Item 4 -DC22.064.FUL Additional information as requested by LRB
West Dunbartonshire Council · 20 December 2023
Back to Local Review Body — 20 December 2023 and its agenda
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Request for Additional Information: DC22/064/FUL ITEM 4
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Our Ref: DC22/064/FUL Date: 20 November 2023 www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk Dear Mr Baird, UNDER THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (SCHEMES OF DELEGATION AND LOCAL REVIEW PROCEDURES) (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2013: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. REVIEW OF DECISION: REF: DC22/064/FUL - Request planning permission for installation and erection of an anemometer mast up to 100 metres in height, guyed with a lattice tower. Guy wires to be orientated at 45, 165 and 285 degrees. The Local Review Body, at the meeting of the 8 November 2023, requested further information from the applicant on the following: Please provide dimensions of the mast at its base and its overall height. Also, how the mast is fixed to the ground at its base and the maximum depth any part of the actual mast or its base goes into the ground? Please provide a method statement detailing: • The length of the construction phase • Details of the construction process, including location of any compound needed for construction, including welfare units. • Details of the weight of any welfare units. Please provide information the construction vehicles and routes, including: • The type of vehicles, their weight with the construction load and the expected impact on the soil and habitat. • The routes to and from the construction site and whether any ground works are required in association with these. • Evidence that multiple access routes across minimises impact to the blanket bog habitat compared to a single route. Coriolis Energy Ltd/ Vale of Leven Wind Farm Ltd. c/o Mr James Baird 106 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 6PH
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• The maximum number of vehicles, and the types of vehicles, on site at any one time during construction. • The expected frequency of trips to the site for maintenance and the type and weight of vehicle expected to be used for this purpose. Please provide information on the expected disturbance to wildlife during the construction phase, (including to non-protected species such as deer). Please provide information on the decommissioning process and a description of the sites expected state following decommissioning, including: • What is expected to remain on site following removal of the mast? • Restoration of habitat following decommissioning ? Please provide the further information requested, within 28 days. Please respond by email to Nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk by 4pm on Monday 18 December 2023. Yours sincerely, Nicola Moorcroft Nicola Moorcroft Committee Officer West Dunbartonshire Council Municipal Buildings Station Road Dumbarton G82 1NR e- mail: nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
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Registered Office- Coriolis Energy Ltd, 22-24 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1EF Registered in England & Wales, Company Number 10189460 DC22/064/FUL: Response to Request for Additional Information 20 November 2023 Local Review Body Request Mast dimensions Triangular lattice shape, with each face <500mm in width. Final mast selection faces may be as little as 350mm. Mast will be no higher than 100 metres. Ground fittings The mast base rests on a platform of railway sleepers. No excavation is required at the base of the mast structure. The mast structure is held in place with stay wires. Excavation is required at each stay wire anchor point. At each anchor point a small excavation approximately 2.5 metres deep x 1.5 metres W x 2.5 metres L is dug. A railway sleep and rod are buried as a dead man anchor. The top level vegetation (e.g. grass / peat turves) is set aside, and each layer of subsoil / aggregate are carefully managed to ensure that any site work impact are minimised. The length of the construction phase Anchors: 2-5 days to install anchors. Subject to weather and ground conditions . Mast Structure: 3-4 days to construct structure and install meteorological instrumentation. Details of the construction process, including location of any compound needed for construction, including welfare units. Full details of the construction process are contained in the method statement, uploaded 22 June 2022. (Extract from 9 contained in Appendix A). No welfare unit will be required. A small mobile welfare unit may be sited next to the drop off point or an arrangement will be made with farm business. Details of the weight of any welfare units. N/A The type of vehicles, their weight with the construction load and the expected impact on the soil and habitat. No HGV vehicles will be required for the mast installation. The excavator / Hagglund will be deliver to the farm on a low loader. Van/4x4 and trailer will be used to deliver the mast and equipment to the nearby farm property. The mast equipment/instrumentation and crew (4-5 persons) will then be transferred to the works location using a wide tracked, low ground impact all-terrain vehicle
