North Lowther Energy Initiative

EIA Scoping Report

Prepared for North Lowther Energy Initiative Ltd by LUC

January 2016

North Lowther Energy Initiative

EIA Scoping Report

Prepared for North Lowther Energy Initiative Ltd by LUC

January 2016

Planning & EIA LUC GLASGOW Offices also in: Land Use Consultants Ltd Registered in England Design 37 Otago Street London Registered number: 2549296 Landscape Planning Glasgow Bristol Registered Office: Landscape Management G12 8JJ Edinburgh 43 Chalton Street Ecology T +44 (0)141 334 9595 London NW1 1JD Mapping & Visualisation [email protected] FS 566056 EMS 566057 LUC uses 100% recycled paper

Project Title: North Lowther Energy Initiative Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report

Client: North Lowther Energy Initiative Ltd

Contents

1 Introduction 1 The Proposers 1 Project Background 2 Scoping Report Structure 2

2 Description of the Site and Development Proposals 3 Introduction 3 Site Description 3 Site Selection 3 Project Description 5 Construction Details 7 Operational Maintenance 7 Decommissioning 7

3 The Environmental Impact Assessment Process 8 The Nature and Purpose of EIA 8

4 Planning and Legislative Context 11 Policy Context 11 Legislative Context 11 National Planning Policy 11 Scottish Government Planning Advice 13 Local Planning Policy 13 Other Material Considerations 15

5 Landscape and Visual Amenity 18 Introduction 18 Existing Conditions 18 Proposed Surveys and Assessment Methodologies 19 Approach to Mitigation 22 Residential Visual Amenity Assessment 22 Proposals for Consultation 23

6 Geology, Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Peat 24 Introduction 24 Existing Conditions 24 Proposed Surveys and Assessment Methodologies 24 Potential Effects 25 Approach to Mitigation 26 Proposals for Consultation 26

7 Ecology 27 Introduction 27 Existing Conditions 28 Proposed Surveys and Assessment Methodologies 29 Potential Ecological Effects 29 Approach to Mitigation 30 Consultation Proposals 30

8 Ornithology 31 Introduction 31 Existing Conditions 31 Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies 32 Potential Ornithological Effects 33 Approach to Mitigation 33

Consultation Proposals 34

9 Noise 35 Introduction 35 Existing Conditions 35 Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies 35 Potential Noise Effects 36 Approach to Mitigation 36 Consultation Proposals 37

10 Traffic and Transport 38 Introduction 38 Existing Conditions 38 Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies 38 Potential Traffic and Transport Effects 39 Approach to Mitigation 39 Consultation Proposals 39

11 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 40 Introduction 40 Existing Conditions 40 Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies 40 Potential Effects on Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 42 Approach to Mitigation 42 Consultation Proposals 42

12 Other Issues 43 Introduction 43 Existing Conditions 43 Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies 43 Potential Effects 44 Approach to Mitigation 44 Consultation Proposals 44

13 Socio-Economic, Tourism and Recreation 45 Introduction 45 Existing Conditions 45 Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies 45 Potential Social and Economic Effects 47 Approach to Mitigation 47 Consultation Proposals 48

Appendix 1 : Draft Structure of the Environmental Statement 49

Appendix 2 : List of Proposed Consultees 51

Figures Figure 1.1: Site Location Figure 2.1: Preliminary Turbine Layout Figure 5.1: Landscape Character Types Figure 5.2: Landscape Designations Figure 5.3: Zone of Theoretical Visibility (150m to tip) and proposed viewpoints Figure 7.1: Ecology and Ornithology Designations Figure 10.1: Proposed Access Routes Figure 11.1: Cultural Heritage Designations

1 Introduction

1.1 This Scoping Report has been prepared by LUC1 on behalf of North Lowther Energy Initiative Ltd (NLEI Ltd), a joint venture between 2020 Renewables Ltd and Buccleuch Estates Ltd. It provides information in relation to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed North Lowther Energy Initiative (NLEI), hereafter referred to as ‘the Development’. The Development comprises a proposed windfarm located within the Queensberry Estate between Sanquhar and Wanlockhead, in Dumfries and Galloway (See Figure 1.1).

1.2 The Development will involve:

 the installation of up to 42 wind turbines, each with a maximum output of approximately 3.6 megawatts (MWs);

 construction of ancillary development comprising transformers for each wind turbine, access tracks, a substation and permanent wind monitoring mast(s);

 creation of a temporary construction compound(s) and borrow pits for the extraction of stone.

1.3 As the Development will have a generating capacity of greater than 50MW, NLEI Ltd will submit an application for consent to the Scottish Government’s Local Energy and Consents Unit (LECU) under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 (c29) (‘the Act’). In addition, a direction will be sought for deemed planning permission under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended. It is acknowledged that the Development should be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (‘the EIA Regulations’), and the application for Section 36 consent will be accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES). 1.4 The EIA will help to ensure that likely significant environmental effects (both positive and negative) of the Development are assessed in a systematic way. In addition, it will enable the importance of these effects and the scope for reducing or enhancing them, to be clearly understood by the determining authority, its consultees and the public. The information compiled during the EIA will be presented in the ES to accompany the application for Section 36 consent.

1.5 A team of independent specialist consultants will be appointed to provide input into the Development’s design and where required mitigation of adverse environmental effects, as well as to inform the production of the ES to accompany the application for consent. 1.6 The EIA Regulations provide for obtaining a Scoping Opinion from Scottish Ministers as to the environmental effects to be considered in the EIA (Regulation 7(1)). This Scoping Report forms NLEI Ltd.’s written request to the Scottish Ministers for a ‘Scoping Opinion’ as to which environmental effects are to be considered in the EIA. It provides details of the Development and the proposed approach to assessing potential effects.

The Proposers

1.7 2020 Renewables Ltd and Buccleuch Estates Ltd have formed a joint venture to progress the Development.

1.8 2020 Renewables is an established and experienced renewable energy developer based in Greenock. Established in 2010, its staff have been developing renewable energy projects since 1990.

1.9 Buccleuch Estates Ltd is the landowner for the Development and the enterprise represents the business interests of the Buccleuch family.

1 with specialist technical input from MvGLA (LVIA), MacArthur Green Ltd (ecology/ornithology) and TNEI (noise) North Lowther Energy Initiative 1 January 2016

Project Background

1.10 The Development is part of a wider renewable energy and land use strategy that can deliver social, economic and environmental benefits on a wider scale. The Development reflects the latest stage in a series of renewable energy developments between 2020 Renewables and Buccleuch Estates Ltd, which include:

 Coaling and restoration of coal mine;  Glenmuckloch Energy Park: o Glenmuckloch Community Energy Park; o Glenmuckloch Windfarm; o Glenmuckloch Pumped Storage Hydro. 1.11 These projects aim to provide community owned renewables, renewable energy generation capacity and the ability to store renewable energy within the south of Scotland for use when it is most needed by the Grid operator.

1.12 Initial feasibility work for the Development was undertaken by NLEI Ltd in early 2014 in relation to the potential to develop a larger windfarm comprising 111 turbines with an approximate renewable energy output of 400MW. The findings of the initial feasibility work have informed revisions to this early layout along with the findings of ongoing environmental baseline surveys undertaken in 2014 and 2015, which will continue in 2016. This has narrowed the focus of the Development to the site boundary and layout shown in Figure 2.1.

1.13 Public consultation to date has included a public meeting in Wanlockhead in June 2015, followed by a public exhibition on 30th September at the village hall in Wanlockhead. The exhibition was attended by approximately 35 people and 16 questionnaires were taken by those willing to share their views. Additional, meetings have taken place with Wanlockhead Village Council and individuals within the local area to discuss the proposal. Consultation will continue during the EIA stage, and further public exhibition events will be held in 2016 as part of this. These events will present the findings of further environmental survey work and provide further information on layout iterations as the site progresses towards the application stage.

Scoping Report Structure

1.14 This Report includes the following sections:

Chapter 2: provides a description of the site and the development proposals; Chapter 3: provides a summary of the EIA process; Chapter 4: provides a summary of the planning policy relevant to the Development; Chapters 5 to 13: outline the topic areas proposed to be considered in the EIA; including an overview of the environmental baseline and a brief description of the potential effects of Development which could be significant and those proposed to be ‘scoped out’ of the assessment. 1.15 In addition, Appendix 1 provides an outline of the proposed content of the ES. Appendix 2 details the consultees that will be approached either for information to inform the EIA, or for their view on the proposals set out in this report.

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North Lowther Energy Initiative

Figure 1.1: Site Location

Development Boundary

Map Scale: 1:100,000 @ A3

0 1 2 3 4 5 E km © Crown copyright and database rights 2016 Ordnance Survey 0100031673 CB:XX EB:nunn_j LUCGLA FIG01-01_6615-08_SiteLocation 22/01/2016

2 Description of the Site and Development Proposals

Introduction

2.1 This chapter provides a description of the site and the development proposals. It is important to note that this is based on an understanding of the project at the present time. This is likely to be refined throughout the project design and EIA process.

Site Description

2.2 The boundary of the site is located approximately 5km south of Crawfordjohn, 2km northeast of Sanquhar and west of Wanlockhead. The site is wholly located within Dumfries and Galloway and is located immediately adjacent to the administrative boundary of South Lanarkshire (see Figure 1.1). 2.3 The site boundary currently encompasses approximately 5,000 ha of open moorland with relatively steep sided cleuchs and associated plateaux, interspersed by pockets of commercial conifer plantation.

2.4 The land is owned by Buccleuch Estates Ltd. and is used primarily for ‘in-hand farming’ and tenanted livestock grazing, as well as seasonal grouse shooting.

Site Selection

2.5 The Scottish Government has made it clear that renewables should play an increasing role in meeting Scotland’s electricity requirements, and that onshore wind must make a significant contribution to this. The proposed changes to UK Government policy make it increasingly important to ensure that sites with high wind speeds and close proximity to the existing grid network are selected. As has always been the case, this must be carefully balanced with environmental sensitivities and community considerations. Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) is clear that judgements on Section 36 applications for windfarms should protect nationally important designated areas.

2.6 Identification of suitable windfarm development sites involves a wide range of factors, including technical, environmental and commercial considerations. In the context of the current Government policy and aspirations, the NLEI site has a number of characteristics which make it suitable for a windfarm development, including the following:

 High anticipated wind speeds;  Development will not take place within any national and international environmental designations protected through national planning policy e.g. National Parks and Wild Land;

 Close to existing grid infrastructure (Elvanfoot);  Good separation distances from residential properties;  Provides a link to the wider energy proposals of Buccleuch Estates Ltd, including the Pumped Storage Hydro project.

2.7 SPP requires that Planning Authorities set out in the development plan a spatial framework identifying those areas that are likely to be more appropriate for onshore windfarms as a guide for developers and communities, following the approach set out in SPP Table 1. The NLEI site is not within a National Park or National Scenic Area. Development will not take place within a North Lowther Energy Initiative 3 January 2016

national or international designated area, it is not an area of wild land and the layout will address the issue of community separation. The only potential area of significant protection relates to the mapping of “carbon rich soil, deep peat and priority peatland”. The site falls within Group 2: Areas of significant protection, in SPP Table 1, because of the mapping of carbon rich soils. It is noted in SPP that in these areas “further consideration will be required to demonstrate that any significant effects on the qualities of these areas can be overcome by siting, design or other mitigation.” In accordance with SNH documentation, the mapping used to identify “carbon rich soil, deep peat and priority peatland” which is provided at a very broad scale is used for context and will be supplemented by the findings of detailed site surveys to inform the design. It should be noted that the methodology applied to define such areas results in large parts of upland Scotland falling within this category.

2.8 SPP states that windfarms may be appropriate within Group 2 areas, noting that further consideration will be required to demonstrate that any significant effects on the quality of these areas can be substantially overcome by siting, design or other mitigation. The impact of the development on the environmental interest in Group 2 will be fully assessed in the EIA.

2.9 Further to consideration of site selection within the national context, site selection at the regional/local scale also requires consideration at this stage. Initial discussions on this issue were had with the LECU, SNH, Dumfries and Galloway Council and South Lanarkshire Council in relation to site selection as part of the pre-scoping meeting.

2.10 The Local Development Plan (2014)2 (LDP) policy on windfarm energy development (Policy IN2) is split into two parts; Part 1 deals with development management considerations that apply to all wind energy proposals whilst Part 2 deals with the Spatial Framework. It is noted in the Supplementary Guidance that the review of the spatial framework laid out in Part 2 of Policy IN2 does not meet the requirement for the content of spatial frameworks now outlined in SPP. It is stated in the supplementary guidance that the Council is therefore unable to provide supplementary guidance for Part 2 of the policy that would be compliant with SPP. It is further stated in the supplementary guidance that to resolve the situation the Council will review the spatial framework as part of the Main Issues Report for the next LDP. Dumfries and Galloway Council have published a timescale for preparing the next LDP that expects adoption by September 2019.

2.11 SPP is clear, at paragraph 166, that: “proposals for onshore wind turbine developments should continue to be determined while spatial framework and local policies are being prepared and updated. Moratoria on onshore wind development are not appropriate”.

2.12 The discussions at the pre-scoping meeting included the role of the Dumfries and Galloway Wind Farm Landscape Capacity study (DGWLCS) in the consideration of the selection of the site for a windfarm. The DGWLCS was published in January 2011 and therefore pre-dates Scottish Planning Policy (June 2014), the adoption of Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan (September 2014) and the Dumfries and Galloway Council Supplementary Guidance on Wind Energy (March 2015).

2.13 The site is proposed within the Lowthers unit of the Southern Uplands (area 19) included in the DGWLCS. The DGWLCS appendix states that the scale of this character type could relate to larger typologies, and that the sparsely settled nature and simple land cover pattern reduces sensitivity, however it nevertheless concludes these hills as being of ‘high sensitivity’ to large scale windfarms, defined as those over 80m to blade tip noting they are valuable because of their openness and absence of commercial forestry. It should be noted that ‘value’ is a separate issue from landscape scale and susceptibility.

2.14 The local designation within the area (the Thornhill Uplands Regional Scenic Area) does not preclude development, and excluding locally designated landscapes from areas of potential windfarm development is contrary to SPP. The South Lanarkshire SLG recognises this point in paragraph 5.5 “The Council’s view is that excluding local landscape designations from BAOS [broad areas of search] as a matter of principle would not be consistent with the SPP”. It is also noted that the area adjacent to the site within South Lanarkshire is included in a BAOS.

