High Pressure Natural Gas Pipeline Pembroke Refinery. Environmental Statement Non-technical Summary

Transcription

1 High Pressure Natural Gas Pipeline Pembroke Refinery Environmental Statement Non-technical Summary July 2010

2 1. Introduction 1.1 Overview 1. Chevron Limited (Ltd) is seeking detailed planning permission for the development of a high pressure natural gas pipeline connecting the Pembroke Refinery to the South Haven Gas Pipeline (SHGP) (currently under construction). 2. The Pembroke Refinery is situated adjacent to the Milford Haven Natural Harbour, approximately 4 kilometres (km) west of Pembroke Dock, and on the edge of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The SHGP is situated approximately 1.5km to the east of the Refinery. 3. Figure 1 shows the planning application boundary in the context of the wider area and the operational fenceline of the Pembroke Refinery. The application site, which comprises the proposed pipeline, a construction compound, pipe lay down and soil storage areas, and the tie-in point to the SHGP, comprises a total of 19.3 hectares (ha). 1.2 The Need for the Development 1. The Pembroke Refinery is regulated under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007 (as amended), for processing crude oil into a range of product fuels and feedstocks. 2. The refinery s Environmental Permit (Reference QP3033LW) sets out site-specific control measures, limits and Improvement Conditions relating to processes on site. Through this process, Chevron Ltd is currently implementing various improvements across the installation to reduce the refinery s emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO 2) to the proposed limit of 6,800 tonnes per year by 2011 and 4,300 tonnes per year by Figure 1: Site Location Plan Based upon an Ordnance Survey map with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Crown Copyright reserved License No. AL ; NTS-1

3 3. The proposed pipeline will assist Chevron Ltd with achieving the SO 2 target by supplementing heavy fuel oil used onsite with natural gas. It will also lead to a reduction in other atmospheric emissions such as oxides of nitrogen, particulates, and greenhouse gas emissions. 1.3 The EIA Process 1. URS Corporation Ltd (URS) was commissioned by Chevron Ltd to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 (as amended) and the Town and Country Planning EIA (Wales) Regulations The results of this process are presented in the Environmental Statement (ES) and accompanying technical appendices. 2. This document, known as the ES Non-Technical Summary (NTS), provides an overview of the findings of the EIA. It has been prepared for a general audience including parties potentially affected by the proposed pipeline development. 3. The ES has considered the potential impact of the proposed pipeline on its neighbours, the local environment, the local and regional economy, and the wider area surrounding that in which the pipeline is proposed. Beneficial and adverse, short and long-term impacts have been considered. Mitigation measures to either eliminate or reduce adverse impacts have been incorporated into the project design. 4. The ES has highlighted remaining, or residual impacts, which remain following the incorporation of identified mitigation measures. The significance of residual impacts has been evaluated with reference to definitive standards, accepted criteria and legislation where available. Impacts have been classified as being adverse, negligible or beneficial in significance and either minor, moderate or major in magnitude. 1.4 Scoping and Consultation 1. The EIA has included a programme of ongoing consultation, which is critical to the development of a balanced and comprehensive ES. Views of statutory and non-statutory consultees serve to focus the studies and identify those issues that require further investigation. Consultation also enables mitigation measures to be introduced during the project design process. 2. Key consultees through the EIA process included: Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC); Environment Agency Wales (EAW); Countryside Council for Wales (CCW); Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority; Dyfed Archaeological Trust; Cadw; and The Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 2. Alternatives and Design Evolution 1. The EIA has considered the No Development option, the use of Alternative Sites, and a number of Alternative Designs. 2. The No Development option refers to leaving the site in its current state. This is not considered a viable option since the continuation of current operations would result in Chevron Ltd being in breach of its environmental permit. 3. Having determined that piping the natural gas fuel to the Pembroke Refinery would significantly reduce SO 2 emissions, Chevron Ltd considered alternative routes for the pipeline. This included making a new connection directly to the South Wales Pipeline, which lies to the north of Milford Haven waterway, though this was later rejected on the grounds of environmental impacts and significantly higher construction costs associated with drilling and installing the pipeline under the Milford Haven. 4. The possibility of upgrading one or more existing pipes that run between the refinery and other installations in the area was also considered. However this option was found to be not viable due to the significant works required to make these pipes suitable for transporting gas, and the significant environmental damage that would have resulted from intrusive investigations needed to confirm the position of these pipes. 5. The construction of the SHGP, as an associated key component of the new RWE npower Pembroke Power Station (approximately 1.5km east of Pembroke Refinery), provided an opportunity to bring natural gas to the Refinery via a relatively short length of new pipeline. 6. It was decided that the optimal design for the new pipeline would be to lay the pipe predominantly underground, only coming above grade once it was within the Refinery fenceline. This option was chosen in order to minimise visual intrusion, reduce the chance of accidental or deliberate damage to the pipeline, and allow the agricultural fields it NTS-2

