Lairg to Loch Buidhe 132 kV Overhead Line Reinforcement ......connect Dalchork Substation to Tower 80 of the existing Cassley to Shin 132 kV OHL. This Scoping Report is provided to

Lairg to Loch Buidhe

132 kV Overhead Line Reinforcement

Environmental Impact Assessment

Scoping Report

January 2018

Lairg to Loch Buidhe Reinforcement – EIA Scoping Report

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 The Proposals 1 1.2 The Regulations 1 1.3 Purpose of the EIA Scoping Report 2 1.4 Scoping Report Methodology 2 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 3 2.1 Introduction 3 2.2 Proposed Development 3 2.3 Limit of Deviation 4 2.4 OHL Design 4 2.5 Construction Programme 6 2.6 Construction Practices and Phasing 6 2.7 Construction Employment and Hours of Work 12 2.8 Construction Traffic 12 2.9 Operation and Management of the Transmission Connection 12 3. METHODOLOGY 13 3.1 Introduction 13 3.2 Identification of Baseline 13 3.3 Assessment of Likely Significant Environmental Effects 13 3.4 Identification of Mitigation Measures 15 3.5 Cumulative Effects 15 3.6 Assumptions and Limitations 16 4. LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AND VISUAL IMPACT 17 4.1 Introduction 17 4.2 Baseline Conditions 17 4.3 Sensitive Receptors 18 4.4 Issues Scoped Out 19 4.5 Potential Significant Effects 20 4.6 Assessment Methodology 20 4.7 Summary 22 5. ECOLOGY AND NATURE CONSERVATION 24 5.1 Introduction 24 5.2 Baseline Conditions 24 5.3 Sensitive Receptors 26 5.4 Issues Scoped Out 27 5.5 Potential Significant Effects 28 5.6 Assessment Methodology 28 5.7 Summary 29 6. ORNITHOLOGY 30 6.1 Introduction 30 6.2 Baseline Conditions 30 6.3 Sensitive Receptors 32 6.4 Issues Scoped Out 33 6.5 Potential Significant Effects 33 6.6 Assessment Methodology 33 6.7 Summary 34 7. CULTURAL HERITAGE 35 7.1 Introduction 35 7.2 Baseline Conditions 35


7.3 Sensitive Receptors 35 7.4 Issues Scoped Out 36 7.5 Potentially Significant Effects 36 7.6 Assessment Methodology 37 7.7 Summary 39 8. ISSUES SCOPED OUT OF EIA 40 8.2 Forestry and Woodland 40 8.3 Traffic and Transport 41 8.4 Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Geology and Soils 43 8.5 Population and Human Health 47 8.6 Air Quality and Climate 48 8.7 Land Use and Amenity 49 8.8 Accidents and Disasters 50 9. NEXT STEPS 51 APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1 – FIGURES APPENDIX 2 – OHL DESIGN INFORMATION


GLOSSARY AND ABBREVIATIONS

132 kV 132 kilovolt (132,000 volt) operating voltage electrical circuit.

275 kV 275 kilovolt (275,000 volt) operating voltage electrical circuit

AOD Above Ordnance Datum

bgl Below ground level

BGS British Geological Survey

CEMP Construction Environmental Management Plan

CIEEM Chartered Institute of Ecological and Environmental Management

CTMP Construction Traffic Management Plan

Dalchork Substation New 132 kV substation proposed at Lairg, northern connection point for the Proposed Development

ECIA Ecological Impact Assessment

ECoW Environmental Clerk of Works

ECU Energy Consents Unit

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment. A formal process codified by EU directive 2011/92/EU, and subsequently amended by Directive 2014/52/EU. The national regulations are set out in The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017, which come into force on 16th May 2017. The EIA process is set out in regulation 4(1) of the regulations and includes the preparation of an EIA Report by the developer to systematically identify, predict, assess and report on the likely significant environmental impacts of a proposed project or development.

EMF Electromagnetic Field

ESQCR Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations

FISA Forest Industry Safety Accord

GDL Garden and Designed Landscape, as listed on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes held by Historic Environment Scotland

GEMP General Environmental Management Plan

GPP Guidance for Pollution Prevention

GSP Grid Supply Point

GWDTE Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystem

GWP global warming potential

HES HESPS

Historic Environment Scotland Scottish Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement

HET Historic Environment Team

HPA Health Protection Agency

IBA Important Bird Areas are designated by Birdlife as places of international significance for the conservation of birds and other biodiversity. They are a non-statutory, international designation.

ICNIP International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection

IEMA Institute of Environmental Management Assessment

Proposed OHL Alignment The alignment identified within the Proposed Route, selected to be taken forward into the EIA and consenting process. It comprises a defined centre line for the overhead line and defined angle tower support structure locations.


LCA Landscape Character Assessment

LCT Landscape Character Type

Loch Buidhe Substation Consented 132 kV / 275 kV substation at Loch Buidhe, southern connection point for the Proposed Development

LOD Limits of Deviation

LRN Local Road Network

NBN National Biodiversity Network

NCR National Cycle Route

OHL Overhead line. An electric line installed above ground, usually supported by lattice steel towers or wooden poles.

Planning application An application for planning permission under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended by the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006. It should be noted that consent under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 usually carries with it a direction from the Scottish Ministers under Section 57 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 that planning permission be deemed granted.

PPG Pollution Prevention Guidelines

Proposed Development The Proposed Development is taken to be the description of: the location of the development; the physical characteristics of the OHL, based on the proposed alignment and limits of deviation (LOD), including an indicative support structure (tower or pole) schedule, also specifying access arrangements and any associated construction activities and land-use requirements. The Proposed Development also comprises a description of the main characteristics of the operational development and an estimate of residues and emissions associated with both the construction and operational phases (as set out in Schedule 4 of the EIA regulations).

Proposed OHL The proposed new 132 kV overhead transmission line between Dalchork Substation and Loch Buidhe Substation.

Proposed Route A route taken forward following stakeholder consultation to the route selection process

RFI radio frequency interference

SAC Special Area of Conservation - designated under Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (known as - The Habitats Directive)

SEC Sealing End Compound

Section 37 (s37) application An application for development consent under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989

SEPA Scottish Environment Protection Agency

SHE Transmission SLVIA

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc – part of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, and the transmission license holder for the transmission of electricity in the north of Scotland Seascape/landscape and visual assessment

SNH Scottish Natural Heritage

SPA Special Protection Area – designated under Directive 2009/147/EC on the Conservation of Wild Birds (the Birds Directive)

SPP Species Protection Plan

SRN Strategic Road Network

SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest – designated by SNH under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004


Study Area A defined study area for the consideration of effects (including direct, indirect and cumulative) on each factor defined under Regulation 4(3) of the EIA regulations

THC The Highland Council

VP Vantage Point

WLA Wild Land Area, as classified by SNH (2014)

ZTV Zone of Theoretical Visibility - the computer generated theoretical visibility of an object in the landscape


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SHE Transmission, hereafter referred to as ‘The Applicant’) is proposing to submit an application for consent to construct and operate a c.16 km 132 KV OHL connection between a new 132 kV substation at Lairg (hereafter referred to as Dalchork Substation) and the consented 132 kV / 275 kV Loch Buidhe Substation, supported by steel lattice towers. A further c. 1 km 132 kV OHL will connect Dalchork Substation to Tower 80 of the existing Cassley to Shin 132 kV OHL.

This Scoping Report is provided to support a formal request under regulation 12 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations by The Applicant for a Scoping Opinion to determine the information to be provided within the EIA Report.

The Scoping Report has concluded that following environmental topics have been scoped in to the EIA and will be covered in full within the EIA Report:

• Landscape Character and Visual Impact;

• Ecology and Nature Conservation;

• Ornithology; and

• Cultural Heritage.

The Scoping Report has further concluded that he following environmental topics have been scoped out of further consideration within the EIA:

• Forestry and Woodland;

• Traffic and Transport;

• Hydrology, Geology, Hydrogeology and Soils;

• Population and Human Health;

• Air Quality and Climate;

• Land Use and Amenity; and

• Accidents and Disasters.

In order to satisfy specific legislative requirement, industry best practice or relevant guidance, further information would be provided in the EIA Report for environmental topics scoped out of further consideration, namely Forestry and Woodland and Hydrology, Geology, Hydrogeology and Soils where a full EIA is not required.

The Applicant invites consultees to comment on the following:

• What environmental information do you hold or are aware of that would assist in the EIA described here?

• Do you agree with the proposed approach for baseline collection, prediction and significance assessment?

• Are there any key issues or possible effects which have been omitted?

• Do you agree with the list of issues to be scoped out, and the rationale behind the decision?

• Of those issues identified for assessment, which do you consider the most important/material and which theleast?

Responses to this Scoping Report should be directed to the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) of the Scottish Government to ensure all responses are collated and included within the Scoping Opinion. Responses should be directed to:

Email: [email protected]


OR

Energy Consents Unit

Scottish Government

5 Atlantic Quay

150 Broomielaw

Glasgow, G2 8LU

When submitting a response to the Scoping Report, The Applicant would be grateful if you could also send a copy of your response to the address below:

Email to: [email protected]

OR

For the attention of Kenneth Reid

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc

10 Henderson Road

Inverness

IV1 1SN

Copies of this document can be found online at: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/lairg-loch-buidhe/

https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/lairg-loch-buidhe/

Lairg to Loch Buidhe Reinforcement – EIA Scoping Report 1

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Proposals

1.1.1 Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc (SHE Transmission, hereafter referred to as ‘The Applicant’) is the electricity transmission license holder in the north of Scotland and has a duty under Section 9 of the Electricity Act 1989 to facilitate competition in the generation and supply of electricity. The company also has obligations to offer non-discriminatory terms for connection to the transmission system, both for new generation and for new sources of electricity demand.

1.1.2 The area around Lairg is currently served by a single circuit 132 kV OHL which runs from Cassley Grid Supply Point (GSP) near the north end of Loch Shin to the Shin substation at Inveran, via the existing GSP at Lairg. Additional renewable generation in the area means that the existing circuit is at capacity.

1.1.3 When the Lairg to Loch Buidhe Reinforcement project was instigated in August 2012 there were a number of renewable developments in the area which totalled a potential for c.314 MW requiring connection to the transmission network. The scale of these developments meant the only viable solution at that time was a double circuit 275 kV OHL connection between a new 275 kV / 132 kV substation by Lairg to the Loch Buidhe Substation.

1.1.4 A formal consultation exercise was undertaken in June 2014 to seek feedback from stakeholders on the selection of a proposed OHL alignment, and substation location. The consensus was that stakeholders were content for the substation site to be located within Dalchork Wood. However, there were representations from the community over the route alignment due to proximity to residential properties and potential effects on croftland. The Applicant has responded to these concerns by undertaking further routeing work, which has resulted in the selection of the proposed OHL alignment described in this report.

1.1.5 In May 2016, The Applicant submitted an EIA Scoping Report for the 275 kV technical solution. A scoping opinion was received from the Scottish Ministers in August 2016 outlining the scope of the EIA for the 275kV technical solution.

1.1.6 Following the reduction in connection offers, The Applicant undertook a review of the portfolio of renewable development projects in the area, which concluded the proposed technical solution should be amended to consist of double circuit 132 kV OHL connection between a new 132 kV substation by Lairg (hereafter referred to as Dalchork Substation) to the Loch Buidhe Substation, supported by lattice steel towers (and hereafter referred as the ‘Proposed Development’).

1.1.7 The location of the Proposed Development is shown on Figure 1.1.

1.1.8 Due to the changes to the technical solution, OHL alignment, and EIA regulations, The Applicant has opted to revisit the previous scoping exercise and has prepared this scoping report, under Regulation 12 of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017, to seek the opinion of the Scottish Ministers as to the information to be provided in an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report) prepared in respect of the application for consent under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, as amended, for the proposed 132 kV OHL.

1.2 The Regulations

1.2.1 The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 - hereafter referred to as the “EIA Regulations” contain two schedules. Schedule 1 lists projects where EIA is mandatory. Schedule 2 lists projects where EIA may be required ‘where Proposed Development is considered likely to give rise to significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location’.

1.2.2 Based on evidence gathered from EIA Scoping undertaken in 2016, consultation with stakeholders and site assessments, The Applicant believes the Proposed Development has the potential to have significant effects on


the environment. Therefore, The Applicant believes this constitutes ‘EIA development’ which would require to be the subject of an EIA involving the preparation of an EIA Report. The Applicant has therefore decided that a formal screening request (to ascertain whether or not an EIA Report is required) would not be necessary.

1.3 Purpose of the EIA Scoping Report

1.3.1 The purpose of this EIA Scoping Report is to ensure that the subsequent EIA is focused on the key impacts likely to give rise to significant adverse effects. As well as identifying aspects to be considered in the EIA, this document also identifies those aspects that are not considered necessary to assess further. All relevant environmental issues are identified and to confirm that the assessment process described would meet legislative requirements.

1.3.2 In accordance with the “EIA Regulations”, this EIA Scoping Report contains:

• A plan sufficient to identify the Site which is the subject of the Proposed Development;

• A brief description of the nature and purpose of the Proposed Development and it its possible effects on the environment; and

• Such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.

1.3.3 This EIA Scoping Report has been issued to the Scottish Government – Energy Consents Unit (ECU) to inform the preparation of their Scoping Opinion.

1.3.4 The Applicant invites consultees to comment on the following:





• Of those issues identified for assessment, which do you consider the most important/material and which the least?

