (non-abnormal load) would arrive to the site from the A83 from the south or via the A816 / A83 from the north The A83 and A816 are predominantly rural in nature with little development fronting these roads and punctuated only with intermittent access to fields and private dwellings. As such, traffic effects during construction are not considered to be significant. Temporary effects, which are not assessed as Significant, such as increased journey times, are predicted for road users on the A83 and A816, particularly during the initial construction of access tracks and during periods when abnormal loads are delivered to the site A Transport Management Plan (TMP) would be produced for approval by Argyll and Bute Council in consultation with Police Scotland and Transport Scotland. The TMP would confirm the routing proposals for the abnormal loads (principally delivery of turbine components) and construction equipment and materials, timing of deliveries, route condition surveys and measures proposed to mitigate potential transport effects such as setting speed limits and informative road signage, as necessary With these appropriate mitigation measures in place, no significant residual effects from construction or decommissioning traffic are predicted to arise either as a result of the Development or cumulatively with other developments considered within the cumulative assessment. During the operational phase of the Development, only a small number of staff will visit the Development Site to undertake inspections or maintenance activities. The operation of the Development is therefore not expected to generate a large number of vehicular trips other than occasional maintenance trips. Infrastructure and Telecommunications 3.67 A number of telecommunication links and utility infrastructure assets have been identified in the general area, some of which lie within the Development boundary. The layout of turbines, meteorological mast, access tracks and associated infrastructure has been designed to accommodate the specific requirements of infrastructure and telecommunications stakeholders. Page 16

20 Given the distance between the nearest dwellings and any proposed turbines (852 m, and 1,518 m), significant effects on TV signals are not expected to occur. Similarly, radio reception is not expected to be affected All of the equipment associated with the Development has been sited away from telecommunications links, at distances well in excess of required separation/ clearance distances. Therefore no effects on existing infrastructure are predicted to occur as a result of the Development. In addition, as any potential effects would be entirely local in nature, cumulative effects are also not expected to occur The Applicant will continue to engage with service providers throughout the construction phases to ensure that the Development will not cause adverse effects to existing infrastructure. Air Safeguarding 3.70 An Aviation Impact Assessment was undertaken to determine the potential effects of the Development on aviation interests (civil and military), which can be affected by wind farm development either physically obstructing aviation activity or affecting radar or air traffic services Potential aviation stakeholders were identified in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidance (CAP 764, 2013) and consideration was given to any en-route and air defence radars within operational range of the Development Site Through a combination of preliminary assessment and consultation with relevant aviation stakeholders, it was determined that due to substantial intervening terrain the Development would either not interact or would not have any significant effects on Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Campbeltown Airport, Gigha Island Airfield, Ministry Of Defence Benbecula, and National Air Traffic Services (NATS) infrastructure The Development Site is located within Low-Flying System Low Flying Area 14, which is an important area for Low Flying activity; however, the airspace in the vicinity of the Development is considered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to be of low priority. Appropriate site notification will be provided to the MOD prior to the erection of the proposed turbines. No significant residual effect is expected on low flying operations during the construction phase During operation, the wind turbines have the potential to affect low flying training. The installation of aviation obstruction lighting will provide sufficient mitigation for Military Low Flying activities. Appropriate agreement for any lighting requirement would be determined following consultation with the Ministry of Defence. As a result, no significant effects are expected on low flying operations during the operational phase of the Development. Forestry 3.75 The woodlands within the Development Site form the approved High Clachaig Forest Design Plan (FDP) area which will become part of a wider Land Management Plan covering mid-kintyre The Environmental Statement considers how the Development will affect the adopted Forest Design Plan for High Clachaig Forest and presents a felling and restocking plan that would form part of a future Wind Farm Forest Design Plan. The total forestry study area extends to 1, hectares and comprises State owned and managed woodlands The species composition of the forest would change as a result of the Development due to the redesign of the forest. In particular: Page 17

