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Enoch Hill Wind Farm

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Enoch Hill Wind Farm Enoch Hill Wind Farm Further Environmental Information Volume 1: Main Report February 2017 2 © Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited Contents Volume 1 Main Report 1. Introduction 1-1 1.1 Background 1-1 1.2 How to Read this FEI 1-2 1.3 Enoch Hill Wind Farm – Revised Layout 1-3 1.4 The Project Team 1-4 1.5 References 1-4 2. EIA Process 2-1 2.1 Overview of EIA 2-1 2.2 EIA Methodology 2-1 2.3 Scope of the EIA 2-1 ES Consultation Responses 2-1 Cumulative Effects 2-6 2.4 Community Engagement 2-12 2.5 References 2-12 3. Site Selection and Design Evolution 3-1 3.1 Site Identification Process 3-1 3.2 Site Context 3-1 3.3 Design Evolution 3-1 Site Design Iterations 3-1 4. Description of the Proposed Development 4-1 4.1 Introduction 4-1 4.2 Development & Design Layout 4-1 Turbine Layout 4-2 Micrositing 4-3 Wind Turbine Parameters 4-4 On-site Access Tracks 4-4 Infrastructure Layout 4-5 Temporary Construction Compound and Laydown Area 4-5 Off-site Electrical Connection 4-6 4.3 Proposed Site Access 4-7 Site Entrance 4-7 Abnormal Loads 4-7 General Construction Traffic 4-7 4.4 Construction Process 4-7 Proposed Programme 4-7 Hours of Working 4-8 Standard Construction Working Practices 4-9 Health and Safety during Construction 4-9 Environmental Management during Construction 4-10 Construction Method Statement (CMS) 4-10 February 2017 Doc Ref. 37898CGOS042i1R 3 © Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited 4.5 Construction Details 4-11 Materials Import 4-18 Concrete Batching Plants 4-20 Post-Construction Development, Site Restoration and Commissioning 4-21 4.6 Operational Details 4-21 Land Management 4-21 Meteorological Effects and Turbine Control 4-21 Turbine Maintenance 4-22 Environmental Management during Operation 4-22 Site Waste Management 4-22 4.7 Decommissioning Details 4-22 Wind Farm Decommissioning Requirements 4-22 Decommissioning Process 4-23 Control Building and Distribution System Decommissioning 4-23 Access Track Decommissioning 4-23 4.8 References 4-23 5. Planning Policy Context 5-1 5.1 Introduction 5-1 5.2 Changes in Planning Policy 5-1 National Planning Policy, Guidance and Advice 5-1 Development Plan 5-1 Other Material Considerations 5-2 5.3 References 5-8 6. Renewable Energy Policy, Carbon Balance and Peat Management 6-1 6.1 Introduction and Overview 6-1 6.2 Changes to Renewable Energy, Climate Change and Planning Policy Frameworks 6-1 Changes in Energy & Climate Change Policy Frameworks 6-1 Renewable Energy Targets 6-2 Changes to Planning Policy Context 6-2 6.3 Carbon Savings 6-3 6.4 Carbon Storage and Emissions 6-4 6.5 Carbon Balance and Payback Calculation 6-4 6.6 Summary 6-6 6.7 References 6-6 7. Noise 7-1 7.1 Introduction and Overview 7-1 7.2 Changes to Policy and Legislative Context 7-1 7.3 Application Consultation Responses 7-1 Proposed Noise Condition Limits 7-2 Post Commissioning Noise Monitoring 7-3 7.4 Revised Layout and Turbine Noise Level Data 7-4 Potential Receptors 7-4 Proposed Development – Turbine Sound Power Levels 7-4 Cumulative Developments – Turbine Sound Power Levels 7-5 7.5 Predicted Effects: Construction, Operation, Decommissioning and Cumulative 7-7 7.6 Evaluation of Residual Effects 7-8 7.7 Conclusions 7-8 February 2017 Doc Ref. 37898CGOS042i1R 4 © Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited 8. Shadow Flicker 8-1 8.1 Introduction and Overview 8-1 8.2 Changes to Policy and Legislative Context 8-1 8.3 Application Consultation Responses 8-1 8.4 Implications of Revised Layout 8-1 8.5 Shadow Flicker Predicted Effects 8-1 8.6 Evaluation of Residual Effects 8-1 8.7 Conclusions 8-1 8.8 References 8-1 9. Landscape and Visual 9-1 9.1 Introduction 9-1 Chapter Structure 9-1 9.2 Consultation and Scope of Assessment 9-2 East Ayrshire Council 9-2 Scottish Natural Heritage 9-5 9.3 Methodology 9-6 Assessment Parameters 9-7 Defining the Study Area 9-7 Landscape Planning Policy and Guidance 9-7 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 9-8 Cumulative Wind Energy Development 9-9 9.4 Zone of Theoretical Visibility and Viewpoint Analysis 9-11 Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) Analysis 9-12 Viewpoint and Cumulative Viewpoint Analysis 9-12 9.5 Baseline Description 9-18 Baseline Landscape Receptors 9-18 Baseline Visual Receptors 9-21 Information Gaps 9-24 Future Baseline 9-24 9.6 Landscape Design Statement and Mitigation 9-24 Landscape Design Objectives 9-24 Landscape Design Considerations 9-25 Design Evolution 9-27 Mitigation Inherent in Proposed Development 9-28 9.7 Residual Landscape Effects 9-28 Overview of the Landscape Character of the Development Site 9-28 Identification of the Landscape Character of the Development Site 9-29 Direct