Proposed Turbine
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Application to increase tip height of consented wind turbine on land at West Dykes, Muirkirk Road, Strathaven, ML10 6RF up to 150m
December 2019
CleanEarth Unit 2a Bess Park Road Trenant Industrial Estate Wadebridge, Cornwall PL27 6HB www.cleanearthenergy.com Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
Contents
1. Introduction ...... 7 1.1 Application Details ...... 7 1.2 Site Location ...... 9 2. The Proposed Development ...... 10 2.1 The Proposal...... 10 2.2 Site Background ...... 10 2.3 Outlined Construction Process ...... 12 3. EIA Screening and Scoping ...... 15 4. Energy & Planning Policy Appraisal ...... 16 4.1 Introduction ...... 16 4.2 Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 ...... 17 4.3 Climate Change Plan 2018 ...... 18 4.4 New Climate Change Bill ...... 19 4.5 Scottish Energy Strategy 2017 ...... 19 4.6 The Government’s Programme for Scotland 2019-2020 ...... 21 4.7 10 Energy Pledges 2009 ...... 22 4.8 2020 Route map for Renewable Energy – 2015 Update ...... 22 4.9 Onshore Wind Policy Statement 2017 ...... 23 4.10 The First Minister’s Speech at the UN Climate Change Conference 2017 ...... 23 4.11 National Planning Framework for Scotland (NPF3) 2014 ...... 24 4.12 Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 2014 ...... 24 4.13 Regional Planning Policy and Guidance ...... 25 4.14 South Lanarkshire Council, Landscape Character Assessment, November 2010. .. 26 4.15 South Lanarkshire Landscape Capacity Study, 2016...... 26 4.16 South Lanarkshire Council, Tall wind Turbines: Landscape Capacity, Siting and Design Guidance: Addendum to Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy, 2016 (2019)...... 27 4.17 South Lanarkshire Local Development (LDP) Plan 2- Supporting Planning Guidance 2019 28 4.18 Renewable Energy in the Context of the Application ...... 30 4.19 Energy Balance ...... 30 5.0 Landscape and Visual Impact ...... 31 5.1 Introduction ...... 31 5.2 Methodology ...... 31 5.2.1 Landscape Sensitivity to Change ...... 33 5.2.2 Magnitude of Change ...... 34 5.2.3 Degree of Significance Assessment ...... 34 5.2.4 Visual Assessment Methodology ...... 35
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5.2.5 Baseline Assessment ...... 36 5.2.6 Identification of Visual Receptors ...... 37 5.2.7 Appreciation of Existing Views ...... 37 5.2.8 Receptor Sensitivity ...... 37 5.2.9 Magnitude of Change ...... 38 5.2.10 Assessment of Effects ...... 39 5.2.11 Visual Baseline Conditions ...... 40 5.2.12 Cumulative Landscape and Visual Assessment Methodology ...... 41 5.2.13 Cumulative Visual Assessment ...... 41 5.2.14 The Cumulative Visual Baseline ...... 42 5.2.15 Cumulative Magnitude of Change ...... 42 5.2.16 Cumulative Visual Effects ...... 42 5.2.17 Cumulative Effects – Capacity (South Lanarkshire) Methodology ...... 43 5.2.18 Landscape Character of the Site ...... 43 5.2.19 Landscape Character Type ...... 44 5.2.20 Landscape Designations ...... 46 5.2.22 Visual Amenity Baseline Conditions...... 47 5.2.23 Recreational Visual Receptors ...... 48 5.2.24 Resident Visual Receptors...... 48 5.2.25 Road User Visual Receptors ...... 48 5.2.26 Cumulative Baseline ...... 48 5.3 Assessment of Landscape and Visual Impact ...... 50 5.3.1 The Effect on the Landscape During Construction ...... 50 5.3.2 The Effect on the Landscape Character of the Site ...... 51 5.3.3 The Effect on the Landscape Character Type ...... 51 5.3.4 The Effect on Landscape Designations ...... 52 5.3.5 Landscape Character Assessment Summary ...... 52 5.3.6 Assessment of Effects on Visual Amenity ...... 53 5.3.7 Assessment of Effects ...... 54 5.3.8 Recreational Visual Receptors ...... 60 5.3.9 Residents Visual Receptors ...... 60 5.3.10 Road User Visual Receptors ...... 61 5.4 Conclusion ...... 61 6. Ecology ...... 63 6.1 Introduction ...... 63 6.1.1 Background ...... 63 6.1.2 Site Description ...... 63 6.2 Methodology ...... 63
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6.3.1 Desk Study ...... 63 6.3.2 Field Survey ...... 63 6.3 Results ...... 65 6.3.1 Desktop Results ...... 65 6.3.2 Habitat Survey ...... 66 6.3.3 Groundwater Dependant Terrestrial Ecosystems ...... 67 6.3.4 Protected Species ...... 68 6.4 Conclusion ...... 69 7. Archaeological and Historic Environment ...... 71 7.1 Introduction ...... 71 7.2 HVIA Methodology ...... 71 7.2.1 Policy and Data Sources Used ...... 71 7.2.2 Methodology for Assessing Impacts ...... 74 7.3 Summary ...... 80 7.4 HVIA Conclusion ...... 81 8. Noise ...... 82 8.1 Introduction ...... 82 8.2 Summary ...... 82 8.2 Conclusions...... 86 9. Hydrology and Geology ...... 87 9.1 Introduction and Scope ...... 87 9.2 Methodology ...... 88 9.2.1 Limitations of Assessment ...... 88 9.2.2 Assessment Criteria ...... 88 9.2.3 Legislation, Guidelines and Policy ...... 92 9.2.4 Guidelines ...... 93 9.2.5 Consultation ...... 96 9.3 Site Background and Existing Environment ...... 96 9.3.1 Existing Environment ...... 96 9.3.2 Topography and Land use ...... 96 9.3.3 Meteorological Summary ...... 97 9.3.4 Soils ...... 97 9.3.5 Geology ...... 98 9.3.6 Hydrogeology ...... 99 9.3.7 Hydrology ...... 99 9.3.8 Private and Public Water Supplies and Abstractions ...... 103 9.3.9 Designated Sites ...... 105 9.3.10 Ground Water Dependent Ecosystems/Species (GWDTE) ...... 105
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9.3.11 General Site Conceptualisation ...... 106 9.4 Summary of Impacts ...... 106 9.4.1 Site Sensitivities ...... 106 9.4.2 Hydrological and Peat Constraints ...... 107 9.4.3 Best Practice and Standard Mitigation Methods ...... 112 9.4.4 Assessment of Potential Effects ...... 112 9.4.5 Infrastructure ...... 112 9.4.6 Watercourse Crossings ...... 115 9.4.7 Assessment of Significance of Effect ...... 115 9.4.8 Construction Phase ...... 115 9.4.8.1 Summary of Significance of Effect during Construction Phase ...... 120 9.4.9 Operational Phase ...... 121 9.4.10 Decommissioning Phase ...... 122 9.4.11 Additional Mitigation and Residual Effects ...... 122 9.4.12 Adjacent Infrastructure / Cumulative ...... 123 9.5 Conclusions ...... 123 10. Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) and Aviation ...... 125 10.1 Introduction ...... 125 10.2 Consultation responses ...... 125 10.3 Summary ...... 125 11. Shadow Flicker ...... 127 11.1 Introduction ...... 127 11.2 Methodology ...... 127 11.3 Summary ...... 128 11.3.1 Predicted Impacts ...... 128 11.4 Conclusions ...... 130 12. Transport ...... 131 12.1 Introduction ...... 131 12.2 Summary ...... 132 12.3 Conclusion ...... 134 13. Public Consultation ...... 135 13.1 Introduction ...... 135 13.2 Consultation Process ...... 135 13.3 Summary ...... 136 13.4 Conclusions ...... 137 14. Socioeconomic ...... 139 14.1 Introduction ...... 139 14.2 Baseline Assessment ...... 139
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14.3 Impact Assessment ...... 142 14.4 Conclusion ...... 145 15. Conclusion ...... 146 List of Appendices ...... 147
List of Figures
Figure 1. The location of proposed development, Dungavel, Kype Muir and approved Kype Muir extension...... 12 Figure 2. SLC LCS identifying areas with scope for turbines 120m+...... 27 Figure 3: Wind Turbine Noise Emission Map...... 84
List of Tables
Table 1: Contributors to this Environmental Statement ...... 8 Table 2- Cumulative schemes in close proximity to the proposed development...... 49 Table 3: Criteria for Establishing Importance of Heritage Assets...... 77 Table 4: Criteria for Classifying Magnitude of Direct Impact...... 78 Table 5: Level of Direct Effect based on Inter-Relationship between the Importance of the Heritage Asset and the Magnitude of Impact...... 78 Table 6: Criteria for Classifying Magnitude of Impact on Setting...... 79 Table 7: Level of the Effects of Setting Impacts on the Cultural Value of Monuments ..... 80 Table 8: Apparent Sound Levels for the E115...... 82 Table 9: Nearest Residential Noise Sensitive Receptors to the Proposed Development. ... 83 Table 10: Cumulative Noise Limits...... 85 Table 11: Apportioned Noise Limits...... 85 Table 12: Margins Between Predicted Noise Levels and Noise Limits...... 86 Table 13: Sensitivity Criteria...... 90 Table 14: Magnitude of Potential Effect Criteria...... 91 Table 15: Significance Matrix...... 92 Table 16: Hyrdrologically Sensitive Receptors...... 107 Table 17: Summary of Potential Effects on Hydrology/Hydrogeology and Peatlands Arising from Wind Farm Developments...... 110
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Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
Table 18: Inventory of Infrastructure and their Associated Magnitude of Potential Effect of Causing Sedimentation, Pollution, Alteration of Natural Water Flows and Disturbance of Soils...... 113 Table 19: Responses from telecommunications and aviation organisations that have been consulted ...... 125 Table 20: Turbine Location...... 128 Table 21: Summary of Shadow Times on Each Window for Proposed Turbine...... 129 Table 22: Population Figures...... 139 Table 23: Employment Figures for South Lanarkshire Area 2018/19...... 140 Table 24: Tourist Attractions in Relation to the Site...... 141 Table 25: Indication of Potential Impact on Wider Tourism and Recreational Assets. .... 143
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Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
1. Introduction
1.1 Application Details
1 This Environmental Statement (ES) accompanies a planning application by CleanEarth (CE) to South Lanarkshire Council for full planning permission to increase the tip height of a single consented wind turbine (EK/15/0238) on land at West Dykes, Muirkirk Road, Strathaven, ML10 6RF.
2 CE look to develop sites that have a reduced environmental impact by considering proximity and visual amenity to ‘sensitive receptors’ (residential dwellings), noise, ecological constraints, existing infrastructure, and locally designated areas and features; whilst providing a clean supply of electricity to large consumers, significantly reducing their operational costs and carbon footprint.
3 The proposed West Dykes turbine will comprise of:
‘Increase of the tip height of the permitted West Dykes turbine, up to 150m to blade tip, along with associated infrastructure including a crane pad, access track, and electrical housing.’
4 This proposal responds to International, European, National and Regional policy by contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions and subsequent attainment of renewable energy targets.
5 This Environmental Statement and accompanying technical appendices report the work undertaken in the identification, assessment and mitigation of the likely significant environmental effects of this proposed wind turbine. The contributors to each section are identified in Table 1. It is important to note that all the supporting surveys, documents and assessments have been specifically completed for this proposal.
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Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
Table 1: Contributors to this Environmental Statement
Section and Topic Contributor (s)
Environmental Statement & Non-Technical CleanEarth Summary
Chapter 1 - Introduction CleanEarth
Chapter 2 – The Proposal CleanEarth
Chapter 3 – EIA Screening South Lanarkshire Council
Chapter 4 - Energy & Planning Policy CleanEarth
Chapter 5 - Landscape & Visual Impact Galpin Landscapes
Natural Research Projects Ecology (NRP), Chapter 6 - Ecology Land Use Consultants (LUC)
Chapter 7 – Archaeological & Historic AOC Archaeology Group Environment
Chapter 8 - Noise InAcoustics
Chapter 9 – Hydrology Fluid Consulting
Chapter 10 - Aviation & Telecoms MoD, JRC, Ofcom & Atkins
Chapter 11 – Shadow Flicker CleanEarth
Chapter 12 – Transport CleanEarth
Chapter 13 – Public Consultation and Statement CleanEarth of Community Involvement
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Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
1.2 Site Location 6 The proposed site location is on agricultural farm land. The proposed turbine is centred on National Grid Reference NS 67861 38519 at a base elevation of approximately 297m AOD (Above Ordnance Datum).
7 The site is located on a sloping farmland 1km to the south of the Muirkirk Road B743, approximately 6km south west of Strathaven town. The location allows it to be sited and designed to be a single addition to the existing wind turbines at Dungavel, with the closest operational turbine located approximately 1.2km away.
8 The site is far removed from residential properties, with the nearest uninvolved dwelling being approximately 975m from the turbine location.
9 There will be no significant flood risk on site, as the proposed location falls clearly outside any surface water flood risk zones marked in purple, or river flood risk zones marked in blue.
10 The location of the proposed turbine has been selected to minimise all negative impacts on the locality; situating it as far from residential properties as possible and locating it close to the operational wind turbines already in situ such that it is viewed as a single addition.
11 It should be noted that the proposal is for a fixed term of 30 years, at the end of which the development will be removed and the land reinstated back to its original condition.
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Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
2. The Proposed Development
2.1 The Proposal
12 CE propose to install a single wind turbine with a maximum blade tip height of up to 150m, with a 3-bladed rotor design, and associated infrastructure including a crane pad, access track, and electrical housing. Supplementary elements include: two permanent switchgear housing units (approx. 4m x 4m x 3m), underground cabling, access track, and temporary crane hard standing area (approx. 45m × 25m). For a detailed elevational drawing of the candidate turbine, refer to Appendix C.
13 The proposed turbine site is centred on grid reference NS 67861 38519.
14 The proposed single wind turbine will generate electricity from a renewable source. This site has a viable wind speed, as calculated by Digital Engineering (DE) data; from this, CE predict the turbine will generate over 14,465,804 kWh per year. This is enough electricity generation to power 3,971 South Lanarkshire homes1. The turbine is expected to generate 14,465,804 kWh per year.
2.2 Site Background
15 As laid out in Section 2 of Schedule 4 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017, an Environmental Statement should include an outline of the alternatives considered, and an indication of the main reasons for the chosen option, considering the environmental effects.
16 This site is 95m North West of the previously approved 77m turbine (EK/15/0238), consented on 12th January 2016 at appeal (PPA-380-2064). The approved turbine was proposed to be located on a 308m elevation AOD with a generation capacity of up to 500kW, whilst the proposed turbine has a generating capacity of around 3.8MW, almost 8 times greater than previous.
17 The site at West Dykes is within an area of existing wind farms, and therefore has been sighted to be seen in line with these to minimise additional visual and cumulative impacts. This area has been previously deemed appropriate for wind turbine development through
1https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/regional-and-local-authority-electricity-consumption- statistics
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Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
the council’s acceptance of the substantial schemes in the area such as Dungavel (8 x 101.2m turbines and 5 x 121.2m turbines) and Kype Muir (26 x 132m turbines).
18 Since the previous 77m approval, the Kype Muir extension, consisting of 15 turbines of a maximum tip height of 220m has also been approved. This development is located directly behind the proposed development, linking the Dungavel and Kype Muir Wind Farms. As a result, the proposed development will sit in the forefront of this development, and will be seen in conjunction and as a single addition in this vast windfarm landscape. As such this, the proposed development would result in extremely limited additional visual and cumulative impact.
19 The approval of the Kype Muir Extension further sets a precedent and establishes suitability for very large-scale turbine development, in this area.
20 Relevant landscape capacity studies, undertaken by SLC, have identified this area as having scope for turbines up to 150m in height. Careful consideration of the existing turbine developments, landscape scale and the South Lanarkshire Capacity guidance led to the positioning of this particular turbine; where process of elimination was used to come to the best turbine location, with the least amount of environmental and visual impact.
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Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
Proposed Turbine
Figure 1. The location of proposed development, Dungavel, Kype Muir and approved Kype Muir extension.
2.3 Outlined Construction Process
21 The total site area will be approximately 1.3 hectares. The development will be carried out over a 6-month period with the main turbine construction phase lasting approximately two weeks. Details of this construction period may be subject to modifications at a later stage during the development, however this phase will commonly involve the following stages: • Setting out and groundwork preparation; • Laying steel reinforced concrete base to prepare for turbine foundation anchor; • Foundation concrete pour and curing; • Arrival of two telescopic cranes; • Turbine component delivery on heavy goods vehicles, including: tower foundation, three tower sections, three blades, nacelle, hub, and generator; • On site assembly of turbine into the foundation; and,
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• Installation of earthing and electrical connection, and commissioning.
22 The erection of the turbine will typically last 2-3 days. Within this period two cranes will be taken to and from site, the turbine components will be delivered via heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), and the turbine will be assembled. The proposed route follows existing public highways and would utilise existing tracks to, and onto, site. The operational turbine will occupy an area of approximately 8m × 8m with two adjacent switchgear housing units, both approximately 4m × 4m. A 33kV electrical connection will be installed on site to facilitate the export of the generated electricity into the National Grid.
23 A temporary crane hardstanding area approximately 1125m2 (45m × 25m) will be required for the tower, nacelle, hub, generator, and blade installation. The proposed development areas are illustrated in CE5439-BP-01 (Block Plan), and CE5439-LP-01 (Location Plan) within Appendix B. When the wind turbine is fully installed and commissioned, the ground above the crane hardstanding area can be reinstated.
24 Common for wind turbine proposals, further ground and site investigations which occur after the planning consideration period may require that a small variance is made in the final location of the proposed wind turbine. Therefore, subject to environmental constraints and ground conditions, an allowance for potential micro-siting of infrastructure by up to 25m is requested as part of this planning application.
25 The transformer, switchgear and import/export meter required to connect the turbine to the grid, and to monitor operation, will be contained within two small weatherproof housing units that will be positioned adjacent to the tower. These units will be composite GRP, with the cladding coloured dark green (RAL No. 6005). All cabling will be underground.
26 Once planning consent has been granted and an access programme devised, South Lanarkshire Council’s Roads Department will be advised on the number, dates and times of the transport proposed. Care will be taken when programming the route to avoid peak traffic flow periods during the mornings and evenings. Temporary traffic management will be required during transportation on existing highways.
27 The operational lifespan of the turbine is 30 years, after which the turbine will be decommissioned. This site will then be reinstated to its former state or to a condition agreed with South Lanarkshire Council. There is also the option to extend planning permission for
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the turbine beyond this 30-year period, however this is subject to a full reapplication, to be considered and approved by South Lanarkshire Council when the time comes.
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Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
3. EIA Screening and Scoping
28 Schedule 2 of The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 requires developments that may have a significant impact on the environment to be screened by the Local Planning Authority prior to application, in order to assess the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment.
29 A formal screening opinion request was submitted to South Lanarkshire Council on 5th September 2019. The screening opinion, dated 28st October 2019 (ref: P/19/1359), deemed that the proposal would not constitute an EIA development.
30 The screening response can be found in Appendix A.
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4. Energy & Planning Policy Appraisal
4.1 Introduction
31 The national policy context relating to this planning application for a wind turbine at West Dykes is described below. Other specific legislation and planning policy pertinent to the environmental studies required by South Lanarkshire Council to accompany and inform this supporting statement (noise, electro-magnetic interference, shadow flicker etc.) are provided in the respective technical sections of this document.
32 It has been the policy of successive Governments since 1991 to stimulate the exploitation and development of renewable energy sources wherever they have prospects of being economically attractive and environmentally acceptable. Whilst this policy has its foundations in environmental imperatives, and in particular concerns about carbon dioxide emissions and climate change, more recently concerns about the security and diversity of national energy supply, and the need for sustainable development, have endorsed the policy.
33 At a European level, the 2009 Renewables Directive places an obligation on the UK to generate 15% of its total energy requirements (i.e. not just electricity) from renewable energy by 2020. In the UK, the Climate Change Act 2008 establishes a framework to place
the UK on an economically credible path to achieving a reduction in CO2 levels to 80% of 1990 levels by 2050. Following this, the Low Carbon Transition Plan was launched in 2009, setting out how the UK will meet these target reductions of 34% in carbon emissions by 2020, and detailing actions for individual sectors of the economy, including the target of 40% of electricity to be supplied by low carbon sources including renewables. In addition, the 2007 Energy and Planning White Papers, and subsequent implementation of the 2008 Energy and Planning Acts developed frameworks and mechanisms to facilitate the consenting of national infrastructure projects that will contribute to the supply of energy from renewable sources.
34 However, in November 2015 it was revealed that the UK is predicted to fall short of these legally binding EU obligations. This therefore brings about a greater sense of urgency in implementing renewable energy developments to meet these targets.
35 In addition, the UK Government recently took a large, and progressive, step forward in committing to reduce emissions in the 2015 global climate agreement struck at the United
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Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris, ratifying the agreement in November 2016. This sets out a clear long-term goal of net zero emissions by the end of the century, where progress against this goal will be independently assessed in 2018 and every five years thereafter. This long-term goal sends a strong signal to investors, businesses, and policy- makers about the shift to a low carbon economy. To date, 186 countries have ratified the Agreement, only emphasising the global movement towards climate action.
36 Following this, this planning policy appraisal thus sets out the current legislation and guidance that is relevant to this single wind turbine proposal at West Dykes. The policy appraisal includes: • Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009; • Climate Change Plan 2018; • Proposals for a new Climate Change Bill; • Scottish Energy Strategy 2017; • The Government’s Programme for Scotland 2018-2019; • 10 Energy Pledges 2009; • 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy – 2015 Update; • Onshore Wind Policy Statement 2017; • The First Minister’s speech at the UN Climate Change Conference 2017; • National Planning Framework for Scotland (NPF3) 2014; • Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 2014; • South Lanarkshire Council, Landscape Character Assessment, November 2010. • South Lanarkshire Landscape Capacity Study, 2016. • South Lanarkshire Council, Tall Wind Turbines: Landscape Capacity, Siting and Design Guidance: Addendum to Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy, 2016. • South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2- Supporting Planning Guidance (2019). • Renewable Energy in the Context of the Application; and • Energy Balance.
4.2 Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009
37 The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets the strategic long term aims of the Scottish Government for climate change adaption and mitigation, creating the necessary legislative framework to pursue those aims. It obligates Scottish Ministers to ensure that the net Scottish emissions for 2050 is at least 80% lower than the 1990 baseline levels. In addition,
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it sets an interim 42% target in reduction by 2020 and requires Scottish Ministers to set annual targets in secondary legislation for Scottish emissions from 2010 to 2050.
38 Under the Act, Scottish Government have set the most recent target of 66% emissions reduction for the period 2018 to 2032.
4.3 Climate Change Plan 2018
39 As part of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, Scottish Ministers have to set annual targets, and publish reports setting out policies and proposals for meeting those targets. The Climate Change Plan was published in 2018 and sets out how Scottish Ministers intend to meet the emission reduction targets in the period 2018 to 2032.
40 The Climate Change Plan reinforces Scottish Government’s commitment to a transition to a low carbon society; believing this is an essential investment for the future welfare of the people of Scotland, the economy, environment and for future generations.
41 Scotland is leading the way in the transition to a low carbon society and is well on track to meet its 42% emissions reduction target by 2020. It is stated:
‘Latest data on Scotland’s performance from the 2015 Greenhouse Gas Inventory show that Scotland’s actual emissions, including international aviation and shipping – unadjusted for the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) – fell by 3% between 2014 and 2015, and were 38% below 1990 emissions, compared with a reduction of 35% for the UK as a whole.’
42 In 2015, 17.8% of total Scottish energy consumption came from renewable sources – more than double that in 2009. In addition, in 2016, 42.9% of Scotland’s electricity was generated by renewables, predominantly onshore wind. Renewables also generated the equivalent of 54% of Scotland’s electricity demand in 2016, from just over 12% in 2000; which means that the interim target of 50% by 2015 has been exceeded.
43 The Plan acknowledges the impact of climate change, where average temperatures are already warmer than any other decade since records began in 1910. It therefore sets out Scottish Government’s aims to mitigate vulnerabilities cause by future changes, protect Scotland against emerging environmental risk and improving the country’s resilience, through transitioning to a low carbon economy.
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44 The Plan also makes clear that the referendum result of EU membership will not affect Scotland’s climate policy and calls on the forthcoming negotiations to consider climate policy in detail with a view to safeguarding Scotland’s key interests and maintaining its place as a progressive leader on climate action.
4.4 New Climate Change Bill
45 The new Climate Change Bill was introduced to Parliament in May 2018 and looks to improve on the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets set within the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. It proposes to set targets based on actual emissions and will increase the 2050 target to 90% emissions reduction. It will also make provisions for a net zero greenhouse gas emissions target to be set when evidence becomes available.
