Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Significance Criteria
13.3.7 The sensitivity of the receiving environment together with the magnitude of the effect defines
the significance of the effect prior to application of mitigation measures as outlined in Table
13.5.
Table 13.5 Significance Criteria
Sensitivity
Magnitude Very High High Medium Low
Major Major Major Moderate Minor
Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Minor
Minor Minor Minor Minor Negligible
Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible
13.3.8 Potential effects are therefore concluded to be of major, moderate, minor or negligible. Major
and moderate represent effects considered to be significant in terms of the EIA regulations.
Baseline Conditions
13.3.9 This section presents the information gathered on the existing topographical, geological,
hydrological and hydrogeological conditions at the proposed wind energy development site and
its immediate surroundings.
Climate
13.3.10 The Standard Average Annual Rainfall (SAAR) for the site has been estimated from the Flood
Estimation Handbook (FEH) CD-ROM as ranging from 823mm-954mm. To put this into
context, rainfall in Scotland varies from over 3000mm per year in the western Highlands to
under 600mm per year in some eastern coastal areas.
13.3.11 Long term, average rainfall data from 1971-2000 is available from the MetOffice rainfall
gauging station at Edinburgh, which is the station located closest to the site. Based on the
data collected the long term annual average annual rainfall is 676mm. The monthly average
rainfall for Edinburgh is shown on Graph 13.1, below, which shows that most rainfall in an
annual period falls within the autumn and winter months. Edinburgh is located approximately
38km to the south east of the proposed wind energy development and this possibly accounts
for the smaller annual rainfall.
November 2010 Chapter 13 Page 8
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©