Iggesund Wind Farm - IEMA · 1.1 Overview 1.1.1 This document is the non-technical summary of the Environmental Statement for Iggesund Wind Farm. It has been prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff

Iggesund Wind Farm

Non-Technical Summary

September 2014

Non-technical Summary

3511582A

Prepared forIggesund Paperboard (Workington) Ltd

SiddickWorkington

CumbriaCA14 1JX

Prepared byParsons Brinckerhoff

Amber CourtWilliam Armstrong Drive

Newcastle Business ParkNewcastle-upon-Tyne

NE4 7YQ

www.pbworld.com


Non-technical Summary.docx Prepared by Parsons BrinckerhoffSeptember 2014 for Iggesund Paperboard (Workington) Ltd

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CONTENTS

1 Introduction 21.1 Overview 21.2 The Developer 21.3 The Environmental Statement 31.4 Copies of the Environmental Statement 3

2 Planning Policy Context 52.2 National Planning Policy 52.3 Local Planning Policy 5

3 The Proposed Development 63.1 Site Description 63.2 Project Layout 6

4 Environmental Impact Assessment 84.1 Landscape and Visual 84.2 Air Quality 104.3 Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology 114.4 Ecology and Nature Conservation 124.5 Ornithology 144.6 Cultural Heritage and Archaeology 154.7 Noise 164.8 Socio-economics 174.9 Safety 184.10 Shadow Flicker 194.11 Telecommunications 204.12 Aviation and Radar 214.13 Traffic and Infrastructure 22



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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview

1.1.1 This document is the non-technical summary of the Environmental Statement forIggesund Wind Farm. It has been prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff on behalf ofIggesund Paperboard (Workington) Limited.

1.1.2 Iggesund Wind Farm is a three turbine wind farm on land to the east and south of theexisting Iggesund Papermill and Biomass Combined Heat and Power plant, nearWorkington, Cumbria. The site boundary is shown on Figure 1 below.

Figure 1: site boundary

1.1.3 The Development will comprise of three turbines each with an anticipated ratedinstalled generating capacity of 3 megawatts. Each turbine will have a total height totip of up to 110 m.

1.2 The Developer

1.2.1 Iggesund Paperboard (Workington) Limited is a European market leader in themanufacture of high quality paperboard. They are owned by the Holmen Group; aNational Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAC) OMXNORDIC listed company. The Iggesund Papermill has been in operation since 1967.The site area covers 49.9 hectare. There are further Iggesund sites located inSweden and the Netherlands. The Iggesund Papermill has the capacity to produceapproximately 200,000 tonnes of paperboard per annum. Iggesund Paperboard(Workington) Limited’s main markets are in Europe, primarily the UK, Germany andFrance. This site employs approximately 380 people.

1.2.2 In a drive to become more sustainable, Iggesund Paperboard (Workington) Limited iscurrently assessing options for the best use of its land to generate renewable energy.Iggesund Paperboard (Workington) Limited is currently investing 108 million poundsso that the company’s energy requirements can be solely met by biofuel. A 50



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megawatts electrical biomass power station to the south of the Iggesund Papermillcurrently supplies electrical power. Furthermore willow (salix), a short rotation coppicecrop, has been planted on land to the east of the Iggesund Papermill, this will aid thesupply of biofuel to the biomass combined heat and power plant. The development ofwind turbines at the site is part of this overall drive for sustainability.

1.3 The Environmental Statement

1.3.1 A Scoping Report was prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff and issued to AllerdaleBorough Council, statutory consultees and other national and local interest groups inJanuary 2012.

1.3.2 The Scoping Report described the key environmental issues that, in IggesundPaperboard (Workington) Limited’s opinion, would require detailed evaluation as partof the Environmental Impact Assessment process. Responses from the consulteesfurther informed the Environmental Impact Assessment process.

1.3.3 The Environmental Statement is the culmination of a series of studies anddiscussions to assess the scope of the Development, identify the nature of theexisting environment and any potential impact of the Development, and outlinesuitable mitigation measures to limit these impacts, where identified, to an acceptablelevel.

