Upper Greenfields: Early Development

Current Status

The Upper Greefields Project is currently in early development. This phase seeks to:

- Define and then refine the project.
- Allow for early engagement with stakeholders and host communities.
- Understand constraints and opportunities relating to the development of the project.

The site

The proposed site extends to approximately 8.1ha of agricultural land located south of Cuminestown, Aberdeenshire.

It was chosen because it has minimal environmental constraints and is distanced from residential receptors and the wider area by fields and surrounding woodland.

The location of the battery storage infrastructure is driven by its proximity to the grid connection point at the proposed SSE Greens Substation to the north. Lower 48 have identified that electricity storage capacity is potentially required on the transmission network here to facilitate offshore wind generated in the North Sea and this can be connected via the proposed substation. Locating the BESS’ as near to the grid connection point as possible maximises electrical efficiency for the facility and is the most cost-effective solution.  

The main body of the site has been identified for BESS and substations with areas being identified for landscaping, drainage, and ancillary infrastructure.

Site analysis and conceptual design

Initial analysis of the site suggests that the south and east site edges should have greater proportions of landscaping to provide robust and effective screening of the site from adjacent roads and areas while taller elements such as transformers should be located on lower-level areas where good screening can be established.

All parts of the site are away from residential dwellings, avoiding any substantial requirements to mitigate against any concerns regarding noise and visual impact.

Further design work is ongoing in relation to the extent of the area subject to the substations which connects into the transmission network and the options for layouts in respect of the battery storage may be refined.

Landscape and visual amenity

Neither the site nor the surrounding area is subject to any national or other landscape designations. Parts of the site are prominent from the local ‘Mains of Greens’ unclassified singletrack road directly to the north but also benefits from good screening particularly to the west and north. Views from the south and east are more open and intermittent from the wider area. These views would see the site backdropped visually by adjacent farm buildings, the sloping landform of the site and the woodland directly north reducing any visual intrusion.

With sensitive layout, design and landscaping we aim to reduce the proposals intervisibility in the area. It is recognised that the site may still lead to some localised impacts on visual amenity. To ensure this is minimised, a preliminary landscape and visual appraisal has been undertaken. This has considered different development layout options and made early recommendations for robust screening of the site edges.

Initial engagement with the host community will also consider any local views on areas of greatest sensitivity, this includes the core path that runs alongside the site.

On completion of the appraisal, a Landscape Masterplan and Landscape Visual Assessment will be prepared as part of the detailed design stage, and these will set out any required mitigation measures.

The Proposed Development would be sited alongside the proposed Greens Substation, to be directly north of the site. This is currently subject to ongoing public consultation – it is yet to be submitted formally as a planning application. Timelines show its construction is due to be completed in 2028 and commissioned thereafter in 2030. The BESS proposals will be constructed after this to reduce disruption and also to reflect the need for the Substation to be energised to allow for a grid connection to it to be realised. We have engaged early with SSE on the relationship and timings between the respective developments. This also ensures that the nature of the existing area would be subject to a degree of change and transition in the short to medium term.

Ecology and habitats

The site does not contain any areas designated for their ecological value, and it would not require the loss of any trees or woodland.

A preliminary ecological appraisal has already been undertaken and has not identified any sensitive habitats, Protected Species, Breeding Birds, and other ecology that cannot be avoided as part of the development proposals within the site.

A comprehensive landscaping scheme, likely to include shrub and woodland planting, grassland and wildflower meadows, will enhance the overall biodiversity value of the site as part of the development. It will consider ensuring that the development is incorporated into the wider landscape and provide enhanced habitats.

Heritage

The Proposed Development does not lie within any areas designated for their heritage value, nor does it lie within or adjacent to any Gardens and Designed Landscapes. There are several listed buildings in Cuminestown, and others - Millbrex Church, Cairnbanno House and New Deer Church elsewhere. All are at least 3.0km away with no intervisibility of the site.

There is one Gardens and Designed Landscapes designation at Hatton Castle 4.1km away to the west, again with no interrelationship, others at Fyvie Castle, Haddo House and Forglen House are further away. There are no Conservation Areas. Due to the intervening distance to these buildings and assets, there is no potential for significant effects on their settings.

Flood risk

The site does not appear to be affected by fluvial or surface water flooding. Drainage Impact Assessment is required, and SuDS utilised for surface water run-off.

Drainage infrastructure will be proposed to mitigate against any impacts resulting from surface water as a result of the development and to ensure that any increase in run off is mitigated and attenuated so as to not cause drainage issues elsewhere.

Any private water supplies located adjacent to the site will be identified and a risk assessment for all supplies will be required.

Noise

Noise assessments are already underway to ensure that the design and location of the development takes into account the amenity of any local residents.

Consideration of equipment and layout that minimises noise impact on residential properties within the area is a primary driver at the conceptual design stage. Any potential sources of noise including the Substations, power inverters and BESS units themselves will be chosen to be as quiet as possible and located away from sensitive receptors, with appropriate mitigation provided (if necessary), meaning that the Proposed Development is unlikely to have significant impacts on sensitive receptors.

Loss of agricultural land

Agricultural land on site is Grade 4.2 (Non-Prime Agricultural Land).

At the end of its operational life the BESS’ will be removed, and the site restored, leading to no permanent loss of agricultural land. As such there would be minimal long-term impact on the existing agricultural land.

Access

Access to the site would be from either the B9170 to the east or the A947, which is to the west of the site. It is anticipated construction traffic will arrive via the strategic trunk roads in the area and then use these routes and then the unclassified local road network. Construction traffic will consist of a small number of abnormal loads, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), light goods vehicles (LGVs) and cars.

More detailed access routing for construction vehicles will be assessed at the detailed design stage and construction routing will be subject to further assessment to ensure it minimises the impact on the local community.