VIRIDOR WASTE MANAGEMENT LTD

Transcription

1 VIRIDOR WASTE MANAGEMENT LTD Proposed re-phasing of landfilling operations; amended restoration levels and aftercare scheme; and provision of a new waste reception building with associated site infrastructure works Site, South Lanarkshire Non-Technical Summary April 2009

2 Non-Technical Summary 1. Introduction 1.1 Viridor Waste Management Ltd (Viridor) are submitting a planning application for the re-phasing of site together with the installation of a new waste reception building. The proposed works to be carried out are within the current site boundary of the landfill site. 1.2 The location of Site is shown below. Figure 1.1 Site Location (extract from drawing LE10278/EIA 3.1) 1.3 A number of changes are deemed necessary to alter the manner in which the landfill is managed, operated and restored in the future. 1.4 The site will continue to be operated by Viridor. The new landform will provide an estimated total capacity of circa 2.8 million cubic metres. At estimated input levels of 230,000 m 3 per annum this is not anticipated to extend permitted landfilling past the current life of the site i.e with a further 12 months for restoration. LE10278/NTS 1 April 2009

3 2. What are the proposals? 2.1 The proposals are to re-phase the existing landfill site and install a new waste reception building. The proposals also include an extensive progressive restoration programme to enhance the site. Rephasing of the Site 2.2 The existing site is dissected by overhead power lines which pose engineering, landfilling and restoration design difficulties. To overcome these challenges, it is proposed to move the phasing of the landfill away from the influence of the overhead power lines by removing the currently permitted phasing in the northern area of the site. The intention is to swap the northern permitted landfill area with a similar area lying to the south of the power lines. 2.3 The proposals to re-phase the site in this manner will bring a number of benefits. Removing the landfill from the area north of the overhead powerlines will help protect wild orchids present in the area. Site safety will also be improved as the risk associated with heavy plant constantly crossing under the powerlines will be decreased. 2.4 The site experiences high rainfall and there is a limited area available for the management of surface waters. Removing the landfill from the area north of the overhead powerlines will allow this area to be used to help control the surface water run-off within the site (through the introduction of suitably sized lagoons). New Waste Reception Building 2.5 Currently, waste is deposited in an open reception area which facilitates operations, particularly during bad weather conditions. 2.6 Viridor propose to replace this area with a new, completely enclosed, waste reception building. This will enable road borne vehicles (Refuse Collection Vehicles) to deposit their waste in a fully controlled environment where waste can be inspected, sorted and, if necessary, subjected to recycling before being transferred to the landfill cells. 2.7 The majority of refuse collection vehicles can then be kept off the landfill where the terrain is difficult to traverse. This will help to protect the vehicles from damage; improve health and safety; and ensure an efficient and safe turn-around time for collection vehicles. LE10278/NTS 2 April 2009

4 2.8 The waste deposited in the proposed waste reception building will be transferred to the landfill by purpose designed slave vehicles that are better equipped to travel over the landfill. The use of these vehicles will considerably reduce vehicle activity across the site as a whole. Restoration 2.9 The re-phasing proposals will ensure that the entire body of the landfill is to the south of the powerlines thus facilitating a more satisfactory restoration scheme. The restoration profile will be improved by creating a single domed landform that better blends into the rolling landscape; rather than two raised areas (truncated by the powerlines) that is currently approved. The altered restoration scheme will offer additional planting, screening, landscaping and significant ecological benefits. Justification and Need 2.10 Despite increasing recycling and recovery targets for waste, there is a continuing need for landfill capacity to deal with residual non-recyclable wastes. This need manifests itself at regional and local levels. Landfill capacity is a dwindling asset. In order to ensure future capacity at the landfill can be met and to meet regional and local capacity need, the proposed rephasing is essential. LE10278/NTS 3 April 2009

5 3. Environmental Statement 3.1 An Environmental Statement (of which this is a summary) has been prepared. The Environmental Statement identifies the potential impacts of the proposals, considers their significance and identifies measures for reducing the effects. Principal Environmental Impacts 3.2 The principal environmental issues addressed in the Environmental Statement are summarised below: Landscape and Visual Impact 3.3 A landscape and visual impact assessment has been undertaken using the methodology approved by the Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage. 3.4 During construction there will be temporary views from the south of the site. There will be views of the site during operation for Crutherland Farm, Mid Drumloch and East Drumloch. These views would only be for a short period of time when the landfill exceeds the surrounding landform at the cells closest to these properties. Phased operations, a Landscape Buffer Zone (LBZ), screening bunds, early planting and progressive restoration will reduce and limit the potential impacts. 3.5 Once the landfill operations are complete and the site is restored there would be a number of beneficial effects. Significant amounts of woodland planting and the restoration of the settlement lagoons to lakes with associated wetlands is proposed. This would provide an increased biodiversity and nature conservation interest to the site. 3.6 The restored landform would appear as a new skyline feature in some views. From the majority of views the change in landform would not result in significant impacts as the proposed final landform would reflect the gradients and forms of the existing landscape and blend in with the surrounding countryside. Ecology and Nature Conservation 3.7 The proposed development will have no negative impact on any habitat protected by statutory or non-statutory designations. 3.8 The creation of lagoons will provide new foraging habitat for bats by encouraging the presence of swarming invertebrates. The lagoons will also provide habitat for water fowl and other bird species. LE10278/NTS 4 April 2009

