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Bankend Rig II Wind Farm

Environmental Statement Non‐Technical Summary

Wilson Renewables II LLP

Bankend Rig II Wind Farm Wilson Renewables II LLP. Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary

TNEI Services Ltd. 1 June 2015

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Wilson Renewables II LLP is proposing to develop a three turbine wind farm with associated infrastructure to be known as Bankend Rig II Wind Farm (hereafter referred to as the Development). The Development is located within South Lanarkshire, on land approximately 8.5 kilometres (km) to the north-west of Muirkirk and 8km south-east of Darvel (refer to NTS Figure 1: Site Location). The Development is located within the administrative area of South Lanarkshire Council (SLC), however part of the access track (refer to NTS Figure 1: Site Location) falls within the administrative boundary of East Ayrshire Council (EAC). A separate application has been made to EAC in parallel, in relation to this section of the access track.

1.2 The grid reference of the approximate centre point of the Site is 264000 633700.

1.3 The Site is on land formerly utilised as a commercial sitka spruce coniferous plantation which was severely burned during a forest fire in April 2003. The topography of the site is relatively elevated and rises from approximately 275 metres (m) above ordnance datum (AOD) in the north to 345m AOD in the south. The existing Bankend Rig Wind Farm, comprising of 11 x 1.3 megawatts (MW) wind turbines at 76m to tip height, is situated approximately 600m to the east, at the nearest point from the Development (refer to NTS Figure 2: Site Layout). If consented, the Development would utilise the area’s natural wind resource to generate up to 10.2MW of renewable electricity.

1.4 The Development has been subject to a thorough environmental assessment and design iteration process to ensure that it represents the optimal development for the Site. The proposed site layout is shown on NTS Figure 2: Site Layout.

1.5 An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Development has been carried out, as required by The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. An Environmental Statement (ES) has been prepared in accordance with these regulations and accompanies the planning application. Schedule 4 of these regulations requires that a summary of the ES be provided in non-technical language. This document forms the Non-Technical Summary (NTS) to satisfy these requirements.

1.6 The ES and the corresponding submission documentation have been prepared by TNEI Services Limited (TNEI) on behalf of the Applicant, Wilson Renewables II LLP. Technical assessments have been undertaken by both TNEI and a number of specialist consultants.

1.7 The ES includes a description of the proposal, the site and its design. It summarises the findings of a comprehensive study of the likely environmental effects of the proposed wind farm on its surrounding environment. In cases where potential adverse effects have been identified, measures to avoid, reduce or remedy these are described.

1.8 This NTS provides an overview for interested parties to understand the predicted significant environmental effects of the Development without having to refer to the ES. This NTS contains a description of the Development, consideration of the likely environmental effects and details the measures taken to prevent and reduce these effects to acceptable levels.



1.9 Electronic copies of the entire set of documentation are available on CD from TNEI at a cost of £10 (including post and packaging). Full printed copies are available on request and will be charged at cost price. For inquiries regarding information or additional printing, please contact Craig Potter at TNEI Services Ltd, on 0141 428 3180 or [email protected].

1.10 This NTS is available from TNEI for £10 inclusive of postage. Copies are available on CD free of charge.

1.11 Members of the public can view copies of the full planning application at two deposit locations during normal working hours as follows:

Strathaven Library, Glasgow Road, Strathaven, ML10 6LZ;

Darvel Community Library, Town Hall, 10-12 West Main Street, Darvel, KA17 0AQ.

mailto:[email protected]



2. KEY FACTS

2.1 Developer/Applicant: Wilson Renewables II LLP

2.2 Site Area: The total application Site area covers approximately 162 hectares (ha), of which 4.5ha (2.7%) would be occupied by the wind turbines and any newly constructed associated infrastructure during the operational lifetime of the Development. The existing Bankend Rig Wind Farm is situated approximately 600m to the east of the Development.

2.3 Number of Turbines Proposed: 3

2.4 Rated Output of Turbines: The design of the Development and assessment of the environmental impacts has been based on the installation of wind turbines with a rated output (i.e. the amount of electricity that would be generated per hour if the turbine was operating constantly at its full capacity) of up to 3.4MW per turbine.

2.5 Dimensions of Turbines: A maximum blade tip height of 136m and a hub height of up to 84m. The maximum rotor diameter will be 104m.

2.6 Access Tracks: Existing access tracks for the operational Bankend Rig Wind Farm would be used for the Development. These would be widened where necessary and approximately 1.08km of new access tracks would also be constructed (a separate application has been submitted to EAC in respect of those areas of track widening under their jurisdiction).

2.7 Construction Period: The construction programme, including site construction works when most activities will take place, will last a maximum of 8 months.

2.8 Life Span: 25 year operational period (in addition to an 8 month construction period). Before the end of the operational period the Development operations would be reviewed, taking into account issues including technological advances and the views of relevant consultees and stakeholders, with the option for decommissioning or re-powering.

2.9 Employment: The majority of jobs, around 20 full time equivalent (FTE), would arise during the construction phase of the Development. Whilst tendering for construction works would be open to the general construction market, the Applicant would look to use as many local contractors as possible. Accordingly it is not possible to state how many of those FTE jobs would be local to the area.

2.10 Vehicle Movements: The number of daily loads would vary considerably over the construction period with the highest numbers being during months 3, 4 and 5, where there would be approximately 188, 193 and 194 daily movements respectively of Heavy Goods Vehicles.

