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New 132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation

AddendumtoDecember2009EnvironmentalStatementNon-TechnicalSummary

December2010

132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES

Table of ContentsPreface 1

1.0 Introduction 3

1.1 AdditionalInformation 3

1.2 AmendedDevelopment 3

2.0 Post Application Consultee Feedback 4

2.1 Background 4

3.0 Feedback Response & Amended Development 5

3.1 ReviewofAlternativeSchemes 5

3.2 CumulativeReview 5

3.3 TheAmendedDevelopment 5

4.0 Landscape & Visual 7

4.1 Background 7



4.4 Mitigation&ResidualEffects 8

5.0 Ecology 9

5.1 Background 9

5.2 ReviewoftheDecember2009ESinRespectofDormice 9

5.3 AdditionalHedgerowInformation 9

5.4 SPEN’sResponsetoCCW’sComments 9


6.0 Cultural Heritage 11

6.1 Background 11



7.0 Cumulative Review 13

7.1 LandscapeCharacter 13

7.2 Visual 13

7.3 Ecology 13

7.4 Culturalheritage 13

8.0 Draft Environmental Plan 15


non-technical summary

1

9 Copies of the documents are available for publicviewingatthefollowinglocations:

CouncilOffices: PlanningServices PowysCountyCouncil NeuaddMaldwyn SevernRoad Welshpool Powys SY217AS

Libraries: WelshpoolLibrary BrookStreet Welshpool SY217PH

NewtownLibrary ParkLane Newtown SY161EJ

10 Representations are invited in writing within thespecifiedperiodfromthepublicationdateoftheNoticein the local and national publications advertising thesubmissionoftheinformation.Representationsshouldbedatedandreturnedto:

SecretaryofStateforDepartmentofEnergyandClimateChange

Section37ConsentsTeam WHP3A WhitehallPlace London SW1A2AW

Preface

1 In December 2009, SP Energy Networks (SPEN)submittedanapplicationundersection37(s37)oftheElectricityAct1989totheSecretaryofStateforEnergyandClimateChange.Theapplicationwasforconsentto installanew132kVoverhead lineconnectionovera distanceof 35kmandwithin a 100mcorridor fromLlandinam wind farm to Welshpool substation asshowninFigure1.Theapplicationwasaccompaniedby an Environmental Statement in December 2009(December2009ES),includingTechnicalAppendices,ViewpointsandConfidentialEcologyReports.

2 Following submission of the December 2009 ES,supplementary environmental information (hereafterreferred to as ‘the Addendum’) to the ES has beenprepared, which sets out additional information inrespectofthefollowing:

¤Postapplicationfeedback

¤Completeddormousesurvey

3 TheAddendumalsoreferstoAmendedDevelopment.Thisincludestwosectionsofoverheadlinewhereitisproposed to move the corridor outside of the 100mcorridor,whichisthesubjectofthes37application.

4 This Non-Technical Summary forms part of theAddendumthatisbeingsubmittedtotheSecretaryofStateforEnergyandClimateChange.

5 ThescopeoftheAddendum,whichhasbeenpreparedbythesamespecialistteamastheDecember2009ES,was agreed through consultationwith PowysCountyCouncil(PowysCC)andotherconsultees.

6 TheEScomprisesthefollowingdocuments:

¤ TheNon-TechnicalSummary(thisdocument)

¤ TheAddendumtotheDecember2009EnvironmentalStatement(principaldocument)

7 The Non-Technical Summary has been produced togiveasummaryofeachofthetechnicalchaptersintheES.

8 Further copies of the Non-Technical Summary areavailablefreeofcharge.AdditionalpapercopiesofthemainESreportareavailableatachargeof£50(pluspostageandpacking)or£10foranelectronicversiononDVD inPDF format. Copiesmaybeobtainedbywritingto:

EnvironmentalPlanning SPManweb(RegisteredOffice) 3PrentonWay Prenton CH433ET

Or,bye-mailing:[email protected]

132kV Overhead Line Connection from Llandinam Wind Farm to Welshpool Substation - Addendum to December 2009 ES2

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map with the permission of Ordnance Survey® on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright Licence No. EL273112

NTS

Key:Figure 1

Amended Development

Plan 1

Plan 1 - Bryn-picca

Plan 2

Plan 2 - Forden



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17 Becausethesesectionslieoutsidethe100mcorridor,theyhavebeensubjecttoformalEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(EIA)andreportedonintheAddendum.

18 The approach and methodology adopted for theassessment of the Amended Development remainsunchanged from that presented in the December2009 ES and is in accordance with the ElectricityWorks (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Englandand Wales) Regulations 2000 (EIA Regulations) asamended. SPEN’s proposed changes and intentionto prepare this ES Addendum were discussed withPowysCC,theCountrysideCouncilforWales(CCW),Department for Energy andClimateChange (DECC)andtheWelshAssemblyGovernment(WAG).

