Consultation

As per the Onshore Wind Policy Statement (2022), The Scottish Government is committed to putting communities front and centre when it comes to the development of renewable projects in Scotland. Following the Good Practice Principles for Community Benefit, the Applicant is committed to the community benefit staying in the local area. Community benefit can be transformational for the communities who host renewable developments, creating tangible benefits and achieving a lasting legacy for local communities.

The approach taken by the applicant is intended to ensure that the local community is strongly engaged and involved in agreeing the best approach for their area, one which fits their long-term needs and aspirations.

Shinness Windfarm Ltd is committed to delivering a community contribution of £5,000 per MW generated and will establish a methodology with the local community for the fair distribution of the monies.

The contribution will provide for the establishment of a Shinness fund for the local area; a Lairg Community Council area fund; and, a more regional fund for the benefit of community council areas to the north and west of the Lairg Community Council area where constraints rule out the development of a wind farm.

It is intended that the Shinness local area fund could, in part, make a financial contribution towards the power costs of each of the 72 residential properties within the Shinness local area. The balance of the local area funds could still be used to fund local betterment within Shinness through a local organisation established for this purpose.

A WORKED EXAMPLE OF HOW THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION FUNDS COULD BE USED IS AS FOLLOWS:
£5,000 x 105.6MW = £528,000 per annum for 40 years
OVERALL COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION EVERY YEAR FOR 40 YEARS
Shinness Household Power Contribution (72 homes x £1,250/ home): £90,000
Shinness local area fund: £TBC
Lairg Community Council: £TBC
Adjoining Community Councils (6 x £15,000): £90,000
comprising Bettyhill, Strathnavar and Altnaharra; Tongue; Durness; Kinlochbervie; Scourie; and, Assynt.

The applicant will continue to engage with the proposed fund recipients to reach a decision on how the fund for the Proposed Development would be distributed should the proposed development gain consent. The final split between the Shinness local area fund and Lairg Community Council will only be decided after the final public event on 8 February 2024.

Should the local community require more assistance in maximising the outcomes of the community benefit they would receive then there are national initiatives that can provide support. The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), delivered by Local Energy Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, provides funding and support to help communities identify their needs, aspirations and associated outcomes in relation to community benefits. Local Energy Scotland also hosts and administers a register of community benefits, which showcases community benefits provision across Scotland, and provide a number of community benefits case studies, which can help share knowledge and best practice.

In addition to the community benefit arrangements, the Proposed Development would directly and indirectly support jobs during construction and during operation across the Scottish economy.

The main contractor is likely to be Scotland-based, but it is assumed that whoever is appointed as the main contractor, that a significant proportion of the work will be conducted by sub-contractors and labour resident in the Highland region. The applicant is committed to giving local businesses every possible opportunity to share in the financial and employment benefits of the construction and operation of the Proposed Development. If consented and constructed, the Proposed Development will offer opportunities for local businesses such as accommodation providers, hire companies, fencing contractors, tradesmen, etc.

To secure a just transition to Net Zero that benefits all of Scotland’s communities, steps must be taken to ensure that our national, regional and local energy economies are thriving. Through the proposed community benefit measures, the applicant would help deliver increased access to affordable energy, improved local outcomes from community benefit, and providing
regional and local opportunities to participate in the transition to Net Zero.

An assessment will form part of the EIA Report, which will consider the temporary change in traffic flows and resultant temporary effects on the local road network. This will be supported by an Abnormal Load Route Survey detailing the consideration given to the delivery of turbine components to Site. The Proposed Development will utilise rock won from the construction works wherever possible to minimise/avoid the import of material from off-site. Mitigation required to avoid, minimise or offset temporary effects will be identified in the assessment.

Standard mitigation will include measures that are likely to be included in the assessment are:

• Production of a Construction Traffic Management Plan to address the physical impact of construction related traffic on local roads
• The design of suitable access arrangements with full consideration given to the road safety of all road users
• A Staff Sustainable Access Plan
• An abnormal road Wear and Tear Agreement to ensure the roads do not deteriorate solely as a result of the construction traffic associated with the Proposed Development
• A Framework Abnormal Load Transport Management Plan.

Additional mitigation will be included should the assessment reveal criteria that are significant following the application of standard mitigation measures. These site-specific measures will likely include upgrades to the A838.

It is considered that the information which will be submitted, will demonstrate the suitability of the proposed access routes to accommodate the predicted level of traffic generated by the Proposed Development.

If consented, then a road condition survey will be prepared prior to the commencement of construction, which will inform any change in the road condition during the construction phase. Any necessary repairs attributed to the Proposed Development on the local road network will be coordinated with THC via a Section 96 Agreement or similar agreement. Also, a trial run of the abnormal load route would be undertaken post consent.

Once operational, it is envisaged that the level of traffic associated with the Proposed Development will be minimal.

A Residential Visual Amenity Assessment will be undertaken to assess effects on residential visual amenity likely to be experienced at residential properties in close proximity to the site. Potential residential receptors are shown on a new plan included in the exhibition materials.

The proposed Shinness Wind Farm would be situated in rural environment where there are few other sources of non-natural noise. The noise which would be generated could be audible at nearby residential properties, depending on the turbine type and proximity to such locations, and noise limits are usually included in wind farm planning consents to protect amenity and prevent sleep disturbance.

Operational noise associated with the Proposed Development will be assessed in accordance with the requirements of relevant standards and guidance. Mitigation will be provided as required to ensure the Proposed Development would meet the relevant limits when operational.

There may be a short-term noise impact at some locations from the construction and decommissioning of the wind farm site and associated infrastructure, and from traffic movements associated with the delivery of construction materials and turbine components. However, construction works will generally be conducted during daytime hours and only for a short period. Construction and decommissioning of the site will occur at distances that are unlikely to result in a breach of typical construction noise limits.