Wind Farm Development Proposals

Crockagarran County Tyrone

Environmental Impact Statement

Volume 1 Non-Technical Summary

Prepared by: -

WDR & RT TAGGART

Laganwood House, Newforge Lane, Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5NX

TL/05/021TP
July 2005
Wind Farm Development Proposals
Crockagarran County Tyrone
A McCrory & W&H Alexander Civil Engineering Limited
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INTRODUCTION

WDR & RT Taggart has prepared this Environmental Impact Statement on behalf of
our client, A McCrory & W&H Alexander Civil Engineering Limited, to accompany a
Full Planning Application for the development of a wind farm on lands at
Crockagarran, County Tyrone.

The Environmental Impact Assessment has been prepared in accordance with the
1999 Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland),
following consultation with the Department of Environment Planning Service and as
required by Schedule 2 Part 3 (j) of the Regulations.

The Environmental Impact Statement supports a full planning application for a wind
farm of 18 MW installed capacity, comprising 6 No. wind turbines and associated
transformers, access tracks and gates, a sub-station, control room, meteorological
mast, site signage and all ancillary works.

The purpose of the Environmental Impact Assessment is to: -

• Explain the need for the proposal and describe the physical characteristics,
scale and design of the wind farm;
• Examine and present the existing environmental character of the application site
and the area likely to be affected by the wind farm;
• Predict possible environmental impacts of the wind farm;
• Describe measures, which would be taken to avoid, offset or reduce adverse
environmental impacts.

The full scope of the Statement was determined following initial consultation with
statutory consultees and from previous experience of wind farm developments. The
major issues that are addressed in this environmental statement are the implications
of the siting of the turbines on: -

• The achievement of policy objectives (global, national and local).

• The visual Impact on the landscape quality and landscape character.
• The flora and fauna of the site.
• The cultural heritage of the site and its surroundings.
• The local population in terms of noise, traffic generation, electromagnetic
interference and employment.
• The local soils and water system.

The Environmental Impact Assessment and Report Statement have been completed
and compiled with assistance from a number of specialist sub-consultants. The full
team that has prepared the statement is as follows: -

• W & H Alexander Civil Engineering Limited

• WDR & RT Taggart
• Inis Environmental Services
• Envirocentre
• FR Mark and Associates
• Northern Archaeological Consultants
• QinetiQ.

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Wind Farm Development Proposals
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A McCrory & W&H Alexander Civil Engineering Limited
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POLICY CONTEXT

For the purposes of this Environmental Statement it is assumed that the planning
application for the proposed wind farm at Crockagarran will be determined against the
planning policy framework described in this section. Before Northern Ireland
Legislation and Area Plan Policies are considered some insight into National Policies
and the development of renewable policy is provided, as they are material
considerations in the determination of the present planning application. Policies are
examined at: -

• UN Global Policy Context

• European Policy Context
• United Kingdom Policy
• Northern Ireland Context

The local legislative and policy context are examined in greater detail, the Northern
Ireland Review is made up of the following documents: -

• The NI Executive Programme for Government

• The Regional Development Strategy
• A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland (PSRNI)
• Planning Policy Statements 1, 2, 3, 6, 10 & 14
• The Omagh Area Plan 1987 - 2002
• DCAN 10

The above policy documents above contain a number of key tests informing the
suitability of the development proposals. However, there is no concise guidance
available that is tailored expressly towards wind farm development, therefore the main
tests are comprised of a combination of the different policies balanced against the
context of the site and the effects of the development.

PSRNI through PSU12 carries a presumption in favour of approval for wind farm
developments. PSU12 remains the main consideration in any assessment of the
proposals; as none of the following policies addresses wind farm development
specifically they must be seen as supplementary to it.

The PPS1 test is that harm must be demonstrated for the application to be refused.
This test is more general and wide ranging than that of PSU12 as it is not focused on
a specific development type. The wording of paragraph 59 indicates that it is the
Planning Service’s role to demonstrate that harm would be caused.

The PPS1 test brings in other material considerations, specifically, the impact of the
development on the landscape of its context and its effects on material assets, soils,
water, air, noise, climate and human beings.

Planning policy is reasonably supportive of the proposal. It is a matter of the

competent authority being satisfied that the environmental impacts on assets of
material importance either are not sufficiently significant to justify refusal or can be
mitigated to allow the consideration to balance in favour of the development. We are
of the opinion that there is a presumption in favour of development and in principle we
endorse the proposal and recommend its assessment against the environmental
effects.

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Wind Farm Development Proposals
Crockagarran County Tyrone
A McCrory & W&H Alexander Civil Engineering Limited
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THE PROPOSED SITE

The proposed site lies in the jurisdiction of the District Council area of Omagh within
County Tyrone. The site is located on Crockagarran Mountain within the upland
regions of Mid Tyrone. The nearest nucleated settlements are Carrickmore 5 km
north of the site, Pomeroy 6km north east, Sixmilecross 6km west of the site,
Ballygawley 9km south, and Castlecaulfield 11km east.

A number of minor country roads run around the site (Gleneeny Road to the north and
Whitebridge Road to the west of the site), these connect to the B46 road
approximately 2km to the north. The B46 leads to the A5 to the west which connects
Ballygawley to Strabane and then joins the A2 to Derry. The A5 travels in an easterly
direction to join the A4 which links Ballygawley with the M1 motorway to Belfast.

The surrounding landscape is mainly agricultural land, with Altmore Forest to the east
and a small hamlet of 9 houses to the west of the site. The site is not designated as
an ASSI, SAC or Ramsar, nor is it involved in the Environmentally Sensitive Areas
(ESA) or the Countryside Management Scheme (CMS) administered by the
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The site is comprised mostly of raised peat bog with a small area of drained peat bog
that is now being used for agricultural use. The proposed site is within the catchment
area of the Camawen River. The key hydrological features comprise three streams
that drain from the study area; there are also a number of areas of standing water
within the peat bog which tend to be located near areas of former peat cutting. These
streams are all tributaries of the Altanagh River, which in turn is a tributary of the
Camawen River.

The Soils Map for the area published on behalf of the Department of Agriculture
indicates that the majority of the site is classified as peat. There are no noted areas of
soils considered as high quality agricultural land within the site or its surrounds. The
site is not considered to be the Best or Most Versatile Land.

The main habitats on the site comprises: -

• Improved Grassland
• Wet Modified Bog – once blanket bog but following peat cutting and drainage
in past is much disturbed and dried out with a number of dry peat banks
throughout and drains running through the habitat, some of the area is used
for grazing.
• Blanket Bog – area affected by drying out as a result of adjacent drains and
peat extraction & as a result ground conditions are firm. Natural drainage
channel runs through the bog area.

The open moorland forms 1 farm holding, the ownership boundary encompasses the
access route, the sub-station and the preliminary stretch of overhead exporting line.
Legal agreements in relation to the proposal are in place with the landowner.