1.4 Scoping Report Methodology

1.4.1 This EIA Scoping Report presents the findings of an initial appraisal of the likely environmental effects of the Proposed Development on the receiving environment. It provides a basic overview of the baseline conditions as understood at the time of writing and the likely potential effects as a result of the development. Where site survey and further assessment are deemed necessary, the methodologies are outlined. The Scoping Report also outlines environmental topic areas that have been scoped out of further consideration within the EIA, supported by the justifications for these conclusions.


2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 The Proposed Development consists of a 132 kV OHL as illustrated on the Site Layout plan (Figure 2.1). Although not subject to this scoping report both Dalchork Substation and Loch Buidhe Substation are also shown on Figure 2.1.

2.2 Proposed Development

2.2.1 The application for consent under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, as amended, would consist of:

• Construction and operation of c.16 km of double circuit 132 kV OHL supported on lattice steel towersbetween Tower LL1 (Grid Reference NH 6483 9809) at Loch Buidhe Substation and Tower LL61 (GridReference NH 5829 0944) at the proposed 132 kV Dalchork Substation;

• Construction and operation of c.1 km of double circuit 132 kV OHL supported on lattice steel towersbetween Tower CS80 (Grid Reference NH 5739 1005) of the existing Cassley to Shin 132 kV OHL andTower CS80D (Grid Reference NH 5808 09669) at the proposed Dalchork Substation;

• Construction and operation of a temporary single circuit 132 kV OHL diversion between Tower CS79 (GridReference NH 7128 1025) and Tower CS81 (Grid Reference NH 5735 0977) of the existing Cassley toShin 132 kV OHL to allow construction of the new Tower 80R;

• Limits of Deviation (LOD), as defined in section 2.3 below, within which the Proposed Development wouldbe constructed.

2.2.2 Other works would be required to facilitate construction and operation of the Proposed Development. The Applicant would seek deemed consent for these works under s57(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, which would include:

• Vegetation clearance along the OHL for the lifetime of the Proposed Development to comply with theElectricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR) 20021;

• Construction and operation of a 132 kV Sealing End Compound (SEC) and permanent access track locatedby the Loch Buidhe Substation;

• Construction and operation of c.1 km of double circuit 132 kV underground cable located between LochBuidhe Substation and the SEC;

• Construction and operation of permanent underground cable diversions of the existing overhead electricitynetwork;

• Establishment and reinstatement of borrow pits (Requirement to be confirmed by the Contractor);

• Upgrade existing or establishment of new junction bellmouths

• Establishment of temporary and permanent access, including installation of bridges and culverts, for theconstruction and maintenance of the OHL and underground cable.

• An LOD for proposed new access tracks, as defined in section 2.3;

• Establishment and reinstatement of temporary site compounds; and

• Installation of temporary measures to protect road, rail and water crossings during construction (scaffoldingetc.).

2.2.3 The existing 132 kV OHL from Lairg Grid Supply Point (GSP) to Shin substation requires decommissioning and removal as part of the wider works. The dismantling works do not require any statutory consent, and it is

1 To meet obligations under the ESQCR SHE Transmission seeks consent under the section 37 consent (for the lifetime of the Proposed Development) to

fell any vegetation located within an ‘operational corridor’ which is defined as vegetation within the ‘Red Zone’ in the Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA)

Guidance 804 (available from: https://www.ukfisa.com/safety-information/safety-library/fisa-safety-guides/fisa-804-electricity-at-work.html). Any felling

outside of the operational corridor is out with the scope of the s37 consent and subject to a separate application to Forestry Commission Scotland by the

landowner (or agent) to amend an approved forest design plan or through application for a felling license.

https://www.ukfisa.com/safety-information/safety-library/fisa-safety-guides/fisa-804-electricity-at-work.html


considered that significant environmental effects associated with the removal of the existing 132 kV OHL are unlikely. However, the effects of the removal would be assessed in so far as they are relevant in contributing to change within the future baseline.

2.2.4 There is likely to be a requirement to cross existing wood pole OHL infrastructure, and it is considered that significant environmental effects associated with these works are unlikely. The impact of these crossings would be assessed where appropriate.

2.2.5 The Proposed Development would link two substations as follows:

• A proposed new 132 kV substation in Dalchork Wood, near Lairg, (Dalchork Substation). This substation is being progressed in parallel to the Proposed Development, and be subject of a separate planning application made by The Applicant under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended; and

• The Loch Buidhe substation. Consent for this substation was granted by The Highland Council (THC) on 30th May 2013 (Application Number 12/04527/FUL), and it is due for completion in early 2018.

2.3 Limit of Deviation

2.3.1 The LOD is the area either side of the proposed OHL alignment within which micrositing of structures may take place. Consideration was given to the following principles in defining the LOD for the Proposed Development:

• Presumption towards the optimum LOD whilst providing flexibility for micrositing during the detailed design phase;

• Presumption towards avoiding sensitive environmental features; and

• Presumption towards avoiding residential properties.

2.3.2 The following parameters have been applied to the Proposed Development:

• A horizontal LOD of 200 m width (100 m either side of the OHL) where no specific environmental constraints have been identified;

• A horizontal LOD of 80 m width (40 m either side of the OHL) where the OHL passes through woodland;

• A vertical LOD set at a maximum of 40 m (height) above ground level (agl), based on the height of the tallest structure plus 10%; and

• A horizontal LOD of 100 m width has been applied to proposed new access track (50 m either side of the proposed track alignment).

2.3.3 The LOD is illustrated on Figures 2.1

2.4 OHL Design

2.4.1 The s37 application identifies the anticipated tower locations (subject to micrositing) along the Proposed Development. The following additional OHL design information has been assumed for the purposes of the EIA. Details on the specific locations, heights, span lengths, and types of towers are provided in Appendix 2.


Lattice Steel Towers

2.4.2 The towers to be used for the Proposed Development would be constructed from fabricated galvanised steel and would be grey in colour. The Proposed Development would use a 'L7c series’ of lattice steel tower (as shown in Photograph 1 below), which are c.27 m in height dependant on topography.

Photograph 1 L7 Series 132kV double circuit OHL

2.4.3 Three types of tower are likely to be used within the Proposed Development. These are described below:

• suspension towers: These are used for straight sections of OHL where there is no need to terminate the conductor. It is currently anticipated that approximately 46 suspension towers would be required;

• angle/tension towers: These are used either in-line, where there is a need to terminate the conductors, and/or where there is a need to change the orientation of the OHL. It is currently anticipated that approximately 17 angle towers would be required; and

• terminal towers: These are used to terminate the overhead line at substations or a SEC. As such two are required at Dalchork Substation [one for the new 132kV OHL from Loch Buidhe and one to tie in to the existing Cassley to Shin 132 kV OHL] and one at the SEC at Loch Buidhe.

2.4.4 It is currently anticipated that a total of 66 towers would be constructed. Locations are provided in Technical Appendix 2.

Conductors and Span Length

2.4.5 Towers would carry two circuits, each with three conductors supported from either, glass, porcelain, or composite insulators attached to the horizontal cross arms on both sides of each lattice steel tower. An earth wire with a fibre optic core would be suspended between tower peaks, above the conductors.

2.4.6 The span length (distance between towers) would typically be 267 m, however this may vary depending on voltages, topography, and land use.


Sealing End Compounds

2.4.7 One sealing end compound (SEC) would be required by Loch Buidhe Substation. A SEC is used to connect the OHL to the underground cable sections of the route. The SEC would be approximately 40 m x 40 m and would be secured by a 2.5m palisade fence. A typical SEC is shown in Photograph 2 below:

Photograph 2 Typical Sealing End Compound

2.5 Construction Programme

2.5.1 It is anticipated that the construction programme would last approximately 19 months and that construction would commence in September 2019 (subject to consents and approvals being granted), which would allow completion in April 2021. Final commissioning and ground restoration/reinstatement works would be completed in 2021.

2.5.2 The detailed construction phasing and programme is subject to change as the design progresses, and are subject to statutory consents and wayleaves being granted.

2.6 Construction Practices and Phasing

2.6.1 This section describes the proposed construction practises and the different phases of the works.

Construction Environmental Management

2.6.2 A contractual requirement of the Principal Contractor would be the development and implementation of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). This document would detail how the Principal Contractor would manage the site in accordance with all commitments and mitigation detailed in the EIA Report, statutory consents and authorisations, and industry best practise and guidance.

2.6.3 The CEMP would also reference General Environmental Management Plans (GEMPs) and Species Protection Plans (SPPs), developed by The Applicant. The implementation of the CEMP would be managed on-site by a suitably qualified and experienced Environmental Clerk of Works (ECoW), with support from other environmental professionals as required.


Phase 1 - Enabling works

Vegetation Clearance

2.6.4 Through the process of route selection for the OHL, The Applicant has sought to avoid area of woodlands in the first instance. Where this has not been possible tower positions have been micro sited to minimise the amount of felling within these woodlands. It is anticipated that c. 5 hectares of woodland would require removal to facilitate the construction of the Proposed Development, however this would be minimised as far as possible through the assessment on woodlands. Post commissioning there may be opportunity to restock some of the areas felled.

2.6.5 It should be noted that the existing 132 kV OHL between Shin Substation and Lairg GSP, which is to be decommissioned and removed, is expected to return c.17 hectares of land to woodland cover through either restocking by the landowner as part of ongoing land management or through natural regeneration.

2.6.6 Figure 2.2 presents the areas of woodland within the Proposed Development.

Distribution

2.6.7 It is anticipated that distribution network assets would be undergrounded to make way for the Proposed Development and can be carried out under Permitted Development rights if they are out with sensitive areas defined in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, as amended. Works within sensitive areas would be covered under the s37 consent application and EIA.

Road Improvements and Access

2.6.8 Detailed access proposals have been developed by the Principal Contractor. In general, based on desk study analysis and preliminary walkover inspections, access would be established through a combination of:

• upgrade to existing tracks;

• installation of temporary new stone tracks;

• Installation of permanent floating stone tracks; and

• Installation of permanent new stone tracks.

2.6.9 It is anticipated that the majority of access would be achieved through the upgrade of existing and installation of temporary new tracks. Floating stone road or trackway panel construction may be installed in sensitive areas such as over peat. Stripping and storage of vegetated turves for re-use during the reinstatement would be in line with guidance provided in the GEMP’s.

2.6.10 Approximately 25 km of access track would be required to be upgraded or installed. This would include alterations to or formations of approximately 10 bellmouths / junctions within the existing road network. These are shown on Figure 2.3. Deemed consent under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 would be sought for these access tracks and access points as part of the s37 consent application.

Site Compounds

2.6.11 It is currently anticipated that a single main construction compound would be required. A location of the main haul road between Achinduich and Loch Laro has been identified, however this is still subject to land agreements, and site surveys and assessments to determine suitability. Other temporary compounds and laydown areas may be required along the proposed OHL alignment, the location of which would be determined through further design work by the Principal Contractor.

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2011/03/21151708/4


Phase 2 – Construction Works

Tower Foundations

2.6.12 Different approaches to forming foundations may be used, subject to ground conditions at each tower location. These are likely to comprise:

• Mass Gravity;

• Piled; and

• Rock Anchor.

2.6.13 Foundation types and designs for each tower would be confirmed following detailed geotechnical investigation at each tower position, although it is currently anticipated that the majority of tower foundations are likely to be of a mass gravity type.

2.6.14 Dimensions of each foundation would be confirmed following micro siting. For the purposes of this assessment however it has been assumed that each foundation would be buried to depths estimated up to 2.5 m below ground level (bgl) although extending up to 4 m depth where ground conditions require. They would extend over an area suitable to deliver the loading characteristics required (which would be a function of the underlying ground conditions and the weight of the structures to be supported). Piled foundations may be required where low strength ground conditions exist, particularly where peat is encountered at over 2 m depth.

2.6.15 For the purposes of the EIA Report it has been assumed that individual tower foundations and associated construction activities would require a working area of approximately 2500 m2 (50 m x 50 m) around each individual tower location. The exact dimensions of the working area around each tower would be confirmed following micro siting.

2.6.16 Where encountered, top soil (including peat) would be stripped from the tower working area to allow installation of tower erection pad(s) as necessary to accommodate construction plant. Concrete is likely to be brought to site ready-mixed with no requirement for concrete batching at individual tower locations. Once the concrete has been cast and set, the excavation would be backfilled, using the original excavated material where possible.

2.6.17 It is anticipated that formation of each tower foundation would take an approximate 4 week period. Photograph 3 provides and illustrative image of tower foundation construction.


Photograph 3: Illustrative Image of Tower Foundation Construction

Tower Construction

2.6.18 Tower construction can commence two weeks after the foundations have been cast, subject to weather conditions and concrete curing rates. Tower steelwork would be delivered to each tower construction site either as individual steel members or as prefabricated panels, depending on the method of installation and the available access.

2.6.19 The preferred method of assembly and erection would use a crane, as shown in photograph 4.

Photograph 4: Tower Assembly and Erection

Conductor Stringing

2.6.20 Prior to stringing the conductors, temporary protection measures, normally netted scaffolds, would be required across public roads and railways.

2.6.21 Conductor stringing equipment (i.e. winches, tensioners and ancillary equipment) are set out at either end of pre-selected sections of the OHL. Photograph 5 provides and illustrative image of a tower with rollers and winch.

2.6.22 Pilot wires would be pulled through the section to be strung. These would be hung on blocks (wheels) at each suspension tower and connected to a winch and tensioner at the respective end of the section. The winch, in conjunction with the tensioner is used to pull the pilot wires between the structures. The conductor is pulled via the pilot wires through the section under tension to avoid contact with the ground and any underrunning obstacles. Once the conductor has been strung between the ends of the section it is then tensioned and permanently clamped at each tower.


Photograph 5: Illustrative Image of Temporary Construction Scaffolds

Underground Cable Installation

2.6.23 A short (c.1 km) length of double circuit 132 kV cable would be required between Loch Buidhe Substation and the SEC.

