Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
8.4.2 The proprietary noise modelling software SoundPLAN was used to predict scheme
operational noise levels at each of the identified NSR (Table 8.1) at a height of 4 m above
local ground height; no topographical information was incorporated into the model and a
ground absorption value of G=0 was assumed. The noise immission modelling for Camilty
wind farm considers a candidate wind turbine, the Nordex N100 2.5MW of hub height 80 m.
8.4.3 Agreement was reached with WLC on standards for assessment and methodology,
particularly with respect to establishing prevailing background noise levels.
8.4.4 A technical workshop was held on 26 July 2012, which incorporated all the views and
assessment requirements of the appointed EIA specialists (landscape, cultural heritage,
ecology, hydrology and ornithology as well as noise), the purpose of which was to refine the
proposals to satisfy all requirements.
8.4.5 This workshop considered not only the environmental effects associated with the proposed
scheme but also the cumulative effects of other proposed wind energy development in the
vicinity of Camilty wind farm, specifically Harburnhead and Fauch Hill wind farms.
8.4.6 It was found that, at the Harburnhead NSR, the proposed wind farm could comply with the
derived limits in isolation. However, it was clear that all three schemes were unlikely to be
able to operate simultaneously and meet the limits derived from the baseline information.
This cumulative issue was discussed with WLC and it was agreed that the scheme and
cumulative information should be presented separately to allow direct comparison between
the proposals for each of the 3 adjacent wind farms. This is discussed in more detail later in
this Chapter.
8.5 Potential Significant Effects of the Scheme Prior to Mitigation
8.5.1 The proposed development comprises 6 wind turbines, a control building and substation, an
anemometry mast, a temporary construction compound and amended vehicular access on to
site. A description of the proposed development is presented in Chapter 4: Project
Description.
8.5.2 The following sections assess the likelihood of significant effects associated with noise during
the construction and operational phases of the development.
Construction Effects
Construction Traffic
8.5.3 Abnormal loads transporting turbine components (wind turbine blades, nacelles and tower
components) will follow a predefined route to the site (see Chapter 7: Traffic and Transport
for a description of the abnormal load route). Turbine components will be transported to the
site by a specialist heavy haulage contractor.
8.5.4 As identified in Chapter 7: Traffic and Transport, there would be up to 78 abnormal loads
transporting turbine components to the proposed wind farm site over the course of the
construction period. Although it is inevitable that these heavy vehicle pass-by events will be
noticeable in comparison to the composition of existing typical traffic flows, they will be rare
and necessary events which will be scheduled along specific routes. On this basis, it is
considered that these events will not result in any significant adverse noise effects.
March 2013 8-12 ES Chapter 8
Noise
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