7.3. Baseline Environment

A desk-based study has been undertaken to provide an initial understanding of the baseline environment, using online data sources, such as Google imagery (Google, 2020) and the Scottish Natural Heritage landscape characterisation.

7.3.1.         Landscape Character

The landscape of LVIA study area slopes to the east and looks out onto the North Sea and coastal landscape of East Lothian. This landscape is primarily rural and coastal in character but has strong industrial influences such as the Torness Nuclear Power Station, Dunbar Energy Recovery Facility, Dunbar Landfill site and the Oxwell Mains Cement Works and Quarry. The character of the area immediately around the Proposed Development is defined by this industrial landscape context in particular the Torness Nuclear Power Station which sits between the two proposed landfall options and is within 1 km of the closest substation option (Skateraw substation option).

The main physical landscape elements within the immediate context of the Proposed Development are agricultural fields, field boundary trees and hedgerows. Landscape elements potentially affected by the Proposed Development will be identified as part of the LVIA baseline survey.

In 2019, SNH reviewed and updated the landscape characterisation of Scotland. The Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Turbine Development in East Lothian (East Lothian LCS) was published by East Lothian Council in 2005.

The East Lothian LCS focusses on onshore wind turbine development and whilst providing baseline descriptions for the study area does not consider the sensitivity of the landscape to offshore wind turbine development and / or other built energy related development such as the Proposed Development. The revised 2019 SNH landscape characterisation represents the most up-to-date landscape characterisation study in the area and will therefore be used in the LVIA as the basis of the assessment of effects on landscape character and the Landscape Character Type (LCT) boundaries presented in the LVIA.

The Proposed Development lies within LCT 277 Coastal Margins – Lothians and this same character type stretches to the north and south along the coastal landscape of the study area. The study area to the west of the Proposed Development is defined as LCT 269 Upland Fringes – Lothians.

In addition to landscape character, the coastline of the study area is defined by SNH as National Seascape Character Type 2: Rocky Coastline with Open Sea Views (SNH, 2005). East Lothian Council has also identified and described the coastal areas of this part of East Lothian in the Countryside and Coast Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) (ELC, 2018). In this SPG the SNH seascape character type ‘Rocky Coastline with Open Sea Views’ is broken into more distinct areas of coastal character. Area 12 – Barns Ness Coast and Area 13 – Thorntonloch Coast lie within the Proposed Development study area.

Landscape / Seascape Character is shown on Figure 7.2 The LVIA will prepare a baseline description of relevant Landscape / Seascape Character Types (LCTs) within the onshore LVIA study area and focus on assessing the likely significant effects on the character types considered most susceptible to changes as a result of the Proposed Development. These character types are likely to be those where the Proposed Development results in physical changes to landscape elements during construction of the substation, landfall(s), access tracks and cable route; and/or changes to the perception of landscape character during operation of the onshore substation.

7.3.2.         Landscape Planning Designations

Figure 7.3 illustrates the landscape planning designations that coincide with the scoping stage study area. The substation sites are not covered by any landscape planning designations that are associated with scenic quality or value. There are no National Scenic Areas or National Parks with the study area. Five Special landscape Areas (SLAs) designated by East Lothian Council lie partially within the study area – SLA 29: Dunbar to Barns Ness Coast; SLA 30: Thorntonloch to Dunglass Coast; SLA 4: Monynut to Blackcastle; SLA 7: Doonhill to Chesters; and SLA 6: Halls to Bransley Hill. The landfalls and potential cable route options would cross the coastal SLAs 29 & 30. At the edges of the study area, the Dunglass Garden and Designed Landscape (GDL) is to the south-east and the Broxmouth Park GDL is to the north-west of the Proposed Development. 

7.3.3.         Visual Receptors and Views

7.3.3.1.        Visual Baseline

There are a number of visual receptors located within the study area that may be affected by the Proposed Development. Those to be included within the LVIA will be dependent on the finalised substation, landfall(s), access track and cable route locations. Individual residential properties may also be considered where they lie in close proximity to the onshore substation.

