GLENKERIE WINDFARM NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and other statutory and non-statutory agencies. The ES Novera Energy plc (Novera) proposes to contains the environmental information develop a small wind farm at Kingledores Farm required for the determination of the Glenkerie in the . The development site Wind Farm application and is structured as is located approximately 5km north west of follows: and 12km southeast of Biggar (Figure 1), and is to be known as the Glenkerie • Volume 1 - Environmental Statement Wind Farm. • Volume 2 - Technical Appendices

A planning application for the ‘Glenkerie Wind • Volume 3 - Maps and Figures Farm’ has been submitted to Scottish Borders • Volume 4 - Non Technical Summary Council (SBC) for consent under the Town and Country Planning () Act 1997. As NOVERA ENERGY PLC required by the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999, the Novera is one of the UK’s top ten renewable planning application is accompanied by a electricity generators. Novera invests in detailed Environmental Statement (ES). renewable energy generation across the UK that will contribute to the Government’s The planning application seeks consent for the renewable energy targets and, the country’s installation of 11 wind turbine generators and energy self sufficiency and CO2 reductions. associated ancillary equipment. The layout of Novera has professional experience across all the wind farm is illustrated in Figure 2 key disciplines including planning, (overleaf). The total maximum generating environmental services, wind turbine capacity will be dependant on the type of technology, law and financing. Through turbine selected but will be between 19.8MW careful attention to design, planning and and up to a maximum of 27.5MW. Each wind development and consultation with the local turbine will have an individual capacity to community, Novera has the proven ability to generate electricity of between 1.8MW and plan, build and operate wind farms in the UK. 2.5MW. Novera has a portfolio of landfill gas, water and Figure 1 - Site Location waste, hydro and wind assets, generating renewable power at 58 sites across the UK with a total installed capacity of 122 MW. Novera is

one of the largest generators of renewable energy in the UK and with over 140 members of staff is one of the largest employers in the UK Renewables sector

WIND – CLEAN ENERGY FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

It is now widely accepted that global warming and climate change are a reality and have the potential to cause major adverse effects on sea levels, water supply and agriculture in the coming decades.

Within the UK, we now clearly understand that

climate change will have some or all of the following impacts: • Extremes in weather, with dry areas The scope of the ES was agreed with SBC, becoming drier and wet areas wetter; • Increased bouts of flooding;

NOVERA ENERGY PLC NTS Page 1 of 12 GLENKERIE WINDFARM NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

• Increased erosion to coastal land, leading energy. Germany, Spain and Denmark lead to greater flooding to coastal townships way with installed capacities of 20,622MW, and loss of rare habitats; 11,615MW and 3,136MW.

• Habitat changes will have a significant Whilst the UK, and Scotland in particular (at impact by altering the species composition over 25%), has the biggest wind resource of of about ½ of the statutory protected any country in Europe, statistics show the UK areas in the UK within 50 years, and currently lagging significantly behind many of • A decline in populations of wading birds the other EU members in its rate of installing and wildfowl which depend upon estuaries new renewable energy capacity (currently just in Northwest Europe, due to rising sea under 2,300MW). levels. WIND ENERGY IN THE UK – One of the major causes of global warming is SUSTAINABLE POWER the emission of carbon dioxide from power stations burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) to The Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly generate electricity. and the UK Government are all strongly committed to developing wind power and other In order to combat the threat of global renewable technologies. warming, there is a need to obtain clean, diverse and sustainable supplies of energy from A market-based support mechanism for renewable sources such as wind. renewable energy was introduced in 2002 and it places an obligation on electricity suppliers to WIND ENERGY IN EUROPE buy an increasing proportion of electricity from renewable energy sources. In Scotland, this Within Europe, virtually all member states are mechanism is called the Renewables Obligation seeking to generate electricity from wind Scotland (ROS).

Figure 2 – Layout of proposed Glenkerie Wind Farm

Site entrance off A701

NOVERA ENERGY PLC NTS Page 2 of 12 GLENKERIE WINDFARM NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Renewable energy has a key role to play in the tapered tubular steel tower and will consist of a UK Government’s Climate Change Programme. nacelle containing the gearbox, generator and Renewable energy sources produce low or associated equipment to which is attached a negligible levels of pollutants such as carbon hub and rotor assembly including three dioxide and other 'greenhouse gases' and so by glass/carbon fibre-reinforced polyester blades. displacing conventional sources of energy, they can help the UK meet its climate change The maximum height from the turbine base to targets. the top of the blade tip will be 105m when the blades reach their highest point, for 6 of the WIND ENERGY IN SCOTLAND – turbines, and 120m for 5 of the turbines on the GOVERNMENT TARGETS lower parts of the subsidiary ridgelines. The turbine hub height will be up to 70m for 6 of In November 2007 the Scottish Executive set a the turbines, and up to 85m for 5 of the target of 50% of Scotland’s electricity to be turbines on the lower ground. generated by renewable sources by 2020. A new interim target of generating 31% of The estimated on-site construction period for Scotland’s electricity by renewable sources by the wind farm is 9 months. Normal hours of 2011 was set following the successful early operations for construction purposes will be attainment of generating 20% by 2010. This between 07:00-19:00 over a Monday to Friday committed renewables strategy will aid the UK week. target of generating 10% of electricity by renewable sources by 2010.

In achieving this target, it is expected the UK will save around 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

THE GLENKERIE WIND FARM The Glenkerie site area is approximately 360ha and is made up of heath, grassland and small conifer and broadleaved plantations on the lower areas.

The components of the Wind Farm that will be on site for 25 years are:

Table 1 - Glenkerie Wind Farm Components

11 wind turbines

8km of new access tracks from A701 The final design for the turbine foundations 1.3km of upgraded tracks and the quantities of concrete needed will be determined by the ground and rock conditions Crane hard standing next to each turbine at each location. However, it is anticipated that up to 300m3 of concrete per turbine base Control building will be required. Concrete will be imported to Underground cables to each turbine the site ready mixed. The foundations would be approximately 15.7m square and up to Permanent anemometer mast 3.1m deep, in the form of an ‘inverted T’ design. Temporary construction compound The design of the access route onto and within

the site will meet the requirements of the Each wind turbine will be mounted on a Highway Authority, SNH and SBC with regard

NOVERA ENERGY PLC NTS Page 3 of 12 GLENKERIE WINDFARM NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY to visibility, construction materials, surface recognises that onshore wind power is water drainage, gradient and safety of other expected to make the most significant road users. The main site access will be contribution towards meeting national energy directly from the A701, as indicated on Figure 2 targets. (Page 2). The proposal to generate electricity from wind Electricity generated by the individual turbines power at Glenkerie arises as a direct response will be transmitted along underground cables to the above UK Government’s and Scotland’s to the on-site control building (Figure 2), from policies and targets. The benefits of this wind where it will be exported from the site. The farm are: connection from the site control building to the local electricity grid will take the form of an Table 3 - Benefits of Glenkerie Wind Farm underground cable and the use of existing wooden poles to a grid connection point which Displace the emission of over 1,680,000 has yet to be finally determined by Scottish tonnes of carbon dioxide and other Power. polluting gases over the wind farms expected 25 year existence SITE SELECTION Add over £15M to the local economy The selection of an appropriate site with the potential to support a wind farm development Provide enough electricity to power over is a complex and lengthy process. 15,000 households, equivalent to over 30% of the households in the Scottish Borders The Glenkerie site was selected as appropriate Council area to support a wind farm development due to the following attributes: Assist in the delivery of Scotland’s climate change commitments and sustainable Table 2 - Glenkerie Selection Attributes development strategy

High mean annual wind speed Make a significant contribution towards the Scottish target of generating 31% of its No ecological or landscape designations of electricity from renewable sources by 2011 national or regional importance and generating 50% by 2050.

The site is well contained by surrounding SOCIO-ECONOMICS hills which limit the visual impact of the proposal The Glenkerie Wind Farm will contribute not only to the Scottish economy, but also to the Nearest turbine is 1000m from the closest local economy with opportunities for local property contractors during the construction phase and through the use of local services both prior to, Sufficient grid capacity during and after construction of the site. Road access is feasible A community benefits package, linked to the electrical output of the site, will bring added POLICY economic strength to the community and allow Global warming and climate change, primarily local residents to have a greater involvement in caused by the burning of fossil fuels, is widely the provision of social and charitable services recognised as one of the most serious in their community. problems facing the world. Public consultation is integral to the The latest renewable energy planning guidance environmental impact assessment process and published by the Scottish Executive, SPP6, helps to ensure that local views and priorities commits the Nation to supporting a range of are incorporated at all stages of the proposals renewable generation technologies. SPP6 development.

NOVERA ENERGY PLC NTS Page 4 of 12 GLENKERIE WINDFARM NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

During the development process, a direct due to the presence of protected species and neighbours meeting was held, then an to ensure that there is no loss of potentially exhibition was held to keep the local sensitive habitats in the construction or community aware of the progress of the operating phases. development. A newsletter was produced and circulated to local residents, and HYDROLOGY advertisements were placed in the local Some of the most likely hydrological effects to newspapers detailing the timing and venue of be associated with construction of a wind farm the public meetings. if no mitigation is put in place are illustrated in

Table 4: Questionnaires were distributed both by mail and at the exhibition to seek people’s views. Table 4 - Hydrological Effects The most common perceived benefits of the proposal were the generation of green energy Changes to natural drainage patterns and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from fuel burning power stations. Effects on base flows

The main concerns respondents raised were Effects on erosion and sedimentation the potential visual impact of the proposal on the local landscape, cumulative impact with Effects on water quality of both other wind farms, noise from wind turbines and groundwater and public water supplies increased traffic levels on local roads and Effects on flooding uncertainty over the use of over ground rather than underground transmission links. Pollution risk

These issues have all been addressed in the ES and are outlined in the following sections of the The area surrounding the site can be split into NTS. two main catchments based on the drainage patterns, namely Kingledores Burn to the south ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS and Holms Water to the north, each of which can be further divided into several sub- ECOLOGY catchments. All watercourses draining from the site subsequently feed into the River The Special Area of Conservation Tweed. (SAC) designation includes the Kingledores Burn, which lies just within the development The River Tweed and its tributaries are area. The main stem of the River Tweed is designated as a Special Area of Conservation 500m from the eastern development site (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest boundary. (SSSI) for its Atlantic Salmon, Brook Lamprey, River Lamprey, Sea Lamprey, Otter and Small numbers of Otter, Atlantic Salmon, Bat, floating Water-crowfoot vegetation. Adder, Common Lizard, Mountain and Brown Hare were identified both within and adjacent The sensitive hydrology receptors on Glenkerie to the development site. Roe Deer, Field are watercourses (for their environmental Vole and Red Fox signs were common designations, water quality and fisheries around the site. interests), groundwater, and water resources (public, private and livestock water supplies). No evidence of Wildcat, Pine Marten, Red Industry best practise will be maintained at all Squirrel, or Water Vole was found at any times during construction, operation and location. The survey findings are summarized decommissioning of the proposed development at Figure 3, Page 9. to ensure the water environment is not adversely affected. The wind farm has been specifically designed to avoid areas identified as potentially sensitive

NOVERA ENERGY PLC NTS Page 5 of 12 Where new tracks are constructed and old possible local importance, with seven tracks upgraded, various measures will be other features of lesser importance. put in place to ensure safe and efficient The SAM within the proposed site is drainage to prevent flooding or Kingledores Fort (now used as a sheep contamination of watercourses. Similar fank), which dates back to prehistoric measures will be incorporated into the times. Other features within the site area construction of the turbine foundations and, include six burnt mounds, a fort, crane pads, temporary construction cultivation terraces, a group of cairns and compound and control building. the remains of a small building and ORNITHOLOGY sheepfold. Information relating to Schedule 1 raptors The locations for the turbines and crane has been omitted from this NTS but can be hardstandings have been confirmed as viewed by contacting Scottish Borders areas of very low cultural heritage value. Council Planning Department. The most significant impact will be on two features of local importance on the access Four species: Black Grouse, Pink-footed track route for which appropriate Geese, Curlew and Lapwing are considered mitigations have been proposed. to be of medium sensitivity to wind farms. Curlew and Lapwing were identified as Any potential adverse impacts on the breeding in small numbers on the cultural heritage resource of the site will development site. Black Grouse were be fully mitigated through a programme identified lekking close to the development of archaeological investigation and site but no observations of breeding were recording that has been discussed with made. Historic Scotland. Mitigation measures proposed to minimise NOISE impacts on bird species, include ensuring The noise effects resulting from the any vegetation clearance is completed construction and operation of the outside of the bird-breeding season to avoid proposed wind farm on residential impacts on nesting birds. Mitigation plans properties in the surrounding area have have been prepared so that construction been assessed. activities can be undertaken during the breeding season and during the peak black Wind turbine noise can be generated by grouse lekking season. Overall, the the rotation of the blades in the air and ornithological assessment found that the by the internal machinery. The blades are Glenkerie site is an area of low bird designed to minimise noise whilst sensitivity, and the selection of this site has optimizing electricity generation. ensured that there will be no significant With the agreement of Scottish Borders impacts on populations of important, Council, background noise measurements sensitive or any other bird species. were made at the two closest residential CULTURAL HERITAGE properties to the proposed wind farm, at Kingledores Farm and Glencotho. The Thirty-two sites of cultural heritage interest results were used to derive noise limits for were identified within the wind farm day-time and high hours, in accordance development area. One site is a Scheduled with ETSU-R-97 guidelines as specified in Ancient Monument (SAM) of national Planning Advice Note (PAN) 45. importance. Six sites are of regional importance and two others are of possible The noise assessment identified that the regional importance. noise impact from the wind farm, assuming that all turbines are operating Another twelve sites are of local importance simultaneously at normal (worst case), and two others are identified as being of would not exceed any of GLENKERIE WINDFARM NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY the target criteria defined in planning Galloway Council (as appropriate) following guidelines. consent.

Separate target criteria have been developed Potential mitigation measures include timing of for both night-time and daytime periods in deliveries to avoid sensitive periods of the day, order to protect both the sleep of local traffic control and temporary diversions, residents and the outdoor amenity of the area. parking restrictions and signage, and arrangements for road maintenance and The distances between the proposed wind farm cleaning, wheel cleaning and dirt control. and the nearest residential properties are large enough that there will be no vibration impacts. Abnormal load deliveries would be escorted by police and would occur during off-peak periods TRANSPORT in order to avoid delays to other road users.

The preferred route for abnormal loads is Measures to mitigate the disruption, delay, outlined below in Table 5: noise and vibration caused by these deliveries

will be outlined within the Transport Table 5 - Preferred Route for Large Loads Management Plan. Motorway network to J15 on the A74(M) The transport assessment found that the main Leave A74(M) to proceed to Moffat effects of traffic generated by construction of the wind farm are outlined in Table 7. Continue through Moffat on the A701 proceeding North Table 7 - Effects of Construction Traffic

Continue on A701 to the site access point at A short-term significant increase in HGV Kingledores traffic levels on the A701

Temporary significant impact as a result of This route is preferred as it minimises the the delivery of abnormal loads i.e. turbine requirement for road alterations and therefore components and cranes along the preferred disruption. The loads associated with route to site construction have been calculated and include traffic generated from turbine delivery, site A short-term adverse effect on the A701 at preparation the delivery of cement for the the turn off to the site during the turbine foundations and aggregate for use in construction period track and hard standing construction. Traffic generated during the operation and The main potential effects from increases in maintenance of the wind farm will be HGV traffic if not mitigated include: minimal and would not result in any significant impact Table 6 - Effects of extra HGV traffic

Traffic noise and vibration LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL

Disruption and delay The landscape and visual assessment (LVA) considered the potential impacts of the Accidents and safety Glenkerie Wind Farm on landscape character and visual amenity in a 35km radius around the Air pollution; and site.

Dust and dirt Field and desk studies were used to evaluate the landscape in and around the site and to A Transport Management Plan will be drawn up identify views and visual receptors that could by and agreed with SBC and Dumfries and potentially be affected. For example, figure 4

NOVERA ENERGY PLC NTS Page 7 of 12 GLENKERIE WINDFARM NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

(page 10) shows predicted zoomed in views of result of the addition of the Glenkerie Wind the appearance of the wind farm as if through Farm to approved or operational wind farms. binoculars from Broadlaw, to the east of the proposed site, from Pykestone Hill to the NE of Due to the very limited and localised nature of the site and from Culter Fell to the west of the significant effects the proposed wind farm is site: considered in visual terms to be acceptable at this location in the Scottish Borders. The Glenkerie proposal is situated in a local designated landscape, an Area of Great CONCLUSION Landscape Value (AGLV) and in close proximity This non technical assessment has outlined the to a Regional Scenic Area (RSA) and National findings of the environmental impact Scenic Area (NSA). RSAs are safeguarded as assessment for the Glenkerie Wind farm. Full locally important areas of scenic character or details are set out in the Environmental quality. NSAs are designated for their Statement and the Technical Appendices. outstanding natural beauty.

Whilst the development will have some residual The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) at effects, almost all other have been addressed Figure 5 (page 11), illustrates the visible and mitigated. impact of the wind farm on these designations.

The impact on both the NSA and RSA is very The Glenkerie Wind Farm will make a limited. The most immediate impact will be on significant contribution on behalf of Scottish the local area close to the proposal but this Borders Council towards national targets for affect has been reduced through careful site generating renewable energy. The wind farm design to ensure that impacts are limited only will lead to reduced production of polluting to upland areas and a small number of gases and provide a renewable supply of residential properties. energy to a significant proportion of the

Borders population. The Wind Farm will also Significant effects are therefore restricted to contribute over £15M to the local economy. the immediate setting of the wind farm, within a 2.5km radius. The LVA did not consider that The environmental assessment undertaken on the landscape value of the NSA, the RSA or the the site of the potential Glenkerie wind farm, surrounding landscape within a 15km radius of has concluded that the wind farm is an the site would be significantly impacted (see acceptable proposal. Figure 6 at page 12 for the close in and detailed ZTV). The wind farm is in compliance with national

and local planning policies; has the support of Twenty three viewpoints in the local and wider the local community; has limited visual and landscape were assessed in the LVA to environmental impact and will contribute to demonstrate the visual impact of the wind farm Scotland’s short and long term targets for on residential, recreational and transport generating renewable energy. interests within the study area. From distant views it was found that the landscape could easily accommodate the scale and nature of Mynydd Clogau Wind Farm – one of the Glenkerie proposal. The wind farm would Novera Energy’s 58 sites across the UK appear as a small or very minor element of the wider landscape and would not form a dominant feature.

Cumulative visual effects take account of the appearance of the proposed wind farm with other operational, consented and proposed or scoped wind farms. The LVA found that no significant visual effects are anticipated as a

NOVERA ENERGY PLC NTS Page 8 of 12 Figure 3 – Survey of Protected Species at site of proposed Wind Farm

Key

Ecological Survey Area Turbine Location

Access Tracks

Species Recorded & Red Fox & Mole & Roe Deer & Mountain Hare & Brown Hare & Rabbit & Hedgehog & Otter & Bats & Lizard

NOVERA ENERGY PLC NTS Page 9 of 12 GLENKERIE WINDFARM NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Figure 4 - Predicted Views of the proposed Glenkerie Wind Farm

Zoomed in predicted view from Broadlaw

Zoomed in field of view

Zoomed in predicted view from Pykestone Hill

Zoomed in field of view

Predicted view from Culter Fell

NOVERA ENERGY PLC NTS Page 10 of 12 GLENKERIE WINDFARM NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Figure 5 - Landscape Designations around proposed Glenkerie Wind Farm

NOVERA ENERGY PLC NTS Page 11 of 12 GLENKERIE WINDFARM NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Figure 6 - Zone of theoretical visibility close to the proposed Wind Farm site

NOVERA ENERGY PLC NTS Page 12 of 12