North Argyll 275 kV Upgrade:

An Suidhe Substation
Environmental Appraisal

November 2022

i
CONTENTS

Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations 1-4

1. Introduction and Scope 1-8
1.1 Background to the Project 1-8
1.2 Consent Requirements 1-8
1.3 The Project 1-8
1.4 Environmental Appraisal 1-11
1.5 Environmental Appraisal Methodology 1-12
1.6 Mitigation 1-12
1.7 Cumulative Developments 1-13
1.8 Consultation 1-13
1.9 Structure of the Environmental Appraisal 1-15
2. Project Description 2-1
2.1 Introduction 2-1
2.2 Project Need 2-1
2.3 Location 2-1
2.4 Alternatives 2-2
2.5 The Project 2-5
2.6 Construction Works Programme 2-11
2.7 Description of Construction Works 2-12
2.8 Construction Environmental Management 2-16
2.9 Operational Phase 2-17
2.10 Decommissioning Phase 2-19
3. Landscape and Visual Appraisal 3-3
3.1 Introduction 3-3
3.2 Guidance and Methodology 3-3
3.3 Planning Policy Context 3-4
3.4 Landscape Baseline Environment 3-5
3.5 Visual Baseline and Receptors 3-7
3.6 Embedded Mitigation 3-8
3.7 ZTV and Viewpoint Analysis 3-8
3.8 Appraisal - Construction Effects 3-12
3.9 Appraisal - Operational Landscape Effects 3-13
3.10 Appraisal - Operational Visual Effects 3-17
3.11 Appraisal - Cumulative Effects 3-20
3.12 Summary of Effects 3-22
3.13 References 3-23
4. Ecology and Ornithology 4-2
4.1 Introduction 4-2
4.2 Methodology 4-2
4.3 Baseline 4-3
4.4 Appraisal – Construction Effects 4-12
4.5 Cumulative Assessment 4-16
4.6 Mitigation 4-19
4.7 Residual Impacts and Compensatory Habitat 4-19
4.8 Summary of Effects 4-22
5. Forestry 5-2
5.1 Introduction 5-2
5.2 Objectives 5-2
5.3 Guidance 5-2
5.4 Methodology 5-2
5.5 Results 5-5
5.6 Assessment of Effects 5-6

1-1
5.7 Mitigation 5-11
5.8 Appraisal Summary 5-12
5.9 Mitigation Proposals 5-13
6. Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology 6-1
6.1 Study Area 6-2
6.2 Surface Hydrology 6-2
6.3 Coastal Waters 6-2
6.4 Hydrogeology 6-2
6.5 Flood Risk 6-3
6.6 Geology 6-3
6.7 Soils 6-3
6.8 Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTEs)6-3
6.9 Public Water Supplies 6-4
6.10 Private Water Supplies 6-4
6.11 Designated Sites 6-5
6.12 Sensitivity of Receptors 6-5
6.13 Appraisal - Potential Construction Effects - Substation 6-7
6.14 Appraisal - Potential Construction Effects - OHL 6-9
6.15 Appraisal - Potential Operational Effects - Substation 6-10
6.16 Appraisal - Potential Operational Effects - OHL 6-11
6.17 Appraisal - Cumulative Effects 6-12
6.18 Summary of Impacts 6-14
7. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 7-1
7.1 Introduction 7-2
7.2 Appraisal Methodology 7-2
7.3 Baseline 7-2
7.4 Appraisal – Direct Effects 7-5
7.5 Mitigation 7-5
7.6 Appraisal – Indirect Effects 7-6
7.7 Summary of Effects 7-7
8. Noise Assessment 8-1
8.1 Introduction 8-1
8.2 Site Descriptions 8-1
8.3 Development Proposals 8-1
8.4 Legislation and Guidance 8-2
8.5 Scope of the Assessment 8-2
8.6 Consultation 8-3
8.7 Policy 8-3
8.8 Criteria for Assessing Sensitivity of Receptors 8-5
8.9 Criteria for Assessing Magnitude of Change 8-5
8.10 Significance Criteria 8-6
8.11 Baseline Noise Survey 8-7
8.12 Measurement Locations 8-7
8.13 Meteorological Conditions 8-7
8.14 Measurement Equipment 8-7
8.15 Measurement Results 8-8
8.16 Noise emission data 8-8
8.17 Construction Noise 8-8
8.18 Construction Traffic Noise 8-10
8.19 Construction Vibration 8-11
8.20 Operational Substation Noise 8-11
8.21 Noise modelling 8-12
8.22 Assessment 8-12
8.23 Construction Noise 8-12

