1. Inter-Related Effects

1.1. Introduction

1. This appendix presents the findings of the assessment of potential inter-related effects of the Proposed Development on environmental receptors.
2. Volume 1, Chapters 6 to 14 of this EIA Report assess the effects of the Proposed Development on topic-specific receptors. The assessments are impact-led (i.e. the impacts on receptors are identified by impact type for the construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning phases). This inter-related effects assessment adopts a different approach, by focusing on the receptor and then identifying the impacts which may arise from more than one environmental topic (i.e. impacts which are not explicitly addressed elsewhere in the EIA Report).
3. This assessment

• presents the receptors groups considered within the EIA process; and
• presents the potential for multiple effects on any of the identified receptor groups to interact and create ‘inter-related’ effects.
  4. This appendix only assesses inter-related effects of multiple topics on onshore receptors. Cumulative effects (i.e. the effects of the Proposed Development combined with those of other developments) are addressed in individual topic chapters (Volume 1, Chapters 6-14).

1.2. Assessment of Inter-related Effects

5. The study area for the assessment of inter-related effects has been informed by the study areas used in the topic-specific assessments. The potential inter-related effects considered in this appendix are therefore limited to the study areas defined the each of the topic chapters.
6. Details of the baseline environmental conditions for the receptor groups considered in this inter-related effects assessment are specific to each receptor group and set out in the relevant topic-specific chapters. This assessment draws on the baseline information contained within those chapters.
7. The approach to assessing inter-related effects within this assessment has followed a four-stage process.

1.2.2.    Stage 1: Topic-Specific Assessments

8. The first stage of the assessment of inter-related effects is presented in each of the individual topic chapters and comprises the individual assessments of effects on receptors across the construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning phases of the Proposed Development.
9. The findings of these assessments are presented in Volume 1, Chapters 6 - 14.

1.2.3.    Stage 2: Identification of Receptor Groups

10. A review of the assessments in the topic-specific chapters was undertaken to identify ‘receptor groups’ requiring assessment within the inter-related effects assessment. The term ‘receptor group’ is used to highlight that the approach taken for the inter-related effects assessment does not assess every individual receptor assessed at the EIA stage, but rather potentially sensitive groups of receptors.

1.2.4.    Stage 3: Identification of Potential Inter-related effects on receptor groups

11. Consideration was given to the potential for inter-related effects to arise for each of the identified receptor groups as a result of the interaction of multiple effects on a receptor group (i.e., receptor-led effects).
12. This involves the assessment of the scope for all effects to interact, spatially and temporally, to create inter-related effects on a receptor or receptor group. All effects on a given receptor group may interact to produce a greater effect on this receptor group than when the effects are considered in isolation.
13. Table 1.1   Open ▸ identifies potential for inter-relationships to occur for each receptor group and considers whether any potential effects are already considered within the EIA Report.

Table 1.1:  Potential for Interaction Between Topic Areas to Result In Inter-Related Effects on Receptor Groups

14. Based on the above, two receptor groups may experience effects across a number of environmental topic areas.

• Humans (residents); and
• Humans (pedestrians/recreational users of paths).
  15. The key considerations in the assessment of inter-related effects on humans (residents) are:
• Noise;
• Visual amenity; and
• Traffic and Transport.
  16. The key considerations in the assessment of inter-related effects on humans (pedestrians/recreational users of paths) are:
• Visual amenity;
• Traffic and Transport; and
• Tourism and Recreation.

1.2.5.    Stage 4: Assessment of Inter-Related Effects

17. Individual effects on each receptor group have been considered. This assessment of inter-related effects considers only effects produced by the Proposed Development and not from other projects. Cumulative effects have been considered within topic-specific chapters as relevant.
18. The significance of the individual effects, as defined in the topic-specific chapters, is presented in Table 1.2   Open ▸ for each receptor group (all conclusions for significance of effect assume successful implementation of mitigation measures where appropriate, i.e., the residual effect has been used). A descriptive assessment of the scope for these individual effects to interact to create a different or greater effect has then been undertaken.

Table 1.2:  Summary of Receptor-Led Inter-Related Effects

1.3. Summary

19. The assessment presented within this appendix considers the potential for inter-related effects arising from the Proposed Development on a range of onshore receptor groups. The identification of potential inter-related effects has been based on a largely qualitative assessment using expert judgement and noting that inter-related effects have already been accounted for, in many instances within the assessment in topic chapters.
20. The potential for inter-related effects on receptors are anticipated for two of the 13 receptor groups identified in this assessment.
21. Scope exists for inter-related effects on humans (residents). During construction, there may be noise effects on residents as a result of construction works and increased road traffic. The effects could combine with visual effects at some receptors. Effects in relation to noise are predicted to be negligible to minor (non-significant) and effects in relation to visual amenity are predicted to be moderate to major (significant). The overall inter-related effect on residents would therefore be major adverse as a worst case and significant in EIA terms.
22. Scope exists for inter-related effects on users of core paths (pedestrians and recreational users). During construction, there may be effects associated with increased traffic e.g., pedestrian delay, pedestrian amenity, fear and intimidation, and accidents and safety. The effects could combine with visual effects on some receptors. The effects in relation to traffic are predicted to be minor (non-significant) and the effects in relation to visual amenity are predicted to be negligible-minor to minor (non-significant). Overall, whilst inter-related effects on core path users may arise at some locations on a temporary basis, they are unlikely to exceed significance levels reported for individual effects and would therefore be non-significant in EIA terms.