Sainsbury s Supermarkets Ltd. New Sainsbury s Foodstore, London Road, Hook Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary May 2013

Transcription

1 Sainsbury s Supermarkets Ltd. New Sainsbury s Foodstore, London Road, Hook Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary May 2013

2 Contents 1.0 Introduction Background Environmental Assessment Site Description The Proposal Background and Need Alternatives Description of the Development Consultation Environmental Impacts Traffic and Transport Air Quality Noise and Vibration Geology, Soils and Hydrogeology Hydrology and Flood Risk Ecology Landscape and Visual Archaeology and Historic Environment Impact Assessment Climate Change and Climatic Factors Waste Socio-economics Summary Conclusions Management of Environmental Impacts What happens next?

3 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background This summary gives an overview of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Proposed Development of a Sainsbury s foodstore on land to the North of London Road and East of Griffin Way in Hook, Hampshire As part of the planning process, an EIA has been carried out to understand the potential effects that the development of the new foodstore will have on the environment The main Environmental Statement (ES) (Volume 1) and the supporting Appendices (Volume 2) contain more detailed information on the scheme and each of the environmental topics considered. 1.2 Environmental Assessment Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a formal process by which the environmental effects of a project are assessed, and where there is a significant effect that cannot be avoided, works are identified to lessen the impact (mitigation). The Environmental Statement (ES) reports on the findings of the EIA and sets out those areas where likely significant effects have been identified. It forms an important part of the planning application decision making process The development is considered to fall under schedule 2 of the EIA Regulations (The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011) and therefore Hart District Council determined that an EIA would be required The topics to be included within the ES were established through a process known as scoping. Scoping involves considering how the development could potentially impact on the local environment, and helps to identify those areas where the impacts might be significant. Hart District Council considered the scoping report produced for the development and consulted with statutory bodies such as Natural England and the Environment Agency, before providing their scoping opinion The scoping opinion identified assessed as part of this EIA: Traffic and Transport Air Quality Noise and Vibration Geology, Soils and Hydrogeology Hydrology and Flood Risk Ecology Landscape and Visual Impact Historic Environment Climate Change Waste Socio-economic effects that the following topics should be The EIA has been carried out in line with relevant legislation and has followed best practice guidance. Specialist industry-standard guidance such as that by the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management has also been used where relevant. The assessment has consideredd the existing condition of the environment, the way this may change due to the new development and how measures can be used to reduce the impact of these changes. Experts in a wide range of subject areas carried out the environmental studies. 3

4 1.2.6 The EIA project team has been led by WYG consultants, with input from other specialists within the company together with external consultants, as set out below: Role/Topic Author ES Management and Co-ordination WYG Traffic and Transport Mayer Brown Air Quality WYG Noise and Vibration WYG Geology, Soils and Hydrogeology WYG Hydrology and Flood Risk WYG / Mayer Brown Ecology WYG Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Arthurr Amos Associates Archaeology and Historic Environment WYG Climate Change WYG Waste WYG Socio-economics WYG 4

5 Hook Environmental Statement, Non-Technical Technical Summary 1.3 Site Description The Site is located to the North East of Hook on land to the North of London Road and to the East of Griffin Way. It sits immediately beyond the current boundary of the settlement and it is approximately half a mile to the centre of Hook. The land to the North and West of the Site forms part of the wider North East Hook masterplan area which is being promoted for housing development The Site is currently bordered by Griffin Way (B3349) to the West, Hook House Hotel (Grade II listed) to the East, agricult agricultural land to the North and London Road (A30) to the South. Access to the Site is currently only available from London Road. The boundaries where the Site meets the roads are made up of hedgerows The Site covers an area of 2.74 hectares and consists of four parcels of land. These currently contain Hook House Farm Bungalow and associated paddock in the West, Hook Farm House in the centre and a further bungalow in the central East part of the Site. T The East part of the Site contains a commercial and light industrial use which includes car dealers, vehicle maintenance, MOT testing centre, lorry and car parking areas. The remainder of the site is agricultural, with a classification of moderate quality agricultural land. Figure Site Location 5