Key settlements in the area include Innerwick, Oldhamstocks and Cockburnspath. The study area is crossed by the main routes of the A1 trunk road and ECML railway which follow each other in a wide corridor that follows the sloping coastal topography. The cable route would intersect these key routes. The southern end of the A1087 that connects Dunbar to the A1 trunk road is at the north-western edge of the study area, although there is no theoretical visibility of the substation options from this route within the study area. A network of minor roads connects farmsteads and settled parts of the landscape utilising a network of bridges and tunnels to traverse the A1 trunk road and ECML railway. National Cycle Route (NCR) 76 runs alongside the A1 trunk road for the section of route closest to the site before skirting the east side of the quarries at Oxwell Mains and Skateraw. The John Muir Way Link path runs along the coastline to the east of the A1 trunk road and ECML railway but is often close to these busy routes when near to the Search Area for the Site Boundary. The cable route would cross this long-distance route. Visual receptors are shown on Figure 7.4

7.3.3.2.        Viewpoints

Representative viewpoints proposed for the visual assessment of the Proposed Development are identified in Table 7.1 and shown on Figure 7.5-7.7 for each of the substation options. These have been identified using the initial ZTV diagrams generated for each of the three substation options based on a building height of 20 m. Lightning rods or masts may be taller than this (maximum 26 m), however their slender structures would mean they would be less visible than the built forms over longer distances. The viewpoints will vary depending on the final locations of the substation options and Table 7.1 has also identified which of the options the selected viewpoints apply to.

Feedback and agreement with ELC and SNH on these viewpoint locations is requested as part of the scoping opinion.

Table 7.1:
Proposed Viewpoints

Table 7.1: Proposed Viewpoints

 

Note: only the viewpoints particular to the selected location of the substation will be assessed in the LVIA.

7.4. Tertiary Mitigation

Embedded mitigation measures for effects on the landscape and visual resource are based on the site selection for the Proposed Development, e.g. sensitive siting of the substation, landfall(s), access tracks and cable route to help avoid or reduce the potential impacts.

The detailed site selection process considers constraints relating to physical landscape elements (such as trees and hedgerows), landscape character and visual amenity, together with other environmental and technical constraints. The sensitivity of the surrounding landscape and of residents, road-users, workers and recreational users of the landscape will be a key consideration in the siting and design of the Proposed Development. The capacity of the landscape to accommodate the Proposed Development will be assessed in relation to any natural screening afforded by landform and trees and hedgerows.

7.5. Potential Proposed Development Impacts

7.5.1.         Potential Impacts during Construction

The potential impacts of the Proposed Development during construction would occur in relation to the construction of the substation, landfall(s), access tracks and cable route(s). These would include potential impacts on the physical elements of the locations where construction would take place, as well as impacts on the landscape character and visual amenity of the site and surrounding area. The impacts would relate principally to the construction process, associated plant, materials, infrastructure and temporary structures, as well as the presence of emerging structures, where they would be visible above ground.

7.5.2.         Potential Impacts during Operation

The potential impacts of the Proposed Development during operation would relate principally to the presence of the substation. The effect of the substation on landscape character and visual amenity will be assessed, with particular consideration given to sensitive receptors such as valued landscapes, residents, recreational users of the countryside and road-users.

 

The potential impacts of the substation during operation would be moderated by the presence and growth of mitigation planting, as well as landscaping, around the substation. The gradual reduction in potential impacts during the operational phase would be considered in the LVIA.

It is anticipated that once operational, the potential impacts of the landfall(s) and onshore cable route would be greatly reduced by their presence largely confined to below ground level with a minimum amount of associated development visible above ground.

7.5.3.         Potential Impacts during Decommissioning

The potential impacts of the Proposed Development during decommissioning would relate principally to the removal of the onshore substation. Decommissioning would include potential impacts on the landscape character and visual amenity of the sites and surrounding area. The impacts would relate principally to the decommissioning process, associated plant, materials, infrastructure and temporary structures, as well as the presence of dismantled structures, where they would be visible above ground.

7.5.4.         Potential Cumulative Impacts

The assessment of potential cumulative impacts will adopt the tiered approach set out in Chapter 6.

The LVIA will consider the potential for significant cumulative effects to arise as a result of the addition of the Proposed Development substation in the context of other large scale energy related development within the LVIA study area to be agreed with ELC and SNH. Cumulative energy related developments that are consented or within application will be mapped within the study area.

Existing and under construction development will be considered as part of the baseline to which the Proposed Development will be added. Scenarios which include cumulative developments at the consented or application stage will be considered in the cumulative assessment. Scoping stage developments may only be included at the particular request of ELC or SNH, and where sufficient information to inform the cumulative assessment is publicly available and there is a degree of certainty in relation to the proposals.

In respect of the landfall(s) and onshore cable route, the relatively small scale of the construction and limited residual effects of buried cables during the operational stage, limit the potential for significant cumulative effects to arise, and it is considered that cumulative landscape and visual effects of the cable route and landfall(s) can be scoped out of the LVIA.

7.5.5.          Approach to Assessment

The LVIA will be based on a Design Envelope approach in accordance with The Planning Inspectorate (2018) Using the Rochdale Envelope, Advice Note Nine: Rochdale Envelope, with realistic worst case scenarios for the different elements of the Proposed Development being discussed and agreed with ELC and SNH as necessary.

This section provides a summary of the methodology that would be used to carry out the LVIA of the Proposed Development to form a chapter in the EIAR. A detailed methodology will accompany the LVIA chapter of the EIAR, including detailed descriptions of assessment criteria used in the assessment of effects and will accord with GLVIA3 (Landscape Institute, 2013).

 

The objective of the assessment of the Proposed Development is to predict the significant effects on the landscape and visual resource. In accordance with the requirements of the 2017 EIA Regulations, the LVIA effects are assessed to be either significant or not significant. The significance of effects will be assessed through a combination of two considerations; (i) the sensitivity of the landscape element, landscape character receptor, view or visual receptor, and (ii) the magnitude of change that will result from the introduction of the Proposed Development. In accordance with the Landscape Institute’s GLVIA3, the LVIA author’s methodology requires the application of professional judgement, but generally, the higher the sensitivity and the higher the magnitude of change the more likely a significant effect will be.

The objective of the cumulative LVIA is to describe, visually represent and assess the ways in which the Proposed Development will have additional effects when considered together with other consented or application stage developments and to identify related significant cumulative effects arising from the Proposed Development. The guiding principle in preparing the cumulative LVIA is to focus on the likely significant cumulative effects and in particular those which are likely to influence the outcome of the consenting process.

The LVIA will determine whether effects are beneficial, neutral or adverse in accordance with defined criteria. The effects of the Proposed Development are of variable duration, and are assessed as short-term or long-term, and permanent or temporary/reversible.

7.5.5.1.        Visualisations

A ZTV analysis plan will be prepared to illustrate the theoretical (bare ground) visibility of the substation within the 5 km radius study area. Visualisations illustrating the substation will be prepared to inform the assessment (refer to Table 7.1). These will illustrate the worst-case scenario three-dimensional envelope of the substation set within landform along with any associated mitigation planting (at 1 year and 15 years). Photomontage visualisations will be presented in formats that accord with the Landscape Institute (2019) guidance note - Visual Representation of Development Proposals, Technical Guidance Note 06/19.

7.5.5.2.        Relevant Guidance

The following guidance will be used to inform the LVIA for the Proposed Development:

  • The Landscape Institute with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (2013). Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition (GLVIA3). Routledge;
  • Landscape Institute (2019). Visual Representation of Development Proposals, Technical Guidance Note 06/19. Available at: https://www.landscapeinstitute.org/visualisation/
  • Carys Swanwick Department of Landscape University of Sheffield and Land Use Consultants for The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage (2002). Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland. Available at: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/2671754
    1.              Additional Mitigation Measures

      2. Additional Mitigation Measures

Further mitigation of landscape and visual effects will be presented in an outline landscape strategy for the Proposed Development, which will set out suitable landscape mitigation proposals. Mitigatory tree/woodland/hedgerow planting and landscape design proposals for the substation will be proposed and illustrated in the LVIA, with consideration given to the growth rate of new planting and how this would affect impacts during the operational stage.

In addition, mitigation opportunities during the construction phase of works will be identified in the CEMP. The CEMP will seek to stipulate measures to avoid, reduce or offset environmental effects of the construction works, including those related to landscape and visual amenity.

7.7. Receptors and Impacts Scoped In & Out of Assessment

Table 7.2 below summarises the potential impacts proposed to be scoped in and out of the EIAR.

Table 7.2:
Summary of Impacts Relating to Landscape and Visual Impacts Scoped In () and Scoped Out (x)

Table 7.2: Summary of Impacts Relating to Landscape and Visual Impacts Scoped In () and Scoped Out (x)

 

7.8. Scoping Questions to Consultees


  1. ECOLOGY AND ORNITHOLOGY
    1.              Introduction

      2. Introduction

    2. ECOLOGY AND ORNITHOLOGY Introduction

This chapter sets out the potential ecological and ornithological issues relevant to the Proposed Development and presents the proposed approach for the Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) which will be undertaken as part of the EIAR. The EcIA will assess the potential for likely significant effects on features above a certain value during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases of the Proposed Development.

8.2. Study Area

The ecology and ornithology study area comprises the Search Area for the Site Boundary as shown on Figure 1.1, as well as a feature-specific buffer extending up to a 500 m from the Search Area for the Site Boundary. The study area will be refined in the EIAR once the Planning Application Site Boundary has been finalised.

8.3. Baseline Environment

A desk-based study has been undertaken to provide an initial understanding of the baseline environment, using online data sources, such as Google imagery (Google, 2020) and the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) SiteLink tool (SNH, 2020).

8.3.1.         Nature Conservation Designations (Excluding Geological Features)

A range of statutory nature conservation designations for biological features occur in the local area. All that are located within 2 km of the Search Area for the Site Boundary are considered relevant, as well as those within 10 km that are designated for bird interests. As shown on Figure 8.1 and summarised in Table 8.1, these search areas include the following designations, several of which are overlapping (SNH, 2020):

Table 8.1:
Nature Conservation Designations

Table 8.1: Nature Conservation Designations

 

A single non-statutory nature reserve, the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) Thornton Glen reserve, partly extends east into the central western part of the Search Area for the Site Boundary. The key features are mixed ash, elm and oak woodland, which is also included on the Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI). Additional areas of AWI woodland are present on and off the southern boundary of the Search Area for the Site Boundary.

8.3.2.         Habitats

Apart from the A1 trunk road and the ECML Railway, the onshore environment within the Search Area for the Site Boundary and its immediate surroundings comprises four main ecosystems; the coast, agricultural land, woodland, and freshwater habitats, which can be summarised as follows:

The coastal sections comprise the two landfall options. The intertidal zone at both locations is dominated by shingle/cobbles, with grassland present beyond. As noted earlier, the coastal section of the Skateraw landfall option is part of the Barns Ness Coast SSSI, although not all areas in the coastal section comprise target habitat. Coastal vegetated shingle is listed on the Scottish Biodiversity List (SBL) (Scottish Government, 2013) as a habitat on which negative impacts should be avoided. Coastal habitats are priorities on the East Lothian Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) (East Lothian Biodiversity Partnership, 2008).

Most of the land within the Search Area for the Site Boundary is characterised by agriculture, dominated by large arable fields, with minor inclusions of pasture. Field boundaries mainly comprise hedges. A number of farmsteads and small settlements occur throughout this landscape. Farmland is a local priority on the East Lothian LBAP.  

Small areas of woodland are present as both small areas of semi-natural or planted broadleaved woodland and ancient woodland. In addition to sections in the south of the Search Area for the Site Boundary, the latter is present in the SWT Thornton Glen reserve, located immediately west of the centre of the Search Area for the Site Boundary. Woodland is a local priority on the East Lothian LBAP.

Watercourses within the Search Area for the Site Boundary include Dry Burn to the north-western edge of the Search Area for the Site Boundary, Thornton Burn flows west to east through the centre of the Search Area, a small unnamed watercourse which runs through the Search Area from Innerwick to Skateraw and another small unnamed watercourse to the south of the Search Area flows from the existing substation to also discharge at Thorntonloch beach. There is a small unnamed waterbody present within the wooded area at Skateraw Harbour.

