Chapter 12: Impacts, Mitigation, Cumulative Impacts and Residual Effects REnescience Northwich
Quality Management Prepared by: Tom Dearing Senior Environmental Consultant 02/10/15 Reviewed & checked by: Dan Smyth Senior Director 02/10/15 Authorised by: Dan Smyth Senior Director 02/10/15 Date of issue: 02 October 2015 Revision number: 1 Project number: Document file path: O:\Jobs_8001-9000\8407s\Info_share\ES_submission\Final_Word\Vol2_Environmental_Statement\V2C12_I mpacts_mitigation_cumulative_and_residual_effects.docx Revision History Rev Date Status Reason for revision Additional comments 0 23/09/15 Draft - - 1 02/10/15 Final Internal review - DISCLAIMER RPS has used reasonable skill and care in completing this work and preparing this report, within the terms of its brief and contract and taking account of the resources devoted to it by agreement with the client. We disclaim any responsibility to the client and others in respect of any matters outside the stated scope. This report is confidential to the client and we accept no responsibility to third parties to whom this report, or any part thereof, is made known. The opinions and interpretations presented in this report represent our reasonable technical interpretation of the data made available to us. RPS accepts no responsibility for data provided by other bodies and no legal liability arising from the use by other persons of data or opinions contained in this report. Except for the provision of professional services on a fee basis, RPS does not have a commercial arrangement with any other person or company involved in the interests that are the subject of this report.
Contents 1 Introduction... 1 2 Impacts, Embedded Mitigation and Effects... 2 3 Cumulative Impacts... 6
Tables Tables Table 2.1: Summary of impact pathways, embedded mitigation measures and predicted effects... 2 Table 3.1: Summary of cumulative impacts... 6
1 Introduction 1.1 This chapter summarises the environmental impact pathways, embedded mitigation measures (those included as part of the proposed development design and operation) and predicted significance of environmental effects for each topic area in the EIA. 1.2 After taking into account the embedded mitigation, no significant adverse effects are predicted as a result of any of the environmental impacts. Therefore, no additional mitigation is required and the residual effects are as shown in Table 2.1. 1.3 Although no additional mitigation is required, regard has been had for the local resident concerns regarding pedestrian delay and severance on Kings Street (A530 between Middlewich Road and the A556). It is therefore proposed that the development would provide a financial contribution towards the provision of traffic signals and/or a pedestrian crossing on the A530 at the Middlewich Road/A530 junction, which offers an opportunity to further improve the safety record at this junction and facilitate safe pedestrian movements. 1.4 These proposed additional enhancement measures have not formed part of the EIA and hence are not included in the summary of effects, below, but would be expected to have a beneficial effect on Griffiths Road. 1.5 Table 3.1 summarises the potential cumulative impacts with the other consented and proposed developments in the local area that were identified in Chapter 2 (see Table 2.1 in that chapter). No significant adverse effects are predicted as a result of cumulative environmental impacts with these other development schemes. 12 1
2 Impacts, Embedded Mitigation and Effects Table 2.1: Summary of impact pathways, embedded mitigation measures and predicted effects Topic Impact Embedded Mitigation Effect Landscape and Visual Impact Landscape and townscape character impacts The proposed development would affect the local landscape and townscape character areas of Lostock Plain, Stublach Plain, the Northwich Salt Heritage Landscape and the urban townscape of Northwich. These are within the national character areas of the Shropshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire Plain and the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge. The character areas are of local importance and are in poor to ordinary condition. During construction and operation, activities would be not uncharacteristic of these character areas. The short-term construction impact would be adverse, but redevelopment of the disused industrial site and landscape treatment would have a long-term beneficial impact on the urban/industrial character areas. The sensitivity of the receptors is low to medium and the magnitude of change would be negligible to medium. Landscape planting scheme and management plan, detailed in Appendix 4.C and Figure 4.Q. Appropriate lighting design to minimise light pollution. Modern architectural design and site layout integrated with the landscape proposals to ensure that the site will function well and add to the overall character and quality of the area. Neutral to minor adverse during construction. Minor adverse to minor beneficial during operation. Visual impacts Construction of the stack, building and tanks would potentially be visible above adjoining landform and vegetation, which currently screens the existing site particularly from the north and south. Construction activities would appear as new elements in views. During operation, the tops of buildings, tanks and the stack would likewise appear as new elements in views, set in the context of existing industrial buildings on the Lostock Works site. The sensitivity of visual receptors ranges from low to high and the magnitude of change would be no change to medium. Neutral to moderate adverse during construction. Neutral to minor adverse during operation. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Views of the proposed development would affect built heritage and the historic landscape, including designated assets such as the Lion Salt Works, seen in the context of the area s industrial history of which those assets form a part. It is also possible that archaeological remains of a Roman road and the former Lostock Bleach Works may survive on the site and be affected by the proposed development. The designated heritage assets have high to highest significance (sensitivity) and the magnitude of change would be negligible. The potential Roman road and Lostock Bleach Works remains are of medium and low significance (sensitivity), respectively, and the magnitude of change would be low and high respectively. The historic landscape is of low significance (sensitivity) and the magnitude of change would be minor. Archaeological watching brief during the demolition/ construction phase. At most, minor adverse effects on any assets. 12 2