6 Hook Environmental Statement, Non-Technical Technical Summary Figure Planning Application Boundary 6

7 2.0 The Proposals 2.1 Background and Need Hart District Council are currently progressing their Local Plan, which sets out the planning policies for future development in the district. The Council submitted the plan to the Secretary of State for examination on 28th March 2013 and the document will be a material consideration when determining future planning applications Policy CS23 (North East Hook) of the Local Plan allocates land to the North East of Hook for a sustainable urban extension. The main objectives of this policy are to deliver around 500 new homes and related community facilities. Convenience retail will be considered suitable if it can be shown that it will not harm the existing village centre A masterplan for the site has been developed with the site s landowners by Barton Willmore in conjunction with David Wilson Homes, Croudace Strategic, Sainsbury s and WYG. This sets out the principles to manage development and help in the delivery of a joined up and well planned development. It concludes that the provision of a new supermarket in this location will provide the residents of Hook with a greater range of choice and quality in shopping facilities whilst keeping spending in the local area. Therefore this planning application is submitted to meet the retail element of the masterplan, and a separate planning application is to be submitted for the residential development. 2.2 Alternatives At the start of the planning process, Sainsbury s looked at a range of sites to see whether there was a site suitable for a new Sainsbury s foodstore in the area. A number of alternative sites were investigated as part of this process including: Landata House, Hook; Crossways Manor Car Park; Hook Parade; Hook Station Car Park, and; Car Park off Station Road All five were discounted in the site assessment process due to them either not being available, as they are currently occupied by existing uses, not being suitable due to their size or location or access, or not being viable due to the large costs of site demolition, or the need to find suitable alternative sites for the current uses. As a result of this, the Proposed Development site was considered the most suitable. The Site was identified as having good potential to support a new foodstore and so a more detailed study was carried out which included a site visit, technical consultations, and a planning policy review. This study showed thatt the Site could be technically, environmentally and financially viable for a new foodstore development. Figure Visual Representation of Proposed Development 7

8 2.2.3 As part of the EIA requirements, once the Site has been chosen, it is also important to consider alternative approaches to how the Site is developed and the methods that are used. Between 2010 and 2012 a number of baseline studies and surveys were undertaken on the Site, the results of which can be seen in the main ES. The results of these studies were used to refine a Vision and then a masterplan was developed in conjunction with the adjacent land owners bringing forward the site for 500 houses This masterplan was considered at a consultation event with the public and other key stakeholders, the comments received identified three main areas of improvement to the scheme. These were: Design Highways and Access Landscaping When considering the layout of the Site, three main options for locating the foodstore and deciding on how vehicles would access the Site were considered. The advantages and disadvantages of the options were looked at, and on balance when considering the impacts on local roads and traffic movements and nearby residents, the preferred option was chosen to be taken forward to be developed into this Proposed Development The final comprehensive Site plan has been based on this work, the consultation, the review of planning policy and the technical work carried out to date. The detailed design of the store has also been presented for review at the North East Hampshire Architects Design Panel. 2.3 Description of the Development The key features of the proposals are described below: A new Sainsbury s foodstore will be located in the Eastern half of the site and will be built with a gross sales area of approximately 5,000m 2. 75% of the store will be dedicated to the sale of convenience goods including fresh food counters such as a bakery, delicatessen, butchers and fresh fish, the remainder of the store will be dedicated to the sale of non-food items. There will also be a customer restaurant. There will be a service yard to the side of the building with an access point on to London Road solely for service vehicles. The remainder of the Site will provide car parking and a recycling facility. The car park will provide 3233 spaces. This will include 290 regular car parking spaces, 20 disabled car parking spaces and 13 parent and child car parking spaces. In addition, there will be 28 cycle parking spaces for the safe storage of customer bicycles and a further 18 spaces for colleague bicycles. Vehicle access for staff and customers will be via Griffin Way and there will also be a number of pedestrian access points provided, linking the main area of Hook to the Site and in the future, to provide links with the proposed housing development to the North and West of the Site. The design of the store includes the main frontage on to the car park, giving customers clear views to the entrance. The proposed opening hours of the foodstore will be 6am to 12am Monday to Friday, 6am to 10pm Saturday and 10am to 5pm Sunday (trading for only six hours) Other elements of the scheme include: Local Highway Improvements designed in consultation with the Hampshire Highways Authority Provision of new services to the Site including electricity, water and a new foul drainage system. 8

