Walney Extension offshore – EIA Scoping Report September 2010

Walney Extension offshore wind farm rights, 2010. All rights reserved. For other chart data copyright see Appendix C. Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report

Co-ordinated by: Ferdinando Giammichele and Trine Hoffman Sørensen.

Prepared by: Ferdinando Giammichele, Stuart Livesey,

Nicola Barberis-Negra, Trine Hoffman Sørensen,

Jennifer Brack, Joanne Myers, Thomas Walsh,

Emily Marshall, Aja Brodal, and Shiu-Yeung Hui.

Checked by: Ferdinando Giammichele, Trine Hoffman Sørensen, Jesper Krarup Holst, and Hans Lyhne Borg.

Approved by: Jesper Krarup Holst.

DONG Energy Power (UK) Ltd. 33 Grosvenor Place, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7HY

Additional contributions and review by: Project Management Support Services Ltd., Brown & May Marine Ltd. and Bond Pearce LLP.

Version: Final. Date: September 27th 2010.

Submitted to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) on September 27th 2010. © DONG Energy Power (UK) Ltd, 2010. All rights reserved.

This report is also downloadable from the Walney offshore wind farm website at: www.walneyextension.co.uk or a paper copy can be requested by writing to: [email protected] .

Pictures: © Walney (UK) Offshore Windfarms Ltd., 2010.

Front cover picture: Horns Rev 2 offshore wind farm off

the western Danish coast at Esbjerg, September 2009 ©

DONG Energy Power (UK) Ltd., 2010.

Charts: © DONG Energy Power (UK) Ltd., 2010.

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office admiralty charts: © SeaZone Solutions Ltd. Licence no. 092008.004 to

DONG Energy Power (UK) Ltd.

United Kingdom coastline and background raster tiles (1:250,000 and 1:10,000) contain OS OpenData: Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright and database

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Table of Contents Summary ...... 9 1. Introduction ...... 10 1.1 The Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm Development ...... 10 1.1.1 The Developer ...... 10 1.1.2 The Existing Offshore Wind Farm ...... 10 1.1.3 The Extension Offshore Wind Farm Development ...... 10 1.2 The Scoping Report ...... 12 1.2.1 Objectives ...... 12 1.2.2 Activities and Data ...... 12 1.3 Policy Background ...... 13 1.3.1 The UK Energy Policy and the Role of the Renewable Sources of Energy ...... 13 1.3.2 Round 1 and 2 of Offshore Wind Farm Development ...... 14 1.3.3 The Extensions to Round 1 and 2 Offshore Wind Farms ...... 15 1.4 Planning Consents and Environmental Impact Assessment ...... 16 1.4.1 The Planning Act 2008 ...... 16 1.4.2 The Development Consent Order (DCO) ...... 16 1.4.3 Consultation Process ...... 17 1.4.4 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) ...... 18 2. Project Description ...... 21 2.1 Objectives of the Development ...... 21 2.2 Site Layout ...... 21 2.3 Foundations for Wind Turbines ...... 21 2.4 Wind Turbines ...... 22 2.5 Offshore Substation ...... 22 2.6 Inter-array and Export Cables Routes and Corridors...... 24 2.7 Onshore Substation ...... 24 2.8 Anemometry Mast ...... 24 3. Scoping of Environmental Impacts ...... 27 3.1 Introduction ...... 27 3.1.1 Contents of the Chapter ...... 27 3.1.2 Magnitude and Significance of the Impacts ...... 27 3.2 The Offshore Physical Environment ...... 29 3.2.1 Overview of the Site ...... 29 3.2.2 Physical Conditions ...... 29 3.2.3 Meteorology ...... 31 3.2.4 Water Quality ...... 32 3.2.5 Offshore Physical Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts...... 34 3.2.6 Offshore Physical Environment – Surveys and Studies Undertaken to Date and Proposed Surveys ...... 34 3.3 The Offshore Biological Environment ...... 38

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3.3.1 Benthic Ecology ...... 38 3.3.2 Intertidal and Littoral Ecology ...... 39 3.3.3 Finfish and Shellfish ...... 42 3.3.4 Ornithology ...... 45 3.3.5 Marine Mammals ...... 64 3.3.6 Nature Conservation Areas ...... 65 3.3.7 Offshore Biological Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts...... 69 3.3.8 Offshore Biological Environment – Surveys and Studies Undertaken to Date and Proposed Surveys ...... 83 3.4 The Offshore Human Environment ...... 90 3.4.1 Shipping and Navigation ...... 90 3.4.2 Commercial Fisheries ...... 91 3.4.3 Oil & Gas Exploration and Production ...... 92 3.4.4 Pipelines ...... 93 3.4.5 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Storage Areas, Offshore Ports, and Pipelines ...... 94 3.4.6 Telecommunication Cables, Microwave Links and Radio and Television Masts ...... 94 3.4.7 Other Offshore Wind Farms' Export Cables ...... 95 3.4.8 Marine Aggregate Extraction ...... 95 3.4.9 Civil Aviation Authority Licensed and Non-Licensed Airports and National Air Traffic Service Radars ...... 96 3.4.10 Ministry of Defence Surveillance Radars, Practice and Exercise Areas, and Low-Flying Military Zones ...... 96 3.4.11 Tourism ...... 97 3.4.12 Recreational Sailing, Cruising, Angling, and other Sport Activities ...... 97 3.4.13 Archaeology & Cultural Heritage ...... 98 3.4.14 Waste Disposal ...... 98 3.4.15 Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) ...... 98 3.4.16 Landscape and Seascape ...... 99 3.4.17 Noise and Vibrations ...... 99 3.4.18 Offshore Human Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts ...... 100 3.4.19 Offshore Human Environment – Surveys and Studies Undertaken to Date and Proposed Surveys ...... 102 3.5 The Onshore Environment ...... 105 3.5.1 Preliminary Considerations ...... 106 3.5.2 Onshore Export Cable Corridors ...... 107 3.5.3 Physical & Chemical Environments ...... 109 3.5.4 Biological Environment ...... 109 3.5.5 Human Environment ...... 112 3.5.6 Onshore Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts ...... 119 3.5.7 Onshore Environment – Surveys and Studies Undertaken to Date and Proposed Surveys ..... 120 3.6 Cumulative and In-Combination Impacts and Appropriate Assessment ...... 124 4. Way Forward ...... 127 4.1 Overview ...... 127 4.2 The Scoping Process ...... 127

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4.2.1 Scoping Report Consultations for the Scoping Opinion ...... 127 4.3 Consultation ...... 130 4.3.1 Pre-Consultation ...... 130 4.3.2 Formal Consultation ...... 130 4.4 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Statement...... 130 4.5 Application for Consents ...... 131 4.6 Construction ...... 131 4.7 Operation ...... 131 References ...... 133 Appendix A – Draft Outline for the Walney Extension Environmental Statement ...... 135 Appendix B – List of studies undertaken for the Walney offshore wind farm development .... 138 Appendix C – Site & Cables Co-ordinates and Charts ...... 139

List of Tables Table 1: Ranking of the magnitude of potential impacts and their significance on the offshore and onshore environments...... 28 Table 2: Potential impacts upon the offshore physical environment from the proposed Project ...... 34 Table 3: Summary of offshore physical environment surveys and studies undertaken to date in relation to the existing Walney offshore wind farm ...... 35 Table 4: Proposed offshore physical environment surveys and studies in relation to the Project ...... 37 Table 5: Intertidal habitats found around the area of the Walney offshore wind farm...... 42 Table 6: Summary of bird species identified within the existing Walney offshore wind farm area ...... 51 Table 7: Special Protection Area (SPA) - Summary of potential affected sites ...... 55 Table 8: Summary of species not associated with Special Protection Areas (SPAs)*...... 62 Table 9: Natura 2000 sites with a link to marine mammal presence close to the proposed Walney Extension. ... 64 Table 10: Marine Protected Areas identified to potentially coincide with possible export cable route options...... 65 Table 11: Summary of potential cumulative impacts of offshore wind farm projects on a species by species basis ...... 71 Table 12: Projects and activities to be considered as part of a cumulative ornithological impact assessment ...... 72 Table 13: Potential impacts upon the offshore biological environment from the proposed Project ...... 82 Table 14: Summary of offshore biological environment surveys and studies undertaken to date in relation to the existing Walney offshore wind farm ...... 83 Table 15: Proposed offshore biological (excluding ornithological) environment surveys and studies in relation to the Project ...... 87 Table 16: Proposed offshore ornithological surveys and studies in relation to the Project. (Note: Target species are highlighted in BOLD) ...... 88 Table 17: Potential impacts upon the offshore human environment from the proposed Walney Extension offshore wind farm project ...... 102 Table 18: Summary of offshore human environment surveys and studies undertaken to date in relation to the existing Walney offshore wind farm and those undertaken so far in relation to the Walney Extension offshore wind farm project ...... 104 Table 19: Proposed offshore human environment surveys and studies in relation to the Walney Extension offshore wind farm project ...... 105 Table 20: Potential impacts upon the onshore biological environment from the proposed Walney Extension offshore wind farm project ...... 112 Table 21: Potential impacts upon the onshore environment from the proposed Walney Extension offshore wind farm ...... 120

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Table 22: Summary of onshore environment surveys and studies undertaken to date in relation to the existing Walney offshore wind farm ...... 121 Table 23: Proposed onshore environment surveys and studies in relation to the Walney Extension offshore wind farm ...... 122 Table 24: Proposed cumulative impact assessment studies in relation to the Walney Extension offshore wind farm development ...... 125 Table 25: Indicative list of Other Consultees for the Walney Extension offshore wind farm ...... 129 Table 26: Changes in the design of the Walney Extension reflecting comments received from stakeholders .... 132 Table 27: Co-ordinates of the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site boundary ...... 139 Table 28: Co-ordinates of the indicative onshore export cable route to the substation ...... 139 Table 29: Co-ordinates of the indicative onshore export cable route to the Stanah substation ...... 140 Table 30: Co-ordinates of the indicative onshore export cable route to the Penwortham substation ...... 141

List of Charts Chart 1: Location of DONG Energy's offshore wind farm projects in the UK territorial waters ...... 11 Chart 2: Location of Walney Extension offshore wind farm and Walney offshore Wind Farm under Construction 23 Chart 3: Offshore export cable corridor for the three offshore cable routes for Walney Extension ...... 25 Chart 4: Bathymetry around the Walney and Walney Extension offshore wind farm sites ...... 30 Chart 5: Coverage of aerial and boat-based bird surveys undertaken for the Walney offshore wind farm EIA between 2002 and 2006 ...... 50 Chart 6: The Walney Extension onshore substation options at the National Grid substations in Heysham, Stanah and Penwortham ...... 108 Chart 7: The Walney Extension indicative onshore cable landing, cable route and corridor, and onshore substation at the National Grid Heysham 400 kV substation ...... 113 Chart 8: The Walney Extension indicative onshore cable landing, cable route and corridor, and onshore substation at the National Grid Stanah 400 kV substation ...... 114 Chart 9: The Walney Extension indicative onshore cable landing, cable route and corridor, and onshore substation at the National Grid Penwortham 275/400 kV substation...... 115 Chart 10: Indicative location of the Walney Extension onshore substation at the National Grid Stanah 132/400 kV substation ...... 116 Chart 11: Indicative location of the Walney Extension onshore substation at the National Grid Penwortham 275/400 kV substation ...... 117 Chart 12: AIS shipping tracks recorded in August 2009 around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site . 142 Chart 13: Current and Predicted shipping 90% lanes around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site ..... 143 Chart 14: Oil and gas and aggregate dredging around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site ...... 144 Chart 15: Military and aviation activities around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site ...... 145 Chart 16: Nature conservation areas around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site ...... 146 Chart 17: Commercial fisheries activity around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site ...... 147 Chart 18: Other offshore wind farm export cable routes around Walney Extension offshore wind farm site ...... 148 Chart 19: Cables and waste disposal sites around Walney Extension offshore wind farm site ...... 149

List of Figures Figure 1: Nacelles and hubs for the Walney offshore wind farm stored on the quays of the port of ...... 15 Figure 2: Summary of the key steps from the Scoping Report and consultation process up to the application for a DCO and related legislative requirements ...... 19 Figure 3: Cranes in the port of Mostyn lifting transition pieces for the Walney offshore wind farm turbines (above) and the Kraken barge ready to carry turbines offshore (below), May 2010 ...... 26

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Figure 4: Migratory flight lines of tagged Whooper swans from Marine Mere SPA (WWT, 2009)...... 48 Figure 5: Epibenthic dredge sample from Walney offshore wind farm benthic survey, 2005...... 68 Figure 6: Winter survey coverage of UK waters by aerial surveys (unpublished information, Sept 2008) ...... 70 Figure 7: Export cable ship outside the port of Heysham (above); plough for the export cable installation (below), April 2010 ...... 123 Figure 8: Timeline of the key stages and indicative dates in the Walney Extension offshore wind farm development...... 128

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Glossary of Abbreviations

Acronyms and Terms

AA – Appropriate Assessment

AIS – Automatic Identification System

DCO – Development Consent Order

EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment

ES – Environmental Statement

IPC – Infrastructure Planning Commission

LAT – Lowest Astronomical Tide

LiDAR – Light Detection And Ranging

NPS – National Policy Statement

NSIP – Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project

SAC – Special Areas of Conservation; pSAC – possible SAC; dSAC – draft SAC

SPA – Special Protection Area; pSPA – potential SPA

SoCC – Statement of Community Consultation

TCE – The Crown Estate

VMS – Vessel Monitoring System

Walney ES – Walney offshore wind farm Environmental Statement (published in March 2006)

Units

GW – gigawatt (power) kV – kilovolt (electrical potential) kW – kilowatt (power) m/s – metres per second (wind speed)

MW – megawatt (power)

N, S, E, W – North, South, East, West (cardinal points) nm – nautical mile (distance; 1 nm = 1.852 km)

Q1 (Quarter 1) – January, February, and March

Q2 (Quarter 2) – April, May, and June

Q3 (Quarter 3) – July, August, and September

Q4 (Quarter 4) – October, November, December

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Summary

DONG Energy is proposing to develop an extension to the existing Walney offshore wind farm, which is currently under construction, located in the North-East Irish See around 19 km WSW off the Isle of Walney () near the town of Barrow-in-Furness.

DONG Energy specialises in developing projects for the generation of electricity from renewable sources like offshore wind farms, and intends to submit an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) to develop an extension to the operational Walney offshore wind farm, which is to be known as the Walney Extension offshore wind farm. The DCO will also contain proposals for associated development, such as onshore underground cables and an onshore substation, away from the offshore wind farm site which is deemed necessary for the construction and operation of the project.

The DCO application will comprise full details of the development proposals and will be accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES) (conforming to the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009) and other documents, including a statement on pre- application consultation.

This Scoping Report sets out the proposed content, methodologies and key issues to be included in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the resulting ES to be submitted with the DCO application. The purpose of this document is to support a request for a scoping opinion for an EIA from the IPC. It is also intended that this report builds upon consultation carried out to date and supports ongoing consultation with statutory and non-statutory consultees and stakeholders on the scope of the EIA required for the Walney Extension offshore wind farm.

The Scoping Report is structured in sections relating to principal topic areas, providing an overview of the project, the developer, and the assessment and consents process by way of an introduction section (Chapter 1), a description of the project (Chapter 2), the scoping of environmental offshore and onshore impacts with summary tables of potential impacts (Chapter 3), and finally an overview of the consultation process and the probable dates of the various steps leading to the grant of the DCO and subsequent construction and operation (Chapter 4).

Within Chapter 3 (Scoping of Environmental Impacts), specific topics are arranged within categories of physical, biological, human offshore environments and onshore environments. Each of these subsections presents a description of baseline conditions from field and survey work followed by an assessment of potential impacts and the studies and surveys proposed to address these within the EIA.

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1. Introduction

1.1 The Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm Development

1.1.1 The Developer

DONG Energy is one of the leading energy groups in Northern Europe. The company is headquartered in Denmark and the business specialises in procuring, producing, distributing and trading energy and related products in Northern Europe. The company employs approximately 6,000 employees across Northern Europe and the United Kingdom.

DONG Energy is a world leader in the construction and operation of offshore wind farms. It has pioneered the offshore wind farm industry through involvement in more than 50% of the current operating offshore wind farms worldwide.

DONG Energy is involved in a number of Round 1 and Round 2 offshore wind projects (see Chart 1 on the next page) in the United Kingdom, among which the operational Barrow and Burbo Bank offshore wind farms (90 MW each) and the recently opened Gunfleet Sands (172 MW) - which helped, along with Robin Rigg, the UK to exceed 1GW (1,000 MW) of total installed offshore wind farm operational capacity. Other projects in the pipeline are the project (630 MW for phase 1, under construction) as well other projects under development such as West of Duddon Sands (500 MW). The Westermost Rough (245 MW) and Wigtown Bay projects (in Scotland, 280 MW) are also being progressed by DONG Energy as development opportunities.

1.1.2 The Existing Offshore Wind Farm

The existing Walney offshore wind farm (or 'the Wind Farm under Construction') is located off the Isle of Walney coast (14 km) and is expected to reach a total installed capacity of 367.2 MW. It will feature 51 x 3.6 MW wind turbines for Phase 1 (or 'Walney 1') and 51 x 3.6 MW wind turbines for Phase 2 (or 'Walney 2') over an area (leased from The Crown Estate) of 73 km2. The first turbine for Phase 1 was installed on July 12th 2010 and the full commissioning for the Phase 1 is expected to be in 2011, while Phase 2 is expected to be in 2012. The Wind Farm is owned by Walney (UK) Offshore Windfarms Ltd., a company owned by DONG Energy with a 74.9% stake and SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) with a 25.1% stake. DONG Energy will be the leading partner in the construction and operational phases.

1.1.3 The Extension Offshore Wind Farm Development

The proposed Walney Extension offshore wind farm (or 'the Project') is an extension to the Wind Farm under Construction and consists of an area of around 149 km2 and a capacity of up to 750 MW. The Project was awarded an agreement for lease by The Crown Estate in April 2010, and will be comprised of the wind turbines, foundations, inter-array cables and the transmission assets, i.e. an offshore substation, the export cable(s) and an onshore substation. Given the Offshore Transmission Operator (OFTO) regime currently under consultation, the offshore transmission assets will probably be owned and operated by an independent OFTO appointed by Ofgem.

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Chart 1: Location of DONG Energy's offshore wind farm projects in the UK territorial waters

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1.2 The Scoping Report

1.2.1 Objectives

The role of this Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report (hereinafter called 'the Scoping Report') is to identify the main aspects of the offshore and onshore human, biological and physical environment likely to be significantly affected by the construction and operation of the proposed Project, and to assist with agreeing the extent of relevant environmental studies to be undertaken as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the competent authorities and statutory consultees to then consider.

This Scoping Report has been prepared in support of a request for a Scoping Opinion from the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). It describes the work (i.e. surveys and studies) already completed in relation to the Wind Farm under Construction and the Project site, the work which is underway and that which remains to be carried out.

In short, this Scoping Report has the following objectives:

 To provide a brief description of the Project;

 To identify key environmental constraints and sensitivities in and around the Project site;

 To identify the likely key impacts, both positive and negative, as a result of the Project development and to briefly identify any possible mitigation and enhancement opportunities;

 To identify gaps in the information and data collected through surveys and studies, and propose any requirements for further surveys and studies;

 To briefly outline the strategic background to the Project including proposed and existing legislation and planning guidance and the required consents;

 To briefly describe the way forward for further stages of the EIA, the consultation process, and the project development up to its construction and operation.

The IPC, having received the Scoping Report, will consult with the relevant competent authorities and key statutory consultees to seek their comments on the scope of the proposed studies.

In addition to the bodies that IPC will formally consult, DONG Energy will circulate the Scoping Report more widely to other consultees (stakeholders) and welcomes comments from them on potential impacts as well as the proposals for studies and surveys described in the document.

DONG Energy is strongly committed to considering all suitable mitigations for potentially adverse impacts that may arise from the development of the Project. It is intended that such mitigations will be discussed in detail with the relevant consultees during the consultation process following the publication of this Scoping Report.

1.2.2 Activities and Data

This Scoping Report has been informed by the following range of activities carried out from around mid 2002 to mid 2010:

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 Data collection, subsequent assessment and modelling for both the Wind Farm under Construction and the Project site (from June to December 2009);

 Work undertaken to date on the Wind Farm under Construction, including surveys and studies carried out before and during construction (from 2004 to 2010 – see relevant Tables in Chapter 3 for a full list of surveys and studies);

 Discussions and meetings with key stakeholders likely to be affected by the development of the Project (during October and November 2009 – see Section 4.3.1 for more details);

 Discussions with the development consultants who worked on the development of the Wind Farm under Construction, meetings with DONG Energy construction colleagues in Denmark and Barrow-in-Furness (from June to November 2009);

 Information contained in the Walney offshore wind farm Environmental Statement (or 'Walney ES, 2006') published in March 2006 (DONG, 2006);

 DONG Energy‟s experience from developing, constructing and operating other offshore wind farms in Denmark and the United Kingdom.

This report also includes a proposed table of contents for the Environmental Statement for the Project (see Appendix A), which it is intended will be published in late 2012.

1.3 Policy Background

1.3.1 The UK Energy Policy and the Role of the Renewable Sources of Energy

UK energy requirements have traditionally been met by fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Increasing concern over the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels, together with the decline in available domestic fossil fuel resources, has led the UK government to seek to diversify the energy resource base and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting ambitious targets.

In 2006, the Stern Review (Stern, 2006) concluded that there was overwhelming evidence for climate change with significant global risks demanding urgent global response. The Meeting the Energy Challenge white paper published by the former BERR (now Department for Energy and Climate Change – DECC) in 2007 described two long-term challenges for the UK:

 Tackling climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions both within the UK and abroad;

 Ensuring secure, clean and affordable energy.

As a contribution to the European Union commitment to the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), agreed in Kyoto in 1997, the UK Government is committed to cutting the emission of greenhouse gases to 12.5% from 1990 levels by 2008-2012, implying an 8% reduction in greenhouses gases in that timeframe.

At a European Union (EU) level the Renewables Directive (Directive 2009/28/EC) requires that by 2020 some 20% of the EU's energy consumption must come from renewable sources (this necessitates an even higher percentage of electricity consumption from renewable sources because of the inflexible nature of powering transport).

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Additional commitments were transposed into UK law by the Climate Change Act 2008, which places a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure that the net UK carbon account for the year 2050 is 80% lower than the 1990 baseline. As part of this process the UK Strategy published by The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in 2009 set the UK's commitment to source 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

In addition to accelerating the uptake of renewable energy and decarbonising energy production in the UK to enable the UK to meet renewable energy and climate change targets these policies also seek to ensure secure and safe energy supplies and promote economic growth in a low carbon economy.

Scenarios published in the 2009 Renewable Energy Strategy predict that more than 30% of UK electricity will, in the future, be generated from renewables (up from about 5.5% today). Most of this will be generated from wind farms (onshore and offshore) but , hydro, wave and tidal will all play a significant role too.

1.3.2 Round 1 and 2 of Offshore Wind Farm Development

The Crown Estate's awarding of sites for Round 1 offshore wind farm projects in 2001 marked the emergence of the offshore wind industry in the UK. Round 1 acted as a demonstration round under which a limited area of seabed, covering a maximum of 10 km2, was awarded for the development of projects with a capacity of generally up to 90 MW.

In 2002, the DTI's consultation paper Future Offshore set out the Government's policy direction and commitment to develop offshore wind farms in Round 2 projects.

In 2003 a total of 15 Round 2 projects, totally 7.2 GW, were awarded Agreements for Lease by The Crown Estate, (The Crown Estate, 2010).

Forecasting undertaken by the BWEA in UK Offshore Wind: Staying on Track (2009), identifies the installation programme for UK offshore wind including the Round 2 projects, and predicts that installation targets for 2015 will reach 5.5 GW of total capacity.

In October 2008 proposals for offshore wind farm developments in Scottish Territorial Waters were submitted and exclusive development rights were awarded to ten companies and consortia to provide a potential installed capacity of over 6 GW of offshore wind energy in Scottish Waters.

In January 2010 successful bidders for each of the nine Round 3 offshore zones within UK waters were announced with successful bidders developing an ambitious 32.2 GW by 2020.

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Figure 1: Nacelles and hubs for the Walney offshore wind farm stored on the quays of the port of Mostyn

1.3.3 The Extensions to Round 1 and 2 Offshore Wind Farms

At the end of July 2009 The Crown Estate (TCE) issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for a leasing round for the extension of existing Round 1 and Round 2 site areas. This offer was open to Round 1 and 2 projects which were either consented or had submitted consent applications for determination.

The aim of offering these areas was to take advantage of the possible accelerated delivery of project extensions, in order that construction could be underway before construction commenced on the Round 3 offshore wind farm projects. The emphasis of this offer was on the timely delivery of additional offshore wind capacity following UK Government consent. Applications were required to demonstrate that the extensions could be delivered to acceptable timescales.

A number of criteria were used to define acceptable extension areas; these included:

 The proposed extension must share a substantial part of one or more boundaries with the original existing site;

 No maximum size of extension was set, however the scale of the extension should be appropriate for the scale of the original site;

 The extension proposal should demonstrate synergies with the original site, e.g. of construction, operation, improvement of economics and/or grid connectivity;

 No extension would be permitted to encroach within a radius less than 5 km of any nearby Round 1 or 2 site, except with the express agreement of the tenant of the existing nearby site;

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 The proposed extension must not adversely affect delivery or operation of the original site or any neighbouring site;

DONG Energy submitted an expression of interest on September 9th 2009 and subsequently made a full application for the extension to the Walney offshore wind farm to TCE on December 18th 2009.

In April 2010 DONG Energy was awarded the extension by The Crown Estate.

1.4 Planning Consents and Environmental Impact Assessment

This section summarises the new set of planning consents that will be required, under the Planning Act 2008 and the new IPC regime, in order to develop Project for the offshore wind farm works and the onshore cable route and substation works, as well as describing the UK and EU legal requirements for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

1.4.1 The Planning Act 2008

The Planning Act 2008 sets out the consenting system for major infrastructure projects including those in the energy sector. Part 2 of the Act specifies the provisions in relation to National Policy Statements (NPS), which set the framework for decisions by the IPC. The draft NPS also identifies relevant environmental considerations. Seven draft NPSs have been published to date, including an Overarching Energy NPS (EN-1), the draft Renewables NPS (EN-3), and the draft Electricity Networks NPS (EN-5). These were subject to consultation until February 2010.

Significant changes have been made to the planning system under the Planning Act 2008 and the Project will fall under the auspices of the new regime which came into force on March 1st 2010.

Under this legislation the development of an offshore wind farm capable of generating in excess of 100 MW will be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and will require a Development Consent Order (DCO) from a new independent body called the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC).

1.4.2 The Development Consent Order (DCO)

The Development Consent Order (DCO) will replace a number of consents normally required for an offshore wind farm development. The DCO will provide for the project in its entirety, i.e. both the offshore and the onshore aspects, with onshore electrical grid connection works comprising 'associated development' under the new regime. A formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required as part of the application for a DCO and an Environmental Statement (ES), the report documenting the EIA process, will be prepared in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (2009), which came into force in October 2009.

For the purposes of this Scoping Report, 'onshore' refers to the land from mean high water mark to the connection with the National Grid transmission system; 'offshore' refers to the area seaward of the mean high water mark. As identified above, the landfall works, onshore cabling and substation extension would be classed as associated development forming part of an application for a DCO to the IPC under Section 37 of the Planning Act 2008.

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The new DCO procedure dispenses with the need for separate planning permission and consents under Section 36 or 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 (Section 32), the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) 1985 and the Coast Protection Act (CPA) 1949, licences for the latter two legislative instruments having recently been consolidated by a Marine Licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Any need for an EIA under the Marine Licence would be provided for through that undertaken for the DCO application.

In addition to the principal licences, any minor consents and licences will be identified during the project development stage and consultations with statutory bodies.

1.4.3 Consultation Process

Under Part 5 of the Planning Act 2008 there are statutory requirements for promoters of a DCO application to engage in pre-application consultation with local communities, local authorities and those who would be directly affected by the proposals.

The Infrastructure Planning (Applications and Procedure) Regulations 2009 prescribe various matters in connection with making an application for development consent, including publicising a proposed application and consulting with local and statutory stakeholders.

Before an application for a DCO is submitted to the IPC, extensive consultation with key stakeholders (local authorities and statutory bodies) and the local community and interest groups is required. This formal consultation is undertaken during the preparation of the ES, before the DCO application is made. Relevant local authorities with coastal and landward jurisdictions within which the potential development footprint falls will also be approached, in order to ensure local consultation at both authority and community level.

Prior to any application to the IPC, the Infrastructure Planning (Applications and Procedure) Regulations 2009 will require a programme of community consultation to be agreed with the relevant Local Authorities. In this case, land affected by the offshore wind farm and the onshore works are likely to come under the local authority jurisdiction of the following organisations:

 The City of Lancaster for the cable landfall S of the port of Heysham and for the onshore cable route and substation at the National Grid Heysham 400 kV onshore substation;

 The for the cable landfall S of and for the onshore cable route and substation at the National Grid Stanah 132 and 400 kV onshore substations;

 The Borough of West for the cable landfall at the Ribble Estuary and for part of the onshore cable route as well as the Borough of South Ribble for part of the onshore cable route and the onshore substation at the National Grid Penwortham 275 and 400 kV onshore substations.

In brief, the Planning Act 2008 requires promoters to:

 Consult with the relevant Local Authority(ies) on what should be in the promoter's Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC), which will describe how the promoter proposes to consult the local community about the proposals;

 Have regard to the Local Authority's response to that consultation in preparing the SoCC;

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 Publish the SoCC in a locally circulating newspaper, as required by secondary legislation, and carry out consultation in accordance with the SoCC. This Scoping Report may help inform that consultation exercise;

 Consult a range of statutory consultees as identified by IPC. Again, the Scoping Report may help inform that consultation exercise;

 Set a deadline of at least 28 days by which responses to consultation must be received;

 Notify the IPC of the proposed application;

 Publicise the proposed application in accordance with regulations in secondary legislation;

 Have regard to relevant responses to publicity and consultation;

 Prepare a Consultation Report and submit it to the IPC with the DCO Application.