This site recorded eighteen species of bird during the breeding season. A winter bird
survey on this site recorded five species of birds, all of which were recorded on the
site and not flying over the site. Indications and signs of two other species were noted
though these birds were not seen. The proposed turbine layout has been arranged to
maintain a reasonable distance between any turbine and an area identified as being a
possible Merlin habitat.

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Wind Farm Development Proposals
Crockagarran County Tyrone
A McCrory & W&H Alexander Civil Engineering Limited
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DESCRIPTION OF DEVELOPMENT

The wind farm proposal involves the construction of 6 wind turbines, together with
internal access tracks to facilitate construction and servicing. Electricity generated will
be fed into the Northern Ireland grid via a Sub Station and Control Building. A
monitoring mast has already been erected on a temporary basis, however this
application includes the provision of a permanent mast elsewhere on the site to
replace the existing mast.

With 6 3.0MW machines, the combined site overall has a potential installed capacity of
18 MW. On the basis that the total capacity of wind energy that had been installed in
Ireland (north and south) at the end of 2004 was 422.59MW1 the proposal represents
an additional 4% over the existing capacity.

One megawatt of wind electricity generates the following benefits2 per year: -

• Power for 650 homes

• Displacement of 2,500 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide
• Displacement of 30 tonnes of Sulphur Dioxide
• Displacement of 10 tonnes of Nitrous Oxide
• Avoidance of 175 tonnes of slag and ash
• Avoidance of the need to import 650 tonnes of fossil fuel.

On this basis we have calculated that the Crockagarran Windfarm project will offer the
following significant national benefits to Northern Ireland per year: -

• Power for almost 11,700 homes

• Displacement of 45,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide
• Displacement of 540 tonnes of Sulphur Dioxide
• Displacement of 180 tonnes of Nitrous Oxide
• Avoidance of 3,150 tonnes of slag and ash.
• Avoidance of the need to import almost 11,700 tonnes of fossil fuel.

The Turbines
The type of turbine proposed will have a rotor radius of maximum 90 metres, and will
be mounted on a 80 metre maximum height tower. The likely installed capacity of 3.0
MW will place them among the most powerful onshore turbines available
commercially.

Six wind turbines are proposed for the site. They comprise tube towers of 80m in
height supporting a rotor hub consisting of a generator, gearbox, control system,
hydraulics etc… which shall be driven by three 45 m blades. The turbines are to be
set out in a line of 4 turbines stretching across the southern boundary of the site with
two turbines in a line parallel to and north of that line, one due north of turbine 2 and
one of turbine 3. The turbines will be spaced at distances varying from 360 to 400m.

The turbines are accessed from the Gleneeny Road to the north of the site from which
there is an existing track that travels in a south westerly direction into the site before
spurring off to the east towards proposed turbine 1. From the end of the existing track
a new track is proposed which provides access to turbine 1 and then travels to the
east, north and east respectively to provide access to the permanent met mast,
turbine 6 and turbine 5. From the met mast the proposed new access track changes

1
Irish Wind Energy Association
2
Information Sourced from Renewable Energy Information Office Ireland
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to a proposed floating track which travels in a south easterly line to provide access to
turbines 2, 3 and 4. A new access is created off the Gleneeny road which provides
direct access to the switch house and car park to the north of the site.

Construction Phase
The potential sequence of construction work activities is likely to be as follows: -

• Upgrade as necessary any existing site tracks;

• Construct new access tracks within the site;
• Construct the temporary site compound and offices;
• Commence construction of the Control Building and Substation Compound;
• Excavate the wind turbine foundations, and construct the turbine bases and
transformer bases;
• Carry out necessary and agreed public road improvements;
• Construct crane hardstandings;
• Excavate cable trenches and lay the power and instrumentation cables;
• Construct site entrance modifications;
• Carry out necessary modifications to public roads to enable wind turbine
component deliveries;
• Erect and commission the wind turbines;
• Erect the meteorological monitoring mast;
• Carry out all reinstatement works; remove temporary accommodation compound,
and clear the site.

The installation of the grid connection will be the responsibility of NIE.

Decommissioning of the Wind Farm

The wind farm is presently envisaged to have an operational life of about 25 years. At
that time it will be necessary to decide whether to refurbish, replace or remove the
turbines.

If the site is to be decommissioned, the turbines and towers will be removed from the
site in their entirety; the upper sections of the foundations projecting above ground will
be removed, and the remainder of the foundations covered by peat/topsoil and left to
re-vegetate naturally. All transformers, sub-station equipment, Control Buildings,
compounds and meteorological masts will be removed from site. Underground cables
will be cut back at the turbine/transformer terminations and left buried in the already
vegetated peat. Tracks will be left for use by the landowner.

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Wind Farm Development Proposals
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A McCrory & W&H Alexander Civil Engineering Limited
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ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVES

Alternative Sources of Energy

Alternative sources of energy include Nuclear Power and Fossil Fuels. The main
renewable energy sources are considered to include Wind, Solar, Geothermal Energy,
Biomass, Hydro and Wave / Tidal.

Benefits of Wind Energy include: -

• Significant energy generating potential (The proposed wind farm at

Crockagarran will supply 11,700 Homes3).
• Low environmental impact.
• Harnessing renewable energy helps diversify energy supplies.
• Less pressure on existing energy supplies.
• Contributes to targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions.
• Helps reduce the serious threat of climate change by reducing Carbon Dioxide
emissions.
• Wind is a clean source of electrical energy.
• Proposal helps to meet targets set by Kyoto Protocol UK.
• Contributes to Irish Wind Energy Association’s and British Wind Energy
Association’s targets.
• Contribution to local economy through employment and use of local materials
and plant.
• Modern well-sited wind farms can generate electricity, which is cheaper than
nuclear power and comparable in cost with fossil fuel sources of electricity.
• Wind is a source of power that is inexhaustible; therefore it is a secure and
stable energy supply for the long term.
• Proposal will displace 45,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year4.
• Reduces emissions of acid rain gases.
• Does not generate any long-lasting noxious wastes.
• Reduces dependence on imported or expensive fuel sources and depletion of
fossil fuel reserves
• Investment and employment in indigenous renewable projects often takes place
in rural and underdeveloped areas, thereby contributing to their local
economies.

Site Selection Process

The considerations which were assessed in order to select Crockagarran as a
possible wind farm site are described below.

3
Renewable Energy Information Office
4
Ibid
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CRITERIA DESCRIPTION SITE SPECIFIC ISSUES

This is a vital characteristic of any site. In The wind resource at Crockagarran
A wind Ireland an inland site will generally need was found to be above average
resource to be about 250m (800 feet) ASL. and commercially viable. An
Obstructions such as nearby trees, higher application for an Anemometer
hills in the direction of the prevailing winds (Wind Measuring) Mast was
etc, which can adversely affect the wind approved on 27th October 2004.
on a site and therefore energy production.
In general, wind turbines are not situated The most proximate residential
Proximity to in close proximity to dwellings. properties are located to the north
dwellings and west of the site approximately
520m from the nearest proposed
wind turbine.
Land area Modern wind turbines must be spaced The total area of the proposed
large distances apart. They need to be wind farm site is approximately 89
positioned so that distances between hectares, which is technically large
them are around 5-10 rotor diameters enough to accommodate the
apart in order to maximise the energy proposed scheme.
output from the turbine. A good rule of
thumb is that every 20 acres could
accommodate one turbine. This can vary
according to turbine size and site
characteristics.

