New 132Kv Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation Environmental Statement
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New 132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation Environmental Statement December 2009 Table of Contents Chapter 01: Introduction Chapter 07: Ecology & Woodlands 1.1 Overview 1 7.1 Introduction 73 1.2 Meeting Renewable Energy Targets 1 7.2 Scoping & Consultations 73 1.3 Statutory Consents Procedures 1 7.3 Assessment Methodology & Significance Criteria 74 1.4 Proposed Development 1 7.4 Baseline 75 1.5 Developing the Overhead Line Route 2 7.5 Project Description & Mitigation 84 1.6 Structure of the Environmental Statement 2 7.6 Assessment of Effects 84 1.7 Project Team 2 7.7 Detailed Mitigation Measure & the Identification of Residual Effects 88 7.8 Summary 92 Chapter 02: EIA Methodology & Significance Criteria 2.1 Introduction 5 Chapter 08: Cultural Heritage 2.2 The ES Requirements 5 8.1 Introduction 95 2.3 Scoping & Consultations 6 8.2 Scoping & Consultations 95 2.4 Assessment Methodology 8 8.3 Assessment Methodology & Significance Criteria 98 2.5 Assumptions & Limitations 9 8.4 Baseline 99 8.5 Project Description & Mitigation Strategy 107 Chapter 03: Design Evolution 8.6 Assessment of Impacts 107 3.1 Introduction 13 8.7 Detailed Mitigation Measures & the Identification of Residual Impacts 116 3.2 Alternatives Considered 13 8.7 Summary 118 3.3 Route Selection 15 3.4 Route Changes Following Consultation 17 Chapter 09: Hydrology 3.5 Refined Route Design 18 9.1 Introduction 121 9.2 Scoping & Consultations 121 Chapter 04: Project Description 9.3 Assessment Methodology & Significant Criteria 121 4.1 Introduction 21 9.4 Baseline 123 4.2 Overhead Line Design 21 9.5 Project Description & Mitigation 128 4.3 Construction Techniques and Duration 25 9.6 Assessment of Effects 128 4.4 Control of Environmental Effects During Construction 27 9.7 Detailed Mitigation Measures & Identification of Residual Effects 129 4.5 Operation of the Development 28 9.8 Summary 130 Chapter 05: Planning Considerations Chapter 10: Other Issues 5.1 Introduction 31 10.1 Introduction 133 5.2 UK Wide Planning Policies 31 10.2 Geology & Soils 133 5.3 Welsh National Planning Advice & Policies 31 10.3 Tourism & Recreation 133 5.4 Development Plan Policies 31 10.4 Traffic & Transport 134 5.5 LANDMAP 34 10.5 Noise & Lighting 134 5.6 Summary 34 10.6 EMF Radiation 134 Chapter 06: Landscape & Visual 10.7 Waste Management 135 6.1 Introduction 37 Chapter 11: Summary of Effects & Draft Environmental 6.2 Scoping & Consultations 37 Management Plan 6.3 Assessment Methodology & Significance Criteria 38 11.1 Introduction 138 6.4 Baseline 43 11.2 Summary of Environmental Effects 138 6.5 Project Description & Mitigation Strategy 56 11.3 Cumulative Effects 138 6.6 Assessment of Effects 57 11.4 Draft Environment Management Plan 138 6.7 Detailed Mitigation Measures & the Identification of Residual Effects 68 11.5 Conclusion 138 6.8 Summary 69 146 New 132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation contents Table of Figures List of Tables Section 01: Introduction Section 02: EIA Methodology & Significance Criteria Figure 1.1 Wind Farm Connection Strategy 2 Table 2.1 Extract from the EIA Regulations - Schedule 4: Part I 5 Section 02: EIA Methodology & Significance Criteria Table 2.2 Extract from the EIA Regulations - Schedule 4: Part II 5 Figure 2.1 Wind Farms in the Wider Area 4 Table 2.3 Stages in the EIA Process 6 Section 03: Design Evolution Table 2.4 Extract from Feedback Report of Scoping Responses & 6 Pre-Application Public Consultation Figure 3.1 General Constraints 12 Table 2.5 Extract from Feedback Report of Scoping Responses & 7 Figure 3.2 Detailed Route Options 14 Pre Application Public Consultation Figure 3.3 Proposed Route 16 Table 2.6 Consultation Process 7 Section 04: Project Description Section 03: Design Evolution Figure 4.1 Pole Types 20 Table 3.1 Choice of Overhead Line Support 13 Figure 4.2 Route of Proposed Overhead Line 22-23 Table 3.2 Overhead Line Routeing Considerations 15 Figure 4.3 Proposed Temporary Right of Access for Construction 24 Table 3.3 Extract from Routeing Study Report - Conclusions 17 Figure 4.4 Line Diversion Locations 26 Table3.4: Route Changes from Feedback Report 17 Section 05: Planning Considerations Section 05: Planning Considerations Figure 5.1 TAN8 Strategic Search Areas 32 Table 5.1 Other Relevant UDP Policies 33 Section 06: Landscape & Visual Section 06: Landscape & Visual Figure 6.1 Landscape Context 36 Table 6.1 Criteria for Assessing Landscape Sensitivity to 38 Overhead Lines on Wood Pole Supports Figure 6.2 Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) 40 Table 6.2 LANDMAP Data Analysed 39 Figure 6.3 Viewpoints 42 Table 6.3 Landscape Sensitivity to Overhead Line Development 39 Figure 6.4 Aerial