Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
The Assessment Process
Valued Ecological Receptors (VERs)
11.2.37 This section details how the significance of effects on ecological receptors is assessed. This
is a staged process based on the IEEM guidelines (IEEM 2006). Although these guidelines
do not provide a matrix to aid the determination of effect significance, a standard matrix
designed for this purpose has been produced by RPS and is presented in Table 11.5. This
is for reasons of clarity and does not prevent the use of the 2006 guidelines to determine
significance through reasoned argument.
11.2.38 The choice of VERs for the site is described in the Evaluation of VERs section (Section 11.5)
and in consideration of the baseline conditions.
Evaluating Biodiversity Assets
11.2.39 Determining the sensitivity of ecological receptors within the study area is undertaken in a
systematic way using criteria that determine their significance. The term used for the flora
and fauna of ecological importance that are affected at the site is ‘Valued Ecological
Receptor’. The approach to determining the nature conservation level of each ecological
receptor is outlined in Table 11.3.
11.2.40 In accordance with the IEEM guidelines (2006), the value of habitats is also measured
against published selection criteria. These include size (extent), diversity, naturalness, rarity,
fragility, recorded history, position in an ecological or geographical unit, current condition and
potential value.
11.2.41 When assigning a level of value to a species or habitat, its distribution and status, including a
consideration of trends based on available historical records, are considered. Rarity is
considered because of its relationship with threat and vulnerability, although rarity in itself is
not necessarily an indicator of value. A species that is rare and declining will be assigned a
higher level of importance than one that is rare but known to be stable.
Table 11.3 Approach to Evaluating Ecological Receptor Sensitivity
Conservation
Sensitivity
High
Geographic
Frame of
Reference
International
National
Examples
Habitats or species that form part of the cited interest within an
internationally protected site, such as those designated under the
Habitats Directive (e.g. SACs) or other international convention (e.g.
Ramsar site).
A feature (e.g. habitat or population) which is either unique or
sufficiently unusual to be considered as being one of the highest
quality examples in an international / national context, such that the
site is likely to be designated as a site of European importance (e.g.
SAC).
Habitats or species that form part of the cited interest within a
nationally designated site, such as a SSSI, or a National Nature
Reserve (NNR).
A feature (e.g. habitat or population) which is either unique or
sufficiently unusual to be considered as being one of the highest
quality examples in a national / regional context for which the site
could potentially be designated as a SSSI.
March 2013 11-10 ES Chapter 11
Terrestrial Ecology
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