4.5 Scottish Energy Strategy 2017
46 The Scottish Energy Strategy sets out the Scottish Government’s long-term vision for the future energy system in Scotland. The Strategy describes the ways in which the Scottish Government will strengthen the development of local energy, protect and empower consumers, and support Scotland’s climate change ambitions while tackling poor energy provision. This is intended to guide the decisions that the Scottish Government and its partner organisations will need to make over the coming decades.
47 The 2050 vision for energy in Scotland is:
‘A flourishing, competitive local and national energy sector, delivering secure, affordable, clean energy for Scotland’s households, communities and businesses.’
48 It is considered that realising this Strategy’s vision will create opportunities for suppliers and consumers of energy. It will support work already planned or underway to achieve Scotland’s long-term climate change targets, and to address the impact of poor energy provision.
49 The Strategy sets two new targets for the Scottish energy system by 2030: • The equivalent of 50% of the energy for Scotland’s heat, transport and electricity consumption to be supplied from renewable sources; and • An increase by 30% in the productivity of energy use across the Scottish economy.
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50 The Strategy’s vision for 2050 is built around 6 priorities: • Consumer engagement and protection; • Energy efficiency; • System security and flexibility; • Innovative local energy systems; • Renewable and low carbon solutions; and • Oil and gas industry strengths.
51 Of the above, it is important to note that the Strategy emphasises the need for Scotland to ‘continue to champion and explore the potential of Scotland’s huge renewable energy resource, helping to achieve Scotland’s ambitious emissions reduction targets’.
52 77% of electricity generation in 2015 came from zero or low carbon sources, with 27% from wind energy alone. The share of renewable energy as a proportion of the energy generated and consumed has increased considerably over the past decade. Renewable energy sources now supply the equivalent of 17.8% of Scottish final energy consumption, up from around 8% in 2009. The growth of renewable generation is due to the expansion of onshore wind; likened to the post-war growth in large-scale hydro.
53 The Strategy therefore lays out that Scotland’s long-term climate change targets will require the near complete decarbonisation of its energy system by 2050, with renewable energy meeting a significant share of Scotland’s needs. In 2009 the Scottish Government established a target of the equivalent of 30% of Scotland’s heat, transport and electricity consumption to be supplied from renewable sources. 17.8% was met by renewable sources in 2015.
54 The Strategy acknowledges that reaching 50% by 2030 will be challenging, particularly in more uncertain market conditions compared to those in the preceding decade, and due to the fact that not all the relevant policy levers are devolved to the Scottish Government. But the target demonstrates the Scottish Government’s commitment to a low carbon energy system and to the continued growth of the renewable energy sector in Scotland.
55 It states that renewable and low carbon energy will provide the foundation of Scotland’s future energy system, offering a huge opportunity for economic and industrial growth. Scotland’s resources have a value which extends beyond Scotland and can help decarbonise
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the wider-GB and European energy system. Scottish renewable electricity displaced an
estimated 9.4 million tonnes of CO2 across the GB system in 2016.
56 The Strategy calls on developers to continue to offer meaningful community benefits, even as support mechanisms and investment conditions for new renewables projects have changed considerably. In line with this and as with all CleanEarth projects, CE commits to an annual community benefit payment, to be used within the local community.
57 Specific to onshore wind, it is stated that Scottish Government will push for UK-wide policy support, taking action of their own to prioritise and deliver a route to market, combined with a Land Use Planning approach which continues to support development whilst protecting landscapes. The Strategy acknowledges that onshore wind is now amongst the lowest cost forms of power generation of any kind, and must continue to play a vital role in Scotland’s future, and meeting its energy and climate change goals.
4.6 The Government’s Programme for Scotland 2019-2020
58 The Programme for Government 2019-2020 sets out bold commitments for a long-term investment in renewable energy, tackling child poverty, decarbonising homes and transport systems, and aims to continue Scotland’s role at the forefront of the global fight against climate change. Emphasis is placed on Scotland’s Green New Deal, an ambitious plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions, utilising a £3bn Green Investment Portfolio, to attract green finance to Scotland, and provide a coherent response to the climate emergency.
59 The Programme emphasises that climate change is one of the most important global challenges of our time, and the Scottish Government commits to an approach to tackling climate change that makes sure Scotland not only continues to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, but ensures it is resilient to climate change impacts.
60 The programme sets out development regulations that mandate all new homes to draw energy from renewable or low carbon heat sources by 2024.
61 The programme highlights the importance of tackling the climate emergency, with a commitment to a net zero carbon Scotland by 2045, extensive funding and support to be provided to projects like renewable energy generation and the implementation of innovative techniques to decarbonise Scotland. The Climate Change Bill, as mentioned previously, is
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the next step in Scotland’s low carbon transition, which introduces tougher targets and make sure Scotland plays its full part in in efforts to limit global temperature rise to well below 2˚C above pre-industrial levels. It emphasises that the moral, scientific and economic case for increased global action on climate change is clear, and the Scottish Government is committed to achieving net-zero emissions of all greenhouse gases as soon as possible.
4.7 10 Energy Pledges 2009
62 The Pledges form a coherent approach to energy issues in Scotland. The actions - ranging across key areas of energy generation and transmission, energy efficiency and transport - are focused on addressing both short and longer-term opportunities for Scotland to benefit from competitive advantage. They are aimed at creating new jobs, reducing emissions and saving households and businesses money, thereby contributing to economic recovery and growth and to addressing climate change.
63 Pledge 1 is most relevant to this application:
‘[Scottish Government] will support and accelerate the implementation of renewable energy, through the Renewable Energy Action Plan, in a way which promotes large scale, community based, decentralised and sustainable generation.’
4.8 2020 Route map for Renewable Energy – 2015 Update
64 The 2020 Route map for Renewable Energy in Scotland, first published in 2011, set out the collective actions needed to achieve the industry’s potential. The 2015 update shows that significant progress has been made, where in the first half of 2014, renewables overtook nuclear as Scotland’s single largest source of electricity for the first time. It acknowledges that onshore wind is the cheapest way of producing large-scale renewable electricity in the UK, and therefore provides the best value for consumers.
65 Concern is shown regarding the then-announcements on the closure of the Renewable Obligation, and uncertainty surrounding the Contracts for Difference scheme and other subsidy schemes, which was seen as one of the biggest challenges the onshore wind industry would face. The falling costs of onshore wind and improvements in technology have since allowed onshore wind developments such as this proposal to be developed completely subsidy-free; only emphasising onshore wind’s crucial role in delivering renewable targets.
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4.9 Onshore Wind Policy Statement 2017
66 The Onshore Wind Policy Statement is focused on the dominant and hugely valuable role played by onshore wind in helping Scotland meet its energy targets. This means that Scottish Government must support development in the right places, and also ensure there is a route to market for the electricity generated. The Statement aims to include proposals designed to maintain the contribution of onshore wind to current energy targets, where Scottish Government expects onshore wind to ‘remain at the heart of a clean, reliable and low carbon energy future in Scotland’.
67 It is again acknowledged in the Statement that onshore wind is a mature and established technology, is now amongst the lowest cost forms of generating electricity, renewable or otherwise. It states that ‘in order for onshore wind to play its vital role in meeting Scotland’s energy needs, and a material role in growing our economy, its contribution must continue to grow…This means that Scotland will continue to need more onshore wind development and capacity’.
68 It states that new onshore wind projects can and must be developed at no additional subsidy cost to consumers, and aims to ensure that consumers can benefit from the low-cost contribution onshore wind can make to a decarbonised energy future – but at no additional cost to their energy bills. To reiterate, this single wind turbine at West Dykes will be developed completely subsidy-free; hence accords with this aim.
4.10 The First Minister’s Speech at the UN Climate Change Conference 2017
69 The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon spoke at a High Level Plenary session of COP23 on behalf of states, regions and devolved governments around the world at the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action closing event. The First Minister spoke about the commitments made in Paris, and not just the global obligation to turn the ambitions of Paris into reality, but for an even bigger push for urgent action in the next two years.
70 The First Minister reiterated Scotland’s determination to lead by example in tacking climate change, emphasising that it is an ‘overwhelming moral obligation that we owe to this and future generations’, where ‘our ambitions must live up to the scale of the challenge, and our actions must live up to our ambitions’.
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4.11 National Planning Framework for Scotland (NPF3) 2014
71 The NPF is a long-term strategy for the spatial development of Scotland until 2030. NPF3 brings together Scottish Government’s plans and strategies in economic development, regeneration, energy, environment, climate change, transport and digital infrastructure to provide a coherent vision of how Scotland should evolve over the next 20 to 30 years. Amongst the NPF’s wide-ranging advice it sets out the need for a strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and emphasises not just the challenges in embracing a renewable and low carbon economy but also the wider benefits that this will bring.
72 One of the four outcomes for planning is stated as making Scotland a low-carbon place, reducing its carbon emissions and adapting to climate change.
73 Section 3 reiterates Scotland’s aim to achieve at least an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, where planning will play a key role in delivering on these commitments. Paragraph 3.4 states that Scotland has a significant wind resource, with electricity generation from both onshore and offshore wind set to rise. Paragraph 3.8 sets out the aim to meet at least 30% of overall energy demand from renewables by 2020, with an interim target of 50% by 2015 – and Paragraph 3.9 goes on to state that Scotland’s wind resource needs to continue to be capitalised on.
74 Work on the NPF 4 is currently underway and will notably ‘provide a spatial planning response to the Global climate emergency’ and ‘will help to radically accelerate reduction of emissions.’ At the time of writing it has not yet been released, but is anticipated to further re-enforce and support Scotland’s position as a global leader in renewable energy generation.
4.12 Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 2014
75 The purpose of the SPP is to set out national planning policies which reflect Scottish Ministers’ priorities for operation of the planning system and for the development and use of land. The SPP promotes consistency in the application of policy across Scotland whilst allowing sufficient flexibility to reflect local circumstances.
76 Paragraph 17 of the SPP sets out that the planning system should ‘facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy, particularly by supporting diversification of the energy sector.
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The spatial strategy as a whole aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate adaptation to climate change.’
77 The SPP aims to set out how this should be delivered on the ground. It is stated that planning can support the transformational change required to meet emission reduction targets and influence climate change.
78 The SPP introduces a presumption in favour of development that contributes to sustainable development, where the planning system should support economically, environmentally and socially sustainable places by enabling development that balances the costs and benefits of a proposal over the longer term.
79 Specific to Scotland’s low carbon aims, Paragraph 154 states:
‘The planning system should: • support the transformational change to a low carbon economy, consistent with national objectives and targets, including deriving: 30% of overall energy demand from renewable sources by 2020; 11% of heat demand from renewable sources by 2020; and the equivalent of 100% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020; • support the development of a diverse range of electricity generation from renewable energy technologies – including the expansion of renewable energy generation capacity – and the development of heat networks; and • guide development to appropriate locations and advise on the issues that will be taken into account when specific proposals are being assessed.’
80 The SPP calls on planning authorities to set out in the development plan a spatial framework identifying areas likely to be most appropriate for onshore wind farms as a guide for developers and communities, identifying areas with the greatest potential for wind development. The SPP lays out in Paragraph 169 the key considerations for energy infrastructure developments to take into account when putting forward proposals.
4.13 Regional Planning Policy and Guidance
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81 South Lanarkshire have embraced Scottish National Policy and have provided extensive landscape capacity studies for wind turbines up to and exceeding 15m. These studies include:
• South Lanarkshire Council, Landscape Character Assessment, November 2010.
• South Lanarkshire Landscape Capacity Study, 2016.
• South Lanarkshire Council, Tall Wind Turbines: Landscape Capacity, Siting and Design Guidance: Addendum to Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy, 2016.
• South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2- Supporting Planning Guidance (2019).
4.14 South Lanarkshire Council, Landscape Character Assessment, November 2010.
82 This guidance seeks to satisfy policy ENV9 of the South Lanarkshire Local Plan (2009). As such it provides ‘baseline information that will inform landscape planning policies and guidance over the period of the Local Plan’. It builds upon more widespread existing guidance, with a focus of providing a more targeted landscape assessment of South Lanarkshire.
83 The Landscape Character Assessment provides detailed descriptions of the landscape profiles and designations which are key within development plans to ensure safeguarding of valuable landscapes. Development proposals should always consider the Landscape Character Assessment (2010) as it was developed to understand and ensure that the identity of the landscape types have specific zonal policies for the enhancement and sustainable use of their landforms.
4.15 South Lanarkshire Landscape Capacity Study, 2016.
84 This study was undertaken following policy changes in the June 2014 Scottish Planning Policy and to address continued development pressure for wind energy in South Lanarkshire. It seeks to support SLC’s Supplementary Guidance for Wind Energy through providing an assessment of cumulative landscape capacity and considering the capacity of the South Lanarkshire landscape to accommodate increasing levels of wind energy development. The guidance has been prepared in line with the requirements of SPP 2014 and SNH Guidance.
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85 As shown on figure 2, the proposed development falls within an area identified as having capacity for large wind development, within an area with the same scope as the approved nearby Kype Muir Wind Farm Extension (15 x 150m to 220m turbines).
Kype Muir Wind Farm Extension
Proposed Turbine Location
Figure 2. SLC LCS identifying areas with scope for turbines 120m+.
4.16 South Lanarkshire Council, Tall wind Turbines: Landscape Capacity, Siting and Design Guidance: Addendum to Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy, 2016 (2019).
86 This report was produced in line with current development trends for taller turbines, and the need for available guidance to reflect such trends. It identifies areas which have scope for tall turbines up to and exceeding 150m and assesses the ability of the landscape to
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accommodate such development. It supplements the SL Landscape Capacity Study 2016 and the Council’s Supporting Planning Guidance on Renewable Energy, 2019.
4.17 South Lanarkshire Local Development (LDP) Plan 2- Supporting Planning Guidance 2019
87 This guidance ‘supplements the renewable energy policies in LDP2, by providing more detailed advice and requirements for wind energy and other renewable energy developments.’ It provides an assessment checklist for renewable energy developers and outlines technical guidance. Beyond this it provides;
• Information on current wind energy developments and proposals in South Lanarkshire, and sets out the overall approach to assessing wind energy developments; • A Spatial Framework for Wind Energy; providing more detail on the spatial framework for wind energy referred to in LDP Policy 18 and discusses the areas of significant protection in South Lanarkshire. This applies to turbines of 15m and higher; • Development management considerations; sets out the considerations to be used in the assessment of all scales and types of renewable energy proposals; • Two renewable energy maps; map 1 shows the Spatial Framework Group 2, areas of significant protection, and map 2 shows the development management considerations for renewable energy developments; • Key statements throughout the SPG which are highlighted in text boxes.
88 The LDP states that ‘the aims of the vision are to address forthcoming challenges and promote South Lanarkshire as a place in which to invest, live, visit and work.’ Through development of the proposed turbine, local contractors will be used, utilising the strong and growing renewables industry in South Lanarkshire. Clean Earth supports local businesses based in Strathaven, further promoting investment and growth in within South Lanarkshire. Local contractors will also be used to ensure the ongoing maintenance of the turbine throughout its life.
89 Furthermore, a community benefit fund of £8000 per annum will be given to support local community projects, aiding investment in grassroots programmes. Possible uses of this
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fund include constructing playgrounds in deprived areas, supporting local sports teams and helping to fund needed activity days and transport for community groups.
90 It can be said that the proposed development falls within an area deemed suitable for wind turbines, as demonstrated by recent consents and relevant landscape capacity studies, supports the local economy through hiring of local contractors and investment in the area, and therefore accords with local policy in these respects.
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4.18 Renewable Energy in the Context of the Application
91 CE expects that the wind turbine will make the following contributions to national energy and environmental policies:
• The proposed wind turbine at West Dykes will save around 4,019 metric tonnes of carbon each year, compared to the equivalent fossil fuel production (depending on the UK energy mix at any one time);
• The turbine is expected to generate 14,465,804 kWh per year. This is enough electricity generation to power 3,971 South Lanarkshire homes2.
• The West Dykes wind turbine, with an installed capacity of up to 4MW, will make a contribution to legally binding government targets for renewable electricity generation and emissions reductions; and
• The generation of renewable energy will contribute to the diversity and security of the UK’s electricity supply.
4.19 Energy Balance
92 An estimate of the energy payback for modern wind turbines is 3-10 months, depending upon the site wind speed and turbine model. Over a 30-year lifetime, a wind turbine would therefore generate at least 36 times the energy that was used in its manufacture and installation.
2https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/regional-and-local-authority-electricity-consumption- statistics
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5.0 Landscape and Visual Impact
5.1 Introduction
93 Impact on the landscape and visual receptors is one of the facets of wind turbine development that most affects people in the local and wider landscape area. In order to assess the potential impact of this wind turbine on the landscape and sensitive visual receptors, Galpin Landscape Architecture Consultants have been commissioned to produce a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA).
94 The purpose of the LVIA is to identify and outline the existing landscape character and visual amenity receptors within the study area and to assess the potential magnitude of impact and level of effect, including their significance, on these receptors as a result of the proposed development.
95 The proposal is for one single wind turbine with 3-bladed rotor design of a height of up to 150m to blade tip on Land on West Dykes, Muirkirk Road, Strathaven, ML10 6RF. The site already has permission for a single 77m turbine, for which this application seeks to increase the tip height of.
96 The full report and associated figures can be found in Appendix D.
5.2 Methodology
97 This assessment has been prepared with reference to current recommended guidelines notably the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Third Edition (GLVIA) published by the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Assessment in 2013. The GLVIA relies on an appreciation of the existing landscape, a thorough understanding of the development proposals, evaluation of the magnitude of change predicted to result from the proposed development, the sensitivity of the existing landscape to change and the potential to mitigate effects.
98 Reference has also been made to the following guidelines:
• Guidance note - Assessing the cumulative impact of onshore wind energy developments, SNH (March 2012)
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• Cumulative Effect of Windfarms, SNH (April 2005) • Visual Representation of Windfarms Good Practice Guidance, SNH (2007) • South Lanarkshire Council Landscape Designations Report (2010) • Visual Representation of Development Proposals, The Landscape Institute (2019) • Landscape Character Assessment Guidance, SNH / The Countryside Agency (2002) • Visual Assessment of Wind farms; Best Practice, prepared by University of Newcastle for SNH (2002) • Siting and Designing in the Landscape, SNH (2009) • South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan (2015) including Supplementary Guidance 10 Renewable Energy • South Lanarkshire Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy, Ironside Farrar (2016) • South Lanarkshire Landscape Character Assessment, Ironside Farrer (2010) • South Lanarkshire Council Spatial Framework Landscape Capacity for Wind Turbines (2013)
99 The assessment has involved five key stages:
• Defining the scope of the assessment, site reconnaissance and desktop background research; • Establishment of the baseline conditions relating to landscape character, quality and value and sensitivity to change of the existing landscape; • Evaluation of the potential effects anticipated to result from the introduction of the development into the baseline context; • Assessment of the anticipated effects based on magnitude of change and sensitivity of the receptor; and • Description of the anticipated effects and the degree of significance.
100 The aim of the landscape character assessment is to identify, predict and evaluate potential key effects arising from the development. The assessment of predicted effects involves:
• An appreciation of the nature, form and features of the development in the context of the baseline landscape character. Landscape character is a composite of physical, biological and cultural elements. Landform, hydrology, vegetation, land use pattern and associations combine to create a common ‘sense of place’ and identity which can
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be used to categorise the landscape into definable units (character areas). The level of detail and size of unit can be varied to reflect the scale of definition required. It can be applied at national, regional and local levels;
• A review of the sensitivity to change of designated sites and landscape character in relation to changes proposed. This is assessed by a review of landscape value and scenic quality;
• An evaluation of the predicted magnitude of change experienced by designated sites and landscape character, assuming implementation of the development. This is in the form of quantification and description of the loss of, or indirect impact on, specific landscape components that make up the character of the various local landscape areas within the study area. Furthermore, it includes explanation of the predicted change in the composite quality of the various areas related to such loss and influence in combination with the compatibility of the proposed forms within or neighbouring the various areas; and
• Assessment of the degree of significance of the effects of the development on the designated site or landscape character under consideration by relating the magnitude of change to the sensitivity to change.
5.2.1 Landscape Sensitivity to Change
101 Sensitivity to change in the context of the nature and form of the development and its effect on landscape character has been evaluated with reference to scenic quality and value, and has been rated as being high, medium or low. This three-point scale uses the following criteria:
• High sensitivity: a highly-valued landscape of high scenic quality susceptible to change arising from the development; and/or small scale, complex landforms and land cover characteristics with distinctive landscape features; • Medium sensitivity: a medium-valued landscape of medium scenic quality, reasonably tolerant of change arising from the development; and/or medium scale landforms and land cover in combination; occasional distinctive landscape features; and
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• Low sensitivity: a low-valued landscape of low scenic quality, which is tolerant of change arising from the development; and/or large scale, simple landforms and land cover characteristics with no distinctive landscape features.
5.2.2 Magnitude of Change
102 Magnitude of change has been assessed on a four point scale of high, medium, low or negligible. These criteria are described as follows:
• High: very noticeable indirect change in landscape characteristics over an extensive area, or direct change to landscape components/character over a less extensive area;
• Medium: noticeable indirect change in landscape characteristics over less extensive area, or direct change to landscape components/character over a localised area;
• Low: perceptible indirect change in landscape characteristics over a localised area, or direct change to landscape components/character over a very localised area; and
• Negligible: virtually imperceptible or no indirect change in landscape characteristics over a very localised area, or virtually imperceptible, or no, direct change to landscape components/character.
103 Wireline (or wireframe) diagrams and photomontages from viewpoint receptors have also been used as a tool to aid assessment.
104 The visibility of the development in the landscape would vary according to the weather conditions. The assessment has been carried out, as is best practice, by assuming the ‘worst case’ scenario, i.e. on a clear, bright day.
5.2.3 Degree of Significance Assessment
105 Using professional judgement and assisted by tools such as ZTVs, photomontages and wireline diagrams, the assessment of effects compares the magnitude of change experienced by a designated site or landscape character area to its sensitivity to change of the type proposed. It also takes into account direct impacts upon existing landscape elements, features and key characteristics and assesses whether these would be lost,
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or their relationships modified, in the context of their importance in determining the existing sensitivity of the character area in question.
106 Anticipated magnitude of change are reported in terms of a descriptive scale ranging from substantial – moderate – slight adverse through negligible to an ascending scale of slight – moderate – substantial beneficial.
107 The criteria adopted for the assessment of landscape effects are as follows:
• Substantial adverse (or beneficial) degree of significance: very noticeable deterioration/improvement in the existing landscape;
• Moderate adverse (or beneficial) degree of significance: noticeable deterioration/improvement in the existing landscape;
• Slight adverse (or beneficial) degree of significance: perceptible deterioration/improvement in the existing landscape;
• Negligible degree of significance: virtually imperceptible deterioration/improvement in the existing landscape.
108 For the purposes of this appraisal, degree of significance of moderate and above are considered to be significant.
109 The predicted effects have been considered in the light of primary mitigation measures associated with site planning, culminating in a statement of the predicted effects and their overall degree of significance to the landscape resource of the study area.
5.2.4 Visual Assessment Methodology
110 The assessment of visual impact has been based on the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA) Third Edition 2013. The guidelines suggest that visual effects are assessed from a clear understanding of the development proposed and any related landscape mitigation measures. It calls for an understanding of the visual form of the existing landscape, its quality and sensitivity to change taking into account the nature of the development.
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111 The assessment has involved three key stages:
• Determination of the main areas where effects would occur as a result of the location and orientation of the development, and establishment of the baseline conditions relating to the visual context of the study area and the location and sensitivity of potential visual receptors;
• Evaluation of the potential effects anticipated to result from the introduction of the development into the baseline context. The susceptibility of visual receptors to change in views and how they contribute to the sensitivity. Next the scale, extent and duration and how they contribute to the magnitude of effects are assessed; and
• Finally, the effects of the anticipated development are assessed by an evaluation of the magnitude of change on the sensitivity to change. The resulting judgments about sensitivity and magnitude inform the judgement of the overall degree of significance.
5.2.5 Baseline Assessment
112 The following specific desk-based tasks have been undertaken:
• Consultation with the local planning authority, within the detailed study area regarding methodology, key views and viewpoint locations; • Identification of the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (visual envelope) for the proposed development; • Identification and field assessment of potential receptors within the visual envelope; and • Appreciation of the nature and importance of existing views experienced by the identified receptors.
113 A site appraisal of potential impacts upon visual amenity was carried out. Site recording involved the completion of standardised recording forms and annotation of survey plans, supported by a photographic record of views from key receptor locations and using wireline projections.
