Description of local environment

Air quality

There are no active Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) located within 10km of scheme extents (Scottish Air Quality).

There are no air quality monitoring sites located within 10km of the scheme extent (Scottish Air Quality).

One Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) site which records air pollutant releases is located within 10km of the scheme (Scotland’s Environment). The Scottish Sea Farms processing plant at South Shian is located approximately 1.8km west of the scheme at its nearest point and monitors hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). However, no annual HCFC monitoring data has been published since 2014.

Due to the semi-rural nature of the works, air quality is anticipated to be quite high throughout the scheme extents, with baseline air quality is likely influenced by traffic along the A828 trunk road, with secondary sources derived from day-to-day rural activity.

Cultural heritage

One group of Listed Buildings is located within 300m of the scheme extent (PastMap). The buildings associated with Mill Farm (LB6435) are Category B listed, with the closest building situated approximately 170m southeast of the scheme extent at its closest extent.

Of lesser cultural heritage value, a number of Historic Environment Records (HER) and National Record of Historic Environment (NRHE) were identified during the desktop study within 300m of the scheme. The closest HER is associated with Barcaldine Old Schoolhouse (ref: 43231), located approximately 45 m south of the scheme’s closest extent. The closest NRHE is associated with Rhugarbh Church (ref: 388776), located approximately 25m north of the scheme’s closest extent (PastMap).

No Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, Garden and Designed Landscapes, Battlefields or World Heritage sites were identified within 300m of the scheme (PastMap).

The construction of the A828 trunk road and bridge will likely have exposed any potential items of cultural heritage interest present within the upper engineered layers, and as such, the likelihood of presence of undiscovered features is considered low.

Landscape and visual effects

The scheme does not fall within a National Park (NP), National Nature Reserve (NNR) or a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) (SiteLink).

However, the scheme does partially lie within the Lynn of Lorn National Scenic Area (NSA) (NatureScot site code: 9140), which has the following special qualities:

  • A long-inhabited, green oasis
  • A small scale, low-lying landscape within a vast highland backdrop
  • A landscape strongly orientated northeast-southwest
  • The coastline of great variety and diversity
  • A strategic location, rich in history
  • A place of retreat and seclusion
  • Castle Stalker, one of Scotland’s iconic romantic images

Landscape Character Type for the scheme is listed as ‘Lowland Ridges and Moss’ (LCT 51), which has the following key characteristics:

  • Coastal lowland with low ridges separating narrow, linear glens or flat areas of moss.
  • Ridges form low, narrow peninsulas enclosing small, horseshoe-shaped bays.
  • Rocky ridges are densely wooded and linear glens are a patchwork of marginal pastures.
  • Shoreline and off-shore islands have a more undulating landform and a more open character.
  • Landform becomes lower and ridges less pronounced towards the south, where there are extensive areas of flat, peaty moss.
  • Some relatively large houses in sheltered coves, with scattered, more recent development elsewhere.

The land use surrounding the scheme is listed as Rectilinear Fields and Farms, Managed Woodland, Rough Grazing, Smallholdings, Shellfish Farm and Urban Area (HLA Map).

The land surrounding the scheme comprises managed woodland, rural houses and agriculture fields.

The A828 trunk road connects Connel with South Ballachulish. It commences at the A828 / A85 junction in Connel leading generally north-eastwards for a distance of 51 kilometres to its junction with the A82 in South Ballachulish. The A828 is a single carriageway along its length. 

Biodiversity

Loch Creran Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (NatureScot site code: 8294) and Loch Creran Marine Protection Area (Nature Conservation) (MPA(NC)) (NatureScot site code: 10415) overlap boundaries and lie approximately 65m north of the scheme’s closest extent.

Due to the proximity and potential ecological connectivity between the works and above designated sites, a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been produced. Refer to the relevant assessment section below for details.

There are no locally or nationally designated sites for biodiversity (i.e. Sites of Special Interest (SSSI), National/Local Nature Reserves) within 300m of the scheme (SiteLink).

The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas holds several records of bird species within 2km of the scheme (the search criteria included only records during the past ten years, and which have open-use attributions (OGL-CC0-CC-BY)). Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), all wild birds and their active nests are protected, with certain species receiving additional protections.

The NBN Atlas holds the following injurious and invasive native and non-native plants as listed in the Network Management Contract (NMC)) under the same search criteria:

  • Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
  • Curled dock (Rumex crispus)
  • Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)*
  • Rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium)
  • Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

*Invasive non-native species (INNS) – those most in need of control.

Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) holds several records of rosebay willowherb within the verge of the A828 within the scheme extent.

The woodlands surrounding the scheme extent are listed on the Ancient Woodland Inventory Scotland, with one specific section of Ancient Woodland (of semi-natural origin) (ID: 13820) recorded as overlapping the trunk road within the scheme extent (Scotland’s Environment).

There are no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) within 300m of the scheme (Argyll and Bute Tree Preservation Orders).

Habitat immediately surrounding the scheme extent comprises a mixture of deciduous woodland, open pasture, residential properties, managed gardens and aquatic habitat provided by Loch Creran.

Due to the restriction of works to the A828 trunk road boundary, and given the localised nature of the works, the potential for impacts to the surround environment and protected/notable species identified within the desktop study are considered to be low and a site visit as part of this assessment has been deemed unnecessary.

Geology and soils

There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRSs), or geological SSSIs located within 300m of the scheme (SiteLink).

