strategic environmental assessment Environmental Report
WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL(Draft) interimdelivers supplementary guidance wind energy development April 2015
westlothian.gov.uk Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 1 SEA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – COVER NOTE
PART 1 To: [email protected] SEA Gateway Scottish Executive Area 1 H (Bridge) Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ PART 2 An Environmental Report is attached for: (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development
The responsible authority is: West Lothian Council
PART 3
Contact name Sarah Collings
Job title Planning Officer
Contact address Development Planning West Lothian Council Civic Centre Livingston West Lothian EH54 6FF
Contact tel no 01506 280000
Contact email [email protected]
PART 4
Signature (electronic S. d’A. Collings signature is acceptable)
Date April 2015
2 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development CONTENTS List of abbreviations 4 Non-technical summary 6 INTRODUCTION 9 1.1 Purpose of the Environmental Report 9 1.2 Key facts about the Plan, Programme or Strategy /Supplementary Guidance 10 1.3 SEA activities to date 12 PLANNING CONTEXT OF PROPOSED POLICY 14 2.1 Objectives and outline of the Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy 14 2.2 Regional and local policy context 16 2.3 SEA relationship with Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy 18 2.4 Relationship with other plans, programmes and strategies 25 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT 28 3.1 Scoping of SEA issues 28 3.2 Environmental baseline data (relevant aspects of the current state of the environment) 28 Biodiversity 29 Population and human health 39 Soils and geology 41 Water 43 Air quality 46 Climatic factors 47 Material assets (waste, energy, transport, agriculture, forestry, recreation, property etc.) 47 Cultural heritage (including architectural and archaelogical heritage) 50 Landscape 51 3.3 Environmental findings and issues 54 3.4 Environmental objectives of SEA 60 3.5 Likely evolution of the environment without Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy 62 REVIEW OF ASSESSMENT OF POLICY APPROACHES TO PPS / SG 63 4.1 Assessment method 63 4.2 Alternative policy approaches considered to which SEA applied 63 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS FOR PROPOSED POLICY 65 5.1 Actions arising from assessment findings and Environmental Report 65 5.2 Proposed mitigation: prevention, reduction and offsetting of significant adverse effects 65 5.3 Conclusions – environmental implications for SG 67 NEXT STEPS 67 6.1 Proposed next steps 67 6.2 Anticipated milestones 68 6.3 Monitoring 68
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 3 ANNEXES 69 Annex A West Lothian Wind Turbine Database, WLC Planning 69 Annex B Summary of statutory consultees responses to Scoping Report 71 Annex C Natural environment designations: detailed lists and indicative plan 73 Annex D Heritage designations s: detailed lists and indicative plan 77 Annex E Industrial estates 80 Annex F Edinburgh Airport: Airspace Diagram & NATS self assessment maps information 82 Annex G West Lothian Landscape Character Assessment (2011 update): list and map 82 Annex H Map of West Lothian River Basins (SEPA extract) 84 Annex I Route of Ethylene Pipeline 85 Annex J Ancient Woodlands/ Tree Preservation Orders (West Lothian GGP extract) 86 Annex K Phase 1 Habitat Survey 1993: Mire and Bog (West Lothian GGP extract) 87 Annex L Wildlife Sites – Lothian Wildlife 2008 (West Lothian GGP extract) 88 Annex M Recreation: Draft Core Paths/ Rights of Way/ Regional and Country Parks (West Lothian GGP extract) 89
List of abbreviations AGLV Area of Great Landscape Value CA Conservation Area CAs Consultation Authorities (SNH, HS, SEPA) CDA Core Development Area CEC City of Edinburgh Council CO2 Carbon dioxide CPP Core Paths Plan E&LSP Edinburgh and the Lothians Structure Plan 2015 EPS European Protected Species ER Environmental Report (i.e. this document) FC Falkirk Council GHG Greenhouse gases GIS Geographic Information System – digital mapping system HGDL Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes HS Historic Scotland LB Listed Building LBAP Local Biodiversity Action Plan LCS Landscape Capacity Study into Wind Energy in West Lothian (David Tyldesley Associates, 2011) LDP Local Development Plan LLDR (West Lothian) Local Landscape Designation Review (2013) LNR Local Nature Reserve MW Megawatt NCN National Cycle Network NLC North Lanarkshire Council NMRS National Monuments Record for Scotland NNR National Nature Reserve
4 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development NOx Nitrates, nitrites etc. implicated in water pollution and acid rain respectively NPF National Planning Framework PAN Planning Advice Note PHRP Pentland Hills Regional Park PPS Plan, Programme or Strategy (the categories of public policy making that may require SEA) RA Responsible Authority (WLC) Ramsar Wetland site of international importance especially for waterfowl derived from international Ramsar Convention RIGS Regionally Important Geological Sites SAC Special Area of Conservation (European directive for habitat protection) SAM Scheduled Ancient Monument SDP Strategic Development Plan 2013 SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SEPA Scottish Environmental Protection Agency SESplan The Strategic Development Planning Authority for Edinburgh and South East Scotland SLA Special Landscape Area SLC South Lanarkshire Council SMR Sites and Monuments Register SNH Scottish Natural Heritage SOx sulphate, sulphur dioxide etc. implicated in water pollution and acid rain respectively SPA Special Protection Area (European directive for species protection: birds) SG Supplementary Guidance SPP Scottish Planning Policy 2014 SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest TPO Tree Preservation Order TWIC The Wildlife Information Centre (Lothians) WLC West Lothian Council WLLDP West Lothian Local Development Plan WLLP West Lothian Local Plan 2009
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 5 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
It was determined at Scoping Report stage that the proposed supplementary guidance on wind energy falls under Section 5(3) of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and requires full Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in the form of an Environmental Report.
The purpose of this Environmental Report is to appraise the environmental effects of the council’s proposed extension and update of planning guidance on wind energy developments above and beyond current policy in the local plan. The policy change has been prompted by pressure for wind farm developments in the plan area, higher government targets and new national guidance for renewables, specifically wind energy.
The basic objective of Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy is to strategically address the development of and constraints on wind energy development which could be accommodated without unacceptable environmental impacts and without compromising the landscape character and visual quality of the West Lothian Council area. A range of other pertinent factors will also be considered, including environmental impacts. This should result in greater clarity in the determination of planning applications for wind energy development subject to meeting policy and guidance requirements.
The standard SEA methodology for Environmental Reports as outlined in the SEA Gateway Toolkit was followed.
CONTEXT OF PROPOSED POLICY
The established planning framework includes the Scottish Government’s planning and environmental objectives as set out in legislation and in Scottish Planning Policy and other relevant Scottish Government planning policy publications. The current development plan – Strategic Development Plan (2013) and the West Lothian Local Plan 2009 – will be superseded by the Strategic Development Plan and the West Lothian Local Development Plan in due course. The proposed SG will be incorporated into the council’s Local Development Plan.
The parameters for Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Draft SG on wind energy have been established through a scoping exercise. Comments from the Consultation Authorities on the Scoping Report are summarised in Annex B of the Environmental Report. It is considered that most of the environmental topics listed in the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, Schedule 3, have the potential to be impacted upon by the outcomes of the proposed policy document.
ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS & PROPOSED MITIGATION
This Report emphasises the generally high and improving environmental quality of the West Lothian area. Significant features of the natural and cultural environment are summarised in this report, and designated features mapped. There is also generally high quality in terms of healthy living and working environments. Some key features and trends for West Lothian that may impinge on the proposed guidance are outlined. These include aviation and MOD requirements, the urbanised nature of much of the area, and the mining / extractive industries legacy.
6 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Certain environmental problems have been identified. Some of these may be exacerbated by the outcomes of the proposed policy change. Landscape character and visual quality will be impacted. The Edinburgh and Lothians: Forestry & Woodland Strategy 2012-17 (August 2012) indicates that there may be policy conflicts with the proposed increase in wind energy development on land where increases in forest and woodland cover are also proposed. Cultural heritage interests are also noted as particularly sensitive to impacts of wind energy development. Potentially water quality, wildlife and wildlife habitats may also be impacted. The potential effects of not proceeding with the proposed policy change are summarised.
In order to carry out an assessment of the potential impacts of the policy, environmental objectives are drawn from the topics of Schedule 3 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. The arising objectives are the benchmarks for comparing alternative ways of achieving the overall planning aim. The proposed policy approach is one alternative and three other alternatives are offered.
The assessment method is a relatively simple comparative matrix. It is argued that while there are generally observed potential outcomes and effects of development relative to environmental receptors, some of the effects are difficult to monitor thus making it difficult to compare the effects from alternative planning strategies. There is a general lack of environmental baseline data in useful form and even for those aspects of the environment that are monitored in some detail it may not be reasonable to expect that the effects of smaller scale developments will be detected.
CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS
The Environmental Report concludes that the spatial framework, in accordance with government policy, is the best approach to drafting the proposed planning guidance on wind energy; that the assessment of wind energy proposals is critical to successful environmental protection; and that the landscape capacity study will form an important basis for policy development. However, it is noted that Strategic Environmental Assessment is a background technical requirement, and that the council will make its decision on whether to proceed with a policy change after balancing the environmental impact conclusions with other factors.
It is also likely that further guidance on micro-renewables, including small wind turbines below the lower threshold of the commissioned landscape study, will be required.
This Environmental Report will form part of the consultation documentation for the draft supplementary guidance (SG) on wind energy. The proposed period for the consultation exercise is:
Spring - Summer 2015 (eight weeks)
The return address for comments and responses is: Development Planning, West Lothian Council Civic Centre Howden South Road Livingston EH54 6FF [email protected]
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 7 COMMENTS / MITIGATION / MONITORING
Comments received on the draft Environmental Report and the draft supplementary guidance on wind energy (SG) will be addressed and documents revised after further review and assessment.
There may be potential to mitigate the environmental impacts of the proposed SG through off-setting any significant adverse effects on tree cover and other identified potential habitat losses through proportionate additions of tree cover and habitats at other locations within the council area.
The final stage of Strategic Environmental Assessment is monitoring the actual as opposed to the predicted outcomes of policy implementation. The council’s planning application monitoring system is described briefly. Finally the remaining stages of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and planning policy processes are summarised. Items proposed for monitoring and which are indicative of the results of the report are: Increase in megawatts of power produced through wind energy Tree cover losses and gains Impacts on agricultural land – arable, soils, usage – particularly from single turbine applications Cultural heritage – impacts of wind energy upon quality, designations etc. Impacts on landscape designations: AGLV, ASLC, SLA, HGDL as well as Countryside Belts Cumulative impacts over a broad spectrum of factors including biodiversity, landscape, water, visual, noise, recreation etc. Volume of wind energy applications – impacts/ workload.
8 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy development
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose of the Environmental Report
As part of the preparation of Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy, West Lothian Council is carrying out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). SEA derives from a European Community directive and is a systematic method for considering the likely environmental effects of certain Plans, Programmes or Strategies (PPS).
The SEA process aims to: integrate environmental factors into PPS preparation and decision-making; improve PPS and enhance environmental protection; increase public participation in decision making; and facilitate openness and transparency of decision-making.
SEA is required by the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and arises from European Directive 2001/42/EC, known as the SEA Directive. SEA Environmental Reports are also a vehicle for placing the environmental assessment of proposals into the public domain.
Sustainable development is an important driver of the strategic environmental assessment process, and is defined by the 1983 Brundtland Commission as development that seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability to meet those of the future (Our Common Future, World Commission on Environment and Development, 1983).
The key SEA stages are: determines whether the PPS is likely to have significant environmental effects Screening and whether a SEA is required. determines through a Scoping Report the scope and level of detail of the Environmental Report, and the consultation period for the report – this Scoping is done in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and The Scottish Ministers. Publishing an offers the full environmental appraisal of the PPS and its environmental effects Environmental for public scrutiny. Report provides information on: the adopted PPS; how consultation comments Adopting the have been taken into account; and methods for monitoring the significant PPS/SG environmental effects of the implementation of the PPS. allows continued assessment and monitoring of significant environmental effects in such a manner so as to also enable the Responsible Authority Monitoring (WLC) to identify any unforeseen adverse effects at an early stage and undertake appropriate remedial action.
The overall aim of undertaking SEA for the SG will be to ensure that all significant environmental effects are considered as an integral part of the process towards adoption of the SG. It is anticipated that the proposed policy guidance on wind energy will be adopted in 2015.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 9 The purpose of this Environmental Report is to: provide background information on the Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy; identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant adverse environmental effects of the SG and reasonable alternatives; provide an early and effective opportunity for the Consultation Authorities and the public to offer views on any aspect of this Environmental Report.
Where feasible, environmental indicators to track potential significant adverse environmental effects have been developed, to measure environmental outcomes which could be included within monitoring work for the Local Development Plan where the SG for wind energy is envisaged to be incorporated.
Schedule 3 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that the Environmental Report (ER) outline how the SEA has been undertaken, and be published for an appropriate consultation period. Within the preceding Scoping Report (p. 30) the draft outline for the ER was suggested as following: non-technical summary; introduction; SEA Methodology; Plan Context; Environmental Baseline and SEA Objectives; Assessment of environmental effects and proposed mitigation; Conclusion and steps for consultation to adoption stage of SEA.
It can be seen from the table of contents for the ER that this intention has been taken forward. A draft Environmental Report will be released with the draft SG.
Regarding abbreviations, as these are numerous in SEA work a List of Abbreviations has been included on pages iv-v and additional reminders are included within the body of the report.
1.2 Key facts about the SG
The proposed SG comprises guidance written to inform the application of the West Lothian Local Plan 2009. Although the SG cannot replace policy in the local plan and the Strategic Development Plan, it will be given weight through reflecting changes in the climate change agenda, the wind energy industry and policy context. These are respectively: increased renewable energy is a major policy initiative in Scotland; the size of wind turbines and the variety scale and location of wind development has evolved, and national and lower tiers of policy continue to be revised to reflect these changes.
In short, since the council’s local plan was adopted in January 2009, interest in wind energy development has moved away from the remote hills into the wider countryside and nearer settlements. This has resulted in an increase in the number of planning applications being submitted for wind turbines and wind farms.
The proposed guidance is concerned with the full range of on-shore wind energy development wind energy development. The methodology of the background technical document – the Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development in West Lothian (LCS, December 2011) – supports landscape and visual assessment of single wind turbines from 51m blade tip height to commercial scale wind farms. It is envisaged that the guidance will be further used for smaller wind turbines with proportionate weighting in addition to assessment policy tools on the Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage web-sites.
West Lothian has had considerable developer interest from large-scale wind energy with operational wind farms at Black Law and Pates Hill along the south-west boundary. The council tracks interest in all levels of wind energy development and this information will be updated on a quarterly basis on the council web-site from the consultation period onward. See Annex A for the most recent version.
10 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Aviation is a major constraint to wind energy development in West Lothian with all of the council area contained within the notifiable airspace zone of Edinburgh Airport. One of the main flight paths for Edinburgh International Airport bi-sects the council area in a north-east to south-west direction. See Annex F for a map of the Edinburgh Airport airspace diagram and notification zone.
The proposed policy guidance will be reliant on the external expertise on landscape character and visual impact assessment contained in the Landscape Capacity Study. The SG will set out the constraints, considerations and criteria identified in the LCS Report and it will take into account advice and constraints in national guidance, primarily the revised SPP and apply these to the local context. The SG will be a material consideration in planning application regarding wind energy.
The key facts relating to the Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy are set out in Table 1.
Table 1: Key facts relating to Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy Name of responsible West Lothian Council authority Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy [N.B. – title given is more general than Title of PPS that used in the Scoping Report to reflect changes in the emerging SG] Two factors prompted the PPS: Scottish Government renewable energy targets What and the desire of the council to clarify the policy position in response to increasing prompted the interest in wind turbine/farm applications. The PPS is a requirement of Scottish PPS Planning Policy (2014). Subject (e.g. Renewable energy and planning transport) Period covered The current local plan was adopted in 2009. It is anticipated that the SG will be by PPS incorporated into the LDP. Frequency of Approximately every five years as part of the Local Development Plan updates Area covered See map of West Lothian by PPS Purpose and/ To provide planning policy guidance for the determination of wind energy or objectives of applications in the jurisdiction of West Lothian PPS Sarah Collings, Planning Officer, Development Planning, West Lothian Council Civic Centre Contact point: Howden South Road Livingston EH54 6FF [email protected] 01506 280000
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 11 1.3 SEA activities to date
This SEA Environmental Report has been prepared in accordance with Section 15 of the Scottish SEA Act 2005 and makes use of guidance provided in the Scottish Government’s SEA Toolkit.
Commencing the SEA process alongside the development of the draft SG for wind energy will help to ensure that modification of the SG can be achieved as environmental issues are identified.
A key SEA activity is the preparation of a Scoping Report which is sent to specified consultation authorities. The SEA process involves consulting with the public and the designated Consultation Authorities - Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and Historic Scotland (HS) - at various stages throughout the process.
The purpose of a Scoping Report is to set out sufficient information on the SG to enable the consultation authorities to form a view on the proposed consultation periods and scope and level of detail that will be appropriate for the Environmental Report (ER). West Lothian Council as the responsible authority issued a Scoping Report in July 2012 seeking comments on the proposed methodology and scope of the Environmental Report for SG Wind Energy. Existing information of relevance to the Environmental Report sought includes data on: other relevant plans and programmes; environmental protection objectives; environmental or sustainability problems; the existing and future state of the environment; and, information on relevant additional cumulative or synergistic effects.
Comments received from the Consulting Authorities on the Scoping Report (SR) will be taken into account in the SEA process. The Environmental Report will also address how comments have been responded to in the SG. See Annex B – Summary of Consultation Responses on Scoping Report.
