Non Technical Summary - Partnerships for Renewables

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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. Section continues overleaf > 10
Ornithology – Chapter 12 continued > Mediterranean gull and peregrine falcon were both only recorded infrequently and, therefore, no significant effects are predicted for either species. In addition, as the site is of low value of the site for waders and passerines, no significant effects are predicted for either group as a result of the scheme. Given the distance between the site and all statutory designated sites of ornithological interest (SSSI/SPA/Ramsar) within 20km and, given the limited activity of qualifying interest species (both breeding and wintering species) within and above the site, the proposed development is unlikely to pose a significant threat to qualifying interest species. A full list of species recorded can be found in Chapter 12 of the ES. In line with standard construction practices vegetation clearance will be undertaken outside of the bird nesting season and, if required, nest location surveys would be undertaken prior to beginning work. All procedures would be agreed with the appropriate consultees and comply with relevant legislation. No significant effects in terms of the EIA regulations are identified in relation to ornithology. Hydrology – Chapter 13 The hydrology assessment identified the existing surface and sub-surface water environment and ground conditions to establish a baseline against which potential effects were evaluated. Generally the development site has a water environment with low sensitivity/importance: the development site is located on Holme Hill and watercourses on it comprise small field drains which were dry during the site visit in March 2012. However, some of the small drains/watercourses flow into the River Medina which is classified as a Special Area of Conservation and includes the Dodnor Creek Nature Reserve. The underlying geology comprises clays, silts and sands of the Solent Group which generally do not store significant quantities of groundwater. The hydrological receptors have therefore been classified as being between negligible and low sensitivity to high sensitivity depending on where they drain to. Hydrological constraints were identified and, except for essential watercourse crossings, the design has avoided development in buffer zones established around watercourses. Flood risk has also been considered for the proposed development. The site is located in a low-risk flood zone and the footprint of the development means that it is unlikely that flood risk elsewhere will be increased. Access track surfaces and crane pads will be constructed using semi-permeable granular material to allow rainfall to infiltrate so that surface run-off from the development site will not increase. Prior to any construction works an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will be prepared and agreed. As part of the plan a detailed ground investigation study will be undertaken; the study will include both geotechnical and geo-environmental techniques in order to assess the ground conditions and to identify the depth and water quality of any shallow groundwater present. The results of the study will be used to determine the foundation type for the turbines and any ground treatments that may be required. The EMP will detail all appropriate mitigation measures during construction; these will include dust control measures and the safe storage of on-site fuels and equipment. The CEMP will also identify a number of mitigation measures that will be used during the construction, operation and de-commissioning phases of the turbine; these measures will include the appropriate design of hard standing areas, access tracks and the turbine foundations. These measures are designed to avoid surface water run-off and to reduce localised interference of groundwater recharge. With the CEMP in place it is considered that there will be no significant effects on the ground conditions or on the water environment during the construction, operation and de-commissioning phases of the turbine development. It is concluded that the proposed wind energy development will have no significant effects in terms of water quality and or surface water run-off. Shadow Flicker – Chapter 14 Shadow flicker can occur within occupied buildings when the moving shadow from a wind turbine blade repeatedly passes over a window or opening. The effect is most pronounced when the blade shadow entirely obscures a narrow window opening thereby causing a greater reduction in internal light levels than if the shadow moves across a larger opening. As detailed in the relevant national planning policy document: ‘Planning for Renewable Energy: A Companion Guide to PPS22’ in order for shadow flicker to occur buildings need to be located within 10 rotor diameters (900m in the case of a turbine with a rotor diameter of 90m). This was endorsed in the recent study undertaken on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change, ‘Update of UK Shadow Flicker Evidence Base – Final Report’ (2011). Within the 10 rotor diameter distance for shadow flicker to occur there must be sufficient sunshine, windows need to be facing the turbines with no significant intervening structures or vegetation, the turbines need to be operating and, due to the position of the sun in the sky, the receptor must be located 130º either side of north from the turbines. In general terms shadow flicker normally occurs during the early morning and evening when the sun is at its lowest elevation in the sky. Only in these circumstances will there be a potential for shadow flicker to affect residential amenity. Concerns are sometimes raised that shadow flicker may trigger photosensitive epilepsy which can occur as a result of light flashes at frequencies between 2.5Hz-3Hz. The blades Section continues overleaf > 11
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Non Technical Summary - Partnerships for Renewables

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