Corriemoillie wind farm
Environmental Statement Volume 1 November 2009 Preface
This Environmental Statement has been prepared in support of an application under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended by The Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006) for the development of a wind farm at Corriemoillie, in Ross Shire.
The Environmental Statement comprises the following documents:
Non-Technical Summary (NTS); Environmental Statement Volume 1; and Technical Appendices Volume 2
In addition to the above, the application is accompanied by a Planning Statement, which has been submitted in support of the application but which does not form part of the Environmental Statement.
The Environmental Statement can be viewed, along with the other documents referred to in this section at The Highland Council Planning Department, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX.
The ES can also be viewed by the public during normal working hours at the following locations:
Further copies of the NTS are available free of charge and the Environmental Statement may be purchased for £300.00 per hard copy or £20 for CD-ROM from:
E.ON Climate & Renewables Westwood Way Westwood Business Park Coventry CV4 8LG Email: [email protected] Telephone: 02476 183067
November 2009 Corriemoillie Windfarm Environmental Statement
Contents
Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Approach to EIA
3. Project Description
4. Policy Context
5. Landscape and Visual Assessment
6. Ecology
7. Ornithology
8. Forestry
9. Hydrology, Geology and Hydrogeology
10. Cultural Heritage
11. Noise
12. Traffic and Transport
13. Socio-Economics, Tourism and Land Use
14. Other Considerations
November 2009 Corriemoillie Windfarm Environmental Statement Chapter 1 – Introduction
Structure of the Environmental Statement Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.9 The ES comprises the following stand alone documents:
Project Outline Non-Technical Summary (NTS) which summarises the key information presented in the Environmental Statement in a non-technical manner; 1.1 RPS has been appointed by E.ON Climate and Renewables UK Developments Limited (E.ON) to The Environmental Statement which reports the findings of the EIA; prepare an Environmental Statement (ES) to accompany an application under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to The Highland Council for permission to construct and Technical Appendices detailing technical information; and operate a Wind Farm in Corriemoillie Forest (the proposed Wind Farm). The proposed Wind Farm Confidential Annexes containing sensitive ecological information which as a matter of law would be approximately 7km northwest of Garve and located in Ross and Cromarty East. The cannot be made available to the public. location of the proposed Wind Farm is shown in Figure 1.1. 1.10 The Environmental Statement is structured as follows: 1.2 The planning application boundary and the layout of site infrastructure are shown in Figure 1.2. Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 describe the background to the project, EIA process and 1.3 The location of this proposed Wind Farm is adjacent the site of the consented Lochluichart Wind methodology, the project details and planning context respectively; Farm and this relationship is shown in Figure 1.3. Although a separate project, the proposed Chapters 5 - 13 detail the technical assessments of the potential environmental impacts of turbine heights and appearance will be similar to this consented scheme. the development, the proposed/adopted mitigation measures to reduce any negative effects, ongoing consultation and monitoring; and 1.4 Under the terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999, an Chapter 14 considers communications, aeronautical interests, other infrastructure, shadow Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken to identify and assess the likely flicker, waste management, and safety and security in respect of the proposed Wind Farm. environmental effects of the proposed development and recommend mitigation measures. This ES reports the findings of the EIA. The Developer
1.5 The proposal is for the construction and operation of 19 wind turbines with a likely output of 47.5 1.11 E.ON has taken a leading role in the development of wind power in the UK since 1991, when they megawatts (MW) and other associated infrastructure including: invested in their first wind farm. They now operate 21 wind farms – 19 onshore and 2 offshore – and are currently completing Robin Rigg in the Solway Firth, which will be one of the largest 3 borrow pits; offshore wind farms in Europe. E.ON has already built and is operating two wind farms in One permanent anemometer mast; Scotland: Wind farm control building; Transformers and cables from the wind turbines to the wind farm substation; Bowbeat in the Scottish Borders with a capacity of 31.2 MW; and Upgrade of existing access tracks; Deucheran Hill, near Carradale, Kintyre with a capacity of 15.8 MW. Construction of new access tracks providing access to all turbine locations; Crane hardstanding areas adjacent to each wind turbine; 1.12 E.ON is one of the only UK wind farm developers currently certified to the internationally Temporary construction compound; and recognised environmental management standard, ISO 14001, and as such places a great Temporary laydown area. emphasis on the proper management of environmental risk during construction of its wind farms.
1.6 The project will also involve the construction of a grid connection. The details of the proposed The Project Team Wind Farm project are provided in Chapter 3 (Project Description). 1.13 RPS Planning and Development (RPS) has prepared the ES, managed the EIA process and have 1.7 It is proposed that the Wind Farm would generate electricity for 25 years after which time it would undertaken all the technical assessments in the EIA, including: be removed or an application made for further planning permission to extend the duration of operation at the site in accordance with a scheme to be agreed with Highland Council. Planning Context; Landscape and Visual Assessment; 1.8 The final proposed Wind Farm layout comprising 19 turbines and associated infrastructure (Figure Ecology; 1.2) has evolved during an iterative design process over the duration of the EIA and is described Ornithology; in more detail in Chapter 2 (EIA process). Consultation has been carried out throughout. Forestry; Hydrology, Geology and Hydrogeology; Cultural Heritage; Noise; Traffic and Transport;
Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 1 – Page 1 Chapter 1 – Introduction
