5.3.2.2 5.3.1.2 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.2.1 Platforms Substation Offshore (Modi Infrastructure Transmission Offshore Modified 5.3.1.1 5.3.1 5.3 5 5.3.2 5.3.2.3 5.3.1.3

RochdaleEnvelope ParametersConsidered in the Asse Introduction Assessment Impact Visual and Landscape Seascape, Human Environment Environment Human tower arrangement and painted yellow for navigation yellow and painted arrangement tower jack per legs 6 to up and m sides four have 50 will OSPs is structure topside the of height the and LAT s jacket visible of height (the level interface the S the for assumed visibl are foundations and Jacket LAT. 'box') above substation (the structure topside of height maximum The m. 70 of height platform and 10 of length platform maximum a have will OSPs Both when defining the character of seascape compared to differe slightly are that elements emphasises other physicalenvironment. Seascape character isanexte the experience and environment,this Firth, relationshipsthe Moraythat the of character seascape and Rece (SL&V) Visual Seascape, Landscape and term The .- ad r ietfe a OP (o h north-wes the (to scenario. worst-case the represent 1 OSP fa as identified wind are and consented 5.3-2 Rochdal SLVIA the three for assumed OSPs the the of within locations planned are OSPs assumed been have OSPs the of locations Indicative and Stevenson 2012). (MORL, ES MORL in the detail (Telford, farms wind consented three Sub SLVIA the to Onshore applies it as further described and is been and has parameters Corridor design the out Route setting Envelope Cable Export Onshore O modified Infrast Transmission Onshore and modified and Corridor; (OSPs) Platforms Substation Offshore Transmiss Offshore modified of consists TI infrastructure modified transmission modified the of (views) Assessmen and Impact character landscape and seascape Visual the on effect and Landscape Seascape, The types of vessel which will be visible during the OS the during visible be will which of vessel types i shown are vessels installation OSP of photographs movement vessel 40 const additional an the with over 2.2), Chapter required are days vessel 240 installation assumes suitable with constructed be will OSPs SLVIA Photomontages and Visualisations’. Visualisations’. and Photomontages SLVIA Offs Moray wr 4: ‘Volume the entitled document support A3 complete and ES this of section visualisation map / plan and photographs panoramic Photomontages, Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment fied OfTI) fied OfTI) tructures above water) is 20 m above above m 20 is water) above tructures P construction period. period. construction P they have with each other and theotherandeachwith theyhave in Section 5.3.2. The effects of the the of effects The 5.3.2. Section in t r oe motn a te coast, the at important more or nt et structure, supported in a lattice lattice a in supported structure, et ion Infrastructure (modified OfTI) - - OfTI) (modified Infrastructure ion ructure (modified OnTI) - modified modified - OnTI) (modified ructure vessels. The Rochdale Envelope Envelope Rochdale The vessels. n Figure 5.3-2 to demonstrate the demonstrate to 5.3-2 Figure n (modified TI) (Figure 5.3-1). The The 5.3-1). (Figure TI) (modified e jacket foundations / air gap, gap, air / foundations jacket e nsionoflandscape character, but itten SLVIA are bound into one one into bound are SLVIA itten . The jacket foundations for the the for foundations jacket The . t) and OSP 2 (to the south) to to south) the (to 2 OSP and t) landscape. al marking. marking. al 70 m is the total height of the the of height total the is m 70 s to and from port. Illustrative Illustrative port. from and to s e Envelope are shown Figure Figure shown are Envelope e 0 m, platform width of 100 m m 100 of width platform m, 0 LVIA. The SLVIA assumes that that assumes SLVIA The LVIA. ruction period (described in in (described period ruction o te LI; p o w AC two to up SLVIA; the for tr rfr t te landscape the to refers ptors omnte o pol who people of communities defined for the modified TI TI modified the for defined ffshore Export Cable Route Route Cable Export ffshore the effect on visual amenity amenity visual on effect the MacColl) were assessed in in assessed were MacColl) hore Wind Farm Modified TI Modified Farm Wind hore tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms ssment rm sites. The indicative indicative The sites. rm figures, which form the the form which figures, t (SLVIA) considers the the considers (SLVIA) t stations. A Rochdale Rochdale A stations. tatement 5.3-1

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Modified Offshore Export Cable Route

5.3.2.4 The Rochdale Envelope for the SLVIA assumes that up to four offshore export cables will be installed in a cable trench in the sea bed, between the OSPs and the modified export cable landfall at Inverboyndie (approximately 52 km from the southern boundary of the three consented wind farms), within the modified offshore export cable route corridor shown in Figure 5.3-2. The Rochdale Envelope for the modified offshore export cable consists of up to four sub-sea trenches, which would not be visible, laid within the modified offshore export cable route corridor of maximum 1200 m width (as a result of each cable being spaced four times water depth apart).

5.3.2.5 The Rochdale Envelope for the SLVIA assumes that the modified offshore export cable route will be laid by a cable laying vessel, as described in Chapter 2.2 (Project Description), operating during the construction period. The assessment also assumes that there will be a maximum of 240 cable laying days over a two year period. Movements to and from port will be dependent on the port location, which has not yet been selected, but the Rochdale Envelope for the modified offshore export cable route is based on 40 vessel movements to and from the construction port and site. Illustrative photographs of cable laying vessels are shown in Figure 5.3-2 to illustrate the types of vessel which will be visible during the cable laying construction period.

Modified Onshore Transmission Infrastructure (Modified OnTI)

5.3.2.6 The Modified Onshore Transmission Infrastructure (Modified OnTI) consists of the modified export cable landfall (intertidal), up to four separately bundled onshore export cables and two onshore substations (the MORL substation and the regional Transmission Owner (TO) substation). The OnTI SLVIA Study Area is shown in Figure 5.3-3.

Modified Onshore Export Cable Route Corridor

5.3.2.7 The Rochdale Envelope for the SLVIA assumes that the export cables will be installed in four separate 4 m wide trenches (individual trenches for each trefoil circuit) within a 60 m working width corridor in the 500 m wide modified onshore export cable route corridor, between the modified export cable landfall at Inverboyndie and the onshore substations location (approximately 33 km) (Figure 5.3-3).

5.3.2.8 Several installation methods may be used for the underground onshore export cable installation: cable plough, directional drilling (landfall and water crossings) and open trench. A description of these installation methods is provided in Chapter 2.2 (Project Description).

5.3.2.9 The Rochdale Envelope for the SLVIA assumes that the modified export cable landfall at Inverboyndie beach will be installed in four separate 4m wide beach open pit trenches (one for each subsea cable circuit, each circuit comprising trefoil arrangement) extended down to the low tide level (with the sides of the trench typically temporarily supported). The installation method used for the modified export cable landfall installation is likely to be open trenching, or horizontal directional drilling (HDD). A description of these installation methods is provided in Chapter 2.2 (Project Description).

5.3-2 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment 5.3.2.14 5.3.2.12 5.3.2.13 5.3.2.11 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.2.10 Substations Onshore

• • • • • • • • • n ae ecie i fl i Scin .. (Mitigat 5.3.4 Section in full 5.3-29. Figure in described are t and within proposed are substation works onshore screening and the Landscape that and infra-red) (passive t but required, be will substations the of Lighting The MORL substation Rochdale Envelope broadly consi broadly Envelope Rochdale substation MORL The The TO substation Rochdale Envelope broadly consist broadly Envelope Rochdale substation TO The buildings, which will be agreed with Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire onsho of the impact visual the reduce help to stage with agreed be will of which indicative buildings, not are shown buil colours between The differentiate equipment. to and substation TO the b differentiate to solely used are Colours effects. photo the in modelling visual theref for basis the as used and area each substations the which in area the showing scenario, within buildings ma or the at structures modelled are part envelopes each The of 5.3-5). depth Figure and width several height, the using to modelled related been Fi has in shown substations is onshore substation TO and substation onshore dimens assumed the showing plan layout substation A niaiey ihn wdr sbttos ra that area’ ‘substations wider 5. Figure in shown indicatively is which screening, a within indicatively x 305m approximately of compound substation 5.3- single Figure in MO the include shown substations onshore the that as assumes Aberdeenshire, Deer, New of comp single a within co-located be Owner will substations Transmission and Substation) (MORL co network, substation grid onshore the to connect to required tw that assumes SLVIA the for Envelope Rochdale The

Various Electrical Equipment (7 – 12.65 m). m). (7 12.65 – Equipment Electrical Various Fenced Enclosure containing Electrical Equipment (4 Equipment Electrical containing Enclosure Fenced (4.7 m); Building Other (12.65 m); Building Switchgear GIS Various Electrical Equipment (7 – 8 m). m). (7 8 – Equipment Electrical Various and m); (712.5 & m Pylons m); (11.28 AutoTransformers x 4 (9m); Units Reactor x 2 (11.5m); Buildings Switchgear GIS x 2 Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment his is assumed to be passive lighting lighting passive be to assumed is his 3-29. 3-29. etween the MORL substation and and substation MORL the etween montages and the assessment of of assessment the and montages will be built. These envelopes are are envelopes These built. be will re substations. substations. re ound located to the south-west south-west the to located ound o) n idctvl son in shown indicatively and ion) s of the following: following: sof the RL and TO Substations within a within Substations TO and RL wl nt e emnnl lit. permanently be not will s gure 5.3-5. The layout of the the of layout The 5.3-5. gure Council at detailed planning planning detailed at Council dings and external electrical electrical external and dings nsisting of the MORL onshore onshore MORL the of nsisting sts of the following: following: of the sts nlds adcpn and landscaping includes ions and layout of the MORL MORL the of layout and ions the colour of the substation substation the of colour the o onshore substations will be be will substations onshore o f h sbtto (hw in (shown substation the of ore represent a worst-case worst-case a represent ore iu hih o te largest the of height ximum 270m (Figure 5.3-5), located located 5.3-5), (Figure 270m (TO) substation. These two two These substation. (TO) m); and m);and he onshore substation area area substation onshore he 3. The Rochdale Envelope Envelope Rochdale The 3. ‘development envelopes’ envelopes’ ‘development tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms tatement 5.3-3

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

5.3.3 Baseline Information Introduction

5.3.3.1 The SLVIA baseline covers both seascape/landscape character and visual amenity. The seascape/landscape baseline provides an understanding of the seascape/landscape in the area that may be affected – its constituent elements, its character, distinctiveness, condition and value, and the way this varies spatially. The visual baseline establishes the area in which the modified TI may be visible, the different groups of people who may experience views of the modified TI, the viewpoints where they will be affected and the nature of the views at those points.

5.3.3.2 The baseline describes aspects of the seascape/landscape and visual environment that may be significantly affected, as required by Schedule 4 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 and Schedule 3 of the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 (together the EIA Regulations). Establishing the baseline will, when reviewed alongside the description of the modified TI, form the basis for the identification and description of the effects of the modified TI.

5.3.3.3 The baseline seascape/landscape character assessment from the MORL ES (MORL, 2012) has been used to define the baseline conditions. A coastal character methodology was applied to identify Coastal Character Areas (CCAs) informed by, and at a scale comparable to, the existing SNH Landscape Character Assessments (LCAs) (SNH, 1997 and 1998).

5.3.3.4 The baseline description of the SL&V receptors that may be affected is primarily determined by the physical footprint of the modified TI and their Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) (Figure 5.3-15). An overview of the seascape/landscape baseline is described and a scope assessment identifies receptors that may experience significant effects, which require to be assessed in full. A detailed description of the baseline for each seascape/landscape and visual receptor that may be significantly affected is provided in the Impact Assessment in Section 5.3.4.

5.3.3.5 The baseline also describes current pressures that may cause change in the landscape in the future, in particular drawing on information for wind energy developments that are not yet present in the landscape, but are at other stages in the consenting process (as requested in consultations with Aberdeenshire Council). Operational and under construction wind energy developments are regarded as part of the baseline landscape character of the area. Any changes resulting from the modified TI are assessed within this context in the assessment of landscape and visual effects.

Consultations

5.3.3.6 A brief narrative of consultation undertaken for the SLVIA, including scoping responses, is provided in Table 5.3-1. Full scoping responses are provided in Chapter 1.3.

5.3-4 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3-1 Consultation of Summary Responses Table Organisation 14 (SNH) Heritage Natural Scottish 23 Nature Committee (JNCC) Joint Conservation / (SNH) Heritage Natural Scottish th rd 2014May 2014May • • • OfTI • • OnTI ConsultationResponse

combination with the (consented) wind wind (consented) turbines. the with combination OSPsinproposed the of respect assessedin ES previously those from effect SL&V MORL different, baseline the the or additional, any consider to 2012) in (MORL, use assessment can character assessment This N wud ecm sm further some ofpartthe assessment for the welcome modified TI. as substations offshore the of consideration would SNH n h E spotn te eto 3 and 36 Section the marine licence applicationsfor the Project. supporting ES the in comprehensive a There was SLVIA provided eomne gvn strategic the in National PlanningFramework 3. 2.28 Moray Chapter the in proposed of as vicinity coast the in giving proposed or considerationto cableother plannedworks Recommended n vsa ipc o te rjc to project the of therefore impact AberdeenshireCouncil. visual and and landscape the of or assessment importance the deferred regional landscape of any be national would raise that not concerns the would (of impact OnTI) the that considered SNH Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment • • OfTI • OnTI MORLApproach tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms

epc o baseline ESMORL (MORL, 2012). of in from assessment character considered respect effects SL&V Additional/different ute cnieain of OSPs provided thisin ES. consideration Further Sots Government, 2014). transmission (Scottish high 3 NPF in identified network the of voltage effects enhancing cumulative likely the of not assessment an out has carry to design possible been it and parameters, schedules detailabout of tolack Due tatement 5.3-5

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Organisation Consultation Response MORL Approach

Aberdeenshire Council • A LVIA should be produced in accordance • LVIA produced in accordance with GLVIA Consultation Meeting with GLVIA (3rd Edition). (3 rd Edition). 16 th May 2014 • Sensitive viewpoints or receptors in the area • Viewpoint assessment Scoping Response 21 st of the modified TI should be assessed. May 2014 • The Culsh Monument, New Deer should be undertaken. used as a more strategic viewpoint for the • Culsh Monument included LVIA. in assessment. • The EIA should contribute to the site design • Landscape mitigation process, in terms of locating and designing proposals are proposed as the development to have minimal/no part of the design of the adverse effects on the landscape. modified TI. • The LVIA should consider other planning • LVIA focuses on potentially applications with significant visual significant cumulative implications for the area, particularly wind effects energy projects. • Onshore substation Study • The cumulative assessment can extend to Area defined as 6 km around 6km from the proposed radius area. development site. • Landscape proposal for • All elements of the modified TI should be onshore substation designed to have minimal impact on the includes woodland character of the area. screening and • Onshore substation buildings should be landscaping to minimise placed as low as possible, with screening potential adverse from sensitive local receptors to minimise landscape and visual effects. potential adverse visual effects. • Woodland screen planting • Quality design of buildings and landscape would assist assimilation of the onshore is based on native plants and woodland design substations into the location. appropriate to the area. • Measures to establish a development with • bespoke and positive aesthetics should be Landscape mitigation proposals include other considered. habitat enhancement • Elements of the development with adverse proposals including marshy effects should be screened with earthworks grassland and hedgerow and planting. establishment. • All earthworks should be designed to • Landscape maintenance appear organic and naturalistic. plan will be produced to • Screen planting should be based on the list address long-term of native plants appropriate to the Buchan management of the area. landscape scheme. • Existing woodland should be conserved and incorporated into the development. • Landscape proposals would be a major factor of mitigation across the development site. • The proposal should indicate the location of all proposed elements of landscape and related features. • Other habitat development (with biodiversity value) should be designed into the development proposal. • A landscape maintenance plan should address the long-term management of the landscape scheme.

5.3-6 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment SLVIA Study Area and Offshore Substation Platforms Platforms Substation Offshore and Area Study SLVIA 5.3.3.13 5.3.3.12 Cable Export Offshore Modified 5.3.3.11 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact Overview Baseline Seascape/Landscape 5.3.3.10 5.3.3.7 5.3.3.9 5.3.3.8

• • 5.3-8), which has the following key characteristics key following the has which 5.3-8), Aberd North 5: Unit Seascape National from offshore i corridor route cable export offshore modified The landscape characteristics. characteristics. landscape se the where where inland coast, further the and influence, along defining areas Character terrestrial Landscape in (CCAs). defined Areas Character Coastal 5.3-8. Figure in illustrated is Coastline route cable export Aberdeenshire a and Moray point the landfall of cable character export modified the trench and cable OSPs four to up th in that installed be assumes will SLVIA cables the for Envelope Rochdale The minimum distance of 46.4 km from the indicative loc indicative from the km of 46.4 distance minimum Aber loc and Moray indicative within CCAs and the Units/Types Seascape from km C 23.4 within of CCAs distance minimum and Units/Types Seascape National All ecie i Catr .. o te OL S MR, 20 (MORL, f ES MORL and the ES. this in TI modified the to relevant where characteristics of 5.4.3 key Chapter The in described 5.3-6. Figure in OSPs t within defined are (CCAs) Areas Character Coastal Aberdeenshire, and the southern edge of South Ronal ofSouth edge southern the and Aberdeenshire, coast adjacent its fro Firth, Moray area the radius covering farms, km 50 a covers Area Study SLVIA The ainl esae nt ad esae hrce type k character The seascape (MORL,2012). ES MORL of5.4 the Chapter and 5.3-6). units (Figure seascape Views national Sea Open Vie with Sea Open Coastline with Coastline Rocky defined 2: is Type coastline Character This A 5. North Unit the Seascape within National is coastline This point. closest km 40 approximately located Banff, and and Lossiemouth Aberdeenshire North the includes Area Study The e Ves Fgr 536. h Tlod n Stevenson and closes Telford their at Caithness, from km 22 approximately The 5.3-6). (Figure Views 3: Sea Type and Cliffs High Remote Ope 1: Type with of sections Coastline Rocky 2: Type Character Seascape sea. the Suthe and of Caithness East – 7 visibility Unit Seascape National of extent inland the define landsca Hills and Slopes Moorland inland the km and 30 Peatlands approximately to up extends and Brora, b coast Caithness the includes Area Study SLVIA The

Low cliffs / rocky coastline predominates; predominates; coastline / rocky cliffs Low Sea; North to views open with and headlands sm with coastline ‘straight’ generally North–facing Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment (OSPs) (OSPs) The coastline has been divided into 17 into divided been has coastline The : berdeenshire / Morayshire Coast Coast Morayshire / berdeenshire t points. points. t h Cihes osln i within is coastline Caithness The s principally located immediately immediately located principally s line in Caithness, Morayshire and and Morayshire Caithness, in line es in the sea bed, between the the between bed, sea the in es ation of OSP 2. 2. of OSP ation eoiin osln wt Open with Coastline Deposition a and coast do not define the the define not do coast and a he SLVIA Study Area around the the Areaaround Study SLVIA he mainly by National Seascape Seascape National by mainly rland, and is defined mainly by mainly defined is and rland, eenshire / Moray Coast (Figure (Figure Coast Moray / eenshire etween Duncansby Head and and Head Duncansby etween all indentations, few significant significant few indentations, all the sea or coast provide a a provide coast or sea the dsay in the Orkney Islands. Islands. Orkney the dsayin wind farm sites are located located are sites farm wind m the three consented wind wind consented three the m pe types of Caithness, which which Caithness, of types pe eatures of these CCAs are are CCAs these of eatures ation of OSP 1. All National National All 1. OSP of ation from the MacColl site, at its its at site, MacColl the from t Inverboyndie. The coastal coastal The Inverboyndie. t and encompasses the Flat Flat the encompasses and Morayshire coast between between coast Morayshire ey characteristics of these these of characteristics ey tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms e modified offshore export export offshore modified e near the modified offshore offshore modified the near deenshire are located at a at located are deenshire ws and Type 3: Deposition Deposition 3: Type and ws ihes r lctd t a at located are aithness 12) and described further further described and 12) n Sea Views, with smaller smaller with Views, Sea n s are described in full in in full in described are s Types (LCTs) are also also are (LCTs) Types tatement 5.3-7

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

• Farmland backs coast and this generally comprises a low lying gently rolling open plain with some Remnant heathland present in places; and • Small and widely spaced settlements clustered in the main at base of cliffs or inlets, many of these are of historic interest and all have a strong relationship to the coast.

5.3.3.14 The modified offshore export cable route corridor is located immediately offshore from the Rocky Coastline with Open Sea Views National Seascape Type covering the North Aberdeenshire coast (Figure 5.3-8), which has the following key characteristics: • Long straight stretches of coastline with cliffs rise to some 30 m height and often with a raised beach edge. • Few significant headlands, although geological differences create an indented coast with bays and inlets, arches and caves; • Harder volcanic rocks producing a more resistant coastline of promontories, low cliffs and rocky shoreline. • Compact fishing villages are located at the base of cliffs in small bays while castles and cliff top forts occur on headland locations, highlighted against the simple sea. • Settlements and built features appear to be spaced at even intervals and thus provide a visual rhythm of foci along the coast. • Views over the North Sea are generally wide and open. • Shipping is a common feature seen out to sea and some isolated industry occurs along the coast. • While these are exposed seascapes, their agricultural hinterland, the presence of settlement and nearby roads and also views of shipping and occasional industry, limits the sense of wildness likely to be experienced.

5.3.3.15 The modified offshore export cable is located immediately offshore from the Boyndie Bay CCA (Figure 5.3-8), within which the modified export cable landfall is located, which has the following key characteristics:

Maritime Influences

• Broad, concave bay with a mainly north-east orientation. • Smaller, local bays formed at Inverboyndie and Banff Bay, separated by craigs around Meave Point. • Shipping is a common feature seen out to sea. • Water based recreation and beach activities, e.g. surfing. • Harbours ar Banff and Macduff with fishing and maritime vessels. • Low level of shipping parallel to coast and some recreational sailing. • Views across the bays towards headlands and out to sea to the distant horizon.

Character of Coastal Edge

• Rocky, undulating coastline with elevated views along the coast and across the open expanse of sea. • Sea views framed in places by undulations in the landform and in bay areas.

5.3-8 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact Wildness / isolated Coast Coast / isolated Wildness Hinterland Immediate of Character 5.3.3.18 Character Landscape Terrestrial 5.3.3.17 Character Seascape 5.3.3.16 M (and Corridor Route Cable Export Onshore Modified

• • • • • • • • • hog arclua aes f af ad uhn thr Buchan, and Banff of areas agricultural through T LCA. Coast East South and North the of Cliffs the the which landfall within cable export modified onshore The located. Area, Study OnTI the within areas geographical 5.3-10 Figure corridor. route cable into export onshore subdivided c baseline the provide which (LCAs) areas subsequently character been have landscape as to referred assessment and mapped are The that tracts Area. Study OnTI modified the covers f assessment character SNH terrestrial existing The National Seascape Type and the Boyndie Bay CCA, as as CCA, 5.3-8. Figure in Bay shown Boyndie Coastl the and Rocky Type the Seascape National Coast, Moray / Aberdeenshire North wit lies landfall cable export onshore modified The along the route corridor. corridor. route the along tog field, the in route the of study walkover a and s top desk a by corrid informed constraints, route and receptors cable export onshore modified of route the to substations onshore proposed extends the and Beach) which expor modified export the 5.3-3, (including corridor route Figure m the encompasses defined Area in Study OnTI The east. Averchirde shown south, the to Fyvie coast, as Aberdeenshire Area Study has cable export onshore modified the for LVIA The

Sandy beaches at Inverboyndie Beach and Banff Beach Banff and Beach Inverboyndie at beaches Sandy Tumblers. st indentations, of number large includes Coastline lhuh t s xoe i pae, ul faue in features faces cliff vertical dueto inaccessible Someareas built places, in experienced. be exposed t limit area urban and is lines power / communications it Although present. still is house club e the to links golf by backed is beach Inverboyndie Park. Caravan a visitor and Inverboyndie areas play at park, car footpaths, beaches coastal sandy of use Recreational coastline. to parallel runs A98 road main The Deveron. River the and Bay of Banff side of areas urban by influenced heavily is Hinterland to adjacent hills coastal beaches. sandy contains form to rising Topography Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment odified Export Cable Landfall) Landfall) Cable Export odified ether with landowner consultations consultations landowner with ether identifies the landscape character character landscape the identifies or Banff and Buchan (SNH, 1997) 1997) (SNH, Buchan and Banff or hin the National Seascape Unit 5: Unit Seascape National the hin he remainder of the route passes passes route the of remainder he been undertaken within the OnTI OnTI the within undertaken been t cable landfall at Inverboyndie Inverboyndie at landfall cable t falls within The Coast LCT, within within LCT, Coast The within falls r to the west and Maud to the the to Maud and west the to r tudy of Ordnance Survey data data Survey Ordnance of tudy haracterisation of the modified modified the of haracterisation . . nhr epr cbe il be will cable export onshore character types (LCTs). These These (LCTs). types character facilities including Banff Links Links Banff including facilities or was influenced by known known by influenced was or south-west of New Deer. The The Deer. New of south-west Banff and Macduff on either either on Macduff and Banff odified onshore export cable cable export onshore odified divides the landscape into into landscape the divides ough the Western Coastal Coastal Western the ough acks and cliffs, such as the the as such cliffs, and acks ast - the blue roofed former former roofed blue the - ast he sense of wildness likely to likely wildness of sense he tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms ine with Open Sea Views Views Sea Open with ine the vertical cliffs which which cliffs vertical the described previously and and previously described . . ly specific landscape landscape specific ly nd Banff Beach, with with Beach, Banff nd cluding main road, road, main cluding between the North North the between tatement 5.3-9

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Farmland LCA, before crossing the Deveron and Upper Ythan Valley LCA and then taking a route south-east through the Agricultural Heartlands LCA to the onshore substation area. The alignment of the onshore cable route through these LCAs is shown in Figure 5.3-10 and these LCAs are listed, along with a summary of their key characteristics in Table 5.3-2 below.

Table 5.3-2 Onshore Cable Route: Terrestrial Landscape Character

LCT Landscape Key Characteristics Character Area

The Coast Cliffs of the North Cliff edged headland, inlets occasional sandy bays and and South– notable blow holes. Overall impression of open, large scale landscape, wide expanses of merging sea and sky. East Coasts Vegetated slopes and frequent habitation, including ruined castles and mansion houses.

Coastal Farmland Western Coastal Large-scale landscape of coastal farmland, situated to the Farmland south of Portsoy, with shallow basins, broadly sweeping plains and infrequent rounded hills rising from the low ground to form gentle landmarks in the rolling terrain. The influence of the sea, which is glimpsed through the rolling landform, is a common element in determining the character.

River Valleys Deveron and Major river valley which is well settled, wooded and visually Upper Ythan Valley diverse. Incised through the surrounding agricultural plains, the Deveron and Upper Ythan rivers and their adjoining tributaries meander through predominantly shallow valleys, bounded by broad and rolling hill ridges to either side. Occasionally these valley sides become steeper as the River Deveron flows northwards where it joins the sea in Banff.

Agricultural Agricultural Agricultural land use over gently rolling landform. Open Heartland Heartland views over the surrounding, large scale landscape. Trees in shelterbelts, along ridges, around farms and in small coniferous blocks combine to provide some contrast and prevent a sense of bleakness. Field boundary types varied between fences and hedges to the south and east with some stone walls and consumption dykes to the north near Strichen.

Landscape Elements and Features

5.3.3.19 The land use within the modified onshore export cable route corridor varies somewhat between the four LCTs which characterise the route, but remains predominantly agricultural, with large arable and pastoral fields, relatively limited hedgerow cover and occasional semi-natural and plantation woodland. There are also areas of moss/wetter grassland and occasional surface water bodies in lower lying areas, but agricultural fields are extensively drained by a network of small burns around field boundaries.

5.3.3.20 The principal landscape elements within the modified onshore export cable route corridor are shown in Figures 5.3-18 – 5.3-22. Areas of woodland are identified as principal landscape elements that may be affected by the onshore cable route and are shown in these figures, including several areas of ancient woodland 1. Landscape elements are identified within each LCA in Table 5.3-3.

1 In Scotland, Ancient Woodland is defined as land that is currently wooded and has been continually wooded, at least since 1750.

