Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
3.2.4 In summary the DP1 work included the following: initial feasibility work on – grid connection,
transportation and access, the development of initial Conceptual Site Models and an economic
appraisal of the design costs, early stage assessments relating to noise, ecology /ornithology
and investigations into the implication of the proposed wind energy development on
communication links.
3.2.5 Where it was concluded that any concerns could reasonably be expected to be overcome
through design development, and that the site was still economically and technically viable, the
site was then progressed to DP2.
Development Phase 2 (DP2) September 2009 – May 2010
3.2.6 The objectives of this phase was to fully costs the civil engineering works necessary to
construct the wind turbines, to verify further the economic and technical viability of the site, and
to work with key statutory consultees and others to resolve any outstanding objections, where
possible. Scoping of the EIA was undertaken at this stage in order to verify the key constraints
and initial activities were progressed to establish whether these were capable of resolution e.g.
bird monitoring was started in September 2009. A scoping opinion was issued by
Clackmannanshire Council in March 2010 following submission of a scoping report on 22
December 2009.
3.2.7 DP2 also included the erection of the temporary wind mast in February 2010 following approval
of the application on 21 January 2010. Ecological surveys started in DP1 (July 2009)
continued into DP3, with final bat surveys undertaken in September 2010.
3.2.8 On concluding this stage, it was established that concerns could be overcome through further
design development or via the incorporation of environmental measures into the scheme. The
site was then progressed to DP3.
Development Phase 3 (DP3) June 2010 – October 2010
3.2.9 This stage took the site through the remaining technical and environmental investigations
concluding with the submission of the planning application with supporting information (this
ES).
3.2.10 Following internal assessment and confirmation that the site would be taken forward for
development, PfR has engaged in a comprehensive consultation exercise. Details of the
scoping and consultation undertaken for the proposed wind energy development are presented
in Section 3.4 below.
3.3 Design Criteria
3.3.1 The design solution for a site crosses all development phases and is based on the considered
application of the following technical, economic and environmental criteria across all
development phases as more information becomes available:
November 2010 Chapter 3 Page 3
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