Chapter 4 Human Beings - Silverbirch Wind Farm

Table of contents

4 POPULATION AND HUMAN HEALTH ........................................................................ 4-1

4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 4-1

4.1.1 Scope of Assessment .......................................................................................................................... 4-1

4.1.2 Methodology ...................................................................................................................................... 4-1

4.1.3 Assessment Criteria ............................................................................................................................ 4-2

4.2 Existing Environment ..................................................................................................... 4-2

4.2.1 Site Location and Description ............................................................................................................ 4-2

4.2.2 Population and Settlement ................................................................................................................ 4-2

4.2.3 Employment ....................................................................................................................................... 4-2

4.2.4 Topography and Land use .................................................................................................................. 4-3

4.2.5 Roads and Traffic ................................................................................................................................ 4-3

4.2.6 Tourism and Amenities ...................................................................................................................... 4-3

4.3 Likely Significant Impacts ............................................................................................... 4-6

4.3.1 Impacts on Population and Settlement ............................................................................................. 4-6

4.3.2 Impacts on Employment .................................................................................................................... 4-6

4.3.3 Silverbirch Benefits to the Community and Community Fund ........................................................... 4-8

4.3.4 Impacts on other Land-use and Forestry ........................................................................................... 4-9

4.3.5 Impacts on Tourism and Amenities .................................................................................................... 4-9

4.3.6 Potential Impacts on General Amenity .............................................................................................. 4-9

4.3.7 Impacts on Safety and Health .......................................................................................................... 4-11

4.4 Mitigation .................................................................................................................... 4-13

4.4.1 Construction Phase .......................................................................................................................... 4-13

4.4.2 Operation Phase ............................................................................................................................... 4-14

4.4.3 The Developer and Mitigation Measures within the Community .................................................... 4-14

4.5 RESIDUAL IMPACTS ...................................................................................................... 4-15

4.6 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................... 4-15

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4 POPULATION AND HUMAN HEALTH

4.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter assesses the impact to the human environment arising from the proposed Wind Farm.

A detailed project description is provided in Chapter 2.

4.1.1 Scope of Assessment

The existing environment in the area is examined in terms of population and settlement,

employment, land use, safety, tourism and amenities. The likely impacts of the proposed Wind Farm

on the human environment are assessed and relevant mitigation measures are proposed to avoid or

reduce any significant negative impacts of the Wind Farm.

4.1.2 Methodology

The impact to the human environment was assessed by completing a desk study and conducting

visits of the site and the area. The desk study included assessing demographic data for the area and

this information was sourced from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The Kerry County

Development Plan (2015 – 2021) and zoning objectives were reviewed, along with the County and

Area Plans. There are no plans for towns, villages or local areas relevant to the proposed

development site.

Websites of the following organisations were also consulted;

National Parks and Wildlife Services (www.npws.ie)

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (www.seai.ie)

Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.ie)

Fáilte Ireland (www.faillteireland.ie)

Discover Ireland (www.discoverireland.com)

National Roads Authority (www.nra.ie)

Kerry County Council (www.kerrycoco.ie)

Eirgrid and Grid West project (www.eirgrid.com)

www.irishtrails.ie

Site visits were conducted to ascertain the land uses and to investigate the presence of nearby

residences.

http://www.eirgrid.com/

17924-6001-A Human Beings February 2017

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4.1.3 Assessment Criteria

The following criteria are considered in the assessment of impacts on the human environment;

Location of nearest sensitive receptors;

Impact on local economy;

Pre-existing use of the land and area;

Disturbance to the general amenity of the local environment;

Nuisance effects such as traffic, noise and dust are considered.

The assessment incorporates a review of demographic data from the CSO, including figures for

population and employment. The construction and operation phases of the proposal are

considered. The potential job creation and resultant economic impact is also considered.

4.2 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

The characteristics of the existing human environment are outlined in the following sections.