An The wind farm will need to export the Consultation has been instigated
economically power to the national grid. Generally, a with NIE who have suggested a
priced grid grid connection will be via an overhead new line from the wind farm to
connection line to the nearest sub-station. If this Tullyaran Central 33/11kV
distance were long, then the cost of substation to feed in to the
constructing the grid connection would Dungannon main.
make the project unworkable. Also, the
sub-station may not be able to take the
full capacity of the wind farm. In that case,
either a scaled down project would
proceed or an alternative connection point
to the grid would be used. This may be
further away and therefore more costly.
(The grid connection is also subject to a
separate planning application from the
wind farm).
Availability of Turbine components are large loads and A number of access points onto
access to a therefore good site access is vital. If the Crockagarran Mountain have been
chosen area of road route to the site consists of physical assessed. The most viable and
land features such as sharp bends, narrow best environmental option was to
roads or bridges then these may need to utilise where possible the existing
be upgraded in consultation with Planning access track on the site. The
Service and Roads Service. proposed access route is
considered to be the most
environmentally sound route, which
will have a minimal impact.

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Wind Farm Development Proposals
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CRITERIA DESCRIPTION SITE SPECIFIC ISSUES

Nature The Environmental Impact Assessment This environmental statement
conservation, that has been carried out as part of this considers in detail the range of
archaeological application has considered all of these issues necessary to give a full
and land use aspects. appreciation of on-site
designations environmental issues. The site is
not located within a designated
area.
Safety Including proximity of public roads Crockagarran has been designed
consideration with safety concerns addressed
through construction, operation
and maintenance phases.

Electro- Avoidance of impeding or interfering with This EIS includes an assessment

Magnetic major electronic transmissions, and of EMI issues.
Interference airport communication systems.
(EMI)
Likelihood of This is the most important aspect of any It is considered that the potential
Planning development and can really only be impact of this proposed wind farm
Permission assessed on a site-to-site basis. has been assessed against the
need to protect and conserve the
environment and therefore
complies with the requirements of
PSU12 of The Planning Strategy
for Rural Northern Ireland.

Alternative Site Layouts Considered

The current layout subject of this application has been developed through an iterative
process, which seeks to respect technical, environmental, commercial and planning
concerns associated with this site. A number of alternative turbine options were
assessed for the proposed development.

Type of Number of
Turbine Turbines Capacity (MW)
Layout 1 1.5 MW 16 24
Layout 2 1.3 MW 11 14.3
Layout 3 2 MW 8 16
Layout 4 3 MW 6 18

The initial layout looked at providing 3 parallel lines of 1.5 MW turbines running from
northwest to south east across the site, this maximised the coverage of the site with
16 turbines. This layout was then amended to take into account ground conditions
across the site leading to Layout Option 2 with 2 parallel rows of smaller turbines
along the northern and southern ridges of the site.

Having reached a decision to proceed to full investigation on Crockagarran a number

of detailed site specific surveys were undertaken to derive an optimal layout that
respected environmental features and considered on-site constraints.

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A McCrory & W&H Alexander Civil Engineering Limited
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Following commencement of the EIA layout 3 was produced and an analysis was
carried out based on the following variables:

1. Wind direction/resource,
2. Roughness,
3. Wake losses,
4. Distance from dwellings and roads,
5. Slope and other physical constraints – including forestry
6. Visuals
7. Impact Assessments.

Visual assessments suggested that less large turbines had less of or an equal effect
as a larger number of smaller turbines.

The layout was finalised by taking into account the impact assessment conclusions
and any mitigation measures which arose. The ornithological study highlighted the
potential for Merlin to the north east of the site, in order to mitigate against any
potential negative impact on the bird, turbines 5 and 6 were removed from the site.

The final layout proposes 6 3 MW turbines arranged in two parallel lines across the
northern (turbines 5 and 6) and southern (turbines 1 to 4) ridges of the site with wide
spacing. The turbines have been sited for optimum capture of the prevailing south
westerly winds and present a balance in visual and landscape terms. The layout was
micro-sited to avoid any area of deep peat, drainage ditches or any steep gradient.

Summary of Considerations
It is acknowledged that in practice every wind farm site has some impact on the
locality. However, as a result of considering the above factors, it was considered that
the Crockagarran wind farm site offered the following significant factors in its favour:

• Good wind resource;

• One Landowner
• Adequate distance to nearest habitations;
• Low ecological sensitivity
• Low archaeological sensitivity
• Stable ground conditions
• No existing or proposed designations
• Easy Access
• Low Ecological Sensitivity

In terms of the site layout options, it has been clearly illustrated that the layout
evolution has gone through in-depth assessment and analysis.

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ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

The full scope of the Environmental Statement was determined following consultation
with the relevant Planning Office and consideration of previous wind farm
development projects as well as having regard to the regulations.

A scoping for the proposed wind farm development in accordance with Schedule 4 of
the Regulations would suggest that the following areas must be fully addressed: -

• Ecology and Ornithology

• Soils, Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology
• Archaeology
• Electromagnetic Interference
• Shadow Flicker
• Noise
• Traffic
• Socio – Economic
• Climate and Air Quality
• Health and Safety
• Visual Impact/Landscape

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FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora
The proposed development site does not lie within or adjacent to a site designated for
nature conservation (i.e. ASSI, SAC, or SPA).

The following are the various habitats found within the proposed development site.

• Improved Grassland
• Wet Modified Bog
• Blanket Bog

Improved Grassland
Direct habitat loss will occur in areas where access roads and turbines are to be
located in the area of improved grassland. As the habitat type is regarded as being of
low ecological importance these impacts are deemed to be imperceptible negative
impacts.

Wet Modified Bog

Direct habitat loss will occur in areas where turbines and associated infrastructure are
to be placed. Secondary impacts on this area will include localized drying out of the
habitat in the area around the turbine bases and close by the new roadways to be
constructed. This impact is expected to be short term and the habitat is expected to
re-wet itself soon after construction work has been completed.
These impacts are considered to be minor negative impacts.

