14. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL

Transcription

1 Indaver Landscape 14. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Introduction An assessment of landscape and visual impacts of Waste to Energy facility on the land and surrounding areas to the site was undertaken in 2005 and was included in the EIS submitted with the planning application in February As discussed in section 1.1 of this EIS and outlined in Section 14.2 below, the proposed amendments pertain to the size and shape of the main process building and hence a revised assessment of the potential impacts on both the landscape and visual aspects was required. The site is located on the west side of the R152 at Carranstown, to the southwest of the town of Drogheda, at a distance of 3km. The village of Duleek is located approximately 2.5km further to the south. The alignment of the M1 motorway runs in a north/south direction immediately to the east of the subject site. The subject site consists of former agricultural pastureland now undergoing a significant change in terms of its landscape and visual character, due to the installation of the infrastructural and site works for the waste management facility Methodology The analysis of the site environment, taken together with its hinterland, was based on an examination of available aerial photography, Ordnance Survey mapping data, and a detailed topographical survey of the site itself. In addition to the above, a visual inspection of the site was undertaken in June 2009, and a photographic survey of the receiving environment was compiled Topography The subject site slopes, at a relatively even fall, from a high point of over 39.0 metres O.D. at the northeastern corner to a low point of under 30.0 metres O.D. adjacent to the south-western corner. The site has been interrupted by a series of earth-mounds running across the site as part of the preliminary construction works. (See Figure 14.1) Slope Regime The slope map is an indicator of the development potential of a particular site. Slopes in the 1 in 50 and less are developable with no encumbrance. Slopes in the 1 in 20 to 1 in 50 range generally require relatively minor site works, while slopes in the 1 in 10 to 1 in 20 range generally require significant site works to accommodate development mounding, banking, retaining walls etc. Slopes over 1 in 10 are generally considered to be undevelopable. The majority of the slopes on the subject site are in the 1 in 20 to 1 in 50 range with some steeper slopes in the 1 in 10 to 1 in 20 range across the middle of the site. The slope regime at the north-western edge of the side is in the 1 in 50 and less range. Earth 14-1 EPA Export :17:09:57

2 Indaver Landscape mounds have been formed along the eastern boundary, northern boundary and across the middle of the site with side slopes of approximately 1 in 3. (See Figure 14.2) Vegetation The site was of former agricultural pastureland, much of it now having been disturbed to allow for the installation of site development works for the facility. The majority of the woody plants i.e. trees and shrubs were confined to the hedgerows, which primarily consisted of species such as Hawthorn, Sloe etc., interspersed with shrubs such as Bramble etc. The eastern boundary has undergone a significant change, both in visual and landscape terms, due to the removal of the mature tree planting previously located there. (See Figure 14.3) Land Use The general land-use of the area to the southwest of Drogheda is agriculture. The subject site was formerly part of this land use but is now in the process of being developed for the proposed waste management facility consistent with the significant areas of industrial and extractive land-uses immediately to the north and west of the subject site in the form of the Platin Cement Plant to the north, and stone quarrying to the west. There are small pockets of low-density residential development scattered throughout this landscape, a pattern typical of much of rural Ireland. A railway line serving the Platin plant runs on a north-west/south-east axis immediately to the west of the site. (See Figure 14.4 ) Visual Analysis The subject site presents as an area of land undergoing change, being prepared for the proposed development. The palisade fencing and earth-mounding, located along the boundaries, are typical of normal preliminary site works prior to the construction of this type of development. The portion of the R152 road corridor adjacent to the site presents as an upgraded stretch of roadway with new road surfacing and road markings. A stone wall and metal gates mark the site entrance. The site itself is visually unremarkable, having consisted of former small-scaled agricultural paddocks with hedgerows typical of much of the landscape of this part of County Meath, which have now been disturbed to allow for a site entrance, site compound, site parking and earth-mounding. The immediate site hinterland is visually dominated by the industrial complex at Platin Cement works, which consists of an array of tall silos, stacks and associated industrial plant and buildings. The extensive area of extractive industry to the west of the cement works, while not overly visually intrusive is a major change-agent in the overall agricultural landscape, with local visual impacts on the surrounding roads and boundaries (See Figure 14.5). There is already visual intrusion on the subject site in the form of an 110kV power line traversing in a north to south direction EPA Export :17:09:57

3 Indaver Landscape The principal views to the subject site are from the southwest and northwest, from the alignment of the R152, connecting Drogheda with the village of Duleek. The Platin Cement Plant is also highly visible from the alignment of the M1 motorway, and, as such, visually dominates the subject site. There are no views into the site from the west. The screen planting and mounding associated with the quarrying operations effectively blocks views from this direction. Views out from the site are limited, due to the topography of the landscape, the earth-mounding and the presence of boundary hedgerow planting. There are partial views to the east and south from the site into the corridor of the R152 and a local access laneway, respectively. (See Figure 14.5) Do Nothing Scenario As planning permission has already been granted for the construction of this development and with infrastructural work already commenced on site the development with existing planning permission would be implemented under and in accordance with planning law if the proposed amendments were refused planning permission CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT The proposed amendments will alter the previously granted permission but in terms of all buildings on site, the proposed amendments represent a reduction of approximately 7% in footprint and reduction in length by 45 metres when compared with the existing permission. The main elements of the previously granted permission remain unchanged and the proposed amendments have been described in Section 5 of this document. In summary these amendments are: Main Process Building: Reduction in overall length of 45m approximately Changes to building widths Decrease in tipping hall height by 5m approx Increase in bunker roof height by 4m approx Increase of main process building height by 1m to incorporate a parapet wall Convert underground bottom ash bunker into an overground ash handling building Inclusion of an extra floor in office building to incorporate the education centre Addition of an external fire escape to office building Incorporation of warehouse and workshop into main process building Incorporation of turbine building into main process building. Other Site Elements: Redesign of gatehouse and staff/visitor parking for increased safety 14-3 EPA Export :17:09:57

4 Indaver Landscape Re-location and modification of the air-cooled condenser Re-location of pump house and fire water storage tank Re-location of 38kV import/export compound including transformer and associated substation building Conversion of underground attenuation tank into an attenuation pond Modifications to the internal road network to accommodate the above amendments. The overall site area being developed is approximately 2 hectares (approximately 5 acres), with the remaining site area to be used for visual buffering. The most obtrusive element in the complex will be the stack, which will be 65.0 metres above the ambient site level at a height of 95.5 m O.D. There are existing overhead power lines traversing the site in a northeast to southwest direction, which have a significant visual impact on the receiving environment. It is not intended to move these lines, or in any way ameliorate the existing impact. The building fabric proposed is similar to that of the development with the existing planning permission, being generally industrial in character, i.e. proprietary profiled metal cladding panels in a selected colour. A new colour scheme has been proposed using grey shades instead of green shades to improve the visual aspect. In addition to the above there will be a network of access roads, hardstanding, surface parking, site lighting, screen planting etc POTENTIAL IMPACT OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT In landscape and visual terms the development will impact in varying degrees upon the inter-related aspects, as follows:- The perceived character of the area. The existing views. Its visual and recreational amenity. The following terms are used, as appropriate to describe the degree, quality, and duration of an impact: Imperceptible/No Impact - the development proposal is either distant or adequately screened by existing landform, vegetation or built environment. Low Impact- views affected by the proposal form only a small element in the overall panorama, or where there is substantial intervening screening in the form of topography and /or vegetation. Moderate Impact- an appreciable segment of the existing view is affected or where there is intrusion in the foreground. Significant Impact- the proposed development will have a significant effect on the existing view or where the view is obstructed or so dominated by the proposed scheme that it becomes the focus of the 14-4 EPA Export :17:09:57

5 Indaver Landscape viewer s attention. A significant impact arises where there is a substantial alteration in the character of an area but the essential experience of the original remains. Profound Impact- a significant view is completely obscured or altered or where the character of an area has been completely changed. Terms used to describe the quality of change are-: Negative Impact- a change that reduces the quality of the visual environment or adversely affects the character of the landscape. Neutral Impact a change which does not affect the quality of the landscape. Positive Impact- a change that improves the quality of the landscape. Terms used to describe the duration of impact;- Temporary Impact impact lasting for one year or less Short Term Impact impact lasting for one to seven years Medium Term Impact impact lasting for seven to fifteen years Long Term Impact impact lasting for fifteen to sixty years Permanent Impact- impact lasting for over sixty years Impact on Landscape Character The subject site presents as an area of former agricultural pastureland, which has undergone change in the form of preliminary site construction works in preparation for the development. The site was formerly a small part of a much larger agricultural unit in an agricultural landscape. However, this landscape is already subject to a significant level of intrusion in the form of the expansion of the village of Duleek to the south, the presence of the Platin cement-manufacturing complex to the north, the quarrying activities to the west, the insertion of the M1 motorway to the east, and the various pockets of low-density residential units contiguous to the site and also now with the installation of site infrastructure works, car park, contractors village, earth-mounding, boundary fencing, stone wall entrance and stripping of the land etc. as part of the development. In addition to the above, the presence of the overhead power lines which traverse the site have had a significant impact on its landscape character. The following assessment of the impact on the landscape character of the subject site and its hinterland is predicated upon the insertion of an industrial complex into its structure, and the removal of the existing landscape character. The Master Landscape Plan (drawing IND-MEATH-PRJ-DWG ) will allow for the insertion of a new reduced development structure into the site, and for the provision of extensive visual buffering of the complex through landscaping and planted earth-mounds, which will assist in visually tying-in the development to the surrounding landscape EPA Export :17:09:58

6 Indaver Landscape The reduced development in overall terms, similar to the development with the existing planning permission, will have a significant and neutral visual impact on the existing landscape character of the area. The existing former agricultural landscape will be replaced by a complex which will be industrial in character. In overall terms, the complex will present as a group of linked industrial buildings in a heavily-planted landscape, which will develop over time through the implementation of a proper maintenance regime Impact on Views The impact on views of the development into the subject site will be significant and neutral. In comparison with the development with the existing planning permission, given the reduction in the overall bulk of the main process building, the impact on views will be slightly less. The existing partially developed landscape with unplanted earth-mounds will be replaced by a complex of linked industrial buildings in a heavily planted buffer zone. The development will be perceived juxtaposed against the mass of the existing Platin Cement Plant, located immediately to the north Impact on Visual/Recreational Amenity The subject site, at present has a relatively low level of visual amenity and no level of recreational amenity. The development, as proposed, will constitute a significant and neutral impact on the visual amenity of the area and will have no impact on the recreational amenity of the area MITIGATION MEASURES The overall visual impact of the development will be reduced in the following important ways:- Through the positioning of the various industrial buildings on the site, so as to minimize the impact of views into the site from the east and north. Through the massing of all the built elements on site including the control of scale and the selection of materials on elevation the use of colour, texture, etc. The insertion of strategically placed open space, which will function as a buffer zone against views into the complex. The insertion of new hedgerow planting to any gaps in the existing hedgerow along the boundaries. Through the insertion of woodland tree planting on the earth-mounds to the north-east and south west of the facility. The earthworks for these mounds have already been put in place to allow for tree planting to be inserted early in the project; therefore a partial visual screening effect will already be in place on the completion of the building works. Main process building has been reduced by 45 metres in length 14-6 EPA Export :17:09:58

7 Indaver Landscape 14.5 PREDICTED IMPACT OF PROPOSAL Visual Impact The development will have a significant and neutral impact on the visual amenity of the area. The reduction in the bulk and length of the main process building will also reduce the visual impact. The existing and visually unremarkable agricultural landscape will be replaced by an industrial facility set in a planted landscape. Impact on Views The photomontage images outlined below are twelve images re-taken from the same locations (where possible) to the photomontages in the previous EIS. They show the existing and proposed views of the development, based on an accurate simulation of scale, colour and massing, utilizing baseline survey drawings. Where applicable the existing permitted development has been superimposed (using a blue line) on the proposed views in order to give a comparison of both. The convention in selecting views is that views into the subject site from the public domain are considered more important than views within the site or from private property. The same view reference numbers have been used to allow comparison with the views from the 2006 application and EIS. Some views have been omitted as the development is imperceptible from these locations 14-7 EPA Export :17:09:58