The British Geological Survey online mapping tool records that the bedrock within the scheme extents consist of:

  • Beinn Donn Quartzite Formation-Graphitic pelite
  • Beinn Donn Quartzite Formation-Quartzite

Superficial deposits within the scheme extents consist of the following layers:

  • Raised marine and coastal zone deposits-Clay, silt and sand
  • Hummocky (Moundy) Glacial Deposits-Diamicton, sand and gravel

According to Scotland's Soils Map, the soils within the scheme extent are classified as Humus-iron podzols and Noncalcareous gleys with humic gleys (Scotland’s Soils).

The carbon and peatland 2016 map records soil within the scheme as ‘Class 0’ which are described as mineral soils where peatland habitats are not typically found on such soils (Scotland’s Soils).

Works will be restricted to previously engineered ground within the A828 trunk road boundary. Therefore, this receptor has no constraints (as identified in Environmental Baseline) that are likely to be impacted by the proposed works and as such, ‘geology and soils’ is scoped out and is not discussed further within this RoD.

Material assets and waste

The proposed works will entail the resurfacing of the A828 carriageway and re-instatement of road markings, with materials used to consist of:

  • Asphaltic material
  • Bituminous emulsion bond coat
  • Milled in road studs
  • Thermoplastic road marking paint

Wastes are anticipated to be primarily planings from the carriageway surface course. All road planings will be managed in accordance with the SEPA Position Statement WAS-PS-07 (Low Risk Waste Activity (LRWA 3) and recycled in line with SEPA Guidance WAS-G-DEF-05 on End-of-Waste for Recycled Aggregates. The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring full compliance with these requirements.

Coal tar has not been highlighted as being present within the schemes.

The value of the scheme does not exceed £350,000; therefore, a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is not required.

Noise and vibration

For residential, community and commercial receptors refer to the ‘Population and Human Health’ section below.

There are no Candidate Noise Management Areas (CNMA) within the scheme extents as defined by the Transportation Noise Action Plan (Road Maps) (TNAP).

The modelled day-evening-night average noise levels (LDEN) within the scheme extent are between 58 and 66dB (ScotGov).

The baseline noise and vibration level is influenced by traffic along the A828 trunk road, with secondary sources derived day-to-day rural activities.

Population and human health

The scheme lies within a semi-rural section of the A828, with several properties located within 300m of the scheme extent. Several of these properties are within 15m of the trunk road with limited visual and acoustic screening.

As the scheme is situated within a semi-rural area there are several access roads and minor roads located within the scheme extents. A southbound layby is located within 10m of the scheme’s most eastern extent.

Non-motorised user (NMU) facilities are present within the scheme extent, including a footpath adjacent to the northbound carriageway.

There is one Core Path located within 300m of the scheme, which is the C152(i) - Oban to Appin (National Cycle Network)), which utilises the northbound footpath within the scheme extent (Argyll and Bute Council). The path is also utilised by the National Cycle Network Route 78 (NCN).

There are no walking routes listed by WalkHighlands within 300m of the scheme extent.

A Transport Scotland Road Traffic Counter on the A828 Creagan Bridge (Site ID: 0000ATC08057), located approximately 6km north of the scheme’s closest extent, recorded an Average Daily Traffic (ADT) flow in 2025 of 2,350 vehicles with 20.1% of them being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

According to Scottish Road Works Commissioner, no other road works are scheduled within 300m of the scheme (Scottish Road Works Commissioner).

TM will consist of a road closure during working hours (19:00 – 06:00) with amnesty’s at 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00, 00:00, 02:00 and 04:00.

Road drainage and the water environment

The scheme lies entirely within the Kinlochleven groundwater body (ID: 150684) which was classified by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in 2024 as having an overall status of ‘good’ and is also recorded as a Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPAs) (Ground) (SEPA).

Loch Creran which is a coastal water body (ID: 200075) in the Scotland river basin district, was classified by SEPA in 2024 as having a ‘good’ overall status (SEPA)

Several minor unnamed and/or unclassified tributaries or drainage ditches lie within 300m of the scheme extents, many of which are culverted under the A828 carriageway within the scheme extents.

The scheme falls within an area that has a varied chance (0-10% chance each year) of flooding from coastal, surface water and small watercourses (SEPA Flood Map).

Climate

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘The Act’), and its subsequent amendment under the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019, sets the framework for the Scottish Government to address climate change. The Act has an ambitious target to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, with any residual emissions balanced by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is five years earlier than the rest of the UK due to the greater potential for carbon sequestration in Scotland.

The Act was amended to replace interim targets with carbon budgets. Carbon budgets are legally binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland over five-year periods. In line with the Act, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) published advice on the level of Scotland’s four carbon budgets, covering the period 2026 to 2045, recommending what the Scottish Government sets its carbon budgets at for annual average levels of emissions. These recommendations are based on an ambitious but credible route to Net Zero for Scotland by 2045.

Emissions reductions from surface transport are the largest contribution to meeting the first two carbon budgets. The pathway for surface transport emission reduction is primarily driven by the uptake of electric vehicles, in addition to measures to enable a shift from car use to public transport and active travel, which all play a role in reducing emissions from fossil fuel cars. Ensuring efficiency of existing transport infrastructure and improving/providing new active travel facilities is therefore important to support these carbon reduction budgets.

Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland. In response to the climate emergency, Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 75% by 2030 and to the above noted legally binding target of net-zero by 2045. Transport Scotland is committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network and this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport (Mission Zero for transport | Transport Scotland).