Seneca Wind Cluster. Non Technical Summary May 2013 SENECA GLOBAL ENERGY

Transcription

1 Seneca Wind Cluster Non Technical Summary May 2013 SENECA GLOBAL ENERGY

2 Non-Technical Summary This document presents a Non Technical Summary (NTS) of the Environmental Statement (ES), which has been submitted in support of an application for planning consent to construct and operate the proposed Seneca Wind Cluster. The Seneca Wind Cluster is a proposed wind energy development of two turbines located at the Melton waste transfer station which is operated by Transwaste Limited and is located at Melton Common, south of Melton in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Seneca Global Energy Limited is proposing to develop the Seneca Wind Cluster to deliver renewable energy both for the site and for export to the grid, and to provide an opportunity to showcase modern wind energy technology in a location where it can assist with the wider development of a wind energy manufacturing and servicing hub on the Humber. The ES has been prepared under the Town and Country (Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations) The ES comprises four volumes in addition to this Non Technical Summary, as follows: Volume 1: Environmental Statement presents the full text of the Environmental Statement and full details of the environmental impact assessment that has been completed following the various technical assessments; Volume 2: Figures - contains supporting figures and visualisations supplementing the findings presented within Volume 1; Volume 3: Design and Access Statement explains the design principles and concepts that have been applied to this particular scheme; and Volume 4: includes the Technical Appendices including the LVIA and ecological assessments. (The cover photo shows an existing Enercon E-82 wind turbine in Northumberland, an example of the turbine type proposed at the Seneca wind cluster) Page 1

3 The Applicant The project is being developed by Seneca Global Energy, a renewable energy generator based in Hartlepool, which specialises in landfill gas, energy from waste and wind energy. The Agent The Energy Workshop (TEW) is a specialist wind energy consultancy based in Huddersfield. TEW has been in business for twenty years and the team has over sixty years combined experience in the renewables sector. TEW has worked with a wide range of clients including npower renewables, Enviros, Clipper, BT, ENECO, e-gen, Element, the Department of Trade and Industry (now BIS and DECC) and TNEI. TEW specialise in managing wind energy proposals of all scales through to operation and its staff have played a lead role in the consenting of some thirty wind energy projects throughout the UK. The Environmental Impact Assessment Process Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process intended to ensure that developments with potentially significant effects on the environment are granted permission only after full consideration of the likely significant environmental effects and suitable mitigation or management measures identified. The Seneca Wind Cluster proposal has been the subject of a detailed EIA, the scope of which has been determined by a Screening Response issued by the Local Planning Authority, and through further consultation with the East Riding Council and other interested organisations. This is reproduced as Appendix 3.1 of the ES. Climate Change Energy underpins virtually every aspect of our society and economy. The use of fossil fuels such as gas and coal, which currently provide the bulk of our energy, releases greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere. It is generally accepted that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to help lessen the effects of climate change. One way of delivering a meaningful reduction in the emission of potentially harmful gases is to generate electricity from sources that emit low or even zero levels of greenhouse gases, such as renewable sources. The UK Government recognises that renewable energy, from sources such as onshore wind farms, can tackle the causes of climate change and can also help to deliver sustainable economic growth. Clear targets for renewable electricity have been set by the Government, with 15% of all energy consumed in the UK to come from renewable sources by 2020, i.e. all energy sources and not just electricity. In the light of the difficulties in providing significant elements of fuel and heating from renewables by 2020, the Page 2

4 proportion of electricity supply that will have to come from renewables to balance this out will need to be raised substantially to at least 30% Site Selection and Layout Design The ES for the Seneca project demonstrates that the application site is a suitable location for wind turbines. The design of the scheme has been proposed following detailed design work and consultation with key stakeholders. The site is considered to be suitable for a wind energy development on the basis of a range of selection criteria, which include the following: suitable wind speed (the average wind speed on site needs to be above a certain level to make the scheme economic); the availability of a potential grid connection close to site; the availability of suitable road access to the site; the site is a reasonable distance from residential properties; the site is outside national and international environmental designations (e.g. National Parks); the site does not support any Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or other areas designated as of conservation importance within its boundaries; there is no known conflict with civil or military aviation, including radar systems. Seneca have instructed numerous surveys and assessments over an extended period of investigation to further understand the site, and to identify any constraints, which could affect its viability. The key assessments carried out as part of the ES are summarised below. The Proposed Development The proposed development consists of two wind turbines each with an installed capacity of up to 2.5 Megawatts (MW). The project consists of the following elements: two wind turbines, with a maximum tip height of 130m; external transformer housings adjacent to each turbine; crane hard standings adjacent to each turbine; permanent access tracks, passing places and a single watercourse crossing to gain access to the site and between the turbines; a combined substation, control building, site office and store; a buried cable from the substation to the local on-site 33 kv distribution network; buried electrical and fibre-optic cabling; The construction of the project is anticipated to take around six months. Page 3

