Description of local environment

Air quality

The scheme is located along the A95 carriageway and is immediately bordered by grass, shrubs, hedgerows, and trees, with some residential receptors. The scheme is situated in a rural area with agricultural fields and pockets of woodland surrounding the carriageway in all directions. The small village of Tormore is located to the south of the scheme.

There are approximately nine residential properties within 200m, the closest residential property is a farmhouse approx. 25m north of the carriageway at NJ 16225 35610. Tormore Distillery is immediately adjacent to the scheme start. There are no further air quality receptors located within 200m of the works.

Baseline air quality in the area is primarily influenced by traffic using the A95, with additional contributions from agricultural activities. The closest manual count point along the A95, located 2km east of the scheme is 30867. This shows that in 2025 the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) of traffic for all motor vehicles was 2,588 with 385 of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

Neither Highland Council nor Moray Council have designated any Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). This indicates that local pollutant levels such as Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) and Particulate Matter (PM₁₀, PM₂.₅) are currently within the acceptable limits. This is supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) UK Ambient Air Quality Map which presents predicted background air pollutant concentrations across the UK. According to the 2024 dataset, background annual mean NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ concentrations within the works area are 1.72 µg/m³, 7.53 µg/m³, and 4.01 µg/m³ respectively. These values are well within national AQMA qualifying thresholds of NO2 and PM (40 µg/m³ each), indicating that pollutant levels within and immediately surrounding the scheme are currently within acceptable limits.

There are no sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) and no air quality monitoring stations are located within 1km of the scheme.

Cultural heritage

A desk-based assessment was undertaken using PastMap. A study area of 300m was used for designated cultural heritage assets of which there are multiple assets under one designation:

  • ‘1-12a Richardson Road, Gate Piers, Community Centre, Generator House, Distillery and Offices, Duty Free Warehouse, Manager’s House, Tormore Distillery’ immediately adjacent to the scheme start, which is Category B Listed building ID: LB337, 25m south of the scheme.

The following non-designated cultural heritage assets are located within 200m:

  • Allied Distiller’s Manager’s House, Tormore Distillery Historic Environment Record (HER) ID: MHG43874 is located immediately adjacent to the scheme start.
  • Carn A’Mhaoisleich HER ID: MHG6802 is located immediately adjacent to the carriageway.
  • Tormore Distillery HER ID: MHG35782 is located 80m southeast of the scheme.
  • 1-2 Richardson Road, Tormore Distillery HER ID: MHG47111 and National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) ID: 255776 is located 120m southwest of the scheme start.
  • Recreation Hall, Richardson Road HER: MHG47112 and NRHE ID: 255777 is located 150m southwest of the scheme start.
  • 3 and 4 Richardson Road HER IDs: MHG47113 and MHG47114 are located 170m southwest of the scheme start.
  • 5 and 6 Richardson Road HER IDs: MHG47115 and MHG47116 are located 185m southwest of the scheme start.

Landscape and visual effects

The scheme is located along the A95 carriageway and is immediately bordered by grass, shrubs, hedgerows, and trees, with some residential receptors. The scheme is situated in a rural area with agricultural fields and pockets of woodland surrounding the carriageway in all directions. However, the small village of Tormore is located to the south of the scheme.

Due to minimal vegetation screening at Tormore Distillery, multiple properties adjacent to the A95 carriageway within the scheme extents will have a view of the works, such as those on Richardson Road.

There are no footways, Core Paths, Bridleways or National Cycle Network routes within 300m of the scheme location that will have sight of the works area.

According to Scotland’s Environment Web Map, there are no National Scenic Areas (NSAs) or Gardens and Designed Landscapes located within 500m of the scheme extents. Furthermore, there are no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) within this buffer.

However, there are two Ancient Woodlands (ID: 8085 - Ancient (of semi-natural origin) and ID: 8070 – Long-established (of plantation origin)) located immediately adjacent to the A95 carriageway within the scheme extents.

Scotland’s Historic Land Use Assessment Map has highlighted that the land within the scheme has historically been used as ‘Broad Farmed Valley’ (ID:94).

The Scottish Landscape Character Type (LCT) Assessment Map shows the landscape within the scheme extents is Broad Farmed Valley (LCT 287). The LCT contains the lower reaches of the River Spey, as it runs northeast from the Cairngorms National Park boundary to dissect the uplands and moorlands of southern Moray. The valley opens out to the north, to merge with Coastal Farmlands – Moray and Nairn at Inchberry.

Biodiversity

The River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (site ID: 170091) is located 1.3km north of the scheme extents.

