Non-Technical Summary (NTS) - IEMA · track and 8.2 km of new track (2.6 km of new track, and 5.6...

Non-Technical Summary (NTS)

Non-Technical Summary (NTS) CF/AppDoc5/NTS

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Contents 1 Introduction 1 2 Construction of the Project 5 3 Assessing the Environmental Impacts of the Project 7

3.1 Introduction 7 3.2 Landscape and Visual 7 3.3 Cultural Heritage and Archaeology 10 3.4 Land Use, Access and Forestry 11 3.5 Hydrology and Geology 13 3.6 Non-Avian Ecology 14 3.7 Avian Ecology 15 3.8 Noise and Vibration 17 3.9 Traffic and Transport 18 3.10 Telecommunications, Aviation & Shadow flicker effects 19 3.11 Socio Economics 21 3.12 Grid Connection 24

4 Viewing of the DCO Application 27

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1 Introduction 1.1. This Non-Technical Summary (NTS) constitutes part of the Environmental Statement

(ES) submitted by RWE Npower Renewables Limited (RWE NRL) to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to construct and operate a wind farm in Clocaenog Forest (hereafter referred to as the ‘Project’). The wind farm will comprise 32 wind turbines with the collective capacity to generate up to 96 MW. Since the generating capacity is over 50 MW this project is regarded as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

1.2. The Application Site is located within Clocaenog Forest (centre point grid reference of the Application Site OS SJ 014 537) on land owned by the Welsh Government (WG) and managed by Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) approximately 13 km south of Denbigh and approximately 10 km west of Ruthin, in North Wales. The Application Site boundary and location of the proposed components are shown on Figures 1, 2 3 and 4 (a/b/c), of this NTS

1.3. SKM Enviros was commissioned by RWE NRL to produce the ES to accompany an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Project. The main purpose of the ES is to present the results and conclusions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) undertaken to determine the potential significant effects, both adverse and beneficial, of the Project. It also seeks to identify potential measures to avoid, reduce, compensate, or offset for any significant adverse effects. The ES concludes by identifying and assessing the residual effects of the Project.

1.4. The NTS summarises the Project, its likely environmental effects and the proposed mitigation and enhancement measures.

Availability of the Environmental Statement

1.5. Once RWE NRL has submitted the DCO application to the PINS, the formal documents that comprise the DCO application (including the ES) will be made available at PINS website and at local venues defined in Section 4 of this NTS.

RWE NRL

1.6. RWE Npower Renewables (RWE NRL) is the UK subsidiary of RWE Innogy, and one of the UK’s leading renewable energy developers and operators.

1.7. Across the UK, RWE NRL operates 17 hydroelectric power projects and 22 wind farms and has a number of new schemes in development.

1.8. In Wales, RWE NRL operates seven hydro-electric power projects including the Cwm Dyli and Dolgarrog projects which have both been in operation for over 100 years. RWE NRL also operates two offshore wind farms, North Hoyle and Rhyl Flats, and seven onshore wind farms, located across Wales from Neath in South Wales through to Anglesey in the north.

1.9. RWE NRL is also currently constructing the £2billion Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm. This has generated investment of over £80million into North Wales businesses alone. Whilst RWE NRL’s Coedty hydroelectric pipeline replacement project, at Dolgarrog, recently announced a £6.6million contract to Ruthin-based business. RWE NRL

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continues to support the ongoing development of the wider Wales supply chain through a number of initiatives, working with Welsh Government and businesses.

1.10. Some 90 employees, approximately 20% of RWE NRL’s UK staff, are based in Wales at RWE NRL’s regional offices, from Baglan, in South Wales; Llanidloes, Mid Wales; to Dolgarrog, St Asaph and Port of Mostyn in North Wales.

1.11. RWE npower, RWE NRL’s sister company, supplies around 6.8 million customers across the UK and operates Aberthaw Power Station and two Combined Heat and Power plants at Barry and Bridgend.

1.12. In all, RWE NRL's combined installed conventional and renewable energy generation in Wales supplies the equivalent of around one-third of Wales' electricity needs.

Consultation

1.13. A full consultation exercise was undertaken for the Project. This commenced at an early stage in the Project’s design stage, in 2008, in order to identify all possible environmental issues that needed to be considered as part of the EIA process. Since then the consultation process has been undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act 2008 (referred to hereafter as the ‘PA 2008’). This requires consultation with the public and prescribed consultees (those consultees prescribed by the PA 2008 to be consulted by NSIP). The consultation process helped RWE NRL and its technical consultants understand and address concerns and issues raised by consultees through the EIA process. Details of the consultation responses and how consultation has influenced the design of the project is provided within the Consultation Report which accompanies the DCO application.

Proposed Development

1.14. The Project will be located within the confines of the site boundary, shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 (a,b,c) of this NTS. The principal components of the wind farm comprise:

32 wind turbines (blade length up to 45m, (.e. a rotor diameter of up to 90 m diameter) maximum blade tip height of 145 m, a hub height of up to 100m) and external transformer units including construction of turbine foundations and crane hardstandings, which will produce between 2 and 3 MW electricity resulting in a total electrical capacity of 64 - 96 MW. The wind turbines will be of a typical modern design incorporating tubular towers and three blades attached to a nacelle housing the generator and the gearbox.

2 anemometry masts (max height 100 m);

A permanent access route to the Application Site and between wind turbines consisting of approximately 4km of existing public roads, 20.3 km of existing forestry track and 8.2 km of new track (2.6 km of new track, and 5.6 km of spur roads). There will also be 8.2 km of secondary access tracks1 prepared as part of the Project;

1 Secondary access tracks are existing forestry tracks that will be used for general construction vehicles, including HGVs, vans, 4x4s and cars. As these tracks are not intended for abnormal indivisible loads, they will not be widened. They are located wholly within the Application Site red line boundary and will be an alternative access route if the primary access routes are not usable for whatever reason.


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Underground cabling between turbines;

A substation compound (which also includes a building with an enclosed control room, welfare facilities and an external compound) of which the location will either be in the north or the south of the Application Site;

Four borrow pits (A, B, C, and D) ; and

Two civil and one electrical construction compounds during construction

1.15. The Project will have a lifespan of approximately 25 years, after which time the Application Site will be decommissioned or repowered.

1.16. Although tree clearance is not development within the scope of section 32 of the Planning Act 2008 a full assessment of the impacts associated with pre-development tree clearance have been undertaken, the findings of which are reported within this ES. Pre-development tree clearance will be undertaken by FCW prior to the commencement of Phase I (construction) of the development and therefore does not form part of the authorised development for which the DCO is being applied.

1.17. The majority of the land within the Application Site is currently predominantly conifer forest with some open areas of heather moorland. The Llyn Brenig Reservoir lies approximately 3 km to the west of the Application Site. The Afon Clywedog, Afon Alwen and a number of unnamed tributary streams flow through the north-east and south-west of the Application Site. Within the Application Site red line boundary (Figure 3) there are no defined settlements (i.e. hamlets, villages). There are a number of small settlements outside of the red line boundary between approximately 2 and 4 km from the Application Site including:

Cyffylliog; Clocaenog; Clawdd-newydd; Derwen; Melin-y-Wig; and Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr.

