Co%inci!PfannIng Econorntc. Scanntql 0 Art? Merlin AFS Expansion. Planning, Design & Access Statement. April 2012 PEEL PORTS. Mo.

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1 Co%inci!PfannIng Econorntc Merlin AFS Expansion Scanntql 0 Art? 2012 April 2012 ii Mo.

2 1. Introduction 1.1 This Planning, Design and Access Statement gives an overview of a proposed 100% extension to the existing Merlin Animal Feed Storage (AFS) Facility, adjacent to Royal Seaforth Dock. The footprint of the new building will be 23,234m2 making the total size of the extended facility 46,468m2. 2. The Site and Context 2.1 The 'red line' area of the planning application is 3.64 ha. The site lies within the operational boundary of the Port of Liverpool, an area of existing major industrial activity. The development site is located adjacent to Royal Seaforth Dock, specifically berth S10, which is the deep water berth where the animal feed product is discharged from vessels ha of the development site lies within land designated as part of the Mersey Narrows Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Mersey Narrows and North Wirral Foreshore potential Special Protection Area (pspa) and proposed Ramsar site (prannsar). The remainder of the land is made up of undeveloped vegetated land and existing hard standing which is currently utilised for container storage. 3. The Proposed Development 3.1. The extended Merlin AFS will continue to fulfil the same purpose as the current facility completed in That is, the storage of animal feed products discharged at the Port of Liverpool, prior to their distribution to customers. 3.2 The driver behind the proposed project is to eliminate the current necessity for multiple handling and transport of animal feed from the existing AFS to other locations around the port estate by Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). The transfer of animal feed by HGV to other areas of the port is currently necessary when a new shipment of feed is due to arrive at the port and the existing AFS is at capacity (i.e. there is no space available to offload the animal feed from the ship). This is considered to be a very inefficient means of handling the animal feed, and the proposed extension to the AFS will remove the need for this transfer of feed to other areas of the port. 3.3 The Merlin AFS shed is used exclusively for the storage of animal feedstuff imported by Arkady Feed Ltd. Attached to this document is a letter written by Associate Director of Arkady Feeds, M. Sage, in response to the recent Mersey Ports Master Plan consultation exercise. Within this letter Mr Sage states that larger and more 2

3 efficient facilities are essential to keep Liverpool at the forefront of the dry bulk import trade'. It is therefore clear that the main user of the Merlin facility is supportive of our efforts to develop a larger, single site facility. 4. Planning Context 4.1 The existing AFS facility was completed in 2003 as permitted development under the terms of Class B, part 17 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order, 1995; without the necessity for planning permission and/or the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). 4.2 The screening opinion received from Sefton Borough Council (SBC) for the proposed AFS extension, dated 16/01/2012, has identified that the proposed project is an EIA development and thus requires an Environmental Statement (ES) to be submitted with the planning application. 4.3 The scoping opinion received from SBC, dated 06/03/2012, acknowledged that the works proposed to be undertaken during the EIA (as described in a scoping note) were sufficient to fulfil the obligations of the EIA legislation. 4.4 National Policy Context National Planning Policy Framework This document was adopted on 27th March 2012, and sets out the Government's economic, environmental and social planning policies for England. Taken together, these policies articulate the Government's vision of sustainable development, which should be interpreted and applied locally to meet local aspirations. The framework sets out nationally important issues, and leaves other matters for local councils and communities to decide themselves. The framework sets out the Government's requirements for the planning system only to the extent that it is relevant, proportionate and necessary to do so. It provides a framework within which local people and their accountable council can produce their own distinctive local and neighborhood plans, which reflect the needs and priorities of their communities. The policies set out in the framework apply to the preparation of local and neighborhood plans, and to development management decisions. Planning policies and decisions should be compatible with and, where appropriate, further the achievement of relevant EU obligations and statutory requirements set out in domestic legislation. ii 3 OE MEM