9 Figure Site Master Plan 9

10 3.0 Consultation Sainsbury s and its consultants have had detailed discussions with statutory and non-statutory consultees, the local community and landowner(s). The findings of the consultations have influenced the design and also the scope of the EIA Consultation began at the earliest stage of development to establish the feasibility of the Site and the Proposed Development and has continued through to the submission of the planning application. Sainsbury s have also worked closely with the developers of the proposed housing scheme to the North and West of the Site Consultation has been undertaken with the following groups and organisations: Meetings with Officers and Members at Hart District Council; Meetings and ongoing discussions with Hook Parish Council; and Correspondence with the clerks of Hook, Hartley Wintney, Rotherwick, Long Sutton, Eversley, Mattingley and Odiham Parish Councils A four page colour brochure was delivered to 10,485 home and business addresses in the Hart District, and a public exhibition was held on the plans. Details of the project website and address were also promoted through the local press As well as this consultation and the pre application discussions, consultation has taken place about specific environmental issues. These include information about baseline data, the methodologies to be followed and the scope of the assessments. Photo Visualisations Showing Transport Facilities Supported by the New Foodstore 10

11 4.0 Environmental Impacts 4.1 Traffic and Transport The Proposed Development will result in increases in traffic on the local road network during both the construction and operational phases of the foodstore The local road network includes London Road (A30) directly to the South of the Site and Griffin Way (B3349) to the West The overall design of the Proposed Development has been approached, where possible to reduce traffic to and from the Site. Efficient building design and services have been specified to reduce the volumes and numbers of manufactured components and deliveries that are required during the construction phase. All access for the construction phase will be through the existing Site access on to the A30. The increase of vehicles during the construction phase will be temporary and minimised through good management practices Vehicular access for staff and customers will be taken from Griffin Way North; this will be the main entrance to the store. The main servicing access for the store will be via London Road using the current access point to the Site. The Proposed Development includes improvements to facilities for pedestrians and cyclists The Proposed Development will provide a new ghost island priority junction to access the site off the B3349 Griffin Way (N). This junction has been chosen to reduce delay to all road users. The B3349 Griffin Way (N) connects to the A30 London Road at a roundabout junction to the South. This roundabout will be improved to enhance capacity, reduce delay and increase visibility for all road users. A Transport Assessment and Travel Plan are also submitted as part of the planning application Overall, the traffic and transport assessment has shown that the Proposed Development will result in a minimal impact on the local highway network and no significant environmental effects have been identified. Photo Roundabout Adjacent to the Site 11

12 4.2 Air Quality The main air quality effects that are likely during the construction of the Sainsbury s foodstore will be from dust and particulate matter, particularly during calm weather conditions. These will be generated during the demolition of the existing buildings on the Site and the construction of the new store and car park. The assessment has considered this and based on national guidance and the short term nature of the construction process, these are not considered to be significant effects The development will also result in increased traffic as a result of the construction phase as well as shoppers and staff once the foodstore opens. The predicted traffic flows for once the store is open are set out in the Transport Assessment that accompanies the planning application, and have been used to develop an air quality computer model, which has helped to predict the changes to the current air quality in Hook The predicted levels of traffic for the construction phase of the development are not considered to be significant as they fall below the threshold for significant effects set in national guidance. The model has identified that the increase in traffic once the site is operational will not result in air quality levels exceeding national air quality standards The proposals for the foodstore also include a biomass plant to provide power to the store, and an in-store bakery. Both of these have been assessed for their air quality and odour impacts, and the modelling has identified that there will be no exceedances of air quality standards as a result of these features. Photo Current Site Usage 12

