Design & Access Statement Site Location Hendrewen Farm
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Gwelfor Castlemorris Pembrokeshire, Wales SA62 5XA Telephone: 07942 896755 email: [email protected] Design & Access Statement Site Location Hendrewen Farm, Manorowen Pembrokeshire SA65 9QD Endurance E4660 - 85 kw Wind Turbine This report has been prepared by WinDS Limited in support of the submitted Design and Access Statement. WinDS cannot accept any responsibility for any use of or dependence on the information within this report by any third party. All reasonable efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the contents of the report. Results produced within this report were derived using Windfarmer 5.1. Windfarmer 5.1 is an industry standard modular software suite used for the design and planning of both single wind turbine sites and wind farms. Contents 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Site Context and Proposal 3.0 Foundation Details 4.0 Planning Policy 5.0 Landscape and Visual Assessment 6.0 Environmental Benefits 7.0 Economic and Social Benefits 8.0 Ecology 9.0 Historic Environment 10.0 Noise 11.0 Shadow Flicker 12.0 Transport to Site 13.0 Safety 14.0 Telecommunications 15.0 Grid Connection 16.0 Summary and Conclusions Appendices 1-17 WinDS - Wind Development Services Limited pg. 1 1.0 Introduction 1.1 This proposal is for the installation of a single 85 kw wind turbine on land forming part of Hendrewen Farm, which covers an area approximately 116 acres. The proposed site is around 1 km distant from Dwrbach and 2.7 km from Fishguard and is adjacent to the Celtic Link Industrial Park. 1.2 The wind turbine has the potential to produce approximately 270 MWh of clean, green electricity every year. This equates to a carbon reduction of 141.21t/ year through the displacement of grid-tied fossil fuel generated electricity (calculated using DEFRA 2007 figure of 0.523kg CO2/KWh. The model of turbine to be erected at the site would be an Endurance E4660 85 kw wind turbine. The turbine is expected to have a rated capacity of 85kW, a maximum height to blade tip of 36.6 m, with a tower height of 24.8 m and a rotor diameter of approximately 23.5 m. 1.3 The wind turbine is a locally owned project that will form part of a farm diversification program as encouraged by local and national policies. 1.4 This Design and Access Statement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 42 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 which requires the submission of a Design and Access Statement to accompany applications for planning permission. 1.5 In accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England & Wales) Regulations 1999 (as amended), wind turbines fall within Schedule 2 development and can require an Environmental Impact Assessment where they exceed one of the two applicable thresholds set out below: The development involves the installation of more than two turbines; or The hub height of any turbine or height of any structure exceeds 15 meters. WinDS - Wind Development Services Limited pg. 2 However, DETR Circular 02/99, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) makes it clear that EIA is more likely to be required for commercial developments of five or more turbines, or more than 5 MW of new generating capacity, given that there is likely to be significant effects on the environment. It is likely that this proposal will not be considered more than of local importance, nor is the development in a sensitive or environmentally vulnerable area. Finally, it is unlikely that this proposal would be considered unusually complex or result in potentially hazardous environmental effects. Taking this into account, we are of the opinion that a full EIA is unlikely to be required in this case. Notwithstanding the above, this planning application contains an assessment of landscape and visual impact, biodiversity, noise impact, historical appraisal and shadow flicker. 1.6 This Statement addresses the principal planning policy issues associated with this proposed development at this location. It considers the likely extent of its visual impact and provides an assessment of its significance. It also considers matters relating to residential amenity, access and general effects on countryside users. Design, access and safety issues are considered as are matters of community, social and economic benefits. 2.0 Site Context and Proposal 2.1 The site has been carefully chosen in order to comply with all components of National and Local Planning Policies. The proposed location is sited within a mixed rural- industrial landscape within a level pasture used primarily for grazing purposes. The site elevation is approximately 82 m AOD. The adjacent field to the NE has planning consent for the development of a Truck Stop and Industrial Unit along with ancillary development. The development site is approximately 4.6 hectares in size and is located within the Celtic Link Business Park which is a designated employment site within the LDP. The truck stop is planned to be WinDS - Wind Development Services Limited pg. 3 operated 24 hours per day, accommodate 190 spaces for tractor and trailer parking, 35 additional parking spaces, circa 30,000 sq ft industrial/warehousing unit with integral office space and an amenity building comprising management offices, a small shop and café. Site maps showing details of the adjacent industrial park are provided at APPENDIX 17. 