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Reject Winwick Warren Wind Farm

WINWICK WARREN WIND FARM, SCOPING REQUEST
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and

 WINWICK WARREN WIND FARM, SCOPING REQUEST, SUPPORTING INFORMATION  (Extracts)
To read in full as PDF file click here

30 April 2009 

Eamon McDowell                                                                                                  
Planning Officer
Daventry District Council
Lodge Road
Daventry
NN11 4FP

 

Dear Mr McDowell

WINWICK WARREN WIND FARM, SCOPING REQUEST

1. INTRODUCTION

E.ON Climate and Renewables (EC&R) has identified a site adjacent to Winwick Warren Farm located approximately 1.5km to the north east of Winwick and around 2.6km north east of West Haddon in Northamptonshire, which is considered to have the potential to support a wind farm development.

The application site predominantly comprises arable agricultural land. The field boundaries are
predominantly hedges and ditches and there are small pockets of woodland comprising both well
established and less established trees. The application site is situated in relative isolation in an area
of low population density with the closest villages being Cold Ashby just north east of the site boundary,
and Winwick approximately 1.5km to the south west. There are two residential dwellings within
the application site; Winwick Warren located in the southern part of the site and Lichfield Farm found
within the northern part of the site. Other surrounding dwellings tend to be interspersed farmhouses.
Cold Ashby Golf Course lies adjacent to the north western boundary of the site. The site is situated
within the jurisdiction of Daventry District Council. Figure 1 shows the application site boundary and its
wider context.

Feasibility and pre-scoping studies have indicated that there is potential for a scheme comprising
up to eight turbines to be accommodated within the site adjacent to Winwick Warren Farm.
The exact number, location and specification of the turbines are still to be confirmed but they will be
located within the application site boundary shown on Figure 1.

If following a series of ongoing technical and environmental studies and public consultation a viable
scheme can be accommodated, EC&R will submit a planning application for the development
to Daventry District Council. Since the proposed wind farm falls under the Town and Country
Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 consideration
needs to be given to whether any planning application needs to be accompanied by an
Environmental Statement.1 Based on experience and at least the potential for significant effects to occur,
albeit that these may be entirely mitigated through the scheme design process, EC&R anticipates
any application being required to be accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES)
summarising an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). EC&R also recognise that the EIA process
can play an important role in developing the wind farm design to minimise any adverse
effects and capitalise on positive effects resulting from the wind farm development.

1 Wind farms that involve the installation  of more than two turbines or where the hub height of any turbine or height of any other structure
exceeds 15 metres are a Schedule 2 development. For all Schedule 2 developments where it is decided that the particular development is
likely to have significant effects on the environment, either positive or negative, on account of factors such as its nature, scale
or location, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required.

EC&R has commissioned Entec to assist it in progressing studies to investigate the nature of the
potential scheme and if the site is considered appropriate and an application required to complete
an EIA for the proposed wind farm. This letter is a request for Daventry District Council to provide
a formal “scoping opinion” in accordance with Part IV Section 10 of the Town and Country
Planning (EIA) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999. To assist in this process Entec have provided
a summary of the development and our proposed assessment scope based on some research
undertaken to date.

2. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

2.1.1 Development Context

The UK Government recognises that renewable energy sourcesprovide low-carbon energy whilst
increasing the diversity of our energy mix and bringing about key business and employment opportunities.
In June 2008 the Government published the UK Renewable Energy Strategy for consultation.
The strategy states that achieving the UK share of the 2020 EU target of 20% of energy consumption
from renewable sources could require a third or more of our electricity to be generated from renewable
energy sources compared to 4.5% in 2006. It has been highlighted that the East Midlands is the region
with the lowest installed capacity of renewables in 2006 equating to 2% of the region’s energy consumption.
It is anticipated that the Winwick Warren Wind Farm could accommodate a scheme that enables a
significant proportion of the regional and Northamptonshire renewable energy targets to be met.