2.11 Grid Connection: Existing infrastructure is in place to connect the Development to the grid network, however the grid connection follows a separate consenting route and is therefore subject of a future application. The details and assessment of the grid connection would be included in this separate application should the wind farm be granted consent.



3. THE BENEFITS OF THE DEVELOPMENT

3.1 The Development would contribute environmental and socio-economic benefits at both a national and local level. The Development would:

Contribute to the indigenous supply of energy, reducing the reliance on imported energy;

Make a positive contribution to Scottish Government renewable energy targets of having 100% of Scotland’s electricity consumption produced by renewable sources by 2020;

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by harnessing power from the wind, equating to potential CO2 savings of approximately 388,450 tonnes over the 25 year lifetime of the Development;

Produce up to the equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 5,186 homes, which equates to approximately 3.6% of households within South Lanarkshire;

Support the renewable energy industry which currently employs more than 12,000 people across Scotland;

Generate additional construction contracts which would provide jobs, training and skills development during the construction period. Where possible, contracts would be awarded to local companies, directly supporting the local economy through construction jobs and training opportunities;

Create opportunities for indirect economic benefits through local sourcing of materials and services and increased trade from the construction workforce; and

Establish a community benefits package equal to £5,000 per MW of installed capacity.

RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

3.2 It is widely accepted that a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is required in order to tackle the global issue of climate change. Changes in the climate are becoming increasingly evident and are known to impact upon the weather, sea levels, wildlife species and their habitats and ecosystems.

3.3 The UK government has signed up to a number of international agreements and has a legally binding obligation to increase its share of renewables in our energy mix to 15% by 2020 in order to tackle climate change. In addition to these UK targets, the Scottish Government has adopted a target for the amount of Scotland’s electricity consumption produced by renewable energy in 2020 to be 100%.

3.4 In the UK, capturing the wind’s natural energy is the most proven form of renewable energy generation. Therefore, wind energy provides the most efficient opportunity for reducing CO2 emissions from our electricity use, contributing positively to the international and national targets that have been set.

3.5 Scotland has the greatest wind resource in Europe. Capturing this to provide indigenous green energy, whilst continuing research into energy efficiency and other renewable sources, is a logical step forward.



3.6 The Development would provide a secure, reliable energy supply in line with the UK and Scottish government national energy targets. On average it would provide enough electricity to meet the domestic needs of approximately 5,186 homes (based on a 3.4MW candidate turbine). Within 1 year it is anticipated the wind farm would have paid back the carbon used during construction. Following which, all electricity produced would be carbon neutral for the remainder of its 25 year operational life.



4. BANKEND RIG II WIND FARM

4.1 As outlined above, the Scottish Government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy generation. New infrastructure and generating facilities are required in order to meet these targets. Such infrastructure has to be placed where the required natural resources are present and where there are no technical or environmental constraints to development.

4.2 The Site was selected because of a number of factors including:

Good wind resource;

Existing infrastructure, including grid connection, available to utilise in association with the operational Bankend Rig Wind Farm;

Sufficient buffers achievable from ecological designations, namely the Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area (SPA) and Muirkirk Uplands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI);

A location within an area for which the development plan is generally supportive of this form of development; and

The relatively low number of residential properties in close proximity (the nearest property is over 2km to the north east).

DESIGN PROCESS

4.3 The Site layout and turbine height options have been considered carefully throughout the EIA and site design process and refined to produce the optimal layout for the Site. Environmental constraints and design input were provided by the environmental and technical team and a number of layouts produced prior to the final optimal layout of the three turbines. This process has been informed by site assessments and feedback during stakeholder consultation. The Design & Access Statement accompanying this application provides further detail of the design process for the Development.

THE DEVELOPMENT

4.4 The Development would consist of:

Three wind turbines each with three blades, with a maximum blade tip height of 136m, a maximum rotor diameter of 104m and maximum hub height of 84m. Each turbine would have a generating capacity of up to 3.4MW. The indicative grid co-ordinates for each turbine are as follows:

o Turbine 1: 264199 633896

o Turbine 2: 263724 633437

o Turbine 3: 264119 633445

Turbine foundations (approximately 18m diameter and 2.5m depth);

Areas of crane hardstanding for each turbine (approximately 45m x 28m);

Temporary construction compound(s) may be required, although it is likely that existing construction compounds will be utilised;



The borrow pit used for the operational Bankend Rig Wind Farm would be re-used to obtain construction material on the site where appropriate;

Where possible, existing access tracks will be utilised and widened where necessary. Approximately 1.08km of new access tracks will be constructed (a separate application has been submitted to East Ayrshire Council in respect of those areas of track widening under their jurisdiction);

Two upgraded water crossings and one new crossing over the Little Dry Cleuch Burn; and

Felling of approximately 1.84ha of commercial, plantation forestry and restocking of this 1.84ha forestry elsewhere.

PLANNING POLICY

4.5 At the time of writing, the Development Plan relevant to the Development site comprises the following:

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan (GCVSDP) (2012); and

South Lanarkshire Local Plan (SLLP) (2009).

4.6 It is noted that the proposed South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan (SLLDP) is due to be adopted in mid-June (but after submission of the ES) and therefore is likely to be a material consideration in the decision of this planning application.