Scoping

19 Chapter 2.0 of the December 2009 ES sets outthe scoping and consultation process, which wasundertakenaspartof theoriginalEIA. Thekeytopicareas, which are addressed in the Addendum, arelandscapeandvisual,ecologyandculturalheritageasthesearetheissuesconsideredbySPENmostlikelytogiverisetosignificanteffects.

20 Due to the nature of an overhead line, all significanteffectsidentifiedarelikelytobeadverse.

Approach to Mitigation

21 Aswiththeoverallproject,mitigationwasconsideredan intrinsic part of the overall design strategy of theoverhead line, not just ‘add-on’ measures to reducesignificant environmental effects. The approach hasbeenfirstlytoavoidanysignificanteffectsthroughthedesignandrouteingoftheoverheadlineandsecondlytoreduceanyidentifiedeffectsbyalteringandrefiningtheproposed route throughmicrositingof poles andappropriateconstructionmethods.

22 The Draft Construction Method Statement for thescheme setting out construction procedures to beadhered to by the contractor has been updated toreflect the Amended Development. A draft of thisdocumentisincludedinAppendixCoftheAddendum.

23 TheDraftEnvironmentalManagementPlansettingoutSPEN’smitigation proposals has also been updatedto include theAmendedDevelopment. This includesadditional measures being proposed by SPEN tomitigate for minor effects, which are not significant.These include tree replacements (two new for eachtreelost),shrubandhedgerowplantingandtheothermeasures to enhance biodiversity. A draft of thisdocumentisincludedinChapter8.0oftheAddendum.

1.0 Introduction11 This Non-Technical Summary (NTS) summarises the

AddendumtotheDecember2009ESfortheoverheadlineconnectionbetweenLlandinamwindfarmandtheWelshpoolsubstation.

1.1 Additional Information

12 The Addendum has been prepared to provideadditionalinformationwithrespecttothefollowing:

Post Application Consultee Feedback

13 Following submission of the s37 application, SPENreceived comments from local communities andstatutory consultees in respect of certain mattersreferred to in the December 2009 ES. The localcommunity comments raised in this feedback aredocumented in a separate Application ConsultationFeedback Report published in July 2010 (a copy ofwhich is included in Appendix A of the Addendum)andaresummarisedinChapter2.0oftheAddendum,togetherwiththestatutoryconsulteecomments

Completed Dormouse Survey

14 As explained in the December 2009 ES, at the timeof application, SPEN was awaiting the results ofthe supplementary dormouse survey. This surveyinformationisincludedinChapter5.0oftheAddendum.SPENacknowledges that the survey results relate totheoriginalschemeandhas thereforesupplementedthe2009/2010informationwithawalkoversurveyoftheamendedschemedescribedbelow.

1.2 Amended Development

15 Since submission of the application for the s37consent, the overhead line design has been subjectto amendments arising from ground surveys anddiscussionswith landowners. Thesehaveresulted inminorchangestotheindicativepolepositionsshownon the submitted drawings, with 44 poles havingmovedmorethan10mandanumberofpoleshavingmovedlessthan10m.Thesechangesalllieinsidethe100mcorridor,whichwasthesubjectoftheapplicationfors37consentandarethereforenotdiscussedfurtherintheAddendum.

16 Other design amendments have resulted in twosectionsoftheroutenowlyingoutsidethe100mwidecorridorasshowninFigure1:

¤Forden-betweenpoles45to63overadistanceof1.7kmwiththeoutsideedgeoftheproposedcorridormovingamaximumof300meast.

¤Bryn-picca-betweenpoles360to371overadistanceof900mwiththecorridormovingamaximumof90msouth.

SPENreferstothesecorridorchangesastheAmendedDevelopment.


2.0 Post Application Consultee Feedback

2.1 Background

24 The application attracted comments from statutoryconsultees, localcommunitygroupsandmembersofthepublic.

Local Community Comments

25 Approximately 60 comments, covering a range ofissues, were received from the local community. Asummary of these and SPEN’s response to them isprovided in Chapter 2.0 of the Addendum and setoutmorefullyintheJuly2010ConsultationFeedbackReport (acopyofwhich is included inAppendixAoftheAddendum).

26 Thekeyissuesraisedbythelocalcommunityare:

¤Arequestforareviewofalternative132kVoverheadlineconnectionoptions,inthelightofSPEN’sandNationalGridElectricityTransmission’s (NGET’s)progressinbringingforwardproposalstoconnectthe additional Mid Wales wind farms in TAN8areasSSABandSSACtotheelectricitynetwork.

¤ArequestforanupdateontheprogressofotherwindfarmproposalsinSSACtoinformviewsonthe likely degree of future landscape change inthatarea.

¤ A request for an assessment of the cumulativeeffectsoftheproposedLlandinamoverheadlinewith all other plannedwind farmsandoverheadlinesinthearea.

Statutory Consultee Comments

27 CommentswerereceivedfromPowysCC,WAG,CCW,Cadw,Clwyd-PowysArchaeologicalTrust (CPAT)andEnvironment Agency Wales (EA). A copy of theircommentsisincludedinAppendixBandsummarisedinChapter2.0oftheAddendum:

28 SPEN’sapproachtodealingwiththesecommentsistorespondtotheminthecontextofprovidingadditionalinformation in theAddendumand thereforepubliciseitsresponses.



