cefn y maes community renewable energy park design...

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Design and Access StatementCEFN Y MAES COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK

FEBRUARY 2017

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PREFACE

This Design and Access Statement forms part of the planning application documentation submitted for the proposed Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park.

A complete Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is provided for the proposal and is reported within the Environmental Statement (ES) that comprises three volumes. The volumes of the complete ES are described in the following table, along with the additional documentation submitted with the planning application by the applicant (Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Limited).

Document Title Contents

ES Volume 1Non-Technical

SummarySummarises the proposal and the key conclusions

of the EIA for the non-technical reader

ES Volume 2 Written Statement Presents the full assessments of the EIA

ES Volume 2 AppendicesPresents the appendices referred

to in the Written Statement

ES Volume 3Figures and

Visualisations

Presents the figures referred to in the Written Statement and the visualisations referred to in the Landscape and Visual Impact

Assessment (LVIA) and Heritage Assessment, both within the Written Statement.

Planning Application Documents

Design and Access Statement

Describes the site design approach and evolution, and proposed access to and within the site.

Pre-Application Consultation Report

Describes the pre-application consultation procedure and responses received.

Planning StatementSummarises the planning policy

context of the proposal.

Printed copies of all three volumes in addition to the Planning Statement, Design and Access Statement and Pre-Application Consultation Report are available at:

• Powys Council Offices, Spa Road East, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5LG;

• Llanfyllin Public Library, Youth and Community Centre, Llanfyllin, Powys, SY22 5BB; and

• Oswestry Public Library, Arthur Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1JN.

The above locations also have computer facilities to view the document through the project specific website at www.cefnymaes.co.uk or via Powys Council website, planning section.

Additional printed copies can be purchased at a cost of £500 +VAT or digital versions on CD-ROM at a cost of £10 +VAT. To order copies, please contact Engena Limited at:

The Old Stables, Bosmere Hall, Kettle Lane, Creeting St Mary, IP6 8LL.

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Contents

Introduction 2

Structure of Document 3

Design and Access Considerations 3

Access 3

Movement 6

Character 8

Community Safety 16

Environmental Sustainability 17

References 22

DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

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INTRODUCTION

DA1 The importance of considered site location and design is clearly highlighted in Planning Policy Wales (Edition 9), 2016, which seeks to promote sustainability through good design.

DA2 Through careful site selection and a considered approach to site design that inherently mitigates potential impacts, where possible, the applicant has aimed to ensure full compliance with this guidance.

DA3 An application for planning permission should be accompanied by a design and access statement when the application is ‘major’ or is located within a designated area (as defined in The Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Amendment) (Wales) Order, 2016).

DA4 The proposed Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park is categorised as a major application as the development is on a site having an area of more than 1 hectare (Major development type (e) (Act of Parliament, 2016)).

DA5 The Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Amendment) (Wales) Order, 2016 requires a design and access statement to:

(a) explain the design principles and concepts that have been applied to the development;

(b) demonstrate the steps taken to appraise the context of the development and how the design of the development takes that context into account;

(c) explain the policy or approach adopted as to access, and how policies relating to access in the development plan have been taken into account; and

(d) explain how any specific issues which might affect access to the development have been addressed.

DA6 This design and access statement is provided to explain the renewable energy park arrangement, and the design process undertaken to meet the requirements of The Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Amendment) (Wales) Order, 2016, as set out at Paragraph DA5. It is produced in accordance with Planning Policy Wales Technical Advice Note (TAN)12: Guidance on Design and Access Statements (March 2016) and the Design Commission for Wales ‘Design and Access Statements in Wales: Why, What and How’ guidance (2014).

DA7 Underlying this Statement is the definition of good design as set out in Planning Policy Wales (Welsh Government, 2016):

‘[design is] the relationship between all elements of the natural and built environment. To create sustainable development, design must go beyond aesthetics and include the social, environmental and economic aspects of the development, including its construction, operation and management, and its relationship to its surroundings.’

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Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park

STRUCTURE OF DOCUMENT

DA8 This Design and Access Statement explains the following concepts and principles:

• Access;

• Character (including amount, layout, scale, appearance and landscaping);

• Community safety;

• Environmental sustainability; and

• Movement to, from and within the development.

DA9 Some of these areas are linked to building design, and are of less relevance to this proposal; others have been addressed in considerable detail during the Environmental Impact Assessment and within the subsequent Environmental Statement. Where matters have been addressed within the Environmental Statement, the reference within Volume 2, Written Statement or Volume 3, Figures and Visuals will be provided.

DA10 The Environmental Statement comprises:

Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary - summarises the proposal and the key conclusions of the EIA for the non-technical reader;

Volume 2: Written Statement - presents the full assessments of the EIA;

Volume 2: Appendices - presents the appendices referred to in the Written Statement; and

Volume 3: Figures and Visualisations - presenting the figures referred to in the Written Statement and the visualisations referred to in the Landscape and Visual Assessment (LVIA) and Cultural Heritage Assessment.

DESIGN AND ACCESS CONSIDERATIONS

Access

TAN 12 (2016) Objective:

• Ensuring ease of access for all.

