New 132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation Addendum to December 2009 Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
December 2010 Table of Contents
Preface 1
1.0 Introduction 3 1.1 Additional Information 3 1.2 Amended Development 3
2.0 Post Application Consultee Feedback 4 2.1 Background 4
3.0 Feedback Response & Amended Development 5 3.1 Review of Alternative Schemes 5 3.2 Cumulative Review 5 3.3 The Amended Development 5
4.0 Landscape & Visual 7 4.1 Background 7 4.2 Additional Information 7 4.3 Amended Development 7 4.4 Mitigation & Residual Effects 8
5.0 Ecology 9 5.1 Background 9 5.2 Review of the December 2009 ES in Respect of Dormice 9 5.3 Additional Hedgerow Information 9 5.4 SPEN’s Response to CCW’s Comments 9 5.5 Amended Development 10
6.0 Cultural Heritage 11 6.1 Background 11 6.2 Additional Information 11 6.3 Amended Development 11
7.0 Cumulative Review 13 7.1 Landscape Character 13 7.2 Visual 13 7.3 Ecology 13 7.4 Cultural heritage 13
8.0 Draft Environmental Plan 15
132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES non-technical summary
Preface
1 In December 2009, SP Energy Networks (SPEN) 9 Copies of the documents are available for public submitted an application under section 37 (s37) of the viewing at the following locations: Electricity Act 1989 to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. The application was for consent Council Offices: to install a new 132kV overhead line connection over Planning Services a distance of 35km and within a 100m corridor from Powys County Council Llandinam wind farm to Welshpool substation as Neuadd Maldwyn shown in Figure 1. The application was accompanied Severn Road by an Environmental Statement in December 2009 Welshpool (December 2009 ES), including Technical Appendices, Powys Viewpoints and Confidential Ecology Reports. SY21 7AS
2 Following submission of the December 2009 ES, Libraries: supplementary environmental information (hereafter Welshpool Library referred to as ‘the Addendum’) to the ES has been Brook Street prepared, which sets out additional information in Welshpool respect of the following: SY21 7PH ¤ Post application feedback Newtown Library ¤ Completed dormouse survey Park Lane 3 The Addendum also refers to Amended Development. Newtown This includes two sections of overhead line where it is SY16 1EJ proposed to move the corridor outside of the 100m corridor, which is the subject of the s37 application. 10 Representations are invited in writing within the specified period from the publication date of the Notice 4 This Non-Technical Summary forms part of the in the local and national publications advertising the Addendum that is being submitted to the Secretary of submission of the information. Representations should State for Energy and Climate Change. be dated and returned to:
5 The scope of the Addendum, which has been prepared Secretary of State for Department of Energy and Climate by the same specialist team as the December 2009 ES, Change was agreed through consultation with Powys County Section 37 Consents Team Council (Powys CC) and other consultees. WHP 3A Whitehall Place 6 The ES comprises the following documents: London SW1A 2AW
¤ The Non-Technical Summary (this document)
¤ The Addendum to the December 2009 Environmental Statement (principal document)