1-2
8.24 Operational Substation Noise 8-13
8.25 Cumulative impacts 8-13
8.26 Mitigation Measures 8-14
8.27 Summary 8-14
9. Traffic and Transport 9-1
9.1 Introduction 9-1
9.2 Appraisal Methodology 9-1
9.3 Access 9-1
9.4 Baseline 9-2
9.5 Construction Traffic 9-2
9.6 Mitigation 9-6
9.7 Operational Traffic 9-8
9.8 Summary of Effects 9-9
10. Mitigation Proposals 10-1

Annex A: General Environmental Management Plans

Annex B: EIA Screening Letter
Annex C: Landscape Assessment Methodology
Annex D: Landscape Character Sensitivity Table
Annex E: Photomontages and Landscape Figures
Annex F: Ornithology Consultation
Annex G: Extended Ecology Phase 1 Habitat Survey
Annex H: Species Protection Plans
Annex I: Forestry
Annex J: Drainage Strategy and Drainage Plans
Annex K: Hydrology Methodology
Annex L: Private Water Supply Risk Assessment
Annex M: Water Construction Management Plan
Annex N: Peat Management Plan
Annex O: Peat Slide Risk Assessment
Annex P: Transformer Delivery Route Report
Annex Q: Cultural Heritage Appraisal and Site Gazetteer
Annex R: Noise and Vibration

1-3
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Term/Abbreviation Expanded Term/Definition

ABC Argyll and Bute Council

ACoW Archaeological Clerk of Works

AOD Above Ordnance Datum

APQ Area of Panoramic Quality

Attenuation The reduction of the impact or effect of something. E.g, Noise attenuation
comprises the reduction in level of a sound between the source and a receiver
due to any combination of effects including distance, atmospheric absorption,
acoustic screening, the presence of a building façade, etc.

Backclothing Where elements (such as a proposed development) are seen below the
skyline/horizon, and against a backdrop, thereby making them less prominent
(potentially).

Background Noise The noise level rarely fallen below in any given location over any given time
period, often classed according to day time, evening or night time periods. The
LA90 indices is often used to represent the background noise level.

BAP Biodiversity Action Plan

BGS British Geological Survey

BNG Biodiversity Net Gain

BOCC Birds of Conservation Concern

CEMP Construction Environmental Management Plan

CoWRP Control of Woodland Removal Policy

CIRIA Construction Industry Research and Information Association

CLG Community Liaison Group

CTMP Construction Traffic Management Plan

Cumulative Effects Effects arising from the additional or combination of developments which are in
construction, have been consented or are reasonably foreseeable. May be
experienced in combination, concurrently or sequentially.

dB Decibel. A unit of level derived from the logarithm of the ratio between a value
and a reference value typically used to describe acoustic quantities. The scale
used is the decibel (dB) scale which extends from 0 to 140 decibels
corresponding to the intensity of the sound level.

dB(A) A-weighted decibel. A frequency weighting applied to noise levels to mimic the
human ear’s response to sound.

Designated Landscape Areas of landscape identified as being of importance at international, national or

local levels, either defined by statute or identified in development plans or other
documents.

