Planning submission

At the end of 2023 RES submitted a Section 36 application to Scottish Minsters for consent under the Electricity Act 1989 for its 18-turbine Torfichen Wind Farm proposal in Midlothian.

Electronic copies of the planning application and accompanying documents can be viewed or downloaded by clicking on the links below.

Planning application and documentation

Public notice - As published in the Midlothian Advertiser, The Scotsman and the Edinburgh Gazette newspapers.

Planning and Sustainable Place Statement - Examines the national and local planning policy context for the Torfichen Wind Farm proposal, and the balance which needs to be struck between the need for wind energy development and the effect of the proposed development on the local environment. It also takes account of the benefits which could arise from the construction and operation of the development.

Pre-application Consultation Report (PAC) - Explains how and when the community was consulted before the planning application for the redesigned proposal for Torfichen Wind Farm was submitted to Scottish Ministers and how RES has responded to feedback from the community regarding the proposal.

Non-Technical Summary (NTS) - Summarises the application and contains the key findings from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) work.

Volume 1 - Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) Chapters:
Reports on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) work undertaken and examines the potential effects of the wind farm.

• Chapter 1 Introduction
• Chapter 2 Site Selection and Design
• Chapter 3 Project Description
• Chapter 4 Approach to EIA
• Chapter 5 Statutory and Policy Framework
• Chapter 6 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
• Chapter 7 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
• Chapter 8 Ecology
• Chapter 9 Ornithology
• Chapter 10 Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology
• Chapter 11 Traffic and Transport
• Chapter 12 Acoustic Assessment
• Chapter 13 Socio-Economics, Recreation and Tourism
• Chapter 14 Aviation, Radar and Other Issues
• Chapter 15 Schedule of Environmental Commitments
• Chapter 16 Summary of Residual Effects

Volume 2 - Figures (EIAR Figures excluding LVIA):
Contains the maps and drawings associated with the EIA (excluding Landscape and Visual Assessment).

Introduction

• Figure 1.1 - Site Location Plan
• Figure 1.2 - Site Boundary
• Figure 1.3 - Site Layout

Site Selection and Design Iteration

• Figure 2.1 - Layout Evolution
• Figure 2.2 - Combined Constraints and Infrastructure Layout

Project Description

• Figure 3.1 - Designations within 10 km
• Figure 3.2 - Typical Wind Turbine Elevation
• Figure 3.3a - Typical Gravity Foundation
• Figure 3.3b - Typical Piled Foundation
• Figure 3.4 - Typical Crane Hardstand
• Figure 3.5 - Typical Access Track
• Figure 3.6 - Site Entrance Layout
• Figure 3.7 - Indicative AIL Access Route
• Figure 3.8a - Typical Drainage Details
• Figure 3.8b - Typical Drainage Details
• Figure 3.8c - Typical Drainage Details
• Figure 3.8d - Typical Drainage Details
• Figure 3.9 - Typical Water Crossing
• Figure 3.10a - Indicative Substation Compound Layout
• Figure 3.10b - Indicative Substation Compound Elevations
• Figure 3.11 - Typical Telecommunications Mast
• Figure 3.12a - Indicative Battery Energy Storage System Compound Layout
• Figure 3.12b - Indicative Battery Energy Storage System Compound Elevations
• Figure 3.13 - Typical Cable Trench Details
• Figure 3.14 - Typical Temporary Construction Compound
• Figure 3.15 - Typical Temporary Enabling Works Compound
• Figure 3.16 - Indicative Borrow Pit General Arrangement
• Figure 3.17 - Indicative Batching Plant Layout