2.2 Indicative wind speeds have been determined using the DTI ‘NOABL’ wind speed database. The indicative wind speed for the site is 6.4 m/s mean annual wind speed at a hub height of 25m. This is above average for the UK. 2.3 In assessing the suitability of the site, a desktop survey has been undertaken by referencing Countryside Council For Wales (CCW) – LANDMAP, now part of Natural Resources Wales (NRW). The proposed site is classified in LANDMAP as follows: Geological Landscape Moderate Landscape Habitat High Visual and Sensory Moderate Historic Landscape High Cultural Landscape Moderate 2.4 The proposed turbine is a variable speed, stall controlled turbine designed and certified to IEC Wind Class llA. The annual energy output will contribute to the Welsh Government’s regional and national targets for the supply of energy from sustainable sources. 2.5 The proposal also includes a small enclosure measuring approximately 1m x3m x2m which will house a transformer, associated switchgear and electrical protection equipment. The enclosure will be located in close proximity to the base of the turbine tower and will be connected to the grid via underground cabling. There will be a requirement for a temporary crane pad with approximate dimensions of 20 m x 20 m. 2.6 There will be regular maintenance visits by a team of qualified engineers, on two or more occasions per year. The enclosed design and access statement indicates that WinDS - Wind Development Services Limited pg. 4 the proposed development site is readily accessible by vehicles. Site transport plan is discussed further at 12.0. 3.0 Foundation Details 3.1 The typical foundation consists of a square shaped reinforced concrete base measuring approximately 7 meters square and 1.5 meters deep. Above ground component of foundation measures approximately 2 meters x 3 meters and is approximately .4 meters in height. 4.0 Planning Policy National Policy 4.1 National Assembly policy is set out principally in Planning Policy Wales (PPW) and Technical Advice Note 8 (TAN 8). PPW has recently (July 2014) been updated and reissued. PPW sets out a broad strategic framework which, inter alia, sets the achievement of sustainable development as one of the Assembly Government’s goals and commits the Assembly Government to promoting sustainable development. Energy policy is not devolved to the Assembly Government but all decisions relating to renewable energy development in Wales must take account of the Assembly Government’s policy. Among the key policy aims of the Assembly Government is the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. In order to deliver these goals and objectives the Assembly Government aims: …”… to secure an appropriate mix of energy provision for Wales, whilst avoiding and where possible minimising environmental, social and economic impacts. It is intended to achieve this aim by: WinDS - Wind Development Services Limited pg. 5 …”… strengthening renewable energy production. This forms part of the Assembly Government’s aim to secure the strongest economic development policies to underpin growth and prosperity in Wales, recognising the importance of clean energy and the efficient use of natural resources both as an economic driver and a commitment to sustainable development.” (Source PPW paragraph 12.8.6) PPW goes on to advise (paragraph 12.8.9) that LPAs should: …“… facilitate the development of all forms of renewable and low carbon energy to move towards a low carbon economy to help to tackle the causes of climate change.” Specifically, LPAs should interalia, make positive provision by: Considering the contribution that their area can make towards facilitating renewable and low carbon energy and ensuring that development plan policies enable this contribution to be delivered; Ensuring that development control decisions are consistent with national and international climate change obligations including contributions to renewable energy targets and aspiration; Also LPAs need to ensure that: Statutory obligations to protect designated areas, species and habitats and the historic environment are observed; Mitigation for potential detriments to local communities, whilst ensuring potential impact in economic viability is fully considered. The balance to be struck in policy terms is quite clear that a positive approach is essential subject to meeting statutory environmental obligations and considering mitigation where necessary and not inimical to economic viability of proposals. The Assembly Government sees the need for wind energy as being: “… a key part of meeting (their) vision for future renewable electricity production (which) should be taken into account … when determining (planning) application.” (Paragraph 12.8.12.) WinDS - Wind Development Services Limited pg.