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Environmental StatementNon-Technical Summary

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Newfield

Wind Farm

Produced by In association with

9-10 St Andrew Square Edinburgh EH2 2AF

T: 0131 718 6086 F: 0131 718 6100

[email protected] www.torltd.co.uk

Newfield Wind Farm

Environmental Statement

Non–Technical Summary

10/09

Terence O’Rourke Ltd

creating successful environments

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4 Newfield Wind Farm

Non-Technical Summary

Newfield Wind Farm

Non-Technical Summary5

Introduction

NTS1 Wind Energy (Newfield) Limited has submitted

an application to the Scottish Ministers under Section

36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for consent to construct

and operate a wind farm comprising 21 wind turbine

generators on land at Balgray Hill to the north-east east of

Lockerbie in Dumfries and Galloway. The applicant also

seeks a direction by the Scottish Ministers that planning

permission is deemed to be granted for the proposed

development under Section 57 of the Town and Country

Planning Act (1997), as amended. The application also

seeks deemed consent for a felling licence where trees

may require removal.

NTS2 An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is

required under the Electricity Works (Environmental

Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000,

because of the potential for significant environmental

effects. An environmental statement (ES) has been

prepared to report the findings, according to best practice

guidelines. Its key findings are presented in this non-

technical summary (NTS).

Climate change and the need for renewable power

NTS3 The UK Energy White Paper: Meeting the Energy

Challenge (May 2007) states that renewable energy

generation is key to the UK’s strategy to tackle climate

change and introduce cleaner sources of energy. A

primary target is to see renewables provide 10% of

electricity supplies by 2010, with an aspiration for 20% by

2020. Onshore wind power generation is identified as the

single most efficient way for the UK to meet its renewable

electricity commitments.

NTS4 The Scottish Government supports the UK

Climate Change Programme and has developed

a national programme to reduce the emission of

greenhouse gases in Scotland. The Scottish Energy

Minister announced targets in November 2007 for 50%

of Scotland’s electricity to be generated by renewable

sources by 2020, with an interim target of 31% by 2011.

These targets have been incorporated into the Scottish

Government’s Renewable Energy Framework (October

2008).

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Newfield Wind Farm


NTS5 The generation of electricity by wind power

displaces conventional fossil-fuel sources of electricity

generation and the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions they

produce. Predicted CO2 savings over the life-cycle of

the wind farm have been calculated and are presented

within the ES. In addition to reducing emissions of CO2,

which is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas

emissions, wind power avoids many of the other external

environmental costs of some forms of conventional

electricity generation, including poor local air quality and

the damage to the natural and built environments caused

by acid rain. A diverse supply of indigenous energy,

including renewable sources is an important element in

reducing dependence on imported energy and improving

the security of our energy supply.

The applicant

NTS6 Wind Energy (Newfield) Limited is a renewable

energy company dedicated to the development of wind

farms in Scotland. It is majority owned by subsidiaries

of AES Corporation, one of the world’s largest power

companies.

The application site

NTS7 The site is located towards the eastern end of

Dumfries and Galloway, approximately 5.5 kilometres to

the north-east of Lockerbie. The location of the site in

relation to Lockerbie and the boundary for this application

are shown on figure NTS1.

NTS8 The total area of land within the application

boundary is 1,163 hectares, but less than 5% of this total

area will be developed for the wind farm. The land within

the application boundary is predominantly undulating

moorland, varying between approximately 120 metres

Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) on the western side of

the site to 250 metres AOD at Firtree Hill in the northern

part of the site. In addition to the moorland, there are

also areas of coniferous plantation, and deciduous and

mixed woodland. A network of natural and man-made

watercourses drain the site to Dryfe Water to the west of

the site and Corrie Water to the east of the site. There

are three water bodies within the site: Hallhills Loch in the

north-western area, a small lochan in the north-eastern

area and a small pond in the northern forested area of the

site.

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Newfield Wind Farm


NTS9 The main land use across the site is for the

grazing of sheep and cattle, although game shooting also

takes place in some of the woodland blocks. With respect

to existing built development, there are two inhabited

dwellings within the application site. A 400 kV power line

and the public road known as the U284a Balgrayhill cross

the site. Vehicular access to the site can be achieved from

the U284a or the public road known as C81, which runs

to the north of the site.

NTS10 Land uses in the vicinity of the application site are

predominantly rural in character; largely based around

grazing and forestry. Other notable land uses close to

the application site include Lockerbie golf course to the

south, the Stevens Croft biomass power station to the

south west and several hotels. Single isolated dwellings

dominate the pattern of residential settlement in the

vicinity of the site, although there are small settlements

close to the site at Sibbaldbie to the west and Boreland to

the north.

NTS11 The town of Lockerbie lies to the south west of

the site and comprises a mix of residential and industrial /

commercial and administrative land uses. There is a major

transport corridor to the south west, which includes the

A74(M) motorway and the West Coast Main Line railway.

Alternatives and design

NTS12 The Newfield site was considered to be suitable

for a wind farm based on the following criteria:

Good wind resource

Few residential receptors

Close to the existing road network

Close to the existing transmission infrastructure

Restricted visibility of supporting infrastructure due to

surrounding topography and land cover

Potential to avoid or mitigate the potential impact of

the scheme on environmentally sensitive areas within

and close to the site

NTS13 Full details of the design of the site and the

alternatives considered by Wind Energy (Newfield) Limited

through the design process are presented in chapter 3 of

the ES.