1.3.4 This Environmental Statement is structured as follows:

EnvironmentalStatement Volume 1

Contains the written text of the Environmental ImpactAssessment, including an outline of the EnvironmentalImpact Assessment methodology, a project descriptionincluding details on site selection, the planning context andthe environmental assessments.


Contains the technical appendices.


Contains the figures to support the assessments asdescribed in Environmental Statement Volume 1.

1.3.5 Additional documents submitted with the Environmental Statement include:

· Planning Statement;

· Planning Application Forms;

· Design and Access Statement; and

· Statement of Community Involvement.

1.4 Copies of the Environmental Statement

1.4.1 Copies of this Environment Statement are available from the following address for afee of £150. Alternatively, an electronic version is available on CD ROM for a fee of£15.

The Renewables TeamParsons BrinckerhoffAmber Court



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William Armstrong DriveNewcastle Business ParkNewcastle upon TyneNE4 7YQTel: 0191 226 2000Please quote project number 3511582A.

1.4.2 The Non-Technical Summary is available, free of charge, as a separate volume, uponrequest.



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2 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT

2.1.1 Numerous guidance documents relating to UK planning policy for the siting anddevelopment of wind energy projects are available at a national, regional and locallevel.

2.1.2 The following planning policy documents have been considered as a materialconsideration in this planning application:

· National Planning Policy Framework (2012);

· Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1);

· Cumbria County Council Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document; and

· Cumbria County Council Landscape Toolkit.

2.2 National Planning Policy

2.2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework has replaced the previous Planning PolicyGuidance and Planning Policy Statements with a single document setting out theGovernments economic, environmental and social planning policies for England. TheNational Planning Policy Framework provides the planning policy context for theEnvironmental Statement. Running throughout the National Planning PolicyFramework is a presumption in favour of sustainable development.

2.2.2 The National Planning Policy Statement states that local planning authorities shouldfollow the approach set out in the National Policy Statement for Renewable EnergyInfrastructure (EN-3) when assessing wind energy developments; with reference tothe relevant sections of the Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1).

2.2.3 In July 2013 the Department for Communities and Local Government issued guidanceon the planning issues associated with the development of renewable energy;‘Planning Practice Guidance for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy’.

2.3 Local Planning Policy

2.3.1 The Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1) was adopted on the 16th July 2014. This forms a keyelement of the development plan for the area, setting out strategic and developmentmanagement policies that will guide development up to 2029.

2.3.2 The most relevant policy in the local plan is Policy S19. The policy states thatAllerdale Borough Council will promote and encourage renewable energydevelopments and low carbon energy. The policy states:

“Proposals where impacts (either in isolation or cumulatively) are, or can be madeacceptable will be permitted.”

2.3.3 The policy states that impacts on the following must be acceptable: air quality, odour,water, visual impacts / landscape, shadow flicker, ecology and heritage.

2.3.4 For further details of the planning policy and guidance considered as part of theapplication, please see Section 3 of the final Environmental Statement.



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3 THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

3.1 Site Description

3.1.1 The proposed site is situated 350 m from Seaton, 600 m from Siddick and 2 km fromWorkington. It falls within the administrative boundary of Allerdale Borough Council.

3.1.2 The total site area is approximately 49.9 hectares in size and is currently comprised ofthe Iggesund Papermill with associated out buildings, and undeveloped agriculturalland to the east. The site is 16 m Above Ordnance Datum in the west rising toapproximately 35 m Above Ordnance Datum at the very eastern edge of the site. It isbounded to the north by Lowca Lane, to the west by the A596, and to the south by apublic right of way (National Cycleway 71). Hazel Gill County Wildlife Site and LingBeck are both located in the south of the site. Ling Beck runs roughly east to westand discharges into Siddick Ponds Site of Special Scientific Interest adjacent to thesouth western boundary of the site and subsequently into the Derwent Estuary.

3.1.3 The site lies within a wider industrial setting with surrounding industries including theIggesund Papermill to the west and the Eastman Chemical Plant to the north. LowcaLane at the northern boundary of the site provides access from the A596 to theEastman Chemical Plant and the village of Seaton.

3.1.4 The A596 road runs north to south linking Workington with Maryport, Carlisle andbeyond. Travelling south along the A596 the road passes through Siddick and thenSt Helen’s Business Park and Dunmail Retail Park to the south of the site. To thenorth of the site is a United Utilities sewerage works.

3.2 Project Layout

3.2.1 The Development comprises three wind turbines together with associated ancillaryinfrastructure.

3.2.2 It is expected that the hub height would be approximately 65 m tall (the distance fromground to the hub) and that the turbines will have a rotor diameter of the order of90 m. The rotor and hub will be sized accordingly to produce a total height to tip at itshighest position (referred to as tip height) of a maximum of 110 m.

3.2.3 The proposed site layout is detailed in Table 1 and Figure 2.

Table 1: Proposed Locations of the Wind TurbinesTurbine Number Easting Northing

T1 300625 531183T2 300523 530744T3 300159 530718

3.2.4 There are two proposed access routes to the site. Access to T1 will be via the existingaccess track off Lowca Lane, and access to T2 and T3 will be via the existing accessto the Papermill itself from the A596.



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Figure 2: proposed site layout



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4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

4.1 Landscape and Visual

4.1.1 An assessment of the effects the Iggesund Wind Farm is predicted to have on thelandscape and views from the surrounding area during construction, operation anddecommissioning was undertaken.

4.1.2 Landscape character and quality effects would be due primarily to their overall heightand the movement of their blades and would last approximately 25 years (i.e. for theexpected duration of the Development). However due to the presence of the existingwind turbines in the surrounding area the Development would not register as a new,defining landscape element within the wider landscape of the study area.

4.1.3 The Lake District National Park lies approximately 11 km to the east of the proposedDevelopment at its closest point to the site. The Solway Coast Area of OutstandingNatural Beauty lies approximately 7km north of the proposed wind farm. TheIggesund Wind Farm would not affect important views from the Lake District NationalPark or Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

4.1.4 No significant effects are also predicted upon Registered Parks and Gardens,Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, St Bees Heritage Coast.

4.1.5 A significant visual amenity effect is anticipated at Burrow Walls Roman Fort; howevera number of other elements are visible from Burrow Wall Roman Fort includingDunmail Retail Park, Iggesund Papermill, a disused railway line and residentialdevelopments.

4.1.6 Significant visual effects are limited to views from settlements up to 1 km radius of theproposed Development. These comprise localised parts of Siddick, Seaton and NorthSide and dispersed dwellings where residents experience clear visibility of theproposed turbines within principal views. Visual effects from settlements will varydepending on the potential for shadow casting, view proximity and the percentage ofthe view occupied by the proposed turbines from the residential property. Theassessment did not identify any properties where it was considered that the visualeffect of the scheme could render occupation unacceptable.

4.1.7 The impacts on recreational receptors including users of the National Cycle Routes71 and 72 are likely to be significant due to their close proximity to the Development.However there are views of the existing wind turbines in the surrounding area fromthese locations.

4.1.8 The cumulative landscape and visual effects are not considered adverse because theproposed turbines at the Iggesund Wind Farm are not introducing a new landscapeelement. The design, siting and proximity of the operational wind farms at Eastman,Siddick and Oldside will provide visual cohesion within a limited area of coastallandscape.

4.1.9 Overall, the proposed Iggesund Wind Farm design has been optimised, takingaccount of the technical and environmental constraints and has achieved a turbinelayout which relates to the scale and composition of the surrounding landscape andsettlement pattern. The effects on landscape character and visual amenity within thesurrounding area have been minimised as a result. The potential for significantlandscape and visual effects would be localised as a result of screening effects oflocal vegetation, the topography and the existing industrial landscape of the area. The



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conclusion is therefore that in landscape and visual terms the proposed IggesundWind Farm has the inherent capacity to accommodate development of the scaleproposed.

4.1.10 For further information on the landscape and visual assessment, see Section 6 of thefull Environmental Statement.



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4.2 Air Quality

4.2.1 The Environmental Statement considers the impacts of the Development on local andnational air quality during construction, operation and decommissioning.

