Case studies of EIA in practice - Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment - page 292

• the nature and extent of the technical, environmental and socio-economic constraints
that may preclude or be affected by wind farm development;
• the identification of locations within the three strategic areas (the Thames Estuary, the
Greater Wash and Liverpool Bay) with the lowest levels of constraint;
• the significance of the environmental and socio-economic impacts arising from different
realistic scales of wind farm development in those areas with the lowest levels of
constraint; and
• recommendations for managing the impacts of wind farm development in the three
strategic areas.
Overall, it was concluded that:
The likely development scenario, to 2010, is achievable for each Strategic
Area without coming into significant conflict with the main significant
impact risks, namely areas of high sensitivity to visual impact,
concentrations of sensitive seabirds, designated and potentially designated
conservation sites, MoD Practice and Exercise Areas and main marine
traffic areas.
[However], the 2020 likely development scenario would only be
achievable subject to resolving the uncertainties concerning impacts on:
physical processes, birds, elasmobranchs (shark, skate and ray species)
and cetaceans.
The maximum credible scenario for all Strategic Areas, particularly the
Greater Wash and Thames Estuary, for 2020, may be compromised by
constraints, particularly cumulative impacts and conflict with marine
traffic (commercial and recreational navigation); and large scale
development could exclude fisheries from significant areas of fishing
grounds, particularly if it were to coincide with severance areas associated
with other offshore activities.
(DTI 2003a)
In order to minimize environmental impacts, the following broad strategic approach was
recommended:
• the development of fewer large wind farms, of around 1 GW (1,000 MW) or more
capacity, located further offshore is generally preferable to several small-scale
developments, though the latter would be preferable for development closer to the
coast;
• in all strategic areas, avoid the majority of development within the zone of high visual
sensitivity close to the coast;
• where development might occur close to the coast, preferentially select low constraint
areas and consider small-scale development;
• pending the outcome of monitoring studies, avoid development in shallow water where
birds such as common scoter and red throated diver, and other species (including
marine mammals) are known to congregate (particularly in Liverpool Bay and the
Greater Wash); and