4.2.1 Site Location and Description

The proposed development will be located on elevated ground between the villages of Gneeviguilla,

Co. Kerry and Ballydesmond, Co. Cork. It extends across fifteen individual landholdings in the

townlands of Tooreenagarriv, Ballynahulla, Barna, Knocknageeha, Lisheen, Reanasup and Reaboy,

Co. Kerry and includes sections of public road connecting the individual landholdings on which the

Wind Farm will be constructed.

The proximity of the proposed Grid Connection Substation for the Wind Farm to the existing Eirgrid

220kV Substation at Ballynahulla is also noteworthy, which will facilitate the connection of the

proposed Wind Farm to the National Grid, via an underground cable connection along the short

length of tertiary county road between the substations.

4.2.2 Population and Settlement

There are several private dwellings within the overall study area, and the closest settlements

comprise the village of Ballydesmond, Co. Cork which is located 2 km to the north east of the

northern boundary of the site, and the village of Gneeveguilla, c. 2 km to the south.

The Wind Farm is located in County Kerry where the population has increased by 1.4% from 145,502

recorded in 2011 to 147, 554 in the 2016 census.

4.2.3 Employment

Most employment is located at the main population centres in the area. According to the CSO, the

predominant occupation for males recorded in the relevant Electoral Divisions in 2011 is in the

Skilled Trades Occupations category. For female workers, the predominant occupation was in

Caring, Leisure and Other Service Occupations.


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The unemployment figures for Kerry County and the Tralee welfare offices, reflect the country’s

gaining economic recovery. The recent figures begin to even out which may be reflective of a

stabilisation in recent job losses combined with emigration.

Table 4-1. Unemployment in Co. Kerry and at nearest welfare offices

June 2012 June 2013 June 2014 June 2015 June 2016

Kerry County 16003 14919 13612 12395 10661

Tralee 6823 6327 6063 5609 5054

4.2.4 Topography and Land use

The site is located on elevated ground to the west of and sloping towards the upper reaches of the

Blackwater River valley. The south western extent of the proposed site is located close to the ridge

forming the watershed between the Blackwater River and Laune River catchments. Turbines are

located at elevations of between 200 and 260m OD.

Existing land uses on the lands within the proposed development boundary predominantly comprise

wet grassland, cut-over bog and commercial forestry including associated access tracks and

drainage. Felling of small areas of existing coniferous forestry will be required at some locations to

facilitate the construction of the Wind Farm (see Chapter 2, section 2.3.12 for further details).

There is a recently constructed Eirgrid 110/220kV Substation at Ballynahulla (specifically for Wind

Farm grid connections), on lands adjoining the northern section of the proposed Wind Farm. There

are a number of existing and permitted Wind Farm developments in the general area.

4.2.5 Roads and Traffic

The R577 Regional Road, which extends from the town of Castleisland, Co. Kerry via the villages of

Scartaglen, Co. Kerry and Ballydesmond, Kiskeam and Boherbue, Co. Cork to its junction with the

N72 National Primary Route at Clonbanin Cross, passes to the north of the site. Primary access to the

site for the delivery of construction materials, turbine components, etc. will be via the L-2032

Primary Local Road, from its junction with the R577 at Knocknaboul Cross, and then via a number of

other Primary and Tertiary Class Local Roads which connect the individual landholdings. The delivery

route for the main turbine components will be from Foynes Port, unless otherwise agreed, via the

National Primary Road network to Castleisland, and then along the L-2032 Primary County Road via

Cordal Village to Knocknaboul Cross. Access to the northern construction compound and initial

access to Borrow Pit No.3 will be directly off the R577 Regional Road via an existing entrance c. 1km

east of Knocknaboul Cross.

4.2.6 Tourism and Amenities

The area has limited tourism potential. There are no walking or hiking trails within the study area

(www.irishtrails.ie).

http://www.irishtrails.ie/


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4.2.6.1 Wind Farms and Tourism

In 2007, Failte Ireland, in association with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), decided to

complete a survey of both domestic and overseas holiday makers to Ireland to determine their

attitude to Wind Farms. The purpose of the survey was to assess whether or not the development of

Wind Farms would impact on the visitors’ enjoyment of Irish scenery. The research found that the

majority of visitors felt that Wind Farms had either no impact (49%) or a positive impact (32%) on

the landscape, whilst 17% felt it had a negative impact.