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Fig

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NT

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Permanent metrological mast Turbine location and turning area Access tracks Crane pads Substation Site compound location Temporary laydown area Operation and maintenance building Borrow pits Application boundary

Turbine location

NTS14 A range of alternative site layouts have been

considered through the design process and this has

resulted in the number of turbines being proposed

reducing from a maximum of 28 to the 21 turbines

that are the subject of this application. Environmental

constraints have been an important influence in the final

wind farm layout and wind turbines have been removed

from the proposals for reasons including the predicted

effects of noise, landscape and visual impacts and the

potential effect on the setting of historic monuments.

NTS15 Wind turbine components such as blades and

tower sections are, by their nature, very long and some

other components such as electrical transformers are

very heavy. Assessment of alternative options for the

most appropriate route for heavy goods vehicles and long

vehicles (collectively referred to as abnormal loads) to

access the site has also been an important consideration.

Six potential access routes between the A74(M) were

assessed using a range of techniques including computer

modelling and driving the routes using an articulated

vehicle to represent the actual dimensions of wind turbine

components that will require delivery to the site.

NTS16 The site is within a zone where the introduction of

potential sources of vibration such as wind turbines may

have an adverse effect on the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array,

which is part of the United Kingdom’s commitment to the

Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. A design solution has

been developed and approved by the Ministry of Defence.

Once implemented, there will be no adverse effects on

the Eskdalemuir facility.

The wind farm proposals

NTS17 The proposed wind farm will include the following

elements (figure NTS2):

21 wind turbine generators

Two permanent meteorological masts

Temporary construction workers’ compound

Temporary turbine component laydown area

Substation

Operations and maintenance building

Access tracks and watercourse crossings

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Newfield Wind Farm


Disc brakeGeneratorWind measuring system Rotor hub/shaft

Gearbox

Rotor blade

Yaw mechanism

Tower

Nacelle frameNacelle cover Generator

cooling

system

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NT

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Underground power cables

Six borrow pits for the excavation of rock

Potential requirement for the removal of areas of

forestry

NTS18 The wind farm will have an installed electricity

generation capacity of up to 63 megawatts (MW).

Because of the ongoing development of wind turbines,

the specific model to be used on site has not been

selected at this stage. For the purposes of the impact

assessment, the technical specifications of two current

wind turbines models have been used for reference:

the Vestas V90 machine and the Siemens 2.3MW. The

actual model of turbine used will be the most suitable

available at the time of construction, but will be required

to comply with the assumed parameters and physical

characteristics used in the assessment, such as the

maximum height of the turbines and the assumed noise

levels.

NTS19 The application to the Scottish Ministers is

for operation for up to 25 years. After this period, the

wind farm will either be decommissioned or a new

application will be submitted to retain or modify the

development. Once the wind farm has reached the end

of its operational lifespan, the decommissioning process

will include the removal of the turbines and buildings and

the restoration of the site to its former condition.

Key elements

NTS20 The wind farm will comprise 21 wind turbines

(figure NTS2), each of which comprises a tower, three

blades, a nacelle (the hub that houses the generator,

gearbox and mechanisms) and an electrical transformer.

Figure NTS3 illustrates the main components of a typical

wind turbine. The turbines will have a hub height of up

to 80 metres and a rotor diameter of up to 93 metres,

with a tip height of up to 125 metres above ground level.

NTS21 An area of compacted crushed rock,

approximately 40 metres by 20 metres, will be created

adjacent to each turbine. These ‘crane pads’ are used

as a stable base for cranes and other vehicles during

construction, maintenance and decommissioning.

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Newfield Wind Farm


the application of mitigation are included in the residual

effects section of relevant ES chapters.

NTS34 Three topics (aviation, communications and noise)

have not completely followed the common approach to

assessment because for these topics, there is either an

impact or no impact.

Environmental effects

Air quality and climate

NTS35 The air quality and climate assessment focused

on:

The savings of greenhouse gases and other pollutants

as a result of the renewable energy that will be

produced at Newfield

Dust arisings that are expected during the construction

phase

NTS36 One of the main benefits of renewable energy

generation is the reduction (or savings) in greenhouse

gas emissions and other pollutants that will occur as

conventional energy sources (eg coal and gas) are

displaced. The global climate element of the study

calculates the extent of emission savings attributable to

the Newfield proposals, particularly in relation to carbon

dioxide (CO2), sulphur dioxide (SO

2) and oxides of

nitrogen (NOx).

NTS37 The emissions savings calculations considered

each phase of the lifecycle (manufacture to

decommissioning) of wind turbine components. In

addition to the manufacturing, transport, operation and

dismantling phases, the effect of the potential requirement

to fell areas of woodland within the application boundary

has been considered, as this would reduce CO2 uptake

from the atmosphere.

NTS38 It is not possible to predict which energy sources

will be displaced by the power generated at Newfield.

Therefore, the calculations consider three scenarios and

produce a range of values. The first scenario calculates

the displacement of emissions from a modern coal-fired

power station, the second considers displacement of

emissions from a natural gas powered generation and the

third considers displacement of emissions from a mix of

new-build power generation sources. This third approach

is advocated by the Advertising Standards Authority

(2008) with respect to claims about the carbon dioxide

savings from renewable energy projects on the basis that

it will provide a conservative estimate of the amount of

carbon dioxide that will be offset through the generation

of renewable energy. The net emissions savings per year

are summarised in table NTS1:

NTS39 Unmanaged dust emissions from construction

activities have the potential to cause nuisance or affect

ecological receptors. Potential sources of construction

dust include excavation of turbine locations, tracks and

borrow pits and vehicles moving along site access tracks.