4.2.2 The baseline air quality was assessed and no air quality management areas havebeen identified in the vicinity of the site. The air quality in Allerdale has beenassessed as better than the national average.

4.2.3 The Development could impact upon the local air quality during the constructionphase for example through the emission of dust due to wind blowing over bare earth.With suitable techniques employed and a relatively short construction time, theresidual impact on air quality is expected to be minor.

4.2.4 During operation nationally and globally, a significant benefit of the use of wind powerrather than fossil fuels is the reduction of emissions of environmentally harmful gases,in particular carbon dioxide.

4.2.5 The quantity of carbon dioxide emissions that the Development would prevent beingemitted from non-renewable sources has been calculated using the RenewableUKmethodology (which is available on the RenewableUK website).

4.2.6 Using the RenewableUK figures it can be estimated that the Development could offsetthe emission of 8895 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

4.2.7 Annual electricity production per MW (or 1000 kW) installed capacity at theDevelopment is expected to be approximately equal to:

• 90000 (kW) x 8760 (number of hours in a year) x 0.2624 (capacity factor)

• Therefore, annual electricity production per MW = 20,687,616 kWh.

4.2.8 This means, for the Development which is expected to have an output of 9 MW, thetotal annual electricity production would be approximately 20,687 MWh; theequivalent to approximately 4891 households based on average annual domesticconsumption of 4229 kWh.

4.2.9 For further information on the air quality assessment, see Section 7 of the fullEnvironmental Statement.



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4.3 Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology

4.3.1 The assessment indicated that the geology at the site comprises of the PennineUpper Coal Measures Formation. This is aged roughly between 313 to 304 millionyears and is a sandstone comprised of interbedded grey mudstone, siltstone and palegrey sandstone commonly with coal seams. The superficial geology at the site is tilland the soil is classified as a slowly permeable seasonally wet acid loamy and clayeysoil with impeded drainage and low fertility.

4.3.2 The main surface water features at the site are Ling Beck which is designated as amain river by the Environment Agency and crosses the site east to west and a fielddrain which crosses the site north to south.

4.3.3 The site is classified as a Secondary Aquifer A which means that the aquiferunderlying the site is capable of supporting water supplies at a local as opposed to astrategic scale. There are no licensed abstractions from this aquifer in the vicinity ofthe site.

4.3.4 The assessment identified areas of activity, particularly during the constructionphase,that may have the potential to impact upon the underlying geology and thewater environment of the site and surrounds. Potential impacts identified include:

· Spills/contamination;

· Changes in groundwater;

· Increase in surface water due to a small addition in hardstanding.

4.3.5 Detailed investigations of the site ground conditions will be carried out prior toconstruction works commencing.

4.3.6 The potential for the proposed Development to affect geological, hydrogeological andhydrological features is mitigated, both through design and through the adoption ofmanagement plans and best practice. These mitigation measures concentrate oncontrolling surface water runoff and preventing/managing the mobilisation ofcontamination/pollution.

4.3.7 With the implementation of best practice mitigation it is considered that the impact ofthe Development upon the geology, hydrology and hydrogeology of the area is notsignificant.

4.3.8 For further information on the geology, hydrology and hydrogeology assessment, seeSection 8 of the full Environmental Statement.



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4.4 Ecology and Nature Conservation

4.4.1 The ecology assessment has been informed through a suite of desk and field basedsurveys to inform the baseline conditions of the survey area. The species of interesthave been identified.

4.4.2 The site is not covered by any statutory nature conservation designations, the nearestbeing Siddick Ponds Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserveadjacent to the site southern boundary. Within the site boundary there is one non-statutory designation (Hazel Gill) which is a County Wildlife Site, an ancient semi-natural woodland.

4.4.3 An extended Phase 1 Habitat survey was undertaken on 15th March 2012 to assessthe ecological value of the site and record any protected habitats, orevidence / potential of any notable or protected species on site or within the relevantsurrounding area. The survey indicated that the site had the potential to support anumber of protected / notable species, including badger, otter, water vole, redsquirrel, bats, birds, reptiles, white-clawed crayfish and small blue butterfly. Detailedsurveys were recommended for Bats.

4.4.4 The site was considered of negligible value for badgers, water vole, red squirrel,white-clawed crayfish.

4.4.5 Otters are known to be present in Siddick Ponds and the habitat along Ling Beckthrough the site is considered to be suitable to facilitate the movement of otters. TheDevelopment has been designed with a 50 m buffer from Ling Beck apart from at oneexisting crossing point. No significant effects will occur on the local otter population.

4.4.6 Bat surveys were undertaken in 2013, very low levels of high risk and low riskspecies, and low levels of medium risk species were found to use the site. Thewoodland strip adjacent to Ling Beck will be bolstered with planting, and thehedgerows to the south of the site to be strengthened. Overall, the impact upon batsspecies is considered to be not significant.

4.4.7 The survey area contains habitat suitable to support common reptile speciesHowever, given the small area due to be affected, it is considered extremely unlikelythat the construction of the proposed wind farm will cause any problems to reptiles.The construction of the proposed wind farm will require vegetation clearance andground works, which will be undertaken in a manner to minimise risks to reptilespecies. Subject to the implementation of the mitigation proposed in theEnvironmental Statement it is considered that potential impacts on reptile species dueto the Development will not be significant.

4.4.8 Six patches of kidney vetch are within the site boundary, kidney vetch is the foodplant of the small blue butterfly. Measures, to be implemented such as avoidingareas of kidney vetch where possible, translocation within the site, and the seedingand recreation of kidney vetch along the new access tracks. The mitigation willensure that small blue butterflies are protected, and as such impacts are notsignificant.

4.4.9 The potential effects of the proposed Development have been identified and whereappropriate mitigation has been prescribed. No cumulative effects have beenidentified. Overall, the Development does not significantly affect the ecology presenton the site or in the surroundings.



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4.4.10 For further information on the ecology and nature conservation assessment, seeSection 9 of the full Environmental Statement.



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4.5 Ornithology

4.5.1 Breeding birds surveys, wintering bird surveys and vantage point surveys were allundertaken.

4.5.2 The breeding bird surveys identified 48 species within the study area and 34 of theseshowed the potential to be breeding. The breeding bird assemblage was comprisedmainly of common species, of the species of conservation concern, song thrush(Turdus philomelos), dunnock (Prunella modularis), bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) andlinnet (Carduelis cannabina) were likely to be breeding on site.

4.5.3 The wintering bird surveys identified 46 species in the study area. The results of theover-wintering bird surveys show that the area supports some important bird speciessuch as golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria), bittern (Botaurus stellaris) and whopperswan (Cygnus cygnus). Whilst the majority of records for species such as these weremade within the area adjacent to the Siddick Ponds Site of Special Scientific Interest,the site is used by these species for foraging.

4.5.4 No evidence of commuting routes through the site was identified during the vantagepoint surveys.

4.5.5 During construction it was assessed that the Development would have negligibleimpact on ornithology. The Development would not result in any important habitatloss which would impact ornithology and the wind turbines and associatedinfrastructure are not located in areas significant for breeding or wintering birds.

4.5.6 During operation, the assessment identified that less than 1% of the golden ploverpopulation would be at risk from collision therefore the impact is negligible.

4.5.7 To ensure impacts from construction are further reduced all habitat clearance will takeplace outside of the breeding bird season. Furthermore construction around thelocation of turbine T3 will, where possible, take place outside the peak months ofwintering activity. No mitigation is proposed for the operational phase.

4.5.8 No residual impacts are predicted following the implementation of mitigation. Acumulative impact assessment, which considered all additional wind farms within2 km assessed the impact on ornithology as negligible.

4.5.9 For further information on the ornithology assessment, see Section 10 of the fullEnvironmental Statement.



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4.6 Cultural Heritage and Archaeology

4.6.1 Twenty-seven heritage assets were identified during the desk based assessment. Ofthese, 12 have statutory designation (World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Monuments,Listed Buildings, and Registered Parks and Gardens) and 15 are non-designated. Allof the designated assets lie within the 5 km Study Area, but are located outside theproposed Development. Heritage assets found within the site boundary include afield boundary and an embankment.

