SOLWAYBANK Wind Farm Design and Access Statement

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1

2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ...... 3 Overview of Proposals 3 Site Location and Background 4

3 SITE AND AREA APPRAISAL ...... 5 Site Description and Context 5 Geology and Landform 5 Landscape Elements and Land Cover 6 Designated Landscapes 6 Ecological Designations 7 Wind farms, Communications and Infrastructure 7 Settlement 8 Access and Recreation 8

4 THE DESIGN STRATEGY AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE DESIGN PRINCIPLES ...... 9 Aim and Scope of the Design Strategy 9 Design Strategy Principles 9 Planning Policy/Guidance 9 Landscape and Visual Assessment Guidance 10

5 THE DESIGN EVOLUTION ...... 12 Initial Development Scenarios 12 Turbine Locations 12 Turbine size and scale 13 Turbine Colour 13 Infrastructure 13 Consultation Responses 14 Modifications to the Layout Design 14

6 THE DESIGN SOLUTION ...... 15

7 ACCESS ...... 16 Traffic and Transport 16 Disabled Access 16

TABLES

Table 1: Dumfries and Galloway Council Requirements Table 2: The Design Team Table 3: Modifications to the Scheme Design

FIGURES

Figure 1: Site Location Figure 2: Layout Design Evolution Figure 3: Proposed Infrastructure Layout

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 This Design and Access Statement has been prepared by Land Use Consultants (LUC) on behalf of RES UK & Ireland Ltd. (RES) to accompany an application for planning permission to construct and operate a wind farm development known as Solwaybank Wind Farm, approximately 12 km north of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway.

1.2 The purpose of this Design and Access Statement is to provide information on the principles and approach that have guided the design process. This Statement demonstrates how the site and its surroundings have been fully appraised to ensure that the final design solution is the most suitable for the site. It describes the starting point for the wind farm design, and subsequent alterations to the layout that were made in response to the issues that were identified through the appraisal process. Details are also provided on the access arrangements to the wind farm, including disabled access.

1.3 This Design and Access Statement should be read in conjunction with the Environmental Statement (ES) (LUC for RES, October 2011), which also contains information on the design strategy, predicted landscape and visual effects, and traffic and access related effects.

1.4 The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 introduced a new mandatory requirement for a Design and Access Statement to be prepared in support of all ‘national’ and ‘major’ developments. As the proposed wind farm is likely to have a total installed capacity exceeding 20 megawatts (MW), it will be considered a ‘major’ development by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Reference has also been made to planning guidance notes on Design and Access Statements produced by Dumfries and Galloway Council which provide a list of information to be included, indicated in Table 1.

Table 1: Dumfries and Galloway Council Requirements

Relevant Information required section of this document

Background Information: including applicant and agent Section 2 details, site location, description of proposal, ownership and development history.

Site and Area Appraisal: examination of the site and Section 3 surroundings.

Identification of Design Principles: the general rules and Section 4 guidance that inform and support the overall design of the proposal. The policy approach adopted should be explained, as should how national guidance, design policies in the

Relevant Information required section of this document development plan, supplementary planning guidance and site specific urban design strategy/ framework or Masterplan apply.

Analysis and the Development of the Design Concept: once Section 5 the information has been gathered, it can be analysed, e.g. important views and landmarks, any features, habitats, trees or buildings to be retained, streets and spaces, accessibility, safety and security, sustainability and energy efficiency. From this information, the design solution can be developed.

The Design Solution: this section should explain how the Section 6 proposed design is the most suitable in the context of the site appraisal and design principles.

2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Overview of Proposals

2.1 RES is applying to Dumfries and Galloway Council for planning permission to construct and operate a wind farm comprising 15 turbines, each nominally rated at between 2 – 2.5 MW. Consent is being sought for a 25 year operating period. Associated with the development will also be:

 forestry felling;

 new access tracks with turning heads and passing places;

 crane hard-standing areas;

 an on-site control building and substation;

 an on-site electrical and control network of buried cables;

 one permanent meteorological (‘met’) mast;

 up to six guyed temporary calibration meteorological masts to be used during the wind farm commissioning and acceptance testing;

 two site entrances from the main road network;

 two temporary construction compounds;

 a gatehouse and temporary car parking area, and

 road widening and improvement works along the access route.

