Halsary Windfarm Non Technical Summary.Pdf

Cover image illustrates a non-specific windfarm Non-Technical Summary

Preface

1. This document comprises a Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the Environmental Statement (ES) Addendum produced to provide an update to the original Halsary Windfarm ES (hereafter referred to as the 2009 ES). The 2009 ES was prepared in support of a planning application to construct and operate a new windfarm development at Halsary Forest, Caithness. The ES Addendum provides an update to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) contained within the 2009 ES and is not a stand-alone document. The ES Addendum and this NTS should therefore be read in conjunction with the 2009 ES, including all Figures and Technical Appendices, and the 2009 ES NTS. 2. The revised Development comprises a 15 turbine windfarm with an installed capacity of up to 34.5 Megawatts (MW). 3. The ES Addendum comprises the following documents:

• A Non-Technical Summary;

• The Environmental Statement Addendum main report and appendices; and

• Landscape and Visual Assessment Figures. 4. Further copies of these documents or further information on the proposed windfarm may be obtained from: ScottishPower Renewables (UK) Limited 2nd Floor (New Building Cathcart House Spean Street Glasgow G44 4BE

Tel: +44 (141) 568 2000

5. The Non-Technical Summary is available free of charge. A printed copy of the ES Addendum can be purchased from the Applicant at a cost of £200. In addition, all documents are available in an electronic format (as a PDF) on CD/DVD for £8.00. 6. The ES Addendum is available for viewing by the public during normal opening hours at the following locations:

• Planning & Development Service, The Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX;

• Caithness Planning and Building Standards Office, Market Square, Wick, KW1 4AB;

• Thurso Service Point, Council Offices, Rotterdam Street, Thurso, KW14 8AB; and

• Caithness Horizons, Old Town Hall, High Street, Thurso, KW14 8AJ.

7. Comments on the planning application can be submitted through the E-Planning website at http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/or forwarded to the address below: Head of Planning and Building Standards, E-planning Centre, The Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX.

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1.0 Introduction 8. In November 2009, ScottishPower Renewables (UK) Limited (SPR) submitted a planning application to construct and operate a new windfarm development at Halsary Forest, Caithness (‘the Development’) (see Figure NTS-1). The Development comprised an 18 turbine site with an installed capacity of up to 41.4 MegaWatts (MW). 9. Following submission of the planning application, discussions were held with a number of consultees and further information and clarifications were provided by SPR. As a result of these consultations, amendments have been made to the Development. 10. Additionally, SPR has been notified of an intended extension to the existing electricity substation at Mybster, immediately adjacent to the north-west corner of the Development site. As this land will be controlled by the electricity network operator, the Development site red-line boundary has been varied to exclude it. 11. The ES Addendum summarised here has been produced to provide an update to the original Halsary Windfarm ES (Ref. NTS-1) (hereafter referred to as the 2009 ES) and takes into account the consultation discussions and the consequent design changes. The ES Addendum presents the design changes made, identifies where design changes have a material effect on the original assessments, and presents revised assessments where necessary. This NTS document accompanies the ES Addendum and should be read in conjunction with the 2009 NTS. 2.0 ES Addendum 12. The ES Addendum provides an update to the EIA contained within the 2009 ES and is not a stand-alone document. The purpose of the ES Addendum is to:

• Describe the revisions to the Development proposals;

• Summarise changes to planning policy, legislation and guidance since submission of the 2009 ES;

• Provide the additional environmental baseline information requested by the statutory consultees following submission of the 2009 planning application;

• Identify the requirement for additional cumulative assessment;

• Review and revise the EIA in light of the points highlighted above;

• Recommend mitigation for additional adverse effects identified; and

• Report how the revisions and additional information collected alter the assessment of residual effects and the conclusions of the EIA presented within the 2009 ES. 13. The following chapters contained within the 2009 ES were reviewed and revised as part of this ES Addendum:

• Chapter 1: Introduction;

• Chapter 2: Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria;

• Chapter 3: Consultation Summary and Design Evolution;

• Chapter 4: Project Description;

• Chapter 5: Planning Policy Context;

• Chapter 6: Landscape and Visual;

• Chapter 7: Ornithology;

• Chapter 8: Ecology;

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• Chapter 9: Traffic, Access and Transport;

• Chapter 10: Archaeology and Cultural Heritage;

• Chapter 11: Noise;

• Chapter 12: Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology;

• Chapter 13: Land use, Socio-Economics and Recreation;

• Chapter 14: Other Issues; and

• Chapter 15: Residual Effects and Conclusions.