Tourism, Socio-economics and Land use; and and by a range of international and national targets. The Highland Council has incorporated this Other Considerations (telecommunications, aviation and shadow flicker). policy into their Development Plan. However, it is important to note that these targets are not fixed “ceilings”, and the Climate Change bill in particular requires frequent revisions of targets and 1.14 RPS is one of the UK’s largest Environmental Consultancies. The RPS team has over 100 more stringent emissions reductions over time. consultants, technicians and engineers with specific skills and experience relevant to wind development projects and has been engaged in onshore wind projects totalling over 3,000 MW. Wind Power 1.22 The harnessing of wind energy is one of the best placed renewable technologies available in the 1.15 The legal review has been undertaken by Eversheds LLP. UK because it has the windiest countries in Europe 3 and improvements in technology have resulted in the cost of wind power falling close to those of conventional sources of electricity. Wind Justification for Development is therefore both the most abundant and one of the cheapest of the UK's renewable energy resources 4. Climate Change Corriemoillie Wind Farm 1.16 There is now unequivocal evidence of climate change, from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global Energy Generation average sea level 1. The main human influence on global climate is emissions of key greenhouse 1.23 The proposed Wind Farm would have the capacity to produce a maximum of 416.1GWh of gases, specifically: Carbon Dioxide (CO 2), Methane (CH 4) and Nitrous Oxide (N 2O). electricity per annum assuming all turbines are operating at full potential for 24 hours a day at 1.17 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a body of United Nations scientists optimum wind speed. Due to natural variations in wind speed it has been estimated that the which monitors studies examining the effects of climate change, reported an increase in output from a wind farm is approximately 30% of the maximum output. The energy output from the wind farm would therefore be approximately 124.83 GWh per annum based on 2.5 MW turbines. atmospheric CO 2 concentration from a pre-industrial value of about 280 parts per million (ppm) to
379 ppm in 2005. About two-thirds of the observed increased atmospheric carbon concentration is 5 due to the carbon emissions released from the burning of traditional fossil fuels (notably coal and 1.24 Based on 2006 electricity sales data , the average Scottish household uses 4.5 MWh per year, oil). thus the proposed Wind Farm is expected to be able to provide electricity for approximately 31,000 households. In 2007, there were approximately 217,440 households in the Highland Council Area 6; therefore the equivalent of approximately 14% of households in the Highlands 1.18 This increase in the concentration of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere affect the way the earth retains heat and the worlds leading environmental scientists have concluded could have their annual electricity consumption supplied by Corriemoillie Wind Farm. This this process is leading to an increase in the earth’s average temperature, causing climate change. percentage may decrease slightly during the lifetime of the wind farm due to predicted population growth in Scotland as a whole 7. However, there is also the strong possibility that domestic Finite Fuel Sources electricity consumption may reduce due to energy efficiency measures that are currently being proposed the Scottish Government 8. Although these figures are open to variation, in principle 1.19 In addition to the issue of climate change, concerns currently exist about the long-term viability of they show that the proposed Wind Farm will provide a substantial proportion of electricity used in the use of fossil fuels to generate energy, due to the finite nature of the fuel. Owing to political the local area. instability, there are also concerns that too heavy a reliance on imported fuels could threaten the UK’s security of supply even in the relatively short-term future. Greenhouse gas displacement 1.25 It is widely recognised that wind farms save carbon emissions during operation when compared to The Advantages of Renewable Energy fossil fuel energy generation. However, carbon losses and gains during the construction and operation of the wind farm need to be evaluated on a site specific basis. 1.20 There is now general consensus that the adoption of renewable energy (wind, solar, hydro, tidal, geothermal) is more likely to produce a more secure and long-term energy supply than the 1.26 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) produced a Technical Guidance Note in 2003 for calculating continuation of fossil fuel energy generation 2. Unlike fossil fuel energy generation, renewable carbon ‘payback’ times for wind farms 9. Nayak et al updated this guidance in 2008 and devised a energy does not significantly contribute to climate change, and is infinite (effectively) by carbon balance tool for wind farms being constructed on peatlands which considers the impacts of harnessing energy generated from natural resources. Renewable energy can also result in emissions savings as discussed from paragraph 1.24, domestic security of supply as mentioned in paragraph 1.19, and can create jobs in the emerging sector. As such, it has many benefits over 3 BWEA, http://www.bwea.com/media/news/141105.html conventional energy sources. 4 Sustainable Development Commission (2005): Wind Power in the UK - A guide to the key issues surrounding onshore wind power development in the UK 5 BERR, http://stats.berr.gov.uk/energystats/dukes08_c5.pdf 1.21 As discussed in Chapter 4 (Planning), renewable energy is supported by national Policy (in 6 particular the Climate Change (Scotland) Act and Scottish Planning Policy 6: Renewable Energy) http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/yourward/ward10/ward10-z-wardstats.htm 7 General Register Office for Scotland, http//:www.gro-scotland.gov.uk 8 Scottish Government, http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Action/energy-efficiency- 1 IPCC, AR4 Synthesis Report 2007 policy/ActionPlan 2 DEFRA, http://www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/government/what/index.htm 9 SNH, http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/polstat/caf.pdf
Chapter 1 – Page 2 Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 1 – Introduction
wind farms during construction and operation on soil stability and long-term greenhouse gas emissions. This tool was used to calculate the carbon balance (sum of the carbon losses and gains) for Corriemoillie Wind Farm and takes into account peat removal, drainage, habitat improvement and site restoration.
1.27 Table 1.1 shows the calculated Carbon ‘payback’ time associated with proposed Wind Farm. A breakdown of the input values and total carbon losses and gains associated with the proposed Wind Farm are shown in Appendix 1A.
Table 1.1 Corriemoillie Wind Farm Carbon Balance and Payback Carbon Gains (t CO 2 Carbon Losses (t Overall Carbon Total Payback Time eq) CO 2 eq) Balance (t CO 2 eq) (yr)* 56,731 217,623 274,354 5.1
*The Carbon payback time of the Wind Farm is calculated by comparing the loss of carbon from the site due to wind farm construction with the Carbon savings achieved by the Wind Farm during a 25 year operating period.
1.28 The estimated total carbon payback time of the proposed Wind Farm, based on carbon losses and gains, is 5.1 years (Table 1.1) compared with the current mix of electricity generation (2.6 years compared with coal-fired electricity generation). Corriemoillie Wind Farm could prevent over 53,600 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent emissions (tCO 2 eq) being released into the atmosphere over its lifetime if using a grid mix of electricity generation as the counterfactual.
Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 1 – Page 3 Chapter 10 - Cultural Heritage
maintains a list of all SAMs and enforce the protection. Scheduled Monument Consent is Chapter 10 – Cultural Heritage required for works that affect or alter SAMs, with the exception of some agricultural activities; Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. A list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest is maintained by Historic Scotland. Development Introduction affecting the character of such designated features is subject to listed building consent via the Planning Authority under the Act; and 10.1 This chapter provides an assessment of the extent of known archaeological features and the The Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland list is compiled by Historic wider cultural heritage present within and surrounding the application area based on currently Scotland. The purpose of the Inventory is to identify sites of national importance at the time of available data. Furthermore, it aims to assess the significance of the effect of the proposed Wind designation. Such designation is not the same as affording statutory protection. Under Article Farm on the cultural heritage resource. Cultural heritage resources include: 15 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992, [as amended April 2007], planning authorities must consult with Historic Scotland on Scheduled Ancient Monuments; any proposed development that may affect a site contained in the Inventory. Other archaeological sites; Listed Buildings; Planning Guidance other buildings of historic or architectural importance and recorded on the Sites and Scottish Planning Policy 23 Planning and the Historic Environment (October 2008). SPP 23 Monuments maintained by Highland Archaeology Service; and has superseded and consolidated NPPG18 Planning and Historic Environment and NPPG5 Conservation Areas and Designed Landscapes. Archaeology and Planning. The policy sets out to ensure that planning authorities safeguard the special qualities of historic environments. Statutory and Non-Statutory designations are Key Issues material considerations when determining planning applications: The policy recognises that the historic environment can be adapted to accommodate new uses, offering opportunities for assessment and where appropriate, mitigation, of direct impacts on the cultural heritage new and creative design, whilst retaining its special character. Historic Scotland has to be resource. Direct impacts are considered to constitute physical damage to, or complete consulted at the early stages of a proposal. Overall, SPP 23 aims to encourage a positive and removal of, the cultural heritage resource; and proactive approach by Planning Authorities to managing change in the historic environment; assessment and where appropriate, mitigation of indirect impacts on the cultural heritage The Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP) 2009 complements and has the same resource. Indirect impacts consist of changes to the setting and/or the context of the cultural authority as the Scottish Planning Policy series and other Ministerial policy documents. The heritage resource. SHEP is a relevant document in the statutory planning, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) processes. It has been prepared and is Methodology published in parallel with Scottish Planning Policy 23 on the Historic Environment; Planning Advice Note (PAN) 42 : Archaeology, The Planning Process and Scheduled Consultations Monument Procedures (1994) provide advice on the handling of archaeological matters within the planning process; and 10.2 Historic Scotland and the Local Authority Archaeologist for the Highland Region were contacted, Planning Advice Note (PAN) 45 : Renewable Energy Technologies (rev. 2002) provides advice as statutory consultees. The Local Authority Archaeologist for the Highland Region provided on the likely visibility of wind farms in the wider area. comments on the scoping report in a memorandum dated 15 May 2009, while Historic Scotland
provided comments on the scoping report in a letter dated 29 April 2009. Baseline Studies
10.3 Historic Scotland noted that there were no Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Listed Buildings or Approach Gardens and Designed Landscapes within the search area. 10.6 For buried archaeological sites that are recorded on the Sites and Monuments Record but not 10.4 Historic Scotland drew no particular attention to any cultural heritage features, but advised that otherwise designated, the study area is a 1.5 km buffer zone around the proposed Wind Farm the proposed Wind Farm may have the potential to affect features over a wide area and Site and Access Roads (Figure 10.1). Whilst there is no potential for direct effects on cultural recommended that these should be addressed for potential indirect effects. heritage features outside this study area, it is considered that information from the study area may inform the assessment of the sensitivity of the application site and the archaeological resources Legislation and Guidance within it.
10.5 The following were referenced during the preparation of this chapter: 10.7 For designated historic environment resources of regional and local significance the study area is a circle of 3 km radius centred on the proposed Wind Farm (Figure 10.2). The study area has Legislation regard to the advice on the perception of turbines in Figure 8 of PAN 45, to the nature and extent of the proposed development. It is not considered that the potential for likely significant Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979) provides Scheduled Ancient environmental effects on a cultural heritage resource of regional or local importance would exist Monuments (SAMs) with protection. Scheduling is administered by Historic Scotland, who beyond 3km. Only those receptors that fall within the ZTV have been identified and described.
Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 10 – Page 1 Chapter 10 - Cultural Heritage
10.8 For designated cultural heritage resources of international and national significance the study Assessment of Resource Importance (Value) – Archaeological Remains area is primarily a circle of 10 km radius centred on the proposed Wind Farm (Figure 10.3). A 10.13 There are no national government guidelines for evaluating the importance or significance (and precautionary approach is employed where more distant cultural heritage features of international hence the 'value') of cultural heritage resources. and national significance are included in the initial stages of assessment, these only being discounted after a detailed assessment of their setting has been made.The study area is 10.14 Clearly a high degree of professional judgement is necessary, guided by acknowledged demonstrably robust to ensure that any likely significant environmental effects can be identified. standards, designations and priorities. It is also important to understand that buried archaeological Furthermore, the study area is consistent with advice in Figure 8 of PAN 45, which advises on the remains may not be well-understood at the time of assessment, and can therefore be of uncertain general perception of turbines within the landscape at certain distances. Given these distances, value. and having regard to the nature and scale of the proposed Wind Farm, and experience it is considered that the potential for likely significant adverse effects will be confined to resources 10.15 The most recent guidance from any national agency regarding cultural heritage and within 10 km. Due to the low number of nationally important sites within a 10km radius of the Environmental Impact Assessment is from the Highways Agency, and is expressed in Guidance proposed Wind Farm, all such receptors were identified, but not assessed for indirect impacts on Note 208/07 (August 2007) that now forms part of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges their settings if outside the ZTV. (DMRB, Volume 11, section 3, part 2). Guidance Note 208/07 provides the following table as a guide for assessing the value of archaeological resources: Desk Assessment 10.9 The primary information resource was the Sites and Monuments Record, supplemented by Table 10.1 Factors for Assessing the Value of Archaeological Assets relevant published documentary and cartographic material, as appropriate. Information on Very High World Heritage Sites Scheduled Ancient Monuments, listed buildings, Inventoried Gardens and Designed Landscapes Assets of acknowledged international importance etc was obtained from Historic Scotland. The assessment determined how likely it is that any archaeological/cultural heritage feature may occur at the site, what it is and its historical Assets that can contribute significantly to acknowledged international research importance/relevance to the area. objectives High Scheduled Monuments the assessment was based on a preliminary, office-based, assessment of the likelihood of the Undesignated assets of schedulable quality and importance proposed Wind Farm site to contain archaeological remains and to provide an indication of Assets that can contribute significantly to acknowledged national research what, if any, further work would be required with regard to archaeology; objectives the primary information resource was a review of existing information prepared in connection Medium with previous development proposals on the site. In addition, the Sites and Monuments Designated or undesignated assets that contribute to regional research Record (SMR) was consulted to determine if there have been any new discoveries in the area. objectives This was supplemented by relevant published documentary and cartographic material, as Low Undesignated assets of local importance appropriate; and Assets compromised by poor preservation and/or poor survival of contextual information on Scheduled Ancient Monuments, listed buildings, Inventoried Gardens and associations Designed Landscapes etc was obtained from Historic Scotland. Assets of limited value, but with potential to contribute to local research objectives 10.10 A site visit and walkover survey was undertaken by RPS on 6 August 2009 to: Negligible Assets with very little or no surviving archaeological interest establish the presence of above ground archaeology, whether or not previously recorded; Unknown The importance of the resource cannot be ascertained assess and validate data collected as part of the desk-based assessment; assess the topography and geomorphology of the application area; and inform an assessment of the site’s context within the wider historic landscape. Assessment of Resource Importance (Value) - Historic Buildings 10.11 The site visit was also intended to provide an indication of the suitability of any further survey 10.16 For historic buildings, assessment of importance is usually based on the designations used in the technique. Listed Building process. However, where historic buildings are not listed, or where the listing grade may be in need of updating, professional judgement will be required. 10.12 For the purposes of the assessment, archaeological periods are defined as follows: 10.17 The criteria used in establishing the value of historic buildings within the listing procedure include Prehistoric [comprising Lower Palaeolithic (pre 30,000 BC), Upper Palaeolithic (30,000 - architectural interest, historic interest, close historic association (with nationally important people 10,000BC), Mesolithic (10,000 - 3,500BC), Neolithic (3,500 - 2,000BC), Bronze Age (2,000 - or events), and group value. Age and rarity are also taken into account; in general (where 700BC) and Iron Age (700BC - AD43)]; surviving in original or near-original condition) all buildings of pre-1700 date are listed, most of Roman (AD43 - AD450); 1700-1840 date are listed, those of 1840-1914 date are more selectively listed, and thereafter Medieval (AD450 - AD1540); and even more selectively listed. Post Medieval (AD1540 onwards).