2.2 RES is one of the world’s leading independent renewable energy developers with operations across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. RES, a British company, has been at the forefront of wind energy development since the 1970s and has developed and/or built 100 wind farms (or more than 5 Gigawatts (GW) of wind capacity) around the world, including 10% of the UK’s wind energy. This includes seven wind farms in Scotland with a total generation capacity of more than 120 MW.

The Design Team

2.3 The design team was led by LUC’s landscape architects, with input from various other specialists as required. A summary of the key responsibilities for inputs into the design from the various ES topic areas is provided in Table 2.

Table 2: The Design Team

Organisation Responsible Topic

Landscape and Visual LUC

Ecology LUC

Ornithology MacArthur Green

Cultural Heritage and Archaeology CFA

Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology Mott MacDonald

Noise RES

Electromagnetic Interference and RES Aviation

Forestry Bidwells

Access, Traffic and Transport Mott MacDonald

Site Location and Background

2.4 The site is located within the administrative boundaries of Dumfries and Galloway Council, 8 km south-west of Langholm and 12 km north of Gretna. The nearest settlement to the site is the village of Kirtleton, approximately 1.5 km east. The total site boundary exceeds 663 (ha.). The location of the site is shown on Figure 1.

2.5 The Solwaybank wind farm site was one of over 145 sites identified by RES as being potentially suitable for development of a wind farm through a Scotland wide search which commenced in 2000. The site selection process took account of a number of technical, environmental and economic constraints including natural heritage factors, wind speed, visibility, telecommunications and safeguarding parameters, settlements and economic viability. The ‘suitability’ of a site was then derived from the numerical combination of scores that were assigned subjectively to each of the contributory factors/constraints. The Solwaybank site scored >80% and was therefore progressed to identification of availability of land and subsequent localised site survey.

2.6 In 2005, the site investigations were complete and an application for a 21 turbine site was submitted to DGC for consideration. Following feedback from consultees, particularly in relation to military low flying and landscape and visual concerns, it was agreed that RES would withdraw the application and redesign the wind farm to meet those concerns.

3 SITE AND AREA APPRAISAL

Site Description and Context

3.1 The site lies approximately 8 km south-west of Langholm, south of the B7068 road and is located on the southern edge of the Southern Uplands. The topography is generally undulating, although several narrow, shallow gullies can be found around watercourses to the east of the site. The site consists of a subtle ridge to the east of Kirtleton and includes land to the south of the B7068 over Gowd Muir (247 m AOD). It extends south and south-east to Allfornought Hill (223 m AOD) to the west of, and not including Collin Hags; and extends to the south-east of Allfornought Hill to the minor road between Solwaybank and Pingle. The site ranges in elevation from 247 m AOD on Gowdmuir Hill, down to 115 m AOD at the minor road near the Woodside Burn at the southern extremity of the site.

3.2 The site contains the headwaters of a number of burns and sikes (e.g. Collin Burn, Palling Burn, Pokeskine Sike, Hallsike Burn, Woodside Burn and Gowdmuir Sike) which drain down towards the Kirtle water, River Sark and River Esk (through Collin Burn). The ‘Palling Burn’, a tributary of the River Sark, runs through the centre of the site. In total, the site drains into three separate catchments; the Kirtle Water, River Sark and River Esk.

3.3 The northern part of the site is covered by coniferous forestry, with forest roads and firebreaks between planting stands. The southern part of the site contains blanket bog and a range of grassland habitat types. There are a few small parcels of mixed woodland on the slopes bellow Allfornought Hill and along the Palling Burn, but this part of the site is open in character, with few fence field boundaries and rough tracks running up onto the plateau from Allfornought and Woodside. Further information about the landcover of the site is contained in Chapter 9: Ecology.

Geology and Landform

3.4 The geology of the area that surrounds the site is primarily formed by a series of geological faults running south-west to north-east, which, in combination with glacial erosion, have given rise to the range of hills known as the Southern Uplands. The most significant of these faults is the Southern Upland Fault, which runs from New Cumnock, past Crawfordjohn and Robertson, north of the site, beyond 35 km. The site sits on the southern edge of these sedimentary formations in an area of Silurian sedimentary rocks. Peat and boulder clay on the summits and within the break of slopes overlay to varying extents the Silurian bedrock, and give rise to a fairly uniform geology and landform over the immediate site. The notable change in geology from the sedimentary (foothills and uplands) to carboniferous limestone (low-lying land) is reflected in the change in elevations and land use.