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

• Figure 6.1 - Site Location and Initial LVIA Study Area 35 km
• Figure 6.2 - Site Location and Detailed LVIA Study Area 20 km
• Figure 6.3 - Blade Tip ZTV to 35 km with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.4 - Blade Tip ZTV to 20 km with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.5 - Hub Height ZTV to 35 km with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.6 - Hib Height ZTV to 20 km with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.7 - Lit Turbine ZTV to 20 km with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.8 - Turbine Lighting Intensity ZTV to 20 km with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.9 - Landscape Designations within 35 km
• Figure 6.10 - Landscape Designations within 20 km
• Figure 6.11 - Landscape Designations to 20 km with Blade Tip ZTV and Viewpoints
• Figure 6.12 - Landscape Character Types within 35 km
• Figure 6.13 - Landscape Character Types within 20 km
• Figure 6.14 - Landscape Character Types within 20 km with Blade Tip ZTV and Viewpoints
• Figure 6.15 - Topography Plan to 35 km
• Figure 6.16 - Local Landscape Context to 5 km
• Figure 6.17 - Principal Visual Receptors to 35 km
• Figure 6.18 - Principal Visual Receptors to 20 km with Blade ZTV and Viewpoints
• Figure 6.19 - Blade Tip ZTV to 35 km (NW Quadrants) with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.20 - Blade Tip ZTV to 35 km (SW Quadrants) with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.21 - Blade Tip ZTV to 35 km (NE Quadrants) with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.22 - Blade Tip ZTV to 35 km (SE Quadrants) with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.23 - Hub Height ZTV to 35 km (NW Quadrants) with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.24 - Hub Height ZTV to 35 km (SW Quadrants) with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.25 - Hub Height ZTV to 35 km (NE Quadrants) with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.26 - Hub Height ZTV to 35 km (SE Quadrants) with Viewpoints
• Figure 6.27 - Other Wind Farms within 35 km
• Figure 6.28 - Other Wind Farms within 25 km
• Figure 6.29 - Cumulative ZTV with Operational Bowbeat Hill and Carcant
• Figure 6.30 - Cumulative ZTV with Operational
• Figure 6.31 - Cumulative ZTV with Operational Longpark
• Figure 6.32 - Cumulative ZTV with Operational Fallago Rig
• Figure 6.33 - Cumulative ZTV with In Planning Greystone Knowe and Wull Muir
• Figure 6.34a - Cumulative ZTV with In Planning Cloich Forest
• Figure 6.34b - Cumulative ZTV with In Proposed Cloich Forest
• Figure 6.35 - Cumulative ZTV with In Planning Scawd Law
• Figure 6.36 - Cumulative ZTV with In Planning Dunside

Archaeology & Cultural Heritage

• Figure 7.1 - Non Designated Cultural Heritage Assets
• Figure 7.2 - Designated Cultural Heritage Assets
• Figure 7.3 - Cultural Heritage Viewpoints

Ecology

• Figure 8.1 - Ecological Designated Sites and Ancient Woodland within 5 km
• Figure 8.2 - Carbon and Peatland Map 2016
• Figure 8.3a-i - National Vegetation Classification Survey Area and Survey Results
• Figure 8.4a-i - Potential Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems Survey Area and Results
• Figure 8.5a-c - Protected Species Survey Area and Survey Results
• Figure 8.6 - Bat Survey Area, Anabat Locations and Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment Results
• Figure 8.7 - Average Seasonal Bat Site Activity 2022 - Common Pipistrelle
• Figure 8.8 - Average Seasonal Bat Site Activity 2022 - Soprano Pipistrelle
• Figure 8.9 - Average Seasonal Bat Site Activity 2022 - Nathusius Pipistrelle
• Figure 8.10 - Average Seasonal Bat Site Activity 2022 - Nyctalus SPP
• Figure 8.11 - Electrofishing Locations and Survey Results
• Figure 8.12 - Outline Biodiversity Enhancement Management Plan