5.3-10 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact Elements 5.3-3 Cable Landscape Onshore Route: Table Section4: AgriculturalHeartland (Agricultural Hea Section3: AgriculturalHeartland (Agricultural Hea SectionRiver2: Valley(Deveron and Upper Ythan Va Section1and Coastal 2: Farmland (Western Coastal SectionThe1: Coast (Cliffs the of North and South LandscapeElement eintrlacetwoln: None Ancient woodland: Semi-naturalancient woodland: None Fieldboundaries: Farmland: Other woodland: Ancient woodland: Semi-naturalancient woodland: Fieldboundaries: - RV6 Den of Inveric Farmland: Other woodland: Ancient woodland: Semi-naturalancient woodland: Fieldboundaries: None Farmland: Other woodland: Ancient woodland: Semi-naturalancient woodland: None Farmland: Fieldboundaries: Other woodland: Ancient woodland: Semi-naturalancient woodland: Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S East Coast andLCA BoyndieBay CCA) rtlandLCA) rtlandLCA) FarmlandLCA) Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS lleysLCA) Assessment Feature None / dykes consumption / fences wire occasional scrubhedgerows fieldand boundarytrees and Post Predominantlyarable AH3- Yonderton AH2Balmaud -of Mill AH1Wood-of Balchers / dykes consumption / fences wire occasional scrubhedgerows fieldand boundarytrees and Post / farming mixed grazing. some with arable, Predominantly - RV4 Inverichnie - RV3 Cormack’s Hillock - RV2 Berryton Cottage - RV1 Govel Hill - RV5 Lower Wanford / dykes consumption / fences wire occasional scrubhedgerows and Post Predominantlyarable CF1Cuttle- Rig CF5Claret- Brae CF4Alvah Hill - of CF3Coach- Brae CF2BoyndieHills- of PredominantlyArable andPost fences wire / consumption dykes BlackC2- HillocksShelterbelt BurnC1- of Boyndie None

hnie tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms tatement 5.3-11

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Landscape Element Feature

Other woodland: AH4 - Slackadale AH5 - Hill of Cotburn AH6 - Cairnhill AH7 - Waterside

Farmland: Predominantly arable

Field boundaries: Post and wire fences / consumption dykes / occasional scrub hedgerows and field boundary trees

Section 5: Agricultural Heartland (Agricultural Heartland LCA)

Semi-natural ancient woodland: None

Ancient woodland: None

Other woodland: AH8 - Castlehill AH9 - Boghead AH10 - Howe of Teuchar AH11 - Bridge of Swanford

Farmland: Predominantly arable

Field boundaries: Post and wire fences / consumption dykes / occasional scrub hedgerows and field boundary trees

Landscape Designations

5.3.3.21 The majority of the modified onshore export cable route corridor is not subject to landscape designation.

5.3.3.22 The Deveron and Upper Ythan Valley LCA and the Cliffs of the North and South–East Coasts LCA of the modified OnTI Study Area, are defined by Aberdeenshire Council as Areas of Increased Sensitivity (AIS) in their Landscape Character Advice for Small Scale Development (LCASSD) (Aberdeenshire Council, 2012) (Figure 5.3-11). These LCAs are considered to be of increased landscape sensitivity due to their inherent characteristics and are coincident with what were historically identified as Areas of Landscape Significance (ALS) by Aberdeenshire Council. The Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan (Aberdeenshire Council, 2012) does not designate such areas and instead uses a landscape character approach to guide development (Policy 12 of the LDP).

5.3.3.23 The modified export cable landfall at Inverboyndie is located within the Cliffs of the North and South–East Coasts LCA, which is characterised by ‘cliff-edged headlands, frequently fissured and bitten into by narrow inlets and, more rarely, hugging sheltered sandy bays such as those at Cruden and Sandend; although the overall impression is of an open, exposed, large-scale landscape, with wide expanses of sky and sea’. Specific relevant guidelines for this LCA in the LCASSD suggest that ‘hedgerows and stone dykes should be maintained and reinstated’ (LCASSD, Cliffs of the North and South East Coasts LCA section).

5.3.3.24 The modified onshore export cable landfall crosses the Deveron and Upper Ythan Valley LCA to the south of Bridge of Alvah, between Govel Hill, Inverichnie and Bridge of Denmill (Figure 5.3-11). The LCASSD advises that the Deveron and Upper Ythan Valley LCA is ‘an area of increased landscape sensitivity due to the qualities of the River Deveron Valley, including; the deciduous trees; river side trees; beech hedging and views along the river’. This area is coincident with what was historically identified as an Area of Landscape Significance.

5.3-12 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.3.25 5.3.3.29 5.3.3.28 5.3.3.27 5.3.3.26 Character Landscape Terrestrial Substations Onshore

e o a ig oeloig oln frln; n Cu and Z." letter the resembles farmland; rolling overlooking ridge a on set fine example of a planned village, set in the shelt the in set village, planned a of example fine L Byth. New as such hamlets small are as landscape, st occasional the fr are Farmsteads Strichen. near and north the dykesto east, and south the includin to vary, hedges boundaries Field plain. agricultural fe any prevent and landscape the enliven to combine occasiona more and, farms around hill-ridges, along pa of forms scattering frequent The plains. overhead broad the across clouds of movement the days clear t of views open allows landform rolling gently "The open flood plain of the river near its mouth at Ban at mouth its near river of the plain flood open Bridg the by spanned gorge river deep the and hills bank west stret the varied and long a on occupies landscape designed Set House. Duff 18th-cent mansion, late classical a is va architecture, GDL ornamental and parks walks, House woods, Duff Alvah. Deveron of the within Bridge located is which GDL, House Duff pa corridor route cable export onshore modified The by the variety of arable crops. crops. of arable variety bythe rollin the across pattern - type patchwork an - strong and fields extensiv out laid an geometrically by the with connected Along are dwellings and farms of larger the as well as These, landscape. the within provide buildings community and churches Scattered The Banff and Buchan landscape assessment describes assessment landscape Buchan and Banff The oe iest i cetd y lvto, adom an estates. wooded and woodlands landform elevation, by created is land diversity interior Some the by influenced be to tend they a and plains Agricultural areas. geographical different landscape Heartland Agricultural the Aberdeenshire 1997, Gui Consultants Resource Cobham Buchan, Landscape and Strategic Banff the in described Council’s and Agri character Aberdeenshire Landscape the within in located identified are substations onshore The td Ae dfnd y h Nrhr Rlig Lowlands Rolling Northern LCA. Farmland the by defined Area Study wes and wi LCA, Heartland northern Agricultural the by central, characterised the of majority The f Area. the encompasses which LCT, Heartland Agricultural is Area Study substations onshore The specifi consultation. project on based chosen been has assessment de The 5.3-13. Figure in shown as Area Study km 6 a lo indicative substations’ onshore the for LVIA The Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment cation has been undertaken within within undertaken been has cation ff to the north. north. the ffto settlements and the large numbers numbers large the and settlements he surrounding landscape, and on and landscape, surrounding he g landscape, which is emphasised emphasised is which landscape, g equent in this relatively well-settled well-settled relatively this in equent ered North Ugie valley; New Deer, Deer, New valley; Ugie North ered broad-leaved trees in shelterbelts shelterbelts in trees broad-leaved g fence-lines, beech and thorn thorn and beech fence-lines, g principally characterised by the the by characterised principally re the prominent characteristic characteristic prominent the re th the south-eastern parts of the the of parts south-eastern the th arger villages include Strichen, a Strichen, include villages arger finition of the Study Area for this this for Area Study the of finition ua patns tee rae a create these plantings, gular e of Alvah to the south, to the the to south, the to Alvah of e is extensive and covers several several covers and extensive is lued for its scenic qualities and and qualities scenic its for lued d the incidence of shelterbelt shelterbelt of incidence the d ietw, h pa o which of plan the minestown, scapes rather than the coast. coast. the than rather scapes sses to the west and south of of south and west the to sses lly, in small coniferous blocks, blocks, coniferous small in lly, ch of terrain ranging from the the from ranging terrain of ch tern parts of the Study Area Area Study the of parts tern features and gathering points points gathering and features ull onshore substations Study Study substations onshore ull the area as follows: follows: as area the eling of bleakness in this vast this in bleakness of eling aly bten af and Banff between Valley, s of the River Deveron, the the Deveron, River the of s one walls and consumption consumption and walls one ury designed landscape of of landscape designed ury cultural Heartlands LCA as as LCA Heartlands cultural C ad h Yhn Strath Ythan the and LCA c desk study, fieldwork and and fieldwork study, desk c dance SG Landscape 1: 1: Landscape SG dance tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms e network of minor roads. roads. minor of network e SNH Review No 37. Within Within 37. No Review SNH tterns of light and shade shade and light of tterns Character Assessment of of Assessment Character tatement 5.3-13

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

5.3.3.30 The settled landscape is crisscrossed by pole mounted transmission lines and the pylon mounted transmission line is a prominent feature in some locations. Views within the Agricultural Heartland landscape are confined in places to local areas with the rolling landform providing containment as well as vantage points where more distant views become available.

5.3.3.31 Although the land use of the onshore substation Study Area is predominantly agricultural, there is a pattern of scattered woodland shelterbelts, larger woodland blocks/plantations and semi-natural woodlands, particularly along the Deveron Valley to the west and the Braes of Gight to the south of the Study Area. The baseline woodland context of the area is illustrated in Figure 5.3-14. There is a frequent scattering of broad-leaved trees in shelterbelts along hill-ridges, around farms, and in small coniferous blocks, which combine to diversify the agricultural plain. There are few areas of extensive woodland in the area, with the most substantial being plantation woodlands, such as around the Howe of Teuchar and semi-natural woodlands within the Deveron Valley, such as the ancient woodlands of Gight, which represent some of the least disturbed native woodland in the Grampian lowlands. Comparatively more recent plantings are often associated with the estates, and include avenues, policies and shelterbelts. The existing woodland pattern evident in the landscape has informed the indicative landscape mitigation proposals for the onshore substations, described further in Section 5.3.4 and shown in Figures 5.3-28 and 5.3-29.

Landscape Elements and Features – Site Analysis

5.3.3.32 A site analysis of the substations area and surrounding local landscape has been undertaken and is illustrated in Figure 5.3-16. Key characteristics of the local landscape around the substations area are described as follows:

• Land use primarily arable farmland, interspersed with strong field boundaries of either coniferous planting, traditional drystone walls or post and wire fencing; • Large scale electrical pylons and overhead lines traverse the substation area between Mains of Asleid and East Swanford; • Field boundaries generally determined by hedgerows and post and wire fences with some drystone walls (consumption dykes) in varying conditions; • Range of vegetation, including woodland shelterbelts and blocks of coniferous woodland, particularly along the Burn of Alseid and adjacent to minor road on the eastern boundary; • Post and wire fences and drystone walls (consumption dykes) define fields within the site; • Gently rolling landform of subtle undulations, occasionally dropping more notably into burns; • The substation area is characterised by gently undulating landform with elevations generally between 100-110m AOD; • To the south and west the land gently slopes away more steeply towards the Burn of Asleid, with the steepest incline to the south where the level falls to approximately 95m AOD; • Areas of higher ground in the wider landscape can be found to the east, north- east, west and north-west of the site, on either side of the ‘Little Water’ river; • Scattered detached houses and farmsteads with large steadings, with a cluster of dwellings around the Maryhill crossroads;

5.3-14 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment SLVIA Study Area – Offshore Substation Platforms (O Platforms Substation Offshore – Area Study SLVIA 5.3.3.37 Roads 5.3.3.36 5.3.3.38 5.3.3.35 Settlements Visual Baseline Overview Overview Baseline Visual 5.3.3.33 Designations Landscape 5.3.3.34 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact

• • • • • Morayshire/Aberdeenshire part of the StudyArea T areB876.and B874B870,including the Area Study the A9(T),A99, A882, A836 and proA897, with minor roads othersc while countryside. development,Themain road corridors within urbanthe Cai with associated Therenumerousarecorridorsroad traversing SL the located within the sheltered bays along this coast. this along bays sheltered the within located Findochty, Portgordon, at settlements smaller with Lossiemou include settlements main the development, co coasts Aberdeenshire and Morayshire the covering to are settlement The km). (46.6 Portknockie closest is 2 OSP of the location Aberdeenshire, / Moray In oae apoiaey 52 m et f h tre con three the of west km 25.2 Helmsdal A99, approximately the located is 1 OSP to road main closest The case) location of OSP 1. 1. OSP of case)location se large closest the is Wick and km) (23.7 st 1 OSP to town the Caithness, In Bay. Area; Wick of the sides Study both along is extends SLVIA the Wick of Keiss. Cait part o and Caithness with the Lybster crofts, Dunbeath, and along Helmsdale, farms scattered Settlement of Coasts. predominantly Aberdeenshire and E North of part large a covers Area Study SLVIA The located approximately 7 km to the south-west. south-west. the to km 7 approximately located sub onshore the of west the to km 6.5 approximately Designed and Garden Castle Hatton being nearest the onsh the within designations landscape no are There etrsatatos n h SVA td Ae ta r m that them Figu in shown and below briefly described fromare These views Area as TI, modified Study consisting the of SLVIA receptors, assessment the visual in of features/attractions number a are There

Network of B-roads and single track farm access lan access farm track single and of B-roads Network fr views in prominent most is of Balquhindachy Hill Thre landscape. the within turbines single Numerous ar in water ofSwanford e.g. Moss west/north-west the to ground surface occasional and mosses Localised fields; drains, field and watercourses numerous of Network skyline; distant on present Church Millbrex North Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment SPs) SPs) thnesspart of theStudy Area are the onnectingthe more remote parts of VIA Study Area, many of whichStudyArea,areVIAofmany

Portknockie, Portsoy and Whitehills Whitehills and Portsoy Portknockie, as to the south of the Study Area Area Study the of south the to as theA99, A941 andA942. ttlement to the indicative (worst- indicative the to ttlement Morayshire the and Caithness ast he main road corridorsthe withinroad main he re 5.3-7. 5.3-7. re Sarclet is the closest settlement settlement closest the is Sarclet om the site; and and site; omthe ore substations Study Area, with with Area, Study substations ore t Jh O Got, hc is which Groats, O’ John to e stations and Fyvie Castle GDL Castle Fyvie and stations ay be affected by the OSPs. OSPs. the by affected be ay ntain a substantial amount of of amount substantial a ntain equire consideration in the the in consideration equire es. th, Buckie, Cullen and Banff, Banff, and Cullen Buckie, th, (worst-case) indicative the ade te ie Wc and Wick River the raddles etd id am ie a its at sites farm wind sented ; ; of settlements, routes and and routes settlements, of ccasional villages such as as such villages ccasional e turbine wind farm on the the on farm wind turbine e tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms which drain the agricultural agricultural the drain which largest settlement in the the in settlement largest Landscape (GDL) located located (GDL) Landscape ie ces o h wider the to access vide eas of wetter, low-lying low-lying wetter, of eas hness coasts consists consists coasts hness tatement 5.3-15

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

closest point. The A9(T) is located approximately 34.2 km from OSP 1 at its closest point and the A882 is located 28 km from OSP 1. The A98 road corridor in Morayshire is located at a minimum distance of 47.9 km from OSP 2, with other road corridors in Morayshire located at greater distances.

Railways

5.3.3.39 The SLVIA Study Area includes one main railway line, running being Inverness to Wick and Thurso. The line follows the coast between Brora and Helmsdale before turning inland to a route along Strath of Kildonan outside the Study Area. The line re-enters the Study Area near Halkirk, where it branches north to Thurso and south east to Wick. The line is located over 33 km from OSP 1 at its closest point, but is generally located at longer distances.

Long distance Routes

5.3.3.40 National Cycle Route 1 (NCR1) traverses the northern part of the Study Area, shown in Figure 5.3-7, running along the north Caithness coast between John O’ Groats and Thurso. The coastline and settlements of Morayshire are linked by a waymarked coastal walking trail, the Moray Coast trail, of approximately 50 miles between Findhorn and Cullen. The Moray Trail takes in landscapes from rugged cliffs, caves and sheltered coves to fishertown harbours and sweeping stretches of sandy beaches. The Moray Firth is one of 12 national tourist routes, designed to provide the travelling holidaymaker with an alternative to the main trunk roads and motorways. The route has been selected because it is attractive in its own right but also to offer a variety of things to see and do on the way to a main destination.

Attractions and Visitor Facilities

5.3.3.41 Tourism and recreation in the area are addressed in Chapter 5.5: Socio-economics. There are features and resources of interest to visitors in the Study Area; John O' Groats is popular with tourists because it is one end of the longest distance between two inhabited points on the British mainland. The most northerly point in the British mainland is located nearby at Dunnet Head. Some of the coastal villages and harbours provide attractive locations to stay for tourist visitors, including Keiss, Dunbeath and Helmsdale. The natural and historic environment of the Caithness coast provides extensive interest to visitors. The Caithness landscape, and particularly the coastline, is rich with the remains of human occupation from the pre- historic era to the present day, and there are numerous sites where this history is interpreted for visitors. The underlying geology, harsh climate and long history of human occupation have shaped the distinctive natural heritage. The landscape incorporates both common and rare habitats and species, and Caithness provides a stronghold for many once common breeding species of interest. The Moray coastline has a string of sandy beaches and accessible coastal settlements such as Buckie, Lossiemouth, Findochty, Portknockie and Cullen, have long been popular for family holidays. For the walker there are extensive coastal walks in the Study Area, taking in cliffs, arches and stacks as well as sand and dunes.

Viewpoints

5.3.3.42 The assessment of SL&V effects is informed by a series of 24 viewpoints, which were selected to cover locations with specific receptors of importance within the ZTV (Figure 5.3-7) for the three consented wind farms and OfTI, as assessed in the MORL ES (MORL, 2012) such as recognised viewpoints, designated landscapes, important routes and attractions. Viewpoints for the SLVIA were considered and agreed in consultation with The Highland Council, Moray Council, Aberdeenshire Council and

5.3-16 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment 5.3.3.43 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact

iwons s hw i Fgr 537 n te existin the and 7). Volume ES (MORL 8.4-36 to 8.4-13 Figures 5.3-7 5.4. Figure shown are viewpoint each from (Section farms in wind consented 2012) shown (MORL, is ES viewpoints MORL the in described bas the of description A location. OSP (worst-case) distan their and view the experiences that receptor infor provides and viewpoints the lists 5.3-4 Table still relevant. relevant. still v the (EDA), Area Development Eastern the in remain assesse originally the of part were that OSPs eight Viewpoints 2012). (MORL, th of terms in ES agreed were section this to pursuant MORL the of part as SNH Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment mation on their location, the type of of type the location, their on mation e three consented wind farms and and farms wind consented three e d OfTI. As the proposed two OSPs OSPs two proposed the As OfTI. d eline conditions in these views is is views these in conditions eline ce from the nearest indicative indicative nearest the from ce iewpoints agreed in 2012 are are 2012 in agreed iewpoints g views towards the three three the towards views g in the MORL ES (MORL, 2012) 2012) (MORL, ES MORL the in that were agreed in 2012 2012 in agreed were that tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms 7). The location of these these of location The 7). tatement 5.3-17

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Table 5.3-4: Viewpoints - OSPs

ID Name Easting Northing Distance (km) from Receptors nearest OSP

1 Duncansby Head 340528 973247 46.3 km (OSP1) Walkers / birdwatchers

2 Keiss Pier 335055 960934 37.1 km (OSP1) Residents / tourist visitors

3 Sortat 328903 963016 42.2 km (OSP1) Residents

4 Wick Bay 336985 951027 27.8 km (OSP1) Residents

5 Sarclet (Sarclet Haven Info 334989 943334 23.7 km (OSP1) Residents / visitors Board)

6 Hill O' Many Stanes 329516 938430 26.1 km (OSP1) Walkers / tourist visitors

7 Lybster (end of Main Street) 324843 935082 29.6 km (OSP1) Residents

8 Latheron (A9) 319803 933152 34.2 km (OSP1) Residents / motorists

9 Dunbeath (nr Heritage 315957 929567 37.8 km (OSP1) Residents Centre)

10 Berriedale (A9) 313153 924611 40.8 km (OSP1) Residents / motorists

11 Morven 300482 928539 53.3 km (OSP1) Walkers

12 Navidale 303766 916161 51.6 km (OSP1) Residents

13 Catchory 325836 957348 39.9 km (OSP1) Residents

14 Minor Rd, south side of 319802 940395 35.9 km (OSP1) Motorists Stemster Hill

15 Whaligoe Steps 332051 940296 24.5 km (OSP1) Tourist visitors

16 Lossiemouth, Prospect Terrace 323397 870574 55.5km (OSP2) Residents (Info Point)

17 Buckie, Cliff Terrace 343091 865825 60 km (OSP2) Residents

18 Portnockie - Bow Fiddle Rock 349411 868741 46.5 km (OSP2) Walkers Info Point

19 Cullen, Viaduct & cycle path 350995 867102 47.9 km (OSP2) Residents / cyclists / walkers

20 Bin Hill 347989 864267 51.2 km (OSP2) Walkers

21 Findlater Castle 354169 867086 47.5 km (OSP2) Tourist visitors / walkers

22 Portsoy 359071 866382 48 km (OSP2) Residents

23 Ferry Route (Kirkwall to 388911 931385 34.7 km (OSP2) Ferry passengers Aberdeen) north

24 Ferry Route (Kirkwall to 382009 950868 35.8 km (OSP1) Ferry passengers Aberdeen) south

5.3-18 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.3.44 Cable Export Offshore Modified 5.3.3.48 5.3.3.47 5.3.3.46 E Modified (and Route Cable Export Onshore Modified 5.3.3.45 5.3.3.49

at Knock Head,caravan sites at Banff Links, Whiteh offshoreexport cable installation, including experInver may Boy people of of groups where section areas recreational closest This 1. Route Cycle National Inverboyndie,WhitehillsPortsoy;corroute andand includeareaThisBoyneBay.around and Boyndie Bay modifiedcoastlineoffshorethe exportrou cable to I 5.3-9. vie experiencedin Figure beinstallation maycableexport in illustrated those as such coast, the near routes recreational experience and be roads settlements, may vessels, support and laying cable export offshore modified the of Views Inverboyndie. OSPswithin thethree consented farmswind andthe installe be will cable export offshore modified The landscape features, including a number of castles. of castles. number a including features, landscape an House Duff beaches, including area, search cable a attractions visitor other and tourist of number A at onr f h ae. hr ae lo eea reg several also are cyclists. as well as walkers, There area. the of corner east reco le runs Trails) Great Scotland’s of (one Way Buchan officially sma no a although area, search are the in routes) There (walking Portsoy. to N across the and of part also from passing times, several is area search the through (which 1 Route Cycle National OnTI Study Area. Area. Study OnTI A947. l and A97 A98, are the of routes main settlements the including These properties. rural as scattered such villages to Banff of town coastal the from S OnTI the within settlements of number a are There viewpoint is illustrated in Figure 5.3-17. in 5.3-17. Figure illustrated is viewpoint setti l cable export modified the seascape to route cable offshore the illustrates modifie and the Bay Inverboyndie of assessment this A9 the on located is viewpoint This 25). (Viewpoint in included been has (MORL 12.3.4-36 to 12.3.4-13 Figures ES MORL the in toward route views cable export offshore modified the existing over farms The 2012). (MORL, ES MORL the vie these in conditions baseline the of description Aberdee (View North 21),Portsoy (Viewpoint Castle Findlater 20), ( / Cullen 18), (Viewpoint Portnockie 17), Moray (Viewpoint the along people by experienced along views of representative locations Viewpoint 27. Visual Receptors are identified within each LCA each within identified are Receptors Visual 27. det more at and 5.3.12 Figure in shown are corridor mo the of 1km within receptors visual principal The Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment xport Cable Landfall) Landfall) Cable xport boyndieandBanff Beach, picnic sites priua, h mdfe offshore modified the particular, n point 22) as shown in Figure 5.3-9. A 5.3-9. Figure in shown as 22) point re found within the onshore export export onshore the within found re ills and Portsoy. ws is described in Section 12.3.4 of of 12.3.4 Section in described is ws 8 layby near Banff which overlooks overlooks which Banff near layby 8 ridorsA98,B9139andincluding the te, between Portsoy and Macduff,Portsoybetweente,and i cbe rnhs ewe the between trenches cable in d in Table 5.3-5 below. below. 5.3-5 Table in ss than 500m away from the south south the from away 500m ssthan dified onshore export cable route cable export onshore dified andfall. The existing view from this this from view existing The andfall. ailed scale in Figures 5.3-23 to 5.3- to 5.3-23 Figures in scale ailed

tudy Area (Figure 5.3-12), ranging ranging 5.3-12), (Figure Area tudy ws from the closest section of the ofsection closest the from ws Viewpoint 19), Bin Hill (Viewpoint (Viewpoint Hill Bin 19), Viewpoint New Deer and Cuminestown to to Cuminestown and Deer New modifiedexport cable landfall at from each viewpoint are shown are viewpoint each from , 2012). An additional viewpoint viewpoint additional An 2012). , Maud to Turiff, then up to Banff Banff to up then Turiff, to Maud al isalto, ossig of consisting installation, cable ll section of The Formartine and Formartine The of section ll inked by a network of roads, roads, of network a by inked de a as icue several includes also Bay ndie ng of the closest parts of the the of parts closest the of ng ot Aedesie Moray / Aberdeenshire North No railways are present in the the in present are railways No s settlementsBanff,s Macduff,at ional footpath routes used by by used routes footpath ional this coastline, including Buckie Buckie including coastline, this gnised Long Distance Routes Routes Distance Long gnised d grounds (GDL) and historic historic and (GDL) grounds d s the three consented wind wind consented three the s orth Sea Cycle Route) runs runs Route) Cycle Sea orth ec ves f h modified the of views ience b pol i ves from views in people by d tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms T a Ivroni Bay Inverboyndie at TI d sie osln are coastline nshire tatement 5.3-19

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Table 5.3-5 Onshore Cable Route: Visual Receptors

Type of Receptor Visual Receptors

Section 1: The Coast (Cliffs of the North and South East Coast LCA and Boyndie Bay CCA)

Main settlements/villages: Banff, Inverboyndie, Whitehills

A and B Roads: A98, B9038, B9139

Long Distance Routes/Paths: NCN 1, Core Path - Banff Links, Core Path - Disused Railway

Recreation: Inverboyndie Beach, Banff Links Caravan Park

Section 1 and 2: Coastal Farmland (Western Coastal Farmland LCA)

Main settlements/villages: None

A and B Roads: A97, B9121

Long Distance Routes/Paths: None

Recreation: Limited, cycling/walking minor roads

Section 2: River Valley (Deveron and Upper Ythan Valley LCA)

Main settlements/villages: Kirktown of Alvah

A and B Roads: None

Long Distance Routes/Paths: NCN 1, Core Path – Montcoffer

Section 3: Agricultural Heartland (Agricultural Heartland LCA)

Main settlements/villages: Keilhill

A and B Roads: A947

Long Distance Routes/Paths: None

Recreation: Limited, cycling/walking minor roads

Section 4: Agricultural Heartland (Agricultural Heartland LCA)

Main settlements/villages: Fintry, Cuminestown

A and B Roads: B9105, B9170

Long Distance Routes/Paths: NCN 1, Core Path – Idoch Water

Recreation: Limited, cycling/walking minor roads

Section 5: Agricultural Heartland (Agricultural Heartland LCA)

Main settlements/villages: None

A and B Roads: None

Long Distance Routes/Paths: None

Recreation: Limited, cycling/walking minor roads

Onshore Substations

5.3.3.50 The LVIA for the onshore substations has been undertaken within a 6 km Study Area based on the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) (Figure 5.3-15), fieldwork and consultation. The theoretical visibility of the onshore substations is shown in the ZTV in Figure 5.3-15, which indicates the areas which have higher and lower visibility. The ZTV is based on the project envelope development model of the onshore

5.3-20 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment 5.3.3.52 5.3.3.51 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.3.55 5.3.3.54 5.3.3.53

extensive network of minor roads, in addition to th numerousscatteredaswell ruralasproperties and villagesNewofDeer andCuminestown, smallto haml There area numberof small settlements located wit of the Study Area. Area. Study ofthe aroun Area l lower Study the of much and north-east; the to Deer New the of north-west of the west Hill; the Deer’s of majority the including Lit substations, will of Area Study ground the of lying parts Large lower east/north-east. the along ons are the substations Areas Swanford. around East and immediately Millbrex Asleid, land Burnside, agricultural the to substat onshore the which i within visibility, higher Muirtack/Upperton to to Gight of Braes Deer) the and north the in New Cuminestown of (south east the elevated between contained is it Broadly area. the co relatively is substations onshore the of ZTV The woodlands and buildings. buildings. and woodlands screen no with area, substations onshore the within subst onshore the of visibility theoretical maximum mod terrain m 5 OS an on 5.3-5) (Figure substations sd eeain aig o h ws, u i princip is but west, the to facing elevation side a the To woodland. intervening and Asleid of Burn the par is but views, facing south has and substations, interveni to located is Swanford East by properties. the within mitigated sometimes are views Ab although including substations, onshore Burnside, Upper Neuk, The House, Maryhill, Maryhill the towards views Bur the in properties residential several are There in indicated are direction view principal their location and The substations. onshore the of views have the within scattered farmsteads numerous are There south of New Deer (Viewpoint 7). (Viewpoint Deer of New south (Viewpoint B9170/Upperton the to Burnside connects po betwee are substation onshore the north of views Millbrex distant the North More between to west the road and 4); be minor (Viewpoint Alse also the of will along Mains substations travelling Upper onshore between The 2). road (Viewpoint minor the from and Hillhead and Burnside between area substations the roa minor the from substations onshore a the of substation views onshore the near location their to Due and Fyvie Castle GDL is 7 km to the south-west. south-west. the to km 7 is GDL Castle Fyvie and Garden Hatton - Area Study two the outwith just are located (GDL) There location. substations onshore 6 monument Culsh the and south the to km 5 Reserve) i note of those Area; Study the within significance tou few are There Trails). Great Scotland’s of (one T of part forms also route This nea Maud. to Area Auchnagatt Study the of edge northern the across runs a is (which 1 Route Cycle National the of section A Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment e A948, B9170 and B9005. ions will be most visible, is contained contained is visible, most be will ions nside area which have south facing facing south have which area nside the immediate north of the onshore onshore ofthe north immediate the tially screened due to its location in location its to due screened tially hin theStudy Area, ranging from the Burnside and Rosebank Cottage – – Cottage Rosebank and Burnside ntained by the rolling landform of landform rolling the by ntained farmsteads.an linkedbyareThese rist and other visitor attractions of attractions visitor other and rist nclude the Gight Woods (Nature (Nature Woods Gight the nclude the Site Analysis in Figure 5.3-16. 5.3-16. Figure in Analysis Site the have no visibility of the onshore onshore the of visibility no have ations in their indicative location location indicative their in ations ing from surface features such as as such features surface from ing earth, bare the represents and el of least visibility of the onshore onshore the of visibility least of Castle GDL is 6.5 km to the west the to km 6.5 is GDL Castle h Suy ra t te et of west the to Area, Study the he Formartine and Buchan Way Way Buchan and Formartine he lso part of the North Sea Cycle) Cycle) Sea North the of part lso ying ground of the southern part southern the of ground ying ground around Auchmaliddie in Auchmaliddie around ground ally oriented to the south, with with south, the to oriented ally agricultural landscape that may may that landscape agricultural etssuchasMillbrex andBurnside, east, Upper Mains of Asleid has has Asleid of Mains Upper east, d Cuminestown; areas around around areas Cuminestown; d the south. The principal area of area principal The south. the ssible from the minor road that that road minor the from ssible d passing the eastern edge of of edge eastern the passing d of these residential properties properties residential these of rea, there will be close range range close be will there rea, of Alseid (Viewpoint 1 and 3); and 1 (Viewpoint Alseid of l Wtr t te east/south- the to Water, tle visible, albeit less so, when when so, less albeit visible, 6) and from the B9170 to the the to B9170 the from and 6) and Swanford (Viewpoint 5). 5). (Viewpoint Swanford and Cmnson rnig from running Cuminestown, r ng woodland or vegetation vegetation or woodland ng km to the north-east of the the of north-east the to km and Designed Landscapes Landscapes Designed and tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms botshaugh, Cragganmore, Cragganmore, botshaugh, n the west; and between between and west; the n hore substations between between substations hore n Burnside and Muirtack Muirtack and Burnside n id and North Millbrex Millbrex North and id tatement 5.3-21

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

shelterbelt screening to the north. Mains of Asleid has south facing views, which are contained by woodland to the south of the property and to the north-west they are partially enclosed by a woodland shelterbelt along the minor road. Burnside of Millbrex is located to the immediate south of the onshore substations. The principal view from the property is to the south and there is substantial woodland screening to the north along the Burn of Asleid. Several other properties within the area will have slightly more distant, or oblique views of the onshore substations – Smiddybank Farm, Swanford, Rowan Brae, Bridge Valley, Little Swanford, North Millbrex and Oakwood/North Mains of Asleid.

