15. Infrastructure and Other Users

15.1. Introduction

  1. This chapter of the Array Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report presents the assessment of the likely significant effects (as per the EIA Regulations) on infrastructure and other users as a result of the Ossian Array which is the subject of this application (hereafter referred to as “the Array”). Specifically, this chapter considers the potential impacts of the Array on infrastructure and other users receptors during the construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning phases.
  2. Likely significant effect (LSE1) is a term used in both the EIA Regulations and the Habitat Regulations. Reference to LSE1 in this Array EIA Report refers to the “likely significant effect” as used by the “IA Regulations. The Array EIA Report is accompanied by a Report to inform Appropriate Assessment (RIAA) which uses the term as defined by the Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) Regulations (LSE2).
  3. The following technical chapters also inform the assessment presented in this chapter:
  • volume 2, chapter 7: Physical Processes;
  • volume 2, chapter 12: Commercial Fisheries; and
  • volume 2, chapter 13: Shipping and Navigation.
  1. Many of the potential impacts upon infrastructure and other users are related to navigational safety and collision risk. To avoid duplication, navigational safety, and risk to all vessel types (including recreational vessels) is considered in volume 2, chapter 13. The following assessment only considers impacts that will potentially affect the undertaking of a marine activity or the operational effectiveness of marine infrastructure in the relevant infrastructure and other users study area, as described in section 15.3. Restrictions to port activities and users are also assessed in volume 2, chapter 13. In particular, the assessment of under keel clearance and risk to recreational vessels from floating foundations is considered in volume 2, chapter 13.

15.2. 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 infrastructure and other users Array EIA Report chapter is to:
  • present the existing environmental baseline established from desk studies, site-specific surveys (if available) and consultation with stakeholders;
  • identify any assumptions and limitations encountered in compiling the environmental information presented in this document;
  • present the environmental impacts on infrastructure and other users arising from the Array and reach a conclusion on the LSE1 on infrastructure and other users, 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 environmental effects of the Array on infrastructure and other users.

15.3. Study Area

  1. The infrastructure and other users study area varies in scale depending on the receptor ( Figure 15.1   Open ▸ ). This has been divided into different areas according to each receptor, as follows:

         infrastructure and other users study area – inner area (purple dashed line) (within 1 km of the Array): this area includes the extent of potential direct physical overlap between the Array activities and the following receptors:

-        recreational receptors (including receptors carrying out recreational fishing, sailing and motor cruising, kite surfing, surfing, windsurfing, sea/surf kayaking and canoeing and beach users);

-        offshore energy projects (e.g. offshore wind farms, tide and wave projects); and

-        cables and pipelines operators.

         broad infrastructure and other users study area (green): this area is based on one tidal ellipse from the Array (8 km from the Array; see volume 2, chapter 7) and relates to the potential for increases in Suspended Sediment Concentrations (SSCs) to occur relating to the Array. This broad infrastructure and other users study area is related to only those receptors which are susceptible to increases in SSCs, specifically:

-        marine aggregate extraction and disposal sites;

-        recreational receptors (e.g. diving sites);

-        carbon capture and storage, natural gas storage and underground coal gasification;

-        coal deposits; and

-        microwave, Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) links (within 1 km of the Array).

  1. The nearest onshore point is located at Coastal Cove Path, Aberdeen, 79.6 km north-west of the infrastructure and other users study area – inner area.
  2. The Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA) will consider all other projects and plans within 100 km radius of the broad infrastructure and other users study area (volume 3, appendices 6.4 and 6.5).


Figure 15.1:
Infrastructure and Other Users Study Areas

Figure 15.1: Infrastructure and Other Users Study Areas


15.4. 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. Planning policy, specifically in relation to infrastructure and other users in Scotland, is contained in the Sectoral Marine Plan (SMP) for Offshore Wind Energy (Scottish Government, 2020a), the Scottish National Marine Plan (NMP) (Scottish Government, 2015) and the United Kingdom (UK) Marine Policy Statement (MPS) (HM Government, 2011).
  2. Table 15.1   Open ▸ to Table 15.3   Open ▸ present a summary of the policy provisions relevant to infrastructure and other users. Further detail is presented in volume 1, chapter 2.

 

Table 15.1:
Summary of SMP for Offshore Wind Energy Relevant to Infrastructure and Other Users (Scottish Government, 2020a)

Table 15.1: Summary of SMP for Offshore Wind Energy Relevant to Infrastructure and Other Users (Scottish Government, 2020a)

 

Table 15.2:
Summary of Scottish National Marine Plan Policies Relevant to Infrastructure and Other Users (Scottish Government, 2015)

Table 15.2: Summary of Scottish National Marine Plan Policies Relevant to Infrastructure and Other Users (Scottish Government, 2015)

 

Table 15.3:
Summary of UK Marine Policy Statement Relevant to Infrastructure and Other Users (HM Government, 2011)

Table 15.3: Summary of UK Marine Policy Statement Relevant to Infrastructure and Other Users (HM Government, 2011)