Hornsea Project Three Offshore Wind Farm Preliminary Environmental Information Report
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Hornsea Project Three Offshore Wind Farm Hornsea Project Three Offshore Wind Farm Preliminary Environmental Information Report: Chapter 3 – Ecology and Nature Conservation (Part 1) Date: July 2017 Chapter 3 – Ecology and Nature Conservation Preliminary Environmental Information Report July 2017 Environmental Impact Assessment Preliminary Environmental Information Report Liability Volume 3 Chapter 3: Ecology and Nature Conservation This report has been prepared by RPS, with all reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms of their contracts with DONG Energy Power (UK) Ltd. Report Number: P6.3.3 Version: Final Date: July 2017 This report is also downloadable from the Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm website at: www.dongenergy.co.uk/hornseaproject3 DONG Energy Power (UK) Ltd. 5 Howick Place, Prepared by: RPS London, SW1P 1WG Checked by: Jennifer Brack, Sergio Zappulo and Kieran Bell. © DONG Energy Power (UK) Ltd, 2017. All rights reserved Accepted by: Sophie Banham Front cover picture: Kite surfer near one of DONG Energy's UK offshore wind farms © DONG Energy Hornsea Approved by: Stuart Livesey Project Three (UK) Ltd., 2016. ii Chapter 3 – Ecology and Nature Conservation Preliminary Environmental Information Report July 2017 Table of Contents Table 3.13: Matrix used for the assessment of the significance of the effect. ........................................................ 35 Table 3.14: Designed-in measures adopted as part of Hornsea Three with respect to ecology and nature 3. Ecology and Nature Conservation ....................................................................................................................... 1 conservation. ...................................................................................................................................... 36 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Table 3.15: Summary of maximum design scenario habitat loss impacts on designated sites assuming open cut 3.2 Purpose of this chapter ................................................................................................................................ 1 cable installation within the Ecology and nature conservation study area . ........................................ 45 Table 3.16: Summary of habitat loss impacts on designated sites if impacts are minimised / avoided through final 3.3 Study area ................................................................................................................................................... 2 route selection and / or trenchless techniques. .................................................................................. 46 3.4 Planning policy context ................................................................................................................................ 4 Table 3.17: List of other projects and plans (with planning application reference) considered within the CEA. ..... 72 3.5 Consultation ................................................................................................................................................. 8 Table 3.18: Maximum adversedesign scenario considered for the assessment of potential cumulative impacts on 3.6 Methodology to inform the baseline ........................................................................................................... 17 ecology and nature conservation. ....................................................................................................... 74 3.7 Baseline environment ................................................................................................................................ 18 Table 3.19: Summary of potential environment effects, mitigation and monitoring. ............................................... 80 3.8 Key parameters for assessment ................................................................................................................ 29 3.9 Impact assessment criteria ........................................................................................................................ 34 3.10 Measures adopted as part of Hornsea Three ............................................................................................ 35 List of Figures 3.11 Assessment of significance (see Part 2) .................................................................................................... 41 Figure 3.1: Hornsea Three ecology and nature conservation study area. .............................................................. 3 3.12 Cumulative Effect Assessment methodology (see Part 2) ......................................................................... 71 Figure 3.2: Location of designated sites. .............................................................................................................. 90 3.13 Cumulative Effect Assessment (see Part 2)............................................................................................... 75 Figure 3.3: Phase 1 Habitat Survey. ..................................................................................................................... 98 3.14 Transboundary effects (see Part 2) ........................................................................................................... 77 3.15 Inter-related effects (see Part 2) ................................................................................................................ 77 3.16 Conclusion and summary (see Part 2) ....................................................................................................... 77 List of Annexes (Included separately in Volume 6) 3.17 Next Steps (see Part 2) ............................................................................................................................. 78 Annex 3.1: Onshore Ornithology – Wintering Bird Survey 3.18 References (see Part 2) ............................................................................................................................. 88 Annex 3.2: Great Crested Newt and Desmoulins Whorl Snail Habitat Suitability Assessment Survey Annex 3.3 Hazel Dormouse, Red Squirrel and Freshwater Pearl Mussel Desk Study List of Tables Table 3.1: Field surveys undertaken and associated survey area. ........................................................................ 2 Table 3.2: Summary of NPS EN-1 and NPS EN-5 policy relevant to ecology and nature conservation. ............... 4 Table 3.3: Summary of NPS EN-1 policy on decision making with regard to ecology and nature conservation (and mitigation) and consideration in the Hornsea Three assessment. ................................................ 5 Table 3.4: Summary of key consultation issues raised during consultation activities undertaken for Hornsea Three relevant to ecology and nature conservation. ............................................................................. 9 Table 3.5: Desk study record requests. ............................................................................................................... 17 Table 3.6: Designated sites within 1 km of Hornsea Three. ................................................................................ 19 Table 3.7: Approximate habitat areas identified within the onshore cable corridor search area, onshore HVAC booster station and HVDC converter/HVAC substation sites during the Phase 1 habitat survey in Hornsea Three.................................................................................................................................... 21 Table 3.8: Priority Habitats under the UK BAP and Norfolk LBAP. ...................................................................... 22 Table 3.9: Summary of importance of onshore VERs identified. ......................................................................... 27 Table 3.10: Maximum design scenario considered for the assessment of potential impacts on ecology and nature conservation. ...................................................................................................................................... 30 Table 3.11: Definition of terms relating to the sensitivity of the receptor................................................................ 34 Table 3.12: Definition of terms relating to the magnitude of an impact. ................................................................. 34 iii Chapter 3 – Ecology and Nature Conservation Preliminary Environmental Information Report July 2017 Glossary Term Definition Term Definition Non-statutory Non-statutory designated sites are sites which have been designated due to their nature conservation interest, designated sites typically through the local planning process, which are usually protected by planning policies but not legally Biodiversity Action The UK Government’s response to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which the UK signed in 1992 in Rio de protected. Plan (BAP) Janeiro and ratified in 1994. The Convention on Biological Diversity requires signatory countries to identify, Priority Habitats UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) priority habitats are those identified as being the most threatened and develop and enforce action plans to conserve, protect and enhance biological diversity. The UK BAP addresses requiring conservation action under the UK BAP. this requirement. Local BAPs (LBAPs) have been produced by many counties, to detail measures to conserve, protect and enhance local/county biological diversity.