4 crossed to continue to be used in the current manner. 3. The Proposed Development 1. The proposed pipeline will provide a natural gas supply between the Pembroke Refinery and the SHGP, which is currently under construction and forms a part of the Pembroke Power Station project (which is also currently under construction). 2. The proposed pipeline route and associated infrastructure is presented in Figure 2. Figures 4 and 5 present photographic views across the application site to the north and northwest respectively. 4. The proposed development will be predominantly underground (entirely so outside the fence line of the Refinery to where it connects with the SHGP) and will pass through a largely agricultural landscape, south of the Milford Haven Waterway Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The proposed pipeline route also passes immediately to the south of the Pwllchrocan Environmental Centre (formerly St Mary's Church) and crosses the Pembrokeshire Coast Path near the easternmost extent of the pipeline. 5. The proposed development will comprise the following features: 2.17km in length, of which approximately 1.25km is within the fenceline of the Refinery; 790m of above ground pipeline within the Refinery fenceline, a further 460m below ground within the Refinery fenceline, and 925m below ground outside of the Refinery fenceline; 300mm (approximately 12 inches) diameter, and suitable for transportation of gas at Figure 2: Proposed Pipeline Route and Associated Infrastructure NTS-3

5 approximately ambient temperature (about 5ºC). The temperature will be raised to 38ºC by the pre-heater; A maximum height of 2.5m above ground level (agl) for the above ground structures and over ground pipeline sections, either in the Refinery or Power Station sites; and A depth to base of the pipe of approximately 1.5m (i.e. 1.2m of ground cover on top of the 300mm diameter pipe) along the majority of the route between the SHGP and the pig catcher (the receiver for a devise used to remove deposits in the pipeline and collect information such as metal loss / corrosion and temperature / pressure). The buried depth will vary with local features, increasing to a depth to base of the pipe of 2.0m (i.e. 1.7m cover) beneath watercourses; A maximum of four 4 (102mm) diameter ducts will be installed within the pipeline trench along the length of the pipeline to relay information from the instruments at the tie-in point to Pembroke Refinery. Once above grade the instrument cabling will be carried within cable ducts and cable trays within the refinery. 6. The pipeline will be designed and constructed in accordance with prevailing guidance and Chevron Ltd standards. 3.1 Pre-Construction Activities 1. A Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be produced and implemented prior to the onset of the construction phase to maintain consideration of environmental impacts beyond the planning stage of the proposed development. 2. The key pre-construction stages of the project will be as follows: Liaison with key local stakeholders; Completion of a pre-construction survey to: - Accurately mark out the pipeline Right or Way (ROW) (or construction corridor ) and location of existing third party services; and - Provide a photographic record of the entire route including key operational and environmental features and aspects. Completion of additional environmental surveys if required by Pembrokeshire County Council or other statutory consultees; Instigation of pre-construction environmental mitigation measures, as necessary; Marking of all crossing points of buried services and any environmental resources to be protected; Establishment of temporary access tracks along the construction working width; and Determination and implementation of the appropriate security and health & safety arrangements. 3.2 Construction Phase 1. The construction of the proposed pipeline is envisaged in phases as follows (as illustrated in Figure 3): ROW Preparation and Grading; Trench Excavation; Pipe Stringing and Bending; Lowering and Laying; Pipe Welding and Inspection; Field Coating; Pipe Tie-in; Backfilling; Hydrostatic Testing; Clean up; and Restoration. 2. The proposed pipeline s ROW for construction will be up to 30m in width, allowing for construction vehicle access, and pipeline laying / stringing prior to installation and burial. This will be reduced to15m within sensitive areas, namely the reedbed and wooded areas. 3. The trench (for the underground section of pipeline) will be 0.6m wide and covered back over with 1.2m of fill material, or 1.7m beneath the watercourses. 3.3 Above Ground Structures 1. The proposed pipeline development will include the following above-ground structures: The tie-in point to the SHGP, which releases the pig and includes an emergency shut down valve); and The above ground section of pipeline, within the Refinery fenceline. This also includes a let down station (to reduce the gas pressure) and preheater (to raise the temperature of the gas) near the western end of the pipeline. 2. The locations of these features are shown in Figure 2. NTS-4

