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Dell Wind Farm

ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Volume I

Non-Technical Summary

Dell Wind Farm Environmental Statement

Dell Wind Farm

ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Volume I

Non-Technical Summary July 2014


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Dell Wind Farm Non-Technical Summary

Contents

1. Preface ................................................................................................................................................................. 1

2. Introduction......................................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1. Background ....................................................................................................................................................... 2

2.2. The Proposed Site ............................................................................................................................................ 3 2.3. The Agent.......................................................................................................................................................... 3

2.4. The EIA Team ................................................................................................................................................... 3 3. Site Selection and Consideration of Alternatives ......................................................................................... 5 3.1. Site Selection .................................................................................................................................................... 5

3.2. Layout and Design............................................................................................................................................ 6 3.3. Consideration of Alternatives ........................................................................................................................... 6

3.4. Potential Benefits .............................................................................................................................................. 7 4. Planning Policy .................................................................................................................................................. 8

5. Environmental Impact Assessment ................................................................................................................ 9 5.1. Landscape and Visual ...................................................................................................................................... 9 5.2. Ecology (Habitats and Non-Bird Species)..................................................................................................... 12

5.3. Ornithology ...................................................................................................................................................... 13 5.4. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage ............................................................................................................... 15

5.5. Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology ........................................................................................................ 15 5.6. Noise ............................................................................................................................................................... 16

5.7. Traffic and Transportation .............................................................................................................................. 17 5.8. Telecommunications, Aviation and Air Defence ........................................................................................... 18 5.9. Socio-economics ............................................................................................................................................ 19

5.10. Waste .............................................................................................................................................................. 20 5.11. Climate Change .............................................................................................................................................. 20


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Figures

Figure 1 Site Location Figure 2 Layout of the Proposed Development Figure 3 Site Constraints Figure 4 Blade Tip Zone of Theoretical Visibility Map Figure 5 Viewpoint Location Plan Figure 6 Viewpoint 4 - Above Glendoe Dam Figure 7 Viewpoint 11 - B862, Stratherrick,/ General Wade’s Military Road to the south of Whitebridge Figure 8 Viewpoint 12 - Great Glen Way Figure 9 Viewpoint 17 - Summit of Meall Fuar-monaidh, 699m AOD


1. Preface 1.1.1. This Non-Technical Summary summarises the findings of the Environmental Statement (ES)

that accompanies the planning application submitted by Coriolis Energy Ltd (Coriolis, the Agent) on behalf of Dell Wind Farm Ltd (the Applicant) under the Town and Country Planning Act 1997 (as amended by the Planning Etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 to The Highland Council (THC) for a development called Dell Wind Farm at a site east of Fort Augustus in Inverness-shire.

1.1.2. The ES has been prepared by Jacobs (previously SKM Enviros) on behalf of the Applicant and comprises:

ES Volume I: Non -Technical Summary and Written Statement;

ES Volume II: Environmental Statement (main volume);

ES Volume III: Figures ;

ES Volume IV: Technical Appendices; and

ES Volume V: Confidential Appendix.

1.1.3. The full printed copy of the ES can be purchased at cost for £400 per copy. Alternatively, full sets of documents are available as Adobe Acrobat Files on CD for £10. Copies of the ES may be obtained from:

Coriolis Energy LLP Suite 406-407 Baltic Chambers 50, Wellington Street Glasgow G2 6HJ

1.1.4. The ES and planning application will also be available to view on The Highland Council’s e-planning website (http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam).

1.1.5. The public can view the ES at the following locations;

The Highland Council Glenurquhart Road Inverness IV3 5NX

The Highland Council Fort Augustus Service Point Memorial Hall Fort Augustus PH32 4DJ

1.1.6. Copies of this Non-Technical Summary are available free of charge, one per applicant, from address above.


2. Introduction 2.1. Background

2.1.1. This document is the Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out for the proposed Dell Wind Farm (hereafter referred to as the Proposed Development). The EIA has been prepared to support a planning application by the Applicant to build and operate a wind farm with associated infrastructure for an operational period of 25 years.

2.1.2. The location of the wind farm is shown in Figure 1 and the layout of the turbines, including access tracks and associated infrastructure is shown in Figure 2. The main components of the Proposed Development are outlined below:

Fourteen (14) wind turbines each with an anticipated rated capacity of about 3 MW and up to 130.5m in height to tip;

Foundations supporting the wind turbines;

Associated crane hardstandings (used during construction, operation, repair and decommissioning);

Transformers (one per turbine) which will be housed externally, next to the base of the turbine;

One new access bell mouth arrangement leading to a new track to serve the wind farm development from / onto the B862;

Two new access bell mouth arrangements from / onto the unclassified Killiechoilum / Ardochy road;

A new bridge across the river Allt Breineag between the B862 and the unclassified Killiechoilum / Ardochy road;

18.9km of access tracks within the application site from the B862, linking the infrastructure and the turbines. These are referred to as ‘field access’ to the north of the unclassified road to Killiechoilum / Ardochy, ‘estate access’ i.e. the upgrade of the existing estate track and ‘hill access’.

Three borrow pits (approximately 10 ha, 13 ha and 56 ha in area);

Underground cabling within the site, running in trenches alongside the access tracks where possible;

A permanent anemometry mast (up to 80 m) with associated foundations and hardstanding;

A substation and compound including electrical metering, stores and offices;

A control building containing stores, offices and welfare facilities;

Three temporary construction compounds and a temporary security office; and

A temporary anemometry mast (up to 80m) during the construction period for calibration purposes. This will be moved between turbine locations as required.


2.1.3. The grid connection will be the subject of a separate consent obtained by the electricity network operator under a separate consenting regime and is therefore not assessed as part of this application

2.1.4. Owing to the scale and nature of the Development, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been prepared in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment ((Scotland) Regulations 1999 as amended (‘The EIA Regulations”). The findings of the EIA, including detailed project mitigation proposals (measures for avoiding, reducing and minimising adverse environmental impacts), are documented in the Dell ES. The ES also describes both the potential and the likely environmental effects during each phase of the Development.

2.1.5. This NTS has been prepared to summarise the findings of the EIA in non-technical language. The publication and circulation of this NTS is hoped to further assist local communities and stakeholders in the understanding of the impacts of the Proposed Development in relation to its surrounding environment.

2.2. The Proposed Site

2.2.1. The application site refers to the land within the planning application red line boundary, which is located about 11km east of Fort Augustus within Dell Estate (see Figure 2). The application site lies on the western edge of the Monadhliath Mountains, arranged across a gently rolling plateau upland to the south of Carn Dubh, 762m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD), extending to Carn Easgann Bana, 779m AOD and above Coire Odhar in the south, 715m AOD.

2.2.2. The planning application site occupies a total area of 577 hectares (ha), approximately 1426 acres, and currently forms part of a Highland sporting estate. The application site can be divided in to two parts: an access corridor (332 ha) and a wind turbine area (245 ha). The access corridor runs through rough grazing, forestry and moorland, partly along an existing access track. Wet dwarf shrub heath is the main habitat within the access corridor. Most of the wind turbine area is above 700m and is characterised by upland peatland habitats.

