2.0 Environmental Impact Assessment Approach. Objectives of EIA. Biffa, Clarion Close, Swansea - Environmental Statement, Volume 1

Transcription

1 2.0 Envirnmental Impact Assessment Apprach 2.1 EIA Prcess and Objectives The verall aim f this ES is t prvide an bjective and systematic accunt f the significant envirnmental effects f the develpment and t assess the ability f the prpsed redevelpment f the Clarin Clse site and the surrunding area t accept thse impacts. The verall EIA prcess is shwn in Diagram 1 belw (IEMA, 2004). Facilitate infrmed decisin making, including setting the envirnmental terms and cnditins fr implementing the prpsal Imprve the envirnmental design f the prpsal Objectives f EIA Check the envirnmental acceptability f the prpsal in relatin t the capacity f the site and the receiving envirnment Identify apprpriate measures fr mitigatin f the ptential impacts f the prpsal Ensure resurces are used apprpriately and efficiently 2.2 Scpe f Wrk Gegraphic Scpe Diagram 2 The immediate bjectives f EIA Diagram 1 The EIA prcess The EIA directly cvers the physical extent f the Site as shwn in the red line bundary plan Figure 1.1. It is defined by the area f land t be used, the nature f the current envirnmental cnditins and the manner in which impacts are likely t be generated. It is imprtant t nte hwever that the influence f many predicted impacts can extend beynd the immediate Site bundary, fr example, the effects n sme species that are primarily lcated ff-site may use the site fr fraging. Where identified and relevant, these impacts have als been assessed as part f the EIA The gegraphical extent f the EIA als cnsiders the ptential implicatins f related and un-related develpment activities. The ptential cumulative effects f the develpment in assciatin with ther develpments bth during cnstructin and n cmpletin are included where relevant as required by Schedule 4, Paragraph 5e) f the EIA Regulatins (HMSO, 2017). Tempral Scpe Under the current prgramme, it is expected that cnstructin will take place between March 2019 and February The assessments presented herein are largely based n the cmparisn f expected impacts cmpared with current r recent baseline envirnmental cnditins. This is with the exceptin f tpics such as air quality and landscape and visual assessments which factr in future baseline changes int the assessments in future year impact scenaris. These appraches are explained in further detail in the relevant chapters cncerned The immediate bjectives f EIA are shwn in Diagram 2 (IEMA, 2004): 2-1

2 Technical Scpe In rder t ascertain the likely scpe f the EIA, the scping prcess invlved the fllwing steps: Identificatin f the planning applicatin bundary; Identificatin f the key characteristics f the develpment Site and the establishment f the envirnmental baseline thrugh a series f desk and field studies; Identificatin f gaps in the baseline and the further survey wrk required t address these shrtfalls; Initial cnsideratin f the ptential surces and nature f envirnmental impacts thrugh assessment against the envirnmental baseline; and Definitin f impact assessment methdlgies t be utilised In additin the fllwing key dcuments are available as separate reprts prepared as part f the wider planning applicatin dcumentatin: Transprt Statement Planning Statement; and, Pre-Applicatin Cnsultatin Reprt As discussed in Chapter 1, n frmal scping exercise was undertaken t determine the scpe f the EIA with the CCSC r statutry cnsultees, hwever, where specific cnsultatin has been undertaken as part f the prcess this is discussed within the relevant tpic chapters. Tpics scped int the ES The tpics that were frmally agreed thrugh the scping prcess, i.e. thse which have the ptential t give rise t significant envirnmental effects and are therefre addressed as part f this ES are listed belw: Nise Air Quality; Grund Cnditins; Fld Risk/Hydrlgy; Landscape and Visual Impact; and Eclgy The specific fcus f the abve assessments is detailed within each chapter. Tpics nt cnsidered further in the ES Issues which have been assessed as unlikely t give rise t significant envirnmental effects have been mitted (als termed as scped ut ) frm the EIA and are detailed belw with reasns prvided as t why they are nt cnsidered t give rise t significant envirnmental effects: Sci Ecnmic The prpsals cmprise the redevelpment f an existing site t accmmdate an energy recvery facility within an existing building. As such the cnstructin phase f the prpsals are unlikely t generate a significant number f cnstructin jbs and at the peratinal stage there is n expected t be significant increase in staff numbers frm thse currently emplyed. As such it is cnsidered that the ptential fr likely significant Transprt effects in relatin t the sci ecnmic envirnment is negligible and therefre this tpic has been scped ut f the remainder f the ES. The number f traffic mvements as a result f the prpsed develpment are nt expected t increase significantly frm the current mvements which includes staff driving t and frm site and frm the fleet f 20 HGV s leaving and returning t site nce a day. The develpment is expected t generate 1-2 additinal HGV s mvements a week, which is cnsidered t represent a negligible increase t the traffic flws n the lcal highway netwrk. As such traffic and transprt has been scped ut f the ES but a separate Transprt Statement has been included within the applicatin an is presented at Appendix 2.1. Archaelgy and Cultural Heritage Waste The develpment is situated within will be prvided n an existing dept which is situated n hardstanding which will be retained. Additinally the majrity f the facilities will be placed within an existing building n the site. As such there is limited ptential fr effects in relatin t archaelgy and cultural heritage and this has been scped ut as a tpic within the ES. The prpsed develpment site is intended t utilise an existing waste surce fr the generatin f electricity and heat, at the same time significantly reducing the amunt f waste which is ging t landfill. As such the scheme is nt deemed t be significant in terms f lcal and reginal waste generatin figures and it will nt negatively affected capacity issues and waste has therefre been scped ut f the ES. It shuld be nted that cnstructin waste will als be managed thrugh a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP). Human Health T an extent human health has been cnsidered, where apprpriate, within specific tpic chapters; namely air quality and nise. It is nt cnsidered necessary fr this develpment t undertake a specific Health Impact Assessment, as there are n specific features f the develpment that present particular health issues r cncerns as any emissins frm the develpment are cntrlled thrugh permitting requirements. Accidents, Fire and Natural Disasters It is cnsidered that, while there is always a ptential risk f an accident, fire r natural disaster that culd result in a significant envirnmental effect; this risk, can be apprpriately mitigated thugh embedded design measures and thrugh cmpliance with statutry design guidelines. It is subsequently prpsed that these ptential risks are scped ut f future assessments fr this develpment. Climate Change UK Climate Prjectins 2009 (UKCP09) is the fficial surce f climate prjectins in the UK. It is funded by the Department fr Envirnment, Fd & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department f Energy & Climate Change (DECC) in partnership with the Met Office, EA and Tyndall Centre, amngst thers. The UKCP09 Prjectins shw a general trend f: Increased summer temperatures; 2-2

3 Increased winter temperatures the UK s winters will als be milder with the average temperatures being 2.2 C warmer; Reduced summer rainfall - there may be a 16% decrease in summer rainfall making the UK s summers much drier; and Increased winter rainfall - winters will be wetter with an average f 14% mre rainfall. assessment which is based n the characteristics f the impact ( and nature) and the sensitivity f the receptr, as described further belw. This is knwn as a Type 3 assessment framewrk by Wd (2008). It is recgnised that the level f transparency in the apprach is cmparatively high, with the sensitivity framewrk incrprating useful examples and the descriptrs serving t prvide a fuller accunt f decisin factrs (Wd, 2008). Therefre, the apprach des g sme way t enhance the transparency f the assessment in the sense that the reader is ptentially in a better psitin t calibrate the language terms used by experts (Wd, 2008). It is cnsidered that any develpment that is nt carbn neutral, given the sensitivity