Non-Technical Summary

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1 RIVERSIDE RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY, BEXLEY SECTION 36C VARIATION APPLICATION PROPOSED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY RIVERSIDE RESOURCE RECOVERY LIMITED SEPTEMBER 2014

2 Introduction NTS.1 NTS.2 NTS.3 NTS.4 NTS.5 NTS.6 NTS.7 NTS.8 Riverside Resource Recovery Limited s RRRL ) Energy from Waste Facility hereafter the Facility ) is located on Norman Road, Belvedere Figure NTS1) in the London Borough of Bexley LBB ). The Facility became fully operational in 2013 following a period of commissioning which began in It recovers energy from both Municipal Waste MW) and Commercial and Industrial Waste C&I) and is an important strategic river-served waste management facility for London, helping the capital to manage its own waste, keeping over 100,000 Heavy Goods Vehicles HGVs) off the capital's roads. The Facility processes 670,000 tonnes per annum tpa) of waste from across London and exports approximately 480,000 Mega Watt hours MWh) of electricity to the National Grid. An application for consent to construct and operate an Energy from Waste generating station was submitted by RRRL to the Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry in September 1999 under Section 36 of the Electricity Act The application incorporated improvements to Norman Road and the development of a dedicated jetty. A variation to the application was subsequently submitted in August 2002 and was accompanied by an Environmental Statement ES) hereafter the 2002 ES ). Following two public inquiries in 2003 and 2005, the Secretary of State granted the Section 36 Consent and associated Deemed Planning Permission needed to build the Facility in June 2006 reference GDBC/003/00001C-06). Both the Section 36 Consent and the associated Deemed Planning Permission impose a restriction on waste inputs to the Facility of 670,000tpa. This reflected the assumptions adopted at the time of the application in 2002 relating to the Net Calorific Value NCV) of the waste anticipated to be delivered to the Facility and the number of days per annum over which the Facility was expected to operate. It was, however, acknowledged at the time of the application that this was an estimate, based on best available information in existence at that time. A worst case scenario was also tested in the 2002 ES, which assessed the likely impact of a throughput of 835,000tpa of waste. RRRL is seeking to improve the operational efficiency of its existing Facility through increasing the total waste throughput from 670,000tpa to 785,000tpa, and including the option for adding the Port of Tilbury to its network of riparian waste transfer stations these two elements comprise the Proposed Changes ). Further details on the Proposed Changes are provided below see NTS 14 to NTS 24). An Environmental Impact Assessment EIA ) has been undertaken, in accordance with Schedule 2 of the Electricity Works Environmental Impact Assessment) England and Wales) Regulations 2000 as amended), to consider the potential for significant environmental effects resulting from the Proposed Changes. An ES has been prepared to report the findings and its key elements are summarised in this document: The. Riverside Resource Recovery Limited NTS-1

3 Site Description NTS.9 The Facility is located on Norman Road, Belvedere the Site ) in the LBB. It lies to the north of the A2016 and on the south bank of the River Thames. Bexleyheath is to the south and the Dartford River Crossing lies some 8km to the east. A map showing the location of the Site is provided on Figure NTS1. NTS.10 The Facility is located on a site of approximately 6 hectares; this includes the main Energy from Waste building including the stack, air-cooled condensers and other smaller scale ancillary plant and structures as approved by the existing Section 36 Consent and Deemed Planning Permission. An aerial photograph of the Facility is provided at Figure NTS2. NTS.11 The application boundary remains the same as submitted as part of the original Section 36 application. A copy of the application site boundary plan replicating approved plan D1.2) is provided as Figure NTS3. Existing Operations NTS.12 The Facility is an important waste management facility treating London s waste in a sustainable way. Over 85% of the waste currently delivered to the Facility arrives on barges along the River Thames from four riparian waste transfer stations located in Wandsworth, Battersea, the City of London and Tower Hamlets. NTS.13 The primary residue of the Energy from Waste process is Incinerator Bottom Ash IBA ). This is transported by barge from the Site to the Port of Tilbury where any remaining recyclables e.g. metals) are separated and removed and the residue is then processed to form aggregate for use in the construction industry. A map showing the location of the Facility relative to the existing riparian wharves and the Port of Tilbury is provided at Figure NTS4. The Proposed Changes NTS.14 Based on the commissioning and operational data, RRRL is aware that the Facility is capable of operating with a higher throughput and greater degree of operational efficiency than is currently permitted. This is as a result of improved operational efficiency and variations in the NCV of the waste from the assumptions applied at the time of the original application. NTS.15 The Proposed Changes comprise two main elements: The increase in waste throughput to the Facility from 670,000tpa to 785,000tpa; and Allowing the potential for river borne waste to be transported to the Facility from the Port of Tilbury in addition to riparian waste transfer stations in Greater London. NTS.16 There is no built development or physical modification of the Facility that would be required as a consequence of the Proposed Changes. NTS.17 Full details of what is proposed can be found in the Planning Supporting Statement and the ES. An explanation by way of a summary is provided here. Riverside Resource Recovery Limited NTS-2

4 a) Increasing the waste throughput of the Facility from 670,000tpa to 785,000tpa NTS.18 Both the Section 36 Consent and a condition of the Deemed Planning Permission impose a restriction on waste inputs to the Facility of 670,000tpa. The Facility has been designed and constructed making use of available technologies to maximise plant availability, including the incorporation of online boiler cleaning and the provision of standby equipment to allow maintenance of plant without affecting the operation of the Facility. NTS.19 Together with advances in reliability, this has led to higher levels of plant availability than anticipated in the original 2002 application. Based on the operational performance of the Facility to date, an annual plant availability of 94% is considered realistic. This contrasts with a figure of 89% availability used at the time of the original Section 36 application to define the throughput of 670,000tpa. NTS.20 In respect of the NCV of the waste, the range considered at the time of the original Section 36 application was 9 13MJ/kg. Operating data obtained for the Facility shows a monthly average NCV ranging from 9MJ/kg to 10MJ/kg. This NCV level falls below the predicted average NCV of 10.2MJ/kg used to define the throughput of 670,000tpa in the 2002 ES. The lower NCV of the waste results in more waste being processed in order to generate the same amount of power as waste of a higher calorific value. NTS.21 Applying both parameters 94% availability and an NCV for the waste of 9MJ/kg) gives a maximum potential throughput at the Facility of 785,000tpa. This is considered to represent the maximum throughput that is appropriate for the purposes of setting a potential future maximum waste throughput in the application. This can be achieved without any change to the physical structure or footprint of the Facility and with the fundamental character of the operation remaining unchanged. b) Permitting the option for river borne waste to be transported to the Facility from the Port of Tilbury in addition to the existing riparian waste transfer stations in Greater London NTS.22 Another operational improvement, for which consent is sought, is the potential use of the Port of Tilbury for the transport of waste to the Facility. The Port of Tilbury is currently utilised by RRRL for the handling and processing of IBA generated by the Facility. However, both the river transport and IBA handling operations have the potential to be used more efficiently and to allow greater throughput. NTS.23 There will be no additional tug movements as a result of the Proposed Changes. The existing tugs that currently transport waste from the riparian wharves or IBA to the Port of Tilbury, would tow a limited number of additional barges. NTS.24 Finally, in addition, the Proposed Changes also include minor re-wording of some of the conditions set out in the original Deemed Planning Permission to bring them in to line with subsequent planning permissions granted by the LBB. Riverside Resource Recovery Limited NTS-3

5 Alternatives NTS.25 Given that the Proposed Changes involve increasing throughput at the existing Facility i.e. they relate to operational efficiency and not to any new built development), the consideration of alternative sites and processes is not considered relevant. Assessment Methodology NTS.26 The initial stage of the EIA was the production of an Outline Environmental Report OER) that identified the potential environmental effects that were proposed to be addressed in the EIA. The scope of the EIA is limited to potentially significant effects only, in respect of the Proposed Changes this relates principally to the potential increase in pollutant concentrations released from the Facility. The baseline assumed for assessment purposes includes the Facility operating as it does currently, at its consented throughput capacity of 670,000tpa of waste. NTS.27 The OER was issued to a range of consultees for comment including the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the LBB, the Greater London Authority, the Port of London Authority, Natural England and the Environment Agency. The issues raised by consultees on environmental matters have been addressed where necessary within the ES. These comprised predominantly information requests that did not require the scope of the EIA to be widened. NTS.28 The assessments included in the EIA are: Air quality assessment, including an assessment of the potential impact of any changes to air quality on human health and on natural heritage; and Cumulative effects assessment. NTS.29 The specialist assessments, discussed in more detail below, followed generally similar assessment methodologies. Desk studies were undertaken to establish the existing situation the baseline). The effects of the Proposed Changes were established using a method that compares the sensitivity and importance of receptors with the likely magnitude of change to establish the degree of the effects. If the degree of effect is moderate or above then the effect is considered to be significant. Slight or negligible effects are not considered to be significant. NTS.30 The degree of an effect determines the resources that should, where required, be put in place to avoid or reduce mitigate) an adverse effect and identifies the actual value of a beneficial effect. Environmental Effects Air Quality NTS.31 The Proposed Changes will increase the concentrations of pollutants emitted from the Facility, which were identified as having potential effects on ambient air quality. NTS.32 A desk study was undertaken to determine the current baseline) conditions, the Facility operating at the current maximum throughput of 670,000tpa. The Riverside Resource Recovery Limited NTS-4

6 baseline conditions relating to ambient air quality were obtained from local authorities. NTS.33 An air quality dispersion model was created following best practice guidance and was used to determine the increase in emissions from the Proposed Changes. The model assessed both the impact of processing an additional 115,000tpa of waste and the impact of the Facility operating at 785,000tpa. The effects of the Proposed Changes on air quality at sensitive receptors selected representative residential locations and schools) in proximity to the Facility relative to national air quality objectives were then assessed. NTS.34 The significance of the effects have been determined with reference to the criteria produced by the Institute of Air Quality Management IAQM). NTS.35 The assessment demonstrates that the Proposed Changes will result in a small increase in the amount of gases released from the Facility. The change in local air quality will be very small and will not result in a significant effect as defined by the IAQM. NTS.36 The assessment has concluded that the Proposed Changes will not have a significant effect on air quality. Health Effects NTS.37 A health effects assessment was undertaken using the modelling results from the air quality assessment to provide concentrations of the additional quantity of pollutants emitted as a result of the Proposed Changes. NTS.38 A specific health assessment modelling exercise was then undertaken to determine where any pollutants emitted to the air go. Estimates of the potential exposure of individuals to these substances were then made. NTS.39 It has been demonstrated that even the most exposed individual is not subject to a significant health hazard, arising from exposures via both inhalation and from local edible foods. NTS.40 The Proposed Changes have therefore been assessed and will not have a significant effect on human health. Natural Heritage NTS.41 The increased concentrations of emissions have the potential to increase the deposition of nutrient nitrogen and acid as well as other compounds such as sulphur dioxide on designated sites of biological importance at a range of distances from the Facility, which could in turn have the potential to lead to adverse effects on these ecosystems. NTS.42 A desk study was undertaken to establish the baseline environmental conditions on internationally and nationally designated sites within 15km of the Facility and local sites of conservation interest within 2km, in order to understand any likely impact of the Proposed Changes on the integrity of these sites. NTS.43 The air quality dispersion model was utilised to determine the contribution of the Proposed Changes to pollutant concentrations and deposition rates at the identified designated sites. The percentage contribution of the Proposed Riverside Resource Recovery Limited NTS-5

7 Changes to site specific thresholds was then calculated in order to determine the level of significance of any effect. NTS.44 The percentage contribution from the Proposed Changes on all European and nationally designated sites within 15km and local nature reserves within 2km was substantially below the significance criteria produced by the Environment Agency and Natural England. NTS.45 The Proposed Changes have therefore been assessed and will not have a significant effect on natural heritage. Cumulative Effects NTS.46 Consideration has also been given to the effect of the Proposed Changes in combination with other schemes that are consented or for which permissions are currently being sought i.e. the cumulative effects). In agreement with consultees, the EIA has considered the potential for air quality effects from other relevant developments within the vicinity of the Facility, in combination with the Proposed Changes to give rise to significant cumulative effects in relation to air quality, and the potential for consequential impacts on health and natural heritage. NTS.47 For the purposes of assessing the effects of the Proposed Changes with other proposed schemes, the following were agreed with consultees for inclusion within the ES: Thames Gateway Waste to Energy Ltd TGW2E) a proposal for the development of an energy generation facility on a site known as Plot 2 in the London Sustainable Industries Park in Dagenham. East London Sustainable Energy Facility, Biossence East London) Limited Rainham) proposes to develop an advanced gasification project, known as the East London Sustainable Energy Facility in Dagenham, East London, for the purpose of generating renewable energy and heat and power from solid recovered fuel. Beckton and Crossness sewage treatment works associated with the improvement works of the Thames Tideway Tunnels Project to increase treatment capacity by 20% and construction of a thermal hydrolysis plant at Beckton. NTS.48 The results of the human health and natural heritage assessments show that the effect from the Proposed Changes is so small that under the relevant guidance the significance of the effect alone does not necessitate the need for a cumulative assessment. NTS.49 In relation to air quality, the results identify that the impact of the Proposed Changes relative to the identified four planned sources is zero or negligible for local residents. Therefore, the cumulative effect of the Proposed Changes will not be significant. Riverside Resource Recovery Limited NTS-6

8 Conclusion NTS.50 This provides an outline of the findings of the ES, which accompanies this application to the Department of Energy and Climate Change. The findings of the ES demonstrate that the Proposed Changes applied for as part of this application will result in a limited number of negligible to small changes to the local air quality, none of which would give rise to significant adverse effects. Further Information NTS.51 Further information on the variation application and a copy of the supporting material including the Planning Supporting Statement and ES can be found on the application website at: NTS.52 Copies of the ES and its appendices have been distributed to the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the LBB and consultees. The documents are available for inspection during the consultation period at the following addresses below: National Infrastructure Consents Department for Energy and Climate Change 2nd Floor King s Buildings c/o 3 Whitehall Place London SW1A 2AW London Borough of Bexley Civic Offices 2 Watling Street Bexleyheath Kent DA6 7AT NTS.53 Hard copies of the variation application and the ES may be obtained for 175 for a paper copy and/or 10 for a CD in order to cover printing / copying and distribution costs. Please contact: Terence O Rourke Ltd Everdene House Deansleigh Road Bournemouth Dorset BH7 7DU Tel: maildesk@torltd.co.uk Riverside Resource Recovery Limited NTS-7

9 RIVERSIDE RESOURCE RECOVERY LIMITED Site location RRRF) RRRF Figure 1.1: Site location RRRF RRRL 0 I 3,800 m Revision Dwgno/ 12 Drawn by: Checked by: JC TS Scale: Based upon the 2013 Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 colour raster map with the permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown copyright. Terence O'Rourke Ltd. Licence No Copyright Terence O'Rourke Ltd, 2014 RIVERSIDE RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY, BEXLEY PROPOSED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT NTS. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY London 3 Whitcomb Street London WC2H 7HA Figure NTS1 Site location RRRF) Bournemouth Everdene House Deansleigh Road Bournemouth BH7 7DU enquiries@torltd.co.uk

10 RIVERSIDE RESOURCE RECOVERY LIMITED RIVERSIDE RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY, BEXLEY PROPOSED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT NTS. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY Figure NTS2 Aerial photo of RRRF looking eastwards)

11 Steps Tarmac Footpath Steps Embankment Certificate FS RIVERSIDE RESOURCE RECOVERY LIMITED Concrete Path Embankment Tarmac Footpath Gravel Footpath 100m 0 100m Crown copyright, All rights reserved Licence number AL RIVERSIDE RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY, BEXLEY PROPOSED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT NTS. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY Figure NTS3 Section 36 application site boundary replicating approved plan D1.2)

12 RIVERSIDE RESOURCE RECOVERY LIMITED Site location RRRF) Walbrook Wharf, Cannon Street Northumberland wharf Riparian waste transfer stations Tilbury IBA processing operation RRRF Cringle Dock, Battersea Smugglers Way, Wandsworth Tilbury Docks Site and dock locations Riverside EFW Cory 0 I 3,250 m Revision Dwgno/ 12 Drawn by: Checked by: JC JB Scale: Based upon the 2013 Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 colour raster map with the permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown copyright. Terence O'Rourke Ltd. Licence No Copyright Terence O'Rourke Ltd, 2014 RIVERSIDE RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY, BEXLEY PROPOSED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT NTS. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY London Figure NTS4 The four existing riparian waste 3 Whitcomb Street London WC2H 7HA transfer stations situated along the River Thames and Tilbury Docks Bournemouth Everdene House Deansleigh Road Bournemouth BH7 7DU enquiries@torltd.co.uk