Northwest Saline Wind Farm NTS June 2009.pdf - IEMA

Northwest Saline Wind FarmEnvironmental StatementNon-Technical SummaryJune 200922885-G130.indd greec01 June 2009

Northwest Saline Wind Farm Environmental Statement Non-Technical SummaryComputer Generated Wireframe of Proposed Northwest Saline Wind Farm from OakleyWireframe produced for illustrative purposes onlytagetageEnvironmental EffectsIntroductionThe following sections provide a brief summary of the main findings of the EIA as setout in the technical sections within the ES (Volume 1 – Main Report). The assessmentshave considered potential environmental effects during the construction, operationdecommissioning phases of the proposed development.Landscape and VisualThe landscape and visual study area for the proposed Northwest Saline Wind Farmincludes parts of Fife (where the wind farm is located),Perth andKinross,the Lothians,Clackmannanshire and Central Scotland. The proposed wind farm site is located withinan area of landscape characterised as Lowland Hills and Valleys.The methodology for the landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) followsstandard guidelines promoted by the Landscape Institute and adopted for use by mostpractitioners. Consultation was conducted with representatives from Fife Council andScottish Natural Heritage to discuss and informally agree the scope of the assessment,choice of assessment viewpoints, design options and mitigation.The assessment findings indicate that there will be no significant landscape effectson landscape character and there will not be significant indirect effects on nearbylandscape designations.There are expected to be significant visual effects on residents in the two settlementsof Saline and Blairingone and significant effects in relation to the views from sixteenresidential properties within 3km of the wind farm.There will be no significant visual effects on tourist attractions, or transport routes, and theproposed wind farm will make a low contribution in terms of cumulative visual effectswhen considered alongside other existing and consented wind farms in the area.Mitigation is proposed to minimise disturbance to protected species and includes preconstructionsurveys for bat roosts, otters, badger and water vole. Post-constructionViewpoint parametersNorthwest Saline Wind FarNoiseEnvironmental StatementA noise assessment was carried out for the development Grid and reference: operation of Northwestmonitoring will also be carried out for bats.E300 862, N689 795 Angle of view: 90°Saline Wind Farm. No significant effects are envisaged for the construction phase ofElevation:100m AODViewing distance:24.8cm @ A3 Figure 7.21aDistance to nearest turbine:Turbine 2 @ 4287mViewpoint 11: OakleyPhotomontage of Proposed Northwest Saline Wind Farm from OakleyNumber of hubs visible*: 5Distance to nearest visible turbine: Turbine 2 @ 4287mDirection of centre of view**: 13° Number of blade tips visible*: 5June 2009as been based on the following turbine parameters:ile: LNW_ABO011.WFLm • Rotor diameter: 80m • Height to blade tip: 120mscreening effects of any intervening objects and forestry.iven as bearing relative to Grid North (BNG).rain data was incorporated to provide additional accuracy to reflect localtion within wireframe illustrations.rdnance Survey Map with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright. Entec UK Ltd. AL100001776.the wind farm proposal. The distance from the turbines and other infrastructure (such asaccess tracks) to neighbouring properties is sufficient to ensure that any construction ordecommissioning noise effects in the local area, and particularly at properties, will beminimal.Operational noise was assessed in accordance with standard guidance recommendedfor use by the Scottish Government. The design of the scheme is such that worst-casepredictions of operational noise levels sit within noise limits, complying with guidancefrom the Scottish Government, based on the background noise at the surroundingproperties and the expected noise of the wind turbines. Any turbine installed will berequired to meet the noise limits set by the assessment, by way of planning condition.Consequently, it is concluded that Northwest Saline Wind Farm will have no significanteffects in relation to noise during the operational period.EcologyThe ecological assessment was based on:• desk studies to identify existing nature conservation features of value; and• field surveys to establish the presence of any protected animals and habitats.There are no statutory sites designated for nature conservation value within or adjacentto the survey area. The site comprises primarily habitats of limited nature conservationinterest, such as improved grassland and arable fields, interspersed with moreecologically valuable woodland, watercourses and standing freshwater bodies. The siteand study area provides habitat for otter, bats, badger and amphibians.The overall effects of the proposed wind farm on habitat interests will not be significant.Effects upon bats will be of minor significance whilst effects upon all other species will notbe significant.The photomontages aim to provide a realistic representation of the proposed dPhotomontage produced for illustrative purposes only