The above process is summarised in Figure 2.

1.4.4 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The EC Directive 85/337/EEC - as amended by Directive 97/11/EC (known as the ''EIA Directive'') - requires an EIA to be completed in support of an application for development consent for certain types of projects. Offshore wind farms are listed in Annex II of the Directive, as ''installations for the harnessing of for energy production (wind farms)'', and these provisions have been transposed into UK legislation.

In the UK the Directive is applied to wind farm projects (and associated onshore infrastructure through the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (2009). These Regulations set out the statutory process and minimum requirements for the provision of adequate environmental information to enable EIA. The EIA activities, surveys and studies will be reported in the Environmental Statement (ES).

This EIA process will include consideration of the requirements of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives as implemented by the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994 (as amended). The consideration will include an assessment of Cumulative and In-Combination Impacts1.and provide sufficient information to inform an Appropriate Assessment (if any is required by the IPC acting as the Competent Authority under the Conservation (Natural Habitats & C) (Amendment)(No. 2) Regulations 2009).

The relationship between the onshore and offshore aspects of the EIA and with other documents that are submitted with the application for a DCO will be explained within the Environmental Statement. This will include details of the consultations that have been undertaken in the preparation of the applications, which will be provided as a separate report in conformity with the new process.

1 See Section 3.6 for more details on the appropriate assessment and the cumulative and in-combination Impacts.

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Figure 2: Summary of the key steps from the Scoping Report and consultation process up to the application for a DCO and related legislative requirements

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1.4.4.1 Approach to the EIA The development of offshore wind farms is complex, and much of the final design of both the turbine array (layout, foundation type, and interarray cabling and turbine model) and the associated infrastructure (export cable route, installation methodology, and onshore cable route and substation design/location) is refined throughout the development process. This flexibility is necessitated by factors including site specificities in seabed type, meteorological conditions and environmental sensitivities as well as technological improvement and economic considerations, the understanding and definition of which develops as more information is gathered during feasibility work and site surveys.

In order to accommodate such dynamic design considerations, it has become relatively routine practice to employ a 'Rochdale envelope'2 approach within an EIA, to ensure that the final scheme is accommodated within the impact assessments reported in the ES which will support the DCO application, and therefore the associated consent.

The EIA for the Project will therefore be conducted on the maximum potential adverse impacts which could realistically accrue from the wind farm development; any impacts arising from the final scheme design (during construction, operation or decommissioning) will therefore be within the predicted 'envelope' of impacts identified within the ES such that no impacts of higher significance will occur.

Where such design or methodology options remain at the time of application, these will be clearly identified in the ES together with the reasons for such required flexibility and draft DCO clauses provided to address such outstanding issues to the satisfaction of the IPC and key stakeholders.

1.4.4.2 Best Practice DONG Energy has applied best practice in respect of consultation and environmental assessment of its previous developments. The EIA process for this project will adhere to best practice as appropriate to the Project. Of specific relevance to this project under the current regime, BERR has published the Guidance on the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) ( and Wales) Regulations 2000, Urn 01/789, September 2000.

In addition to the above, the Department for Communities and Local Government has consulted on proposed amendments to Circular 02/99 and on new EIA guidance. This has been considered where relevant.

Further guidance may be forthcoming on the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (2009). Draft guidance has also been provided on pre-application procedures under the Planning Act 2008, some of which is relevant to EIA. These, together with the relevant aspects of previous best-practice guidance will be taken into account during the Project EIA.

Additionally the survey methods adopted for the Project will build upon various best practice guidelines available to the industry and detailed discussions with the statutory agencies, for example DEFRA and CEFAS Guidance, CAA Guidelines and JNCC guidance.

2 Case law (i.e. R.V. Rochdale MBC Ex Part C Tew 1999 – "the Rochdale case") set a precedent that "indicative" sketches and layouts, etc, cannot provide a sufficient basis for the determination of applications for outline planning permission for EIA development. In respect of DCO consent, the final scheme constructed must have been covered by the scope of the EIA.

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2. Project Description

This section presents an outline description of the project. A full project description will be provided in the Walney Extension Environmental Statement when released in the future.

2.1 Objectives of the Development

The principal objective of the Walney Extension offshore wind farm (or 'the Project') is the generation of energy from a renewable source, i.e. wind, in line with the UK Government's targets described in Section 1.3.

2.2 Site Layout

The Project is an extension to the existing Walney offshore wind farm (or 'the Wind Farm under Construction'), which is currently being constructed. The Project site is located NW of the Wind Farm under Construction in the , around 19 km WSW of the Isle of Walney coast in Cumbria, 26 km SW from the Millom coast, 35 km NW from the Fleetwood and coast, and 31 km SE from the . The total area occupied by the Project site is approximately 149 km2, which is twice the area of the site of the Wind Farm under Construction (73 km2) leased from The Crown Estate. The Project and the Wind Farm under Construction site areas and the indicative turbine layouts for the Project are shown on Chart 2. Table 27 in Appendix C provides the co-ordinates of the vertexes of the Project site boundary.

The main components of the Project are likely to include:

 Wind turbines;

 Foundations;

 Offshore inter-array, export cables and material to cross pre-existing subsea cables / pipelines;

 Offshore substation;

 Onshore export cables;

 Onshore substation;

 Anemometry mast.

These elements are described in the next sections.

2.3 Foundations for Wind Turbines

The Project area has water depths ranging between 20 to 22 m Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) in the SE section, 30 to 35 m in the central section (and patches of 22 to 26 m) and the NW section with 23 to 28 m (and patches of up to 55 m) and acceptable wave and tidal conditions. These conditions are ideal for using jacket foundations and steel monopile foundations, but also other foundation concepts will be considered and subsequently specified in the ES. Supply chain and experience are

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benefits of the monopile technology, although for larger turbines and deeper waters jackets might be the preferred option.

2.4 Wind Turbines

The preliminary design basis for the Project is expected to consider a range of turbines from 3 MW to 6 MW capacities. One scenario based on current technology could be the Siemens SWT-3.6-120 with 90 m hub height and, therefore, the resulting expected range of the Project‟s capacity is likely to be up to 750 MW approximately.

The potential upper limit for turbine rated capacity is around 6 MW, although lager turbines will be considered and the exact range will be defined during the EIA process. The turbine positioning within the Project area is likely to provide for an increased spacing compared to that at the Wind Farm under Construction, primarily because of the potentially larger turbine rotor diameter. The tip height of a 6 MW turbine would reach 170 m.

The wind turbine layout within the Project site will be designed and constructed to satisfy the safety requirements of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) as well as the marking, lighting and fog- horn specifications of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Trinity House Lighthouse Service (THLS). Trinity House recommendations will be followed as described in „Renewable Energy Installation Farms and Fields – Provision and Maintenance of Local Aids to Navigation by Trinity House’ and the IALA Recommendation O-139 on the Marking of Man-Made Offshore3. CAA recommendations on ‘Lighting of Wind Turbine Generators in United Kingdom Territorial Waters’ September 2004 will also be followed.

All the wind turbines would be marked with clearly visible unique identification characters, which will be visible from all sides of the wind turbine generators and comply with requirements in Maritime and Coastguard Agency Marine Guidance Notice MGN 371 (M+F), i.e. that they should be visible from at least 150 m from the structure and be permanently lit by downlights to minimise light pollution. The colour scheme of the turbine tower, nacelle and blades is likely to be light grey RAL 7035 white RAL 9010 or equivalent.

2.5 Offshore Substation

A minimum of one offshore substation is likely to be constructed for the Project. The substation(s) will be located within the Project site and the final location(s) will be dependent on the wind turbine locations and determined by following an optimisation study of the inter-array cable layout. An indicative location is shown in Chart 2. It is likely that the total capacity of the wind farm will be equally divided into the two substations, i.e. approximately half capacity per substation.

Medium voltage (potentially 33 kV) inter-array cables will be collected at each substation and the voltage stepped up to higher voltage by a minimum of two transformers (per substation) before transmission to the onshore substation via export cabling. Each substation's high voltage equipment will be rated between 132 kV and 275 kV, depending on the wind farm installed capacity and the

3 Edition 1, December 2008. Incorporates and supersedes previously issued IALA Recommendations, including the O-117.

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available technology. The substations will be marked similarly to the turbines in terms of navigation and aviation lighting.

Chart 2: Location of Walney Extension offshore wind farm and Walney offshore Wind Farm under Construction

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2.6 Inter-array and Export Cables Routes and Corridors

The wind turbines will be connected to the step-up transformers located in each offshore substation via a network of inter-array cables (potentially 33kV). The total length of this network will depend on the chosen capacity of the wind turbines, their location and the inter-array cable optimisation study, based on minimisation of costs and transmission losses.

It is common practice to use sea-armoured three-core copper XLPE cables for this installation. See Chart 2 for an indicative layout of the inter-array network.

A minimum of two export cables, with at a voltage between 132 and 275 kV, are anticipated to be installed to connect the offshore platforms to the onshore substation. The offshore section is likely to consist of a three-core cable and its onshore part to be three single-core underground cables from the landfall to the onshore grid entry point.

The length of each export cable is dependent on the location of the onshore grid connection, which will be determined by National Grid during the grid connection assessment process.

The three indicative offshore export cable routes themselves will fall within a wide Corridor (as shown in Chart 3) within which the three indicative cables can be realistically located. The three offshore export cable routes shown in Chart 2 and 3 are indicative and once the EIA surveys are completed more realistic route(s) will be designed.

Once one single offshore export cable route is defined after the EIA stage, because of the number of cables that will be required to export the electricity onshore it is likely that consent will be required for a smaller cable Corridor, where all this array of cables will be located. The offshore cable corridor could be up to 1.5 km wide at either side of the indicative cable routes. This is, however, indicative at this stage and more details will be provided when further studies will be completed.

2.7 Onshore Substation

According to National Grid, different substations of the onshore transmission grid can currently accommodate part of or the whole capacity of Project. These are the National Grid Heysham 400 kV substation, the Stanah 132 and 400 kV substations, and the Penwortham 275 and 400kV substations.

A grid connection application has been submitted to National Grid considering two offshore entry points, i.e. the two offshore substations, in mid June 2010. National Grid will then offer a grid connection within three months from submission for the wind farm considering the most optimal onshore location(s).

This is likely to lead a choice of one or two of the aforementioned substations. More details will be available once the grid connection offer from National Grid has been issued. For a more detailed description of the onshore environment around the onshore substations see Section 3.5.

2.8 Anemometry Mast

It is not expected that an anemometry (“met”) mast will be deployed in the development of the Project. Long term wind measurements are available from the existing met masts at , the source of basis data for the existing (as well as West of Duddon Sands wind farm).

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Additionally, some LiDAR equipment will be deployed on one of the offshore substations at the existing Walney wind farm.

Chart 3: Offshore export cable corridor for the three offshore cable routes for Walney Extension

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Figure 3: Cranes in the port of Mostyn lifting transition pieces for the Walney offshore wind farm turbines (above) and the Kraken barge ready to carry turbines offshore (below), May 2010

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3. Scoping of Environmental Impacts

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 Contents of the Chapter

This chapter of the Scoping Report discusses the following topics:

 An overview of the existing offshore and onshore physical, biological and human environment conditions that exist in and around the Project site (the 'Project');

 An overview of the potential impacts on both these environments that may arise should the Project be developed. A ranking of the significance of these impacts is shown in Table 1 below;

 A summary of surveys and studies completed to date (mainly in relation to the Wind Farm under Construction), along with recommendations for proposed surveys and studies and a brief description on the assessment methodology.

Much of the information presented within this section is based upon:

 Data collected as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) surveys and studies undertaken for the Wind Farm under Construction in 2006;

 Data collected during the pre-construction and construction surveys (geotechnical site investigations and the environmental monitoring programme) from 2004 to 2010 for the Wind Farm under Construction;

 Additional data collection and desktop studies performed during the site selection process (August to October 2009) for the Project.

Some of the EIA and pre-construction surveys already undertaken in relation to the existing Walney wind farm and part of the data from these surveys will be directly applicable to the Project site due to its proximity.

3.1.2 Magnitude and Significance of the Impacts

Potential impacts, both adverse (i.e. negative) and beneficial (i.e. positive), which are predicted to arise from all the three phases of the proposed Project, i.e. construction, operation and decommissioning, are briefly described for each of the three offshore and onshore environment conditions, i.e. the physical, biological, and human environments.

Their magnitude is roughly assessed by assigning a value from 'major' to 'negligible'. This judgement of assigning the value to the magnitude of the impact is based on key factors such as:

 The previous experience in developing and constructing the Wind Farm under Construction (Walney 1 and 2);

 The data and analysis from the surveys and studies already undertaken for it;

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 On the professional experience DONG Energy has acquired in the past 20 years in developing, constructing and operating offshore wind farms in the UK and abroad.

This assessment should, therefore, be considered as guidance on the potential scale and extent of each impact from the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the Project.

A comprehensive and evidence-based assessment will be conducted during the EIA phase (from 2011 until 2013) when all proposed surveys and studies (as detailed in Table 4, Table 15, Table 19, Table 23, and Table 24) will have been undertaken.

This assessment will follow established guidelines and best practises4 on the impact assessment methodology, the proper definition of the magnitude and significance of the impacts and the identification of possible mitigation measures.

This assessment will be applied to the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the Project. This exercise will be thoroughly detailed in the Environmental Statement for the Project, which is likely to be published in Q1 2013.

The following Table presents the definitions of the magnitude of the impacts i.e. a description of the potential values placed on them (significance) used in the next Sections of the present Report, and the Tables where the predicted impacts are detailed (i.e. Table 2, Table 13, Table 17, Table 20, and Table 21).

Magnitude of the Impact Significance of the Impact

Impact of sufficient importance to call for serious consideration of Major Impact change to the project.

Impact of sufficient importance to call for consideration of mitigating Moderate Impact measures.

Impact unlikely to be sufficiently important to call for mitigating Minor Impact measures.

Impact assessed to be of such low significance that it is not Negligible or No Impact considered relevant for the decision-making process.

Table 1: Ranking of the magnitude of potential impacts and their significance on the offshore and onshore environments

4 For example, to include: Therivel, R. et al. (2005) Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment, Routledge (for a general EIA guideline); and CEFAS (2004). Guidance note for Environmental Impact Assessment in respect of FEPA and CPA Requirements, version 2 (for specific offshore wind farm EIA). Other specific methodologies, guidelines and best practices for a robust assessment specific for a certain type of impact might also be used (e.g. the MCA guidelines for the assessment of shipping traffic) following advice from the relevant consultees.

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3.2 The Offshore Physical Environment

3.2.1 Overview of the Site

The Project total area of 149 km2 lies mostly (i.e. 124 km2) outside the UK 12 nautical mile territorial boundary from the coast of Cumbria, and has the following maximum / minimum distances from selected mainland points:

 Between 19.8 and 42 km WSW of the Isle of Walney coast in Cumbria;

 Between 26 and 40 km SW from the Millom coast near Haverigg Beach, Cumbria on the River Duddon estuary;

 Between 33 and 61 km NW from the Fleetwood coast;

 Between 37 and 66 km NW from the Blackpool coast;

 Between 31 and 60 km ESE from Maughold Head in the north-eastern part of the Isle of Man;

The area also lies 5.5 km E from the northernmost border of the Irish Sea Round 3 Zone. See Chart 4 for more details. Except where noted, the information provided in the following chapters was taken from the Environmental Statement of the Wind Farm under Construction (or 'Walney ES') published in 2006.

3.2.2 Physical Conditions

3.2.2.1 Bathymetry The water depth range of the Project site is generally greater than that of the Wind Farm under Construction which usually ranges between 18 to 30 m LAT as recorded by a multi beam sonar survey at 5 cm resolution undertaken in 2005 (Walney ES, 2006 - see Table 3) and covered also some small sections of the Project site bordering with the Wind Farm under Construction that is NW, W and SW of it. Further bathymetric surveys were made by the side-scan sonar during pre- construction in 2007 and 2008, along proposed wind turbines corridors within the Wind Farm under Construction site, and the results showed that water depths range from a minimum of -18.7 m LAT at the most easterly section of the site to a maximum of -30.8 m LAT at the most westerly point. The natural dip of the seabed across the site is from east to west, with very gentle seabed gradients, steepest between the -19.0 m and -23.0 m contours, and flattening towards west to the -23.0 m and - 30.0 m contours (Walney Pre-Construction Report, February 2010, pages 13-14). See Chart 4 for a depiction of these contours.

On the other hand, the shallowest parts of the Project site area, according to the UKHO Chart no. 1826, are in the SE section (20 - 22 m) bordering with the Walney and West of Duddon Sands sites, while the central section of the Project has ranges between 30 to 35 m with some patches of 22 to 26 m, while the NW section has ranges between 23 and 28 m, with a small patch on the southern border of up to 55 m.

See Chart 4 for a depiction of approximate bathymetry areas around the Project site and the contours from the bathymetric survey undertaken in 2005 for the Wind Farm under Construction.

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Chart 4: Bathymetry around the Walney and Walney Extension offshore wind farm sites

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3.2.2.2 Geology The following lithological units (in order of relative depth position) were identified beneath the site of the Wind Farm under Construction:

 Clay Silt;

 Sand;

 Sandy Silt;

 Superficial Sediments;

 Glacial Till;

Clayey silts form the topmost lithological unit beneath the wind farm site. To the NW of the site clayey silt is interrupted by a buried sandbank about 30m below the seabed.

3.2.2.3 Coastal Morphology The sea bed and coastline around the site of the Wind Farm under Construction has been strongly influenced by the last Ice Age and post-glacial period where large quantities of sediment were deposited by retreating glaciers and associated rivers.

General onshore movement of this sediment is into the large estuaries of , Duddon and Solway Firth. Littoral drift of sediment along the coast is strongly affected by these estuaries.

The cable routes fall over varied topography, such as:

 The offshore cable route into Heysham crosses the shallow Morecombe flats at around 5 m CD and the intertidal areas of Middleton Sands or Heysham Sands;

 The offshore cable route into (for the Stanah connection) runs parallel to the near- shore contours outside Morecombe Bay at depths below 15 m CD. It then drops sharply to 30 m CD into the outer Lune Deep and crosses the Shell Flat and Patches at 5 m CD to the landfalls along the sand and gravel between Cleveleys and Fleetwood.

3.2.2.4 Seabed Morphology Interpretation of seabed features over the site of the Wind Farm under Construction has been carried out using side scan sonar data and amply described in the Environmental Statement (Walney ES, 2006). In the NW part a buried sandbank about 30 m below the seabed interrupts clayey facies and the underlying silt facies.

The relict sandbank extends around 3 km laterally and has a maximum thickness of around 6 m. The two cable route options for Heysham and Stanah pass over varied topography. The area of Heysham Lake and the channels and banks of the inner bay have experiences substantial changes with bed levels changing vertically by as much as 10m.

3.2.3 Meteorology

3.2.3.1 Wind The wind regime at the site of the Wind Farm under Construction has been estimated based on met mast measurements at the proposed (and now withdrawn) Shell Flats offshore wind farm site (off the

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Blackpool coast). Based on the existing studies, the wind predominantly comes from W–SW, with an average wind speed of over 9 m/s. This is likely to be higher in the Project area where coastal impacts become less significant. Further measurements by LiDAR will be made at the Wind Farm under Construction, which will provide further information regarding wind regime also at the Project site.

3.2.3.2 Wave Field monitoring and modelling work has been completed for other sites (e.g. Barrow, Ormonde offshore wind farms) in the area in the past. The studies have indicated a 100 year significant wave height of 7.5 m. More recent commercial work offers a more conservative figure of 6.7 m for the 100 year conditions. Reduced water depths along the cable routes are usually able to cause large waves to break and it was shown (Walney ES, 2006) that currents also influence waves, particularly in Morecombe Bay channels, where the interactions can be complex.

3.2.3.3 Tide Extreme water levels around the UK have been studied by a variety of authors over a number of years. For the Walney ES (2006), results from Dixon and Tawn together with the long term tidal record from the A-Class tide gauge at Barrow have been used to calculate these water levels. However, since these studies were based on coastal points rather than offshore sites, a 100-year extreme level of about 6.5mOD has been assumed for the Walney wind farm (Walney ES, 2006).

3.2.3.4 Current Currents across the site of the Wind Farm under Construction set in a generally easterly direction on the flood and W-NW direction on the ebb. Depth averaged peak currents are slightly stronger on the ebb. Residual currents are variable.

Along the two cable routes (to Heysham and Cleveleys) the flows are more complex with speeds reaching up to 1.2m/s in Morecambe Bay. Recent modelling has shown peak currents in excess of 2 m/s along the inner lengths of the proposed cable routes of Heysham. In conjunction with the wave conditions of the area, currents may be sufficient to transport sand, create mobile bed forms and cause long-term changes to the bed. Flows at Cleveleys are less active while residuals tend to be strongly onshore along the cable route to Heysham but are moderately strong offshore in Lune Deep.

3.2.3.5 Other Meteorological Aspects Other meteorological characteristics which can influence wind farm operation include wind shear, ambient turbulence and atmospheric stability. Through the operation of the Wind Farm under Construction, valuable experience will be gained regarding these meteorological characteristics.

At this point detrimental impacts on turbine structures caused by these meteorological characteristics are not expected for the Walney Extension site.

3.2.4 Water Quality

Over the last 30 years, there has been a number of ad hoc water quality surveys carried out in the East Irish Sea. Initially, many were undertaken as academic research (e.g. by University College of North Wales, Bangor) but more recently they have formed part of statutory exercises to demonstrate

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compliance with international standards (e.g. EU Dangerous Substance, Urban Wastewater Treatment and Bathing Waters Directives; OSPAR guidelines).

In general, water quality in the Irish Sea is good. Point source inputs have been addressed since the early 1990s and now regions of concern (i.e. Liverpool Bay) are largely a consequence of diffuse inputs from urbanised/industrialised localities. The significant investment in “first-time” or enhanced wastewater treatment has improved conditions greatly, especially with respect to "bathing water” quality. Most designated sites in the North West regularly pass the mandatory standards with many achieving compliance with the more stringent guideline values. A Water Quality Study is not proposed for the Walney Extension site.

3.2.4.1 Construction Vessels With the construction of an offshore wind farm, it is recognised that there is the potential for water quality to be affected by construction and support vessel operations. To ensure water quality in and around the extension site is not jeopardised, vessels will operate in accordance with Marpol 73/78 pollution prevention standards. In addition, oil spill contingency plans and associated emergency response plans will be put in place, regulated and adhered to, to prevent the release of fuel and other chemicals from vessels through collisions and ruptures.

3.2.4.2 Construction Activities Construction activities will effectively involve, for the majority of the sub-tidal route, the laying of a cable on the seabed, followed by either jetting or trenching/ploughing to allow the cable to be buried (jetting will be minimised where possible). The maximum cable burial depth is likely to be approximately 2m below the surface of the seabed.

During the laying of the cable, suspended sediments will be generated through disturbance of the seabed. The finer particles will stay in suspension for a longer period than the coarser particles, which will more rapidly fall out of the water column and be re-deposited on the seabed. The potential impacts of localised increased suspended solids on water quality during offshore cable-laying will be temporary and localised and are not predicted to be significant.

The cable-lay activities also have the potential to result in increased mobilisation and bioavailability of contaminants from seabed sediments and potential adverse impacts on water quality. It is noted however, that the proposed cable route crosses areas where a large amount of trawling has been undertaken and hence any contaminants present will have largely been removed as a result of their location within the sediment column and trawling depths. The sandy consistency of sediments across areas of the wind farm along sections of the cable route will harbour a reduced amount of contaminants and hence their presence, magnitude and potential impacts on water quality are not predicted to be significant.

3.2.4.3 Operation During the operational period of the wind farm, impacts to water quality at and around the wind turbines and associated export cable as a result of the presence of the development are likely to be extremely minimal. Sacrificial zinc anodes are placed on the base of the transition pieces to avoid/reduce the corrosion of the foundation itself, which will release zinc into the water column as

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part of their operatory role. Impacts from low levels of zinc contamination in a very localised area around the turbines are not predicted to be significant.

3.2.5 Offshore Physical Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts

Table 2 below summarises the key potential environmental impacts that may arise, during the construction, operation and decommissioning phase, upon the physical environment as a result of the Project development.

Offshore Physical Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts from Walney Extension offshore wind farm Construction / Significance of Significance Operation Decommissioning Impact of Impact

Impacts upon the seabed: - Scour impacts around base of turbines; - Scour impacts in vicinity of cables.

Impacts upon coastal processes: - Changes in near-field and far-field Impacts upon water quality: wave and tidal regime leading to changes in sediment transport - Increased suspended sediment Minor impact. Minor impact. concentrations from trenching processes. and piling works. Impact on water quality: - Very localised increase in zinc levels within the water column adjacent to turbines, as a result of sacrificial anodes; - Possible release of sediment-locked contaminants as a result of ploughing and piling activities.

Impacts upon the seabed: - Dense chemicals may sink to the seafloor and become incorporated in Impacts upon water quality: seabed sediments. - Fuel or chemical release from Minor impact. Minor impact. construction and support vessels. Impact on water quality: - Fuel or chemical release from maintenance vessels.

Table 2: Potential impacts upon the offshore physical environment from the proposed Project

3.2.6 Offshore Physical Environment – Surveys and Studies Undertaken to Date and Proposed Surveys

Table 3 below lists all physical surveys and studies that have been undertaken to date as part of the development of the Wind Farm under Construction.

Discussions will be held with key stakeholders, including DECC, DEFRA, CEFAS, Natural England and JNCC, to determine the ongoing validity of surveys already carried out and whether or not they

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could be used for the Project. A provisional assessment of whether these existing datasets will be valid is provided in the Table 3 below.

Offshore Physical Environment – Surveys and Studies for Walney offshore wind farm Relevance Survey / Study Date Undertaken by Description Existing Extensio Project n Bathymetric and Offshore Survey A bathymetric and geophysical geophysical 2005 and Engineering survey was carried out at the site of  * survey (OSAE) the Walney site and cable route. A desk based assessment to Impacts on establish the existing state of Coastal and HR. Wallingford 2005 knowledge of coastal processes  Seabed Ltd. * within the Walney and West of Processes Duddon Sands sites. This report sets out the predicted wind, waves, currents and water MetOcean Study 2005 HR Wallingford  levels that will influence the design * of Walney Offshore Wind Farm.

Export Cable A geophysical survey was carried Route out along the corridor of a proposed 2006 Osiris Projects  Geophysical cable route for the Walney Offshore * Survey Wind Farm.

HR. Wallingford Continuation of MetOcean study MetOcean Study 2008  Ltd. first released in 2005. *

A hydrodynamic survey conducted Hydrodynamic 2008 ABP MER at the site of Walney Offshore Wind  Survey Phase I x Farm.

Hydrodynamic 2008 ABP MER Phase 2 of the survey above.  Survey Phase II x

A hydrographic and geophysical Hydrographic RPS Energy & survey was carried out covering the and Geophysical 2008  Osiris Projects proposed Walney Offshore Wind * Survey Farm site.

Gardline A geotechnical investigation carried Geosciences, out at the site of the Walney Geotechnical 2009 The Norwegian Offshore Wind Farm consisting of  Investigation * Geotechnical an offshore field survey followed by Institute & GEO onshore laboratory analysis.

Bathymetric and Offshore Survey A bathymetric and geophysical geophysical 2005 and Engineering survey was carried out at the site of  * survey (OSAE) the Walney site and cable route.

* Note: Although the surveys were taken in 2005-2008, they mostly covered an area wider than the Walney and Walney Extension sites. Data collected, while still relevant for the Project site, will be updated through a new set of proposed surveys (see Table 4 below).

Table 3: Summary of offshore physical environment surveys and studies undertaken to date in relation to the existing Walney offshore wind farm

A bathymetric and geophysical survey of the Wind Farm under Construction and cable route was carried out between January and March 2005 by Offshore Survey and Engineering (OSAE).

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The purpose of the survey was to provide accurate bathymetric charts of the Wind Farm under Construction development area and associated cable routes, to chart seabed features and obstructions and to identify any archaeological features. See Chart 4 for the coverage area of the survey.

This assessment of coastal and seabed processes carried out by HR Wallingford Ltd. in 2005 considered the impact the proposed schemes are likely to have in relation to issues such as waves, currents and the sediment transport regime. This makes it possible to assess the potential impacts of the development and to recommend mitigation measures and further work as required. The assessment took into account any cumulative impacts arising from other nearby developments.

A MetOcean study was carried out by HR Wallingford in 2005. The report sets out the predicted wind, waves, currents and water levels that will influence design. No data was collected as part of this study with pre-existing data sets and modelling techniques used in all areas from a variety of sources.

A geophysical survey was carried out by Osiris in 2006 along the corridor of a proposed cable route for the Wind Farm under Construction. The primary objective of the survey was to map bathymetry, sub-bottom data and seabed features, including any magnetic anomalies and sonar contacts.

This MetOcean study from 2008 was conducted by HR Wallingford Ltd. and is a continuation of the MetOcean study mentioned previously conducted in 2005, with the report now in volume 6.0.

This hydrodynamic survey included the collection of MetOcean data at the location of the Wind Farm under Construction by ABP MER in 2008 so as to fully appreciate the hydrodynamic climate of the site prior to the installation of turbines. This report resulting from this survey is divided into two in order to reflect the two stages of deployment.

A hydrographic and geophysical survey was carried out by RPS Energy and Osiris in 2008 covering the proposed Wind Farm under Construction site. The aim of the survey was to provide a comprehensive overview of seabed levels and sub bottom sediments throughout the site. Seabed levels were surveyed using swath bathymetry, with detailed shallow and focused geophysical data collected along the proposed turbine corridors.

A geotechnical investigation was carried out by Gardline Geosciences Ld in 2008 and incorporates a number of stages. Firstly a field investigation was undertaken followed by a cone penetration testing campaign with vibrocore sampling from 52 samples by GEO. Following this recommendations on soil parameters for use in foundation design of the wind turbine structures were made. The recommendation is based on interpretation of all available data and test results.