Blanket Bog
Direct habitat loss will occur in the areas where the turbines are to be located and the
areas where the associated infrastructure including roads are to be placed. The
construction of turbine foundations will involve the removal of surface vegetation and
the extraction of peat and subsoil to a depth necessary to secure foundations.
Similarly this would also be true of the areas where new access roads and associated
infrastructure are to be constructed on the bog habitat. The introduction of hard core
concrete to these areas may result in increased run-off. The area of blanket bog may
suffer secondary impacts including hydrological impacts. Areas of habitat surrounding
the turbine bases will suffer drying out and species composition may change
depending on the extent of drying out. This impact is expected to be short term and
over time the habitats will be expected to recharge with water as the drainage regime
of the surrounding habitat should not be changed. The use of heavy machinery in the
construction of the windfarm will cause compaction of peat in areas where the
machines will be used, this may cause local changes in the peat and as a result
species composition may be changed and it may facilitate peat erosion of the surface
which in turn may cause sedimentation of watercourses. Considering that the habitat
type has suffered drying out in the past it is not overly sensitive to hydrological
change. As a result of the proposed work it is not foreseen that any species will be
removed from the site and overall species diversity should remain at the current level.
The construction of a windfarm at the site will cause habitat fragmentation of the bog
habitat by the construction of access roads and the erection of turbines. It will cause
some areas of habitat to become smaller. The habitat itself is of high local importance
and the impacts will cause some changes in the ecological value of the habitat and
therefore the impacts are considered to be minor negative impacts.

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General Mitigation Measures

Construction
Habitat disturbance in areas of semi-natural habitat during construction work should
be strictly confined to within the direct land-take of the proposed windfarm and
associated infrastructure.

Mitigation of hydrological impacts

Settlement ponds will be used to prevent any siltation of watercourses in or
surrounding the study area. Mitigation for impacts to watercourses will be dealt with in
more detail in the water quality and hydrology section of the environmental
assessment.

Mitigation of habitat fragmentation

Many of the impacts of habitat fragmentation/barrier effects are not practicably
mitigatable. Continuation of a similar habitat type/structure onto the road
embankments and mounding within the site may provide some mitigation, by reducing
the effective barrier width.

Specific Mitigation

Excavated peat will be placed strategically around the site and allowed to re-vegetate
naturally. It is expected that peatland species such as Ling Heather and Soft Rush
would colonize these mounds in a relatively short period of time. It is important that
peat from the surface layer (brown peat) be spread on the surface of these mounds
and not the lower highly humified peat (black peat) as this will re-vegetate at a much
quicker rate. During construction care should be taken when working in the more
sensitive blanket bog habitats to ensure that compaction and habitat disturbance does
not occur away from the footprint of the development. Construction staff should be
aware of the sensitive nature of the bog habitat.

Residual Impacts

The proposed development should not have any significant negative residual
ecological impacts on terrestrial habitats or flora of high conservation importance.

Fauna
Birds
This site recorded eighteen species during the breeding season. During the winter bird
survey this site recorded five species of birds, all of which were recorded on the site
and not flying over the site. Indications and signs of two other species were noted
though these birds were not seen.

In conclusion the majority of this site is of low ecological importance as far as habitats
are concerned – apart from the greater part of the blanket bog, the other habitats
present have been modified. There is a high biomass/biodiversity of birds on this site
and most are common and widespread species. This development does not pose any
threat locally or nationally to any of these species. The ground nesters and site-
specific species such as larks and pipits will be most likely to be affected but only
temporarily during the construction phase. Adverse effects on these species would be
at most of moderate significance regionally and in fact such adverse effects are more
likely to be of low/negligible significance.

The fact that no merlin were present during the 2004 survey season is irrelevant as
they may return at any time to a productive area such as this. This fact means that

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turbines must be sited away from their core usage area, which has been identified as
the northeastern edge of the site, proximal to and bounding Altmore forest. The two
nesting sites identified in 1998 and 1999, and the plucking hummocks are within this
core area. The developer’s preliminary design had placed turbines within this core
area. Following consultation with the developer all turbines were moved out of this
area and a distance was insisted on between the core area and the closest turbine. To
facilitate this the developer has used larger capacity turbines, than in the preliminary
design, and therefore less turbines are needed on site to produce the same amount of
electricity.

All turbines are now at a considerable distance from the core area and are placed on
habitats that are unsuitable for merlin nesting. The foraging area for merlin is not
reduced by this layout and there remain considerable tracts of unused blanket bog
and modified bog for the merlin to forage on. A few immediate mitigation measures
should be undertaken to protect breeding and overwintering birds from major
disturbance if the proposed wind farm is approved.

Disturbance

(1) Disturbance in the form of cattle grazing and turbary use are outside the influence
of the developer. No grazing took place on the merlin ‘core area’ pre 1999 and the
disturbance and damage to this habitat as a result of grazing may be behind the fact
that the merlin has not bred here this year. No mitigation can be proposed for this
disturbance although it would be preferable if grazing within the merlin core area could
be stopped.

The fence posts around the anemometer are being used as perches by corvids and
birds of prey to predate small birds and their nests. This is causing undue disturbance
to site specific species and should not be happening.

Mitigation
Black plastic bags should be placed on top of the fence posts to deter birds from
perching on them.

(2) Temporary disturbance to the avifauna of the site would occur mainly during the
construction phase. There may be some temporary impact on the local passerine
populations from construction activities but this will be minimal and once construction
is completed birds will use the site again in the same densities. A previous survey
(INIS Environmental Services, 2002) by the author of this report on a wind farm post
construction showed that densities of small birds using the site were back to pre
construction densities in two years.

Mitigation
Prior to construction any ground nesting birds nesting areas will be identified. These
areas will be marked out and avoided during the construction period.

(3) Post construction, there may be disturbance in the form of human activity
(maintenance) human activity on the site would constitute no more than a few visits
per year.

Mitigation
Human activity should be kept to a minimum at all times and people should restrict
their movement to onsite roads. Access to the site should be restricted to the
operators of the wind farm and local farmers.

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Habitat Loss

(1) Loss of some habitat inevitably results from wind farm construction.

Mitigation
The habitat within the merlin core area must be retained. No movements of machinery
or personnel should take place within this zone. This area needs to be marked off to
prevent entry.

No turbines should be placed proximal to the identified breeding/foraging area of the

Merlin. The habitats that the turbines have been positioned on are not suitable for
breeding Merlin as Merlin nest on the ground amongst old heather and recently with
increasing frequency in conifer plantations. Therefore the wind farm does not
represent a habitat loss to their breeding habitat as the turbines have been placed on
habitat where the vegetation is low. Where turbines have been placed on blanket bog
these areas have been poached and grazed heavily.

Movements of construction machinery should be restricted to onsite roads to avoid

unnecessary loss of habitat.

Turbines should be sited as close as possible to onsite tracks and roads to avoid
excessive damage to breeding bird (ground nesting species) habitats.

Collision

Merlin

(1) At circ. 16 revolutions per minute, the blades present a low collision risk to birds on
the proposed site. The available evidence that moving blades could cause mortality
among merlin is very tenuous.

The prey chasing behaviour of the merlin involves quick chases over the heather. This
chase may bring them into contact with the turbines. Also the fact that they display
over the prospective nesting area might bring them into contact with the turbines.
These aerial displays are however infrequent (Sharrock 87).

