Planning Supporting Statement - Partnerships for Renewables

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Louth Canal Wind Energy Development 7.3.6 During operation of the development there are no predicted significant effects on Landscape Designations, and only locally significant effects on the Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes National Character Area and the local landscape character area of Tetney Lock to Skegness Coastal Outmarsh. 7.3.7 Of the sixteen viewpoints considered as part of the visual assessment, one is considered to experience a major adverse effect and six are assessed as having a moderate adverse effect. Details of the sixteen viewpoints and the assessment of their effect are included in Table 9.17 in Chapter 9 of the ES. 7.3.8 The effect the proposed Development, on the views from residential properties (within 1.5km) of the proposed turbine locations has been assessed. This equates to 33 views, as set out in Table 9.18 in Chapter 9 of the ES. Just one of these views results in a major adverse effect and 16 in a moderate adverse effect, at a distance of less than 700m from the closest proposed turbine, further details on these views can be found in Table 9.18 of the ES. 7.3.9 The LVIA acknowledges that both in terms of landscape and visual effects during the construction and operational phases, there is a certain capacity in the wider landscape for the nature, scale and location of the proposed Development. This supports the findings of the wind farm capacity studies covering the assessment area and is borne out by the cumulative assessment findings where, taking into account existing and planned wind farms alongside other industrialising infrastructure already within the assessment area, it is considered that the proposed Development would not significantly contribute further to any adverse cumulative landscape or visual effects. The effect on the natural and cultural environment (including biodiversity, the integrity of designated nature conservation sites of international importance, and historic assets and their settings). 7.3.10 The Louth Canal site is not covered by any international and national ecological designations. The Tetney Flood Local Wildlife Site (LWS) is within the development site boundary which is designated for its rich wetland and swamp flora. 7.3.11 Chapter 11 of the ES provides details of the ecological effects of the proposed Development. The Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) for the proposed development follows the published guidance by the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM). Establishment of the baseline environment involved a combination of desk based study, data collation and site survey. The Louth Canal site is not covered by any international and national designations. There is a local wildlife designation on a small part of the site within the flood reservoir (Tetney Flood Local Wildlife Site). Hedgerow buffers have been put in place to avoid damage to habitats. These hedgerows are not ecologically significant and in some cases the local habitats will benefit from the works. There is predicted to be a minor adverse impact on bat activity, the details of this are set out in Chapter 11 of the Environmental Statement. 7.3.12 The potential effects of the proposed Development on ecology and nature conservation (based on surveys undertaken, published literature and available guidance documents) are not considered to be significant. 7.3.13 Chapter 12 of the ES provides details of the ornithological effects of the proposed Development. It complements the assessment of ecological effects in Chapter 11. The potential effects of the proposed Development on all birds are considered to be minor adverse to negligible, and therefore not significant. Nevertheless, protective measures and mitigation during construction of the wind farm will be ensured. March 2012 26 Planning Supporting Statement Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2012 ©
Louth Canal Wind Energy Development 7.3.14 A Habitat Management Plan has been produced for the site which includes on-site and off-site mitigation and enhancement as part of the proposed Development. Further details can be found in Appendix 11.8 of the ES. The main objectives of the HMP are highlighted in Section 3.2.1 of this statement. 7.3.15 Chapter 10 of the ES provides details of the potential effects on cultural heritage and archaeological features. 7.3.16 The development is predicted to have no direct effects on buried heritage assets, scheduled ancient monuments, conservation areas or Registered Park and Gardens. 7.3.17 The assessment identified direct visual effects upon the setting of a number of listed churches, including the Church of St Nicholas, North Coates, Church of St Lawrence Churchthorpe / Fulstow and the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Tetney. According to DMRB methodology the effect on these churches is considered to be moderate adverse and it is considered that this equates to “less than substantial harm”, as defined by PPS 5. 7.3.18 Chapter 10 of the Environmental Statement considers the impact of the proposals on heritage assets and archaeological issues. The proposal meets the requirements of PPS5, as the effects on identified heritage assets are considered to result in less than substantial harm to heritage assets as defined in PPS5. 7.3.19 It is considered that the climate change mitigation benefits of the development (including as outlined above the wider protection this will afford to the historic environment) outweigh the „less than substantial harm‟ that the development will bring to the identified heritage assets and therefore the development accords with the policy guidance outlined in PPS5. The effect on the built environment (including noise intrusion) 7.3.20 A background noise survey was carried out to determine existing noise levels at nearby representative receptors at Eastfield House, Thoresby Bridge Farm and Windy Ridge. The noise assessment modelled the effects of the proposed Development on a number of nearby receptors. 7.3.21 The assessment is based on predicted noise levels from the construction and operation of the Development at the surrounding noise receptors. The noise levels at all properties will not exceed the maximum recommended noise levels assessment criteria identified in by ETSU-R- 97 Standards. The full detail of the noise assessment is included in Chapter 8 of the Environmental Statement accompanying this planning application. The noise levels of the proposed Development are therefore considered acceptable and meet the standards required by ETSU-R-97. The number and size of turbines proposed 7.3.22 The number and size of the proposed turbines have been designed based on environmental constraints, technical constraints, and visual appearance within the local and wider setting and are suitable and appropriate in the context of the location and surrounding area. In terms of the appearance the turbines would have a standard design with three blades, and a maximum tip height of 113.5m. The most northern turbine, which is located within the flood storage reservoir, will be raised by placing a 3 metre concrete base at the bottom of the turbine. March 2012 27 Planning Supporting Statement Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2012 ©
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Planning Supporting Statement - Partnerships for Renewables

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