EIA Screening Requests Template for proposed single turbine or small
scale wind energy developments
Note: Completion of this screening template must comply with the requirements of the Town
and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)(Scotland) Regulations 2011
(referred to here as The 2011 Regulations). It is the responsibility of the developer and,
ultimately, the relevant planning authority to ensure that it does.
INTRODUCTION - PURPOSE OF THIS TEMPLATE
Before completing this template you should familiarise yourself with Circular 3/2011: The Town
and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011.
Generally, it will fall to planning authorities to consider whether a proposed development
requires EIA. Before submitting any planning application for ‘Schedule 2 development,’
developers will wish to request a pre-application 'screening opinion' from the planning authority,
to determine whether or not EIA is required.
Your Planning Authority can help to identify Schedule 2 development. You may wish to refer to
regulation 2(1) of the 2011 Regulations and to paragraph 3(i) of Schedule 2 of those regulations
in the first instance. (See useful links below).
Schedule 2 development - useful links:

Guidance on identifying Schedule 2 development

The 2011 Regulations (Schedule 2)
Requesting a screening opinion:
When determining whether a schedule 2 development requires EIA, the basic question to be
asked is: 'Would this particular development in this location be likely to have significant effects
on the environment? Before reaching their determination, planning authorities must take
account of the Selection Criteria for Screening Schedule 2 Development. Three categories of
criteria are listed:•
•
•
Characteristics of the development
Location of the development
Characteristics of the potential impact
To assist the planning authority in reaching its screening determination, the developer should initiate
the use of this template.
Information requested in Sections 1 and 2 will be relevant to all cases.
The extent to which Section 3 and Annexes are relevant will depend on the particular details of each
individual case.
Once complete, the template should be forwarded to the relevant planning authority.
1. PROPOSAL (To be completed by the developer)
Project Name:
Location:
Name of Developer:
Position:
Company:
Address:
Email:
Tel:
Date:
Signed:
2. DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL (To be completed by the developer)
2.1 Please insert a map showing the location of the proposed development and associated
infrastructure (e.g. tracks, buildings, transmission cabling etc).
‘Copy’ appropriate sized map from relevant file, highlight the grey form field below,
and ‘paste.’
2.2
Please insert other relevant textual information, for example information concerning the
design, setting, and operational characteristics of the proposed development (e.g. height to
hub/blade-tip, grid reference, generating capacity, design/number of blades, timespan/decommissioning arrangements, colour etc).
‘Copy’ information from relevant file, highlight the grey form field below, and ‘paste.’
2.3
If known, please insert details of the turbine’s sound power level as described by the
manufacturer’s noise label. To assist the Council in identifying any noise sensitive properties in
the locality, please also indicate (where relevant) the location of any dwelling house for which
the project proponent is also the owner / occupier.
‘Copy’ information from relevant file, highlight the grey form field below, and ‘paste.’
2.4
Where known, please indicate the locations of other wind turbines (constructed,
consented or applied-for) in the locality of the proposal. This will help the authority when
assessing any potential cumulative impacts.
‘Copy’ map from relevant file, highlight the grey form field below, and ‘paste.’
3. IDENTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RECEPTORS (Additional
information to be completed by the developer, where available)
3.1 Sensitive Areas
The relationship between a proposed development and its location is a crucial consideration.
Guidance on development in sensitive areas can be found in Circular 3/2011.
Please complete Table 1 with any known sensitive areas that the proposed development is
located within or close to. Developers are directed to SNH’s interactive maps to identify
sensitive areas. Further guidance on how to identify sensitive areas is provided in SNH’s
guidance on Assessing the impact of small scale wind energy proposals on the natural
heritage’, or the maps highlighted within the Scottish Government’s ‘useful links for small scale
wind developments’.
3.2 World Heritage Sites and Scheduled Monuments
Developers are directed to Historic Scotland’s website to identify any relevant World Heritage
Sites or scheduled monuments. Information is also available via Archaeology Scotland’s
website, which holds details of Local Authority Archaeologists, the areas they cover, and related
local resources.
3.3 International Conservation Sites
International Conservation sites include Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special
Protection Areas (SPA). For SPA’s, connectivity is linked to the dispersal and foraging distances
for a range of bird species which, as qualifying interests of SPAs, are frequently encountered
during the consideration of projects. Please highlight in the table below the following:
•
•
•
•
Any SPAs located within a 20km radius of the proposal site
Any SACs located within a 5km radius of the proposed site
Any other sites directly impacted within a 2km radius of the proposed site
Any sites of historical or cultural importance within a 5km radius of the proposed site
Sensitive Area
International Conservation
Sites (e.g. SAC, SPA etc.)
Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI)
Land subject to Nature
Conservation Orders
National Scenic Areas
World Heritage Sites
Scheduled Monuments
National Parks
Any other sensitive areas or
sites, where known
Name of
site
Reason for
Designation?
i.e. protected
habitat or
species
Close to
sensitive area
(approx.
distance)?
Within
sensitive
site?
