Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
• Rule 2: Include any other specifically sensitive areas where total traffic flows have
increased by 10% or more.
7.2.3 The above guidance is based upon knowledge and experience of environmental effects of
traffic. The 30% threshold is based upon research and experience of the environmental
effects of traffic, with less than a 30% increase generally resulting in imperceptible changes
in the environmental effects of traffic. At a simple level, the guidance considers that
projected changes in total traffic flow of less than 10% creates no discernible environmental
effect, hence the second threshold as set out in Rule 2.
7.2.4 In cases where the thresholds are exceeded, Column 3 in Table 2.1 of the IEMA guidelines
set out a list of environmental effects which should be assessed for their magnitude of
change.
7.2.5 Definitions of each of the potential effects identified in the IEMA guidelines are summarised
below along with explanatory text relating to assessment criteria. It is on this basis that the
assessment in this Chapter has been undertaken. It is acknowledged at paragraph 2.4 of the
IEMA guidelines that not all the effects listed in Column 3 of Table 2.1 would be applicable to
every development. A detailed inspection of the surrounding road network incorporating the
current geometric layout of the road, traffic management and regulation orders and general
observations of existing road user movements has been undertaken to assist with the
assessments.
Noise and Vibration
7.2.6 The potential effects relating to noise and vibration as a result of construction traffic and
abnormal loads is set out in Chapter 8: Noise (Section 8.5).
Visual Effects
7.2.7 The visual effect of traffic is complex and subjective and includes both visual obstruction and
visual intrusion. The IEMA guidelines acknowledge that in the majority of situations the
changes in traffic resulting from a development will have little effect.
7.2.8 Concerns are also often expressed over the visual effects of the wind turbines on traffic itself,
whereby drivers may be distracted by the turbines and the movement of the blades. These
effects are considered in the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
publication ‘Planning for Renewable Energy: A Companion Guide to PPS22’, December
2004. Although this guidance document does not specifically relate to Scotland and has
since been superseded by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), its evidence
base remains a solid area to consider the effects of ‘driver distraction’.
7.2.9 The guidance document sets out that drivers are faced with a number of varied and
competing distractions, such as advertising hoardings, which are deliberately designed to
attract attention.
7.2.10 It states that drivers are required to take reasonable care to ensure their own and others’
safety at all times. Therefore, wind turbines should not be treated any differently from other
distractions a driver must face and should not be considered particularly hazardous.
7.2.11 The guidance document concludes that there are a large number of wind farms adjoining or
close to road networks and there has been no history of accidents at any of them. As stated,
this evidence base remains sound. There has been no guidance published since and there
has been no subsequent evidence or research published or undertaken that suggests driver
March 2013 7-2 ES Chapter 7
Traffic and Transport
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