2.6.24 The proposed method for the installation of underground cables would be via trenching. The schematics set out within Figure 2.4 illustrate the likely methodology. Anticipated working areas would be at least 30 metres in width and at least 1 metre in depth. Measurements may vary depending on engineering requirements, topography and ground conditions present.


Figure 2.4: Typical underground cable design and installation requirements

Phase 3 - Commissioning

2.6.25 The OHL and support towers would then be subject to an inspection and snagging process. This allows the Contractor and The Applicant to check that the works have been built to specification and are fit to energise. The Proposed Development would also go through a commissioning procedure for the switchgear, communications and protection controls through the substations at Dalchork and Loch Buidhe. The circuits would then be energised from the substations.

Phase 4 - Reinstatement

2.6.26 Following commissioning of the Proposed Development, all temporary works areas would be reinstated. Reinstatement would form part of the contract obligations for the Principal Contractor and would include the removal of all temporary access tracks, all work sites around the tower locations and the re-vegetation of all construction compounds etc.

Reinstatement of Access Tracks

2.6.27 As presented in Figure 2.3, there would be permanent and temporary tracks required to facilitate construction. Tracks to be retained would be partially reinstated on commissioning of the OHL to reduce their width from c.5m to c.3.5m for use by The Applicant for a maintenance access. Other tracks noted as temporary would be removed in their entirety and the land reinstated.

2.6.28 Reinstatement would involve replacement of subsoil, then topsoil, grading and installation of drainage as required with turves replaced vegetation side up. Where there are insufficient turves the ground would be allowed to vegetate naturally, although some seeding may be required to stabilise sites and prevent erosion, or where landowner requirements dictate otherwise.

30 Metres

30 Metres


Reinstatement of Tower Sites

2.6.29 Soil would be stored within the working area for each tower during construction. Subsoils and topsoil removed to enable the construction of the foundations would be temporarily stockpiled in separate bunds within the working area, with stripped turves stored on top of the bunds.

2.6.30 Reinstatement would involve replacement of subsoil, then topsoil with turves replaced vegetation side up. Where there are insufficient turves the ground would be allowed to vegetate naturally, although some seeding may be required to stabilise sites and prevent erosion, or where landowner requirements dictate otherwise.

Reinstatement of Construction Compound(s)

2.6.31 At the end of construction all materials, buildings, and temporary compounds would be removed. Where required the land would be regraded with subsoil put down first, then topsoil with turves replaced vegetation side up. Where there are insufficient turves the ground would be allowed to vegetate naturally, although some seeding may be required to stabilise sites and prevent erosion, or where landowner requirements dictate otherwise.

2.7 Construction Employment and Hours of Work

2.7.1 The Applicant takes community responsibilities seriously. The delivery of a major programme of capital investment provides the opportunity to maximise support of local communities. Employment of construction staff would be the responsibility of the Principal Contractor but The Applicant encourages the Principal Contractor to make use of suitable labour and resources from areas local to the location of the works.

2.7.2 It is envisaged that there would be a number of separate teams working at the same time at different locations within the Proposed Development. The resource levels would be dependent on the final construction sequence and would be determined by the Principal Contractor.

2.7.3 Construction working is likely to be during daytime periods only. Working hours are anticipated 7 days a week between approximately 07.00 to 19.00 in summer and 07.30 to 17.00 (or within daylight hours) in winter. Restrictions to working hours are likely to be required in proximity to residential dwellings, which would be assessed within the construction noise management plan developed by the Principal Contractor as part of the CEMP. Any out of hours working would be agreed in writing in advance with The Highland Council.

2.8 Construction Traffic

2.8.1 The construction would give rise to regular numbers of staff transport movements, with small work crews travelling to work site areas. It is anticipated that the Principal Contractor would identify a single main compound area, with a safe area for parking away from the public highway.

2.8.2 Vehicle movements would be required to construct new or upgraded access roads; deliver the foundation and tower components and conductor materials to site; deliver and collect materials and construction plant from the main site compound and to individual tower locations. Section 9 provides further detail on the proposals for Traffic and Transport.

2.9 Operation and Management of the Transmission Connection

2.9.1 In general, an OHL requires very little maintenance. Regular inspections are undertaken to identify any unacceptable deterioration of components, so that they can be replaced.

2.9.2 From time to time, inclement weather, storms or lightning can cause damage to either the insulators or the conductors. If conductors are damaged, short sections may have to be replaced. Insulators and conductors are normally replaced after about 40 years, and towers painted every 15-20 years.


3. METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 This section sets out the approach that would be taken to complete the EIA of the Proposed Development, including reference to legal requirements, best practice and the assessment of parameters.

3.1.2 The EIA Report would contain the information specified in Part I (where relevant) and Part II of Schedule 4 of the EIA Regulations. The approach to the assessment has been informed by current best practice guidance.

3.1.3 A detailed overview of the guidance and methodology adopted for each technical study is provided within the respective technical sections of this EIA Scoping Report (sections 4 - 7).

3.1.4 Technical study areas that have been scoped out of further consideration in the EIA are discussed in section 8 of the Scoping Report.

3.2 Identification of Baseline

3.2.1 To identify the scale of likely significant effects as a result of the Proposed Development, it is necessary to establish the existing baseline environmental conditions.

3.2.2 The baseline scenario would be established through the following methods, where relevant:

• Site visits and surveys;

• Desk-based studies;

• Review of existing information;

• Modelling;

• Review of relevant national and local planning policies;

• Consultation with the relevant statutory consultees; and

• Identification of Sensitive Receptors.

3.2.3 Consistent with Part 1 of Schedule 4 the EIA Regulations an identification of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the Proposed Development has been undertaken to inform this EIA Scoping Report. In particular; this focused on potential impacts upon population, fauna, flora, soil, material assets including the architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and inter-relationship between those factors.

3.3 Assessment of Likely Significant Environmental Effects

3.3.1 For the purposes of this EIA Report the terms used in the assessment of effects are generally defined as follows:

• ‘Impact’ is specific and defined as the action being taken, for example, cutting down trees; and

• ‘Effect’ is defined as the change resulting from that action.

3.3.2 Where a more appropriate definition of the above terms is applicable to a technical discipline this would clearly outlined within the technical chapters.

3.3.3 When identifying likely significant effects, all types of effect, such as beneficial and adverse, would be included. As stated in IEMA ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 3 (GLVIA2), ‘identifying significant effects stresses the need for an approach that is in proportion to the scale of the project that is being assessed and the nature of its likely effects. Judgement needs to be exercised at all stages in terms of the scale of the investigation that is appropriate and proportional.’

2 •Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (2013) Guidance for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment –

Third Edition.


3.3.4 The result of the assessment is the determination of whether the likely effect of the Proposed Development on the receptor in the study area would be significant or not significant, and adverse or beneficial.

3.3.5 Several criteria have been used to determine whether or not the likely environmental effects of the Proposed Development would be deemed 'significant'. The effects have been assessed quantitatively where possible. Generally, the significance of effects has been assessed using one of more of the following criteria:

• International, national and local standards;

• Sensitivity of receiving environment;

• Extent and magnitude of the effect; and

• Reversibility and duration of the effect

3.3.6 Where no published standards exist, the assessments presented in the technical chapters would describe the professional judgements (assumptions and value systems) that underpin the attribution of significance. For certain technical topics, such as ecology, widely recognised published significance criteria and associated terminology have been applied and these are presented in the technical chapters and associated appendices where relevant.

3.3.7 The assessment of significance would consider the magnitude of change (from the baseline conditions), the sensitivity of the affected environment/receptors and (in terms of determining residual effects) the extent to which mitigation and enhancement would reduce or reverse adverse effects. In addition, further influences such as those listed below have been factored into the assessment using professional judgement:

• Likelihood of occurrence;

• Geographical extent;

• The value of the affected resource;

• Adherence of the proposals to legislation and planning policy; and

• Reversibility and duration of the effect.

3.3.8 The magnitude (scale) of change for each effect would be identified and predicted as a deviation from the established baseline conditions, for the construction and operational phases of the Proposed Development.

3.3.9 The sensitivity of the receptor / receiving environment to change would be determined using professional judgement, consideration of existing designations (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)) and quantifiable data, where possible.

3.3.10 Each effect would be assessed taking account of the predicted magnitude of change and the sensitivity of the receptor as shown in Table 3-1 below to determine an overall significance.

Table 3.1: Matrix for Determining the Significance of Effects

Sensitivity of Receptor/Receiving Environment to Change/Effect

High Medium Low Negligible

Mag

nitu

de o

f C

hang

e/Ef

fect

High Major Major Moderate Negligible

Medium Major Moderate Minor Negligible

Low Moderate Minor Minor Negligible

Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible

3.3.11 Major and moderate effects are considered to be significant in the context of the EIA Regulations. Minor and negligible effects are not considered significant.

3.3.12 Specific criteria have been adopted for certain technical assessments in accordance with widely recognised EIA guidelines published by professional bodies (such as for landscape and visual impact assessment and the


assessment of ecological effects) where applicable, these would be provided in the respective technical chapters.

3.3.13 The characteristics of an effect would vary depending on the duration of the activity causing the effect, the sensitivity of the receptor and the resultant change. It is therefore necessary to assess whether the effect is temporary or permanent and beneficial or adverse. Effects that are temporary are usually reversible and generally confined to the construction period.

3.4 Identification of Mitigation Measures

3.4.1 Following the initial assessment, mitigation measures would be recommended to prevent, reduce or remedy any significant adverse environmental effects identified. Such measures would be implemented during design, construction and/or operation of the Proposed Development. Each technical chapter of the EIA Report would detail the measures recommended to mitigate any identified significant adverse effects, and a summary of the recommended mitigation measures would be provided.

Following the implementation of mitigation measures, an assessment of the significance of any residual effects would be undertaken. The findings would be presented in each technical chapter of the EIA Report.

3.5 Cumulative Effects

3.5.1 There are two aspects to Cumulative Effects, defined as follows:

• In-combination effects: The combined effect of the Proposed Development together with other reasonably foreseeable developments (taking into consideration effects at the site preparation and earthworks, construction and operational phases); and

• Effects Interactions: The combined or synergistic effects caused by the combination of a number of effects on a particular receptor (taking into consideration effects at the site preparation and earthworks, construction and operational phases), which may collectively cause a more significant effect than individually. A theoretical example is the culmination of disturbance from dust, noise, vibration, artificial light, human presence and visual intrusion on sensitive fauna (e.g. certain bat species) adjacent to a construction site.

3.5.2 The potential for cumulative effects would be considered in relation to other approved EIA development within the study area relevant to each particular issue. The basis for this is that only these developments have the potential to result in significant cumulative effects in combination with those arising from the Proposed Development. The final list of development to be considered in the cumulative effects assessment would be frozen one month prior to publication to allow sufficient time to compile the EIA Report.

3.5.3 The following committed development proposals would be considered, where appropriate, in assessing the effects of the Proposed Development. These are shown in Figure 3.1.


Table 3.2: Details of Developments for Consideration in Cumulative Assessment

DEVELOPMENT PLANNING REFERENCE & DESCRIPTION POTENTIAL FOR CUMULATIVE IMPACTS WITH THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

Dalchork Substation Construction and operation of a proposed 132 kV substation in Dalchork Wood. This is the northern termination point for the Proposed Development.

Construction likely to be underway at the same time as the Proposed Development.

Loch Buidhe Substation Consent for this substation was granted by The Highland Council (THC) on 30th May 2013 (Application Number 12/04527/FUL)

Construction likely to be completed early 2018.

Creag Riabhach Windfarm 132kV OHL Connection (no information currently in public domain).

Construction of a proposed 132 kV single circuit overhead line supported on trident wood poles between the Creag Riabhach Windfarm and the proposed Dalchork Substation.

Construction likely to be underway at the same time as the Proposed Development.

Braemore Windfarm Construction and operation of an 18 turbine windfarm.

Consented but construction programme is not known.

This development does not have a connection contract in place (Nov 2017).

3.6 Assumptions and Limitations

3.6.1 The key assumptions and limitations applied to the preparation of this EIA Scoping Report are set out below. Assumptions and limitations specific to certain topics are identified in the appropriate technical chapter.

• Baseline conditions have been established from a variety of sources, including historical data, but due to the dynamic nature of certain aspects of the environment, conditions would change during the construction and operation of the scheme;

• Information received by third parties is complete and up to date; and

• The design, construction and completed stages of the Proposed Development would satisfy minimum environmental standards, consistent with contemporary legislation, practice and knowledge.


4. LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AND VISUAL IMPACT 4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 This section considers the potential effects the Proposed Development could have on the landscape character and visual amenity during construction and operation.

4.2 Baseline Conditions

4.2.1 Figure 4.1 illustrates the LVIA study area, including landscape designations, which has been selected with reference to the type and scale of the Proposed Development and to the landscape context in which it is proposed, including the population distribution, settlement and communication patterns within the surrounding area.

Landscape and Scenic Designations

4.2.2 The following landscape and scenic designations (Table 4.1) lie within the LVIA study area defined below.

Table 4.1: Landscape Designations

Designation Name Distance to nearest part of Proposed Development (km)

Site Area (km2) Comments

NSA Dornoch Firth 6.6 115.40 In its western part, this National Scenic Area is characterised by a sense of enclosure, with a wilder backdrop of hills and moors.

4.2.3 There are also two wild land areas within the LVIA study area as detailed in Table 4.2. Wild land areas are identified as nationally important in Scottish Planning Policy, but are not a statutory designation.

