Fearn Wind Energy Project
Technical Description and Environmental Studies
July 2010
Final Report Fearn Wind Energy Project July 2010
Fearn Wind Energy Project
Technical Description and Environmental Studies
Report OSE/2871
July 2010
Project Developer:
David S Sutherland Tullich Farm Fearn Ross-shire IV20 1XW
Project Design and Planning:
Richard Gauld IEng MInstMC BSc(Hons) Dip. GeoSci Dip. DesInn
Orkney Sustainable Energy Ltd 6 North End Road Stromness Orkney KW16 3AG
Telephone 01856 850054 Facsimile 01856 851239 Email [email protected]
Richard Gauld is Honours qualified in Earth Sciences and Design and is registered as a Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of Great Britain through the Institute of Measurement and Control.
OSE/2871 1 Final Report Fearn Wind Energy Project July 2010
Fearn Wind Energy Project
Report OSE/2871
Technical Description and Environmental Studies
This report is presented in two volumes; Volume 1 contains the non-technical summary, the project description, the wind turbine technical description, an ecology assessment, reports on archaeology, transport impacts, electromagnetic Interference and theoretical noise and shadow flicker impact. Volume 2 contains the Site Drawings, Maps and Photomontage Images.
Section 1 Non-technical Summary and Project Description
Section 2 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Section 3 Ecology
Section 4 Archaeology Survey
Section 5 Noise and Shadow effects
Section 6 Geomorphology and Hydrology
Volume 2: Site Drawings, Maps and Photomontage Images
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Section 1
Non-Technical Summary and Project Description
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SECTION 1 CONTENTS SUMMARY 5 1 INTRODUCTION 6 2 DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION 8 2.1 PROPOSED LOCATION 8 2.2 WIND ASSESSMENT 12 2.3 CARBON EMISSION AVOIDANCE 12 2.4 DETERMINING THE LOCATION 13 2.5 PROJECT DESIGN STATEMENT 15 2.6 WIND TURBINE SELECTION 16 2.7 EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATION 17 2.8 TRANSPORTATION 18 2.9 ROADS AND FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION SUMMARY 19 2.10 WIND TURBINE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME 19 2.11 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 20 2.12 DECOMMISSIONING 20 3 ECONOMIC AND PLANNING ISSUES 21 3.1 LOCAL OWNERSHIP OF RENEWABLE ENERGY 21 3.2 FARM DIVERSIFICATION AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT 21 3.3 NATIONAL PLANNING CONTEXT 22 3.4 HIGHLAND COUNCIL STRUCTURE PLAN 23 3.5 HIGHLAND RENEWABLE ENERGY STRATEGY 24 3.6 ROSS AND CROMARTY EAST LOCAL PLAN 25 3.7 SOCIO -ECONOMIC BENEFITS 27 4 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 28 4.1 VISUAL IMPACT UPON THE LANDSCAPE 28 4.2 ECOLOGY 37 4.3 POTENTIAL DISTURBANCE TO ARCHAEOLOGY 47 4.4 IMPACT UPON GEOLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL FEATURES 49 4.5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT DURING CONSTRUCTION 51 4.6 POLLUTION IMPACT DURING CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE 51 4.7 POTENTIAL DISTURBANCE FROM NOISE 51 4.8 POTENTIAL DISTURBANCE FROM SHADOW FLICKER 53 4.9 POTENTIAL RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS INTERFERENCE 54 5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND PROPOSED MITIGATION 55 5.1 VISUAL IMPACT MITIGATION 55 5.2 ECOLOGICAL IMPACT MITIGATION 56 5.3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPACT MITIGATION 58 5.4 POLLUTION AVOIDANCE 58 5.5 MITIGATION OF NOISE DISTURBANCE AND SHADOW FLICKER NUISANCE 59 5.6 CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORTATION IMPACT MITIGATION 59 6 CONCLUSIONS 60 7 REFERENCES AND SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 61
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Summary
The Fearn Wind Energy Project is a community windfarm being developed as a local investment project, with the land-owners establishing a development which will provide significant economic return to the area, while at the same time regenerating a derelict and disused brownfield site. The project has been developed by Mr David Sutherland of Tullich Farm near Hill of Fearn, with Orkney Sustainable Energy Ltd contracted to complete the project design and planning.
It is proposed that up to three wind turbines will be installed on land at the disused Fearn Aerodrome, south-east of Tain in Ross-shire. The turbine identified for the development is either the Enercon E82 or the RE-Power MM82, and although the turbine model may change, subject to availability, for the purposes of this report the E82 has been used to show a typical machine for the development. The electricity generated will be traded to meet the requirements of the Renewables Order (Scotland) 2002.
The concept of a locally owned wind energy development was initiated by the farming landowner, with extensive planning and research completed into the siting of this project. As a result of the various studies, the project has been designed around three 120m tall turbines to give a maximum output of 6MW, with the project designed to be appropriate for the setting. Visual impact studies have been completed, and it has been determined that the turbines present a simple, clear relationship to the land, and have largely Low to Moderate significance.
Ecological impacts have been fully assessed, including a habitat survey, a mammal survey, a breeding bird survey, and an assessment of any protected species near the site. Assessment on the archaeology of the site and surrounding area has been completed and includes geological and hydrogeological surveys, description of the wind turbines, and extensive mapping, analysis and photomontage modelling of the development.
A moderate-scaled wind energy project is feasible for this part of Ross-shire, with low impacts upon ecology and the local community. Strong social and economic benefits can be achieved by constructing the Fearn project, along with the associated climate change benefits resulting from renewable energy production.
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1 Introduction
The Highlands of Scotland is an important area for renewable energy development, with a number of projects proposed and constructed in the area, primarily as large scale windfarms on hilltop and moorland locations. The Fearn project is an alternative to this pattern of development, and has been designed as a locally-owned cluster of wind turbines which has avoided remote and natural landscapes, while providing strong economic benefits.
Environmental, planning and social impact studies have been completed, resulting in the design and development of a three wind turbine project. The site landowners at Fearn have been leading the development, and the project has been discussed with the local community council.
The Fearn project has been designed around the Enercon 2MW wind turbine, however the actual turbine model may alter nearer the time of construction; the site layout and all modelling has used a 78m turbine tower height and a maximum of 41m blade length. The nearest 33 kV electricity transmission line is located at a small substation adjacent to the A9 west of the development site, with underground cabling proposed throughout.
The wind speed on the Fearn site is predicted to be around 7 metres per second (ms -1), compared with 9 ms -1 predicted at the summits of nearby hills; Fearn is a Class 2 site, requiring comparatively tall towers. Based on the manufacturers predictions, three 2MW wind turbines on this site will produce around 10 GWh of electricity per annum, equivalent to the annual requirements of 2000 households (DUKES) .
Electricity produced from renewable resources avoids the emission of pollution, and the production of 10,000 MWh is projected to avert the production of around 1200 tonnes of carbon per annum (Carbon Trust). When considering the number of people living around the site, the Fearn project provides a very good contribution towards the Scottish Government annual targets, per head of population: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Climate-Change/ .
Section 1 of this report is the Non-Technical Summary and includes a summary of planning constraints and grid issues, Section 2 is the landscape and visual impact assessment, Section 3 is the ecology survey, Section 4 contains an assessment of archaeology impacts, Section 5 considers noise and shadow effects and Section 6 is an examination of historic landuse, geomorphology and hydrology. Volume 2 of the report contains plans, maps, wireframe images and photomontages.
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Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Data, Crown Copyright Reserved. License No. 0100031673
Figure 1 – Project location
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2 Development description
This part of the report identifies the site for the wind turbine development and the activities involved in delivering and constructing a wind energy project at Fearn. The assessment includes planning constraints, a description of the site and identification of the grid connection. The aspects considered include site design, transport constraints, installation of the wind turbines, operation and maintenance of the project and eventual decommissioning of the turbines.
2.1 Proposed location
The site for the development is within the boundary of Fearn Aerodrome, a flat area of disused land within open farmed slopes on the Tarbat peninsula, roughly 9km south-east of Tain, Figures 2.1 and 2.2. The project consists of three turbines that are likely to have a maximum tower height of 78m and a rotor diameter of around 82m, Figure 2.3, positioned on an area of raised seabed. The grid references are as listed below, Table 2.1, with a note of the base elevation and overall height above sea level, including maximum wind turbine blade tip height. There will be a requirement for an external switchgear housing located at the site, with final connection at a small substation next to the A9, west of Fearn.
The set of overhead wires travelling through the Tarbat peninsula are mainly 11kV, with a higher voltage system running alongside the A9; the project requires an extension of this 33kV system. It is proposed that any new cabling should be located underground between the SSE substation and Fearn Aerodrome, and between the turbines on site. The site switchgear house will be designed to resemble an agricultural building appropriate for the location.
Turbine Easting Northing Position Tower top Maximum elevation elevation elevation WT1 E283745 N876002 5m 83m 125m WT2 E283655 N875664 5m 83m 125m WT3 E284060 N875770 6m 84m 126m
Table 2.1 Turbine locations and heights
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OSE/2871 Figure 2.1 – Location Plan 9 Final Report Fearn Wind Energy Project July 2010
OSE/2871 Figure 2.2 – Site plan 10 Final Report Fearn Wind Energy Project July 2010
OSE/2871 11 Figure 2.3 – Turbine Dimensions Final Report Fearn Wind Energy Project July 2010
2.2 Wind assessment
Preliminary wind measurement has been conducted at Fearn Aerodrome, and it is likely that a more extended wind monitoring programme will be necessary to fully clarify the resource; funders and the turbine supply company will require this information to quantify annual mean wind speed, turbulence intensity, air flow roughness and to confirm that separation of wind flow does not occur. Turbine manufacturers require wind analysis to ensure that their product will operate correctly in the location, and wind measurement has become necessary in determining the appropriate classification of the wind turbine.
For the purposes of this study the preliminary data collection and the national wind speed database have provided an indication of the resource, and the square kilometre containing the Fearn turbines has an annual mean windspeed of just under 7ms -1 at an elevation of 45m. At these windspeeds a 2MW wind turbine will produce an annual energy yield of approximately 3300 MWh, with three turbines producing 10,000 MWh, equivalent to that consumed by
around 2000 households in one year (DUKES) . When considering the classification of wind turbines, this site appears to be a Class 2 location, requiring machines that have been built to cope with moderate windspeeds, with relatively taller towers than those supporting turbines positioned on more elevated and windier sites.
2.3 Carbon emission avoidance
In the north of Scotland electricity is produced from a mixture of coal, gas, hydro and wind generation stations. The fuel mixture of Scottish Hydro Electric has a higher renewables content, with only a marginal use of nuclear power, Figure 2.4. The carbon emission factor of 0.489 takes into account all generation sources, and is close to the UK average.
Fuel Mix and carbon emissions by Scottish Hydro – Electric (source: www.electricityinfo.org)
Figure 2.4 – Scottish Hydro Carbon Emissions OSE/2871 12 Final Report Fearn Wind Energy Project July 2010
When considering the whole of the UK, electricity is produced by a more extended mixture of generation sources. Between 2006 and 2008 the increasing cost of oil and gas increased the use of coal, with a corresponding increase in the volume of greenhouse gas emissions; CO 2 emissions have been identified as the primary cause of climate change, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions are a cause of acid rain. Generation of electricity by coal results in pollution at a rate of 1T CO2/MWh, with a more representative mixture of resources resulting in pollution at a rate of 0.43 Tonnes of CO 2 per MWh of generation (Carbon Trust) ; as a minimum a three turbine development at Fearn producing 10,000 MWh per annum will therefore avoid the production of the following emissions (Boyle 1996) :
• CO 2 4,300 tonnes per annum
• SO 2 200 to 300 tonnes per annum
• NO x 30 to 50 tonnes per annum
Over twenty five years the project will avoid the production of over 100,000 tonnes of CO 2.
2.4 Determining the location
The proposed site for the project has been chosen to reuse and renovate a derelict area of land. The selected site is not at presently connected to the electricity grid, and accordingly requires a cable connection to the 33kV system. Although there are neighbours around the site, none are nearer than 1km to any of the turbine positions, with three 2MW turbines determined to be suitable for the site. A larger project is not possible due to a network of telecommunication microwave traversing the site, and using smaller turbines would result in a much more cluttered appearance.