In terms of further surveys and/or studies that may be required to supplement the work done in the past for the Wind Farm under Construction site, Table 4 shows the proposed surveys and/or studies that are required as part of the Project.

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Offshore Physical Environment – Proposed Surveys and Studies for Walney Extension offshore wind farm Proposed Survey / Description and Assessment Methodology Study Study to provide all necessary information about major soil units, in and around the Project site, in order to optimise the subsequent surveys. The British Geological Survey data on sea bed features, sand waves, geology, Geology desk study bed forms will be interpreted to understand how they were formed, if they are likely to remain in the present position in the future, and if changes in the Project site and surrounding environment are likely to cause changes within the structure and position of banks and channels.

The survey consists of 100% site and cable route corridor coverage of side scan sonar (500 kHz) and multi beam. Furthermore a magnetometer will be deployed. The survey would cover both the Project site and the offshore export cable route and the line spacing will be designed to ensure full coverage of the study area by allowing an overlap from the extension site boundaries by several meters. 5 Geophysical survey The survey will inform sea bed bathymetry, seabed features and obstructions, debris and potential archaeological features. The geophysical survey will inform the coastal process study (see below). An assessment of the survey data and modelling techniques will provide information on the geophysical nature of Project area and the offshore export cable route. See the main text preceding this Table for more details.

Study to provide an assessment of the magnitude and significance of changes caused by the Project site development on the hydrodynamic (tidal, currents and wave action) and sediment transport regime. See the main text preceding this Table for more details. The study would include the production of a scour management plan, Coastal Process study highlighting monitoring methods that will be put in place to assess the area of sediment (if any) affected, the sediment mobilised and potential depositional areas. Following this, the associated mitigation methodologies with regards to preventing/reducing impacts from scour around the wind farm infrastructure will be assessed and the most appropriate implemented. The assessment will also take into account any impacts on adjacent socio-economically important areas i.e. dredging areas. Assessment of the ocean environment characteristics such as water salinity, temperature, turbidity as well as current profiles, tide and wave height data in and around the proposed offshore extension. The assessment will include the establishment of baseline scenarios and the definition of other worst/realistic case scenarios by using a number of models Oceanographic and (e.g. wave model) and data previously collected (see Table 3) to determine any Meteorological (MetOcean) changes to such characteristics of the ocean environment. study The assessment will initially be desk-based and rely upon previously collected data (surrounding projects) and available MetOcean data. The need for additional surveys is not anticipated at this stage however, following consultation with the regulatory authorities; these would be commissioned or discounted as appropriate.

Cone penetration tests (CPT) at each proposed wind turbine position within the Project site and sampling boreholes at selected positions. Geotechnical survey Shallow CPTs and vibrocores will be carried out along the cable route as well. The survey will, however, be carried out only if the Development Consent Order (DCO) is awarded.

Table 4: Proposed offshore physical environment surveys and studies in relation to the Project

5 The invitation to tender for the Walney Extension geophysical survey is currently ongoing and the surveys are planned to be carried out in 2011.

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3.3 The Offshore Biological Environment

The following sections describe the existing offshore biological environment in and around the site of the Wind Farm under construction and the proposed project site, including benthos, fish and shellfish, birds, and marine mammals as well as an overview of the currently designated nature conservation areas.

In addition, a review of potential impacts will be provided along with a summary of surveys/studies undertaken previously for the operational offshore wind farm site; any surveys/studies that may be required for the development of the Project, and an indication of the main Consultees that will be contacted during the preparation of the EIA.

3.3.1 Benthic Ecology

The Project site, in comparison to the site of the Wind Farm under Construction, has a greater depth range from approximately 15-55 m LAT, with an accompanying variable topography.

A single pre- construction benthic survey has been undertaken on the existing Walney site and the surrounding area6 (Benthic Pre-construction survey, 2009), which broadly characterised it as muddy sediment. However, only four of the 43 stations sampled were located within the proposed extension site (two stations were classified as sand and two as muddy sand). The area is considered to consist predominantly of sandy mud sediments and associated fauna and as such, the benthic ecology found within the proposed extension is expected to be largely similar to that of the existing site.

Of the four sites within the extension area, the following biotopes are identified:

 Site 1 in the north of the extension site and Site 10 indicate habitats of muddy sand, mud or sandy mud with burrows and characterised by the biotope seapens and burrowing megafauna in circalittoral fine mud (MNR classification: SS.SMU.CfiMu.SpnMeg);

 Site 11 consists of the same habitat in addition to biotope Lagis koreni (the sand mason - a polychaete) and Phaxas pellucidus (transparent razorshell - a bivalve) in circalittoral sandy mud (MNCR classification: SS.SMU.CsaMu.LkorPpel); and

 Site 12 also contains the biotope seapens and burrowing megafauna in circalittoral fine mud in addition to Amphartete turf with Parvicardium ovale on cohesive muddy sediment near margins of deep stratified seas (MNCR classification: SS.SMU.Omu.AfalPova).

This was confirmed through sourcing information from the Mapping European Seabed Habitats (MESH) database. The two main muddy sediment biotopes found across the entire survey area are identified as:

1. Those characterised by high numbers of the commensal organisms Amphiura filiformis (a brittle star - ophiuroid) and Kurtiella (Mysella) bidentata (a bivalve) and can be classed as “A. filiformis, K. bidentata and Abra nitida in circalittoral sandy mud” = (SS.SMu.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit); and

6 RSK Group Plc (2009) Benthic Pre-Construction Surveys Ormonde and Walney Offshore Wind Farms.

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2. A distinct community at stations with a high mud content, which were characterised by horseshoe worms Phoronis sp. and catworm Nepthys incisa, and, in contrast to much of the survey area, an absence of A. filiformis and K. bidentata. No biotope was assigned.

The biotopes support a mixture of ophiuroid, polychaete, and bivalve populations which are important prey species for flatfish and for diving ducks such as common scoter. The second of the these biotopes was only recorded at one of the four stations sampled in the pre-construction survey situated to the SE end of the Project site, the other three sites are more widely disperses within the Project area.

The benthic ecology within the extension site development is not considered of high sensitivity. Impacts beyond the direct habitat loss due to the installation of pile and scour protection are unlikely and as such impacts are likely to be localised and small-scale in nature.

3.3.2 Intertidal and Littoral Ecology

Currently three proposed landfall sites for the three indicative export cable routes have been identified for the Project site (see more in Section 3.5), which will be addressed in the future EIA in terms of potential impacts on the littoral zone. However, it must be stressed that the exact siting for these and intertidal descriptions provided in this section are only indicative at this stage.

Two of the three landfall options for the Project, Heysham and Stanah, were already addressed in the Walney ES (2006), and some of this existing data will be utilised. Information for the third route option (Penwortham) has been based on reports from previous surveys at the mouth of the Ribble Estuary.

The following three paragraphs will described the data collected and information for the three options.

3.3.2.1 Cable Landfall Option 1 - Heysham The proposed landfall area at Heysham can be described as an enclosed coastal embankment. The indicative morphology of the site from the upper limits of the littoral zone to the sublittoral can be described as follows. The northern limits of Heysham Harbour are protected by a concrete sea wall, at the base of which the substrate comprises soft sediments with stones deposited. It is likely that these sediments are artificially established and/or maintained; partially by a groyne to the western extent of the site and partially by the Near Naze rock outcrop.

Further seaward the sediment becomes firmer and forms an intertidal sandflat. The rocky substrates at this site are colonised by mussels (Mytilus edulis) and fucoid seaweeds typical of intertidal, and to a degree subtidal rocky substrates. In the firmer intertidal sandflats there is an abundance of polychaetes, namely lugworms (Arenicola marina) and sand mason worms (Lanice conchilega). These worm communities are important as food for populations of intertidal birds.

Habitat mapping, undertaken in 2005 (Walney ES, 2006) determined the following dominant biotopes present in this area and therefore being indicative of the proposed landfall site:

 LS.LCS.MoSa.BarSa - 'Barren littoral coarse sediment' existing in an area of mobile sand. This biotope is commonly found in moderate - very exposed wave exposure areas; and

 LS.LSa.MuSa.MacAre - 'Macoma balthica and Arenicola marina in littoral muddy sand'. This biotope is commonly found in moderate-very sheltered wave exposure areas.

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No rare, endangered or unique species or habitats were recorded at the study site within the 2006 ES, which may be seen as indicative of the proposed landfall site. Further studies will be required to confirm this. It is noted that areas to the north of Heysham Harbour are important for mussel cultivation and bait digging of lugworms (A. marina), with a wider intertidal area than similar locations along this coastline.

3.3.2.2 Cable Landfall Option 2 - Cleveleys/Fleetwood for Stanah The intertidal area along the Cleveleys and Fleetwood coast is bordered on the upper shore with a concrete sea wall, protecting the residential properties from inundation.

Information from the Walney ES shows that shingle and sand are present at the foot of the sea wall at the proposed landfall site. Indicative data suggests soft sediment continues from the sea wall, out to the low water mark, a distance of 300-500m. The beach slopes fairly gently from the base of the sea wall out to the low water mark.

Along this stretch of coastline there are regularly spaced wooden groynes running westward from the sea wall, these provide a hard substrate area for settlement of sessile species such as barnacles and mussels. The remainder of the beach consists of coarse and free draining sand, with occasional pools, creeks and berms.

Indicative data suggests that fine sand material creates a layer on top of the coarse sand in some areas, and more rarely, patches where fine sand and silt accumulates. The intertidal area along this stretch of coastline is quite similar given the mobile nature of the soft sediment, the biota present can be considered to be fairly evenly distributed.

Aside from the groyne-encrusting organisms, bivalves (Tellinus sp.) and lugworms (A.marina), the beach is relatively poor in biota, in terms of both diversity and abundance, the majority of the survey area indicates relatively few surface signs of biota

Habitat mapping also undertaken in 2005 (Walney ES, 2006) determined the following dominant biotopes present in this area and therefore being indicative of the proposed landfall site:

 LS.LCS.MoSa.BarSa - 'Barren littoral coarse sediment' existing in an area of mobile sand. The 2006 ES found this biotope to be by far the most numerous, and being commonly found in areas with moderate - great wave exposure;

 LS.LSa.pools - 'Littoral sand with pools'; and

 LR.FLR.Eph.BlitX - 'Barnacles and Littorina spp. on unstable eulittoral mixed substrata'.

While the site has general importance, no rare, endangered or unique species or habitats were recorded at the study site within the Walney ES, which may be seen as indicative of the proposed landfall site, and no parts of the site are covered by conservation designations. Further studies will be required to confirm this.

3.3.2.3 Cable Landfall Option 3 - River Ribble Estuary (Banks Marshes) for Penwortham Information on the intertidal habitats at the proposed landfall at the River Ribble Estuary N of Southport in the Banks Marshes has been largely sourced from the Ribble Estuary NNR Management

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Plan (2010 revision)7. The Eastern Irish Sea coastline is characterised by a number of major estuaries, the main within the proposed Penwortham landfall site being formed by the River Ribble.

The Ribble Estuary comprises mostly of mudflat and sandflat habitats that are exposed at low water. The estuary encompasses a large area of sand and silt flats in natural condition which support a diverse and numerous intertidal invertebrate fauna, which in turn are essential for maintaining the bird populations.

In 2005 (the same year in which the ES surveys for the Wind Farm under Construction were undertaken), the inshore area of the Ribble was found to be dominated by the biotope LS.LSa.MuSa.MacAre (Macoma balthica and Arenicola marina in littoral muddy sand) in the mid estuary, and by polychaetes at the seaward edge (LS.LSa.FiSa.Po - Polychaetes in littoral fine sand), this can provide an indicative guide for the Penwortham landfall site if this lies closer towards the mouth of the estuary. Indications at this stage suggest the proposed Penwortham route is more likely to play host to biotopes recorded at the mid to seaward edge, by being on the south edge of the estuary mouth i.e. LS.LSa.FiSa.Po.

Additional biotopes found during a 2007 survey of the Ribble Estuary include:

 LR.FLR.Eph.BLitX (Barnacles and Littorina sp on unstable eulittoral mixed substrata);

 LS.LBR.LMus.Myt.Mx (Mytilus edulis beds on littoral mixed substrata);

 LS.LMu.MEst.HedMac (Hediste diversicolor and Macoma balthica in littoral sandy mud);

 LS.LMu.MEst.HedMacScr (Hediste diversicolor, Macoma balthica and Scrobicularia plana in littoral sandy mud shores);

 LS.LSa.FiSa.Po.Ncir (Nephtys cirrosa dominated littoral fine sands);

 LS.LSa.MoSa.AmSco (Amphipods and Scolelepis spp. in littoral medium-fine sand);

 LS.LSa.MoSa.AmSco.Eur (Eurydice pulchra in littoral mobile sand);

 LS.LSa.MoSa.BarSa (Barren littoral coarse sand);

 LS.LSa.MuSa.HedMacEte (Hediste diversicolor, Macoma balthica and Eteone longa in littoral muddy sand) and LS.LSa.MuSa.Lan (Lanice conchilega in littoral sand); and

 The priority BAP honeycomb worm reef habitat LS.LBR.Sab.Salv (Sabellaria alveolata reefs on sand-abraded eulittoral rock) which was found adjacent to the training wall mixed with mussels and barnacles or Littorina species on cobbles or boulders at extreme low tide.

Additional surveys required as part of the EIA process will determine the presence and abundance of such biotopes.

While the site has general importance, being adjacent to an estuary no rare species or habitats were recorded during both the 1990 or 2005 surveys and no parts of the site are covered by conservation designations. However, the 2007 survey highlighted a biotope containing the BAP priority species of the reef-building worm S.alveolata, which will need to be considered in any future survey work.

7 Ribble Estuary NNR Management Plan, February 2010, prepared by Graeme Skelcher

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3.3.2.4 Summary The identified biotopes of each of the indicative cable options were typical of sandy shores along this section of coast. Species and communities were found to be similar to previous surveys; the biotopes are listed in the Table 5 below.

Offshore Biological Environment – Intertidal Habitats Long Code Description LR.FLR.Eph.BLitX Barnacles and Littorina spp. on unstable eulittoral mixed substrata LS.LBR.LMus.Myt.Mx Mytilus edulis beds on littoral mixed substrata LS.LCS.MoSa.BarSa Barren littoral coarse sediment LS.LMu.MEst.HedMac Hediste diversicolor and Macoma balthica in littoral sandy mud Hediste diversicolor, Macoma balthica and Scrobicularia plana in LS.LMu.MEst.HedMacScr littoral sandy mud shores. LS.LSa.FiSa.Po Polychaetes in littoral fine sand LS.LSa.FiSa.Po.Ncir Nephtys cirrosa dominated littoral fine sands LS.LSa.MoSa.AmSco Amphipods and Scolelepis spp. in littoral medium-fine sand LS.LSa.MoSa.AmSco.Eur Eurydice pulchra in littoral mobile sand LS.LSa.MoSa.BarSa Barren littoral coarse sand Hediste diversicolor, Macoma balthica and Eteone longa in littoral LS.LSa.MuSa.HedMacEte muddy sand LS.LSa.MuSa.Lan Lanice conchilega in littoral sand LS.LSa.MuSa.MacAre Macoma balthica and Arenicola marina in littoral muddy sand LS.LSa.pools Littoral sand with pools LR.FLR.Eph.BLitX Barnacles and Littorina spp. on unstable eulittoral mixed substrata

Source: Source: DONG Energy (March 2006). Walney ES (intertidal surveys undertaken in 2005) Table 5: Intertidal habitats found around the area of the Walney offshore wind farm

3.3.3 Finfish and Shellfish

The eastern Irish Sea, offshore from both Morecambe and Liverpool Bay, supports a number of ecologically and commercially important fish and shellfish species, as well as providing suitable conditions for estuarine and migratory fish species. Furthermore, parts of these Bay's are noted as nursery and spawning grounds for a number of species. The presence of these food sources makes it an important site for birds in the more shallow waters of the Liverpool Bay and Morecambe Bay areas. The following section provides details on what is currently known about fish and shellfish in the vicinity of the project area, data which will be accessed and surveys which will be completed to prepare for the EIA. It is also considered that the primary Consultee's that will be approached during the EIA preparation are, The Environment Agency (EA), Natural England (NE), Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), and local fishing industry (via an appointed Liaison Officer).

3.3.3.1 Shellfish Previous desk studies, as well as the Walney ES (2006), have outlined that several shellfish species including cockles, mussels, shrimp and Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) are present in the Liverpool and Morecombe Bay area, with brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) being the most abundant shellfish

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species in the shallower waters of the study area. In deeper waters brown shrimp may be replaced by Nephrops, as the habitat change to more muddy sands, which are the species preferred habitat for burrowing. These findings are also confirmed by previous field surveys of the Walney Phase 1 Wind Farm Area (Walney, 2006). Pre-construction monitoring data from Walney Phase 1 will be accessed to further assess the extent of Nephrops populations in the area, and a fish and benthos baseline data collection survey is currently being designed in consultation with Cefas, which will provide further data on the extension area and its significance for nephrop populations.

Morecambe Bay is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for the large expanse of mussel beds (Mytilus edulis) categorised within the 'Large shallow inlets and bays' Annex I habitat. Mussel beds are listed as a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species but are not noted to be within the boundary or near vicinity of the wind farm, although consideration will need to be given to the location of any beds when considering the location of the cable route. Classified Bivalve Mollusc Harvesting Areas are noted to the west of the extension in the Morecambe Bay and Fleetwood and Blackpool Estuary areas. Further details will be collated in accordance with best practice guidance outlined in (Cefas, 2004; Cefas, 2010) as part of the EIA to confirm this. Further consultation with the relevant authorities including Natural England, the Environment Agency, IFCAs and local fisherman will be undertaken as part of the EIA to assess this.

3.3.3.2 Finfish Fish surveys conducted by Cefas in the Irish Sea (the Irish Sea and Bristol Channel survey (conducted in September-October) and the Quarter 4 Westerly groundfish survey (conducted in November - December)) indicate the main commercial fish species in ICES area VIIa to be Sole (Solea solea), Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), Whiting (Merlangius merlangus), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), hake (Merluccius meluccius), mackerel (Scomber scombrus), bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) and anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius).

The Cefas beam trawl survey, undertaken in 2004, indicated that the most common species in the area of interest are dab (Limanda limanda), solenette (Buglossidium luteum) and plaice, accounting for over 50% of the total catch. It is important to note that pelagic fish tend to be underestimated in beam trawl surveys. Other data that will be accessed as part of the preparation of baseline data will include data from published sources (in particular the review completed by Lockwood, 2005), the Walney Pre-construction Survey Report (2010), and the Walney Sole-Piling Survey (in Draft, 2010), which has indicated that Dover sole does not spawn within the Phase 1 area, although Coull et al, 1998 indicates this as a possible spawning area.

Herring spawning grounds are also noted app.15 km vicinity of the extension (Coull et al. 19988). Available information on spawning intensity of the above species will be gathered as part of the EIA process and it is intended that Cefas, IFCAs, the MMO and local fisherman (via an appointed Fisheries Liaison Officer) will all be consulted. Early consultation with Cefas is intended, to determine the necessary scope of fish surveys, which will be carried out as part of the baseline data collection exercise. It is however intended that the fish survey will include a focus on Nephrops abundance, common fish abundance and the status of elasmobranch species.

8 Coull, K.A., Johnstone, R., and S.I. Rogers. 1998. Fisheries Sensitivity Maps in British Waters. Published and distributed by UKOOA Ltd.

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Commercial fish catch data indicates the presence of skates and rays, with them being caught as part of general catches within the vicinity of the site. To-date no information from the literature suggests that this area is considered to be an important spawning/birthing areas for elasmobranchs, but further details will be collected and analysed as part of the EIA through consultation with Natural England and Cefas and other Consultees which may hold information (e.g. Shark Trust). It is intended that data will be collated as part of the baseline fish survey to be conducted, with statistics recorded for any skates and rays encountered before they are returned to sea. EMF risks are discussed below.

Several rare or protected fish species are noted as potentially being present in the vicinity of the extension area and include basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus), Allis shad (Alosa alosa), Twaite shad (Alosa fallax), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar in freshwater), river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis), sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and smelt (Osmerus eperlanus) (Walney ES, 2006). All are noted to have UK Biodiversity Action Plans, whilst the basking shark, Allis and Twaite shad are also included under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Both shad species, salmon, lamprey (river and sea) are also protected under the Habitats Regulations 1994. Recent guidance from the Marine Nature Conservation Zone (MCZ) Projects (Natural England & JNCC, 2010) has indicated that smelt will be considered as a feature of interest in the designation of MCZs under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Further information will be collated on the above species during the EIA stage to assess potential impacts. Consultation with, JNCC, NE and the EA will be completed to gather any additional data and opinions on likely impacts.

Migratory species potentially present in the area are the Atlantic salmon, the sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta) and the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). Young eels (elvers) also enter the rivers around Morecambe Bay in spring. Adult Atlantic salmon are observed to commence entry into the Leven, Kent, Lune and Wyre rivers during early spring, whilst sea trout commence entry in June (through until the autumn), although the upstream migration is not considered as extensive. The migration of young eels into rivers around Morecambe Bay generally occurs during spring. Consultation with the EA and Cefas is anticipated, as both will hold data on migratory species. Recent guidance from the Marine Nature Conservation Zone (MCZ) Projects has indicated that European eel will be considered as a feature of interest in the designation of MCZs under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

Initial analysis of commercial fisheries operations within the extension site appears to show levels to be relatively low, where records for boats over 15m in length are of a low intensity, figures show fishing levels at the extension site to be lower than those for the existing consented site (Walney, 2006). Sea Fisheries Committee (now IFCAs) and MMO sightings data tends to suggest activity of the inshore fleet is generally to the north of the site (Vanstaen & Silva, 2010) A salmon and sea trout Fishery is noted in the Heysham Lake area (between buoys 5 - 7) and runs for the period 1st July - 31st August (60 days). Fishing methods employed are drift nets; and seine nets. Further details on commercial fishing activities in relation to the above species of interest in the area are contained in Section 3.4.2.

Potential impacts on fish and shellfish are summarised in Section 3.3.7 but it is expected that an assessment of the potential impact on fish communities present; fish spawning grounds and any community of elasmobranchs will be undertaken.

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3.3.4 Ornithology

3.3.4.1 Existing Data and Surveys The Walney Offshore Wind Farm Environmental Statement (2006) presented data on birds obtained from the following marine surveys:

 Boat-based surveys (between May 2004 and September 2005 as summarised in Table 14); and  Aerial surveys (these were flown within the region of the wind farm between 2002 and 2006 as summarised in Table 14).

Furthermore boat-based bird and aerial surveys have been undertaken prior to construction and continue to be undertaken during construction of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Walney offshore wind farms. Pre construction surveys have been undertaken according to the following schedule:

 Boat based surveys (July, Aug, September 2008, May 2009) at Phase 1;  Boat based surveys (May, July, Aug, September 2009) at Phase 2; and  Aerial surveys of the NW3 area (December 2009 and January 2010).

The survey area (boat transects) partly covers the W and SW of the proposed Walney Extension site as shown in Chart 5. The proposed extension site is partially located within the BERR aerial survey sector NW3, where aerial surveys of water birds were undertaken in 2004-20059 and 2005-200610 and 2007-200811(February, October) and 2008-200912 (February, October).

3.3.4.2 Key Species The ornithological surveys undertaken at Walney Offshore Wind Farm have indicated the following key species to be present: Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), Lesser black backed gull (Larus fuscus), Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus), Pink-Footed goose (Anser brachyrhyncus), red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) and common scoter (Melanitta nigra) populations. Furthermore auks have been identified during the ornithological surveys as being present in the area around Walney Offshore Wind Farms. The red-throated diver and common scoter are a factor for the Liverpool Bay Special Protection Area (SPA) which has recently been designated by Natural England as a full SPA13. The following section provides details on each species of interest, and the sensitivity of each species is outlined in Table 6 to Table 8 below:

 Complete list of species identified within the existing and under construction Walney offshore wind farm area and buffer zone (Table 6);  Observed species qualifying or assemblage of an SPA or a pSPA (  Table 7);  Species not associated with SPAs (Table 8).

9 Aerial Surveys of Waterbirds in Strategic Wind Farms Areas: 2004/05 Final Report. DTI, May 2006. 10 See BERR (2007). Aerial Surveys of Waterbirds in Strategic Wind Farm Areas: 2005/06 Final Report. Available at the URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file42555.pdf 11 BOWind Ltd (2008). Post-construction monitoring report, First Annual Report. 12 BOWind Ltd (2009). Post-construction monitoring report, Second Annual Report. 13 More information available on the Natural England website at the URL: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/LivBay- brief_tcm6-15208.pdf

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Manx Shearwater

Manx shearwater feeds on small fish, crustaceans, cephalopods and surface offal. The bird forages individually or in small flocks and it makes use of feeding marine mammals and schools of predatory fish, which push prey species up to the surface. Manx shearwater form large aggregations of rafting birds during the summer months which may be sensitive to disturbance. Manx shearwater is known to breed at the Glannau Aberdaron and Ynys Enlii/Aberdaron Coast and Bardsey Island SPA. This species typically have a foraging radius of up to 100 km around a breeding colony and, as such it is possible that the observed birds feeding in the Irish Sea may be linked to this SPA.

Manx shearwater has been identified in previous surveys in highly variable counts and is variable between months and years. Previous surveys data show that peak counts tends to be counted during July and August and at other times the recorded numbers are very low or the species is absent from the area (Walney ES, 2006). This is confirmed in the WOW FEPA preconstruction monitoring report that also shows relatively high counts in May.

Lesser Black Backed Gull

Lesser black backed gulls are largely migratory with peak times of passage between July and October and between mid February and April. This species is present in the UK during the breeding period with an estimated breeding population of 112,074 pairs14. The UK largest colony of Lesser black backed gulls is on (distance app 19 km) consisting of one third of the UK population. The UK‟s suite of SPAs designated for Lesser black backed gulls supports a total of 88,633 pairs. This includes a number of SPAs in proximity to the Project site including the Ribble and Alt Estuary SPA and the Morecombe Bay SPA (which includes Walney Island) support 1,800 and 22,000 pairs respectively. Details are summarised in Table 7 below. Lesser black backed gulls can fly many kilometres to feed, and therefore Walney is within the foraging range of the colony of Walney Island and SPA sites. The main risk presented by offshore wind farms to Lesser Black Backed Gulls is collision risk as detailed in Table 6.

Diving species - Red-throated diver and common scoter

Both red-throated diver and common scoter species are typically associated with sandbank environments, which support their preferred prey items, and are more likely to frequent the shallower areas of the wind farm extension site. Common scoters are benthic feeders and are, therefore, potentially vulnerable to any changes to, and/or loss of, benthic habitat. Red-throated divers feed on small fish such as sprat and sandeel which rely on sandbank habitats as nursery, spawning or shelter areas and may be indirectly affected by changes to sandbank.

Results from the boat-based surveys undertaken in and around the site of the Walney Offshore Wind Farm in 2004 and 2005, recorded red-throated diver and common scoter in relatively low numbers, particularly within the wind farm area itself. This tendency is confirmed in the pre construction surveys undertaken in 2008-2009 (Dong Energy, 2010).

Red-throated divers are mainly observed in coastal waters, being concentrated mostly along the northern Welsh and Merseyside coasts. Other hotspots for common scoter at some distance from the

14 http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/l/lesserblackbackedgull/index.aspx

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extension site were in and around the Shell Flats & Lune Deep pSAC (SE of the site), at Colwyn Bay and (SW of the site).

The Walney Extension site protrudes seawards away from the Liverpool Bay pSPA into deeper waters which are not favoured by these diving species (i.e. deeper than 20m). Much of the extensions are at a greater depth than this and seabed sediments appear to be muddy sediments rather than sandbank structures. It is therefore anticipated that although the extension is in close proximity to the SPA, the red-throated diver and common scoter are not expected to have a significant presence within the extension areas.

This is confirmed by regional aerial bird surveys, commissioned by DTI and BERR (now DECC) and undertaken in 2004-6 which covered approximately half of this area under assessment. Results indicate that both species are largely distributed to the east of the existing sites and closer to the coast and, in the case of common scoter, on Shell Flats. Previous Appropriate Assessment at the existing site, in co-ordination with Natural England and RSPB, showed a negligible impact on these two species and resulted in no mitigation measures being required, however monitoring was still necessary.

It can be concluded that it is likely that the usage of the Walney Extension site by red-throated divers and common scoters is lower than at the Walney offshore wind farm site as a result of the new sites progression into deeper waters where less food is readily available for these diving birds. In addition to this, their relation to the rest of the wider area shows a lower usage of this extension site.

Migratory species Designated sites in the wider study area are a vital link in a chain of estuaries on the west coast of England providing resting grounds for internationally and nationally important populations of migrating waterfowl. Concentrated migrating bird flights tend to be closer to shore, while broad front migrations are more likely to occur over the sea (Figure 4). There are no particular features in the area that might concentrate migration flights over the sea and through the windfarm site, but some weather conditions, low cloud cover for example, can cause birds to fly at rotor height and consequently be at risk of collision.

Contrary to the aforementioned species, both whooper swan and pink-footed goose are migratory species, having flight routes within the region. These two species migrate to and from Iceland and Martin Mere SPA (amongst other areas along the west coast of the UK), however the precise route(s) is not clear. The EIA undertaken for the Walney Offshore Wind Farms included a vessel based radar survey undertaken in October 2005. To estimate the magnitude of the passage of whooper swan and pink-footed geese during the radar survey exercise, the number of birds observed at Martin Mere and Morecambe Bay between 20 September 2005 and 1 November 2005 were collated. Surveys were undertaken at dusk at Morecambe Bay and at dawn of the following day at Martin Mere, counts for consecutive days were combined to give an indication of the combined populations at both sites. The radar survey indicated that only 5 % of the survey data could be used for analysis as rain and sea clutter limited the detection of birds. A total of 58 swans were identified of which 36 % were identified as whooper swans. No pink footed geese were identified however two flocks of grey geese were identified.

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In 2007 BOWind Ltd undertook a land based survey at Barrow Offshore Wind Farm. The survey was set up to gain information on the passage of pink-footed goose and Whooper swan off Walney Island during the autumn 2007. Monitoring took place during 21 days in September-October 2007.