In the summer of 2013 an earlier version known as Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPP), was sent out for consultation by both e-mail and post with documents available on-line and at local libraries. Results of that consultation have been incorporated into the revised SG.
12 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Table 2 summarises SEA activities to date in relation to Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy. Table 2: SEA activities to date (SR – Scoping Report; ER – Environmental Report; CAs – consultation authorities; RA – responsible authority)
SEA Action/Activity When carried out Notes Screening: to determine whether the SG is SEA deemed necessary due n/a likely to have significant environmental effects to subject of SG Scoping: the consultation periods and Increased level of detail 9 July – 13 August the level of detail to be included in the required by CAs – see 2012 Environmental Report summary in Annex B Initially as part of SR; Outline and objectives of the SG continued in ER Relationship with other SG and Initially as part of SR; environmental objectives continued in ER Initially as part of SR; See points in SNH and SEPA Environmental baseline established continued in ER responses in Annex B Initially as part of SR; Environmental problems identified continued in ER Assessment of future of area without the SG See section 3.5 of ER Initially as part of SR; Alternatives considered continued in ER Environmental assessment methods Initially as part of SR; established continued in ER Selection of PPS alternatives to be included Initially as part of SR; in the environmental assessment continued in ER Identification of environmental problems that may persist after implementation and Initially as part of SR; measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and continued in ER offset any significant adverse effects Publication of Environmental Report and SG Consultation timescales: Document on the council Summer 2013 Consultation Authorities web-site and libraries. public Consultations reported to committee November 2013 Significant methodology Publication of revised SPP and NPF3 June 2014 changes Major revisions to document subsequently April 2015 to committee Will depend on the level 8 -12 wks following of comments and revision Adoption end of consultation required and available committee dates Monitoring significant Initially as part of SR; environmental effects of Monitoring methods proposed continued in ER the SG is an ongoing and long-term process
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 13 PLANNING CONTEXT OF PROPOSED POLICY
2.1 Objectives and outline of the Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy
The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that the Environmental Report (ER) includes an outline of the contents and main objectives of the plan, programme or strategy. The purpose of this section is to explain the nature, contents, objectives and timescale of the Draft supplementary guidance (SG): wind energy.
As a starting point, it is necessary to understand the background and local context for the SG. The council produces a quarterly update on wind energy activity: Windfarm proposals in and adjacent to West Lothian & Minor Renewable Energy Developments which comprises a colour coded plan indicating the status of proposals and a spread sheet giving further details about each proposal. This information can be found in Annex A where there is a web-link.
It can be seen that there is considerable wind energy interest in the western and southern parts of West Lothian. There are a number of sizeable wind farms that are approved/ developed/ under construction that run along and near the council’s boundary with South Lanarkshire: Black Law and its extension, Tormywheel (not built), Pates Hill and Stallashaw Moss (SLC). The Burnhead/ Stoneridge wind farm - located on the Falkirk side of the boundary adjacent Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve and the council’s Blackridge Heights Area of Great Landscape Value – was recently approved at appeal.
The council has a number of concerns relating to the rapid pace of wind energy development. These concerns are briefly described below. Towns and villages in the Breich Valley and the Blackridge area have raised concerns about the encroachment of wind energy proposals on their communities. Wind energy proposals tend to be on higher ground which coincides with the location of many local amenities such as country and regional parks, outdoor recreational areas, designated landscapes and some of the most attractive parts of West Lothian. Single wind turbines of commercial scale have been proposed, in what appears to be a speculative rather than a considered strategic approach Parts of the West Lothian countryside have a long history of damage due to extractive industries, however after decades of reclamation and regeneration work by public agencies, often with invaluable community support, these areas are improving. There is concern that resultant woodlands, shelterbelts, and tree schemes are in danger of being lost through tree felling and clear cutting because tree stands can cause turbulence and obstruct air flow for wind turbines. The River Almond valley forms a wide basin within the central part of West Lothian giving rise to long distance views of the surrounding Pentland and Bathgate Hills as well as any wind turbines or wind farms of significant height visible in the locality. Therefore visibility, scale, legibility of the landscape and potential cumulative impacts are an important issue in the Livingtson/ Almond Valley area (as confirmed by the LLDR, 2013).
The council also recognises that it must play its part in supporting the uptake of renewable wind energy usage in Scotland. The council believes that there may be scope for further wind energy development in a number of settings where it can be sensitively sited and designed to compliment other activities that require large amounts of on-site power - the disaggregated approach to renewable energy.
14 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development The modern business parks, older industrial estates of Livingston and other West Lothian settlements may be able to incorporate suitably scaled and designed wind energy in the often generous plot sizes where these premises are located. Industrial estates and large warehouses near the M8 corridor might make suitable candidates for renewable energy to off-set their carbon based energy needs. The council has five Core Development Areas in Broxburn, East Calder, Livingston, Armadale and Winchburgh projected to encompass some 12,500 new homes, as well as economic, recreational and other infrastructure. Although these developments are now variously at master planning and implementation stages, renewable energy such as small wind systems may be appropriate in their evolving energy mix.
Critical to the planning decision making process in the determination of any wind energy proposal is meaningful and useful assessment based on agreed criteria and policy guidance.
Given this background, the draft SG will provide guidance and a spatial framework indicating where on-shore wind energy development is likely to be supported subject to specific proposals satisfactorily addressing all other material considerations. The SG is to be closely based on the background document Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development in West Lothian prepared by consultants David Tyldesley and Associates, December 2011.
The main objectives of the SG are to: provide additional planning guidance to complement the guidance in the local plan support the government’s aim to increase the generation of energy from renewables provide a spatial framework to indicate where on-shore wind energy development proposals are likely to be supported, or not, subject to the specific proposals satisfactorily addressing all other material considerations, and facilitate assessment of wind energy proposals across a range of criteria and ultimately improve the planning decision making process for the determination of applications for wind turbines and wind farms.
The anticipated contents of the proposed Draft SG on wind energy are outlined: Introduction Policy context Need/ purpose of SG Scope of SG Strategic approach to wind energy Detailed guidance for application stage Assessment criteria: noise, aviation, bio-diversity, historic environment, EIA etc. Supporting maps and appendices.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 15 2.2 Regional and local policy context The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that the Environmental Report includes an outline of the proposed plan’s relationship with other relevant draft SG, and, explains how environmental protection objectives have been taken into account. This section covers these issues and describes the policy context within which the proposed SG operates, as well as the constraints and targets that this context imposes on the SG. A review of other relevant plans programmes and strategies (PPS) is an essential component of SEA. The aim of the review is to: 1. identify matters that are significant and could influence the development of the SG; 2. establish links between other PPS and the emerging SG; 3. identify key national and regional priorities that need to be taken into consideration; and, 4. identify any environmental objectives and indicators relevant to the SG in other PPS that could be used to inform the SEA process.
In terms of spatial planning for West Lothian, strategic direction is given by the National Planning Framework 3. The development plan is comprised of the structure plan and the local plan. The Regional Plan for the area is the Strategic Development Plan 2013. Setting local policy deriving from this document is the West Lothian Local Plan which was adopted as council policy in January 2009.
Policy within the proposed SG will not replace policy within the development plan but it will be given weight as a material consideration as it will be up to date and prepared after the adoption of the revised Scottish Planning Policy.
Currently wind energy applications to West Lothian Council are assessed against a range of extant national, regional and local policy and guidance.
The West Lothian Local Plan is the ultimate test against which wind energy proposals are determined at planning application stage or in cases where the council is a statutory consultee to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit for Section 36 applications for on-shore wind farms in excess of 50 megawatts. Local plan policies NWR20-27 set out specific requirements for wind energy development. Policy NWR29 indicates that the preferred areas for windfarm development are at Woodmuir plantation and Pates Hill (south of Breich and west of Addiewell to Cobbinshaw Road). Pates Hill wind farm has been constructed and an extension is currently at EIA screening stage. Progress on the Woodmuir preferred area is dependent on resolution of a conditional permission at the adjacent site for Tormywheel wind farm requiring resolution of adverse impacts on radar cover for Edinburgh Airport.
The comprehensive policy framework of the local plan is drawn upon to address site-specific issues for wind energy developments such as biodiversity, landscape, heritage and noise. An interim guide to the assessment of noise for wind energy has been drafted and the council aims to incorporate this assessment criteria into the proposed SG.
West Lothian has commenced preparing a new Local Development Plan to address the strategic requirements of the SDP being prepared by SESplan. The intention is that the SG will be incorporated into the council’s Local Development Plan in due course.
Windfarm development in West Lothian has the capacity to affect neighbouring authorities, and vice versa. In setting out the context of the proposed SG it is necessary to review strategic planning policies and the policies and guidance for wind farms within neighbour authorities.
16 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Table 3: Current position on wind energy policy of adjacent local authorities in strategic plans
Adjacent Strategic Plan / policy position on wind energy: Authority/ • policy / local plan policy Strategic Development Plan 2013 Policy 10: Sustainable Energy Technologies – The Strategic Development Plan SESplan seeks to promote sustainable energy sources. Policy 10: Sustainable Energy Technologies: seeks to promote sustainable energy sources through Local Development Plans
City of Second Proposed Local Development Plan (June 2014) Edinburgh As much of area inappropriate to wind farms supports small-scale wind turbines Council and other forms of low and zero carbon energy generation Proposed Local Development Plan (2013) Scottish Borders Council Policy ED9: Renewable Energy Developments – supports renewable energy proposals provided no adverse impacts which cannot be mitigated Proposed South Lanarkshire LDP (May 2013, adoption aimed for early 2015) South Lanarkshire Policy 19: Renewable Energy – supported subject to assessment against Council principles in SPP 2014and must also accord with other relevant policies and proposals in the development plan and supplementary guidance North Lanarkshire Local Plan 2012 North The council supports in principle.… all forms of renewable energy generation Lanarkshire proposals, subject to criteria addressing issues of scale, cumulative impact, Council community benefit and restoration in accordance with SG EDI 3A2 Assessing Applications for Wind Farms. Falkirk Local Development Plan (published April 2013) Falkirk Council Policy RW01: Renewable energy – support subject to satisfactory assessment; wind energy assessed in relation to range of factors Proposed FIFEplan Local Development Plan (published October 2014)
Fife Council Policy 11: Low Carbon Fife – Landscape capacity for onshore wind turbines: all applications assessed against spatial framework and threshold diagram; further assessed against SG
The proposed West Lothian SG on wind energy will fulfill requirements of the structure plan and the strategic development plan.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 17 2.3 SEA relationship with Draft SG: wind energy development
The SEA process requires that the relationship of the proposed SG on wind energy with the SEA environmental topics is clarified in the context of relevant environmental legislation.
National and international policy related to land use planning is set out in Scottish Planning Policy. The environmental objectives of higher order policy and legislation (European and national) are interpreted through this document.
Table 4 summarises how Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy affects, and is affected by, other relevant plans/ programmes/ strategies and further relates the policy context for the draft SG to environmental protection objectives.
PPS above the Scottish level have generally been excluded from the list, primarily because it is assumed that all relevant international, European and UK environmental legislation has been implemented into national, regional and local strategy and guidance. Local PPS are given in the first column as devolved environmental policy objectives.
Table 4: Relevant plans, programmes and strategies (PPS) and SEA environmental protection objectives, and their relationship with Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy
0 Name of other relevant Legislation giving rise to Explanatory notes on any or emerging local PPS & environmental protection environmental protection environmental protection objective objectives objective BIODIVERSITY: protect/ enhance ecosystems, designated sites, species and habitats Protect/enhance biodiversity Nature Conservation (Scotland) To be taken into account in Act 2004 preparation of the SG. Protect/enhance biodiversity Conservation (Natural Paramount policy Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended)
SNH: Habitats Regulations Identifies supplementary Appraisal of Plans Guidance guidance as plans which should be considered in order to determine whether appropriate assessment is required
SNH: Guidance on Assessing SG should include all Special Connectivity with Special Protection Areas which are Protection Areas (SPAs) (2012) considered to be within connectivity distance of West Lothian
To be taken into account in preparation of the SG
18 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Name of other relevant Legislation giving rise to Explanatory notes on any or emerging local PPS & environmental protection environmental protection environmental protection objective objectives objective Protect / enhance species and Local Agenda 21 Arises from UN conference: habitats 1990s precursor of local government environmental work
Directive 2009/147/EC Overarching policy protecting (European parliament and birds and bats which are at risk council) The Birds Directive – from wind turbine blades and conservation of wild birds habitat encroachment
Planning for Biodiversity Action Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Important for detailed local in West Lothian (1997) (SG) 2004 information and objectives and basis for LBAP groups
Natura 2000 sites, European Protected Species (EPS) and other species and other biodiversity critical policy to be taken into account in preparation of the SG.
Policy on Control of Woodland To protect woodlands from Removal (FCS, 2009) loss and mismanagement
Bats and Wind Turbines (SNH, 2012) POPULATION & HUMAN HEALTH: implement the green network, protect and enhance human health Protect local population and PADHI & PADHI+, Health and Planning advice for human health Safety Executive Planning developments near hazardous Advice Note (PAN) 1/2011: installations, i.e. near pipelines, Planning and Noise power-lines, power stations etc. Implementation of Central National Planning Framework 3 Scotland Green Network Increased tree cover a potential conflict with wind turbines
To be taken into account in the preparation of the SG
Scottish Planning Circular To protect civil aviation etc. 2/2003 Safeguarding of Aerodromes, Technical Sites and Military Explosives Storage Areas: The Town and Country Planning (Safeguarded Aerodromes, Technical Sites and Military Explosives Storage)
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 19 Name of other relevant Legislation giving rise to Explanatory notes on any or emerging local PPS & environmental protection environmental protection environmental protection objective objectives objective SOILS & GEOLOGY: protect carbon rich and valuable agricultural soils Protect soils including best Scottish Soil Framework, 2009 WL has limited quality agricultural soils (SG) agricultural soils that require to be protected.
Protect peat and carbon rich Calculating carbon savings Wind turbines are often soils from wind farms on Scottish proposed on peat/ heavy peat lands, 2012 (SNH) organic soils which store West Lothian Soil Sustainability carbon and are rare soil types Report (2004) due to agricultural drainage
Wind energy developments have the potential to result in the disturbance of carbon rich soils, particularly peat and the loss of their integrity and stability results in erosion and degradation. This is likely to lead to release of carbon, effects on hydrology, water quality and ultimately ecological status.
To be taken into account in the preparation of the SG
Scotland’s National Peatland To protect, manage and Plan (Draft, 2014) improve peatlands
20 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Name of other relevant Legislation giving rise to Explanatory notes on any or emerging local PPS & environmental protection environmental protection environmental protection objective objectives objective WATER QUALITY: protect water supplies and conserve wetlands and riparian environments Protect water supplies/ quality Water Framework Directive – Over-arching policy: WFD Europe (WFD) objectives: no deterioration in status of water bodies, Water Environment and Water enhancement of the ecological Services (Scotland) Act 2003 status of aquatic ecosystems (WEWS Act) (including surface waters, coastal waters, transitional Forth Area Management Plan The Scotland River Basin waters and groundwater); 2012 – 2015 (Forth Estuary Management Plan (SEPA etc) the promotion of sustainable Advisory Board) water use; reduction in pollution; and contribution to the mitigation of floods and droughts.
To be taken into account in the preparation of the SG Protect people/areas from Flood Risk Management Requires a more integrated flood risk (Scotland) Bill 2009 and sustainable approach to flood risk management and prescribes a new responsibility for agencies at all levels to act to reduce overall flood risk Protect/ enhance riparian See WFD and devolved policies water/environment above
Forth Area Management Plan. West Lothian Local Bio- River Almond has a history of diversity Action Plan – water, pollution and improvement in rivers and wetlands modern times
River Almond Catchment Wind farm developments Management Plan, 1998 are likely to result in the introduction of substantial areas of concrete hard standing for turbine foundations and access roads, the creation of borrow pits for extracting material and the removal of forested areas and vegetation, which can result in significant changes to the water environment.