Mitigation
The turbines have been placed away from the identified breeding area and also from
the area where birds have been active in the past i.e. plucking mounds.

Using solid tubular towers rather than the lattice design that was formerly used will
mitigate against collision for all bird species. The lattice form turbines had guy wires,
used for support, that accounted for many fatalities and also their structure enabled
and attracted birds to roost. This in turn caused fatalities as the birds approached and
left the roost.

With sensitive siting, design and timing of development, the effect that this proposed
windfarm will have on the biodiversity of birds breeding and wintering at Crockagarran
should be insignificant.

Mammals
Only three species of mammal were seen on the site. These were Pygmy shrew
Sorex minutus, Field mouse Apodemus sylvaticus and Fox Vulpes vulpes. The fox
was seen near the farm at the western edge of the proposed site and the shrews were
seen and heard in Soft Rush (Juncus effusus) near the area where the cattle are

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being fed (north of the site). The field mouse was seen as a male kestrel on the site
killed it.

The tracks of badger were seen close to where the cattle are being fed also. There are
no setts on the site and this area does not provide any foraging opportunities for
badgers, as their main staple is earthworms, which are foraged at night on open
grassland. Badgers tend to follow roads and small tracks foraging at night and will
probably use this route over and over if they find foraging opportunities here.

Fox scats were recorded from five on-site tracks and it is felt that these mammals
range over the entire site. They are most probably scavenging remains from the many
plucking posts identified in the northeastern edge of the site near the coniferous
forestry. Pygmy shrews were seen near where the cattle are being fed in areas of soft
rush. Pygmy shrews are strictly protected in Northern Ireland in accordance with its
listing in Appendix III of the Bern Convention. CEDRA records do not show any other
records for mammals in this area but it is safe to assume that there are other species
of mammal present both on and adjacent to the site.

Increased human activity and movement of machinery may interfere with badger
activity around the site. However in most cases, this is a temporary consequence of
the change in use of a site and it is felt that this proposed development does not pose
a threat to badgers either locally or regionally.

The impacts on mammals from this type of development will be minimal.

Speed restriction on traffic on site after darkness

To prevent injury to any badgers during the operation of the site, it is recommended
that vehicles on site after darkness should be restricted to a maximum of 20 mph
during the hours of darkness (morning or night). This measure should be made known
to all drivers and other staff and signs to this effect placed on site during the
construction phase.

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SOILS, GEOLOGY, HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY

The proposed windfarm development site (NGR IH 263000 367300) is located 6km
north of the town of Ballygawley in Co Tyrone. The site is located on a plateau in high
ground that rises slightly towards the east. It consists mainly of peat bog, although the
south east of the site is former peat bog that has been drained for use as agricultural
land. The surrounding landscape is mainly agricultural land, with Altmore Forest to the
east and a small hamlet of 9 houses to the west of the site.

The site is not a Regionally Important Geological Site. Due to the fact that there are no
widespread exposures on the site it does not (based on the information available and
site walkover) appear to possess significant features of geological value (in either solid
or drift geology).

The Soils Map for the area published on behalf of the Department of Agriculture for
Northern Ireland indicates that the majority of the site is classified as peat; this
extends past the southern boundary of the site. There are no noted areas of soils
considered as high quality agricultural land within the site or its surrounds. The site is
not considered to be Best or Most Versatile Land.

The site is comprised mostly of raised peat bog with a small area of drained peat bog
that is now being used for agricultural use. The proposed site is within the catchment
area of the Camawen River. The key hydrological features comprise three streams
that drain from the study area, there are also a number of areas of standing water
within the peat bog which tend to be located near areas of former peat cutting. These
streams are all tributaries of the Altanagh River, which in turn is a tributary of the
Camawen River

The study area is mostly peat bog, underlain by clay. The sandy clay acts as an
impermeable barrier to downward migration of groundwater. Thus, the groundwater is
likely to be relatively near the surface held within peat.

This assessment, based upon the desk study, consultation exercise, site walkover and
interpretation of findings has drawn the following conclusions:

• The impact of the proposed windfarm on the local geology is negligible therefore
no mitigation measures are needed.

• The development will result in the loss of land and the removal of soils. It would
be considered good practice to re-use existing soils and peat immediately post-
construction restoration works or on poorer areas of the existing site. Storage of
material for reinstatement during decommissioning should be encouraged.
During decommissioning turbine bases and tracks constructed shall be
reinstated wherever practicable. Through the implementation of these mitigation
measures the resultant residual impact will be negligible.

• Development in the area has the potential to increase the risk of contamination
of surface and groundwater and/or dewatering, particularly during the
construction phase. The adoption of best practice and the appropriate mitigation
measures detailed will result in a residual impact of minor/negligible for
hydrology/hydrogeology.

Should the nature of proposals change significantly this assessment should be

reviewed.

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ARCHAEOLOGY

There is no known archaeology within the proposed site area. A simple mitigation
strategy has been devised for any actual physical impact on any hidden archaeology
within the site (see below).

Archaeological Trenching
Prior to the beginning of site works, the licensed archaeologist should be allowed to
carry out full mechanical archaeological trenching at the location of all the intrusive
site works. In particular, the area or ‘footprint’ of the wind turbine bases should be
completely excavated until either archaeological deposits or the surface of the
subsoil/bedrock is reached. The same process should be carried out in relation to any
other site works that will penetrate into the ground surface. This will include any
access roads, or services, including telegraph poles/ power lines. This will ensure that
any archaeological features or finds in the effected areas will be recovered. This
should be carried out in a controlled manner using a digger with a toothless bucket
under the direction the licensed archaeologist. If the results are negative, then the
particular spot can be considered archeologically sterile and site works can be carried
out to the required depth without further archaeological monitoring.

Trenching Technique
The archaeological trenching should be carried out using a digger with a smooth-
edged bucket under the direction and supervision of the licensed archaeologist. A
smooth-edged digger bucket leaves a clean surface. It is important to create a
smooth and clean surface, as this greatly aids the archaeologist’s ability to spot
archaeological features or objects and, conversely, to quickly give the trenched parts
of the site the archaeological ‘all clear’. Any bulldozer or a digger with a toothed
bucket would not be archaeologically acceptable, as they would leave a ragged
surface on which archaeological features could not be easily seen.

Timing of Operations
Once a particular area has been trenched down to the subsoil surface and has been
confirmed archaeologically sterile, that stretch will no longer need archaeological
monitoring. The exact phasing of this work is flexible and either large or small areas
can be dealt with at a time. This can be done continuously or in short phases,
according to practicalities and the wishes of the developer. The thoroughness of the
technique, rather than timing, is of most importance in terms of archaeology.
However, time must be allowed for the possibility of the need for meticulous
archaeological excavation of any archaeological material or sites uncovered.

Archaeological Manpower
In general, an archaeologist can only monitor one machine at a time during trenching
and a separate archaeologist must be present in each area where trenching is being
carried out at any given time.