Given this hydrological connectivity, a Stage 1 Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) was required prior to construction to assess the potential for Likely Significant Effects (LSE).

The assessment has concluded:

  • The proposed works are unlikely to disturb the qualifying species which are isolated to the River Spey. Some bird species may use the surrounding farmland for foraging. However, the farmland habitat covers an extensive area and provides many foraging opportunities elsewhere.
  • Potential negative changes in noise and vibration levels, water quality or air quality would be temporary and alleviated by standard best practice as part of the works. With these measures in place, the likelihood of mobilised surface water pollution or air pollution impacting on the water quality of the surrounding watercourses is low.
  • There is no requirement for land take within the European Site as a result of the scheme, as all works will be confined to the existing carriageway boundary. No likely significant effects have been identified.

NatureScot’s Sitelink resource does not highlight any other European designated Sites designated for nature conservation within 200m. Sitelink has also not identified the presence of any Local Nature Reserves within 200m of the scheme extents.

The NBN Atlas has records of multiple Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) and Transport Scotland Target Species within 500m of the scheme:

There are no records of the aforementioned INNS or target species directly bordering the carriageway on the NBN Atlas.

Additionally, a review of Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool has identified one instance of rosebay willowherb along the verges of the A95 within the scheme extents.

The scheme area and surrounding habitats were assessed by a senior ecologist using available desktop resources, and it was determined that an ecological walkover of the site would not be required. This decision was based on the small scale of the works and their like-for-like nature.

Geology and soils

NatureScot’s SiteLink confirms that there are no geological SSSIs or Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) within 200m of scheme extents.

There are no landfill sites within 200m of the scheme extents according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPAs) Landfill sites and Capability Map. Additionally, the works are not located within Coal Mining Reporting Area as defined by the Coal Authority and Mining Remediation Authority, indicating no history of mining activity in the wider area.

The British Geology Viewer notes the soil geology within the scheme extents consists of the following:

Superficial deposits:

  • Glaciofluvial deposits-Gravel, sand and silt. These sedimentary deposits are glaciofluvial in origin and were formed during the Quaternary period.
  • Till, Devensian - Diamicton. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 116 and 11.8 thousand years ago during the Quaternary period.

Bedrock geology:

  • Rynaballoch Psammite Member-Psammite and semipelite. These rocks were sedimentary in origin but have subsequently undergone metamorphism.

Scotland’s Soil Map indicates that the soil within the scheme consists of ‘Arkaig Humus-iron podzols ID: 20’. Furthermore, the national scale land capability for agriculture can be classed as ‘3.2 land capable of average production though high yields of barley, oats and grass can be obtained. Grass leys are common’, and ‘4.1 land capable of producing a narrow range of crops, primarily grassland with short arable breaks of forage crops and cereal’.

All works are contained to the engineered layers of the existing pavement with no excavation being undertaken. As such, Geology and Soils has been scoped out of requiring further assessment in line with DMRB Guidance document LA 109: Geology and Soils.

Material assets and waste

The following materials will be required for construction:

  • Road markings and studs;
  • TS2010 surface course;
  • AC20 Bituminous binder;
  • AC32 Bituminous base;
  • Vehicle fuel;

Resurfacing will be undertaken in accordance with Transport Scotland’s TS2010 specification, using AC binder and base layers, with warm mix asphalt (WMA) proposed.

Materials will contain a percentage of recycled material. For example, a proportion of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is used in asphalt production. Typical RAP values for base and binder are 10% -15% with up to 10% in surface course The rest of the materials will come from primary sources.

The waste produced by the scheme will consist of road planings (inert bituminous materials). Following on-site coring investigations and testing, a small amount of coal-tar was identified within the surfacing of the carriageway within the scheme extent.

This scheme is not in excess of £350K and therefore does not require a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP).

Noise and vibration

For baseline data on the scheme’s immediate surroundings and wider context, please refer to ‘Air Quality’.

There are approximately 18 residential properties within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest being located 40m south at NJ 15406 35024. There are no non-residential noise and vibration sensitive receptors within 300m of the scheme.

Baseline noise and vibration is primarily influenced by traffic using the A95, with additional contributions from agricultural activities. The closest manual count point along the A95, located 2km east of the scheme is 30867. This shows that in 2025 the AADF of traffic for all motor vehicles was 2,588 with 385 of these being HGVs.

The Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) 2019 - 2023, the TNAP 2024 - 2028, and the Agglomerations Noise Action Plan for Scotland confirms that the scheme does not lie within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) or one of Scotland’s five agglomerations (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, and Glasgow).