Given the construction of well over one hundred further Wind Farms in Ireland in the five year

period following the above survey, the research was subsequently updated in 2012 by Millward

Browne Landsdowne on behalf of Failte Ireland in order to determine if there was any change in

visitor attitudes during that period. As in 2007, the surveys were undertaken with holiday makers at

various tourist offices and visitor attractions around the country and a similar size and mix of

domestic and overseas visitors were included. The findings of the research are outlined in ‘Visitor

Attitudes on the Environment – Wind Farms’ published by Failte Ireland in 2012. The 2012 research

indicated an increase in the polarisation of opinion with increased positive (47%) and negative (30%)

and less neutral responses (23%). The publication notes that those interviewed who had not seen a

Wind Farm during their trip tended to hold more negative perceptions and opinions on Wind Farms

to those that had. It suggests that there are some negative associations with Wind Farms that in

reality do not materialise for those who have seen them. With respect to the perceived impact of

Wind Farms on future visits to Ireland, the research found that more than seven out of ten (or 71%)

of visitors claim that potentially greater numbers of Wind Farms in Ireland over the coming years

would have either no impact or a positive impact on their likelihood to visit Ireland again.

The 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines (DoEHLG), state that “wind energy developments

are not incompatible with tourism and leisure interests, but care needs to be taken to ensure that

insensitively sited wind energy developments do not impact negatively on tourism potential. The

results of survey work indicate that tourism and wind energy can co-exist happily”. The survey work

referred to in the guidelines is the SEAI’s Attitudes towards the Development of Wind Farms in

Ireland (2003).

http://www.sei.ie/uploadedfiles/RenewableEnergy/Attitudestowardswind.pdf



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4.2.6.2 Public Attitudes to and Community Engagement with Wind Farms

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) conducted a series of public surveys to identify

attitudes towards Wind Farms in Ireland. Three groups were surveyed including:

Irish populace as a whole;

Communities living close to an existing Wind Farm; and

Communities from areas where a Wind Farm has recently received planning approval.

The surveys showed that on grounds of scenic beauty and tourism, there was very little opposition

to Wind Farms. In the case of an existing Wind Farm or where permission has been granted, few

people living nearby believed the development would damage tourism or wildlife. SEAI found that

local communities recognised the positive effects of Wind Farms and among the general populace,

80% were in support of wind energy. The findings were published in SEAI’s Attitudes towards the

Development of Wind Farms in Ireland (2003).

A paper published in 2005 in the Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, ‘Green On

Green: Public Perceptions of Wind Power in Scotland and Ireland’ detailed the environmental

controversy arising from differing opinions on Wind Farms among the environmentalists or greens.

The paper detailed a tourism related survey in Scotland which found far more tourists associated

Wind Farms with clean energy than with landscape damage. Survey data from the southwest of

Ireland showed 92% in support of developing wind energy in Ireland with the primary reason cited as

environmental concern.

In 2011 SEAI commissioned SQW Ltd and Dr. Geraint Ellis of Queen’s University Belfast to prepare a

report that would provide advice on the potential to enhance the community acceptance of wind

energy projects and related infrastructure in Ireland. In preparing this report, the study team

conducted:

A review of international best practice of the issues, highlighting a range of potential factors

and practices that offer innovative approaches to increasing community acceptance of wind

energy projects;

A review of the academic literature that discusses community acceptability of wind energy

projects, and which identifies interesting ideas that may not yet have been translated into

practice;

A review of current good practice in Ireland, highlighting local examples of innovative

practice and those areas where Ireland lacks aspirational models.

.

The report provides recommendations on the next steps in the social acceptance of wind farms

including community engagement, further research and information gathering.




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4.3 LIKELY SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS

This section discusses the key issues and likely impacts associated with the development of this

Wind Farm proposal in relation to the human environment. The human environment, in the vicinity

of the proposed site, is assessed for any significant impacts as a result of either the construction or

operation phase of the project. The impact assessment is qualitative and focuses upon whether

impacts would be positive or negative. Determination of the significance of the impact is in

accordance with the Glossary of Impacts, outlined in EPA Advice Notes on Current Practice in the

preparation of Environmental Impact Statements, 2003 and Revised Draft Guidelines 2015.

4.3.1 Impacts on Population and Settlement

The project is unlikely to have an effect on the population of the area. As it is expected that a

significant portion of the construction personnel will be local to Kerry, there will be no impact to the

overall population figures during the construction phase. There will be no mass in-migration

associated with the development. A minor number of key employees involved in the construction

may decide to re-locate in the short-medium term or rent accommodation. During the operational

phase of the Wind Farm, it is envisaged that any operators and maintenance personnel will be

sourced locally. Throughout construction and operation, it is expected that the development will

have a neutral impact on population.

4.3.2 Impacts on Employment

In 2009, the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) commissioned a study from Deloitte and

published a report titled Jobs and Investment in Irish Wind Energy. The report states that

employment involved in planning, financing, constructing and maintaining wind farms provides 1.37

jobs per MW to be installed. Support services such as administration, payroll and

marketing/communications will provide 0.13 jobs per MW to be installed1.

It is envisioned that the construction phase will take approximately 24 months and will employ

approximately 50-60 people, which will have a positive, if temporary, impact on employment. The

development will create short-term employment at local, national and international levels, both

directly and indirectly. In the construction phase, it is envisioned that resources and labour will be

sourced in the region where possible. Any additional materials required for construction will, where

possible, be obtained from local quarries and suppliers, supporting the local economy. From the

onset, professional services are required indirectly, such as consultancy in site investigation,

surveying and environmental assessment. In the long-term, it is envisaged that the development will

generate full-time employment for approximately 8 full time equivalent personnel involved in

electrical and turbine maintenance and operations, professional services, environmental monitoring

and support roles.

1

http://www.iwea.com/contentFiles/Documents%20for%20Download/Publications/IWEA%20Policy%20Docum

ents/2009_06_Jobs_and_Investment_in_Irish_Wind_Energy.pdf?uid=1245084750778


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4.3.2.1 Construction Phase

During the construction phase, the project will endeavour to use local contractors where possible.

While the project is ongoing, the presence of personnel, including turbine manufacturer

representatives, will support the local economy in terms of using local shops and sourcing meals and

lodging in the locality. Additional personnel will be in the area during the commissioning of the

Wind Farm. The construction phase of the project will have a temporary positive impact on

employment.

4.3.2.2 Operation Phase

During the life of the project, it is envisaged that approximately 8 permanent full time equivalent

jobs will be created in the areas of electrical and turbine operations and maintenance, turbine

monitoring, professional services, environmental monitoring and support roles. Additional

personnel may be required for maintenance activities associated with the roads. It is envisaged that

the development will have a positive impact on employment in the area.

The development project will have a positive impact on employment at both the local and national

level and in both the short and long term. Both the construction and operation phases of the Wind

Farm will also have a positive impact on employment.


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4.3.3 Silverbirch Benefits to the Community and Community Fund

The 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and other

Energy Infrastructure recognises the need and urgency for new energy infrastructure. The

Government in its Statement also acknowledged the appropriateness of energy project developers

examining means of building community gain considerations into project planning and budgeting.

Silverbirch Renewables is committed to bringing benefits to the community in which the Silverbirch

Wind Farm is located. By their nature, wind farm developments bring benefits to the areas in which

they are sited; for instance, they provide a boost to the local economy through the creation of

sustainable employment, they generate substantial land rents, fund the building and upgrading of

road infrastructure in the area and make very significant rates payments to local authorities, which

funds are reinvested at county level.

In addition to these benefits, the Silverbirch Wind Farm will set up a community benefit fund which

will make financial contributions to a selected group of charities and / or organisations in the area

around the wind farm. The board of Silverbirch Renewables Ltd will objectively consider applications

for funding and will make a decision on funding. The Silverbirch project will maintain a Community

Fund Plan which will be updated to reflect all contributions made through the fund. To be eligible for

such funding, beneficiaries will need to demonstrate that:-

1. they are properly constituted bodies (e.g. in the case of charities, a registered charity

number will be required); and

2. the funds will bring clear sustainable benefits to the community close to the wind farm.

The community benefit fund will consider applications in the first year of operation of the project

and applications will be invited on the project’s website. The selected beneficiaries will also be

disclosed on the project’s website.


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4.3.4 Impacts on other Land-use and Forestry

The construction of the Wind Farm infrastructure would also include the removal of a limited

amount of commercial forestry for the development footprint. Felling for this project will include

keyhole felling, to facilitate the construction of some of the Wind Farm infrastructure (including at

turbines T1, T10, T11 and T14 and along some of the proposed Wind Farm roads and substations

footprints). Turbulence felling (i.e. the removal of forestry to reduce wind turbulence effects) is not

proposed. The tree felling associated with the project would not be deemed to result in a change of

use since the forestry is already in active commercial production and therefore already subject to

the cycle of felling and replanting.

Due to the nature and location of the proposed site, the development will not result in the loss of

valuable residential or industrial developmental land. It is not considered that a Wind Farm

development will have any significant negative impact on either the existing or other potential land-

uses or development in the area.

There is a potential positive impact associated with the construction of the new roads for the

project. This will be beneficial to some landowners for accessing their land.

4.3.5 Impacts on Tourism and Amenities

The development site is owned by a number of private landowners, one of which includes Coillte.

Overall, it is considered that the development will not have any significant negative impact on

tourism. A Wind Farm does not impede tourism activities and visual perception and its effect on

experience is largely subjective. Chapter 10 presents an assessment of the landscape and visual

impacts.

4.3.5.1 Cumulative Impact

The nearest third party Wind Farm is the permitted Scartaglen Wind Farm, located 0.7 km to the

north and west. In consideration of the proposed Silverbirch Wind Farm and the permitted

Scartaglen Wind Farm, no significant cumulative impact is envisaged relating to tourism. The

proposed site would not appear to be a significant draw for visitors.

4.3.6 Potential Impacts on General Amenity

General amenity relates to the enjoyable, amenable qualities of a place as it is used and perceived by

people. The proposed development site is located in an upland area of private agricultural land and

coniferous forest. The general amenity of dwellings includes the physical landscape and the private

open spaces for recreation and views. Additionally residential amenity can be affected by nuisance

such as issues with dust, noise, and traffic. Many of the elements affecting general amenity are

assessed in separate chapters within the EIS, as summarised in the sections to follow.


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4.3.6.1 Shadow Flicker (Chapter 13)

Shadow flicker can occur when a turbine is directly between the sun and the affected window of a

house. For shadow flicker to happen, a particular combination of conditions must coincide in specific

locations at particular times of the day and year. It happens when the sun is low in the sky and

shines on a building from behind a turbine rotor. There will be some occurrence of shadow flicker

under infrequent meteorological conditions. Where necessary shadow flicker control measures will

be adopted to ensure that excessive shadow flicker is controlled.

4.3.6.2 Visual Impacts (Chapter 10)

A selection of viewpoints was used to determine the visual appearance of the proposed Wind Farm.

Viewpoints were chosen from theoretical visibility software and were chosen to give a fair and

realistic representation of the project. From these viewpoints, photographs were taken,

photomontages were prepared and a written assessment completed.

The full Landscape and Visual Assessment of the Wind Farm proposal is included as Chapter 10 of

the EIS. The photomontages are presented as Volume 4 of the EIS. The assessment determined the

design of the proposed development is generally appropriate in the context of broad land form and

land use patterns at the site.

4.3.6.3 Traffic and Transportation (Chapter 11 Material Assets)

Traffic studies carried out for the proposed development indicate that the road network would have

sufficient capacity for the peak construction and operational phase traffic volumes generated by the

proposed development. This is based on a worst-case-scenario. The additional heavy goods vehicle

traffic during peak construction, although significant, would have no effect on the capacity of the

road network in the long term. However any construction traffic has the potential to cause nuisance

to the local community. A traffic management plan will be prepared for the project and the

developers will engage with the Roads Dept of KCC to ensure that disruption of traffic is minimised.