2 http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=11907 North Lowther Energy Initiative 4 January 2016

2.15 The existing capacity/sensitivity studies carried out for the area around the site limit development, and consider ‘large-scale’ typologies to comprise of turbines of over 80m to blade tip, a size that is considerably smaller than most modern windfarm developments. It is recognised by the Scottish Government that there is a pressing need to produce considerably more energy from renewable sources. As such, there is therefore a need to plan for considerably larger scale wind energy development, as well as other forms of renewable energy. With the need to ‘think big’, comes the need to think where development of such scale could be accommodated. Given that both the SLC SPG and the DGWLCS conclude that landscape characteristics potentially indicate capacity for large typologies and that it is generally accepted that clustering development is likely to overall have lesser effects on landscape, it is considered that the site has the ability to accommodate a large typology development, such as that proposed for the NLEI, which could make a significant contribution to renewable energy needs.

Project Description

2.16 As outlined in Chapter 1, the Development will involve:

 the installation of up to 42 wind turbines, each with a maximum output of 3.6MW giving a total output of 151MW;

 construction of ancillary development comprising transformers for each wind turbine, access tracks, a substation and permanent wind monitoring mast(s);

 creation of a temporary construction compound(s) and borrow pits for the extraction of stone. 2.17 Figure 2.1 shows the preliminary 42 turbine layout of the Development. The turbine layout, and associated infrastructure design is at an early stage and will be developed as the EIA progresses, informed by the findings of ongoing environmental survey work and stakeholder consultation feedback. The design will seek to minimise environmental effects. Turbine coordinates for the 42 turbine preliminary layout are presented in Table 2.1 below.

Table 2.1: Preliminary 42 Turbine Layout

Turbine No. X Y 1 281085 614689 2 281254 614214 3 280716 613745 4 281368 613727 5 281522 613276 6 282605 612371 7 283060 612207 8 283648 612277 9 284137 612201 10 284662 612099 11 283530 611175 12 284084 611088 13 284693 611211 14 285275 611315 15 285833 611717 16 282315 614462 17 282554 614096 18 282960 613831 19 283167 613388 20 283559 614009 21 284037 613796 22 283833 614590 23 284153 615728 24 283712 615969 25 283401 616318 26 283345 614717 North Lowther Energy Initiative 5 January 2016

Turbine No. X Y 27 282952 615026 28 282492 615291 29 282143 615590 30 281916 615988 31 281725 616404 32 281271 616556 33 282987 616570 34 282600 616854 35 282106 617018 36 284186 617453 37 284679 617350 38 284976 616983 39 285027 616444 40 285464 616235 41 285705 615770 42 286118 615498

2.18 The turbines will be of a modern, standard design with tapered tubular towers, three blades, with a nacelle housing containing the generator, gearbox and other operating equipment. The exact model of turbine will be selected through a formal tendering process, however, as informed by the environmental and technical background work undertaken to date, the current turbine layout comprises turbines with a provisional hub height of 90m and blade length of 60m, with a resultant tip height of 150m. The wind turbines will produce power, typically, at wind speeds between 3m/s and 25m/s.

Wind Monitoring Mast 2.19 The development may include permanent wind monitoring mast(s) with the same height as the hub height of the turbines. The requirement for permanent meteorological masts as part of the Development will be determined during the EIA stage.

Access

2.20 An abnormal load access study has been undertaken and has identified three potential access points to the site. Further details are provided in Chapter 10. 2.21 Access tracks will be created within the site for construction purposes. It is likely that this will be achieved through a combination of new track construction and upgrading of existing tracks. New tracks that are not required during the operational phase will be reinstated as part of the construction process wherever possible.

Borrow Pits 2.22 At this early stage, it is anticipated that stone will be extracted from borrow pits located within the site should stone be suitable for construction purposes. Should stone not be available within the site, there will be a need to import stone from other parts of the local area. The location, design and re-instatement of the borrow pits will be considered as part of the design/EIA process.

Forestry 2.23 There are a number of blocks of monoculture commercial woodland located within the site. These are due to be felled and replanted between 2017 and 2022 in accordance with the extant felling plan for the Queensberry Estate. Dependant on the final layout of the windfarm, targeted felling may be required to accommodate the turbines and associated infrastructure. Any felling required will be considered alongside the Scottish Government’s Policy on Control of Woodland Removal (2009) and will be reflected within an updated Forest Design Plan for the Estate.

North Lowther Energy Initiative 6 January 2016

Grid Connection 2.24 The Development will connect into the existing grid network at Elvanfoot, approximately 5km to the east of the site. The final location of the onsite substation will be defined during the subsequent design and assessment stage of the project. The grid connection will form a separate process which will be progressed ScottishPower Energy Networks (SPEN).

Construction Details

2.25 It is anticipated that construction will be completed over a period of approximately 18-24 months. The main elements of the construction phase will consist of the following principal activities:

 extraction of stone from borrow pits for track and turbine base construction;  felling of onsite forestry where required;  construction of site access tracks and passing places interlinking the turbine locations and substation;

 provision of culverts under track to facilitate drainage and maintain existing hydrology;  construction of temporary hard standing and temporary site office facilities;  construction of turbine foundations and transformer bases;  excavation of trenches and cable laying adjacent to site tracks;  connection of distribution and signal cables;  movement onto site and erection of wind turbines;  commissioning of site equipment;

 site restoration. 2.26 Many of these operations will be carried out concurrently, although predominantly in the order identified. This will reduce the overall length of the construction programme. In addition, development will be phased such that, at different parts of the site, the civil engineering works will be continuing whilst wind turbines are being erected. Site restoration will be programmed and carried out to allow restoration of disturbed areas as early as possible and in a progressive manner.

Operational Maintenance

2.27 Maintenance work will involve visiting the site regularly to undertake scheduled maintenance and operational checks. Annual servicing will take place during the summer months (when wind speeds are lowest) and will involve the undertaking of non-essential repairs on blades, gearboxes and generators.

Decommissioning

2.28 It is proposed that the Development would have an operational life of 25 years. At the end of this period, the Development would be decommissioned and the turbines removed. Alternatively, a new application may be made to extend the life of the Development or replace the turbines.

North Lowther Energy Initiative 7 January 2016

North Lowther Energy Initiative

Figure 2.1: Preliminary Turbine Layout

Development Boundary A! Turbine

A! A! A! A! A! A! A! ! A! A ! A A! A! A! A! A! ! A A! A! A! A! A! A! A! A! ! A A! A! ! A! A! A A! A!

! A ! A! A A! A!

A!

A! ! A! A A!

Map Scale: 1:50,000 @ A3

0 1 2 3 4 5 E km © Crown copyright and database rights 2016 Ordnance Survey 0100031673 CB:XX EB:nunn_j LUCGLA FIG02-01_6615-001_PreliminaryTurbineLayout 22/01/2016

3 The Environmental Impact Assessment Process

The Nature and Purpose of EIA

3.1 EIA is the process of systematically compiling, evaluating and presenting all the likely significant environmental effects, both positive and negative, of a proposed development, to assist the determining authority in considering the application. It enables the significance of these effects, and the scope for reducing negative, or enhancing positive, effects to be clearly understood. The information compiled during the EIA is presented within an ES to accompany the planning application. Early detection of potentially adverse environmental effects informs iterations to the Development design to avoid or reduce effects. The proposed structure of the ES is provided in Appendix 1.

3.2 EIA is an iterative process and runs in tandem with project design. The current 42 turbine layout will be modified to take account of the emerging findings of the baseline surveys, and further refined as potential effects are identified, to reduce or avoid adverse effects where possible. 3.3 The EIA will be conducted in accordance with current Government regulations, policy and guidance, including:

 The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000;  Guidance On The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000;

 Scottish Government Web Based Guidance on wind turbines (first published in February 2011 and last updated in May 2014);

 Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) (June 2014);  Planning Advice Note (PAN) 3/2010 Community Engagement (2010);  Planning Circular 3 2013 Development Management Procedures;  SNH (2013) (4th Edition), A Handbook on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Guidance for Competent Authorities, Consultees and others involved in the Environmental Impact Assessment Process in Scotland;

 Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (2004) Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment; and

 PAN 1/2013 Environmental Impact Assessment (2013). 3.4 The following sections outline how the EIA process will be undertaken.

Scoping 3.5 The purpose of scoping is to help focus the EIA on the key environmental issues of relevance to the Development. Therefore, on the basis of the work undertaken to date, the professional judgement of the assessment team, experience from other similar projects, and policy, guidance and relevant standards, each topic-based section within this report outlines both:

• potentially significant effects associated with the construction and/or operation of the Development, identified for detailed consideration within the ES;

• effects considered likely to be insignificant, adopting a precautionary approach, which can be ‘scoped out’ and given only brief treatment unless further investigation suggests otherwise.

3.6 Additional objectives of the Scoping Report are:

North Lowther Energy Initiative 8 January 2016

 to establish the availability of baseline environmental data;

 to define a survey and assessment framework from which a comprehensive overall assessment can be produced;

 to invite consultees to identify any concerns that they might have in relation to the Development;

 to comment on the proposed methodology;  to provide and receive information relevant to the Development; and  to consider the way in which the findings are presented in the ES. 3.7 In accordance with LECU guidance on the S36 consenting process, NLEI Ltd through 2020 Renewables notified the LECU of their intention to submit a request for a Scoping Opinion for the Development (on 26th October 2015). A pre-scoping meeting was held on 8th December and was attended by the LECU, 2020 Renewables, SNH, South Lanarkshire Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, and Forestry Commission Scotland. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Development with those in attendance to inform the Scoping Report, for the LECU to outline their scoping process and to agree timescales for submission of the request for a Scoping Opinion.

3.8 Each of the topic-based chapters of this report includes a list of consultees who will be contacted as part of the scoping process. The Report will be made available to all consultees should they require it. A combined list of consultees is provided as Appendix 2. The list has been informed through consultation with the statutory bodies as part of the pre-scoping meeting and follow-up. Additional suggestions of further stakeholders who may have an interest in the Development will be welcomed.

Baseline Conditions 3.9 The Regulations require that the aspects of the environment, which are likely to be significantly affected by the development, be defined within the ES. To achieve this, it will be necessary for each of the topic specialists to gather information on the environment, as it currently exists, i.e. ‘baseline conditions’. This will be undertaken as the first step in the assembly of data for the ES through a combination of consultation with relevant stakeholders, field survey work and desk based research.

Assessment of Effects 3.10 The assessment of potential effects, using a range of appropriate methodologies, will take into account the construction and operation of the Development in relation to the site and its environs.

3.11 A detailed assessment of the decommissioning of the Development will not be undertaken as part of the EIA as, at this stage, the future baseline conditions (environmental and other developments) cannot be predicted accurately and both the proposals for refurbishment/decommissioning and the future regulatory context are unknown. The ES will, however, include an overview of the likely decommissioning procedure and a discussion of its likely effects.

3.12 An assessment will be made of the likely significant cumulative effects of the Development in combination with other windfarms including:

• schemes which have been submitted to the relevant determining authorities but not yet determined;

• schemes which are consented; • schemes which are under construction or operational.

3.13 The scope and methodology for the cumulative assessment will be agreed with the relevant statutory consultee/s.

3.14 The study area for each discipline is not necessarily defined by the site boundary, with some survey areas being smaller and some larger depending on the nature of effects. Thus study areas

North Lowther Energy Initiative 9 January 2016

will be defined separately for each discipline to reflect the likely extent of potential effects. For example, with a windfarm development, predicted effects associated with operational noise extend over a more localised area than visual effects.

Mitigation 3.15 Part 1(4) of Schedule 4 of the Regulations notes that the ES should include “a description of the measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and where possible offset any significant adverse impacts on the environment.” These measures will be termed mitigation measures and will be included for each topic area, where appropriate, drawing from guidance and good practice.

3.16 The EIA will identify and assess potentially significant effects prior to mitigation, and, where mitigation measures are proposed, their likely effectiveness will be examined and the significance of the ‘residual’ effect then assessed. 2020 Renewables will be committed to implementing all the mitigation measures identified in the ES and where appropriate, the mitigation measures implemented may be monitored for effectiveness. 3.17 In addition, the EIA will also set out details, of any post-consent monitoring proposals. This may include proposals to measure the effectiveness of mitigation measures and to identify any residual impacts that may occur during the construction and operational phases of development.

Uncertainty 3.18 The EIA process is designed to enable good decision-making based on the best possible information about the environmental implications of a proposed development. There will, however, always be some uncertainty as to the exact scale and nature of the effects. These may arise through shortcomings in available information or due to the limitations of the prediction process. It is important that such uncertainty is explicitly recognised and acknowledged in the ES, together with comments on the ways in which this will be taken into account in the development proposals.

North Lowther Energy Initiative 10 January 2016

4 Planning and Legislative Context

Policy Context

4.1 Global climate change is widely recognised as being one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. Emissions of greenhouse gases from the combustion of fossil fuels for energy use are widely believed to be a major contributor to climate change, which is causing higher temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, retreating glaciers and sea level rises.

4.2 The European Union has agreed that by 2020, one-fifth of all Europe's energy should come from renewable sources. In line with this agreement, the UK is required to increase its share of energy supplied from renewable sources to 15%.

4.3 At the national level, the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets ambitious targets for cutting carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions. The targets include:

• cutting emissions by at least 80% from 1990 levels by 2050; • a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions year on year, every year, from 2010 to 2050; • increasing the rate of reduction from 2020 onwards to at least 3% per year.

4.4 On 18th May 2011 Scotland’s First Minister announced a new target for Scotland to deliver the equivalent of 100% of gross annual electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020. The Scottish Government’s Electricity Generation Policy Statement (2013) is clear that this target is a statement of intent, as Scotland has the potential resources to deliver and exceed it. 4.5 The Development and wider renewable initiative will contribute directly to achieving this target through the generation of electricity from wind power, with a capacity of up to 151MW.

Legislative Context

4.6 As the generating capacity of the Development would be greater than 50MW, an application for consent under section 36 of the Act would be submitted to Scottish Ministers, together with a request that a direction be issued granting deemed planning permission under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended.

4.7 Under the EIA Regulations, all section 36 developments considered likely to have significant effects on the environment must be subject to an EIA and the findings set out in an ES. The ES must be submitted along with the Section 36 application.

4.8 Schedule 1 of the EIA Regulations lists types of development for which EIA is mandatory, whilst Schedule 2 highlights the types of development for which the need for EIA is judged by the Scottish Ministers on a case-by-case basis. The Development is a Schedule 2 development i.e. “a generating station, the construction of which (or the operation of which) will require a Section 36 consent but which is not a Schedule 1 development”.

National Planning Policy

National Planning Framework 3 4.9 The National Planning Framework3 3 (NPF3) represents a spatial expression of the Scottish Government’s aspirations for sustainable economic growth in Scotland over the next 20-30 years.

