Rooley Moor Wind Farm PROJECT TITLE Non TechnicalSUB Summary TITLE
Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
Contents
1. Introduction ...... 3 1.1 Non-Technical Summary ...... 3 1.2 The Applicant ...... 3 1.3 The Development Area and its Surroundings ...... 3 1.4 Description of the Development ...... 3 1.5 Environmental Statement...... 3 1.6 The EIA Project Team...... 4 2. Site Selection ...... 5 2.1 Development Area Selection Process ...... 5 2.2 Site Description ...... 5 2.3 Alternatives ...... 5 3. Project Overview ...... 6 3.1 Layout and Design ...... 6 3.2 Wind farm Components ...... 6 3.3 Wind Turbines ...... 7 3.4 Site Access ...... 7 3.5 Borrow Pits...... 7 3.6 Internal Access Tracks...... 7 3.7 Anemometry Masts ...... 8 3.8 Grid Connection ...... 8 4. Potential Benefits...... 9 4.1 Renewable Energy...... 9 5. Planning Policy Context ...... 10 5.2 National Planning Policy ...... 10 5.3 Local Planning Policy Context ...... 11 6. Consultation ...... 12 6.2 Consultation with Statutory and Non-Statutory Consultees ...... 12 6.3 Public Consultation ...... 12 6.4 Consultation Outcomes...... 12 7. Landscape and Visual Effects ...... 13 8. Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology ...... 14 9. Non Avian Ecology and Ornithology ...... 15 10. Cultural Heritage ...... 17 11. Access, Traffic and Transport ...... 19 12. Noise ...... 20 13. Socio Economic ...... 21 14. Land Use ...... 22 15. Other issues ...... 23 15.1 Shadow Flicker ...... 23
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
15.2 Telecommunications ...... 23 15.3 Aviation ...... 24 15.4 Television Reception...... 24 15.5 Visual Amenity of Local Residents...... 24 15.6 Climate Change ...... 25
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
1. Introduction
1.1 Non-Technical Summary
1.1 This Non-Technical Summary (NTS) has been prepared to summarise, in non-technical language, the findings of the EIA undertaken for the proposed wind farm. The publication and circulation of this NTS is hoped to further assist local communities and stakeholders in the understanding of the impacts of the proposed wind farm in relation to its surrounding environment. 1.2 The Applicant
1.2 CPL is a London-based company developing wind projects in the UK aiming to develop, construct and operate wind farms that strike a fair balance between sustainability, the environment and economic investment, and at all times work in partnership with local communities. CPL has been working in the North West and particularly in the South Pennines area since 2004 and has achieved consent for the Todmorden, Crook Hill and Reaps Moss Wind Farms which are located in the local authority areas of Rochdale, Rossendale and Calderdale. 1.3 The Development Area and its Surroundings
1.3 The Development Area for the Rooley Moor Wind Farm lies within the jurisdiction of Rochdale Metropoiltan Borough Council in Greater Manchester and Rossendale Borough Council in Lancashire. The site occupies two parcels of land – Rooley Moor to the south and Brandwood Moor to the north, as shown on Figure 1, with the operational Scout Moor Wind Farm consisting of 26 turbines located directly west of the site boundary. The Development is located on open upland heathland and blanket bog with a series of reservoirs to the west and a number of quarried areas within the Development Area. The Development Area covers 460.38 hectares and has an elevation of between 247m AOD and 474m AOD. 1.4 Description of the Development
1.4 The principal components of the Development are shown on Figure 2, and comprise: 12 three blade horizontal axis wind turbines with a tip height of up to 125m; Formation of access tracks; Substation and associated external compound; Permanent meteorological mast; Temporary construction compound; Crane Hardstandings; Borrow pits and associated landscaping; and Associated infrastructure (such as cabling, utility services, external transformers and grid connection). 1.5 Environmental Statement
1.5 The Environmental Statement (ES) presents the results and conclusions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) undertaken to determine the potential significant impacts both adverse and beneficial, of the proposed wind farm. It also seeks to identify measures to avoid, reduce, compensate, or offset any potentially significant adverse
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
impacts. The ES concludes by identifying and assessing the residual impacts of the proposed wind farm. 1.6 The ES comprises six separate volumes: Environmental Statement Volume I: Environmental Statement (main volume); Environmental Statement Volume Il: Figures; Environmental Statement Volume IlI: LVIA Figures; Environmental Statement Volume IV: Technical Appendices; Environmental Statement Volume V: Confidential Appendices; and Environmental Statement Volume VI: Non-Technical Summary. 1.6 The EIA Project Team
1.7 SKM Enviros was appointed by CPL in 2012 to carry out the EIA and prepare the ES for the proposed wind farm. 1.8 SKM Enviros is part of Sinclair Knight Merz, an independent professional services consultancy firm with over 6,500 staff world-wide and offices throughout the UK. SKM Enviros has considerable experience in the development, construction and operation of wind farm developments throughout the UK, including the assessment of their environmental impacts. 1.9 SKM Enviros is a Registered Environmental Impact Assessor with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), a leading international organisation dedicated to the promotion of sustainable development and to the promotion of best practice standards in environmental assessment and management. SKM Enviros has been supported by the following consultants in undertaking specific parts of the assessment: Headland Archaeology - Cultural Heritage Assessment; Ecology Matters - Non Avian Ecology and Ornithology Assessments; Optimised Environments (OPEN) - Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA); Aviatica Ltd. – Aviation Assessment; and Carbon Forecast – Carbon Balance Assessment. 1.10 The ES can be viewed at the following locations: Rochdale Library Littleborough Library; Bacup Library; Rawtenstall Library; Whitworth Library; and Heywood Library/Phoenix Centre. 1.11 Through the publication of the ES, local communities are encouraged to contribute to the consenting phase through active participation in the planning application consultation process. This follows on from the consultation undertaken prior to the submission of the planning application as described in Section 6 Consultation.