Recording and Excavation

Any archaeological sites or features discovered during monitoring, trial trenching or
otherwise must (if preservation in situ is not an option) be fully excavated, recorded
and written up into a final report to publication standard. This work must all be carried
out by a team of qualified archaeologists under the direction of the licensed
archaeologist.

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Preservation in Situ
Preservation in situ is always the preferred option. Preservation options may include
the alteration of the location or design of structures within the development in order to
prevent impact on any uncovered archaeological sites. In some cases, sites can,
under strict guidelines and archaeological direction, be buried in order to preserve
them for future generations to investigate. However, if an archaeological site is to be
preserved intact within the development, the developer would have to satisfy the
licensed archaeologist and the Environment and Heritage Service that the site would
remain intact indefinitely. Preservation of an archaeological site within a development
would permanently restrict future land use on the effected stretch of land.

Post-Excavation Work and Final Report

In addition to funding the fieldwork, the developer must also fund the writing up of the
findings by the licensed archaeologist to a publication standard. Funding may also be
required for specialist archaeological services, such as radiocarbon dating,
conservation, osteoarchaeology etc., depending on the nature on any discoveries.
These services are a basic requirement for the assessment of some types of
evidence.

Appointing the Licensed Archaeologist

The archaeologist who is to carry out and direct the fieldwork should be appointed by
the developer at least several weeks before preliminary site works are to commence.
No archaeologist can carry out any of the fieldwork/ mitigation measures discussed
above without obtaining an excavation licence. These licenses must be applied for to
the Environment and Heritage Service, who may take a few weeks to process the
application. This Archaeological Impact Report with its mitigation measures also
serves as the ‘written scheme of works’ referred to on most planning documents if the
scheme is agreed with the Environment and Heritage Service. If so, a copy can be
enclosed with the licence application form by the appointed archaeologist. The
developer must send written notification of their full agreement to the mitigation
measures described above to the archaeological consultant and the planning section
of the Environment and Heritage Service (Built Heritage/ Ancient Monuments) before
the license can be issued. The archaeologist must remain within the scheme of
works/mitigation measures discussed in the Archaeological Impact Statement. If
circumstances require a major divergence from these measures, the archaeologist
may have to consult with the Environment and Heritage Service. The EHS case officer
will be notified of the director’s intent to commence site works. The EHS case officer
will be provided with the contact details of the nominated director in advance of any
site works. The EHS case officer will be notified immediately of all discoveries that
may affect the current programme of works. The EHS case officer will be updated on
a regular basis on the progress of the site works.

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ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE

The proposed site was visited and a visual examination of the surrounding area was
carried out from each corner and the highest points of the site. The visit took place on
a partially cloudy day with visibility of at least 5 km. The area was isolated moorland
with no buildings and 2 temporary masts within the site.

The surrounding area was surveyed for any electromagnetic activity. Apart from the
usual broadcast band stations at VHF and UHF there was very little other activity. The
levels from 380 to 420 MHz were barely discernable indicating that there were no
nearby emergency services radio transmitters operating in this band.

Some of the houses to the west of the site had TV aerials pointing across the site and
the turbine blades may well interrupt the signals and cause interference. Other
adjacent houses had their TV aerials pointing in the opposite direction indicating that
either direction would give acceptable signals.

Subject to the broadcast authorities, emergency services communications authorities,

CAA and mobile phone companies having no objections, the conclusion is that the
impact of EM Interference to this project is low.

The nearest buildings were at least 700 m from any of the proposed masts and apart
from the cluster of houses and works at the north west end of the site there is unlikely
to be any significant interference due to the turbine blades.

The impact of electromagnetic interference to this project is low because there are
very few dwellings in an area likely to be affected and there is very little
electromagnetic activity in the area surrounding the site.

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SHADOW FLICKER
Wind turbines, as with trees or any other tall structure, can cast long shadows when
the sun is low in the sky. A phenomenon known as shadow flicker, which could be
considered a nuisance, even though the effect would be very short-lived, could occur
under certain conditions. This is where the blades of a wind turbine cast a shadow
over a window in a nearby house. The rotation of the blades might cause a shadow to
be cast every second or two in the room whose window is affected. These shadows
are not considered a nuisance outdoors any more than shadows from trees moving in
the wind.

The shadow flicker effect lasts for just a short period and depends for its occurrence
on the following factors: -

• The sun not being obscured and being at a low angle in the sky.
• The turbine being directly between the sun and the affected property.
• There being enough wind for the turbines to be in operation.

The frequency of occurrence and strength of the shadow flicker effect is dependent on
seven basic parameters. The first four of these are fundamental and dictated by the
geographic location of the observer and the turbine, as well as the design of both the
turbine and observation point (i.e. size and number of windows):

• where the observer is in relation to the turbine and the sun (distance and bearing);
• intervening vegetation or buildings between turbine and observer;
• the location, size, and type of windows on the observers residence; and
• how high the sun is in the sky at a given time.

The remaining three parameters are ‘moderating variables’ dependent on the wind
regime, and the site weather conditions:

• the plane of rotation of the turbine rotor;

• whether the sun light is strong or diffused by clouds; and
• whether the turbine is running or not.

The principal means of reducing the potential for shadow flicker is by turbine siting and
maintaining a suitable turbine exclusion zone around sensitive receptors.

If a flicker nuisance was identified after entering service the impact could be mitigated,
by restricted running of the problem turbine(s) during the few hours when shadow
flicker was a problem.

The shadow prediction value of 77.7 hours at worst case for house H26 would be
reduced by the moderating factors of rotor plane, cloud and operational hours to a
value of less than 16 hours (Less than the 30 hours deemed acceptable at the
German Court Case).

There are approximately 11 properties that could potentially be affected by shadow

flicker, however given that seven circumstances must occur simultaneously for this to
occur and the capability of the turbine to shut down for selective periods it is
considered that shadow flicker should not present any significant problems of
annoyance or nuisance, therefore no mitigation is proposed.

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NOISE
The site is located on Crockagarran to the south west of Sluggan. The most proximate
residential properties are located to the north and west of the site approximately 520
m from the nearest proposed wind turbine. The proposal is to construct the wind farm
with six 3Mw wind turbines positioned across the site. The site is remote and the
predominant noise source is created by the environmental conditions and the
occasional vehicle pass-by. All areas of the site are currently used for agricultural
purposes or left fallow.

Once the units are functioning only occasional traffic will attend the site for
maintenance and test procedures. The existing traffic levels on the site approach
roads are very low. The additional occasional traffic in the area would not constitute
any significant increase and no significant noise impact would result.

During construction there may be increases in HGV movement, transporting plant and
turbine machinery to the site. Such impact will be limited to a short period of time and
be occasional rather than regular. Occasional “tourist” visitors to the site, (possible
school groups, energy or environmental interest groups, curious individual parties),
may cause additional traffic.