EA Environmental Appraisal

ECoW Ecological Clerk of Works

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EIA Report Environmental Impact Assessment Report

Electricity Work EIA Electricity Work (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations
Regulations 2017

1-4
Term/Abbreviation Expanded Term/Definition

ENVFOR The Scottish Government’s Environment and Forestry Department

ESQCR Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations
FCS Forestry Commission Scotland
FISA Forest Industry Safety Accord
FLS Forestry and Land Scotland
FoS Factors of Safety
FWM Forestry Works Manager
GIS Gas Insulated Switchgear

GIS mapping Geographical Information System

GLVIA Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition,
published jointly by the Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental
Management and Assessment.

GSP Grid Supply Point

GWDTE Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystem

Ha Hectare

HER Historic Environmental Record

Heritage Asset Those parts of the historic environment that have significance and are worthy of
consideration in planning matters are referred to as heritage assets. Heritage
assets include standing, buried or submerged remains, buildings, parks and
gardens and areas, sites and landscapes including designated sites and those
identified by the local planning authority. World Heritage Sites, Scheduled
Monuments, Listed Buildings, protected wreck sites, Inventory Gardens and
Designed Landscapes, Inventory Battlefields and Conservation Areas are all
heritage assets

HES Historic Environment Scotland

HGV Heavy Goods Vehicle

Hz Hertz. Standard unit of measurement used for measuring frequency. Sound

frequency refers to how quickly the air vibrates, or how close the sound waves
are to each other (in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz)).

IBA Important Bird Area

IEMA Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment

km Kilometre

kV Kilovolt

Landscape Human perception of the land conditioned by knowledge and identity with a
place

Landscape Character A landscape type will have broadly similar patterns of geology, landform, soils,
Type vegetation land use, settlement and field pattern discernible in maps and field
survey records

Landscape Sensitivity (to The extent to which a landscape can accept change of a particular type and
a specific type of change) scale.

LCA Landscape Character Assessment

LCT Landscape Character Type

LGV Light Goods Vehicles

1-5
Term/Abbreviation Expanded Term/Definition
LTFP Long-Term Forest Plan
m Metre

Magnitude (of change) A term that combines judgements about the size and scale of the effect, the
extent of the area over which occurs, whether it is reversible or irreversible and
whether it is short or long term in duration.

Methodology The specific approach and techniques used for a given study.

Mitigation Measures Measures including any process, activity or design process to avoid, reduce,
remedy or compensate for adverse impacts of a development.

Mph Miles per hour

MW Megawatt

NETS SQSS National Electricity Transmission System Security and Quality of Supply
Standard

NGR National Grid Reference

NHZ Natural Heritage Zone

NS Nature Scot

NS NatureScot
OC Operational Corridor
OHL Overhead Line

PMP Peat Management Plan

RAMSAR Site Wetlands of International Importance designated under the Ramsar Convention.

Residual Effects Effect of development after mitigation/embedded mitigation or design proposals

are taken into account

RLB Site Redline boundary site; the redline boundary site for the purpose of this planning
application, comprising the Substation Site and additional land take to
accommodate ancillary works

SAC Special Area of Conservation

SEPA Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Setting Setting is more than the immediate surroundings of a site or building, and may
be related to the function or use of a place, or how it was intended to fit into the
landscape of townscape, the view from it or how it is seen from areas round
about, or areas that are important to the protection of the place, site or building
(SPP 2014).

Significance A measure of importance or gravity of the environmental effect defined by

significance criteria specific to the environmental topic

Skylining The proposed development (or aspects of it) would be seen on the skyline.
The contrast between the proposed development and the sky would generally
render the proposed development more visible/prominent in views than if it were
backclothed by topography.

SM Scheduled Monument

SNH Scottish Natural Heritage

SPA Special Protection Area

SSEN Transmission Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission plc

1-6
Term/Abbreviation Expanded Term/Definition

SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest

Substation Platform The level platform to be delivered within the Substation Site

Substation Site The An Suidhe Substation Site

SUDS Sustainable Urban Drainage System

Town and Country Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland)
Planning EIA Regulations Regulations 2017

Visual Amenity A particular composition of landscape elements that contribute to a view, or

views.

