Craigengelt Wind Farm, Stirling ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT VOLUME 1 (OF 4): NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY 12th December 2006 Sinclair Knight Merz Prism House, Rankine Avenue Scottish Enterprise Technology Park East Kilbride, Glasgow, G75 0QF Tel: +44 1355 576 800 Fax: +44 1355 576 801 Web: www.skmconsulting.com COPYRIGHT: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limited. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limited constitutes an infringement of copyright. LIMITATION: This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limited’s Client, and is subject to and issued in connection with the provisions of the agreement between Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limited and its Client. Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limited accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any third party. REGISTERED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSOR: Sinclair Knight Merz is a Registered Environmental Impact Assessor with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
Transcript
Craigengelt Wind Farm, Stirling
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
VOLUME 1 (OF 4): NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY 12th December 2006
Sinclair Knight Merz Prism House, Rankine Avenue Scottish Enterprise Technology Park East Kilbride, Glasgow, G75 0QF Tel: +44 1355 576 800 Fax: +44 1355 576 801 Web: www.skmconsulting.com COPYRIGHT: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limited. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limited constitutes an infringement of copyright.
LIMITATION: This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limited’s Client, and is subject to and issued in connection with the provisions of the agreement between Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limited and its Client. Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limitedaccepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any third party.
REGISTERED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSOR: Sinclair Knight Merz is a Registered Environmental Impact Assessor with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
Non- Technical Summary 1. Introduction This Non-Technical Summary (NTS) forms part of the Environmental Statement (ES) which accompanies the planning application submitted by Scotia Wind (Craigengelt) Limited (SWCL) to develop Craigengelt Wind Farm.
The ES is in four separate volumes, of which this is Volume 1:
Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary;
Volume 2: Main Text;
Volume 3: Figures; and
Volume 4: Confidential Ecological Report.
In addition to the above, the application is accompanied by a ‘Planning Policy Statement’ and a ‘Public Consultation Statement’. The Planning Policy Statement considers the Craigengelt Wind Farm planning application in the context of current Government policy and the local planning framework. The second, the Public Consultation Statement demonstrates the level of public consultation undertaken while developing the wind farm project.
This NTS has been prepared to enable the non-specialist reader to understand the project and the main environmental issues associated with it. The NTS provides a summary of the technical information presented in the full ES. It briefly describes the project (and the rationale for it) and summarises its environmental impact from physical, natural and human standpoints.
2. The Craigengelt Wind Farm Project Scotia Wind (Craigengelt) Limited is seeking planning consent from Stirling Council under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997[1] to develop Craigengelt Wind Farm. The wind farm site is approximately 10 km south west of the centre of Stirling and 9.3 km north west of the centre of Denny as shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the extent of the planning application boundary. The site is located wholly within Stirling Council’s Administrative Area and within a ‘preferred area’ for wind farm development set aside by Stirlingshire Council in its local structure plan[2].
1 Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, The Stationary Office, 1997
2 Stirling and Clackmannanshire Structure Plan, First Alteration: Renewable Energy. 4th June 2004
The wind farm will comprise eight wind turbines of up to 125 meters (m) in height (to blade tip), each generating up to 3 Megawatts (MW) of clean, carbon-free renewable energy. Once energised, the wind farm will produce enough electricity annually for 13,420 average homes (equivalent to 38% of the total households in Stirling[3]), and will prevent the release of 54,242 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year by displacing conventional fossil fuel electricity generation[4]. The wind farm will connect to the national electricity network via underground cables at Stirling Grid Supply Substation (Springkerse Industrial Estate). The project is not related to in any way (or the cause of) the Beauly to Denny Transmission Line. Physical characteristics of the turbines are outlined in Table 2.1 below:
Table 2.1: Turbine Physical Characteristics
Parameter Maximum dimension/value Number of turbines 8
Height to hub 80 m
Blade diameter 90 m
Height to blade tip 125 m
In addition to the turbines, other planning related components of the wind farm development include:
Access roads and associated water crossings for construction and operational access;
Permanent bridge crossing over the Buckie Burn water course.
One electrical sub-station building (comprising a control room, switch room, transformers, meter room and toilet) approximately 15 m by 10 m in size, with a car park area of approximately 6 m x 10 m to the side;
Up to 2 borrow pits (approximately 50 m x 10 m and 50 m x 20 m)[5];
Temporary construction compound area (50 m x 50 m);
A permanent meteorological monitoring mast (approximately 70 m in height) to enable the power performance of the turbines to be determined and measured[6];
Underground power and communication cables between the wind turbines and electrical sub-station building.
