East Anglia ONE Offshore Windfarm Construction Artificial Lighting Emissions Plan


September, 2016


6.2 Measures to Prevent Light Pollution 68.


In addition to the embedded mitigations, the following additional mitigation, presented in Table 6-1, will be implemented. Table 6-2 Additional Mitigation Measures


Mitigation Measures Pre-construction


Pre-construction bat activity surveys were undertaken in May 2016. However, it should be noted that survey works have an expiry of approximately 18-24 months. Therefore, if works on trees (removal/pruning/disturbance) are to take place 18-24 months after the current surveys, a re-survey should be undertaken in order to confirm that the status of the trees has not changed.


A bat mitigation licence will need to be obtained from Natural England in order to avoid an offence under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) if any of the three trees identified as having bat roosts (TN70, TN123, TN128) are to be removed/pruned/disturbed by the works. Further details see EcoMP (EA1-CON-F-IBR-021237).


Construction


There will be no 24 hour lighting along the onshore cable route except at CCSs and for specific activities locations agreed with the Local Planning Authority. There would however need to be 24 hour lighting at the onshore substation only for key construction activities, as agreed with the Local Planning Authority.(See Section 5)


At the substation, external lighting at night should be avoided as far as feasible, particularly during the months of higher bat activity (August – October).When lighting at night is required, it will comply with the Bat Conservation Trust (2014) recommendations on external lighting as agreed with Natural England. This would include provisions for directional lighting to be used at the onshore substation during 24hr working, in order to avoid lighting the flight path potentially used by the Little Blakenham Pit SSSI bats. This would illuminate the construction working area and avoid potential flight paths associated with boundary features.


Where night time works are required lighting would be directional to avoid unnecessary lighting on woodland and water edge, so as not to disturb emerging or foraging badgers.


As otters are largely nocturnal, mitigation measures during construction would focus on the restriction of night-time working (to avoid disturbance to roaming otters).Wherever possible, lighting close to watercourses would be minimised.


Site lighting shall be positioned and directed to minimise nuisance to footpath users, residents, to minimise distractions to passing drivers on adjoining public highways and to minimise skyglow, so far as reasonably practicable. Temporary lighting will be selected and positioned in accordance with guidance and standards provided in Section 2.


An exclusion area for specified activities detailed in the Schedule 1 Bird Ecological Mitigation Plan around the Marsh Harrier nest of between 100m and 400m radius, with that radius dependent on the stage of nesting activity that the Marsh Harrier has reached (nest building, eggs or chicks).


Where HDD is used to cross the Deben Estuary and Martlesham Creek, mitigation measures will be applied, with appropriate monitoring, to ensure that that artificial illumination of areas used by concentrations of Brent Goose and Avocet is kept below 1 lux.


6.3 Commitment 71.


All lighting relating to the onshore construction works are temporary and will be removed as soon as possible on completion of the relevant element of works.


Minimise Impact on sensitive receptors


Avoid Impacts on bats.


Minimise Impacts on bats.


Minimise Impacts on bats


Rationale


Avoid impact on badgers


Avoid impact on otters.


Minimise Impact on visual receptors.


Avoid impact on Schedule 1 breeding birds


Avoid impact on SPA non- breeding birds


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