BROGBOROUGH WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

Transcription

1 BROGBOROUGH WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT FCC Environment Ltd [ A] [Final]

2

3 Brogborough Wind Energy Development Prepared for FCC Environment Ltd Ground Floor West 900 Pavilion Drive Northampton NN4 7RG Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff Amber Court, William Armstrong Drive Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YQ

4

5 CONTENTS Page Introduction 7 1 Introduction 9 The Proposed Development 11 2 The Proposed Development 13 Understanding The Context 15 3 Understanding The Context Physical Context Site Selection / Consideration of Alternatives Social Context Economic Context 19 Planning Policy 21 4 Planning Policy Introduction National Planning Policy Local Planning Policy Core Strategy Relevant CSDMP Policies 23 The Design Component 27 5 The Design Component Introduction Amount Layout: Scale Landscaping Appearance 31 The Access Component 33 6 The Access Component

6 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AOD CAA CBC DAS EIA ES FCC Ha MOD MWe NPPF DCLG WPDL M Km Above Ordnance Datum Civil Aviation Authority Central Bedfordshire Council Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Statement FCC Environment Ltd. Hectares Ministry of Defence Mega Watt Electrical National Planning Policy Framework Department for Communities and Local Government Western Power Distribution Ltd. Meters Kilometres - 6 -

7 SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION - 7 -

8

9 1 INTRODUCTION This (DAS) has been prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd. (PB) on behalf of FCC Environment Ltd (FCC). It is submitted in support of an application for planning permission to Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) seeking permission for development of a six turbine Wind Energy Development, together with associate ancillary infrastructure, to be located within the landholding of the former Brogborough Landfill Site Central Bedfordshire, England This DAS accompanies a number of other inter-related documents which need to be read together to gain a full understanding of the proposed project. These planning application documents include the following: Environmental Statement Volume 1 (Main Document) Environmental Statement Volume 2 (Figures and Appendices) Planning Statement Planning Forms Section 6 of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Circular Guidance on Information Requirements and Validation (2010) sets out the requirements for s. It states that the level of detail required in a will depend on the scale and complexity of the project (paragraph 121). It advises that statements should be proportionate to the complexity of the application, but need not be long This DAS reflects that advice and has also been produced to meet the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order

10

11 1.1.5 SECTION 2 THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

12

13 2 THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT The proposed project will comprise six wind turbines, each capable of producing up to 0.9 megawatts of electricity (MWe) by converting the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy. Each turbine will have a total height to tip of up to 90 m. The rotor will consist of three blades connected to a hub supported by a steel tower The proposed Wind Energy Project will be located entirely within the landholding of the Brogborough Landfill site, approximately 1.7 km south of Cranfield, 3 km west of Marston Moretaine and 2.75 km North West of Lidlington. The site location is shown in Figure 1.1 of Volume 3 of the ES The exact model of turbine to be used at the proposed Wind Energy Project site will not be known until a contractor / manufacturer has been chosen following planning permission. For this reason, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been based on preliminary conservative design information for which any changes would only improve the potential environmental impact For the purposes of the planning documents, turbines of the maximum size envisaged will be considered, that is six turbines up to 90 m to blade tip. For the purposes of this planning application, it has been assumed that the GAMESA G58 turbines will be used The individual turbines will be connected by underground cables to an onsite control building that will house switchgear and transformers as necessary. The power generated by the turbines will then be exported to the regional grid operated by Western Power Distribution Limited (WPDL). The final connection route is yet to be established, however there are several alternative routes available to FCC which are all considered viable at this stage. This cable route will be the subject of a separate planning application (as required) by Western Power Distribution Limited. Western Power Distribution Limited will undertake this work as they are a statutory body and well experienced in siting cable routes. They are therefore able to plan the best route and establish a connection without rigorous planning legislation, providing they contact relevant consultees such as Central Bedfordshire Council prior to undertaking such works Construction of the proposed Wind Energy Project is expected to take between 8 to 12 months. The majority of this work will include construction of the turbine foundations and road infrastructure. The turbines themselves will be fabricated elsewhere, brought to the site in sections and erected using a crane It is anticipated that the proposed development will produce a significant and reliable supply of energy which will feed in to the national distribution network. The project will therefore contribute to the EU Renewables Directive (2009/28/EC) as well as the United Kingdom s target of over 15 per cent of electricity production from renewable sources by 2020 (UK Renewable Energy road map, 2011)