3 Scottish Government (June 2014) The Second National Planning Framework North Lowther Energy Initiative 11 January 2016

Whilst it is not prescriptive, NPF3 forms a material consideration when determining applications and, as such, will be a consideration in determining the application for the Development. 4.10 The development of onshore wind continues to be supported in NPF3, reflecting the commitments of the Scottish and UK Governments in relation to emissions reduction and Scottish energy generation targets of generating the equivalent of at least 100% of gross electricity consumption from renewables by 2020, with an interim target of 50% by 2015. Paragraph 3.23 highlights wind energy’s continued role in contributing towards a low carbon economy and states, “onshore wind will continue to make a significant contribution to diversification of energy supplies”. 4.11 The Development is therefore generally supported by the terms of NPF3. It will aid the realisation of policy objectives and will make a direct and significant contribution to the renewable energy and emission reduction targets highlighted above. Tackling climate change through the development of renewable energy technologies is strongly supported in NPF3, highlighting the important role that renewable energy developments including onshore wind has played, and will continue to play.

Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 4.12 Guidance on national planning policies in Scotland is set out in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP)4. SPP is a statement of Scottish Government policy on land use planning and addresses a range of issues of relevance to the Development including sustainable development, climate change, renewable energy, historic environment, landscape and natural heritage, flooding and drainage, communications infrastructure, and open space and recreation.

4.13 SPP Paragraph 25 states that “achieving a sustainable economy, promoting good governance and using sound science responsibly are essential to the creation and maintenance of a strong, healthy and just society capable of living within environmental limits”. The SPP emphasises that there is a presumption in favour for development that contributes towards sustainable development.

4.14 Paragraph 154 states that the planning system should “support the transformational change to a low carbon economy, consistent with national objectives and targets, including deriving:

– 30% of overall energy demand from renewable sources by 2020; – 11% of heat demand from renewable sources by 2020; and – the equivalent of 100% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020”5. 4.15 Paragraph 154 goes on to state that the planning system “should support the development of a diverse range of electricity generation from renewable energy technologies – including the expansion of renewable energy generation capacity...”.

4.16 In order to achieve this, SPP states that Development Plans “should seek to ensure an area’s full potential for electricity and heat from renewable sources is achieved, in line with national climate change targets, giving due regard to relevant environmental, community and cumulative impact considerations” (paragraph 155).

4.17 In relation to onshore wind, paragraph 161 states that “planning authorities should set out in the development plan a spatial framework identifying those areas that are likely to be most appropriate for onshore windfarms as a guide for developers and communities…Development plans should indicate the minimum scale of onshore wind development that their spatial framework is intended to apply to”.

4.18 The Scottish Government’s Chief Planner has (in November 2015) reiterated its continued policy support for new onshore renewable energy developments, including onshore windfarms.

4 Scottish Government (June 2014) Scottish Planning Policy 5 SPP states that further targets may be set in due course and thus, these targets are not caps. North Lowther Energy Initiative 12 January 2016

Scottish Government Planning Advice

4.19 Planning Advice Notes (PANs) set out detailed advice from the Scottish Government in relation to a number of planning issues. Relevant PANs and Specific Advice Sheets are likely to include the following:

 PAN 1/2013 Environmental Impact Assessment;  PAN 60 Planning for Natural Heritage;  PAN 68 Design Statements;  PAN 75 Planning for Transport;  PAN 79 Water and Drainage;  PAN 3/10 Community Engagement;  PAN 1/2011 Planning and Noise;

 PAN 2/2011 Planning and Archaeology; and  Specific Advice Sheet: Onshore Wind Turbines. 4.20 The Scottish Government has published a suite of online planning advice for renewables which are updated regularly to reflect good practice. Those relative to wind energy include:

 Onshore Wind Turbines (Updated May 2014);  Windfarm Developments on Peatland (Updated June 2011). 4.21 The ‘Onshore Wind Turbines’ advice document discusses areas of focus for planning authorities, technical information relating to onshore wind turbines, and the typical planning considerations likely to be important when considering planning applications for onshore wind turbines. Further the ‘Windfarm Developments on Peatland’ advice emphasises the need to use the carbon calculator to determine the greenhouse gas savings of windfarms on peatlands.

Local Planning Policy

4.22 As the Development is situated within the Dumfries and Galloway area, the relevant Development Plan for the area comprises the Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan (2014).

4.23 The Local Development Plan (LDP) contains two policies that relate specifically to renewable energy development. The first is Policy IN1: Renewable Energy which states that:

“The Council will support development proposals for all renewable energy provided they do not individually or in combination have a unacceptable* significant adverse impact on: • landscape; • the cultural and natural heritage; • areas and routes important for tourism or recreational use in the countryside; • water and fishing interests; • air quality; and • the amenity of the surrounding area. To enable this assessment sufficient detail should be submitted, to include the following as relevant to the scale and nature of the proposal: • any associated infrastructure requirements including road and grid connections (where subject to planning consent) • environmental and other impacts associated with the construction and operational phases of the development including details of any visual impact, noise and odour issues. • relevant provisions for the restoration of the site • the extent to which the proposal helps to meet the current government targets for energy generation and consumption.

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* Acceptability will be determined through an assessment of the details of the proposal including its benefits and the extent to which its environmental and cumulative impacts can be satisfactorily addressed”. 4.24 The second is LDP Policy IN2: Wind Energy which states,

PART 1: Assessment of all windfarm proposals: The Council will assess the acceptability* of any proposed wind energy development against the following considerations (1): Landscape and visual impact: • the extent to which the proposal addresses the guidance contained in the Dumfries and Galloway Windfarm Landscape Capacity Study. • the extent to which the landscape is capable of accommodating the development without significant detrimental impact on landscape character or visual amenity • that the design and scale of the proposal is appropriate to the scale and character of its setting, respecting the main features of the site and the wider environment and that it fully addresses the potential for mitigation. Cumulative Impact The extent of any detrimental landscape or visual impact from two or more wind energy developments and the potential for mitigation. Impact on local communities The extent of any detrimental impact on communities and local amenity including assessment of the impacts of noise, shadow flicker, visual dominance and the potential for associated mitigation. Impact on Aviation and Defence Interests The extent to which the proposal addresses any impacts arising from location within an area subject to potential aviation and defence constraints including the Eskdalemuir Safeguard Area. Other Impacts and considerations a) the extent to which the proposal avoids or adequately resolves any other significant adverse impact including:- on the natural and historic environment, cultural heritage, biodiversity; forest and woodlands; and tourism and recreational interests. b) the extent to which the proposal addresses any physical site constraints and appropriate provision for decommissioning and restoration. (1) Further details on this assessment process including its application to smaller capacity windfarms are to be provided through Supplementary Guidance on Wind Energy Development: This will also include mapping of the constraints relevant to the considerations above. * Acceptability will be determined through an assessment of the details of the proposal including its benefits and the extent to which its environmental and cumulative impacts can be satisfactorily addressed. PART 2: Spatial Framework The considerations in Part 1 above will be applied in the context of the following Spatial Framework*: • Areas of Greatest Potential (1): areas free from significant constraint where proposals for large and medium turbine typologies will be supported subject to detailed assessment. • Areas of Significant Protection (2): Areas where a presumption against development applies due to significant constraints. These include: 1. Sites designated for their national or international landscape or natural heritage value where Policies NE1, NE3, NE4 and NE5 also apply. North Lowther Energy Initiative 14 January 2016

2. Areas where the cumulative impact of existing and consented windfarms limit further development.

• Cumulative Sensitivity Zones (3): Areas where cumulative impact is a potential constraint. In these areas proposals should: address potential future cumulative impact and avoid unacceptable coalescence between clusters of windfarms to retain an acceptable and coherent pattern of windfarm development. • All other areas (4): Areas where potential constraints apply but with potential for mitigation. Wind energy proposals will be assessed against all the considerations set out above in Part 1. For Regional Scenic Areas the proposal should assess the potential impact on the objectives of the designation and demonstrate the extent to which these can be addressed. (1) - (4) The relevant mapping of these areas including an updated and consolidated spatial framework map is to be included within supplementary guidance. *The following Interim Spatial Framework Maps provide some strategic guidance on the relevant areas but must be read in conjunction with paragraphs 4.94 and 4.95 above and the relevant detailed mapping to be included in supplementary guidance. This mapping will be consolidated and revised to provide an updated spatial framework within the LDP at the earliest possible opportunity. 4.25 The Examination Report into the LDP and the recommendations it contained, which were brought forward into the adopted LDP, predate the publication of Scottish Planning Policy 2nd edition (SPP) in June 2014. As a result the elements required to be included within the review of the spatial framework laid out in Part 2 of policy IN2 and to be included in SG do not meet the requirements for the content of spatial frameworks now outlined in SPP. To resolve this situation the Council will review the spatial framework as part of the Main Issues Report for the next LDP. As a result of the above, the spatial framework maps included in the LDP remain interim and will be replaced by revised mapping to be approved through supplementary guidance.

Other Material Considerations

The Dumfries and Galloway Wind Farm Landscape Capacity Study 4.26 The interim spatial framework in the LDP is supported by the Dumfries and Galloway Wind Farm Landscape Capacity Study (DGWLCS). The DGWLCS has considered the sensitivity of character types and landscape units across Dumfries and Galloway to different types of windfarm and wind turbine development. The sensitivity assessment considered key sensitivities related to landscape character, visual amenity and on the value placed on the landscape in the form of scenic and other relevant designations.

4.27 The following onshore development typologies were considered in the sensitivity assessment:

 Large: Turbines between 80m to 150m height to blade tip which are more likely to comprise ‘commercial’ scale developments of over 10 turbines but could also include single turbines within this height band.

 Medium: Turbines between 50m and 80m to blade tip which may be proposed as extensions of older existing windfarm developments or as ‘community’ or ‘farm’ developments. Single turbines and medium sized groups below 10 turbines.

 Small-medium: Turbines between 20-50m high, single or small groups below 5 turbines.  Small: Turbines between 12-20m height, single turbines or small groups below 5 turbines. 4.28 Sensitivity to different development typologies was scored on a five point scale of High, High- medium, Medium, Medium-low and Low against landscape, visual amenity and landscape values categories. Scores were then combined to reach an overall sensitivity for each character type/landscape unit. The findings of the study show that the site is in a landscape character type that would relate to larger typologies but the distinctive landform of these uplands is a “key constraint to development”. The extent to which the “distinctive landform” is a constraint will be assessed in the EIA. North Lowther Energy Initiative 15 January 2016

Supplementary Guidance

Dumfries and Galloway Council Part 1 Wind Energy Development: Development Management Considerations 4.29 The purpose of this Supplementary Guidance (SG) is to provide further detail on the criteria contained in Part 1 of Policy IN2: Wind Energy. This document provides all interested parties with a statement of the main factors that will be taken into account in reaching planning decisions. The supplementary guidance states that “It must be recognised that no area within the region is completely unconstrained and Chapter 3 indicates the various issues to be taken into account. Constraints identified through these factors may limit or curtail development of a particular site. Similarly there may be ways to mitigate against the constraints that are identified at a particular site and therefore such constraints may not prevent development of the site. Each proposal will need to be considered on a case by case basis”.

4.30 The topics, whereby issues should be satisfactorily addressed include:

 Landscape and Visual Amenity

 Cumulative Impacts on Landscape and Visual Amenity  Design of Proposals  Effects on Local Amenity and communities  Aviation and Defence

 Historic Environment and Cultural Heritage  Biodiversity  Forest and Woodlands  Tourism and Recreational Interests  Broadcasting Installations  Ancillary Developments

 Physical Site Constraints  Decommissioning and Restoration  Legal Agreements  Supporting Information

South Lanarkshire Council Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance 2013 4.31 As the site is directly adjacent to the administrative boundary of South Lanarkshire, it is considered necessary to identify where the site lies in relation to South Lanarkshire’s windfarm spatial framework to determine whether there could be potential cross boundary policy constraints.

4.32 The Council’s supplementary guidance (SG) on wind energy was published and consulted on in May 2013. It was based on a spatial framework and landscape study prepared by the Council in 2010, and updated in 2013. The supplementary guidance followed the structure of the spatial framework for onshore windfarms set out in the now superseded 2010 SPP. The site is located directly adjacent to the Leadhills and Southern Uplands Broad Area of Search as shown on Figure 5.1 in the SG. The SG highlights that the Broad Area of Search has MoD and aviation constraints and additional constraints which will require to be addressed namely proximity to Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area (SPA), cumulative landscape and visual effects and effects on the Leadhills and Lowther Hills Special Landscape Area (SLA).

Emerging South Lanarkshire Council Supplementary Guidance 10: Renewable Energy 4.33 South Lanarkshire Council is currently in the process of consulting on a new Supplementary Guidance document on renewable energy. This guidance supports Policy 19 Renewable Energy in the South Lanarkshire Council Local Development Plan by providing more detailed policy and North Lowther Energy Initiative 16 January 2016

guidance for developers on the requirements for wind energy and other renewable energy development. In accordance with SPP, the South Lanarkshire Spatial Framework has been prepared to identify areas that are likely to be most appropriate for onshore windfarm as a guide for developers and communities. The Spatial Framework will apply to any wind energy development with a height to tip of 15m or more.

4.34 As shown by the spatial framework (Figure 5.1 of the SG), the northern extent of the site is adjacent to an area designated as Group 3: Areas with Potential for Wind Energy Development, whereas the eastern extent of the site is adjacent to an area designated as Group 2: Areas of Significant Protection.

4.35 It is noted that the adoption of this guidance is imminent and will replace the current wind energy guidance above.

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5 Landscape and Visual Amenity

Introduction

5.1 This chapter will consider potential effects of the Development upon landscape character and quality, and visual amenity (including visual amenity of residents) and cumulative effects.

Existing Conditions

5.2 The site is located approximately 5km south of Crawfordjohn, 2km northeast of Sanquhar and west of Wanlockhead. The B740 runs along the western edge of the site and the B787 runs along the eastern side connecting Leadhills and Wanlockhead to Sanquhar. The site boundary currently encompasses approximately 5,000 ha of open moorland with relatively steep sided valleys and associated plateaux. There are numerous ancient and semi-natural woodland areas located within the site, located primarily on lower ground and on the slopes of Wedder Dod and Conrig Hill.

5.3 The majority of the site lies within the Southern Upland Landscape Character Type (LCT) (as set out in the Dumfries and Galloway Landscape Character Assessment published by SNH, 1998) and this is shown in Figure 5.1. This is a landscape characterised by large smooth domed or slightly conically shaped hills and covered by coarse grassland and heather moorland in the highest areas. The southwestern part of the site is covered by the Upper Dale LCT and the southeastern part lies within the Upland Glens LCT. The Dumfries and Galloway Landscape Wind Farm Capacity Study (2013) contains further description of these LCTs and information in relation to the sensitivity of the Dumfries and Galloway landscape, and will be used as a background document for the assessment. The landscape character assessments and sensitivity/capacity studies that cover the wider study area, including parts of South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire and the Scottish Borders, will also be used as sources of information for the assessment.

