Stuart Mcaleese
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Stuart McAleese Environment Specialist Renewable Energy Development Professional Expert Witness McAleese & Associates (UK) Ltd Contact Details 15 Nan Walker Wynd Kinross Perth & Kinross UK KY13 8FF Tel: (UK) 07768989375 Email: [email protected] EXPERT WITNESS Profession Ecologist specializing in vegetation survey and assessment; Ecologist specializing in terrestrial European Protected Species with particular emphasis on upland habitats; Ecologist with experience in Ecological Impact Assessment; Environmental Impact Assessment – process, management, findings, impact assessments, application within projects; Environmental Impact Assessment disciplines – project management, ecological impact assessment, social impact assessment, climate change impact assessment, cumulative effects assessment; Renewable energy project development – development progress, feasibility, project management, project finance, regulatory compliance; Expert Witness Credentials File 1 | Page Expert: Mr Stuart McAleese I commenced work as an ecologist whilst studying geography at the University of Glasgow. I undertook a range of habitat surveys for residential and energy developers. Although predominantly JNCC Phase 1 methodology surveys, I also undertook several National Vegetation Classification (NVC) methodology surveys based around requirements for land management. After graduating in 2000, I worked for myself completing many vegetation surveys as well as survey for otter, water vole and badger. Aspiring to move into managing Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) I studied for an MSc in Environmental Management at the University of Stirling. Whilst there, I continued to provide ecological survey services to a range of residential, commercial and energy clients. On graduating in 2003, I accepted a position at Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) plc as an Environment Project Manager responsible for managing EIA across all generation projects in the company. During this time, I played a significant role in projects involving onshore wind, offshore wind, flue gas desulphurization (FGD), carbon capture and storage (CCS), biomass, conventional gas and overhead power lines. I was also involved in feasibility studies and economic modelling for deep well geothermal, subterranean gas storage, coal bed methane and clean coal technology. I was also involved in two public inquiries – Drumderg Wind Farm and Achany Wind Farm. At each inquiry, I reviewed documents and precognitions, wrote briefing material to support the legal team, answered relevant environment questions and prepared expert witnesses from a technical perspective to give evidence. I left SSE to take up a position as a Technical Director (EIA) at RPS Planning Ltd where I led the Scottish EIA team during the 2008 recession. I moved the team into new areas such as offshore wind, grid feasibility and consenting works and gas pipelines. I then went to RWE where I led the onshore development team based in Perth. I was involved in the Rowantree Wind Farm inquiry. On completion of my MBA (Global Energy), I took the position of Head of UK for Element Power. I managed the UK part of the business and my first task was the Tullymurdoch Wind Farm public inquiry and later in the Judicial Review of the project. Since leaving Element Power, I have been involved I a range of EIA’s for residential and commercial properties as well as providing expert witness services in respect of a deep well geothermal dispute in Kenya. Qualifications BSc (Hons) Geography. University of Glasgow. 2000; MSc Environmental Management. University of Stirling. 2003; MBA (Distinction) Global Energy. Warwick Business School. 2013; Expert Witness Credentials File 2 | Page Relevant Memberships Institution of Environmental Science: Full Member; International Association for Impact Assessment: Member; United Kingdom Environmental Law Association: Member; Industry Experience Dispute 1995: Hotel / Residential Development, Clyde Valley. Ecology input to EIA, Expert Witness services at Inquiry, oral evidence; 2006: Drumderg Wind Farm Public Inquiry: member of management team for Inquiry, collation and audit of all documents, preparation of expert witnesses, providing written evidence at Inquiry, SSE; 2006: Achany Wind Farm Public Inquiry: member of management team for Inquiry, collation and audit of all documents, preparation of expert witnesses, providing written evidence at Inquiry, SSE; 2012: Rowantree Wind Farm Public Inquiry: management of Inquiry, collation and audit of all documents, preparation of expert witnesses, providing