2.1 Assessment of Residual Effects 14. Since submission of the 2009 ES, the EIA regulations have been consolidated and updated. The assessment contained within the ES Addendum has been carried out in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (Ref. NTS-2) (hereafter referred to as ‘the EIA Regulations’). 15. Each of the technical chapters within the ES Addendum (chapters 6 to 14) contain a detailed assessment of both positive and negative effects arising from the revised Development, taking into consideration any additional baseline studies undertaken and changes to legislation, policy and guidance. Additional mitigation measures for each area of environmental effect are set out (where applicable) and an assessment of the residual significant effects is presented within the relevant technical chapters. 16. Residual effects are defined as those significant effects that are predicted to remain following the implementation of the stated mitigation measures. Moderate and major effects are considered significant for the purposes of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (Ref. NTS-2). 2.2 Cumulative Assessment 17. Cumulative assessment considers incremental changes caused through the combination of effects from other past, present or reasonably foreseeable developments with the windfarm. The schemes considered within the cumulative assessment presented in the 2009 ES submission were: Causeymire Windfarm extension (consented) and Spittal Hill Windfarm (application). The Causeymire Windfarm Extension remains unbuilt but the development still has consent. The cumulative assessments relating to this development reported within the 2009 ES are therefore still valid. Since the submission of the 2009 ES, the Spittal Hill Windfarm has been subject to Public Inquiry and has been refused consent. Cumulative impacts associated with this development therefore no longer require to be considered within the ES. 18. A search was undertaken to identify any additional non-windfarm schemes considered to require cumulative assessment since the 2009 ES was submitted. No additional schemes were identified. 19. On 25th July 2012, a planning application for Bad a’ Cheò Windfarm, adjacent to the operational Causeymire Windfarm, was submitted to The Highland Council (THC). This application was made subsequent to the 2009 Halsary Windfarm application and the Bad a’ Cheò Windfarm Environmental Statement considers the cumulative effects of the Halsary Windfarm. Given the status and timing of the two applications, it has been agreed with THC that there is no requirement for this ES Addendum to include the Bad a’ Cheò Windfarm within the revised cumulative assessment, except with regard to cumulative noise effects. 20. In addition to the overall cumulative scenario, the baseline situation for cumulative assessment of other windfarms within a 15km radius (as agreed with THC) of the

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Development has changed. New guidance on landscape and visual assessment (LVA) methods for cumulative assessment of windfarms has also been published (Ref. NTS-3). A revised LVA cumulative assessment, to take account of the revised cumulative situation and most recent guidance, has therefore been undertaken within the ES Addendum. 21. The changes to the cumulative windfarm situation are as follows:

• The Olgrinmore, Bower, Durran Mains, Hill of Lieurary and South Shebster windfarm applications have been refused;

• Spittal Hill Windfarm was refused following a public inquiry;

• Dunbeath Windfarm was refused planning permission but the decision has been appealed by the applicant and they are now awaiting a decision on the appeal from the Scottish Government;

• Permission has been granted for Burn of Whilk and Stroupster windfarms;

• Baillie Windfarm was consented and construction has begun; and

• Construction of Camster Windfarm has begun. 22. In addition, the following windfarms have come into the planning system since the submission of the 2009 ES:

• Wathegar 1 and 2 windfarms have been consented;

• An application was submitted for a three turbine windfarm at Rumster in December 2011;

• An application for Bad a’ Cheò Windfarm was submitted in July 2012; and

• An application was submitted for an extension to Forss Windfarm (and subsequently refused at appeal mid July 2012). 23. Windfarms at Limekilns, Westerdale, Camster Forest, Flex Hill Phase 2, Cogle Moss, Nottingham Mains, Lower Seater and Earls Cairn have come forward for either EIA screening or scoping but no applications have yet been made for these sites. 3.0 Consultation 24. Following submission of the Halsary Windfarm Planning Application in November 2009, statutory and non-statutory consultees and members of the public were invited to comment on the application and the accompanying ES. Consultation responses were received from various statutory bodies including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and THC. In response to these consultations SPR has revised the proposals and undertaken further assessment of the potential environmental effects of the changes. 25. The key concerns raised by consultees which have been addressed within this ES Addendum are in relation to:

• Peat disturbance and management of waste peat;

• Management of tree-felling waste;

• Effects on the qualifying species and habitats of the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Sheilton Peatlands (SSSI);

• Landscape and Visual effects from the A9 and Spittal;

• Cumulative noise impacts; and

• Woodland removal and compensatory planting.