2.2.3. The wind turbine area drains the two surface water catchments of Allt Breineag and Allt Odhor, both of which ultimately flow to Loch Ness via the River Foyers.

2.3. The Agent

2.3.1. Coriolis is a specialist onshore wind farm development company within the UK, founded by a group of experienced wind farm development professionals. The company has been responsible for the successful development of a number of large scale wind energy projects. Dell Wind Farm Ltd is a project-specific subsidiary of Coriolis.

2.3.2. Coriolis is active on many renewable energy policy and planning groups and is represented in major trade associations. The project managers have extensive experience of EIA work. Further background information is available at www.coriolis-energy.com.

2.3.3. Overall the team has the skills and resources to develop complex wind farm projects, and benefits from the team’s combined experience in the technical and planning issues relating to onshore wind energy development, essential for delivering robust wind farm proposals.

2.4. The EIA Team

2.4.1. Jacobs (formerly SKM Enviros) was commissioned as Lead Consultant to co-ordinate the EIA and prepare the ES for the proposed Dell Wind Farm.


2.4.2. Jacobs is an independent professional services consultancy firm with about 70,000 staff world-wide and offices throughout the UK. Jacobs has considerable experience in the development, construction and operation of wind farm developments throughout the UK, including the assessment of their environmental impacts.

2.4.3. Jacobs has also provided some of the required technical input to the EIA and co-ordinated other specialist consultants. Details of the principal authors for the technical topic chapters and a summary of how the ES has been put together by all the various parties are provided below.

Table 1.1 Contributors to the EIA

Discipline Author Qualifications Lead EIA Consultant Jacobs EIA Quality Mark Registrant

Planning and Policy Context Jacobs BSc (Hons) Zoology, MA Town and Country Planning

Landscape and Visual Assessment Jacobs BA (Hons) Landscape Architecture, MA Landscape

Architect, Member of the Landscape Institute

Non-avian Ecology Jacobs BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, MSc Conservation, Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

Ornithology Haworth Conservation

BSc Geology, MSc Landscape Ecology, PhD Moorland Management

Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

Headland Archaeology

BA (Hons) Medieval History, MA Archaeology, PhD Archaeology, Fellow of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland, Member of the Institute for Archaeologists

Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology Jacobs

BEng (Hons) Environmental Engineering

Noise Jacobs

BSc (Hons) Environmental Life Science MSc Environmental Management Post Graduate Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Monitoring Corporate Member of the Institute of Acoustics

Traffic and Transportation Jacobs

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering MSc Transport Engineering & Planning Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (MCILT) Member of the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (MI

Telecommunications, aviation and air defence Aviatica, Jacobs MA (Hons) Politics, MSc Rural and Regional Resources

Planning

Socio-economics Jacobs BSc (Hons) Chemistry, MSc Pollution and Environmental Control, Member of the Institute of Water and Environmental Management

Waste Jacobs BSc (Hons) Geography

Climate Change Jacobs BVMS Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, MSc Environmental Studies

Peat Slide Risk Assessment SLR Consulting BSc Hons Geology, MSc Environmental Technology and

Engineering, Fellow of the Geological Society


3. Site Selection and Consideration of Alternatives 3.1. Site Selection

3.1.1. The Applicant has considered a range of environmental, technical, legislative and economic factors when investigating opportunities for onshore wind farm developments. When assessing the suitability of potential sites, the following criteria are considered:

Technical and Locational Factors:

o Adequate wind speeds;

o Land availability;

o Access to electricity grid;

o Access for the delivery of turbines and associated infrastructure.

Environmental Factors:

o Sufficient scope to locate the development outside national and international statutory designations (and where possible regional or local designations) for landscape and nature conservation, including (but not limited to):

- Ramsar Sites;

- Special Protection Areas (SPA);

- Special Areas of Conservation (SAC);

- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI);

- National Nature Reserves (NNR);

- National Parks;

- National Scenic Areas (NSA);

o Relevant planning policy;

o Proximity to centres of population and non-involved residential properties;

o Direct impacts on nationally designated feature of cultural heritage (such as Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings) can be avoided;

o Aviation and defence interests;

o Cumulative effects with other developments;

o Visibility in sensitive areas; and

o Potential interference with telecommunications.

3.1.2. The Agent identified this site as a suitable site for a wind farm development as:

there was likely to be a suitable and strong wind resource;.

there were are no statutory designated environmental sites or landscape-related planning designations within the application site boundary;

there was adequate scope within the development area to design an acceptable wind farm development, including maintaining adequate separation from properties

there was a suitable access route without significant highways upgrades;


there was potential grid connection availability; and

for many of the reasons above, the application site has been defined with The Highland Council’s Draft Supplementary Guidance on Onshore Wind Energy (as redrafted and amended in March 2012) as being within a ‘Stage 3 – Areas of Search’ for wind farm developments. These are areas within which appropriate proposals for wind farm development are likely to be supported, subject to detailed consideration against the Highland-wide Local Development Plan, as they avoid European, national and locally designated environmental interests.

3.2. Layout and Design

3.2.1. Since the inception of the EIA, the proposed wind farm has undergone a number of changes in design to take account of the surrounding environment. Changes have been driven by specialist environmental studies, as reported in the ES, and from consultation with relevant stakeholders including Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), The Highland Council (THC) and members of the local community. The location of turbines and associated access tracks has been carefully chosen taking into account various site constraints, as described in Chapter 2: Site Selection and Design Evolution and as shown on Figure 3 Site Constraints.

3.2.2. Different layouts were tested during the design process and the turbine locations took into account technical constraints such as slope, watercourses and areas of deep peat. The iterative design process has also ensured that the turbines and associated infrastructure have avoided, wherever possible environmental constraints within the site such as any areas of sensitive ecology, archaeology and properties in the area. At the same time final site design has sought to ensure that the proposed wind turbines avoid visibility from certain sensitive viewpoints such as Urquhart Castle and that it avoids significant impact when viewed from many of the remaining viewpoints.

3.2.3. Following the detailed studies undertaken, a wind turbine layout (as shown in Figure 2) was considered the “best environmental fit” within the technical and environmental parameters of the project.

3.2.4. It is important to note that post-consent, should the application be consented, further site investigation will be carried out to inform the detail of environmental management plans and confirm the exact locations of turbines and access tracks. The planning application requests scope to microsite infrastructure up to 50m in order to minimise overall environmental affects.

3.3. Consideration of Alternatives

3.3.1. The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 Schedule 4 Part 1 requires an ES to provide “An outline of the main alternatives studied by the applicant or appellant and an indication of the main reasons for the choice made, taking into account the environmental effects”. This is not a requirement to consider alternatives, but rather a requirement to indicate why a particular choice is being made in cases where alternatives have been considered.

3.3.2. The Applicant continuously searches for and assesses the potential for suitable locations for wind farm development throughout the UK. The Proposed Development was selected during this search and is a renewable, low carbon electrical energy option aimed at significantly increasing the proportion of energy generated from renewable sources and meeting national targets.


