Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
churches, schools or historical buildings, people walking or cycling, open spaces, recreational
sites, shopping areas, sites of ecological/nature conservation value and sites of tourist/visitor
attraction.
7.2.31 As set out below, it is considered that sections of the A70 through the built up areas of Currie
and Balerno may be sensitive to changes in traffic conditions due to the fronting residential
properties. The change in traffic flows at these sections will therefore be assessed against
the ‘Rule 2’ threshold (‘include any other specifically sensitive areas where total traffic flows
have increased by 10 % or more’) with the other links being assessed against the ‘Rule 1’
threshold.
7.2.32 Where these thresholds are exceeded, each of the potential effects set out above will be
assessed at that location to determine the magnitude of change and level of effect (and
therefore significance in terms of the EIA Regulations - see Chapter 2), in conjuction with
Table 7.2 and Table 7.3.
7.3 Baseline Information
Sources of Data
7.3.1 The traffic and transport baseline has been established through obtaining traffic flows and
Personal Injury Accident data from the road authorities and through a site visit to identify the
location of any sensitive receptors.
7.3.2 The datasets and information gathered have informed a baseline position, against which the
proposals can be assessed and any significant transport effects established.
Planning Policy Review
7.3.3 EIA is not planning policy driven; rather, its aim is to assess the likely significant effects upon
the environment. A detailed assessment of the proposed wind farm against the development
plan and material considerations is contained within a separate supporting Planning
Statement (PS) which accompanies the planning application.
7.3.4 The relevant Development Plan documents which provide a context for undertaking EIA as
part of this Chapter with relevant Policies are set out below:
• Edinburgh and the Lothian’s Structure Plan (approved 2004) (hereafter referred to as
the ELSP);
• West Lothian Local Plan (approved 2009) (hereafter referred to as the WLLP).
7.3.5 The ELSP seeks to achieve a more sustainable pattern of development and, in relation to this
proposal, paragraph 5.1 aims to:
• “...Encourage the movement of freight by rail and sea or, where road freight is
dominant, along the strategic road network; ... and
• Ensure that development caters for its transport needs.”
7.3.6 The WLLP identifies the area as being strategically located within the Central Belt.
Paragraph 8.60 later describes the area as being at the centre of the Scottish motorway
network which enables employers to recruit skilled staff from a wide catchment area.
Paragraph 8.61 of the WLLP goes on to identify the M8 as a principal artery and links it to
providing economic opportunities in the area.
March 2013 7-6 ES Chapter 7
Traffic and Transport
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