Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Operation
Visual Screening
12.6.11 The only impacts associated with the operation of the proposed wind energy development
relate to the disturbance and potential displacement of wigeon and curlew.
12.6.12 However, given that wind turbines are considered to be relatively quiet and that any
maintenance works are expected to be low intensity, it is predicted that any effects during
operation will mainly be associated with visual disturbance. Consequently, while it will not be
possible to screen the rotating blades from birds present within the Forth Estuary or Black
Devon Wetlands, it may be possible to screen disturbance from ground level activities (e.g.
maintenance operations). The coastal margin of the application site is already lined by a
protective seawall which is approximately 3m high with a chain-link fence running between the
existing landfill site and the estuary. It is suggested that the chain-link fence could be replaced
by an opaque structure such as a slatted wooden fence or similar (e.g. a natural ‘living willow’
fence) or in the longer term through planting of scrub vegetation to screen any low level visual
stimuli from birds located on the estuary. Any such management would be undertaken after
careful consideration of any possible effects on estuarine birds (e.g. if scrub vegetation might
be avoided as a potential refuge for predators such as sparrowhawks) and interactions with
landscape and visual issues.
12.6.13 A flood embankment also exists along the site’s boundary with the River Black Devon and this
is largely covered in dense scrub, particularly around the mouth of the river. It is considered
that the retention of this vegetation would act as an effective natural screen of any disturbance
within the proposed application site from birds located along the Black Devon.
12.6.14 Although implementation of these measures will not reduce any disturbance that the rotating
turbine blades may have it is predicted that they will minimise the overall impacts of
disturbance to a low (minor) or even negligible (not significant) level.
Post-Construction Monitoring
12.6.15 Given the predicted impacts of disturbance and subsequent displacement of various wetland
bird species (minor-moderate significance) as a result of the operational wind energy
development it is advised that a period of monitoring will be required to identify any changes in
the abundance, distribution/habitat usage by these birds. Monitoring is not proposed as a
mitigation measure but as a means of assessing the actual impacts of the wind energy
development on birds.
12.6.16 Such a monitoring programme will be developed in consultation with SNH and RSPB but is
likely to involve a suite of surveys similar to those carried out for this assessment (e.g. estuary
zone counts, winter walkover surveys and flight activity surveys). In addition, the proposed
wind energy development provides an opportunity to assess the predicted avoidance rate of
pink-footed geese flying in the vicinity of wind farms and it is recommended that searches for
carcasses from blade-strikes are carried out. Monitoring is likely to be required over a period of
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 83
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