The majority of dust emissions occur within 100 metres

of the source. There is one residential receptor within this

zone (at Corsehill), and some of the watercourses on site

and areas of habitat are also considered to be potentially

affected by dust emissions. The nature of geology at the

site and the prevailing wet conditions suggest that there

is not significant potential for dust generation, however

a series of best practice dust mitigation measures have

been proposed for the construction work that will mitigate

the majority of potential effects on these receptors.

NTS40 The only predicted significant residual air quality

effect is associated with sort-term dust emissions on the

residential property at Corsehill.

Aviation

NTS41 Wind farms have the potential to affect aviation,

in the form of military low-flying activities and military and

NTS22 Six borrow pits (excavations that expose rock

surfaces) will be excavated around the site in order to

provide stone for the construction of the site access

tracks, areas of hard surfacing and ballast for the turbine

bases (figure NTS2). Use of stone from within the wind

farm site avoids the need for construction traffic to deliver

this material to the site.

NTS23 A construction compound, approximately 2,975

m2 in area, will be built to accommodate facilities and

equipment for the contractors and site engineers (offices,

toilets, etc) adjacent to the proposed spine track to

the north of turbine 4. A temporary turbine component

laydown area approximately 3,750 m2 in area will be

established opposite the construction compound to store

delivered turbine components prior to their installation.

On completion of construction, the compound and

laydown area will be removed and the land restored.

NTS24 The operations and maintenance building will be

single storey and measure 31.5 metres by 15 metres

by 9 metres high. It will house the control equipment, a

workshop, offices, washrooms and a mess room for wind

farm employees. There will be a requirement for outdoor

storage, including containers approximately 12.5 metres

by 2.5 metres by 2.5 metres along the side wall of the

building and parking for up to ten vehicles.

NTS25 A substation will be constructed to house the

electrical switchgear and metering equipment. The overall

substation compound will be 74 metres by 61 metres and

will include a substation building measuring 33 metres by

14.5 metres by 5.65 metres high. The substation will be

jointly operated by the wind farm operator and Scottish

Power Transmission Limited, which is responsible for the

transmission of generated electricity from the substation

to the national grid. Underground cables will link the

turbines and substation.

NTS26 Approximately 15 kilometres of new compacted

stone access track will be built to provide construction

and operational access to the turbines and infrastructure.

The access track network will comprise a spine track

and a series of spur tracks accessing specific turbines or

groups of turbines.

NTS27 The primary access to the site from the public

road network during the construction phase will be from

the C81 at Corsehill to the north of the site (figure NTS2).

All abnormal loads and other heavy goods vehicles will

use this access. There will be a secondary access to

the site on the U284a, which will only be used by cars or

light vans during the construction and post-construction

phases. All access points for vehicles will be gated.

NTS28 Two guyed, 80 metre high steel lattice

meteorological masts will be erected on site to collect

data on wind speed and direction during the operation of

the wind farm and to enable performance monitoring of

the turbines.

NTS29 Construction of the wind farm is expected to last

approximately 12 months.

Assessment methodology

NTS30 The EIA was undertaken in accordance with best

practice guidelines. The initial stage was the production of

a scoping report that identified the potential environmental

effects to be addressed during the process. This was

issued to a wide range of consultees for comment. All

responses to consultation are presented within technical

appendix A to the ES.

NTS31 The majority of the specialist assessments that

form the ES followed a common approach to assessment

to provide as consistent a document as possible.

NTS32 The common approach to assessment includes

baseline desk and / or field studies, which were

undertaken to establish the existing situation. The effects

of the proposed development were evaluated using a

method that compares the sensitivity and importance of

receptors with the likely magnitude of change to establish

the significance of the effects. Significance is described

throughout the ES on a four-step scale of ‘slight’ to ‘very

substantial’. Any effects that are not considered to be

significant are described as ‘negligible’.

NTS33 The predicted level of significance determines the

resources that should be put in place to avoid or reduce

(mitigate) an adverse effect and identifies the actual

value of a positive effect. It is the combined significance

of the mitigated effects that determines the overall

environmental acceptability of a proposal. Only those

effects that are considered to be significant following

Scenario CO2

NOx

SO2

Total savings gas

scenario (tonnes per

year)

65,091 72.35 -2.2*

Total savings coal


year)

145,785 431.35 221.8

Total savings long-

term marginal plant


year)

62,704 72.35 -2.2*

Table NTS1: Net pollutant savings for Newfield

*Note little or no SO2 is emitted from the combined cycle gas scenario or is

assumed from the long-term marginal plant scenario. Some SO2 is emitted

during the course of a wind turbine’s life cycle; this is calculated to be

approximately 2.2 tonnes per year.

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Newfield Wind Farm


civilian radar and navigation facilities. Consultation was

therefore undertaken with relevant bodies including the

Ministry of Defence (MoD) and National Air Traffic Services

En Route (NATS En Route) and the Civil Aviation Authority

(CAA) to determine the potential effects of the wind farm

on these aviation interests.

NTS42 The MoD has confirmed that, while the site lies

within a large tactical training area used for low flying,

the proposed wind farm would not adversely affect these

activities. An assessment undertaken to determine the

potential effect of the wind farm on radar systems used

by the MoD for training concluded that the Newfield wind

farm would be too far from the locations of the radar

systems to have any significant effect.

NTS43 NATS En Route has confirmed that the operational

wind turbines are likely to intermittently appear on its

Lowther Hill radar, approximately 36 kilometres to the

north-west of the Newfield site, potentially making it more

difficult to determine aircraft on the radar screens. This

effect on the Lowther Hill radar is consistent with other

wind farms in this area of Scotland and is not unique to

the Newfield scheme.

