31. Embedded mitigation is discussed in section 18.4.1, and is referred to throughout the impact assessment. The impact assessment takes into account the embedded mitigation before coming to a conclusion on the potential impact to a receptor.


18.4.3 Cumulative Impact Assessment 32.


For a general introduction to the methodology used for the Cumulative Impact Assessment for Infrastructure and Other Users, please refer to Chapter 6 EIA Methodology. This chapter will focus on those cumulative impacts that are specific to infrastructure and other users.


33. Cumulative impacts have been assessed through consideration of the extent of influence of changes or effects on Infrastructure and Other Users arising from the proposed East Anglia THREE project and those arising from other projects either already constructed (where applicable) or in the planning process. These include the proposed East Anglia FOUR and East Anglia ONE projects and particularly with regards to export cables which will require cable crossing of existing transmission and telecommunication cables. Other nearby sea bed activities including marine aggregate extraction and marine disposal are also considered.


18.4.4 Transboundary Impact Assessment 34.


Transboundary impacts have been assessed through consideration of the extent of influence of changes or effects and their potential to impact upon Infrastructure and Other Users located within other EU member states.


18.5 Existing Environment


18.5.1 UK windfarm and renewable energy developments 35.


The UK waters of the southern North Sea is an area of significant offshore wind development activity, having been subject to several phases of offshore wind development under The Crown Estates’ Round 1, Round 2, Round 1 and 2 extensions and Round 3 developments.


36.


The nearest windfarms to the proposed East Anglia THREE project (outside of the East Anglia Zone) are the Round 2 Greater Gabbard site and the planned Round 2 extension Galloper Wind Farmlocated approximately 80km and 74km respectively south west of the East Anglia THREE site and 16km and 15km from the offshore cable corridor (Figure 18.1 and Table 18.11). The 504MW Greater Gabbard site became operational in 2013. The Galloper extension will increase this capacity by 340MW. The next closest UK site is E.ON UK Renewables Scroby Sands site located approximately 65km to the west of the East Anglia THREE site and 51km to the north of the closest point of the offshore cable corridor.


Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014


East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm


Chapter 18 Infrastructure and other users Page 18


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