The results showed that most of the observed Whooper swans (81%) were less than 2.5km from the coastline of Walney Island The majority of the observed pink-footed geese (76%) were passing less than 4.2km from Walney Island (Figure 1.6). About half of the birds (56%) were passing less than 2.5km from the coastline. Some pink-footed geese were passing further offshore and 576 birds or 12% were observed passing at the same distance from Walney Island as Barrow Offshore Wind Farm.

A recent COWRIE funded project completed by WWT15 was undertaken to address this issue of migration routes. A number of Whooper swans were tagged prior to their annual migration to Iceland. The aim was to ascertain their routes and flight heights with a view to assessing potential interactions with offshore wind farms. Preliminary results indicate that Whooper Swans fly across the proposed site during their migration, as can be seen in the figure below.

Data analysed for tagged birds flying over wind farm sites indicated that 94% of birds flew at 100m or less, indicating that these birds could be at risk of collision with turbines.

Figure 4: Migratory flight lines of tagged Whooper swans from Marine Mere SPA (WWT, 2009).

15 WWT (2009). The Migration of Whooper swans in Relation to Offshore Wind Farms. WWT Unpublished Presentation of Interim Results. COWRIE.

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As indicated in the WWT observations, the majority of pink-footed goose and whooper swan appeared to follow a coastal route which is concentrated closer inshore than over the proposed Walney Extension site.

Due to the Project‟s westerly orientation away from key areas for these species, impacts such as disturbance may be reduced. The cumulative impact of other developments will still need to be addressed.

The EIA will further assess the potential impact and the cumulative impact on migratory swan and goose species that pass through the Walney Extension site and nearby wind farm areas i.e. Walney Offshore Wind Farms, Barrow Offshore Wind Farm, West of Duddon Sands and Ormonde.

Early engagement will be undertaken with the relevant regulators and advisors to ensure that data and methods of analysis are fit for purpose.

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Chart 5: Coverage of aerial and boat-based bird surveys undertaken for the Walney offshore wind farm EIA between 2002 and 2006

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Table 6: Summary of bird species identified within the existing Walney offshore wind farm area

Note: This table is a complete list of species present within the existing and under construction Walney wind farm area and buffer zone based on results of pre-construction, construction and post construction surveys2,3,4 from 2005 -2008. Where a species was observed in low numbers (i.e. less than 5 individuals reported in each phase), these are listed for completeness, but vulnerability and cumulative impacts (table 5) are not assessed.

Bird species Vulnerability to wind farm development? Overall Feature of Use of site Potential for Information Sources 7 known to frequent (high, medium, low, unknown)7 risk SPA with where cumulative (see notes16) area of available impact? Displacement Collision Barrier Indirect potential for development interaction (breeding, (if yes then effect effects on 4 prey species with site? wintering, see table (if yes then passage, below) see table 2 combination) below)

Manx shearwater Low Low unknown Medium High Yes, Nearest In flight, and on Yes 2,3,4,5 Most commonly SPA is approx sea observed species in these 180km away, surveys similar to mean foraging distance of 171km

Whooper swan Low High Low Low High yes In flight Yes 6 a count of 14 was taken during radar surveys. Flights heights were recorded as being between 30-300m.

Unidentified goose or Yes In flight Yes 6 a count of 69 was taken swan during radar surveys. Flights heights were recorded as being between 10-100m.

Gannet Low Medium Low Low High No In flight, and on Yes 2,3,4,5 sea and feeding

Guillemot Medium Low Medium Medium Medium Yes In flight, and on No 2,3,4,5 sea

Razorbill Medium Low Medium Medium Medium Yes In flight No 2,3,4,5

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Lesser black backed Low Medium Low Low High Yes In flight, and on Yes 2,3,4,5 gull sea and feeding

Arctic tern Medium Low Low Medium Medium Yes In flight No 2,5

Kittiwake Medium Low Low Low Low No In flight, and on No 2,3,4,5 sea and feeding

Northern fulmar Low Low Low Medium Low No In flight No 2,3,5

Red-throated diver High Low Medium Medium High Yes Yes 5

Cormorant Low Medium Medium Medium Medium Yes Yes 5

Great skua Low Medium Low Low High No No 5

Eider duck Low Low Medium Medium Medium No No 5

Sandwich tern Low Medium Low Medium Medium Yes Yes 5

Oystercatcher Not defined by Not defined Not defined Not defined Not Yes Yes 5 RSPB. Best estimate by RSPB by RSPB by RSPB defined by Low Best Best Best estimate RSPB Best estimate estimate Low estimate Low Low Low

Gadwall Not defined by Not defined Not defined Not defined Not No No 5 RSPB. Best estimate by RSPB. by RSPB. by RSPB. defined by Low Best Best Best estimate RSPB. estimate estimate Low Best Low Low estimate Low

Common gull Low Low Low Low Medium No (see table 3 No 5 below)

Swallow Not defined by Not defined Not defined Not defined Not No No 5 RSPB. Best by RSPB. by RSPB. by RSPB. defined by estimate Low Best Best Best estimate RSPB estimate estimate Low Medium Low Best estimate Low

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Common tern Low Medium Low Medium Medium Yes Yes 5

Little grebe Not defined by Not defined Not defined Not defined Not No No 5 RSPB. Best estimate by RSPB. by RSPB. by RSPB. defined by Medium Best Best Best estimate RSPB. . estimate estimate Low Best Low Low estimate Low

Common sandpiper Not defined by Not defined Not defined Not defined Not No No 5 RSPB. Best estimate by RSPB. by RSPB. by RSPB. defined by Low Best Best Best estimate RSPB. estimate estimate Low Low Low Best estimate Low

Grey heron Not defined by Not defined Not defined Not defined Not No No 5 RSPB. Best estimate by RSPB. by RSPB. by RSPB. defined by Low Best Best RSPB. estimate estimate Best estimate Best Low Low Low estimate Low

Curlew See note above See note See note See note See note Yes No 5 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Sanderling See note above See note See note See note See note Yes No 5 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Reed bunting See note above See note See note See note See note No No 5 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Feral pigeon See note above See note See note See note See note No No 5 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Coal tit See note above See note See note See note See note No No 5 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Swift See note above See note See note See note See note No No 5 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Brent goose See note above See note See note See note See note No Yes 5, 2 individuals observed above above above above

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Little tern See note above See note See note See note See note Yes No 5 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Red-breasted See note above See note See note See note See note Yes No 5 Observed at low numbers merganser above above above above

Velvet scoter See note above See note See note See note See note No No 5 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Arctic skua See note above See note See note See note See note No No 5 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Shelduck See note above See note See note See note See note yes No 5 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Black headed gull See note above See note See note See note See note Yes No 4 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Greater black backed See note above See note See note See note See note No No 3,4 Observed at low gull above above above above numbers

Storm petrel See note above See note See note See note See note yes No 2 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Meadow pipit See note above See note See note See note See note No No 4 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Herring gull See note above See note See note See note See note Yes No 2 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Common scoter See note above See note See note See note See note Yes No 4 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Ringed plover See note above See note See note See note See note Yes No 3 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Pomarine skua See note above See note See note See note See note No No 4 Observed at low numbers above above above above

Puffin See note above See note See note See note See note yes No 2 Observed at low numbers above above above above

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1Information source column to include, but are not limited to details of evidence base for information set out in previous column including vulnerability, SPA designation, cumulative impact . Sources may include Seabirds at Sea database, SEA data, preliminary surveys commissioned by developer, NBN gateway among others.

2 ESS (2008) Ornithology and Marine Mammal Survey. Walney, Barrow and Ormonde surveyors report dated 22/07/08

3 ESS (2008) Ornithology and Marine Mammal Survey. Walney, Barrow and Ormonde surveyors report dated 19/08/08

4 ESS (2008) Ornithology and Marine Mammal Survey. Walney, Barrow and Ormonde surveyors report dated 17/09/08

5 Walney Offshore Wind Farm Environmental Statement DONG Energy 2006. Results presented from aerial surveys (2002 -2006) and boat based surveys (May 2004 – September 2005). 6 Walney Offshore Wind Farm Environmental Statement DONG Energy 2006. Results presented from radar surveys (1st October – 29th October 2005). 7 Where possible, overall risk and vulnerability are taken from Langston (2010) Offshore wind farms and birds: Round 3 zones, extensions to Round 1 and 2 sites & Scottish Territorial waters. RSPB research report no.39

8 A number of unidentified goose and swan species were noted during radar surveys. Due to the sensitivity of these species a precautionary approach has been taken and all goose and swan species relevant to the area have been included in this assessment. Species that are relevant to this area are White Fronted Goose, Pink-footed Geese, Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, Brent Goose and Whooper Swan.

Table 7: Special Protection Area (SPA) - Summary of potential affected sites

Note: the Table includes all species recorded at the site during surveys to support the Environmental Statement and the pre-construction surveys where they are a qualifying or an assemblage feature of an SPA or pSPA (including those recorded at low numbers) have been included. Species1 Site name(s) Site number(s) Minimum Qualifying Population of SPA3 Sensitivity6 Additional notes5 distance from site feature?2 and status (current, at designation or from SPA review) Red throated diver Liverpool Bay SPA UK9020294 10 km Yes 922 individuals High Maximum (Annex I species) Common tern (Annex The Dee Estuary UK9010141 60km Yes 277 pairs Medium Breeding. Mean I species) SPA foraging range is 8.5km6, so unlikely to interact. The Ribble and Alt UK9005103 34km Yes 182 pairs Estuaries SPA

Ynys Feurig, Cemlyn Bay and The Skerries SPA UK9013061 Yes 189 pairs Whooper swan The Ribble and Alt UK9005103 34km Yes 159 individuals High Overwintering (Annex I species) Estuaries SPA

Martin Mere SPA UK 9005111 54km Yes 621 individuals Overwintering

Upper Solway Flats & UK9005012 73km Yes 117 individuals Overwintering Marshes SPA

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Species1 Site name(s) Site number(s) Minimum Qualifying Population of SPA3 Sensitivity6 Additional notes5 distance from site feature?2 and status (current, at designation or from SPA review) Pink Footed Goose Morecambe Bay SPA UK 9005081 20km Yes 2,475 individuals High Overwintering

The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA UK9005103 34km Yes 23,860 individuals Overwintering

Martin Mere SPA UK 9005111 54km Yes 25,779 individuals Overwintering Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SPA

UK9005012 73km Yes 15,983 individuals Overwintering Barnacle Goose Upper Solway Flats UK9005012 73km Yes 13,595 individuals High Overwintering and Marshes SPA White fronted Goose Dyfi Estuary UK9020284 Yes 144 individuals High Overwintering

Cormorant Ynys Seirol SPA UK9020285 82km Yes 776 pairs Medium Breeding season

The Ribble and Alt UK9005103 34km Assemblage feature n/a Wetland of Estuaries SPA international importance Assemblage feature Wetland of The Dee Estuary UK901014 60km n/a SPA international Assemblage feature importance

Wetland of Morecombe Bay SPA UK 9005081 20km n/a international importance Assemblage feature

Upper Solway Flats Wetland of

and Marshes SPA international UK9005012 73km Assemblage feature n/a importance Mersey Narrows and North Wirral Wetland of Foreshore SPA international UK9020287 63.5km n/a importance.

Foraging range of

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Species1 Site name(s) Site number(s) Minimum Qualifying Population of SPA3 Sensitivity6 Additional notes5 distance from site feature?2 and status (current, at designation or from SPA review) Cormorant is a maximum of 20- 25km8 Sandwich Tern The Dee Estuary UK9010141 60km Yes 818 individuals Medium Mean foraging range (Annex 1 species) SPA is 70km6. So may interact. There may be some connectivity Morecambe Bay SPA UK9005081 20km Yes 290 pairs between SPA sites

Duddon Estuary SPA UK9005031 20km Yes 210 pairs Ynys Feurig, Cemlyn Bay and The Skerries SPA UK9013061 Approx 115km Yes 460 pairs

Oystercatcher Lavan Sands/ Traeth UK9013031 82km Yes 4,932 individuals Not defined by Over wintering. In Lafan SPA RSPB. Best poor weather birds estimate Low from Dee estuary SPA seek refuge here.

The Ribble and Alt UK9005103 34km Yes 16,159 individuals Overwintering. Estuaries SPA

The Dee Estuary SPA UK9010141 60km Yes 28,434 individuals Overwintering. Mersey Narrows and UK9020287 63.5km Assemblage feature n/a Wetland of North Wirral international importance. Foreshore SPA Assemblage feature

UK9005031 20km n/a

Duddon Estuary SPA Assemblage feature

Morecambe Bay SPA UK 9005081 20km n/a

Yes Upper Solway Flats

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Species1 Site name(s) Site number(s) Minimum Qualifying Population of SPA3 Sensitivity6 Additional notes5 distance from site feature?2 and status (current, at designation or from SPA review) and Marshes SPA Overwintering UK9005012 73km 34,694 individuals Manx Shearwater Glannau Aberdaron UK9013121 Approx 147 km Yes 6,930 pairs High Migratory. The and Ynys Enlli SPA maximum foraging range for this species is 330 km7. Skokholm and UK9014051 over 200km away Yes 150,968 pairs Skomer SPA Kittiwake Skokholm and UK9014051 Over 200km Assemblage feature n/a Low Maximum foraging Skomer SPA distance is 83km7 , so unlikely to be affected

Seabird assemblage Assemblage feature of international Ailsa Craig SPA UK 9003091 Approx 180km n/a importance.

Lesser Black Backed Morecambe Bay SPA UK 9005081 20km Yes 22,00 pairs High Breeding season Gull The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA UK9005103 34km Yes 1,800 pairs Breeding season

Ailsa Craig SPA UK 9003091 180km Yes 1,800 pairs Breeding season Skokholm and Skomer SPA UK9014051 Over 200km Yes 20,300 pairs Breeding season Guillemot Ailsa Craig SPA UK 9003091 180km Assemblage feature n/a Medium Seabird assemblage of international importance. Assemblage feature Maximum foraging Skokholm and UK9014051 Over 200km n/a range is 123km7 and Skomer SPA so outside range

Razorbill Ailsa Craig SPA UK 9003091 180km Assemblage feature n/a Medium Seabird assemblage of international

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Species1 Site name(s) Site number(s) Minimum Qualifying Population of SPA3 Sensitivity6 Additional notes5 distance from site feature?2 and status (current, at designation or from SPA review) importance. Assemblage feature Maximum foraging range is 150km7 and Skokholm and UK9014051 200km n/a so outside range Skomer SPA Gannet Ailsa Craig SPA UK 9003091 180km Yes 32,460 pairs High Breeding. Maximum foraging range is 540km7 and so within range Arctic Tern Ynys Feurig, Cemlyn UK9013061 Approx. 115km Yes 1,290 pairs Medium Breeding season. Bay and The Skerries Maximum foraging SPA range is 20km7 and so outside range Shelduck Duddon Estuary SPA UK9005031 20km Assemblage feature n/a Low numbers Wetland of international importance Morecambe Bay SPA Yes

UK 9005081 20km 6,372 individuals Overwintering The Ribble and Alt

Estuaries SPA Yes 4,103 individuals Overwintering UK9005103 34km

The Dee

Estuary SPA

Yes Overwintering Upper Solway Flats UK9010141 60km 6,827 individuals and Marshes SPA

Assemblage feature n/a Mersey Estuary SPA Wetland of UK9005012 73km international Yes importance UK9005131 72km 5,039 individuals Overwintering Red-breasted Duddon Estuary SPA UK9005031 20km Assemblage feature n/a Low numbers Wetland of Merganser international importance Morecambe Bay SPA UK 9005081 20km Assemblage feature n/a Wetland of international importance

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Species1 Site name(s) Site number(s) Minimum Qualifying Population of SPA3 Sensitivity6 Additional notes5 distance from site feature?2 and status (current, at designation or from SPA review) Sanderling Duddon Estuary SPA UK9005031 20km Yes 1,055 individuals Low numbers On passage

Morecambe Bay SPA UK 9005081 20km Yes 2,466 individuals On passage The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA UK9005103 34km Yes 9,031 individuals 6,172 on passage and 2,859 overwintering The Dee Estuary UK9010141 60km Assemblage feature n/a SPA Wetland of international importance Ringed Plover Duddon Estuary SPA UK9005031 20km Yes 628 individuals Low numbers On passage

Morecambe Bay SPA UK 9005081 20km Yes 693 individuals On passage The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA UK9005103 34km Yes 995 individuals On passage Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SPA

UK9005012 73km Yes 729 individuals On passage Mersey Estuary SPA

UK9005131 72km Yes 1,453 individuals On passage Little Tern (Annex 1 Morecambe Bay SPA UK 9005081 20km Yes 26 pairs Low numbers Breeding season species) The Dee Estuary Breeding season SPA UK9010141 60km Yes 56 pairs Herring Gull Morecambe Bay SPA UK 9005081 20km Yes 11,000 pairs Low numbers Breeding season

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Species1 Site name(s) Site number(s) Minimum Qualifying Population of SPA3 Sensitivity6 Additional notes5 distance from site feature?2 and status (current, at designation or from SPA review) Ailsa Craig SPA UK 9003091 180km Assemblage feature n/a Seabird assemblage of international importance Curlew The Ribble and Alt UK9005103 34km Assemblage feature n/a Low numbers Wetland of Estuaries SPA international importance

The Dee Yes

Estuary SPA UK9010141 60km 4,028 individuals Over wintering

Mersey Estuary SPA Assemblage feature

UK9005131 72km Assemblage feature n/a Duddon Estuary SPA Wetland of international UK9005031 20km n/a importance Morecambe Bay SPA Yes

Upper Solway Flats UK 9005081 20km 13,620 individuals Wetland of and Marshes SPA Yes international importance

UK9005012 73km 5,881 individuals Overwinter Common Scoter Liverpool Bay SPA UK9020294 10km Yes 54,675 individuals Low numbers

The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA UK9005103 34km Assemblage feature n/a Black Headed Gull The Ribble and Alt UK9005103 34km Assemblage feature n/a Low numbers Seabird assemblage Estuaries SPA of international importance Storm Petrel (Annex I Skokholm and UK9014051 Over 200km Yes 3,500 pairs Low numbers species) Skomer SPA

Puffin Skokholm and UK9014051 Over 200km Yes 9,500 pairs Low numbers Maximum foraging Skomer SPA range 137-200km7,6,

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Species1 Site name(s) Site number(s) Minimum Qualifying Population of SPA3 Sensitivity6 Additional notes5 distance from site feature?2 and status (current, at designation or from SPA review) so unlikely to be affected

1 From Table 6 above.

2 Some species fall within definition of aggregations rather than being listed by species.

3 From SPA data form unless more recent data available.

4 From 3rd column of Table 1.

5 Please note here, if relevant, any relationship between the sites – e.g. shared population, key ecological linkage etc – or other relevant information .

6 Taken from Langston (2010) Offshore wind farms and birds: Round 3 zones, extensions to Round 1 and 2 sites & Scottish Territorial waters. RSPB research report no.39

7 Staffan Roos, Liz Humphreys, Chris Wernham and Niall Burton (2010) Informing Appropriate Assessment of Pentland Firth Strategic Area Licensing Round – Ornithology Scoping Report. BTO

8 http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3679&m.

Table 8: Summary of species not associated with Special Protection Areas (SPAs)*

Use of Distance from site Relevant Is species part of Potential for Sensitivity4 Additional notes 2 Species1 area Population3 another designated SPA feature? (SSSI, designation? Ramsar etc) If so state which. Gadwall Within existing wind farm Regional population No No Not defined by site and reference area (Liverpool Bay) will be RSPB assessed Northern Fulmar Within existing wind farm Regional population No No Low site and reference area (Liverpool Bay) will be assessed Common Gull Within existing wind farm Regional population No Not in this region Low 2 SPAs exist for site and reference area (Liverpool Bay) will be Common Gull in assessed Northern Ireland but these are expected to be outside of foraging range Swallow Within existing wind farm Regional population No No Not defined by site and reference area (Liverpool Bay) will be RSPB

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Use of Distance from site Relevant Is species part of Potential for Sensitivity4 Additional notes 2 Species1 area Population3 another designated SPA feature? (SSSI, designation? Ramsar etc) If so state which. assessed Great Skua Within existing wind farm Regional population No Not in this region High, but 9 SPAs exists for Great site and reference area (Liverpool Bay) will be observed in low Skua In Northern assessed numbers Scotland Eider Duck Within existing wind farm Regional population No Medium site and reference area (Liverpool Bay) will be assessed Little Grebe Within existing wind farm Regional population No Not defined by site and reference area (Liverpool Bay) will be RSPB assessed Common Sandpiper Within existing wind farm Regional population No Not defined by site and reference area (Liverpool Bay) will be RSPB assessed Grey Heron Within existing wind farm Regional population No Not defined by site and reference area (Liverpool Bay) will be RSPB assessed Brent Goose Possibility within existing Regional population Not in this region Medium/High 19 SPAs exist for Brent wind farm site and (Liverpool Bay) will be Goose on the East and reference area assessed South coast of England Greylag Goose Migratory Possibly within existing Regional population High Over 20 SPAs exists for wind farm site and (Liverpool Bay) will be Greylag Goose to the reference area assessed north of the Walney site

1 From Table 6 above

2 E.g. passage bird/migrant passing through area, over-wintering aggregation etc

3 For purposes of environmental impact assessment – provide further details if necessary to justify selection of this quantum, minimum and maximum size should be stated.

4 Langston (2010) .Offshore wind farms and birds: Round 3 zones, extensions to Round 1 and 2 sites & Scottish Territorial waters. RSPB research report no.39

*Those species that were observed at low numbers have been excluded.

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3.3.5 Marine Mammals

The East Irish Sea is generally a region with a low abundance of whales, dolphins and seals. Three species have been identified as key species for the NW3 region: Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and grey seal (Phoca vitulina) (Walney ES, 2006).

JNCC data17 indicates the presence of Harbour porpoises in the Liverpool Bay area, and regional surveys undertaken on a finer scale by DTI and BERR recorded marine mammal species in addition to bird species. Harbour Porpoise, unidentified small cetaceans and seals were observed on a regular basis throughout the surveys, and in general, animals were seen in pairs or individually.

Distribution appears even throughout the survey area, although the survey does not include the northern half of the extension. It is anticipated that due to varied seabed topography in this northern area and its further distance offshore, a more varied range of species may be seen.

A grey seal colony exists on the tip of nearby Walney Island. Grey seals are present in the area and are noted Grade D18 features at a number of Natura 2000 sites, as shown in Table 9 below. Grey seals are known to travel widely during foraging trips and are likely to utilise the extension area. This is supported by the initial pre-construction surveys undertaken by ESS19 which recorded seals, most commonly Grey Seal, within the Project site which was covered by the survey.

Natura 2000 sites and estimated distance from Walney Extension site

Conservation Area Status Distance

Morecambe Bay SAC 20 km

Dee Estuary SAC 60 km

Menai Strait & Conwy Bay/ SAC 67 km Y Fenai a Bae Conwy

Luce Bay & Sands SAC 69 km

Upper Solway Flats SPA 73 km

Table 9: Natura 2000 sites with a link to marine mammal presence close to the proposed Walney Extension.

Common seals, on the other hand, are not frequently seen in the area. The nearest Natura 2000 sites with common seals as a feature are the Murlough SAC and Strangford Lough SAC located in Ireland.

The status and distribution of these marine mammals was described to a further extent within the Walney offshore wind farm site Environmental Statement (March 2006) and the large majority of this will be identical to the Project site.

17 Reid J., Evans., P and Northridge, S. (2003) Atlas of Cetacean Distribution in the Northwest European Waters. JNCC. 18 Grade D - Present but not a qualifying feature for which conservation objectives are set. 19 ESS (2008) Ornithological and Mammal Survey – Walney, Barrow and Ormonde Surveyors Report. Three survey reports dated 22/07/08, 18/08/08 and 17/09/08 and associated datasets were used.

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The area appears to support moderate levels of marine mammal activity, although much of the Project area to the west has not been surveyed and there is therefore an absence of data. It is anticipated that marine mammal activity would be similar to, or possibly slightly greater than, the level observed to the east. Due to the size of the Project and moderate levels of marine mammal activity robust surveys and mitigation levels similar to Round 2 wind farm projects in the area are likely to be required i.e. marine mammal observers being present during the construction phase.

3.3.6 Nature Conservation Areas

The following sub-sections provide a summary of the designated nature conservation interests in and around the Project site. Reference is made to existing designated sites as well as species and habitat that may represent potential features of nature conservation interests. Chart 16 in Appendix C provides an overview of the location of these sites. Key documents to be consulted during the EIA process include but are not limited to:

 Offshore wind farm EIA guidance - currently being drafted by MMO with input by statutory consultees; and

 European Commission (2010) Guidance Document: Wind energy development and Natura 2000. Final draft document.

3.3.6.1 Designated and Proposed Nature Conservation Sites A number of relevant designated and proposed nature conservation areas are located around the Project site, including those in Table 10.

Marine Protected Areas i.e. SSSIs, Ramsar & Natura 2000 sites Relevant Substation (including proposed designated sites) landfall sites

Morecambe Bay SPA, SAC, SSSI, Ramsar site & NNR - for the presence of wintering waterfowl, little tern, sandwich tern, pink-footed goose, and internationally important seabird populations. Also for the large expanse of mussel Heysham beds (Mytilus edulis) categorised within the 'large shallow inlets and bays' Annex I habitat (note this designation list is not exhaustive);

The Lune Deep and Shell Flats pSAC, designated for the presence of reefs and Stanah, Heysham sand banks in waters less than 20 m;

Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA & Ramsar site, for the presence of common tern, Bewick's swan, whooper swan, and pink-footed goose (note this designation list is Penwortham not exhaustive);

Table 10: Marine Protected Areas identified to potentially coincide with possible export cable route options.

A number of other relevant designated and proposed nature conservation areas are located around the Project site, but do not coincide directly with the possible export cable routes (see below):

 The Liverpool Bay SPA (designated 20th August 2010 and therefore is subject to the restrictions and environmental guidance regarding development within/adjacent to SPAs.), designated for the presence of Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter populations;

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 Dee Estuary SPA & Ramsar site, for the presence of Common Tern, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, as well as internationally important wetland bird assemblages;

 Duddon Estuary SPA & Ramsar site, for the sandwich tern, as well as internationally important wetland bird assemblages;

 Dee Estuary SAC, SSSI & Ramsar site, for the presence of Atlantic Salmon;

 Mersey Estuary SPA, SSSI & Ramsar site, for the presence of several waterfowl species; and

 Mersey Narrows and North Wirral Foreshore pSPA and SSSI, for the presence of several waterfowl species.

In the wider area, other nature conservation areas include:

 Martin Mere SPA & Ramsar site, for the presence of Bewick‟s Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink- footed Goose, and internationally important wetland bird populations;

 Lavan Sands/Traeth Lafan SPA, for the Oystercatcher population present;

 Puffin Island/Ynys Seiriol in Conwy Bay SPA, for the cormorant population present;

 Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SPA, for the presence of Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, and internationally important wetland bird populations; and

 Aberdaron Coast and Bardsey Island/Glannau Aberdaron and Ynys Enlii SPA, for the Manx Shearwater population present.

The most important of these designated and proposed nature conservation sites is the Liverpool Bay SPA, which covers a large area of coastal waters including Liverpool Bay and Irish Sea waters to the S and SE. The Liverpool Bay SPA lies approximately 10 km from the Project site at its closest point and Common Scoter, as an SPA feature, are found in the area of the Project; hence potential impacts will be addressed in depth within the ES.

As an SPA, its qualifying features (wintering populations of red-throated diver and common scoter that the area has been found to support) have defined conservation management objectives designed to maintain populations in a favourable condition.

The Liverpool Bay SPA was proposed prior to the existing site being consented and was therefore discussed within the initial Walney ES (March 2006), therefore this has been previously addressed in the existing Walney offshore wind farm EIA process.

There are over 4,000 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in England, covering around 7% of the country's land area. More than 70% of these sites, (by area) are internationally important for their wildlife, and designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) or Ramsar sites.

SSSIs found in the vicinity of the wind farm extension and associated export cable route include the South Walney & Piel Channel Flats SSSI, Morecambe Bay SSSI, Lune Estuary SSSI, Wyre Estuary SSSI, Ribble Estuary SSSI, Marton Mere, Blackpool SSSI, Dunes SSSI, Ribble Estuary SSSI, Lytham Coastal Changes SSSI, Sefton Coast SSSI, North Wirral Foreshore SSSI,

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Mersey Narrows SSSI, Mersey Estuary SSSI, Red Rocks SSSI, and Dee Estuary SSSI (http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk).

All of which will be taken into account, and any not listed in the nearby vicinity, when reviewing the reasoning for their SSSI designation and appropriate regulatory authorities contacted and guidelines followed.

Ramsar sites are designated as a result of the 1971 convention in Ramsar, Iran (1971), called the Ramsar Convention. The Convention's mission is "the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world".

These sites are largely based on wetland habitats and the associated bird populations. Ramsar sites have been designated in the wind farm extension vicinity at Duddon Estuary, Ribble & Alt Estuaries and Morecambe Bay, further afield sites can be found at the Mersey Estuary and Dee Estuary (http://ramsar.wetlands.org).

3.3.6.2 Features of Potential Nature Conservation Interest In addition to the nature conservation areas mentioned, it is important that any marine development also fully considers the scope for the scheme to cause adverse impacts upon species and/or habitats that could potentially be designated in the future. This is particularly relevant to habitats and species listed in Annexes 1 and 2 of the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) have just completed a public consultation of marine SACs and SPAs in the UK territorial waters. The Shell Flat & Lune Deep pSAC (44 km N of the Project site, off the Blackpool coast) is expected to be designated by Natural England for the presence of sandbanks and reefs.

Two of the proposed export cable routes (to Heysham and Stanah substations) have the potential to impact upon this pSAC and hence appropriate surveying, monitoring and then management and mitigation methods will be discussed and agreed upon with the regulatory authorities.

3.3.6.3 UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) The UK is a signatory to the 1992 Convention of Biological Diversity, an international legally binding treaty which was signed at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and provides a legal framework for biodiversity conservation. From the initial strategy publication, 391 Species Action Plans (SAPs) and 45 Habitat Action Plans (HAPs) were published for the UK most threatened (i.e. "priority") species and habitats.