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2. Site Selection
2.1 Development Area Selection Process
2.1 The Development Area is being proposed by CPL for a number of reasons: it has an excellent wind resource; it contains no recorded designations of natural heritage interest; there are no residential dwellings within the Development Area; there are also no World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Monuments, Registered Battlefields or Listed Buildings within the Development Area; and the Development is located within a landscape with the identified capacity for wind farm development. 2.2 Site Description
2.2 There are no designations of natural heritage interest recorded within the Development Area but a number are in close proximity, such as the Lee Quarry Site of Specific Scientific Interest located 500m to the east of the northern section of the site and the Healey Dell Local Nature Reserve, 500m to the east of the south eastern corner of the site. There are also no World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Monuments, Registered Battlefields or Listed Buildings within the Development Area. However, a number of cultural heritage interests are located within 5km such as three Grade II Registered Parks and Gardens (Falinge Park, Rochdale; Rochdale Cemetery; and Whitworth Cemetery) and a number of Listed Buildings within the towns of Rochdale and Whitworth and the surrounding villages. 2.3 Section 6 (Summit to Lumb) of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail utilised by walkers and horse riders runs through the central section of the Development Area and is part of a larger 205 mile (330km) recreational trail running through north west England. The Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Developments in the South Pennines produced by Julie Martin Associates in 2010 designates the Development Area within Landscape Capacity study Area 4: Scout Moor, which is assessed as having capacity for two large wind farms or one very large wind farm with large turbines including the existing Scout Moor Wind Farm. 2.3 Alternatives
2.4 The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011, Schedule 4 Part 1 Paragraph 2 requires an ES to include: “An outline of the main alternatives studied by the applicant or appellant and an indication of the main reasons for the choice made, taking into account the environmental effects”. 2.5 This is not a requirement to consider alternatives, but rather a requirement to indicate why a particular choice is being made in cases where alternatives have been considered. CPL continuously searches and analyses the potential for renewable, low carbon electrical generating stations throughout England. The Development Area was selected during this research and is one option within a wider strategy of development by CPL, aimed at significantly increasing the proportion of energy generated from renewable sources and meeting national targets.
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3. Project Overview
3.1 Layout and Design
3.1 Throughout the evolution of the Development from initial site selection through to detailed site design, the strategy utilised by CPL has been one of minimising the potential environmental impacts of the Development through an environmental constraints based approach and in accordance with the policies provided in the Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council and the Rossendale Borough Council Core Strategy Development Plan Document. This approach has focused heavily on the assessment undertaken as part of the EIA of the Development Area and wider surrounding region, and the responses and advice from the statutory consultees and members of the public. 3.2 Environmental constraints identified through the technical assessments undertaken to inform the EIA such as peat depth, noise emission levels, habitat classification and condition, watercourses and landscape sensitivity and visibility of the wind farm components and have been the primary development concerns in relation to the location of turbines and associated infrastructure. As the technical assessments have progressed over time and constraints have been identified, the site design has been refined, for example by altering turbine and supporting infrastructure locations to take account of a 50m development-free buffer along all watercourses within the Development Area. This approach to site design ensures that potentially significant environmental risks and effects of the Development are identified and avoided or minimised at an early stage. 3.3 As a greater understanding of the Development Area was attained, it emerged from the baseline survey results that consideration of effects on hydrology, peat and landscape and visual receptors would have a greater relevance to the success of the design of the Development than other environmental considerations as these were the key environmental constraints. The design strategy focussed on addressing these aspects and minimising potential effects on these receptors so as to achieve a design appropriate in scale and form to its location which considered all relevant environmental receptors. 3.4 The final application layout comprises 12 turbines. This represented a significant improvement on both the 17 turbine and 12 turbine layouts previously considered because the prominence of the turbines from key receptors to the south and east was significantly reduced, and separation distances from settlements were increased as a result of the constraints based design approach adopted by CPL. 3.5 The design process has produced an application layout which: minimises landscape impacts while maximising the production of renewable energy; is in accordance with the Landscape Capacity Study and the Local Development Plan; minimises and, where possible, avoids the loss of priority habitats and species, and creates opportunity for habitat enhancement; protects watercourses from the potential impacts of constructing the Development; and can be engineered and constructed safely. 3.6 The application layout is considered to have taken full account of environmental, policy and civil engineering constraints and has been found to be acceptable in each of these aspects. This will be fully expanded and presented in the ES and its conclusions. 3.2 Wind farm Components
3.7 The principal components of the Development are shown on Figure 2, and comprise:
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
12 three blade horizontal axis wind turbines with a tip height of up to 125m; Formation of access tracks; Substation and associated external compound; Permanent meteorological mast; Temporary construction compound; Crane Hardstandings; Borrow pits and associated landscaping; and Associated infrastructure (such as cabling, utility services, external transformers and grid connection). 3.3 Wind Turbines
3.8 Each of the proposed wind turbines will be a 3-bladed modern design, with an anticipated maximum capacity of 3.3 MW. The candidate turbines that meet this criteria is the Nordex N100 3.3MW. The nacelle (which houses the power generation equipment) will be supported by a tapering cylindrical steel tower. The maximum height of the blade tip from ground level is 125 m. It is proposed that the turbines will be of a pale-grey colour with a non-reflective semi-matt finish coating. An elevation of a typical turbine is shown in Figure 3. 3.4 Site Access
3.9 The Development will be accessed from the south via the existing Rooley Moor Road. This Main Access will serve all construction and delivery vehicles including abnormal load vehicles. From this point, the access track will be utilised up to the Development Area as shown on Figure 2. The Main Access point will be utilised during both the construction and operational phases of the Development. 3.5 Borrow Pits
3.10 A number of borrow pits will be excavated throughout the site to provide the necessary aggregates needed during the project construction period. The estimated calculations for the rock volume required take into account the main site access roads, smaller access roads (including those for borrow pit access and met mast), rock up-fill at gravity turbine foundations, construction and sub-station compounds and crane hardstandings and also takes into account the stone volume obtained from other necessary excavations, such as at the construction compound location. It has been calculated that 50,000m3 rock is required. 3.6 Internal Access Tracks
3.11 It is estimated approximately 7.2km of new track (both excavated and floating) will be required to access and link the turbines, with a further 1.9km of the existing Rooley Moor Road requiring protection. Tracks will have a minimum running width of 5m with widening on bends as necessary. Local widening will be required on corners, with the amount of land required depending upon the angle of slope and the severity of the bend. Passing places will be required along the length of the track system at 500m intervals, each being circa 70m by 4m width. Where possible junctions will be used as passing places.
