Zones and 2) 13 Fitzroy Street London W1T 4BQ United Kingdom Job number

Transcription

1 Stratford Village Property Holdings 1 & 2 (SVPH) and London and Continental Railways Stratford City Applications for 1) Zones 3-6 Additional Development and 2) Extension in Time Environmental Statement Volume 3 - Non-technical Summary December 2010 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd 13 Fitzroy Street London W1T 4BQ United Kingdom This report takes into account the particular instructions and requirements of our client. It is not intended for and should not be relied upon by any third party and no responsibility is undertaken to any third party. Job number

2

3 Stratford Village Property Holdings 1 & 2 (SVPH) and London and Continental Railways Stratford City Applications for 1) Zones 3-6 Additional Development and 2) Extension in Time Environmental Statement Volume 3 - Non-technical Summary Contents 1 Introduction 1 2 Background to the Stratford City scheme 2 3 Site and context 4 4 The Proposed Development 2 Page 4.1 Application Application Approach to the Environmental Assessment 2 6 Air quality Introduction Air quality baseline Effects of the Stratford City Scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects 3 7 Archaeology Introduction Archaeological baseline Effects of the Stratford City Scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects 3 8 Ecology Introduction Ecological baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects 3 9 Energy Introduction Energy Baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects 6 10 Environmental Wind December 2010 J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX

4 Stratford Village Property Holdings 1 & 2 (SVPH) and London and Continental Railways Stratford City Applications for 1) Zones 3-6 Additional Development and 2) Extension in Time Environmental Statement Volume 3 - Non-technical Summary 10.1 Introduction Environmental wind baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects 8 11 Hydrology Introduction Hydrology baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects Landscape Introduction Landscape baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects Land Use Planning Introduction Land use planning baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and Residual effects Lighting Introduction Lighting baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects Noise and Vibration Introduction Noise and vibration baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects Socio-economics Introduction Socio-economic baseline December 2010 J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX

5 Stratford Village Property Holdings 1 & 2 (SVPH) and London and Continental Railways Stratford City Applications for 1) Zones 3-6 Additional Development and 2) Extension in Time Environmental Statement Volume 3 - Non-technical Summary 16.3 Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects Soil conditions, groundwater and contamination Introduction Soil conditions, groundwater and contamination baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects Transport Assessment Introduction Transport baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects TV and Radio Introduction TV and radio baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects Urban Services Introduction Urban services baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects Waste Management Introduction Waste management baseline Effects of the Stratford City scheme Assessment of the proposed amendments Mitigation and residual effects Where to find out more December 2010 J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX

6

7 1 Introduction This document is the Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Statement that has been prepared by to accompany two applications by Stratford Village Property Holdings 1&2and London and Continental Railways, to allow amendments to the currently consented outline planning permission for the development of Stratford City. The proposed amendments will increase the amount of housing in the northern part of Stratford City and extend the life of the outline planning permission by 10 years. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken to assess the effects on the environment of the applications, in the context of the Stratford City scheme as changed by these amendments. This report summarises in a nontechnical way the findings from the environmental assessment. It refers to measures that will address negative effects of the development on the environment, termed mitigation measures. It then presents the overall net effects of the development on a topic by topic basis, termed the residual effects. Details of the site and the proposed changes are set out in sections 3 and 4. Section 5 outlines the approach to the environmental assessment. Sections 6to 21 provide non-technical summaries of each of the environmental topic areas that have been assessed. Finally, Section 22 provides information on obtaining copies or viewing the full Environmental Statement for Stratford City. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 1

