Craigton and Spittalhill Wind Farm Environmental Statement
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Craigton and Spittalhill Wind Farm Environmental Statement Volume I: Main Text and Figures November 2013 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data © Crown copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Licence number 100047514 Craigton and Spittalhill Wind Farm Environmental Statement Prepared by LUC on behalf of Force 9 Energy November 2013 Preface This Environmental Statement (ES) has been prepared in support of an application for planning permission to construct and operate the seven turbine Craigton and Spittalhill Wind Farm. The Development is located approximately 12km south-west of Stirling and 7.5km to the east of Balfron, and lies wholly within the Stirling Council area. The ES comprises the following documents: Volume I: Main Text and Figures Volume II: Appendices The ES has been prepared by LUC and supporting sub-consultants. In addition, the ES is accompanied by a Non- Technical Summary, Planning Statement, Design and Access Statement and Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) Report. Copies of the full ES and accompanying documents, or further information on the Development may be obtained from: Force 9 Energy LLP and EDF Energy ER c/o 272 Bath Street Glasgow G2 4JR The Non-Technical Summary is available free of charge. A hard copy of the ES and accompanying documents costs £250. In addition, all documents are available in an electronic format (as PDFs for screen viewing only) on CD/DVD for £2. The ES and accompanying documents are available for viewing by the public during normal opening hours at the following locations: Fintry Sports and Recreation Club Planning and Building Standards Howietown Fishery Kippen Road Stirling Council Stirling Fintry Municipal Buildings FK7 9QH Glasgow 8-10 Corn Exchange Road G63 OYA Stirling FK8 2HU The documents will also be made available on-line at http://pabs.stirling.gov.uk/online-applications/ Comments in relation to the Planning Application should be forwarded to the Stirling Council Planning Environment Services department at the address above. Alternatively, comments can be made via Stirling Council’s online planning portal. Main Text 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1-1 Summary of Significant Effects ................................................................................... 6-42 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1-1 Statement of Significance .......................................................................................... 6-42 The Proposal ............................................................................................................. 1-1 Summary of Effects .................................................................................................. 6-42 The Applicant ............................................................................................................ 1-1 Legislative Requirements for Environmental Impact Assessment ........................................ 1-1 7. Noise ...................................................................................................................... 7-1 Climate Change and Renewable Energy ......................................................................... 1-1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 7-1 Scotland’s Wind Resource ........................................................................................... 1-2 Planning and Technical Guidance ................................................................................... 7-1 Benefits of Wind Power ............................................................................................... 1-2 Further Technical Considerations ................................................................................... 7-2 Environmental Statement ........................................................................................... 1-2 Assessment Methodology ............................................................................................. 7-3 Wind Farm Layout Design Considerations ........................................................................ 7-4 2. Approach to the EIA ................................................................................................ 2-1 Effects Assessment ..................................................................................................... 7-4 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 2-1 Construction Effects .................................................................................................... 7-4 The EIA Process ........................................................................................................ 2-1 Operational Effects ...................................................................................................... 7-5 Scope of the Environmental Statement ......................................................................... 2-1 Cumulative Effects ...................................................................................................... 7-6 Identification of Effects ............................................................................................... 2-7 Further Survey Requirements and Monitoring .................................................................. 7-7 Consultation ............................................................................................................. 2-8 Summary of Effects ..................................................................................................... 7-7 3. Site Selection and Design ........................................................................................ 3-1 8. Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology..................................................................... 8-1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3-1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 8-1 Site Selection ........................................................................................................... 3-1 Assessment Methodology ............................................................................................ 8-1 The ‘Do Nothing’ Scenario ........................................................................................... 3-1 Planning Policy .......................................................................................................... 8-4 The Design Strategy .................................................................................................. 3-1 Existing Conditions ..................................................................................................... 8-4 Scope of the Strategy ................................................................................................ 3-1 Wind Farm Layout Design Considerations ....................................................................... 8-9 Outcome .................................................................................................................. 3-2 Effects Assessment .................................................................................................. 8-12 Modifications to Scheme Design ................................................................................... 3-3 Construction Effects ................................................................................................. 8-12 Operational Effects ................................................................................................... 8-14 4. Development Description ......................................................................................... 4-1 Cumulative Effects Assessment .................................................................................. 8-15 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 4-1 Further Survey Requirements and Monitoring ............................................................... 8-15 Description of the Development Area and Surrounding Area ............................................. 4-1 Summary of Effects .................................................................................................. 8-16 Project Components ................................................................................................... 4-1 Construction Details ................................................................................................... 4-3 9. Ecology ................................................................................................................... 9-1 Reinstatement .......................................................................................................... 4-4 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 9-1 Environmental Management ........................................................................................ 4-4 Assessment Methodology ............................................................................................ 9-1 Peat Management .....................................................................................................