7 The Non-Technical Summary has been produced to give a summary of each of the technical chapters in the ES.
8 Further copies of the Non-Technical Summary are available free of charge. Additional paper copies of the main ES report are available at a charge of £50 (plus postage and packing) or £10 for an electronic version onVD D in PDF format. Copies may be obtained by writing to:
Environmental Planning SP Manweb (Registered Office) 3 Prenton Way Prenton CH43 3ET Or, by e-mailing: [email protected]
132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES 1 Plan 1 - Bryn-picca
Plan 2
Plan 2 - Forden
Plan 1
Figure 1 Key: Amended Development
NTS
Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map with the permission of Ordnance Survey® on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office,© Crown copyright Licence No. EL273112
2 132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES non-technical summary
1.0 Introduction
11 This Non-Technical Summary (NTS) summarises the 17 Because these sections lie outside the 100m corridor, Addendum to the December 2009 ES for the overhead they have been subject to formal Environmental Impact line connection between Llandinam wind farm and the Assessment (EIA) and reported on in the Addendum. Welshpool substation. 18 The approach and methodology adopted for the 1.1 Additional Information assessment of the Amended Development remains unchanged from that presented in the December 12 The Addendum has been prepared to provide 2009 ES and is in accordance with the Electricity additional information with respect to the following: Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (EIA Regulations) as Post Application Consultee Feedback amended. SPEN’s proposed changes and intention 13 Following submission of the s37 application, SPEN to prepare this ES Addendum were discussed with received comments from local communities and Powys CC, the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), statutory consultees in respect of certain matters Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) referred to in the December 2009 ES. The local and the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG). community comments raised in this feedback are documented in a separate Application Consultation Scoping Feedback Report published in July 2010 (a copy of 19 Chapter 2.0 of the December 2009 ES sets out which is included in Appendix A of the Addendum) the scoping and consultation process, which was and are summarised in Chapter 2.0 of the Addendum, undertaken as part of the original EIA. The key topic together with the statutory consultee comments areas, which are addressed in the Addendum, are landscape and visual, ecology and cultural heritage as Completed Dormouse Survey these are the issues considered by SPEN most likely to 14 As explained in the December 2009 ES, at the time give rise to significant effects. of application, SPEN was awaiting the results of 20 Due to the nature of an overhead line, all significant the supplementary dormouse survey. This survey effects identified are likely to be adverse. information is included in Chapter 5.0 of the Addendum. SPEN acknowledges that the survey results relate to Approach to Mitigation the original scheme and has therefore supplemented the 2009/2010 information with a walkover survey of the 21 As with the overall project, mitigation was considered amended scheme described below. an intrinsic part of the overall design strategy of the overhead line, not just ‘add-on’ measures to reduce 1.2 Amended Development significant environmental effects. The approach has been firstly to avoid any significant effects through the 15 Since submission of the application for the s37 design and routeing of the overhead line and secondly consent, the overhead line design has been subject to reduce any identified effects by altering and refining to amendments arising from ground surveys and the proposed route through micrositing of poles and discussions with landowners. These have resulted in appropriate construction methods. minor changes to the indicative pole positions shown on the submitted drawings, with 44 poles having 22 The Draft Construction Method Statement for the moved more than 10m and a number of poles having scheme setting out construction procedures to be moved less than 10m. These changes all lie inside the adhered to by the contractor has been updated to 100m corridor, which was the subject of the application reflect the Amended Development. A draft of this for s37 consent and are therefore not discussed further document is included in Appendix C of the Addendum. in the Addendum. 23 The Draft Environmental Management Plan setting out 16 Other design amendments have resulted in two SPEN’s mitigation proposals has also been updated sections of the route now lying outside the 100m wide to include the Amended Development. This includes corridor as shown in Figure 1: additional measures being proposed by SPEN to mitigate for minor effects, which are not significant. ¤ Forden - between poles 45 to 63 over a distance These include tree replacements (two new for each of 1.7km with the outside edge of the proposed tree lost), shrub and hedgerow planting and the other corridor moving a maximum of 300m east. measures to enhance biodiversity. A draft of this ¤ Bryn-picca - between poles 360 to 371 over a document is included in Chapter 8.0 of the Addendum. distance of 900m with the corridor moving a maximum of 90m south. SPEN refers to these corridor changes as the Amended Development.
132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES 3 2.0 Post Application Consultee Feedback
2.1 Background
24 The application attracted comments from statutory consultees, local community groups and members of the public.
Local Community Comments 25 Approximately 60 comments, covering a range of issues, were received from the local community. A summary of these and SPEN’s response to them is provided in Chapter 2.0 of the Addendum and set out more fully in the July 2010 Consultation Feedback Report (a copy of which is included in Appendix A of the Addendum).
26 The key issues raised by the local community are:
¤ A request for a review of alternative 132kV overhead line connection options, in the light of SPEN’s and National Grid Electricity Transmission’s (NGET’s) progress in bringing forward proposals to connect the additional Mid Wales wind farms in TAN8 areas SSA B and SSA C to the electricity network.
¤ A request for an update on the progress of other wind farm proposals in SSA C to inform views on the likely degree of future landscape change in that area.
¤ A request for an assessment of the cumulative effects of the proposed Llandinam overhead line with all other planned wind farms and overhead lines in the area.