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3.7 Anemometry Masts
3.12 A permanent 70m high anemometry mast will be installed at the location shown on Figure 2 to inform wind farm operations and performance monitoring. A typical mast drawing is shown on Figure 4. 3.8 Grid Connection
3.13 A separate planning application will be prepared to connect the wind farm to the National Grid, however it is anticipated that the connection point will be to the 132kV overhead line that traverses the south of the site, as shown on Figure 2.
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4. Potential Benefits 4.1 Renewable Energy
4.1 International, European and national policy and targets identify that there is an urgent and essential need to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to climate change. Electricity generation employing fossil fuels is recognised as a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions, and there is thus a clear requirement to bring forward renewable energy generation capacity. These obligations are legally binding. If they are to be met without imposing excessive costs upon electricity consumers and the economy as a whole, priority should be given to the development of the most cost-effective renewable energy technologies. If energy security is to be enhanced at the same time, then indigenous resources should be favoured. Onshore wind meets all of these criteria. 4.2 The delivery of clean, emission free electricity from the Development supports European and UK policy to meet the ‘20-20-20’ targets package of reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the European Union to below 20% of 1990 levels and increasing the proportion of final EU energy consumption from renewable sources to 20%. The Development contributes to the aims of both the UK Renewable Energy Strategy, which calls for a very substantial increase in the share of renewable energy production within a decade. 4.3 The results of the carbon assessment for the Rooley Moor Wind Farm show that the Development is predicted to produce annual carbon savings in the region of 41,000 tonnes of CO2 per year through the displacement of electricity based on the current grid average. 4.4 The assessment of all the carbon losses and gains has estimated an overall net loss of around 79,000 tonnes of CO2. These losses come mainly from the combined off-site losses from turbine manufacture and provision of backup in the grid. The soil carbon losses make up a smaller proportion of the total losses and have been further minimised through the Development design and layout by avoiding areas of deeper peat where possible and through use of all the excavated peat on site for restoration. The overall soil carbon losses from the Development Area are estimated at less than 3% of the total stored carbon in peat. 4.5 Compared to fossil fuel electricity generation projects, which also produce embodied emissions during the construction phase and significant emissions during operation due to combustion of fossil fuels, this project has a very low carbon footprint and after 1.9 years, the electricity generated is estimated to be carbon neutral and should displace grid electricity generated from fossil fuels. The calculated carbon intensity of the proposed wind farm is be significantly lower than the current and future electricity grid and would contribute to overall grid decarbonisation. Therefore, the Development is evaluated to have a significant positive effect on climate change mitigation. The development would therefore assist in achieving the Government’s published targets for the production of electricity from renewable sources.
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5. Planning Policy Context 5.1 At International, European, national and local levels, the recognition of the need to bring forward new renewable energy generation capacity is clear. Wind energy is acknowledged to be one of the most technically mature, viable and deliverable forms of renewable energy. National policy therefore supports renewable energy development in the form of onshore wind farms provided that the local environmental, economic and social impacts can be addressed satisfactorily. 5.2 National Planning Policy
5.2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework
5.2 The NPPF sets out the Government’s planning policies for England, and provides a framework for the overriding purpose of the planning system: sustainable development. In doing so, it describes how this purpose is to act as a golden thread running through both plan-making and decision-taking. 5.3 Paragraph 93 stipulates that supporting the delivery of renewable energy is central to achieving sustainable development (shown in the paragraph below). “Planning plays a key role in helping to shape places to secure radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, minimising vulnerability and providing resilience to the impacts of climate change, and supporting the delivery of renewable and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure. This is central to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.” NPPF (2012: paragraph 93) National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) 5.4 The National Policy Statement (NPS) for Energy (EN-1) sets out Government policy on energy and the need for new nationally significant energy infrastructure projects. Paragraph 3.3.5 states that the UK is choosing to decarbonise quickly and that this is why Government is seeking to bring forward many new low carbon developments within the next 10-15 years. In terms of the need for more electricity capacity to support an increased supply from renewables, paragraph 3.3.10 states that: “As part of the UK’s need to diversify and decarbonise electricity generation, the Government is committed to increasing dramatically the amount of renewable generation capacity…. In the short to medium term, much of this new capacity is likely to be onshore and offshore wind…” 5.5 The NPS recognises that electricity consumption could double by 2050 as significant sectors of energy demand switch from fossil fuel power to using electricity. It adds that the Government therefore anticipates a substantial amount of new generation will be needed and renewables projects will need to be installed urgently to meet these projected demands. National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3) 5.6 NPS EN-3 determines that onshore wind farms are the most established large scale source of renewable energy in the UK and will continue to play an important role in meeting renewable energy targets. The Policy Statement sets out the factors influencing site selection for wind energy development as well as technical considerations when determining onshore wind farms. NPS EN-3 states that the time limited nature of wind farms is likely to be an important consideration when assessing landscape and visual effects and potential effects in relation to heritage assets. NPS EN-3 addresses the specific landscape and visual impacts associated with onshore wind farms, highlighting that modern wind turbines are large structures and will:
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“…always be significant landscape and visual effects from their construction and operation for a number of kilometres around a site.” 5.3 Local Planning Policy Context
5.7 The majority of the site is located within the northern area of the Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council planning boundary. In addition to this, the northern part of the Rooley Moor site falls within the Rossendale Borough Council planning district within an area known as Brandwood Moor. As a result of this cross boundary location, the relevant development plan framework consists of the following documents: Rochdale Unitary Development Plan; and Rossendale Adopted Core Strategy. 5.8 The primary policies of relevance within each plan are provided below. 5.3.2 Rochdale Unitary Development Plan Policy EM/14 Wind Power Developments
5.9 The Council will support proposals for wind power developments and individual wind turbines where there is no unacceptable intrusion in the landscape, having regard to the cumulative impact and intervisibility of such developments whether within Rochdale or in neighbouring local authority areas. Favourable decisions will only be issued where the proposal would not have an unacceptable effect on the visual character and quality of the landscape or materially detract from the physical record of the historic and cultural evolution of the landscape. Any proposal in conflict with this criterion will need to demonstrate that other locations are not suitable. Proposals should not have an adverse impact on the setting of historic structures and conservation areas or historic landscapes and should not result in unacceptable amenity or noise problems for local residents. Wind power developments by virtue of its siting or operation, should not adversely affect areas of ecological value or result in danger to wildlife or loss of important habitats. Proposals must demonstrate the best use of topography, siting, design and colour to minimise the visual impact proposal and any ancillary structures and access roads should employ sensitive design and use of local materials to respect the character and appearance of its setting. Development proposals must not result in electro-magnetic interference with local television reception and specialist radio communication networks 5.3.3 Rossendale Core Strategy Policy 20: Wind Energy
5.10 This policy states that wind energy proposals including ancillary equipment and access roads, will be given positive consideration if they do not have an unacceptable harmful impact, alone or cumulatively, on landscape character and value, including urban areas and the wider South Pennine landscape based on the most up to date studies and assessments. Proposals must not have an unacceptably harmful visual, noise or “shadow flicker” impact on local residents and sensitive users and must not result in adverse impacts on areas of ecological value or fragment the migration routes of protected bird species. The integrity of areas of deep peat must not be adversely affected by wind farm proposals, including by dissection for access roads, whilst impacts on the historic environment must be minimised. The proposed electromagnetic impacts on aviation navigation systems and “line of sight” communications must be adequately addressed. Developers will be expected to provide evidence to support their proposals including Landscape, Visual and Environmental Assessments and to demonstrate that any impacts can be satisfactorily mitigated where negative impacts cannot be removed solely through site selection. 5.11 A comprehensive assessment of the compliance of the Development with the relevant local plan policies and supplementary guidance is provided in the planning statement which accompanies the planning application for Rooley Moor Wind Farm.