8 2 Background to the Stratford City scheme The Stratford City scheme is a large scale regeneration scheme that will provide a mix of development, including retail premises, commercial offices, residential property, leisure and community facilities. The main application site is located within the London Borough of Newham and is indicated in Figure 1 below. In addition, the scheme includes the provision of school playing fields located within the London Borough of Waltham Forest as well as highways proposals providing access to the site. The proposed highways fall within the London Boroughs of Newham, Waltham Forest, Hackney and Tower Hamlets. The highways applications primarily related to: an upgrade of Waterdon Road; an upgrade of Ruckholt Road and Temple Mill Lane; access to the Rail Lands from Warton Road and Carpenters Road; and access to the Rail Lands at Henrietta Street and Alma Road. In addition to the above, the Stratford City scheme included provision for ancillary works outside the main site, associated with the development, including: the undergrounding of overhead electricity supply cables across the northern part of the site; new power supply infrastructure and cables from the grid; new water supply connections; new gas supply routes; new discharge pipes for foul drainage to the public sewers; new telecommunications connections to the site. An outline planning application was submitted for the Stratford City development in 2003, accompanied by an Environmental Statement. Further environmental information was submitted in 2004, in response to requests for information and clarification from the planning authority. The 2003 ES and the 2004 Further Information are referred to in this document as the 2003/4 ES. Changes agreed in November 2007 resulted in the issue of a replacement Outline Planning Permission (ref. 07/90023/VARODA). It is this permission which has been implemented and now being varied Outline planning consent was granted for the Stratford City scheme on 17th February 2005 (reference P/03/0603) by the London Borough of Newham. Since then, a number of applications have been made to specify in more detail the characteristics of the Stratford City development in the form of Zonal Masterplans and Reserved Matters applications, which have been considered and approved by the planning authority. A major change since the consent was granted is the construction of the London 2012 Olympic Park in the area immediately adjacent to Stratford City to the north, west and south. Additionally, a large proportion of the northern part of Stratford City, comprising residential and other amenity uses, will be used during the Games for the Athletes Village. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 2

9 The Stratford City development is now well under way, with site-wide and offsite infrastructure and roads largely developed and a substantial number of buildings already constructed or under construction. In addition, a number of areas of the site have been occupied for various temporary uses associated with the Olympic Games. Most other areas of the site are in use for various temporary construction facilities or storage areas. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 3

10 3 Site and context The site is situated in East London, northwest of the Great Eastern Main Line railway and close to the existing Stratford town centre. Figure 1shows the red line boundary of the main application site and the seven zones the site is divided into. References to the Site refer to the area within this red line. Figure 1 Composite parameter plan for Stratford City The Stratford City site has an area of approximately 73 hectares (180 acres). To the east of the site, the A112 runs from north to south. On the east side of this road the land use is predominantly residential with some public open space, comprising landscaped, grassed areas, a playground and a basketball court. The Chobham Farm area lies between the site and the A112 and this is currently used for construction compounds for the Olympic Games development. The Clays Lane Estate to the north of the Stratford City site has now been demolished along with the two 12-storey towers that formed accommodation for the University of East London. The site is now partly in use as a soil stockpile for the Olympics developments. Running along the western and northern edges of the Stratford City site lies the Olympic Park, currently under construction. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 4

11 Figure 2 View across Stratford City from east to west with the Olympic park in the background The newly constructed Town Centre Link joins Stratford Town Centre and Stratford Regional Train Station to the Westfield Shopping Centre area in the south-eastern part (Zone 1) of the site. Figure 3 The northern part of the site looking south-west, showing the Athletes Village under construction (October 2010) Large parts of the site are currently being built on in advance of the 2012 Olympic Games, including the retail and leisure floorspace in Zone 1 and the majority of the residential development and associated education and community uses approved in Zones 4, 5 & 6. The site is currently a mixture of developed and undeveloped plots. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 5

12 4 The Proposed Development Two applications are being made for amendments to the currently consented Stratford City scheme. The amendments being applied for are set out below. 4.1 Application 1 The first application relates primarily to proposed changes of permitted floorspace that are expected to lead to an increase of approximately 685 residential units (over and above the figures currently permitted). Changes are proposed to the distribution of floorspace with reductions in hotel floorspace (equivalent to approximately 1,000 hotel rooms and associated facilities) being accompanied by commensurate increases in residential and complementary retail and leisure floorspace. Most change occurs in Zone 3 where the total amount of development remains unchanged at 192,220 sq.m of development. Additional residential floorspace is proposed in Zone 5. An additional 45,000 sq.m is proposed and results in a total increase in development within that zone of 19% or 2.9% for the scheme overall. Also proposed are changes to the open space strategy and increased flexibility to make changes to Zonal Masterplans. 4.2 Application 2 The second application is to extend the time period in which the Stratford City Permission can be implemented. Currently condition B6 requires the submission of detailed applications for all parts of the scheme by February 2017 and works to have begun by February It is proposed to extend these timescales to 2027 and 2030 respectively, in part to make up for the delay arising from the recession and hosting the 2012 Olympic Games on parts of Stratford City. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 2