1.18. The total area of land which will be permanently occupied by structures and hard

surfaces relating to the wind farm will be approximately 12.21 ha, with an additional temporary land take of approximately 12.74 ha that will be made available for restoration after construction.


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Need for the Project

1.19. Demand for electricity in 2020 is likely to be at levels similar to now (around 60 gigawatts (GW)) with the possibility of increases beyond then due to factors such as greater use of electricity to decarbonise heat and transport2. Combined with this there are significant electricity generating plant closures (particularly nuclear, oil and coal) planned over the next 10-15 years (which will reduce supply).

1.20. Welsh, UK, and European Governments have made clear the need for a concerted move towards a low carbon future as a direct response to the need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and seek to combat the threat of climate change. The energy generation sector has been highlighted as one sector which can make a particularly effective contribution towards the move to a low carbon future. Wind farms, by generating electricity using a clean, sustainable, renewable source (the wind) are a substantial part of the drive towards low carbon electricity generation at the Welsh, UK and European levels.

1.21. Under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change of 1994, parties agreed to stabilise their greenhouse emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000. Under the Kyoto Protocol of that same Convention, the UK government committed to reducing greenhouse emissions by 12.5% against 1990 levels by 2008-2012 and to increase the proportion of electricity supplied from renewable energy sources3 to 10% by 2010.

1.22. The UK Government's Renewable Energy Strategy 2009 states that the ambitious target of generating 15% of all the UK's energy from renewables by 2020 means that 35-45% of electricity will have to come from green sources, with the majority being from wind (approximately 33GW of capacity).

1.23. The Welsh Assembly Government’s (WAG’s) Technical Advice Note 8, 2005 (TAN8) outlines how it will deliver its policy targets of 4 TWh of renewable energy supply by 2010 and 7 TWh by 2020. To meet these targets, TAN8 has identified seven Strategic Search Areas (SSAs) suitable for the location of large onshore wind farms (over 25 MW). The Project lies wholly within TAN8 SSA ‘A’.

2 Draft Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1), Department of Energy & Climate Change, November 2009. 3 Renewable energy is defined as energy derived from harnessing the wind, sun, descending water, tidal movements and biomass.


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2 Construction of the Project 2.1. The main construction period is likely to last 24 months, depending on favourable

weather conditions. Specifically, construction will consist of the following elements:

Borrow pit excavation (including blasting); Preparation of the site access and internal access roads which will involve

improvement of existing tracks and construction of new; Establishment of the temporary site construction compounds and works area; Construction of the crane hardstandings; Excavation of the wind turbine foundations and construct the turbine bases; Construction of the sub-station and associated compounds; Excavation of the cable trenches and lay the power and instrumentation cables; Erection and commissioning of the wind turbines and anemometry masts; Construction of and improvement to access tracks within the Application Site; Reinstatement works, i.e. habitat management; and Removal of temporary compounds and clear the site.

2.2. Approximately 4km of public road and 20.3 km of existing forestry roads will be improved and widened where necessary to enable the safe movement of construction vehicles. Approximately 2.6km of new track is likely to be required along with new spur tracks (5.6km), as required. There will also be 8.2 km of secondary access tracks prepared as part of the Project. Roads will be constructed first and vehicles will be restricted from using any other routes whilst in the Application Site.

2.3. Good practice measures to prevent or mitigate any impact during construction will be detailed within the Project’s Construction Method Statement (CMS) and accompanying Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and other relevant management plans that will be implemented during the construction phase (outlines of these plans are provided in Annex 3.1 and supporting Appendices). These will identify the significant environmental risks likely to be present during construction and set out methods and procedures for managing these risks and for monitoring and auditing them during construction. These will be prepared in consultation with key stakeholders and agreed with the local planning authority prior to any works commencing.

2.4. Wherever possible, subject to technical considerations, soils and excavated spoil arising from construction works in the Application Site that is suitable for use as fill material will be re-used in the Application Site. In conjunction with the CEMP, an outline site Waste Management Plan (WMP) (Annex 3.1) has been produced to identify the waste category and quantities, opportunities for recycling or reuse, disposal routes and licensing requirements for all waste arising from the construction.

2.5. Up to 70 people will be employed during the construction of the Project. Employment will be the responsibility of the contractor, but RWE NRL has undertaken to work with the local employment agencies to maximise the opportunities for local people.


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2.6. The access route for Abnormal Indivisible Loads (AIL) has been considered and discussed with consultees. The most favoured access route, agreed by all parties, for these deliveries is:

Ellesmere Port;

M53 and A55 around the south of Chester;

A483 past Wrexham;

West along the A5 to Pentrefoelas;

A543 to Llyn Bran; and

B4501 beyond the crossroads with the B5435 where it turns back on itself onto the unclassified road to the site.

2.7. Other construction traffic movements will follow an agreed routeing strategy from the A55 at St Asaph which seeks to avoid all major built up areas. It was agreed that the routing strategy will form part of the contractual agreement with the main stone and concrete haulage contractors to ensure compliance.


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3 Assessing the Environmental Impacts of the Project

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 The impacts of constructing, operating and decommissioning the Project have been assessed in consultation with statutory bodies and in accordance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) legislation and guidance. The environmental topics that have been assessed as part of the EIA include:

Landscape and Visual;

Cultural Heritage and Archaeology;

Land Use, Access and Forestry;

Hydrology and Geology;

Non-Avian Ecology;

Avian Ecology;

Noise;

Traffic and Transport;

Telecommunications, Aviation & Shadow Flicker effects;

Socio Economics; and

Grid Connection

3.1.2 An assessment has been undertaken by technical specialists for each of the environmental topics identified above. The key points of each of these assessments are described in detail below.

3.2 Landscape and Visual

3.2.1 Summary of Potential Impacts

3.2.1.1 Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm will cause some major impacts on the landscape of the site, of the areas nearby and on the visual amenity of people within close vicinity of the development area, and at more sensitive locations at greater distances. These will be experienced in the context of the existing Tir Mostyn and Foel Goch Wind Farm adjacent to the northwest of the development area, as well as various other existing and consented wind farms in TAN 8 SSA A, including to the south. The new wind farm will serve as a new, yet not unfamiliar, landscape feature, with the Clocaenog Forest turbines having slower rotation speeds, and being taller and more widely spaced than those which already exist.


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3.2.1.2 The following actions will contribute to the potential long term impacts on the landscape and visual amenity:

pre-development tree clearance and removal;

creation of borrow pits and their progressive restoration post construction of the scheme;

creation of a network of widened existing tracks, and lengths of new track through the development area;

the introduction of 32 wind turbines and two anemometer masts. Each turbine will displace an area of forest, grassland or heath, and will typically be accompanied by an area of hard standing for cranes; and

establishment of compounds and a substation.

3.2.1.3 In addition to long term impacts, there is also the potential for short and medium term impacts on the development area, from the presence of plant and activities during pre-development tree clearance, construction, restoration and decommissioning. Localised impacts are likely to be apparent from close to the development area where ground conditions will be discernible, and until a more natural form of land cover recolonises. During operation there may be occasional infrequent requirements to repair or replace defective components. Because of their short term nature, these will not give rise to significant impacts on landscape or visual amenity.

3.2.2 Summary of Mitigation

3.2.2.1 Various measures to mitigate potential impacts have been developed during the planning of the project, including changes to the number and position of the turbines, the layout and other aspects of the design (track layout and design, access locations, compounds and substation etc.), as guided by the development of design objectives. Following pre-development tree clearance and construction, significant local impacts would be likely to remain for several years unless measures were taken to assist restoration of the development area. Restoration of disturbed areas will therefore be an important aspect of mitigation, and will include the smoothing of disturbed ground and earthworks and revegetation by natural recolonisation of areas of moorland and health.

3.2.3 Summary of Residual Effects on Landscape

3.2.3.1 Impacts will include direct negative changes to landscape resources and character within the development area. These will be confined to the location of the new lengths of tracks, cable trenches, borrow pits, site compounds, and the areas around the crane hardstandings and turbine foundations. The forest areas between the turbines will not be directly affected. Impacts on landscape resources due to the loss or alteration of features within the development area will not be significant when examined in the context of the wider landscape.

3.2.3.2 There will also be indirect, negative changes to landscape character, as a consequence of the physical changes. Local landscapes around the development area and those on higher ground will be most affected, due to the potential intervisibility of these areas with the proposed turbines at Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm. The location of the wind farm, set back from the edge of the forested upland plateau, will help reduce some of the landscape and visual impacts, as the convex nature of the plateau edge will give rise to


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come visual shadowing, reducing intervisibility with some of the closer areas. The trees themselves will further reduce intervisibility, albeit that this will change if trees are felled.

3.2.3.3 Some localised indirect impacts upon designated landscapes will be apparent on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park (12km away), within the Clwydian Range AONB (9km away), Denbighshire Y Berwyn AOB (Berwyn hills), and the locally designated Conwy SLA. The regional Clwydian Way/Brenig Way/Brenig Archaeological Trail will be directly affected where it passes through the site.

3.2.4 Summary of Residual Effects on Views

3.2.4.1 The removal of existing features, introduction of new structures and activity around the development area will have impacts upon the views experienced by people living, working or visiting in the surrounding area, although this will not be unfamiliar due to the presence of the existing wind farms. Infrared lights will be used for aircraft warning purposes, meaning that the lights will not be apparent.

3.2.4.2 Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm will be seen from fixed locations and as people move through the area on roads or paths. There will be significant negative impacts upon visual amenity from closer locations, including from some of the villages and hamlets that lie around the periphery of the development area, and from footpaths and locations of interest. Villages are often clustered at the bottom of valleys, or with properties against forest edges, looking downhill away from the wind farm. The relatively low density and linear layout of the Clocaenog Forest turbines will result in the closer villages and hamlets tending to see the group of turbines they are located closest to, rather than the wind farm in its entirety.

3.2.4.3 The majority of significant impacts will affect locations within around 5km of proposed turbines. Between around 5-10km away from the proposed wind farm visibility will be more limited, reflecting the location of the scheme upon a convex edged forested upland plateau, which will provide a degree of visual screening, and prevent there from being a direct line of sight to locations within this distance band. The western part of the Vale of Clwyd for example will be screened in this way. There will also be some localised areas of significant negative impacts on views up to about 15km from the development area. This will include views from hill tops in the Berwyn and Clwydian Ranges, the edge of Snowdonia National Park and recreational destinations such as Denbigh Castle. These locations have wide panoramic views. Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm will appear as part of the same extended developed wind farm area as that occupied by Tir Mostyn and Foel Goch Wind Farm, and Brenig Wind Farm, once the latter is constructed, as well as in some instances by Derwydd Bach to the south, once constructed. It is predicted that there will be no significant impacts on views beyond around 15km from the development area.

3.2.4.4 Views into the National Park and the AONB are not likely to be significantly affected due to the limited extent of areas from where a viewer can experience a view of Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm, when looking towards a nationally designated landscape.


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3.2.5 Summary of Cumulative Impacts

3.2.5.1 Cumulative impacts upon landscape and visual amenity will also result, due to the number of other proposed developments in the area. Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm will extend across TAN 8 SSA A, and what may already be described as a ‘landscape with wind farms’. The hummocky undulating terrain with deep valleys, and the relatively well vegetated nature of the area will reduce the likelihood of significant cumulative impacts with other wind farms, other than those with which it will be immediately contiguous, and when experienced from the vicinity of Clocaenog Forest.

3.2.5.2 Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm will extend north to south between the existing wind farm to the northwest (Tir Mostyn and Foel Goch), the consented Brenig Wind Farm to the northwest, and within 1.5km of the consented wind farm to the south (Derwydd Bach). The various wind farms will often read together as a single large wind farm. A more continuous and extensive area of forested upland plateau, characterised by wind farm development, extending for around 8km from north to south across this large scale forested landscape will result.

3.3 Cultural Heritage and Archaeology


3.3.1.1 The impacts of the proposed Project on the archaeological and cultural heritage resource in the area have been assessed. This assessment took into account standing monuments, historic structures, buried archaeology and areas of heritage value such as historic landscapes, parks and gardens and Conservation Areas.

3.3.1.2 The assessment has identified that the historic setting of five high-value assets within the 10 km study area will be significantly affected by the Project. All are Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) and each lies within open, unforested, ground within 5 km of the Application Site. Four are of prehistoric age and possess a deliberate hilltop setting. The fifth site dates to the medieval period; it is the only monument of historic age to be affected by the Project.

3.3.1.3 No Listed Building will be subject to an impact upon its setting. Similarly, there will be no impact on Conservation Areas and parks and gardens, due to their distance from the Application Site and their topographical position in valley floor locations, meaning that the Project poses no alterations to their setting.


3.3.2.1 Mitigation will comprise a staged approach that will take place both prior to and during construction. It will be followed by a reporting phase, in which the results will be delivered to Cadw, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT) and Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW), and published if appropriate. Prior to construction, the Twr yr Hill round barrow (SAM DE088) will be fenced off. On-site protection for one other non-statutory asset (a standing stone of post medieval age) will also be put in place. These measures will be implemented in order to avoid accidental damage during pre-development tree clearance to be undertaken by FCW in preparation for Phase 1 of the Project (construction) and during the construction phase itself.


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3.3.2.2 A post tree clearance survey will be undertaken to identify any archaeological sites or upstanding features within the felled areas prior to construction taking place. An archaeological watching brief will be undertaken during soil stripping and excavation, unless scoped out during consultation with CPAT. In the event that the watching brief reveals archaeological features, appropriate time and finance will be available for the investigation and recording of these remains.

3.3.2.3 A number of areas within Clocaenog Forest are known to be occupied by peat deposits, which have the potential to preserve palaeoarchaeological data. Peat core samples will be taken from all locations where significant depths of peat are to be disturbed or removed during construction; these will be analysed and reported upon.

3.3.2.4 The detailed scope of the mitigation programme, its methodology and reporting, will be agreed through consultation with the Development Control Archaeologist of CPAT, and with FCW, and set out within a Written Project of Investigation (WSI).

3.3.3 Summary of Significant Residual Effects

3.3.3.1 The residual effects on cultural heritage sites within the Application Site are extremely small. They are not predicted to be significant, even before mitigation, which further reduces the impacts. The post-felling survey will ensure that any sites identified at this stage will be mapped and recorded, with a view to facilitating their long-term preservation.

3.3.3.2 The residual significant effects of the Project relate to indirect visual impacts upon the setting of certain SAMs. In no case does the Project bring about these changes in isolation to other wind farms contributing to cumulative changes. No mitigation is possible for these effects. However, these sites represent only a small proportion of the high-value cultural heritage assets within the 10 km study area adopted for this assessment. The historic setting of many important SAMs, including those with high amenity value such as Ruthin Castle and Denbigh Castle, remain unaffected.

3.4 Land Use, Access and Forestry

3.4.1 Summary of Potential Impacts - Land Use

3.4.1.1 The impacts of pre-development tree clearance on forestry productivity are anticipated to be neutral with moderate positive impacts arising from the provision of the black grouse management area and peat enhancement areas. Moderate positive impacts will arise due to the opportunity to amend FCW’s Forest Design Plan (FDP).

3.4.1.2 Once decommissioning is complete, and in terms of forestry timescales, there are considered to be no permanent land take impacts associated with this Project.

3.4.2 Summary of Potential Impacts - Recreation and Access

3.4.2.1 During pre-development tree clearance and Phase 1 construction, and without mitigation, there will be a moderate negative impact as a result of temporary closure and diversion of PRoW, promoted trails and the suspension of the open and permitted access rights within the Application Site. Without such measures, there would be potentially major significant impacts with respect to health and safety of the users of the Application Site.


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3.4.2.2 When the Project is operational, there is the potential for a moderate impact on equestrian users of the bridleway/BOAT, due to the presence of turbines within 200 m of the PRoW for a 360 m stretch (200 m being the buffer recommended by the British Horse Society (BHS)). There will be no other significant operational impacts on footpaths and rights of way or on other recreational users during the operation of the wind farm.

3.4.2.3 Disturbance impacts relating to recreation and access that may occur during the decommissioning phase will be similar, although to a lesser extent, to those identified during the construction phase.

3.4.2.4 There will be no ongoing impacts on recreational users of the forest following decommissioning of the wind farm.

3.4.3 Summary of Mitigation- Land Use

3.4.3.1 Keyhole tree clearance rather than clear felling will be undertaken, and the creation of new forest edges will be minimised. The design of the Project has been such that turbines have been preferentially sited in existing open areas, in keyholeable crops under 20 years of age and in coupes already identified for tree clearance by FCW within the construction phase of the Project. In addition, tree clearance in older crops has been extended to the nearest windfirm edge to limit the risk of windblow. These measures will minimise the impact of felling and landtake as far as possible.

3.4.4 Summary of Mitigation - Recreation and Access

3.4.4.1 Mitigation measures proposed to minimise the impacts on recreation and access include:

Use of existing FCW tracks where possible; Provision of three routes across the forest in the north, centre and south during pre-

development tree clearance and in Phase 1 construction; Provision of diversions to the Ride North Wales cycle routes that cross the Application

Site during pre-development tree clearance and in Phase 1 construction; Inclusion of a number of measures to ensure the health and safety of the public using

these routes during pre-development tree clearance and in Phase 1 construction; Signage and maintenance of a route to the south of the site for equestrians which

links Bod Petryal to Llyn Brenig and complies with the BHS buffer; All footpath routes to be restored after the construction works are complete, including

those that are currently impassable; and Provision of a Public Recreation and Access Management Plan (provided in Annex

7.2).

3.4.4.2 Prior to decommissioning, a Decommissioning Plan will be produced for agreement with the local planning authorities. It is not possible to say at this stage what recreational activities will be taking place within the forest. However, it is proposed that a further Access Management Plan is produced in advance of decommissioning.

3.4.5 Summary of Significant Residual Impacts

3.4.5.1 After mitigation there will be no significant residual impacts on land use, access and forestry as a result of the Project.


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3.5 Hydrology and Geology


3.5.1.1 An assessment was carried out to determine the potential effects of the proposed Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm on the geology and water environment of the site.

3.5.1.2 Without mitigation, temporary impacts during construction will result in adverse impacts of varying degrees. These include:

disturbance and loss of soil;

loss of peat deposits;

sediment pollution of surface watercourses;

chemical pollution of watercourses and groundwater;

changes or disruption to surface water runoff patterns which could result in a flooding risk;

temporary modification to drainage conditions and flow due to dewatering or physical cut-offs; and

private water supplies may also be impacted by sediment or chemical pollution, or disruption to supply

3.5.1.3 Potential permanent impacts (which can be mitigated) include sediment pollution of watercourses, chemical pollution of watercourses and superficial groundwater and modifications to drainage conditions and flow, with the potential for secondary impacts from drying out of peat.


3.5.2.1 The general approach used has been to avoid any potential effects as part of the wind farm design process. This includes providing buffer zones around watercourses where activities can be avoided, using suitable water resistant construction materials, ensuring site drainage provisions for wind farm infrastructure does not significantly alter existing run off regimes and avoiding drainage channel crossings where possible. Significant measures have also been taken during the design process to avoid areas of deep peat. Where avoidance measures have not been possible, precautionary mitigation measures have been utilised, preventing any significant effects occurring.

3.5.2.2 An Emergency Response Plan (ERP) (Annex 3.1, Appendix C – Emergency Response Plan) will be prepared as part of the ES in order to mitigate impacts on water resources.

3.5.2.3 An Outline Habitat Management Plan (Annex 9.10) has been prepared which identifies areas of the site appropriate for peatland restoration. Calculations have been undertaken to determine the volume of peat lost from proposed activities and the volume of habitat available for peatland restoration. The restoration volume demonstrates a potential increase of 34% of peatland habitat by volume, to that lost as a result of the scheme. All peat loss calculations are detailed within Annex 8.2.

3.5.2.4 With the adoption of a comprehensive CEMP (worked up from the outline CEMP submitted as part of the ES submission, Annex 3.1), liaison with the local authority and


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EAW the incorporation of good practice techniques and with the avoidance measures already taken into account in the design of the Project, the changes to the water environment are not predicted to be significant.

3.5.2.5 No cumulative impacts with other wind farms will be experienced with respect to the hydrological environment.


3.5.3.1 After mitigation there will be no significant residual effects on geology or hydrology as a result of the Project.

3.6 Non-Avian Ecology

3.6.1 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation

3.6.1.1 A significant negative impact is predicted for Nant Y Derwydd candidate LWS during pre-development tree clearance, however the confidence in this prediction is considered uncertain due to the lack of citation detailing why the site was designated.

3.6.1.2 In the absence of mitigation a significant negative impact is predicted for otter due to water quality impacts during pre-development tree clearance and in Phase 1 construction. In order to mitigate this suitable best practice will be detailed and followed for all works within 50m of a watercourse.

3.6.1.3 A significant positive impact is predicted on heathland as a result of the embedded mitigation which includes the clearance and thinning of forest, extension of grazing management and also through the regeneration of heathland likely to occur in newly created open areas. In addition a significant positive impact is predicted on blanket bog habitats during construction due to the embedded mitigation associated with the restoration of c.25.4 ha of peat habitat and enhancement of Gors Y Wern. Significant positive impacts associated with the habitat enhancements are predicted on common lizard, adder and small pearl bordered fritillary populations.

3.6.1.4 In the absence of mitigation dormice could also be significantly affected by disturbance and/or inadvertent killing of individual animals during pre-development tree clearance. In order to mitigate this pre-development tree clearance will be carried out under licence following the latest FCW guidelines.

3.6.1.5 In addition in the absence of mitigation red squirrels could be significantly impacted through the possible killing of small numbers of red squirrel that may impact on the already declining population. This will be mitigated through undertaking pre- development tree clearance check for dreys with subsequent timing outside sensitive periods where present.

3.6.1.6 Further mitigation is also required to prevent an offence under wildlife legislation, with reference to common lizard, adder, otter, water vole and badger.

3.6.1.7 A range of mitigation measures will be employed to minimise the impacts of the Project. These include the application of best practise techniques; pre-development tree clearance and construction surveys for species, where required, including badgers, otter, water voles; and the production of a CEMP and detailed HMP.


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3.6.2 Summary of Residual Effects

3.6.2.1 Following the employment of a range of mitigation measures there will potentially be one significant residual negative effect, on Nant Y Derwydd cLWS during pre-development tree clearance. No further significant residual negative effects are likely with respect to flora and non avian fauna.

3.6.2.2 Significant positive effects have been predicted for dry acid heath, common lizard, adder, and small pearl bordered fritillary, where a change in management of c.193 ha of open land and the creation of open ‘over sail’ areas and open habitats along tracks will increase areas of suitable habitat for these habitats/ species. A significant positive effect is predicted for blanket bog habitats as a result of the restoration of 25.4 ha of peat land habitat and enhancement of Gors y Wern.

3.6.2.3 No significant negative effect on red squirrel is predicted due to avoidance, as far as possible, of high and moderate suitability habitat during the Project design process. In addition a significant positive effect has been predicted for red squirrel through grey squirrel control.

3.6.2.4 A significant positive effect is predicted for dormice due to the establishment of a linked area of suitably created and managed habitat and the funding of research into dormouse ecology within upland forests in Wales, using Clocaenog Forest as a case study.

3.7 Avian Ecology


3.7.1.1 The Application Site supports nationally important populations of black grouse and nightjar and populations of goshawk, peregrine and woodland passerines of value at county level.

3.7.1.2 There is one known goshawk nest site that is likely to be lost and three further known nest sites that, if occupied, may be subject to disturbance during pre-development tree clearance. No existing nests are likely to be disturbed during construction, although disturbance could take place if new nests are established within 400m of construction areas prior to construction commencing. Surveys will be undertaken during the breeding seasons prior to pre-development tree clearance and construction works commencing. No construction works will take place within 400m of occupied goshawk nests (although this distance may be reduced to 200m as breeding progresses).

3.7.1.3 The wind farm has been designed to include a 500m+ buffer between turbines and a known peregrine nest. However, there is potential for disturbance to the nest during pre-development tree clearance and construction works. Surveys will be undertaken during the breeding seasons prior to pre-development tree clearance and construction works commencing and a 600-1000 m exclusion zone will be imposed around the nest, if occupied, during works (with the distance reduced as breeding progresses, the precise exclusion distance depending on the stage in the breeding cycle).


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3.7.1.4 The wind farm has been designed to include a 400m buffer between turbines and recent black grouse display (lekking) sites at Foel Frech and Craig Bron-banog. Disturbance during construction works and possible destruction of nests is a potential impact on black grouse however. In order to mitigate this, construction works near to lekking areas will not take place within 2 hours of dawn or dusk between March and May. Suitable nesting areas will also be avoided between May and June. A significant positive impact on black grouse is predicted following a range of measures to be implemented as part of a Habitat Management Plan (outline provided in Annex 9.10) including the clearance and thinning of 22.6 ha of forest, the creation of two artificial lekking sites and instigation of predator control. During operation, a significant positive impact on black grouse will continue to be felt as a result of grazing management across ~189 ha, clearance of self-sown trees plus on-going predator control.

3.7.1.5 There is potential for a significant negative impact on nightjar due to disturbance or destruction of nests during pre-development tree clearance and construction works. In order to mitigate this, pre-development tree clearance will not take place in coupes less than 20 years old (which could support nesting nightjars) during the period April to August and construction activities will be restricted in areas occupied by breeding nightjars between mid May and September. There will also be a significant positive impact on nightjar through the creation of 30 ha of permanent open habitat and new ‘rides’ alongside access tracks following pre-development tree clearance. During operation there is potential for a significant negative impact on nightjar through reductions in productivity or displacement due to the masking effect of turbine noise on the birds’ ‘churring’ call, although the extent of any impact is uncertain. Detailed monitoring is proposed and if negative impacts are identified, mitigation will be implemented through restricting turbine operation during periods when nightjars are churring so that affected turbines will only operate at wind speeds above those at which nightjar churring takes place.

3.7.1.6 Negative impacts on woodland passerines are possible through the potential destruction of nests during pre-development tree clearance and construction. Standard FCW guidelines will be followed during pre-development tree clearance and all necessary surveys and coupe planning will be undertaken to ensure compliance with FCW best practice and UK forestry standards. Pre-development tree clearance will be avoided in coupes less than 20 years old (which support the highest densities of birds) during the period April to August. Construction works in suitable habitats will either avoid the main bird breeding season or suitable habitat will be checked for nests immediately prior to works taking place.

3.7.1.7 No significant impacts are predicted during decommissioning, although surveys would be undertaken prior to decommissioning taking place to inform an up to date assessment of potential impacts on important bird species and to determine any mitigation requirements.


3.7.2.1 All potentially significant negative impacts on avian species will be mitigated against either through Project design or through additional mitigation to be implemented during pre-development tree clearance, construction and operation of the wind farm. As such no significant residual negative effects are predicted.


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3.7.2.2 There will be significant residual positive effects for black grouse as a result of creation of new habitats, the management of existing and created habitats and predator control, and potentially for nightjar as a result of creation of permanent open habitat and additional forest rides alongside tracks.

3.8 Noise and Vibration


3.8.1.1 Construction and pre-development tree clearance noise has been assessed by undertaking a desk-based study of the potential construction programme and by assuming the wind farm is constructed using standard and common methods. Noise levels have been calculated for receiver locations closest to the areas of work and compared with guideline and baseline values. Construction noise, by its very nature, tends to be temporary and highly variable and therefore much less likely to cause adverse effects. Various mitigation methods have been suggested to reduce the effects of construction noise, the most important of these being suggested restrictions of hours of working to 07:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. The vibration due to the movement of construction vehicles is not likely to give rise to structural damage to nearby residential dwellings. On balance the overall noise impact associated with the entire construction phase, as well as during pre-development tree clearance, is considered to have a temporary minor effect which is not significant in EIA terms.

3.8.1.2 De-commissioning is likely to result in less noise than during construction. The construction phase has been considered to have minor noise effects, therefore de-commissioning will, in the worst case, also have minor noise effects.

3.8.1.3 Operational turbines emit noise from the rotating blades as they pass through the air. This noise can sometimes be described as having a regular ‘swish’. The amount of noise emitted tends to vary depending on the wind speed. When there is little wind the turbine rotors will turn slowly and produce lower noise levels than during high winds when the turbine reaches its maximum output and maximum rotational speed. Background noise levels at nearby properties will also change with wind speed, increasing in level as wind speeds rise due to wind in trees and around buildings, etc.

3.8.1.4 Assessment of the operational noise accounts for the cumulative effect of the Project as well as other existing, consented, and proposed wind farm developments nearby. Noise levels from operation of the turbines have been predicted for those locations around the site most likely to be affected by noise. Surveys have been performed to establish existing baseline noise levels at a number of these properties. Noise limits have been derived from data about the existing noise environment following the method stipulated in national planning guidance. Predicted individual and cumulative operational noise levels have been compared against the noise limits so derived, to demonstrate that turbines of the type and size which would be installed can operate within these limits. At some locations under some wind conditions and for a certain proportion of the time, the wind farm noise may be audible; however, operational noise immission levels are acceptable in terms of the guidance commended by planning policy for the assessment of wind farm noise, and therefore considered not significant.


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3.8.1.5 The selection of the final turbine to be installed at the site would be made on the basis of enabling the relevant ETSU-R-97 noise limits to be achieved at the surrounding properties.

3.8.1.6 Immission noise levels from the sub-station should be controlled to no more than 30 dB LAeq at the nearest residential property. This may require implementing specific mitigation measures, such as solid screening, if a STATCOM unit is used for the substation.


3.8.2.1 The residual noise effects during both the construction and operational phases of the Project are not considered to be significant.

3.9 Traffic and Transport

3.9.1 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Traffic Impacts

3.9.1.1 It is unlikely that the addition of construction staff traffic will result in operational issues over the highway network of interest. In addition, the temporary nature of the construction phase means that the resultant traffic impact is considered to be insignificant.

3.9.1.2 The civil / mechanical construction works traffic is unlikely to result in operational issues over the highway network of interest, given the temporary nature of the construction phase and the low background flows observed. The resultant traffic impact is therefore considered to be insignificant.

3.9.2 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Severance

3.9.2.1 Pedestrian activity in the vicinity of the Application Site is extremely low due mainly to the very remote nature of the Application Site and this is highlighted by the lack of dedicated pedestrian infrastructure on the surrounding highway network. Therefore, the impact from construction staff traffic and from civil / mechanical works traffic on severance is considered to be insignificant.

3.9.3 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Accidents and road safety

3.9.3.1 The impact from construction staff traffic on road safety is considered to be slight. The likely increases in traffic associated with the movement of civil / mechanical works traffic and most notably the larger and slow moving abnormal load vehicles will result in an increase in the potential for accidents, specifically along the abnormal load vehicles delivery route. The anticipated frequency of large vehicles means that there is a requirement for multiple passing manoeuvres. In some instances, the need for a passing manoeuvre may result in vehicles straying beyond the extents of the running carriageway where the risk of either collision or becoming stranded increases. The resultant impact on road safety is assessed as moderate.


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3.9.4 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Driver delay

3.9.4.1 Given the fact that anticipated staff vehicle numbers are low and staff travel will be outside of the typical network peak hours, the impact from construction staff traffic on driver delay is considered to be insignificant.

3.9.4.2 The impact on driver delay when related to abnormal load vehicle movements is considered to be moderate as a result of them travelling at slower speeds and potential requirement of the full carriageway width when negotiating junctions and tight bends.

3.9.5 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Pedestrian amenity, fear and intimidation

3.9.5.1 Due to the remote nature of the Application Site and the limited pedestrian infrastructure on the surrounding highway network, the resultant pedestrian activity is likely to be low. Therefore, the impact from construction staff traffic and from civil / mechanical works traffic on pedestrian amenity, fear and intimidation is considered to be insignificant.

3.9.5.2 A Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) will be prepared in agreement with all of the relevant authorities which will consider all elements of construction traffic. As part of the CTMP a number of general and specific traffic mitigation measures will be implemented as best practice to minimise the effect of construction activities.

3.9.5.3 A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) has also be prepared, in close discussion with the Welsh Government and other stakeholders, which outlines details of how abnormal loads will be transported to ensure that potential negative effects on road safety and driver delay are minimised.


3.9.6.1 This assessment shows that the impacts are mainly insignificant with the exception of those on Accidents and Road Safety and Driver Delay where the impacts have been classified as slight when related to the movement of civil / mechanical construction works traffic and abnormal load vehicles.

3.10 Telecommunications, Aviation & Shadow flicker effects

3.10.1 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Electromagnetic Interference

3.10.1.1 Operating wind turbines can cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) through affecting signals such as TV, radio and mobile phone transmitters, microwave links, radar and aircraft navigation beacons.

3.10.1.2 Operators of these services including nearby aviation operators have been consulted, and the site has been designed so that no turbines are close enough to any microwave or broadcasting link to cause any significant impacts.

3.10.2 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Aviation


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3.10.2.1 If the wind turbines are installed without aviation lighting they would pose a risk to low flying military aircraft and therefore would constitute a potential impact of the Project. Therefore the turbines will be fitted with infrared lights to aid navigation as agreed with the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The Defence Geographic Centre will be notified of turbine positions once the turbines are constructed so they can be plotted on aeronautical charts.

3.10.3 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Shadow Flicker

3.10.3.1 Shadow flicker is a flickering or strobing effect that moving shadows of rotating blades can cause when perceived by humans in certain environmental or physical situations. This effect can be a nuisance but the frequencies involved mean it is rare for this to cause any significant effect to human receptors. The assessment for shadow flicker has indicated that there is there is a slight exceedance of the threshold values at potential receptors. Therefore, in the event of nuisance caused by shadow flicker, mitigation is proposed in the form of shadow flicker timers and light meters which would be installed on turbines 19 and 23.

3.10.4 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Ice

3.10.4.1 In exceptional circumstances in icy weather, ice can build-up on the turbine blades and during blade movement, ice can become dislodged. This risk is only deemed a potential problem where there is the possibility of human receptors being in close proximity to the wind turbines. Given that the Clocaenog Forest is open access under the Countryside Rights of Way (CRoW) Act, 2000 with a number of public footpaths near some of the Project’s turbines, this does pose a potential impact for the project.

3.10.4.2 Although the potential exists for human receptors to be in close proximity to the wind turbines the risk has been assessed as low. Should there be an issue, suitable mitigation measures will be put in place. This mitigation could include the installation of ice detection equipment on the turbines, therefore should ice be detected then the turbine would be shut down. If the turbine specification did not allow for ice detection equipment to be installed then alternative recognised measures will be employed to reduce this risk such as the use of warning signs alerting anyone in the area of the risk or halting operation of the turbines during periods of ice accretion.

3.10.5 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Driver Distraction

3.10.5.1 Given the distance between the turbines and the road, and the likelihood of mature trees to provide some level of screening, there will be no significant impacts on driver distraction. No further assessment for driver distraction is therefore required.

3.10.6 Summary of Significant Residual Effects Electromagnetic Interference

3.10.6.1 There will be no significant, residual effects on radio communications, microwave links and TV.


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3.10.7 Summary of Significant Residual Effects Aviation

3.10.7.1 With the application of infrared aviation lighting to wind turbines it is predicted that no residual effects will occur on the flight activities of military aircraft. Whilst the turbines will be visible at night to aircraft equipped to see infrared, it does not represent a change in aviation safety and is therefore not considered to be a significant impact of the Project. No other aviation impacts or concerns have been predicted or raised by consultees.

3.10.8 Summary of Significant Residual Effects Shadow Flicker

3.10.8.1 There will be no significant residual effects for Shadow Flicker.

3.10.9 Summary of Significant Residual Effects Ice Throw

3.10.9.1 TAN 8 states that the potential for ice throw on wind farms in Wales is low. Further if ice detectors are utilised they will remove the potential for ice throw completely. If ice detectors cannot be incorporated into turbine specification, the risk of ice throw will be minimised through the alternative measures described. Residual effects associated with ice throw are therefore not considered to be significant.

3.11 Socio Economics

3.11.1 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Community cohesion / well-being

3.11.1.1 Consultation with the public has indicated that the increase in employment is seen as positive, but there are concerns raised about local economic benefits, health, access, tourism and crime impacts associated with the Project during each of the development phases. There is potential for these negative attitudes regarding the Project to continue in the long term if the context of the Project is not fully explained by RWE NRL, and the details of the Project in terms of its impacts, mitigation measures and benefits is not made known and discussed with stakeholders. RWE NRL proposes engagement with stakeholders to ensure that information is distributed and that any concerns or issues are fed back to RWE NRL in order for them to be addressed appropriately. The residual effect is neutral across all development phases.

3.11.1.2 In terms of security, the introduction of a construction and decommissioning site of this nature and scale in this location presents the risk of increased crime. RWE NRL has committed, as part of the Project Design, to implement 24-hour security during construction and decommissioning phases as well as appropriate lighting, gated entrances, site fencing and CCTV as required. As a result, the residual effect is considered to be neutral across all development phases.


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3.11.2 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Employment and training

3.11.2.1 Using accepted good practice in terms of converting temporary employment into full-time equivalents (FTEs)4 it is possible to equate activity associated with the Project to permanent full-time jobs. This research highlights that it is generally accepted in economic appraisals of development Projects that 10 person years of employment is the equivalent of one FTE job. The Project will create direct and indirect employment during all of the development phases, as outlined in Table 1. During the pre-development tree clearance, the work will be undertaken by FCW personnel and contractors and therefore, as a result, the socio-economic impact during this phase is neutral.

Table 1 Employment opportunities created by the Project

Phase Direct employment Indirect employment Construction 14 FTE 3.5 FTE

Operation 5 FTE 0.25 FTE Decommissioning 4 FTE 0.25 FTE

3.11.2.2 RWE NRL will implement measures to encourage contractors and sub-contractors to prioritise local recruitment, and will aim to recruit locally through targeted methods including building relationships with local employment agencies and unemployment programmes. This results in an overall residual effect of a positive permanent, moderate impact on employment and training from the construction phase onwards.

3.11.3 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Perception of impact on health

3.11.3.1 Health risks associated with the Project are addressed within the Noise assessment (Chapter 11), Traffic and Transport (Chapter 12) and Shadow Flicker, Ice Throw and Driver Distraction (Chapter 13). These assessments identify that there are no health concerns from the construction of the Project, with the exception of accident risk as a result of traffic movements during construction and operation. A CTMP is proposed by RWE NRL to manage this traffic and minimise risk. The residual effect for the socio-economic assessment is neutral.

4 English Partnerships. (2003). Calculating cost per job. Best Practice Note 15. Issue date 30 October 2003


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3.11.4 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Risk of impact on tourism and recreation

3.11.4.1 These impacts include any disruption to the normal use and enjoyment of tourism and recreational amenities for which tourists and day visitors come to Clocaenog Forest, and specifically to the Application Site.

3.11.4.2 There will be negative impacts on PROW and recreational users during pre-development tree clearance and 1 the construction phase. However, the mitigation measures proposed will result in the residual effect being neutral, and there being a likely positive impact as a result of permanent benefits for recreational users and tourists once the construction phase has concluded.

3.11.5 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Population Change

3.11.5.1 RWE NRL intends to use local resources to supply the workforce during each development phase where reasonably practicable. The residual effect on population change is therefore expected to be neutral as there is not likely to be significant influx of workers (and their families) coming to reside in the local area.

3.11.6 Summary of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Economic Activity

3.11.6.1 New employment in the area will likely lead to increased spending in local businesses by employees. This is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy. The predicted spend by employees during each of the development phases is shown in Table 2. During pre-development tree clearance, as the employees to undertake this work will be FCW employees, there is not expected to be any increase in employee spend from the existing level and therefore the socio-economic impact is considered to be neutral.

3.11.6.2 Due to the nature of wind farm projects, it means that engineering / technical components of the build are unlikely to be delivered from the locality or region, however contractors can be sourced locally during the operation and decommissioning phases. Also, supplies of maintenance products, such as oil and paint, will be required on-site, albeit not in significant amount and on an infrequent basis during the operation of the Project. Nevertheless, the estimated capital costs to be exchanged with suppliers in the local area and wider North Wales region during each of the development phases are presented in Table 2.

Table 2 Summary of economic benefits of Project on local economy

Phase Employee spend Construction £215,040

Operation £192,000 Decommissioning £6,144

3.11.6.3 Overall, there will be a moderate positive residual effect as a result of employee spend over the course of the project, albeit the majority of this spend will be concentrated to the construction period over the course of two years at the beginning of the Project. In terms of the impact of economic investment in the local supply chain, this impact is considered to be minor positive residual effect.


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3.11.7 Summary of Significant Residual Effect

3.11.7.1 Overall, the Project is expected to give rise to positive socio-economic impacts in the local area and across the North Wales region. The residual effect on direct employment creation and employee spend is considered to be a moderate positive impact, and therefore significant. This includes an annual commitment of the provision of a community benefit fund and economic development package (£5,000 per MW installed capacity and £3,000 per MW of installed capacity (index linked) respectively) for the wind farm operational lifetime. However, it is accepted that the majority of this benefit will be experienced within the construction phase of the Project. Any potential negative impacts on access for recreation and tourism will be appropriately managed and made neutral, there will be a positive moderate residual effect from the start of the operational phase and beyond as a result of increased track and access routes created within the forest. In addition, the turbines have the potential to act as additional and new attractions for users of the forest and present an opportunity for learning about renewable power in action. In the very least, it is unlikely that the Project will deter visitors that already use the forest as the forest is an operational forest and business as usual means that visitors experience activities that will be similar to those linked to a wind farm development (e.g. pre-development tree clearance, construction work) on a regular basis.

3.12 Grid Connection


3.12.1.1 In order to conduct the power generated by the Project there is a need for new supporting grid infrastructure to link the wind farm to the national grid. Based on the proposed capacity of the Project, this will require a new connection from the Project wind farm substation to the local distribution network, operated by SP Manweb, and then into the national grid who own and manage the transmission network in England and Wales. Two existing off-site SP Manweb substations where the Project can feed into the national grid have been identified. These are the St Asaph or Legacy substations.

3.12.1.2 RWE NRL is submitting their DCO application for the wind farm and on-site infrastructure only. The supporting grid infrastructure, for this Project and three other wind farm schemes (Brenig, Nant Bach and Derwydd Bach wind farms) in North Wales, will be subject to a separate DCO application which will be made by SP Manweb. This application will be subject to the same requirements, as it will be subject to EIA and the relevant public consultation procedures.

3.12.1.3 Despite the DCO application for the grid connection being submitted by SP Manweb, it is, considered best practice in line with Section 4.9 of the Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) for a Chapter to be included within this ES for the Project which provides an assessment of the supporting grid infrastructure. Therefore an initial desk-based assessment has been undertaken as part of this EIA in order to provide an indication of the potential associated environmental impacts of the grid connection works and the introduction of new power lines to conduct the power generated by the Project. It is not intended to fully assess all environmental impacts associated with the new supporting grid infrastructure as this will be undertaken by SP Manweb as part of a separate application. However, it is intended to enable the application for Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm Project to be considered in the context of the related works.


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3.12.1.4 Environmental issues associated with the following aspects have the potential to be significant when considering grid connection and have therefore been considered in the EIA:

Landscape and visual;

Ecology;

Land use and land take;

Noise and vibration; and

Archaeology and cultural heritage.

3.12.1.5 Assessments of potential impacts have been undertaken based on the information available at the time of writing. Where appropriate the conclusions have taken into account likely mitigation measures but in some cases this has not yet been possible. As previously highlighted, these impacts will be the subject of more detailed assessments to be completed as part of a separate application to be prepared by SP Manweb.

3.12.2 Summary of Significant Residual Effect Landscape and Visual

3.12.2.1 It is likely that the development of an overground grid connection across either corridor will give rise to locally potential significant impacts upon the landscape, and potential significant impacts on views seen by local residents. This will be set in the context of the on-going development within the SSA, an area where landscape change is anticipated. If infrastructure can be buried then impacts would be short term and not significant in the longer term.

3.12.3 Summary of Significant Residual Effect Ecology

3.12.3.1 It is considered that with appropriate mitigation measures there is unlikely to be significant ecological impacts as a result of construction or operation phases for either route option.

3.12.4 Summary of Significant Residual Effect Land use and Land take

3.12.4.1 Potential residual land use and land take impacts might arise from the development of the grid connection route including:

Temporary impacts on land take arising from construction activity; Permanent impacts arising from the occupation of land by the poles/towers; or Indirect impacts on land in the surrounding area.

3.12.4.2 At this stage, it is considered that there are unlikely to be significant impacts, however this will be confirmed as part of the detailed assessments to be completed as part of a separate application to the PINS prepared by SP Manweb


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3.12.5 Summary of Significant Residual Effect Noise and Vibration

3.12.5.1 The noise and vibration as a consequence of the construction and operation of the grid connection to the Project is not likely to give rise to significant residual effect, provided that the routeing accounts for the location of noise-sensitive dwellings and appropriate working hours and methods are adopted.

3.12.6 Summary of Significant Residual Effect Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

3.12.6.1 As long as the routeing of the overhead line and poles/towers avoid archaeological remains such as SAMs and Listed Buildings, there should not be significant impacts on these sites.

3.12.7 Summary of Grid Connection Status

3.12.7.1 SP Manweb has undertaken an evaluation on each of the two potential routes. As a result of this evaluation SP Manweb has confirmed that their preferred connection point would be the existing substation at St Asaph, as overall this was considered to be the least constrained option. As a result, this option is being taken forward by SP Manweb as part of a separate application. After the high level review of potential environmental impacts of the grid connection in this ES, it is considered that a grid connection would be feasible in the St Asaph proposed grid corridor.


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4 Viewing of the DCO Application 4.1. The DCO application and supporting documentation, including this ES, will be available to

view during regular opening hours at the following locations:

The planning Inspectorate website: www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/planninginspectorate

Conwy Planning Office Planning Services Conwy County Borough Council Council, Civic Offices Colwyn Bay LL29 8AR

Denbighh Planning Office Development Control Caledfryn Smithfield Road Denbigh LL16 3RU

Denbigh Library Hall Square Denbigh LL16 3NU

Ruthin Library Record Street Ruthin LL15 1DS

Llanrwst Library Station Road Llanrwst LL26 0DF

A copy of the Non-Technical Summary will be available in the following location: Cerrigydrudion Library The Old Clinic King Street Cerrigydrudion Corwen LL21 9UB

4.2. Hard copies of the ES are available for purchase from SKM Enviros for a charge of £250 (including VAT). An electronic copy of the full ES is available on DVD for a charge of £10, while the NTS can be obtained for free. All documents can be obtained by writing to:

SKM Enviros Metro 4th Floor 33 Trafford Road Salford Quays Manchester M5 3NN

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e:R

ef: D

:\DO

CU

ME

~1\

HR

ober

ts\L

OC

ALS

~1\

Tem

p\A

cPub

lish_

5296

\

SCALE

CONTENT

CHECKED

PROJECT No

DRAWN

DATE

JE30465

FIGURE 3APPLICATION SITE REDLINE BOUNDARY

1:25,000 @A3

LW ARR

LW OCTOBER 2012Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data © Crown copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Licence number 0100031673.

CLOCAENOG FORESTWIND FARMDevelopment boundary

C

Mar

18,

201

3 - 3

:09p

mC

opyr

ight

SK

M E

nviro

s Lt

d.A

rr31

19_R

ev2.

dwg

File

nam

e:P

lot d

ate:

Ref

: I:\E

nviro

s\D

esig

n\PR

OJE

CTS

\JEI

A\J

E30

465\

ES F

igur

es\C

hapt

er 3

\

CHECKED

CONTENT

SCALE PROJECT CODE

DRAWN

DATE

JE30465

FIGURE 4.1a

KEY PROJECT COMPONENTS

1:12,500 @A3

LW ARR

VH OCTOBER 2012


Key:

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data © Crown copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Licence number 0100031673.

Turbine location

Borrow pit

Existing track

New track

Substation

Civils compound

Secondary access route

0 500

Scale (metres)

Anemometer mast

a

b

c

Construction compound

Public road

Mar

18,

201

3 - 3

:10p

mC

opyr

ight

SK

M E

nviro

s Lt

d.A

rr31

19_R

ev2.

dwg

File

nam

e:P

lot d

ate:

Ref

: I:\E

nviro

s\D

esig

n\PR

OJE

CTS

\JEI

A\J

E30

465\

ES F

igur

es\C

hapt

er 3

\

CHECKED

CONTENT

SCALE PROJECT CODE

DRAWN

DATE

JE30465

FIGURE 4.1b


1:12,500 @A3

KG ARR

VH OCTOBER 2012


Key:


b

Scale (metres)

0 500

a

c

Turbine location

Borrow pit

Existing track

New track

Substation

Civils compound


Anemometer mast


Public road

A

Mar

18,

201

3 - 3

:12p

mC

opyr

ight

SK

M E

nviro

s Lt

d.A

rr31

19_R

ev2.

dwg

File

nam

e:P

lot d

ate:

Ref

: I:\E

nviro

s\D

esig

n\PR

OJE

CTS

\JEI

A\J

E30

465\

ES F

igur

es\C

hapt

er 3

\

CHECKED

CONTENT

SCALE PROJECT CODE

DRAWN

DATE

JE30465

FIGURE 4.1c


1:12,500 @A3

LW ARR

VH OCTOBER 2012


Key:


Scale (metres)

0 500

a

b

c

Turbine location

Borrow pit

Existing track

New track

Substation

Civils compound


Anemometer mast


Public road

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Non-Technical Summary (NTS) - IEMA · track and 8.2 km of new track (2.6 km of new track, and 5.6...

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