Page 254 - Alderney Regional Environmental Assessment of Renewable Energy: Environmental Report

Alderney Regional Environmental Assessment of Renewable Energy:
Environmental Report
The location of a possible onshore wind turbine is unknown and although the structures have a
relatively small and well defined footprint, given the potentially short distance to human
receptors and recreational activities such as walking for operation the exposure to change is
considered to be medium. Impacts are assessed as insignificant to moderate adverse
impact.
7.5.2.5 Underwater noise affecting recreational diving or swimming
Noise generated during construction and decommissioning of tidal turbines, cable routeing and
offshore substations has the potential to effect recreational divers and swimmers. The
exposure to change is largely dependent on the distance from recreational activities and the
construction and decommissioning methods used. Cable methods are considered unlikely to
result in substantially more noise than that created by other vessel movements. The methods
for tidal stream turbines in particular have the potential to use piling machinery which is
considered to use machinery which is more likely to generate noise, however considering best
practice measures for reducing and assessing noise and the likely distance from recreational
diving and swimming activities, exposure to change is negligible to low. Impacts are assessed
as minor adverse/insignificant.
7.5.2.6 Changes to the local economy
Tourism is one of the major industries on Alderney and, as such, any adverse effects that deter
tourists and recreational activities as a result of the Draft Plan could be damaging to the local
economy. Whilst the scale and location of the Draft plan is undefined it is considered unlikely
to be of a scale that will result in substantial effects on the local economy. There is also a
potential for increased job availability on Alderney to support the developments which would
counteract any minor effects and potentially result in a positive effect on the local economy
overall. Exposure to change is therefore considered negligible. Impacts are assessed as
insignificant.
7.5.2.7 Mitigation
The following mitigation measures will need to be considered at the project-level by the
developer to minimise any potentially significant (i.e. moderate or major) impacts of the Draft
Plan on recreation and tourism:
ƒ Best practice measures such as publicising the developments and any associated
diversions during construction; and
ƒ Careful consideration of the extent, number and layout of infrastructure to minimise
impacts on seascapes and visual receptors identified as being of higher sensitivity to
such development (also see Section 7.8).
R/4001/7 230 R.2129