According to Scotland Noise Map, existing noise levels within the scheme extents range from approximately 79dB to 64dB (Lday) during daytime hours and from 59dB to 53dB (Lnight) at night. At the nearest identified receptor, a property located on the Tormore Distillery site adjacent to the carriageway, baseline noise levels are recorded at approximately 63dB during the day and 54dB during the night. These values provide a representative indication of current acoustic environment in the area.

Population and human health

A study area of 300m was applied, reflecting the like-for-like nature of the works and their containment to the A95 carriageway boundary.

For baseline data on the scheme’s immediate surroundings and wider context, please refer to ‘Air Quality’.

There are approximately 18 residential properties within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest being located 40m south at NJ 15406 35024. Tormore Distillery is immediately adjacent to the scheme. There are no other community assets, facilities, and businesses of note within 300m of the scheme other than farm buildings/land.

There are no footways, Core Paths, Bridleways or National Cycle Network routes within 300m of the scheme location.

The A95 has a bus stop opposite the Tormore Distillery at the scheme start.

The A95 carriageway within the scheme extents is not street-lit and contains one layby.

There are two points of direct access to two residential properties within the scheme extents. There are three access points to agricultural fields within the scheme at NJ 16490 35835, NJ 16384 35693 and NJ 16190 35551.

Road drainage and the water environment

According to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA’s) Water Classification Hub, there are no designated watercourses within 500m of the scheme. However, there are multiple unnamed and undesignated minor watercourses located in proximity to the carriageway. Allt An Torra Mhoir runs under the carriageway 35m west of the scheme start. Allt-na-Criche also runs under the carriageway within the scheme at NJ 16294 35618. There are no further undesignated or unnamed watercourses within 500m of the works.

According to SEPA’s Flood Maps, there is a ‘Medium’ to ‘High’ likelihood of surface water flooding along the A95 suggesting that this area has a 0.5% - 10% chance of flooding annually.

Surface water runoff along the A95, within the scheme extents, is managed via filter stones located within the verge of the carriageway. Groundwater within the scheme consists of Aberlour Groundwater (ID: 150666), which has an overall ‘Poor Ecological Health’ according to the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

According to the National Flood Risk Assessment (2025), the current cycle of flood risk management planning (2022 – 2028), and the future cycle (2028 - 2034), the scheme is also not located within a Potentially Vulnerable Area (PVA) for flood risk management within Scotland.

The works do not fall within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), however, the works do fall within Aberlour surface Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA). This highlights how according to the Water Environment (Drinking Water Protected Areas) (Scotland) Order 2005, there are no nearby surface water bodies that are designated for drinking water abstraction. The surface water within the scheme extents is also not intended to be used for drinking water. Consequently, there is no direct pathway for surface water pollution in the surrounding area to impact drinking waters. Importantly however, drinking water may still be abstracted from the ground under the scheme for which appropriate control measures will still be followed.

Climate

Carbon Goals 

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, as amended by the Scottish Carbon Budgets Amendment Regulations 2025 sets out the statutory framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Scotland. The prior annual and interim targets have been replaced by five-year carbon budgets, which sets limits on the amount of GHGs that can be emitted in Scotland.

The proposed carbon budgets are aligned with advice from the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) and calculated in accordance with the 2009 Act. The 2025 Regulations define the baseline years for emissions reductions as 1990 for greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for others such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride (as set out in Section 11 of the Act). The budgets are as follows:

  • 2026 - 2030: Average emissions to be 50% lower than baseline.
  • 2031 - 2035: Average emissions to be 60% lower than baseline.
  • 2036 - 2040: Average emissions to be 80% lower than baseline
  • 2041 - 2045: Average emissions to be 94% lower than baseline.

These budgets are legally binding and will be supported by a new Climate Change Plan, which will outline the specific policies and actions required to meet the targets.

Transport Scotland remains committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network, this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport. Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland, representing for 37% nationwide, and Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 50% by 2030. To support this, Transport Scotland’s Fourth Carbon Management Plan is committed to reaching Net Zero emissions across corporate activities by 2027. This will contribute to achieving a legally binding target of net-zero by 2045.

Amey’s Company Wide Carbon Goal is to achieve Scope 1 and 2 net-zero carbon emissions, with a minimum of 80% absolute reduction on our emissions by 2035. Amey is aiming to be fully net-zero, including Scope 3 emissions, by 2040. 

Amey are working towards a contractual commitment to have carbon neutral depots on the North East Network Management Contract (NE NMC) network by 2028. Amey have set carbon goals for the NE NMC contract as a whole to be net-zero carbon by 2032.