EHG6444 - Walkover survey - proposed Achany Wind Farm extension grid connection

A desk-based assessment and walkover survey were undertaken by C Dagg in 2022 in order to inform an Environmental Appraisal for a proposed grid connection to the Achany Wind Farm extension. Field survey was carried out in August 2022 at the route selection stage of the project, covering sections of the route options not previously covered by survey work for other projects but targeting sections where the desk-based study indicated a greater potential for unrecorded archaeological features. Survey work consisted of a walkover on the targeted sections, recording features using hand-held GPS and camera. The aim of the survey was to record all features, including those of minor importance and low sensitivity and to use this data to recreate former patterns of land use and enable predictions of sub-surface archaeological features or deposits. The section of the proposed development located north of the A839 lay within the survey areas for the consented Achany Wind Farm Extension (see EHG), Glencassley Wind Farm Environmental Statement (see EHG4520) and Rosehall Wind farm pre-felling survey (see EHG3625) and was not revisited for this evaluation. The section of the Proposed development located between the A839 and the A837 was subjected to the walkover survey concentrating on areas of open ground. Recently felled coniferous plantation severely restricted access in some areas. All archaeological features visible within the inner study area were noted. However, dense vegetation cover made the location and identification of known archaeological features difficult and in some cases prevented the identification of minor associated features. An appraisal has been made of the predicted significance of effects of the proposed development on cultural heritage interests in the inner and outer study area. This appraisal identified no significant residual effects, assuming application of proposed mitigation measures. It was recommended that mitigation measures be agreed in advance of any groundbreaking work and be clearly set out in a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI), agreed with THC and to be implemented by an Archaeological Clerk of Works (ACoW). <1>