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26. Consideration of these elements, additional assessment and expert input from the project team has informed the refinement of the proposed windfarm layout, as described below.

4.0 Changes to the Description of the Development 27. The Development site and setting is unchanged and is as described in the 2009 ES. 28. The revised Development comprises a 15 turbine Windfarm with an installed capacity of up to 34.5 MW. 29. A number of revisions have been made to the Development, as described in the 2009 ES, since submission of the planning application. The revised Development layout is shown in Figure NTS-2 and the revisions are summarised as follows:

• Marginal reduction to the Development site boundary at the north-west corner of the Development site to exclude the area of the planned extension to the existing Mybster electricity substation, part of a separate application being taken forward by the electricity network operator;

• Removal of turbines 1, 2 and 4;

• Adjustment of locations of turbines 3, 7 and 8;

• Track layout revised to reflect turbine layout, minimise track length, and provide a continuous circuit;

• Tracks to be of floated track design where peat depth is greater than 0.5 metres (m), otherwise tracks will be of cut track design;

• All track widths reduced from 6m to 5m;

• Removal of track turning heads at turbines 6, 8, 15, 16, 17 and at the meteorological mast;

• Repositioning of track turning heads at turbines 9, 10 and 12;

• Crane hardstanding, tracks and turning heads have been altered to reflect revised design criteria at track-ends;

• There is no longer a requirement for a substation to be constructed as part of the Development as the existing Mybster substation adjacent to the Development site will be utilised. The former “Substation Compound” is referred to as the “Control Compound” within the ES Addendum. The dimensions of the compound area have increased from 81.5m x 29m to 60m x 60m and it has been repositioned eastward to allow the existing Mybster electricity substation to be extended by the electricity network operator (the Mybster electricity substation is not part of the Halsary Windfarm development.). The “Control Compound” will be used to accommodate the control building and any reactive compensation equipment required;

• It is no longer proposed to use the Halsary farm building as the Control building due to its limited size and also its distance from the proposed grid connection point at Mybster substation. Instead, the building will be secured, kept weatherproofed and maintained for the lifetime of the Development. It may also be used during construction for additional welfare facilities and as additional office and storage space during the operational phase of the Development;

• Where peat depth is 3.5m or greater, turbine foundation excavation will be of ‘doughnut’ design – a technique that uses rocks to hold open excavations in peat, thereby reducing the need for excavation of further peat to achieve stable slopes;

• Where peat depth is 3.5m or greater, crane hardstandings will be of peat displacement design to minimise volumes of excavated peat. Otherwise crane hardstandings will be to full depth (competent layer);

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• An additional construction compound (Construction Compound C) has been added adjacent to Construction Compound A to meet the likely requirements of the turbine contractor; and

• Addition of a car park just off the A9 at the northern entrance of the site for use by members of public using the windfarm access tracks for recreation. 30. All other design elements are as described within the 2009 ES and NTS. 5.0 Planning Policy 31. A desk based review of current planning policy (at the time of writing) has been undertaken to inform the ES Addendum and the policies relevant to the Development have been highlighted. 32. National planning policy is now outlined in the document “Scottish Planning Policy” (SPP) (Ref. NTS-4) which was published in February 2010. The SPP consolidates and replaces previous standalone SPP thematic documents, which are now all revoked (including SPP 6 Renewable Energy which was referenced in the 2009 ES). 33. In spring 2012, THC revoked the Highland Structure Plan (2001) and replaced it with the adopted Highland-wide Local Development Plan (HwLDP) (Ref. NTS-5). The Highland Council intends to produce three more Local Development Plans (LDPs) to cover specific locations. 34. The adopted Caithness Local Plan still remains part of the statutory development plan at the time of writing; however, the HwLDP replaces the General Policies. The Caithness Local Plan will eventually be replaced by the Caithness & Sutherland LDP. 35. Three Planning Advice Notes (PANs) have been revoked and replaced since submission of the 2011 ES:

• PAN 42: Archaeology – Planning and Scheduled Monument Procedures (1994) (Ref. NTS-6). This is now revoked and has been replaced with PAN2/2011 Planning & Archaeology (Ref. NTS-7);

