Operation and maintenance phase
  1. During the operation and maintenance phase there are potential cumulative effects within the support harbours socio-economics local study area, which also forms the socio-economics local study area within the consideration of the onshore assessment. There are also potential cumulative effects within the socio-economics national study area.

Magnitude of impact

  1. The majority of the workforce is expected to be drawn from the local area for both offshore and onshore operation and maintenance activity within the support harbours socio-economics local study area. However, as this is adding to the existing levels of offshore wind operation and maintenance activity, employment roles are considered fully additional. There is sufficient lead in time, as well as a range of skills and training programmes in place in order to train local residents to fill available roles. Notwithstanding, there is the potential for some relocations into the local and national study area to meet the additional demand for workers. A maximum of 50% of additional workforce relocating from outside the relevant study area is assumed within both offshore and onshore analysis to test the potential impacts. This is adopted as a high estimate to test the potential impact on existing capacity.
  2. The total predicted scale of impact is set out in Table 18.142   Open ▸ .

 

Table 18.143:
Potential Cumulative Effects of Tier 1 Schemes on Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – by Socio-Economics Local Study Areas and Socio-Economics National Study Area

Table 18.143: Potential Cumulative Effects of Tier 1 Schemes on Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – by Socio-Economics Local Study Areas and Socio-Economics National Study Area

 

  1. The magnitude of potential cumulative effects relative to the baseline environment are set out at Table 18.143   Open ▸ .

 

Table 18.144:
Magnitude of Potential Operation and Maintenance Phase Cumulative Impacts on Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – by Socio-Economics Local Study Areas and Socio-Economics National Study Area

Table 18.144: Magnitude of Potential Operation and Maintenance Phase Cumulative Impacts on Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – by Socio-Economics Local Study Areas and Socio-Economics National Study Area

 

  1. On the basis of this assessment the magnitude of impacts is assessed as low within the support harbours Socio-Economics local study area and negligible within the socio-economics national study area. This is summarised in Table 18.144   Open ▸ .

 

Table 18.145:
Magnitude of Potential Operation and Maintenance Phase Cumulative Impacts on Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – by Socio-Economics Local Study Areas and Socio-Economics National Study Area

Table 18.145: Magnitude of Potential Operation and Maintenance Phase Cumulative Impacts on Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – by Socio-Economics Local Study Areas and Socio-Economics National Study Area

 

  1. The impacts will span the 35 year operation and maintenance phase and are therefore assessed as long term.

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. The housing market in each study area has delivered additional dwellings in recent years, with plans for additional housing to meet planned population and economic growth including targeted growth of the offshore wind sector. The receptor is deemed to have a high degree of recoverability.
  2. Growing the working age population and attracting migrant labour, as well as delivering additional housing is a policy ambition across socio-economics local study areas and the socio-economics national study area.
  3. Demand for housing, accommodation and local services is deemed to be of negligible vulnerability, high recoverability, and high value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be medium.

Significance of the effect

  1. With magnitude assessed as negligible and sensitivity as medium, the significance is assessed as minor beneficial across the support harbours socio-economics local study area. This is not significant in EIA terms.
  2. With magnitude assessed as negligible and sensitivity as medium, the significance is assessed as minor beneficial across the socio-economics national study area. This is not significant in EIA terms.
Decommissioning phase
  1. The scale and duration of decommissioning activity is uncertain. The exact approach to decommissioning is not yet confirmed as best practice at the time is not currently known. For offshore elements is anticipated that all structures above seabed level will be removed, but subject to review in the future on the basis of likely environmental impacts. For onshore elements there is potential for the facilities to be retained and upgraded for other uses.
  2. No plans are in place to consider potential locations for decommissioning support ports. It is not known if this will be located in Scotland. Given the need for large lay down areas the four port locations identified as under consideration for the construction phase would have the greatest potential to accommodate decommissioning activities based on current circumstances.
  3. As noted above, within the construction phase there is no cumulative effect on the relevant socio-economics local study areas, with the offshore support facility locations separate to the onshore impact areas. There are therefore no local study area cumulative effects on the demand for housing, accommodation and local services within Tier 1 beyond those identified for the offshore and onshore elements in their own right. This would apply equally to the decommissioning phase.
  4. There may be cumulative effects within the socio-economics national study area. The significance of cumulative effects assessed at construction phase for accommodation, housing and local services is minor beneficial. On the basis of currently available evidence the significance of effects for decommissioning phase will be no greater than minor beneficial and therefore not significant in EIA terms across socio-economics national study areas.


Tiers 2 to 4

Construction phase

Magnitude of impact

  1. Whilst detailed information is not available it is reasonable to assume that there is potential for cumulative impact on the demand for temporary (overnight) accommodation, primarily within the Aberdeen and Dundee socio-economics local study areas. This would be dependent on the selection of either Aberdeen or Dundee as the primary construction support facility for the Proposed Development.
  2. The magnitude of impact assessed for the Proposed Development is low in both relevant socio-economics local study areas.
  3. Based on available data the potential magnitude of potential cumulative effects is assessed as low to medium across the Aberdeen and Dundee socio-economics local study areas. The upper end of this range is based on construction phases for more than two projects coinciding.
  4. The magnitude of potential cumulative effects is assessed as negligible across the socio-economics national study area.

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. The sensitivity of the receptor is assessed as medium. The growth of the tourism sector which includes the temporary accommodation sector is a policy priority nationally. The analysis of baseline data has identified significant remaining capacity across the hotel, guest house/B&B and hostel accommodation sector in terms of both peak month and average annual occupancy. The scale of demand arising from the Tier 1 cumulative effects is below normal levels of demand variation over the period 2017-19.

Significance of the effect

  1. Across the Aberdeen and Dundee socio-economics local study areas the magnitude of impact is assessed as low to medium beneficial. The sensitivity of the receptor is assessed as medium. The significance of potential cumulative effects is assessed as minor to moderate. Due to the current plans for construction phases not to overlap and the capacity within the temporary accommodation sector the overall significance of cumulative effects is assessed as minor beneficial. This is not significant in EIA terms.
  2. With magnitude assessed as negligible and sensitivity as medium, the significance is assessed as minor beneficial across the socio-economics national study area. This is not significant in EIA terms.

Alternative Procurement Scenarios

  1. The assessment of effects under the enhanced procurement scenario for the Proposed Development found no change to the significance of effects relative to the baseline scenario. The assessment of potential cumulative effects is therefore unchanged.
Operation and maintenance phase
  1. There is potential overlap with the Aberdeen, Dundee, and support harbours socio-economics local study areas. The timing of the operation and maintenance phases is anticipated to coincide.

Magnitude of impact

  1. The magnitude of impact arising from the Proposed Development has been assessed as negligible.
  2. On the basis of the information available the magnitude of cumulative impact is also assessed as negligible.

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. The housing market in each study area has delivered additional dwellings in recent years, with plans for additional housing to meet planned population and economic growth including targeted growth of the offshore wind sector. The receptor is deemed to have a high degree of recoverability.
  2. Growing the working age population and attracting migrant labour, as well as delivering additional housing is a policy ambition across local and national socio economics study areas.
  3. Demand for housing, accommodation and local services is deemed to be of negligible vulnerability, high recoverability and high value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be medium.

Significance of the effect

  1. With magnitude assessed as negligible and sensitivity assessed as medium the significance of potential cumulative effects is assessed as minor beneficial across the Aberdeen, Dundee, and support harbours socio-economics local study areas and socio economics national study area. This is not significant in EIA terms.
Decommissioning phase
  1. The scale and duration of decommissioning activity is uncertain. The exact approach to decommissioning is not yet confirmed as best practice at the time is not currently known. For offshore elements is anticipated that all structures above seabed level will be removed, but subject to review in the future on the basis of likely environmental impacts. For onshore elements there is potential for the facilities to be retained and upgraded for other uses.
  2. No plans are in place to consider potential locations for decommissioning support ports. It is not known if this will be located in Scotland. Given the need for large lay down areas the four port locations identified as under consideration for the construction phase would have the greatest potential to accommodate decommissioning activities based on current circumstances.
  3. If Aberdeen or Dundee were selected as a decommissioning port, there may be cumulative effects with the Tier 2 to 4 schemes. However timing is uncertain and no data is available on which to make an assessment.
  4. The significance of cumulative effects assessed at construction phase for accommodation, housing and local services is minor beneficial. On the basis of currently available evidence the significance of effects for decommissioning phase will be no greater than minor beneficial and therefore not significant in EIA terms across socio-economics local or national study areas.

Impact on Tourism and Recreation Activity and Associated Economic Value

  1. In assessing any potential adverse cumulative effects upon tourism and recreation activity the following receptors have been considered:
  • accommodation, housing, and local services.
  • seascape, landscape and visual impact (via review of volume 2, chapter 15);
  • infrastructure and other users (via review of volume 2, chapter 17); and
  • shipping and navigation (via review of volume 2, chapter 13).
Accommodation, Housing and Local Services
  1. The analysis of cumulative effects on accommodation, housing and local services set out above identified minor beneficial effects on temporary (overnight) accommodation during the construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning phases.
  2. On the basis of this review there are no likely significant cumulative effects on tourism and recreation that warrant consideration.
Seascape and Visual Impact
  1. Volume 2, chapter 15 considers effects on near shore recreational receptors through visual amenity.
  2. As per volume 2, chapter 15 (section 15.12) a summary of the cumulative effects assessed, relevant to the tourism local study area, is summarised below (daytime only).

 

Table 18.146:
Cumulative Effects of the Proposed Development on Representative Viewpoints

Table 18.146: Cumulative Effects of the Proposed Development on Representative Viewpoints

Source: Volume 2, chapter 15, section 15.12.

 

  1. As per volume 2, chapter 15 (section 15.11) a summary of the significance of cumulative effects on seascape (coastal) character assessed at each Coastal Character Area relevant to the tourism local study area is summarised below (daytime only).
Table 18.147:
Significance of Effects (Daytime) on Seascape (Coastal) Character – Summary

Table 18.147: Significance of Effects (Daytime) on Seascape (Coastal) Character – Summary

Source: Volume 2, chapter 15, section 15.12.

 

  1. As per volume 2, chapter 15 (section 15.11) a summary of the significance of cumulative effects on landscapes relevant to the tourism local study area is summarised below (daytime only).
Table 18.148:
Significance of Effects (Daytime) on Seascape (Coastal) Character – Summary

Table 18.148: Significance of Effects (Daytime) on Seascape (Coastal) Character – Summary

 

  1. As per section 18.11, effects on transport routes are screened out of the cumulative effects assessment.
  2. According to volume 2, chapter 15 the main tier 1 cumulative effect during construction is likely to occur in views experienced by walkers along a short section of the John Muir Way between Torness and Chapel Point, and visitors to Skateraw Harbour, where the construction of the landfall will be visible at close range in combination with the construction of the Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore and the construction of the onshore substation in inland views, which are assessed to be significant, although temporary during construction. Tier 1 cumulative effects during operation and maintenance will only occur on receptors near the onshore substation, where both the operational onshore substation and the Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore may be visible and influence views and perceived character. These tier 1 cumulative effects have been found to be significant when considering the whole project effect (i.e. the total effect of the onshore substation and the Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore) on localised parts of the landscape around the onshore substation where there are also sea views to the Proposed Development, including geographically contained areas of the Coastal Margins LCT (277) (Lothians), Dunbar to Barns Ness Coast SLA and Thorntonloch to Dinglass Coast SLA, and a number of representative viewpoints in these areas at Skateraw, John Muir Link and Innerwick. When considered as an additional contribution of the Proposed Development (Berwick Bank Wind Farm Offshore), the cumulative effect is however assessed as not significant, fundamentally because the Proposed Development will have a limited influence on the perceived character and views at such long range offshore and results in a low level of additional cumulative change over and above the effect of Berwick Bank onshore substation alone
  3. As per volume 2, chapter 15 the contribution of the Proposed Development to the cumulative effect with tier 2 projects on views and perceived character of the South-East Aberdeenshire, Fife and Angus coastline of the SLVIA study area has been found to be medium-low to low with effects not significant, due to it being visually recessive at long distance offshore partially behind Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A, with Inch Cape contributing most to the overall cumulative effect on the views given its closer proximity and larger vertical scale. The cumulative effect of the Proposed Development with tier 2 projects is also assessed as medium-low and not significant in views and perceived character of the East Lothian coast and progressively reduces to low in views from the Scottish Borders coastline, fundamentally because tier 2 projects (Inch Cape and Seagreen 1A in particular) will have a limited influence on views, as they are located at very long range (over approximately 56km and 69km respectively from the coast), and Inch Cape is located behind Neart na Gaoithe, such that there is very limited additional cumulative change or interaction of the Proposed Development with these tier 2 projects.
  4. The Proposed Development will have limited interaction with tier 3 projects and it is assessed that the Proposed Development will result in no additional significant cumulative seascape, landscape and visual effects with scoping stage projects included in the tier 3 assessment.
  5. Tier 4 projects are screened out of the cumulative effects assessment in volume 2, chapter 15.
  6. Overall the number of visual receptors and designated landscapes where cumulative effects are assessed to be significant in EIA terms is limited. The baseline tourism conditions set out for each impacted local authority in section 18.7.6 indicate that the tourism local study area has a wide and varied tourism sector encompassing many attractions above and beyond the limited, specific locations subject to potential cumulative visual impacts. Therefore, the role these specific locations play in the tourism industry of the tourism local study area can be considered as negligible. Overall, the significance of cumulative visual impacts at the tourism local study area level is assessed as negligible.
  7. Research in 2008 on the economic impacts of wind farms on Scottish tourism found that whilst there is typically a preference among visitors for landscapes without wind farms, offshore wind farms have had a negligible and, in some cases, beneficial effects on the tourism industry. The research quotes a study carried out to identify whether a recent experience of a wind farm had altered the likelihood of a visitor returning to Scotland. The study found that 99% of visitors who had seen a wind farm suggested that the experience did not have any effect. Additionally, the research quotes an internet survey found that few very large farms concentrated in one area have less of an impact on tourism than many small farms spread across the country. To conclude on the various studies undertaken, the report finds that whilst wind farms have an adverse impact on GVA and employment in the tourism industry, the impact is very small.
Infrastructure and Other Users
  1. Volume 2, chapter 17 considers cumulative effects on a range of recreational receptors including fishing, sailing and motor cruising, kite surfing, windsurfing, sea/surf kayaking, canoeing, beach users and diving.
  2. In all cases, the magnitude of effects is assessed as low, significance minor, and no secondary mitigation is required. The cumulative effects are assessed as below the threshold of EIA significance in all cases.
  3. On the basis of the chapter review, there are negligible likely significant tourism effects that warrant consideration.
Shipping and Navigation
  1. Volume 2, chapter 13 considers navigational safety and risk for all vessels including recreational vessels, as well as restrictions to port activities and users.
  2. The assessment of cumulative effects associated with the Proposed Development is in all cases deemed to be broadly acceptable or tolerable, which are not significant in EIA terms. 
  3. On the basis of the chapter review there are no likely significant tourism effects that warrant consideration

Tier 1

Construction phase

Magnitude of impact

  1. Analysis of the topics set out above has found there are direct or indirect tourism and recreation cumulative impacts of negligible significance in EIA terms during construction phase. The magnitude of any adverse tourism and recreation effects is therefore assessed as negligible.

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. Protecting and growing the tourism sector including marine tourism is a policy objective at local and national level. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be high.

Significance of the effect

  1. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be negligible and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be high. The cumulative effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
Operation and maintenance phase

Magnitude of Impact

  1. Analysis of the topics set out above has found there are direct or indirect tourism and recreation cumulative impacts of negligible significance in EIA terms during operation and maintenance phase. The magnitude of any adverse tourism and recreation cumulative effects is therefore assessed as negligible.

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. Protecting and growing the tourism sector including marine tourism is a policy objective at local and national level. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be high.

Significance of the effect

  1. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be negligible and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be high. The cumulative effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
Decommissioning phase
  1. The scale and duration of decommissioning activity is uncertain. The exact approach to decommissioning is not yet confirmed as best practice at the time is not currently known. For offshore elements is anticipated that all structures above seabed level will be removed, but subject to review in the future on the basis of likely environmental impacts. For onshore elements there is potential for the facilities to be retained and upgraded for other uses.
  2. As noted above, within the construction phase cumulative effects are not significant in EIA terms. There are therefore no tourism local study area cumulative effects on tourism and recreation activity and associated economic value within Tier 1 beyond those identified for the offshore and onshore elements in their own right. This would apply equally to the decommissioning phase.

Tiers 2 to 4

Construction phase
  1. The Tier 2 to 4 schemes have potential for cumulative effects. The degree of overlap with construction periods is uncertain and may not occur.

Magnitude of impact

  1. The cumulative assessment of relevant impacts for Tier 2–4 projects (where available) is set out below:
  • Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm: tourism effects were scoped out altogether after agreement by MS-LOT.
  • Moray Offshore Wind Farm (West): the magnitude of the two relevant impacts considered by the Moray West EIA were negligible adverse and low adverse respectively.
  • Neart Na Gaoithe Offshore Wind: the magnitude of cumulative impacts on tourism were assessed ‘marginally’ higher than the project itself as a result of changes to the ‘aggregate visual effect’. The sensitivity of the tourism receptor was described as negligible, and the overall significance of cumulative effects on tourism was assessed as not significant in EIA terms.
    1. These effects capture different elements of the tourism and recreation sector. All are considered negligible to low.
    2. There is no data to assess the potential effects to tourism and recreation activity from other Tier 2 to 4 schemes.

Sensitivity of the receptor

  1. Protecting and growing the tourism sector including marine tourism is a policy objective at local and national level. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be high.

Significance of the effect

  1. The magnitude of cumulative effects is assessed as ranging from negligible to low adverse. The sensitivity of the receptor is assessed as high. The significance of potential cumulative effects across the tourism local study area is assessed as minor adverse. This is not significant in EIA terms.
Operation and maintenance phase
  1. No cumulative effects are assessed as a result of the Proposed Development.
  2. No data is available on the potential impact of the Tier 2 to 4 schemes on tourism and recreation activity during the operation and maintenance phase. Therefore it is not possible to undertake any form of cumulative assessment.
Decommissioning phase
  1. The scale and duration of decommissioning activity is uncertain. The exact approach to decommissioning is not yet confirmed as best practice at the time is not currently known. It is therefore not possible to determine whether and how decommissioning phase activities will impact on tourism receptors.
  2. No plans are in place to consider potential locations for decommissioning support ports. It is not known if this will be located in Scotland.
  3. The conclusion of assessment that is possible for the Proposed Development is that effects would be less than or equal to those stated for the construction phase. Therefore any effects will not be significant in EIA terms.

18.13. Transboundary Effects

  1. Potential transboundary socio-economics and tourism impacts upon European Economic Area (EEA) states may arise through the purchase of project components, equipment and the sourcing of labour from companies based outside the UK. The sourcing of materials and labour from EEA states is assumed to provide beneficial effects to the economies of EEA states and so the consideration of measures envisaged to reduce or eliminate such effects is not relevant in the context of transboundary impacts.
  2. The following considerations have been made with respect to linkages between socio-economics and tourism and transboundary effects assessed in other topic chapters:
  • volume 2, chapter 12: Commercial Fisheries: no likely significant transboundary effects.
  • volume 2, chapter 13: Shipping and Navigation: on the basis of cumulative effects assessment, any likely transboundary effects are assessed as being of tolerable significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
  • volume 2, chapter 15 Seascape and Visual Resources: no likely significant transboundary effects.
  • volume 2, chapter 17: Infrastructure and Other Users: no likely significant transboundary effects.
    1. Since relevant topic chapters have assessed no significant transboundary effects, it is likely that no related transboundary effects on socio-economics and tourism receptors will be significant in EIA terms.
    2. The screening of transboundary impacts therefore identifies no potential for significant effects with regards to socio-economics and tourism.

18.14. Inter-Related Effects

  1. A description of the likely inter-related effects arising from the Proposed Development on socio-economics and tourism receptors is provided in volume 3, appendix 20 of the Offshore EIA Report.
  2. For socio-economics and tourism receptors, all potential impacts have been considered within the inter-related assessment. Table 18.148   Open ▸ lists the inter-related effects (project lifetime effects) that are predicted to arise during the construction, operation and maintenance phase, and decommissioning of the Proposed Development and also the inter-related effects (receptor-led effects) that are predicted to arise for socio-economics and tourism receptors.

Table 18.149:
Summary of Likely Significant Inter-Related Effects for Socio-Economics and Tourism from Individual Effects Occurring across the Construction, Operation and Maintenance and Decommissioning Phases of the Proposed Development and from Multiple Effects Interacting Across all Phases (Receptor-led Effects)

Table 18.149: Summary of Likely Significant Inter-Related Effects for Socio-Economics and Tourism from Individual Effects Occurring across the Construction, Operation and Maintenance and Decommissioning Phases of the Proposed Development and from Multiple Effects Interacting Across all Phases (Receptor-led Effects)

 

18.15. Summary of Impact, Mitigation Measures, Likely Significant Effects and Monitoring

  1. Information on socio-economics and tourism receptors was collected through desktop review for the following socio-economics local study areas and socio-economics national study area:
  • Invergordon socio-economics local study area;
  • Aberdeen socio-economics local study area;
  • Montrose socio-economics local study area;
  • Dundee socio-economics local study area;
  • Methil socio-economics local study area;
  • Burntisland socio-economics local study area;
  • Rosyth socio-economics local study area;
  • Leith socio-economics local study area;
  • support harbours socio-economics local study area; and
  • Scotland socio-economics national study area.
    1. Table 18.153   Open ▸ to Table 18.162   Open ▸ present a summary of the potential impacts, mitigation measures and residual effects in respect to socio-economics and tourism. The impacts assessed include:
  • impact on employment in activities (including supply chain) associated with: manufacturing, construction, and installation; operation and maintenance; and decommissioning;
  • impact on GVA (£) supported in activities (including supply chain) associated with: manufacturing, construction, and installation; operation and maintenance; and decommissioning;
  • impact on access to employment amongst local residents in activities (including supply chain) associated with: manufacturing, construction, and installation; operation and maintenance; and decommissioning;
  • impact on the demand for housing, accommodation and local services; and
  • impact on tourism and recreation activity and associated economic value.
    1. Overall – as per Table 18.149   Open ▸ and Table 18.50   Open ▸ – it is concluded that if a Scottish port/harbour facility is selected as a base for the construction, operation and maintenance, or decommissioning phases:

Socio-economics local study areas:

  • the beneficial impact on employment in that location is likely to be significant in EIA terms;
  • the beneficial impact on GVA in that location is likely to be significant in EIA terms – the two exceptions are in the case of Rosyth and support harbours socio-economics local study areas during the operation and maintenance phase;
  • the beneficial impact on access to employment amongst local residents is likely to be not significant in EIA terms – the exception is Invergordon during the construction phase, where impacts could be significant in EIA terms; and
  • the beneficial impact on demand for housing, accommodation and local services is likely to be not significant in EIA terms.

Socio-economics national study area

  • the beneficial impact on employment in Scotland is likely to be significant in EIA terms;
  • the beneficial impact on GVA in Scotland is likely to be significant in EIA terms during the construction phase, not significant in EIA terms during the operation and maintenance phase, and significant in EIA terms during the decommissioning phase;
  • the beneficial impact on access to employment amongst Scottish residents is likely to be not significant in EIA terms – the exception is under the alternative scenario, where the effect has the potential to be significant in EIA terms during the construction phase; and
  • the beneficial impact on demand for housing, accommodation and services in Scotland is likely to be not significant in EIA terms.
    1. The impact on tourism and recreation activity and its associated economic value has been assessed as no greater than minor adverse. This is not significant in EIA terms. There is potential for minor adverse impacts within the local study area covering the local authority areas of East Lothian and Scottish Borders due to low level disruption to recreational users of the sea. The detailed assessments of disruption to activities have not found these to be substantial. This is not significant in EIA terms.
    2. Table 18.154   Open ▸ to Table 18.163   Open ▸ present a summary of the likely significant socio-economic effects in EIA terms.

 

Table 18.150:
Significance of Effects on Employment, GVA, Access to Employment, and Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – Socio-Economics Local Study Areas, Baseline Scenario

Table 18.150: Significance of Effects on Employment, GVA, Access to Employment, and Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – Socio-Economics Local Study Areas, Baseline Scenario

Table 18.151:
Significance of Effects on Employment, GVA, Access to Employment, and Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – Socio-Economics National Study Area, Baseline and Enhanced Scenarios

Table 18.151: Significance of Effects on Employment, GVA, Access to Employment, and Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – Socio-Economics National Study Area, Baseline and Enhanced Scenarios

 

  1. The cumulative effects assessed are the same as those included in the Proposed Development impact assessment.
  2. Overall – as per Table 18.151   Open ▸ and Table 18.152   Open ▸ - it is concluded that if a Scottish port/harbour facility is selected as a base for the construction, operation and maintenance, or decommissioning phases:
  • the beneficial cumulative impact on employment is likely to be significant in EIA terms;
  • the beneficial cumulative impact on GVA is likely to be significant in EIA terms with the exception of the support harbours socio-economics local study area under Tier 1 conditions;
  • the beneficial cumulative impact on access to employment amongst local residents is likely to be not significant in EIA terms under Tier 1 conditions. However, consideration of Tier 2 projects increases the beneficial effects on access to employment amongst local residents to being significant in EIA terms during the construction phase; and
  • the beneficial cumulative impact on demand for housing, accommodation and services in Scotland is likely to be not significant in EIA terms.

Table 18.152:
Cumulative Effects on Employment, GVA, Access to Employment, and Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – Socio-Economics Local Study Areas, Baseline Scenario

Table 18.152: Cumulative Effects on Employment, GVA, Access to Employment, and Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – Socio-Economics Local Study Areas, Baseline Scenario

 

Table 18.153:
Cumulative Effects on Employment, GVA, Access to Employment, and Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – Socio-Economics National Study Area, Baseline and Enhanced Scenarios

Table 18.153: Cumulative Effects on Employment, GVA, Access to Employment, and Demand for Housing, Accommodation and Local Services – Socio-Economics National Study Area, Baseline and Enhanced Scenarios

 

  1. The cumulative impact on tourism and recreation activity and its associated economic value has been assessed as no greater than minor adverse. This is not significant in EIA terms.
  2. Table 18.164   Open ▸ to Table 18.169   Open ▸ present a summary of the potential cumulative effects.
  3. No potential transboundary impacts have been identified in regard to effects of the Proposed Development.

 

Table 18.154:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Invergordon Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.154: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Invergordon Socio-Economics Local Study Area


Table 18.155:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Aberdeen Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.155: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Aberdeen Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.156:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Montrose Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.156: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Montrose Socio-Economics Local Study Area


Table 18.157:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Dundee Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.157: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Dundee Socio-Economics Local Study Area

 

Table 18.158:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Methil Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.158: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Methil Socio-Economics Local Study Area


Table 18.159:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Burntisland Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.159: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Burntisland Socio-Economics Local Study Area


Table 18.160:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Rosyth Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.160: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Rosyth Socio-Economics Local Study Area


Table 18.161:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Leith Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.161: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Leith Socio-Economics Local Study Area

 

Table 18.162:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Support Harbours Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.162: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Support Harbours Socio-Economics Local Study Area


Table 18.163:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Socio-Economics National Study Area

Table 18.163: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Socio-Economics National Study Area

 

Table 18.164:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Tourism Local Study Area

Table 18.164: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring– Tourism Local Study Area


Table 18.165:
Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Aberdeen Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.165: Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Aberdeen Socio-Economics Local Study Area

 

Table 18.166:
Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Montrose Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.166: Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Montrose Socio-Economics Local Study Area


Table 18.167:
Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Dundee Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.167: Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Dundee Socio-Economics Local Study Area


Table 18.168:
Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Support Harbours Socio-Economics Local Study Area

Table 18.168: Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Support Harbours Socio-Economics Local Study Area


Table 18.169:
Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Socio-Economics National Study Area

Table 18.169: Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Socio-Economics National Study Area


Table 18.170:
Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Tourism Local Study Area

Table 18.170: Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring – Tourism Local Study Area


18.16. References

Aberdeen City Council (2017). Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2017. Aberdeen.

Angus Council (2016) Angus Local Development Plan. Angus.

Comfy Workers (2021). Contractor Accommodation and Corporate Housing Report 2021. Available at: https://www.comfyworkers.com/en/insights/market/contractor-accommodation-corporate-housing. Accessed on: 16 February 2022.

Dundee City Council (2019). Dundee Local Development Plan. Dundee.

East Lothian Council (2018). East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018. Haddington, East Lothian.

ekos (2016). Sailing Tourism in Scotland. Glasgow, The Crown Estate, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Canals.

Fife Council (2017). Fife Local Development Plan. Fife.

Fraser Allander Institute (2021). Economic Impact of Scotland’s Renewable Energy Sector. Glasgow, University of Strathclyde.

Highlands and Island Enterprise (2019). Highlands and Islands Enterprise 2019–2022 Strategy. Highlands and Islands.

Marine Scotland (2020). Marine Scotland Assessment Available at: https://marine.gov.scot/sma/assessment/marine-tourism. Accessed on 16 February 2022.

Moray West Offshore Windfarm (2018). Offshore Economic Impact Assessment Report. Edinburgh, Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited.

North Connect High Voltage Direct Current Cable Infrastructure (2018). UK Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Volume 2. Stavanger, North Connect.

Offshore Energy (2021). Scots planning two new subsea cable factories. Available at: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/scots-planning-two-new-subsea-cable-factories/. Accessed on:16 February 2022.

Offshore Wind Scotland (2022). Scottish Offshore Wind Supply Chain Directory. Available at: https://www.offshorewindscotland.org.uk/sowec/supply-chain-directory/. Accessed on:16 February 2022.

Opportunity Cromarty Firth (2022). About Opportunity Cromarty Firth. Available at: https://opportunitycromartyfirth.co.uk/about/. Accessed on: 8 April 2022.

Sail Scotland (2021). East Coast. Available at: https://sailscotland.co.uk/explore/eastcoast/. Accessed on: 16 February 2022.

Scottish Borders Council (2016). Scottish Borders Local Development Plan. Melrose.

Scottish Energy Ports Capability Directory (2022). Port of Leith. Available at: https://energy.scottishports.org.uk/ports/port-of-leith. Accessed on: 8 April 2022.

Scottish Energy Ports Capability Directory (2022). Aberdeen Harbour. Available at: https://energy.scottishports.org.uk/ports/aberdeen-harbour?. Accessed on: 8 April 2022.

Scottish Energy Ports Capability Directory (2022). Energy Park Fife. Available at: https://energy.scottishports.org.uk/ports/energy-park-fife?. Accessed on: 8 April 2022.

Scottish Energy Ports Capability Directory (2022). Eyemouth Harbour. Available at: https://energy.scottishports.org.uk/ports/eyemouth-harbour?. Accessed on: 8 April 2022.

Scottish Energy Ports Capability Directory (2022). Montrose Port. Available at: https://energy.scottishports.org.uk/ports/monstrose-port?. Accessed on: 8 April 2022.

Scottish Energy Ports Capability Directory (2022). Nigg Energy Park. Available at: https://energy.scottishports.org.uk/ports/nigg-energy-park?. Accessed on: 8 April 2022.

Scottish Energy Ports Capability Directory (2022). Port of Dundee. Available at: https://energy.scottishports.org.uk/ports/port-of-dundee-1?. Accessed on: 8 April 2022.

Scottish Energy Ports Capability Directory (2022). Port of Rosyth. Available at: https://energy.scottishports.org.uk/ports/port-of-rosyth?. Accessed on: 8 April 2022.

Scottish Enterprise (2019). Building Scotland’s Future Today: Scottish Enterprise’s Strategic Framework 2019–2022. Glasgow.

Scottish Government (2015). Scotland’s Economic Strategy. Edinburgh

Scottish Government (2020a). Economic Recovery Implementation Plan. Edinburgh

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Scottish Government (2020c). Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy. Edinburgh

Scottish Government (2020d). Shaping Scotland’s Economy. Inward Investment Plan. Edinburgh

Scottish Government (2020e). Marine Social Attitudes: Survey. Edinburgh

Scottish Government (2020f). Scottish Marine Recreation and Tourism Survey 2015. Available at: https://marine.gov.scot/sma/content/scottish-marine-recreation-and-tourism-survey-2015. Accessed on: 16 February 2022.

Scottish Government (2021). A Scotland for the future: The opportunities and challenges of Scotland’s changing population. Edinburgh

Scottish Government (2021a). Housing to 2040. Edinburgh

Scottish Government (2021b). Scotland 2045: Our Fourth National Planning Framework (draft). Edinburgh.

Scottish Government (2022a). News – Deal agreed to establish Green Freeports. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/news/deal-agreed-to-establish-green-freeports/. Accessed on 8 April 2022.

Scottish Government (2022b). Policy – Cities and regions – Green freeports. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/policies/cities-regions/green-ports/. Accessed on: 8 April 2022.

Scottish Government (2022c) Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation: Delivering Economic Prosperity. Edinburgh.

Scottish Government, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Visit Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland (2020). Scotland Outlook 2030: Responsible tourism for a sustainable future.

ScottishPower Renewables (2018). East Anglia One Offshore Substation Installed. Available at: https://www.scottishpowerrenewables.com/news/pages/east_anglia_one_offshore_substation_installed.aspx. Accessed on: 16 February 2022.

Smith, M (2021). Scottish Offshore Wind Strategic Investment Assessment. SOWEC.

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SSER (2022c). Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment.

SSER (2022e). Cambois connection Scoping Report (October 2022)

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The Highland Council (2012). Highland-wide Local Development Plan. Inverness.

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[1] Labour catchment areas are commonly defined based on the locations from which people are typically drawn to an employment location such as a business, an employment centre (such as a port), or an entire town or city.

[2] As per non-binding guidance in Glasson, J. et al. (2020)

[3] C = Construction, O = Operation and maintenance, D = Decommissioning

[4] This commonality means that in Table 18.7   Open ▸ Total Employment (2019) counts for socio-economics local study areas do not sum to the equivalent Scotland figure.

[5] Total Employment (2019) counts for socio-economics local study areas do not sum to the equivalent Scotland figure due to commonalities between study areas as discussed in section 18.3.1. For example, the Fife local authority area is included in the Dundee, Methil, Burntisland, and Rosyth socio-economics local study areas.

[6] Where a port is not under consideration for a given phase (e.g. Nigg and the operation and maintenance phase), those cells are hatched.

[7] Where a port is not under consideration for a given phase (e.g. Nigg and the operation and maintenance phase), those cells are hatched.

[8] The definition of ‘private rented’ does not include second homes which are let out e.g. Airbnb.

[9] National Records of Scotland data does not provide information on the habitability of unoccupied dwellings.

[10] Based on discussions between HJA and BVG Associates, it is established the 60% UK content procurement scenario is a hypothetical model of the procurement decisions that would be required to reach approximately 60% UK content.

[11] C = Construction, O = Operation and maintenance, D = Decommissioning

[12] Socio-economics local study area magnitudes are notional based on the principle the offshore wind sector accounts for a low proportion of impact industries employment, as evidenced in the data for Scotland.

[13] Support harbours (Cockenzie, Dunbar and Eyemouth) are assessed as being subject to 25% of total impacts given their supporting role.

[14] Socio-economics local study area magnitudes are notional based on the principle the offshore wind sector accounts for a low proportion of impact industries employment.

[15] Socio-economics local study area magnitudes are notional based on the principle the offshore wind sector accounts for a low proportion of impact industries employment.

[16] Socio-Economics local study area magnitudes are notional based on the principle the offshore wind sector accounts for a low proportion of impact industries employment.

[17] Unemployed individuals plus economically inactive individuals that want a job.

[18] C = Construction, O = Operation and maintenance, D = Decommissioning

[19] Support harbours (Cockenzie, Dunbar and Eyemouth) are assessed as being subject to 25% of total offshore impacts given their supporting role.

[20] Support harbours (Cockenzie, Dunbar and Eyemouth) are assessed as being subject to 25% of total offshore impacts given their supporting role.

[21] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[22] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[23] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[24] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[25] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[26] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[27] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[28] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[29] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[30] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[31] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[32] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[33] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[34] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[35] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

 

 

 

[36] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[37] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase

[38] Inferred from magnitude of construction phase