Statutory Consultee Comments 27 Comments were received from Powys CC, WAG, CCW, Cadw, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT) and Environment Agency Wales (EA). A copy of their comments is included in Appendix B and summarised in Chapter 2.0 of the Addendum:
28 SPEN’s approach to dealing with these comments is to respond to them in the context of providing additional information in the Addendum and therefore publicise its responses.
4 132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES non-technical summary
3.0 Feedback Response & Forden - between poles 45 to 63 over a distance of 1.7km with the outside edge of the proposed corridor Amended Development moving a maximum of 300m east.
29 Chapter 3.0 of the Addendum provides a response to The route deviates from that published in the the key comments raised by the public and statutory December 2009 ES at Pole 43, departing the previous consultees and describes the Amended Development. 100m corridor from Pole 45. From here it swings to a south to south-westerly line crossing over grazing 3.1 Review of Alternative Schemes fields, small tree groups and hedgerows. To the west of the farm complex of Pen-y-lan the line turns 30 Chapter 3.2 of the December 2009 ES included reference to run directly south, passing to the east of a new to four scheme alternatives, which were considered property, over an unnamed lane and to the west of St during development of the project. In reviewing these, Michael’s Crescent, over several arable fields before SPEN considered only one of these four alternatives passing to the west of Church Farm. The line then (Alternative 4) merited further consideration: oversails the minor road that runs through Forden before rejoining the previous route at Pole 63 Alternative 4 – Develop the Llandinam overhead line connection in tandem with the other planned wind Bryn-picca - between poles 360 to 371 over a distance farmsSA in S C, which will also need grid connections. of 900m with the corridor moving a maximum of 90m This would mean connecting the Llandinam Wind south. Farm into a SPEN collector substation or into a point Although the route deviates from that published in on a new single circuit overhead line between SSA C the December 2009 ES at Pole 344, it is not until and the NGET hub. Pole 360 that the line falls outside the previous 100m corridor. From Pole 360 the route runs briefly in a 31 SPEN concluded that because they were unable to west to south-westerly direction, before turning at provide the developer with more certainty as to how and Pole 362 to run in an almost westerly direction, lying when the Llandinam Wind Farm could connect into the roughly parallel to the previous route, but situated NGET hub, this was not a viable option and that there closer to the River Camnant, crossing it directly remainedo n other alternative to the proposed scheme. south of Bryn-picca. From here the route continues in a westerly direction, moving away from the river 3.2 Cumulative Review and rejoining the previous corridor at Pole 371 and the previous route at Pole 383. 32 In response to the request for a cumulative assessment of the proposed Llandinam overhead line with other 34 The overhead line cables are supported by 17 double planned wind farms and overhead lines in the area, wood pole supports (Forden) and 11 double wood pole SPEN has undertaken a high-level cumulative review supports (Bryn-picca), ranging in height between 11.5 and this is presented in Chapter 7.0 of the Addendum. m and 14m and placed on average 94m apart.
3.3 The Amended Development 35 The design evolution, project description, timescale and construction details of the Amended Development 33 Whilst liaising with landowners on the detailed design are as described for the overall scheme in Chapters of the scheme and reviewing the technical suitability of 3.0 and 4.0 of the December 2009 ES. In comparison the design for the area in which it is to be installed, a to the original scheme, the Amended Development number of changes were identified to pole positions. represents a total reduction of 6 poles and 300m of Whilst most of these fell within the 100m corridor, in two new overhead line. locations, the amendments resulted in the route lying outside the 100m corridor.