Topic Impact Embedded Mitigation Effect Traffic and Transport The proposed development will generate 38 staff trips and 96 HGV trips per day when operational, on local road links with low to medium sensitivity (based on the sensitivity of receptors exposed to traffic on these road links). Traffic during the construction phase is likely to be similar. Increases in total traffic flows over all time periods on all public highway links are not predicted to exceed 3% on weekdays, or 5% at weekends (when the existing flows are lower), including peak times. On the A530 south of the site and the A530 north of the A556, there would be a greater percentage increase in HGV traffic (due to the relatively low number of HGVs in the traffic mix at the moment). The impacts on driver and pedestrian delay, pedestrian amenity and intimidation, severance and road accidents would be negligible. Construction Traffic Management Plan (Annex 2.C.2) and Delivery and Servicing Management Plan, setting out viable strategic routes and delivery schedules to minimise total traffic movements, movements in peak periods, and impacts on the local highway network. Negligible to minor adverse. Ecology and Nature Conservation The proposed development would result in the loss of areas of predominantly bare ground and ephemeral/short perennial vegetation from the site, along with smaller areas of trees and shrubs, poor semi-improved grassland, tall ruderals and bracken. This would result in the loss of or disturbance to habitats suitable for fragrant orchid, cinnabar moth and breeding birds. There will be a short-term, negligible to moderate adverse impact on receptors of site and local value. The landscaping plans provide new tree and shrub planting, which will compensate for the loss of existing trees and shrubs and also enhance the site by introducing a greater variety of native species than currently present. The new trees and shrubs will provide nesting opportunities for birds and foraging opportunities for a variety of fauna, including invertebrates, birds and bats. The planting will also improve habitat connections around the site boundaries, particularly along the eastern and western boundaries, which are currently open. This will be a minor beneficial long-term impact during operation. There will be no change due to the proposed development at designated sites in the area of the proposed development. There will be no change or impact to Wade Brook, a feature of county value. No protected species save common pipistrelle bats were identified in surveys of the site and adjacent habitats and there would therefore be no impact on protected species. With the proposed embedded mitigation measures, there will be no change or impact on common pipistrelle bats (of local value) during construction and a minor beneficial impact during operation due to foraging habitat creation. Landscape planting scheme with habitat creation and retention of existing habitat, detailed in Appendix 4.C. Non-disturbance of building with bat roost and appropriate lighting design during construction and operation. Provision of bird boxes as temporary compensation for nesting habitat lost during construction. Non-disturbance of Wade Brook habitat, retaining buffer zone from construction works and built development elements. Mitigation of emissions to air, water, and appropriate drainage design. Non-disturbance of bird nesting habitats during breeding season. Neutral to negligible. Hydrology and Flood Risk Changes to impermeable ground and the built development could affect flood risk (on the site and at off-site receptors) and surface watercourses, principally Wade Brook. The site is in Flood Zone 1 (low flood risk) and incorporates runoff attenuation such that there will be no change in flood risk at off-site receptors, which are of low sensitivity. Drainage Strategy and design (Appendix 8.A) to limit clean surface water discharge to Wade Brook to no greater than existing, provide sufficient runoff Negligible 12 3
Topic Impact Embedded Mitigation Effect Wade Brook has medium sensitivity and the magnitude of change will be negligible to low. attenuation to manage flood events (including climate change risk), and provide appropriate bunded areas with separate contaminated water management. Temporary construction period drainage detailed in the CEMP (Appendix 2.C) and Drainage Strategy. Geology and Ground Conditions The industrial history of the site and existing ground conditions information indicates a theoretical potential for soil and groundwater contamination to have an impact on human health receptors and controlled waters, should it be disturbed. However, taking into account the mitigation measures that will be adopted, there would be a neutral impact during construction and a neutral or potentially beneficial impact during operation if remediation is found to be necessary and therefore undertaken as part of the development. Control and mitigation measures during construction, specified in the CEMP at Appendix 2.C. Phase 2 intrusive site investigation and detailed risk assessment prior to construction. Potentially remediation work, if identified as necessary following the detailed risk assessment, under a Remediation Strategy agreed with CWCC. Neutral or beneficial. Air Quality and Odour There will be controlled emissions to air from the gas engines stack, biogas flare, start-up boiler (if installed) and odour control system. There will also be emissions from traffic associated with the development and potential fugitive odour, construction dust and bioaerosol releases. These may affect human