Chapter 10 – Page 2 Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 10 - Cultural Heritage
10.18 At a local level, buildings may be valued for their association with local events and people or for 10.22 There are number of designations that can apply to historic landscapes, including World Heritage their role in the community. Sites (inscribed for their historic landscape value), Inventoried Gardens and Designed Landscapes, and Conservation Areas. Some local plans include locally designated Historic 10.19 Guidance Note 208/07 provides the following table as a guide for evaluating the value of historic Landscape Areas, and Historic Parks and Gardens (or similar). buildings: 10.23 A model has been produced by the Council for British Archaeology whereby the historic Table 10.2 Guide for Establishing the Value of Historic Buildings landscape can be divided up into units that are scaled, from smallest to largest, as follows: Very High Standing buildings inscribed as of universal importance as World Heritage Sites Elements - individual features such as earthworks, structures, hedges, woods etc; Other buildings of recognised international importance Parcels - elements combined to produce, for example farmsteads or fields; Components - larger agglomerations of parcels, such as dispersed settlements or straight- High Scheduled Monuments with standing remains sided field systems; Category A Listed Buildings Types - distinctive and repeated combinations of components defining generic historic Other listed buildings that can be shown to have exceptional qualities in their landscapes such as ancient woodlands or parliamentary enclosure; fabric or historical association not adequately reflected in the listing grade Zones - characteristic combinations of types, such as Anciently Enclosed Land or Moorland Conservation Areas containing very important buildings and Rough Grazing; Undesignated structures of clear national importance Sub-regions - distinguished on the basis of their unique combination of interrelated components, types and zones; Medium Category B Listed Buildings Regions - areas sharing an overall consistency over large geographical tracts. Historic (unlisted) buildings that can be shown to have exceptional qualities in their fabric or historical association 10.24 The model described above can be used as the principal part of the overall assessment usually Conservation Areas containing important buildings known as Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC). However, there is no significant guidance Historic Townscape or built-up areas with historic integrity in their buildings, or advice regarding the attribution of significance or value to identified historic landscape units. or built settings (e.g. including street furniture and other structures) 10.25 The Historic Land-use Assessment, jointly sponsored by Historic Scotland and the Royal Low Category C(S) Listed Buildings Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, is an analysis of past and Historic (unlisted) buildings of modest quality in their fabric or historical present land-use. Fifty-five Historic Land-Use types have been defined, characterised by their association period of origin, as well as form and function. The land use types were considered in compiling Historic Townscape or built-up areas of limited historic integrity in their the assessment. buildings, or built settings (e.g. including street furniture and other structures) 10.26 Guidance Note 208/07in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB, Volume 11, section 3, Negligible Buildings of no architectural or historic note; buildings of an intrusive part 2, Annex 7) provides the following table as a guide for evaluating the value of historic character landscape units: Unknown Buildings with some hidden (i.e. inaccessible) potential for historic Table 10.3 Guide for Evaluating Historic Landscape Character Units significance Very High World Heritage Sites inscribed for their historic landscape qualities
Historic landscape of international sensitivity, whether designated or not Extremely well-preserved historic landscapes with exceptional coherence, Assessment of Resource Importance (Value) - Historic Landscape time-depth, or other critical factor(s) 10.20 The sub-topic of Historic Landscape is recognised as having significant overlaps with other topics High Designated historic landscapes of outstanding interest such as Landscape and Townscape, and a multi-disciplinary approach to assessment is required. Undesignated landscapes of outstanding interest This is partially to avoid double-counting, and also to avoid duplication of effort. There are also Undesignated landscapes of high quality and importance, and of significant overlaps with the other Cultural Heritage sub-topics; Archaeological Remains and demonstrable national sensitivity Historic Buildings. The elements that are considered within those two sub-topics can make Well-preserved historic landscapes exhibiting exceptional coherence, time- significant contributions to the historic landscape, and this latter subtopic should concentrate on depth, or other critical factor(s) the overall historic landscape character and its value rather than the individual elements within it. Medium Designated special historic landscapes 10.21 All landscapes have some level of historic significance, as all of the present appearance of the Undesignated historic landscapes that would justify special historic landscape urban and rural parts of Britain is the result of human or human-influenced activities overlain on designation, landscapes of regional sensitivity the physical parameters of climate, geography and geology. Averagely well-preserved historic landscapes with reasonable coherence,
Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 10 – Page 3 Chapter 10 - Cultural Heritage
time-depth, or other critical factor(s) high value building. In terms of the judgement of the magnitude of effect, this is based on the Low Robust undesignated historic landscapes principle that preservation of the resource and its setting is preferred, and that total physical loss of the resource is the least preferred. Historic landscapes with specific and substantial importance to local interest groups, but with limited sensitivity 10.32 Effects on the setting of historic buildings may include vibration, noise and lighting issues as well Historic landscapes whose sensitivity is limited by poor preservation and/or as visual effects, and may be reversible. Additional methodology regarding the assessment of poor survival of contextual associations effects on settings is provided below. Robust historic landscapes Negligible Landscapes with little or no significant historical interest 10.33 Impact scales are defined (as in DMRB Volume 11, Section 3, Annex 6) thus:
Major Change to key historic building elements such that the resource is totally
altered. Assessment of Impact Magnitude - Archaeological Remains Total change to the setting (where the scope or extent of the change is so fundamental that the ability to understand the setting of the historic building is 10.27 The magnitude of effect is assessed without regard to the value of the resource. In terms of the severely compromised). judgement of the magnitude of effect, this is based on the principle (first established in NPPG5) that preservation of the resource is preferred, and that total physical loss of the resource is the Moderate Change to many key historic building elements, such that the resource is least preferred. significantly modified. Changes to the setting of an historic building, such that it is significantly 10.28 It is not always possible to assess the physical effect in terms of percentage loss, and therefore it modified ( such changes would change the setting of the historic building can be important in such cases to try to assess the capacity of the resource to retain its character materially but not fundamentally, such that its ability to be understood would following any effect. Similarly, effects on the setting of archaeological remains may also be more be moderately compromised). difficult to assess as they do not involve physical loss of the resource and to subsist for the Minor Changes to key historic building elements, such that the asset is slightly life/presence of the development and thus be reversible. different. Change to the setting of an historic building, such that it is noticeably changed 10.29 Impact scales are defined (as in DMRB Volume 11, Section 3, Annex 5) thus: (such changes would be detectable but not fundamentally or materially Major Change to most, or all, key archaeological