2.1.2 Turbine Number and Layout

Initial design work indicates that the site has the potential to accommodate 8 turbines, however the number
of turbines, their layout and positioning of ancillary elements will be developed through mapping of environmental and technical constraints along with aesthetic considerations to ensure an appropriate
landscape and visual fit is achieved seeking to balance environmental effects with renewable
energy generation.

 2.1.3 Turbine Specification

The wind turbine parameters (height to upper blade tip) will be developed as part of an iterative
design process taking account of potential environmental effects. At this stage, and to aid your
consideration of the scope the wind turbines being considered will be similar to a Siemens SWT-2.3-93 (2.3MW) machine which has a hub height of 80m, a rotor diameter of 93m and a maximum height to upper blade to tip of 126.5m. This is a typical modern horizontal axis design comprising a rotor (consisting
of a hub and three blades) and a nacelle (containing the generator and also often a gearbox)
to which the rotor is mounted. Each wind turbine requires a foundation measuring about 15m x 15m
square and an adjacent area of hardstanding measuring about 20m x 40m to provide a level and stable
base for construction. Each wind turbine also requires its own transformer to step the voltage produced
by the generators up to that required for transmission around the site. This will either be mounted
internally or externally in a small kiosk located next to the tower.

 2.1.4 Ancillary Elements

On-site access tracks, crane pads, a control building (sub-station) and a temporary construction
compound measuring approximately 50m x 50m in size would also need to be constructed.
Owing to the size of some of the turbine components all on-site access tracks will have to be a
minimum of 5m wide with some additional localised bend widening and temporary passing places
provided to facilitate traffic movement. The control building will comprise a single storey building
located within a compound, turbines will be connected to it via underground electrical cables and
to minimise ground disturbance these cables will be routed along the side of the access tracks
where practicable.

2.1.5 Grid Connection

The proposed wind farm will need to be connected to the electricity distribution network
via overhead or underground electricity transmission cables. In the case of the Winwick Warren
Wind Farm the means by which the site will be connected to the distribution network is yet to be
confirmed. The grid connection is subject to a separate consenting regime and will be the responsibility
of the electricity grid network operator. Summary details will be provided within the EIA for the wind
farm development.

2.1.6 Construction Process

The construction process is likely to take between 12 and 24 months and will involve:

  • Import of roadstone and construction of access tracks and remedial works to
    public highway     to facilitate delivery of turbines;
  • Formation of site compound and crane hardstanding areas to facilitate erection
    of turbines;
  • Construction of turbine foundations;
  • Construction of control building and excavation of trenches and cable laying
    adjacent to the access tracks;
  • Connection of on-site distribution and signal cables;
  • Delivery and erection of wind turbines;
  • Commissioning and performance testing of site equipment; and Site reinstatement.

Table 1 – Proposed Scope of Assessment

Environmental Topic

Landscape character and visual amenity

Scope of Assessment:

Landscape Assessment:

  • Direct effects upon landscape elements and landscape patterns within and
    immediately around the application site.
  • Direct and indirect effects upon landscape character as defined in extant landscape
    character assessments within 10 km radius of any turbine i.e. within the detailed study area.
  •  Indirect effects upon local landscape designations within the study area
    (e.g. the extensive Special Landscape Area (SLA) in Daventry District within which
    the application site is located). There are no national landscape designations within
    the study area.

Visual Assessment:

  • Visual effects to be assessed by comprehensive selection of visual receptors within the study area (30 km radius from the
    closest turbine), concentrating in particular on those in the detailed study area. Receptors to be categorised by
    visual sensitivity in accordance with guidance in Guidelines on Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. With regard to
    cultural heritage designations such as historic parks and gardens and listed buildings, potential effects upon their setting
    will be assessed within the Cultural Heritage chapter, however the visual assessment will consider the effects upon the views
    and visual amenity of visitors and/or residents (i.e. in listed properties).
  • The visual changes likely to be experienced by a selection of these visual receptors will be illustrated by wireframes and photomontages. An initial selection of visual receptors and brief justification for their selection is provided in the attached
    document.
  • Potential effects upon the visual amenity of nearby residents (i.e. the ability of residents to enjoy the facilities and attributes
    of their property) will be assessed for all residential properties within 3km of any of the turbines.