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5.2.6 Identification of Visual Receptors
114 For there to be a visual effect there is the need of a viewer (or visual receptor). Visual receptors include users of residential properties, recreational facilities and other outdoor sites used by the public such as roads, railways and footpaths, which would be likely to experience a change in existing views as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed development.
115 Views from nearby key viewpoints are illustrated by photomontage, prepared using wireline diagrams and views from more distant viewpoints are illustrated by photographs; and views from those potential viewpoints with limited visibility of the proposed development are assessed but not illustrated with either wirelines or photomontages.
5.2.7 Appreciation of Existing Views
116 The visual assessment involved an initial desk-based review of OS mapping to establish the wider context, followed by site surveys to establish the form and nature of specific views and the role of the proposed development area in such views.
117 Site survey notes were recorded using a standardised spreadsheet that included receptor type and number, the nature of the existing view, the distance, angle and extent of the view of the proposed development, etc.
118 The evaluation involved the following tasks:
• Analysis of the sensitivity of the viewpoint receptors to the anticipated change in their view; and • Identification of the anticipated magnitude of change in existing views at these locations.
5.2.8 Receptor Sensitivity
119 The sensitivity of a receptor to the proposed development has been considered in relation to the susceptibility of the receptor, for example, the inhabitants of a
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residential dwelling are generally considered more sensitive to change than occupiers of a factory unit. The susceptibility of visual receptors to change in views and visual amenity depends on the activity or occupation of people. The people are the visual receptors who may be residents, recreational users, visitors and commuters. The judgement of susceptibility to change and value are assessed and how they contribute to the sensitivity of the visual receptor. The importance of the changed view to the receptor also contributes to an understanding of sensitivity to change. Therefore, orientation, nature of use, scenic quality and receptors’ expectations of the changed view in respect of existing context are all considered as a part of this evaluation. For example, a front-on changed view from the main habitable rooms of a dwelling would result in higher sensitivity to change than a side-on or rear changed view from the same receptor. The sensitivity of a receptor therefore depends upon the nature of the receptor and the importance to that receptor of the view being changed.
120 In this assessment sensitivity is ranked on the following scale, which has been adapted from GLVIA methodology:
• High sensitivity: dwellings, footpaths, tracks and vantage points where the changes form part of an important/principal view such as a renowned local viewpoint;
• Medium sensitivity: dwellings, footpaths, tracks and vantage points where the changes form part of a less important view, and roads where the changes form part of an important view; and
• Low sensitivity: dwellings, footpaths, tracks and vantage points where the changes form part of an unimportant view, roads where the changes form a part of a less important view, and farm buildings (not used as dwellings) and industrial buildings where the changes form part of an important view.
5.2.9 Magnitude of Change
121 The magnitude of change considers the extent of the proposed development visible, the extent of the existing view that would be occupied by the proposed development, the influence of the proposed development within the view and the viewing distance from the receptor to the proposed development. This has involved a combination of site, and desk based analysis. On site, the elements of the proposed development potentially
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visible were recorded on the survey sheets. The analysis also involved the use of wireline projections and photomontages to assist the assessors with the evaluation.
122 In the assessment of visual effects, the magnitude of change is considered in terms of the type of change taking place in a view from a receptor and the degree of change which would take place in that view.
123 Magnitude of change is measured on the following scale, which has been adapted from GLVIA methodology:
• High magnitude: where the proposed development would cause a very noticeable change in the existing view; ▪ Medium magnitude: where the proposed development would cause a noticeable change in the existing view;
• Low magnitude: where the proposed development would cause a perceptible change in the existing view; and
• Negligible: where the proposed development would cause a largely imperceptible change in the existing view.
5.2.10 Assessment of Effects
124 The main criteria used to evaluate the visual impact are centred on the extent to which the proposed development would modify established views. The assessment of effects is based on consideration of both sensitivities to change and magnitude of change.
125 The determination of the effects is derived from the assessment of sensitivity to change and the magnitude of change combined with professional judgement.
126 The final assessment adopts the following categories to illustrate the level of visual effects:
• Substantial adverse (or beneficial) degree of significance: very noticeable deterioration/ improvement in the existing view;
• Moderate adverse (or beneficial) degree of significance: noticeable deterioration/improvement in the existing view;
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• Slight adverse (or beneficial) degree of significance: perceptible deterioration/ improvement in the existing view; and
• Negligible degree of significance: largely imperceptible deterioration or improvement in the existing view.
127 An assessment has been made of the visual effects upon receptors which would occur as a result of the proposed development at the viewpoint locations. However, the visual prominence of the development would vary according to weather conditions. The assessment has therefore been carried out in accordance with best practice, by assuming the “worst case” scenario; that is, on a clear, bright day in summer. The assessment also takes into account changes in vehicle movement patterns and other proposal-related operations.
5.2.11 Visual Baseline Conditions
Viewpoints
128 The following specific desk-based tasks have been undertaken:
• Consultation with the local planning authority, regarding methodology, key views and viewpoint locations.
• Identification and field assessment of potential receptors within the visual envelope and an appraisal of their sensitivity.
• Appreciation of the nature and importance of existing views experienced by the identified receptors.
129 The visual assessment involved an initial desk-based review of OS mapping to establish the wider context within which views initially appear to be set, followed by site surveys to establish the form and nature of specific views and the role of the proposed development area in such views. The site survey was informed by the computer generated ZTV mapping which indicates where the development may be visible from.
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5.2.12 Cumulative Landscape and Visual Assessment Methodology
130 Cumulative impacts are those which occur as a result of the construction of more than one wind farm or wind turbines in an area. The nature of these effects relates to the number of wind farms, scale, the landscape context and the inter-relationship between the visual envelopes of the developments. The assessment of cumulative impacts is an evaluation of the additional change and effect that the proposed development would have on a theoretical baseline position which assumes that all other existing, consented and application wind farms have been constructed.
5.2.13 Cumulative Visual Assessment
131 Cumulative effects may occur where a number of wind turbines increase the extent and prominent within a particular view. The likely significance of these effects relates to the number of wind turbines visible and their resultant scale, location and inter- relationship to each other within the view.
132 The methodology for the cumulative visual assessment follows the SNH guidance; Assessing the Cumulative impact of Onshore Wind Energy Wind Farms, from both static viewpoint receptors and routes. Combined views of wind turbines may be either simultaneous or successive. The assessment also considers the potential for sequential impacts experienced from route receptors where different wind turbines become visible whilst moving through the landscape. Sequential impacts may be occasional, frequent or constant.
133 The cumulative visual assessment included:
• Identification and analysis of the baseline wind developments from each viewpoint/route;
• Evaluation of the potential magnitude of change to the baseline scenario resulting from the proposed turbine; and
• Assessment of the potential cumulative effects arising from the introduction of the proposed turbine.
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5.2.14 The Cumulative Visual Baseline
134 The cumulative visual baseline analysis involves an appreciation of the existing view within the context of the baseline wind developments. Baseline information on existing and proposed wind farms within the study area has been collected. Identification of the baseline situation involves consideration of the scale, location and nature of the baseline wind farms within the view, the proportion of the view which is occupied by wind turbines and the potential importance to the viewer.
5.2.15 Cumulative Magnitude of Change
135 Cumulative magnitude of changes is the change with the introduction of the proposed turbine into the baseline wind development of the area. This includes the consideration of the potential nature, size, score and location of the proposed change within the existing view, and in relation, size, scale and location of the proposed change within the existing view, and in relation to the existing wind turbines within the view.
5.2.16 Cumulative Visual Effects
136 Cumulative magnitude of change is the change, that would occur as a result of the introduction of the proposed turbine into the baseline wind development of the area. This is identified based on the consideration of the potential nature, size, score and location of the proposed change within the existing view, and in relation, size, scale and location of the proposed change within the existing view, and in relation to the existing wind farms / wind turbines within the view. The evaluation of the magnitude of change is based on the criteria outlines in the main visual assessment methodology.
137 Visual Cumulative effects is the result of existing baseline wind turbines and the magnitude of change. Magnitude of change is measured on the following scale:
• High magnitude: The addition of the proposed development to the baseline view would result in a very noticeable increase in Wind Turbines to the extent thereby they would become a dominating or obstructive feature within view.
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• Medium magnitude: The addition of the proposed development would result in a noticeable increase in wind turbines to the extent whereby they would become prominent but would not dominate or obstruct the view.
• Low magnitude: The addition of the proposed development to the baseline view would result in a perceptible increase in wind turbines but would not increase the prominence of wind turbines as a feature in the view.
• Negligible: The addition of the proposed development in combination with other wind turbines would not result in any discernible increase in the appearance of wind turbines in the view.
5.2.17 Cumulative Effects – Capacity (South Lanarkshire) Methodology
138 The South Lanarkshire Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy states the following criteria within for capacity of a landscape to accommodate wind energy developments.
• Low Capacity: A landscape that is both sensitive to wind turbine development and has a high value, where only a slight level of change can be accommodated without significantly affecting any of the key defining criteria
• Medium Capacity: A landscape that has some sensitivity to wind turbine development and has some aspects of value, where a moderate level of change can be accommodated which may significantly affect some of the defining criteria
• High Capacity: A landscape that has low sensitivity to wind turbine development and has low value, and can accommodate change that significantly affects most of the key defining criteria
5.2.18 Landscape Character of the Site
139 The location of the proposed site is remote and adjoins the B473, with an existing hardstanding area and access track to the existing substation. Part of the access track and temporary crane hard standing area have already been partially constructed.
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140 The proposed site is part of a large landform that elevates and adjoins the 389m peak of Hawkwood Hill and 425m peek of Side Hill.
141 The field patterns are medium and with a number of divisions of field nearer the road. Further up the hill, the field pattern is large scale.
142 Further south, the scale of the landform is large and adjoins large areas of plantation, windfarms and open pasture hills.
143 The land cover of the site is grazing and rough grazing on the hill. There are burns and drainage ditches with some marsh/ boggy areas.
144 There are mature hedgerows around a number of lower fields, where it looks like previous Beech hedges have been left to grow high for many years. There are also a mix of fences and stone walls on the lower slope and open hill further up slope.
145 There are existing wind turbines to the north and south of the proposed site (this is detailed in the cumulative wind turbine section).
146 The other existing vertical landscape elements are the forest plantation to the south on the southern slope of Side Hill and around Dungavel Hill.
147 There are scattered dwellings and farmsteads along the B743, minor road that leads to Strathaven, the local urban hub.
5.2.19 Landscape Character Type
148 The South Lanarkshire Landscape Character Assessment shows the site resides within the Landscape Character Type Rolling Moorlands. See Plan 2 and table 2 in the appendix.
149 The Key Characteristics of this Landscape Character are:
• Distinctive upland character created by the combination of elevation, exposure, smooth, rolling or undulating landform, moorland vegetation and the predominant lack of modern development;
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150 These areas share a sense of apparent wildness and remoteness which contrast with the farmland and settled lowlands and the windfarm-dominated Plateau Moorlands;
151 There are extensive views over the surrounding Ayrshire and Lanarkshire lowlands from the hilltops.
152 There are further sub-types of this landscape character type are Rolling Moorland, Forestry (7a) and Rolling Moorland, Windfarm (7b).
153 The Key Landscape Issues of this landscape character type, in relation to this proposed turbine are:
• Visual impact of tall structures including masts, pylons and particularly wind turbines in relation to the rolling landform and sense of remoteness
• The prominence of any modern developments in this open upland landscape.
154 In relation to wind turbines, the landscape character assessment also includes a separate section for Windfarms;
Windfarms: Sensitives and forces for change:
These moorlands have to date accommodated only one windfarm development at Hagshaw Hill. There are however, several proposals for small/medium, medium and large size wind farms within the Rolling Moorlands, three of which have been consented. Given the open, and relatively remote and wild character of these areas, the landscape would be fairly sensitive to such change.
155 Windfarms: planning and management guidelines for this landscape type are:
• Wind energy developments in this area should be very carefully sited and limited in scale and number so as not to dominate the landscape character of this type as has occurred in the Plateau Moorlands;
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• Where possible, developments should be located away from prominent ridgelines and skylines above river valleys and provided with a degree of backclothing;
• The open character of the landscape means that the potential to accommodate several wind power developments or very large windfarms is likely to be limited; potential cumulative and sequential effects should be taken into account;
156 Windfarm developments should be of a small or medium scale and separated by landforms such as hills, ridgelines or valleys, thereby reflecting the topographic pattern of distinctly separated landforms.
5.2.20 Landscape Designations
157 The proposed turbine is not within a landscape designation nor near to a national park or world heritage site or National Scenic Areas.
158 The site is adjacent to Special Landscape Area - Middle Clyde Valley Special Landscape Area and the Sensitive Landscape Area of the East Ayrshire Uplands Hills Sensitive Landscape Area, which are recognised for the landscape quality.
159 Other landscape designations are more related to biological or geological reasons including SSSI. However, for the purposes of this landscape assessment, the landscape value and fabric of the landscape is important to understand and assess.
160 The nearest Scheduled Monument is a Cairn on the summit of Dungavel Hill, there are also a few castles in the study area.
161 There are various Ancient Woodlands around the periphery of the study area.
162 The nearest Conservation Area is the centre of Strathaven, and beyond this Glassford and Stonehouse.
5.2.21 Baseline Views
163 A series of eight representative viewpoints were identified within the study area. These visual receptors are to be found within 10km of the proposed wind turbine.
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5.2.22 Visual Amenity Baseline Conditions
164 The area was examined on site from different viewpoints to establish the potential effects of the proposed turbines on visual amenity to different visual receptors (recreational users, residents, road users).
165 The following viewpoints have been chosen as key representative viewpoints in the close vicinity of the proposed turbine.
166 Viewpoint 1 - Bridge at West Newton (B743 Muirkirk Road); representative of road users. This viewpoint was a chosen location within the previous application and agreed viewpoint with the LPA.
167 Viewpoint 2 - East Hockhead (A71); representative of road users. This viewpoint was a chosen location within the previous application and agreed viewpoint with the LPA.
168 Viewpoint 3 - Loudoun Hill; representative of recreational users. This viewpoint was a chosen location within the previous application and agreed viewpoint with the LPA.
169 Viewpoint 4– Minor Road near Kirkwood; representative of residents. This viewpoint was a chosen location within the previous application and agreed viewpoint with the LPA.
170 Viewpoint 5 – Minor Road near Lambwood; representative of residents. This viewpoint was a chosen location within the previous application and agreed viewpoint with the LPA.
171 Viewpoint 6- High Dykes, B743; representative of residents and road users. This viewpoint was chosen as the nearest public viewable location.
172 Viewpoint 7- Gilmourton at Junction A71; representative of residents and road users. This viewpoint was chosen from a more populated location, considering residents’ views. 173 Viewpoint 8- Dungavel Hill; representative of recreational users. This viewpoint was chosen as a summit of a recreational area.
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5.2.23 Recreational Visual Receptors
174 Recreational users maybe users of the recreational routes in the form of core paths, cycle ways and open access land.
175 The National Cycle route 74 is north east of the study area, beyond 10km.
176 Core paths are Ryeland – Holmhead, Dungavel Hill, Auchengilloch Monument, Shooglie Brig-Newton-Priestgill and Gillbank – Craig Bridge. A number of core paths in the immediately vicinity are listed in table 2 and shown on plan 1.
5.2.24 Resident Visual Receptors
177 The context of the visual amenity within the study area and within the ZTV includes the following urban areas; Caldermill, Drumclog, Strathaven, Sandford, Stonehouse, Glassford, Chapeltown, Priestland and Darvel. 4.37 There are a number of scattered dwellings and farmsteads within the study area.
5.2.25 Road User Visual Receptors
178 Dynamic views may be seen from the A71, B743, B745 and B7086.
5.2.26 Cumulative Baseline
179 The following table are wind turbine developments within 10km of the proposed turbines (See Table 2 for cumulative wind turbines within the study area):
180 See Table 2 for cumulative wind turbines within the study area.
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Table 2- Cumulative schemes in close proximity to the proposed development.
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5.3 Assessment of Landscape and Visual Impact
181 The following section provides an assessment on the effects that the proposed development would have on the landscape character areas and designated sites, within the 5km detailed study area. The assessment evaluates the likely effects during construction and also in the longer term.
182 The judgement of the sensitivity of the landscape receptor and the magnitude of change informs the assessment of the degree of significance.
5.3.1 The Effect on the Landscape During Construction
183 Construction activities which have the potential to affect the landscape character include:
• The erection of the Wind Turbine • Presence of machinery and plant for construction • Construction of the Switchgear Housing Units • Digging for underground cabling • Construction of temporary crane hard standing area (although partially built already)
184 From the description of the construction activities as outlined above, any effects on the landscape character during the construction phase would be temporary for a short duration.
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185 Therefore, the short-term and temporary nature of the construction activities on the landscape character would be Low.
5.3.2 The Effect on the Landscape Character of the Site
186 The proposed turbine with a tip height of up to 150m would be in scale and proportion to the upland moorland landform which would be in the background. There are existing wind turbines behind and either side behind this ridge that would have an association with the proposed turbine.
187 The size and scale of the proposed turbine would fit the location at the edge of this large landscape.
188 The height of the turbine is in proportion to the large width of the landform and the heights of the summits at 389m to 425m ASL.
189 The effect of the proposed single turbine o the immediate landscape character would be an addition of main the vertical element of the turbine and would have some association with other wind turbines.
190 During construction, there would be little disturbance as a good percentage of the access track and crane hard standing has been built for the existing permitted turbine.
5.3.3 The Effect on the Landscape Character Type
191 The effect of the proposed turbine on the Landscape Character Type Rolling Moorlands would be Low – with ‘direct change to landscape components/character over a very localised area’.
192 The sensitivities of this landscape type for windfarms is the remote nature, however in this location, the proposed turbine is near a road and on the edge of the upland moorland landform landscape character type.
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193 The proposed turbine has been carefully sited as not to dominate the landscape character of this type and the ‘development is located away from prominent ridgelines and skylines and provided with a degree of backclothing’.
194 ‘The open character of the landscape means that the potential to accommodate several wind power developments or very large windfarms
5.3.4 The Effect on Landscape Designations
195 The proposed turbine is not within a landscape designation and therefore there are no constraints on the immediate site that relate to the immediate landscape character of the site. The area within 5km of the proposed turbine shows that there is very little by way of landscape designation nearby.
196 The effect of the proposed turbine n the landscape quality of the Special Landscape Area - Middle Clyde Valley Special Landscape Area would be none.
197 The effect of the proposed turbine on the landscape quality of the Sensitive Landscape Area of the East Ayrshire Uplands Hills would be Negligible, if any, due to the potential intervisibility from some higher peeks.
198 Of the Scheduled Monument identified, the only potential effects may be on the Cairn on the summit of Dungavel Hill. Although due to the presence of existing wind turbines, the proposed turbine would be seen in context with these existing turbines and the magnitude would be Negligible.
199 There would be no effects on the Ancient Woodlands.
200 The settings of the Conservation Areas of Strathaven, Glassford and Stonehouse would not be affected.
5.3.5 Landscape Character Assessment Summary
201 The proposed wind turbine would be in scale and proportion to the upland moorland landform in the background and the existing wind turbines.
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202 The construction activities would bring short-term and temporary construction activities on the landscape character with a Low magnitude of change.
203 The magnitude of change to the Landscape Character Type Rolling Moorlands would be Low with ‘direct change to landscape components/character over a very localised area’.
204 The proposed turbine is not within a landscape designation, neither is it near to landscape designations.
205 There would be no effect on the Special Landscape Area - Middle Clyde Valley Special Landscape Area and the effect on the Sensitive Landscape Area of the East Ayrshire Uplands Hills would be Negligible.
206 Overall the effect of the proposed turbine on landscape character would be Low near the proposed turbine and Negligible overall.
5.3.6 Assessment of Effects on Visual Amenity
207 This section addresses issues relating to potential degree of significance upon the visual amenity of the study area likely to result from the proposed turbine. It describes and evaluates the potential change in views of the existing landscape during construction and once in operation, and the extent to which these affect residents, visitors and users of the landscape.
208 The appearance of the proposed turbine would be 3-bladed rotors at a maximum tip height of up to 150m.
209 The turbine design is three bladed, has a typical nacelle and hub and colour of neutral light grey which is in accordance with the council’s ‘South Lanarkshire Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy’ which is a ‘colour choice for large commercial turbines has settled on a neutral light grey with slight variations in lighter or darker shade between developments’.
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210 There would be movement of with a rotary action which would orientate in the direction of the wind accordingly.
211 The access track to the proposed turbine and the hard standing for both the crane and access from the Muirkirk Road, B743.
212 For the temporary duration of the erection of the wind turbines, a crane would be seen on the site.
5.3.7 Assessment of Effects
213 As described in the baseline, 8 representative viewpoints were identified within the 10km overall study area.
214 The ZTV shows the area of 10km where the proposed development may be seen, however, this is a bare earth model and localised screening such has hedgerows, trees and intervening buildings are not taken into account.
215 The extent of the visibility of the proposed wind turbine shown in the ZTV is centred mostly within the 10km and largely towards the north west. There are large areas of coniferous woodland plantations to the south that further screen views.
216 Within the ZTV the following viewpoints have been chosen as key viewpoints representative of different visual receptors in the study area – residents, road users and recreational users.
Viewpoint 1- Bridge at West Newton (B743 Muirkirk Road); representative of road users.
217 The Existing View – This viewpoint is along the B743 from Strathaven to Muirkirk. From this stretch of road from the bridge, past the entrance to West Newton and to the bend in the road (location of the viewpoint) there would be a similar view of the existing wind turbines along the ridgeline and across the skyline. There are gaps in the hedgerows and groups of trees in the mid- and fore-ground with blocks of woodland to the north and south framing the view. The smooth landform is wide-spreading across the skyline.
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218 The Change in View – The change in view would be the addition of the proposed turbine in the mid-ground, seen in front of existing wind turbines. The height of the proposed turbine would appear taller than the existing turbines and nearer to the viewer. The proposed turbine would fit compositional, with the height of the turbine in relation to the large width of scale and alongside existing turbines.
219 The Sensitivity of the Receptor at this viewpoint would be Low for road users.
220 The Magnitude of Change at this viewpoint is judged to be Medium.
221 The resulting Degree of Significance would be Moderate – Slight / Moderate.
Viewpoint 2 - East Hockhead (A71); representative of road users.
222 The Existing View – From along this busy stretch of road on the A71, there are commanding views across the valley towards the east. There are existing wind turbines across the skyline. The landform spreads from north to south seen across the valley. There are scattered dwellings along the valley in lower areas. There is a good covering of woodland and trees in the valley also. The hills in the background are elongated along the skyline with a large scale vertically and a less proportionate horizontal scale.
223 The Change in View – This viewpoint would change with the addition of the proposed turbine seen on this side of the landform. The wind turbine base would be in line with the tree line and the top of the hub and blades would be seen above the ridgeline. The scale of the proposed turbine is appropriate in scale for the scale of the landform and is balanced between existing wind turbines. From this location, road users would see across the valley with the proposed turbine being part of the wider view. Nearby residents may experience similar views, from individual and locations.
224 The Sensitivity of the Receptor at this viewpoint would be Low for road users.
225 The Magnitude of Change at this viewpoint is judged to be Low.
226 The resulting Degree of Significance would be Slight for road users.
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Viewpoint 3 - Loudoun Hill; representative of recreational users.
227 Existing View – This is a key viewpoint, being a local recreational high point and historic location. The landform of Loudoun Hill is distinct in the landscape and rises above the lower valley lands. From this vantage point, there are 360 degree panoramic views.
228 The landform that the viewer is facing has existing wind turbines along the ridgelines. There are forest plantations, wooded ravines and the Glengavel Water running at the foot of the valley. Scattered dwellings and farmsteads can be seen along the lower valley region.
229 The Change in View – Due to the existing wind turbines, the proposed turbine would be seen in front of and as part of a wider grouping of turbines. Due to the separation and near to a number of existing turbines, the difference to the existing section of wind turbine landscape is very indiscernible.
230 Although appearing to be taller than existing turbines, when the blade is vertical, the hub heights would be relatively similar. The visual effects would be mitigated due to the backdrop of existing wind turbines and the distance between this viewpoint and the proposed turbine.
231 The Sensitivity of the Receptors at this viewpoint would be High for recreational users.
232 The Magnitude of Change at this viewpoint is judged to be Negligible.
233 The resulting Degree of Significance would be Slight for recreational users.
Viewpoint 4– Minor Road near Kirkwood; representative of residents and road users.
234 Existing View – This view is across open pasture land with a number of hedgerow trees distributed across the mid-ground. The smooth landform in the background has existing turbines rising from behind the ridgeline and into the skyline. The scale of this landform is large in the horizontal plane and less in proportion to the vertical height. The wider view from this location includes the western side of the valley, which is wide and includes a section of existing wind turbines.