8 Indaver Landscape Viewpoint 1: View from R152 at southern end of site Existing View: The entrance gates, stone wall, palisade fencing and earth embankments, all part of the site development works, have been inserted into the landscape along the eastern boundary. The road improvements at the site entrance, including road widening, new road markings etc., are visible in the foreground of view, with existing mature tree planting visible to the right of view. The stacks and silos of the Platin Cement Plant are visible in the middle distance. Proposed View: The upper levels of the proposed plant and stack are visible in the middle distance, behind the proposed planting on the existing earth embankment. The planted embankment assists in reducing the visual impact along the road by partially screening views in to the site and softening the visual appearance along the boundary. The existing permitted development is outlined in blue on this view for the purposes of comparison. The visual impact will be significant and neutral. The high visual quality of the boundary treatment and its associated landscaping will visually ameliorate the presence of the industrial stacks and silos in the middle-distance. There is no significant change to the original visual impact at this location. Viewpoint 2: View from R152 near northern end of site. Existing View: The palisade fence, earth embankment and road improvements, grass verge etc, all part of the site development works, have been inserted along the road corridor. The unplanted mound provides a visual screen into the site, however, in its present state, it presents as an unfinished boundary along the edge of the development. Proposed View: The upper levels of the buildings and the stack will be visible in the background of view in the short term, and only the stack will be visible when screen planting has matured in the medium term. The proposed planting on the earth-mounds will provide a more attractive boundary edge. The existing permitted development is outlined in blue on this view for the purposes of comparison. The visual impact from this viewpoint will be significant and neutral. The primary change between this proposed view and the original proposed view is the insertion of the footpath along the road corridor. However, there is no significant change to the visual impact at this location EPA Export :17:09:58

9 Indaver Landscape Viewpoint 3: View from R152, north of existing garage. Existing View: The primary visual focus in this view is the road corridor itself and the hedgerow planting along the road edges. Visible in the middle-distance are overhead power-lines to the right of view and a mature hedgerow obscuring views into the site in the centre of view. Proposed View: The main section of the complex together with the stack will be visible in the middle distance, juxtaposed against the surrounding agricultural landscape. The visual impact from this viewpoint will be significant and neutral. The complex will be viewed as an insertion into a changing agricultural landscape, which already contains the Platin Cement Plant. In the medium term the site planting will ameliorate the apparent massing of the complex in the landscape. The existing permitted development is outlined in blue on this view for the purposes of comparison. There is no significant change to the original visual impact at this location. The mass of the building is less due to the decrease in length and reduction in width and movement of the aero condenser building. Viewpoint 4: View from minor road east of R152, adjacent to the existing cement works. Existing View: This view is dominated by the Platin cement silos to the right of view in the middle-distance and the agricultural grassland in the foreground. There are some mature trees planting visible in the middledistance to the left of view. Proposed View: The complex will be visible in the distance, visually juxtaposed against the existing Platin silos. The visual impact from this viewpoint will be significant and neutral. The scale of the complex within the overall arc of view, which seen against the scale of Platin will ameliorate the impact of the complex in the landscape. There is no significant change to the original visual impact at this location. Viewpoint 5: View from R152, south of the site, at the closest houses to the development Existing View: The primary visual focus in this view is the R152 road corridor itself with its existing hedgerow planting along the edges. The upper levels of the Platin cement stacks and silos are visible in the distance. Proposed View: 14-9 EPA Export :17:09:58

10 Indaver Landscape The upper levels of some of the industrial buildings, together with the upper section of the stack will be visible in the middle distance. The existing permitted development is outlined in blue on this view for the purposes of comparison. The visual impact from this viewpoint will be slight and neutral. The facility will be partially screened by existing mature tree planting, and will be viewed juxtaposed against the existing Platin Cement Plant. There is no significant change to the original visual impact at this location. Viewpoint 6: View from R152, just north of Duleek Existing View: This view is dominated by the expanse of agricultural land across the landscape along with the overhead power-lines and electricity poles. The Platin Cement Plant is visible in the distance. Proposed View: A small portion, principally the stack element of the facility will be visible in the distance. The existing permitted development is outlined in blue on this view for the purposes of comparison. The visual impact from this viewpoint will be slight and neutral. The massing of the Platin Cement Plant will visually dominate the view. There is no perceptible change to the original visual impact at this location. Viewpoint 8: View from Bellewstown, east of the racecourse Existing View: The primary visual focus in this view is the expanse of agricultural land and its associated field boundaries across the landscape. The Platin Cement Plant is visible in the far distance. Proposed View: The existing Platin Cement Plant will be visible in the distance. By comparison, while the facility should be visible it will not be apparent, given its scale in the overall arc of view. Therefore the visual impact will be imperceptible. Viewpoint 9: View from Bellewstown Existing View: This view is taken adjacent to an existing bungalow looking north-west towards the site. The primary visual focus in this view is the dormer bungalow and its garden in the foreground of view. The Platin Cement Plant is visible in the distance EPA Export :17:09:58

11 Indaver Landscape Proposed View: The development is visible in the distance, but given the distance from the viewpoint, the overall arc-ofview and the adjacent larger scaled Platin Cement Plant, the visual impact will be slight and neutral. Therefore the visual impact will be slight and neutral. The primary change between this proposed view and the original proposed view is the dormer bungalow which dominates the foreground of view. However, there is no significant change to the visual impact at this location. Viewpoint 10: View from minor road at Clonlusk, west of the site Existing View: This view is taken looking east towards the site along a local access road at Clonlusk. The view is dominated by the bungalows and gardens in the foreground of view. A portion of the Platin Plant is visible in the distance. Proposed View: The upper levels of the main buildings and the stack will be visible in the distance, but given the distance from the viewpoint, the overall arc-of-view and the adjacent Platin Cement Plant, the visual impact will be slight and neutral. Similar to View 9 the primary change from the original proposed view is the bungalow in the foreground of view. Again, there is no significant change to the visual impact at this location. Viewpoint 11: View from road at reservoir on Redmountain, west of the site. Existing View: The primary visual focus in this view is the expanse of agricultural land and hedgerows across the landscape. There are overhead power-lines and electricity poles visible in the foreground. The Platin Cement Plant is visible in the distance, dominating the background of view. Proposed View: The upper levels of main industrial buildings will be visible in the distance, partially screened by the intervening high ground. The existing bulk of the Platin Cement Plant will visually dominate in the overall arc of view. Given the presence of the Platin Cement Plant dominating the background of view, the distance from the viewpoint and the overall arc-of view the visual impact from this viewpoint will be slight and neutral. There is no significant change to the original visual impact at this location EPA Export :17:09:58

12 Indaver Landscape Viewpoint 15: View from Dowth This view is dominated by the expanse of agricultural land and the mature hedgerow and tree planting across the landscape. The existing Platin Cement Plant is visible in the distance. By comparison, the facility will be perceptible in the distance but not as obvious as the Platin Cement Plant. Therefore the visual impact will be imperceptible. Viewpoint 16: View from Newgrange Due to the distance from the site (5.8 Km approx.) and the topography of the surrounding landscape, i.e. Redmountain with a height of m O.D. between the viewpoint and the development the facility will not be visible from this viewpoint. The position of the facility in the landscape relative to the viewpoint is shown outlined in red. The visual impact will be imperceptible RESIDUAL IMPACTS/MONITORING Control of individual building forms, materials and colour will ultimately be determined by the Planning Authority in the exercise of its statutory duties. All planted installations within the project will be subject to on-going maintenance strategies and monitoring, to ensure the satisfactory establishment of the total planted installation and therefore the effectiveness of its screening potential over time SUMMARY The subject site presents as an unremarkable piece of former agricultural landscape, typical of the region and now undergoing change with the installation of site development works for the development. There are no elements of high visual amenity within the site or in its immediate hinterland. In fact, the general landscape amenity of the area has been impacted upon by the presence of the visually dominant Platin cement plant, and the extensive area of quarrying, both adjacent to the site. The proposed amendments to the previous planning application will result in the reduction of the overall bulk of the main process building. The visual impact of the development will therefore be less than the impact of the development with the existing planning permission EPA Export :17:09:58

13 EPA Export :17:09:58

14 EPA Export :17:09:58

15 EPA Export :17:09:58

16 EPA Export :17:09:58

17 EPA Export :17:09:58

18 Appendix 14.1 Photomontages EPA Export :17:09:58

19 Photomontages of Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 by Indaver Ireland, Carranstown, Co. Meath August 2009 EPA Export :17:09:58

20 Methodology for the preparation of photomontages of the proposed amendments to the existing planning permission 2009 by Indaver Ireland, Carranstown, Co. Meath A survey of the potential visibility of the proposed development was carried out by ARC in 2006 as part of previous planning applications made by Indaver Ireland in relation to the subject site. This survey identified locations where there was a potential for the proposed development to be visible. Where locations of potential visibility were identified, photographs were taken and photomontages were prepared from these locations. At that time, from some distant locations, the visibility of the proposed development was found to be nil or imperceptible. Since the proposed amendments to the application now being submitted is for the same development site, but on a slightly reduced building footprint, it was felt that it was not necessary to repeat all previous views and, therefore, a reduced number of photomontages have been prepared for this application. Since the time of the last application, there have been a number of changes in the area. The road passing the site (the R152) has been resurfaced and somewhat realigned. New structures have been constructed in the landscape and along the local roads. For this reason, new photographs have been taken to produce the photomontages submitted as part of the subject application in all but one of the locations, that location being Newgrange. It was considered that it was not necessary to re-take this view as there have been no significant changes in the local area and as the proposed development is entirely concealed from that location behind the intervening hill to the east, Redmountain. In the case of some views, the camera location of the current view is not exactly the same as that included with the previous application as a result of a change in the local environment in the immediate area of that camera location, e.g., a structure may have been constructed in the intervening period which interferes in the view. At all locations, photographs were taken looking towards the development. All the photographs were taken in conditions of good light and clear visibility. All photography was taken using medium format cameras to maximise visible detail. The 12 no. chosen views were taken on a WA Corfield Camera, which is designed for architectural photography. This camera has a horizontal field of coverage of 73.6, which would be considered a wide angle. The negatives of all photographs were scanned to provide high-resolution digital images. Wide-angle lenses were used to provide sufficient context in the view. Photographs with a narrow field of view may exclude relevant context. Wide-angle views, capable of providing sufficient context are particularly important when the viewpoint is close to the development. Photographs and photomontages based on wide angle photography are printed at A3 size, so that the angle of vision covered by the print, when held at reading distance, is approximately the same as would be covered by the same extent of the real scene, when viewed from the camera position. ARC constructed a three dimensional model of the development incorporating the proposed amendments on the basis of drawings supplied to them by Indaver Ireland. ARC made renderings on computer from each camera position using the field of view of each photograph. The renders were inserted into each relevant view, and were scaled and positioned using the field of vision of each photograph, survey data and Ordnance data related to National Grid. ARC would expect the dimensional accuracy of the scaling and positioning of the image of the development within each view to be better than ± 1%. W.H. Hastings FRIAI ARC Consultants August 2009 EPA Export :17:09:58

21 Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 os Licence No. AR View Location Map EPA Export :17:09:58

22 ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 existing View 1: View from R152 at the southern end of the site looking north ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:58

23 ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 Proposed (shown with planting at 5 years growth) View 1: View from R152 at the southern end of the site looking north ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:58

24 ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 Proposed view with existing permitted development in blue line View 1: View from R152 at the southern end of the site looking north ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:58

25 ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 existing View 2: View from R152 near the northern end of the site looking west ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

26 ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 Proposed (shown with planting at 5 years growth) View 2: View from R152 near the northern end of the site looking west ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

27 ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 Proposed view with existing permitted development in blue line View 2: View from R152 near the northern end of the site looking west ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

28 ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 existing View 3: View from R152 north of the existing Tyre Garage looking southwest ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

