CONSULTANTS IN ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & PLANNING BALLINAGREE WIND FARM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT – SCOPING REPORT Prepared for: Coillte and Brookfield Date: June 2020 Core House, Pouladuff Road, Cork T: +353 21 496 4133 E: [email protected] CORK | DUBLIN | CARLOW www.fehilytimoney.ie ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT – SCOPING REPORT Rev. Description of Changes Prepared by: Checked by: Approved by: Date: No. 0 For Issue EH/CF TB JH 01.07.20 Client: Coillte Renewable Energy & Brookfield Renewable Ireland Limited Keywords: Ballinagree, Wind Turbines, Renewable Energy, Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Scoping, Planning Application Abstract: This is a scoping report prepared for a proposed wind energy development near Ballinagree, County Cork. The purpose of the scoping report is to identify the content and extent of the information to be provided in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the proposed project. Please send all responses to: [email protected] or respond by post to: Fehily Timoney & Company, Core House, Pouladuff Road, County Cork P2114 www.fehilytimoney.ie TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1.2 The Proposed Development ....................................................................................................... 1 1.1.3 The Applicant ............................................................................................................................. 2 1.1.4 Purpose of the Report ................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Planning Process for Proposed Development ...................................................................................... 5 1.3 Environmental Impact Assessment and the Function of the EIAR ....................................................... 5 1.4 Contribution to the EIAR ...................................................................................................................... 6 1.5 Consultation ......................................................................................................................................... 6 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................................. 8 2.1 Proposed Wind Farm ............................................................................................................................ 8 2.2 Grid Connection .................................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Turbine Delivery ................................................................................................................................. 10 3. STRUCTURE AND SCOPE OF THE EIAR .......................................................................................... 12 3.1 Content of the EIAR – Statutory Requirements .................................................................................. 12 3.2 EIAR Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 12 3.2.1 General ..................................................................................................................................... 12 3.2.2 EIAR Chapter Structure ............................................................................................................ 13 3.2.3 EIAR Report Structure .............................................................................................................. 15 4. ENVIRONEMTNAL ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE EIAR .......................................................... 16 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 16 4.2 Alternatives Considered ..................................................................................................................... 16 4.3 Scheme of Description ........................................................................................................................ 17 4.4 Construction Activities ........................................................................................................................ 18 4.5 Consultation Program ......................................................................................................................... 18 4.6 Environmental Aspects: Population, Human Health & Material Assets............................................. 19 4.6.1 Aspects to be Addressed .......................................................................................................... 19 4.6.2 Assessment Methodology ........................................................................................................ 19 4.6.3 Receiving Environment............................................................................................................. 21 P2114 www.fehilytimoney.ie i / iv 4.6.4 Potential Impacts ..................................................................................................................... 21 4.7 Environmental Aspect: Shadow Flicker .............................................................................................. 22 4.7.1 Aspects to be addressed .......................................................................................................... 22 4.7.2 Assessment Methodology ........................................................................................................ 22 4.7.3 Receiving Environment............................................................................................................. 23 4.7.4 Potential Impacts ..................................................................................................................... 23 4.8 Environmental Aspect: Noise and Vibration ...................................................................................... 23 4.8.1 Aspects to Address ................................................................................................................... 23 4.8.2 Assessment Methodology ........................................................................................................ 23 4.8.3 Receiving Environment............................................................................................................. 24 4.8.4 Potential Impacts ..................................................................................................................... 24 4.9 Environmental Aspect: Traffic and Transportation ............................................................................ 24 4.9.1 Aspects to be Addressed .......................................................................................................... 24 4.9.2 Assessment Methodology ........................................................................................................ 24 4.9.3 Receiving Environment............................................................................................................. 25 4.9.4 Potential Impacts ..................................................................................................................... 25 4.10 Environmental Aspect: Air Quality and Climate ................................................................................. 26 4.10.1 Aspects to be Addressed .......................................................................................................... 26 4.10.2 Assessment Methodology ........................................................................................................ 26 4.10.3 Receiving Environment............................................................................................................. 26 4.10.4 Potential Impacts ..................................................................................................................... 27 4.11 Environmental Aspect: Biodiversity ................................................................................................... 27 4.11.1 Aspects to be Addressed .......................................................................................................... 27 4.11.2 Assessment Methodology ........................................................................................................ 28 4.11.3 Potential Impacts ..................................................................................................................... 29 4.11.4 Appropriate Assessment .......................................................................................................... 29 4.12 Environmental Aspect: Land, Soils, Geology and Slope Stability ....................................................... 32 4.12.1 Aspects to be addressed .......................................................................................................... 32 4.12.2 Assessment Methodology ........................................................................................................ 32 4.12.3 Receiving Environment............................................................................................................