EHG6451 - DBA and walkover survey - proposed Ballach Wind Farm

A desk-based assessment and walkover survey were undertaken by WSP in 2025 in order to inform an environmental impact assessment in advance of the proposed construction of a wind farm at Ballach, Kilmorack. The fieldwork was undertaken in order to confirm the presence of known heritage assets and identify any previously unrecorded heritage assets and to visit designated heritage assets within the study area in order to complete a setting assessment. Due to the extensive areas covered by the proposed development, walkover surveys (visual inspections) conducted in June 2025 were targeted to areas of higher potential for visible archaeological remains that may not have been previously recorded. Areas that were not covered by the walkover surveys may contain previously undiscovered heritage assets, which may be visible as above ground archaeological remains, or may be sub-surface. No non-designated heritage assets were located within the construction footprint of the turbine locations and associated infrastructure or within the footprint of access tracks. No previously unrecorded heritage assets were identified via visual inspection during the field walkover survey, although the western half of the proposed development could not be accessed due to safety concerns. The archaeological potential across all periods was considered to be low to negligible within the proposed development. Whilst the study area contained notable prehistoric and medieval heritage assets, the proposed development lacked evidence of heritage assets from these periods. The steep, boggy terrain with poor drainage likely meant that the area was unsuitable for permanent settlement or intensive land use. The only known heritage assets within the proposed development were of post-medieval origin, comprising shieling huts, stone field boundaries or simple shelters. It was considered that any previously unrecorded archaeological remains that may survive within the proposed development are likely to be of low to negligible archaeological value and related to agricultural use. A supplementary archaeological walkover targeted to all turbine locations and access tracks would be required prior to construction. This would identify if there are any unrecorded upstanding remains that would have direct physical impacts to them from the construction phase of the proposed development. Should any upstanding remains be identified, they would be preserved by record through an earthwork survey and archaeological investigations where required. Construction of the main access track from the A831 until it reaches the higher and steeper ground of Beinn a’ Chlaonaidh would be subject to targeted archaeological monitoring and recording during groundworks to preserve any archaeological remains by record. No assets were recorded within the route of this access track, but there was higher potential due to the presence of heritage assets within the lower lying ground around the Scheduled Urchany Barrow (SM13523, A38), where a post-medieval township (MHG23302, A69) was recorded. The archaeological monitoring and recording methodology would be set out in an archaeological project design to be agreed with Highland Council Historic Environment Team (HCHET). Should the archaeological remains prove to be more extensive and complex, this may require a programme of open area excavation, to be determined by HCHET. Should this be required, groundworks related to construction will temporarily cease in this area to allow for open area excavation and recording following the methodology of the approved archaeological project design. <1> NOTE: The areas specifically subject to walkover are not described in any detail nor shown on any map within the EIA report [IS-L 17/11/2025]. GIS spatial extent is the full planning application area.