March 2014 P & L Turbines Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 1 1 Introduction and Background 1.1 Scheme Overview 1.2 Applicant 1.3 Community Project 1.4 Land Ownership 1.5 Land Use 1.6 Project History 1.7 Anemometer Mast Application 2 Environmental 2.1 Overview 2.2 Landscape Designations 2.3 Landscape Character 2.4 Ecology 2.5 Ornithology 2.6 Ground Conditions, Hydrogeology and Hydrology 2.7 Cultural Heritage 2.8 Trafc and Transport 2.9 Noise 2.10 Miscellaneous 3 Spatial Framework 3.1 Interim SG on Wind Energy 3.2 Cumulative Considerations 4 Design Principles 4.1 Height of Turbines 4.2 Preliminary Layout 5 Visualisations 5.1 Zone of Theoretical Visibility 5.2 Photomontages 6 Next Steps 6.1 Public Consultation 6.2 Assessment 6.3 Planning Application Presentation Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 2 Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 01 3 Introduction Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 4 1.1 Scheme Overview Name of Scheme Tomfat Wind Turbines Number of Turbines 2 Turbine Dimensions Hub Height 50-55m (to be conrmed) Rotor Diameter 48-54m Height to Tip up to 79m Generating Capacity 1.6MW (to be conrmed) 1.2 Applicant The pre-application advice is sought on behalf of P&L Turbines. This is a partnership established by two community organisations, PEDAL and Greener Leith, to develop the proposal. Site Location Introduction Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 5 Community Project 1.3 Community Project PEDAL and Greener Leith rst worked together in 2011 in an attempt to build a wind turbine on Scottish Waters Seaeld waste water treatment works in North East Edinburgh between Portobello and Leith. After receiving in principle support from Scottish Water and thanks to signicant local support the project won substantial funding from Energyshare and the Scottish Government. Unfortunately Scottish Water decided in the end that it would not be practical for them to allow a wind turbine to be built on their land. Despite this major setback, Energyshare indicated that they would support the construction of a community owned wind power project in another location. As it was becoming clear to both groups that it would be impossible to secure a suitable site within the City of Edinburgh boundaries within the given timescale, they have now concluded the legal agreement to allow them to develop wind turbines on the proposed Tomfat site. Greener Leith and Pedal are to commence pre- application engagement in the local area with the aspiration to expand this partnership and offer part ownership of the project to community-led organisations in the area. Portobello Transition Town (PEDAL) was formed as an unincorporated voluntary association in 2005 and became a not-for-private-prot company limited by guarantee (SC353557) in 2009. PEDAL believe that the Portobello district of Edinburgh can and should help address climate change, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and build community resilience. PEDAL projects include energy saving advice, a community orchard, food and craft market, and a programme of regular events. Find out more about PEDAL at www. pedal-porty.org.uk Greener Leith was started in 2006 by local residents as an unincorporated voluntary organisation, with the broad aims of promoting local community engagement, better public places and sustainable development in Leith, Edinburgh. In 2009 it registered as a Scottish Charity (No SCO40838) and as a not-for-prot Company Limited by Guarantee (No. 365095). Key achievements include a community orchard, active travel initiatives, local energy advice, and an award winning community news website. Find out more about Greener Leith on www.greenerleith.org.uk Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 6 1.4 Land Ownership Land Owner Mrs MacGregor The landownership extends over much of the Tomfat plantation, with the option rights to develop turbines, and associated infrastructure, within the preliminary site boundary as illustrated. 1.5 Land Use The preliminary site has been dened to encompass all potential built development proposed in the planning application. The site covers 15.99 ha. It is located on the northern edge of Tomfat Plantation, a conifer woodland comprising a mix of species, including Sitka Spruce, Noble r and Larch. The turbines are located at the northern edge of the woodland to minimise the extent of tree felling required. There is open moorland to the north. On its western edge, the site abuts the B861, a minor public road which connects Inverness to Inverarnie.