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235 The Change in View – The proposed turbine would be seen on the downslope of the smooth landform with existing wind turbines seen behind and alongside. The proportionate scale of the proposed turbine to the scale of the landform can be seen in this view with the hub being relatively at the height of the crest of the hill. The proposed turbine is at a distance from this viewpoint and although noticeable, would not dominate the view.
236 The proposed wind turbine would appear above the skyline and be similar in appearance to the existing wind turbines and compositionally balanced to the scale of the landform.
237 The Sensitivity of the Receptors at this viewpoint would be Medium for residents.
238 The Magnitude of Change at this viewpoint is judged to be Medium.
239 The resulting Degree of Significance would be Moderate for residents
Viewpoint 5– Minor Road near Lambwood; representative of residents.
240 Existing View – The existing view is further up this minor road, near residents’ dwellings and is at a slightly higher elevation than VP4. The view is further around the smooth landform of the proposed site and with views of existing wind turbines.
241 The Change in View - The proposed turbine would again, be seen on the downslope of the smooth landform, although the hub base would be hidden. There are existing wind turbines that have connectivity with the proposed turbine, seen as an extension to the existing turbines of Dungavel 1. The proposed turbine would appear higher and being nearer to the viewer, there would a noticeable change in the existing view. However, the size of the proposed turbine is suitable for the large scale of this rolling moorland landform.
242 The magnitude of change for some views of residents would be more noticeable than others where there would be other angles of views or where the turbine would be less noticeable.
243 The Sensitivity of the Receptors at this viewpoint would be Medium for residents.
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Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
244 The Magnitude of Change at this viewpoint is judged to be Low to Medium.
245 The resulting Degree of Significance would be Slight / Moderate to Moderate for residents.
Viewpoint 6- High Dykes, B743; representative of road users.
246 Existing View – this view has foreground trees and hedgerows before the upland moorland risings behind a line of Beech trees and forms a smooth and clean ridgeline against the sky. There are existing wind turbines, pylons and buildings, including the existing electricity substation, hard standing and access track.
247 This view is a glimpse view from Muirkirk road, although the angle of view would be at right angles for road users.
248 The Change in View – The proposed wind turbine would be seen in the centre of view and alongside existing wind turbines.
249 Compositionally, the proposed wind turbine would be balanced to the large landform and the height of the proposed turbine.
250 The change in the view would be very noticeable from this angle of view, but along this road there would be less visual effect further north and south of this location.
251 The Sensitivity of the Receptors at this viewpoint would be Low for road users.
252 The Magnitude of Change at this viewpoint is judged to be High.
253 The resulting Degree of Significance would be Moderate for road users.
Viewpoint 7- Gilmourton at Junction A71; representative of residents and road users. Existing View – this viewpoint is a typical view across from the main road of A71 and for local residents in nearby scattered dwellings. The upland moorlands are rolling along the skyline with a dispersion of existing wind turbines including the planned Kype Muir Extension.
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254 The foreground consists of the valley of Glengavel Water with scattered dwellings / farmsteads. There are regular pylons with overhead cables, mature trees and established hedgerows. Further south are coniferous plantations interspersed with existing turbines.
255 The Change in View – The proposed wind turbine would appear in between two existing wind farms and in front of the planned Kype Muir Extension. The proposed turbine’s blades would be seen above the skyline.
256 There would be a compositional balance with the height of the turbine and the large scale of the landform and field pattern.
257 The Sensitivity of the Receptors at this viewpoint would be Medium for residents and Low for road users.
258 The Magnitude of Change at this viewpoint is judged to be Low.
259 The resulting Degree of Significance would be Slight / Moderate for residents and Slight / Moderate for residents and Slight for road users.
Viewpoint 8- Dungavel Hill; representative of recreational users.
260 Existing View – this is an important key viewpoint from a trigpoint near to the proposed turbine, there is also an historic Cairn at the summit of 457m ASL. The view is a 360degree panoramic from the summit, the angle of view of this location is towards the proposed site towards Side Hill, an equally high summit at 430m ASL. This smooth moorland landform is covered in the wind turbines of Dungavel 1. There are far reaching views, particularly towards the north west and Whitelee Forest and turbines. The existing turbines of Dungavel dominant this particular angle of view.
261 The location is remote and wild, and landcover is marsh, bog and rough grass and coniferous plantations. The scale of the landscape is large.
262 The Change in View – The proposed wind turbine would appear behind the existing wind turbines of Dungavel wind farm and the top of the hub and blades would appear behind the ridge of Side Hill.
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263 The vast scale of this view and the presence of the existing turbines would mean that the addition of the proposed turbine would be absorbed in the view.
264 As the existing view is dominated by wind turbines, the addition would be seen as part of this grouping of wind turbines.
265 The Sensitivity of the Receptors at this viewpoint would be High for recreational users.
266 The Magnitude of Change at this viewpoint is judged to be Negligible as the receptor would perceive a noticeable change in the view.
267 The resulting Degree of Significance would be Slight / Negligible for recreational users.
5.3.8 Recreational Visual Receptors
271 Other than the recreational users represented in the above viewpoints, there may be views seen by recreational users of the recreational routes in the form of core paths.
272 The nearest core path is EK/1458/1 Dungavel Hill which is mostly within existing forest plantation or directly adjacent to the Dungavel wind turbines. There would be some visibility of the proposed turbine at the more elevated section of the route, seen near wind turbines of Dungavel in close proximity and therefore, the magnitude of change would be Negligible.
273 Notable, views for recreational users from the other core paths would all be Negligible due to the distance, potential screening and only glimpses of the proposed turbine.
5.3.9 Residents Visual Receptors
274 Of the settlements where the ZTV shows there may be theoretical visibility of the proposed turbines, along the A71 for Caldermill, Drumclog and Strathaven. From a point nearest to Strathaven, VP1 is included. Also near to Gilmourton, see VP7.
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275 Further north from Sandford, Stonehouse, Glassford and Chapeltown, residents may have glimpses of the proposed turbine, if there are no intervening vegetation, buildings and this would be at a large separation distance.
276 Similarly, from Priestland and Darvel, there may be glimpses views, if any.
277 There are a number of scattered dwellings and farmsteads within the study area.
5.3.10 Road User Visual Receptors
278 Dynamic views along the A71 would include a view of the ridgeline to the east where there are existing wind farms of Kype Muir, Dungavel and Bankend plus other wind turbines, the proposed wind turbine would be seen as part of this grouping. The sequential view along the A71 would include any views of this ridgeline with turbines. Any views would be from between Strathaven and Drumclog.
279 The view from the B743 would seen at the closest shown in VP6 and further away in VP1. Beyond these locations, there may be limited glimpsed views.
280 Views from the B745 would be similar, albeit further away from the proposed turbine, to VP7. Again, there would be sequential views along this route for road users, with a view of the array of existing turbines, with the propose turbine being a part of this grouping.
281 There would be a separation distance of approximately 6km to the B7086. There may be glimpses views over this distance and any effect would be mitigated by the separation distance, intervening vegetation and the presence of existing turbines.
5.4 Conclusion
282 The proposed turbine was selected and sited to integrate with the operational Dungavel and Kype Muir Wind Farms, and the approved Kype Muir Extension. As the proposed development is for a single wind turbine, which would be closely associated with these operational schemes and from most viewpoints would be perceived as an extension to the existing schemes, there would be no significant effects upon the landscape fabric
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or character of the site during the construction stage. Furthermore, the short-term temporary nature of the construction activities on the views of the visual receptors would ensure that the overall visual effects would be Low.
283 This LVIA has found that there would be no significant effects on any landscape designations, users of recreational routes, core paths or other visitor destinations. Furthermore, the effect of the proposed turbine on Landscape Character would be Low near the proposed turbine and Negligible overall.
284 The assessment has identified key views from a range of viewpoints towards the proposed site, taking into account visual receptors who would see the proposed turbine, including residents, recreational users and road users. From these viewpoints it has been established that the degree of significance would vary between Moderate to Slight / Negligible. Some views of the development from receptors in close proximity to the site, within 1-2km, and from high areas, were found to have a moderate degree of significance. From these receptors views of the existing wind farms would largely also be present, resulting in a limited additional impact. Notable examples of this are the Kype Muir Extension, located in the backdrop of the proposed development, and the Dungavel Wind Farm, located to the southwest.
285 As the proposed turbine would be seen as a single addition to these existing wind developments in the area, overall additional visual impact is greatly limited. Additionally, it has been found that there would be a Low cumulative effect on the landscape character with the addition of the proposed turbine and the existing wind turbines.
286 It is evident that the extent of the landscape and visual effects attributable to the proposed turbine is very limited owing to site selection and the design process. As such, the site, and the surrounding landscape, is considered to have the capacity to accommodate the proposed development.
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6. Ecology
6.1 Introduction
6.1.1 Background
383 Starling Learning was commissioned by Clean Earth Energy to carry out a Preliminary Ecological Assessment of an area of farmland and moorland adjacent to West Dykes Farm near Strathaven, South Lanarkshire. The survey was commissioned to identify any potential ecological constraints to the site from the proposed construction of a single turbine and access track.
6.1.2 Site Description
384 The proposed development site is located just off the B743 between Strathaven and Dungavel. An access track is proposed to run from south of this road up on to the lower slopes of Hawkwood Hill. A grid reference for the turbine site is NS 67861 38519. Figure 1 below shows the location.
6.2 Methodology
6.3.1 Desk Study
385 A brief desk study was carried out to investigate species, habitats and nature conservation sites in the area. This included:
• National Biodiversity Network Gateway (NBN Gateway); • Scottish Natural Heritage interactive online map (SNHi) database; and • Data from Environmental Statements of adjacent wind farm developments.
6.3.2 Field Survey
386 The field survey work involved the following:
• Phase 1 Habitat Survey;
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• Identification of notable and protected habitats; • Description of site condition; Walkover to assess site for potential protected species and identification of further survey requirements; • Assessment of site for birds; • Target notes; and • Identification of GWDTEs.
387 An Extended Phase 1 habitat survey was carried out on a single visit in following the standard methodology described in ‘Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment’2, which augments the methods described in the ‘Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey: A Technique for Environmental Audit 3. Consideration was also given to how the different habitats might relate to the National Vegetation Classification (NVC). Standard Phase 1 mapping techniques are modified a little given the small size of the site.
388 Each habitat was classified in the field and its extent mapped onto an aerial view of the area. Notes were made in the field relating to dominant plants, structure of vegetation or points of general conservation/ecological interest, including the presence, or potential presence of notable or protected species on the site. Any evidence of invasive plants was searched for.
389 The protected species survey involved the following:
• Bat roost assessment; • Breeding bird assessment; • Badger survey Meles meles; • Red Squirrel survey Sciurus vulgaris; • Otter Lutra lutra; and • All other species were recorded.
390 The bat survey consisted of an inspection of the trees to assess them for potential roost features (PRFs) for bats or for use by nesting birds. Trees were examined from the ground using binoculars. Based on the number, location and type of any potential roost features, the building and trees were categorised as having negligible, low, moderate
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or high potential for roosting bats, or confirmed roost where direct evidence of bat presence was encountered. 391 The other surveys consisted of a search of the site with a surrounding 50m buffer for evidence of use by protected mammals. This was extended further (250m) to check the small watercourse for Otters; 392 It was too late in the year to carry out a breeding bird survey, however details of all bird species present are provided and any evidence of their use of the area. 393 The field visit took place on the 20th of September 2019; the surveyor was Liz Parsons of Starling Learning.
6.3 Results
6.3.1 Desktop Results
394 Designated sites within 2km of the survey areas were searched for. There are no designated sites within that area. The Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area is within 4km of the development. Results of ornithological surveys for the Kype Muir, Bankend Rig II and Dungavel Wind Farms showed no negative significant impact on the bird populations of the SPA.
395 The Kype Muir Wind Farm and extension is proposed for directly adjacent to the West Dykes proposed turbine. The potential effect on habitats, protected species and birds was deemed to be insignificant. Badger and Otter were recorded on site and a variety of bat species including Leisler’s were recorded foraging on site but not roosting. It was assumed a small number of reptiles were present.
396 At Bankend Rig II, Otter and Badger activity was recorded. Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Myotis species and Nyctalus species of bat were recorded foraging. Low numbers of reptiles are assumed to be present. Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, Merlin Falco columbarius and Longeared Owl Asio otis nested in their adjacent Conservation Management Plan area. No significant impact on habitats or species was predicted.
397 Surveys for the single turbine at Mount Farm recorded use of the site by Otter, Badger and various bat species. Low numbers of Common Lizard Zootoca vivipara were recorded. Birds recorded on site included Barn Owl, Pink-footed Geese Anser
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brachyrhynchus, Curlew Numenius arquata, Snipe Gallinago gallinago, and Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria. No significant impacts on habitats or species were predicted.
6.3.2 Habitat Survey
398 The following habitats were recorded on site;
• A3.1 Parkland/scattered trees (A Woodland and Scrub). The lower end of the site has a boundary of mature Beech trees Fagus sylvatica up either side of the survey site with a line also cutting across the centre of the site. In the lower part of the site the enclosed fields have, in several places, boundaries with lines of Beech Fagus sylvatica. Bryophytes and common grasses dominate the ground under the trees, with few species typical of a woodland field layer.
• B2.2 Semi-improved neutral grassland. This type of grassland is quite frequent in the wet pastures in the lower part of the site. It has resulted from the invasion by rushes of former improved grassland. The habitat is very species-poor and is overwhelmingly dominated by Soft Rush Juncus effusus with small proportions of Sharp-flowered Rush Juncus acutiflorus, Tufted Hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosus and Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus. Some parts of the grassland would be referable to NVC MG10 Holcus lanatus- Juncus effusus rush-pasture but most of the time the vegetation just consists of dense Soft Rush.
• B4 Improved grassland (B Grassland and marsh). Improved fields grazed by cattle are to be found to the lower end of the site adjacent to the road... These fields have been drained to some extent but are still very wet in places. They have been seeded with high yielding and palatable species such as Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne and have very low species diversity. Other grasses include Sweet Vernal Grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus. Forbs include White Clover Trifolium repens, Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens, Daisy Bellis perennis and Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense.
• B5 Marshy grassland (B Grassland and marsh). This habitat is found along the margins of the various drainage ditches and seepages that cross the site. Rush species are abundant, either Soft Rush or Sharp-flowered Rush, and they are joined by Greater
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Birds-foot-trefoil Lotus pedunculatus, Lesser Spearwort Ranunculus flammula. Marsh Thistle Cirsium palustre, Brooklime Veronica beccabunga, Sneezewort Achillea ptarmica and Marsh Ragwort Senecio aquaticus. At one location there are a few small Willow bushes Salix sp. This assemblage of species is referable to M23 Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush-pasture in the NVC.
• B6 Poor Semi-improved grassland (B Grassland and marsh). This habitat was recorded to the southeast of the improved grassland, sloping down to a small watercourse. It has similar species to the improved grassland described above but has grown rank ranker. There is little or no Perennial Rye-grass in this habitat. Associates of the common grass species are Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa, Common Nettle Urtica dioica, Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense, and Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius.
• B1.1 Unimproved acid grassland (B Grassland and marsh). This habitat dominates a large part of the higher ground at the site to the west of the proposed track. The acid grassland contains several smaller patches of marshy grassland and species-poor rush areas. Although there are areas of marshy grassland as a matrix within this. Species include Sheep’s Fescue Festuca ovina, Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera, Wavy Hair- grass Deschampsia flexuosa, Heath Bedstraw Galium saxatile, Devil’s-bit Scabious Succisa pratensis, and Tormentil Potentilla erecta. Those species are typical of the NVC community U4 Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland.
6.3.3 Groundwater Dependant Terrestrial Ecosystems
399 SEPA requires that the effect on Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTEs) is investigated. SEPA currently defines GWDTEs on the basis of specific NVC communities. SEPA Guidance Note 4 (LUPS-GU4) 38 provides a table detailing the definition of GWDTEs as per the NVC.4 These include a number of mires, flush, swamp, grassland and wet woodland communities.
400 The vast majority of the habitats recorded will not be affected by the development. The indirect effects on the habitat are considered to be of negligible magnitude and of negligible significance.
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401 Out of the list of GWDTEs the only one present on site to any extent is M23 Juncus effusus/acutiflorus Galium palustre rush-pasture. The community is present mainly as linear strips along the margins of the various ditches and small watercourses that cross the site. NVC M23 rush-pasture can be highly dependent on groundwater sources but at these locations the community is associated with near surface flows into the watercourses rather than groundwater. Nevertheless, there could be an indirect impact as a result of overflows flows from the adjacent track. That can be reduced to be of negligible significance by correct management of track drainage.
402 Use of best practice construction and design of drainage measures will be exercised if the chosen route for access deviates from the constructed, permitted access route.
6.3.4 Protected Species
Bats
403 Bats are likely to forage along the edge of the woodland strips. Across the central strip of trees there is a dead tree and several of the mature
404 Beech have cracks and splits that are potential roost features including an old Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major hole.
405 There is also a possibility bats could roost in the crevices of the old stone building.
Other protected species
406 No evidence of Badger, Otter or Red Squirrel was recorded. No other protected species were recorded. The only mammal evidence recorded was Mole Talpa europaea, and Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus and Field Vole Microtus agrestis runs and latrines.
407 No reptiles were recorded but there is a possibility they may be present on site as the habitat is suitable especially towards the southern end of the site. There are the remains of an old stone wall which could possibly be suitable for hibernating reptiles.
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408 There are likely to be amphibians (Frog Rana temporaria, possibly Common Toad Bufo bufo, and newt species Lissotriton species using the site. There are no suitable ponds for Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus.
Birds
A number of bird species were recorded utilising the site.
Other species recorded
409 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta and Small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae butterflies were recorded frequently on site.
6.4 Conclusion
410 No designated sites will be affected by the development. There will be some loss of long-established woodland; however, it will not lead to fragmentation or disconnection of the forest network. The majority of the development will take place within the neutral grassland areas.
411 The UK BAP was published by the UK government in 1994 as a framework for conservation and to foster sustainable use of the biodiversity of the UK. Action plans have been set out for important habitats with the broad aims of maintaining their current extent and distribution and improving the condition of degraded examples that are capable of restoration. The South Lanarkshire Local Biodiversity Strategy (2018 to 2022) has a number of ecosystems considered to be of greatest importance within South Lanarkshire. Four of these ecosystems are present on site: Freshwater, Lowland and farmland, Upland and Woodland.
412 There are no UK BAP Priority Habitats present on site. There will be a very small loss of habitat. Most of the access track and turbine base have already been cleared by the previous proposal for a wind farm. Further loss will include a very small amount of improved grassland, and possibly a very small amount of semi-improved neutral grassland. There will be no significant loss of South Lanarkshire LBAP priority ecosystems.
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413 There is potential for the risk of pollution of the watercourses from silt and other pollution during construction of the track and turbine. This will be mitigated through provision of a Construction and Environmental Management Plan produced in line with best practice guidance. As such there is little to no risk of significant contamination or pollution.
414 There is currently a gap in the woodland strip where the access track will run. As the trees have potential bat roost features, efforts will be made to ensure no additional unnecessary tree removal is undertaken without necessary precautions taken.
415 No other protected structure such as a sett, holt or drey is likely to be disturbed by the development. As such no impacts are expected on these structures.
416 As the loss of habitat is small, the loss to birds will be of low significance. However, the various habitats can support nesting birds, as such efforts will be made to ensure site clearance and the removal of trees will take place outside the main bird breeding season (March to August inclusive) to ensure limited disturbance. If this is not possible, a suitably experienced ornithologist will carry out nest checks prior to work being carried out.
417 Areas of the track are very wet, and a number of cross drains will be required.
418 It would be very beneficial to birds to consider putting up a selection of nestboxes. Nestboxes for Blue Tits, Great Tits, Starlings, Treecreepers and Tawny and Barn Owls could be considered.
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7. Archaeological and Historic Environment
7.1 Introduction
419 A Walkover Survey and Setting Assessment was carried out by AOC Archaeology Group to assess the potential impacts of the proposed development upon the setting of designated heritage assets.
420 The aim of the assessment was to identify the cultural heritage value of the site proposed for development. It identified likely impacts upon archaeological and cultural heritage assets resulting from the construction of the proposed wind turbine. Where necessary, the assessment will identify the need for further works that may be necessary to clarify and mitigate these impacts.
421 The assessment addresses designated heritage assets within 5km of the proposed turbine and non-designated heritage assets within 1km of the proposed turbine and aims to consider the potential impact of the scheme upon each identified asset. It also assesses the archaeological and cultural heritage significance of the land on which the development Is proposed.
422 The Site is located at land at West Dykes, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire. The Site is located within the area that is administered by South Lanarkshire Council; it is located in land southeast of the southwest to northeast aligned B743 road and approximately 5.2km to the southwest of the town of Strathaven. The Site is currently agricultural land. An access track to the proposed turbine location has been partially constructed under the existing permission (EK/15/0238).
423 The scope of the study included a desktop assessment and a walkover survey, which took place in November 2019, to assess the impact of the proposed turbine on any heritage assets in the study area. The full report is available in Appendix F.
7.2 HVIA Methodology
7.2.1 Policy and Data Sources Used
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424 The scope of this assessment meets the requirements of current planning regulations set out in SPP, HEPS and PAN2/2011, and local planning policy. Planning policy incorporated into this proposal includes but is not limited to:
National Planning Policy Guidelines
425 The statutory framework for heritage in Scotland is outlined in the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 both of which are modified by the Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2011.
426 The implications of these Acts with regard to local government planning policy are described within Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) (Scottish Government 2014), Historic Environment Policy for Scotland (Historic Environment Scotland (HES) 2019) and Planning Advice Notes (PAN) for Scotland. SPP, HEPS and PAN 2/2011 ‘Archaeology and Planning' (Scottish Government 2011) deal specifically with planning policy in relation to heritage. The planning guidance expresses a general presumption in favour of preserving heritage remains in situ. Their ‘preservation by record’ (i.e. through excavation and recording, followed by analysis and publication, by qualified archaeologists) is a less desirable alternative. SPP expresses the following policy principles:
“The planning system should:
• Promote the care and protection of the designated and non-designated historic environment (including individual assets, related settings and the wider cultural landscape) and its contribution to sense of place, cultural identity, social well-being, economic growth, civic participation and lifelong learning; and
• Enable positive change in the historic environment which is informed by a clear understanding of the importance of the heritage assets affected and ensure their future use. Change should be sensitively managed to avoid or minimise adverse impacts on the fabric and setting of the asset, and ensure that its special characteristics are protected, conserved or enhanced’ (Scottish Government 2014, Para 137).
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427 The Historic Environment Policy for Scotland (HEPS 2019) sets out the Scottish Government’s policy for the sustainable management of the historic environment. Key principles of the policy note that “Changes to specific assets and their context should be managed in a way that protects the historic environment…If detrimental impact on the historic environment is unavoidable, it should be minimised. Steps should be taken to demonstrate that alternatives have been explored, and mitigation measures should be put in place” (HEP4).
Local Planning Policy – South Lanarkshire Council
428 The local development plan for South Lanarkshire is made up of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan (SDP), the South Lanarkshire Minerals Plan and the South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan (SLLDP). The latter is supported by statutory supplementary guidance.
429 The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan (2017) is a high-level strategic document and does not specifically mention cultural heritage or archaeology but does respect the key policy principles set out in SPP.
430 The adopted South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan (2015a) contains the following overarching policies related to cultural heritage:
431 Policy 15 of the 2015 SLLDP addresses the natural and historic environment, stating:
“The Council will assess all development proposals in terms of their effect on the character and amenity of the natural and built environment.”
432 South Lanarkshire Council has adopted statutory supplementary guidance to support the policies in the Local Development Plan. Policies contained within the Supplementary Guidance 9 Natural and Historic Environment (2015b) are relevant to cultural heritage and this assessment and include:
• Policy NHE2 Scheduled monuments and their setting; • Policy NHE3 Listed buildings; • Policy NHE4 Gardens and designed landscapes;
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• Policy NHE6 Non-scheduled archaeological sites and monuments; and • Policy NHE7 Conservation areas.
433 The following data sources were consulted during preparation of this Heritage Impact Assessment:
• Historic Environment Scotland: For National Record of the Historic Environment data and designated asset data sets; • West of Scotland Archaeology Service (WoSAS): For Historic Environment Record (HER) data; and • National Map Library (National Library of Scotland, Causewayside, Edinburgh): For old Ordnance Survey maps (1st & 2nd Edition, small- and large-scale) and pre- Ordnance Survey historical maps.
434 The Site was visited on Tuesday 19th November 2019 in clear conditions. The majority of the access track had been constructed under the existing permission and extended southeast up the hill to the proposed turbine location.
435 A number of archaeological investigations are recorded in the 5km Study Area and include desk-based assessments, walkover surveys, archaeological watching briefs, trial trenching and evaluations.
