Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
15.4.6 In addition to the community benefit fund, PfR has agreed with FCS that eligible community
groups will be able to invest in the project, if they desire. This investment could come from
the community’s own money or alternatively from reinvestment of windfall received from the
community benefit fund. This community investment initiative has been designed and is
driven by FCS with the support of the Scottish Government. For eligibility criteria, community
groups have been asked to refer to the National Forest Land Scheme guidance and register
their interest with either PfR or FCS. At the time of writing this ES, one community group has
registered their interest in the investment opportunity in line with the process (see Technical
Appendix 15.1). PfR is working on a Community Investment Stage 2 specifically for Camilty
that will be distributed to the community group, and any other community groups that register
an interest. Further discussion will take place with community groups throughout the planning
period, during which more information and guidance will be provided on the FCS website
(http://www.forestry.gov.uk/communitiesandrenewables).
15.4.7 Whilst details of how the community would wish to make use of the community benefit fund
and any investment returns made from the project are not yet available, it is likely that funds
would be used to finance investment in local facilities. Although such investment would be
primarily intended to the benefit the local community, in practice it is likely that the benefits
would also be shared by visitors to the area. Given that even very small movements to the
fabric of an area can make a big difference to visitor perceptions of an area, the sensitivity of
this receptor is considered to be medium. However, although such local community projects
might help to give visitors a more positive impression of an area they are unlikely to be of a
scale sufficient to influence people’s decision to visit or return to the area. The magnitude of
this effect is therefore considered to be small. Overall, a slight positive effect is anticipated to
the local economy due to community benefit expenditure during the operational phase of the
proposed wind farm.
Direct Employment
15.4.8 In terms of employment, the construction of the proposed wind farm will directly support 30 to
40 full time equivalent jobs for a period of approximately 6 months.
15.4.9 The structure of the local economy is such that it is considered to have the capacity to benefit
from construction contracts associated with the proposed wind farm. The sensitivity of the
receptor is therefore considered to be medium. However, due to the specialist nature of the
turbine erection and installation work, there will be a greater competitive advantage for
experienced contractors who are likely to be located outwith the local area. This effect is
therefore considered to be small in magnitude. Key opportunities for local firms and
businesses during the construction work will be for site preparation and establishment,
including access track and turbine hardstanding construction. Furthermore, construction of
the proposed wind farm will also require a number of transportation services which may be
provided by businesses in the local area. However, given that there is no guarantee that
these services would be sourced locally the magnitude of this effect is considered to be
small. Overall, a slight positive effect is anticipated to direct local employment during the
construction phase.
15.4.10 The operational phase of the proposed wind farm will directly support one to two operational
manager jobs for the duration of the 25 year operational life of the wind farm. Employees
from the turbine manufacturer and/or contractors will also carry out maintenance and
servicing at regular intervals, for which teams of between 5 and 8 staff will be required.
March 2013 15-18 ES Chapter 15
Socio-Economics, Tourism, Land-Use and Recreation
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