5 The proposed layout of the project is shown in Figures 1.2 and 1.3 of the ES. The assessments within the ES are based on a development of two wind turbines, with a maximum height to blade tip of no more than 130m. The turbine towers would be of tapering tubular steel construction and the blades would be made from fibre-reinforced epoxy. The finish of the turbine would be semi-matt and non-reflective pale grey. The turbines would generate electricity at wind speeds between 2.5 and 28 metres per second (m/s). At wind speeds greater than 28m/s (56mph), the turbines would automatically shut down to prevent damage as well as for safety reasons. In general, such high wind conditions usually only occur for three or four days a year. The Seneca Wind Turbines would be connected to the local electricity network onsite via an on-site electrical control building, which would be a newly constructed building. The project would be decommissioned at the end of its 30-year life and the site reinstated. Decommissioning will take account of the environmental legislation and technology available at the time. Screening A request for a screening opinion relating to a proposed development of three wind turbines on the site, with a larger tip height of up to 180m, was submitted to the East Riding Council in April The Council subsequently advised that an EIA would be required for the proposed development in May The screening opinion stated that the Council had reached this conclusion as: The Screening Opinion of the LPA is that the development does comprise EIA development, given its scale and proximity to the Humber Estuary. An Environmental Assessment does need to be submitted with the application. The scope of this EIA has, therefore, focussed on the key aspects of concern identified in the Screening Letter, which are the potential visual and ecological impacts of the proposed development Planning Policy The development site lies within the East Riding of Yorkshire. TEW have carefully considered international, national, regional and local policy throughout the preplanning process. International and national policy confirms that local planning authorities should give significant weight to the wider environmental, community and economic benefits of proposals for renewable energy schemes. This should include the contributions such schemes make towards renewable energy targets, to mitigating the causes of climate change and to reducing the consumption of finite natural resources. Page 4

6 The Seneca Wind Cluster would make a small but significant contribution towards the national aims of promoting sustainable development and the use of renewable energy, with limited impact on the natural/historic environment. Landscape and Visual Effects A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) of the Seneca proposal has been undertaken by ASH design+assessment, who were commissioned to determine the effects of the scheme on the landscape and visual resource. As part of the landscape and visual assessment, computer-modelled maps have been produced which show the predicted Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) of the proposed Wind Turbines, within 30km of the site. A ZTV is shown in Figure 7.2 and photomontage views from nearby viewpoints are shown in Figures a through to b. The LVIA concludes that the proposed development is positioned in an appropriate location. The siting of the two turbines and their semi-industrial location at a low elevation has ensured that adverse landscape and visual effects are minimised. The visualisations indicate that turbines of this height (130m to tip) can be accommodated within this landscape. Ecology & Ornithology A range of ecological assessments have been undertaken to investigate the ornithological and other ecological interest of the site in accordance with relevant guidance published by Natural England and others. A number of ecological receptors were identified, including designated sites, habitats, bats and breeding and non-breeding birds. There are not predicted to be any significant adverse effects on statutory or non-statutory designated sites. All potential effects of the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Development on ecological receptors were assessed as of low magnitude and are not significant, either alone, or cumulatively with other plans and projects. Mitigation is proposed to avoid or minimise adverse impacts comprising on-going monitoring and a curtailment strategy for bats and precautionary methods of working for other protected species. Habitat enhancements are proposed in conjunction with a proposed ditch diversion. No mitigation is required in relation to ornithology due to predicted low significance of collision risk. It is concluded that potential for ecology and ornithology to be adversely affected by the current proposal is extremely unlikely. Residential Amenity Noise A full Noise Assessment has been undertaken by Dragonfly Acoustics, and is reproduced as Appendix 9.1. This described the potential noise levels caused by the proposed wind turbines at the nearest Noise Sensitive Receptors. It then compared the results with the relevant criteria. Page 5