5.4 Nationally and regionally designated landscapes within 35km of the Development will be considered in the assessment. Much of the site, as shown in Figure 5.2, lies within the Thornhill Uplands Regional Scenic Area (RSA), and directly adjacent to the east of the site is the Leadhills and Lowther Hills Special Landscape Area (SLA). Further afield, the Upper Tweeddale National Scenic Area (NSA) is approximately 28km north-east of the site, and the Talla-Hart Fell Wild Land Area (WLA) is located approximately 19.5km to the east. As shown in Figure 5.2, there are also a number of other locally designated landscapes within 35km of the site.

Potential Effects on Landscape and Visual Amenity 5.5 Taking account of the findings of the work undertaken to date, whilst still adopting a precautionary approach at this preliminary stage, potential landscape and visual effects of the construction and operation of the Development include:

 Effect on the existing character of the site, its landscape features and land cover.  Visibility of the Development in the wider landscape, resulting in indirect effects on landscape character and effects on visual amenity.

 Visibility of the Development from individual residential properties near the site.  Cumulative landscape and visual effects of the Development in combination with other existing and proposed windfarm developments.

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Proposed Surveys and Assessment Methodologies

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) Methodology

5.6 The LVIA will be carried out in accordance with current guidance, i.e. Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (3rd edition, 2013, referred to as GLVIA3), and visualisations will be produced in accordance with Scottish Natural Heritage guidance (Visual Representation of Wind Farms, Version 2.1 December 2014).

Study Area

5.7 The study area for the LVIA will be 35km from the outermost turbines. Zones of Theoretical Visibility maps (ZTVs) will be produced and will show the potential visibility of the Development based on landform and topography, and will enable a focussed assessment. Landscape Effects 5.8 Predicted changes in both the physical landscape and landscape character will be identified. Effects will be considered in terms of the magnitude and type of change to the landscape, including its key characteristics as set out in published landscape character assessments. The sensitivity of the landscape will also be taken into account, acknowledging value placed on the landscape through designation and the presence of other consented windfarms.

Visual Effects 5.9 Visual effects are experienced by people at different locations around the study area, at static locations (for example settlements or viewpoints) and transitional locations (such as sequential views from routes). Visual receptors are the people who will be affected by changes in views at these places, and they are usually grouped by what they are doing at those places (for example residents, motorists, recreational users etc.).

5.10 GLVIA3 states that the nature of visual receptors, commonly referred to as their sensitivity, should be assessed in terms of the susceptibility of the receptor to change in views/visual amenity and the value attached to particular views. The nature of the effect should be assessed in terms of the size and scale, geographical extent, duration and reversibility of the effect. These aspects will all be considered, to form a judgement regarding the overall significance of effect.

5.11 Assessment of the visual effects of the development will be based on analysis of the ZTVs, field studies and assessment of representative viewpoints.

5.12 Figure 5.3 shows a draft ZTV of the current layout with proposed representative assessment viewpoints locations. These have been selected to provide a representative range of viewing distances and viewing experiences, including views from settlements, points of interest and sequential views along routes. A list of proposed viewpoints for the assessment is set out in Table 5.1 below.

Table 5.1: Draft list of viewpoints

VP Viewpoint Grid Ref. Distance Reasons for Selection No. Name (km)6

1 Southern 284380 0.4 VP located on SUW as it passes through site, over Glengaber Upland Way, 613940 Hill, with views of turbines all round, some at close proximity. Glengaber Hill Representing walkers' views from within the site on the SUW, and used to examine cumulative effects being a high elevation location.

2 B740, 280650 0.7 VP on the B740 north of the site, with turbines on the hills Corsebank 616190 above the narrow valley. Representing views from the road and properties in the valley below the turbines, used to consider sequential effects on the B740.

3 Wanlockhead 287227 1.9 VP located close to the centre of the village, close to the Museum 612942 Museum. VP is on the path just below the Museum, which is

6 Distance measured to the nearest turbine. North Lowther Energy Initiative 19 January 2016

VP Viewpoint Grid Ref. Distance Reasons for Selection No. Name (km)6

the route of the SUW. Representing views seen by residents, museum visitors and walkers on the SUW. This view was shown at the public exhibition.

4 Lowther Hill 288960 3.3 VP located on the summit of Lowther Hill, a high point on the 610770 SUW, looking west across the Mennock Water valley. A high elevation location used to examine cumulative effects seen by walkers on the SUW.

5 B7040, Hass 289470 3.4 VP located on the B7040 and is a glimpsed view from this 615010 winding road as it descends towards Leadhills. Representing views seen by road users, walkers and golfers on the slopes above Leadhills.

6 Crawick 277619 3.9 VP from the land art park on a restored open cast mine site, Multiverse Park located on the flanks of Nithsdale above Sanquhar. 611546 Representing visitors views, as well as views from the B740 and the A76, and from the railway nearby. Used to examine cumulative effects and representing sequential effects on views from the A76 and B740. This view was shown at the public exhibition.

7 Crawfordjohn 287780 7.1 VP from the B740 from the southwest edge of Crawfordjohn, 623740 with views across the Duneaton Water valley. Representing views seen by residents and road users to the north of the site, and used to consider sequential effects on the B740.

8 Kelloholm 273810 7.4 VP location at the edge of the Kirkconnel / Kelloholm 611000 settlement, on the Nithsdale valley floor. It is also used to represent views from the A76 nearby, and both sequential effects and potential cumulative effects seen within the Nithsdale valley.

9 B797, Glencaple 291410 7.9 VP on the B797 along the Glengonnar Water southwest of 621620 Abington, used to examine theoretical visibility of turbines along this route. Representing road users' views, and considering sequential views along the B797 with potential cumulative visibility with Clyde Windfarm.

10 SUW, Whing 275060605 9.9 VP located on the route of the SUW as it passes over the high Head 620 ridge to the south of Nithsdale, representing the first open view of the development for walkers travelling north/east bound. High elevation location used to examine cumulative effects.

11 Cairn Table 272480 11.7 VP located on summit of Cairn Table, a locally popular walking 624210 top with a memorial and cairns at the summit. Representing distant views seen by walkers from the northwest, and used to examine cumulative effects.

12 A702, 287260 12.2 VP located on the A702 to the north of Carronbridge, at one Carronbridge 599260 of the few locations with open views north not screened by woodland. Representing glimpsed views seen by road users.

13 A76, Closeburn 289090 18.5 VP located on the A76 north of Closeburn, a location in lower 593250 Nithsdale with open views to the north. Representing distant views from the south seen by road users on the A76 on Nithsdale valley floor. Used to examine sequential effects on the A76 and cumulative views from Nithsdale.

14 New Cumnock 261940 18.8 VP located on the A76 as it crosses over River Nith and 614170 railway, by New Cumnock station. Representing more distant views along upper Nithsdale, views from the settlement and sequential views from the A76.

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VP Viewpoint Grid Ref. Distance Reasons for Selection No. Name (km)6

15 B7078/M74, 283380 19.3 VP located on the B7078 on Fauldhouse moor south of Fauldhouse 636750 Lesmahagow and close to the M74. Representing views from the motorway section between Junctions 10 and 11, and views seen by road users on the B7078. Used for examination of cumulative effects and sequential effects along these routes.

16 Tinto Hill 295300 20.1 VP located on summit of Tinto Hill, a popular walking top with 634380 a large cairn at the summit. Representing distant views seen by walkers from the northeast, and used to examine cumulative effects.

5.13 Wireframes and photomontages will be used to consider and illustrate changes to views. Photomontages will involve overlaying computer-generated perspectives of the Development over the photographs of the existing situation to illustrate how the views will change against the consented baseline. Other (cumulative) windfarms visible from each of the viewpoints will be shown on the wireframes.

Cumulative LVIA Methodology

Study Area

5.14 A cumulative landscape and visual assessment (CLVIA) will also be undertaken with consideration of all windfarms within 35km which have a valid application, are consented, under construction or operational. Schemes at scoping stage will be included only at the reasonable request of Dumfries and Galloway Council, South Lanarkshire Council or SNH. The list of windfarms for inclusion in the cumulative assessment will be drawn up during the assessment process, so as to be as up to date as possible at the time of submission. Sources for the list will include local authority planning portal websites and direct consultation with local authorities. 5.15 A map will be produced and included in the ES showing all existing, consented and proposed schemes within a 35km radius of the Development. It is likely that the assessment will focus on the developments closer to the site in order to identify key relationships that may lead to significant effects.

Cumulative Zones of Theoretical Visibility (CZTV) 5.16 The intervisibility of the Development with other windfarms in the surrounding area will be illustrated using combined ZTV maps, using ZTVs of each windfarm overlain on a base map. Paired ZTVs will be prepared to illustrate the key relationships between the Development and other existing or proposed developments close to the site.

5.17 The CZTV will be colour coded to distinguish between areas where the Development is predicted to be visible (either on its own, or in conjunction with other windfarm schemes), and areas where other windfarms are visible but the Development is not.

5.18 The cumulative landscape and visual assessment will be carried out in accordance with the principles contained in SNH Guidance: Assessing the Cumulative Impact of Onshore Wind Energy Developments (March 2012).

5.19 Cumulative visual effects will be assessed through analysis of CZTVs, views from individual viewpoints and sequential views from routes. The magnitude of cumulative change to landscape character is the additional influence the Development has on the characteristics and character of the landscape type assuming the other schemes are already present.

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Approach to Mitigation

5.20 The primary form of mitigation for landscape and visual effects, including effects on visual residential amenity and cumulative effects is through design of the layout of the turbines and associated infrastructure. Information relating to the development of the design of the Development will be set out in detail in the design strategy that will form part of the ES. Visual and landscape matters are of importance to the design development, and a number of viewpoints were used to influence the appearance of the proposed layout from receptor locations.

Residential Visual Amenity Assessment

Overview of Approach 5.21 In relation to windfarms, SPP recommends that authorities consider a separation distance not exceeding 2km from settlements, towns and villages when writing their Local Plans. While this distance is not mandatory, the design of the Development has sought to ensure that no visible turbines are located within 2km of the closest settlement, in this case the village of Wanlockhead.

5.22 There is no published guidance on how effects on residential visual amenity should be assessed, or the criteria that should be applied in considering the extent or significance of any such effects, although there is a considerable volume of existing casework that forms precedent, such that there is a relatively well established methodology. The residential visual amenity study will comprise:

 identification of properties/property groups to include in the assessment using OS Mastermap Address Layer 2 data (10-20 points are anticipated to be identified to represent properties within 2-2.5km);

 collation of baseline information from maps and aerial photographs;  preparation of wireline visualisations from each property/group;

 site visits to properties (using publicly accessible locations or house visits where possible);  assessment of the proposed change to views and judgement on significance. 5.23 There is currently no published guidance available on the distance from the proposed development that should be adopted for a detailed study of visual amenity from residential properties. Experience has shown that significant effects on the visual component of visual amenity are generally not identified for properties over approximately 1.2km, but SPP requires consideration of effects on settlements within 2km. Taking a precautionary approach and given the size of the turbines proposed, a study area of approximately 2-2.5km radius from the nearest turbine will be considered. The study will therefore include Wanlockhead and its surroundings, properties along the Crawick Water valley to the west of the site, and scattered properties on the higher slopes of Auchentaggart Moor to the southwest of the site. There will be no visibility of turbines from Leadhills, which will therefore not be included in the residential visual amenity study.

Assessment 5.24 Assessment of the visual component of residential amenity falls outside the scope of an LVIA undertaken for EIA where the main emphasis is upon the identification of significance of effects. LVIAs use representative viewpoint locations to examine effects on publically available views, whereas the residential visual amenity study considers private views.

5.25 For the residential amenity study, a description of the likely overall nature and extent of the changes to the existing views from a property (the property and its curtilage) as a result of the windfarm development, including all ancillary components, will be provided with regard to the following:

 the distance between the property and the wind turbines (and ancillary components);  the number and composition of turbines potentially visible ;

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 the position of turbines in views from the property e.g. whether in key views from the property, on the skyline, or on more than one side of the property;

 the proportion of the skyline occupied by the turbines including whether turbines would be visible on more than one side of the property (and whether there are other directions in which to look without turbines);

 the likely presence of other ancillary elements in the view from the property, for example access tracks or substation; and

 the presence of screening features such as garden vegetation or other buildings. 5.26 A judgement of the magnitude of change to visual amenity at each property will be expressed.

5.27 Potential effects on residential amenity, also referred to as 'living conditions', of people's residential properties have been a material consideration in the determination of applications of windfarm developments. It is important to note that residential visual amenity is a subset of residential amenity, which also includes aspects such as noise, and shadow flicker. It is also important to note that a significant adverse change to an outlook from a property does not in itself result in material harm to living conditions.

Proposals for Consultation

5.28 It is proposed to consult the following stakeholders in relation to the LVIA assessment:

 Dumfries and Galloway Council;  South Lanarkshire Council;  East Ayrshire Council;  Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

North Lowther Energy Initiative 23 January 2016

South Lanarkshire Landscape Character Assessment (Ironside Farrarr, 2010) 5 5A North Lowther 1 - Urban Fringe Farmland 1 U 2 U 1 6 Energy Initiative 10 - Foothills 2A 5 10A - Foothills Forestry 6A 6 6 11 - Prominant Isolated Hills 5 4A 12 - Old Red Sandstone Hills 5C 13 - Southern Uplands 2 5 13A - Southern Uplands Forestry 4 9 Figure 5.1: Landscape Character 13B - Southern Uplands Windfarm U Types 6 5A 13C - Southern Uplands Leadhills 6A 4 4 5 10 2 - Incised River Valley 6A 8 4 5 Development Boundary 2A - Incised River Valley Broad Valley Floor 4 U BDR11 4 - Rolling Farmland ! 7 10 Turbine 4A - Plateau Farmland Forestry 8 5 - Plateau Farmland AYS10 6D 35km from outer turbines 5 5A - Plateau Farmland Forestry 7 7 6 9 BDR22 5B - Plateau Farmland Opencast Mining 7A 10A 11 7A 5C - Plateau Farmland Windfarm 7 5B 6 - Plateau Moorland 7 6A - Plateau Moorland Forestry 7 8B 6B - Plateau Moorland Forestry Windfarm 8 11 14 AYS19 7B 10 6C - Plateau Moorland Windfarm AYS7 6D - Plateau Moorland Opencast Mining 8A 7 7 - Rolling Moorland 7A - Rolling Moorland Forestry AYS10 8B 13B AYS9 7 13 7B - Rolling Morrland Windfarm 6 13A 7A 8 - Upland River Valley BDR4 13 8A - Upland River Valley Incised 7 13A 7A 13 8B - Upland River Valley Opencast Mining AYS19 8 14 7 13A 14 13A 9 - Broad Valley Upland AYS10 14 - Upland Glen 14 13 U - Urban AYS7 13 13 13 Ayshire Landscape Character Types AYS20 ! ! AYS10, Upper River Valleys ! ! ! 14 13B ! ! 19 ! ! ! ! ! ! 14 AYS14, Upland Glen ! ! ! ! ! ! AYS15, Upland Basin ! ! ! 19 ! ! ! ! 13A AYS17, Foothills ! ! ! ! 13C AYS10 ! ! 14 AYS18, Foothills with Forest AYS15 14 ! ! ! 10 AYS18 ! ! 13B AYS19, Plateau Moorland ! ! ! ! ! 13 19 AYS20, Plateau Moorland with Forest 10 13A AYS23, Southern Uplands 10 AYS24, Southern Uplands with Forest 9 BDR5 AYS23 AYS23 13A AYS7, Ayrshire Lowlands 13 AYS9, Lowland River Valleys AYS10 AYS24 AYS14 10 13 Dumfries and Galloway Landscape Character Types 19 10, Upland Glens 19 13, Drumlin Pastures 16, Upland Fringe 18, Foothills 19a AYS17 19a 18a, Foothills with Forest 19 19, Southern Uplands 19a, Southern Uplands with Forest 10 19 18 21, Rugged Granite Upland 19a 18 4, Narrow Wooded River Valleys 15km 5, Intimate Pastoral Valley 10 18 18 18 6, Lower Dale (Valley) 18a 7, Middle Dale (Valley) 4 16 8, Flooded Valley 7 9, Upper Dale (Valley) 10 9 Scottish Borders Landscape Character Types 7 BDR11, Grassland with Hills BDR22, Upland Valley with Pastoral Floor BDR25, Upland Valley with Woodland 16 BDR3, Plateau Outliers 18 BDR4, Southern Uplands with Scattered Forest 18a 5 BDR5, Southern Uplands Forest Covered 16 16 6 Map Scale: 1:300,000 @ A3 4 16 16