DA11 The proposed development is located on agricultural grazing land, in a rural setting. By the nature of the development, site selection and design sought to achieve clear separation from residential dwellings and ecological constraints.

DA12 The development area is to the north of a public right of way, although the site itself does not have public access, currently or during project construction, operation and decommissioning.

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DA13 Only authorised personnel will be accessing the proposed site. The construction phase of the project will inherently see the most activity to, from and on site and will involve the following groups of people visiting the development:

• Landowner and farm workers;

• Site surveyors (for example, land surveyors and ecologists);

• Groundworks teams, with associated machinery;

• Construction personnel, with associated vehicles such as cranes and turbine delivery trailers;

• Electrical connection team;

• Local Planning Authority representatives; and

• the development managers.

DA14 The lifetime of the project will be 30 years, over which time access to the site will be limited to the landowner, operator and associated maintenance personnel.

DA15 Access to the site has been designed with the practical requirements of constructing and operating a renewable energy park comprising a single wind turbine, solar array and energy storage facility. As such, a temporary access track will be laid for the duration of the construction period which will be suitable for taking deliveries to the site from the highway exit point. Movement across the site is discussed further from Paragraph DA19.

DA16 Vehicles arriving at site will maximising the use of A-roads and B-roads in the surrounding highway network, to minimise impacts on highway users surrounding the site. The proposed access route for deliveries has been assessed with respect to exceptional load deliveries required for the wind turbine components, as well as standard HGV deliveries required for the solar array, energy storage facility and associated infrastructure. The route assessment is contained within Chapter 8 - Traffic & Transport of the Environmental Statement (ES) Volume 2. The delivery route to site is shown at Figure 8.1 of ES Volume 3 and replicated at Plate DAS 1 below.

DA17 All personnel and delivery vehicles arriving at site will be required to use the identified approach routes to minimise potential impacts on existing highway users, during the construction period.

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© Crown Copyright. All rights reserved, 2017. Licence number 0100031673. Not to Scale at A4.

Site Location Exceptional load route Site Entrance Other construction traffic route option.

Plate DAS 1 - Proposed access route to/from the site entrance

DA18 A Construction Management Plan, to include access to/from the site, will be agreed with the local planning authority ahead of construction commencing. A planning condition attached to consent is considered appropriate for this matter.

Oswestry

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Movement

TAN 12 (2016) Objective:

• Promoting sustainable means of travel

DA19 As described in Paragraph DA16, access to the site will be via the existing highway network, predominantly using motorways, A-roads and B-roads (Plate DAS 1). An existing farm entrance will be used to access the development area. The entrance will be widened to accommodate the exceptional load deliveries, as shown at Figure 6.7, ES Volume 2.

DA20 From the site entrance a temporary access track system, such as Eve Trackway, will be used for the construction period only, to reach the development area following the route of existing farm tracks as far as possible. Typically a temporary track is constructed of aluminium or plastic and delivered to site by standard HGV in roll or interconnecting panels. The running width of the temporary track will be approximately 4.5m, and the temporary track length will be approximately 2 280m.

DA21 The temporary track will be surface mounted and require no ground excavations, but will provide a surface capable of carrying the exceptional loads and construction traffic. It will be removed following completion of the project construction. An example of typical temporary track appearance is shown at Plate DAS 2.

DA22 A short section of new track (approximately 50m) will be constructed between the turbine and substation/ energy storage compound. This will have the appearance of typical vernacular farm tracks (as shown at Plate DAS 2) and will be formed of a stone sub-surface which itself is typically constructed upon a geotextile membrane, as described further at Chapter 6 - Development Proposal.

Plate DAS 2 - Typical Temporary (left) and New (right) Site Access Track

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DA23 During operation of the proposed renewable energy park, maintenence personnel will access site using 4-wheel drive or farm vehicles.

DA24 The on-site access route is shown at Plate DAS 3. Sections of Public Rights of Way (PRoW) are highlighted on this plate to show the closest areas with public access. The proposed access route to the renewable energy park from exiting the highway does not cross any Public Rights of Way. The nearest public road is the local road through Cefn Canol, approximately 545m to the south.

DA25 Warning signage will be erected prior to and during the construction phase, to alert users of the PRoW’s of addition vehicle usage of the surrounding area. In addition, security fencing around the site will be used to restrict access the construction site.

1:7500 @ A3© Crown Copyright. All rights reserved, 2017. Licence number 0100031673. Not to Scale at A4.

Plate DAS 3 - Proposed access route across the landholding to the development area

DA26 During the construction phase, construction personnel will be required to park on the temporary construction compound, as detailed at Figure 6.10 at ES Volume 3 and discussed further at Chapter 8 - Traffic & Transport, ES Volume 2.

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DA27 During construction, the farming uses of the site will be able to proceed unhindered (where such activities do not together represent a hazard to the health or safety of any party).

DA28 During the operational phase of the project, no significant direct impacts on the existing use of the site are anticipated. Farming can continue up to the wind turbine base and land between the rows of solar panels can be used for grazing.