29 ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 Proposed (shown with planting at 5 years growth) View 3: View from R152 north of the existing Tyre Garage looking southwest ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

30 ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 Proposed view with existing permitted development in blue line View 3: View from R152 north of the existing Tyre Garage looking southwest ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

31 Existing Proposed ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 View 4: View from the minor road east of R152 adjacent to the existing cement works looking south ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

32 Existing Proposed (shown with planting at 5 years growth) Proposed view with existing permitted development in blue line ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 View 5: View from R152, south of the site, at the closest houses to the proposed development looking north ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

33 Existing Proposed Proposed view with existing permitted development in blue line ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 View 6: View from R152, just north of Duleek, looking north ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

34 Existing Proposed ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 View 8: View from Bellewstown, east of the racecourse, looking northwest ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

35 Existing Proposed ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 View 9: View from road at Bellewstown looking north ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

36 Existing Proposed ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 View 10: View from minor road at Clonlusk, west of the site, looking east ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

37 Existing Proposed ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 View 11: View from road at reservoir on Redmountain, west of the site, looking southeast ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

38 Existing Proposed ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 View 15: View from Dowth looking southeast ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

39 Existing Proposed (not visible from this view) Red line indicating the location of the facility on the other side of the hill ANGLE OF VISION SCALE o o o o o o o o Proposed Amendments to Existing Planning Permission 2009 View 16: View from Newgrange looking southeast ARC Architectural Consultants Ltd EPA Export :17:09:59

40 Indaver Climate 15 CLIMATE 15.1 INTRODUCTION This application for the proposed amendments will have no impact on climate as there will be no change to the nature or volume of the emissions from the facility as a result of these amendments. The climate assessment already undertaken in 2005 has comprehensively addressed the potential impacts of the emissions from the development on the climate of the site and its environs. Due to the improved power output from the turbine and generator, an extra 2 MW will be exported to the national grid. The 2005 study has been updated and a summary of the key findings of the climate assessment is presented below. The general principle of the assessment was to compare greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the proposed facility against GHG from an equivalent notional landfill facility CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT Forecasting Methods Predictions of greenhouse gas emissions from the waste management facility were prepared using the emission factors derived from the IPCC (3), UK (4) and EU (5) and from information supplied by Indaver Ireland. The prediction of GHG emissions from landfills was developed using the USEPA Landfill Gas Emission Model (LandGEM) (8) and using emission factors derived from the USEPA (7,9) and the IPCC (3) Construction There is the potential for a number of emissions to atmosphere during the construction of the development. Construction vehicles, generators etc., may give rise to CO 2 and N 2 O emissions Incineration Incineration would be expected to be the dominant source of CO 2 and N 2 O emissions from the development. Detailed waste throughput information was obtained from Indaver Ireland and this information was used to estimate GHG emissions from the scheme. The annual waste throughput for the Waste Management Facility will be a maximum of 200,000 tonnes consisting of all non-recyclable household, commercial and/or industrial waste. For the purpose of this study the maximum annual throughput of 200,000 tonnes was used. The net greenhouse gas contribution from the waste was derived using the procedure recommended by the IPCC and is outlined in Appendix Landfill In the absence of incineration, the waste will be landfilled at a municipal landfill facility. Therefore, in the current study an assessment has been made of the likely production of greenhouse gases in the absence 15-1 EPA Export :17:09:59

41 Indaver Climate of incineration. Of the total emission of greenhouse gases from waste in Ireland, landfilling currently accounts for 98% of the total (1). In the current assessment, all non-recyclable waste is assumed to be disposed of at a municipal waste landfill. In order to make a reasonable comparison with the incineration option, the scenario where 200,000 tonnes of waste is landfilled over a 25-year period has been assessed. The landfill is assumed to open in 2010 for a 25-year period. It has also been assumed that the landfill is operated to best practise standards and thus a landfill gas recovery system is installed and has a collection efficiency of 75% for CH 4. This is probably significantly above actual capture rates with rates likely to be between 50-70% for new landfills and 40%, at most, from existing landfills (1). In addition, it is assumed that all recovered methane is used for energy recovery. In the Waste Management Act 1996, all Waste Licences issued by the EPA for Landfills now require landfill gas capture and utilisation in energy production or flared where use in energy production is not feasible. The calculation of landfill gas generation rates has followed USEPA methodology which recommends that landfill gas generation rates are derived from the USEPA Landfill Gas Emission Model (LandGEM) (8). A summary of the methodology employed in the model is given in Appendix Road Traffic Road traffic will be an additional source of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of the development. Waste will be transported from the source of the waste to the site for disposal whilst the ash will subsequently be removed from the facility to be landfilled. In the absence of the development, this waste will also be collected and disposed of to landfill. In the absence of a detailed breakdown of the sources of waste and specific landfill locations, a detailed comparison of GHG emissions is not possible between the two options. However, it is likely that the transport associated with landfilling and incineration will lead to similar levels of emissions and moreover these emissions will be minor compared to emissions from the landfilling or incineration of waste. Thus, no detailed assessment has been carried out on the level of greenhouse gases from the transport of waste. However, analysis by the USEPA has estimated that the traffic-derived GHG emissions from both landfilling and waste-to-energy are approximately equivalent at 0.01 MTCE (metric tonnes of carbon equivalent) of anthropogenic CO 2 emission per ton (US) of material either landfilled or incinerated with the resulting ash landfilled (2). In this context, the impact from the transport of waste accounts for less than 2.5% of the impact from the incineration of waste (excluding energy recovery) and thus is a minor contributor to the overall GHG emission total Modelling Methodology Waste-to-Energy Facility In order to calculate the scheme s net contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and the effect of the scheme on Ireland s obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, the total forecasted anthropogenic emissions of the proposed development has been calculated over a period of 25 years which is the lifespan of the development. The baseline year is assumed to be Given in Table 15.2 is the annual greenhouse gas emission from the site and the total over the period of the development. The emissions have been compared with the Kyoto Target for Ireland in 2010 (10). The contribution to the Total Greenhouse gas emissions, in the absence of power generation, is 0.12% of the Kyoto Target for Ireland in 2010 in that 15-2 EPA Export :17:09:59

42 Indaver Climate year and thus is a very minor source compared to significant industrial sources such as cement manufacture. During the incineration of waste at the facility the thermal energy generated by the burning of waste will be recovered and will give an electrical output of about 18MW. As approximately 3MW is required for electrical demand within the plant, the net electrical output from the plant for export to the national grid will be 15MW. Thus, the export of 15MW will give a direct benefit in terms of greenhouse gas emissions which would have been released in the production of 15MW from power stations. In order to calculate the net benefit in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, the likely greenhouse gas emissions from a Combined Cylce Gas Tubine (CCGT) power station (the most GHG efficient power source) producing 15MW of power has been calculated and subtracted from the site s greenhouse gas emissions (see Table 15.3). The dominant primary fuels, on which the generation system currently relies in terms of production, are gas (44%), coal (25%) and oil (13%). Gas and coal accounts for 86% of dispatchable installed capacity and 69% generation in 2005 (10). It is envisaged that renewables will achieve the target of 13.2% of electricity generation by 2010 (10). CO 2 emissions from coal are 77% higher per Joule, peat is 110% higher per joule whilst oil is 49% higher per Joule than natural gas (1). Thus, the assumption that the displaced power generation is from a CCGT burning natural gas is a worst-case scenario and more pessimistic assumption than using the average fuel profile. The production of power for export to the national grid is equivalent to a net reduction of 67% in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from the site. Greenhouse Gas Emissions is 0.041% of the Kyoto Target for Ireland in Modelling Methodology Landfill Thus, the actual contribution to the Total As stated above, it is assumed that 200,000 tonnes of waste will be landfilled annually in the absence of the development. The impact on climate of the landfilling of this waste over a 25-year period has been calculated using the USEPA approved Landfill Gas Emission Model (LandGEM) (8). The model gives the production rate in terms of mass (in tonnes/annum) and volume (in terms of m 3 /annum) for both CH 4 and CO 2. Shown in Figure 15.1 is the production rate of CH 4 (in tonnes of CO 2 equivalent) from a landfill which is in operation for 25 years. The model indicates that the peak in production of CH 4 occurs 25 years after opening. Indeed, significant quantities of landfill gas are produced even after 50 years of closing. In the model it is assumed that 50% of the landfill gas is CH 4, which is the default value recommended by the USEPA (7) and the IPCC (3). After the calculation of both CH 4 and CO 2 generation rates, it is assumed that emissions from the landfill are controlled by installing a gas collection system followed by combustion of the collected gas through the use of turbines. Gas collection efficiencies are assumed to be 75% whilst the collection efficiency of the control device is assumed to average around 95-99%. These are probably significantly above actual capture rates with rates likely to be between 50-70% for new landfills and 40%, at most, from existing landfills (1). The controlled CH 4 and CO 2 emission was estimated as shown in Appendix Controlled 15-3 EPA Export :17:09:59

43 Indaver Climate CO 2 emissions include emissions from the CO 2 component of landfill gas (equivalent to uncontrolled emission) and additional CO 2 emissions formed during the combustion of landfill gas (mainly CH 4 ). The controlled GHG emission total over the period of gas generation is shown in Table The controlled emission for CH 4 also includes for oxidation of the CH 4 which may occur in the top layer of soil over the landfill. The USEPA recommended 10% oxidation rate of methane generated has been applied in the current assessment (7). This factor has also been applied in the current assessment. As stated previously, the primary source of CO 2 derives from the decomposition of organic material derived from biomass sources (crops, forests) which are re-grown on an annual basis and thus CO 2 emissions are not treated as net emissions from waste in the IPCC Methodology (3). The total GHG emissions given is over a period of more than 100 years with peak generation occurring after 25 years at approximately 177,000 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent in that year. The contribution to the total greenhouse gas emissions, ignoring the generation of power, for the worst-case year is only 0.28% of the 2010 Kyoto Target for Ireland and thus is relatively minor. However, it should be borne in mind that although the landfill is in operation for 25 years, landfill gases will be produced over a considerably longer timescale. Again, energy recovery is possible using the landfill gas as the fuel source. Based on data from the USEPA (2), there is a net benefit in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, as a result of power generation from landfill gas as a fuel source, which would otherwise have been provided by fossil fuels. If the emissions are condensed to a 25-year time period (i.e assuming that all emissions occur within a 25 year timeframe instead of the more than 100 years in reality), to allow a comparison with incineration, the annual contribution to the total greenhouse gas emissions, including the beneficial effect of the generation of power, is equivalent to 0.046% of the 2010 Kyoto Target for Ireland PREDICTED IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT ON CLIMATE Construction The effect of construction on climate will not be significant Incineration The contribution of the Waste-to-Energy Facility to total greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland is equivalent to only 0.041% of the Kyoto Target for Ireland in 2010, when energy recovery in taken into account. Moreover, in the absence of the development, greenhouse gas emissions will occur from the landfilling of the waste. The contribution to the total greenhouse gas emissions from landfilling 200,000 tonnes of waste, including the generation of power, condensed to a 25-year period, is equivalent to 0.046% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland in Thus, the overall annual impact of the proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility on climate is to produce a net benefit of approximately 0.005% (See 15-4 EPA Export :17:09:59