3.5 The valleys draining the Southern Uplands can be river-cut, ‘V-shaped’ valleys, typically of smaller tributaries, or deeper, wider glacially-cut ‘U-shaped’ valleys. A number of the smaller V-shaped valleys are associated with the burns that drain the site. Outside the immediate site but forming a notable setting to the immediate hills of the site are a number of valleys. The U-shaped valley of the River Esk which

runs to the east of the site is most pronounced and has steep slopes and a relatively flat valley floor. The larger U shaped valley of Annandale lies to the west of the site. In all cases, the communications network has exploited these ‘lines of weakest resistance’ through the upland landscape.

3.6 As a result of the topography of the area, views across the hills at high level are often extensive, whilst views within the steep sided valleys can be very contained, particularly where the valleys themselves are winding and narrow, such as experienced along Eskdale.

Landscape Elements and Land Cover

3.7 The land use within the area that surrounds the site is varied. On the higher ground, which occupies the north part of the site, it is relatively uniform with the landcover typified by open grassland, moorland and bog, with some extensive areas of forest comprising the south-western ranges of the Southern Uplands. In contrast, across the southern half of the site, the landcover varies in response to the change in elevation and changes in agricultural practice. On the lower slopes, large fields of rough grazing give way to smaller hedge-enclosed fields on the lower slopes and in narrow valleys. These are interspersed with irregular copses and groups of deciduous trees. As the land flattens out adjacent to the Solway Firth and main tributary rivers, there is a marked change in the field pattern becoming more regular and larger, often with post and wire fencing. Immediately adjacent to the Solway Firth, the landscape is of flat open fields and often boggy ground giving way to the estuarine flats. The wider valleys and lowlands also have a higher settlement density.

3.8 Commercial forest is extensive across the land to the north of the site. The Forest of Ae, Eskdalemuir Forest and Craik Forest are the largest plantations, with Castle O’er Forest extending southwards close to the site itself. Many of these forests are now undergoing felling and restructuring as the trees reach maturity. Along the river valleys, the agriculture and settlements are set within a wider framework of deciduous woodland and shelterbelts, often associated with more extensive policy woodlands.

Designated Landscapes

3.9 There are no areas of designated landscape within the site boundary.

3.10 There are a number of designated landscapes within a 35 km radius of the site including a National Scenic Area (NSA), Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONBs), Regional Scenic Areas (RSAs) and a Landscape of County Importance. Key designations include:

 Nith Estuary NSA;

 Langholm Hills RSA;

 Torthorwald Ridge RSA;

 Solway Coast RSA;

 Moffat Hills RSA.

3.11 There are no Inventory status Gardens and Designed Landscapes within 10 km of the site. However, there are five Non-Inventory Gardens and Designed Landscapes within this radius.

Ecological Designations

3.12 There are no statutory or non-statutory designated sites within the site boundary.

3.13 Designated sites within 10 km of the site include:

 Langholm and Newcastleton Hills Special Protection Area (SPA). This site is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI);

 Raeburn Flow Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The site is also designated as a SSSI;

 Bigholms Burn SSSI (geological);

 River Esk, Glencartholm SSSI (geological);

 Bells Flow SSSI.

3.14 There are also four Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs) within 10 km and three areas of woodland classified on the SNH Ancient Woodland Inventory as ‘ancient, of semi- natural origin’ within a 500 m buffer of the site.

3.15 There are no Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserves within 10 km of the site.Wind farms,

Communications and Infrastructure

3.16 At the time the Landscape and Visual assessment was undertaken for Solwaybank Wind Farm, there were four operational wind farms within 35 km. These are Minsca, Craig (Carlesgill), Dalswinton and Great Orton Wind Farms. Craig Extension and Harestanes Wind Farms had been approved but not yet constructed.

3.17 The Landscape and Visual Assessment revealed that the communications networks are primarily geared towards navigating the Solway Firth and crossing the Rivers Esk, Lyne and Eden, accessing the Dumfries and Galloway coastline, and crossing the Southern Uplands to connect the Scottish Central Belt with the Scottish Borders and England.

3.18 The road network across flatter land around Dumfries and Carlisle forms a radial route pattern extending outwards from the main settlements into the wider hinterland. Many of these radial roads also form the main routes which cross northwards over the Southern Uplands, including the A701, A708, A7, B709, and B6357 and smaller roads which link between main route corridors and settlements.