Cumulative Assessment:

  • Assessment of potential cumulative visual effects that could be generated by the interaction of the proposed Winwick Warren
    Wind Farm and other     existing, consented and proposed (i.e. a planning application has been submitted) wind farms within
    60km of the application site. This distance is selected to be in accordance with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) guidance
    which is widely accepted as being the template applied to cumulative assessment of wind farm proposals throughout the UK.

Elements to be “Scoped Out”

Landscape Assessment:

  • Direct and indirect effects upon defined landscape character areas or types that are completely outside the detailed study area.

Visual Assessment:

  • In some instances receptors will be grouped together where they are attributed the same visual sensitivity and they are in close geographical proximity to one another.  This amalgamation will be applied mostly to more distant visual receptors.
  • It is intended to produce a maximum of 14 photomontages and 9 wireframes. The wireframes would be used for more distant
    visual receptor locations (e.g. those outside the detailed study area).
  • There may be some residential properties where the absence of public access will not allow a detailed assessment
    of all their relevant visual attributes.

Cumulative Assessment

  • Any proposals, which whilst in the public domain, have not yet formally submitted a planning application and accompanying
    ES, on the basis that there is insufficient certainty that such proposals will ever become operational.

Envionmental Topic

Archaeology and cultural heritage

Direct Effects

  • An initial appraisal has identified the remains of medieval ridge and furrow cultivation within the site. Otherwise no specific
    archaeological potential has been identified, although prehistoric remains are recorded to the north of the site.
  • It will be important to further establish the archaeological potential of land within the site. To this end the ES will include a
    desk-based assessment of official registers, primary and secondary records, including those held in Northamptonshire Sites
    and Monuments Record (SMR) and County Record Office, and the National Monuments Record. This will inform design
    iteration and any evaluative work which may be needed prior to construction of the wind farm.
  • A site visit and walkover will also be undertaken. Mitigation is likely to include the siting of turbines in order to avoid known
    features and areas of potential, along with measures incorporated into the scheme to record any previously
    unidentified features.

Indirect Effects:

  • A number of designated cultural heritage features, including a scheduled monument and numerous listed buildings,
    lie in the vicinity of the site. Naseby Battlefield lies some 3.2km to the north east of the site and the registered park and garden
    of Cottesbrooke Hall lies some 4.5km to the east     of the site. An assessment will be made of the potential for the scheme to
    affect the settings of these cultural heritage features. A brief account of the assessment of effects on designated cultural
    heritage features within a 5km radius of turbines will be presented in the ES.
  • This assessment will be made in close cooperation with the landscape character and visual amenity assessment and will
    include wireframe     and photomontage viewpoints from key cultural heritage receptors as required.     Key cultural heritage
    receptors     identified for further detailed assessment during the EIA are given in the attached document. 
     

Elements to be “Scoped Out”

Direct Effects:

  • Aerial photography of the area appears to have been comprehensively studied as part of the National Mapping Programme
    and other county-based studies. It is not intended to replicate this work during the assessment and it is not expected that
    aerial photographs held as part of the SMR or those at     Cambridge University Library will need to be consulted. However,
    a check will be made for any available photographs not included in studies undertaken.

Indirect Effects:

  • Initial appraisal of likely receptors has concluded that no cultural heritage receptors more than 5km from turbines
    will be significantly affected.

Environmental Topic:

Geology, hydrology and hydrogeology

Scope of Assessment:

  • Desk based assessment, consulting available published information from Ordnance Survey mapping, British Geological
    Society, the Environment     Agency, water suppliers and Daventry District Council.
  • The desk based assessment will be supplemented by a site visit to develop a conceptual understanding of river flow,
    drainage connectivity and water quality.
  • The desk based assessment will enable the importance of hydrological receptors to be identified and this will be taken
    into account in determining the impacts on water quality and quantity.
  • A separate Private Water Supply Risk Assessment may be required if small local supplies are identified close to the site.