13 5 Approach to the Environmental Assessment An environmental impact assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999, as amended. Environmental impact assessment has been required for Stratford City due to the size of the development site and the potential for significant environmental effects from a development of this scale. This Environmental Statement considers the likely significant environmental effects of the Stratford City development as a whole, taking into account the changes proposed in the current applications. It assesses whether the changed development has the potential to cause different environmental effects to those originally assessed in the 2003/4 ES. The environmental assessment was undertaken in the following stages: Stage One: Preparing an Environmental Method and Scope Report and consulting with the ODA Planning Decisions Team (ODA PDT), appropriate technical officers of London Borough of Newham (LBN) and other relevant stakeholders over the scope of the assessment. Stage Two: Gathering and updating information about existing environmental conditions Stage Three: Assessing the likely effects of the proposed changes on the environment Stage Four: Recommending measures to prevent, reduce or offset adverse environmental effects Stage Five: Reporting on the above stages in an Environmental Statement All topics that were considered in the original Stratford City Environmental Statement were re-assessed and the summaries of these assessments can be found in sections 6 to 0 of this document. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 2

14 6 Air quality 6.1 Introduction This section describes the air quality assessment that has been undertaken for the proposed additional housing and extension in time applications. 6.2 Air quality baseline The2003/4 ES recognised that the air quality situation in London reflects its urban setting and is typical of large cities throughout Europe measured levels of some pollutants are above some of the national (and EC) air quality standards. Road traffic is the main source of nitrogen oxide and fine particulate emissions in London, though domestic and commercial energy use and pollution from sources outside London (including from mainland Europe) also contribute significantly to measured levels. Local authorities carry out regular review and assessment of air quality in their area against air quality objectives prescribed in regulations for the purpose of local air quality management. Results from local stations show that some national and EU limits for pollutants were breached between 2000 and 2010 but this was not the case every year. 6.3 Effects of the Stratford City Scheme The2003/4 ES assessed emissions from construction activities through a review of the likely activities and through the formulation of appropriate mitigation to ensure any significant effects on local air quality are minimised. Construction activity related effects were considered to be slight adverse but would respond well to mitigation. The emissions from construction and operational traffic and from the site energy plant were assessed using an urban-scale air dispersion model. The on-site and off-site effects were calculated for worst-case receptor locations. The traffic and energy plant emissions will lead to increased ground level concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter, and this has been found to represent a moderate adverse effect (relative to the annual NO 2 and PM 10 objectives). Due to the pessimistic basis of the assessment, the predicted annual concentrations would be at levels exceeding the provisional air quality objectives, though at all receptors modelled, the exceedances also occur without the Stratford City scheme in place and the incremental effects of the scheme relative to baseline levels were predicted to be small at the majority of receptors. At some locations, for particulates, these predicted concentrations would be at levels exceeding the provisional air quality objectives, though at a number of offsite receptors modelled, the exceedances would also occur without the Stratford City scheme in place. It should be noted that the adverse effects on PM 10 concentrations were predicted against a stringent provisional London air quality objective for PM 10 that was abolished in When considering the less stringent national air quality J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 2

15 objective for PM 10, the effect of PM 10 concentrations upon local air quality (before the application of mitigation measures) is slight adverse to negligible. A number of applications for Zonal Masterplans and Reserved Matters applications have been made since the Outline Planning Permission for Stratford City was consented, as well as a number of Section 73 applications for alterations to various aspects of the consented development. In cases where changes were proposed which could affect air quality, these applications were the subject of Environmental Screening Statements, which have concluded that these changes did not have the potential for significant air quality effects which were significantly different from or additional to those assessed in the 2003/4 ES and so further assessment has not been required, 6.4 Assessment of the proposed amendments The proposed amendments have been assessed to establish whether any significant additional or different air quality effects would arise from the scheme as amended by these proposals, when compared with those assessed for the development as currently consented. The changes comprised within the proposed applications may give rise to potential environmental effects on local air quality which differ from or add to those assessed in relation to the development as originally consented. It was assessed that the only aspect that could trigger different air quality effects from those assessed in the original SCES is the change in traffic flows although other potential effects have been considered. Application proposal 1 The change in traffic flows was tested by examining the baseline situation (consented Stratford City development) against the proposed changes (applications 1 and 2). The changes in traffic flows, as a result of the application proposals, are likely to be less than or equal to ±1%.This demonstrates that the proposed applications will cause minimal changes in traffic flows and therefore do not trigger the need for detailed air quality assessment. The effects of the scheme as modified by these amendments will not be significantly different to those assessed in the 2003/4 ES. The proposed floorspace changes could trigger changes in energy demand but these are unlikely to trigger changes in the plant size and accordingly the changes in plant emissions are unlikely to have different or additional effects on local air quality. In addition the change in building design and layout in relation to the plant will not affect the results of the dispersion modelling included in the 2003/4 ES. Application proposal 2 The extension in time application has the effect of extending construction activities over a longer period and accordingly the intensity of dust generating activities and the effects of construction traffic emissions will be lower than that assessed in 2003/4ES. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 2