DA29 A Construction Management Plan will specify the materials and process for the temporary access track and hardstanding areas. This will be agreed with the local planning authority ahead of construction commencing. A planning condition attached to consent is considered appropriate for this matter.

Character

TAN 12 (2016) Objectives:

• Sustaining or enhancing local character

• Promoting legible development

• Promoting a successful relationship between public and private space

• Promoting quality, choice and variety

• Promoting innovative design

CONTEXT

DA30 The immediate and wider context of the site was evaluated during the site selection and design process, as discussed in Chapter 3 - Site Selection and Design (ES Volume 2). A description of the site’s context and existing use is provided in Chapter 4 - Existing Conditions (ES Volume 2) and by the Landscape and Visual Assessment, at Chapter 10 - LVIA (ES Volume 2).

DA31 The social and economic aspects of the proposal are discussed in Chapter 17 - Socio Economic & Sustainability (ES Volume 2). The effects of climate change (as discussed in Chapter 2 - Development Rationale, ES Volume 2) are now being experienced at all levels – global, national, regional and local. Similarly the socio-economic effects of the proposal will also have effects at the global, national regional and local level.

DA32 The relevant planning policies associated with the proposed Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park are discussed in the separate Planning Appraisal.

DA33 Chapter 5 - EIA, ES Volume 2, discusses the public consultation undertaken by the Developer. This includes consultation letters to residents, a consultation website and discussion with statutory consultees and community councils. A full account of responses received from the public during this event is provided in Chapter 5 - EIA, ES Volume 2. These responses are also cross-referenced to the relevant ES chapter where the specific matters are addressed in detail.

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DA34 Consultation with the Local Planning Authority was undertaken during the pre-planning assessment phase of the application. This included a Screening Opinion, Scoping Request exercise and discussions with Powys Council Officers as detailed in Chapter 5 - EIA (ES Volume 2).

DA35 Powys Council Officers were also consulted throughout the EIA period to further define the scope of the environmental assessments and the methodology to be applied. This included consultation with Planning Officers, the Definite Map Officer and Programmes Engineer for Local and Environment Strategy, as discussed in Chapter 5 - EIA, ES Volume 2.

DA36 As the Environmental Impact Assessment progressed, more information was assembled about the site and surrounding area. A detailed and iterative site design process was followed throughout allowing mitigation to be incorporated within the design which evolved to avoid or reduce the significance of identified impacts at each stage of the development process with due regard to overall environmental impact considered in the round.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

DA37 The land at the site will be dual farmed once the renewable energy park is constructed. Grazing can continue to take place around the renewable energy park and between the rows of solar panels, whilst renewable energy is generated by the land hosting the solar array, wind turbine and energy storage facility.

DA38 During the site design phase of the project planning, as described in Chapter 3 - Site Selection and Design (ES Volume 2), It was considered that the current proposal provides a balance between landscape and ecological factors, separation from residences, access to site and current farming practices. The environmental effects were considered in detail and are reported in ES Volume 2.

DA39 Best practice and industry guidelines will be followed during the construction phase to mitigate impacts of the construction on the land. Chapter 7 - Construction, Operation & Decommissioning and Chapter 9 - Hydrology & Hydrogeology (ES Volume 2) particularly deal with measures to prevent and control pollution or degredation to soils and water sources. A temporary access track is proposed which reduces the quantity of materials required.

DA40 Chapter 10 - LVIA, ES Volume 2, sets out the specific effects of this proposal in detail with respect to landscape design. The accompanying Planning Appraisal balances the identified impacts against planning policy.

DA41 Unlike forms of development such as residential or commercial estates there is not normally an intrinsic association between renewable energy developments and designed landscaping: as detailed in the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (Chapter 10 - LVIA, ES Volume 2) wind and solar farm development is generally a relatively ‘open’ form of development in which existing land and its use remains effectively in its current state beyond the relatively modest areas required for the renewable energy infrastructure.

DA42 Due to the scale of wind turbines and the consequent range of their visibility landscaping is not considered an appropriate means to attempt to reduce or otherwise affect

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turbine visibility. Landscaping in the form of hedgerow or tree belt creation would be a suitable means to screen views of a solar array. In this case, due to the existing and substantial hedgerows along the PRoW, further screening to the existing vegetation on and around site is not considered necessary. This is discussed at Chapter 10 - LVIA, ES Volume 2

SCALE

DA43 Scale drawings of elements of the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park are provided at ES Volume 3. In addition the size of each key element is summarised in Table DAS 1 as follows:

DAS 1 - Scale of proposed elements comprising the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park

Element Capacity Scale Reference (ES Volume 3)

EWT DW 52 candidate

wind turbine

500kW 75m to hub, 52m rotor diameter, 101m to tip.

Tower width from 4.12m at bottom to 1.92m to top

Figure 6.1

Jinko Eagle 60 candidate Solar Panel

Each solar panel = 260W

Solar Array Total = 673kWp

Each panel measures 1.65m long by 0.992m wide. There are 2 588

individual panels arranged in rows of four panels deep (no higher than 2.3m above ground level when fully

mounted), and distributed within an area of approcimately 1.2ha.