Photograph 1 & 2 - Double Wood Poles
132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES 5 Figure 2 Key: Key: Winter Viewpoint Locations
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6 132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES non-technical summary
4.0 Landscape & Visual
4.1 Background measures including tree/shrub and hedgerow planting. These are presented in the Draft Environmental 36 This chapter of the Addendum provides additional Management Plan. information in respect of a review of the December 2009 ES viewpoint assessment in winter and an assessment Assessment of Landscape & Visual Effects during of the Amended Development. Construction & Decommissioning 43 Construction of the overhead line will lead to localised 4.2 Additional Information changes resulting from the removal of/ or works to trees and hedgerows and the effects of any new access Winter Viewpoints tracks. 37 A number of the viewpoints included in the December 2009 ES were re-visited where it was considered that 44 The Amended Development both at Forden and Bryn- the presence of trees in full leaf may have affected the picca will result in fewer tree losses compared to the outcome of the original assessment. In response to original scheme. With respect to hedgerow removal local residents’ feedback to the December 2009 ES, and pruning, the Amended Development will result in two additional viewpoints were also produced near one additional section of hedgerow to be removed near Kerry Saw Mills. The locations of both the winter Forden and one additional section of hedgerow to be viewpoints and the additional Saw Mill viewpoints are reduced in height near Bryn-picca. Given that hedges shown in Figure 2 . and trees are a common feature of the lower lying parts of the study area, the required works will not have a 38 The results of the appraisal showed that the absence significant effect on the area’s character. of foliage had no effect on the outcome of the visual appraisal included in the December 2009 ES and that 45 Access tracks for construction will generally seek to the assessment of significance remained the same. follow existing tracks and gateways and this is not expected to result in significant adverse effects on 39 The assessment of significance for the two new landscape or visual receptors. viewpoints near Kerry Saw Mills is minor and therefore not significant. Some additional planting is however 46 In terms of landscape, the relatively small-scale effects proposed in mitigation. and disturbances arising from construction will not fundamentally modify its primary characteristics, even 4.3 Amended Development on a temporary basis. As such, there are no anticipated effects on landscape character. 40 As with the December 2009 ES, the assessment was carried out in accordance with best practice guidance 47 The only visual receptors likely to be temporarily affected and drew on both LANDMAP and the Powys Landscape are the few properties that lie in close proximity to the Character Assessment (Powys LCA) for information. individual pole locations and the tracks and lanes, which Field surveys were undertaken in summer 2010 and wille b used for the limited traffic. The significance of existing and planned wind farm developments in the effects i considered minor and not significant. Because area were included within the baseline. This includes of o this, n mitigation measures are proposed. the proposed redeveloped Llandinam wind farm as well as the planned wind farms at Llaithddu, Llanbadarn Assessment of Landscape Effects during Operation Fynydd, Neuadd Goch, Bryngydfa, Garreg Llwyd and Hirddywel. 48 As with the original sections of overhead line, the assessment concluded that, when viewed in the context 41 The assessment distinguishes between the landscape of the changes to the landscape, which are likely to and visual effects of the proposed overhead line. arise from the construction of planned wind farms Landscape effects are defined as changes to the withinSA S C, the effects of the Amended Development landscape elements, characteristics, character and on the landscape near Forden and Bryn-picca will not qualities of the landscape, whilst visual effects are be significant. concerned with the effect of the overhead line on views available to members of the public and general visual 49 The Shropshire Hills AONB is located to the east amenity. on the Welsh/English border. It lies 2.5km from the amended section of overhead line near Bryn-picca. 42 Overhead lines do not easily lend themselves to Whilst the landscape of the AONB is considered highly traditional mitigation measures such as screen planting. sensitive to overhead line development, the scale However to help compensate for adverse effects of the development and use of wood pole supports, (although ultimately subject to landowner consent), combined with the intervening high ground and SPEN has proposed some additional enhancement woodland, including large conifer plantations, means that the AONB will not experience any adverse effects.