3 The 2001 Census (available at http://www.scrol.gov.uk) reports that there are 35,508 households with residents within Stirling Council’s administrative area
4 Figures based on installed capacity of 24 MW, derived from formulas available at www.bwea.com - refer to Appendix C of this ES for relevant calculations
5 Borrow pits will be used during the construction stage of the development to win aggregate for use in constructing certain wind farm components such as the access track and turbine bases
6 SWCL already has planning permission for a temporary wind resource assessment monitoring mast on the site.
3. The Need for the Craigengelt Wind Farm A review was made of the need for the Craigengelt Wind Farm in the context of international, European and national obligations and initiatives associated with combating climate change, promoting sustainability and renewable energy and ensuring the security of the UK’s energy supply.
Initiatives associated with combating climate change, include:
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;
Kyoto Protocol;
G8 Gleneagles Plan of Action;
EU Renewables Directive;
UK Climate Change Programme;
Scottish Climate Change Programme;
UK Emission Reduction Targets; and
UK Renewables Obligation.
The review concluded that the Craigengelt Wind Farm will assist in meeting the UK’s targets for combating climate change through the avoidance of approximately 1.36 million tonnes of CO2. This would be achieved through the displacement of emissions from existing fossil fuel based energy generation (such as coal and gas-fired power stations). It will also make a valuable contribution to meeting the Scottish Executive’s renewable energy targets. The Craigengelt Wind Farm also satisfies the Government’s objective of energy diversification through the generation of energy without the need for fuel sourcing or fuel import. The development will assist in securing the UK’s energy supply and is therefore considered to be a valuable addition to the UK’s energy generation portfolio.
4. Craigengelt Wind Farm Environmental Impact Assessment The Craigengelt Wind Farm proposal has been subjected to an Independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The results of the EIA are presented in the ES. An EIA is a process designed to ensure that new developments, and extensions to existing developments, are located and designed in a way that minimises environmental impacts.
The objectives of an EIA are:
To identify environmental constraints and opportunities within the study area, taking account of the characteristics of the development and the local environment;
To identify potential impacts and interpret the nature of these impacts;
To describe the mitigation measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and where possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment; and
To determine the significance of any residual environmental effects following mitigation measures.
4.1 Consultation Consultation with appropriate organisations is a key aspect of the EIA process, both to agree the scope of the assessment and to understand the general perception of the wind farm development. During the EIA process the statutory stakeholders consulted included Health and Safety Executive, Historic Scotland, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Water and Stirling Council. A further 29 organisations were also consulted during the EIA process.
Consultation activities included:
the preparation of a scoping request[7] submitted to Stirling Council and circulated to a wide number of statutory and non-statutory consultees;
public exhibitions;
stakeholder workshops and focus groups; and
numerous meetings and discussions with key consultees and stakeholders.
These consultations provided invaluable insight into the opinions and requirements of those concerned or affected by the proposed wind farm. This was combined with preliminary technical and ecological findings to develop the scope and methodology of the EIA and influence the design and mitigation strategies of the development.
Information on viewing and purchasing copies of the ES and this Non-Technical Summary are provided in Section 6 of this NTS. Through the publication of the ES, stakeholders are encouraged to contribute to the consenting and development process by active participation in the consent application consultation process.
4.2 EIA Findings The following sections provide a summary of the findings of the EIA that are set out in each of the technical sections of the ES.
4.2.1 Noise The principal sources of noise from wind turbines are the blades rotating in the air (known as aerodynamic noise) and the internal machinery, particularly the gearbox and, to a lesser extent, the generator (known as mechanical noise). The blades are carefully designed to minimise noise whilst optimising power transfer from the wind. The nacelle (at the top of the tower) is insulated to minimise noise radiation from the gearbox, generator and other components which are contained inside. These items are also isolated from the tower and the blade assembly to prevent structure borne noise.
Although the noise levels from wind turbines are fairly low and benign, wind farms are generally situated in rural environments where there are few other sources of noise. When wind speeds are high this is not a problem since any noise is masked by wind induced noise effects, particularly that of the trees being blown. At lower wind speeds, however, or in particularly sheltered locations, the wind induced background noise may not be sufficient to mask any noise from the turbines. However, under these conditions, the generated noise levels may be so low as to have very little impact.