elements, such that the resource is change the setting or its ability to be understood). totally altered. Negligible Slight changes to historic buildings elements or setting that hardly affect it Comprehensive changes to setting (such changes would fundamentally (such changes would be barely perceptible and would not affect the ability to change the setting of the archaeological element such that its ability to be understand the setting). understood was severely compromised). No change No change to fabric or setting Moderate Changes to many key archaeological elements, such that the resource is Assessment of Impact Magnitude - Historic Landscape clearly modified. Material changes to setting ( such changes would change the setting 10.34 Historic landscapes cannot be destroyed or damaged by wind energy development but effects on materially but not fundamentally, such that its ability to be understood would them can change their character. Effects should be assessed using evaluated historic landscape be moderately compromised). character units, not the elements/parcels/components that contribute towards the character (see above). There may be effects on the setting of identified units, especially with regard to Minor Changes to key archaeological elements, such that the asset is slightly designated historic landscapes. Additional methodology regarding the assessment of effects on altered. settings is provided below. Slight changes to setting (such changes would be detectable but would not fundamentally or materially compromise the ability to understand the setting). 10.35 Impact scales are defined (as in DMRB Volume 11, Section 3, Annex 7) thus: Negligible Very minor changes to elements or setting (such changes would be barely perceptible and would not affect the ability to understand the setting). Major Change to most or all key historic landscape elements, parcels or No change No change. components; extreme visual effects; gross change of noise or change to sound quality; fundamental changes to use or access; resulting in total 10.30 Additional methodology regarding the assessment of effects on settings is provided below. change to historic landscape character unit. Moderate Changes to many key historic landscape elements, parcels or components; Assessment of Impact Magnitude - Historic Buildings visual change to many key aspects of the historic landscape; noticeable 10.31 The magnitude of effect is assessed without regard to the value of the resource, so the total differences in noise or sound quality; considerable changes to use or access; destruction of an insignificant building would have the same degree of effect as the total loss of a resulting in moderate changes to historic landscape character.
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Minor Changes to few key historic landscape elements, parcels or components; effect is not reached in most cases, given that most receptors will only have a partial view of the slight visual changes to few key aspects of historic landscape; limited proposed Wind Farm. changes to noise levels or sound quality; slight changes to use or access; Table 10.5 Relationship Between Distance and Wind Farm Visibility resulting in limited changes to historic landscape character. Distance Description Maximum potential Negligible Very minor changes to key historic landscape elements, parcels or magnitude of effect components; virtually unchanged visual effects; very slight changes in noise To 2km The wind farm is a prominent feature within the landscape High levels or sound quality; very slight changes to use or access; resulting in a very small change to historic landscape character. 2-5km The wind farm is a relatively prominent feature within the High landscape No change No change to elements, parcels or components; no visual or audible changes; no changes arising from amenity or community factors 5-15km Prominent in clear visibility and as part of the wider Medium landscape Significance of Effects 15-30km Only prominent in very clear conditions and as a minor Low element within the landscape 10.36 The significance of effects is a combination of the value of the resource or asset and the magnitude of effect on that resource or asset. Effects can be adverse or beneficial. Beneficial effects are those that mitigate existing effects and help to restore or enhance heritage assets, Settings therefore allowing for greater understanding and appreciation. In line with Guidance Note 208/07 (DMRB Volume 11, Section 3, Annex 7) the following matrix is used for all three sub-topics 10.40 The identification of the 'setting' of cultural heritage features, and the nature and magnitude of (archaeological remains, historic buildings and historic landscape). effects and consequently effects on such 'settings', has been subject to much recent debate within the historic environment profession. Legislation and guidance make reference to the desirability of Table 10.4 Cultural Heritage: Significance of Effects Matrix preserving or not adversely affecting 'settings', but the term has never really been clearly defined. VALUE / SENSITIVITY 10.41 It is noteworthy that there are no agreed guidelines on the identification of the setting of cultural Very High Neutral Slight Moderate/ Large or Very Very Large heritage features. SPP23 (paragraph 9) notes that “The location of historic features in the Large Large landscape and the patterns of past use and activity are part of the historic environment. Setting is High Neutral Slight Moderate/ Moderate/ Large/Very more than the immediate surroundings of a site or building and, for example, may be related to Slight Large Large the function or use of a place, or how it was intended to fit into the landscape or townscape, the view from it or how it is seen from around, or areas that are important to the protection of the Medium Neutral Neutral/Slight Slight Moderate Moderate/ place, site or building.” Large Low Neutral Neutral/Slight Neutral/Slight Slight Slight/ 10.42 In defining setting, an Annexe entitled ‘Assessment of Impact on the Setting of the Historic Moderate Environment Resource – some general considerations’, issued by Historic Scotland (2009) Negligible Neutral Neutral Neutral/Slight Neutral/Slight Slight recognises that “the archaeological/historic context, the visual appearance and the aesthetic No Change Negligible Minor Moderate Major qualities of a site’s surroundings play an important role in modern perceptions of the site and that MAGNITUDE OF IMPACT the alteration of those qualities has the potential to impact upon its character and value.” In addition, the Institute for Archaeologists has recently established a working party to address this issue. On the basis of the above, Colcutt’s (1999) definition of setting, as summarised in Lambrick (2008, below) is used as follows:
10.37 Where the matrix provides a split in the significance of effects, e.g. Moderate/Slight, the assessor will exercise professional judgement in determining which of the levels of significance is more intrinsic visual interest and listing visual qualities; appropriate. topographic setting, identifying visual relationships to topography and natural features that can be linked with the function of the site or the reason for placement of the site in the landscape; 10.38 Moderate or greater effects are considered to be significant for the purposes of the EIA landuse setting, identifying whether the landuse is sympathetic to the site’s intellectual Regulations. understanding; and group setting including both contemporary and diachronic groupings or patterning, listing other 10.39 The table below, based on Figure 8 of PAN 45 (entitled General Perception of a Wind Farm in an sites, above or below ground, that could assist with creating a network of relationships. This Open Landscape), with an additional comment on the maximum potential magnitude of effect, should acknowledge any spatial element. generalises the relationship between distance and magnitude of effect, without taking into account the sensitivity of receptors, or environment/ visibility. It is very possible that the maximum potential
Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 10 – Page 5 Chapter 10 - Cultural Heritage
Baseline Description Table 10.6 Recorded Sites within the Boundary of the Proposed Wind Farm HER number Site Name Site Type Importance/Sensitivity Core Study Area MHG24408 Allt Coire Mhuilidh Shieling Settlement Local / Low MHG42524 Allt Coire Mhuilidh Enclosure Local/Low 10.43 All known cultural heritage resources were identified within a 1.5km radius of the Core Study Area as defined by the red line boundary on Figure 10.1.
