14. Aviation, Military and Communications

  1. This Aviation, Military and Communications Array Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) chapter provides a detailed description of aviation, military and communications activity within the area of the Array and the northern North Sea region.

14.1. Introduction

  1. This chapter of the Array EIA Report presents the assessment of the likely significant effects (LSE1) (as per the EIA Regulations) on aviation, military and communications, as a result of the Ossian Array (hereafter referred to as the “Array”) which is the subject of this application. Specifically, this chapter considers the potential impacts of the Array on aviation, military and communications in the northern North Sea region during the construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning phases.
  2. This chapter summarises information contained within the:
  • volume 3, appendix 14.1: Aviation, Military and Communications Technical Report; and
  • volume 3, appendix 14.1, annex A: Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) Assessment.

14.2. Purpose of the Chapter

  1. The Array EIA Report provides the Scottish Ministers, statutory and non-statutory stakeholders with adequate information to determine the LSE1 of the Array on the receiving environment. This is further outlined in volume 1, chapter 1.
  2. The purpose of this Aviation, Military and Communications Array EIA Report chapter is to:
  • present the existing environmental baseline established from desk studies, modelling studies, and engagement with stakeholders;
  • identify any assumptions and limitations encountered in compiling the environmental information;
  • present the impacts on aviation, military and communications arising from the Array and reach a conclusion on the LSE1 on aviation, military and communications, based on the information gathered and the analysis and assessments undertaken; and
  • highlight any necessary monitoring and/or mitigation measures which are recommended to prevent, minimise, reduce or offset the likely significant adverse effects of the Array on aviation, military and communications.

14.3. Study Area

  1. The aviation, military and communications study area is driven by the Zone of Influence (ZoI), a defined term in the EIA. To identify and characterise aviation, military and communications receptors, a broad aviation, military and communications study area has been defined, based on recommendations provided by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) 764 Policy and Guidelines on Wind Turbines (CAA, 2016a). Whilst not definitive, CAP 764 (CAA, 2016a) provides criteria for assessing whether any offshore wind development might have an impact on aerodrome and radar related operations. Consideration of the Array’s potential to impact on aviation, military and communications receptors has been undertaken in accordance with the recommended consultation distance of within 30 km of an aerodrome with a surveillance radar facility, as stated in CAP 764 (CAA, 2016a). However, CAP 764 (CAA, 2016a) states that the operational range of a radar system is dependent on the type of radar used and its operational requirement.
  2. Although CAP 764 (CAA, 2016a) provides a guide of 30 km for assessment of radar impact, impact to aviation radar is dependent on radar detectability of operational wind turbines, the radar’s operational range and the use of airspace in which the development sits, therefore, in this chapter, the operational range of individual radar, particularly Ministry of Defence (MOD) Air Defence Radar (ADR) with operational ranges in excess of 200 km, has been taken into account in defining the aviation, military and communications study area, rather than the CAP 764 30 km guideline only. The identification of the aviation, military and communications study area and assessment of potential operational impact has considered physical safeguarding of flight, airspace characteristics and procedures as published in the CAA CAP 032, United Kingdom (UK) Integrated Aeronautical Information Package (IAIP) (CAA, 2023a) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Military Aeronautical Information Publication (Mil AIP) (MOD, 2023a).
  3. Figure 14.1   Open ▸ illustrates the aviation, military and communications study area encompassing:
  • the aviation radar systems that potentially detect the Array maximum (highest) wind turbine blade tip height of 399 m above Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT); and
  • the Array and applicable airspace between the Array and the UK east coast from the location of the NATS En-route Limited (NERL) operated Allanshill Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) to the north and the Brizlee Wood Remote Radar Head (RRH) ADR to the south.