Visualisation A computer simulation, photomontage or other techniques illustrating the

predicted appearance of a development from a known location

VP View Point

Wireline A computer-generated line drawing of the DTM (digital terrain model) and the
proposed development from a known location.

WLA Wild Land Area

WoSAS West of Scotland Archaeology Service

ZTV Zone of Theoretical Visibility. A map, usually digitally produced, showing areas
of land within which a development is theoretically visible. Also known as a
Viewshed.

1-7
INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE
Background to the Project

This Environmental Appraisal Report ("EA Report") has been prepared by Environmental Resources
Management (ERM) on behalf of Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc ("the Applicant") who, operating and
known as Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission ("SSEN Transmission"), own, operate and
develop the high voltage electricity transmission system in the north of Scotland and remote islands. In this EA
Report, the Applicant and SSEN Transmission are used interchangeably unless the context requires otherwise.

The Applicant has a statutory duty under Schedule 9 of the Electricity Act 1989 to develop and maintain an
efficient co-ordinated and economical electrical transmission system in its licence area.

The Applicant proposes to construct a new 275 kV electricity substation, with associated overhead line works in
the vicinity of the existing An Suidhe substation (located at Grid Ref 204861 705524). The new substation will
connect into the recently completed overhead line between Inveraray and Crossaig which is capable of operation
at 275kV but at present is routed into the existing substation, so the overhead line requires to be realigned to
connect into the new substation. The substation and overhead line will support the export of renewable energy
generated within the Argyll area.

Consent Requirements

The Applicant is seeking consent from Argyll and Bute Council under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland)
Act 1997 (as amended) for construction and operation of the substation (hereby referred to as ‘the Proposed
Development’).

The size of the grid transformers falls under the National Planning Framework 3 Annex 3 description of High
Voltage Electricity Transmission Network and is therefore categorised as ‘National Development’ under the Town
and Country Planning (Hierarchy of Development) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (The Hierarchy Regulations).

The works to the overhead line (hereby referred to as ‘the Associated Development’) which comprise the
construction of six steel lattice towers to support overhead line conductors will be the subject of an application to
the Scottish Ministers under section 37 application of the Electricity Act 1989.

The Project

Although the Proposed Development and the Associated Development are being submitted under separate
consenting regimes, both developments are integral to the development at An Suidhe and will therefore hereby
be collectively referred to as ‘the Project’.

The location and main components of the Project is shown on Figure 1.1.

The Proposed Development, which is the subject of an application under the Town and Country Planning Act
comprises:

• A substation platform of 1.3 ha;

• A transformer building, control building and Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS)1 building:
• A temporary works area (TWA) adjacent to the Proposed Development site, of 0.69 ha;
• Access to the substation platform over an existing forestry access track, approximately 1.7 km in length,
to the new access track being constructed for the new substation referred to below;
• Construction of a new access track from the existing forestry track to the substation, approximately 280
m long; and

1
Within a GIS, live electrical equipment uses special gas as the insulating medium, usually sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas. The live electrical equipment is
enclosed in a building, rather than exposed. The use of gas reduced the clearance distances required between electrical equipment, resulting in a small
footprint, when compared to using an Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) solution.

1-8
 • Landscape planting to screen the Proposed Development and provide biodiversity enhancement.
In addition, tree felling and compensatory planting will be required, as described in Chapter 5 Forestry Appraisal
and Appendix I.

Components of the Associated Development which is the subject of an application under section 37 of the
Electricity Act 1989 are:

• Construction of six new steel lattice towers to support the realigned overhead line which will connect
into the new substation;
• Construction of new permanent access tracks leading to three towers, 295 m long
• Approximately 465 m of temporary access tracks leading to the 3 southern-most towers;
• Temporary overhead line (OHL) diversions required during construction;
• Dismantling of seven redundant towers.

In addition, the proposed 33 kV interconnector cable as seen in Figure 1.1 would be undergrounded to make
way for the Associated Development and can be carried out under Permitted Development rights.

Further details on the Project Description can be found in Chapter 2: Project Description.

