Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
4.8.14 The access tracks will bear directly on to the underlying strata. Should softer ground be
encountered and where the track is on the landfill cap, it may be necessary to strengthen the
road locally. In order to reduce the thickness of the general road construction, and hence
reduce the quantity of imported stone by up to 30%, a geogrid reinforcement layer will be
incorporated into the road construction.
4.8.15 Water crossings have been avoided in the site layout as the majority of the access tracks
almost exclusively follow existing tracks.
4.8.16 The need for drainage will be established on-site during construction by observation. Where
ground conditions are of a permeable nature, swales will be utilised for drainage to allow
natural filtering of surface water into the ground. Where areas are less free draining, land
drains or drainage ditches will be installed where the topography and ground conditions
dictate. Drainage filters will be installed at suitable locations to filter silts out and reduce flow
rates on steeper section of track. If required, cut off drains will be installed at points to redirect
surface water to minimise washout of roads and/or construction areas.
4.8.17 Drainage is discussed further in Chapter 13 (Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology).
Site Accommodation and Temporary Works
4.8.18 One temporary construction compound approximately 50m x 50m is proposed. The location is
shown on Figure 1.2. The construction compound will accommodate all the required welfare
facilities. Other temporary fenced compound areas may be established on turbine craneage
areas as appropriate for security of plant in remote parts of the site. These will not require any
additional hard standing to that proposed for the craneage areas.
4.8.19 Within six months of the proposed wind energy development becoming operational, all
portacabins, machinery and equipment will be removed and the laydown area fully restored.
Stone and Concrete Requirements and Sourcing
4.8.20 Stone and sand materials for site tracks, laydown areas, crane hard standings and cable
trenches are expected to be sourced from local quarries. Approximately 10,500t of stone and
7,400t of sand will be required.
4.8.21 Approximately 3,000m 3 of concrete will be imported to site from ready mix plants for
construction of the turbine foundations and control building.
4.8.22 As noted above, existing on-site tracks will be upgraded and utilised where possible in order to
minimise the amount of stone that is required to be imported to site.
Borrow Pits
4.8.23 No borrow pits are required or proposed on the site.
November 2010 Chapter 4 Page 9
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