14. Land Use, Tourism and Recreation

14.1. Introduction

  1. This chapter presents the assessment of the likely significant effects (as per the “EIA Regulations”) on the environment of the Berwick Bank Wind Farm onshore transmission works (OnTW) (the Proposed Development) on land use, tourism and recreation. Specifically, this chapter considers the potential impact of the Proposed Development landward of Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS) during the construction, operational and maintenance, and decommissioning phases.
  2. This chapter also assesses the likely significant effects of the Proposed Development on receptors within the intertidal zone (between Mean High-Water Springs (MHWS) and MLWS) during the construction, operational and maintenance, and decommissioning phases. The likely significant effects of the offshore components of the Project (Berwick Bank Wind Farm and offshore transmission infrastructure seaward of MHWS) on tourism and recreation are assessed within the Offshore EIA (Volume 2, Chapter 17). Given the Project is using trenchless technology at the landfall (i.e. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)) there will be no visible infrastructure located within the intertidal area.  Therefore, there is no potential for any direct impacts on receptors in the intertidal zone.

14.2. Purpose of this Chapter

  1. This chapter:
  • Presents the existing environmental baseline established from desk studies, site-specific surveys and consultation with stakeholders;
  • Identifies any assumptions and limitations encountered in compiling the environmental information;
  • Presents the potential environmental effects on Land Use, Tourism and Recreation arising from the Proposed Development, and reaches a conclusion on the likely significant effects on land use, tourism and recreation based on the information gathered and the analysis and assessments undertaken;
  • Evaluates likely significant environmental effects; and
  • Highlights any necessary monitoring and/or mitigation measures recommended to prevent, minimise, reduce or offset the likely significant adverse environmental effects of the Proposed Development on land use, tourism and recreation.

14.3. Study Area

  1. As set out within the EIA Scoping Report (Volume 4, Appendix 2.1), the land use study area comprises the Planning Application Boundary, hereafter referred to as the site (Volume 2, Figure 14.1   Open ▸ ).
  2. The tourism and recreation study area comprises two study areas (Volume 2, Figure 14.1):
  • Inner tourism and recreation study area: comprising the site. Assets relevant to tourism and recreation which have the potential to be directly impacted by the Proposed Development.
  • Outer tourism and recreation study area: comprising a 5 km buffer from the site. Assets which are relevant to tourism and recreation with potential visibility of the Proposed Development, as informed by the zone of theoretical visibility (ZTV), and which therefore have the potential to be indirectly impacted by the Proposed Development.

14.4. Policy and Legislative Context

  1. A summary of the policy provisions relevant to land use, tourism and recreation are provided in Table 14.1   Open ▸ below. A summary of the legislative provision relevant to land use tourism and recreation are provided in Table 14.2   Open ▸ .
Table 14.1:
Summary of Policy Provisions Relevant to Land Use, Tourism & Recreation

Table 14.1: Summary of Policy Provisions Relevant to Land Use, Tourism & Recreation

Table 14.2:
Summary of Legislative Provisions Relevant to Land Use, Tourism and Recreation

Table 14.2: Summary of Legislative Provisions Relevant to Land Use, Tourism and Recreation

14.5. Consultation

  1. A summary of the key issues raised during consultation activities undertaken to date specific to land use, tourism and recreation is presented in Table 14.3   Open ▸ below, together with how these issues have been considered in the production of this chapter. Further detail is presented within Volume 1, Chapter 2 of the Onshore EIA Report and the Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) Report.
Table 14.3:
Summary of Key Consultation Undertaken for the Proposed Development Relevant to Land Use, Tourism and Recreation

Table 14.3:  Summary of Key Consultation Undertaken for the Proposed Development Relevant to Land Use, Tourism and Recreation

  1. Consultation emails were also issued to the following stakeholders from December 2021 to January 2022 to invite feedback on the identified baseline and proposed impact assessment methodology.
  • Dunbar Community Council
  • Cycling Scotland
  • Scottish Canoe Association
  • Ramblers Scotland
  • East Lammermuir Community Council
  • Thorntonloch Caravan Park
  • Thurston Manor Leisure Park
  • Visit Scotland
    1. At the time of writing, no responses from these stakeholders had been received.

14.6. Methodology to Inform Baseline

  1. This section sets out a summary of the methodology to inform analysis of the baseline environments of the land use and tourism and recreation study areas.