16 In terms of operational traffic emissions, the extension in time application will have the effect of delaying the onset of the full modelled traffic flows from the completed development. However this is not considered to be a significant difference in relation to the assessment carried out in the 2003/4 ES. It is concluded that Application proposal 2 will not trigger any different significant effect on local air quality. The effects of the extension in time application are likely to be the same as assessed in the 2003/4 ES. 6.5 Mitigation and residual effects The2003/4 ES sets out mitigation measures for construction, identified in the outline construction method statement, such as dust suppression measures, careful materials handling and storage, ensuring all plant is kept in a state of good repair and maintenance, and effective site planning and management. Construction activities will be actively monitored and any effects will be of a temporary duration. Through the application of operational mitigation measures such as vehicle restrictions, development of travel plans by final site occupiers, use of cleaner fuels, promotion of cycling and schemes for air quality monitoring, the effects of the scheme in terms of air quality are expected to be slight to moderate adverse. Application proposal 1 In light of the very small changes likely to arise from the additional development proposed, mitigation measures set out in the 2003/4 ES continue to be applicable. Construction activities associated with application proposal 1 were considered to be slightly adverse but would respond well to mitigation resulting in negligible residual effects. It was also predicted that emissions from construction and operational traffic and from the site energy plant could be reduced by applying mitigation measures. Application proposal 2 This application is unlikely to give rise to any different or additional significant effects and so the mitigation measures set out in the 2003/4 ES continue to be applicable. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 3

17 7 Archaeology 7.1 Introduction This section assesses the effect of the proposed applications: 1) the Additional Development and 2) the Extension in Time for Stratford City, on the archaeological interest 7.2 Archaeological baseline The Stratford City ES of 2003/4 established that there were no Scheduled Ancient Monuments located within the application boundaries. The main area of the development is located within an Archaeological Priority Area as defined by the London Borough of Newham. A number of archaeological sites were identified within the area of the site 7.3 Effects of the Stratford City Scheme The Stratford City ES of 2003/4 concluded that: the land raise of the site as a result of the CTRL works would result in the preservation in situ of the archaeological resource within the Stratford site; localised effects within this area may occur as a result of piling and deep excavation, such as basements; works outside of the land raise may have a negative effect on the archaeological resources. Potential effects arising from the development were subsequently mitigated by a programme of excavation to the satisfaction of English Heritage s Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service. These works, in addition to information held on the Greater London Historic Environment Framework, and the National Monuments Record provide the existing conditions against which to assess the current amendment proposals. 7.4 Assessment of the proposed amendments The latest Greater London Historic Environment Record data was obtained and the written reporting associated with the subsequent archaeological field work undertaken on the site was reviewed. The proposed amendments have been assessed in accordance with revised guidance for archaeological assessment contained in PPS5. Application proposal 1 The work undertaken to assess the effects of Application proposal 1 included assessing the most recent baseline available for the site, and understanding the proposed changes introduced to the plan. The assessment showed that the change in land use by reducing hotel floor space and increasing residential floor space, along with ancillary infrastructure, did not introduce any new effects to the below ground archaeological resource. The assessment indicated that the changes J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 2

18 introduced by Application proposal 1 did not alter the conclusions set out in the Stratford City ES. Application Proposal 2 An understanding of the existing archaeological resource and an assessment of effects of the proposed time extension by 10 years has concluded that this time increase will not introduce a physical direct or indirect effect to the archaeological resource. The original ES recommended an appropriate archaeological evaluation and mitigation strategy be implemented in agreement with the Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service. Based on the understanding of the effects of the current applications to archaeology, the recommendations identified in the original ES remain unchanged. 7.5 Mitigation and residual effects During the preparation of the 2003/4 ES, the implementation of an appropriate archaeological evaluation and mitigation strategy was recommended for various elements of the development that required excavation works. This provided for the preservation by record of any archaeological resources that were encountered on site. Allowing for the implementation of the archaeological strategy the residual effect on the archaeological resource was considered to be negligible It is concluded that there is no requirement to revise or introduce any new mitigation measures in light of either Application proposal 1 or Application proposal 2. The recommendations outlined in the original SCES are sufficient to mitigate the effects of the change of land use. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 3