These plans describe the status of each habitat and species and outline the threats they face, set targets and objectives for their management, and propose actions necessary to achieve recovery.

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Figure 5: Epibenthic dredge sample from Walney offshore wind farm benthic survey, 2005.

In addition, there are approximately 150 Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs), normally at county level. These plans usually include actions to address the needs of the UK priority habitats and species in the local area, together with a range of other plans for habitats and species that are of local importance or interest.

Certain marine BAP habitats and species may exist in and around the Project site. It is therefore important that the Project ES fully assesses the existence of and potential impacts upon any such habitats and/or species in this area.

Habitats and species that may occur around the Project site currently include the following:

 Sublittoral sands and gravels;

 Intertidal mudflats and muddy gravels;

 Sabellaria spinulosa (in its reef-building form); and

 Certain marine fish species (part of the Grouped Plan for Commercial Marine Fish).

3.3.6.4 Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) aim to conserve areas of the sea to protect rare, threatened and representative habitats and species and to help ensure long-term sustainability of marine resources in our seas. The first of three iterations of maps detailing potential MCZs has been published in July 2010 and identifies sites within the Irish Sea Coastal Zone (ISCZ) which are within close proximity to the proposed extension site at Walney, although it is recognised that this is subject to change with future iterations of the proposed designated areas. One of the initially proposed potential MCZs

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(Number 2 as shown in the ISCZ First Progress Report) appears to overlap the Walney extension site and parts of the export cable route and therefore the status, designation and future management of this (if it is finally agreed upon) will be monitored closely and DONG Energy will liaise closely with the MCZ team. The MCZ conservation objectives and management strategies are still in the early stages of development and therefore DONG Energy will consult and work with the relevant authorities to ensure all up-to-date information and conservation objectives are considered during the development of the site. In addition benthic survey information gathered as part of the environmental assessment will be analysed with reference to guidance noted prepared by both Natural England and the JNCC on the identification of Features of Conservation Interest (FOCI) at MCZs.

3.3.7 Offshore Biological Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts

The Project has the potential to produce a range of impacts upon the biological environment, which are summarised in Table 13 below. The assessment of potential impacts in the full EIA will include consideration of in-combination and cumulative impacts.

3.3.7.1 Scoping of Cumulative Impacts on Bird Population according to COWRIE Guidance This section provides an overview of the potential cumulative impacts on bird populations divided into species and SPA/pSPA. Where possible the Environmental Statements of relevant projects have been consulted to confirm species presence. In the case of the proposed Scottish sites, these were all assumed to be on the flight path of migratory geese and swans and therefore included for these species only (Table 11) as well as an overview of the projects and activities to be included in the cumulative impact assessment (Table 12).

Morecambe Bay SPA which is designated for Sandwich Tern is included in this assessment. Morecambe Bay SPA is just over 40km from the Project and the Wind Farm under Construction site, however, there is likely to be some passage of Sandwich Terns, and therefore connectivity, between the Morecombe Bay and the Dee Estuary SPAs.

Hence there is the potential for wind farms to the north of Liverpool Bay to interact with species designated at the Morecombe Bay SPA and therefore also the Dee Estuary SPA. Ynys Seirol SPA designated Cormorant has been included for similar reasons. There may be some connectivity along the North Welsh coast between Ynys Seirol SPA and The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA and The Dee Estuary SPA where cormorants are an assemblage feature.

Table 12 below provides a summary of potential cumulative impacts from all offshore wind farm projects in the area. Where possible, the Environmental Statements of the projects have been consulted to confirm species presence.

In the case of the proposed Project development, species presence is assumed to be the same as the site of the Wind Farm under Construction. Where possible the Environmental Statements of relevant projects have been consulted to confirm species presence. In the case of the proposed Scottish sites, these were all assumed to be on the flight path of migratory geese and swans and therefore included for these species only.

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Figure 6: Winter survey coverage of UK waters by aerial surveys (unpublished information, Sept 2008)

(Compiled from DECC, JNCC, WTT; image courtesy of WTT)

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Table 11: Summary of potential cumulative impacts of offshore wind farm projects on a species by species basis

Sensitive receptors Sensitive receptors identified at table 4 in respect of other wind farms in planning or construction? identified at Table 4 Burbo Gwynt-y- North Rhyl Walney5 Barrow6 West Of Ormonde8 Robin Kintyre Islay Argyll Wigtown Sensitive Bank1 Mor2 Hoyle3 Flats4 Duddon Rigg receptors at the Sands7 proposed Walney site

Red throated Y Y Y Y Y N N N N N N N N Diver

Common Tern Y Y Y Y N N N N N N N N N

Sandwich tern Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N N N

Cormorant Y Y Y Y N N Y N N N N N N

Manx N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Shearwater Gannet Y Y Y Y y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Lesser Black Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y backed Gull Whooper Swan N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Pink-footed N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Goose White Fronted N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Goose Greylag Goose N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Barnacle Goose N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Brent Goose N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

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1 Burbo bank Offshore wind farm Environmental Statement, Seascape Energy Ltd, 2002.

2 Gwynt-y-Mor Environmental Statement. Gwent-y-Mor Offshore Windfarm Ltd., 2005.

3 North Hoyle Environmental Statement, NWP Offshore wind Ltd, 2002.

4 Rhyl Flats Environmental Statement, Celtic Offshore Wind Ltd., 2002.

5 Walney Environmental Statement, Dong Energy, 2006.

6 Barrow Offshore Wind Farm post construction monitoring report, Barrow Offshore Wind Farm Ltd, 2009. Table 12: Projects and activities to be considered as part of a cumulative ornithological impact assessment

Project Cumulative factor in respect of? (y/n) For which species? Potential cumulative / in-combination impact /Activity Displacement11 Collision Barrier Indirect on SPA? If so please identify site effect impact e.g. prey species Wind farm projects

Existing Y Y Y Y Manx Shearwater Liverpool Bay SPA Walney Whooper Swan The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA Pink-footed Goose The Dee Estuary SPA Barnacle Goose Morecombe Bay SPA White Fronted Goose Ailsa Craig SPA Greylag Goose Duddon Estuary SPA Gannet Skokholm and Skomer SPA Lesser Black backed Gull Glannau Aberdaron and Ynys Enlli SPA Red Throated Diver Dyfi SPA Cormorant Sandwich Tern Common Tern

Existing Barrow Y Y Y Y Manx Shearwater Liverpool Bay SPA

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Project Cumulative factor in respect of? (y/n) For which species? Potential cumulative / in-combination impact /Activity Displacement11 Collision Barrier Indirect on SPA? If so please identify site effect impact e.g. prey species Whooper Swan The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA Pink-footed Goose The Dee Estuary SPA Barnacle Goose Morecombe Bay SPA White Fronted Goose Ailsa Craig SPA Greylag Goose Duddon Estuary SPA Gannet Skokholm and Skomer SPA Lesser Black backed Gull Glannau Aberdaron and Ynys Enlli SPA Red Throated Diver Dyfi SPA Cormorant Sandwich Tern Common Tern

Existing Y Y Y Y Manx Shearwater Liverpool Bay SPA Ormonde Whooper Swan The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA Pink-footed Goose The Dee Estuary SPA Barnacle Goose Morecombe Bay SPA White Fronted Goose Ailsa Craig SPA Greylag Goose Duddon Estuary SPA Gannet Skokholm and Skomer SPA Lesser Black backed Gull Glannau Aberdaron and Ynys Enlli SPA Red Throated Diver Dyfi SPA Cormorant

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Project Cumulative factor in respect of? (y/n) For which species? Potential cumulative / in-combination impact /Activity Displacement11 Collision Barrier Indirect on SPA? If so please identify site effect impact e.g. prey species Sandwich Tern Common Tern

Existing West Y Y Y Y Manx Shearwater Liverpool Bay SPA of Duddon Sands Whooper Swan The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA Pink-footed Goose The Dee Estuary SPA Barnacle Goose Morecombe Bay SPA White Fronted Goose Ailsa Craig SPA Greylag Goose Duddon Estuary SPA Gannet Skokholm and Skomer SPA Lesser Black backed Gull Glannau Aberdaron and Ynys Enlli SPA Red Throated Diver Dyfi SPA Cormorant Sandwich Tern Common Tern

Existing Robin N Y Y N Whooper Swan Morecambe Bay SPA Rigg Pink-footed Goose The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA White Fronted Goose Martin Mere SPA Greylag Goose Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SPA Barnacle Goose Dyfi Estuary SPA Brent Goose

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Project Cumulative factor in respect of? (y/n) For which species? Potential cumulative / in-combination impact /Activity Displacement11 Collision Barrier Indirect on SPA? If so please identify site effect impact e.g. prey species

Proposed N Y Y N Whooper Swan Morecambe Bay SPA Wigtown Bay site (subject to Pink-footed Goose The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA survey results) White Fronted Goose Martin Mere SPA Greylag Goose Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SPA Barnacle Goose Dyfi Estuary SPA Brent Goose

Proposed Islay N Y Y N Whooper Swan Morecambe Bay SPA site (subject to survey results) Pink-footed Goose The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA White Fronted Goose Martin Mere SPA Greylag Goose Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SPA Barnacle Goose Dyfi Estuary SPA Brent Goose

Proposed N Y Y N Whooper Swan Morecambe Bay SPA Argyll Array Pink-footed Goose The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA (subject to survey results) White Fronted Goose Martin Mere SPA Greylag Goose Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SPA Barnacle Goose Dyfi Estuary SPA Brent Goose

Existing Shell N Y Y N Whooper Swan Morecambe Bay SPA Flats Pink-footed Goose The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA

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Project Cumulative factor in respect of? (y/n) For which species? Potential cumulative / in-combination impact /Activity Displacement11 Collision Barrier Indirect on SPA? If so please identify site effect impact e.g. prey species White Fronted Goose Martin Mere SPA Greylag Goose Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SPA Barnacle Goose Dyfi Estuary SPA Brent Goose

Existing Gwynt- Y Y N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay pSPA y-Mor Common Scoter, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA Cormorant, Duddon Estuary SPA Morecombe Bay SPA The Dee Estuary SPA Dyfi Estuary SPA

Existing Burbo Y Y N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay pSPA Bank Common Scoter, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA Cormorant, Duddon Estuary SPA Morecombe Bay SPA The Dee Estuary SPA Dyfi Estuary SPA

Existing North Y Y N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay pSPA Hoyle Common Scoter, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA Cormorant, Duddon Estuary SPA Morecombe Bay SPA

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Project Cumulative factor in respect of? (y/n) For which species? Potential cumulative / in-combination impact /Activity Displacement11 Collision Barrier Indirect on SPA? If so please identify site effect impact e.g. prey species The Dee Estuary SPA Dyfi Estuary SPA

Existing Rhyl Y Y N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay pSPA Flats Common Scoter, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA Cormorant, Duddon Estuary SPA Morecombe Bay SPA The Dee Estuary SPA Dyfi Estuary SPA

Round 3 Zone Y Y Y Y Manx Shearwater The Ribble and Alt Estuaries SPA 9 site Cormorant The Dee Estuary SPA (subject to survey results) Sandwich Tern Morecombe Bay SPA Common Tern Duddon Estuary SPA Auks Skokholm and Skomer SPA Glannau Aberdaron and Ynys Enlli SPA Dyfi SPA

Aggregates projects

Mersey Sand Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA Common Scoter,

Cemex Marine Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA Common Scoter,

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Project Cumulative factor in respect of? (y/n) For which species? Potential cumulative / in-combination impact /Activity Displacement11 Collision Barrier Indirect on SPA? If so please identify site effect impact e.g. prey species

UMD Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA Common Scoter,

Westminister Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA Dredging Common Scoter,

Oil and gas activities

Hamilton gas N N N N n/a n/a platform

Lennox N N N N n/a n/a

Millom N N N N n/a n/a

Dalton N N N N n/a n/a

Rivers Field N N N N n/a n/a

Ormonde N N N N n/a n/a North/West

Ormonde N N N N n/a n/a South

Bains N N N N n/a n/a

South N N N N n/a n/a Morecombe

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Project Cumulative factor in respect of? (y/n) For which species? Potential cumulative / in-combination impact /Activity Displacement11 Collision Barrier Indirect on SPA? If so please identify site effect impact e.g. prey species

North N N N N n/a n/a Morecombe

Other regulated activities

Barrow D Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA Disposal Site Common Scoter,

Holyhead Deep Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA disposal site Common Scoter,

Lune Deep Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA disposal site Common Scoter,

Lune River B Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA disposal site Common Scoter,

Morecambe Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA Bay B disposal Common Scoter, site

Mersey Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA disposal site Common Scoter,

Mostyn Deep Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA disposal site Common Scoter,

Site Y disposal Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA site Common Scoter,

Site Z disposal Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA

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Project Cumulative factor in respect of? (y/n) For which species? Potential cumulative / in-combination impact /Activity Displacement11 Collision Barrier Indirect on SPA? If so please identify site effect impact e.g. prey species site Common Scoter,

Barrow A Y N N Y Red Throated Diver, Liverpool Bay SPA disposal site Common Scoter,

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3.3.7.2 Electro-Magnetic Frequency (EMF) and Marine Fauna The proximity of wind farm cables to the seabed surface can lead to Electro-Magnetic Field (EMF) impacts, which „may‟ present an opportunity for an impact on elasmobranchs etc. Most fish species, to a certain degree, are sensitive to EMFs, however two groups are recognised as giving rise to specific concerns:

1. Migratory species such as salmon, sea trout and eels; and

2. Elasmobranchs i.e. skates, rays and sharks.

Migratory species are known to use the earth‟s EMF as a reference basis during their migrations. In particular, there is concern that an anthropogenically-produced EMF in coastal waters will interfere with fishes‟ navigation and prevent them successfully completing their spawning migration. There is less concern for eels, which are less likely to fully engage with EMF as a basis for navigation until they have moved offshore. Salmon will not be affected by any local anomalies in EMF as they will mainly use olfactory „navigation‟ in the vicinity of the landfall and localised cables for migrating into rivers. Sea trout will also rely on their olfactory system to find and identify their natal river.

Elasmobranch fish (sharks, skates and rays) are well known for their highly developed ability to detect low-level electrical fields and have a highly developed sensitivity to EMF, using it to locate their prey, both in mid-water and on, or buried within the sediment. A range of elasmobranch species, including those feeding primarily on benthic prey (e.g. lesser-spotted dogfish, thornback ray) are known to inhabit areas in and around the proposed export cable route options, and estimated inter-array site, and are therefore potentially susceptible to anthropogenic sources of electrical current in the seabed from these cables.

One area of concern is that if the EMF produced by wind farm cables are above the level of elasmobranch tolerance this may drive certain species away; alternatively, a very low induced EMF may be mistaken for buried prey and result in fish vainly digging for food where none exists. Some literature shows that the sensitivity threshold of electrosensitive fish species could be much lower than the electromagnetic field level in close proximity to a cable20.

The potential effects that EMF may have on elasmobranchs is subject to continuing investigation as part of the COWRIE programme, and as information is still not fully conclusive potential impacts are estimated (initially) to be minimal, although it should be stressed that further discussion and research will be monitored and integrated if required. Where cables rise towards the surface or above the seabed a greater impact may arise hence the current negligible magnitude may increase.

The estimated specifications for the export cable (and potentially lower voltage inter-array cables) will minimise potential magnetic fields, the cables will be buried to reduce the potential to be exposed on the seabed and potentially snagged hence significance low.

A number of factors need to be taken into consideration such as utility connection voltage, sub-sea cable technology, turbine electrical design and distance from shore. In addition, the function of inter- array cables is also affected by a number of factors namely cable voltage, sizing, armour and burial.

20 Voitovich RA & Kadomskaya KP (1997) Influence of the design parameters of high voltage underwater power cables on the electromagnetic field intensity in an aqueous medium. Electrical Technology, No 2, pp 11-21

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However, the current state of knowledge regarding the EMF emitted by the power cables, based on an assessment of existing publications and personal communications, is too variable and inconclusive to make an informed assessment of any possible environmental impact of EMF in the range of values likely to be detected by organisms sensitive to electro-magnetic fields.

3.3.7.3 Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts Table 13: Potential impacts upon the offshore biological environment from the proposed Project

Offshore Biological Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts from Walney Extension offshore wind farm Construction / Magnitude of Magnitude of Parameter Operation Decommissioning impact impact - Loss of sea bed habitat through presence of turbines - Temporary increases and foundations; in suspended sediment - Scour around concentrations from foundations leading trenching; to change in sea bed habitat; - Temporary increases in sediment - Change in sediment Benthic transport leading to deposition from Minor impact. Minor impact. Ecology plumes; localised changes in habitats; - Release of contaminants bound - Colonisation of in sediments; turbines leading to increased - Potential release of biodiversity; pollutants from construction plan. - Introduction of scour protection leading to localised change in seabed habitats. - Impact on seabed - Loss of spawning habitat as spawning/nursery a result of changes in habitat through sediment transport; presence of turbines - Behavioural impacts and foundations Negligible from construction - Increased habitat impact to noise (e.g. piling); complexity due to beneficial. Fish and presence of turbines - Sediment plumes Minor impact. Shellfish creating temporary - Scour protection act disruption to as artificial reef migratory pathways; increase amount of - Construction noise fish; (e.g. piling) creating - Behavioural impacts temporary disruption of electromagnetic Minor impact. to migratory field emission. pathways (salmon). - Disturbance impacts - Wind farm act as from construction barrier for migrating noise and visual and foraging birds; intrusion; - Risk for collision with - Disturbance impacts Please see turbines; Please see Ornithology from construction details in - Loss of habitat due to details in noise and visual Section 3.3.4.2 turbines and scour Section 3.3.4.2 intrusion (intertidal protection; and terrestrial). - Disturbance impacts - Avoidance of due to navigation and area/alteration to aviation lighting;

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Offshore Biological Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts from Walney Extension offshore wind farm Construction / Magnitude of Magnitude of Parameter Operation Decommissioning impact impact flight path should this - Avoidance of area coincide with due to presence of migration periods turbines; - Change in prey species due to change in seabed habitat. Behavioural impacts Behavioural impacts Marine Moderate and from low frequency from construction noise Negligible to no Mammals temporary. operational noise and (e.g. piling). impact. vibration. Nature - Seabed habitat - Changes to Conservation destruction and loss hydrodynamic Areas (i.e. of species; Minor to regime; Minor Lune Deep & - Structure of seabed moderate - Alteration to Shell Flats modified i.e. sediment transport pSAC) sediment alteration and deposition

3.3.8 Offshore Biological Environment – Surveys and Studies Undertaken to Date and Proposed Surveys

As part of the EIA as well as the pre-construction and post-construction processes for the Walney offshore wind farm, several surveys and studies were undertaken relating to the offshore biological environment. It should also be noted that integrated surveys are anticipated, with fish and benthos surveys to be completed together. Recommendations from the recent Cefas Report ME3117 ' Strategy Review of Offshore Wind Farm Monitoring Data Associated with FEPA Licence Conditions' will be taken into account wherever possible.

Table 14 below provides a full list of these, together with an assessment of whether the data collected during the surveys and studies will be valid for the Project site as well.

Table 14: Summary of offshore biological environment surveys and studies undertaken to date in relation to the existing Walney offshore wind farm

Offshore Biological Environment – Surveys and Studies for Walney offshore wind farm

Survey / Relevance Date Undertaken by Description Exist. Study Extension. Site Bathymetric and geophysical OSAE survey of Walney offshore wind  * Bathymetry farm site and cable route 2005 and Geology Export cable route geophysical Osiris Ltd. survey  *

Pre-construction survey; 2007-2008 DONG Energy Bathymetric survey of Walney 1  Seabed and Walney 2 Morphology and RPS Energy Scour Mitigation Pre-construction survey 2008 and Osiris Projects 2009 Bathymetric survey export cable  * route 1

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Offshore Biological Environment – Surveys and Studies for Walney offshore wind farm

Survey / Relevance Date Undertaken by Description Exist. Study Extension. Site Pre-construction survey Jan - Feb 2010 Bathymetric survey export cable  * route 2

EIA report including studies on Marine Ecology benthic communities, intertidal March 2006 DONG Energy studies ecology, fish & shell fish and  * marine mammals.

Biological and geophysical study RSK Group PLC Intertidal on intertidal environment at West August 2010 (WDS wind Invertebrates of Duddon Sands export cable  * farm) surveys route. - Pre-construction survey - Wind farm site, Walney 1 - Beam trawl: Survey in 11 transects in and outside Walney 1 existing wind farm. One transect potentially in proposed extension. - Beam trawl: Survey in 22 Jun 2008 transects in and outside Apr 2009 Walney 1 and 2 existing wind  * farm. Four transects potentially Apr 2009 in proposed extension. - Grab sampling at 43 of the initially intended 49 locations, analyses for sediment particle sizes, and macrofauna inside the wind farm and reference stations. Four sampling stations in the proposed Benthos RSK Group PLC extension site. monitoring & CMACS Ltd. - Pre-construction survey - Wind farm site, Walney 2 - Beam trawl - Beam trawl Jun 2009 - Grab sampling at 43 of the Apr 2009 initially intended 49 locations,  * Apr 2009 analyses for sediment particle sizes, and macrofauna inside the wind farm and reference stations. Four sampling stations in the proposed extension site. - Pre-construction survey - Apr 2009 Export cable route Apr 2009 - Beam trawl cable corridor 1  * Apr 2010 - Grab sampling cable corridor 1 Apr 2010 - Beam trawl cable corridor 2 - Grab sampling cable corridor 2 - Pre-construction survey Seabed RSK Group PLC - Grab samples at 43 of the Contaminants Apr 2009 & CMACS Ltd. initially intended 49 locations,  * surveys analyses for contaminants (metals & hydrocarbons) inside

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Offshore Biological Environment – Surveys and Studies for Walney offshore wind farm

Survey / Relevance Date Undertaken by Description Exist. Study Extension. Site the wind farm and reference stations. Four sampling stations in the proposed extension site. A Strategic Environmental Fish & Shellfish Assessment of the fish and Stephen J Resource 2005 shellfish resources with respect Lockwood  * Assessment to proposed offshore wind farms in the Eastern Irish Sea Jun 2008 - Pre-construction survey, Nephrops (otter) trawl for wind  x Mar 2009 farm site (Walney 1) Jun 2008 - Pre-construction survey, Beam trawl for wind farm site  x Mar 2009 Marine fish Brown & May (Walney 1) monitoring Marine Mar 2009 - Pre-construction survey, Nephrops trawl for wind farm  x Jun 2009 site (Walney 2) Mar 2009 - Pre-construction survey, Beam trawl for wind farm site  x Jun 2009 (Walney 2)

Rudall Desktop review of Marine Marine Mammal Blanchard Mammal Distribution in the NW3 distribution  * Associates Ltd. Area

Bio/consult AS, Environmental Impact EIA Marine DHI Water and Assessment Marine Mammals in Mammals  * Environment the NW3 Area, Irish Sea

- Marine Mammal Observations during Walney construction work - Ongoing marine mammal Marine Mammal April 2010 - CMACS Ltd. & monitoring by qualified MMOs  x observations ongoing Enviroserve during construction activities at the existing Walney windfarm site (Walney 1), with particular focus on and around piling activities.

Ornithological Walney Offshore Wind Farm impact 2006 RPS Ornithological Impact  * assessment Assessment

- Pre-construction survey Aug 2002 - NERI and WWT Nov 2004 - Aerial surveys flown in the  x NW3 survey area.

- EIA survey Ornithological Jan 2005 - WWT surveys & Mar 2006 - Aerial surveys flown in the  x monitoring NW3 survey area.

- EIA survey May 2004 - Ocean Marine Sep 2005 Ltd - Boat-based surveys in the  x NW3 survey area.

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Offshore Biological Environment – Surveys and Studies for Walney offshore wind farm

Survey / Relevance Date Undertaken by Description Exist. Study Extension. Site Jul, Aug & Sep 2008 ESS Ecology & Pre-construction survey - Boat CMACS Ltd. survey Walney 1  x May 2009 May 2009 Pre-construction survey - Boat CMACS ltd Jul, Aug & survey Walney 2  x Sep 2009

- Pre-construction survey - Dec 2009 Aerial surveys WWT  * Jan 2010 Consulting - Aerial surveys flown in the NW3 survey area.

Autumn counts 2008 WWT Pre-construction survey - Martin  * Autumn Consulting Mere counts counts 2009 RSK Group PLC Apr 2009 Project site, Walney 1 and 2 & CMACS Ltd.  *

Annex 1 Habitat Apr 2009 Walney export cable corridor 1  * monitoring RSK Group PLC Jan & Apr & CMACS Ltd. Walney export cable corridor 2 2010  *

* Note: although the surveys are relevant to the extension site, the large majority of the Project site cannot be seen as having been surveyed or monitored. Data collected, while still relevant for the extension site, will be updated through a new set of proposed surveys (see Table 15).

In terms of further surveys and/or studies that may be required to supplement the work done in the past for the Walney offshore wind farm, it is proposed that the following surveys and/or studies are required as part of the Project development.

The tables below describe the proposed surveys for the offshore biological environment with a separate table on the proposed ornithological surveys techniques, frequency, and assessment methodology (based on the species present).

Offshore Biological Environment – Proposed Surveys and Studies (excluding ornithological ones) for Walney Extension offshore wind farm Proposed Survey / Study Description and Assessment methodology - Assessment of the biota (macrofauna), habitat and intertidal Intertidal survey sediment geophysical properties of the environment along the export cable route to the landfall. - Grab samples (appropriate amount of sample locations for macrofauna and sediment analyses incl. reference sites). Benthos survey Potential drop down camera surveys and a full geophysical survey (combined with survey proposed in Table 3).

- Fishery surveys – beam and otter trawl, spring, and Autumn. Marine fish and shell fish survey Trawl transects in wind farm area and reference trawls.

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Offshore Biological Environment – Proposed Surveys and Studies (excluding ornithological ones) for Walney Extension offshore wind farm Proposed Survey / Study Description and Assessment methodology

- No specific field surveys are proposed, but marine mammal Marine Mammal survey presence will be recorded during boat-based bird surveys.

Table 15: Proposed offshore biological (excluding ornithological) environment surveys and studies in relation to the Project

The proposed ornithological survey programme is outlined in Table 16. All survey data acquisition and analyses will comply with standards described in COWRIE and BTO guidelines. Surveys will commence in October 2010 and data will inform the following:

 Collision risk: Aerial data will be used to inform collision risk by means of the population density based on the aerial data;

 Flight height: The contractor is asked to demonstrate his ability of identifying flight height from aerial data;

 Displacement: Potential displacement will be informed by means of population density based on the aerial data and abundance;

 Avoidance effect and behaviour: the aerial data must be able to deliver information on bird behaviour

The detailed survey methodology will be finally agreed with the relevant stakeholders.

The proposed aerial survey programme may be supported by boat based bird surveys during the summer month between May and Aug (both month incl.). These surveys will be targeted for collecting behavioural information and the surveys will focus on Manx Shearwater and Lesser Black backed Gull.

The final survey methodology will be agreed with relevant stakeholders.

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Table 16: Proposed offshore ornithological surveys and studies in relation to the Project. (Note: Target species are highlighted in BOLD)

Bird Survey or Frequency Proposed Summary of proposed methodology to assess potential impact Validation/ discussion 1 species analysis and review Displacement Collisio Barrier effect Indirect effect with regulator and /or Technique duration of dates/mile n Risk e.g. prey species statutory advisor 2 surveys stones3 required? Manx Aerial Once a Monthly field Surveys in Flight Simple model Benthic studies Yes Shearwater month for reports. buffer zone height involving flight lines (outside of bird two years Annual observati / densities recorded survey) reporting on during boat survey Whooper Aerial Once a Monthly field n/a Flight Simple model n/a Yes Swan month for reports. height involving flight lines two years Annual observati / densities recorded reporting on plus during boat survey additional surveys Pink-footed Aerial Once a Monthly field n/a Flight Simple model n/a Yes Goose month for reports. height involving flight lines two years Annual observati / densities recorded reporting on plus during boat survey additional surveys Barnacle Aerial Once a Monthly field n/a Flight Simple model n/a Yes Goose month for reports. height involving flight lines two years Annual observati / densities recorded reporting on plus during boat survey additional surveys White Aerial Once a Monthly field n/a Flight Simple model n/a Yes Fronted month for reports. height involving flight lines Goose two years Annual observati / densities recorded reporting on plus during boat survey additional surveys Gannet Aerial Once a Monthly field n/a Flight Simple model n/a No month for reports. height involving flight lines two years Annual observati / densities recorded reporting on during boat survey

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Bird Survey or Frequency Proposed Summary of proposed methodology to assess potential impact Validation/ discussion species1 analysis and review with regulator and /or Lesser Aerial Once a Monthly field Surveys in Flight Simple model Benthic studies No Technique duration of dates/mile statutory advisor Black 2 month for reports.3 buffer zone height involving flight lines (outside of bird backed Gull twosurveys years stonesAnnual observati / densities recorded survey) required? reporting on during boat survey Red Aerial Once a Monthly field Surveys in Flight Simple model Benthic studies Yes Throated month for reports. buffer zone height involving flight lines (outside of bird Diver two years Annual observati / densities recorded survey) reporting on during boat survey Cormorant Aerial Once a Monthly field Surveys in Flight Simple model Benthic studies No month for reports. buffer zone height involving flight lines (outside of bird two years Annual observati / densities recorded survey) reporting on during boat survey Sandwich Aerial Once a Monthly field Surveys in Flight Simple model Benthic studies Yes Tern month for reports. buffer zone height involving flight lines (outside of bird two years Annual observati / densities recorded survey) reporting on during boat survey Common Aerial Once a Monthly field Surveys in Flight Simple model Benthic studies Yes Tern month for reports. buffer zone height involving flight lines (outside of bird two years Annual observati / densities recorded survey) reporting on during boat survey Common Aerial Once a Monthly field Surveys in Flight Simple model Benthic studies Yes Scoter month for reports. buffer zone height involving flight lines (outside of bird two years Annual observati / densities recorded survey) reporting on during boat survey Notes: This table is intended to record details of the survey and analysis techniques intended to be used to address EIA and CIA issues. 1 As identified in table 6 2 Example:boat based survey, aerial with observer, aerial with high definition camera, radar, thermal imaging, shore based observation, tagging 3 Example: monthly

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3.4 The Offshore Human Environment

The following section provides a brief overview of the existing offshore human environment in and around the Project site. It also includes a review of potential impacts on various offshore human activities, e.g. marine aggregate extraction, commercial fisheries, shipping, etc. and a summary of survey/studies undertaken previously as part of the Wind Farm under Construction and survey/studies that may be required for the development of the Project.