5.3.3.56 A viewpoint assessment of the onshore substations has been undertaken to inform and illustrate the assessment of effects on views. Table 5.3-6 below lists the viewpoints for the onshore substations and provides information on their location, the type of receptor that experiences the view and their distance from the onshore substations.

Table 5.3-6: Viewpoints – Onshore Substations

ID Name Easting Northing Distance Receptors

1 Upper Mains of Asleid 383600 844428 282 m Residents, Motorists

2 Burnside of Millbrex 383071 843952 336 m Residents, Motorists

3 The Neuk 383121 845364 643 m Residents, Motorists

4 Upper Burnside 382729 845614 957 m Residents, Motorists

5 North Millbrex 382183 843638 1.13 km Residents, Motorists

6 Upperton 384186 846009 1.70 km Residents, Motorists

7 B9170 near New Deer 387929 845697 4.77 km Residents, Motorists

8 Culsh Hill 388099 848099 6.0 km Visitors (Culsh Monument / Cemetery)

5.3.3.57 A description of the baseline conditions in these views is described in the impact assessment in Section 5.3.4 so that they may be read together with the impact assessment. The locations of these viewpoints are shown in Figure 5.3-15. The existing view towards the onshore substations from each viewpoint are shown in the visualisations in Figures 5.3-30 to 5.3-37.

5.3.4 Impact Assessment

Summary of Effects and Mitigation

5.3.4.1 No significant effects have been identified on the seascape/landscape and visual receptors in relation to the OSPs or the modified offshore export cable route construction.

5.3.4.2 In relation to the Onshore Cable Route (and Landfall) construction significant , adverse, short-term and reversible, seascape/landscape effects are predicted to arise within localised areas of the cliff face and cliff top parts of the cliffs and North and South East Coast Landscape Character Area and Boyndie Bay Coastal Character Area. Elsewhere the landscape effects of the construction of the Onshore Cable Route would be not significant .

5.3.4.3 The visual effects of the construction of the Onshore Cable Route (and Landfall) may be significant , adverse, short-term and reversible in some views from Keilihll and Fintry. Views from other settlements would be not significant . There would also be 500

5.3-22 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment 5.3.4.10 5.3.4.11 5.3.4.5 5.3.4.9 5.3.4.6 5.3.4.8 5.3.4.7 5.3.4.4 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact

• • • at wnod Bakol Big o Safr ad Up immediat and roads minor the of users by obtained views Swanford of Bridge Blackpool, Swanford, East Asleid of Mains Upper of vicinity the in properties this effects on landscape character would be charactereffects would arise within approximately Agricultural Heartlands the Landscape C Swanford in Burnside between surrounds and substations area the Agriculturallandscapethethecharacter ofHeartla these effects would become become would effects these woo the of period establishment year 15 a Following uig t oeain n h iiil eid ot con post period initial for the potential in operation its During minor road visual receptors would also be be also would receptors visual road minor ons the of effects visual the area similar a Within Duringoperationits thereamay be effect would remain significant. significant. remain would effect Mitigation of the effects of the OnTI has included included has OnTI of the effects of the Mitigation of the sub-station sites. sites. sub-station ofthe s the to immediately roads minor the from views and Swanford, of Mill Bridge Blackpool, of Swanford, Burnside East Farm, Asleid, of Mains Upper of vicinity i specifically This construction. during reversible ewe Brsd, sed Bged Mlbe ad Swa substations. ofthe km 1 approximately within arise and landscap These Area. Millbrex Character Landscape Boghead, Heartlands Asleid, Burnside, between the in effects landscape reversible and short-term in relation to the operation of the Onshore Cable R Cable Onshore of the operation the to relation in seascap the on effects significant no be will There cable route. route. cable OSPs the of operation the to relation in receptors the on identified been have effects significant No During the construction of the onshore substations substations onshore the of construction the During term and reversible in the vicinity of the Onshore Onshore be would routes the ot on of construction during vicinity effects The the construction. in reversible and term long distance and local paths/cycle routes may also may routes paths/cycle local and distance long local from views on effect The construction. during views on effects reversible and short-term adverse, h B10 n h vcnt o te nhr Cbe Rout Cable Onshore the of vicinity the in B9170 the B91 B9038, A98, the of stretches localised km 2 – m

and hedgerow planting around the onshore substation onshore the around planting hedgerow and e through through effects visual and effects landscape of Reduction visual and landscape construction; following elements landscape of Remediation components; of the routing and re visual and landscape the on ofeffects Avoidance significant not significantnot Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S avre ln-em rvril efcs n iw f views on effects reversible long-term, adverse, , not significant significant not . . Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment significant except for the area of the site where the the where site the of area the for except not significant , adverse,, long-term, reversible effect on significant ncludes views from properties in the in properties from views ncludes the following: following: the hore substations on residential and residential on substations hore , North Millbrex, Smiddybank Farm, Smiddybank Millbrex, North ,

1 kmof1the substations andbeyond there may be be may there e/landscape and visual receptors receptors visual and e/landscape obtained by road users may arise arise may users road by obtained oute (and landfall). (andlandfall). oute brex, North Millbrex, Smiddybank Smiddybank Millbrex, North brex, and the modified offshore export export offshore modified the and nds Landscape Characterndsin Area her settlements and parts of the the of parts and settlements her 39, A97, B9121, A947, B9015 and and B9015 A947, B9121, A97, 39, seascape/landscape and visual visual and seascape/landscape ised stretches (500 m – 2 km) of of km) 2 – m (500 stretches ised outh, south-west, east and north north and east south-west, outh, aatr ra Tee landscape These Area.haracter substations area and surrounds surrounds and area substations ely to the south, south-west and south-west south, the to ely Upper Burnside and The Neuk Neuk The and Burnside Upper struction there would be the the be would there struction Ali, oha, ilrx and Millbrex Boghead, Asleid, , dland and hedgerow planting planting hedgerow and dland be be Cable Route Corridor during during Corridor Route Cable e Corridor where where Corridor e per Burnside. The effect on on effect The Burnside. per source through careful siting siting careful through source tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms avre sottr and short-term adverse, , caatr fet would effects character e . stablishment of woodland woodland of stablishment significant s. nford in the Agricultural Agricultural the in nford significant enttmn of reinstatement , adverse, short- short- adverse, , significant , adverse, adverse, , tatement 5.3-23 rom , ,

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

east of the sub-station sites may also be significant , adverse, long-term and reversible. Beyond these areas the visual effects would be not significant .

5.3.4.12 Following 15 years of establishment of the woodland and hedgerow planting the effects of the operation of the onshore substations on the visual receptors would be not significant except for the effects on views from the residential properties in the vicinity of the Mains of Asleid, which may remain significant , adverse, long-term and reversible.

5.3-24 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact Assessment Summary Impact 5.3-7 Table route route exportcable modifiedoffshore Visual effect of route exportcable modifiedoffshore Visual effect of cableroute offshore export modified of seascape effect Landscape/ cableroute offshore export modified of seascape effect Landscape/ OSPs Visual effect of OSPs of seascape effect Landscape/ Construction&Decommissioning Effect and Boyndieand Bay Boynethe Bay thanother those in receptorsVisual Boyndieand Bay Boynethe Bay receptorsVisual in Areas CoastalCharacter Boyndieand Bay Boynethan Bay receptorsother character landscape Seascape/ CharacterAreas CoastalBay andBay Boyndie receptorsBoyne character landscape Seascape/ Short-term, receptorsVisual receptors character landscape Seascape/ Receptor Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S not significantnot neutral and reversible, Short-term, significantnot adverseand reversible, Short-term, significantnot neutral and reversible, Short-term, significantnot adverseand reversible, Short-term, significantnot neutral and reversible, significantnot neutral and reversible, Short-term, Effect Pre-mitigation Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment

o eurd Short-term, Short-term, requiredNot requiredNot Short-term, requiredNot Short-term, Short-term, requiredNot Short-term, requiredNot requiredNot Mitigation tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms and reversible,adverse and reversible,adverse and reversible,neutral and reversible,adverse and reversible,neutral and reversible,neutral Post-mitigationEffect not significantnot significantnot significantnot significantnot significantnot significantnot tatement 5.3-25

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Effect Receptor Pre-mitigation Mitigation Post-mitigation Effect Effect

Effects of The coast (Cliffs of Significant, Route of onshore export Not significant , modified onshore North and South adverse cable route modified to neutral, short-term, cable route (and East Coast LCA avoid physical effects on reversible effect on Landfall) on and Boyndie Bay characteristic woodlands woodland. seascape/ CCA) and the and consumption dykes

landscape constituent and/or use directional character and landscape drilling to bore export Not significant , elements elements of cable under woodland. neutral, short-term, beach, woodland, reversible effects on Reinstatement of beach, field field boundaries consumption dykes and boundaries (consumption arable land following dykes) and arable (consumption dykes) cable installation. farmland and farmland. Cable installation works

would result in the partial loss or alteration of the cliff Significant , adverse, face but loss would not be short-term reversible permanent and effects on localised restoration would be areas (cliff face and anticipated to occur cliff top) of the Cliffs within the medium term. and North and South East Coast LCA and Beach pit and any other Boyndie Bay CCA. excavations would be backfilled once the export Not significant , cables are installed and to adverse, short-term allow tides to wash over reversible effects on the excavations to character across all consolidate the backfill. other parts of the Cliffs of North and South East Coast LCA and Boyndie Bay CCA.

Effects of Coastal Farmland Significant, Route of onshore export Not significant , modified onshore (Western Coastal adverse cable route modified to adverse, short-term, cable route (and Farmland LCA) avoid physical effects on reversible. landfall) on and the characteristic woodlands, seascape/ constituent consumption dykes and landscape landscape scrub hedgerows and/or character and elements of use directional drilling to elements Ancient bore onshore cable under Woodland, other woodland. woodland, field

boundaries (consumption Reinstatement of dykes and scrub consumption dykes, scrub hedgerows), hedgerows and arable arable farmland land following cable installation.

5.3-26 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact amenity landfall)onvisual exportcable (and modifiedonshore Effectsof amenity landfall)onvisual exportcable (and modifiedonshore Effectsof amenity landfall)onvisual exportcable (and modifiedonshore Effectsof elements character and landscape seascape/ landfall)on cableroute(and modifiedonshore Effectsof elements character and landscape seascape/ landfall)on cableroute(and modifiedonshore Effectsof Effect Keilhill Keilhill Fintryand settlements of Residents of Cuminestown Inverboyndieand settlements of Residents of Alvah,Whitehills Banff,Kirktown of settlements of Residents of trees) boundaryfield hedgerowsand scrubdykes, (consumption boundaries farmland,field woodland, arable Woodland,other Ancient elements of landscape constituent theand HeartlandLCA) (Agricultural Heartland Agricultural boundarytrees) hedgerows,field scrubdykes, (consumption boundaries farmland,field woodland, Woodland,other Ancient Woodland, Ancientnatural elements of semi- landscape constituentthe ValleysLCA) and Upper Ythan (Deveron and River Valley Receptor Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S adverse Significant, adverse Significant adverse Significant adverse Significant required Not significantNot Effect Pre-mitigation Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment installation. followingcable trees arableand land hedgerows,field boundary consumption dykes, scrub Reinstatementof woodland. onshorecable under directionaldrilling to bore boundarytrees and/or use hedgerowsfieldand consumption dykes, scrub characteristic woodlands, avoid physicaleffects on cableroute modifiedto ofRouteonshore export installation. followingcable trees arableand land hedgerows,field boundary consumption dykes, scrub Reinstatementof woodland. onshorecable under directionaldrilling to bore boundarytrees and/or use hedgerowsfieldand consumption dykes, scrub characteristic woodlands, avoid physicaleffects on cableroute modifiedto ofRouteonshore export from settlements. from toreduce/prevent visibility exportcableroute corridor ofpartmodified onshore to route be sited within Onshore exportcable Cuminestown. from Inverboyndieand toreduce/prevent visibility exportcableroute corridor ofpartmodified onshore to route be sited within Onshore exportcable Mitigation tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms reversible shortadverse, term, significant Not reversible short-adverse, term significant Not short-term,reversible Significant reversible short-term,adverse, significant Not KirktownofAlvah. Whitehills,neutral AdverseBanff and term,reversible. significant Not Post-mitigationEffect , adverse, tatement , , , ,short- 5.3-27

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Effect Receptor Pre-mitigation Mitigation Post-mitigation Effect Effect

Effects of Motorists using A Significant Route of modified onshore Significant , adverse, modified onshore and B roads – A98, adverse in export cable realigned to short-term, reversible export cable (and B9038, B9139, A97, views from avoid physical effect on visual effects from landfall) on visual B9121, A947, B9015 short sections woodland and/or use 500 m -2 km amenity and B9170 of the routes directional drilling to bore stretches of the of up to 1 km export cable under Burn of routes. Not in length. Boyndie. significant from the majority of the

routes. Reinstatement of consumption dykes and farmland following cable installation.

Effects of Cyclists/walkers Significant Route of modified onshore Significant , adverse, modified onshore using long adverse in export cable realigned to short-term, reversible export cable (and distance routes views from avoid physical effect on visual effects from landfall) on visual and local paths short sections woodland and/or use 500 m - 2 km amenity of the routes directional drilling to bore stretches of the of up to 1 km export cable under Burn of routes. Not in length. Boyndie. significant from the majority of the

routes. Backfill beach pit excavations and restore cliff face following cable installation.

Reinstate consumption dykes and arable farmland following cable installation.

Effects of People taking part Significant Route of modified onshore Significant , adverse, modified onshore in other adverse export cable realigned to short-term and export cable (and recreational reduce/prevent visibility reversible. landfall) on visual activities – from Caravan Park. amenity Inverboyndie

beach users, Banff Links Caravan Park Backfill beach pit Visitors excavations and restore cliff face following cable installation.

Reinstate consumption dykes and arable farmland following cable installation.

Effects of onshore Agricultural Significant in Careful siting of substations Significant , adverse, substations on Heartlands LCA Area 1- within the landscape short-term, reversible landscape substations context. in Area 1- substations character and area and area and surrounds elements surrounds between Burnside, between Asleid, Boghead, Burnside, Millbrex and Asleid, Swanford. Boghead, Not significant , Millbrex and adverse/neutral, Swanford. short-term, reversible Not significant in all other parts of in all other the LCA parts of the LCA

5.3-28 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact route route exportcable modifiedoffshore Visual effect of cableroute offshore export modified of seascape effect Landscape/ OSPs Visual effect of OSPs of seascape effect Landscape/ Operation substations onshore Visual effect of Effect iulrcpos Long-term, receptorsVisual receptors character landscape Seascape/ Long-term, receptorsVisual receptors character landscape Seascape/ roads usersand of minor substationsites vicinitythe of properties thein Residential Receptor Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S not significantnot neutral and reversible, significantnot neutral and reversible, Long-term, significantnot neutral and reversible, significantnot neutral and reversible, Long-term, adverse Significant, Effect Pre-mitigation Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment

o eurd Long-term, Long-term, requiredNot Long-term, requiredNot Long-term, requiredNot requiredNot views. receptorsand their key relationin tovisual Careful siting of substations Mitigation tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms short-term,reversible. adverse/neutral, and reversible,neutral and reversible,neutral and reversible,neutral and reversible,neutral roads usersand of other other of properties Effectsonresidents substationsites. ofnorththe south-west,east and roadstothe south, sectionsofthe minor revsersibleeffects on short-term, Significant Neuk. Burnsideand The Swanford,Upper Blackpool,Bridge of Swanford,East SmiddybankFarm, North Millbrex, Burnsideof Millbrex, Asleid,Mainsof vicinity of Upper properties thein effect onviewsfrom short-term,reversible Significant Post-mitigationEffect not significantnot significantnot significantnot significantnot not significantnot , adverse, , adverse, tatement 5.3-29

,

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Effect Receptor Pre-mitigation Mitigation Post-mitigation Effect Effect

Effects of Landscape/ Not significant Avoidance of woodland Not significant , modified onshore seascape adverse, long term removal. cable route (and character areas and reversible landfall) on along the cable seascape/ route and Reinstatement of ground landscape constituent cover and other character and landscape vegetation and elements elements of establishment of this over beach, woodland, initial period following field boundaries construction. (consumption dykes, scrub hedgerows and Sensitive siting of kiosks. field boundary trees) and farm land

Effects of Residents of Not significant Avoidance of woodland Not significant , modified onshore settlements, removal. adverse, long term export cable (and motorists using A and reversible

landfall) on visual and B roads, amenity walkers and Reinstatement of ground cyclists using long cover and other distance cycle vegetation and routes and paths establishment of this over initial period following construction.

Sensitive siting of kiosks.

Effects of Agricultural Significant in Careful siting of substations Prior to woodland modified onshore Heartlands LCA Area 1- in relation to visual and hedgerows substations on substations receptors and their key 15year establishment landscape area and views. -Significant , adverse, character and surrounds long-term, reversible

elements between in Area 1- substations Burnside, Establishment of extensive area and surrounds Asleid, woodland planting around between Burnside, Boghead, the site. Asleid, Boghead, Millbrex and Millbrex and Swanford. Swanford. Not significant in all other Not significant , parts of the adverse/ neutral, LCA long-term, reversible in all other parts of the LCA.

Post woodland and hedgerows 15 year establishment – Not significant , adverse/neutral, long-term, reversible in all parts of the LCA except for the site itself.

5.3-30 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.4.13 Assessment Impact to Introduction

substations onshore Visual effect of Effect

parameters set out in Section 5.3.2. 5.3.2. Section in out set parameters TI modified the of (views) amenity visual on effect and seascape the on effect the considers SLVIA The roads.minor ofusers local Viewsobtained by substations sites. vicinitythe of properties thein Viewsfrom Receptor Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S reversible. term, neutral, long- adverse/ significant roads ofusersother properties and distantmore residentsof Effectson sites. substation thearound roadsminor sectionsofthe ofusers effects on reversible term, adverse, long- Significant sites. substationsthe vicinitythe of properties in residentsof effects on reversible term, adverse Significant, Effect Pre-mitigation

not , , Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment long , , the site.the woodlandplanting around Establishmentof extensive views. receptorsand their key relationin tovisual Careful siting of substations Mitigation based on the Rochdale Envelope Envelope Rochdale the on based landscape character and the and character landscape tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms reversible. adverse long-term, significantnot usersandroads of other of properties Effectsonresidents Asleid.Mainsof vicinity of Upper properties thein effect onviewsfrom long-term,reversible Significant establishment – hedgerows15year Post andwoodland long-term,reversible. adverse/neutral, not usersandroads of other of properties Effectsonresidents sites. SubstationOnshore eastand ofthe south,south-west immediatelyto the minorthe roads obtained byusers of effects onviews long-term,reversible Significant Burnside. Swanford Upperand Blackpool,Bridge of Swanford,East SmiddybankFarm, North Millbrex, Asleid,Mainsof vicinity of Upper properties thein residentsofthe obtained by effect onviews long-term,reversible Significant – 15year establishment hedgerowsand toPrior woodland Post-mitigationEffect significant , adverse, , adverse, , adverse, tatement , , 5.3-31

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

5.3.4.14 The SLVIA methodology is described in full in Technical Appendix 5.3 A: SLVIA Methodology. The baseline SL&V receptors relating to the Offshore TI and Onshore TI is described in Section 5.3.3. The SLVIA is informed by photomontages, panoramic photographs and plan / map figures contained in Volume 4: Moray Offshore Wind Farm Modified TI SLVIA Figures.

5.3.4.15 The SLVIA covers the construction, operational phase and decommissioning of the OSPs, modified offshore export cable, onshore export cable (and modified export cable landfall) and onshore substations.

EIA Methodology

5.3.4.16 This section provides a summary of the methodology used to carry out the SLVIA, with the full methodology being described in Technical Appendix 5.3A: SLVIA Methodology. This methodology has been specifically devised by OPEN for SLVIA and it accords with the ‘Guidelines for the Assessment of Landscape and Visual Impacts: Third Edition’ (GLVIA3).

5.3.4.17 The objective of the assessment of the modified TI is to predict the significant effects on the SL&V resource. In accordance with the EIA Regulations, the LVIA effects are assessed to be either significant or not significant.

5.3.4.18 The significance of effects is assessed through a combination of two considerations – the sensitivity to change of the landscape or visual receptor and the magnitude of change that will result from the modified TI.

Sensitivity to Change

5.3.4.19 Sensitivity is an expression of the ability of a landscape or visual receptor to accommodate the modified TI. The sensitivity is determined through a combination of the value of the receptor, and the susceptibility to change of the receptor to the modified TI.

5.3.4.20 Levels of sensitivity - high, medium to high, medium, medium to low, low and negligible- are applied in order that the judgement used in the process of assessment is made clear. The criteria used to determine sensitivity differ for the effects on landscape receptors and visual receptors, as well as the cumulative effects on both. These criteria are explained in full in Technical Appendix 5.3 A.

Magnitude of Change

5.3.4.21 Magnitude of change is an expression of the extent of the effect on the landscape and visual receptors that will result from the introduction of the modified TI. The magnitude of change is assessed in terms of the size and scale of the effect and the geographical extent of the area influenced.

5.3.4.22 Levels of magnitude of change - high, medium to high, medium, medium to low and low - are applied in order that the judgement used in the process of assessment is made clear. The criteria used to determine magnitude of change differ for the effects on landscape receptors and visual receptors, as well as the cumulative effects on both. These criteria are explained in full in Technical Appendix 5.3 A.

5.3-32 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Significance of Effect Effect of Significance 5.3.4.25 Effect the of Nature 5.3.4.23 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.4.24 Significant of Effe IllustrativeMatrix 5.3-7 Table Low Medium-low Medium Medium-high High Sensitivity Magnitude

• • • ugmn i apid o h assmn o al effec all of assessment the to applied is judgement the following definitions: definitions: following the posit effects as classified are the Effects adverse. or whether neutral to refers effect of nature The permanent or reversible effects. effects. or reversible permanent short-ter as assessed are and duration, variable of case. each of findings the of respect in presented to give an understanding of the threshold at which which at threshold of the understanding an give to ri give can change of magnitude and sensitivity for illustra to included been has 5.3-7 Table requi in matrix methodology OPEN’s not is it Although GLVIA3, judgement. professional reasoned with accordance In n h seii fcos n efc ta i assessed is that effect GL and with accordance In receptor. visual or landscape factors specific the on signifi be may boxes grey light the within assessed EIA the of requirements the of terms in significant boxe grey dark the within assessed are that Effects

lo e eeiil a cn hi rpaeet ih m with replacement their is resource SL&V the alteration an constitutes it to because simply adverse change can A noticeable. so are hardly effects the where or as resource SL&V the from neither TI modified the where occur effects beneficial, Neutral be components; appropriate ele also existing undesirable of removal The int attributes. the or characteristics vi desirable and of landscape enhancement the to contribute effects Positive that are key in its positive characterisation. characterisation. positive its in key are that t weak or resource, SL&V the of characteristics or existing from detract contrast that elements of that introduction the through those are effects Adverse ih eimhg Mdu Mdu-o Lw Negligible Low Medium-low Medium Medium-high High significant not or Significant significant not or Significant Significant Significant Significant

Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S significant Not significant not or Significant significant not or Significant Significant Significant significant Not significant Not significant not or Significant significant not or Significant Significant Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment cts cts significant Not significant Not significant not or Significant significant not or Significant significant Not ive, neutral or adverse according to according adverse or neutral ive, Regulations. Those effects that are are that effects Those Regulations. te how combinations of the ratings ratings the of combinations how te cant, or not significant, depending depending significant, not or cant, m or long-term, and either result in in result either and long-term, or m se to significant effects, as well as well as effects, significant to se significant effects may arise. arise. may effects significant s in the matrix are assessed to be be to assessed are matrix the in s reliant on the use of a matrix, the the matrix, ofa use the on reliant The effects of the modified TI are TI modified the of effects The hrough the removal of elements elements of removal the hrough of the modified TI are positive, positive, are TI modified the of s n raoe jsiiain is justification reasoned and ts professional experienced VIA3, to the existing situation; and and situation; existing the to in a detrimental way with the with way detrimental a in ments or characteristics can can characteristics or ments in respect of a particular particular a of respect in contributes to nor detracts detracts nor to contributes tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms roduction of new, positive positive new, of roduction sual resource through the the through resource sual limited that the change is is change the that limited significant Not significant Not significant Not significant Not significant Not o cniee t be to considered not res the application of of application the res n h S& resource SL&V the en significant Not significant Not significant Not significant Not significant Not tatement 5.3-33 ore ore

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Assessment of Cumulative Effects

5.3.4.26 The objective of the Cumulative Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (CLVIA) is to describe, visually represent and assess the ways in which the Modified TI will have additional effects when considered together with other existing, consented or proposed developments and to identify related significant cumulative effects arising from the modified TI. The guiding principle in preparing the CLVIA is to focus on the likely significant effects and in particular those which are likely to influence the outcome of the consenting process, in accordance with the EIA Regulations. The cumulative effect of the modified TI is considered in Section 5.3.5.

Embedded Mitigation Measures

Onshore Export Cable

5.3.4.27 Embedded mitigation has been applied in the design and routing of the modified onshore export cable route to minimise the effects of construction on specific landscape features, particularly valued landscapes or features, including SSSIs, GDLs, ancient woodland and areas of surface water. Valued landscape features were identified using GIS datasets for valued natural heritage features, designations, OS Vectormap landscape features, aerial imagery and field survey.

5.3.4.28 A route design workshop was held to consider sections of the modified onshore export cable route corridor in detail and identify key physical landscape features and visual receptors that the modified onshore export cable route corridor should avoid, whilst being routed within areas of suitable land option. An optimised modified onshore export cable route corridor was selected to avoid, in particular, Duff House GDL and ancient woodlands within the Deveron Valley. The modified onshore export cable route corridor has been designed to cross the Deveron Valley to the south to avoid Duff House GDL and associated woodlands, taking a route across the valley with the least amount of woodland present. The modified onshore export cable route corridor has been sited and designed with a strong presumption against removing areas of ancient semi-natural woodland or plantations on ancient woodland sites.

5.3.4.29 The assessment of residual effects of the modified onshore export cable route corridor assumes that the modified onshore export cable would be routed around areas of woodland to avoid physical effects on characteristic woodlands within the modified onshore export cable route corridor. Directional drilling will also be used selectively to bore the export cable under sensitive rivers/burns with associated woodlands, to avoid physical effects on characteristic woodlands.

5.3.4.30 The modified onshore export cable route will also be sited to avoid, where possible, consumption dykes, scrub hedgerows and field boundary trees. In certain areas where the modified onshore export cable route will not be able to avoid physical disturbance to linear features such as consumption dykes and scrub hedgerows, these features will be reinstated following cable installation.

5.3.4.31 The construction of the cable route will give due consideration to the following standards, recommendations and guidelines: • BS 5837: 2012. Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction; and • NJUG Publication Volume 4 (2007). Guidelines for the Planning, Installation and Maintenance of Utility Apparatus in Proximity to Trees.

5.3-34 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.4.32 Selection Site Substations Onshore 5.3.4.35 5.3.4.34 5.3.4.33 Proposal Mitigation Landscape

rvd sreig n cnanet f h osoe su onshore the gen of r closest ofthe of many orientation screening/main its containment and within screening provide substations onshore Burn the along particularly woodlands, shelterbelt the of has including which enclosure landform landscape, rolling the the fields; agricultural within hav location substations substation onshore indicative the for selected potenti aspects that several concluded review visual and landscape of included suitability review visual The and landscape process. selection site MORL’s pa as undertaken was Aberdeenshire in Deer New near pot of review selection site visual and landscape A elct cpe taiinly lne fr shelter. for p mitigation landscape the in proposed are woodland planted traditionally copses Agricult replicate the by integrated for be can LCASSD development new that the recommend in guidance specific to subs onshore the for proposals t mitigation Landscape and connec Asleid of ea the and at Burn boundaries field on shelterbelts the existing enhance along west to the to planting woodland tree native proposes ele on draws 5.3-29) (Figure proposal landscape The and a full woodland envelope. envelope. woodland full a and rip woodlands, shelterbelt including 5.3-28, Figure charact these on based site the for considered were Seve burns. and rivers along woodlands riparian shelterbelts, and includes basel which landscape, The surrounding shelter. for exis the identified which 5.3-14), (Figure reviewed planted sub traditionally the agricu copses within the within proposed substations onshore is the integrate planting woodland Native onshore substation area and the wider skyline. skyline. wider the area and loca substation onshore the influence which lines, overhead and si pylons is location substations indicative The east. and t hel which contour, m 110 the to up area, to substation slightly rises landform rolling The integrate landscape. and views screen to boundary help eastern will which the area, on road minor to adjacent interspe and t is reduce par landscape woodland, to coniferous of blocks and shelterbelts likely agricultural are The that substations. area substation of onshore baseli characteristics key landscape several the identified in analysis described and under 5.3-16 been has Figure landscape local surrounding and area t site A according LCA. Heartlands Agricultural sited the for LCASSD been have substations onshore The Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment ting pattern of woodland within the the within woodland of pattern ting stern edge of the substations area. area. substations the of edge stern he east/north-east of the onshore onshore the of east/north-east he arian woodland, woodland blocks blocks woodland woodland, arian ted next to large scale electrical electrical scale large to next ted of Asleid, which have potential to to potential have which Asleid, of the local landscape around the the around landscape local the esidential properties. properties. esidential analysis of the onshore substation substation onshore the of analysis ential sites for onshore substations substations onshore for sites ential the potential to provide some some provide to potential the p to contain views from the north north the from views contain to p Several main areas of native native of areas main Several al onshore substation sites. The The sites. substation onshore al ticularly along the Burn of Asleid of Burn the along ticularly tations are designed according according designed are tations ltural landscape and replicate replicate and landscape ltural the onshore substations in the the in substations onshore the ral woodland design concepts concepts design woodland ral woodland blocks/plantations blocks/plantations woodland eristic woodlands, as shown in shown as woodlands, eristic of the onshore substation area substation onshore the of ments of these concepts and and concepts these of ments rsed with several woodland woodland several with rsed l landscape character of the the of character landscape l roposals: roposals: e potential to integrate the the integrate to potential e ine woodland context was was context woodland ine ural Heartlands LCA, which which LCA, Heartlands ural cmaio o te likely the of comparison a ne (Section 5.3.3). The site site The 5.3.3). (Section ne rt of initial EIA work to inform to work EIA initial of rt o specific guidance in the the in guidance specific o tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms he effect of the onshore onshore the of effect he the large scale of the the of scale large the cnet ml sad of stands small connect o tle undulations; frequent frequent undulations; tle of the onshore substation substation onshore the of ae ad s lutae in illustrated is and taken sain; n te visual the and bstations; stations area to further further to area stations planting native trees to trees native planting t areas of shelterbelt shelterbelt of areas t tatement 5.3-35

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

• Northern side of overhead electrical line on slopes of Burn of Asleid to enhance areas of existing shelterbelt woodland along the Burn and provide screening in views from the north; • Western side of the onshore substations along the Burn of Asleid to connect and enhance areas of existing shelterbelt woodland along the Burn and provide screening in views from the west; • Southern and eastern sides of the onshore substations to form new characteristic shelterbelt woodlands around onshore substations and screen views from the south and east;

5.3.4.36 Further woodland shelterbelts are also proposed along the field boundaries to the north and south of the substations area to provide further screening and improve the integration of the onshore substations within the landscape. Woodland planting proposals will enhance the characteristic native woodland evident in the Agricultural Heartlands LCA and assist with improving the integration of the onshore substations within a natural envelope. Planting is proposed at high density, with both hardy native pioneer species, including Alder, Ash, Birch, Hazel and Poplar, together with slower growing species such as Oak and Beech and occasional Scots Pine, to provide some year-round screening and to replicate and expand woodland shelterbelts in the existing environment. Indicative visual representations of the woodland proposals at 15 years post construction, with an average tree height of 6 – 10m, are illustrated in the viewpoint figures (Figures 5.3-30 to 5.3-37) and these are used to inform the assessment of residual effects at 15 years post construction.

5.3.4.37 In addition to the main areas of woodland planting, mixed native deciduous hedgerow planting will be undertaken along the field boundaries of the substations areas to provide further screening in views from the local minor road network. Hedgerows also provide a habitat link to the larger woodland areas. Fields to the east and south of the substations area could be retained for agricultural use.

5.3.4.38 Areas of marshy grassland / moss are proposed to the west of the substations area at lower elevations along the Burn of Asleid, where the wetter ground conditions and appropriate land management may encourage wetter grassland habitats. Areas of moss and marshy grassland are present nearby at Moss of Swanford to the west along the Burn of Swanford/Burn of Asleid. Scattered riparian tree planting is proposed within these areas along the Burn of Asleid to enhance scattered existing riparian trees along the burn. A sustainable drainage system (SuDS) will be utilised at the site, with suitable methods to be subject to detailed design, but likely to include a retention system by providing storage within a SuDs pond/retention basin adjacent to the Burn of Asleid.

Impact Assessment – Modified OfTI

5.3.4.39 The Rochdale Envelope parameters considered in the OfTI SLVIA are described in Section 5.3.2. The OfTI SLVIA considers the effects of the construction, operation and decommissioning of the offshore substation platforms (OSPs) and offshore export cable on seascape/landscape character and visual amenity.

5.3.4.40 Marine Scotland’s Offshore Transmission Works Scoping Response (MORL ES, Technical Appendix 1.3 B) confirmed (page 34) that ‘ landscape and visual interests can be scoped out of the EIA for the offshore cable works’ – as indicated in Section 5-3-8 (page 135) of the Offshore Transmission Infrastructure Scoping Report (MORL, 2011). A summary assessment of the SL&V effects of the modified offshore export cable was nevertheless provided in the MORL ES (MORL, 2012) in the interests of completeness and this approach is adopted for the assessment of the modified OfTI.

5.3-36 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.4.41 on (OSPs) Platforms Substation Offshore of Effects 5.3.4.42 Decommissioning and Construction 5.3.4.44 Operation 5.3.4.43 5.3.4.45 on (OSPs) Platforms Substation Offshore of Effects 5.3.4.47 Decommissioning and Construction 5.3.4.46

minimum distance of 46.4 km from Aber loc the assumed indicative and Moray indica assumed within CCAs the and Units/Types Seascape from km 23.4 of distance AllNational Seascape Units/Types andCCAs withinC t og itne ofhr fo al osa charact an farms wind consented three the amongst distance, coastal all sm relatively from a as appear will and types, offshore landscape distances long at charact seascape/landscape the of perception the on w effects the operation, During coastline. the from equi construction and vessels installation OSP from effects the decommissioning and construction During as being low-negligible and the effect of the OSPs OSPs the of effect neu reversible, long-term, as assessed is receptors the and resulting low-negligible being change as of base the in identified magnitude receptors seascape/landscape the operation, During 5.3.3) is assessed as being low-negligible and the the short-t and as significant. not assessed low-negligible is being receptors as seascape/landscape assessed is identi 5.3.3) receptors seascape/landscape all on OSPs the magnit the decommissioning, and construction During the MORL ES (MORL, 2012) and have the same dimensio same the have and 2012) (MORL, ES MORL the location assumed the as same the are OSPs two (Figur these effects SL&V of terms in vis scenario most worst-case their at be theoretically would they where an 1) (OSP Caithness nearest boundaries site the to in with sites, farm wind consented three the within t OSPs additi in (not 2012) two (MORL, ES MORL the in assessed only include will TI modified The sites. o context the in 11.4) Chapter ES, assessed (MORL OSPs eight 2012) (MORL, ES MORL the within SLVIA The lutaie htgah o OP ntlain vessel installation d visible be may which of vessel types the indicate OSP of and photographs construction Illustrative for used vessels installation OSP eff visual decommissioning, and construction During mat fo toe rvosy sesd n epc o respect di in reduced, farms. wind consented three of the assessed context any previously consider those from to impacts provided is as TI OSPs the modified of effect the of consideration Further Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment Seascape/Landscape Character Character Seascape/Landscape Visual Amenity Amenity Visual tral and not significant. significant. not and tral uring the OSP construction period. period. OSP construction the uring o replace the eight former OSPs OSPs former eight the replace o dicative locations assumed close close assumed locations dicative aithnessare located ata minimum on). The two OSPs will be located located be will OSPs two The on). pment located at long distance distance long at located pment ill result from the visibility of OSPs OSPs of visibility the from result ill s are shown in Figure 5.3-2 to to 5.3-2 Figure in shown are s all single object on the skyline at skyline the on object single all d Moray/Aberdeenshire (OSP 2), 2), (OSP Moray/Aberdeenshire d 532. niaie oain for locations Indicative 5.3-2). e f the three consented wind farm wind consented three the f tive location of OSP 2. ects are likely to arise from the the from arise to likely are ects part of the assessment for the the for assessment the of part decommissioning of the OSPs. OSPs. the of decommissioning be n teeoe ersn a represent therefore and ible will be reversible and will arise will and reversible be will d oil and gas platforms. platforms. gas and oil d line (Section 5.3.3) is assessed assessed is 5.3.3) (Section line ude of change resulting from resulting change of ude h efc o te diin of addition the of effect the f the proposed OSPs in the the in OSPs proposed the f fied in the baseline (Section (Section baseline the in fied r, eesbe nurl and neutral reversible, erm, to o OP . l National All 1. OSP of ation on all seascape/landscape seascape/landscape all on ns and colouring. colouring. and ns er receptors and terrestrial terrestrial and receptors er er, but the OSPs are located located are OSPs the but er, s for the two closest OSPs in in OSPs closest two the for s effect of the OSPs on all all on OSPs the of effect fferent or additional visual visual additional or fferent tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms enhr ae oae a a at located aredeenshire from the OSPs on all all on OSPs the from tatement 5.3-37

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

5.3.4.48 The effect of the installation of OSPs on visual receptors will be short-term and reversible during the construction period, resulting from views of the installation vessels constructing the OSPs at sea and movements to and from port. The construction of the OSPs will result in a slight increase in occurrence of vessel sightings at sea during the construction period, however OSP installation vessels constructing the OSPs will be located at long distances, with a minimum distance from the nearest point in Caithness to OSP 1 of 23.4km, and a minimum distance from the nearest point in Moray/Aberdeenshire to OSP 2 of 46.4 km. The visual effect of installation vessels is diminished at such long distance offshore from visual receptors on the coastline and terrestrial parts of Caithness and Moray/Aberdeenshire.

5.3.4.49 Views of the OSP installation vessels may occur at shorter range during vessel movements to and from port, but vessels will be seen within a seascape in which large sea-faring vessels are a common feature in the baseline SL&V environment of the Moray Firth.

5.3.4.50 During construction and decommissioning, the magnitude of change resulting from the OSPs on all views experienced from visual receptors identified in the visual baseline (Section 5.3.3) is assessed as being low-negligible and the effect of the OSPs on all visual receptors is assessed as short-term, reversible, neutral and not significant .

Operation

5.3.4.51 During operation, visual effects will result from the two OSPs, viewed at long distances offshore in the context of the proposed three consented wind farm sites 2. OSP 1 is located approximately 23.4 km from the nearest point of the Caithness/Sutherland coast and OSP 2 is located approximately 46.4 km from the nearest point of the Moray/Aberdeenshire coast.

5.3.4.52 The effect of the OSPs on all SL&V receptors during operation was assessed as not significant in the MORL ES (MORL, 2012) primarily because the OSPs would be viewed at long distances offshore, in the context of the three consented wind farm sites and existing oil rigs which appear similar.

5.3.4.53 The principal change to the effects assessed in the MORL ES (MORL, 2012) results from the omission of six OSPs from within the three consented wind farms, constituting a reduced effect principally because less OSPs will be viewed within the three consented wind farms than considered in the MORL ES (MORL, 2012).

5.3.4.54 OSP 1 is likely to be visible in views from the Caithness/Sutherland coastline, however OSP 2 is unlikely to be visible at all from this coastline. OSP 2 is likely to be visible (in periods of excellent visibility) from the Moray/Aberdeenshire coastlines, however OSP 1 is unlikely to be visible at all from this coastline. In each case, the more distant OSP is unlikely to be visible in views due to the intervening distance, earth curvature and relative infrequency of excellent visibility conditions. Each OSP will therefore appear as a relatively small single object from each coastline, on the skyline at distance, amongst the three consented wind farms. The appearance of the three consented wind farms will be simpler and less complex with a single OSP visible amongst the array of offshore wind turbines within the three consented wind farms.

2 As per the MORL ES, the assessment does not consider the effect of adding the OSPs to the existing baseline on their own, without the three consented wind farm sites, as this would represent an unrealistic scenario.

5.3-38 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment 5.3.4.62 5.3.4.61 5.3.4.60 5.3.4.59 5.3.4.58 Decommissioning and Construction 5.3.4.57 on Route Cable Export Offshore Modified of Effects 5.3.4.56 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.4.55

dniid n h bsln (eto 5333 i ass is 5.3.3.3) (Section decommissioning and sea construction the from resulting baseline other the all on in cable identified export offshore modified the construc the from resulting change of magnitude The h ofhr epr rue n h Bye a ad Boyn and adverse reversible, and short–term, Bay Boyne the on route export offshore the cons the Bay from resulting Boyne effect The the low. as on assessed cable export offshore modified the construc the from resulting change of magnitude The a reversible and relatively short duration during t during duration short relatively and reversible a c route cable export offshore modified the of areas vessel laying Cable th Bay. Boyne to and Bay Boyndie corridor from route cable export offshore operating modified when coastline the of character expo perceived offshore modified the for vessels laying Cable fsoe xot al wl b smlr o ag vess large character. to seascape similar be will dec cable and export construction offshore the for used vessels and seasc baseline Firth the in skyline the on feature common character. coastal existing the to laying changes cable notable the of visibility A distances, long and such Moray cable the from export offshore offshore distance modified considerable the of majority The decommissioning phases on the perceived character o character perceived the on phases decommissioning o vessels laying cable of visibility the from effects arise the decommissioning and construction During oae imdaey fsoe rm h Rcy Coastli Rocky the B Bay, Boyne Sandend the and Type Seascape National from offshore immediately located off modified the area, this In Bay. Inverboyndie at the near coast Moray/Aberdeenshire the to proximity ca export onshore modified The Moray/Aberdeenshire. Seasca National from distances long at located offsho also C modified the of within majority The corridor. CCAs route and m the from km 37.5 of distance Units/Types minimum a at located Seascape National All assessed as long-term, reversible, neutral and and neutral reversible, long-term, as assessed of effect the and low-negligible being as assessed the in identified receptors visual from resulting experienced change of magnitude the operation, During only be visible in relatively infrequent periods wi periods infrequent relatively in visible be only Due to the long distance of the OSPs offshore from from frequen offshore distance. visibility the in result also will offshore by OSPs diminished substantially the e is the ofoperation Moray/Aberdeenshire, distance and long Caithness/Sutherland the to Due Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment not significantnot Seascape/Landscape Character Character Seascape/Landscape cy being relatively low and the OSPs will will OSPs the and low relatively being cy not significant not th excellent visibility conditions. conditions. visibility excellent th perating during the construction and construction the during perating he construction period. period. construction he . . shore export cable route corridor is is corridor route cable export shore esl i ulkl t rsl i any in result to unlikely is vessels els that are part of the baseline baseline the of part are that els truction and decommissioning of decommissioning and truction the OSPs on all visual receptors is is receptors visual all on OSPs the essed as negligible. The effect effect The negligible. as essed re export cable route corridor is is corridor route cable export re visual baseline (Section 5.3.3) is is 5.3.3) (Section baseline visual orridor from the coast will be for be will coast the from orridor h ln dsac o te OSPs the of distance long The pe Units/Types and CCAs within within CCAs and Units/Types pe of the offshore export route on on route export offshore the of rt cable will only influence the the influence only will cable rt modified export cable landfall landfall cable export modified e coast, immediately offshore offshore immediately coast, e Large sea–faring vessels are a a are vessels sea–faring Large ommissioning of the modified modified the of ommissioning working days in these closest closest these in days working tion and decommissioning of of decommissioning and tion tion and decommissioning of of decommissioning and tion ape character of the Moray Moray the of character ape odified offshore export cable cable export offshore odified f the coast. coast. fthe route corridor is located at at located is corridor route from the OSPs on all views views all on OSPs the from die Bay CCAs is assessed as as assessed is CCAs Bay die will be reversible and may may and reversible be will scape/landscape receptors receptors scape/landscape ble route corridor is in closer closer in is corridor route ble ay and Boyndie Bay CCAs. CCAs. Bay Boyndie and ay in the closest areas of the the of areas closest the in edesie os ad at and coast berdeenshire and Boyndie Bay CCAs is is CCAs Bay Boyndie and tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms ne with Open Sea Views Views Sea Open with ne ffect of the OSPs during during OSPs the of ffect . . ihesSteln are aithness/Sutherland visual receptors within within receptors visual tatement 5.3-39

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

all seascape/landscape receptors other than on the Boyne Bay and Boyndie Bay CCA is assessed as short–term, reversible, neutral and not significant . Operation

5.3.4.63 The modified offshore export cable between Inverboyndie Bay and the converter OSPs will be installed in trenches in the sea bed and will not be a visible element of the modified TI during the operational period. The operational effects of the modified offshore export cable will be limited to occasional maintenance visits from appropriate sea–faring maintenance vessels, which will be similar to large sea faring vessels in the baseline seascape and visual environment.

5.3.4.64 The magnitude of change resulting from modified offshore export cable on all seascape/landscape receptors is assessed as negligible during the operational period. The effect resulting from the operation of the modified offshore export cable on all seascape/landscape receptors is assessed as long-term (during the operational life of the three consented wind farm sites), reversible, neutral and not significant .

Effects of Modified Offshore Export Cable on Visual Amenity

Construction and Decommissioning

5.3.4.65 The SL&V effect of the modified offshore export cable installation will be caused by cable laying vessels operating during the construction and decommissioning phases. Cable laying vessels for the modified offshore export cable will be visible between Inverboyndie Bay and the OSPs within the three consented wind farm sites. The majority of the modified offshore export cable route corridor is located at considerable distance offshore from the Moray and Aberdeenshire coast. Cable laying vessels will be visible within the modified offshore export cable route corridor for up to 240 cable laying vessel working days over a two year period. Movements to and from port will be dependent on the port location, which has not yet been selected, but the Rochdale Envelope for the modified offshore export cable is based on 40 vessel movements of the main installation to and from the construction port and site, together with construction support vessel movements.

5.3.4.66 Large sea–faring vessels are a common feature on the skyline in the baseline seascape and visual environment of the Moray Firth. Vessels used for the construction and decommissioning of the modified offshore export cable will be similar to large sea faring vessels that are frequently visible in the baseline seascape and visual environment. Movements of cable laying vessels in Inverboyndie Bay during installation of the offshore export route modified export cable landfall will be more visible to receptors onshore, but will be viewed for a short duration.

5.3.4.67 The magnitude of change resulting from the construction and decommissioning of the modified offshore export cable on visual receptors within the Boyne Bay and Boyndie Bay areas is assessed as medium-low. The effect resulting from the construction and decommissioning of the offshore export route on views experienced from visual receptors in the Boyne Bay and Boyndie Bay areas is assessed as short–term, reversible, adverse and not significant .

5.3.4.68 The magnitude of change resulting from the construction and decommissioning of the modified offshore export cable on all other visual receptors identified in the visual baseline (Section 5.3.3.4) is assessed as low to negligible. The effect resulting from the construction and decommissioning of the modified offshore export cable on views experienced from all other visual receptors identified in the visual baseline is assessed as short–term, reversible, neutral and not significant .

5.3-40 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment 5.3.4.73 5.3.4.72 Construction (and Route Cable Export Elements and Character Onshore Modified of Effects 5.3.4.71 OnTI Modified – Assessment Impact 5.3.4.70 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.4.69 Operation

ecito o tee ntlain ehd i provid is 5.3-4. Figure in shown are construction type methods this of photographs installation horizontal Illustrative Description). modi and these the trenching of for open description used be be will will installation that methods ty pit the installation of sides the (with level tide low the to tre into split th cable, subsea each for (one trenches that assumes in SLVIA installed be will beach the Inverboyndie at landfall for Envelope Rochdale The lmn ad h oeal hrce o ec LA s as measures. mitigation is LCA each residual of character the overall the and and element identified be are construction, measures cable export mitigation onshore the of the of effect assessment an and identified are section LCA main The 5.3-22). to 5.3-18 (Figures corridor route corridor route mo the along cable LCA each to according detail in export mapped onshore modified the of 5.3-8 Tables in assessed is elements and character expor onshore the of construction the of effect The and visual amenity. amenity. visual and s on substations onshore and landfall) cable export export onshore the th of decommissioning considers and SLVIA On operation OnTI modified modified the The 5.3.2. in Section considered Envelope Rochdale The consented wind farm sites), reversible, neutral and neutral sites), reversible, farm wind consented (duri long-term as assessed is receptors visual all of operation the from resulting effect The ne period. as assessed is receptors visual from experienced off modified from resulting change of magnitude The vessels in the baseline seascape and visual environ visual and seascape baseline the in vessels The w which vessels, maintenance sea–faring period. appropriate operational o to the limited be will cable export offshore during modified TI modified the a bed sea the in trenches in installed be will OSPs Inverboy between cable export offshore modified The Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment Landfall) on Seascape/Landscape Seascape/Landscape on Landfall) ng the operational life of the three three the of life operational the ng pically temporarily supported). The The supported). temporarily pically of modified export cable landfall landfall cable export modified of four separate 4 m wide beach pit beach wide m 4 separate four modified offshore export cable on cable export offshore modified

adcp eeet wti each within elements landscape foil arrangement) extended down down extended arrangement) foil nd will not be a visible element of of element visible a be not will nd ccasional maintenance visits from from visits maintenance ccasional not significantnot ment. ment. t cable on seascape/landscape seascape/landscape on cable t – 5.3-11 relating to each section section each to relating 5.3-11 – eascape/landscape character character eascape/landscape gligible during the operational operational the during gligible shore export cable on all views views all on cable export shore e effects of the construction, construction, the of effects e ill be similar to large sea faring faring sea large to similar be ill ir sensitivity and the potential potential the and sensitivity ir effect on each landscape landscape each on effect ed in Chapter 2.2 (Project (Project 2.2 Chapter in ed esd suig dpin of adoption assuming sessed ietoa diln (D) A (HDD). drilling directional fore mitigation. Appropriate Appropriate mitigation. fore ndie Bay and the converter converter the and Bay ndie Scin o te ot are route the of Sections . prtoa efcs f the of effects operational fied export cable landfall landfall cable export fied dified onshore export cable cable export onshore dified tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms cable (including modified modified (including cable e modified export cable cable export modified e I LI i dsrbd in described is SLVIA TI . . tatement 5.3-41

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Section 1: The Coast (Cliffs of the North and South East Coast LCA)

Table 5.3-8 Modified Onshore Export Cable Route Assessment: Landscape Character & Elements (Section 1)

Landscape Sensitivity to Potential Effect on Mitigation Measures Residual Significance of Element change Landscape Magnitude of Residual Effect 3 Element/Character Change

Section 1: The Coast (Cliffs of the North and South East Coast LCA and Boyndie Bay CCA)

Beach:

Inverboyndie Medium-low Medium or high Beach pit and any Medium Not significant , Beach (beach is magnitude and other excavations adverse, short- relatively potentially significant would be backfilled term, easy to due to physical effect once the export cables reversible. restore) resulting from are installed and allow disturbance to beach tides to wash over the resulting from modified excavations to export cable landfall consolidate the backfill. installation.

Woodland:

C1 - Burn of Medium- High magnitude and Modified onshore Negligible Not significant , Boyndie high potentially significant export cable route to neutral, short- C2 - Black due to physical effect avoid physical effect term, Hillocks resulting from loss of on woodland and/or reversible. characteristic use directional drilling to Shelterbelt deciduous riparian bore export cable woodland. under woodland wherever possible.

Field Boundaries:

Consumption Medium- High magnitude and Modified onshore Low Not significant , dykes high potentially significant export cable route to adverse, short- due to physical effect avoid consumption term, resulting from loss of dykes and/or reinstate reversible characteristic following cable consumption dyke installation. features.

Farmland:

Arable farmland Low Medium-high Reinstate arable Medium Not significant , magnitude and farmland following adverse, short- potentially significant cable installation. term, due to physical effect reversible resulting from loss of characteristic arable farmland.

3 In tables 5.3.8 – 5.3.11, residual magnitude of change and significance of effect assume mitigation measures have been adopted.