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6. Consultation
6.1 CPL and the consultant team communicated and engaged with the local community and stakeholders during the pre-application period to inform the layout design and environmental impact assessment process. Full details of consultation activities are provided in the Rooley Moor Wind Farm Consultation Report accompanying the planning application and are summarised below. 6.2 Consultation with Statutory and Non-Statutory Consultees
6.2 In addition to the scoping exercise a number of additional consultation was undertaken with the following statutory consultees and stakeholders: RMBC and RBC; Highways Agency NATS; Met Office; English Heritage; United Utilities; Natural England; and Environment Agency. 6.3 Public Consultation
6.3 Four public exhibitions were held to provide members of the public providing information on the Development and the opportunity for the public to discuss their issues and concerns with CPL. The exhibitions were held on the following dates: Wednesday 26 February 2014 - Heywood Civic Centre (Pennine Suite), 3 Church Street, Heywood, OL10 1LW, 2.00pm – 7.00pm Thursday 27 February 2014, Whitworth Civic Hall (Main Hall), Market Street, Whitworth, OL12 8DP, 2.00pm – 7.00pm Friday 28 February 2014, Council Chambers, The Business Centre, Futures Park, Bacup, OL13 0BB, 10.30am – 4.30pm Saturday 1 March 2014, Spotland Social Club, Edenfield Street, Rochdale, OL12 7BP, 10.00am – 1.00pm 6.4 An invitation leaflet was sent to the 16, 968 properties publicising the exhibitions. The properties which were invited were deemed to be proximate to the project site and agreed with RMBC and RBC. Letters were sent to over 200 stakeholders, including local councillors, MPs and interest groups, informing them of the exhibitions. Presentations were offered to the Township Committees, Area Forums, Neighbourhood Forums and Town / Parish Councils. 6.4 Consultation Outcomes
6.5 The pre-application consultation fed directly into the scheme and assessment design and further details of how the layout has evolved as a consequence of this and the assessment process are provided in ES Chapter 3: Development Area, Selection and Design.
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7. Landscape and Visual Effects
7.1 The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment undertaken as part of the Environmental Statement examined the potential for impacts of the proposed wind farm in terms of impacts on landscape character and impacts on views within a study area with a radius of up to 35km from the proposed wind farm. 7.2 The site of the proposed turbines would be located on Rooley Moor, which forms part of the South Pennine uplands approximately 6km north-west of Rochdale town centre. Rooley Moor forms part of a wider landform (including Scout Moor, Knowl Moor and Cowpe Moss) defined by the valleys of the River Irwell to the north and west, the River Spodden to the east, and the River Roch to the south. The proposed wind farm development at Rooley Moor would be introduced into a context where the existing Scout Moor wind farm is located in close proximity, and where several other commercial scale wind farms are operational or under construction in the surrounding uplands. Lowland and valley areas are typically characterised by 19th and 20th century urbanisation and built development is characteristic of these areas. 7.3 The Development Area is not located within any landscape designations with the Peak District National Park approximately 16.7km to the south-east, the Yorkshire Dales National Park 34.25km to the north and the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty approximately 17.75km north-west of the proposed turbines at the closest point. 7.4 Long-term, operational period effects of the Development upon the landscape fabric would not generally be significant. A localised loss of moorland habitat would be required in order to construct and operate the proposed turbines, but this would represent only a very small proportion of the habitat present on Scout Moor/Rooley Moor, and would be reinstated following decommissioning. There would be localised disturbance to the traditional surface of Rooley Moor Road, however sensitive restoration/protection of the road surface would minimise adverse effects, and a new permissive bridleway would also be provided by the Applicant to provide an alternative route for recreational users. Landscape restoration would be undertaken via the reinstatement of characteristic boundary features and the improvement of degraded areas of moorland via appropriate land management. 7.5 The presence of the proposed turbines would have only a localised clear influence upon the surrounding landscape and views available. Their presence would more typically constitute an incremental increase in the influence of an existing feature. The presence of the turbines would be notable from areas where existing wind farms have only limited or no influence at present. This would be the case from the valley slopes in and around Cowpe, Bacup and Whitworth, and from some areas at the southern edge of Scout Moor/Rooley Moor to the north of Rochdale. Localised significant effects are inevitable for any commercial scale wind farm development; however in the case of the Development at Rooley Moor, such effects would not result in the recognised capacity of the landscape to accommodate wind turbines being exceeded. 7.6 Cumulative effects of the Development in combination with other wind farm development would not be significant, given the pattern of existing commercial scale wind farms present in the region and the existing influence of these upon landscape character and upon views. The majority of additional cumulative sites are for smaller scale developments which would have only very localised effects and little/no interaction with the proposed Rooley Moor turbines.