• PAN 45: Renewable Technologies (2002) (Ref NTS-8). This is now revoked and has been replaced with has been replaced with the Scottish Government’s web based renewables advice (Ref. NTS-9); and

• PAN 81: Community Engagement – Planning with People (2007) (Ref. NTS-10). This has been revoked and has been replaced by PAN3/2010 Community Engagement (Ref. NTS-11). 36. Additionally, PAN 79: Water & Drainage (2006) (Ref. NTS-12) is currently being consolidated into a wider water and drainage PAN by the Scottish Government. 6.0 Summary of Technical Assessments 6.1 Landscape and Visual 37. Issues raised by consultees in response to the 2009 planning application and the 2009 ES included a request from the Highland Council to investigate altering the positioning of turbines close to the A9. In response to this Turbine 8 has been moved back from the A9 to a distance of approximately 405m. SNH opinion was that the overall effect of the windfarm would be acceptable but indicated that it would be useful for any Addendum submission to have revised illustrations to show how the landscape and visual impacts of the proposal have changed. 38. A ‘Zone of Theoretical Visibility’ (ZTV) representation was produced for the revised Development. This is an illustration on a map of the area over which a site and/or a proposed development may be visible. This ZTV shows that there are parts of the study area from where there will generally be a reduction in visibility of the revised Development turbines when compared with the ZTV included within the 2009 ES.

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39. A total of ten representative viewpoints are included within the Landscape and Visual Assessment (LVA) for the ES Addendum, as agreed with THC. The photography for five viewpoints was retaken in 2012 and photographs used in the preparation of the 2009 ES visualisations were used for the other viewpoints. In addition, nine principal visual receptors were considered within the assessment. 40. The revisions to the Development do not greatly change the predicted effects reported within the 2009 ES. There is some benefit to views from nearby receptors to the north because the closest turbines will now be at a greater distance but the overall significance of effects (in terms of EIA Regulations) remains as stated in the 2009 ES. 41. The deletion and relocation of turbines also results in an improvement in predicted effects on the users of the A9 travelling north past the windfarm, where there is a reduction in the length of the road from which there would be a significant effect on views, when travelling north. 42. Since the submission of the 2009 ES, a number of changes in proposed windfarm development activity in the area have occurred and a revised cumulative assessment has therefore been provided in the ES Addendum. Whilst the addition of three consented windfarms (Burn of Whilk and Wathegar 1 and 2), to the area is predicted to cause some additional significant cumulative effects on landscape character to the immediate south-east and south of the revised Development, the refusal of the Spittal Hill windfarm development means there is no longer a significant cumulative effect on the landscape character of the moorland which wraps around the northern half of the Development or to the Small Farms and Crofts areas further north. 43. These effects are reversible, in that they would cease to be effects once the windfarm is decommissioned. 6.2 Ornithology 44. In response to comments received by SNH on the 2009 planning application, the collision risk model was revised. The revised model uses the modelling parameters requested by SNH and takes into account the reduced number of turbines and the revised Development layout. The revised collision risk model was used to update the ornithological assessment presented within the 2009 ES. 45. The consideration of cumulative effects has taken into account the recent publication of advisory materials and the reduced collision risk estimates as a result of the proposed reduction in turbine numbers. 46. The conclusion of the revised ornithological assessment is that the likely effects of the proposed Development on all bird species are not significant in the context of the EIA Regulations. There are no changes to the residual effects presented in the conclusion of the 2009 ES and as such the revised Development will not have any significant effects on ornithological receptors. As reported in the 2009 ES, there will be no adverse effect on SPA interests (Caithness Lochs SPA, and Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands SPA). 47. Mitigation measures are as presented within the 2009 ES. In addition, a steering group will be setup which will oversee a programme of monitoring of flight activity and searches for turbine collision casualties. 48. In response to comments received by SNH, a Habitat Management Plan (HMP) will be produced and agreed by THC post-consent and include measures to achieve long- term restoration of blanket mire and heath habitats using methods developed on existing SPR windfarm sites and other similar studies. This will apply to the operational phase of the development. The HMP will set quantifiable objectives with a precise monitoring strategy to allow results to be reported in a clear and objective manner.

