Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
3 Scheme Development and Scoping the EIA
3.1 Site Selection
3.1.1 This Chapter describes the approach taken by PfR in the scheme development, site selection,
scoping and consultation process for the proposed wind energy development.
3.1.2 PfR’s internal site selection process is designed to identify potential wind farm sites that are
economically and technically viable, environmentally acceptable, most likely to obtain planning
approval and will make meaningful contributions to Scotland’s targets for renewable energy
generation.
3.1.3 The EIA process started when PfR began investigating the feasibility of locating a wind energy
development on land owned by Clackmannanshire Council in 2008. The first step was an
initial screening process that involved a desktop assessment of Clackmannanshire Council’s
land holdings, investigating issues such as the proximity of housing, environmentallydesignated
areas and wind speed. The Forthbank site was identified as having good potential
to support a wind energy development and was progressed to a more detailed feasibility study
that included:
• collection of wind speed information from the NOABL database and preliminary wind
analysis;
• grid connection options and arrangements;
• a planning policy review to assess the location of the site in relation to the preferred
areas in the structure and local plan;
• preliminary turbine delivery route assessment and detailed review, including swept
path analysis (SPA) for typical turbine delivery vehicles (with loads);
• preliminary landscape and visual feasibility studies;
• preliminary Conceptual Site Model (CSM) to assess the potential contaminative and
environmental risks associated with the proposed development of the site;
• preliminary consultation with the Coal Authority to identify the location and status of
two disused adits on the site;
• preliminary noise modelling and an ETSU-R-97 assessment;
• preliminary consultation with Ofcom to identify fixed links and further consultation
with the Joint Radio Company (JRC), Orange, Arqiva, Vodafone, National Grid
Wireless, O2, Cable and Wireless and BT;
• preliminary consultation with the Ministry of Defence, Civil Aviation Authority and the
NATS En-route mapping tool;
November 2010 Chapter 3 Page 1
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