3.3.3. There is an expectation from the Scottish Government, as expressed in the Scottish Planning Policy (SPP, 2014) that both strategic and local development planning authorities should identify where there is strategic capacity for wind farms, and areas with the greatest potential for wind development. Paragraph 161 of SPP notes that planning authorities should set out in the development plan a spatial framework identifying those areas that are likely to be most appropriate for onshore wind farms.

3.3.4. The information detailed in the ES does not consider alternative sites, but considers design layout and evolution of the design process, examining the suitability of the proposed site in line with the spatial framework identified in the SPP.

3.4. Potential Benefits

Renewable Energy

3.4.1. Climate change is regarded by many as one of the most serious threats facing the world’s environment, economy and society. The background to the current drive to increase the use of renewable sources of energy has its roots in the recognition that the burning of fossil fuels has an adverse effect on the climate of the world as a whole and that global measures are required to deal with it. International, European, UK and Scottish policies have become ever more focussed on the need to both prevent and mitigate the effects of climate change. The use of renewable resources as an increasing proportion of our total energy consumption is seen as a key part of the ultimate sustainable solution, alongside energy efficiency and conservation.

3.4.2. The UK Renewable Energy Strategy (RES) was published in 2009 and sets out the approach to achieving the targets for renewable energy. The legally binding target set out in the Climate Change Act 2008 is to obtain 15% of our energy from renewable sources by 2020. The scenario outlined in the RES envisages that in achieving this target, renewable electricity could rise to around 30% of total generation and that around two thirds of this figure should come from onshore and offshore wind.

3.4.3. In Scotland, the renewable electricity target for 2020 is set at 100% of Scotland’s gross annual electricity consumption. This does not mean that Scotland will be 100% dependent on renewable generation as it is the intention that the country will be generating twice as much electricity as Scotland needs and exporting as much electricity as is consumed.

Wind Farm Yield and Carbon Dioxide Displacement

3.4.4. Output predictions for the wind farm take into account the variable nature of the wind, downtime of the turbines due to maintenance and losses that are inherent in the wind farm design. Modern wind farms generate approximately 80% of the time although not always at maximum output.

3.4.5. The electricity produced by the Proposed Development will feed in to the electricity network. Wind energy reduces the demand for electricity generated by conventional power stations (often coal or gas) which vary their output to balance supply and demand on the network. Wind energy saves the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) predominantly through reduced consumption of a combination of both coal and gas. It is difficult to predict exactly what volume of emissions the wind farm will prevent as the amount of CO2 generated by a varying mix of conventional sources changes from year to year.

3.4.6. A carbon balance assessment carried out using the Scottish Government wind farm carbon calculator methodology estimates that the Proposed Development will produce an annual carbon saving of 50,000 tonnes of CO2 per year through displacement of grid electricity. This equates to an estimated payback period of 3 years.


4. Planning Policy 4.1.1. The planning policy context for the Proposed Development has been provided in Chapter 5:

Planning Policy and Context. This includes relevant national, as well as regional and local planning policy. The relevant statutory Development Plan comprises:

Highland Wide Local Development Plan (2012).

4.1.2. The Development Plan policies provide the relevant policy context against which the proposed development should be assessed. The chapter also provides information on a range of relevant material considerations including the following:

Emerging Development Plan Policy;

Supplementary Planning Guidance;

Renewable Energy Policy and Legislation including;

o UK Government Policy; and

o Scottish Government policy and Renewable Generation targets;

National Planning Policy and Guidance.

4.1.3. It is important to note that Chapter 5: Planning Policy and Context does not provide an assessment of the Proposed Development’s accordance with the statutory Development Plan policy and other material considerations. This would inevitably involve a degree of subjective interpretation, which is contrary to advice on ES preparation.


5. Environmental Impact Assessment 5.1. Landscape and Visual

5.1.1. The landscape and visual impact assessment has followed recognised guidance and assessed the potential effects of the Proposed Development on landscape and visual receptors within a 40km radius study area.

5.1.2. From inception Dell wind farm proposal has been designed to read either as a stand-alone development or as an extension to the adjacent Stronelairg wind farm, and forms an even, well-balanced and compact array, set within the defined upland landscape of Glendoe Basin within the Monadhliath range. Since Stronelairg is now consented the proposal will be perceived within the landscape as part of the Stronelairg Wind Farm development.

5.1.3. The landscape and visual assessment has established that during the construction phase there will be locally Significant (at 2-3km) short term direct effects on the landscape resource, landscape character and visual amenity.

5.1.4. During the operational phase the direct effects from the wind farm development on the fabric of the landscape will be Not Significant, being limited in extent and largely reversible at the end of this phase of the wind farm. The wind turbines and associated infrastructure will occupy only a small portion of the application site, leaving the majority of the existing landform and moorland unaffected.

5.1.5. A Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) map, to the blade tip height of the proposed turbines, is illustrated in Figure 4, indicating the area over which Dell Wind Farm can theoretically be seen. The ZTV is based on a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and overlaid onto an Ordnance Survey map base. The visibility map represents where the development may be seen theoretically – that is, it may not actually be visible in reality due to localised screening which is not represented by the DTM.

Indirect Effects on Landscape Character

5.1.6. Within a 5km radius of the application site, the EIA has concluded that there will be a locally Not Significant effect on the Rolling Uplands Landscape Character Type in the areas where the Proposed Development will be sited. A level of containment is provided by the loose network of hills that defines the extent of the core visual footprint of the Proposed Development. The influence on wider landscape character is therefore limited by topographic screening, and also by distance.

5.1.7. Beyond 5km, visibility will become gradually more fragmented with visibility restricted to elevated hill flanks and hill tops, with significantly reduced inter-visibility. The Proposed Development will be seen alongside Stronelairg Wind Farm and will have limited influence on the key characteristics of adjacent Landscape Character Types. There will also be areas of inter-visibility with the elevated portion of the wider mountain environment, and a locally Not Significant effect on the mountain summits of the adjacent Isolated Mountain Plateau Landscape Character Type and the Rugged Upland Landscape Character Type.

5.1.8. Beyond 20km, due to the effect of distance, the Proposed Development will be a less visible element in the landscape, giving rise to minor (at most) Not Significant effects on landscape character.


Indirect Effects on Landscape Designations and Wild Land Areas

5.1.9. Potential effects on the quality and setting of designated landscapes within the Study Area were assessed, in particular relating to the Cairngorms National Park, National Scenic Areas, Special Landscape Areas and Gardens and Designed Landscapes. Effects on Wild Land Areas within the Study Area were also considered. The assessment concluded that there would be No Significant effects as a result of the Proposed Development in relation to the Cairngorms National Park, National Scenic Areas, Special Landscape Areas, Inventory Gardens and Designed Landscapes or Wild Land Areas.

Effects on Visual Amenity

5.1.10. The study included an assessment of the effects of the Proposed Development upon settlements, transport corridors and viewpoints representative of a range of receptors within the Study Area. Effects were assessed on visual amenity from settlements, roads and railways within the Study Area, all of which were Not Significant.