NTS44 NATS En Route is in active discussion with wind

energy developers about technical solutions to this

issue, and with the Scottish Government about enabling

consent for wind farms visible to its radars, subject

to conditions specifying implementation of technical

mitigation. No significant effects are predicted on any

aviation operations or facilities after the implementation of

technical mitigation measures for radar.

Communications

NTS45 A desk-based assessment has been undertaken

to determine the potential for the proposed wind farm to

affect fixed and mobile communications links or television

reception.

NTS46 A single microwave communications link owned

by Orange was identified during early constraints analysis

and this was taken into account in the layout of the site

to ensure that turbines were not within the exclusion

zones defined by Ofcom and the link operator. The

impact assessment has identified one communications

link that has potential to be affected by one of the

proposed turbines (turbine 9). If consent for the wind

farm is granted by the Scottish Ministers a detailed

three-dimensional analysis will be undertaken on this

communications link to determine if the turbine would

have an adverse effect. If an adverse effect is found to be

likely, the turbine will be micro-sited to avoid this effect.

NTS47 The reception of television signals in a zone to the

north of the wind farm site from the Caldbeck transmitter

could be affected by the presence of the wind turbines.

Anecdotal information provided by local residents at the

wind farm exhibitions has confirmed that there are existing

problems with television reception and on the basis that

there are relatively few properties in the zone of potential

effect to the north of the site, the additional impact of

the wind farm on television reception from the Caldbeck

transmitter is not envisaged to be significant. Effects on

other transmitters identified are also not envisaged to be

significant.

NTS48 With the mitigation proposed, there will be no

significant effects on communication links.

Community, tourism and economic effects

NTS49 The assessment of community, tourism and

economic effects included review of the existing patterns

of employment in the vicinity of the site, the levels of

employment and economic benefits predicted during the

construction and operational phases of the development,

surveys of businesses and visitors to the area and an

assessment of the potential effects from turbine shadow

flicker.

NTS50 Unemployment in Annandale and Eskdale has

been below the regional and national averages in recent

years. When compared with the Scottish economy as

a whole, the structure of the economy in Dumfries and

Galloway shows a greater dependence on agriculture.

The tourism-related sector within Dumfries and Galloway

accounts for a slightly larger share of total employee

jobs (10.2%) compared to Scotland as a whole (8.8%).

Growth in tourism related employment has been below

the national average. The relative contribution of other

employment sectors within Dumfries and Galloway is

comparable with patterns for Scotland as a whole.

NTS51 There will be temporary beneficial effects to the

local economy and employment rates during construction

of the proposed wind farm, as set out in table NTS2.

Predicted employment and economic effects during

the operational phase are of a lower magnitude but

substantially longer duration.

NTS52 An independent tourism survey undertaken as part

of the assessment work found that key tourist activities

in the area include walking, individual hobbies and

sightseeing. The majority of respondents were staying

in the area for more than one night, with caravanning /

camping / hostels reported to be by far the most popular

form of accommodation.

NTS53 Local businesses interviewed as part of the

tourism survey identified the importance of tourism to the

area but the majority considered that the presence of a

wind farm at Newfield would not have a significant effect

on business. A comparative survey of businesses close to

two operating wind farms in South Ayrshire found that no

significant negative effects on business activity had been

experienced as a result of the wind farms.

NTS54 The visitor survey undertaken confirmed that most

visitors will be unaffected by the development, however

fewer of those who said that they would be affected

stated that they would be discouraged from revisiting

the area than encouraged. Whilst there may be small

numbers of visitors who would be disinclined to return to

the area because of the presence of the wind farm, this

is considered to be a negligible change in the context

of overall visitor numbers and there are no significant

impacts on tourism predicted as a result of the Newfield

wind farm.

NTS55 The potential for shadow flicker nuisance was also

considered. Shadow flicker occurs when the shadow

of moving turbine blades is cast through the window

of a dwelling. Shadow flicker can only occur within 10

rotor diameters of a turbine (up to 930 metres in the

case of the Newfield application). Three properties have

been identified within this zone, which are predicted

to experience weak shadow flicker events of relatively

short duration at certain times of the year and in certain

conditions. These are of ‘slight’ significance and do not

require any specific mitigation measures.

Cultural heritage

NTS56 The cultural heritage assessment included

consideration of archaeological remains, historic

structures and buildings, designed landscapes and

the historic character and associations of the wider

landscape. Three study areas were included in the

assessment: the site itself, a 5-kilometre radius from the

site and a 15-kilometre radius from the site. There is a

large number of sites and features of potential cultural

heritage interest (c.850 records) within the study areas, as

further described below.

NTS57 There are 26-recorded archaeological sites within

the application boundary. The known resource clearly

indicates how the area has been settled and utilised

since as early as the Bronze Age, and some indication

of continued use into the medieval period, with typical

cultivation marks evident in recent aerial photographs.

The site includes one scheduled ancient monument

(Firtree Hill Fort) and five nationally significant monuments

(all of which are on Sheilstead Hill). There are no buildings

of cultural heritage importance within the application site.

NTS58 Within the 5-kilometre study area, clear and

distinct clusters of archaeological sites are recorded

on the high ground overlooking the river valleys of the

Water of Milk and Dryfe Water. Where conifer plantation

has not directly impacted and consumed clusters of

prehistoric sites, as may have occurred within Castle O’er

Forest to the east, the higher ground possesses ideal

conditions for preservation of settlement sites from the

early prehistoric through to the late medieval period. Built

heritage resources within this study area include a range

of listed buildings, which are mainly farms and planned

steadings, higher status houses, and the planned town

of Lockerbie with its compact centre of 18th and 19th

Local

level

National

level

Construction jobs (full-time

equivalent)

9 44

Economic benefit from the

construction phase

£5.616

million

£17.586

million

Operational jobs created (full-

time equivalent)7 17

Economic benefit from the

operational phase (per year)

£0.815

million

£1.230

million

Table NTS2: Predicted employment and economic

effects of the wind farm

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century buildings. There are important areas of designed

landscape at a number of the country houses, and some

areas of surrounding landscape are of cultural heritage

importance.

NTS59 Within the 15-kilometre study area, nationally

designated sites illustrate the rich prehistoric resource

in this part of eastern Dumfriesshire. A number of sites

are significant landscape features because of their

relationship to topography such as Burnswark Hill Fort,

and the large numbers of individual settlements and forts

in the landscape indicate the extent of former prehistoric

settlement in this area. With respect to built heritage,

the focus of the assessment is on the category A listed

buildings, mainly tower houses and later country houses,

and their designed landscapes. The assessment also

covers the conservation areas at the royal burgh of

Lochmaben, approximately 8 kilometres from the site

boundary, and a very small area at Dalton, which is

approximately 15 kilometres south-west of the site. The

distribution is biased to the south and west of the study

area, as the northern and eastern part is predominantly

former moorland that is now dominated by the conifer

plantations of Eskdalemuir Forest and Forest of Ae.

NTS60 There is the potential for ground disturbance

during construction to affect any archaeological

remains on site. A programme of archaeological works

will be undertaken during the site preparation and

construction phase to offset any adverse effects by

recording any archaeological features found. A Written

Scheme of Investigation will be prepared in consultation

with the Dumfries and Galloway Council to enable an

archaeologist to monitor all intrusive phases of the

construction process and to record and document any

features found. An archaeological mitigation strategy

will also be prepared. Direct adverse impacts on the

archaeological resource can be fully mitigated through the

programme of archaeological investigation and recording

detailed above.

NTS61 Predicted residual effects to cultural heritage are

all associated with the effect of the Newfield development

on the setting of sites such as monuments and listed

buildings (as opposed to direct effects), and the effect of

the wind farm on the character of historic landscape. The

predicted significance of these effects range from ‘slight’

to ‘substantial’ and includes features within each of the

three study areas considered.

Ground conditions

NTS62 The ground conditions at the site have

been examined including the soils and geology and

consideration has been given to stability and risk of

erosion of any peat areas present at the site. Previous use

of the site for grazing suggested that there would be no

significant potential for land contamination.

NTS63 The assessment of ground conditions included

desk-based research using sources such as the British

Geological Survey (BGS) and The Macaulay Institute for

Soil Research and site walkover survey by a qualified

geologist.

NTS64 The findings of the baseline assessment were

that the site is predominantly underlain by Boulder Clay

deposits and that bedrock outcrops at or close to the

surface over a large proportion of the site. Very little

peat is present across the application site as a whole.

Much of the ground on the site is generally wet, which is

influenced by the impermeable nature of the underlying

Boulder Clay and bedrock.

NTS65 In response to the survey findings, it was

concluded that there was no need for further ground or

peat stability investigations on this site. There is potential

for contamination of soils during the construction and

post-construction phases of the wind farm, predominantly

associated with the use of machinery and vehicles.

Working practices to minimise the potential for such

contamination and manage any contamination events

will be used by contractors and employees working on

the site. No significant effects are predicted to ground

conditions.

Land use

NTS66 The potential effects of the proposed development

on land use both on and around the site were examined.

Public access was also considered. The site is mostly

covered by improved and coarse grassland that is used

for sheep and cattle grazing. Land uses in the wider area

include coarse grazing, conifer plantations, and a mix

of residential, industrial, commercial land uses in nearby

Lockerbie.

NTS67 As the majority of the site is grassland or

woodland it is subject to the right to roam under the Land

Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. Access for recreational

purposes (including walking, cycling, riding, canoeing and

wild camping) is permitted over the majority of the site.

There are several more footpaths in the wider vicinity of

the site.

NTS68 The construction phase will affect the use of

parts of the site for cattle and sheep grazing. Grazing

will be restricted as reasonably necessary during the

construction phase such that there is no interference

with construction work and to ensure that livestock are

safeguarded. The construction work will be phased

and coordinated with the landowners and this will be

for a limited duration. Rights to roam access across the

site may be affected during this phase, but this is not

considered to be significant in the context of the land

available in the surrounding area.

NTS69 A small amount of grazing land will be lost as a

result of the proposals, but grazing activities will be able

to continue on the majority of the site. The proposals

will introduce renewable energy generation as a new

land use on site. This is considered to be a beneficial

effect in terms of the diversification of land use. If tree

felling is required as part of the development proposals,

this would remove the majority of commercial plantation

woodland within the application boundary before its

scheduled felling date. The area of felling will be kept to

an operational minimum and with replanting the predicted

impact is of ‘slight’ significance.

NTS70 There will be no direct effect on any of the land

uses in the surrounding area; however, the experience of

those using the land and local footpaths will be affected

as a result of the proposals. The nature of the change

is highly subjective and may not result in a change in

footpath use.

NTS71 Issues associated with health and safety during

the construction and post-construction phase have been

considered. Contractors will be required to comply with

all relevant health and safety legislation and guidance,

personal protective equipment will be used at all times

and appropriate training will be provided to construction

personnel. Whilst wind farms have a very good

operational safety record, potential hazards to people

using the land on the site have been identified and the

ES has explained how these potential hazards will be

effectively managed.

Landscape and visual

NTS72 Field and desk studies were used to evaluate the

landscape in and around the site to identify views and

visual receptors that could potentially be affected by the

proposals. Twenty-nine representative viewpoints were

agreed with Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish

Natural Heritage.

NTS73 The study area covers a 35-kilometre radius from

the site. There are several designated areas within the

study area, including the Nith Estuary National Scenic

Area (NSA), the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding

Natural Beauty (AONB), Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage

Site (WHS), seven Regional Scenic Areas (RSAs), one

Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and several

historic gardens and designed landscapes. The site

itself is not within or adjacent to any specific landscape

designations.

NTS74 The site is situated on an undulating area of

ground and the western edges are more visible to the

surrounding area; however there are small blocks of

woodland and localised dips in the undulations that help

to reduce visibility locally. The undulations of the land

also tend to reduce views throughout the wider study

area. Close range intermittent views are most likely to

be experienced from the A74(M) corridor from the north

and west, as well as local motorists on the minor roads

surrounding and running through the site. There will also

be views from isolated cottages and houses surrounding

the site including elevated locations, such as Corrie

Common picnic spot and Castle O’er fort, and also the

higher areas further afield to the east on the slopes of the

Annandale Valley. Figures NTS4 shows the predicted view

of the wind farm from Corrie Common.

NTS75 The development will have a moderate effect

on the landscape character of the site. Within the wider

study area no landscape types will experience a very

substantial effect, but four will potentially experience a

substantial effect: Intimate Pastoral Valley, Lower Dale,

Middle Dale and Foothills. Of the other 16 landscape

types in the study area, 10 would not experience

significant effects.

NTS76 Of the 29 agreed viewpoints, 16 will experience

no significant effect. Of the remaining 13 views, only six

will receive a substantial visual effect. These are from

Corrie Common (viewpoint 1), the B723 to Eskdalemuir

(viewpoint 4), the B7068 at Bankshill (viewpoint 5), Hart

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Figure NTS4 Photomontage and wireframe of the predicted view from viewpoint 1: Corrie Common

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Fell (viewpoint 6), Burnswark Hill (viewpoint 8) and Glebe

Terrace in Lochmaben (viewpoint 12). These are close

proximity views between 2.89 and 7.95 kilometres from

the nearest turbine. Six viewpoints will experience a

moderate visual effect and one a slight visual effect.

NTS77 No significant effects are predicted on

internationally or nationally designated areas and the

only sites to experience substantially significant effects

are ones that are not listed on the inventory of historic

parks and gardens and designed landscapes. These are

not designated at present, but are candidate sites for

potential inclusion on the inventory in the future. The only

locally designated sites that will experience a moderately

significant effect are the Torthorwald Ridge RSA,

approximately 10 kilometres to the south west of the site,

and Dalton conservation area.

NTS78 The only settlements that will experience a

significant effect are areas of Lockerbie and Lochmaben,

where an effect of ‘substantial’ significance is predicted.

Kirk Loch caravan and camping site / golf course is

the only recreational receptor from which views will be

significantly affected. It is relatively close to the site and

so will experience an effect of ‘substantial’ significance.

NTS79 The cumulative impact of Newfield in conjunction

with other relevant wind farms has been assessed.

There are several other wind farms within 60 kilometres

of the site that are either operational, in construction,

approved or within the consenting system, including

Minsca, Harestanes and Clyde. The cumulative impact

of Newfield in conjunction with other relevant wind farms

has been assessed. No conservation areas, non-inventory

historic gardens and designed landscapes, settlements

or recreation and tourist destinations will experience

cumulative effects. Only approximately one-third of

the viewpoints will experience any cumulative effect,

and the majority of these changes will be of moderate

significance. Only eight of the 25 landscape character

types will experience any cumulative effects.

NTS80 The landscape in this area of southern Scotland is

constantly evolving and has recently experienced change

with the development of wind farms such as Minsca

and Dalswinton. Future changes are expected with

the construction of other substantial projects including

Harestanes and Clyde. The landscape character is

now one of a landscape with wind farms, which have

an existing cumulative effect. The development of the

Newfield site will add to this effect but the project is not

considered to significantly contribute to the cumulative

effect of wind farms compared to the baseline and future

baseline situations.

Birds

NTS81 Birds are often perceived to be at particular

risk from wind turbines due to the risk of collision with

moving blades, as well as possible habitat loss and

disturbance effects. Baseline studies commenced at the

site in February 2005 to survey breeding, wintering and

migrating birds within and close to the site. These surveys

concluded in August 2006. Specific surveys for certain

sensitive species have been undertaken in 2008 and

2009 to ensure the baseline information is up-to-date.

NTS82 A total of 67 species of birds were recorded with

territories throughout the breeding bird surveys and a

total of 76 species were recorded during the wintering

bird surveys. Birds recorded breeding on site were mostly

common or widespread species. Species of conservation

interest recorded during the breeding season within the

study area included barn owl, curlew, skylark, song thrush

and lapwing.

NTS83 During the construction phase, loss of breeding

bird habitat is not predicted to be significant due to

the relatively small footprint of development and the

availability of comparable habitat close to the areas

of development. The potential short-term disturbance

effects to breeding birds have been identified during the

construction phase, which is anticipated to last for only

one breeding season.

NTS84 Once the wind farm is operational, there is

potential for breeding bird species that use the site to be

displaced to other areas due to the presence of the wind

farm and associated human activity. To date studies of

other operational wind farms for the species that use the

Newfield site have shown that there is minimal risk of

significant displacement and hence no significant effects

are predicted in this respect.

NTS85 Vantage point surveys were used to gather

data for calculating the theoretical risk of collision to

birds on site. Rotating wind turbine blade sets (rotors)

present potential for collision with birds in flight and a risk

assessment has therefore been undertaken to determine

the potential effect of the proposed development in

this respect. The assessment takes a precautionary

approach, using conservative parameters, to ensure that

a worst-case scenario is used.

NTS86 The majority of species recorded using or passing

through the site are considered to be at no or minimal risk

because of their behaviour (eg low flight) or scarcity on

the site. Risk assessment models were run for the key

species at potential risk: pink-footed goose, goshawk,

merlin, peregrine, hen harrier, red kite, short-eared owl

and golden plover. The collision risk assessment has

demonstrated that there will be no significant impact to

any of the species modelled.

Habitats and other wildlife

NTS87 There are no designated areas at local, national

or international level within or adjacent to the application

area. The nearest designated site is Perchhall Loch Site

of Special Scientific Interest, which is approximately 3.7

kilometres south-west of the site. In common with many

of the other assessments in the ES, the assessment of

potential effects to habitats and other wildlife has included

a combination of desk-based research and field survey.

NTS88 Field surveys undertaken on the proposed wind

farm site confirmed that while the predominant habitat

was grassland, there were a total of 21 different habitat

types present. All of the habitat types identified on

the site have been assessed to be of local importance

because these habitats are relatively abundant.

NTS89 Species, or evidence of species, identified

on and in the vicinity of the site during the surveys

includes badgers, red squirrel, bats and otter.

Surveys of tributaries of the River Annan within the

site revealed young Atlantic salmon and brown trout.

The watercourses on site support a high density of

invertebrate communities, but only two of the species

identified are of more than local or regional importance.

NTS90 The construction of the wind farm will result in

the loss of areas of habitat of local importance including

grassland, bog and pasture. In view of the availability of

comparable habitat both within the application site and

locally, this loss is a relatively small change. The potential

requirement for felling of woodland will not include areas

of mature deciduous trees that have been identified to be

of potential habitat value to bats and red squirrel.

NTS91 The design of the wind farm aims to ensure

that there is minimal potential for adverse effects to the

protected watercourses within the wind farm area by

locating all turbines, buildings and borrow pits at least 50

metres from watercourses wherever reasonably possible.

The only potential significant effect to the protected

watercourses (and their relevant species) is predicted

in relation to the construction of crossing points. This

process has the potential to temporarily increase

concentrations of sediment in the burns downstream

of works, which may affect aquatic insects and fish

populations.

NTS92 Where bridges are not used, the channel of

burns will be transferred to sections of pipe know as

culverts, which will be laid under the new tracks. Culvert

dimensions have been designed to be appropriate to

the size of the burn that they are replacing and to enable

migratory fish (eg salmon and trout) to continue to pass

upstream. With the design of the crossings, timing of

works and installation of mitigation such as sediment

barriers there are no significant effects predicted to

watercourses.

Noise

NTS93 A baseline survey of existing noise levels was

undertaken at the nearest residential properties to

the site, the location of which are shown on figure

NTS5. The assessment considered changes in noise

levels compared to baseline monitoring and guidance

noise levels during construction, operation and

decommissioning of the wind farm.

NTS94 Noise levels are expressed in decibels and noise in

the environment is measured using the dB(A) scale, which

includes a correction to take account of the sensitivity of

the human ear.

NTS95 The main sources of noise generated by

wind turbines are from the blades rotating in the air

(aerodynamic noise) and from internal machinery

(mechanical noise). The blades are carefully designed to

minimise noise whilst optimising electricity generation.

Mechanical noise is created by the gearbox and, to a

lesser extent, the generator. The nacelle at the top of

the tower is insulated to minimise the production and

transmission of noise.

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NTS96 The operational noise assessment was carried

out in accordance with standard government guidance.

Operational noise limit criteria were derived from the

baseline survey results (table NTS3).

NTS97 The assessment compared the noise levels

predicted to arise at the residential properties closest to

the proposed wind farm with the relevant criteria in table

NTS3 and concluded that none of the properties will be

subject to noise levels above the appropriate criteria.

NTS98 Noise generated during the construction and

decommissioning of the wind farm was considered. There

will be temporary periods when noise may be audible

at properties close to construction activities. However,

a range of measures will be agreed with Dumfries and

Galloway Council Environmental Health Department in

place to reasonably minimise construction noise.

NTS99 No significant residual noise effects are predicted

to result from the proposed development.

Traffic and transport

NTS100 The traffic and transport assessment considered

the potential effects of the proposals on local traffic

movements and sensitive receptors, such as pedestrians

and residents. The assessment mainly focused on

the construction phase, which will generate the most

vehicular traffic. The issues addressed include:

Severance (ie creation of a new road that separates a

community)

Driver delay

Pedestrian amenity

Pedestrian fear and intimidation associated with

increases in traffic movements

Accidents and safety

Hazardous loads

NTS101 An assessment of potential alternative routes

has been undertaken to determine the most appropriate

means of accessing the site by road. Three main

categories of construction vehicles were considered

within the assessment. The first two were the routine

day-to-day movement of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)

and construction workers’ cars and vans. The third was

the movement of large, abnormal loads to bring the

turbine components and other equipment to the site.

Assessment of potential route options was undertaken

using a combination of computer modelling and a driven

exercise using a vehicle of the correct length to represent

long turbine components.

NTS102 Of the six potential route options available, the

preferred route for all abnormal loads and other HGVs

during the construction phase is via the A74(M), B7076

to Stevens Croft, U282 via Greenburn, C97 / B723 via

Boreland and accessing the site from the C81 at Corsehill.

Through to Boreland, this is an agreed, well-established

timber extraction route that is already used regularly by

HGVs and is therefore suitable for use by temporary

construction traffic. A potential secondary access for

cars and light vans will follow the U282 via Greenburn and

Lammonbie Bridge, entering the site from the U284a.

NTS103 When considered in terms of total traffic (cars,

vans and HGVs), the increase in vehicle movements will

have no significant effects on sensitive receptors. When

the proportional increase in HGV movements during

Period Noise criteria Notes

Day time

hours (07:00

to 23:00)

35-40 dB(A) or

5 dB(A) above

the prevailing

background

noise during

quiet day

time periods*,

whichever is

greater

*Defined as

evenings from

18:00 to 23:00,

plus Saturday

afternoons from

13:00 to 18:00

and Sundays from

07:00 to 18:00

Night time

hours (23:00

to 07:00)

43 dB(A) or 5

dB(A) above

the prevailing

night time

background,

whichever is

greater

The 43 dB(A)

limit is based on

sleep disturbance

criteria

Limits at

properties

with financial

involvement in

the wind farm

45 dB(A) or 5

dB(A) above

the prevailing

background

noise,

whichever is

greater

Table NTS3: Operational noise criteria

Balgray Hill Farm

Hallhills Farm

River Cottage

Hutton Lodge

Mast 1

Mast 2

Heithatpark

Stobohill

Cumstone Farm

Gillenbie

North Corrielaw

Fruid

Fig

ure

NT

S5

N

ois

e m

onito

ring

lo

catio

ns

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the peak phase of construction is considered this will

be noticeable, however this proportional increase is

attributable to very low baseline traffic flows on local

roads. An associated increase in fear and intimidation

for pedestrians and cyclists along the proposed delivery

route could similarly arise during this period. This route

is not well used by pedestrians and cyclists and all

abnormal loads will be slow moving and supervised.

NTS104 The movement of abnormal loads during

construction may cause some short-term driver delays

along the proposed delivery route, although these

are unlikely to be significant and consultation with the

transport company, police and Roads Authority to agree

arrangements that minimise the extent and likelihood of

such delays will be undertaken. These impacts will be

temporary with no long-term effects.

NTS105 When the site is operational it will generate very

little traffic. There will be periodic visits by vans for routine

maintenance and monitoring. Very occasionally there

may be the need for equipment (such as nacelles and

blades) to be replaced and large transporters and cranes

would need to enter and leave the site.

Water environment

NTS106 The site is divided into two hydrological

catchments: the western part of the site drains into

Dryfe Water via Hewke Burn and Kirkcroft Burn; and

the eastern part drains into Corrie Water via the burns

of Stobohill, Hope, Cumstone and Slodahill, and Thiefs

Cleuch.

NTS107 There are several areas of the site with boggy soil

and unmapped drainage channels, including the lower

slopes of Bow Hill around Gillenbie Hope. There are three

open water bodies within the site; these are Hallhills Loch

in the north of the site, a man-made lochan to the west

of Hogg Hill and a small pond within the forested area

in the northern section of the site. To the south of the

application boundary the Water of Milk joins the River

Annan approximately 11 kilometres downstream and to

the south of the site.

NTS108 The Hydrogeological Map of Scotland indicates

that the site lies within a region of impermeable rock,

which is generally without groundwater, except at shallow

depths. There are several private water supplies within

3 kilometres of the site, but none will be affected by the

proposed development because no activity is proposed in

their catchment areas.

NTS109 A range of mitigation measures have been

designed, based on Scottish Environment Protection

Agency best practice guidelines, to minimise the potential

for adverse effects on the water environment. These

include silt traps to capture suspended solids generated

during construction, handling soils in accordance with

good practice guidance, designing and scheduling

construction activities to minimise the area and period

of time that soil will be exposed, secure storage of fuels

and chemicals in a bunded compound and the use of

sustainable drainage systems where appropriate. The

layout of the site infrastructure has also been designed to

minimise adverse effects on the water environment (see

design evolution section above).

NTS110 Following mitigation, it is possible that there

may be moderately significant temporary effects on

watercourses as a result of disturbance at crossing

points and generation of silty runoff during construction.

Monitoring of water quality and aquatic invertebrates

in the watercourses to which the site drains will be

undertaken before and during construction, to ensure

that no significant adverse effects are occurring. Routine

monitoring of access track and river crossing condition

will be undertaken during construction and operation, and

remedial action taken if necessary.

Further information

NTS111 This non-technical summary has outlined the

findings of the EIA for the proposed Newfield wind farm.

Further details are set out in the ES and accompanying

technical appendices.

NTS112 Copies of this ES and the technical appendices

have been sent to the Scottish Government Energy

Consents Unit and consultees, both statutory and non-

statutory.

NTS113 The full ES with its technical appendices may be

inspected during the statutory consultation period at the

Dumfries and Galloway Council offices in Lockerbie and

Dumfries and at Lockerbie library.

NTS114 Comments should be addressed to the Scottish

Government Energy Consents Unit case officer, Ms Lesley

McNeil, at the following address:

Ms Lesley McNeil

Section 36 Consents Officer

Energy Consents and Deployment Team

Renewable Energy Division

Scottish Government

4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay

150 Broomielaw

Glasgow

G2 8LU

NTS115 Comments should be copied to Terence O’Rourke at

the address below. Additional copies of the ES (paper copy

or DVD) and any further information about the project may

be obtained at a reasonable charge to reflect printing and

distribution costs, by contacting:

Terence O’Rourke

9-10 St Andrews Square Edinburgh EH2 2AF

T: 0131 7186086 F: 0131 7186100

E: [email protected]

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