7 At the time of the assessment, in April 2013, the calculated turbine noise levels at Noise Sensitive Receptors at all the reference wind speeds was below both the daytime and night-time noise criteria recommended by ETSU. The Noise Assessment therefore concludes that the predicted noise levels from the proposed turbines would not exceed the noise limits defined in ETSU-R-97 and therefore will not adversely affect local amenity. Shadow Flicker Rotating turbine blades cast moving shadows, which could, under certain conditions, cause flickering. Shadow flicker is the term used to describe the effect of those shadows passing a narrow opening (usually a window). The resultant effect can be a shadow appearing to quickly turn on and off as blades pass the opening in succession. There are limited atmospheric conditions under which shadow flicker may occur and occurrence relates to the position of the sun relative to the turbines and the opening. The Energy Workshop Limited (TEW) carried out an assessment of potential shadow flicker effects caused by the proposed turbines. Government planning guidance advises that the distance over which this effect can occur is generally within ten times the rotor diameter of the proposed wind turbines. In the case of the Seneca Project, this effect could potentially occur within a radius of 820m from the proposed turbines. There are several receptor locations within this radius, which could potentially experience weak shadow flicker resulting in potential impacts of low significance. If complaints concerning shadow flicker were, however, to arise, mitigation measures such as installing window blinds or curtailing turbine operation could be implemented. Conclusions While the ES identifies a number of residential properties within 1km of the proposed turbines, there are not predicted to be any unacceptable effects on the residential amenity of the residents of these properties from either noise, shadow flicker or the visual impact of the proposed turbines as perceived from the properties in question. Access and Traffic The proposed delivery route for turbine components is as follows: Travel from port of disembarkation (Hull) westwards along A63 Leaving westbound A63 at Melton Industrial Area junction Travel west along Monks Way East and West dual carriageway Exit left at second roundabout to follow Gibson Lane (South) Cross railway level-crossing on Gibson Lane South A new site access point will be created on the east of Gibson Lane South Page 6

8 The proposed access route is illustrated on Figure The construction period for the proposed wind farm would be a short-term period of four to six months. Impacts from construction over this period have been assessed as negligible. Vehicle numbers for the operational phase of the wind cluster would represent a tiny proportion of the predicted traffic levels on the access route following the construction of the wind farm. Impacts on vehicle flows to the local road network during the operational phase of the project would also therefore be negligible. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage No significant direct effects are anticipated upon archaeological features within the site, although some measures are proposed to ensure that the potential for buried remains to be encountered is addressed, and that other features within the site boundary are protected from accidental encroachment during construction. No significant effects on the settings of any scheduled ancient monuments outwith the site are predicted. Any potential effects upon settings are considered temporary, lasting only for the consented life of the turbine, and are fully reversible upon decommissioning. Electromagnetic Interference and Air Safeguarding Wind turbines can potentially affect electromagnetic transmissions in two ways: by blocking of or deflecting of line of sight transmissions (as with any large structure), or by the dispersal of signals. TEW contacted the operators of all known telecommunication and radio links. One link, managed by the British ports Authority, was initially identified as being of potential concern. A further study was therefore undertaken which confirmed that there would be no impact on this link. As a result, no adverse impacts are predicted on the telecommunications network. It is current industry practice to include a planning condition specific to TV interference issues. Such conditions specify that, where a deterioration in TV reception can be attributed to the wind turbine(s) in question, the developer is required to provide an alternative service at their cost within a specified time period. The use of such a condition here would provide effective mitigation of any effects in television reception arising as a result of the operation of the turbines. It is also noted that the recent switch to a digital service delivers additional significant mitigation as digital services are largely unaffected by wind turbines. Consultation was also undertaken with the Ministry of Defence, Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services (NATS). No objection is anticipated from any aviation stakeholder. Page 7

9 Air Quality A key driver in the development of renewable energy is the resultant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants that will occur as conventional energy sources are replaced. The ES concludes that the turbines would supply electricity equivalent to the average demand of around 2,236 households, equivalent to 250% of population of Welton Parish. Through generating electricity from a renewable source, the project would also prevent the emission of around 4,520 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, or 135,600 tonnes over a 30 year operating lifetime. Socio Economic Impacts The total installed capacity of the Seneca Wind Cluster will be between 4 and 5 MW (depending on the specification of the wind turbines used). The clean, renewable electricity produced by the turbines will not have a significant effect on tourism. Whilst visitors may note their presence, there is no substantial evidence to indicate that it will affect either visitor numbers or visitor-spend within the area. Wind energy is the UK s fastest growing energy sector creating jobs with every MW installed. To date, over 10,000 jobs are sustained by companies working in the wind sector, and this is projected to increase as the industry grows. The development of the project will bring with it a limited demand for construction materials and related employment within the local area. Local companies could benefit from the construction of the project through tendering for contracts worth around 1,500,000. The operation of the project will support the equivalent of one full-time job. The investment in this project has the potential to generate a range of economic and social effects and opportunities for local businesses, most notably employment opportunities and local spending. Overall it is considered that the Seneca Wind Cluster will have a positive socio-economic effect. Page 8

10 Contact Details The application is available for inspection at the East Riding Council offices in Beverley and the Hessle and Brough Customer Service Centres. Copies of the ES can be requested from The Energy Workshop at the following address (copies on DVD and copies of this NTS will be provided free of charge; however, a charge of 80 will be made for hard copies to cover the cost of printing and postage). Address: Telephone: Website: The Energy Workshop The Media Centre Northumberland Street Huddersfield West Yorkshire HD1 1RL (calls charged at local rate) info@theenergyworkshop.co.uk Page 9