14

15 SECTION 3 UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT

16

17 3 UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT 3.1 Physical Context The proposed Brogborough Wind Energy Development will be sited wholly on land owned and managed by FCC within the former Brogborough Landfill Site. No turbines will be situated within close proximity to waste deposits. Although the turbines are within the landholding of the existing landfill site, the area where they will be sited has not been set aside as future void space, has not previously been excavated to create void and is not used for any landfill operations The site lies within the Marston Vale. The landscape character of Marston Vale is one of semi rural/industrial settings with surrounding industries including the proposed Rookery Energy from Waste plant to the east and the rural villages of Brogborough and Cranfield to the south and north respectively The site lies between (approximately) 50 to 60m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD). The site has relatively undulating topography and is bounded to the North by Marsdon Thrift Woodland, to the West by Holcot and residential properties, and to the South and East by the M1 and A421 respectively. On the site to the East of where the turbines will be located is a 30 MW power station which is fuelled by methane gas collected from the landfill site. The site has a total area of 192 hectares (ha) as shown on Figure Surrounding residential areas include: Cranfield, approximately 1.7 km North; Marston Moretaine, 3 km East; Lidlington, 2.4 km South East The site is within the County of Bedfordshire and is administered by Central Bedfordshire Council The application site area is shown in Figure 1.1 in Volume II of the ES. 3.2 Site Selection / Consideration of Alternatives In England, the choice of potential project sites for producing wind generated power is severely limited by the lack of sites not confined by, amongst others, residential/human, visual, aviation, telecommunications, ecological and ornithological constraints Over the last few years, FCC has undertaken feasibility studies at a number of their sites. Issues which have been examined in these assessments include: Wind Resource - The siting of the wind turbines is constrained by the need for a location with sufficient wind resource to allow the project to operate in a technically and commercially viable manner. Distance From Housing - The nearest house is approximately 724 m from a proposed turbine location. Therefore, this property is significantly outside the topple distance of the turbines and will be subject to minimal impacts from noise generated by the turbines

18 Existing land use and designation The proposed turbines will be located within FCC s existing landholding. The site is not the subject of any ecological or landscape designations, although there are designated sites in the vicinity. Ecological factors The Ecological Impact Assessment process has identified a number of potential effects on receptors. However, it has been demonstrated that through appropriate construction, operation and decommissioning phase mitigation measures, together with enhancement proposals detailed in the ES, that an overall positive impact will arise from development. The provisions made within the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), the Local Environmental Management Plan (LEMP) and additionally within any European Protected Species (EPS) licence application will ensure that such mitigation measures are fully incorporated into the development in the appropriate manner. Archaeological factors - the proposed development also has the potential to have an indirect adverse effect upon on the setting of seven Scheduled Monuments, and this effect would be moderate and temporary. This also applies to 150 Listed Buildings within 5km of the Scheme Area. No programme of mitigation is considered to be possible, although the magnitude of the effect upon the Listed Buildings in a worst-case scenario. The proposed development also has the potential to have a minor adverse effect on any undiscovered archaeology that may be present within the Scheme Area, although the potential for any undiscovered remains to be present is considered moderate. Visual Impact A full assessment of the potential visual impacts on surrounding localities (particularly properties in close proximity to the development) has been undertaken. Although impacts were identified to receptors in the area it is not considered that these are unacceptable. In addition it should be noted that the impacts of the proposed development are not long term but reversible and that the planning permission for the development is proposed to be for 25 years, after which the turbines will be decommissioned and removed. Availability of Electrical Connections WPDL have been consulted to determine the best method of exporting electricity from the site. Initial indications are that several options exist which are all viable. Telecommunications Links Across the Site Wind Energy Project developments have the potential to impact on telecommunications signals if they are in close proximity to transmitters. Consultations were held with relevant telecommunications companies and it has been concluded that this project will not impact any of these connections. Aviation and Air Defence - Wind turbines have the potential to act as a physical obstruction to aviation because of their height. They can also present an obstruction to radar, through generation of unwanted radar returns; partially due to height but particularly due to the rotating blades. As part of the EIA, informal, pre-planning consultations have been held with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Neither of these consultees have raised an objection to the project. Accessibility and Rights of Way Each of the turbines would be located close to public rights of ways which are being reinstated as part of the site restoration process and across FCC owned land. During construction of these turbines, temporary foot path diversion orders will be put in place to divert pedestrian traffic away from the construction works. It may be that these footpaths away

19 from the turbines are made permanent to increase the distance between the rights of way and turbines during the operational period. Accessibility to the public and the project site is discussed further in sections 14 and 18 of the ES, Volume 1. A Site Area Sufficient to Accommodate a Viable Project - The area of land available is considered to be sufficient to accommodate six 90 m high turbines Based on the above, it has been concluded that the proposed site at Brogborough is suitable for the siting of a six turbine Wind Energy Project. 3.3 Social Context Communication with the local community and other stakeholders by FCC was considered a vital part of the development process so that all concerns were considered in the planning process This consultation process included three information days held in Lidlington, Marston Moretaine, and Cranfield on the 24 th 26 th January for local residents, businesses and members of the local press. Information provided to residents included posters describing the proposed development, photo montages of how the development will look, information leaflets and flyers. Residents were invited to ask questions about the project and were asked for their views and concerns so that these could be incorporated into the ES The information days were advertised in the local press and by letters posted through doors of residents and local businesses in the area and posters located in prominent local places (e.g. shop windows). Experts from FCC and PB were also available to answer any questions or concerns raised about the development A project website has been set up: which will describe the proposed Brogborough Wind Energy Project and enables members of the public to find out details of the proposed development and give their views on the proposal. 3.4 Economic Context FCC is one of the leading waste management services companies in the UK. Each year they receive, recycle and dispose of household, commercial and industrial waste at many sites across the UK. They also generate energy from waste, contributing significantly to the Government's efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels Over the last few years, they have begun to further examine the potential of their landholdings in the UK to house renewable energy projects. Feasibility studies have been undertaken at a number of sites with the Brogborough site identified as being a potentially suitable location for the development of a Wind Energy Project due to the large areas of land that are available and the wind speeds encountered at the site It is expected that the construction phase of the proposed Wind Energy Project would employ of the order of 20 construction workers. The construction period will be of approximately 6 to 8 months duration and is expected to provide some work for local contractors

20 3.4.4 The construction of the proposed Wind Energy Project will result in small direct positive economic benefits for local service companies (i.e., cafes, hotels, shops, security) On a national scale, and also internationally, there would be socio-economic benefits in terms of job creation and investment cumulatively with other wind energy projects. Estimates by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) value the European wind energy market at 50 billion by The Department of Trade and Industry (now the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC)) estimate that there are 2500 jobs sustained by the wind industry in the UK. This could rise dramatically to as high as jobs across all UK renewables by The Wind Energy Project will be unmanned. Its performance would be automatically monitored from a centralised off site control room. Staff of two maintenance engineers is envisaged, depending on the manufacturer selected to provide the turbines. These staff would be part-time at the Wind Energy Project as it is expected they would also operate and maintain a number of other wind projects in the area The development is consistent with policies in the NPPF which seeks the maintenance of economic growth and employment through the creation of jobs directly linked to renewable energy development and the development of new technologies The proposed development is consistent with local development framework (DM1 renewable energy) which recognises that renewable energy developments are important in promoting sustainable economic development and meeting climate change goals

21 SECTION 4 PLANNING POLICY

22

23 4 PLANNING POLICY 4.1 Introduction This section is a brief overview of planning policy relevant to this development. All relevant planning policies are detailed in Section 3 of Volume 1 of the Environmental Statement (ES) The current planning policy framework within Central Bedfordshire is as follows: National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF); and Central Bedfordshire Local Development Framework. 4.2 National Planning Policy At the heart of the NPPF is a presumption in favour of sustainable development. The NPPF is split into 13 chapters which detail how to deliver environmental, economic and social sustainable development. The sections of the NPPF relevant to this development include: Chapter 10 Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change; Chapter 11 - Conserving and enhancing the natural environment; and Chapter 12 Conserving and enhancing the historic environment. 4.3 Local Planning Policy Central Bedfordshire is a Unitary Authority and thus there are no further Local Planning Policies beyond the Local Development Framework (LDF) The abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) in 2010 meant that regional and local level planning decisions now rely on the LDF. In the case of the proposed Brogborough wind energy project, the RSS was replaced entirely by the Central Bedfordshire Local Development Framework (CBLDF). The CBLDF has been set out to provide planning policy for the Central Bedfordshire area, in documents known as Development Plan Documents (DPDs) that contain policies that will be used to determine planning applications submitted to the Council. 4.4 Core Strategy An important DPD for the Central Bedfordshire area is the Core Strategy and Development Management Policies (CSDMP) document, which sets out Central Bedfordshire Council s long term policies over the period Relevant CSDMP Policies Within the CSDMP document, there are eleven strategic objectives that set out the general development aims of the council and highlight which of the core strategy policies are also relevant to achieving those aims. In the case of the Brogborough Wind Energy Project, which is clearly defined as a renewable energy development, strategic objectives three and five are the most relevant in this case. Strategic Objective Three