To be taken into account in the preparation of the SG
Blue Seas, Green Energy: A Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy in Scottish Waters – consultation draft, April 2014
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 21 Name of other relevant Legislation giving rise to Explanatory notes on any or emerging local PPS & environmental protection environmental protection environmental protection objective objectives objective AIR QUALITY: protect air quality Protect air quality Air Quality Strategy for To be taken into account in the England, Scotland, Wales and preparation of the SG Northern Ireland (DEFRA) 2007 CLIMATIC FACTORS: adapt/ mitigate climate change factors Consider climatic factors Climate Change (Scotland) Paramount policy – in force. Bill (SG) 2009 Places a duty on public bodies to contribute to the delivery Changing Our Ways: of the targets set in the Act in Scotland’s Climate Change exercising their functions. Programme (SG) 2006 To be taken into account in the preparation of the SG MATERIAL ASSETS: Manage material assets wisely; maximise wind energy generation Manage material assets wisely: (waste, energy, transport, agriculture and forestry, tourism and recreation, property and industry) Scottish Forestry Strategy 2006 Paramount policy (Forestry Commission)
West Lothian Local Bio- Scottish Government’s Policy Potential conflicts with need to diversity Action Plan – on Control of Woodland remove trees that contribute to woodland Removal (Forestry Commission turbulence on wind stream for Scotland, 2009) wind turbines
Devolved West Lothian Forestry & Woodland Strategy strategy is being prepared and for Edinburgh and the Lothians anticipated in early 2013 (Edinburgh & Lothian Green Network Partnership, 2012)
Assessing the impact of small- Important in assessment scale wind energy proposals criteria at local level on the natural heritage (SNH) March 2012 To be taken into account in the preparation of the SG Zero Waste Plan 2010 Renewable Energy Strategy Scottish Government: 2020 SG driver in targets for for West Lothian Council (RES, Route Map for Renewable renewable and wind energy 2012) Energy in Scotland development
22 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Name of other relevant Legislation giving rise to Explanatory notes on any or emerging local PPS & environmental protection environmental protection environmental protection objective objectives objective CULTURAL HERITAGE: protect/ enhance historic environment, scheduled ancient monuments, listed buildings, designed gardens and landscapes Protect cultural heritage, Scottish Historic Environment Comprehensive policy on including architectural and Policy (Historic Scotland) 2009 historic environment of archaeological heritage Scotland
To be taken into account in the preparation of the SG LANDSCAPE QUALITY: protect/ enhance landscape character, designated landscapes & reduce cumulative visual impacts of wind farms and turbines Protect enhance landscape character and designated landscapes SPP 2014 – Renewable energy subject policy
West Lothian Local Plan 2009 Guidance on Local Landscape Local Landscape Designation – landscape designations & Designation (SNH, 2006) Review based on landscape policy character is about to be undertaken
Landscape Capacity Study for Siting and Designing Key background technical Wind Energy Development in Windfarms in the Landscape document informing the SG West Lothian (David Tyldesley (SNH) 2009 Associates for West Lothian SNH wind energy guidance Council and SNH, 2011) Assessing the impact of small- and assessment documents scale wind energy proposals important in informing the SG on the natural heritage (SNH) march 2012
Siting and Design of Small Scale Wind Turbines of between 15 and 50metres in height (SNH) Match 2012- To be taken into account in the preparation of the SG
Assessing the impact of small- scale wind energy proposals on the natural heritage (V2) (SNH, June 2014)
Siting and designing windfarms in the landscape (V2) (SNH, 2014)
West Lothian Landscape Character Classification (WLC, 2014) Assessing the Cumulative Effect of Onshore Wind Energy Minimise cumulative impacts An arising issue Developments –Draft (SNH) 2009
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 23 Name of other relevant Legislation giving rise to Explanatory notes on any or emerging local PPS & environmental protection environmental protection environmental protection objective objectives objective OTHER WIDE RANGING PPS/ ISSUES: comply with guidance as applicable Consider issues arising from Environmental Impact EIA is a standard requirement inter-relationship between Assessment (Scotland) with wind energy applications the potential likely significant Regulations 1999. See general - to be taken into account in effects on the environmental legislation compliance listed the preparation of the SG issues referred to in the below headings above The Town & Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011
Environmental Assessment Gives rise to SEA process – this (Scotland) Act 2005 ER document Comply with planning policy Scottish Planning Policy (SPP, To be taken into account in the and legislation 2014) preparation of the SG
National Planning Framework 3 (SG) 2014 Comply with renewable energy 2020 Route map for Renewable To be taken into account in the guidance Energy in Scotland (2010) preparation of the SG Edinburgh and the Lothians Comprehensive local/ regional Structure Plan 2015 (E&LSP) policy position and guidance – SG to expand on existing policy basis Local Development Plan (LDP) Strategic Development Plan will supersede WLLP in due (2013) course
It can be seen that the Strategic Environmental Assessment process gives rise to a wide range of environmental objectives deriving from a broad range of environmental and other policy of relevance to the proposed SG on wind energy.
24 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 2.4 Relationship with other plans, programmes and strategies
The SG will be effected by, and will equally effect, a wide range of other relevant plans, programmes and strategies both within and outside the council’s jurisdiction. It is therefore important to determine whether the SG will give rise to conflicts with other plans, programmes and strategies.
Inconsistencies are bound to arise at times between other PPS or environmental objectives. In deciding how to resolve any conflicts, the relative timing of the plans, programmes or objectives concerned will be considered, as well as the degree to which they accord with current policy or legal requirements and the objectives of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and SEA Directive. The SG may not be able to accommodate all the requirements of the other PPS; or it may be undesirable to take on board the requirements (e.g. because they are not sustainable). These relationships are considered in Table 5 of the SEA Scoping Report template as set out below.
From the long list of policy documents in Table 4, a number of key documents are likely to have more influence on the development of the PPS/SG than others. Documents that are currently and typically used in the assessment of planning applications for wind energy are listed, as well as the key policy documents cited in Table 4. Thus the key documents that are likely to have a major role in the development of the SG are:
National and international Scottish Planning Policy (SPP, 2014) European Water Framework Directive 2003 and cascaded policy / guidance (WFD) European Birds Directive 2009 and cascaded policy / guidance (the Birds Directive) Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 1994 (as amended) Habitats Regulation Appraisal (1994) Scottish Historic Environment Policy (Historic Scotland) 2009 Scottish Government’s Policy on Control of Woodland Removal (Forestry Commission Scotland, 2009) Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999 – EIA requirements Siting and Designing Windfarms in the Landscape (SNH) (V2) 2014 Assessing the Cumulative Effect of Onshore Wind Energy Developments –Draft (SNH) 2009
Local and regional West Lothian Local Plan 2009 Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development in West Lothian (David Tyldesley Associates for West Lothian Council and SNH, 2011) West Lothian Local Development Plan: Main Issues Report, (August 2014)
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 25 Table 5: Framework of analysis proposed for relationship of SG with other PPS and environmental objectives
How it affects, or is affected by Name of PPS Title of legislation and main ‘Draft supplementary guidance: objective requirements of PPS objective wind energy’ in terms of SEA issues referred to in Schedule 3 of the Act National and international Scottish Planning Policy (SPP, Comply with SPP 2014) - Planning authorities should The SG must comply and provide a and provide spatial take a broad approach to landscape spatial framework framework and natural heritage. Protect water environment and European Water Framework The SG must ensure that wind resources from Directive 2003 and cascaded energy development does not cause adverse impacts policy / guidance (WFD) a deterioration in water resources of wind energy development Wind turbine development within West Lothian would have European Birds Directive 2009 and the potential to impact on the cascaded policy / guidance (the conservation objectives of the Firth Birds Directive) - Requires Member of Forth SPA, Gladhouse Reservoir Maintain integrity States to sustain populations of SPA and Westwater SPA due to of SPAs and SACs naturally occurring wild birds movement of some species (e.g. by sustaining areas of habitats pink-footed geese) outwith the to maintain ecologically and designated sites. Craigengar SAC scientifically sound levels. and Blawhorn SAC should also be considered. Ensure habitats Habitats appraisal will be critical appraisals Conservation (Natural Habitats to the overall assessment of the undertaken for etc) Regulations 1994 (as impacts of wind energy planning wind energy amended) applications which are the subject of proposals the proposed SG Biodiversity duty affects SG as responsible authority must consider Nature Conservation (Scotland) constraints and opportunities Act 2004 arising. Includes recognition of Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Protect / enhance Duty for public bodies, in the aims such as restore and enhance biodiversity exercise of their duties, to further biodiversity in all environments; conservation of biodiversity so far and, ensure that the best new and as is consistent with the exercise of existing knowledge on biodiversity those duties. is available to all policy makers and practitioners. Scottish Historic Environment Protect the historic Policy (Historic Scotland) 2009 – SHEP require to be taken into environment overarching policy with regard to the account in the drafting of the SG Scottish historic environment.
26 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development How it affects, or is affected by Name of PPS Title of legislation and main ‘Draft supplementary guidance: objective requirements of PPS objective wind energy’ in terms of SEA issues referred to in Schedule 3 of the Act The SG will need to take a view on the protection of woodlands and trees. It is noted that local Scottish Government’s Policy on policy ENV 11 presumes against Control of Woodland Removal Protect woodland the development of woodlands (Forestry Commission Scotland, and trees and trees unless there is a proven 2009) – policy and criteria regulating locational need and where a the removal of woodland sustainable environmental gain through replacement and additional tree planting for the area is provided. Ensure full Environmental Assessment EIA will require to be addressed in environmental (Scotland) Act 2005 – Scottish EIA the SG assessment legislation requirements. Siting and Designing Windfarms Design is a material consideration in the Landscape (SNH) (V2) in the planning process. Good Ensure well sited 2014- different landscapes will have siting and design of windfarms is and designed different capacity to accommodate important for all parties involved, wind energy new development, and the siting helping to produce development development and design of development should which is appropriate to a landscape be informed by local landscape whilst delivering Scottish renewables character. targets. Assessing the Cumulative Effect of Onshore Wind Energy Ensure cumulative Developments –Draft (SNH) 2009 impacts are To be taken into account in the SG. – guidance on the assessment of assessed cumulative impacts of wind turbines on landscape and visual impacts Local and regional Landscape Capacity Study for Protect landscape Wind Energy Development in Key background technical study on character and West Lothian (David Tyldesley which the SG is to be based. visual quality Associates for West Lothian Council and SNH, 2011) SG to amplify/ Local plan policy which the SG is to compliment local West Lothian Local Plan 2009 amplify and with which the SG must plan policy comply.
Refining environmental objectives for the SG is part of the task of this Environmental Report, an underlying aim being to ensure that the SG does not have significant negative environmental impacts. The objectives for the SG will be taken up again in section 3.4: Environmental objectives of SEA.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 27 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT
3.1 Scoping of SEA issues
The SEA topic issues for the Environmental Report have been re-scoped in light of comments from Statutory Consultees on the Scoping Report, and further SEA topic work. Table 6 below has been revised to reflect these comments.
Through consideration of the opinions of the consultation authorities in Annex B and revision of the Scoping of SEA Issues the intention is to show that as responsible authority for the SEA of this PPS/SG West Lothian Council has considered the points raised and taken action where required. Environmental assessment has been stream-lined in the interests of focusing on the most critical issues, as well as rationalising the SEA workload.
Ticks coloured blue in the scoped in column indicate that a SEA Topic has been moved from the scoped out section where it was placed in the Scoping Report.
Table 6: Review of scoping of SEA Issues
Scoped Scoped SEA issues Comments/ reasons in out Scoped in due to Natura site designations, biodiversity European Protected Species and other protected species identified as a priority by SNH. SEPA have indicated need to cover Water Framework Directive and arising interests.
population and SNH also indicate that population and human human health health should be scoped in as issues related to wind energy development such as noise and shadow flicker can have a significant effect on human health. SNH require a wider scoping of soils than a single soils focus on peat soils SNH indicates water should be scoped in as the scoping process has been restricted to flood risk: the effects on the water environment should be considered in the round, including the relationship to other issues such as biodiversity, as habitats and water species present in West Lothian are dependent on or may be affected by changes in the water environment.
SEPA require further scoping of the water environment into the assessment. Changed to scoped in. WL has air quality issues related to the Grangemouth petrochemical complex to the north- air west. Air quality is an issue for WL Environmental Health in some local settlements. Relates to underlying target of SG to lower GHG climatic factors emissions.
28 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Scoped Scoped SEA issues Comments/ reasons in out material assets (i.e. waste, energy, transport, agriculture Now scoped in as SG subject area of relevance to and forestry, tourism energy, forestry, tourism and recreation. and recreation, property and industry) cultural heritage (inc architectural Potential conflicts between historic environment and archaeological and visual impacts of wind energy heritage) Landscape and visual impacts are primary effects of Landscape wind energy development.
3.2 Environmental baseline data (relevant aspects of the current state of the environment)
The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 Schedule 3 requires that the Environmental Report includes a description of the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution thereof without implementation of the PPS. A short analysis of the potential scenario that would occur for West Lothian if SG Wind Energy was not implemented is included at the end of Section 3: Environmental Context because it is effective to examine this question once environmental baseline data for West Lothian have been discussed. See Section 3.5 (p. 54)
Section 3.2 aims to describe the environmental context within which the proposed SG operates including the existing environmental baseline, potential extant environmental issues related to taking forward the SG (section 3.3) and the derivation of SEA environmental objectives for the SG (Section 3.4).
In the first instance, data is required to establish the current baseline condition of the environment in the absence of the SG which will provide a basis for evaluating and monitoring the environmental effects of the proposed planning guidance.
Considerable information about the environment is already held as part of the council’s Planning Services records whilst there is additional information held externally including by SNH, SEPA and Historic Scotland. These sources will be drawn on to assist in the development of the environmental assessment of the SG and are listed.
Main sources of data: WLC Planning Services records WLC Geographic Information System (GIS) WLC report: Planning for Biodiversity Action, 2005 - 2009 WLC report : West Lothian Soil Sustainability Report, 2004 SEPA on-line data SNH on-line data HS on-line data The Lothian Wildlife Information Centre (TWIC) Edinburgh and the Lothians Forestry & Woodland Strategy 2012-17, August 2012, Land Use Consultants
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 29 The extent of environmental information with relevant and accessible data sets to SEA topics in the West Lothian area available at the time of compiling this Environmental Report is regarded by the council as sound but requiring further coordination and analysis for the SG.
Wherever possible, interests have been mapped as part of the environmental assessment of the PPS/ SG. A proportionate and effective approach has been followed. Lists and plans of environmental assets have been appended where available.
The following section describes the environmental baseline for Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy, i.e. the environment before development and application of the PPS/SG. It is set out following the SEA Topics each with sections on baseline data and existing issues, where these are known, and indicated
BASELINE DATA basic data plus some general comments and observations.
EXISTING ISSUES includes environmental baseline issues prior to implementation of draft SG and possible increases in wind energy development.
This section is confined to environmental evidence relevant to the proposed policy as opposed to environmental issues which are tackled in the next section, i.e. base-line evidence for evidence informed policy making. The environmental baseline relevant to the SG on wind energy is set out below.
Information on trees, woodlands and forests primarily falls under SEA Topic Material Assets but there are overlaps and inferences for habitats under Biodiversity. Tree cover is a major factor in determining landscape pattern.
A Phase 1 Habitat Survey of the council area was prepared in 1993 which although outdated still forms useful baseline evidence. The council seeks to update its environmental database as and when resources permit.
On the back of the Phase 1 Habitat Survey work a document was produced entitled Planning for Biodiversity Action in West Lothian (1995) which also became the basis for Local Biodiversity Action Plans and the formation of associated groups. Over ten years later many of these groups are still running. Planning and Biodiversity Action in West Lothian offers much local environmental base-line information which has been reproduced as appropriate under the relevant SEA Topics below.
As introductory remarks some general comments regarding West Lothian are given. West Lothian (WL) has one of the fastest growing populations in Scotland, attributed to its position between the central belt cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. In addition, the transport arteries which connect these urban hubs criss-cross West Lothian are intensifying as evidenced by the recent completion of the Bathgate to Airdrie rail link and the current construction of the Forth replacement crossing on the council area’s north-east boundary. Despite these land use pressures, West Lothian has extensive countryside and green space areas.
30 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development BASELINE EVIDENCE
Biodiversity
This SEA Topic is scoped in due to Natura site designations, European Protected Species and other protected species identified as a priority by SNH. Specific points on biodiversity that SNH seek to be addressed are: European protected species (EPS). EPS present in West Lothian include otter, bats and great crested newts. Bats in particular are affected by wind energy developments in a number of ways and must be properly considered Establish what the potential impacts may be (collision risk, disturbance/displacement and habitat loss for bird, currently largely unknown for bats) or acknowledge that there may be a requirement for Habitat Regulations Appraisal or an assessment of European protected species. There is discussion of how the spatial framework may affect other designated sites such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Large scale wind energy developments are less likely to result in habitat fragmentation, due to relatively low development footprint, than their effect on movement of birds and bats or factors such as water. The potential for positive effects through opportunities for habitat enhancement should also be considered.
These matters are addressed in this Environment Report.
BASELINE DATA
The West Lothian Local Plan (2009, pp. 16-18) contains data relevant to these SNH points which is reproduced here:
3.18 - The Forth Estuary is a Special Protection Area under EU legislation. Blawharn Moss near Blackridge and Craigengar in the Pentland Hills are Special Areas of Conservation. In addition, the EU Habitat Directive places a statutory duty on planning authorities in relation to development that adversely affects the habitats listed in Annex I of the Directive, or the species listed in the Birds Directive Annex I or Habitats Directive Annex II. Currently, there are no sites in West Lothian designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
3.19 – Seventeen Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which represent the best habitat types of their kind in West Lothian, make up the range of statutory sites that are protected, including their settings. Blawhorn Moss is also a National Nature Reserve. The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) has established six nature reserves. Some are also SSSIs, but all are important in terms of nature conservation in West Lothian. Designated sites are listed in... (Annex C of this report).
3.23 The West Lothian Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) responds to the government’s commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity 1992, which encourages local authorities to take a lead through initiating partnership action programmes. The council adopted its first plan in 1998. This was updated in 2004. Biodiversity action planning promotes and implements good practice and management need to benefit the whole spectrum of habitats and the wildlife, both in town and country. Five year action plan for farmland, rivers and streams, lowland raised bogs and woodlands have been developed.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 31 3.24 – The Nature Conservation (Scotland Act 2004) places a duty on all public bodies to further the conservation of biodiversity as far as is consistent with the proper exercise of their functions...
3.25 – The LBAP addresses nature conservation and enhancement by concentrating on priority specie4s and strategic habitats indentified in West Lothian, including the creation of new areas to sustain and enhance the variety and diversity of wildlife. Wildlife interest, in the rural and urban environments will be accorded a high priority in all matters of land management, improvement and development...
To this end the West Lothian Local Plan contains two specific environmental policies:
Policy ENV 3: Development proposals within or affecting areas classified as existing or candidate sites of international importance, under European Directives (Special Areas of Conservation and Special protection Areas), or affected in the habitats and species listed in the Habitats Directives Annexes I and II and Birds Directive Annex I, will not be permitted unless in can be ascertained that it will not adverse affect the integrity of a Natura 2000 site, or There are no alternative solutions; and There are imperative reasons, of over-riding national public interest, including those of a social or economic nature, to allow development.
