Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on breeding kittiwake).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the Array and its associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on the named seabird assemblage component, kittiwake, at Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results for kittiwake ( Table 5.118   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact from collision during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of less than 0.4%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS ranged from 0.860 to 0.889 depending on if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm was included or excluded. The impacted population therefore would be between 11.1% to 14.0% smaller than the unimpacted population.

These results indicate that the impact of collision from the Array in combination with other projects is of a magnitude that can be said to adversely affect the likelihood of the kittiwake population being maintained as a viable component of the Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a risk during operation and maintenance, of collision risk significantly disrupting the named seabird assemblage component, kittiwake, populations as a qualifying species of the Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA.

Therefore, collision risk during operation and maintenance may prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from collision risk may influence the long-term maintenance of the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the site.

         seabird assemblage = AEOI cannot be ruled out

East Caithness Cliffs SPA

         kittiwake (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         kittiwake = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on kittiwake at East Caithness Cliffs SPA surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results for kittiwake ( Table 5.121   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact from collision risk during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of no more than 0.6%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS ranged from 0.801 to 0.822 depending on if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm with included or excluded. The impacted population therefore would be between 17.8% to 19.9% smaller than the unimpacted population.

These results indicate that the impact of collision risk from the Array in combination with other projects during operation and maintenance would be of a magnitude that can be said to adversely affect the likelihood of the kittiwake population being maintained as a viable component of the East Caithness Cliffs SPA. The impact level experienced during operations and maintenance to seabird assemblage was deemed to be of significant impact due to the large decline of kittiwake populations.

Consequently, it can be concluded that there is a risk during operations and maintenance of collision risk significantly disrupting kittiwake populations as a qualifying species of the East Caithness Cliffs SPA. The impact from collision during operation and maintenance may also influence the long-term maintenance of the distribution of the assessed qualifying features within the site.

         kittiwake = AEOI

         seabird assemblage = AEOI cannot be ruled out

Farne Islands SPA

         kittiwake (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring:

–         the extent and distribution of the habitats of the qualifying features;

–         the structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying features; and

–         the supporting processes on which the habitats of the qualifying features rely.

As the associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring:

–         the populations of each of the qualifying features; and

–         the distribution of qualifying features within the site.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on the named seabird assemblage component, kittiwake, at Farne Island SPA surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results for kittiwake ( Table 5.124   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact from collision during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of less than 0.5%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS ranged from 0.827 to 0.946 depending on if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm with included or excluded. The impacted population therefore would be between 5.4% to 17.3% smaller than the unimpacted population. Whilst there might be a negative effect on the kittiwake population, the magnitude of that effect is small. It is not considered a sufficiently large affect that it could be said to adversely affect the probability of kittiwake being maintained as a viable component of the seabird assemblage.

Furthermore, as kittiwake is the only species being significantly impacted, it could not be said to adversely affect the probability of the total seabird assemblage being maintained.

Therefore, collision risk during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from collision risk during operation and maintenance will not influence the long-term maintenance of the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the site.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA

         kittiwake (breeding);

         gannet (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring:

–         the extent and distribution of the habitats of the qualifying features;

–         the structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying features; and

–         the supporting processes on which the habitats of the qualifying features rely.

As the associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         kittiwake = No AEOI

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring:

–         the populations of each of the qualifying features; and

–         the distribution of qualifying features within the site.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on kittiwake at Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results for kittiwake ( Table 5.127   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact from collision risk during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of less than 0.6%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS ranged from 0.791 to 0.804 depending on if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm with included or excluded. The impacted population therefore would be between 19.6% to 20.9% smaller than the unimpacted population.

Similarly, the in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on gannet, at Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results for gannet ( Table 5.130   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact from collision risk during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of no more than 1.3%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS ranged from 0.627 to 0.634. The impacted population therefore would be between 36.6% to 37.3% smaller than the unimpacted population. This result does not take into account macro avoidance rates and so if applied, the impact would be significantly less.

These results indicate that the impact of collision from the Array in combination with other projects during operations and maintenance is of a magnitude that can be said to adversely affect the likelihood of kittiwake and gannet populations being maintained as a viable component of the Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA.