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8. Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology
8.1 The hydrology, hydrogeology and geology assessment considered the potential impacts of the proposed wind farm on the surface water and groundwater environment in terms of both quality and quantity and provides an assessment of flood risk and likely changes to existing surface water and groundwater flow regimes. It also assessed potential impacts on private water supplies, fisheries, soil, geology and groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems. 8.2 The baseline assessment undertaken to inform the assessment confirmed that there are no sites located within the Development Area designated for hydrology, hydrogeology and geology. There is only one designated site within 1km of the Development Area, the Lee Quarry Site of Special Scientific Interest. This large disused quarry is a designated Geological SSSI because it is rich in trace-fossil assemblages and good sedimentary features, making it of great importance to studies of late Carboniferous environments and palaeogeography. 8.3 The study area encompassing the eastern extent of an upland plateau which forms Rooley Moor, Knowl Moor and Scout Moor drains five surface water catchments. These catchments ultimately drain to the River Irwell (north and west), the River Spodden (east) or Nadden Brook (south). Several of the catchments contain United Utilities public water supply reservoirs which receive surface water inputs from many of the watercourses located within the upper parts of the catchments. 8.4 The water quality of the surface watercourses identified within the Development Area have not been assessed by the Environment Agency as they are too small, however, the three main receiving watercourses, the River Irwell, River Spodden and Nadden Brook have been assessed as high quality despite only the River Irwell requiring assessment for chemical quality. 8.5 Indicative surface water flood risk mapping published by the EA suggests the risk of flooding is generally very low. Areas of medium and high surface water flood risk do occur within the Development Area and wider study area; these areas are concentrated along existing surface water flow paths and topographic lows such as gullies or former quarry areas. 8.6 Geological mapping shows the presence of peat deposits in the northern, eastern and western areas of the Development Area. The southern half of the site is mapped as being peat free. Peat slide risk across the majority of the Development Area was found to be low, however, some isolated areas of moderate risk were identified. No areas of high peat slide risk were identified. 8.7 The residual effects of the Development on the hydrological, hydrogeological and geological environments following the implementation of avoidance and mitigation measures outlined in the Construction and Environmental Management Plan prepared as part of the application are considered to be minor or less than minor. Development impacts will be limited to a temporary decrease in surface water quality during construction and to a lesser extent, during decommissioning from the generation of turbid runoff migrating to down gradient surface watercourses. Projected impacts will also include a disturbance to stream banks causing changes in erosion rates and local morphology during the construction and potential removal of watercourse crossings and disturbance, degradation and draining of peat during construction. 8.8 With the adoption of a comprehensive Construction and Environmental Management Plan and Peat Management Plan, the incorporation of standard good practice techniques and with the avoidance measures already taken into account in the design of the Development, the potential changes to surface water, groundwater and geological environments are not predicted to be significant.
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
9. Non Avian Ecology and Ornithology
9.1 An ecological assessment has been undertaken for the Development Area including Phase 1 habitat surveys, national vegetation classification surveys and a protected species survey, whilst information collated on ornithological interests has included vantage point surveys, breeding bird surveys and collision risk modelling. The assessments describe and evaluate the current nature conservation interests of the Development Area and, where relevant, surrounding area. They evaluate both habitats and non-avian animal species and assess the potential impacts of the Development on habitats and species above a certain value and/or subject to legal protection. 9.2 The baseline assessments undertaken state that there are no ornithological or ecological statutory designated sites present within or immediately adjacent to the Development Area. Statutory designated sites within 10km of the Development Area include the South Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation and Site of Special Scientific Interest located 7.5km east of the Development Area, with Rochdale Canal Special Area of Conservation and Site of Special Scientific Interest 4.7km to the south east. The assessments within the Environmental Statement concluded that the Development will not result in adverse impacts on these sites. 9.3 The assessments undertaken to determine the proposed impacts of the Development on locally designated ecological sites concluded that in the absence of mitigation, significant impacts are predicted in terms of habitat loss for both Knowl Moor Site of Biological Importance, and Cowpe Moss and Brandwood Moor Biological Heritage Sites which overlap the north-west corner and northern section of the Development Area respectively. This is due to the loss of peatland habitats which are part of the reason for the designation of these sites. In order to mitigate for this, potential impacts on these habitats will be kept to a minimum through the implementation of a Construction Environment Management Plan during construction. Compensation will be provided through the proposed peatland restoration and grazing management prescriptions, details of which will be set out in a detailed Habitat Management Plan. The Habitat Management Plan will be implemented post construction. Provided the proposed mitigation measures are implemented within the Habitat Management Plan and the Construction and Environmental Management Plan, it is assessed that there will be no significant residual effects on habitats, as a result of this Development. 9.4 In order to protect the fundamental nature conservation value of locally designated sites, a number of habitat management proposals will be implemented by CPL during wind farm operation, including the management of approximately 31ha within Cowpe Moss and Brandwood Moor Biological Heritage Site to benefit breeding curlew. This will compensate for possible disturbance/displacement effects on curlew and other wader species within the BHS and as such no significant residual effects on curlew or on Cowpe Moss and Brandwood Moor Biological Heritage Site are predicted during wind farm operation. Significant negative effects on Knowl Moor Site of Biological Importance relating to disturbance/displacement to curlew (and possibly golden plover) and collision effects for kestrel are identified. However, through the implementation of a number of mitigation measures proposed within the Habitat Management Plan, including a peat restoration scheme which is largely located within Knowl Moor Site of Biological Importance, the potential negative effect on birds will be offset. 9.5 In the absence of mitigation, no potentially significant impacts are predicted during the construction or operational phases of the Development for terrestrial fauna and local habitats. With regards to specific protected species, badger may forage or transit across the site, though no setts were found, whilst no signs of otter or water voles were discovered. Only one species of bat (common pipistrelle) was recorded within the Development Area,
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
with bat activity levels being assessed as generally very low. In the event that individual bats are occasionally killed through turbine strike, impact on the conservation status of the common pipistrelle population is not considered likely to be significant. Despite these low levels of protected species activity, mitigation measures will be put in place in order to prevent possible contravention of relevant legislation. It is therefore assessed that with the implementation of mitigation, there will be no significant residual effects in respect of protected species. 9.6 The Development Area has been subject to a number of faunal and floral ecology surveys between 2012 and 2014. The habitats present were identified as a mix of degraded peatland habitats, marshy grassland and acid grassland. The degradation of the peatland habitats is partly historical due to airborne pollution, but also due to over grazing and burning. Potential impacts of the Development on habitats will be kept to a minimum through the implementation of a Construction and Environmental Management Plan during construction and compensation will be provided through the proposed peatland restoration and grazing management (details of which will be set out in a detailed Habitat Management Plan), to be implemented post construction. 9.7 A breeding bird protection plan will be produced and agreed prior to construction taking place, which will include a range of measures to avoid disturbance to important bird species during the breeding season. The implementation of the breeding bird protection plan will avoid significant disturbance to breeding waders and as such no significant residual effects are predicted during construction. As noted above, the Development will not result in significant impacts on statutory or locally designated sites important for birds surrounding the Development Area following the implementation of habitat management measures which may influence local species levels.