3.4.1 Shipping and Navigation

The Project site is close to, but not currently crossed by (as shown in Chart 12) traffic (mostly passenger and cargo vessels) using the ports of Heysham and Fleetwood. According to the AIS data collected for 28 days in August 2009 (see Table 18) most of the tracks are recorded to be crossing the NE part of the Walney offshore wind farm site and the SW part of the West of Duddon Sands site. The data has been transposed into the “90th percentile” data, as recommended by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), and these are termed below “shipping lanes”.

In particular, the shipping lane no. 1 (crossing the W section of the Walney site) is used by an average of approximately four passenger ferries per day heading between Heysham and Douglas, operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet company. The shipping lane no. 2 (SW of the Project site and the Walney site) is used by an average of approximately 5 vessels per day, which are mostly ferries operated by Stena Line (Fleetwood/Larne) and Norfolkline (Heysham/Belfast).

The average total number of vessels per day using these lanes is around 25, with the following categories of vessels:

 Cargo vessels making up more than a quarter (31%) of the total traffic;

 Other vessels (27%), i.e. vessels engaged in offshore oil & gas and wind farm operations in the area, including regular offshore traffic serving gas fields in the area, such as North Morecambe, and traffic working at the operational Barrow Offshore Wind Farm from the port of Barrow-in-Furness;

 Passenger ferries to and from Douglas, Belfast, Dublin and Warrenpoint (Northern Ireland) (20%) operated by the Steam Packet Company, Stena Line, Norfolkline and Seatruck.

 Dredging/underwater operation vessels (10%).

The average draught of vessels which passed around the Project site during the survey period was 4.5 m, while the average length of vessel recorded was 79 m.

Round 1 and 2 offshore wind farm developments in the area (i.e. Walney, West of Duddon Sands, and Ormonde) are expected, when operational, to funnel the NW/SE traffic using the shipping lanes no. 1 and 2 between the offshore wind farm sites, as also analysed in the Walney Environmental Statement (Walney ES, 2006; chapter 6.2.2, pages 146-149).

It is therefore expected that, once the three Round 1 and 2 projects are constructed, the consequent displacement of the regular shipping traffic will very likely take place outside the Project site, and consequently the current shipping lanes will be redistributed along modified lanes as shown in Chart

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13, moved to the NE between Ormonde and Walney and SW of West of Duddon Sands. This will not be known until after project construction, and discussions with the relevant operators is required on a frequent basis.

The proposed Project site boundary has been designed by applying a separation buffer from these redistributed shipping lanes of at least 2 nautical miles, in order to avoid major disruption to the future redistributed shipping traffic. Usually, a 2 nautical mile (3.7 km) separation buffer is suggested by the MCA's Wind Farm Shipping Route Template, and is an average distance to which the risk posed by offshore wind farm to vessels is classified as 'medium but tolerable'21. There are no IMO routeing measures or designated anchorages within the area.

Discussions are currently ongoing with MCA, Trinity House and the Round 2 project developers to identify mitigation measures (like a Vessel Traffic System – VTS) for the shipping traffic in the area once the projects will be built and operational.

Chart 12 in Appendix C provides an overview of the shipping traffic type around the Project site; while Chart 13 shows the shipping 90% lanes (i.e. the main shipping lanes identified from the AIS tracks by extracting each lane and analysing their lateral distribution to define the 90% traffic boundary).

3.4.2 Commercial Fisheries

A desk study was performed in November 2009 (see Table 19) on the fishing activity in and around the Project site. According to the VMS (satellite-tracking) data collected between 2005 and 2008 by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO, formerly MFA)22, fishing activity by UK vessels longer than > 15 meters is significantly lower in the Project site than in the site of the Wind Farm under Construction, as shown in Chart 17 in the Appendix C.

This is largely due to the Project being situated further W of the main Nephrops grounds (Nephrops norvegicus, i.e. the Norway lobster also known as 'scampi') located off the Cumbrian coast, which instead briefly overlaps with the site of the Phase 2 of the Wind Farm under Construction. This pattern is also confirmed by over-flight surveillance data.

There are, however, recorded sightings of foreign activity in the Project site, which are predominantly Belgian beam trawlers and some lower levels of Irish beam trawling. The Project site is in fact within grounds traditionally fished by Belgian beam trawlers, which are however, along with other foreign vessels, excluded from within the 12 mile territorial limit and hence the absence of such activity within the site of the Wind Farm under Construction. It is to be recognised that the Belgian beam trawl fleet has quota allocations for plaice and Dover sole in the Irish Sea under the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

On the other hand, the majority of the smaller (< 10 m length) fishing vessels' activity is largely confined to within the 12 mile limit, and this includes small vessels fishing in the Nephrops grounds off

21 Maritime and Coastguard Agency - MCA. Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREIs) - Guidance on UK Navigational Practice, Safety and Emergency Res-ponse Issues. Available at the URL: http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mgn371.pdf 22 The latest statistics (UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 2008) are available on the MMO website at the URL: http://www.marine- management.org.uk/fisheries/statistics/annual2008.htm

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the Cumbrian coast, which contribute a significant proportion to the total value of fishing within the area (according to MMO landings data), which are not overlapping with the Project site. Also, there are no significant landings of common prawn (Palaemon serratus), coming from the sites of the Project and/or the Wind Farm under Construction, as this fishery is of relevance in Cardigan Bay and off Anglesey, Wales only.

A small local brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) fishery, along with a salmon and sea trout fishing ground near Heysham Lake, is located in Morecambe Bay and might be affected by cable laying operations for the export cable to connect to the National Grid Heysham 400 kV onshore substation, but it is expected that the impact would be minimal. See Chart 17 for the location of these fishing grounds.

Local fishermen‟s associations, the North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee (NW & NWSFC) and the Northern Irish Fishermen‟s Organisations (ANIFPO and NIFPO) have been approached during the pre-construction phase of the Walney offshore wind farm in the past years, and therefore established liaison channels and procedures are already in place and have to date fulfilled the objectives as prescribed in the BERR/FLOWW Guidelines23 and in DONG Energy‟s health & Safety and Liaison policies.

In addition to a company Fishing Liaison Officer (FLO), a local Fishing Industry Representative (FIR) is retained for the Walney offshore wind farm. Regular consultation meetings are also held with local fishermen, their representatives and the NW & NWSFC and Marine Management Organisation (MMO) District Fisheries Inspector.

The principles of the West of Morecambe Fishery Fund have been agreed in consultation with fishermen‟s representatives, the purpose of the fund being to provide financial assistance to projects which will benefit local fishing communities. In addition, a system had been agreed with local fishermen‟s representatives to provide disturbance payments to those who have legitimate cases in respect of displacement during construction phases.

Further discussions will be held with the abovementioned stakeholders regarding the Project impacts that may arise during construction and operation.

3.4.3 Oil & Gas Exploration and Production

The Project site is close (4 to 7 km) to a number of current gas fields located SW and SSW of it, which also features platforms (so called 'drilling and production platforms' - DPPAs), equipped with helicopter landing pad, namely (from NW to SE):

 The Millom gas field, operated by Burlington Resources Ltd, featuring the Millom West DPPA, owned by Conoco Philips Ltd. and operated by Centrica/Hydrocarbon Resources Limited (Centrica/HRL Ltd).;

23 Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform - BERR, Fishing Liaison with Offshore Wind and Wet Renewables Group - FLOWW (May 2008). Recommendations for Fisheries Liaison: Best Practice Guidance for Offshore Renewables Developers. Availbale at the URL: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/policy/offshore/st akeholder/floww/page22677.html

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 The North Morecambe gas fields operated by Centrica/Hydrocarbon Resources Limited Ltd, featuring the North Morecambe DPPA.

Other gas fields like the Dalton, the South Morecambe, and the Bains and the Calder (all operated by Centrica/HRL Ltd.) are located more than 7 km S of the Project site and some of them feature DPPAs. Chart 14 provides an overview of the mentioned activities in the area.

The Project site partly overlaps with the 6 nautical mile safety buffer applied to the Millom West and North Morecambe DPPAs, which could restrict the ability to conduct some helicopter operations at the DPPAs (e.g. when landing). These DPPAs are used often by helicopters flying from Barrow-in- Furness along established Helicopter Main Routes (HMRs).

Discussions have been held with Centrica/HRL on possible mitigation measures (e.g. a Distance Measure Equipment as agreed for the West of Duddon Sands offshore wind farm project) to be assessed in an impact assessment and mitigation study, whose scope of work will be agreed by all the parties (DONG Energy, Centrica/HRL, the helicopter provider, Centrica Logistics Ltd.). The impacts of turbines on the flying and landing procedures on the DPPAs will be assessed and the appropriate mitigation measures will be reviewed and agreed according to CAA standards for helicopter flying safety.

The Project site also almost entirely overlaps with the oil and gas current licence areas no. 26 (P1482) and 27 (P1483) awarded under the 24th Licensing Round by DECC to Centrica/HRL. Also, within the Project site (in the central-eastern section) is located the Discovery Well No. 113/27b-6, owned by Centrica/HRL.

Discussions with Centrica/HRL have highlighted that, because of this overlap of the Project site with the abovementioned licence areas and discoveries, there might be conflicting activity for the years ahead. DONG Energy and Centrica have raised the issue with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and The Crown Estate (TCE), and all parties have agreed to work towards a way forward and keep each other informed on further developments / surveys etc.

3.4.4 Pipelines

The gas fields described in the previous section support a network of pipelines (owned and/or operated by Centrica/HRL) that any of the Project three indicative export cable route options to connect to the National Grid Heysham, Stanah and Penwortham onshore substations will be crossing. The pipelines that are likely to be crossed are:

 The NMT TRUNKLINE, the NM METHANOL and the NMT to DPPA ELECTRIC pipelines running from the North Morecambe gas field to the Barrow-in-Furness gas terminal;

 The SMT TRUNKLINE pipeline running from the South Morecambe gas field to the Barrow-in- Furness gas terminal;

 The RIVERS ONSHORE TERMINAL TO CALDER pipeline running from the Calder gas field to the Barrow-in-Furness gas terminal, operated by Centric/HRL on behalf of Conoco Philips Ltd.

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It was agreed with Centrica/HRL that pipeline crossing agreements (such as those already signed for the Walney Phase 1 offshore wind farm) should also be in place for the Project, too.

These pipelines will be crossed using technical methods jointly agreed with the relevant operator. The outline technical specification of these crossings will be specified within the Project ES.

3.4.5 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Storage Areas, Offshore Ports, and Pipelines

South of the Wind Farm under Construction and the West of Duddon Sands project there is a leased area for liquefied natural gas (LNG) offshore storage, called ''Gateway'', managed by Gateway Storage Company Ltd (a subsidiary of Stag Energy Development Company Ltd.). According to the project website, the area has secured the necessary planning permission and construction is scheduled to commence in 2010 and the first gas storage services will be available in 201524. The gas storage project will likely include a pipeline that will run to Barrow-in-Furness therefore crossing all offshore wind farms' export cables routes in the area, including any of the potential options considered for the Project.

There is another Gateway gas storage area, apparently not leased yet, called Gateway LNG Northern Area which would overlap with around half of the southern section of the Project site awarded by The Crown Estate.

Furthermore, another leased gas storage area managed by Höegh LNG A/S is located further SW, and is likely to have pipelines to Barrow-in-Furness crossing any of the offshore cable route options considered for the Project25. The area is called ''Port Meridian'' and is meant to be a deepwater port for LNG gas storage and re-gasification.

3.4.6 Telecommunication Cables, Microwave Links and Radio and Television Masts

The only telecommunication cable running through both the Walney and Walney Extension sites is the BT-MT1 cable from Silecroft, Cumbria to Douglas, Isle of Man operated by British Telecom (BT). Discussions are ongoing with BT ongoing to agree on separation distances for turbines from the cable route, and agreement on the cable crossings by the inter-array cables of the Wind Farm under Construction is under discussion.

A number of other telecommunication and power cables might be crossed by the Project offshore indicative export cable route if the National Grid Penwortham 400 kV onshore substation is chosen by National Grid as one of the onshore entry point for the Project. These cables are (from N to S):

 The IOM-UK INTERCONNECTOR power cable, operated by the Manx Electricity Authority with its landfall in Blackpool;

 The LANIS 1 telecommunication cable from the Isle of Man to the UK, operated by Cable & Wireless Ltd. with a landfall near ;

24 See the website URL: http://www.gatewaystorage.co.uk/index.php 25 See the website URL: http://www.hoegh.com/portmeridian/project_info/about_the_project/

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 The SIRIUS SOUTH telecommunication cable from Ireland to England, operated by United Philips Cable (UPC) Communications Ireland Ltd. (formerly NTL) with its landfall in Lytham-St Annes.

This export cable option might also run as close as 1.9 km NE of the HIBERNIA 'A' telecommunication cable running from Southport to Halifax, Canada, operated by Hibernia Atlantic Ltd. See Chart 19 in Appendix C for more details. Similar to the pipelines above, the crossings of these cables will be agreed with the operator, with the Project ES stating an outline technical specification for the crossings.

There are also 2 microwave links between the gas terminal at Barrow-in-Furness and the North and South Morecambe gas fields operated by Centrica/HRL, who also operates the links.

A total of 10 civilian TV broadcaster masts and 2 radio communication transmitters are found in the region (Cumbria, Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire), the closest one to the Project site located in Barrow-in-Furness, 24 km to the WSW.

Any TV broadcaster masts and radio communication transmitters located on the Isle of Man will be considered too during the EIA phase.

3.4.7 Other Offshore Wind Farms' Export Cables

The other Round 1 and 2 offshore wind farm projects in the area, namely Walney 1, West of Duddon Sands, Ormonde, and Barrow have their export cable routes running to the National Grid Heysham substation and mostly follow a cable corridor W and through Morecambe Bay, except for Walney 2, which runs to Stanah and will cross West of Duddon Sands cable route. See Chart 18 in Appendix C for more details.

Discussions have taken place in the past with the project developers and operators (DONG Energy, Scottish Power, Vattenfall, and Centrica) to agree on cable crossings and corridors N of the Barrow offshore wind farm site. Therefore, for both the Heysham and the Stanah onshore grid connection options for the Project a similar process will fall within this co-operation framework.

3.4.8 Marine Aggregate Extraction

The Project site almost borders (120 m separation distance) with the southernmost corner of Active Area no. 331 operated by United Marine Dredging Ltd. (part of Tarmac Ltd.) and mostly dredged for coarse sand in the central part by ships coming from Heysham or Barrow and some from Liverpool, which cross the Project site.

Discussions with Tarmac Ltd. have also highlighted that the main impact on the Active Area no. 331 would be the potential proximity of wind turbines to it, which might pose a safety hazard to vessels if they lose power and drift. It was proposed that a safety buffer around the Area no. 331 be applied for defining an acceptable turbine layout (as was done previously for Active Area no. 108 close to the London Array offshore wind farm in the Thames estuary).

It was also highlighted that ships detouring to the shipping lane passing through the Ormonde and Walney offshore wind farms shipping channel (see Section 3.4.1), in order to reach the Area no. 331, might not be a significant issue once the Project is operational.

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3.4.9 Civil Aviation Authority Licensed and Non-Licensed Airports and National Air Traffic Service Radars

The closest major civilian commercial airport, licensed by CAA, site is the Barrow/Isle of Walney airport (also known as Barrow/Walney airfield (IATA code: BWF) located 21.3 km E of the Project, and owned by BAE Systems plc.

Warton Airport (ICAO code: EGNO) is used as an assembly and testing facility by BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd. and Airbus Ltd. and the civilian commercial Blackpool Airport (IATA code: BLK) are located respectively 51 and 42 km SE of the site, therefore outside the 30 km consultation zone suggested by CAA26. Also the Isle of Man Airport in Ronaldsay (IATA code: IOM) is 46 km WNW of the Project site. The Directorate of Airspace Policy (DAP) of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed in December 2009 that the Project would not affect any aviation sites in its vicinity.

Almost all the northern Irish Sea area is within an area of potential high interference for wind turbines with the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) radar system. The closest NATS radar facilities are located in St Anne's Lytham Moss, Blackpool, 45 km SE of the Project site and Great Dunn Feel, W of Penrith, Cumbria, 102 km NE of the Project site.

DONG Energy has submitted in November 2009 a Wind Farm Developers Application Proforma to the CAA - Directorate of Airspace Policy and NATS for feedback on the Project. At the time of writing, the receipt of the proforma was acknowledged in April 2010 by the CAA (reference number: DAP/Wind/Walney Area Extension\1666) and the Directorate of Airspace Policy formally responded with no observations. On the other hand, NATS - Navigation Spectrum & Surveillance has not formally responded yet.

3.4.10 Ministry of Defence Surveillance Radars, Practice and Exercise Areas, and Low-Flying Military Zones

The closest MoD-operated Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) Radar is located in Wales at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley base in Ty Croes at more than 100 km S of the Project site.

The extensive Eskmeals MoD Danger Practice and Exercise Area 406 (Eskmeals D406/D406B/D406C PEXA) is located N and NW of the Project site and borders with most of it, although a 200 m separation buffer was applied to the DPEXA as previously done with the Walney site. This DPEXA, given its classification as 'Danger', is usually considered as 'no-go area' for offshore wind farm development, and has a firing range of some 75 km from the Cumbrian coast near Ravenglass. Early consultation with the MoD Defence Estate have highlighted that a slightly increased separation buffer might have to be possibly applied when the turbine layout is designed.

The Project site is also 45 km NE of the Blackpool military air traffic zone, and it is likely to pose no interference to it as it was for the Walney site. The site is also outside of any low, medium or high

26 See the CAP 764 - CAA Policy and Guidelines on Wind Turbines. Available at the URL: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/Cap764.pdf

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priority low-flying military zones, as classified by the MoD27, where concerns might be raised. See Chart 15 for more details.

DONG Energy has submitted in November 2009 a Wind Farm Developers Application Proforma to the MoD Defense Estate for feedback on the Project. At the time of writing, the receipt of the proforma was acknowledged in April 2010 (reference number: 9403) by the MoD but no formal response has been received so far.

3.4.11 Tourism

The Lancashire coast features a number of coastal resorts such as Barrow-in-Furness, Morecambe, Cleveleys, Fleetwood and notably Blackpool, which attracts the highest number of seaside tourists. The closest point from the Project site border to the latter would be 35 to 37 km.

Further N, the popular Lake District National Park in Cumbria, with its lakes and mountain peaks, is located more than 40 km away from the Project site.

A number of golf clubs are located on or nearby the Cumbrian and Lancastrian coast and Morecambe Bay, such as the Seascale Golf Club, the Barrow Golf Club, the Furness Golf Club (on the Isle of Walney), the Ulverston Golf Club, the Morecambe Golf Club, and the Fleetwood Golf Club amongst others.

Any potential impacts from the Project to the seascape and landscape that may affect the visual amenity of these areas will be taken into account by the proposed landscape and seascape visual impact assessment study as well as by the socio-economic impact study as regards the loss/contribution because/by the Project to the local tourism (see Table 19 for more details).

3.4.12 Recreational Sailing, Cruising, Angling, and other Sport Activities

There are several medium-use cruising routes passing through the North West Sailing Area, with five routes passing through the Project site, as defined by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) in their Coastal Atlas. These routes are the North West Region Route, the Ribble Cruising Club Route and the Roa Island Boat Club Route.

As previously identified in the Walney Offshore Wind Farm Environmental Statement, these routes are used by vessels sailing from Morecambe Bay to the Isle of Man (Walney ES, 2006, page 149), and it should be noted that the actual routes taken are weather dependent and the lines provide an indication of the average positions.

There are a number of boating and sailing clubs on the southern Cumbria and Lancashire coastal towns like in Bootle (Ravenglass Boating Association), Barrow-in-Furness (Barrow Sailing Club, Roa Island Boating Club Ltd.), Morecambe (Morecambe and Heysham Yacht Club), Glasson (Glasson Sailing Club), Arnside (Arnside Sailing Club), Fleetwood (Blackpool & Fleetwood Yacht Club), Poulton-le-Fylde (Wardleys Marine Yacht Club), and Blackpool (Blackpool Light Craft Club) as well as marinas like in Fleetwood (Fleetwood Harbour Village Marina) and Glasson (Glasson Basin Yacht Co Ltd).

27 See the chart showing the classification at the Renewable Energy STATisticS (RESTATS) database at the URL: http://www.restats.org.uk/aviation/Safe-Guarding_Maps/Low_Flying_and_Radar/LowFlyingZones.pdf

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While permanent safety zones may be imposed around turbine structures during operation these will not in themselves restrict the safe passage of recreational traffic through the Project site. It is, however, acknowledged that some recreational sailors may prefer to avoid the Project area following construction.

3.4.13 Archaeology & Cultural Heritage

The EIA offshore archaeological study undertaken by the Wessex Archaeology (2006) for the Wind Farm under Construction (and the export cable route corridor to Heysham and Fleetwood) showed that there are eight wrecks within the Walney site, while there are a dozen obstruction and fouls plus a dozen more in the 2 mile buffer area around the site, which would include part of the Project site, which may represent remains of additional wrecks.

According to the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) Admiralty Chart no. 1826, there are two charted (or live) wrecks found within the Project site, one in the SE section and the other in the central-NE section. No protected or designated wreck (as classified by English Heritage) or war grave sites are found within the Project site.

Any further wrecks or anomalies within the Project site and export cable routes will be identified during the geophysical survey (see Table 4) and potential impacts will be appropriately assessed.

The general approach during development would be to avoid direct impact on important findings and, therefore, adjust the locations of the wind turbines and the inter-array an export cable routes whenever possible (i.e. when excavation can be avoided). Appropriate mitigation measures28 will be discussed with English Heritage and the Lancashire County Archaeologist who will also approve a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) for any other post-ES activities such as pre-construction surveys and works currently being undertaken at the Wind Farm under Construction.

3.4.14 Waste Disposal

The only dumping /spoil grounds or dredge disposal sites found in the area are located 18 km E of the Project site, E and ESE of the site of the Barrow offshore wind farm, near Morecambe Flats. It is unknown whether some or all of them are still being used or are abandoned.

The Project's indicative export cable routes to Heysham will avoid the dumping or spoil grounds and keep a separation buffer (agreed with the relevant licensed operators) from them as did the offshore export cable routes for the other Round 1 and 2 projects connecting to the National Grid Heysham onshore substation. No impacts are therefore predicted. See Chart 19 for more details.

3.4.15 Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

No known unexploded ordnance or munitions sites are found within both the Wind Farm under Construction or Project sites, nor were any found by the previous EIA surveys.

Proposed geophysical surveys for the Project site (see Table 4) will identify any further unexploded ordnance sites. Consultation with the MoD will provide important information on any possible location

28 For an example of mitigation measures proposed for Walney offshore wind farm, that might be used for the Project too, see the Walney ES (2006), Chapter 6.5.6, page 181.

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of unexploded ordnance, in particular in the vicinity of the Eskmeals D406 PEXA located N and NW of the Project site, where firing and submarine activities take place.

3.4.16 Landscape and Seascape

The visual impact on the landscape and seascape for the Wind Farm under Construction was assessed in the EIA carried out in 2006, by selecting eighteen (18) coastal viewpoints (from Blackpool to St Bees Head, S of Whitehaven) and hillside viewpoints in the Furness region (including Kirkby-in- Furness, Ulverston, and Broughton-in-Furness) within a buffer of 40 km from the centre point of the site of the Wind Farm under Construction.

The study reviewed the Landscape Character Areas as identified by the former Countryside Agency and Natural England and took into account the Regional Seascape Character units present in the area such as the Duddon Estuary, Barrow and the Isle of Walney, Morecambe Bay, and Coast, plus other landscape designations such as national parks, conservation areas, National Trust land and heritage coastline. A cumulative impact assessment study including the West of Duddon Sands project was performed as well.

It was concluded that the main impacts would occur during the operation of the wind turbine, with a medium landscape/seascape magnitude of change and a moderate significance of seascape effect for the Duddon Estuary and the Isle of Walney seascape units, which are the closest areas to the Wind Farm under Construction (18 and 14 km). Isle of Walney was the only one with a small ability to accommodate change, while all the other four seascape units would have a medium to large ability.

The proposed landscape and seascape visual impact assessment (LSVIA) study for the Project will likewise assess the potential significance of the additional turbines associated with the proposed Project, as well as taking into account the Walney LSVIA findings and data. The cumulative LSVIA will also include both the Wind Farm under Construction, the other Round 1 and 2 projects and Round 3 ones in the area as well as non-offshore wind farm developments.

The methodology and the physical extent of the proposed LSVIA will be discussed with the relevant consultees (e.g. Natural England, English Heritage) and the location of the viewpoints selected together with the local authorities. Additional guidelines, as suggested by the consultees, will be followed too.

3.4.17 Noise and Vibrations

The noise study performed for the Walney ES (2006) showed that, at the closest distance of 14 km from shore, the airborne noise (35-45 dB (A)) produced by the wind farm during operation would be inaudible, while the one produced during construction (pile driving, drilling, rock laying, etc.) would be predicted at or below 10 db (A), therefore not perceptible, except for piling noise which might be slightly audible during special weather conditions. No mitigation was deemed necessary, apart from the requirements regarding the trenching of onshore cables.

Underwater noise levels, on the other hand, will be the highest during construction especially those generated by piling activities (values mentioned in the Walney ES were of 260 dB (re 1 μPa @ 1m) for piling a 4 m diameter pile). During operation the level of radiated underwater noise from the turbines would be of low level and low frequency (Walney ES, 2006, page 68).

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The proposed noise and vibration impact assessment methodology and baseline for the Project site would be agreed with the relevant consultees and follow established guidelines and best practice. It is expected that this would include taking into consideration empirical data from previous offshore wind farm developments and the local physical characteristics of the site such as water depth, sediment type and topography and information on the sensitivities of species present. In addition should cumulative impacts be considered likely it will also take into account the other projects in the area and include a cumulative analysis and impacts assessment of potential disturbance to marine mammals and fish species, including the European Protected Species (EPS).

3.4.18 Offshore Human Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts

The proposed Project, if not appropriately mitigated, has the potential to give rise to a range of impacts upon the human environment. These are summarised in Table 17 below.

Offshore Human Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts from Walney Extension offshore wind farm Construction / Decommissioning Operation Parameter Magnitude of Impact

Visual impact of the turbines and Temporary impact of construction plant on offshore substation upon seascape and site during construction and Landscape and landscape and visual impact of lighting decommissioning phase. Seascape during hours of darkness.

Minor impact. Minor impact. - Reduced access to existing fishing - Loss of part of existing fishing grounds; grounds, although not overlapping with the Project site; Commercial - Potential increased navigation risk for Fisheries commercial fishing vessels due to - Displacement impacts for certain passage of construction traffic gear types. Minor to moderate impact. Minor impact. Potential increased navigation risk for commercial vessels due to passage of Site is located at least 2 nm from main construction traffic. An exclusion area of redistributed shipping lanes due to around 500 m will likely be applied around Round 1 and 2 projects commissioning. the site during construction, although it is Shipping and Appropriate navigation safety measures located at least 2 nm from main Navigation will be adopted. redistributed shipping lanes due to Round 1 and 2 projects commissioning. Minor impact. Minor impact. - Direct damage to wreck structures and contents; - Disturbance to relationships between structures, artefacts and their surroundings; Change in sediment transport (and Archaeology & scour) leading to exposure of previously - Destabilisation prompting renewed buried features. Cultural Heritage corrosion, and decay; - Erosion leading to damage, disturbance and instability in the medium to long term. Minor impact. Minor impact.

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Offshore Human Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts from Walney Extension offshore wind farm Construction / Decommissioning Operation Parameter Magnitude of Impact

Potential visual intrusion for tourists and residents onshore. Tourism Minor impact. Noise emissions from construction process (in particular piling). Noise No impacts predicted. Minor impact (for onshore); Moderate impact (for EPS species)

Temporary displacement of recreational Vessels avoiding the Project site for Recreational vessels crossing the Project site. perceived safety reasons. Activities Minor impact. Minor impact.

Oil and Gas Fields, Conflicting activity between Centrica/HRL and the Project site due to overlapping. Licence Areas, Issue will be addressed by both parties along with DECC and The Crown Estate. Discoveries

Minor impacts. Effective mitigation measures (see Table 18) to allow for relaxation of gas Oil and Gas platforms safety buffers for helicopter No impacts predicted. Platforms landing (according to CAA safety standards) can be implemented and will have to be discussed and agreed with the platform operators and helicopter providers.

Oil and Gas and Crossing agreements with operators will LNG storage identify potential issues and safety Pipelines and other standards for crossings. No impacts predicted. Offshore Infrastructure Minor impact.

Turbine layouts will have to take into Small increased distance to reach the account a possible increased separation dredging areas (due to the Round 1 distance from the dredging area; and 2 projects commissioning) and Marine Aggregate Increase in construction traffic may affect consequent increased fuel usage by the Extraction existing dredger movements (e.g. re- dredgers due to the extra steaming to routing) with extra fuel usage avoid the extension site.

Minor impact. Minor impact.

Crossing agreements with operators will identify potential issues and safety Cables standards for crossings. No impacts predicted. Minor impacts.

Waste Disposal No impacts predicted. No impacts predicted.

Turbine layouts will have to take into Military Radars, account a possible increased separation PEXAs, Low-Flying distance from the PEXA. Minor to negligible impact. Areas Minor to negligible impact.

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Offshore Human Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts from Walney Extension offshore wind farm Construction / Decommissioning Operation Parameter Magnitude of Impact

CAA Airports No impacts predicted. No impacts predicted.

Possible minor impacts to primary radar NATS Radars No impacts predicted. operation, although effective mitigation measures can be implemented.