In addition, as the impact from collision on kittiwake and gannet populations was assessed as adverse, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed adverse during operation and maintenance.

Therefore, collision risk during operation and maintenance may prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from collision risk during operation and maintenance may influence the long-term maintenance of the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the site.

         kittiwake = AEOI

         gannet = AEOI

         seabird assemblage = AEOI cannot be ruled out

Forth Islands SPA

         gannet (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species and breeding kittiwake).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on gannet, at Forth Islands SPA surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results for gannet ( Table 5.136   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact from collision risk during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of less than 0.6%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS ranged from 0.810 to 0.851 depending on if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm was included or excluded. The impacted population therefore would be between 14.9% to 19.0% smaller than the unimpacted population. Given that the sustained growth of gannet populations at the Forth Islands SPA, the magnitude of impact is insufficient to create an impact that could be said to have an adverse effect on the population continuing to meet the site’s conservation objectives.

These results indicate that the impact of displacement from the Array in combination with other projects during operations and maintenance is not of a magnitude that can be said to adversely affect the likelihood of gannet populations being maintained as a viable component of the Forth Islands SPA.

In addition to the named qualifying feature, kittiwake was assessed due to being a named seabird assemblage component of the site. Like gannet, impacts surpassed the 0.02 threshold and so a PVA was carried out ( Table 5.133   Open ▸ ).

Results showed that the population would be 11.3% to 24.32% smaller than the unimpacted population. However, kittiwake is not a qualifying feature it its own right, and instead only qualifies as a named component of the breeding seabird assemblage. As the impact from collision on gannet populations was assessed as not adverse, despite the effect on kittiwake populations, as the impact is small the overall risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed not adverse during operation and maintenance.

Therefore, collision risk during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from collision risk will not influence the long-term maintenance of the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the site.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

Fowlsheugh SPA

         kittiwake (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         kittiwake = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on kittiwake at Fowlsheugh SPA surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results for kittiwake ( Table 5.139   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact from collision during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of no more than 0.8%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS ranged from 0.756 to 0.884 depending on if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm was included or excluded. The impacted population therefore would be between 11.6% to 24.4% smaller than the unimpacted population.

These results indicate that the impact of collision risk from the Array in combination with other projects during operation and maintenance would be of a magnitude that can be said to adversely affect the likelihood of the kittiwake population being maintained as a viable component of the Fowlsheugh SPA.

In addition, as the impact from collision on kittiwake populations was assessed as adverse, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed adverse during operation and maintenance due to the significant decrease.

Therefore, collision risk during operation and maintenance may prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the kittiwake and seabird assemblage as viable components of the site.

Furthermore, the impact from collision risk during operation and maintenance may therefore influence the long-term maintenance of the distribution of the assessed qualifying species within the site.

         kittiwake = AEOI

         seabird assemblage = AEOI cannot be ruled out

Hermaness, Saxa Vord and Valla Field SPA

         gannet (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on gannet at Hermaness, Saxa Vord and Valla Field SPA surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results ( Table 5.142   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact from collision risk during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of no more than 0.2%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS ranged from 0.945 to 0.949 depending on if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm was included or excluded. The impacted population therefore would be between 5.1% to 5.5% smaller than the unimpacted population. The counterfactual of population growth rate results indicate that the impact levels experienced during operation and maintenance would not adversely affect gannet at Hermaness, Saxa Vord and Valla Field SPA, as the maximum estimated change was a reduction in growth rate by 0.2%. Such a decrease indicates that this level of impact would not adversely affect the population and would likely remain undetectable against natural population fluctuations. Furthermore, it is not expected to significantly alter the background mortality rate.

These results indicate that the impact of collision risk from the Array in combination with other projects during operation and maintenance would not be of magnitude that can be said to adversely affect the likelihood of the gannet population being maintained as a viable component of the Hermaness, Saxa Vord and Valla Field SPA. The impact level experienced during operations and maintenance to seabird assemblage was deemed to be of negligible impact; only gannet was deemed to have any potential LSE2 ( Table 3.1   Open ▸ ). As the impact from collision risk on gannet populations was assessed as not adverse, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed not adverse.