4.6.2 The location of Burrow Walls Roman Fort and Signal Station 29 suggests Romanoccupation and activity in close proximity to the proposed Development. Furtherevidence of Roman activity has been found within 5 km of the proposed Developmentwith Rise How towers 25a and 25b, which form part of Hadrian’s Wall World HeritageSite and also a Romano-British settlement site. There is also the potential that aRoman road may run through the proposed Development as Burrow Walls Fortwould have been linked to the Signal Station 29 and the towers at Rise How.

4.6.3 During construction, the proposed Development has the potential to have a minoradverse effect on any undiscovered archaeology that may be present within the siteboundary, and the potential for any undiscovered remains to be present is moderateto high.

4.6.4 The effect will be a long-term impact on the following Heritage Assets. Themoderate/large adverse impact will be on two Scheduled Monuments (Burrow WallsRoman Fort and Rise How Tower 25b) within Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site andtwo associated non-designated assets also within the World Heritage Site. However,the significance of these settings has already been depreciated by existing windenergy projects. The remaining designated assets, all of which lie outside of theWorld Heritage Site, will be impacted upon in a slight manner.

4.6.5 During the decommissioning phase, a neutral/slight effect on the Heritage Assets hasbeen concluded as this will be temporary and any groundworks would be kept to aminimum.

4.6.6 The section proposes preservation by site record for any undiscovered buriedheritage assets found on the site. Following the implementation of the mitigationstrategy, there will be no residual effects to the non-designated heritage assets withinthe proposed Development. However, there will be a residual effect on thesignificance of the setting of some designated heritage assets.

4.6.7 There will be cumulative effects upon the designated heritage assets due to thepresence of two operational wind energy developments (Eastman and Siddick) within1 km of the proposed Development and a consented project at Wythegill. However,the significance of the setting of these assets has already been depreciated by theexisting wind energy projects.

4.6.8 For further information on the cultural heritage and archaeology assessment, seeSection 11 of the full Environmental Statement.



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4.7 Noise

4.7.1 This section of the Environmental Statement assesses the impact of the proposedDevelopment on noise at the surrounding residential areas.

4.7.2 This assessment measured background noise at four residential receptors consideredrepresentative of the majority of residential developments in the area:

· 55 Hazelgrove;

· 3 New Villas;

· Annsmere, Siddick Road; and

· 33 Meadow Vale.

4.7.3 The results of the background noise survey have been correlated against measuredwind speed data in order to establish changes in the noise climate at the proposedsite with increasing wind speed. From this data, noise limits for the Development havebeen derived for the night-time and amenity hours in accordance with themethodology set out in ETSU-R-97 – The Assessment and Rating of Noise from WindFarms.

4.7.4 The assessment has been made using the candidate turbine, the Vestas V90 with ahub height of 65 m. From this assessment, predictions of noise levels that couldimpact on the nearest residential properties and surrounding area have beenidentified.

4.7.5 The predicted noise levels as a result of the operation of the proposed Development,fall within the noise limits advised as appropriate in the noise guidance, at all of thenearest noise sensitive receptors, for the Development.

4.7.6 A cumulative noise assessment was carried out which considered surrounding windfarms including Eastman, Wythegill, Siddick and Oldside. The cumulative assessmentdetailed that noise levels would not exceed the calculated noise limits.

4.7.7 The Environmental Statement states that mitigation measures will be implementedduring construction including the use of a Construction Environmental ManagementPlan and best practise construction methods including no unnecessary vehiclerevving and the use of plant muffling equipment.

4.7.8 For further information on the noise assessment, see Section 12 of the fullEnvironmental Statement.



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4.8 Socio-economics

4.8.1 This section of the Environmental Statement considers the impacts of the proposedDevelopment on socio-economics, tourism and recreation within and around the siteduring the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Development.