7.2.2 Methodology for Assessing Impacts
Setting
436 The X’ian Declaration on the Conservation of the Setting of Heritage Structures, Sites and Areas adopted by the 15th General Assembly of ICOMOS in October 2005 (ICOMOS 2005) sets out the first internationally accepted definition of setting with regard to cultural heritage assets, indicating that setting is important where it forms part of or contributes to the significance of a heritage asset.
437 In June 2016, Historic Environment Scotland released a guidance document on setting as part of their Managing Change in the Historic Environment series of guidance notes intended to explain how to apply the policies contained in the Historic Environment
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Policy for Scotland (HEPS). This document (Historic Environment Scotland 2016b, 6) defines setting thus: ‘Setting’ is the way the surroundings of a historic asset or place contribute to how it is understood, appreciated and experienced Monuments, buildings, gardens and settlements were almost always placed and orientated deliberately, normally with reference to the surrounding topography, resources, landscape and other structures. Over time, these relationships change, although aspects of earlier settings can be retained. Setting can therefore not simply be defined by a line on a map and is likely to be unrelated to modern landownership or to curtilage, often extending beyond immediate property boundaries into the wider area.”
438 It also states (ibid, 6-7) that: ‘The setting of a historic asset can incorporate a range of factors, not all of which will apply to every case. These include:
• current landscape or townscape context • views to, from and across or beyond the historic asset or place • key vistas (for instance, a ‘frame’ of tress, buildings or natural features that give the historic asset or place a context, whether intentional or not) • the prominence of the historic asset or place in views throughout the surrounding area, bearing in mind that sites need not be visually prominent to have a setting • aesthetic qualities • character of the surrounding landscape • general and specific views including foregrounds and backdrops • views from within an asset outwards over key elements in the surrounding landscape, such as the view from the principal room of a house, or from a roof terrace • relationships with other features, both built and natural features • non-visual factors such as historical, artistic, literary, place name, or scenic associations, intellectual relationships (e.g. to a theory, plan or design), or sensory factors; • a ‘sense of place’: the overall experience of an asset which may combine some of the above factors’
439 Scottish Planning Policy notes that there is a presumption against demolition or other works which would adversely affect the setting of a Listed Building (Scottish Government 2014, Para. 141). It also notes that development which would have an
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adverse effect on a Scheduled Monument, or the integrity of its setting should not be permitted except in exceptional circumstances (Scottish Government 2014, Para 145).
Cultural Significance & Importance
440 The definition of cultural significance is readily accepted by heritage professionals both in the UK and internationally and was first fully outlined in the Burra Charter, which states in article one that ‘cultural significance’ or ‘cultural heritage value’ means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations (ICOMOS 2013, Article 1.2). This definition has since been adopted by heritage organisations around the world, including HES. HEPS notes that to have cultural significance an asset must have a particular “aesthetic, historic, scientific or social value for past, present and future generations” (2019). Heritage assets also have value in the sense that they “...create a sense of place, identity and physical and social wellbeing, and benefits the economy, civic participation, tourism and lifelong learning” (Scottish Government, 2014).
441 All heritage assets have some value; however, some heritage assets are judged to be more important than others. The level of that importance is, from a cultural resource management perspective, determined by establishing the asset’s capacity to inform present or future generations about the past. In the case of many heritage assets their importance has already been established through the designation (i.e. Scheduling, Listing and Inventory) processes applied by Historic Environment Scotland.
442 Relative sensitivity to change to setting 4.5.7. A monument’s relative sensitivity refers to its capacity to retain its ability to inform this and future generations in the face of changes to its setting. For example, monuments with high relative sensitivity will be vulnerable to changes to their setting and even slight changes may reduce their information content. Less sensitive monuments will be able to accommodate fairly drastic changes to their setting without losing their ability to inform.
443 Factors which define a monument’s Setting, Cultural Significance & Importance, and Relative Sensitivity are made clear in Appendix 2. These factors will be considered when assessing potential setting impacts upon designated assets and identifiable non- designated assets of national importance which are located within the ZTV and therefore could be subject to setting impacts.
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Direct Impacts
Establishing Importance of Heritage Assets
444 All heritage assets have some value; however, some heritage assets are judged to be more important than others. The level of that importance is, from a cultural resource management perspective, determined by establishing the asset’s capacity to inform present or future generations about the past. In the case of many heritage assets their importance has already been established through the designation (i.e. Scheduling, Listing and Inventory) processes applied by Historic Environment Scotland.
445 The criteria used to rate importance of heritage assets are presented in Table 3 below and relate to the criteria for designations as set out in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019b), Scotland’s Listed Buildings (2019c) and professional judgement.
Table 3: Criteria for Establishing Importance of Heritage Assets.
Importance Receptors
World Heritage Sites; Scheduled Monuments (actual and potential); Category International and A Listed Buildings; Inventory Gardens and Designed Landscapes; National Inventory Battlefields; and/or Fine, little-altered, and therefore outstanding, examples of some particular period, style or type. Category B Listed Buildings; Conservation Areas; Major examples of some period, style or type, which may have been altered; or Assets of a type which would normally be considered of national importance that have Regional been partially damaged (such that ‘their inherent capability or potential to make a significant addition to the understanding or appreciation of the past’ has been diminished). Category C Listed Buildings; Local Landscape Areas; Representative examples of any period, style or type, as originally constructed or altered, and simple, traditional sites, which group well with other significant remains, or are part of a planned group such as an estate or an industrial complex; and/or Assets of a type which would normally be Local considered of regional importance that have been partially damaged or assets of a type which would normally be considered of national importance that have been largely damaged (such that their inherent capability or potential to make a contribution to the understanding or appreciation of the past has been diminished). Relatively numerous types of remains; and/or findspots of artefacts that have no definite archaeological remains known in their context; and/or Negligible Assets of a type which would normally be considered of local importance that have been largely damaged (such that their inherent
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capability or potential to make a contribution to the understanding or appreciation of the past has been diminished).
446 The magnitude of the direct impact upon heritage assets caused by the Proposed Development is rated using the classifications and criteria outlined in Table 4 below.
Table 4: Criteria for Classifying Magnitude of Direct Impact.
Physical Impact Criteria
Major loss of information content resulting from total or large-scale removal High of deposits from a site. Major alteration of a monument’s baseline condition. Moderate loss of information content resulting from material alteration of the Medium baseline conditions by removal of part of a site. Moderate alteration of a monument’s baseline condition. Minor detectable impacts leading to the loss of information content. Low Minor alterations to the baseline condition of a monument. Very slight or barely measurable loss of information content. Negligible Loss of a small percentage of the area of a site’s peripheral deposits. Very slight and reversible alterations to a monument. None No physical impact anticipated.
447 The predicted level of direct effect on each heritage asset is determined by considering the asset’s importance in conjunction with the predicted magnitude of the impact. The method of deriving the level of a direct effect is provided below in Table 5.
Table 5: Level of Direct Effect based on Inter-Relationship between the Importance of the Heritage Asset and the Magnitude of Impact.
Importance Magnitude of National & Impact Negligible Local Regional International High Minor Moderate Moderate-Major Major Medium Negligible-Minor Minor Moderate Moderate-Major Low Negligible Minor Minor-Moderate Moderate Marginal Negligible Negligible Minor Minor-Moderate None None None None None The level of effects recorded in grey highlighted cells are considered to be ‘significant’.
Indirect Impacts
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448 The predicted significance of indirect impact upon the setting of designated heritage assets and non-designated assets of national importance is determined by considering their relative sensitivity, considering their importance, in conjunction with the magnitude of setting impact predicted on it. Assessment of individual assets is informed by knowledge of the asset itself; of the asset type if applicable and by site visits to establish the current setting of the assets. This allows for the use of professional judgement and each asset is assessed on an individual basis.
449 The magnitude of the setting impact upon assets caused by the development has been rated using the classifications and criteria outlined in Table 6 below.
Table 6: Criteria for Classifying Magnitude of Impact on Setting.
Magnitude of Criteria setting impact Direct and substantial visual impact on a key sightline to or from a ritual monument or prominent fort; Direct and substantial visual impact on a key ‘designed-in’ view or vista from a Designed Landscape or Listed Building; High Direct severance of the relationship between an asset and its setting An impact that changes the setting of an asset such that it threatens the protection of the asset (SPP 2014) and materially affects an observer’s ability to understand, appreciate and experience the asset. Oblique visual impact on an axis adjacent to a key sightline to or from a ritual monument or prominent fort but where the key sightline of the monument is not obscured; Oblique visual impact on a key ‘designed-in’ view or vista from a Designed Landscape or Listed Building; Partial severance of the relationship between an asset and its setting; Medium Notable alteration to the setting of an asset beyond those elements of the setting which directly contribute to the understanding of the cultural value of the asset; An impact that changes the setting of an asset such that an observer’s ability to understand, appreciate and experience the asset and its cultural value is marginally diminished. Peripheral visual impact on a key sightline to or from a ritual monument, prominent fort, designed landscape or building; Slight alteration to the setting of an asset beyond those elements of the setting which directly contribute to the understanding of the cultural value of Low the asset; An impact that changes the setting of an asset, but where those changes do not materially affect an observer’s ability to understand, appreciate and experience the asset. Negligible All other setting impacts. None No setting impacts.
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450 The predicted level of effect upon the setting of each monument was determined by considering its relative sensitivity, taking cognisance of its importance, in conjunction with the magnitude of impact predicted on it. The method of deriving the level of effect is shown in Table 7 below.
Table 7: Level of the Effects of Setting Impacts on the Cultural Value of Monuments
Relative Sensitivity Magnitude of Impact Marginal Low Medium High
High Minor Minor-Moderate Moderate Major Medium Negligible Minor Minor-Moderate Moderate Low Neutral Negligible Minor Minor-Moderate Marginal Neutral Neutral Negligible Minor The level of effects recorded in grey highlighted cells are considered to be ‘significant’.
7.3 Summary
451 Direct impacts include the possible disturbance of hitherto unknown heritage assets. This assessment has not identified any heritage assets within the Site boundary.
452 The potential for archaeological remains, of all periods, to survive on the Site is judged to be Low. West of Scotland Archaeology Service’s response to previous applications on the site indicated that there were no ‘substantive archaeological issues’ raised by the Proposed Development (Martin O’Hare 25/10/2019).
453 The assessment has established that the Site is predominantly agricultural in nature. Based on current evidence, the potential for archaeological remains dating to the, Roman, early historic and medieval, post-medieval and modern periods to be present on the Site is considered to be Low and would mostly consist of the remains associated agricultural land use.
454 Any ground works within the Site boundary, could be considered to have the potential to highly impact any buried archaeological deposits that may be present. However, as the majority of the access track has already been constructed, impact is likely to be extremely limited. Further to this, as the previous permission contained no archaeological condition and this assessment has confirmed the Low potential for archaeological remains to survive, it is unlikely that South Lanarkshire Council, as advised by WoSAS, will require any mitigation or monitoring for the northern portion
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of the access track which may still require construction. If any monitoring or mitigation is required it would be appropriate to limit this to an archaeological watching brief on new areas of track construction.
7.4 HVIA Conclusion
455 No direct impacts of the development on any heritage asset are expected, as this assessment has not identified any heritage assets within the Site boundary.
456 An assessment of the potential for indirect effects upon the settings of designated heritage assets and NSR sites has been undertaken as part of this assessment. No effects above a Minor level and non-significant level have been predicted. Consequently, no mitigation for indirect setting effects is considered necessary.
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8. Noise
8.1 Introduction
457 A full noise assessment has been completed for the proposed wind turbine by inAcoustic. The assessment considers noise as a result of the proposed wind turbine. This report details the calculation and assessment of the impact of the proposed wind turbine at the nearest noise sensitive receptors.
458 The noise assessment was undertaken according to the methods stipulated in The Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU) report ETSU-R-97 ‘The Assessment & Rating of Noise from Wind Turbines’. This ETSU report sets out nationally recognised standards and is used for all wind turbine and wind farm applications across the UK.
459 Detailed sound calculations have also been undertaken using ISO9613 (Acoustics – Attenuation of sound during propagation outdoors) and the Institute of Acoustics’ Good Practice Guide, to predict wind turbine sound levels at the closet noise-sensitive receptors.
460 The full noise assessment is available in Appendix G.
8.2 Summary
461 The calculations are based on the apparent sound power levels for the Enercon E115 wind turbine, as given in a report prepared by ENERCON GmbH.
462 The apparent sound power levels for the Enercon E115 wind turbine can be seen below in Table 8.
Table 8: Apparent Sound Levels for the E115.
463 It should be noted that there are numerous operational, consented or proposed wind turbines in the area; principally Dungavel Wind Farm (EK/06/0072), Kype Muir Wind
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Farm (EK/11/0256), and Kype Muir Wind Farm Extension (EK/14/0301). The Kype Muir Wind Farm Extension is the most recent wind farm to be approved in the area, and has established the relevant noise limits at the nearest noise sensitive receptors to the Proposed Development; which have been reproduced in Table 10, for ease of reference. These limits have been determined in line with ETSU-R-97 limits and guidance from the Institute of Acoustics’ Good Practice Guide.
464 A summary of the nearest residential noise sensitive receptors, relative to the proposed turbine, can be seen below in Table 9.
Table 9: Nearest Residential Noise Sensitive Receptors to the Proposed Development.
465 The noise emissions associated with the proposed wind turbine have been calculated and plotted onto a map of the surrounding area, using iNoise 2019.1. The resultant noise map can be seen below in Figure 4.
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Figure 3: Wind Turbine Noise Emission Map.
466 Table 10 details the cumulative ETSU-R-97 noise limits derived from the measured background noise levels for all the assessment locations, as established in the Kype Muir Wind Farm Extension. It is from these limits that apportioned noise limits applicable to the Development are derived.
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Table 10: Cumulative Noise Limits.
467 The apportioned limits are calculated by subtracting 10 dB from the ETSU-R-97 noise limits (Table 11), in accordance with the principles set out in ETSU-97 and IOA guidance. The result is the remaining noise budget available to the Development.
Table 11: Apportioned Noise Limits.
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468 Table 12 details the difference (margin) between predicted noise immission levels. A negative margin indicates that the predicted noise level is below the apportioned noise limit.
Table 12: Margins Between Predicted Noise Levels and Noise Limits.
469 As Table 12 shows, worst-case noise levels due to the Development are below the non- financially involved apportioned noise limits applicable to the Development.
470 Therefore, noise due to the Development has been shown to be compliant with the requirements of ETSU-R-97.
8.2 Conclusions
471 The comprehensive noise assessment concludes that the wind turbine noise level is well below the criteria given in ETSU-R-97.
472 The proposed wind turbine therefore complies comfortably with all relevant guidance on noise, and as such, noise should not be considered a constraint in deciding the outcome of this planning application.
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9. Hydrology and Geology
9.1 Introduction and Scope
473 This chapter has been undertaken by Fluid Environmental Consulting (Fluid) and assesses the potential hydrogeological, hydrological and geological impacts of the proposed wind development at West Dykes, near Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.
474 The chapter presents the current environmental setting (baseline) from desktop based surveys for the relevant hydrogeological, hydrological and geological features.
475 The assessment identifies the potential effects of the scheme and assesses the significance of these effects based on the magnitude of the effect and the sensitivity of the receptor(s). Impacts are assessed based on the risk of: sedimentation and erosion; pollution; alteration of natural drainage patterns, runoff volumes and rates; flood risk and alteration of the geological environment through the disturbance of peat. Mitigation, management and monitoring measures are then discussed and the residual effects relevant to geology, hydrology and hydrogeology determined.
476 The proposed development is based a single turbine scheme and its associated infrastructure (CE5439-LP-01) and is located approximately 1km northwest of Hawkwood Hill and 6.5km southwest of Strathaven. The proposed West Dykes turbine site boundary ‘the Site’ covers an area of approximately 0.32 km2 and access is from the B743 near Dykehead farm. This proposed wind development proposes to use the existing access track on-site where possible.
477 The proposed infrastructure footprint is approximately 1.3 hectares which along with the turbine bases and crane hardstandings also includes the access track and a substation. The access tracks will comprise of approx. 1.1km of existing track from the former approved wind turbine scheme. Aggregate will be sourced from offsite.
478 The study area encompasses the whole of the development area and a wider area essentially related to the surface water catchments connected to the site. This chapter does not include the potential geological, hydrogeological and hydrological effects of the transport access route or any grid connection.
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479 Further detail on the current project description is provided in Chapter 2 of this Environmental Assessment.
9.2 Methodology
480 The assessment has been undertaken primarily using a qualitative assessment based on professional judgement and statutory and general guidance. It incorporates: • A review of the relevant legislation, guidelines and policy; • A desk study to identify any existing information; • A review of the ecological information and mapping undertaken by Starling Learning Ecological Consultants for the assessment of water dependent and groundwater dependent habitats; • Definition of the likely effects of the project on the hydrological, hydrogeological and geological environment; • Assessment of the likely significance (as described in the EIA regulations) of those effects based on the sensitivity of the receiving environment and the likely magnitude of the effect; • Discussion of the proposed mitigation measures to reduce or remove any significant effect; and • Determination of the residual effects of the development subsequent to the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures.
9.2.1 Limitations of Assessment 481 This assessment covers the hydrology, hydrogeology and geology of the site and near vicinity. No assessment of slope stability or geotechnical risk has been included in this chapter and no visit has been undertaken to verify the desk-based study.
9.2.2 Assessment Criteria 482 The significance of any impacts of the proposed wind turbine on baseline conditions is assessed as part of the impact assessment in this chapter. The combination of the sensitivity of the receptor and the magnitude of the potential effect combine to determine the significance of that impact.
483 There are no published guidelines or criteria for assessing and evaluating effects on hydrology, hydrogeology, geology or soil within the context of an EIA. The assessment will be based on a methodology derived from generic EIA regulation guidance, IEMA
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guidance and SNH publication Environmental Impact Assessment Handbook Version 5 April 2018). The methodology is also based upon relevant SEPA guidance including Assigning Groundwater Assessment Criteria for Pollutant Inputs (SEPA 2010). The methodology sets a list of criteria for evaluating the environmental effects, as follows: • The type of effect (i.e. whether it is positive, negative, neutral or uncertain); • The probability of the effect occurring based on the scale of certain, likely, or unlikely; • Sensitivity criteria are based on both the likely effect on a receptor due to a particular activity, as well as the importance of the resource under consideration or designated value of the receptor (e.g. an area of international significance has a higher value and therefore higher sensitivity than other areas of lower status). The sensitivity criteria used for this site are presented in Table 1. The sensitivity of a receptor is its ability to absorb the anticipated impact without perceptible change resulting. • The magnitude of the potential effect criteria is presented in Table 2. The magnitude is of potential effect in relation to the resource that has been evaluated, quantified using the scale high, medium or low and included the consideration of timing, scale, size and duration of a potential impact. 484 The sensitivity and magnitude of potential effect criteria described in this section were considered appropriate for the conditions and environments prevailing at the proposed West Dykes Wind Turbine site.
485 Sensitivity criteria are based on both the likely effect on a receptor due to a particular activity, as well as the designated value of the receptor (e.g. an area of international significance has a higher value and therefore higher sensitivity than other area of lower status). The sensitivity criteria used for this site are presented in Table 8. The magnitude of potential effect criteria is presented in Table 9.
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Table 13: Sensitivity Criteria.
Sensitivity of Definition Environment
Very High Environment is very sensitive and would respond in a major way to impacts.
Private water supply abstraction for human or stock consumption (surface water or groundwater).
Public drinking water supply abstraction (surface water or groundwater).
Surface water classified under the WFD as ‘high’ (or equivalent older chemical or biological monitoring designation).
Groundwater classified under the WFD as ‘good’.
Watercourse designated under the Freshwater Fish Directive or known to have fish spawning grounds.
Groundwater vulnerability to pollution class 5.
Internationally or nationally designated sites (e.g. Ramsar, SPA, SAC, SSSI, National Nature Reserves, Marine Nature Reserves).
Internationally important species.
High Environment is sensitive and would respond in a moderate way to impacts.
Private water supply abstraction not for human or stock consumption (surface water or groundwater).
Public non-drinking water supply abstraction (surface water or groundwater).
Surface water classified under the WFD as ‘good’ (or equivalent older chemical or biological monitoring designation).
Watercourse known to support important fishery population.
Groundwater vulnerability to pollution class 4.
Habitats listed in Regional Biodiversity Action Plans or Annex I habitats.
Deep (>1.0m), unmodified peat
Sites designated at a regional level.
Other water dependent habitats
Medium Environment is not very sensitive and responds in a minimum way to impacts.
Surface water classified under the WFD as ‘moderate’ (or equivalent older chemical or biological monitoring designation).
Shallow unmodified peat or Deep (>1.0m), modified peat.
Sites designated at a local level.
Groundwater vulnerability to pollution class 3 or 2.
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Sensitivity of Definition Environment
Low Environment is not sensitive and responds in a negligible way to impacts.
Surface water classified under the WFD as ‘poor or bad’ (or equivalent older chemical or biological monitoring designation).
Groundwater classified under the WFD as ‘poor’.
Groundwater vulnerability to pollution class 1.
No private or public supply abstractions (surface water or groundwater).
No designated fisheries.
Table 14: Magnitude of Potential Effect Criteria.
Magnitude of Definition Potential Effects
Very High Impact resulting in loss of feature or use.
Fundamental (long-term or permanent) changes to surface water, groundwater and geology (in terms of quantity, quality and morphology).
High Impact resulting in integrity of feature or use being impacted, or loss of part of feature or use.
Substantial but non-fundamental and short to medium term changes to the surface water, groundwater and geology (in terms of quantity, quality and morphology).
Medium Impact on feature or use.
Detectable but non-substantial and temporary changes to the surface water, groundwater and geology (in terms of quantity, quality and morphology).
Low Impact but of insufficient magnitude to affect feature or use.
No perceptible changes to the surface water, groundwater and geology (in terms of quantity, quality and morphology).
486 The combination of the sensitivity and magnitude of potential effect combine to provide a matrix categorisation of significance (major, moderate, minor and negligible). These are presented in Table 10.
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Table 15: Significance Matrix.
Magnitude of Sensitivity Potential Effect Very High High Medium Low
Very High Major Major Major Moderate
High Major Major Moderate Minor
Medium Moderate Moderate Minor Minor
Low Minor / Moderate Minor Minor Negligible
487 To assess the likely impacts of the proposed development it is considered that best practice techniques are standard. The levels of significance determined assume these practices will be implemented and that only those that result in a Major or Moderate significance are considered to require additional management or mitigation. These standards are in accordance with EIA regulations; however, it should be recognised that the tables are a guide and that professional judgement must also be used in the assessment.
9.2.3 Legislation, Guidelines and Policy 488 In regard to hydrology, management of water-borne pollution and protection of natural heritage areas, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have statutory obligations in terms of the management and control of pollution into water resources in Scotland. Where careful design has avoided sensitive receptors, it would be reasonable to assume that the adoption of the SEPA’s Best Practice Guidelines will, in general, prevent pollution to acceptable standards and make the majority of any ‘significant’ effects unlikely. Specific mitigation measures may be required in certain areas or at certain times of the site development.
489 There is a range of environmental legislation that any development must adhere to throughout the development life cycle. Key legislative drivers relating to the water environment which have been considered within this assessment are listed below: • Control of Pollution Act 1974; • Environmental Protection Act 1990; • Environment Act 1995; • Groundwater Regulations 1998 • Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) 2000; • Groundwater Directive 80/68/EEC;
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• Groundwater Daughter Directive 2006/118/EC; • Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act (WEWS Act) 2003; • Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (as amended in 2018 (CAR); • The Environmental Liability (Scotland) Regulations 2009; • The Water Intended for Human Consumption (Private Supplies) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (amends and revokes the The Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006); • The Public Water Supplies (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2017 (amends the Public Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2014; • Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997; • The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009; • The Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011, and • The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017. 490 The Water Framework Directive (WFD) has been implemented in Scotland through the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 (WEWs Act) and the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (as amended in 2018) (CAR). The primary objective of the Directive is for all surface and coastal water bodies to achieve good chemical and ecological status, and groundwater bodies to achieve good quantitative and chemical status, by 2015 or 2021. This requires assessment of a much wider set of water quality parameters than have previously been used. SEPA have published River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) which detail the current and target status of water bodies, and the means of achieving these targets (as last assessed in 2008 and 2014).
9.2.4 Guidelines 491 A review plan for the PPGs is currently underway by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), replacing them with a replacement guidance series: Guidance for Pollution Prevention (GPPs). GPPs provide environmental good practice guidance for the whole UK, and environmental regulatory guidance directly to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales only.