24 4.5.2 Strategic objective three aims to plan for the highest quality of sustainable development in the most sustainable locations whilst ensuring that new development has a positive impact on communities and is supported by necessary infrastructure. This objective aims to ensure that new developments meet strict design and sustainability criteria, maximising the reuse of previously developed land in a sustainable manner The core strategies that underpin strategic objective three are: CS1: Development Strategy CS2: Developer Contributions CS3: Healthy and sustainable communities CS13: Climate Change DM1: Renewable Energy DM2: Sustainable construction of buildings DM3: High quality development DM4: Development within and beyond settlement envelopes DM17: Accessible green spaces Strategic Objective Five Strategic objective five aims to make mid Bedfordshire a more environmentally, economically, socially and sustainable place, that positively responds to the challenges of climate change but is also prepared for its effects. The objective intends to, identify the global impacts of local development and respond accordingly, improve energy efficiency and increase renewable energy sources and, reduce the risk of flooding The core strategies and development management policies that underpin strategic objective five are: CS13: Climate Change DM1: Renewable Energy DM2: Sustainable Construction of New Buildings In addition to strategic objectives three and five and their underpinning core strategies (CS) and development management (DM) policies, there are a number of other CS and DM policies that are relevant to the proposed wind energy development, these are as follows: CS15: Heritage CS16: Landscape and Woodland CS18: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation DM14: landscape and Woodland DM12: Horticultural and redundant agricultural sites DM13: Heritage in Development DM15: Biodiversity DM18 : Equestrian Development Other Material Considerations Other material considerations which may be given weight in the decision making process include:

25 The Kyoto Protocol 1997; EU Renewables Directive 2009; EU Renewables Directive 2001; Energy White Paper 2003; Energy White Paper 2007; UK Climate Change Programme 2008; and UK Renewable Energy Strategy A detailed discussion of the planning policy which is relevant to the Brogborough Wind Energy Project is provided in both Section 3 of the ES and in a separate Planning Statement which accompanies the planning application

26

27 SECTION 5 THE DESIGN COMPONENT

28

29 5 THE DESIGN COMPONENT 5.1 Introduction Section 6 of the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Guidance on Information Requirements and Validation (2010) requires information relating to: The amount of development proposed; The layout of the proposed development; The scale of proposed development; Proposed landscaping; and Proposed appearance The following Section provides information on all of the above components of the proposed Brogborough Wind Energy Project. 5.2 Amount The Project will comprise of six wind turbines, each turbine will be 60 m to the Hub from the ground and 90 m from the blade tip from the ground. Each turbine will have 3 blades All six turbines will be connected to a central control room which will be approximately 60 m 2 and 4m in height Each turbine will be capable of producing approximately 0.9 MWe. The development will also include access roads and a control building. In addition there is the possibility that a small transformer may be housed outside the base of each turbine if it cannot be housed within the turbine tower The following will also be present at the site: Access Tracks Existing tracks will be utilised wherever possible. Approximately 380 m of new or upgraded track will be utilised for the development. Tracks will be generally 5m min width and to be constructed from compacted stone. Construction Compound The compound area will be 900 m 2. The compound area will contain areas for the parking of vehicles, storage of materials and a site office including staff welfare facilities. The surface is to be of crushed stone. Crane Pads The crane pads will be 1444 m 2 for each turbine to facilitate construction. Each crane pad will be constructed from crushed stone The exact type of turbine to be used at the Project site has not been confirmed and will only be finalised when a contractor has been selected in the event of a successful planning application to CBC. For this reason, the planning application documents

30 have assumed the maximum number of turbines at the maximum envisaged size (six turbines at 90m height to tip) During the EIA process for wind energy developments, issues are sometimes identified by the various studies undertaken, which require the consideration of alternative turbine numbers and sizes to those originally proposed. 5.3 Layout: The proposed site layout, is shown in Figure 5.4 of Volume 2 of the ES. This layout plan shows the indicative position of: the wind turbines; transformers; roads; and, grid interconnection facilities (i.e., a control building) The coordinates of the proposed wind turbines are as follows: Turbine Number Easting Northing T T T T T T Careful consideration has been given to all relevant planning policy documents and guidance notes in the refinement of the Wind Energy Project layout. The siting and layout of the turbines within the Wind Energy Project aims to minimise any environmental impacts such as siting as far as possible from housing so as to limit any potential visual or shadow flicker impacts, while maximising the exposure of the turbines to the wind resource. In siting the individual turbines, similar constraints to those used in selecting the site are considered to determine the optimal configuration The existing landfill entrance will allow for access to the site without major modification to land or highways outside the landholding. The site entrance bell mouth will be of a suitable radius to permit entry of the abnormal loads and the necessary length of vehicles required The permanent Wind Energy Development footprint would occupy approximately 3 ha situated within a site that covers some 192 ha. During the construction phase an additional 1 ha would be temporarily required for laydown and working areas The turbines will not be sited within waste deposits but would all be erected on previously undeveloped areas of land. 5.4 Scale It is proposed that each turbine will have a maximum hub height of 60 metres and a maximum height to blade tip of 90 metres. The tower structure will measure approximately 5 metres at its base This size of turbine has been identified as being the most appropriate for the site as it is considered to strike an acceptable balance between the need to maximise energy generation whilst minimising impacts on sensitive environmental receptors. In terms