Figure 14.1:
Aviation, Military and Communications Study Area

Figure 14.1: Aviation, Military and Communications Study Area


14.4. Policy and Legislative Context

  1. Volume 1, chapter 2 of the Array EIA Report presents the policy and legislation of relevance to renewable energy infrastructure. Policy and guidance specifically in relation to aviation, military and communications is contained in CAP 393 The Air Navigation Order (ANO) (CAA, 2016b as amended 2022) which sets out the provisions of the ANO as amended together with the legislation made under the Order. Table 14.1   Open ▸ presents a summary of the legislation provisions relevant to aviation, military and communications, with the other revlevant policy and guidance set out in Table 14.2   Open ▸ and Table 14.3   Open ▸ .
  2. Further detail is presented in volume 1, chapter 2.

 

Table 14.1:
Summary of UK Legislation Relevant to Aviation, Military and Communications

Table 14.1: Summary of UK Legislation Relevant to Aviation, Military and Communications

 

Table 14.2:
Summary of National Policy Provisions Relevant to Aviation, Military and Communications

Table 14.2: Summary of National Policy Provisions Relevant to Aviation, Military and Communications

 

Table 14.3:
Summary of National Guidance Relevant to Aviation, Military and Communications

Table 14.3: Summary of National Guidance Relevant to Aviation, Military and Communications

 

14.5. Consultation

  1. Table 14.4   Open ▸ presents a summary of the key issues raised during consultation activities undertaken to date specific to aviation, military and communications for the Array and in the Ossian Array Scoping Opinion (Marine Directorate – Licensing and Operations Team (MD-LOT), 2023) along with how these have been considered in the development of this aviation, military and communications Array EIA Report chapter. Further detail is presented within volume 1, chapter 5.

 

Table 14.4:
Summary of Issues Raised During Consultation and Scoping Opinion Representations Relevant to Aviation, Military and Communications

Table 14.4: Summary of Issues Raised During Consultation and Scoping Opinion Representations Relevant to Aviation, Military and Communications

14.6. Methodology to Inform Baseline

  1. Aviation, military and communications guidance and airspace publications have been reviewed and analysed to inform this aviation, military and communications baseline. In addition, engagement with aviation, military and communications stakeholders has been carried out to aid the collection of baseline information. Data have also been provided through engagement with the stakeholders as detailed in Table 14.4   Open ▸ .

14.6.1. Desktop Study

  1. Information on airspace within the aviation, military and communications study area was collected through a detailed desktop review of existing datasets which are summarised in Table 14.5   Open ▸ .
  2. The literature review of the datasets was used to characterise the aviation, military and communications baseline. Volume 3, appendix 14.1 and volume 3, appendix 14.1, annex A include full details of the radar Line of Sight (LoS) and IFP analyses undertaken to develop the aviation, military and communications baseline.

 

Table 14.5:
Summary of Data Sets for Aviation, Military and Communications

Table 14.5: Summary of Data Sets for Aviation, Military and Communications

 

14.6.2. Identification of Designated Sites

  1. A three-step process was used to identify all designated sites within the aviation, military and communications study area and qualifying interest features that could be affected by the construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning phases of the Array. This process is described below:
  • Step 1: All airspace constructs of national and local importance within the aviation, military and communications study area were identified using the sources listed in Table 14.5   Open ▸ .
  • Step 2: Information was compiled on the relevant use and features for each of these construct as follows:

–           stakeholder controlling authority;

–           stakeholder Air Traffic Service (ATS) provider;

–           stakeholder (operator) user; and

–           volume of airspace within the aviation, military and communications study area.

  • Step 3: Using the above information and expert judgement, constructs were included for further consideration if:

–           a construct directly overlaps with the Array and therefore has the potential to be directly affected by the Array; or

–           construct and associated features were located within the aviation, military and communications study area for impacts associated with the Array.

  1. Identified designated sites within the aviation, military and communications study area are shown in Figure 14.2   Open ▸ . These include PSR locations, PEXAs, controlled airspace, PEXA Temporary Reserved Areas, and HMRIs, and are further discussed in section 14.7.

14.6.3. Site-Specific Surveys

  1. No site-specific surveys have been undertaken to inform the EIA for aviation, military and communications receptors; as agreed via the Array EIA Scoping Report. The assessment within this chapter is desk-based. This is because sufficient information is available from CAA and Military Aviation Authority (MAA) guidance, regulation and publications and direct aviation stakeholder engagement.