13 4.3 Noise and Vibration The noise effects associated with the Proposed Development have been assessed at sensitive receptors in the wider area which include residential dwellings and have been assessed against national guidance and current baseline noise levels in the area to determine whether the effects are significant During construction, it is likely that noise from specific works associated with the demolition of existing buildings and construction of the foodstore will be audible at the nearest receptors to the Site. However, the noise will be temporary and will reduce on completion of the construction phase. For large periods of the construction phase, noise levels from construction works at receptor locations will be reduced or inaudible. Through standard mitigation measures implemented by the Contractor and enforced through suitably worded planning conditions, noise and vibration levels will not be significant for the duration of the works During the operational phase, potential noise generating sources include building services plant, deliveries, car parking, the recycling facility and road traffic noise. The assessment considered noise from these sources and shows that the noise will be at acceptable levels compared to baseline noise levels in the area and relevant guidance documents. Where detailed noise information is not available at this stage, such as for building services plant, the assessment shows that control measures can be easily implemented which will ensure that the impacts will still be insignificant. Noise levels associated with the increase in road traffic both on and off-site has also been assessed. The change in noise level at all off-site residential properties will generally be barely, if at all, noticeable. Figure Noise Receptor Locations In addition to the noise investigations carried out during this EIA on the Site, it has been concluded that no operational vibration impacts will occur. 13

14 4.4 Geology, Soils and Hydrogeology The existing baseline conditions of geology and ground contamination and potential environmental receptors have been determined through a review of desk based information The site is underlain by London Clay, which is classified in respect to groundwater as being unproductive strata, while the agricultural farmland is classified as being of moderate quality Historically, parts of the Site have been developed since 1872, when Hook Farm was present on the Eastern part of the Site. The Site remained largely unchanged until the 1970 s when the farm buildings expanded and two bungalows had been constructed Potential sources of ground contamination from both current and historic land uses are considered to be associated with leaks/spillage of fuels and oils from vehicle storage and maintenance as well as other materials incorporated into the ground associated with the construction of existing buildings and the demolition of others A number of potential receptors to ground contamination have been identified at the Site. These include future site users, adjacent site users and construction workers, vegetation, wildlife and surface water The Phase 1 Geoenvironmental Desktop Site Appraisal, which accompanies the application, has identified the need for a ground investigation to be completed, to assess the extent of any ground contamination and, if present, enable an appropriate ground remediation scheme to be agreed with Hart District Council The level of additional mitigation will be determined by the findings of the proposed ground investigation and providing the identified mitigation measures are adopted, it is considered that there will be no adverse effect to future site users, adjacent site users, construction workers, vegetation, wildlife and surface water, during either the construction works of during the operation of the foodstore. Photo A View of Hook House Farm Bungalow 14

15 4.5 Hydrology and Flood Risk The Proposed Development will result in changes to surface water drainage on the Site and will also increase demand for water As a result of the mitigation measures incorporated into the design of the store the development is not considered to cause any significant effects to hydrology and flood risk During construction of the store there will be potential for pollution to occur as a result of polluted runoff. However, given the pollution prevention measures that will be in place during construction and the distance to the nearest surface watercoursess this is not assessed as a significant effect. Likewise, the construction drainage management plan will minimise any potential flooding-related effects Once the store is open there will be a water demand associated with uses such as WCs and cleaning. The store is located in a region where water resources are under pressuree and are carefully managed. However the store will incorporate a number of water conservation features, such as low-flush WCs and waterless urinals that will minimise water use. Overall it will have an annual water consumption equivalent to about 26 domestic households. Therefore the store is predicted to have no more than a slight negative effect on water resources During operation there is a potential risk of pollution arising from sources such as oil or fuel spillages in the car parking areas. However, these risks are relatively low and source control measures included in the design will provided an appropriate level of protection. Photo Precipitation will be collected for Use in the Foodstore Toilets The Site itself is not in an area at risk from flooding. To prevent the development increasing the risk of flooding elsewhere it will incorporate a Sustainable Drainage (SuDS system). The proposed SuDS layout will incorporate storm water attenuation measures, where surface water discharges from the Proposed Development will be restricted to a rate similar to greenfield runoff rate. 15