21 The area of Sitka spruce and Sitka spruce other conifer mixtures would decrease from 54.04% in the baseline restocking plan to 51.71%; The total proportion of open ground would increase from 42.42% to 44.69% A change in the pattern of timber harvesting would also occur, with part of the felling programme being advanced. As a result, the total volume of timber to be harvested over the plan period would decrease by 59,806 cubic metres (m 3 ) (16.5%). As a consequence there would be a net loss of woodland area as a result of the Development. The area of stocked woodland would decrease by 2.26%, which is the equivalent to hectares In order to comply with the criteria of the Scottish Government s Control of Woodland Removal Policy, off-site compensation planting is required. The Applicant is committed to providing appropriate compensation planting through agreement with Forestry Commission Scotland and will be attached to the planning consent. The extent, location and composition of such would be agreed with Forestry Enterprise Scotland, taking into account any revision to the felling and restocking plans prior to the commencement of construction. Shadow Flicker 3.80 Shadow flicker describes the flickering effect created when a moving shadow of a rotating wind turbine rotor blade periodically casts a shadow across a constrained opening, such as a window, or open door of a nearby property. Shadow flicker occurs when a particular combination of conditions coincide in specific locations at particular times of the day and year. It happens when the sun is low in the sky and shines on a building from behind a turbine rotor. This can cause the shadow of the turbine blades to be cast onto the building, which appears to flick on and off as the turbine rotates. When this flicking shadow is viewed through a narrow opening it is known as shadow flicker The only residential property identified that has the potential to be affected by shadow flicker from the operation of the Development is High Clachaig. A site visit was undertaken to determine the location of windows at the High Clachaig property The shadow flicker analysis showed that, taking the expected number of sunshine hours into account, it is predicted as a worst case that shadow flicker would only occur at this property for a maximum of 4 hours per year (taking into account average daylight hours). This could occur during end May and mid-july but no single event would last more than a maximum of 15 minutes. In practice, local screening, and the fact that turbine blades may not be moving during the hours when there is potential for shadow flicker to occur, would mean the actual amounts of shadow flicker which would be expected to arise would be significantly less than the assessment has predicted The site visit also confirmed that none of the windows of this property face the direction of the Development; therefore in practice shadow flicker should not affect occupants in this property In addition, the turbines are located approximately 1.1 km from the nearest core path/ cycle route and are well in excess of the 3 times blade tip height, m, separation distance recommended by the British Horse Society (2014). Effects on horse riders and pedestrians are therefore expected to be Negligible Therefore no significant effects are expected as a result of the Development either individually or cumulatively in combination with other wind farms relating to shadow flicker. Page 18

22 4.0 Summary and Conclusions 4.1 The potential environmental effects of the Development have been identified and assessed in accordance with regulatory requirements and good practice and are reported within the Clachaig Glen Wind Farm Environmental Statement (ES Volume 2a). This has provided an outline of the key findings of the Environmental Statement. 4.2 In order to minimise the potential environmental effects of the Development, the wind farm layout has evolved through a series of design iterations, which have responded to the findings of the EIA process and the consultation undertaken. 4.3 As a result of the construction of the Development, a small number of temporary, minor residual adverse effects are predicted to arise. However the majority of the residual adverse construction and decommissioning phase effects identified in the Environmental Statement have been assessed as being sufficiently mitigated in terms of the measures proposed and therefore Not Significant. 4.4 Within the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, significant residual effects on one landscape character area as a precursor to the erection and operation of the proposed turbines has been predicted during the construction phase. These would occur locally, i.e. within the vicinity of the proposed turbines only up to approximately 2 km away. 4.5 In addition, a small number of significant residual effects have been identified with respect to the landscape and visual impact of the Development during its operation: Significant adverse effects on one Landscape Character Area: LCT 6: Upland Forest Floor Mosaic; and Significant adverse effects on six of the thirty viewpoints considered in the visual assessment Viewpoints 1 (Kintyre Way north of the Development Site), 2 (North Muasdale), 6 (Sound of Gigha, recreational watercraft west of Muasdale); 12 (Sound of Gigha, Gigha Ferry), 14 (Gigha South Pier) and 15 (Ardminish, Isle of Gigha); Significant adverse effects on the views from one settlement, Ardminish (on the Isle of Gigha), sections of one vehicular route (Tayinloan - Gigha Ferry) and sections of three Core Paths (C293, C095/096 and C539). 4.6 Minor beneficial effects will also result from job creation and increased local spend in the construction and decommissioning phases. 4.7 During the operational phase, a number of further minor adverse effects have been identified within this Environmental Statement. These include minor adverse effects on Scheduled Monuments. However these and the majority of effects during the operational phase have also been assessed as being sufficiently mitigated in terms of the measures proposed and therefore Not Significant. 4.8 The EIA has also determined minor beneficial effects during operation such as a community fund to be provided by the Applicant. The operational Development will also have a Minor beneficial effect (not significant) on carbon savings. 4.9 The overall conclusion of this Environmental Statement is that as a result of the careful design and having regard to the mitigation measures, there will be very few Significant residual adverse effects resulting from implementation of the Development. Page 19

