Enoch Hill Wind Farm Environmental Statement Volume 3a: Technical Appendices September 2015 Appendix 1.A Glossary and Abbreviations August 2015 © Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited August 2015 © Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited 1A1 © Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited Appendix 1.A – Glossary and Abbreviations Glossary *Please Note: Those descriptions marked with an asterisk are identical to the terminology provided in the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, (GLVIA3) glossary. Aquifer An aquifer comprises strata that hold an exploitable groundwater resource. Ancient woodland Land continuously wooded since AD1600. Archaeology The study of past human societies or people through physical evidence of their material culture. In practical terms, and in terms of this assessment, archaeology encompasses sub-surface remains and artefact finds, although can also include visible surface features, such as earthworks. Archaeological evidence can be described as ‘in situ’, which means that it has not been significantly disturbed or moved from its original place. Biodiversity Action Plan A strategy for conserving and enhancing wild species and wildlife habitats in the UK Bryophytes Mosses and liverworts Catchment The area drained by a particular stream or river. Couch Otter resting site – above ground e.g. in reeds or grasses Cultural heritage A term which encompasses all features and remains which are the product of human activity. This includes standing buildings, earthwork monuments, industrial features, sub-surface archaeological remains and artefact scatters. It also includes landscapes and their constituent features which have been shaped by human occupation, from planned features such as historic parks and gardens, field boundaries and plantations to changes in flora and fauna as a result of human activity. A broad definition of cultural heritage also encompasses less tangible cultural aspects, such as traditions, customs, beliefs and language. Taken collectively, the present manifestations of the cultural heritage are referred to as the Historic Environment. Cumulative effects ‘Additional changes caused by a proposed development in conjunction with other similar developments or as a combined effect of a set of developments, taken together’ (SNH, 2012) Cumulative landscape effects: Effects that ‘can impact on either the physical fabric or character of the landscape, or any special values attached to it’ (SNH, 2012) Cumulative visual effects: Effects that can be caused by combined visibility, which ‘occurs where the observer is able to see two or more developments from one viewpoint’ and/or sequential effects which ‘occur when In combination the observer has to move to another viewpoint to see different developments’ (SNH 2012) In succession Occurs where the observer is able to see two or more developments from one viewpoint: Sequentially In combination Where two or more developments are or would be within the observer’s arc of vision at the same time without moving his/her head (GLVIA3, 2013 Table 7.1). In succession Where the observer has to turn his/her head to see the various developments – actual and visualised (GLVIA3, 2013 Table 7.1). Sequential cumulative effect Occurs where the observer has to move to another viewpoint to see the same or different developments. Sequential effects may be assessed for travel along regularly used routes such as major roads or popular paths. Frequently sequential Where the features appear regularly and with short time lapses between instances depending on the speed of travel and distance between viewpoints (GLVIA3, 2013 Table 7.1). Occasionally sequential Where longer time lapses between appearances would occur because the observer is moving slowly and/or there are larger distances between the viewpoints (GLVIA3, 2013 Table 7.1). Degree of change A combination of the scale, extent and duration of an effect also defined as ‘magnitude’. Designated Landscape* Areas of landscape identified as being of importance at international, national or local levels, either defined by statue or identified in development plans or other documents. August 2015 Doc Ref. 32965CGOS 100i1 1A2 © Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited Development* Any proposal that results in change to the landscape and/or visual environment. Development Site The area enclosed by the red line boundary for the proposed Enoch Hill Wind Farm as shown on ES Figure 1.2. Direct Effects Effects that occur as a direct result of the Proposed Development. Elements* Individual parts which make up the landscape, such as, for example, trees, hedges and buildings. Enhancement* Proposals that seek to improve the landscape resource of the site and its wider setting beyond its baseline condition. Environmental fit The relationship of a development to identified environmental opportunities and constraints in its setting. European Site In the context of Chapter 11 - Ecology, defined in the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended in Scotland) as : (a) a Special Area of Conservation, (b) a site of Community importance which has been placed on the list referred to in the third sub-paragraph of Article 4(2) of the Habitats Directive, (c) a site hosting a priority natural habitat type or priority species in respect of which consultation has been initiated under Article 5(1) of the Habitats Directive, during the consultation period or pending a decision of the Council under Article 5(3), or (d) an area classified pursuant to Article 4(1) or (2) of the Wild Birds Directive. Feature* Particularly prominent or eye-catching elements in the landscape such as tree clumps, church towers or wooded skylines OR a particular aspect of the project proposal. Flush A patch of wet ground, usually on a hillside, where the water flows diffusely and not in a fixed channel. Field of View (FoV) The horizontal angle of the view illustrated in a visualisation. Geographical Information A system that captures, stores, analyses, manages and presents data linked to location. It System (GIS) links spatial information to a digital database. GLVIA Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition, published jointly by the Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, 2013. GWDTE A Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystem is an ecosystem, such as a wetland or flush, whose integrity is critically dependent on the level, flow or quality of groundwater. Habitat Place where an organism (e.g. human, animal, plant, micro-organism) or population of organisms live, characterised by its surroundings, both living and non-living. Habitats Regulations The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended). Herpetofauna Amphibians and reptiles. Historic Environment Record A county-based record of all known archaeological or cultural heritage sites, maintained by the (HER) Local Planning Authority. Historic Landscape Historic characterisation is the identification and interpretation of the historic dimension of the Characterisation (HLC) and present-day landscape or townscape within a given area. HLC is the term used in England and Historic Land-use Assessment Wales, HLA is the term used in Scotland. (HLA) Holt An underground site used by an otter for shelter or protection. HGVs HGVs will be used to transport roadstone and concrete from the site and are defined as goods vehicles exceeding a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tonnes. For the purposes of this assessment, the buses and coaches that are accounted for in existing background traffic flows are also included within a HGV classification. Holt An underground site used by an otter for shelter or protection. HMP Habitat Management Plan Indirect effects* Effects that result indirectly from the proposed development as a consequence of the direct effects, often occurring away from the site, or as a result of a sequence of interrelationships or a complex pathway. They may be separated by distance or in time from the source of the effects. Also used to describe indirect landscape effects concerning perceptual characteristics and qualities of the landscape and indirect visual effects in relation to issues such as ‘setting’. August 2015 Doc Ref. 32965CGOS 100i1 1A3 © Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited Iterative design process The process by which project design is amended and improved by successive stages of refinement which respond to growing understanding of environmental issues. Key characteristics Those combinations of elements which are particularly important to the current character of the landscape and help to give an area its particularly distinctive sense of place. Land cover The surface cover of the land, usually expressed in terms of vegetation cover or lack of it. Related to but not the same as land use. Landscape and Visual Impact A tool used to identify and assess the likely significance of the effects of change resulting from Assessment (LVIA) development both on the landscape as an environmental resource in its own right and on people’s views and visual amenity. Landscape Character Area These are single unique areas which are the discrete geographical areas of a particular (LCA)* landscape type. Landscape Character The process of identifying and describing variation in the character of the landscape, and using Assessment (LCA) this information to assist in managing change in the landscape. It seeks to identify