EHG5901 - Desk-based assessment and EIA - proposed Achany Wind Farm extension, Glencassley

A desk-based assessment was carried out by AOC Archaeology Group in 2020 in order to inform an environmental impact assessment for a proposed extension to the Achany Wind Farm. A walkover of the area had previously been undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2011 for a proposed Glencassley Wind Farm that had not been progressed (see EHG4520) and no additional field survey was undertaken for the present proposals. Visits were, however, made to designated heritage assets to inform the setting assessment on 3–5th November 2020. A total of six known heritage assets are situated within the Site, which likely date to the post-medieval period (Assets 47, 49, 51, 52, 56 & 59). Two of these non-designated assets, both relict fences/boundaries (Assets 51 & 52), could potentially be directly impacted by the construction of the Proposed Development). Both assets are considered to be of Negligible importance and impacts would be at worst of negligible magnitude. Given the presence of large zones of (generally shallow) peat moorland within the Site, there is a low probability that currently unknown buried remains might be disturbed by ground-breaking works on the Site during construction. Accordingly, it is recommended that a representative proportion of these works, in areas of relatively greater archaeological potential, is subject to an archaeological watching brief during these works. Potential operational effects on settings of designated heritage assets within the 5km and 10km Study Areas have been considered in detail as part of this assessment. Moderate and significant effects have been predicted upon the setting of Dail Langwell Broch. The design of the Proposed Development has considered the presence and setting of the broch and sought to reduce impacts upon this, particularly by limiting the number of turbines that can be seen from within the glen and by moving turbines south towards the existing Achany Wind Farm. <1>