Introduction Environmental Impact Assessment
Introduction Environmental Impact Assessment
The proposed assessment is for the LKF Wind Farm Company that has decided to build a wind farm in a specified location of Rombalds Moor. The assessment is environmental, seeking to find positive and negative qualities of a wind farm and choose between 5 sites proposed. Wind farms are crucial for transition to the use of renewable energy (Pasqualetti, p. 427). The energy resources now used are detrimental to the ecological stability of our planet, because emissions produce greenhouse effects and destroy the ozone layer. (Smithson et al 2002).
The resulting consequences are detrimental to environment the latter includes melting of icecaps, sea level rise, soil erosion, weather changes etc. The Sustainable Development Commission (2005) stated that wind turbines have far less negative effects on environment as they are not characterized by decommissioning issues and can be quickly removed or replaced. However, the construction of wind farms may cause certain environmental problems, which though may be pragmatically resolved. In this view, a environment assessment report should be designed to address these issues. It will be made up of 5 distinct parts, including the project description, planning analysis, preliminary assessment of sites, argumentation of the choice and final assessment.
1. Project Description
To propose any type of building on a site the impacts of the building should be carefully assessed and understood. The following factors should be specifically considered
Physical characteristics of Ancillary development sites Proposed mitigation
Phases of the development project measures
Scale of the development project Site Layout
This wide range of factors should be carefully assessed to produce valuable recommendations. The characteristics of the discussed project are quite similar to those of Oveden Moor Wind Farm and Lewis Wind Farm Farm, including the size of the projects and their setting. On the Ovenden wind farm there are 23 turbines, taking up 200 hectares the same layout is proposed for the Rombalds Moor wind farm.
2. Planning analysis
Key planning policies are crucial to the realization of the wind farm project, because it should be compatible with local planning authorities (LPA). LPA should be passed by any developer to enact and realize the project. Planning policies to be considered by LPA are presented below, as well the diagram describing the entire planning process for the Lewis Wind Farm.
Identification of Planning Policies and issues that need to be considered by the Local Planning Authority while considering the EIAS
(Use the BMDC - Unitary Development Plan)
Chapter 14 - Natural Environment and the country side
Chapter 15 Natural Resources
Chapter 16 Pollution Hazards and Waste
Use the Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)
PPG16 Archaeology and Planning
PPG24 Planning Noise
PPG2 Green Belts
PPG9 Nature Conservation
(Use the Regional Planning Guidance RPG 12)
Chapter 2 Regional Context
Chapter 3 Vision, Objectives and Strategy .
Chapter 4 Regional Spatial Strategy
Chapter 9 Built and Natural Environment
Chapter 10 Resource Management
.Continuous consultationr All stages of the process, including consultations with local planning authorities are carefully reflected in this scheme. There are differences, however, between Rombalds Moor Wind Farm and Lewis Wind Farm. Rombalds Moor Wind Farm project may be affected by other factors, including handling of the habitat, landscape and ecology. Some of the local policies should be directly followed, which means that it may create certain planning problems.
3. Preliminary assessment of sites
Five optional sites to build the farm on are A,B,C,D and E. All sites would experience crucial environmental changes, since 200 hectares should be taken away to build a wind farm. The site should be operable for a period of 20 years, however, it will not need frequent repairs. All of the sites have a moorland land landscape with low growing vegetation and associated with many migratory birds. (Meilleur, 2003). The National Soil Resource Institute (2008) found out that the soil on the discussed sites is seasonally waterlogged. The excess water may result in flooding, as far as areas with steep slopes are concerned and the water will run down into the town. There is a danger that the wind farm would degrade the landscape view for surrounding residents in the closest town Riddlesden population is 300 people. Together with these general problems each of the sites has its specific characteristics discussed in the chart below.
The graph above shows the correlation between different factors affecting the choice of site. Such correlation corresponds with the number-based system of assessment and its interpretation, which gives preferences to certain factors (Wizelius, 42). Environment assessment, hence, should be based on relative concept of significance. For instance, a large increase in pollution may be still appropriate in the conditions of robust environment, whereas even small increase may be harmful in sensitive environment.
The types of environmental impacts of a wind farm construction should also be carefully differentiated as the table below shows the environmental assessment defines several types of impacts.
- direct and indirect impacts (e.g. simple cause and effect diagrams)
- the geographical extent (e.g. local, regional, national)
- whether the impacts are beneficial or adverse
- the duration of impacts over life of project (e.g various stages)
- the rate of change of impacts
- the reversibility of impacts or permanency
- the cumulative (or additive) impacts
- the unit of measurement (quantitative or qualitative)
- should also include estimates of the probability that an impact will occur
Magnitude of impact (i.e. Sizeobjectiveenvironment related) does not always equate with significance (i.e. the importance for decision makingsubjectivehuman related).
Elevation
Geographical sites with higher elevation secure a good wind speed, which allows them to produce large amounts of energy through the extended wind speed. (Danish Wind Industry Association, 2003). However, due to higher elevation the community members will see the wind farm easier. Site D has been given a 5, which corresponds to the lowest range of elevation and wind speed (See graph). In contrast, Site A has the highest elevation and wind speed, which gives it the best advantage according to the factor, discussed.
Protected Land
All of the sites may cause nature conservation problem, however, the proposal should be enacted in the case of the lowest damages and overriding public interest. (PPS 2, 1997). The map above shows the scope of protected land and areas with purple stripes and orange, which are SSSI lands. Site D would be the best choice, because there is no protected land on it at all. At the same time, site E would be the worst choice in the analyzed situation (See the graph). All other sites have given a medium numbers, which places them in between.
Scheduled Monuments
Archaeological sites and monuments are protected by law and should be left undisturbed. The consent will be needed from Secretary of State to allow any work, affecting them. The best way to preserve such sites is to guarantee the lowest levels of disturbance (HELM, 2008).The map above shows scheduled monuments the small orange squares signify scheduled monuments. Site A has the largest number of scheduled monuments, whilst Site C and D have the lowest number, which allows them to be more appropriate for the proposal (See the graph).
Buildings
Site B and Site D have small farmhouses, which would be affected by the construction. Site B was assigned 1, because it has only one building, while Site D has a few buildings and was given the largest number of 3 (See the Graph).
Roads
The availability of roads near the site is a positive factor, because it allows saving funds and ecology on the construction of new roads (Spera, p.241). Site D is the site closest to the road, that is why it was given the lowest number. Site E, being the farthest away from roads was given the highest number.
Slopes
The sites with steep slopes are not beneficial, because it would result in flooding problems, as the surface runoff would flow into the town. Accompanied with low vegetation, steep land increases the movement of rainwater, which may cause flooding. (Smithson et al.2002). The steepest site is Site E, while the most even site is Site B, which is the most perspective in the analyzed factor (See the Graph above). Notwithstanding its positive conditions, preventing flooding, Site C also has quite developed drainage system, which may be seen on the figure below (eastern part of the map).
Visibility
The closest site to the town is Site D, which means that it is the worst option in this particular factor, while Site B is the farthest away and was given the lowest number (See the graph below). Visibility should be regarded as important factor to wind farm proposal, however, it often happens that it may become subjective (Pasqualetti, Gipe, Righter 2004).
Accessibility to Electricity
Site D, being the closest to the community provides the best access to electricity through the connection to electrical grids (Heier, 2006). Site A is fairly far from community and roads, which makes it connecting to electrical grid harder (See the Graph).
4. Argumentation of the choice
Based on the number system, it is easily seen that Site C is likely the best choice among the sites. However, each site has some detrimental factors. Site C contains protected lands and the sites with the land protected by the government would not be the best choice due to rigorous process of notification and legal procedures. Site C contains SSSI land, but does not have as much protected land as on other sites. The only exception is Site D, which does not have any protected land however, it is characterized by many other detrimental features. Site C is far away enough from the residents, while it is located near the top of the hill, which makes its location advantageous. The slopes are not steep, while the proximity of road allows better access to communications. Moreover, Site C has a moorland landscape, which means that it will be quite easy to construct on. However, it should be noted that there exists possibility of hurting migratory birds. This problem is not unique to Site C, which does not make his position more negative. 7
5. Final Report
The final scoping report is made of a matrix from preliminary scoping report. However the construction would immediately cause certain environmental change and damage wild life, its wider implications would be positive for the environment. The landscape changes may also negatively affect the aesthetics of a countryside, which should be taken into consideration. (SDC, 2005).
A) Matrix
The table below shows the characteristics of site C, which make it a better choice.
Protected LandElevationScheduled MonumentsBuildingsVisibilityRoadsSlopeFootpathsElectricity AccessSite CYes
2Level 2No 0YesThe Site C contains a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) land and hence, any proposal should not entail damaging impacts. But, there are no scheduled monuments on the site, which makes it a positive choice. Elevation, steepness of land and moorland landscape are components which contribute to the effective construction and operation process. Proximity of roads and community makes it easy to connect and provide infrastructure including logistics, electricity etc. Ground connection to electrical grid would cause less damage to habitat and hence, should be taken as the primary option. (Heier, 2006). Such policies would allow conserving existing flora and fauna on the Site C.
Non-Technical Summary
Site C has designated SSSI numbers 13, 14 and 15.The Natural England SSSI websites defines 13 and 14 as unfavourable recovering,1 meaning that the land recovers, but not fully to reach favourable conditions. A SSSI number 15 signifies unfavourable no change, meaning that the land is not being conserved. The latter happens, because air pollution and overgrazing can not be conserved par excellence. (Natural England, 2002). Most of land on Site C fall under 15 number, which means that the land is not likely to be conserved. That implies that constructing a wind farm would not be detrimental to the land, while it would allow saving other lands from negative impact.
Effects on Habitat, Ecology, and Landscape
Habitat
The problems, which a construction of a wind farm may cause for local wildlife and habitat should be carefully weighted against positive effects for combating climate change (Hau, p.24). The most famous moorland bird is the red grouse, which feeds on the heather glades. (Atherdon, 1992). Site C contains only some heather, while the most of vegetation is presented by grass moor. (National Soil Resource Institute, 2008). Site C, falling under SSSI number 15 is not favourable for ecology protection and wildlife. This means that the scope of habitat loss is not noticeable at all. Moreover, it should be noted that constructing a wind farm is itself positive in terms of fighting global warming which results in massive habitat loss.
Ecology
The characteristics of the soil were found on National Soil Resource Institute (2008). The soil on Site C was found to be slowly permeable, clayey, seasonally waterlogged loamy and somewhat peaty (Avery, 1980). Peat is valuable and non-renewable resource and should be saved for later utilization. Therefore, a design of turbines should be appropriate to prevent a peat slide. Site C has level ground, which means that peat slides would be difficult. The National Soil Resource Institute (2008) study shows that peaty areas are permanently wet. The latter implies that the site would be wet. The soil on Site C has low natural fertility. The peat soil and moorland habitat including grass moor and heather may be affected, however, the operation of the Lewis Wind Farm (2004) with a similar characteristic as Rombalds Moor showed no long-term negative effects on moorland and bog communities.
Landscape
The visibility of turbines to community and the change of the landscape may be negative factors, affecting final decision. A random sample of 50 wind projects, which were refused planning permissions shows that 85 of projects were refused because of visual and landscape impacts. (SDC, 2005). This means that to receive permission, a wind farm company should find support of local community, which should be persuaded in the importance of and benefits from access to renewable energy.
Pairc Wind Farm experience of providing positive incentives for community development may be taken into consideration. Pairc Wind Farm proposed that local firms had equal rights for bidding as main contractors or sub-contractors. Moreover, it promised to use local materials and businesses to foster the communal development. Local tenders were particularly encouraged in civil engineering activities. Pairc Wind Farm also provided job for qualified workers from local communities (Pairc ,p. 7).
The problem of visibility is the most subjective and it seems impossible to resolve it objectively. (SDC, 2005). The noise of fee turbine is quite appropriate a wind farm at 350 m away produces 35-45 DB (A) noise level, which is quieter than any automobile. (Style, P, Stimpson I, Toon S, England R, and Wright M, 135). The argument that property prices may decrease because of the proximity of wind farms is also not empirically validated. (BWEA, 2007).
The community should be properly consulted at each stage of the construction process to avoid misunderstanding. It should be explained to community members that building a wind farm produces economic benefits, including new contracts, employment and compensations.
As the Lewis Wind Farms experience suggests, cooperation with local communities may take different forms including presentations to local elected councils, area partnership, consultations with local groups and representatives, organizing round-tables etc (Lewis Windpower, 5).
Currently and in the future, wind farm construction is necessary, because it may prevent negative consequences of the extensive use of non-renewable energy, which cause global warming. The use of non-renewable energy sources destroys our planet and should be prevented (Hand, 1192). The non-renewable energy cause greenhouse effect, melting of icecaps, sea level rise, habitat loss, soil erosion, erratic weather changes etc (Gipe, p. 463). The importance of using other energy sources, such as solar, geothermal, hydro, wind is increasing. Wind energy production is the optimal option for the Site C due to the characteristics of its landscape and environmental problems. The construction of a wind farm on this site would help the United Kingdom to reach its goal of cutting carbon emission by 80 by 2050 (Summers, Carrington, 2008).
Current environment assessment project found out that Site C is the most appropriate for the construction of a wind farm negative ecological and social effects for community and land are minimal, whereas benefits are tangible and real. The study showed that a wind farm construction would decrease regions dependence on the non-renewable energy and would help develop economic and social potential of local communities.
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