Ornithology

• Figure 9.1 - International Designated Nature Conservation Sites within 20 km
• Figure 9.2 - Ornithological Survey Areas and Viewsheds
• Figure 9.3 - Breeding Lapwing Locations, 2021 and 2022
• Figure 9.4 - Breeding Curlew Locations, 2021 and 2022
• Figure 9.5 - Other Key Breeding Bird Locations 2021-2022
• Figure 9.6 - Whooper Swan Flight Lines
• Figure 9.7 - Pink-footed Goose Flight Lines
• Figure 9.8 - Greylag Goose Flight Lines
• Figure 9.9 - Hen Harrier Flight Lines
• Figure 9.10 - Red Kite Flight Lines
• Figure 9.11 - Other Raptor Flight Lines
• Figure 9.12 - Golden Plover Flight Lines
• Figure 9.13 - Lapwing Flight Lines
• Figure 9.14 - Curlew Flight Lines
• Figure 9.15 - Herring Gull Flight Lines

Hydrology, Geology & Hydrogeology

• Figure 10.1 - Local Hydrology
• Figure 10.2 - Soils
• Figure 10.3 - Peatland Classification
• Figure 10.4 - Superficial Geology
• Figure 10.5a - Bedrock Geology
• Figure 10.5b - Bedrock Geology Legend
• Figure 10.6 - Regional Hydrogeology
• Figure 10.7 - Groundwater Vulnerability
• Figure 10.8a-e - Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems

Traffic & Transport

• Figure 11.1 - Study Area
• Figure 11.2 - Traffic Count Locations
• Figure 11.3 - Accident Locations
• Figure 11.4 - Construction Vehicle and AIL Delivery Routes

Acoustic Assessment

• Figure 12.1 - Noise Contour Plot
• Figure 12.2 - Cumulative Noise Contour Plot

Aviation, Radar and Other Issues

• Figure 14.1 - Aviation Lighting Scheme
• Figure 14.2 - Shadow Flicker Assessment

Volume 3 - Landscape & Cultural Heritage Visualisations:
Contains the wirelines and photomontages, produced to NatureScot specifications, which help to give an impression of what how the proposal may look from a number of agreed viewpoints within the area.

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

• Figure 6.37 - Viewpoint 1 – A7, Middleton Mains
• Figure 6.38 - Viewpoint 2 – B7007, Broad Law Corner
• Figure 6.39 - Viewpoint 3 – B6372 – Mount Lothian Area
• Figure 6.40 - Viewpoint 4 – A702, Hillend Area
• Figure 6.41 - Viewpoint 5 – A702, Junction with A766
• Figure 6.42 - Viewpoint 6 – A702 – Lawhead Farm
• Figure 6.43 - Viewpoint 7 – A703, Layby south of Craigburn
• Figure 6.44 - Viewpoint 8 – A7, North Middleton
• Figure 6.45 - Viewpoint 9 – Gladhouse Reservoir
• Figure 6.46 - Viewpoint 10 – Arniston House
• Figure 6.47 - Viewpoint 11 – Scald Lane, Pentlands
• Figure 6.48 - Viewpoint 12 – Minor Road near Yorkston Farm
• Figure 6.49 - Viewpoint 13 – Whiteside Law
• Figure 6.50 - Viewpoint 14 – Blackhope Scar
• Figure 6.51 - Viewpoint 15 – Arthur’s Seat Edinburgh
• Figure 6.52 - Viewpoint 16 – Gorebridge
• Figure 6.53 - Viewpoint 17 - Roslin
• Figure 6.54 - Viewpoint 18 - Bonnyrigg
• Figure 6.55 - Viewpoint 19 – Fala Common
• Figure 6.56 - Viewpoint 20 – Lauder Common
• Figure 6.57 - Viewpoint 21 – B6372, Fountainside
• Figure 6.58 - Viewpoint 22 - Caerketton Hill
• Figure 6.59 - Wireline 1 - Nettingflat
• Figure 6.60 - Wireline 2 – Corsehope Rings
• Figure 6.61 - Wireline 3 – Soutra Aisle