19 8 Ecology 8.1 Introduction This section of the Environmental Statement comprises an assessment of the potential ecological effects of the proposed Stratford City development as amended by the applications for 1) the Additional Development and 2) the Extension in Time. 8.2 Ecological baseline The original Stratford City ES established the locations of sites with local, nonstatutory designations, called Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), in or near to the development. It also identified a number of other undesignated habitat areas, including Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), railside land, allotments and scattered wasteland, which had varying levels of local ecological interest. Surveys for protected species were mostly negative but reptiles were found at Temple Mills and large numbers of common amphibians were found at Bully Point Pond. All of the habitats present were botanically poor and had low invertebrate interest. However, the local bird interest was noteworthy at many sites. The variation in bird interest, therefore, was used as a key tool in the assessment to distinguish the relative local value of sites. 8.3 Effects of the Stratford City scheme It was assessed in the 2003/4 ES that due to the CTRL landraise, no significant ecological effects would occur within the main development area, but some effects would result from the detailed applications for highways, utilities and the playing fields at Temple Mills. Adverse effects anticipated included: temporary disruption to SNCIs and habitats during construction; some minor permanent landtake from Eastway Cycle Track SNCI; loss of reptile habitat at Temple Mills; and temporary and permanent effects on breeding bird habitat at scattered locations. The following main ecological mitigation requirements were identified: habitat creation as compensation for land take from the Eastway Cycle Track SNCI, or habitat loss from the Lee Valley Regional Park or various undesignated sites; restoration and enhancement of habitats temporarily affected by construction works; control of noxious weeds, e.g. Japanese knotweed; reptile trapping and relocation to a suitable receptor site; and J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 2

20 protection of habitats, breeding birds or other species in or near to work sites. The conclusions from the 2003/4 ES were that mitigation measures implemented would result in minimal residual ecological effects. Following on from the SCES a site wide ecology strategy was developed to inform the detailed design of the site. In addition, numerous site visits have been undertaken by a qualified ecologist between 2006 and the present, in order to satisfy conditions attached to the outline planning permission and to ensure that any ecological receptors on site were mitigated for. 8.4 Assessment of the proposed amendments The proposed amendments have been assessed to establish whether any significant additional or different ecological effects would arise from the scheme as amended by these proposals, when compared with those assessed for the development as currently consented. Application proposal 1 The proposed changes in floorspace and land use would not have any significant additional or different ecological effects when compared with those assessed for the development as currently consented. The strategy for ecological management is unchanged from that set out previously. Therefore, the ecological effects as assessed in the SCES are considered to remain valid. Application proposal 2 Application 2 comprises a construction time extension of ten years. It is not considered that this will introduce any new ecological effects or the requirement for additional mitigation measures over and above those identified in previous assessment. 8.5 Mitigation and residual effects The Stratford City 2003/4 ES considered the main ecological effects of the Stratford City scheme would be: loss of habitat and disturbance effects associated with construction and operational activities. With respect to these effects, the conclusions from the 2003/4 ES were that mitigation measures implemented would result in minimal residual ecological effects. This updated assessment has concluded that additional mitigation measures over and above those detailed in the SCES are not required for Application proposals 1 and 2 and no additional residual effects to those identified in the SCES are anticipated. It is therefore concluded that with the implementation of the existing mitigation measures minimal residual ecological effects would result from the Stratford City scheme, as amended by Application proposals 1 and 2. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 3

21 9 Energy 9.1 Introduction The assessment undertaken in the 2003/4 Stratford City ES established the predicted direct energy demand and CO 2 emissions for the buildings in the development and proposed mitigation measures for both reducing this energy demand and the associated CO 2 emissions. This section considers and assesses the effects of the proposed Stratford City development, as amended by the applications for 1) the Additional Development and 2) the Extension in Time. 9.2 Energy Baseline The 2003/4 ES stated that the majority of the site was vacant and therefore there was negligible energy consumption. Therefore the assessment compared the proposed development scheme against relevant national and regional policy. Current national and London-wide policy is designed towards reducing carbon emissions through efficiency of energy consumption, the generation of energy from renewable (carbon-free) sources and efficiency of energy supply. Effects of the Stratford City scheme 9.3 Effects of the Stratford City scheme Key energy consumption effects from the operation of the development were identified. The local effects related to air quality and are addressed in Section 6. The larger-scale effects related to the contribution of carbon dioxide emissions to global climate change as recognised internationally by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and recently by the UK Climate Change Act It was therefore considered appropriate to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption within the proposed development. The 2003/4 ES recommended that: mitigation measures should be implemented to address the quantity of energy consumed, and the related emissions of carbon dioxide, with a view to achieving policy targets; and an energy strategy should be produced to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in line with policy targets identified and to develop a strategy for monitoring and reporting on energy consumption within the development. Key mitigation measures were identified as: more stringent energy efficiency measures were recommended; a framework should be adopted to deliver a significant proportion of site energy demand from renewable sources; a combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) plant should be provided on site to ensure efficiency of supply. The residual effect of the Stratford City scheme were identified as emissions of carbon dioxide which would contribute a medium to long term adverse effect to global climate systems. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 4