3.4 Screening Checklist
Some planning authorities will use the Scottish Government’s Small scale wind energy
screening checklist as an aid to determining whether EIA is required, taking into account the
Schedule 3 criteria. Developers may wish to refer to this before submitting any information
which will aid the planning authority in reaching that determination. Developers may also wish
to refer to the Scottish Government’s online renewables planning advice on Onshore wind
turbines.
Where known or available, please include further information relating to the potential
environmental impacts arising from the proposed developments in Annex 1 of this template.
This may include, but is not limited to:
•
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) surveys proposed or undertaken,
including viewpoint visualisations
•
Zone of Theoretical Visualisation (ZTV) maps.
•
Ecological surveys proposed, and/or data and results acquired. Ecological maps where
available.
•
Surveys/maps proposed and/or results acquired with regard to the cultural heritage in the
area.
•
Noise assessments proposed, and/or undertaken, and results acquired 1.
•
Any cumulative studies proposed, and/or undertaken and results/maps acquired.
•
Other associated risks/impacts (e.g. oil, flooding, changes to watercourses, groundwater,
water supply etc), and supporting maps if available.
•
Identification of any groundwater dependent ecosystems that may be impacted upon.
•
For proposals on peatland, peat depth survey and map of peat depth (where known and
available).
•
etc).
Any consultation undertaken with relevant bodies (e.g. RSPB, SNH, Community Councils
TEMPLATE TRANSFER GUIDANCE – 1
After the developer has completed the relevant Sections above the template should be emailed
or posted on CD-ROM to the relevant authority (planning authority planning department).
The template should have a unique file name, which might usefully include the date at which
this version is emailed/posted to the relevant authority.
Developers may wish to refer to the Institute of Acoustics’ publication: A GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE TO THE
APPLICATION OF ETSU-R-97 FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND RATING OF WIND TURBINE NOISE
1
4. RELEVANT PLANNING AUTHORITY SUMMARY (to be completed by the
Planning Authority)
4.1 Screening Opinion - Relevant Planning Authority Summary
We have considered this proposed development and have completed our assessment of the
likely significance of environmental impacts. We conclude:
1. (a) No EIA is required for this proposed development.
(b) A statement of reasons is attached in Annex 2.
2.
An EIA will be required for this proposed development. A statement of reasons is
attached in Annex 2.
3.
No EIA is required, but we will seek further, or additional information during the
planning process *
* No EIA is required, however more information may be requested later in the planning process.
This information may include (but is not limited to):
Electronic signature:
Name:
Planning authority:
Telephone no:
Date:
TEMPLATE TRANSFER GUIDANCE – 2
The relevant authority should now send (e-mail or post on CD-ROM) this completed template to
the developer within the 3 week deadline period.
ANNEX 1: DEVELOPER TO USE AS REQUIRED FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Developer to insert any attachments/additional information here.
ANNEX 2: PLANNING AUTHORITY TO USE AS REQUIRED TO RECORD
REASONS WHY THE DEVELOPMENT IS OR IS NOT EIA DEVELOPMENT
Planning authority to insert letter/information here.
ANNEX 3: PLANNING AUTHORITY TO INSERT CONSULTEE RESPONSES
(IF APPROPRIATE)
The planning authority may use this page to insert responses from consultees.
ANNEX 4: USEFUL LINKS
Circular 3/2011: The Town and
Country Planning (Environmental
Impact Assessment) (Scotland)
Regulations 2011
The 2011 Regulations (Schedule
2)
Guidance on Identifying Schedule
2 Development
Selection Criteria for Screening
Schedule 2 Development
Guidance on Development in
Sensitive Areas
Small
Scale
Wind
Energy
Screening Checklist
SNH - Interactive maps to identify
sensitive areas
SNH - Environmental Impact
Assessment Webpage
SNH - Onshore Wind Energy
Webpage
SNH - Windfarm Impacts on Birds
Guidance
SNH - Bird Collision Risk Guidance
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/06/01084419/0
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2011/139/schedule/2/made
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/06/01084419/2
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/06/01084419/7
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/06/01084419/2#
a8
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/BuiltEnvironment/planning/National-Planning-Policy/themes/enviroassessment/eia/windenergyscreening
http://www.snh.gov.uk/publications-data-and-research/snhiinformation-service/map/
http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-anddevelopment/environmental-assessment/eia/
http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewableenergy/onshore-wind/
http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewableenergy/onshore-wind/windfarm-impacts-on-birds-guidance/
http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewableenergy/onshore-wind/bird-collision-risks-guidance/
http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewableenergy/onshore-wind/landscape-impacts-guidance/
http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewableenergy/onshore-wind/general-advice-and-information/
http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewableenergy/onshore-wind/good-practice-during-windfarm-const/
http://www.nbn.org.uk/
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage.htm
http://sedsh13.sedsh.gov.uk/HAGGIS/
SNH
Landscape
Impacts
Guidance
SNH - General Advice and
Information
SNH - Good practice During
Windfarm Construction
National Biodiversity Network
Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland – Heritage Asset
Group GIS (HAGGIS)
The West of Scotland Archaeology http://www.wosas.net/about.html
Service (WoSAS)
SEPA – Interactive River and http://go.mappoint.net/sepa/
Coastal Flood Map