132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES 7 Assessment of Visual Effects during Operation Bryn-picca 50 The assessment of the visual effects of the Amended 56 No properties will experience a significant adverse effect Development was undertaken through additional field on their visual amenity. This represents no change to surveysn i 2010. the situation for the original route. Recreational users likely to be affected are walkers and riders on the local Forden right of way network (including some public forest and open access areas). Although effects may be locally 51 For the section of overhead line near Forden, a new significant, they will be transient and will diminish with viewpoint and photomontage was produced. This distance. However, the new section of line does not indicates that the effect on the visual amenity of residents cross any additional public rights of way compared in and around St Michael’s Crescent will be moderate to the original scheme. There may be some localised and therefore significant, which represents a worsening significant adverse effects on local lanes and access of effect compared to the original route. In addition, tracks, but these effects will be similarly localised and there may be some localised cumulative effects arising transient. from the overhead line when seen alongside an existing 33kV overhead line. These effects are also considered 57 The only existing overhead lines in the area are significant, which again represents a worsening of some small 33kV lines and telegraph poles serving effect compared to the original proposal. the isolated properties to the north. Because of the separation distance between these and the proposed 52 Carried out alongside the specific viewpoint analyses overhead line, there are no predicted cumulative effects noted above, was an appraisal of the effects of the arising from the existing infrastructure. Amended Development on nearby properties, amenity (footpaths, bridleways etc) and transport users. 4.4 Mitigation & Residual Effects 53 The assessment suggested that a few properties on 58 Based on the effects identified in the preceding the edge of Forden (including Church Farm and Pen-y- assessment, SPEN has considered additional lan) would experience significant visual effects due to mitigation measures, including landscape management the line forming part of the view at close range. Overall, proposals such as hedgerow re-instatement and tree more properties are likely to be adversely affected than planting to help ameliorate identified adverse landscape for the original scheme presented in the December and visual effects of the Amended Development. 2009 ES. Details of these measures are presented in the Draft Environmental Management Plan. 54 No formal visitor attractions, national or regional trails or cycleways will be significantly affected, including the 59 Significant residual effects remaining include effects Kerry Ridgeway. Users of local public rights of way, on the visual amenity of some residents near Forden, including Offa’s Dyke Path and The Severn Way will be users of some short sections of public footpaths and variably affected by the Amended Development near roads in both areas and users of the public forest near Forden. Overall, the amended section of overhead Bryn-picca. line crosses one additional footpath and crosses/ runs parallel to two longer sections of footpath than the original scheme. In terms of transport, users of a short section of the B4386 and local road network will have views of the overhead line. Although these effects may be locally significant, they will be transient and will diminish rapidly with distance. There will not be a significant effect on rail passengers.
55 There may be some localise cumulative visual effects near Forden where the amended section of overhead lines i seen together with existing low voltage overhead liensn a telegraph poles. In places this will be significant.
8 132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES non-technical summary
5.0 Ecology
5.1 Background General Comments
¤ Explanation of the determination of nature conservation 60 This chapter of the Addendum presents the results receptors in line with Section 42 ‘list of species and habitats of the completed dormouse survey, more information of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity requested by WAG on the number, composition and in Wales’. location of affected hedgerows, a response to CCW’s post application comments and an assessment of the ¤ Confirmation that no part of the line is within the River Teme Amended Development. catchment.
¤ Confirmation that the line does not cross local wildlife sites, 5.2 Review of the December 2009 ES in including Wildlife Trust Reserves. Respect of Dormice ¤ Confirmation that Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) have been considered in the baseline. 61 Consultations with the Powys County Ecologist in June ¤ Reference to a search for otters within the survey corridor. 2009 revealed concerns about the possible presence of dormice within woodlands and hedges in the study ¤ Explanation as to whether the absence of data in the great area. These consultations led to the introduction of a crested newt surveys was due to not being able to access dormouse survey using nest tubes. Owing to the late some ponds, thus affecting the assessment. introduction of the survey within the project schedule, ¤ Further details on appropriate measures for controlling the the tubes were left in-situ throughout the 2010 survey introduction and spread of non-native invasive species. season in order to gain one full season’s survey data. ¤ Further details on appropriate measures for preventing the 62 Although the results of the survey suggested that there spreadf o Signal Crayfish in the tributaries of the River Severn. would be no significant effects on dormice, some Bats mitigation measures are proposed as a precautionary ¤ Review of the conservation value of lesser horseshoe measure. Details of these measures are summarised bats (identified as ‘low’ in the December 2009 ES) and in the Draft Environmental Management Plan. subsequent assessment to acknowledge potential effects in spring and autumn.
5.3 Additional Hedgerow Information ¤ Explanation as to why it is proposed to survey bat flight paths a part of the mitigation rather than at the time the ES 63 In order to provide more information on the number, bat flight survey was carried out. composition and location of affected hedgerows, the original survey was revisited. Of the 115 hedgerows Trees & Hedgerows likely to be affected by construction of the overhead ¤ Further explanation and inclusion within the construction line, only 2 were identified as being important for nature method statement of mitigation measures with respect to conservation. No further effects were identified and hedgerows and their aftercare. SPEN concluded that the information did not change ¤ Detailed plans showing hedgerows to be removed and the conclusion of the December 2009 ES – that there clarification that these have not been identified as important were no significant effects. with respect to the 1997 Hedgerow Regulations
64 More detail on mitigation with respect to hedgerows is ¤ Review of the conservation value and assessment of the provided in the Draft Construction Method Statement. back poplar, which are identified for felling.
¤ Review of whether the overhead line could be diverted to 5.4 SPEN’s Response to CCW’s avoid veteran oaks in the lower Severn Valley, where they are of particular nature conservation value and, if not, an Comments assessment of the effects of their removal.
65 CCW raised a number of issues. These are listed in Birds the table opposite. Please refer to Section 5.4 of the ¤ Reference in mitigation measures to the use of bird Addendum for SPEN’s responses. deflectors on sections of the line around the Camlad and Lower Severn Valley.
¤ Reference to where mitigation to prevent raptors/corvids using poles to predate on other bird species will be provided e.g. curlew breeding areas.
¤ Reference in a detailed map as to which parts of the line are within the catchment area of the River Wye SAC, and then what mitigation is needed in these areas.
132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES 9 5.5 Amended Development Mitigation & Residual Effects 71 Although the nature conservation effects identified are 66 As with the December 2009 ES, the assessment was expected to be mainly of minor significance, it is SPEN’s carried out in accordance with best practice guidance. normal policy to try to improve the habitats of the area The data gathered from the 2009 surveys was reviewed upon which they are seeking to route an overhead line and an additional Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey through environmental enhancement measures. These and tree survey undertaken in summer 2010 using measures, which are set out in the Draft Environmental standard methodologies. Management Plan have the potential to locally result in minor to moderate beneficial significance for habitats Assessment of Ecological Effects during and species. Construction & Decommissioning 67 Construction of the Amended Development will lead 72 With respect to the significant adverse effect identified to some minor habitat loss (including trees) in areas on ground nesting birds, SPEN are currently looking of pole erection and access tracks. Most of this will at methods to reduce the risk of predation, including be within improved, semi-improved and marshy devices fitted to the poles to prevent or deter birds grassland. Disruption to habitats on site also has the from perching or roosting. Liaison with the RSPB potential to disturb birds, reptiles, amphibians and other and SPEN’s engineers is ongoing. Assuming this fauna, including bats. The Draft Construction Method mitigation is successful no residual significant effects Statement and Draft Environmental Management are expected. Plan will be in place for the works to ensure that these potential effects are minimised and no significant effects are identified. Pollution of habitats including watercourses could arise from vehicular movements during construction and have indirect effects on birds and other species such as otters and water voles. However provided EA Guidelines be adhered to in relation to working near watercourses, the effects are not expected to be significant.
68 Because no significant effects are identified, no mitigation measures have been proposed. However, as a positive conservation measure a number of habitat enhancement proposals are included in the Draft Environmental Management Plan.
Assessment of Effects during Operation 69 Operation of the new sections of overhead line is not expected to give rise to any significant effects on habitats and flora, fauna, birds or pollution of habitats, with the exception of ground nesting birds, which may be exposed to increased predation by corvids using the poles are perching posts. The effect on these birds, which include protected species such as meadow pipit, lapwing, curlew and skylark, is likely to be major and therefore significant, particularly near Bryn-picca where these birds are more likely to be found.
70 The loss of trees may result in potential habitat loss for bats even though this has not been identified as significant. Bat species are likely to forage in habitats near the overhead line and potentially use some of the trees as roosting sites. The loss of a small number of potential roost sites is unlikely to adversely affect local bat populations. With respect to the potential effect on bat flight paths, this could occur where poles are located in, or adjacent to established hedgerows. Bats are nocturnal and, providing the measures proposed are in place to maintain the continuity of these hedgerows, their foraging patterns are unlikely to be affected.