22 In accordance with the ES mitigation requirements, a site-wide energy strategy was developed for Stratford City in It describes energy strategies for the whole area with energy supplied by a Southern Combined Cooling Heat and Power (CCHP) system and a North District Energy System (NDES). This is consistent with the mitigation measures assessed in the SCES. A CCHP plant has been built in the southern part of Stratford City and is proposed to supply thermal energy and domestic hot water (DHW) to the south area and contribute mainly to the electricity generation for the whole site. This CCHP will provide 75% (around 20MWe) of the Stratford City Development s annual electrical power requirement (North and South). The strategy improves on the levels of mitigation assessed in the SCES to achieve a planned 50% carbon emission reduction by 2020 and 80% by Assessment of the proposed amendments The proposed amendments have been assessed to establish whether any significant additional or different energy effects would arise from the scheme as amended by these proposals, when compared with those assessed for the development as currently consented. Application proposal 1 The 3.5% increase in floorspace compared to the development as approved will result in an increase in direct energy consumption and associated CO 2 emissions compared to that assessed in the SCES. As a result there will be an increase in the adverse environmental effect associated with the development albeit minimal given the small proportional increase compared to the total floor area currently approved. The changes of use of floor space are likely to reduce direct energy consumption given that the majority of the conversion is from hotel to residential; a less intensive energy user. Hotel buildings use up to 60% more energy per square metre than residential buildings and as a result emit 60% more carbon dioxide emissions. This change will therefore reduce the likely adverse effects of the development in relation to energy and will offset a small proportion of the increase in CO 2 emissions resulting from the increase in floor space.. Overall the effect of the proposed changes is assessed as minor adverse and therefore the effects of the development as proposed to be changed are assessed as minor adverse. Application proposal 2 The application proposal to extend the life of the permission by ten years will have a beneficial effect on environmental effect as a result of the direct energy consumption of the buildings at Stratford City. According to current government plans, in 2016 there will be a requirement for all new domestic buildings to be zero carbon in operation, and in 2019 all new non-domestic buildings will have the same requirement. As such an extension of the life of the permission is likely to mean that a greater part of the development will be built after these dates, and therefore will be required to achieve these higher energy performance standards. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 5

23 Therefore this extension would have a beneficial effect on the mitigation of environmental effects arising from direct energy consumption in the operation of the buildings proposed. Overall the effect of the proposed changes is assessed as minor beneficial and therefore the effects of the development as proposed to be changed are assessed as minor adverse Mitigation and residual effects The2003/4 Stratford City ES concluded that the contribution of the development to global climate change will be in the medium and long term, and is assumed to be permanent, due to the known life-time of carbon dioxide in the Earth s atmosphere. Application proposal 1 The likely significant environmental effects of the development as proposed to be changed are assessed to be minor adverse. This is not assessed to alter the likely significant effects of the development as assessed to be likely prior to change The effect of the development as proposed to be changed pursuant to application proposal 1 on the total carbon emissions associated with the direct energy consumption is therefore assessed to be minimal. The mitigation measures proposed will reduce the environmental effect of these emissions but the development will not be zero carbon in operation and therefore there will be some residual effects due to the energy use in operation of the buildings. Overall, the assessed effect following mitigation remains as minor adverse. Application proposal 2 No mitigation measures are proposed in relation to application proposal 2 and therefore the assessed effect remains as minor beneficial. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 6