Figure 6.4 and Figure 6.5

Siemens candidate Energy Storage

Facility

500kW, 1-hour

duration

Two containers are required:

1 x 12.2m x 2.4m x 2.6m

1 x 7.6m x 2.4m x 2.6m

Figure 6.6

Substation - 10.8m x 4.1m x 2.6m Figure 6.11

DA44 Commercial wind turbines are by their very nature tall structures. Equally, this form of development has the unusual characteristics of a very open form combined with moving elements and can not be compared directly to other types of development. Impacts on landscape and visual amenity are inevitable as a result of any wind turbine development, as with any tall structure located in an open location, but must be weighed against the benefits of such a development. Resulting landscape impacts following the chosen tip height are assessed in full in Chapter 10, ES Volume 2.

DA45 Modern commercial wind turbines commonly vary between c.70m to 150m to tip in the UK, and the general market movement in recent years has been to develop turbines with increased heights and rotor diameters as this offers the potential to maximise energy yields.

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DA46 A single wind turbine limited to a maximum height to tip of 101m was chosen for this site as a balance between maximising the generational potential of the site (as wind speed increases with height) and the potential landscape and visual impacts reported in the Environmental Statement, Volume 2.

DA47 Currently, the Developer will be able to select wind turbines with a capacity rating of 500kW to 900kW within this height constraint. However, it should be noted here that due to the different power curves of different turbines on the market (i.e. how production varies with wind speed in different models) a turbine with a lower rated capacity may actually produce more electricity in a particular area than a higher rated turbine, due to the close fit of the power curve to the site’s specific wind regime.

DA48 As detailed in Volume 2 the exact make and model of turbine will not be selected until the pre-construction phase of the project. The rotor diameter and hub height combination of the selected turbine will be within this overall tip height of 101m. For the purpose of the EIA, the assessments are based on a EWT DW 52 turbine, as detailed in Table DAS 1.

DA49 The development footprint of the solar array is limited to the south-eastern side of one field, where the proposed wind turbine is adjacent to the northmost row of solar panels. The complete solar array forms an approximate diamond shaped area of c.1.2ha, where each row of panels is sized to fit within an area that will receive no shadow from the wind turbine. Maximising the use of this ‘shadow-free’ area it is possible to host 2 588 solar panels (contained within 14 rows of varying length) as demonstrated on Figure 1.2, ES Volume 3.

DA50 Further considerations which may affect the scale of combined wind and solar energy development include;

• Suitable road access for the scale of wind turbine – as wind turbines are delivered in large major component form, suitable access must be available. This is detailed in Chapter 8 - Traffic & Transport, ES Volume 2.

• Electrical connection - wind turbines and solar panels require a connection to the local electrical distribution network. However, connection points are only available at specific areas and for specific production capacities, subject to local and regional technical constraints. The complexity of the connection available and the distance to the connection point will also have financial implications for a project.

• The impact on landscape - the differing scale of a turbine and spread of a solar array may alter the impact of a proposal upon the local landscape. Chapter 10 - LVIA, ES Volume 2, considers in detail the scale of this development, based upon the scale of elements set out in Table DAS 1 and Chapter 6 - Development Proposal, ES Volume 2, in the context of the site’s landscape character and its impact on the character of the wider landscape.

DA51 Considering the combined capacity of the proposed wind turbine and solar array at the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park, a suitably sized energy storage facility was calculated. It was determined that with a constraint on export to the electricity grid from the site, a container of batteries capable of storing 500kW of energy for one hour was appropriate and proportional to the scheme. The potential

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impacts of the energy storage element have been considered with the ES, and specificaly within Chapter 10 - LVIA and Chapter 13 - Noise, Volume 2.

AMOUNT

DA52 The proposal is for infrastructure to allow for the generation of electricity from renewable energy. The Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park consists of one (1) wind turbine generator, 2 588 solar panels assembled in rows of four panels deep, two (2) containers for energy storage equipment and ancillary infrastructure. The proposed operational lifetime of the project is 30 years, following which the wind turbine, solar array and energy storage facility would be decommissioned, unless a fresh planning permission was granted for its retention. All infrastructure would be removed from site down to plough depth (leaving the majority of the wind turbine foundation to minimise impacts upon decommissioning).

DA53 Chapter 6 - Development Proposal, ES Volume 2, Environmental Statement) outlines the development proposal in detail; however, the main elements of the proposal are:

• Single Wind Turbine: a contemporary three bladed up-wind design with a maximum height to tip of 101m. A transformer will be located either within the base of the turbine tower in a dedicated high voltage area or within the site substation;

• Solar Array; comprising photovoltaic solar panels, the candidate model panels each have a surface area of 1.64m2 and 260W generation capacity. The complete array is contained within c.1.2ha by the security fence. The rows of solar panels will be mounted on steel frames which are secured to the ground via steel helical screwed ground anchors or pre-cast concrete sleepers (depending on ground conditions);

• Energy Storage Facility; For the scale of the proposal a facility to store 500kW of electricity for a 1-hour duration is proposed. To store the associated battery racks, inverter, transformer and control panel the storage facility will comprise two container style units; one 12.19m long x 2.44m wide x approximately 2.6m tall, and one 12.19m long x 7.58m wide x approximately 2.6m tall. The containers’ external finish will be agreed with the Local Planning Authority prior to construction, although it is anticipated that they will match the substation and local farm vernacular.

• Hardstanding: a Hardstanding area is required at the base of the turbine to provide a stable base for the cranes during construction. The hardstanding will have a crushed stone surface over a geo-grid base and are constructed to carry the weight of the cranes and their out-riggers during turbine erection;

• Inverters; the solar panels generate Direct Current (DC) electricity, which must be converted to electricity with an Alternating Current (AC) before it is exported into the Local Distribution Network. This conversion will be undertaken by a total of 30 inverter units installed at the end of the solar panel rows. Each inverter unit is approximately 60cm x 80cm x 40cm and is attached to the underneath of panel frames at the end of rows, spaced around the array. Underground electrical

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cables connect the panels to the inverters. Communications and power cables link the inverters to the transformers.

• A Substation: To connect to the local electricity distribution network for the export of power generated, a link must be made between the renewable energy park’s electrical distribution network cables and the local electricity distribution network through appropriate protection equipment (fuses and relays), isolation switches and metering equipment. These elements constitute the on-site substation which would appear as a single storey freestanding building of approximately 11m by 4m. The detail of the substation would be expected to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority via planning condition, but the form proposed has been chosen to be in keeping with agricultural buildings in the general locality. The substation dimensions applied for have been identified through consultation with the District Network Operator. Consistent with the interest of the developer is the possibility of community ownership associated with this project, the footprint of the substation is intended to allow accommodation of electrical equipment sufficient to support a ‘split ownership’ structure if this proves desirable and feasible. If not, the footprint would be expected to be reduced, this being confirmed via planning condition also. The location of the substation has been designed to reduce the loss of agricultural land and to take advantage of natural screening through existing field boundary vegetation;

• Cables and Conduits: Power cables and telecommunications cables will run from the turbine and solar array to the on-site substation. All cables to the substation will run across the site in underground cable trenches, below plough depth, primarily following the route of the access tracks. From the on-site substation the connection to the local distribution network connection point will be the responsibility of the operator, Scottish Power Energy Networks. This will be subject to a separate planning application if required;

• Security Fence and CCTV cameras; a post and wire deer style fencing will be used around the site to prevent unauthorised access to the solar panels, energy storage facility, substation and electrical equipment. Five (5) CCTV cameras will be located on independent posts to the fence posts. The cameras will be located at each corner of the development and near the substation/ energy storage container compound; and

• A Temporary Construction Compound; For the duration of the construction and decommissioning period, a compound will need to remain in place to provide secure storage for construction components and equipment, welfare facilities and office accommodation for site staff. This has been proposed with a typical size of 80 by 31m and will be erected to the west of the turbine and solar array, away from construction activities approaching from the east.

DA54 For clarification, Chapter 6 - Development Proposal, ES Volume 2 provides photographs of many of these typical elements described above. Figures 6.1 to 6.12, (ES Volume 3) also provide typical technical drawings of these elements.

DA55 Chapters 1 and 18 (Volume 2, Environmental Statement) discuss the predicted electricity production from the development. The proposed Cefn y Maes Community Energy Park is estimated to generate 2 530 000kWh electricity per anum, equivalent

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of 554 average Powys households, or 57.1% of the households within the host Community Council Area of Llansilin (see Appendix 1.1, Volume 2 for further details).

LAYOUT OF DEVELOPMENT

DA56 Chapter 3 - Site Selection and Design (ES Volume 2) sets out the site selection and site design process for the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park; whilst Chapter 17 - Socio Economic & Sustainability (ES Volume 2) considers the socio-economic effects of the proposal in the context of the recognised global imperative for renewable energy.

DA57 The scale and design of the development is a balance between the minimisation of impacts with respect to planning and environmental constraints and the needs and benefits of a reenwable energy development. This is discussed in detail in Chapter 3 - Site Selection and Design (ES Volume 2) which outlines both the local constraints to the development and the requirements of a combined wind turbine and solar array project.

DA58 The spacing of the turbine relative to its surroundings has been primarily driven by separation distances from various constraints such as dwellings, trees and hedgerows. These separations, in combination minimize potential environmental impacts. Similarly a buffer around the proposed solar array perimeter has been created to provide sepatation from the surrounding vegetation and Public Right of Way.

DA59 As stated in Chapter 3 - Site Selection and Design (ES Volume 2) the suitability of the landholding for a wind turbine, solar array and energy storage facility, with associated infrastructure, and the initial site design within the boundaries of the landholding, was based on consideration of the following technical and environmental constraints as guided by TAN8 (2016) and Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy - A Toolkit for Planners (2015):

• Landowner willingness;

• Wind resource;

• Practical access to site;

• Formal consultation with the MoD;

• Existing environmental and heritage constraints;

• Consultation with telecommunications operators;

• Proximity to power lines;

• Transport infrastructure constraints;

• Proximity to trees, hedgerows and ditches; and

• Existing dwellings and noise buffer.