0 10 20 35km E km Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016 CB:XX EB:nunn_j LUCGLA FIG05-01_6615-007_LCT 22/01/2016 Source: Dumfries and Galloway Council, South Ayrshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, SNH Lower Clyde and Pentland Calderglen Hills North Lowther Pentland Energy Initiative Hills and Middle Black Mount Clyde Valley Figure 5.2: Landscape Designations Tweed Valley Development Boundary

! Turbine

35km from outer turbines

Upper Clyde Upper National Scenic Area Valley Tweeddale and Tinto Local Landscape Designations Dark Skies Park Douglas Wild land Valley

Tweedsmuir Uplands

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 02. Talla- ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Hart fell ! ! ! !! ! ! Leadhills and ! !

! Lowther Hills ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Moffat Hills

Thornhill Uplands

15km

Langholm 01. Hills Merrick Galloway Hills

Torthorwald Map Scale: 1:300,000 @ A3 Terregles Ridge Ridge

0 10 20 35km Solway E km Coast Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016 CB:XX EB:nunn_j LUCGLA FIG05-02_6615-006_Landscape Designations 22/01/2016 Source: Scottish Government, Dumfries and Galloway Council, East Ayrshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Borders Council North Lowther Energy Initiative

Figure 5.3: Zone of Theoretical Visibility (150m to tip) With Proposed Viewpoints Development Boundary ! Turbine

15 35km from outer turbines . Number of turbines potentially visible 16 . 1 - 9 10 - 17 18 - 26 27 - 34 35 - 42

. Viewpoint 11 7 1. SUW, Glengaber Hill . . 2. B740, Corsebank 9 3. Wanlockhead Museum . 4. Lowther Hill 5. B7040, Hass 7. Crawfordjohn ! ! 2 ! ! ! ! ! ! 8. Kelloholm ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 5 . ! ! ! 9. B797, Glencaple 14 ! ! ! 1 ! ! ! . ! ! ! ! ! ! 3 10. SUW, Whing Head . ! ! . 11. Cairn Table ! ! ! ! . ! 8 ! 4 ! ! ! 12. A702, Carronbridge . ! . 13. A76, Closeburn 14. New Cumnock 15. B7078/M74, Fauldhouse 10 . 16. Tinto Hill

Notes

The ZTV is calculated to turbine tip height of 12 150m from a viewing height of 2m above . ground level. The terrain model assumes bare ground and is derived from OS Terrain 50 height data 15km (obtained from Ordnance Survey in July 13 . 2015). Earth curvature and atmospheric refraction have been taken into account. The ZTV was calculated using ArcMap 10.3.1 software.

Map Scale: 1:300,000 @ A3

0 10 20 35km E km Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016 CB:XX EB:nunn_j LUCGLA FIG05-03_6615-002_ZTV 28/01/2016

6 Geology, Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Peat

Introduction

6.1 This chapter considers potential effects of the Development on the geology and soils of the site and the water environment, including the effects on peat, surface water, private water supplies and groundwater drainage regimes.

Existing Conditions

6.2 A preliminary review of the SNH ‘Carbon and Peatland’ (2014) map for the site has been undertaken to provide context and an early understanding of the likely peatland characteristics within the site. As advised in the SNH Carbon rich soil, deep peat and priority peatland habitats map Methodology Details (2014) document7, the desk based informed SNH map has been supplemented by a National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey undertaken in 2015 and aerial photography obtained specifically for the site in 2015. The NVC information will be used to inform the siting, design, construction and restoration proposals for the Development.

6.3 The site drains primarily into the River Nith via a number of sub-catchments. In addition, the site is drained by numerous watercourses. A review of the SEPA Indicative River and Coastal Flood Map highlights that within the site the watercourses likely to have a 1 in 200 or greater chance of causing flooding in any given year are Loch Burn, Glendyne Burn, Wanlock Water, Cog Burn, Crawick Water and Mennock Water. There are no watercourses within the site which are deemed to have a high chance (1 in 10 or once every ten years) of flooding. The location of watercourses will require to be taken into account of during the layout design in relation to proximity of infrastructure and the requirement for watercourse crossings.

6.4 Dumfries and Galloway Council will be consulted to confirm the locations of any private water supplies within the hydrological study area. Scottish Water will also be consulted to confirm the presence of any public water supply infrastructure within the hydrological study area.

6.5 Leadhills-Wanlockhead Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), comprises three small areas located in the east of the site, designated for their geological interest. According to SNH, “The area contains the most important lead-zinc deposits in Scotland. The site contains old mine workings and spoil heaps”.

6.6 The underlying groundwater beneath the site is the Upper Nithsdale groundwater body. In 2013, SEPA classified this groundwater body as having “poor” water quality. Wanlockhead is within an area of former lead mining and SEPA highlighted in their pre-scoping advice that “the Wanlock Water and Crawick Water are currently adversely impacted as a result of the historic metal mining activity in the area.”

Proposed Surveys and Assessment Methodologies

Study Area 6.7 The study area will primarily comprise the site and catchment areas upstream and downstream of the site where applicable.

7 http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A1495240.pdf North Lowther Energy Initiative 24 January 2016

Pre-Scoping Consultation 6.8 SEPA were not able to attend the pre-scoping meeting held by the LECU on the 8th December 2015. However, SEPA provided guidance on the issues and information suggested to be included within the ES to support the S36 application. These issues will be taken account of during the EIA and the information provided in the ES, where relevant.

Desk and Field Survey Method 6.9 The scope of works relating to the assessment of effects on geology, hydrology, hydrogeology and peat will include:

 A desktop study to obtain baseline and historical data to inform identification of sensitive receptors including: geology and soils, lead mines, surface watercourses, groundwater, designated sites, fisheries interests and private/ public water supplies.

 A site visit and walkover to map the major hydrological features present within and immediately adjacent to the site and a visual inspection of the site to assess suitability of rock for borrow pits and preparation of a borrow pit report.

 Peat probing across the site, focussing on the areas of proposed infrastructure, in accordance with Good Practice Guidance (2015)8.

Potential Effects

6.10 Whilst still adopting a precautionary approach at this preliminary stage, potential effects of the construction and operation of the Development on geology, hydrology, hydrogeology and peat include:

 Effects on surface and groundwater flows and drainage patterns.  Effects on groundwater and surface water quality particularly in relation to potential source/receptor pathways for contaminated minewater.

 Effects on private water supplies.  Loss of/ disturbance of peat/carbon rich soils in relation to carbon dioxide emissions.  Loss of/disruption to Ground Water Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTEs). 6.11 In addition, the EIA will consider flooding and will identify the risk of any off-site effects and residual risks; however, given the size and nature of the Development and the topography of the site it is considered unlikely that a full Flood Risk Assessment would be required.

6.12 It is also proposed at this early stage that the peat probing information, alongside other relevant information, will be used to inform a Peat Landslide Hazard and Risk Assessment which will be undertaken in accordance with the Scottish Government ‘Peat Landslide Hazard and Risk Assessments: Best Practice Guide for Proposed Electricity Generation Developments (December 2006).

6.13 On the basis that the Development will be located on the ridges of the hills and not in the valley bottoms which are coincident with historical mining locations, effects associated with lead mining are not considered to be significant. However, before this effect can be scoped out, the nature and extent of previous workings and associated waste tips will be established through desk study including consulting mine plans held by the Coal Authority, Dumfries and Galloway Council, interest groups (e.g. Lead Mining Museum) and Buccleuch Estates Ltd.

6.14 Should felling be required on site, input will be provided into the felling strategy to avoid, reduce and mitigate potential effects of pollution to watercourses. The assessment will refer to the Forest and Water Guidelines and SEPA Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPGs), and will address specific issues raised by consultees.

8 Scottish Renewables, SNH, SEPA, FCS, HES: Good Practice During Wind Farm Construction (2015) North Lowther Energy Initiative 25 January 2016

Approach to Mitigation

6.15 In addition to mitigation through design of the layout, implementation of best practice construction measures and controls, included within a construction environment management plan (CEMP), to minimise potential effects it is envisaged that localised mitigation measures may be required and these will be identified through the EIA process.

Proposals for Consultation

6.16 It is proposed to consult the following stakeholders in relation to the assessment:

 Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA);  Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH);  Dumfries and Galloway Council;

 South Lanarkshire Council;  Forestry Commission Scotland;  Association of Salmon Fishery Board;  Scottish Water;  Marine Scotland;  Coal Authority;  Wanlockhead Lead Mining Museum.

North Lowther Energy Initiative 26 January 2016

7 Ecology

Introduction

7.1 This chapter considers potential effects on flora and fauna during construction and operation of the Development and the proposed approach to their assessment. Potential effects on birds are considered separately in Chapter 8: Ornithology.

7.2 The assessment will be undertaken in line with the following European legislation:

 Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for the Community action in the field of water policy (“Water Framework Directive”);

 Directive 92/43/EEC on Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (as amended) (Habitats Directive); and

 The Environmental Impact Assessment Directive 2011/92/EU. 7.3 In addition, the following national legislation and policy will be considered as part of the assessment:

 The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000;  The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended);  The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (as amended9);  The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011;  The Protection of Badgers Act 1992;  The UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework / UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP);

 Scottish Biodiversity List; and  Dumfries and Galloway Local Biodiversity Action Plan. 7.4 In addition to species specific guidance, the following documents will be considered as part of the assessment:

 Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (2016) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the UK and Ireland: Terrestrial, Freshwater and Coastal, 2nd edition. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Winchester;

 JNCC (2013) Guidelines for the Selection of Biological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs);

 Planning Circular 3 2011: The Town & Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011;

 Policy Advice Note PAN 1/2013 - Environmental Impact Assessment (Scottish Executive 2013);

 Scottish Government (2001) European Protected Species, Development Sites and the Planning System: Interim guidance for local authorities on licensing arrangements;

 Scottish Natural Heritage (March 2012) Assessing the cumulative impact of onshore wind energy developments;

 Scottish Natural Heritage (2013) Planning for Development: What to consider and include in Habitat Management Plans;

9 Refer to UK Legislation website for full details of amendments to this Act: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/changes/affected/asp/2004/6 North Lowther Energy Initiative 27 January 2016

 Scottish Renewables, SNH, SEPA, FCS, Historic Scotland (Scotland) (2015, Version 3) Good Practice During Windfarm Construction.

Existing Conditions

7.5 The habitat on the site is predominantly open moorland with areas of peatland generally located within the plateaux areas of the site. There are numerous woodland areas located within the site, located primarily on lower ground and on the slopes of Wedder Dod and Conrig Hill. Three small areas within the site are designated as Ancient Woodland, and these are to the west of Wedder Dod and in the southern extent of the site around Mill Hill.

Designated Sites 7.6 The following sites designated for their ecological features are within or directly adjacent to the site:

 Upper Nithsdale Woods Special Area of Conservation (SAC): designated for mixed woodland located in southern tip of the site;

 Mennock Water Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): designated for lowland neutral grassland and upland oak woodland, located in southern tip of the site;

 Upper Nithsdale Woods SAC: designated for mixed woodland, located approximately 500m to the west of the site;

 Back Wood SSSI: designated for upland oak woodland, located approximately 500m to the west of the site; and

 North Lowther Uplands SSSI: designated for upland habitat (and mineralogy and ornithological interests which will be considered in the relevant chapters), located adjacent to the west of the site.

7.7 These designations are shown on Figure 7.1. Sites designated for their ornithological importance are considered in Chapter 8: Ornithology.

Habitats 7.8 National Vegetation Classification (NVC) surveys were conducted between August and October 2015. The surveys covered the initial proposed turbine locations plus a 300m buffer. The NVC surveys will be completed for the final turbine layout and associated infrastructure in 2016. Large portions of the site include mire and heath habitats of varying condition due to intensive grazing pressure, with portions of mesotrophic and calcifugous grasslands.

Bats 7.9 Bat activity surveys and bat roost assessments were conducted across the site in 2015. The site is considered to be of low value to bats due to the high plateaux and low foraging and commuting suitability. Walked transect and static10 surveys were therefore conducted once per season following Bat Conservation Trust guidelines (Hundt, 201211). The surveys were conducted in May, July and September, plus an additional static survey was conducted in August to cover the peak activity period of summer dispersal. Initial analysis of the results show that the majority of the site exhibits very low activity, with only four bat species being recorded: common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus), Myotis species and Nyctalus species. One static detector recorded higher numbers of common and soprano pipistrelles, in the northeast of the site along the Wanlock Water; which is located at a lower elevation and not in proximity to the proposed turbine arrays. Nyctalus activity is considered to be very low with only three passes recorded for the site over the four survey visits. On the basis of the survey results, the site is considered to be of low importance to bats.

10 Detectors remained in place for a minimum of five nights per survey visit. 11 Hundt, L. (2012) Bat Surveys – Good Practice Guidelines 2nd Edition: Surveying for Onshore Windfarms. Bat Conservation Trust North Lowther Energy Initiative 28 January 2016

7.10 The bat roost assessment highlighted two properties within the site that have potential for roosting bats. The layout has been designed to ensure no turbines are located within 200m of these buildings. On this basis, roost surveys to determine the presence or absence of bat roost/s are not currently proposed to be conducted in 2016.