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492 The Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPGs) and Guidance for Pollution Prevention (GPPs), include the documents referred to below, which are the principal documents used for guidance on preventing contamination of surface water from construction activities. Those relevant to this wind development include: • PPG1: General guide to the prevention of pollution (EA, SEPA & EHSNI, 2013); • GPP2: Above ground oil storage tanks (EA, SEPA & EHSNI, January 2018); • GPP4: Treatment and disposal of sewage where no foul sewer is available (EA, SEPA & EHSNI, November 2017); • GPP5: Works and maintenance in or near water (EA, SEPA & EHSNI, January 2017); • PPG6: Working at construction and demolition sites (EA, SEPA & EHSNI, 2012); • GPP8: Safe storage and disposal of used oils (EA, SEPA & EHSNI, July 2017); • GPP21: Pollution incidence response planning (EA, SEPA & EHSNI, 2017); and • PPG26: Storage and handling of drums and intermediate bulk containers (EA, SEPA & EHSNI, 2006).
SEPA Guidelines
• Managing River Habitats for Fisheries, 2002. • Indicative River & Coastal Flood Map (Scotland) January 2014, updated April 2018. • Regulatory Position Statement: Waste Water Drainage, 2008. • Regulatory Position Statement – Developments on peat, 2010 • Temporary Construction Methods, WAT-SG-29, 2009 • Flood Risk and Planning Briefing Note, 2014. • The role of SEPA in natural flood risk management, 2009. • Technical flood risk guidance for stakeholders, version 10 July 2018. • Environmental Standards for River Morphology, WAT-SG-21, July 2012. • Land Use Planning System Guidance Note 4 (LUPS GU4) - Planning guidance on on-shore windfarm developments, SEPA, September 2017. • Land Use Planning System Guidance Note 31 (LUPS-GU31), SEPA 2014 - Guidance on Assessing the Impacts of Development Proposals on Groundwater Abstractions and Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems. • The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 as amended in 2018 - A practical guide. • River Crossings, Engineering in the water environment: good practice guide, 2010.
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• Methodology for the Water Framework Directive, Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research, Project WFD 28 Final Report 2004. • The River Basin Planning Strategy for the Scotland River Basin District.
Other Relevant Planning Policy and Guidance
• Control of water pollution from constructions sites. Guidance for consultants and contractors C532 (CIRIA, 2001); • Environmental good practice on site C650 (CIRIA, 2005); • Control of water pollution from linear construction projects: technical guidance C648 (CIRIA, 2006); • SUDS Manual C697 (CIRIA, 697); • Groundwater Control – design and practice C515 (CIRIA 2001); • Good practice during windfarm construction (Scottish Renewables, SNH, SEPA & Forestry Commission Scotland, 4th Edition 2019); Planning Advice Note 61: Planning and SUDS, 2001; • Planning Advice Note 79: Water and Drainage, 2006; • Scottish Planning Policy 2010; • Draft Code of Practice for the sustainable use of soils on construction sites, DEFRA; • Good practice guide for handling soil, DEFRA (MAFF 2000); • UK (UKCP09) climate projections, DEFRA (2009); • Guidance on Road Construction and Maintenance (Forests and Water Guidelines Fifth Edition 2011, Forestry Commission); • A Handbook of Environmental Impact Assessment, SNH, 5th Edition, 2018; • Design Guidance on River Crossings and Migratory Fish, Scottish Executive, 2000; • Peatland Survey. Guidance on Developments on Peatland. Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, SEPA 2017; • Peat Landslide Hazard and Risk Assessments: Best Practice Guide for Proposed Electricity Generation Developments, Scottish Executive, Second Edition, 2017; • Private Water Supplies: Technical Manual, Scottish Executive, 2006; • Special Requirements for Civil Engineering Contracts for the Prevention of Pollution, Version 2, SEPA, 2006; • UK Technical Advisory Group on the WFD, UK Environmental Standards and Conditions (Phase 2), Final, March 2008; and • SNH Carbon and Peatland Map (2016).
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9.2.5 Consultation 493 Screening requests were submitted by Clean Earth Energy to South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) and SEPA on 6th June 2019 and 5th September 2019 and a screening response was received on 28th October, regarding the West Dykes Wind Turbine.
494 The application was determined to be a non-EIA, small scale development wind development, and as such no comments were received from SEPA.
9.3 Site Background and Existing Environment
9.3.1 Existing Environment 495 The following section describes the baseline hydrological, hydrogeological and geological conditions contained within and surrounding the project site. This includes the physical characteristics as well as designated water bodies, water dependent habitats, their quality and their use.
496 The hydrological context of the site is shown in the Hydrological Setting section.
9.3.2 Topography and Land use 497 A review of Ordnance Survey mapping and aerial imagery (Google 2019) shows the development area is located on the north western slope of Hawkwood Hill (Figure 1). The site is accessed from the B743 public road at approximately 230m AOD and rises to the southeast to 330m AOD. The southeastern section of the site is generally steep sloped, and the north western section is less steep and more gently sloped.
498 The current land use is pasture farming fields, rough grazing and potential hay fields.
499 The aerial imagery shows a recent, existing gravel track with drainage and catch pits from roughly where the turbine is proposed (NGR 267861, 638519) to approximately half way to the B743 public road to the northwest from the turbine. This section of existing track shows two existing watercourse crossings at NGR NS 67655 38860 and NGR NS 67415 38790. Permission for this track was granted in the original application and the new application intends to use this permitted track.
500 Further existing track on the site is shown on aerial imagery parallel to the B743 public road. At the north eastern end of this track within the north eastern corner of the site
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there is a substation that was consented in the original application and will be used for the new application.
9.3.3 Meteorological Summary 501 There are no known rainfall gauges or meteorological stations within the site or within close vicinity of the site. The nearest known stations are: • SEPA average annual rainfall Strathaven, Avonbank Station (2009 to 2019) approximately 6.5km northeast of the site 1,247mm (https://apps.sepa.org.uk/rainfall//data/index/322556 accessed November 2019). • SEPA average annual rainfall Dungavel, Sauhall Station (2009 to 2019) approximately 7km southwest of the site 1,415mm (https://apps.sepa.org.uk/rainfall//data/index/115645 accessed November 2019). • Strathhaven average annual rainfall (Climate-data.org) 1,222mm (https://en.climate-data.org/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/strathaven-21314/ accessed November 2019).
502 Typical annual average rainfall for the site is considered to be between 1,200mm and 1,400mm, which is considered to be average for Scottish average rainfall which ranges between 600mm and >3000mm (https://metofficenews.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/uk-rainfall-average-maps- 1981-2010.gif accessed November 2019).
9.3.4 Soils 503 The distribution of soils over the site is generally controlled by the underlying geology, the topography and the drainage regime. A review of the Scottish Soils mapping (http://map.environment.gov.scot/Soil_maps/?layer=1 accessed November 2019) shows the majority of the site to be underlain by Kilmarnock Brownrigg brown soils in the southeastern section comprising water-modified till derived from sediments of Carboniferous age and igneous rocks. In the southeast of the site Ettrick Hardlee Peaty Gleys are shown, comprised of Clayey till and drifts derived from greywackes and shales of Silurian and Ordovician ages.
504 The SNH Carbon and Peatland Map 2016 shows a similar soil distribution to that of the soil maps. The majority of the site in the northwest is underlain by mineral soils, a central to south eastern section is underlain by Class 2 comprising predominantly mineral soil with some peat soil or heath with some peatland and the south western
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section is underlain by Class 3 comprising predominantly peaty soil with some peat soil or peatland with some heath.
9.3.5 Geology 505 Digital solid and drift geological maps were sourced from the British Geological Survey Digimap (1:50,000 scale) website and reviewed to provide geological information on the proposed development site. The geology was further reviewed using the British Geological Survey Bedrock and Superficial Deposits 1:50,000 scale map for Sheet 23 Hamilton (1995).
Drift Geology
506 The BGS drift geology shows the majority of the site to be underlain by glacial till comprising a diamiction or mixture of clay, sand and gravel from Quaternary glaciation.
507 There are two bands of alluvium, comprising clay, silt, sand and gravel, across the site roughly orientated southwest to northeast; one in the south western section of the site which appears to be associated with a drainage line flowing to the northeast along the top contour line; and a larger area in the north western section of the site. Alluvial deposits reflect flood plains, channels or levees of a river or estuary.
508 A band of glaciofluvial deposits, comprising Quaternary age sand, gravels and silts, is shown to the north of the north western alluvium band.
Solid Geology
509 The BGS map shows that the underlying solid geology is dominated by the: • Waterhead Group (cf Glenbuck Group) in the south eastern section of the site, comprising conglomerate, sandstone and siltstone formed in a swampy environment in the Silurian period. • Swanshaw Sandstone Formation in the central section of the site, comprising of sedimentary sandstone formed by river environments during the Devonian/Silurian period. • Clyde Plateau Volcanic Formation in the north western section of the site comprising igneous basalt and hawaiite formed in the Carboniferous period by eruptions of silica poor magma. 510 There are no known borehole records available online within the site.
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9.3.6 Hydrogeology Groundwater Quantity
511 The British geological Survey Hydrogeological map (http://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex/home.html?layer=BGSHydroMap accessed November 2019) shows the igneous bedrock underlying the north western section of the site to be a low productivity aquifer which has the potential for small amounts of groundwater in near surface weathered zone and secondary fractures and up to 2 l/s from rare springs. The Silurian bedrock in the southeast of the site is shown to be a low productivity aquifer, comprising highly indurated argillaceous rocks with limited groundwater in near surface weathered zone and secondary fractures.
Groundwater Quality
512 A search of the SEPA Water Environmental Hub (https://www.sepa.org.uk/data- visualisation/water-environment-hub/ accessed November 2019) and River Basement Management Plan (RBMP) GIS Database was undertaken to provide information on the groundwater body in the region of the site. The database indicates that the site is underlain by the Strathhaven groundwater body in the northwest and the North Glengavel groundwater body (ID 150575, 96km2 in area) in the southeast. To the south of the site is the Slouch Moss groundwater body. All three groundwater bodies are classified as “Good” quality by SEPA.
Vulnerability to Pollution
513 The Strathaven, North Glengavel and Slouch Moss bedrock and localised sand and gravel groundwater body which underlies the site are classified as a drinking water protection zone. It should be noted that all groundwater in Scotland is classified as drinking water protection zone.
9.3.7 Hydrology 514 The entire site lies within the catchment of the Avon Water which discharges to the River Clyde approximately 22km to the northeast of the site.
515 The site can be divided into two sub-catchments: 1. The south eastern section of the site is within the catchment of several linear drains that flow to the northwest and then to northeast along the topographical contour lines to join the Lochar Water approximately 2.2km to the northeast of the site. The Lochar Water flows to the northwest to join the Avon water at East Linbank.
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2. The north western section of the site drains via two drains which flow to the northwest to join an un-named watercourse which joins the Avon Water approximately 1.5km northwest of the site.
Water Features
516 The 1:50,000 scale OS mapping shows two watercourses on site, both flowing to the northeast roughly parallel with the Hawkwood Hill topographical contour lines. The 1:25,000 scale OS mapping shows six watercourses or drains within the site boundary: Three flow to the northwest and three flowing to the northeast.
517 Drains on the site appear to be straightened and altered to capture the surface water runoff. In the steeper south eastern section of the site the deep, linear drains capture the surface water runoff flow and divert it to into the deeper drains that flow northeast along roughly parallel topographical contour lines which takes flow toward the Lochar Water.
518 One of the drains flows to the northwest, roughly parallel with the site/field boundary and parallel with the existing track section. The distance between the existing track section and the drain is approximately 2m to 15m.
519 Another drain flowing to the northeast is roughly parallel with the B743 public road and the existing section of access that is parallel to the road.
520 The existing access track crosses these two linear drains flowing to the northeast at NGR NS 67655 38860 and NGR NS 67415 38790, both of which are culverted.
521 There may also be several ephemeral drainage lines flowing to the northwest or down slope that are not clearly visible on aerial imagery or OS mapping.
522 Based on the hydrogeological regime of the site being underlain by a low productivity bedrock aquifer and the very fast runoff rate due to the steep slopes and several drains, it is unlikely that there are going to be any significant groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems as any bedrock groundwater present is likely to be shallow, limited to the weathered zone or fractures and have short residence times.
523 Perched, shallow groundwater may be present within the bands of alluvial deposits on the site.
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524 The ecological NVC report (Chapter 6: Ecology) describes the ecological conditions of the site in further detail.
River Flows
525 There are no flow records for the watercourses on the site as all the catchments on the site are less than 10km2 in area. The watercourses, including the Avon Water, in close proximity to the site do not have any available flow archives listed on SEPA’s Water Level website or the Centre of Ecology and Hydrology National River Flow Archive (NRFA) website (https://nrfa.ceh.ac.uk/data/search accessed November 2019).
526 The closest flow monitoring station is gauged NRFA daily flow monitoring station 84014 Avon Water at Fairholm approximately 17km to the northeast of the site.
527 The size, topography, land use and geology of the area suggest that the catchments on site will be flashy. This means that flow in them will respond rapidly to rainfall and flood conditions could potentially occur with very little, or no, warning. Base flows in the watercourses may dry up however the peatlands upgradient will sustain them with some steady seepage from the low permeability deposits and there may be some potential for shallow localised groundwater influence to the base flow in the drains where there is a band of alluvium deposits.
Flooding
528 A review of the SEPA Flood Risk Management Mapping (http://map.sepa.org.uk/floodmap/map.htm accessed November 2019) indicates that the majority of the site is not located within or in close proximity to a known flood risk area. Two localised areas of medium surface water flooding are shown on site along the two drains flowing to the northeast.
529 SEPA mapping does not include any mapping of catchments of less than 3km2 and as such there may be potential for some minor localised flooding to occur around these small watercourses, particularly in areas where there are confluences with other drainage.
530 Any upgrade of the existing crossings will be in accordance with SEPA guidance and allow the conveyance of a 0.5% AP (200 year) flow event.
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531 Downstream of the site the Lochan Water and River Avon have substantial medium to high risk fluvial flood risk areas. The River Avon flood plain is particularly wide and there are properties (receptors) that have been identified as being at risk of flooding based on SEPA’s mapping.
532 The development is unlikely to materially increase the probability of flooding elsewhere or significantly increase surface runoff rates. The proportion of land take for each sub-catchment is less than 1 percent of each catchment area: River Avon catchment area is 1,704km2, and the development footprint is approx. 1.67km2 and therefore the percentage of the catchment taken by the development footprint is 0.0009%. Additionally, a proportion of the land taken already exists for the access track and the majority of the land take will be semi-permeable hard standing for a crane pad.
533 Flood risk sensitivity is considered low as the development infrastructure will not be positioned within or near a SEPA flood plain. The development design has minimised the amount of land take and hard surfacing. Watercourse crossings will be designed to allow the conveyance of a 0.5% AP (200 year) flow event. Additionally, mitigation will put in place to control and attenuate runoff during all phases of the development.
Water Quality
534 SEPA has introduced water monitoring and classification systems that will provide the data to support the aim of the WFD (2000/60/EC): “that all water bodies are of good ecological status, or similar objective, by 2015”.
535 The classification system covers all rivers, lochs, transitional, coastal and groundwater bodies, and is based on an ecological classification system with five quality classes (High, Good, Moderate, Poor and Bad). The classification system has been devised following EU and UK guidance and is underpinned by a range of biological quality elements, supported by measurements of chemistry, hydrology (changes to levels and flows) and morphology (changes to the shape and function of water bodies). Small water bodies (rivers with <10km² catchment, lochs <0.5km²) are not classified under the WFD and, therefore, do not have target objectives under the River Basin Management Plan. SEPA’s interactive River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) Interactive Map was consulted to identify the status of the waters within and adjacent to the study area.
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536 SEPA has classified the Avon Water/Glen Garvel Water (to Calder Water confluence) (ID 10408, 14.8km in length) in the River Clyde Catchment of the Scotland River basin catchment as having an overall classification of “poor”. This is due to the waterbody being heavily modified based on physical alterations (barriers for migrating fish) that cannot be addressed without significant impact on water storage for public drinking water. These are forecast to be addressed with the aim of achieving good classification by 2027
537 The Lochar Water (ID 10411) as classification “good” water quality status high confidence for most determinands in 2008. No pressures have been identified for this waterbody by SEPA.
9.3.8 Private and Public Water Supplies and Abstractions Public Water Supply
538 The northwestern section of the site, being within the catchment of the Avon Water, is shown to be a Scottish Government Drinking water protected area for surface water (Scotland river basin district: Map1 https://www.gov.scot/publications/drinking- water-protected-areas-scotland-river-basin-district-maps/ accessed November 2019).
539 To the south of the site the upper reaches of the Avon Water/Glengavel Water from the ridgelines Auchengiloch/Biblon Hill/Two Penny Knowe to the confluence with the Calder Water are shown to be a surface water drinking protected area. The upper reaches of the Kype Water between Auchengiloch and the confluence to the Avon Water to the southeast and east of the site are shown to be a surface water drinking water protected area.
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Figure 4: Drinking Water Protected Area.
Private Water Supplies
540 There are no known private water abstraction sources or infrastructure within the site.
541 A review of OS mapping in the area identified a number of named properties and other structures that were potential properties located downgradient of the site. The nearest properties that may be reliant on private water supplies potentially hydraulically connected to the site include: High Dykes, West Dykes Farm, Dykehead, Hawkwood, Hawkwood Cottage, Gainer Cottages, Gainer Hill and Westwyns. Further properties that may be reliant on water supplies from the Lochan Water downstream include: Redding Farm, properties on Redding Road, West Cauldcoats, Lochar Mill, Linbank and Lochar Smithy.
542 Other properties within close proximity of the site are unlikely to be hydraulically connected to the development area based on the underlying geological regime, the topography and that there are watercourse interceptors between the development and those properties.
543 There is a medium to low risk that private water supply abstractions may be hydraulically connected to the development are. It is recommended that further investigation to establish private water supply locations and types are undertaken by contacting the local Environmental Health Office (EHO) for any known records and issuing private water supply questionnaires to the property residents.
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9.3.9 Designated Sites 544 There are no international or national designations located within the development area or within 2km of the wind turbine infrastructure.
545 There are two designated sites within the 5km of the Development Area (Magic https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx accessed November 2019) which are listed below: • Muirkirk Uplands SSSI and Muirkirk and North Lowther Upland SPA located over 3.8km to the southeast and not hydraulically connected.
546 All the designated sites identified are considered not to be hydrologically connected to the proposed Development Area and therefore require no further consideration for this assessment.
9.3.10 Ground Water Dependent Ecosystems/Species (GWDTE) 547 A review of the (NBN) Atlas (https://registry.nbnatlas.org/ accessed November 2019) did not identify any records within the site or the near vicinity of the site.
548 A review of the Upper Avon Angling Association (UAAA https://www.theunfamousfly.co.uk/upper-river-avon-south-lanarkshire/ accessed November 2019) indicates there are brown trout and graylings present in the Avon Water and River Clyde. Some of these species can be present in the upper reaches or smaller burns of the Avon Water.
549 The vast majority of the habitats recorded will not be affected by the development. The indirect effects on the habitat are considered to be of negligible magnitude and of negligible significance.
550 Out of the list of GWDTEs the only one present on site to any extent is M23 Juncus effusus/acutiflorusGalium palustre rush-pasture. The community is present mainly as linear strips along the margins of the various ditches and small watercourses that cross the site.
551 NVC M23 rush-pasture can be highly dependent on groundwater sources but at these locations the community is associated with near surface flows into the watercourses rather than groundwater. Nevertheless there could be an indirect impact as a result of
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overflows flows from the adjacent track. That can be reduced to be of negligible significance by correct management of track drainage.
552 Use of best practice construction and design of drainage measures will be required if the chosen route for the new section of access track crosses the large rush based areas in the lower part of the site. These are very water-logged.
9.3.11 General Site Conceptualisation 553 The site is characterised by low permeability superficial deposits (mostly glacial till) where present over a low permeability bedrock. The low permeability of both the superficial deposits and the low permeability of the bedrock will allow limited infiltration of rainfall mostly within fractures of the weather zones and therefore runoff rates will be high for this relatively steep site.
554 The localised patches of superficial alluvium geology associated with drainage areas has the potential to act as perched or localised shallow groundwater aquifer.
9.4 Summary of Impacts
9.4.1 Site Sensitivities 555 The assessment of significance of effects is based on the magnitude and sensitivity criteria described above. Sensitive receptors identified for the site are:
• Surface watercourses and waterbodies, including:
o The Lochar Water, and
o The Avon Water.
• North western section of the site with a surface water drinking water protected area;
• Potential private water supplies;
• Water dependent habitats;
• Potential Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems; and,
• Potential peatland habitats.
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556 Based on the assessment criteria defined in Table 8, a summary of the site sensitivities is presented in Table 11.
Table 16: Hyrdrologically Sensitive Receptors.
Hydrologically Sensitive Receptors Sensitivity Rationale/Designations
Terrestrial Mire, peat, High UK BAP, Habitat Regs, Section 42
groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems
Blanket Bog High Annex I Habitats under EU habitats directive
Upland Heathland
Shallow Peat (>0.5m Medium Guidance on Developments on Peatland - Site
to 1.0m) and or Surveys modified peat
Deep (>1.0m), High Guidance on Developments on Peatland - Site Unmodified Peat Surveys
Groundwater Shallow Medium Maintains water dependent habitats and peat Groundwater saturation
Deep Groundwater Low Limited resource and no identified dependent users
Surface Tributaries of River Low to Low to no value for fish on site due to being Watercourses Avon medium minor , modified, drains and waterbodies Lochar Water Medium to Low value for fish on site, potential value High downstream in the Lochar Water for brown Trout and Grayling.
Avon Water Medium to Upper Avon water is a surface water drinking High water protection area.
Potential value downstream in the Avon Water for brown Trout and grayling.
9.4.2 Hydrological and Peat Constraints 557 From the design phase, wherever possible, all wind turbine infrastructure has been sited with an objective to maintain at least a 50m ‘buffer zone’ between turbine
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locations and natural main watercourses and to avoid deep active peatland where possible taking into account other constraints.
558 During the detailed design and construction phase, sections of track will be surveyed and micro-sited to optimise the distance from water features and minimise peat disturbance.
Potential Effects
559 This section describes the potential effects of the proposal based upon an assessment of the activities which will occur during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the wind turbine development, in relation to the sensitive areas of the site, prior to mitigation and management, and assuming that best practise methods are employed. The purpose of this assessment is to identify key areas of concern where specific mitigation and management measures are required.
560 Possible hydrological, hydrogeological and geological effects resulting from the construction, operation and decommissioning of wind developments are related to five main factors:
➢ Erosion and Sediment Transport – Unmanaged erosion/sediment deposition and suspended solids generated from ground disturbance and new infrastructure could travel directly by surface run-off or cause modification to stream channel morphology, with resulting smothering of habitats/effect on both terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna, especially fish. Unacceptable levels of sediment could also affect water abstracted for drinking supply. This could result from: • slides of incorrectly stored excavated materials; • Direct disturbance of the banks and bed of watercourses during watercourse crossing construction, repair and/or upgrade works or during cable installation within the watercourse bed; • Pumping of standing water required for dewatering of excavations such as turbine base or as required for drainage management purposes; • Runoff from exposed ground, excavations and material stockpiles (aggregate and excavated/overburden peat and soil), cable trenches and tracks; • Runoff from tracks, bridges and culverts crossings at watercourse and drain crossings; • Runoff from recently reinstated areas (road verges etc); and,
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• Movement of stockpiled material.
➢ Potential Polluting events affecting Groundwater and Surface Water Quality – Oil/Fuel/Chemical pollution (from for instance, accidental spillage or incorrect transport or storage during concrete preparation and refuelling procedures, or from leaching of concrete from the turbine base and installations) could affect both terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna and also on human activities such as water abstracted for drinking supply. These could include: • Cement wash out areas, storage areas and other areas where cement grout or concrete is being applied; • Plant washing and vehicle wheel wash areas; • Fuel and chemical storage/refuelling areas; • Leaking/vandalised plant and equipment; and • Sewage and waste water from construction compound.
➢ Alteration of Natural Drainage Patterns/Runoff Volumes and Rates – Any alteration of natural drainage could disturb natural surface and subsurface water flows to either water dependent habitats or to water supply abstraction points, unless properly managed. Tracks and other hardstand areas could provide new preferential pathways and interfere with the retention of flows within catchments. Inappropriate water crossings could result in blockages and flooding, with the potential to exacerbate erosion. Storage of peat or other excavated material in inappropriate locations could result in an alteration to water flows and in an increase in peat slide risk in hazard prone areas;
➢ Increase in the Magnitude or Frequency of Flood Events – the alteration of areas on floodplains may result in flood waters extending further or deeper elsewhere and/or increase the frequency of such events. This could result in risk to human life/health, damage to infrastructure, devaluing of land and change to ecological systems; and,
➢ Alteration of the geological environment – The excavation of the subsoil required to build the site infrastructure such as turbine bases and access roads and will result in an alteration of the geological environment; in particular any underlying peaty soils may be removed and will need to be managed appropriately.
