Harrison Group Environmental has been involved in numerous wind farm developments. A range of services is offered to facilitate successful planning applications including: -

• Site selection / feasibility studies
• Scoping Reports
• Coordination of Environmental Impact
• Assessment (EIA) tasks
• Execution of technical tasks
• Coordination of consultation activities
• Mitigation

This Case Study is typical of how we are involved with wind farm planning and development.

Harrison Group Environmental was employed as the lead environmental consultant for a proposed wind farm in The Fens. It is envisaged that the planned generation from the site will be sufficient to supply the domestic electrical requirements of 8000 homes. The company coordinated the full Environmental Statement and undertook a number of technical tasks to accompany the planning application.

The scope of work included:

• Visual & Landscape Impact Assessment - impacts associated with visual and landscape were undertaken in accordance with the 'Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Landscape Institute, 2002' This included creation of a Zone of Theoretical Visibility for the proposed development. Viewpoints for wire frame creation were agreed with the local authority and photomontages created at appropriate locations. Impact on landscape character was also assessed. Due to the location of the site, a comprehensive cumulative landscape and visual impact assessment was undertaken.
• Archaeology and Cultural Heritage - a desk based assessment of archaeology accompanied by consultation with the county archaeologist, identified no significant areas of interest on or in the vicinity of the site. Historic features such as listed buildings, conservation areas and scheduled monuments were identified within the locality of the development. The impact of the development was assessed on these individual elements and their contribution to the landscape as a whole.
• Shadow Flicker - an assessment of shadow flicker was conducted for residential properties situated within ten rotor diameters of the turbines. The assessment allowed for quantification of the number of hours each house could expect, as a worst case, to be impacted by shadow flicker.

• Air Quality - this is only considered significant at the time of the construction phase and therefore emissions from vehicles and dust created during the construction phase as well as possible mitigation measures were documented.
• Hydrology & geology - impacts on geology, hydrology and hydrologeology are greatest during the construction phase due to increased use of heavy machinery on site and possible fuel spillages from construction vehicles. As a result of this, new areas of hardstanding and access roads are required which by their usage, cause increase in soil compaction, surface run-off and erosion. Impacts during decommissioning are comparable to the construction phase.
• Ecology - The site is located between two important areas for birds. Therefore the RSPB and Natural England requested comprehensive breeding bird and wintering bird surveys including vantage point surveys. In addition, the Phase 1 Habitat survey ruled out the presence of great crested newts, otters and water voles. Bat surveys were also undertaken.
• Noise - predicted noise levels from the development were modelled and it was considered that the noise levels from the proposed Wind Farm would comply with limits given in the standard specified ETSU-R-97.
• Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) - Due to the location of the project, the majority of the site was found to be below sea level. Coordination with the Environment Agency confirmed that the majority of the site was within Flood Risk Zone 3. Appropriate siting of supplementary infrastructure, such as the substation, was key in reducing the risk.

• Aviation, Radiofrequency & Electromagnetic Interference - Comprehensive consultation including Defence Estates, CAA and local airfields ensured successful discussion of the constraints of the project. Harrison's coordinated a full site specific impact assessment to further address issues on site.
• Access and transport - Construction phase access was routed and planned in accordance with the Local Authority. Delivery routes for the tower and blades were mapped and removal of street furniture identified and where this was not possible, alternative routes suggested.

In addition to this full, consultation with all relevant parties was conducted to reach a mutually satisfactory outcome.