7.11 NLEI Ltd will consult further with SNH during the EIA process to agree survey methods, discuss survey findings and the implications for the layout and assessment.

Proposed Surveys and Assessment Methodologies

7.12 NVC surveys to cover areas proposed for access tracks, hard-standings and other infrastructure, including a minimum of 250m buffer if turbines are relocated from the initial design, will be completed in 2016 to inform the assessment of effects on habitats. The results of the NVC survey will be referenced against SEPA guidance (2014a and 2014b12) to aid identification of those habitats which may be classified, depending on the hydrological setting, as being groundwater dependent (Ground Water Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems – GWDTEs).

7.13 Protected species surveys will be undertaken in 2016 for the following species: otter, water vole, badger, pine marten, and red squirrel. The findings of the NVC and protected species surveys will inform the layout design and assessment. It is not considered necessary to undertake specific surveys for reptiles or terrestrial invertebrates due to the mobile and reactive nature of these species. However, those habitats of particular importance to these groups (e.g. dead wood, stone piles, wild flower assemblages, etc.) will be recorded and considered within the assessment.

7.14 In accordance with Marine Scotland Science Scoping Advice Documents (July 2015)13 river habitat and electrofishing surveys will be undertaken along the watercourses where salmonids, lamprey species and eels (Anguilla Anguilla) may be present within and downstream of the site. These surveys will help to inform the assessment of the species present, barriers to migration and any ‘sensitive areas’ e.g. that could be used by spawning fish, in addition to providing data on water quality and flow. The surveys will be undertaken in accordance with Scottish Fisheries Co- ordination Centre (SFCC) protocols and Marine Scotland Science guidance for onshore windfarm developments14, where appropriate to the site.

Potential Ecological Effects

7.15 Ecological effects relate to habitats and protected species supported by the site and surrounding area and within the 5km study area for designated sites. Taking account of the findings of the work undertaken to date, whilst still adopting a precautionary approach at this preliminary stage, potential ecological effects of the construction and operation of the Development include:  Direct permanent or temporary loss of habitats or species through land take for access tracks, site compound, substation, borrow pits and turbines.

 Indirect permanent or temporary loss or damage of habitats and species through secondary effect changes to local hydrological conditions as a result of construction.

 Habitat fragmentation and isolation.  Increased levels of sediment-laden run-off from construction activity compromising habitats within local catchments.

 Direct effects upon protected fauna, .i.e. collision with vehicles etc.

12 SEPA (2014a) Land Use Planning System Guidance Note 4: Planning guidance on on-shore windfarm developments, Version 7, May 2014, LUPS-GU4; and SEPA (2014b) Land Use Planning System Guidance Note 31: Guidance on Assessing the Impacts of Windfarm Development Proposals on Groundwater Abstractions and Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems, Version 2, October 2014, LUPS-GU31. 13 Scoping Advice on Information Required in Environmental Statements in Relation to Assessing Risk to Freshwater and Diadromous Fisheries . 14 Marine Scotland Science: Generic Monitoring Programme for Monitoring Watercourses in relation to Onshore Wind Farm Developments North Lowther Energy Initiative 29 January 2016

 Disturbance/displacement to fauna with high individual nature conservation value (legally protected and BAP species) as a result of construction and operational maintenance activity.

 Cumulative effects (should a relevant scheme/s come forward to application stage prior to completion of the EIA).

7.16 On the basis of the work undertaken to date, the professional judgement of the assessment team and experience from other similar projects, it is considered likely that the following effects can be scoped out:

 Effects on Bank Wood SSSI, Upper Nithsdale Woods SAC, and the upland habitat features of North Lowther Uplands SSSI on the basis that no construction works are proposed in proximity to these designations. Effects to Mennock Water SSSI and Upper Nithsdale Woods SAC are also scoped out due to no direct effects during construction. In addition, these sites are located over 1.5km downstream of the closest turbine and given the woodland/grassland nature and topography of the designated site area, any run-off from the development area is not likely to impact on the terrestrial habitats downstream.

 Potential effects on freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) because there is limited if any suitable habitat on site and there are likely to be few watercourses where there are any significant populations of salmonid fish15.

 Potential effects on great crested newts and other specially protected amphibians because the site lies outside the known range of these species and no potentially suitable habitats are present.

 Operational effects on protected species (potentially not including bats).

Approach to Mitigation

7.17 Wherever practicable, the findings of the ecological survey work will be used to inform the siting and design of the Development to avoid or minimise effects to priority habitats and protected species. Further mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures will also be considered where appropriate as the study progresses, in consultation with the appropriate statutory consultees.

7.18 It should be noted that with a project of this scale, there are significant opportunities to provide meaningful habitat management or enhancement proposals as part of the Development. Further details are provided in Chapter 8: Ornithology. 7.19 The need for and scope of ecological monitoring will also be identified as part of the assessment process.

Consultation Proposals

7.20 It is proposed to consult the following stakeholders in relation to the assessment:  Dumfries and Galloway Council Biodiversity Officer;  South Lanarkshire Council Biodiversity Officer;  Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH);  Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA);  Dumfries and Galloway Environmental Resource Centre;  Association of Salmon Fishery Board;  Nith Catchment Fishery Trust;  Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT);  Marine Scotland.

15 Species upon which pearl mussel rely for part of their life cycle. North Lowther Energy Initiative 30 January 2016

North Lowther Energy Initiative

Figure 7.1: Ecology and Ornithology Designations

Development Boundary

A! Turbine

Special Protection Area (SPA)

Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI)

Map Scale: 1:80,000 @ A3

0 1 2 3 4 5 E km © Crown copyright and database rights 2016 Ordnance Survey 0100031673 CB:XX EB:nunn_j LUCGLA FIG07-01_6615-003_Ecology_Ornithology 22/01/2016 Source: SNH

8 Ornithology

Introduction

8.1 This chapter sets out the proposed approach to the evaluation of the ornithological interest of the site, and to the assessment of potential effects on birds.

8.2 The ornithological assessment will be carried out in line with relevant legislation and standards, as well as having due regard to the following guidance:  The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000;  Scottish Natural Heritage (2014). Survey methods for use in assessing the impacts of onshore windfarms on bird communities. Scottish Natural Heritage, Edinburgh

 Scottish Natural Heritage (2006), Assessing Significance of Impacts from Onshore Windfarms on Birds Outwith Designated Areas; Scottish Natural Heritage, Edinburgh

 Scottish Natural Heritage (2012). Assessing the cumulative impact of onshore windfarm developments. Scottish Natural Heritage, Edinburgh.

 European Commission (2010), Wind Energy Developments and Natura 2000. 8.3 The impact assessment will focus on the species that are afforded special levels of protection within UK or EU legislation, and/or are included in non-statutory lists (e.g. red and amber-listed Birds of Conservation Concern16). Assessments will conform to guidance issued by SNH as noted above. In particular it is recognised that there will be a requirement within the ES to provide suitable information as part of the Habitats Regulations process; to inform an Appropriate Assessment with regard to the conservation objectives of the Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area (SPA).

Existing Conditions

8.4 A range of baseline ornithology surveys have been completed within the site and surrounding area since April 2014 (see section below), and are due to continue into the 2016 breeding season.

8.5 The western edge of the site is immediately adjacent to the Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands SPA and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as shown in Figure 7.1. The SPA was designated in 2003 for its ‘outstanding breeding assemblage of upland birds’ and was said to regularly support breeding populations of European importance of five Annex 1 species: hen harrier (breeding and non-breeding), short-eared owl, merlin, peregrine and golden plover.

8.6 The baseline survey results show that the key target species present within and around the Development site are likely to be hen harrier, merlin, goshawk, short-eared owl, breeding waders and black grouse. Breeding evidence was recorded within the site for all of these species, and potential for territory loss will be considered as part of the design and assessment process, for these and other target species. Target species were recorded foraging within, or flying over the site, and therefore the potential for disturbance-displacement, and collision effects of breeding and non-breeding birds also exists, which will be considered in the design and assessment process.

8.7 Baseline results will be taken into consideration in the process of finalising the Development layout.

16 Eaton MA, Aebischer NJ, Brown AF, Hearn RD, Lock L, Musgrove AJ, Noble DG, Stroud DA and Gregory RD (2015) Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 108, 708– 746. North Lowther Energy Initiative 31 January 2016

Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies

8.8 The assessment will be informed by the following surveys:

 Flight activity (vantage point) surveys (April 2014 – ongoing monthly within site and up to 500m buffer) until April 2016.

 Scarce (raptors and owls) breeding bird surveys (April to August 2014 and March to August 2015 within site and up to 2km buffer). It is proposed that a third year of scarce breeding bird surveys will be undertaken between March and August 2016.

 Breeding bird surveys (four visits, April to July 2015 within site and up to 500m buffer). A repeat survey will be completed in 2016.

 Black grouse surveys (April and May 2014 and April and May 2015 within site and up to 1.5km buffer).

 Winter barn owl surveys (December 2014 and February 2015 within site and up to 1km buffer).

 Winter walkovers (November 2014, January and February 2015; four visits in 2015/16, before mid-March, within site and up to 500m buffer). Surveys in 2015/16 have focussed on locating any potential hen harrier roost sites.

8.9 As the work commenced in April 2014, the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH, 201317) guidance was used for initial survey design. SNH published revised guidance in May 2014 (SNH, 201418) and all relevant updates were considered for survey design from May 2014 onwards (in practice these were negligible differences). Species-specific survey methodologies in Hardey et al. (201319) and Gilbert et al. (199820) have also been considered. Survey guidelines have been followed fully in 2014 and 2015.

8.10 A preliminary meeting was held with SNH on 13th November 2015 to discuss the survey methodologies and emerging findings. The survey work undertaken to date is considered appropriate to inform the EIA, including collision risk. Further targeted survey work will be undertaken in 2015/2016 to give a fuller understanding of bird activity across the site. Full methodologies will be described and included as a Technical Appendix to the ES.

8.11 A meeting was also held with RSPB on 17th December 2015 to discuss the survey methodologies and emerging findings and the Raptor Study Group has been contacted to request historical nest data to further inform the assessment.

8.12 An evaluation of the effects of direct and indirect habitat loss due to land take during construction and operation will be carried out. This will consider whether disturbance- displacement of birds is likely to occur as a consequence of construction work, or the presence of an operational windfarm close to nests, feeding sites or habitual flight routes.

8.13 An evaluation of the effects of collision with rotating turbine blades, will be undertaken. Collision rates and effects on relevant reference populations will be calculated through a combination of theoretical collision risk modelling (following Band et al. 200721 guidance) and professional judgment.

17 Scottish Natural Heritage (2013). Survey methods for use in assessing the impacts of onshore windfarms on bird communities. Scottish Natural Heritage: Edinburgh. 18 Scottish Natural Heritage (2014). Survey methods for use in assessing the impacts of onshore windfarms on bird communities. Scottish Natural Heritage: Edinburgh. 19 Hardey, J., Crick, H.Q.P., Wernham, C.V., Riley, H.T., Etheridge, B. & Thompson, D.B.A. (eds) (2013) Raptors: a field guide to survey and monitoring. Third edition. The Stationery Office, Edinburgh. 20 Gilbert, G., Gibbons, D.W. and Evans, J. (1998). Bird Monitoring Methods. RSPB, Sandy. 21 Band, W., Madders, M. & Whitfield, D.P. 2007. Developing field and analytical methods to assess avian collision risk at wind farms. In M. de Lucas, G.F.E. Janss & M. Ferrer (eds.), Bird and Wind Farms: Risk Assessment and Mitigation, pp. 259–275. Spain: Quercus, Madrid, Spain. North Lowther Energy Initiative 32 January 2016

Potential Ornithological Effects

8.14 Taking account of the findings of the work undertaken to date, whilst still adopting a precautionary approach, potential ornithological effects associated with construction and/or operation of the Development include:

 Short or long term reduction in breeding and wintering bird populations due to construction disturbance.

 Reduction in breeding and wintering bird populations due to direct and indirect loss of habitat.  Long term reduction in breeding and wintering bird populations due to collision mortality. 8.15 Potential effects will be considered at the Natural Heritage Zone scale and the need for/scope of an appropriate assessment under the Habitats Regulations in relation to the qualifying species of the SPA will be agreed with SNH.

8.16 On the basis of the work undertaken to date, the professional judgement of the assessment team and experience from other similar projects, species of low conservation concern (e.g. green-listed Birds of Conservation Concern), or those not considered sensitive to windfarm developments (e.g. non-SPA related pink-footed goose) are proposed to be scoped out of the assessment, as per SNH guidance (e.g. SNH, 2006).

Approach to Mitigation

8.17 A number of mitigation measures will be considered to minimise the effect of the Development on bird species. Where possible, the findings of the survey work will be used to inform the detailed scheme design.

8.18 The review of construction timing and land management regimes will also be considered as appropriate, in consultation with the appropriate statutory consultees.

8.19 The need for and scope of further monitoring of bird activity in relation to the development site will also be defined as part of the assessment process.

Potential Enhancement Options

8.20 It should be noted that with a project of this scale, there are significant opportunities to provide meaningful habitat management or enhancement proposals as part of the Development. This includes the potential for both on- and off-site options. Given the unfavourable status of a number of the qualifying features of the nearby SPA, this is currently the consideration of the habitat management and enhancement plans.

8.21 With access to a unique portfolio of land, including land within the SPA, the opportunities for delivering environmental enhancement are potentially more wide-ranging than might ordinarily be the case with a windfarm development. The options currently under consideration include:

 On-site enhancement of degraded habitats or improvements of habitat where there is scope for practical measures.

 Provision of a hen harrier project officer in the South of Scotland linked to the Development.

 Habitat enhancement measures within the SPA to improve the habitat in line with the conservation objectives, where there is scope to do so.

8.22 Buccleuch Estates Ltd has been central to the delivery of the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project (http://www.langholmproject.com ), which has shown considerable success in improving hen harrier numbers on a managed grouse moor. NLEI Ltd is currently investigating the feasibility of developing a scheme along similar lines, albeit under different circumstances, on land under the applicant’s control on or near to the SPA.

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Consultation Proposals

8.23 It is proposed that the following stakeholders will be consulted in relation to the assessment:

 Dumfries and Galloway Council Biodiversity officer;  South Lanarkshire Council Biodiversity officer;  Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH);  The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB);  Dumfries and Galloway Raptor Study Group.

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9 Noise

Introduction

9.1 This chapter considers the potential noise effects associated with the development during construction and operation.

