Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
12.2 Methodology
12.2.1 The methodologies used are summarised here with more details provided in the relevant
sections below. The assessment involved:
• reference to relevant legislation, policy and guidance;
• consultation with relevant statutory and non-statutory bodies;
• detailed desk studies and collation of existing material;
• site surveys to establish the existing important ornithological interests within the site,
and in its immediate surroundings;
• evaluation of the potential effects of the proposed wind energy development on
important bird interests both direct and indirectly;
• evaluation of the significance of these effects by consideration of the sensitivity of
the relevant bird interests, the potential magnitude of these effects and their
probability of occurring;
• identification of appropriate measures to avoid and mitigate against any potential
adverse effects resulting from the proposed wind energy development; and
• consideration of the residual significance of the predicted effects following
mitigation.
12.2.2 Data on important birdlife within the study area was obtained through a combination of
scoping/consultation, desktop studies to collate existing information, and newly commissioned
field surveys. The resulting information provides ornithological context to the site and is
considered comprehensive, with no notable shortfalls or information gaps.
Legislation and Guidance
12.2.3 This assessment takes into account the requirements of the following legislation, regulations
and guidance, in addition to that discussed in Chapter 5 (Legislative and Policy Context):
• EU Directive 2009/147/EC (the codified version (updated to incorporate the original
act and all amendments) of Council Directive 79/409/EEC) on the Conservation of
Wild Birds (The “Birds Directive”);
• EU 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;
• Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004;
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 2
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