 Elements to be “Scoped Out”

  • Impacts on geology and land contamination are scoped out. Geological information will be used to put into context the
    hydrological environment.
  • Flood Risk Assessment is scoped out as the site lies within the lowest flood. The desk based assessment will be risk zone,
    Flood Zone 1. However consideration will be given to surface water drainage to prevent flood risk increasing downstream
    of the development.

Environmental Topic

Terrestrial and aquatic ecology:

Scope of Assessment:

Impact on habitats and protected species present within the application site boundary.
This will be supported by:

  • Extended Phase 1 habitat survey (already completed).
  • Great crested newt surveys of ponds within the application site boundary and,
    where access is possible, within 500m of the site boundary.
  • Badger survey of suitable habitat on site as identified during the Phase 1 survey.
  • Water vole surveys along the wet ditches and small stream on site within 50m of working areas.
  • Bat activity surveys along predetermined transects across the site taking in key features of potential value to bats.
    Survey effort to follow Natural England guidelines.
  • Assessment of trees (not buildings) on site for bat roost potential followed, if appropriate, by bat emergence surveys.

Elements to be “Scoped Out”

  • No additional surveys for other ecology  protected species are considered necessary (e.g. otter, reptiles) given the habitats
    on site and the nature of the     works.
  • No additional vegetation surveys are considered necessary.

Ornithology

Scope of assessment:

  • Vantage Point Surveys covering a full 12 months to identify use of the air space by target bird species.
  • Winter field counts to establish the numbers of waders and other species using the arable and pasture land for foraging etc
    (already undertaken).
  • Common bird census (using a three visit strategy) to determine the make-up of the breeding bird community.

Elements to be “Scoped Out”

None

Environmental Topic:

Socio-economics and public attitudes

Desk based assessment to determine:-

  • Benefits in relation to the alleviation of climate change.
  • Generation of employment opportunities.
  • Direct/indirect effects on economic activity.

Elements to be "scoped out"
  • Effects on local residents and the local public attitudes community due to visual impact, shadow flicker and noise will be dealt
    with in detail within other technical assessments.

Environmental Topic

Public access, safety and shadow flicker

Scope of assessment:

Desk-based assessment to include:-

  • Effects on recreational access with particular reference to Public Rights of Way and their use by walkers and horse riders
    in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy (PPS22).
  • Shadow flicker assessment for properties situated within ten times turbine rotor diameter.

Elements to be "scoped out"
  • In accordance with the Companion Guide to PPS22, properties greater than ten rotor diameters from a turbine will not require
    a shadow flicker assessment.

Environmental Topic:

Transport

Scope of assessment:

Desk based assessment to determine:-

  • Transportation impacts associated with the movements of Heavy Goods Vehicles travelling to and from the site during construction.
  • Consideration will be given to the following potential effects on the identified
    receptors (access route):

 -  Severence;
 -  Driver delay;
 -  Pedestrian delay;
 -  Pedestrian amenity;
 -  Fear and intimidation;
 -  Accidents and safety.

Elements to be "scoped out"

  • Once the wind farm is operational, it is envisaged that the amount of trafficassociated with the scheme would be minimal.
    It is considered that the effects of operational traffic would be negligible and therefore further consideration does
    not need to be given to operational traffic.

Environmental Topic:

Noise

 Scope of assessment:

  • Construction noise
  • Noise from construction traffic
  • Operational noise

Elements to be "scoped out"

None

Environmental Topic:

Infrastructure, elecommunications, utilities, and air safeguarding issues

Scope of assessment:

Desk based assessment to include:-

  • Potential for interference with radar and electromagnetic signals determined in consultation with operators.

Environmental Topic:

Dust and Air Quality

Scope of assessment:

N/A

Elements to be "scoped out"
  • Dust can be controlled through the adoption of environmental best practice during construction and has therefore
    been scoped out of the assessment.
  • Emissions from construction and operation traffic are considered to be negligible.

 

 4. CONCLUSION

Entec believe that the above represents a comprehensive scope for an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed
development. We therefore request Daventry District Council to provide a formal “scoping opinion” for an
Environmental Statement in accordance with Part IV Section 10 of the Town and Country Planning
(Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999.

We look forward to receiving your response but meanwhile if you have any queries please do

not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

EMMA MARSDEN

Principal Consultant

To see this letter in PDF format click here

 

 

Winwick Warren Wind Farm, Scoping Request,

Supporting Information  (Extracts)

1.    Planning Policy Context

1.3 National Planning Policy

1.3.3

PPS7: Sustainable Development in Rural Areas sets out the Government's planning policies for rural areas, including country towns
and villages and the wider, largely undeveloped countryside up to the fringes of larger urban areas. Paragraph 16 states
that when preparing policies for LDFs and determining planning applications for development in the countryside,
local planning authorities should: provide for the sensitive exploitation of renewable energy sources in accordance with the policies
set out in PPS22 Renewable Energy.

1.3.5

Regional and local planning bodies are required to develop policies to promote and encourage, rather than restrict renewable
energy production, whilst at the same time ensuring appropriate environmental safeguards. At an early stage in the planning process developers are encouraged to consult and discuss their plans with local communities. The wider economic and environmental benefits
of proposals should be given significant weight when determining whether to grant planning permission.

2.    Landscape Character and Visual Amenity

2.3 Proposed Scope of Assessment

2.3.1

The landscape assessment will include direct and indirect effects upon landscape elements and patterns within the application site
such as hedgerows and the field boundary pattern, as well as effects upon the detailed landscape character of the application
site and its immediate context including its condition and capacity.

 

Visual Assessment

2.3.4

Visual effects are recognised by the Landscape Institute as being a subset of landscape effects and are concerned wholly with the
effect of a proposed development upon the views and the visual amenity of visual receptors: people, who live, work, undertake
recreational activities or travel through the study area. Visual receptors are categorised by their visual sensitivity to change in
accordance with their principal activity in line with the GLVIA.

2.3.14

Potential cumulative landscape effects will be assessed as a commentary using the range of headings that are
contained in the previously referenced guidance. One of the key issues will be an assessment of the potential cumulative
landscape effects of the various wind farms upon defined landscape character areas and local landscape designations.
Visual cumulative effects will utilise a viewpoint based approach using the agreed visualisation viewpoints from the consultation
exercise. 360º colour coded cumulative wireframes will be produced from all the visualisation viewpoints from which more than
one wind farm could potentially be visible. These will be used to provide an analysis of the overall visual cumulative effect:

  • With the proposed Winwick Warren Wind Farm;
  • Without the proposed Winwick Warren Wind Farm; and
  • The incremental effect of the addition of the turbines at the Winwick Warren Wind Farm

3.   Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

Designated Features

3.2.2

The nearest scheduled monument is the remains of the monastic grange east of Manor Farm (SM 17133) which lies on the north
side of Cold Ashby village, some 600m to the north east of the application site. A further five scheduled monuments fall between
three and 5km from the site, although none lie to the south. These are of Medieval domestic and ecclesiastical settlement, other
than a cluster of prehistoric monuments, to the north of the A14, which survive only as cropmarks.

3.2.3

All listed buildings lie more than 500m from the site. The nearest are as follows:

  • Eight buildings in Cold Ashby village to the north east of the site, including the Grade II* listed Church
    of St Denys and The Hall (listed Grade II).
  • Eight buildings in Winwick, 750m and more to the south west of the site, including Winwick Manor,
    associated gate arch and the Church of St Michael, all listed Grade II*.
  • Elkington Lodge Farmhouse, nearly 800m to the north west of the site, listed Grade II.