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561 The potential effects of wind farm developments are summarised below in Table 6. It is noted that the effects listed in Table 6 are only potential and their inclusion does not necessarily indicate that they will occur.
562 Specific advice on the potential effects at the site as received from consultees is presented in Table 12.
Table 17: Summary of Potential Effects on Hydrology/Hydrogeology and Peatlands Arising from Wind Farm Developments
Potential Activities and Potential Effects Receptors Construction Phase Operation Phase Decommissioning Phase
Surface water Works next to or near Use of vehicles and Use of vehicles and hydrology and watercourses machinery machinery to remove channel turbines and associated • change in flow velocities • increase in surface morphology runoff from soil infrastructure • increased erosion and compaction temporary increase in subsequent changes in • surface runoff from soil bed and bank stability • run off from access compaction roads • increased flood risk
Use of vehicles and Site drainage machinery • rapid transfer of • increase in surface runoff rainwater to from soil compaction watercourses via drains
Earthworks
• increased sedimentation of watercourses
Surface water Earthworks Materials management Use of vehicles and quality machinery to remove • pollution from suspended • pollution from turbines and associated material maintenance work spills or leaks of fuel or oil infrastructure • disturbance of contamination from contaminated soil and • spills or leaks of fuel or subsequent pollution of oil water courses
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Potential Activities and Potential Effects Receptors Construction Phase Operation Phase Decommissioning Phase
Materials management Use of machinery
• pollution from spills or • sediment-loading of leaks of fuel, oil and watercourses
construction material
Groundwater Earthworks and site Physical presence of Physical presence of hydrology drainage turbine foundations turbine foundations
• reduction in water table • possible minimal • possible minimal alteration of alteration of • changes to groundwater groundwater flow groundwater flow distribution and flow
Groundwater Earthworks and site Materials management Use of vehicles and quality drainage machinery to remove • contamination from turbines and associated • disturbance of spills or leaks of fuel contaminated soil and and oil infrastructure
subsequent pollution of • contamination from watercourses and/or spills or leaks of fuel or
groundwater potentially oil
effecting dependent ecosystems
Materials management
• Pollution from spills or leaks of fuel, oil and construction material
Geological Earthworks and site Site drainage Site drainage Environment drainage • Continued dewatering • Continued dewatering of • reduction in water table of peat peat
resulting in the drying out of peat
• excavation and removal of peat
(Summarised from Environment Agency (2002) Scoping Guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Projects. Environment Agency (EA), Bristol)
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563 During the development and lifetime of the wind turbine there will be some activities which, if not properly managed, would have the potential to lead to significant effects on the surface and groundwater environment.
564 The main construction activities are described in Chapter 2: Proposed Development and the site layout is shown in Figure CE5439-LP-01.
9.4.3 Best Practice and Standard Mitigation Methods 565 Best practice methods in accordance with guidance presented in section 9.5 have been assumed when completing the risk assessment and are considered the standard that will be applied and are not considered as mitigation. Mitigation measures are over and above these standards and will be specific to the source-pathway-receptor identified at risk.
9.4.4 Assessment of Potential Effects 566 The following tables describe those elements of the proposal with the main potential for effects on hydrology, hydrogeology and geology, including hydrological/hydrogeological effects on peat. A magnitude of potential effect has been assigned to these based on their location and activity. This magnitude of potential effect takes into account that best practice and standard mitigation methods as described in this chapter.
9.4.5 Infrastructure 567 The relevant elements are: • One single wind turbine and associated crane hardstanding and laydown area; • Approx. 1.1km of Existing Track;
568 The area of this infrastructure is approx. 460m2 for the turbine foundation with an additional 1,210m2 crane hardstanding and laydown area. Therefore, the total infrastructure will require a total land take of approximately 1,670m2. As the substation has already been constructed as part of the original permission and the access track likewise, these have been excluded.
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Table 18: Inventory of Infrastructure and their Associated Magnitude of Potential Effect of Causing Sedimentation, Pollution, Alteration of Natural Water Flows and Disturbance of Soils.
Turbine Location Description Magnitude
Turbine and NGR NS 67861 Gradient: Steep. Low to medium for water drainage associated 38519 Water feature proximity: approx. 25m disturbance as turbine is likely to alter crane pad to the nearest watercourse shown on the natural drainage. Further 1:25,000 scale OS mapping. Potentially investigation to inform mitigation; on a diffuse drainage line. >50m from micro-siting or diversion of drainage watercourse shown on 1:50,000 scale around working area. mapping.
Peat depth: unknown. Likely to be not Low for water quality present to shallow. Low to Medium for peat disturbance. Private water supplies: unlikely
Other sensitivities: Low for groundwater disturbance Watercourses in catchment drain to the Low for GWDTE Lochar Water which flows into the Avon Water and the River Clyde.
Rough pasture / moorland
GWDTE unlikely based on hydrogeological regime.
Existing NGR Gradient: Steep. NS 67328 38831 to Low to Medium for water drainage Track to Water feature proximity: approx. 2 to NS 67932 38484 disturbance as track is likely to alter turbine 25m to the nearest watercourse shown the natural drainage to some extent. on 1:25,000 scale OS mapping. >50m
from 1:50,000sclae watercourses Low to Medium for water quality except for two crossings.
Peat depth: not present as track Negligible for peat disturbance. existing Low for groundwater disturbance Private water supplies: unlikely
Other sensitivities: Low for GWDTE
Watercourses in catchment drain to the Lochar Water which flows into the Avon Water and the River Clyde.
Rough pasture / moorland
GWDTE unlikely based on hydrogeological regime.
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Turbine Location Description Magnitude
Existing NGR Gradient: Low. NS 67023 39188 to Low for water drainage disturbance as Track to Water feature proximity: approx. 25m NS 67133 39265 existing track may alter the natural substation to the nearest watercourse shown on Section parallel drainage to some extent. 1:25,000 scale OS mapping. Potentially with the road on a diffuse drainage line. Low for water quality Peat depth: not present as track existing. Negligible for peat disturbance.
Private water supplies: unlikely Low for groundwater disturbance Other sensitivities: Low for GWDTE Watercourses in catchment drain to the upper Avon Water, a public water supply surface water protected catchment and the River Clyde..
Rough pasture / moorland
GWDTE unlikely based on hydrogeological regime.
New Track NGR NS 67023 Gradient: Moderate. Low for water drainage disturbance as within 39188 to NS 67328 Water feature proximity: approx. 25m track is unlikely to alter the natural northern 38831 to the nearest watercourse shown on drainage significantly. section of 1:25,000 scale OS mapping. >50m from the site Entrance by road to 1:50,000 scale watercourses. Low for water quality existing track to Peat depth: unknown, likely to be not turbine present to shallow Low to Medium for peat disturbance.
Private water supplies: unlikely Low for groundwater disturbance Other sensitivities: Low for GWDTE Watercourses in catchment drain to the tributaries of the upper Avon Water, a public water supply surface water protected catchment and the River Clyde.
Rough pasture fields.
GWDTE unlikely based on hydrogeological regime.
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Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
Turbine Location Description Magnitude
Substation NGR NS 67133 Gradient: Moderate. Low for water drainage Low to medium 39265 Water feature proximity: approx. 25m for water drainage disturbance as track Adjacent to road to the nearest watercourse shown on is unlikely to alter the natural drainage 1:25,000 scale OS mapping. >50m from significantly. 1:50,000 scale watercourses.
Peat depth: unknown, likely to be not Low for water quality present to shallow Negligible for peat disturbance. Private water supplies: unlikely
Other sensitivities: Low for groundwater disturbance Watercourses in catchment drain to the Low for GWDTE tributaries of the upper Avon Water, a public water supply protected catchment and the River Clyde.
Rough pasture fields.
GWDTE unlikely based on hydrogeological regime.
9.4.6 Watercourse Crossings 558 The access track to the turbine requires two watercourse crossings at approximately NGR NS 67655 38860 and NS 67415 38790. These two watercourse crossings are existing as part of the existing access track on the site and it is assumed that no upgrading is required.
9.4.7 Assessment of Significance of Effect 559 The assessment of effect significance has been undertaken based on the assessment of baseline conditions across the site.
9.4.8 Construction Phase
Erosion / Sedimentation 560 One general potential effect of construction of site facilities, turbines and tracks, dewatering of turbine foundations and passive road drainage, is disturbance to soils and a consequent rise in the sediment loads observed in rivers and streams. Potential effects may occur from the following: • removal and stockpiling of material for the turbine foundation base and crane hardstanding, which could result in increased silt run-off;
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• dewatering of shallow groundwater and direct rainfall into excavations (potentially containing silt and other debris), which may result in transportation of fine sediments into watercourses. This would be compounded by increased movement over and around these disturbed environments; • further excavation of existing borrow pits has the potential to increase runoff as soils are removed and increase silt laden runoff; • extreme rainfall events which could result in the overflowing of existing on-site drainage and resulting erosion and sediment transport, as well as the potential failure of pollution prevention measures to operate under high runoff flow conditions; • vehicle movements around the site transporting silt off site; and • rock, topsoil, peat storage and reuse.
Effect Assessment
561 Following the methodology in Table 14, the significance of effect has been determined by considering the magnitude of predicted effect (determined in Table 10) and the sensitivity of the receptor (Table 9).
562 Infrastructure within the site has been located in so far as possible over 50m from main watercourses (shown on 1:50,000 scale OS mapping) with the exception of where tracks approach watercourse crossings.
563 The majority of the infrastructure areas have been assessed with a Low to Medium magnitude of causing erosion/sedimentation that may result in sediment discharging to watercourses and effecting the water quality of the Lochar Water or Avon Water catchment. Medium magnitude has been assigned where the conditions are steep and there are likely to be high runoff rates that will require careful management.
564 The sensitivity of the tributaries to the Lochar Water and the Avon Water are Low and the sensitivity of the Lochar Water is Medium and Avon Water is High due to the presence brown trout downstream of the site and potentially being connected to the high sensitivity public drinking water supply source catchment downstream of the on the northern section of the site. The magnitude of potential effects due to sedimentation of the nearby watercourses due to construction of access tracks using
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best practice techniques are Low to Medium for the majority of the site which equate to a Minor significance.
565 The sensitivity of peatland to disturbance is Negligible to Medium at the turbine location depending on the condition, activity and land use practices of the potential peatland. The majority of the site is Negligible to Minor significance for peat disturbance. Further investigation and micro-siting could further confirm the presence and distribution of peat and potentially reduce the magnitude of impacts on the peat at the turbine location. Specific peat surveys, peat excavation volumes or a peat slide risk assessment have not been undertaken at this stage.
566 A review of the existing design parameters for watercourse crossings will be undertaken in consultation with SEPA following detailed engineering assessment, and will be provided in either the Construction Method Statement (CMS), or any required application for CAR licencing. All watercourse crossings are existing and are at Low to Medium sensitivity locations, so the overall significance is at most Minor.
567 Trenches (~1m in depth) will be dug for the laying of electrical cables linking the turbine to the site substation. Where trenches are constructed on slopes the flow of water could lead to the erosion of soils. The removal of material and stockpiling could also lead to sedimentation of the local watercourses which have a Low to Medium sensitivity. However, standard cabling practice includes the rapid excavation and re- instatement of cables, thus there will be no exposed trench to allow for water flow causing erosion or sedimentation. Based on use of best practice cable installation, the magnitude of any potential effect of sediments due to erosion is assessed as a maximum of Low so the overall significance is at most Minor.
568 Water management will be by the use of diversion ditches around the structures to prevent water entry into open foundation bases. However, some dewatering is still likely to be required. Dewatering fluids will be directed into surface silt traps and discharged via settlement ponds and other sediment control structures onto surrounding vegetation to reduce the effect of dewatering and to avoid the sedimentation of Low to High sensitivity watercourses. The magnitude of any potential effect of disposal of dewatering fluids is assessed as Low, thus the overall significance is at most Minor.
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569 As vehicles on site may be travelling over newly constructed roads or areas of exposed sediment, they may transport mud and silt away from site and onto public roads, where it may be washed into Low to High sensitivity watercourses. However, experience has shown that the majority of such mud is shaken off the wheels before the vehicle reaches the public road, although if necessary, wheel washes should be used. The magnitude of any potential effect of vehicles transporting sediment is Negligible to Low, thus the overall significance will be at most Minor.
570 In summary, and based on the effect significance criteria developed in regard to hydrology for the potential effects on geology, surface water and groundwater, the likely effect from erosion and sedimentation, using best practice techniques, is mostly assessed as Minor. The infrastructure will result in an overall significance of Minor.
571 Further investigation into the potential peat depth and distribution would help to further inform micro-siting of the turbine to reduce the magnitude of the impact.
Pollution
572 Pollution of watercourses could potentially occur through the following pathways: • Oil and chemical spills from: o Oil leakages during vehicle movements or when on standby; o Refuelling areas such as the compound; and/or o Chemical/fuel storage areas. • Leakage of cement powder or liquid concrete during pouring. Concrete is a highly alkali (high pH) and changes in the pH balance could affect the water quality and the species that depend on baseline conditions. • Improper management of on-site waste. • Poor sanitary plumbing. • Poor water storage.
573 There will be no oil filled cables running across the site.
Effect Assessment
574 Even taking into account the application of best practice there is still a small risk of potential fuel spillage on site due to the number of vehicles and potential leaks or accidents. The magnitude of effect of a fuel/oil or chemical spillage and of contamination due to sanitary plumbing is Low. However, the sensitivity of on-site receptors is assessed as being Low to High at the Upper Avon Water. Therefore, the
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likely effect on surface water from pollution is mostly assessed as Minor and no additional mitigation above best practice methods are likely to be required.
Alteration to Natural Drainage Patterns/ Runoff Volumes and Rates
575 The development of tracks and cable trenches has the potential to alter natural drainage on the site by the development of preferential flow pathways. If constructed against the topographic gradient, roads could act as barriers to run-off resulting in the ponding of water. If constructed in line with the gradient, the development of preferential flow down the roadway could occur. 576 Groundwater levels in potential peat could potentially be reduced in the immediate vicinity of site infrastructure. With regard to turbine base and cable trench this water level reduction will be temporary during excavation and concrete pouring/ cable installation. With respect to excavated tracks the effects will be permanent as a seepage face will develop at the potential peat – track interface.
Effect Assessment
577 The effect of the access tracks will be no greater than normal forestry tracks and there will be no net effect on the total quantity of water flowing off the site. At the outset it is considered that the magnitude of potential effects predicted for interference to natural drainage patterns by tracks and cable trenching during construction is Low. The watercourses on site are Low to medium sensitivity therefore the overall significance would be at most Minor.
578 Based on the effect significance criteria developed in regard to hydrology for the potential effects on geology, surface water and groundwater, the likely effect from alteration of natural drainage patterns, runoff volumes and rates, prior to mitigation and management, is assessed as Minor.
Watercourse Crossings 579 Best practice with regard to avoiding or minimising stream crossings has been adopted through the re-use of locations already used as crossing points as discussed in Chapter 2: Proposed Development. As well as construction, these watercourse crossings may require ongoing maintenance to ensure they do not become blocked and prevent the passage of fish as well as posing a flood risk.
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580 In Scotland, works in, over or under a watercourse or works altering or repairing any structure in, over or under a watercourse must be authorised by SEPA through the Controlled Activities Regulations. SEPA will be notified of all of these works and the appropriate GBR, authorisations or licences will be applied for.
Effect Assessment
581 No new watercourse crossings are required as the development uses the existing track and the two existing track watercourse crossings of watercourses shown on the 1:50,000 scale OS mapping.
582 On the basis that the development uses the existing watercourse crossings and that they are suitably designed and installed, the significance of watercourse crossings is Low.
Increase in the Magnitude of Frequency of Flood Events 583 The track network and turbine layout has been designed to avoid, as far as is practicable, areas that have been identified as at risk of flooding. The flood hazard has been assessed to be Low.
Alteration of the Geological Environment 584 The construction of the proposed site will involve the excavation of soils, potential peat, drift deposits and bedrock in varying amounts. Of these, the potential peat is not designated unless it forms active heathland or blanket bog, Peat can also be protected due to its ability to store carbon.
Effect assessment
585 Generally, across the site peat is unlikely to be present. There is some potential for localised shallow peat. Where peat is not present, the significance is Negligible. Where the average peat depths over the individual infrastructure footprints are less than 1.0m depth or shallow, the significance is Minor. Further investigation, micro- siting and using floating hardstanding would further reduce the effects on the geological environment if peat is found to be present.
9.4.8.1 Summary of Significance of Effect during Construction Phase 586 Based on the effect significance criteria developed in regard to hydrology, hydrogeology and geology for the potential effects on surface water, groundwater and the geological environment, the likely effect from the various potential effects, using best practice techniques, is assessed as Low.
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9.4.9 Operational Phase 587 During the operation and maintenance of the proposal the water environment will be subject to less potential adverse effects than during the construction phase. Access tracks will be complete and no regular substantial works on the site will be expected during the life of the facility other than periodic monitoring and maintenance. The potential for any additional sedimentation is low, therefore the likely effect from erosion and sediment transport, prior to mitigation and management, is considered to be Low on all receptors, thus the overall significance is Low to Negligible.
588 A number of possible operational effects on the water environment have been identified including the potential for spillage of oil and fuels from vehicles used for accessing and traversing across the site. However, vehicle use will be minimal and the likely effects from pollution, on all receptors, prior to mitigation and management, are assessed to be Low. The overall significance is also Minor.
589 Although the substation and turbine base are permanent, they represent only a small change to the hydrological characteristics of the site. The total area of all combined will be small in relation to the overall catchment area. Therefore, the potential effects predicted for interference to natural drainage patterns by tracks and other infrastructure is considered to be Low on all receptors. The overall significance is also Minor.
590 There is potential for the water crossings of smaller streams to become blocked if not maintained. Due to the terrain and size of the crossings, this could result in minor flooding. All of these streams are classified as low to high sensitivity due to their receiving waters. The likely magnitude of potential effects on natural water flows due to unmaintained stream crossings in the operational phase, prior to mitigation and management, is assessed as Low at the site of the stream crossings and Negligible downstream, thus the overall significance is Minor.
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9.4.10 Decommissioning Phase 591 The potential effects that the decommissioning could have on water resources will be very similar, although of lesser magnitude, to those detailed above for the construction phase.
592 If new guidelines are published prior to decommissioning of the proposal then these will be incorporated into the decommissioning procedures.
9.4.11 Additional Mitigation and Residual Effects 593 From the assessment of potential effects, the potential effect significance of the development is Minor assuming no deep peat or private water supplies are present on the site.
594 Issues that will need particular attention for mitigation and management are: • Peat surveys to inform micro-siting and potential peat volume calculations if present; and • The identification of water supplies for the properties downgradient of the site;
595 In order to maintain the significance of effect of activities that have been assessed as Low the following additional mitigation and management are recommended: • Further investigation to inform micro-siting further away from watercourses or the redirection of drainage routes around the working areas; • Further investigation to inform micro-siting to avoid and reduce the volumes of excavated peat; • Further investigation to identify any private water supply sources in the vicinity of the site; • Regular maintenance of the existing access track near / parallel to the minor watercourse and the two watercourse crossings. • Appointing an Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) to visually monitor the Site as construction commences and to advise on any further micro-siting. The ECoW will have the power to halt all activities if a sensitive/protected habitats/species are identified or activities are identified that are having or have the potential to cause pollution to the water environment.
596 It is recognised that this assessment is based on a partially quantitative, partially qualitative assessment and detailed, quantitative investigations can be carried out
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prior to construction on any sensitive area to confirm the results presented in this report.
597 These mitigation measures and management plans would maintain the magnitude of effect of these activities to a Low level resulting in acceptable significance of effect levels of Minor.
9.4.12 Adjacent Infrastructure / Cumulative 598 No known existing, consented or scoped wind farms are within the immediate surrounding catchments.
599 The following wind farms are recorded within 3km of the site: • Harting Rig/Kype Muir Wind Farm Extension, 15 turbines, status: approved. Distance: 0m, site boundary adjoins West Dykes Wind Turbine eastern boundary. • Kype Muir wind Farm, 26 turbines, status: approved/active, Distance: 1.8km to northeast. • Dungavel hill Wind Farm, 13 turbines; status: approved/active, Distance: 0.56km south of the West Dykes turbine, mostly on the western slope of Side Hill and within a separate sub-catchment to the West Dykes Turbine, however both within the Upper Avon catchment.
600 The construction of the West Dykes wind turbine should be scheduled to avoid being constructed during any other known significant period of construction or earthworks within the Upper Avon catchment.
9.5 Conclusions
601 The assessment identified areas of activity, particularly during the construction operations, that have the potential to affect the hydrological, hydrogeological and geological resources of the site.
602 The magnitude and significance of potential effects was assessed, covering sedimentation/erosion, pollution and alteration to natural drainage patterns. This was completed as quantitatively as possible for individual infrastructure to allow each to be considered separately. Prior to specific additional mitigation, over and above best practice techniques, there is the potential for effects of Minor significance to occur in regard to peat hydrology, peat resource and potential GWDTE. To further reduce
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these effects a number of additional surveys, mitigation measures and management plans are recommended.
603 If consent is granted, and following more detailed site investigations, Construction Method Statements and Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be prepared and submitted and agreed to in writing by the relevant authorities prior to commencement of construction.
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10. Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) and Aviation
10.1 Introduction
604 Scottish Planning Policy (2014) states that proposals for energy infrastructure developments should always take into consideration impacts on aviation and defence interests, and impacts on telecommunications and broadcasting installations, particularly ensuring that transmission links are not compromised.
605 Scottish Government’s planning advice relating to onshore wind turbines (2014) states: ‘Wind turbines produce electromagnetic radiation which can interfere with broadcast communications and signals. Applicants should make direct contact with any authorities or bodies likely to have an interest - in particular, the local emergency services, local authority services departments, gas and electricity companies.’
10.2 Consultation responses
606 The following telecommunications and aviation organisations listed in Table 18 below have been consulted:
Table 19: Responses from telecommunications and aviation organisations that have been consulted
Date of Date of Consultee Consultation Consultation Consultation Response Initiated Received Ofcom 04.10.2019 30.10.2019 No objection
Atkins Global 04.10.2019 Re sent on Re sent on 20.11.2019 20.11.2019 Joint Radio Company 04.10.2019 07.10.2019 No objection (JRC) Ministry of Defence 04.10.2019 No response No response yet (MOD) yet
10.3 Summary
607 Due to the positive consultation responses received thus far, CE are confident that the proposed turbine is unlikely to adversely impact telecommunication links or aviation
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interests. The turbine can be fitted with MoD-accredited visible or infrared aviation safety lighting should this be deemed necessary, so as to mitigate any low-flying concerns.
608 Details of the correspondence to date can be found in Appendix I.
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11. Shadow Flicker
11.1 Introduction
609 CleanEarth is seeking planning permission from South Lanarkshire Council for the approval of a single wind turbine, up to 150m tip height, on land at West Dykes, Strathaven, ML10 6RF. This location is approximately 2.3km northeast of Dungavel and 5.8km south of Strathaven at its nearest point.
610 Under certain combinations of geographical position and time of day, the sun may pass behind the rotor of the proposed wind turbine and cast a shadow over neighbouring properties. When the blades rotate, the shadow flicks on and off; the effect is known as 'shadow flicker'. The effect is only recognised inside buildings where the flicker appears through a narrow window or opening. For this reason, only impacts on local inhabited buildings are considered.
611 Resoft Windfarm software was utilised for this analysis.
612 The full report can be found in Appendix J.
11.2 Methodology
613 The seasonal duration of shadow flicker can be calculated from the geometry of the turbine and the latitude and topography of the potential site (Planning Policy Guidance Note, PPS 22, Department of the Environment, 2004).
614 Assessment of potential shadow flicker from the turbine has been undertaken using Resoft WindFarm®, an industry standard software package widely used for design and assessment of wind farms. Note that the software does not take into account any screening between the houses and turbine and assumes perfect weather conditions when any possible shadow flicker effects will be at their worst. In reality, the sunshine hours in Lanark, South Lanarkshire in 2019 ranged from an average of 77 hours in December to an average of 190 hours in May.3 Furthermore, Resoft WindFarm does not take into account daylight savings time, so this should be applied to any listing data within this report.
3 World Weather Online (2019). https://www.worldweatheronline.com/lanark-weather-averages/south-lanarkshire/gb.aspx
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615 Shadow strength decreases with distance from the source and it is generally accepted that shadow flicker becomes insignificant at distances greater than 10 times the turbine rotor diameter (10D). For the purpose of this report a candidate turbine which has a rotor diameter of 115m has been used. The shadow flicker effects beyond this distance can be considered insignificant. In total, 1 property (High Dykes) was identified within the study area.