1-9
 Environmental Appraisal

The Applicant recognises that the Project has the potential for effects on the environment. As such, a number of
environmental studies have been carried out, the results of which are detailed in this Environmental Appraisal
(EA).

This document considers the potential for environmental effects associated with the Proposed Development and
the Associated Development (together referred to as the Project) to accompany their respective planning
applications. Separate planning statements have been prepared that consider the Proposed Development and
the Associated Development in the context of current planning policy.

1.4.1 Screening Request

A request for an EIA Screening Opinion for the Proposed Development was submitted to Argyll and Bute Council
(ABC) in August 2021. ABC provided a Screening Opinion (see Annex B) for the Proposed Development on
22nd March 2022. ABC confirmed that an EIA is not required for the Proposed Development but stated that due to
the scale and nature of the development, and the quality and sensitivity of its landscape setting, an EA should be
submitted with any planning application. The EA should address the following topics:

• Landscape and Visual;

• Bare land Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV);

• Land Use designations material to the proposal;

• Ecology and Nature Conservation surveys;

• Ornithology surveys;

• Cultural Heritage;

• Forestry;

• Proposed landscaping and screening to substation compound;

• Design of SuDS proposals to promote biodiversity;

• Traffic and Transport;

• Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Soils;

• Amenity and Health (Noise and Vibration and Electromagnetic Fields);

• Recreation and Tourism (footpaths and access for recreation users of the woodland);

• Construction methodology and waste plan to include noise assessment in respect of construction
methodology should any protected species or sensitive receptors be identified within the locality of the
proposal that could be adversely impacted by construction noise.

A request for an EIA Screening Opinion for the Associated Development was submitted to the Scottish Ministers
via the Energy Consent Unit (ECU) in February 2022. However, immediately following this, further information
was requested by the ECU regarding other Screening Requests for similar projects in the area. In line with their
requests, additional information regarding the Project’s characteristics was provided including indicative locations
of the proposed substation and temporary works area, access tracks and indicative section of proposed
temporary diversion OHL. Figures detailing proposed works in relation to ecological designations were also
provided as part of the additional information, along with details of cumulative developments to be assessed
within the EA.

The Scottish Ministers, via the ECU confirmed on 10th May 2022 that the Associated Development is unlikely to
result in effects on the environment which are significant enough to require the submission of an EIA Report.

1-11
Environmental Appraisal Methodology

This EA considers the potential for environmental effects associated with the construction and operation of the
Project and follows the recommendations of the local planning authority and statutory authorities regarding
surveys and mitigation.

Whilst not a formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), this appraisal has followed a similar approach of
identifying the sensitivity of the receiving environment, assessing the magnitude of change or effect that the
Project may have and the subsequent significance of this effect or change on the receiving environment. An
illustration of the appraisal matrix is shown in Table 1.1.

Sensitivity may be physical, biological, cultural or human and refers to the capacity to accommodate change.
Where the resource is physical (for example, a water body) its quality, sensitivity to change and importance (on a
local, national and international scale) are considered. Where the resource/receptor is biological or cultural (for
example, a bird population), its importance (for example, its local, regional, national or international importance)
and its sensitivity to the specific type of impact are considered. Where the receptor is human, the vulnerability of
the individual, community or wider societal group is considered.

Magnitude describes the degree of change that the impact is likely to impart upon the resource/receptor and is a
function of the following impact characteristics:

• Extent;
• Duration;
• Scale;
• Frequency; and
• Likelihood (for unplanned events only).

Table 1.1 Environmental Appraisal Matrix2

Sensitivity of Receptor/Receiving Environment to

Change/Effect

High Medium Low Negligible

High Major Major Moderate Negligible

Magnitude of

Medium Major Moderate Minor Negligible

Change/

Low Moderate Minor Minor Negligible

Effect

Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible

Mitigation

The findings of the technical environmental studies have been used to inform the design of the project, and
hence achieve a ‘best fit’ with the environment. This approach has been adopted in respect of the Project; where
potentially significant effects have been identified, their avoidance or minimisation has been prioritised at the
design stage. This is referred to within this EA Report as ‘embedded mitigation’, i.e., mitigation that is embedded
within the project design, and includes best practice as well as design features.

