General Advice and Information

The scope of potential impacts from a windfarm proposal, of any scale, are varied and numerous. The suite of guidance below is intended to offer advice and information on some of these issues, but if you require any further information on a matter that isn't covered here please, contact a member of the Renewables Team.

• Bats - Guidance on potential impacts, survey requirements and further information on possible mitigation techniques, relating to wind energy developments.
  
  
• The current position of Scottish Natural Heritage regarding the existing guidance on bat surveys at proposed wind turbine developments is set out in the document Bats and Wind Turbines  .
  
  
• Assessing the impact of small-scale wind energy proposals on the natural heritage (2012)  (We view groups of 3 or fewer to be 'small-scale wind energy' even when the turbines themselves might be quite large. This guidance therefore applies to groups of three turbines or fewer).
  
  
• Guidance on Assessing Connectivity with Special Protection Areas (SPAs) (2012).    This guidance provides information on dispersal and foraging distances for a range of bird species which, as qualifying interests of SPAs, are frequently encountered during the consideration of plans and projects. This information should help in the identification of potential connectivity. The information on dispersal and foraging distances in this guidance is supported by a Literature Review.
  
• Assessing the cumulative impact of onshore wind energy developments (2012)    
  
  
• Assessing the Impacts on Wild Land    (2007)
  
  
• Calculating carbon savings from wind farms on Scottish peat lands - A New Approach 
  
  
• Developments on Peatland: Site Surveys 
  
  
• Guidelines on the Environmental Impacts of Windfarms and Small Scale Hydroelectric Schemes

• If a proposed development area is likely to affect deer, a 'fit for purpose' deer management plan should be included as part of the EIA process. Guidance on deer management is available via www.snh.gov.uk/land-and-sea/managing-wildlife/managing-deer/  and also www.bestpracticeguides.org.uk/planning_dmps.aspx  Deer management plans should take into account the management of deer on neighbouring land to ensure that the objectives are complimentary.