oral and written evidence at Inquiry, RWE Innogy; 2013: Tullymurdoch Wind Farm Public Inquiry, member of management team for Inquiry, collation and audit of all documents, preparation of expert witnesses, Element Power; 2016: Tullymurdoch Wind Farm Judicial Review: management of Review for Element Power, review of documents, working with legal team during JR process, review of Expert reports and documentation, Element Power; 2017: Suswa Geothermal Development Project, Rift Valley, Kenya. Provision of development services and EIA review, Charles River Associates / Government of Kenya; Ecology (selected) 1992: Residential site in Blantyre, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, Barret Homes Ltd; 1992: Residential site in Coatbridge, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, Cala Homes Ltd; 1993: Residential site in Motherwell, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd; 1993: River Habitat Survey for planning application for new bridge and associated infrastructure, Uddingston, MLS Engineering; 1993: Otter and Water Vole monitoring during construction of access road to new residential site, Perth, Persimmon Homes Ltd; 1994: Residential site in Hamilton, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd; 1994: Residential site near Inverness, Phase 1 survey and report, Tulloch Homes Ltd; 1994: Hotel and leisure development, Clyde Valley, vegetation survey and otter survey, ecological impact assessment, EIA input, Headway Development Ltd; 1995: Residential development, Phase 1 survey and report, Headway Development Ltd; Expert Witness Credentials File 3 | Page 1995: Residential site in Dumfries, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd; 1996: Commercial development, Glasgow, Phase 1 survey, bat presence, River Habitat Survey, JHS Development; 1996: Commercial and industrial development, Airdrie, Phase 1 survey and report, DDT Property; 1996: Residential development, Uddingston, vegetation survey and ecological input to Masterplan, ecological assessment, MTS Developments Ltd; Proposed 1996: Proposed onshore wind farm site, Highlands, Phase 1 survey, otter survey, water vole survey and River Habitat Survey, Scottish Power; 1997: Residential site in Hamilton, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd; 1997: Residential site in Hamilton, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd; 1998: Proposed onshore wind farm site, Highlands, Phase 1 survey, otter survey, water vole survey and River Habitat Survey, SSE; 1998: Proposed onshore wind farm site, Dumfries and Galloway, Phase 1 survey, otter survey, water vole survey and River Habitat Survey, RES Ltd; 1998: Proposed onshore wind farm site, Highlands, Phase 1 survey, otter survey, water vole survey and River Habitat Survey, Falk Renewables; 1999: Proposed onshore wind farm site, Perthshire, Phase 1 survey, otter survey, water vole survey and River Habitat Survey, SSE; 1999: Residential site in Hamilton, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd; 1999: Cairngorms National Park, NVC Survey and statistical model build of areas which are most likely to support natural Scots Pine regeneration above existing high altitude tree line, University of Glasgow, Scottish Natural Heritage; 2000: Glen Doe Hydro Development: River Habitat Survey and report, Otter survey and report, Water Vole survey and report, SSE; 2000: Hadyard Hill Wind Farm: otter survey and mitigation plan, SSE and DP Energy; 2001: Artfield Fell Wind Farm: water vole survey and mitigation plan, SSE and DP Energy; 2002: Residential site in Hamilton, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd; Projects (selected) 2001: Holdness Land Ltd: Environmental risks review of land and property portfolio; 2001: Highland Specialty Seafoods Ltd: ISO14001 EMS development and implementation; 2002: Grahams Dairy, Bridge of Allan: ISO14001 EMS development and implementation; 2002: Tyre Recycling Plant Demonstrator, environmental and planning risk assessment, EIA screening and scoping report, EMS assessment, MTS Waste Development Ltd; 2002: Caithness Glass Ltd, Perth: ISO14001 EMS development and implementation; 2003: Joseph Mitchell (Letham) Pollution Prevention and Control Licence Application, Ecodyn; 2003: Grampian Country Chickens Processing Plant Pollution Prevention and Control Licence Application, Ecodyn; Expert Witness Credentials File 4 | Page 2003: Butilaar Abattoir Pollution Prevention and Control Licence Application, Ecodyn; 2005: Deep well geothermal feasibility in Central Scotland, SSE; 2006: Carbon Capture and Storage Demonstrator, Peterhead Power Station – environmental and planning input, SSE; 2007: