HEATHLAND Volume 4 – Non-Technical Summary January 2021

Prepared By:

Arcus Consultancy Services

7th Floor 144 West George Street Glasgow G2 2HG

www.arcusconsulting.co.uk

Registered in England & Wales No. 5644976

Non-Technical Summary Heathland Wind Farm

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE ...... I

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1

2 SITE SELECTION & DESIGN EVOLUTION ...... 3

3 DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION ...... 5

4 ENERGY AND PLANNING POLICY ...... 8

5 EIA PROCESS & METHODOLOGY ...... 9

6 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL AMENITY ...... 10

7 ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE ...... 12

8 ECOLOGY ...... 12

9 ORNITHOLOGY ...... 13

10 HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY ...... 14

11 GEOLOGY AND PEAT ...... 15

12 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION ...... 16

13 NOISE ...... 17

14 AVIATION AND TELECOMS ...... 17

15 FORESTRY ...... 18

16 SOCIO-ECONOMICS, LAND USE, TOURISM AND RECREATION ...... 19

17 CLIMATE CHANGE AND CARBON BALANCE ...... 21

18 OTHER ISSUES ...... 21

19 SUMMARY ...... 23

NTS APPENDIX A: FIGURES ...... 24

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PREFACE This Non-Technical Summary (NTS) summarises the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report) that has been undertaken on behalf of Heathland Windfarm Partnership LLP (the Applicant), a wholly owned subsidiary of EDF Renewables, to accompany the Section 36 application for the construction and operation of Heathland Wind Farm (the Development). The EIA Report comprises of the following documents:  Volume 1 – EIA Report Text, comprising 19 chapters;  Volume 2 – EIA Report Figures;  Volume 2a – Figures excluding LVIA;  Volume 2b – LVIA Figures;  Volume 2c – LVIA Visualisations;  Volume 3 – EIA Report Technical Appendices; and  Volume 4 – EIA Report Non-Technical Summary. In addition to the above, the EIA Report is accompanied by a Planning Statement, Design and Access Statement and a Pre-Application Consultation Report. Part 5 of the EIA Regulations requires the EIA Report to be available for public viewing; however, as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this would not be in line with current public health guidance from the Scottish Government. Consequently, the Coronavirus Regulations introduces a temporary relaxation of Part 5 of the EIA Regulations during the emergency period; the amended regulations therefore require that the Applicant must: “state that the EIA report is available for inspection free of charge and the means by which, the EIA report is available for inspection;”. The EIA Report and supporting documentation to the application, together with a notice of the application, can be viewed on the Heathland Wind Farm project website: www.edf- re.uk/our-sites/heathland. The application will also be available for public viewing on the Energy Consents Unit website. CD copies of the complete application submission are available free of charge, whilst supplies last. Hard copies of the application submission may be obtained at a reasonable charge reflecting the cost of making the relevant information available. To request a copy of the application submission please contact: Torsten Frost at [email protected] EDF Renewables Atria One Level Six 144 Morrison Street Edinburgh EH3 8EX

Or

Arcus Consultancy Services at [email protected] 7th Floor 144 West George Street Glasgow G2 2HG

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Arcus Consultancy Services EDF-R Page ii January 2021 Non-Technical Summary Heathland Wind Farm

1 INTRODUCTION This Non-Technical Summary (NTS) summarises the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report) which accompanies the application by the Applicant, for consent to install and operate Heathland Wind Farm (the Development). The Development comprises up to 14 wind turbines and associated infrastructure, with a generation capacity exceeding 50 megawatts (MW), and is located 1.5 kilometres (km) north-east of the village of Forth, at Heathland Forest, (NTS Appendix A: Figure 1) within South Lanarkshire and West Lothian Councils’ administrative areas. As the Development exceeds 50 MW, the Applicant is seeking consent from the Scottish Ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 (as amended)1, with deemed planning permission under Section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning () Act 19972. Given the nature of the application, the EIA has been undertaken in accordance with the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 20173, referred to as the EIA Regulations.

1.1 The Applicant The Applicant is a wholly owned subsidiary of EDF Energy Renewables Ltd (EDF-ER), part of one of the world’s largest electricity companies, whose investment and innovation in the UK is bringing down costs for consumers with significant benefits for communities. The EDF-ER operating portfolio of 36 wind farms and battery storage units (almost 1 GW) are providing some of the much needed new affordable, low carbon electricity to the UK. Work is well underway on the 450 MW offshore wind farm project which is in the Firth of Forth. EDF-ER has now completed the 177 MW Dorenell wind farm near Dufftown in the Scottish Highlands which is the largest onshore wind farm in Europe for the EDF-ER group. EDF-ER is operated within the United Kingdom under the brand EDF Renewables (EDF- R). EDF Renewables (EDF-R) and Heathland Windfarm Partnership LLP, as the Applicant, are used interchangeably throughout this document.

1.2 The Site The Site covers an area of 831 hectares (ha), centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 296917, 657090. The Site is located approximately 1.5 km north-east of the village of Forth, and lies adjacent to the A706 on the west side of the Site. The Site is located within the administrative boundaries of South Lanarkshire Council and West Lothian Council (the Councils). As shown on Figure 2 in NTS Appendix A, the Site is within an area of commercial forestry plantation, including large areas of clear fell. This is owned and managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). A series of good quality forestry tracks provide access for management purposes and recreation. Existing tracks have been utilised to minimise the environmental impact of the Development, with new access tracks branching off existing access tracks to new turbine locations.

1 UK Government, 1989, Electricity Act 1989 [Online] Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/29/contents (Accessed 11/08/2020) 2 UK Government (1997) Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 [Online] Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/8/section/57 (Accessed 12/11/2020) 3 The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment ) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 [Online] Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2017/101/contents/made (Accessed 12/11/2020)

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The Site is located in close proximity to the operational Tormywheel Wind Farm and Pates Hill Wind Farm, and the recently consented Tormywheel Extension and Longhill Burn Wind Farm. In terms of public access and recreation, there are no public roads located within the Site, although there are a number of existing forestry tracks as mentioned above. There are also a number of designated Core Paths within and close to the Site. There are a number of small watercourses within the Site, including Wormlaw Burn, Mousewater, Mosshat Burn and Longford Burn. There are no residential properties within the Site, and the closest property to the Site is Mountainblaw Farm located approximately 200 m south of the Site’s southern boundary on Tashieburn Road, and is located 1.25 km south of the nearest turbine. There are no international or national ecological, landscape or cultural heritage designations on Site, with the exception of Wilsontown Ironworks Scheduled Monument, which is located well outwith the development area and over 1 km from the nearest turbine (T2).

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2 SITE SELECTION & DESIGN EVOLUTION As part of an ongoing UK wide search, the Development was identified by the Applicant as having potential to be progressed to the more detailed design stage. There is an extant consent on the site for 17 wind turbines (132 m to tip) and associated infrastructure. The Section 36 consent and deemed planning permission for Heathland Wind Farm was granted by Scottish Ministers on 26th October 2018, under reference number EC00003124 (the Consented Wind Farm). EDF purchased the Partnership for Renewables development portfolio in 2017, including Heathland Wind Farm. The Site was selected as a suitable site for wind farm development by the Applicant because it met the following criteria:  Existing consent at the Site for the Consented Wind Farm demonstrates an established planning principle for an onshore wind farm in this location;  A sufficiently high annual mean wind speed across the Site;  Viable grid connection in close proximity to the Site;  Suitable road access, subject to the construction of a new access point;  The potential for the Development design to respond to the adjacent consented and operational cumulative context;  The Site is sufficiently distant from the nearest residential properties to ensure compliance with ETSU-R-97 noise limits, as well as to avoid or reduce the potential for adverse effects on residential visual amenity and shadow flicker effects; and  The Site itself does not support any international or national ecological, landscape or cultural heritage designations, with the exception of Wilsontown Ironworks Scheduled Monument, which is located well outwith the development area and over 1 km from the nearest turbine (T2). The Development layout has evolved throughout the duration of the EIA. The Consented Wind Farm was considered to underutilise the capacity of the site to generate low carbon electricity from the wind resource, and the project design has evolved in order to optimise and maximise the potential for renewable energy production. It should be noted that the Consented Wind Farm would be built out if a new consent with regards to this Application is not forthcoming. This was achieved through detailed assessments of the environmental effects, consideration of the identified spatial constraints combined with consideration of the appearance of the Development from sensitive viewpoints to take account of landscape and visual considerations. The process was also informed by detailed civil engineering requirements to ensure technically viable design solutions. There were a number of individual design iterations to explore the various technical and environmental issues identified through baseline surveys. The key site sensitivities were in relation to cumulative landscape and visual effects, visibility to key receptors including nearby properties and settlements, operational noise, areas of deeper peat, hydrological receptors and potential for indirect effects on Wilsontown Scheduled Monument. Additional considerations included previous mining activity across the Site and forestry coupe boundaries. The Application Layout consists of 14 turbines, with three turbines (T1-T3) at a maximum tip height of 150 m and 11 turbines (T4-T14) at a maximum tip height of 180 m. The layout incorporates necessary rotor spacing requirements, based on a prevailing south- west wind (approximately 225 degrees), and the turbines positioned to minimise interaction with onsite constraints, including areas of deep peat (based on peat depth survey results) and watercourses. This included some minor refinements to a number of turbine positions, as more detailed site survey results became available. The layout takes account of key landscape and visual considerations, including views experienced from nearby key residential and recreational and viewpoints raised through scoping

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consultation. The reduction of tip heights of T1-T3 helps to provide a more visually coherent layout with respect to the cumulative context, in particular turbines at the operational Tormywheel Wind Farm, to the immediate west. The final design has been subject to the assessment detailed throughout this EIA Report and is considered to meet the balance of increasing the renewable energy generation capacity of the Site whilst minimising the introduction of new environmental effects.

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3 DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION The layout of the Development is shown on Figure 2 in NTS Appendix A.

3.1 Development Components The Development comprises a wind powered electricity generating station known as Heathland Wind Farm with a generation capacity exceeding 50MW. It will involve the erection and operation of a wind farm and associated infrastructure. The Development will comprise:  Up to fourteen wind turbines (including external transformers) and associated infrastructure including a substation;  A battery storage facility; and  Forestry felling and compensatory planting.

More detail regarding the Development components is set out in Table 1 below. On the basis of the current candidate turbines, the total installed capacity would be up to 80 megawatts (MW). Table 1: Key Parameters of the Development Element Details

Turbines Up to 14 turbines comprising up to three turbines with a maximum tip height of 150 m, and up to 11 turbines with a maximum tip height of 180 m. Each turbine will require a small transformer located externally at its base. Each foundation would be designed separately according to the chosen turbine type, manufacturer and geotechnical site investigations undertaken during the enabling works to establish the nature of the subsoil condition at each turbine location. The EIA has been carried out assuming each turbine location has a micro-siting allowance of 100 m, to allow flexibility for encountering unknown ground constraints during pre-construction and construction.

Access Track Access track to serve the construction and operation of the wind farm with width approximately 5 m, this will consist of approximately 4.1 km of upgraded forestry tracks and 6.3 km of newly constructed track.

Site Access It is proposed that Site access will be afforded via a new access point off the A706, at approximately NGR 294922, 656994.

Electrical Onsite underground cabling will be lain alongside the access tracks where Infrastructure possible, linking the turbine transformers to the windfarm control building and substation. The EIA will assume and assess transformers located outside of the turbines. A substation compound will be located at approximately NGR 296305, 657465. The compound measuring approximately 60 m x 40 m will include a single storey control building, external electrical infrastructure, battery storage components and vehicle parking.

Crane Crane hardstandings will be required adjacent to each turbine, this will consist Hardstanding of an area of between approximately 1,250 and 1,575 m2 at each turbine. In addition to the main hardstanding area, there will be additional flattened areas for crane assembly and turbine blade storage; however, these will be temporary and not constitute hardstanding.

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Element Details

Temporary A temporary construction compound will be required during the construction of Construction the Development, forming an area of hardstanding providing space for Compound temporary construction cabins, parking and lay down areas; this will measure approximately 100 m x 50 m and be located in the western area of the Site, at approximately NGR 295640, 657008.

Borrow Pits Up to two onsite borrow pits are proposed. One is located between T8 and T9 to the north of the Site, and the second is located south of T12, and will extend an existing quarry. Given that the track layout reuses 4.1 km of existing track, relatively little aggregate will be required when compared to a typical wind farm of this size, and the use of both borrow pits may not be required.

Anemometry A temporary anemometry mast will be erected for 5 to 7 years, of up to 90 m Mast height, at location NGR: 296022 656469.

3.1.1 Grid Connection The precise grid connection route has not yet been confirmed, although it is known that the Development will connect into the grid at Wishaw station, located approximately 16 km west of the Site. The Development’s grid connection is not included within this application for consent, and will be sought by the Network Operator who will be responsible for the consenting, construction and operation of the grid connection. However, each technical discipline has included a high level assessment of the grid connection with regard to the overall construction, operation and decommissioning of the Development, and have concluded that no significant effects will arise as a result of the development of the grid route and connection.

3.2 Construction Phase The construction period for the Development would be approximately 18 months in duration. The starting date for construction activities will largely be dependent upon the date that consent may be granted and grid availability. Construction activities will be limited to the working hours of 07:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and 07:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays, with the exception of any emergency working or turbine deliveries. The construction phase will be controlled via a series of detailed construction method statements, which will be prepared by an Infrastructure Contractor appointed by the Applicant, who will have overall responsibility for environmental management on the construction site. A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be prepared to the support the construction method statements. The CEMP will be the overarching document which combines the principles of all other management plans and environmental plans required to support the construction.

3.3 Operational Phase During operation, general servicing is required. Each turbine manufacturer has specific maintenance requirements, but typically, routine maintenance or servicing of turbines is carried out at least once per year. In the first year, there is also an initial service shortly after commissioning.

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3.4 Decommissioning Phase The Development has been designed with an operational life of 30 years. At the end of the operational period, it would be decommissioned and the turbines dismantled and removed. Any alternative to this action would be subject to further consenting process.

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4 ENERGY AND PLANNING POLICY The Development will have an overall installed capacity over 50 Megawatts (MW). In Scotland, onshore renewable energy developments that have capacity to generate over 50 MW require consent from the Scottish Ministers under the Electricity Act 19894 (the Electricity Act). In such cases, the Planning Authority is a statutory consultee in the development management process and procedures. The Planning Authority for the Development is both South Lanarkshire and West Lothian Councils (the Councils). Energy policy has been referenced briefly in the EIA Report. The Development relates to the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources and comes as a direct response to national planning and energy policy objectives. Furthermore, the Development would make a contribution to the attainment of emissions reduction, renewable energy and electricity targets at both the Scottish and UK levels. Detailed reference to the renewable energy policy context is provided in the Planning Statement. National planning policy and guidance has been reviewed as part of the EIA process including the National Planning Framework, Scottish Planning Policy and relevant Circulars and Planning Advice Notes. The statutory Development Plan relevant to the Development has also been taken into account. This comprises the following documents:  The South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan (2015)  The Adopted West Lothian Local Development Plan (2018)  Relevant supplementary guidance, particularly the Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance (2016) Consideration has been given to the relevant policies contained within the Development Plan during the design of the Development. The policies most relevant to the Development relate to renewable energy developments, and they provide guidance on the main issues the Council will consider when acting as statutory consultees.

4 UK Government. (1989). Electricity Act 1989 [Online]. Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/29/contents (Accessed 12/11/2020).

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5 EIA PROCESS & METHODOLOGY Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process undertaken to identify and evaluate the likely significant effects of a proposed development on the environment and to identify measures to mitigate or manage any significant adverse effects. The assessment must be carried out following consultation with statutory consultees, other interested bodies and members of the public. The purpose of identifying significant effects is to ensure decision makers are able to make an informed judgement on a proposal. Where one or more significant effects are identified, it does not automatically follow that a proposal should be refused. This EIA Report has been prepared following a systematic approach to EIA and project design. The process of identifying environmental effects is both iterative and cyclical, running in tandem with the iterative design process. The key elements in EIA are:  Scoping and ongoing consultation, including consideration of responses and how these should be addressed;  Technical environmental assessments, including baseline studies, input to the design process and identification of potential significant environmental effects;  Preparation of the EIA Report; and  Submission of the Section 36 application and EIA Report, including publicity of the submitted EIA findings. The aim of the scoping process is to identify key environmental issues at an early stage, to determine which elements of the Development are likely to result in significant effects on the environment and to establish the extent of survey and assessment required for the EIA. A Scoping Request for the Development was made to Scottish Ministers in December 2019, which described the Development and its potential environmental effects. A number of statutory and non-statutory consultees responded to the scoping request which in turn informed the EIA process. The Applicant consulted the members of the local community through attendance at local Community Council meetings through public consultation events in February 2020 (in person), and an ‘Online Public Exhibition’ was held in November and December 2020. The public exhibition was hosted online due to the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 advice and guidelines5. A number of environmental disciplines have been assessed to identify any effects that may be significant in the context of the EIA Regulations. Mitigation is proposed where possible to prevent significant effects. In accordance with the EIA Regulations, the assessment has considered ‘cumulative effects’ where applicable.

5 The Scottish Government (2020) Online Public Exhibition established in accordance with COVID-19 Scottish Government advice and regulations [Online] Available online at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-planning-guidance- on-pre-application-consultations-for-public-events/ (Accessed 12/11/2020)

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6 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL AMENITY Chapter 6 of the EIA Report evaluates the effects of the Development on Landscape and Visual Receptors.

6.1 Landscape Effects Significant effects are predicted on the landscape resource of the site itself during construction and operation. Significant (Major) effects on landscape character are predicted for the Plateau Moorlands and Upland Fringes (Lothian) Landscape Character Types (LCTs). The Development is located on the transition between these LCTs, in an undulating plateau of coniferous forest. Existing wind farm development including Tormywheel (to the west) and Pates Hill (to the east) has already altered the character of these LCTs. The influence of human activity on these LCTs is also apparent through coniferous forest cover, roads, electricity infrastructure and a dispersed pattern of settlement. The Development will increase the influence of wind farms on these LCTs, resulting in effects of moderate significance within 5 km mainly around the Site and to the north and south of the Development. Operational wind farm development has already altered the character of the landscape to the east and west. Furthermore, effects will be limited to areas where buildings and forest cover do not obscure views. Beyond this, no significant effects on landscape character are anticipated. The Development is not anticipated to affect the integrity of any landscape designations by impacting on the qualities for which they have been designated.

6.2 Visual Effects Significant effects on views are predicted at seven of the 18 representative viewpoints, all of which are located within 5 km of the Development. Major effects are predicted from Viewpoint 4: Woolfords Cottages, a small row of cottages to the east of the Development, with the potential for open views from the rear of a number of properties. Major effects are also predicted from Viewpoint 3: Breich, from a view which is representative of rear views from properties on the southern edge of this small settlement. Both of these views represent closer proximity and more sensitive residential views to the north and east of the Site. Moderate effects are predicted from:  Viewpoint 1: A704/ A706 Junction;  Viewpoint 2: Minor road near Haywood and Bughtknowes;  Viewpoint 5: Forth;  Viewpoint 6: Fauldhouse; and  Viewpoint 7: Longridge. With regard to effects on residential visual amenity, significant visual effects will be experienced at approximately 16 properties or property groups, located within 2km of the Development. However, no properties will be subject to effects on residential visual amenity which are judged to breach the Residential Visual Amenity Threshold (no effects are of a magnitude that would affect ‘living conditions’). In terms of settlements, significant effects are predicted from Auchengray and Woolfords. Both of these are smaller rural settlements within 5 km to the south-east, with the potential for more open views from larger areas of the settlement. Significant sequential effects are predicted from the A704, a relatively short road which passes to the immediate north of the site; parts of the A706, which passes to the

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immediate west of the Site and within 5 km; a short section of the West Coast Main Line between Muirhall and Woolfords; and Core Paths within the site. All of these significant visual effects will be limited to receptors within approximately 5 km of the Site. In the majority of views the Development will be seen in the context of the operational Tormywheel wind farm (and other operational wind farms further east) on the gently undulating forested plateau to the centre of the Study Area. As the Development has turbines over 150m to tip, visible aviation lighting is required on the structures. Visible aviation lighting on the nacelles of six and towers of five turbines will not result in significant visual effects during hours of darkness.

6.3 Cumulative Landscape and Visual Assessment The emerging pattern of wind farms typically sees larger developments located along an east to west band through the centre of the study area, on the undulating and forested plateau to the south of the M8 transport corridor. There are a number of discrete wind farms, consented and proposed, in areas of farmland and moorland either side of the M8 and north-east of greater Glasgow within 20 km to the north-west of the Site. Larger emerging groups of wind farms within the wider landscape are focused to larger upland plateaux and hill ranges, particularly to the south-west within South Lanarkshire and East Ayrshire. The cumulative assessment reports on two potential development scenarios. Scenario 1 considers the addition of the Development to a landscape with schemes which are operational, under construction and consented. Scenario 2 considers the addition of the Development to a landscape with schemes which are operational, under construction, consented and subject to undetermined valid applications. Under both cumulative scenarios, the Development will typically combine with the operational Tormywheel (and its extension under scenario 2), Longhill Burn and Pates Hill, to create one larger wind farm on the central undulating forested plateau. No significant additional cumulative landscape effects are predicted largely due to the influence of operational, consented and proposed wind farm development on landscape character and the role the Development plays in contributing to one larger wind farm, on the forested plateau to the south of the M8 transport corridor. No significant additional cumulative visual effects are predicted to arise from the introduction of the Development into views from the assessment viewpoints, settlements, or routes. Typically, the Development will read as part of a larger wind farm cluster – including the consented Longhill Burn (now subject to a revised planning application to increase the tip heights by 20m), the operational Tormywheel and its small consented extension – seen on the simple forested plateau around the site. These future schemes will have altered views, and extending the influence of wind farm development in this context is not considered to result in an additional significant cumulative visual effect. Furthermore, the turbine scale and arrangement of the Development reflects that of the consented Longhill Burn. The potential for significant ‘total’ cumulative effects is recognised from Viewpoints 9, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 17 and from corresponding stretches of the A70 (Viewpoint 11) and A71 (Viewpoint 10). These views tend to provide longer distance and large scale views where the large number of operational, consented and proposed wind farms across the study area is apparent. However, as the Development typically reads as part of a larger emerging wind farm cluster and extension to Longhill Burn, the contribution the Development makes to this effect is not considered to be notable.

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7 ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE Chapter 7 of the EIA Report evaluates the effects of the Development on archaeological and cultural heritage receptors. The assessment of archaeological and cultural heritage effects has taken into account both potential direct effects arising from proposed construction activities, as well as indirect (primarily visual) effects as a result of changes to the settings of cultural heritage assets. Consultation has been undertaken with Historic Environment Scotland and West of Scotland Archaeological Services. The assessment was informed by a Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) which aided understanding of impacts on known (buried) archaeological remains within the Site boundary (Core Study Area), and the potential for unknown (buried) archaeological remains to be present. The DBA revealed that the archaeological interest of the Core Study Area is largely confined to the south around Worm Law. The potential for any unknown archaeological remains to survive within the Development ranges from moderate to low. This is due to the commercial forestry operations which lowers the potential for archaeology to survive subsurface. Whilst the non-designated shaft (HER 40976) is within the 100 m micrositing buffer of T2, embedded mitigation through avoiding micrositing near the shaft will be included within the final design. This will be ensured as it is not feasible to build a turbine on or close to a former shaft. Given the moderate to low potential for unknown archaeological remains to survive and the use of the CSA for commercial forestry operations, no additional mitigation beyond this is recommended. The assessment considered the potential effect of the turbines in relation to the setting of heritage assets beyond the CSA. This included consideration of all Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings out to 5 km from the Development and selected heritage assets between 5 -10 km, as agreed during consultation with Historic Environment Scotland. The key aim of the assessment was to determine whether the turbines altered the settings of historic assets so that the significance of these assets was diminished. All changes to setting were considered not significant except at Wilsontown Ironworks (SM2654) which identified moderate effects that would be significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. No mitigation is considered feasible for this effect; however, the woodland between the monument and turbines will be retained for the near future which will provides a visual barrier separating the monument and the Development turbines. Furthermore, the turbines closest to the asset are at a reduced height to the rest of the Development which further reduces the overall visibility of the Development. Any effect is considered temporary, and reversible upon decommissioning. The cumulative effect of the Development considers where the Development, in combination with other consented wind farm developments or those for which an application has been submitted, has the potential to surround and dominate heritage assets. This cumulative assessment has found that there are no significant effects to heritage assets with indirect effects of negligible significance.

8 ECOLOGY Chapter 8 of the EIA Report evaluates the effects of the Development on ecological receptors. Baseline Ecology Surveys were completed between June 2019 and May 2020 (inclusive). The survey programme comprised protected species surveys, fisheries surveys, and habitat surveys. The results of these surveys, together with an ecological Desk Study, were used to identify those terrestrial species and designated sites that would potentially be affected by the Development.

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Four designated sites were identified within 5 km of the Development as part of the Desk Study. No likely environmental connections were identified between the Development and the designated features of these sites and so these were scoped out of the EIA assessment based on distance from the Development infrastructure. Habitat within the Development footprint was largely dominated by conifer plantation woodland. Small areas of marshy grassland, broadleaved woodland plantation and recently felled conifer plantation mainly comprised the remainder of the habitat cover. Overall Site suitability for protected species (excluding bats) was considered moderate, with only two protected species recorded within the Survey Area. Evidence of badger was identified with several setts located; however, these were scoped out of the EIA assessment based on distance from the Development infrastructure and lack of suitable habitat elsewhere in the Survey Area. Signs of otter were found within the Survey Area, however the effects of the Development on the species were considered to be temporary, reversible and of low magnitude and therefore not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. Fisheries surveys did not identify any watercourses within the Survey Area with the potential to support Atlantic Salmon. Bat surveys identified low-moderate numbers of bats using the Site for feeding and/or commuting. Based on these results, two ecological species were identified as having the potential to be affected by the Development: bats and otter. A detailed assessment of the potential effects on these species during all phases of the Development was completed. This included potential effects such as habitat loss, pollution and turbine-related mortality, however these were not considered to be significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. The assessment concluded that the effects of the Development on ecology will be of low to negligible magnitude and not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. Similarly, there are considered to be no significant effects on nearby statutory sites in terms of the EIA Regulations.