6 Figure 3: Pipeline Construction Phases for Underground Section of Pipeline 3. The SHGP tie-in point will have a maximum footprint of 45m by 32m and height of up to 2.5m, as shown in Figure The pig catcher and let down station will be much smaller in size, within the general footprint of the proposed pipeline. 3. The compound will include an area for pipe storage, temporary offices, vehicle parking for construction workers and a maintenance area. The compound will have a maximum footprint of 100m by 150m and will be enclosed by security fencing. 3.4 Temporary Construction Compound 1. It is estimated that there will be approximately 40 construction workers on-site during the peak of construction activity, of which approximately eight are managerial staff required on-site at all times. 2. A temporary construction compound will be required during the duration of the construction activities. The compound will be located on either of the two fields east of the reedbed and wet woodland (i.e. the field south of Pwllcrochan Environmental Centre) or the field east of the road to Pwllcrochan, as shown in Figure 2. NTS-5

7 Figure 4: Indicative Drawing of Above Ground Installations (AGI) 3.5 Construction Programme 1. It is anticipated that the construction phase will commence in the first quarter of 2011 and comprise a total of approximately 18 weeks. 2. This includes 4 weeks to mobilise to site, set up the construction compound and establish the fencing prior to the main works beginning. Following this, an estimated 3 weeks will be required to strip the top soil prior to 3-4 weeks of pipe stringing and welding. The actual excavation will take an estimated 3 weeks, followed by 3 weeks of backfill, 1 week of pressure testing, and 3 weeks of reinstatement. 3.6 Decommissioning of the Development 1. It is anticipated that the pipeline will be operational for the lifetime of the Pembroke Refinery. At a time when the pipeline is no longer considered an operable asset for either technical or commercial reasons (or the Refinery closes), the pipeline shall be decommissioned. 2. The pipeline would be emptied, cleaned, sealed and capped, with above ground pipe removed and above ground installations cut to at least 900mm below the ground surface. It is not envisaged that the underground pipeline would be removed, as this is anticipated to have the lesser environmental impact. NTS-6

8 4. Planning Policy Context 1. The Proposed Development has been assessed against relevant national, regional and local planning policies. Planning policy has been considered in each of the technical Chapters of the ES as appropriate for the consideration of environmental effects. 5. Environmental Impacts 5.1 Air Quality 1. An air quality modelling exercise was undertaken to assess the impacts associated with emissions generated by road traffic, exhaust emissions from plant and machinery, and the potential for dust generation during the construction phase of the proposed pipeline development. The modelling exercise also considered the indirect effects, which will result from a change in fuel mix being combusted on the Pembroke Refinery as a result of the availability of a natural gas supply. 2. Impacts from road traffic emissions, site plant, and construction dust during site preparation and construction are predicted to be negligible. These impacts will only be for a maximum of 4 months, and a number of mitigation measures have been recommended to further minimise any impacts, which will be incorporated into the CEMP. 3. The modelling of the refinery emissions predicts that pollutant concentrations will easily comply with the air quality objectives across the site and surrounding area. 4. Pollutant concentrations are predicted to improve in the area as a result of the proposed development, since the Heavy Fuel Oil currently used onsite will be replaced by Refinery Fuel Gas. This is predicted to result in lower (better) emissions of several pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and particulates. 5. There is predicted to be a minor beneficial impact at the Milford Haven Waterway SSSI due to a reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions from the Refinery. A small improvement in pollutant concentrations is also predicted at Greenhill Farm, the nearest residential dwelling to the Refinery, situated 430m south of the pipeline route or 220m south of the nearest point of the application site boundary. 5.2 Noise and Vibration 6. A baseline noise survey was conducted during the period 7th December th December 2009 in accordance with best practice. 7. The noise environment in the western part of the proposed pipeline route is dominated by the Pembroke Refinery. The noise in the eastern part of the application site was dominated by the construction of the Pembroke Power Station. There was also some noise contribution from the local road network, of which some can be attributed to the construction traffic associated with the construction traffic movements to and from the Pembroke Power Station Site. 8. The nearest sensitive receptor to the proposed pipeline route is Greenhill Farm, as discussed above. Given the absence of any piling works during construction of the pipeline, and the distances between Greenhill Farm and the proposed locations of the above ground installations, noise and vibration (both from construction activities and traffic) will have a negligible impact on this receptor. 9. Once built, it is expected that there will be little or no operational noise from the proposed pipeline. Any operational noise that does arise will be on the Refinery or Power Station sites (associated with the above ground installations, such as the emergency shut down valve). Operational noise impacts have been calculated to be negligible. 10. Since piling is not required during construction, and there are not anticipated to be operational vibration sources associated with the proposed pipeline, there is not predicted to be a significant impact from vibration. 11. With the exception of the occasional maintenance vehicle, there will be no operational traffic associated with the proposed pipeline. 12. The potential impacts associated with the decommissioning phase are considered to be less than those impacts associated with construction and as such, are considered to be negligible. 13. It is not anticipated that there will be significant impacts in terms of noise or vibration throughout all phases of the proposed pipeline development. NTS-7