3.19 The wider road network comprises medium to small roads within the lower landscapes around Dumfries, Lockerbie, Gretna and Carlisle, creating a dense network of routes connecting the more abundant settlements.

3.20 The principal route corridor of the A74(M) runs from the north-west of the site through Moffat, down the broad Annandale valley, crossing the broad flat flood plains at the head of the Solway Firth before linking into the M6 at Carlisle. Rail lines within 35 km of the site include the West Coast Main Line adjacent to the A74(M) (that follows the Annan Water and the River Clyde from Carlisle to Glasgow as a route through the Southern Uplands) and the Carlisle to Glasgow Line that runs along Nithsdale (from Carlisle to Glasgow via Dumfries and Kilmarnock).

3.21 Around the site, the B7068 runs past the northern site boundary, linking the A74(M) at Lockerbie to the A7 at Langholm. To the south, the B6357 links the A74(M) at Kirkpatrick Fleming to the A7 via Milltown to the south of the site.

3.22 There are a number of large-scale overhead electricity transmission lines within 35 km of the site, the most notable being the lines that run along Annandale parallel to the A74(M) and West Coast Mainline railway.

Settlement

3.23 The pattern of settlement on land within 35 km of the site closely follows the topography, with larger and more frequent settlements on areas of lowland. The settlements within the lowlands along the Solway Firth and Nith Estuary are relatively dense, with Dumfries and Carlisle interspersed with a number of smaller towns including Annan, Gretna and Longtown. Elsewhere within 35 km, settlements are limited to villages or small towns along river valleys or at bridging points of rivers.

3.24 The nearest small settlements to the site include Kirtleton, Milltown, Evertown, Waterbeck, Canonbie, and Eaglesfield while the nearest larger settlements include Langholm, Gretna and Lockerbie.

Access and Recreation

3.25 There is a potential core path that runs within, and to the north of, the site boundary (path #2686), which provides a link to Langholm to the north-east, as identified in the Dumfries and Galloway Final Draft Core Path Plan. However, RES has been informed that Dumfries and Galloway Council has recently decided not to adopt this, or the adjoining path #2685, as a core path as neither is well used by walkers1.

3.26 The Southern Upland Way (SUW) lies to the north of the study area, and travels over the Lowther Hills to Moffat, then north-east along the Ettrick Water valley. The SUW is approximately 27 km away from the site at its closest point by Loch Fell above Ettrick Head.

1 Informed via email on 6 October 2011 by the Access Officer at Dumfries and Galloway Council.

4 THE DESIGN STRATEGY AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Aim and Scope of the Design Strategy

4.1 Reflecting RES’s general principles of wind farm design, the overall aim of the design strategy was to balance the potentially conflicting interests of technical and economic viability, landscape and visual characteristics and other environmental constraints such as the natural and built heritage.

4.2 Informed by the work undertaken for the 2009 scheme, the scope of the design strategy was to identify and map key natural and built heritage features as well as residences and telecommunications links, to guide development of a layout which achieves visual balance from key viewpoints.

4.3 Computer modelling was used as a tool to aid the development of the designed layout. Wireframes were generated for views from key locations around the site and used to ‘test’ the design in views from the surrounding area. The main component of the development considered in the design was the turbines.

4.4 Infrastructure features such as tracks, being less visible, were designed around on- site environmental constraints. The scale of felling required to accommodate the wind farm also formed a key part of the design strategy.

Design Strategy Principles

4.5 Taking account of the consultation responses to the 2009 scheme, the objectives of the design strategy were as follows:

 to produce a cohesive layout which would be legible in views from the surrounding landscape and be easy to understand;

 to develop a layout that responds to the landform and topography of the site;

 to develop a layout that seeks to match the perceived scale of the turbines, and the scale of the overall development, with the scale of the landscape;

 to develop a layout that relates to other wind farms in the local area as well as being coherent it its own right;

 to develop a layout that fulfils the above objectives whilst respecting other environmental constraints including ecological and archaeological constraints, and other constraints identified during the EIA process.

Planning Policy/Guidance

4.6 The finalised design solution has been influenced by a range of planning policy considerations as well as best practice guidance. Full details of national, regional and local planning policy and frameworks relevant to the proposed wind farm are provided in the Planning Statement which also accompanies the planning application.

