Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
13.4.15 The total landtake for site infrastructure associated with the proposed wind energy
development site will be approximately 2.6ha. The percentage of the main hydrological
catchments that this constitutes is given in Table 13.9.
Table 13.9 Proposed landtake as a percentage of catchment area
Catchment Area (ha) Infrastructure Landtake
per catchment (ha)
River Forth 151989 1.269 0.0008
Black Devon 5994 0.821 0.014
Erosion and Sedimentation
% of Catchment Area
13.4.16 Changes in natural drainage patterns due to runoff from exposed soil, dewatering, stripping of
vegetation and topsoils may lead to the erosion and transport of sediment into watercourses.
Increased flow rates due to site drainage can also lead to increased erosion of watercourse
bed and banks. Sedimentation of watercourses can have a detrimental effect on flood storage
capacity and water quality. This is considered to be of a minor magnitude.
13.4.17 Sediment can settle out in slower moving stretches of a watercourse, with the potential to
smother gravels used for salmonid spawning and hatching, whilst deposits of significant
quantities of sediment can alter river morphology.
13.4.18 Sediment can also have effects on the health of aquatic fauna by interfering with respiration
and increasing stress levels.
Potential Construction Effects on Soils
Compaction and Erosion
13.4.19 The movement of construction traffic throughout the site could cause compaction of soil cover,
where present. The effects of compaction will be localised to the site tracks infrastructure
locations, but has the potential to result in a reduction in soil permeability and rainfall
infiltration, thereby increasing the potential for runoff and erosion.
13.4.20 During construction, soil stripping will be required for access roads and the turbine foundation
location in the north-western part of the site, causing soil disturbance. Stockpiled and exposed
areas of soils could be at risk of desiccation and erosion.
13.4.21 The magnitude of this impact is considered to be of minor magnitude at the site.
Potential Construction Effects on Geology
13.4.22 The excavation of foundations and, if required, the penetration by deep (piled) foundations can
have adverse effects on the local geological resource, in particular near surface coal seams
and two adits located in the north-western part of the site. Cast in-situ piles may be required to
be installed into the bedrock at the turbine locations. It is assumed that these will be socketed
into the bedrock.
13.4.23 The magnitude of these impacts is considered to be moderate on this site.
November 2010 Chapter 13 Page 23
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