44 Indaver Climate Table 15.5) of the total greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland in 2010 and will thus will be imperceptible in terms of Ireland s obligations under the Kyoto Protocol DESCRIPTION OF MITIGATION MEASURES Construction As there will be no significant impact on climate, no mitigation measures are proposed Incineration During the incineration of waste at the facility the thermal energy generated by the burning of waste will be recovered and will give an electrical output of about 18MW with a net electrical output from the plant for export to the national grid will be 15MW (see Table 15.1). Thus, the export of 15MW will give a direct benefit in terms of greenhouse gas emissions which would have been released in the production of 15MW from power stations. The Waste-to-Energy facility will also recover and recycle ferrous materials during the incineration process. The recycling of metals will require less energy than processes using virgin inputs and thus lead to a direct saving in energy and thus GHG emissions. A recent USEPA report has estimated that approximately 0.01 MTCE per ton (US) of mixed MSW is saved through recycling of metals (2) REFERENCES (1) ERM Limitation and Reduction of CO 2 and Other Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Ireland (1998) (2) USEPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Management of Selected Materials in Municipal Solid Waste (2002) (3) IPCC 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National GHG Inventories (2006) (4) European Commission Waste Management Options and Climate Change (2001) (5) UK DEFRA / ERM (2006) Impact of Energy from Waste and Recycling Policy on UK GHG Emissions (6) DEFRA / ERM (2006) Carbon Balances & Energy Impacts of the Management of UK Wastes (7) USEPA Solid Waste Disposal 2.1- Refuse Combustion, AP-42 (1996) (8) USEPA Landfill Gas Emission Model (Version 3.02) LandGEM (2005) (9) USEPA Landfills, Volume III: Chapter 15, Emission Inventory Improvement Program (2001) (10) SEI Renewable Energy Development 2006 (11) EPA National Waste Database Report 2004 (2006) 15-5 EPA Export :17:09:59

45 Indaver Climate 2.5E+04 Figure 15.1: Landfill Gas Generation From A 200,000 Tonnes/Annum Landfill Opened For 25 Years 2.0E E+04 Tonnes 1.0E E+03 Methane CO2 0.0E EPA Export :17:09:59

46 Indaver Climate Table 15.1: Summary of Major Waste Types Accepted into Landfills In Ireland In 2004 (11) Landfill Type No. Waste Accepted (tonnes) Household Commercial Construction Industrial Others TOTAL Local Authority Private / Industrial 34 1,213, ,579 13,275 21,685 60,210 1,664, , ,523,284 1,095 4,773,338 TOTAL 67 1,214, ,628 13,275 4,544,969 61,305 8,780,201 Table 15.2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions At Indaver Ireland s Waste Management Facility, Carranstown, Based On 200,000 Tonnes/Annum CO 2 N 2 O CH 4 % Of Ireland s Total Emissions (1) Total / Annum (tonnes) (2) 73, (3) - Total / Annum (tonnes CO 2 Equivalent) Total (tonnes CO 2 Equivalent) Over 25 Years 73, E+6 7.2E (1) Based on an approximate total emission of 62.8 million tonnes CO 2 equivalent in 2010 (Ireland s Kyoto Target) (2) Based on average of the UK (5,6) and EU (4) default emission rates (3) Assuming, as a worst-case, that all organics are composed of methane EPA Export :17:09:59

47 Indaver Climate Table 15.3: Greenhouse Gas Emissions At Indaver Ireland s Waste Management Facility, Carranstown As A Result of Exporting 15MW CO 2 N 2 O (3) CH 4 (3) % Of Irelands Total Emissions (1) CCGT Producing 15MW (2) (tonnes) 51, CCGT Producing 15MW (tonnes CO 2 Equivalent) Total / Annum (tonnes CO 2 Equivalent) After Subtraction Of Power Total (tonnes CO 2 Equivalent) Over 25 Years 51, E+5 7.2E Total After Power Generation Over 25 years (1) Based on a Kyoto Target of 62.8 million tonnes CO 2 equivalent in 2010 Sum = 6.43E+5 Tonnes CO 2 Equivalent (2) Based on an energy saving of 0.40t CO 2 / MWh CCGT for electricity generation (6) (3) Based on 2006 IPCC Guidelines (3). Table 15.4: Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions From The Landfilling Of 200,000 Tonnes/Annum For 25 Years CO 2 N 2 O CH 4 Annual % Of Irelands Total Emissions (1) Total Emissions (tonnes CO 2 Equivalent) (2,3) E Greenhouse Gas Avoid (tonnes CO 2 Equivalent) (4) 8.5E+5 Sum = 7.22E+5 Tonnes Total After Power Generation CO 2 Equivalent (1) Based on a Kyoto Target of 62.8 million tonnes CO 2 equivalent in 2010 (2) Total over a period of over 100 years: peak generation will occur after 25 years (3) Based on an oxidation rate of 10% and a collection efficiency of 75% (4) Base on the USEPA default value of 0.18 MTCE avoided utility C per MTCE CH (8) EPA Export :17:09:59

48 Indaver Climate Table 15.5: Comparison of the Climatic Impact of Incinerating 200,000 Tonnes/Waste versus Landfilling of 200,000 Tonnes/Waste For 25 years Process Emissions of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (Tonnes) Total Incineration After Power Generation Over 25 Years Total Landfilling After Power Generation Net Impact Of Incineration On Climate Sum = 6.4E+5 Tonnes CO 2 Equivalent Sum = 7.2E+5 Tonnes CO 2 Equivalent - 8.2E+4 Tonnes CO 2 Equivalent (Net benefit equivalent to 0.005% of emission total in 2010) 15-9 EPA Export :17:09:59

49 Indaver Climate APPENDIX 15.1 In order to calculate the facility s net contribution to GHG emissions and the effect of the facility on Ireland s obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, the total forecasted anthropogenic emissions has been calculated over a period of 25 years which is the nominal lifespan of the facility. The baseline year is assumed to be Given in Tables A are the annual anthropogenic GHG emission from the site based on UK and EU default emission factors. The average of the two default emission databases had been used in the calculations EPA Export :17:09:59

50 Indaver Climate Type Waste Totals Waste Fraction Total Carbon Content (wet) Fossil Carbon Fraction CO 2 Emissions (Tonnes/Annum) Paper 48, % 31.9% 0.0% 0 Glass 6, % 0.3% 0.0% 0 Plastic 26, % 51.3% 100.0% 50,035 Ferrous 2, % 0.0% 100.0% 0 Aluminium 2, % 0.0% 100.0% 0 Other Metals 1, % 0.0% 100.0% 0 Textiles 16, % 39.9% 50.0% 12,289 Organics 73, % 13.5% 0.2% 72 WEEE 1, % 0.0% 100.0% 0 Wood 1, % 42.5% 0.0% 0 Others 20, % 21.8% 50.0% 8,153 Total 200,000 70,549 Total Fossil Fraction 22.6% Total Carbon (Fossil Fraction) 9.6% Table A15.1 Anthropogenic CO 2 Emissions From The Incineration of 200,000 tonnes of MSW (tonnes CO 2 eq) Based On UK Guidance (5,6) EPA Export :17:10:00

51 Indaver Climate Type Waste Totals Waste Fraction Total Carbon Content (wet) Fossil Carbon Fraction CO 2 Emissions (Tonnes/Annum) Paper 48, % 33.0% 0.0% 0 Glass 6, % 0.0% 0.0% 0 Plastic 26, % 61.0% 100.0% 59,495 Ferrous 2, % 0.0% 100.0% 0 Aluminium 2, % 0.0% 100.0% 0 Other Metals 1, % 0.0% 100.0% 0 Textiles 16, % 39.0% 50.0% 12,012 Organics 73, % 19.0% 0.2% 102 WEEE 1, % 0.0% 100.0% 0 Wood 1, % 42.5% 0.0% 0 Others 20, % 24.0% 29.0% 5,206 Total 200, % 76,815 Total Fossil Fraction 20.5% Total Carbon (Fossil Fraction) 10.5% Table A15.2 Anthropogenic CO 2 Emissions From The Incineration of 200,000 tonnes of MSW (tonnes CO 2 eq) Based On EU Guidance (4) EPA Export :17:10:00

52 Indaver Climate AP-42 - Municial Solid Waste Landfills The biodegradation of refuse in landfills produces landfill gas, mainly methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) both of which are also greenhouse gases although only CH 4 is considered of non-biogenic origin. The USEPA (9) recommends that landfill gas emissions are calculated using the Landfill Gas Emission Model (LandGEM) (8). Although other fates can exist for the gas generated in a landfill, including capture and subsequent microbial degradation, the bulk of the gas generated will be emitted through cracks or other openings in the landfill surface. USEPA recommends in the absence of site-specific data that the LFG consists of 55% CH 4, 40% CO 2 and 5% N (7) 2. For the purposes of estimating emissions both the IPCC (3) and USEPA (9) recommend the use of a 50% CH 4 :50%CO 2 LFG ratio. Emissions from landfills may be controlled by installing a gas collection system and combusting the collected gas through the use of flares or turbines. Gas collection efficiencies are typically around 75% whilst the collection efficiency of the control device averages around 95-99%. The controlled CH 4 emission can be estimated by the equation outlined below: Where: CM P = [UM P *(1-η COL /100)] + [UM P *η COL /100* (1-η Cnt /100)] CM P = Controlled mass emission of pollutant P, kg/year UMP = Uncontrolled mass emissions of P, kg/year (from LandGEM) η COL = collection efficiency of landfill gas collection system, percent η Cnt = collection efficiency of landfill gas control device, percent Controlled CO 2 emissions include emissions from the CO 2 component of landfill gas (equivalent to uncontrolled emission) and additional CO 2 emissions formed during the CH 4 component of combustion of landfill gas (mainly CH 4 ). The following equation, which assumes 100% combustion efficiency for CH 4, can be used to estimate CO 2 emissions from controlled landfills: Where: CMco 2 = UM co 2 + [UM CH4 *η COL /100*2.75] CM co 2 = Controlled mass emission of CO 2, kg/year UM CH4 = Uncontrolled mass emissions of CH 4, kg/year (from LandGEM) η COL = collection efficiency of landfill gas collection system, percent 2.75 = ratio of molecular weight of CO 2 to the molecular weight of CH 4 Landfill Gas Emission Model (LandGEM) The landfill gas emission model (LandGEM) estimates air emissions from landfills. The biodegradation of refuse in landfills produces landfill gas, mainly methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). The model estimates emission rates based on the landfill gas generation rate and the amount of refuse in the landfill. The landfill gas generation rate in the model is based on a first order decomposition model, which estimates the landfill gas generation rate using two parameters: L O, the potential methane EPA Export :17:10:00

53 Indaver Climate generation capacity of the refuse, and k, the methane generation decay rate, which accounts for how quickly the methane generation rate decreases, once it reaches its peak rate. In the current model the L O has been calculated as shown below (8) : L O = (MCF x DOC x DOC F x F x 16/12) (Mg CH 4 /Mg Waste) Where: And where: MCF = methane correction factor (default = 1) DOC = Degradable organic carbon fraction (Mg C/Mg MSW) DOC F = Fraction DOC dissimilated (default = 0.77) F = Fraction by volume of CH 4 in landfill gas (IPCC Default = 0.50) DOC = (0.4 x A) + (0.17 x B) + (0.15 x C) + (0.3 x D) Using Table 7.3: Thus: A = fraction of MSW that is paper and textiles (approx. 33%) B = fraction of MSW that is garden waste etc C = fraction of MSW that is food waste (sum of B & C = 37%) D = fraction of MSW that is wood (approx. 0.8%) DOC = (0.4 x 0.33) + (0.16 x 0.37) + (0.3 x 0.008) DOC = This should be compared with the IPCC default value of DOC = 0.21 Thus: L O = (1.0 x x 0.77 x 0.50 x 16/12) (Gg CH 4 /Gg Waste) L O = (0.092) (Mg CH 4 /Mg Waste) L O = 136 m 3 /Mg (site specific) L O = 162 m 3 /Mg (IPCC Default) Both of these values should be compared with the two suggested values given in the LandGEM model: AP-42 Methane Generation Rate k = /yr Methane Generation Potential L O = 100 m 3 /Mg Clean Air Act (CAA) EPA Export :17:10:00

54 Indaver Climate Methane Generation Rate k = /yr Methane Generation Potential L O = 170 m 3 /Mg Thus, the AP-42 default parameters have been used in the following calculations as they represent the most appropriate values for the site. Methane Percentage = 50% (IPCC and USEPA Default) First-Order Decomposition Rate Equation: Where: Q CH4 = annual methane generation in the year of the calculation (m 3 /year) i = 1-year time increment n = (year of the calculation) - (initial year of waste acceptance) j = 0.1-year time increment k = methane generation rate (year -1 ) L o = potential methane generation capacity (m 3 /Mg) In order to enable a comparison between the landfill option and the waste-to-energy option, a length of active operation of the landfill of 25 years has been assumed EPA Export :17:10:00

55 Indaver Cultural Heritage 16 CULTURAL HERITAGE 16.1 INTRODUCTION This application for the proposed amendments will have no impact on cultural heritage. The proposed amendments to the application now being submitted (as outlined in section 1.1), is for the same development, on the same site, but on a slightly reduced building footprint. The area of the site where the process building etc is located was stripped of topsoil between October 2008 and January 2009, limited archaeological activity was identified. This is discussed later in this chapter. It is considered that the archaeological impact assessment already undertaken in 2005 has comprehensively addressed the potential impacts of the proposed development on the archaeology of the site and its environs. As referred to above in , topsoil stripping associated with the construction of the proposed development was carried out and further information has become available resulting from the archaeological monitoring undertaken by Archaeological Development Services (ADS). A copy of this report is presented in Appendix These works were completed in February A summary of the assessment in 2005 along with the findings from the more recent surveys are presented in this chapter FIELD INSPECTION At the time of the site inspection in 2005, the site was composed of four fields bounded by hedgerows. No archaeological activity was recorded at the site. The site is located on the northern edge of a lowlying ridge, oriented N-S. It is overlooked by slightly higher ground in Cruicerath townland, immediately to the North; and by the Bellewstown ridge ca. 4km to the South. The boundary of the proposed development encloses an area of 25 acres in extent, however the actual footprint of the buildings will cover only approximately 10 acres of the site, with the remaining land utilised for landscaping to minimise the visual impacts of the facility. However for the purposes of the 2005 assessment the entire 25 acres were considered DESK BASED RESEARCH The following field walking and desk based research was undertaken as part of the 2006 EIS; An assessment of Journal and documentary research -Various published sources and artefact corpora were consulted. These did not reveal anything of archaeological significance relating to the proposed development site. An assessment of Cartographic Research A number of historical Ordnance Survey and other relevant maps were inspected. The timing of the formation of the various field boundaries was observed from historical Ordnance Survey Maps. Limestone deposits were noted between the railway line and the road. No other significant features were noted in the area EPA Export :17:10:00

56 Indaver Cultural Heritage An assessment of Aerial Photography- no features of archaeological interest were identified on the proposed development site or in the immediate area. An assessment of the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) and the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP)- -Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government- The SMR and RMP are lists of known archaeological sites compiled by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland from their files and from site visits carried out by archaeologists. The 2006 EIS study reviewed the SMR and RMP for each site. Where an archaeological site occurred all details were noted. There were no known archaeological sites recorded on the proposed development site in the Sites and Monuments Records. Four monuments were recorded in the vicinity. These comprised an Inland Promontory Fort at Platin (ME ), an Earthwork site at Cruicerath (ME ), a Soutterain at Bellewstown (ME ) and a Castle/Church at Platin (ME027-03). An assessment of the Topographic Files, Irish Antiquities Division, National Museum of Ireland- The townlands of Carranstown, Caulstown, Cruicerath and Newtown were searched in the Topographic Files of the National Museum of Ireland. Nothing was recorded as having come from the townland of Carranstown; one find was noted for Cruicerath (bronze pin dating from the early Christian period) and one from Newtown (a stone battle axe and stone hammer) INFORMATION FROM RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING Topsoil stripping is now largely complete and further archaeological information has become available from monitoring undertaken by ADS. A copy of their report is presented in Appendix In summary, the monitoring of topsoil removal and site development works was carried out over a period of 5 months from the September 2008 to the February Top soil removal and associated works included removal of hedge rows, cleaning out of drainage ditches and construction of perimeter fences. During these works, a total of five features were identified namely two isolated pits and a cluster of three pits. Please refer to Figure 16.1 attached for the location of the pits. The first two pits (Reference Pit 2 and Pit 6) in fields 1 and 2 were excavated in October 2008 while the final three pits (Reference Pit 9, Pit 13 and Pit 15) were identified in December 2008 and excavated in February It was concluded that Pits 2, 6 and 9 had potential archaeological significance while pits 13 and 15 were identified as potentially modern machine cut trenches. Excavation of Pits 6 and 9 recorded burnt and shattered heat stone, a type of material that is commonly associated with a site type known as burnt mounds. These sites consist of mounds of burnt and shattered heat stone generally associated with a trough which acted as a water container. Pits 6 and 9 were isolated pits without associated features or mounds of burnt stone and, as such; do not correspond with the classic description of these sites. It may be that these were features that were used 16-2 EPA Export :17:10:00

57 Indaver Cultural Heritage only on a small number of occasions. This type of feature has been documented from the Neolithic through to the medieval period with the majority of dated sites in use during the Bronze Age. The presence of burnt flint flake may be indicative of a prehistoric date for this feature. It is interpreted that Pit 2 which contained charcoal rich fills and burnt clay may represent a refuse pit filled with the remains of a fire. A piece of struck chert may indicate a prehistoric date for this feature. Also recovered during the topsoil removal but not directly related to any features were a number of lithic artefacts. These include a blade and a fragment of a scraper. Artefacts such as these are typical of the prehistoric period and the Neolithic and Bronze Age in particular. The flint blade was recovered close to Pit 6 and may have been associated with this feature PREDICTED IMPACTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT Direct Impacts. The 2005 study and the findings from the monitoring of topsoil stripping identified limited archaeological activity on the proposed development site. Three commonly occurring archaeological features i.e. possible burnt mounds and a possible refuse pit with fire have been assessed recorded and documented by ADS. Topsoil stripping is now largely complete. It is therefore unlikely that construction of the proposed development will have any impact on any further archaeological features which may survive below ground at the development site. The physical impact of the development due to its proximity to the World Heritage Site was considered in the 2006 EIS. The proposed facility is a minimum of 3km from the river valley and approximately 5km from the boundary of the World Heritage Site, sufficiently distant so as to render any archaeological impacts not significant. The UNESCO-ICOMOS monitoring mission which reported on the site in 2004, also considered the direct impacts and found that there were no grounds for believing that the construction of the proposed incinerator itself would have a direct impact on the outstanding universal value of the World heritage site. Any effect on possible archaeological sites of local interest within the application area would be mitigated by archaeological monitoring Indirect Impacts: Possible impacts were considered on the unique winter solstice event, when the rising sun on a number of days around December 22 nd shines directly into the passage at Newgrange, illuminating the floor of the burial chamber, deep within the body of the tomb. However, examination of the cartographic evidence shows that the development will be sited some considerable distance, c.3km to the east of the point on the Newgrange horizon, where the sun rises on the 22 nd. As far as the events at Newgrange are concerned the entire development will be completely masked by Redmountain ridge. In addition any 1 UNESCO-ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission report on the Archaeological Ensemble on the Bend of the Boyne (Ireland) February p EPA Export :17:10:00

58 Indaver Cultural Heritage impacts from vapours from the stack masking the event are addressed elsewhere, however they would have to travel some 3km to the west in order to have any effect. It should be noted that the development includes a heat exchanger which, the developers have assured, would eliminate any visible emission except on damp foggy days when the emissions would not be visible against background cloud. Visual impacts of the development on the World Heritage Site of the bend of the Boyne were also considered. The mass of Redmountain will mask the development from almost all of the core area of the World Heritage Site. The stack however will be visible from Dowth but not from Newgrange or Knowth. Therefore while there will be some visual impact on the World Heritage Site this impact will be minimum particularly when compared to the nearby cement factory. The UNESCO-ICOMOS report concurred stating that while the construction of the incinerator stack will be a visual intrusion, the mission considers that it would have a minimum impact on the world Heritage site compared with the existing cement factory nearby 2. A report entitled Assessment Of Air Quality Impact Of Carranstown Waste Management Facility At Bru Na Boinne was completed by AWN in March A USEPA approved air dispersion model was used to predict ground level concentrations at Bru na Boinne resulting from compounds emitted at the proposed facility at Carranstown. It was concluded that the impact of air emissions from the facility at Bru na Boinne will be insignificant. As is demonstrated in Chapter 7 Air Quality there is no significant change in the emissions from the development as modelled in 2006 and the proposed amended development. It has therefore not been necessary to reassess the impact on Bru na Boinne. A summary of the findings of this report is presented in Appendix Possible visual impacts from Bellewstown ridge were examined. The known upstanding archaeology of the Bellewstown ridge is limited to two small low tumuli and a church. The visual impact of the development on these sites will therefore not be significant. There will be some visual impact on the site of the Battle of the Boyne. Although noted in the Sites and Monument Record as located in the bend of the Boyne close to Oldbridge Obelisk, the battle site could be said to extend southwards as far as Donore Hill, the location of the Jacobite encampment, and as far north as the level ground around Townleyhall, the Williamite camp. The stack will be seen from some of these extended areas of the battlefield. However, the development will be some 3-4km distant from the closest point of the historic site and any impact will not be significant. In addition the UNESCO-ICOMOS mission concluded that the construction of the incinerator would not appear to preclude any possible interpretation of the course of the Battle 3. Finally, impacts on the ecclesiastical centre of Duleek, situated to the west of the proposed development, were addressed. The distance is in fact some 2km from the site at Carranstown to the centre of Duleek village. The village is recognised as an important archaeological and historical site. 2 ibid. p 4 3 ibid. p EPA Export :17:10:00

59 Indaver Cultural Heritage The early ecclesiastical core of the village has survived down to the present, with the original circular, concentric enclosures, such a distinctive feature of early Christian sites, surviving in the village street pattern. Development within the village has been low level with a number of important archaeological sites listed in the archaeological inventory. These include two high crosses, the remains of a round tower and a cross inscribed slab indicating it to be the site of the pre-norman St Ciaran s Church. The later medieval church survives in the form of a chancel and aisled nave. There are also the remains nearby of the medieval church of St Patrick. However, the development will have no direct impact on the archaeology of Duleek REMEDIAL & MITIGATION MEASURES 4 Although nothing of archaeological interest was noted during the field visit in 2005, a small number of common archaeological features have been encountered during subsequent soil stripping works. Works remain ongoing in relation to the finds; however it is initially proposed that the charcoal recovered be sent for species identification and then radio-carbon dating if suitable. This would allow the features be assigned to a more specific period. The flint artefacts recovered, both from the topsoil and from the excavated features, have been submitted for specialist analysis and the details will be included with the radiocarbon dates in a final report. This report will be provided to Meath County Council as soon as it becomes available. The development site is situated in a region that was important in Irish pre-historic and historic times. The fertile nature of this part of Meath also means it has been subject to intensive farming practices over a long period of time which may have resulted in the destruction of above ground archaeological features, traces of which may still survive beneath the present ground surface. recommended that: Therefore it is Any further topsoil stripping works at the site should continue to be monitored by a suitably qualified archaeologist as required by Planning Condition 10 of the existing planning permission. Should any archaeological discoveries be made during construction it is the responsibility of the finder, under the terms of the National Monuments Act (1930 & amendments), to immediately report their discovery to the Duty Officer of the National Museum of Ireland. Any archaeological discoveries should also be reported to the heritage authorities in the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government. These institutions can be contacted at: National Museum of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin 2 Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dun Sceine Harcourt Lane Dublin 2 4 All archaeological recommendations are subject to the approval of the relevant statutory authorities EPA Export :17:10:00

60 Indaver Cultural Heritage Tel: Fax: Tel: Fax: 16-6 EPA Export :17:10:00

61 Pit LEGEND Site Boundary Improved agricultural grassland Arable crops Spoil & bare ground Hedgerow (intact) Hedgerow (gappy) Treeline Drainage ditch Archeological Pit Location N Railway Line Pit 9 Pit 12 Pit 13 Pit 2 Pit 6 Tributary of River Nanny METRES NOTE: Drawing is for diagrammatic purposes only. No measurements to be taken. Indaver Habitat Archeological Map Pit Locations Job No. CE07624 Date. Aug Figure No Finalised By - DMcD Office Drawn By: J Farrar - CS2,Illustrator WYG Ireland WYG

62 Appendix 16.1 ADS Archaeological Monitoring Report EPA Export :17:10:00

63 Licence No: 08E0670 Planning Ref. No: SA/60050 Report on Archaeological Monitoring At Carranstown, Co. Meath. Client: Indaver Ireland Author: Dáire Leahy Date of Field Work: September 2008 February 2009 Submission Date: March 2009 EPA Export :17:10:00

64 EPA Export :17:10:00

65 Report on Archaeological Monitoring At Carranstown, Co. Meath. Client: Indaver Ireland Planning Ref. No: SA/60050 Licence No: 08E0670 Author: Dáire Leahy Date of Field Work: September February 2009 Submission Date: March 2009 Archaeological Development Services Ltd EPA Export :17:10:00

66 EPA Export :17:10:00

67 Archaeological Development Services Ltd ABSTRACT Monitoring of topsoil removal was conducted prior to the construction of the Waste to Energy facility at Carranstown, Co. Meath. The monitoring was carried out between September 2008 and January A total of five features were uncovered during the course of the works and these were subsequently excavated in February Two of these were isolated, unrelated pits while the remaining three occurred in a cluster at the southwest of the site. Three of the features were archaeological, possibly prehistoric, and the remaining two were modern, machine cut features. Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 2 EPA Export :17:10:00

68 Archaeological Development Services Ltd TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract... 2 Table of Contents... 3 Figures... 4 Plates Introduction Reasons for Monitoring requirement The Development Site Description Monitoring Results Pit [2] Pit [6] Pit [9] Pit [13] Pit [15] Discussion and Conclusions Recommendations References Appendix I: Context Log Appendix II: Sample Log Appendix III: Finds Log Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 3 EPA Export :17:10:00

69 Archaeological Development Services Ltd FIGURES Fig. 1 Site location map. Fig. 2 Location of archaeological features. Fig. 3 Post-excavation plan of [2]. Fig. 4 Northeast facing section through [2] Fig. 5 Post-excavation plan of [6]. Fig. 6 North facing section through [6]. Fig. 7 Pre-excavation plan of [9], [13] and [15]. Fig. 8 Post-excavation plan of [9]. Fig. 9 West facing section through [9]. Fig. 10 West facing section through [13]. Fig. 11 West facing section through [15]. PLATES Plate 1 Post-excavation shot of [2], from the northwest. Plate 2 Northeast facing section through [2]. Plate 3 Post-excavation shot of [6], from the north Plate 4 North facing section through [6]. Plate 5 Post-excavation shot of [9], from the northwest. Plate 6 Northeast facing section through [9]. Plate 7 West facing section through [13]. Plate 8 West facing section through [15]. Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 4 EPA Export :17:10:00

70 EPA Export :17:10:00

71 Archaeological Development Services Ltd Report on Archaeological Monitoring 1. INTRODUCTION Planning permission for the construction of a waste to energy facility at Carranstown, Co. Meath (Fig. 1) was received by Indaver Ireland in 2008 (Planning Ref. SA/60050). The first phase of works associated with the construction of the facility, involving topsoil removal and site preparation, began in September 2008 and continued until the end of January The excavation of the archaeological features was completed in February As per condition 10 of the planning permission the presence of an archaeologist during all development works was required. The archaeological presence was initially provided by Eoin Corcoran and subsequently by the author for Archaeological Development Services (ADS) Ltd. 2. REASONS FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING The requirements of condition 10 of the planning permission resulted from the presence of a number of archaeological monuments in the close vicinity of the proposed development site. However, there were no known archaeological monuments within the area of the proposed development. The monuments in the vicinity included a possible fulacht fiadh (ME ), an inland promontory fort (ME ), an earthwork (ME ), a souterrain (ME ) and the site of a church/castle. Monitoring of the extensive works at the nearby Platin Quarry has, over the years, revealed a number of archaeological features. In 2002, monitoring revealed a fulacht fiadh (Deehane 2002). That site was excavated in 2003 and the excavator recorded five pits, four possible structures, a trough and a burnt spread (Deehane 2003a). Further monitoring in 2003 (Deehane 2003b) uncovered a barrow (30540, 27117), two more fulachta fiadh, a medieval settlement (2003b & d), an enclosure, a Neolithic structure and various pits (Deehane 2003c). In 2004 another fulacht fiadh and a series of prehistoric features containing pottery were excavated (Deehane 2004 & O Carroll 2004). In addition some stray finds have been found in the neighbouring townlands of Carranstown. A bronze pin (NMI reg. 1933:580) was found in a quarry at Cruicerath and a battle axe and hammer (NMI reg. L1934:7-8) were found near White Rock in Newtown. Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 5 EPA Export :17:10:01

72 Archaeological Development Services Ltd 3. THE DEVELOPMENT The development is to consist of the construction of a 70 megawatt waste to energy facility that will include a main process building incorporating a waste reception hall, waste bunker operations, boiler/grate furnace, ash bunker, flue gas treatment building, associated access galleries and a flue stack. In addition there will be a turbine unit, cooler building, pump-house building and water storage tank. Also to be constructed are an education centre/workshop/warehouse building, a transformer compound, contractor laydown area, car parking spaces, an electrical switch room and an on-site effluent treatment system. The development will also involve the realignment of the R152, along the road frontage of the site. 3. SITE DESCRIPTION The site is situated between the village of Duleek, to the southwest, and the Platin Cement factory, to the northwest. It is bounded on its east/southeast side by the R152 Duleek to Drogheda road. To the west and the immediate south the site is bordered by agricultural land. Prior to the development the site comprised three fields, each planted with potatoes and consisted of approximately 25 acres in total. Two fields occupied the southeastern portion of the site and the remainder was occupied by a single, large field. Each of the fields were separated by hedge rows and an associated ditch. Between the site and the R152 the site was bounded by a low bank lined with mature trees and, towards the northeast end of the perimeter, by a concrete fence. The land contained within the site was at its highest in the northeast corner, from where it sloped gradually to the south and southwest. To the west the slope increased leading to the base of a shallow, north to south oriented valley. The western boundary of the site coincided with the base of the valley and from here the topography rose again with the crest of this hill forming the horizon to the west of the site. To the northeast views were dominated by the extensive works at Platin quarry and cement factory. Vegetation lining a train line obscured the view to the north but prior to the construction of the train line the view would have been dominated by the rise of Cruicerath Hill to the northwest and Platin Hill to the northeast. More extensive views are offered by the low lying lands to the east of the site. 4. MONITORING RESULTS The monitoring of topsoil removal and site development works was carried out over a period of five months from the 4 th of September 2008 to the 9th of February In addition to the removal of topsoil from across the site associated works included the removal of hedge rows, the cleaning out of drainage ditches and the construction of perimeter fences. All of these activities, where they had a subsurface impact, were conducted under archaeological supervision. Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 6 EPA Export :17:10:01

73 Archaeological Development Services Ltd Due to the presence of a high voltage power line and a natural gas main, two linear areas of the site were not completely stripped of topsoil. The exceptions included two machine crossing points under the high voltage power line and a linear section, of approximately 80m, of the gas main which was partially excavated and protected with a layer of reinforced concrete slabs. The removal of topsoil was completed using both tracked machines, fitted with toothless, grading buckets, and bulldozers. The depth of topsoil cover across the site varied between 0.1m at the southwest corner to 0.35m across the remainder of the site. It consisted of dark brown silty clay, becoming lighter towards the base where it became mixed with the underlying glacial till. This material consisted of light brown to orange gritty clay with occasional patches of grey to brown sand and fine gravel. A total of five features were identified during the course of topsoil removal, namely two isolated pits and a cluster of three pits. The first two pits, in fields 1 and 2 were excavated on the 1 st of October, while the final three pits, in field 3, were uncovered at the beginning of December and subsequently excavated on the 9 th of February Each pit was assigned an individual context number; pit in Field 1: [2], pit in Field 2: [6] and the pits in Field 3: [9], [13] and [15]. 4.1 PIT [2] This feature was located in Field 1, towards its northeast corner and hence was situated near the highest point on the site, at NGR (Fig. 2). The cut of this pit [2] was oval in plan with uneven, steeply sloping sides which sloped down to a rounded, elongated base (Fig 3, Plate 1). It contained a series of three fills. The upper fill (3) consisted of light grey/brown, silty clay deposit with moderate charcoal flecking throughout the fill and occasional small stones. Below this was a second fill (4) which was dark grey, silty clay with frequent charcoal lumps. Several fragments of burnt clay were recovered from this fill. The basal fill (5) of this pit consisted of light brown gritty, clayey silt with occasional charcoal flecking (Fig. 4, Plate 2). A burnt flint flake fragment was found within this fill. 4.2 PIT [6] This feature was located, to the southwest of Pit [1], some 4m to the south of the field boundary separating fields 1 and 2 at NGR (Fig. 2). The cut of this pit [6] was roughly circular in plan, with steeply to gradually sloping sides and a flat base (Fig. 5, Plate 3). It measured 1.2m by 0.95m in width, 0.11m in depth and contained two separate deposits (Fig. 6, Plate 4). The upper fill (7) consisted of very well compacted light brown gritty clay with occasional charcoal flecking and occasional stones. The basal fill (8) was very compacted dark grey silty clay with moderate charcoal flecking and frequent angular Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 7 EPA Export :17:10:01

74 Archaeological Development Services Ltd stones, which may have been burnt. A possibly struck chert chunk was recovered from this fill. 4.3 PIT [9] This feature occurred towards the southwest corner of the site at NGR It was located approximately 10m northeast of pit [13] and 18m northeast of pit [15] (Figs 7 and 8, Plate 5). The cut of this pit [9] was roughly circular in plan with steeply sloping sides and a stepped base, with the western half of the pit having been c. 0.14m deeper than the eastern part. The pit measured 1.28 by 0.89m and from 0.2 to 0.34m in depth. It contained three fills. The upper fill (10) consisted of very compact light brown/yellow silty clay which extended across the western part of the pit and partly sealed the underlying deposit (11). This upper fill, (10), appears to have been a layer of redeposited natural subsoil. The fill (11) was visible prior to excavation in the eastern part of the cut. It consisted of moderately compact dark brown silty clay which was charcoal rich and had frequent inclusions of burnt angular stones. The basal fill (12) was sealed by (11) and partly sealed by (10) for approximately 0.15m to the west of the cut. This fill (12) consisted of moderately compact medium brown/grey clay with occasional charcoal inclusions and occasional burnt stones (Fig. 9, Plate 6). 4.4 PIT [13] This feature also occurred towards the southwest corner of the site at NGR It was located approximately 10m southeast of pit [9] and 5m northeast of pit [15] (Fig. 7). The cut of this pit was linear in plan with sharp vertical sides and measured 1.35m wide and was over 0.7m deep. A section was excavated though this pit but it was not excavated completely as it was interpreted as a modern machine cut trench. The pit contained a single fill (14) which was very loose brown/grey gravely sand that contained pockets of redeposited sod and clay. This fill contained a number of pieces of modern glass and coal (Fig. 10, Plate 7). 4.5 PIT [15] This feature occurred at NGR It was located approximately 18m southeast of Pit [9] and 5m southeast of Pit [13] (Fig. 7). The cut of this pit was linear in plan with sharp vertical sides and measured 1.5m wide and was over 0.6m deep. A section was excavated though this pit but it not excavated completely as it was interpreted as a modern machine cut trench. The pit contained a single fill (16) which was very loose brown/grey gravely sand which contained pockets of redeposited sod and clay. This pit appears to have been cut at the same time as pit [4] (Fig. 11, Plate 8). 5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS During the of monitoring of topsoil removal and site preparation works a total of five features were identified, namely two isolated pits and a cluster of three pits. All features Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 8 EPA Export :17:10:01

75 Archaeological Development Services Ltd were fully resolved through excavation. Pits [2], [6] and [9] were archaeological in nature, while pits [13] and [15] appear to be modern machine cut trenches. Two of the three archaeological features contained burnt and heat shattered stone, a type of material is usually associated with the site-type known as burnt mounds. These sites consist of mounds of burnt and heat shattered stone generally associated with a trough which acted as a water container. Stones were heated in a fire and dumped into the water for the purpose of heating the water. This process caused the stones to crack and this waste stone built up to form the burnt mound. These were isolated pits without associated features or mounds of burnt stone and, as such, do not correspond with the classic description of these sites. However, it may be that these two features represented the employment of this technology on a very limited basis, with each pit having function as a trough but only a small number of occasions. This burnt stone technology had been shown to have been used from the Neolithic through to the medieval period, with the majority of the dated sites having been in use during the Bronze Age. The recovery of a burnt flint flake from [6] may be indicative of a prehistoric date for this feature. Pit [2] that contained charcoal rich fills and burnt clay may represent a refuse pit filled with the remains of a fire. As with [6], a piece of possibly struck chert from the basal fill of this feature may also suggest a prehistoric date for this feature. Recovered during the topsoil removal, but not directly related to any features were a number of lithic artefacts (see below, section 7). These included a blade and a fragment of a scraper. Artefacts such as these are typical of the prehistoric period, in particular of the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. One of these objects (the flint blade) was recovered from the vicinity of [6] and may have been associated with this feature. In the absence of direct associations this material can be interpreted as a general indicator of prehistoric activity in the area. 7. RECOMMENDATIONS All archaeological features on this site have been fully resolved and the remainder of the site was devoid of any archaeological remains. It is therefore deemed that no further onsite archaeological work is necessary in relation to this development. However, should the areas under the high voltage power line, over the gas main or under the berms ever be the subject of further development, involving subsurface disturbance, it is recommended that these works be carried out under archaeological supervision. Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 9 EPA Export :17:10:01

76 Archaeological Development Services Ltd Charcoal was recovered from each of the three archaeological features. It is recommended that this material be sent to a specialist for species identification and then, should the species be suitable, that the samples be submitted for radiocarbon dating. This should allow for the features to be assigned to a more specific period. The flint artefacts recovered, both from the topsoil and from the excavated features, should be submitted for specialist analysis and the details included with the radiocarbon dates in a final report. The recommendations in this report are subject to the approval of the relevant authorities. The developer s attention is drawn to the relevant sections of the National Monuments Legislation , which state that in the event of the discovery of archaeological finds or remains that the relevant authorities, that is the National Monuments Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG) and the National Museum of Ireland should be notified immediately. These institutions can be contacted at: National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. National Monuments Service Dún Scéine, Harcourt Lane Tel.: Dublin 2 Fax.: Tel.: Fax.: Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 10 EPA Export :17:10:01

77 Archaeological Development Services Ltd 6. REFERENCES Deehane, G Carranstown Fulacht fiadh 02E :1435 In I. Bennett s (ed.) Excavations 2002: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Dublin. Wordwell. Deehane, G. 2003a Carranstown Monitoring 02E1306 ext. 2003:1366. In I. Bennett s (ed.) Excavations 2003: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Dublin. Wordwell. Deehane, G. 2003b Carranstown Monitoring 02E1716 ext. 2003:1367 In I. Bennett s (ed.) Excavations 2003: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Dublin. Wordwell. Deehane, G. 2003c Carranstown Barrow? 03E :1368 In I. Bennett s (ed.) Excavations 2003: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Dublin. Wordwell. Deehane, G. 2003d Cruicerath and Carranstown Monitoring 02E :1379 In I. Bennett s (ed.) Excavations 2003: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Dublin. Wordwell. Deehane, G Carranstown Fulacht fiadh etc. 03E :1195 In I. Bennett s ed. Excavations 2004: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Dublin. Wordwell. O Carroll, E Carranstown Prehistoric 2004:1196. In I. Bennett s ed. Excavations 2004: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Dublin. Wordwell. Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 11 EPA Export :17:10:01

78 Archaeological Development Services Ltd 7. APPENDIX I: CONTEXT LIST Context Description of Context 1 Topsoil. Dark brown silty clay that covered the entirety of the site Cut of pit. Irregular in plan with steeply sloping sides and a rounded base. It measured 1.04 by 0.8m in width and 0.45m in depth. Filled by deposits (3), (4) and (5). Upper fill of [2]. Light grey/brown silty clay with moderate charcoal flecking and occasional stones (0.04m 3 ). It measured 0.41 by 0.5m in width and 0.14m in depth. Overlay (4). Fill of [2]. Dark grey silty clay with very frequent charcoal flecking. It measured 0.9 by 0.78m in width and up to 0.2m in depth. Overlay (5). Contained burnt clay Basal fill of [2]. Light brown gritty clayey silt with occasional charcoal flecking. It measured 0.9 by 0.5m in width and 0.25m in depth. Contained burnt flint flake. Cut of pit. Oval in plan with gradually sloping sides and a flat base. It measured 0.95 by 1.2m in width and 0.11m in depth. Filled by (7) and (8). Upper fill of [6]. Well compacted light brown gritty clay with occasional charcoal flecking and occasional stones (0.04m 3 ). It measured 0.55 by 0.63m in width and 0.04m in depth. Overlay (8). Basal fill of [6]. Compact dark grey silty clay with moderately frequent charcoal flecking and frequent angular stones (possibly burnt m 3 ). Contained a chunk of possibly struck chert. Cut of pit. Subrectangular in plan with steeply sloping sides and a flat, stepped base. It measured 0.89 by 1.28m in width and between 0.2 and 0.34m in depth. Filled by (10), (11) and (12). Fill of [9]. Compact light brown/yellow silty clay with occasional pebbles. It measured 0.53 by 0.98m in width and 0.25m in depth. Overlay (11). Fill of [9]. Moderately compact dark brown silty clay with frequent charcoal flecking and frequent fragments of burnt and heat shattered stone. It measured 0.6 by 0.66m in width and 0.34m in depth. Underlay (10) and overlay (11). Fill of [9]. Moderately compact mid grey/brown clay with occasional charcoal flecking and occasional fragments of burnt and heat shattered stone. It measured 0.4 by 0.89m in width and 0.1m in depth. Underlay (11). Cut of pit. Not fully excavated. Subrectangular in plan with rounded corners and steeply sloping/vertical sides. It measured 1.35m in width and 2.8m in length. Filled by (14). Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 12 EPA Export :17:10:01

79 Archaeological Development Services Ltd Context Description of Context Fill of [13]. Loose, grey/brown gravelly sand with pockets of sod and clay. It measured 1.5m in maximum width and 0.7m+ in depth. Contained modern glass and coal. Cut of pit. Not fully excavated. Subrectangular in plan with rounded corners and steeply sloping sides. It measured 1.5m in maximum width, 5.1m in length and 0.5m+ in depth. Fill of [15]. Loose, grey/brown gravelly sand with pockets of sod and clay. It measured 1.5m in maximum width, 5.1m in length and 0.5m+ in depth. Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 13 EPA Export :17:10:01

80 Archaeological Development Services Ltd 8. APPENDIX II: SAMPLE LOG Sample Context No. of Reason for sampling No. No. bags Charcoal for radiocarbon dating Charcoal for radiocarbon dating Charcoal for radiocarbon dating Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 14 EPA Export :17:10:01

81 Archaeological Development Services Ltd 9. APPENDIX III: FINDS LOG Context Type Description No. 1 Flint Broken flint scraper 1 Flint Flint blade 1 Flint Retouched flint flake 1 Flint Flint debitage 4 Clay Several fragments of burnt clay 5 Flint Fragment of burnt flint flake 8 Chert Possibly struck chert chunk Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 15 EPA Export :17:10:01

82 EPA Export :17:10:01

83 FIGURES & PLATES EPA Export :17:10:01

84 EPA Export :17:10:01

85 Archaeological Development Services Ltd SITE FIG 1: Site location Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 19 EPA Export :17:10:01

86 Archaeological Development Services Ltd location of Pit 2 location of Pit 9 location of Pit 13 location of Pit 15 location of Pit 6 R152 N m FIG 2: Location of the archaeological features Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 20 EPA Export :17:10:01

87 Archaeological Development Services Ltd A B B (3) [2] A natural (4) (5) [2] m N 0 2 m FIG 3: Post-excavation plan of [2] FIG 4: Northeast facing section through [2] D N C (8) [6] C [6] D m 0 2 m FIG 5: Post-excavation plan of [6] FIG 6: North facing section through [6] Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 21 EPA Export :17:10:02

88 Archaeological Development Services Ltd [15] E F [13] C D [9] A B N 0 10 m FIG 7: Pre-excavation plan of [9], [13] and [15] B [9] A N 0 1 m A Redeposited sod and clay Stone B (12) (11) [9] m FIG 9: West facing section through [9] FIG 8: Post-excavation plan of [9] C D E F (14) [13] (16) [15] not fully excavated not fully excavated 0 1 m 0 1 m FIG 10: West facing section through [13] FIG 11: West facing section through [15] Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 22 EPA Export :17:10:02

89 Archaeological Development Services Ltd PLATE 1: Post-excavation shot of [2], from the northwest PLATE 2: Northeast facing section through [2] Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 23 EPA Export :17:10:02

90 Archaeological Development Services Ltd PLATE 3: Post-excavation shot of [6], from the from the north PLATE 4: North facing section through [6] Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 24 EPA Export :17:10:02

91 Archaeological Development Services Ltd PLATE 5: Post-excavation shot of [9] from the northwest PLATE 6: Northeast facing section through [9] PLATE 7: West facing section through [13] Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 25 EPA Export :17:10:02

92 Archaeological Development Services Ltd PLATE 8: West facing section through [15] Archaeological Monitoring at Carranstown, Co. Meath 26 EPA Export :17:10:02

93 Appendix 16.2 AWN Summary of Air Impacts at Bru na Boinne (2006) EPA Export :17:10:02

94 Summary Of Air Impacts At Brú Na Boinne The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) approved AERMOD dispersion model has been used to predict the ground level concentrations (GLC) at Brú na Boinne resulting from compounds emitted from Carranstown Waste Management Facility. Modelling results for the facility indicate that the ambient ground level concentrations at Brú na Boinne resulting from the Waste Management Facility are significantly below the relevant air quality standards for all species. The results for NO 2 indicate that levels at Brú na Boinne reach only 1% of the limit value. With regard to SO 2, the predicted levels at Brú na Boinne will reach at most 0.5% of the limit value, and for all other species modelled, the predicted levels at Brú na Boinne will reach less than 1% of their respective limit values. Levels of all species are significantly lower than the Human and Ecosystem Standards set by the EU and other European bodies. Thus, the impact air emissions from the Carranstown Waste Management Facility at Brú na Boinne will be insignificant. Although there are no specific EU standards relating to the maximum levels of ambient air pollutants on stonework or historical monuments, the focus has been on reducing the emissions of the precursors to acid rain such as NO X, SO 2 and VOCs. The 1999 Gothenburg Protocol to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, is one such agreement which has set stringent emissions ceilings for NO X and SO 2 (emissions of SO 2 and NO X will be reduced by 76% and 43% compared to 1990 levels by 2010). This Protocol has recently been passed into Irish legislation as S.I. No. 10 of To put the current facility in context, emissions of NO X, SO 2 and VOCs from Carranstown Waste Management Facility will reach at most 0.4% of their National Emissions Ceilings in EPA Export :17:10:02

95 Indaver Material Assets 17. MATERIAL ASSETS 17.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter evaluates the impacts, if any, which the development will have on material assets. This chapter has been revised to reflect the impact on material assets as a result of the proposed amendments to the existing permission. Material assets are defined in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advice notes on current practice in the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments, 2003 as resources that are valued and that are intrinsic to specific places, they may be either human or natural origin and the value may arise for either economic or cultural reasons. The assessment of cultural heritage is discussed under Section 16; therefore, this section will evaluate the economic assets only. Economic assets will be discussed under the following areas including: Ownership and access Local settlement Electricity supply Traffic Water Supply and Usage Waste Management Agriculture Tourism Natural Resources 17.2 OWNERSHIP AND ACCESS Indaver Ireland is a wholly owned subsidiary of Indaver NV and was granted full planning permission for the development of a 70 MW Waste to Energy Plant at a site in 2007 in Carranstown, Duleek, Co Meath. Indaver Ireland is now applying for planning permission to make amendments to the development that already has planning permission. The plant will accept non-hazardous waste on lands in the town land of Carranstown, Duleek, County Meath. The facility will be located on an area of approximately 10 hectares (25 acres) which had been previously used for agricultural purposes. The area of the site for development will be approximately 2 hectares (5 acres), with the remaining areas of the site to be utilised for landscaping to minimise the visual impact of the facility. This environmental impact assessment evaluates the 10 hectare (25 acres) site in its entirety EPA Export :17:10:02

96 Indaver Material Assets 17.3 LOCAL SETTLEMENT The nearest local settlements adjacent to the development are the town of Duleek and the village of Donore in County Meath. Duleek is located approximately 2.7 km to the south west of the facility and Donore is approximately 2.6km northwest of the proposed site. These local settlements are evaluated in detail in Section 6 Human Beings. Drogheda town is located about 4km to the north east of the site. The local settlements within a 3km radius of the proposed facility are discussed in Section 6 Human Beings Property Prices waste to energy facility, Vienna City Centre The National Society for Clean Air in the UK in its report entitled Public Acceptability of Incineration state that property values are frequently an initial concern, but there is no evidence over time of any significant real impact, beyond that likely from any other industrial development. The document quotes research in North America which has unequivocally shown that: During the proposal, planning and construction stages for an incinerator (as for any large industrial project) there is a short-term impact on property values in the immediate vicinity. Much of this is a result of uncertainty while deliberations continue. Once the facility is operational, property values have been shown to recover. In developments of all sizes, types and scales there are often short-term impacts on adjoining assets and properties. This is due to the precautionary nature of people to purchase at a time of construction. It is unlikely that the facility will impact on property prices other than during this period. It is likely that the perceived belief that there will be long-term negative impact due to the location of the incinerator is based on mis-information regarding the facility s impact on public health or the environment. It is more likely that once the facility is operational, impact on property values would be eliminated. There are over 350 municipal waste incinerators operating in Europe. In line with the proximity principle, many are located in cities, suburbs and other areas close to the main source of waste generation. To date, it appears that the findings of research to determine whether a waste-to-energy facility will have a significant long-term effect on property prices within the area of the facility have been insignificant or inconclusive EPA Export :17:10:02

97 Indaver Material Assets 17.4 ELECTRICITY SUPPLY As noted in Section 5, the amendments to the 70 MW Waste to Energy Plant will now result in generation of approximately 18MW of electrical output. It will still require 3MW to meet the electrical demands of the facility itself leaving 15MW to be diverted to the National Grid. The waste to energy plant will export electricity to the local electrical distribution system via a 38 kv line to Rathmullan Substation about 2.5km north of the site. In the 2006 application it was envisaged that a 20kV overhead line connection would be installed and this was based on the best information available at that time. However, Indaver subsequently made an application to ESB networks for a connection offer and Indaver were advised that 38kV infrastructure would be utilised. The line will be installed as an underground cable and hence will not have any visual impact. Planning permission is not required for an underground cable of this size and the final route for the cable will be determined by the ESB. Due to the layout of the facility and its location to the northerly end of the site, there will be no requirement to divert the existing 110 kv lines traversing the site. See Section 5 for more information on the site and scheme description TRANSPORT Details regarding the road network are discussed under Section 13, Traffic WATER SUPPLY AND USAGE Process Water As the plant uses an effluent free flue gas cleaning process and an air cooled condenser rather than cooling towers it has a significantly lower water requirement than would otherwise be the case. The water requirement for the process has been reduced from 11.6m 3 per hour to 8.5m 3 per hour. The major water requirement will be for flue gas cleaning. Process water (for the steam cycle), drinking water, domestic potable water and water for cleaning account for the rest of the demand. The expected water requirements are listed in Table EPA Export :17:10:02

98 Indaver Material Assets Table 17.1 Water requirement Use Quality Quantity (m 3 /hr) Flue gas cleaning Well water 3.3 Process (steam cycle) Well water 1.0 Drinking Water Potable water 1.0 Cleaning & Domestic Supplies Well water 1.0 Fire fighting Well water 0.2 Total 8.5 The raw water requirement will be supplied by groundwater abstraction and a small supply of potable water from the local water main. Approximately 1m 3 /hr will be required from Meath County Council s water main on the R152 for potable supplies. Well trials on site indicated that the aquifer has more than adequate capacity to supply the required quantity of water without any significant impact on groundwater levels. This is further detailed in Section 10, Groundwater. The water used in lime milk preparation and in the cooling process is evaporated and only solid waste is produced. This eliminates any process water discharge from the facility as no aqueous effluent is generated. This is further explained in Section 5, Description of Proposed Development. During shutdowns (once or twice per year), the boiler water system will be drained down. This is clean de-mineralised water and the boiler can hold up to 130m 3. This clean water will be discharged to the stormwater system on site Potable Water The mains water supply piped along the R152 road supplies many of the residential dwellings in the area. The Limestone aquifer in the area is also used by a number of groundwater abstractors (See Section 11, Surface Water). The development will use a small quantity of mains water as a potable supply. This is currently supplied to the site via a 1 connection from the mains water on the R Fire Water/ Water Storage Tank In the event of a fire breaking out in the bunker, the area of waste on fire can be controlled by placing it into the furnace and covering with a layer of waste. However in the unlikely event of the fire not being detected in time, a number of water cannons located in the bunker will be activated to put it out. All firewater will be contained in the bunker eliminating the need for a firewater retention pond EPA Export :17:10:02

99 Indaver Material Assets Foul Water During the construction phase domestic effluent generated on site will discharge to temporary sewage containment facilities prior to transport and treatment off site. During the operational phase domestic sewage from toilets, changing and kitchen areas will discharge via the foul drainage system into an on site effluent treatment system which will then pass through a percolation area to ground. The percolation area will be constructed in accordance with the guidelines in the EPA s Wastewater Treatment Manual. It is proposed that there will be two such percolation areas, one for the main process building facilities and one for the security gatehouse. There will be no trade effluent discharged from the site to the local surface water or foul drainage system Surface Water Details of the proposed surface water management system are described in Section 11, Surface Water WASTE MANAGEMENT Construction Phase Disposal of waste during the construction phase is described in Section 18, Construction Activities Operational Phase Provisions for the installation of recycling collection bins will be provided on site where necessary. Domestic waste generated on site from canteen areas etc will be recycled where appropriate and where disposal is required this will be conducted by Indaver. Any hazardous waste generated on site including cleaning agents, oils, batteries, paints etc will be sent to an Environmental Protection Agency approved waste disposal company for appropriate disposal/ recovery. The operational waste residues produced in the facility are described in detail in Section 5. Based on a maximum annual operating capacity of 200,000 tonnes of waste, the main operational wastes are: Bottom Ash (Approximately 50,000 tonnes/yr) Boiler Ash (Approximately 3,000 tonnes/yr) Flue gas cleaning residues (Approximately 10,000 tonnes/yr) The treatment and disposal of these waste residues are discussed in detail in Section EPA Export :17:10:02

100 Indaver Material Assets Bottom Ash Re-Use Options This ash residue is expected to be non-hazardous and the determination of its classification is described in Section 5. If a market for recycled bottom ash comes available in the future, then an ash recycling plant may be built in Ireland. If such an option were available in Ireland then the bottom ash would be sent there. In the absence of such a facility, the bottom ash will be sent to a licensed non-hazardous waste landfill. Indaver Ireland will dispose of bottom ash to appropriate EPA licensed landfill facilities. EPA licensed landfills located in counties Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan would be suitable for the disposal of this material. Elsewhere in the EU including Belgium, bottom ash from waste incineration is recovered and used in road construction, as railway ballast or as a substitute covering material on landfill, following treatment in an ash recycling plant. Bottom ash has also been trialed in Taiwan as an aggregate for use in concrete production, asphalt concrete production and bricks. Studies in the UK have found that the fine fraction of MSW bottom ash from the incineration of non-hazardous waste can be processed to form new ceramic materials using conventional ceramic processing technology (Bethanis, et al. 2004). If the ash is to be used for road construction it must generally be of a different grade (higher quality) than if it were to be disposed of in landfill. At present there is no Irish or European legislation or standard in place to govern the quality of ash for use in roads. This improvement in quality can be achieved by treating the ash in an ash recovery plant. In Germany the quality standard of ash for use in road construction is defined by the Federal Working Group on Waste (LAGA) and is based on leachate tests. The volume of ash produced by a Waste-to-Energy plant is only 10% of the volume of waste and therefore requires less landfill capacity to dispose of it than sending MSW directly to landfill. In addition, due to the inert nature of the ash it will have less adverse impacts than untreated waste which is currently being landfilled. For further information regarding ash outputs and handling see Section 5, Description of Proposed Development EPA Export :17:10:02

101 Indaver Material Assets 17.8 AGRICULTURE As noted in Section 1 the proposed facility will be located on an area of 25 acres. The development will be constructed on the site lands in question and not on any additional agricultural lands. Therefore a statistical farm survey, which would evaluate land take or severance factors, was not necessary. Historically, the site has been used as agricultural land and tillage farming (potatoes). Considerable research has been undertaken to study the impact of waste-to-energy facilities on food produce. Some research papers have established a link between the operation of facilities within, or in exceedence of, old emission limits and elevated levels of pollutants in food produce. Many of these studies were on incinerators without gas cleaning systems or energy recovery. The findings of such studies are not directly comparable with the waste-to-energy facility. To date, there is no evidence to suggest that waste-to-energy facilities operating within the stringent emission limits set down in EC Directive 2000/76 on the Incineration of Waste will impact on food produce. These stringent emission limits and the World Health Organisation Guidelines have been developed to prevent any impact on public health or the environment, including agriculture. Operating well within these standards will ensure that there will be no negative impacts on agricultural practices. It has also been suggested that the development of waste-to-energy as part of an integrated waste management system will damage Ireland s green image and will leave the country at a competitive disadvantage to other green food producing countries such as New Zealand, which currently does not include incineration as part of its waste management policy. Incinerator in Majorca Incinerator in Madeira The New Zealand Government has produced a national dioxin inventory which states that the main source of dioxins in the environment is uncontrolled fires. The report states that: It is clear that landfill fires do occur at an unacceptable rate in New Zealand. The emission of dioxins in New Zealand is estimated to be between 14 and 51 g I-TEQ per year as compared to dioxin emissions of between 25 and 39 g I-TEQ per year in Ireland EPA Export :17:10:02

102 Indaver Material Assets In a report entitled An Action Plan for Reducing Discharges of Dioxin to Air the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment state that: State of the art municipal waste incinerators that are operated well could decrease the incidence of landfill fires, and could therefore result in an overall reduction in dioxin discharges. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland in its report entitled Report on waste incineration and possible contamination of the food supply with dioxins states that FSAI considers that such incineration facilities, if properly managed, will not contribute to dioxin levels in the food supply to any significant extent and will not affect food quality or safety. The risks to health and sustainable development presented by the continued dependency on landfill as a method of waste disposal far outweigh any possible effects on food safety and quality. (Report on Waste Incineration and possible contamination of the food supply with dioxins, Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 2003) As part of the EPA licence for operation of the facility, the Agency will carry out a programme of monitoring in the areas around the waste-to-energy facility. It is expected that the programme will include monitoring of food produce in the vicinity in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Due to the strict emissions controls and regulatory compliance that the plant will be working under, no significant negative impacts to adjacent agricultural lands are expected. The potential impacts of this development to agriculture is addressed in relation to soils and discussed in greater detail in Section 10 (Soils and Geology). Likewise the assimilative capacity of air and water and their respective potential impacts are discussed in Sections 7 and 10 respectively. See Section 6 for potential impact to human health TOURISM Tourism is discussed under Section 6, Human Beings THE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES In so far as possible, construction materials will be from local sources and all imported material that will be used on site will be from approved sources. Further details regarding the construction of the development are outlined in Section EPA Export :17:10:02