5.1.11. Effects on the visual amenity from long-distance footpaths/ cycle ways within the Study Area were also assessed. It was concluded that there would be a locally Moderate and Not Significant effect on a short section of the Great Glen Way as the route climbs out of the Great Glen and onto the farmland above, between Grotaig and Bunloit, 17km north of the Proposed Development.

Effects on Viewpoints

5.1.12. The nature of the visibility of the wind farm was also assessed from 22 viewpoints which were agreed through consultation with SNH and THC. The viewpoints included settlements, route corridors, landmarks, hill summits and other visitor attractions. Five of the viewpoints were not taken forward to detailed assessment due to lack of visibility of the wind farm.

5.1.13. The assessment of the viewpoints concluded that there would be one Significant effect on visual amenity from Viewpoint 20: Summit of Carn Ban, 942m AOD, approximately 13km south-east, Monadhliath. The Proposed Development would be seen in combination with the consented Stronelairg Wind Farm and would increase the extent of wind farm development within the view. Elsewhere in views from local mountain summits the Proposed Development would be seen in close association with the consented Stronelairg Wind farm and would be seen as part of the same development with limited additional effects and there would be No Significant effects on visual amenity.

5.1.14. From more distant viewpoint locations, the Proposed Development would appear in a large-scale and diverse landscape setting, which can accommodate the level of change associated with the scale of this wind farm. Dell Wind Farm would fit within the scale and pattern of development within the north-western Monadhliath and would recede within wider panoramic views, particularly with distance.

5.1.15. A representative sample of viewpoints taken from the main viewpoint assessment are shown in Figures 6 – 9. The location of the selected viewpoints is shown on Figure 5. Each viewpoint visualisation is accompanied by an Ordnance Survey extract printed on a separate A4 page, indicating the viewpoint position and direction. The viewpoints are illustrated as single frame views at focal lengths of 50mm and 75mm. To view these visualisations at the correct viewing distance the reader should view the equivalent viewpoint visualisation in main run of viewpoint visualisations included in Volume III, following the instructions on the figure.


Cumulative Effects on Landscape and Visual Receptors

5.1.16. The cumulative landscape and visual assessment considered existing and consented wind farms in addition to those for which a valid planning application had been made up until July 2014, including the recently consented Stronelairg Wind Farm.

Cumulative Landscape Effects

5.1.17. The Cumulative Landscape and Visual Assessment concluded that with regards to effects on landscape character, Significant effects would be limited to within the Glendoe basin and from fragmented areas of the Rolling Upland Landscape Character Type within the central and western Monadhliath. Other more localised cumulative effects on Landscape Character were identified on the north-facing flanks of the Isolated Mountain Plateau Landscape Character Type and the summit areas of the Rugged Massif Landscape Character Type, arising from the cumulative effects of Dell Wind Farm seen in addition to the existing pattern of built and consented development, and in combination with Stronelairg Wind Farm.

5.1.18. Locally Significant cumulative effects were identified on mountain summits on the north-western edge of the Cairngorm National Park, where Dell Wind Farm would been seen as an addition to the existing pattern of built and consented development.

5.1.19. Locally Significant cumulative effects were also identified as potentially arising from the cumulative visibility of Dell Wind Farm in successive visibility with the proposed Allt Duine Wind Farm.

5.1.20. No other Significant cumulative effects were identified on Landscape Designations from the interaction of the Proposed Development with other operational and consented or planning stage wind farms.

5.1.21. The scale, numbers and layout of turbines in the proposed Dell Wind Farm reflect the existing scale, pattern and footprint of built/ consented development within the Monadhliaths. The existing wind farm developments already interact with the Wild Land Areas within the Monadhliath. The large-scale Stronelairg Wind Farm will have a significant effect on physical attributes and perceptual responses across a wider area of the landscape and will have a more significant effect on the extent of Wild Land Area in the Monadhliath and the addition of Dell Wind Farm will have only a limited effect on the perceived extent of Wild Land but it will give rise to some locally Significant effects.

Cumulative Visual Effects

5.1.22. The cumulative assessment was undertaken through a review of computer-generated visibility mapping for each of the wind farms, using wireframe views. The assessment considered the contribution the Proposed Development would make to the cumulative baseline formed by the built / consented wind farm sites in the region and the effect resulting from the planning application stage.

5.1.23. The assessment identified that Significant cumulative visual effects would be limited to the views experienced by people visiting mountain summits within the southern portion of the Monadhliath, particularly in relation to Stronelairg, which would be visible in combined views with the proposed Dell Wind Farm and from a very discrete area in successive views with the planning stage site of Allt Duine. In all cumulative effects arising from the contribution of the Dell Wind Farm, the greater cumulative effect would arise from the contribution of the extensive Stronelairg Wind Farm.


Conclusion

5.1.24. The design has incorporated general good-practice mitigation measures in relation to the design of turbines, as well as site-specific mitigation measures. Any new wind turbine development may result in potentially significant effects upon landscape and visual amenity. In the case of the Proposed Development, significant effects on landscape character have been predicted to be focussed on a core 5km area, with further locally significant effects occurring from discrete hill and mountain summits in the southern Monadhliath range.

5.1.25. The Proposed Development will form an even, well-balanced and compact array, specifically designed to be seen within the defined upland landscape of Glendoe Basin within the Monadhliath range. The proposal is located adjacent to the recently consented Stronelairg Wind Farm and will be perceived within the landscape as part of the same development. The proposal will fit within with the emerging pattern of built and consented development on the north-western edge of the Monadhliath.

5.2. Ecology (Habitats and Non-bird Species)

5.2.1. This section evaluates impacts on both habitats and non-bird species. Potential impacts on birds are considered separately in Section 5.3. The scope of the ecological assessments were determined through a combination of desk studies, to identify existing biological data relating to the application site and surrounding area; field surveys; and consultation with relevant nature conservation organisations.

5.2.2. An extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey was carried out across the site and surrounding area. More detailed National Vegetation Classification (NVC) botanical survey along with specific survey for bats, otter, water vole, and badger were also undertaken.

5.2.3. The assessment found that the application site comprises a range of habitats, with the southern part comprising the wind turbine envelope which is predominantly blanket bog (NVC community M19). The hill access track crosses habitats dominated by wet heath, M15. Both the M19 and M15 are included in Annex 1 of the EC Habitats Directive. Due to historical over grazing and burning, the habitats present were assessed to be in a sub-optimal condition with some fairly expansive areas of erosion present within the M19, though other areas are intact and form an “active” bog habitat. The north of the application site is characterised by fenced farm fields, the Allt Breineag river flows southwards through this area, across the route of the proposed field access track.

5.2.4. With regards to protected species, bat surveys were undertaken on the application site and found no bat activity within the turbine envelope .At low altitudes, in the north of the application site, bat activity levels were low. The mammal survey found some evidence of water vole and otter activity within the turbine envelope associated with the streams which rise in this area and drain down in to the Allt Breineag.

