Options appraisal to deliver economic and community benefits while protecting the natural heritage.
A HalSTAR (Halcrow sustainability toolkit and rating system) options appraisal was conducted in parallel to an economic appraisal undertaken by the EBS team, looking at potential sites for renewable energy development in the Western Isles. This involved correlating a wide range of stakeholder requirements and planning constraints to assess the feasibility of a range of possible locations. Multidisciplinary specialists with local knowledge appraised options using recommended HalSTAR criteria.
Outcomes and benefits
The detailed analysis of requirements ensured that all potential constraints were considered in the appraisal. Concise graphical outputs helped to highlight key issues, aiding comparison and selection of options and ensuring that impacts were mitigated effectively. The diagrams were also effective in ommunicating issues to the many stakeholders involved. The final recommended option resulted in considerably improved impacts relative to other proposals.