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Registered Office- Coriolis Energy Ltd, 22-24 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1EF Registered in England & Wales, Company Number 10189460 such as a Hagglund, Argocat or similar commonly used on such sites. A low ground impact wide tracked excavator will be utilised to excavate the mast anchor points. The excavator is normally around 13 tonnes. This weight is necessary as the machine is utilised as part of a pull-test procedure, to ensure that the anchor points are appropriate. 13 tonne wide tracked excavator / Hagglund BV206 approx 4 tonnes / Argocat would be approx. 750kg. The routes to and from the construction site and whether any ground works are required in association with these. There will be no groundworks associated with routes to and from the construction site. All vehicles are selected to minimise ground impacts. Evidence that multiple access routes across minimises impact to the blanket bog habitat compared to a single route. This was a recommendation contained within the ecological appraisal report produced by MacArthur Green (Uploaded 12 September 2022) and based on the ground conditions of this specific site. See extract taken from 7.1 contained in Appendix B. In addition, it should be noted that all vehicles are selected as they minimise ground impacts. The maximum number of vehicles, and the types of vehicles, on site at any one time during construction. 2 - The majority of the short lived construction phase will involve an excavator and a low ground impact ATV (Hagglund/Argo) being on site. The expected frequency of trips to the site for maintenance and the type and weight of vehicle expected to be used for this purpose. The mast will undergo annual preventative maintenance. An argocat will be sufficient to transport the crew and climbing equipment to the mast location. In exceptional circumstances (broken anemometer, broken wind vane, telecommunications error, power issues etc..) additional visitation may be necessary. What is expected to remain on site following removal of the mast? The mast including all equipment will be removed from site after 5 years. Restoration of habitat following decommissioning? During excavations, the top level vegetation (e.g. grass / peat turves) is set aside, and each layer of subsoil /
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Registered Office- Coriolis Energy Ltd, 22-24 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1EF Registered in England & Wales, Company Number 10189460 aggregate are carefully managed to ensure that any impact is minimised allowing the grounds to recover. Appendix A
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Registered Office- Coriolis Energy Ltd, 22-24 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1EF Registered in England & Wales, Company Number 10189460
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Registered Office- Coriolis Energy Ltd, 22-24 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1EF Registered in England & Wales, Company Number 10189460
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Registered Office- Coriolis Energy Ltd, 22-24 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1EF Registered in England & Wales, Company Number 10189460 Appendix B
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Our Ref: DC22/064/FUL Date: 4 December 2023 www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk Dear Mr Baird, UNDER THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (SCHEMES OF DELEGATION AND LOCAL REVIEW PROCEDURES) (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2013: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. REVIEW OF DECISION: REF: DC22/064/FUL - Request planning permission for installation and erection of an anemometer mast up to 100 metres in height, guyed with a lattice tower. Guy wires to be orientated at 45, 165 and 285 degrees. Thank you for your email in which you provided a response to queries raised at the meeting of the Local Review Body on the 8 November 2023. The response was forwarded to the Development Management Team. Whilst you have addressed the majority of the questions there is one that was of particular interest to the Local Review Body we would like to give you the opportunity to further elaborate if possible. With regard to the route used to access the site, no additional information has been provided. We understand that the ecological assessment recommends varied routes when travelling across the bog habitat; however the Local Review Body was interested in how the site would be accessed in a broader sense. If possible, it is suggested that, you provide the point at which construction vehicles leave the public highway and the proposed route to the construction site to the point at which it will begin to vary. A map may be the best way to present this information. Please respond by email to Nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk by 4pm on Monday 18 December 2023. Yours sincerely, Coriolis Energy Ltd/ Vale of Leven Wind Farm Ltd. c/o Mr James Baird 106 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 6PH