An assessment of the noise impact of the proposed Craigengelt Wind Farm was carried out and for this, baseline noise levels were measured at four locations which are representative of the residential dwellings closest to the proposed turbines. Worst case turbine noise levels were predicted based on sound power level data for a Vestas V90, 3.0 MW wind turbine, which are to be warranted by the manufacturer.
The assessment compared the predicted noise levels with noise limits described in ETSU-R-97, Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms, the published recommendations of the Working Group on Noise from Wind Turbines, as referred to in PAN45, Renewable Energy Technologies. It was concluded that the predicted noise levels at the nearest residential locations to the site meet the night time and upper day time noise limit under all conditions, or the landowner limit where relevant. The lower day time noise limit was also met under all conditions (except at New Cairnoch lodge for wind speeds between 6 and 7 m/s), or the landowner ‘financially involved’ limit where relevant.
Construction and decommissioning noise predictions have not been carried out as part of this assessment due to the large separation distances between construction areas (turbines, access tracks and borrow pits) and residential properties and also because construction programmes for wind farm developments are highly variable. It is highly likely that noise levels from construction activities will be well below the relevant noise criteria.
4.2.2 Landscape and Visual The proposed scheme is situated in the Central Region of Scotland, along the Highland Boundary Fault; an area of lowland hills situated to the south of the Highlands. The site is located across Craigengelt Hill to the north of the Carron Valley, in the County of Stirling. The local area is not recognised as having any national landscape value, but much of the local area, including the site, is designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) by both Stirling and Falkirk Councils. Notwithstanding this AGLV designation, the site lies within the “area of search” for wind turbine projects proposed by Stirling Council. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is situated in the north-western corner of the study area, and is a landscape of national importance. The study area covers a 60 km radius from the proposed site.
The immediate landscape of the site is situated in a Lowland Hills landscape type, close to the small hamlet of Carron Valley, and the telecommunications masts at Earl’s Hill. The sensitivity of the immediate landscape of the site is considered here to be medium.
During the six month construction period activities will include excavation of soils, construction of new access roads and an electrical sub-station, erection of 8 turbines, installation of underground cables and re-grading of soils. Permanent features will include eight turbines, a new electrical sub-station and access roads.
There are a small number of highly sensitive residential receptors locally: Easter Cringate Cottage, Easter Cringate, Ryecroft, Shankhead Farm, Easter Buckieburn, Drum, Easterton and Craigannet. There are few public rights of way locally, although much of the local hillside area is open access land, allowing access across much of the surrounding area. The proximity of many of these sensitive receptors will result in a high degree of visual change in the local area where direct views of the development may be gained.
The local landscape is currently undergoing change with the construction of Earlsburn Wind Farm and Fintry Community Turbine across Hart Hill and Cringate Law. These consented turbines are situated on higher land than Craigengelt Hill, so that although the proposed turbines at Craigengelt are 125 m to blade tip compared with 115 m for the consented turbines, the maximum level of the turbines at Craigengelt would be 475 m AOD compared with 548 mAOD at Earlsburn. The wider landscape has also seen the construction of 36 turbines at Braes O’Doune, 24 km to the north of Craigengelt. These turbines are particularly visible from the north eastern extents of the study area, from both the northern side of the Gargunnock and Touch Hills and the Ochil Hills.
The local recreational value of the Carron Valley is also recognised as important. It is particularly popular for walkers, mountain bikers and watersports. This recreational use is expected to increase in the coming years.
There are a number of other wind farms currently in planning in the area. These schemes appear to be clustered in three distinct areas: across the Ochil Hills; along the M8 corridor; and on the western edge of the central lowlands.
Site analysis identified that the likely visual impacts of the development are largely contained within a distance of 10 km of the site. From greater distances the turbines will be barely discernable.
The landscape and visual impact assessment considered the significance of the construction impacts of Craigengelt to be not significant with regard to the landscape local to the proposed site. Significant impacts on visual amenity for residential receptors are considered likely as the turbines are lifted into position for Easter Cringate Cottage, Easter Cringate, Shankhead Farm (financially involved in the proposed project), Easter Buckieburn, from the B818 and from Sauchie Craigs.
Throughout the 25 year operational period of the scheme the principal landscape impacts will be the presence of eight 125 m high turbines. Their scale means they will dominate the proposal site and be prominent elements in the Lowland Hills Landscape Character Area (LCA). However the key characteristics of the LCA will have already been modified with the construction of Earlsburn and Fintry Community Wind Farms. Any sense of calm and isolation across the open access land will be reduced. The landscape and visual impact assessment has predicted that the impacts on the Lowland Hills landscape character will not be significant. The project’s visual impacts on highly sensitive receptors around Craigengelt and the surrounding 5 km are likely to be significant.