5.2.5. The infrastructure buffers (a 250m radius from all turbines and 100m from all other infrastructure) contain a number of vegetation communities which can be at least partially dependent upon groundwater; e.g. M15 wet heath, U6 grassland, MG10 marshy grassland (moderate likelihood of dependency) and M6 flush habitat (high likelihood). The layout of the Proposed Development was designed in order to avoid as much of the M6 habitats as possible. One small area (0.13 ha) of M6 will be directly lost due to the access track and the central borrow pit. Implementation of mitigation measures will limit the effect of infrastructure on the remaining M6 flush habitats present onsite. In summary the loss / impacts upon the M6 flush habitats are considered to be Not Significant. Impacts on M15, MG10 and U6, due to changes to groundwater flows, are considered to be minor and Not Significant.


5.2.6. The most valuable habitats onsite were avoided where possible through site design, for example through the use of the existing estate track to reduce impacts on the M6 flush habitats where possible, but also by designing the turbine layout to minimise impacts on H13 montane heath. Due to the dominance of blanket bog within the wind turbine envelope, this habitat could not be avoided, however most areas of deeper peat and better habitat were avoided and track lengths and routing were kept to a minimum. Floating roads, where practicable, will be used at peat depths of over 1m deep. To offset the loss of peatland habitats, a Habitat Management Plan (HMP) will be implemented during wind farm construction/operation. The plan will involve the restoration of 10.5 ha of blanket bog within the Dell Estate as well as tree planting.

5.2.7. In order to reduce the impacts that the construction phase may have upon the habitats and species present on the application site and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, a Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP) will be agreed and implemented during the construction phase of the project. This plan will also set out the role of the Ecological Clerk of Works, who will be responsible for ensuring that ecological mitigation and best working practices are implemented during construction. The CEMP will also contain details of mitigation measures with regards to otter and water vole and reptiles (common lizard and adder). Mitigation measures will involve preconstruction surveys for protected species, covering excavation, implementing a speed limit on site and strimming back of vegetation prior to total removal.

5.2.8. In summary, once the proposed mitigation has been implemented, the construction and operation of the proposed wind farm is assessed to have No Significant impacts on all habitats and non-avian fauna.

5.3. Ornithology

5.3.1. The scope of the ornithological assessment for the proposed wind farm was determined through a combination of consultation with relevant nature conservation organisations, a detailed desk study to identify existing ornithological data relating to the application site and surrounding area, and field surveys.

5.3.2. A study area comprising the application site, including the access corridor, plus a buffer zone of up to 2km, as recommended by SNH (2005) was selected. The current land use of the application site is predominantly open moorland used for deer stalking. Sites designated for their ornithological interest located within 10km of the application site were considered to be part of the wider study area in terms of potential impacts.

5.3.3. In terms of the potential impacts of the Proposed Development, assessment is required both at site level and at the scale of the Central Highlands Natural Heritage Zone, NHZ 10- (SNH 1998). The NHZ is a convenient unit of assessment which i made up of a group of similar habitats in a geographical area of Scotland, and there are 21 of these units. The cumulative effects of impacts from consented and operational wind farms, and also those that are the subject of a submitted application, at the time of writing within NHZ10 were considered.

5.3.4. A desk-based study was undertaken to collate existing bird records within the study area. The desk study aimed to identify the presence of breeding raptors and divers, moorland breeding birds and black grouse. Distribution and abundance data were collected from published sources and nature conservation organisations on target species.

5.3.5. Ornithological surveys of the turbine area and hill access route were undertaken over a period of approximately 24 months from December 2008 until March 2011. Ornithological surveys of the field access route were undertaken from April-July 2012.


5.3.6. Surveys for breeding birds extended to approximately 2 km from the turbine area and 500 m from the proposed access track, including the field access in the north. Surveys for flight activity involved one Vantage Point (VP) with a view shed up to a distance of 2 km.

5.3.7. Breeding bird surveys undertaken in 2009 revealed a very sparse moorland bird assemblage comprising 10 pairs of golden plover, six pairs of snipe, four pairs of common sandpiper, two pairs of lapwing, two pairs of oystercatchers and one pair of curlews. Most of the breeding waders were located well away from the turbine area, and only two pairs of golden plover were recorded within 200m of a proposed turbine location.

5.3.8. Breeding bird surveys undertaken in 2010 revealed a very sparse moorland bird assemblage comprising ten pairs of golden plover, six pairs of snipe, four pairs of common sandpiper, two pairs of lapwing, two pairs of oystercatchers, and one pair of curlews. Most of the breeding waders were located well away from the turbine area and only two pairs of golden plover were recorded within 200m of a proposed turbine location.

5.3.9. Three black grouse leks were recorded in 2012 in the general vicinity of the proposed field access route. Maximum numbers of black grouse recorded during the surveys were four, five and six respectively.

5.3.10. Breeding waders recorded in the vicinity of the field access route comprised five pairs of curlew, three pairs of snipe and two pairs of lapwing.

5.3.11. There were no records of breeding divers or Slavonian grebes.

5.3.12. Flight activity was recorded from the VP from December 2008 until March 2011. There were 19 flights by golden eagles. 10 of the 19 flights were at risk height and five of these were within 500m of a turbine location. There was one buzzard flight and one kestrel flight. There were 23 flights by ravens and one flock of greylag geese comprising 46 individuals.

5.3.13. Flight activity by greylag geese was not at potential collision height and therefore no collision risk assessment is required.

5.3.14. The recorded levels of at risk flight activity by buzzards and kestrels are insufficient to warrant detailed collision risk calculations.

5.3.15. Although 17 of the 23 flights recorded for raven are at collision risk height, this species is considered to be of low conservation value and no detailed collision risk calculations are considered necessary.

5.3.16. The Loch Knockie and nearby Lochs Special Protection Area (SPA) and component Glendoe Lochans and Knockie Lochs Sites of Special Scientific Interest are located approximately 6km and 3km from the application site. These designated sites host breeding Slavonian grebes and also common scoter at the Glendoe Lochans SSSI.

5.3.17. No flight activity by Slavonian grebes or common scoters was recorded during ornithological survey work for the ES. There are no records of either species breeding on Loch Killin and therefore no expectation of flight activity by either species over the application site. On this basis there is no connectivity between the application site and the Loch Knockie and nearby Lochs SPA and component Glendoe Lochans and Knockie Lochs SPA and a Habitats Regulations Appraisal is not required.

5.3.18. In summary, No Significant impacts are predicted on birds due to construction disturbance or habitat loss during the operational phase of the proposed wind farm. Collision risk calculations


do not indicate any significant impacts for any of the bird species, for the proposed Dell Wind Farm in isolation and cumulatively with other wind farms.

5.4. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

5.4.1. The cultural heritage assessment has considered potential impacts of the Proposed Development upon the physical fabric of cultural heritage assets within the application site, and potential impacts on the settings of assets within the wider landscape.

5.4.2. A desk-based study, walkover survey and site visits have been carried out in order to identify assets that may be affected by the Proposed Development and establish their current condition. The desk-based study has also informed an assessment of the potential for currently unknown archaeological remains within the construction footprint. Photomontages and wireline visualisations have been prepared to inform the assessment of impacts on the settings of heritage assets.

5.4.3. Potential effects of the proposed development upon cultural heritage assets resulting from its construction, operation and decommissioning have been considered.