10132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES non-technical summary
78 The assessment identified 3 historic hedgerows 6.0 Cultural Heritage close to the Amended Development. Whilst some damage to these may be inevitable because of the 6.1 Background farming requirement to place the poles as close to the hedgerow as possible, the overall degree of damage 73 This chapter of the Addendum provides additional to a linear feature such as a hedgerow is unlikely to be information in respect of additional information, significant. which has become available since submission of the December 2009 ES and an assessment of the Assessment of Cultural Heritage Effects during Amended Development. Operation 6.2 Additional Information 79 Direct effects may occur because of accidental damage during maintenance operations. As discussed 74 Following submission of the December 2009 ES there above, however, assuming the mitigation measures are is one section of the route where the minor changes to successfully implemented, the Amended Development pole positions, result in poles lying closer to 3 recorded is not predicted to result in any significant direct effects archaeological sites. Although the poles still lie within on the cultural heritage of the area. the 100m corridor and are not included as part of the Amended Development, they were assessed and no 80 The most significant effects are the predicted significant effects identified. visual effects on the setting of cultural heritage assets, including Offa’s Dyke near Forden and Bryn 6.3 Amended Development Cwmyrhiwdre Round Barrow near Bryn-picca. Because of their proximity to the amended sections of overhead 75 The assessment of potential effects of the Amended line, the significance of visual effect is considered Development on cultural heritage assets was carried moderate and very large respectively. However, the out in accordance with best practice guidance. The monuments will remain physically intact and their assessment distinguishes between direct physical setting will be returned following decommissioning of disturbance on the cultural heritage assets of the area the overhead line. and the indirect visual effects on their setting. An Assessment of the Impact of Development on the Vale 81 The section of line near Forden traverses the edge of of Montgomery Historic Landscape (ASIDOHL) was Vale of Montgomery, which is included in the Register also included. of Historic Landscapes in Wales. The assessment of the effect of the original route was considered in the Assessment of Cultural Heritage Effects during ASIDOHL in Appendix S of the December 2009 ES. The Construction & Decommissioning new section of route traverses two historic landscape character areas, Penylan and Forden. Both of these 76 Because the two new sections of overhead line are were affected by the original route. Because of this, it is relatively short, only a small number of cultural heritage not considered necessary that the new section will alter assets are likely to be affected (3 within a 100m the degree of effect. For this reason the ASIDOHL has corridor either side of the line). Direct effects on these not been reworked. assets (and on undiscovered archaeological remains) are most likely to occur during construction and Mitigation & Residual Effects decommissioning, particularly because of accidental damage to assets during access for on-site works. 82 A series of general and specific mitigation measures The Draft Construction Method Statement and Draft are put forward to prevent damage and/or destruction Environmental Management Plan will be in place of cultural heritage assets particularly during the for the works to ensure that these potential effects construction and decommissioning phases. These are are minimised and no significant residual effects are set out in the Draft Construction Method Statement and identified. the Draft Environmental Management Plan. If these measures are successfully implemented the Amended 77 Mitigation measures proposed include a watching Development will not have any residual direct significant brief during construction, preservation in situ or by effect. record and evaluation, which may include geophysical survey, all under the supervision of an Archaeological 83 The most significant effects are likely to be indirect Clerk of Works. Assuming that these are successfully effects on the setting of Offa’s Dyke and the Bryn implemented, construction and decommissioning of Cwmyrhiwdre Round Barrow. No specific mitigation the Amended Development is not predicted to result in measures are put forward and the residual effects any significant direct effects on the cultural heritage of remain moderate and very large respectively. In the the area. case of Bryn Cwmyrhiwdre Round Barrow (MG280), the residual effect is considered significant.