Table 4.2: Wild Land Areas

Designation Name Distance to nearest part of Proposed Development (km)

Site Area (km2) Comments

Wild land area Ben Klibreck-Armine Forest

9.5 530.2 Areas of wild land are widely acknowledged as important assets, providing a number of significant ecosystem services that support a range of social and economic benefits and outcomes.

Wild land area Reay-Cassley 5.3 559.9

Landscape Character

4.2.4 There are a number of Landscape Character Types (LCTs) within the LVIA study area. These include: moorland slopes and hills; rounded hills; small farms and crofts; straths; sweeping moorland; town; irregular


massif, forested backdrop and narrow firth corridor. The Caithness and Sutherland3, and the Inner Moray Firth4 Landscape Character Assessments (LCA) also identify, 'coniferous woodland plantation' and 'inland loch' for which no descriptions of their key characteristics are provided.

4.2.5 There are two wild land areas in the northern part of the LVIA study area. Wild land areas have been identified by the SNH Wildness Mapping (2014)5 as the most extensive areas of high wildness. They are identified as nationally important in Scottish Planning Policy, but are not a statutory designation.

Visual Amenity

4.2.6 The topography of the LVIA study area generally consists of undulating land with several hills providing impediments to long distance views. In the north and centre of the study area, to the east of Lairg, is Meall Dola (NGR 262000 906937) which reaches an elevation of 323 m AOD. In the northeast of the study area is Meal Meadhonach (NGR 264051 908395) reaching 232 m AOD. To the south of Tomich is Cnoc na h-Inghinn (NGR 261341 904088) which reaches an elevation of 309 m AOD. In the west of the study area, south of Torroble is Cnoc an Achaidh Mhoir (NGR 258817 903278) reaching an AOD of 201 m. In the south and centre of the study area is Cnoc Cracail (NGR 262234 901628) and Meal Eachainn (NGR 262084 900524) which reach 295 m and 343 m AOD, respectively. In the south and west of the study area are Sron Ach a’ Bhocaidh (NGR 261401 898381) and Aultnagar (NGR 258932 899 215), reaching 283 m and 239 m AOD respectively.

4.2.7 The cumulative assessment would identify schemes within the 10 km study that would potentially have a significant cumulative effect when combined with the Proposed Development.

Residential Amenity

4.2.8 There are no habitable dwellings between Loch Buidhe Substation and Lairg. Residential dwellings are only associated with the community in and around Lairg in croft land consisting mainly of grazing pasture. There are not many trees and no rivers which would contribute to the baseline environment. However, the A839 road and main railway between Inverness and Thurso / Wick are located within this area.

4.3 Sensitive Receptors

4.3.1 An initial Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) has been generated for the Proposed Development from which candidate list of viewpoints were identified and agreed in consultation with THC and SNH within the EIA Scoping undertaken in 2016. The viewpoints identified and agreed in 2016 remain relevant for the amended alignment.

4.3.2 Viewpoint locations are listed in Table 4.3 below and are illustrated on Figure 4.2.

3 SNH (1997) Caithness and Sutherland Landscape Character Assessment 4 SNH (1997) Inner Moray Firth Landscape Character Assessment 5 http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/looking-after-landscapes/landscape-policy-and-guidance/wild-land/mapping/


Table 4.3: Proposed Viewpoint Locations for LVIA

Number Description National Grid reference Reason for selection

1 Saval NC 58736, 08463 Residents and cumulative with substation

2 A838 Colaboll NC 56442,10098 Residents and road and cumulative with substation

3 Minor Road at Salachy

NC 55188, 08066 Residents and road users and cumulative with substation

4 A839 at Gruids NC 56367, 04010 Residents and road users

5 A836 layby NC 58256, 01752 Road users

6 Tomich NC 60799, 04905 Residents and road users

7 Minor Road at Lairg Muir

NC 59267, 07098 Road users

8 Balcharn NC 59941, 06672 Residents and road users

9 Torroble NC 59412, 04704 Residents and road users

10 Minor road/track at Sleastary

NH 64492, 96662 Road users and walkers

11 Ord Hill NC 05580, 57400 Walkers

12 Meall Dola NC 61997, 06973 Walkers

13 Meall Eachainn NC 61868, 00496 Walkers

14 Lairg Station NC 58407, 04185 Residents and road users

15 Ferry Croft, Lairg NC 58025, 06171 Residents and road users

16 A839 – Strath Fleet NC 62313 05609 Road users and walkers

4.3.3 Each viewpoint has been visited, photographed and the key characteristics of the view identified. These characteristics would be detailed in the baseline description for visual amenity, prior to undertaking the assessment of effects.

4.3.4 In addition to these static viewpoints, there are a number of receptors within the study area. These include:

• the railway line;

• A836, A837, A838, A839, A949, B864 and numerous minor roads; and

• core paths located within and around Lairg, within Strath Fleet near Rogart, around Achany Glen at Gruids Wood and at Shin Falls, within woodland east of Rosehall and near the Kyle of Sutherland at Carbisdale and Balblair Wood.

4.3.5 A desk-based assessment undertaken indicates there are approximately 40 residential properties within 500 m of the Proposed Development in the area around Torroble, Tomich, Balnadelson, Savalbeg and Saval. There are no residential dwellings within 100 m of the Proposed Development.

4.4 Issues Scoped Out

4.4.1 Effects would include:

• Landform / Topography: The Proposed Development may result in temporary and minor alterations to the landform associated with foundation excavations, laydown areas, site working compounds and access tracks;

• Landscape Pattern / Land cover: The Proposed Development may result in the loss of small areas of forestry and temporary disturbance to vegetation during the construction phase;


• Landscape Character: The Proposed Development would introduce temporary construction activity and permanent features into the landscape of the study area (direct effects) and visibility of temporary activity and permanent features from the surrounding landscape, including designated areas (indirect effects);

• Visual Amenity: The Proposed Development would introduce temporary construction activity and permanent features into views from the representative list of static viewpoints and from the railway, roads, National Cycle Route 1 and Core Paths.

4.4.2 It is considered unlikely that the effects on landform / topography and landscape pattern / land cover would be significant and it is proposed that these are scoped out of consideration in the EIA.

4.4.3 It is further considered that the construction effects would be unlikely to be greater than the operational effects and it is therefore proposed that only the operational effects are identified within the EIA, with the construction effects being deemed to be similar or lesser and of a temporary nature.

4.4.4 Examination of the bare ground ZTV confirms that there would be no visibility from the following sequential routes:

• A837; and

• A949.

4.4.5 It is therefore proposed that visibility these roads is scoped out of the EIA. It is also proposed that the network of minor roads is scoped out on the basis that adjacent static viewpoints are representative of the views seen by local residents using these roads.

4.4.6 Properties further than 500 m from the Proposed Development have been scoped out. 500 m is considered to be the greatest distance within which effects on residential visual amenity may be significant and possibly ‘overbearing’.

4.5 Potential Significant Effects

Landscape Resource

4.5.1 Effects on the landscape resource are likely to relate to the following:

• Landscape Character: the character of the landscape may be affected, through the introduction of a new steel lattice tower supported overhead line. In this case, the following impacts are predicted:

• the Proposed Development is likely to have direct impacts on areas of ‘Moorland Slopes and Hills’, ‘Sweeping Moorland’ and ‘Small Farms and Crofts’ and indirect impacts on other LCTs.

4.5.2 Effects on landscape designations would be limited to indirect effects resulting from visibility of the Proposed Development from these areas.

Visual Amenity

4.5.3 Potential effects on visual amenity within the study area are likely to occur during the operational phase of the development for the following:

• Local residents in their homes, at places of work and travelling through the study area;

• Vehicle travellers using the roads and railway route; and

• Walkers and cyclists using the National Cycle Route and core paths within the study area.

4.6 Assessment Methodology

4.6.1 The LVIA would be completed in accordance with the guidance set out in supplementary guidance published by the Scottish Executive in February 2002 and to the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment published by the Landscape Institute and IEMA (3rd edition, 2013). In addition, the assessment would be


prepared with reference to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan6, and the Caithness and Sutherland7, and the Inner Moray Firth8 LCA. It would include the following elements:

• An illustrated statement on the effect of the preferred route on the landscape character and quality of the area. The statement would include a description of the methodology used to assess character and the criteria to determine quality; and

• An illustrated description of the visual effects of the Proposed Development on people at properties and locations to which the public has access.

4.6.2 The magnitude of change for each identified landscape and visual receptor would be quantified. Combined with the established sensitivity to change for each receptor, the effects would be rated in terms of Significance based on the methodology illustrated in section 3.

Landscape

4.6.3 The landscape assessment would describe how the Proposed Development affects the defining characteristics of the identified LCTs. It would consider both the effects of individual elements of the Proposed Development on individual LCTs and the collective effect of the Proposed Development overall. The assessment would consider effects during operation, and would take into account any proposed mitigation. The assessment would consider how potential effects would change (reduce) over time as vegetation re-establishes and new screen planting, where proposed, matures.

Visual Amenity

4.6.4 Effects on visual amenity would be described and assessed with reference to the degree to which the Proposed Development would be visible to stationary and moving viewers. As with the landscape assessment, effects arising from individual elements of the Proposed Development and overall effects would be identified. Effects would be considered during operation, taking into account any mitigation measures.

4.6.5 A series of wireline diagrams would be produced for each of the static viewpoints and a selection of photomontages would illustrate the Proposed Development during the operational phase. Not all viewpoints would be subject to photomontage, it is likely that up to eight viewpoints will require photomontages. A list of photomontages would be agreed in discussion with THC and SNH, with reference to appropriate guidance, in so far as they are relevant to the Proposed Development9.

Residential Amenity

4.6.6 GLVIA (3rd edition) confirms the assessment of impacts on residential property is separate from LVIA and subject to specific requirements. There is no industry wide published guidance on how impacts on residential amenity should be assessed, or what criteria should be applied in considering the extent of any such impacts. Notwithstanding this, there is considerable experience of assessing impacts on residential visual amenity, generally in respect of wind farm developments, but also in respect of transmission infrastructure.

4.6.7 In defining what is meant by impacts on residential visual amenity, the outlook from a private property is considered an essentially private matter. The difference between that private interest and what should be protected in the public interest has been the subject of particular focus in wind farm cases since the decision by Inspector Lavender at Enifer Downs in April 2009. A clear distinction was drawn between private and public interests, and for the particular considerations applied to residential amenity, the impacts on the closest residential properties would be assessed with specific reference to property and curtilage characteristics.

6 The Highland Council (2012) Highland-wide Local Development Plan 7 SNH (1997) Caithness and Sutherland Landscape Character Assessment 8 SNH (1997) Inner Moray Firth Landscape Character Assessment 9 The Highland Council (2013) Visualisation Standards for Wind Energy Developments


4.6.8 The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment EIA Quality Mark Article ‘Residential visual amenity assessment: its place in EIA’ suggests that the following criteria are used to inform the assessment of impacts on residential visual amenity:

• The scale of change to the existing view from the property caused by the Proposed Development, includingchanges to its composition and the proportion of the view affected;

• The degree of contrast or integration of any new features in the view;

• The duration and nature of the impact, whether temporary or permanent, intermittent of continuous, forexample; and

• The angle of view in relation to the main activities of the receptor; and the relative size and proximity of newfeatures in the view.

4.6.9 The impacts on residential properties within 300 m of the Proposed Development would be assessed, specifically in order to form a judgement as to the scale of predicted impacts on residential amenity.

Cumulative Assessment

4.6.10 Existing wind farms and other developments are taken into account in the baseline study and do not form part of the cumulative assessment.

4.6.11 There is the potential for cumulative effects from the addition of the Proposed Development alongside other developments, which are the subject of valid applications for consent. No other OHL projects are currently the subject of applications for consent in the study area.

4.6.12 The following proposed wind farm is located within the study area:

• Braemore Wind Farm (255548, 899184) – this development has received consent, and lies in thesouthwest of the LVIA study area.

4.6.13 It is considered that the addition of the proposed 132 kV OHL has the potential to give rise to cumulative landscape or visual effects. As such, consideration would be given to the addition of the Proposed Development with these proposed wind farms. Operational wind farms (such as Lairg Estate Wind Farm) make up the existing baseline environment.

4.6.14 Other known developments likely to contribute to cumulative effects include;

• The consented Loch Buidhe Substation;

• The proposed Dalchork 132 kV substation north of Lairg; and

• The proposed 132 kV single circuit wood pole trident connecting the Creag Riabhach Wind Farm with theDalchork 132 kV substation. This project is in the early development stage, and as such no details areavailable at present.

4.6.15 It is noted that, as part of the wider associated works, The Applicant also proposes to dismantle the existing 132 kV OHL between the Lairg GSP and Shin substation. There is c.110 residential properties within 500 m of this OHL. No significant adverse effects are considered likely during the dismantling work on the landscape resource or visual amenity. The future baseline scenario following the completion of the dismantling between Lairg and Shin would be considered in the assessment to allow for the potential beneficial effects to be considered.

4.7 Summary

4.7.1 Landscape and visual receptors have the potential to be impacted upon by the Proposed Development through direct effects on landscape character, indirect effects to visibility from identified landscape designations and the effect on the visual amenity of local residents, transport users and walkers / cyclists. The effect on landscape would be assessed both from the individual components of the Proposed Development and the collective impact of the development overall. A series of wirelines and photomontages would be produced from key


viewpoints in order to support the assessment both on visual amenity. The assessment would form the Landscape Character and Visual Impact Chapter of the EIA Report.


5. ECOLOGY AND NATURE CONSERVATION 5.1 Introduction

5.1.1 This section considers the potential effects the Proposed Development could have on ecology and nature conservation during construction and operation.