Following construction, it is envisaged that the proposed Wind Farm development would not

generate any adverse impacts on traffic, once the site is in operation.

4.3.6.4 Air Quality (Chapter 8)

There is the potential for dust nuisance to occur during the construction phase. However, strict

adherence to best practice will minimise dust generation on site. In addition, considering the

separation distance between the dwellings and the construction site, any impact is not considered

significant. This will be a temporary impact during construction. Once operational, there will be no

negative residual impacts regarding air quality. The operation of the Wind Farm will displace CO2

emissions that would otherwise have been produced by fossil fuel generated electricity. It is

accepted that the proposed development will make a positive contribution to air quality once

operational.

4.3.6.5 Noise (Chapter 9)

There are two potential sources of noise from the project; temporary noise during construction and

noise from the wind turbines during operation. The predicted results from the noise assessment

show that guideline noise limits will not be exceeded, however best practice procedures with regard


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to noise from construction sites should still be adhered to. The noise from the proposed Silverbirch

wind turbines will not exceed guideline limits at the nearest dwellings. The noise assessment results

show that the predicted Wind Farm noise levels adhere to the assessment criteria and in particular

the DoEHLG Wind Farm Planning Guidelines.

4.3.6.6 Communications & TV Interference (Chapter 11 Material Assets)

The Material Assets chapter considers any issue to telecommunications services. Refer to Chapter

11 for details. All operators operating in the area have been consulted.

4.3.7 Impacts on Safety and Health

The Silverbirch Wind Farm will be designed, constructed, operated and decommissioned in

accordance with the following safety and health regulations and guidelines:

• Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006;

• Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005;

• Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (General Applications) Regulations 1993 to 2003; and

• Irish Wind Energy Association Best Practice Guidelines.

A Safety and Health Plan covering all aspects of the construction and operation process will

comprehensively deal with safety and health related issues.

4.3.7.1 Potential impact on Safety and Health during construction

The developer will ensure that best practice will be followed by the contractor when tendering the

works. Adherence to relevant safety, health and welfare at work legislation and regulation will form

part of the contract requirements.

4.3.7.2 Consideration of Safety and Health through EIA

The Likely Significant Impacts will further consider health and safety issues relating to the project

and in particular the potential for any risks arising either directly or indirectly from an environmental

impact.

4.3.7.3 Potential Impact on Safety and Health during operation

Under normal conditions, access to the site and turbines is very safe for people and animals.

Livestock can continue to graze on the site during operation if necessary. The proposed

development will be located on private land. The site will be staffed and controlled by Silverbirch

Renewables in line with Safety and Health legislation and best practice. There are no fences or

barriers restricting access to the turbines other than the security fence around the compounds of

the substations. It is not anticipated that the workings of the turbines will present any danger to the

public.


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4.3.7.3.1 Ice throw

Ice throw is the term used to describe ice that has formed on wind turbine blades being thrown from

the turbine. This represents a potential hazard. To mitigate, the risk of ice throw is minimised by the

shutdown of the wind turbines when ice builds up on the blades. Ice build up slows a turbines

rotation, which will be sensed by the turbines control system causing the turbine to be shut down.

4.3.7.3.2 Storm Damage

There have been a very rare number of recorded incidents when turbines have been damaged and

fallen over during extreme storms. During such rare storms there are many potential hazards to

anyone outdoors and it is expected that during a storm of such a magnitude that could cause a wind

turbine to be blown over, people are advised to remain indoors. In any case, the turbines will be

shut down in severe weather conditions thereby minimising the risk to people or animals.


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4.4 MITIGATION

A high degree of mitigation has been incorporated into the project design and constructability from

the outset. No major mitigation measures are required, but some standard measures are included

here, regarding concerns of impacts on amenity from traffic and dust and noise.