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Nicola Moorcroft Nicola Moorcroft Committee Officer West Dunbartonshire Council Municipal Buildings Station Road Dumbarton G82 1NR e- mail: nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
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From: Nicola Moorcroft To: Cameron Clow Cc: Alan Williamson Subject: FW: Local Review Body - Review of Planning Application REF: DC22/064/FUL - Request for additional information Date: 06 December 2023 15:00:43 Attachments: image001.jpg Dear Cameron, Please see below and attached additional information, as requested. Regards, Nicola Nicola Moorcroft Committee Officer West Dunbartonshire Council Municipal Buildings Dumbarton G82 1NR nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk From: James Baird <James.Baird@coriolis-energy.com> Sent: 06 December 2023 14:51 To: Nicola Moorcroft <Nicola.Moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk> Subject: RE: Local Review Body - Review of Planning Application REF: DC22/064/FUL - Request for additional information Dear Nicola, Many thanks for the request for further additional information. If I understand the Local Review Body request correctly, they are seeking information on the location at which the 2 – 3 vehicles associated with the delivery of mast components and the ATV will leave the public highway and thereafter the route towards the site on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) up until the point that the route is varied in order to minimise any impacts on existing habitats. Assuming, I have this correct, I have prepared Figure 1 and Figure 2 as attached, which shows the initial route to the site from Merkins Farm. Road going vehicles would access the site from Merkins Farm (G83 9LX) off the adopted Auchencarroch Road. Once at Merkins Farm there are areas of hardstanding where the ATV and anemometer mast components can be readied before taking access on to the moor. From Merkins Farm there is an existing tarmac track, which later reduces to gravel, heading southwards as far as a sheepfold (as can be seen on Google Streetview Scotland - Google Maps). From this point there is then an existing and well established ATV track which continues generally southwards as shown on the Figures. From this point there is a further network of ATV tracks which are in constant use for general farming activities for at least 40 years and which would be used as far as practicable in order to further minimise the impacts and for the general ease of the vehicle operator. I know from previous anemometer masts which I’ve been involved with, that an Argocat + trailer is commonly used for access on the moor. I’ve attached an image of an Argocat + trailer if that’s helpful and also an image depicting the flatbed trailer which the Argocat would be transported to site on. I hope this clarifies matters. Best Regards, James James Baird MRTPI Wind Farm Development Manager
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Mob: 07768141923 Address: Suite 2.3, 106 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 6PH Website: www.coriolis-energy.com Coriolis Energy is a Limited Liability Partnership, Registered Number OC10189460, Registered Address at 22-24 King Street, Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 1EF From: Nicola Moorcroft <Nicola.Moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk> Sent: 04 December 2023 09:08 To: Neil Thomson <Neil.Thomson@coriolis-energy.com> Cc: James Baird <James.Baird@coriolis-energy.com> Subject: RE: Local Review Body - Review of Planning Application REF: DC22/064/FUL - Request for additional information Dear Mr Baird and Mr Thomson, Thank you for your email and my apologies for the delayed response, I have been on annual leave. Please see below and attached a request for additional information: Dear Mr Baird, UNDER THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (SCHEMES OF DELEGATION AND LOCAL REVIEW PROCEDURES) (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2013: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. REVIEW OF DECISION: REF: DC22/064/FUL - Request planning permission for installation and erection of an anemometer mast up to 100 metres in height, guyed with a lattice tower. Guy wires to be orientated at 45, 165 and 285 degrees. Thank you for your email in which you provided a response to queries raised at the meeting of the Local Review Body on the 8 November 2023. The response was forwarded to the Development Management Team. Whilst you have addressed the majority of the questions there is one that was of particular interest to the Local Review Body we would like to give you the opportunity to further elaborate if possible. With regard to the route used to access the site, no additional information has been provided. We understand that the ecological assessment recommends varied routes when travelling across the bog