5.3-42 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment oni Bay CCA Boyndie the CoastEast LCA South of and North Cliffs LandscapeCharacter: Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact

ih eim r high or Medium High and magnitude High High nhr epr cable route. export onshore from and modifiedfor excavation resulting cliff the edge to alteration landfall installation to cable from export Beach modified from resulting Inverboyndie disturbance and resulting effect physical to due potentially magnitude of arable land. and dykes consumption loss woodlands, deciduous characteristic from resulting effects to due potentially Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S

significant significant Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment

ihn h medium the term. occur within to be anticipated and would restoration permanent be not would loss but face cliff the of alteration or loss partial the in cable result would installation Cable installation. following land arable and dykes consumption Reinstate medium the term. occur within to be anticipated and would restoration permanent be not would loss but face cliff the of alteration or loss partial the to in result would installation Cable consolidatethe backfill. excavations the over wash to tides allow and installed are backfilled excavations cables export the once be any would and other pit Beach rlig o oe export cableunder woodland. bore to and drilling dykes directional use and/or characteristic consumption woodlands on effects onshore physical to avoid route cable export Modified tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms

farmland. across adjacent the low to medium and the beach across medium face top, cliff and cliff the of locale immediate withinthe high Medium- farmland. across adjacent the low to medium and the beach across medium face top, cliff and cliff the of locale immediate withinthe high Medium- effects. will significant undergo areas remaining the The works. construction of duration short- term the for top, cliff lasting and face cliff the including area localised a over effects reversible term, short- adverse, Significant effects. will significant undergo areas remaining the The works. construction of duration short- term the for top, cliff lasting and face cliff the including area localised a over effects reversible term, short- adverse, Significant tatement 5.3-43

, , not not

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Section 1 and 2: Coastal Farmland (Western Coastal Farmland LCA)

Table 5.3-9 Modified Onshore Export Cable Route Assessment: Landscape Character & Elements (Sections 1 & 2)

Landscape Sensitivity to Potential Effect Mitigation Measures Residual Significance of Element change Magnitude of Residual Effect Change Section 1 and 2: Coastal Farmland (Western Coastal Farmland LCA) Ancient Woodland: CF2 - Hills of High High magnitude and Modified onshore Negligible Not significant , Boyndie potentially significant export cable route to adverse, short- CF3 - Coach due to physical effect avoid physical effect term, Brae resulting from loss of on woodland or use reversible. CF4 - Hill of ancient woodland. directional drilling to Alvah bore export cable CF5 - Claret under woodland. Brae Woodland: CF1 - Cuttle Rig Medium High magnitude and Modified onshore Negligible Not significant , potentially significant export cable route to adverse, short- due to physical effect avoid physical effect term, resulting from loss of on woodland. reversible. characteristic deciduous scrub woodland. Field Boundaries: Consumption Medium- High magnitude and Modified onshore Low Not significant , dykes high potentially significant export cable route to adverse, short- due to physical effect avoid consumption term, resulting from loss of dykes and/or reinstate reversible characteristic following cable consumption dyke installation. features. Scrub Medium-low High magnitude and Modified onshore Low Not significant , hedgerows potentially significant export cable route to adverse, short- due to physical effect avoid scrub hedgerow term, resulting from loss of and/or reinstate reversible characteristic scrub following cable hedgerows. installation. Farmland: Arable farmland Low Medium-high Reinstate arable Medium Not significant , magnitude and farmland following adverse, short- potentially significant cable installation. term, due to physical effect reversible resulting from loss of characteristic arable farmland. Landscape Character: Western Coastal Medium High magnitude and Modified onshore Low Not significant , Farmland LCA potentially significant export cable route to adverse, short- due to effects resulting avoid physical effects term, from loss of on characteristic reversible characteristic ancient woodlands, woodlands, scrub consumption dykes and hedgerows, scrub hedgerows consumption dykes and and/or use directional arable land. drilling to bore export cable under woodland. Reinstate consumption dykes, scrub hedgerows and arable land following cable installation.

5.3-44 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Element Landscape FieldBoundaries: Agriculture Mixed / Arable Farmland: - RV4 Inverichnie Hillock Cormack’s - RV3 Berryton Cottage - RV2 - RV1 Govel Hill Woodland: Lower - Wanford RV5 AncientWoodland: of Den Inverichnie - RV6 Semi-naturalAncient Woodland: Section2:River Valley (Deveron and Upper YthanVa trees boundary Field hedgerows Scrub dykes Consumption Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact (Section2) As Route 5.3-10 Cable Modified Export Onshore Table Section 2: River Valley (Deveron and Upper Ythan Va Ythan Upper and (Deveron Valley River 2: Section change to Sensitivity o Medium-high Low high Medium- and magnitude High High and magnitude High High high Medium- and magnitude High Medium-low high Medium- PotentialEffect hrceitc arable farmland. of loss characteristic from and resulting effect physical to due potentially magnitude of loss woodland. from resulting effect physical to due and potentially magnitude High of loss ancient woodland. from resulting effect physical to due potentially ancient woodland. of loss semi-natural from resulting effect physical to due potentially hrceitc field boundarytrees. of loss characteristic from resulting effect physical to due and potentially magnitude High scrub hedgerows. of loss characteristic from resulting effect physical to due potentially dyke features. consumption of loss characteristic from resulting effect physical to due and potentially magnitude High Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S significant significant significant significant significant significant significant lleys LCA)lleys Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment

sessment: Landscape Character Elements & Landscape sessment: MitigationMeasures amad following arable cable installation. farmland Reinstate cable export under woodland. to bore drilling use or directional woodland effect on onshore physical to avoid route cable export Modified cable export under woodland. to bore drilling use or directional woodland effect on onshore physical to avoid route cable export Modified cable export under woodland. to bore drilling use or directional woodland effect on onshore physical to avoid route cable export Modified olwn cable installation. reinstate following and/or boundary trees onshore field to avoid route cable cable export reinstate Modified installation. following and/or onshore hedgerow scrub to avoid route cable export cable Modified installation. following consumption reinstate and/or dykes onshore to avoid route cable export Modified lleys LCA) LCA) lleys tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms Change of Magnitude Residual Medium Negligible Negligible Negligible Low Low Low ResidualEffect of Significance reversible term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible. term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible. term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible. term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible term, short- adverse, significant Not tatement 5.3-45 , , , , , , ,

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Landscape Character: Deveron and High High magnitude and Modified onshore Low Not significant , Upper Ythan potentially significant export cable route to adverse, short- Valleys LCA due to effects resulting avoid physical effects term, from loss of on characteristic reversible characteristic ancient woodlands, woodlands, scrub consumption dykes hedgerows, field scrub hedgerows and boundary trees, field boundary trees consumption dykes and and/or use directional arable land. drilling to bore export cable under woodland. Reinstate consumption dykes, scrub hedgerows, field boundary trees and arable land following cable installation.

5.3-46 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Element Landscape dykes Consumption Fieldboundaries: Medium-high Low FarmlandArable Farmland: Swanford of Bridge - AH11 Teuchar of Howe - AH10 AH9Boghead- AH8Castlehill- AH7Waterside- - of AH6Cairnhill- Hill Cotburn - AH5 Slackadale AH4 of AH3- Yonderton Mill Balmaud - AH2 Woodland: Balchers of Wood - AH1 AncientWoodland: Sections3,4Agricultural &5: Heartland(Agricult trees boundary Field hedgerows Scrub Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 4 (Sections 5) & 4 3, As Route 5.3-11 Cable Modified Export Onshore Table Sections 3, 4 and 5: Agricultural Heartland (Agricu Heartland Agricultural 5: and 4 3, Sections Woodof Balchers aisForestry Commissioncommerci change to Sensitivity high Medium- - high Medium Low high Medium- and magnitude High Medium-low 4 hscl fet unlikely effect Physical PotentialEffect osmto dyke features. consumption of loss characteristic from resulting effect physical to due and potentially magnitude High of loss woodland. from resulting effect physical to due and potentially magnitude High hrceitc field boundarytrees. of loss characteristic from resulting effect physical to due and potentially magnitude High scrub hedgerows. of loss characteristic from resulting effect physical to due potentially omril felling activities. with commercial forest as a plantation is Balchers significant of Wood be to hrceitc arable farmland. of loss characteristic from and resulting effect physical to due potentially magnitude Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S ural HeartlandLCA) significant significant significant significant significant Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS al plantational Assessment

sessment: Landscape Character Elements & Landscape sessment: MitigationMeasures olwn cable installation. following consumption reinstate and/or dykes onshore to avoid route cable export Modified woodland cable wherever possible. export under to bore drilling use or directional woodland effect on onshore physical to avoid route cable export Modified olwn cable installation. reinstate following and/or boundary trees onshore field to avoid route cable cable export reinstate Modified installation. following and/or onshore hedgerow scrub to avoid route cable export Modified o eurd Low requiredNot amad following arable cable installation. farmland Reinstate ltural Heartland LCA) LCA) Heartland ltural tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms Change of Magnitude Residual Low Negligible Low Low Medium ResidualEffect of Significance reversible. term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible. term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible term, short- adverse, significant Not tatement 5.3-47 , , , , , ,

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Landscape Character: Agricultural Medium High magnitude and Modified onshore Low Not significant , Heartlands LCA potentially significant export cable route to adverse, short- effect within cable avoid physical effects term, route corridor. on consumption dykes revsersible. scrub hedgerows and field boundary trees. Reinstate consumption dykes, scrub hedgerows, field boundary trees and arable farmland following cable installation.

Summary of Cable Route Construction Effects on Landscape/Seascape Character

5.3.4.74 The Cliffs of the North and South-East Coast LCA and Boyndie Bay CCA in which the modified export cable landfall and Section 1 of the modified onshore export cable route corridor are located have a high sensitivity to change. This increased sensitivity is primarily due to distinctive and cohesive coastal landforms, which define its character, and the frequency of settlement and recreational use of these coastal landscapes. The sensitivity of the physical landscape of Inverboyndie Beach is assessed as medium to low as the beach is relatively easy to restore. The main effects of the modified export cable landfall will result from the disturbance to Inverboyndie Beach resulting from modified export cable landfall installation and the presence of machinery on and around the beach. The beach pit and any other excavations would be backfilled once the export cables are installed and tides will wash over the excavations to consolidate the backfill. The magnitude of change resulting from the modified export cable landfall is assessed as medium and the effect as not significant , adverse, short-term and reversible.

5.3.4.75 The modified onshore export cable route will result in the partial loss or alteration of the cliff face at the hinterland area of Inverboyndie Beach, during cable installation works, but loss would not be permanent and restoration would be anticipated to occur within the medium term. The magnitude of change on the immediate coastal character in this area is assessed as medium-high, within the immediate locale of the cliff face and cliff top and medium to low across the adjacent farmland. Significant , adverse, short-term, reversible effects will arise over a localised area lasting for the short-term duration of the construction works.

5.3.4.76 All other LCAs within the modified OnTI Study Area will not experience significant effects on landscape character, providing that suitable mitigation measures are employed to avoid physical effects on the principal landscape features within these LCAs. In particular, the modified onshore export cable route will be sited or installed to avoid physical effects on areas of woodland and ancient woodland. The modified onshore export cable route will also be sited or installed to avoid physical effects on consumption dykes, scrub hedgerows and hedgerow trees where possible, and/or these features will be reinstated following cable installation. Arable farmland will be reinstated following cable installation.

Operation

5.3.4.77 During the operational stage, there will be no further loss or alteration to the physical elements of the landscape as a result of the modified onshore export cable route. The onshore export cable will be buried up to 1.5 m deep on land therefore during operation there will be no physical effects as a result of the onshore export cable elements on any landscape elements.

5.3-48 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment 5.3.4.79 Decommissioning 5.3.4.80 Construction (and Route Cable Export Onshore Modified of Effects Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.4.78

osbe o xrc te als eaiey aiy i easily, l relatively on decommiss during cable export onshore of the effect effect cables LCAs and limited elements landscape on change very of the magnitude with extract phase decommissioning to possible pre into inserted been la have cables physical Where on character. effect no in result will and in-situ the that anticipated is it decommissioning, During each visualreceptor is assessed assuming adoption ide aremeasures Appropriatemitigationmitigation. onshore the of effect potential the and sensitivity modifiedonshorec thebuffercableexportroute of se LCA each within effects visual main The 5.3-22). ro cable export onshore modified the along LCA each route the corridor.ofSections eachroutecable export to expor relating 5.3.14 onshore – 5.3.12 the Tables of in assessed construction the of effect The oiid nhr epr cbe il e elgbe an resulting negligible not be will operation during cable export onshore be change will cable of export magnitude onshore modified the context, this In Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment Landfall) on Visual Amenity Amenity on Visual Landfall) ndscape elements and landscape landscape and elements ndscape are mapped in detail accordingto detail in mappedare xot al cntuto, before construction, cable export significant of mitigation measures. eto o te oiid onshore modified the of section to ae dniid ihn 1 km 1 a within identified are ction orridor and an assessmenttheiroforridoran and onshore export cable will be left left be will cable export onshore ntified and the residual effect on effectresidual the and ntified ioning will be be will ioning d the effect of the modified modified the of effect the d cbe n iul mnt is amenity visual on cable t -installed ducts, it may prove prove may it ducts, -installed ute corridor (Figures 5.3-18 to 5.3-18 (Figures corridor ute from the operation of the the of operation the from tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms andscape receptors. The The receptors. andscape f required, during the the during required, f will be negligible and the the and negligible be will . . not significantnot tatement 5.3-49 . .

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Section 1: The Coast (Cliffs of the North and South East Coast LCA)

Table 5.3-12 Modified Onshore Export Cable Route Assessment: Visual Receptors (Section 1)

Visual Receptor Sensitivity to Potential Effect on Visual Mitigation Measures Residual Significance of change Amenity Magnitude of Residual Effect 5 Change

Section 1: The Coast (Cliffs of the North and South East Coast LCA and Boyndie Bay CCA)

Residents of main settlements/villages: Banff High Low magnitude and not Not required Low / Not significant , significant due to negligible adverse, short- intervening distance term, (800 m minimum) and reversible limited visibility of modified onshore export cable route from majority of Banff. Inverboyndie High Potentially high Onshore export cable Low Not significant , magnitude and route to be sited within adverse, short- significant due to views part of modified term, of cable installation onshore export cable reversible from residences in route corridor to Inverboyndie at close reduce/prevent visibility proximity. from Inverboyndie. Whitehills High Low magnitude and not Not required Low / Not significant , significant due to negligible adverse, short- intervening distance term, (550 m minimum) and reversible limited visibility of modified onshore export cable route from majority of Whitehills. Motorists using A and B Roads: A98 Medium Potentially high Modified onshore Medium- Significant , magnitude and export cable route to high over adverse, short- significant due to views avoid physical effect 500 m term, of cable installation on woodland and/or section of reversible over from A98 from short use directional drilling to the road 500 m section section of road bore export cable passing Burn of the road. between Banff, Mill of under Burn of Boyndie. of Boyndie / Not significant Boyndie and Ladybrae Black from majority Farm, and potential loss Hillocks. of the road. of deciduous woodland Low- in views over Burn of negligible Boyndie. from majority of the road. B9038 Medium Potentially high Reinstate consumption High over 1 Significant , magnitude and dykes and arable km section adverse, short- significant due to views farmland following of the road term, of cable installation cable installation. between reversible over from 1 km section of Kirkhill and 1 km section. B9038 between Kirkhill Mill of Not significant and Mill of Boyndie. Boyndie. from majority Low- of the road. negligible from majority of the road.

5 In tables 5.3.12 – 5.3.15, residual magnitude of change and significance of effect assume mitigation measures have been adopted.

5.3-50 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment VisualReceptor oe ah - Path Disused Railway Core Links Caravan Park and Banff Well Red between road Core sectionoff- Path / 1 NCN and Inverboyndie Kirkhill between road Core sectionon- Path / 1 NCN high Cyclists/walkers using routesdistancelong and loc Potentially Medium B9139 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact change to Sensitivity ih oetal high Potentially High high Potentially High high Potentially High Amenity Visual on Effect Potential junction. oe ah er il of Boyndie. Mill near path of core section installation m and 500 from cable of significant magnitude route.tothe Caravan coast Park Links Banff the 1 and Well Red between NCN along from cable route, export onshore on modifiedfor excavation the from resulting edge cliff to Beach alteration and Inverboyndie landfall installation cable export of views coast with the along and section route km 1 from significant magnitude and Inverboyndie. Kirkhill of between 1 section NCN installation km 1 and from cable of significant magnitude 93 na B9038 near of B9139 section installation m and 500 from cable of significant magnitude Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S t ls proximity close at u t views to due effect to due views to due u t views to due al paths: modified Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment of MitigationMeasures ihn h medium the term. occur within to be anticipated and would restoration permanent be not would loss but face cliff the of alteration or loss to partial the in result would installation Cable consolidatethe backfill. excavations the over wash to tides allow and installed are backfilled excavations cables export the once be any would and other pit Beach oe xot cable export Burnunder Boyndie. of bore and/or directionaluse drillingto woodland effect on onshore physical to avoid route cable export Modified following arable cable installation. and farmland dykes consumption Reinstate amad following arable cable installation. and farmland dykes consumption Reinstate tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms Change of Magnitude Residual junction. of the route.of majority from negligible Low- Banff Links. Well and Red between coast along route the of section km 1 over High Medium the route.of majority from negligible Low- . and Inverboyndie Kirkhill between road the of section km 1 over High of the road.of majority from negligible Low- B9038 near road between m of the section over 500 High ResidualEffect of Significance of the route.of majority from significant Not section.km1 over reversible term, short- adverse, Significant of the route.of majority from significant Not m500section. over reversible term, short- adverse, Significant the route.of majority from significant Not section.km1 over reversible term, short- adverse, Significant of the road.of majority from significant Not m500section. over reversible term, short- adverse, Significant tatement 5.3-51 , , , , 5

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

People taking part in other recreational activities: Inverboyndie High Potentially high Beach pit and any High Significant , Beach Users magnitude and other excavations adverse, short- significant due to views would be backfilled term, of modified export once the export cables reversible cable landfall are installed and allow installation on tides to wash over the Inverboyndie Beach excavations to and alteration to the consolidate the backfill. cliff edge resulting from Cable installation would excavation for modified result in the partial loss onshore export cable or alteration of the cliff route, at close face but loss would not proximity. be permanent and restoration would be anticipated to occur within the medium term. Banff Links High Potentially high Onshore export cable High Significant , Caravan Park magnitude and route to be sited within adverse, short- Visitors significant due to views part of modified term, of modified export onshore export cable reversible cable landfall route corridor to installation on reduce/prevent visibility Inverboyndie Beach from Caravan Park. and alteration to the Beach pit and any cliff edge resulting from other excavations excavation for modified would be backfilled onshore export cable once the export cables route, at close are installed and allow proximity. tides to wash over the excavations to consolidate the backfill. Cable installation would result in the partial loss or alteration of the cliff face but loss would not be permanent and restoration would be anticipated to occur within the medium term.

5.3-52 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section1and Coastal 2: Farmland (Western Coastal VisualReceptor 92 Mdu Ptnily high Potentially Medium high Potentially B9121 Medium A97 Motoristsusing A B Roads:and Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact As Route 5.3-13 Cable Modified Export Onshore Table Coastal (Western Farmland Coastal 2: and 1 Section change to Sensitivity Amenity Visual on Effect Potential ucin t close at junction between Mid Mid proximitytothe road. A97 and Culbeuchy B9121 between of section 2km from of installation and cable views intermittent significant magnitude Crow and Wood. of Hill Tipperty between of section A97 installation km 1 and from cable of significant magnitude Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S

u to due views to due FarmlandLCA) Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment sessment: Visual (Section 2) Receptors & 1 Visual sessment: MitigationMeasures amad following arable cable installation. and farmland dykes consumption Reinstate following arable cable installation. and farmland dykes consumption Reinstate Farmland LCA) LCA) Farmland tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms Change of Magnitude Residual of the road.of majority from negligible Low- the road.of section km 2 over high Medium- the road.of majority from negligible Low- the road.of section km 1 over high Medium- ResidualEffect of Significance of the road.of majority from significant Not road.the section km of2 over reversible term, short- adverse, Significant the road.of majority from significant Not road.the section km of1 over reversible term, short- adverse, Significant tatement 5.3-53 , ,

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Section 2: River Valley (Deveron and Upper Ythan Valleys LCA)

Table 5.3-14 Modified Onshore Export Cable Route Assessment: Visual Receptors (Section 2)

Visual Receptor Sensitivity to Potential Effect on Visual Mitigation Measures Residual Significance of change Amenity Magnitude of Residual Effect Change

Section 2: River Valley (Deveron and Upper Ythan Valleys LCA)

Residents of main settlements/villages: Kirktown of High Low/negligible due to Not required Low/ Not significant , Alvah intervening landform / negligible neutral, short- woodland screening. term, reversible Cyclists/walkers using long distance routes and local paths: NCN 1 / Core High Potentially high Reinstate consumption High over 2 Significant , Path magnitude and dykes and arable km section adverse, short- significant due to views farmland following of the route term, of cable installation cable installation. between reversible over from 2 km section of Lower 2 km section. NCN 1 / Core Path Wanford Not significant between Lower and Keilhill. from majority Wanford and Keilhill. Low- of the route. negligible from majority of the route.

5.3-54 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section3,and 4 Agricultural5: Heartland(Agricul VisualReceptor 90 Mdu Ptnily high Potentially Medium high B9105 Potentially Medium medium A947 high Motoristsusing A B Roads:and Potentially Potentially High high Cuminestown High Potentially Fintry High Keilhill Residents of mainsettlements/villages: ah Idoch Water high – Core Path / 1 NCN Cyclists/walkers using routesdistancelong and loc Potentially Medium B9170 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact As Route 5.3-14 Cable Modified Export Onshore Table Sections 3, 4 and 5: Agricultural Heartland (Agricu Heartland Agricultural 5: and 4 3, Sections change to Sensitivity ih oetal high Potentially High Amenity Visual on Effect Potential ot between and Auchry.Castleof Cuminestown route of installation section km and 1.5 from cable of significant magnitude 90 na Craigston CastleFintryand near of section B9105 installation km 2 and from cable of significant magnitude and Montbletton of Bogside between section A947 installation km 2 and from cable of significant magnitude at in distances over300 m. residences Cuminestown installation and from cable of significant magnitude closeat proximity. installation and Fintry in residences from cable of significant close magnitude at in proximity. residences Keilhill installation and from cable of significant magnitude 97 between and Auchry.Castleof Cuminestown B9170 of installation section km and 1.5 from cable of significant magnitude Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S u t views to due u t views to due views to due views to due views to due views to due u t views to due tural HeartlandLCA) al paths: Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment sessment: Visual (Section 5) & Receptors 4 3, Visual sessment: MitigationMeasures amad following arable cable installation. and farmland dykes consumption Reinstate amad following arable cable installation. and farmland dykes consumption Reinstate following arable cable installation. and farmland from dykes consumption Reinstate Cuminestown. modified visibility cable reduceto corridor route of export onshore part within sited be to route cable export Onshore modified fromvisibility Fintry. cable reduceto corridor route of export onshore part within sited be to route cable export Onshore modified fromvisibility Keilhill. cable reduceto corridor route of export onshore part within sited be to route cable export Onshore amad following arable cable installation. and farmland dykes consumption Reinstate ltural Heartland LCA) LCA) Heartland ltural tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms Change of Magnitude Residual of the road.of majority from negligible Low- the road.of section km 1.5 over high Medium- of the road.of majority from negligible Low- the road.of section km 2 over high Medium- the road.of majority from negligible Low- the road.of section km 2 over high Medium- Low Medium Medium of the road.of majority from negligible Low- the road.of section km 1.5 over high Medium- ResidualEffect of Significance of the route.of majority from significant Not the route.of section km 1.5 over reversible term, short- adverse, Significant of the road.of majority from significant Not road.the section km of2 over reversible term, short- adverse, Significant the road.of majority from significant Not road.the section km of2 over reversible term, short- adverse, Significant reversible term, short- adverse, significant Not reversible term, short- adverse, Significant reversible term, short- adverse, Significant of the road.of majority from significant Not the road.of section km 1.5 over reversible term, short- adverse, Significant tatement 5.3-55 , , , , , , ,

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Summary of Cable Route Construction Effects on Visual Amenity

5.3.4.81 The coastal areas of Boyndie Bay in which the modified export cable landfall and Section 1 of the modified onshore export cable route corridor are located, have a higher concentration of visual receptors than the remaining predominantly agricultural sections of the modified onshore export cable route corridor. In this coastal area, the main visual effects of the modified export cable landfall will result from views of modified export cable landfall installation on Inverboyndie Beach and alteration to the cliff edge resulting from excavation for modified onshore export cable route, and the presence of machinery on the beach, which will include drill rigs and cable barges and which will appear large in scale.

5.3.4.82 The magnitude of change to views resulting from the modified export cable landfall and modified onshore export cable route installation is assessed as high on cyclists/walkers using short sections of NCN 1 and the core path alongside Inverboyndie Beach and for recreational users of Inverboyndie Beach and Banff Links Caravan Park. The visual effect of the modified export cable landfall and modified onshore export cable route installation is assessed as significant and adverse on these receptors, but of short-term duration and reversible. The beach pit and any other excavations would be backfilled once the export cables are installed and tides will wash over the excavations to consolidate the backfill. The modified onshore export cable route will result in the partial loss or alteration of the cliff face at the hinterland area of Inverboyndie Beach, during cable installation, but loss would not be permanent and restoration would be anticipated to occur within the medium term.

5.3.4.83 The visual effect of the modified export cable landfall and modified onshore export cable route installation is assessed as not significant on residents of Banff, Inverboyndie and Whitehills. Significant adverse but short-term and reversible visual effects will be experienced by residents of Keilhill and Fintry, due to the proximity of the modified onshore export cable route in views from these small villages in the agricultural heartlands.

5.3.4.84 Significant adverse but short-term and reversible visual effects will be experienced by motorists on short sections of several roads that pass through the modified onshore export cable route corridor, including the A97, A98, A947, B9038, B9105, B9121, B9139 and B9170. In all cases, the significant effects on views arising from the modified onshore export cable route installation will occur over short sections of these routes, typically from short localised sections of the roads which approach and pass through the 500 m modified onshore export cable route corridor, where there may be fleeting views of the cable installation at close range, and often on either side of the public road. The effect of the onshore export cable installation will be not significant from extensive sections of these A and B roads within the OnTI Study Area which generally will not allow motorists visibility of the modified onshore export cable route due to intervening landform and woodland screening in the landscape.

Operation

5.3.4.85 During the operational stage, the onshore export cable will be buried up to 1 m deep therefore during operation therefore there will be no further alteration to views as a result of the modified onshore export cable. In this context, the magnitude of change on views experienced from all visual receptors resulting from the operation of the modified onshore export cable will be negligible and the effect of the modified onshore export cable during operation will be not significant, neutral, long term and reversible .

5.3-56 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Agricultural Heartlands LCA Heartlands Agricultural 5.3.4.87 Effect of Onshore Substations on Landscape Characte on Landscape Substations Onshore of Effect Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.4.86 Decommissioning

the character of this LCA within the onshore substa onshore the LCA within of this character the Figures in them, from shown views existing the and located all are 8 – 1 Viewpoints height. in 75-80m consis generally landscape, Heartlands Agricultural t vis are Balquhindachy, turbines wind Further (>30m). of turbines farm Hill at cluster turbine three a a of consisting Area, Study substation onshore the e occasionally only are farmsteads scale large with Cuminestow and Deer New as such villages larger and and well-set hedges relatively this in frequent are Farmsteads fence-lines, including la vary, this in boundaries blocks, coniferous small in occasionally al shelterbelts in trees broad-leaved of scattering t Bennachie of skyline upland the to views distance enclosure. al provides also landform but rolling landscape, surrounding The pasture. and arable of predomi land is use land the which in Buchan, & Banff of the typifies unit Agric Heartland Agricultural The 5.3.3. the t in in described are located LCA this for is conditions baseline area substation onshore The il e elgbe n te fet f h osoe ex onshore the of effect the and negligible be will decommissioning be will o change of magnitude The decommis amenity. visual the on effect during required, if easily, prov relatively may it ducts, pre-installed into v inserted and been views on effect no in result will and in-situ the that anticipated is it decommissioning, During Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S not significantnot Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment , neutral, short-term and reversible. reversible. and short-term ,neutral, r and Elements Elements and r characteristic agricultural heartland heartland agricultural characteristic tled landscape, as are small hamlets hamlets small are as landscape, tled ible and characteristic in the wider the in characteristic and ible sa aeiy Wee als have cables Where amenity. isual single wind turbine at Cairnhill and Cairnhill at turbine wind single ong hill-ridges, around farms and, and, farms around hill-ridges, ong rge scale agricultural plain. Field Field plain. agricultural scale rge tion Study Area. Area. Study tion he landscape baseline in Section Section in baseline landscape he within the Agricultural Heartlands Heartlands Agricultural the within gte wt svrl ml scale small several with ogether onshore export cable will be left left be will cable export onshore ting of between 1 – 3 turbines of of turbines 3 – 1 between of ting e possible to extract the cables cables the extract to possible e 5.3-30 to 5.3-37 are indicative of indicative are 5.3-37 to 5.3-30 sioning phase with very limited limited very with phase sioning vident in the part of the LCA in in LCA the of part the in vident o the south. There is a frequent frequent a is There south. the o hr ae cainly longer occasionally are There os oe pn iw o the of views open some lows agricultural scale, large nantly n views and visual receptors receptors visual and views n the occasional stone dyke. dyke. stone occasional the ultural Heartlands LCA. The The LCA. Heartlands ultural n. Wind turbines associated associated turbines Wind n. tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms ot al during cable port tatement 5.3-57

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Sensitivity to Change

5.3.4.88 The sensitivity of the Agricultural Heartland LCA to change resulting from the onshore substations is assessed in Table 5.3-15.

Table 5.3-15 Agricultural Heartlands LCA – Sensitivity to Change (Onshore Substations)

Agricultural Heartland LCA – Sensitivity to Change

Value: Medium

• Agricultural Heartlands LCA is not subject to any scenic landscape designation. • The innate character of the landscape has been subject to modification mainly through intensive farming, which influences the scenic and perceptual quality. • The Agricultural Heartlands cover an extensive area within Aberdeenshire and are not rare in the region, being representative of a wide area of intensive farmland. • The LCA is well settled with frequent farmsteads, but is not notably valued for recreation, although there is some local recreational use. • There are valued views of the upland skyline formed by Bennachie and its adjacent uplands to the south.

Susceptibility to change: Medium

Factors which increase susceptibility to change

• Landscape change on rolling landform could be visually prominent, where there are open views of the landscape, and influence the character of the LCA. • The LCA is well settled, with frequent farmsteads and small hamlets, but few larger village and settlements. • Electrical infrastructure and buildings within the onshore substations are likely to appear largely in conjunction with agricultural landscape patterns and features, in a rural landscape context. • The scale of the potential substations is large compared to existing development influences within this rural area.

Factors which decrease susceptibility to change

• Appropriately sited and designed development may appear to be accommodated within the broad, large scale rolling landform and may be contained by subtle undulations in landform. • Woodland shelterbelts increase enclosure in the landscape and reduce the likelihood to experience change as a result of the onshore substations. • Additional screening of the onshore substations through woodland planting would enhance key characteristic of the LCA. • Onshore substations are likely to appear in conjunction with large scale farm buildings, linear elements such as field boundaries and tracks, and existing electrical infrastructure such as the main 275kV electrical line/pylons. • The LCA has relatively few visual receptors that experience the landscape character, with very limited recreational activity and few main road routes. • Landscape change caused by onshore substations may have some associations with the existing wind energy generation characteristics of this landscape unit.

Sensitivity to change: Medium

5.3-58 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact LCA Magnitud – Heartlands Agricultural 5.3-16 Table 5.3.4.89 Magnitude of Change Change of Magnitude • • • • Area7 – YthanStrath Farmland Area6 – Northern RollingLowlands (Balquhindachyt AreaCuminestown,5 – HoweofTeuchar toFyvie tot AreaAllathan4 – toBalthangie tothe north AreaCairnbanno3 – to New Deertothe north-east AreaLittle2 – Water, tolow-lying thearea east AreaSubstations1 – area surroundsand between Bur size or assessed the followingwithin areas ofthe LCA: scale The change. no or limited experience of parts western the Broadly, 6km. within generally Cuminest between and west; the in Muirtack/Upperton a ground elevated to immediately extending Swanford; land and Millbrex agricultural the to contained is experi thatmay LCT the of area Geographically,the • AllathanArea- 3 toBalthangie tothe north • CairnbannoArea- 2 toAuchmaliddie to the north-ea • Magnitudeofchange (construction/decommissioning) Agricult the from Development the of visibility The Geographic Extent: AgriculturalHeartland LCAMagnitude – of Change • • and Swanfordand Bur between surrounds and area Substations - 1 Area

reduced influenceonthe character ofthis area. containmentofthe substations the in landscape. block woodland and land agricultural undulating The the landform aroundthe 105m contour. high the avoids location substations indicative The which forms a more identifiable part of the skyline the of part identifiable more a forms which h cntuto poess il eut n hne i changes in result will processes construction The occupied bythe substations, accesstracks siteand t within farmland arable the on effect physical The this this area. distance resultingdistance ainreduced influencethe chon thesubstconstructiononshore of the of visibility th on appearing substations onshore of construction h cntuto o te nhr sbttos results substations onshore the of construction The results substations onshore the of construction The results substations onshore the of construction The stockpilingofmaterials that neededbe will during reve andconstruction compoundthe to due character Asconstructedare they the builtformand electric fenced buildingsand electrical infrastructure. uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing and compo buildings large development uncharacteristically the increase will forms built The

Heartland LCA is assessed in Table 5.3-16. 5.3-16. Table in LCA assessed is Heartland onshore the from resulting change of magnitude The Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S ations, due tointerveningscreeningi landformand due ations, o Braes o of Gight) h LT ihn h Suy ra t te et f Deer of west the to Area, Study the within LCT the rl erlns C i ilsrtd n h ZV n Fi in ZTV the in illustrated is LCA Heartlands ural Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS ence change as a result of visibility of the onshor the of visibility of result changea as ence he west Assessment nside,Asleid, Boghead, Millbrex Swanfordand st f h cag o te hrce o ti LA ais a varies LCA this of character the on change the of construction. in a small to moderate scale change on this area d area this on change scale moderate to small a in on te nhr sbttos ewe Brsd, Asl Burnside, between substations onshore the round al infrastructure appear will onthe open skyline. around Auchmaliddie in the east (south of New Deer New of (south east the in Auchmaliddie around nside, Asleid, Boghead, Millbrex Millbrex Boghead, Asleid, nside, aracterofthis area. the density and incidence of electrical infrastruc electrical of incidence and density the , instead being sited on the slightly lying western lying slightly the on sited being instead , in a small scale change on this area due to the lo the to due area this on change scale small a in infrastructure. r rud 10) o h es o te usain are substations the of east the to (110m) ground er gon cniin/rfls n te diin f th of addition the and conditions/profiles ground n e usain ae s otie t almtd footp limited a to contained is area substations he n mdrt t lre cl cag t te local the to change scale large to moderate a in e open skyline to the west, but at distance and wit and distance at but west, the to skyline open e w i te ot ad h Bas f ih t te sout the to Gight of Braes the and north the in own s, particularly within the Burn of Asleid, provide provide Asleid, of Burn the within particularly s, et wti te adcp b te nrdcin of introduction the by landscape the within nents rsible buildings, vehicles, machinery, cranes and t and machinery,cranesvehicles, buildings, rsible e of Change (Onshore Change of e Substations) substations on the Agricultural Agricultural the on substations tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms Local Low Mediumto low Mediumtohigh

e substations e ue 5.3-15. gure

ncreased part of of part

Hill, will will Hill, tatement ture in ture some ue to ue wer 5.3-59 a h d is nd rint he eid, ) to ) a, e h,

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Agricultural Heartland LCA – Magnitude of Change

Area 4 - Northern Rolling Lowlands (Balquhindachy to Braes of Gight) Low

• The construction of the onshore substations results in a small scale change on this area due to the lower visibility of the construction of the onshore substations, due to intervening landform screening, the position of the substations below the skyline and increased distance resulting in a reduced influence on the character of this area.

Area 5 - Ythan Strath Farmland Low

• The construction of the onshore substations results in a small scale change on this area due to the lower visibility of the construction of the onshore substations, due to intervening landform screening, the position of the substations below the skyline and increased distance resulting in a reduced influence on the character of this area.

Area 6 - Little Water, low-lying area to the east Negligible (no visibility)

Area 7 - Cuminestown, Howe of Teuchar to Fyvie to the west Negligible (no visibility)

Area 8 - New Deer, Clush to Knaven Negligible (no visibility)

Magnitude of change (operation):

Area 1 - Substations area and surrounds between Burnside, Asleid, Boghead, Millbrex Medium to high and Swanford

• The operation of the onshore substations results in a moderate to large scale change to the local character due to the presence of large scale electrical buildings and infrastructure, which will increase the developed character of the local landscape through the introduction of large buildings and electrical infrastructure. • The principal change to the local character will result from the contrast of the electrical infrastructure and buildings within the onshore substations within the predominantly agricultural setting and the scale/complexity of built forms compared to existing development influences within the area. • The operation of the onshore substations will result in further changes to ground conditions/profiles, the addition of fences, access roads and a very slight increase in vehicular movement in the local area. • Woodland and hedgerows will have been planted as part of the landscape mitigation scheme, but will have limited effect as components of the landscape until they are at least 5 years old.

Area 2 - Cairnbanno to Auchmaliddie to the north-east Medium to low

• The operation of the onshore substations results in a small to moderate scale change on this area due to the onshore substation buildings and electrical infrastructure appearing on the open skyline to the west, but at distance and with a reduced influence on the character of this area.

Area 3 - Allathan to Balthangie to the north Low

• The operation of the onshore substations results in a small scale change on this area due to the lower visibility of the onshore substation buildings and electrical infrastructure, due to intervening landform screening and increased distance resulting in a reduced influence on the character of this area.

Area 4 - Northern Rolling Lowlands (Balquhindachy to Braes of Gight) Low

• The operation of the onshore substations results in a small scale change on this area due to the lower visibility of the onshore substation buildings and electrical infrastructure, due to intervening landform screening, the position of the substations below the skyline and increased distance resulting in a reduced influence on the character of this area.

Area 5 - Ythan Strath Farmland Low

• The operation of the onshore substations results in a small scale change on this area due to the lower visibility of the onshore substation buildings and electrical infrastructure, due to intervening landform screening, the position of the substations below the skyline and increased distance resulting in a reduced influence on the character of this area.

Area 6 - Little Water, low-lying area to the east Negligible (no visibility)

Area 7 - Cuminestown, Howe of Teuchar to Fyvie to the west Negligible (no visibility)

Area 8 - New Deer, Clush to Knaven Negligible (no visibility)

5.3-60 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact

• • Area- 8 New Deer,toClush Knaven Cuminestown,Area- 7 Howe ofTeucharto Fyvie tot LittleArea- 6 Water, low-lying areatothe east • Area- 5 Ythan Strath Farmland • Area- 4 Northern Rolling Lowlands (Balquhindachyt • AllathanArea- 3 toBalthangie tothe north • CairnbannoArea- 2 toAuchmaliddie to the north-ea • Magnitudeofchange (operation 15 years– conspost AgriculturalHeartland LCAMagnitude – of Change • and Swanfordand Bur between surrounds and area Substations - 1 Area

Native woodland and hedgerows around the onshore su onshore the aroundhedgerows and woodland Native of the LCA,of increasing deciduous coverwoodland and the onshorethe substation buildings and electrical inf native shelterbeltswoodland thearound onshore sub The operation of the onshore substations, post a 15 substations, a onshorepostthe operation of The characterthe of local landscapethrough the introd andreduced with a influencethe characteron ofth electricalbuild scale large presenceof the to due h oeain f h osoe usain rsls in results substations onshore the of operation The in results substations onshore the of operation The in results substations onshore the of operation The infrastructureelectrical and buildings substation in results substations onshore the of operation The substationsin results onshore the of operation The The principal change to the local character will re will character local the to change principal The ulig wti te nhr sbttos ihn the within substations onshore the scale/complexityofbuilt forms comparedto existin within buildings influencethe characteron ofthis area. and th below substations buildings the of position substation the screening, onshore the of visibility influencethe characteron ofthis area. and th below substations buildings the of position substation the screening, onshore the of visibility and buildings substation screening and increaseddistance resulting ainred onshore the of visibility Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S

o Braes o of Gight) he west Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment appearing on the open skyline to the west, but at d at but west, the to skyline open the on appearing st truction): rastructure. a moderate to large scale change to the local char local the tochange scale large tomoderate a ings and infrastructure, which will increase the de increasethe infrastructure, will and which ings nside, Asleid, Boghead, Millbrex Millbrex Boghead, Asleid, nside, year planting establishment period, will include m include plantingyearestablishment period,will gdevelopment influencesthe within area. sults from the contrast of the electrical infrastru electrical the of contrast the from sults uced influence onthe character ofthis area. sal cl cag o ti ra u t te onsho the to due area this on change scale small a e skyline and increased distance resulting in a red a in resulting distance increased and skyline e red a in resulting distance increased and skyline e uctionof buildings large electricaland infrastruc sal cl cag o ti ae de o h lower the to due area this on change scale small a lower the to due area this on change scale small a lower the to due area this on change scale small a is area. is lcrcl nrsrcue de o nevnn landf intervening to due infrastructure, electrical landf intervening to due infrastructure, electrical landf intervening to due infrastructure, electrical stations,visuallycontain which screenand will mu connecting areas of existingshelterbelt woodland. bstations would enhance these key characteristicskey these enhance would bstations rdmnnl arclua stig n the and setting agricultural predominantly

tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms Low Negligible(no visibility) Negligible(no visibility) Negligible(no visibility) Low Low Low within sitethe only) (high Medium

cture and cture veloped ture. istance aturing tatement acter uced uced chof orm orm orm 5.3-61

re

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Significance of Effect

5.3.4.90 The significance of effect on the Agricultural Heartlands LCA is summarised in Table 5.3-17.

Table 5.3-17 Agricultural Heartlands LCA – Significance of Effect (Onshore Substations)

Agricultural Heartland LCA – Significance of Effect

Significance of Effect (construction/decommissioning):

Area 1 - Substations area and surrounds between Burnside, Asleid, Significant , adverse, short-term, Boghead, Millbrex and Swanford reversible

Area 2 - Cairnbanno to Auchmaliddie to the north-east Not significant, adverse, short-term, Area 3 - Allathan to Balthangie to the north reversible Area 4 - Northern Rolling Lowlands (Balquhindachy to Braes of Gight) Area 5 - Ythan Strath Farmland

Area 6 - Little Water, low-lying area to the east Not significant , neutral, short-term, Area 7 - Cuminestown, Howe of Teuchar to Fyvie to the west reversible Area 8 - New Deer, Clush to Knaven

Significance of Effect (operation):

Area 1 - Substations area and surrounds between Burnside, Asleid, Significant , adverse, long-term, Boghead, Millbrex and Swanford reversible

Area 2 - Cairnbanno to Auchmaliddie to the north-east Not significant, adverse, long-term, reversible Area 3 - Allathan to Balthangie to the north Area 4 - Northern Rolling Lowlands (Balquhindachy to Braes of Gight) Area 5 - Ythan Strath Farmland

Area 6 - Little Water, low-lying area to the east Not significant , neutral, long-term, Area 7 - Cuminestown, Howe of Teuchar to Fyvie to the west reversible Area 8 - New Deer, Clush to Knaven

Significance of Effect (operation – 15 years post construction):

Area 1 - Substations area and surrounds between Burnside, Asleid, Significant , adverse, long-term, Boghead, Millbrex and Swanford reversible within the site. Not significant, adverse, long-term, reversible.

Area 2 - Cairnbanno to Auchmaliddie to the north-east Not significant, neutral, long-term, Area 3 - Allathan to Balthangie to the north reversible Area 4 - Northern Rolling Lowlands (Balquhindachy to Braes of Gight) Area 5 - Ythan Strath Farmland Area 6 - Little Water, low-lying area to the east Area 7 - Cuminestown, Howe of Teuchar to Fyvie to the west Area 8 - New Deer, Clush to Knaven

Effects of Onshore Substations on Visual Amenity

5.3.4.91 The effects of the onshore substations on visual amenity are assessed through a viewpoint assessment from eight representative viewpoints in the onshore substations Study Area. These viewpoints are primarily representative of the residential receptors and minor road network in the locality, with few other receptors in the local area. The sensitivity of each viewpoint is assessed based on the value of the view and the

5.3-62 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact of Asleid Mains Upper 1: Viewpoint 5.3-18 Table Viewpoint 1 Upper Mains of Asleid - Figure 5.3-30 5.3-30 Figure Asleid - of Mains Upper 1 Viewpoint the vicinitythe of UpperAsleid Mainsof and bymotori • • • Factors which increasesusceptibility: Susceptibilitytochange: • Value: Sensitivity to change Elevation:103 m • view:Existing represen is It Burnend. and Burnside of settlements the on located is viewpoint The location: Viewpoint View direction:282 reference: Grid 383600 844428 Baselineconditions Viewpoint Upper1: Mains of Asleid • • • • • • • • • •

The character of the landscape visible is not rare not is visible landscape the of character The Fieldboundaries generally determinedby post and w Land useLand primarily arable farmland. h ve i nt fral rcgie vepit no affordedparticular protection through planning viewpoint,pol recognised formally a not is view The Rural landscape. adcp, uh s hlebls woln bok an rel blocks rural/agriculturalcharacter that interest indicative ofis woodland and shelterbelts, as qualities such scenic landscape, some has view The ag o vgtto, nldn woln shelterbelt adjacenttothe BurnAlseid of alongandthe skylin woodland including vegetation, of Range The view The hassome local interesttothedue panoram The The largescale electrical pylonsand overhead line Aberdeenshire. Gently rolling landform of subtle undulations, with undulations, subtle of landform rolling Gently dropping steeplymore the into ofBurnAsleid toap accessible,although not will experiencedbe by lar The viewpoint is located on a minor road adjacent t adjacent road minor a on located is viewpoint The Networkofminor roads singleand track farm access East Swanford.East tr lines overhead and pylons electrical scale Large Swanford). Areas of higher ground in the wider landscape visib landscape wider the in ground higher of Areas Scattered detached houses and farmsteads (includingfarmsteadsand houses detached Scattered containingviews. viewpoints are assessed in Tables 5.3.18 – 5.3.25. 5.3.25. – 5.3.18 Tables in whe assessed are viewpoints effects The construction maturity. approaching post be years will proposals 15 operation during and construction/deco during assessed is scal viewpoint each and extent magnitu geographic The substations. onshore the the from resulting on based assessed is the experiencing people of change to susceptibility Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S ststravelling towardsnorth Burnside alongthe min tative of the view experienced by residents of the of residents by experienced view the of tative the Agriculturalthe Heartlands. Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment mnr odwihle t te at f h st, bet site, the of east the to lies which road minor e. elevations generally between 100-110m AOD, althoug AOD, 100-110m between generally elevations proximately AOD.95m averse the substation area between Mains of Asleid of Mains between area substation the averse genumbers of people. s traversewhich the view influence scenicits qual and such views are available across large parts of of parts large across available are views such and

icy. lanes. ic vista overtheic landscape.wide le in the distance, particularly to the west of the of west the to particularly distance, the in le ire fences,ire as as somewell consumption dykes. de i oelo a eintd adcp, o s no is so landscape, designated a overlook it does r Residents –High, Road users – medium Mediumto low Distance:282m o the properties at Upper Mains of Asleid so is eas is so Asleid of Mains Upper at properties the o large agricultural buildings at North Milbrex and NorthMilbrex at buildingsagricultural large ad lcs f oieos odad particularly woodland, coniferous of blocks and s tn t te atrs n faue vsbe n the in visible features and patterns the to ating ps ad ie il budre, s el s the as well as boundaries, field wire and post d de and significance of effect for effect of significance and de view. The magnitude of change change of magnitude The view. of the onshore substations on on substations onshore the of mmissioning, during operation operation during mmissioning, tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms n the woodland planting planting woodland the n e or size of the change change the of size or e or road. or properties in properties en the ween ities. tatement site, rural and East 5.3-63 ily h t

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Viewpoint 1: Upper Mains of Asleid

• The view will be experienced by residents in the vicinity of Upper Mains, although none of these properties have their main aspects towards the onshore substations they would have visibility from parts of the properties and external areas. • Views to the east are confined by a belt of woodland so that the only open views from this part of the minor route are towards the west. • The view is generally rural in character with some development characteristics.

Factors which decrease susceptibility:

• The view will be experienced for a short duration by road users, whose main attention may not be focused on their wider surroundings and will experience the site transiently at moderate speeds. • Upper Mains of Asleid is afforded screening to the west and north by existing shelterbelt woodland. • The view has some existing development characteristics and displays characteristics of a human influenced landscape.

Sensitivity to change: Residents – High to medium, Road users- medium-low

Magnitude of change (construction/decommissioning)

Duration: Short

Geographic extent: Short distance

• Onshore substations are visible at close range - approx. 200m-500m for approximately 1km of the minor road. • Range, direction and extent of visibility akin to residential properties as above.

Size or scale of change: Large

• The construction of the onshore substations results in a large scale change in the view due to the construction compound and temporary buildings, vehicles, machinery, cranes and the stockpiling of materials that will be needed during construction. • The access to the site and its use will extend the notable construction area to the east of the Onshore Substation Area to where it connects with the minor road. • The construction processes will result in changes in ground conditions/profiles and the addition of the fenced buildings and electrical infrastructure. • Task and vehicle lighting may be used in the hours of darkness – but only during approved working hours. • Lighting of the substations will be visible at times, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passive infra-red) and the onshore substations will not be permanently lit. • As they are constructed the built form and electrical infrastructure will obscure visibility of the rolling landscape beyond. • The built forms will increase the development components within the landscape by the introduction of uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing the density and incidence of electrical infrastructure in this area. • Some separation of substations from minor road by open fields, maintaining the agricultural foreground.

Magnitude of change: High over short duration

Magnitude of change (operation)

Duration: Long term

Geographic extent: Short distance

• Onshore substations are visible at close range – approx. 200m-500m for approximately 1km of the minor road. • Range, direction and extent of visibility akin to residential properties as above.

Size or scale of change: Large

5.3-64 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact • • • • 15 years post construction: Residents – – Residents years15 post construction: Operation: Construction/decommissioning: Significanceof effect Magnitudeofchange: • scaleSize or change: of • Geographic extent: Magnitudeof change (operation 15 - yearspost cons Magnitudeofchange: • Viewpoint Upper1: Mains of Asleid • • • • • •

the generalthe landscapecharacter. The native woodland is characteristic of this lands this of characteristic is woodland native The this this area – however,these be will muchnotice less Someseparation substations of from minorroad byo this this area. Lighting of the substations will be visible at time at visible be substationswill the of Lighting and theand onshore substations not will permanentlybe odad n hdeos il ae en lne bt w but planted been have landscapeuntil they atare leastyears5 old. will hedgerows and Woodland The operation of the onshore substations, post a 15 a post substations,onshore the of operation The ap – range close at visible are substations Onshore onshoreresulthesubstationsoperation of The will and theand native woodlandthatto be plantedis aroun in electrical and buildings of parts upper the only this from location. infrastructu electrical and buildings fenced the of Range, directionand extent of visibility akintor minor road.minor uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing and buildings compo large uncharacteristically development the increase will forms built The The The buildingsand electrical infrastructure ob will Lighting of the substations will be visible at time at visible be substationswill the of Lighting and theand onshore substations not will permanentlybe uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing and buildings compo large uncharacteristically development the increase will forms built The The The buildingsand electrical infrastructure plaand Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S esidential propertiesas above. s, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (pass lighting passive be to assumed is this but s, s, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (pass lighting passive be to assumed is this but s, scurevisibility the rollingof landscape beyond. Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment truction) t in changes in ground conditions/profileschangesground thein tin and ntingobscure will visibilityofthe rolling landsc able,particularly the trees/hedgeswhen are in lea cape within the wider area and so will not contrast not will so and area wider the within cape frastructure being visible above close range hedger range close above visible being frastructure re across approximately 34 degrees of the field of of field the of degrees 34 approximately across re the density and incidence of electrical infrastruc electrical of incidence and density the the density and incidence of electrical infrastruc electrical of incidence and density the year planting establishment period, will result in result will period,establishment planting year lit. lit. penfields, maintaining the agricultural foreground dthe substation site, Significant, Significant, Medium Large Shortdistance overHigh durationlong Road users – – users Road reversible et wti te adcp b te nrdcin of introduction the by landscape the within nents et wti te adcp b te nrdcin of introduction the by landscape the within nents rx 20-0m o apoiaey k o the of 1km approximately for 200m-500m prox. l hv ltl efc a cmoet o the of components as effect little have ill adverse, long-term, reversible adverse, short-term, reversible Significant, o significant, not tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms des, og em reversible, term, long adverse, des, og term, long adverse, ape ape beyond. ive infra-red) ive ive infra-red) ive views ofviews addition f. ture in ture ture in ture tatement . with with view ows 5.3-65

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Viewpoint 2 Burnside of Milbrex - Figure 5.3-31

Table 5.3-19 Viewpoint 2: Burnside of Milbrex

Viewpoint 2: Burnside of Milbrex

Baseline conditions

Grid reference: 383071 843952 Elevation: 102 m

View direction: 0 degrees Distance: 337 m

Viewpoint location: This viewpoint is located at the junction between Burnside of Milbrex access and the minor road running along the onshore substation areas southern boundary. It is representative of the view experienced by motorists travelling east along the minor road, residents coming and going from Burnside of Millbrex and also shows how the property at Burnside of Milbrex relates to the area.

• Existing view: • Rural landscape. • Land use primarily arable farmland and grazing land. • Field boundaries generally determined by post and wire fences. • Range of vegetation, including woodland shelterbelts and blocks of coniferous woodland, particularly adjacent to the Burn of Alseid, which lies just out of view in the middle ground valley. • Occasional scrubby/riparian trees along Burn of Asleid. • Gently rolling landform of subtle undulations contains views, with elevations generally between 100-110m AOD. View overlooks the Burn of Asleid’s valley, where the elevation drops to approximately 95m AOD. • Access route to Burnside of Millbrex with farmhouse and steading beyond. • Swanford visible on the distant skyline. • Large scale electrical pylons and overhead lines traverse the substation area and are visible across the skyline in much of the view.

Sensitivity to change

Value: Medium-low

• The view is not a formally recognised viewpoint, nor does it overlook a designated landscape, so is not afforded particular protection through planning policy. • Some local interest in the view for its open outlook towards Slacks of Cairnbanno and views of the Burn of Asleid when driving eastwards along the minor road. • The viewpoint is located on a minor road adjacent to the property at Burnside of Milbrex so is easily accessible, although will not be experienced by large numbers of people. • The fields are large and hedgerows have been removed so that the landscape has lost some of its defined pattern. • The constrained extent of the view and lack of hedgerows limits its scenic qualities. • The landscape of the view is not rare or remarkable in any way and it is representative of the rural/agricultural character that is indicative of the wide-spread Agricultural Heartlands. • The large scale electrical pylons and overhead lines which traverse the view influence its scenic qualities.

Susceptibility to change: Residents of farm – medium, Road users- medium-low

Factors which increase susceptibility:

• The view will be experienced by residents of Burnside of Millbrex as they approach and move around outside their property. Views from the farmhouse are obscured by intervening trees and buildings. • The view is generally rural in character with some development characteristics.

Factors which decrease susceptibility:

5.3-66 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact • • • • • • • Size scaleSize or change: of • Geographic extent: Duration: Magnitudeof change (operation) Magnitudeofchange: • scaleSize or change: of • Geographic extent: Duration: Magnitudeof change (construction/decommissioning) Sensitivitytochange: • Viewpoint Burnside2: of Milbrex • • •

landscape. The view has some existing development characteristdevelopmentexisting some has view The farm farm buildingsalongthe Burn Asleid. of Burnside of Milbrex is afforded screening to the no the to screening afforded is Milbrex of Burnside on their on widersurroundings andexperience will the Task Task vehicleand lighting bemay used thein hours buildings and electrical infrastructure. construction The processesresult changes will in i and theand onshore substations not will permanentlybe Lighting of the substations will be visible at time at visible be substationswill the of Lighting Closer rangeCloser views available from accesstrack toB rangeCloser views available from accesstrack toB the minorthe road. vehi buildings, thatmaterials be will neededduring construction. temporary and compound construction minorthe road. Onshore substations are visible at close range - ap - range close at visible are substations Onshore results substations onshore the of construction The ap - range close at visible are substations Onshore b duration short a for experienced be will view The Asconstructedare they the builtformand electric uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing and buildings large uncharacteristically h bit om wl ices te eeomn compo development the increase will forms built The minor roadminor and farmaccess. The open agricultural foreground and burn corridor burn and foreground agricultural open The this this area. Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S s, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (pass lighting passive be to assumed is this but s, Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment nground conditions/profiles theand thaddition of

al infrastructure appear will onthe open skyline. site transiently at moderatespeeds. ofdarkness only– but duringapproved working hour rth and east by existing shelterbelt woodland aroun woodland shelterbelt existing by east and rth the density and incidence of electrical infrastruc electrical of incidence and density the prox. 300m-500m intermittently for approximately 1k approximately for intermittently 300m-500m prox. 1k approximately for intermittently 300m-500m prox. urnsideof Millbrex. urnsideof Millbrex. y road users, whose main attention may not be focus be not may attention main whose users, road y lit. provide a separation between the substations and th and substations the between separation a provide n lre cl cag i te iw u t the to due view the in change scale large a in ics and displays characteristics of a human influenhuman a of characteristics displays and ics Large Shortdistance Longterm High Large Shortdistance Shortterm Residents –medium, Road users - medium-low et wti te adcp b te nrdcin of introduction the by landscape the within nents ls mciey cae ad h sokiig of stockpiling the and cranes machinery, cles, tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms ive infra-red) ive

e fenced e tatement ture in in ture d the d s. m of m of m ced 5.3-67 ed e

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Viewpoint 2: Burnside of Milbrex

• The operation of the onshore substations will result in changes in ground conditions/profiles and the addition of the fenced buildings and electrical infrastructure across approximately 34 degrees of the field of view from this location. • Woodland and hedgerows will have been planted but will have little effect as components of the landscape until they are at least 5 years old. • Lighting of the substations will be visible at times, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passive infra-red) and the onshore substations will not be permanently lit. • The buildings and electrical infrastructure will be seen on the skyline. • The built forms will increase the development components within the landscape by the introduction of uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing the density and incidence of electrical infrastructure in this area. • The open agricultural foreground and burn corridor provide a separation between the substations and the minor road and farm access.

Magnitude of change: High

Magnitude of change (operation – 15 years post construction)

Duration: Long term

Geographic extent: Short distance

• Onshore substations are visible at close range - approx. 300m-500m intermittently for approximately 1km of the minor road. • Closer range views available from access track to Burnside of Millbrex.

Size or scale of change: Large

• The operation of the onshore substations, post a 15 year planting establishment period, will result in views of only the upper parts of buildings and electrical infrastructure being visible on the skyline above the native woodland that is to be planted around the substation site, • Lighting of the substations will be visible at times, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passive infra-red) and the onshore substations will not be permanently lit. • The built forms will increase the development components within the landscape by the introduction of uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing the density and incidence of electrical infrastructure in this area – however, these will be much less noticeable, particularly when the trees/hedges are in leaf. • The native woodland is characteristic of this landscape within the wider area and so will not contrast with the general landscape character.

Magnitude of change: Medium

Significance of effect

Construction/decommissioning: Significant, adverse, short-term, reversible

Operation: Significant, adverse, long-term, reversible

Operation 15 years post construction Not significant, adverse, long-term, reversible

5.3-68 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact Neuk The 3: Viewpoint 5.3-20 Table Viewpoint 3 The Neuk Figure 5.3-32 5.3-32 Neuk The 3 Figure Viewpoint • • • • • • Ssetblt ocag: Residents of houses – me Factors decreasewhich susceptibility: • Factors which increasesusceptibility: Susceptibility tochange: • Value: Sensitivity to change Distance:644 m Elevation:107 m • view:Existing v the of th representative is It Burnend. on and Burnside located is viewpoint This location: Viewpoint View direction:180 degrees reference: Grid 383121 845364 Baselineconditions ViewpointThe 3: Neuk • • • • • • • • southernsides th ofThe Neuk property tolikelyis ob along Burnend towards south travelling motorists •

Large scaleLarge openfields. Turbinesat HaddoGordonstownand visible Hill tot Large scaleLarge electrical pylons overheadand trlines Scattereddetached houses farmsteadsand thein wid Fieldboundaries generally determinedby post and w Land useLand primarily arable farmland. Viewsfrom The Neuk tolikely be obscuredgarden by no viewpoint, recognised formally a not is view The Rural landscape. affordedparticular protection through planning pol and theand planting ofnon-native shelterbeltsalongsi The pattern of the landscape and its scenic quality scenic its andlandscape the of pattern The further influencescenic its qualities. The view represents some of the patterns and featur and patterns the of some represents view The ety oln lnfr o sbl udltos conta undulations subtle of landform rolling Gently AOD,droppingalthough more steeplythe Burninto o Burn ofBurnAlseid. bo field along characteristic shelterbelts Woodland The view The generallyis rural characterin some with Some local informalrecognition given is tothe vie High groundHigh locationaffords panoramic views overt numbersof peopleand there noare available stoppi The viewpoint is located on a minor road so is easi is so road minor a on located is viewpoint The h lre cl eetia pln, vred ie a lines overhead pylons, electrical scale large The south-west. Long-dis Heartlands. Agricultural the of indicative odad lcs n ps ad ie il boundaries, field wire and post and blocks woodland Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S

scurevisibility thisin direction following constr iew that may be experienced by residents of The Neu The of residents by experienced be may that iew Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment mnr od hc rn t te at f h st, be site, the of east the to runs which road minor e e minor road. Boundary planting around the western western the around planting Boundary road. minor e developmentcharacteristics. w for openitsoutlook w towards the south. de thede road. aversethe view onthe skyline. he ofthe west site. ac ves vr h rlig amad r vsbe t visible are farmland rolling the over views tance ly accessible, although will not be experienced by by experienced be not will although accessible, ly have been reduced through the removal of hedgerows removalof the through reducedbeen have icy. undaries adjacent to the minor road and alongside t alongside and road minor the to adjacent undaries n ves wt eeain gnrly ewe 105-11 between generally elevations with views, ins d ueos id ubns hc itrut h skyli the interrupt which turbines wind numerous nd he landscape. boundary planting. ng points. f Asleidf toapproximately 100m AOD. es which are characteristic of the landscape, such landscape, the of characteristic are which es ire fences.ire de i oelo a eintd adcp, o s no is so landscape, designated a overlook it does r Low erview. s el s h rrlarclua caatr ht i that character rural/agricultural the as well as tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms dium, Road users-medium-low uction. k and by and k tatement the o large tween 5.3-69 0m and ne he as s t

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Viewpoint 3: The Neuk

• The view will be experienced for a short duration by road users, whose main attention may not be focused on their wider surroundings and will experience the site transiently at moderate speeds. • The view has some existing development characteristics and displays characteristics of a human influenced landscape. • The Neuk is afforded screening to the south by existing shelterbelt woodland. • The development will be part of wide panoramic views available from this location.

Sensitivity to change: Medium to low

Magnitude of change (construction/decommissioning)

Duration: Short term

Geographic extent: Short distance

• Views of the onshore substations intermittently from approx. 300m of minor road and potentially the residential property of The Neuk at a range of greater than 600m.

Size or scale of change: Moderate

• The construction of the onshore substations results in a moderate scale change in the view due to the construction compound and temporary buildings, vehicles, machinery, cranes and the stockpiling of materials that will be needed during construction. • The access to the site and its use will extend the construction area to the east of the Onshore Substation Area to where it connects with the minor road, although this will be partially obscured due to intervening vegetation. • The construction processes will result in the addition of the fenced buildings and electrical infrastructure. • Task and vehicle lighting may be used in the hours of darkness – but only during approved working hours. • Lighting of the substations will be visible at times, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passive infra-red) and the onshore substations will not be permanently lit. • As they are constructed the built form and electrical infrastructure will be apparent on the skyline. • The built forms will increase the development components within the landscape by the introduction of uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing the density and incidence of electrical infrastructure in this area. • Some separation of substations from minor road by open fields, maintaining the agricultural foreground.

Magnitude of change: High

Magnitude of change (operation)

Duration: Long term

Geographic extent: Short distance

• Views of the onshore substations intermittently from approx. 300m of minor road and potentially the residential property of The Neuk at a range of greater than 600m.

Size or scale of change: Moderate

5.3-70 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact • • • Operation15 years post construction Operation: Construction/decommissioning: Significanceof effect Magnitudeofchange: • scaleSize or change: of • Geographic extent: Duration: Magnitudeof change (operation years– 15 post cons Magnitudeofchange: • ViewpointThe 3: Neuk • • • • •

the generalthe landscapecharacter. lands this of characteristic is woodland native The this this area – however,these be will muchnotice less Lighting of the substations will be visible at time at visible be substationswill the of Lighting and theand onshore substations not will permanentlybe uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing and compo buildings large development uncharacteristically the increase will forms built The residential propertyofThe Neuk aatrange ofgrea infrastructure acrossapproximately degrees19 t of woodlandthatto is be plantedaround the substatio 15 a post substations, onshore the of operation The fro intermittently substations onshore the of Views resul will substations onshore the of operation The only the upper parts of buildings and electrical in electrical and buildings of parts upper the only Lighting of the substations will be visible at time at visible be substationswill the of Lighting and theand onshore substations not will permanentlybe landscapeuntil they atare leastyears5 old. odad n hdeos il ae en lne bt w but planted been have will hedgerows and Woodland The open agricultural foreground and burn corridor burn and foreground agricultural open The minor roadminor and property. this this area. The buildings and electrical infrastructure will be will infrastructure electrical and buildings The uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing and compo buildings large development uncharacteristically the increase will forms built The intervening landform. Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S s, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (pass lightingpassive be to assumed is this but s, s, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (pass lightingpassive be to assumed is this but s, Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment seen on the skyline but some lower parts are obscu are parts lower some but skyline the on seen truction) able,particularly the trees/hedgeswhen are in lea he fieldhe ofview fromthis location. frastructure being visible on the skyline above the above skyline the on visible being frastructure terthan 600m. cape within the wider area and so will not contrast not will so and area wider the within cape the density and incidence of electrical infrastruc electrical of incidence and density the the density and incidence of electrical infrastruc electrical of incidence and density the i te diin f h fne bidns n elect and buildings fenced the of addition the in t year planting establishment period, will result in result will period, establishmentplanting year lit. lit. n site. n provide a separation between the substations and th and substations the between separation a provide apo. 0m f io ra ad oetal the potentially and road minor of 300m approx. m Not significant, Not significant, Not Significant, Low Small Shortdistance Longterm Medium et wti te adcp b te nrdcin of introduction the by landscape the within nents et wti te adcp b te nrdcin of introduction the by landscape the within nents l hv ltl efc a cmoet o the of components as effect little have ill adverse, short-term, reversible adverse, long-term,reversible adverse, long-term,reversible tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms ive infra-red) ive ive infra-red) ive views ofviews f. native red by red tatement ture in ture ture in ture with with rical 5.3-71 e

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Viewpoint 4 Upper Burnside - Figure 5.3-33

Table 5.3-21 Viewpoint 4: Upper Burnside

Viewpoint 4: Upper Burnside

Baseline conditions

Grid reference: 382729 845614 Elevation: 112 m

View direction: 162 Distance: 957 m

Viewpoint location: This viewpoint is located on the minor road which runs to the north of the site and is representative of the views experienced by residents living at Upper Burnside, Burnside, Rosebank Cottage, Maryhill House, Cragganmore and Maryhill, although some of the views are obscured by intervening vegetation. Broomfield Cottage and Little Swanford would gain slightly more distant but elevated views.

Existing view: • Rural character. • Land use primarily arable farmland. • Strong pattern of post and wire fence field boundaries with some limited remnant hedgerows. • Range of vegetation, including woodland shelterbelts and blocks of coniferous woodland, particularly adjacent to the Burn of Alseid and along the skyline and associated with properties. • Gently rolling landform of subtle undulations contains views, with elevations generally between 100-110m AOD, although dropping more steeply into the Burn of Asleid to approximately 95m AOD. • Areas of higher ground in the wider landscape visible to the south-east of the site and form distant skyline. • Scattered detached houses and farmsteads (East Swanford and Burnside). • Large and small scale electrical pylons and overhead lines traverse the substation area between Mains of Asleid and East Swanford, dominating the skyline. • Three turbine wind turbine cluster on the Hill of Balquhindachy to the south-east of the site is notable on the skyline.

Sensitivity to change

Value: Medium-low

• The view is not a formally recognised viewpoint, nor does it overlook a designated landscape, so is not afforded particular protection through planning policy. • Local interest in view due to its open outlook towards the south. • The viewpoint is located on a minor road adjacent to numerous properties around Burnside, therefore, easily accessible and will be experienced by limited numbers of people within the local area. • The view has some scenic qualities and interest relating to the patterns and features visible in the landscape, such as shelterbelts, woodland blocks and open patchwork of field; with the elevated landform of Balquhindachy Hill framing views to the south-east. • The removal of hedgerow boundaries has reduced the defined pattern of fields and scenic quality of the agricultural landscape. • The large and small scale electrical pylons, overhead lines and wind turbines which interrupt the skyline and influence its scenic qualities.

Susceptibility to change: High to medium

Factors which increase susceptibility:

• The view may be experienced by residents in the Burnside area. Views from many likely to be obscured by garden boundary planting. • The view is generally rural in character with some development characteristics.

Factors which decrease susceptibility:

5.3-72 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact • • • • • • • • • Size scaleSize or change: of Viewssuch these as from approximately1km ofthe m Geographic extent: Duration: Magnitudeof change (operation) Magnitudeofchange: • scaleSize or change: of Viewssuch these as from approximately1km ofthe m Geographic extent: Duration: Magnitudeof change (construction/decommissioning) Sensitivitytochange: • Viewpoint Upper4: Burnside

ground ofgroundviews. Task Task vehicleand lighting bemay used thein hours Lighting of the substations will be visible at time at visible be substationswill the of Lighting and theand onshore substations not will permanentlybe The development The be will part of panoramicwide view h cntuto poess il eut n h addit the in result will processes construction The developmentcharacteristexisting some has view The which apparentwould be tothe east of and between landscape. The access to the site and its use will extend the extend will use its and site the to access The Asleid of Burn screeningtowards the site. the along woodland and Shelterbelts vegetation/landform. alth road, minor the with connects it where to Area Some separation of substations from minor road by o separation substationsroadby Some minor of from uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing and buildings compo large uncharacteristically development the increase will forms built The this this area. h cntuto o te nhr sbttos results substations onshore the of construction The their on widersurroundings andexperience will the b duration short a for experienced be will view The osrcin opud n tmoay ulig, vehi buildings, thatmaterials be will neededduring construction. temporary and compound construction Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S s, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passlightingpassive be to assumed is this but s, Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment inor roadsinor around Burnside. roadsinor around Burnside.

o o te ecd ulig ad lcrcl infrastr electrical and buildings fenced the of ion site transiently at moderatespeeds. ofdarkness only– but duringapproved working hour construction area to the east of the Onshore Substa Onshore the of east the to area construction the density and incidence of electrical infrastruc electrical of incidence and density the y road users, whose main attention may not be focus be not may attention main whose users,road y n mdrt sae hne n h ve de o the to due view the in change scale moderate a in lit. ough this may be partially obscured due to interven to due obscured partially be may this ough pen fields, maintaining the agricultural fore and fields,foreagriculturalm and maintainingpen the ics and displays characteristics of a human influen a characteristicsdisplays of and ics Small Mediumdistance Longterm Medium Moderate Mediumdistance Shortterm toHigh medium savailablefrom this location. the intervening woodland/shelterbelts. et wti te adcp b te nrdcin of introduction the by landscape the within nents s el s eeain rud rpris provide properties around vegetation as well as ls mciey cae ad h sokiig of stockpiling the and cranes machinery, cles, tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms ive infra-red) ive ucture, ture in ture tatement iddle s. ced tion 5.3-73 ing ed

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Viewpoint 4: Upper Burnside

• Approximate distance to the onshore substations is approximately 950m from the properties and minor road. • The operation of the onshore substations will result in theoretical visibility of the addition of the fenced buildings and electrical infrastructure across approximately 15 degrees of the field of view from this location. However, existing woodland and shelterbelts markedly restrict this visibility even in the winter months. • Woodland and hedgerows will have been planted but will have little effect as components of the landscape until they are at least 5 years old. • Lighting of the substations will be visible at times, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passive infra-red) and the onshore substations will not be permanently lit. • The buildings and electrical infrastructure will be seen on the skyline but some lower parts are obscured by intervening landform. • The built forms will increase the development components within the landscape by the introduction of uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing the density and incidence of electrical infrastructure in this area. • The open agricultural foreground and burn corridor provide a separation between the substations and the minor road and properties.

Magnitude of change: Low

Magnitude of change (operation – 15 years post construction)

Duration: Long term

Geographic extent: Medium distance

Views such as these from approximately 1km of the minor roads around Burnside.

Size or scale of change: Small

• The operation of the onshore substations, post a 15 year planting establishment period, will result in views of only the upper parts of buildings and electrical infrastructure being visible on the skyline above the existing and proposed native woodland that is to be planted around the substation site. • Lighting of the substations will be visible at times, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passive infra-red) and the onshore substations will not be permanently lit. • Where visible the largely obscured built forms will increase the development components within the landscape by the introduction of uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing the density and incidence of electrical infrastructure in this area – however, these will be much less noticeable, particularly when the trees/hedges are in leaf. • The native woodland is characteristic of this landscape within the wider area and so will not contrast with the general landscape character.

Magnitude of change: Low

Significance of effect

Construction/decommissioning: Significant, adverse, short-term, reversible

Operation: Not significant, adverse, long-term, reversible

Operation 15 years post construction Not significant, adverse, long-term, reversible

5.3-74 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact North 5: Viewpoint Millbrex 5.3-22 Table Viewpoint 5 North Millbrex - Figure 5.3-34 5.3-34 Figure - Millbrex North 5 Viewpoint • • • • • • • Susceptibility to change: High to High medium Factors decreasewhich susceptibility: • Factors which increasesusceptibility: Susceptibilitytochange: • Value: Sensitivity to change Elevation:116 m • view:Existing Viewsfromthe routeminor and properties tothe no travellingeast. clu small the at residents by experienced views the th from taken viewpointis This location: Viewpoint View direction:47 reference: Grid 382183 843638 Baselineconditions Viewpoint MillbrexNorth5: • • • • • •

oe itn i te et f h ve, hlt smalle whilst view, the between landtothe north of North Milbrex and Midd of left the in distant more Large scale electrical pylons and overhead lines tr lines overhead and pylons electrical scale Large ctee dtce hue ad amtas ped acr spread farmsteads and houses detached Scattered buildings at Abbotshaughbuildings at and Burnsideof Milbrex). of Carinbanno. of Network of minor roadsminor Network track of singleand farmaccess AOD, then rising to form a strong a skylinhorizontal to form AOD,rising then ety oln adomo sbl udltos conta undulations subtle of landform rolling Gently a feature a this view.of Range of vegetation, of Range of shelpatterns with woodland noticeable,especially adjacent Burntothe Alse of (consumptiondykes) varying in conditions. w and post by determined generally boundaries Field Land usesLand primarily arable farmland and pasture. The view The may be experiencedresidents by Northat M no affordedparticular protection through planning viewpoint,pol recognised formally a not is view The Rural landscape. The view The generallyis rural characterin some with t adjacent road minor a on located is viewpoint The although not will be experiencedby large numbers o confronted the viewwith they roundwhen the corner residentsthe local Cairnbanno of Slacksby towards Local interest in this view arises due to its sligh its to due arises view this in interest Local h lnsae f h ve i nt ae r remarkable or rare not is view the of landscape The scenic qualityofthe view. line overhead and pylons electrical scale large The adcp, uh s hlebls woln bok an of blocks indicative woodland is that shelterbelts, character rel rural/agricultural interest as and such qualities scenic landscape, some has view The egrw il budre hs a a ermna eff detrimental a had landscape. has boundaries field hedgerow Aberdeenshire. Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S

e T-junction in minor road at North Milbrex. It is is It Milbrex. North at road minor in T-junction e rth around Blackpool may also similar.be tly elevated location providing for moderately dist moderately for providing location elevated tly ster of properties at North Milbrex as well as mino as well as Milbrex North at properties of ster Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS e backdropAODat 130mSla e the approximately around Assessment developmentcharacteristics. id andid alongthe skyline. h Arclua Hatad. oee, h rmvl o removal the However, Heartlands. Agricultural the sae yos r se o te ih u t te skyl the to up right the on seen are pylons scale r icy. whose properties overlook it and by roadusers who by and properties overlookit whose averse the landscape in a line becoming progressive becoming line a in landscape the averse s which interrupt of the skyline to the east influe east the to skyline the of interrupt which s n ves wt lvtos eeal ewe 100-12 between generally elevations with views, ins lanes. The fenced the The route roadtothe lanes. minorof e terbeltsconiferous blocks and of woodlandparticul lemuir lemuir hill. f people. de i oelo a eintd adcp, o s no is so landscape, designated a overlook it does r . illbrex and propertiesaround Blackpool. Medium Distance:1127 m ire fences with some hedgerows and dry stone walls stone dry and hedgerows some with fences ire n i tpcl f h arclua lnsae acros landscape agricultural the of typical is and poete a Nrh ibe s i esl accessib easily is so Milbrex North at properties o tn t te atrs n faue vsbe n the in visible features and patterns the to ating c o te cnc ulte o te agricultural the of qualities scenic the on ect s te adcp (nldn lre agricultural large (including landscape the oss vros il budre; s el s the as well as boundaries; field various d tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms representativeof r road users road r ant views ant nce the nce tatement ast is are arly 5.3-75 cks 0m ine le, ly s t f

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Viewpoint 5: North Millbrex

• The view will be experienced for a short duration by road users, whose main attention may not be focused on their wider surroundings and will experience views towards the site transiently at moderate speeds. • Shelterbelts and woodland along the Burn of Asleid as well as some vegetation/buildings around properties provide some screening towards the site. • The view has some existing development characteristics and displays characteristics of a human influenced landscape. • The development will be part of wide panoramic views available from this location.

Sensitivity to change: High to medium

Magnitude of change (construction/decommissioning)

Duration: Short term

Geographic extent: Medium distance

Views such as these available for approximately 1.2km of minor road around North Millbrex and properties in the vicinity of North Millbrex and Blackpool.

Size or scale of change: Moderate

• The construction of the onshore substations results in a moderate scale change in the view due to the construction compound and temporary buildings, vehicles, machinery, cranes and the stockpiling of materials that will be needed during construction. • The construction processes will result in the addition of the fenced buildings and electrical infrastructure, which would be apparent between the intervening woodland/shelterbelts. • Task and vehicle lighting may be used in the hours of darkness – but only during approved working hours. • Lighting of the substations will be visible at times, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passive infra-red) and the onshore substations will not be permanently lit. • The built forms will increase the development components within the landscape by the introduction of uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing the density and incidence of electrical infrastructure in this area. • Some separation of substations from minor road by open fields, maintaining the agricultural fore and middle ground of views.

Magnitude of change: Medium

Magnitude of change (operation)

Duration: Long term

Geographic extent: Medium distance

Views such as these available for approximately 1.2km of minor road around North Millbrex and properties in the vicinity of North Millbrex and Blackpool.

Size or scale of change: Moderate to small

5.3-76 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact • • • Operation15 years post construction Operation: Construction/decommissioning: Significanceof effect Magnitudeofchange: • scaleSize or change: of 1.2 approximately for available these as such Views Geographic extent: Duration: Magnitudeof change (operation years– 15 post cons Magnitudeofchange: • Viewpoint MillbrexNorth5: vicinity of North andMillbrex Blackpool. • • • • • •

the generalthe landscapecharacter. The native woodland is characteristic of this lands this of characteristic is woodland native The when the trees/hedgeswhen are leaf.in Lighting of the substations will be visible at time at visible be substationswill the of Lighting and theand onshore substations not will permanentlybe adcp b te nrdcin f uncharacteristical area this in infrastructure electrical of of incidence will introduction forms the built by obscured landscape largely the visible Where The operation of the onshore substations, post a 15 a post substations,onshore the of operation The Approximate distancetothe onshore substations is existingand proposednative thatwoodland to is be in electrical and buildings of parts upper the only The open agricultural foreground and burn corridor burn and foreground agricultural open The minor roadsminor and properties. this this area. h oeain f h osoe usain wl resul will substations onshore the of operation The Lighting of the substations will be visible at time at visible be substationswill the of Lighting and theand onshore substations not will permanentlybe odad n hdeos il ae en lne bt w but planted been have landscapeuntil they atare leastyears5 old. will hedgerows and Woodland uncharacteristically large buildings and increasing and buildings compo large uncharacteristically development the increase will forms built The landscape. buildings electricaland infrastructure seebe will u t te lvto o te iwon, eetr wi receptors viewpoint, the of elevation the to Due buildings andbuildings electrical infrastructureacross appr However,existing woodland shelterbeltsand restric Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S s, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passlightingpassive be to assumed is this but s, s, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passlightingpassive be to assumed is this but s, km of minor road around North Millbrex and properti and Millbrex North around road minor of km n n thebelow skyline, back-clothedthe by more dista Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS – however, these will be much less noticeable, par noticeable, less much be will these however, – Assessment truction) oximately 13 degrees of the field13oximatelyview fromthe this of degrees of frastructure being visible below the skyline but ab but skyline the below visible being frastructure cape within the wider area and so will not contrast not will so and area wider the within cape tthis visibility even thein months.winter the density and incidence of electrical infrastruc electrical of incidence and density the 1.1 fromkmthe properties minorand roads. year planting establishment period, will result in result will period, establishmentplanting year lit. i tertcl iiiiy f h adto o the of addition the of visibility theoretical in t lit. planted around the substation site. provide a separation between the substations and th and substations the between separation a provide nrae h dvlpet opnns ihn the within components development the increase l e be o ok on n h sbttos n the and substations the on down look to able be ll Not significant, Not Significant, Significant, Low Small Mediumdistance Longterm Mediumto low y ag bidns n icesn te est and density the increasing and buildings large ly et wti te adcp b te nrdcin of introduction the by landscape the within nents l hv ltl efc a cmoet o the of components as effect little have ill adverse, long-term, reversible adverse, short-term, reversible adverse, long-term,reversible tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms ive infra-red) ive ive infra-red) ive location. views of views ntrolling ove the ove ticularly fenced es in the in es ture in ture tatement with with 5.3-77 e

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Viewpoint 6 Upperton Figure - 5.3-35

Table 5.3-23 Viewpoint 6: Upperton

Viewpoint 6: Upperton

Baseline conditions

Grid reference: 384186 846009 Elevation: 103 m

View direction: 216 Distance: 1699 m

Viewpoint location: This viewpoint is located on the minor road from Slacks of Cairnbanno to Burnside. The viewpoint is taken from the edge of a ridge so represents some of the first views towards the site experienced by a road users when travelling from New Deer to Burnside. It is also representative of properties in the vicinity and the minor road to the south of Upper Cairnbanno from where there would be similar views.

Existing view: • Rural landscape. • Land use primarily arable farmland, with some pastoral land. • Field boundaries generally determined by post and wire fences and scrubby hedgerows. • Range of vegetation, including woodland shelterbelts and blocks of coniferous woodland diversify the agricultural character of the view. • Gently rolling landform of subtle undulations, with areas of higher ground visible to the north-west, containing views. • Skyline formed by land near the overhead transmission line. • Scattered detached houses, farmsteads and outbuildings (Bridge Cottage, Abbotshaugh, Netherton of Greens, The Neuk, Cragganmore, Mill of Greens and Maryhill). • Large agricultural sheds at Abbotshaugh particularly noticeable. • Distinctive outline of North Millbrex Church present on distant skyline. • Large scale electrical pylons and overhead lines traverse the landscape and cross the skyline near the centre of the view. • Occasional single turbines visible on the skyline, including those on the Hill of Balquhindachy and at Skelmonae. • Network of minor roads and single-track, farm access lanes.

5.3-78 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact • • • • Size scaleSize or change: of 2km approximately for Cairnbanno. Propertiesalongthese sections the of available these as such Views Geographic extent: Duration: Magnitudeof change (construction/decommissioning) Sensitivitytochange: mediu to high - Residents • Factors decreasewhich susceptibility: • Factors which increasesusceptibility: Susceptibilitytochange: • Value: Sensitivity to change Viewpoint Upperton6: • • • • •

The development The be will part of panoramicwide view influenced landscape. The view has some view has scale developmentThe existing large Shelterbelts and woodland along the Burn of Asleid of Burn the along woodland and Shelterbelts well as some well vegetation/buildingsas aroundproperties neet s rvdd n h ve b is far-reachin its by view the in provided is Interest on their on widersurroundings andexperience will vie b duration short a for experienced be will view The experiencedresidentsbemayUpp around by view The no affordedparticular protection through planning viewpoint,pol recognised formally a not is view The petn s i esl acsil ad il e exper area.There noareformal stopping points along be the will and accessible easily is so Upperton, roadleading minor the on located viewpoint is The The scenic The qualities the viewof influencedare by residentialreceptors roadand users confroarewho The view The generallyis rural characterin some with and toandthe south ofUpper Cairnbanno. adcp, uh s hlebls woln bok an blocks woodland shelterbelts, rel rural/agriculturalcharacter that interest indicative ofis as and such qualities scenic landscape, some has view The nerp te kln ad h lre giutrl sh agricultural reducedthe pattern qualityand ofthe agricultural large the and skyline the interrupt The The landscape rarenotis remarkable or typiand is Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S minorroads may also havesuchviews. the Agriculturalthe Heartlands. Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment developmentcharacteristics. , aoai ves oad te ot-et available south-west the towards views panoramic g, thescale electricallarge pylons overheadand line ws towards ws the sitetransiently at moderate speeds. cal of large partsrural of Aberdeenshire. landscape. d a Abthuh Rmvl f egrw hs also has hedgerows of Removal Abbotshaugh. at eds y road users, whose main attention may not be focus be not may attention main whose users,road y road to encourageroad tostopusers thisin locat icy. nted nted the viewwith they descendwhen down the hill. from New Deer to Burnside, adjacent to the property the to Burnside,adjacent to Deer New from f io ra es o Upro ad ot o Upper of south and Upperton of east road minor of may providesome screening towards the site. ecd y iie nmes f epe ihn h loca the within people of numbers limited by ienced and the minor road between Burnside and Burnend as Burnend and Burnside between road minor the and characteristicsdisplaysand characteristics h a of de i oelo a eintd adcp, o s no is so landscape, designated a overlook it does r Small to Small moderate Mediumto distancelong Shortterm – users road minor medium, to mediumto low High – Residents to low Medium savailablefrom this location. erton and from the slightly more distantmore slightly fromthe properties and erton tn t te atrs n faue vsbe n the in visible features and patterns the to ating vros il budre, s el s the as well as boundaries, field various d tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms m, minor road users- medium users- road minor m, s s which

ion. ion. tatement uman

5.3-79 to ed at of t l l

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Viewpoint 6: Upperton

• The construction of the onshore substations results in a small to moderate scale change in the view due to the construction compound and temporary buildings, vehicles, machinery, cranes and the stockpiling of materials that will be needed during construction. • The construction processes will result in the addition of the fenced buildings and electrical infrastructure, which would be apparent between the intervening woodland/shelterbelts on the skyline. • Task and vehicle lighting may be used in the hours of darkness – but only during approved working hours. • Lighting of the substations will be visible at times, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passive infra-red) and the onshore substations will not be permanently lit. • The built forms will increase the development components within the landscape by the introduction of further large buildings and increasing the density and incidence of electrical infrastructure in this area. • Separation of substations from minor roads and properties by open fields, maintaining the agricultural fore and middle ground of views.