Assessment of the wind energy project appears favourable for the area. Guidance and resources from SNH identified all ecologically sensitive areas, including nearby Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). A full ecological, ornithological and habitat survey has been conducted, encompassing a vantage point survey, breeding bird surveys and assessment of impact upon mammals and vegetation. A landscape and visual impact assessment has also been conducted, with cumulative and sequential issues addressed, and a qualified archaeologist has completed an archaeology assessment.
Advice and guidance from the following organisations have been followed, with direct consultation if necessary:
• Highland Council, Planning and Development • Historic Scotland • RSPB
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• SNH • SEPA • BAA and National Air Traffic Services • Ministry of Defence, Sutton Coldfield • Civil Aviation Authority, London • National Grid Gas • Transco • Ofcom, the radiocommunications agency, London • JRC on behalf of Scottish and Southern Energy • National Grid Wireless • British Telecom • CSS Spectrum Management Services Ltd; Scottish Water • Orange • T-Mobile
Wind energy development has been encouraged in the Highlands, however there are constraints to be considered. The wind turbines should not be a nuisance to neighbours and should be far enough away from properties to minimise visual, noise and shadow effects; the turbines at this location are more than 1km from each neighbour and will have negligible environmental health impacts.
There are a number of sites designated for their nature conservation interests in the general vicinity of the Fearn site. Most importantly, these include three Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated under the EU Birds Directive. Loch Eye SPA is 3km to the north, the Cromarty Firth SPA is 3.5km to the south and the Dornoch Firth & Loch Fleet SPA lies 5.5km to the north; the turbines have been positioned to maximise the distances to these protected areas. Loch Eye is of primary importance over winter for the large numbers of Icelandic-breeding Whooper Swans and Greylag Geese that roost on the loch and fly out daily to feed in the surrounding farmland. The two firths are also important for swans and/or geese as well as a much wider array of waterbirds, which mostly do not stray far from the coast.
The main potential impacts from any onshore wind farm are habitat loss, disturbance of birds during construction and decommissioning, displacement of birds from operational turbines and collision fatalities. At Fearn there would be minimal disturbance of semi-natural habitat, and the primary risk appears to be disturbance of swans. As these were seen to fly at or around a height of 20m, the taller towers used at Fearn provide sufficient clearance to reduce collision risk; the distance between ground level and the lowest part of the blades is 37m.
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The Tarbat peninsula has an interesting range of Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Listed Buildings, with the potential for indirect impact upon the settings of these buildings and monuments. As a derelict military base, Fearn Aerodrome has no intrinsic historic value, with only marginal direct impacts. The nearest Listed Building is Fearn Abbey, 1km to the northwest of the turbines, and it should be noted that mature trees provide extensive screening of views. The potential impact on the settings of these monuments and buildings has been fully explored in the Archaeology report, using field study, zone of visual influence maps and photomontages, with the conclusion that there was no archaeological reason to suggest that the proposal was inappropriate for the site.
The Fearn site appears to be very suitable for a wind energy project of this scale, and it appears likely that there is no other area along the inner Moray Firth seaboard which has the combination of a large, redundant site, along with good clearances to neighbours, and little in the way of ecological or archaeological impacts.
2.5 Project design statement
The Fearn Wind Energy Project has been designed by identifying all ecological, historic, social and technical constraints in the area, then completing a range of detailed environmental studies to ensure that the site is generally suitable for a wind energy development. Through an iterative process the turbine size and positions were then adjusted to produce an optimum layout, encompassing the views from neighbours and other locations around the site.
The site is a disused military base, to the south-east of Tain, in an area identified as a raised sea bed, with a gravel base. Three wind turbines are proposed, each a maximum of 120m tall, positioned at an approximate elevation of around 5m, spaced more than 1km away from any neighbour, in a compact layout. The wind turbine locations will consist of areas of hardstanding nominally 25m by 40m, with the turbine foundations located below ground level. The cabling from the site will all be underground, connecting to the National Grid at a small grid substation next to the A9, around 4km west of the site.
Planning guidelines recommended that turbines should be a minimum of 10 rotor diameters from neighbouring properties to avoid shadow effects, in this case 810m (PAN 45); this has been achieved. Noise from wind turbines disperses naturally with distance, and reaches background levels at around 800m. As a consequence of the large clearances to neighbouring properties, noise emissions and shadow flicker impacts are not significant at the Fearn site.
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The layout has taken into account an array of telecommunication microwave links that traverse the site, providing good clearances to avoid interference, while at the same time giving a balanced alignment with equal spacing between turbines. This has ensured that visually overlapping rotors are largely avoided and the view of the site appears balanced from neighbours. Nigg Hill and the mountains to the west are very effective barriers, and there are very few long distance locations where the project can be seen, evident from the visual impact studies and the maps showing the zone of theoretical visibility. There has been no visual impact whatsoever upon Inverness Airport, and only very limited impact upon the Dornoch Firth National Scenic Area
2.6 Wind turbine selection
When considering the scale of the wind turbine that is appropriate for an area, there has to be a balance between the numbers of wind turbines that a given site can accommodate, compared with the dimensions of the chosen turbine. Wind turbines have also been increasing in scale, primarily to increase the amount of energy that can be extracted from a given site; the industry is developing an offshore sector, with turbines increasing in scale to justify the increased cost of civil engineering at sea. The flat low-lying landscape has encouraged the use of machines capable of generating large amounts of energy from moderate windspeeds; a 6MW capacity was determined as appropriate for the site, with the following turbines considered:
• Enercon E82 – 2MW: Enercon are a long established German manufacturer of wind turbines, and are concentrating on the onshore market. Enercon have recently constructed a windfarm of E70 turbines at Boyndie Aerodrome near Banff, and are looking to establish a presence throughout Scotland. By using advanced technology, they have produced machines which are relatively more efficient for the size of the rotor, Noise levels are also low due to the gearbox-less design and different blade geometry, and has been set at 100 dB(A) at 8m/s wind speed. This machine is an upwind design, and is IEC class 2 upwind design turbine, with an 82m diameter rotor, a nacelle height of 78 and variable speed between 6 and 19 rpm. • RE Power MM82 – 2.05MW: RE Power are relatively new manufacturers, and are concentrating on both the large offshore and onshore markets; RE Power have recently constructed the two 5MW wind turbines for the Beatrice offshore project in the Moray Firth. By using advanced technology, they have produced machines which are relatively more efficient for the size of the rotor. Noise levels are low, and can also be
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set at 100 dB(A) by reducing rotor speed. This machine is a Class 2 upwind design turbine, with an 82m diameter rotor, a nacelle height of 59 or 80m, and variable speed operation of 12 to 17 rpm. • Nordex N90 – 2.5MW: Nordex are a German/Danish company producing a small range of wind turbines between 1.5 and 2.5MW, primarily for the onshore market. The N90 is a class 2, 2.5MW wind turbine, with a 45m blade. This machine is an upwind design, with a 90m diameter rotor, a tower height of 80m, and variable speed operation of 10 to 17 rpm. Noise levels are slightly higher than other equivalent machines. A similar turbine has been used in Orkney, with two turbines installed in 2006, and has also been proposed for the extension of the Millennium windfarm above Fort Augustus. • Vestas NM92 – 2.75MW: The largest wind turbine presently operating onshore in the UK is the Vestas NM92, a 2.75MW wind turbine. This machine is an upwind design, with a 92m diameter rotor and a tower height of 80m. The design and scale of the NM92 is similar to that of the turbines installed at the Millennium project and at Causeymire in Caithness, however it should be noted that this turbine cannot be considered; the scale of this machine is too large for the Fearn site, primarily due to access difficulties along the smaller site roads. • Selection process: The Enercon E82 and the RE Power are both strong possibilities for the Fearn project. Given the design requirements of maximum power production, with moderate wind speed, the E82 was identified as being the most appropriate, creating a sympathetic visual appearance in proportion with the surrounding landscape. Note that turbine size and type could change nearer to construction, due to availability.
2.7 Equipment specification
Enercon E82 Wind turbine Structure: Colour of machine Light grey, matt finish, RAL 7035 Tower type Tubular conical steel Tower base diameter 4.5 m Hub height 78 m Total height 119 m Rotor: Number of blades 3 Blade material GRP monocoque Rotor diameter 82 m Swept rotor area 5,270 m 2 Rotational speed Variable 6 - 19 rpm Switchgear building Dimensions Conventional building 4 m by 6 m Material Concrete block Finish Slate tiled roof, to be agreed Total height 3 m
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2.8 Transportation
The turbines will arrive at the port of Invergordon, and then the transport vehicles will follow the A9 the short distance northwards to the B9175 roundabout, following the route to Nigg. This road has been designed to accommodate the construction vehicles at Nigg and is appropriate for the large delivery vehicles. The vehicles will then turn off at the junction for Shandwick and Balintore, following this minor road around the east side of the Fearn site. Just north of the site there is a staggered junction, with the vehicles following the B9166 turn to Fearn and Tain, before turning on to the site road at the cluster of industrial buildings just north of the Aerodrome. It may be necessary to take the wrong way around the roundabout on the A9, however the three junctions appear to be suitable for the long loads.
The Road Vehicles Order 2003
The Road Vehicles Order permits certain types of vehicles to be used on roads notwithstanding that they do not fully comply with the requirements that generally apply to vehicles permitted on roads. The Construction and Use Regulations 1986 (C&U) apply to loads which are wide or long but not heavy. Vehicle and load lengths can be up to 27.4m long and weigh a maximum of 44T under C&U, up to 30m under the Road Vehicles Order and vehicles or loads in excess of 30m require a Special Order. Widths above 2.9m and less than 4.3m are permitted under C&U, widths between 4.3m and 5.0m are permitted under the Order, and widths between 5.0m and 6.1m require a Highways Agency Special Order
The Enercon E82 has a 40m long blade, while the largest tower section would be 30m long, and no wider than 4.5m. Maximum weight is 30T for the bottom tower section, 60T for the nacelle, and the blades weigh a total of 20T. The E82 exceeds the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations, and can only be delivered to site provided the Police and the local authority are given advance notice. The turbine components are Abnormal Indivisible Loads as defined under the Road Vehicles Order, and accordingly a BE16 permit from the Scottish Executive will be required.
It is not envisaged there will be any problems transporting the wind turbines, and no problems with overhead cables from Invergordon to Fearn. Within the aerodrome there is likely to be a need for some minor track improvements, where the width will be increased to 4m by removing a strip of vegetation then filling with as-dug stone directly onto the existing ground around the site.
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2.9 Roads and foundation construction summary
Any track improvement will use material extracted during construction of the turbine foundations, with no requirement for borrow pits. Stone and concrete will be supplied locally, and the foundation construction must be completed a month in advance of turbine delivery and assembly. a. Establish a widened entrance to the site access track from the public road. b. Fill and level the existing track, using locally reclaimed stone to provide hard standings. c. Site office, mess, toilets and any materials storage to be sited at a secure compound. d. Roadways to be improved from locally extracted crushed rock from suitable excavated foundation material, with sub-base and bottoming layers of quarried stone as required. e. Excavate top soil and glacial till and cast foundation block on raised seabed gravel. f. Roadways and hardstanding are to be unsurfaced and porous with filter strips, and will not require active drainage.
2.10 Wind turbine construction programme
The detailed turbine construction programme will be issued at the time of construction, but can be summarised as follows. The components for the turbines will be delivered to site using extending trailers, and a 500T telescopic cranes will be needed to offload from the transporters and to lift and assemble the components:
1 Deliver and install the transformer into the foundations.
2 Erect the lower tower sections directly off the trailer onto the foundation;
3 Deliver the upper tower sections and nacelles to the site;
4 Erect each upper tower section and nacelle;
5 Lift and install the blade and hub sets on to each turbine nacelle.
This would be the optimum and most efficient construction sequence, though it should be recognised that the weather at the time of construction may have an impact.
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2.11 Operation and maintenance
The turbine supplier will be responsible for maintenance of the project. The wind turbines require periodic inspection to maintain the condition of the machinery and structures, with a quarterly inspection and maintenance programme. It is common practice for maintenance to be performed on one turbine at a time, allowing the site to continue to produce electricity even though one machine could be switched off.