16 4.6 Ecology The Site does not fall within or adjacent to any statutory or non- statutory site is statutory designated sites for ecology. The nearest Hook Common and Bartley Heath Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (2 km). The nearest non-statutory site is Wooded Hedgerows, Hook Site of Importance to Nature Conservation (0.1 km) A number of habitat types including tall ruderal vegetation, standing water (a pond and a swimming pool), species-rich hedgerows, buildings and hard-standing were identified on the Site. The majority of habitats were considered of value within the immediate surrounding area and, with the exception of buildings and trees (when considered as bat roosts), the impacts on them as a result of the proposals were considered to be not significant Two buildings on the Site were confirmed as bat roosts, with a further three buildings and six trees consideredd to be possibly used by bats to roost. Considering the known roosts at the Site, including relatively rare bats and historic records of nearby roosts, it is possible that the Site is important as a link between roosts and feeding sites, and/or as a feeding site in itself. Further surveys are proposed for 2013, to confirm the level of usage of the Site by bats and to determine the mitigation measures needed to address the likely significant effects on bats Surveys for great crested newts and reptiles are ongoing, but using available information from the adjacent site, it has been assumed that small populations of great crested newts and common reptiles (slow-worms, common lizards and grass snakes) use the Site. The impacts of loss of habitats used by great crested newts and/or reptiles are considered significant only at the local level Red kites were seen flying over the study area, but not noted breeding. These (and other birds) will be monitored during the spring/summer surveys (reptiles and bats). Other bird nests were noted in the study area, though due to the large number of similar habitats nearby, the effect of loss of nesting sites (hedgerow, trees, buildings, etc) is important locally The measures proposed to reduce ecological impacts include: Construction of a bat roost to compensate for losses due to demolition; Designing lighting to minimise spill and disturbance to bats and other nocturnal wildlife; Creation of new habitat in local area suitable for great crested newt and reptile e.g. rough grassland, log piles. Individuals present will be caught and moved from the study area to the new habitat(s) before construction; and Provision of new bird boxes Monitoring will include follow up bat surveys and checks of bird nest boxes It is predicted that when this strategy is incorporated into the construction and operation of the foodstore, the impacts on the wildlife at the Site will not be significant and in some places will be a positive effect (through creation of new habitats and dwellings). 16

17 Hook Environmental Statement, Non-Technical Technical Summary Figure Phase 1 Habitat Map 17

18 4.7 Landscape and Visual Impact The Site is typical of the type of mixed land use development found on the edge of settlements and is considered to be of low value in terms of landscape character and therefore able to accept change and new development. The Site is enclosed by native hedgerows and trees on the South and West boundaries which screen views into the Site from London Road and Griffin Way North. The existing yard is enclosed by tall conifer trees which screen the commercial part of the Site from the adjacent rural landscape and internally from the rest of the Site. Although trees and hedgerows are recognised key characteristics of the local rurall landscape, they are common features and most on the Site are of low quality and therefore there is the opportunity for replacement to improve the landscape The Site s setting in the wider area restricts its visibility to close views from the immediate edge of Hook and views from within the wider landscape to the North; more distant views of the Site are restricted by the local landscape of hedgerows, trees and small woodlands As the Site is very enclosed and visually screened by existing boundary and internal vegetation, the removal of the majority of the vegetation, and demolition of buildings, would potentially open up views into the Site during the construction phase. The Hook House Hotel is immediately adjacent to the Site and therefore is likely to be affected by the Proposed Development. Views from the hotel towards the Site are filtered by the mature trees within its grounds, however the demolition of existing buildings and construction of the foodstore close to the boundary will have significant negative effect on views from the hotel and its grounds during the construction phase. Hoarding will be erected around the boundaries of the Site to screen views of the construction works from the road and adjacent land until the Development is completed, however off-site intervening trees and vegetation will continue to filter views from the majority of visual receptors towards the Proposed Development during the construction phase. Photo Hook House Hotel The Proposed Development is significantly larger in size than any building surrounding the Site and therefore it will result in an effect on the local landscape character. Taking this into account, the landscape strategy for the Proposed Development has been designed to fit in with the local l landscape character, and enhance the appearance of the Development. The foodstore has been positioned to the East of the Site and set back from the roads to take advantage of the screening effect of the mature trees in the gardens of Hook House Hotel. This position also allows space for landscape planting on the road boundaries and reduces visual impacts on residents in properties located opposite the Proposed Development along London Road and Griffin Way North The existing tall hedgerows alongside the roads will be replaced by a managed native hedge and semi-mature tree planting which would be more appropriate to the suburban setting and new use of the Site, allowing visibility between the Proposed Development and adjacent road. This will create better quality and consistent 18