4.7 The local Development Plan comprises the Dumfries and Galloway Structure Plan 1999 and the Annandale and Eskdale Local Plan 2006. Policy D36: Design of Development of the Structure Plan states that: “The Council expects development proposals to take into account: siting, scale, form, massing and layout in relation to townscape and landscape setting; local building styles; and the access needs of all groups”.

4.8 Section 3 of this report provides details on how the wind farm layout is the result of a well thought out, landscape-led design process.

4.9 General Policy 7: Siting and Design of the Local Plan requires that development has: “no material adverse effect on the local landscape character, avoiding prominent ridge lines or other visually sensitive sites; and takes into account the guidance and advice set out in the Landscape Assessment Study.”

4.10 Chapter 8 of the ES (Landscape and Visual) provides a comprehensive assessment of the predicted effects of the wind farm on the surrounding landscape, its character and amenity values. The iterative design process followed in developing the site layout is described in Section 5. Key changes were made during the design process to minimise effects on the surrounding landscape character. Modifications have included the relocation and reduction in the number of turbines, and the relocation of access tracks and associated infrastructure. Refer to Section 5 of this report for full details of the design modifications.

Landscape and Visual Assessment Guidance

4.11 The landscape and visual assessment for the wind farm was carried out in line with relevant legislation and standards, as well as taking account of the following guidance:

 Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Assessment (Second Edition, 2002) Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment.

 Countryside Agency and SNH (2002) Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland

 SNH (2004) Topic Paper 6. Techniques and Criteria for Judging Capacity and Sensitivity.

 University of Newcastle (2002) Visual Assessment of Wind farms: Best Practice, SNH Commissioned Report.

 Scottish Government (February 2011) Web Based Renewables Advice: Onshore Wind Turbines http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/212607/0113647.pdf.

 Scottish Executive, (2010) Scottish Planning Policy (SPP).

 SNH (2001) Guidelines on the Environmental Impacts of Wind farms and Small Scale Hydroelectric Schemes.

 SNH (2009) Assessing the Cumulative Effect of Onshore Wind Energy Developments (consultative draft).

 SNH, Scottish Renewables Forum and the Scottish Society of Directors of Planning (2006) Visual Representation of Wind farms, Good Practice Guidance.

 Landscape Institute (2011) Advice Note 01/11: Photography and Photomontage in Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment.

5 THE DESIGN EVOLUTION

Initial Development Scenarios

5.1 The proposed wind farm was developed following substantial design revisions to the layout for the application in 2009, which itself was developed from the scoping layout in 2009. Both the pre-scoping layout and the 2009 application layout are shown on Figure 2 as layouts A and B respectively. Following the responses to the 2009 application, the layout for the proposed wind farm was reconsidered. The final layout is shown in Figure 3.

5.2 Based on a review of the site and its landscape context, on the responses to the 2009 application, and advice contained in ‘Siting and Designing Wind farms in the Landscape’ (SNH, 2009), the revised design guidance included:

 aiming for a more compact ‘cluster’ layout, rather than an extended layout;

 avoiding the spread of turbines across two landscape character types (LCTs);

 aiming for the layout to be coherent and compact without outliers, when viewed from all directions.

5.3 The main environmental considerations on site which influenced the proposed design were:

 watercourses;

 ecological constraints, including commuting routes for bats;

 archaeological constraints; and

 a gas pipeline.

Turbine Locations

5.4 The design strategy that has been developed for the site forms a group of turbines that appears as a coherent and compact group when seen from most angles. The positions of the turbines were determined by a number of factors. The key aim was to ensure that the turbines are sufficiently spaced to appear regular in the context of the layout as a whole. Turbine spacing was also designed to minimise turbulence and maximise generating output.

5.5 In addition to the overall appearance of the wind farm from the surrounding landscape, appropriate buffers were applied during the design of the proposed wind farm. These buffers act to minimise effects on the key constraints identified relating to watercourses, a gas pipeline and its associated wayleave corridor, ecological and archaeological constraints.