f the receptr f the receptr (glbal climate), wuld result in a significant adverse effect. Therefre rather than cnsidering the effects f climate change in a standalne chapter, it is prpsed t address the issue f mitigatin (carbn reductin) within the develpment descriptin. In additin climate change adaptatin is cnsidered and discussed within the apprpriate technical chapters where relevant. Cnstructin Envirnmental Management Plan (CEMP) The ptential envirnmental effects f the remaining cnstructin phases will be cntrlled thrugh a Cde f Cnstructin Practice. A CEMP will be prepared prir t cmmencement f cnstructin and wuld be agreed with CCSC. Cumulative Scpe As required by Schedule 4, Paragraph 5e) f the EIA Regulatins (HMSO, 2017), the assessment shuld take int cnsideratin ther existing and /r apprved prjects As the develpment is based within existing building within an existing dept it is cnsidered that the ptential fr likely significant cumulative effects are limited. Hwever, shuld during the cnsultatin prcess any relevant sites be identified which shuld be cnsidered within the cumulative sites assessment, then these sites will be assessed within the final versin f the ES. 2.3 Assessment Criteria Overview The assessments presented in this ES have cnsidered the ptential fr significant envirnmental impacts t affect the baseline cnditins as a direct/indirect result f the develpment. The baseline cnditins are defined as the existing state f the envirnment and hw it may develp in the future in the absence f the prpsals. This is a requirement f the EIA Regulatins which in Schedule 4, Paragraph 3 require a descriptin f the aspects f the envirnment likely t be significantly affected by the develpment (HMSO, 2017) Predictins are necessary when frecasting future impacts and, in rder t ensure that predictins are as accurate as pssible. The EIA Regulatins which in Schedule 4, Paragraph 6 require a descriptin f the applicant r appellant f the frecasting methds used t assess the effects n the envirnment (HMSO, 2017). Assessments have been undertaken in accrdance with best practice guidelines published by the relevant prfessinal bdies. Industry standard appraches, fr example, the Chartered Institute f Eclgy and Envirnmental (CIEEM) Guidelines fr Eclgical Impact Assessment in the United Kingdm 2 nd Editin (IEEM, 2016), the Landscape Institute / Institute f Envirnmental Management and the Cuntryside Agency s Guidelines fr Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Third Editin (LI/IEMA et al, 2013), CIRIA C552 (Rudland, D J et al. 2001) etc., have been used in undertaking the impact assessments. Each chapter s methdlgy sectin prvides details f the assessment criteria and terminlgy in the cntext f that technical discipline. Receptr Sensitivity The sensitivity f a receptr refers t its imprtance, i.e. its envirnmental value/attributes. This may include a feature s level f statutry designatin, fr example if a site has a Eurpean designatin (e.g. Special Area f Cnservatin) it will generally be regarded as mre imprtant/sensitive than anther site with a natinal r lcal designatin (e.g. Lcal Nature Reserve). The terminlgy defining sensitivity can vary accrding t discipline r the methdlgy being used. Hwever, within this ES sensitivity is generally determined as Very High, High, Medium r Lw Each individual chapter within this ES cnsiders the attributes f specific receptrs in mre detail. Determining Impact Magnitude Magnitude is determined by predicting the scale f any ptential change in the baseline cnditins. Where pssible, has been quantified; hwever where this has nt been pssible a fully defined qualitative assessment has been undertaken. The assessment f is carried ut cnsidering any design mitigatin, i.e. relevant design features, in the prpsal frming part f the develpment descriptin. This may result in the need fr additinal mitigatin i.e. that which results frm the EIA prcess, t reduce impacts further. Therefre, the f impacts bth befre and after additinal mitigatin has been stated Magnitude will be defined within each chapter alng a sliding scale. Typical terms that can be used are shwn in Diagram 3. Reducing impacts are lwer dwn the pyramid. Diagram 3 Pyramid depicting the relative scale f impact terminlgy Substantial impact Mderate impact Slight impact Negligible impact N impact As shwn in Diagram 3; an impact f substantial is far wrse than an impact f negligible r n impact Where there is n tpic specific guidance available, a cmmn framewrk f assessment criteria and terminlgy has been develped drawing upn WYG s experience f undertaking EIA, fr the presentatin f predicted impacts. This is based n a widely used matrix apprach t envirnmental 2-3