6 3.9 Retaining sufficient areas of grassland, identified as containing significant orchid populations, within the north of the site will be beneficial not only for the conservation of flora but will also ensure foraging areas are reserved for other species including badger and birds, and has the potential to encourage a net increase in biodiversity on the site The potential impacts of the development on the site s ecology and nature conservation will be mitigated through the development process with careful management and maintenance practices. Geology, Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Potential Contamination 3.11 Based on the assessment of background data and data from site investigations undertaken at the site, it is concluded that the ground conditions are appropriate for the construction of the proposed landfill cells and associated infrastructure The risk of contamination to human health and the environment posed by the site is low Through ongoing liaison with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Viridor has developed the existing landfill site at Rigmuir as a state of the art containment facility. The proposed re-phased site will be developed in a similar way and as landfill technology continues to develop, Viridor will continue to work with SEPA to ensure that the design and construction of the landfill reflects current best practice Any environmental risks related to the operation of the landfill site will be minimised by strict adherence to pollution prevention guidance and the Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Permit issued by SEPA, which is required for the operation of the site. Routine environmental compliance monitoring, including monitoring of the Rotten Burn, will be undertaken during the construction and operation of the different phases of the landfill site. Flood Risk Assessment 3.15 A Flood Risk Assessment has been carried out for the re-phasing of Rigmuir landfill site in consultation with SEPA The floodmap for the Rigmuir area shows that the site lies within an area which has little or no risk of flooding. This indicates that the site is suitable for all types of development. LE10278/NTS 5 April 2009

7 3.17 The revised surface water management strategy, utilising land to the north of the site will significantly reduce the potential flood risk on and off the site. The rephrasing of the site is assessed not to increased offsite flooding risks. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 3.18 There are no Scheduled Ancient Monuments or Listed Buildings within the boundary of the site. However there are three Scheduled Ancient Monuments, three monuments of schedulable quality, six Grade A Listed Buildings and a further five buildings, which as a group are of Grade A importance, within 5km of the site boundary The assessment concluded that the site is of very low archaeological importance. The majority of the main body of the site has experienced substantial disturbance due to opencast coal mining. This will have disturbed and/or removed any archaeological remains. Traffic and Transport: 3.20 The expected input levels of 230,000 m3 per annum will require a maximum of 16 two way traffic movements during the AM peak hour and 8 two way traffic movements during the PM per hour. The peak hours are defined as: 0800 until 0900hrs for the morning (AM) period; and 1600 until 1700hrs for the evening (PM) period In total there will be a maximum of 249 movements per day. During the peak periods the increase of traffic on the A726 (Strathaven Road) is predicted to be negligible The site access will be accessed by the existing haul road located to the south of Crutherland Farm and leads from the A726 western boundary of the site. No physical changes are proposed to this haul road which provides ideal access onto the public highway. Noise 3.23 A noise assessment has been carried out to determine the level of noise associated with the proposed site and any potential impacts at nearby properties and other sensitive receptors. LE10278/NTS 6 April 2009

8 3.24 A noise assessment which models the predicted noise associated with the proposed site design, phasing of operations and plant deployment has been carried out. The results of the noise assessment indicate that the proposed rephased site will not significantly increase noise levels already experienced in the area and the site will be within noise limits already set by South Lanarkshire Council for the existing site operations. Air Quality Air Quality Assessment of Road Traffic Emissions 3.25 An air quality assessment has been undertaken to assess the impact of potential traffic air pollution at properties in the vicinity of the site as a result of the proposed re-phasing. The assessment concludes that the potential traffic pollution impacts of the re-phasing will be insignificant and will be similar to those already experienced at the site. Dust Assessment 3.26 A dust assessment has been undertaken to determine the impact of the proposed re-phasing of on dust levels in the vicinity of the site and at surrounding properties A dust management plan is already in place at. This dust management plan will be extended to include the proposed re-phasing. Effective implementation of this management plan will ensure that dust generated at the landfill will be negligible. Odour Assessment 3.28 An odour management plan is already in place at. This odour management plan will be extended to include the proposed re-phasing. With the effective implementation of this odour management plan and further mitigation measures it is anticipated that odour nuisance generated through site operations will be negligible. Amenity 3.29 An amenity assessment has been undertaken for the site and concludes that there is the potential for litter and vermin to have an adverse impact at surrounding properties. Mitigation measures in the form of management and operational controls will therefore be implemented. These measures will ensure that any potential risk of impact due to litter and vermin is minimised as far as possible. LE10278/NTS 7 April 2009

9 4. Summary and Conclusions 4.1 Viridor Waste Management Ltd are submitting a planning application for the re-phasing of site together with the installation of a new waste reception building. The proposed works to be carried out are within the existing redline planning boundary of the landfill site. 4.2 Despite increasing recycling and recovery targets for waste, there is also a continuing need for landfill capacity to deal with non-recyclable residual wastes. This need manifests itself at regional and local levels. Landfill capacity is a dwindling asset and Viridor has a need to maintain the capacity at Rigmuir. Without the proposed re-phasing of the scheme, the current site will experience ongoing difficulties in the way the site is engineered which may limit future capacity and operations. In order to ensure future capacity at the landfill can be met, the proposed re-phasing is essential. 4.3 The proposals include providing a new waste reception building and this offers considerable operational and environmental benefits. Other benefits include an enhanced restoration scheme; additional planting; ecological improvements; and the better management of surface water. All of these can be achieved without detrimental impact on the environment or local amenities. 4.4 The proposals comply with relevant national, regional and local planning policy. A full environmental impact assessment has been carried out, and the findings summarised here are detailed in the Environmental Statement (ES) submitted as part of this application. The ES recommends mitigation measures and site management procedures, and concludes that there will be no significant adverse environmental impacts resulting from the proposed rephasing and construction of the waste reception building. LE10278/NTS 8 April 2009