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6.3 Ecology 49. A number of design changes have been made, as set out in Section 4 of the NTS and a revised ecological assessment was undertaken to understand the likely effects of the changes. 50. The conclusion of the revised ecological assessment is that there is no change to the significance assessments or residual effects reported within the 2009 ES, and as such, the revised Development will not have any additional significant effects on ecological receptors. 51. A summary of the significant effects, in terms of the EIA Regulations, identified within the 2009 ES is presented in Table NTS 3 below.

TABLE NTS 3: ECOLOGY RESIDUAL EFFECTS Description Nature of Effect Geographic Significance scale Improved hydrological functionality of SAC, Ramsar and Beneficial, long-term Local Major SSSI with removal of forestry Overall effect on blanket bog Beneficial, long-term Local Major habitat

52. An Integrated Forestry Redesign, Habitat Restoration and Peat Reuse Strategy, has been produced and is provided as Appendix A8.1, Volume I of the ES Addendum. The appendix sets out the proposed approach to the restoration of priority habitats within the site boundary and outlines proposals for compensatory tree planting. It also includes an Outline Peat Management Plan. 53. A HMP will be produced post-consent and will include measures to achieve long-term restoration of blanket mire and heath habitats over the operational lifespan of the Development. It will draw upon methods developed on existing SPR windfarm sites and other similar studies. The HMP will contain a set of clear objectives and a detailed monitoring strategy. 6.4 Traffic, Access and Transport 54. No concerns relating to traffic, access and transport were raised during consultation on the 2009 planning application and the associated 2009 ES. However, a review of the traffic, access and transport assessment contained within the 2009 ES was undertaken to account for the revisions made to the Development. The baseline traffic and accident data used for this review was also updated to use road traffic data collected in 2011. 55. Overall the likely amount of traffic generated has been reduced by the design changes through the reduction in the number of turbines and the reduction in track lengths on site. The residual effects resulting from the revised Development will still be negligible and no cumulative effects will occur. There is therefore no change to the significance assessments or residual effects reported within the 2009 ES. 56. A Traffic Management Plan will be agreed with the local authority and implemented during the construction of the windfarm, to manage the movement of abnormal loads. 6.5 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 57. No concerns relating to archaeology and cultural heritage were raised during consultation on the 2009 planning application and the associated 2009 ES. Since submission of the 2009 ES, there have however been changes to planning policy and other guidance relevant to archaeology and cultural heritage. Changes to planning policy are summarised in Section 5 above. A review of updated policy was undertaken and it was concluded that the intentions of the revised policy and advice were reflected in the 2009 ES as it was presented at that time. A review of the archaeology

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and cultural heritage assessment was undertaken to take into account the changes in design as presented in the ES Addendum. 58. The revisions to the layout of the Development have resulted in minor changes to the ZTV as a result of fewer turbines being visible from the sensitive cultural heritage features. In some cases there has also been a minor change in the distance to the nearest turbine. As a result, the revised theoretical turbine visibility is the same as or less than that presented in the 2009 ES. 59. The revisions to the layout do not result in any change to either the predicted magnitude or significance of the effects on the settings of cultural heritage features and the assessment provided in the 2009 ES remains valid for all sites. 60. As discussed in Section 2.2 above, the cumulative situation has altered since submission of the 2009 ES and the cumulative assessment has therefore updated. The cumulative ZTV, showing the combined visibility of that scheme and the Development, shows that cumulative visibility would be most concentrated to the east of the A9. The Development together with the Camster and Wathegar 1 and 2 windfarms would have a cumulative effect over the group of cultural heritage sites and scheduled monuments around Watten. The Development would also be viewed along with the Causeymire scheme, Causeymire Extension and Bad a’ Cheò windfarm as a single group of turbines following removal of the forestry. 61. The conclusions of the revised archaeology and cultural heritage assessment are that there is no change to the significance assessments or residual effects reported within the 2009 ES. A summary of the significant effects identified within the 2009 ES is presented in Table NTS 4 below.

TABLE NTS 4: ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE RESIDUAL EFFECTS Description Nature of Effect Geographic Significance scale Indirect visual effect of windfarm Beneficial, operation on setting of Halsary Local Moderate Long-term Standing stones

6.6 Noise 62. Issues raised by consultees in response to the 2009 planning application and the 2009 ES included the requirement by THC for further consideration of cumulative noise in the area, particularly with regard to the Causeymire Wind Farm. As a result of the consultation responses and the design changes made since the submission of the 2009 ES, a revised noise assessment has been undertaken. The assessment has also taken into account the refusal of consent for Spittal Hill Windfarm and the submission of the adjacent Bad a’ Cheò Windfarm Application. 63. Noise will be emitted by equipment and vehicles used during construction and decommissioning and by the wind turbines during operation. The level of noise emitted by the sources and the distance from those sources to the receiver locations (receptors) are the main factors determining levels of noise. The revised assessment provides updates on the potential noise and vibration effects of the Development on the receptors. 64. Design changes to the Development have resulted in some construction activities being undertaken at greater distances from noise sensitive receptors than described in the 2009 ES. The 2009 ES concluded that effects on these receptors to be of negligible to minor significance and therefore and therefore not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. In the worst case, effects from the revised Development would be no greater than stated in the 2009 ES. Decommissioning of the Development will also give rise to noise effects but these are also likely to be similar or less than those

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assessed in the 2009 ES, and therefore not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. 65. Noise effects from operation of the Development have been predicted for those receptors around the site most likely to be affected by noise. Predicted noise levels take full account of the potential combined effect of the noise from the proposed Development along with other nearby operating or proposed windfarms. Surveys have been performed to measure existing background noise levels at a number of receptor locations. Predicted operational noise levels have been compared to noise limit values (set in accordance with national planning guidance) to demonstrate that turbines of the type and size which would be installed can operate within likely consented noise limits. It is concluded that operational noise levels from the windfarm will be within levels deemed, by national planning policy and guidance, to be acceptable for wind energy schemes and therefore not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations. 6.7 Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology 66. Issues raised by consultees in response to the 2009 planning application and the 2009 ES included a request from SEPA that additional information on management of peat and over-burden and the management of waste from tree felling at the site should be provided. 67. In response to these comments, an integrated “Forest Redesign, Peat Reuse and Habitat Restoration Plan” has been produced and included within the ES Addendum (Appendix A8.1 Volume 1). This document contains an Outline Peat Management Plan which includes calculations of the volumes of peat that will be disturbed and outlines proposals for reuse of peat material and habitat restoration. The document will be further developed and a detailed Peat Management Plan will be agreed in consultation with THC, SEPA, and SNH prior to the start of the construction phase. 68. The revisions to the Development design reduce the volume of peat and other ground materials disturbed by the development as a result of reduced track lengths and the removal of three turbines. This reduction in the volume of disturbed material is not considered to result in a reduction in the likelihood or significance of the effects stated in Chapter 12: Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology of the 2009 ES. 69. The number of watercourse crossings required remains as per the 2009 ES layout. 70. It is therefore considered that the assessment of effects on Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology remains as stated 2009 ES. 6.8 Land use, Socio-Economics and Recreation 71. The effects on land use and socio-economics from the revised Development are considered to be unchanged from those stated in the 2009 ES and as such no significant residual or cumulative effects, as defined in the EIA Regulations are predicted to occur. 72. SPR is committed to enhancing the socio-economic benefits of its windfarm developments to local and regional economies were possible. During the construction of the windfarm contracts will be placed for services and materials and local businesses will be encouraged to bid for such opportunities. The infrastructure contractor appointed by SPR will be required to give local companies due consideration for the provision of goods and services and, to assist in placing these contracts, a ‘Meet the Developer’ session will be held to brief local businesses on the types of contracts being let during the construction period. This session will be advertised in the local press and media, directed at local businesses and relevant business forums to ensure attendance is maximised. 73. SPR has also been working recently with a range of public and private sector bodies to explore economic development opportunities and to understand both the direct and indirect effects of windfarm development on local economies. Examples of the sorts of