The following mitigation measures are recommended to offset any construction noise
impact: -

• positioning of static plant as far as possible from residential properties, and

utilising available screening by temporary structures, stock piles, etc.
• use of well maintained plant, and where possible new plant manufactured under
more strict EC guidelines for manufacturers.
• substitution of unsuitable plant.
• maintenance of silencers and moving components.
• Given the limited impact it would not be appropriate to require noise monitoring of
the site.
• It is recommended that the appropriate party should appoint or delegate a
‘responsible person’ who will be present on site and who will be willing to answer
and act upon queries from the local public.
• If there are items of plant (e.g. dewatering pumps and similar) that necessitate use
over 24 hours, they should be chosen, sited and enclosed such that levels at the
nearest residential properties do not exceed World Health Organisation guidelines
of 45 dB LAeq.

Conclusions
Noise surveys have been conducted at the site during daytime and night-time and a
noise “climate” of the existing area has been obtained. The area is very rural and the
predominant noise source at the site is environmental noise and occasional localised
transportation movement.

It is calculated that the potential noise impact of the turbines operating at higher wind
speeds may well be below the target noise level, based on the existing background
noise levels at low wind speeds. The background noise levels at higher wind speeds
will be higher than the predicted noise level at the near sited residential properties. It is
therefore submitted that the potential noise impact of these turbines, when operating,
will be below the ETSU target level, and will not create a significant impact at the most
proximate residential properties.

Traffic and Construction noise will be negligible at near sited receptors.

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CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ROADS

On-Site Access Tracks

Existing tracks and roads within the site will be upgraded and new access tracks will
be built as necessary to provide construction access to the individual turbines. The
site tracks will generally have a 4.5m wide running surface, widening at bends,
junctions and crane hardstandings to suit the long turbine delivery vehicles. In
addition, temporary passing bays may be constructed alongside the access tracks in
positions to be determined during construction.

Off-Site Access Road

Two access routes to the proposed wind farm site were considered for the exceptional
loads, e.g. wind turbine components.

Haulage Route Option 1

The first haulage route considers the turbine components being brought into the
Lisahally Port in Londonderry. From here, the abnormal loads would be transported
along the A2, then onto the A5 to Strabane. The A5 is followed through Strabane and
onto Omagh. It is considered that once at Omagh, the components will be transported
through Omagh by use of the new Omagh by-pass which is currently being
constructed. However, it is estimated that the Omagh by-pass will not be operational
until July / August of 2006. Therefore an alternative route, with the turbine
components brought into the Port of Larne, has been considered and this route is
described in greater detail below. For the first haulage route, having passed through
Omagh, the components will be transported along the A5 before a left turn is made
onto the Altamaskin Road. This road is followed until a right turn is made onto the
Whitebridge Road. The Whitebridge Road is followed before a right turn is made onto
the Gleneeny Road. The Gleneeny Road is followed before a right turn is made into
the site access.

Haulage Route Option 2

The second haulage route considers the turbine components being brought into the
Port of Larne. From the Port of Larne, the components are transported along the A8,
then onto the M2 towards Belfast. The components are then transported along the
Westlink and then onto the M1 towards Dungannon. At the end of the M1, the A4 is
followed until the Ballygawley roundabout. At this roundabout, the A5 is taken towards
Omagh. From the A5, a right turn is made onto the Altamaskin Road. As before, the
components are transported along Altamaskin Road, before a right turn is made onto
the Whitebridge Road. This road is followed before a right turn is made onto the
Gleneeny Road. The site access is located off the Gleneeny Road.

Suitability of the Proposed Access Route

For the proposed routes, there are sections of roads with reduced widths, where other
vehicles would be unable to pass construction vehicles. These sections of roads are
mainly along the Whitebridge Road and the Gleneeny Road.

It is intended that exceptional loads will have a police escort along such stretches of
road and that delivery of abnormal loads, where possible, will be made during off peak
traffic periods. The final stretch of road (along the Woodbridge Road and Gleneeny
Road) approaching the site entrance shall be subjected to extensive warning and
directional sign regimes during the times in the programme when construction traffic
will be at its most frequent and when deliveries of abnormal loads are due.

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Whitebridge Road / Gleneeny Road Junction

Abnormal loads will overrun grass verges and will encroach slightly into a field that is
owned by the developer. Temporary works required involve the removal of the
boundary fence that consists of timber posts and wire fencing. A new fence will have
to be erected as required by the road realignment. Grass verges will have to be
strengthened by use of steel plates. The grass levels of the field will have to be
adjusted accordingly to tie in with existing road levels. Street furniture will have to be
temporarily relocated or removed during the delivery period. There are areas of
overgrown trees and hedging that will have to be trimmed back.

In addition to the above, street furniture will have to be temporarily relocated or

removed at locations throughout the proposed route. Areas of overgrown mature
trees and hedges will need to be trimmed back along the haulage route. The
Gleneeny Road is a road of narrow width and all trees and hedges will need to be
trimmed back for delivery of abnormal loads. There is street furniture along the
Gleneeny Road that will have to be relocated. Grass verges along this road will have
to be strengthened by use of steel plates also.

There are several structures along this route which may be adversely affected due to
the combined loading of the delivery vehicle and the turbine components. Such
structures will have to be structurally assessed. Improvements will be made to any
structure that does not have the capacity to carry the loading. Such improvements will
be made prior to any other construction work commencing.

Any modifications will be made in accordance with recommendation from DRD Roads
Service. It is also noted that Article 11 of the Roads Order (1991) will be required to
execute these works. The developer will comply with any legal conditions for such
improvements to be made, with the grant of planning permission.

Implementation of the most appropriate method of traffic management will be agreed

by the developer / contractor and DRD Roads Service prior to construction
commencing.

Vehicle Movements

Vehicle movements can be divided into four distinct phases: -

i) Civil works;
ii) Wind turbine erection;
iii) Routine inspection and maintenance;
iv) Major maintenance and final decommissioning.

Given that over the whole construction period, the average number of return vehicle
movements involved in the construction of the wind farm has been estimated at about
20 heavy goods vehicles per day, the overall impact upon normal vehicle movements
may be regarded as reasonable. Within these figures maximum numbers of vehicle
movements have been estimated at approximately 80 per day, which will most likely
arise when concrete for the turbine bases is being delivered. These days will not be
consecutive, but may be 1-2 weeks apart. It is considered that on these days there
will be a significant impact on normal vehicle movements in the locality. In all other
circumstances, construction site traffic will be kept to a minimum where reasonably
practicable.

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SOCIO – ECONOMIC
The total cost of erecting 6 number wind turbines at Crockagarran excluding the cost
of the Wind Turbine Generators themselves estimated at approximately £3 million or
an approximately estimated cost per turbine of £500,000. This money would be spent
on the engineering, civil works, electrical works, other works, substation construction,
wind turbine generator delivery to site, assembly and erection, transmission lines and
site management.