23 5.0 References British Horse Society (2014). Advice on Wind Turbines and Horses Guidance for Planners and Developers. Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (2014). Standards and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment. Civil Aviation Authority (2013). CAP 764 Policy and Guidelines on Wind Farm. Version 5. DTI (1996). ETSU R 97 The Working Group on Noise from Wind Turbines: The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind farms. ETSU Report ETSU R 97. Forestry Commission Scotland (2009). The Scottish Government s Policy on Control of Woodland Removal. FCS, Edinburgh. Historic Scotland, (2010). Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Setting. Historic Scotland Institute of Acoustics (2013). Institute of Acoustics Working Group, A Good Practice Guide to the Application of ETSU-R-97 For The Assessment And Rating Of Wind Turbine Noise. Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (2006) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom (version 7 July 2006). Renewable UK (April 2015). Onshore Wind: Economic Impacts in Scottish Government, (2011). Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations Page 20

24 Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Development Boundary Location Plan Final Layout Page 21

25 This document has been prepared by AECOM for the sole use of our Client (the "Client") and in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and terms of reference agreed between AECOM and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by AECOM, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. No third party may rely upon this document without the prior and express written agreement of AECOM. KEY: Ü Development Site 0 Title: Client: Project: CLACHAIG GLEN WIND FARM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Crown copyright and database rights Ordnance Survey Drawn: FIGURE 1 DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY LOCATION PLAN One Trinity Gardens Quayside Newcastle, NE1 2HF Verified: LC AM 10,000 Metres Checked: Approved: Tel +44 (0) Date: MAY 2016 Scale at A3: Fax +44 (0) HC_160506_NTS1_v2 Drawing Number: LC NT 1:250,000 A3

26

27 This document has been prepared by AECOM for the sole use of our Client (the "Client") and in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and terms of reference agreed between AECOM and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by AECOM, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. No third party may rely upon this document without the prior and express written agreement of AECOM. Ü BP 01 T1!! T3 BP 02! T2 T4 BP 03!! T5 ^_ WC 01 T8! BP 04 WC 03 T6!! T7 ^_ WC 02 ^_! T10! WC 04 ^_ T9! WC 05 ^_ T11! KEY: Development Site T12!! T14 BP 05 WC 06 ^_! T13! Proposed Turbine Location! Proposed Met Mast Location ^_ ^_ Proposed Watercourse Crossing of Existing Track Proposed New Watercourse Crossing FES Existing Road Proposed Access Track Proposed Crane Pad and Laydown Area BP 06 Proposed Construction Compound Proposed Substation Indicative Borrow Pit Location - Not forming part of this application Metres Client: Title: Drawn: LC Checked: LC Project: CLACHAIG GLEN WIND FARM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FIGURE 2 FINAL LAYOUT One Trinity Gardens Quayside Newcastle, NE1 2HF Tel +44 (0) Fax +44 (0) Verified: Date: AM MAY 2016 Approved: Scale at A3: Drawing Number: HC_160509_NTS2_v3 NT 1:12,500 A3 Crown copyright and database rights Ordnance Survey