4 A number of core planning principles are provided which should underpin both plan making and development management. These should be taken into account by all those engaged in the planning system, from local authorities and developers through to communities. These principles are: planning should be genuinely plan-led, with succinct Local Plans setting out a positive long-term vision for an area. These plans should be kept up to date and should provide a practical framework within which decisions on planning applications can be made with a high degree of certainty and efficiency; planning should proactively drive and support the development that this country needs. Every effort should be made to identify and meet the housing, business, and other development needs of an area, and respond positively to wider opportunities for growth. Decision-takers at every level should assume that the default answer to development proposals is "yes", except where this would compromise the key sustainable development principles set out in this Framework; planning policies and decisions should take into account local circumstances and market signals such as land prices, commercial rents and housing affordability. Plans should set out a clear strategy for allocating sufficient land which is suitable for development in their area, taking account of the needs of the residential and business community; in considering the future use of land, planning policies and decisions should take account of its environmental quality or potential quality regardless of its previous or existing use; planning policies and decisions should seek to protect and enhance environmental and heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance, and reduce pollution. Where practical and consistent with other objectives, allocations of land for development should prefer land of lesser environmental value; planning policies and decisions should make effective use of land, promote mixed use developments that create more vibrant places, and encourage multiple benefits from the use of land in urban and rural areas, recognising that some open land can perform many functions (such as for wildlife, recreation, flood risk mitigation, carbon storage, or food production); planning policies and decisions should enable the reuse of existing resources, such as through the conversion of existing buildings, and encourage, rather than restrict, the use of renewable resources (for example, by the development of renewable energy); planning policies and decisions should actively manage patterns of growth to make the fullest use of public transport, walking and cycling, and focus significant development in locations which are or can be made sustainable; planning policies and decisions should take account of and support local strategies to improve health and wellbeing for all; and planning ii 4 NM NNW

5 policies and decisions should always seek to secure a good standard of amenity for existing and future occupants of land and buildings. 4.5 Local Policy Context Sefton Borough Council Unitary Development Plan (UDP) The UDP is the current adopted plan that guides decisions on planning applications. Supplementary Planning Documents and Supplementary Planning Guidance Notes also help the Council make decisions on applications. The study area is located within the 'Port and Maritime Zone' of the UDP. The following policies are relevant. EDT 9: The Port and Maritime Zone a) Within the Port and Maritime Zone defined on the Proposals Map, the following development is acceptable in principle: a. Warehousing, light and general industry (Class B8, B1 and B2) uses, including the open storage of materials and temporary uses, which directly serve port operations or require a port location. b. Port related infrastructure, including rail facilities, power generation and waste management facilities, required for the safe and efficient operation of the Port. c. Other types of development where there is a strong justification within the area because of their special nature or scale, and which would not prejudice the future development of the Port. b) Development generating large movements of freight should wherever practical be served by a direct rail link. c) Proposals likely to affect the objectives or integrity of sites of local, national or international nature conservation interest will be assessed using Policy NCI. d) Planning conditions or legal agreements will be used to limit the effects of noise, dust, smells or other forms of pollution on the amenity of other occupiers within the area or on adjacent communities. e) Development adjacent to the A565 and the entrance to the Port should make a positive contribution to the urban landscape. NC 1: Site Protection 1) Development will not be permitted which would harm the nature conservation objectives or integrity of the following sites of international, national, or local importance, as identified on the proposals map. iii 5 MN will.

6 International a. Designated and proposed Ramsar sites; b. Designated and proposed SPAs c. Designated and candidate SACs National d. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) e. National Nature Reserves Local f. Local Nature Reserves g. Sites of Local Biological/Geographical Interest. DQ 1: Design 1) Development will not be permitted unless: a. The proposal contributes positively to the existing surroundings b. Enhances the quality of the surrounding area. c. The arrangement of buildings, structures and spaces within the site relates positively to the character and form of the surroundings; whilst ensuring safe access for all, protecting the amenity of those within and adjacent to the site, promoting safety and security, and following sustainable development principles where possible. d. Proposals make a positive contribution to their surroundings through the quality of their design in terms of scale, form, massing, style, detailing and use of materials. e. Safe and easy access is provided for everyone. DQ 2: Renewable Energy in Development 1) All proposals for non-residential development will be expected to incorporate renewable energy production equipment to provide at least 10% of their predicted energy requirements from renewable sources, where it is feasible to do so. DQ 3: Trees and Development 1) Permission for development will be granted providing that: a. There is no unacceptable loss of, or damage to, existing trees or woodlands during or as a result of development. b. Adequate tree survey information is provided as part of planning applications. c. Trees not to be retained as a result of the development are replaced at a ratio of at least 2:1. d. Additional, new, trees shall be planted at a minimum of, the greater of, 1 tree per parking space of 1 tree per 50m2. ilk NM MM. 6

