Gordonbush Extension Wind Farm Chapter 15 Environmental Statement Other Issues Chapter 15: Other Issues 15.1 Executive Summary ..................................... 15-1 15.2 Introduction................................................. 15-2 15.3 Telecommunications, Television / Radio .... 15-4 15.4 Aviation (Civil and Military) ......................... 15-6 15.5 Shadow Flicker ............................................ 15-8 15.6 Ice Throw ..................................................... 15-8 15.7 Air Quality .................................................... 15-9 15.8 Carbon Balance ......................................... 15-10 15.9 References ................................................. 15-11 Figures Figure 15.1 : Shadow Flicker Appendices Appendix 15.1: TV Impact Report Appendix 15.2: Carbon Calculator June 2015 Page 15-i Chapter 15 Gordonbush Extension Wind Farm Other Issues Environmental Statement THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK Page 15-ii June 2015 Gordonbush Extension Wind Farm Chapter 15 Environmental Statement Other Issues 15 Other Issues 15.1 Executive Summary 15.1.1 This Chapter considers potential effects of the Development on telecommunications, television / radio, aviation (civil and military), shadow flicker, ice throw, air quality and carbon balance. Telecommunications, Television / Radio 15.1.2 No disruption to telecommunications such as television and radio reception is anticipated as a result of the Development. Aviation (Civil and Military) 15.1.3 The Development is not within line of sight to the HIAL Inverness Airport or the RAF Lossiemouth Primary Surveillance Radars (PSRs) and no effects are anticipated. 15.1.4 Assessment showed that no radar line of sight exists between the Development and the Perwinnes and Allanshill PSRs or NATS air to ground communications facilities. This indicates that there will be no technical impacts on NATS operated aviation navigational facilities. As such, there is no anticipated effect on aviation navigational equipment. 15.1.5 The Development lies within an area which is deemed a low flying area by the MOD and by aircraft transiting to and from the Tain Air Weapons Range. The Applicant will agree a suitable aviation lighting scheme with the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Shadow Flicker 15.1.6 There are no potential impacts of shadow flicker predicted as a result of this Development. Ice Throw 15.1.7 Following the implementation of proposed mitigation measures, such as making operation crews and members of the public aware of the risks of ice throw, it is considered that the risk of ice throw will be very low. Air Quality 15.1.8 With the implementation of mitigation measures to control dust, no significant effects on air quality are predicted. Carbon Assessment 15.1.9 A carbon assessment has been undertaken to estimate the potential savings in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by the Development replacing other electricity sources. This has -1 been calculated as approximately 126,564 tonnes of CO2 saved per year (tCO2yr ) through -1 displacement of coal-fired electricity or 63,282 tonnes CO2yr over grid-mix supply. 15.1.10 The CO2 payback time, which is the period of operation of the wind farm required before there is a net saving of CO2 has also been calculated as between 1.3 to 2.6 years (using coal June 2015 Page 15-1 Chapter 15 Gordonbush Extension Wind Farm Other Issues Environmental Statement and UK grid supply mix CO2 emission factors, respectively). This is a substantially shorter time period than the 25 year operational period applied for. 15.2 Introduction 15.2.1 This assessment considers the following potential issues of relevance to the Development that are not covered within the other environmental chapters, namely: • Telecommunications, Television / Radio; • Aviation (Civil and Military); • Shadow Flicker; • Ice Throw; • Air Quality; and • Carbon Balance. 15.2.2 Due to the lack of similarity between these issues they are considered separately in Sections 15.3 to 15.8, with methods of assessment and structure of reporting varying accordingly. Scoping and Consultation 15.2.3 Consultation has been undertaken with statutory and non-statutory organisations and members of the public to inform the scope of the assessment reported in this ES (refer to Chapter 6: Scoping and Consultation). The consultation responses relevant to the issues assessed in this chapter are summarised within Table 15.1. Table 15.1: Consultation Responses Consultee Summary Response Comment/Action Taken Scottish Scoping Response: A Carbon assessment has been undertaken Government A statement of expected carbon savings as detailed in this Chapter and Appendix over the lifetime of the wind farm should 15.2: Carbon Calculation Spreadsheet. be provided. This should include an assessment of carbon emissions associated with track preparation, foundations, steel, transport and any carbon loss from tree felling or degradation of peaty soils. Reference can be made to the technical note “Calculating Potential Carbon Losses and Savings from Wind Farms on Scottish Peatlands (Scottish Government, 2011). The Highland Scoping Response: The assessment of potential effects on the Council The Environmental Statement must road network is provided in Chapter 12: recognise community assets that are Access, Traffic and Transport. The currently in operation for example road assessment of potential effects on paths is network, footpaths, TV, radio, provided in Chapter 14: Socio-economic & telecommunication links, radar, aviation Recreation. Assessment of effects on other interests. community assets i.e. telecommunications and aviation are provided in this chapter. Page 15-2 June 2015 Gordonbush Extension Wind Farm Chapter 15 Environmental Statement Other Issues SEPA Scoping Response: Carbon assessment has been undertaken and The ES should contain an assessment of is reported in this chapter and Appendix carbon balance using the Scottish 15.2. Government guidance ‘Calculating Carbon Savings from Wind Farms on Scottish Peat Land – A New Approach’. Civil Aviation Scoping Response: Authority The Environmental Statement must The assessment detailed within this chapter consider the potential impact upon considers the potential effects of the aviation and the associated positions of Development upon aviation. NATS and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The Defence Geographic Centre will be If the proposed Development is notified if the Development is approved. approved the Developer is to inform the Defence Geographic Centre of the locations, heights and lighting status of the turbines and meteorological masts, the estimated and actual dates of construction and the maximum height of any construction equipment to be used, prior to the start of construction, to allow for the appropriate inclusion on Aviation Charts, for safety purposes. MOD Scoping Response: The MOD initially objected to the scoping The MOD withdrew its objection on 15th site boundary coordinates as the August 2014 after the Applicant provided proposed turbines will be within low accurate turbine locations and heights. flying area LFA 14 and will affect military aircraft approaching the RAF Tain Air The Applicant will agree a suitable aviation Weapon Range. lighting scheme with the MOD. MOD Safeguarding wishes to be The DIO will be kept up-to-date and consulted and notified about the continually consulted on the progress of the progress of planning applications and application. submissions relating to this proposal to verify that it will not adversely affect defence interests. Highlands and Scoping Response: Islands Airports HIAL calculations show that the The Applicant will agree a suitable aviation Inverness Development would not infringe the lighting scheme with the MOD and notify safeguarding surfaces for either HIAL through the Defence Geographic Centre Inverness or Wick John O’Groats and updated aviation charts and Airports. documentation. However, due to its height and position, a red obstacle light may be required to be fitted at the hub height of some of the turbines. Provided that this condition is met HIAL would not object to this proposal. NATS Scoping Response: No specific issues raised, response listed NATS online self-assessment maps used to services that NERL provide to wind farm establish if technical impact is to be developers. expected. Joint Radio Scoping Response: None required. Company (JRL) JRC does not foresee any potential problems based on known interference scenarios and the [Gordonbush extension] data provided. June 2015 Page 15-3 Chapter 15 Gordonbush Extension Wind Farm Other Issues Environmental Statement 15.3 Telecommunications, Television / Radio Introduction 15.3.1 This section considers the potential effects of the Development on telecommunications, television and radio. Methodology 15.3.2 A desk-based assessment and site survey was carried out to collect baseline data and identify television and telecommunications fixed link signal transmissions in proximity to the Development. 15.3.3 In the absence of guidelines for determining significance of effects on telecommunications, television and radio, the methodology used in this assessment is based on establishing whether or not there would be any effect. 15.3.4 Where there is a potential effect, appropriate mitigation measures have been identified to avoid or reduce effects. Significance is not attributed and therefore effects predicted are considered qualitatively using professional judgement. Baseline 15.3.5 A comprehensive desk study has been undertaken to identify