News

Two members of TNEI’s Ecology and Ornithology team have successfully completed their Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue qualification (0020-13), further extending the range of ecological services TNEI can offer. In particular, this adds another survey option to the range of bat tree risk assessments and survey methods which TNEI currently undertakes – a climb and inspect survey. TNEI’s ecologists regularly complete ground-based risk assessments in order to help determine the likelihood of bats roosting within a particular tree, prior to development or conservation operations which will require felling or pruning works to be undertaken. However, the team’s new qualifications will allow us to follow such surveys with close-quarters inspections of what appear (from the ground) to be potential roosting opportunities, in order to confirm whether or not such features are actually suitable for use by roosting bats. Ground-based risk assessments are often followed by a series of dusk and dawn

TNEI’s noise team can now provide expert consulting services for the measurement, analysis and reporting to characterise the noise emissions from wind turbines of various sizes. In March 2013, BS EN 61400-11:2013 was issued. It is the UK implementation of IEC 61400-11:2012 ed3.0 and superseded BS EN 61400-11:2003. This new version of the standard includes a number of changes and aims to provides more accuracy in collecting wind turbine source data; typically used for wind turbine predictions. Characterising the sound power level, the frequency spectrum and the tonal component of a wind turbine are the three main objectives of an IEC 61400-11 test. Other characteristics such as low frequency and directivity may be assessed too, however these are optional. The sound power level usually varies with wind speed and this information is used as input data to undertake predictions of wind turbine noise. Notably in this new version of the

image001.jpg The grid team at TNEI have recently launched their grid newsletter covering TNEI’s involvement in grid work, industry announcements and grid-related news. The team will be sending this out bi-monthly to grid connection clients and contacts. The first edition includes information on Ofgem’s changes to the Statement of Works process for large generators and UK Power Networks’ launch of their online distributed generation mapping tool, in addition to some information on the TNEI team. To view the full newsletter, please see http://eepurl.com/LYRUf

On the 17th December 2013 The Coalition Government’s new procedures designed to enable wind turbine proposals to be seen by local communities came into force. Proposals for the installation of a single turbine with a hub height in excess of 15m or the installation of 2 or more turbines must now honour the terms embodied within the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure and Section 62A Applications) (England) (Amendment) Order 2013. Developers have new obligations with regard to project publicity and consultation that must be“‘reasonably’discharged in“‘good time’. Failure to satisfy these obligations may see Local Planning Authorities refusing to validate prospective applications which effectively calls a halt to development prospects. How can TNEI Help? TNEI are a team of Planning and Environmental specialists with over 20 years of experience providing advice and guidance to the development industry. We are accomplished in the design and implementation of consultation strategies, the

On 20th December an agreement was reached by the European Parliament, European Council and European Commission on the proposed text for the revision of EU EIA Directive 2011/92/EU. The agreement follows much wrangling between the three bodies with numerous areas of disagreement. The Lithuanian Presidency of the EU has brokered the agreement reintroducing amendments that had previously been removed by the Irish Presidency. Review of the latest text is awaited, however TNEI understand that provisions which have made it through from the previous text include: Addition of new topics including climate change, soil, habitats, sustainability, land and biodiversity; The requirement to use qualified and competent experts (either to undertake the EIA or to review it on behalf of the competent authority); A requirement that Member States ensure the implementation of mitigation and compensation measures; Clearer requirements within the directive relating to information and public participation; and The requirement for the

TNEI has been boosted by a number of recent appointments within its Planning & Environmental Group based in Newcastle upon Tyne and Glasgow. Niall Kelly, an experienced chartered town planning consultant, Liz Russell, a graduate planning consultant and Andrew Kinghorn, an ornithological surveyor have joined the Newcastle office. Craig Potter, a consultant specialising in EIA management and planning, has joined the Glasgow office. Both Niall and Craig bring with them a wealth of experience working in the development industry, particularly within the consultancy sector. Liz and Andrew are recent graduates with a strong academic background, relevant work experience and a keen interest in their respective fields. Commenting on the new recruits, Andy Edgar – Director of the Planning & Environmental Group, said “The Group has performed very well in 2013 and developed a strong existing workload and project pipeline. These positive appointments reflect our growth plans for both Newcastle and