10.44 An assessment of the records held by the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS) was undertaken. These records consist of a computer database of all the known archaeological sites Sites within 1.5 kilometres of the Application Area and monuments in Scotland, with associated oblique aerial photographs where appropriate. This 10.53 There are a number of recorded sites within 1.5 kilometres of the boundary of the proposed Wind assessment provided information on the range of known monuments within 10km of the Farm and associated access road(s). application area. 10.54 There is one Scheduled Ancient Monument within 1.5 kilometres of the boundary of the proposed 10.45 An assessment of the records provided by the Highland Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) was development area. This is Little Garve Bridge over River Black Water (SAM 2720). undertaken. 10.55 There are no Listed Buildings, Gardens and Designed Landscapes or Conservation Areas within 10.46 An examination of early cartographic sources and relevant Ordnance Survey editions was 1.5 kilometres of the boundary of the proposed Wind Farm. Table 10.7 below provides an undertaken to identify potential cultural heritage features within and outwith the application area. indication of the sites within 1.5 kilometres of the red line boundary of the proposed Wind Farm Geological maps of the study area supplied by Landmark mapping were also consulted. and the associated access road(s).
10.47 A site visit and inspection was carried out to assess the potential survival of any visible Table 10.7 Recorded sites within 1.5 km of the Boundary of the Proposed Wind Farm and archaeological monuments within the core study and their condition and extent, where access roads appropriate. HER Importance/ number Site Name Site Type Sensitivity 10.48 Relevant aerial photographic coverage of the core study area held by the Royal Commission on Little Garve Bridge Over SAM 2720 – NSR V the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) was considered during the MHG7107 Bridge assessment. River Black Water National - High MHG21493 Corriemoillie Lodge (Site) House Local/Low Site Survey MHG21762 Corriemoillie Building Local/Low Bridge Abutment MHG29869 Aultguish Bridge Local/Low 10.49 A site walkover was carried out on 6 August 2009, in dull weather conditions. The application (RCHAMS) area is almost entirely used for plantation timber, with a few small clear areas, which coincide with watercourses. MHG22083 Garve, Free Church Church Local/Low Possible Shieling Hut, MHG24410 Shieling Hut (RCAHMS) Local/Low Sites within the Application Area Allt Abhagaith Bridgefield House, 10.50 There are no Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas or sites MHG32502 Farmhouse Local/Low recorded in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes within the application area. Little Garve MHG24403 Corriemoillie Township (RCAHMS) Local/Low 10.51 There are two sites listed in the Historical Environment Record within the application area. The MHG24404 Gorstan Crofting Township (HC) Local/Low site of two possible sheiling huts and an enclosure identified from historic maps are located on an area of relatively level ground on the north east bank of the river Alt Coire Mhuilidh in the south MHG24430 Little Garve Farmstead Local/Low eastern part of the proposed Wind Farm at NGR NH 3489 6583 (HER numbers MHG24408 and MHG24898 Strathgarve Bridge Bridge Local/Low 42524). Aerial photography examined at the RCHAMS library indicated that there was a feature, MHG30613 Farm Barn, Little Garve Barn Local/Low orientated north-west to south east in this area. The site visit indicated that there are few visible Contin To Poolewe Regional/Local surface traces of this feature on the ground. MHG35308 Military Road Military Road Medium/Low Possible Shieling Hut, 10.52 A site visit during an exercise to site two anenometer masts was carried out by RPS in 2006. One MHG40146 Wall Local/Low mast was positioned at NH 34941 68137, at the north end of a predominantly flat hilltop site, on Allt Abhagaith the edge of a boggy area. A single linear bank feature, approximately 50m in length, 3m wide and Possible Shieling Hut, MHG40147 Enclosure Local/Low 0.5m high was noted, running north to south At its closest the feature was located some 15-18m Allt Abhagaith east of the mast foot. It remains unclear whether this was a natural or a man-made feature. MHG39947 Sheepfold, Little Garve Sheepfold Local/Low
Chapter 10 – Page 6 Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 10 - Cultural Heritage
HER Importance/ importance and Category B and C(S) Listed Buildings located between 3 and 10 kilometres of the number Site Name Site Type Sensitivity boundary of the proposed Wind Farm. MHG40957 Corriemoillie Head Dyke Local/Low 10.59 None of the cultural heritage features listed in Tables 10.11 and 10.12 below are located within MHG48417 Strath Garve Farm Farmhouse, Farmstead Local/Low the ZTV of the proposed Wind Farm. Strath Garve Farm, MHG48418 Keeper's House And House, Kennels Local/Low Table 10.9 Nationally important sites between 3 and 10 km of the Proposed Wind Farm Kennels Importance/ MHG48419 Corriemoillie Farmstead, Farmhouse Local/Low HER Number Site Name Site Type Sensitivity MHG48420 Torriegorrie Farmstead Local/Low Chapel, Etc NSR V MHG7777 House, Chapel Probable Illicit Still, Glac Achnaclerich Farm National - High MHG52531 Still Local/Low Luachrach, Silver Bridge NSR V MHG7778 Achnaclerich Farm Farmstead National - High
Possible Fort, NSR V MHG14713 Fort 10.56 Little Garve Bridge was delisted as a Category A Listed Building in 2007. Glenmarksie National - High
