Draft Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy

This is the area of my concern and local expertise.

Environmental impact of proposed development at SW1

Considerations
Negative effects on birds

High risk of collision due to the turbine blades
Species at risk
Gannet
Manx Shearwater
Hen Harrier
Chough
Red-throated Divers
Kittiwakes
Razorbills
Common Guillemot
Black Guillemot
Puffins.
Common Scoter
Pale bellied Brent Geese
Corncrake
Passerines assorted species on migration

Gannets. There are two main colonies close to the proposed development area The Scar Rocks in Luce Bay approx. 5 miles distance contains 5000 breeding birds. Ailsa Craig 50 mile distant holds 70,000 breeding birds. This species are a highflying bird and are at risk from collision while feeding and migrating in the area.

Manx shearwaters. Nearby Breeding site include Bardsey Island Wales 34,000 birds, Isle of Man, Isle of Rum 200,000 birds. Over 400 birds an hour has been observed passing Burrowhead Luce Bay during feeding flights in the summer. This nocturnal bird is at risk of collision with blades and towers.

Hen Harriers. There are reports of the large winter roost site on the north of the Isle of Man contains daily migrating birds from SW Scotland requires further investigation as the flight path will transect the SW1 zone.

Chough. Historically this very rare Scottish species have nested on the Cliffs around Burrowhead Luce Bay and birds are occasionally reported in this area (2019) As the Isle of Man is the closest colony these birds are moving thought he SW1 zone and are at risk of collision with turbine blades.

Red-throated Divers The Solway is a noted winter-feeding ground for this northern breeding species. Highflying birds are at risk from collision with turbine blades as they search for feeding locations and during migration. The risk to these birds will be doubled as the Robin Rigg Wind Farm is also in their feeding area. 3% of Britain’s R.t. Divers over winter in the area.

Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Common Guillemot, Black Guillemot and Puffins. Locally important colonies are found on nearby Mull of Galloway and Burrowhead Isle of Whithorn. (5miles from the SW1 zone) Find suitable feeding in the areas of the zone.

Common Scoter. The Solway provides a feeding area of 2% of the UKs population winter in the area Flocks of 2000 – 5000 birds are seen during winter in the Solway and Luce Bay. The risk of collision will be doubled if this project id developed when combined with Robin Rigg WF.

Pale-bellied Brent Geese.
This Canadian breeding species over winters in the area movements of birds have been observed between Mull of Galloway and Wigtown Bay. Passing the SW1 Zone. Collision risk.

Corncrake. Long distant migrant this threatened consideration of the migration rout to the from Africa to the Western Isle should be considered

Passerines species on migration. Cumbria, Isle of Man, Mull of Galloway and Isle of Whithorn are jump off locations for migrating birds moving north and south these birds will transect the SW1 Zone Collision risk.

Mammals.
Minke Whales
Harbour Porpoise
Bottle-nosed Dolphins

The northern Irish Sea is a bottleneck for mammals moving north and south from the Atlantic/Iceland and the Bay of Biscay/Atlantic. This is further constrained by the Isle of Man land mass.
Consideration should be made to the level of disturbance that would occur, should this project be developed and then the ongoing disturbance by vibration and noise into the water column and possible effects on echolocation, feeding opportunities and migration movement of this group of mammals.

The Bottle-nosed Dolphin. Feeding area include SW1 the Solway and Luce Bay possible disturbances should be considered.

Social and Economic impact Assessment Development Area SW1

Points to conceder:
1.Locally Available marine industrial infrastructure
2.Future political decisions England and Ireland

3.Employment prospects to the Dumfries and Galloway Area and Scotland in General

4.Effects on the local fishing industry.
5.Effect on tourism
6.Who gains?


1.Locally available marine industrial infrastructure.
There are no usable Scottish wet harbours with 24-hour availability in the immediate area. The harbours at Isle of Whithorn, Drummore and Kirkcudbright are drying harbours. Stranraer harbour is a possibility for development with the space available in the old Ferry Port this is will have cost implications and some 60 miles from the site.

2.Alternative Harbours could be Whitehaven Cumbria England or Belfast Northern Ireland.
This lack of harbour facilities will not have a positive effect on the prospect of additional employment in local areas.

3.Note: The future of Scotland and Ireland is in some doubt at this time with Indi Ref 2 and possible unification of Ireland adding to the political situation. The Scottish Government will be required to assess this possible out comes of relying on the site being serviced and maintained by a 3rd country.


4.Impacts on the local Fishing industry.
Due to the risk of collision with turbines snagging underwater cables and associated boat insurance costs it is likely that the area of sea bed covered by the development will be lost to commercial trawling and static gear fishing methods. This will impact boats sailing from the Isle of Whithorn, Port William and Kirkcudbright.

Tourism
“The value of tourism to the region’s economy in 2015 was £320 million…. Employment in the sector… 7,105 direct and indirect jobs. Overall, the region welcomed 2.54 million visitors in 2015. (D+G Council data)

5.Tourism has a significant positive effect on the local area. Visitors come for the areas of outstanding natural beauty and undeveloped coastline. This not only has a positive effect on the commercial life of the area as can be seen in the D+G figures from 2015 This also has a secondary effect with many people who have been regular tourists then settling in the area from other areas of Scotland and beyond. This is also important for the overall population of the area, which is seeing a steady decline in population.
This proposed wind farm will have a very large visual footprint and will be easily seen from prominent points like the view points all around Luce Bay from Mull of Galloway to the Isle of Whithorn. The loss of this area of outstanding beauty will be felt as a negative factor for generations.
The Luce Bay area is in proximity to the international famous “Dark Skies”. Any wind turbines will require prominent red navigation-warning lights. This will also be a factor of industrial disturbance of the landscape (The warning light at Robin Rigg can be clearly see from the Isle of Whithorn some 35 miles away)

Dumfries and Galloway is a leading area in green energy and has a developed programme of electrical generation using sustainable means with Hydro and Wind Turbines this has a total output of 150% of requirements.
This has a visual presence and the Robin Rigg site is clearly seen from many areas a further offshore site in the area would be a site too many.

6.Who gains?
With the proposed site landing the power it produces into England there will be no benefit to Scotland’s production of green energy during this climate emergency. We will loose a valuable tourist amenity and resource without any positive effect in the way of additional jobs or any onshore development of infrastructure. In effect this project no positive benefit to the local area at all.