Nature Conservation Designations

5.2.1 There are no sites designated at an international, national or local level for their (non-avian) ecological importance within or adjacent to the Proposed Development.

5.2.2 Designated sites of (non-avian) ecological importance located within 10 km of the Proposed Development are listed in Table 5.1 and shown in Figure 5.1.


Table 5.1 Sites Designated for Ecological Importance

Designation Name Qualifying Features Site Centre Location

Site area (ha)

Closest distance to Study Area (km)

Comments

SAC and Ramsar site Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands

SAC Qualifying Features: • Blanket bog • wet heathland, • otter, • acid peat-stained lakes and ponds, • clear-water lakes or lochs; • marsh saxifrage. • Ramsar Qualifying Features: • Blanket bogs.

Various sites 143,572 3.6 km Fresh water loch separated by catchment boundaries from the proposed OHL – no potential for direct or indirect effects

SSSI (biological) Grudie Peatlands SSSI Notified Natural Feature: • nationally important blanket bog.

249254 910289 4,785 3.6 km As above – no potential for direct or indirect effects

SSSI (biological) Kyle of Sutherland Marshes

SSSI Notified Natural Features: • Wet woodland, Flood-plain fen, and

Vascular plant assemblages

257403 895807 53 6.3 km No potential for direct or indirect effects.

SAC River Oykel SAC Qualifying Features: • Atlantic Salmon and Freshwater Pearl

Mussels.

251185 899015 348 5.1 km No potential for direct or indirect effects.


Main Habitats

5.2.3 Phase 1 habitat surveys were undertaken at various stages throughout the development of the Proposed Development. In summary:

• August 2013 – Phase 1 habitat survey to inform route selection process;

• June / July 2014 – Phase 1 habitat survey to inform the alignment selection process; and

• December 2016 – Targeted Phase 1 habitat survey to inform proposed modifications to the preferred alignment.

5.2.4 Habitat types found during the Phase 1 habitat surveys to date are shown on Figure 5.210, and include:

• Blanket bog and semi-improved neutral grassland to the north of Saval;

• Coniferous forest north of Savalbeg;

• Further semi-improved neutral grassland and an area of marshy grassland around Savalbeg and Culbuie;

• An area of bracken south of Balnadelson;

• Semi-improved acid grassland around Rheanbreck; and

• Blanket bog interspersed with patches of dry heath for the remainder of the route, to Loch Buidhe substation.

5.2.5 For the purposes of this report, areas of modified bog, wet dwarf shrub heath and marshy grassland have been considered to have potential to support groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems (GWDTE). Bog habitats, with potential to support GWDTE are predominately located in the southeast and western parts of the route.

5.2.6 A section of the Proposed Development passes along the fringes of an area west of Meall Dola designated as ancient woodland.

5.2.7 There are a number of watercourse crossings along the Proposed Development in the River Shin, River Fleet and Dornoch Coastal catchments11. The river catchments are designated as Freshwater Fishery protection areas known to support populations of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and Sea trout Salmo trutta.


5.3.1 The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Gateway interactive map shows species records within the study area, and indicates the presence of the following species which would have the potential to be impacted:

• Common frog Rana temporia;

• Common toad Bufo bufo;

• Palmate newt Lissotriton helveticus;

• Adder Vipera berus;

• Common lizard Zootoca vivipara;

• Atlantic salmon Salmo salar;

• Lamprey Lampetra;

• Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus;

• Brown/sea trout Salmo trutta;

• European eel Anguilla Anguilla;

• Common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus;

• Soprano pipistrelle Pipistrelles pygmaeus;

• Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii;

10 Further Phase 1 habitat surveys would be undertaken March 2018 in order to complete habitat mapping in areas where the alignment has been

amended. 11 http://gis.sepa.org.uk/rbmp/


• Long-eared bat Plecotus auritus;

• Badger Meles meles;

• Eurasian otter Lutra lutra;

• Water vole Arvicola amphibius;

• Pine marten Martes martes; and

• Wildcat Felis silvestris.

5.3.2 A Protected Species survey was carried out in Spring and Summer 2014, which confirmed the presence of the following species within the study area. Signs and sightings of protected species are shown on Figure 5.3:

• Pine Marten;

• Otter;

• Common lizard; and

• Common toad.

5.3.3 Habitat suitable for supporting otter and water vole was also observed within the field study area, although no field signs were observed. However, it is understood from surveys undertaken in relation to Loch Buidhe Substation, that water vole are present in the watercourse immediately west of the substation site.

5.3.4 The ecological baseline would be used to identify the sensitive ecological receptors that could be affected by the construction and operation of the Proposed Development.

5.3.5 An ecological receptor is the habitat, species or community within the receiving environment that might be influenced by the Proposed Development. The importance or sensitivity of an ecological receptor refers to the rarity, ability to resist or recover from environmental change, uniqueness or an ecological receptor, functioning/role within an ecosystem, and level of legal protection or designation afforded to a given ecological receptor are all factors taken into account in determining its importance or sensitivity.

5.3.6 The importance or sensitivity of an ecological receptor would be ascertained via consultation with experts who know the locality of the project and the distribution and status of the species or other receptors that are being considered, review of literature and guidance, field survey data, legal protection/conservation status and professional judgement.

5.3.7 Further site walkover surveys would identify GWDTE relevant to the Proposed Development. This information would inform further assessment of the hydrological impact of the Proposed Development on the identified GWDTE (See section 8.4 below).


Reptiles

5.4.1 Reptiles are unlikely to be present in large numbers within the Proposed Development due to the limited availability of suitable habitat; undertaking surveys to confirm presence or absence is considered unnecessary as the EIA Report would include appropriate mitigation, to be agreed with SNH, to avoid impacts on this species group. Incidental records of reptiles collected during other surveys would be reported and the EIA Report chapter would assume reptiles are present within suitable habitat and appropriate mitigation would be designed.

Invertebrates

5.4.2 Confirmation of the presence or absence of this species group, particularly Freshwater Pearl Mussel Margaritifera margaritifera, within the Proposed Development is considered unnecessary as the EIA Report would set out specific mitigation measures that would be required to avoid significant effects.


Aquatic Ecology

5.4.3 While the Proposed Development would cross a number of watercourses, the OHL design would aim to locate towers at sufficient distance to avoid impacts on water quality. In addition, all construction work would be carried out following good practice mitigation for pollution prevention and taking a precautionary approach by assuming the presence of sensitive aquatic ecology (including fish and freshwater pearl mussel). Therefore, significant effects associated with the Proposed Development on aquatic ecology are unlikely.


5.5.1 The assessment would consider the potential for significant effects associated with:

• habitat loss, with particular attention given to any Annex 1 habitats (as defined in EC habitats directive) such as acid dry heath and blanket bog (peat) habitats, other sensitive habitat types such as GWDTE; and

• the killing, injury or temporary disturbance of nationally and internationally protected species of wildlife.


5.6.1 The Ecological Impact Assessment (ECIA) would be completed in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecological and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Ecological Impact Assessment Guidance12. The assessment would use the ecological baseline to identify the sensitive ecological receptors that could be affected by the construction or operation of the Proposed Development. Each receptor would be assigned a geographic level of importance based on its national and local conservation status and population/assemblage trends and other relevant criteria (including size, naturalness, rarity and diversity). Details of the Proposed Development would then be used to assess what level of effect each receptor is likely to receive and whether or not it would be beneficial or adverse, significant or negligible, and temporary or permanent.

5.6.2 Where appropriate, mitigation measures would be recommended within the EIA to remedy any adverse effects and measures to enhance the local ecology would also be incorporated within the assessment. An assessment of residual effects would then be undertaken and reported within the EIA Report.

5.6.3 An assessment of the potential effects on GWDTE from the Proposed Development would be undertaken and where required a risk assessment would be completed in line with SEPA’s guidance13. Mitigation of the impact on GWDTE (i.e. avoidance, minimisation and design measures) would be employed as required.

5.6.4 Assessment of the impact of the Proposed Development on peat would be included within the EIA Report. A Peat Management Plan, in line with SEPA’s requirements, would be prepared by the Principal Contractor and included as part of the CEMP to be submitted with the s37, but out with the EIA Report.

Site Surveys

5.6.5 Based on the data collected from the consultation and desk based study, together with a review of relevant data already obtained on the Site, the following surveys are proposed to be undertaken within March to April 2018:

• Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey, incorporating Protected Species and Targeted NVC Surveys.

5.6.6 These surveys would then be used as required (e.g. to inform any subsequent assessment and provide evidence to support habitat management and mitigation proposals etc.)

Additional Baseline Information and Collection

5.6.7 Trees which have potential for roosting bats would be re-surveyed prior to works commencing on site to ensure appropriate mitigation is in place before trees are removed. All work would be carried out in accordance with

12 CIEEM (2016) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the UK and Ireland: Terrestrial, Freshwater and Coastal, 2nd edition. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Winchester. 13 SEPA 2017. Land Use and Planning System SEPA Guidance Note 31: Guidance on Assessing the Impacts of Development Proposals on Groundwater

Abstractions and Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems. September 2017.


the standard suite of Species Protection Plans developed by The Applicant in consultation with SNH, and now adopted across all The Applicant projects, in so far as they are relevant on project by project basis.

Impact Prediction and Evaluation

5.6.8 The ecological value of features and the potential effects of the Proposed Development on them would be determined based on the CIEEM Ecological Impact Assessment Guidelines14. A risk-based assessment would be undertaken to identify any potentially significant ecological impacts, in line with the definitions and conventions detailed in the CIEEM guidelines.


5.6.9 The cumulative assessment would consider the Proposed Development in combination with the anticipated effects of other developments proposed within the study area. The developments to be considered in the cumulative assessment include those set out in Section 3 (Table 3.2) above and listed below.

• The consented Braemore Wind Farm in the southwest of the LVIA study area.;

• The consented Loch Buidhe Substation in the south of the study area;


• The proposed 132 kV single circuit wood pole trident connecting the Creag Riabhach Wind Farm with the Dalchork 132 kV substation. This project is in the early development stage, and as such no details are available at present.

5.7 Summary

5.7.1 The potential for significant impacts from habitat loss and / or direct injury or disturbance of protected species would be assessed as part of an Ecological Impact Assessment. This would form the Ecology chapter of the Environmental Impact Assessment. These impacts would be assessed using the results of the surveys undertaken previously, desk studies and further field surveys to be undertaken in spring 2018.

14 CIEEM (2016) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the UK and Ireland: Terrestrial, Freshwater and Coastal, 2nd edition. Chartered Institute

of Ecology and Environmental Management, Winchester.


6. ORNITHOLOGY 6.1 Introduction

6.1.1 This section considers the potential effects the Proposed Development could have on ornithology during construction and operation.


Designated Sites

6.2.1 Sites designated for ornithological importance are listed in Table 6.1 and shown on Figure 6.1.


Table 6.1: Sites Designated for Ornithological Importance

Designation Name Qualifying Features Site Centre Location

Site area (ha)

Closest distance to Study Area (km)

Comments

SPA, SSSI Strath Carnaig and Strath Fleet Moors

SPA Qualifying Features: • aggregations of breeding hen harrier SSSI Qualifying Features: • breeding hen harrier

264974 907322 4,952 Overlaps Potential for direct and indirect effects.

SPA, SSSI Lairg and Strath Brora Lochs. Component lochs within the Study Area include:

• • Loch Craggie; • • Loch Dola; • • Loch Tigh na Creige; • • Loch Beannach

SPA Qualifying Features: • aggregations of breeding black-throated diver SSSI Qualifying Features: • breeding black-throated diver

261678 909314

167 0.5 km Potential for direct and indirect effects.

SPA, Ramsar site

Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands

SPA Qualifying Features: • aggregations of breeding birds including

Golden Eagle, Golden plover, Greenshank, Hen harrier, Merlin, Red-throated diver, Short-eared owl, Wigeon, Wood sandpiper, Black-throated diver, Common Scoter and Dunlin.

Ramsar Qualifying Features: • breeding bird assemblages including Dunlin

and Greylag goose.

Various sites 143,572 3.6 km Potential for indirect effects.

SSSI (biological)

Grudie Peatlands SSSI Notified Natural Feature: • breeding populations of dunlin, golden plover

and greenshank

249254 910289 4,785 3.6 km Potential for indirect effects.



Main Species Present

6.3.1 Ornithology surveys in the form of both vantage point (VP) survey and breeding bird (including raptors) survey were carried out within an 18 km long corridor which included the Proposed Development, from November 2013 to October 2014. The resulting ornithology data includes flight lines and Breeding Bird Survey data. The flight line data is shown on Figure 6.2.

6.3.2 Vantage point watches and roaming surveys carried out in 2013 and 2014 have identified the following bird species:

• whooper swan Cygnus cygnus;

• pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhynchus;

• black-throated diver Gavia arctica;

• red kite Milvus milvus;

• white-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla;

• hen harrier Circus cyaneus;

• goshawk Accipiter gentilis;

• golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos;

• osprey Pandion haliaetus;

• merlin Falco Columbarius;

• peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus;

• golden plover Pluvialis apricaria;

• lapwing Vanellus vanellus;

• curlew Numenius arquata;

• greenshank Tringa nebularia;

• snipe Gallinago gallinago; and

• short-eared owl Asio flammeus.

6.3.3 Flight activity on site by species considered to be at risk from collisions with powerlines has been moderate. Black-throated diver and hen harrier, both associated with nearby SPAs, have been shown to be active in the study area, particularly around breeding sites. Golden eagle, osprey, merlin and golden plover also use the area frequently; overall 11 species of Schedule 1 bird were observed in the survey.

6.3.4 Pink-footed geese migrating high over the Proposed Development were observed and whooper swan were present at the western end of Loch Buidhe in low numbers. High numbers of both lapwing and curlew were recorded, mainly in the rough grazing fields at the northern end of the Proposed Development, with many display flights, indicating breeding, being observed. Golden plovers were also recorded in these areas, though mainly on passage as they come down from the hills after breeding.

6.3.5 Overall activity levels for birds in the area around the Proposed Development is high but from birds that do not have high yearly variation in population numbers / behaviour.

6.3.6 Further flight activity survey work, in respect of black-throated diver, was undertaken following consultation with SNH between April and September 2015. A team of three surveyors watched the three breeding lochs15 of the Lairg and Strath Brora Lochs SPA which lie closest to the Proposed Development, with another surveyor positioned on the Proposed Development. These surveyors communicated with each other using walkie talkies so that all flights between the lochs and crossing the Proposed Development could be recorded. This was

15 Loch Dola, Loch Tigh na Creighe and Loch Craggie


designed to identify flight paths used for commuting between the Lairg and Strath Brora Lochs SPA and Loch Shin.

6.3.7 Data held by the Highland Raptor Study Group were received to cover the period of 200516to 2017 to supplement the field data collected and inform the impact assessment process.


All identified potential effects will be considered in the EIA Report.


6.5.1 The assessment would consider the potential for significant effects associated with:

• Temporary and/or permanent habitat loss;

• The killing, injury or temporary disturbance of nationally and internationally protected species of bird, for example, as a result of collision with earth wires running between towers; and

• Significant effects on the integrity of SPA populations of black-throated divers or hen harrier.


6.6.1 The ornithological value of features and the potential impacts of the Proposed Development on them would be determined using CIEEM Ecological Impact Assessment Guidelines, referenced above. A risk-based assessment would be undertaken to identify any potentially significant ecological impacts, in line with the definitions.

Collision Risk Assessment

6.6.2 The flight activity surveys described above have been undertaken in order to identify areas associated with a potentially high likelihood of bird collision. The survey methodology has been developed in consultation with SNH.

6.6.3 A qualitative assessment of collision risk is proposed to be undertaken to inform any need for further mitigation in the placement or design of the Proposed Development. This would follow best practice SNH guidance17 on assessment of collision risk. In summary, the approach involve review of the flight data collected during VP surveys to identify areas of activity by species or species group and, based on the species behaviour and the design of the Proposed Development, defining a qualitative collision risk (high, medium, low or negligible) for the species,


6.6.4 The cumulative assessment would consider the Proposed Development in combination with the anticipated effects of other developments proposed within the study area. The developments to be considered in the cumulative assessment include those set out in Section 3 (Table 3.2) above and listed below.



• The proposed Dalchork 132 kV substation north of Lairg; and the proposed 132 kV single circuit wood pole trident connecting the Creag Riabhach Wind Farm with the Dalchork 132 kV substation. This project is in the early development stage, and as such no details are available at present.

Appropriate Assessment

6.6.5 Consideration, in the form of Special Studies to support any appropriate assessment, would be documented within the EIA Report, for European sites where SNH identify a potential significant effect during consultation.

16 Later for some species. 17 SNH (2016) Assessment and mitigation of impacts of power lines and guyed meteorological masts on birds


6.6.6 Effects on Natura 2000 sites would be considered in relation to all the qualifying features and species for which they are designated where there is the potential for connectivity with the qualifying features.

6.6.7 These surveys would then be used as required to inform any subsequent assessment and provide evidence to support habitat management and mitigation proposals.

6.7 Summary

6.7.1 Ornithological receptors have the potential to be impacted upon by the Proposed Development through indirect habitat loss and through direct collision with the conductors or earth wire. The data collected from field surveys and desk studies would be used to assess the significance of these potential impacts. This assessment would form the Ornithology Chapter of the EIA Report.


7. CULTURAL HERITAGE 7.1 Introduction

7.1.1 This section considers the potential effects the Proposed Development could have on cultural heritage during construction and operation.


7.2.1 Preliminary appraisal, informed by desk-based work, undertaken for the routeing study, indicates that there are no statutory designated heritage assets within the Proposed Development and no part of the Proposed Development lies within or passes through a designated heritage asset. Figure 7.1 illustrates the key cultural heritage sensitive receptors within a 10 km study area.

7.2.2 Within the Proposed Development there are 19 known non-statutory designated cultural heritage assets. These heritage assets range widely in character and age and indicate that there has been extensive settlement and activity from the early prehistoric period onwards within the landscape crossed by the Proposed Development. They include extensive remains of prehistoric settlement, including hut-circles, cairnfields and remnant field systems (field banks; enclosures), particularly clustered around Lairg and Tomich; a well-preserved prehistoric burnt mound at Dola; and medieval or later settlement remains, including pre-improvement townships surviving at Loch Laro and the footings of former farmsteads at, Kinovie and Balindalish.

7.2.3 Preliminary appraisal indicates that there are 118 heritage assets with statutory designations within 10 km of the Proposed Development, including 64 Scheduled Monuments, 53 Listed Buildings and one Inventory status Historic Battlefield. There are no World Heritage Sites, Inventory status Garden and Designed Landscapes or Conservation Areas within the ZTV Study Area.

7.2.4 The assessment would be completed in respect of a future baseline which would assume that the existing 132 kV OHL from Lairg Grid Supply Point (GSP) to Shin substation is decommissioned and removed.


7.3.1 Pre-planning comments received from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) with regards to the Proposed Development identified potential effects of the Proposed Development on the setting of the following heritage assets, and requested that they are specifically assessed within the EIA.

7.3.2 Scheduled Monuments

• Lairg Muir North, Chambered Cairn (SM1817);

• Lairg Moor South, Chambered Cairn (SM1818);

• Balcharn, Chambered Cairn (SM1768);

• Altbreck, broch (SM1829);

• Altbreck, homestead (SM5563);

• Loch Tigh na Creige, settlement (SM5153);

• Loch Dola, hut circles and clearance cairns (SM1878);

• Achany Glen, settlement (SM2208); and

• Achinduich, stone circle (SM1761).

7.3.3 In addition, further cultural heritage features for which setting may be important have been identified as follows:

• The Ord, chambered cairns, cairns, settlements and field systems (SM1812); and

• River Shin, stone circle (SM1801).


7.3.4 A list of viewpoints for cultural heritage assessment has been agreed in advance through consultation with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and THC Historic Environment Team (HET). The viewpoints have been selected to represent a range of viewing receptors, distance and experiences. Viewpoint locations are listed in Table 7.1 below and shown in Figure 7.2.

Table 7.1: Cultural Heritage Viewpoint List


7.4.1 There are no World Heritage Sites, Inventory status Gardens and Designed Landscapes and Conservation Areas within 10 km of the Proposed Development. The Proposed Development would have neither direct effects nor effects on setting. Consideration of effects on these designations will be excluded from the EIA.

7.5 Potentially Significant Effects

7.5.1 The following effects on cultural heritage assets could arise as a result of the Proposed Development:

VP No. ASSET Name & NO.

STATUS APPROX. GRID REF

APPROX DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

reason for selection

CH1 Abhainn A’ Chuirp Hut Circles (MHG11862)

Non-Statutory Register Site (NSR)

259600, 908980

0.4 km One of several hut circles grouped together to the north of Saval and in close proximity to the Proposed Development. Cited by HET as potentially of national importance (NSR Code V).

CH2 Lairg Muir North Chambered Cairn (1817)

Scheduled Monument

259378, 907475

0.6 km Prehistoric burial cairn that is located in close proximity to the Proposed Development – one of two Scheduled burial cairns (Lairg Muir North and Lairg Moor South) present in this area. Lairg Moor North Chambered Cairn is the closer of the two to the Proposed Development.

CH3 Lairg Moor South Chambered Cairn (1818)

Scheduled Monument

259008, 907301

1 km Prehistoric burial cairn that is located in close proximity to the Proposed Development – one of two Scheduled burial cairns (Lairg Muir North and Lairg Moor South).

CH4 Balcharn Chambered Cairn (1768)

Scheduled Monument

259682, 906509

0.6 km Prehistoric burial cairn that is located in close proximity to the Proposed Development.

CH5 Loch Dola, Hut Circles and Clearance Cairns (1878)

Scheduled Monument

261429, 908104

1.4 km Scheduled Monument that forms part of a larger settlement/field system.

CH6 (See LVIA VP 11)

The Ord, Chambered Cairns, Cairns, Settlements and Field System (1812)

Scheduled Monument

See LVIA VP 11 for details

2.5 km Extensive prehistoric remains including chambered cairns, several hut circles and an associated field system.


• Physical (direct) effects of construction on cultural heritage assets within the Proposed Development;

• Setting (indirect) effects on the experience, appreciation and understanding of assets of resulting from the introduction of the Proposed Development; and

• Cumulative effects.


7.6.1 A desk-based assessment and reconnaissance field survey would be conducted for the Proposed Development to identify all known heritage assets, designated or otherwise, to identify potential direct impacts on cultural heritage assets and to inform an assessment of the archaeological potential of the Proposed Development.

7.6.2 For the assessment of impacts on setting of cultural heritage features, the following wider study areas would be used:

• The 10 km study area adopted for the LVIA would be used to assess impacts on features of national level importance (Scheduled Monuments and Category A Listed Buildings and Inventory status Historic Battlefields); and

• A 5 km study area would be used to assess impacts on features of regional and local level importance (Category B and C listed buildings and NSR sites).

7.6.3 The assessment would be conducted in accordance with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists ‘Code of Conduct’ (2014)18 and ‘Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-based Assessment’ (2017)19 and HET’s Standards for Archaeological Work (2012)20, particularly Section 3 (Survey) and Section 4 (Environmental Statement).

7.6.4 A reconnaissance field survey would be conducted for the full Proposed Development in order to:

• Locate all visible cultural heritage assets, both identified during the desk-based assessment and previously unrecognised, and record their character, extent and current condition;

• Identify areas with the potential to contain unrecorded, buried archaeological remains, taking into account factors such as topography, geomorphology and ground conditions; and

• Inform the assessment of the possible direct effects of the Proposed Development on those features.

7.6.5 The survey would also include visits to key cultural heritage assets within the 10 km study area in as far as access is possible, to assess whether the Proposed Development would affect their settings. Site visits would focus on heritage assets most likely to receive appreciable effects on their settings (i.e. those closest to the Proposed Development area and those specifically identified as requiring assessment by HES and/or HET). Where access is difficult or denied, publicly accessible locations as close as possible to the asset would be sought as a basis for assessment.

7.6.6 Fieldwork would be timed wherever possible to occur when ground conditions are suitable (e.g. avoiding seasons of high bracken).

18 Chartered Institute of Archaeologists (2014). Code of Conduct 19 Chartered Institute of Archaeologists (2017). Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-based Assessment 20 The Highland Council (2012). Standards for Archaeological Work


Table 7.2: Sites Designated for Cultural Heritage Importance

No. Name Approx. Grid Ref

Approx. Elevation

Approx. Distance from Proposed Development

Reason for Selection

1 Saval NC 58842, 08543

165m 1 km Residents to the south east

2 A838 Colaboll

NC 56451, 10113

80m 1.6 km Residents and road users to the north west

3 Minor Road at Salachy

NC 55186, 08163

150m 3 km Residents and road users to the south west

4 Abhainn A’ Chuirp Hut Circles (MHG 11862)

NC 59570 08930

- 1.4 km One of several hut circles grouped together to the north of Saval and in close proximity to the Proposed Development. Cited in THC HER as potentially of national importance (NSR Code V).

Impact Prediction and Evaluation

7.6.7 The cultural heritage assessment would be conducted with reference to the relevant guidance, primarily Scottish Planning Policy (2014)21 and Scottish Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement (HESPS) (2016)22.

7.6.8 The potential for setting effects within 10 km of the Proposed Development would use the ZTV maps and a site visit to selected assets where there is the potential for significant effects. Visualisations would be produced to support the assessment of indirect effects (see Table 7.2 above for details).

7.6.9 The assessment would take into account the sensitivity of the asset and its setting where appropriate and the likely magnitude of change, which would be combined to provide a likely significance of effect. The assessment of heritage sensitivity reflects the relative weight which statute and policy attach to them. Assessment of potential effects upon the settings of heritage assets would take into account the guidance published by HES (Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Setting, 2016).

7.6.10 Mitigation measures designed to prevent, reduce or offset significant adverse effects would be set out and residual effects remaining following the implementation of proposed mitigation measures would be assessed. Standard design mitigation proposals would aim to place towers in locations where they would destroy known heritage assets. In addition, structure controls would be in place during the construction phase to ensure access and vehicle movement and other working areas (conductor winching, temporary storage areas, tree felling) would avoid direct effects on known cultural heritage assets. All mitigation commitments would be collated in a CEMP, prepared by the Principal Contractor, and written in accordance with THC guidelines.


7.6.11 There is no potential for significant direct cumulative effects. The assessment would consider the potential for likely significant indirect effects associated with the addition of the Proposed Development in combination with the anticipated effects of other developments proposed within the study area. The developments to be considered in the cumulative assessment include those set out in Section 3 (Table 3.2) above and listed below.




21 The Scottish Government (2014). Scottish Planning Policy 22 Historic Environment Scotland (2016). Scottish Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement.


• The proposed 132 kV single circuit wood pole trident connecting the Creag Riabhach Wind Farm with the Dalchork 132 kV substation. This project is in the early development stage, and as such no details are available at present.

7.7 Summary

7.7.1 The proposed assessment has been designed to identify and evaluate any cultural heritage assets present within the Proposed Development, through examination of desk-based sources and detailed field survey and to identify key heritage assets within 10 km of the Proposed Development that could have their settings affected. Likely direct effects on assets, indirect effects on setting and cumulative effects of the Proposed Development on heritage assets would be assessed and mitigation measures, where appropriate, would be proposed to prevent, reduce or offset any likely significant adverse effects identified.


8. ISSUES SCOPED OUT OF EIA

8.1.1 The sections below provide the rationale for excluding certain effects on specific groups of environmental receptors from the EIA.

8.2 Forestry and Woodland

8.2.1 To meet obligations under the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR), The Applicant seeks consent under the section 37 consent (for the lifetime of the Proposed Development) to fell any vegetation located within an ‘operational corridor’ which is defined as vegetation within the ‘Red Zone’ in the Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA) Guidance 80423. Any felling outside of the operational corridor is out with the s37 consent and subject to a separate application to Forestry Commission Scotland by the landowner (or agent) to amend an approved forest design plan or through application for a felling license.

8.2.2 In the UK, there is a strong presumption against permanent deforestation unless it addresses other environmental concerns or where it would achieve significant and clearly defined additional public benefits. In Scotland, such deforestation is dealt with under the Scottish Government’s “Control of Woodland Removal Policy” (2009). Through the process of route selection for the OHL, The Applicant has sought to avoid areas of woodlands in the first instance. Where this has not been possible tower positions would be microsited to minimise the amount of felling within these woodlands.

8.2.3 A targeted site walkover survey of potentially affected forestry and woodland was undertaken in December 2017. The objective of the survey was to gather information on the characteristics of the forestry and woodland and calculate the area of potential felling necessary to accommodate the Proposed Development. It is anticipated that c.5 hectares of woodland would require removal to facilitate the construction of the Proposed Development. Table 8.1 provides details a species breakdown and the area potentially affected by the development.

Table 8.1: Forestry and Woodland Characteristics

Woodland Species Area (Hectares) Quality

Dalchork Wood Sitka Spruce, Lodgepole Pine 0.5 Low

Sidney Forest Complex Sitka Spruce, Lodgepole Pine 2.67 Low

Challenger Sliver Birch; Downy Birch; Rowan 0.06 High

Lairg Estate (1) Sitka Spruce, Lodgepole Pine

0.1 Low

Lairg Estate (2) Scots Pine, Willow species, Silver Birch, Downy Birch

0.03 Medium

Lairg Estate (3) (Tomich Common Grazings)

Scots Pine, Silver Birch, Downy Birch, Willow species

2 Medium

Lairg Estate (4) Scots Pine, Silver Birch, Downy Birch, Willow species

0 (most likely to be no requirement for felling)

Low

Total Area 5.36

8.2.4 As described in Section 2 Description of the Proposed Development, Figure 2.2 presents the areas of woodland potentially affected by the Proposed Development.

8.2.5 The Applicant considers the potential effects to forestry and woodland are not significant due to the scale and nature of the woodlands affected (c.5 hectares in total), and as such consider there is no requirement to provide

23 https://www.ukfisa.com/safety-information/safety-library/fisa-safety-guides/fisa-804-electricity-at-work.html

https://www.ukfisa.com/safety-information/safety-library/fisa-safety-guides/fisa-804-electricity-at-work.html


an impact assessment or to produce a standalone EIA Report chapter regarding forestry and woodland. The areas of commercial conifer woodland are small and isolated from the main area of the forest. As such the quality is low and the magnitude of the extent of the change would be minor. The areas of broadleaf woodland are predominately planted woodland growing at poor to moderate rates. It is deemed feasible to mitigate for the presence of the line by minimising the tree clearance required and facilitating the continuation of woodland cover by enhancement planting of lower growing shrub species. These lower growing tree species can be accommodated within the wayleave corridor. Any restocking out with the operational corridor would be undertaken by the landowner or agent.

8.2.6 It should also be noted that the existing 132 kV OHL between Shin Substation and Lairg GSP, which is to be decommissioned and removed, is expected to return c.17 hectares of land to woodland cover through either restocking of plantation forestry by the landowner or through natural regeneration. The Applicant expects there would be a net gain in woodland cover as a result of the Proposed Development once the existing 132kV OHL between Lairg GSP and Shin Substation has been removed.

8.2.7 The Applicant proposes to provide information in a technical appendix to the Project Description Chapter of the EIA Report to address the long-term effect of our Proposed Development on forestry and woodland, and to address The Applicant’s requirements with respect to the Scottish Government’s “Control of Woodland Removal Policy” (2009). The technical appendix would be in the form of a Woodland Management Plan.

8.2.8 This technical appendix would also include information on the approach to dealing with marketable and non-marketable forest product. In line with SHE Transmission’s standard approach:

• All timber over 7cm is deemed marketable and would be transported off-site to local timber markets; and

• All non-marketable forest products (e.g. lop/top, brash and stumps) in construction areas would be mulched in-situ for reuse during reinstatement of construction areas. The volume of non-marketable timber products would be determined in the EIA Report technical appendix, however given the limited amount of woodland affected by the Proposed Development. The Applicant anticipates the volume of non-marketable forest products to be negligible.

8.2.9 The potential volume of marketable and non-marketable forest product was calculated during the site walkover survey and The Applicant considers there would be no waste materials arising the forestry works as all material would either be sold to market or reused for reinstatement of construction areas.

8.3 Traffic and Transport

8.3.1 Strategic and local road networks (SRN and LRN) would be utilised for the delivery of the Proposed Development. Locally the SRN, the A9, routes north-south on the east-coast of Scotland. Access points form the SRN to the LRN are likely to be at:

• A836 – alternative route to Bonar Bridge;

• A949 (west) – direct route to Bonar Bridge, Loch Buidhe and Inveran;

• A949 (east) – southern access to Dornoch;

• B9186 – northern access to Dornoch; and

• A839 – direct route to Lairg and Dalchork.

8.3.2 The access road network identified to facilitate construction of the Proposed Development (LT access points) and removal of the existing 132 kV OHL (CS access points) is presented in Table 8.2.


Table 8.2: Access Road Network

Highway Speed (MPH) Requirement Notes

Caplich Road 30 Serves access to Caplich Quarry in Alness Suitable for use.

Obsdale Road 30 Link between Caplich Rd and A9 Suitable for use.

A9 60 Strategic road linking Inverness, Alness, Invergordon and Dornoch to the A949 and A839

Suitable for use.

A949 (east) 30-40-60 (20 past school at peak times)

From Dornoch to A9. Possible work base and provision of services.

Suitable for use. Speed limit increase routing west out of Dornoch.

A949 (west) 60-30 Route of materials and staff to majority of access points.

Suitable for use.

A839 60-30 Alternative route for materials/LT access points 6-9 and proposed Dalchork Substation.

Suitable for use.

Migdale Road 30-60 (20 past school at peak times)

Access to access points LT1-5 Suitable for use.

Loch Buidhe Road

60 Access to access points LT1-5 Suitable for use.

A836 (Lairg Road)

60-30 Route of materials and staff to majority of access points.

Suitable for use. Speed limit reduces to 30 mph when passing through Bonar Bridge.

A837 60 Access to CS access points 21 and 22. Suitable for use.

Unnamed Access Road (to Torroble from south)

National (30 recommended)

Access to CS access points 10-12. Suitable for use.

Unnamed Access Road (to Torroble from north)

National (30 recommended)

Access to CS access points 5-9. Suitable for use. Turning room for larger vehicles is limited.

The Main Street 30 Connects the A836 and A839 to Lairg as well as providing access to Laundry Rd.

Suitable for use.

Laundry Road 30 Access to CS access points 2-4. Suitable for use.

Manse Road 30 Provides access unnamed road serving Lairg substation and LT access points 7-8.

Suitable for use.

Unnamed access road to Savalbeg

30-60 Provides access to Lairg substation and LT access points 7-8.

Suitable for use.

A838 60 Access to the CS turn-in. Suitable for use.

8.3.3 The potential for the Proposed Development to give rise to traffic impacts would be limited to during the construction phase only. No impacts are anticipated during the operational phase as the Proposed Development would not generate any new traffic.


8.3.4 In accordance with the Institute of Environmental Management Assessment (IEMA) guidelines for the Environmental Assessment of Road Traffic general thresholds for traffic flow increases of 10% and 30% are identified. The guidelines also suggest that 30%, 60% and 90% changes in traffic levels should be considered as “slight, moderate and substantial” impacts respectively. It is generally considered that traffic flow increases of less than 10% are generally considered to be ‘not significant’, given that daily variation in background traffic flow may vary by this amount.

8.3.5 A draft Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) undertaken by the Principal Contractor indicates the percentage change in traffic flows to be less than 5%. In line with IEMA guidance, this level of change is deemed to be not significant. Therefore, The Applicant considers this topic can be scoped out of the EIA in its entirety.

8.3.6 Measures to manage effects would be controlled through the implementation of the CTMP. This would be provided to the planning authority for consideration as a separate document within the application for s37 consent.

8.4 Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Geology and Soils

8.4.1 A desk based assessment has been undertaken to identify the baseline environment with findings presented in Table 8.3.

Table 8.3: Baseline Appraisal of hydrology, hydrogeology, geology and soils


Topic Appraisal

Geology and Soils24 Bedrock The 1:50,000 bedrock geology maps indicates the area predominantly consists of largely Morar Group Psammite with a small unnamed igneous intrusion at the north of the Proposed Development from the late Silurian to early Devonian period. Superficial Deposits The 1:50,000 superficial geology maps indicates the area predominantly consists of Diamicton Till interspersed with large patches of Peat at various points along the route of the Proposed Development. Soils An initial overview of the Carbon and Peatland 2016, mapping has been conducted for the Proposed Development with the interactions summarised below and shown in Figure 8.1. Class 1 and 2 are considered to represent nationally-important resources of carbon-rich soils, deep peat and priority peatland habitat. Class 1 areas are likely to be of high conservation value while Class 2 areas have potentially high conservation value and restoration potential. Although the Carbon and Peatland map classifies the likelihood of presence of features of national importance, it does not infer any significance of effects on the qualities of areas identified as being carbon rich soil, deep peat and priority habitats. Class 1: Three areas, one upon exiting Dalchork substation north of Saval, another on the mid section of the route west of Cnoc Cracail and one upon entry to the Loch Buidhe substation west of Loch Buidhe Class 2: Six areas, three in the northern section at Saval and immediately east of Lairg, two long stretches in the mid section west of Cnoc Cracail and Leathas Creagach and one in the southern section east of Sron Ach ’a’ Bhacaidh Class 3: Two areas, one upon exiting Dalchork substation north of Saval and another in the mid section west of Cnoc Cracail Class 4: Three areas south east of Whitehouse within Proposed Development Class 5: Four areas, three in the norther section east of Saval and north of Balnadelson Designations There are no sites designated for geology within the study area.

24 From publicly available data from the British Geological Survey Online Mapping Service (http://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/geologyOfBritain/viewer.html)

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/geologyOfBritain/viewer.html


Topic Appraisal

Hydrology and Hydrogeology 25 Hydrology Within 2 km of the Proposed Development are the following watercourses and waterbodies (See Figure 8.2). • River Tirry (North of Proposed Development) • Allt Chaiseagail (North East of Proposed Development) • Allt Garbh-airigh (South East of Proposed Development) • River Fleet (East of Proposed Development) • An Uidh (South of Proposed Development) • Abhainn an t-Stratha Charnaig (South East of Proposed Development) • Loch Shin (North West of Proposed Development) • Loch Craggie (East of Proposed Development) • Loch Buidhe (South East of Proposed Development) • Loch Cracail Mor (East of Proposed Development) • Loch Laro (South West of Proposed Development) Figure 8.2 shows a 50 m buffer around watercourses and indicative tower locations. This shows that three towers fall potentially within 50 m of a watercourse. Hydrogeology The Proposed Development is located over the Precambrian North bedrock aquifer group according to the 1:625,000 UK Digital Hydrogeological Data26. This is a low productivity aquifer in which flow is virtually through fractures and other discontinuities. Private Water Supplies Private water supplies that may be affected by the construction of the Proposed Development have been identified at Sleastary, Achinduich and to the east of Riemarstaig27.

25 From publicly available data from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency Online Mapping Service (http://map.sepa.org.uk/rbmp/) 26 URL: http://www.bgs.ac.uk/products/hydrogeology/maps.html [Accessed 30 November 2017] 27 From information supplied by The Highland Council (June 2016) and from anecdotal evidence.

http://map.sepa.org.uk/rbmp/


8.4.2 In the scoping opinion received in 2016 for the original Lairg to Loch Buidhe Reinforcement Scoping Report, The Highland Council (THC) agreed this topic can be scoped out (with caveats), Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) wanted further clarifications, and Marine Scotland advised against scoping out this issue. On consideration of the baseline conditions and consultation responses, The Applicant considers that a standalone chapter is not required, however certain aspects would be included in other chapters or as technical appendices to these chapters, as detailed below:

• Ground Water Dependant Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE): An assessment of the potential effects on GWDTE due to the Proposed Development would be undertaken within the ecology chapter, and where required a risk assessment would be undertaken in line with SEPA’s guidance. Mitigation of the impact on GWDTE (i.e. avoidance, minimisation and design measures) would be employed as required.

• Peat: Assessment of the impact of the Proposed Development on peat would be included within the ecology chapter. A Peat Management Plan, in line with SEPA’s requirements, would be prepared by the Principal Contractor and included as part of the CEMP to be submitted with the s37, but out with the EIA Report.

• Abstractions: Where Private Water Supplies are identified an appropriate risk assessment would be undertaken in line with SEPA’s requirements.

• Flood Risk: Where a flood risk is identified a Flood Risk Assessment would be undertaken in line with SEPA’s requirements.