DA60 The environmental impact of the proposal is examined in the Environmental Statement. The elements forming this application are only those which are necessary for the generation and transport of electricity or for the access to and maintenance of the renewable energy park.

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DA61 The proposed arrangement of the elements forming the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy park is shown at Figure 1.2, ES Volume 3 and replicated at Plate DAS 4.

Buried RCfoundationoutline

Access track

Substation 10.9m x 4.1m

Energy storage units, 7m x 2.44m and 12.19m x 2.44m

Gateway

Access/parking area

Fence4.

3m

Temporaryconstructioncompound80m x 31m

Wind turbinetower

Crane pad/hardstanding40m x 25m

Outline ofrotor sweptarea

1:750 @ A3

© Crown Copyright. All rights reserved, 2017. Licence number 0100031673. Not to scale at A4.

Plate DAS 4 - Proposed Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Layout of constituent elements

APPEARANCE

DA62 The appearance of a wind turbine is largely functional, with materials primarily chosen for their weight, strength and practicality.

DA63 It is proposed that the turbine be finished in a semi-matt off-white colour, such as RAL 7035 or RAL7038, to minimise visibility and reflection from the turbine (Figure 6.1, ES Volume 2).

DA64 The solar panels will be arranged in rows that are four-panels deep in the landscape orientation. Panel rows will be no higher than 2.35m from the ground. Typically solar photovoltaic panels range in appearance from a very dark blue, to in some cases black. This proposal is for fixed panels that do not follow the movement of the sun.

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DA65 It is proposed that the substation is finished in ‘Hollybush’ green (BS14C39) (Figure 6.11). The substation location has been designed to allow ease of access by Scottish Power Energy Networks staff whilst optimising use of existing natural screening formed by field boundary hedgerow vegetation. Details of the external appearance of this is to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority via planning condition.

DA66 The hardstanding will have a similar appearance to a typical crushed stone farm track. Over time the hardstanding will be allowed to ‘grass-over’ to soften its appearance.

DA67 Aviation stakeholders do, on occasion, request aviation lights on wind turbine structures. Infra-red lighting is generally acceptable to the MoD which is invisible to the naked eye.

DA68 The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (Chapter 10 - LVIA, ES Volume 2) assesses the effect of the development on the landscape fabric, landscape character and visual amenity. This describes how the development will visually relate to its surroundings.

DA69 Numerous public opinion surveys have been carried out (Chapter 17 - Socio Economic & Sustainability, ES Volume 2), which consistently show a high level of support for wind turbines and solar arrays. However, while some people may see them as positive structures, some may see them as inappropriate development in a countryside setting.

DA70 A regular public attitudes tracker survey is undertaken by the Department of Buisness, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), formally DECC, to understand and monitor public attitudes to the Department’s main business priorities. The most recent tracker (Wave 19, October 2016) (DBEIS, 2016a) found:

‘Support for renewable energy has been consistently high since the survey began in 2012, at around 75-80%. This pattern has continued at wave 19, with 79% expressing support for the use of renewables. Opposition to renewables was very low at 4%, with only 1% strongly opposed.’

Community Safety


• Ensuring attractive, safe public spaces

• Security through natural surveillance

DA71 The renewable energy park will be located on private land with no public access. The proposed site has been designed to maximise separation from public access, be it highways (nearest at c.545m to the south of the site) or residences (nearest dwelling is c.775m to the S/SE). There is no Public Right of Way closer than 110m to the proposed wind turbine within the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park.

DA72 Solar and wind turbine technology have a proven and established track record. Solar panels have been used for energy generation since the 1950’s. The first UK wind farm, Delabole, has recently (in 2016) reached it’s 25th year of generation.

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DA73 The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (2015), RenewableUK Onshore Wind Health and Safety Guidelines (RUK 2015a) and Wind Turbine Safety Rules (RUK, 2015b) will be adhered to during the construction phase to safeguard site workers and ensure safe working practices.

DA74 The proposed development is in a relatively remote rural location although regularly visited for agricultural activities. The proposed solar array and energy storage facility within the development could be considered the most vulnerable to illegal interference or theft of components. A security fence will be errected around the proposed development, with CCTV cameras located around the site to protect the Renewable Energy Park and deter any undesirable activity. The site is not considered to be particularly vulnerable to such activity.

Environmental Sustainability


• Achieving efficient use and protection of natural resources

• Enhancing biodiversity

• Designing for change

LANDSCAPE SETTING

DA75 The proposed site is located within a single field of pasture land and the only landscape elements are the pasture itself and the occasional trees forming some of the boundaries of the field.

DA76 The Aspect Areas (AA) covering the proposed site are:

• Visual and Sensory Landscape AA - Mynydd Mawr Upland Grazing: Distinct area of upland grazing pasture, semi improved grassland with medium to large field parcels. Relatively weakly defined fields with post and wire fencing, gappy hedges becoming more defined by hedgerows on lower areas. Open and relatively exposed in character, broad open skies – borderline between settled lower valley bottoms and remote upland moorland;

• Cultural AA - Rural Landscapes: The Aspect Area is essentially a catch-all of landscapes surrounding other Aspect Areas. It reveals an eclectic mix of landscape type, from fertile lowlands to bleak moorlands, and forms a buffer between other Aspect Areas that are more culturally distinctive or diverse. Surprisingly, there are few statutorily protected landscape types - such as SSSIs or SLAs within the area. Nevertheless, Rural Landscapes forms the background to the more detailed painting on the canvas of Montgomeryshire, contributing greatly to the county’s soubriquet of Powis paradwys Cymru;

• Historic AA - Moelfre: Predominantly irregular fieldscapes of medieval and early post-medieval on undulating valleys and hills north of the lower Tanat valley. Mixed broadleaved and conifer plantations on steeper hill slopes. Early settlement and land use is indicated by Mesolithic chance finds, isolated Neolithic to Bronze

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Age hilltop burial mounds and by the later prehistoric hillfort at Llwyn Bryn-dinas, overlooking the Tanat valley, with a scattering of possibly contemporary smaller defended farms. Medieval and later land use is indicated by the medieval earthwork castle site at Sycharth, by the small nucleated church settlement at Llansilin, and by dispersed farms of medieval and early post-medieval origin;

• Geological - Upper Cynllaith: Upper part of the Cynllaith valley with glacial drift filled cwms and some bedrock exposure.; and

• Landscape Habitats - Foel Rhiwlas: Upper part of the Cynllaith valley with glacial drift filled cwms and some bedrock exposure.

DA77 The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment at Chapter 10 - LVIA, ES Volume 2, considers in detail the proposal in the context of the landscape and visual receptors. It concludes that:

‘This assessment has examined the likely effects of the proposed development on the landscape and visual amenity of the site and surrounding area, in conjunction with the operational turbine schemes set out within the cumulative study area.

The significant effects of this proposed development would be limited to:

• The character of the landscape of the site and surrounding area up to approximately 2.0km from the proposal. This includes a part of the Mynydd Mawr Upland Grazing AA, Berwyn Mountains AA, Berwyn Foothills AA, Incised Sandstone Valleys LCT, and Upstanding Enclosed Commons LCT.

• The visual amenity of residents in properties up to approximately 3.5 – 4.0km from the proposal, with open views towards the proposed development. These are limited to a few properties within Rhydycroesau and Llawnt, and a few individual residential properties. However, in terms of the Lavender test, no overbearing impacts on residential views are expected.

• The visual amenity of users of very limited sections of the Offa’s Dyke Path and Ceiriog Trail and the local rights of way network within approximately 1.5km of the proposed development.

• The visual amenity of motorists on a short section of the local road immediately south of the site.

• An extremely limited section of the SLA local landscape designation in the vicinity of the proposal.

There would not be any significant effects on landscape fabric, the character of the landscapes more than 2.0km from the site, or the visual amenity of most residents, visitors to visitor attractions, walkers, equestrians and cyclists on long distance recreational routes or motorists on the majority of A, B and local road network within the study area.

Fieldwork found no locations in the study area where the proposed development would be visible in the same view as any operational wind turbines. Each of these schemes is located at a distance of over 7km from the proposed development. Due to this distance and the modest size of each of these developments, in conjunction with these wind energy schemes, the proposed Cefn y Maes development would not

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result in any significant cumulative effects on landscape and/or visual amenity due to the distance between the schemes and the nature of the landform.

Therefore, to summarise, it is considered that the significant effects on landscape and visual amenity as a result of the proposed development would be limited in this location.’

BIODIVERSITY AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

DA78 A wildflower and grass seed mix will be sewn around the solar array, providing opportunities for biodiverty enhancement at the site.

DA79 Access to the site is anticipated to use the same route as existing farm tracks and cut through field boundaries at existing gaps. Some vegetation trimming may be required but should hedgerow removal be necessary, replacement hedges will be planted of at least equivalent length within the landholding.

DA80 Chapter 12 - Ecology & Ornithology, ES Volume 2 considers in detail the proposal in the context of the ecological and ornithological baseline. It concludes that:

‘Taking in to account proposed mitigation and ecological enhancements the proposal to construct and operate a small renewable energy park will not result in significant impacts on sensitive ecological receptors on and in the vicinity of the site. Ecological enhancements are limited to hedgerow planting around the perimeter of the solar array so as not to create ideal bat commuting and foraging habitats close to the operational turbine.’

ENERGY EFFICIENCY/ CARBON REDUCTION

DA81 This proposal is inherently sustainable and assists with mitigating climate change by the generation of renewable energy. The combined turbine and solar array development will generate 2 530 000 kWh of electricity per annum, the equivalent to the annual consumption of 554 Powys households (all to 3.S.F).

DA82 The generation of renewable electricity in this way will offset electricity generated from other sources.

DA83 The department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS, formally DECC/ Defra), 2016, advise the current emissions for electricity generation in the UK as 430g CO2e/kWh. This figure was used for both the Climate Change Levy Agreements and the Emissions Trading Scheme (fixed over the time scale 2000 to 2010).

