Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
• Chapters 6 - 15 detail the technical assessments of the potential environmental
impacts of the development, the proposed/adopted mitigation measures to reduce
any negative effects, on-going consultation and monitoring; and
• A glossary of terms and a list of abbreviations are provided at the front of the ES.
Planning Statement
1.2.3 Although not part of the ES, a Planning Statement (PS) is also submitted as a supporting
document to the application. The PS assesses the wind energy development proposal in the
context of adopted and emerging planning policies and other material considerations, setting
out the arguments for and against the proposed wind energy development, and concluding
with recommendations about the overall acceptability of the proposals in relation to the
planning context.
1.3 Overview of Proposed Development
1.3.1 PfR was established to facilitate renewable projects on land controlled by public sector bodies.
In partnership with Clackmannanshire Council it has established the viability of a site at
Forthbank for a wind energy development.
1.3.2 The proposed wind energy development site is located on the outskirts of Alloa,
Clackmannanshire principally within the former Clackmannanshire Council landfill site located
on the bank of the Firth of Forth at NGR E289102, N691085 (Figure 1.1). The application
boundary encompasses an area of approximately 37.9ha (hereafter referred to as the
‘application area’), of which 2.6ha will be utilised for the development infrastructure. The
application area is shown on Figure 1.2. An aerial view of the site is shown in Figure 1.3 and
Figure 1.4 shows the site, surroundings and environmental designations.
1.3.3 Following a range of technical and environmental investigations and after extensive
consultation, a scheme has been submitted for planning approval comprising of:
“the erection, 25 year operation and subsequent decommissioning of four wind
turbines, each with a maximum overall height (to vertical blade tip) of up to 125m,
together with new and upgraded access tracks, temporary works, hard standing
areas, a control and metering building, cabling and an anemometry mast”.
1.3.4 The proposed wind energy development is described in further detail in Chapter 4, Project
Description. In brief , the proposal comprises the following elements:
• four variable pitch (three-bladed) wind turbines each with a hub height of 80m and
blade length of 45m. Each turbine is likely to generate up to 2.5MW of renewable
energy, providing an overall installed capacity of 10MW;
• one reinforced concrete ‘gravity’ foundation and three deep piled foundations
typically up to 20m in diameter;
• crane hard-standing/laydown areas adjacent to each wind turbine;
November 2010 Chapter 1 Page 2
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