Cultural Heritage

• Figure 7.4 - Heritage Viewpoint 1 – Hirendean Castle (SM5608)
• Figure 7.5 - Heritage Viewpoint 2 – Dundreich Carin (SM2777)
• Figure 7.6 - Heritage Viewpoint 3 – Jeffries Corse, Cairn (SM3527)
• Figure 7.7 - Heritage Viewpoint 4 – Mauldslie (LB45814)
• Figure 7.8 - Heritage Viewpoint 5 – Crichton Castle (SM13585)
• Figure 7.9 - Heritage Viewpoint 6 – Arniston House
• Figure 7.10a-c - Cumulative Wireline Middleton Hall (LB806)
• Figure 7.11a-c - Cumulative Wireline Loquhariot Fort (SM6260)
• Figure 7.12a-b - Cumulative Wireline Halltree Rings (SM1170)
• Figure 7.13a-e - Cumulative Wireline Corshope Rings (SM1166)

Volume 4 - Technical Appendices
Contains the various survey reports and data supporting the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

Project Description

• Technical Appendix 3.1 - Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan
• Technical Appendix 3.2 - Outline Borrow Pit Management Plan

Approach to EIA

• Technical Appendix 4.1 - Scoping Report
• Technical Appendix 4.2 - Scoping Opinion
• Technical Appendix 4.3 - Gatecheck Report
• Technical Appendix 4.4 - Additional Consultation

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

• Technical Appendix 6.1 - Assessment Criteria
• Technical Appendix 6.2 - ZTV and Visualisation Information
• Technical Appendix 6.3 - Preliminary Assessment LCTs and Designations
• Technical Appendix 6.4 - Preliminary Assessment of Visual Receptors
• Technical Appendix 6.5 - Viewpoint Assessment
• Technical Appendix 6.6 - Residential Visual Amenity Assessment
• Technical Appendix 6.7 - Assessment of Nighttime lighting

Cultural Heritage

• Technical Appendix 7.1 - Gazetteer Assets
• Technical Appendix 7.2 - Appraisal of Designated Heritage Assets with 10 km

Ecology

• Technical Appendix 8.1 - National Vegetation Classification and Habitats Survey
• Technical Appendix 8.2 - Protected Species Survey Report
• Technical Appendix 8.3 - Bat Survey Report
• Technical Appendix 8.4 - Fish Survey Report
• Technical Appendix 8.5 - Outline Species Protection Plan
• Technical Appendix 8.6 - Outline Biodiversity Enhancement Management Plan

Ornithology

• Technical Appendix 9.1 - Breeding Bird Surveys 2021
• Technical Appendix 9.2 - Breeding Bird Surveys 2022
• Technical Appendix 9.3 - Wintering Bird Surveys 2021-2022
• Technical Appendix 9.4 - Wintering Bird Surveys 2022-2023
• Technical Appendix 9.5 - Collision Risk Modelling Calculations
• Technical Appendix 9.6 - Draft Breeding Bird Protection Plan
• Technical Appendix 9.7 - Shadow Habitats Regulation Appraisal Report

Hydrology, Geology and Hydrogeology

• Technical Appendix 10.1 - Peat Landslide Hazzard Risk Assessment
• Technical Appendix 10.2 - Peat Management Plan
• Technical Appendix 10.3 - Schedule of Watercourse Crossings
• Technical Appendix 10.4 - Private Water Supply Risk Assessment

Traffic and Transport

• Technical Appendix 11.1 - Transport Assessment

Acoustic Assessment

• Technical Appendix 12.1 - RES publications
• Technical Appendix 12.2 - Issues Scoped Out
• Technical Appendix 12.3 - BESS Acoustics Assessment
• Technical Appendix 12.4 - Background Noise Survey Locations
• Technical Appendix 12.5 - Instrumentation Records
• Technical Appendix 12.6 - Derived Background Noise Levels
• Technical Appendix 12.7 - Assessment Charts
• Technical Appendix 12.8 - Draft Planning Condition

Aviation, Radar and Other Issues

• Technical Appendix 14.1 - Carbon Calculator Input and Output