Sites between 1.5 and 3 kilometres of the Application Area 10.57 There are a number of recorded sites located between 1.5 and 3 kilometres of the boundary of the Table 10.10 Category B and C (S) Listed Buildings within 3 and 10 km of the Proposed proposed development area (Figure 10.2). There are no Scheduled Ancient monuments, Listed Wind Farm Buildings, Gardens and Designed Landscapes or Conservation Areas between 1.5 and 3 Historic Building kilometres of the boundary of the proposed Wind Farm. Table 10.8 below provides an indication Number Site Name Importance/Sensitivity of the sites located between 1.5 and 3 kilometres of the boundary of the proposed Wind Farm Category B Listed development area and within the ZTV. Non-Statutory Register (NSR) ‘R’ sites are considered to 1774 Lochluichart Parish Church, Burial Ground Regional/Medium be of potential regional importance. Category C(S) Listed 1775 Lochluichart Parish Manse and Steading Table 10. 8 Recorded sites between 1.5 and 3 km of Proposed Wind Farm and within ZTV Local/Low HER Importance/ number Site Name Site Type Sensitivity MHG7550 Glascarnoch Dam Dam Local/Low Gardens and Designed Landscapes (NSR) ‘R’ MHG8331 Feith Bhaite Enclosure Regional/Medium 10.60 There are no Inventoried Gardens and Designed Landscapes within 10 kilometres of the boundary of the proposed Wind Farm development area. Table 10.11, below, indicates those MHG21237 Lochluichart, Dam Dam Local/Low Gardens and Designed Landscapes within 15 kilometres of the boundary of the Proposed Wind MHG24539 Glascarnoch River Enclosure Local/Low Farm development area so that a full picture of the position can be seen. MHG36614 Lochluichart, Hydro Cottages House Local/Low Loch Luichart, 10.61 Of the Gardens and Designed Landscapes indicated below, Castle Leod lies outside the ZTV, MHG36307 Power Station Local/Low while only a small portion of Scatwell is located within the ZTV Mossford Power Station MHG42967 Glascarnoch Dam Power Station Local/Low Table 10.11 Inventoried Gardens and Designed Landscapes within 15 km of the Proposed MHG50726 Aultguish Inn Hotel Local/Low Wind Farm Site Identification Distance from Site Name Number Site Boundary Sites between 3 and 10 kilometres of the Application Area 332 Scatwell 10.5km SSE 92 Castle Leod 14.5km SE 10.58 There are a number of recorded sites located between 3 and 10 kilometres of the boundary of the
proposed Wind Farm (Figure 10.3). There are no Category A Listed Buildings, Gardens and Designed Landscapes or Conservation Areas between 3 and 10 kilometres of the boundary of the proposed Wind Farm. Tables 10.9 and 10.10 below provide an indication of the Scheduled Ancient Monuments, non-Statutory Register (NSR) sites considered to be of potential national
Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 10 – Page 7 Chapter 10 - Cultural Heritage
Assessment of Effects 10.71 The recorded sites are mostly of low value, although the enclosure at Feith Bhaite (HER number MHG8331) is of medium value. The Proposed Wind Farm would have no physical impact on any Potential Effects of these sites, nor impact on their settings, and the impact on them is assessed as being neutral. The effect of the Proposed Wind Farm on the sites would be no change. Sites within the Application Area Sites between 3 and 10 kilometres of the Application Area 10.62 The possible sheiling huts and enclosure (HER number MHG24408 and MHG 42524) sites are located on an area of relatively level ground on the north east bank of the river Alt Coire Mhuilidh 10.72 There are a number of recorded sites located between 3 and 10 kilometres of the boundary of the in the south eastern part of the proposed Wind Farm development area at NGR NH 3489 6583. Proposed Wind Farm area. There are no Category A listed Buildings, Gardens and Designed Aerial photography examined at the RCHAMS library indicated that there was a feature, Landscapes or Conservation Areas between 3 and 10 kilometres of the boundary of the Proposed orientated north west to south east in this area. The site visit indicated that there are few surviving Wind Farm area. There are several Scheduled Ancient Monuments, nationally important sites visible surface traces of this feature, which may have been affected by the adjacent coniferous and Category B and C listed Buildings located between 3 and 10 kilometres of the boundary of plantation. the Proposed Wind Farm area.
10.63 The site is of local importance. The proposed Wind Farm would have a neutral impact and the 10.73 None of the Scheduled Ancient Monuments, nationally important sites and Grade B and C listed significance of effect would be no change. Buildings are located within the ZTV. The Proposed Wind Farm would have no physical impact on any of these sites, nor any impact on their settings, and the impact on them is assessed as being 10.64 The single linear bank feature, located at NH 34941 68137approximately 50m in length, 3m wide neutral. The effect of the proposed Wind Farm on the sites would be no change. and 0.5m high was noted, running north to south at its closest the feature was located some 15- 18m east of the anemometer mast foot. It remains unclear whether this was a natural or a man- Gardens and Designed Landscapes made feature. 10.74 There are no Inventoried Gardens and Designed Landscapes within 10 kilometres of the boundary of the proposed Wind Farm. There are two Inventoried Gardens and Designed 10.65 The feature is of local importance. The Proposed Wind Farm development would have a neutral Landscapes, Scatwell (Identification number 332) located some 10.5km south southeast of the impact and the significance of effect would be no change. proposed Wind Farm, and Castle Leod (Identification number 92) located some 14.5 kilometres south east of the proposed Wind Farm. 10.66 There would be no direct or indirect impact on any other site within the application area. 10.75 Castle Leod lies outside the ZTV, while only a small portion of Scatwell is located within the ZTV. Sites within 1.5 kilometres of the Application Area th th 10.67 There is one Scheduled Ancient Monument within 1.5 kilometres of the boundary of the Proposed 10.76 Scatwell is a largely 20 century designed landscape surrounding a mid 19 century house. Wind Farm development area. This is Little Garve Bridge over River Black Water (SAM2720), built around 1762 to carry the line of the military road from Contin to Poolewe (MHG35308). The 10.77 The Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes notes, in the section on location setting and SAM is of national importance and high value. The SAM lies outside the ZTV of the Proposed extent, that Scatwell lies in the broad valley of Strathconon……..The lower slopes of the valley are Windfarm, and there would be no visibility of the Proposed Wind Farm from the SAM itself. afforested while the higher ground is heather moorland and is left for rough grazing…...Views out Principle views of the SAM are from close to the bridge, viewed from the north, south and south to the opposite sides of the valley can be gained throughout the garden. A more extensive view west (as evidenced by the RCAHMS photographic record of the SAM) and therefore not towards lies to the north-east beyond Torrachilty Wood. The Strathconon road passes the southern edge the Proposed Wind Farm to the north west. The Proposed Wind Farm would have no physical of the site. The flat valley setting prohibits views into the garden from the road but the lodges and impact on the site or impact on its setting, and the impact on the SAM is assessed as being ornamental conifers mark the presence of a designed landscape. neutral. The effect of the Proposed Wind Farm on the SAM would be no change. 