Shepherds' Rig Wind Farm Updated Scoping Report March 2018 Cover image for illustrative purpose only Shepherds’ Rig Wind Farm Updated Scoping Report Applicant Co-ordinating consultant Contributing consultants March 2018 Shepherds’ Rig Wind Farm Updated Scoping Report TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1 2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT .............................................. 4 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................. 10 4. SITE SELECTION AND DESIGN EVOLUTION ......................................... 13 5. PLANNING AND ENERGY POLICY ........................................................... 14 6. FORESTRY ..................................................................................................... 20 7. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ......................................................................... 24 8. ECOLOGY ....................................................................................................... 35 9. ORNITHOLOGY ............................................................................................. 44 10. CULTURAL HERITAGE ............................................................................... 50 11. GEOLOGY AND PEAT .................................................................................. 54 12. HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY .................................................... 58 13. NOISE .............................................................................................................. 62 14. TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ....................................................................... 68 15. AVIATION ...................................................................................................... 72 16. EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE ................................................................... 76 17. SOCIO-ECONOMICS AND TOURISM ........................................................ 77 18. SHADOW FLICKER AND REFLECTIVITY ................................................ 81 19. CLIMATE CHANGE AND CARBON BALANCE ....................................... 82 20. MAJOR ACCIDENTS AND DISASTERS ..................................................... 84 21. CUMULATIVE EFFECTS .............................................................................. 86 22. CONSULTATION ........................................................................................... 87 Appendix A – Figures .................................................................................................. 89 Appendix B – 2013 Scoping Opinion .......................................................................... 90 Appendix C – Cumulative Sites ................................................................................... 91 Appendix D – Ornithology Survey Methods ............................................................... 92 Contents March 2018 Page i Shepherds’ Rig Wind Farm Updated Scoping Report 1. INTRODUCTION Purpose of the Updated Scoping Report 1.1. This report constitutes the request for a Revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Opinion for a proposed wind farm (the Development) on land at Shepherds’ Rig (the Site) approximately 5 kilometres (km) east of Carsphairn, Dumfries and Galloway. The Site encompasses an area of approximately 810 hectares (ha) within an upland rural area which includes forestry plantations. The Site location is shown in Figure 1, Appendix A. This Updated Scoping Report has been prepared by Arcus Consultancy Services Ltd (Arcus) on behalf of Infinergy Ltd (the Applicant). Project History 1.2. The original Scoping Report for the Development was prepared in April 2013. This included a layout of up to 45 turbines with a tip height of 149.5 metres (m). A Scoping Opinion was received from the Energy Consents Unit in July 2013 (included as Appendix B). A range of initial baseline surveys were undertaken during and after the original scoping exercise as part of the EIA. These included: Ornithological surveys between October 2012 and August 2013; Ecological surveys involving an extended phase 1 habitat survey and protected species surveys in September 2013; Cultural heritage desk based assessment and supplementary site visit; Peat depth surveys across the Site undertaken in October 2013; Hydrological site visits and baseline work; Baseline noise surveys between November 2013 and January 2014; Strategic access and transport baseline studies in November 2013; and Aviation baseline analysis and modelling in December 2013. 1.3. As part of the application process, a series of community open days were held in July 2013 allowing the community to find out more about the Development and provide comment on the proposals. Constraint analysis and layout design work also continued during 2014 to ensure that a scheme that was both environmentally sensitive and economically viable could be designed for the Site. 1.4. In 2015, assessment and design work on the project was put on hold due to the uncertainty associated with the United Kingdom (UK) Government’s proposed changes to the funding arrangements for onshore wind. 1.5. In April 2017, following consideration of the economic viability of the Development in a post-subsidy environment, further ornithological Introduction March 2018 Page 1 Shepherds’ Rig Wind Farm Updated Scoping Report survey work commenced and is due to continue until the end of March 2018. Progression of the Application 1.6. Now that the Applicant has confirmed the viability of the Development they can confirm their intension to apply to the Scottish Government for consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 19891 for the construction and operation of a wind farm on the Site. In the interests of being a responsible developer, this Updated Scoping Report has been prepared to reflect the current situation, taking account of previous surveys and consultation efforts. 1.7. The aim of the scoping process is to confirm the key environmental issues following the pause in the EIA process, to help determine which elements of the Development are likely to cause significant environmental effects and identify issues that can be scoped out of the assessment. This Updated Scoping Report has been prepared with a view to providing structure for re-consultation on the approach to EIA and the further work required for preparation of the EIA Report. Comments are therefore welcomed from consultees on the relevance of work undertaken to date, the topics to be scoped into the EIA and the proposed assessment methodologies. 1.8. This report forms the Applicant’s written request to the Scottish Government, under Regulation 12 of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 20172 as amended (the EIA Regulations), for its opinion as to the information to be provided in the EIA Report (a Scoping Opinion) for the development of the Site. The Applicant 1.9. Infinergy is a renewable energy developer with a strong focus on onshore wind development. Infinergy possesses in-house expertise along with the experience needed to design, develop, build and operate wind energy schemes. 1.10. Infinergy believes wind energy has an important role to play in reducing the combined threats of decreasing energy security, climate change and energy poverty, all of which have been identified by successive governments as key issues facing the energy supply of the UK. The Scottish Government has set a target of 50% of the energy for Scotland’s heat, transport and electricity consumption to be supplied from renewable sources by 20303. 1 The Electricity Act 1989. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/29/pdfs/ukpga_19890029_en.pdf [Accessed 25/01/2018] 2 The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017. Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2017/101/contents/made [Accessed 25/01/2018] 3 Scottish Government (2017). Scottish Energy Strategy: The future of energy in Scotland. Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00529523.pdf [Accessed 01/03/2018] March 2018 Introduction Page 2 Shepherds’ Rig Wind Farm Updated Scoping Report 1.11. When developing a wind energy scheme, Infinergy aims to put the right sized wind farm in the right place, whilst in close consultation with statutory consultees and local communities. This approach allows Infinergy to consistently design wind developments that are sympathetic to local landscapes, while maximising operational efficiency and hence energy output. Infinergy currently have a wind farm project portfolio of over 500 megawatts (MW). 1.12. Infinergy is a member of the trade organisations Scottish Renewables and Renewable UK. For more information please visit http://www.infinergy.co.uk. Introduction March 2018 Page 3 Shepherds’ Rig Wind Farm Updated Scoping Report 2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 2.1. EIA is a legal requirement for certain types of development. In assessing the EIA requirement for wind turbine developments over 50 MW, the decision on whether or not an EIA is required is delegated to Scottish Ministers. Given that prior to the Development being put on hold, it was considered that it was an EIA development, it is assumed that this remains the case and a screening request has not been obtained. EIA Process 2.2. The EIA is an iterative process of assessment and design, whereby prediction and assessment of effects will inform the eventual design of the Development.