5.4.4. Construction effects of negligible significance are predicted for the Glen Brein cairnfield (A2) and Glen Brein shieldings and enclosures (A4). These effects will be mitigated through a programme of archaeological works, resulting in a residual adverse effect of Negligible Significance.

5.4.5. There is moderate potential for the construction phase to have an effect on previously unrecorded cultural heritage assets in the north section of the inner study area and in areas adjacent to known cultural heritage assets. A programme of archaeological works will be agreed with The Highland Council Historic Environment pre-construction to mitigate such effects through preservation by record.

5.4.6. Potential operational effects upon the setting of cultural heritage assets in the surrounding area have been considered. The effect on the setting of cultural heritage assets is considered to be of Negligible Significance.

5.4.7. No decommissioning or cumulative impacts are predicted.

5.5. Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology

5.5.1. An assessment was undertaken to determine the potential impacts that the Proposed Development may have on the hydrology, hydrogeology and geology of the area during its construction, operation and decommissioning. The assessment includes investigating all surface water including streams, rivers, and lochs, groundwater beneath the application site; and the superficial and solid geography within the study area.

5.5.2. The study area selected for the assessment comprises the application site and its surroundings up to 2km from the application boundary. However, where a hydrological connection deems it necessary, the assessment has considered locations beyond this extent as described.

5.5.3. Overall the residual effects of the Proposed Development on the hydrological, hydrogeological and geological environments following the implementation of avoidance and mitigation measures are considered to be minor or less than minor. Residual impacts are limited to:


A temporary decrease in surface water quality during construction and to a lesser extent, decommissioning from the generation of turbine runoff migrating to down gradient surface watercourses;

A temporary decrease in surface water quality during construction in the event of a peat slide causing peat to migrate to down gradient surface watercourses;

Disturbance to stream banks causing changes in erosion rates and local morphology during the construction and potential removal of watercourse crossings; and

Disturbance, degradation and draining of peat during construction.

5.5.4. With the adoption of a comprehensive Construction Environmental Management Plan, the incorporation of standard good practice techniques and with the avoidance measures already taken into account in the design of the Proposed Development, the potential changes to surface water, groundwater and geological environments are predicted to be Not Significant.

5.5.5. There is the potential for some cumulative effects to down gradient surface watercourses during the construction if the construction periods of the Corriegarth Wind Farm Extension or the Glen Brein Run-of-River Hydro scheme are constructed at the same time as Dell, however any cumulative effects are not expected to be Not Significant.

5.5.6. A Peat Landslide and Hazard Risk Assessment (PLHRA) was undertaken by SLR Consulting (2013) The PLHA focussed on the main turbine area and the southern part of the access corridor. The majority of the wind turbine area is underlain by peat, as well as the estate access. The hill access route has limited peat cover. Peat depth varied across the application site to a maximum depth of 4.3m, with average thickness being approximately 1m. Deepest areas are found in the east of the application site to the north of the southern borrow pit, in the valley between turbines T10 and T11 and the peak of Carn Easgann Bana and to the east of this adjacent to turbine T12 and T13. It is noted in the PLHRA that deposits of less than 0,5m are not classified as true peat deposits.

5.5.7. The PLHRA showed that the majority of the study area lies within an area of negligible to low risk with regards to stability. Twelve zones of medium to high risk were identified. The majority of high risk areas are located around the southern half of the access corridor and these areas have been avoided through design. For the medium to high risk areas, a hazard impact assessment was completed which concluded that, subject to the employment of appropriate mitigation measures, all these areas can be considered as an insignificant hazard. No evidence of minor instability was noted in the proposed turbine area although some of this area is deeply hagged with significant areas of erosion. The outcomes of the PLHRA have been utilised to inform the layout and design of the Proposed Development. An outline Peat Management Plan has also been prepared.

5.6. Noise

5.6.1. An assessment of the noise impacts that are predicted to occur during the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Proposed Development has been undertaken using appropriate techniques in accordance with relevant guidance.

Construction noise

5.6.2. The construction noise assessment was undertaken in accordance with BS5228-1 2009 “Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open site – Noise’.


5.6.3. It has been concluded that there will be No Significant adverse noise impacts at nearby residential properties due to the construction of the Proposed Development. The likelihood of disturbance at identified residential properties due to construction and decommissioning activities is small given the separation distances involved. The best practicable method of managing construction noise on the application site will be adopted.

5.6.4. Cumulative construction noise effects have been considered as the construction periods of a proposed Glen Brein Run-of-River Hydro scheme and the Proposed Development may overlap. Predicted cumulative noise levels are below relevant criteria from BS 5228 2009 indicating that there will be No Significant adverse noise impacts should this occur.

Operational noise

5.6.5. The operational noise assessment was undertaken in accordance with ETSU-R-97 ‘The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms’ and the current Institute of Acoustics (2013) good practice guide.

5.6.6. Operational noise levels from the Proposed Development are predicted to meet recognised noise limits for all wind speeds, and at the identified residential properties during all periods of the day and night, ensuring an acceptable level of protection to local residents..

5.6.7. The potential for cumulative operational noise effects to occur due to the simultaneous operation of wind turbines at the proposed Stronelairg and Dell wind farms has been assessed. Cumulative noise levels have been predicted and found to be below the limits recommended by accepted guidance.

5.6.8. Consequently, it has been concluded that the Proposed Development will have No Significant effects in relation to noise.

5.7. Traffic and Transportation

5.7.1. The scope of the access, traffic and transport assessment has been determined through completion of access studies (including swept path analysis), site survey, desk-study and extensive consultation with THC, Scotland Transerv and Transport Scotland.

5.7.2. The assessment focuses on construction phase impacts, when the Proposed Development will generate a notable volume of traffic in the delivery of staff, construction materials and equipment. Driver delay, accidents and safety, and community effects (pedestrian delay, pedestrian amenity and severance) have been assessed for the proposed Dell Wind Farm in isolation, and cumulatively in combination with other proposed developments. Operational phase effects were scoped out of the assessment given the very low level of traffic forecast to be generated by the Proposed Development during this time.

5.7.3. It is proposed that various components which make up the wind turbines will arrive into two ports. The blade components will be delivered into Kyle of Lochalsh Harbour and route to site via the A87(T), A82(T) (avoiding Fort Augustus town centre) and the B862. The remaining components will be delivered into Corpach Harbour and route to site via the A82(T) (avoiding Fort Augustus town centre) and the B862. Notwithstanding this, Inverness or Invergordon harbours provide alternative viable options for delivery of all components via the A9(T), B851 and B862. It is proposed that a new site access will be taken from the east side of the B862, approximately 1.5km south of Whitebridge. The carriageway alignment is straight and level and therefore there are no issues predicted regarding visibility splays onto the carriageway. From the site access, a new access track will be formed on third party land, leading to the unclassified road at Killiechoilum, where 2 bellmouth junctions to cross the unclassified road at 90 degrees


will be formed. In order to accommodate the section of access track between the B862 and the estate, a new bridge will be constructed over the river Allt Breineag. The new bridge will be restricted for use for the construction, operation, maintenance and eventual decommissioning of the Dell Wind Farm development and by the landowners.