9 ORNITHOLOGY Chapter 9 of the EIA Report evaluates the effects of the Development on ornithological receptors. One year of Baseline Ornithology Surveys were completed between September 2018 and August 2019 (inclusive). The survey programme comprised the following:  Year-round Flight Activity Surveys;  Foraging Goose and Swan Surveys;  Goose Roost Surveys;  Black Grouse Surveys;  Long-eared Owl Surveys;  Breeding Raptor Surveys; and  A Moorland Breeding Bird Survey. The results of these surveys, together with an ornithology Desk Study, were used to identify those bird species and designated sites that would potentially be affected by the Development. Two statutory designated sites of international ornithological importance were identified within 20 km of the Site: Westwater Special Protection Area (SPA), Ramsar site and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which is designated for non-breeding pink-footed goose and its non-breeding waterfowl assemblage; and Slamannan Plateau SPA, which is designated for non-breeding taiga bean goose. However, during consultation with NatureScot (formerly known as Scottish Natural Heritage), it was agreed that there is no connectivity between either of these statutory sites and the Site. Therefore, potential effects on these statutory sites were scoped out of the assessment.

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Low to moderate levels of flight activity by a total of 22 identified target species were recorded. Of the target species, pink-footed goose was recorded most frequently, with 114 flights (all during the non-breeding season), while 55 goshawk flights were recorded. During Foraging Goose Surveys, only one flock of foraging pink-footed geese was recorded, to the south of the Site, out with the Survey Area. Pink-footed geese were also regularly recorded roosting on Cobbinshaw Reservoir, approximately 2.5 km to the east of the Site, with a peak count of 1,200 individuals. No black grouse were recorded during any of the surveys. Goshawk was the only target raptor species recorded during Breeding Raptor Surveys; with a displaying pair recorded, and two probable goshawk territories on Site, although no breeding was confirmed. There was one confirmed record of long-eared owl during targeted surveys for this species (with an additional potential wing clap, and an incidental sighting). In addition, three wader species (lapwing, curlew and snipe) were breeding in low numbers (1-2 territories of each species) within 500 m of the Site. The only other notable species recorded was crossbill, which was breeding in low numbers. Based on these results, three bird species were identified as having the potential to be affected by the Development: non-breeding pink-footed goose, breeding goshawk and breeding crossbill. A detailed assessment of potential effects on these species during all phases of the Development (construction, operation and decommissioning) was completed. This included potential effects due to habitat loss, disturbance and collision risk. The combined effects of the Development together with other developments in the wider area were also considered. A Breeding Bird Protection Plan will be produced to ensure that all breeding birds (e.g. not limited to the three species identified above) are protected during construction and decommissioning of the Development, as well as during any major works required during the operational phase. Specific mitigation for goshawk may also be required if birds are found to be breeding prior to construction, with measures detailed in a Breeding Goshawk Mitigation Plan (within Confidential Appendix A9.2). Following full implementation of these Plans, effects of the Development on bird species will be of low to negligible magnitude and not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. Monitoring during operation will allow the long-term impacts of the Development to be assessed and determine whether predicted impacts are accurate.

10 HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY Chapter 10 evaluates the potential effects of the Development on the hydrological resources. All turbine infrastructure associated with the Development is located within the River Clyde and River Almond catchments. All turbine infrastructure is located out with areas identified as medium to high risk of flooding from all sources. The Development does not lie within a designated Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA). Consultation with the Councils confirmed that there is one private water supply within 2 km of the Development boundary, however it is not within 250 m of site infrastructure. One statutory designation is hydrologically connected to the Development, Skolie Burn SSSI approximately 3 km downstream and to the north. Potential GWDTE communities identified through habitat surveys were assessed from a hydrological perspective to be not groundwater dependent. Peat deposits were recorded on mapping within the Site and surrounding area. The deeper peat deposits are largely found to the west of the Site. More detail on the peat deposits within the Site is provided is Section 11: Geology and Peat, below.

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Embedded good practice construction methods provided in the outline Water and Construction Environmental Management Plan (WCEMP) and a 50 m buffer of surface watercourses, where possible, will limit the potential for significant effects on the hydrological environment. All effects on the hydrology and hydrogeology assets within and surrounding the Site have been assessed as negligible or minor and are not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations.

11 GEOLOGY AND PEAT Chapter 11 of the EIA Report evaluates the effects of the Development arising from the construction, operation and decommissioning phases on the Geology, Soils and Peat resource. The assessment for the Development was based on a desk study, site surveys, and consultation with statutory consultees. While peat and peatlands is generally identified as a sensitive receptor, the Site is situated in an expansive area of commercial forestry with large areas of afforestation. The Site has also historically been subject to mining operations both underground and opencast with subsequent backfilling. Peat probing surveys undertaken across the Site recorded 51% of probes in areas of no peat or peat less than 0.5 m, while 28% recorded peat between 0.5 m and 1.0 m. Deep peat (where the depth was greater than >1.0 m) was recorded at 21% of locations, most of which were locations recorded as part of historical investigations. As such, one of the key design objectives was to ensure that no turbines are located in greater than 1 m of peat which was achieved for all turbine locations with the exception of one, T3 which lies in an area of existing track where peat is present at significant depths over a large unavoidable pocket. The assessment analysed the risk of peat slide which indicated that the majority of the Site is low risk. Notwithstanding this, infrastructure locations and existing site conditions will be checked at the time of construction, and micro-siting turbine locations will be adopted if required in order to maintain the design objective of avoiding any potential deep peat to minimise peat slide risk. The adoption of best practice for storage and re-use up peat onsite as well as drainage measures will be developed throughout the construction period to include robust peat management and a monitoring programme. The assessment also considered the findings of a Coal Mining Risk Assessment which describes some of the current site layout as being in areas of significant risk from historical mining. An extensive ground investigation programme would be undertaken post consent to assess the risk to the Development and to inform any necessary mitigation. Should it not be wholly possible to mitigate through micrositing, engineering solutions such as ground treatment of identified mineworkings or piled foundations would be considered to fully mitigate ground conditions encountered. There is potential for contaminated land to be present at the Site primarily associated with former mining activities and infilling of land. Following the incorporation of identified mitigation measures the risk would be reduced such that the residual effects associated with contaminated land will be not significant. Implementation of the proposed mitigation measures and undertaking the construction works in accordance with best practice will ensure that there are no significant residual effects on geology, soils and peat from the Development, in terms of the EIA Regulations.

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12 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION Chapter 12 of the EIA Report identifies the potential effects of changes to road traffic expected as a result of the Development. Most traffic generated by the Development is associated with the construction phase which is anticipated to last up to 18 months. The approach considered in this assessment assumes that wind turbine components will be transported as abnormal loads from the King George V Dock in Glasgow, and that the potential access corridor for the assessment study area can be defined as:  From King George V Dock, loads will merge onto the M8;  Loads will exit the M8 and take the A899 into Livingstone;  Continue along the A899 southbound, and exit onto Bankton Road/A71 to head southwest;  Continue on the A71 through the settlements of Polbeth and West Calder and turn left onto the A704;  Continue on the A704 and turn left onto the A706 to head southbound; and  Turn left into site entrance junction. Baseline traffic flow information was obtained from data published by the Department of Transport (DfT) located on the construction traffic route. No traffic growth has been applied to the base traffic flow due to significant uncertainty regarding future traffic growth patterns as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic. It is assumed that most construction traffic will approach the Site from the north, as detailed above. The main potential transportation impacts would be associated with the movement of abnormal loads, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), light goods vehicles (LGVs), and cars to and from the Site during the construction phase. It is estimated that a total of up to 35,258 vehicle movements (where one movement equals one arrival or departure) would be associated with the construction phase of the Development, as a worst case scenario. This figure includes 20,594 HGV and abnormal load delivery movements and 14,664 light vehicle (car and van) movements. Over the construction period, the total vehicle movement numbers peak during month seven where a total of 5,396 vehicles movements are predicted. This is principally due to the deliveries of concrete and stone for the access tracks, crane hardstandings and turbine foundations. The increase in overall traffic flow and HGV flow was identified to have one potential significant effect on one sensitive receptor, pedestrian amenity, at several locations in West Calder along the access route. In order to mitigate the potentially significant adverse effect on pedestrian amenity, mitigation measures will be adopted in the Traffic Management Plan as follows:  As far as reasonably possible deliveries would be scheduled outside of school opening and closing times;  Drivers of all delivery vehicles to be made aware during induction of the presence of schools, care homes and tourist locations along the construction route. With the implementation of the above measures, the residual effect on pedestrian amenity is considered not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. A Traffic Management Plan will be developed in agreement with the Councils and Transport Scotland which will detail the exact measures to be implemented during construction of the Development. Traffic generated during the operation and maintenance of the Development would be minimal; this is expected to be insignificant in comparison to traffic generated during construction.

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Prior to decommissioning of the Development, a traffic assessment would be undertaken with the relevant consultees to agree the mitigation implemented via a Decommissioning Traffic Management Plan. Cumulative effects were assessed and there is sufficient residual capacity on each of the roads within the study area to accommodate the predicted increase in traffic which may occur in the cumulative scenario.

13 NOISE Chapter 13 of the EIA Report includes an assessment of the effects of noise due to the Development. During construction, noise may result from the use of plant and machinery to carry out construction activities. However, due to the substantial separation distance between the Development and residential dwellings, no significant effects are anticipated due to general construction activities. Notwithstanding this, Best Practice mitigation measures will be adopted to manage noise emissions, including restrictions on working hours during the construction the Development. Noise due to construction traffic has been assessed as not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. Cumulative construction traffic noise levels could be significant if several different wind farm developments were to be constructed at the same time, however no other developments are expected to be under construction at the time of the Development and therefore no significant cumulative noise effects are likely during construction. During operation, wind turbines can generate noise from the machinery housed within the turbine and from the movement of blades through the air. Modern turbines are designed to minimise noise and planning conditions are used to ensure compliance with specified noise limits. The assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the recommendations of ETSU-R-97, the method of assessing wind turbine noise recommended by Government guidance, and following the current best practice methods described in the GPG, as endorsed by the Scottish Government. It has been shown that noise due to the Development, in conjunction with the surrounding cumulative developments, would comply with the requirements of ETSU R-97 at all receptor locations. Noise produced during decommissioning of the Development is likely to be of a similar nature to that during construction, although the duration of decommissioning will be shorter than that of construction. Any legislation, guidance or best practice relevant at the time of decommissioning would be complied with.

14 AVIATION AND TELECOMS Chapter 14 of the EIA Report evaluates the effects of the Development on aviation, telecommunication and utility receptors. Operational wind turbines have the potential to affect the safe operation of aviation interests, including airfields, radars, meteorological radars and military low flying exercises. The general approach to wind farm development is to avoid adverse effects on aviation infrastructure where possible, and to find appropriate technical mitigation solutions where this cannot be achieved. NATS highlighted in their scoping response that without mitigation there is likely to be an adverse effect on their radar coverage over the area in which the Development is located. Technical mitigation to remove any risk of adverse impacts on the safeguarding operation of NATS radars has been agreed through discussions with NATS.

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Edinburgh Airport raised concerns with regards to the Development and the safeguarding at Edinburgh Airport. The Applicant is currently in late stage discussions with Airport Navigation Services (ANS) to agree solution which will mitigate the effects of the Development. It is likely this will involve an upgrade to ANS’ radar processing system, which remove the aerodrome safeguarding risk at Edinburgh Airport. These discussions are ongoing. A combined visible aviation lighting design that is compliant with regulations and guidance has been proposed for the Development has been agreed with the MoD and will shortly be agreed with the CAA. The combined visible lighting design and MoD infrared safety lighting scheme consists of 7 visible red lights on the nacelles of 7 turbines, with an additional 7 lights placed at an intermediate height on these turbine towers, and 9 infrared lights in total. Consultation undertaken with telecommunication and utilities consultees has confirmed that the Development will not interfere with telecommunications and electromagnetic signals. Adverse effects on infrastructure such as utilities are also unlikely; however, safe systems of work, technical solutions and appropriate mitigation will be adopted to ensure no adverse effects occur.

15 FORESTRY The clearing of areas of forestry are required for the construction and operation of the Development. The forestry proposals have been developed to identify areas of forest to be removed, including habitat management works; identify those areas which may or may not be planted as part of the Development; and describe management practices for the forestry works. The Development lies within two existing commercial forestry plantations, held by the FLS. The two forestry properties are Woodmuir Forest to the north and Heathland Forest to the south, both of which represent extensive forestry blocks extending to a total combined area of approximately 1,563 hectares (ha). The Site extends to 831 ha within these forests. The crops are comprised largely of commercial conifers with areas of mixed broadleaves and open ground. The two forests within the Site are covered by approved Land Management Plans (LMPs) which document the proposed felling and restocking to be implemented within the forests over the next 30 year period and are agreed and implemented in 10 year phases. Construction of the permanent infrastructure required for the Development would require the removal of trees from the Site and for these areas to be subsequently maintained free of trees to accommodate equipment and ensure access for maintenance during the lifetime of the Development. This area represents 7.09% of the stocked forest area within the Site and would be replaced by an appropriately designed new compensatory planting scheme on a substitute site. The location of that substitute site has yet to be identified and would be subject to detailed agreement with Scottish Forestry in advance of construction commencing on the Development. Some tree clearance adjoining the areas to be felled to construct infrastructure will be required due to the predicted instability of these adjoining stands of trees. Areas felled for windblow mitigation would be replanted with a replacement crop in the same location with species determined by the approved restocking plans within the existing LMPs. The significance of the temporary loss of forestry crops from within the Site is viewed as low, given the scale of the woodland resource within the Site and the nature of the forestry asset which is commercial plantation forestry rather than natural or semi-natural woodland. The mitigation work to re-establish the areas of crops removed by both restocking within the Site and new supplemental compensatory planting outwith the Site, will ensure the overall area of forestry crops is maintained.

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16 SOCIO-ECONOMICS, LAND USE, TOURISM AND RECREATION Chapter 16 of the EIA Report evaluates the effects of the Development on Socio- Economics, including tourism and land-use.

16.1 Socio-Economics The Development will result in contract opportunities for local and regional contractors both for construction activities themselves and throughout the supply chain. It is estimated that, during the construction phase, the Development will be worth approximately £49.6 m to the UK economy. Of that £49.6 m, £38 m is expected to be spent in Scotland and £12.6 m is expected to be spent within South Lanarkshire and West Lothian regions. It is anticipated that a workforce averaging up to 60 people at any one time will be employed during the 18-month construction period. It is also likely that there will be some local employment generated as an indirect result of the construction of the Development. This could include supply chain spin-offs for local businesses and sub-contracted work relating to the transportation of labour and materials. Local shops, cafes, accommodation providers and hotels often experience an increase in turnover during the construction phase as they have opportunities to provide additional services to the developer and their contractors. There are numerous accommodation providers in the local area, and it is expected that local services will be used by temporary construction contractors. During the construction process there will be opportunities where those employed by contractors will develop skills that will be of benefit to the local economy and to local businesses in the longer term, such as project management and construction skills which can be transferred to other roles and projects. The construction will therefore bring about short-term, beneficial, direct, indirect and induced effects to the area, through the increase in employment and expenditure on capital costs. Annual operational expenditure, the cost to maintain and operate the Development per year, is expected to be in the region of £4.8 million per annum. Of this total spend in the region it is expected that 42% will be spent in the local area. The Development will be regularly maintained by a specialist maintenance. Employees are likely to include a part- time maintenance engineer (local site operator) and a small number of staff to occasionally service the turbines. The Development will contribute £5,000 per megawatt installed capacity to a Community Fund. This will result in an annual value of up to £400,000 per year. With 30-year consent, this will provide approximately £12 million in community benefit. In line with The Scottish Government targets for community ownership in onshore wind, the Applicant are offering the community to take a stake of up to 25% in the project. This has been agreed with FLS as the project landowners and Agency of the Scottish Government. This means that if the wind farm is built, shared ownership would give local community groups an opportunity to invest in the wind farm and share any profit generated. Any community decision on shared ownership, and how it would work in practice for the Heathland project, would take place after the wind farm has been built. There will therefore be beneficial, long-term effects associated with the operation of the Development, in terms of the EIA Regulations. The combined socio-economic effect of the Development in conjunction with other wind farms is unlikely to lead to a fundamental change in socio-economics within the Highlands and therefore, no significant cumulative effects are anticipated in terms of the EIA Regulations.

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16.2 Land Use The Site is comprised of commercial forestry operations, including two operational quarries, with some public access tracks, although access to these is limited during periods of active forestry operations. The total new land take of the Development, consisting of the wind turbine foundations, crane hardstandings, new and upgraded access tracks, substation and control building and meteorological mast equates to 26.7 ha. Following construction and restoration, the footprint of the Development on the surface of the ground will be 19.1 ha. This equates to approximately 2.3% of the total land in the Site. The construction of the Development will require the felling of approximately 58.45 ha of forestry, 8.55 ha of which is restorable following construction. Therefore, 49.90 ha would be replanted on a substitute site. The total permanent land-take, including both the infrastructure footprint and required felling, is 69 ha, which equates to approximately 8.3% of the total land in the Site. During operation, the remaining areas of the Site, not used for the Development and associated felling, will continue to host commercial forestry operations and quarry operations managed by FLS, as agreed with the Applicant. The Development infrastructure, including turbines, are located at a distance which would not restrict the ability to work the on-site quarries. The construction phase is considered to have a short-term, minor effect on land use activities on-site. During the construction phase of the Development, the commercial forestry operations and quarry works will cease unless agreed in advance with the Applicant. The operational phase is considered to present a long-term, minor effect, which is not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations.

16.3 Tourism and Recreation The Site is currently accessible to the public by virtue of the Core Paths on site and via the Land Reform Act (Scotland) 20036. The Site contains Core Paths CL3165/1, CL3166/1 and CL/3167/1 which are used regularly by walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. However, out with the Core Path Network, which is restricted to the west of the Site, the Site is not currently promoted for public access due to ongoing forestry operations. The effects on walking routes during construction will be limited to temporary access restrictions, for health and safety reasons, and general amenity from the construction site. Given the proposed layout and entrance point for construction traffic, it is likely that these effects will be restricted to the path network in the northwest of the Site, and will likely not have effects on Core Paths CL/3165/1 and the southern part of CL/3166/1. Wilsontown Ironworks is visited as a tourism and recreational asset. During construction there may be a temporary, adverse effect on the Ironworks due to construction works affecting the general amenity of the area, however this is expected to be short term and minor, and therefore not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. Access to areas where construction of the Development is taking place or where there are construction related activities may be restricted temporarily for health and safety purposes. Notices will be placed in prominent locations around the Site with details of any areas with restricted access. Such measures would be agreed in advance with the Councils.

6 Scottish Government (2003) Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 [Online] Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2003/2/contents (Accessed 11/11/2020)

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During operation the Site will be accessible to the public with the exception of temporary exclusions for health and safety reasons such as during maintenance. Where these are required, clear signage advising of the restrictions will be provided. Within the surrounding area are Core Paths which run along wind farm access tracks at Black Law Wind Farm. These tracks run to turbine bases in many cases which suggest that the paths may not necessarily present a significant constraint to development, and that the Development may provide an opportunity for improved access. As well with the example of , it is evident that wind farms may work in tandem with recreational activities. Therefore, it is not expected that the operation of the Development will have an impact on the behaviour of tourists and visitors that use the paths within the area. The effect assessed is considered to be not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. The potential for impact on tourism and recreation is closely linked to the perception of those visiting the area. Surveys of the public’s attitudes to wind farms provide no clear evidence that the presence of wind farms in an area has a negative impact on local tourism and recreation. Tourists using the local core paths and local tourist attractions may have a particular sensitivity to visual effects; however, access to tourist facilities will be unaffected, and no significant effects as a result of the operation of the Development are predicted.

17 CLIMATE CHANGE AND CARBON BALANCE Chapter 17 of the EIA Report evaluates the effects of the Development on Climate Change on a global, national and local scale. The predicted future baseline conditions are highly unlikely to affect the operation of the Development. The Development will have a positive effect on carbon savings and a significant positive effect, when considered cumulatively, with UK-wide renewable energy deployment. The Development will not significantly influence climate change, and the Development will have a positive cumulative effect with regards to reduction in carbon emissions when considering the UK-wide electricity generation mix. As such, the effect of the Development on climate change is not significant. A carbon balance assessment for the Development was generated using the methodology and carbon calculator provided in Calculating Carbon Savings from Wind Farms on Scottish Peatlands – A New Approach as recommended by the Scottish Government. Based on this guidance, the Development has an expected payback time between 1 and 4 years. The CO2 ‘payback time’ is the period of wind farm operation required until there is a net saving of CO2. The Development will have a positive effect on carbon savings and a significant positive effect when considered cumulatively with Scottish renewable energy deployment. This is significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. No additional significant effects to those already identified within the EIA Report will occur as a result of climate change during the operational phase of the Development.

18 OTHER ISSUES Chapter 18 of the EIA Report evaluates the effects of the Development on other issues, not covered elsewhere in the EIA Report including:  Shadow Flicker;  Health and Safety; and  Waste

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Shadow flicker is an effect that can occur when the shadow of a blade passes over a small opening (such as window), briefly reducing the intensity of light within the room, and causing a flickering to be perceived. Four properties were identified as being within the Study Area for shadow flicker, and a desk-based assessment was undertaken using appropriate guidance to confirm the potential for shadow flicker effects on these four properties. The assessment found that shadow effects would not occur at three of these properties, and the occurrence of shadow flicker at the remaining property would not exceed the threshold to trigger a significant effect. Therefore, shadow flicker effects will not be significant. Health and safety is embedded into the design of the development. Turbines are designed to be safe and are built to withstand extreme wind conditions and wind turbine developments have a proven record in terms of safety and reliability. In relation to Health and Safety, due to the location of the Development and Site management through CDM Regulations and the CEMP, the potential for major accidents and disasters is considered negligible and not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. Additional measures have been identified to protect receptors during blasting associated with the Development and FLS quarrying on the Site: The Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will include details on how waste streams from the Development are to be managed, following the appropriate guidance. A Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) will detail how waste streams are to 7 be managed, following the Waste Hierarchy of prevention, reuse, recycle, recover and as a last resort, disposal to landfill. The SWMP will be agreed and implemented prior to construction commencing on Site.

7 The Waste Management Licencing (Scotland) Regulations 2011 places a duty on all persons who produce, keep or manage waste to apply the ‘Waste Hierarchy’ in order to minimise waste production at all stages of a development.

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19 SUMMARY An EIA for the Development has been carried out in accordance with the regulatory requirements and relevant good practice guidance, which involves the compilation, evaluation and presentation of any potentially significantly environmental effects resulting from the Development. The design strategy has created a wind farm that represents optimum fit within the technical and environmental parameters of the Site. Throughout this process, an iterative approach has allowed the findings of the public consultation exercises, along with the EIA, to guide the evolution of the Development allowing the design to be modified in order to avoid environment effects where possible. Through embedded design and proposed mitigation, major and significant adverse effects as a result of the construction and operation of the Development have been avoided; however, moderate and significant adverse landscape and visual effects will remain. Given the nature of the Development, these effects cannot be avoided in their entirety; however, landscape and visual effects will be localised in extent to receptors within approximately 5 km of the of the Site. The Development presents an important environmental benefit as a renewable energy generator contributing to Scotland’s ambitious renewable energy targets and offsetting fossil fuel energy sources which produce CO2 and contribute to climate change. In terms of payback periods for the Development, this equates to between 1 and 4 years. Beyond the payback periods, the Development will make a positive net contribution to CO2 emissions savings for the remainder of its operational period. The renewable industry is an important economic asset to the UK and Scotland, and supports a substantial and growing number of employment opportunities. The Development will further contribute to the positive effects of renewable energy, and associated skills base within the UK and Scotland, and the spend and employment is positive for the local South Lanarkshire and West Lothian areas. Overall, this EIA shows that, given the iterative design process, and with the committed good practice measures and proposed further site-specific mitigation in place, most potential environmental effects associated with the construction and operation of the Development can be avoided or minimised.

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NTS APPENDIX A: FIGURES

Arcus Consultancy Services EDF-R Page 24 January 2021 260000 265000 270000 275000 280000 285000 290000 295000 300000 305000 310000 315000 320000 325000 330000 690000 690000 685000 685000

Site Boundary 680000 680000 675000 675000 670000 670000 665000 665000 660000 660000 655000 655000 650000 650000 645000 645000 640000 640000

1:250,000 Scale @ A3

#NORTH 0 5 10 km 635000 635000 Produced By: JO Ref: 3577-REP-090

Checked By: SC Date: 27/01/2021 630000 630000 Site Location Figure 1

Airbus,USGS,NGA,NASA,CGIAR,NCEAS,NLS,OS,NMA,Geodatastyrelsen,GSA,GSI and the GIS User Community Heathland Wind Farm 625000 625000 Non Technical Summary

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data © Crown copyright 2021. All rights reserved. License number 100048606 2021. All copyright rights reserved. digital map data © Crown Survey Ordnance from Reproduced 260000 265000 270000 275000 280000 285000 290000 295000 300000 305000 310000 315000 320000 325000 330000 P:\Projects\Environment\3577 Heathland EIA\3577 Heathland EIA Report.aprx\3577-REP-090 Fig1 Site Location 294500 295000 295500 296000 296500 297000 297500 298000 298500 299000 659000 659000

9 >

Site Boundary > 8 > Proposed Turbine Location 658500 658500 Site Infrastructure 10 > New Access Tracks

Existing Access Tracks > 7 Borrow Pit

658000 658000 Construction Compound 11 > Crane Hardstanding

13 Substation > 6 > Meteorological Mast >

657500 12 657500

5 > > 3 > 14

1 > 657000 657000

4 2 > > 656500 656500

1:15,000 Scale @ A3 656000 656000

#NORTH 0 0.25 0.5 km

Produced By: JO Ref: 3577-REP-091

Checked By: DL Date: 27/01/2021

Site Layout Plan

655500 655500 Figure 2

Heathland Wind Farm Non-Technical Summary

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data © Crown copyright 2021. All rights reserved. License number 100048606 number License All 2021. copyright reserved. rights digital Crown © data map Survey Ordnance from Reproduced 294500 295000 295500 296000 296500 297000 297500 298000 298500 299000 P:\Projects\Environment\3577 Heathland EIA\3577 Heathland EIA Report.aprx\3577-REP-091 Fig2 Site Layout Plan