24 10 Environmental Wind 10.1 Introduction This section assesses the likely significant effects of the development, as proposed to be modified by the applications for 1) the Additional Development and 2) the Extension in Time on pedestrian level wind conditions within and immediately around the application site 10.2 Environmental wind baseline The wind climate applicable to site is unchanged from the SCES. However, since the SCES original assessment, the area immediately surrounding the site has undergone significant redevelopment. Despite the introduction of substantial Olympic Venues to the southwest of the site, exposure to prevailing south-westerly and westerly winds would still be expected to create accelerated pedestrian level winds across the empty Stratford City site, in the absence of buildings or significant vegetation 10.3 Effects of the Stratford City scheme The extent to which the proposed development modifies wind patterns from existing conditions can impact on the perceived levels of comfort that pedestrians associate with activities, such as standing, sitting and strolling. The 2003/4 Stratford City ES identified areas of the development that were considered likely to cause accelerated ground-level wind flows and therefore create areas where pedestrian comfort (and safety) may be compromised. The main areas of external effect identified by the assessment were: in the vicinity of the Zone 1 Town Centre Connection and Transport Interchange; along the northern site boundary (Eastway Cycle Track & Clays Lane Estate). The main areas of internal effect identified by the assessment were: along the water feature of Zone 5; at the base of tall developments within Zone 3; along streets aligned with prevailing southwest and northeast directions. These effects could be reduced by purpose-designed mitigation and validated by wind tunnel testing at a detailed design stage. A range of mitigation options were suggested including cascading the building heights, podiums, screening and canopies for consideration and testing. With careful design, the potential effects identified could be reduced, in general to acceptable levels. The assessment concluded that the proposed Stratford City development would only have a slight residual effect on both external and internal wind environments. Subsequently a series of Zonal Masterplans and detailed applications have been submitted and reviewed in terms of environmental wind effects, including by J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 7

25 wind tunnel testing. Specific mitigation measures have been designed for each case as appropriate to ensure that the development as it progresses generally meets the required criteria for the pedestrian level wind environment Assessment of the proposed amendments The proposed amendments have been assessed to establish whether any significant additional or different environmental wind effects would arise from the scheme as amended by these proposals, when compared with those assessed for the development as currently consented. Application proposal 1 The modified development proposals currently applied for would not introduce any significant changes in building massing which could affect pedestrian level winds. However, potential changes in building form and pedestrian activities resulting from the proposed amendments will be reviewed as detail is developed. Future ZMP applications incorporating these amendments will include a wind microclimate assessment to confirm mitigation requirements such that residual wind conditions would, in general, be suitable for planned pedestrian activities. Application proposal 2 The Extension in Time would have no effect on environmental winds Mitigation and residual effects The 2003/4 Stratford City ES concluded that, with careful design, the potential effects identified could be reduced, in general to acceptable levels and that the proposed Stratford City development would only have a slight residual effect on both external and internal wind environments. Application proposal 1 The modified development proposals currently applied for would not introduce any significant changes in building massing which could affect pedestrian level winds. Consequently the conclusions of the 2003/4 ES remain unchanged that the Stratford City development would, with appropriate mitigation, only have a slight residual effect on both external and internal wind environments Potential changes in building form and pedestrian activities resulting from the proposed amendments will be reviewed as detail is developed. Future ZMP applications incorporating these amendments will include a wind microclimate assessment to confirm mitigation requirements such that residual wind conditions would, in general, be suitable for planned pedestrian activities. Application proposal 2 The Extension in Time would have no effect on environmental winds and so the conclusions of the 2003/4 ES remain unchanged, that the Stratford City J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 8

26 development would, with appropriate mitigation, only have a slight residual effect on both external and internal wind environments. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 9

27 11 Hydrology 11.1 Introduction This section of the environmental statement assesses the effects of the proposed additional housing development and extension in time applications on the hydrological, flood risk, surface water quality and surface water drainage issues associated with the Stratford City development in the context of the assessment provided by the SCES Hydrology baseline As part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) works the landraise and corresponding flood mitigation works resulted in the extent of the 1 in 100 year floodplain being redefined. The 1 in 100 year floodplain is defined as all land adjacent to a watercourse over which water flows in the time of flood, or would flow but for the presence of flood defences where they exist, for a flood event that has the probability of occurrence on average of once every one hundred years. The limits of floodplain are defined by the peak water level related to that flood event. The CTRL works removed the risk of flooding to the whole of the Stratford City site and to other areas of the Lee Valley. The CTRL works allowed additional development and land raising to proceed as part of the Stratford City scheme, without further effect on flood risk. A major change since the SCES was submitted is the construction of the London 2012 Olympic Park in the area immediately adjacent to Stratford City to the north, west and south. Since many of the hydrological issues facing Stratford City were also common to the Olympic Park, a combined approach was taken to environmental assessment, particularly flood risk management Effects of the Stratford City scheme Apart from consideration of flooding issues, as explained above, the assessment undertaken in the 2003/4 Stratford City ES considered the main hydrological effects of the Stratford City development to be as follows: On-site flooding from rainfall Water quality of site discharge during operation of the development Water quality of site discharge during construction work Dewatering of the Stratford Box during operation Overflow from the Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) The conclusions from the SCES, with respect to the above, was that a series of mitigation measures applied with common best practice would result in negligible residual effect. Subsequent to the 2003/4 ES, a number of changes have been proposed to the Stratford City development, through submission of Zonal Masterplans and reserved matters applications. These have been reviewed in relation to any J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 10