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
10. Cultural Heritage
10.1 This chapter provides an overview of the assessment of the cultural heritage assets of the proposed Rooley Moor Wind Farm site and surrounding area, and the potential impact that the Development may have on this resource, including the potential impacts of the Development upon the setting of cultural heritage assets. 10.2 The construction and decommissioning phases of the Development have the potential to affect the significance of heritage assets through physical damage to their fabric, but may also lead to their protection and enhancement. The impacts may be direct, for instance where an asset is disturbed during ground-breaking works, or indirect, perhaps when changes in hydrology may lead to waterlogged archaeological deposits becoming desiccated and degraded. 10.3 The cultural heritage assessment determined that here are no designated assets within the Development Area. There are a number of cultural heritage assets located within 5km of the Development including 11 Grade II Listed Buildings and the Prickshaw and Broadley Fold Conservation Area. 10.4 CPL have sought to minimise adverse impacts on known heritage assets and unknown ancient monuments within the Development Area and surrounding lands with the proposal to introduce mitigation measures to avoid any impacts on unknown heritage assets of prehistoric date thought to be present within the application site. Such measures will include a suitable programme of archaeological works which will be prepared and submitted to Greater Manchester Archaeological Advisory Service (advisors to Rochdale Borough Council) for approval prior to the commencement of construction works. This will make provision for the investigation of the impact areas to inform micro-siting and the excavation and recording of any features of archaeological interest that are revealed where micro-siting is not possible. The Development has sought to minimise impacts on locally important buildings and features of architectural and historic interest including Rooley Moor Road. Localised impacts are mainly temporary but without mitigation are considered to be adverse, however they represent a slight adverse impact to the significance of the road as a whole. Mitigation will be provided by protecting the parts of the road used during construction. Once the mitigation is in place the effect is considered to be of minor significance to the flagstone section and negligible significance to the cobble sections. 10.5 Construction works have the potential to damage sub-surface remains of currently unknown heritage assets. These are considered to be adverse impacts of potentially up to major significance (but most likely up to moderate significance) which will be mitigated by a programme of archaeological investigation to inform micro-siting and avoidance of harm where possible and excavation and recording where micro-siting is not possible, resulting in a residual effect of up to minor significance. 10.6 Operation of the wind farm will affect the significance of seven heritage assets through visual change in their settings. There will be an impact of moderate significance to the Prickshaw and Broadley Fold Conservation Area; there would be an impact of minor significance to Church of St Bartholomew, a Grade II* listed building, and to Church of St John the Evangelist, Church of St Saviour and Rockliffe House Grade II listed buildings. There would be an impact of negligible significance to the Grade II Registered Park and Garden of Whitworth Cemetery and the non-designated park and garden of Bacup Cemetery. Any effects on the setting of heritage assets will persist for the duration of the operational life and then be fully reversed on decommissioning. No further mitigation of these effects is considered necessary.
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
10.7 Cumulative effects of the turbines operating in conjunction with existing and consented wind farms in the vicinity are considered to be minor and not to raise the overall level of effect beyond moderate significance. 10.8 Careful management of the decommissioning phase will ensure that no further adverse impacts occur on assets already damaged by construction works.
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
11. Access, Traffic and Transport
11.1 This Transport Assessment evaluated the potential environmental impacts resulting from traffic and transport aspects of the Development. An assessment of the likely traffic generation during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the Development has been undertaken with a focus on the environmental impacts as a result of the likely traffic generated during the construction phase. 11.2 The scope of the assessment includes the Abnormal Indivisible Load delivery route from the strategic highway network to the Development site. The highway network of interest for the purposes of assessing the likely environmental impacts of Heavy Goods Vehicle traffic comprises Ings Lane and Rooley Moor Road as agreed with Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council. The development proposals have been agreed with Council as the Local Highway Authority. Further agreement has been obtained from the abnormal load teams from Transport for Greater Manchester and the Highways Agency. 11.3 A review of the local highway network has been undertaken to identify baseline conditions on the proposed route. Topographical mapping data for critical constraint areas has been acquired and background traffic flows have been reviewed. 11.4 In accordance with the prevailing guidance, impacts including: traffic impact, severance, driver delay, pedestrian amenity, fear and intimidation, accidents and road safety, associated with the Development have been assessed. Adverse temporary impacts have been predicted for traffic impact, driver delay, accidents and road safety and pedestrian amenity fear and intimidation. No adverse impacts have been identified for the operational and decommissioning phases of the Development and no cumulative impacts have been identified. 11.5 Specific mitigation measures have been set out and the resulting residual impacts are predicted as insignificant, with the exception of driver delay and accidents and road safety where impacts are predicted as adverse, temporary slight impacts. 11.6 The proposed mitigation measures include the use of police or dedicated escort vehicles during the delivery of project components to ensure that other road users receive advanced notice of slow moving and large vehicles and that convoys are clearly visible at all times, and traffic management at junctions and constrained points of the delivery route. Other measures discussed in the traffic and transport assessment include the avoidance of component deliveries at potentially congested networks at peak hours and the implementation of wheel washing facilities at the entrance/exit of the Development Area to ensure that the road surface does not become muddied and slippery and sheeting of loaded vehicles to reduce the risk of debris on the road. These measures will ensure that the impact of the Development on the local road network during the construction phase is not significant. The assessment has also concluded that no adverse impacts on traffic congestion, driver delay and health and safety risks to pedestrian and other road users having been identified for the operational and decommissioning phases of the Development.