5.7.4. Other than the short term construction traffic required to travel along the unclassified road at the start of the construction period to assist with the construction of the new bridge over the river Allt Breineag, when the new bridge is constructed this new route will be utilised for the remaining construction traffic, including the delivery of the turbine components The unclassified road has, however, been included within the assessment as an alternative route from the B862.

5.7.5. Based on this and in terms of total traffic numbers, the construction of the Proposed Development will have a potential Minor Impact on the road network and the construction progamme will have Negligible Impact on all other assessed counter locations.

5.7.6. The additional traffic as a result of the anticipated construction programme will result in increases of traffic flows on the strategic, regional and local roads leading to the application site. A robust assessment has been undertaken, both in relation to the estimates of construction traffic and the distribution of construction traffic within the assessed road network. When considering actual volumes of traffic, the predicted increase in flows are generally of negligible magnitude and will not have an effect on the practical operating capacity of these roads. Notwithstanding this, appropriate mitigation measures have been identified, including the provision of a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP), which will ensure that any potential traffic impacts are kept to a minimum. As such, the overall environmental effect is therefore considered Not Significant in terms of the EIA Regulations, assuming the appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.

5.7.7. The principal impact of traffic is associated with the construction of the Proposed Development. These effects are of a temporary nature and are Not Significant in terms of the EIA Regulations.

5.7.8. On-site construction, for both the Corriegarth and Dummaglass sites is due to begin imminently and therefore it is highly unlikely that the construction programmes for these sites will coincide with that of the Proposed Development, which is currently in the planning phase. Notwithstanding this, these sites have been included in a cumulative assessment in order to ensure the robustness of the assessment. Stronelairg is currently in the planning phase and as such there is the potential for overlap with the Dell Wind construction programme.

5.7.9. The construction programmes for Stronelairg, Dummaglass and Corriegarth wind farms are proposed to have construction programmes of 36, 17 and 12 months respectively, compared to the 18 month programme for Dell. For the purposes of the assessment it is assumed that all construction programmes will overlap and as such, the cumulative assessment has considered the worst case construction months of each programme in order to robustly assess cumulative effect.

5.7.10. When considering adjacent wind farm developments within a cumulative assessment, the effects are not considered Not Significant.

5.8. Telecommunications, Aviation and Air Defence

5.8.1. This chapter considers the potential impacts that the Proposed Development may have on existing telecommunications, aviation and air defence facilities and systems. Impacts on television reception have also been assessed.


5.8.2. Wind turbines, as with any large structure, have the potential to interfere with electromagnetic signals. This can affect television reception, radio communication networks, radar and other systems associated with aviation and national defence. Wind turbines can also pose as an obstacle to low flying aircraft.

5.8.3. The potential impacts have been assessed as follows:

Aviation and Air Defence – by considering whether any of the turbines would cause problems for any radar equipment; any military airfields, or pose a risk to aircraft;

Any technical effects on radar, low flying or aviation safety have been assessed;

Telecommunications: by considering the proximity of any of the turbines to recommended separation distances from radio links.

Television reception; by determining whether any domestic properties are located in zones where the BBC and Ofcom advise reception could be affected.

5.8.4. The assessment found that during the operational phase of the Proposed Development there will be No Impacts on radar, aeronautical navigation aids or aerodromes as there are no sensitive receptors to be impacted.

5.8.5. Military aircraft flying at the normal minimum separation from the terrain and obstacles of 250 feet are not regarded by the Ministry of Defence as being exposed to unacceptable hazards from vertical obstructions, such as wind turbines, due to the pilot’s ability to see and avoid obstacles and the plotting of all obstacles greater than 300 feet high on low flying charts. In relation to the potential impacts of wind turbines, the airspace in the vicinity of the application site is described by the Ministry of Defence as a “low priority military low flying area less likely to raise concerns”. The magnitude of this predicted impact is assessed as low. Consequently no objection is expected from the Ministry of Defence. Prior to the commencement of construction, details of the turbine locations and heights and the construction start date would be provided to the Ministry of Defence to enable the application site to be marked on aeronautical charts.

5.8.6. There would be No Impacts on telecommunications, as there are no sensitive receptors to be impacted.

5.8.7. The assessment has considered that mitigation is not required for telecommunications or television reception as no impact is predicted.

5.9. Socio-economics

5.9.1. The scope of the socio-economic assessment for the Proposed Development was determined through a desk study. The desk study was carried out in order to describe the social and economic context, consider the baseline economic and tourism profile of the region and review existing studies on socio-economic impacts associated with wind farm development.

5.9.2. An assessment of impact was undertaken on the basis of the desk based work undertaken, the professional judgement of the authors of the socio-economic assessment, experience from other relevant projects, policy guidance or standards and feedback received through the course of the assessment.

5.9.3. The assessment predicted that the proposed Dell Wind Farm will generate short term employment opportunities during the construction phase. It is estimated that over an approximate 18 month construction period, the onsite construction workforce will average 40


individuals. Various construction activities will take place onsite, including civil engineering, turbine installation, electrical and commissioning studies. The levels of employment will vary according to the phase of the project, with the highest levels at the point where civil works are nearing completion and turbines and electrical systems are being installed, followed by the initial testing of turbines for commissioning.

5.9.4. There is also the potential for indirect employment to occur due to the Proposed Development, as local businesses may benefit from the presence of the construction workforce. Benefits on a small scale will relate to economic investment through employee and company spending in the local economy and supply chain development.

5.9.5. While there are a number of tourism and recreational attractions in the vicinity of the Proposed Development (i.e. within 20km), there are none within the application site itself, other than its use for open access and as part of a sporting estate. The application site is also crossed by the South Loch Ness Trail. With the appropriate mitigation, there are No Significant residual effects anticipated to any of these recreational features.

5.9.6. The Applicant would make an annual contribution on a per MW basis to a community fund throughout the operational lifespan of the wind farm to provide financial support to the local/wider community. In order to preserve the impartiality of the planning process the vehicle / method for administering the community fund will be established and agreed with the relevant parties after the planning process has reached an advanced stage. Details of the community council package shall be formulated in conjunction with local residents, community councils and THC.

5.10. Waste

5.10.1. The generation of waste, in one form or another, is an inevitable consequence of all forms of development and the sustainable management of waste is an important issues. The development of a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) for each phase of the development will help confirm the types and quantities of wastes arising and how best to manage them to minimise their environmental effects.

5.10.2. By adopting the principles of good waste management practice, it is possible for high minimisation, reuse and recovery rates to be achieved, therefore minimising the quantity of waste produced or sent to landfill and the environmental burden in terms of pollution, energy and carbon impact.

5.10.3. The assessment undertaken has concluded that the Proposed Development will result in the generation of some waste during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases. However, with the proposed mitigation measures in place (as outlined in the ES), there would be No Significant effects on the existing waste treatment capacity in the Highlands and no significant associated environmental effects arising from waste management on the application site during any phase of the Proposed Development.