28 potential changes in terms of hydrological effects and it has been concluded that these would not be significantly different to those assessed in the 2003/4 ES Assessment of the proposed amendments The proposed amendments have been assessed to establish whether any significant additional or different hydrological effects would arise from the scheme as amended by these proposals, when compared with those assessed for the development as currently consented. Application proposal 1 As there is no indication that the development as proposed to be changed (i.e. the additional development plus the consented scheme and the extension in time applications) will have an effect on the size of the development plots as authorised under the development as currently consented, the volume of surface water required to be drained from the site will not be subject to significant (if any) increase. Similarly as there is no indication or requirement that the strategy for plot drainage, highway drainage and flood risk management would be different to that authorised under the development as currently consented, it is considered that the environmental effects as assessed in the SCES (and subsequent flood risk assessment) will continue to apply to the development as proposed to be changed. Application proposal 2 As there is no indication that the development as proposed to be changed (i.e. the consented scheme and the extension in time application) will have an effect on the size of the development plots as authorised under the development as currently consented, the volume of surface water required to be drained from the site will not be subject to significant (if any) increase. Similarly as there is no indication or requirement that the strategy for plot drainage, highway drainage and flood risk management would be different to that authorised under the development as currently consented, it is considered that the environmental effects as assessed in the SCES (and subsequent flood risk assessment) will continue to apply to the development as proposed to be changed Mitigation and residual effects The environmental effects, in terms of hydrological effect of the proposals described in volume 1 are not expected to be significant and therefore the effects of the development as proposed to be changed by: 1) the additional development and 2) the extension in time plus the consented scheme) are expected to remain as those assessed in the SCES for the development as currently consented. The conclusions from the SCES were that a series of mitigation measures applied with common best practice would result in negligible residual effect. J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 11

29 12 Landscape 12.1 Introduction This section of the non-technical summary comprises an assessment of the potential landscape, townscape and visual effects of the Stratford City development, as proposed to be changed by the applications for 1) the Additional Development and 2) the Extension in Time Landscape baseline The 2003/4 Stratford City ES identified that the proposed development site was historically defined by the largely redundant Stratford railway lands, although at the time of the outline planning application the baseline comprised the land raise that had occurred in advance of construction of the CTRL. In addition, because of the scale of the proposed Stratford scheme, there were a number of landscape/ townscape character areas adjoining the site, which would be affected by the proposals, as would viewers of the proposals within these areas. The existing quality of these areas was generally characterised as being from poor to ordinary, although the sensitivity of the areas to change was in some case considered to be high. This is principally due to the large scale of the proposals and their close proximity to the adjacent areas. Of particular importance were the effects on Clays Lane Housing Estate and the Lee Valley Park at the Eastway Cycle Circuit and Bully Point Nature Reserve to the north as well as on the town centre to the south. Subsequently, a number of significant changes have occurred affecting this baseline. The Olympic Park is currently under construction on the western side of the development, following the River Lea, the Waterworks Channel and the City Mill River. The skyline is currently dominated by construction cranes and unfinished building facades. The 2.5km 2 site will be the area where the main Olympic events will take place in summer In addition, the Clays Lane Estate has been demolished and so is no longer a visual receptor as it was in 2003/ Effects of the Stratford City scheme The landscape and townscape assessment in the 2003/4 ES considered that the effects on the surrounding areas and on the site itself generally would be beneficial. This benefit would arise because there would be much greater access within and through the site, and the provision of a great number of facilities and amenity areas. Open space proposals include new parks, urban squares, semi natural habitat and other large and smaller water areas, which would benefit people as well as wildlife. However, it was considered that this benefit would only result through the transformation of the massing envelopes into high quality architecture and open space. Furthermore, there needed to be a greater modulation in the envelopes in the development into architecture with greater variations in height, form, massing, roofscape and edge treatments and through the use of materials and transparency. If these modulations were not to occur then the effect would be considered J:\214000\ STRATFORD CITY 3-6 AMENDMENTS\ES\NTS\008 NTS_ISSUE.DOCX Page 12