3.2.4

A further 27 listed buildings lie within 2km of the site and more than 200 lie between 2km and 5km from the site. The vast majority
of these fall in the surrounding villages, although there are some outlying listed farmsteads, bridges and other features,
including those associated with the Grand Union Canal, some 1.3km to the west of the site at its nearest point.

3.2.5

The registered battlefield which marks the site of the Battle of Naseby of 1645 lies some 3.2km to the north east
of the site at its nearest point.

3.2.6

The Grade II registered historic park of Cottesbrooke Hall (2030) lies nearly 4.5km to the east of the site
at its nearest point, with the Hall itself, listed Grade I, some 6.5km away.

5.   Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology

Protected Species

5.3.5

The assessment will be based on the Phase 1 habitat survey and additional protected species surveys that will be undertaken
during the appropriate survey season. As a result of the extended Phase 1 habitat survey and desk study, the requirement
for protected species surveys for great crested newt14 , water vole15 , bats16 and badger17 has been identified. All other protected
species have been scoped out of requiring further detailed surveys.

14 Great crested newts are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation
(Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended).

15 Water voles are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

16 All species of British bats are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation
(Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended).

17 Badgers are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, though on animal welfare grounds rather than conservation grounds.

18 English Nature (2001) Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough.

 5.3.6

Great crested newts. There are records of great crested newts in the vicinity of the site and four of the ponds on and surrounding
the site (ponds A, C, E and F) were considered by BSG to have potential to support this species. Therefore it is proposed to carry
out great crested newt surveys of these ponds. A minimum of four surveys will be carried out during the period mid-March to mid-June
in accordance with best practice guidelines18 . A further four ponds have been identified from OS maps and aerial photographs
within 500m of the site but to date access has not been possible to these ponds to assess whether or not they have
potential for great crested newts.

5.3.7

Badger. There are records of badger activity within the application site boundary and the woodland, improved pasture and arable fields
provide suitable foraging grounds. The woodland areas also offer suitable habitat for sett construction. Therefore targeted badger
surveys will be conducted within suitable habitat, searching for badger setts that may be affected by the wind farm development.

 5.3.8

Water vole. Suitable habitat exists on site for this species and historical records exist nearby. It is therefore proposed to conduct
surveys for this species within 50m of working areas.

 5.3.9

Bats. There are no confirmed bat roosts on site but there is potential in some of the mature trees on site. In addition the hedgerows,
ponds and woodland edges provide suitable foraging habitat and there are records of bats in the  surrounding area. It is proposed
to undertake a series of bat activity surveys by walking transects across the site and recording and analysing bat activity in line with
best practice guidelines19 . Recent Natural England draft guidance20 recommends survey effort should be focussed on those periods
when the highest concentrations of bats are likely (i.e. April to October in most situations). The guidance is not prescriptive in terms
of survey effort required and advocates a pragmatic risk-informed basis for determining survey effort based on whether the site is likely
to fall into a low or high risk situation for bats. Given the habitats on site and the potential for roosts an appropriate level of survey
effort is likely to be once per month during April to October musing a combination of walked transect surveys and anabat detectors.
In addition, a further assessment will be made of the trees (not buildings) for roosting potential which would be followed up,
if necessary, with emergence and/or swarming surveys following best practice guidelines.18

19 Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) (2007) Bat Surveys - Good Practice Guidelines. BCT, London

 20 Natural England (2008) Bats and Onshore Wind Turbines: Interim Guidance. Natural England, Peterborough.

7.   Socio-economics and Public Attitude

7.2 Baseline Overview

7.2.1

The Winwick Warren site is situated in relative isolation in an area of low population density with the closest villages being Cold Ashby
just north east of the site boundary, and Winwick approximately 1.5km to the south west. There are two residential dwellings
within the application site; Winwick Warren located in the southern part of the site and Lichfield Farm found within the northern part
of the site (Figure 1). Other surrounding dwellings tend to be interspersed farmhouses. Cold Ashby Golf Course lies adjacent to the
western boundary of the application site. The Cold Ashby Golf Club House is located around 0.2km from the application site
boundary. The site is situated within the jurisdiction of Daventry District Council.

