EHG6163 - DBA and walkover survey - proposed Forss Wind Farm extension

An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey were undertaken by Arcus Consultancy Services in 2019 on land located at Forss Business and Energy Park, near Thurso. The purpose of the work was to establish the known or potential archaeological resource baseline in order to assess the effects of the proposed Forss Wind Farm Extension (herein referred to as 'the Development') to inform an Environmental Impast Assessment. The Core Study Area covered approximately 77.5ha and consisted of Forss Wind Farm and Business and Energy Park, and agricultural fields. A 1 km study area, which included the Core Study Area and land within a 1 km radius, was used to aid the assessment of potential unknown archaeology. A 10 km Study Area was used to identify assets which had the potential to receive a change to their setting as a result of the Development. The data collection exercise identified a total of 21 heritage features within the Core Study Area. This included the scheduled St Marys Chapel and broch S of Chapel Pool (SM90086), 18 non-designated features as identified through the HER and Canmore datasets, and two features identified through the cartographic record. Within the 1 km Study Area, there were two additional nationally designated assets, Scheduled Green Tullochs, broch & cairn 640m NNW of Borrowston Mains (SM554) and Category B Listed Lybster Farm Steading (LB14991), and a further 42 non-designated features as identified through the HER and Canmore datasets. In conclusion, it was considered likely that any work undertaken within the Core Study Area would have a moderate potential to have a direct impact upon potentially significant, previously undiscovered archaeological remains. Consultation should be undertaken with the THC archaeologist to agree appropriate mitigation measures, where required. Within the 10 km Study Area there were 34 Scheduled Monuments, 114 Listed Buildings of all Categories, and Thurso Conservation Area. There was also the potential for indirect impacts to affect assets both in the Core Study Area and the wider area. Consideration of indirect effects would be reported on fully in the EIA Report, taking into account the way in which the Development may affect the setting of nationally important sites. <1> The aforementioned EIA report was submitted to the planning authority in 2020. <2> A report providing supplementary environmental information (including for archaeology and cultural heritage) was produced by Arcus Consultancy Services and submitted to the planning authority in 2021. <3> A second report providing supplementary environmental information (including for archaeology and cultural heritage) was produced by Arcus Consultancy Services and submitted to the planning authority in 2022. <4> An updated report providing supplementary environmental information (including for archaeology and cultural heritage) in terms of amendments to the siting of one of the proposed turbines was produced by ERM and submitted to the planning authority in 2023. <5>