Nadara are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to attend a public exhibition and provide feedback on the Proposed Development and would like to provide the following responses on points which have been raised.
Further changes to site layout
Significant changes have already been made to the proposed site layout including a reduction in the number of proposed turbines from 12 as presented at the public exhibitions in January 2023 to the final proposed layout of 7 turbines. In order to avoid various site constraints and ensure an economically viable project, it is not possible to make further changes to the site layout.
Visual impact
The site design work has included careful consideration of visual impacts and the proposed site layout, which has in part contributed to the reduction from 18 turbines at up to 180 m to tip to 7 turbines at up to 149.9 m to tip. Whilst the proposed turbines are taller than the current operational turbines, the overall number of proposed turbines would reduce from 14 to 7 whilst the estimated total power output of the wind farm would increase from 8.4 MW to around 33.6 MW.
Viewpoint selection, wirelines and photomontages
The viewpoints selected for assessment in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) have been selected, in line with guidance, to represent a range of views and viewer types and were agreed with consultees during EIA Scoping.
Some of the viewpoints are intended to be representative of the visual experience in a general location whereas others illustrate the view from a specific or important vantage point. Whether visualisations will be presented as wirelines or photomontages changes depending on the viewpoint and what has been agreed in order to provide a proportionate and robust assessment for consultees and the planning authority to consider and reach an informed decision. A selection of these viewpoints have been presented as photomontages at the public exhibitions and the full set of viewpoints will be included in the EIA submitted with the repowering planning application.
At each of the public exhibitions including today, software has been available to generate a wireline from locations of specific interest to exhibition visitors.
The visualisations presented at the public exhibitions are technically accurate. The accompanying text includes a caveat noting that the EIA will include visualisations produced in line with relevant guidance and this simply refers to the printed size and scale of the display sheets, which is different to those of the exhibition boards. This reflects the different nature of displaying information on public exhibition boards, which are designed to be viewed in a consultation event, rather than in application submission documents, which are designed to be viewed printed on the table in front of the viewer, or on a computer screen.
Impact of construction on road network and public access
Access to the site for abnormal loads is expected to be from Corpach Harbour near Fort William, with traffic using the A830 Caol-Malaig road, A82(T) to Tyndrum and then A85(T) to the site via a forestry track through Fearnoch Forest. Post-consent, the Applicant will provide an Abnormal Load Transport Management Plan, which will include measures and a schedule for abnormal load movements so as to minimise disruption to the local community, which could include night-time movements. The Applicant will provide construction updates to residents within an agreed distance of the site.
During construction, public access to certain areas would be limited and/or prohibited in the interest of public safety. However, wherever possible, any impacts on public access would be minimized and upon project completion, public access would resume. Once the repowered wind farm is operational, impacts relating to traffic and transport would be minimal.
Ornithology
A comprehensive programme of ornithology surveys has been completed, the results of which have influenced the final proposed site design and mitigation measures. The EIA will include a collision risk assessment for those bird species which are potentially vulnerable to collision with turbines.
Direct source of electricity/discounted electricity/community ownership
Nadara are not an electricity supplier and do not have the ability to sell electricity therefore it would not be possible to provide a direct source of electricity to local communities.
Nadara will explore the potential to provide local residents with electricity payment support through the Community Benefit Fund. Ultimately, the decision will need to be made through further engagement and discussion with community councils and other relevant stakeholders.
A shared/community ownership scheme has not been proposed as such a scheme is not currently considered to be a feasible option due to the scale of the Proposed Development. However, should planning consent be granted, Nadara will review the feasibility of shared/community ownership.
Grid connection
The proposed point of connection to the grid is Taynuilt substation. There are no current plans to install overhead lines as part of the grid connection for the Proposed Development however this is subject to the final route design which is undertaken by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO).
Community benefit fund
Nadara acknowledge the requests for the fund to be available over a wider geographical area and are looking at how the fund will be distributed noting the feedback which has been provided to date.
Nadara will need to see the outcome of the planning application before any final decisions are made however in the meantime, welcome further feedback from local communities and stakeholders on the fund, its distribution and projects which could potentially benefit.
Why is a battery energy storage scheme not included in the Proposed Development?
A battery energy storage system has not been proposed as part of the Proposed Development for project programme related reasons.