Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
benefit are also being considered by PfR for the site, which will bring economic benefit to the
local communities.
15.3.3 There are no recognised standards or methodologies for assessing socioeconomic effects for
an EIA. Therefore an assessment has been made based on a professional judgement of the
degree of change resulting from the proposals.
15.3.4 This assessment follows the generic methodology of Economic Impact Analysis which
measures the cumulative impact of a development on the economy.
15.3.5 This assessment identifies the contribution that the proposed wind energy development can
make to the economy at five scales – these are shown in Figure 15.1:
• the area scale covering Clackmannan Census Area Statistic (CAS) Ward of
Clackmannanshire Council. This area covers the application area, taking in land to
the south east of Alloa, along the coast to the boundary with Fife Council area, and
including Clackmannan town in the north;
• the local scale covering Clackmannanshire Council Area;
• the regional scale covering the Ochil Scottish Parliamentary constituency – this
covers all of Clackmannanshire, and land to the east in Perth and Kinross, and land
to the west in Stirling and Perth and Kinross Council Areas;
• the wider regional scale – covering Council Areas within 5km of the application area
– namely Clackmannanshire, Fife, Stirling and Falkirk; and
• the national scale covering the whole of Scotland.
15.3.6 Some data was only available for particular geographic areas – where relevant, this is stated in
the sections below.
15.3.7 Scoping responses received, relevant to socio-economics, are presented in Table 15.1, and
Table 15.2 presents the information sources used in the desk-based study, covering local,
regional and national strategies.
Table 15.1 Scoping Responses Relevant to Socioeconomics
Organisation
Clackmannanshire
Council
Response
14/06/10 - Stated that the assessment should include relevant interests in Falkirk and Stirling
Council areas whose boundaries lie close to the site.
The ES should consider potential impacts of the development on employment and local
community initiatives and contain measures to mitigate and enhance these impacts – including
an examination of the socioeconomic effects the development could have directly or indirectly in
the local area including the social housing area closest to the site.
Table 15.2 Information Sources Used in the Socioeconomic Desk Study
Topic
Source of Information
Local employment Nomis – official labour market statistics (nomisweb.co.uk)
Clackmannanshire Council website (http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/)
Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics (sns.gov.uk)
Scrol –Scotland’s Census Results Online (scrol.gov.uk)
Economic Impact The economic impacts of wind farms on Scottish Tourism, Scottish Government (2008).
Building Clackmannanshire - Economic Development Framework 2008 – 2018
November 2010 Chapter 15 Page 3
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