DA84 On this basis the carbon dioxide equivalent offset by the Cefn y Maes Renewable Energy Park is calculated to be 1 090 tonnes per annum (to 3 s.f.).

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

DA85 Materials for construction will be sourced locally if possible.

DA86 Subject to detailed ground investigations, the solar arrays will be mounted onto steel frames and secured by helical screw steel ground anchors or pre-cast concrete sleepers. Both styles of solar panel frame construction is fully reversible at the end

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of the project life (after 30 years) when panel frames are removed from the site. The steel ground anchors are preferential to minise environmental impact.

DA87 At the end of its operational life, the wind turbine will be removed and either refurbished or recycled. The foundation will remain in situ.

WASTE

DA88 Chapter 9 - Hydrology & Hydrogeology, ES Volume 2, considers in detail the proposal in the context of potential impacts upon the hydrological and hydrogeological environment.

DA89 The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) has been consulted in order to determine a suitable method for the management of surface water run-off from the development. This has led to a proposed swale to manage the increase in run off volume as a result of development.

DA90 The swale will provide a safeguard to manage the expected increase in runoff volume during both the construction and operational phases of the project. The swale has been designed in accordance with the CIRIA SuDS manual using the long term storage equation, which specifically addresses the additional runoff caused by a development.

DA91 This swale will be 80 m in length, with a cross sectional area of 1.93m2. To achieve this cross sectional area, the depth of the proposed swale will be 0.70 m and the width of the base of the swale 0.65m, with a side slope of 1 in 3. The base width and slope angle are in agreement with current SuDS guidance. Plate DAS 5 outlines the general configuration of the swale.

Plate DAS 5 - Outline general configuration of proposed swale

DA92 Chapter 9 - Hydrology & Hydrogeology, ES Volume 2 concludes that:

• The proposed development site lies within Zone A, which is considered to be at little or no risk to fluvial flooding. Therefore the risk of flooding from fluvial sources is considered to be negligible.

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• The risk of surface water flooding is considered to be low for the site, with the majority of flow draining into the watercourses situated to the north and south of the site respectively.

• It is concluded that the risk posed by groundwater flooding is low. Review of the relevant BGS reports indicates that despite the variable permeability in the area the proposed site, and that the water table is below 5m at the site and for the majority of the surrounding area.

• It is recommended that vegetation disturbance during construction is minimised and revegetation works are undertaken as soon as practical to establish and maintain good ground cover across the site.

• Although this type of development is unlikely to increase run-off volumes, an 80m vegetated swale is proposed as a precautionary measure.

• The swale will lie along the northern boundary of the site and act to intercept the majority of the run-off from the development.

• The swale will safeguard against any increase in runoff arising from the development, reducing the impact on the downstream hydrology of the area, and acting to maintain the greenfield runoff rates currently estimated for the site.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

DA93 A Site Waste Management Plan will be agreed with Powysl Council prior to construction commencing. This will include measures for best environmental practice with regard to management of excess sub and top soils, as well as treatment of hazardous substances. The Site Waste Management Plan can be secured through Planning Condition.

DA94 Excavated sub-soils and top-soils will be stored separately for the duration of the construction phase of the proposed development in bunds around the temporary construction compound.

DA95 No foul water systems are required.

CLIMATE RESILIENCE

DA96 The wind turbine will be rated according to the long term wind speed of the site. As a hybrid scheme, the wind and solar technologies complement each other and therefore ensure generation continues as the weather changes. The energy storage battery acts to ensure that the output of the scheme remains constant as the wind and solar level fluctute.

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING STANDARDS

DA97 As described from Paragraph DA85 on page 19, sustainable materials and reversible construction techniques ensure that the site is restored at the end of its life.

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REFERENCES

Act of Parliament, 2015, The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 SI 2015 No. 51, HMSO, UK.

Act of Parliament, 2016, The Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Amendment) (Wales) Order, SI 2016 No. 59 (W. 29), National Assembly of Wales, UK.

CIRIA, 2015, The SuDS Manual, C753.

Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (DBEIS), 2016a, Energy And Climate Change Public Attitude Tracker Wave 19, Summary of Key Findings, HMSO, UK.

Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), 2011, Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3), HMSO, London.

Design Commission for Wales, 2014, Design and Access Statements in Wales: Why, What and How guidance, Design Commission for Wales, Cardiff.

EWT, 2015, Directwind 52/54/61, Specification: Transport, Storage and Crane Requirements, S-1000910.docx, Emergya Wind Technologies B.V., The Netherlands.

RenewableUK (RUK), 2015a, Onshore Wind Health & Safety Guidelines, 2015 Issue 1, RenewableUK, London.

RenewableUK (RUK), 2015b, Wind Turbine Safety Rules, Third Edition, 2015 Issue 1, RenewableUK, London.

Welsh Government, 2015, Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy - A Toolkit for Planners (July, 2010), HMSO, UK

Welsh Government, 2016, Planning Policy Wales Edition 9, HMSO, UK.

Welsh Government, 2016, Planning Policy Wales Technical Advice Note (TAN)12: Guidance on Design and Access Statements, HMSO, UK.