10.78 Only a small portion of Scatwell is located within the ZTV, which is a bare earth ZTV and this is at 10.68 There are no Listed Buildings, Gardens and Designed Landscapes or Conservation Areas within the eastern end of the designed landscape. The park is not open to the public and has not been 1.5 kilometres of the boundary of the Proposed Wind Farm area. visited during the field survey. On the basis of the available information, it is unlikely that there would be views to the proposed Wind Farm. 10.69 There are a number of sites recorded on the HER within 1.5 kilometres of the boundary of the Proposed Wind Farm area. The Proposed Wind Farm would have no physical impact on any of 10.79 The designed landscape is of high value. The proposed Wind Farm would have no physical these sites and the impact on them is assessed as being neutral. The effect of the Proposed Wind impact on any of these sites and no impact on its setting. The overall impact on the designed Farm on the sites would be no change. landscape is assessed as being neutral. The effect of the proposed Wind Farm on the designed landscape would be no change. Sites between 1.5 and 3 kilometres of the Application Area Cumulative Effects 10.70 There are a number of recorded sites located between 1.5 and 3 kilometres of the boundary of the Proposed Wind Farm area. There are no Scheduled ancient Monuments, Listed Buildings, 10.80 No cumulative effects are predicted, as no direct or indirect impacts are predicted. Gardens and Designed Landscapes or Conservation Areas between 1.5 and 3 kilometres of the boundary of the Proposed Wind Farm area.
Chapter 10 – Page 8 Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 10 - Cultural Heritage
Mitigation References 10.81 Mitigation measures for the proposed Wind Farm have been incorporated into the site design. The turbine layout has considered both direct and indirect impacts on cultural heritage features while Anon. 2007 An Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes. Vol. I & II Historic Scotland the locations of access tracks, borrow pits, the construction compound etc. has given to consideration to the likely effect on below ground archaeology. Historic Scotland (2009). Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP).
Residual Effects HMSO (1979). Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act. 10.82 Any direct effect on cultural heritage features would be permanent and non-reversible. No such HMSO (1997). Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act. effects are predicted. IFA. (1999). Policy and guidance for archaeological desk-based assessment, Institute of Field 10.83 Any effect on the settings of cultural heritage features would be temporary and reversible Archaeologists. following the end of use and decommissioning of the proposed Wind Farm. No such effects are predicted. Lambrick, G. 2008 Setting Standards: A Review, IFA Working Group on the Setting of Cultural Heritage Features. Summary of Effects Scottish Executive (2002). Planning Advice Note (PAN) 45, Renewable Energy Technologies. Sites Within the Application Area Scottish Office (1994). Planning Advice Note 42, Archaeology (PAN 42) Table 10.12 Summary of key effects on Recorded Sites within Site Boundary Scottish Government (2008) Scottish Planning Policy 23 Planning and the Historic Environment Significance HER Number Site Name Site Type Value of Receptor of effect Sheiling MHG24408 Allt Coire Mhuilidh Local No change Settlement MHG42524 Allt Coire Mhuilidh Enclosure Local No change
Sites Outwith the Application Area
10.84 No direct effect or effect on the settings of cultural heritage features outwith the application area is predicted.
Proposed Monitoring
10.85 No monitoring is warranted or proposed.
Statement of Significance
10.86 All the proposed wind turbines have been located to avoid direct impacts on any above ground cultural heritage receptors or below ground archaeological features within the proposed Wind Farm development area.
10.87 No mitigation measures against direct impacts are necessary or proposed within the boundaries of the proposed Wind Farm development area.
10.88 Overall, following mitigation, which is incorporated into the site design, the effect of the proposed Wind Farm on cultural heritage features is not significant.
Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 10 – Page 9 MHG29869
Key
Site Boundary H! Turbine location 1.5km boundary
HER point data 12 19 H! 7 H! H! Scheduled Ancient Monuments
6 H! 4 H! 1 H! 3 16 H! H! 2 10 H! H!
8 9 H! H! 5 ! 11 H H!
13 H! 15 H!
17 H!
18 14 H! H! MHG42524 MHG24408
HER data supplied by Highland Council Archeology unit. Designated site data supplied by MHG21762 MHG24898 MHG48419 MHG40146 MHG40147 Historic Scotland. MHG40957 MHG24403 MHG52531 MHG21493 MHG24410
MHG48420
SAM 2720 Scale 1:35,000 @ A3 MHG24404 ± MHG39947 MHG32502 MHG30613 0245 490 980 m MHG24430 MHG48418 MHG35308 MHG22083 MHG48417 Cultural Heritage Features within 1.5km of Site & Access Road Figure 10.1
Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement
SAE1857 Corriemoillie Wind Farm - W:\1857sae\Technical\Graphics\GIS\MXD\Layout\1857sae_Cultural Heritage 1.mxd Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data. © Crown copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Licence number AL100018329 MHG42967 MHG7550 (!
MHG50726 MHG24539 (! (! Key MHG8331 (! Site Boundary H! Turbine location 1.5km Boundary 3km Boundary (! HER point data
12 19 H! 7 H! H!
6 H! 4 H! 1 H! 3 16 H! H! 2 10 H! H!
8 9 H! H! 5 ! 11 H H!
13 H! 15 H!
17 H!
18 14 H! H!
HER data supplied by Highland Council Archeology unit. Designated site data supplied by Historic Scotland.
Scale 1:35,000 @ A3 ± 0255 510 1,020 m
MHG21237 MHG36307 (! Cultural Heritage Features within 3km (! MHG36614 (! of Site, within ZTV of Corriemoillie Figure 10.2
Corriemoillie Wind Farm Environmental Statement
SAE1857 Corriemoillie Wind Farm - W:\1857sae\Technical\Graphics\GIS\MXD\Layout\1857sae_Cultural Heritage 2.mxd Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data. © Crown copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Licence number AL100018329