No impacts predicted – however, pre- Unexploded construction geophysical surveys will No impacts predicted. Ordnance provide evidence of any munitions within the Project site.

Table 17: Potential impacts upon the offshore human environment from the proposed Walney Extension offshore wind farm project

3.4.19 Offshore Human Environment – Surveys and Studies Undertaken to Date and Proposed Surveys

As part of the EIA process for the Wind Farm under Construction, numerous studies were undertaken relating to the human environment, and they are summarised in the Table 18 below, together with an assessment of whether the data will be valid for the Project site as well.

Some of the surveys (such as the shipping and navigation) and studies (such as the one on the commercial fisheries) carried out for the site selections of the proposed Project are listed in Table 18.

Offshore Human Environment – Surveys and Studies for Walney offshore wind farm and Walney Extension offshore wind farm Relevance Survey / Study Date Undertaken by Description Exist. Exten.

Qualitative and quantitative assessment on the impact on the proposed developments on the routeing and the safe navigation of vessels in the Shipping and vicinity. The report presents the March Anatec Ltd., Force Navigation study assessment of the initial site 2005 Technology  * and survey layouts and the revised site layouts following consideration of the navigational impacts together with other constraints. Supported by Force Technology Ship Simulation.

Investigation of the implications on ship radars and identification of options to Shipping and improve safety at sea using March Navigation study Terma Ltd. VTS in the area and advise on 2006  * and survey suitable measures to ensure that radars of such a VTS is not compromised by the wind farms.

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Offshore Human Environment – Surveys and Studies for Walney offshore wind farm and Walney Extension offshore wind farm Relevance Survey / Study Date Undertaken by Description Exist. Exten. An assessment of the impact of the proposed development on the routeing and safe navigation of vessels in the Shipping and March Anatec Ltd., Force vicinity. Includes an analysis of Navigation study 2006 Technology the traffic data in the area and  * and survey hazard review. Report supported by two spate studies carried out by Force Technology. Review of potential navigational Shipping and impacts associated with the Navigation study proposed extension through  * and survey AIS data collection and August, analysis. October Anatec Ltd. 2009 Review of other offshore Other Offshore activities (oil and gas, dredging, Human Activities recreational, cables, other   study offshore wind farms) in the area.

Review of the commercial Poseidon Aquatic Commercial fisheries baseline in the area, April 2002 Resource Fisheries study impact analysis and proposal of  * Assessment Ltd. mitigation measures.

Review of the commercial Commercial October Brown & May fisheries baseline in the area, Fisheries study 2009 Marine Ltd. primarily base on VMS satellite   tracking and landing values.

Description of the baseline commercial fishing within areas relevant to the proposed Commercial November Brown & May Walney and West of Duddon Fisheries study 2005 Marine Ltd Offshore Wind Farms taking   account of the FEPA, CPA and DEFRA-CEFAS requirements outlined in the 2004 Guidelines.

A desktop study of the socio- economic environment of the Socio-Economic Rudall Blanchards area in and adjacent to the April 2005 Study Associates Ltd proposed developments; the  * Morecombe area and Cumbria and north Lancashire.

Desk-based assessment of the Archaeology & potential impact upon February Wessex Cultural archaeological remains within 2006 Archaeology  * Heritage study the area of the wind farm and along the cable routes.

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Offshore Human Environment – Surveys and Studies for Walney offshore wind farm and Walney Extension offshore wind farm Relevance Survey / Study Date Undertaken by Description Exist. Exten.

Assessment of the potential for any significant adverse effects on the landscape, seascape Landscape and and visual environment during Seascape visual March RSK ENSR construction, operation and de- impact 2006 Environmental Ltd commissioning and cumulative  x** assessment effects in relation to existing study and proposed onshore and offshore wind farms within a 45km radius.

* Note: Although some of the surveys were taken in the past and recent years they mostly covered an area wider than the Walney site. Data collected, while still relevant for the Project site, will be updated through a new set of proposed surveys (see Table 19 below).

** Note: The Landscape and Seascape visual impact assessment was conducted for the turbines of the Wind Farm under Construction only. Therefore, a new similar assessment will have to be undertaken for the additional turbines of the Project site. Table 18: Summary of offshore human environment surveys and studies undertaken to date in relation to the existing Walney offshore wind farm and those undertaken so far in relation to the Walney Extension offshore wind farm project

In terms of further surveys and/or studies that may be required to supplement the work done in the past for the Wind Farm under Construction, it is proposed that the surveys and/or studies listed in Table 19 below are required as part of the Project site development.

Offshore Human Environment – Proposed Surveys and Studies for Walney Extension offshore wind farm Proposed Survey / Study Description and Assessment Methodology or Activity - Review and update of the report from 2006 and review of Marine Archaeological study and geophysical data with respect to marine archaeology; survey - Survey as part of the proposed Geophysical Survey (see Table 4).

To investigate the potential impact of the Project's turbines in addition to those already being built at the Wind Farm under Construction on the landscape and seascape of the coastal areas around both the Wind Farm under Construction and Project sites. Landscape and Seascape Visual Impact Assessment The assessment methodology will follow best practice as set out in visual impact assessment guidance documents, including Guidance on the Assessment of Impact of Offshore Wind Farms: Seascape and Visual Impact Report by DTI (2005) and other guidelines that may be recommended by the consultees.

Starting from the reviews done past (see Table 18) of commercial fisheries around the Walney site and the study done in 2009 for the Project site, a new desk study will assess the impacts on the Commercial Fisheries consultation fisheries around the Project site and the chosen cable route. and study Also, the following activities will be carried out: - Set up engagement plans with local fishing industry; - Provide information on the Project site development; The navigation and shipping survey work to be undertaken as part Navigation & Shipping traffic & safety of the EIA would include: survey and study - Site specific assessment of the existing traffic in accordance with the guidelines published by the MCA (Marine Guidance Note -

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Offshore Human Environment – Proposed Surveys and Studies for Walney Extension offshore wind farm Proposed Survey / Study Description and Assessment Methodology or Activity Proposed UK Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREI) - Guidance on Navigational Safety Issues / MGN371(M)); - Statistical assessment of the probability of collision; - Assessment of future traffic changes; - Full navigational risk assessment (according to MGN371(M)); - Assessment of the potential of the proposed site to interfere with communications, marine radar and positioning systems; - Assessment of potential in-combination impacts; - Continuous engagement with MCA, Trinity House, the shipping community and the other ports in the area to define safety requirements for shipping traffic in the area

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) survey To be carried out as part of the Geophysical survey (see Table 4)

To assess the extent of visibility of the turbines to any military or civil aviation radars (e.g. the Controlled Airspace - CAS, Lower Airspace Radar Services - LARS, Primary Service Radar - PSR, Secondary Military and Aviation radar and traffic Service Radar - SSR, and NATS En Route) and any adverse study impacts on military air and helicopter traffic around the Project area. Potential operational and technical mitigations will be explored. Methodology and physical study area will be agreed with the airport licensees, CAA, NATS, and MoD.

Study to assess the impact of the Project on the offshore platform helicopter operations around the gas fields owned by Centrica near the Project and BHP Billiton near Burbo Bank Extension. Possible suggested mitigation measures like GPS (Global Offshore gas platform 6nm buffer Positioning System) system, an NDB (Non-Directional Beacon) or mitigation and helicopter operation an DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) on board of any of the impact study platform affected. Scope and methodology of the study will be agreed with the parties (platform operators, helicopter contractors and others) and CAA guidelines would be followed. The study will determine the socio-economic background of the region around the Project site and the onshore cable routes and substation, and assess any negative and positive impacts on the Socio-economic & Tourism study local economies, tourism and social fabrics. Socio-economic studies previously carried out will be used as a reference for the assessment.

Table 19: Proposed offshore human environment surveys and studies in relation to the Walney Extension offshore wind farm project

3.5 The Onshore Environment

The following section describes the existing onshore physical, biological, and human environments around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm's indicative export cable(s) landing, the indicative onshore cable routes, and the onshore substation(s) connecting to the National Grid's transmission grid.

At present, after a preliminary assessment with National Grid in late 2009, three locations have been identified as potential onshore connection points for the whole or part of the Project capacity. These are the National Grid Heysham 400 kV substation, the Stanah 132/400 kV substations, and the Penwortham 275/400 kV substations.

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Due to the current uncertainty on where the Project is likely to be connected to the onshore grid, it is premature to provide detailed information on the onshore environment for the chosen connection point. Some of the potential onshore substations, e.g. the National Grid Stanah 132/400 kV substation and the Heysham 400 kV substation, have already been selected as onshore grid entry points for other DONG Energy's offshore wind farms such as Walney (phase I and phase II) and West of Duddon Sands, and some useful information collected so far will be briefly discussed in this chapter. However, more detailed analyses will be performed once the onshore grid entry point is known.

DONG Energy has recently submitted a Grid Connection Application to National Grid and the location of the connection to the National Grid transmission grid is expected to be known in September 2010.

3.5.1 Preliminary Considerations

National Grid are to propose the most optimal grid entry point at the onshore transmission network and provide a preliminary solution for the offshore transmission asset, which, following a competitive bidding process, will then be operated by the appointed OFTO29. It is therefore premature at this stage to provide full information on landfall and onshore cable route.

After a preliminary assessment meeting with National Grid in late 2009, a minimum of two onshore cables are expected to be installed (more likely three). Three potential entry points have been identified as possible onshore connection points for the whole or part of the Project capacity. These entry points are located at three National Grid substations:

 The Heysham 400 kV substation (in the village of Heysham, SW of Lancaster, in the territory of the City of Lancaster);

 The Stanah 132 and 400 kV substations (NE of the town of Thornton-Cleveleys, in the borough of Wyre);

 The Penwortham 275 and 400 kV substations (WSW of the town of Preston, in the borough of South Ribble).

Chart 6 shows the location of the three aforementioned options. In case the Stanah option is chosen, a preliminary assessment shows that the same landfall points close to that of the Walney Phase 2 (Stanah) route might be used and its onshore cable route followed. In the case of Heysham, a possible landfall site has been indentified in an area located approximately 900 m S of the landfall of the Walney Phase 1: the indicative onshore cable route would follow a new route from the landfall and follow part of the cable route of the existing wind farm when closer to the substation (more details in section 3.5.2.1). In the case of the Penwortham substation no information is currently available for landfall and onshore cable route.

Due to the existing uncertainty on the current grid connection onshore locations, the information provided in this section should be considered as indicative.

29 A new proposal for the OFTO regime will be issued for consultation by the end of August 2010.Iit is expected that developers will be also allowed to build offshore transmission assets before handing them over to the appointed OFTO.

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A more detailed study will be made once the onshore grid entry point is proposed by National Grid and the subsequent selection of the landfall and onshore cable route is more certain. However, information previously collected for the Heysham and Stanah onshore cable route surveys (see Table 22) and described in the Walney ES (Chapter 7, pages 222-249) will be taken into account as well.

The following sections describe the physical, biological, and human onshore environments around the three potential onshore cable routes and substations.

New infrastructure i.e. an extension to the National Grid substations abovementioned, might need to be built in order to connect the offshore wind farm to the onshore transmission grid and will likely be located close to it. An indicative location of this infrastructure is shown on the relevant charts (Chart 7, Chart 10 and Chart 11).

Once the onshore grid entry point is known, i.e. after National Grid will issue the grid connection offer, more detailed studies will be performed to determine the most suitable location for the new infrastructure.

3.5.2 Onshore Export Cable Corridors

Once EIA onshore surveys are completed in the coming years, the onshore cable route design for one of the three grid connection options (described in the next Sections) will be finalised. The current three onshore export cable routes are, however, realistically going to be located within three Onshore Export Cable Route Corridors as shown in the Charts in the next Section.

These three corridors will roughly be:

 For the Heysham connection, the corridor will be of a variable width of 900 m N and 500 m S of the cable landing and then encompass the area around the village of Middleton and the Heysham Business Park up to the A683 N of the Heysham substation, for a total onshore extension of around 4 km;

 For the Stanah connection the corridor will be of a width of 500 m (250 m on either side of the indicative onshore cable route) as far as the onshore substation;

 For the Penwortham connection, the corridor will be of 2 km (1 km on either side of the indicative onshore cable route) as far as the onshore substation.

See the Charts 7, 8 and 9 in the next Section for a depiction of these onshore export cable routes and the Appendix C for the co-ordinates of the nodes of the routes.

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Chart 6: The Walney Extension onshore substation options at the National Grid substations in Heysham, Stanah and Penwortham

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3.5.3 Physical & Chemical Environments

3.5.3.1 Geology & Geomorphology For the Heysham option, the indicative onshore cable route travels through sand dunes between the disused Pontins Site, Middleton Towers (sited N) and the Shorefields Caravan Park (S). Subsequently this option will run buried beneath a flat, green field terrain, across Carr Lane and S of the Caravan Park and Greenfields Farm. Alternatively the cable route could cross the aforementioned Caravan Park or pass N of this. The route would continue NE on flat, green field terrain and pass E of Greensdale Farm before crossing Carr Lane for a second time. The route would then turn N at Westmoor Farm up to Middleton Road for 600 m as far as the substation, following the existing onshore cable for the Walney Phase 1 project. The total length of the onshore route may reach approximately 2.8 km.

For the Stanah option, the indicative onshore cable route might follow the proposed one designed in May 2009 (but subject to change) for the Walney offshore wind farm (phase 2) that is initially through sand dunes and the sea wall in the town of Fleetwood, W of the NHS Rossall Hospital near West Way and Fairway. Subsequently this option will run buried beneath a flat, green field terrain, parallel to roads and dismantled railway tracks and through a partially derelict industrial estate and/or landfill site NE of the town of Thornton as far as the substation. The total length of the onshore route may reach approximately 6 km. See Chart 8 for more details.

For the Penwortham option, the indicative onshore cable route might have its landfall on the Banks Marshes on the estuary of the River Ribble, NE of the town of Southport (It will then continue E across the southern bank of the river as far as the Hesketh Outmarsh where the marshland will give way to farmland with cultivated fields. This option will then cross the River Douglas and continue across a plain of cultivated fields as far as the substation. The total length of the onshore route may reach approximately 16 km. See Chart 9 for more details.

3.5.3.2 Hydrology For the Heysham option, the indicative cable route may run close to a number of reservoir lakes sited E of Middleton Wood and W of the village of Middleton. Also, it may cross some streams and irrigation canals near the various farms SW of the village of Middleton.

For the Stanah option, the closest point to the is 400 m E of the route near an artificial lake and the dismantled railway. The proposed onshore cable route may also run close to a number of ponds and a drain (see more details in Section 3.5.3.3).

For the Penwortham option, the indicative cable route will cross a number of small creeks and irrigation canals located in the marshlands of the River Ribble and the farmland on its southern banks as well as crossing the River Douglas, a tributary of the Ribble, near the Hesketh Outmarsh as well as Mill Brook around 1 km W of the National Grid substation.

3.5.4 Biological Environment

3.5.4.1 Nature Conservation Areas For the Heysham option, the indicative cable landfall is located on the border of the offshore conservation areas such as the Morecambe Bay SAC, SPA, and Ramsar site as well as the Lune

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Estuary SSSI. The indicative onshore cable route and corridor do not fall within or close to any onshore conservation areas. There is a nature reserve (Heysham Nature Reserve), located approximately 1km NW of the route, which features several ponds with potential great crested newt populations.

For the Stanah option, the landfall is not located on or close to any nature conservation areas, although the onshore substation will be sited approximately 400 m SW of the River Wyre section of the Morecambe Bay SPA and Ramsar site and the Wyre Estuary SSSI.

For the Penwortham option, the indicative cable landfall is located within three overlapping nature conservation areas; the Ribble and Alt Estuaries SAC and Ramsar site as well as the Ribble Estuary SSSI. The cable route will also go across these areas for around 4 km and 1.5 km after crossing the River Douglas. The estuarine environment at this cable route option is likely to raise the highest environmental concern with regards to potential impacts and hence should this option be taken forward studies will reflect this.

3.5.4.2 Vegetation At the proposed Heysham landfall, the indicative onshore cable route, having crossing an area of rocky and sandy beach and sand dunes, will continue through green fields N of the Shorefields Caravan Park (part of which runs alongside hedgerows). The route continues through other green fields up to Westmoor Farm, where it then it runs along additional green fields dotted with medium low trees and shrubs sited E of Middleton Road and distributed all along as far as the substation.

With the Stanah landfall option, the indicative onshore cable route will indicatively run adjacent to or through the green fields located N of the Rossall School and in Woodstock Wood, which are dotted with low trees and shrubs. Along the dismantled railway track there might be other low trees and shrubs as well as near the Hillylaid Pool W of the substation.

For the Penwortham option, the cable route will cross very few trees or woody areas, as it will largely run through farm and marshland, except for the area around the substation where there is a wood (Howick Hall Wood) and a plantation (Nabsack Planting), and where there are a number of trees alongside an irrigation canal N of the village of Hutton.

3.5.4.3 Ditches, Drains and Ponds For the Heysham option there are a couple of ponds that may be reservoirs or ponds for recreational fishing situated N of the Heysham Business Park and Main Avenue (this will be confirmed at a later date if required). A previous survey was carried out in 2006 (see Table 20) for Walney onshore cable route to identify those ponds which might be suitable for great crested newts (see 3.5.3.4). Similar considerations will be applied to ditches in and around Middleton Wood.

At the Stanah landfall option, the route may run close to a number of ponds located in Woodstock Wood and S of Rossall Lane (B5409) and W of the B5268 (Fleetwood Road) as well as a disused reservoir E of the dismantled railway in the landfill site/partially derelict industrial site. There is also the possibility that the cable may also run across a drain (Hillylaid Pool) W of the onshore substation.

For the Penwortham option, the route will likely run adjacent to or across a substantial number of drains and/or irrigation canals located in the farmland N of the villages of Hesketh Bank, Longton, and Hutton.

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3.5.4.4 Fauna, including Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals An ecological walkover survey along the cable route corridor and around the substation location to inform the Project EIA will reveal if any protected or sensitive species are located within or adjacent to these areas. If these are found or thought to be present, and there is significant risk of disturbance to protected species such as badgers, water voles, great crested newts etc, relevant licences will be applied for and appropriate mitigation measures will be put in place following recognised guidelines.

Some of the ponds mentioned in 3.5.3.3 have been searched in 2005 for great crested newt populations (which are designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Habitats Regulations in 2006), as shown in Table 22, for the Heysham option only. An additional survey will be required to assess the current population presence and to a limited extent the density. Appropriate surveys will be required as a part of the EIA should the development pose a risk to ponds or newt populations, and relevant mitigation measures will be applied where necessary. As outlined in 3.5.3.2 low trees may be present along the cable route, and they will be surveyed to ensure that they are not inhabited by bats. Should hedgerows be disturbed, need to be removed or altered during cable installation, appropriate nesting bird surveys will be undertaken.

At this stage no sensitive species have been confirmed as being present along the onshore cable corridor route or substation site; however, an ecological survey will be carried out to verify this. Table 20 below summarises the potential impacts predicted on the onshore biological environment discussed above (note this list is not exhaustive at this stage).

Onshore Biological Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts from Walney Extension offshore wind farm Construction / Magnitude of Magnitude Parameter Operation Decommissioning impact of impact - Temporary loss of habitat due to trenching; No impacts Vegetation Minor impact No impact - Fragmentation of habitats due predicted. to trenching. Statutory and non-statutory Temporary loss of habitats due to No impacts nature Minor impact No impact trenching. predicted. conservation areas - Temporary loss of habitats due to trenching; Ditches, drains No impacts Minor impact No impact and ponds - Damage to and siltation of predicted. ditches and drains due to trenching. Temporary disturbance of habitat No impacts Badgers Minor impact No impact due to trenching. predicted. - Temporary loss of habitat due No impacts Bats to removal of trees; Minor impact No impact predicted. - Loss of possible roosts. Temporary loss of ditch habitat No impacts Otters Minor impact No impact during trenching. predicted. Temporary loss of ditch habitat No impacts Water voles Minor impact No impact during trenching. predicted. Temporary loss of habitat due to No impacts Brown Hare Minor impact No impact trenching. predicted. Reptiles Temporary loss of habitat due to Minor impact No impacts No impact

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Onshore Biological Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts from Walney Extension offshore wind farm Construction / Magnitude of Magnitude Parameter Operation Decommissioning impact of impact trenching. predicted. Great Crested Temporary loss of habitat due to No impacts Minor impact No impact Newts trenching. predicted. Temporary loss of habitat, including nesting habitat due to No impacts Birds Minor impact No impact removal of vegetation along the predicted. cable route.

Table 20: Potential impacts upon the onshore biological environment from the proposed Walney Extension offshore wind farm project

3.5.5 Human Environment

3.5.5.1 Road and Rail Traffic For the Heysham option, the indicative cable route will cross a secondary route (Carr Lane) twice, which connects the disused Pontins Site to the village of Middleton and along Middleton Road for 600 m as far as the substation.

For the Stanah option, the indicative cable route may run along secondary routes first in the town of Fleetwood like West Way as far as the junction with the A587/Broadway and the Blackpool Tramway, then S along South Strand as far as Rossall Lane, when it will turn E along the B5409, crossing the A585 and E as far as the B5268/Fleetwood Road, where it will run SE close to the caravan park and through a field along a dismantled railway track for around 1.6 km until it will cross a partially derelict industrial estate E of the town of Thornton.

For the Penwortham option, the indicative cable route will only run along or cross minor countryside unpaved roads and paths and farm roads for much of the route, whereas near the substation it will cross Howick Cross Lane, a village road. No railways run close to the cable route.

The impact on road and rail traffic is expected to be minor.

3.5.5.2 Tourism & Recreational Activities For the Heysham option, the cable route will cross or run adjacent to two Caravan Parks located on the coast (Shorefields Caravan Park) and another 0.5km inland. Other Caravan Parks are located in the proximity (E and W) of the substation. Heysham Golf Course is also located W of the cable route. No other major tourist activities are known to occur around the area.

For the Stanah option, the cable route will run close to a caravan park (Caravan Hire Blackpool) and camping site S of Fleetwood. Another caravan park is located NE of the substation. No other major tourist activities are practised around the area.

For the Penwortham option, no major tourist activities or sites are located along or near the cable route and substation, the closest being Preston Dock, located 1.7 km NE of the substation.

The impact on tourism and recreational activities is expected to be minor.

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Chart 7: The Walney Extension indicative onshore cable landing, cable route and corridor, and onshore substation at the National Grid Heysham 400 kV substation

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Chart 8: The Walney Extension indicative onshore cable landing, cable route and corridor, and onshore substation at the National Grid Stanah 400 kV substation

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Chart 9: The Walney Extension indicative onshore cable landing, cable route and corridor, and onshore substation at the National Grid Penwortham 275/400 kV substation

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Chart 10: Indicative location of the Walney Extension onshore substation at the National Grid Stanah 132/400 kV substation

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Chart 11: Indicative location of the Walney Extension onshore substation at the National Grid Penwortham 275/400 kV substation

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3.5.5.3 Archaeology & Cultural Heritage For both the Heysham and Penwortham options, no scheduled monuments, listed buildings, parks and gardens or any other archaeological remains are located within or close to the cable route, corridor, and substation.

For the Stanah option, the cable route will run close to two parks and gardens in the town of Fleetwood, namely the King George Memorial Field (N of South Strand) and Woodstock Wood (S of Rossall Lane).

No scheduled monuments, listed buildings or any other archaeological remains are located within or close to the cable route and corridor. The closest listed buildings are those located in the Rossall School complex (e.g. a library, a church, etc.) 500 m S of the cable landfall.

The impact on archaeology and cultural heritage is expected to be minor.

3.5.5.4 Land Use & Agriculture For the Heysham option, the land along the indicative cable route is characterised by predominantly agricultural areas and associated farm buildings adjacent to two Caravan Parks. The area around the substation is characterised by predominantly industrial areas and business parks. The closest residential areas in Heysham are found 450 m N of the substation, while those of the village of Middleton are sited 650 m S of the substation.

For the Stanah option, the land along the indicative cable route and substation is characterised by some built-up areas featuring partly derelict industrial estates (possibly used by chemical companies), while there are some green fields in Woodstock Wood that might be used by two farms located on Rossall Lane along the cable route.

For the Penwortham option, most of the land around the cable route and substation is farmland, with several cultivated and irrigated fields as well as a substantial number of farms located on the southern part of the route and NW of the substation.

3.5.5.5 Landscape For the Heysham option, the onshore cable landing and route and the onshore substation are not sited within, or close to, any areas specially protected by designation due to their specific international, national or local landscape importance. The landscape around the cable corridor is defined as 'Morecambe Coast and Lune Estuary' by Natural England30, with flat plains. The highest elevation point along the cable route is 15 m (N of Middleton Wood), as recorded on Google Earth™ software31.

For the Stanah and Penwortham options, the onshore cable landing and route and the onshore substation are not sited within, or close to, any areas specially protected by designation due to their specific international, national or local landscape importance. The landscape around the cable corridor is defined as 'Lancashire and Amounderness Plain' by Natural England, with some sections featuring coastal and floodplain grazing marshes. The highest elevation points along the cable route

30 As per the National Character Areas (England) GIS data as described at the URL: http://www.magic.gov.uk/datadoc/- metadata.asp?dataset=10&x=16&y=9. 31 Version 3.5.1.

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are 8 m for the Stanah option (near the artificial lake E of the dismantled railway track) and 18 m for the Penwortham option (near the substation), as recorded on Google Earth™ software.

3.5.5.6 Noise Climate & Air Quality For the Heysham option, sensitive receptors for noise and emissions that are found within 200 m of the proposed indicative cable route and substation site, comprise of a number of private dwellings S of the cable route on Middleton Rd in the village of Middleton, as well as the occupiers of the mobile homes in the caravan parks near the substation and the cable landing, as well as commercial buildings (the Heysham Business Park and the Walkers Industrial Estate) and identified farms. No schools are found in the area.

For the Stanah option, sensitive receptors for noise and emissions found within 200 m of the proposed indicative cable route and substation site comprise a residential area N of West Way (Fleetwood), SW of South Strand (Fleetwood), the two farms along the B5409/Rossall Lane, some commercial buildings in or near the caravan park/camping site E of the B 5268 and those within the partly derelict industrial area in the town of Thornton.

Also, the residential areas in Stanah located S and E of the substation and the caravan park N of the substation. A number of schools are found in Fleetwood and located S of the cable landfall like Rossall School (500 m S), while two schools are located N of the cable route along with the Nautical College of Fleetwood (350 m N).

For the Penwortham option, sensitive receptors for noise and emissions found within 200 m of the proposed indicative cable route and substation site comprise the farms found S of the cable route in Hesketh Bank and N of the villages of Longton and Hutton as well as the farms and the residential areas of the village of Penwortham around the substation.

3.5.5.7 Local Economy Construction works for the onshore cable route and substation, as well as the offshore wind farm itself, are expected to bring positive impacts on the local economy by using local labour force.

The Walney project under construction has a site office in Barrow-in-Furness (shared with the Barrow offshore wind farm) with around 30 people (plus 3 for the Barrow project) employed by DONG Energy, most of which are local labour force, not including contractors who employ around 70-80 local labour force and make use of local services (taxi, restaurants, hotels, house and car rentals). See Table 21 for further details on the impacts.

3.5.6 Onshore Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts

The following table summarises the potential impacts that the onshore cable route and substation during their construction, operation and decommissioning, may have on the onshore environment.

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Onshore Environment – Potential Environmental Impacts from Walney Extension offshore wind farm Parameter Construction / Decommissioning Operation

- Potential direct beneficial impact via employment of local workers during construction of wind farm; Potential direct beneficial impact via - Potential indirect beneficial impact via employment in employment of local Socio-Economics suppliers and other sub-contractors further down the supply workers during chain that will be initiated by the Project; operation of wind - Potential induced impacts i.e. second tier employment, farm. supported by spending of wages in the local economy.

Noise emissions Noise emissions from onshore cable and substation Noise from the substation construction process. once operational. Visual impact (onshore substation Tourism and Potential visual intrusion for tourists and residents onshore. and onshore junction Recreation chamber at the cable landing).

Nature Conservation, Potential impact on protected species, habitats and vegetation No impacts Fauna, and as a result of construction noise/activities and vegetation predicted. Vegetation clearance. See also Table 20.

Potential minor disruption to road and rail traffic where the No impacts Road and Rail Traffic cable route crosses road and rail tracks, due to brief closures predicted. to allow works in safe conditions for the road and rail users.

- No impacts predicted on cultural heritage sites; Archaeology & No impacts Cultural Heritage - Potential removal of some archaeological remains found predicted. during excavation for cable burial.

Table 21: Potential impacts upon the onshore environment from the proposed Walney Extension offshore wind farm

3.5.7 Onshore Environment – Surveys and Studies Undertaken to Date and Proposed Surveys

As part for the EIA process for the Wind Farm under Construction, studies were undertaken relating to the onshore environment, and they are summarised in the table below, together with an assessment of whether the data will be valid for the Project site as well.

Onshore Environment – Surveys and Studies Undertaken for Walney offshore wind farm Survey / Relevance Date Undertaken by Description Study Exist. Exten. Onshore survey describing the baseline conditions and Heysham Onshore Sept RSK ENSR construction, operation, and Substation & Cable 2007 Environment Ltd. decommissioning impacts from  * Route survey the onshore cable route and substation in Heysham Onshore survey describing the Stanah / Hillside baseline conditions and Onshore Sept RSK ENSR construction, operation, and Substation & Cable 2007 Environment Ltd. decommissioning impacts from  * Route survey the onshore cable route and substation in Stanah

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Onshore Environment – Surveys and Studies Undertaken for Walney offshore wind farm Survey / Relevance Date Undertaken by Description Study Exist. Exten. Survey commissioned in order to identify ponds within 500m of the Heysham and May Heysham onshore proposed Middleton pond Marshall Ecology 2006 cable route option and to identify  * survey those ponds which might be suitable for great crested newts. Desktop study of the socio- economic environment of the area (Morecambe Bay, Cumbria, Socio-Economic April Rudall Blanchard North Lancashire) in and Desktop Review of 2005 Associates ** adjacent to the proposed  * the NW3 Area Walney, West of Duddon Sands, Barrow and Ormonde offshore wind farms

Baseline assessment of the landscape character and Landscape and March RSK ENSR assessment of the potential Visual assessment 2006 Environment Ltd. impacts and consideration of  x (Part 1 & 2) mitigation measures as well as photomontages

* Note: Although the surveys were taken in 2007, they will be updated through a new set of proposed surveys (see Table 23 below).