4.8.2 A range of socio-economics impacts are considered, these include:

· Direct effects on employment;

· Indirect effects on economic activity; and

· Indirect effects on tourism and recreation.

4.8.3 It is predicted that the construction of the Development will result in a positive minoreconomic benefit. There will be opportunities for direct employment during the 6-9month construction phase. There will also be opportunities for local contractors andbusiness that are included in the supply chain such as local quarries supplyingaggregate.

4.8.4 During operation the Development will be unmanned with its operations beingautomatically monitored off-site. It is considered that impact of the proposedDevelopment upon the economic baseline during the operation phase is positiveminor.

4.8.5 Tourist attractions in the area include the Helena Thompson Museum, Workington,Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth and the Lake District Coast Aquarium, South Quay,Maryport. No significant impacts are expected on tourist attractions in Allerdale. Thisconclusion has been reached based on the fact that there are already a large numberof turbines in the area.

4.8.6 It is considered that the impact of the proposed Development upon the tourism andrecreation baseline during the operation phase would be negligible.

4.8.7 During decommissioning, the impacts on socio-economics are expected to be similarto those during construction, and will involve the creation of opportunities for localcontractors to be involved in aspects of the decommissioning work.

4.8.8 For further information on the socio-economics assessment, see Section 13 of the fullEnvironmental Statement.



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4.9 Safety

4.9.1 A construction Health and Safety Plan will be developed to manage safety during theconstruction, operation and decommissioning of the wind farm.

4.9.2 All site work will comply with all relevant legislation such as the Health and Safety Act1974, the construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 approved code ofpractice and all activity specific legislation and guidance such as Work at HeightsRegulations 2005 as appropriate.

4.9.3 Safety has been considered in the design of the wind farm, such as through the useof appropriate setback distances from nearby houses and roads.

4.9.4 Public safety will be maintained throughout the construction, operation anddecommissioning of the Development with all necessary steps taken to ensure thesafety of the workforce and members of the public.

4.9.5 For further information on the safety assessment, see Section 14 of the fullEnvironmental Statement.



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4.10 Shadow Flicker

4.10.1 This section of the Environmental Statement assesses the potential shadow flickerimpacts from the operation of the Development.

4.10.2 Shadow flicker is the effect caused when wind turbine blades periodically castshadows over nearby properties as they rotate. In a closed space, for example in aroom with a window facing the wind turbines, these effects may be intensified, and fora stationary person in the space, such shadows can result in a momentary reductionin the intensity of the available natural light. If the regular changes in light intensitylevels are sufficiently great, then nuisance may be caused.

4.10.3 An analysis of the impact of shadow flicker at properties in the vicinity of the proposedwind turbines has been undertaken. The computer model takes into account factorssuch as the orientation and distance of the property from the proposed wind turbines,positioning of the sun, and window size. From this model it was possible toaccurately quantify the theoretical worst-case shadow flicker effects.

4.10.4 The assessment found that there is the theoretical potential for shadow flicker toexceed best practice levels over the course of a year. However it is considered thatlower levels of shadow flicker than calculated are more realistic considering as theassessment is based upon worst case assumptions. This assessment does notconsider whether there is any screening at the site or whether the windows ofproperties are orientated in such a way that they will be affected by shadow flicker.

4.10.5 Mitigation measures will be employed if necessary to reduce the impact of shadowflicker on nearby residential receptors. These measures may include where possibleplanting of additional screening or turbine shut down during periods of flicker.

4.10.6 For further information on the shadow flicker assessment, see Section 15 of the fullEnvironmental Statement.



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4.11 Telecommunications

4.11.1 This section of the Environmental Statement assesses the potential impact of theDevelopment on TV, radio, microwave communications and mobile telephony in thevicinity of the site.

4.11.2 This assessment is carried out through a period of consultation with the providers ofthese services. The consultation process identified that radio, TV and mobiletelephony is unlikely to be affected. Radio uses longer wavelengths than are known tobe affected by wind turbines in the UK. The digital switchover of TV’s which wascompleted in 2012 means TV signals are less vulnerable to interference and nomobile phone providers highlighted any problems which are likely to be caused by thesite.