9 5.3 Ecology 1. An ecological impact assessment (EcIA) has been undertaken by establishing the current ecological baseline conditions within the application site, and subsequently assessing the significance of potential impacts of the proposed pipeline upon these conditions. 2. The assessment included a desk based review of secondary data, an Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey to record the nature and extent of vegetation and habitats within and adjacent to the site, and detailed surveys for flora and fauna including the following: Bat (roost emergence and activity); Badger; Water vole and otter; Hazel Dormouse; Breeding birds; and Vegetation. 3. Following implementation of the mitigation measures outlined within the ES, no significant adverse residual effects are anticipated associated with the proposed development. There will be no permanent landtake in areas of substantive nature conservation value and impacts on habitats will be temporary during the construction period, with restoration taking place after the pipeline installation has been completed. 4. The only significant impact will be on woodland habitat and will be at the lowest Site level. With the works anticipated to take place in the winter, impacts on bats and nesting birds will be avoided and potential impacts on other species can be mitigated by the implementation of standard measures. 5.4 Land Use and Agriculture 1. The agricultural area assessed in the ES is mostly in pasture with one arable field. Some of the land examined in the eastern side of the application site was a former sports ground (later abandoned) associated with the former RWE npower Power Station. Although the land is not in active use either for sports or agriculture, this area was included within this study as being of potential agricultural use. 2. The entire application site is encompassed by either Chevron Ltd or RWE npower ownership, with the agricultural fields rented to two farm holdings. 3. In view of the fact that the proposed development involves reinstating the land to its former condition following the laying of the pipeline, the largest disruption to farming operations will occur during the construction phase. 4. The entire duration of the impact on agricultural pasture land in the construction phase is likely to be a maximum of 4-5 months, between preparing access and reinstatement of the construction corridor upon completion. This is an impact of minor adverse significance, which is temporary and will become negligible once the vegetation is reestablished. 5. The duration of the construction phase for the arable field is unlikely to have a direct impact upon any established crop. There is a slight chance of interference in drainage if any drainage channels are interrupted. However, this is also considered unlikely; therefore the proposed development could potentially result in an impact of minor adverse significance. 6. The potential impacts associated with the decommissioning phase will be less than with construction, due to the absence of trenching. It is anticipated that minimal works would be required within the agricultural farm holdings and therefore the impact would be negligible. 7. Following implementation of mitigation measures, the residual impact from the construction, operational and decommissioning phases on land use and agriculture is therefore considered to be negligible. 5.5 Cultural Heritage and Archaeology 1. In order to inform the assessment of the development of cultural heritage and archaeology, an initial desk-based assessment was prepared, identifying the potential for archaeological remains to be present along the part of the proposed pipeline route that has not been subject to previous below ground disturbance. 2. In view of the potential identified and in consultation with PCC s Archaeological Advisor (Dyfed Archaeological Trust), further field surveys were undertaken within this area in January and February 2010, comprising an archaeological watching brief during geotechnical investigations and a programme of invasive archaeological field evaluation (trial trenching) in order to more fully clarify the presence/absence, extent, character, date and significance of archaeological remains. NTS-8