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
12. Noise
12.1 An assessment was undertaken to determine the potential construction, decommission and operational noise effects of the proposed Development on the residents of nearby dwellings. Wind turbine operational noise is assessed, as a function of wind speed, against existing background noise levels at the same wind speed, with fixed lower limits that only affect the lowest wind speeds. The operational noise assessment has been carried out in accordance with the recommendations of ETSU-R-97 ‘The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms’. ETSU-R-97 has become the accepted standard for such developments within the UK, and has remained commended in current UK planning policy. 12.2 The noise assessment included an evaluation of the potential effect of noise during construction and decommission of the wind farm (including construction traffic noise), and the potential effect of noise during operation of the wind farm (including potential cumulative effects). The study area for the assessment of construction and operational noise extended to the nearest residential dwellings neighbouring the site, over an area which covers approximately 1km from the boundary. It also included residential dwellings along the construction traffic route in relation to construction traffic noise. 12.3 The noise assessment undertaken determined that the overall levels of construction noise from the Development are considered to represent a minor effect, and therefore considered not significant in Environmental Impact Assessment terms, whilst operational noise emission levels at selected properties surrounding the Development Area are acceptable in terms of the methodology set out in ETSU R 97, and is therefore also considered not significant in EIA terms. Applying the ETSU R 97 derived noise limits at the assessment locations it has been demonstrated that both the day time and night time noise criterion limits can be satisfied at all properties across all wind speeds.
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
13. Socio Economic
13.1 A socio economic assessment was undertaken to determine the potential social and economic impacts, both beneficial and adverse associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the Development. In particular, it assesses impacts on local communities and the economy due to the construction and operation of the Development. 13.2 The Development will lead to significant new investment in Rochdale and Rossendale, a region which scores slightly worse than the whole of England and Wales and the North West in relation to unemployment and economic activity. The nature of wind farm projects means that engineering/technical components of the build are unlikely to be delivered from the local area or region, however construction, engineering and technical contractors can be sourced locally. CPL estimates for Rooley Moor Wind Farm a local spend of approximately £800,000 in the local area and the generation of 13 full time equivalent jobs during the construction period, bringing economic benefits to the local area. The types of local businesses that might benefit from this local construction spending would include fencing contractors, local civil engineering contractors, timber and aggregate suppliers, hoteliers, caterers and haulage companies. The operational phase of the Development will have a permanent, permanent beneficial impact on the local economy, generating approximately £400,000 per year and providing 6 full time equivalent jobs. CPL is also proposing to establish a community benefit fund which will allow local people to benefit from the wind farm. The community fund will be administered by local trustees who will decide how the fund is managed and spent. 13.3 The assessment included an evaluation of the potential impacts of the Development on the function, appearance and setting of local tourist attractions such as the East Lancashire Railway, Pennine Bridleway and Rossendale Way, Cowm Reservoir and Hollingsworth Lake which contribute to the local economy. Due to the distance of most identified tourism and recreation amenities, it is likely that the Development will have a negligible impact on tourism in the catchment area. The assessment determined that there will be some visibility for recreational viewers at the above named tourist attractions, however, these views are likely to be transitory and will be experienced as people move through the landscape. In socio economic terms, although the wind turbines may be seen, it is reasonable to conclude that there will be no significant adverse impact on the use and enjoyment of tourist amenities, and thereby no resulting reluctance by individuals to visit the feature or area. 13.4 CPL is proposing to establish a community benefit fund which will allow local people to benefit from the wind farm. The community fund will be administered by local trustees who will decide how the fund is managed and spent.
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
14. Land Use
14.1 The land use assessment undertaken examined and assessed the potential impacts of the Development on public rights of way, agricultural and commons use within and adjacent to the Development Area. The land on which the Development will be constructed is common land and an application for consent to develop on common land and/or to deregister the affected land in exchange for replacement land (Common Land Application) will be submitted to the Secretary of State as a separate application to the planning application. 14.2 A number of registered public rights of way traverse the Development Area with the Pennine Bridleway being the most utilised by walkers, horse riders and cyclists. 14.3 During all stages of the Development, public rights of way will stay open and will not be restricted. Effects of construction will be temporary and are therefore considered to be minor, however for safety purposes mitigation will be put in place. There will be some temporary disruption to users of the Pennine Bridleway and commons during construction but this would be mitigated against by providing a separation between the users and the construction traffic and alternative routes for use if so desired. 14.4 During the operational life of the wind farm, only the footprint of the turbine bases, the access tracks, the crane hard standings and the sub-station will not be available for agricultural use. This is a very small percentage of the Development Area available for grazing. It is the experience of the Development team that turbine noise and movement will not prevent the use of the Development for cattle and sheep. In addition to this, the majority of those who have rights to graze the Development Area have rights over other adjacent common land units and so there will be alternative areas to graze on as well. There will, therefore, be no significant effects on those using the common to graze livestock. 14.5 As part of the Development, CPL is proposing to upgrade a number of path sections throughout the Development Area including those which link with the Pennine Bridleway. This will create better riding facilities for frequent users of the site and a loop that allows users of the Pennine Bridleway to keep the majority turbines on one side. This will also create a figure of eight loop for use on the site. The upgrading of the rough and uneven areas of Rooley Moor Road/Pennine Bridleway will also make it safer to ride, run and cycle on. This improved access can be viewed as an enhancement flowing from the Development.