8.   Public Access, Safety and Shadow Flicker

8.2 Baseline Overview

8.2.1

There is one Byway Open to All Traffic that crosses the application site (ID: FM008). The byway runs in a south westerly direction
across the site from the Cold Ashby Parish boundary south of the Cold Ashby Golf Club House (situated within the Cold Ashby Golf
Course) to join the unclassified road (Elkington Road) north of Winwick village.

8.2.2

The Jurassic Way footpath and bridleway (ID: EP4) is located less than 1km to the west of the application site boundary.
The Jurassic Way is a Northamptonshire county path running from Banbury to Stamford.

8.2.3

The Winwick Warren site is situated in relative isolation in an area of low population density, but there are a number of properties
which could be affected by shadow flicker effects, including Winwick Warren and Lichfield Farm, both of which are situated
within the application site. Cold Ashby village also lies just north east of the site boundary. PPS22 details how, under certain
combinations of geographical position, time of day and year, the sun may pass behind a turbine rotor and cast a shadow over
neighbouring properties. When the blades rotate, the shadow flicks on and off; the effect is known as shadow flicker. It occurs
only within buildings where the flicker appears through a narrow window opening.

8.3

Proposed Scope of Assessment

8.3.1

The assessment will examine through a desk based assessment:

  • Direct effects on recreational access with particular reference to Public Rights of Way and their use
    by walkers and horse riders in terms of proximity to the proposed installation in accordance with PPS22,
    effects due to visual impact and noise will be dealt with in other technical assessments; and
  • Shadow flicker assessment for properties situated within a 130 degree segment either side of due north,
    relative to the turbines and within ten times turbine rotor diameter in accordance with the PPS22
    Companion Guide.

10.  Noise

Operational Noise Evaluation

10.4.5

The assessment of wind farm noise is usually undertaken in two distinct phases. Initially the noise levels (in terms of LA90, 10min)
resulting from the operation of the wind farm (at a windspeed of 10m/s measured at 10m height) experienced at the closest
residential receptors is predicted using noise propagation software.  If these predictions show that noise levels experienced
at the closest receptor are below LA90, 10min 35dB, there is no requirement to take the noise assessment further, with the low
levels providing adequate mitigation. However, if the initial modelling shows that operational noise levels at the closest sensitive
receptors are likely to be greater than LA90, 10min 35dB then a full assessment according to ETSU-R-97 guidelines should be
carried out.

10.4.6

The aim of a full ETSU-R-97 assessment is to identify suitable noise limits for the wind farm so that the impactof operational noise
at receptors is not significant. In order to achieve this, an understanding of the change in background noise levels with wind speed
at receptors is required. This is achieved by monitoring background noise levels at the receptors, and simultaneously measuring
the variation in wind speed and direction at the wind farm site. These measurements are taken as a series of simultaneous
ten-minute averaged measurements, over a period of at least two weeks. From these data, regression analysis is performed
to determine typical background noise levels for each receptor across a range of wind speeds.

10.4.7

 Noise limits are defined separately for daytime and night time. During quiet daytime periods (18:00 -23:00
weekdays, 13:00 -23:00 Saturdays and 07:00 -23:00 Sundays), noise limits are as follows:

  • 5dB above the background noise curve for wind speeds up to 12m/s, as described above;
  • Where background noise levels are below 30-35dB LA90,10min, the lower limit should be fixed at 35-40dB; and
  • For properties with a financial interest in the scheme, the lower limit is fixed at 45dB.

10.4.8

For night-time periods (23:00 – 07:00 every day), noise limits are as follows:

  • 5dB above the background noise curve for wind speeds up to 12m/s, as described above;
  • The lower limit is fixed at 43dB; and
  •  For properties with a financial interest in the scheme, the lower limit is fixed at 45d.

 

These are just extracts from E.ON's proposal.

Click here to see in full in PDF format:

Winwick Warren Wind Farm, Scoping Request, Supporting Information

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