4 Sensitivity f Receptr Biffa, Clarin Clse, Swansea - Envirnmental Statement, Vlume 1 Determining the Significance and Nature f Effects Diagram 4 Significance f effects prcess equatin T determine the significance f effect the assessr cmbines the predicted f impact (change) with the assigned sensitivity (value) f the receptr. This is shwn as an equatin in Diagram Table 2.3 shws hw the interactin f and sensitivity can be cmbined t determine the significance f an envirnmental effect n a scale (nte this des nt define whether an impact is significant r nt, see belw). Deviatin frm the terminlgy may ccur in cases where an established methdlgy requires this, which will be explained in relevant chapters The definitin f at what level f significance a significant impact arises is prvided within the tpic methd sectin f each chapter f the ES. This is imprtant in the cntext f the EIA Regulatins which in Schedule 4, Paragraph 5 require a descriptin f the likely significant effects f the develpment (HMSO, 2017) which shuld cver the direct effects and any indirect, secndary, cumulative, shrt medium and lng-term, permanent and temprary, psitive and negative effects f the develpment. Therefre, envirnmental effects are described as: Adverse r beneficial Direct r indirect Temprary r permanent Shrt, medium r lng term Reversible r irreversible Cumulative Adverse describes effects which are undesirable and beneficial describes effects which are desirable, and are used t describe effects resulting frm impact s which are either negative r psitive Each effect will have a surce riginating frm the develpment, a pathway and a receptr. Effects which perate this direct way are regarded as direct effects. Effects n ther receptrs via subsequent pathways are regarded as indirect effects Each individual chapter within this ES cnsiders the nature f effects and significance f effects and their definitins in mre detail as required. Table 2.3 Impact Example Significance f Effects Matrix Substantial Receptr sensitivity Magnitude f Impact Mderate Effect Slight Negligible Substantial Magnitude f Impact Mderate Slight Very High Majr Majr Intermediate Neutral High Majr Intermediate Minr Neutral Medium Majr Intermediate Minr Neutral Lw Intermediate/ Minr Neutral Neutral EIA Assumptins and Limitatins The fllwing key assumptins have been made in preparing the ES: All legislative requirements will be met. Negligible The pre-additinal mitigatin effects assessment reprted within this ES assumes the prject will be cnstructed in accrdance with industry standard techniques and currently enfrced mandatry minimum standards, and assumes suitably experienced cntractrs will be appinted t design, cnstruct and cmmissin the develpment. The base assessment is reprted n the design, cnstructin, and peratin f the develpment as prvided within the descriptin given in Chapter 3. The ptential envirnmental effects f the cnstructin phase will be cntrlled thrugh a Cnstructin Envirnmental Management Plan (CEMP) which wuld be prepared prir t cmmencement f cnstructin and wuld cntain all the design and additinal mitigatin as indentified and reprted within this ES and any subsequently agreed requirements, expected t be enfrced by planning cnditins. The details f these dcuments wuld be agreed with the LPA prir t cnstructin cmmencing Where further assumptins have been made fr individual tpic assessments these will be identified within the relevant tpic chapters Any limitatins r uncertainties assciated with impact predictin r the sensitivity f receptrs due t the absence f data r ther factrs will give rise t uncertainty in the assessment. Schedule 4, Paragraph 6 f the EIA Regulatins requires that an ES state whether any difficulties (technical deficiencies r lack f knw-hw) were encuntered by the Applicant in cmpiling the required infrmatin. (HMSO, 2017). In this case any limitatins in the assessments are referred t in the relevant chapter f this ES. 2-4