4.7 Scottish Government policy regularly evolves and it is important that the decision making process affords appropriate weight to recent publications. It should be the aim of Local Authorities to contribute to the renewable energy targets as set by the Scottish Government. In addition to the Development Plan, the documents which are considered to be material in the determination of this application are:

The UK Renewable Energy Strategy and Low Carbon Transition Plan (July 2009);

2020 UK Renewable Energy Roadmap (2011, updated 2013);

Renewables Action Plan (Updated March 2011);

Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009;

National Planning Framework for Scotland 3 (NPF3) (June 2014);

Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) (June 2014);

A Low Carbon Strategy for Scotland (November 2010);

2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy in Scotland (June 2011);

Onshore Wind Turbines (updated May 2014);

GCVSDP Main Issues Report (MIR) (January 2015);

South Lanarkshire Proposed Local Development Plan (May 2013);

South Lanarkshire Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Guidance (April 2013);

South Lanarkshire Spatial Framework and Landscape Capacity for Wind Turbines Update (April 2013);

Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan (AJSP) (2007); and



East Ayrshire Local Plan (EALP) (2010).

4.8 Selected documents are discussed within the Planning Statement which accompanies the ES.



5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)

EIA PROCESS

5.1 The EIA process involves collation and analysis of information regarding the likely significant environmental effects of a development and provides an opportunity to ‘design out’ adverse effects wherever possible. Where adverse effects cannot be designed out, mitigation measures can be proposed to avoid, compensate, or reduce significant environmental effects to an acceptable level. As such, EIA is an iterative process, rather than a one-off appraisal, which allows feedback from stakeholder consultation and the results from baseline studies to be fed into the design process of the Development. A team of impartial environmental specialists undertook each of the technical assessments.

SCOPING & CONSULTATION

5.2 A detailed scoping and consultation process was followed in order to:

Ensure that consultees were informed of the proposal and provided with an opportunity to comment at an early stage in the EIA process;

Obtain baseline information regarding existing environmental site conditions;

Establish key environmental issues and identify potential impacts to be considered during the EIA;

Identify those issues which are likely to require more detailed study and those which can be justifiably scoped out of further assessment;

Provide a means of confirming the most appropriate methods of assessment.

5.3 A scoping response from SLC providing input from statutory and other key consultees was received in March 2015.

5.4 A comprehensive programme of community engagement has also been ongoing to engage with and inform local people about the Development. This has included:

Engagement with statutory consultees;

Two public exhibitions held for the Development on Tuesday 17th March and Wednesday 18th March 2015 at Gilmourton and Darvel respectively; and

Consultation with local community councils.

5.5 Further details of the public consultation programme undertaken for the Development and information gathered during this process, is detailed within the Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) Report submitted alongside this application.

LANDSCAPE & VISUAL IMPACTS

5.6 The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) for the Development has been undertaken by Brindley Associates Ltd (BAL).

5.7 The LVIA follows the approach set out in the third edition of the “Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment” (Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment, 2013). In addition, the LVIA takes



account of the current best practice and guidance for LVIA as set out by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Scottish Government, SLC and EAC.

5.8 The purpose of the LVIA is to identify and determine the potential effects on landscape character, landscape features, visual receptors and visual amenity as a result of the works associated with the Development during construction, operation and decommissioning. Subsequently, the LVIA considers both the long-term and short-term effects of the Development and takes into account associated infrastructure requirements; however the main focus of the assessment is on the turbines themselves.

5.9 Within the LVIA, the assessments of impacts are presented as two separate sections; however each assessment is inter-linked and undertaken in parallel. Landscape impacts relate to the effects of the Development on the physical characteristics of the landscape and its resulting character and quality, whilst visual impacts relate to the effects on views experienced by people (e.g. residents, footpath users, tourists, etc.) and on the visual amenity experienced by these people.

5.10 The LVIA therefore considers the effect of the Development on designated landscapes, other landscapes of recognised value, long distance routes, the local access network and key visual receptors in the study area. It also takes into account the likely effects and cumulative effects associated with the Development and the subsequent predicted effects upon the identified landscape and visual receptors.

5.11 Following agreement with both SNH and SLC, the core study area for the LVIA was defined as 30km from the Site centre. Thirteen viewpoint locations were included, as were cumulative wind turbine developments that met the following parameters:

All known operational, consented or proposed wind turbine developments within 5km of the Development;

All known wind turbine developments above 100m to blade tip within 30km of the Development; and

All known wind farm (4 turbines or greater) within 30km of the Development and above 50m to blade tip.

5.12 Where operational wind farms and those under construction fall within the 30km study area they have been considered as part of baseline conditions against which the Development has been assessed, both individually and cumulatively. Where wind farm layouts are publically available these have been built into the cumulative database and modelled into the cumulative visualisations.

5.13 At an early stage of the EIA process for the Development, specific opportunities and constraints defined by the landscape and visual resource were assessed to identify the most appropriate design principles for the turbine layout. Evolution of the Development followed these principles, and involved the following:

Minimise the potential impact upon close visual receptors;

Create a coherent group of turbines visually separate from the operational Bankend Rig Wind Farm from the majority of visual receptors;

Create a more linear arrangement from a visual perspective; and



Relate the scale of the proposed wind turbines to other wind developments in the surrounding landscape.

5.14 The landscape assessment assessed 24 main Landscape Character Types (LCT) and 72 LCT sub-types which comprised the range of extensive and interlinked areas of landscape character identified in the suite of SNH commissioned Landscape Character Assessments (LCA) that cover the extents of the 30km study area. Ten landscape character types located within 10km of the Development were also included within the LVIA as these LCT were included within reports revised and updated on behalf of SLC (Ironside Farrar, 2010) and EAC (Carol Anderson Landscape Architect, 2013).

