February 2021 Environmental Report – Volume 1 Proposed 110 kV Substation and Grid Connection REGAN On behalf of ʹ OBM Solar Ltd. Rhode, Co. Offaly MALONE O MALONE Form ES - 04 Ground Floor – Unit 3 Bracken Business Park Bracken Road, Sandyford Dublin 18, D18 V32Y Tel: +353- 1- 567 76 55 Email: [email protected] Title: Environmental Report – Volume 1, Proposed 110 kV Substation and Grid Connection, OBM Solar Ltd., Rhode, Co. Offaly Job Number: E1686 Prepared By: Allison Flaherty Signed: _________________________ Checked By: Kevin O’Regan Signed: _________________________ Approved By: Kevin O’Regan Signed: _________________________ Revision Record Issue Date Description Remark Prepared Checked Approved No. 01 17/02/21 ER FINAL AF AF KOR Copyright and Third-Party Disclaimer MOR has prepared this report for the sole use of our client (as named on the front of the report) in accordance with the Client’s instructions using all reasonable skill and competence and generally accepted consultancy principles. The report was prepared in accordance with the budget and terms of reference agreed with the Client and does not in any way constitute advice to any third party who is able to access it by any means. MOR excludes to the fullest extent lawfully permitted all liability whatsoever for any costs, liabilities or losses arising as a result of or reliance upon the contents of this report by any person or legal entity (other than the Client in accordance with the terms of reference). MOR has not verified any documents or information supplied by third parties and referred to herein in compiling this document and no warranty is provided as part of this document. No part of this report may be copied or reproduced without express written confirmation from MOR. Any methodology contained in this report is provided to the Client in confidence and must not be disclosed or copied to third parties without the prior written agreement of MOR. Disclosure of such information may constitute an actionable breach of confidence or may otherwise prejudice our commercial interests. Third parties who obtains access to this report by any means, including disclosure by the Client, will be subject to the Copyright and Third-Party Disclaimer contained herein. Environmental Report – Volume 1 February 2021 Proposed 110 kV Substation and Grid Connection OBM Solar Ltd. Rhode, Co. Offaly Environmental Report – Volume 1 Proposed Solar PV Development OBM Solar Ltd. Rhode, Co. Offaly Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................... X 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1 1.1 The Applicant ........................................................................................... 2 1.2 Site Description and Context ................................................................. 2 1.3 Hydrological Features in vicinity to the Site ......................................... 4 1.4 Consultation ............................................................................................ 6 2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) SCREENING . 8 2.1 Methodology ............................................................................................ 8 2.2 Assessment under Section 5 (Mandatory EIA) ..................................... 9 2.3 Screening Conclusion and Scope of this Environmental Report ..... 12 2.4 Environmental Report ........................................................................... 12 3 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................... 14 3.1 Assessment of the Effects – Evaluation Criteria ................................ 14 4 POLICY, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ............................... 17 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 17 4.2 Need for the Development .................................................................... 17 5 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT DETAILS ..................................... 20 5.1 Description of the Proposed Development ......................................... 20 5.2 Earthworks ............................................................................................. 22 5.3 Drainage ................................................................................................. 22 5.4 Site Access ............................................................................................ 23 5.5 Sensitive Design .................................................................................... 23 5.6 Construction Procedures ..................................................................... 24 5.7 Monitoring .............................................................................................. 25 5.8 Operational Procedures ........................................................................ 25 5.9 Waste Management ............................................................................... 25 E1686 - Malone O’Regan Environmental - FINAL i Environmental Report – Volume 1 February 2021 Proposed 110 kV Substation and Grid Connection OBM Solar Ltd. Rhode, Co. Offaly 5.10 Landscaping .......................................................................................... 26 5.11 Decommissioning ................................................................................. 26 6 BIODIVERSITY ............................................................................ 27 6.1 Methodology .......................................................................................... 27 6.2 Local Planning Context ......................................................................... 28 6.3 Study Results ........................................................................................ 36 6.4 Characteristics and Potential Impacts of the Site .............................. 49 6.5 Characteristics and Potential Impacts of the Site .............................. 55 6.6 Mitigation Measures .............................................................................. 55 6.7 Ecological Enhancement Measures .................................................... 58 6.8 Conclusions ........................................................................................... 59 7 WATER ........................................................................................ 60 7.1 Preliminary Site-Specific Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) ................ 60 7.2 Methodology .......................................................................................... 60 7.3 Stage 1 – Flood Risk Identification ...................................................... 61 7.4 Proposed Development ........................................................................ 65 7.5 Stage 2 – Initial Flood Risk Assessment ............................................. 65 7.6 Review of Available Detailed Flood Risk Mapping – Key Findings ... 66 7.7 Mitigation Measures .............................................................................. 67 7.8 Cumulative Impact ................................................................................ 70 7.9 Assessment Conclusions ..................................................................... 70 8 NOISE .......................................................................................... 72 8.1 Scope...................................................................................................... 72 8.2 Methodology .......................................................................................... 72 8.3 Receiving Environment ......................................................................... 75 8.4 Quiet Area Screening ............................................................................ 76 8.5 Noise Sensitive Receptors (NSRs) ...................................................... 77 8.6 Ambient Noise Characterisation .......................................................... 78 8.7 Applicable Noise Criteria ...................................................................... 81 8.8 Noise Emission Sources ....................................................................... 82 8.9 Proposed Mitigation Measures ............................................................ 90 8.10 Wind Induced Noise .............................................................................. 90 8.11 Grid Connection Cable Route .............................................................. 91 8.12 Assessment Conclusions ..................................................................... 92 E1686 - Malone O’Regan Environmental - FINAL ii Environmental Report – Volume 1 February 2021 Proposed 110 kV Substation and Grid Connection OBM Solar Ltd. Rhode, Co. Offaly 9 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ........................................................ 94 9.1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 94 9.2 Description of the Proposed Development ......................................... 94 9.3 Assessment Methodology .................................................................... 94 9.4 Landscape and Visual Policy Context and Designations ................ 101 9.5 Existing Environment.......................................................................... 106 9.6 Characteristics & Predicted Impact of the Proposed Development 109 9.7 Visual Impact Assessment ................................................................. 120 9.8 Potential Cumulative Impacts ...........................................................