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opportunities available during both the construction and operation and maintenance phases of windfarm development are discussed further in the ES Addendum. 74. Additionally, recent research findings from independent surveys conducted on behalf of VisitScotland (Ref. NTS-13) indicate that the large majority (80% or more) of all respondents stated their decision to holiday in the UK would not be negatively affected by the presence of a windfarm. A similar majority didn’t feel that windfarms spoil the look of the Scottish countryside and would not avoid an area of the countryside if there were a windfarm. 75. Whilst the revisions to the Development design do not result in any overall change to the significance of effects stated in the 2009 ES (as defined by the EIA Regulations), the revised track layout within the Development site will provide a circuitous route more suited to recreational activities and a car park has been added to the design to improve accessibility for the public. 6.9 Other Issues 76. A review of the assessments contained within Chapter 14: Other Issues of the 2009 ES was undertaken to determine whether the assessments required to be updated in light of the revisions to the Development. No significant effects (in terms of the EIA Regulations) were identified in the 2009 ES and changes to the proposed design of the windfarm were considered to further lessen the likely effects. It was therefore determined that only the carbon balance elements of the chapter required to be re- assessed due to the changes in total turbine numbers and changes to the extent of disturbance to peat deposits. Other assessments would remain the same as stated in Chapter 14: Other Issues of the 2009 ES. 77. The assessment of the climate change effects of the changes to the Development considers the potential savings in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as a result of generating electricity from a renewable source of energy, replacing other forms of electricity generation. The assessment also considers likely carbon losses associated with the construction and operation of the windfarm. 78. The carbon balance calculations presented within the 2009 ES were updated to take into account the proposed revisions to the Development and changes in the Scottish Government guidance on carbon balance calculation (Refs. NTS-14 to NTS-17).

79. The expected saving in emissions of CO2 as a result of the Development is calculated to be 35,019 tonnes of CO2 per year. 80. The expected “payback time”, the period of time over which the windfarm must be in operation before net savings of CO2 can be made, is calculated to be 5.9 years, which is significantly less than the 25 year operational lifetime of the Development.

81. The beneficial effect of CO2 emissions savings resulting from the Development has been enhanced through the design process by maximising the power capacity of the Development whilst minimising adverse environmental effects. The design measures include avoiding deeper areas of peat in the south and north of the Development site. Further benefits will also be realised by implementing a detailed peat management plan.

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6.10 Summary and Conclusions 82. The environmental assessments reported within the 2009 ES have been reviewed and updated to reflect the revised Development design and changes to legislation, policy and guidance that have been introduced since November 2009. The ES Addendum describes these changes, addresses comments raised by consultees following submission of the 2009 ES and details re-assessments where they have been undertaken. 83. The proposed changes to the Development do not alter the conclusions on the significance of effects (in terms of EIA Regulations) reported within the 2009 ES except in respect of the landscape and visual assessment. The movement of turbine locations results in an improvement in predicted effects on the users of the A9 travelling north past the windfarm. Whilst the addition of three other consented windfarms to the area is predicted to cause some additional significant cumulative effects on landscape character to the immediate south-east and south of the revised Development, the refusal of the Spittal Hill windfarm means there is no longer a significant cumulative effect on the landscape character of the moorland which wraps around the northern half of the Development or to the Small Farms and Crofts areas further north. 84. These effects are reversible (i.e. there would not be any effects once the windfarm is decommissioned).

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Non-Technical Summary

7.0 References Ref. NTS-1 URS (2009). Halsary Windfarm Environmental Statement Volumes I to IV (November 2009). ScottishPower Renewables (UK) Ltd, Glasgow. Ref. NTS-2 Scottish Government (2011). Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. Office of the Queen's Printer for Scotland (OQPS), Edinburgh. Ref. NTS-3 Scottish Natural Heritage (2012). Assessing the cumulative impact of onshore wind energy developments. Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby. Ref. NTS-4 Scottish Government (2010). Scottish Planning Policy. OQPS, Edinburgh. Ref. NTS-5 The Highland Council (2012). Highland-wide Local Development Plan. The Highland Council, Inverness. Ref. NTS-6 Scottish Executive (1994). PAN42: Archaeology - Planning Process and Scheduled Monument Procedures. OPSI, Edinburgh. Ref. NTS-7 Scottish Government (2011). PAN 2/2011: Planning and Archaeology. Edinburgh. Ref. NTS-8 Scottish Executive (2002). PAN 45: Renewable Technologies. OQPS, Edinburgh. Ref. NTS-9 Scottish Government (2011). 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy in Scotland (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/08/04110353/0). Crown Copyright, Edinburgh. Ref. NTS-10 Scottish Executive (2007). PAN81: Community Engagement – Planning with People. OPSI, Edinburgh. Ref. NTS-11 Scottish Government (2010). PAN 3/2010: Community Engagement. Edinburgh Ref. NTS-12 Scottish Executive (2006). PAN79: Water and Drainage. OPSI, Edinburgh. Ref. NTS-13 VisitScotland (2012). Wind Farm Consumer Research Topic Paper. VisitScotland, Edinburgh. Ref. NTS-14 Scottish Government, (2011). Calculating Potential Carbon Losses & Savings from Windfarms on Scottish Peatlands Technical Note – Version 2.0.1. Office of the Queen's Printer for Scotland (OQPS), Edinburgh. Ref. NTS-15 J.U.Smith, P. Graves, D.R. Nayak, P. Smith, M. Perks, B. Gardiner, D. Miller, A. Nolan, J. Morrice, G. Xenakis, (2012). Scottish Government Carbon Calculator for Windfarms on Peatlands - Version 2.7.0. Dated 31st October 2012. Scottish Government, OQPS, Edinburgh. Ref. NTS-16 Scottish Government, (2011). Carbon Payback Calculator: Guidelines on Measurements. Ref. NTS-17 J.U.Smith, P. Graves, D.R. Nayak, P. Smith, M. Perks, B. Gardiner, D. Miller, A. Nolan, J. Morrice, G. Xenakis, S. Waldron and S. Drew, (2011). Carbon Implications Of Windfarms Located On Peatlands – Update Of The Scottish Government - Carbon Calculator Tool (Cr/2010/05) August 2011. Final Report. Scottish Government, OQPS, Edinburgh.