10 3. There are no Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) within the application site, although three SAMs are present situated approximately 480m to the north, 1.1km northwest and 900m to the northeast of the application site respectively. 4. The application site lies within the Wales registered outstanding historic landscape area of the Milford Haven Waterway, which is identified as a landscape of national importance in the Welsh context. 5. Trial trench evaluation has recorded a series of surviving Post Medieval features and deposits to be present along the route of the proposed pipeline. All the recorded features were shown to survive in a poor state of preservation. On the basis of the evaluation results, a low to moderate potential for further surviving remains of this period was identified along the pipeline route within the field to the south of the Pwllcrochan Environmental Centre and reedbed area. Beyond these areas, a low potential for remains of this period was identified. 6. It is proposed that a programme of archaeological monitoring and recording (watching brief) be undertaken during site preparation and trenching for the proposed pipeline development In order to mitigate for the direct impacts of construction. 7. A short-term indirect impact of moderate adverse significance is predicted during the construction phase on the setting of the registered outstanding historic landscape of the Milford Haven Waterway and on designated built heritage assets situated adjacent to the application site. However, following completion of construction, pre-development conditions will be re-established as a result of reinstatement. As such, there will be an overall negligible environmental effect in the medium and long term. 8. No operational or decommissioning phase impacts on cultural heritage resources from the proposed pipeline development have been identified, and as such potential impacts are anticipated to be negligible. Figure 5: View North from Road to Rhoscrowther The Pembroke Refinery lies at the western extent of the photograph, and Martins Haven lies in the centre. Figure 6: View North / Northwest from Road to Pwllcrochan (near entrance to Greenhill Farm) The Pembroke Refinery lies in the background, the wet woodland and reedbed area in the middle ground, and the field to the south of Pwllcrochan Environmental Centre (formerly St Mary s Church) in the foreground. NTS-9

11 9. Whilst the proposed development will result in a potentially moderate adverse effect on the cultural heritage resource due to the truncation/removal of archaeological remains, this adverse effect will be offset by undertaking an effective mitigation strategy that will produce an overall positive effect of minor beneficial significance, in that further knowledge will be gained on the archaeology and historic landscape of this area. 10. By following the phased programme of mitigation suggested, it is anticipated that the environmental effect of the proposed pipeline development upon known or unrecorded archaeology can be reduced or removed to an acceptable level resulting in a negligible impact. 5.6 Ground Conditions 1. The impact of the proposed development on existing ground conditions has been assessed via review and collation of readily available information pertaining to the current condition of the soils and groundwater beneath the application site and the potential risks they pose to the environment and future users. In addition, site investigation has been undertaken along the proposed pipeline route and surrounding area. 2. The ground conditions information collected does not indicate a high potential for soil contamination outside of the refinery fenceline. Therefore, there is considered to be negligible impact from this section of the works. The CEMP will include procedures to be followed should contaminated soils be encountered during construction works. 3. The impacts are therefore associated with excavation for the foundations of the let down station and the pigging station and for the buried section of pipeline within the refinery boundary. The potential sources of soil contamination are the adjacent former landfarm areas (licensed waste disposal areas) and general soil contamination from refinery sources. 4. If surplus soil cannot be re-used on site and needs to be disposed of it will be done via an appropriate, licensed landfill facility, in accordance with current Duty of Care responsibilities and other statutory requirements. Following mitigation the impact of potentially contaminated soils are considered to be negligible. 5. Given that groundwater is primarily found within the bedrock, the excavations of the construction work are considered unlikely to encounter significant groundwater. Dewatering of groundwater from the excavation will be included in the CEMP. 6. Whilst groundwater is anticipated to be below the depth of the base of the trench, it may be present within the depth of the trench at some points along the pipeline. The backfilled trench is therefore potentially a preferential pathway for groundwater, and associated contaminant, movement. Ditch breaks are included in the design in areas of sloping terrain with the aim of reducing groundwater flow. Implementation of these mitigation methods will result in a negligible impact. 7. During decommissioning, it is anticipated that the pipeline would be emptied, cleaned, sealed and capped in-situ with above ground features removed. Ditch breaks used to mitigate impacts during the pipelines long-term operation will remain in place to reduce flow of groundwater / contaminants along the route of the disused pipeline. 8. Overall, a negligible impact to the ground conditions is expected to occur throughout the construction, operational and decommissioning phases of the proposed pipeline development. 5.7 Water Resources and Flood Risk 1. Milford Haven lies approximately 550m north of the proposed pipeline route, and the mouth of the Pembroke River is approximately 1km to the east. 2. There is also a small watercourse named Martin s Haven Pill within the wet woodland and reedbed area adjacent to Pwllcrochan Environmental Centre, which the proposed pipeline will traverse. The Martin s Haven Pill surfaces as a series of springs approximately 900m south of the proposed pipeline route and flows in a northern / northeastern direction through the Milford Haven Waterway SSSI, before exiting into Milford Haven. 3. The application site lies within a flood zone which is an area which has an Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) of flooding that is less than 0.1% (1 in 1000 year event). Therefore, flood risk is allocated a low importance. 4. Measures which are specific to each type of potential pollution will be undertaken to help ensure the impacts of these pollutants are mitigated, including (but not limited to): silt-fences; washing facilities; pre-coating measures; and bunding. 5. With the extensive and, in many cases, specialised mitigation measures proposed, potential impacts NTS-10

12 associated with the aspects listed above during construction works are anticipated to be negligible and insignificant. 6. Disturbance to groundwater during construction is predicted to result in a minor adverse impact on groundwater which will be temporary in nature and of significance ranging from low to insignificant depending on the leaching potential of the soils involved. 7. Overall, with appropriate mitigation measures, the impacts of the construction, operation and decommissioning works of the proposed pipeline on the hydrological regime are predicted to be, at worse, moderate adverse and temporary in nature, and therefore of low significance. 5.8 Traffic, Transportation and Access 1. The main access route to the application site is via the B4320, which runs west from Pembroke towards Angle on the coast. The road leading to the application site and to the Pembroke refinery runs north from the B4320. The two roads form a simple T-junction. 2. Construction traffic will be generated by the following construction activities: delivery of plant and material; disposal of spoil and import of fill material; and arrival and departure of employees. The maximum increases in both total traffic and Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) traffic occur during the evening peak, and are 10.5% and 8.3% respectively. 3. In order to construct the section of pipeline that crosses the road, a road closure will be required. The road provides access to Pwllcrochan Environmental Centre (formerly St. Mary s Church) and the coastal footpath. There is no alternative route for traffic, and therefore in the short-term the impact of the pipeline construction will be major adverse prior to mitigation. This closure is likely to be limited to one or two days only however, and outside the period of the road closure the impact on the local highway network will be negligible. Construction along this part of the route will not be scheduled when events are to be held at the Environmental Centre, and pedestrian access to the graveyard will be provided. Overall the impact is considered to be minor adverse in significance and short-term in nature. 4. Bus services are infrequent and the bus route does not pass close enough to the pipeline construction site for commuting by bus to be feasible. Therefore the impact of construction on public transport will be negligible. 5. The number of additional walking and cycle trips generated by the construction works is expected to be negligible. There will be some inconvenience for pedestrians and cyclists at the road crossing point, but as the number of pedestrians and cyclists using the road is very small, the impact is considered to be negligible. 6. With the implementation of an agreed Traffic Management Strategy, residual impacts of construction on all modes of transport are considered to be negligible. The only exception is the short-term impact of the road closure to Pwllcrochan Environmental Centre. 7. Other than occasional traffic generated by maintenance staff there is not anticipated to be operational phase traffic associated with the proposed development. Decommissioning traffic is also anticipated to be less than for the construction phased. Therefore the impact on all modes of transport is considered to be negligible. 5.9 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 1. The value of the rural landscape in the area is considered by CCW s LANDMAP dataset to be outstanding for the Historical Landscape aspect. It is high for Cultural Landscape but it should be noted that this area covers a large proportion of Pembrokeshire s countryside. For the other LANDMAP aspects, the area is considered of medium value. 2. The refinery and power station are considered of low value in all aspects where separated from the wider landscape. 3. The proposed pipeline development will also cross and run close to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which is considered of high sensitivity. During construction, the impacts on users could be substantial for a short length of the path near the power station and for a short duration (anticipated to be less than 5 days). The overall impacts are therefore considered to be of minor adverse significance. During this time a diversion route would be provided, along with prior notice of closures and diversions through the applicable advertisements. 4. In the first year of operation the corridor created by the pipeline including the removal of hedgerows and woodland would be apparent. Users would therefore experience some degree of impact. NTS-11