receptors of varying sensitivity (e.g. residential properties, schools, workplaces and industrial areas) or protected habitats. There is also potential for nuisance dust impacts during construction. The results of air pollutant dispersion modelling indicate that predicted pollutant concentrations at all modelled receptors of high sensitivity would be well below the relevant air quality standards. The magnitude of change would be small and the impact negligible. Potential fugitive dust, odour and bioaerosols could affect nearby industrial receptors with low sensitivity. With the proposed control and management measures in place, the risk of impacts is negligible. Nationally-designated nature conservation sites are too distant to be impacted by emissions to air, and there would be no change. The impact at Local Wildlife Sites would be negligible. Odour Management Plan (Appendix 10.E) and odour control mechanisms incorporated into the building ventilation design. 33 m stack height for sufficient dispersion (see stack height determination in Appendix 10.D). Dust Management Plan for the construction phase (Annex 2.C.1). Use of Best Available Techniques (BAT) regulated by the Environmental Permit. Negligible 12 4
Topic Impact Embedded Mitigation Effect Noise and Vibration Construction activity, including use of mechanical plant and piling, and operation of the proposed development including the gas engines and movement of vehicles/plant on site, have the potential to cause noise and vibration impacts at sensitive receptors. Due to the distance to sensitive receptors, there would be no impact noticeable from vibration. Construction noise from works on-site would affect receptors of medium sensitivity (given the existing baseline setting) and have a negligible to low impact. Operational noise from the proposed development on-site would likewise affect receptors of medium sensitivity and have a negligible to low impact. Construction and operational road traffic noise would have a negligible impact. Limited working hours and use of modern, well-maintained plant (employing Best Practicable Means) as detailed in the CEMP (Appendix 2.C). Sound power levels, internal reverberant sound levels and cladding specification detailed in Appendix 11.A. Use of Best Available Techniques (BAT) regulated by the Environmental Permit. Minor adverse from on-site noise during construction and operation. Negligible from road traffic noise during construction and operation. Neutral vibration effects. 12 5
3 Cumulative Impacts Table 3.1: Summary of cumulative impacts Topic Cumulative impact Cumulative effect Landscape and Visual Impact Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Traffic and Transport Ecology and Nature Conservation Hydrology and Flood Risk The approved developments within the Lostock Works site would intensify the industrial character of the site within an already influenced industrial landscape. It is possible that the construction phases of these projects could overlap, resulting in temporary cumulative effects on the townscape character. Permanent effects on this landscape of a minor nature would occur as a result of the cumulative effect of these developments, although the land use and character of this part of Northwich would remain intact as industrial fringe. There may be a minor adverse cumulative visual effect on sequential low-sensitivity, close views. For more distant transient visual receptors the cumulative effect would likely to be unnoticed by the casual viewer. Other cumulative developments are large in scale and particularly the consented Lostock SEP would be visually prominent in the landscape/townscape in its own right. Cumulative residential development would introduce some new visual receptors of no greater sensitivity than those already existing, but at locations closer to Lostock Works. The Bedminster bio energy plant adjacent to the west, were it to be constructed, could have a minor adverse cumulative impact on below-ground remains ancillary to the Lostock Bleach Works. No other cumulative impacts are predicted. Cumulative traffic impacts (background growth and contribution from other developments have been accounted for in the assessment of effects detailed above. Loss of habitat at other development sites nearby has the potential to increase the cumulative impact on breeding birds. However, all of the developments (including the REnescience Northwich development) include measures that would protect breeding birds from such negative effects. No other cumulative ecology and nature conservation impacts are predicted. No cumulative impacts on water resources and flood risk receptors are likely, as other proposed applications would incorporate their own drainage, pollution and flood risk abatement techniques in line with the requirements for the NPPF, Planning Practice Guidance ID7 and Pollution Prevention Guidance, requiring that new developments attenuate surface water run-off to pre development run-off rate. Not significant Not significant Not significant Not significant No effect Geology and Ground Conditions No cumulative impacts predicted. No effect Air Quality and Odour Noise and Vibration Cumulative point-source air pollutant emissions and road traffic emissions associated with other cumulative developments would not cause concentrations to exceed the relevant Air Quality Strategy objectives. No significant cumulative noise impacts are predicted with other developments (considering both cumulative industrial noise-generating developments and residential developments that introduce new sensitive receptors), Not significant Not significant 12 6
Topic Cumulative impact Cumulative effect due to the noise controls and planning conditions applicable to those developments. The combined road traffic generation by all of the committed cumulative developments may lead to a minor or moderate adverse noise impact from traffic on Griffiths Road, were all of the developments to be constructed, but the proposed development would not make a significant contribution to road traffic noise in this scenario. 12 7
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