FRASERBURGH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR GRAMPIAN REGIONAL COUNCIL
The Challenge
The existing wastewater disposal was discharging effluents
from ten outfalls, close to the shoreline, resulting in contamination
of the adjacent rocky foreshore. Bacterial levels recorded
at the designated beach in Fraserburgh Bay regularly exceeded
the mandatory limits of the EC Bathing Waters Directive. The
proposed solution was to divert effluent to a new wastewater
treatment works about 1½ kilometres west of the town.
However, the coastal strip is a Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI), through which the long sea outfall would have
to be constructed.
Our Solution
A digital terrain model was used to prepare perspectives from
elevated view points, cross section and projections of the
proposed buildings and embankments from selected view points.
Photomontages were prepared as part of the assessment technique
to allow the landscape impacts to be evaluated. They were also
used as part of the publicity/consultation process. Admiralty
charts of the area were transformed to National Grid coordinates
and digitized. Contours were sectioned to interpolate depth
over a grid for input to wave refraction models. As a result
it was shown that effluents would not affect the SSSI.
The planning application was granted by Banff and Buchan District
Council without the need for a public enquiry. The Economic
Development and Planning Department wrote to Grampian Region
Council complimenting them upon "a generally exemplary
document which will complement our efforts to maintain a high
standard of environmental assessment within the Region".