From greater distances the significance will be reduced as views of Craigengelt Wind Farm are reduced.
The greatest degree of change at distances less than 5 km is likely to be experienced along the minor road between North Third Reservoir and Randieford Bridge.
In terms of cumulative impact, the scale and proximity of consented wind farms in the central 10 km of the study area, will result in only minor cumulative landscape and visual impact as a result of the introduction of Craigengelt. Certain routes, particularly between North Third Reservoir and Randieford Bridge and the minor road from Kilsyth to North Third Reservoir are likely to experience cumulative visual impacts. However, for much of these routes the turbines will be seen in close proximity to one another and in the same arc of view. The distant presence of Braes O’Doune Wind Farm is notable from certain peaks across the Ochil Hills and the Kilsyth Hills, but will not be important in the context of views of Craigengelt.
The ultimate decommissioning and removal of all above ground elements means that any identified effects associated with Craigengelt Wind Farm are ultimately reversible.
Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology A programme of surveys was carried out to evaluate the ecological sensitivity of the proposed development site at Craigengelt. This included desk studies to identify statutory designated sites, habitat surveys, otter, water vole and badger surveys.
Two Special Areas of Conservation occur within 10 km of the site, both containing important aquatic species. One Annex 1 habitat (blanket bog) was identified within the wind farm development site, comprising mostly mire communities, with occasional M2 bog pool communities.
No badgers or water vole were located within the wind farm development or buffer zones, although badgers do occur on Craigengelt farm at lower altitudes. Otters were found within the local area, although not within the wind farm development area or buffer zone. Otters are considered likely to range across the site, particularly during dispersal periods.
There are no significant aquatic communities within the wind farm study area, although there is a fishing interest in the Buckieburn Reservoir. The wind farm will not directly impact upon aquatic receptors, and the only potential impact would be from alterations to water quality in the reservoir. Hydrological issues, including pollution, have been dealt with separately in this ES.
Mitigation to minimise any impacts on priority habitats and species has been incorporated both into the design and layout of the wind farm and in specific mitigation strategies for the construction, operation and decommissioning of the wind farm.
Ornithology Ornithological surveys of the proposed Craigengelt wind farm site and its surrounds were carried out from October 2005 to September 2006, and included breeding bird surveys, black grouse lek surveys, winter bird surveys and vantage point surveys for key species through each season. The study area was defined to include all areas in which wind turbines may be located and the areas that could be affected by them, following Scottish Natural Heritage guidelines.
The breeding bird community within the study area included four high sensitivity species, hen harrier (1 pair); goshawk (1 pair);, barn owl (1 pair); and black grouse (26 displaying (lekking) males). Eight further high sensitivity species were recorded but were not breeding within the study area. These were: red kite; osprey; merlin, peregrine; golden plover; greenshank; short-eared owl; and kingfisher.
There are important bird populations in the local geographical area, although the breeding bird assemblage within the potential impact zone of the wind farm is only of local importance, with a much lower level of bird use. The proposed wind farm has been designed to avoid the main features of ornithological importance, and as a result no high sensitivity species were found breeding or regularly foraging within its potential impact zone.
No significant impacts are predicted on any statutory protected sites, habitats or species, nor on any of the site’s ornithological features, with the possible exception of black grouse, for which some disturbance impacts have been predicted on a precautionary basis.
Siting the wind farm in the least sensitive area and the implementation of the proposed Habitat Management Plan will deliver a net gain to the area’s priority bird populations (black grouse and upland waders). In addition, a landscape management initiative will be implemented to benefit black grouse across the wider Carron Valley area.
A bird monitoring programme will also be implemented to evaluate the impact of the wind farm on the ornithological receptors at the site.
4.2.4 Water and Land The principal watercourses draining the site are the Buckie Burn and the Earl’s Burn, both of which are tributaries of the River Carron. The River Carron itself flows eastwards towards the Forth Estuary. A very small part of the site, which includes part of the access track and proposed location of the temporary construction compound, will be located within the catchment of the Loch Coulter Reservoir. The remainder of the site will drain to the Buckieburn Reservoir. Water features on the site include private water supplies at Shankhead Farm, Craigengelt Farm and Easter Buckieburn Farm, wetlands, bog areas, man-made ponded areas and three sluice gates.
Potential impacts of the development on watercourses (lochs, reservoirs, ponds and wetlands), groundwater (including soil water, confined and unconfined groundwater), water users (including abstractions, fishing grounds and other amenity uses), flooding and surface water drainage regimes and soils environment were identified during the EIA.
During construction, there will be only minor effects on water and land including:
Disturbance to the banks and beds of Buckie Burn at the three locations where crossings will be necessary during construction; and
The potential for the contamination of groundwater during concrete pouring and with the general use and storage of potentially polluting substances.
These potential effects will be managed during the construction period through the adoption of an Environmental Management Plan.
During the operation and decommissioning of the wind farm it is predicted that there will not be any effects on water and soils.
4.2.5 Cultural Heritage The cultural heritage assessment considered both direct physical impacts and impacts upon setting of sites of cultural heritage interest.
Prior to the assessment, no sites had been recorded within the wind farm boundary. In the course of the study, several turf banks and a possible shieling site were identified. These probably date from the late 18th/early 19th centuries and are considered to be of no greater than low sensitivity to impacts. It is predicted that the potential for unrecorded sites to lie within the construction footprint of the wind turbines is low, while the potential for the access road is low to moderate.
Impacts upon known sites have been avoided as far as reasonably practicable through design. Impacts of negligible significance have been predicted in relation to two fragments of bank. No mitigation specific to these is proposed. During construction, it is proposed to mark out known sites in order to avoid any potential damage and to employ an archaeologist to undertake a "watching brief" of all excavations in order to protect and record, as necessary, any finds of archaeological merit.
Potential impacts upon setting have been considered in relation to 27 sites in the surrounding area, including Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. Impacts have been assessed as being of no greater than minor significance and no mitigation is proposed in relation to these.
4.2.6 Transport The ES assesses any predicted significant impact on the environment due to vehicle movements during the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Craigengelt Wind Farm.
The region is well served with excellent motorway transport links including the M80/A80, M9, M876 and M8 which provide the main transport corridors in the region. These are complemented by further A-class roads, including the A811, A872 and also the B818.
A study has been undertaken to identify the access routes to the Craigengelt Wind Farm during construction, operation and decommissioning. These routes have been identified through a review of the existing road transport network and consultations with Stirling Council. The ‘Pirnhall Route’ will provide access for vehicles and personnel, excluding
abnormal loads such as turbine blades and tower sections, whilst the ‘Auchenbowie Route’ will only provide access for the abnormal loads.
Baseline traffic flow data has been obtained from Stirling Council for the Pirnhall access route to the south of the M9 overbridge and for the A872 north of the Bannockburn Interchange (traffic count data at this location is assumed to be consistent with data along the length of the A872).
Traffic flow data for the Pirnhall access route indicates that traffic flows average 321 vehicles (southbound) and 313 vehicles (northbound); and flows on the Auchenbowie route, average 8,090 vehicles (southbound) and 7,953 vehicles (northbound).
The predicted increase in vehicle movements along the Pirnhall and Auchenbowie routes associated with the wind farm construction period (when wind farm traffic is at its highest), are predicted to be 14.3% and 0.01% respectively. The predicted impact on traffic and transport during construction of the Craigengelt Wind Farm is therefore considered negligible as these figures are below the 30% threshold criterion of the Institute of Environmental Assessment.
Due to the low level of vehicle movements associated with the operation and maintenance of the wind farm, perhaps one per week, it is considered that operational traffic will have no significant impact on traffic movements and the local environment.
A number of measures have been identified to mitigate the wind farm’s potential transport impact during construction, operation and decommissioning. These include the use of identified routes; adoption of Transport Management Plans; warning signage; newly constructed lay-bys; and speed restrictions.
It is concluded that while the proposed Craigengelt Wind Farm will generate additional traffic during its construction, operation and decommissioning, by adopting the proposed mitigation measures (including the use of permitted access routes to and from the wind farm), there will be a negligible impact on the local road network.
4.2.7 Socio-Economics The development of the Craigengelt Wind Farm will bring long term financial benefits to the Carron Valley community in the form of annual payments or a revenue stream and significant socio-economic benefits arsing from the potential provision of broadband into the community. Other positive effects include the creation of jobs during the construction of the turbines.
Although there are a number of tourism attractions within the zone of visual influence of the proposed wind farm, there is no evidence to suggest that the presence of wind turbines affects tourism and therefore the impact is predicted to be negligible.
Land use was identified as potentially being vulnerable to changes, however the current land use for highland cattle breeding and sheep grazing will continue and will therefore not be affected by the development of the wind farm.
4.2.8 Communication Systems This assessment looked at the potential impact the proposed Craigengelt Wind Farm may have on existing communication facilities such as radio, television, radar and mobile phone systems in the vicinity of the development site. These systems are collectively referred to as ‘communication systems’.
In assessing the potential impact, SCWL has consulted widely to establish the presence of existing communication systems in the area and to ascertain whether, in the stakeholders’ professional opinions, the proposed development will impact on this equipment. Consultations were undertaken with the relevant communication system operators and operators with aviation and broadcasting interests in the area whose communication systems might be impacted.
The Office of Communications (Ofcom) advises that 30 fixed microwave links, operated by 9 separate organisations fall within a 2 km radius of the development site, of which only 4 links pass close to the wind farm site. Aviation interests in the area comprise Glasgow International Airport and Edinburgh International Airport. Two television transmission towers are located in the proximity of the wind farm, Black Hill Transmitter, located about 24 km to the south-east of the development site, and Craigkelly Transmitter, located about 51 km to the east of the development site.
Through the adoption of an appropriate site layout and supplementary mitigation measures, no impact is predicted on any of these communication systems during construction, operation or decommissioning of the Craigengelt Wind Farm.
4.2.9 Shadow Flicker Under certain combinations of geographical position and time of day, the sun may pass behind the rotors of a wind turbine and cast a shadow over neighbouring properties. When the blades rotate, the shadow flicks on and off and this effect is known as ‘shadow flicker.’ This effect only occurs inside buildings where the flicker passes through a narrow window or door opening.
The likelihood of shadow flicker occurring at any property within the vicinity of the wind farm, and the duration of any such effect, depends upon a number of factors including:
The direction of the residence relative to the turbine(s);
The distance from the turbine(s);
The turbine hub-height and rotor diameter;
The time of year;
The proportion of day-light hours in which the turbines operate; and
The frequency of bright sunshine and cloudless skies (particularly at low elevations above the horizon).
The area within which properties could potentially be affected by shadow flicker covers a distance of 10 rotor diameters from each turbine and 130 degrees either side of north (relative to each turbine). In the case of the Craigengelt Wind Farm, this zone extends to 900 m from each turbine. Only Easter Cringate Cottage (located around 775 m to the north of the closest turbine) falls within this zone of influence.
Using conservative assumptions, the commercial software programme Windfarm was used to calculate the expected number of hours that shadow flicker could occur at Easter Cringate Cottage, the only potentially impacted property. Analysis of the shadow flicker modelling undertaken, shows that shadow flicker is theoretically possible at Easter Cringate Cottage for a maximum of 27.1 hours at any window, equating to 0.31% of the year which is considered to be a negligible effect.
5. Conclusion The EIA of the proposed wind farm at Craigengelt addresses a wide range of potential impacts on different aspects of the environment. In order to minimise any negative effects, findings that emerged during the assessment were fed into the design of the wind farm and appropriate mitigation measures were proposed for its construction, operation and decommissioning stages.
It is considered that the only significant negative environmental effects relate to landscape impacts with respect to the highly sensitive receptors round Craigengelt and the surrounding 5 km. From greater distances the significance will be reduced as views of Craigengelt Wind Farm are reduced. However the ultimate decommissioning and removal of all above ground elements means that any identified effects associated with Craigengelt Wind Farm are ultimately reversible.
6. Viewing and purchase of Environmental Statement 6.1 Viewing of Environmental Statement The Craigengelt Wind Farm ES may be viewed at the following location during the statutory consultation period, during normal opening hours.
6.2 Downloading of Environmental Statement This volume of the ES (i.e. Volume 1 Non-technical Summary), in additional to supplemental project information, is available to download from the following internet address:
www.scotiawind.com
Alternatively, further copies of this document are available free of charge from the following address.
6.3 Purchase of Environmental Statement A CD of the ES (comprising Volume 1 (Non-Technical Summary), Volume 2 (Main Text) and Volume 3 (Figures)), and the accompanying Planning Statement, is available from the address below for a charge of £20.00 inclusive of VAT and UK delivery.
Paper copies of the ES (comprising Volume 1 (Non-technical Summary), Volume 2 (Main Text) and Volume 3 (Figures)) and the accompanying Planning Statement are available from the address above for a charge of £150.00 inclusive of VAT and UK delivery:
Cheques should be made payable to Scotia Wind (Craigengelt) Limited. Cash should not be forwarded by mail.
