Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
by maintenance vehicles on site is considered to be extremely low. As such the effect is
predicted to be of negligible significance.
Wildlife (General)
11.4.47 As with otters, it is anticipated that other locally occurring wildlife will quickly habituate to the
presence of the wind turbines at the proposed wind energy development. Therefore, visual
and auditory disturbance generated through the operation of the wind turbines routine
maintenance works (e.g. general human activity and operation of handheld power tools) is
expected of negligible significance.
De-commissioning
11.4.48 De-commissioning effects would be of similar or of lower magnitude to the construction phase
effects with an overall positive effect resulting from restoration.
11.5 Cumulative Effects
11.5.1 The assessment of cumulative effects from other development projects in-combination with
those associated with the proposed wind energy development on ecological receptors
considers all developments types with the potential to have an effect.
11.5.2 The search area for this assessment will extend to 2km from the application area for all
ecological receptors, with the exception of bats which will be considered up to a distance of
10km. The assessment includes projects which are completed, under construction or
approved, as well as those which are in the planning application or scoping process.
11.5.3 There are no other wind farm developments within 2km of the proposed wind energy
development. Indeed, the nearest are Rosehill Wind Farm, Stirlingshire (Scoping) and Asda
Depot, New Bankside Industrial Estate, Falkirk (Installed, 2 turbines) at 5.6 km southwest and
8.4km south respectively (see Ornithology Chapter Figure 12.2 for distribution of wind farms in
wider area). Given the distances between these existing/proposed wind farms and that
proposed wind energy development, there are not expected to be any significant cumulative
impacts between these developments on any ecological receptors.
11.5.4 Consideration of cumulative impacts also considers the potential for significant additive
impacts over the 25-year operational life of the project. No significant potential impacts are
anticipated except for bats, as these species have a slow breeding rate and thus may be
sensitive to increases in overall population mortality. Over the life of the project, the trees on
site will grow taller and may attract somewhat higher levels of bat activity. However, the
turbines are located in open habitats on the site, which are not likely to become significantly
more attractive to foraging bats. Furthermore, the species most likely to be affected are the
two commonest species in the UK: soprano and common pipistrelle. Thus it is not considered
that the annual mortality at this site is likely to cause significant cumulative impacts.
November 2010 Chapter 11 Page 34
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