2009, RSK Environment Ltd, Westermost Rough Offshore Wind Farm, Onshore Cable Route and Substation Environmental Impact Assessment

Description

This project is an Environmental Impact Assessment for a proposed onshore cable and substation associated with Westermost Rough Offshore Wind Farm. The project was undertaken by RSK Group PLC in 2009 and has been compiled by means of a desk-based study including a review of readily available information supplemented by data received from both statutory and non-statutory consultees, and field surveys for ecology and archaeology. Published information concerning the natural, physical and the built environment has been reviewed for a study area based upon the proposed onshore cable route and onshore substation site. This report describes the existing environment crossed by the proposed onshore cable route and in the vicinity of the proposed substation site. The report identifies the potential impacts to the environment caused by the construction, operation and decommissioning of the cable and substation; and identifies mitigation measures proposed to minimise potential impacts. This project covers all areas potentially impacted such as the human environment, traffic and transport, emissions (noise and air), land use and agriculture, archaeology and cultural heritage, landscape and visual, terrestrial ecology and the physical environment. This project incorporates a number of survey reports undertaken to allow for a complete Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed onshore cable and substation. This included a report from aerial photography analysis undertaken by Archaeological Research Services Ltd (2009) and a number of survey reports produced by RSK Carter Ecological including a habitat survey report (2008), badger report (2009), great crested newt survey report (2009), reptile report (2009), water vole and otter survey report (2009) and finally a bats survey report (2009). These reports are included in the appendices of the Environmental Impact Assessment report for the proposed onshore cable and substation associated with Westermost Rough Offshore Wind Farm.