132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES11 Figure 4 Key:
Indicative Area and SSA C Wind Farms for Cumulative Review NTS
Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map with the permission of Ordnance Survey® on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office,© Crown copyright Licence No. EL273112
12132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES non-technical summary
7.0 Cumulative Review
84 In response to consultees’ comments on the December 7.4 Cultural Heritage 2009 ES, SPEN has undertaken a high level cumulative review of the proposed overhead line in conjunction 89 The most significant cumulative effects are likely to with all other planned wind farms and overhead lines in be upon key views to and from designated cultural the area. This focuses on SSA C as illustrated in Figure heritage assets, although these are likely to be few in 4 and takes into account the following: number. It includes some already assessed as being significantly affected by the Llandinam overhead line ¤ Proposed wind farms in SSA C, which are in the December 2009 ES. The introduction of other currently the subject of connection offers wind farms and overhead lines will simply reinforce the or are in the planning system, including degree of significance. The cumulative visual effect on Llaithddu, Bryngydfa, Hirddywel, Neuadd Crugyn Bank Dyke, Barrow West of Cae-betin Wood Goch, Llanbadarn, Garreg Llwyd as well as the and Bryn Cwmyrhiwdre Round Barrow is considered upgraded Llandinam Wind Farm. likely to be very large and therefore significant. Others ¤ SPEN’s proposed grid connections for these which will potentially be significantly affected include wind farms in or near SSA C Two Tumps Round Barrows, Crugynau Round Barrow, Glog Round Barrows, Crugyn Round Barrows and Banc 7.1 Landscape Character Gorddwr Round Barrow. However, the monuments 85 When viewed in the context of the changes to the will remain physically intact and their setting will be landscape, which are likely to arise from the construction returned following decommissioning of the overhead of planned wind farms and associated infrastructure line. withinSA S C, the Llandinam overhead line may have some significant effects on local landscape character 90 Once more information on the other schemes becomes but will not significantly affect the character of the wider available, SPEN will consider further mitigation landscape. measures.
7.2 Visual 86 Significant cumulative visual effects may arise for residents, recreational users and users of the A483 at in or near SSA C. Mitigation measures would include landscape planting where agreed with landowners. Further measures will be put forward once more information on the other schemes becomes available.
7.3 Ecology 87 Significant cumulative effects may occur with respect to watercourses, including the Afon Camnant and Afon Ithon. There may also be significant effects on bird populations due to collisions, increased predation and displacement due to loss of habitat.
88 Measures outlined in the Draft Construction Method Statement will help mitigate against these effects. Further mitigation measures will be considered once more detail becomes available on the other schemes.
132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES13 Figure 5 Environmental Management Plan - southern section of route
NTS
Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map with the permission of Ordnance Survey® on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office,© Crown copyright Licence No. EL273112
14132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES non-technical summary
8.0 Draft Environmental Management Plan
91 The Addendum concludes with the Draft Environmental proposed by SPEN, which are intended to mitigate for Management Plan, which has been updated since the minor effects, which are not significant, but which are December 2009 ES to include mitigation measures nevertheless identified. for significant effects arising from the Amended Development. It also includes mitigation measures for 92 These include tree replacements (two new for each tree potential cumulative effects arising from the overhead lost), hedgerow and shrub planting and the introduction line in conjunction with other planned wind farm and of measures to enhance biodiversity. These are overhead lines in the area (see table below and Figure detailed fully in Chapter 11.0 of the December 2009 ES. 5)., Finally it sets out additional measures being
SUMMARY OF THE MITIGATION MEASURES PROPOSED IN THE RESPONSE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS IDENTIFIED IN THE CUMULATIVE REVIEW Environmental Effect Effect Type of Mitigation if Possible Residual Effect EMP Ref Cumulative Assessment Landscape & Visual There will be some significant cumulative landscape and visual effects. It may be possible to mitigate these using similar measures to those outlined previously in the EMP. This will be fully considered by SPEN once further detail becomes available on the other schemes proposed in the area. Ecology Watercourses in Llandinam wind Minor Reference in Construction Method Minor EMP 17 farm area Statement to procedures in place to ensure site is avoided by site access traffic, working areas, and construction areas around poles. Pre-construction surveys to also be required for on site works Ground nesting birds in Llandinam Moderate Reference in Construction Method Moderate EMP 27, wind farm area Statement to procedures in place 11A to ensure site is avoided by site access traffic, working areas, and construction areas around poles. Pre-construction surveys to also be required for on site works Breeding Birds Moderate Bird deflectors installed on poles Moderate EMP 12A Wintering Birds Moderate Bird deflectors installed on poles Moderate EMP 13A Cultural Heritage There will be some significant cumulative cultural heritage effects. It may be possible to mitigate these using similar measures to those outlined previously in the EMP. This will be fully considered by SPEN once further detail becomes available on the other schemes proposed in the area.
132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES15