Dounreay – Mybster 275 / 132 Kv Environmental Statement: Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary

Dounreay – Mybster 275 / 132 Kv Environmental Statement: Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary

Dounreay – Mybster 275 / 132 kV Environmental Statement: Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary January 2013 Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Dounreay - Mybster 275 / 132 kV Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Dounreay – Mybster 275 / 132 kV Environmental Statement: Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary Published by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc 10 Henderson Road Inverness IV1 1SN January 2013 Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary LT000023 Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Dounreay - Mybster 275 / 132 kV CONTENTS 1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT 1 2 THE CONSENT APPLICATIONS 3 2.1 NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT 3 2.2 SECTION 37 CONSENTS 3 2.3 DEEMED PLANNING PERMISSION 3 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS 4 4 CONSULTATION 7 4.1 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION 7 4.2 SCOPING 7 5 ROUTE SELECTION AND ALTERNATIVES 8 5.2 ROUTEING PRINCIPLES 8 5.3 ALTERNATIVE ROUTE CORRIDORS AND ALIGNMENTS 9 6 THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 10 6.1 INTRODUCTION 10 6.2 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL AMENITY 10 6.3 ECOLOGY AND NATURE CONSERVATION 11 6.4 ORNITHOLOGY 11 6.5 CULTURAL HERITAGE 12 6.6 GEOLOGY, HYDROGEOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY 12 6.7 SOILS, LAND USE AND AGRICULTURE 13 6.8 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT 13 6.9 RECREATION AND TOURISM 13 6.10 NOISE ENVIRONMENT 14 7 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 15 7.1 MITIGATION 15 7.2 POSITIVE EFFECTS 15 7.3 NEGATIVE EFFECTS 16 7.4 MINOR EFFECTS - LANDSCAPE 16 7.5 OTHER MINOR EFFECTS 17 7.6 TEMPORARY EFFECTS 17 7.7 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS 17 8 NEXT STEPS 19 Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary LT000023 Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Dounreay - Mybster 275 / 132 kV Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary LT000023 Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Dounreay - Mybster 275 / 132 kV 1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 This document is the Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the Environmental Statement (ES) which reports on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that has been carried out. The ES has been prepared to accompany two separate applications under section 37 (s37) of the Electricity Act 1989, to construct and maintain the following overhead transmission lines (OHL) in Caithness (the Proposed Developments): a proposed 275 kV OHL between Dounreay and Spittal substations; and a proposed 132 kV OHL between Spittal and Mybster substations. 1.1.2 The applications are being made by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SHE Transmission) (the Applicant). 1.1.3 Both OHLs will be constructed using lattice steel towers. The exact location of individual towers will be subject to further agreements with landowners, site investigations and detailed design. The s37 applications and the ES define a three dimensional Limit of Deviation (OHL LOD) for which consents to construct the OHLs are being sought. An additional LOD is also defined to accommodate the associated construction works including access tracks (associated works LOD). The OHL LOD and associated works LOD (the LODs) for the Proposed Developments are shown in Figures NTS 1.1 to NTS 1.3. 1.1.4 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process that identifies and assesses the potential environmental impacts (both positive and negative) of certain types of development for which consent is being sought, and aims to prevent, reduce or control negative environmental impacts. The requirements for EIA, the procedures to be followed and the information to be provided in the ES are set out Regulations: in this case, the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000. 1.1.5 The aims of this NTS are to summarise the content and the main findings of the ES in a clear and consistent manner to assist the public in understanding what the environmental effects of the Proposed Developments are likely to be. The full ES (Volume 2: Main Report; Volume 3: Figures; Volume 4: Technical Appendices) provides a more detailed description of the LODs, the characteristics of the Proposed Developments and the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). 1.1.6 The full ES and supporting Technical Appendices can be viewed at the following locations: Thurso Service Point Caithness Planning and Building Council Offices Standards Office Rotterdam street Market Square Thurso, KW14 7AF Wick, KW1 4AB Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary NTS 1 LT000023 Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Dounreay - Mybster 275 / 132 kV Thurso Library Caithness Mobile Library (Wick) Davidson’s Lane Thurso Caithness KW14 7AF 1.1.7 Copies of this NTS can be obtained free of charge from: SHE Transmission Community Liaison Manager Marianne Townsley 10 Henderson Road Inverness IV1 1SN 1.1.8 Electronic versions of the applications, including the ES, are available to download from the Applicant's website at www.sse.com/DounreayMybster. 1.1.9 Copies of the full ES and Technical Appendices are also available at a cost of £200 in hard copy format (including postage and packaging) or on CD-ROM (price £20). Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary NTS 2 LT000023 Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Dounreay - Mybster 275 / 132 kV 2 THE CONSENT APPLICATIONS 2.1 Need for Development 2.1.1 The Proposed Developments essentially replace and reinforce existing 132 kV OHLs between Dounreay and Mybster substations and form an integral part of the reinforcement of the existing 132 kV and 275 kV transmission network between Beauly and Dounreay. This forms an element of the Caithness, Moray Firth and Shetland (CMS) Strategy to enable significant new renewable energy generation in the north of Scotland. This increase in renewable energy generation is being encouraged by the Scottish Government as a key part of its policy to tackle climate change and create sustainable economic growth. 2.2 Section 37 Consents 2.2.1 The Applicant is seeking two separate consents under s37 of the Electricity Act 1989 for installation of the following OHLs: the proposed 275 kV OHL from Dounreay to Spittal supported by lattice steel towers, via a proposed new substation south of Thurso; and the proposed 132 kV OHL from Spittal to Mybster, also supported by lattice steel towers. 2.3 Deemed Planning Permission 2.3.1 In addition to the s37 consents, deemed planning permission is also being sought under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1997 (as amended) for certain associated works including: the creation of new temporary and permanent access tracks; limited widening of access junctions onto existing roads in certain locations; and other temporary construction requirements (construction compounds, temporary scaffolding to existing OHLs) to facilitate construction of the Proposed Developments. Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary NTS 3 LT000023 Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Dounreay - Mybster 275 / 132 kV 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS 3.1 Overview of the Proposed Developments 3.1.1 The Proposed Developments are located within Caithness and cover a linear development area of approximately 30 km between the existing Dounreay substation (NGR NC 983 666) to the west, the proposed location for a new Thurso South substation (NGR NC 122 649) to the north, and the proposed extension of the existing Mybster substation (NGR ND 169 516) to the south. 3.1.2 The Proposed Developments will involve the construction of 26 km of double circuit 275 kV OHL, supported on lattice steel towers, between the existing substation at Dounreay, and a proposed substation at Spittal, via a proposed substation at Geiselittle, south of Thurso (known as Thurso South) (the proposed 275 kV OHL); and 4 km of double circuit 132 kV OHL supported on lattice steel towers between the proposed substation at Spittal and a proposed extension to the existing Mybster substation (the proposed 132 kV OHL). 3.1.3 The Proposed Developments will also require associated works for which deemed consent is required, as described in Section 2 above. In addition, the LODs have been defined to accommodate temporary diversion works. These may be the subject of separate s37 applications depending on the detailed design. 3.1.4 For much of their length the Proposed Developments will follow the general route of the existing 132 kV OHL. The final design of the Proposed Developments will be confirmed through further design development prior to construction. Key parameters for which consent is being sought are defined by three dimensional Limits of Deviation (LOD) in which the Proposed Developments will be constructed (‘the OHL LOD’). 3.1.5 Access will be required to construct the towers and string conductors. The access requirements have not been finalised at this stage. For the purposes of this assessment, an indicative access strategy has been developed which describes where existing tracks are anticipated to be upgraded, and where new permanent and new temporary tracks may also be established. 3.1.6 The associated works LOD accommodates the requirements of the indicative access strategy and also defines the area within which other works associated with the construction of the Proposed Developments will take place. 3.1.7 Construction of the Proposed Developments is expected to take approximately 36 months. Construction will be completed in phases and will include: ‘enabling works’ (preconstruction preparations, construction of access tracks); followed by installation of tower foundations and towers; after which the OHL conductors will be strung between the towers. Following l commissioning of the Proposed Developments, all construction sites will be reinstated. 3.1.8 Temporary diversions of the existing 132 kV OHL will be required at certain locations in order to complete the construction of the Proposed Developments. This will be carefully programmed to ensure risk to the electricity transmission network and customer supply is minimised at all times. Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary NTS 4 LT000023 Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Dounreay - Mybster 275 / 132 kV 3.1.9 Maintenance activities will be required throughout the life of the Proposed Developments and these will include regular line and tower inspections, to check for natural wear and tear, but also may include occasional unscheduled maintenance in response to unanticipated events, such as inclement weather.

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