Table 10.17. Biotope Sensitivities to SubstratumLoss within the East Anglia THREE site (MarLIN and Tyler-Walters) extrapolated from level four and five biotopes assessments
Biotope
SS.SSa.CFiSa
SS.SCS.CCS
Biotope description Circalittoral fine sand
Circalittoral coarse sediment
SS.SMU.CSaMu Circalittoral sandy mud
Intolerance Intermediate High
High
Recoverability very high
High to very high High
Sensitivity Low
Low to moderate Moderate
223. Table 10.17 indicates that the sensitivity of infaunal biotopes within the East Anglia THREE site to permanent habitat loss is at worst of moderate sensitivity (according to Tyler-Walters et al. 2004). Therefore, the sensitivity of infaunal biotopes surveyed within the project marine boundaries is considered to be mediumin accordance with Table 10.6.
224. Of further interest, due to its importance as a food source for flatfish, the brown shrimp, was found to be present in the majority of epibenthic samples within the East Anglia THREE site (Appendix 10.2 and Appendix 10.4 ). Brown shrimp are assessed to have low sensitivity to substratum loss (Neal 2008).
225. It is predicted that the total area of habitat loss, which includes the footprint of all installed infrastructure, and inter-array cable protection along with its scour protection would be 3.16km2. This area is approximately 1.01% of the East Anglia THREE site which is not significant, especially when assessed in the context of the southern North Sea. Therefore, the magnitude of the impact would be considered to be low.
226. As the benthic receptors within the East Anglia THREE site (the three different biotopes and brown shrimp) all have a medium or low sensitivity to the impact of permanent habitat loss and the magnitude of the impact is considered low the impact within the East Anglia THREE site would be ofminor adverse significance.
10.6.2.1.2Offshore Cable Corridor 227. Within the offshore cable corridor direct habitat loss would occur where cable protection is placed. It is anticipated that cable protection may be required over a maximum of 10% of the offshore export cable east of the crossing with the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm export cables and up to 2.5% to the west of this point. This could lead to an area of up to 0.32km2 being directly impacted by the placement of cable protection (Table 10.2).
228. The amount of scour which would occur changeswith depth and distance from the shoreline with any works in cable protection close to shore potentially creating scour
Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm
Chapter 1 Introduction Page 72
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