Ecology
The proposed wind energy development is within an area which comprises agricultural fields which are all associated with the University of Reading’s Centre of Dairy Research. The majority of fields are pasture with the remainder growing fodder crops such as maize for winter feed. The fields are separated by a range of hedgerows, dry ditches and stock fencing, with a number of small copses and veteran trees interspersed in the landscape. There are no international sites statutorily designated for ecological interest within 5km of the site, or national statutorily designated sites within 2km of the site.
A range of terrestrial ecology surveys, including habitats, hedgerows, otter, bat, badger, water vole, dormouse, and great crested newt were carried out at the proposed development site and surrounding area, supported by a desk-study, which provided comprehensive information on the baseline ecological conditions. These investigations identified a number of ecological resources on the site that can be considered to be of value or are legally protected. The receptors identified were non-statutory Wildlife Heritage Sites (WHS), various woodland types, hedgerows and veteran trees, the River Loddon, badger, bat and otter.
The design of the Rushy Mead Wind Energy Development has been heavily influenced by ecological considerations, as follows:
- A small area of immature trees and scrub in the vicinity of Turbine 2 would be removed to allow development, and the length of hedgerow to be removed has been minimised to 5m and is being replaced by the more substantial planting of 470m of new hedgerow;
- No infrastructure would be built near to the River Lodden, with the electrical cable between Turbine 2 and 3 directionally drilled under the river;
- All turbines would be positioned such that blade tips would be further than 50m from linear habitats (such as woodland edges, hedgerows etc) which would reduce the risks of bat colliding with rotating blades, and is in accordance with the Natural England interim guidance document Bats and Onshore Wind Turbines Interim Guidance (2009).
As a result of the scheme design and the environmental measures that would be implemented, no significant effects on ecological receptors are predicted as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed scheme.