5.11. Climate Change

5.11.1. The ES has considered the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction benefits for the Proposed Development from displacing conventionally generated electricity in the grid, compared to the predicted direct and indirect emissions of GHG resulting from construction, operation and decommissioning of the Proposed Development and provides an estimate of the payback time for the Proposed Development.


5.11.2. GHG emissions and savings are both ultimately a global ‘pool’ and therefore the assessment is not restricted solely to those emissions, or conversely savings that occur within the application boundary. The assessment therefore considers impacts both from activity on site and caused by manufacturing and delivery of turbines, mining metals and quarrying of stone.

5.11.3. The scope for savings is set at the same period as the planning consent for the operation of the wind farm i.e. 25 years, but, unless it is specified that the application site will be restored with respect to hydrology and habitat upon decommissioning, the losses through the indirect effect on peat will continue on until the calculator judges that there is no more oxidisable peat within the vicinity of the infrastructure.

5.11.4. The results of the carbon calculator assessment for the Proposed Development show that the development is estimated to produce annual GHG savings in the region of 50,000 tonnes of CO2 per year through the displacement of grid electricity. This represents displacing grid electricity generated at the current average factor which include nuclear and renewables as well as fossil fuels.

5.11.5. The assessment of the GHG losses and gains has estimated an overall net loss of 152,000 tonnes of CO2e, mainly due to loss of soil organic matter during the construction of the wind farm and the embodied losses from the manufacture of the turbines and provision of backup power to the grid.

5.11.6. The results from the carbon calculator are likely to be an overestimate of the site-based soil carbon losses and underestimate of restoration gains. The soil carbon losses are mainly allocated to the excavated peat but in reality not all of this peat should be lost as CO2 as it will be used around the site for restoration of verges, drainage ditches and for reinstating the borrow pits.

5.11.7. The gains from site restoration are minimal, although there is 10 hectares of degraded bog identified for improvement in the Outline Habitat Management Plan (OHMP). Conservative estimates of the before and after average water table depths have been used in the calculator due to the lack of specific information from the site. About eight hectares of borrow pits will be restored, using excavated peat from around the site and with good management of the water table it is possible that these areas could become active peat bogs in the future, however, the carbon calculator estimates no restoration gains from these areas because the water table before and after is not estimated to change significantly.


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FIGURE 1Site Location

Dell Wind Farm

1:150,000SCALE

CONTENT

CHECKED

PROJECT CODE

DRAWN

DATE

CD CD

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@ A3

REVISION: B MXD: 001/g025

JE30548

Key:Application boundary

0 3 6 9Kilometres

240000 250000 260000

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8100

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8300

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Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2014.

FIGURE 2Site Layout

Dell Wind Farm

1:24,181SCALE

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PROJECT CODE

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CD VN

KG 11/07/2014

@ A3

REVISION: V MXD: 001/g001

JE30548

Key:Application boundary

Proposed turbine locations"/ Control Building"/ Security officekj Permanent met mast

Crane hardstandingAccess trackPassing placesSubstationTemporary construction compoundsBorrow pitsTemporary track to borrow pit

0 0.5 1 1.5Kilometres

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"/

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1:8,000

FIGURE 3Site Constraints

Dell Wind Farm

1:25,000SCALE

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PROJECT CODE

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JE30548

Key:Application Boundary

Proposed turbine locations"/ Security office"/ Control buildingkj Permanent met mast

Watercourse crossingsInfrastructureCultural heritage constraintsMontane HeathEvidence of otter and water vole

#*Private water supply locations(from Highland Council records)

PWS observed on site#0 Spring") Tank

Indicative pipe routeSprings 100 m bufferWatercoursesWatercourses 50m bufferPonds or PoolsArtificial ponds 10 m bufferNatural ponds / pools 50 m buffer

GWDTEHigh groundwater dependenceModerate groundwater dependence

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0 0.5 1 1.5Kilometres

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20km

40km

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SCALE 1:500,000 @ A4

0 10 20km

Study Area

Proposed Turbine Locations

1 - 4

5 - 8

9 - 11

Turbine Visibility

12 - 14

NOTES: Calculated using Earth's curvature (radius 6367km) andatmospheric refraction coefficient of 0.075.

Terrain data is derived from Ordnance Survey 50m gridded height data.

ZTV calculation does not take into account any surface features such astrees and buildings.

Blade tip height - 130.5m

ZTV view height - 2m

ZTV calculation resolution - 50m

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BLADE TIP ZTV

FIGURE 4

20km

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Study Area

Proposed Turbine Locations

Viewpoint Locations

4. Above Glen Doe Dam11. B852, Stratherrick South of Whitebridge12. Great Glen Way17. Summit of Meall Fuar-mhonaidh

VIEWPOINT LOCATION PLAN

FIGURE 5

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FIGURE 6.1

VIEWPOINT 4: ABOVE GLEN DOE DAMVIEWPOINT LOCATION PLAN

SCALE 1:25,000 @ A4

0 0.5 1km

KEY:

Viewpoint Location

Approx Distance to Nearest Turbine:Camera Model:Focal Length:

Camera Height:Date:Time:

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FIGURE 6.2: VIEWPOINT 4 - ABOVE GLEN DOE DAM09:2208/07/2013Approx 1.5m

50mmCanon 5D4.05km



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FIGURE 6.3: VIEWPOINT 4 - ABOVE GLEN DOE DAM09:2208/07/2013Approx 1.5m

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igure

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ewpo

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FIGURE 7.2: VIEWPOINT 11 - B862, STRATHERRICK, SOUTH OF WHITEBRIDGE12:0808/07/2013Approx 1.5m

50mmCanon 5D7.75 km



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FIGURE 7.3: VIEWPOINT 11 - B862, STRATHERRICK, SOUTH OF WHITEBRIDGE12:0808/07/2013Approx 1.5m

50mmCanon 5D7.75km



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Proje

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3054

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TS F

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8_Vi

ewpo

int 12

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S.dw

g

FIGURE 8.2: VIEWPOINT 12 - GREAT GLEN WAY17:0408/07/2013Approx 1.5m

50mmCanon 5D18.87km



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TION

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int 12

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FIGURE 8.3: VIEWPOINT 12 - GREAT GLEN WAY17:0408/07/2013Approx 1.5m

50mmCanon 5D18.87km



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TION

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EIA\

Proje

cts\JE

3054

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ngs\E

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0548

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-002

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ewpo

int 17

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S.dw

g

FIGURE 9.2: VIEWPOINT 17 - SUMMIT OF MEALL FUAR-MHONAIDH16:5508/07/2013Approx 1.5m

50mmCanon 5D15.75km



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TION

: I:\J

EIA\

Proje

cts\JE

3054

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vera

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rawi

ngs\E

nvir\

Dwg\N

TS F

igure

s\JE3

0548

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0-NE

P-DG

-002

3_Vi

ewpo

int 17

- NT

S.dw

g

FIGURE 9.3: VIEWPOINT 17 - SUMMIT OF MEALL FUAR-MHONAIDH16:5508/07/2013Approx 1.5m

50mmCanon 5D15.75km

dell wind farm - iema · on behalf of dell wind farm ltd ... the project managers have extensive...

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