Photographs 43 Table 6.4 Classification of Sensitivity for Visual Amenity Receptors 39 Figure 6.5 Landform & Drainage 44 Table 6.5 Classification of Magnitude for Landscape and Visual Amenity 41 Figure 6.6 Tir Gofal Farmland 46 Receptors Figure 6.7 Settlements & Infrastructure 48 Table 6.6 Summary of Overall Evaluation Scores for LANDMAP 55 Aspect Areas with Study Area Figure 6.8 Woodlands 49 Table 6.7 Predicted Effects Arising From Other Wind Farms In The Area 56 Figure 6.9 Tourism & Recreation 51 (Currently In Planning Process) Figure 6.10 Powys LCAs 53 Table 6.8 Measures To Avoid Landscape & Visual Effects 57 Figure 6.11 LANDMAP VSSAs 54 Table 6.9 Overall Predicted Effect on the Landscape of the Powys LCAs 61 Figure 6.12 Effects on Viewpoint Locations Illustrating the Significance of 64 Table 6.10 Summary of Viewpoint Analysis 63 Effect at Viewpoints Table 6.11 Summary of Effects on Settlements, Leisure & Recreation 67 Section 07: Ecology and Transport Routes Figure 7.1 Study Area & Designations 78 Figure 7.2 Constraints Plan 79 Section 08: Cultural Heritage Figure 8.1 Designated Sites 96-97 Section 09: Hydrology Figure 9.1 Landform & Drainage 122 Figure 9.2 Ground Water Vulnerability 124 Figure 9.3 Flood Risk Overview 126 Section 11: Summary of Effects & Draft Environmental Management Plan Figure 11.1 Environment Mitigation Plan 142-143 New 132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation 147 Section 07: Ecology Section 09: Hydrology Table 7.1 Nature Conservation Importance Levels 74 Table 9.1 Tan15 Flood Zones 121 Table 7.2: Thresholds of Magnitude 75 Table 9.2: Sensitivity / Importance Criteria 123 Table 7.3: Table Indicating the Determination of Significance 75 Table 9.3: Magnitude Of Change Criteria 123 Table 7.4: Predicted Unmitigated Effects on Habitats & Flora During 85 Table 9.4: Significance Of Effect Criteria 123 Construction & Decommissioning Table 9.5: Data From Abermule Gauging Station 125 Table 7.5: Predicted Unmitigated Effects on Habitats & Flora Due to 85 Pollution During Construction & Decommissioning Table 9.6: Existing Water Quality Parameters 127 Table 7.6a: Predicted Unmitigated Effects on Fauna During Construction 86 Table 9.7: Properties Within The 1% AEP Flood Extents 127 & Decommissioning Table 9.8: Hydrological Receptors & Sensitivity 128 Table 7.6b: Predicted Unmitigated Effects on Birds During Construction 86 & Decommissioning Table 9.9: Assessment Of Effects On Water Quality 128 Table 7.7a: Preddicted Unmitigated Effects on Fauna Due to Pollution 86 Table 9.10: Assessment Of Effects On Groundwater 129 During Construction & Decommissioning Table 9.11: Assessment Of Effects On Flood Risk 129 Table 7.7b: Predicted Unmitigated Effects on Birds Due to Pollution 86 During Construction & Decommissioning Section 10: Other Issues Table 7.8: Predicted Unmitigated Effects on Habitats & Flora During 86 Operational & Maintenance Activities Table 10.1 Distance From Poles & Stays To Affected Footpaths 133 Table 7.9: Predicted Unmitigated Effects on Habitats & Flora Due to 87 Table 10.2 Estimated Vehicle Movements - Overhead Line 134 Pollution During Operational & Maintenance Activities Table 7.10a: Predicted Unmitigated Effects on Fauna During Operational 87 Section 11: Summary of Effects & Draft Environmental & Maintenance Activities Management Plan Table 11.1 Summary of Mitigation in Response to Significant 138 Table 7.10b: Predicted Unmitigated Effects on Birds During Operational & 87 Environmental Effects Maintenance Activities Table 11.2 Draft Environment Management Plan 140 Table 7.11a: Predicted Unmitigated Effects on Fauna Due to Pollution 88 Risk During Operational & Maintenance Activities Table 7.11b: Predicted Unmitigated Effects on Birds Due to Pollution Risk 88 During Operational & Maintenance Activities List of Photographs Table 7.12 Summary of Mitigation 90 Section 03: Design Evolution Section 08: Cultural Heritage Photograph 3.1 Comparison of Double Wood Pole Structure to Steel Lattice 13 Tower Table 8.1 Definition of Value/Significance of Cultural Heritage Assets 98 Photograph 3.2 Comparison of Double Wood Pole Structure to Steel Lattice 13 Table 8.2: Definition of Magnitude of Effect 99 Tower Table 8.3: Matrix for Assessing Significance of Direct & Indirect Impacts 99 on Cultural Heritage Assets Section 04: Project Description Table 8.4: Cultural Heritage Assets within the 100m Corridor 101 Photograph 4.1 Photograph of a Double Pole 21 Table 8.5: Cultural Heritage Assets Beyond the 100m Corridor but 103 Photograph 4.2 Photograph of a Single Pole 21 within the 200m Corridor Table 8.6: Summary Table of Sites & Their Values 104 Table 8.7: Designated Cultural Heritage Assets within Two Kilometres of 104 the Proposed Overhead Line Table 8.8: Designated Cultural Heritage Assets within 2Km of the 107 Development: Summary