blandford hill wind farm - iema · blandford hill wind farm: non-technical summary 1 june 2014 1...

Blandford Hill Wind Farm: Non-Technical Summary

June 2014

Blandford Hill Wind Farm

Environmental Statement: Non-Technical Summary

Prepared by LUC

June 2014

Planning & EIA Design Landscape Planning Landscape Management Ecology Mapping & Visualisation

LUC BRISTOL 14 Great George Street Bristol BS1 5RH Tel:0117 929 1997 Fax:0117 929 1998 [email protected]

Offices also in: London Glasgow Edinburgh

FS 566056

EMS 566057

Land Use Consultants Ltd Registered in England Registered number: 2549296 Registered Office: 43 Chalton Street London NW1 1JD

LUC uses 100% recycled paper

Project Title: Blandford Hill Wind Farm: Non-Technical Summary

Client: REG Windpower

Version Date Version Details Prepared by Checked by Approved by

Principal

0.1 13/06/14 Draft Jennifer Rea Catrin Owen

1.0 18/06/14 Final Draft Jennifer Rea Catrin Owen

2.0 25/06/14 Final Catrin Owen Catrin Owen Jon Grantham

J:\CURRENT PROJECTS\5800s\5838 Blandford Hill Wind Farm\B Project Working\NTS\5838_Blandford

Hill_NonTechnicalSummary_20140625_v2 FINAL.docx

Contents

1 Introduction 1 Environmental Impact Assessment 1 Planning Policy 1 About the Developer 2 Site Description and Location 2 Scheme Description 3 Scheme Design 5 Scheme Benefits 5

2 EIA Process 6 Scoping 6 Grid Connection 6 Significant Effects 6 Cumulative Effects 6 Consultation 7 EIA Team 7

3 EIA Findings 8 Traffic and Transportation 8 Ground Conditions and Hydrology 9 Ecology 9 Ornithology 10 Noise 12 Shadow Flicker 12 Landscape and Visual, including Residential Visual Amenity 13 Cultural Heritage 14 Socio-Economics 15 Telecommunications and Television 16 Aviation 16 Summary and Conclusions 17

Figures

Figure 1: Site Location Plan

Figure 2: Scheme Infrastructure

Figure 3: Site Access Layout

Blandford Hill Wind Farm: Non-Technical Summary 1 June 2014

1 Introduction

1.1 REG Windpower is applying for planning permission to construct and operate a wind farm known

as Blandford Hill Wind Farm, within the District of North Dorset. The location of the site of the

proposed wind farm is shown in Figure 1.

1.2 In accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England

and Wales) Regulations 20111 (the EIA Regulations) the planning application must be

accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES), a document that describes the methods used

and findings of a process known as environmental impact assessment. This non-technical

summary (NTS) forms part of the Environmental Statement, and provides a summary of the ES

and its conclusions in non-technical language.

1.3 The wind farm proposals have been developed taking into account discussions with a wide range

of people, including local residents, the planning authority, statutory bodies such as Natural

England and the Environment Agency, and other interested organisations. Public exhibitions local

to the site and newsletters to local residents within the wards of Abbey, Riversdale, Bulbarrow,

Portman and Bere Regis have been used as a means of ensuring the local community is informed

about the proposals and given opportunities to discuss the project with members of the REG

development team.

Environmental Impact Assessment

1.4 The purpose of environmental impact assessment, or EIA, is to identify potential significant

environmental effects of a proposed development. This is undertaken through establishing the

existing characteristics of the area likely to be affected by the development, known as the

baseline, and then predicting potential environmental effects of the development, noting whether

they are positive or negative.

1.5 Where possible effects are avoided, or minimised through the use of mitigation - either by

amendments made to the design of the development, or through the use of mitigation measures.

The EIA process results in the identification of those residual environmental effects that are

judged to be significant i.e. those remaining following implementation of the mitigation measures.

1.6 The process undertaken, methods used and findings of the EIA are presented in a document

called the Environmental Statement, or ES. The significant residual environment effects identified

will be used to assist North Dorset District Council in considering and determining the planning

application for the Blandford Hill Wind Farm.

1.7 This non-technical summary has been produced to ensure that the EIA process undertaken and

reported in the ES is summarised and understandable to all. A summary of the assessment

methods used and findings on a topic by topic basis are described in Section 3.

Planning Policy

1.8 The proposed development is located within the District of North Dorset, and the Council is

required to determine the planning application in accordance with their planning policies, unless

other material considerations dictate otherwise.

1.9 The development plan, and therefore the planning policies, against which the application for

Blandford Hill Wind Farm will be considered is made up of:

1 Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, SI No. 1824 (hereafter

referred to as the EIA Regulations)


North Dorset District-Wide Local Plan to 2011 (Adopted 31st January 2003)2.

Emerging policies within the North Dorset Local Plan 2011 to 20263

1.10 Other material considerations include the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)4, which sets

out the environmental, social and economic planning policies for England. The NPPF is

accompanied by the national Planning Practice Guidance, a web-based resource which replaces

past guidance on EIA and Renewable and Low Carbon Energy.

About the Developer

1.11 REG Windpower (REG) is one of the UK's leading developer and operators of small to medium-

sized wind farms. The company has the resources and expertise to develop, build and operate

high quality, renewable energy schemes, and currently operates 15 onshore wind farms

throughout the UK, with 67.65MW of operational capacity, with another 32.4MW under or

awaiting construction.

1.12 REG is owned by Renewable Energy Generation Ltd. As well as developing, building and operating

wind farms, the group also generates renewable energy from used cooking oil through its

subsidiary company REG Bio-Power.

1.13 REG identifies potential sites for onshore wind energy development via a criteria-based site

selection approach. Key elements of the site search and selection processes are wind resource,

access, grid connection, location of residential properties, and distance from statutory

designations.

Site Description and Location

1.14 The site of the proposed Blandford Hill Wind Farm lies on agricultural land to the east of

Winterborne Whitechurch (Photo 1). The wind farm is located on locally high ground between

approximately 127m above ordnance datum (AOD) and 65m AOD. The site is currently used for a

mixture of arable farming and grazing.

1.15 A public right of way crosses the site connecting East Farm to the west to East Down plantation to

the east. There are a number of residential properties within the site boundary which are

occupied by the landowner and/or their tenants.

1.16 There are currently no operational wind farm developments of more than one turbine within North

Dorset District Council. The nearest operational wind turbine is at Roger’s Hill Farm

approximately 6km to the southwest in the district of Purbeck. Two further wind farms have been

consented within the district of Purbeck approximately 12km to the south: Alaska Wind Farm and

Masters Quarry.

2 http://www.northdorsetlocalplan.co.uk/

3 North Dorset District Council (November 2013) North Dorset Local Plan – 2011 to 2026 (Pre-submission Document)

4 DCLG (March 2012) National Planning Policy Framework


Photo 1 View of the site looking northwest towards Winterborne Whitechurch

Scheme Description

1.17 The wind farm will involve the installation of four wind turbines together with associated

infrastructure. The site layout is shown in Figure 2.

1.18 The maximum height to blade tip of each turbine will be 125m above existing ground level.

Table 1 below contains the map grid references of the three turbines. Illustration 1 shows the

main components of a wind turbine.

Table 1: Grid References for the Four Proposed Turbines

Turbine Grid Reference

1 385075 100700

2 384995 100391

3 385030 100049

4 385218 099853


Illustration 1: Main components of a wind turbine

1.19 Infrastructure associated with the wind turbines includes:

site access tracks;

permanent crane hardstanding areas and external switchgear buildings for each turbine;

a substation;

underground onsite electrical cabling; and,

creation of a temporary construction compound.

1.20 Consent is being sought for up to a 25 year operating period. It is anticipated that the wind farm

will take up to 9 months to construct. The main onsite working hours will be 07:00 to 19:00

Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays.

Site Access

1.21 The site access point during the construction period is located on the A354, as shown on Figure

3. All construction traffic will use this entrance, including all abnormal loads such as those

required to deliver the wind turbine components. Once construction is complete, this entrance

will be de-constructed and access to the site during operation will be via the C-road to the east.

Should a large turbine component need to be replaced, the access via the A354 will be

temporarily reinstated.

Micrositing

1.22 It is possible that once planning permission is granted there may be a need to move the position

of individual turbines or elements of the associated infrastructure. This may be required as a


result of unexpected ground conditions, or to avoid currently unknown archaeological finds. As

such, a micrositing allowance of 50m radius in any direction is proposed for the turbines, access

tracks and other associated infrastructure as part of this planning permission.

1.23 The implications of moving the turbines or infrastructure by this distance have been assessed as

part of the EIA, which in some cases has resulted in micrositing restrictions being identified,

preventing such a movement in a certain direction for a particular turbine or scheme component.

Connection to the National Grid

1.24 The onsite substation will be connected to the local electricity distribution network at a suitable

location to be agreed with Southern Electric. The most likely connection point will be the primary

substation at Winterborne Kingston with underground cabling running alongside the internal

access track running north to the site boundary, reaching the A354 at the point of the

construction access. The cable would then be placed under the public highway running west

along the A354 to the centre of Winterborne Whitechurch, then south along Rook Lane to

Winterborne Kingston, terminating at the substation. The grid connection itself will be the subject

of a separate application for consent made by Southern Electric.

Scheme Design

1.25 In accordance with best practice, environmental specialists were involved with the scheme design

process from the outset. This ensured that environmental constraints were taken into account in

defining the locations for the turbines, access tracks and other wind farm infrastructure. These

environmental constraints included the location of underground archaeology, the public right of

way that crosses the site, local roads, hedgerows and areas of woodland, and the visual and

potential noise effect of the turbines on local residents.

Scheme Benefits

1.26 Blandford Hill Wind Farm will have four turbines, each of between 2 and 3 Megawatts (MW) in

size, with a likely installed capacity of 8MW to 12MW. It is estimated that the average annual

generation expected by the scheme will be equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of over

4,500 households5 (based on onsite wind data, and Government6 published figures for average

domestic electricity consumption in the UK in 2012).

5 Based on a 2MW turbine

6 Department for Energy and Climate Change


2 EIA Process

Scoping

2.1 To decide which aspects of the scheme are likely to give rise to significant environmental effects,

and to determine the work needing to be undertaken for the ES, a Scoping Report was prepared

by LUC on behalf of REG. This Scoping Report set out the potential environmental effects that

could result from a wind farm development at the Blandford Hill site, and the assessment process

by which these issues were to be evaluated. Methodologies for the assessments were also

presented. The Scoping Report was submitted to North Dorset District Council in January 2014,

who then consulted with various teams within the Council and statutory consultees to agree what

the EIA will cover and how, prior to carrying the assessment out. A Scoping Opinion detailing the

results of the consultation was issued by the District Council in February 2014.

2.2 Through the scoping process, it was judged that the proposed Blandford Hill Wind Farm would be

unlikely to result in significant effects on a number of environmental topics listed in the EIA

Regulations, therefore these have been ‘scoped out’ of the EIA: air quality, soil and land use and

vibration.

Grid Connection

2.3 In line with national guidance7, the potential for significant environmental effects arising as a

result of the grid connection have been considered in Appendix 3.1 of the ES, based on the most

likely grid connection route (as described above in paragraph 1.24).

2.4 Given the expected route of the underground cable alongside the onsite access tracks and within

the public highway, the minimal ground disturbance required and the temporary and progressive

nature of the construction works, it is not considered that connection of the wind farm to the grid

would give rise to significant environmental effects.

Significant Effects

2.5 The focus of an EIA is on the significant environmental effects. Whilst the Environmental

Statement should provide a full factual description of the proposed wind farm development, the

emphasis is on the ‘main’ or ‘significant’ environmental effects. The judgement on what is a

‘significant’ environmental effect is crucial in informing the decision-making process. However,

defining what is significant is not a simple task.

2.6 For each environmental topic, a definition has been provided for what the author has defined as a

significant effect. Where available, these reflect recognised best practice and guidelines. The

significance of likely effects occurring as a result of the wind farm has been categorised, wherever

possible, as major, moderate, minor or negligible. Effects categorised as major or moderate are

considered to be ‘significant’ as highlighted in the EIA Regulations, unless otherwise stated by the

topic specialist.

Cumulative Effects

2.7 In addition to the potential environmental effects of Blandford Hill Wind Farm, it is important to

consider the possible effects that the proposed wind farm may have in combination with existing

7 National Planning Policy Framework and The Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1)


or consented wind farms, and where possible, other wind farms for which an application has been

submitted. The EIA Regulations state that types of effect identified “should cover the direct

effects and any indirect, secondary, cumulative, short, medium and long-term, permanent and

temporary, positive and negative effects.”

2.8 Wind farms within 25km of the proposed Blandford Hill Wind Farm were identified and information

on these wind farms was sought from North Dorset District Council and all other relevant

authorities through the pre-application discussion and scoping processes. The list of schemes to

consider in the cumulative assessment was updated as a result of correspondence received from

the District Council and other consultees, with the final list guiding the consideration of cumulative

effects.

2.9 The study area for cumulative effects is specific to the environmental topic. For example, the

potential for cumulative noise effects will be localised in comparison to potential cumulative

landscape or visual effects. As such, the study area and other wind farms taken into account

within the assessment of cumulative effects were defined on a topic by topic basis.

Consultation

2.10 Meetings and other consultations were carried out with a number of statutory and non-statutory

consultees during the EIA process. The purpose of these consultations was to provide progress

updates on the environmental assessments being undertaken, to enable any potential issues or

concerns to be discussed at an early stage, and to ensure that the assessment process was

transparent. Such discussions also fed into the design of the wind farm, ensuring that potential

issues could be taken into account at an early stage.

2.11 In order to inform and gather the opinions of the local community and other interested parties on

the proposed wind farm development, REG issued a newsletter to local residents to introduce the

proposals for a wind farm in December 2013, which was followed by two public exhibitions in

February 2014 held at Winterborne Whitechurch Village Hall. The exhibitions presented an

opportunity for local people to discuss the project with members of the REG development team

and representatives of the EIA project team, as well as view images produced to illustrate how

the wind farm will appear.

2.12 A second newsletter was issued to all residents in April 2014, notifying them of a second two day

public exhibition. This was held at Winterborne Whitechurch Village Hall in May 2014. In addition

to the newsletters and exhibitions, a website has been maintained for the project with regular

updates provided and key documents uploaded; queries from local residents and key stakeholders

have been replied to via letter, email or telephone; and a newsletter with responses to the most

common questions about wind energy was issued to all residents within 5km of the proposed wind

farm.

EIA Team

2.13 The Environmental Statement has been compiled by LUC on behalf of REG. LUC had overall

responsibility for the ES, and prepared the introductory chapters, and a number of topic specific

chapters of the ES (energy and planning policy; landscape and visual amenity, including

residential visual amenity; socio-economic effects; and telecommunications). Sub-consultants,

each a specialist in their field, undertook the remaining specialist assessments:

SLR Consulting (ground conditions and hydrology)

Royal Haskoning (traffic and transport)

Avian Ecology (ecology and ornithology)

Hoare Lea Acoustics (noise)

Oxford Archaeological Associates (cultural heritage)

Wind Farm Aviation Consultants (aviation)


3 EIA Findings

Traffic and Transportation

3.1 Access to the site will be from a new access off the A354 on Blandford Hill, which will be used for

the delivery of abnormal loads e.g. the turbine components, together with conventional heavy

goods vehicles and other traffic importing other construction materials to the site. Abnormal

loads will access the site along the A354 from the east making a left turn into the site and will

bring turbine components from Southampton Dock via the M271 and M27, and then via either the

A36 (via Salisbury) onto the A354; or via the A31 (via Wimborne), the A350 and then the A354.

3.2 Key issues considered in relation to traffic and transportation are direct effects of wind farm

construction on the layout of the existing road infrastructure (for example the turning space

needed for abnormal loads such as those needed to transport the turbine blades to site), and on

adjacent amenities and other road users e.g. the effects on road traffic accident levels. There

may also be indirect effects of wind farm construction on residences and other road users, for

example, an increase in traffic leading to community severance.

3.3 Feasibility and engineering assessments were undertaken to identify the route that abnormal

loads will use to get to site, and design the route of the access tracks to the turbines.

3.4 The pre-mitigation effects are considered to be minor adverse for driver delay and effects from

hazardous and dangerous loads, and negligible for increased traffic flows. A Construction Traffic

Management Plan will be prepared in consultation with the relevant highways authorities, setting

out mitigation and best practice for the movement of abnormal loads and general construction

traffic and deliveries. This will:

address issues such as the safe movement of abnormal loads;

specify agreed and designated routes to the site;

identify lorry holding areas;

propose scheduling and timing of deliveries; and

specify road sweeping to keep the local highway clear of mud and debris.

3.5 With the adoption of mitigation measures and best practice to be set out in a Construction Traffic

Management Plan the residual effects of the Blandford Hill Wind Farm on traffic and transportation

are not expected to be significant.

3.6 During operation of the wind farm only two light maintenance vehicles per week (on average) will

access the site and on most days there will be no wind farm traffic at all. Vehicle movements

such as this will be indistinguishable from normal daily traffic and will have no effect. During

decommissioning of the wind farm abnormal load vehicles and heavy goods vehicles will be

required to remove the turbines off site. Mitigation and best practice similar to that noted above

for the construction period will be implemented and effects on traffic are expected to be

negligible.

Summary

No significant effects have been identified. The implementation of the proposed mitigation

measures and best practice such as the adoption of a Construction Traffic Management Plan

will ensure that the residual effects are of negligible significance. There will be no

operational effects.


Ground Conditions and Hydrology

3.7 The site is located entirely within the catchment of the River Winterborne which flows in a

southerly direction close to the western boundary of the site. The River Winterborne is a

watercourse which will typically only flow during winter periods, or following sustained periods of

rainfall. There are no surface water features such as rivers, drainage ditches or ponds within the

site boundary. The site is at a very low risk of flooding and the Environment Agency does not

have any records of historical flooding in the areas of the site to be occupied by the proposed

turbines and associated infrastructure. There are two disused wells located within the site

boundary.

3.8 Wind farm construction, operation and decommissioning can have potential direct and indirect

effects on groundwater and surface water quality and surface water flow, through modifications to

local surface drainage patterns and flow, accidental pollution incidents, increased erosion and

sedimentation, and change in flood risk.

3.9 The scheme design has been modified to ensure that the scheme infrastructure, including the

wind turbines, is located away from any solution features8 identified by the geophysical survey.

The layout of the turbines and access track have not been affected by any surface features as

there are no surface water features within the site boundary.

3.10 The pre-mitigation and residual construction effects are considered to be negligible for

groundwater and surface water quality, and surface water flows and flood risk. There will be no

effects from the operation of the wind farm and decommissioning effects will be similar to those

identified during the construction phase. No mitigation measures are required beyond those

already built into the scheme design including through the Environment Management Monitoring

Plan and site specific Pollution Incident Response Plan.

Ecology

3.11 Ecological surveys were undertaken to assess the effect of the proposed wind farm on important

habitats and species. A desk study identified parts of two statutory designated sites (Higher

Houghton and Black Heath Sites of Special Scientific Interest) lying just within 5km of the study

area. The search radius was extended to 10km for sites with notified bat interest. A single

designated site was identified within this 10km radius: Bryanston Site of Special Scientific

Interest. Nine non-statutory designated sites were identified within 3km of the approximate

centre of the study area, the closest of which is East Down Plantation Site of Nature Conservation

Interest located outside of the site boundary across the C6 road to the east.

3.12 Higher Houghton and Black Heath Sites of Special Scientific Interest and the non-statutory

designated sites were scoped out of the assessment due to their distance from and lack of

connectivity with the proposed wind farm site.

3.13 Field surveys identified low bat activity within the south and south-western parts of the study area

which was associated with woodland and hedgerows rather than open farmland where the

turbines are to be located. Woodland and farm buildings in the vicinity of the site are considered

to offer low to moderate potential for bat roosts.

3.14 Brown hare were also observed during the field surveys but were scoped out of the assessment

due to the widespread habitat available to them in the local area. Effects on other species such

8 Features where the chalk bedrock has been dissolved by water, creating a void that may be infilled with overlying soils or geological

materials which may be unstable.

Summary

All residual construction and decommissioning effects are judged to be of negligible

significance. There will be no operational effects.


as otter, water vole, dormouse, great crested newts and amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates

in general were considered but these were scoped out of the assessment due to either limited or

inadequate habitat to support communities and/or confirmation of likely absence from the site

through the field surveys.

3.15 The Blandford Hill Wind Farm turbines have been designed to maintain a buffer of at least 50m

between the blade tip and the nearest suitable bat habitat feature (trees and hedgerows). The

location and layout of the wind farm infrastructure have also been carefully designed to avoid the

highest quality habitats e.g. woodland and mature trees, and avoid removal or loss of these

habitats as far as feasible. Some hedgerow removal is required but has been kept to a minimum.

3.16 Construction and decommissioning related effects are considered to be negligible for the statutory

designated Bryanston Site of Special Scientific Interest and general habitats on the site.

Construction related effects are considered to be negligible to minor adverse for bats. Habitat

enhancement (informed by a detailed Habitat Management Plan) including filling gaps in existing

hedgerows with species-rich native hedgerow planting and the creation of new sections of

hedgerow will lead to negligible to minor positive residual effects on general habitats onsite. The

habitat enhancements and the implementation of standard best practice mitigation measures will

also benefit bat populations, and residual effects are considered to be negligible to minor positive.

3.17 Effects on badger are reported in a separate confidential appendix to the Environmental

Statement. Pre-mitigation effects are considered to be minor adverse with residual effects

reduced to negligible.

3.18 Operational effects of the wind farm relate to the actual operation of the wind turbines themselves

and the upkeep and maintenance of the wind turbines and associated infrastructure. Maintenance

of the wind farm is not expected to have an adverse effect upon species and site habitats.

Potential effects of the operating wind farm on bats can take the form of collision with the turbine

blades or due to damage to bat’s lungs caused by a sudden change in air pressure (barotrauma).

No roosts were confirmed within the study area and features with moderate to high roost

potential lie over 50m from blade tip to the nearest turbine. As such pre-mitigation and residual

effects on bats are considered to be negligible to minor adverse.

Ornithology

3.19 Survey work to establish the use of the site and surrounding area by birds was undertaken,

including winter walkover surveys, breeding bird surveys and vantage point surveys. The

information on birds flying above the survey area collected during the vantage point surveys is

used to assess the potential for birds to collide with the wind turbines during operation. A desk-

based study was also used to identify any statutory or non-statutory protected sites in the area,

which have been designated for their avian (bird) interest.

3.20 The key issues for birds in relation to the construction of wind farm developments are direct and

indirect effects of habitat loss or displacement. Key issues during operation are collision risk,

displacement and barrier effects. These effects are considered in relation to individual bird

species, as well as statutory and non-statutory sites with designated bird interest.

3.21 The desk based study identified three bird related statutory and non-statutory designated sites

within 10km of the site and two Special Protection Areas (SPAs) within 20km of the site. Of

these, only the Poole Harbour SPA was considered further in the assessment, through

consideration of effects on Mediterranean gulls which breed in Poole Harbour and were spotted

during the vantage point surveys at the site. A number of bird species were identified during site

Summary

No significant effects are predicted in relation to ecological interests as a result of

construction, operation or decommissioning of Blandford Hill Wind Farm. Habitat

management and enhancement measures will result in a negligible to minor positive residual

effect for general habitats and bats.


surveys and the assessment considered effects specifically on breeding birds and two target

species Peregrine Falcon and Mediterranean Gull.

3.22 The layouts of turbines, construction compounds and access tracks have been carefully designed

to avoid causing more disturbance than necessary to valuable biodiversity features in and around

the site. To avoid potential disturbance to Schedule 1 birds species, all areas within 500m of

construction will be surveyed in advance of any works required during the breeding season (March

to August) to identify nesting locations for specially protected species. Appropriate works

exclusion zones would then be established around these nest sites in line with best practice

guidance for the species involved.

3.23 Along with best practice mitigation measures, a Breeding Bird Protection Plan will be drawn up

with the aim of protecting breeding birds from disturbance and ensuring compliance with nature

conservation law during the construction phase. In addition, hedgerow loss will be compensated

by filling in existing gaps in hedgerows with a species rich native mix and planting new

hedgerows, ensuring an overall net gain in the quality and extent of this habitat type within the

ecological study area.

3.24 Pre-mitigation construction and decommissioning effects on breeding birds, from the potential for

disturbance or destruction of nests, is considered to be negligible to minor adverse. The effect

resulting from displacement due to habitat loss is considered to be negligible to minor adverse

due to the abundance of higher quality habitat in the vicinity of the site. Following

implementation of the mitigation as outlined above, residual effects on breeding birds are

considered to be negligible to minor beneficial.

3.25 Pre-mitigation and residual construction and decommissioning effects on specific species are

considered to be negligible for Peregrine Falcon due to the lack of potential breeding and

irregularity of peregrine visits to the study area and negligible to minor adverse for Mediterranean

Gull with no likely significant effects on the Poole Harbour SPA population.

3.26 Operational wind turbines may affect some bird species, either through displacement, collision

with the wind turbine blades or the creation of a barrier to bird movements. These effects vary

between species, with collision generally considered likely to affect large or soaring birds (such as

larger raptors and wildfowl), and displacement likely to affect ground nesting species, such as

some waders. Barrier effects generally become an issue when wind turbine sites are located on

bird migratory corridors or between foraging or roosting sites.

3.27 Effects due to displacement of breeding bird species during the operational phase are considered

to be negligible with habitat enhancement mitigation considered to result in negligible to minor

beneficial effects. A collision risk model was carried out for Peregrine Falcon and the species was

also assessed for potential barriers effects to movement. Both pre and post mitigation effects are

considered to be negligible to minor adverse.

3.28 Mediterranean Gulls are not expected to experience any barrier effects or displacement during

operation of the wind farm. With regards to collision risk, a collision risk model was carried out

and pre and post mitigation effects are considered to be minor adverse with no likely significant

effects on the Poole Harbour SPA population.

3.29 Cumulative effects on birds from the proposed Blandford Hill Wind Farm and other wind farm

developments within 15km of the site were considered. None of the operational turbines or

applications within 15km of the site are predicted to have any significant adverse effects on the

species recorded at Blandford Hill. As such, overall cumulative effects are considered to be

negligible to minor adverse.

Summary

No significant effects are predicted on bird interests as a result of construction, operation or

decommissioning of Blandford Hill Wind Farm. Habitat management and enhancement

measures will result in a minor beneficial residual effects for breeding birds.


Noise

3.30 Wind farms can result in construction and operational noise effects on the residents of nearby

dwellings. The layout of the wind farm has been iteratively developed to ensure that noise limits

will not be exceeded at any local residences, whilst maintaining the generation capacity of the

development. An 800m buffer distance was applied to all residential properties to inform the

early design of the wind farm.

3.31 Detailed noise calculations were then undertaken after a period of back ground noise monitoring.

Predicted noise levels at the closest residential properties for each of the key activities during

construction of the proposed wind farm have been established and compared against noise limits

set out in Government guidance9. In addition the assessment has also predicted increases in

traffic noise levels from construction vehicles. Mitigation will be adopted as part of the scheme’s

Construction Management Plan, which will ensure best practice working practices are

implemented on site. Construction effects are therefore considered to be negligible.

Decommissioning activities will be similar to those required during construction and effects during

the decommissioning of the wind farm are also considered to be negligible.

3.32 Predicted noise levels were calculated for candidate turbines which may be considered for

Blandford Hill Wind Farm and did not exceed guidance noise limits. Noise effects associated with

the operation of the wind farm are therefore considered to be not significant.

Shadow Flicker

3.33 Rotating turbine blades cast moving shadows which could, under certain conditions, cause

flickering. These effects can be experienced by people within residences in the vicinity of a wind

farm if the turbines are located between the sun and the person’s location. The intensity of the

flicker effect is dependent on wind speed and direction, level of sunshine, and distance from the

wind farm. The assessment looked at potential flickering effects on neighbouring residential

properties during the operational phase only (when turbines would be rotating).

3.34 A separation distance of at least 800m between turbines and residential properties was sought

from the beginning of the design process, to minimise effects on residential properties, including

shadow flicker, where possible.

3.35 The assessment has shown that only Turbines 1 and 3 could potentially cause shadow flicker

events for seven neighbouring properties, but that no properties will be affected by shadow flicker

for more than 30 hours per year. These pre-mitigation effects are considered to be minor

adverse. All turbines will be fitted with a control system which can shut down the turbines at all

the relevant times that the theoretical modelling has shown shadow flicker could occur. With the

implementation of this mitigation residual effects would be reduced to negligible.

9 ETSU R 97, the Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms, Final Report for the Department of Trade &

Industry, September 1996. The Working Group on Noise from Wind Turbines

Summary

No significant noise effects are predicted as a result of the construction, operation or

decommissioning of Blandford Hill Wind Farm.

Summary

No significant shadow flicker effects are predicted as a result of the operation of Blandford

Hill Wind Farm.


Landscape and Visual, including Residential Visual Amenity

3.36 A 25km study area was identified for the Landscape and Visual Assessment, which contains a

diverse array of landscapes. The character of the study area is defined by a complex mosaic of

national character areas including rolling chalk downland, meandering chalk river valleys, open

heaths, woodlands and coastal foreshore and lowlands. The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural

Beauty lies approximately 730m to the west of the closest turbine. The assessment identified

viewpoints from which to assess the visual effects of the proposed wind farm on people who might

be living in the area, using local roads and footpaths, or visiting key viewpoints in the area.

3.37 One operational wind turbine (known as Roger’s Hill) is located approximately 6km to the

southwest of the site. This turbine can be viewed from the footpath crossing the site and is

considered as part of the baseline against which the landscape and visual effects of Blandford Hill

Wind Farm have been assessed.

3.38 The layout of turbines within the site was refined with input from the landscape and visual team.

This aimed to ensure the design of the turbines responded positively to the natural site contours

and that scheme infrastructure was designed to avoid disruption to residential properties and

existing activities on site. The visibility of the turbines from nearby settlements was a key

consideration. The design seeks to ensure that the turbines are regularly spaced to provide a

visually harmonious group when viewed from nearby residences. A minimum distance of 800m

from any property was maintained.

3.39 During construction and decommissioning, the presence of cranes and turbines under construction

have the potential to cause landscape and visual effects. The assessment considered that these

phases will give rise to localised, very short term, temporary views of construction activity, while

the site temporarily takes on the character of a construction site. The construction and

decommissioning phases are not considered to give rise to effects above those of the operational

scheme (identified below).

3.40 During operation, localised and limited effects on the landscape character of the South Blandford

Downs landscape character area (in which the site sits), and the Upper North Winterborne Valley

landscape character area (to the north of the site) are likely, some of which are considered to be

significant (major-moderate adverse). However, overall, the effect on these landscape character

areas is considered to be not significant (moderate adverse). Sections of these landscape

character areas lie within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but effects on the Area

of Outstanding Natural Beauty are not considered to be significant.

3.41 Visual effects on Winterborne Whitechurch (the closest settlement to the site) are considered to

be significant (major-moderate adverse) with some parts of the village (including residential

properties, footpaths and open space anticipated to have relatively open or filtered views of

between three or four turbines). Significant visual effects (major-moderate) from recreational

routes within 2km of the site are also predicted, where turbines will typically become the focus of

views and frequently rise substantially above surrounding vegetation and development; although

for the closest recreation routes to the site, views would be intermittent due to screening by path-

side hedgerows and trees.

3.42 The cumulative effects assessment has considered effects in a number of different scenarios (or

combinations of wind farms) that may arise. Significant effects have been identified on the

following:

Public rights of way between Milborne St Andrew, Longthorns Wood, Bere Regis and Milton

Abbas (major-moderate adverse effect) due to combined effects of Blandford Hill Wind Farm

and all other wind farms considered in the cumulative assessment, and due to incremental

effects of the addition of Blandford Hill Wind Farm to the landscape.

Rural qualities and perceptions of sense of place with regards to the Dorset Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty (major-moderate adverse effect) due to combined effects of

Blandford Hill Wind Farm, with other existing and approved schemes, plus the addition of the

proposed West Dorset and Slyer’s Lane Wind Farms. This will occur in a limited area to the

west of the site (within approximately 9km). There will be no cumulative effects on the fabric

of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as each of the wind farm developments are located

outside of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty boundary.


3.43 The residential visual amenity assessment considered views of the wind farm from the closest

residual properties to the site. The most affected property will be Sunstar located at the eastern

edge of Winterbourne Whitechurch. The only direct and open views of the turbines will be from

an upstairs window. The combination of distance (940m), landform and limited, oblique views

mitigate the potential effects on this property and the turbines will not be ‘overwhelming’ or

‘overbearing’. Properties at numbers 1 and 2 East Down will also have some relatively open views

of the turbines but from a distance of over 860m. The nearest turbines will be seen obliquely and

partly screened by nearby vegetation, with more direct views towards the more distant turbines.

Effects will not be ‘overwhelming’ or ‘overbearing’.

Cultural Heritage

3.44 There are no designated cultural heritage assets within the cultural heritage study area for direct

effects10. A number of archaeological features have been identified using aerial photography,

satellite imagery, geophysical (magnetic) survey and field surveys and avoided through the

design of the scheme. The overall archaeological potential of the site is generally moderate in

respect of relatively commonplace archaeological material. The most likely categories of material

are traces of prehistoric field boundaries and isolated pit-forms, with the outside possibility of the

survival of small habitation sites. There is very little potential for the survival of archaeologically

relevant organic materials (e.g. wood and other plant remains).

3.45 Breaking new ground during construction has the potential to destroy buried archaeological

remains. The scheme has been designed to avoid higher quality remains (probable Bronze Age

burial sites and Iron Age defended settlement). No such remains are currently known within that

part of the site to be involved in groundworks, although the geophysical survey has pinpointed

some points where particular care (and reasonable time allowance) should be applied during

construction. Pre-mitigation effects during construction of the wind farm on heritage assets are

considered to be of negligible to minor significance. During construction, a scheme of

archaeological works will be implemented whereby archaeologists will be present to monitor

groundwork operations, backed by provisions for excavation should sufficiently important remains

be encountered. The scheme of archaeological works will include the full range of assessment,

analysis and publication provisions appropriate under professional standards. Where practicable,

important archaeological remains uncovered during construction will be avoided through

micrositing or protected by design (such as special trackway materials leaving buried archaeology

intact). With the implementation of this mitigation, negligible (or no) residual effects are likely.

3.46 During decommissioning, effects will normally be negligible. However, the removal of structures

(and especially temporary trackways and hardstandings) in proximity to known archaeological

material (either currently known or discovered during initial construction) must be properly

managed and supervised. Vehicle movements will be restricted to previously used land. Again,

the archaeological mitigation scheme will cover any relevant adjustments that may prove

necessary.

10

The study area for direct (fabric) effects is the footprint of the scheme and such flanking areas as professional judgment suggests

might be relevant.

Summary

Significant adverse effects on views and visual amenity for some parts of the village of

Winterborne Whitechurch have been identified during the operational phase, together with

significant adverse effects for users of the recreational routes within 2km of the Site.

Major-moderate adverse (significant) cumulative visual effects on local public rights of way

and rural qualities and perceptions of sense of place with regards to the Dorset Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty have been identified when considering all existing, approved and

proposed schemes in the study area.


3.47 For the consideration of indirect effects on the setting of heritage assets during operation of the

wind farm, a study area of 5km from the centre of the Blandford Hill Wind Farm site was used.

Within this area, 54 Scheduled Monuments (including a large number of burial mounds), eight

Grade I, 13 Grade II* and 23 Grade II Listed Buildings (mostly dating from the late seventeenth

to nineteenth centuries, but also a number of Medieval churches), seven Conservation Areas and

one Registered Park & Garden were identified. Five non-designated assets (local buildings of

merit) of local interest were also considered.

3.48 The operation of Blandford Hill Wind Farm is judged to have a significant (indirect middle Major)

effect on the setting of the Church of St Mary in Winterborne Whitechurch (a Grade I listed

building) and a significant (middle Major) effect on the setting and character of the Winterborne

Whitechurch Conservation Area. Effects on the setting of the other assets considered in the

assessment are considered to be moderate to minor. No mitigation is possible during operation

and these effects will be removed upon decommissioning of the wind farm.

Socio-Economics

3.49 The socio-economic assessment considered the potential effect of the proposed wind farm

development on employment generation, recreation, and tourism.

3.50 The assessment predicts that there will be minor positive effects on the local economy in relation

to direct and indirect employment generation during construction and negligible effects during

operation. There will be an average of 15 construction workers on site throughout the nine month

construction period and once operational, regular routine inspection and maintenance visits will be

required for the duration of its operational life. It is also likely there will be local employment

generated as an indirect result of the construction of the proposed wind farm. Indirect

employment could include supply chain spin-offs for local businesses, sub-contractor work relating

to the transportation of labour and materials, and expenditure by construction employees in the

local economy.

3.51 There is one public right of way which runs through the middle of site between Turbine 2 and

Turbine 3. Construction traffic will need to cross this footpath, which will be managed, but it is

not anticipated that the footpath will need to be diverted or temporarily closed. Construction and

decommissioning effects before mitigation are considered to be minor adverse. An Access

Management Plan will be will be prepared and implemented to ensure the protection of the

recreational users of the site during construction and decommissioning as such the residual effect

is judged to be of negligible significance. Two other footpaths are located within the western site

boundary and a bridleway, running in a westerly direction is located adjacent to the northeast

corner of the site, but these will not be directly affected.

3.52 Effects on tourism during construction of the wind farm are not considered to be significant as the

wind farm will not directly prevent or deter visitors from visiting the area and wider North Dorset

area. During operation, indirect effects could occur due to perceived changes in the landscape

and the subsequent reaction of tourists to these changes. The Environmental Statement

concludes, from a review of existing tourism surveys, that there is no strong evidence that

tourists will be deterred visiting an area due to the presence of a wind farm. Effects on tourism

due to the operation of the wind farm are therefore considered to be of negligible significance.

Summary

Through the inclusion of mitigation measures, negligible to no effects are identified on

heritage assets during construction and decommissioning. EIA-significant adverse indirect

effects are identified on the setting of a Grade I listed church and on the setting and

character of the Winterborne Whitechurch Conservation Area.


Telecommunications and Television

3.53 The potential effects of the wind farm on telecommunications and television interests were

assessed.

3.54 The construction and operation of wind turbines has the potential to affect telecommunications

links or domestic television broadcast reception through interference with the electromagnetic

waves used to transmit signals. Three telecommunications links have been identified crossing

through the wind farm site and a mast is located within the site boundary to the east of the

turbines. Link path exclusion zones were established and the scheme design altered to ensure

the turbines were located outside of the exclusion zones, eliminating effects on the mast and

links.

3.55 Switchover to digital television has occurred in the area and digital television signals are less

likely than analogue signals to be subject to interference effects from a wind farm. However, it is

difficult to predict with certainty the likelihood or magnitude of any effects on television reception

before installation of a wind farm, therefore REG is committed to investigating and mitigating any

television reception issues should a complaint be made once the turbines are installed. This can

be secured through a planning condition imposed on the planning permission, or through a legal

agreement between REG and North Dorset District Council. With the implementation of mitigation

measures effects will not be significant.

Aviation

3.56 The potential effects of the wind farm on aviation interests, including military and civil airports,

airfields and associated navigation and communication systems, were assessed. During

construction and decommissioning there will be no effect on aviation interests as the presence of

large cranes will be notified to the appropriate aviation authorities.

3.57 Operational wind farms have the potential to affect the navigation and radar systems used by

civilian and military aviation interests. The closest airport to the proposed Blandford Hill Wind

Farm site is Bournemouth Airport, approximately 26km to the east. There are no other licensed

radar equipped aerodromes or known unlicensed airfields within consultation distance. The

assessment has identified that the turbines will be visible on the Bournemouth Airport radar which

is not considered to be a significant issue, however a response has not yet been received from the

Manchester Airports Group who manage the airport. Effects are not considered to be significant

at Bournemouth Airport or on National Air Traffic Services radar.

3.58 The Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton is approximately 38km to the northwest and a remote radar

at Portland in Dorset and Hartland in North Devon. The site is designated as a ‘low priority

military low flying zone’. The Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton and radar station at Hartland will

not be affected by the presence of the turbines. The radar at Portland will have radar line of sight

of the turbines and there is likely to be a small area of clutter created by the turbines under

certain conditions. It is considered unlikely that there will be any effects on the operation of this

radar, however if the Ministry of Defence does object, there are a number of possible mitigation

options currently under consideration by the Ministry of Defence, demonstrating that systems are

Summary

Effects of minor positive significance are predicted as a result of employment generation

during construction. All other residual impacts are judged to be of negligible significance.

Summary

No significant effects are predicted on television reception and interests.


or will be available within the lifetime of a planning consent. If required, these mitigation

solutions will be investigated by REG alongside the Ministry of Defence.

Summary and Conclusions

3.59 The EIA found that, with the proposed mitigation measures in place, many potential

environmental effects associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of the

wind farm can be avoided or minimised. Also highlighted are the benefits of a detailed design

process that seeks to minimise potential effects through making modifications to the scheme

design.

3.60 The EIA concludes that significant adverse residual effects will occur in relation to:

Operational effects on landscape character (major to moderate adverse, large and medium

scale effects) and views and visual amenity for some parts of the village of Winterborne

Whitechurch and for walkers using recreational routes within 2km of the site (major to

moderate adverse);

Cumulative effects of major significance on local public rights of way between Milborne St

Andrew, Longthorns Wood, Bere Regis and Milton Abbas;

Cumulative effects of major to moderate significance on rural qualities and perceptions of

sense of place with regards to the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty;

Operational effects on the setting of Grade I listed Church of St Mary in Winterborne

Whitechurch and on the setting and character of the Winterborne Whitechurch conservation

area.

3.61 No significant adverse residual effects are predicted to occur in relation to all other EIA topics:

traffic and transportation; ground conditions and hydrology; ecology; ornithology; noise; shadow

flicker; socio-economics; telecommunications and television; and aviation.

3.62 Minor positive benefits are predicted to occur in relation to habitat management and enhancement

for general habitats onsite, and bats and breeding birds. Other minor positive benefits are

predicted to occur in relation to direct and indirect employment generation during construction of

the wind farm.

Summary

No significant effects are predicted on aviation interests.

0 105

Kilometres

1:250,000Scale: @ A3

Drawing Number: 1

Drawn: CG

Project: Blandford Hill Wind FarmTitle: Site Location

Checked: Date Month:12/3

REG Windpower Ltd,The Coach House, Kelston Park, BA1 9AETel: 0122 592 8000W: www.regwindpower.co.uk

-

Drawing: 5838-01_004_Site_Location 04/04/2014Reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey® on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Licence number 0100031673.

Drawing Version: 1

Legend

Site Boundary

Site Centre: E:385111 N:100255

Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, TomTom,Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN,GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI,Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo, and the GIS User Community

Figure 1: Site Location

!A

!A

!A

!A

0 200100Metres

1:5,000Scale: @ A3

Drawing Number: 2 Drawn: CG

Project: Blandford Hill Wind Farm Title: Scheme Infrastructure



-

Drawing: 5838-01_039_Operation_Layout_20140415 16/04/2014Reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey® on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Licence number 0100031673, 100023422.

Drawing Version: 1

Legend!A Turbine

Site BoundarySubstationAccess TrackCrane Hardstanding

Site Centre: E:385111 N:100255

T1

T2

T3

T4

TO WINTERBORNE

WHITECHURCH

TO BLANDFORD

FORUM

MAINTENANCE ACCESS ALONG

EXISTING FARM TRACKC6 TO WINTERBORNE

KINGSTON

Existing Track

Figure 2: Scheme Infrastructure

ID Easting Northing1 385075 1007002 384995 1003913 385030 1000494 385218 99853

Drawing Number: 3

Drawn: CG

Project: Blandford Hill Wind FarmTitle: Site Access Layout



Drawing: 5838-01_033_Site_Access_Layout 13/06/2014Reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey® on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Licence number 0100031673, 100023422.

Drawing Version: 1

Scale: 1:600 @A3

Scale: 1:600 @A3

Scale: 1:1200 @A3

Figure 3: Site Access Layout

blandford hill wind farm - iema · blandford hill wind farm: non-technical summary 1 june 2014 1...

Documents