Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

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Offshore Receptors
10.3.5. There are many commercial fishing and industrial ships which frequent the
waters around GWF and the turbines will potentially be a substantial change
to views when in the vicinity. However, receptors will be focussed on their
line of work and due to their generally transient nature, effects would be
reduced. It is judged that the magnitude of effect is, at greatest, Medium for
vessels closest to GWF, reducing to Low and Negligible with increasing
distance. As the workers on the ships would have a generally Medium to
Low sensitivity to the type of change proposed, the significance of effect is
assessed as Moderate to Negligible depending on the proximity of the
receptor to the WTGs.
10.3.6. Recreational sailing and racing areas lie close to the coast, at 30km or more
from GWF. The proposed turbines will be seen in the context of existing
turbines at GGOWF and the magnitude and significance of effect on these
receptors is judged as Negligible. However, there may be other recreational
sailing vessels that pass closer to GWF and these would experience a
temporarily higher magnitude of effect. For vessels that pass close to or
within GWF effects will be as great as Medium magnitude and Moderate
significance.
10.3.7. The majority of cruising routes lie 15km or more west of GWF, beyond
GGOWF and, the proposed turbines will be seen in the context of existing
turbines at GGOWF. Two cruising routes pass closer to GWF and visual
effects will be substantial for some parts of the routes; however, views will
already be affected by the existing turbines at GGOWF which lies similar
distances from the routes. The overall magnitude of impact is judged as Low
as it will be a temporary visual impact seen within the context of the existing
GGOWF, and for a small proportion of the vessel’s overall route. In passing
there is potential for greater impacts (Medium magnitude) but for a short
period of time. The passengers on the cruising routes will have a Medium
sensitivity to the proposed change. The overall significance of effect is
considered to range from Moderate to Negligible depending on the proximity
of the receptor to the WTGs.
10.3.8. At night, navigation and aviation lights will be visible in what is currently a
dark seascape, except where there are existing lights, for example those
associated with the adjoining existing GGOWF.