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
15. Other Issues
15.1 Shadow Flicker
15.1 This shadow flicker assessment undertaken to inform the ES considers whether the effect known as ‘shadow flicker’ is likely to be caused by the Development and, if so, assesses the potential for impact on local residents. Under certain combinations of geographical position and time of day, the sun may pass behind the rotors of a wind turbine and cast a shadow over neighbouring properties. When the blades rotate and light levels are high, the shadow moves over the ground. When the effect is experienced inside buildings and the shadow passes through a narrow window or door opening, this results in flickering light levels and the effect is known as ‘shadow flicker’. This predominantly occurs during sunrise and sunset and the flickering light levels within an affected room can cause an annoyance to its occupants. 15.2 No properties were found within ten rotor diameters from each turbine so, in the case of the Development, the modelling exercise utilised to assess shadow flicker impacts was been based on a distance of 15 rotor diameters, a zone which extends to 1500m from each turbine, assuming a worst case scenario of a rotor diameter of 100m. The assessment indicated that there is there are no exceedances of the threshold values for impacts at any property within a 15 rotor diameter zone of shadow flicker influence from any turbine. If deemed necessary or specifically requested, mitigation measures could be implemented in the form of screening or shadow flicker timers and light meters. This mitigation would prevent shadow flicker occurring for periods in excess of the guideline criteria and there would therefore be no significant effect in relation to shadow flicker at properties in the vicinity of the Development. 15.3 Cumulative modelling has been undertaken with the operational Scout Moor Wind Farm and results indicate that cumulative shadow flicker durations will not exceed recommended thresholds of 30 hours per year or 30 minutes per day at receptors within 15 rotor diameters of the proposed Rooley Moor Wind Farm. There is one exception to this at Heights Farm, however as the modelling is worst case scenario no mitigation measures are deemed necessary. 15.2 Telecommunications
15.4 The assessment of the impact of the Development on telecommunication systems was primarily based on consultation with the systems’ operators to establish the location of existing communication systems equipment and to ascertain whether, in their professional opinion, the Development would impact on this equipment. 15.5 In the UK, the Office of Communications is the government agency with central responsibility for protection of the radio spectrum, including the assessment of electromagnetic interference from developments in the vicinity of a radio facility. The Office of Communications and microwave link operators were therefore consulted to establish the location of links close to the Development. This includes services operated by the emergency services and utility companies. It is well known that any large structure, whether stationary or moving, in the vicinity of a beam path between a receiver and transmitter of electromagnetic signals may interfere with those signals and degrade the performance of the transmitter/receiver telecommunication system. 15.6 The responses received from the consultees indicated that there are no fixed or broadcast links that would potentially be impacted by the proposed Rooley Moor Wind Farm. The adoption of an appropriate site layout and supplementary mitigation measures will ensure that impacts on any of the identified telecommunication systems during construction,
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Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
operation or decommissioning of the Rooley Moor Wind Farm will be mitigated to an acceptable level. 15.3 Aviation
15.7 An aviation assessment was undertaken by Aviatica Ltd. to assess the potential impacts of the Development on operational aviation interests such as radar and air traffic control systems. 15.8 Wind turbines located in areas close to airfields, or where certain types of low flying training are carried out, may pose a vertical obstruction hazard to aircraft. Wind turbines located within line of sight and operational range of air traffic control or air defence radar equipment can present a similar appearance to aircraft on the radar screen. There is also some potential for reduction of a radar's ability to detect and track aircraft in the area behind or above a wind turbine. Meteorological radars can also be affected in a similar way. Aeronautical radio navigation aids may be affected by wind turbines due to reflection or scattering of the signal by the blades and towers. 15.9 To inform the aviation assessment, information on potentially affected aviation facilities has been gathered and radars with the potential to be affected by the Development were identified through the use of online radar coverage maps, supplemented where required by a radar line of sight software assessment. 15.10 The assessment determined that the Development will generate spurious returns on the Meteorological Office Hameldon Hill rainfall radar, reducing the accuracy of weather forecasts and flood warnings based on the radar data. Following the implementation of an agreed radar mitigation scheme between CPL and Met Office, these effects will be reduced to a level that is not significant. The Development will have no significant effects on other aviation and radar interests. 15.4 Television Reception
15.11 The telecommunications assessment included an evaluation of the potential impacts of the development on television reception. Analogue television technology was seriously affected by signal reflections created by wind turbines which can give rise to a phenomenon known as ghosting. Switchover from analogue television broadcasts to digital broadcasts was completed during 2012. Digital television signals do not suffer from ghosting, however, viewers located in areas where digital signals are weak can still suffer from reflected signals. 15.12 The closest television transmitters, measured from the centre of the Development are approximately located at Newchurch, Whitworth and Bacup, approximately 3.1km, 3.1km and 3.4km from the nearest proposed turbine. 15.13 Reports of new wind farm structures causing interference to radio reception are rare. Digital Radio is designed to offer high levels of robustness and is not affected by signal reflections. Broadcast radio operates on lower frequencies than TV signals; lower frequency signals tend to pass through obstructions more easily. It is therefore anticipated that radio services in the area of the Development will not be materially affected by the wind farm and no further assessment has been completed. CPL commits to mitigate any deterioration identified with respect to local TV reception. 15.5 Visual Amenity of Local Residents
15.14 A residential amenity assessment was undertaken to assess the potential impacts of the Development on the visual amenity of properties surrounding the Development Area. The assessment concluded that the presence of the proposed turbines in views from local dwellings would not constitute an unpleasantly overwhelming and unavoidable presence that would affect living conditions at any property. This is due to a separation of over 1.1km
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between the proposed turbines and the nearest properties, and the orientation of most properties with main views facing away from the turbines and ‘outwards’ from the moorland slopes, which truncate views in the direction of the site. 15.6 Climate Change
15.15 The delivery of clean, emission free electricity from the Development supports European and UK policy to meet the ‘20-20-20’ targets package of reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the European Union to below 20% of 1990 levels and increasing the proportion of final EU energy consumption from renewable sources to 20%. The Development contributes to the aims of both the UK Renewable Energy Strategy, which calls for a very substantial increase in the share of renewable energy production within a decade. 15.16 The carbon assessment undertaken as part of the ES concluded that the proposed wind farm is estimated to produce annual carbon savings in the region of 41,000 tonnes of CO2 per year through the displacement of grid electricity generated at the current average grid factor for all fuels. The assessment of the carbon losses and gains from construction and operation estimated an overall net loss of around 79,000 tonnes of CO2, mainly due to the embodied losses from the manufacture of the turbines, provision of backup power to the grid and losses of soil organic matter during the construction of the wind farm. 15.17 Compared to fossil fuel electricity generation projects, which also produce embodied emissions during the construction phase and significant emissions during operation due to combustion of fossil fuels, this project has a very low carbon footprint and in under two years, the electricity generated is estimated to be carbon neutral and should displace grid electricity generated from fossil fuels. The calculated carbon intensity of the proposed wind farm is be significantly lower than the current and future electricity grid and would contribute to overall grid decarbonisation. As a result of this, the Development is evaluated to have a significant positive effect on climate change mitigation.
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