Non Technical Summary - Partnerships for Renewables

Ecology – Chapter 11 continued >
Given the scheme design, which has evolved to minimise
effects on potential ecological receptors, the proposed
development was deemed unlikely to result in any effects on
species or habitats with the exception of seven bat species.
Further assessment was therefore required to consider effects
on common pipistrelle, noctule, serotine, Leisler’s bat, soprano
pipistrelle, Nathusius’ pipistrelle and barbastelle.
These species have been recorded foraging and commuting
on site and may potentially roost within adjacent woodland.
Common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, serotine and
barbastelle are all species considered to be at medium
risk from collision with wind turbine while noctule, Leisler’s
and Nathusius’ pipistrelle are considered to be at high risk.
The assessment of effects of the scheme took into account
the status of all these species in the UK and the Isle
of Wight as well as the activity levels recorded on site.
Prior to implementation of mitigation measures it was
concluded that slight effects may occur on common
pipistrelle, serotine and Nathusius’ pipistrelle whilst
moderate effects may occur on Leisler’s bat and noctule.
Barbastelle is sufficiently rare that it was considered that
moderate-substantial effects may occur on this species.
Mitigation measures have been proposed which include
vegetation clearance from below the wind turbines to
discourage foraging bats as well as a programme of postdevelopment
monitoring to inform appropriate additional
mitigation if required. As a result of these measures being
implemented it has been concluded that slight negative
residual effects would occur only to noctule, Leisler’s bat
and barbastelle. These effects are not considered likely to
be increased as a result of cumulative effects from other
wind energy developments within 10km.
No significant effects in terms of the EIA regulations are
identified in relation to ecology.
Ornithology – Chapter 12
The assessment methodology was based upon guidance
from the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
(IEEM), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) (Survey Methods for
Use in Assessing the Impacts of Onshore Windfarms on Bird
Communities) and Natural England (TIN069: Assessing the
Effects of Onshore Windfarms on Birds). Consultation was
carried out with Natural England, the Isle of Wight Council
and the RSPB concerning the studies required and the
appropriate issues to be addressed in the assessment of
notable bird species.
The site is predominately open farmland bounded to the
south and south-east by the prisons and their associated
infrastructure. Immediately to the north and west of the site
boundary is Parkhurst Forest of which part is designated
as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Site
of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). In order to
determine the ornithological baseline a desk study and a
range of site field surveys were conducted and subsequent
collision modelling undertaken, where considered necessary,
to assess the effects of the wind turbines on bird species. In
general terms, turbines can affect birds in four particular ways;
habitat loss, disturbance, displacement and collision. For each
phase of the development; construction, operation and decommissioning
the ES assessed whether these effects would
be significant on the bird species of conservation importance
recorded on the site.
The desk study included a review of existing statutory sites
of ornithological interest and records of bird species were
received from the Isle of Wight Local Records Centre. A full
year of surveys were undertaken within and around the
site comprising vantage-point watches, territory mapping
surveys, species-specific nightjar and barn owl surveys
and winter walkover surveys. During all surveys (October
2010 – September 2011) a total of 74 bird species were
recorded within the survey area. 22 species were classified
as confirmed or probable breeders within the site boundary
(and 40 species within the wider survey area).
Four species were classified as ‘target species’ (Barn owl,
hobby, nightjar and Mediterranean gull) during 12 months
of surveys; of these barn owl was the only target species
recorded breeding within the site whilst hobby and nightjar
were recorded breeding within the wider survey area. Overall
the ES identified that:
• Barn owls breed within the site and forage extensively
over grassland fields within and around the site;
however, this species is not susceptible to collision
risk and, given the distance between the nest site and
proposed construction areas, disturbance effects are
likely to be negligible and therefore not significant.
• Based on collision risk assessment and European studies
hobby is not considered to be susceptible to collision with
turbine blades; as such, given the limited time this species
spent within either the site or within the flight space of the
proposed turbines, collision risk to this species is considered
not significant. In terms of avoiding disturbance of nesting
birds a 500m construction buffer around the nest site will
be observed between April and July and a 350m buffer
between August and October. As a result the magnitude
of construction disturbance effects on breeding hobby
would be negligible and thus not significant.
• Based on several British studies nightjar is not considered
to be susceptible to collision with turbine blades and, as
such, risk of collision for this species at Camp Hill is
negligible and therefore not significant. In addition, given
the distance from the site and the extent of woodland
cover between territory locations and proposed construction
areas, the magnitude of effects of construction disturbance
on nesting nightjar is therefore considered to be negligible
and, thus, not significant.
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