EHG6447 - DBA and walkover survey - proposed Highland Wind Farm, nr Aviemore

A desk-based assessment and walkover survey were carried out by CFA Archaeology in 2024 to the west of Aviemore in order to inform an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed Highland Wind Farm. The assessment was designed to identify and evaluate the heritage value of any cultural heritage assets present within the Proposed Development site (Inner Study Area), through the examination of deskbased resources and the results of a field survey, and to identify and evaluate heritage assets within an Outer Study Area, extending up to 10 km around the outermost proposed turbines, that could have their settings affected. A targeted field survey was carried out for the Inner Study Area concentrating on known heritage assets within the site identified through the desk-based assessment and those areas likely to be affected by construction of the Proposed Development (i.e. in proximity to proposed access tracks, turbinelocations, borrow pits and laydown/compound areas, etc). The survey was intended to assess the baseline condition of the known heritage assets identified through the desk-based assessment, identify any further features of cultural heritage interest not detected through the desk-based assessment that could be affected by the proposed development and identify areas with the potential to contain currently unrecorded buried archaeological remains. Sixteen non-designated assets were identified within the Inner Study Area. Thirteen of these were assessed as being of low sensitivity, and three were of negligible sensitivity. Taking account of the little change in land-use across the majority of the site as remote, unimproved pasture and the character of the identified cultural heritage baseline, the results of the study suggested that the site had low to negligible archaeological potential. Two potential direct impacts on a non-designated asset were identified, arising from the construction of the proposed development. In addition, four heritage assets lay within the 50m infrastructure micrositing allowance and could be affected by micrositing of the proposed development infrastructure. Two potential direct effects, on structural remains of post-medieval shielings and a farmstead, were assessed as being significant in EIA terms. Taking account of the low probability of encountering undisturbed buried archaeological remains within the site, it was considered probable that any remains encountered would most likely be of post-medieval date and associated with farming activities. It was considered possible that, without mitigation, there could be an impact of up to moderate significance on previously unrecorded archaeological remains. If required under the terms of a condition of consent, a programme of mitigation (archaeological watching brief) would be agreed with The Highland Council’s Historic Environment Team. <1>