7.12.4.              Proposed Monitoring

  1. No monitoring is considered necessary.

7.13. Inter-Related Effects

  1. A description of the likely inter-related effects arising from the Proposed Development on onshore ecology is provided in Volume 4, Appendix 15.1 of the Onshore EIA Report.

7.14.   Summary of Impacts, Mitigation Measures, Likely Significant Effects and Monitoring

7.14. Summary of Impacts, Mitigation Measures, Likely Significant Effects and Monitoring

  1. Information on onshore ecology within the ecology study area was collected through a desktop study and site-specific surveys including a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and targeted surveys for badger, otter, water vole, bats and great crested newts. The scope and area of survey was agreed in consultation with NatureScot. Table 7.23 presents a summary of the potential impacts, mitigation measures and the conclusion of likely significant effects in EIA terms in respect to onshore ecology. The impacts assessed include: habitat loss and disturbance. Overall, it is concluded that there will be no likely significant effects arising from the Proposed Development during the construction, operation and maintenance or decommissioning phases.
  2. Table 7.24 presents a summary of the potential cumulative impacts, mitigation measures and the conclusion of likely significant effects. The cumulative effects assessed include: habitat loss and disturbance. Overall, it is concluded that there will be no likely significant cumulative effects from the Proposed Development alongside other projects/plans.

7.14.2.              Intertidal Area

  1. Given that the Applicant is committed to using trenchless techniques (e.g. HDD) to cross the intertidal zone, it has been concluded in both this assessment and Volume 2, Chapter 8, Section 8.15 of the Offshore EIA Report that there will be no effects on intertidal habitats from either the OnTW (see Section 7.8 - Table 7.15) or the offshore transmission works (OfTW).  This includes no effects on features of the Barns Ness SSSI.

 

Table 7.23:
Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring

Table 7.23: Summary of Likely Significant Environmental Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring

Table 7.24:
Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring

Table 7.24: Summary of Likely Significant Cumulative Environment Effects, Mitigation and Monitoring

 

7.15.   References

7.15. References

Literature

CIEEM (2018). Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the UK and Ireland: Terrestrial, Freshwater, Coastal and Marine. Version 1.1, updated September 2019. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Winchester.

East Lothian Biodiversity Partnership (2008). East Lothian Biodiversity Action Plan 2008-13. August 2008.

East Lothian Council (2018). East Lothian Council Local Development Plan, 2018. Available online at: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210547/planning_and_building_standards/12242/local_development_plan/2 (accessed March 2022).

East Lothian Council (2019). East Lothian Council LDP 2018 Supplementary Guidance: Green Network Strategy. Available online at: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/downloads/file/30113/green_network_strategy_spg (accessed March 2022).

ITPEnergised (2022a). Berwick Bank EIA, Ecology Chapter, Technical Appendix 7.1, Preliminary Ecological Appraisal including Desk Study. ITPEnergised, Edinburgh.

ITPEnergised (2022b). Berwick Bank EIA, Ecology Chapter, Technical Appendix 7.2, Protected Species Report. ITPEnergised, Edinburgh.

ITPEnergised (2022c). Berwick Bank EIA, Ecology Chapter, Technical Appendix 7.3, Bats. ITPEnergised, Edinburgh.

JNCC (2010). Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey – a technique for environmental audit, revised re-print. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, UK.

Langton TES, Beckett CL and Foster JP (2001). Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook, Froglife, Halesworth.

Maddock, A., (2011). UK Biodiversity Action Plan; Priority Habitat Descriptions. BRIG (ed. Ant Maddock) 2008. (Updated Dec 2011). Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

Met Office (2022). UK Climate Projections (UKCP). Available at: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/approach/collaboration/ukcp.

Patterson G, Nelson D, Robertson P and Tullis J (2014). Scotland’s Native Woodlands: Results from the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland. Forestry Commission Scotland, January 2014.

Scottish Government (2013). Scottish Biodiversity List. Available online at: https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/16118/Biodiversitylist/SBL  (accessed March 2022).

Scottish Government (2000). Planning for Natural Heritage: Planning Advice Note 60. Available online at: https://www2.gov.scot/Publications/2000/08/pan60-root/pan60 (accessed February 2022).

Scottish Government (2014). Scottish Planning Policy. Available online at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-planning-policy/documents/ (accessed August 2022).

Scottish Government (2021). Scotland 2045 - fourth National Planning Framework - draft: consultation. Available online at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotland-2045-fourth-national-planning-framework-draft/pages/5/ (accessed October 2022).

SEPA (2009) Temporary Construction Methods. Engineering in the Water Environment Good Practice Guide. https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/150997/wat_sg_29.pdf

SEPA (2017). Guidance on Assessing the Impacts of Development Proposals on Groundwater Abstractions and Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems. Version 3. Land Use Planning System SEPA Guidance Note 31.

Wilkinson, J.W., Arnell, A., Driver, D. & Driver, B. 2014. Elaborating the distribution of the great crested newt in Scotland (2010-2011). Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 793.


 

[1] Areas where land access was agreed, and land could be safely accessed.

[2] Habitat IEFs not brought forward for assessment detailed in Table 7.15.