14.6.2.              Desktop Study

Land Use

  1. Information on land use within the land use study area was collected through a detailed desktop review of existing studies and datasets. These are summarised in Table 14.4   Open ▸ below. The assessment considers how land use may be impacted and the temporal scope of any change.
Table 14.4:
Summary of Key Desktop Studies & Datasets for Land Use Assessment

Table 14.4:  Summary of Key Desktop Studies & Datasets for Land Use Assessment

Tourism and Recreation

  1. Information on tourism and recreation within the tourism and recreation inner and outer study areas was collected through a detailed desktop review of existing studies and datasets.
  2. Relevant assets to consider were identified through consultation with relevant parties as outlined in Section 14.5 as well as analysis of publicly available tourist information through a desktop study and site-specific survey.
  3. The tourism and recreation desktop study identified the following potential receptors within the inner and outer tourism and recreation study areas:
  • Tourist attractions: includes permanent fixtures as well as temporary events
  • Tourist accommodation
  • Core paths
  • Recreational areas and users: including those on land and using inshore waters, such as surfers, swimmers or sea kayakers.

 

Table 14.5:
Summary of Key Desktop Studies & Datasets for Land Use Assessment

Table 14.5:  Summary of Key Desktop Studies & Datasets for Land Use Assessment

 

14.6.3.              Site-Specific Surveys

  1. To inform the tourism and recreation assessment, a site-specific survey was undertaken.
  2. A detailed walkover survey of the inner and outer tourism and recreation study areas was undertaken in December 2021. The purpose of this study was to confirm the location and status of potential tourism and recreation receptors identified in the desktop study and to identify any additional receptors.

14.7. Baseline Environment

14.7.1.              Overview of Baseline Environment

Land Use

  1. The land use study area is predominantly composed of a patchwork of largely arable agricultural fields, with localised areas of industry including a historic use open cast mine (Volume 2, Figure 14.2   Open ▸ ).
  2. The land use study area has predominantly been used for agriculture and settlement since the 18th century (Volume 2, Figure 14.2   Open ▸ ). There are several small areas of woodland and forestry in the south of the land use study area. It was noted during the tourism and recreation site survey that some areas of land historically noted as being of moorland and rough grazing are areas of established shrub and trees. There are also localised areas of shelter belt and woodland margins planted across the site.  A small area of land at Skateraw has had a land use as a recreation area since the 19th century. Approximately 4.17km of the A1 runs through the site, parallel to the East Coast Main Line.
  3. Table 14.6   Open ▸ provides a breakdown of the classification of the existing land use under the Macaulay Land Capability for Agriculture (LCA) system. This breakdown within the land use study area is presented in Volume 2, Figure 14.3   Open ▸ The extent of Macaulay LCA data does not include the intertidal area, which is predominantly rocky foreshore, therefore is considered to be land of very limited or no agricultural value (i.e., equivalent of Class 7), of no sensitivity, and is not considered further within the land use assessment.  
  4. The majority of the land use study area is prime agricultural land (57.8%), which is primarily made up of Class 2 land (capable of producing a wide range of crops) or Class 3.1 land (capable of producing consistently high yields of a narrow range of crops and/or moderate yields of a wider range) (Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, 1984-87). The majority of the remaining land within the land use study area is Class 3.2 land (capable of average production though high yields of barley, oats and grass can be obtained).
Table 14.6:
LCA within the Land Use Study Area

Table 14.6: LCA within the Land Use Study Area

 