Turbine size and scale

5.6 The scale of the proposed wind farm was considered in terms of the number of turbines and their size.

5.7 The overall size and proportion of the turbines was considered as a relevant factor in developing the design layout options for the site. Turbine rotor diameter has a direct effect on the separation distance between turbines, and the proportions and size of the turbines could affect the relationship of the proposal with other existing developments in close vicinity, in this case Minsca, Craig and the consented Ewe Hill ‘6’ turbine Wind Farm. The turbine sizes of these developments are:

 Minsca Wind Farm: 122.5 m to tip;

 Craig Wind Farm: 100 m to tip;

 Consented Ewe Hill ‘6’ Wind Farm: 111.5 m to tip.

5.8 Larger numbers of smaller turbines compared with smaller number of larger turbines would generate similar yield but have different grouping and visual effects. A comparative analysis confirmed that greater numbers of smaller turbines have broadly similar Zones of Theoretical Visibility (ZTVs) to fewer larger turbines. However, the greater number of smaller turbines would result in more frequent ‘bunching’ or ‘overlapping’ of turbines in views from the surroundings. This ‘bunching’ or ‘overlapping’ adversely affected the design objective of legibility.

5.9 It was concluded that a smaller number of larger turbines was preferred to meet the design objectives.

Turbine Colour

5.10 Consideration has been given to guidance in Siting and Designing Wind farms in the Landscape (2009) which states that “As a general rule for most rural areas of Scotland, a single colour of turbine is generally preferable ...a light grey colour generally achieves the best balance between minimising visibility and visual impacts when seen against the sky ... paint reflection should be minimised ... for multiple wind farm groups or wind farm extensions, the colour of turbines should generally be consistent”.

Infrastructure

5.11 The infrastructure required on the site, in addition to the turbines, was designed and arranged in such a way as to avoid the on-site constraints. The infrastructure layout was designed after the turbine numbers and locations were confirmed. Access track routes, in particular, are designed to minimise water crossings and to avoid other environmental constraints.

Consultation Responses

5.12 RES have undertaken extensive consultation and have worked closely with DGC to ensure all sectors of the community were included in the engagement process. RES used a variety of methods to consult with the local community, including public exhibitions, meetings with DGC, local Community Councils, Community Liaison Groups, questionnaires and telephone surveys. Further details of the consultation process, the comments raised and response made are provided in the Pre- Application Consultation (PAC) report prepared by RES and submitted as part of the planning application.

Modifications to the Layout Design

5.13 A number of modifications were undertaken to the design, these are summarised in Table 3 below and shown on Figure 2. The finalised design is presented in Figure 3.

Table 3: Modifications to the Scheme Design

Layout Number Modification Date Turbine Details Purpose of Modification

A: Pre scoping n/a 29 x 89 m tip height Initial design layout turbines B: Layout 2009 21 x 126.5 m tip height Larger turbines submitted for turbines reduced number of planning in 2009 turbines. Turbines drawn back north of Solwaybank. C: Initial re-design 2010 16 x 126.5m tip height Turbines removed from post submission turbines Upland Fringe LCT, and elongated spread reduced to form a more coherent group. D: Public exhibition January 2011 15 x 126.5m tip height One turbine removed layout and layout turbines from southern edge of subsequently layout to increase submitted for separation from planning in 2011 residence to south and reduce ‘outlier’ effect in views from the east and west. Turbine alterations to avoid effects on areas of blanket bog and watercourse corridors used by feeding bats.

6 THE DESIGN SOLUTION

6.1 The finalised layout is presented in Figure 3. As described in Section 4, the overall aim of the design strategy was to balance the potentially conflicting interests of technical and economic viability, landscape and visual characteristics and other environmental constraints such as the natural and built heritage. Consideration has been given to a range of design issues including the turbine locations, size and colour as well as various technical and environmental requirements. Predicted environmental effects arising from the proposal have been mitigated as far as possible during the iterative design process.

6.2 The proposed wind farm comprises 15 turbines of 126.5 m height to blade tip.

6.3 The proposed access tracks that serve the turbines have been routed so as to minimise effects on hydrology, ecology, cultural heritage and peat stability. Other associated infrastructure has also been designed to reduce visual effects.

6.4 Photomontages have been prepared to illustrate the appearance of the proposed wind farm from various viewpoints (see Chapter 8 of the ES and Figures 8.8 to 8.26). Given the inherent nature of wind turbines, the proposals will inevitably result in some landscape and visual effects on selected views, however, it is considered that effects have been minimised as far as possible through the design process.