5 Prpsed Mitigatin Measures A descriptin f the mitigatin measures is ne f the requirements f the EIA Regulatins. Schedule 4, Paragraph 7 f the EIA Regulatins sets ut the infrmatin that must be included in an ES and this includes a descriptin f the measures envisaged t avid, prevent, reduce and if pssible, ffset any identified significant adverse effects n the envirnment and, where apprpriate, f any prpsed mnitring arrangements (HMSO, 2017) In rder t reduce the f the impact and therefre the significance f the envirnmental effect, where pssible, mitigatin measures have been identified. The fllwing hierarchy, and terminlgy, has been used when determining mitigatin measures as depicted in Diagram 5: Prevent Reduce Offset Diagram 5 The mitigatin hierarchy applied in EIA t prevent r avid adverse effects as far as pssible by designing ut (design mitigatin) r by using preventative measures during the cnstructin/peratin prcess (additinal mitigatin) resulting in neutral effects. t minimise adverse effects as far as pssible by imprvements t the design (design mitigatin) r using reductive (but nt fully preventative measures due t technical infeasibility withut excessive cst) during the cnstructin/peratin prcess (additinal mitigatin) resulting in neutral effects. t ffset r cmpensate fr adverse effects where it is nt pssible t avid effects, r where the effect has been already reduced (minimised) as far as technically feasible (withut excessive cst). With ffsetting and cmpensatin effects may nt be fully neutralised Additinal mitigatin is all ther mitigatin that has been identified as a result f the impact assessment that has been undertaken n the fixed design scheme. Clear details f when and hw the mitigatin measures identified in the chapter will be implemented, have been given. An assessment f residual is cnducted fllwing the determinatin f suitable additinal mitigatin measures. The subsequent assessment f residual significance identifies the residual envirnmental effects, these being the final utcme f the EIA prcess. Statements are made f whether residual effects are significant r nt. 2.4 References Her Majesty s Statinery Office (HMSO), The Twn and Cuntry Planning (Envirnmental Impact Assessment) Regulatins Institute f Eclgy and Envirnmental [IEEM], Guidelines fr Eclgical Impact Assessment in the United Kingdm 2 nd Editin. Institute f Envirnmental Assessment [IEA], (1993). Guidelines fr the Envirnmental Assessment f Rad Traffic. Institute f Envirnmental Management and Assessment [IEMA] (2004). Guidelines fr Envirnmental Impact Assessment. IEMA Perspectives. Rudland, D J et al (2001) Cntaminated Land Risk Assessment: A Guide t Gd Practice, CIRIA C552. The Landscape Institute / Institute f Envirnmental Management and the Cuntryside Agency, Guidelines fr Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. Third Editin. Wd G., Threshlds and criteria fr evaluating and cmmunicating impact significance in envirnmental statements: See n evil, hear n evil, speak n evil? Envirnmental Impact Assessment Review. Vlume Enhance t identify pprtunities where enhancement can be incrprated int the scheme where effects have been neutralised When describing mitigatin measures, they generally fall under tw headings, design mitigatin and additinal mitigatin Design mitigatin is where the design f the site has been altered t take int accunt a particular issue r accmmdate an imprtant feature. This will generally be part f the prject descriptin but will als be identified in the relevant chapter under the Mitigatin within the Submitted Design sub heading. The strategic develpment f the masterplan fr the develpment has invlved the cnsideratin f ptential impacts f alternative designs and layuts f the site. This is described in Chapter 4 f this ES. In additin, specific features f the develpment have been included in the fixed design f the site, structures and buildings t avid r reduce impacts. Therefre the mitigatin f impacts has been integral t the design prcess undertaken and was facilitated by: Early identificatin f the baseline envirnment; Preliminary identificatin f ptential significant impacts by technical specialists; and Engagement with key stakehlders including statutry and nn-statutry rganisatins and the public thrugh the cnsultatin strategy. 2-5