** Note: Survey prepared for the East Irish Sea Developers Group. Table 22: Summary of onshore environment surveys and studies undertaken to date in relation to the existing Walney offshore wind farm

In terms of further surveys and/or studies that may be required to supplement the work done in the past for the site of the Wind Farm under Construction, it is proposed that the following surveys and/or studies are required as part of one or two of the three options of the onshore cable route and onshore substation of the Project.

Onshore Environment – Proposed Surveys and Studies for Walney Extension offshore wind farm Proposed Survey / Study Description and Assessment Methodology Further assessment of the onshore cable route and the new Archaeology and Cultural Heritage onshore substation at any of the three options. study Assessment will include a description of the likely effects on the onshore archaeological and cultural heritage and the landscape, by taking into account relevant best practice guidance. Landscape and Seascape Visual Landscape and Seascape Visual impact assessment study will be impact assessment study included in the one proposed for the offshore environment (see Table 19).

To assess the noise emissions during the construction of substation and cable burial works as well the substation‟s operation. Assessment will take into account relevant best practice Noise Impact study guidance for environmental noise (e.g. BS 4142:1997 - Method for rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential and industrial areas). A different methodology might be discussed with environmental health officer(s).

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To provide an assessment of the geotechnical engineering properties of the ground and the extent of any agriculture, land use and soil contamination on the area around the onshore cable Ground Investigation, Soils, and route and the onshore substation. Contaminated Land survey Assessment will include the description of any likely effects that the Project might have on agriculture and land use, and relevant best practice guidance will be taken into account (e.g. DEFRA's Code for the Sustainable Use of Soils on Construction Sites).

Walkover surveys to record the ecology along the cable route and around the substation in order to identify if they are inhabited by protected species such as bats, newts, badgers, hare, birds etc and if there is any nature reserve or area of natural interest. Ecological & Nature Conservation and Ornithology surveys Assessment will include a description of effects on nature conservation areas, habitats, species, etc. Best practice guidance on both survey and assessment (e.g. the Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom by IEEM (2006)) will be followed.

To provide an assessment of the likely impacts on the road and rail traffic during the construction phase due to movement and Road and Rail Transport and Traffic burial of cables, construction. The work will include desk study and study site visits and a subsequent description of the impacts on traffic and transport.

The surveys and study will investigate the likely significant impacts Hydrogeology and Water Quality survey of the onshore elements of the Project on hydrology and flood risk, ground conditions, and potential risk of contaminated water run-off and effects on water quality. The assessment method will include the description of the Flood Risk and Coastal Defence study impacts, a Flood Risk Assessment for the onshore substation, and a mitigation strategy and compensation measures if required.

To be included in the Socio-Economics & Tourism study for the Socio-Economics and Tourism study offshore human environment (see Table 19).

Table 23: Proposed onshore environment surveys and studies in relation to the Walney Extension offshore wind farm

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Figure 7: Export cable ship outside the port of Heysham (above); plough for the export cable installation (below), April 2010

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3.6 Cumulative and In-Combination Impacts and Appropriate Assessment

The EIA and Habitats Directives require cumulative and in-combination impacts to be considered as part of the EIA and Appropriate Assessment processes. Here, cumulative refers to all other wind farm projects while in-combination refers to other marine projects or licensed activities, for example, marine aggregate extraction. Projects considered in the assessment will include existing projects as well as those currently in the planning system which could interact with the Project either spatially or temporally.

In summary, the following activities and projects will need to be considered in relation to the cumulative and in-combination impact assessment offshore:

 The Walney, West of Duddon Sands, Barrow and Ormonde existing offshore wind farm sites E, SE, and S of the Project site as well as the Round 3 Irish Sea zone W of the Project site;

 The marine aggregate extraction activities NW of the Project site;

 The oil and gas extraction current and future activities W and SW of the Project site;

 Liquefied natural gas storage areas and pipelines S of the Project site;

 The waste disposal / spoil grounds E of the Project site;

 Commercial fisheries activities in the area around the Project site.

The EIA process will also identify cumulative and in-combination impacts within the onshore development areas, including other onshore developments which may affect receptors in the vicinity of the cable route or at any substation location. These may include aspects such as ecology and nature conservation, historic environment, landscape and visual character.

However, the actual topic areas where detailed consideration will be required will depend much on the final grid connection route and any associated development, such as the new onshore substation. Relevant local authorities will be consulted on other development types that might have an effect in combination with the onshore grid connection project.

In terms of further surveys and/or studies, it is proposed that the following are required in order to provide a thorough cumulative and in-combination impact assessment.

Cumulative Impacts – Proposed Surveys and Studies for Walney Extension offshore wind farm Proposed Survey / Study Description

To assess the cumulative visual impact of the existing Round 1 and 2 offshore wind farms and Round 3 projects Cumulative Landscape and Seascape Visual as well as other non-offshore wind projects in the North- impact assessment East Irish Sea and the Project site (to be part of the general Landscape and Seascape Visual Assessment study described in Table 19).

Cumulative Navigation and Shipping traffic To assess the cumulative impacts on navigation traffic and survey, risk assessment, probability of safety (to be part of the general Navigation and Shipping collision, and modelling of traffic changes. traffic study described in Table 19).

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Cumulative Impacts – Proposed Surveys and Studies for Walney Extension offshore wind farm Proposed Survey / Study Description

To assess the cumulative impacts on coastal processes of Cumulative Impacts on the Coastal Process the existing offshore wind farms in the North-East Irish Sea study and the Project site (to be part of the Coastal Process study described in Table 4).

To assess the potential cumulative impacts on bird populations of the existing wind farms in the North-East Cumulative Impacts on ornithology Irish Sea and the Project site (to be part of the ornithological study).

To assess the in-combination impacts arising from the In-Combination Impacts study extension site with other marine projects and licensed activities.

Table 24: Proposed cumulative impact assessment studies in relation to the Walney Extension offshore wind farm development

In regard to Appropriate Assessment (AA), when a project, alone or in combination with other plans or projects, is considered to have a likely significant effect on a European site (i.e. on internationally important habitats and/or species), and is not directly associated with the management of the site for nature conservation, the developer is required to provide the competent authority with information to undertake a test of likely significance.

This process may subsequently involve the completion of an AA by the competent authority under the Conservation (Natural Habitats & Co.) Regulations 1994 (as amended) (referred to as the „Habitats Regulations‟). The determination on both matters, i.e. the formal assessment of whether a likely significant effect will occur and the AA, should this be required, is undertaken during the examination process. For the purposes of a NSIP (see Section 1.4.1) such as the Project the competent authority will be the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC).

For offshore wind farms, an AA may be required for the following types of potential likely significant impacts:

 Impacts of construction noise on marine mammals should they be linked to an identified SAC;

 Impacts of export cable installation on sub-tidal and inter-tidal habitats (including benthic biotypes and saltmarsh habitats);

 Impacts of disturbance arising from wind farm construction and export cable installation on bird species; and

 Impacts of Operational Wind Farms on bird species, including collision risk of migratory and breeding birds, potential displacement and/or barrier impacts;

 Cumulative impacts on bird species. This item has been extensively discussed in Section 3.3.4.4.

As noted above, the Habitats Regulations require that the likely impacts of a project on European sites are considered both alone and in-combination with other plans or projects. As such, the

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cumulative and in-combination assessment forms a component of the assessment work for the cumulative and in-combination studies.

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4. Way Forward

4.1 Overview

As outlined above DONG Energy is seeking to develop an extension to the existing Walney offshore wind farm. The proposed development will add turbines to those being constructed within an area of 149 km2, for an indicative total installed capacity up to 750 MW.

This Scoping Report was prepared in support of a request for a Scoping Opinion from the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) under the Regulation no. 8 of the 2009 Statutory Instrument no. 2263 (The Infrastructure Planning Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2009).

The next sections will briefly describe the steps following the submission of the Scoping Report to the IPC and the receipt of the Scoping Opinion, starting with the consultation process, the preparation of the Environmental Statement and its submission in support of the application for consents for the development of the Walney Extension offshore wind farm (or the “Project”), the surveys and works leading to the construction, and finally the operation of the wind farm scheduled for Q3 2016.

Figure 6 in the next page illustrates the process and its abovementioned key stages with indicative dates of completion.

4.2 The Scoping Process

4.2.1 Scoping Report Consultations for the Scoping Opinion

As part of the formal scoping process, the IPC will consult a number of statutory consultees to obtain their comments, within twenty-eight (28) days from its submission of the content of the Scoping Report.

These opinions will be attached, along with the IPC opinion, to the Scoping Opinion document, which will be released by the IPC within forty-two (42) days after the submission of the Scoping Report. Subsequently, both the Scoping Report and the Scoping Opinion documents will be made public on the IPC website as well as the Walney Extension website32. It is expected that the Scoping Opinion document will be received by DONG Energy around mid November 2010.

Besides the statutory bodies, DONG Energy would be interested in the views of other non-statutory consultees and organisations (see Table 25) on the proposed offshore wind farm development, and therefore we will be consulting them too by sending out a copy of the Scoping Report.

4.2.1.1 Statutory Consultees The IPC will identify and formally consult with a number of statutory bodies as per the 2009 Statutory Instrument no. 2264 – The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 – Schedule 1, in order to obtain their Scoping Opinion on the Project.

32 At the Projects section, whose URL is http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/?page_id=202; for the Walney Extension website the URL is http://www.walneyextension.co.uk

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Figure 8: Timeline of the key stages and indicative dates in the Walney Extension offshore wind farm development

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4.2.1.2 Other Consultees During the early and formal consultation stages (see Figure 2) various stakeholders will be consulted by DONG Energy, as shown in Table 25.

The list is not an exhaustive list of all the stakeholders to be consulted in respect of the Project and it will be very likely to be augmented with potential new stakeholders during the consultation process prior to submission of the consent application. These stakeholders may also be consulted by the IPC.

Organisation Contact Person National Government Departments and Local Government Councils Environment Agency Ms Beverley Lambert Copeland Borough Council To be identified Barrow-in-Furness Council To be identified South Lakeland Council To be identified Blackpool Council To be identified City of Lancaster (for the Heysham option) To be identified Wyre Borough (for the Stanah option) To be identified West Lancashire County (for the Penwortham option) To be identified South Ribble Council (for the Penwortham option) To be identified Other neighbouring councils to be defined To be identified Human Environment Chamber of Shipping Captain Saurabh Sachdeva Maritime and Coastguard Agency Captain Paul Townsend Port of Heysham To be identified Ministry of Defence (MoD), Defence Estates Mr David Naylor-Gray Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Mr Mark Smailes National Air Traffic Services (NATS) To be identified Office of Communications (Ofcom) To be identified Fishermen Associations in the area To be identified Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Mr Ted Osborn Cruising Association (CA) Mr Chris Edwards Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Ms Sarah Halls Centrica/Hydrocarbon Resources Ltd. Ms Tara Abachi United Marine Dredging Ltd. (Tarmac Ltd.) Mr Andrew Bellamy English Heritage Mr Chris Pater National Trust To be identified Sport England (English Sport Council) To be identified Ormonde offshore wind farm To be identified Natural Environment Natural England Ms Victoria Copley Joint Nature Conservation Committee To be identified Countryside Agency (England) Ms Diane Bethell Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds Mr Toby Gethin Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) Mr Adrian Judd

Table 25: Indicative list of Other Consultees for the Walney Extension offshore wind farm

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4.3 Consultation

4.3.1 Pre-Consultation

Prior to the submission of the application for the Project to The Crown Estate in December 2009, DONG Energy consulted with a number of stakeholders during the months of October and November 2009.

The consultees were briefed on the potential plans for the proposed extension and their opinions on the likely impacts of the extension development on their own activities or interests were collected. In many cases the design of the Project has been amended to reflect these comments. These comments and changes are recorded in Table 26.

4.3.2 Formal Consultation

Once the Scoping Opinion has been received, formal consultation process (as specified in the Planning Act 2008, S42) with stakeholders such as local authorities, statutory and non-statutory consultees (as specified in Section 4.2) and landowners is likely to start in September/October 2010. The consultation period is likely to last until the consent application is submitted. This consultation process will include high-level consultations with key stakeholders throughout the period and other activities involving the general public such as exhibitions, publication of brochures, leaflets and other events.

As previously mentioned in Section 1.4.3, during this process, DONG Energy will publish the Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) (as per the Planning Act 2008, Section 47) which will specify whether the Project will require an Environmental Impact Assessment and how the preliminary environmental information is to be consulted upon.

The SoCC is expected to be published in the wider area comprising different boroughs, which might include Copeland, Barrow-in-Furness, South Lakeland, the City of Lancaster, Blackpool, Wyre, West Lancashire and South Ribble. Other councils will be likely added by following IPC guidance and compliance with Council Statements of Community Involvement (SCIs).

At the same time, all responses (within 28 days) to the SoCC and to the formal consultation process will be collected in the Consultation Report (as per the Planning Act 2008, S48) to be published along with the Environmental Statement (see section 4.4) in Q1 2013.

4.4 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Statement

Parallel to the Formal Consultation process, the Environmental Impact Assessment survey tender process is expected to start in July 2010 to end in late 2010, when the proposed offshore and onshore survey work programme (see the relevant tables in Chapter 3) can be carried out along with the relevant desk studies to last until roughly early 2012.

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4.5 Application for Consents

Once the survey works and studies are completed, the compilation of the Environmental Statement (ES) will take place for around one year. It is expected that the ES will be submitted to the IPC in Q1 2013 in support of a Development Consent Order (DCO) and possibly other consents (see Section 1.4.2). The application for the DCO will include draft clauses for inclusion in the final order.

It is expected that the IPC will start the examination of the submitted application around Q2 2013 for around 10 months until Q1 2014, when the determination of the Project application will take place with the grant or refusal of the DCO.

4.6 Construction

The offshore construction activities on the Project site are likely to last for just over two years, expected to commence 2014 until the end of 2016.

It is expected that foundations will be constructed from mid 2014 to mid 2015, while inter-array cables will be laid down from Q3 2015 to Q1 2016 and subsequently export cable(s) from Q2 to Q4 2015. Wind turbines will be eventually installed from Q4 2015 to Q4 2016.

4.7 Operation

The Project is finally expected to start exporting energy to the transmission grid in Q2 2016 with the final commissioning at full capacity in Q3 of the same year.

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Design submitted to the Crown Estate following Final Design awarded by The Crown Estate Pre-Consultation activities (April 2010) (December 2009)

Site Area: around 220 km2 Site Area: around 149 km2

Changes in the Design: -Northern and southern boundaries modified by keeping a separation of minimum 2 nautical miles for the redistributed shipping lanes (following construction of Walney, West of Duddon Sands and Ormonde)

Table 26: Changes in the design of the Walney Extension reflecting comments received from stakeholders

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References

Appleby, S (2009) Round 2.5 - Extensions: Natural Fish Resources Assessment. Unpublished Report to DONG Energy (UK) Ltd.

BERR (2007). A White Paper on Energy. 'Meeting the Energy Challenge'. Department of Trade and Industry.

BERR (2007). Aerial Surveys of Waterbirds in Strategic Wind Farm Areas: 2005/06 Final Report. Available at the URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file42555.pdf BOWind Ltd (2008). Post construction monitoring report, First Annual Report

BOWind Ltd (2009). Post construction monitoring report, First Annual Report

BOWind Ltd (2008). Post construction monitoring report, First Annual Report BOWind Ltd (2009). Post construction monitoring report, Second Annual Report BWEA (2009). UK Offshore Wind: Staying on Track. Forecasting offshore wind build for the next five years. compiled by Garrad Hassan. CEFAS (2004) Guidance note for Environmental Impact Assessment in respect of FEPA and CPA Requirements, version 2.

Cefas (2010) Strategic Review of Offshore Wind Farm Monitoring Data Associated with FEPA Licence Conditions. Defra Contract Reference ME1117

Coull, K.A., Johnstone, R., and S.I. Rogers (1998) Fisheries Sensitivity Maps in British Waters. Published and distributed by UKOOA Ltd.

DONG Energy (2006) Walney Offshore Wind Farm Environmental Statement. DONG Energy.

DONG Energy. 2010. Walney Offshore Windfarm - Pre-construction Report. February 2010. DONG ENERGY, London.

Langston (2010) Offshore wind farms and birds: Round 3 zones, extensions to Round 1 and 2 sites & Scottish Territorial waters. RSPB research report no.39.

Lockwood, S. J. 2005. A Strategic Environmetnal Assessment of the Fish and Shellfish Resources with respect to Proposed Offshore Wind Farms in the Eastern Irish Sea. Coastal Fisheries Conservation & Managemetn Colwyn Bay, March 2005.

Mcsorley C.A., Webb A., Dean B.J. & Reid J.B. 2004 Inshore marine Specia Protection Areas: a methodological evaluation of site selection and boundary determination. JNCC Report, No. 344. Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2010) The Marine Conservation Zone Project: Ecological Network Guidance. Sheffield and Peterborough, UK.

Ofgem (2010). Renewables Obligation. Available at the URL: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/Environment/RenewablObl/Pages/RenewablObl.aspx

Oliver F., Robinson P & Harrod C. 2001. Common Scoter Melanitta nigra in Liverpool Bay. CCW contract science report no 470. Casella Stanger.

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Reid J., Evans., P and Northridge, S. (2003) Atlas of Cetacean Distribution in the Northwest European Waters. JNCC. Ribble Estuary NNR Management Plan (2010) prepared by Graeme Skelcher.

RSK Group Plc (2009) Benthic Pre-Construction Surveys Ormonde and Walney Offshore Wind Farms.

SEA data (www.offshore-sea.gov.uk).

Seabirds at Sea database.

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (2009). UK Renewable Energy Strategy. HM Government.

Stern, Nicholas (2006). The Economics of Climate Change. Cambridge University.

The Crown Estate (2010). Round 3 Offshore Wind Farm Development. Available at the URL: http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/round3 Therivel, R. et al. (2005) Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment, Routledge

Vanstaen, K. & Silva, T (2010) Developing National Inshore Fisheries Data Layers from data collected by the Sea Fisheries Committee and Marine Management Organisation. Cefas Contract Report C3405, Cefas, Lowestoft

Voitovich RA & Kadomskaya KP (1997) Influence of the design parameters of high voltage underwater power cables on the electromagnetic field intensity in an aqueous medium. Electrical Technology, No 2, pp 11-21

WWT (2009) The Migration of Whooper swans in Relation to Offshore Wind Farms. WWT Unpublished Presentation of Interim Results.

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Appendix A – Draft Outline for the Walney Extension Environmental Statement

The following is the proposed high-level structure (subject to modifications) of the Environmental Statement (ES) to be prepared for the Project in support to the application for consents to the IPC.

It is proposed to adopt a three volume format for the ES, comprising of the following volumes:

• Volume 1: Non-technical Summary;

• Volume 2: Environmental Statement Main Text and;

• Volume 3: Environmental Statement Figures.

The ES Main Text (Volume 2) will comprise of a series of introductory chapters and EIA chapters, the preliminary format for which is presented below:

1 Summary 2 Introduction

2.1 The Applicant 2.2 Project Justification 2.3 Legislative context and regulatory requirements (including IPC requirements)

2.4 Environmental Impact Assessment Process 2.5 Assessment Methodology 3 The Proposed Offshore Wind Farm

3.1 Site Layout 3.2 Foundations 3.3 Turbines

3.4 Offshore electrical elements 3.5 Onshore electrical elements 3.6 Construction

3.7 Operation and Maintenance 3.8 Decommissioning 4 Offshore Physical & Chemical Environment

4.1 Wind Resource 4.2 Geology

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4.3 Bathymetry and seabed features 4.4 MetOcean

4.5 Morphology 4.6 Sediment Chemistry 4.7 Contamination

4.8 Noise 4.9 Electromagnetic Fields 5 Offshore Biological Environment

5.1 Designated Areas including Natura 2000 issues 5.2 Bottom Fauna 5.3 Fish and shellfish

5.4 Birds 5.5 Marine Mammals 6 Offshore Human Environment

6.1 Navigation 6.2 Commercial Fishery 6.3 Cultural Heritage Offshore

6.4 Seascape and Visual Resource 6.5 Military and Aviation 6.6 Telecommunication

7 Onshore Physical and Chemical Environment 7.1 Geology and Geomorphology 7.2 Hydrology

7.3 Impact during construction 7.4 Impact during operation 7.5 Impact during decommissioning

7.6 Cumulative Impact 7.7 Mitigation 7.8 Residual Impact

8 Onshore Biological Environment 8.1 Baseline

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8.2 Impact during construction 8.3 Impact during operation

8.4 Impact during decommissioning 8.5 Cumulative assessment 8.6 Mitigation

8.7 Residual impacts 9 Onshore Human Environment 9.1 Traffic

9.2 Occupation incl. tourism 9.3 Cultural Heritage 9.4 Landscape

9.5 Land use and agriculture 9.6 Emission and noise 10 Cumulative Impacts

10.1 Cumulative impact on offshore environment 10.2 Cumulative impact on onshore environment 10.3 Cumulative Impact – Summary

11 QHSE Management 11.1 QHSE Management System 12 Risks

13 Summary of mitigation measures

Appendices

1 References 2 List of abbreviations 3 List of stakeholders consulted

4 Large Format Figures 5 List of Annexes

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Appendix B – List of studies undertaken for the Walney offshore wind farm development

ABP Marine Environment Research Ltd. (2002). Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm Coastal Process Study.

Anatec (2005) Impact on Navigation Report. Morecombe Bay Wind Farms Cumulative Study.

Brown and May Ltd (2005) Walney and West of Duddon Offshore Wind Farm Developments. Commercial Fisheries Existing Baseline.

Force technology (2005) Ship Simulation. Evaluation of Proposed Navigation Lane East of Walney Offshore Wind Farm. FORCE 2005052

HR. Wallingford Ltd (2005) West of Duddon Sands and Walney Offshore Wind Farms. Impact on Coastal and Seabed Processes. Release 2.0

Offshore Survey and Engineering (2005) Bathymetric and Geophyscial Survey of Walney Offshore Wind Farm Site and Cable Route. Vol 1. Survey Report. K. Michels

RSK ENSR Environment Ltd (2005) Walney Offshore Wind Farm. Environmental Impact Assessment of the Onshore Cable Heysham.

RSK ENSR Environmental Ltd (2006) Part 1 - Effects on Seascape and Visual Environment. Technical Annex.

Rudall Blanchards Associates Ltd (2005) East Irish Sea Developers Group. Desktop Review of Marine Mammals Distribution in the NW3 area. Revision 01.

Ruddall Blanchards Associates (2005) East Irish Sea Developers Group. Socio-Economic Desktop Review of the NW3 area. Revision 01.

Wessex Archaeology (2006) Walney Offshore Wind Farm and West of Duddon Sands Offshore Wind Farm. Environmental Assessment: Offshore Cultural Heritage. Volume II: Appendices.

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Appendix C – Site & Cables Co-ordinates and Charts

This section includes the co-ordinates of the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site boundary and a series of charts showing the main offshore human and biological constraints found in and around the Project site.

The co-ordinates of the vertexes of the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site boundary (as awarded by The Crown Estate) are provided below. They are given as degrees, decimal minutes and projected in WGS 84, UTM Zone 30N.

Also, co-ordinates of the nodes of the three indicative onshore export cable routes to Heysham, Stanah and Penwortham substations (as depicted in Charts 7, 8, and 9) are provided. They are given in metres and projected in WGS 84, UTM Zone 30N.

Vertex Latitude Longitude Vertex Latitude Longitude

1 54.10536273 -3.65535877 13 54.04375822 -3.57655259 2 54.09290117 -3.66919763 14 54.03840928 -3.56350852 3 54.07456882 -3.65556763 15 54.02969285 -3.54752528 4 54.11308978 -3.91834363 16 54.02035772 -3.53478649 5 54.13621193 -3.91889517 17 54.01235164 -3.52613116 6 54.13235708 -3.89489555 18 54.00377642 -3.56775695 7 54.13243698 -3.89381964 19 54.07105326 -3.65249355 8 54.15853480 -3.82634835 20 54.05944146 -3.64234454 9 54.05120884 -3.59871453 21 54.05737584 -3.62497561 10 54.04640450 -3.58321821 22 54.07765494 -3.65826653 11 54.04612037 -3.58249967 23 54.09048404 -3.66746499 12 54.04429102 -3.57790196

Table 27: Co-ordinates of the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site boundary

Node X Y Node X Y 1 (landing) 506612.26011 5984905.69010 6 507569.57029 5986247.92429 2 507156.40269 5985025.66084 7 507549.42026 5986371.29881 3 507547.34526 5985171.53943 8 507507.78607 5986479.42048 4 507577.85144 5985661.66056 9 507421.29545 5986624.90413 5 507658.65792 5985902.96851 10 507432.55703 5986724.27407 11 (connection to substation) 507352.82770 5987018.38591

Table 28: Co-ordinates of the indicative onshore export cable route to the Heysham substation

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Node X Y Node X Y 1 (landing) 496871.23934 5972451.64717 23 499147.89576 5971759.80150 2 496986.59990 5972460.90577 24 499266.34932 5971752.50609 3 497228.23361 5972492.55611 25 499320.13438 5971753.26459 4 497288.49508 5972510.88944 26 499464.67144 5971803.71871 5 497359.89282 5972502.48226 27 499570.20329 5971695.46447 6 497539.82573 5972522.50339 28 499639.74694 5971596.02722 7 497789.09670 5972298.73436 29 499691.51390 5971485.58018 8 497847.99645 5972222.90689 30 499742.54987 5971299.80933 9 497889.68157 5972128.00831 31 499790.58159 5971072.75297 10 498176.52892 5972170.60696 32 499846.63401 5970785.55888 11 498374.53118 5972202.09020 33 499883.50404 5970587.03593 12 498469.98039 5972215.39083 34 499921.80770 5970291.60438 13 498534.48867 5972218.69150 35 500035.97711 5970349.69931 14 498570.04193 5972240.71101 36 500122.46391 5970368.06606 15 498707.43300 5972094.29327 37 500146.66722 5970368.40733 16 498763.84524 5972035.91405 38 500170.91320 5970365.72321 17 498838.43866 5971959.85947 39 500311.84327 5970385.86629 18 498878.53840 5971913.80241 40 500407.20728 5970418.47952 19 498897.17470 5971863.85630 41 500450.40318 5970287.96227 20 498895.73583 5971838.73154 42 500477.66148 5970214.71414 21 498994.67043 5971816.81548 43 500606.37921 5970045.67486 44 (connection to 22 499073.70686 5971807.17103 substation) 500831.71633 5969985.05230

Table 29: Co-ordinates of the indicative onshore export cable route to the Stanah substation

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Node X Y

1 (connection to substation) 516076.05867 5955123.01578 2 515997.55353 5955294.12807 3 515929.27190 5955276.03304 4 515901.78868 5955268.74982 5 515835.32332 5955295.84966 6 515788.87942 5955323.23130 7 515768.47407 5955359.01554 8 515737.36034 5955426.63747 9 515660.20789 5955501.64745 10 515627.36078 5955535.22803 11 515432.30322 5955504.75915 12 515295.56474 5955492.77362 13 515123.38399 5955488.08365 14 514972.32647 5955483.28737 15 513550.55383 5954960.95781 16 512992.31068 5954755.87130 17 512472.72167 5954657.05690 18 512177.68857 5954244.06645 19 511504.31673 5954404.29569 20 510828.53923 5953091.13433 21 510202.95624 5952596.35547 22 509784.11144 5952342.58279

23 509823.47400 5952290.03033 24 509507.27370 5952116.60661 25 506135.28113 5950896.00150

26 (landing) 502762.93763 5950391.70556

Table 30: Co-ordinates of the indicative onshore export cable route to the Penwortham substation

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Chart 12: AIS shipping tracks recorded in August 2009 around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site

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Chart 13: Current and Predicted shipping 90% lanes around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site

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Chart 14: Oil and gas and aggregate dredging around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site

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Chart 15: Military and aviation activities around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site

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Chart 16: Nature conservation areas around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site

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Chart 17: Commercial fisheries activity around the Walney Extension offshore wind farm site

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Chart 18: Other offshore wind farm export cable routes around Walney Extension offshore wind farm site

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Chart 19: Cables and waste disposal sites around Walney Extension offshore wind farm site

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Data shown on the charts of this Scoping Report have the following copyright holders:  OS 1:250,000 and 1:10,000 background raster tiles: Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright, 2010. All rights reserved. Data used under the OS OpenData license for full reuse for commercial and non-commercial use without restriction.

 United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) chart no. 1826 © SeaZone Solutions, 2008, 2009. Licence no. 092008.004 © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Offshore wind farms: The Crown Estate, September 2009.  Nature conservation areas: Natural England, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 2008, 2009, 2010.  Shipping tracks: AIS data collected for 28 days over August 2009 by Anatec Ltd.  Oil and gas fields, platforms, pipelines, licence blocks: UKDEAL, 2009, 2010.  Telecommunication cables: Anatec Ltd., 2009 from Kingfisher charts.

 Other offshore wind farm cables: respective developers and/or Environmental Statements.  Marine aggregate dredging areas: Anatec Ltd., 2009 from The Crown Estate charts.  Dumping grounds: Anatec Ltd., 2009.  Commercial fisheries density: Brown & May Marine Ltd., 2009 from Defra/MFA data, 2005-2008.  CAA airports and consultations zones: RESTATS database (AEA-DECC), 2008.  NATS interference zones: BWEA/NATS En Route Plc, 2008.  MoD UK ASACS radars and 74 km exclusion zones: taken from taken from DTI, BWEA, MoD, NATS (2002) Wind Energy and Aviation Interests - Interim Guidelines, page 37. Positions checked on GoogleEarth™.

 MoD PEXA: taken from UKHO chart no. 1826 © SeaZone Solutions, 2008, 2009. Licence no. 092008.004 © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Transmission grid and substations: National Grid, 2008.

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