Public Access is actively encouraged within Tomfat Plantation, with a small car park located just off the B861, and woodland tracks and footpaths providing a network of walking routes. Public access will be actively encouraged post-development. The southern and eastern edges of the Site are within the woodland, and have been dened by the land requirements for the proposed Development. Proposals for replacement planting will be identied as part of the development process. Part of the site from the A836 Introduction Site Boundary Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 7 Mid 1990s Commercial plantation. Pre-planting archaeological survey. 2005/6 PEDAL and Greener Leith setup. 2011 Community groups worked together to develop wind turbine at Seaeld, Edinburgh, between Portobello and Leith. 2012 Energyshare funding commitment to support construction of a community windfarm project in another location. Tomfat site identied. 2013 Environmental and technical review commenced. 2014 Further environmental and technical review. Community engagement. Planning application to be submitted. Project History Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 8 Anemometer Mast 1.7 Anemometer Mast Application An application was submitted to The Highland Council on the 21st October 2013 for the erection of a 60m anemometer mast on the site. The planning reference is 13/03966/FUL. Planning permission was granted on the 27th January 2014 for an 18 month period from the date of erection. Consented location of Anemometer mast Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 9 Environmental Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 10 Overview Environmental Considerations Geology Hydrogeology & Hydrology Tourism Socioeconomics & Land Use Aviation Telecommunications Miscellaneous Trafc Transport & Access Ornithology Noise LVIA Ecology Cultural Heritage Cumulative Impacts Residential Amenity Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 11 Landscape 2.2 Landscape Designations The site itself has no landscape designations. National and local designations within a 25km study area have been appraised, and do not pose a constraint to the development. Cairngorms National Park The Cairngorms National Park is approximately 20km from the site and lies outwith the zone of theoretical visibility, so is not considered in the design of the windfarm. Gardens and Designed Landscapes Out of the 11 gardens and designed landscapes within the study area, 7 are within the zone of theoretical visibility, and will be considered during the design of the windfarm. The closest is Leys Castle at approximately 2km from the site.
Special Landscape Areas 3 Special Landscape Areas are located within the 25km study area. Theoretical visibility is minimal within the Drynachan, Lochindorb & Dara Moors SLA, and limited within the Loch Ness & Duntelchaig SLA. Theoretical visibility is widespread within the Sutors of Cromarty, Rosemarkie & Fort George SLA, however the closest point to the site is approximately 17km. Landscape Designations Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 12 Landscape 2.3 Landscape Character The proposed development is located within the Flat Moorland Plateau with Woodland landscape character type (LCT). This is a large scale, at to gently undulating exposed plateau which overlooks rolling farmlands to the east of Inverness. It forms a transitional landscape merging gradually with the lower Rolling Farmlands and Woodland LCT to the north, and the Farmed and Wooded Foothills LCT located on higher land to the south. Landscape Character Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 13 Ecology and Ornithology Ecology Designations 2.4 Ecology Baseline ecological conditions have been established through a desk study, consultations, and a site walkover. This included a protected species survey and phase 1/NVC habitat assessment. Consultation has included The Highland Councils Biodiversity Ofcer and Biological Recording Group. Baseline ecological receptors present have then been evaluated, to determine the potential effects on those receptors as a result of the proposed development. The assessment will seek to provide a quantitative description of the potential effects where possible, considering factors such as the probability of occurrence, extent, duration, and reversibility of the effect. Using professional judgement in the light of this information, an interpretation is then made as to whether the effect results in an impact on the integrity of the ecological receptor. The proposed development is in an area of plantation forestry considered to be of local value for biodiversity. The development would result in a small amount of habitat loss as there is existing track infrastructure within the plantation that could be widened to accommodate the construction of the turbines. There are no protected species issues other than those common to most small scale turbine developments of this type. Repeat surveys and adjustments to the forest design are predicted to help reduce the risk of disturbance to protected species and reduce the risk of bat collisions. Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 14 Ecology and Ornithology Ecology Designations 2.5 Ornithology This review has been informed through a staged process as described below. The rst stage is to determine the apparent baseline ornithological conditions. This has been done primarily through a desk study undertaken by Highland Ornithology Ltd. The review has also been informed through a walkover to assess bird habitats and make incidental records of birds present on site during the course of a bird habitat walkover undertaken on 22 August 2013. The next stage is to evaluate the baseline ornithological receptors present, and to determine the potential effects on those receptors as a result of the proposed development. The habitat walkover and desk study results suggest that disturbance and collision effects on black grouse, capercaillie and Slavonian grebe are unlikely. There is a possibility of disturbance and collision effects for a range of birds of prey including red kite, hen harrier, goshawk, osprey, merlin, peregrine, barn owl and short-eared owl. For most of these species the small scale of the proposed development and the improbability of high levels of activity in the vicinity of the proposed turbines mean that signicant effects can be ruled out. Further survey work is planned for Spring 2014. Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 15 Hydrology overview Geology, Hydrogeology, Hydrology 2.6 Ground Conditions, Hydrogeology and Hydrology Geotechnical assessment has been undertaken through desk study by the Waterman Group. Likely ground conditions have been researched using publicly available geological maps obtained from the British Geological Survey and the Hydrogeological Map of Scotland. No signicant geological constraints have been identied for this site, and therefore pose no constraint to development. There are no watercourses within close proximity to the proposed turbine locations. The turbine bases are 20-30m above the elevation of the closest mapped watercourses which are minor headwaters and at least 1km from the site. The development is therefore considered to be at low risk of ooding from uvial sources and to be unlikely to affect uvial environments. Without intrusive investigations, it is not possible to conclude the risk of groundwater ooding or the likelihood of other groundwater issues. No signicant hydrological constraints have been identied for this site, and therefore pose no constraint to development. Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 16 Cultural Heritage Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Listed Buildings 2.7 Cultural Heritage During January 1996, GUARD undertook a eld survey at Drummossie Muir, near Inverness, in advance of proposed developments by PIC Ltd. Approximately 40% of the area designated was found to be inaccessible due to forestry or tree-fall. These areas were subsequently checked on aerial photographs at RCAHMS. This identied 68 cultural heritage features within the survey area (Scheduled Monuments and sites listed on The Highland Councils Historic Environment Record). Two sites are located either on the site boundary or within the immediate 200m of the site. These are: Blackwood of Leys Dyke and Wall; and Blackwood of Leys Standing Stone. Blackwood of Leys Dyke and Wall is located in close proximity to the entrance to the proposed access track. The nal track layout is yet to be nalised and this cultural heritage feature will be taken into account during this process. No direct impacts are anticipated on any remaining cultural heritage features. Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 17 Trafc and Transport 2.8 Trafc and Transport A desktop route assessment has been carried out based on the transportation of two 74m Enercon E48 wind turbines and ancillary infrastructure to the site. Access to the proposed site is from the B961 to the west. An existing eld access will be upgraded in accordance with The Highland Council Roads and Transport Guidelines. Access to the B961 can be achieved via the B851 and subsequently the A9(T) to the south or from the B8082 and subsequently the A9(T) to the north. The proposed route to the turbine location has been assessed and is generally accessible for the proposed route consisting of the A9, B851, B861 and Tomfat woodland access track. The existing access track and junction will be upgraded to accommodate the proposed vehicles in accordance with relevant guidance. Swept path analysis has been undertaken on constrained sections of the route and temporary overrun strips or localised carriageway widening will be required to accommodate the swept path of the largest vehicles.
Abnormal Route Options Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 18 Residential Amenity 2.9 Noise A noise assessment has been carried out in accordance with The Highland Council Noise Assessment Guidance for Wind Farms and the most recent relevant guidance and best practices indicated by the Scottish Government Web-based Planning Advice - Onshore Wind Turbines (2013). The noise levels at the nearest receptors were predicted using the Sound Power Level data provided by the manufacturer of the Enercon E48 800kW wind turbine. Results indicate that the predicted noise levels associated with the proposed development at all the nearest noise sensitive receptors are below the ETSU-R-97 criteria of 35dB(A) LA90, at wind speeds 10m/s. In addition, the cumulative noise assessment indicates that the predicted noise levels at the mutually affected noise sensitive receptors do not exceed the ETSU-R-97 criteria of 35dB LA90,10min. Predicted noise levels for both the single turbine and cumulative scenario will be below the prescribed limits indicated in the simplied method in ETSU-R-97 at all noise sensitive receptors. The noise impact of the proposed development is therefore considered to be negligible. Cumulative impact with existing, consented and proposed developments within 3km has identied a two turbine scheme at Land 515m NE of Hillcroft. Cumulative noise impacts are also considered to be negligible. Noise contours from proposed turbines Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 19 Miscellaneous 2.10 Miscellaneous Wind turbine development has the potential to affect existing infrastructure, telecommunications and aviation interests. Wind turbine development also has the potential to affect air quality and climate, and highway safety, unless potential effects are identied and any necessary mitigation is dened. As wind turbines also have the potential to result in shadow icker, the potential for properties to be affected by shadow icker by the proposed Development also needs to be considered. Based on preliminary assessment, the proposed Development is predicted to have either no or negligible effects in relation to each of these miscellaneous issues. This will be conrmed through further consultation and assessment. Modelling of potential shadow icker conrms there are no buildings within the potentially affected area Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 20 Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 21 Spatial Framework Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 22 3.1 Interim Supplementary Guidance on Wind Energy Guidance provides guidance on Areas of Search for wind energy. Spatial Framework denes: Stage 1 - Areas requiring signicant protection Stage 2 - Areas with potential constraints Stage 3 - Areas of Search. The Tomfat site is located within a Stage 3 Area: Area of Search Location of turbines within Area of Search Interim SG on Wind Energy Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 23 Cumulative wind farm locations Cumulative 3.2 Cumulative Considerations The potential environmental capacity of the Tomfat site may be affected by existing and consented development; and approvals of proposed developments:
Stage 1 Areas of Signicant Protection due to cumulative constraints are not dened in the interim Guidance Baseline The current baseline of existing and consented schemes of most relevance to a proposal at Tomfat are Individual and small groups of turbines within up to 10km; Farr wind farm; Moy wind farm. Further guidance is sought from Highland Council to establish the current cumulative baseline. Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 24 Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 25 Design Principles Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 26 Design Principles 4.1 Height of Turbines Hub Height Rotor Diameter Height to Tip Generating Capacity Rotation Speed Operational Wind Range 50-55m 48-54m up to 79m 1.6MW (tbc) 16 - 31 RPM (tbc) 3 - 34 m/s (tbc)
Colour A light grey colour is suggested as this provides the best balance between minimising visibility and visual impacts when seen against the sky. The exact tone and degree of paint reectivity will be specied and agreed with the Planning Authority prior to construction. Dimensions and Specication The rotor diameter is between 48 to 54m, giving a swept area of 1808m to 2289m. Rotation speed is between around 16 and 31 rotations per minute. Image of potential candidate turbine - Enercon E48 Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 27 Design Principles 4.2 Preliminary Layout The pre-application layout and wirelines are based on a 2 turbine layout. Associated infrastructure would include: Access track and potential widening of site entrance from public road; Crane hard standings; Cabling; Onsite substation and control building; and, Temporary construction compound and laydown area. The extent of felling required will be established following collection of wind data from the met mast, and consultation with the supplier. Proposals for replacement planting will be developed as part of the information to support the application. Proposed turbine layout Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 28 Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 29 Visualisations Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 30 Zone of Theoretical Visibility 5.1 Zone of Theoretical Visibility The ZTV reects the underlying landform characteristics of the Great Glen Fault, which substantially limits theoretical visibility over the area. Theoretical visibility is most extensive over the surrounding open plateau landscape, and further away along the Moray Firth and the northern edge of Loch Ness. The photomontages which follow are all located within 5km of the nearest turbine. Potential viewpoints include: 1. B861 near Newton of Leys 2. Tombreck 3. B862 near Achnabat 4. Unclassied road west of Tomfat 5. Culloden Battleeld Visitor Centre 6. Kessock Bridge to the north of Inverness Further guidance is sought from The Highland Council to conrm the proposed viewpoint locations. Zone of Theoretical Visibility Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 31 Photomontages Photomontage from VP01 B861 near Newton of Leys Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 32 Photomontages Wireline overlaid on photo from VP02 Tombreck Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 33 Next Steps Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 34 Tomfat Wind Turbines Draft Supporting Statement March 2014 P & L Turbines 35 6.1 Public Consultation Undertake Public Consultation. 6.2 Assessment Environmental Review - further consultation to clarify scope of supporting assessments meet requirements. 6.3 Planning Application Local Development. Supporting Documents: Environmental Review; and, Supporting Statement. Determination at Committee - or delegated decision by ofcers. Next Steps