19 landscaping along the entire road frontage of the Proposed Development which would also compliment the garden frontage of Hook House Hotel, further helping the Site to fit into its setting. New native tree and hedgerow planting is also proposed as landscape enhancement on the North and East boundaries of the Site. The planting will in the longer term provide increased visual screening of the Site from the North Native tree and shrub planting on the East boundary next to Hook House Hotel is proposed to provide a new landscape buffer, where currently there is only a timber fence defining the boundary. This will help to reduce the impact of Proposed Development on the listed building setting. There is likely to be a significant effect on views during the early years of the Proposed Development when the landscape planting is establishing, however, once the planting on the boundary has matured and grown in height, it would be expected to screen views of the Proposed Development during summer months and filter views in winter months. This will be an improvement to the existing situation where there is currently no buffer planting on the Site to screen views of the existing buildings from the hotel Semi-mature tree planting is proposed within the car park to soften and break up the tarmac area, increasing visual screening and mitigating for the loss of existing trees and vegetation within the Site Although there are residential areas directly opposite the Site to the South and West, they back onto Griffin Way North and London Road with rear garden boundary walls and fencing, screening low level views from the properties towards the Site. Intervening garden and highway tree planting filter views of the Site from the residential properties during winter months, and would largely screen views in summer months when the trees are in leaf. The Proposed Development s landscaping scheme will provide additional screening. Therefore the majority of residential properties opposite the Site will not be significantly affected by the Proposed Development. There are a few properties which will be more affected by the Proposed Development due to their close proximity and reduced tree screening. These include some properties in Scots Court opposite the proposed service yard entrance, which will have filtered views through trees on the South side of London Road, and some properties in Aspen Close opposite the proposed car park entrance which will have open views from first floor windows. Photo View of the Site South-west Boundary Hedgerow from London Road 19

20 4.8 Archaeology and Historic Environment Impact Assessment The Proposed Development occupies land to the north of the medieval settlement of Hook. Post-medieval activity in the area is demonstrated by the 17th century Old Raven House, a former inn, and the late 18th century Hook House, which is now a hotel. There is no record of archaeological deposits on the Site and reports of a visit by a local metal detector club seem to confirm this as they reported finding nothing. In addition, historic maps indicate that earlier 19th century agricultural buildings were the first development on the Site. Since that time, there has been residential development on the Site, including garden landscaping, as well as the creation of yards, including the laying of concrete, and the erection of modern buildings. All of these activities will have resulted in ground disturbance and truncation of any remains present. complex, including house and stables, will not be adversely affected by the Proposed Development. Although there are other listed buildings in the area, none are considered to be affected by the Proposed Development As a result, the potential for previously unrecorded archaeological remains on the Site is considered to be low The surviving early 19th century agricultural buildings have been converted to business use. They are undesignated and unremarkable but will be subject to recording prior to demolition One locally listed building is present on the site. It is not considered remarkable and will, again, be subject to appropriate levels of recording prior to its demolition The Site is adjacent to the listed Hook House Hotel. Although the Proposed Development will alter the landscape close to the hotel it is not considered that the setting of the listed buildings will be affected. Existing and new planting will reduce the visual impact of the new building when seen from the hotel and there will be no direct effect on the hotel s grounds, which provide its immediate setting. The appreciation and understanding of the early modern Figure Recorded Heritage Sites 20