Policy ENV 4: Development proposals within , or affecting areas classified as sites of national important including National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, will not be permitted unless it can demonstrated that: It will not compromise the objectives or integrity of the designation; or There is an overriding national public interest that outweighs the designation interest.
Since the local plan was drafted Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has come into force as set out in Planning Circular 1/2009. HRA requires competent authorities to carryout appropriate assessment in certain circumstances where a plan or project affects Natura/ European sites. Impacts on the qualifying interests and conservation objectives of SACs and SPAs require to be assessed.
Natura (2000) sites are designated international sites: Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) arising from 1992 EU Habitats Directive Special Protection Areas (SPAs) arising from 2009 EU Birds Directive.
Natura 2000 sites in West Lothian include:
Blawhorn Moss Special Area of Conservation (north of Blackridge) for which qualifying interests are: active raised bogs (including a priority habitat); degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration
Craigengar Special Area of Conservation (Pentland Hills uplands, West Lothian/ Scottish Borders/ South Lanarkshire) for which qualifying interests are: European dry heaths; march saxifrage (saxifrages hirculus); species rich nardus grassland with mat-grass in upland areas in siliceous substrates in mountain areas.
Firth of Forth Special Protection Area (Firth of Forth itself and adjoining authorities including West Lothian) for which qualifying interests are: regular support for wintering populations of European importance; regular support for wintering populations of both European and international migratory species; regular support for wintering wildfowl assemblages of European importance. See birds species important to West Lothian listed below.
32 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Further information on conservation objectives for these EU sites can be found on the SNH web-site. The intention is to map these Natura 2000 sites at SG stage.
SPAs for the protection of birds also exist in adjacent local authority areas which might be impacted by wind energy development including: Gladhouse Reservoir (Midlothian Council) Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands (South Lanarkshire) Slamannan Plateau (Falkirk, North Lanarkshire) Westwater (Scottish Borders).
Regarding habitat types Planning for Biodiversity Action in West Lothian (1995, pp. 12 - 16) includes a table based on the West Lothian Phase 1 Habitat Survey 1994:
WEST LOTHIAN HABITATS Area % Cover West Lothian (i) 42504 ha 100% HABITAT TYPES Woodland and Scrub 6,741 ha 14.0% Grassland and Marsh 17,757 ha 36.0% Tall herb and Fern 299 ha 0.6% Heathland 1,399 ha 3.0% Mires and peatlands 2,201 ha 4.0% Swamp 70 ha 0.1% Open water 500 ha 1.0% Coastland 273 ha 0.5% Rock and spoil 316 ha 0.6% Miscellaneous (cultivated land etc.) 13,296 ha 27.0%
(i) WL represents approximately 0.5% of the land area of Scotland.
Planning for Biodiversity Action in West Lothian (1995) includes a second table which lists 100 species for West Lothian based on extinction, locally/ nationally/ internationally rare or threatened species, locally important and distinctive and character traits for West Lothian. The aim of the list was to give a representative snapshot of biodiversity and to identify /species and habitats for action.
The birds section of that table is reproduced because one of the adverse potential impacts of wind energy is on bird species. Bats – a small mammal - can be similarly affected and are also included.
It can be seen from the table below that there are 23 bird and bat species within West Lothian on the 100 list, nearly one quarter of the whole list. Of these, 13 avian species have significant populations within West Lothian, 11 as breeding populations and two as wintering populations – the pochard and whooper swan.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 33 Birds and bats from THE “100” SPECIES LIST FOR WEST LOTHIAN Common name Scientific name Status Barn owl Tyto alba 3,13B, 15 Black grouse Tetrao tetrix 3, 14 Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula 2 Buzzard Buteo buteo 3, 13B Corn bunting Millaria calandra 2, 13B Curlew Numenius arquata 3, 13B Great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus 13B Green woodpecker Picus viridis 3, 13B Grey partridge Perdix perdix 1 Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 3, 13B, 15 Linnet Cardelis cannabina 2 Long-eared owl Aslo otus 3, 13B Merlin Falco columbarius 3, 15 Pipistrelle bat (mammal) Pipistrellus pipistrellus 1,5,6,7 Pochard Aythya farina 3, 13W Redshank Tringa totanus 3, 13B Reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 2 Sand martin Riparia riparia 3, 13B Skylark Alauda arvensis 1, 15 Song thrush Turdus philomelos 1 Spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata 2 Tree sparrow Passer montanus 2, 13B Whooper swan Cygnus Cygnus 3, 13W
Key for STATUS of the “100” species list for West Lothian 1 On biodiversity short list of globally threatened/declining species 2 On biodiversity middle list of globally threatened/declining species 3 On biodiversity long list of globally threatened/declining species 5 EC Annex 6 Bern Appendix 7 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 – Schedule 5 or 8 13 West Lothian has significant proportion of Lothian population 13B Significant breeding population 13W Significant wintering population 14 Very rare in the Central Belt 15 Presence of species is indicative of a healthy habitat 16 Species is typical and characteristic of West Lothian habitat
34 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development From the national list of 38 habitats, the report Planning for Biodiversity Action in West Lothian (1995)(p.17) identifies eight habitats of particular importance for local action: woodland peat bogs grassland heather moorland rivers and wetlands cultivated farmlands (includes intensive cropping and managed grasslands) oil shale bings coastline.
Trees, forest and woodland habitats can conflict with wind energy proposals which usually require clear felling to minimise wind turbulence.
Regarding woodland habitat, Planning for Biodiversity Action in West Lothian (1995, p. 18-19) makes the following points regarding recent decline:
Audit: 272 ha or 0.5% of the total land area of West Lothian is native woodland. Net change in Scotland between 1940s – 1980s: minus -24%.
Those woodlands which contain the highest levels of biodiversity are the ancient broadleaved woodlands and the long-established woodland of semi-natural origin...... Ancient woodland only covers 272 ha in West Lothian of which 151 ha is estimated to be of semi-natural origin. The largest and most notable is Calder Wood, which is at least 230 years old.
More recently there has been an increase in new coniferous woodland but an overall reduction in broadleaved woodland. In Scotland it is estimated that there has been a 63% increase in woodland and scrub habitats between the 1940s and the 1980s but a decline of 23% in broadleaved woodland over the same period. In the Lothians the decline in broadleaved woodland is estimated to be much higher, at 31%, indicating an overall loss in woodland biodiversity.
Any further decline in woodland habitat needs to be prevented especially that of ancient and long established woodland. There are incentives to improve biodiversity through sensitive woodland management and for the conversion of non native woodlands back to a more natural state. In addition there is still scope for the planting of new native woodland and broadleaved woods throughout the area.
The following species are those of the “100” that are found in woodlands:
Mammals and amphibians from THE “100” SPECIES LIST FOR WEST LOTHIAN Common name Scientific name Status Badger Meles meles 3, 6, 13 Red squirrel Scuiris vulgaris 1, 6, 7, 14 Use Key for STATUS of the “100” species list for West Lothian (p34)
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 35 The “100” list of Plants and Animals also includes two tree species of importance as ‘typical and characteristic of West Lothian Habitat’. (16)
Trees from THE “100” SPECIES LIST FOR WEST LOTHIAN Common name Scientific name Status Beech Fagus sylvatica 16 Downy birch Betula pubescens 16
See also Annex J – Ancient Woodlands/ Tree Preservation Orders (West Lothian GGP extract) for a graphic indication of the local historic woodland resource. While TPOs are based on amenity they often overlap with ancient woodlands as well as supporting local ecosystems.
Much of West Lothian is contained within the Central Scotland Forest area which has seen several decades of improvement in the level of tree cover, woodland quality and access, resulting in greening and regeneration of former mining areas and post-industrial landscape of the county.
This work is being extended and intensified through the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) initiative which is the supported by the National Planning Framework 3. The CSGN has been recently rolled out with the publication of the Edinburgh and Lothians: Forestry & Woodland Strategy 2012-17 (August 2012). The document takes forward the Scottish Forestry Strategy’s ambitious target of expanding national woodland cover from 17% to 25% by the second half of the century. The implication is for a considerable increase in tree cover which the Edinburgh and Lothians Strategy implies might take the following spatial form in West Lothian: opportunities for new softwood planting in the west, south-west and south mainly on plateau farmland management of the existing resource for multi-purpose farm woodlands, amenity woodland, biomass/ wood-fuel, urban fringe woodlands and historic gardens and designed landscapes combat fragmentation of native woodlands for which West Lothian appears to be the Lothians area with the greatest proposals for opportunities for woodland habitat networks and new riparian woodlands additionally, the strategy seeks broader aims for a sustainable economy, high quality environment and quality of life.
The roll-out of the West Lothian Tree and Woodland Strategy was initiated in spring/ summer 2013.
Peatlands are of special relevance to the environmental assessment of wind energy proposals due to their locations on higher and exposed ground of interest to wind energy developers. Regarding peatbog habitat, Planning for Biodiversity Action in West Lothian (1995, p. 18-19) makes the following points:
Audit: 2201 ha or 4.2% of the total land area of West Lothian. Net change in peatlands in Scotland between 1940s and 1980s: minus -90%
The following species are those of the “100” that are found in peatland:
Mammals, amphibians and moss from THE “100” SPECIES LIST FOR WEST LOTHIAN Common name Scientific name Status Adder Vipara berus 3, 6, 7 Sphagnum magellanicum – moss Sphagnum magellanicum 11, 13, 14, 15 Use Key for STATUS of the “100” species list for West Lothian (p34)
36 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Active blanket bog is a priority habitat in European terms.....Lowland raised bogs are a particular phenomenon in the western fringe of Europe where the peat has accumulated in a dome higher than, and hydrologically separate from, the surrounding water table therefore the source of water and nutrients is entirely from rainfall. Some of these raise bogs have been identified in West Lothian.
Even when designated or identified of local importance very few are actively managed. The National Nature Reserve at Blawhorn Moss is a raised peat bog which is now being actively managed for biodiversity. Tailend Moss, at Bathgate, is now also a nature reserve. The blanket bog at Cobbinshaw is still active with the growing sphagnum forming new peat. Five bogs are notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, covering a broad range of peatland types.
See Annex C for a list of SSSIs and an overview map.
Annex K – Habitat ’93 Mire and Bog gives an indication of the extent of peatlands within West Lothian located notably on higher ground in the west, south-west and southern areas of the county.
The Biodiversity Action Plan identifies threats to this protected habitat as:
drainage and reclamation, burning, woodland encroachment, afforestation, extraction for horticulture or peat, open cast mining and overgrazing. (p. 21) and includes the action to :
fulfill international responsibilities by protecting all raised peat bogs from development.
Heathland or Heather moorland is also of special relevance to the environmental assessment of wind energy proposals due to their locations on higher and exposed ground of interest to wind energy developers. Regarding Heather Moorland habitat, Planning for Biodiversity Action in West Lothian (1995, p. 23-24) makes the following points:
Audit: 1399 ha or 2.8% of the total land area of West Lothian. Net change in heathland in Scotland between 1940s – 1980s: minus -23%
The following species are those of the “100” that are found in heathland:
Mammals and amphibians from THE “100” SPECIES LIST FOR WEST LOTHIAN Common name Scientific name Status Adder Vipara berus 3, 6, 7 Common lizard Lacarta vivipara 6, 7 Use Key for STATUS of the “100” species list for West Lothian (p34)
Heather moorland is only found in a few countries of the world, mainly in the UK, Ireland and the fringes of the western seaboard of NW Europe. For West Lothian, recent surveys indicate approximately 1,400 ha of heather moorland and upland heath exists. It is a distinctive and characteristic feature of the Pentland Hills contributing to the overall diversity of the county.
Up to 40 species of upland moorland birds depend on heather moorland for their survival. The numbers of these birds and their range have declined since the early 1970s throughout Scotland due to loss of habitat from afforestation and heavy grazing.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 37 Threats to heathland habitat are identified as: afforestation, overgrazing, poor muirburn practices, reclamation.
Annex C – Natural environment designations includes a plan and lists the council area’s natural environment designations including designated sites of international, national and local importance to the environment as well as other landscape and countryside designations. The plan is indicative and cannot be relied on at A4 scale to be accurate or comprehensive.
A brief review of natural environment designations in West Lothian is listed below with details in Annex C. It is noted that National Nature Reserves are also designated as SSSIs and therefore do not need to be included as a separate item; however for completeness of the data and the better understanding of readers without detailed knowledge of environmental designations both are listed. Special Areas of Conservation (SAC): 2 Blawhorn Moss, near Blackridge Craigengar, Pentland Hills Special Protection Areas (SPAs): 1 Firth of Forth Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): 17 Scottish Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves (SWT-NR): 7 Local Wildlife Sites (LWS): 29
Annex L – Wildlife Sites – Lothian Wildlife 2008 (West Lothian GGP extract) is an indicative plan of these sites. The Wildlife Information Centre for Lothians (TWIC) manages this database and screens planning applications for potential wildlife habitat implications.
EXISTING BASE-LINE ISSUES/ POINTS: the intention is to map Natura 2000 sites at SG stage. the largest habitat type in West Lothian surveyed in 1993 was Grassland and Marsh at 36% cover. woodland and scrub at 14.0% is the third largest habitat cover after miscellaneous at 27% the latter including cultivated land and urban areas. four habitats were surveyed as comprising under 1% of the land area: tall herb and fern 0.6%, swamp 0.1%, coastland 0.5% and rock and spoil at 0.6%. 23 bird and bat species on the West Lothian 100 List of Animals and Plants, nearly a quarter of the total list. of these 23 bird and bat species, thirteen (13 no.) are identified as status 13B & 13W – i.e. West Lothian has significant proportion of Lothian population of which eleven (11 no.) are 13B status (significant breeding populations)and two (2 no.) are 13W (significant wintering populations) therefore a significant number of species cited in the Lothians actually breed in West Lothian. of the eight important habitats identified for action in West Lothian, three habitat types - woodland, peatbogs and heather moorland – can have significant adverse effects from wind energy development because woodland is generally felled to remove wind turbulence to turbines and peatbog and heather moorland habitat often occur on high ground where there are higher wind speeds and consequently development interest for wind turbines/ farms.
38 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development despite post-war re-planting of woodland there is decline overall especially in loss of native and broadleaved woodland. ancient woodlands are the most important for biodiversity but it can be seen on the plan in Appendix J that these are isolated and lack connectivity which is vital for terrestrial animals in particular to navigate habitats/ their ranges. Beech and Downy Birch should be over represented in tree planting schemes to reinforce local character. through the Scottish Forestry Strategy and the CSGN considerable increase in woodland cover is targeted over the next 30-40 years with a broad and inclusive range of aims. like other wetland habitats, peatlands have been in steep decline since the Second World War. there is a need to take forward action to fulfil international responsibilities by protecting all raised peat bogs from development. heather moorland is another habitat in decline which is rare in European terms and also makes a unique contribution to the character of the Pentland Hills.
Population and human health
SNH indicated that population and human health should be scoped in because issues related to wind energy development such as noise and shadow flicker can have a significant effect on human health.
In addition to noise and shadow flicker, there are a number of potential risks to human health in West Lothian that arise from infrastructure and utility location as well as aviation which are relevant to the potential impacts of increased wind energy development.
BASELINE DATA:
Statistics have been drawn from the latest information on the Scotland Census Results On-Line (SCROL, 2011) and the General Register of Scotland (GRO Scotland).
The most recent statistics are from the General Register which estimates the West Lothian population as 172,990 at mid-2011 and published in 2012.
In terms of health measures, West Lothian had a population of 158,714 given in the 2011 census which is 3.2% of the total Scotland population of 5,062,011. The basic general health measure for West Lothian and Scotland is re-printed here.
SCROL General Health indicator - 2011 Total population West Lothian Scotland % Good 69.13 7.91 % Fairly good 21.35 21.94 % Not good 9.52 10.15
The basic human health statistics show that West Lothian is close to the national average. However it is known that there are some pockets of deprivation with correspondingly poorer health outcomes.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 39 It can be seen from the plan for Annex G – Landscape Character Types that a considerable portion of West Lothian is urbanised. The urban population includes the main new town of Livingston and a range of smaller towns and villages concentrated across the middle east-west third of the council area near main transport arteries and the lowlands of the River Almond and River Avon. Settled areas and rural residential properties have the most potential to be adversely impacted by noise, shadow flicker and any increased safety risks.
In general terms, Planning Services is aware from consultation on planning applications that residents within towns and villages in the Breich Valley and the Blackridge area have raised concerns about the encroachment of wind farms and wind energy proposals on their communities.
The council’s Environmental Health service regulates a wide range of noise pollution issues as well as assessing relevant planning applications for potential noise impacts.
Wind turbines of all sizes produce noise which requires to be assessed for potential negative effects on residential properties. To this end a technical note on the assessment of wind turbine noise has been drafted which it is proposed to be appended to the SG. There is no local data on the actual health impacts of noise emitted by wind turbines and wind farms.
Shadow flicker is caused by the blades of turbine repeatedly casting a shadow on the recipient house, garden or other area where people live, recreate or gather. Shadow flicker is caused when a turbine is directly between the sun path and the recipient and therefore increases as an issue the closer wind turbines are located to urban/residential areas. The council has no detailed information or evidence on the effects of shadow flicker on human health. However, Scottish Government’s on-line planning advice for planning for renewable gives standard stand-off information for shadow flicker in the Impact on Communities section (October 2012 update, p.6).
Indirect risks to human health from wind turbines might arise from the potentially poor siting of wind turbines in or near overhead electricity cables or through foundations breaking into underground pipelines/utility ducts. There are a number of major infrastructure conduits that cross West Lothian. These include: National grid overhead power lines Wilton-Grangemouth BP Ethylene Pipeline – see Annex I gas pipelines, water infrastructure, telecommunications and electric supply.