Magnitude of change: Medium to low

Magnitude of change (operation)

Duration: Long term

Geographic extent: Medium to long distance

Views such as these available for approximately 2km of minor road east of Upperton and south of Upper Cairnbanno. Properties along these sections of the minor roads may also have such views.

Size or scale of change: Small

• Approximate distance to the onshore substations is more than 1.7 km from the properties and minor roads. • The operation of the onshore substations will result in theoretical visibility of the addition of the fenced buildings and electrical infrastructure across approximately 9 degrees of the field of view from this location. • Woodland and hedgerows will have been planted but will have little effect as components of the landscape until they are at least 5 years old. • Lighting of the substations will be visible at times, but this is assumed to be passive lighting (passive infra-red) and the onshore substations will not be permanently lit. • The proposed buildings and electrical infrastructure will be seen on the skyline, however the lower parts of some structures will be partially hidden by the intervening landform. • The built forms will increase the development components within the landscape by the introduction of further large buildings and increasing the density and incidence of electrical infrastructure in this area. • The open agricultural foreground and the valley of the Little Water provide a separation between the substations and the minor roads and properties.

Magnitude of change: Low

Magnitude of change (operation – 15 years post construction)

Duration: Long term

Geographic extent: medium to long distance

Views such as these available for approximately 2km of minor road east of Upperton and south of Upper Cairnbanno. Properties along these sections of the minor roads may also have such views.

5.3-80 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact New near B9170 7: Deer Viewpoint 5.3-24 Table Viewpoint 7 B9170 near New Deer - Figure 5.3-36 5.3-36 Figure - Deer New near B9170 7 Viewpoint ut eoe h jnto ih h mnr od which road minor the with junction the before just • • • • • • • • • • properties thein vicinity. va identifiedareassouth the to Bennachieuplands the along travelling motorists by experienced views Value: Sensitivity to change Elevation:121 m • view:Existing th on located is viewpoint This location: Viewpoint View direction:250 reference: Grid 387929 845697 Baselineconditions Viewpoint B91707: near Deer New Operation15 years post construction Operation: Construction/decommissioning: Significanceof effect Magnitudeofchange: • scaleSize or change: of Viewpoint Upperton6: • •

the generalthe landscapecharacter. The native woodland is characteristic of this lands this of characteristic is woodland native The when the trees/hedgeswhen are leaf.in Areas of roughAreas of grassland/scrub the viewpoint in for adcp b te nrdcin f uncharacteristical area this in infrastructure electrical of of incidence will introduction forms the built by obscured landscape largely the visible Where Large scale scale electricalpylonstroverheadand Large lines proposed native thatwoodland to be plantedis arou Scattereddetached houses, farmsteads outbuildiand Gently rolling landform of subtle undulations, with undulations, subtle of landform rolling Gently containingviews. Fieldboundaries generally determinedby post and w Security lighting be will indistinguishablefrom ot the settingwoodland addand complexitytothe oft Range of vegetation, including woodland shelterbelt woodland including vegetation, of Range lines arelines also visible adjacent tothe road network Land usesLand primarily arable farmland, grazing land a Rural Rural landscape. 15 a post substations,onshore the of operation The ny h upr at o bidns n eetia in electrical and buildings of parts upper the only view. Network of B-roads, minor roads and single track fa track single and roads minor B-roads, of Network Occasionalsingle turbines wind visible. Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S e B9170 road south-west of New Deer. It is taken lo taken is It Deer. New of south-west road B9170 e herrural sources of light. lued views in the Aberdeenshire also theThereis LDP.views lued in B9170 from New Deer to South Balquhindachy. Views Balquhindachy. South to Deer New from B9170 Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS ed t Cinan. hs iwon i representati is viewpoint This Cairnbanno. to leads – however, these will be much less noticeable, par noticeable, less much be will these however, – Assessment

the Bennachie range visible to the south-west of t of south-west the to visible range Bennachie the averse the landscape. Smaller pole mountedpolethe averse transmislandscape.Smaller eground. cape within the wider area and so will not contrast not will so and area wider the within cape nd pastures.

year planting establishment period, will result in result will period, establishmentplanting year rm access lanes. The B9170 is a key characteristic key a is B9170 The lanes. access rm his view.his nrae h dvlpet opnns ihn the within components development the increase rsrcue en vsbe bv te kln ad th and skyline the above visible being frastructure ndthe substation site. ire fencesire scrubbyand hedgerows. s and blocks of coniferous woodland, which diversif which woodland, coniferous of blocks and s ngs. Medium-high Distance:4767 m significant, Not significant, Not significant, Not Low Small y ag bidns n icesn te est and density the increasing and buildings large ly adverse, long-term,reversible adverse, long-term,reversible adverse, short-term, reversible tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms a number ofnumber a oking west, west, oking views of views e f the of ve ticularly he site, he tatement of this of with with f the of sion 5.3-81 e e y

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Viewpoint 7: B9170 near New Deer

• Views of the Bennachie Uplands from the B9170 New Deer to Methlick Road are recognised as valued views in the Aberdeenshire LDP so are afforded protection through planning policy. This viewpoint is representative of these views. • In addition local interest is provided by its far-reaching and panoramic views available to road users and local residents. • The view is located on the B9170 road leading from New Deer to South Balquhindachy, so is easily accessible and will be experienced by moderate numbers of people within the local area. • The particular scenic qualities of the view relate to landscape patterns and features visible in the landscape (such as shelterbelts, woodland blocks and dispersed farmsteads) and the framed views towards the south- west and Bennachie Uplands, defined within the hill slopes lying either side of the B9170. • The scenic qualities of the view are influenced by large and small scale pylon and pole mounted transmission lines which are seen across the view and skyline.

Susceptibility to change: Medium to low

Factors which increase susceptibility:

• The view may be experienced by residents around Myre of Bedlam. • The view is generally rural in character with some development characteristics.

Factors which decrease susceptibility:

• The view will be experienced for a short duration by road users, whose main attention may not be focused on their wider surroundings and will experience views towards the site transiently at moderate speeds. • There are few stopping points along the road so views will be experienced transiently. • Shelterbelts and woodland as well as some vegetation/buildings around properties break up the agricultural landscape and may provide some limited screening towards the site which is at some distance from this location. • The view has some large scale existing development characteristics and displays characteristics of a human influenced landscape. • The development will be part of wide panoramic views available from this location.

Sensitivity to change: Medium

Magnitude of change (construction/decommissioning)

Duration: Short term

Geographic extent: Long distance

The proposed onshore substations would be theoretically visible from approximately 2km of minor road in the vicinity of the viewpoint and a small number of residences in the surrounding countryside.

Size or scale of change: Small

• The incidence of machinery and cranes may be visible on the site which is located below the skyline. • As the buildings and electrical infrastructure are constructed the movement, changes in landcover and activity of the construction process may draw attention to this new development. • At this range the detail of the proposals will be difficult to distinguish due to their location against a land backdrop.

Magnitude of change: Low

Magnitude of change (operation)

Duration: Long term

Geographic extent: long distance

The proposed onshore substations would be theoretically visible from approximately 2km of minor road in the vicinity of the viewpoint and a small number of residences in the surrounding countryside.

Size or scale of change: Small

5.3-82 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact • • • • Operation15 years post construction Operation: Construction/decommissioning: Significanceof effect Magnitudeofchange: • scaleSize or change: of vicinitythe viewpointof aandsmall numberofres theoretic be would substations onshore proposed The Geographic extent: Duration: Magnitudeof change (operation years– 15 post cons Magnitudeofchange: • Viewpoint B91707: near Deer New • • • • •

adcp b te nrdcin f ag bidns an buildings will large forms of introduction built the by obscured landscape largely the visible Where are Suchleaf.in visibility occurwill over onlya b thesewill however, – area this in infrastructure the generalthe landscapecharacter. The native woodland is characteristic of this lands this of characteristic is woodland native The Security lighting be will indistinguishablefrom ot The open agricultural fore and middle ground providgroundopenforeagriculturalmiddleand The The operation of the onshore substations, post a 15 a post substations,onshore the of operation The Approximate distancetothe onshore substations is ny h upr at o bidns n eetia in electrical and buildings of parts upper the only woodlandthatto is be plantedaround the substatio h oeain f h osoe usain wl resul will substations onshore the of operation The a small a partofthe view. Thepart the viewof affe increas and buildings further large of introduction h bit om wl mrial ices te develo the increase marginally will forms built The minor roadsminor and properties. The proposed buildings and electrical infrastructur electrical and buildings proposed The some structures will be partially hidden by theint by partiallyhidden be structures somewill onshoresubstations difficultbe will to discern, p buildings and electrical infrastructureacross appr Security lighting be will indistinguishablefrom ot odad n hdeos il ae en lne bt w but planted been have landscapeuntil they atare leastyears5 old. will hedgerows and Woodland Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S idencesthe surrounding in countryside. verysmall verticaland horizontal ofextentthe v artlydue totheir backdrop ofthe landscape beyond herrural sources of light. herrural sources of light. Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS e much less noticeable, particularly when the trees the when particularlynoticeable, less much e Assessment ervening landform. At this range the detail of the detail of the range Atthis landform.ervening cted has existing pylons. truction) oximately4 degrees ofthe field of view from this ing the density and incidence of electricalinfrast of incidence and densitythe ing cape within the wider area and so will not contrast not will so and area wider the within cape e will be seen below the skyline, and the lower par lower the and skyline, the below seen be will e ly iil fo apoiaey k o mnr od i road minor of 2km approximately from visible ally more thanmore 4.7fromkmthe properties and roadminor year planting establishment period, will result in result will period, establishmentplanting year i tertcl iiiiy f h adto o the of addition the of visibility theoretical in t n site. n rsrcue en vsbe bv te rpsd nativ proposed the above visible being frastructure e a strong separation between the substationst strongseparationthebetweenand a e nrae h dvlpet opnns ihn the within components development the increase icesn te est ad niec o electrica of incidence and density the increasing d Not significant, Not significant, Not significant, Not Low Small Longdistance Longterm Low mn cmoet wti te adcp b the by landscape the within components pment l hv ltl efc a cmoet o the of components as effect little have ill adverse, long-term,reversible adverse, long-term,reversible adverse, short-term, reversible tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms iew. location. proposed ructure in in ructure views of views /hedges . fenced tatement with with ts of ts the n s. 5.3-83 he e l l

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Viewpoint 8 Culsh Hill (near Culsh Monument) - Figure 5.3-37

Table 5.3-25 Viewpoint 8: Culsh Hill (near Culsh Monument)

Viewpoint 8: Culsh Hill (near Culsh Monument)

Baseline conditions

Grid reference: 388099 848099 Elevation: 142 m

View direction: 232 degrees Distance: 5998 m

Viewpoint location: This viewpoint is taken from Culsh Hill, near to the Hill of Culsh Monument (also known as the Dingwall Fordyce Monument). The monument was designed by James Matthews and erected in 1877 in honour of William Dingwall Fordyce M.P (1836-1875). The 24m high granite structure encompasses a Gibbs style steeple and spiral staircase, and was designated as a Category B building by Historic Scotland in 1971. Although there is no public access within the monument, it is an important local landmark. As views from the Monument to the site are obstructed by shelterbelt planting, this viewpoint has been taken from the road to the south-west of the cemetery, on Culsh Hill. This viewpoint is therefore representative of the route visitors to the monument and Commonwealth war graves at the cemetery may take.

Existing view: • Land uses primarily arable farmland and grazing land. • Field boundaries generally determined by post and wire fences and some limited hedgerows. Fields are large and open • Range of vegetation, including woodland shelterbelts and blocks of coniferous woodland. • Gently rolling landform of subtle undulations in the local proximity, with far-reaching views to the distinctive Bennachie range beyond. • Settlement of New Deer visible with its two distinctive spires, as well as detached houses, large-scale farmsteads and outbuildings scattered throughout the landscape. • Large scale electrical pylons and overhead lines visible on the skyline. Smaller scale pylons are also visible, clustered particularly around New Deer’s road network. • Occasional single turbines scattered across the wider landscape.

Sensitivity to change

Value: Medium-high

• This viewpoint is located near to the Culsh Monument, which is identified on OS maps as a panoramic view. This monument is visually identifiable as a local landmark, and is well-known at a local level as having a particular panoramic view. • The panorama from the Culsh Monument is to the east and views to the south of the monument are screened by woodland in the immediate setting. • The viewpoint has been sited on the nearby public road, near the entrance to the cemetery, so is not afforded protection through planning policy, but has informal recognition for its panoramic views westwards towards the Bennachie Uplands. • The viewpoint is easily accessible and will be experienced by moderate numbers of people within the local area, including visitors to the Hill of Culsh Monument and Cemetery. • The particular character of the view relates to landscape patterns and features visible in the landscape (such as shelterbelts and woodland blocks); an elevated perspective over features in New Deer and an appreciation of the wider setting of the settlement within the landscape; and the views towards the Bennachie Uplands. • Several large scale electrical pylons and wind turbines interrupt the skyline but are far enough away from the viewpoint to not influence its scenic qualities.

Susceptibility to change: Low

Factors which increase susceptibility:

• Location from where broad, panoramic views over a rural landscape are expected from this elevated location.

Factors which decrease susceptibility:

5.3-84 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact

Operation 15 years post construction No change No change No Operation15 years post construction Operation: Construction/decommissioning: Significanceof effect Magnitudeofchange: • scaleSize or change: of changeNo viewsfromin this viewpointor the area Geographic extent: Duration: Magnitudeof change (operation years– 15 post cons Magnitudeofchange: • scaleSize or change: of changeNo viewsfromin this viewpointor the area Geographic extent: Duration: Magnitudeof change (operation) Magnitudeofchange: • scaleSize or change: of changeNo viewsfromin this viewpointor the area Geographic extent: Duration: Magnitudeof change (construction/decommissioning) Sensitivitytochange: • ViewpointCulsh 8: (near Hill Culsh Monument)

No changeNo changeNo changeNo visibilityNo ofthe proposed onshore substations. Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S around it. around it. around it. Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment truction) No changeNo changeNo changeNo distancelong Longterm changeNo changeNo distancelong Longterm changeNo changeNo distancelong Shortterm Medium tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms tatement 5.3-85

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

5.3.5 Cumulative Impact Assessment

Assessment of Cumulative Effects

Introduction

5.3.5.1 The objective of the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) is to describe, visually represent and assess the ways in which the modified TI will have additional effects on SL&V receptors when considered together with other existing, consented or proposed and reasonably foreseeable developments and to identify related significant cumulative effects arising from the modified TI. The guiding principle in preparing the CIA of SL&V receptors is to focus on the likely significant effects and in particular those which are likely to influence the outcome of the consenting process, in accordance with the EIA Regulations.

5.3.5.2 The ‘main’ SLVIA (Section 5.3.4) assesses the effect of the modified TI in addition to developments already present in the landscape. This scenario involves the assessment of the addition of the modified TI to the existing baseline, which includes operational wind energy developments.

5.3.5.3 A whole project assessment has been undertaken to assess the likely significant cumulative effects of the modified TI in conjunction with the three wind farms as consented (i.e. 186 turbines as opposed to the 339 turbines assessed in the MORL ES (MORL, 2012).

5.3.5.4 An assessment of the likely significant cumulative effects of the whole project (as described above) with consented projects and the Western Development Area (WDA) has also been undertaken, including the following developments: • Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited (BOWL) (including the offshore generation station and associated TI) as consented (i.e. 140 turbines as opposed to the 277 assessed in the BOWL ES (BOWL, 2012); • WDA; and • Other consented onshore wind energy developments within the OnTI Study Area (identified in Figure 5.3.38).

5.3.5.5 Consideration of onshore wind energy developments was specifically requested in Aberdeenshire Council's scoping response (Table 5.3-1). Based on consultation with Aberdeenshire Council, this CIA therefore focuses on the potential cumulative effect of the modified TI with onshore wind energy developments as the main 'relevant projects' in the assessment of the modified OnTI.

5.3.5.6 An application stage assessment of the likely significant cumulative effects of the whole project with unconsented planning applications has also been undertaken, which includes application stage onshore wind energy developments in the modified OnTI study area (identified in Figure 5.3-38).

5.3.5.7 A total cumulative assessment of the likely significant cumulative effects for the whole project with all other relevant projects has also been undertaken.

5.3.5.8 The cumulative effect assessed is the additional effect of the modified TI with the other project(s) or development(s).

5.3.5.9 An updated national development focusing on enhancing the high voltage transmission network is identified in National Planning Framework 3 (Scottish

5.3-86 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Modified Offshore Export Cable Route Corridor Corridor Route Cable Export Offshore Modified 5.3.5.14 5.3.5.13 5.3.5.12 5.3.5.11 5.3.5.10 (CIA) Assessment Impact Cumulative Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact

osne wn frs cnetd rjcs te D a WDA below. considered are the which landfall, cable export projects, t in outlined receptor those of consented exception the with projects, SL&V farms, all wind m on consented negligible effects a cumulative in result significant ope will cable and export offshore construction/decommissioning The e operation. visible a be not will and bed sea the in trenches offshore modified the period operational the During diinl fet f h cntuto o te modifi projects. other to the relation the in significant of construction the of effect additional chara seascape baseline the of feature common a are th install to used vessels sea-faring large because l the to recep from corridor route cable export offshore the due is Moray/Aberde This in receptors from farms wind significant. consented not and t magnitude the p stage to application and relation WDA the in projects, consented receptors SL&V on cable export cumulati The ES. this of 5.3.4 Section in assessed receptors was cable export offshore modified the of construction the of level significance residual The significant on SL&V receptors. receptors. SL&V on significant of effect cumulative the and OfTI modified the for proje stage application and BOWL re WDA, in the receptors projects, SL&V on OSPs modified the of O effect of number the in reduction the to Due OSPs. eight MOR the in assessed were projects stage application c to relation in OSPs the of effects cumulative The assessed in Section 5.3.4 of this Chapter. Chapter. the ofthis 5.3.4 Section in assessed with combination in effect their as assessment, on effects cumulative additional no in result will construction/decommission The scenario. unrealistic si farm wind consented three the without own, their th of adding effect the consider not did assessment in assessment main the in sites farm wind consented asse were receptors SL&V on OSPs the of effects The oiid I n t ass aes r set o te m significant. be the wher of developments, proposed aspects other or with areas interactions a assess to as and arise TI may modified that effects cumulative significant CI the of part as undertaken been has assessment An shipping and navigation and oil and gas activities. gas and oil and navigation and shipping Electri Scottish-Hydro the antic as such Firth, Moray the other some or developments lik future the anticipated of assessment an out carry to possible been schedules (such as detail of lack to Due Scotland. renewabl increased facilitate to 2014), Government, Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment SL&V receptors in the whole project project whole the in receptors SL&V c Transmission Limited (SHE-T) cable, cable, (SHE-T) Limited Transmission c he inshore area near the modified modified the near area inshore he ve effect of the modified offshore offshore modified the of effect ve and design parameters), it has not not has it parameters), design and

/decommissioning and operation operation and /decommissioning e modified offshore export cable cable export offshore modified e onsented projects, the WDA and and WDA the projects, onsented the OSPs is assessed as being not being as assessed is OSPs the e OSPs to the existing baseline on on baseline existing OSPs the e to tors in Caithness/Sutherland, and and Caithness/Sutherland, in tors lement of the modified TI during TI modified the of lement Section 5.3.4 of this chapter. The The chapter. this of 5.3.4 Section ed offshore export cable is not not is cable export offshore ed export cable will be installed in installed be will cable export three consented wind farms is is farms wind consented three ely cumulative effects of these these of effects cumulative ely ing and operation of the OSPs OSPs the of operation and ing ssed in the context of the three three the of context the in ssed agnitude of change and not not and change of agnitude tes, as this would represent an an represent would this as tes, L ES (MORL, 2012) in regards of of regards in 2012) (MORL, ES L e electricity generation across across generation electricity e lation to the three consented consented three the to lation A to determine the potentially potentially the determine to A SPs proposed, the cumulative cumulative the proposed, SPs result of the addition of the the of addition the of result as not significant on all SL&V SL&V all on significant not as hree consented wind farms, farms, wind consented hree cmltv efcs il not will effects cumulative e cts will reduce in magnitude magnitude in reduce will cts odified TI with limited or no no or limited with TI odified ipated proposals located in in located proposals ipated s, in relation to the three three the to relation in s, enshire, the long distance of distance long the enshire, ong distance of the three three the of distance ong rojects is assessed as low in in low as assessed is rojects tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms cter of the Moray Firth. The The Firth. Moray the of cter ration of the modified modified the of ration nd application stage stage application nd tatement 5.3-87

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

Modified Onshore Export Cable Route Corridor (and Landfall)

5.3.5.15 Potential cumulative effects during construction/decommissioning may also arise as a result of the construction of the modified onshore export cable landfall, occurring concurrently with the construction of the three consented wind farms, other consented projects, the WDA and application stage projects, in views from coastal areas of Boyndie Bay.

5.3.5.16 The residual significance levels of the construction/decommissioning and operation of these aspects of the modified TI are assessed separately in Section 5.3.4 of this chapter. Additional cumulative effects may arise as a result of the interactions of these aspects of the modified TI with the three consented wind farms, other consented projects, the WDA and application stage projects, influencing the coastal character of the Boyndie Bay CCA and the Cliffs of the North and South East Coast LCA and views from recreational areas around Inverboyndie Beach. The magnitude of these additional cumulative effects are assessed as low and not significant, primarily due to the long distance between the construction of the three consented wind farms, other consented projects, the WDA, application stage projects and the modified onshore export cable (and construction activities in the location of the cable landfall). Other factors include the temporary nature and relative ease of restoring cable landfall excavations as part of the export cables installation and because large sea-faring vessels used for the modified offshore export cable installation are a common feature of the baseline seascape character of the Moray Firth.

5.3.5.17 The residual significance level of the construction/decommissioning and operation of the modified onshore export cable was assessed as not significant on terrestrial landscape character (Western Coastland Farmland, Deveron and Upper Ythan Valley and Agricultural Heartlands LCAs) in Section 5.3.4 of this chapter. During the operational period the modified onshore export cable will be installed in trenches below ground and will not form an element of landscape character. During construction/decommissioning, there will be very limited/no interaction between the terrestrial landscape character areas within which the onshore export cable route is located and the three consented wind farms, BOWL or the WDA which are located at long distance offshore in the Moray Firth, beyond intervening terrestrial and coastal areas. The construction/decommissioning of the modified onshore export cable will result in a negligible magnitude of change and not significant cumulative effects on these terrestrial landscape character areas. Potential cumulative effects of the onshore export cable route during construction are likely to be confined to the coastal areas in Boyndie Bay around the modified export cable landfall, which are described above in relation to the cable landfall area.

5.3.5.18 During the operational period the modified onshore export cable will be concealed in trenches below ground and will not be a visible element of the modified TI. There are no cumulative effects predicted as a result of the modified onshore export cable during operation on visual receptors.

5.3.5.19 The visual effects of the construction/decommissioning of the modified onshore export cable route were assessed as likely to be significant in views from the hamlets of Keilhill and Fintry. There would also be 500 m – 2 km localised stretches of several A and B road routes in the vicinity of the modified onshore export route corridor where temporary significant effects on views experienced by road users may arise during the construction period. During construction/decommissioning, there will be very limited or no interaction between these settlements and roads in terrestrial areas in the vicinity of the modified onshore export cable route and the three consented wind farms, BOWL or the WDA which are located at a long distance offshore in the

5.3-88 Volume 2 Environmental Impact Assessment 5.3.5.20 Section5.3–Seascape, Landscape Visualand Impact 5.3.5.22 5.3.5.21 Substations Onshore

osrcin f h mdfe osoe xot al a cable export onshore a modified short-term localised, be to likely are developments amenity the visual of and construction character landscape construction on their of effects timing the of uncertainty and thes for methods construction the about information i amenity visual and Wood, character landscape on Balchers effects nature and The stage). (consented) (application Extension Auchry Cairnhill of Castle and B Colleonard, South including corridor, route proximit cable close in or within either e located wind are that several with combination in construc locally occur to the landscape on onshore to effects stage construction cumulative modified proximity (Figure developments close energy the wind stage application in of and construction concurrently the of ma result construction during effects cumulative Potential in relation to the cable landfall area. area. landfall cable coa the to relation in co landfa be cable export modified the to around and Bay Boyndie likely are construction during route terrestrial cable vis cumulative Potential receptors. visual these intervening on a negligible in result will assessed projects beyond other onshor modified the of Firth, construction/decommissioning Moray onshore substations with consented and application application and consented with developments. substations a onshore as Area aris Study substation effects onshore the cumulative in receptors significant no be therefore substation onshore substati onshore the of south the the to km 5.5 located Wardfo outwith is development north, energy wind stage the application to km ons the 7.1 of Mains vicinity Oldwhat is development energy the wind consented as within projects c energy arising no are wind There significant. not receptors and o low develop as energy assessed wind the SL&V stage application of and on consented operation and effects construction/decommissioning cumulative The neatos ewe tee opnns f h modifi the of components area. the in developments these between d BOWL, interactions and thes WDA and substations the onshore the between farms, separation wind consented three the ari effects cumulative as Area Study substations onshore the significant in receptors no be will There Modified Transmission Infrastructurefor Telford,S Moray OffshoreMoray RenewablesLimited - EnvironmentalS Assessment nd not significant cumulative effects effects cumulative significant not nd and not significant. significant. not and y to the modified offshore export export offshore modified the to y of such cumulative construction construction cumulative such of ual effects of the onshore export export onshore the of effects ual a result of the modified OnTI with OnTI modified the of result a on area (Figure 5.3-38). There will will There 5.3-38). (Figure area on ackhill of Yonderton, Slackadale Slackadale Yonderton, of ackhill sing on landscape and visual visual and landscape on sing programmes. Any cumulative cumulative Any programmes. netd r plcto stage application or onsented fnd o h catl ra in areas coastal the to nfined ing on landscape and visual visual and landscape on ing result of the operation of the the of operation the of result nergy development proposals proposals development nergy s uncertain due to the lack of of lack the to due uncertain s e wind energy developments developments energy wind e character and visual amenity amenity visual and character a as temporarily arise also y e export cable, together with together cable, export e hore substations. The closest closest The substations. hore ll, which are described above above described are which ll, e projects, which results in no no in results which projects, e .-8. hr i ptnil for potential is There 5.3-38). rd Farm single wind turbine turbine wind single Farm rd tevensonand Wind MacColl Farms single wind turbine located turbine wind single Study Area. The closest closest The Area. Study ments (Figure 5.3-38) are are 5.3-38) (Figure ments in f osne and consented of tion rising as a result of the the of result a as rising export cable occurring occurring cable export nshore substations with with substations nshore nd these wind energy energy wind these nd ed Project and other other and Project ed Knock Thunder Farm, Farm, Thunder Knock ue to the geographic geographic the to ue stage wind energy energy wind stage a result of the the of result a stal areas. The The areas. stal tatement 5.3-89

CHAPTER 5.3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Modified Transmission Infrastructure for Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Wind Farms

5.3.6 References

Aberdeenshire Council, 2012, Aberdeenshire Local Plan;

Aberdeenshire Council, 2012, Planning Advice 12/2012 Landscape Character Advice for Small Scale Development;

BS 5837: 2012. Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction;

Countryside Commission for Scotland, 1970, 1977, Beaches of Caithness and Beaches of Northeast Scotland;

CCW, 2001, Guide to Best Practice in Seascape Assessment;

DEFRA (2009). Protecting Our Water, Soil and Air: Code of Good Agricultural Practice for farmers, growers and land managers.

DTI, 2005, Guidance on the Assessment of the Impact of Offshore Wind farms: Seascape and Visual Impact Report;

Landscape Institute, 2013, Guidelines for the Assessment of Landscape and Visual Impacts: Third Edition;

Landscape Institute, 2011, Use of Photography and Photomontage in Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Note 01 / 11;

NJUG Publication Volume 4 (2007). Guidelines for the Planning, Installation and Maintenance of Utility Apparatus in Proximity to Trees;

Scottish Government, 2014, Scotland’s Third National Planning Framework;

SNH, 1997, Banff and Buchan LCA;

SNH, 1998, Caithness and Sutherland LCA;

SNH, 1998, Moray and Nairn LCA;

SNH, 2002, Visual Assessment of Wind farms: Best Practice;

SNH, 2005, An Assessment of the Sensitivity and Capacity of the Scottish Seascape in Relation to Wind Farms.

SNH, 2005, Cumulative Effects of Windfarms (Version 2).

SNH, 2006, Visual Representation of Wind farms Good Practice Guidance;

SNH, 2014, Siting and Designing Wind Farms in the Landscape (Version 2);

SNH, 2008, Guidance on Landscape / Seascape Capacity for Aquaculture; and SNH, 2012, Assessing the Cumulative Effects of Onshore Wind Energy Developments.

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