21 4.9 Climate Change and Climatic Factors Global temperatures are expected to continue to rise as human activities continue to add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The development of a new store will result in greenhouse gas emissions at both the construction and operational phases and therefore climate change effects During construction of the store, emissionss will arise through deliveries and vehicle movements associated with the transport of materials and site workers Once the store is open emissions will be generated as a result of the transport of goods, staff and customers to and from the Site, and in addition the store will require heating, cooling and power in order to remain operational. To address the potential energy demands of the new foodstore an Energy Strategy has been developed to reduce the demand for energy where possible and to identify energy solutions which are, where possible, renewable and sustainable As part of the Energy Strategy for the store, it will be powered by a biomass boiler and air source heat pumps, which will result in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the store being 40% lower than that of a store only meeting minimum standard levels. The store will also be constructed to meet the Buildings Research Establishment s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of at least Very Good. This is a leading benchmark for sustainable design and construction best practice Despite the mitigation measures proposed to address greenhouse gas emissions, the Proposed Development will still be a net emitter of greenhouse gases and in particular of carbon dioxide (CO2). In addition, industry standard guidance on climate change impacts suggests that any development that emits greenhouse gases is to be considered significant, whichh covers the majority of developments currently being undertaken across the UK and globally. However, when the likely levels of emissions are compared to the levels of annual emissions in the Hart area these would form much less than 1%. Photo View of Hook House Hotel from the Site 21

22 4.10 Waste The Proposed Development would generate a range of wastes both during the construction and operational phases of the development. The types of waste generated during construction will include demolition waste, soils, metals, cladding, timber and packaging, most of which will be recycled. Commercial waste would be generated once the Site is operational, which would mainly comprise food waste and packaging As a minimum, it is assumed that waste would be managed in accordance with environmental and health and safety legislation. This will reduce any potential effects upon construction site workers, Sainsbury s employees and local residents A potential environmental effect is the quantity of construction/demolition and commercial waste produced by the Proposed Development and the impact this has on local waste facilities. As far as possible, construction waste will be managed on site, being reused wherever practical. Wheree it is necessary to manage waste off site, the waste assessment has identified that there are a number of local facilities which are available to accept the predicted quantities of waste. The developer would provide a fully compliant Site Waste Management Plan prior to the start of demolition works which would set out how the predicted waste types would be managed, ensuring that wastes are minimised, reused or recycled in preference to being sent for landfill disposal. Photo Sainsbury's Bag Recycling Scheme Sainsbury s would manage its operational waste in accordance with its in-house waste strategy which states that zero waste will be sent to landfill. Instead waste is avoided, reused and recycled wherever possible with energy being recovered from all food waste Taking all of these factors into account it is considered that the Site could be developed without causing significant waste impacts. 22