31 of energy generation, turbine selection was informed by an analysis of data collected from the onsite meteorological mast The control building will have a height of approximately 4 metres and will be single storey with a footprint of approximately 60 m There will be approximately 380 m of new or upgraded access tracks. 5.5 Landscaping Following completion of the project construction, the site will be landscaped in-line with the Brogborough Landfill Final Restoration Plan., 5.6 Appearance The proposed turbines will comprise a tubular tower structure, a rotor comprising of 3 blades, a hub and nacelle All component elements will be finished in either white or pale grey with the precise colour specification to be agreed in consultation with CBC The precise turbine model to be used on site will be selected post planning It is intended that the control room which have a rendered exterior and a grey slate roof. The precise materials specification will be agreed in consultation with CBC

32

33 SECTION 6 THE ACCESS COMPONENT

34

35 6 THE ACCESS COMPONENT Section 6 of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Circular Guidance on Information Requirements and Validation (2010) requires that Design and Access Statements provide details of access to the proposed development The main turbine components are expected to be manufactured overseas and brought to a suitably close port from where they can be transported by road to the proposed site. The larger turbine components (abnormal loads) will be will be delivered to the site via the M1, exiting at junction 13, and joining the A421 heading north towards the Brogborough Wind Energy Development. Currently, there is an armco railing in place off the A421 at the site entrance which can be removed to enable access Alternatively, deliveries may be made from the M1 and then along Bedford Road, and passing under the A421 to the current main entrance of the landfill site Approximately 80 abnormal loads are expected over the construction period for the delivery of the blades, tower parts and nacelles Other construction traffic, including construction staff, could approach the site in the same way. A maximum of 30 construction staff are expected to be working at the site at any one time Peak traffic generation is likely to occur at the time when the delivery of concrete for the construction of the turbine foundations is taking place within the fourth and fifth months of the construction period. This will result in a worst-case figure of approximately 18 deliveries per day. This equates to approximately 2 deliveries (or 4 traffic movements) per hour. This is a minimal increment to the existing peak traffic levels within the study area All routes will be agreed with the Highways Authority at CBC prior to the commencement of construction Existing tracks will be utilised wherever possible.. The upgraded and new access tracks would be a nominal width of 5 m The access tracks will be constructed from compacted stone with a thickness of approximately 750 mm. This specification is considered appropriate to facilitate construction of the development and its maintenance during operation. A typical cross section of an access track is shown in Figure 5.3 of the ES There will be two main groups of people accessing the Wind Energy Project site. Construction workers, during the construction process and maintenance engineers during the operational phase. During construction, and subject to CBC Highway Authority approval, the site would be accessed via the M1, exiting at junction 13, and joining the A421 heading north towards the Brogborough Wind Energy Development. Currently, there is an armco railing in place off the A421 at the site entrance which can be removed to enable access. Access tracks would then be constructed between the main car park in the landfill and up to and connecting the turbines and control building. The layout of the access tracks have been designed so that they are sufficient to deliver large turbine components in and out of the site with minimal difficulty. The same access tracks would remain in place following construction and would be used by the maintenances engineers on routine visits. The tracks would be sufficient so as to allow good access between the site entrance and the turbines, as well as between the turbines and up to the control building

36 There are not anticipated to be any health and safety considerations regarding access to the site during construction or operation, other than large, moving vehicles. Where large deliveries are being made to the site, banksmen will be used for all movements. The access tracks have been designed so as to allow good access for all vehicles The access tracks would be suitable for the use of all emergency services, should access to the site be required during construction or operational phases It is not envisaged that public transport will be used during the operational phase, as maintenance engineers will need specific tools and their own site vehicles for maintaining turbines. Public transport may be used by site workers during the construction phase