Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
11.2 Methodology
11.2.1 This assessment has involved the following:
• reference to relevant legislation, policy and guidance;
• consultation with relevant statutory and non-statutory bodies;
• detailed desktop studies and site surveys to establish the existing important wildlife
interests on-site, and in its immediate surroundings;
• evaluation of the potential effects of the proposed wind energy development on
current wildlife interests both direct and indirectly;
• evaluation of the significance of these effects by consideration of the sensitivity of
these interests, the potential magnitude of these effects and the probability of these
effects occurring;
• consideration of the extent, magnitude, duration, timing, frequency and reversibility
of potential impacts;
• identification of appropriate measures to avoid and mitigate against any potential
adverse effects resulting from the proposed wind energy development; and
• the evaluation of residual significance of the predicted effects following mitigation.
Legislation and Guidance
11.2.2 This assessment takes into account the requirements of the following legislation, regulations
and other guidance, in addition to that discussed in Chapter 5 (Legislative and Policy Context):
• Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and Wild Flora
and Fauna (the "Habitats Directive");
• Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 (the "Habitats Regulations");
• Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2007;
• Scottish Government (2010) Guidance Notes for Application for a licence for
European protected species. V 3.2 April 2010;
• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981;
• Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004;
• Protection of Badgers Act 1992;
• Guidelines on the Environmental Impacts of Wind Farms and Small Scale
Hydroelectric Schemes 1 ;
November 2010 Chapter 11 Page 2
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