23 4.11 Socio-economics The social and economic impacts of the Proposed Development on shopping and employment have been considered in the Environmental Statement (ES). phase with the creation of an average of 50 jobs rising to approximately 200 when the store is being finally fitted out. Once the foodstore is open, it i is anticipated that the Proposed Development will create up to 200 new full and part-time jobs; this is a significant positive effect of the proposals The Proposed Development will provide improved shopping and convenience food facilities for Hook. The proposals are in line with the Council s aspirations for accommodating retail growth and will not result in significant negative effects on other shopping areas. They are also in line with the Council s emerging Local Plan Policy CS23 for the land North East of Hook which allocates the wider site for 500 homes and says that complementary uses including, convenience retail, will be acceptable id there are no negative effects An assessment of local shopping patterns shows that the Proposed Development will have no significant negative effects on the vitality and viability of Hook Village Centre or any other shopping centres in the area. Once the foodstore has opened the assessment shows that the stores in Hook as well as those in the wider area will be able to continue trading at levels above their company average at 2018, as currently they are significantly overtrading and many residents in Hook travel to other destinations (such as Basingstoke) to buy their convenience goods. Photo View of the Interiorr of a Typical Sainsbury's Foodstore The Proposed Development will expand the quality, range and choice of shopping facilities for residents of Hook and the surrounding area. There will also be the potential to have direct positive effects to the village centre from shoppers returning to Hook for food shopping purposes and combing a trip to the store with a trip to the village centre The Proposed Development will have a positive temporary effect on the employment market and local economy through the construction 23

24 5.0 Summary 5.1 Conclusions The proposals for a new Sainsbury s foodstore on land to the North East of Hook has the potential to address an identified need for convenience shopping facilities in this area and is in accordance with national and local planning policy. The assessments have considered how the environment and the local community would be affected by the development as part of this EIA The assessment has shown that if the identified mitigation is implemented during the design, construction and operational stages of the Proposed Development, all environmental effects, with the exception of landscape and climate change, can be appropriately mitigated and reduced to a level which is not considered to be significant When considering the significant effects in relation to climate change, any new development will always be considered adverse in climate change terms as it will lead to a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions. However, Sainsbury s have committed to an Energy Strategy for the Site and energy efficiency and renewable energy measures that will result in this development reducing the climate change impacts as far as possible. The store will also be constructed to meet the Buildings Research Establishment s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of at least Very Good. This is a leading benchmark for sustainable design and construction best practice The assessment has identified significant landscape and visual effects during both construction and operation. The majority of the effects are identified at the construction phase of the assessment. These are in many cases unavoidable, due to the fact that the proposal is a new development on mainly greenfield land. However, the significance of these effects is reduced based on the fact that the construction phase for the development is very short at only 32 weeks in total. This not only includes the demolition and construction of the foodstore, which is likely to generate the majority of effects at this stage, but also includes the store fit out, whichh is for many effects less disruptive. This is a relatively short construction phase and therefore any adverse effects at this stage will be temporary in nature At the operational phase of the Proposed Development a number of further significant adverse landscape and visual effects have been identified. As with the construction phase, a number of these effects are unavoidable due to the fact that this will be development on a partly greenfield site. But given the sensitivity of the landscape at the Site and the design and layout and landscape strategy that has been proposed these have been minimised as far as practical. 5.2 Management of Environmental Impacts The effects of the constructionn activities will be managed through a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). This will ensure that working hours, traffic management, control of pollution, waste management, noise, and dust are all managed and controlled The effects identified at the operational stage will be addressed through a range of additional mitigation measures that have been detailed in section 4 of this NTS and in full in the main ES. It is proposed that these will be secured through appropriately worded planning conditions set by Hart District Council should planning permission for the Proposed Development be granted. 5.3 What Happens Next? Prior to making a decision on this planning application, Hart District Council will seek advice from Natural England, the Environment Agency, English Heritage and other statutory and non-statutory consultees. They will also make the full Environmental Statement (ES) available for the general public to view and comment on The Council will make the full Environmental Statement available for examination by members of the public at the Council s offices. 24

25 Printed copies of the non-technical summary and ES (including figures and appendices) may be obtained from: Hart District Council Civic Offices Harlington Way Fleet Hampshire GU51 4AE Or online on Hart District Council s planning application pages at: This NTS can be downloaded free of charge from the project website, Printed copies of the non-technical summary and ES (including appendices) may be obtained from WYG at the address below. The non-technical summary is available free of charge, and a limited number of hard copies of the ES are available at a cost of 350* per copy (plus p&p). Alternatively, these documents are available as adobe acrobat files on CD from the same address at 10* (plus p&p). WYG Planning and Environment 100 St John Street London EC1M 4EH * Includes 25