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Loganhead Wind Farm Environmental Statement

Volume One: Non-Technical Summary

September 2015

Loganhead Wind Farm Volume One: Non-Technical Summary

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Preface

This Non-Technical Summary has been prepared by Muirhall Energy Ltd. as part of the Environmental Statement for the proposed Loganhead Wind Farm in Dumfries and Galloway. The Environmental Statement has been prepared in support of an application to Dumfries and Galloway Council for consent under The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 as amended by the Town and Country Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006.

The Environmental Statement consists of five volumes:

• Volume 1 is the Non-Technical Summary (NTS), which summarises the main findings of the ES;• Volume 2 is the Main Report and details the methodology for the assessments, the likely

significant environmental effects of the proposal, the need for mitigation and any residualenvironmental effects;

• Volume 3 is the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Figures and should be read inconjunction with Chapter 4 of the Main Report (Volume 2);

• Volume 4 is the Technical Appendices to the Main Report (Volume 2); and• Volume 5 is the Confidential Annex for environmentally sensitive information.

A separate Planning, Design and Access Statement and Pre-Application Consultation Report is also submitted in support of the application.

The Environmental Statement may be viewed at the following locations:

• Dumfries and Galloway Council, Planning Department, English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2HS• Westerkirk Library, Bentpath, Langholm, DG13 0PB• Langholm Library, Charles Street, Langholm, DG13 0AA• Lockerbie library, 31-33 High Street, Lockerbie, DG11 2JL

The full Environmental Statement is available on request at the following costs:

• Non-Technical Summary: Free of charge. Also available at www.muirhallenergy.co.uk;• Environmental Statement (Text, Figures and Technical Appendices) on CD in PDF format: £5• Environmental Statement (Text, Figures and Technical Appendices) printed: £250;

For further details, please contact:

Muirhall Energy

Muirhall Farm Tel: 01501 785088 Carnwath Email: [email protected] South Lanarkshire Website: www.muirhallenergy.co.uk ML11 8LL

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.muirhallenergy.co.uk/


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Table of Contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

2 Project Description ..................................................................................................................... 4

3 Site Selection and Design............................................................................................................ 5

4 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) ....................................................................... 7

5 Socio Economics, Tourism and Recreation ................................................................................. 9

6 Ecology ...................................................................................................................................... 12

7 Ornithology ............................................................................................................................... 14

8 Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology .................................................................................... 16

9 Cultural Heritage ....................................................................................................................... 18

10 Noise ......................................................................................................................................... 21

11 Traffic and Transport ................................................................................................................ 22

12 Other Considerations ................................................................................................................ 23

Figures

Figure 1.1: Site Location

Figure 2.1: Site Layout


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1 Introduction

1.1 The Proposal

This Non-Technical Summary (NTS) summarises the Environmental Statement (ES), which was prepared by Muirhall Energy to accompany their application to Dumfries and Galloway Council for consent to construct a wind farm on land at Loganhead.

The site is located within Dumfriesshire in the administrative boundary of Dumfries and Galloway Council. The site location is shown in Figure 1.1 and is approximately 4 kilometres (km) North-West of Langholm, and 15km North-East of Lockerbie.

Loganhead Wind Farm will comprise 13 wind turbines, associated access tracks, crane hardstandings, up to two meteorological masts, an on-site control room and substation, grid cables, four borrow pits and up to two temporary construction compounds. The wind farm layout is shown in Figure 2.1.

The wind farm will utilise a wind turbine with a maximum ground to blade tip height of up to 130 metres. The candidate turbine has a capacity of 3.2 Megawatts (MW), so the likely installed capacity of the wind farm will be 41.6MW. The Development could generate the electrical energy equivalent to the average annual demand of approximately 24,253 homes1.

1.2 The Applicant

This application is made by Loganhead WF Ltd, a project company of Muirhall Energy Ltd. Muirhall Energy is acting as the agent for this development.

Muirhall Energy is an independent renewable energy company based in rural South Lanarkshire, situated less than a mile away from the operating Muirhall Wind Farm giving the company a unique insight into the wind energy project at all stages of its lifecycle. The wind farm was first visualised in 2003 in response to an increasingly difficult economic reality experienced by the farming sector. Muirhall Energy has grown from this original development and now have a considerable number of projects of different scale throughout Scotland.

Muirhall Energy employs 14 full time staff and recognises the employment opportunities which are generated through locally designed projects and has a commitment to benefitting those communities closest to the development. Such projects bring sustainable economic development to Scotland’s most rural communities and help to maintain rural populations. Empowering the local community is a central principle of the Muirhall Energy ethos. We truly believe that communities are the cornerstone for the success of every project and our neighbours should have the opportunity to share in the rewards. We are offering the community the opportunity to invest up to 10% of the wind farm company.

Muirhall Energy recognises national targets for renewable energy generation and the contribution which wind energy projects make in tackling climate change and reducing Scotland’s dependence on fossil fuels.

1.3 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The Environmental Statement has been prepared in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011.

1 For working see Volume 2 of the ES, Chapter 12.8 – Carbon Savings, Climate Change and Atmospheric Emissions.


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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process which identifies the environmental effects (both negative and positive) of development proposals. It is an iterative process of assessment and design. The final design of the project is informed by the studies and assessments undertaken as part of the EIA and a series of public consultation events to engage with the local community. The proposal has then been refined to avoid, reduce or offset potential environmental effects associated with construction, operation and decommissioning. Appropriate mitigation measures have been identified to minimise any potential impacts.

Muirhall Energy consists of a multidisciplinary team with over 40 years of experience, with qualifications to PhD level and Chartered Scientist, including expertise in rural planning, land surveying, environmental science, physics, geography, zoology and law. Muirhall Energy has project managed the EIA process and brought together a team of suitably qualified and professionally accredited experts to conduct environmental baseline studies, including site surveys, to assess the potential effects of the development.

The consultancy team consists of:

• Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment: Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure • Socio-Economics, Tourism and Recreation: Peter Brett Associates • Ecology and Ornithology: Cameron Ecology (Lead Ecologist) and ACE Surveyors (Ecological and

Ornithological Surveys) • Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology: EnviroCentre • Carbon Balance, Peat Landslide Risk Assessment and Borrow Pit Designs - EnviroCentre • Cultural Heritage: CFA Archaeology • Noise: Atmos Consulting • Traffic and Transport: Peter Brett Associates • Planning Policy: Natural Power

1.4 EIA methodology

The EIA has been conducted over a number of stages:

Stage 1 - Scoping Process. The aim of the scoping process is to agree the methodology for environmental assessments. This process has involved contacting statutory and non-statutory bodies to inform them of the proposed wind farm and to request agreement on the assessment of environmental and technical constraints in the area surrounding the wind farm.

Stage 2 – Baseline Surveys. This stage has identified the environmental conditions of the development site prior to development as judged by suitably qualified and professionally accredited experts within the consultancy team.

Stage 3 – Assessment of Effects. A defined methodology has been applied to predict the likely effects of the given proposal on the receiving environment. The effects have been evaluated to ascertain whether they will result in a ‘significant’ impact when considering the sensitivity of the receptor, magnitude of effect, and any proposed mitigation. The assessments have drawn upon existing literature, personal communications with local experts and on-site survey.

Stage 4 – Environmental Statement. The ES reports the findings from the EIA. It is the complete final document detailing all aspects of the studies undertaken and is submitted with the application for consent.


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The Environmental Statement consists of five volumes:

• Volume 1 is the Non-Technical Summary (NTS), which sets out the main findings of the ES; • Volume 2 is the Main Report and presents the findings of the assessment of the likely significant

environmental effects of the proposal; • Volume 3 is the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Figures and should be read in

conjunction with Chapter 4 of the Main Report (Volume 2); • Volume 4 is the Technical Appendices and stand-alone consultant reports; and • Volume 5 is the Confidential Annex used to keep environmentally sensitive information.

A stand-alone Planning Policy Statement has also been produced to accompany the application, although this is not part of the ES.


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2 Project Description

The main elements of infrastructure of the wind farm are outlined below. A Location Plan and Site Layout are provided in Figures 1.1 and Figure 2.1 of this Non Technical Summary.

Key components:

• 13 wind turbines each with an anticipated maximum rated capacity of 3.2MW and up to 130m blade height to tip;

• Clearance of coniferous forestry;

• Crane hardstandings (used during construction, operational repair and decommissioning);

• An internal or external transformer at the base of each turbine;

• Use of existing Craig wind farm bell mouth entrance from the B709;

• Approximately 6.95km of new access tracks;

• Underground cabling within the Application Site running in trenches alongside the access tracks where possible;

• A Substation and control building including electrical metering stores and welfare facility;

• Up to 2 temporary construction and laydown compounds;

• A temporary concrete batching plant;

• A network operator compound; and

• Two permanent anemometer masts approximately 80m in height.

Consent is sought for a period of 25 years, thereafter the wind farm will either be decommissioned or consent may be sought to extend its operational life.

The construction period for the development is anticipated to be approximately 18 months. The decommissioning period is expected to last up to 12 months.


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3 Site Selection and Design

3.1 Introduction

Muirhall Energy is engaged in a continual search and assessment of potential wind farm sites throughout Scotland to progress and develop. The design of the wind farm has involved balancing the potentially conflicting interests of:

• Landscape character and visual amenity; • Environmental constraints concerning natural and built heritage such as ecological, hydrological

and archaeological interests; and underground utility services such as pipelines and microwave links;

• Topography and ground conditions; and • Technological and operational requirements (high energy production from the turbines and low

inter-turbine distortion of the wind flow).

3.2 Site Selection

Site finding capability has been developed in-house using a computer based Geographical Information System (GIS) for suitability analysis of any site in the whole of Scotland. Loganhead has been identified as an appropriate site for wind farm development as it satisfies a number of criteria including the following:

• The landscape is considered suitable for accommodating a wind farm; • an absence of international and national landscapes, heritage and nature conservation

designations within the boundary; • an exposed location with good wind speeds; • feasible site access routes; • access to grid connection; • setback to communities and individual properties; • the landscape has the capacity to host a wind farm; and • accordance with spatial planning guidance.

The sites that are promoted are selected as a result of a thorough and pro-active prospecting exercise involving consistent and demanding criteria. On the basis of the positive site evaluation and in the light of the pre-application consultation responses it was concluded that there is considerable potential for a wind farm in this location and that the site is acceptable in planning policy terms.

In particular the site benefits from being:

• No part of the Loganhead site has any local, national or international nature conservation or statutory landscape designations.

• Predominantly located within Dumfries and Galloway Councils ‘Area of Greatest Potential for Large Turbines (>80m). As defined by The Local Development Plan, Interim Spatial Strategy (September 2015).

• The proposed Development would be located within the Southern Uplands with Forest (19a) West Langholm unit as defined by the DGWLCS which is noted to be of Low landscape sensitivity and Medium visual sensitivity to large turbine typology (the proposed development).

• According to SNH’s ‘Strategic Locational Guidance for Onshore Wind Farms in Respect of the Natural Heritage Policy Statement 02/02 (Updated March 2009)’, the site is within:


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“Zone 1: Lowest natural heritage sensitivity identifies areas at the broad scale with least sensitivity to wind farms with the greatest opportunity for development, within which overall a large number of developments could be acceptable in natural heritage terms, so long as they are undertaken sensitively and with due regard to cumulative impact.”

3.3 Design Strategy

The overall aim of the design strategy was to create a wind farm with a cohesive design that relates to the surrounding landscape while considering the inherent nature of wind turbines as tall, modern structures. The proposed wind farm has evolved throughout the duration of the EIA process. This iterative approach has allowed the findings of the public consultation exercise along with results from the environmental surveys and assessments to guide the evolution of the proposal and allowed the design to be modified in order to avoid or minimise environmental effects without compromising the overall design strategy.

The key design objectives were as follows:

• to produce a cohesive layout which would be legible in key views as experienced from the surrounding landscape;

• to develop a layout that responds to the landform and is broadly contained by the topography of the site;

• to develop a layout that seeks to match the perceived scale of the turbines, and the scale of the proposed wind farm, with the scale of the landscape in which they would be located;

• to develop a layout that relates to other wind farms in the local area as well as being coherent in its own right;

• to develop a layout that fulfils the above objectives whilst respecting other environmental constraints including ecological and archaeological constraints, and other constraints identified during the EIA process.

3.4 Conclusion

There were a number of key steps for the design modifications, but there were also a number of iterations to the track and infrastructure layout, to ensure avoidance of sensitive areas. The initial draft layout of 17 turbines has been revised and refined throughout the various stages of the design process until a final layout of a wind farm of 13 turbines is proposed. The final layout is considered to be of a size and scale that is felt to be acceptable within the landscape and of a design that reads coherently with the landscape.


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4 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)

4.1 Introduction

The LVIA conforms to the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition2 (GLVIA) and has been undertaken by chartered landscape architects at Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited. The assessment process has encompassed the construction, operation, and decommissioning phases of the proposed Loganhead Wind Farm and has included design iteration and re-assessment of the residual effects.

Strategic landscape planning advice from Scottish Natural Heritage, Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Dumfries and Galloway Wind Farm Landscape Capacity Study has been considered and provides the following advice in relation to the proposed Loganhead Wind Farm site:

• The proposed site area is located within ‘Zone 1’ of Scottish Natural Heritage’s Strategic Guidance for Onshore Wind Farms (March 2009) which is defined as areas of ‘lowest natural heritage sensitivity’.

• The Dumfries and Galloway Council Local Development Plan, Interim Spatial Strategy (September 2015) indicates that the proposed site lies predominantly within an ‘Area of Greatest Potential for Large Turbines’ (>80m).

• The Dumfries and Galloway Wind Farm Landscape Capacity Study has been used as the main reference for landscape character and capacity assessment for wind farm development and considers that the Southern Uplands with Forest (19a) West Langholm unit is of Low overall sensitivity to wind farm development and that this landscape character type of the lowest sensitivity to large turbine typology within Dumfries and Galloway as a whole.

Consultation arising from the scoping process, on landscape and visual assessment has been undertaken with Scottish Natural Heritage and Dumfries and Galloway Council. The advice from consultees has been used to assist the design and assessment process with additional comments provided on viewpoint selection and the cumulative assessment. Particular attention has been paid to how the proposed Development would appear from the Eskdale valley and the Langholm Monument.

The proposed Loganhead Wind Farm has been designed to appear as part of the Craig Wind Farm, continuing the development in one simple line of turbines reflecting the site topography. The proposed turbines would be located to the ‘less sensitive side of the ridgeline, on the south western slopes, below the ridgeline hill summits to reduce the visibility and scale of development, where visible from the Eskdale valley.

The maximum turbine height would be up to 130m to blade tip and the scale of this development has been compared to other existing and consented wind farms in the area to ensure that through the design process they would be visually compatible. The difference in turbine height between the proposed Development and the Ewe Hill and Craig turbines is not readily noticeable in the assessment viewpoints and compares favourably with the smaller Craig turbines when viewed from the Eskdale valley, Calfield Rig and the Langholm Monument.

2 Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition, Landscape Institute and IEMA, 2013.


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4.2 Methodology and Findings

Landscape Effects are concerned with how the proposed Development would affect the elements that make up the landscape, the aesthetic and perceptual aspects of the landscape and its distinctive character. The Loganhead Wind Farm would have a significant effect on part of the Southern Uplands with Forest: West Langholm unit and part of the adjacent Southern Uplands: Ewe Hill unit which is also partly designated as the Langholm Hills Regional Scenic Area. The significant landscape effects would extend up to 1.5km distance from the proposed turbines as far as Calfield Rig, Black Knowe, Bombie Hill and Shaw Hill, overlapping with an area that is already affected by the existing and consented Craig Wind Farm.

No other Regional Scenic Areas or nationally designated landscapes would be significantly affected.

Visual effects are concerned wholly with the effect of development on views, and the general visual amenity. The visual effects are identified for different receptors (people) who would experience the view at their places of residence, during recreational activities, at work, or when travelling through the area. Viewpoint analysis indicates that the significant visual effects would extend out to approximately 2.5km from the nearest turbine locations as indicated by Viewpoint 1: Calfield Rigg and Residential Viewpoint 9: Westerhall. The visual assessment has concluded that significant visual effects would be limited, affecting the views from 2 residential properties and 3 local footpaths within the area.

4.3 Conclusion

To conclude, the proposed Loganhead Wind Farm may be regarded as consistent with the guidance of the Dumfries and Galloway Wind Farm Landscape Capacity Study and the requirements of the Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Local Development Plan policies IN1 and IN2 Wind Energy in respect of landscape, visual and cumulative effects.


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5 Socio Economics, Tourism and Recreation

5.1 Introduction

This chapter assesses the potential socio-economic, tourism and recreation impacts and effects which could occur as a result of the proposed development. This includes potential adverse effects on the local tourism economy, business interests; tourism interests and the potential beneficial effects on the local economy in terms of income and job creation.

5.2 Study Area

The study area for the assessment of socio-economic significance of effects is based on drive-time catchment areas from the proposed development. The ‘local area’ is defined within a 30 minute drive-time, ‘wider area’ within a 45 minute drive-time, and ‘wider region’ within a 60 minute drive-time. The tourism and recreation study area is defined by a 15km radius from the proposed development as significant effects are likely to be restricted to areas of visibility within 15km of the site.

5.3 Socio-Economic Baseline Summary

The local economy has a socio-economic profile which is comparable to the local authority area and national profile, with a readily available labour force. As a result it is unlikely the proposed development would lead to labour market pressure or distortions (i.e. wage inflation, skills and capacity shortages).

5.4 Tourism and Recreation Baseline Summary

Tourism policy and strategy in Dumfries and Galloway highlights the importance of tourism to the area and there is strong policy ambition to grow the tourism economy further and enhance sustainable tourism activities such as cycling and walking.

The top reason for choosing to visit Dumfries and Galloway is the scenery and the landscape. A number of trips are made to Dumfries and Galloway as part of a wider visit including other parts of Scotland.

The Dumfries and Galloway tourism industry is heavily reliant on domestic tourism, with the majority of all trips and expenditure from visitors from the UK. Domestic visitor numbers and expenditure have fallen since 2008. Overseas trips and expenditure has also decreased in the same period.

None of Dumfries & Galloway’s top 5 visitor attractions (as identified by Visit Scotland) are within 15km of the proposed development and are therefore considered to be outside the distance where potential tourism and recreation effects could occur.

The local area has a range of recreational resources including visitor attractions, events, fishing, walking and cycling routes, horse-riding and golf, amongst others.

5.5 Socio-Economic Impacts

5.5.1 Economic and Wider Economic Benefits

The proposed development would generate employment opportunities locally through construction, on-going maintenance during its lifetime, and in decommissioning. In total, direct and indirect employment created by the proposed development in the local and wider area economy will amount to some 6.4 full


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time equivalent (FTE) direct jobs and a further 9.1 FTE indirect and induced jobs in the wider regional economy. 15.5 FTE net additional positions will be created over the lifetime of the project.

The proposed development is assessed as having a minor positive impact upon the local, regional and Scotland wide renewables supply chain.

5.5.2 Community Benefit Fund

Muirhall Energy is committed to setting up a Community Benefit Fund and will engage with residents about options such as Shared Ownership. A fixed annual payment of £5,000 per megawatt (MW) of installed capacity will be provided, index-linked to account for inflation. This would amount to approximately £5.2 million over the 25 year lifetime of the proposed development.

5.5.3 Socio-Economic Cumulative Effects

The cumulative requirement for labour to construct the proposed development with other wind farms either consented, at planning or appeal stage, in a 60km radius would create additional employment opportunities but would not lead to any labour market distortions or any significant adverse cumulative impacts.

5.5.4 Socio-economic Residual Effects

The residual effects likely to be experienced by the local and sub-regional economy as a result of the proposed development include those for the construction phase, operational lifetime, and decommissioning phase.

There are no adverse socio-economic effects identified through the assessment.

In total the proposed development in the local and wider area economy will create 6.4 FTE direct jobs and a further 9.1 FTE indirect and induced jobs in the wider regional economy, a total of 15.5 FTE net additional employment over the life time of the project. These jobs are assessed as having a minor positive effect on the local and wider economy.

Estimated operational expenditure in Dumfries and Galloway is expected to amount to £22.5 million over the operational lifetime of the project.

There will be a further contribution to non-domestic business rates revenue of approximately £6.0 - £6.5million over the project’s lifetime, assessed as being of minor positive effect on the economy.

The estimated £5.2 million Community Fund will bring benefits to local residents and improve local community facilities. It is assessed as having a moderate beneficial effect on the economy.

5.6 Tourism and Recreational Impacts

The scale of impact from the proposed development has been considered in respect of factors such as visibility, proximity, level of physical disturbance, and the popularity and sensitivity of the recreational receptor or activity.

Most receptors will experience either no impact, negligible, or minor impacts. The assessment indicates that 6 (6%) will experience moderate adverse impacts. These include: the A7 tourist route, the A74/M6 tourist link, the Glasgow to Carlisle train line, National Cycle Route 74, the Castle O’er Forest and Langholm Golf Club.


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These adverse impacts result from the potential visual impacts of the proposed development. The ZTV analysis is based only on the topography of the land and does not take account of physical or natural aspects such as buildings or trees. In reality the magnitude of change is likely to be lower due to the screening afforded by stands of forestry trees around the proposed development, topographic features, and man-made structures.

However, the impact described only takes account of the impact on the visual amenity of the receptor, and does not account for the likely tourist or recreational user’s behavioural response to the change in their visual amenity.

5.6.1 Comparative Evidence on the Impact of Wind Farms

The review of comparative research undertaken as part of the assessment strongly indicates that well-located wind farms are unlikely to lead to significant adverse impacts on tourism or recreation in the area. In addition, visitors’ experience of wind farms is now commonplace, and given that wind farms and wind turbines are commonly used as illustrations in walking guide books and websites in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK, it may be assumed that walkers views are unlikely to be more hostile than those of the average visitor in general. Overall, the opinions of the population at large are generally supportive of onshore wind farms.

5.6.2 Assessment of Residual Effects – Tourism and Recreation

The comparative research evidence shows that the type or level of visual impact experienced in the study area by visitors will not be likely to result in a change in visitor numbers to an extent that would result in an adverse tourism or economic outcome or effect. It can therefore be concluded that the significance of the effect of the proposed development on the tourism and recreation facilities in the study area would be limited. It is therefore assessed as being of minor scale and not significant in EIA terms.

5.6.3 Tourism and Recreation Cumulative Impact and Effects

The cumulative assessment notes that the proposed development may generate some visual effects on tourism receptors, including users of the Eskdale Prehistoric Trail and The Reiver Trail. However, in light of the comparative research and the principle of wind farms having already been established in the wider area, the cumulative impact on the tourism receptors affected by the proposed development, or their resulting recreational or visiting patterns is considered as not significant.

5.7 Summary and Conclusion

15.5 net additional FTE jobs would be created by the proposed development along with other wider associated economic, supply chain, local taxation, community benefit, and labour market benefits. The proposed development will have a minor beneficial socio-economic impact.

It is concluded that the significance of the effect of the proposed development on tourism and recreational receptors in the study area would be limited. It is therefore assessed as being of minor scale and not significant.


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6 Ecology

6.1 Introduction

The ecology assessment has been undertaken following the principles outlined in Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom (IEEM 2006)3. These guidelines set out a clear process for ecological impact assessment, involving consultations, baseline survey, impact assessment (including consideration of the potential for cumulative impacts), mitigation and assessment of significance. The results of this process are described in the Ecology chapter and summarised in this section of the Non-technical Summary.

6.2 Methodology

The first stage in the process is consultation and desk study. Publically available datasets were consulted to establish if there were any nature conservation designations applying to the site or its surroundings. A search of the biological records held by Dumfries and Galloway Environmental Records Centre was commissioned. Preliminary consultations were undertaken with the Galloway Fisheries Trust, and a review of information from adjacent windfarm Environmental Statements was undertaken. Following preliminary review of the available data from these consultations and an initial ecological walkover survey, a draft programme of baseline surveys was drawn up and discussed with Scottish Natural Heritage. The purpose of this part of the process was to gain an initial understanding of the sensitivity of the site and agree what baseline surveys would be appropriate at this location to inform an Ecological Impact Assessment.

Agreed baseline surveys undertaken included vegetation surveys and a series of protected species surveys. Specific protected species surveys included otter, badger, water vole, bats, fish, freshwater pearl mussels and red squirrel, together with an assessment of habitat suitability for reptiles, amphibians and notable invertebrates.

Information from consultations, desk study and baseline surveys have all been used to inform the assessment of the potential effects of building a windfarm at this location on habitats and wildlife. The assessment seeks to be quantitative where possible in predicting how habitats and wildlife will potentially be affected by the proposed windfarm. The final stage in the process seeks to make a judgement on whether the predicted effects will be ‘significant’. The IEEM (2006) guidelines provide guidance on how to determine whether an effect is significant, focussing on the concept of ecological integrity. In non-technical terms an effect is significant if it one that you would notice if you were monitoring a given population. So for example if you were monitoring the number of red squirrels in a particular area, that population might fluctuate from year to year and follow a predictable trend. An effect would be significant if it changed the trend in that population in a way that is measurable.

3 IEEM (2006) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom (version 7 July 2006)


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6.3 Baseline Conditions and Potential Effects

No nature conservation designations apply to the site or its immediate surroundings. There is therefore no need for the assessment to consider potential effects on any specially designated nature conservation sites.

The habitat survey confirmed that most of the area being looked at is commercial plantation forestry. A range of other habitats were recorded including an upland mosaic of mire and heath habitats, and some small areas of wetland habitat types including acid flush vegetation and marshy grassland. Most of the habitat predicted to be lost as a result of the development is commercial forestry. Losses of other habitat types are considered to be small scale in the context of the overall development. Effects on habitats are not considered to be significant.

In terms of species that are specially protected at a European level, otter were recorded to be present and there is a relatively low level of bat activity in the area, mostly relating to pipistrelle bat species. No freshwater pearl mussels were recorded during surveys for this species. The development is not considered to present a threat to otter. Mitigation of the risk of harm to bats is through the management of the forestry, ensuring that a 50m buffer is maintained between turbine blade tips and forest edge that could be used by foraging bats.

Other protected species present include badger, pine marten and red squirrel. No water voles were recorded. A number of mitigation measures are proposed to ensure that there is no disturbance to badger, pine marten or red squirrel during construction, for example through pre-construction checks for these species. Construction and operation of the windfarm would result in changes to the way the forest is managed, and this could have an effect on red squirrels, which rely on the availability of older trees for feeding. A plan has been put in place to ensure that the way the forest is managed provides a net benefit for red squirrels. Consideration has also been given to the possibility that construction of other windfarms in the area could lead to an effect on squirrels. On balance it is considered that construction of Loganhead in combination with these other windfarms would not be significant.

6.4 Conclusions

Overall Loganhead is considered to be a low sensitivity site for windfarm development. The ecology assessment has ensured that the development avoids impacts on protected species, and has developed a habitat management plan that aims to improve the overall biodiversity value of the forest, and the quality of the habitat for red squirrel in particular. No significant impacts on habitats or wildlife are predicted.


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7 Ornithology

7.1 Introduction

The ornithology assessment has also been undertaken following the principles outlined in Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom (IEEM 2006)4. These guidelines set out a clear process for ecological impact assessment, involving consultations, baseline survey, impact assessment (including consideration of the potential for cumulative impacts), mitigation and assessment of significance. The results of this process are described in the Ornithology chapter and summarised in this section of the Non-technical Summary.

7.2 Methodology

As with Ecology, the first stage in the process is consultation and desk study. Publically available datasets were consulted to establish if there were any nature conservation designations relevant to ornithology applied to the site or its surroundings. A search of the biological records held by Dumfries and Galloway Environmental Records Centre was commissioned. A review of information from adjacent windfarm Environmental Statements was also undertaken. Following preliminary review of the available data from these consultations and an initial ornithological walkover survey, a draft programme of baseline ornithology surveys was drawn up and discussed with Scottish Natural Heritage. The purpose of this part of the process was to gain an initial understanding of the ornithological sensitivity of the site and agree what baseline surveys would be appropriate at this location to inform an Ecological Impact Assessment.

Agreed baseline surveys undertaken included observations of flight activity. These are surveys to record which birds are flying in the airspace above the site. These enable the assessment to make an informed judgement about the relative importance of the site for different species of birds. Information from the observations can also be used to predict the level of collision risk for particular species of birds. Flight activity observations started in the autumn migration period in 2012, continued into the winter 2012/2013, the spring migration period of 2013, the breeding season (summer) of 2013, and included some additional observations after this period including a second autumn migration period in 2014. In addition to flight activity surveys, winter walkovers of open ground around the site were undertaken in winter 2012/2013 in order to assess the importance of the site for wintering birds. Winter point counts were also undertaken to assess the importance of the assemblage of birds present in the forestry in winter. Breeding bird surveys of open habitats around the edge of the site recorded wading birds and other species present around the site. Breeding season point counts were undertaken to gain an understanding of the importance of the breeding birds within the forestry. Specific surveys were undertaken for owls, birds of prey and black grouse.

Information from consultations, desk study and baseline surveys have all been used to inform the assessment of the potential effects on birds from constructing a windfarm at this location. The assessment seeks to be quantitative where possible in predicting how birds will potentially be affected by the proposed windfarm. The final stage in the process seeks to make a judgement on whether the predicted effects will be ‘significant’. The IEEM (2006) guidelines provide guidance on how to determine whether an effect is significant, focussing on the concept of ecological integrity. In non-technical terms an effect is significant if it one that you would notice if you were monitoring a given population. So for

4 IEEM (2006) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom (version 7 July 2006)


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example if you were monitoring the number of barn owl in a particular area, that population might fluctuate from year to year and follow a predictable trend. An effect would be significant if it changed the trend in that population in a way that is measurable. In practice there is often a reliance on professional judgement due to insufficient information to model populations in this way with confidence.

7.3 Baseline Conditions and Potential Effects

There are three Special Areas for Conservation within 20 km of the site. These are areas of European importance for birds. Two of these areas are designated for their pink-footed goose populations. Based on the available desk study information it was considered that there was not likely to be any significant connectivity between the site and these designations, and this has been supported by the results of the bird surveys. The remaining designation included its hen harrier population as one of its designated features. In this case the combination of distance from the designation and the low level of hen harrier flight activity enables meaningful connectivity to be discounted in this case.

Based on the results of the desk study and bird surveys, four ornithological receptors have been identified for more detailed consideration in the assessment. These include an assemblage of moorland waders present around the north and east perimeter of the site, considered to be of local value. The population of perching birds breeding within the forest includes a range of species that are of conservation concern due to declines in their national populations, the assemblage of birds within the forest were assessed as being of local value. In addition, two rarer species were present in the survey area and were assessed as being of regional value due to their relative rarity in Scotland; these were goshawk and barn owl.

The possibility of disturbance, displacement and collision has been considered for each of the four ornithological receptors, taking into account the differing potential for effects associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the development. None of the effects identified are considered to be significant.

Collision risk modelling has been undertaken in relation to flight activity by goshawk. The results of the collision risk modelling suggest there is potential for a collision every 23 years or so, based on the level of flight activity observed during the surveys. This would mean there would probably be one collision in the lifetime of the development. This level of additional collision mortality is not predicted to be significant in the context of the goshawk population.

7.4 Conclusions

Overall Loganhead is considered to be a low sensitivity site for windfarm development from an ornithological point of view. No significant impacts on bird populations are predicted.


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8 Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology

8.1 Introduction

The site is characterised by predominantly steeply sloping valley side topography ranging from 397m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) at Todhill Brae in the north east to 190m AOD at the Logan Water on the southern boundary. The entire Project site is currently used for commercial forestry, and falls within the catchment of the Logan Water which flows northwest to southeast along the eastern boundary of site. The catchment boundary of the Logan Water approximately follows the northern boundary of the site. Several tributaries of the Logan Water flow through the site within steep sided well defined valleys. These include Staney Gill, which drains the northern area of the site, whilst the north western tip of the site drains to the Master Grain. The south eastern end of the site drains south east into the Fingland Burn which in turn drains to the Logan Water. Clagberry Sike, Deany Gill Sike, White Cleuch, and an unnamed watercourse drain the central areas of the site, flowing south west to join the Logan Water. Drainage associated with plantation forestry is present across the site.

The assessment included a range of topics including, surface water hydrology (including flooding and hydromorphology), hydrogeology, groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems (GWDTE), water quality, water abstractions (including private water supplies, other water supplies and abstractions required by the development) and soils (including peat). The assessment methodology included a desktop study, site walkover and peat depth survey to establish baseline conditions, an assessment of the potential impacts of the development on hydrology and ground conditions, and the provision of suitable mitigation measures where necessary. Due to the presence of peat deposits across part of the site a Peat Slide Risk Assessment and Peat Management Plan were also prepared. A carbon balance assessment for the development has been undertaken using the Scottish Government carbon calculator.

The key issues assessed in relation to the water environment are the potential for pollution, erosion and sedimentation and the alteration of natural drainage patterns. Key potential effects on the soil environment relate to the disturbance and excavation of peat in terms of both peat slide risk and the management and appropriate re-use or disposal of any excavated peat deposits.

8.2 Findings

The following list details the key findings of the assessments outlined above:

- The Logan Water is designated as being of ‘Moderate’ ecological status under the River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) classification in 2013. The Logan Water falls within the River Esk (Border) catchment which is designated under the Freshwater Fish Directive as salmonid waters;

- One new watercourse crossing will be required, on the Staney Gill; - No Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems are present within the site; - The lower lying areas of the site are overlain by glacial till, whilst higher ground is free from

superficial cover with the exception of small areas with peat cover; - The deepest peat deposits were found in the north eastern corner of the site, and a small pocket

towards the centre of the site. Smaller areas of shallower peat were identified elsewhere along the northern site boundary;

- The site layout has been designed to avoid peat deposits where possible; - Only turbines T7 and T13 are located in peat deeper than 1m (average depth <1.5m), turbine T12

is located within peat 0.5 – 0.8m average depth; - The remaining turbines are situated out with peat deposits;


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- The met masts, borrow pits and site compounds are all situated out with peat deposits, with the exception of a corner of the compound near T7;

- The peatland areas within the site are mostly classified as being within the insignificant or significant peat slide risk zone, which are acceptable for development, assuming that suitable mitigation, monitoring and contingency measures are put in place;

- Areas of substantial peat slide risk are localised in extent and associated with steeper slopes, and breaks in slope;

- The volume of peat excavated for the Project and has been calculated as 15,545m3, which consists of 11,733m3 of shallow acrotelmic peat and 3,812m3 of deeper catotelmic peat;

- There are no private water supplies (PWS) located within the site boundary, or within 250m of proposed infrastructure.

8.3 Mitigation

The infrastructure layout avoids hydrologically sensitive areas where possible and provides appropriate buffer zones between construction elements and watercourses to minimise the risk of water pollution and increased sediment loading. The layout has been designed iteratively to avoid areas of deeper peat, only the infrastructure described above will be located within peat.

A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), including surface water and peat management, pollution prevention measures and construction method statements, will be in place during construction, operation and decommissioning. An Environmental Clerk of Works (ECoW) will supervise the construction works to ensure that the CEMP and associated mitigation measures are being implemented effectively. Best practice will be adopted throughout the Project phases following current guidance. A pollution prevention and response plan will be set out in the CEMP relating to the construction of the wind farm, statutory requirements and identification of areas of highest sensitivity. A monitoring plan will be established and implemented with the agreement of SEPA and will be incorporated into the CEMP. Surface water drainage arrangements for construction elements will be in line with the principles of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).

An outline Peat Management Plan (PMP) has been produced. The outline PMP proposed that excavated material will be reused in line with the guidance produced by Scottish Renewables and SEPA (2012) and will utilise all the peat and organic soils excavated during construction. The Peat Landslide Risk Assessment (PLRA) outlines good practice and mitigation measures to reduce the likelihood of a peat landslide occurring or to reduce the potential effects associated with a peat slide. This includes the use of a live geotechnical risk register during the construction and decommissioning phases under the supervision of an on-site geotechnical engineer. Contingency planning for peat landslide events will be undertaken at an early stage during construction planning and will be incorporated into the CEMP. The track layout has been designed to minimise the number of new watercourse crossings where possible with only one new watercourse crossing proposed, of a watercourse which is <1m wide. The crossing will be of sufficient size so as not to restrict or concentrate flows downstream and to convey flows during periods of heavy rainfall.

8.4 Conclusions

With these mitigation measures and management plans in place no significant effects from the project activities are anticipated. Therefore overall the effects of the proposed wind farm on the water environment and soils are not considered to be significant under the terms of the EIA Regulations.


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9 Cultural Heritage

9.1 Introduction

The cultural heritage chapter considers the effects on cultural heritage interests of the construction and operation of the proposed wind farm at Loganhead. The chapter identifies both the heritage assets within the proposed development site and designated heritage assets up to 10km from the outermost turbines. The chapter assesses the potential direct, indirect and cumulative effects of the proposed development on the heritage assets identified, and proposes measures, where appropriate, to mitigate any predicted significant adverse effects.

Direct effects are those where a heritage asset has the potential to be physically impacted upon during construction by elements of the proposed development, or through accidental damage such as vehicle movement or spoil storage. Indirect and cumulative effects are those where the 'setting' of heritage assets in the wider landscape (for example key views from a country house or a hillfort) have the potential to be impacted upon by the introduction of the proposed development in the landscape, and the combination of the proposed development with other existing, approved or proposed wind farms in the vicinity.

The assessment has been conducted in accordance with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologist’s ‘Code of Conduct’5 , and ‘Standard and guidance for historic environment desk-based assessment’6, using information provided by Historic Scotland (HS) and the Dumfries & Galloway Council Archaeology Service (D&GCAS), and has been carried out with reference to current national, regional and local legislation, planning policy and guidance.

During Scoping and through further consultation, HS and D&GCAS requested that the impact on the settings of the following assets (including cumulative impacts) be taken into consideration in the assessment and that visualisations be produced to support the assessment:

• Camp Hill, fort 175m WSW of Balliehill / Tanlawhill ASA (Index No 647); • Castle O'er fort and linear earthworks (Index No 651); • Newland Hill, fort 1100m ENE of Capelfoot (Index No. 3964); • Boyken Burn, township 695m W of Westerhall (Index no. 4385); • Calkin, farmstead 500m WSW of (index no. 4387); • Old Hopsrigg, farmstead 700m SW of (Index no. 4388); • Calkin, settlements and cultivation terraces 300m N of (Index no. 4394); • Calkin, Settlement 300m E of (Index no. 4395) • Calkin, settlement, farmstead and linear earthworks 500m SSE of (Index No. 4396); • Gibb’s Hill, unenclosed settlement, palisaded settlements & houses (Index no. 4518); • Gulf Sike, scooped settlement 525m SE of Arresgill (Index no. 12762); and, • Westerhall House and NIDL (HBNum 16936).

5 Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) (2014) ‘By-Laws: Code of Conduct’, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, London 6 Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) (2014); ‘Standard and guidance for historic environment desk-based assessment’, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, London


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Concerns were raised regarding the impact of the proposed development on the settings of assets located within or near to the Boyken Burn valley immediately to the north-east of the proposed development, in particular, on the settings of scheduled assets 4294 and 4396, on Boyken Burn ASA and on Westerhall House (HBNum 16936).

• Additional comments from HS on visualisation viewpoints and design iteration has been used to assist in the design process. Following feedback from HS, a decision was taken to reduce the number of turbines from 17 to 13, and to relocate turbines away from the summit of Todhill Brae, in order to lessen the potential direct effects on heritage assets located within and near to the Boyken Burn valley.

9.2 Methodology

A desk-based assessment (data sources consulted are referenced below7)and a site visit were undertaken in order to identify heritage assets within the proposed development site and to assess archaeological potential of the site. Visits to key heritage assets in the wider landscape identified by HS and the D&GCAS were also undertaken to assess their baseline settings.

Designated heritage assets within 10km of the proposed wind turbines whose settings may be affected by the proposed development were identified using a Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV). Designated heritage assets within the 10km assessment zone and within the ZTV include: Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Inventory status Gardens and Designed Landscapes (GDLs), Non-Inventory Designed Landscapes (NIDLs) and Archaeologically Sensitive Areas (ASAs). Non-designated heritage assets listed within the HER as being of national importance were also included in the assessment.

The direct and indirect impact assessment has been undertaken using a methodology conforming to accepted professional standards. Potential direct effects have been assessed using matrices to determine the magnitude of impact and the significance of the effect; potential indirect effects have been assessed using matrices to determine the sensitivity of the setting of heritage assets, and the magnitude of impact and significance of effect upon these settings.

9.3 Baseline

There are no statutorily protected assets within the site boundary such as Scheduled Monuments of Listed Buildings. Nine heritage assets have been identified within the proposed development site boundary and in close proximity to the main access routes to the site (an existing access track to Craig wind farm and an

7 HS Data Warehouse provided details of the locations and extents of SMs, Listed Buildings, GDLs and CAs, in GIS format; The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland database(RCAHMS) - Canmore; Dumfries & Galloway Historic Environment Record (HER); Ordnance Survey maps (principally 1st and 2nd Edition), and other published historic maps held in the Map Library of the National Library of Scotland; Aerial photographs held by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. In addition, available modern online aerial photography imagery was examined; Published bibliographic sources including historical descriptions of the area (including the Statistical Accounts); The Scottish Palaeoecological Database (SPAD); and, the Historic Land-use Assessment Data for Scotland (HLAmap).


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existing forestry haulage road) which are all features of medieval to post-medieval date relating to farming practices and settlement, and are of predominantly local heritage importance.

There are a number of cultural heritage assets within the wider landscape that lie within the ZTV, including Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Archaeologically Sensitive Areas and Non-Inventory Designed Landscapes.

9.4 Impact Assessment and Mitigation

A direct effect of negligible significance has been predicted on any potential surviving remains of a parish boundary (asset 4) the recorded alignment of which is crossed in two locations by proposed development infrastructure.

Indirect effects of moderate significance (significant in EIA terms) have been predicted affecting the settings of the following heritage assets: Boyken Burn, township 695m W of Westerhall (Index No. 4385); Calkin, farmstead 500m WSW of (Index No. 4387); Old Hopsrigg, farmstead 700m SW of (Index No. 4388); Calkin, settlements and cultivation terraces 300m N of (Index No. 4394); Calkin, Settlement, farmstead and linear earthworks 500m SSE of (Index No. 4396); Boyken Burn ASA; and Westerhall House and NIDL (HBNum 16936). Indirect effects of no more than minor significance have been predicted for the remaining heritage assets within the 10km assessment radius and ZTV. However, the predicted significant effects are not considered to be so adverse as to diminish the integrity of the setting of these assets to an unacceptable degree.

Cumulative effects of no more than minor significance have been predicted affecting the settings of all heritage assets within the 10km assessment radius and ZTV.

No specific pre-construction / construction phase mitigation is required in the case of asset 4 (the recorded alignment of a parish boundary), as the remains of this asset (boundary marker stones) lie within commercial forestry plantation and have likely been disturbed or destroyed, and there is little that could be gained from its investigation.

The likelihood of encountering previously unknown remains of archaeological importance is assessed as being low due to the presence of dense commercial forestry across the proposed development site. However, archaeological recording work, in the form of a post-felling walkover field survey may be a requirement of the D&GCAS as part of any planning condition prior to the commencement of any further construction work taking place. If important discoveries are made during such work, and if preservation in situ is not possible, such work may result in additional mitigation measures.


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10 Noise

10.1 Introduction

A noise impact assessment has been undertaken for the proposed development, considering both the construction and operational phases.

The assessment of construction activities has been undertaken in accordance with the guideline noise limits detailed within British Standard BS5228-1:2009+A1:2014, ‘Code of Practice for Noise and Vibration Control on Construction and Open Sites – Noise’ (BSI, 2014).

The assessment of operational and cumulative noise has been undertaken in accordance with relevant standards and guidance documents including ETSU-R-97, ‘The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms’ (DTI, 1996).

10.2 Findings

Predicted construction noise levels do not exceed the daytime noise limit of 65dB LAeq or the evening and weekend noise limit of 55dB LAeq at any Noise Sensitive Receptor (NSR). Therefore, construction noise impacts are assessed as negligible and not significant in EIA terms. No construction activities are anticipated during night-time periods.

The assessment of operational noise has demonstrated that predicted noise immission levels due to the proposed development do not exceed the derived ETSU noise level limits at any receptor. This is applicable across all assessed wind speeds, during both the daytime and night-time periods. Furthermore, for the majority of NSRs, noise immission levels are predicted to be below the ETSU ‘simplified’ noise limit of 35dB LA90 across all assessed wind speeds.

The assessment assumes that the turbine to be installed will be the Siemens SWT-3.2-101 model, operating in normal mode (i.e. the “standard setting”). However, an assessment of cumulative noise has shown that operational noise levels need to be reduced during the daytime period at wind speeds of 7m/s, 8m/s and 9m/s. In order to achieve this, a number of turbines will be required to operate in a noise-reduced mode for a proportion of the time. Whilst it is recognised that there will be a number of Sector Management options available to reduce noise immission levels to within acceptable limits, it has been identified that turbines T1 and T2 have the largest contribution to the predicted cumulative noise levels at Arresgill and Arresgill Cottage (Scoorknowe).

The assessment has demonstrated that cumulative noise immission levels, assuming that Sector Management is used under certain conditions, do not exceed the derived daytime or night-time noise level limits at any identified NSR across the range of assessed wind speeds.

The impact of noise from the proposed development is therefore not considered to be significant and as a result, there will be no negative noise impacts associated with the construction or operation of the turbines.


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11 Traffic and Transport

11.1 Introduction

This assessment considers the effects of the Proposed Development on the local road network and the capacity of the network to support the additional construction traffic. In line with current guidance set out within Transport Scotland’s Transport Assessment Guidance the scope of this study has been agreed in advance with Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC), as the relevant roads authority.

The Institute of Environmental Assessment (IEA) Guidelines for the Environmental Assessment of Road Traffic have also been used to derive a suitable methodology for undertaking the assessment of the traffic generated during the construction of the Proposed Development.

Baseline traffic levels were gathered and sensitive receptors identified for the proposed abnormal loads access route and potential construction routes to the Proposed Development and an assessment undertaken on each.

The proposed abnormal loads access route is:

• From Junction 17 of the A74(M) onto the B7076 north of Lockerbie before joining the B723 at Sibbaldbie and proceeding to Eskdalemuir. From there the route is via the C79a, passing Castle O’er, and joining the B709. The site access would be off the B709 via the existing access to Craig Wind Farm.

The potential construction traffic route from the trunk road network is:

• It is likely that a high percentage of aggregate for use in construction will be sourced on site due to good quality stone being available. If there is a requirement to import stone, the local quarry at Grange is likely to be used due to the short haulage distance which would be required via the B7068. For this reason, the route identified for construction vehicles varies from the abnormal loads route. HGVs would leave Grange Quarry and travel east along the B7068 turning north to the west of Bigholms onto an existing route currently used for forestry extraction, which would provide access to the site from the south. It is considered this offers the best route when compared to alternatives which are much more circuitous and will have more impact on the surrounding road network. Importantly, the proposed route avoids the most populated areas, and sensitive receptors of Lockerbie and Langholm.

11.2 Findings

The impact of the Proposed Development on the overall road capacity of the road network surrounding the Proposed Development has been examined. The overall increase in vehicle trips compared to the capacity of the local road network is considered to be negligible. As such, it is considered that the existing road network can accommodate the traffic associated with the construction of the Proposed Development.

In addition to estimating the potential impact of the construction traffic on the local road network, a range of mitigation measures will be implemented to permit all vehicles to safely access the site. A construction traffic management plan (CTMP) will be produced by Muirhall Energy prior to the start of construction setting out mitigation measures for the Proposed Development. An Outline Construction Traffic Management Plan (OCTMP) has been produced as part of the Environmental Statement for consideration by consultees.


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Prior to the start of construction, an intrusive survey of the Black Esk Bridge will be undertaken to either prove that the current bridge is suitable for the likely loads or to allow the design of an appropriate temporary works such as a short span overbridge solution.

12 Other Considerations

12.1 Aviation & Military Assets

12.1.1 Aviation

The potential impacts that the proposed development may have on existing civilian and military aviation, radar and defence operations have been considered as part of the assessment. The potential effects considered are:

• Turbines located in areas close to airfields, or where certain types of low flying training are carried out, may pose a physical vertical hazard and obstruction to aircraft and air traffic movements;

• Turbines located within line of sight and operational range of air traffic control or air defence radar equipment, can present an appearance similar to aircraft on the radar screen. For this reason, there is the potential for a reduction of a radar's ability to detect and track aircraft in the area above a wind farm;

• Aeronautical radio navigation aids may be affected by wind turbines due to disruption, reflection or scattering of the signal by the blades and towers.

Aviation interests have been considered in terms of: operations or radars of the National Air Traffic Service (NATS), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) training and use of the UK Low Flying System (UKLFS).

An initial assessment of the proposed development using NATS’ self-assessment maps highlighted that the site was in an area that may impact on radar coverage. A more detailed Technical and Operational Assessment (TOPA) for the proposed development, was therefore requested from NATS. The TOPA identified a potentially unacceptable impact on NATS Lowther Hill radar and that mitigation would be required.

According to the pre-application consultation undertaken, with the MoD and NATS, it has been highlighted that there is the potential for the proposed development to impact on a radar operated by NATS (Lowther Hill) as well as MOD ATC radar at RAF Spadeadam Deadwater Fell and Low Flying. Muirhall Energy have enlisted the services of aviation consultants to liaise with NATS and the MOD to establish whether there is potential for mitigation to be employed. Should mitigation be considered possible by means of ‘in-fill blanking’ etc an appropriate planning condition could be attached to any consent if the mitigation could be realised within a reasonable timescale as per Scottish Government guidance8.

12.1.2 MoD Eskdalemuir Seismological Recording Station

The seismometer array at Eskdalemuir located approximately 17.5km from the nearest turbine of the proposed development is part of the UKs contribution to the 321 stations in the International Monitoring System (IMS) network. The IMS is part of the Comprehensive Nuclear – test- Ban Treaty (CTBT) verification

8 Negative Conditions Guidance, The Scottish Government, Published January 2012 (Accessed 29/04/15. Available from URL: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Infrastructure/Energy-Consents/Guidance/NegativeConditionsGuidance)


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regime, and the UK is required by the treaty to safeguard its IMS stations. The sensitive instrumentation at the Eskdalemuir facility can detect the seismological vibrations of nuclear explosions from thousands of miles away and interference in this detection capability is considered unacceptable by the MoD.

The rotation of wind turbine blades can result in the propagation of seismic vibration into the underlying strata, therefore a consultation zone for wind farm development has been defined between 10 and 50km from the Eskdalemuir Recording Station.

It has recently come to light through the findings of a study commissioned by the Eskdalemuir Working Group (EWG) set up by the Scottish Government that errors were made in the initial calculations used to set the safeguarding threshold which overestimated the seismic vibrations produced by wind turbines. The study highlighted that there is likely to be significant headroom in the Eskdalemuir budget.

A study undertaken by XI Enginnering on behalf of the EWG has proposed increasing the current exclusion zone policy where no wind farm development is permitted under current safeguarding from 10km to 15km.

At the time of writing the proposed increase in the exclusion zone has not been translated into policy and it is believed that the Scottish Government is looking to go out to consultation on the proposal in the near future. Even if the exclusion zone is increased to 15km, there are no turbines within this zone. It is also considered that the anticipated increase in headroom would allow the proposed development to progress without impacting the safeguarding threshold currently in existence, although this will require to be verified by the MoD themselves.

12.2 Telecommunications

Wind turbines have the potential to disrupt microwave and radio telecommunication links, as the rotating structures can block the path between the transmitter and receiver of the link. As a precaution, the fixed link operator will safeguard a buffer area either side of the line of sight of a microwave or radio link, in order to ensure that the fixed link is not compromised by the development.

Consultation has been undertaken pre-planning with a number of telecommunications stakeholders to establish whether any links were present at the proposed development site. Consultation with Ofcom, Atkins, and The Joint Radio Company was undertaken and no links were identified which would be impacted by the proposed development.

12.3 TV & Radio Reception

Similarly to telecommunication links, wind turbines have the potential to disrupt television and radio signals if located in close proximity to a wind farm. There is no specific guidance or policy on the subject of television interference due to wind farms, however Ofcom advises that reflection effects on television reception may occur when television receiver aerials are located 500m or less from a wind turbine, while shadowing effects on the TV signal may be experienced when a wind farm is located between the receiver aerial and the transmitter is located 5km or less from the wind farm.

If a wind farm is located in close proximity to residential properties, a planning authority can require that a condition of planning consent be that a scheme of mitigation for radio or television interference must be agreed before construction takes place. It is expected that the development will not result in adverse impacts to television reception. However, if a loss of reception quality is reported a suitable study will be


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conducted to assess this. This will allow a suitable mitigation scheme to be identified which will be implemented to remedy the loss of reception quality.

12.4 Public Safety

Civils and turbine construction is undertaken according to relevant Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM), British Standards and the Renewable UK guidance relating to the design and construction of foundations and the use of cranes.

During the construction and decommissioning phases, clear warning signs will be displayed notifying all people of the construction works and temporary restrictions on site. Areas which require to be restricted for safety during these periods will be clearly marked at the access points to the proposed development as well as at the relevant locations, stating that access is only for authorised personnel.

As there are no Public Rights of Way or core paths within the site, it is not expected that there will be a regular footfall by members of the public and therefore no closures or diversions of these resources will be required during construction and decommissioning. During these phases CDM regulations will apply to all those on site.

12.5 Forestry

12.5.1 Introduction

The site at Loganhead is currently managed as commercial forestry plantation with trees planted in the early 1970’s.

Forestry can have an adverse effect on wind turbines in particular due to turbulence effects. This can result in increased loading and fatigue issues with blades which can greatly increase operations and maintenance costs and reduce energy yields. There is an increasing acceptance from turbine suppliers that if felling takes place prior to construction, forestry can be grown up to what is known as ‘Key hole’ areas free from forestry in the immediate vicinity of the turbines. This allows a greater proportion of re-stocking on-site and minimises compensatory planting.

12.5.2 Methodology

To minimise forestry loss and increase biodiversity on site, it is proposed that the ‘key hole’ areas around the turbines and other infrastructure such as access tracks will be planted up with scrub woodland with areas such as the turbines and hardstandings kept free of scrub for operational purposes. This will provide valuable habitat for Black Grouse. The forestry at Loganhead has been identified as a Red Squirrel Priority habitat. One of the habitat management objectives has been to ensure that no net loss of habitat would occur as a result of the proposals. To this end, any areas of long term retention lost to key holing in the north of the site will be mitigated by providing suitable replacement in the southern part of the site considered to be better quality habitat. This will be implemented by not felling and retaining long term, an area of c5ha of mature Sitka Spruce which was planned to be felled in 2021/2022.

Based on felling and restocking information supplied by the forest managers; detailed wind analysis modelling was undertaken to establish which areas would be required to be felled prior to construction over and above those areas which had or will be felled in line with the current Forest Design Plann (FDP). The total amount of felling which will be required prior to construction is 56.54 ha. However, the method


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of ‘key holing’ will allow a significant proportion of this to be replanted on-site with only 8.75 ha required for compensatory replanting.

12.5.3 Conclusion

In order to allow the forest to continue to be commercially viable, restocking will take place as per the current FDP only limited by ‘Key holes’ around the site infrastructure. Retention of more mature conifers within the plantation will benefit Red Squirrel, whilst planting of scrub and slow growing tree species throughout the site will help provide natural habitat corridors allowing a more diverse habitat and species to occur within the site.

12.6 Shadow Flicker

The term ‘shadow flicker’ refers to the flickering effect caused when rotating wind turbine blades periodically cast a shadow over neighbouring properties specifically through constrained openings such as windows. The magnitude of the shadow flicker effect varies both spatially and temporally, and depends on a number of environmental conditions coinciding at any particular point in time, including, the position and height of the sun, wind speed and direction, cloudiness, and proximity of the turbine to a sensitive receptor.

The likelihood of shadow flicker occurring and the duration of such an effect depends upon the following factors:

- The direction and distance of the building relative to the turbines; - The turbines hub- height and rotor diameter; - The time of the year; - The proportion of day light hours in which the turbines operate; - The frequency of bright sunshine and cloudless skies (particularly at low elevations above

the horizon); - The prevailing wind direction;

Shadow Flicker occurs only within buildings where:

- The shadow appears through a narrow window opening; and - They are located within 130 degrees either side of north relative to a turbine; and - They are within 10 rotor diameters of the wind farm.

There is no guidance or set limits in Scotland for exposure to shadow flicker, however information specific to shadow flicker is provided in, “Onshore Wind Turbines, Scottish Government Renewables planning advice” last updated in May 2014, which states that: “Where separation is provided between wind turbines and nearby dwellings (as a general rule 10 rotor diameters), "shadow flicker" should not be a problem.”

By considering the position of the sun throughout the year and the position of the residential properties relative to the wind turbine locations, software can calculate the occasions when, and for how long, the moving wind turbine blades will be passing directly between the sun and the neighbouring properties. The software used was windPro 3.0.


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In this way, the occasions when shadow flicker might be experienced are calculated. Occasions where the sun is obscured by hills on the horizon are discounted.

All the residential properties, termed ‘dwellings’, are outwith 10 rotor diameters (1,010m assuming a likely maximum rotor diameter of 101m) of the turbines and thus all shadow flicker effects can be neglected. This is consistent with Scottish Government planning advice discussed above. The nearest dwelling to Loganhead wind farm is Arresgill Farm approximately 1,110 m to the south-west of Turbine 1 and is not within 130 degrees from north of said turbine. In addition there are varying amounts of screening at all the dwellings from buildings and foliage. Thus, the results show that there are no dwellings which may experience a maximum of 30 hours of shadow flicker per year.

It is therefore assumed that the actual occurrence of shadow flicker will be negligible and not significant. If this is not the case and any neighbours experience a loss of amenity due to shadow flicker this will be investigated by Muirhall Energy and mitigation will be offered in the form of either natural screening (additional tree/shrub planting) to shield the relevant window(s) from the shadow, or the installation of black out blinds. If this does not provide a solution the wind turbines can be programmed to stop operating during the most sensitive periods.

12.7 Carbon Savings, Climate change and atmospheric Emissions

As required by Government guidance, an assessment has been undertaken to establish how long the operation of the proposed development would take to offset the carbon emissions produced through the construction of the wind farm. For example some Carbon Dioxide may be released when peat is disturbed by access track or turbine foundation construction. The assessment has also considered the environmental benefits that the project could bring e.g. the amount of carbon emissions saved that would be produced by traditional methods such as coal and gas power stations, should the project not be progressed.

The proposed Loganhead Wind Farm has gone through a number of iterative design stages to ensure that minimal environmental disruption will occur during the construction process. In particular deeper areas of peat (which have the potential to release CO2 if disturbed) on site have been avoided where possible by site infrastructure including access tracks, turbine foundations and hardstandings. The result of this is that Net overall CO2 emissions have been minimised with the overall carbon payback being reduced.

Using a government recommended methodology ‘Calculating Carbon Savings from Wind Farms on Scottish Peat Lands – A New Approach’ it has been calculated that the payback period based on the displacement of an equivalent UK Grid mix would be 2.1 years, and based on the displacement of an equivalent fossil fuel mix would be 1.5 years.

The energy produced displaces energy that would have to have been produced by traditional methods such as coal and gas power stations. Thus the avoided CO2 production is estimated to be approximately 43,719 Tonnes per year.

Loganhead Wind Farm - Local Energy Scotland Summary_1.pdfgenerated through locally designed projects...

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