Every five years there will be an extended service and maintenance period, with every subsystem inspected, and overhaul of the turbines carried out. It is likely that a gearbox-less turbine shall be selected, and accordingly there will be no requirement for significant oil draining and replacement.
Modern wind turbines are well engineered and are designed to operate on extreme sites. As a consequence major failure of the turbine components would not be expected and accordingly the possibility of blade or tower failure is extremely unlikely. In any event the project is located well away from housing and public roads, with only limited access to the site; the probability of members of public being at risk from a turbine is therefore extremely low.
2.12 Decommissioning
The expected operational lifetime of the project is 25 years, with the turbine components then removed from site. The steel, other metals, plastics and oils within the structures will be recycled. The blades are classed as standard waste and would be handled through the normal disposal system.
It is proposed that the areas of stone forming the hard-standings would be removed to allow the ground to revert to rough grazing, and the project has been designed to allow the foundations to be soil covered and landscaped; the removal of the concrete foundations is neither necessary nor required, as any concrete extracted from the site during decommissioning would simply be used for land-fill.
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3 Economic and planning issues
3.1 Local ownership of renewable energy
The Fearn Wind Energy Project was initiated by the local farming landowner, and has been developed to provide environmental, economic and social benefits to a derelict and disused part of Easter Ross. A renewable energy project was considered ideal for improving the site by providing economic diversification, along with a sustainable electricity production.
The arrival of a wind energy industry in the Highlands has been an important event, with significant economic benefits a welcome consequence, however the existing projects have not produced the best financial returns for the communities concerned. The Fearn project addresses this issue by ensuring that local contractors are involved the construction of the project, and moreover the development should be considered a privately funded local windfarm, providing significant financial returns to any members of the local community wishing to participate; there are no restrictions to involvement in the project. This project complements grant-supported community wind turbines, and provides a direct income stream for participants.
3.2 Farm Diversification and Community Empowerment
The Fearn wind energy project provides a stable income stream that is linked to a local farm, but unrelated to the volatile farming markets. Farmers have been encouraged to diversify their holdings to develop their business model to be fit for the future and accordingly this type of project is fully supported by the Scottish government. The Fearn project is a viable mechanism of diversification, and is to be locally owned and controlled; it is felt that this wind project is a good example of sustainable development, and is both relevant and appropriate for the rural community. The project will provide a number of social and economic benefits for the community to include:
• Local control and ownership;
• Finance available to develop environmental projects in the area;
• Local employment opportunities during construction and maintenance phases;
• The opportunity to inject £10 million into the local economy over 25 years following construction;
• Upwards of £10,000 per annum for community-based activities and projects.
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Sustaining both the people and the area in an environmentally sensitive way is essential. People visit the Tarbat peninsula from all over the world, and the project will demonstrate that the area can use renewable resources in way that is entirely appropriate for the location. The opportunity for members of the local community to earn money for at least 25 years from a renewable energy resource also ensures that the wider community organisations can flourish. Energy sustainability and maintaining the environment are clear priorities.
3.3 National planning context
The project has been designed and planned using the recommendations and advice contained within Best Practice Guidelines for Wind Energy Developments (BWEA) , SPP 6: Renewable
Energy Developments (Scottish Government 2007), Planning Advice Notes PAN 45: Renewable Energy
Technologies (Scottish Government 2002), PAN 56: Planning and Noise (Scottish Government 1999), PAN 58:
Environmental Impact Assessment (Scottish Government 1999) and PAN 68: Design Statements (Scottish
Government 2003). The project has also considered Scottish Planning Policy 15: Planning for Rural
Development, and PAN 73: Rural Diversification (Scottish Government 2006) The project has also followed the SNH Guidelines on the Environmental Impact of Windfarms (SNH Publications), the
DTI Final Report on the Assessment of Noise from windfarms (ETSU 1996) and the Guidelines on Wind Energy and Aviation Interests from the Defence and Civil Aviation Interests
Working Group (ETSU 2002). ) .
The overarching aim of the Scottish Government, as detailed in the above policies and advice notes is to have a prosperous rural economy, with a stable or increasing population that is more balanced in terms of age structure, and where rural communities have reasonable access to good quality services. SPP15 and PAN73 in particular indicate that planning authorities should take a more welcoming stance to development in rural Scotland and proactively enable and help create opportunities for development in sustainable locations, and in addition rural diversification should be embraced to help businesses and farmers start new enterprises in appropriate circumstances and at an appropriate scale.
The Fearn Wind Energy Project is a rural diversification scheme: “Rural Diversification helps to broaden the economic activity of rural areas, providing opportunity and creating a more balanced and stable economy.” (PAN73) This Advice Note goes on to further discuss the diversity of the rural economy, “There are many activities that make a valuable contribution to the rural economy that are less immediately obvious such as…quarrying, waste disposal, hydro-electric schemes and wind turbines ”.
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3.4 Highland Council Structure Plan
The Highland Council Structure Plan considers the relevance, suitability and sustainability of renewable energy projects in the Highland area, with a key aspect of safeguarding and enhancing the environment. This Structure Plan is founded on three principles of sustainable development, and in a local context they are (part1.4):
• Supporting the viability of communities • Developing a prosperous and vibrant local economy • Safeguarding and enhancing the natural and built environment
In the context of the Fearn development, these aims are realised through community empowerment, diversification of the local economy, an improvement in the quality and quantity of employment opportunities, the optimal use of renewable resources, the efficiency of energy use and improvements to the quality of air, water and land.
Wind energy proposals are examined in more detail in part 2 of the Structure Plan. The plan recognises that all electricity in the Highland area is derived from renewable resources, comprising hydro and wind energy, and that this resource should be reconciled with environmental issues, section 2.12.2. It is further stated that it is important that there is a local benefit derived from meeting UK targets of non-fossil sources of energy. Policy E1 states: “The Council supports the utilisation of the region’s distributed renewable energy resource…” and “Approvals for renewable energy developments will normally be for a temporary period, tied to the lifetime of the project” .
Small scale wind energy developments are examined in section 2.12.5 of the Plan: “Small scale wind energy developments, for a single building or a community, are considered to be particularly relevant for Highland, given the remote nature of many settlements. Such applications will generally be supported” . Section 2.12.11 further examines small scale projects: “A key means by which new renewable energy projects can provide local benefit is if they improve the supply of electricity for local residents or communities…The Council views small-scale community projects as particularly appropriate for the Highland area, especially for remoter settlements in the west and north”. Policy E8 states: “The Council will support efforts to make more provision for community renewable energy projects” .
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3.5 Highland Renewable Energy Strategy
In 2006 the Highland Renewable Energy Strategy (HRES) was published, identifying locations suitable for large scale development, and in the context of the Fearn project, it also identified locations suitable for local scale developments. The HRES has a vision for renewable energy in 2010, and the following key aspects underpin the vision for renewable energy in the Highland area:
• Recognition of the need for cleaner forms of energy with minimal CO2emissions; • The need for energy savings and efficiency, based on cleaner energy; • Balance between social, economic and environmental interests; • The importance of local involvement in any renewables industry and the retention of associated wealth; • Retention of the regional diversity, scenic qualities and local distinctiveness of landscapes; • The importance of protecting biodiversity, including rare and endangered habitats and species; • The aim of maximising employment and income; • The aspiration for viable energy self sufficiency, with a reliable supply; • The need to integrate renewables within the existing energy framework; • Recognition of energy poverty and the aim of eradicating it; • Utilisation of the valuable, high calibre energy resources available in the Highlands.
The HRES has broken onshore wind projects into three, somewhat arbitrary categories. For national and major schemes a zoning system has been established, with three preferred development areas identified. Intermediate and local scale projects are expected to be located close to existing settlements and infrastructure (i.e. within 2 km). These schemes, limited to 5 MW in size, would comprise individual turbines or small clusters. Minor scale projects based upon micro wind technology are anticipated to be closely associated with existing dwellings and commercial properties. It should be noted that the Fearn project does not fit into any of these categories, suggesting that the broad-brush nature of the HRES is perhaps over simplistic. The chosen area is not contained within the Dornoch Firth NSA or any of the other designated areas and therefore would only indirectly affect them; the project fulfils the recommendations of the Highland Renewable Energy Strategy, and it should be noted that each of the key aspects noted above has been achieved.
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3.6 Ross and Cromarty East Local Plan
The Ross and Cromarty East Local Plan was adopted in 2007, and includes the area proposed for the development. The nearest settlement to the development site is the Hill of Fearn, which provides services to the surrounding agricultural community. The offshore base at Nigg to the south of the site is a major industrial construction port, and has recently been used for offshore wind turbines; the Ross and Cromarty East Plan fully supports the diversification of this location, and it is felt that it is appropriate to associate the Fearn wind energy project with the Nigg fabrication yard, particularly as and when marine energy becomes more important.
In part 3.9 the Plan recognises fragile areas, whereby a declining and ageing population, greater distances from services and an inadequate public transport service present severe difficulties in maintaining and securing new services and employment opportunities. Services have been lost or reduced over the last decade in Strathconon, along the Struie and the Fearn/Seaboard area, and special action is now justified. In these areas, there is a need to explore the potential for new technologies and make better use of the natural and cultural heritage. Opportunities may also exist in agricultural diversification, renewable energy , tourism and environmental management. In addition, HIE Inverness and East Highland’s Strategy for Sustainable Development, 1999/2004, identifies the Seaboard areas (including Cromarty) and areas of relatively high unemployment such as Alness, Invergordon and Kildary as fragile and/or disadvantaged.
Sustainable development of the Fearn rural community is considered in parts 4.10 and 4.11 of the Plan: “Development of eco-tourism based on rural conservation could offer job opportunities for local people….. The new Scottish Renewables Order may allow Hydro- Electric to upgrade their facilities…. Nigg and the communities of the Tarbat Peninsula are seriously affected by the difficulties at the oil yard. Diversification activities must be vigorously pursued ….. The Eastern Seaboard contains several communities ranging from the scattered agricultural pattern of the Nigg area to the local service centre of Shandwick / Balintore / Hilton of Cadboll. It also includes Portmahomack, a popular tourist destination with its excellent beach and harbour, and the small settlements at Inver and Hill of Fearn ……. Further action is needed , particularly in tourism projects and tele-working, which can help overcome the constraints of distance. Possible opportunities include caravan / chalet site, Second World War interpretation at Fearn airfield , building on the Pictish tradition of craftsmanship in stone and making greater use of the local environment…”
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The project has thus been designed in accordance with the following criteria:
• The proposal has been set back from any roads to at least the height of the turbine proposed;
• The project has been designed to ensure that electro-magnetic interference to communications systems, radar, air traffic control systems, radio or TV reception is negligible;
• The development will not have a detrimental impact upon airports, aircraft flight paths or MoD low-flying areas;
• The proposal has acceptable impacts on sites of importance to natural heritage, national and local landscape designations, and areas of local ecological importance;
• The proposal does not have an adverse effect on public access for walking, cycling or horse riding;
• The proposal is appropriate in terms of the scale and nature of the setting of listed buildings, conservation areas, archaeological sites and historic gardens and designated landscapes;
• The proposal has been sited to minimise adverse impact, and the turbines have been located more than 1km from neighbours to minimise risk from ice throw, shadow flicker, visual intrusion and the likely effects of noise intrusion;
• The proposal will not result in the material loss of amenity to other sensitive receptors, such as those involved in leisure or recreation;
• The proposal has considered cumulative effects of neighbouring wind turbines or wind farm developments.
The Fearn wind energy project is a small scale development, compared with the renewable energy projects already established in the Highland area. It should be considered that the Fearn project will not add in any way to the high voltage pylons in the area and accordingly it is felt that the project fits well within the aims and vision of the Highland Council Structure Plan, the Highland Renewable Energy Strategy and the Ross and Cromarty East Local Plan, and is thus a good example of a sustainable development, providing important rural diversification and strong economic support to the local community.
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3.7 Socio-economic benefits
Development of a wind energy industry is predicted to have significant economic and environmental benefits. With the Highland Council both strongly committed to encouraging community renewable energy developments, it is felt that the Fearn project is particularly appropriate and relevant to the socio-economic development of this part of the Tarbat peninsula. Although the wind turbines will be manufactured in Germany, there will be additional design, civil and electrical engineering requirements, approaching one third of the total project costs. The development team intends to ensure that much if not all of this work is completed by local organisations. New long term employment opportunities will also arise from the project, with local support necessary for the long term operation and maintenance of the site.