9.2 The noise assessment will be carried out in line with relevant legislation and standards, as well as having regard to the following guidance:

 Planning Advice Note PAN 1/2011: ‘Planning and Noise’  Web Based Renewables Advice: ‘Onshore Wind Turbines’ (last updated May 2014)

 ETSU-R-97 ‘The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms’ (ETSU-R-97)  ISO9613: 1996 ‘Acoustics – Attenuation of sound during propagation outdoors Part 2: General method of calculation’

 Institute of Acoustics ‘A Good Practice Guide to the Application of ETSU-R-97 for the Assessment and Rating of Wind Turbine Noise’ (2013) (IOA GPG)

 BS5228-1: 2009+A1:2014 ‘Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites - Noise’

Existing Conditions

9.3 The site is rural and background noise is likely to be primarily through vegetation at higher wind speeds, with animal sounds, water flowing along watercourses and birdsong also audible. Some man-made sources such as distant aircraft, agricultural activity and local road traffic are also likely to form part of the background noise environment.

9.4 There are a number of individual residential properties located outwith the settlements of Wanlockhead, Leadhills and Sanquhar which are somewhat closer to the site boundary. The location of these properties and provisional noise immission calculations will inform the layout design as the EIA progresses.

9.5 The potential for noise effects of the Development on its own and cumulatively with other nearby windfarms on residential properties has been identified during the preliminary feasibility work undertaken to date.

Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies

9.6 A detailed assessment of operational noise effects will be undertaken as part of the EIA. The study area will comprise noise sensitive receptors considered to be representative of residential dwellings that may experience noise effects from construction or operation of the Development.

9.7 ETSU-R-97 recommends that windfarm noise for the quiet daytime periods should be limited to 5 dB(A) above the prevailing background or a fixed minimum level within the range 35 - 40 dB LA90,10min, whichever is the higher. The precise choice of criterion level within the range 35 - 40 dB(A) depends on a number of factors, including the number of dwellings in the neighbourhood of the windfarm (relatively few dwellings suggest a figure towards the upper end), the effect of noise limits on the number of kWh generated (larger sites tend to suggest a higher figure) and the duration and level of exposure to any noise. These factors will be taken into account with justification for deriving suitable noise limits included in the noise assessment.

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9.8 An exception to the setting of both the quiet daytime and night time fixed minimum limit occurs where a property occupier has a financial involvement with the windfarm development. In that case the fixed minimum limit can be increased to 45 dB LA90,10min or the prevailing background noise LA90 plus 5 dB, whichever is the greater for both the quiet daytime and night-time periods.

9.9 On the basis of the preliminary noise work undertaken to date, a daytime noise limit of 35dB or background +5dB is likely to be adopted for the majority of properties and 45dB for financially involved properties. A 40dBA fixed daytime limit is considered appropriate for c.10 properties within the NLEI assessment in accordance with the three criteria contained within ETSU-R-97, i.e.:

 Number of potentially affected dwellings.  Effect of noise limits on the number of kW/h generated.  Duration and level of exposure. 9.10 A number of potential noise sensitive receptors will be chosen as representative background noise survey locations through consultation with the Environmental Health Officer from Dumfries and Galloway Council. As noise is predicted to be <35dB at all properties within South Lanarkshire, consultation with the SLC EHO is not proposed. At this stage, it is proposed that noise monitoring will be undertaken at a number of properties for a minimum of 2 weeks. In this regard, it is necessary to establish the relationship between wind speed on the site and background noise levels at the nearest noise sensitive receptors. The existing background noise levels will be measured in accordance with the procedures set out in ETSU-R-97 and IOA GPG. Wind data will be obtained on site in line with IOA GPG good practice utilising either meteorological masts or Lidar/Sodar units. 9.11 Assessment of construction noise will be undertaken in accordance with BS 5228-1:2009+A1:2014 which provides methods for predicting construction noise levels for construction traffic along access tracks and haul routes and for construction activities at fixed locations such as the bases of turbines, site compounds or sub-stations. For off-site construction traffic movements it is possible to determine the percentage increase required in existing traffic movements in order to cause a significant effect, based on the procedure outlined in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB).

Potential Noise Effects

9.12 Taking account of the findings of the preliminary desk based work undertaken to date, whilst still adopting a precautionary approach, potential noise effects associated with construction and/or operation of the Development include:

 Effects of turbine noise in the area surrounding the site and on nearest residential properties during operation;

 Effects of construction noise in the surrounding area and on nearest residential properties, including noise associated with construction traffic;

 Cumulative noise effects. 9.13 On the basis of the work undertaken to date, the professional judgement of the assessment team and experience from other similar projects, it is considered that vibration effects can be scoped out.

Approach to Mitigation

9.14 NLEI Ltd is committed to implementing accepted good practice during design and construction of the Development, thereby ensuring that many potential noise effects are avoided or reduced. However, should significant noise effects from construction activities be identified, measures to prevent, reduce and, where possible, offset these adverse effects will be proposed. Measures which may be utilised include:

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 restricted hours of infrastructure works to avoid sensitive periods;

 the fitting of equipment with appropriate noise control measures (e.g. silencers, mufflers and acoustic hoods);

 the positioning of temporary site compounds as far as practicably possible from neighbouring residential properties;

 additional good practice measures as set out in BS 5228:2009+A1:2014. 9.15 Noise emitted during the construction phase will be temporary and short term in nature and can be minimised through careful construction practices. The effective control of these effects can be achieved by way of a suitable planning condition. Construction noise can be controlled post consent (should consent be granted).

9.16 Site design and the choice of the installed wind turbines, together with their operational characteristics, will ensure that ETSU derived operational noise limits will be met, including cumulatively with other windfarm developments, in accordance with good practice guidance.

Consultation Proposals

9.17 It is proposed to consult the following stakeholders in relation to the assessment:

 Dumfries and Galloway Council Environmental Health Officer.

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10 Traffic and Transport

Introduction

10.1 This chapter considers the potential effects of road traffic generated during the construction and operational phases, including access routes and measures to minimise disruption to the local road network.

10.2 The assessment will be based on guidance provided by the Institute of Environmental Assessment (1993) (now the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment), guidelines prepared by the Institution of Highways and Transportation for Traffic Impact Assessment (1994) and ‘Transport Assessment Guidelines’ published by Transport Scotland, 2012. The ‘Transport Assessment and Implementation: A Guide (2005)’ prepared by The Scottish Executive, has been superseded by the Transport Scotland document, 2012.

Existing Conditions

10.3 Abnormal loads access studies were undertaken by JMP on behalf of 2020 Renewables in 2014 based on a maximum turbine blade length of 60m. On the basis of findings of the studies, access to the site is proposed to be undertaken from three points. These access points A, B and C are shown on Figure 10.1.

10.4 The access routes assume turbines are delivered from port of delivery in the east via the strategic road network comprising the A74(M) which is assumed to be of a suitable standard to accommodate the abnormal loads. From the strategic road network (A74 (M)), the three access routes are as follows:

 Access A: from the A74(M) at junction 13 (Abington) heading west on the B7078 to connect with the B740. Turning south onto the B740 through Crawfordjohn and taking access near Glenrae Brae.

 Access B: as per access A, but continuing south on the B740 towards Corsebank, then along an existing access track near Nethercog.

 Access C: from the A74(M) following the B797 south through Leadhills and accessing the site approximately 1km south of Wanlockhead at an existing access point.

Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies

10.5 The scope of survey and assessment works relating to traffic and transport is likely to include the desk based collation of traffic count data sourced from Dumfries and Galloway Council / South Lanarkshire Council and Transport Scotland.

10.6 If suitable traffic count data is not available, it may be necessary to undertake further traffic count surveys. An access study / site visit will be undertaken to examine the access routes in more detail and verify the findings of the desk-based work on the ground, including the need for any road improvements to accommodate abnormal loads. The findings of the access study will be discussed with Dumfries and Galloway and South Lanarkshire Councils.

10.7 Further detailed assessment will be undertaken to assess the requirements for local bend widening, or verge strengthening and provision of passing places.

10.8 The effect of the increase in construction vehicle traffic movements will be quantified through comparison of existing traffic flows and vehicle composition (baseline data) with the flows

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predicted as a result of the construction of the Development. Consideration of the potential effect on other road users will also be undertaken where junctions are affected by construction traffic.

10.9 In addition, the potential for cumulative effects will be considered with other windfarms which are proposed to use the same public roads as the Development during construction.

Potential Traffic and Transport Effects

10.10 The main potential effects of the Development are increased traffic flows, or changes to the traffic composition, as a result of traffic movements during construction or operation. These traffic effects may arise during the construction phase, particularly when the turbines are being delivered and erected, as this will require the transportation of abnormal loads (blades, towers and nacelles).

10.11 On the basis of the work undertaken to date, the professional judgement of the assessment team and experience from other similar projects, it is considered likely that operational and maintenance traffic and transport effects on the local road network can be scoped out.

Approach to Mitigation

10.12 A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) will be produced for the construction phase of the Development, which will detail mitigation measures to be adopted during construction to reduce traffic effects where practicable. These will typically be:

 Restrictions on construction working hours and delivery times so that traffic does not conflict with the peak local network traffic.

 No parking of construction plant, equipment and vehicles off-site on public roads.

Consultation Proposals

10.13 It is proposed to consult the following stakeholders in relation to the assessment:

 Dumfries and Galloway Council Roads Department;  South Lanarkshire Council Roads Department;  Transport Scotland.

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North Lowther Energy Initiative

Figure 10.1: Proposed Access Routes

Development Boundary

A! Turbine

Proposed Access Route

. Access Point

A .

B .

.C

Map Scale: 1:75,000 @ A3

0 1 2 3 4 5 E km © Crown copyright and database rights 2016 Ordnance Survey 0100031673 CB:XX EB:nunn_j LUCGLA FIG10-01_6615-005_AccessRoutes 22/01/2016

11 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

Introduction

11.1 This chapter considers potential effects on features of archaeological and cultural heritage interest. It includes consideration of known features of cultural heritage interest and their setting in the wider landscape.

11.2 The assessment will be carried out with reference to the following policy and guidance: • Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 2014; • Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment (Chartered Institute for Archaeologists 2014);

• Planning Advice Note (PAN) 2/2011: Planning and Archaeology; • Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP) (Historic Scotland 2011); • Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Setting (Historic Scotland) 2010 with Consultation Draft Update (2014);

• Relevant national and local planning policy and guidelines.

Existing Conditions

11.3 The eastern extent of the site boundary contains part of the Wanlockhead Scheduled Monument, designated for its remains of lead mining and smelting. The Scheduled Monument boundary extends to approximately 123 hectares comprising Wanlockhead and extending along the valley floor within the site to in and around Leadhills as shown on Figure 11.1.

11.4 Wanlockhead has also been defined by Dumfries and Galloway Council as a Conservation Area and an Archaeologically Sensitive Area. Within and around Wanlockhead there are a number of Listed Buildings, including one Category A, namely Wanlockhead Village Library. Eight of these Listed Buildings are within the site boundary (three are Category B Listed and five are Category C Listed).

11.5 Leadhills Conservation Area is approximately 1.8km to the east of the site boundary and also contains four Listed Buildings including the Category A Listed Lead Hills Scots Mining Company House and Garden and Designed Landscape.

11.6 The village of Sanquhar is approximately 1.7km to the west of the site boundary and is designated as a Conservation Area. The area also contains a number of Listed Buildings. Within close proximity of Sanquhar lies Crichton Peel and Sanquhar Castle and Kemps Castle Fort, both of which are designated as Scheduled Monuments.

11.7 There are also a number of other dispersed Category B and C Listed Buildings to the southwest, west and south of the site as shown in Figure 11.1.

Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies

Study Area 11.8 The study area for the assessment will take in two concentric areas: • The Inner Study Area corresponds to the limit of the proposed Development area, i.e. the area within which turbines and associated infrastructure are proposed. Within this area all cultural

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heritage features will be considered for construction and operational effects, including direct effects and effects on setting.

• The Outer Study Area extends 5km from the boundary of the Inner Study Area. Within this area all nationally important cultural heritage features will be considered for operational effects on setting. Cultural Heritage features within this area will also be considered to inform the potential for previously unrecorded cultural heritage features within the Inner Study Area.

Pre-Scoping Consultation 11.9 Historic Environment Scotland (HES) were unable to attend the LECU pre-scoping meeting held on 8th December 2015. However, HES provided pre-scoping comments highlighting cultural heritage features within Wanlockhead and Leadhills for specific inclusion within the assessment, and recommended the use of photomontages from these features to inform the assessment.

Desk-Study 11.10 The desk-based assessment will be based on the following data sources:

• National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS); • Vertical aerial photographs held by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS);

• Dumfries and Galloway Sites and Monuments Record; • West of Scotland Archaeology Service (WoSAS) Interactive Mapping; • Historic Environment Scotland Schedule of Ancient Monuments and list of Listed Buildings; • Maps held by National Library of Scotland; • Plans held by National Archives of Scotland; • Any existing geotechnical data, including peat-survey data if available; and • Other readily accessible published sources.

11.11 Data will be gathered for the Outer Study Area to identify designated assets that may be subject to setting effects and provide baseline information for the assessment of setting effects. Sites whose settings will be assessed include (where applicable) Scheduled Monuments (SMs), Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Gardens and Designed Landscapes (GDLs). Sites included within the assessment of effects on setting, i.e. those with intervisibility of the Development will be visited to evaluate their setting.

Field Survey 11.12 A targeted walk-over survey of the inner study area will be undertaken in spring 2016 to confirm the findings of the desk-based assessment, rapidly record any previously unrecorded assets to a degree sufficient to establish their character and extent and identify any variations in potential for undiscovered features. Assets in the surrounding area with the potential for significant effects on their setting will also be identified to gather baseline data relevant to the assessment.

11.13 The findings of the desk-based assessment and walkover will be taken into account during the final design of the Development to prevent or reduce effects as far as it is reasonably practicable. The ES will clearly set out the nature and location of all relevant cultural heritage assets and provide an assessment of the significance of any effects. Recommendations will be made for the mitigation of any effects.

Assessment Methodology 11.14 The proximity of the Development to the Wanlockhead and Leadhills areas designated for their cultural heritage interest is acknowledged. Whilst the Development will be designed to avoid direct effects on any of the designated areas/sites, NLEI Ltd and their specialist archaeological advisors will consider the setting of these features and an appropriate methodology for assessing the effects on setting with Historic Environment Scotland and the Dumfries and Galloway Council Archaeologist and South Lanarkshire Councils archaeological advisors, WoSAS. Visualisations will

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be produced from key cultural heritage features where appropriate, in consultation with Historic Environment Scotland and the Councils archaeologist advisors, to inform the assessment of effects on setting.

Potential Effects on Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

11.15 Taking account of the findings of the work undertaken to date, whilst still adopting a precautionary approach at this preliminary stage, potential effects on cultural heritage associated with the construction and/or operation of the Development include:

 direct effects on undesignated cultural heritage sites or features within the site;  physical disturbance of known or hitherto undiscovered sites or features, including unforeseen buried remains of archaeological interest (partial or total removal, including severance of linear features);

 effects on the ‘settings’ of cultural heritage features resulting from intervisibility between the site/feature and the site;

 cumulative effects on setting with other existing or proposed developments. 11.16 On the basis of the work undertaken to date, professional judgement and experience from other similar projects, it is considered that direct effects on designated sites or features can be scoped out at this stage.