Many of these are shown on the council’s GIS system including consultation zones. All Planning applications are screened for infrastructure/ utility impacts when registered ensuring that any such dangers to human health will be made known then. The council works closely with statutory undertakers and the Health and Safety Executive.
Aviation is an important safety issue with radar and navigational surveillance requiring to be maintained for the flight path to Edinburgh Airport. Wind turbines have a number of negative impacts on airplane navigation including distorting radar images. The map in Annex F – Edinburgh Airport: Airspace Diagram & NATS self assessment maps information shows that all of West Lothian is contained within the notifiable zone for Edinburgh Airport. Also appended is information on basic assessment from the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) which provides air traffic services for ‘en route’ aircrafts of all sizes.
40 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development The MOD operate glider training from the airfield. Kirknewton Flying Club also operate from the same location. Planning Services has a statutory obligation to consult aviation authorities and the MOD on any proposals such as wind turbines/ farms which might impact on aviation interests.
EXISTING BASE-LINE ISSUES/ POINTS: Residents within the Fauldhouse, Breich Valley and the Blackridge areas have raised concerns about the encroachment of wind energy on their settlements and local environments. Due to the relatively urbanised nature of West Lothian there is potential for adverse impacts on human health from noise, shadow flicker and any increased safety risks associated with wind energy development Background noise levels exist and are regulated in West Lothian including aircraft noise There is no local data on the actual health impacts of noise and shadow flicker caused by wind turbines and wind farms. Assessment of noise and shadow flicker is important, hence the need to take forward the draft technical assessment note for wind energy and SPP shadow flicker provisions Screening of wind energy applications for any potential conflicts with statutory undertakers is important Consultation with aviation authorities, MOD and other aviation interests is vital to avoid negative impacts on aviation safety.
Soils and geology SNH in their comments on the Scoping Report indicated that a wider scoping of soils than a single focus on peat soils was required. This section should alleviate those concerns. The Scottish Government has consulted on Scotland’s National Peatland Plan (draft, 2014) and added ‘carbon rich soils, deep peat and priority peatland habitat’ to the methodology for Spatial Frameworks in SPP 2014. See also section on peat land/bog habitat under SEA Topic: biodiversity above. Carbon-rich soils have an indirect bearing on renewable energy as they store large amounts of carbon and CO2 which might otherwise be released in atmospheric form contributing to GHG emissions.
BASELINE DATA:
Regarding geology from Planning for Biodiversity Action in West Lothian (1995, p. 8-10):
The geology of West Lothian comprises rocks from the late Devonian and Carboniferous periods...... At many places Carboniferous sedimentary rocks are cut by intrusions, solidified masses of molten rock of various shapes and sizes. These form many of the dolerite hills throughout the area that stick above the low-lying plains, such as Dechmont Hill, Cockleroy and Binny Craig. Ancient Volcanic vents form other hills such as Tar Hill near Ecclesmachan and the Binns.
West Lothian, like all of Scotland, was covered by ice-sheets on a number of occasions during the last 2 million years...... The ice-sheets left an extensive cover of glacial debris or till, blanketing most of the low- lying ground. The hills of West Lothian are formed of the harder rock which sticks through the cover of glacial deposits...... The low ground has a dominant west-to-east grain reflecting the direction of flow of the ice-sheet, as it moulded the boulder clay into ridges and drumlins. Hummocky hills are formed by sand and gravel deposits, and the various flat areas are underlain by basin peat, raised beach, lake or river alluvial deposits.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 41 Regarding soils from Planning for Biodiversity Action in West Lothian (1995, p. 8-10):
The soils of West Lothian are mainly formed on the glacial deposits. These provide a wide variety of parent materials and hence their inherent characteristics. Some soils formed on sand and shale have a tendency, given climatic condition, to acidify with a consequent effect on the overlying vegetation. The Soil Survey of Scotland classified the soils of the area as brown forest and acid brown forest soils, with or without the effects of water-logging. Within these classes there is considerable variability.
The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy identified soils as a cross cutting issue which has interacts and impacts on many of the SEA topic areas. Hence the council produced the West Lothian Soil Sustainability Report in June 2004 to meet one of the actions of the local biodiversity strategy. It is founded on the need to raise awareness of soil as a natural resource and of earth sciences as a sustainable development issue. The report identifies six reasons why soils are important: for food and timber production; provision and support of habitats; as carbon sinks and water filters; for minerals and fuels; reflection of past patterns of land use and management; and as a platform for development.
Figure 3 of the report shows that there is very limited free drainage across West Lothian and that on most farms in West Lothian the operation of a satisfactory drainage system is a fundamental base on which agricultural production systems are founded. (p. 16)
The West Lothian Soil Sustainability Report 2004 (p. 25) identifies two named soil series: Hendry Soil complex is approximately 4km south-east of Fauldhouse and is covered mainly by Woodmuir Forestry Plantation and forestry plantation at Pate’s Hill. The report states that it is not of national significance. Colzium soil series is found on the western slopes of the Pentlands in isolated areas near Crosswood and Harperigg Reservoirs.
The report considers that neither of these are actual rare soils.
The soils review includes recommendations for policy, guidance and good practice. In relation to climate change, it provides a steer on the possible impact of changes in the pattern of rainfall and the subsequent effect on land use and biodiversity.
Impacts of climate change are inconclusive but generally models imply greater rainfall in winter with more water logging and less rainfall and warmer summers with potential for greater agricultural capability.
While there are limited good quality soils to protect there are considerable areas of peat, mire and bog land soils. A number of these mosses are listed in Annex C under Special Conservation Areas, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, SWT Nature Reserves and Local Wildlife Sites.
SNH has advised that it is producing development planning advice for local authorities on soils including guidance for West Lothian which is currently in preparation. It also advises that SNIFFER hosts SEA guidance on their website which includes advice on setting a baseline including factors such as erosion, removal and disposal of soil and other factors relevant to renewable development. While the relevance of these baseline categories is recognised to the current topic of environmental assessment, the council does not have any further data or expertise that is can include in this Environmental Report on these subjects than that already referred to in the council soil report of 2004.
42 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development However, the council has taken forward much of the policy, guidance and good practice from its 2004 technical report in its local plan which is applied to wind energy proposals during the planning application process.
GENERAL BASE-LINE ISSUES/ POINTS: The underlying geology and glaciation influences landform, soils habitat and the setting of biodiversity. Glacial soils form the major soil type within West Lothian typified by moderate fertility and poor vertical drainage. In general local soils support forest cover including large areas of acid based soil habitats such as coniferous trees and peatland. There are two named soil series located in the Pentlands but no known rare soils The council does not have any baseline data on erosion, removal and disposal of soil and other factors relevant to renewable development. It is important that best practice for soil management and sustainability is applied to wind energy proposals.
Water
SNH indicates water should be scoped in as the scoping process has been restricted to flood risk: the effects on the water environment should be considered in the round, including the relationship to other issues such as biodiversity, as habitats and species present in West Lothian are dependent on or may be affected by changes in the water environment.
SEPA also require further scoping of the water environment into the assessment. The inclusion of a wider range of policy such as the River Basin Management Plan in earlier sections and a broader survey of water is intended to respond to these requests.
The council’s Environmental Health service regulates a wide range of pollution issues including water pollution, however larger scale water pollution issues are within SEPA’s jurisdiction.
Wind energy developments require excavation for foundations and access tracks which can impact on drainage patterns and cause increased run-off and erosion leading to silting of water courses and damage to habitats and potable watersheds.
BASELINE DATA:
The water environment is comprised of coastal water, artificial waters, rivers, estuaries, lochs, groundwater and wetlands.SEPA rates the status of the water environment under five different categories -as high / good / moderate / poor / bad – which is measured against the near-natural condition that a water resource could attain. SEPA’s aim is to attain ‘good ecological status / potential’ by 2015 for the Scottish water environment, with further improvements in water quality extended to 2021/2027. These aims are wider than water quality. Groundwater is classed as either good or bad. The overall intention is to restore all moderate / poor / bad status water to good quality and maintain all water status at the ‘good’ level.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 43 SEPA describes the main pressures on water in Scotland as: Point source pollution Diffuse source pollution Abstraction and flow regulation Physical changes Invasive non native species.
Policy ENV 15a of the local plan supports the Water Framework Directive and there are other policies in the WLLP for the Forth Estuary and sustainable urban drainage. Water policy will be further developed and taken forward in the emerging Local Development Plan.
Annex H – Map of West Lothian River Basins (SEPA extract) shows the main water catchment areas of the River Almond, River Avon basins and the Water of Leith in West Lothian. It can be seen from the plan that most of the water courses within West Lothian have the status of poor ecological potential with bad ecological potential at Harperigg Reservoir and the Couston Water which flows north-west from Bathgate. Good ecological potential comprises the west part of the Union Canal with Mains and Pardovan Burns near Linlithgow. Many smaller upstream branches and burns are not given a base-line record. There does not appear to be any maximum or high ecological potential for water courses in West Lothian.
The River Almond due to its location near former mining towns has had a history of water pollution and has been the subject of a management plan. It is known that it is improved from one of the most polluted rivers in Scotland to its current poor status which does appear to support sitings of water voles near Whitburn.
SEPA in its comments on the Scoping Report advise that Indicative River and Coastal Flood Map (Scotland) which provides an indication of the 1 in 200-year (0.5% annual probability) return period flood extent for both riparian and coastal flooding and provides a useful overview of flood risk - small watercourses can be a source of flooding and may need to be considered along with all other sources of flooding (pluvial risk, groundwater flooding, coastal and fluvial risks) as development proposals come forward. The council does employ a flood risk officer and flood risk policy is incorporated into the local plan.
Regarding Rivers & Wetlands from Planning for Biodiversity Action in West Lothian (1995, pp.25-26):
West Lothian includes a significant part of three river catchments (the Water of Leith, River Almond and River Avon). There are also several small burns draining directly into the Firth of Forth, a substantial length of the Union Canal, a number of lochs such as Linlithgow Loch (the largest natural freshwater loch in the Lothians), reservoirs such as Cobbinshaw and Galabraes Quarry Ponds.
Many of these fresh water resources are already recognised for their high conservation value. River valleys – such as the Breich Water, the Linhouse Water, the River Almond at Almondell Country Park and the Harwood Water – support some of the area’s finest remaining stands of semi-natural woodlands. These valley corridors richly endowed with wildlife, including otters, kingfishers, dippers, bats and brown trout, are some of the most attractive and accessible places in West Lothian.
The open waters from the Almond Pools near Livingston and reservoirs such as Crosswood, Cobbinshaw and Lochcote, offer wildfowl roosts while often providing valuable local fisheries. The area’s small ponds, some of which were created by past quarrying activities or mining subsidence, add to local biodiversity providing for example a mosaic of habitat for breeding amphibians including the increasingly scarce smooth newt e.g. Petershill Reservoirs, near Bathgate.
44 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development A number of management initiatives have already been established in West Lothian. These include trout fishery managements projects, the water of Leith Action Group, The River Almond Catchment Partnership as well as work led by the Forth District Salmon Fishery Board to rejuvenate salmon populations in the River Avon.
The report notes that...... Biodiversity action for the resource must take place not just at the level of the bank side project but also on a catchment wide scale if it is to be effective ...threats include culverting and canalisation, bank broaching by livestock grazing and watering, silting through adjoining land use activities, mine water discharges, agricultural run-off, and pollution.
The following species are those of the “100” that are found in rivers and wetlands:
Mammals and amphibians from THE “100” SPECIES LIST FOR WEST LOTHIAN Common name Scientific name Status European Otter Lutra lutra lutra 1, 5, 6, 7, 13 Water shrew Neomys fodiens Water vole Arvicola terrestris Common frog Rana temporaria Great crested newt Triturus cristatus 3, 6, 7, 13 Palmate newt Triturus helveticus 3, 6, 7, 13 Use Key for STATUS of the “100” species list for West Lothian (p34)
Annex L – Wildlife Sites – Lothian Wildlife 2008 despite the lower grade water quality locally shows that there is a wide distribution of riparian habitats along water course corridors.
In general it is known that wind farms have the potential to impinge on watershed catchment areas and thus drinking water supplies and flood risk.
West Lothian has a very short coast-line which is well covered in designations –SPA, SSSI, Area of Great Landscape Value, historic landscapes – and is adjacent to the House of the Binns and Hopetoun House as well as being located near the Forth bridges.
Regarding Coastline from Planning for Biodiversity Action in West Lothian (1995, pp.30-31):
West Lothian’s short coastline of just 5.5 km is part of an extensive estuary area of intertidal flats with shoreline features and habitats. It is an area dominated by natural influences with internationally important populations of wading birds and wildfowl. The area is potentially vulnerable to development and disturbance. Pollution both coastal and marine in origin is a real threat.
The substrate includes sand, mud, shingle and rocks supporting many invertebrate species, seaweeds, sea grass and algal beds. Small areas of salt marsh occur on the upper shore. The Forth Estuary has national and European designation status.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 45 Although wind energy development along the local coast is unlikely due to its strategic location and designations, it is likely that coastal wind farms or turbines would have significant adverse environmental impacts over a range of sensitive receptors.
EXISTING BASE-LINE ISSUES/ POINTS: History of water pollution of riparian environment: mining/ extractive industries legacy; some agricultural pollution but limited due to relatively poor quality land; industrial estates’ and settlements’ run-off etc. near water courses While the River Almond has a history of very poor water quality there has been considerable improvement over recent years that the council aims to protect through a management plan In general with the exception of the Union Canal water basin/ catchment areas in West Lothian are below the acceptable good ecological/ potential status sought be SEPA Potential conflicts known between watershed areas and wind energy interest which can exacerbate the water environment through decreasing riparian biodiversity, increasing erosion, changing surface drainage patterns, and releasing soils in to the water flow, potentially impinging on drinking water supplies. The county’s coastline has a range of sensitivities to wind energy development.
Air quality
The council’s Environmental Health service regulates a wide range of air pollution issues including air/ atmospheric pollution and vehicle emissions.
BASELINE DATA:
Air quality within the region is generally of a high quality in terms of national air quality objectives.
There is an Air Quality Management Areas in West Lothian at Broxburn high street due to traffic idling in the canyon-like main street in the town centre.
All of Livingston New Town was declared a Smoke Free Zone in response to the 1956 Clean Air Act.
There are also pockets of concern related to industrial activity notably areas downwind of the Grangemouth petrochemical complex.
While increased use of renewable energy sources is expected to reduce the need to burn fossil fuels associated with existing energy generation methods, increasing uptake of solid fuel domestic stoves and potential commercial scale bio-mass usage could have a detrimental effect on air quality. Environmental Health reports an increase in complaints related to wood burning stoves which are often retro-fitted or specified for new builds to comply with sustainable homes standards.
Indirectly the uptake of renewables should have a positive impact on the reduction in the use of fossil fuels and consequently greenhouse gas emissions and lower airborne particulate matter, and NOx and SOx levels may rise which can cause acid rain.
The council does not have data on wind energy and its impacts on air quality. However wind farms and turbines are not known as significant causes of air quality decline however their potential to alter wind flow is noted.
EXISTING BASE-LINE ISSUES/ POINTS: No data is available locally on the relationship between wind energy and air quality and the significance of the relationship is not clear in terms of environmental assessment.
46 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Climatic factors
BASELINE DATA:
One of the over-riding aims of the SG on wind energy is to ensure that West Lothian makes an appropriate contribution to the challenging Scottish targets for renewable. To this end the SG will contribute to meeting West Lothian Council’s duties under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
Overall climate trends in Scotland are described in Scottish Government SEA guidance. It is widely known that it is imperative that further global warming and its potentially calamitous effects are halted through the reduction in fossil fuel emissions in the atmosphere, i.e. CO2 and other GHG fractions of atmospheric gas makeup require to be stabilised and reduced to safer levels.
Increasing targets, for generation of electricity from renewable sources, results in increasingly difficult accommodation of wind energy development with acceptable impacts. Conversely, greater wind energy development should address the causes of climate change.
Consultations on planning applications have raised concerns about the effectiveness of wind turbines in the generation of energy and disproportionate landscape and visual impacts of wind energy particularly for speculative single wind turbines.
There is expected to be a small positive effect from the increased wind energy deployment which would contribute to local supply-side energy but this is unlikely to be significant in a national context.
EXISTING BASE-LINE ISSUES/ POINTS: Continuing rise in climate change indicators such as CO2 and other GHG and consequent climate effects.
Material assets (i.e. waste, energy, transport, agriculture and forestry, tourism and recreation, property and industry)
It is understood that the material assets topic is intended to refer to how resources are used. Within the confines and limits of this Environmental Report: effects on tourism, and, uptake and use of wind energy in the agricultural sector is assessed.
BASELINE DATA:
Waste (materials)
West Lothian Council collects domestic refuse in all areas of the district on a regular basis and also provides a wide range of recycling facilities.
The council’s Waste Services are responsible for the collection of all household waste and the environmentally responsible management of waste in line with the government’s zero waste plan. The service provides a weekly uplift to around 75,000 households and a monthly uplift of garden waste during the growing season to the majority of these households. Every year the service carries out around 21,000 bulky uplifts. There are twice weekly commercial uplifts from approximately 1,100 trade waste premises and council services. This amounts to more than 4.6 million uplifts a year. Over 43% of all waste managed was recycled (47,600 tonnes) which is approximately 4,700 bin lorries a year diverted from landfill.
The Scottish Government recycling target of 40% were met for 2010 one year ahead of schedule.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 47 The council also has six Community Recycling Centres strategically located throughout West Lothian where residents bring their own household waste for recycling.
No specific data can be offered on waste related to wind energy apparatus in West Lothian however a few relevant points can be made: Wind turbines are primarily made of steel and thus can be reused and recycled after their anticipated 25 year lifespan In terms of inherent materials, the council’s attention has also been drawn to the use of scarce metals, rare earth minerals and embodied energy in the manufacture of the operational components of wind turbines Production and manufacture of commercial wind turbines is primarily outwith Scotland and the UK: the top ten wind turbine manufacturing companies by market share are found in the following countries: China (4), Germany (2), Denmark (1 – Vestas largest company), Spain (1), India (1), United States (1). The UK wind turbine manufacture industry is characterised by specialists in small turbines and micro-systems and local manufacture for foreign owners. (Global Wind Turbine Market Share Evolution, 6 March 2012 – web page)
The planning application process and the local plan consider decommissioning of turbines and wind energy sites. It is considered that waste is a significant issue for this environmental report.
Energy
It can be seen from Annex A – West Lothian Wind Turbine Database that the council receives a considerable number of wind energy proposals largely in the west and south of the county on higher ground.
Some of these applications require a trade-off between proposed new wind energy land use and the diminution of underlying carbon rich soil and any forestry plantations which act as carbon sinks.
Transport
Due to the largely accessible nature of the West Lothian countryside potential access for wind energy development is considerable.
It is also noted that transporting the large machinery and components of wind turbines to site often requires new road haulage routes though these are often of a temporary nature. For any approved development existing road haulage legislation and restrictions apply and are controlled through planning conditions.
It is considered that transport is not a significant issue for this ER as impacts will be localised and temporary.
48 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Agriculture
SNH has requested that the uptake and use of wind energy in the agricultural sector be assessed. It is also suggested that many of these turbines are likely to be under 50m and therefore beyond the scope of the Landscape Capacity Study, however a review of Annex A (on-line version with detailed spreadsheet) shows that considerable speculative interest has been above the 50m tip height and with even full-size commercial wind farm scale machines proposed.
The plan for Annex C – Natural Environment Designations shows Areas of Special Agricultural Importance (ASAIs) that run along the eastern boundary with Edinburgh. While it is known that from the Macaulay Soil Survey of Scotland: Land Capability for Agriculture (Sheet 65) that West Lothian has no Class 1 land and limited Class 2 land, which very roughly follows the ASAI, it is anticipated that improving weather will allow greater arable cropping. Given the increasing need for more food security as an adaptation to climate change, the council have in place policies which seek to protect prime agricultural land.
Policies ENV 7 and ENV 8 of the local plan protect prime agricultural land in West Lothian from unacceptable development.
Forestry
The potential woodland habitat impacts of wind energy were discussed in the biodiversity section previously.
The inter-relationship between the forest resource and wind energy is generally mutually exclusive in that commercial forestry is sacrificed to make way for wind farms. There does seem to be some potential for scrubland habitat below wind turbines but this is modest in terms of the forestry resource.
There is also and indirect relationships between forestry and wind energy with forests acting as above ground carbon storage centres which should be factored against the amount of energy produced by wind farms proposed on forestry sites.
The aims of the CSGN to expand woodland cover in West Lothian would appear to be in conflict with Scottish government proposals to expand wind energy, or at the very least require considerable management and negotiation.
Tourism and recreation
Due to the main outdoor recreation interests West Lothian being situated in upland areas, including Pentland Hills Regional Park and Beecraigs Country Park, there is potential conflict between recreational and local tourism usage and wind energy interest in these areas. The council is concerned about the potential negative impacts wind energy on these recreational facilities.
Refer to Annex M – Recreation: Draft Core Paths/ Rights of Way/ Regional and Country Parks (West Lothian GGP extract) for an indication of the location of local tourism and recreational resources.
In relation to recreation and access, it is noted that the infrastructure associated with wind farms may have a positive effect through additions and/or enhancements to the path network.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 49 Property and industry
While it is known that development of wind turbines for installation on top of buildings is still in their infancy these tend to be small in scale – often vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) - below the remit of the proposed SG. The council has yet to see an application of this type.
The council has eight industrial estates where there are peak energy needs that may be suitable for renewable energy development. Some of these industrial estates are given as potential sites for wind energy in the landscape capacity report in landscape and visual terms subject to standard planning application considerations. However, proposals for wind energy within industrial estates would need to comply with constraints such as aviation, noise, shadow flicker, and safety.
See Annex E – Industrial estates for further information.
EXISTING BASE-LINE ISSUES/ POINTS: Potential trade-offs between wind energy development gains versus carbon storage loss through felling existing trees and disrupted carbon-rich soils and habitats. In agricultural areas there is a concern that speculative single turbine applications above the 50m tip height, which is the lower threshold for the Draft SG and background landscape study, could have unintended consequences such as unacceptable cumulative visual and landscape impacts. Given rising food security needs and limited areas of agricultural land of Class 2 capability and ASAIs there is a need to ensure the arable growing potential of such land is not compromised through wind energy development. There are potential conflicts between the CSGN woodland expansion targets and initiatives to expand wind energy. The council is concerned about the potential negative impacts that wind energy development could have on recreational facilities. There may be some scope for wind energy development within industrial estates subject to detailed assessment of all material considerations.
Cultural heritage (including architectural and archaeological heritage)
This topic is scoped in because there are potential conflicts between the historic environment and the visual impacts of wind energy development.
BASELINE DATA:
Annex D – Heritage designations gives a full list of heritage designations in West Lothian including a link to the relevant Historic Scotland web-site for historic buildings. The plan is indicative and shows the location of the more urban historic elements.
In summary the heritage resource for West Lothian includes: 480 listed buildings 53 scheduled monuments 9 conservation areas 11 Areas of built heritage and townscape value 4 designed gardens and landscapes (see landscape topic below)
50 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development West of Scotland Archaeology Service (WoSAS) maintains a record of the council’s archaeology interests and assists the council in the assessment of planning applications where aspects of the historic environment might be affected.
The nationally important Cairnpapple Neolithic henge complex located near the summit of the Bathgate Hills is an area where there has been interest in wind energy development.
It is self evident that wind turbines and particularly wind farms can have significant adverse visual impacts on the setting of the historic environment and the elements which may make up culturally significant heritage sites.
EXISTING BASE-LINE ISSUES/ POINTS: Wind energy development can have significant adverse impacts on the historic environment and cultural heritage.
Landscape
This topic is scoped in because landscape and visual impacts are the primary effects of wind energy development. SNH require baseline information on local landscape designations and also on cumulative effects. This section aims to respond to this request.
BASELINE DATA:
Annex C – Natural environment designations includes detailed lists and an indicative plan giving an indication of the location of designated landscape and their extent, covering over 50% of the local landscape. The council has published and consulted upon a review of local landscape designations in accordance with SNH’s Guidance on Local Landscape Designations.
Current relevant landscape and countryside designations are listed.
Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV: 6) Bathgate Hills and River Avon Valley Forth Shore Airngarth Hill Blackridge Heights Almond and Linhouse Valleys Pentland Hills
AGLVs have the highest protection in terms of local plan policy support (ENV 19-20). Three of the landscape designations include upland areas: Pentland Hills, Bathgate Hills and Blackridge Heights AGLVs.
Areas of Special Landscape Control (ASLC: 6) The Breich Valley Levenseat South Fauldhouse The River Almond, Livingston (greenways) Boghead House Policies Barbauchlaw Glen, Armadale.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 51 The ASLC include areas described in the introduction to this section which are under positive management to improve their quality in terms of landscape, environment and access. (WLLP Policy ENV21)
(Historic) designed gardens and landscapes (H/DGL: 4) Harburn House, south-east of West Calder Hatton House, west of Wilkieston (southern part only, main part within City of Edinburgh), Hopetoun House, near the Firth of Forth House of the Binns, north-east of Linlithgow
(In addition, Newliston House, immediately east of Broxburn is 95% within Edinburgh City).
Countryside belts are not a true landscape designation and are established in the West Lothian context to avoid coalescence of towns.
Countryside Belts (CB: 3) Livingston Bathgate/ Whitburn Winchburgh/ Broxburn.
Landscape capacity assessment is a method of assessing and giving value to landscape usually with a particular use or issue in mind such as capacity for wind energy based on landscape character assessment and visual sensitivity. This process was undertaken by the council in 2011 and published as the West Lothian Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy. For this Environmental Report Annex G – West Lothian Landscape Character Assessment (2011) provides a copy of the list of up to date landscape units and a plan of their location.
In summary, the county has a wide range of landscape types, identified in the WLC Landscape Character Assessment and includes four Areas of Highest Sensitivity to wind energy development. The nature of the landscape character needs to be taken into account in any new wind energy development.
The council commissioned the Landscape Capacity Study (LCS) as a background technical document to support the development of the Draft SG on wind energy – and to comply with Scottish Government policy - and it is intended that it will be the main document which is relied upon and will also be issued as part of the consultation package. Therefore, rather than reiterating that document readers are referred to the on-line copy on council’s web-site under Supplementary Planning Guidance.
Where potential visual and landscape cumulative impacts may occur it is usual for the planning authority to request supporting information from applicants as part of the planning application process. Such applications for wind energy will be assessed against policy on cumulative impacts at the national and local level, including SNH guidance.
There are a number of wind farm proposals which can be seen on Annex A – West Lothian Wind Turbine Database, along the western and southern boundaries of the council at various stages in the planning process including applications to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit on the Pentland Hills and one adjacent the Blackridge Heights AGLV in Falkirk District which was recently granted by the Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA).
52 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Through SPP it is possible for the council to declare separation distances between consented wind farms/ turbines and potential new broad search areas/ sites.The council may also consider whether there is a case for saturation of cumulative impacts – some of this work has already been undertaken through the landscape capacity study which does not declare any major wind farms but seeks to fit in smaller wind turbine groupings on a landscape and visual basis subject to further scrutiny at environmental impact assessment and the planning process.
EXISTING BASE-LINE ISSUES/ POINTS: There are local concerns about potential adverse impacts on landscapes which have recently been reclaimed and greened. The council has undertaken a review of landscape designations which indicates that they are sound. Particular concerns are AGLVs and ASLCs and the potential threat to designation status from the consent of wind energy proposals within their boundaries. Regarding HGDL there is great potential for negative impacts where wind turbines could spoil views in and out of formal gardens/landscape designs. Cumulative impacts for wind energy development in the west, south and Pentlands is a concern. To support the SG the council has commissioned and completed a landscape capacity study on wind energy development which provides detailed landscape character and visual sensitivity assessment of the entire council area and identifies additional criteria – important viewpoints, landmark landscapes and their settings, principal sensitive routes – for the assessment of proposals. The study also proposes a number of potential areas for wind energy based on landscape and visual criteria but subject to material planning concerns such as aviation, MOD, noise.
SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE DATA
The environmental baseline survey emphasises the generally high and improving quality of the West Lothian Lothian Plan environment by a wide range of standards, covering biodiversity, landscape, water and air aspects, cultural and historic heritage and other SEA topic areas. Significant features of the natural and cultural environment are summarised, and designated features mapped where feasible. There is also generally high quality in terms of healthy living and working environments. Some key features and trends for West Lothian that may impinge on the proposed plan are outlined: the mining/ extractive industries legacy, the many transport routes which traverse the area; and the need to protect environmental improvements of the emerging, regenerated post-industrial area.
General baseline issues and points are summarised at the end of each SEA Topic in the preceding section.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 53 3.3 Environmental findings and issues
The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that the Environmental Report includes a description of existing environmental problems, in particular those relating to any areas of particular environmental importance. Extant environmental issues and problems were covered in the previous 3.2 baseline section.
The purpose of this section is to explain how existing environmental problems will affect or be affected by Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy, and whether the PPS is likely to aggravate, reduce or otherwise affect existing environmental problems.
Environmental issues and problems were identified through analysis based on the baseline survey in the previous section. Significant environmental issues and problems relevant to the proposed SG for wind energy are summarised in Table 7.
In addition, it is reported that the planning authority receives many applications for wind energy developments upon which it regularly consults statutory consultees and notifies neighbours in the environs of such development.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS/ ISSUES
The SEA process requires that the inter-relationship between these findings and issues as well as secondary and cumulative effects is addressed.
Under ‘supporting data’ only existing sources have been listed however these would be supplemented by species and habitat surveys through EIA reports at planning application stage.
Table 7: Environmental issues relevant to Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy
Environmental problem/ Supporting data Implications for PPS/SG Issue BIODIVERSITY Need to map Natura 2000 sites Natura 2000 sites mapped in SNH web-site/ WL GGP at SG stage SG. 23 bird and bats species on the West Lothian 100 List of Animals and Plants, nearly Phase 1 Habitat Survey/ Included in SG, already in a quarter of the total list Planning for Biodiversity Action WLLP. with many being significant in West Lothian wintering or breeding populations for Lothians Of the eight important habitats identified for action in West Lothian, three habitat Phase 1 Habitat Survey/ type - Woodland, Peat bogs Included in SG, already in Planning for Biodiversity Action and Heather moorland – can WLLP. in West Lothian have significant adverse impacts from wind energy development
54 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development BIODIVERSITY continued Cumulative effects of wind energy development on biodiversity Included in SG, already in WLLP. Birds & bats – arrangements Cumlative effects on birds, SNH web-site/ WL GGP/ Phase can be made to co-ordinate bats, SPAs, protected species 1 Habitat Survey/ Planning wind farm usage to avoid bird – qualifying interests and for Biodiversity Action in West migration and other times that conservation objectives Lothian could cause damage to birds. These are usually undertaken as part of planning consents. Included in SG, already in WLLP. Micro-siting and avoidance of Phase 1 Habitat Survey/ Cumulative effects on peat construction in deep peat are Planning for Biodiversity Action soils/ ecology known solutions which can be in West Lothian employed in proposals and at consent stages. Cumulative effects on tree Included in SG, already in cover – wind energy & Phase 1 Habitat Survey/ WLLP. Consider off-setting trees are mutually exclusive Planning for Biodiversity Action potential tree losses off-site due to the problems with in West Lothian / Forestry but clearly a limited solution turbulence which diminish commission as tree sites are at a premium; the performance of wind Council GIS records however some alignment turbines; this generally means with the forestry commission clear cutting of forests and Annex A – West Lothian Wind initiative to increase tree cover woodlands resulting in loss of Turbine Database regionally. habitat and carbon stores POPULATION AND HUMAN HEALTH Assessment of noise and shadow flicker is important, hence the need to take Environmental Health: noise forward the draft technical complaints; none known for Incorporated in SG. assessment note for wind flicker energy and SPP shadow flicker provisions Screening of wind energy applications for any potential Standard Development None: continue good practice conflicts with statutory Management process undertakers is important Consultation with aviation authorities, MOD and other Standard Development aviation interests is vital to None: continue good practice Management process avoid negative impacts of aviation safety.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 55 SOILS In local plan policy ENV 8, important that best practice NWR 26 & in Development for soil management and Management guidance: The None; continue good practice sustainability is applied to management and after use of wind energy proposals soils on development sites WATER Potential conflicts known between watershed areas and wind energy interest which can exacerbate the water environment Phase 1 Habitat Survey/ through decreasing riparian Included in SG, already in Planning for Biodiversity Action biodiversity, increasing WLLP. in West Lothian erosion, changing surface drainage patterns, and releasing soils in to the water flow, potentially impinging on drinking water supplies. Coastline has a range of Phase 1 Habitat Survey/ Included in SG, already in sensitivities to wind energy Planning for Biodiversity Action WLLP. development. in West Lothian AIR
No significant issues related to N/A N/A wind energy.
CLIMATIC FACTORS Climate Change Act 2009 requires that reductions to Support wind energy where Need to minimise and overt carbon dioxide emission acceptable/ feasible to the worst aspects of Climate are made based on contribute to reduction in CO2 Change scientific evidence from the emissions. International Panel On Climate Change
56 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development MATERIAL ASSETS Potential trade-offs between Difficult to assess but some wind energy proposals and attempt made at cost-benefit carbon storage through Consider for inclusion in SG analysis at application stage; existing/ felled trees and but difficult to regulate/ assess SNH guidance on peat trade- disrupted carbon-rich soils and off habitats In agricultural areas there is a concern that speculative single Annex A of this ER gives an turbine applications above SG threshold is 35m height. initial implication of issue the 50m tip height, could have unintended consequences Given rising food security needs and limited areas of agricultural land of Class 2 Included in SG, although WLLP capability and ASAIs there is Annex A of this ER gives an has policy cover; consider a need to ensure the arable initial implication of issue monitoring problem growing potential of such land is not compromised through wind energy development. There are potential conflicts Phase 1 Habitat Survey/ between the CSGN woodland Included in SG but noted Planning for Biodiversity Action expansion targets and already in WLLP: Policy 11; in West Lothian/ Forestry initiatives to expand wind monitor problem Commission statistics energy. The council is concerned about the potential negative impacts Included in SG but noted wind energy development Difficult to assess but use ER: already in WLLP: Policy 11; could have on recreational Annex A in first instance monitor problem facilities including local tourism. There may be some scope for wind energy development integral to industrial estates Support in LCS; discuss with Included in SG. subject to usual planning Property and environmental impact assessment. CULTURAL HERITAGE Wind energy development can have significant adverse impacts on the historic Included in SG but noted Difficult to assess but use ER: environment and cultural already in WLLP: Policy 11; Annex A in first instance heritage. This is a significant monitor problem issue particularly for heritage assets in the Bathgate Hills.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 57 LANDSCAPE Concerns of potential threat to designation status to AGLVs Included in SG but noted Annex A of this ER gives an & ASLCs from the consent of already in WLLP; monitor initial implication of issue wind energy proposals within/ landscape designations near their boundaries Regarding HGDL there is great potential for negative Included in SG but noted impacts where wind turbines Annex A of this ER gives an already in WLLP; monitor HGDL could spoil views in and out, initial implication of issue designations and wider settings of formal gardens/ designed landscapes Cumulative impacts on landscape for wind energy Annex A of this ER gives an Included in SG but noted development in the west, initial implication of issue; already in WLLP; monitor south and Pentlands is a application consultations cumulative impacts concern To support the SG the council has commissioned and completed a landscape capacity study on wind energy which does not promote any Landscape Capacity Study: SG relates to 35m tip height of major new wind farms on high landscape character and visual turbines. ground, but largely identifies impacts assessment a limited number of search areas where small scale wind energy development may be acceptable.
