10.4 Assessment Methodology


10.4.1 Guidance 17.


The characterisation of the benthic ecology baseline and the assessment of potential impacts has been made with specific reference to the relevant National Policy Statements (NPS). These are the principal decision making documents for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP). Those relevant to benthic ecology within the proposed East Anglia THREE project are:


  18.


Overarching NPS for Energy (EN-1) (Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) 2011a); and


NPS for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3) (DECC 2011b).


Table 10. 3 summarises the relevant NPS text as well as providing the sections in this PEIR where each is addressed.


Table 10.3. NPS Assessment Requirements NPS requirements


An assessment of the effects of installing cable across the intertidal zone should include information, where relevant, about:


1. Any alternative landfall sites that have been considered by the applicant during the design phase and an explanation for the final choice;


2. Any alternative cable installation methods that have been considered by the applicant during the design phase and an explanation for the final choice;


3. Potential loss of habitat; 4. Disturbance during cable installation and removal (decommissioning);


5. Increased suspended sediment loads in the intertidal zone during installation; and


6. Predicted rates at which the intertidal zone might recover from temporary effects.


Applicants are expected to have regard to guidance issued in respect of Food and Environmental Protection Act (FEPA) [now Marine Licence] requirements.


Section 2.6.83 NPS EN-3 Section 10.4.1 NPS reference Section 2.6.81 of NPS EN-3


1. Chapter 4 Site Selection and Alternatives


2. Chapter 5 Description of the Development


3. Section 10.6.2


4. Section 10.6.1 and 10.6.3


5. Section 10.6.1 6. Section 10.6.1


Section Reference


Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014


East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm


Chapter 10 Benthic Ecology Page 18


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