4.4.1 Construction Phase

Both the Design and Construction phases will be managed in line with the Safety, Health and

Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 504 of 2006) and amendments. The

project Safety and Health Plan will be developed in line with the regulations and the duties of the

Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and the Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS). The

site will have restricted access during construction, and will be developed by an experienced, insured

contractor operating in line with a method statement and safe systems of work.

During construction, good management practice should be applied on site to ensure dust control

measures are adequate, and that stockpiled materials and roads are maintained to a high standard.

All HGV's exiting the site should pass a wheel wash area to help control dust emissions if deemed

necessary. The access road to the Wind Farm should be kept in good repair and dampened down

during extended periods of dry weather, as necessary, to reduce dust emissions. The impact from

construction vehicle emissions can be reduced through ensuring the quality and maintenance of

vehicles and plant and through the prohibition of vehicle idling.

All heavy commercial vehicles should be maintained in good working condition to reduce noise

emissions.

No mitigation measures are proposed in terms of the local economy as the development will have a

positive impact on the area. Furthermore, Silverbirch Renewables will set up and contribute to a

community fund during the operation of the Wind Farm (see section 4.3.3).

The potential negative impacts associated with traffic movements during the construction phase can

be mitigated through a number of measures. Materials will be sourced locally where possible. In

the interest of safety, traffic management measures will need to be implemented. Trucks and site

machinery will be kept in good condition to lessen noise impacts. Any structural damage to the road

caused by the development will be repaired in a timely manner. Signage relating to the construction

traffic routes will be agreed with Kerry County Council. Turbine delivery will be appropriately

scheduled and agreed with Kerry County Council and the Gardaí to ensure that the effect on the

public is minimised.


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4.4.2 Operation Phase

During the operation of the Wind Farm, there will be regular maintenance and inspections to ensure

turbine integrity. Turbine models selected will be in line with International Electrotechnical

Commission IEC 61400-1 safety standards. Maintenance checks involve a low level of vehicle

movement. Maintenance is carried out in situ with access via the door at the base of the tower. This

door will be locked at all times except during maintenance. It is rare that a nacelle or a tower is

removed for maintenance.

The rigorous safety checks imposed on the turbines during design, construction, commissioning and

operation should ensure the risks to humans are negligible. The safety and health record of the

wind energy industry worldwide is exceptionally good.

The substations will be surrounded by a steel palisade fence of approximately 2m height and access

to the substations will be controlled during operation to ensure the public are restricted for their

safety.

The noise assessment and predictions show the noise limits as required by the DoEHLG guidelines

are met for all wind conditions at the site, including all permitted and operational Wind Farms in the

area. Therefore no mitigation measures are suggested under noise.

While the visual impact of Wind Farm developments cannot be eliminated, the appropriate design

and siting of the turbines can reduce any significantly adverse visual impacts. Additionally, turbines

should be off-white or grey in colour.

Once operational, the Wind Farm will not generate any negative impacts on traffic in the locality.

Therefore no mitigation measures are recommended.

There is no mitigation recommended in relation to land use or tourism and amenity as there will not

be a significant adverse impact.

4.4.3 The Developer and Mitigation Measures within the Community

The community benefit is described in section 4.3.3.


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4.5 RESIDUAL IMPACTS

With the recommended mitigation in place, no significant negative residual impacts are envisaged in

relation to the human environment. With the implementation of the suggested mitigation

measures, traffic and dust nuisances can be kept to a minimum.

The impact resulting from the alteration of the visual landscape will vary from location to location

and the perceived impact in each case will be subjective.

There will be a positive impact associated with the employment opportunities resulting from the

construction, operation and maintenance. Rates generated by the development will also assist the

locality through improved services.

4.6 CONCLUSION

The project is being developed and managed to minimise the impact on the human environment and

the local residents. With the mitigation measures in place, the potential negative impacts of the

proposed Wind Farm on the local human environment are not expected to be significant. The

contribution to the local economy will have a beneficial impact.

Given that the development is in line with Government and EU targets, and will contribute to the

national renewable energy portfolio, the development will be positive for the greater human

environment.