Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
bats and badgers are predominantly nocturnal and therefore most susceptible to early
morning and late evening construction activities. This risk is higher during autumn and
winter when construction activities may overlap with dawn and dusk activity periods of these
species.
11.6.11 There is the potential for increased mortality of species such as otter due to construction
traffic on the site. This risk is predominantly a concern during autumn and winter periods, as
highlighted above. Wildlife is also at risk of becoming trapped if pipework or excavations are
left open over night. If a method of escape is not provided this can result in injury or death.
11.6.12 With regards to otter and badger, the habitat represents suboptimal foraging habitat, with
more suitable habitat present within the surrounding landscape. As such, the likelihood of
these species being present in the proposed areas of construction is low.
11.6.13 The site represents suboptimal habitat for foraging bats. No significant commuting routes
were identified in the site and the development is assessed as having a negligible effect on
commuting bats. No roosts were found within 500 m of any proposed turbine location, thus
the construction phase is predicted to have a negligible effect upon local populations of
roosting bats.
11.6.14 The specific details relating to the potential for disturbance and displacement of badgers due
to the proposed development is dealt with in the Protected Species Confidential Appendix.
11.6.15 The potential effects of construction-related disturbance and displacement are shown below
in Table 11.15.
Table 11.15 Potential Unmitigated Effects and Associated Level of Effects of
Disturbance, Displacement and Injury on Terrestrial Species During Construction
Species Sensitivity Magnitude Level of Effect (and significance)
Otter Low Small Slight or negligible (not significant)
Bat species (soprano pipistrelle,
common pipistrelle)
Low Small Slight or negligible(not significant)
Badger Low Negligible Negligible (not significant)
Habitat Loss
11.6.16 The turbines and infrastructure associated with the development will result in the loss of
some areas of habitat. These areas have been calculated in accordance with Chapter 4:
Description of the Proposed Development and the results are presented below in Table
11.16. These figures represent direct habitat loss due to the establishment of the
development infrastructure. Of the dominant NVC communities present within the site
boundary there are 7 listed as Annex I habitats. Overall, the habitat loss recorded totals
approximately 16 ha, of the approximate 21 ha area covered by infrastructure. The habitats
not covered by this calculation (as they will not be directly affected in terms of habitat loss)
include bare ground, tracks and watercourses).
March 2013 11-32 ES Chapter 11
Terrestrial Ecology
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