Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Cumulative Effects
11.2.74 Any potential cumulative effects arising from other wind farms or other relevant development
proposals are also considered. The distance considered for cumulative assessments depends
on the existence of ecological and hydrological connectivity in the area and the species
assessed. For this assessment a distance up to 10km was considered for designated sites
and bats and 2km for the other VERs.
Determining Significance of Effect
11.2.75 The significance of the potential effects on each VER is determined by considering the value of
each nature conservation interest and the degree to which it may be affected (the effect
magnitude) by the proposed wind energy development, i.e. by using the Tables 11.2 and 11.3
above. These are described as Major, Moderate, Minor and Negligible. This is presented as a
matrix (Table 11.4).
Table 11.4 Significance of the Effects Defined by the Relationship Between the Nature
Conservation Value and Effect Magnitude
Effect
Nature Conservation Value
Magnitude International National Regional Local Negligible
Total/near total Major Major Major Moderate Minor
High Major Major Major- Moderate Moderate Minor
Medium Major Major -Moderate Moderate Moderate - Minor Minor
Low Moderate -Minor Moderate - Minor Moderate - Minor Minor Minor
Neutral
No/Negligible Effect
11.2.76 The significance of effects can be either adverse or beneficial.
11.2.77 Effects or residual effects are considered to be significant under the Environmental Impact
Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999 (EIA Regulations) if they are at a level of Moderate
or Major significance (i.e. “a likely significant effect”). These are coloured in red and orange in
Table 11.4 above.
11.2.78 Some combinations of nature conservation value and effect magnitude may vary in the level of
significance effects depending on the circumstances, which is why some of the cells in Table
11.4 have two levels within them. This allows for professional judgement to be applied when
identifying the level of significance.
11.2.79 Effects/residual effects determined as negligible or minor are not considered to be significant
with regard to the EIA Regulations.
11.3 Baseline Conditions
Consultation and Desk Study
11.3.1 Table 11.5 presents a summary of the information received from consultees during the
consultation process. Further details relating to the information provided is presented below.
November 2010 Chapter 11 Page 14
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