Therefore, the impact from collision risk during operation and maintenance will not influence the long-term maintenance of the distribution of the assessed gannet and seabird assemblage within the site.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

North Caithness Cliffs SPA

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on breeding kittiwake).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on the named seabird assemblage component, kittiwake, at North Caithness Cliffs SPA surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results ( Table 5.145   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact from collision risk during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of no more than 0.6%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS ranged from 0.816 to 0.842 depending on if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm was included or excluded. The impacted population therefore would be between 15.8% to 18.4% smaller than the unimpacted population.

The impact level experienced during operations and maintenance to seabird assemblage was therefore deemed to be adverse due to the significant decline experienced by kittiwake populations.

Therefore, the impact from collision risk during operation and maintenance may influence the population as a viable component of the site and may influence the long-term maintenance of the distribution of the assessed seabird assemblage within the site.

         seabird assemblage = AEOI cannot be ruled out

Noss SPA

         gannet (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on gannet at Noss surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results ( Table 5.148   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact from collision during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of no more than 0.1%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS ranged from 0.949 to 0.953 depending on if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm was included or excluded. The impacted population therefore would be between 4.7% to 5.1% smaller than the unimpacted population. The counterfactual of population growth rate results indicate that the impact levels experienced during operation and maintenance would not adversely affect gannet at Noss SPA, as the maximum estimated change was a reduction in growth rate by less than 0.1%. Such a decrease indicates that this level of impact would not adversely affect the population and would likely remain undetectable against natural population fluctuations. Furthermore, it is not expected to significantly alter the background mortality rate.

These results indicate that the impact of collision risk from the Array in combination with other projects during operation and maintenance would not be of magnitude that can be said to adversely affect the likelihood of the gannet population being maintained as a viable component of the Noss SPA. The impact level experienced during operations and maintenance to seabird assemblage was deemed to be of negligible impact; only gannet was deemed to have any potential LSE2 ( Table 3.1   Open ▸ ).

As the impact from collision risk on gannet populations was assessed as not adverse, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed not adverse for operation and maintenance.

Therefore, collision risk during operation and maintenance will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site. The impact from collision risk during operation and maintenance will not influence the long-term maintenance of the distribution of the assessed gannet and seabird assemblage within the site.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

St Abb's Head to Fast Castle SPA

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on breeding kittiwake).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on the named seabird assemblage component, kittiwake, at St Abb's Head to Fast Castle SPA surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results ( Table 5.151   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact (excluding Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm) from collision risk during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of no more than 0.2%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS excluding Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm ranged from 0.927 to 0.933 depending on the approach considered. The impacted population therefore would be between 6.7% to 7.3% smaller than the unimpacted population.

However, the PVA results ( Table 5.151   Open ▸ .) concluded that the in-combination impact (including Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm) from collision risk during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of up to 3.4%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS including Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm ranged from 0.411 to 0.281 depending on the approach considered. The impacted population therefore would be between 58.9 to 71.9% smaller than the unimpacted population.

Given that the kittiwake population of the St Abb’s Head to Fast Castle SPA has decreased significantly from its citation level, the magnitude of impact is sufficient to create an impact that could be said to have an adverse effect on the population. The impact level experienced during operations and maintenance to seabird assemblage was deemed to be adverse if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm impacts are included.

Collision risk during operation and maintenance if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm is included, may prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

If Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm impacts are included, the impact from collision risk during operation and maintenance may influence the long-term maintenance of the distribution of the assessed seabird assemblage within the site.

For this assessment, it is determined that the impact from Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm should be excluded when considering AEOI. This is because Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm identified an AEOI ‘alone’ for the kittiwake feature of the St Abb’s Head to Fast Castle SPA (SSE Renewables, 2022). Therefore, should Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm proceed, then its impact on the kittiwake feature of the St Abb’s Head to Fast Castle SPA will be required to be fully compensated and should not be included in the Array ‘in-combination’ assessment.

          

St Kilda SPA

         gannet (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to ensure that the qualifying features of St Kilda SPA and the seas off St Kilda SPA are in favourable condition and make an appropriate contribution to achieving favourable conservation status;

         to ensure that the integrity of St Kilda SPA and the seas off St Kilda SPA is restored in the context of environmental changes by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c for each qualifying feature:

–         the supporting habitats and processes relevant to qualifying features and their prey/food resources are maintained, or where appropriate restored, at St Kilda SPA and/or seas off St Kilda SPA.

As the associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to ensure that the qualifying features of St Kilda SPA and the seas off St Kilda SPA are in favourable condition and make an appropriate contribution to achieving favourable conservation status;

         to ensure that the integrity of St Kilda SPA and the seas off St Kilda SPA is restored in the context of environmental changes by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c for each qualifying feature:

–         the populations of qualifying features are viable components of St Kilda SPA and seas off St Kilda SPA; and

–         the distributions of the qualifying features throughout St Kilda SPA and seas off St Kilda SPA are maintained by avoiding significant disturbance of the species.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on gannet at St Kilda SPA remains below the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k) ( Table 5.153   Open ▸ ). Below this threshold are considered non-material, falling within the natural fluctuations of the population.

Consequently, as the impact on mortality rate falls within the natural fluctuations of background mortality for the populations, it can be concluded that there is a negligible risk during operation and maintenance, of collision risk from the Array in-combination with other plans and projects from significantly disrupting gannet populations as a qualifying species of the St Kilda SPA.

In addition, as the impact from collision risk on gannet populations was assessed as negligible, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed negligible.

Therefore, collision risk during, operation and maintenance, will not prevent the conservation objectives from being achieved for the assessed qualifying features and the population of the species as viable components of the site.

 Furthermore, the impact from collision risk operation and maintenance will not significantly influence the distribution of the assessed qualifying species throughout St Kilda SPA.

         gannet = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

Troup, Pennan and Lion's Heads SPA

         kittiwake (breeding); and

         breeding seabird assemblage (due to potential impact on above species).

         to avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species; and

–         structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species.

As the associated ZoI falls outside the SPA boundary, there is no pathway for collision risk during operations and maintenance of the Array in-combination with other plans and projects to result in adverse effects on the habitats of the qualifying species.

Therefore, collision risk associated with the Array in-combination with other plans and projects will not prevent the extent, distribution, structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying species or the supporting processes on which the habitats of qualifying species rely from being maintained or restored.

         kittiwake = No AEOI

         seabird assemblage = No AEOI

         to avoid significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained;

         to ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

–         population of the species as a viable component of the site;

–         distribution of the species within site; and

–         no significant disturbance of the species.

The in-combination impact level experienced during operations and maintenance on kittiwake at Troup, Pennan and Lion's Heads SPA surpassed the advised threshold of 0.02 percentage points for increased mortality, as recommended by NatureScot (2023k). A PVA was therefore required to understand if the impact experienced would have detrimental effects on the populations.

The PVA results ( Table 5.156   Open ▸ ) concluded that the in-combination impact from collision risk during the operational and maintenance phase would result in the population growth rate decline of no more than 0.4%. After 35 years (the expected lifespan of the Array), the CPS ranged from 0.869 to 0.874 depending on if Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm was included or excluded. The impacted population therefore would be between 12.6% and 13.1% smaller than the unimpacted population.

These results indicate that the impact of collision risk from the Array in combination with other projects during operation and maintenance would be of magnitude that can be said to adversely affect the likelihood of the kittiwake population being maintained as a viable component of the Troup, Pennan and Lion's Heads SPA.

The impact level experienced during operations and maintenance to seabird assemblage was deemed to be of adverse due to the significant decline estimated; only kittiwake was deemed to have any potential LSE2 ( Table 3.1   Open ▸ ). As the impact from collision risk on kittiwake populations was assessed as adverse, the risk to the seabird assemblage has been deemed adverse for operation and maintenance.

Therefore, the impact from collision risk during operation and maintenance will have an adverse effect on the population as a viable component of the site and will influence the long-term maintenance of the distribution of the assessed kittiwake and seabird assemblage within the site.

         kittiwake = AEOI

         seabird assemblage = AEOI cannot be ruled out