616 Ordnance Survey 1:10k scale mapping was used to identify buildings in the search area. The theoretical extent of shadow flicker from the proposed wind turbine was then calculated at all properties within 1150m.
617 The location of the turbine used for the analysis is given in Table 20 below.
Table 20: Turbine Location.
Table 1: Turbine location
Turbine Easting Northing
1 267861 638519
618 As standard industry practice dictates, it has been assumed that each house within the study area has a window of 1m x 1m, located at the nearest point of the house to the turbine and positioned at a height-to-centre of 2m above ground level directly facing each of the proposed wind turbine. The site has not been surveyed for the purposes of this assessment. Ordnance Survey and Google Earth software have been used to identify residential addresses and the location of the properties. This will have the effect of creating a worst-case scenario.
11.3 Summary
11.3.1 Predicted Impacts
619 The summarised results of the modelling are presented in Table 21 below.
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Table 21: Summary of Shadow Times on Each Window for Proposed Turbine.
Degrees Days Max Mean House/ from per Hours Hours Total window Easting Northing North Year per day per day Hours 1/ 1 266921 638655 98.0 39 0.50 0.39 15.1
620 The modelling shows that Property 1 (High Dykes) is not in excess of the limits presented and thus, will not result in significant shadow flicker. Furthermore, real shadow flicker exposure would likely be significantly lower due to a number of mitigating factors outlined below. Furthermore, the house is screened by agricultural barns and vegetation to the southeast, in the direction of the proposed turbine, resulting in any potential shadow flicker being limited. Additionally, it does not appear that the property has any windows directly facing the proposed development that would experience un-interrupted views of the turbine.
621 No property would encounter over 30 hours of shadow flicker per annum. Outside the highlighted test area, as per widely used guidance, any shadow flicker will be sufficiently diminished so that no significant impacts will occur.
622 This is the maximum amounts of shadow flicker potentially experienced by the assessed properties. However, the instances of shadow flicker will always be less than that predicted by the model as it is based on a worst-case scenario. The occurrence of shadow flicker is only possible during the operation of the wind turbine (i.e. when the rotor blades are turning) and when the sky is clear enough to cast shadows. It is therefore important to consider the following facts when making an assessment:
• Climatic conditions dictate that the sun is not always shining. Cloud cover / mist and fog at all other times obscure the sun and prevent shadow flicker occurrences. It is considered that weather conditions could reduce actual occurrence of shadow flicker by at least half, compared to calculated levels.
• Objects such as trees or walls may surround windows and obscure the view of the turbine and hence prevent shadow flicker.
• During operation, the turbine rotors automatically orientate themselves to face the prevailing wind direction. This means the turbine rotors will not always be facing the affected window. Very little of the blade movement would be visible
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during such occurrences and therefore the potential for shadow flicker is reduced.
• The turbine will not operate for 100% of daylight hours. During periods of very low wind speed, very high wind speed or maintenance related shut-downs, the rotors do not turn. During such periods shadow flicker is not possible.
11.4 Conclusions
623 Shadow flicker modelling of the houses within 1150m of the wind turbine has shown that only 1 property may experience some shadow flicker. This property, High Dykes, is not in excess of the limits presented and thus, will not result in significant shadow flicker. Furthermore, real shadow flicker exposure would likely be significantly lower due to a number of mitigating factors outlined. Furthermore, the house is screened by agricultural barns and vegetation to the southeast, in the direction of the proposed turbine, resulting in any potential shadow flicker being limited. Additionally, it does not appear that the property has any windows directly facing the proposed development that would experience un-interrupted views of the turbine.
624 It is important to note that all shadow flicker values given are theoretical maximum number of shadow flicker hours per year. The modelling calculations take no account of weather conditions (cloud cover, wind speed and direction) or screening by trees or hedges, which are be expected to greatly reduce potential shadow flicker effects, particularly around the mentioned residential properties. It is also important to note that any affected windows may well be in rooms that are not generally in use at the times when the effect may occur.
625 Importantly, the research evidence shows that shadow flicker does not occur at frequencies which may cause human health problems. However, if any shadow flicker effects were to manifest themselves during operation of the wind turbine, several mitigation measures could be employed to diminish them including the planting of additional trees and shrubs to provide screening or programming the turbines to switch off during potential shadow flicker occurrences.
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12. Transport
12.1 Introduction 626 Following the advice of South Lanarkshire Council (SLC), a Construction Transport Management Plan (CTMP) has been prepared.
627 This CTMP will show the impacts associated with the construction of a single wind turbine on land off West Dykes, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, ML10 6RF. The only significant impact is due to the movement of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) during the construction phase of the main building blocks to construct the wind turbine. That said, the impact associated with the transport and construction of this single wind turbine is modest in scale and duration.
628 Once the wind turbine is operational the amount of HGV traffic to the turbine location will be minimal. Visits will be made by engineers and owners but on an infrequent basis by a light vehicle such as a transit van or 4x4. There may be the requirement for a HGV to access the site during operation in case of a repair or major replacement during the lifetime of the wind turbine but this eventuality, while possible, is not expected.
629 When the wind turbine is decommissioned there may be further impact on the highway in the removal of the equipment and building materials from site.
630 Each HGV movement will be planned and notified to every Local Council, Highway and Police authority according to the requirements of Abnormal Indivisible Loads – Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) order 2003.
631 This report aims to assess the measurements and weights of the HGVs that will be required to make the Building Block deliveries and will confirm what impact they can create on the local highway during their movement.
632 Both pre and post construction inspections of the highway will be made by the Regional Engineer. Allowances have been made for the full reinstatement of any damage that may occur.
633 The full report can be found in Appendix K.
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12.2 Summary
634 A potentially significant impact from the delivery of the main building blocks of the turbine, results due to the movement of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), during the construction phase, transporting the turbine’s infrastructure to site. Additionally, the creation of new access tracks on site may lead to ecological assets around the site of development being impacted. That said, the impacts associated with the transport and construction of this single wind turbine is modest in scale and duration. Furthermore, ecological assessments analysing the impact of the creation of access tracks on site, found a net positive impact on ecology in the area, due to improvement and mitigation measures that would be enacted as part of the construction process.
635 Once the wind turbine is operational the amount of HGV traffic to the turbine location will be minimal. Visits will be made by engineers and owners but on an infrequent basis by a light vehicle such as a transit van or 4x4. There may be the requirement for an HGV to access the site during operation in case of a repair or major replacement during the lifetime of the wind turbine but this eventuality, while possible, is not expected.
636 When the wind turbine is decommissioned there may be further impact on the highway in the removal of the equipment and building materials from site.
637 Each HGV movement will be planned and notified to every Local Council, Highway and Police authority according to the requirements of Abnormal Indivisible Loads – Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) order 2003.
638 This report will assess the measurements and weights of the HGVs that will be required to make the Building Block deliveries and will confirm what impact they can create on the local highway and any impact they may cause during their movement.
639 Both pre and post construction inspections of the highway will be made by the Regional Engineer. Allowances have been made for the full reinstatement of any damage that may occur.
640 CE is proposing the following route for the delivery of all the turbine components. The turbine components and ancillary construction plant will be transported by road using
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the strategic and local highway network. All components and materials will be delivered via the route shown below.
Suggested route from the nearest motorway to the site: 641 It is likely that the wind turbine will be delivered from the M74 junction 8, taking the A71 southwest. The route will continue for 8.9km and then turn left onto B743 for 6.17km before turning left entering the agricultural land. From here, existing on-site tracks will be used to access the turbine location, with a short stretch of new access track being constructed with the turbine field. Sections of the main highways may require use of the full width of the carriageway for long loads and hence such loads would require a police escort.
Route from the main road shown in green:
Turbine Location Transport Route
642 It will be the responsibility of the haulage contractor for each building block to confirm with the notified Councils, Highways Agencies and Police Authorities alongside the driven route, if at any point on the driven route private pilot cars or police escorts are required to assist with traffic management. Movement times will also be discussed, agreed and approved with all appropriate bodies.
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643 From B743, access to the site will be through the existing field entrance. Bilingual warning signs will be put in place at appropriate distances from the access junction in both directions to alert drivers to construction traffic turning off the B743.
644 A wheel wash facility will be put in place at the entrance to minimise materials being carried onto the road. Daily road inspections will be undertaken to ensure that no mud or material will enter the highway; road sweeping will be carried out when needed. All drivers will be required to check their vehicle is adequately free of mud or soil prior to departing site.
12.3 Conclusion
645 The potential impact of the HGV traffic associated with the proposed wind turbine construction should, because of the scale and duration, have minimal impact and cause minimal disruption to other road users in the local area while this is in progress. All removal of traffic furniture will be temporary, and fully reinstated following the installation.
646 For the installation of this turbine, there will be a total number of 16 HGV movements for the main components and a small number of normal construction vehicle movements.
647 It is recognised that the delivery of these building blocks will require careful thought and planning. Additionally, due to the nature of the size of the components for each building block, a pre-determined route and time should be arranged so that minimal disruption is caused.
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13. Public Consultation
13.1 Introduction
648 Although there is no statutory requirement in Scotland to hold public consultations for developments under 20MW, CE feel that it is important to meet members of the community before submitting an application, so they are informed about the proposal and have an opportunity to ask questions or seek further clarity about any aspect of the proposal.
649 The public consultation event was held on Thursday 28th November 2019 at The Strathaven Hotel, between 3.30-6.30pm. The aims of the public consultation were:
• To provide members of the community with information about the proposed turbine; • To measure support and opposition to this proposed turbine; and • To hear the local community’s suggestions on how the proposal could be improved.
650 The full public consultation report is attached as Appendix L.
13.2 Consultation Process
651 The primary means of consultation took the form of an open public consultation event held on Thursday 28th November 2019 at The Strathaven Hotel, Strathaven, ML10 6SZ between 3.30pm-6.30pm.
652 A public notice for the event was placed in the Strathaven Echoes newspaper in the bi-weekly edition of the newspaper on 15th November 2019.
653 To ensure local residents were aware of the public consultation event, CE sent invitations two weeks before the event to all properties within 1.5km of the site that may be impacted by the proposed turbine development, and to properties on the periphery of this 1.5km radius.
654 The exhibition itself included around 20 display panels as well as documents laid out on tables which provided detailed information on the proposal as follows:
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• proposed turbine location plan, and location relative to the existing wind turbines at Dungavel and Kype Muir Wind Farms (inclusive of the extension); • proposed site layout plan; • turbine elevation plan; • proposal details; • photomontages of the proposed turbine; • zone of theoretical visibility maps for the proposal; • draft technical documents to be submitted with the planning application, including assessments for landscape, heritage, ecology, shadow flicker, and noise; • governing global, EU, Scottish and Local Policy supporting this proposal; and • the key criteria to satisfy in the planning process.
655 Email invitations were also sent to the members of Strathaven and Glassford Community Council.
656 A project web page was also launched on CleanEarth’s live projects website, displaying relevant information on public consultation events.
13.3 Summary
657 Five people in total attended; all were residents from the local area.
658 The proposal received overwhelmingly positive support from attendees. Supporters noted that this project will be an increase in the tip height of the consented West Dykes wind turbine, located at a reasonable distance from residential properties, and scaled and located such that it will appear as an extension to the existing wind farms in the area. Furthermore, it was noted that there is a need to do more to address the current climate emergency, with onshore wind playing a vital role in the Scotland’s energy mix.
659 Most attendees were interested in identifying exactly where the turbine would be located, particularly in relation to the existing wind farms in the area. These residents were directed towards the photomontages on display and the location plans. Furthermore, CE clarified that this proposal is for a single wind turbine rather than a wind farm.
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660 Questionnaires were designed to monitor attitudes towards the proposal and to give members of the community the ability to raise concerns and voice their opinions on the project. The completed questionnaires can be seen in the full Public Consultation Report in Appendix L. As well as talking to people and answering questions directly, the questionnaires provide an additional channel for people to express their opinions and raise extra concerns after the event should they wish.
661 All attendees were encouraged to fill out a questionnaire; in total, 5 forms were completed and returned during the event.
662 Of the forms completed, 100% of respondents stated that they are familiar with the targets set by the UK Government to generate energy from renewable sources and 100% stated that they agree with these targets. 100% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed with the use of wind energy to achieve these carbon reduction targets. 100% of respondents agreed that, having visited the consultation, their knowledge of the development had improved a lot or quite a lot. In total, 100% of respondents supported the proposal. It can therefore be said that all of the respondents have no concerns, and are in support of the proposal.
13.4 Conclusions
663 Every effort was made to notify members of the community about the public consultation event on the 28th November 2019; CE invited all local residents within, 1.5km of the site, and arranged for advertisements in the Strathaven Echoes newspaper 13 days prior. In total, five people attended the public consultation event, all of whom completed questionnaires.
664 The proposal received an overwhelmingly positive response from attendees. In total, 100% of respondents supported the proposal and none stated they were neutral to the proposal. It can therefore be said that the entirety of the respondents had no concerns about the proposal and were in support.
665 A proactive approach was used to ensure that all interested parties had the appropriate platforms in which they could raise their concerns, whilst also ensuring
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all questions and queries were answered at the event. Furthermore, the project webpage and project-specific email address will remain live throughout the planning process through which local residents can continue to ask questions should they arise.
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14. Socioeconomic
14.1 Introduction
666 This chapter will outline the socioeconomic profile of the area as well as describing recreational and tourist activities in and around the location. An assessment has been created to see the effect the proposed wind development could have on the local communities, economy and tourism as well as considering stakeholders and key businesses in the region.
14.2 Baseline Assessment
Site Characteristics 667 The site lies within an agricultural setting, within the boundary of South Lanarkshire Council. Although there are towns within South Lanarkshire there are no major cities, with Glasgow and Edinburgh easily accessible. Strathaven, with a population of around 7,500 (table 22), which lies around 6km northeast from the site, is a historic market town being granted Royal Charter in 1450 making the town a burgh of barony. The local area has quaint attractions and a rich history but without major cities within the SLC boundary there is no creative or financial industry.
668 Excluding Strathaven, the main employment in the close proximity is farming and agriculture with dairy and poultry farms found in nearby area. There are many different tourist attractions around the area which contribute to the cultural heritage value in SLC, some of which are in near proximity to the site.
Table 22: Population Figures.
Area Total resident population (all ages) Strathaven 7,500 South Lanarkshire (Council) 317,808 Scotland 5,438,000
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Economic Activity 669 Employment data was provided from the Nomis Official Labor Market Statistics 2018/2019 for South Lanarkshire and Scotland and can be seen in the table 23 below all percentages are excluding under 16’s.
Table 23: Employment Figures for South Lanarkshire Area 2018/19.
Job Type SLC % Scotland % A : Agriculture, forestry and fishing 0.9 1.7 B : Mining And Quarrying 0.1 1.1 C : Manufacturing 9.6 7.2 D : Electricity, Gas, Steam And Air Conditioning Supply 2.6 0.7 E : Water Supply; Sewerage, Waste Management And Remediation 0.9 0.8 Activities F : Construction 7.8 5.5 G : Wholesale And Retail Trade; Repair Of Motor Vehicles And 16.5 13.9 Motorcycles H : Transportation And Storage 3.9 4.3 I : Accommodation And Food Service Activities 6.1 8.1 J : Information And Communication 1.7 3.2 K : Financial And Insurance Activities 2.6 3.5 L : Real Estate Activities 1.3 1.3 M : Professional, Scientific And Technical Activities 5.2 7.1 N : Administrative And Support Service Activities 7.8 8.2 O : Public Administration And Defence; Compulsory Social Security 7.0 6.3 P : Education 6.1 7.8 Q : Human Health And Social Work Activities 15.7 15.7 R : Arts, Entertainment And Recreation 2.6 2.8 S : Other Service Activities 2.0 2.1
670 Two of the highest employment categories are construction and manufacturing, both of which wind development contributes to. CleanEarth Energy endeavors to employ local businesses and contractors for onsite construction and general support activities.
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671 Additionally, South Lanarkshire has many upcoming business districts such as East Kilbride, Hamilton, Rutherglen and Shawfield, the Economic Strategy ensures expansion of these locations which will require an increase in electricity demands. The Scottish Energy Strategy (2017) has priorities to strengthen the development of local energy, protect and empower consumers and support Scotland’s climate change ambitions while tackling poor energy provision.
672 Lastly, ‘Low Carbon Scotland’ is a large priority for the Scottish Government, and the Climate Change (Scotland) Act (2009) created proposals and policies for meeting annual emissions reduction targets. Scotland is leading the way in the transition to a low carbon society and is well on track meet emissions reductions by 2020. Low carbon energy production such as wind developments is therefore promoted by the Scottish Government to reach these targets.
Recreational and Tourist Activity 673 Tourism is growing within SLC, an assessment was undertaken to see the main tourist attraction within a 15km radius of the site. This radius was chosen due to visual impact within this distance. The table below (table 24) shows the tourist attraction, distance from the site and type of activity.
Table 24: Tourist Attractions in Relation to the Site.
Tourist Site Type of Activity Distance to proposed turbine Strathaven Park Park 6.57km Northeast Spectacle E’e Falls Nature 6.05km Northeast Strathaven Miniature Recreation 6.57km Northeast Railway George Allen Park Park 6.69km Northeast Calderglen Country Park Park 14.41km North Strathaven Airfield Recreation/ Education 6.37km North Strathaven Golf Club Sports/ Recreation 7.36km North
674 8,000 jobs in South Lanarkshire were within the tourism sector, this is surprisingly low in regard to other regions of Scotland but can be explained by the type of tourist activity. Parks, Nature and Outdoor activities are found a lot in South Lanarkshire which require less maintenance than other tourist activities.
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675 Historical attractions are not taken into account within these statistics therefore visitors may prioritise further historical sites in the locality. The only noted historical sites within 10km of the proposed location are Avondale Castle, located within Strathaven 6.3km northwest and Drumclog monument and battlefield which are not formally registered as tourist a tourist attraction. As noted in the LVIA section of this report, no significant visual impact, is expected on any of these noted tourist attractions.
676 The largest event in South Lanarkshire which has a possibility to be impacted is the Strathaven hot air balloon festival. This festival takes place for two days every August. Delivery of the Turbine or any maintenance will be scheduled to not coincide with this event.
14.3 Impact Assessment
677 The direct and indirect impacts of the proposed development on the local area can be separated into the following areas:
1) Economic and social benefits for the local community
2) Economic benefits from construction and operation;
3) Potential adverse impacts on the wider community; and
4) Potential impact on wider tourism and recreation assets
Economic and Social benefits for the local community 678 As a result of the proposed development, there are a number of economic and social benefits. The proposed turbine will generate enough electricity to power 3,971 South Lanarkshire homes and will offset approximately 120,000 tons of carbon over the turbine’s lifetime creating cleaner and more sustainable lifestyle for the local community. There is also a commitment to share a portion of the revenue with the wider local community through a local community benefit fund of £8,000 per annum. This has historically been used on similar projects for the construction or restoration of vitally important community projects such as playgrounds or improvements to local amenities which do not have access to public funds.
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Economic benefits from construction and operation 679 CleanEarth always endeavor to hire local businesses within the construction phase of the development, which brings a significant number of manhour tasks, creating new jobs particularly within the contruction phase. This, in turn indirectly benefits third party suppliers, such as accommodation and local subsistence spending while the development, construction and operational works are underway.
680 The total cost of the planning and build out proposed turbine is estimated to be over £3,000,000. Based on the construction aspects such as services (consultancy, planning advice and project management), construction (roads, access, fences, foundation, etc.), civil and electrical engineering, improvements to cabling (throughout the site and to the grid point of connection) and operation and maintenance, a portion of this money will be feed into local businesses.
Potential Adverse Impacts on the Wider community 681 The main visual impacts on the wider community are: • Noise;
• Shadow flicker; and
• Landscape and visual amenity;
682 These potential impacts have been considered and quantified individually in their respective sections of this document, and found to not be significant.
Potential Impact on Wider Tourism and Recreational Assets Table 25: Indication of Potential Impact on Wider Tourism and Recreational Assets.
Site Description Potential Impact Strathaven Park Park Due to screening from urban development and topography there will be limited impacts to this asset. Strathaven Airfield Recreational/ Educational This asset is known for recreational use. The site is used for flying lessons,
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aircraft tours and on-site experiences. Due to the proposed turbines proximity to existing wind farms there are no effects predicted on this asset. Strathaven Golf Club Sports/ recreation Due to the distance from this activity there are expected to be no effects. Calderglen Country Park Park Calderglen is a four-star attraction with a number of activities on site. Due to distance and surrounding topography there is expected to be little to no impacts. Spectacle E’e Falls Nature This tourist attraction is known for is beautiful surroundings and the historic story behind its origin. Due to forestry surrounding the asset there is no expected impact. Strathaven miniature Recreation The miniature railway was railway first created in 1949 and has been running for 70 years in 2019. Due to the nature of this attraction there is expected to be no impacts. George Allen Park Park George Allen Park contains the Miniature railway and active gardens, due to distance and urban development there are expected to be no impacts.
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683 In conclusion, the proposed turbine is not expected to have any significant adverse impacts on tourism, recreation and social attractions in the local area.
684 A study was conducted by the Scottish Government which examined potential economic impact of wind development, which concluded that the main impact that wind development causes is visual impact. If wind farms are to deter significant numbers of tourists, then it could potentially threaten the tourism industry which in turn would affect a wider scope of businesses within the local community.
685 It was concluded that overall there is no evidence to suggest a negative impact on the economy of Scotland in relation to wind development. Displacement of tourism is likely to happen if wind development starts to significantly increase, rather than reduce tourist attractions.
14.4 Conclusion
686 It is acknowledged that wind development can potentially adversely affect the economy within South Lanarkshire if the visual amenity is affected. Due to careful siting of the turbine in an area that is within close proximity to other wind farms there is unlikely to be any effect on the visual amenity, especially from the local hub of Strathaven. This was also noted during the public consultation, in which the proposal received 100% support from locals from the local area around Strathaven.
687 The project has been assessed as having an overall positive socio-economic impact on the local area. The turbine represents a significant additional source of revenue for local businesses within the construction industry which will ripple onto the other local businesses in the wider community. Furthermore, provision of a community benefit fund of £8,000 per annum will also help much needed community projects to continue to flourish or to be established.
688 Individual reports have been conducted to assess visual and heritage impacts on the local area, and have found that no significant effects will result from the proposed development.
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15. Conclusion
689 This Environmental Statement has addressed a wide range of likely significant effects on the environment from the proposed wind turbine, and demonstrates that the proposed single wind turbine on land at West Dykes:
• Is in line with national guidance and is supported by national, regional and local policy on renewable energy and sustainable development; • Will not give rise to significant additional landscape and visual impact, due to its siting close to the existing Kype Muir and Dungavel Wind Farms such that it would be seen in the same viewshed and sight lines; • Will not adversely impact any habitats or species of nature conservation importance; • Will have no adverse impacts on heritage assets and their settings; • Will meet all noise criteria given in ETSU-R-97; • Will not adversely impact hydrology, hydrogeology or peat, with the application of the appropriate mitigation measures; • Will not adversely impact telecommunication links; • Will not produce unacceptable levels of shadow flicker on the residents of the properties located nearest to the proposed wind turbine; • Will not have a significant impact on transportation networks; and
690 This Environmental Statement has not established any exceptional circumstances that outweigh the legislation and planning policy relevant to this renewable energy development.
691 Therefore, this planning application for a single wind turbine at West Dykes should be granted planning permission, allowing the development to contribute to the national and local targets to produce renewable energy and contribute to the security of the UK’s energy market.
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List of Appendices
Appendix A EIA Screening Opinion EIA Scoping Opinion
Appendix B CE5439-BP-01 - Block Plan CE5439-LP-01-1-2500 - Location Plan CE5439-LP-01-1-4000 - Location Plan Appendix C Appendix C - Turbine Elevation Appendix C - Switchgear Housing Elevation Appendix D LVIA Report LVIA Plans LVIA Visuals Appendix E Ecological Assessment Appendix F HVIA Report Appendix G Noise Assessment Appendix H Hydrology and Geology Report Appendix I EMI and MoD Responses Appendix J Shadow Flicker Assessment Appendix K Construction Transport Management Plan (CTMP) Appendix L Public Consultation Report
Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
Purchase Options
Copies of this Environmental Statement can be purchased direct from Clean Earth from the address provided below, email ([email protected]) or phone (01208895576) for £250 (printed) or £100 (digital).
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Environmental Statement: West Dykes Wind Turbine
Prepared by Robin Johnson (BSc Hons Env. Sci, AIEMA) on behalf of CleanEarth
December 2019
CleanEarth Unit 2a Bess Park Road Trenant Industrial Estate Wadebridge Cornwall Pl27 6HB
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