In line with the mitigation hierarchy identified in the updated PAN 1/2013 (V1.0, 2017)3, the strategy of avoidance,
reduction, and remediation is a hierarchical one, which seeks to:

2
This is the standard SSEN Transmission approach as applied on all Developments
3
Planning Advice Note 1/2013: Environmental Impact Assessment, V1, Scottish Government, 2013
https://www.gov.scot/publications/planning-advice-note-1-2013-environmental-impact-assessment/documents/

1-12
 • First to avoid potential effects;
• Then to reduce those which remain; and
• Lastly, where no other measures are possible, to propose compensatory measures.

Appropriate mitigation measures are discussed within each technical chapter as relevant.

Cumulative Developments

Each technical assessment considers the nature of effects and includes cumulative effects with other
developments where appropriate. These are effects that result from incremental changes caused by past,
present or reasonably foreseeable developments together with the Development being assessed. For the
cumulative assessment, the combined effects of several developments in isolation may be insignificant but
cumulatively when considered with other developments have a significant effect.

The extent of any cumulative assessment is defined in each technical assessment chapter and is undertaken for
all technical assessments. Where no cumulative effects are likely, this is stated.

Consultation

1.8.1 Public Consultation

SSEN Transmission has carried out pre-application consultations to inform and engage with local communities
and members of the public with an interest in the Project.

As a result of the Covid 19 pandemic and in line with Scottish Government guidance on pre-application
consultations for major planning applications, during the Covid 19 emergency period, face to face events had to
be cancelled. To ensure effective engagement on the Project, the Applicant developed an online consultation tool
to enable the local community and stakeholders to experience the full exhibition at home on a PC, tablet or
mobile device. It was designed to look and feel like a face-to-face consultation in a community hall, with exhibition
boards, maps, interactive videos and the opportunity to share views on the proposals. A virtual consultation
event was launched on 14th July 2021 and closed on 29th July 2021. In addition live chat sessions were held on
14th, 15th, and 29th of July 2021.

To comply with the formal pre-application process for major developments4 SSEN Transmission carried out
virtual Pre-Application Virtual Public Exhibitions to allow members of the public to obtain information and pass
comment on the Proposed Development. These virtual events were held on 8th and 9th December 2021 to
consult on the Project. In addition, SSEN Transmission hosted an invitation only webinar for the local community
councils, councillors, MSP and MP held on 14th December 2021. This webinar allowed locally elected
representatives to voice any further questions following SSEN Transmission’s virtual exhibition. Details of these
exhibitions, and other pre-application consultations, are included in a Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) Report
which accompanies the planning application and are also available on the project website https://www.ssen-
transmission.co.uk/projects/argyll-and-kintyre-275kv-substations.

1.8.2 Stakeholder Consultation

Consultation was sought from a range of stakeholders including:

• Argyll and Bute Council (ABC);

• Historic Environment Scotland (HES);
• NatureScot;
• Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA);

4Argyle and Bute Council. URL: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning-and-

environment/2_pac_general_guidance_note_2013.pdf

1-13
 • Scottish Forestry;
• Scottish Government (Energy Consents Unit);
• Scottish Water;
• Transport Scotland;
• Argyll District Salmon Fishery Board (ADSFB);
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB);
• Argyll Fisheries Trust; and
• ScotWays.

In October 2021, ABC were consulted on viewpoints and photomontage locations. ABC raised no objection to
the viewpoints proposed and these have informed the assessment within Chapter 3: Landscape and Visual
Appraisal.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) advised that the Proposed Development may have the potential to result in
indirect impacts resulting from changes to setting on assets within their remit, including the Inveraray Castle
Garden and Designated Landscape. HES recommends that proposed impacts that are considered in the EA are
informed through the use of Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) models and visualisations where appropriate.
Photomontages are found in Annex E of this EA.

In September 2021, NatureScot were consulted on Ornithology and deemed the use of survey information dating
from 2015/16 to be acceptable on the condition that the baseline habitat conditions have not changed since these
initial surveys. They also advised that the Project is within golden eagle range LAE1B. This can be found in
Chapter 4: Ecology and Ornithology Appraisal of this EA.

SEPA acknowledged that the Project appears to avoid areas of peat. Detailed peat probing was undertaken in
November 2021 and February 2022, to ensure the Project was further designed to avoid deep areas of peat. A
Peat Management Plan (PMP) is provided as Annex N of this EA.

Scottish Forestry advised the Project will impact commercial woodland to some extent with a main concern being
the potential for removal or damage to semi-natural broadleaved woodland within the preferred site. In this case
the woodland forms an important part of the riparian native woodland network. Comments have been considered
in Chapter 5: Forestry Appraisal.

The RSPB noted that the Project contains an area of semi-natural woodland and which is of much higher
biodiversity value than commercial forestry and should be protected from development. They recommended that
for any area of woodland that is removed, native broadleaves such as oak, hazel and rowan are planted to
compensate for this loss. Argyll District Salmon Fishery Board (ADSFB) responded they would not be providing a
comment on the consultation.

Scottish Water advises that the Project falls into Drinking Water Catchments and may have various impacts on
Scottish Water Assets. Further consultation with Scottish Water was undertaken to ensure potential impacts on
the water environment were understood and assessed. This can be found in the Chapter 6: Hydrology,
Hydrogeology, and Geology Appraisal.

A Private Water Supply Risk Assessment (PWSRA) has been undertaken for the Project and can be seen in
Annex L. The PWSRA aims to identify all PWS within a 2 km radius of the Development and seeks to confirm
the location of the source water for the supplies, through consultation with the Council’s Environmental Health
Officer (EHO) and residents, along with site visits. This process informs the risk assessment of the effects of the
Project on the private water supply, source water and associated distribution infrastructure. A site visit to facilitate
the PWSRA was undertaken on 14th and 15th February 2022.

Consultation was undertaken with the EHO at ABC to agree the survey and assessment methodology to be
adopted for the noise impact assessment. This included agreement of the assessment criteria and that baseline

1-14
noise surveys were required, given the separation distance to the nearest noise sensitive receptor. The full noise
impact assessment can be found in Chapter 8: Noise Appraisal.

Transport Scotland advised that although there will be no direct impact on the trunk road network, a threshold
assessment of the potential impact of construction traffic will be required to see if there is a requirement for a
detailed assessment of potential related environmental effects. An assessment of traffic and transport is provided
in the Chapter 9: Transport Appraisal of this EA.

Structure of the Environmental Appraisal

The EA is structured as follows:

• Chapter 2 – Project Description

• Chapter 3 – Landscape and Visual
• Chapter 4 – Ecology and Ornithology
• Chapter 5 – Forestry
• Chapter 6 – Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Geology
• Chapter 7 – Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
• Chapter 8 – Noise
• Chapter 9 – Traffic and Transport
• Chapter 10 – Summary of Mitigation

The following supporting information is provided in the following Annexes:

• Annex A: General Environmental Management Plans

• Annex B: EIA Screening Opinion
• Annex C: Landscape Assessment Methodology
• Annex D: Landscape Character Sensitivity Table
• Annex E: Photomontages and Landscape Figures
• Annex F: Ornithology Consultation
• Annex G: Extended Ecology Phase 1 Habitat Survey
• Annex H: Species Protection Plans
• Annex I: Forestry
• Annex J: Drainage Strategy and Drainage Plans
• Annex K: Hydrology Methodology
• Annex L: Private Water Supply Risk Assessment
• Annex M: Water Construction Management Plan
• Annex N: Peat Management Plan
• Annex O: Peat Slide Risk Assessment
• Annex P: Transformer Delivery Route Report
• Annex Q: Cultural Heritage Appraisal and Site Gazetteer
• Annex R: Noise and Vibration

1-15