58 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development CUMULATIVE EFFECTS Cumulative effects on landscape EIA statements from existing Potential impacts on landscape development and wind are harder to gauge because it energy proposals/applications is in changes to the landscape’s All wind energy applications are required to assess character which can happen to be assessed for EIA & cumulative impacts. The LCS over time that are difficult to Environmental Statements also addresses the issues of perceive and assess. These can submitted as required. In cumulative impacts and uses include changes to landscape policy terms this issue the following tools to assess pattern through loss or shifting turns on how the phrase visual quality: landmark of tree cover; loss of wildness ‘unacceptable cumulative landscape features and their of an area; transition of open impacts’ is interpreted. The settings; important viewpoints countryside to an area of wind council feels duty bound to and their sensitive visual farm landscape; the creation minimise further wind energy compartments; and principal of ad hoc wind farms through developments in these areas & sensitive routes. SNH and the the landscape being dotted consequently this position has Scottish Government have with commercial scale wind been included in the SG. produced considerable policy turbines; the loss of local guidance on cumulative distinctiveness, etc. impacts. In West Lothian, many residents in and around the settlements of Fauldhouse Neighbourhood consultation Included in SG and noted and Blackridge feel that these responses on planning already in WLLP: ENV 27; areas reached saturation applications monitor cumulative impacts point in terms of wind energy development. Cumulative effects on visual amenity Visual impacts are the most EIA statements from existing All wind energy application obvious impact for local development and wind energy to be assessed for EIA & communities and one which proposals/applications is Environmental Statements can divide opinion – for and required to assess cumulative submitted as required against. impacts; consultations. The LCS also addresses the Visual impacts can diminish issues of cumulative impacts the quality of the visual and uses seven landscape The LCS is an important experience for historic criteria to identify the assessment tool for environment, settlements, sensitivity of landscape to wind determining landscape tourism and recreational energy: landscape experience, sensitivity to wind energy and interests; notably Beecraigs land use and change, rarity, should be a major focus of the Country Park and the Pentland scale, openness (enclosure), PPS/SG Hills Regional Park. landform type, land cover and variety (complexity). SNH has produced SNH guidance taken forward considerable policy guidance into the SG on cumulative impacts.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 59 Cumulative effects on noise It is possible for settlements and individual properties to be impacted upon by noise from one or more wind farm development or turbines. The council has produced Perception can be an issue interim guidance on the EIA and non-EIA wind turbine with owners being less technical assessment of wind proposal require site specific adverse to the noise of their turbine noise which it aims to noise data own turbines than others take forward as policy through receiving noise impacts. the PPS/SG. Non-geared, smaller wind turbines which are closer to houses/ settlements can cause particular noise issues.
Certain environmental problems have been identified. Some of these may be exacerbated by the outcomes of the proposed policy change because wind turbines and wind farms produce impacts over a wide range of interests.
Landscape character and visual quality are likely to be impacted.
The recently published Edinburgh and Lothians: Forestry & Woodland Strategy 2012-17 (August 2012) indicates that there may be policy conflicts with the proposed increase in wind energy development on land where increases in forest and woodland cover are proposed.
Potentially water quality, wildlife and wildlife habitats may also be impacted. This environmental findings and issues section of the Environmental Report aims to summarise the effects of proceeding with the proposed policy change.
3.4 Environmental objectives of SEA
The importance of evidence based objectives for the proposed policy is appreciated. In this light, this section combines... Developing Environmental objectives from Section 2: Context for proposed policy: SG on wind energy; and Environmental findings and issues from Section 3.2: Environmental baseline data.
Initial consideration of SEA issues has been undertaken including policy context, existing baseline information, the objectives of the SG, and SEA Objectives to assess the proposed SG. These have been derived and are shown in Table 8. It is anticipated that these will be refined as part of the interaction between SEA and the developing SG. The refined objectives will be used in the assessment for the Environmental Report.
SEA objectives have been chosen with reference to the receptors that could potentially be significantly impacted by large wind turbine development. Table 8 shows the proposed method of assessment, which will consider short, medium and long term effects against the SEA objectives for both alternatives. The assessment will include cumulative effects.
The developing environmental objectives for the SG implied from Tables 4 and 5 have been incorporated into the SEA objectives. Issues known by the council raised in the introduction section of the Environmental Report have been brought forward as objectives.
Table 8 aims to combine and refine these issues and objectives into SEA objectives.
60 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES
Table 8: SEA objectives and sub-objectives
Environmental Topic Area: Environmental SEA objectives Sub-Topic BIODIVERSITY: protect/ enhance ecosystems, designated sites, species and habitats Safeguard priority habitats and species (as defined in the WL Biodiversity Action Plan) Safeguard the integrity of ecosystems, breeding and wintering sites for sites of birds, and bats Contribute to improved habitat connectivity, guided by the aims of the Central Scotland Green Network, where feasible through Ecosystems consents. Designated Sites Demonstrate no adverse effect on the integrity of Natura 2000 sites Species Maintain and enhance the populations of European Protected Species Habitats and other legally protected species, including protection of their resting places. Protect and enhance Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Wildlife Sites Ensure habitats appraisals undertaken Protect and enhance other locally designated sites of biodiversity value POPULATION & HUMAN implement the green network, protect and enhance human health HEALTH: Improve the quality and connectivity of the Central Scotland Green Network within and linking beyond, as feasible The Green Network Prevent risk to human health through increased impacts from noise, Human Health ice throw and shadow flicker. Avoid increasing noise nuisance SOILS & GEOLOGY: protect carbon rich and valuable agricultural soils Carbon rich soils Protect carbon rich soils Agricultural soils Protect best agricultural soils protect water supplies and conserve wetlands and riparian WATER QUALITY: environments Prevent wind energy developments from having a negative effect on Drinking Water Supply public or private drinking water supplies. Wetlands Prevent wind energy development from having a negative effect on Flooding the hydrology of wetlands Riparian water Prevent people areas from flood risk Protect enhance riparian water/ environment AIR QUALITY: Protect air quality General air quality Largely beyond scope of proposed SG CLIMATIC FACTORS: adapt/ mitigate climate change factors Consider overall climate factors Support national Scottish initiative to reduce use of fossil fuels Climatic factors Support local growth in wind energy where environmentally acceptable
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 61 MATERIAL ASSETS: Mange material assets wisely, maximise wind energy generation Maximise the contribution that the council area makes towards meeting the Scottish Government’s target of sourcing 100% of Wind Energy Generation electricity demand from renewable energy generation by 2020 woodlands and trees Ensure well designed wind energy development recreational and tourism Ensure cumulative impacts are assessed resources protection of woodlands and trees protection of recreational and tourism resources protect/ enhance historic environment, scheduled ancient CULTURAL HERITAGE: monuments, listed buildings Scheduled ancient Protect scheduled monuments monuments Protect listed buildings Listed buildings Protect the historic environment Historic environment protect/ enhance landscape character, designated landscapes & LANDSCAPE QUALITY: cumulative visual impacts of wind farms and turbines Landscape Character Areas of Great Landscape Protect the distinctive character of the landscape and ensure new Value wind energy development does not exceed the capacity of the Countryside Belts landscape to accommodate it Gardens and designed Protect designated landscapes landscapes Protect gardens and designed landscapes Cumulative Visual Impacts Avoid cumulative impacts from Windfarms
In addition to the refinement of the SEA objectives above, in planning terms the SG will be required to: Comply with planning policy and legislation Comply with renewable energy guidance Comply with SPP and provide spatial framework Amplify/ compliment local plan policy Ensure full environmental assessment.
3.5 Likely evolution of the environment without Draft supplementary guidance: wind energy
Without (Draft) Supplementary guidance: wind energy it is considered that the likely future changes to the local council area would be: Council area not meeting its planning requirement to support the national Scottish initiative to increase wind energy infrastructure Lack of clarity in the determination of planning applications for wind energy Lack of a strategic approach to wind energy proposals Ad hoc determination of planning applications based on limited policy guidance.
In summary, the supplementary guidance on wind energy is required to avoid unwanted effects and to supplement policy in the local plan and emerging Local Development Plan .
62 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development REVIEW OF ASSESSMENT OF POLICY APPROACHES TO PPS/ SG
4.1 Assessment method
This area was previously covered in the Scoping Report hence this section is a short review of same.
In order to carry out an assessment of the potential impacts of the different policy approaches, environmental objectives are drawn from the topics of Schedule 3 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. These are the benchmarks for comparing alternative ways of achieving the planning objective. Four revised policy approaches informed by SNH comments are proposed.
It was argued that while there are generally observed potential outcomes and effects of development relative to environmental receptors, some of the effects are not amenable to monitoring of sufficient sophistication to allow comparisons of effects from alternative planning strategies. It is not reasonable to expect that the all the effects from wind farm to smaller scale developments will be detected.
A simple matrix has been revised to score the alternative policy approaches relative to each of the environmental topic area objectives. The assessment results are summarised for each topic and conclusions drawn.
4.2 Alternative policy approaches considered to which SEA applied
SNH has commented on the Scoping Report and in their opinion it is unlikely that the options presented could be considered further as they do not represent ‘reasonable alternatives’ in the context of national planning policy. Alternative options suggested by SNH are brought forward below. :
OPTION A Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) approach only – spatial framework for > (greater than) 20MW;
OPTION B SPP approach for spatial framework of over and under 20MW, as per criteria in the Landscape Capacity Study + assessment criteria;
OPTION C Preparation of a spatial framework for over and under 20MW schemes plus turbines < (less than) 50m which were outwith the scope of the Landscape Capacity Study.
OPTION D Preparation of an SG that provides a criteria-based approach for the determination of applications vs. spatial design guidance on the types of proposals (i.e. number and height of turbines) that are likely to be acceptable across the plan area.
In terms of proportionate and effective assessment a simple re-run of the matrix used at scoping stage is set out.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 63 Table 9: Assessment framework for alternative PPS approaches
Option B SPP Option C Basic Option D Option A Basic < & > 20MW SPP < & > SEA Objective Criteria/ design SPP > 20MW + assessment 20MW + below approach criteria 51m Biodiversity - +/- - +/- Population & Human Health ------Soils ------Water ------Air = = = = Climatic Factors + + + + Material Assets +/- +/- +/- +/- Cultural Heritage ------Landscape ------+1 +1 +1 +1
-11 -5 -11 -5
TOTALS -10 -4 -10 -4 Tied for MORE Tied for LESS Tied for MORE Tied for LESS environmental environmental environmental environmental impacts impacts impacts impacts
Evaluation Framework for Scoring Environmental Factors:
Both Large Small positive Small Large Positive Neutral Unknown Negative positive positive and negative negative impact impact impact impact impact impact negative impact impact impacts +++ ++ + = ? +/------
The rudimentary scoring of the four alternatives against the above SEA Objectives demonstrates that in terms of minimizing environmental impacts the council would be advised to follow either Option B or D.
The actual alternative chosen will be refined as the SG is developed. However, it is clear that that the Supplementary Guidance should conform to Scottish Planning Policy requirements and will use the required technical study: Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development in West Lothian (2011) prepared by the consultants David Tyldesley and Associates.
64 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS FOR PROPOSED POLICY
5.1 Actions arising from assessment findings and Environmental Report
A broad range of other SEA topics and issues was addressed and information learned through this process will inform the SG.
A potential conflict was apparent with the aims & strategic proposals/potential for Edinburgh and Lothians Forestry & Woodland Strategy 2012-17 so further monitoring will be required as the local proposals for the green network become established. Any found conflicts could be incorporated into the Local Development Plan flagging up issues and need to assess potential for mitigation.
There is also a strong likelihood that further guidance on micro-renewables including / small wind turbines below the lower threshold of the commissioned landscape study will be required.
5.2 Proposed mitigation: prevention, reduction and offsetting of significant adverse effects of proposed SG wind energy
Schedule 3 para. 7 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that the Environmental Report includes measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and as fully as possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment of implementing the PPS.
SEPA has advised that they consider that mitigation is a crucial part of SEA in that it offers an opportunity to not only address potential adverse effects of a plan, but also to make a plan even more positive than it already may be (enhancement measures).
They further advise that the findings of thecollation of the assessment results should be used with caution and that planning decisions should be based on a full understanding of what the impacts are on the individual aspects of the environment from the individual options or the plan’s objectives.
The council agrees with this position and aims to ensure that the utmost scrutiny is undertaken of all applications for wind energy through the evidence gathering, assessment, decision-making and after- care process which are key to modern planning processes.
Table 10 sets out environmental problems that are likely to remain or arise from implementation of the PPS and summarises measures envisaged for the prevention, reduction and offsetting of any significant adverse effects.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 65 Table 10: Measures envisaged for the prevention, reduction and offsetting of any significant adverse effects
Measures envisaged for the prevention, reduction and SEA issue Existing problem Impact of PPS offsetting of any significant adverse effects Potential conflicts between wind Proposed green network strategy Biodiversity/ Need to increase tree energy deployment considered and attempt to Material cover in line with conflicts & forestry harmonise with wind energy Assets/ CSGN targets and for and woodland cover increases where feasible; some Recreation carbon storage increases; potential potential for off-site tree planting loss of tree cover For agricultural areas there is concern that speculative single Soils/ SG provides guidance turbine applications SG covers proposals of 35m and Material for proposals of 35m above & below the above assets and above 50m tip height could have significant negative impacts Potentially more Important to ensure adequate Cultural Monitor impact on turbines closer to assessment and monitoring of heritage heritage designations heritage and cultural potential negative impacts interests Need for spatial framework and Cumulative impacts additional planning guidance on Rising number potential; also cumulative impacts; underlines Landscape of wind energy workload problems as importance of assessment procedure applications tend to be complex for wind energy proposals/ applications applications Monitor workload issue Potential impacts on landscape Ensure sufficient additional policy designations and guidance is in place and robust Potential to increase other countryside as required; Monitor impact on Landscape landscape and visual designations landscape designations including impacts including HGDL and HGDL and Countryside Belt Countryside Belt designation designation Monitor cumulative Ensure sufficient additional policy impacts of wind guidance is in place through SG and Potential to produce Cumulative energy: biodiversity, is robust; and increase impacts water environment, cumulative effects Monitor cumulative impacts across landscape, visual, spectrum as fast moving situation noise etc. and unforeseeable impacts possible.
The above six issues are proposed for mitigation of potential adverse environmental impacts of the proposed policy with some issues carried forward to monitoring stage in Table 12.
66 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 5.3 Conclusions – environmental implications for SG
The main themes and conclusions of this Environmental Report into draft SG on wind energy are that there is a need for: Spatial framework in accordance with policy and legislation Assessment criteria and a spatial design approach which would render the proposed policy more effective Importance of full assessment including EIA and HRA required for wind energy proposals Further work on mitigating and monitoring potential impacts and potential conflicts over a range of SEA issues is required.
NEXT STEPS
6.1 Proposed next steps
The Environmental Report and the SG to which it relates, are to be submitted to the Scottish Government SEA Gateway which will forward them to the consultation authorities.
West Lothian Council will ensure an early and effective consultation on the supplementary guidance. The minimum consultation period specified under Section 16(1)(b) and for notification under Section 16(2) (a)(iv) of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 is eight weeks. Following the consultation period on both the SEA and the SG, the consultation responses received will be collated, considered and incorporated into a final version of the SG. The Environmental Report will be revised as required.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 67 6.3 Monitoring
Section 19 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires the Responsible Authority to monitor significant environmental effects of the implementation of the PPS. This needs to be done in such a way as to also enable RAs to identify any unforeseen adverse effects at an early stage and to enable them to take appropriate remedial action.
Environmental indicators have been developed, where feasible, to measure environmental outcomes which could potentially be incorporated within monitoring work for the Local Development Plan. The SG for Wind Energy Development is prepared in support of the emerging Local Development Plan and the current WLLP.
The proposed SEA monitoring activities are set out in Table 11.
Table 11: Proposed SEA monitoring programme
Summary Data source, of proposed Timescale and What is being monitored frequency of remedial action responsibility monitoring (if information is available) Increase in MW of power produced through Annual Review policy Ongoing wind energy Tree cover losses/ gains Annual Review policy Ongoing Impacts on agricultural land – arable, soils, usage – particularly from single turbine Annual Review policy Ongoing applications Cultural heritage – impacts of wind energy Annual Review policy Ongoing upon Impacts on landscape and other countryside designations: AGLV, ASLC, HGDL and Annual Review policy Ongoing Countryside Belts Cumulative impacts over a broad spectrum inc. biodiversity, water, visual, noise, Annual Review policy Ongoing recreation etc. Volume of wind energy applications – Review practice Annual Ongoing impacts/ workload implications
68 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development ANNEXES
Annex A – West Lothian Wind Turbine Database, WLC Planning
The information contained in Annex A is updated on a quarterly basis by the council and comprises a spreadsheet showing details of wind energy development within West Lothian and an indicative plan. The most up to date plan at the time of production is appended below.