habitat; however the Local Review Body was interested in how the site would be accessed in a broader sense. If possible, it is suggested that, you provide the point at which construction vehicles leave the public highway and the proposed route to the construction site to the point at which it will begin to vary. A map may be the best way to present this information. Please respond by email to Nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk by 4pm on Monday 18 December 2023. Regards, Nicola Nicola Moorcroft Committee Officer West Dunbartonshire Council Municipal Buildings Dumbarton G82 1NR nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk From: Neil Thomson <Neil.Thomson@coriolis-energy.com> Sent: 28 November 2023 09:51 To: Nicola Moorcroft <Nicola.Moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk> Cc: James Baird <James.Baird@coriolis-energy.com>
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Subject: RE: Local Review Body - Review of Planning Application REF: DC22/064/FUL - Request for additional information Good morning Nicola, Many thanks for allowing us the opportunity to respond to the below requests. Please find a response attached which we hope answers the queries raised on 8th November 2023. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch should you require further information. Kind regards, Neil From: Nicola Moorcroft <Nicola.Moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk> Sent: Monday, November 20, 2023 2:17 PM To: Neil Thomson <Neil.Thomson@coriolis-energy.com>; James Baird <James.Baird@coriolis- energy.com> Subject: Local Review Body - Review of Planning Application REF: DC22/064/FUL - Request for additional information Dear Mr Baird, UNDER THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (SCHEMES OF DELEGATION AND LOCAL REVIEW PROCEDURES) (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2013 - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. REVIEW OF DECISION: REF: DC22/064/FUL - Request planning permission for installation and erection of an anemometer mast up to 100 metres in height, guyed with a lattice tower. Guy wires to be orientated at 45, 165 and 285 degrees. The Local Review Body, at the meeting of the 8 November 2023, requested further information from the applicant on the following: Please provide dimensions of the mast at its base and its overall height. Also, how the mast is fixed to the ground at its base and the maximum depth any part of the actual mast or its base goes into the ground? Please provide a method statement detailing: The length of the construction phase Details of the construction process, including location of any compound needed for construction, including welfare units. Details of the weight of any welfare units. Please provide information the construction vehicles and routes, including: The type of vehicles, their weight with the construction load and the expected impact on the soil and habitat. The routes to and from the construction site and whether any ground works are required in association with these. Evidence that multiple access routes across minimises impact to the blanket bog habitat compared to a single route. The maximum number of vehicles, and the types of vehicles, on site at any one time during construction. The expected frequency of trips to the site for maintenance and the type and weight of vehicle expected to be used for this purpose. Please provide information on the expected disturbance to wildlife during the construction phase, (including to non-protected species such as deer). Please provide information on the decommissioning process and a description of the sites expected state following decommissioning, including: <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->What is expected to remain on site following removal of the mast? <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Restoration of habitat following decommissioning
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? Please provide the further information requested, within 28 days. Please respond by email to Nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk by 4pm on Monday 18 December 2023. Regards, Nicola Moorcroft Committee Officer West Dunbartonshire Council Municipal Buildings Dumbarton G82 1NR nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
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Figure 1: Vale of Leven Wind Farm Anemometer track Maxar, Microsoft, Esri Community Maps Contributors, Esri UK, Esri, HERE, Garmin, Foursquare, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS 06/122023 0 0.1 0.20.05 mi 0 0.2 0.40.1 km 1:13,662 Existing track from Merkins Farm
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A8 13 Main Street J amestow n Stirling Road Auchencarroch B lairquhomrie Figure 2: Vale of Leven Wind Farm Anemometer Access Track show ing P roposed Anemometer Location Esri UK, Esri, HERE, Garmin, Foursquare, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/ NASA, USGS, Earthstar Geographics 06/12/2023 0 0.5 10.25 mi 0 0.8 1.60.4 km 1:54,649 + Proposed Anemomter Existing track from Merkins Farm
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