Page 13 Halsary Windfarm Environmental Assessment Addendum December 2012 Non-Technical Summary

Non-Technical Summary

FIGURES

Key

Site Boundary

EE 00.5 1 2 3 4 5 Kilometers

DEVELOPMENT SITE AND LOCAL CONTEXT FIGURE NTS1 HALSARY WINDFARM NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY ADDENDUM URS Ref: 46374001 Basemapping: © Crown Copyright, All Rights Reserved 2012. Licence Number 0100031673. Stone Haul Road

Reduction in site boundary

Construction Compound B 3A 5 Key A Site Boundary Site Access A 6 A A Turbine 8 7A Proposed parking A 0 Met Mast see inset map below Crane Hardstanding Turbine Pad 9 10 11 A A Control Compound 12 A A Temporary Construction Compound Quarry Track (Existing) 13 A Track (Existing, to be Upgraded) 15A 14A Track (New, Cut) Track (New, Floating) Turning Head 16A

17 ID Easting Northing Altitude A 1 Removed 2 Removed Halsary Farm 3 318977 951369 79 7 4 Removed 5 317976 951211 88 6 318426 951062 84 Site Access B 18 A 7 319096 951024 80 8 317341 950962 97 Construction 9 317759 950665 92 Compound A 10 318460 950649 86 11 319048 950609 81 12 317218 950518 95 Construction 13 318050 950301 91 Compound C 14 318486 950139 86 15 317523 950222 98 16 317722 949872 97 17 318137 949685 90 18 318005 949253 92 Met Mast 317848 949470 98

0 500 Metres EE

REVISED DEVELOPMENT LAYOUT

FIGURE NTS 2 HALSARY WINDFARM Note: All Forest Within Site Boundary Will Be Felled NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY ADDENDUM URS Ref: 46374001 Basemapping: © Crown Copyright, All Rights Reserved 2012. Licence Number 0100031673. Stone Haul Road

Reduction in site boundary

Construction Key Compound B 3 Site Boundary A A Turbine 5 A 0 Met Mast 6 Site Access A 7 Crane Hardstanding 8 A A A Turbine Pad Proposed Parking Control Compound 9 Temporary Construction Compound 10 11 A Quarry Track (Existing) 12 A A A Track (Existing, to be Upgraded) 13 Track (New, Cut) 15 A Track (New, Floating) A 14 Turning Head A

16 ID Easting Northing Altitude A 1 Removed 17 2 Removed 3 318977 951369 79 A 4 Removed 5 317976 951211 88 Halsary Farm 6 318426 951062 84 7 7 319096 951024 80 18 8 317341 950962 97 Site Access B 9 317759 950665 92 A 10 318460 950649 86 Construction 11 319048 950609 81 Compound A 12 317218 950518 95 13 318050 950301 91 14 318486 950139 86 Construction 15 317523 950222 98 Compound C 16 317722 949872 97 17 318137 949685 90 18 318005 949253 92 Met Mast 317848 949470 98

0 500 Metres EE

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT LAYOUT AND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FIGURE NTS 3 HALSARY WINDFARM Note: All Forest Within Site Boundary Will Be Felled NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY ADDENDUM URS Ref: 46374001 Basemapping: © Crown Copyright, All Rights Reserved 2012. Licence Number 0100031673.