Approach to Mitigation

11.17 The primary form of mitigation for direct effects will be through the design of the Development layout to avoid direct effects on known cultural heritage features. However, where this is not possible, mitigation of identified physical effects is likely to include preservation in situ as far as reasonably practicable and preservation by record where this is not possible. Setting effects will be avoided or reduced where possible through design.

Consultation Proposals

11.18 It is proposed to consult the following stakeholders in relation to the assessment: • Dumfries and Galloway Council Conservation Officer; • South Lanarkshire Council archaeological advisors (WoSAS); • Historic Environment Scotland; • Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society (DGNHAS); • Wanlockhead Lead Mining Museum.

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North Lowther Energy Initiative

Figure 11.1: Cultural Heritage Designations

Development Boundary

5km from Development Boundary A! Turbine

Conservation Areas

Scheduled Monuments

Gardens and Designed Landscapes

! Listed Buildings

Archaeological Sensitive Area

Map Scale: 1:80,000 @ A3

0 1 2 3 4 5 5km E km © Crown copyright and database rights 2016 Ordnance Survey 0100031673 CB:XX EB:nunn_j LUCGLA FIG11-01_6615-004_CulturalDesignations 22/01/2016 Source: Historic Scotland

12 Other Issues

Introduction

12.1 Wind turbines can potentially cause interference to telecommunication system signals such as terrestrial fixed microwave links, terrestrial radio telemetry links and television broadcasts. Likewise, wind turbines can affect navigation and surveillance systems (including RADAR) and other equipment and the use of aerodromes.

12.2 Moreover, under certain combinations of geographical position, time of day, and time of year, the sun may pass behind a turbine and cast a shadow over neighbouring properties. When the blades rotate, the shadow flicks on and off, which is known as ‘shadow flicker’.

12.3 Whilst the generation of electricity from windfarms potentially offsets carbon emissions from other generation sources, this requires to be balanced with carbon emissions associated with construction of the windfarm.

12.4 The ES will therefore include:

 an assessment of the potential effects of the Development on aviation, defence, and telecommunication interests;

 consideration of potential effects associated with shadow flicker;  a carbon balance assessment.

Existing Conditions

12.5 At this stage no telecommunications have been identified within the site. A links search will be undertaken and should any links be identified which cross the site, the layout will be designed to avoid interference with these.

12.6 Preliminary studies in relation to potential aviation effects have been undertaken as part of the feasibility work for the Development, including consultation with National Air Traffic Services (NATS). Discussions are ongoing with NATS regarding potential effects the development may have on its operations, and whether mitigation will be required in relation to this.

Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies

Desk Based Assessments 12.7 An assessment of civil and military aviation, defence and telecommunication issues will be undertaken and will include consultation with the organisations listed below.

12.8 There is currently no standard minimum distance specified in Scottish Government guidance between individual residential properties and turbines, other than in relation to shadow flicker, where a study of 10 rotor diameters from turbines is recommended. For the Development, and on the basis of a rotor diameter of 120m, a study area of 1,200m from the outermost turbines is recommended. Therefore, if following iterations to the layout any properties are located within 1,200m, a shadow flicker assessment will be undertaken.

12.9 A carbon balance assessment for the Development will be undertaken using Scottish Government guidance produced by Aberdeen University and the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and the latest version of the carbon calculator spreadsheet produced by the Scottish Government (currently version 2.9.0),. The main aims of the calculation are: to quantify sources of carbon emissions associated with the Development (i.e. from construction, operation and transportation

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of materials, as well as loss of peat); to quantify the carbon emissions which will be saved by operating the Development; and to calculate the length of time for the project to become a ‘net avoider’, rather than a ‘net emitter’ of carbon dioxide emissions.

Potential Effects

12.10 Taking account of the findings of the work undertaken to date, whilst still adopting a precautionary approach, possible effects associated with construction and/or operation of the Development include:

potential direct effects upon telecommunication and aviation and defence interests; potential effects of shadow flicker on nearby properties during operation. 12.11 As effects relate to the location of the turbines and their design and only occur during the operational phase of a windfarm due to the movement of the turbine blades, it is proposed to scope out construction effects.

Approach to Mitigation

12.12 Where possible, the findings of the desk based work will be used to inform the detailed scheme design to minimise the effects of the Development on telecommunications and shadow flicker.

12.13 Discussions will be undertaken with relevant aviation and defence stakeholders, where necessary, to seek agreement regarding mitigation solutions should a potential effect be identified.

Consultation Proposals

12.14 It is proposed to consult the following stakeholders in relation to the assessment:

• Atkins Global Airwave Solutions (responsible for communications for the emergency services);

• Arqiva; • British Telecom (BT); • The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA); • The Joint Radio Company (JRC); • The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO); • NATS (National Air Traffic Services); • The UK Office of Communications (Ofcom) (Scotland) and relevant telecommunication operators identified by Ofcom.

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13 Socio-Economic, Tourism and Recreation

Introduction

13.1 This chapter will consider potential social and economic effects, including effects on tourism, employment, and recreation. This includes a consideration of existing land uses within the site, local tourism activity, employment generation and any indirect economic effects from the Development. This chapter will also consider potential effects on recreation.

Existing Conditions

13.2 The site is currently used for ‘in-hand farming’ and tenanted livestock grazing, as well as seasonal grouse shooting.

13.3 A section of the Southern Upland Way (SUW) is located within the site boundary connecting Sanquhar and Wanlockhead. In addition, there are a number of core paths within the site boundary including paths from Mossholm to Wanlock Water and Bogg to Auchentaggart Moor.

13.4 There are several hills within the site boundary including White Dod (531m), Stood Hill (587m) and Glengaber Hill (515m) which may be used for recreational walking.

13.5 In addition to the SUW, visitor attractions in the area include the Lead Mining Museum at Wanlockhead, the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway and Tolbooth Museum in Sanquhar.

Proposed Survey and Assessment Methodologies

Study Area 13.6 The study area for the assessment will comprise the site and immediate surrounding area in relation to potential direct effects on recreation and land use, and the wider area in relation to potential social and economic effects, including effects on tourism.

Data Sources and Guidance 13.7 There is no specific legislation or guidance available on the methods that should be used to assess the socio-economic effects of a proposed onshore windfarm development. The proposed method is therefore based on established best practice including that used in UK Government and industry reports on the sector. In particular, the assessment will draw upon a report published by RenewableUK and DECC in 2012 on the direct and wider economic benefits of the on-shore wind sector to the UK economy and subsequent 2015 update.

13.8 There is also no formal legislation or guidance on the methods that should be used to assess the effects that windfarm developments may have on tourism and leisure interests. However, a research report published by the Scottish Government in 2008 (Glasgow Caledonian University, 2008) will be used to inform the assessment.

13.9 To obtain more detailed information on existing conditions, a desk based review and analysis of available information and data-sets will be undertaken to confirm the existing social characteristics and economic activity within the study area, including:

• Tourism statistics (from Visit Scotland and specific tourist attractions in the area);

 Information on local accommodation providers (from the VisitScotland accommodation providers database and other local accommodation listings);

 The Southern Upland Partnership;

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 The Museum of Lead Mining, Wanlockhead;

 The Dumfries and Galloway Core Paths Plan;  General Register Office for Scotland (GRO Scotland) data;  Nomis (Office for National Statistics) labour market statistics websitei;  Tourist and visitor guides, leaflets and information;  Local economic strategies and plans (e.g. Dumfries and Galloway Regional Economic Strategy 2014 – 2020 and South Lanarkshire Economic Strategy 2013 - 2023);  Local tourism websites;  Research commissioned by the Scottish Government in 2008 (Glasgow Caledonian University, 2008) on the effects of windfarms on tourism, which remains by far the most robust and comprehensive source available;

 Research published in April 2012 by VisitScotland on consumer attitudes to windfarms and their effects on tourism (VisitScotland, 2012);

 The findings of an inquiry by the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee of the Scottish Parliament in 2012 that considered the achievability of the Scottish Government‘s 2020 renewable energy targets, the merits of the targets, and what the risks and barriers are to realising them;

 Analysis previously undertaken by BiGGAR Economics on windfarm development and tourism employment trends, presented to a number of public inquiries;

 Available evidence on the use of existing windfarm sites for recreational use, including recent statistics collected by outdoors app Strava and published by Scottish Renewables, based on the use of tracks at a number of Scottish windfarm and hydro developments.

Assessment Methodology 13.10 To inform the assessment of the economic effects associated with the Development, an estimate of the value of its potential economic effect will be required. This will be undertaken by inputting data from the applicant about the Development into a specially developed economic model that considers the value of the local and regional economic effects that could be generated by an onshore windfarm development.

13.11 To inform the assessment of potential tourism effects, evidence from existing studies on the effects of windfarm development on tourism and experience from existing and proposed developments elsewhere will be collated.

13.12 In relation to effects on recreation, legislation allowing access to land in Scotland makes it possible for individuals to enjoy the Scottish countryside in a relatively unrestricted way. This means that many sites in Scotland could be used for a variety of informal recreational purposes. For this reason it is necessary to identify a proxy measure that can be used to identify locally important recreational resources. The proxy measure that will be used in this assessment will be the location of designated core paths and long distance paths/routes e.g. the Southern Upland Way (SUW). Core paths are identified by local authorities in consultation with local residents and therefore provide a reasonable indicator of the importance of a particular site as a recreational resource.

13.13 As tourists frequently make use of the same recreational resources as resident leisure users potential recreational effects will be assessed in tandem with potential tourism effects. The socio- economic, tourism and recreation chapter will take all of these issues into account. The assessment will consider:

 the location of a development in relation to tourist routes, including designated cycling and walking routes;

 the relative scale of leisure and tourism in the area, i.e. local and national;  views from accommodation in the area;  the potential positive tourism issues associated with the development; North Lowther Energy Initiative 46 January 2016

 the views of tourist organisations i.e. local tourist businesses or VisitScotland;

 the visitor population whose leisure interests may be affected.

Potential Social and Economic Effects

13.14 The assessment will consider potential economic, tourism and recreational effects associated with the Development.

13.15 The potential economic effects that will be considered will be: • temporary effects on the regional and/or national economy due to expenditure during the construction phase;

• permanent effects on the regional and/or national economy due to expenditure associated with the on-going operation and maintenance of the Development;

• permanent effects on the local economy as a result of any additional public expenditure that could be supported by the additional tax revenue that would be generated by the Development during the operational phase;

• permanent effects on the local economy that could be supported by any community benefit funding that might be provided by the Applicant during the operational phase; and

• change in land use of the site. 13.16 The potential tourism effects that will be considered will be: • temporary effects on local accommodation providers as a result of expenditure by workers involved with the Development spending money on items such as food and accommodation during the construction phase;

• permanent effects on accommodation providers within the local area that may acquire views of the Development;

• permanent effects on the volume or value of tourism activity in the local area due to any change that may occur in tourist behaviour as a result of tourist routes (in particular the Southern Upland Way) or attractions acquiring views of the Development (e.g. Lead Mining Museum);

• permanent effects on the volume or value of tourism activity in the local area due to any change that may occur in tourist numbers or expenditure as a result of investment in facilities at the site.

13.17 The potential recreational effects that will be considered will be: • temporary effects on recreational users as a result of any changes in access arrangements that may be required during the construction and/or decommissioning phases (e.g. SUW);

• permanent effects on recreational users (or potential recreational users) as a result of any long-term changes in access arrangements or site accessibility.

Approach to Mitigation

13.18 To minimise the effect of negative social and economic effects the following mitigation measures will be considered:

• Sourcing contractors, material and equipment from local or regional sources, where reasonably practicable.

• Providing alternative/diverted routes during temporary closure of rights of way and core paths. • Potential for infrastructure to provide increased access opportunities in relation to the site.

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Consultation Proposals

13.19 The organisations listed below will be consulted to inform the assessment of socio-economic, tourism or recreational effects:

• Dumfries and Galloway Council; • South Lanarkshire Council; • The British Horse Society; • ScotWays; • VisitScotland; • The Wanlockhead Lead Mining Museum; • The Southern Uplands Partnership. • The John Muir Trust.

• The Mountaineering Council of Scotland.

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Appendix 1 : Draft Structure of the Environmental Statement

1. INTRODUCTION Background to the Development Legislative Requirements for EIA Responsibilities for the ES Structure of the ES 2. APPROACH TO THE EIA Introduction The EIA Process Scope of the ES 3. RATIONALE FOR THE SCHEME, SITE SELECTION AND DESIGN Introduction Rationale for the Scheme Site Selection Design Strategy Site Description 4. SCHEME DESCRIPTION Introduction Scheme Description Construction Details Operational Details Decommissioning 5. PLANNING POLICY Introduction Planning Policy Context Overview of Relevant Policies 6-14. TECHNICAL CHAPTERS (Landscape and Visual Amenity, Geology, Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Peat, Ecology, Ornithology, Noise, Traffic and Transport, Cultural Heritage, Other Issues, Social and Economic Impacts). Assessment Methodology Significance Criteria Existing Conditions Modifications to Scheme Design Assessment of Construction Effects Assessment of Operational Effects Assessment of Cumulative Effects Mitigation and Future Monitoring

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Residual Effects Decommissioning Summary and Conclusions 15. SUMMARY OF KEY EFFECTS

16. SCHEDULE OF MITIGATION

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Appendix 2 : List of Proposed Consultees

The following organisations will be contacted by the LECU regarding the scope of the EIA: Dumfries and Galloway Council internal teams; South Lanarkshire Council internal teams; East Ayrshire Council internal teams; Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA); Forestry Commission Scotland; Scottish Water;

Historic Environment Scotland; Transport Scotland; The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT); The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB); The Royal Burgh of Sanquhar and District Community Council; Leadhills Community Council; Wanlockhead Village Council; Marine Scotland; Visit Scotland; The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO);

NATS (National Air Traffic Services); The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA); ScotWays; The British Horse Society; The Coal Authority; The Southern Uplands Partnership; The John Muir Trust; The Mountaineering Council for Scotland; The Association of Salmon Fisheries Board; The Crown Estate;

British Telecom (BT); Joint Radio Company (JRC).

The following organisations will be contacted for information to inform the EIA: Wanlockhead Lead Mining Museum and other local attractions (as appropriate); Local recreational groups (as appropriate); UK Office of Communications (Ofcom) (Scotland) and relevant telecommunication operators identified by OfCom; Atkins Global Airwave Solutions (responsible for communications for the emergency services);

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Arqiva;

Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society (DGNHAS); Dumfries and Galloway Raptor Study Group; Dumfries and Galloway Environment Resource Centre; The Nith Catchment Fishery Trust.

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