4.11.3 The Joint Radio Company identified two links which terminate on the site; one ownedby Northern Gas Networks and the other by Electricity North West. However, due torecent development on the site it can reasonably be concluded that these links are nolonger in use.

4.11.4 In the unlikely event that TV reception is adversely affected by the Developmentmitigation measures will be put in place to resolve this. These measures may include:

· Modifications at the local repeater station;

· The installation of a “self-help” cable at local houses to improve signal; or

· The realignment of the aerial, amongst others.

4.11.5 Furthermore, if more detailed consultation highlights that the Joint Radio Companylinks are still in operation it is Iggesund Paperboard (Workington) Limited’s intention tore-site these links.

4.11.6 Following the application of relevant mitigation measures, if required, it can bedetermined that there will be no residual adverse effects on telecommunications as aresult of the Development. Furthermore, there will be no cumulative impacts ontelecommunications.

4.11.7 For further information on the telecommunications assessment, see Section 16 of theEnvironmental Statement.



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4.12 Aviation and Radar

4.12.1 This section of the Environmental Statement assesses the potential of theDevelopment to impact aviation and radar in its vicinity.

4.12.2 Wind turbines have the potential to impact on aircraft and radar in two ways:

· They can cause a physical obstruction due to their height; and

· They can be detected by radar as a result of their height and due to interferencecaused by back scatter from rotating blades.

4.12.3 The assessment employed in assessing the likely impacts of the proposedDevelopment on aviation and radar interests has been consultation led. Thoseconsulted are as follows:

· Allerdale Borough Council;

· Carlisle Airport;

· Civil Aviation Authority;

· Ministry of Defence;

· Local Emergency Services Air Support Unit;

· NATS En-route Limited;

· South Cumbria Coastguard; and

· Trinity Lighthouse.

4.12.4 No concerns regarding aviation or radar were raised by any of the above consultees,therefore it is anticipated that the Development will have a negligible effect on aviationand radar.

4.12.5 At present no mitigation measures are proposed.

4.12.6 For further information on the aviation and radar assessment, see Section 17 of thefull Environmental Statement.



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4.13 Traffic and Infrastructure

4.13.1 It is proposed that access will follow the route:

· M6 Junction 44, onto A689, the A595 and then the A596.

4.13.2 The delivery of components for Turbines T2 and T3 would then take place via theexisting site entrance on the A596, mainly using the existing on site access tracks.The delivery of components for turbines T1 would be via an existing access to beupgraded on Lowca Lane.

4.13.3 The assessment calculated that there would be 2489 vehicles / deliveries requiredduring the construction period which will last approximately 6-9 months.Approximately 889 of these deliveries will be heavy goods vehicles. It is predicted thatat its worst there will be 109 heavy good vehicle deliveries per day on a limitednumber of days.

4.13.4 The above number of vehicles represents an approximate 1.8% increase in traffic onthe delivery route. This would have an insignificant impact on local traffic.

4.13.5 Public transport / pedestrian routes were also assessment, two cycle paths (NationalCycle Route 71 & 72) and one public right of way are in the vicinity of the site. Theseroutes will not be impacted by the Development.

4.13.6 Mitigation measures will be employed to ensure that disruption on the local transportnetwork is minimised. For example, with respect to abnormal loads, it is anticipatedthat they will entire the site in convoy accompanied by an appropriate escort. Localresidents will be informed of abnormal load deliveries before they take place.Following the implementation of mitigation it is anticipated that the residual effect willnot be significant.

4.13.7 In addition to assessing the impact of the Development on traffic and infrastructure asa standalone development the assessment also considered the impact of trafficgeneration in addition to other development in the area such as Wythegill wind farm.Increases in traffic were discovered to be minimal and thus not significant.

4.13.8 For further information on the traffic and infrastructure assessment, see Section 18 ofthe full Environmental Statement.

Documents

Iggesund Wind Farm - IEMA · 1.1 Overview 1.1.1 This document is the non-technical summary of the Environmental Statement for Iggesund Wind Farm. It has been prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff