Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Shadow Flicker
Socio-Economic
Supporting Information (Appendix 1)
increased traffic, such as: the use of notices and leaflets in local Tourist
Information Centres and visitor facilities; temporary signage; providing
information to appropriate organisations (e.g. Sustrans, The Ramblers’
Association) and requesting this information to be made available through
their websites; and temporary diversions, if necessary.
Some upgrading of the private access road will be required to
accommodate oversized turbine delivery vehicles. This will include works
at the junction with Bowhouse Road and a series of bends in the road
along its length. In addition, some infrastructure improvements will be
required along the length of the site access road and the Bowhouse Road
Junction (as detailed in Chapter 7).
A road condition survey will be undertaken for the proposed construction
access route to ensure the road is returned to its pre-development
condition following the construction of the proposed wind energy
development.
Once the location and turbine parameters are defined, the periods during
which shadow flicker can occur are predictable. Therefore, if following a
complaint to the planning authority and following investigation by the
operator, shadow flicker is confirmed to result in a loss of amenity at any
location, then mitigation would be implemented. Effective forms of
mitigation will vary to suit the specific circumstances but may include:
window screening (with shutters, curtains or blinds); planting or
constructing garden screening; or operational controls.
In the case of operational controls, a specific turbine (or turbines) could
be programmed to shutdown at specific times when the sun is bright
enough to cast nuisance shadows. Solar sensors will be fitted on the
nacelles of the turbines to monitor the light intensity to facilitate this
function. There is not specific UK guidance regarding what level of light
is sufficient to cause a shadow flicker event. However, the actual light
level which would trigger a turbine shutdown can be manually configured
on-site following installation, to reflect local conditions.
As far as practicable, local companies will be engaged in undertaking
proposed works ensuring as much local employment benefit as possible.
The proposed wind energy development has been designed to minimise
landscape effects as far as possible, which is expected to have some
tourist benefit, as well as being of benefit to local residents.
PfR is committed to habitat management where practical. It is proposed
to carry out site restoration at the edges of any working areas, principally
alongside access tracks, crane pads and turbine foundations. This will
ensure minimal impacts on the existing land use of the site and
surrounding areas.
Digital television signals will be assessed in advance of the turbines
becoming operational. Problems with television reception attributable to
the proposed turbines will be investigated and rectified through
implementation of such measures as the provision of an alternative
distribution system or reorienting affected aerials away from the proposed
wind energy development to another transmitter.
Management and Restoration Plans
• Construction Management Plan – Construction Method Statements will be prepared
in consultation with, and to the satisfaction of Clackmannanshire Council, SEPA and
SNH. These will ensure that the pre-construction quality of freshwater courses are
maintained during and post construction to protect otters, water vole and protected
aquatic species. In addition, best practice measures to minimise noise during
construction will be provided. A “geotechnical risk register” will inform the
Construction Management Plan. This will show the degree of risk attached to
various elements of the proposed wind energy development construction and
operation. The purpose of the register is to provide and outline a description of the
hazards, identify the likely cause, describe the consequence or impact of the hazard
and identify the design and construction controls to be implemented in order to
reduce the probability to a tolerable level. The overall application of the risk register
will allow the management of geotechnical risk.
November 2010 Chapter 4 Page 18
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