Yelvertoft Wind Farm

Yelvertoft is an on-shore wind farm project set within farmland, which consists of eight turbines with a tip height of 125m and a capacity of up to 16MW. ECOSA undertook a full range of ecological studies of the site beginning with an initial Phase 1 survey to identify habitat types and potential for protected species to be present. These surveys identified potential for great crested newt, badgers, bats and birds.

A range of Phase 2 surveys were carried out by ECOSA for these species. We undertook intensive bird activity surveys across the site, using vantage points to observe bird movements. Surveyors recorded the height and flight direction of birds in order to assess the risk of collision with the proposed wind turbines using the Scottish Natural Heritage collision risk model.

All ponds within the site and immediate surrounds were surveyed for great crested newt presence and several populations were identified.  Badger activity was also mapped across the site and several active setts were identified.

Bat surveys entailed ground-level activity surveys, surveys of residential and farm buildings and a series of surveys using helium balloons to assess bat activity at altitude. We used the balloons to lift bat detectors to a height of up to 60m to record bat activity, particularly of noctule bats which fly at greater altitudes than other species.  Bats were a significant issue at the site, with a total of seven species recorded including noctule bat, a high-flying bat often perceived as being at risk from collision with operational turbines.  We produced a reasoned argument that the impact of the turbines on bats would be negligible and this was accepted by the planning inspectorate and Natural England.

Following the survey works an EcIA was submitted with the planning application and the project subsequently was called to public enquiry. Permission for the wind farm was granted by the inspector and, due to suitable fore-planning by Your Energy in commissioning early ecology surveys and a high quality of survey data provided by ECOSA, ecology did not become a significant issue of objection during the planning process. Construction is due to start in early 2012.