13 Whilst the impacts would be slight on a potentially high sensitivity receptor, overall the impact is considered to be of minor adverse significance. Proposed mitigation measures include the production of a reinstatement plan and subsequent reinstatement of hedges, reedbed, wildflower grass sward in rough grass areas and agricultural land. 5. The potential impacts on the farmhouse at Greenhill Farm are considered to be indiscernible during construction and the first year of operation. There are no other nearby dwellings. 6. During the first year of operation the hedges would be reinstated leaving views of small gap in the scrub woodland to the north. This effect would be slight (on a high sensitivity receptor) resulting in an impact of moderate adverse significance. 7. In terms of landscape elements all receptors are considered to be of medium / low sensitivity due to their size, pattern and location and following mitigation the impacts are considered to be of minor adverse significance. 8. With regard to landscape character the proposed mitigation measures will stitch together the landscape of the Peninsula Farmland Mosaic character area reinstating hedgerows and reedbeds. After 15 years, these will be well established allowing only minimal opportunity to perceive the small changes caused by the pipeline corridor. Therefore, it is considered that an impact of minor adverse significance will result. 9. The refinery and power station are considered to be low sensitivity areas. The anticipated reduction in flaring that will result would lead to a minor beneficial indirect impact at the refinery. 10. The nature of the above ground pipeline is very small-scale in the context of the adjacent developed areas and is considered to be of negligible significance with regard to the Pembroke Refinery, and of minor adverse significance to the Pembroke Power Station. 11. It is considered that there is a residual impact of minor adverse significance on landscape elements and on the Peninsula Farmland Mosaic character area. All other residual landscape and visual impacts are considered to be negligible. Therefore it is considered that there are no significant impacts on landscape and visual receptors Socio-Economics 1. It is estimated that there will be approximately forty construction workers on-site during the peak of construction activity, of which at least eight will be permanent managerial staff required on-site. Local sourcing of construction labour will be sought by Chevron Ltd for works taking place outside the refinery s boundary, although the exact origin of these workers will ultimately be dependent on suitability. There are also potential beneficial effects for local firms who secure contracts for ancillary services during the construction phase. These contracts would be for services and materials, such as plant hire and for the transportation of construction materials. 2. It is considered that the construction of the proposed development will have a negligible to minor beneficial effect on the local (Pembrokeshire) economy, depending on whether local employees and companies are utilised. 3. It is not anticipated that the proposed development will generate any additional employment during its long-term operational phase; therefore there would be a negligible impact on the local economy in the long-term. 4. It is anticipated that the decommissioning will be a less labour intensive process than construction and therefore the impact on employment generation is anticipated to be negligible. 5. In summary, it is considered that this development would have an overall negligible effect on the local and regional economy as well as local tourist and recreational activities, given that there will be no impact during the operational phase and only short term impacts during the 18-week construction phase, which will be mitigated for. If local staff and companies can be utilised it could lead to a minor beneficial impact, though short-term in nature. 6. Residual Impact Assessment and Conclusions 1. The site preparation and construction could potentially lead to short-term potentially adverse impacts, such as on the landscape and visual setting of the area, the archaeological landscape, agricultural land use, and local hydrological regime in the area. These will be limited to only a few weeks in duration and a number of mitigation measures (or actions) will be put in place to ensure that these are minimised. NTS-12

14 2. The operational impacts of the proposed pipeline are predominantly negligible, with some minor beneficial impacts anticipated with the employment creation and recording of archaeological finds during construction of the project, the removal of potentially contaminated soils, as well as reduced atmospheric emissions generated by substituting Heavy Fuel Oil used at the Refinery with Refinery Fuel Gas. 3. The proposed pipeline will make a positive contribution towards meeting the sector limits for atmospheric emissions of sulphur dioxide enforced by the Environmental Permitting regime. There is also predicted to be a noticeable reduction in oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter due to the development. 4. Overall, the proposed pipeline accords with the overall objectives of planning polices at national, regional and local levels, and is in accordance with the governmental objectives for sustainable development. 7. Contacts and Availability of ES 1. This NTS provides an overview of the findings of the EIA. A full assessment of the environmental impacts associated with the proposed development is presented within the main ES. CD s containing the full ES are available free of charge from: Jane James (Public Affairs Manager) Chevron Ltd Pembroke Refinery Pembroke SA71 5SJ 2. The ES is available for viewing during normal office hours at the Planning Department of Pembrokeshire County Council. Comments on the planning application should be forwarded to the PCC at the following address: Pembrokeshire County Council Planning Department 1B County Hall Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire SA61 1TP NTS-13