7 DQ 4:Public Greenspace and Development 4) Proposals for major new commercial, industrial or leisure developments shall include public greenspace as part of a comprehensive development or contribute towards the enhancement of greenspace in the locality. DQ 5: Sustainable Drainage Systems 1) Proposals for new residential, commercial, industrial or leisure development will not be permitted unless a Sustainable Drainage System is incorporated into the overall design Sefton Borough Council Local Development Framework (LDF) The LDF is an emerging policy document. Under the new planning system, SBC will produce an LDF which will consist of a set of documents which will be used in making decisions on planning applications. The LDF will consist of a Core Strategy, a Joint Merseyside Waste DPD and a number of Supplementary Planning Documents. 4.6 Other Relevant Policies Mersey Ports Master Plan (Consultation Draft) The Mersey Ports Master Plan was published in June 2011 for public consultation and represents a 20 year growth strategy for the Port of Liverpool and The Manchester Ship Canal. The strategy seeks to grow productivity by attracting new sectors and streamlining existing operations. A key outcome of the public consultation concerned the impact of further port traffic and congestion particularly attributable to HGV movements. An Interim Consultation Report (March 2012) has identified a key action around "exploring ways in which we can reduce the reliance upon HGV movements associated with our existing activities" The proposed development is entirely in accordance with this aspiration in reducing the current unnecessary shunting of AFS product to remote locations through the development of an extended storage capacity adjacent to the main discharge berth. 5. Design Principles 5.1 The design will be a continuation of the design principles of the existing AFS, constructed in These are that the building should be as self-contained as possible in order to limit potential effects upon the SSSI/pSPA/pRamsar and nearby residential areas. These design principles will also extend to the conveyor system which transfers the animal feed product from the hopper at the discharge berth into the storage facility. ii 7 NM.11

8 5.2 There will be a completely blank façade on the northern side of the building in order to minimise potential noise disturbance and dust emissions towards the designated site. The only openings in the building will be the entrance and exit doors which will remain south facing, as is the case for the existing AFS. 6. Layout, Scale and Appearance 6.1 Due to the use of the building as a purpose built animal feedstuff storage and distribution facility, the building massings are derived from its function. 7. Pedestrian Access 7.1 Pedestrian access for employees and visitors will be in the form of an extension to the existing walkway which runs adjacent to the AFS store on the southern side. This provides dedicated segregation between pedestrians and vehicles for safety purposes. It should be noted that given the nature of the Port of Liverpool as an industrial area there does not tend to be large numbers of pedestrians. 8. Vehicular Access 8.1 The extended Merlin AFS facility will continue to be served by an unnamed access road which runs from Seaforth Dock Road via a newly constructed roundabout. HGVs entering the building will use the weighbridge at the west of the AFS shed, before entering at the western entrance. 8.2 Vehicles exiting the facility will do so via a new exit located at the eastern extent of the building and will use a new weighbridge which will be developed nearby. 8.3 Staff and visitor parking facilities will be located to the east of the facility; close to the HGV exit point and corresponding weighbridge; as will the plant maintenance area. 8.4 All foreseen traffic and transport issues are dealt with in the ES and the transport assessment appended to the ES, along with plans of the site. 9. Landscaping 9.1 Given the industrial nature of the site within an operational port environment, the implementation of a standard form of landscaping would not be practical. It is understood that tree planting off-site may be secured through a commuted sum payment in lieu of on-site provision NMI =MP

9 9.2 The proposals include measures for the translocation of habitat from within the footprint of the proposed AFS extension to nearby land adjacent to the Seaforth Nature Reserve. These measures will be discussed in further detail with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and MEAS in advance of the development proceeding. 10. Renewable Energy 10.1 We are proposing to use a combination of passive solar technology and electrical power derived from the Liverpool Docks Estate CHP plant as a means of meeting the energy target for this development 10.2 The passive solar technology will render energy savings when compared to building regulation requirements (L2:2006) The passive solar design will incorporate the following features: a) 15% roof lights to warehouse b) Lighting scheme designed to a maximum of 10W/m2 c) Lighting scheme to achieve 100Lux design lighting level to the warehouse d) Lighting daylight controls to cover 100% of the warehouse area using stand alone daylight controls (minimising electrical lighting in daylight hours) e) Zoned lighting to avoid lighting areas not in use - which can typically exceed 75% of the floor area In addition to this, the scheme will derive its electrical power from the Port of Liverpool CHP plant which generates electrical power to supply the Port and generates steam from the waste heat for users on the Port Further energy savings will be derived from this development by the routing of a portion of surface water into the dock system. This will generate savings in electricity by reducing the amount of water pumped into the docks every day. Currently millions of gallons of water are pumped into the dock system on a daily basis to replenish water lost as ships enter and leave through the locks. Collection of rainwater from developments (that would otherwise soak away into the ground or discharge to the river) reduces the volume that needs to be pumped. aro 9

10 11. Conclusion 11.1 The proposed development is considered to be of sympathetic design, external appearance and layout. The design and layout has been devised so as not to have any adverse impact upon nearby residential communities, whilst minimising the impacts on the adjacent designated site (SSSI/pSPA/pRamsar). The scheme is not predicted to give rise to unacceptable environmental impacts and will lead to a significant reduction in existing HGV movements by eliminating unnecessary shunting of product to satellite sites. Enc. II 10 W M ::