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Forden-betweenpoles45to63overadistanceof1.7kmwiththeoutsideedgeoftheproposedcorridormovingamaximumof300meast.

The route deviates from that published in theDecember2009ESatPole43,departingtheprevious100mcorridorfromPole45.Fromhereitswingstoasouthtosouth-westerlylinecrossingovergrazingfields, small tree groups and hedgerows. To thewestofthefarmcomplexofPen-y-lanthelineturnsto rundirectly south,passing to theeastof anewproperty,overanunnamedlaneandtothewestofStMichael’sCrescent,overseveralarablefieldsbeforepassingtothewestofChurchFarm.Thelinethenoversails theminor road that runs through FordenbeforerejoiningthepreviousrouteatPole63

Bryn-picca-betweenpoles360to371overadistanceof900mwiththecorridormovingamaximumof90msouth.

Although the route deviates from that published inthe December 2009 ES at Pole 344, it is not untilPole360thatthelinefallsoutsidetheprevious100mcorridor. FromPole360 the route runsbriefly in awest to south-westerly direction, before turning atPole362toruninanalmostwesterlydirection,lyingroughly parallel to the previous route, but situatedcloser to the River Camnant, crossing it directlysouthofBryn-picca.Fromheretheroutecontinuesin awesterlydirection,movingaway from the riverandrejoiningthepreviouscorridoratPole371andthepreviousrouteatPole383.

34 Theoverheadlinecablesaresupportedby17doublewoodpolesupports(Forden)and11doublewoodpolesupports(Bryn-picca),ranginginheightbetween11.5mand14mandplacedonaverage94mapart.

35 The design evolution, project description, timescaleandconstructiondetailsoftheAmendedDevelopmentare as described for the overall scheme inChapters3.0and4.0oftheDecember2009ES.Incomparisonto the original scheme, the Amended Developmentrepresents a total reduction of 6 poles and 300m ofnewoverheadline.

3.0 Feedback Response & Amended Development

29 Chapter3.0oftheAddendumprovidesaresponsetothekeycomments raisedby thepublicandstatutoryconsulteesanddescribestheAmendedDevelopment.

3.1 Review of Alternative Schemes

30 Chapter3.2oftheDecember2009ESincludedreferenceto four scheme alternatives, which were consideredduringdevelopmentoftheproject.Inreviewingthese,SPEN considered only one of these four alternatives(Alternative4)meritedfurtherconsideration:

Alternative 4–DeveloptheLlandinamoverheadlineconnection in tandemwith the other plannedwindfarmsinSSAC,whichwillalsoneedgridconnections.This would mean connecting the Llandinam WindFarmintoaSPENcollectorsubstationorintoapointonanewsinglecircuitoverheadlinebetweenSSACandtheNGEThub.

31 SPEN concluded that because they were unable toprovidethedeveloperwithmorecertaintyastohowandwhentheLlandinamWindFarmcouldconnectintotheNGEThub,thiswasnotaviableoptionandthatthereremainednootheralternativetotheproposedscheme.

3.2 Cumulative Review

32 Inresponsetotherequestforacumulativeassessmentof the proposed Llandinam overhead line with otherplanned wind farms and overhead lines in the area,SPENhas undertaken a high-level cumulative reviewandthisispresentedinChapter7.0oftheAddendum.

3.3 The Amended Development

33 Whilst liaisingwithlandownersonthedetaileddesignoftheschemeandreviewingthetechnicalsuitabilityofthedesignfortheareainwhichit istobeinstalled,anumberof changeswere identified topolepositions.Whilstmostofthesefellwithinthe100mcorridor,intwolocations, theamendmentsresulted in theroute lyingoutsidethe100mcorridor.

Photograph 1 & 2 - Double Wood Poles



NTS

Key:Key:


Figure 2

Winter Viewpoint Locations



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measuresincludingtree/shrubandhedgerowplanting.These are presented in the Draft EnvironmentalManagementPlan.

Assessment of Landscape & Visual Effects during Construction & Decommissioning

43 Constructionoftheoverheadlinewillleadtolocalisedchangesresultingfromtheremovalof/orworkstotreesand hedgerows and the effects of any new accesstracks.

44 TheAmendedDevelopmentbothatFordenandBryn-piccawill result in fewer tree lossescompared to theoriginal scheme. With respect to hedgerow removalandpruning, theAmendedDevelopmentwill result inoneadditionalsectionofhedgerowtoberemovednearFordenandoneadditionalsectionofhedgerowtobereducedinheightnearBryn-picca.Giventhathedgesandtreesareacommonfeatureofthelowerlyingpartsof the studyarea, the requiredworkswill not haveasignificanteffectonthearea’scharacter.

45 Access tracks for construction will generally seek tofollow existing tracks and gateways and this is notexpected to result in significant adverse effects onlandscapeorvisualreceptors.

46 Intermsoflandscape,therelativelysmall-scaleeffectsand disturbances arising from construction will notfundamentallymodifyitsprimarycharacteristics,evenonatemporarybasis.Assuch,therearenoanticipatedeffectsonlandscapecharacter.

47 Theonlyvisualreceptorslikelytobetemporarilyaffectedarethefewpropertiesthatlieincloseproximitytotheindividualpolelocationsandthetracksandlanes,whichwillbeusedfor the limitedtraffic. Thesignificanceofeffectisconsideredminorandnotsignificant.Becauseofthis,nomitigationmeasuresareproposed.

Assessment of Landscape Effects during Operation

48 As with the original sections of overhead line, theassessmentconcludedthat,whenviewedinthecontextof the changes to the landscape, which are likely toarise from the construction of planned wind farmswithinSSAC,theeffectsoftheAmendedDevelopmentonthelandscapenearFordenandBryn-piccawillnotbesignificant.

49 The Shropshire Hills AONB is located to the easton theWelsh/English border. It lies 2.5km from theamended section of overhead line near Bryn-picca.WhilstthelandscapeoftheAONBisconsideredhighlysensitive to overhead line development, the scaleof the development and use ofwoodpole supports,combined with the intervening high ground andwoodland, including large conifer plantations,meansthattheAONBwillnotexperienceanyadverseeffects.

4.0 Landscape & Visual

4.1 Background

36 This chapter of the Addendum provides additionalinformationinrespectofareviewoftheDecember2009ESviewpointassessmentinwinterandanassessmentoftheAmendedDevelopment.


Winter Viewpoints

37 AnumberoftheviewpointsincludedintheDecember2009ESwerere-visitedwhere itwasconsideredthatthepresenceoftreesinfullleafmayhaveaffectedtheoutcomeof the original assessment. In response tolocal residents’ feedback to theDecember 2009 ES,two additional viewpoints were also produced nearKerry Saw Mills. The locations of both the winterviewpointsandtheadditionalSawMillviewpointsareshowninFigure2.

38 Theresultsoftheappraisalshowedthattheabsenceof foliagehadnoeffecton theoutcomeof thevisualappraisalincludedintheDecember2009ESandthattheassessmentofsignificanceremainedthesame.

39 The assessment of significance for the two newviewpointsnearKerrySawMillsisminorandthereforenot significant. Some additional planting is howeverproposedinmitigation.


40 Aswith theDecember2009ES, theassessmentwascarriedoutinaccordancewithbestpracticeguidanceanddrewonbothLANDMAPandthePowysLandscapeCharacter Assessment (Powys LCA) for information.Field surveys were undertaken in summer 2010 andexisting andplannedwind farmdevelopments in theareawereincludedwithinthebaseline.ThisincludestheproposedredevelopedLlandinamwindfarmaswellas the planned wind farms at Llaithddu, LlanbadarnFynydd,NeuaddGoch,Bryngydfa,GarregLlwydandHirddywel.

41 Theassessmentdistinguishesbetweenthelandscapeand visual effects of the proposed overhead line.Landscape effects are defined as changes to thelandscape elements, characteristics, character andqualities of the landscape, whilst visual effects areconcernedwiththeeffectoftheoverheadlineonviewsavailabletomembersofthepublicandgeneralvisualamenity.

42 Overhead lines do not easily lend themselves totraditionalmitigationmeasuressuchasscreenplanting.However to help compensate for adverse effects(although ultimately subject to landowner consent),SPEN has proposed some additional enhancement


Bryn-picca

56 Nopropertieswillexperienceasignificantadverseeffectontheirvisualamenity.Thisrepresentsnochangetothesituationfortheoriginalroute.Recreationaluserslikelytobeaffectedarewalkersandridersonthelocalrightofwaynetwork(includingsomepublicforestandopenaccessareas). Althougheffectsmaybelocallysignificant,theywillbetransientandwilldiminishwithdistance. However, thenewsectionof linedoesnotcross any additional public rights of way comparedtotheoriginalscheme.Theremaybesomelocalisedsignificantadverseeffectson local lanesandaccesstracks,buttheseeffectswillbesimilarlylocalisedandtransient.

57 The only existing overhead lines in the area aresome small 33kV lines and telegraph poles servingthe isolated properties to the north. Because of theseparationdistancebetweentheseandtheproposedoverheadline,therearenopredictedcumulativeeffectsarisingfromtheexistinginfrastructure.

4.4 Mitigation & Residual Effects

58 Based on the effects identified in the precedingassessment, SPEN has considered additionalmitigationmeasures,includinglandscapemanagementproposalssuchashedgerowre-instatementand treeplantingtohelpameliorateidentifiedadverselandscapeand visual effects of the Amended Development.Detailsof thesemeasuresarepresented in theDraftEnvironmentalManagementPlan.

59 Significant residual effects remaining include effectsonthevisualamenityofsomeresidentsnearForden,usersofsomeshortsectionsofpublic footpathsandroadsinbothareasandusersofthepublicforestnearBryn-picca.

Assessment of Visual Effects during Operation

50 Theassessmentof the visual effectsof theAmendedDevelopment was undertaken through additional fieldsurveysin2010.

Forden

51 For the section of overhead line near Forden, a newviewpoint and photomontage was produced. ThisindicatesthattheeffectonthevisualamenityofresidentsinandaroundStMichael’sCrescentwillbemoderateandthereforesignificant,whichrepresentsaworseningofeffectcompared to theoriginal route. Inaddition,theremaybesomelocalisedcumulativeeffectsarisingfromtheoverheadlinewhenseenalongsideanexisting33kVoverheadline.Theseeffectsarealsoconsideredsignificant, which again represents a worsening ofeffectcomparedtotheoriginalproposal.

52 Carriedoutalongside thespecificviewpointanalysesnoted above, was an appraisal of the effects of theAmendedDevelopmentonnearbyproperties,amenity(footpaths,bridlewaysetc)andtransportusers.

53 The assessment suggested that a few properties ontheedgeofForden(includingChurchFarmandPen-y-lan)wouldexperiencesignificantvisualeffectsduetothelineformingpartoftheviewatcloserange.Overall,morepropertiesarelikelytobeadverselyaffectedthanfor the original scheme presented in the December2009ES.

54 Noformalvisitorattractions,nationalorregional trailsorcyclewayswillbesignificantlyaffected,includingtheKerryRidgeway. Users of local public rights ofway,includingOffa’sDykePathandTheSevernWaywillbevariably affectedby theAmendedDevelopment nearForden. Overall, the amended section of overheadline crosses one additional footpath and crosses/runs parallel to two longer sections of footpath thanthe original scheme. In terms of transport, users ofa short section of theB4386 and local road networkwill haveviewsof theoverhead line. Although theseeffectsmaybelocallysignificant,theywillbetransientandwilldiminishrapidlywithdistance.Therewillnotbeasignificanteffectonrailpassengers.

55 Theremaybesome localisecumulativevisualeffectsnearFordenwheretheamendedsectionofoverheadlineisseentogetherwithexistinglowvoltageoverheadliensantelegraphpoles.Inplacesthiswillbesignificant.



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General Comments

¤ Explanation of the determination of nature conservationreceptorsinlinewithSection42‘listofspeciesandhabitatsofprincipalimportancefortheconservationofbiodiversityinWales’.

¤ConfirmationthatnopartofthelineiswithintheRiverTemecatchment.

¤ Confirmationthatthelinedoesnotcrosslocalwildlifesites,includingWildlifeTrustReserves.

¤ Confirmation that Regionally Important Geological Sites(RIGS)havebeenconsideredinthebaseline.

¤ Referencetoasearchforotterswithinthesurveycorridor.

¤ Explanationastowhethertheabsenceofdatainthegreatcrestednewtsurveyswasduetonotbeingabletoaccesssomeponds,thusaffectingtheassessment.

¤ Furtherdetailsonappropriatemeasuresforcontrollingtheintroductionandspreadofnon-nativeinvasivespecies.

¤ Further details on appropriatemeasures for preventing thespreadofSignalCrayfishinthetributariesoftheRiverSevern.

Bats

¤ Review of the conservation value of lesser horseshoebats (identified as ‘low’ in the December 2009 ES) andsubsequentassessmenttoacknowledgepotentialeffectsinspringandautumn.

¤ Explanation as towhy it is proposed to survey bat flightpathsapartofthemitigationratherthanatthetimetheESbatflightsurveywascarriedout.

Trees & Hedgerows

¤ Further explanation and inclusion within the constructionmethodstatementofmitigationmeasureswithrespect tohedgerowsandtheiraftercare.

¤ Detailed plans showing hedgerows to be removed andclarificationthatthesehavenotbeenidentifiedasimportantwithrespecttothe1997HedgerowRegulations

¤ Reviewof theconservationvalueandassessmentof thebackpoplar,whichareidentifiedforfelling.

¤ ReviewofwhethertheoverheadlinecouldbedivertedtoavoidveteranoaksinthelowerSevernValley,wheretheyareofparticularnatureconservationvalueand, ifnot,anassessmentoftheeffectsoftheirremoval.

Birds

¤ Reference in mitigation measures to the use of birddeflectorsonsectionsofthelinearoundtheCamladandLowerSevernValley.

¤ Reference to wheremitigation to prevent raptors/corvidsusing poles to predate on other bird species will beprovidede.g.curlewbreedingareas.

¤ Referenceinadetailedmapastowhichpartsof the linearewithinthecatchmentareaoftheRiverWyeSAC,andthenwhatmitigationisneededintheseareas.

5.0 Ecology

5.1 Background

60 This chapter of the Addendum presents the resultsof thecompleteddormousesurvey,more informationrequested byWAGon the number, composition andlocationofaffectedhedgerows,aresponsetoCCW’spostapplicationcommentsandanassessmentoftheAmendedDevelopment.

5.2 Review of the December 2009 ES in Respect of Dormice

61 ConsultationswiththePowysCountyEcologistinJune2009revealedconcernsabout thepossiblepresenceofdormicewithinwoodlandsandhedgesinthestudyarea.Theseconsultationsledtotheintroductionofadormousesurveyusingnesttubes.Owingtothelateintroductionofthesurveywithintheprojectschedule,thetubeswereleft in-situthroughoutthe2010surveyseasoninordertogainonefullseason’ssurveydata.

62 Althoughtheresultsofthesurveysuggestedthattherewould be no significant effects on dormice, somemitigationmeasuresareproposedasaprecautionarymeasure.DetailsofthesemeasuresaresummarisedintheDraftEnvironmentalManagementPlan.

5.3 Additional Hedgerow Information

63 In order to providemore information on the number,compositionand locationof affectedhedgerows, theoriginal surveywas revisited. Of the115hedgerowslikely to be affected by construction of the overheadline,only2wereidentifiedasbeingimportantfornatureconservation. No further effects were identified andSPENconcluded that the informationdidnotchangetheconclusionoftheDecember2009ES–thattherewerenosignificanteffects.

64 MoredetailonmitigationwithrespecttohedgerowsisprovidedintheDraftConstructionMethodStatement.

5.4 SPEN’s Response to CCW’s Comments

65 CCWraisedanumberof issues. Theseare listed inthetableopposite. Pleaserefer toSection5.4of theAddendumforSPEN’sresponses.


Mitigation & Residual Effects

71 Althoughthenatureconservationeffectsidentifiedareexpectedtobemainlyofminorsignificance,itisSPEN’snormalpolicytotrytoimprovethehabitatsoftheareauponwhichtheyareseekingtorouteanoverheadlinethroughenvironmentalenhancementmeasures.Thesemeasures,whicharesetoutintheDraftEnvironmentalManagementPlanhavethepotentialtolocallyresultinminor tomoderatebeneficialsignificance forhabitatsandspecies.

72 Withrespecttothesignificantadverseeffectidentifiedon ground nesting birds, SPEN are currently lookingatmethods to reduce the riskofpredation, includingdevices fitted to the poles to prevent or deter birdsfrom perching or roosting. Liaison with the RSPBand SPEN’s engineers is ongoing. Assuming thismitigation issuccessfulno residualsignificanteffectsareexpected.


66 Aswith theDecember2009ES, theassessmentwascarriedoutinaccordancewithbestpracticeguidance.Thedatagatheredfromthe2009surveyswasreviewedand an additional Extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveyand tree survey undertaken in summer 2010 usingstandardmethodologies.

Assessment of Ecological Effects during Construction & Decommissioning

67 Construction of the Amended Development will leadto someminor habitat loss (including trees) in areasofpoleerectionandaccess tracks. Mostof thiswillbe within improved, semi-improved and marshygrassland.Disruptiontohabitatsonsitealsohasthepotentialtodisturbbirds,reptiles,amphibiansandotherfauna,includingbats.TheDraftConstructionMethodStatement and Draft Environmental ManagementPlanwillbeinplacefortheworkstoensurethatthesepotential effects are minimised and no significanteffects are identified. Pollution of habitats includingwatercourses could arise from vehicular movementsduringconstructionandhaveindirecteffectsonbirdsand other species such as otters and water voles.However provided EA Guidelines be adhered to inrelation toworkingnearwatercourses, theeffectsarenotexpectedtobesignificant.

68 Because no significant effects are identified, nomitigationmeasureshavebeenproposed. However,as a positive conservation measure a number ofhabitat enhancement proposals are included in theDraftEnvironmentalManagementPlan.

Assessment of Effects during Operation

69 Operation of the new sections of overhead line isnotexpectedtogiverise toanysignificanteffectsonhabitatsandflora,fauna,birdsorpollutionofhabitats,withtheexceptionofgroundnestingbirds,whichmaybe exposed to increased predation by corvids usingthepolesareperchingposts.Theeffectonthesebirds,which include protected species such as meadowpipit,lapwing,curlewandskylark,islikelytobemajorand therefore significant, particularly near Bryn-piccawherethesebirdsaremorelikelytobefound.

70 The loss of treesmay result in potential habitat lossfor bats even though this has not been identified assignificant.Batspeciesarelikelytoforageinhabitatsneartheoverheadlineandpotentiallyusesomeofthetreesasroostingsites.Thelossofasmallnumberofpotentialroostsitesisunlikelytoadverselyaffectlocalbat populations. With respect to the potential effectonbat flightpaths, this couldoccurwherepolesarelocatedin,oradjacenttoestablishedhedgerows.Batsarenocturnaland,providing themeasuresproposedare in place to maintain the continuity of thesehedgerows, their foraging patterns are unlikely to beaffected.



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78 The assessment identified 3 historic hedgerowsclose to the Amended Development. Whilst somedamage to these may be inevitable because of thefarmingrequirementtoplacethepolesasclosetothehedgerowaspossible, theoveralldegreeofdamagetoalinearfeaturesuchasahedgerowisunlikelytobesignificant.

Assessment of Cultural Heritage Effects during Operation

79 Direct effects may occur because of accidentaldamageduringmaintenanceoperations.Asdiscussedabove,however,assumingthemitigationmeasuresaresuccessfullyimplemented,theAmendedDevelopmentisnotpredictedtoresultinanysignificantdirecteffectsontheculturalheritageofthearea.

80 The most significant effects are the predictedvisual effects on the setting of cultural heritageassets, including Offa’s Dyke near Forden and BrynCwmyrhiwdreRoundBarrownearBryn-picca.Becauseoftheirproximitytotheamendedsectionsofoverheadline, the significance of visual effect is consideredmoderate and very large respectively. However, themonuments will remain physically intact and theirsettingwillbe returned followingdecommissioningoftheoverheadline.

81 Thesectionof linenearFordentraversestheedgeofValeofMontgomery,whichisincludedintheRegisterofHistoricLandscapesinWales.Theassessmentoftheeffect of theoriginal routewasconsidered in theASIDOHLinAppendixSoftheDecember2009ES.Thenewsectionofroutetraversestwohistoric landscapecharacter areas,PenylanandForden. Bothof thesewereaffectedbytheoriginalroute.Becauseofthis,itisnotconsiderednecessarythatthenewsectionwillalterthedegreeofeffect.ForthisreasontheASIDOHLhasnotbeenreworked.

Mitigation & Residual Effects

82 A seriesof general and specificmitigationmeasuresareputforwardtopreventdamageand/ordestructionof cultural heritage assets particularly during theconstructionanddecommissioningphases.ThesearesetoutintheDraftConstructionMethodStatementandthe Draft Environmental Management Plan. If thesemeasuresaresuccessfullyimplementedtheAmendedDevelopmentwillnothaveanyresidualdirectsignificanteffect.

83 The most significant effects are likely to be indirecteffects on the setting of Offa’s Dyke and the BrynCwmyrhiwdre Round Barrow. No specific mitigationmeasures are put forward and the residual effectsremainmoderate and very large respectively. In thecase of Bryn Cwmyrhiwdre Round Barrow (MG280),theresidualeffectisconsideredsignificant.

6.0 Cultural Heritage

6.1 Background

73 This chapter of the Addendum provides additionalinformation in respect of additional information,which has become available since submission ofthe December 2009 ES and an assessment of theAmendedDevelopment.


74 FollowingsubmissionoftheDecember2009ESthereisonesectionoftheroutewheretheminorchangestopolepositions,resultinpoleslyingcloserto3recordedarchaeologicalsites.Althoughthepolesstillliewithinthe100mcorridorandarenotincludedaspartoftheAmendedDevelopment, theywere assessed and nosignificanteffectsidentified.


75 The assessment of potential effects of theAmendedDevelopment on cultural heritage assetswas carriedout in accordancewith best practice guidance. Theassessment distinguishes between direct physicaldisturbanceontheculturalheritageassetsoftheareaand the indirect visual effects on their setting. AnAssessmentoftheImpactofDevelopmentontheValeof Montgomery Historic Landscape (ASIDOHL) wasalsoincluded.

Assessment of Cultural Heritage Effects during Construction & Decommissioning

76 Because the two new sections of overhead line arerelativelyshort,onlyasmallnumberofculturalheritageassets are likely to be affected (3 within a 100mcorridoreithersideoftheline).Directeffectsontheseassets(andonundiscoveredarchaeologicalremains)are most likely to occur during construction anddecommissioning, particularly because of accidentaldamage to assets during access for on-site works.The Draft Construction Method Statement and DraftEnvironmental Management Plan will be in placefor the works to ensure that these potential effectsareminimised and no significant residual effects areidentified.

77 Mitigation measures proposed include a watchingbrief during construction, preservation in situ or byrecordandevaluation,whichmayincludegeophysicalsurvey,allunderthesupervisionofanArchaeologicalClerkofWorks.Assumingthatthesearesuccessfullyimplemented, construction and decommissioning oftheAmendedDevelopmentisnotpredictedtoresultinanysignificantdirecteffectsontheculturalheritageofthearea.



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Key:Figure 4

Indicative Area and SSA C Wind Farms for Cumulative Review



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7.4 Cultural Heritage 89 The most significant cumulative effects are likely to

be upon key views to and from designated culturalheritageassets,althoughthesearelikelytobefewinnumber.Itincludessomealreadyassessedasbeingsignificantly affected by the Llandinam overhead linein theDecember2009ES. The introductionofotherwindfarmsandoverheadlineswillsimplyreinforcethedegreeofsignificance.ThecumulativevisualeffectonCrugyn BankDyke, BarrowWest of Cae-betinWoodand BrynCwmyrhiwdre Round Barrow is consideredlikelytobeverylargeandthereforesignificant.Otherswhichwill potentially be significantly affected includeTwoTumpsRoundBarrows,CrugynauRoundBarrow,GlogRoundBarrows,CrugynRoundBarrowsandBancGorddwr Round Barrow. However, the monumentswill remain physically intact and their setting will bereturned following decommissioning of the overheadline.

90 Oncemoreinformationontheotherschemesbecomesavailable, SPEN will consider further mitigationmeasures.

7.0 Cumulative Review84 Inresponsetoconsultees’commentsontheDecember

2009ES,SPENhasundertakenahighlevelcumulativereview of the proposed overhead line in conjunctionwithallotherplannedwindfarmsandoverheadlinesinthearea.ThisfocusesonSSACasillustratedinFigure4andtakesintoaccountthefollowing:

¤ ProposedwindfarmsinSSAC,whicharecurrentlythesubjectofconnectionoffersorareintheplanningsystem,includingLlaithddu,Bryngydfa,Hirddywel,NeuaddGoch,Llanbadarn,GarregLlwydaswellastheupgradedLlandinamWindFarm.

¤ SPEN’sproposedgridconnectionsforthesewindfarmsinornearSSAC

7.1 Landscape Character85 When viewed in the context of the changes to the

landscape,whicharelikelytoarisefromtheconstructionof planned wind farms and associated infrastructurewithinSSAC, theLlandinamoverhead linemayhavesomesignificanteffectson local landscapecharacterbutwillnotsignificantlyaffectthecharacterofthewiderlandscape.

7.2 Visual 86 Significant cumulative visual effects may arise for

residents,recreationalusersandusersoftheA483atinornearSSAC.Mitigationmeasureswouldincludelandscape planting where agreed with landowners.Further measures will be put forward once moreinformationontheotherschemesbecomesavailable.

7.3 Ecology87 Significantcumulativeeffectsmayoccurwith respect

towatercourses,includingtheAfonCamnantandAfonIthon. Theremay also be significant effects on birdpopulationsduetocollisions,increasedpredationanddisplacementduetolossofhabitat.

88 Measures outlined in the Draft Construction MethodStatement will help mitigate against these effects.Furthermitigationmeasures will be considered oncemoredetailbecomesavailableontheotherschemes.



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Figure 5

Environmental Management Plan - southern section of route



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proposedbySPEN,whichareintendedtomitigateforminoreffects,whicharenotsignificant,butwhichareneverthelessidentified.

92 Theseincludetreereplacements(twonewforeachtreelost),hedgerowandshrubplantingandtheintroductionof measures to enhance biodiversity. These aredetailedfullyinChapter11.0oftheDecember2009ES.

8.0 Draft Environmental Management Plan

91 TheAddendumconcludeswiththeDraftEnvironmentalManagementPlan,whichhasbeenupdatedsincetheDecember 2009 ES to include mitigation measuresfor significant effects arising from the AmendedDevelopment.Italsoincludesmitigationmeasuresforpotentialcumulativeeffectsarisingfromtheoverheadline in conjunctionwithotherplannedwind farmandoverheadlinesinthearea(seetablebelowandFigure5). Finally, it sets out additional measures being

SUMMARY OF THE MITIGATION MEASURES PROPOSED IN THE RESPONSE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS IDENTIFIED IN THE CUMULATIVE REVIEWEnvironmental Effect Effect Type of Mitigation if Possible Residual Effect EMP Ref

Cumulative Assessment

Landscape & Visual

Therewillbesomesignificantcumulativelandscapeandvisualeffects.ItmaybepossibletomitigatetheseusingsimilarmeasurestothoseoutlinedpreviouslyintheEMP.ThiswillbefullyconsideredbySPENoncefurtherdetailbecomesavailableontheotherschemesproposedinthearea.

Ecology

WatercoursesinLlandinamwindfarmarea

Minor ReferenceinConstructionMethodStatementtoproceduresinplacetoensuresiteisavoidedbysiteaccesstraffic,workingareas,andconstructionareasaroundpoles.Pre-constructionsurveystoalsoberequiredforonsiteworks

Minor EMP17

GroundnestingbirdsinLlandinamwindfarmarea

Moderate ReferenceinConstructionMethodStatementtoproceduresinplacetoensuresiteisavoidedbysiteaccesstraffic,workingareas,andconstructionareasaroundpoles.Pre-constructionsurveystoalsoberequiredforonsiteworks

Moderate EMP27,11A

BreedingBirds Moderate Birddeflectorsinstalledonpoles Moderate EMP12A

WinteringBirds Moderate Birddeflectorsinstalledonpoles Moderate EMP13A

Cultural Heritage

Therewillbesomesignificantcumulativeculturalheritageeffects. Itmaybepossible tomitigate theseusingsimilarmeasurestothoseoutlinedpreviouslyintheEMP.ThiswillbefullyconsideredbySPENoncefurtherdetailbecomesavailableontheotherschemesproposedinthearea.

new 132kv overhead line connection from … overhead line connection from llandinam wind farm to...

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