It is the council’s intention to put the most up to date plan and spreadsheet onto the Planning part of the council web-site under SGs.
Web-link to database
N.B. All maps are indicative only and not to be scaled from
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 69 Scale: 1:170000 Wind Energy Data - 18 February 2015 Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf HMSO. (c) Crown copyright and database right 2015. All rights reserved . Licence number 100037194 Current Granted Refused EIA Scoping EIA Screening Withdrawn Key
70 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Annex B – Summary of statutory consultees responses to Scoping Report
Responsible Authority Consultation Authority (CA) Issue (RA=WLC) response/ action Historic Scotland (HS): e-letter of 2 August 2012 Content with scope and level of detail of assessment set out in report No action required Welcome that you have scoped cultural heritage into the assessment No action required Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA): e-letter of 25/07/12 General comments: Generally content with the scope and level of detail proposed for the No action required Environmental Report Recommend that you give further consideration to scoping the Has been scoped in water environment into the assessment Detailed comments: Various updates and details regarding plans, programmes , strategies Relevant tables to be listed required updated as requested Re soil topic: add information on potential impacts on carbon rich Has been scoped in soils and peat Re water topic: consider that water should not be scoped out and that range of impacts should be considered notably on ecological Has been scoped in status; on hydrology and groundwater; and on floodplains, hydrological regimes and drainage systems May therefore wish to consider baseline data for inland water bodies (including wetlands) and groundwater (including drinking water Has been considered supplies) Consider referring to the Indicative River and Coastal Flood Map Has been considered (Scotland) Re climatic factors – welcome proposed scope factor & potential Noted contributions to GHG reduction Content with rationale set out in relation to the consideration of alternatives and the proposed summary matrix which will be used to Noted present the findings of the assessment of alternatives in the ER May also develop a set of criteria which will need to be considered by appropriate proposal within the spatial framework, or develop areas Has been considered of potential constraints Summary matrix developed for the different scenarios should be supported with evidence rather than justification and explanation for Has been improved the predicted scores; and consider clarification of significant effects Recommend that findings of collation assessment should be used Noted with caution Welcome approach in Table 6 of SR that links the findings of the assessment with the proposed mitigation measures; and any Has been considered proposed changes to the plan should be recorded in table form It would be useful for the Environmental Report to provide a clear and deliverable framework setting out how , when and by whom Has been considered mitigation measures will be implemented and then, through the monitoring process, tracked regarding progress Consider developing SEA objectives as assessment tools Has been considered Content with eight week consultation period Noted May wish to consider a proportionate monitoring framework to meet Has been considered the monitoring requirements of the SEA Act
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 71 Responsible Authority Consultation Authority (CA) Issue (RA=WLC) response/ action Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) e-letter of 7/08/12 General comments: Key legislation needs to be added Added to ER Consider inclusion of relevant policies of adjacent planning Added to ER authorities Revise options alternatives so that accord better with SPP Revise Reconsidered - it is understood that a Issues scoped out require proper justification including how these proportionate approach to issues will be dealt with the ER and wind energy in general is acceptable to the Scottish Government Relationship of SG and spatial framework to be clarified and set in Addressed context of development plan Content with the eight week consultation period Noted Re para. 189 of SPP the SG should clarify if the scope of the SG Clarified extends below 20MW Establish relationship between LCS and SG in context of the Clarified development plan Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) e-letter of 7/08/12 – Annexes 1 (continued) Detailed comments: Re context - revise presentation and add in key legislation from Revised Annex 2 Revise Tables 1 & 2 of SR, and their equivalents in ER, as set out on pp. Revised 3-5 of Annex 1 Re baseline information – Table 3 of the SR, and equivalent for the ER, will be revised according to points on pp. 5-6 of Annex 1 of Revised consultation Re environmental problems – revise Table 4 of the SR, and equivalent for the ER, will be revised according to points on pp. 6-8 of Annex 1 of Revised consultation Re Scope and level of detail – revise options and assessment sections Revised proportionately’ of ER to reflect advice on pp. 8-9 of Annex 1 of consultation Re Scoping in/out of SEA issues - re-consider issues scoped out in Revised proportionately’ light of comments on pp. 9-10 of Annex 1 of consultation
72 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Annex C – Natural environment designations: detailed lists and indicative plan
WLLP Appendices 3.1 and 3.2 list the following designated sites of international, national and local importance to the environment:
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC: 2) Blawhorn Moss, near Blackridge Craigengar, Pentland Hills
Special Protection Areas (SPAs: 1) Firth of Forth
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI: 17) Blawhorn Moss, near Blackridge Calder Wood, near Mid Calder Carriber Glen, near Linlithgow Cobbinshaw Moss near Harburn Cobbinshaw Reservoir near. Harburn Craigengar, Pentland Hills East Kirkton Quarry, Bathgate Firth of Forth Hermand Birchwood, West Calder Hermand Quarry, West Calder Linhouse Valley, Murieston, Livingston Linlithgow Loch Lochote Marsh, Torphichen Petershill, Bathgate Philpstoun Muir, near Linlithgow Skolie Burn Loganlea, Addiewell Tailend Moss, Bathgate
Scottish Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves (SWT-NR: 7) Addiewell Bing Easter Inch Blackburn Hermand Birchwood West Calder Linhouse Longridge Moss Petershill Bathgate Tailend Moss Bathgate
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 73 Local Wildlife Sites (LWS: 29, grid references): Addiewell Ponds NT003626 Almond Pools NT023663 Almondell Country Park NT089689 Balvormie Meadow NS997738 Bangour Reservoir NT012719 Barbauchlaw Glen NS924688 Bellsquarry Wood NT050652 Cockleroy Wood NS984748 Colinshiel Wood NS950690 Crosswood Reservoir NT060575 Drumbeg Moss NS870683 Easter Inch Moss NT003664 Easter Redburn Moss NS888675 Faucheldean Bing NT084742 Foulshiels Bing NS977635 Harperrigg Reservoir NT092610 (candidate NNR) Lochcote Reservoir NS978737 Longridge Moss NS956620 Mains Burn NT033739 Mosshouse Farm Moss NS882669 Nether Longford Moss NS975611 Pumpherston Pond NT071692 Raiziehill Moss NS874667 Roman Camp Meadows NT071705 Silvermines Quarry NS992713 Skivo Quarry NT051640 Swinabbey Moss NS970658 Westcraigs Moss NS898683 Whitrigg Bing NS969644
Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV: 6) Bathgate Hills and River Avon Valley Forth Shore Airngarth Hill Blackridge Heights Almond and Linhouse Valleys Pentland Hills
74 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Areas of Special Landscape Control (ASLC: 6) The Breich Valley Levenseat South Fauldhouse The River Almond, Livingston (greenways) Boghead House Policies Barbauchlaw Glen, Armadale.
Historic gardens and designed landscapes (HGDL: 4) Harburn House, south-east of West Calder Hatton House, west of Wilkieston (southern part only, main part within City of Edinburgh) Hopetoun House, near the Firth of Forth House of the Binns, north-east of Linlithgow (In addition, Newliston House, immediately east of Broxburn is 95% within Edinburgh City).
Countryside Belts (CB: 3) Livingston Bathgate/ Whitburn Winchburgh/ Broxburn. N.B. – some of the above designations are included in the body of the report in section 3.2 Environmental Baseline Data.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 75 76 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Annex D – Heritage designations: detailed lists and indicative plan Listed Buildings: 480 - includes all categories. http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/historicandlistedbuildings.htm
WLLP - Appendix 4.3: Scheduled (Ancient) Monuments (SM, SAM: 53) Abercorn Castle, Hopetoun Carved stones in session house, Abercorn Church Fort 450m SW of West Lodge, Abercorn Footbridge and aqueduct, Almondell Auldcathie Church, Winchburgh Bathgate Castle, Bathgate Fort Bowden Hill, near Torphichen Building 200m ESE of Muckraw Burial mound 720m SSE of West Harwood, nr. Harburn Cairn 750m SW of Crosswood, Pentlands Cairn S of Broomie Knowes, Bathgate Hills Prehist. ceremonial complex Cairnpapple Hill, Torphichen Cairns Castle, Harperrig Castle Greg Roman fortlet Camilty Hill, Harburn Enclosure Camilty Hill, Harburn Coal pit 250 NNW of Hilltop House Fort Cockleroy, nr. Torphichen Coke ovens and reservoir 600m SSE of Woodmuir Farm Cairn, Corston Hill, nr Kirknewton Cross slab 550m N West of Craigmailing, nr Torphichen Duntarvie, Winchburgh Farmstead, 720m WNW of Craigmarry, nr Westfield Farmstead, 1400 SWS of Woodend Farm, nr Armadale Faucheldean shale bing, Winchburgh Five Sisters shale bing, SE of Mid Briech Fort and standing stones, 500m ESE of Torphichen Mains Castlehorn Standing stone, Gala Braes, Bathgate Hills Greendykes shale bing, nr Broxburn Cairn East Cairn Hill, Harperrig, Pentlands Hills Cairn West Cairn Hill, Harperrig, Pentland Hills Hog-back tombstone (missing) Old Kirkyard, Kirknewton Old Parish Church, 400m ESE of Kirkton Mains, Kirkton, Bathgate Linlithgow Palace, Peel and Royal Park Midhope Castle, Abercorn Mill, lade and trackway, Torphichen Bridge Murieston Castle Wester Murieston, Livingston Settlement 350m SSW of Newbigging Craig, Bathgate Hills
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 77 Enclosure, SW of Niddry Farm, Winchburgh Old West Calder Church Fort, Peace Knowe, Bathgate Hills Cairn, Raven Craig, Bathgate Hills Refuge Stone, 300m NW of Westfield Farm, Westfield Refuge Stone, 475m ENE of East Gormyre, Torphichen Refuge Stone, Torphichen Church Homestead moat, 200m N of South Mains, Bathgate Hills Staneyhill Tower, Hopetoun Preceptory and bell tower, Torphichen Union Canal Aqueduct Union Canal, 1100m S of Whitecross Aqueduct Union Canal, Lin’s Mill Footbridge (no. 46) Union Canal, S of Linlithgow Academy Aqueduct Union Canal, S of Kettlestoun Mains, Linlithgow Windywa’s Silvermine 300m SW of Wester Tartraven, Bathgate Hills
Conservation areas (CA: 9) Bangour Village Hospital (north of Livingston, west of Dechmont) Broxburn Kirknewton Linlithgow Palace and High Street Linlithgow – Upper Linlithgow and Union Canal Livingston Village Mid Calder Torphichen Uphall
WLLP - Appendix 4.4: Other Areas of Built Heritage and Townscape Value (ABHTV: 11) Abercorn village Bathgate town centre Bellsquarry village Beresford Rise Dedridge East Calder Main Street Ecclesmachan village centre Oakbank cottages West Calder Roman Camp cottages South Village Pumpherston West Calder village centre Winchburgh Rows
78 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 79 Annex E – Industrial estates The Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy in West Lothian identified potential capacity in a several industrial estates within West Lothian subject to assessment against material planning considerations. As background information, the council’s Estates and Finance Service have provided location plans for council owned industrial estates and are included in this Environmental Report. West Lothian has a number of industrial estate maps / guides that detail information about the locations and the businesses located there. The last comprehensive survey was undertaken in 2009. They are due to be completely updated, but as an interim guide map detailed. Bathgate J4M8, Whitehill and Easter Inch Whiteside and Inchcross Broxburn East Mains Industrial Estate Linlithgow Mill Road Industrial Estate Livingston Houstoun Deans Brucefield Whitburn Burnhouse industrial Estate
Annex F – Edinburgh Airport: Airspace Diagram & NATS self assessment maps information The purple line denotes the limits of the Edinburgh Airport Airspace diagram where successful consultation is required as part of the planning process and to comply with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The orange circle denotes the inner control zone and the green and red cross indicates the main runway directions. As can be seen below, West Lothian is entirely within the obligatory consultation zone. Additional mapping information is re-printed below from National Air Traffic Service (NATS) which is indicative of the environmental constraints for air traffic associated with Edinburgh Airport, West Lothian and Central Scotland Airspace. This extract from NATS gives an indication
of radar constraints and navigational BAA/ Edinburgh Airport - airspace diagram requirements and their importance for aviation and ultimately the safety of the human population. NATS and Edinburgh Airport require to be consulted on wind energy application as part of the planning application process but screening can be undertaken through the respective web-sites.
80 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Instructions for the use of NATS self assessment maps. (from NATS web-site) To ascertain whether your development is likely to have an impact or not, you will need to use our self- assessment maps. These can be downloaded from NATS. You’ll need to have a GIS/mapping package where you can plot your turbines (ARCGIS etc or FGIS is a free one). You should be able to visualise the turbine(s) position(s) on the map. For most packages you can create a text file with the NGR Eastings and Northings, or other coordinates to plot the turbine position. After this, download the relevant map for the turbine height, i.e. ideally you want a radar to look above a turbine and not see as far down as a turbine. i.e. if you have a 60m turbine, ideally the radar will not cover that area at 60m. Conversely if you have a 100m turbine, and the radar can see down to 100m and further down to 80m or less, there is a problem in that the radar is very likely to be able to detect the turbine. Once you have downloaded the correct height map from here http://www.nats.co.uk/nats-services/ issues/windfarms/self-assessment-maps you can add it as a layer to your GIS package. You should then be able to see both your turbine(s) position as well as the radar cover, and from this determine whether your proposed location is anticipated to be detected by radar or not. Once you’ve done this the same should be done for SSR, navigation aids and radio stations by downloading and adding the SSR, AGA and NAV maps. These have 15km/15nm circles representing safeguarded areas for our assets. Should your proposed development fall within radar cover or within the safeguarded area for other assets, while this does not automatically mean an objection, it is recommended that you take out our pre-planning assessment (£1250 plus VAT). This will provide you with a formal statement from NERL on the turbine’s impact. More information can be found on NATS together with the application form for the pre-planning assessment. NERL Safeguarding NATS CTC 4000 Parkway Whiteley Fareham PO15 7FL [email protected]
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 81 Annex G – West Lothian Landscape Character Assessment (2011 update): list and map West Lothian-Landscape Character Assessment 2011: Table C: West Lothian Landscape Classification (extract from The Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development in West Lothian, December 2011, David Tyldesley Associates)
Landscape Landscape Landscape types in Landscape units in this character areas types in this WL- the LLCA WL-LCA 2011 in The LLCA 1998 LCA 2011 1998 Pentland Uplands 4 1 Upland Hills 1(i) Western Pentland Hills Hills 2(i) North-West Pentland Fringe Pentland Upland Upland Hill 5 Fringe north- 2 2(ii) Gladsmuir / Woodmuir / Camilty Fringe Fringes Fringes west 2(iii) Harburn / Hartwood Fringe Lowland Lowland Bathgate Hills and 17 3 Hills and 3(i) Bathgate Hills Hills Ridges Valleys Broad Valley 4(i) Almond Valley 4 Lowlands 4(ii) Couston Valley West Lothian 19 5(i) Polkemmet Moor Lowland Plateau Lowland 5 5(ii) Armadale / Bathgate Plateau Plateaux Plateaux 5(iii) Livingston / Blackburn Plateau Slamannan 5(iv) Avonbridge to Armadale plateau edge 20 Plateau 5(v) Blackridge Heights 6(i) Kirknewton Plain Lowland 6 6(ii) East Calder / Livingston / Broxburn Plain Plains 6(iii) Winchburgh / Niddry Plain Lower Lowland 7(i) Avon Valley 21 Almond Plains farmlands Lowland 7(ii) Almond Valley 7 river 7(iii) Murieston / Linhouse / Camilty waters corridors West Calder Burn / Breich and Harwood 7(iv) waters Lowland Hill 8(i) Linlithgow Fringe Linlithgow / 8 Coastal Fringes 8(ii) Bathgate Fringe 26 Queensferry Margins Coastal 9(i) West Lothian coastal farmlands farmlands 9 Margins 9(ii) West Lothian coastal hills
82 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 83 Annex H – Map of West Lothian River Basins (SEPA extract)
84 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Annex I – Route of Ethylene Pipeline Blue = route of ethylene pipeline originating from Grangemouth
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 85 Annex J – Ancient Woodlands/ Tree Preservation Orders (West Lothian GIS/GGP extract) Brown = Ancient Woodland; Pink = TPO (Tree Preservation Order), Red = TPO unconfirmed
1:170000
ANNEX J - Ancient Woodland / TPO's
Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2012. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100037194.
86 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Annex K – Phase 1 Habitat Survey 1993: Mire & Bog (West Lothian GIS/GGP extract) Brown = location of mire and bog habitat extracted from the Phase 1 Habitat Survey
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ANNEX K - Phase 1 Habitat Survey - Mire & Bog
Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2012. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100037194.
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 87 Annex L – Wildlife Sites – Lothian Wildlife 2008 (West Lothian GIS/GGP extract) Purple lines = wildlife corridors such as water courses; Purple hatched areas = wildlife habitat areas including water bodies
88 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development Annex M – Recreation: Draft Core Paths/ Rights of Way/ Regional and Country Parks (West Lothian GIS/GGP extract) Purple - draft core path plan; Orange – Rights of Way 2005; Red – Pentland Hills Regional Park N.B. – West Lothian also has three country parks not shown on this plan – Beecraigs Countryside Park, Polkemmet Country Park and Almondell & Calderwood Country Park
1:170000
ANNEX M - Recreation
Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2012. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100037194.
N.B. All maps are indicative only and not to be scaled from
Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development 89 90 Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environmental Report (Draft) interim supplementary guidance: wind energy development