Openreach Limited require consenting support for a programme of advance works of telecommunications cabling along the A9 corridor, to be completed prior to the Transport Scotland A9 Road Dualling Project between Perth and Inverness. Fibre-optic and copper cabling requires replacement, diversion, or new sections installing and the proposed routes of these cables lie in close proximity to legally protected designated sites or habitats of protected species.
Affric have provided full consenting support to the Openreach Advance Works through Phases 5, 7 and 8 of the A9 Dualling Project. This includes:
- Two applications for working within Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI),
- An application for a ‘Works affecting Water voles’ license,
- a Species Protection Plan for water voles,
- Two HRA Pre-Screening Assessments and
- Protected species surveys for bat, otter, beaver, red squirrel, badger and pine marten.
Affric will support the project through the construction phase as Independent ECoW to audit compliance against all environmental consenting requirements.