Wind energy projects in Scotland have in the past been mainly developer-owned, with project profits diverted from local economies. This is changing, with most small scale developments in the Highland area becoming locally-owned, ensuring revenues remain in the county. The Fearn project will follow this pattern and is a locally-owned project, ensuring continuing capital investment in the area, and maintaining and creating new employment opportunities in a rural economy.
The area is typical for a rural community in this part of Scotland, with a general lack of social and economic opportunities, particularly for the young; there is little in the way of employment. The project aims to address these problems by considering a range of measures, detailed below:
• Construct a locally-owned wind farm;
• Develop and establish a local community renewable energy company;
• Invest in local community social and economic development projects;
• Provide a community fund to be administered by local community associations;
• Invest in Scottish companies during project design, development and construction;
• Broaden and strengthen the local economic base to maintain and provide new full time employment over the next 25 years.
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4 Summary of environmental impacts
The environmental impacts and benefits of renewable energy projects are largely recognised, however both the specific implications of constructing a wind farm in this part of Easter Ross and the possible cumulative effects of other wind energy projects in the area require consideration. The site of the Fearn wind energy project is the disused Fearn Aerodrome, and the project consists of a cluster of wind turbines that uses and existing network of tracks.
The following concerns have been addressed in detail, summarised below:
• visual impact upon the landscape • ecological impact • geological and hydrology impact • environmental impact during construction and operation • pollution impact during construction and operation • disturbance from noise • shadow flicker nuisance • impact on archaeology • radio communications interference
From the outset the project has minimised the environmental impacts. Consideration of the Highland Council planning guidance indicated that this project can be considered as a small community-scale development, with the turbines becoming an integral part of, but not dominating, the surrounding countryside. A breeding bird survey of the site was completed by an independent ecologist, impact upon sensitive habitats has been avoided, and assessment of impact upon mammals has determined negligible effects. Analysis of ground conditions at the turbine locations has also been completed. An assessment of the risk to archaeology has been conducted, noise impact has been predicted using a cumulative geometric spreading calculation, and the risk of shadow impact at neighbouring properties has been assessed as negligible. The wind turbines have also been positioned to avoid interference with radio- communications systems.
4.1 Visual impact upon the landscape
To aid assessment of the visual impact of the development, a series of wireframe images and photomontages has been produced, Volume 2 of the report. Maps showing the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) of the project have also been produced, showing the theoretical locations where the turbines can be seen.
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The proposed site is Fearn Aerodrome, with the turbines positioned on or next to the old airstrips. The foundations for the turbines will be located below ground level and trenches will be excavated next to the current tracks to accommodate the high voltage and telecommunications cabling. The cabling from the site will all be underground, connecting to the National Grid at a switchgear building next to the A9 trunk road.
Landscape Context
The coastal strip between Invergordon and Tain is defined as an area of Open Farmed Slopes in the Inner Moray Firth Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) SNH for the area, and is bordered by open Hard Coastal Shore in the east and Intensive Farmland to the west, Figure 4.1. It should be noted that the LCA has not taken into account that Fearn Aerodrome is a large flat disused area within the farming landscape.
The LCA describes the landscape as an area of medium sensitivity, as it is a relatively common landscape type and can absorb development with only minor degradation of values. This type of landscape is characterised by mixed use and a patchwork of farmland on sloping hillsides; there are existing onshore wind farms in this type of rural landscape throughout Scotland. The fields tend to be bordered by either old stone dykes – creating more character – or wire fencing, although on the slopes there are often lines of trees or scrub vegetation. It is also pointed out that this type of landscape can often be characterised by upstanding features and that “mixtures of old and new architectural forms.”(pp.61 SNH Inner Moray Firth LCA) are quite common.
The turbine development appears to fit well within the site setting, with only minor indirect impacts on surrounding areas. The hills surrounding the site are very effective barriers, especially the Hill of Nigg which shelters almost all views from the south. The western side of Loch Eye (SSSI) is sheltered due to a slight rise in elevation between it and the site. Views from other sensitive locations such as Skibo Castle, Tarbat House, and the House of the Geanies are also largely blocked due to trees or hills. Views from the west are quite patchy, and impact further decreases when taking into consideration the woodland in the area
Landscape Effects
The general area is defined as open farmed slopes in the LCA, however the site is an area of flat low-lying land, with the occasional hill or elevated landscape restricting the visibility of the three turbines. This landscape type consists of arable farmland which creates a patchwork effects upon the landscape, and the surrounding woodland to the west; Nigg Hill to the south;
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Cadboll Mount to the east; and a slight rise in land to the north, isolate the site, providing visual barriers. The site is a derelict airfield, with the outbuildings and runways still in reasonable condition. The terrain is rough and uneven and the land has poor agricultural value. Regeneration of the site is required, ensuring that the land is no longer seen to be degraded or devalued, and a new use for the site will demonstrate that modern developments can fit well within this locality. This mixture of a brownfield development site within fields and woodland make this a good location for wind development, regenerating the site while allowing the surrounding woodland and topography to provide visual barriers from the A9 and the Dornoch Firth National Scenic Area to the north.
Zone of Theoretical Visibility
Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) maps were generated using the WindFarm programme along with Ordnance Survey gridded topographic ‘Panorama’ data. These maps are presented in differing scales, showing the impact within 10km on a 1:50,000 backdrop, and extended views up to 30km on a 1:250,000 map, Figure 4.2. Tip height plots have been completed, in line with the recommendations in Visual Assessment of Windfarm: Best Practice , though it should be considered that in very clear conditions the site may be seen from areas beyond these boundaries, and similarly no account has been taken of the reduction of views through obstruction by forestry and buildings in local communities. Figure 4.2 demonstrates maximum impact, however note that areas of sea have been excluded to emphasis potential impact upon coastal communities.
The ZTV is largely contained within the Cromarty Firth, with partial views to the north of Dornoch and to the east of Nairn. At these longer distances the scale of the turbines is much diminished and subservient to the surrounding landscapes. The woodland running along side the A9 northbound protects views from the west, with Nigg Hill providing a considerable visual barrier for views from the south; it should be noted that the ZTV shows that there will be no impact upon Inverness Airport. Road users on the A9 travelling south will have occasional fleeting glimpses of the project due to location, a peninsula off the east coast, however it is evident that mature forestry in the area provides a significant visual barrier.
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Wind energy project
Figure 4.1 – Landscape Character, SNH
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Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number 0100031673
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Impact on Visual Resource
A range of viewpoints was established to determine the overall visual impact of the wind energy project, detailed within Volume 2 of the report. These cover a range of different views, including nearby historic monuments, communities and roads, at varying distances and directions. Photomontages and wireframe images have been used to show how the impact would be perceived from these viewpoints, with the turbines visible from each location. Note that the turbines have a diminished nature beyond 20km. A magnitude/sensitivity matrix has been used to determine significance at each viewpoint, fully explained in the Visual Report, Section 2. The significance of impact and the viewpoints are shown below, Table 4.1:
VIEWPOINT SENSITIVITIES MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT Nearest community, small The turbines are clearly visible in village north of the project with an open flat plain, giving a one school and a hotel. moderate but easily discernable Population is relatively low with change to the view. Existing few historical features. A flat 1 HILL OF FEARN / vertical elements include street landscape and few existing Medium 1A FEARN HOTEL lampposts, with the project vertical elements. Medium clearly visible at a distance of quality of view, with a moderate 1.8km. The development would number of viewers, therefore it cause medium magnitude of is an area of Moderate effect. Sensitivity. The wireframe shows that the Fearn Abbey is an A listed blades are visible on the skyline building, located around 1km with the towers below, however north of the site. The Manse is 2 FEARN ABBEY AND the photographs show that 2 out the Abbey’s immediate Medium/High MANSE of 3 turbines are hidden by neighbour and is a B class listed surrounding trees when viewed building. The viewpoint has an from the car park: Medium overall High Sensitivity. Magnitude This is the closest building to Turbines all visible in their the site, and is a class C Listed entirety, with the closest turbine Building. The building is 820m away from the building, derelict, requires significant however from this viewpoint the 3 FEARN CONTROL renovation and is part of the turbines appear appropriate for Medium TOWER surrounding derelict airfield. the setting and do not look out of This building provides an place at this brown-field existing vertical element to the development site: High site: Low Sensitivity. Magnitude A working landscape, with This viewpoint is from a blades rotating above the junction just north of Balintore, horizon. A moderate but easily and represents a clear viewpoint discernable change to the view, from the east; Balintore is with the project clearly visible at 4 ABOVE BALINTORE partially shielded due to a drop Medium a distance of 1.9km. This is one in the topography. The houses of the few locations with possible and the distant hills provide cumulative effects, with Novar in vertical elements. Medium the far distance Medium Sensitivity. Magnitude Shandwick stone is an important All three turbine rotors are Scheduled Ancient Monument visible, however the towers are located south of Balintore. The entirely hidden due to a rise in monument provides a distinct the topography on the hill upon 5 SHANDWICK STONE vertical element in the which the stone stands. The Medium/High landscape, and is accessible, turbines appear relatively small, although protected by a modern with the nearest tower 1.8km structure. Extensive views to from the project: Medium the east: High Sensitivity Magnitude.
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Easter Rarichie is a Scheduled Elevated viewpoint 2km Ancient Monument, located on from nearest turbine, with sloping and elevated land to the blades marginally the south of the site. It is not affecting the skyline. Few 6 EASTER RARICHIE set up to be a tourist attraction existing vertical features to Medium and is rarely visited. A decrease the apparent patchwork of fields and turbine scale; overall this pockets of woodland, valued will have a Medium locally: Moderate Sensitivity. Magnitude of effect.
Three turbines are visible The Chapelhill Church is a B from this site, however the class listed building located scale is diminished by other 2.5 km SW of the site. vertical features in the area, Rectangular in plan, with a such as telegraph poles and square tower, presently in use 7 CHAPELHILL CHURCH coniferous trees. The Low/Medium as an ecclesiastical building. scattering of houses Medium quality of view, with distracts the eye as does the a low to moderate number of gorse running along side the viewers: Low/Moderate road: Low/Medium Sensitivity Magnitude.
Although all turbine blades The Clay of Allan is a working are visible above the farm situated to the NW of the skyline, the towers are site. A moderate number of hidden by vegetation viewers on a minor road, alongside the farm roads. 8 CLAY OF ALLAN transitory impact, with strong The scale of the turbines is Low existing vertical elements, diminished by the presence medium quality views, with of three large silo towers, large outbuildings: Moderate making the turbines appear Sensitivity as inferior structures: Low Magnitude This is a current working train The wireframe image station on the northbound indicates that blade tips of route from Inverness to three turbines are visible Thurso. It is situated around 3 along the skyline, behind a km from the site, attracting small rise in the landscape. 9 FEARN STATION commuters from Hill of Fearn, However these are only Negligible/Low Kildary, or Milton: The Station fleeting glimpses as and the Railway Cottages are vegetation makes the blade category B and C listed tips very hard to identify buildings respectively: and distinguish: Negligible Moderate Sensitivity Magnitude
Tarbat House is listed as a The wireframe image shows Historic Garden and Designed that only two blade tips are Landscape, and is situated theoretically visible around 6.5 km SW of the however the site visit 10 TARBAT HOUSE Negligible project. The building is now confirmed that this view is derelict and the gardens are protected entirely by dense overgrown and degraded: forestry giving Zero to Low/Moderate Sensitivity. Negligible Magnitude.