8.4.3 In addition to the above, and to comply with The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011, as amended28 (CAR regulations), a Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) would be prepared by the Principal Contractor for submission to SEPA to obtain a construction license. The PPP would:

• Provide designs demonstrating access tracks can convey 0.5% AEP Flood, with allowance for climate change;

• Ensure drainage ditches would demonstrate construction best practise working methods and that these would seek to maintain existing drainage patterns;

• Provide plans to show how water from drainage ditches would be discharged and confirm that measures, such as check dams, would be used to manage sediment and flow rates; and

• Provide calculations to show on-site drainage would discharge within limits set at greenfield rates.

8.4.4 The PPP is a requirement of the CAR regulations and as such out with the requirements of the s37 application. Therefore, pollution prevention measures would not form part of the EIA Report.

8.4.5 The Applicant acknowledges the potential for peat landslide hazard associated with the construction of the proposed development. As such a peat slide risk assessment has been undertaken by the Principal Contractor to determine the level of risk. Based on the information available from site investigations undertaken to date the Applicant considers there would be no likely significant environmental effects (as defined by the EIA Regulations) associated with peat instability given the proposed nature of the development and the proposed methods of construction. Specific measures to minimise the potential effects of peat slide and peat as a resource will be adhered to during the construction phase through the implementation of a peat management plan. These measures include the following measures:

• Micrositing during detailed design and the construction phase to avoid areas of deep peat wherever possible;

• Micrositing of tracks to avoid the need for localised cut and fill;

• A geotechnical risk register to be completed as part of the design phase and geotechnical supervision throughout construction;

• Excavation of temporary slopes will would be fully designed and temporary storage of excavated material would be on safe slope gradients certified by a geotechnical engineer; and

28 To be amended by The Water Environment (Miscellaneous) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 as of 1st January 2018.


• Robust drainage design and control of water would result in a significant overall reduction in the risk of peat instability.

8.4.6 All other aspects regarding hydrology, hydrogeology geology and soils would be strictly controlled through a CEMP, which would include mitigation measures from the EIA Report, industry best practise and guidance, such as Guidance for Pollution Prevention (GPP) and Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPGs), and a Peat Management Plan in line with SEPA’s guidance.

8.5 Population and Human Health

8.5.1 The baseline environment in proximity to receptors is rural in nature. There are no habitable dwellings between Loch Buidhe Substation and Lairg. Residential dwellings are only associated with the community in and around Lairg in croft land consisting mainly of grazing pasture. There are not many trees and no rivers which would contribute to the baseline environment. However, the A839 road and main railway between Inverness and Thurso / Wick are located within this area.

8.5.2 Environmental topics relevant to population and human health for the Proposed Development include:

• Noise and Vibration;

• Electromagnetic Fields (EMF); and

• Television and Radio Reception.

Noise and Vibration

8.5.3 No significant effect is predicted from noise and vibration during the operational phase due to the distance of the Proposed Development from receptors. Construction noise is considered to be short term and intermittent and can be controlled through the implementation of a noise management plan, which would include working hours agreed with The Highland Council. The noise management plan would be developed as part of the CEMP prepared by the Principal Contractor.

8.5.4 Noise and vibration was scoped out of the EIA in the 2016 Lairg to Loch Buidhe Reinforcement Scoping Report and The Applicant considers that given no significant effect is likely, no assessment would be required as part of the EIA. Therefore, this topic can be scoped out of the EIA in its entirety.

EMF

8.5.5 EMFs arise from electric charges. Exposure guidelines have been developed by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNRIP) to ensure protection of human health in different situations, occupational exposure and public exposure, which have been adopted by the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) for application in the UK29.

8.5.6 The typical field strengths for 275 kV OHLs (shown in Table 8.6) are well within the ICNIRP exposure guidelines.

Table 8.4: Typical EMF and UK Exposure Guidelines30

29 Health Protection Agency. http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Radiation/UnderstandingRadiation/UnderstandingRadiationTopics/ElectromagneticFields/Electri cAndMagneticFields/ExposureGuidelinesForElectricAndMagneticFields/ 30 URL: http://www.emfs.info/sources/overhead/

http://www.emfs.info/sources/overhead/


Source

Electric field (kV/m) Magnetic field (µT)

Maximum beneath OHL

Typical field beneath line

Typical field 25 m from line

Maximum beneath OHL

Typical field beneath line

Typical field 25 m from line

ICNRIP public exposure guideline

9 360

Typical Field 132 kV OHL 4 1-2 0.1-0.2 40 0.5–2 0.05–0.2

As shown in Table 8.4 above, no likely significant effect on human health associated with EMFs is predicted and The Applicant considers this topic can be scoped out in its entirety.

TV and Radio Reception

8.5.7 Potential effects from OHLs on TV signals are due to physical obstruction of the signal. The proposed lattice steel towers would not represent a significant obstruction and it is not anticipated that any adverse effects on TV reception would be experienced.

8.5.8 The operation of high voltage OHLs can generate electromagnetic fields over a wide range of frequencies, from power (50 Hz) to radio frequencies. It is anticipated that the Proposed Development would emit low-level radio frequency interference (RFI) but that in practice little radio and television interference would arise, except when directly beneath the overhead line. Therefore, this topic would not be addressed in the EIA Report and The Applicant considers it can be scoped out in its entirety.

8.6 Air Quality and Climate

8.6.1 The baseline environment is rural in nature with industry limited to renewable energy production (hydro and wind), agriculture, game keeping, and forestry. There are no habitable dwellings between Loch Buidhe Substation and Lairg. Residential dwellings are only associated with the community in and around Lairg in croft land consisting mainly of grazing pasture, with small blocks of plantation forestry and scattered native woodland. The A839 road and main railway between Inverness and Thurso/Wick are located within this area. Due to the limited industry within the area the quality of the air is considered to be of good quality.

8.6.2 The Proposed Development has limited potential to impact local air quality. There is a potential to give rise to some localised and temporary construction related releases associated with dust (foundation construction, passage of vehicles along access tracks) and construction plant and traffic exhaust emissions. However, the nature of the construction activities is that these would be localised, short term and intermittent.

8.6.3 The potential for nuisance effects on residential or recreational amenity during construction would be strictly controlled in accordance with a detailed CEMP prepared by the Principal Contractor.

8.6.4 In regard to climate change, in the context of the EIA process climate change is considered both in relation to the contribution of the Proposed Development to increasing or decreasing gaseous emissions with global warming potential (GWP), and in relation to climate change adaptation.

8.6.5 Emissions associated with the Proposed Development would be limited to temporary and short term emissions of exhaust gases from vehicles and construction plant, and the potential for the release of carbon dioxide as a result of dewatering and exposing peat and peat soils during construction. Neither source is considered likely to be significant in terms of GWP.

8.6.6 With regard to climate adaptation, consideration would be given the potential implications of climate change on the OHL design and the design of tower support structures (e.g. design for increased flood risk and adverse


weather); however, no potential for significant impacts have been identified and it is therefore scoped out of further consideration in the EIA.

8.6.7 The Applicant considers that due to the lack of predicted significant effects, no assessment would be required as part of the EIA for Air Quality and Climate Change. Therefore, this topic can be scoped out of the EIA in its entirety.

8.7 Land Use and Amenity

8.7.1 The main settlement within the vicinity of the Proposed Development is Lairg. There are other surrounding smaller settlements. Individual dwellings and clusters of properties are also distributed within the vicinity of the Proposed Development. The baseline environment is rural in nature with land used for renewable energy production (hydro and wind), agriculture, game keeping, and forestry. Due to its strategic location in central Sutherland, Lairg provides services for businesses in the wider area, such as lamb sales held at the auction market in August every year.

8.7.2 Lairg is also a local centre for tourism, with the surrounding area offering walking, mountain bike trails and angling. The area also has many archaeological sites, and the Ferrycroft Centre features a display about local prehistoric settlements. National cycle route (NCR) 1 follows the A836, passing through Lairg. In addition, designated core paths are located within Gunn’s plantation, approximately 1 km west of the Proposed Development, with further core paths located in Achany Glen and Strath Fleet.

8.7.3 Environmental topics relevant to land use and amenity for the Proposed Development include:

• Agricultural land and landholdings;

• Socio-economics and tourism; and

• Access and recreation.

Agricultural Land and Landholdings

8.7.4 Agricultural land within the Proposed Development is predominately of Class 5.3 (suitable only for improved grassland) though there are some small scattered areas of Class 4.1 (suitable for producing a narrow range of crops), 5.1 (suitable only for improved grassland). No Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 land (capable of supporting arable agriculture) has been identified. On the basis that the agricultural land within the vicinity is of low sensitivity, the Proposed Development would not result in significant effects. The construction work may result in some temporary loss of land or access restrictions. The permanent loss of land to tower locations would be negligible and it would remain possible for grazing to continue around towers during their operational lifetime. The Applicant considers these effects have been managed through compensation agreed with landowners (as part of any wayleave agreement or deed of servitude) and tenants.

8.7.5 Overall, the Proposed Development would not impinge on landowner choice over the type or intensity level of land operations, and would not require any significant management changes. As such, no further assessment of land use or agriculture is proposed as part of the EIA and this topic has been scoped out in its entirety.

Socio-economics

8.7.6 The Applicant would promote tendering opportunities through the ‘SSE Highlands and Islands Open 4 Business’ platform31. Through this platform, and by direct employment by the Principal Contractor or through sub-contracts, the Proposed Development is expected to provide local employment opportunities during construction to local tradesmen and labourers.

8.7.7 In addition, the Proposed Development would result in some local revenue generation through demand for accommodation providers, spend in local shops and material supplies. These socio-economic effects are likely to be negligible to minor on a local and regional scale and thus not considered to be significant. There may be

31 https://www.sseopen4business-highlands.com/sse/login.html

https://www.sseopen4business-highlands.com/sse/login.html


individual secondary effects of displacement on local employers, i.e. the number of jobs accounted for by the loss of jobs elsewhere in the locality. These effects, should they occur, would be highly localised and on an individual basis.

8.7.8 Concerns have been raised through consultation regarding the potential for reduced tourism revenue due to the potential effect on landscape and visual amenity of the new OHL infrastructure. The Proposed Development, as described in Section 2 above, would not be significantly larger than the existing infrastructure (c. 22 m for the existing OHL versus c.27m for the proposed OHL), and through the route selection process The Applicant has moved the Proposed Development away from residential property as far as reasonably possible. The existing OHL would be removed and it is located within 500 m of c.110 residential properties and is closer to the village centre (c.500m), whereas the Proposed Development is within 500 m of c.40 residential properties and is further from the village centre (c.2 km).

8.7.9 Due to the location and the scale of the Proposed Development, The Applicant considers effects on socio-economics during both construction and operation to be minor. As such The Applicant considers there would be no significant effects on socio-economic conditions and this topic can be scoped out in its entirety.

8.7.10 The potential for significant effects on the landscape and visual amenity would be considered through the LVIA (See Section 4 above: Landscape Character and Visual Impact).

Access, Recreation and Tourism

8.7.11 The potential for significant effects on the visual amenity of recreational and tourist receptors would be considered through the LVIA. The level of interaction between the Proposed Development and public access routes are very low. The only existing tracks are located between Sleastary / Garvary and Achinduich, and between Saval and Dalchork (The Applicant understands the number of recreational users to be very low in both areas). The existing OHL line interacts with the core paths within Gunns Plantation. The Applicant considers the effects of the proposed Development on recreational users to be low, localised and short term during the construction phase only.

8.7.12 An outdoor access plan would be prepared as part of the CEMP and signage would be erected at suitable locations to warn recreational users of construction traffic. As such The Applicant considers there would be no significant effects on access and recreation and this topic can be scoped out in its entirety.

8.8 Accidents and Disasters

8.8.1 The EIA regulations require the consideration of the potential risks to human health, cultural heritage or the environment associated with the vulnerability of the Proposed Development to accidents and disasters. This requirement is interpreted as requiring the consideration of low likelihood / high consequence events which would result in serious harm or damage to environmental receptors.

8.8.2 Given the nature of the Proposed Development, the potential for effects related to the vulnerability to accidents and disasters are likely to be limited to those associated with unplanned power outages, due to extreme weather or structural damage.

8.8.3 Crisis management and continuity plans are in place across the Group. These are tested regularly and are designed for the management of, and recovery from, significant energy infrastructure failure events. Where there are material changes in infrastructure (or the management of it) additional plans are developed.

8.8.4 Potential significant effects on human health, cultural heritage or the environment associated with the vulnerability of the Proposed Development to accidents and disasters would be scoped out of the EIA in its entirety.


9. NEXT STEPS

9.1.1 The Applicant invites consultees to comment on the following:





• Of those issues identified for assessment, which do you consider the most important/material and which the least?

9.1.2 All responses should be addressed to:

Local Energy and Consents

Scottish Government

4th Floor

5 Atlantic Quay

150 Broomielaw

Glasgow

G2 8LU

9.1.3 When submitting a response to the Scoping Report, The Applicant would be grateful if you could also send a copy of your response to the address below:

Email to: [email protected]

OR

For the attention of Kenneth Reid

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc

10 Henderson Road

Inverness

IV1 1SN

9.1.4 Copies of this document can be found online at: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/lairg-loch-buidhe/

9.1.5 The Scoping Opinion provided would be used to finalise the terms of the EIA and the specific approach to the individual assessments.

9.1.6 All comments received would be included in the EIA Report for reference, unless consultees request otherwise.

https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/lairg-loch-buidhe/

Documents

Lairg to Loch Buidhe 132 kV Overhead Line Reinforcement ......connect Dalchork Substation to Tower 80 of the existing Cassley to Shin 132 kV OHL. This Scoping Report is provided to