Landscape Effects: Southern Uplands and Forestry: Enoch Hill LCA 9-30 Direct Landscape Effects: Southern Uplands: Benty Cowan Hill LCA 9-37 Indirect Effects on the Surrounding Landscape Character 9-41 Landscape Designations: Afton SLCA 9-43 9.8 Residual Visual Effects 9-45 Visual Effects during Construction, Operation and Decommissioning 9-45 Visual Receptors: Settlements and Residential Properties 9-46 Visual Effects on Views from Transport Routes 9-52 Visual Receptors: Recreational Routes 9-57 Visual Effects on Views from Recreational and Tourist Destinations 9-61 9.9 Summary of Residual Landscape and Visual Effects 9-64 9.10 Summary and Conclusions 9-71 Consultation and Scope of Assessment 9-71 Viewpoint and Cumulative Viewpoint Analysis 9-72 Landscape Design Statement and Mitigation 9-72 Mitigation Inherent in Proposed Development 9-74 Landscape Effects 9-74 Visual Effects 9-75 Response to Consultation 9-75 Conclusions 9-76 9.11 References 9-77 February 2017 Doc Ref. 37898CGOS042i1R 5 © Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited 10. Historic Environment 10-1 10.1 Introduction and Overview 10-1 10.2 Changes to Policy and Legislative Context 10-1 10.3 Application Consultation 10-2 10.4 Implications of Revised Layout 10-5 10.5 Predicted Effects: Construction, Operation, Decommissioning and Cumulative 10-5 Operational 10-5 Cumulative 10-7 10.6 Evaluation of Residual Effects 10-7 10.7 Conclusions 10-7 10.8 References 10-7 Documentary Sources 10-7 Online Sources 10-7 11. Ecology 11-1 11.1 Introduction and Overview 11-1 11.2 Changes to Policy and Legislative Context 11-1 11.3 Application Consultation Responses 11-2 11.4 Implications of Revised Layout 11-5 11.5 Predicted Effects: Construction, Operation, Decommissioning and Cumulative 11-6 Construction, Operational and Decommissioning Disturbance Effects 11-6 GWDTEs 11-8 Running Water, Salmonids and Freshwater Pearl Mussel 11-8 Otter and Water Vole 11-8 Badger and Herpetofauna 11-9 Bats 11-9 Cumulative 11-9 11.6 Evaluation of Residual Effects 11-9 11.7 Conclusions 11-10 11.8 References 11-10 12. Ornithology 12-1 12.1 Introduction and Overview 12-1 12.2 Changes to Policy and Legislative Context 12-1 12.3 Application Consultation Responses 12-1 12.4 Implications of Revised Layout 12-3 12.5 Predicted Effects: Construction, Operation, Decommissioning and Cumulative 12-3 Construction, Operational and Decommissioning Disturbance to Breeding and Wintering Birds 12-3 Collision-Risk (Operational Effects) 12-3 12.6 Evaluation of Residual Effects 12-4 12.7 Conclusions 12-4 12.8 References 12-4 February 2017 Doc Ref. 37898CGOS042i1R 6 © Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited 13. Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology 13-1 13.1 Introduction and Overview 13-1 13.2 Changes to Policy and Legislative Context 13-1 13.3 Application Consultation Responses 13-2 13.4 Implications of Revised Layout 13-3 Potential Receptors 13-3 Potentially Significant Effects 13-4 13.5 Predicted Effects: Construction, Operation, Decommissioning and Cumulative 13-4 Surface Water Courses (Flows and Quality) 13-4 Groundwater Body (Flows and Quality) 13-5 Private Water Supplies 13-5 GWDTEs 13-5 Peat Hydrology 13-6 13.6 Evaluation of Residual Effects 13-6 13.7 Conclusions 13-6 13.8 References 13-6 14. Traffic and Transport 14-1 14.1 Introduction and Overview 14-1 14.2 Changes to Policy and Legislative Context 14-1 14.3 Application Consultation Responses 14-1 14.4 Implications of Revised Layout 14-3 Traffic Flows 14-3 14.5 Predicted Effects: Construction, Operation, Decommissioning and Cumulative 14-4 Construction Effects 14-4 Operational Effects 14-7 Decommissioning Effects 14-8 14.6 Evaluation of Residual Effects 14-10 14.7 Conclusions 14-11 14.8 References 14-11 15. Socio-economics, Tourism and Recreation 15-1 15.1 Introduction and Overview 15-1 15.2 Changes to Policy and Legislative Context 15-1 15.3 Baseline Review 15-2 15.4 Application Consultation Responses 15-3 15.5 Implications of Revised Layout 15-4 15.6 Predicted Effects: Construction, Operation, Decommissioning and Cumulative 15-4 Economic and Employment Effects 15-4 Accommodation 15-6 Land Use and Public Access 15-6 Recreation 15-6 Tourism 15-9 15.7 Evaluation of Residual Effects 15-9 15.8 Conclusions 15-10 15.9 References 15-10 February 2017 Doc Ref. 37898CGOS042i1R 7 © Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited 16. Infrastructure, Telecommunications and Safety 16-1 16.1 Introduction and Overview 16-1 16.2 Changes to Policy and Legislative Context 16-1 16.3 Application Consultation Responses 16-1 16.4 Implications of Revised Layout 16-2 16.5 Predicted Effects: Construction, Operation, Decommissioning and Cumulative 16-2 16.6 Evaluation of Residual Effects 16-3 16.7 Conclusions 16-3 17.
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