Provision of site facilities, concrete foundations and access tracks, together with
general civil engineering and technical services, can benefit local companies,
contractors and their employees.

It is anticipated that the wind farm development will affect the locality in the following
ways: -

• Local expenditure during the construction phase, on-site investigations, studies,

monitoring and legal and commercial costs
• Local expenditure on plant and materials
• Effects of initial employment and expenditure on services and activities.
• Local expenditure on operational activities including employment of maintenance
and operational staff, ongoing supply of local materials, services and equipment as
necessary
• Income from rental of land to landowners and associated ‘knock on’ effects
• Payment of Local Authority Rates to Omagh District Council
• Energy generated will feed directly into the local NIE electricity distribution grid.
• Reduction in use of fossil fuels and resulting reduction in Carbon Dioxide levels,
which will be of general benefit to the health of the local community. The proposed
project will lead 45,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide, the main greenhouse gas and
cause of global climate change, being avoided north and south of the border per
annum.
• Wages and salaries to local employees.
• The energy generated by the wind farm development will meet all the electricity
needs of approximately 11,700 homes in Ireland.
• Increased security of energy supply in Northern Ireland and an off-setting of the
effects of long term oil price rises
• Diversity of supply

Through the lifespan of the wind farm on the site at Crockagarran, the Developer will
continually monitor and investigate the potential for investment into the local
community.

The developer will aim to support community based projects in the locality of
Crockagarran, and will set aside a sum of money per turbine into a fund to support
qualifying projects. Discussions regarding management of the fund are in progress.

The development of this project has the potential to have a beneficial impact on areas
of the local economy such as community investment, employment during the
construction and operational phases, and the tourist industry and other indirect
benefits to local services.

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AIR AND CLIMATE

Northern Ireland currently depends on fossil fuels for the supply of the bulk of the
national primary energy requirement. Reserves of fossil fuels are finite and as they
become depleted these fuels will become progressively more expensive. As the
various renewable technologies develop however, the price per unit of electricity
generated is falling in real terms. This is particularly true in the case of wind energy.

Current efforts to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources are driven by
international concerns over pollution and climate change. Fossil fuelled power
stations account for approximately one third of Carbon Dioxide emissions, the primary
greenhouse gas contributing to global warming, and consequential climate change.
They also emit sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, which are major contributors to
acid rain.

Wind generators do not emit greenhouse gases. Therefore installed wind capacity,
which replaces fossil fuel dependent capacity, reduces the emission of greenhouse
gases to the atmosphere. This is the major environmental impact of wind energy
installation. Wind energy is, in effect, a tool which is used to delay and possibly avoid
the predicted catastrophic effects of global warming.

No fumes or emissions are produced by the operation of the wind farm, other than
those associated with vehicles used by construction traffic and maintenance
engineers. The use of wind power for generating electricity produces no direct
atmospheric emissions and is therefore a major contributor to reducing levels of
atmospheric pollutants produced by other forms of electricity production. Local air
quality will therefore not be affected by the presence of the wind farm. The wind farm
will produce more energy with zero emissions in its first three months of operation
than the total required for its manufacture – including mineral extraction and refining –
and transport, construction and erection.

We have calculated that the Crockagarran site will offer the following significant
national benefits to Northern Ireland: -

• Power for 11,700 homes

• Displacement of 45,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide
• Displacement of 540 tonnes of Sulphur Dioxide
• Displacement of 180 tonnes of Nitrous Oxide
• Avoidance of 3150 tonnes of slag and ash
• Avoidance of the need to import 11,700 tonnes of fossil fuel.

Assuming that the project will be operational by 2007 and that it will save the gas
emission of 135,000 Tonnes of CO2 between 2007 and 2010 (3 years at 45,000
tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emission avoided per year), this translates to 2.7 % of the
2010 target in CO2 reduction.

The proposed windfarm will make a contribution to the reduction of the emissions of
carbon dioxide that contribute towards the greenhouse effect, and sulphur and
nitrogen oxides which cause acid rain. The increase in non-renewable energy
generation and use will have a positive impact in terms of both air quality and climate
and as such no mitigation is required.

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Wind Farm Development Proposals
Crockagarran County Tyrone
A McCrory & W&H Alexander Civil Engineering Limited
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HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Statutory provisions relevant to Northern Ireland are as follows: -

• The Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978

• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (NI) 2000
• The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (NI) 1995
• The Construction (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations (NI) 1996
• Electricity at Work Regulations (NI) 1991
• Noise at Work Regulations 1989
• Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
• Manual Handling Operations 1992
• The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 2000
• Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989
• The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

All relevant legislation will be adhered to during all stages of development. The
implementation of current best practice and technology will be used so as to minimise
any risks that might be associated with this project. The implementation of the
construction design and management principles will result in a quality product, built,
operated and maintained to the highest standards of safety.

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Non Technical Summary July 2005
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Wind Farm Development Proposals
Crockagarran County Tyrone
A McCrory & W&H Alexander Civil Engineering Limited
_______________________________________________________________

LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL

Wind farms are considered in variable ways by different people and the Landscape
and Visual Assessment has attempted to be objective in what could be considered a
very subjective matter. Some people find wind turbines attractive, interesting and
acceptable landscape features providing a positive symbolic value giving an image of
a sustainable, non-polluting renewable energy as opposed to the blight caused by
other forms of energy provision schemes. Some people find wind turbines unsightly
elements in the environment that compromise the upland landscape character and
visual quality of any view. Many people do not have an opinion either way.

The existing uplands of Slievemore Mountain provides a skyline backdrop to valley

areas to the north and south but the gentle topography of the surrounding drumlin
landscape ensures that many views of the subject site are closed off. The subject site
appears little used and is set amongst a landscape that, while appearing windswept
and wild has been extensively affected by man’s intervention.

The uplands area is not promoted as a tourist or visitor amenity and carries no
designations in the local area or district plans.

The proposal involves construction of 6 Wind Turbines and ancillary equipment on

Crockagarran Mountain. The wind turbines total height is 125 m (inclusive of the
blades)

The most appreciable changes will be to the area within 2 km of centre of the subject
site on the upland plateaux but this area is not heavily settled or used. The changes
are likely to have a moderate effect on the landscape character for the occasional
road users and properties at Crocknabohill while there will be a slight negative effect
on the visual amenity.

The majority of “visual receptors” are located in the valley areas. Views from these
areas are intermittent, partial and often completely obscured by intervening ridgelines
and mature vegetation. Where views are afforded, they are generally distant and
effects on the landscape character will be minor with a slight negative effect on visual
amenity. The open upland landscape is of such a wide and large-scale panoramic
nature that the proposals can be effectively absorbed.

To be as objective as possible, consideration was given by the design team to the

number, size, colour and nature of the turbines and their location insofar that they
were of an appealing nature in terms of design and the landscape did not appear to be
cluttered and completely dominated by these new introductions. In the consultant’s
opinion, this has been successfully achieved.

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WDR & RT Taggart Page 27