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Attractive aspect, with good All three turbines are visible views of land and seascapes. at a distance of 12km, with Nigg Hill is quite prominent, each turbine in open view and viewers will see the above the skyline. In days turbines on clear days, to the of poor visibility the project 11 SALTBURN north of the area. The road is will be difficult to see, and Low the B817, a minor road that the turbines are not in the runs parallel to the A9, direction of view from the following the western shore of properties located along the the Cromarty Firth: Moderate shore of the firth: Low Sensitivity. Magnitude. The midway point on the Three rotors are visible on bridge crossing the Dornoch the wireframe image, Firth is 13.5 km away from the although the towers are site. This is the main route for hidden by a low hill. The road transport heading north or rotors are prominent and can 12 A9 DORNOCH FIRTH commuting south to Inverness, be seen above the skyline, Medium with a moderate to large mitigated by existing number of viewers possible. vertical elements at Tain. The Dornoch Firth is a NSA, At these distances the therefore this is an area of project would not be High Sensitivity. significant: Low Magnitude. A minor road running Three turbines are visible at alongside the Dornoch golf a distance of 15km. Nigg course, leading to Embo with Hill has become the views overlooking the backdrop, and the project is Dornoch Firth National Scenic not viewed as a skyline 13 NORTH DORNOCH Medium Area. This viewpoint also development. Dornoch represents the possible views itself has large building and from the town of Dornoch many trees, obscuring itself, therefore this is an area visibility from within the of relatively High Sensitivity. town: Low Magnitude. Three turbines are visible at The beach at Dornoch is an a distance of 14km attractive coastal strip running Although all the project is around the southern perimeter visible, the blades do not of the town, with fine open EACH OAD extend into the skyline, with 14 B R views to the south and the Medium/High DORNOCH a backdrop from Nigg Hill. NSA. Popular tourist location, In days of poor visibility the with good walks, a caravan project will be difficult to site and a golf course.: High see: Low/Medium Sensitivity. Magnitude
Carn Liath is a broch just off All three turbines can be the A9, situated close to seen in front of the Nigg Dunrobin Castle. which will Hill backdrop, however at a ARN IATH CAR be of relatively high distance of 25km the project 15 A9 C L Negligible/Low PARK sensitivity but this destination will be scarcely visible, with itself does look over the NSA the blades well below the and therefore overall skyline: Negligible Moderate Sensitivity. Magnitude.
Table 4.1 – Visual Impact Significance
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Cumulative Effects
Cumulative effects can include both direct and indirect effects as a consequence of a new development in an area, with potential impacts upon landscape character, condition and value. Wind turbines in this part of the Highlands tend to be located upon hilltops and forested moorland, Figure 4.3.
The cumulative ZTV analysis suggests that the Fearn project had the smallest range of theoretical visibility and has quite restricted views when compared with the other wind projects in the area, Beinn Tharsuinn having the largest range. The areas where all 3 windfarms can theoretically be seen are limited, although it does include Dornoch, Cromarty, and Invergordon. All of the projects are some distance away from one another, therefore minor visual restrictions will act as an effective barrier towards cumulative impacts.
The Novar wind farm is 30km to the west of Fearn, and is appropriate for the landscape in that area, and similarly the Beinn Tharsuinn project, 25km to the north-west appears to be appropriate for a forested backdrop character. The Findhorn wind project consists of relatively small turbines, and has been excluded due to the distance between the sites. Note that assessment of a proposed project at Nigg Hill has not be considered; this development has significant objections from Inverness Airport and from the Ministry of Defence.
Figure 4.3 – Windfarm activity within 30km of Fearn
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4.2 Ecology
Setting and management of the development site
Section 3 of this report is the full ecological assessment of the project. The site is located in the extensive lowland area between the mouths of the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths. There are runways and tracks still in existence, now overgrown to varying degrees by grasses and short herbs. The ground between the runways is in arable production (wheat, barley and rape) with some pockets of set-aside and unharvested crops for birds.
A small industrial estate has been established among wartime buildings at its eastern side and the aerodrome is classed as a ‘brown-field’ site suitable for development. The main runway is still used occasionally by light aircraft, and the runways and perimeter tracks are utilised by walkers, especially with dogs. The enclosure of a former timber-yard is now used to keep horses. The airspace above and to the west of the aerodrome is used by RAF jets on their approach to the bombing range at the Morrich More, 8km to the north.
There are a number of sites designated for their nature conservation interests in the general vicinity of Fearn. Most importantly, these include three Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated under the EU Birds Directive. Loch Eye SPA is 3km to the north, the Cromarty Firth SPA is 3.5km to the south and the Dornoch Firth & Loch Fleet SPA lies 5.5km to the north. Loch Eye is of primary importance over winter for the large numbers of Icelandic- breeding Whooper Swans and Greylag Geese that roost on the loch and fly out daily to feed in the surrounding farmland. The two firths are also important for swans and/or geese as well as a much wider array of waterbirds, which mostly do not stray far from the coast.
The most relevant SPA qualifying interests to Fearn are the Whooper Swans and Greylag Geese. In addition, internationally important numbers of Pink-footed Geese occur in spring in the Nigg Bay/Loch Eye vicinity. Other important species to consider are the scarcer birds of prey such as Hen Harrier and Merlin (wintering), Peregrine and Barn Owl (resident) and the on-site breeding populations of various declining farmland birds.
Aims and Scale of Ecology Survey Work
Survey work was carried out on and around the Fearn development site over three years. Information has been gathered regarding the vegetation, birds and mammals, with the following aims:
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• to produce a vegetation map; • to survey the breeding birds close to the site; • to gauge the extent to which cited species from the SPAs, and other important species, might use or overfly the site; • to find any potential roosts or resting places for protected mammals near the site.
Fieldwork for birds covered two full non-breeding seasons (from late September to early May) and one breeding season. More than 500 hours were spent in the field on bird work, with one day dedicated to vegetation and two days to mammal survey. The timing and number of hours spent on each survey are summarised in Table 4.2 below.
Table 4.2 Timing and hours for ecological survey work
J F M A M J J A S O N D Hrs Days Vegetation 1 Mammals 2 Vantage Point 390 survey
Dawn/dusk visits 62 Goose drive-round 18 Birds Winter walkover 9 Breeding birds 18 Barn Owl checks 8 Total fieldwork hours/days 505 3
Vegetation
The main botanical interest at Fearn is the short, dry grassland vegetation that has colonized across the main runways and along the edges of the perimeter track. This is varied, but shows characteristics of the lowland acid grasslands found in the southern UK. One species of particular note in Scottish terms is the Shepherd’s Cress, found growing all across the eastern end of the main runway. There are also lichen-rich areas on the two unused runways and a tiny fragment with a few more typically upland species.
Trees are restricted to a row of mature deciduous trees and small plantations at the western boundary. Permanent surface water is confined to deep drainage ditches along the south and west sides of the aerodrome. Access to the site would be along the runways and only a very short section of new track would be needed. The new track and turbine bases would be on an arable field of no botanical interest.
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Mammals
A survey of all the derelict buildings and bunkers on the western site found that none were suitable for roosting bats. Two of the larger trees along the western boundary were potentially suitable and a few small bats were seen by the pine plantation at the southwest corner.
The boundary ditches are deep and little vegetated and were considered to be unsuitable for Otters or Water Voles. There were no signs of these or any other terrestrial protected mammals on the western aerodrome.
Wintering wildfowl
Whooper Swans and Greylag Geese can be present in the vicinity from October to April each year, but their numbers vary both within and between winters. Their favoured feeding areas also vary markedly so that even when there are large numbers at Loch Eye they do not always occur near the drome. Tables 4.3 and 4.4 indicate some of the within year and between year variation in swan and goose numbers.
During this survey the swans were most numerous in October/November, with less over the midwinter period and then building up to a lower peak in March/April. The length of stay of the peak numbers in autumn is likely to be related to feeding availability around the loch, particularly the harvest conditions e.g. a clean harvest with little spilt grain will mean that the stubbles are soon exhausted and birds will move on quickly. Greylag Geese were also most common in October/November but, after they had moved on, very few were seen throughout the rest of the season. Pink-footed Geese occurred in relatively small numbers each autumn and were most numerous in the spring.
Table 4.3. Occurrence of the three main wildfowl species across the 2005/06 season within 2km of the turbine position.
Whooper Swan Greylag Goose Pink-footed Goose Max no. No. in Max no. No. in Max no. No. in feeding flight per feeding flight per feeding flight per hour hour hour September 36 13 0 0 0 0 October 251 37 2341 331 465 39 November 172 40 0 4 0 0 December 0 0 0 26 0 2 January 0 2 0 11 0 7
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February 0 0 0 0 0 13 March 20 2 0 0 1555 117 April 57 5 0 0 107 76 May 0 0 0 0 550 73
Table 4.4. Variation in numbers between seasons close to the drome.
Whooper Swan Greylag Goose Max no. feeding No. in flight per Max no. feeding No. in flight per within 600m hour within within 600m hour within 200m 200m Nov 2004 300 56 2000 168 Oct/Nov 2005 0 1 1835 46 Oct/Nov 2006 67 3 152 0
Overall numbers of swans during the study period were fairly consistent with a peak of between 600 and 800 each autumn and 200 to 300 in both springs. Greylags however, were very scarce in 2006, when the 47th annual census at Loch Eye produced the lowest ever count of 1,631 birds (less than half of the normal number).
The numbers for each species at Loch Eye are a likely to be a reflection of overall population trends, in terms of both total numbers and distribution. Icelandic Whooper Swans are increasing, with a count of over 26,000 in 2005, up from about 21,000 in 2000. In Britain the bulk of this increase appears to have been absorbed at two main wintering sites in England, so that the Loch Eye numbers are probably relatively steady. Icelandic Greylags on the other hand are decreasing slowly and, more importantly in terms of Loch Eye, are tending to winter further north each year, with record numbers now staying in Orkney.
The 2004/05 season was remarkable for the numbers of swans (regularly) and Greylag Geese (occasionally) that fed on or close to the aerodrome. However this is certainly not an annual event, and in 2005/06 there were no swans observed on the ground within 600m of the turbine positions for almost the entire season. This difference is also illustrated by the distribution maps shown in Figure 4.4, which give an indication of the average size of Whooper Swan flocks near the aerodrome across the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons.
However, even in 2004/05 the use of the aerodrome was not as heavy as indicated by the map, and the birds there represented only a proportion of the total numbers at Loch Eye. The largest flocks down within the site stayed only for short periods, although the map shows the average of the maximum numbers in each field irrespective of length of stay. Overall,
OSE/2871 40 Final Report Fearn Wind Energy Project July 2010 although displacement of feeding birds might be felt out to 600m from a turbine, it would be a graduated response, and would be most obvious within the aerodrome itself, where birds already tend to stay only short periods due to human disturbance. Therefore displacement from feeding areas is not considered to be a significant impact on swans; the geese occurred much less frequently within 600m and again would not be significantly impacted.
WHOOPER SWAN 4.5 Average field count per watch from 47 vantage point watches – 04/05 season
9.2
3.1
8.5 18.4 11.1
3.8 29.8 6.2
9.0
7.8
9.2 13.7 15.6 4.8
Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number WL6380
WHOOPER SWAN Average field count per watch from 57 vantage point watches – 05/06 season
14.4 4.1
KEY: Average numbers; areas of circles are to scale with average flock size (>3 labelled) Possible turbine position 600m envelope around turbine positions
Figure 4.4. Whooper Swan – average flock sizes per field around the drome in 2004/05 and 2005/06. The averages are the means of the maximum count in each field from each VP watch. The swans in 2004/05 were a proportion of those in the whole area; in 2005/06 most feeding was to the northeast towards Portmahomack.
Other wintering birds
Additional species listed as qualifying interests of the nearby SPAs occurred on or near the drome in low numbers – these were Wigeon, Teal, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Redshank and
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Curlew. As non-breeders all were detected almost solely after dark, attracted to flooded areas on the fields. In 2004/05 all these species were recorded, but only the Oystercatcher, Redshank and Curlew with any regularity, and only these three in subsequent years.
The Curlew was the most numerous, with up to 30 birds seen in 2004/05. In 2005/06 none of these birds were detected until March, when there was finally some standing water on the aerodrome, and in both 2005/06 and 2006/07 the numbers of each species never exceeded single figures.
Species seen regularly in flocks on the western aerodrome included Golden Plover (up to 300), Skylark (up to 110) and Linnet (up to 150). There were more transient or irregular feeding flocks of gulls, Rooks, Jackdaws, Starlings, Goldfinches and Snow Buntings. The scarcer raptor species were seen only from September to April and included occasional passing birds of Hen Harrier (one every 17 hours), Merlin (one every 40 hours), Peregrine (one every 40 hours) and Barn Owl (from one in twenty dark visits).
Breeding birds
None of the scarcer raptors are known to breed within several kilometres of the site, and there are no suitable nesting sites for Barn Owl within 1km. Farmland birds are well represented on the drome, both in terms of variety and in numbers. This reflects the fact that the Fearn Peninsula as a whole is a stronghold for many farmland species in the north of Scotland. The estimated numbers of selected species found breeding on the western half of the aerodrome are summarised in Table 4.5 below.
Table 4.5. Breeding birds on the western drome – selected species of interest with number of territories or pairs, based on five territory mapping visits over an area of 1.04km 2. [Orange = Schedule 1, Wildlife & Countryside Act; Yellow = UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species]
Open ground or scrub species Species concentrated along the drome perimeter within the drome in trees, scrub, buildings or ditches Quail 1 Buzzard 2 Sedge Warbler 13 Grey Partridge 5 Kestrel 1 Whitethroat 5 Oystercatcher 1 Swallow 5 Willow Warbler 17 Lapwing 6 Pied Wagtail 4 Starling 1-2 Ringed Plover 1 Dunnock 3 Tree Sparrow 8+ Skylark 40 Robin 3 Chaffinch 11 Meadow Pipit 17 Song Thrush 8 Yellowhammer 2 Linnet 6+ Mistle Thrush 1 Reed Bunting 6
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The only species protected from disturbance at its nest site under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act is the Quail. One male was heard calling at the southwest corner of the site and another was in the fields just beyond the western perimeter. This bird is a scarce summer visitor to Britain and is highly erratic in both its numbers and distribution, so it would not necessarily be expected at the aerodrome every year.
The numbers of Grey Partridge and Tree Sparrow are considered likely to be close to 1% of the population within the Moray Firth Natural Heritage Zone (NHZ) as defined by Scottish Natural Heritage. The numbers of Lapwing, Skylark, Linnet and Reed Bunting are probably of local importance in the Fearn Peninsula.
Birds from vantage point (VP) watches
Target species for daylight VP watches were the SPA qualifying interests, Pink-footed Goose and any Birds Directive Annex 1 species. Table 4.6 below summarises the number of observations of each species from late September to mid-May. From late May to August 2005 the only target species were ones and twos of Golden Plover and one tern. The table does not show up the fluctuations in numbers that occurred, both within and between years, for all of the more numerous species.
Birds at risk were taken to be Whooper Swans flying at more than 30m above ground and all other species at more than 20m above ground.
Table 4.6 . Brief summary of target species’ flight activity within 200m of a notional three- turbine cluster on the western drome, and in the wider area - late September to mid-May, from timed VP watches.
Species No. of watches in % of watches in Total number of bird movements which observed (total which observed of 162) wider within wider within wider within at risk area* 200m area* 200m area* 200m Whooper Swan 72 45 44% 28% 9360 2888 111 Greylag Goose 54 23 33% 14% 31988 10039 8833 Pink-footed Goose 65 30 40% 18% 21211 2932 2759 White-fronted Goose 1 – <1% – 1 – 0 Barnacle Goose 1 – <1% – 6 – 0 Hen Harrier 16 13 10% 6% 21 13 1 Peregrine 8 2 5% 1% 8 2 2 Merlin 9 4 6% 2% 9 4 0 Golden Plover 31 23 19% 14% 4425 3199 6053 * wider area is out to approximately 2km for wildfowl and to 500m–1km for raptors and Golden Plover
This shows that Whooper Swans were the most frequently detected target species in flight, in both the wider area and within 200m of the turbine positions. However, in terms of numbers,
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Greylag and Pink-footed Geese were more numerous, particularly across the wider area. The Greylag was also much the most numerous species within 200m of the turbine positions. Raptors were relatively infrequently recorded and, as to be expected, in only low numbers.
As a proportion of their sightings within 200m, Whooper Swans, Hen Harriers and Merlins had a particularly low likelihood of being at risk height. In each case this was due to the vast majority of their flights being low across the aerodrome, at less than 30m (the swans) or 20m (the raptors). The numbers of Golden Plovers at risk is higher than the numbers seen because flocks swirling or flying uncertainly over the western aerodrome were counted as passing through the risk area three times.
Potential impacts
The main potential impacts from an onshore wind farm are habitat loss, disturbance of birds during construction and decommissioning, displacement of birds from operational turbines and collision fatalities; At Fearn there would be no loss of, and minimal disturbance to, semi- natural habitat.
Swans were regularly present in large numbers within a kilometre of the aerodrome in one out of the three non-breeding seasons in which watches took place. Based on this there might be a 33% probability of disturbance to swans during construction, should it take place in the non- breeding season. If other feeding areas happened to be limited in the construction period, this might be significant on Loch Eye SPA, but only for one season. No significant impacts due to construction activity would be expected on any other non-breeding species.
Construction activities in the summer could affect any of the open-ground species breeding on the site and perhaps also Buzzard and Kestrel. However, the only impacts judged to be significant at any wider scale than the aerodrome itself are for Quail and Grey Partridge. The probability of Quail being present within about 500m of the turbine position is low, but any impact could be of up to national significance. Grey Partridge would be present all year round, with the key period being January to June when pair formation and breeding take place. The significance of any impact on partridges would be at a local scale.
Displacement of both breeding and foraging birds during the operational phase is considered insignificant at Fearn mainly because of the small size of the development and the level of disturbance that already occurs on the aerodrome. Using data from this study, it has been calculated that precautionary maxima of 3.2% of Whooper Swans (ten birds averaged across a
OSE/2871 44 Final Report Fearn Wind Energy Project July 2010 season) and 0.6% of Greylag Geese (eleven birds averaged across a season) would be excluded from a 400m zone around a three-turbine array. This is considered an insignificant impact on their SPA populations. Collision risk workings have been carried out for each target species that was observed from timed VP watches at risk height within 200m of the three-turbine layout. These are summarised in Table 4.7 below.
Table 4.7. Summary of predicted collision rates for target species. Note this shows figures for both a single turbine and a three-turbine array. NB. these figures are subject to wide, or very wide, margins for error
Species Extra- Avoid- Single turbine Three-turbine array polated ance rate Predicted Predicted Predicted Predicted no. at risk used no. fatalities no. of no. fatalities no. of per year years per year years between between fatalities fatalities Whooper Swan >20m 1,520 97.5% 0.304 3.3 0.913 1.1 Whooper Swan >30m 545 97.5% 0.122 8.2 0.365 2.7 Greylag Goose 40,574 99% 1.73 0.6 5.18 0.2 Pink-footed Goose 18,568 99% 0.74 1.3 2.23 0.4 Hen Harrier 7 97.5% 0.008 127 0.024 42 Peregrine 11 95% 0.018 55 0.054 18 Golden Plover 44,030 98% 2.73 0.3 8.20 0.1
The workings depend on how representative the observations were (which might vary between species), and incorporate various assumptions, such as observer efficiency, operational efficiency and most critically the avoidance rate. These assumptions all work as multipliers within the calculation. Although the aim has been to use precautionary but reasonable figures, the resulting collision rates must be seen to be subject to wide/very wide error margins.
The risk for swans has been calculated based on 20m and 30m rotor ground clearances. Due to the number of swans flying at or just above 20m, there is substantially less risk for the higher clearance. The turbine to be used at Fearn will have a ground clearance of at least 37m. The actual significance of additional fatalities depends upon their effect on the population as a whole – a simple comparison may be made to show the predicted number of annual fatalities as a proportion of the existing ‘background’ mortality for the population. In all cases at Fearn the mortality rates of the relevant populations are increased by less than 1% of their background value, and it is considered that there will be a negligible population effect on any species.
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Assessment of significant impacts prior to mitigation
In line with the most recent IEEM guidelines, the final assessment of impacts classes them as either significant or insignificant on the affected population, at a given geographical scale. There are no significant impacts predicted for vegetation or protected mammals at any scale. The only significant impacts that have been identified relate to disturbance to birds during construction and decommissioning.
Table 4.8. Summary of potential significant impacts and residual impacts.
Impact Nature of impact: Receptor potentially Geograph- Avoid Residual impacted significantly ical scale ance/ impact short very Very at which Mitig predicted term local un- impact -ation (1) to (1) to likely con- pro- perm- wide- (1) to sidered posed anent sprea certai significant (5) d (5) n (5) Habitat loss 5 1 5 None Construction 1 Quail National YES Insignificant disturbance 2 3 4 Grey Partridge Local YES Insignificant (breeding) Construction 2 Whooper Swan SPA YES Insignificant disturbance 2 3 4 Grey Partridge Local YES Insignificant (non-breeding) Displacement (breeding 4 2 2 None birds) Displacement (roosting & 4 2 4 None foraging birds) Collision 4 1 2 None fatalities
Cumulative ecological impacts
There are no existing wind energy projects that affect the Fearn Peninsula and its SPAs, and none that have been submitted for planning consent. A project is in planning for the northern slopes of Nigg Hill, which might lie 2 to 3km to the south of the aerodrome. In terms of the SPA species, and based on the fieldwork carried out for this application, such a site would encounter much less Whooper Swan activity but considerably more feeding Greylag and Pink-footed Geese. On a cumulative basis therefore, the potential impacts on swans would be little changed. The potential impacts on geese from a site on Nigg Hill would be dependent on its size and precise location. However, since the impacts on geese from the Fearn development are expected to be minimal, particularly in terms of displacement from feeding areas, Fearn would make little contribution to any cumulative impact.
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4.3 Potential disturbance to archaeology
Walkover surveys of the site and the track route were conducted by the project archaeologist, Section 4. The objectives were to identify and describe any known sites and to anticipate the potential for unknown archaeology within the immediate environs of the site, and to assess potential impacts. The following information resources were used:
the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS), compiled by the Royal Commission of Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), and accessed through the on-line CANMORE database ( www.rcahms.gov.uk ) the PASTMAP on-line database of sites and monuments with statutory protection, also compiled by RCAHMS and accessed at www.rcahms.gov.uk the Highland Council Archaeology Unit Sites and Monument Record (SMR), a computerised database accessed at Highland Council offices in Inverness, and via the PASTMAP portal. [Note: the desk-based research was undertaken before the Highland SMR was upgraded to the HER database in 2008. A quick investigation of HER has uncovered no additional information for the development area since the upgrade, so this report retains the earlier SMR references]. maps, with particular emphasis on the Ordnance Survey 1:10,560 County Series first edition of 1878, and 2 nd edition of 1901 (accessed at www.old-maps.co.uk ), and the current OS 1:25000 Explorer series maps of the area, and other old maps retrieved from the National Library of Scotland (accessed at www.nls.uk/digitallibrary/map ). The HGDL inventory at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/gardens
The archaeology assessment considered two types of potential impact on the Historic Environment within the development footprint and the surrounding area. The first are the direct impacts which would be physically caused on any recorded archaeology or previously unrecorded features within the development footprint. The second are the indirect impacts , particularly the degree of visual change, which would be caused on important archaeological sites and historic buildings contained within the surrounding landscape.
Direct impacts
There are no substantive archaeological concerns for the direct impacts of this proposal. Due to the degree of ground disturbance from the airfield’s construction and its subsequent state of either retaining hardcore or undergoing systematic ploughing regimes down to subsoil a fairly robust verdict can be given that no mitigation is required for any constructional activity within the perimeter road, and similarly there are no indications for a monitoring role during any construction works within this zone. Outside the infield perimeter road, the degree of airfield ground disturbance is more variable, but the indications are that the pre-airfield picture would
OSE/2871 47 Final Report Fearn Wind Energy Project July 2010 have been archaeologically barren; no further archaeological investigation is envisaged. Outside the airfield boundary, the only off-site development element will be the interconnector route, which will be the responsibility of SSE rather than the project design and planning application; this should receive some degree of archaeological evaluation when details are confirmed, although the outcome may well not be problematic.
Indirect impacts There are no Historic Environment sites which would receive shadow flicker or noise impacts, with the following Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments likely to have low levels of visual impact, all located 1 to 2.5km from the turbines, Table 4.9.
Site Dist Name NGR NH NMRS record SMR record no. km LBs 47342 Fearn RN Control Tower LB-C(S) 84790/76141 1.0 NH87NW21.01 NH87NW0044 Abbey NH87NW1 NH87NW0001 7780 Fearn Abbey LB-A 83736/77258 1.2 Graveyard NH68NW10 NH68NW0056 7781 Fearn former manse LB-B 83758/77197 1.1 NH87NW27 NH87NW0020 14042 Chapelhill Church LB-B 8247/7362 2.4 NH87SW35 NH87SW0037 SAMs 1674 Shandwick Stone 855/747 2.5 NH87SE4 NH87SE0004 4781 Easter Rarichie dun 650m SW of 84066/73643 2.5 NH87SW8 NH87SW0008 5215 Easter Rarichie fort & dun 600m S of 84341/73580 2.5 NH87SW6 NH87SW0006
Conclusion
The archaeological context of the area shows a high distribution of historic sites, many of which survive in an identifiable form in the landscape today. Many of these site types can extend further below ground than the surface indications might suggest. However the potential development footprint is situated in a zone which has been heavily affected by wartime airfield construction, a series of intensive processes which would have been highly destructive for any archaeological features which might theoretically have been present.
Despite the surrounding occurrence of many archaeological sites, the indications are that the development footprint would have been archaeologically barren without the airfield disturbance. The area would have been a swampy coastal margin until uplift, drainage and reclamation moved the shoreline 4.0km to the southwest. While some coastal archaeological features might have existed, they are unlikely to have been major structural elements, particularly given the much more accommodating and fertile terrain nearby. The overall verdict is that the direct and indirect impacts on the Historic Environment from the proposed Fearn windfarm development are minimal, and therefore the proposal is fully compatible with the Historic Environment obligations within the planning process.
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4.4 Impact upon Geological and Hydrological features
An assessment of the geology and the hydrogeological features of the area has been conducted with reference to maps and reports produced by the British Geological Survey, Section 6. This area has sedimentary bedrock that was originally deposited in the Mid Devonian period, around 390M years ago. The glacial events over the last 2M years have worked this coastline, creating the varied coastal forms. The Great Glen fault extends northwards to the east of the Cromarty Firth, with Nigg Hill and Tarbat Ness defining the western side of the fault.
The large open straths and firths present throughout this part of the Highlands are a consequence of the extensive glaciation that has occurred in recent times, with major ice sheets developing around 850,000 years ago. The last ice sheet disappeared around 15,000 years ago, and the passage of these ice sheets resulted in the heavily glaciated valleys cut into the underlying bedrock, along with significant (10-100m) post-glacial sedimentary deposits
The main superficial deposits are gravel shingle, sand and silt forming raised marine deposits that stretch from Nigg in the south to Cadboll in the east, dated as Devensian and Flandrian, These are very young deposits, and represent the sea bed during the last ice age and in the warm period immediately after the ice sheets retreated, between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago. The extent of these raised marine deposits suggests that the Cromarty Firth had outfalls near Cadboll and Loch Eye in this period.
Isostatic uplift and relative sea level fall over the last 5,000 years raised the land, creating the flat plain that extends from the intertidal zone at Nigg over to Fearn aerodrome. A similar raised sea bed and sedimentary deposits occurs on Tain shore of the Tarbat Peninsula. This raised sea bed is predicted to have a depth of 10m in the area of the wind energy project, and it should be noted that ground level across the site is between 5 and 8m above sea level It should therefore be considered that this part of the Tarbat peninsula will have been below sea level in recent times. Figure 4.5 is a schematic of the likely coastline around 1000 years ago, based on the evidence of the cliff-like structure north of Loch Eye, along with the various drainage channels, ditches and streams south of Fearn.
As a consequence of the gravel base it can be expected that the groundworks for the turbine foundations will require excavation to a depth of around 3 to 4 metres, creating a stable platform by backfilling with a layer of stone before the concrete structures can be completed; excavation to bedrock is not necessary.
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Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Data, Crown Copyright Reserved. License No. 0100031673
Figure 4.5 – Historic sea levels on the Tarbat Peninsula. Copyright © Orkney Sustainable Energy Ltd
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4.5 Environmental impact during construction
There will not be any disturbance of topsoil during the construction of the Fearn project; the ground is a raised sea bed, and is consists of gravel, sand and pebbles.
The foundation manufacture will require approximately 660 m3 of concrete, or 50 mixer loads. It is recognised that the production of concrete is responsible for the emission of CO 2, from both the energy required and from the calcining of limestone when producing cement; 3 660 m of concrete requires 200 T of cement, and assuming 1.25T of CO 2 per tonne, IPCC
Working Group II, p661 , 250 T of CO 2 would be emitted. Using a CO 2 avoidance factor of 0.43T
CO 2/MWh, the wind turbines produce 10,000 MWh per annum, providing a positive CO 2 balance of 4,300 T each year, or 11 T per day, assuming a mixture of conventional generation is displaced; 22 days of wind-powered electricity generation at average levels are required to compensate for the use of concrete in the foundations.
There will be an increase in traffic levels during construction and upgrading of the access track, and during mobilisation and installation of the turbines. This will however only occur over a short period of time. 15 loads of turbine components will be transported to site, with up to 5 loads of components for a 500T telescopic crane.
The track and hardstanding construction will require some graded stone, all of which will be produced on-site during the excavation of the foundations and hardstanding areas; there will be no requirement for stone import nor will there be any requirements for borrow pits.
4.6 Pollution impact during construction and maintenance
The construction activities during mobilisation and installation of the turbines represent a risk of pollution. This may be through operational discharges or as the result of an unplanned or accidental event. Measures will be taken to protect against the release of any material with the potential to leach into the soil or water courses. All temporary welfare facilities will be located on areas of hardstanding at the aerodrome. Details of proposed pollution prevention measures are included in Part 5, below.
4.7 Potential disturbance from noise
Section 5 of this report is the Environmental Health Impact Assessment, which addresses potential noise effects. Wind turbine noise is normally generated by the turbine blades along
OSE/2871 51 Final Report Fearn Wind Energy Project July 2010 with mechanical noise from the gearbox and generator. Modern wind turbines do not have gearboxes, minimising the tonal content of the sound output, and due to the long distances to neighbouring communities, the impact of noise from the wind turbines is not predicted to be significant. To confirm that noise levels are low, the distances were measured from the nearest community, then calculations performed to show the impact upon neighbouring properties. A cumulative assessment was conducted, with the noise from each turbine added together.
Noise levels are normally expressed in decibels. Noise in the environment is measured using the dB(A) scale which includes a correction for the response of the human ear to noises with different frequency content. A 1dB change in noise level is just perceptible, a 3dB change in noise level is clearly perceptible and a 10dB change in noise level is heard as a doubling or halving of the perceived level.
The maximum sound levels from the Enercon E82 is 104 dB(A) at a wind speed of 10 ms -1, with this value decreasing with distance from the turbine and with atmospheric absorption. Table 4.10 shows the predicted impact at neighbours to the Fearn project, along with other environmental noise levels.
Source/Activity Indicative noise level dB (A) Threshold of hearing 0 Fearn wind turbines 26-33 Rural night-time background 20-40 Quiet bedroom 35 Busy road at 5km 35-45 Car at 65 km/h at 100m 55 Busy general office 60 Conversation 60 Truck at 50kmh at 100m 65 City traffic 90 Pneumatic drill at 7m 95 Jet aircraft at 250m 105 Threshold of pain 140
Table 4.10 – Indicative noise levels in the environment
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The Planning Advice Note on Renewable Energy Technologies, PAN 45, provides information on noise from wind turbines. Paragraph 65 states: "Well designed wind turbines are generally quiet in operation". The document goes on to discuss the sources of noise and the effects of increasing wind speed on wind turbine noise and background noise. It notes that the report “ The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms ” ETSU-R-97 describes a framework for the measurement of wind farm noise, and gives indicative noise levels that offer protection to windfarm neighbours.
The distances between the turbines and neighbours are relatively large, and accordingly sound levels are much diminished at properties around the project; the windfarm is located over 1km from the nearest neighbours and accordingly a simplified assessment is sufficient; the Fearn project is well within recommended sound levels.
4.8 Potential disturbance from shadow flicker
Under certain combinations of position, time and day, the sun may pass behind the rotor of a wind turbine and cast a shadow over neighbouring properties. This would normally occur in late evening or early morning when the sun is at low elevations. When the wind turbine blades rotate the shadow appears to flick on and off, creating an effect known as shadow flicker, and is noticeable only in buildings when viewed through narrow window openings. Planning advice note PAN45 recommends 10 rotor diameter separation between the wind turbines and the nearby dwellings to avoid shadow nuisance, and the Fearn project fully achieves this recommendation at all locations by a large margin; 10 rotor diameters is a maximum of 820m, and the nearest inhabited dwellings are over 1km from the turbines.
It has been suggested that shadow flicker from wind turbines can have an influence upon individuals susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy. Epilepsy Scotland indicate that television is the most commonly reported trigger of seizures in photosensitive people, and that flickering sunlight through trees or strobe lighting are also triggers. The flash rates reported to produce seizures are between 12 and 24 flashes per second (Hz), and from a three bladed wind turbine this would require rotation at 240 to 480 rpm, far greater than any grid-connected wind turbine, and approaching the speed of helicopter blades; the maximum rotational speed of the Fearn turbines is 19 rpm, and moreover there are no locations in the vicinity of the project from where shadow flicker could be experienced.
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4.9 Potential radiocommunications interference Wind turbine blades can affect radar systems, as they can reflect electromagnetic radiation in such a way that a reflected signal interferes with the original signal as it arrives at the receiver, causing the received signal to become distorted. The turbines cannot be seen by the radar systems at Inverness Airport due to the Hill of Nigg, and the project is outwith the Highland Scotland military low-fly zone; aircraft interference is not predicted.
Electromagnetic interference may also occur if a wind turbine is close to, or interrupts, radio communications signals. OFCOM have been consulted and there are three telecommunication microwave links near Fearn aerodrome, Figure 4.6. It can be seen that the project has been designed to avoid impact, with 140m clearance between turbines 2 and 3 and the microwave signal that traverses the site
Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Data, Crown Copyright Reserved. License No. 0100031673
Figure 4.6 – Telecommunications microwave links OSE/2871 54 Final Report Fearn Wind Energy Project July 2010
5 Environmental management and proposed mitigation
This assessment has described a proposal to establish a small windfarm on a disused airfield on the Tarbat peninsula in Ross-shire, to the north of Invergordon and the east of Tain, together with a summary of the related activities. This part of the report describes proposed environmental practices and any mitigation.
5.1 Visual impact mitigation
To manage the visual impact of the development, it was decided that turbines should be appear as sympathetic as possible to the location, and while tall turbines on a flat landscape may at first appearances appear incongruent, this type of location is very similar to the landscapes of north-east Scotland, eastern England, the Netherlands, Denmark and north-east Germany. In these areas wind turbines of the scale proposed are quite common, and give a purposefulness to open and flat locations. At Fearn aerodrome the wind turbines provide an improvement to what appears to be a disused, almost industrial landscape.
These large turbines have a slow rotational speed, helping to ensure that the visual impact of the development is not too unsettling to the neighbours and settlements around the site. Moreover the project layout has been designed to ensure that rotors and blades do not visually overlap each other, when viewed from the surrounding properties, giving a relaxed appearance to the development.
The planning advice note on Renewable Energy Technologies, PAN 45, states “Turbines in wind farms are likely to be tall, frequently located in open land, and therefore likely to be highly visible” and “It will normally be unrealistic to seek to conceal them. Developers should seek to ensure that through good siting and design, landscape and visual impacts are limited and appropriate to the location”, and “Although wind farms may be complex, they should not appear confusing in relation to the character of the landscape. Ideally they should be separate from surrounding features to create a simple image”.
It is believed that this wind project achieves these aims by ensuring that the turbines appear as a compact group, providing a sculptural feature in the landscape, and that this sculptural image has been enhanced by ensuring that the project uses existing access tracks and by laying cables underground. The Fearn project design achieves the guidance listed within the planning advice note on wind turbines, and no further visual impact mitigation should be necessary.
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5.2 Ecological impact mitigation
Vegetation
Short-term disturbance of habitats will occur under the construction compound. However, there are two suitable areas of runway that are mostly bare with little colonising vegetation – these are a 30m x 30m area at the intersection of the main and western runways and a larger area south of the intersection of the main and eastern runways. Location of the construction compound on either of these areas would result in negligible impact on the runway flora.
The passage of vehicles along the main runway during construction and operation of the development would not be expected to have any deleterious effect on the flora there – the more interesting short-lived species found are typically dependent on recurring disturbance for their continued existence. There are already vehicle ‘trackways’ along each side of the runway, and windfarm traffic would be of limited duration or frequency, similar to the weight of agricultural traffic that currently uses the site. The lichen-rich vegetation, which would be susceptible to traffic disturbance, is not present along the centre and east of the main runway where construction traffic would operate. By careful location of working and storage areas, the development would have negligible impact on vegetation and habitats.
Mammals
The mammal survey concluded that there were no terrestrial protected mammal species on the western aerodrome, along the main runway or along the western boundary ditch. Bats were observed in small numbers at the southern edge of the aerodrome, but there were very few suitable roost sites within 500m of any potential turbine position. None of the old buildings were suitable and the only identified sites with any potential for bats were two mature trees along the western boundary ditch. Under a three-turbine option the mammal report suggests that one brick shed and one willow tree should be removed in order to discourage any bats from foraging away from the ditch towards the nearest turbine. However, for a single turbine, in the first instance, this action should not be necessary – the position for this (the northernmost of the three turbines positions shown on the maps) is about 500m from the small plantation in which the shed and willow are located. It is expected that there would be no impact on protected mammal species due to the development.
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Birds
The potential significant effects on the various bird species in the area can be avoided simply by careful timing of construction activities – the timescale for erection of one turbine is less than three months. There are overlapping periods of concern for the three valued species highlighted in the report, and the periods that will be avoided during construction are:
• Whooper Swan; October to April – 33% probability of some impact on SPA.
• Quail; May to July – unknown, but low probability of any impact.
• Grey Partridge; January to June – impact at local level.
For the initial erection of a turbine at Fearn in line with the recommendations above (including construction from July/August to September/early-October), no significant ecological impacts are predicted. Overall it is expected that there would be a minor reduction in foraging of wildfowl around the turbine(s). This would not mean a total absence, rather a gradual reduction in numbers from close to the turbine positions that might be felt out to 600m, but possibly rather less. This would not be significant, in that there is a wide area of similar improved agricultural land across the Tarbat peninsula and, except for swans in one year out of three, the average numbers involved were very low proportions of the total SPA area populations.
Birds in transit flight across the site are likely to take routes that give the turbines a wide berth, but this is a minimal impact, given the placing of a single turbine, or a compact array of three turbines, in an open landscape. The low levels of calculated collision risk cannot be avoided or mitigated, but are not considered significant for any individual species or on an overall basis. These overall low predicted impacts on birds are due to the small size of the development, situated on a site that is already subject to regular human disturbance, at 3 kilometres or more from the nearest SPAs. The fact that there have been so many aspects to consider within this report is a however a reflection of the flight and forage patterns of two of the SPA species (Whooper Swan and Greylag Goose) and their potentially large numbers in the area. The Tarbat peninsula is also a stronghold for a variety of farmland birds that have declined on a national scale, and for which the aerodrome provides a mosaic of improved agricultural land and dry, open grassland, giving rise to the good populations of birds that have had to be considered.
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5.3 Archaeological impact mitigation
There has significant ground disturbance from the airfield’s construction and the resultant retained hardcore and systematic ploughing regimes down to subsoil indicates that no archaeological impact mitigation is required for any constructional activity, and similarly there are no indications for a monitoring role during any construction works. Outside the infield perimeter road, the degree of airfield ground disturbance is more variable, but the indications are that the pre-airfield picture would have been archaeologically barren, with no grounds for concern. This covers all the onsite construction elements of the turbines, access tracks, switchgear building, compounds and storage and stone supply; no further archaeological role is envisaged.
The only concern within the airfield will be to avoid impacting on the Royal Navy control tower, with its Listed Building (C) status. This has been recognised by the project design and the construction activity will be several hundred metres away, leaving indirect visual impact as the only area of potential concern. Direct impacts on other non-protected airfield buildings are not anticipated. Outside the airfield boundary, the only off-site development element will be the interconnector route, which will be the responsibility of Scottish and Southern Energy rather than the project design and planning application; this should receive some degree of archaeological evaluation when details are confirmed.
5.4 Pollution avoidance
The construction of the access track and the areas of hardstanding has the highest likelihood of pollution, and SEPA’s Pollution Prevention Guidelines PPG1, PPG5, PPG6, PPG8 and PPG21 have been adopted by the project. To combat the potential risk of run-off, it is proposed that the mechanisms used to construct Sustainable Urban Drainage systems be adopted when constructing hardstanding areas, using a permeable surface to allow water to pass through the upper layer, along with filter strips to provide filtering.
The construction of wind turbine foundations involves pouring fresh concrete. The nearest watercourses are the field drains on the eastern and southern perimeter of the aerodrome, and to reduce the risk of pollution run-off it is proposed that all concrete will be brought onto site as a dry mix to minimise the risk of spills, with concrete manufacture conducted in the centre of the aerodrome, well away from any watercourses. Cleaning of shutters and the washing of equipment will only be done away from the site.
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To minimise risk of pollution from oils and fuels during project construction, all work will be to COSHH regulations and any machinery, equipment or construction material will be located on areas of hardstanding away from water courses. Any waste will be transported away from the work area and disposed of using standard waste handling procedures. Refuelling activities for construction vehicles and equipment will be restricted to bunded and contained areas of hard standing at fuel storage areas adjacent to the substation locations to restrict the potential for contamination of land; any spills would be contained during fuel transfer, and a store of absorbent material will be provided.
5.5 Mitigation of noise disturbance and shadow flicker nuisance
The site has been designed to ensure that the wind turbines are at a good distance from neighbouring towns, villages and individual properties, ensuring that noise is reduced to the levels recommended by PAN45 and ETSU-R-97. The distances to neighbours, the flat landscape and the pockets of woodland in the area act to attenuate and reduce sound from the turbines. The site location also ensures that the turbines are positioned more than ten rotor diameters from neighbours, fully achieving the shadow flicker recommendations of PAN45; there is little risk of shadow impact.
5.6 Construction and Transportation impact mitigation
There will be construction noise during the foundation manufacture, mainly from lorries delivering concrete over a six week period; no blasting of rock is necessary or required. The community and authorities will be consulted about suitable times for lorry movement and a construction schedule will be published. Before any wind turbine components are transported to site, the project owners and designers will consult with the Scottish Government, Highland Council Roads Department and the Police to ensure acceptability of the route to site. Existing public road culverts, bridges, verges and street furniture have been surveyed by the project developers, with more detailed assessment completed nearer the time of construction.
A schedule of loads and a timetable will be prepared and circulated prior to delivery, and road warning signs and lights will be located at all areas of roadworks. Any items such as fence posts and road signs that have been temporarily removed will be re-erected following transportation. The local community and all affected neighbours will be notified in advance of transportation.
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6 Conclusions
Development of a wind energy industry is predicted to have significant economic and environmental benefits for Scotland. With Highland Council strongly committed to encouraging local and community renewable energy developments, it is felt that the Fearn project is particularly appropriate and relevant to the socio-economic development of this part of the Highlands.
Although the turbines are manufactured abroad, there will be additional design, civil and electrical engineering requirements, approaching one third of the total project costs. The development team will ensure that much if not all of this work is completed by local organisations. New long term employment opportunities will also arise from the project, with local support necessary for the long term operation and maintenance of the site.
This assessment has described a project to install a small wind farm on flat, drained land on a peninsula north south of Inverness. A full range of environmental studies has been completed, with emphasis on visual impact, impact upon habitats, potential disturbance to birds, impact on archaeology, potential nuisance impact upon neighbours and pollution issues. Life-cycle analysis of the development has considered the location, the sustainability of the project and the type and size of wind turbines to be installed. The study has further addressed the environmental and socio-economic benefits of the project.
The visual impact upon the landscape has been considered and the preliminary design is a simple cluster of three machines. Although any wind energy project involving modern wind turbines will be seen from the surrounding area, the installation of wind turbines at this location would have limited impact on the immediate isolated surroundings.
This project has been designed to provide a commercially viable wind energy development, with strong local economic benefits. The surrounding community will have the opportunity to become owners of the development and the development will ensure, as far as possible, that most if not all the project revenue is retained within the area. Constructing the Fearn Wind Energy Project gives a positive message on the importance of renewable energy to this part of the Highlands, demonstrating the significant benefits of local ownership.
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7 References and selected bibliography
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Boardman, B et al. (1997) 2MtC: Two Million Tonnes of Carbon , Environmental Change Unit, University of Oxford.
Boden T.A., Marland G., Andres R.J. (1995). Estimates of global, regional, and national annual CO 2 emissions from fossil-fuel burning, hydraulic cement production, and gas flaring: 1950-1992, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Report ORNL/CDIAC-90, NDP-030/R6 .
Bowes, D.R. (1960). A bog burst in the Isle of Lewis. Scottish Geographical Journal 76, pg 21-23
Boyle, G (1996). Renewable Energy; Power for a Sustainable Future . Oxford University Press.
British Geological Survey. Solid and Drift: Northern Scotland
Brown, A.F., Shepherd K.B. (1993) A method of censusing upland breeding waders. Bird Study 40
The Carbon Trust. Guidelines on measuring carbon and CO 2 emissions from electricity . http://www.thecarbontrust.co.uk/carbontrust/low_carbon_tech/dlct2_1_6.html
Defence and Civil Aviation Interests Working Group (2002). Wind Energy and Aviation Interests – Interim Guidelines. ETSU W/14/00626/REP
Department for Transport The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types)(General) Order 2003. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/page/dft_rdsafety_023695-01.hcsp
DTI Noise Working Group (1996). The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Windfarms . ETSU-R-97.
DUKES: Digest of UK Energy Statistics, Chapter 5: Electricity www.dtistats.net/energystats/dukes06_c5.pdf
IEEM (2006) Guidelines for ecological impact assessment in the United Kingdom , www.ieem.org.uk/ecia/index.html .
Langston R.H.W., Pullan J.D. (2003) Windfarms and Birds: An analysis of the effects of windfarms on birds, and guidance on environmental assessment criteria and site selection issues . Secretariat memorandum for the Standing committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. Directorate of Culture and of Cultural and Natural Heritage, Council of Europe.
National Planning Policy Guideline NPPG6 (2000). Renewable Energy Developments. Scottish Government Development Department. ISBN 0 1-84268-684-4
Planning Advice Note PAN 45 (2002). Renewable Energy Technologies . Scottish Government; ISBN 0 7559 0372 2
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Planning Advice Note PAN 56 (1999). Planning and Noise. Scottish Government Development Department.
Planning Advice Note PAN 58 (1999). Environmental Impact Assessment . Scottish Government; ISBN 0 7480 8912 8
Planning Advice Note PAN 68 (2003). Design Statements . Scottish Government; ISBN 0 7559 0862 7
Planning Advice Note PAN 73 (2005). Rural Diversification . Scottish Government; ISBN 0 7559 4425 9
Scottish Natural Heritage. Guidelines on the Environmental Impact of Windfarms and Small Scale Hydroelectric Schemes . SNH Publications
Scottish Natural Heritage (2002). Visual Assessment of Windfarms: Best Practice . Report F01AA303A University of Newcastle, SNH Publications.
Scottish Planning Policy SPP15 (2005) Planning for Rural Development. Scottish Government Development Department.
SEPA pollution prevention guidelines http://www.sepa.org.uk/guidance/ppg/
SEPA recommendations on drainage systems in Scotland - Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) . http://www.sepa.org.uk/publications/leaflets/suds/?lang=_e
Snow D.W., Perrins C.M.(1998) The Birds of the Western Palaearctic,Concise Edition. Oxford University Press.
Thomas, R (1999). An Assessment of the Impact of Wind Turbines on Birds at Ten Windfarm Sites in the UK . Sustainable Development International.
Whitefield D.P., Band W. Estimates of collision avoidance rates at operational wind farms in the USA.
Worden J., Mitchell C., Merne O., Cranswick P. (2004) Greenland Barnacle Geese Branta Leucopsis in Britain and Ireland: Results of the International Census, March 2003. WWT Report.
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