Tourism and Recreation

Tourism Baseline
  1. Tourism is an important business in Scotland bringing in $4.5 billion annually through overnight visitors and over £6.2 billion annually through day visitors (Tourism Scotland, 2020).
  2. The East Lothian Council region is a popular holiday destination by visitors. The East Lothian Economic Development Strategy for 2012-2022 has noted strong progress within the East Lothian tourism sector. With over 40 km of coastline, it is branded as ‘Edinburgh’s Coast and Countryside’. Tourism is a key sector in East Lothian and has been identified as a strength within the East Lothian Economy.
  3. The East Lothian Tourism Action Plan (2018) refers to key areas for growth in the sector such as expansion of existing areas of strength such as golf and increasing opportunities within other areas such as wildlife, cycling and walking.
  4. According to the East Lothian Visitor Survey (2022), the most popular activity for visitors in 2021 was visiting the beach (77%). The Survey identified five key target segments of the tourism industry in East Lothian which include: rural relaxers, sightseers, active explorers, visiting friends and relatives, and event goers. The most common group was ‘rural relaxers’ (26% of visitors), for which the key motivations for visiting East Lothian were accessing the coast and green spaces.
  5. A high proportion of visitors are repeat visitors and the average length of stay for overnight visitors is 4.5 days. Caravan parks and rented accommodation were the most popular forms of accommodation.
Visitor Attractions, Beaches and Tourist Accommodation
  1. The only receptor within the inner tourism and recreation study area is the beach at Skateraw Harbour (Volume 2, Figure 14.4   Open ▸ ). Skateraw Harbour is located in the northern area of the site, partially within the intertidal area. It is a small beach with public visitor facilities including a car park, picnic benches and public toilets.
  2. Within the outer tourism and recreation study area there are six visitor attractions. Torness Power Station is located approximately 0.2 km from the site, on the coastline to the north-east (Volume 2, Figure 14.4). Torness Power Station has an interactive visitor centre and provides tours of the power plant although, at the time of writing this, it is noted that tours are currently suspended, and the exhibition centre is closed. In the west of the outer tourism and recreation study area visitor attractions include the town of Dunbar, the Dunbar Golf Course and garden centre, and a historical landmark known as Doon Hill. Cove Harbour is located within the east of the outer tourism and recreation study area.
  3. Approximately 16 km of the outer tourism and recreation study area runs along the coastline. There are four beaches located in the outer tourism and recreation study area: Thorntonloch Beach, White Sands Beach, Pease Bay Beach and Dunbar East Beach. These all fall partially within the intertidal area.
  4. There are 28 tourist accommodation receptors within the outer tourism and recreation study area, the majority of which are split around Cocksburnpath and towards Dunbar (Volume 2, Figure 14.4   Open ▸ ). These include hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering accommodation as well as caravan and camping parks.  Thorntonloch Caravan Park is located approximately 0.4 km from the site. The car park at Thorntonloch Caravan Park provides access on foot to Thorntonloch Beach.
  5. Volume 4, Appendix 14.1 provides a full list of tourism receptors, and Volume 2, Figure 14.4 demonstrates their location in relation to the Proposed Development.
Recreation Receptors
  1. There are several recreational paths and rights of way located within the tourism and recreation study areas (Volume 2, Figure 14.4   Open ▸ ). The John Muir Link long distance route runs along the coastline from Dunbar to Cockburnspath and is an extension of the popular John Muir Way Coastal Path which runs for 134 miles from Musselburgh/Helensburgh to Dunbar. The John Muir Link runs through both the inner and outer tourism and recreation study area. There are two core paths, 309 and 310, which run along a section of the site boundary in parallel with a stretch of the A1 Road. Core path 18, a minor road from Innerwick, meets the site boundary at the western extent.  Within the outer tourism and recreation study area there are several other core paths (shown in Volume 2, Figure 14.4   Open ▸ ), including the Southern Upland Way (SUW) in the western extent of the outer tourism and recreation study area. This is one of Scotland’s waymarked Long-Distance Routes which runs from Portpatrick in the south-west coast of Scotland to Cockburnspath. A 45 km stretch of the Berwickshire Coastal Path from Cockburnspath is also present within the eastern extent of the outer tourism and recreation study area.  Its route within the study area primarily overlaps with that of the SUW.
  2. There is one heritage path, The Herring Road, that runs through the north-eastern extent of the outer tourism and recreation study area. A heritage path is an old path or road that has been used historically for a specific purpose and is defined by ScotWays. The Herring Road is a 45 km trade route that travels from Dunbar to Lauder. The section between Dunbar and Whiteadder Water is the original road, of which 4 km runs through the outer tourism and recreation study area.
  3. National Cycle Route 76 of the National Cycle network runs from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Edinburgh, Stirling and St Andrews. The National Cycle Route 76 runs through both the inner and outer tourism and recreation study areas, primarily following the route of the A1 and along a minor road and path. The National Cycle Route 76 currently terminates at Torness and there are ongoing improvements to the cycle route near Whitesands quarry as advised by Sustrans. A local cycle route that is a continuation of the National Cycle Route 76 runs through the tourism and recreation study areas travelling southeast.
  4. The water at Thorntonloch Beach is a designated bathing water protected area (SEPA, 2021), and is noted as being used by bathers, fishermen and windsurfers.
  5. The area of East Lothian is well used by horse riders, as advised by the British Horse Society. It is assumed horse riding routes overlap with the core path network and minor local roads within the tourism and recreation study areas.
  6. Volume 4, Appendix 14.1 provides a full list of tourism and recreation receptors, and Volume 2, Figure 14.4   Open ▸ demonstrates their location in relation to the Proposed Development.

14.7.2.              Future Baseline Scenario

  1. The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017, require that “a description of the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment (baseline scenario) and an outline of the likely evolution thereof without development as far as natural changes from the baseline scenario can be assessed with reasonable effort, on the basis of the availability of environmental information and scientific knowledge” is included within the Onshore EIA Report.
  2. In order to ensure that the Proposed Development is assessed against a realistic baseline scenario, i.e., what the baseline conditions are likely to be once the Proposed Development is operational, a description of the likely future baseline conditions is provided within this section.
  3. The baseline data is considered to provide a representative stable baseline of past, present and likely future scenarios. Given the historic and current land use across the land use study area being predominantly agricultural, and there being no plans to increase or improve tourism and recreation facilities within the tourism and recreation study area, it is expected that there will be no substantial change in the future land use or tourism and recreation baseline from that currently reported, or if the Proposed Development were not to go ahead.

14.7.3.              Data Assumptions And Limitations

  1. While the impact assessment methodology process aims to identify all receptors which may be affected by the Proposed Development, there is potential for smaller or less well-known receptors to have not been identified as a result of data limitations. In addition, although the assessment is based on measurable data, a degree of professional judgement has been applied in reference to the maximum design scenario defined in Section 14.8.1.
  2. The data limitations which are relevant to land use, tourism and recreation include:
  • The land use and tourism and recreation assessments relied primarily on information provided by desktop study and consultation which is assumed to be accurate as provided.
  • The tourism and recreation site-specific survey was undertaken outside of peak tourism season. Therefore, representative visitor numbers were not observed. It was therefore assumed all tourism receptors were well used.
  • Data on local visitor numbers was not available. Data was therefore used for the entire East Lothian Council area and assumed to be representative of the study areas. It is acknowledged that this may not capture all tourism and recreation users.

14.8. Key Parameters for Assessment

14.8.1.              Maximum Design Scenario

  1. The maximum design scenario(s) summarised here have been selected as those having the potential to result in the greatest effect on an identified receptor or receptor group. These scenarios have been selected from the details provided in Volume 1, Chapter 5 of the Onshore EIA Report. Effects of greater adverse significance are not predicted to arise should any other development scenario, based on details within the Project Design Envelope (e.g. different infrastructure layout), to that assessed here, be taken forward in the final design scheme.
  2. The maximum footprint of the proposed development, including areas of permanent and temporary infrastructure, has informed the land use assessment. The anticipated construction programme of 40 months and the maximum onshore substation height zone of theoretical visibility (ZTV) has informed the tourism and recreation assessment.
  3. Potential impacts considered within this assessment are the following:
  • temporary loss of agricultural land due to the maximum temporary construction and decommissioning footprint of the Proposed Development;
  • permanent loss of agricultural land due to the maximum permanent footprint of the Proposed Development;
  • direct effects on paths and changes in recreational access due to the presence of works over the construction phase;
  • temporary effects on the amenity of tourism and recreational receptors during construction as a result of reduced visual amenity, increase in traffic levels on access routes to the receptors, or general disturbance due to construction activities; and
  • indirect effects on tourism and recreation receptors during operation due to visual impacts of the Proposed Development onshore substation.

14.8.2.              Impacts Scoped out of the Assessment

  1. Impacts scoped out of the assessment were agreed with key stakeholders during consultation including the scoping process (refer to Volume 4, Appendix 2.1 and Appendix 2.2). These, together with a justification, are presented in Table 14.7   Open ▸ .
  2. Based on the ZTV and construction footprint, receptors which were identified as having no visibility or not susceptible to a direct impact due to the extent of the Proposed Development footprint have been scoped out of further assessment.
  3. Details of those receptors scoped out during the assessment are listed in Volume 4, Appendix. 14.2.
Table 14.7:
Impacts Scoped Out of the Assessment for Land Use, Tourism and Recreation (tick confirms scoped out)

Table 14.7:  Impacts Scoped Out of the Assessment for Land Use, Tourism and Recreation (tick confirms scoped out)

  1. As per Section 14.1, due to the use of trenchless technology (e.g. HDD) within the intertidal area, there are no potential impacts on land use, tourism, or recreation receptors as a result of proposed infrastructure within this area.

14.9. Methodology for Assessment of Effects

14.9.1.              Overview

  1. The land use, tourism and recreation assessment of effects has followed the methodology set out in Volume 1, Chapter 2 of the Onshore EIA Report.

14.9.2.              Impact Assessment Criteria

  1. Determining significance of effects is a two-stage process that involves defining the magnitude of the potential impacts and the sensitivity of the receptors. This section describes the criteria applied in this chapter to assign values to the magnitude of potential impacts and the sensitivity of the receptors. The terms used to define magnitude and sensitivity are based on those which are described in further detail in Volume 1, Chapter 2 of the Onshore EIA Report.
  2. The criteria for defining magnitude in this chapter are outlined in Table 14.8   Open ▸ below.
Table 14.8:
Definition of Terms Relating to the Magnitude of an Impact

Table 14.8:  Definition of Terms Relating to the Magnitude of an Impact

 

  1. The criteria for defining sensitivity in this chapter are outlined in Table 14.9   Open ▸ below.
Table 14.9:
Definition of Terms Relating to the Sensitivity of the Receptor

Table 14.9:  Definition of Terms Relating to the Sensitivity of the Receptor

 

  1. The significance of the effect upon land use, tourism and recreation is determined by correlating the magnitude of the impact and the sensitivity of the receptor, as outlined in Table 14.10   Open ▸ below. Where two outcomes are possible (e.g. Minor to Moderate) professional judgement is applied to determine the outcome.
Table 14.10:
Matrix Used for the Assessment of the Significance of the Effect

Table 14.10: Matrix Used for the Assessment of the Significance of the Effect

14.10. Primary & tertiary mitigation

  1. As part of the project design process, a number of measures have been proposed to reduce the potential for impacts on land use, tourism and recreation (see Table 14.11   Open ▸ ). These include measures which have been incorporated as part of the Proposed Development’s design (referred to as ‘primary mitigation’) and measures which will be implemented regardless of the impact assessment (referred to as ‘tertiary mitigation’). As there is a commitment to implementing these measures, they are considered inherently part of the design of the Proposed Development and have therefore been considered in the assessment presented in Section 14.11 below (i.e. the determination of magnitude and therefore significance assumes implementation of these measures). These measures are considered standard industry practice for this type of development.
Table 14.11:
Measure Adopted as Part of the Proposed Development (Primary & Tertiary Mitigation)

Table 14.11:  Measure Adopted as Part of the Proposed Development (Primary & Tertiary Mitigation)

14.11. Assessment of Significance

  1. An assessment of the likely significance of the effects of the Proposed Development on land use, tourism and recreation receptors caused by each identified impact is given in this Section.
  2. Potential effects on the tourism and recreational receptors are categorised as
  • Direct: where construction activities may affect accessibility or footprint of the receptor; or
  • Indirect: where the Proposed Development may affect visual and recreational amenity of receptors during construction and/or operation.
    1. As set out in Section 14.8.2, receptors which are not directly impacted by the Proposed Development, and which have no visibility of the onshore substation have been scoped out. Details of these receptors are listed in Volume 4, Appendix 14.2. Tourism and recreation receptors in relation to the ZTV are presented in Volume 2, Figure 14.5   Open ▸

 

Changes in Land Use within Land Use Study Area

  1. The potential impact of changes in land use is applicable to the construction phase. Potential construction effects include temporary changes in land use as a result of the footprint of construction works and potential for changes in land use through construction due to the footprint of the permanent infrastructure (i.e. onshore substation and permanent access roads) of the Proposed Development. Volume 2, Figure 5.7 & 5.8 detail the permanent and temporary infrastructure associated with the Proposed Development.  

Construction phase

  1. During construction a total/maximum area of 42.58 ha will be subject to temporary land take. Table 14.12   Open ▸ and Volume 2, Figure 14.6   Open ▸ detail the temporary land take of the entire Proposed Development footprint across each LCA class.
Table 14.12:
Temporary Land Take During Construction

Table 14.12:  Temporary Land Take During Construction

  1. During construction the majority of permanent land take will be a result of the onshore substation footprint. Other permanent infrastructure includes the sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) pond and access tracks. The construction of permanent infrastructure will result in the loss of approximately 16.81 ha of prime agricultural land.  
  2. Table 14.13   Open ▸ and Volume 2, Figure 14.7   Open ▸ detail the permanent land take from each LCA class.
Table 14.13:
Permanent Land Take During Construction

Table 14.13:  Permanent Land Take During Construction

 

Magnitude of impact

Temporary Land Take

  1. The potential for change in land use as a result of temporary land take during construction of the Proposed Development has been assessed as a direct impact. On the basis of a 40 month construction period, with construction works taking place in stages (with the land then being restored as appropriate) across the site, the duration of the impact is defined as short term and intermittent. The temporary land take will be 7.45% of the total land area of the land use study area, and 9.76% of the prime agricultural land within the study area. This is 0.09% of the total prime agricultural land within the East Lothian area (Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, 1984-87).
  2. The impact of temporary change in land use is predicted to be of local spatial extent, short term duration, intermittent and with high reversibility. This will result in a temporary loss of 32.22 ha of prime agricultural land and will have little change to agricultural productivity within the local scale. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low.

Permanent Land Take

  1. The potential for permanent loss of agricultural land due to the construction of permanent infrastructure has been assessed as a direct impact. On the basis of a 35 year operational period, the impact is assessed as long-term and continuous. The permanent land take will be 2.94% of the total land area of the study area, and 5.09% of the prime agricultural land within the study area. This is 0.05% of the total prime agricultural land within East Lothian area
  2. The impact of permanent change in land use is predicted to be of local spatial extent, long term duration, continuous and low reversibility. The permanent loss of prime agricultural land will be less than 17 ha. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low.
Sensitivity of the receptor
  1. The land use within the land use study area is considered to be of low vulnerability to change and is considered to be highly recoverable. All areas of temporary impacts will be restored to their prior land use or managed under an ecological habitat management regime following construction and following agreement with the landowner.
  2. The area of temporary and permanent land take is a matrix of land classes, with the majority being prime agricultural land (Classes 1, 2 and 3.1) and accounting for 14.85 %[4] of the prime agricultural land within the study area. The area of land take is considered to be of regional to national value.
  3. Overall, the land use within the land use study area is deemed to be of low vulnerability, high recoverability and ranges from local to national value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore, considered to be medium.
Significance of the effect
  1. The magnitude of the impact of temporary changes to land use is deemed to be low, and the sensitivity of the land use is considered to be medium. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
  2. The magnitude of the impact of permanent changes to land use is deemed to be low, and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
Secondary mitigation and residual effect
  1. No secondary mitigation is considered necessary in relation to land use because the likely effect in the absence of secondary mitigation is not significant in EIA terms.

Impact on Visitor Numbers to Visitor Attractions

  1. The number of visitors to tourist attractions in the inner and outer tourism and recreation study areas may be impacted during the construction period of the Proposed Development as a result of reduced visual amenity, increase in traffic levels on access routes to the receptors, or general disturbance due to construction activities. Operational effects may arise as a result from changes in the visual amenity of the receptor.

Construction phase

Magnitude of impact
  1. Torness Power Station is located approximately 0.2 km from the site (Volume 2, Figure 14.4). Sections of all access routes to the Power Station via the A1 trunk road may overlap with construction traffic. Construction traffic associated with the Proposed Development may therefore have a potential impact on these access routes around the Power Station. As noted in Table 14.11   Open ▸ , consultation will be undertaken with local stakeholders, including Torness Power Station, to inform them of the programme for construction activities. As the visitor centre is fully inside, there will be no visibility of the construction works from the receptor itself and therefore no visual amenity impacts. As such, construction activities are likely to result in a negligible change to visitor numbers.  The potential impact of change in visitor numbers to Torness Power Station is predicted to be short-term duration, intermittent and will affect the receptor indirectly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be negligible.
  2. Dunbar Golf Course is located 2.5 km from the site (Volume 2, Figure 14.4   Open ▸ ). Due to the distance from the site, Dunbar Golf Course is unlikely to be affected by general disturbance from construction activities. Small areas of Dunbar Golf Course will have some visibility of the construction of the onshore substation and wider cable corridor construction works according to the ZTV and may reduce recreational/visual amenity. However, the construction works and onshore substation will sit within the wider landscape consisting of Torness Power Station and the cement works, and as such the baseline is unlikely to be changed considerably in relation to visual amenity or disturbance for this receptor. Therefore, construction activities are likely to result in a negligible change to visitor numbers. The impact is predicted to be short-term duration, intermittent and will affect the receptor indirectly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be negligible.
  3. Barns Ness Lighthouse is located 1.8 km west of the site (Volume 2, Figure 14.4   Open ▸ ). This receptor will have high visibility of the site and construction works which may reduce the visual amenity and setting from the receptor. However, the construction works and onshore substation will sit within the wider landscape consisting of Torness Power Station and the cement works, and as such the baseline is unlikely to be changed considerably in relation to visual amenity or disturbance for this receptor. In addition, the primary focal view from Barns Ness Lighthouse will be along the coastline and out to sea, not back into the mainland. As such, construction activities are likely to result in a minor change to visitor numbers. The impact is predicted to be short-term in duration, intermittent, and will affect the receptor indirectly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low.
  4. Doon Hill is located 3.2 km from the site (Volume 2, Figure 14.4   Open ▸ ). Part of the receptor will have high visibility of the site and construction works which may reduce the visual amenity and setting from the receptor. However, the construction works and onshore substation will sit within the wider landscape consisting of Torness Power Station and as such the baseline is unlikely to be changed considerably in relation to visual amenity or disturbance for this receptor. Construction activities are therefore likely to result in a minor change to visitor numbers. The impact is predicted to be short-term in duration, intermittent, and will affect the receptor indirectly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low.
Sensitivity of the receptor
  1. Torness Power Station is an indoor based visitor attraction, and its tourism value is not based on visual amenity. The visitor centre is inside the station and therefore will not be sensitive to views of or disturbance from construction. The receptor is deemed to be of low vulnerability, high recoverability and low value.  The visitor attraction at Torness Power Station is considered to be able to absorb change and is of local importance. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore negligible.
  2. Dunbar Golf Course is of regional importance and therefore of medium tourism/recreational value to visitors. However, the receptor sits within the wider landscape, consisting of Whitesands Quarry, Torness Power Station and cement works, and as such it is considered to be able to absorb change. The receptor is deemed to be of low vulnerability, high recoverability and medium value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore, considered to be low.
  3. Barns Ness Lighthouse and Doon Hill are of local importance. They both lie within a modified setting which is dominated by Torness Power Station. Barns Ness is an end point of a recreational walk from Dunbar, from which the view will include Torness Power Station. As such, these receptors are considered to be able to absorb change. These receptors are deemed to be of low vulnerability, high recoverability and low value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore, considered to be low.
Significance of the effect
  1. In relation to Torness Power Station the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be negligible, and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be negligible. The effect will, therefore, be of negligible adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
  2. In relation to Dunbar Golf Course the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be negligible, and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low. The effect will, therefore, be of negligible to minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
  3. In relation to Barns Ness Lighthouse, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be medium, and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms
  4. In relation to Doon Hill, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low, and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low. The effect will, therefore, be of negligible to minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
Secondary mitigation and residual effect
  1. No secondary mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect of change in visitor numbers to visitor attractions during construction of the Proposed Development in the absence of secondary mitigation is not significant in EIA terms.

Operation and maintenance phase

Magnitude of impact
  1. Torness Power Station Visitor Centre is located inside the power station, with the visitor centre focused on nuclear power and the power station, therefore any change in setting due to the presence of the onshore substation is likely to result in a negligible change to visitor numbers. The impact of changes in visitor numbers to Torness Power Station Visitor Centre as a result of the addition of the Proposed Development during operation is predicted to be of local spatial extent, long term duration, continuous and high reversibility. It is predicted that the impact of changes to visitor numbers will affect the receptor indirectly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be negligible.
  2. Due to low visibility of the onshore substation from Dunbar Golf Course, it is likely there will be a negligible change in visitor numbers to Dunbar Golf Course during operation. The impact is predicted to be of long-term duration, continuous and high reversibility. It is predicted that the impact of changes to visitor numbers may affect the receptor indirectly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be negligible.
  3. Due to high visibility of the onshore substation from Doon Hill and Barns Ness Lighthouse, there may be a minor change in visitor numbers to Doon Hill and Barns Ness Lighthouse due to reduced visual amenity. However, due to primary mitigation of the onshore substation design, set out in Table 14.11   Open ▸ , the impact on visual amenity is likely to be minimal. The impact is predicted to be of long-term duration, continuous and high reversibility. It is predicted that the impact of changes to visitor numbers may affect the receptor indirectly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low.
Sensitivity of the receptor
  1. The sensitivities of Torness Power Station Visitor Centre, Dunbar Golf Course, Doon Hill and Barns Ness Lighthouse during operation are considered to be no greater than that described in the construction phase of impact. The sensitivity of Torness Power Station Visitor Centre is considered to be negligible. The sensitivities of Dunbar Golf Course, Barns Ness Lighthouse and Doon Hill are considered to be low.  
Significance of the effect
  1. In relation to Torness Power Station Visitor Centre the magnitude of the impact of changes to visitor numbers is deemed to be negligible, and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be negligible. The effect will, therefore, be of negligible adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
  2. In relation to Dunbar Golf Course the magnitude of the impact of changes to visitor numbers is deemed to be negligible, and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low. The effect will, therefore, be of negligible to minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
  3. In relation to Barns Ness Lighthouse, the magnitude of the impact of changes to visitor numbers is deemed to be low, and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low. The effect will, therefore, be of negligible to minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms
  4. In relation to Doon Hill, the magnitude of the impact of changes to visitor numbers is deemed to be low, and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low. The effect will, therefore, be of negligible to minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
Secondary mitigation and residual effect
  1. No secondary mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect on visitor numbers to visitor attractions during operation of the Proposed Development in the absence of secondary mitigation is not significant in EIA terms.

Impact on Visitor numbers to Beaches

  1. There is the potential for visitor numbers to beaches within the inner and outer tourism and recreation study areas to be reduced during construction period of the Proposed Development as a result of disruptive construction activities. Adverse construction effects may include general disturbance, increased traffic levels on access roads to beaches or visual amenity effects from construction activities. These receptors are partially located within the intertidal area.

Construction phase

Magnitude of impact
  1. Skateraw Beach is the only beach within the inner tourism and recreation study area (Volume 2, Figure 14.4   Open ▸ ). Due to proximity to the infrastructure and construction works there is the potential for the beach to be impacted by construction activities. Access to Skateraw may also be disrupted as the old A1 access road will be used for construction traffic. As part of tertiary mitigation detailed in Table 14.11   Open ▸ , traffic calming measures on this access road will be in place during construction to minimise disruption to the local residents and visitors to the beach. The Applicant will work with ELC to provide advance notice to potential visitors of the construction works around Skateraw and to advise of alternative areas within East Lothian to visit during construction. As such, there may be a moderate change to visitor numbers during construction. The impact of changes to visitor numbers is predicted to be short-term in duration, intermittent, and will affect the receptor indirectly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be medium.
  2. Thorntonloch Beach is located 0.2 km from the site (Volume 2, Figure 14.4   Open ▸ ). The access route to the beach is within the site boundary and may overlap with construction traffic on the old A1 that passes the Thorntonloch beach turn-off, therefore potentially disrupting access to the beach. As such, there may be a minor change to visitor numbers during construction. The impact of changes to visitor numbers is predicted to be short-term in duration, intermittent and will affect the receptor indirectly.  The magnitude is therefore considered to be low.
Sensitivity of the receptor
  1. Skateraw Harbour is the only visitor attraction within the inner tourism and recreation study area. The facilities here include picnic benches and public toilets. ELC advised during consultation (January 2022, Table 14.3) that Skateraw Harbour is not considered to be well-used and visitor numbers are low in comparison to other beaches and attractions within the region. Skateraw Harbour is deemed to be of low tourism/recreational value, vulnerability and high recoverability. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore, considered to be low.
  2. Thorntonloch beach is a popular area for visitors and recreation users. Due to the designated bathing waters and easy access via footpath from Thorntonloch Caravan Park Car Park is it considered to be of medium tourism/recreational value.              The receptor is deemed to be of low vulnerability, high recoverability and medium value. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore, considered to be medium.
Significance of the effect
  1. In relation to Skateraw Harbour, the magnitude of the impact of changes to visitor numbers is deemed to be medium, and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
  2. In relation to Thorntonloch Beach, the magnitude of the impact of changes to visitor numbers is deemed to be low, and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.
Secondary mitigation and residual effect
  1. No secondary mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect on visitor numbers to beaches during construction of the Proposed Development in the absence of secondary mitigation is not significant in EIA terms.

Operation and maintenance phase

Magnitude of impact
  1. According to the ZTV, the onshore substation will only be visible from the far west of Skateraw Harbour. The onshore substation will also sit within the wider landscape consisting of Torness Power Station and as such the baseline is unlikely to be changed considerably in relation to visual amenity or disturbance for this receptor. As such, there is likely to be a negligible change to visitor numbers to Skateraw Harbour during the operational period as a result of reduced visual amenity.  The impact of changes to visitor numbers is predicted to be long-term in duration, continuous, and will affect the receptor indirectly. The magnitude of the impact is therefore considered to be negligible.
  2. According to the ZTV the onshore substation will be visible from an approximate 200 m stretch of Thorntonloch beach. As such, there is likely to be a negligible change to visitor numbers to Thorntonloch Beach during the operational period as a result of reduced visual amenity. The impact of changes to visitor numbers is predicted to be long-term in duration, continuous, and will affect the receptor indirectly. The magnitude is therefore considered to be negligible.
Sensitivity of the receptor
  1. Skateraw Harbour and Thorntonloch Beach are of low and medium tourism/recreational value respectively. However, the primary focal views from Skateraw Harbour and Thorntonloch Beach will be along the beach and out to sea. It was observed during the site survey that Torness Power Station is dominant in the view from Skateraw Harbour. As such these receptors are considered to be able to absorb changes in their setting. The receptors are deemed to be of low vulnerability, high recoverability and medium value. The sensitivity of the receptors is therefore, considered to be low.