5.15 A total of ten regionally designated landscapes, excluding Sites of Special Landscape Importance designated by Glasgow City Council, were identified in the study area. Furthermore, eighteen nationally designated historic landscapes could also be found within 30km of the Development.

5.16 Along with the 13 viewpoints identified as being representative of potential receptor groups across the study area, the viewpoint assessment included 26 key routes which comprised a range including motorways, nationally important routes and trails as well as local access and core paths.

5.17 Furthermore, a number of settlements, which ranged between small villages and towns to the conurbation of Glasgow were identified in the 30km study area and assessed within the LVIA.

5.18 The assessment determined that the following landscape and visual receptors would experience significant residual effects as a result of the Development:

One SNH LCT (Plateau Moorlands) and one LCT sub-type (Plateau Moorlands: Western (Ayrshire) Plateau), in which the Development is sited, to experience direct and significant residual effects and cumulative effects;

Two SNH LCT (Plateau Moorlands and Upland River Valleys) and four LCT sub-types (Grange Muir, Airds Moss, Avon Water and River Irvine) to experience indirect and significant residual effects and cumulative effects;

One SLC LCT (Rolling Moorland) and one LCT sub-type (Rolling Moorland Forestry), in which the Development is sited, to experience direct and significant residual effects and cumulative effects;

Four SLC and EAC LCT (Rolling Moorland, Upland River Valley, Plateau Farmland and East Ayrshire Plateau Moorland) and three LCT sub-types to experience indirect and significant residual effects and cumulative effects;

One local landscape designation (South & East Ayrshire Sensitive Landscape Area - referenced as 83) to experience indirect and significant residual effects and cumulative effects;

Receptors at three viewpoint locations (Viewpoint 1: B743 Adjacent to Glengavel, Viewpoint 3: Loudon Hill and Viewpoint 4: Gilmourton) to experience significant residual effects and cumulative effects; and

Two key routes to experience localised, indirect and significant residual effects and cumulative effects (B743 between the Detention Centre and Glengavel Reservoir, and the Wider Access & Core Path Network between Bankend and Mains Castle (EK/5839)) with a further predicted to experience significant



residual cumulative visual effects only (the A71 between Darvel and Strathaven).

5.19 Conversely, it was predicted that the following landscape and visual receptors would experience negligible and not significant residual effects and cumulative effects as a result of the Development:

Twenty-two SNH LCT and 67 LCT sub-types;

Five SLC and EAC LCT and nine LCT sub-types;

Twenty-seven local landscape or historic landscape designations;

Receptors at 10 viewpoint locations;

No settlements, including the close settlements of Drumclog and Darvel; and

Twenty-three key routes.

ECOLOGY

5.20 A number of specialist ecological surveys were carried out by Applied Ecology Ltd (AEL), in order to gain a full understanding of the ecology of the Site and the sensitivity of the species in the surrounding area.

5.21 The access track for the Development passes through the Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area (SPA) and Muirkirk Uplands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the southern boundary of the Site also immediately abuts this SPA. Immediately to the west of the Site is the Bankend Rig Wind Farm Conservation Management Plan (CMP) area.

5.22 The Site is predominantly made up of bog and heathland habitats, which have re-established within the burned areas from the forest fire in 2003, meaning that the site is now dominated by unmodified and modified blanket bog, with or without the burned remains of planted trees. Groundwater Dependant Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTEs) are considered to be particularly sensitive to changes in site hydrology and therefore special attention was paid to the identification of these and assessment of Development impacts upon these. A total of approximately 78ha of habitats either wholly or partially likely to be GWDTEs were recorded within a 250m buffer of the proposed turbines and borrow pit, and 100m buffer of tracks.

5.23 Suitable habitat was also identified within the Site for otter, bats, badger, reptiles and fisheries. The otter activity recorded on the Avon Water is indicative of a small number of animals. Otter activity was recorded within 250m of the access track, but not within the turbine envelope.

5.24 At least four species of bat were recorded as using the Site or habitats in its near vicinity: common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Myotis species and Nyctalus species. There was no evidence of any roosting bats within the site, but the activity recorded by the surveys suggested foraging, socialising and commuting behaviour. Overall, bat activity within the Site was low, particularly in contrast to other parts of the study area. This is because the Site’s habitat mosaic does not provide optimal opportunities for foraging, nor are there distinctive navigational features for regular commuting routes. Along the existing access track, a number of broad-leaved trees were recorded as having bat roost potential. However, none of these are scheduled to be affected either directly or indirectly by the Development.



5.25 The badger activity recorded along the access track is indicative of a small number of animals, which contributes to the biodiversity value of the Site as a whole.

5.26 Reptile surveys were not undertaken and observations during other surveys were only very occasional. Given the habitat mosaic, it is highly likely that low numbers of this species, and possibly adder, are present within the Site.

5.27 There are no significant watercourses within the Site but the burns present may support a small number of fish species, however, they are unlikely to support fish populations of conservation significance.

5.28 In terms of the assessment of effects, prior to mitigation, the Development would result in moderate negative (significant) effects on the SPA/SSSI designations and blanket bog habitat present. The effects on GWDTEs overall from the Development would not be significant. All other effects on habitats would not be significant.

5.29 The impacts on otter during construction would be negligible and not significant. No impacts on reptiles or fisheries are predicted.

5.30 No direct impacts on bats are predicted during construction as there will be no impacts on roost sites. In terms of indirect impacts, the main commuting routes through the Site (e.g. the watercourses), will remain unobstructed. There will be a small area of forestry felled but given that this is not within well-used foraging areas or represents roosting habitat, this will be a low magnitude effect on bats at worst. Given this, construction impacts on bats are considered to result in a minor (not significant) effect.

5.31 There will be no direct impacts on badger but the proximity of sett locations to the main access track upgrade locations means that it is likely that there will be indirect disturbance impacts. Given that badgers in the area are already habituated to a low level of disturbance arising from use of the track by maintenance vehicles travelling to the Bankend Rig Wind Farm, this effect is considered to be not significant effect.

5.32 During operation of the Development, the potential for direct impacts on bats relating to direct collision with turbine blades or barotrauma have been minimised through the use of minimum forestry keyhole diameters and watercourse stand-off distances. Given the low level of bat activity within the Site, the small number of turbines, and the maintenance of the stand-off distances, it is considered highly unlikely that there will be large number of bat deaths associated with the Development. Overall, this impact has been assessed as resulting in a minor negative effect that is not significant.

5.33 No indirect operational phase impacts are predicted.

5.34 Following the implementation of mitigation and best practice construction measures, the overall effects of the Development are considered to be minor (not significant) at the International/National level of the SPA/SSSI designations. All other effects on habitats and faunal receptors (e.g. otter, bats, badger, reptiles) would be minor negligible and not significant at a local or site level.

ORNITHOLOGY



5.35 A number of specialist ornithologist surveys were carried out by AEL in order to gain a full understanding of the sensitivity of the Site to ornithological receptors.

5.36 The site immediately abuts the Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands SSPA at its southern boundary, and the access track also passes through this designation. The SPA is designated for breeding hen harrier, merlin, peregrine, short-eared owl and golden plover, and also for wintering hen harrier.

5.37 The Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands SPA also overlaps with the Muirkirk Uplands SSSI. The Muirkirk Uplands SSSI is both a geological and biological SSSI, and the biological element is primarily with respect to its breeding bird assemblage also covered by the SPA designation.

5.38 Immediately to the west of the Site is the Bankend Rig Wind Farm Conservation Management Plan Area (CMP Area). The primary aim of the CMP Area is to off-set the potential negative impacts of the Bankend Rig Wind Farm on the ornithological interest of the SPA. A target of enhanced hen harrier productivity was set at an SNH-proposed value of 1.45 additional young fledged per year, to offset predicted worst-case losses of adults to turbine collisions, and to enhance habitat conditions for black grouse, short-eared owl and merlin.

5.39 A hen harrier nested within the CMP Area in 2014 and successfully raised six young. Also, merlin bred in 2010 and 2013, and made an attempt in 2014 before nest establishment was apparently impeded by the presence of breeding long-eared owl. These are early indicators of the long-term success of the CMP Area.

5.40 The assessment of impacts on ornithological receptors is based on the assumption that good practice measures for the protection of birds will be an integral part of the scheme design and construction method. Once these measures are in place it is considered that no construction phase impacts on the CMP Area or its target species are predicted. There will be no detectable changes in the conservation status of the regional or SPA/SSSI populations of any of these species during the construction phase.

5.41 During operation of the Development the magnitude of the impact of direct habitat loss on the displacement of breeding or foraging hen harrier, peregrine, merlin and golden plover is considered to be negligible, resulting in a negligible effect that is not significant. In terms of indirect operational phase impacts all turbines are at least 1km from known recent SPA hen harrier, peregrine, merlin and short-eared owl nests and therefore general turbine maintenance will not result in significant displacement of these species, even in the short-term. General turbine maintenance will not result in significant displacement of hen harrier, peregrine, merlin and short-eared owl, even in the short-term. Habitats within the Development area constitute a negligible component of breeding harrier foraging ranges, and therefore any displacement due to operational turbines is highly unlikely to have a significant effect on foraging efficiency.

5.42 It is not possible to state with any certainty as to how the habitats and species on the Site will change over the 25 year time period between construction and decommissioning. The worst-case scenario is likely to be that the significance of decommissioning effects will be broadly similar to those associated with the construction phase of the Development.



5.43 In relation to cumulative effects of the Development, it is concluded that the Development will not compromise the population dynamics of the hen harriers of the Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands SPA. There will be no cumulative adverse effect on the conservation status of the SPA.

5.44 Following the implementation of mitigation and best practice construction measures, ornithological impacts of the Development are predicted to be not significant.

GROUND CONDITIONS & GEOLOGY

5.45 An assessment of the potential effects of the Development on the geology and ground conditions at the Site has been undertaken by Wardell Armstrong. This included a qualitative assessment of the significance of the effects using a combination of professional judgement, legislation and other statutory policy and guidance. Where appropriate, mitigation measures required to prevent, reduce or offset potential effects associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Development have been identified.

5.46 A desk study, site walkover survey and peat probing surveys have all been undertaken. These showed that there are three main soil types on the site, all typical of an upland area in Scotland. Agricultural land classification identifies two land capability classes within the site boundary; Class 6 (land capable of use only as rough grazing) and Class 4 (land capable of producing a moderate range of crops).

5.47 Peat deposits cover the majority of the site with ribbons of alluvial deposits (clay, silt, sand and gravel) located around burns. Areas of glacial till are recorded within the far north of the site as well as in narrow incised valleys.

5.48 In terms of solid geology, the site is predominantly underlain by strata of the ‘Plewland Sandstone Formation’. The ‘Swanshaw Sandstone Formation’ is present within the western area of the site. The site’s geology is complicated by numerous faults within the area. The majority of the site to be covered by an area of suspected mining. In general, the slope gradient across the site is relatively shallow with a general gradient of between 5% and 10%. SLC do not have any records of potential contaminated land or waste disposal sites in the area.

5.49 The layout of the Development has gone through an iterative process that has reduced the already minimal effect on soils by maintaining access tracks and infrastructure such as crane pads as close as possible to existing ground level, thereby minimising cut and fill, and as far as possible avoiding peat and in particular deep peat. Constraints associated with topography, wind and noise dictate that peat deposits cannot be totally avoided but the layout of the Development has been designed to minimise encroachment.

5.50 The significance of potential effects on geology and ground conditions during construction, without consideration of mitigation measures, has been assessed. All effects would be at worse minor and not significant.

5.51 The operational effects on geology and ground conditions would be negligible, due to the nature of the Development and the likely maintenance operations. The effects arising from the decommissioning of the site are expected to have pre or



post-mitigated effects which are no greater than those arising from the construction phase.

5.52 During construction the main focus of mitigation would be on the management of water to avoid and minimise the risk posed to the ground and surface and areas of peat within the Site. Good practice measures in relation to pollution control, sediment management and runoff rates and volumes would be adhered to during the construction and operation of the Development. These will be incorporated into the Construction Environmental Management Plan for the Site.

5.53 The site is generally considered to be of low risk of peat slide, with no specific mitigation measures required to facilitate the Development. As part of the detailed site investigation (pre-construction, should consent be granted), additional peat probing would be carried out along the proposed access tracks and at the locations of turbines and crane pads, within areas that are currently practically inaccessible due to dense forest or burnt forest. This information would be used to confirm the results of the preliminary assessment. Detailed investigations will also include in situ shear strength testing and peat sampling for laboratory analyses.

5.54 Following the introduction of the identified mitigation measures, the significance of the effects of the Development are predicted to be minor adverse on geology and ground conditions (not significant).

WATER RESOURCES

5.55 A qualitative impact assessment has been undertaken using a combination of professional judgement, legislation and other statutory policy and guidance by Wardell Armstrong. The assessment has been carried out to assess potential impacts on the water environment from the Development, which may change the hydrological and hydrogeological regime or cause pollution and degradation in water quality.

5.56 A desk based study has been undertaken to examine the wider catchment surroundings of the Site i.e. layout, scale and presence of water related infrastructure, water management and water sensitive ecological areas. A field survey was also carried out of the land surrounding the Site. The two surveys consisted of Site walkovers focusing on geomorphological (landscape) and hydrological features i.e. catchments and their boundaries, watercourses and waterbodies, evidence of fluvial (river) processes (erosion and deposition) and topography.

5.57 The proposed turbines, new access track and part of the upgrading works to the existing access track are located within the Woollen Burn catchment, however most of the upgrading works to the existing access track are within the Dipple Burn catchment. There a number of mapped watercourses and waterbodies surrounding the Site including the Spoutloch Burn, the Braidle Burn and the Glengavel Water; and their tributaries.

5.58 The estimated net rainfall shows that the Site is likely to experience monthly rainfall totals in excess of evaporation throughout the year. However, the low value of net rainfall during May and June may lead to the drying out of ephemeral watercourses and drainage channels. The proposed turbines are located in an area



at little to no risk (less than 0.1% annual probability) of fluvial and pluvial flooding according to SEPA flood maps.

5.59 Peat depths across the peat study area vary from 0m to 1.81m, with an arithmetic average across the Site of 0.79m. The soils that underlie the majority of the Site are blanket peat of the organic soils association.There are no available borehole records within the Site.

5.60 Hydrology or hydrogeology is not a key factor in the Muirkirk and North Lowther Upland SPA/SSSI designation. Four NVC communities recorded on the Site are considered to constitute GWDTE as defined by SEPA.

5.61 The assessment concludes that though the use of appropriate methodologies and mitigation measures during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases, all residual effects would be being minor adverse to negligible. Therefore, the Development would have no significant effects on the water environment.

NOISE

5.62 An assessment of the potential noise effects from the construction, operational and decommissioning phases of the Development has been carried out by TNEI.

5.63 Construction noise and traffic noise may be audible at the closest residential receptors for certain periods during the construction phase, however the levels are still considered acceptable against thresholds in the relevant published standard (BS5228-1: 2009+A1:2014 ‘Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites - Noise’).

5.64 Operational noise limits have already been set at the noise sensitive receptors located closest to the Development as part of the consent for the operational Bankend Rig Wind Farm. In accordance with current good practice, the established noise limits have been used to derive site specific noise limits for the Development.

5.65 Predicted wind farm operational noise levels for the Development at all residential properties meet the Site specific quiet daytime and night-time noise limits. At some locations, under some wind conditions and for a certain proportion of the time wind farm noise may be audible; however, it will be at an acceptable level in relation to the relevant guidelines (ETSU-R-97 ‘The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms’).

5.66 A cumulative noise assessment has been undertaken to consider the Development operating concurrently with a number of nearby operational, consented and proposed wind turbine developments. The cumulative noise assessment indicates that total cumulative noise levels will meet the noise limits at the nearest noise sensitive receptors and that the Development will have a negligible impact on the ability of the consented schemes to meet their own noise limits.

5.67 The final turbine model for the Development would have to comply with the noise limits set by the planning conditions.

ARCHAEOLOGY & CULTURAL HERITAGE



5.68 The cultural heritage assessment, undertaken by Aecom, considered likely effects of the Development upon cultural heritage assets located within the Site as well as the likely effects on the settings of assets within the wider landscape. The assessment was undertaken through carrying out a desk based study and site walkover surveys.

5.69 Seven Scheduled Monuments which have the potential to be indirectly impacted by the Development were identified within the 15km study area. Site visits to 25 Listed Buildings within the 15km study area identified that 4 of these would have the potential to be indirectly impacted by the Development. Three Conservation Areas are within (or just outwith) the 10km study area. In terms of non-designated features, the site of a well/spring within the Site boundary and a low potential for prehistoric finds in the vicinity of watercourses have been identified. The baseline also concluded that there is a low potential for encountering previously unrecorded archaeological features within the Site boundary.

5.70 A direct, permanent impact to previously unrecorded archaeological remains may occur as a result of trench excavation for the cable route and new track accesses, excavation of the crane pads and turbine bases. The impact before mitigation will result in a moderate adverse (significant) effect. Mitigation has been proposed in the form of an archaeological watching brief during specific construction activities. The successful implementation of an approved mitigation strategy will reduce the effect from moderate adverse to minor adverse and is therefore assessed as not significant. No other significant adverse effects are predicted during the construction or decommissioning phases.

5.71 The operational period assessment has concluded that, there would be two indirect, moderate, significant effects associated with Dungavel Hill Cairn and Glen Garr Cairn. It should be noted that the significance of the effects arises from the very high sensitivity of the assets and entails, in both cases, an indirect impact to the assets’ setting. The impact does not adversely affect the ability to appreciate the archaeological value of the assets or to understand their function. There would be no other significant operational effects on designated cultural heritage assets.

TRAFFIC & TRANSPORT

5.72 An assessment has been undertaken by Mott MacDonald to assess the traffic and transport effects of the Development.

5.73 The Development would be accessed from the existing access to the operational Bankend Rig Wind Farm onto the C135 road. The C135 road forms a junction with the A71 around 550m to the north of the access to the operational Bankend Rig Wind Farm. The study area includes the C135 from the access to the Development to the A71 and the A71 between Darvel and the junction with the B745.

5.74 The C135 is a single carriageway road around 4m wide along most of its length between the A71 and the entrance to the Development. It is subject to a 60mph speed limit in the vicinity of the Development. There are no footways along the section of the C135 between the A71 and the access to the Development. However, there appears to be little to generate pedestrian demand in the area and no pedestrians were observed during the site visit.



5.75 Approximately midway between the C135’s junction with the A71 and the access to the Development, the carriageway for the C135 has been widened to around 6m width for about 20m length. These works were undertaken as part of the operational Bankend Rig Wind Farm. Those works also included construction of a bypass of a bridge over a disused railway on the C135, to allow the vehicles transporting the turbine components to avoid grounding on the bridge deck.

5.76 In the vicinity of the Development, the A71 is a single carriageway road with one lane in each direction (with occasional widening to provide additional lanes at certain junctions). Recorded Personal Injury Accident (PIA) date showed that no accidents had been recorded on the section of the C135 from the A71 to the access to the Development for the years 2011 to 2013.

5.77 Traffic surveys were carried out on both the C135 and A71 to provide baseline information on traffic volume and composition. The data was analysed to identify the average weekday traffic flow during the period 0700 to 1900. This period was chosen because it is likely that construction of the Development would be undertaken within this period. Data was also extracted from the Department for Transport’s website for traffic volumes and composition on the A71 between the C135 and the B745 to the east.

5.78 There are three distinct phases of traffic generation associated with the Development: the construction, operation and decommissioning phases. The main traffic and transport related environmental effects would be associated with the construction phase particularly the movement of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). The construction phase of the Development is therefore considered in detail within the assessment.

5.79 The impact of lighter traffic, mainly consisting of construction workers driving to and from the Site in cars and vans, has been assessed. Traffic effects associated with the decommissioning phase are referenced but are predicted to occur so far in the future that the current baseline would not be appropriate. Operational traffic levels have been assessed, but to a lesser degree, as they will be considerably less than in the construction and decommissioning phases and no significant effects are anticipated.

5.80 The following effects have been found to arise as a result of the Development:

The traffic volumes generated by the Development will be at their greatest most notable during the construction phase;

The increase in traffic generated during the construction phase of the Development on the C135 would exceed the threshold for further assessment in the Institute for Environmental Assessment's (IEA) document “Guidelines for the Environmental Assessment of Road Traffic”. However, consideration of these effects has concluded that they would be negligible and not significant.

The increase in traffic generated during the construction phase of the Development on the A71 immediately to the east and west of the junction with the C135 would not breach the thresholds for further assessment in the IEA’s document. Hence the effects of the traffic generated during the construction of the Development on the A71 is considered to be negligible and not significant;

The construction of the nearby Kype Muir wind farm will add traffic to the A71 in the vicinity of the Development. Even if the construction of that wind farm



and the Development occurred simultaneously, the effects on the A71 would be negligible and not significant. A consent application has been submitted to extend the Kype Muir Wind Farm, but this has not been determined at the time of writing and hence has not been considered further. Traffic generated by the under-construction Dungavel wind farm will have been captured by the baseline surveys; and

A Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) will be prepared and agreed to control traffic operations during the construction phase.

5.81 The assessment concludes that no significant residual effects on the transport network are anticipated to arise from the traffic estimated to be generated by the Development.

AVIATION

5.82 The ES identifies and assesses the potential effects that the Development may have on civilisation and military aviation and radar operations in the area. The assessment was undertaken by Osprey Consulting Services Ltd. (Osprey).

5.83 Analysis has been conducted in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – Civil Air Publication (CAP) 764, Policy and Guidelines on Wind Turbines (CAA, 2013). Potential aviation stakeholders were identified and for each receptor, the physical obstruction and/or radar effect, and then subsequently the operational effects were evaluated. The operational period assessment pays heed to, but is not limited to, consideration of: the orientation of airfield approach and departure routes; physical safeguarding of aircraft operations; and airspace characteristics. Radar performance and propagation modelling has been undertaken to determine the theoretical detection of wind turbines by the region’s radar infrastructure.

5.84 The Development is located in an area of importance with regard to military Low Flying activities and the fitting of a form of aviation obstruction lighting may be sufficient in terms of mitigating any potential effect. This would be agreed through ongoing consultation with the MOD.

5.85 The Development is within the operational range of two Aviation Stakeholder radar systems. The Development is considered to be theoretically detectable by the NATS Lowther Hill and Cumbernauld radar systems, and the radar system in operation at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Therefore, the Development may impact the operations of each of these stakeholders but is not considered to affect any other radar or aviation stakeholders.

5.86 The Applicant will continue to engage with NATS and Prestwick Airport to reach a resolution. The implementation of suitable technical mitigation solutions would ensure that the Development would have an insignificant residual effect on the utilisation of the identified radar systems.

5.87 In conclusion, the Applicant acknowledges that the Development is likely to have an effect on NATS and Prestwick Airport radar systems. Agreement on the use of the identified mitigation solution options would conclude in the Development having an insignificant residual effect on infrastructure and operations.

FORESTRY



5.88 The assessment of the Development on forestry on the Site has been undertaken by DGA Forestry LLP. The total Forestry Study Area extends to 142.79ha and is comprised of privately owned and managed woodlands. The woodlands were badly damaged by fire and the baseline stocked area of woodland is only 21.87ha.

5.89 The site is located within an extensive area of privately owned commercial forestry. The woodlands within the site were originally planted from the mid 1980s through to the early 1990s, but were extensively damaged by fire in 2003. The principal species were commercial conifers with the remainder of the land comprising open ground as management boundaries, roads, unplantable land and margins. The site was not replanted after the fire and the current crops are very fragmented, fire damaged remnants of the original crops scattered within large areas of open ground. As a result the total area of stocked woodland within the site is low. The ground conditions are generally poor and this is reflected in slow growth rates.

5.90 The Development plans would result in the advanced felling of 1.84ha (1.29 % of the total forestry within the Site) of woodland to be carried out at the time of construction.

5.91 The areas felled for the Development would not be replanted. Without the provision of compensation planting, the proposals would result in a net loss of 1.84ha of woodland area and would not comply with the Scottish Government’s Control of Woodland Removal Policy.

5.92 The Development is concluded to have no significant effects on foresty once mitigation measures are applied. The Applicant is committed to providing compensatory planting to offset the woodland being removed. This compensatory planting would be carried out on the Site and would be agreed with Forestry Commission Scotland.

OTHER EFFECTS

5.93 A shadow flicker assessment has been undertaken by TNEI and concludes that due to the absence of residential properties within the assessment area, there are no shadow flicker effects predicted to occur.

5.94 A carbon balance assessment has been undertaken by Wardell Armstrong and concludes that it is expected that the Development would lead to an overall reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 388,450 tCO2e over its 25 year life with an estimated GHG emissions payback time of 1.8 years. As such the Development is considered to have a significant, positive effect on GHG emissions and as a result would contribute to a considerable overall reduction in GHG emissions from electricity generation.

5.95 In relation to Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) an assessment has been undertaken by Wardell Armstrong. No adverse impacts are identified to occur during construction, operation or decommissioning of the Development and there are no expected cumulative effects with other wind farm developments within the surrounding area of the Site as there are currently no diversions of telemetry links or overhead lines as a result of adjacent wind farm developments.



5.96 The assessment of socio-economic effects, undertaken by TNEI, has determined that there would be no significant effects, with the Development likely to result in significant positive socio-economic effects. A range of short and long term positive but not significant effects would occur as a result of the Development in isolation. These positive effects include:

A positive contribution (10.2MW of installed generating capacity) to meeting carbon reduction targets and increasing security of energy supply;

Minor direct effects on local businesses and workers through the creation of approximately 20 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases along with minor indirect effects on local employment in the supply chain and service sector; and

A range of benefits delivered by funding through the Applicant’s commitment to a community benefit package which is likely to equate to £5,000 per megawatt of installed capacity.



6. CONCLUSION

6.1 Overall the Development would result in significant benefits, and the Site is an appropriate location for the Development and would contribute to renewable energy generation targets.

6.2 The ES demonstrates that there would be some limited significant residual effects upon landscape character and visual amenity and limited significant cumulative effects. There are no significant residual effects predicted by the ecology, ornithology, ground conditions and hydrology, water resources, noise, archaeology and cultural heritage, traffic and transport, aviation or other effects for the Development.

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© Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2015 Licence number 0100031673

Turbine Co-ordinates:1: 264199, 6338962: 263724, 6334373: 264119, 633445

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