8.3.2.1.        Protected, Otherwise Notable or Controlled Species

The Search Area for the Site Boundary and adjacent areas within 250m are likely to support a range of protected or otherwise notable species, and several have been recorded within the local area in recent years. Those of particular relevance include:

  • Badger (Meles meles): Suitable sett-building habitat is present in woodland and edge habitats, as well as the embankments of the A1 trunk road and ECML railway. The adjacent farmland offers suitable foraging habitat. Badgers and their setts are strictly protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Badger is also a local priority on the East Lothian LBAP.
  • Bats (Chiroptera spp): Potential roosting habitat is providing by mature trees and structures throughout the area. All native bat species are strictly protected as European Protected Species (EPS) under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended). Bats are also priorities on the SBL and East Lothian LBAP.
  • Otter (Lutra lutra): Potentially suitable habitat for otter includes the watercourses within the Search Area for the Site Boundary and adjacent areas, as well as section of the coast. Otter is strictly protected as an EPS and is both an SBL and East Lothian LBAP priority species.
  • Coastal birds: The habitats within and adjacent to the Search Area for the Site Boundary provide opportunities for qualifying bird species of the Firth of Forth SPA, Ramsar site and SSSI and the St Abb's Head to Fast Castle SPA and SSSI, as listed above: The rocky coastline within and adjacent to the Skateraw and Thorntonloch landfall options provide low-tide feeding and roosting locations for birds, whereas farmland habitats within the Search Area for the Site Boundary provide potential opportunities for winter flocks of geese and wading birds.
  • Other birds: A range of other species are known to occur in the local area and could potentially be present within or adjacent to the Search Area for the Site Boundary. They include species listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), such as barn owl (Tyto alba), kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), peregrine (Falco peregrinus), short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) all of which are also East Lothian LBAP species and amber listed on the Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) list (Eaton et al., 2015).
  • Invasive species: Several species listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside act 1981 (as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2012), and for which it is therefore an offence to allow their spread, have been recorded in the local area and could be present within the Search Area for the Site Boundary. They include Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) and entire-leaved cotoneaster (Cotoneaster integrifolius).
    1.         Marine Mammals

Marine mammals will be assessed up to the MHWS within the offshore EIA.

The marine mammal receptors that are at risk of impacts above MLWS are seals at haul-out sites. Data sources characterising seal haul-outs are listed in Table 8.2. 

Table 8.2:
Summary of Key Data Sources for Marine Mammals

Table 8.2: Summary of Key Data Sources for Marine Mammals

 

There are three grey seal haul-out sites that are located within 10 km from the proposed landfall locations: Long Craigs (approximately 7 km), Scart Rock (approx. 6 km), and Black Bull (approx. 7 km). In the east Scotland seal management area (SMA) there are three designated seasonal haul-out sites for grey seals: Fast Castle, Inchkeith and Craigleith. The closest of these designated seasonal haul-outs is Fast Castle, which is located within 2 km of the Thorntonloch landfall option, and 5.5 km from the Skateraw landfall option.

There are no harbour seal haul-out sites near the landfall locations, the nearest harbour seal haul-out site is Eastern Craigs, Black Rocks, Leith, which is located approx. 50 km swimming distance from the nearest proposed landfall location. There are also two designated haul-out sites for harbour seals: Kinghorn Rocks and Inchmickery and Cow and Calves, both of which are located over 40 km from the proposed landfall locations.

8.3.3.         Baseline Methodology

The ecological and ornithological baseline will be updated with habitat, mammal and bird surveys as follows:

  • An extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey of the Search Area for the Site Boundary and an up to 250 m buffer (access permitting) using the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) standard methodology (JNCC, 2010). This will map out the vegetation, including invasive plant species, and identify the potential for protected or otherwise notable species to be present, other than those described below. If such a potential is identified, specialist survey could be required. This will be done in the optimum period from May to September, inclusive.
  • National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey directed to any wetland areas within the Search Area for the Site Boundary and 250 m buffer identified in the Phase 1 habitat survey. The survey will follow the standard methodology set out in the NVC Users’ Handbook (Rodwell, 2006) and with reference to the standard community descriptions and constancy tables in Rodwell (1991 et seq.). The survey will be done in the optimum period from May to September, inclusive. The results of the survey will be compared with the list of potential groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems (GWDTEs) defined by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) (SEPA, 2017).
  • Preliminary bat roost assessment of trees and structures within 50 m of potential works areas (access permitting) will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) (Collins, 2016). If potential roost sites are identified, then additional emergence/re-entry surveys may need to be undertaken in accordance with the BCT guidelines.
  • Badger survey of suitable habitats within potential works areas and a 100 m buffer (access permitting). The survey will be based on the standard methods described in Scottish Badgers (2018) and will involve a systematic search for setts and field evidence, such as feeding signs, dung pits, footprints and runways in vegetation.
  • Otter survey of suitable habitats within potential works areas and a 250 m buffer (access permitting). The survey will be based on the standard methods described in Chanin (2003) and will involve a systematic search for holts and other resting places and field evidence, such as feeding signs, spraints, footprints, and sightings of the animals themselves. Any evidence of water vole (Arvicola amphibius) will be recorded simultaneously with the otter survey, using the standard methods described in Strachan et al. (2011).
  • Breeding birds walkover survey of potential works areas and a 500 m buffer (access permitting) based on the Common Bird Census (CBC) survey (Gilbert et al., 1998) in which a series of visits are made to a site during the breeding season, and observations of birds, by sight or sound, are recorded on a map. Three surveys were carried out in June and July 2020; the COVID-19 pandemic prevented any surveys in April and May 2020. SNH was consulted about this deviation from the standard survey window, and in an email dated 30 April 2020, SNH stated that because the proposed route avoids nationally-designated sites (except for the stretch at Barns Ness Coast SSSI which is not designated for bird interests), and will traverse farmland for the most part, SNH anticipates a low level of risk to particularly sensitive bird receptors; under COVID-19 related restrictions the amended survey programme is therefore acceptable to SNH (refer to Annex B1).
  • Wintering birds walkover survey of potential works areas and a 500 m buffer (access permitting) based on the methods in Bibby et al. (2000). Four walkover surveys will be undertaken between November 2020 and March 2021.
  • Monthly surveys within the intertidal ornithology study area at the landfall locations (Figure 7.18) are planned for the period between September 2020 and March 2021. Each survey will comprise a six hour ‘through-the-tide’ count, during which time the distribution, numbers and activity of bird species present will be recorded at appropriate intervals. Contextual data on weather conditions, sources of potential disturbance (dog walkers, predators etc.) will also be noted, and all resulting data compiled on Microsoft Access data and ArcGIS. Accompanying the inter-tidal survey effort data, there will also be recording of birds in the nearshore in the intertidal ornithology study area from an appropriate shore-based vantage point, up to 300 m from the shoreline. study area from an appropriate shore-based vantage point, up to 300 m from the shoreline.

Surveys will be undertaken by qualified and experienced surveyors and their details will be provided in the EIAR. The timing of these surveys has been agreed to with SNH (refer to Annex B1).

8.4. Tertiary Mitigation

8.4.1.         Construction Phase Mitigation

During construction, the CEMP will be implemented across the Search Area for the Site Boundary which will include the following measures relevant to ecology and ornithology:

  • Any watercourse crossings will be designed to enable passage by mammals.
  • SSE will appoint a suitably qualified Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) prior to the commencement of any construction activities. The ECoW will be present and oversee all construction activities as well providing toolbox talks to all site personnel with regards to priority species and habitats, as well as undertaking monitoring works and briefings to relevant staff and contractors as appropriate.
  • A Species Protection Plan will be produced and agreed prior to construction commences and then implemented during the construction phase. The Species Protection Plan will detail measures to safeguard protected species known to be in the area and will include for pre-construction surveys for protected species (complimenting the seasonality of the construction start date) as well as ensuring the use of best practice measures during all construction activities (such as sensitive lighting, ramps exiting open excavations, etc.). The Species Protection Plan will describe the process to be followed in the case that new protected species are recorded on site that will therefore also need to be protected during construction works, as well ensuring the implementation of effective toolbox talks to raise awareness of site personnel to sensitive ecological receptors on site.
  • To prevent pollution of watercourses (with particulate matter or other pollutants such as fuel), best practice techniques will be employed. These will include buffer strips around sections of track adjacent to watercourse crossings and bund and embankment features to be implemented, no direct discharges of water from works areas to existing drainage channels or surface watercourses; drainage will be directed to infiltration trenches, settlement swales or lagoons.
    1.          Operation Phase Mitigation

No ecology-related mitigation is likely to be required during the operational phase, because significant operational effects on ecological features are not anticipated. However, this will be verified in the EcIA. If a need is highlighted, additional mitigation will be identified and implemented accordingly.

As part of the Proposed Development, opportunities for biodiversity enhancements within the Search Area for the Site Boundary will be identified. This can include measures, such as planting species-rich hedgerows and establish and manage species-rich grassland within the Search Area for the Site Boundary.

8.4.3.         DecommissionING Phase Mitigation

The potential for impacts during the decommissioning phase is likely to be similar to those for the construction phase, albeit on a smaller scale, and the same mitigation measures as outlined for the construction phase will therefore be in place during decommissioning too.

8.5. Potential Proposed Development Impacts

8.5.1.          Approach to Assessment

The EcIA will deviate from the general approach to impact assessment, as outlined in Chapter 6, and will instead be carried out using the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (2018) guidelines. In accordance with these guidelines, the Ecology and Ornithology chapter of the EIAR will summarise the ecological and ornithological baseline, with the findings of the survey work detailed in technical reports, which will be appended to the EIAR. Features will then be evaluated using the CIEEM (2018) criteria, and Important Ecological Features (IEFs) (which are those of local or higher value) that may be susceptible to the Proposed Development will be brought forward for an assessment of impacts during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases, assuming the presence of standard mitigation measures (see below). Additional mitigation may be identified where any significant impacts are predicted. The potential for cumulative ecological effects will also be assessed, which we consider will include developments within 2 km of potential works areas. Any significant (beneficial or adverse) residual effects will be clearly presented and discussed appropriately.

8.5.2.         Potential Impacts during Construction

The key ecology and nature conservation issues to be considered with respect to the construction phase of the Proposed Development are likely to include the following:

  • Temporary habitat loss from temporary footprints.
  • Permanent habitat loss from permanent footprints.
  • Fragmentation of existing habitats from land-take.
  • Disturbance of fauna (including potential impact on marine mammals from construction activities onshore above MLWS).
  • Direct mortality of fauna.
    1.          Potential Impacts during Operation

The key ecology and nature conservation issues to be considered with respect to the operational phase of the Proposed Development are likely to include the following:

The key ecology and nature conservation issues to be considered with respect to the decommissioning phase of the Proposed Development are likely to include the following:

  • Temporary habitat loss and fragmentation from temporary footprints.
  • Disturbance of fauna.
  • Direct mortality of fauna.
    1.              Potential Cumulative Impacts

      2. Potential Cumulative Impacts

Cumulative impacts on onshore IEFs due to the onshore and offshore infrastructure associated with the Project will be assessed using the tiered approach set out in Chapter 6.

Potential cumulative impacts on IEFs could arise from nearby developments, which are either in planning or which have been consented but not yet constructed. Potential cumulative construction phase impacts may include increased loss of habitat for protected species or visual or noise disturbance of coastal birds.

8.7. Receptors and Impacts Scoped In and Out of Assessment

Table 8.3 below summarises the potential receptors impacts proposed to be scoped in or out of the EIAR.

Table 8.3:
Summary of Impacts Relating to Ecology and Ornithology Impacts and Receptors Scoped In () and Scoped Out (x)

Table 8.3: Summary of Impacts Relating to Ecology and Ornithology Impacts and Receptors Scoped In () and Scoped Out (x)