6.5 The design approach has ensured that the proposed design solution reflects the feedback received through consultation with statutory consultees and careful consideration has been given to a range of issues, including those listed in Section 5. In this respect, the final design reflects a turbine layout that is compact, without outliers, and avoids spreading the turbines across more than one LCT.

6.6 It is considered that the design solution meets the objectives of the design strategy, comprising a technically and economically viable layout which fits with the landscape whilst minimising effects on the environment.

7 ACCESS

Traffic and Transport

7.1 General construction traffic will enter the site from the north, coming off the B7068 near Callisterhall. Abnormal loads will access the site through the southern entrance at Pingle Farm. Construction traffic will approach the site on the B7068 from either the east or west depending on the source location of the construction materials. Abnormal loads will be transported to the site via the A74(M), exiting at Junction 21 (Kirkpatrick). The route then follows the B6357 to the north-east, through Chapelknowe before turning left, to travel north past Tympanheck. The route continues north to Solwaybank then turns right and travels east to Pingle Farm where the site entrance is located. Full details related to access, traffic and transport are provided in Chapter 15: Access, Traffic and Transportation of the ES.

7.2 A series of new tracks will be constructed on site to access the turbines and other infrastructure locations and will facilitate the delivery of abnormal loads.

7.3 In accordance with the Land Reform Act 2003, chapter 2 part 6(1) (g), general public access rights will need to be suspended within the construction working area during periods of construction and maintenance for health and safety reasons. There are no designated public Rights of Way within the site boundary. The proposals will not directly affect access to any designated public Rights of Way. Temporary diversions will be created during construction to ensure walkers are still able to access the public paths within or close to the site (including core path #2686). During operation, public access will be permitted for walkers and cyclists who wish to use the access tracks in accordance with the duty of care provisions made under the Land Reform Act 2003, chapter 1, part 3 (1-3).

Disabled Access

7.4 The site will be accessible by people with disabilities via the main access and on-site access tracks. There will be no access provision for those with mobility disabilities to the wind turbines themselves due to their inherent design characteristics and for health and safety reasons. The site control building will be designed to accommodate those with disabilities in accordance with workplace building standards current at the time of its detailed design and construction.

16 SOLWAYBANK WIND FARM

FIGURE 1

SITE LOCATION

SITE BOUNDARY

LAYOUT DWG T-LAYOUT NO. N/A N/A

DRAWING NUMBER 01307D2211-10

SCALE - 1:75,000 @ A3

DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPERTY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS LTD. AND NO REPRODUCTION MAY BE MADE IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION

A B

SOLWAYBANK WIND FARM

FIGURE 2

LAYOUT DESIGN EVOLUTION

TURBINE LAYOUTS

A - Pre scoping layout with 29 x 89m tip height turbines.

B - Layout submitted for planning in 2009. 21 x 126.5m tip height PSCOswb014 PSCOswb031 turbines.

C - Initial re-design post 2009 submission. 16 x 126.5m tip C D height turbines.

D - 2011 planning layout. 15 x 126.5m tip height turbines.

LAYOUT DWG T-LAYOUT NO. N/A N/A

DRAWING NUMBER 01307D2236-02

SCALE - 1:25,000 @ A3

DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT 2011

THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPERTY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PSCOswb046 PSCOswb051 SYSTEMS LTD. AND NO REPRODUCTION MAY BE MADE IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION

SOLWAYBANK WIND FARM

FIGURE 3

INFRASTRUCTURE LAYOUT

Wind Turbine Location T1 Unfenced Site Boundary Site Tracks (Upgraded)

T6 Site Tracks (New Excavated)

Control Building & Substation Compound T15 T2 Meteorological Mast Location (Permanent T7 Lattice Type) (Taken From RES Drawing 01307D0102-02) T3 10m Telecoms Mast T11 Watercourse Crossing T8 T4 Gas Pipe Crossing T12 Crane Hard Standing Area T9 Permanent T5 Temporary T13 Temporary Passing Places & Turning Heads Temporary Construction Compound T10 T14 Parking Area - (30m x 30m)

Gatehouse Compound - (20m x 20m)

Site Entrance Location - Construction Traffic

Site Entrance Location - Turbine Component

LAYOUT DWG T-LAYOUT NO. 01307D0007-10 PSCOswb051

DRAWING NUMBER 01307D1001-13

SCALE - 1:20 000 @ A3

DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPERTY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS LTD. AND NO REPRODUCTION MAY BE MADE IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION